Mikeflan's Profile
Best breakfast tacos in Houston?
+1 on Villas Arcos. Simply the best in the city. Laredo doesn't come close --- not a real fan of steam table tacos anyways.
Houston Restaurant Weeks 2011
One week down for restaurant week for me - this isn't sustainable. First up: Max's Wine Dive. Not sure what was going on with me picking this place. My house is undergoing a minor remodel, so maybe it was the paint fumes. File this under "seemed like a good idea." From top to bottom, an awful meal. Appetizer of mac & cheese --- definitely the best thing I had that night, and it was cold and left me ho hum (disclaimer -- I had nieces and nephews in town the same week, so my meal at Just Mac might have left me a little ODed on mac & cheese).
Next up, an unforgettable tomato soup. This may have been the worst tomato soup I've ever had. I made a note that I would have actually preferred Campbells.
Course three -- a kobe beef burger that was lacking in a lot of elements. The meat was fine, cooked perfectly, but still - it was missing something. Bernie's, this is not.
Finally, a bread pudding. Too dense, too dry. Blah.
Topping it off was a 30 minute wait with reservations on a Tuesday, a waitress who couldn't be bothered, and a painfully loud dining experience. Needless to say, I won't be going back.
Next up, Hugo's. Hugo's somehow flies under my radar. I'm not sure why. I go to brunch there three times a year, and love everything about it, but somehow it is never in the dinner rotation. Everything about this meal was spectacular. I started with a delicious salad with squash blossoms, followed with scallops, and finished things off with a fine goat cheese cake with peaches. Spot on service, delicious cocktails, Hugo's was a hit. The pastry chef here is the bomb - really impressed with the chocolate cake as well.
Tony's was our final entry into this week's culinary hat trick. Nice big room, with lots of space between tables. Big art of the wall. Most of it bad in a non-Ruggles way, but similar somehow (dated?) Lots of servers. Lot of confusion. Lots of time between tea refills, large lags between seating and menu, the overpriced $15 cocktails (no prices on the drink menu).
The food was good, and some of it was great. The pasta starter was delicious, if tiny (stuffed pasta with parmesan), and the tuna/avocado appetizer was even better. The duck was good if a little dry, the halibut delicious if a tad inoffensive. Desserts were a cheesecake with praline topping (great) and a chocolate devils cake that wasn't my style. If not for the service lapses, this would have been *very good*. Another note here: stick with the pastas. I ordered a side of the bombolotti, which turned out to be (you guessed it!) mac and cheese, and it was incredible. The restaurant week menu here is a steal, as normal prices would have been around $65-70 for the three courses. Drink at Poison Girl before you come here. For $15 bucks there, you can at least get an incredible whisky.
So there you have it. Hugo's -- 9, Max's -- 3, Tony's -- 7.
Mike
Newish places - Alto Pizzeria, Grateful Taco, Tony Mandolas
Hey gang-
Just thought I'd do a culinary tour of what's been through my stomach the past week.
Tony Manolas-
I managed to make it to the new Tony Mandola's on opening day -- it was predictably busy, and service was a little off. Waited a while for the waiter, refills were slow. Understandable, and my fault for the bad luck to choose the day.
The room is much larger than the old place on W. Gray, but it's lost a lot, if not all, of the charm. Prices might have inched up a bit too. I was suprised at the end of the meal how expensive everything was. The meal was largely unmemorable. I felt like I could have gotten better seafood at Goode Company Seafood expecially considering that I was ordering stuff that Goode Co. does so well, (po boys, shrimp cocktails). Disappointing.
Grateful Taco
In a town where you can't throw a frisbee without hitting some sort of Mexican food, Greatful Taco may have a niche. It's comfortable quck food, if not overly cheap (a taco, generous as it is, will set you back ~$4): there's free wi-fi, big screen tvs, a great beer list, and seemingly some of the cheapest wine in the city, especially at lunch.
