Bigrayok's Profile
KC breakfast joints
I like to go to Cascone's in the River Market when I go to Kansas City. It is nothing out of the ordinary but I like the fact that I can get Italian sausage with my breakfast.
Bigray in Ok
Council Bluffs Ia
I have received some of the worst service in restaurants over the years when they were not busy. One thing that frustrates me is when they have empty tables yet still make you wait because "they do not have enough wait staff". In some cases it is a ploy to get people to sit in the bar and buy drinks. At least let me sit at a table and get me started with some iced tea, a menu, and some bread if they have it.
Bigray in Ok
Chandler OK
I know this is after your trip but the Rock Cafe in Stroud between Tulsa and Chandler is a good stop. It burned down a couple of years ago but has reopened I believe. It was on Diners, Drive-Inns and Dives. It serves a lot of good things.
Bigray in Ok
Headed to Fort Worth for Labor Day weekend..never been. List the top 5 restaurants I must hit!
Since you have never been to Fort Worth my favorites may not be others favorites, but here are my suggestions:
1. Joe T. Gonzales for Tex-Mex. I know a lot of board posters do not like the place but I like the
enchiladas and the atmosphere. Cash only. I also like the Mexican Inn for basic Tex-Mex.
Their chips are made in-house and are more like Frito's corn chips than the usual chips
found in Fort Worth Mexican restaurants. Main Street between Downtown and the
Stockyards has a lot of mexican restaurants to choose from.
2. I like Bonnell's, Lonesome Dove, and Reata for upscale "Texas" style food. Bonnell's is my
favorite of the three.
3. Angelo's is my favorite BBQ in Fort Worth.
4. For a good hamburger. I like Kincaid's. I did not like Love Shack as much as some on this
board do. I did not like the Love Sauce they put on their burgers.
5. Sardine's may not have the best Italian food to many, but I like their take on basic old
fashioned Italian with live jazz music most evenings.
6. For steak and an old west atmosphere, I like Cattlemen's Steakhouse in the Stockyards.
These are just a few suggestions. They are based on where I like to go in Fort Worth, not necessarily what the foodie types like.
Bigray in Ok
Restaurants you wouldn't recommmend
I was last in New Orleans in March 2009. I had Redfish Menuiere at Coops. It was the best meal I had on that trip. I have never had what I consider a bad meal at a New Orleans restaurant. It may be because I try to research where to go and I am thankful to be there in the first place.
Bigray in Ok
Dinner in OK between Bartlesville and Ponca city
I have never been to the Bad Brad's in Pawhuska which I think is the original but I have been to the one in Yukon and it is one of the better BBQ's in the Oklahoma City area. I went to the Head Country BBQ in Ponca City once years ago and liked it. Their sauce is really good and is sold in grocery stores all over Oklahoma and even in Oklahoma Joe's in Kansas City.
Bigray in Ok
LOUISIANA CUISINE
Most of the restaurants regularly mentioned on this board would be classified as "Louisiana cuisine". K-Paul's kind of poplarized the term "Louisiana Cuisine" and is one of my favorite New Olreans restaurants. Coop's, Luizza's, and Mandinas serve a variety of Louisiana cuisine. Galatroire's, Bourbon House, Commander's Palace, Emeril's, Nola, Bon Ton Cafe, Cochon, Dante's Kitchen, and Brigsten's all serve a variety of Louisiana Cuisine. Acme and Felix are known for oysters and fried seafood as well Drago's for grilled oysters. This list is just a few of the choices, there are lots more.
Bigray in Ok
Most authentic steak restaurant in Dallas?
I agree that Cattlemen's in Fort Worth is about as Texas you can get. I like Cattlemen's, especially the way you can see the flames coming off the grill and the smell of the restaurant. In Dallas, I would say Dunston's on Lover's Lane is an authentic Texas steak place. I like the way it smells also. The Dunston's Prime on Harry Hines is good also, but a little newer looking on the inside than the Lover's Lane location.
