Big Country Beer Garden and Cocktail Courtyard is a fun spot with outdoor seating and tasty eats

Chips and homemade salsa

The Big Country Beer Garden and Cocktail Courtyard is a new spot in Abilene in the SoDA (south of downtown) district off of S. 1st and east of Treadaway. Recently, a few female friends and I got together for lunch on a Saturday to celebrate a birthday. We wanted to try somewhere new in town. 

Nashville chicken sandwich

The food menu isn't extensive but most anyone should be able to find something they like. There are several appetizers, a smashburger ($17), an upscale hotdog, a pork belly sandwich, a chicken sandwich, salad options, a meatball sub, and a grilled cheese. The sandwiches come with crispy fries and the bread on all the sandwiches was fresh. The people who own the Taylor County Taphouse in Abilene also own this establishment. If you like the food at Taphouse, chances are you will also like the food at the BCBG. The quality is high and the prices reflect it. 

Service was spot on, friendly, and attentive without hovering--pretty much perfect. We opted to sit inside instead of on the covered patio simply because it was a windy West Texas spring day. However, it was tempting to sit out there instead.

For our starter we ordered the chips and homemade salsa ($8). The salsa was flavorful but without a lot of heat. Quite enjoyable. The chips were thin and crispy with a bit of seasoning on them. As you would expect by their name, there was a fairly large menu of beer options and also a craft cocktail menu with some tempting creations listed.

Grilled cheese

The birthday girl ordered the Nashville chicken sandwich ($16). The chicken breast was hand battered (if a little heavy on the batter) but the flavor was great and the sauced cole slaw on top had a good crunch. She enjoyed it.

I ordered the grilled cheese sandwich ($14) made with Muenster and sharp chedder. It was perfectly "melty".  I could tell it had been done on the same grill as a burger so be advised that there may be a bit of smashburger clinging to the bread on the grilled cheese. If you are looking for a out of the ordinary grilled cheese sandwich, give it a go. 

Banh mi sandwich

One friendn was adventurous and ordered the Vietnamese bahn mi sandwich ($17). The portion of pork belly was generous and it had lots of fresh jalapenos on it as well. The meat was perhaps a little leaner than one would expect from pork belly but is was quite flavorful and worth the price. 

The last order at the table was a "build your own" smashburger wrapped in lettuce. The usual smashburger is served on a bun with three types of cheese but my friend needs to eat gluten and dairy free. She liked the smash sauce and she said the burger was good but she did not finish it. It looked like she only got one patty instead of two. The burger likely tastes better in the original form since smashburgers are known for their crispy edges and the cheese helps the texture and fat content of the burger to help it stay juicy. I am not sure if she had to pay the regular price or if it was discounted a little bit since there was no bun or cheese.

Build your own smashburger with lettuce wrap

However, for those who are gluten free there are salad options; a garden salad (can add salmon or chicken for an upcharge), a green chile grilled chicken salad, and a spinach salad. Price range on the salads was $13-$20.

Everyone at lunch that day said they would definitely return. The next time, I plan to try the Hatch chile queso or the fried cheese chunks appetizer. Other unique options on the appetizer menu are chicharrone encrusted boudin balls, a sausage board, and a meatball trio. For an entree the fancy hot dog is tempting. I almost ordered it this time. One of my friends would like to order the homemade meatball sub with the scratch made sauce next time. 

The restaurant is on the corner of S. 2nd and Pecan St. Be sure to check their social media pages for live music and other special events. Parking in the area is primarily street parking so keep that in mind. There is one small lot on the Pecan St. side. There was a mention of brunch being served on the weekend on their website but I did not see a brunch menu when we arrived at 12:30pm.

Next time you are looking for a fun spot to meet friends or have an adult beverage and some apps, go to the Big Country Beer Garden and Cocktail Courtyard.

HOURS

Monday CLOSED

Tuesday CLOSED

Wednesday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Saturday 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Sunday 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

(325) 704-3181

806 S 2nd St

Abilene, TX 79602

https://www.bigcountrybeergarden.com/

https://www.facebook.com/bigcountrybeergarden

TurtleMan’s Burger Grill in Potosi has smash burgers, jumbo mozzerella sticks, ice cream, and more

Cheeseburger and fries

TurtleMan’s Burger Grill was doing a brisk business, both inside and for take out, on the Saturday afternoon when myself and a couple of family members arrived after a short jaunt from Abilene for lunch at 1:45pm. There was parking, so I took it as a good sign that a table would be available inside.

After looking over the menu, I ordered the cheeseburger ($9) with fries and a drink ($3 extra) and an order of mozzerella sticks to share ($8), which came with both ranch and marinara sauce. My brother ordered the popper burger ($11) and added added fries and a drink ($3). Mother just got a cookies and cream milkshake ($6). Lunch for the three of us came out to about $43.50. TurtleMan's is not a cheap burger place, so be prepared.

