Corner Store Exxon at Rayford and Gosling

This is the gas station I usually use on the way to work.  I've been inside a couple of times but have never eaten there.  They do have what looks to be a good food selection so I got some hot food on the way to the Woodlands the other day.

As a gas station, it's a good one.  The pumps are new and work well, though right now they are impacted by Harvey and are still having trouble getting all grades of gasoline. The bathrooms are above-average clean for a gas station and are very modern. It looks like a great place to buy beer--they have a selection equivalent to a grocery store and a dedicated walk-in cooler.

The food is another story. I've seen the food well-stocked, but when I went in at noon on a Saturday I was disappointed. They didn't have the chopped beef sandwich or sriracha burger that they advertised as a special. I think they were understaffed and didn't manage to stock. I ended up with a sausage on a stick and a choice off the roller grill. They did have a good variety there, including a breakfast sausage that was tempting, but in the end I went with a pepperoni pizza grilled sausage, with some "chili" and cheese from the dispensers. Gourmet food it was not, but actually not half bad.  I'm trying to do more pictures now, but this food was not picture-worthy.

The sanitary conditions for the food were good. The buns were individually wrapped, and the drink cup lids were in dispensers that cut down on fingering the stack. They had two Freestyle machines, and both appeared to be working properly, which you can't take for granted.

As gas station cuisine goes, it's probably lowest on my list.  The others in the area all make food to order, and Laredo Taco Company in the Stripes at 99 and Hildebrandt on Kuykendall is actually my favorite in the area.

The gas is a bit above average in price, but it's convenient and I'm happy to patronize it.

Check out my Yelp review.

Swing Zone - Caveat Emptor

I used to be an avid golfer.  Played for 10 years and never broke 100, which pretty much cured me, but I still play mini golf and Top Golf occasionally, and keep an eye on simulators because I think that's the future of the game.  So I was really looking forward to trying Swing Zone.  Hang on, because this is a rather long review.  My experience had a lot of highs and lows, and if you go you should know what you are getting into.

The chicken salad panini--it was OK

The chips and queso--not acceptable

Swing Zone is mainly a bar and golf place, but they do advertise that they have food. This is a food blog, so we'll start there. They have some standard bar snacks, but their kitchen equipment seems to be limited to a microwave, a panini press, and something to heat up cheese for nachos and such. I ordered a chicken salad panini and some chips and queso, with a Coke. After hitting balls for a bit I sat back to wait for the food. The furniture is quite comfortable and encourages group interaction. They have nice big screens with golf playing. All pretty pleasant.

After a bit my panini comes out. It's decent chicken salad, nothing to write home about but competent. I would not expect super quick service if the place was crowded.

Then the manager comes out and said he was not happy with how the cheese sauce came out so he started over. I'm not in a hurry so no problem, and I appreciate that they were forthright and wanted to serve a good product.

About 10 minutes later I get the chips and queso. The queso is fine, but the chips are a disappointment. I got the tail end of a bag--somewhat stale chips, mostly in fragments. When I'm alone I'll put fragments directly in the cheese and eat it like porridge, but that's not acceptable for a group.

I eat what I want from the chip fragments, then turn back to the simulator. I played nine holes on their beginner course and had a grand time with all the bells and whistles.

The simulator technology was completely amazing. I have been thinking about how I would do something like this for many years, and they hit all the buttons. There's simulated rough and sand that is somewhat realistic. Chipping and putting are effectively simulated, though the putting is touchy. You get swing analysis, including video and statistics. The course simulation reminds me of the WGT online golf game, which is very good. The floor even moves to simulate hanging lies. I was floored. 

The atmosphere in the place is very much upscale sports place.  The furniture is dark, luxurious and comfortable, encouraging groups.  Bathrooms are spotless and comfortable.  All very fine.  One small atmosphere point--if you bring your own clubs you should bring a stand bag or something else to hold them, there are no racks provided.

The place was empty when I came. Some other people came through but I was the only player. Staff was attentive and polite, and set me up in a bay. I did not know it at the time but this is where some of the trouble began.

I signed the waivers and such, but we did not discuss how pricing worked before the attendant got me started hitting some practice shots.  Then I sat down to enjoy the relaxed, unhurried lunch described above, followed by those very enjoyable nine holes of simulated golf.

Now comes the bill. $72!!! Pricing is $35 per hour, adding $5 per hour for each player up to three, and up to six can share for $45 per hour. That's very reasonable--but they started my clock when they assigned the bay to me. Waiting for, and eating, lunch cost me another $35. No mention of this at any point.

I think if I would have thrown a fit they would have made some kind of adjustment, but that shouldn't be necessary. I got my pricing info by looking it up for myself on the phone--that should have been part of the introduction at the door.

I've played at Top Golf, and pricing is very similar. Swing Zone wins on technology and it's not even close, but if you want to eat, Top Golf food is better by a similar margin. I'll come back, but...caveat emptor! Come knowing what you want. And probably eat somewhere else, and just get a beer at Swing Zone.

Check out my Yelp Review of Swing Zone.

Introductions

Hello neighbors!  This blog is focused on the restaurant/food truck/gas station cuisine in the immediate neighborhood of Northampton here in Spring, TX.  My family enjoys eating out, but we tend to go to the same small set of places we know we will all like.  About a year ago I decided I wanted to branch out.  I started eating at local places of all kinds, trying to apply some real judgment to how I liked to food and atmosphere (if any).  I've been posting reviews on Yelp and on Nextdoor Northampton and enjoying the conversations.

What kinds of places to eat interest me?  The short answer is anything--anything at all--in this area.  I've reviewed over 50 local places to eat and have yet to travel more than 3 miles from our home.  It may seem a bit odd to review the Walmart deli or a gas station lunch counter, but you eat there, so I do too.  By the way, my favorite surprising place I have eaten so far is the Laredo Taco Company inside the Stripes at 99 and Hildebrandt. Gas station cuisine is trending.

My purpose here is to give you, my friends and neighbors, useful information on just about anywhere you might eat in this area.  My intent is to point out what I like about a place, and give constructive criticism of the food, service or atmosphere if it is warranted.  I like local places and want them to succeed, so it's pretty rare that I'll recommend not patronizing an establishment.  I particularly value comments that correct me if I get something wrong about a place or a cuisine--after all, that's how we learn.

I'm looking forward to sharing my very short-range excursions with you.  Feel free to jump in and share your food stories.  Happy local eating!