From
the exterior, this looked like an old building which was restored in order to
be a modern restaurant. The interior
looked like it hadn’t changed in a hundred years. I didn’t mind seeing the original floor and
support beams, but it looked like it could use a coat of paint. Perhaps that overly rustic look was what they
were going for. The stairs to the second
level were narrow creaked as you put weight on the steps. I’m gathering because the building was so old,
that’s why the upper level wasn’t handicap-accessible.
The
menu is filled with various types of brisket and smoked meats. Our place settings consisted of metal trays
with silverware, ready to receive the food.
For me, dinner is a lighter meal because it’s the last one of the
day. I ordered a chopped brisket
sandwich. It was good-sized, and tasted
okay, but the meat was fatty and greasy.
Certainly a situation where more than one napkin or more than a single
glass of water would’ve been appreciated.
The corn bread which was shared at my table was very good.
Banana
pudding was on the dessert list, but they ended up running out of that. The server delivered the chocolate mousse
pudding to the rest of the table, and neglected to mention that until a later
pass. Getting drink refills was also on
the slow side. By the time the server
informed me of lack of banana pudding, my table had completed or meal and was
waiting for the check. At that point, I
passed on getting the mousse because it would’ve kept us there much longer.
As
there was limited parking available behind the building and on the street, the
closet place to park was one of the pay garages a few blocks away. We’d already been there three hours due to
the slow service. There was a limited
seating area outside with picnic tables, which would be nice to use when the
weather was nice.
Café Java (Gattis
School Road, Round Rock, TX) – February 2015
Located
at the corner of a shopping complex, this is a very popular destination for
breakfast on the weekends. My friends
and I had a 30 minute wait, but since the day was nice, and there were seats
outside, it wasn’t an issue. Just noting
it for others who come here, so they’re not surprised.
The
area is small, and the tables close together, but it never felt crowded. This came off as a cozy environment. And even though it was packed, it wasn’t very
noisy. Specials were listed on the
board, and there were a number of different menu items. Many of the breakfast dishes were noted with
“no substitutions please.” The al a
carte section was designed to create the personalized meal, at roughly the same
cost as a similar dish. That was a great
option, because of the customization it provided.
The
service was friendly, and pretty prompt considering how busy the place
was. I got scrambled eggs with cheese,
hash browns, English muffin, and a chocolate milk to wash it down. It was very good. This is a place I’d look forward to returning
to at some point in the future.
Dickey’s BBQ Pit (Louis
Henna, Round Rock, TX) – February 2015
A new
BBQ joint opened up near me, and even though it’s part of a national chain, it
was still worth checking out. Staff was
very friendly. The menu had choices of
dinner plates and sandwiches of the various meat choices available.
I
opted for the single-meat plate (turkey), as it came with two sides and a
roll. The mashed potatoes had bacon in
it, so I opted for the potato salad. The
potato salad was not the style I was used to, as it had the consistency of cold
mashed potatoes. It didn’t taste very
good. My other side was mac &
cheese, which was wonderfully warm and tasted great.
There’s
a selection of three different sauces available, and I went for the original to
dip my turkey into. It was tangy without
being too spicy. Overall, it wasn’t a
bad meal, and it satisfied my hunger.
Pluckers (IH-35, Round
Rock, TX) – February 2015
This location
is one of my favorite Austin-based businesses.
I’ll jump around to different locales in the city, so it could be a
little bit before coming back around to this one. Today I was looking for a quick lunch in
between running errands, so I just sat at the bar out on the Coop. As this is a food treat, I ordered my usual
Boneless Basket of spicy BBQ, and waffle fries.
The country gravy I liked had since been removed from the menu options,
so I went for the spicy mustard instead.
As a topping for the fries, the mustard wasn’t as good to me as the
gravy was. The rest of the meal was
good, and it was the quality I’d come to expect from them.
Sitting
out in the Coop was nice because the weather was cool, but once the wind began
to gust it was no longer comfortable.
Because a number of other patrons had asked, the staff did shut the
garage-style over-head doors to serve as a wind-break, which made it bearable
to sit out there again.
I
judge a restaurant not only by the quality of its food, but in how the staff
reacts to the requests of the patrons.
Pluckers has consistently demonstrated excellent customer service on
every visit I was there, and this was no exception. This is why I continue to come back here.
