Jersey Mike's at Kuykendahl near 2920

This new location opened a bit closer to home and I stopped in to pick up sandwiches for us.  Had the Bacon Ranch Chicken and Big Kahuna cheese steaks.  Also a bag of chips, a brownie, and a Stubborn root beer.

The sandwiches were good ones--the regular is a very generous serving, which it should be for $10.  The Big Kahuna is their classic cheese steak with peppers--jalapeno and red--and has a little kick to it.

It's a sandwich shop that won't disappoint.  Service was fine, the dining room and bathroom were both clean, and was as quick as it could have been for a fresh hot sub.  The brownie was fine, definitely a good chocolate hit, and the drink machine was working OK--a little gas but nothing out of the ordinary.  I am mostly a Subway guy but would have no issues with getting Jersey Mike's.

ChickingOut

We haven't had grilled chicken in our neighborhood since El Pollo Loco's brief run, so I was excited to try this family-run business.  I had a half-chicken meal with the hot seasoning, with a side of rice, a biscuit, a drink, and a lime cake for dessert.

The chicken was excellent, and that's what we all come for.  The breast was tender and flavorful, and that's the hardest part to get right.  The dark meat was of course great as well.  The hot seasoning was pleasantly warm, enough so that I cooled it with the avocado ranch dressing that came with it.  They also have salsa and chipotle mayonnaise.  I am on the sensitive side when it comes to seasoning, so if you really like it spicy you'll need to add some hot sauce.  

The sides were good backup singers.  The rice was above-average Mexican rice, a lot of flavor and good texture.  The biscuit was fine--perhaps could have used some butter and honey but it ate well as is.  The desserts I would say are not special--they are prepackaged.  The lime cake is a layered dessert with cookies and lime filling but it had all been together long enough that it was one texture throughout--tasted decent but kind of mushy.

The drink machine was functioning correctly when I was in.  The interior is not decorated but was nice and clean.  The single bathroom is nicely appointed and was ready to go when I visited.  Overall, I'm glad to see this option in our neighborhood again and will be back.

My Yelp Review

Taqueria Bye Bye Hunger

Taqueria Bye Bye Hunger has gone in where Tony's Street Tacos used to be, in the Chevron station that is now called Rootmart.  I stopped in the other day to get lunch for us.  We got a beef shawarma wrap and a gyro, and some Tex-Mex rice.  Their fryer was out of commission so we didn't get fries.

The sandwiches are made when you order them, so you'll wait a bit for fresh food but it's worth it.  The beef shawarma was very good, nice and tender with a good tzatziki sauce.  The owner is the chef, and she added her special spice mix to the shawarma which added a real depth of flavor.  Interestingly, she sprinkles it on at the end, after she's completed the wrap, so the spices are only on the end. Basically two different sandwiches. It's an excellent spice mix and I would have loved to have had it throughout.  

The gyro was OK but not nearly as exciting--strong gyro flavor that went well with the sauce, and if you like gyros it might be a good one, but for us it was neither good nor bad.  Both sandwiches had dill pickles along with the usual ingredients--new for me with Middle Eastern food.  Not sure what to make of that combination--I liked it OK on the shawarma, though it would have been fine without them, and I think it might have detracted from the gyro.

The Mexican rice was a very good version, good vegetables and a very rich mouth feel.

The "taqueria" in the name comes from their breakfast tacos--they had a nice selection that looked good, but I went with the Middle Eastern food.

Decor is just paint--they are just getting started.  Service is very friendly and warm, you will not find better. Overall I think these folks are very good cooks and still finding their way.  They have a good product now and I believe it will get better.  They have no social media and no menu--you'll just have to come by to see what they have.

My Yelp Review

Artisan Culture

This place is tucked away in a little neighborhood business area.  They are definitely going for the green/clean eating market--all products are vegan and gluten-free, so whatever you are trying to avoid you probably can. They have a very nice menu of coffees and specialty drinks.  I went more basic and ordered a latte with vanilla flavoring.  A new item on the menu is crepes--they have a chef on duty until 1pm and right now they offer two kinds.  I ordered the seasonal one, a pumpkin and fruit crepe.

The coffee was good and reasonably priced.  The latte had a nice foam and the traditional little leaf pattern.  I got a nice caffeine kick from it so I considered that covered.  

The crepe came very nicely presented, with fresh strawberries and a tasty filling.  The crepe was folded neatly. This is very challenging with vegan ingredients--most vegan crepes fall apart into little shreds even as they are being folded.  This one broke up more than a standard crepe would, but it held together reasonably well and added texture to the ingredients.  Altogether it was really a perfect snack, it was satisfying but didn't weigh me down at all.

You get a 10% discount if you ride your bike to the place--unfortunately not easy to do as there are no bike trails nearby, but it's a nice thought.

The bathroom was clean and ready, very nicely appointed.  As was the dining area--it very clearly is set up to welcome people to stay awhile.  The mask culture (lacking) is noted but I am not judgmental on this, since one can't eat while masked anyway.  If you are looking for a Portland vibe in the Houston area you will find it here.

My Yelp Review