mdfoodlover's Profile
Three dinners in Bethesda
Uncle Julio's seems to have hater's & lover's on this food board, & little middle of the road opinions. Count me in the first group, though I've not been in quite a while.
It is a very fun, noisy, hectic, happy type place with some of the best chips & salsa (unlimited quantities) I've ever had. Like Doc, probably my favorite is also the shrimp brochette. Caddilac platters with a whole lobster plus choice of meat entree was a great fun meal every time I had it. Enjoy the noise, people watching, and fun food at this long established Bethesda institution.
Clyde's Tower Oaks Lodge (Rockville) - Review
DDDgDDDwD
DarnDocDonegoodDon'tDoubtDiningwDoc
Chevy's vs. Uncle Julio's - in Gaithersburg?
Interesting to see this thread revived.
I've not been to U.J.'s aka Rio Grande in probably over 2 years now, but reading this thread has me hankering for some of their perfect chips & salsa, followed up by the shrimp brochette/beef fajita combo from the Bethesda branch, which I always found superior to the Rio location.
Indian in Columbia MD
We liked the food at the original location pretty well.
The service made this place a once a month or every other destination. There never seemed to be anyone paying attention to the guests, and the woman who runs the place seemed to act as though every little thing that went on needed her to be involved to a lesser or (more frequently) greater degree. Over an hour for a simple dish to be served & billed is pretty ridiculious.
We will return at some point as they certainly do serve up some great flavors.
I'm hopeful the new local brings in a slightly better level of staffing.
Oyster Shucking Lessons??
I learned at a New Years Eve party with a few bushels a long time back.
It was certainly a fun event! Hope you find a good spot.
something worth eating in Olney/Columbia?
We used to go to Ricciutti's semi-regularly when we lived in Olney.
I think we only had pizza, can't really recall any specific other entrees. We used to go to The Olney Grille pretty regularly as well. I think we switched to Mama Lucia's as our weekly pasta fix shortly after they opened in 199? something.
Re Iron Bridge. Have never been, but it gets talked up pretty well here & on HowChow. We are not wine drinkers, so I.B's business model is really not our style.
Do try Sushi King sometime. Great rolls! Pretty in Red is my favorite, but that one probably would not be for you.
something worth eating in Olney/Columbia?
Highland resident here.
Our #1 regular spot is El Azteca, just a couple hundred yards from Great Sage.
Unfortunately I don't think they have much to offer that is strictly vegetarian.
Sushi King over in Columbia is our #2 go to.
My wife only eats Gluten & Lactose free, and is able to pick very delicious meals from both places. No red or white meat for her either.
She does like shrimp & crab.
We have also always been very underwhelmed by Great Sage. Please post back if you find some other options.
Maryland Style Fried Chicken???
I remember being on a family vacation through the south as a kid, probably 4th or 5th grade.
We were visiting the Atomic Weapon facility in Oak Ridge, TN.
Passing through Kentucky we noticed several "maryland fried chicken" fast food joints.
Everyone got a good laugh, because we only had ever seen Kentucky Fried Chicken joints anywhere else.
I'm pretty sure there is a "Maryland Style" chicken in Fannie Farmer. Pretty sure it is baked. My mom made chicken that way as a kid.
Can Anyone Offer More Information About "King Syrup"
Flashback to childhood.
My mother always had a bottle of King Syrup up on the shelves with the flour, sugar, & other baking goods. I honestly can not remember ever seeing her use, but I'm going to guess it went into some of those delicious breads she regularly baked.
I do recall taking the bottle down from time to time & tasting a spoonful, or sticking my finger in for a little lick ;)
BBQ--looking for the best
I just came home from a nice meal at Urban BBQ in Sandy Spring,MD.
Had the Ribs & Brisket combo. Side of Collard greens.
Used quite a bit of the house Hot BBQ sauce.
Most excellent!
Best brisket I've had since eating same in Austin, TX at the Green Mesquite 20 some odd years ago.
Where to find good whole bean coffee in Montgomery County, MD?
You can buy Mayorga directly from the Southlawn lane location where they roast.
Not sure about the days/hours when they are open to the public, I'm sure a call or website visit would tell you.
Southlawn lane is about 15 minutes from the Kentlands
GW Market "Coming Soon" on Rockville Pike
Is this in the building directly across the Pike from Giant's northern exit?
Do they have a nice salad bar? I'm right there virtually every day, and would really like another healthy lunch alternative.
Grade B Maple Syrup?
Looks easy enough to order at a decent price, think I'll try some.
http://www.amazon.com/Coombs-Family-Farms-Organic-32-Ounce/dp/B00271OPVU/ref=pd_sim_gro_1
Cubano Sandwich in DC NoVA Area?
I had a decent one at Clyde's Tower Oaks location in Rockville just last week.
Leelyn's- Columbia/EC
They must have improved dramatically over the last few years.
When we moved to Howard Co & were searching for dining spots, I came across quite a number of forum postings about LeeLyns. The opinions were split roughly 60 / 40 favoring positive.
We tried the place once, and we were extremely underwhelmed. The service was almost as bad as it can get. The food deserved no more the a "meh, sort of OK" rating. Their "fabulous crabcakes" were anything but.
Curious to here what others have to say.
Team Dinner Recommendation? Rockville, Bethesda
I've never been to Amalfi's in the all the years I've lived in the area, (double nickle).
You second paragraph makes me think I should indeed pay them a visit.
Team Dinner Recommendation? Rockville, Bethesda
I've had widely varied experiences at That's Amore.
My first two visits, both a fairly large business group, were quite good.
The next 3 or 4 visits, just myself & wife, only included one positive experience.