Flame Broiler (Redlands
Blvd, Redlands, CA) – February 2015
Work
brings me out to this area, and there isn’t too many places nearby to go for
lunch. With the road construction on
Alabama Street (which has been going on for months), it makes it difficult to
go anywhere for a “quick lunch.” This
was within a short walk from my client’s job site, and we were able to walk
there quicker than we would’ve been able to drive there. Hard to tell if this construction has
impacted business at all.
I went
for the chicken bowl (without veggies), and loaded it up with the “special
sauce.” That basically turned the plain
brown rice to something with a teriyaki glaze which actually made it taste a
lot better. As far as a lunch meal goes,
it was filling, and that’s what it needed to be.
ProAbition (Main
Street, Riverside, CA) – February 2015
The
choices for dinner in downtown Riverside are few and far between, and this was
one of the better ones. I’d been here
previously a few months ago, so I returned here because I remembered the great
service I had last time. There was
enough of a cool breeze out that I choice not to sit out in the patio section,
even though there was a large heat lamp which would keep me warm. I sat inside at one of the tables near the
bar area.
The
menu had changed slightly since I’d been here last, but not too much. I had the chicken Marsala for the main
course, with an appetizer of the vegetable soup. Both were very good. The atmosphere was low-light and casual, so a
perfect place for couples to go.
I let
my server, Samantha, know of my previous patronage, and even pulled up the
article to show her. I feel it’s
important to let the staff know when you have a good experience, and this was
another great experience. Considering
the sparse nature of quality food choices in the area, this is a place I’ll be
coming back to again.
Hyatt Place (Market
Street, Riverside, CA) – February 2015
Because
of the good experiences I had on my previous visits, I made sure to book here
when I was going to be in the area again.
The cost to park is a little extra, but it’s really not too bad when you
consider the lot is set aside for guests only (not a public lot). If you’re going to be here more than a couple
days, the cost could add up, but it’s convenient. I was greeted with a friendly smile at the
front desk, and an issue at check-in was quickly resolved. An error had appeared on my reservation which
placed me in a handicap-accessible room.
Since that wasn’t something I needed, I asked to be moved to a room which
didn’t have that feature (in order to free it up for someone who did need it).
Every
room I’ve stayed here has been similar to the ones before. This was nice not to have an adjoining room,
and enjoy a king bed this time. Previous
visits had given me a view of the pool area, but this time I got to see the
street. The lounge area was convenient
to put my suitcase on. On my previous
visit, the Director of Sales (Donna) had left a cookie and card addressed to me
specifically in the room as a nice gesture.
Because of the room swap I did, the front desk mentioned the treats from
Donna would have to be dropped over later.
As my
stay here isn’t very long, I haven’t had the opportunity to take advantage of
the outdoor pool or the exercise room.
The bed was comfortable, the room clean, and I was again satisfied with
the quality. The only suggestion I have
is the breakfast having some more protein items available. Between the French toast, muffins, and
cereal, there’s a lot of bread items, and there’s a decent selection of
fruit. I just wonder if some scrambled
eggs could be added just to give some variety.
That’s my only quibble, and not something which would keep me from
returning here. This has become my
preferred hotel when I stay in the Riverside area.
Johnny Reb’s (Chapman
Ave, Orange, CA) – February 2015
This
is located just east of the Costa Mesa Freeway, and can be easily seen when
heading down Chapman Ave. The trick is
get into the parking lot, as it comes up pretty fast, and appears narrow. The parking is actually in the back of the building,
and the drive loops around the back.
There’s a porch area on the side for some covered seating. The waterfall spilling from the tank in the
front is interesting to look at, but the rest of the exterior appears like a
haphazardly-built building, but that’s part of the charm of the place.
The
interior has a rustic feel with lots of exposed wood. Peanut shells are on the floor around various
tables, as each has a bucket full of them as an appetizer. The menu was pretty extensive as far as items
went, but since I was here for lunch I went for something light. I had the BBQ chicken sandwich, with a side
of mashed potatoes. The meat was moist,
and the gravy had a good bite, so everything tasted delicious. A few more napkins would’ve been very helpful,
but that was my only quibble with the meal.
Service
was good, and prices were reasonable. I
was in the area on business, and researched this online as a lunch
destination. It turned out to be a great
find. I’m sure the locals know this
well, but as a visitor to the area this was a good place to go.
Taco Surf (Main Street,
Seal Beach, CA) – February 2015
As a
frequent visitor to Seal Beach, I passed by this place a number of times just
because I took the name literally, and thought there would be only tacos
available. I was looking for a place I hadn’t
tried yet, so I stopped in to see what was on the menu. There’s a whole variety of Tex-Mex cuisine
available.
