swamp's Profile
Good eats in Galveston, TX ?
Black Pearl is Rudy Betancourt's, of Press Box and Safari Beach Club, entry into the more upscale dining category. I have eaten there on several occasions and have been very pleased. On their appetizer menu they have some great boudin balls. The fish tacos are also good, and the fish sandwich is quite tasty. I also like the choice of fried okra as a side.
Galveston
I second 901 Postoffice. It is a fantastic restaurant with great ambiance. I have also had several positive experiences at Olympia Grill on Pier 21, in addition to good food it has a nice harbor view.
Desperatly seeking edible food in Mcallen, Texas
I second Poncho Mexico Nuevo, very good.
Houston Food advice... for a first Timer!!!
I always enjoy the breakfast at Harry's Restaurant Cafe on Tuam. The French omelet is very good.
Need help Please recommend restaurants on Galveston Island
I agree on the Red Snapper Inn, have had some very good dinners there.
Need help Please recommend restaurants on Galveston Island
I notice on these boards a lot of Landry's corp bashing. Sometimes I think once any restaurant becomes part of a major corporate chain food lovers love to bash them.
Of course in Galveston our dining options are heavily impacted by Landry's Corp. If on the island long enough you will eventually dine at one of their establishments. You know what? I love food, and I will admit I actually eat at one or more of their restaurants on a regular basis. I have eaten at the Landry's San Luis twice this month. I can honestly say I have never had a bad meal at that Landry's. Their avocado stuffed with crab meat is delicious, not the fried one, but the fresh one on tomato. I think these days it is an off-the-menu request.
Now is all of the food in Landry's Corp. restaurants award winning? Absolutely not, but they are good quality and consistent. Personally Willie G's is some of the better dining on the island for creative seafood. I recently had an enjoyable meal at Fisherman's Wharf. ultimate crab cake atop sauteed spinach, very tasty. I also like non-corporate dining, Shearn's at Moody Gardens is great. I still like Gaido's even though many think it has lost its' luster. The soft shell crab Saparito at Gaido's remains decadent. I dare say 901 Postoffice on the island is some of the better dining in the Houston area these days, and it is locally owned.
I just don't think we should automatically discount corporate restaurants. If food is good it doesn't bother me if it is coming out of a corporate kitchen or mom and pops neighborhood kitchen.
Seeking Lunch Suggestions for Fredericksburg???
I second the Alamo Springs Cafe, not just good burgers but great burgers. This time of year after eating at Alamo Springs you can also take in the bats at the Old Tunnel Wildlife area. A bonus in addition to great food.
Good eats in Galveston, TX ?
Tony also owns and operates Smooth Tony's near UTMB, a cool place on the island for lunch etc. Griffith has a full time job at UTMB as the Director of Catering and Special Events.
Need help Please recommend restaurants on Galveston Island
Interesting just today on Galveston.com they posted their take on the ten best places to dine on Galveston Island. For the most part I think they have some great places on the list. http://blog.galveston.com/what-to-do/ten-great-places-to-dine-on-the-island/
Good eats in Galveston, TX ?
Steve Griffith is the man behind the food at 901 Postoffice. He is well known on the island. Tony takes care of business, and Steve takes care of cuisine.
Good eats in Galveston, TX ?
Speaking of Galveston I enjoyed some fantastic tidbits at 901 Postoffice last night on the island. My dining companion and I decided to forgo actual entrees and instead did a tour of their starter menu accompanied by a nice bottle of Prosecco. We did this on their lovely patio on what may be the last comfortable night in the area until next October.
The smoked Texas sausage on corn cakes topped with quail eggs and then drizzled with a Tabasco butter sauce was fantastic. Let me tell you that was some kind of good. The owner told me the sauce was quite spicy, but I found it to be just the right compliment. I also enjoyed the richness of the quail eggs.
We also had the lump crap cakes served on German slaw with a bit of whole grain mustard. Very good, particularly with the Prosecco.
One of my favorites was the smoked duck tostata topped with a smoked sausage queso that was the perfect creamy compliment to the duck. Then again I love duck. There was also avocado on top which in my opinion is never a bad addition.
All in all it was a great island evening.
Galveston Pier Fried Shrimp
There was a Hill's at one time on the wharf that was known for fried shrimp, in particular there shrimp poboys. Long gone. There are still places where you can purchase fresh shrimp, but they do not prepare them. Most of the restaurants along the harbor are now part of the Landry's Corp., Fisherman's Wharf, Willie G's.
There is a nice Greek restaurant on the Harbor these days, Olympia Grill at Pier 21 which is very good. Is is in the building that also houses the Harbor House Hotel.
Shrimp and Stuff is a favorite of locals looking for simple fried seafood.
GAS vs CHARCOAL
I think there are advantages/disadvantages to both. I own both but use my gas grill more often than my charcoal simply for the convenience. After working all day I find it much easier to simply fire up the gas grill as opposed to getting the charcoal grill going, even with quick lighting charcoal etc.
I also totally agree with a previous post that living in a hot climate I often use the gas grill including the side burner to keep from heating the house up with the oven. I find that using wood chips I can get a nice smoke flavor with a lot less hassle than if I were using charcoal. Also with our drought conditions we are encouraged to use gas vs. charcoal.
