I enjoy eating at
Sonic, and tried this one out recently. As good as always. I usually
get a burger, but this time I got a chicken fried steak sandwich with
tots, a cranberry sprite (holiday special) and an oreo cheesecake shake.
The food came out quickly (the server apologized for the wait,
but I don't think he needed to) and was hot and fresh. Everything was
correct on the order. The sandwich was delicious, a nice tender CFS.
The tots were awesome as always (I get tots every time, they are quite
superior to fries). Sonic has about 100K drink combinations and it
seems a shame not to try them, so I went with the holiday special.
Cranberry Sprite is refreshing but I still like my Coke. The shake was
very good, but kind of chunky for using a straw and they don't supply a
spoon by default (I could have asked for one).
Most people at
Sonic eat in their cars, some like the drive thru, but I like to eat at
their outside seating. This place is quite nice, the tables were all
clean and in great shape, the landscaping was attractive, and the
holiday decorations are fun. It was a chilly day, but combined with the
piping hot food it was a great experience.
Sonics don't have
dining areas but they do have bathrooms. Some are cruddy afterthoughts
opening directly to the outside, but this one had a nicely tiled entry
area. The restroom was occupied when I checked so I cannot vouch for
cleanliness, but the effort was there. Overall I can't find any fault.
My Yelp Review
Monday, December 23, 2019
Monday, December 9, 2019
Circle K at 2920 and Rhodes
I stopped in to pick
up lunch the other day and see what they had on the roller grill. This
Circle K actually has a full kitchen--grill, burners and a deep fat
fryer--but it wasn't open for Saturday lunch, so I went with what was
there. Ended up with a hot dog, sausage on a stick, some house chips
and a drink.
Everything was in good working order. The drink machine worked just fine, and the dog and sausage were nice and hot. The house kettle chips were just as good as any. A good selection of fresh toppings was available. The only down side, and it was kind of serious, is that the pre-packaged bun I got was very stale. It fell apart around the dog. No good.
The bathroom was not perfectly clean but close enough for a convenience store, certainly usable. They have a bar for eating if you want to chow down before you get back in the car, but it was a beautiful day so I took mine to the park to eat. Service was efficient and polite, and the whole thing only cost $5.24, so it's fine for a cheap fill-up of car and gut.
My Yelp Review
Everything was in good working order. The drink machine worked just fine, and the dog and sausage were nice and hot. The house kettle chips were just as good as any. A good selection of fresh toppings was available. The only down side, and it was kind of serious, is that the pre-packaged bun I got was very stale. It fell apart around the dog. No good.
The bathroom was not perfectly clean but close enough for a convenience store, certainly usable. They have a bar for eating if you want to chow down before you get back in the car, but it was a beautiful day so I took mine to the park to eat. Service was efficient and polite, and the whole thing only cost $5.24, so it's fine for a cheap fill-up of car and gut.
My Yelp Review
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Not a Review of Chick-Fil-A
I'm not reviewing the Chick-Fil-A near Kuykendahl and Hufsmith today, though it would be my normal day to do it. And it has to do with SB 1978, passed by the Texas Legislature in May, that has acquired their name - the "Chick Fil A Bill" intended to protect businesses from adverse government actions based on their religious donations or affiliation. The bill is injurious to people I know and love, and as you'll see below businesses don't necessarily want this kind of help.
Not that they particularly need my review. If you like Chick-Fil-A you're going there, no matter what I say about it. But since my reviewing of the neighborhood is pretty comprehensive it may be noticeable if I review the Marco's across the street and not the Chick-Fil-A, so if you came looking this is your explanation.
Chick-Fil-A says it did not ask for this help, and it is easy to believe that they really did not want it. I'm sure they would rather have negotiated quietly with San Antonio over access to their airport food courts. They have in fact backed away from support of charities known to be actively anti-marriage equality. So far this has won them no friends, including here. They have been out front in opposition to the rights of sexual minorities in the past, and if they want to soften that stance they will have to do more than quietly back away from it. For me personally, perhaps not that much more--a stronger statement that they do not appreciate being used for political gain, and a stronger assertion of their support for all of their customers *and* employees, would be in order. In these times it is pretty difficult to have it both ways, and in their case I believe it is too late for them to do so.
Not that they particularly need my review. If you like Chick-Fil-A you're going there, no matter what I say about it. But since my reviewing of the neighborhood is pretty comprehensive it may be noticeable if I review the Marco's across the street and not the Chick-Fil-A, so if you came looking this is your explanation.