It's not serving taco truck tacos. It's not a mexican restaurant. In fact, some of the tacos aren't even Mexican food. There's the requisite Fajita tacos, and then things get weird. Brisket tacos, Chinese seasame spiced chicken tacos, green tomato tacos, eggplant tacos, Buckee's mystery meat taco (this day Bison). That said, it was for the most part, very good. The fajita tacos were exceptional, but I also liked the CC (Chinese Chicken?) taco, and look forward to going back to try some of the others. The only thing I didn't like was the fried green tomato taco, but hell: I don't like fried green tomatos. The queso was good, the guacomole was good. Even the salsas were good (though the Pequin pepper salsa was my least favorite, the Cabo-Habanero my most favorite [and most spicy])
There's a lot to like about Greatful Taco. And a lot to puzzle over. The strange pricing policy of rounding up or down. The no tipping policy. The emphasis on cash over credit. And there's an undercurrent of hippiedom that doesn't jibe with the seemingly tea party politics.
But....a chef driven taco menu is not a bad thing.
Alto Pizzeria
Along with burgers, Houston seems to be experiencing a phase shift in terms of elevating the pizzas cuisine, with Piola, Pink's, etc. But I'm biased. I've been a Star Pizza fan for close to 25 years, so Robert del Grande's jump into the fray had me shrugging my shoulders. I'm 50/50 for his ventures: I loved Cafe Annie back in the day, hate Cafe Express, and don't think at all about Restaurant RDG (went once, forgot about it immediately). Alto is comfortable, definitely downscale in price but upscale in atmosphere (pizzas, about 12 inch, go for ~$12), and serves up some good stuff. I had the sausage pizza, which wasn't shy about the fennel, and thought it was good. Not exceptional, but very good. 6.5/10 on whatever scale I use. A good thin crust pizza. The pasta I shared was the fettuccine, which I felt was too bland initially. The portion felt small. The chicken, a little dry. Nothing offensive, but the flavors were a little muted, which was helped with a heavy hand of red pepper, black pepper and sea salt. The service was inconsistant. Very good from people who were't our waiter, mediocre from our waiter.
What was nice was: the beer list (extensive), the full bar, the environment (beautiful room overlooking Kirby at West Ave), and especially the reverse happy hour I noticed: after 10 p.m., two dollar slices and cheap big bottles of beer. I see myself going here late.
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Cafe Annie
1728 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056
Goode Company Seafood
10211 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024
Which restaurant would you choose, given these options???
My rec would be for Philippe as well. I had a spectacular meal there last week, and am really looking forward to going again. Nice room too...
Three weeks in Buenos Aires - It's all about the food!
I like it too. I was shooting for new places, hence the post. But, here goes a warning for folks coming to BA. I *really* did not like La Vineria de Gualterio Bolivar in San Telmo. A quick overview: 16 courses, molecular gastronamy, chef driven. Seemed right up my alley.
Definitely the most expensive restaurant we ate at in Buenos Aires (Over 1000 pesos for two people), the 16 steps were a major letdown. I've eaten at quite a few of the great restaurants around the world, and while the chef has his techniques down, the end result missed the most important mark: the food didn't taste good. Sure, turning a scallop into a powder is interesting, but the end result was puzzling: scallops are rare enough in this country. To cook one correctly is akin to alchemy here.
To their credit, the service was polished (at least our main waiter), but the wine pairing excessively expensive (400 pesos for two), and the interior decor was uninspired. If I had to do it again, I would have ordered bottles (unfortunately, they didn't even have a wine list, so that's what steered us to the pairing). The wine pours were tiny.
The week before, we had a similar tasting menu (Hernan Gioppini) with wine. Half the price, equally good service, a better wine pairing, more polished atmosphere and much better execution all around. Plus at the end of the meal, my wife and I talked about going back. Neither of us want to ever go back to La Vineria.
As a quick overview, out favorites this trip turned out to be Hernan Giopinni, Azema (spectacular good and spicy, which is a rarity in BA), Sarkis, and Sudestada.
Jus' Mac - anyone been there?
Totally suprised, I loved my experience at Jus' Mac. Had the cheapest mac on the menu,the basic $5.95, and thought it was a steal (especially in light of the $10.95 specials with goat cheese). Perfectly delicious, and enough for my wife and I to share without rolling out of the place.
Further props go to the nice interior and back patio, the great music playing (indie rock from the 90s/00s), and the fact that they were closing, but let us in, and 15 minutes later let two more couple in (even unlocking the door).