Bulk Texas Grits
I regularly order from South Texas Milling in Inez. I use their grits and other products and have never been disappointed.
http://www.stxmilling.com/index.php
Good eats in Galveston, TX ?
Palms M&M did not return after Ike, but it has been reopened by new owners at just M&M. I have not been so I can't speak to food quality etc.
Good eats in Galveston, TX ?
For island style fine dining I highly recommend 901 Postoffice. They are only open Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening. Probably the best restaurant on the island these days.
In the east end I would also suggest Mosquito Cafe, and Sunflower Bakery. Both are great places with food that is not the usual.
Second The Press Box if you are looking for basic pub grub. PB tends to be our island Cheers.
Marble Falls & Hill Country
Second on Grape Juice. Had a great time there during a visit to Kerrville last year. Along with a great beer selection that had a knowledgeable, friendly and fun staff.
Headed to Houston for Final Four. What's worth hitting and what's worth skipping?
I regularly eat at Tampico and I visit that area frequently going to the farmers market. I have never had any problems.
Marble Falls & Hill Country
Just spent a couple of days in Fredericksburg and had a fantastic time. I second the rec for the Alamo Springs Cafe. A very fun place in the middle of nowhere, with fantastic burgers and homemade fries and potato chips. You really wonder how a place in their location ever became so well known. It is a testament to good food.
We have visited Sister Creek winery in the past, it is a very pleasant low-key winery compared to others. I very much recommend that you visit Sister Creek.
On this most recent trip we did go to Becker Vineyards, walked in and walked out. It was very nice, but it is very large and it was VERY crowded and VERY loud in the cavernous tasting room. Just not the experience we normally look for in a wine tasting. We left there and instead visited the Torre di Pietra vineyards on Hwy 290 just down from Becker. We had a lovely tasting experience with a very friendly staff. They also have a lovely covered patio in the vineyard where they offer music on Saturday afternoons.
One evening we had a wonderful dining experience at the Cabernet Grill. I have seen mixed reviews from others but our experience was very positive. The service and food were both excellent. We started with escargot, entrees included stuffed rainbow trout and buffalo enchiladas. We enjoyed it all with a nice bottle of Texas wine. Finished with a chocolate mousse cake. It is Fredericksburg fine dining in a very casual atmosphere.
Hope you enjoy the trip.
How do you make your popcorn?
One evening a number of years ago I popped some corn in bacon grease. As I remember it was quite tasty. I also remember there being some cocktails involved in the evening which may explain the use of bacon grease.
Joe Cotten's BBQ
I am so sad to hear that Joe Cotten's BBQ in Robstown burned down yesterday. It has always been one of my stops on the way down to the valley. Hopefully they will rebuild soon. It is one of the best Texas BBQ joints for South Texas style, IMO.
Have you tried these Penzeys spice blends?
Funny, Sunny Paris is my new favorite from Penzeys. I find myself sprinkling it on everything.
online source for grains and legumes??
I am a huge fan of Rancho Gordo primarily for the variety of heirloom beans you can get from them.
ground sirloin - fattier?
My experience has always been the opposite. Ground sirloin is more lean than what is sold as regular group beef. Sirloin should only be 8-10% fat while ground beef can be 15-20% or more.
I find myself using more ground buffalo these days than anything else.
Best Tortilla Chips
Here in Texas we have a brand, Julio's that I love. They are a seasoned chip, but not actually flavored. Very good.
Ice Cream Battle
It is one of their flavors they rotate with others, but when Blue Bell make it I love Southern Hospitality. Homemade vanilla, with pineapple, pecans, and strawberry sauce mixed in. Very good.
Chuy's Chile Rellenos
I recently tried Chuy's for the first time after hearing friends rave about their food for years. I have to say I just don't get it. Chile Rellenos is by far my favorite Mexican dish and I thought Chuy's were horrible.
Of course I understand this is all about personal taste, and obviously by the looks of these comments many people disagree. Precisely what so many here like about them is what I dislike. The deep fried batter they use. It reminded me more of a fried chicken batter than chile rellenos batter. I much prefer the soft puffy batter found on a more traditional Tex-Mex chile rellenos. My dining companion and I both left and decided we were glad we tried Chuy's but will not be returning anytime soon.
However, every time I pass the place it is packed with people sitting outside waiting to be seated so I am sure they will not miss me.
Little Daddy's Gumbo Bar
I love the Gumbo Bar and and have been a regular at the original in Galveston for a while now. My after church Sunday routine is to head down for a bowl of their gumbo which is the best around. I like all of their gumbo but prefer the seafood. It has just the right amount of shrimp and crab to make it great. Don't do oysters but for those that do they can be in there as well.
Have not visited the new location in League City but look forward to doing that soon.
looking for a good restaurant in galveston to celebrate anniversary.
Hands down the best restaurant in Galveston these days is 901 Postoffice. Great atmosphere and even better food.
Gumbo in Houston
Galveston's Gumbo Bar on Postoffice is very good. I like a very dark roux and that is what they serve. At some point in the near future they will be opening a League City location.