Bigray in Ok
tulsa - coney island connection
Freddie's Steakhouse in Sapulpa is a good Labanese steakhouse. You get tabouli, cabbage rolls, bologna, and a rib as appetizers. In Oklahoma, the greek run coney island places are probably closest to Cincinnati Coneys you will get, but the term "coney" has become kind of a generic term in Oklahoma for chili dog. Ron's Chili and Hamburgers has good chili dogs and chili cheeseburgers.
Bigray in Ok
What are the food specialties of Fort Worth?
Bonnell's, Reata, and Lonesome Dove serve what I would call Texas cousine. I like Bonnell's the best of the three, even though you can't go wrong with anyone of them. Angelo's is good for BBQ. I know a lot of foodie types gasp at the suggestion of Joe T. Garcias, but I think it is a fun for Tex-Mex Cheese Enchiladas on a cash only basis for a Fort Worth first timer. There are a number of mexican restaurants on Main street between downtown and the stockyards. I like Mexican Inn which is a local basic Tex-Mex place with multiple locations in the Fort Worth area. Their chips are made in house and look more like Fritos but are tasty.
I like Kincaids for an old fashioned greasy cheeseburger in an old grocery store where people can stand and eat at the grocery shelves. They have a few tables also. Cattlemen's Steakhouse in the stockyards is another place some may not suggest, but I really enjoy the food and the atmosphere. It is very Fort Worth to me. Del Frisco downtown is a high end steak place that is a Fort Worth institution.
There are nine Babe's Chicken House locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with the orignal in Roanoke which is close to Fort Worth and the Texas Motor Speedway. They have good fried chicken and chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy, cream corn, and great biscuits. Very Fort Worth and Texas in general.
I hope this helps.
Bigray in Ok
Coming to the Van Cliburn Competition in May...What's best in the Ft Worth/TCU area?
Bonnell's at 1-20 and Bryant Irven Road is one of my favorite Fort Worth restaurants. It serves what I call upscale Texan food including a number of wild game dishes in a nice, yet casual setting. Jon Bonnell often comes out and talks to the diners. I have seen him bring out free appetizers to people waiting for their meals. Reata and Lonesome Dove serve similiar type food and are good places also. I like Bonnell's the best of the three though. I got denied entry to another Fort Worth eatery once because I was not dressed "business casual" which I am still trying to figure what that means on a hundred degree day, especially for one who has worked in the landscape business and as a white collar worker. I went to Bonnell's wearing nice blue Bermuda style shorts and a yellow Polo shirt and was treated like a king by Jon and the rest of the staff. No reservation required.
Forth Worth is a cool town with a mixture of cowboy and high society culture as well as a substantial Latino and African-American population. You can find good BBQ, Tex-Mex, Mex-Mex, country cooking, and other styles of cuisine. They even have good food at a couple of museums.
Bigray in Ok
Where can I find burnt-ends in New Orleans?
I have not seen burnt ends in very many BBQ's outside of the Kansas City area. Burnt ends are pretty much a Kansas City thing. I do not know of a single BBQ in the Oklahoma City area that serves burnt ends and we have a lot of BBQ places. I do not recall seeing them in Texas either, although there are a lot of Texas BBQ's I have not been to. New Orleans does not have that many BBQ restaurants and is not known for BBQ. I would be surprised if you find burnt ends in any New Orleans BBQ's.
Bigray in Ok
Banh Mi So...forgettable
I am missing something here. What city are we talking about?
Bigray in Ok
KC - Best Italian Sausage?
Is Carrollo's Meat Market in the River Market still open? I always liked their Italian Sausage.
Bigray in Ok
Dive Restaurant in Quarter 20 People
I think Napoleon House is a good suggestion.
Bigray in Ok
Dive Restaurant in Quarter 20 People
I like Adolfo's, but I would think it would be difficult to get reservations for a group of 20 since the place only holds something like 36 people. Can the Apple Barrel downstairs where you have to wait to get in Adolfo's hold 20 people? It is a cool dive bar with good live music but is very cramped. I also like Coop's but it is small also and may be hard to get 20 people in. Good luck in finding a place.