Be advised that the hours on the web site were not current, so I'd call before I left.
FWIW-
Mike
Three weeks in Buenos Aires - It's all about the food!
Hey gang-
I'll be spending three weeks around BA later this month, and am looking for some dining recommendations. This will be my third time there, the last being two years ago. In no order and totally off the top of my head, I've hit some of the following:
Azema
647 Supper Club
Gran Bar Danzon
La Cabrera
Thymus
Bar Uriarte
Casa Cruz
Dada
Sottovoce
Resto
Lola
On a side note, any bars to check out that are promising? My favorites from the past include Munzo Bizarro, 878, and Millon if that gives any idea towards my slants.
Anything new and worthwhile would be much appreciated, though I'd love to hit some of the above (all of the above?) again.
Thanks in advance-
Mike
My Favorite Houston Restaurants, yours?
Favs in Houston. Let's see:
BBQ is Piersons, though I eat at Luling a fair amount due to their exceptional sauce. I'll never eat at Gaitlin's as the wait was absolutely insane the two times I've been. Which is a shame, as the que is very good, but no need in my mind to wait over an hour for togo barbque. Serious front of the house problems there. And a nod to Beavers for the great drinks, though I don't enjoy the food.
Thai at Vieng Thai. The only thing I wish was that the menu ever changed. No specials, no additions in the five years I've been going.
Burgers at Rockwell Tavern. Best I've had, though I haven't made it to Burger Guys yet.
Breakfast tacos at Villas Arcos. A must do trip in my opinion for anyone out of town (along with Spec's). The bacon super really is super...
Seafood: I'm still quite fond of Goode Company Seafood (the only Goode Company concept I like), as the things I enjoy there (Campechana, Flounder poboy) are exceptional. Reef is great as well.
Italian: I tend towards Da Marco or Sorrento.
Brunch: Hugo's. Best in the city in my opinion.
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Sorrento
415 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77006
Goode Company Restaurants
2511 Bartlett St, Houston, TX 77098
Vieng Thai
6929 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055
Goode Company Seafood
10211 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024
AMERICA'S *has* missed a step.
As an addition to the above review, minutes after I wrote this, the manager of Americas called up regarding a comment I left during the meal. If the service was lackluster then, the conversation with the manager was the closest thing to service perfection I have experienced. While I stand by my post regarding the quality of the food and service during *that* meal, the level of professionalism on behalf of management leads me to believe the flaws may be more of a fluke rather than the norm, and I feel almost guilty about my heavy handed review of the place. The manager seemed genuinely embarrassed about the service and assured me that it would not happen again.
With such conviction that I believe her.
It all starts at the top, and the top here is top notch. The phone call changed my opinion, from writing off the place to giving it another shot sometime down the road. When I do, I'll post the results.
AMERICA'S *has* missed a step.
Or more accurately, stumbled, fell, and bashed its knee into the ground.
Let me elaborate: A few friends and I decided to go to the new America's in the River Oaks shopping center. I have fond memories of Churrascos, and at one time, Americas on Post Oak was one of the most exciting joints in town, in my opinion.
Things have changed. The new restaurant's interior is by the same designer as the Post Oak location, Jordan Mozer. But instead of the otherworldly glass and tile rainforest, everything here is made out of sheets of felt. Thick felt. Walls, lamp shades. It's a terrible thing for a new restaurant to look dated, but this one does. But alas, other's tastes may like thick felt hanging from the ceiling like tentacles. Mine do not. One of my dining companions actually mentioned that the decor reminded her of the movie Avatar. I'm not sure what this meant, actually, but I chuckled.
I understand a new restaurant can have some rough patches, but there were huge potholes in the service. We sat down, our waiter came and took our drink order, and disappeared. Someone else came out, asked if we wanted drinks, and disappeared. A host appeared, asked for our drinks, and disappeared. A busboy followed, doing the same. Ten minutes later, still no drinks.