Once you order, they take your name and will call you to the pick-up window when your order is ready. We only waited about 7 minutes for our burgers to be done because there was no one in line in front of us when we ordered.

Jumbo mozzerella sticks

My brother's popper burger had grilled jalapenos, cream cheese, fried onion strings, regular cheese, bacon, with ranch dressing. It filled him up for the rest of the day. The cheeseburger I had included all the usual burger toppings.

Smash burgers are known for having crispy edges from being pressed into the grill and for having a thinner patties. If you prefer a thick burger, you may want to try another item on the menu.

The smash burgers were a decent size and the meat had a good flavor and was bigger than the bun. I especially liked the pickles as they reminded me of the more expensive refridgerated pickles that have a good crunch and extra dill flavor to them. The other veggies on the burger and the bun were fresh. It was not a dry burger except for the crunchy edges, and certainly not a "non-greasy" type of hamburger. 

The french fries are handcut with the skins on. Personally, I do not prefer to have the skins left on my fries as at times the potato is not washed really well and you can get a hint of dirt taste from the skin. That being said, the fries had a crisp to them which is better than many handcut fries that tend to be a bit floppy and soggy tasting.

The mozzerella sticks come two to an order. The picture does not do justice to the size of the sticks. For long time Abilenians, think about how the cheesesticks were at Gardski's Loft back in the day. They are very big and can easily be split between 3-4 people. It is possible that the restaurant will run out at some point during the day as they make mozz sticks in-house and when the supply is gone that will be it. They are a very popular item and a highlight for me. Also, the sticks took extra time to cook so we got our burgers before they were done.

Receipt

One slight issue was that my mom had to go back up to the register to remind them about her milkshake. The workers at the front were supposed to bring it out to her. There was a rush of customers after we put in our order and the shake was forgotten. TurtleMan's uses Blue Bell ice cream so once she got it, my mom was happy with her shake. 

The next time I go, I plan to order the corn dog ($4.50), which I believe is hand dipped, and the mozz sticks again.You can also try a fried bolonga sandwich ($10.) I have never seen on a menu locally. Oh, the good old days of corn dogs and fried bologna. The remind me of childhood. There are onion rings and some chicken items on the menu as well. No salad options.

Front of the restaurant

I am certain the people who live in Potosi are happy to have TurtleMan's in the area. It is worth the trip from Abilene to give them a taste.  

TurtleMan's Burger Grill

1920 FM 1750 (on the "curve")

Abilene, TX 79602

(325) 230-4009

Hours:

M-Sat 11am-8pm

Sun 11am-3pm

https://www.facebook.com/p/TurtleMans-Burger-Grill-61568159738551/

Caitie Pies makes handpies fun and they have regular pie too, great spot for lunch in downtown Abilene

Caitie Pies is a new discovery of mine for lunch in downtown Abilene. 

I had a craving for soup one day and they are one of the few places that has a rotating selection of homemade soups. Today, while at lunch with a friend, I had a handpie for the first time. It was a green chili cheeseburger handpie ($8) and it was yummy. Along with it, I also go some corn chowder ($5) but I was too stuffed to finish it.

 My friend got the same kind of handpie but also ordered a slice of coconut cream pie ($5.) Both of us ordered a soda. They only have canned sodas but do have iced tea as an option along with water.

The handpies had a golden crust that was tender. I found the filling to be delicious and flavored well but not a lot of heat from the green chili. It was served with a spicy dipping sauce. Next time I hope they will not be sold out of the chicken pot pie handpie.

The corn chowder was yummy as well and easily could have been a meal on its own. There seemed to be either bacon or ham in it. The spice level was mild.

I am not fond of coconut but the coconut cream pie looked appetizing and my friend ate every bite so it must have been good! There are other baked goodies, sweet handpies, sandwiches, and salads on the menu. A little something for everyone, really. You can taste that they put a lot of love into their food. The bakes there are so tasty! 

Since they open at 10am there are breakfast options as well.

Some things to keep in mind, the elevator in the building is out of order and because of the age of the building, I would guess that means it may never be repaired due to both the lack of parts and repair experts to fix it.  You are required to go up a set of stairs to get to the restaurant. Also, I am not so sure that there are a lot of gluten free options, call ahead and ask. 

They are only open for lunch but if you follow their social media, there are special dinner events on occasion. 

Service is quick and friendly. Make plans to go as soon as possible!

P.S. Sorry that everything we ate was yellow/gold. :-)

Caitie Pies

244 Pine St (2nd floor)

Abilene, TX 79601

Located on the second floor at Under One Roof/Poppies and Pearls store.