Chick-Fil-A says it did not ask for this help, and it is easy to believe that they really did not want it. I'm sure they would rather have negotiated quietly with San Antonio over access to their airport food courts. They have in fact backed away from support of charities known to be actively anti-marriage equality. So far this has won them no friends, including here. They have been out front in opposition to the rights of sexual minorities in the past, and if they want to soften that stance they will have to do more than quietly back away from it. For me personally, perhaps not that much more--a stronger statement that they do not appreciate being used for political gain, and a stronger assertion of their support for all of their customers *and* employees, would be in order. In these times it is pretty difficult to have it both ways, and in their case I believe it is too late for them to do so.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Wingstop In Grand Parkway II
I stopped in the other
day to try out this new wing option in our neighborhood. Many reviewers I've read have had bad experiences, but mine was just fine. I must not be
alone, because the place was quite busy. I ordered a six-piece wings, 3
original mild, 3 Louisiana rub, all bone in. I ordered loaded
Louisiana Voodoo fries, a brownie and a drink with it. I would say it
is mostly intended for take-out--most of the seats were being used by
people waiting for large orders. I had to wait about 15 minutes for
mine as well, kind of on the long side but not shocking for food made
fresh. You can order in advance online, which looks like a good idea.
The wings were good, about on par with the other wing places. I consider myself more sensitive than average to spice, but these were not very spicy. The original mild was not spicy at all, and not super flavorful--didn't need the ranch dressing. The Louisiana Rub had more flavor and some detectable warmth. They were nicely cooked, neither under- nor over-done.
The fries were a small adventure--when they presented them to me the fries had not had the Louisiana Voodoo treatment. They were able to fix it on the spot--cheese, ranch dressing, and a load of Cajun spice. I would say the fries were perfect for this--done very well, so they were crisp under all that sauce. They were the highlight of the visit. They have compensated for undercooking them.
The brownie was underwhelming, kind of sticky and dry at the same time, and the chocolate tasted kind of powdery. Might have been too old.
I found the service to be polite, but maybe still kind of spotty. Couldn't visit the restroom as there was a line, but the tables in the place were clean. The drink machine is a Freestyle, but was in good working order when I was there. Overall it seems like they are settling down, and are definitely popular. I think this would be my wing go-to over Big City or Buffalo, though the others have some options besides wings.
My Yelp Review
The wings were good, about on par with the other wing places. I consider myself more sensitive than average to spice, but these were not very spicy. The original mild was not spicy at all, and not super flavorful--didn't need the ranch dressing. The Louisiana Rub had more flavor and some detectable warmth. They were nicely cooked, neither under- nor over-done.
The fries were a small adventure--when they presented them to me the fries had not had the Louisiana Voodoo treatment. They were able to fix it on the spot--cheese, ranch dressing, and a load of Cajun spice. I would say the fries were perfect for this--done very well, so they were crisp under all that sauce. They were the highlight of the visit. They have compensated for undercooking them.
The brownie was underwhelming, kind of sticky and dry at the same time, and the chocolate tasted kind of powdery. Might have been too old.
I found the service to be polite, but maybe still kind of spotty. Couldn't visit the restroom as there was a line, but the tables in the place were clean. The drink machine is a Freestyle, but was in good working order when I was there. Overall it seems like they are settling down, and are definitely popular. I think this would be my wing go-to over Big City or Buffalo, though the others have some options besides wings.
My Yelp Review
Monday, November 18, 2019
La Madeleine
La Madeleine is
probably the best-known and largest restaurant chain bringing French
food to the masses. Never been a big thing for me, but I stopped in to
try this location the other day. It is very well-staffed with helpful
people. I went with the Chicken Parisienne sandwich and a pasta salad
side, finishing with Sacher Torte for dessert.
The sandwich was well-executed. I had high expectations for the baguette, and they were met--nice and crusty outside, tender in the middle. The chicken was reasonably tender. The flavor was OK, better if you like cheddar more than I do. The pasta salad was disappointing. The tomato-basil sauce on it was very refreshing and tasty, but the penne pasta was kind of chewy and gummy. I didn't end up finishing it. The Sacher Torte had just a little hint of fruit in it (in classic form it's a chocolate cake with an apricot filling). Fine by me, I think it was a good chocolate cake.
The "frenchness" of the place is sort of cute but gets a bit cloying. Ex. soup is "soupe". But you know what you are in for. The bathroom was clean and ready when I went in. Not sure I'd go on my own, but would definitely go if my party wanted to.
My Yelp Review
The sandwich was well-executed. I had high expectations for the baguette, and they were met--nice and crusty outside, tender in the middle. The chicken was reasonably tender. The flavor was OK, better if you like cheddar more than I do. The pasta salad was disappointing. The tomato-basil sauce on it was very refreshing and tasty, but the penne pasta was kind of chewy and gummy. I didn't end up finishing it. The Sacher Torte had just a little hint of fruit in it (in classic form it's a chocolate cake with an apricot filling). Fine by me, I think it was a good chocolate cake.
The "frenchness" of the place is sort of cute but gets a bit cloying. Ex. soup is "soupe". But you know what you are in for. The bathroom was clean and ready when I went in. Not sure I'd go on my own, but would definitely go if my party wanted to.