These things happen. But the waitstaff seemed largely clueless about the menu. Asking about the menu yielded responses of "I've never had that, but I hear it's good" or "It's very good." Nothing more descriptive or informative. I expect that at quite a few restaurants, but not ones professing to be fine dining. Add to this this strange absence of ... well.. our waiter. He took our order. And he brought our check. That was about it. Didn't even bother to ask if we wanted dessert (sent a host out about that).
We had three entrees: a filet with mushrooms, an order of the carnitas, and the namesake steak, the churrasco. Verdict - meh. The churrasco was the best of the bunch, but even it felt stale compared to my rememberances of years ago. It was decent, but by no means exceptional, and everything had that "seen it before" feel. Combine that with the throwback and offputting interior, and it felt like a bad chain restaurant. Which I suppose America's is now, considering the Cordura family now operate six restaurants off the top of my head (Two Churrascos, two Americas, Amazon Grill, and Artista).
For a $75 lunch for three people, the best that can be said is that it was a learning experience.
Mike
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Artista
800 Bagby Street, Suite 400, Houston, TX 77002
Amazon Grill
5114 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
Churrascos River Oaks
2055 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77042
BRC: is it just me?
I went in with an open mind, after an incredibly frustrating experience of being turned away the week before after showing up at 2 p.m. (they close for lunch at 2 p.m. forewarned is forearmed).
The room is nice, smaller than I expected, with a very decent and well updated tap selection (~20 selections, with the menu updated 7/12). The pub part of gastropub. Alas, I wasn't drinking, but I did make my way through a good chunk of the menu: macaroni and cheese of the day (in this case a chili con queso mac and cheese), the soup (sweet corn chowder), an entree of a chicken fried steak sandwich, crab beignets, some fries, and the pork chops.
It was decent. It was all decent. The best was probably the chicken fried steak sandwich, which was eeriely light with the white and peppery gravy. Better in all respects that a $3 Chick Fila sandwich, but then again, $9 more expensive. The blue crab beignets were three in number, a bit smaller than a tennis ball, and tasty (though at $8.50, I'd rather have three Chick Fila sandwiches)
The soup was a soup. I love soup. I use the word love too often. Not here.
The spinach side with the pork chops out did the chops.... The fries were strangely bland. Undersalted? Maybe I'm so used to the salt, pepper, and parmesan of frites offered today....
The Mac and Cheese, after being heavily pushed by a very good waiter, was just disappointing. I've decided I'm more of a "wet" mac and cheese fan: I desire gooey cheesy mac and cheese. This was the dry, baked variety, heavy on the breading. I had to lie to the waiter and say how much I enjoyed the Mac and Cheese, while at the same time thinking to myself "never again."
Bill after tax and tip was close to $70. For that price, I won't be running back anytime soon.
I question gastropubs in general: better than adequate food served at a premium in a place that will pour you an Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale, but nothing that really dazzles you once you leave the bar stools for the dining room. I dine to be wowed. While everything was competent, served by a good staff in a comfortable room, I was in no way wowed. Too many other restaurants offer far more interesting dishes. Or even better versions of the same.
Healthy Breakfast in the Heights - with great coffee!
Well, I'm not sure about great coffee, as I don't drink coffee. But a great coffeehouse is Antidote at 729 Studewood. Very comfortable, free wifi, great crowd.
As far as breakfast is concerned, I had a more than decent meal at Lola (1102 Yale) and not to be confused with the uber-dive bar Lola's off Grant in the Montrose. Everything was better than I expected it should have been, which is a nice change.
Good luck-
Mike
Review: Goode Co. Hamburgers (HOU)
Alas: I was dying for a burger, and close to Goode Co, so I gave it a shot. I'd been visiting the spot for close to 20 years, and have had some good food in the past. I understand it can be inconsistant, but I've never had bad food there. Mediocre? Sure, like everywhere else, on a bad day. But not bad.
Snake eyes, Chowhounders. Snake eyes.
My burger, a double meat, was ordered as I like it. Medium rare, with cheddar on top. Nothing crazy. Twenty five minutes later (never a good sign) I got a burger that was quite simply the driest, most overcooked I've had in years. I hate sending food back, but what the hell. This is unacceptable. After I mention "I ordered this medium rare, and this is... not", they look at it and give me a look like "It looks medium rare to me." Whatever: I walk away and wait for them to call my name again. In about two minutes, it rings out.