Like
the rest of the buildings on Main Street, the interior space is narrow and
tiny, but it doesn’t feel cramped. It’s
a cozy environment, with the main dining area towards the front, and a small
bar area at the back. I mentioned to my
server (Franky) that when I go to an establishment of a particular cuisine, I
have my signature dishes which I use to gauge the quality.
I
ordered the enchiladas rancheras, the cheese variety without any beans. The temperature was perfect so the cheese was
melted to what I considered proper, but still has a shape. The rice and pico on the side were a good way
to round out the dish.
This
really satisfied my craving for Tex-Mex food, and really enjoyed the atmosphere
of this place. I’ll be coming back here
next month, and I look forward to trying other menu items.
M’Dears Bakery &
Bistro (Carson Street, Lakewood, CA) – February 2015
This
is located in a strip-mall, so there’s plenty of places to park. While it’s easy to look in the windows to see
the interior, the actual entrance is a little more difficult to find. You actually step into the bowling alley
first, and then the restaurant entrance is visible. The interior is clean and airy.
The
menu appears to be extensive, but pretty much what is available is diner-style
food. I didn’t see any actual “baked
goods” present, although it’s possible those had been exhausted by the time I
came through during lunch. I ordered the
chicken tenders meal with mashed potatoes on the side. There was no sauces to put on or dip the meat
into. They were out of ice cream, so I
was unable to get a milkshake. For a
quick and light meal, it wasn’t a bad option.
Woody’s Diner (Main
Street, Seal Beach, CA) – February 2015
During
the times I visit Seal Beach and stroll down Main Street, I’ve passed this a
couple times. Earlier in the day one of
my clients had recommended that I try this out, so it was the logical choice
for the evening. There’s a few tables at
the covered patio out front, but the real décor is found inside. The exposed original bricks and patterned tin
ceiling really add flair to this place, as much as the surf-themed
decorations. It felt very inviting when
I came in.
Originally
hungry for a burger or something light, I was then informed breakfast was
served all day. Perusing the menu, I
discovered a number of other tasty-sounding options. I decided on the roasted turkey dinner
(complete with potatoes & gravy, veggies, and garlic toast), plus some
tomato bisque soup as s starter. I
wasn’t impressed with the soup, but I’m not a fan of tomato soup to start
with. The dinner was quite good. The pieces of meat were thick and really held
the gravy, and the veggies were crunchy.
I ended up being hungrier than I realized, and demolished the whole
thing.
This
was a great establishment with excellent service. An established local hang-out, there was
memorabilia available if someone wanted a shirt or mug bearing Woody’s
logo. All the residents are probably
already aware of the quality here, but for us visitors looking for a great
place to go, this is it.
Jimmy John’s (Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA) – February 2015
The
reason for going here was because it was next to my client’s location, and I
didn’t have to cross many busy lanes of traffic to get here. This place advertises themselves as “being
fast,” which comes from having a pretty limited menu and allowing very little
variation on the orders. Whatever
sandwich you get will be absolutely no different than the person in line behind
you that orders the same thing.
I
asked for the roast beef sub. It came
with provolone cheese and covered in mayo, and no opportunity to swap for a
different dressing or type of cheese.
Overall the sandwich was okay and satisfied the lunch hunger, but being
able to customize a sandwich is what sets other sub shops above this one.
Ruby’s Surf City Diner
(Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA) – February 2015
This
was a regional chain which I hadn’t visited yet, and I’d looked up the menu
online to get an idea of what was available.
I planned to have standard diner fare, but with a fun twist. Because this particular location was at the
end of the Huntington Beach Pier, I had to park in the public lot by the beach,
and then walk out. Didn’t mind the walk
at all, I just had to estimate how much time I’d need out there. Some online reviews mentioned service could
be very slow. Since I was going on a
Thursday evening, I figured I might be able to pass the rush.
As a
solo traveler, I was able to get seated in a booth quickly. The interior was straight out of a 1950’s era
diner, with the silver metal highlights, and servers dressed in red & white
outfits. The restaurant was full, but
not packed. From looking around, it
didn’t appear there were too many in the process of waiting for their meals.
I
ordered the buffalo chicken appetizer and a peanut butter milkshake, because I
didn’t feel very hungry. The tenders
were much smaller than I expected, considering the $10 price. They tasted good at least. The milkshake was done the correct way, so it
was thick but still drinkable. The metal
container which it was mixed up was also provided, which gave me enough for
nearly another glassful. The price for
this was also a little higher than normal, but I felt that was worth it because
it tasted so good.
