Craft Grill Breakfast Club

The Craft Grill Breakfast Club is a separate facility but in the same building with, and run by, the same people as Craft Grill.  The Breakfast Club opened just before Covid-19 hit.  

I stopped in the other day for a late brunch and sat out on their patio.  They have four outdoor tables in a very attractive sitting area, lots of plants and quality furniture.  The staff all wear masks and are cleaning aggressively, so I felt very safe.

The restaurant is saving paper by directing you to the online menu when you eat in.  I ordered Jamie's Hash (they pronounce it Jaime's) and a cup of coffee, with a side of Millionare bacon.  The coffee came promptly and was quite good.

Jamie's Hash is a combination of home fries, queso, cheddar, pico de gallo, brisket, and an egg done your way.  The potatoes were done perfectly, nicely crisp on the outside and tender inside.  The brisket was not real smoky but it was done very well and quite tender.  All the ingredients combined well.  A dish I can definitely recommend.  If you took it home it would be OK if it traveled quickly, otherwise the potatoes probably lose the crunch, but it would still be good.

The Millionaire bacon was excellent and would travel just fine.  It is not crisp and does not need to be, though it did bite through well.  It's bacon seasoned with maple syrup (I think) and red pepper flakes, so it is quite spicy but delicious.

We have been to Craft Grill before so I avoided the biscuits and the chicken and waffle--possibly the Breakfast Club does them better than the main.  Have heard great things about the avocado toast.  Overall an excellent, professional establishment, I will gladly come back again.

My Yelp Review

Circle K at Rayford and Gosling

I stopped in the other day for a bite to eat and some sundries.  This is mostly about the food.  In its previous branding as a Corner Store, the food had definitely declined.  After the rebranding, it looks like they have a commitment to having many choices on offer.  There were sandwiches (hot and cold), burritos, egg rolls, chicken strips, and other choices joining the usual roller grill hot dogs.  Those, by the way, were not available when I was there--not ready yet.  I picked up a basket of chicken strips and potato wedges, some cookies, and a Polar Pop.  

It's convenience store food--nothing special going on, but it was very edible and reasonably fresh.  The drink machine was working well, and they have lid dispensers that allow you not to touch other lids in the process of retrieving one.  The cookies were not so good--still had Corner Store branding and may have been there since then.  Stale.  I did not finish.  But overall it was fine.  Service was decent, what with the store being busy.  My clerk wore a mask, but the other did not.  Overall it is fine, certainly an improvement.

My Yelp Review

Harvest Market, Hunger Stop Reboot

I stopped back in to Harvest Market's food court, Hunger Stop, after another reboot.  This time it looks like more of a commitment.  They still had breakfast options available when I came in at noon, but I went for the basic burger.  This comes with mayo, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and pickles.  And it's a decent burger--a prefab patty but a quality one, and a generous half pound that didn't shrink much.  It was properly cooked and quite tasty.  The bun was just a touch stale but not enough to damage the experience.  The fries were also done right, nicely crisp and well seasoned.  Best meal I've had there yet.  Service was very friendly also.

The interior has been refreshed--the tables are a dark wood that looks like Cafe Artesano next door.  The selection behind the counter still looks a little sad, but it's much improved.  Would definitely work to curb your appetite before shopping, or skip the cooking when you get home.

Disclosure: My wife has done photography work for Harvest Market, including this location.  I did not receive any compensation for this review.

My Yelp Review

 

Taqueria Tampico

I stopped in the other evening for dinner.  Their specialty for entrees is alambre plates.  I had the Texas alambre--sausage, fajitas, cheese, peppers and onions.  Hands down the best alambre I have had, though the competition is not fierce--I order it because it says it has sausage, but a lot of places use hot dogs.  Taqueria Tampico uses *sausage*.  Not amazing sausage, but real sausage, and it complements the other ingredients well.  It's a generous portion, plenty to share, for $9.50--most entrees are around $10.  They also have a selection of tacos and tortas.  The place is evenings only, and does not sell drinks--they do not compete in any way with La Casita or the convenience store.  Service was polite and hand sanitizer is provided.  A good choice.

My Yelp Review

Jamba Juice at Grand Parkway Marketplace

I stopped in the other day for a late morning snack.  Jamba Juice is known for smoothies, but they are adding more substantial items including breakfast sandwiches.  I ordered a turkey sausage and egg sandwich and a glass of orange juice.  The sandwiches come frozen to the store and are microwaved.  This one started out as a nicely toasty sandwich, and had very good flavor, but the server heated it for over a minute which does bad things to bread.  Came out kind of chewy but still good.  They have a clever device that slices and juices the oranges, so your juice is fresh squeezed.  $6 for a small but 10 oranges go into it.  Very tasty, though even a small is a big slug of sugar.  

Service was just OK, they were a bit busy with the drive thru when I stopped in.  Due to Covid 19 they are not allowing dine-in--not a large loss, the space is cheery but generic.  Covid safety notes: The young man making the food was wearing a mask.  The young woman serving was not.  They also did not take Apple Pay as was stated on the register, so the service was more contact-ful than I would want.  Overall above average Covid risk.  You can order through an app and pay there, that would be the right thing to do next time.

My Yelp Review