Wow. The second burger was not well done, but it certainly was past medium. I can live with this: finding that gentle spot between raw and cardboard is an art, apparantly lost in many establishments. But the burger tasted, well, boring. Little to no flavor, mediocre bun. To the point that I ended up covering it in salsa from the condiments bar to give it anything approaching taste.
I dare say that I would have been happier at McDonalds, if only for the Redbox.
Goode Co. was never on my goto burger list, but it has slipped a ton of spots now. It may be a sign of the times, but just off the top of my head, I feel like I can get better burgers at Smashburger, Rudyards, Christian's, Pappa Burger, Lankford, The Broken Spoke, or any other number of spots.
FWIW: I remember when I loved the hotdog here, at $2.50. I checked today and it was over $6.00. Inflation hurts, and I miss Jim Goode. I feel that since he's left the reins to his son, this restaurant has suffered immeasurably...
Mike
Houston questions
This definitely falls into the "If you can't say something nice, don't say...." category. The loss of Molinas and Felix, in my mind, is the best argument I've ever heard for gentrification.
Best Dive Bar in Houston?
>>> Dont know if it qualifies as a dive bar, but La Carafe has got to be one of the colest bars in Texas.
I'm sure you mean coolest, but holest would also fit. I'm not much of a fan of La Carafe: long on ambience and a good jukebox, short on most everything else. Heck, La Carafe isn't even the best dive bar within two blocks of La Carafe. That honor goes to Warren's in my mind. Better in most all respects.
That said, I'm quite fond of Poison Girl in the Montrose, on Westheimer by Dunlavy. Better beer selection that La Carafe, best whiskey selection in town, good music, a patio, and seven pinball machines.
Bliss.
[HOU] Saturday high (T'afia) and low (100% Taquito)
Interesting. I've never been to the farmer's market, but I made it to T'afia for dinner last week. Service was fine, and it was a beautiful room, no doubt. But the food left me longing. It was all cooked perfect, looked nice, sounded rather interesting (though I hated the menu layout). But in the end, I wished I had been somewhere else. It may just be philosophical differences, since I've yet to have a good meal at any of her restaurants, ever, from Boulevard and Quilted Toque, up to Beavers. I keep trying, however.
I do give her high marks on the cocktails. They were good at T'afia, but unbelieveably better at Beavers. Personally, I think Beaver's is serving some of the best, and certainly most interesting, cocktails in the city. I steer clear of most of the sides (the last batch, including the Philly mac, had me longing for Luby's, and I hate Luby's). And the que was, to me, unmemorable. But the drinks! Oh my! Worth driving far for.
New BBQ in Houston: Pierson and Co.
Hey gang-
Not sure if this has been covered or not, but a new bar-b-que stand opened up in my neck of the woods, close to T.C. Jester and Tidwell on the NW side of town. It's Pierson and Company, at 5110 T.C. Jester, phone 713-683-6997. Now, I've had a sinking feeling in my gut ever since Williams Smokehouse burned down last year, as I've never been a fan of most of the cue in Houston. Specifically, I hate the sauce at Thelma's (too sweet), I find Goode Company to be terribly underwhelming in all respects, and the chain joints are... well... chain joints. If I had to pick, it would be Luling City Market off Richmond (or more accurately, off W. Gray as well); they are inconsistant, but with sauce that good, it makes up for it.
Imagine my suprise as I drove past and saw Pierson and Company. Bar-b-que that's new to me, and only three blocks from a turn I've taken once a week for four years: slam on the brakes. Fifteen minutes and $15 later, I had a pound of brisket and a quart of beans.
It smelled great.
To be honest, I wasn't expecting much. Too many food disappointments in my life, with bar-b-que leading the assault. Pierson's was good. Damned good. The sauce was smoky and not overly sweet, the brisket was very good, and suprisingly enough, a side dish stole the show. The baked beans were a revelation, with chunks of meat and a great flavor. Two thumbs up. It's not Lockhart good, but better than most anything else in the city.
Check it out. It might have been just a great day, where the stars aligned, but it was worth a second (and third) visit.
