CLOSED The (new) Towne Crier Steakhouse

This CFS took up the whole plate

New owners, new menu, freshened up atmosphere. This iteration of the long time Abilene restaurant, the Towne Crier Steakhouse, is different...and that isn't a bad thing. Yes, the prices are a little higher. Yes, they now have table service. Yes, the salad bar is no longer free with your meal. However, the soup and salad bar still has most of the same items (minus picked watermelon rind and two kinds of soup--sorry, Mother) and isn't much more expensive then it was before at $8.99 if that is what you want for your meal. There is still a big chicken fried steak and rolls. They also serve beer and wine now which has never been the case in the past.

A huge plus is how much better the interior looks! I was almost embarrassed to take anyone from out of town to eat there before this remodel as it had gotten really raggedly-looking despite the redone floor.

Last week, it was girls night as three friends and myself went to the Towne Crier for dinner. It was my first trip there since the relaunch. Service was very attentive, friendly and quick. Drinks were always topped off.

Fried Brussels sprouts

For a starter, we tried the fried Brussels sprouts. I really enjoyed them and the bacon bits were a tasty addition. A dipping sauce for them would be a good. The menu just says "sprouts" so to ward off confusion, they weren't fried bean or alfalfa sprouts. The sprouts are also a side dish option as were  sweet potato fries. My friends ordered grilled chicken, chicken fried steak, and chopped steak. I had the London broil (marinated steak topped with sauce). It was cooked perfectly and was very tender and flavorful. Delicious! The price was good as well at $13.99 for six ounces of sirloin. Instead of the two sides that came with my entree, I substituted the soup and salad bar and had way more food than I expected for less than $15. The burgers also looked intriguing since they are made with brisket and short ribs.

London broil sirloin

I plan to return and bring the husband. This could be our new place for a reasonably priced steak or upscale burger. The salad bar alone is a great lunch option.

Have an open mind about the changes and give the place a shot. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. It more than competes with some of the chain steak (roadhouses) restaurants in town. Everything changes and though there are some things I miss about the original, this new version definitley has something to offer Abilene.

Update: Upon the second visit the service was not up to par but the food was still very good.

Towne Crier Steakhouse
1 (325) 704-4290
818 E Hwy 80
Abilene, TX 79601
Facebook--https://www.facebook.com/thetownecrier/

Tuesday-Saturday
11am – 2pm
5pm – 9pm

Sunday
11am – 2pm

CLOSED Sams Southern Eatery--Fishy Chicky and Full

Menu for Abilene location

Yes, almost everything served at Sam's Southern Eatery is fried but they also have salads and grilled options. I didn't have grilled anything today and I'm alright with that. Sam's Southern Eatery is a medium-sized chain with about 50 locations in nine states. They started in Shreveport, Louisiana. It is refreshing to see a restaurant opening in the center of town (N.1st and Westwood area) for a change and judging by the business they were doing, I believe others think so as well.

Today, my husband and I had a late lunch (around 1:15pm) and the place looked like it had been hit by a tornado during the noon hour. I imagine that the rush will calm down once the novelty wears off a bit and the staff will have more time to clean the dining room and take out the trash. There were also plumbers there working on the pipes. I've heard from other people that they have run out of food and sometimes the staff have been cranky because of traffic hitting the restaurant, though we didn't have that experience. Abilene is hungry for good seafood. This location has only been open about 10 days. These issues aside, the main dishes we had were scrumptious!

Fish, shrimp, red beans and rice, green beans

We ate three types of fried seafood. The catfish had a wonderfully seasoned, crispy cornmeal breading. These were real fillets, not little slivers of fish. The shrimp is advertised as jumbo-sized and they were indeed big and juicy. My husband had some fried crab cakes which were fine but not up to the level of the fish and shrimp. Their spicy tarter sauce is yummy but the fish didn't need it to help the taste profile.

Crab cakes, fish and shrimp

Entree size was very generous, I got more than the 6 pieces of shrimp I was supposed to have. Sides were on the small side. We had some red beans and rice which were homemade, green beans, and mac and cheese. I think the red beans are the standout on the sides. They do have fried green tomatoes on the appetizer menu but I don't know if they are made in-house. The hush-puppies were a little overcooked but had a nice onion flavor. Perhaps some greens would be a welcome addition to the menu. As would a couple of dessert items. My husband would love to see some crawdads, gumbo, etouffee, or shrimp stew. He has very fond memories of living in S.E. Texas as a kid.

The menu also has fried chicken tenders, wings, livers, and gizzards. Livers and gizzards means southern! Fried oysters too. You can get po-boy sandwiches and burgers as well. The fish and shrimp are the standouts for me.

Dine-in and takeout only (despite being in an old Taco Bell with a drive thru lane right in front of the door). Be aware that the food takes a little while to cook since they are making it fresh. I think Long John Silver's a block away may be in trouble and other places in town that serve fried catfish better watch their backs...there is a new kid in town.

Address: 3509 N 1st St, Abilene, TX 79603

Phone:(325) 670-9422

http://www.samssoutherneatery.com/

Update: Skip calling in and picking it up. I retrieved our order within the 20 minutes they said it would take and the food was not hot, had a rubbery texture, and they forgot the fried green tomatoes. The fried mushrooms we did have were way too greasy, as though they had been fried twice. Eat in or wait for them to cook it for takeout so you know it was made fresh. I've always been pleased up until this order.