Tue-Sat 10 AM to 2 PM

(325) 999-8677

https://www.caitiepies.com/home

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaitiePies.Abilene/

FB

La Torcia Brick Oven Pizza--thin crust pizza, breadsticks, dips, pasta, salads, quesadillas, nachos, wings, and sandwiches for everyone

La Torcia Brick Oven Pizza or as most locals refer to it "Brick Oven" is my favorite pizza place in Abilene. The restaurant is a small chain with locations in mostly in Arkansas, Texas and one in Missouri.

 

I like them not necessarily because I prefer thin crust pizza, which I actually do not most of the time, but because of the variety of pizzas they make. I am a fan of the Mediterranean pizza. Again, not because I usually get chicken on a pizza, but because the combination of flavors on that particular pizza with the feta, cheddar, green peppers, red onions, tomatoes, green olives and, yes, chicken on a crispy brick oven baked crust with olive oil instead of tomato sauce just works for me when I want something different. Usually, my pizza choice would a classic traditional crust pepperoni and mushroom or a deep dish supreme--if I feel like going for it in the pizza game. Brick Oven also makes a taco pizza which is unusual and another called the favorite which has artichoke hearts and turkey among several other traditional and specialty pizzas. You are also welcome to create your own with what you like the best. 

I am also a fan of their Mediterranean salad ($10 for a full size, $7 for a small) and get it on occasion instead of pizza when I want to be "good." They use crisp lettuce which I like because of the crunch.

 

Brick Oven is not especially big but has a lot of tall four person booths along the walls which feel cozy and there are tables in the middle. Televisions are around playing sports but it is not generally obtrusive. You will see lots of families eating together. There can be a wait during peak times, so feel free to order carry out. However, I do not recommend using Door Dash or some other delivery service (since the restaurant itself does not deliver) because it tends to arrive less than hot and shaken up in in my experience. I have almost always experienced good service, if a bit slow on occasion, but will acknowledge that some people have have issues in that area in the past though I have not heard any complaints about it recently. Like many places staff shortages happen so tables can take a while to get cleared or refills on drinks.

I eat at Brick Oven about every six weeks or so and have for a number of years so not sure why it has taken me this long to actually write a review. On my most recent visit, I had a Sunday lunch with my mom and my brother. We ordered some bread sticks ($7)) for an appetizer with ranch dressing instead of marinara sauce. Four of them come in the order and they arrive cut in half.
Their ranch dressing tastes homemade but does cost extra if you want some to go with your pizza order. The bread sticks come with garlic butter melted on top. They are the soft kind similar to what you get at Olive Garden. There are several other appetizer options including several dips and nachos. I ordered a small Mediterranean pizza ($9), my mom got spaghetti and meatballs ($11.50), and my brother had a Pork Paradise calzone ($9) which had pulled pork, mozzarella, cheddar, tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, and was topped with barbeque sauces, ranch dressing, and banana peppers and came with sides of more barbeque sauce and ranch. My mother's spaghetti and meatballs had 5-6 good sized meatballs but she thought they were under seasoned and came with two piece of garlic bread. The portion size could have been larger for the price. The pulled pork in the calzone was good but there could have been more meat inside. The crust to meat ration was heavy on the bread side. I was pleased as usual with my pizza but there did seem to be slightly less toppings than in the past. Perhaps inflation is hitting them on the supply side though I did not notice a significant rise in the cost of the pizza itself compared to the past. For three adults to eat out for less than $40 plus tip (we all had water to drink) is pretty good nowadays.

 

My recommendation is stick with the pizza style options or perhaps a sandwich. I have never been with anyone who tried the wings, quesadillas, or nachos.

 

Without question, I will be back again. There is comfort in consistency, a fair price, and good pizza.

 

La Torcia Brick Oven Pizza
4714 S. 14th St.

Abilene, TX

325-691-5303
https://www.brickovenpizzacompany.com/

Hours: Sunday-Saturday 11am-10pm

No delivery

Cork & Pig Tavern in Abilene--a chef-inspired place in a popular location

 The Cork & Pig Tavern is an upscale chef-driven casual dining spot that is a creation of Felipe Armenta who grew up in San Angelo, Texas. San Angelo is about 90 miles away from Abilene and I have visited the city many times and had some great meals there. The first time I ever went to the Cork & Pig Tavern was in San Angelo several years ago. Until another one opened in Abilene, I was not aware that there were other locations around the state outside of San Angelo. There are restaurants in the DFW metroplex (2), one in Midland, and one in Odessa as well. 

In addition to having a catchy name, there are several options on the menu including traditional entrees, salads, sandwiches, and pizzas, and a full bar with specialty cocktails.

Crispy Chicken Sandwich with fries

I have eaten at the Abilene Cork & Pig Tavern three times in the last 8 months or so. I decided to wait until my third visit to review them because my first visit was not impressive. My first meal there was in the winter and they had only been open a few months. My last two visits have been within the last month and were a vast improvement over the first visit.