Bigray in Ok
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Apple Barrel Bar
609 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Pittsburg Steeler's Fort Worth BBQ Visit
Does anyone know what BBQ in Fort Worth some Pittsburg Steelers visited with their quaterback before they went to Pete's Piano Bar? They said it was really good but I have not read which one it was. I like Angelo's, and Railhead is decent also. Riscky's is ok but I do not like their potatoe salad. I plan on going to the new Cooper's in the stockyards the next time I go to Fort Worth. Any new BBQ's in Fort Worth that are good?
Bigray in Ok
What happens AFTER Guy Fieri visits?
I frequent a couple of places in Oklahoma City that were on DDD. Recently, I went ot Leo's BBQ the evening after their episode was re-aired three years after it was made and they were out of almost everything including side dishes. The waiter said they did not know it was going to be on that day and they were caught off guard by the influx of customers.
Bigray in Ok
Oklahoma City
The Skirvin is walking distance from Bricktown where there are numerous restaurants and bars. It is the area in OKC where people can walk between places. Abuelos and Chelinos in Bricktown are decent mexican food places. Abuelos has nicer decor, but Chelinos has a better representation of local mexican food in my opinion. La Luna is another mexican cafe that is a few blocks from the Skirvin that I like. Unfortunately, there is road construction all over downtown Oklahoma City and it is frustrating to manuever around. La Luna is on Reno Street between Walker and Hudson. Jazzmo's Bourbon Street Cafe in Bricktown has ok Louisiana style food. The Mantel, Nonna's, and Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse are higher end places in Bricktown with decent food.
Cheever's Cafe on N.W. 23rd is not really walking distance, but a short cab ride can get you there. They have "New American" food and some southern influenced dishes like chicken fried steak.
Kaiser's American Bistro, Cafe du Brazil, and Stella are a shot cab ride away at N.W. 10th and Walker. McNeelies Pub serves food also and is located in the same intersection.
Oklahoma City is really spread out. Good restaurants are located all over the city and its suburbs. The people at the Skirvin can probably give you some suggestions also. Bricktown will probably be their first suggestion.
Bigray in Ok
Drive-thru tacos near downtown Dallas...or elsewhere in Dallas
Fuel City on Industrial just south of downtown is not drive-thru but you walk up to the window and order. It is open 24 hours a day and is an interesting place. It is a huge convenience store with some really good tacos.
Bigray in Ok
Back from our NOLA trip! LONG post
I have only been to Galatoire's twice but the Pompano with crabmeat is one of the best fish dishes I have ever eaten. I enjoy reading positive trip reports like this. It reminds me of my New Orleans restaurant experiences which have always been good.
Bigray in Ok
Songs with restaurant names in the lyrics
Yes's "Love Will Find A Way" from the Big Generator album has the line "Here is my heart, waiting for you, here is my soul, I eat at Chez Nous". The Kentucky Headhunters had a big hit about Dumas Walker where you could get a "slaw, burger, fries and a bottle of Skeet".
Bigray in Ok
Vacation questions for locals...
I think NOLA fits the New Orleans style food with a modern twist description. It is one of Emeril's places and is in the French Quarter. It is open for lunch and dinner. Reservations are suggested but I have got in at lunch without a reservation before. Emeril's original place fits the description also in my opinion.
Bigray in Ok
Duck in OKC?
Super Cao Nguyen is a good suggestion. Grand House and Fungs have decent duck. For non-asian duck you may try The Boucherie(sp) at La Baguette on North May. I know their restaurants serve Duck Confit. I grew up in Oklahoma City and never ate duck until I was an adult. I used to eat duck at the First Chinese BBQ before it became Golden Phoenix but have not tried the duck there since. The other dishes I have tried at Golden Phoenix were really good. They have a lot of variety.
Bigray in Ok
Dallas for work-yum!