My Yelp Review
Monday, November 11, 2019
Yummy Pho and Grill
This is the latest of
several new Vietnamese options in our area. I stopped in for lunch the
other day. I had the shrimp spring roll appetizer, the Bo Ne hot plate,
and accompanied it with a Vietnamese iced coffee.
The iced coffee was very refreshing, nice and sweet with strong coffee flavor. It's worthwhile to pay a little more for premium drinks if you're not just having water. The shrimp spring rolls were the soft kind, packed tight with lettuce and three medium sized shrimp. The peanut sauce was a good complement for the spring rolls, but was kind of one-note sweet. It might have been homemade but did not taste that way.
I'm something of a Spam fan, and it's very popular in Vietnam, so I couldn't resist trying the Bo Ne. Looking at the picture makes you think of breakfast, but the taste is definitely lunch. The main items on it are a fried egg, Spam, and beef. It's served on a sizzling hot plate like fajitas (mine was a cute dog shape). I got a baguette with mine (you can also have a salad). Not too crusty on the outside but very tender and fresh on the inside, and I used it to sop up some of the special sauce and egg yolk. The flavor of the sauce actually managed to overwhelm the spam, which I thought was not possible, but it went well with the beef, which was nice and tender.
The inside of the restaurant is much plainer than TJ Baja--mainly one large asian-themed framed poster. The bathroom (only one) was clean and ready when I was there, and they also have a sink outside the bathroom if you just want to wash your hands. Service was prompt and polite.
Overall I would say it was competent--would not replace any of my favorites. I understand the Banh Mis are a bit light on meat compared to, say, Taste of Pho--that kind of economizing is never worthwhile. But it's a perfectly fine option if you're at the Kroger and hungry for something besides fast food.
My Yelp Review
The iced coffee was very refreshing, nice and sweet with strong coffee flavor. It's worthwhile to pay a little more for premium drinks if you're not just having water. The shrimp spring rolls were the soft kind, packed tight with lettuce and three medium sized shrimp. The peanut sauce was a good complement for the spring rolls, but was kind of one-note sweet. It might have been homemade but did not taste that way.
I'm something of a Spam fan, and it's very popular in Vietnam, so I couldn't resist trying the Bo Ne. Looking at the picture makes you think of breakfast, but the taste is definitely lunch. The main items on it are a fried egg, Spam, and beef. It's served on a sizzling hot plate like fajitas (mine was a cute dog shape). I got a baguette with mine (you can also have a salad). Not too crusty on the outside but very tender and fresh on the inside, and I used it to sop up some of the special sauce and egg yolk. The flavor of the sauce actually managed to overwhelm the spam, which I thought was not possible, but it went well with the beef, which was nice and tender.
The inside of the restaurant is much plainer than TJ Baja--mainly one large asian-themed framed poster. The bathroom (only one) was clean and ready when I was there, and they also have a sink outside the bathroom if you just want to wash your hands. Service was prompt and polite.
Overall I would say it was competent--would not replace any of my favorites. I understand the Banh Mis are a bit light on meat compared to, say, Taste of Pho--that kind of economizing is never worthwhile. But it's a perfectly fine option if you're at the Kroger and hungry for something besides fast food.
My Yelp Review
Monday, November 4, 2019
Laredo Taco Company at Stripes at Spring Stuebner and Falvel
I love to eat at the
Laredo Taco Company inside of Stripes stores, as far as I am concerned
their tacos are better than nearly any taco truck in town. Today I went
into this one and went a different direction--tried their half chicken.
I got it with rice and charro beans for sides. I'd have to say it
compares pretty well with grocery store chicken--might have been a bit
overdone, but the falling-apart tenderness meant that even the white
meat was edible. The sides were fine, I liked them better than what I
usually get at a Tex-Mex place. Their tortillas are made in the
restaurant--usually nice and fresh, but these were held over and were
not that great. Also, they did not have any of the advertised sausage
links or roasted jalapenos that go with the chicken, which was
disappointing.
Another small downside--one of the soda machines was not working properly. They have two identical ones, so all was still well.
What a value! Half chicken, two sides and a drink for $6.23. You can't get the chicken for that at the grocery store. Also, the bathrooms were very clean, particularly for a convenience store, and the staff is friendly and polite. Great place to fuel up! But I'll stick with the tacos--could have had four of them with two sides for $6. Amazing.
My Yelp Review
Another small downside--one of the soda machines was not working properly. They have two identical ones, so all was still well.
What a value! Half chicken, two sides and a drink for $6.23. You can't get the chicken for that at the grocery store. Also, the bathrooms were very clean, particularly for a convenience store, and the staff is friendly and polite. Great place to fuel up! But I'll stick with the tacos--could have had four of them with two sides for $6. Amazing.