The first meal I ate at this location was the fish and chips. I found the fish to be too heavily breaded, skimpy, lacking in seasoning. The fries/chips were shoestring fries that could only be classified as limp. The tarter sauce, however, was delicious but that is not much of a recommendation for a meal that costs $21. Also, at that time the price of the meal on the ticket did not match the price on the menu for both my meal and my companion's salad, with the ticket price being higher. This was disappointing and the server seemed annoyed that we pointed out the discrepancy. After that, I decided to give the place some time to work out any "newbie" issues before returning and reviewing them.

My second visit, I was eating with some work colleagues. This time I ordered with the crispy chicken sandwich ($15). It was topped with a bacon vinaigrette cole slaw, cheddar cheese, and pickles and came with either homemade chips or peanut cole slaw. I decided to ask for fries instead since chips did not appeal and there was cole slaw on the sandwich. The fries were still not very crisped up but at least they were not "wilted". I recommend if you want fries with more of a bite to them, ask that they make them extra crispy.

Ultimate Pepperoni Pizza

The fires notwithstanding, the chicken sandwich was FANTASTIC. I loved the flavorful slaw on top. The chicken was breaded just right and it was juicy and crispy. The bun was nice and fresh. I think this sandwich will be my "go to" in the future when I eat here. My lunch companions got the ahi tuna salad ($22), the steak salad (as quoted), and a wood-fired pepperoni pizza ($19). The ingredients were fresh and great quality, as you would expect.

The service was good but not overbearing. A very pleasant lunch was had by all. Giving the restaurant time to refine everything paid off.

Zuni chicken salad

My third time to eat there was a trip to Cork & Pig for a 4th of July lunch with the girls. We ordered the spinach and artichoke dip for an appetizer ($14) which came with tortilla chips and a small side of smokey salsa. The dip was a cream-based sauce rather than a cheese-based sauce but the flavor was nice. This time around I had the pepperoni pizza as my entree even though I was very tempted to get the chicken sandwich again. The pizza could have used a bit more sauce and cheese on it but the slices of pepperoni were big and tasted delicious. The crust was done around the outside but softer in the middle. I found this to be typical in many wood fired pizzas. I took home three pieces of pizza as leftovers. This meal could easily be split between two people. My friends got the crispy chicken sandwich, the ahi tuna salad, and the Zuni chicken salad without the blue cheese ($17). The veggies on the salads were nice and fresh and the dressings were delicious. We left satisfied and I know it was the only meal I had for the day. Everyone really enjoyed their lunch.

Ahi Tuna Ponzu salad

Service was efficient and handled well, especially considering it was a holiday.

Overall, the Cork & Pig Tavern knows how to provide quality meals but you do have to realize that the prices reflect that and that portion sizes are "normal". The most inexpensive entree on the menu at the moment is $15 and there are several items that say AQ which means you have to ask the current price, including the steaks and the fish of the day. There is also a black truffle pizza option which is pretty special for this area...and, yes, a cheeseburger too.

Appetizers range from $9-$16. There are deviled eggs and calamari on the appetizer menu if those appeal to your taste buds. There are a few desserts as well, including beignets. The Cork & Pig serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

As with most restaurants in the Allen Ridge area, they do have outdoor seating. Also, parking can be a crush so you may want to park in the overflow parking across the street. 

Cheesburger

I do recommend reservations as it is not a large space and most of the tables are set up for 2-4 people. There is also seating at the bar top. This is perfect for date night. You can stroll the path around the pond after dinner. Unfortunately, the noise from the interstate and Ambler Ave takes away a bit from the ambiance when you are outside.

Cork & Pig Tavern (Allen Ridge Shopping Center)

2467 N Judge Ely Blvd, Abilene, TX 79601

325-289-4749

Hours:

Monday-Thursday    11 AM–10 PM

Friday        11 AM–11 PM
Saturday     10 AM–11 PM
Sunday       10 AM–9 PM

MOVED now a food truck at Peacock Patio on Hickory St--Matera Bar & Grill--New use for a historic space

This past Saturday I went for a late lunch with a friend at the Matera Bar and Grill. The restaurant's space was previously occupied by the Sockdolager Brewing Company. The structure was built on land that was the historical Matera Paper Company. The building burned down in 2012. When the brewery went out of business earlier this year, this new restaurant took over the building. It is one of the few places in town with covered outside seating as well as the requisite indoor seating. There is a bar area and a small seating nook with a couple of couches but most of the public space inside is tables. I saw two top and four tops inside. Larger picnic benches are outside, along with more regular tables. It is recommended going in the north door, versus the west or south door, since on the north is where the host/hostess stand is located without having to walk through the seating areas. There is a small parking lot to the east of the building off of S. 1st but be careful as we saw a three car accident while having our meal which looked like it was caused by someone either pulling in or out of the lot. Like most of the SoDA (south of downtown) district, most parking is on the street or over by the courthouse. 