Mike
New to Houston, what's your favorite restaurant in town
To each their own I suppose. I live in Houston and avoid Pappas restaurants like the plague. Everything they do, be it seafood, steak, mexican, hamburgers, whatever, is done better (and sometimes much better) by other restaurants. Pappas is many things -- consistently decent, offering good, if not great food; at a good, if not great, value. But it's still a chain. A home grown one, but a chain none the less. There are reasons I don't eat chain food: I want to be wowed, not fed. If all you ate in Houston for a week was Pappas restaurants, I feel like you missed out. Houston has more to offer than Pappas. A lot more.
In my opinion, anyway.
Mike
Charleston Bound! Advice Needed
Hi hounds!
I'll be headed up to Charleston in about a week for a long weekend of food and fun. Tenative plans, scheduled by a friend, call for the following:
FIG Friday night, La Fourchette Saturday night, and The Sanctuary at Kiawah on Sunday.
Critique the above. I haven't been to Charleston in close to five years, so I'm way ou tof the loop. As you can see, it leaves huge chunks of time open for lunches during the day and drinks during the night. Throw out your best. I'm also interested (understatement) in visiting the finest bars your fine city has to offer: so offer away.
A report will follow, as will a hangover. Or two.
Thanks!
Mike
What's great in Houston?
I second Spec's. Screw NASA, the museums, or any of the other quasi tourist hangouts (and don't even get me started with that damned Aquarium). Spec's should be *THE* tourist desination in this city.
Go.
Mike
What's great in Houston?
* Desserts! The best homemade-style cakes and pies. Ice cream too.
Ahh. Desserts. The stuff that dreams, and sansabelt slacks, are made. I just had some killer sopapillas at Ninfa's on Navigation, which I would recommend to be one of the must see places in Houston. The sopapilas were awesome, with a hibiscus sauce and some great vanilla ice cream. Couldn't believe it was only $4.99.
Sure, there might arguably be better fajitas out there. Certainly better margaritas. But for a combination of qualities (*very* good mexican food, *very* good margaritas, damned fine queso fundido, a great atmosphere, and the realization that all this is coming from the same DNA that was bastardized into the evil generic food that is all other Ninfas), it may well be one of my favorite places in Houston.
Carrying on with the desserts: I'm fond of Churrascos. It's worth a trip for a drink and the coconut ice cream. In fact, I do this all too often. The tres leches is great as well, but it's everywhere now. The coconut ice cream isn't. Go. I don't even like coconut usually, unless it's in pina colada form, and I love this.
* Best independent coffeehouse!
Be on the cutting edge: try Antidote, which just opened up on Studewood in the Heights, (ear 9th street maybe?). The same folks that own Poison Girl (which I consider a must visit bar if you find yourself in the Montrose), it features damned fine coffee. Plus, they need your business: they've only been open a week or so.
Aside from that, I like Brasil, Empire, and all the usual suspects.
* BBQ is definitely good in my book. If the place has great sides, that's even better. I'm a mac n cheese and cornbread fiend.
Take a day trip to the Hill Country. II know, I know: It's more than an hour a way. But still: it will get you to move to Texas, and then you're (much) more than halfway to Houston. Nothing in Houston can compare to the real Luling, the Lockhard trilogy, or Louis Mueller's in Taylor, but very little can. That said, I'm fond of Williams Smokehouse and the fake Luling at 610 and Richmond.
Good luck, and good eating.
Mike
Houston-Star Pizza
Star is great. I tend to go for the Joes pizza, with sauteed spinach and fresh garlic or the rosemary chicken pizza which is wonderful as well. I think the deep dish whole wheat is the way to go; the thin crust is merely ok. On the other hand, they have a great appetizer on weekends, the feta and goat cheese truffle. Amazing stuff.
A side note: I wouldn't feed my dog Late Night Pie. Then again, I like dogs. You may be a cat person.
Finally, Star does not make their own bread. At all. They do make their own website however, which is one of the worst I've seen in a while. The pizza dough is fresh as can be, however, and luckily, not connected with their webmaster in any way.
Cheers.
Houston Recs
Wow. I'm glad you had a good meal, but I'm a bit suprised. I remember Molinas not so fondly; I think the exact words passing through my mind at the time were "I would not feed my dog this..."