My Yelp Review
Monday, October 28, 2019
Craft Grill
Craft Grill is one of the neighborhood's more upscale eateries. We came in with a large
party the other night. Overall I would say we had a good experience,
but there were some rough spots.
We parked in back as recommended (and because we had to) and walked through the office building. Not a good start. The hallway smelled like it had a sewage problem and there was a high-pitched alarm going off. Probably a temporary issue. Things got better once inside--we had called ahead, so even though it was crowded we were seated in about 5 minutes.
We started off with the deviled eggs, and they were excellent--a nice smoky filling topped off with bacon, which makes everything better and was absolutely true in this case.
The entrees were more of a mixed bag. I had the South of the Border Salmon, which comes with cotija cheese, roasted pumpkin seeds, grilled corn, avocado, and salsa verde. There was a lot of grilled corn and I could not find any pumpkin seeds. The salmon was good, cooked just short of being overdone.
Also in our party: A catfish platter with jalapeno hush puppies and gouda grits. Both of the sides were first rate--perfect texture on the hush puppies and a nice heat. The catfish itself had a very good batter. My dining companion knew his catfish, and said this was probably not channel catfish (the most common kind, and in his view the best). Probably blue catfish.
Another entree: Chicken and biscuits. A huge portion--three biscuits with great big chicken breasts, one would make a full meal. The chicken was nice and tender and breaded well. The biscuits had good flavor but were rather dense and a bit overdone.
The chicken and waffles was a bit disappointing. The rosemary-infused syrup had a great aroma, but the waffle was again somewhat dense. The chicken was quite dry, pretty much inedible. At least the Texas Mule the diner had with the meal was a good one.
The Dixie Chick sandwich was another huge portion, but it was very well made and tender, and our diner nearly managed to finish it. The kids had competently executed burgers and pasta.
We went for dessert. The signature item is a waffle sundae. Nicely presented, but the waffle was the same density as the other one, and other than that it was ok--ice cream, whipped cream, and some nice candied pecans. The apple pie was first rate, can recommend it--it's an individual pastry pocket fried and glazed, and served with ice cream. Excellent pastry and a very good filling. We also had the banana pudding, which was a hit--light and a little fluffy, with scrumptious banana flavor.
Service was competent and timely, in keeping with the atmosphere. The restrooms were in good shape for it being a busy Saturday evening. Overall I would say it was a decent experience, but kind of pricey for what we got.
My Yelp Review
We parked in back as recommended (and because we had to) and walked through the office building. Not a good start. The hallway smelled like it had a sewage problem and there was a high-pitched alarm going off. Probably a temporary issue. Things got better once inside--we had called ahead, so even though it was crowded we were seated in about 5 minutes.
We started off with the deviled eggs, and they were excellent--a nice smoky filling topped off with bacon, which makes everything better and was absolutely true in this case.
The entrees were more of a mixed bag. I had the South of the Border Salmon, which comes with cotija cheese, roasted pumpkin seeds, grilled corn, avocado, and salsa verde. There was a lot of grilled corn and I could not find any pumpkin seeds. The salmon was good, cooked just short of being overdone.
Also in our party: A catfish platter with jalapeno hush puppies and gouda grits. Both of the sides were first rate--perfect texture on the hush puppies and a nice heat. The catfish itself had a very good batter. My dining companion knew his catfish, and said this was probably not channel catfish (the most common kind, and in his view the best). Probably blue catfish.
Another entree: Chicken and biscuits. A huge portion--three biscuits with great big chicken breasts, one would make a full meal. The chicken was nice and tender and breaded well. The biscuits had good flavor but were rather dense and a bit overdone.
The chicken and waffles was a bit disappointing. The rosemary-infused syrup had a great aroma, but the waffle was again somewhat dense. The chicken was quite dry, pretty much inedible. At least the Texas Mule the diner had with the meal was a good one.
The Dixie Chick sandwich was another huge portion, but it was very well made and tender, and our diner nearly managed to finish it. The kids had competently executed burgers and pasta.
We went for dessert. The signature item is a waffle sundae. Nicely presented, but the waffle was the same density as the other one, and other than that it was ok--ice cream, whipped cream, and some nice candied pecans. The apple pie was first rate, can recommend it--it's an individual pastry pocket fried and glazed, and served with ice cream. Excellent pastry and a very good filling. We also had the banana pudding, which was a hit--light and a little fluffy, with scrumptious banana flavor.
Service was competent and timely, in keeping with the atmosphere. The restrooms were in good shape for it being a busy Saturday evening. Overall I would say it was a decent experience, but kind of pricey for what we got.
My Yelp Review
Monday, October 21, 2019
California Baja Fusion Cuisine
There's a new, very attractive food truck on Gosling Road. I stopped in
to this place for lunch the other day, and had a very good experience.