I suggest checking Matera's social media sites to see if live music or some other event is occurring in the evening before going for a family meal or quiet dinner as the atmosphere becomes more bar-like when those are happening.

We arrived about 1:30pm and waited a few minutes to be seated. The restaurant was not crowded but they did look bit short-handed. A server seated us outside, which we asked to do since it was a pleasant day. The server took our drink order and then returned in few minutes with the waters we requested and to take our food order.

I  heard good things from others about the onion batter-coated (gluten-free) deep fried green beans, so we had that as an appetizer ($8). They came with a zesty sauce and were very tasty. I do recommend them. he portion was just right for two people to share but if you have a larger party you will need more than one order.

For my entree, I got the shrimp po'boy sandwich ($12.95/$15.95--not sure which we were charged as I did not pay but both prices were listed--lunch vs dinner?) It came with fries, regular or sweet potato choices. My shoestring potato fries were limp and not hot. This happens a lot, I have found, from what I have read this occurs with hand-cut fries when they have not been soaked and dried before being fried or they were fried in oil that is not hot enough. The sandwich had four large breaded shrimp, homemade coleslaw, and pickles on grilled hoagie roll. I was very happy with it. The shrimp were juicy. They did not taste like frozen breaded shrimp which pleased me. The coleslaw was on the sweet side and very fresh.

My companion order the candied bacon Brussels salad ($17) which was served with raspberry vinaigrette.  The salad consisted of mixed greens, fried Brussels sprouts, candied bacon, mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, and pecans. Despite the variety of ingredients, my friend said it lacked the flavor he expected. Visually, I didn't see much but lettuce and a few Brussels sprouts and a sprinkling of bacon (apologies for no picture.)

Service was attentive and friendly though a bit slow but as I mentioned, I think they were short-handed, and we were sitting in one of the farthest tables out on the deck.

Overall, we enjoyed our lunch and it a perfect day to eat outside with mild temperatures and only a slight breeze. I am certain I will return and try some of their other offerings to find my favorites. Several of the items on the menu were tempting though they did seem to be out of a few items. Prices were not out of bounds with what dining out costs right now. Appetizers from $5 (chips and salsa) to $23 (charbroiled oysters). Lunch options started at $9. Dinner entrees ranged from $13 (chicken tenders) to $55 (filet and shrimp). They have only been open for a few weeks so there are still a few flow issues to work out but they are off to a strong start. Also, any new restaurants in Abilene tend to get slammed with customers at first and have to adjust to normal traffic once the "new" wears off.

Matera Bar and Grill

833 S. 1st St 

Abilene, TX 

325-704-1073 

https://www.facebook.com/MateraBarAndGrill/

Hours--

Monday--Closed
Tuesday-Thursday--11am-2pm/4pm-10pm
Friday-Saturday--11am-11pm

Sunday--11am-2pm

Update: Twisted Root Burger Company puts down roots in Abilene on the "Hill"

August 2024--Just a quick note, that this location has had several issues since it opened. There seems to be some problems here that do not occur in other Twisted Root locations based on various comments I've seen. Hopefully, they will improve. I have only been twice and had hoped to make this a regular spot for burgers.

The various delays due to the pandemic are done and the eagerly awaited opening of Twisted Root Burger Co. has arrived. It is located in the Allen Ridge shopping complex on Judge Ely Blvd., north of Ambler and ACU. They are thriving. Before its arrival in Abilene, the closest location for this regional chain was in San Angelo.

Menu

As is usual for most new restaurants in Abilene (especially one so anticipated), the first few weeks the place was swamped with customers so wait times to order and for food could be a bit long. The line can still be out the door during peak hours.

Twisted Root is a "order at the register" and then come pick up your food type of establishment with a fun, albeit noisy, atmosphere. The "buzzers" they give you for your order have whimsical names that are called out when your food is ready to be picked up. Mine said E.T. There is 80s era music pumping through the entire establishment, including the outside patio area so quiet it is not...which is not unexpected.

There is quite the variety of meats to choose from for your burger including buffalo, Wagyu beef, chicken, turkey, and veggie, in addition to the traditional ground beef. Some options have up charges, of course. There are also three salad options.

Order line and pickle barrels

I ordered an All American burger that came with double American cheese and bacon ($8.75). It was cooked perfectly, the bun was soft and everything was well-seasoned. Juicy patty without being super sloppy. For my side I got an order of the original Twisted Cheese Fries ($6.25) which was big enough to share as an appetizer and used real shredded cheddar cheese. Be sure to eat them quick because once the cheese and fries cool down, it all gets congealed together and the fries become soggy. The fries are hand cut with the skins left on which for me tends to make them less crisp from the start. For other sides, there are fried pickles, onion strings, and the Treat-Yo-Self Twisted Fries that have bacon, jalapenos, and peppercorn ranch in addition to cheese.