Glad to hear things are looking up for the joint.
A little late, but I would have recommended Pico's in Bellaire or the original Ninfa's on Navigation.
Transcendant BBQ (Luling City Market, Luling, TX)
I tried to duplicate the sauce off a recipe I found off the internet somewhere, and failed miserably. I still get ribbed for it by friends. The sauce is great, and while Luling City Market - Houston can't match the original, it is 130 or so miles closer, and good for a quick and often terribly satisfying lunch fix.
Houston BBQ & other ideas
Houston is not a barb-b-que capital by any stretch, but I'm fond of William's Smokehouse and Luling City Market. I know the original in Luling is better, but barring a 2 1/2 hour drive, it's damned good. The last two trips have been spectacular, with an order for one of 1/2 lb. of brisket, 1 slice of cheese, and a side order of their sweet pickles (which I think are the best in the city).
Good luck
Chicago Chowhound in Town for 4 Nights: First Time in Austin
Wow- I'm a visitor to Austin, but my list of places to avoid would include about every place you listed (save perhaps Magnolia).
Each of the spots you listed are institutions in Austin, offering decent but not standout food. Off the top of my head, they can all be bested by any number of places:
Chuy's - "it may not be the BEST tex-mex in austin" We do agree! Chicago has some damned fine mexican food in my opinion, so I'm not even sure I'd send someone from there to anywhere in Austin. I'm quite sure that nothing in Austin can compare to Salpicon or Topolobambo/Fronterra Grille; but that's more authentic Mex than Tex Mex. Still, Chuy's? That's like sending someone looking for an exotic car to the Kia dealership.
Salt Lick: Good thing to say about it: it's all you can eat. Decent sides. Decent to good bar-b-que. And yes, still probably better than anything in Chicago, especially if you are going with a large group. But head to Lockhart, Luling, Taylor, ... all offer better.
Hut's - I'm dumbfounded. I've never been a Hut's fan, and with Casino El Camino or any number of others offering the real deal, why Hut's? I even like Shady Grove more than Hut's.
I'm assuming a visitor would want the "Best of" in terms of cuisine. Austin offers some truly great food, much of it a bargain, but your list seems to offer the vibe of the city without delivering the goods in terms of quality of food.
Just my opinion.
Mike
Where's the hotter food scene - Dallas or Houston?
While I conceed whole-heartedly that Austin tops Houston in BBQ (and is itself topped by the surrounding hill country), I'm not convinced about Tex Mex. While Austin is great at affordable TexMex, I believe Houston has some better/less affordable spots that go toe to toe with what Austin offers (Hugos, the Original Ninfas, Picos, and El Tiempo come immediately to mind).
Off topic, but barely, is that Houston gets thoroughly pounced by just about any breakfast place in Austin or Dallas. I have no idea why this is the case, but it is...
Houston bests?
I'll second (third) a recommendation for the original Ninfa's on Navigation (but steer very clear of the other Ninfas). I'll also toss in Pico's on Bellaire, which has some great margaritas, and some very good pork pibil...
William's Smokehouse is probably my favorite for bar-b-que, but after a trek to Lockhart this past weekend, the gulf between the good and the great has been made ever the more evident.
I'd also toss in Luling City Market on Richmond for BBQ. Sure, it's not the real thing Luling, but I'd still put head and shoulders above Goode Co.
Good luck-
Mike
Houston Chowhound coming to Seattle
Hi hounds!
I'll be making a trek to Seattle next week (Sun-Wed, Dec 3-6) and was looking for some recommendations. I've hit some of the high end stuff over the last decade or so, but feel a bit lost on where the really good food is located these days. I figure maybe two high end meals and three really good lunches, if possible.
Off the top of my head, I've been to Wild Ginger, Campagne, and Dahlia Lounge, all of which felt a tad dated even when I went a year or so back.
A side question is drinking: any bars that ya'll would rave about, consider world class, whatever? My favorites include Shorty's (I collect pinball machines) and I'm headed to the Zig Zag for cocktails. I'm sure I'll be going out every night, staying out late, so any recommendations would be appreciated...
Thanks!
Mike