For a food truck it has nice furnishings--two solid wooden tables and
distinctive yellow stools, with red umbrellas. I ordered a carnitas
torta with garlic fries and a jicama agua fresca (they also had
watermelon lemonade). Started with the drink, which was very well made
(I'm a fan of jicama, it reminds me of drinking grape juice) and got two
refills. The sandwich was pretty good--a nice crusty roll and some
white cheese (not sure what kind) fried on the grill to give it a crust.
The carnitas were OK, maybe slightly lacking in flavor but very
tender. Tomatoes seemed like the supermarket kind--I would probably do
without them next time. Fries were fantastic. Breaded steak fries done
nicely crisp on the outside, with great garlic flavor. The dish was
served with a habanero sauce. It was tasty and very hot as one would
expect.
They work hard at presentation. You get table service if you stay. The lunch was served on a wooden block, quite fancy. The sauce was a little confusing--it came in a cute little bottle, but I was not quite sure whether it was all intended for me (seemed like too much). They gave me a spoon with it but the spoon was too big to fit in the mouth of the container. It did pour nicely on the sandwich though, and was a good complement. I would absolutely go again.
My Yelp Review
They work hard at presentation. You get table service if you stay. The lunch was served on a wooden block, quite fancy. The sauce was a little confusing--it came in a cute little bottle, but I was not quite sure whether it was all intended for me (seemed like too much). They gave me a spoon with it but the spoon was too big to fit in the mouth of the container. It did pour nicely on the sandwich though, and was a good complement. I would absolutely go again.
My Yelp Review
Monday, October 14, 2019
Aviator's Grill
This place is a local
institution--it's been profiled several times in the neighborhood newspapers over the years. I stopped in for breakfast on a beautiful
Saturday morning. Breakfast is served on Friday-Sunday only, otherwise
it is lunch only. And it is not for early flyers--opens at 8am.
You order breakfast a la carte. Got a nice big one--a pancake, sausage, eggs, and toast, with coffee and orange juice. The pancake is of the large plate-covering variety--a pancake and coffee would fill you up for breakfast and set you back about $5. The pancake is the chewy variety--I like mine fluffy, but am told it is a matter of preference. The rest of the breakfast was competently made, nothing fancy but did the job. The coffee is Community coffee through a drip machine--there wasn't any ready when I ordered, but the server made it right away so I had it nice and fresh.
Overall I would say it is like eating at a middle-class country club grill room. Nothing fancy (order at the counter, condiments and silverware sitting out for you to take, furniture is a bit shabby) and originally aimed at the convenience of flyers, though now more business comes from the community--two families with small children came while I was there.
The place is on the airport grounds, and the entrance is inside Gill Aviation. There's a sign outside, but once you get in it's not in sight and there are no signs. Bear left, then to the right down the hall. Restrooms are just outside and were very clean and ready, including a mouthwash dispenser. It's very reasonable, I felt like I got what I paid for. Service was competent and reasonably prompt. I would come again for lunch sometime.
My Yelp Review
You order breakfast a la carte. Got a nice big one--a pancake, sausage, eggs, and toast, with coffee and orange juice. The pancake is of the large plate-covering variety--a pancake and coffee would fill you up for breakfast and set you back about $5. The pancake is the chewy variety--I like mine fluffy, but am told it is a matter of preference. The rest of the breakfast was competently made, nothing fancy but did the job. The coffee is Community coffee through a drip machine--there wasn't any ready when I ordered, but the server made it right away so I had it nice and fresh.
Overall I would say it is like eating at a middle-class country club grill room. Nothing fancy (order at the counter, condiments and silverware sitting out for you to take, furniture is a bit shabby) and originally aimed at the convenience of flyers, though now more business comes from the community--two families with small children came while I was there.
The place is on the airport grounds, and the entrance is inside Gill Aviation. There's a sign outside, but once you get in it's not in sight and there are no signs. Bear left, then to the right down the hall. Restrooms are just outside and were very clean and ready, including a mouthwash dispenser. It's very reasonable, I felt like I got what I paid for. Service was competent and reasonably prompt. I would come again for lunch sometime.
My Yelp Review
Monday, October 7, 2019
Tacqueria El Pichon
Quick review for a
quick bite. I stopped in at 7am on a Saturday to pick up some breakfast
tacos. I was told they only had the chorizo and egg. They were not
ready. Several folks waiting. I ordered a couple, on both flour and
corn. They tasted fine, and the verde salsa is nicely tart and a good
complement. On the one hand, service was kind of brusque. OTOH, I was
the only white guy and they gave me my food first, so it was a bit
uncomfortable. A real deal at $1 apiece for decent breakfast tacos, so
that tips me to a recommend.
My Yelp Review
My Yelp Review
Monday, September 30, 2019
La Cocina De Roberto
We had a family dinner
here the other night and had a great experience. It's tucked away in
Glen Loch in a low-end gas station--feels like a real find, but the
neighborhood definitely knows, it was comfortably full on our visit.