Twisted cheese fries and All American burger

My burger order was a $1 more than the Original which is the least expensive burger on the adult menu, the classic which is a cheeseburger. A kid's burger is $5 and comes with fries or there is a grilled cheese sandwich option as well. The most expensive burger on the menu is the Millionaire which has Wagyu beef and truffle aioli at $15. 

There are huge "serve yourself" pickle barrels with lots of options such as bread and butter, ranch, atomic, in addition to the traditional dill flavor. I think the flavors may rotate. The pickles were the thick cut kind rather than the thinner pickles you often find a burger places. I went with the traditional dill for my choice as I feel a burger is not complete without pickles on it. Various condiments are on the tables with a couple of types of mustard, regular and spicy ketchup, and BBQ sauce.

Disappointing milkshake

One disappointment--do not bother with their milkshakes ($5.25). They are mostly whipped cream, not ice cream so not worth the price and not as thick as advertised. I imagine the same could be said of the root beer float option.

This is going to continue to be a very popular place, especially with the outdoor seating, full bar, and attractive environment of Allen Ridge. Go get you burger fix on!

Patio

 

Twisted Root Burger Company

2419 N. Judge Ely Blvd Abilene, TX 79601

325- 274-3150

 https://www.twistedrootburgerco.com/locations/abilene

Sun-Thurs: 11am-11pm

Fri/Sat: 11am-12am

 

The Tavern in Fort Worth--an Armenta's restaurant

On a recent visit to Fort Worth, my youngest sister and I went for brunch/lunch to The Tavern on Hulen. There was both indoor and outdoor seating. It was busy but not crowded but to avoid a wait (we were hungry), we decided to sit at the bar and were seated immediately. The atmosphere was classy but relaxed.

Margarita (no salt)

The bartender was our server and he was attentive and very helpful answering questions. The menu was quite broad and brunch is served on weekends. There were several different price points and dishes. Everyone should be able to find something to their taste. As I was perusing the menu, I noticed that the Mexico City Enchilada ($15) had Armenta's sauce. Now, Armenta's is one of my favorite family-owned Mexican food restaurants (located in San Angelo, Texas). I knew that a member of the family had gone on to become a well-known chef with several restaurants in the metroplex. A quick "google" later and I knew I was now sitting in one of them! I had been wanting to try one of his places for a really long time but had never purposefully made a plan to eat at one of them. Lucky!

Once I saw those enchiladas on the menu I knew I had to order them. They were shredded chicken topped with the sauce and cojita cheese. Sides were fresh guacamole and black beans and rice. My sister ordered the Mexican Migas ($14) off the brunch menu. Side note: she raved about the margarita ($9) and pronounced it was a perfect creation! House-made mixers do indeed make the difference. Not too sweet with just enough bite to it.

Mexico City Enchiladas

The enchiladas were delicious. The chicken was well-seasoned and not dry but the star of the show was the Armenta's sauce. Smokey and full of flavor. The guacamole was yummy and didn't have too many onions which can be an issue. I can take or leave black beans and rice but the were perfectly good. 

My sister's migas were presented very well (sorry, no pic) and she was happy with them. They did have diced avocado along with the usual migas ingredients.

We both left full, though not stuffed, and happy. I will return, there are so many other things to try! Maybe the pastrami sandwich or the crab cake salad next time.

Info

817.923.6200

2755 S. Hulen

Fort Worth, Texas 76109

https://www.thetavernftworth.com/

 

Hours

MON - FRI 11am - 10pm

SAT 9am - 10pm

SUN 9am - 9pm

Curbside To Go: Available All Day

Best Reuben in Texas at the Wenzel Lonestar Meat Company in Hamilton, TX

My husband and I have to travel to Waco several times a year. On our most recent trip back to Abilene, we stopped at the Wenzel Lonestar Meat Company right off the square in Hamilton, TX. I had read some reviews that made me want to check out this small town butcher shop and deli.

We arrived a little after 1pm on a Monday and 3 of the 4 tables in the place were occupied. Both of us decided to order the Reuben sandwich. It seemed to be the specialty of the house. They have homemade chicken salad and a "create-your-own" sandwich as daily options. Certain days of the week, they also serve pork butt  sandwiches, stuffed potatoes, and a smoked rib plate.

Reuben at Wenzel's in Hamilton, TX

The Reuben was luscious corned beef warmed up, served on toasted homemade rye bread, with melted cheese, sauerkraut and brown mustard. My husband also ordered a couple of the house-made deviled eggs. We got some bagged chips and a soda to complete the meal. I can confidently state that the Reuben sandwich at Wenzel's was the best I have ever eaten, including the one I once had at Katz's Deli in NYC. It took a while to make them but the wait was well worth it. The corned beef was hot and not too fatty. The cheese held everything together well and the rye was toasted perfectly. The sandwich came wrapped in paper with a dill pickle on the side.

