Thursday, March 15, 2012

CLOSED but there is a new version at a different address--The Pizza House in Clyde, TX

18 inch with everything

9 inch with pepperoni and mushroom
The family decided to take a little jaunt east on I-20 to eat at The Pizza House in Clyde.  I had heard some good buzz about the place. Since it is Spring Break, we have some time for a short road trip to satisfy a craving for pizza.

The place is large. We hit it at 4:30pm and there were already a few cars parked in front. Lots of seating. The ambiance is nothing fancy...really. Cobbled together decor, concrete floor, seating that looks like it came from a school cafeteria and a couple of ripped vinyl booths. Orders are taken at the window. Parmesan and peppers are in leftover seasoning containers and honey-bear bottles with holes in top. Making use of what they have on hand seems to be the motto. There was also a stage. The ads on the windows said they have live country western music on certain Saturday nights.

After checking out the menu, we ordered a large pizza with everything, a small with pepperoni and mushroom, cheese bread sticks, and three medium sodas. The salad bar didn't tempt us. We were there for the pizza. The bill amounted to $34.00.  No complaints about amount of food for the money...couldn't finish it all and the boys were starving when we hit the door.

I was most impressed by the crust on the pizza. Crispy, flavorful and not too thick. Toppings were generous. Sauce was put on with a light hand but wasn't heavily spiced. Plenty of cheese. There was a bit of garlic salt put on top before they brought it out. My main complaint with the food is that they used canned mushrooms instead of fresh ones but the onions and peppers were freshly chopped. Other than the mushrooms, it is tasty pizza. If you can get past the shabby surroundings give it a try. Next time I might get it to go on my way home from a trip to Dallas/Fort Worth.

The Pizza House
725 South Access Road  Clyde, TX 79510 
(325) 893-4141

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Hickory Street Cafe--chicken salad and zucchini bread

Hickory Street Cafe is known locally for their luscious zucchini bread and made-from-scratch chicken salad topped with grapes and cashews or you can get it served as a sandwich. They have other sandwiches, salads and soups on the menu as well. There is also quiche. I enjoy the quiche and get it when I want to deviate from the chicken salad.  The restaurant is in a converted two-story house with a gift shop upstairs. They are only open for lunch on weekdays and do a very brisk business. The clientele is heavily female but you will also find some men sprinkled among the "ladies-who-lunch". The location is close to downtown and convenient for business lunches. There can be a wait for a table and their lot is small, so you will probably have to park on the street.  Service is efficient and friendly. Average cost is $8-$9 not including beverage.

Do not skip the zucchini bread! If it doesn't come with your meal order it.

If you are on Facebook--
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hickory-Street-Cafe/154250291281807


Location:
644 Hickory Street  Abilene, TX 79601
(325) 675-0465


































Chicken salad with grapes and cashews served with zucchini bread and butter

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Need to know where to eat in Abilene? I can help.

Welcome! I hope you find my restaurant reviews helpful.

A bit about me. I have lived in Abilene for decades but I never really got into "cuisine" until I started traveling and found out there is more to be consumed than burgers and fries. Now I can say I'm almost a "foodie" or at least that is my aspiration.

If you are visiting Abilene, hopefully this blog will help you decide on places to try.  Below are links to reviews I have written on TripAdvisor and Yelp.  Most of them are for places in and around Abilene, Texas.
 
 


Some quick recommendations from the top of my head:

Business Lunch--The Beehive

Date night--Copper Creek

A Texan Experience-- Perini Ranch in Buffalo Gap

Asian--Krua Thai at 790 S. Leggett Dr, Abilene TX, (325) 701-9954. Only a few tables inside, better to get it to go.
(325) 673-9972


Burgers--Rockin' Rollerz

Mexican/Tex-Mex--

I'd like to be able to highly recommend a great Mexican or Tex Mex place for you but there isn't really anything outstanding, lots of good but nothing that knocks your taste-buds for a loop or is always consistent but Tex-Mex is my favorite and I never give up hope. 
 
Miguel's which is locally owned and beautifully decorated can be very good but can also be inconsistent. Despite that, it is my favorite local nice Mexican place. For a "hole-in-the-wall" experience is Farolito's which is family-owned, super kitschy, and generally only open for lunch. However, they have wonky hours based on if they have enough workers. Check their Facebook to be sure they are open before you venture there. They are the oldest restaurant in Abilene.

Note: Chains and anything new tend to do well in Abilene when they open. Don't expect to get in the door for at least a month.

Enjoy and happy eating, y'all!