They opened up the party room to seat our group of six.
We got off to a great start with chips, queso and guacamole. The chips here are not free, but once you get them you'll know why. They are fried fresh, incredibly crisp and perfectly seasoned. "Free" chips will never taste the same.
The salsas are worth special mention. When you order chips, you get three--a mild red salsa that has excellent flavor, a green salsa that is hotter and is very interesting (in a good way), and then their specialty--a habanero salsa. Heat fans will love it. I tried a bit, and could taste the rich flavors of the salsa just before it fried my tongue. The queso is nothing special, just melted cheese, but the guacamole is quite good. Appearances do deceive a bit--there's a huge scoop of guacamole in a good-size bowl (see one of the pictures in other reviews) but turns out it's sitting on top of lettuce that fills the bowl. Still plenty.
I am a pork fan, so I had the Senor Gobernador, thin slices of grilled port with green salsa. The pork was cooked perfectly and very tender, and the salsa complemented it well. The sides were all at least competent--the rice was done with corn and peppers rather than standard tomato, and I like it better. The tortillas are made in-house but for me they were just OK, denser and chewier than most. Our enchilada fan had the enchiladas Suizas--swiss cheese enchiladas. They were OK, not amazing. We also had the fajita a la mexicana, fajita meat served with the usual sides. It was tasty and presented nicely, but it should be noted that this is served on an ordinary plate, not the traditional sizzling one. The beef fajita quesadilla ate well, and the mozarella sticks one child had were good too (they are served in a pastry wrapper rather than a breading).
We tried some interesting beverages. I had the agua fresca jamaica, a hibiscus-infused sweet beverage, which was quite good and a nice change. Several of the kids had their hot chocolate, which has a hint of cinnamon and is quite good.
Dessert is a bit of an afterthought here. They only have flan and bread pudding. The bread pudding is pretty dense, and did not seem like it was made there.
The service concept confused us at the end of the meal. Our server picked up some plates and then went to take a break. I watched the locals go up to the counter to pay. When I went up, they had the tab ready. They don't bring a check. When you're finished, just get up and go to the counter.
This is a family run place, and the owner came out with his young son to greet us an make sure we had a good experience. I can absolutely recommend it.
My Yelp Review
We got off to a great start with chips, queso and guacamole. The chips here are not free, but once you get them you'll know why. They are fried fresh, incredibly crisp and perfectly seasoned. "Free" chips will never taste the same.
The salsas are worth special mention. When you order chips, you get three--a mild red salsa that has excellent flavor, a green salsa that is hotter and is very interesting (in a good way), and then their specialty--a habanero salsa. Heat fans will love it. I tried a bit, and could taste the rich flavors of the salsa just before it fried my tongue. The queso is nothing special, just melted cheese, but the guacamole is quite good. Appearances do deceive a bit--there's a huge scoop of guacamole in a good-size bowl (see one of the pictures in other reviews) but turns out it's sitting on top of lettuce that fills the bowl. Still plenty.
I am a pork fan, so I had the Senor Gobernador, thin slices of grilled port with green salsa. The pork was cooked perfectly and very tender, and the salsa complemented it well. The sides were all at least competent--the rice was done with corn and peppers rather than standard tomato, and I like it better. The tortillas are made in-house but for me they were just OK, denser and chewier than most. Our enchilada fan had the enchiladas Suizas--swiss cheese enchiladas. They were OK, not amazing. We also had the fajita a la mexicana, fajita meat served with the usual sides. It was tasty and presented nicely, but it should be noted that this is served on an ordinary plate, not the traditional sizzling one. The beef fajita quesadilla ate well, and the mozarella sticks one child had were good too (they are served in a pastry wrapper rather than a breading).
We tried some interesting beverages. I had the agua fresca jamaica, a hibiscus-infused sweet beverage, which was quite good and a nice change. Several of the kids had their hot chocolate, which has a hint of cinnamon and is quite good.
Dessert is a bit of an afterthought here. They only have flan and bread pudding. The bread pudding is pretty dense, and did not seem like it was made there.
The service concept confused us at the end of the meal. Our server picked up some plates and then went to take a break. I watched the locals go up to the counter to pay. When I went up, they had the tab ready. They don't bring a check. When you're finished, just get up and go to the counter.
This is a family run place, and the owner came out with his young son to greet us an make sure we had a good experience. I can absolutely recommend it.
My Yelp Review
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Vee's Kajun Kitchen
I stopped by here the
other day to try out this new Cajun place. I had the fried ribs and
they were amazing! A generous portion of ribs, fried crisp on the
outside and still tender inside. Salted perfectly, right on that line
between too much and too little. The signature sauce comes separate,
which I appreciated because it is very sweet so a light touch was
perfect. I was blown away. The fries with it were OK (I like mine
crisper), but seasoned with cajun spices, which I like a lot. Also had a
"real deal" blueberry lemonade which was a nice complement. Finished
it off with one of their pralines, which was very tasty and a great end
to the meal.