For Tex Mex, the original El Fenix is about a block or two away and is walking distance from the W. I like the cheese enchilada's there. I like some of the other places mentioned such as Avila's, El Ranchito, and Herrera's. The salsa at Avila's was too hot for me though, and I am used to eating salsa. Pepe and Mito's in Deep Ellum is good Tex-Mex. Eagles member Don Henley likes to eat there. Monica's in Deep Ellum is good, although it is a little more upscale and different than a typical Tex Mex place. People on this board like to bad mouth Dallas BBQ because it is not as good as hill country BBQ about four hours away, but Bakers Ribs in Deep Ellum is decent. Deep Ellum is not a very far drive from the W and has some decent food options. In the West End which is close to the W, Y.O. Ranch offers some Texas wild game type food you may or may not get in New York. There is a branch of the Palm in the West End also. Most of the other places in the West End are touristy type places. If you really want to get local, there is a huge convenience store called Fuel City on Industrial not too far from the W that has great cheap tacos 24 hours a day.
Bigray in Ok
Tulsa landmarks -- pure Oklahoma but they'd be noticed anywhere!!
I usually do not go to high end steakhouses. I live in Oklahoma City and am familiar with the steakhouses there. I have been to Jamil's in Oklahoma City which is similiar to Jamil's in Tulsa. I had one of the best steaks I have had anywhere at Freddie's in Sapulpa. I also love the Labanese hors d'oeuvre's you get at Freddies and other Lebanese steakhouses in Oklahoma. Jamil's is about the only place in Oklahoma City that still serves them since Eddy's closed.
We have a couple of Ron's Hamburger places in the Oklahoma City area. I like the sausage cheeseburger. There was once four Goldie's in the Oklahoma City area but there is only one or two now. It never really took off here like it did in Tulsa where it originated. I have only been to Weber's in Tulsa once but liked it. Bodean's has been a popular seafood place in Tulsa for a long time. An Oklahoma City branch opened back in the 80's or early 90's and did not stay open for long. I need to go to Tulsa more often and try out more restaurants there.
Bigray in Ok
Who serves PIE in the metro..... real pie, good pie??
Furr's serves Chess Pie, or what some refer to as "Butter Chess Pie". It is my favorite type of pie and very few places serve it.
Bigray in Ok
Missing a fun breakfast place
Stanley might be a fun breakfast place. It is right on Jackson Square and not too far from the Montleone. Elizabeth's was decent the one time I went there but it has had a new owner or two since then.
Bigray in Ok
Mosca's
People always say one should go to Mosca's in a group. I have been there twice by myself and enjoyed it both times. I eat a lot and do not mind spending money when I am on vacation by myself. I have been to most of New Orleans's "name" restaurants by myself. I am not self conscious about eating alone like a lot of people are. The last time I went to Mosca's I had the crab salad, Spaghetti Bolognese, the chicken, and the pineapple cake. I ate all of it.
I can see why some do not like Mosca's. It is out of the way, the wait can be long, the employees are not overly friendly (Although they have been friendly to me), and they do not accept cards unless that has changed. I have enjoyed my trips there.
Bigray in Ok
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Mosca's Restaurant
Hwy-90 W, Westwego, LA 70094
Lunch in Oklahoma City
I eat at Nic's about once a week. It used to be my little secret. Since the Oklahoma Today Magazine did an article about them and they were on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, the crowds can be a little crazy sometimes. I have found the best times to go are Monday or Tuesday about 12:30. A lot of people recommend getting there around 11:00 but so many are doing that now, it is better to wait for the first wave of customers to get through. It only has nine stoools at a counter, two tables that seat two a piece, and a new counter facing the front window with five stools for a total 18 seats. Nic serves breakfast from 7:00-10:00 am and burgers, fries, and a special such as pork chops, fried chicken, or meat loaf until 2:00 pm. There is not special on Monday or Wednesday. Stay away if you want to eat a low cholesteral meal.
Bigray in Ok