In addition to our meal, we left the place with two rib-eye steaks, jalapeno sausage and salsa. If we had a bigger cooler with us, I'm sure we would have left with more items. When you find yourself in or near Hamilton, stop in. You won't regret it. They are closed on Sunday but open 8am-6pm the rest of the week.

Wenzel Lonestar Meat Company
209 N Bell St
Hamilton, TX 76531
(254) 386-8242
http://www.wenzellonestarmeat.com/
FB @wenzellonestar

Update: Milk and Honey Bakery, Venue, and Bistro

Entry way

They are not longer a bistro. Milk & Honey is a bakery and caterer. Check hours on their Facebook page.

 

Milk & Honey is a specialty bakery inside what was once a private home so it is easy to drive right past them and not realize they are in business. They do not have a vast array of baked goods to just drop by and pick up but they did have french macaroons in various flavors ($2 each), two types of cake balls, slices of red velvet cake and apple tarts for individual sale in their cases. Two ready-made cakes were also available for purchase.

Bakery case

A friend and I visited them for the mid-day meal recently. They serve light lunches and a brunch on Saturday. The dining area is very small, about 20 seats. The service is run with only two people as far as I could tell, so it is not a quick place to grab a bite. They have a limited menu and the prices are on the high side...as is to be expected for a "ladies who lunch" type of establishment.

Spinach and cheese quiche

I had a spinach and cheese quiche and some bacon cheddar croquettes as an appetizer. The spinach in the quiche tasted a bit gritty as though it had been put the egg mixture raw instead of sauteed. The cheese in the quiche was high quality but the portion at $5.75 was small and not served with any type of side unless you get the meal option that included a drink and side but increased the price even more. It had a rubbery consistency rather than being creamy.

Bacon cheddar croquettes

The bacon in the croquettes was thick cut and could have been a bit more cooked but the cheese in them was excellent. I am not sure if it was the spinach or the bacon but it is sad to say that the meal did not sit well on my stomach afterward.

Smoked bacon chicken sandwich

My companion enjoyed her smoked bacon chicken sandwich ($7.50) and mentioned that it had a nice flavor and was not dry. On the brunch menu, they serve gourmet toast (such as avocado salmon), crepes, quiche, oatmeal, or French toast made with brioche bread. Drink options were water, various teas, lemonades, and coffee.

The best part of my meal was the slice of red velvet cake I ordered for dessert. It was delicious! I dove into it so fast that there is no picture to tell the tale. It had an apple spice flavor more than a cocoa note in the cake itself which was different. Perhaps they use applesauce to keep the cake moist? The cream cheese/buttercream icing was perfect. At $3.50 for a slice it was well worth the price.

Stick to the desserts at Milk and Honey. The wedding cakes they had on their website looked beautiful.

325-701-7316 / 325-513-2683

480 E. Ambler Ave Abilene, TX 

MilkAndHoneyBVB@gmail.com

http://www.milkandhoneybvb.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milkAndHoneyBK/

Lunch menu

Lunch menu

Brunch menu

Brunch menu

A few of my yelp reviews of late--The Toasted Traveler, Salathai--Closed, Moe's Southwestern Grill--Closed

Salathai--Mom and Pop Thai in Country Hearth Hotel

Moe's Southwest Grill--semi-fast burritos and such

Toasted Traveler--food truck

Bogie's--Sandwiches and Burgers (lunch only) Updated Review

Bogie's is a popular downtown lunch spot. It has been around for almost 25 years, They serve sandwiches, burgers, salads, and a daily soup. All the dishes are named after Humphrey Bogart movies. The average price of a sandwich is $7 and is served with potato chips and a dill pickle spear. The price is a bit high when compared to a chain sandwich place but the ingredients are high quality and very fresh. You order at the counter and get your own drink.

I took my brother-in-law there recently when he was in town. He enjoyed the movie posters and the creative menu descriptions. It was a cold day so I went for the Reuben which is named The Caine Mutiny--marble rye, corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and spicy mustard. A hearty sandwich and the bread was nice and soft.

The Caine Mutiny (Reuban sandwich)

My b-i-l got a burger called the Big City Blues.  It had bacon,cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and a Bleu Cheese dressing. He enjoyed it but was hoping for Bleu Cheese crumbles as well on an $8 hamburger. He gave it a 3.5 on a 1-5 scale.

We ate after 1pm so there wasn't a crowd but during the noon hour there is often a line to the door. They ran out of their soup of the day, potato bacon. They had chili and substituted a batch of chicken tortilla soup.