This is a new business--they know how to cook but have some rough spots. The location is tricky--you need to enter at the storage place and go past Tacqueria Las Penas (not bad, but not in this league). They would like to have a better place. I had to listen for their generator to be sure they were open, it was hard to tell. When I ordered, I was told it would be 20 minutes for the food (!). Not sure if it would always take this long for the fried ribs (I'm sure a lot of other things are ready to go) or if the fryer oil just wasn't hot yet. I went and got gas. Forgive them and try it! Or call ahead, they are happy to hear from you. They are friendly and polite, and ready to please. These folks know how to cook, and there are not that many Cajun choices in this area.
My Yelp Review
This is a new business--they know how to cook but have some rough spots. The location is tricky--you need to enter at the storage place and go past Tacqueria Las Penas (not bad, but not in this league). They would like to have a better place. I had to listen for their generator to be sure they were open, it was hard to tell. When I ordered, I was told it would be 20 minutes for the food (!). Not sure if it would always take this long for the fried ribs (I'm sure a lot of other things are ready to go) or if the fryer oil just wasn't hot yet. I went and got gas. Forgive them and try it! Or call ahead, they are happy to hear from you. They are friendly and polite, and ready to please. These folks know how to cook, and there are not that many Cajun choices in this area.
My Yelp Review
Monday, September 16, 2019
Tropical Smoothie Cafe at Kuykendall and 2920
I stopped into this place the other
day for a late lunch. I had the baja chicken bowl, which came with rice, black beans, guacamole, romaine lettuce, pickled red onion, cheddar cheese and roasted tomato salsa on the side. I would say it is
more like a salad than a bowl--much more lettuce than rice, and it was
just barely warm. But as a salad it ate well--the chicken was tender
and tasty, the guacamole in the salad was good, and everything blended
well. I would get it again. I wasn't in the mood for a smoothie, so
ended up with water--they don't have much besides a smoothie that
qualifies as a drink.
I've had smoothies there before--they are OK, about on par with Smoothie King and others in the area. If one is near you it's a worthwhile stop for a smoothie and sandwich. The staff at this location was obviously still learning but they tried hard. The bathroom was clean and ready to go. It's a decent choice if you want a light meal or snack.
My Yelp Review
I've had smoothies there before--they are OK, about on par with Smoothie King and others in the area. If one is near you it's a worthwhile stop for a smoothie and sandwich. The staff at this location was obviously still learning but they tried hard. The bathroom was clean and ready to go. It's a decent choice if you want a light meal or snack.
My Yelp Review
Monday, September 9, 2019
ANcHOI
I stopped in to try
this new Asian fusion/Vietnamese place the other day. I had the Bun Cha
- Hanoi Original bowl and a CocoMatcha tea. There's a lot going on
with the Bun Cha--it was served with grilled pork patties marinating in
the fish sauce, along with sliced grilled pork and the traditional
vermicelli noodles, some cabbage, some cilantro, and mint. There was
plenty of fish sauce, which I appreciate because I use a lot. The pork
patties are grilled over lava rocks, not a flat grill, so you get more
of an outdoor grill flavor. I ordered mine with egg rolls, which come
in the bowl. A delicious combination of flavors.
I ordered the Matcha tea, and the waitress redirected me to the CocoMatcha, a combination of matcha tea and coconut milk. The matcha balanced the coconut and made for a refreshing drink to go with the food. It's definitely a great idea to get the specialty drink with the meal.
The service was very friendly, and the staff are ready to make recommendations for you, which is something I like a lot. I had a great experience. The bathroom was clean and ready to go on my visit. You can see some of the elements of Thai Express, which was the previous restaurant in that space--Anchoi is owned by the same family, striking out on their own rather than running a franchise. I thought Thai Express was OK, but would have to say I like this a lot better.
My Yelp Review
I ordered the Matcha tea, and the waitress redirected me to the CocoMatcha, a combination of matcha tea and coconut milk. The matcha balanced the coconut and made for a refreshing drink to go with the food. It's definitely a great idea to get the specialty drink with the meal.
The service was very friendly, and the staff are ready to make recommendations for you, which is something I like a lot. I had a great experience. The bathroom was clean and ready to go on my visit. You can see some of the elements of Thai Express, which was the previous restaurant in that space--Anchoi is owned by the same family, striking out on their own rather than running a franchise. I thought Thai Express was OK, but would have to say I like this a lot better.