It was
after dark when I arrived, so there wasn’t the view which would be available
during the day. Overall this was a fun
place to eat, and the food was good, but it was more expensive than its
competitors due to the location. This is
certainly a good destination for couples to go, as a walk out on the pier to
view the sunset on a warm evening would be best viewed with some comfort food
from here.
360 Gourmet (Las Vegas
Airport, NV) – February 2015
When
at an airport for a layover, your food choices are limited by both the amount
of time you have and what’s available in your gate area. With those parameters in mind, the choice
which looked to be best available to me was this one.
This
appeared to be a competitor of Chipotle, as the menu items consisted of
burritos and bowls to have meat, rice, beans, and a mix of veggies dumped
in. I got the chicken bowl, and while it
wasn’t very tasty, it certainly was filling.
A version of this establishment which is not located at the airport
might have a bit more quality, so it’s hard to judge the small-scale version
against the regular. For what it’s
worth, it was decent.
Mesa Rosa (IH-35, Round
Rock, TX) – March 2015
During
a chilly and damp weekend, I was seeking comfort food, and this was the place
closest to me where I could get it. I’d
frequented this location before, so I knew how good the staff was, and the
quality of their food. There are a few
other Tex-Mex places in the vicinity, but as far as I’m concerned this is the
best in Round Rock.
Because
this is located off the IH-35 access road, getting here is easy, and there’s
lot of available parking. The side patio
by the entrance is more of an outdoor waiting area, as opposed to a dining
place. The interior is broken up into
different sections, which helps keep the noise level of the entire place
down. This also serves to separate the
bar area from other dining areas.
My
comfort food was cheese enchiladas (no beans, extra rice), with an order of
queso to start out. Since I’d come in
before the dinner rush, and my order wasn’t that complex, everything came out
quick. I’d been able to have a few bites
of the queso by the time the main course arrived. The cheese was at the appropriate temperature
so have form, but being gooey in the same manner. Each bite was heavenly.
Once
the enchiladas were gone, the remainder of the queso was dumped on the rice to
finish them both of, and enhance the flavor of the meal. It was so good and filling, there was no need
to order desert.
This
location, and the previous one I visited (Anderson Mill) have consistently
provided quality food at a reasonable price.
That’s why I come here for my comfort food.
Thunderbird Coffee
(Manor Road, Austin, TX) – March 2015
Tucked
away off Manor Road is a building which looks like it used to be a
residence. Considering the area, it
probably once was. The footprint for the
area means parking is extremely limited if you’re coming there to meet
friends. If you can park someone else
and walk there, that’s probably better.
The interior is quaint and quiet, a perfect place to unwind. The side lot has picnic tables where you can
socialize, but the busy road makes it noisy.
Service
was good, and the staff were very friendly.
The cup of hot chocolate I got came in what I expected would be used for
a soup bowl. It was filled to brim too,
so when I was walking to the outdoor area, I thought sure I was going to spill
it. It tasted very good.
If
you’re anywhere within walking distance of this establishment, it’s a good place
to go.
Texican (Lakeline Mall,
Austin, TX) – March 2015
When I
lived on this side of town, this was a place which I frequented because of the
good service and great food I’d get here.
Now when I’m back this way for whatever reason, I try to stop in here to
get some comfort food. In this section
of northwest Austin, hands-down this is the best Tex-Mex place there is.
The
seating on the outdoor is perfect during time of year, as the breeze is
comfortable, and the sun-screens block the afternoon glare. TVs are mounted on the wall to view sporting
events, but the volume isn’t cranked up to make it impossible to have a
conversation with those at your table.
My
guilty pleasure is the cheese enchiladas, which I prefer without beans (extra
rice). The cheese needs to be right
temperature to be both melty and hold its consistency, and Texican does it
right. That’s one of the reasons why
this is one of my favorite Tex-Mex places.
The
queso which came as an appetizer was poured over the rice once the delicious
enchiladas had been enjoyed. The
resulting “cheesy rice” makes a nice side, and I treat it as a desert, even
though there are a number of great things on the desert list. The dinner menu has a wide variety of dishes
(both meat and non-meat choices), so there’s something for everyone here.
I sat
at the patio on this visit, but there’s amble seating in the bar area, as well
as the dinning section. Since there’s
not a lot of soft surfaces, the noise level can get a little high, but in my
experience it’s never been enough to disrupt the enjoyment of my meal. Not only a great place for dinner, but a good
place to meet your co-workers for a beverage after a long day at the office.