Another large group visit I'd rate mediocre.
A Christmas Eve family dinner in 2009 was horrible. I'd made reservations for a group of 12 to 14 a good month in advance. For 5:00 pm. They seated us in the bar area, and refused to offer a better table on the dining room side, even though the place was still basically empty.
The food was mediocre at best. The service left a lot to be desired.
Needless to say, I've not been back since.
Edit This was the Research Blvd location, Rockville
Looking for a dinner rec in the Ellicott City/Columbia area.
Thanks for the correction.
I can't believe the name of the place slipped my mind.
Looking for a dinner rec in the Ellicott City/Columbia area.
I'm in Highland, closer to Clarksville than Columbia.
We've tried a bunch of Columbia dining spots in the last 5 years, and have only come up with a few we like as 'regulars'.
#1 El Azteca in Clarkesville. Daily specials are almost always good. Rainbow Trout Montequilla or Plato Placero with Chicken are my standbys. My wife almost always has shrimp fajitas. The "Corazone Ultra" margarita on the rocks, no salt, is superb.
#2 Bangkok Garden just off 100, 1 mile or so east of 29. Went tonight & had an excellent seafood combo with a moderately spicy sauce of the daily specials list. There is almost always several good options on the daily specials page. be sure to get the pepper condiment tray to jazz up whatever you are eating. Includes 3 forms of hot pepper condiments.
#3 House of India off Broken Land Parkway. It's been reviewed & commented on many times hear & at my favorite food blog, Howchow:
http://howchow.blogspot.com/
Though neither my wife nor I can eat Pizza anymore, we used to love El Tratorria de enrique in King's Contrivance, in front of the Harris Teeter.
Excellent Pizza!
EDIT Well, it's not Bangkok Garden I'm trying to recommend, the exact name slips my mind this minute.
I'll edit again when my brain cells reboot.
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Bangkok Garden
5810 Robert Oliver Pl, Columbia, MD 21045
House of India
9350 Snowden River Pkwy Ste F2, Columbia, MD 21045
El Azteca
12210 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029
Great Sage
I'm not vegan or vegetarian, so my review may be biased.
My wife is gluten / dairy / soy intolerant, so we go to Great Sage somewhat regularly.
I find most of the food to be too bland for my taste buds.
A hummus appetizer with bread, carrots, & celery was no better than what I buy across he street at Giant, for about 4 times the price.
Soups were nothing memorable.
Entrees I've had were mostly the daily specials, but non were special enough to even be remembered.
I do remember the bill was comparable to going to a much better restaurant, and the service is like molasses.
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Great Sage
5809 Clarksville Square Dr, Clarksville, MD 21029
Wood chips/chunks available in Baltimore??
Kendall's Hardware in Clarksville has chunk Mesquite & Hickory
Where are the Apples?
Three years late, but today I enjoyed my first Honey Crisp of 2010.
I bought mine at Good Earth produce in Olney, MD. They told me this is the second week they have had them, and that they were "local".
Quite delicious!
Charcoal Grill Users - Talk Me Out Of It!
I've gone back and forth between bricket & gas grills for many years. From a compact "Smokey Joe" or classic Weber Kettle, to the Bells & Whistles Genesis Gold propane unit.
All have their pluses & minus's, as documented by the varied responses here. My cuurent, andfavorite LTD (life to date) set up is a Big Green Egg hardwood charcoal grill for the cooks when smoke & accurate temperature control is the priority, and a Weber "Q" gas unit for the days when I simply want to light 'er up and fast cook a burger or steak.
Both units combined take up less space than my old Genesis, and serve my two member family very sufficiently. If I wanted to cook for a crowd, I'd sure prefer the larger surface of a big Weber, but for every day coking my current combo can't be beat.
Fresh roasted Hatch NM chiles!!
We were very rudely approached by charity hacks the previous weekend at the Giant in Clarksville, MD.
Fairly young kids / teenagers right up in your face within 4 feet of the door. I'd like to know why the heck Giant allows this?
About to move to D.C. from Austin. Will need TexMex, Fajitas, and BBQ
I recall going to a wonderful joint in Austin while visiting my SIL many years back. The brisket was out of this world. I think everything else I tried was excellent as well. One of the coolest things was my in-laws brought their dog along, and he was welcomed in just like the 2 legged folks.
I seem to recall it being named The Green Mesquite.
What a place!
As far as helping you out, I think Uncle Julio's Rio Grande in Bethesda has a great combination of excellent Chips & Salsa, respectable beef fajitas, and fair Brisket. It's a fun atmosphere, and service is usually exceptional.
I believe they serve up Migas on the weekends.
I don't go as often as I used to, as I moved to the boonies a while back.
If your ever out in Howard County, try El Azteca in Clarksville. They are the best in my region, in my opinion.
So, why are you moving from such a cool place?
David in Highland
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El Azteca
12210 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029
Uncle Julio's Rio Grande Cafe
4870 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
Sisters Sandwiches and Such in Olney
Thanks for the report. I've been wondering about the place for a while.
Sounds like 180 degree turn from the old Mr T's with their fry heavy menu.
I'll make a point of stopping in one day soon.
Zio's Italian Restaurant, Gaithersburg: YUK!!!!!!!!!
I used to be quite a regular at Zio's, and always ordered the Pizza.
To me, it was the best pizza local to Rockville / Olney areas.
I liked the salad bar as well.
Due to health issues, cheese and processed meats are no longer on my diet, so I've not been to Zios in years.
I hope it has not really degenerated as badly as the OP states. On a rare occasion I spring for pizza for my employees, and Zios was always the favorite of everyone here at work.