My Yelp Review
Sunday, September 8, 2019
Northampton Neighbor Article: El Meson Latin Restaurant
This article first appeared in the Northampton Neighbor September 2019 edition:
When we decide to go out for a meal instead of cooking at
home or getting the food delivered, we start eating with all of our senses as
soon as we arrive. The sights, smells
and sounds of the restaurant are the “amuse bouche” before the appetizer. When you arrive at El Meson, you know right
away it will be special. The dining area
is well-appointed with examples of Colombian art—everywhere you look, you find
something beautiful to see.
The food lives up to the promise of the interior. El Meson offers a wide variety of dishes with
influences from all over South and Central America. I started off with an aguapanela, a drink
made with sugar cane and lime juice.
It’s a very refreshing accompaniment to a meal. For an appetizer, I had the beef
empanada. It’s beautifully done, flaky
and crisp and not at all greasy. Other
appetizers include arepas (a corn muffin that can be a sandwich, or served on
its own), hot dogs and hamburgers, making for a good lunch selection.
The Platos Tipicos section shows the Colombian side of the
menu. I’ve had the picada plate, a
sample of many different meats accompanied by fried yucca and potatoes, with
chimichurri sauce. You can get it in
pequena or grande, and it’s a great introduction to their cuisine. A specialty is roasted chicken—the recipe
comes from Peru. There are menu items
from Venezuela and Argentina as well, and the owner is considering adding more
traditional Tex-Mex items as well.
Manuel Martinez is the owner and head chef of El Meson. He co-owns the restaurant with his wife,
Liliana Valencia. It is a family
affair—his daughter Samantha and his in-laws also work there. Martinez came to this country 30 years ago,
after operating a small restaurant in Colombia.
He started out working at K-Mart, but soon moved into catering and
banquet management for hotels. This is
his first restaurant venture since the little place in Colombia.
Martinez pays very close attention to the flavors of his
foods. All his food is made fresh, and
never frozen. Many menu items are only
available on certain days, so that they can be offered fresh. For instance, Sunday is the only day you can
get his special Sanchocho de Gallina soup, a chicken soup served at family
dinners.
Martinez will source items outside when that’s the best way
to get what his customers want. His
tiramisu comes from Italian chefs, and it is delicious. For an in-house dessert, you can get Arroz
con Leche, made by his mother-in-law.
El Meson is set up to host parties and special occasions. Martinez offers special attention for these
events, and will prepare items off-menu.
We are fortunate to have such a great variety of restaurants
to choose from in our area. El Meson is
a fine addition to the local cuisine, and absolutely worth checking out.
El Meson is located at 419 FM 2920, Suite 100. You can find them online at elmesonlatinrestaurant.com.
Northampton Neighbor Article: Very Fresh Snacks
Very Fresh Snacks (aka Very Fresh Clamatos & Snacks) can
be a challenge to find. It’s tucked in
between the 9 Round kickboxing studio and a hair salon on Kuykendahl near
Princeton Place. The whole place is
about the size of a food truck. But
you’ll find an incredible variety of Mexican snacks and sweets when you get
there.
Owner Enrique Soberanes and his wife currently operate the
business on their own. You can make a
meal of what they serve, particularly the ceviches, but the focus is on
something to tide you over until dinner, or a nice dessert after that big
meal.
Soberanes is originally from Tijuana and owns the El Vason
bar franchise in Mexico. He emigrated
with his family to the United States and settled for a time in San Diego. They came to The Woodlands to visit relatives
and fell in love with our area. They
opened Very Fresh in October of 2017, and believe this is where their dreams of
success as restauranteurs can come true.
Very Fresh departs from Tex-Mex staples to feature items
unique to our area. The ceviches make a
great meal or a generous snack to share.
They feature several snacks based on corn—a big helping of white or
yellow corn layered with cheese, Mexican cream, lime juice and salsa. You can get it with nachos or Cheetos, or on
its own. I took some of this home and
put it in a taco with Tex-Mex seasoned beef—it made for a wonderfully flavorful
and satisfying meal. They also feature a
savory drink, the michelada, made with beer, Clamato juice, a plum-based salsa
seasoning, and lots of crunchy items from their topping bar. It’s a full-on snack by itself.
Soberanes has been working hard on developing their line of
sweet snacks. They offer a variety of
fruit salads, including spicy ones. A
new addition is shaved ice cream, some flavors made in-store and others with
Blue Bell Ice Cream. You can go sweet,
or be adventurous and go spicy with tajin, piquin, salsaguetti and other savory
flavors.
Six months ago I reviewed Soberanes’ other venture in the
area, TJ Baja Taco Shop, in this space.
Sadly that business was forced to close, so for now they are devoting
all their efforts to Very Fresh. They
brought over some of their favorite recipes that will work in the more limited
space. But Soberanes is always looking
for new opportunities, and they expect to be expanding again soon. If you are looking for an afternoon
pick-me-up, sweet or savory, you owe it to yourself to give this place a try.
You’ll find Very Fresh Clamatos and Snacks at 24914
Kuykendahl Rd, Tomball, TX 77375
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