Tarka (University Blvd,
Round Rock, TX) – March 2015
When I
want quick and tasty Indian food, I go here.
While set-up for a casual dinner out, this is also a good lunch
destination too. The menu is clearly
displayed on the wall at the entrance, and details exactly what each dish
contains. For those who have never had
Indian food before, this is a good way to start. The curry section (my favorite) gives you the
choices of what type of protein you want, the style of preparation, and desired
level of spiciness. It’s that easy. My preference is the chicken vindaloo.
There
a small outside seating area on the sidewalk, which is nice if the weather or
sunshine is permitting. The interior
space has a lot of tables, which can be pulled together depending on the size
of your party. The décor inside is
simple with warm colors.
This
is pretty inexpensive, but the quality of the food is high. And as it’s a local Austin-based chain, you
can feel good going here, because you’re supporting a local establishment.
Pei Wei (University
Blvd, Round Rock, TX) – March 2015
This
area around University Blvd had a number of dining selections available, and
this is one which more often than not gets my vote. Since I lived next to a different Pei Wei
location for a few years, I got spoiled on being able to walk over to get their
cuisine. Now it requires a special trip,
and this is the closest location to where I live now. I admit it’d been a little while since I was
able to indulge in the food here, and the first I noticed was the way the menu
had changed. I was still able to get my
preferred garlic chicken with broccoli, but the regular portion was smaller
than I remember. Still, it was very
tasty and enjoyable.
The
interior was still as inviting as I remember it, and the staff was friendly and
helpful. While I like to spend my money
locally as much as possible, I also want quality in my meal. Since there are few decent Asian restaurants
in the area, this is the best place to get good Asian-style food for a
reasonable price.
Eureka! Burger (Pearl
Ave, Redlands, CA) – March 2015
As a
business traveler coming to the region, I’m always looking for someplace new to
try. This popped up on a search of
places in the area, and it seemed like a good bet to try. The design of the road made it a little
difficult to find my way in, but there ended up being good parking. Outside patio seating was there too, which
would be good during the evening hours, because it would be shaded from the
sun.
The
interior was very nice, and a “!” motif was present, as its part of the
logo. Sitting at the bar before the
lunch crowd came in, I had great service from Jeff who really helped enhance
the experience.
While
there was a large variety of craft beers available, I passed on those because I
was still “on the job.” My meal was the
“original burger,” with fries, which was very good. The bun was tasty, and the meat was juicy without
being greasy. It was very good, and a
great find. This is a place I’d return
to when my business takes me back to this area.
Heroes Restaurant &
Brewery (Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA) – March 2015
Tucked
away in an unassuming building is where you’ll find this. The spacious front outdoor patio is visible
from the street, but the action takes place inside. The décor of the interior has the feel of a
comfortable environment, and was broken up to the bar area and the dining
section, and there’s an additional rear outdoor seating area too. While sitting at the bar, the brewery vats
and other beer-making equipment are visible in the far section of the building.
I came
for a lighter dinner, and there was a good selection to choose from. I had a Martini Sandwich, which was a grilled
chicken breast, with mozzarella cheese and topped with BBQ sauce. It was very good, and the side of macaroni
salad which came with was also tasty.
The
interior was very noisy due to the number of locals who were frequenting
it. As a business traveler looking for a
place to get some dinner, it was good.
But other than some quick chats with the bartender, the rest of the
wait-staff came off a little curt. While
the food was good, the less-than friendly atmosphere left a bit to be
desired. Since I’m in the area
infrequently, it’s hard to say if there will be a return visit here.
PF Chang (Galleria at
Tyler; near Singh, Riverside, CA) – March 2015
As a
national chain, this wasn’t the usual place where I’d dine, but when the client
wants to take you out to lunch I go anywhere.
The décor of classic Chinese dynasties is nicely designed in order to
give the flare of authenticity, as well as amusement.
I
ordered the garlic chicken with broccoli, with a side of egg drop soup. My business partners got similar dishes off
the lunch menu. The soup was warm, but
too hot, thus the perfect temperature to be consumed. The ratio of protein-to-vegetable in my dish
was about 70-30 in favor of the broccoli.
But other than that, it was quite good, just not as filling as it
should’ve been.
Service
was quick, and the service was friendly.
Even for the noon-time hour, there were a sparse number of patrons. Still, this ended up being an excellent place
to go for lunch where we could continue to talk business.
XXX
No comments:
Post a Comment