Big City Blues burger

During cooler weather, my favorite sandwich is The Big Sleep. It is oatmeal bread with avocado, alfalfa sprouts, tomato, Monterrey Jack cheese with Thousand Island dressing and I add bacon to it. Yummy!

I have also had their taco salad in the past which is called The Isle of Fury (but it isn't really THAT spicy). It was pretty good but I'm not a fan of the Pace picante sauce dressing.

All in all Bogie's is a fun place to eat lunch but not a cheap place to eat lunch.

Bogie's Deli
241 Cypress Street
Abilene, TX 79601
(325) 672-3296

CLOSED Sweets du Jour--Bakery and Breakfast/Lunch Spot

My friend and I decided to try out a newish local bakery because I had heard some buzz about their cinnamon rolls and the sandwiches served on house-made focaccia bread. They have been around for about 3 years but for some odd reason I've never tried them out probably because they close at 3pm. The situation changed yesterday when I had the afternoon off and a burning craving for some fresh focaccia. Yum!

The lunch menu gives you five sandwich choices, one of which is a build-your-own.  The meatball sandwich is only available on Friday. The chicken-berry salad is the one sandwich that comes on a different type of bread--a croissant to be exact. There are 3-4 daily rotating soup choices as well. There is also quiche if any is left over from breakfast, a generous slice is $5.00. The small sandwich is $5.50 and that is indeed what you get...just the sandwich. You can add a cup of soup for an extra $3.50 or a bag of chips for .75 cents. A large sandwich, which is basically two small sandwiches, is $8.50. They also have breakfast sandwiches on croissant in the morning for $3.75, along with various pastries. 

There are about 10 tables in the place. It is decorated in a black & white theme with a touch of red. Very quaint. The picture below is of one of the cases with some sweets. I was greeted promptly but they warn on their website that it may take up to 15 minutes to get your sandwich so this isn't a place to eat if you are in a rush.  They told the truth as it took about 12 minutes to get our food and there were only 4 other people in the place, two of which ordered after we did. They do have an online ordering system if you want to take advantage of it for a meal or for ordering a bakery item.

I requested the salami, provolone and olive-relish sandwich with a cup of the chicken gnocchi soup (they 3 soup choices from leftovers earlier in the week).  My friend had the mozzarella, basil and roasted tomato sandwich and chips. Drink options were coffee, iced tea or water. No sodas. Bummer.

The bread was delicious and the toppings were very good quality if not overly generous. My soup was well worth the price. Very flavorful. My friend enjoyed her sandwich as well. All in all, not a place to go if you have a big appetite but enjoyable for a light lunch. Just remember it isn't $5 foot long subs here but a gourmet bakery.

I bought some peanut butter toffee cookies (.76 cents each) for dessert and they were delicious, just a tad too salty.  I plan to return and try some quiche, a spinach artichoke dip sandwich or order a cake/pie.

Sweets du Jour
726 S Leggett Dr. (SW corner of Leggett and S.7th)
Abilene, TX  79605
(325)793-0382

Hours
10:30 a – 3:00 p Tuesday-Friday
9:00 a – 2:00 p Saturday
Closed Sunday & Monday

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/sweetsdujour

Brick Oven Pizza Co.--A Thin Crust Delight

We enjoy the variety and taste of the pizzas at Brick Oven. They are a small chain with 8 locations in 3 states. Many of the pizza options are quite different from other places in town. They all have a thin crunchy crust. I tend to get the Portobello--pictured on the bottom right--(olive oil, pesto, fresh portobello mushrooms, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, feta and three other cheeses) or the Mediterranean (olive oil, chicken, sauteed onions, green olives, green peppers, seasoned tomatoes, feta, cheddar and mozzarella).  My husband usually goes for the Supreme--on the left--and my son likes the Bubba's Choice--upper right--since it has so many different kinds of meats. Some pizzas do use canned mushrooms or dried herbs instead of fresh ones but I think almost anyone could find one they like or create their own.

They do indeed use a brick oven and sometimes it takes a while to get your food. If the place is busy the servers can get overwhelmed with tables. We like to go on a weeknight and have always found the servers friendly. Don't be in a hurry when you go, just in case. No delivery but they do have take-out. The 8-inch small pie is great for one person. Cost for the small runs about $7.25 more or or less. The 10-inch medium is about $12.00 and the 14-inch large is approximately $15.25.

Other food options are several different types of sandwiches (also baked in the oven), salads and pasta dishes. The only appetizer we have ever ordered were the regular or spicy bread sticks but they have nachos, quesadillas and spinach artichoke or portobello dips. They also serve a wide variety of beers which the hubby appreciates.

Brick Oven Pizza Co. is located in the Woodhaven Shopping Center next to Hobby Lobby--

Su-Th 11-10
Fr-Sa 11-11
4714 South 14th Street  Abilene, TX 79605 
(325) 691-5303