Maria's Mexican Kitchen in Odessa, TX, elevated Mexican food with magnificent mole sauce

Maria's Mexican Kitchen only opened in Odessa this summer but it is already a hit judging by the crown at 1pm on a Saturday afternoon. I traveled with my companion to Odessa just to eat at this restaurant as a birthday treat. 

A 

House-made guacamole

little back story on why I wanted to got to Odessa for lunch...in the past when I would visit San Angelo, Texas, I enjoyed going to a family run Mexican restaurant there called Armenta's. Primarily because they served mole sauce with some of the dishes. The sauce was the matriarch Maria's recipe. It was a rare thing to find mole sauce on the menu of the average Mexican restaurant. The last time I visited, I found out that they no longer serve the sauce as Maria had passed away. When I read that Maria's Kitchen, which is owned by her chef son Felipe Armenta, and was named this one in honor of his mother, I had to eat there and enjoy the delicious mole sauce again. The Odessa location is new and the other location is in Fort Worth. Chef Armenta has several restaurants in Texas. 

Chips and salsa

First off, I recommend making reservations, especially on the weekend. Odessa, much like Abilene, is a town that always wants to try the newest restaurant arrivals to the local scene so that may or may not have contributed to how busy they were on a Saturday at lunchtime. We arrived a little early for our reservation and were seated about 5 minutes after walking in the door. Maria's Kitchen is not an overly expansive restaurant, which is another reason to make reservations. The decor is modern and there are very high ceilings and contemporary style furnishings. The only drawback to the building is that it is quite loud when the tables are all full so keep that in mind if  that is an issue for you when dining. There will eventually be patio seating outside but the summer heat does not make that a pleasant option at the moment.

After we were seated at our table, the server arrived quickly. The service for the entire meal was very attentive and professional. Homemade chips and salsa was placed on the table almost immediately. The flavor of the salsa was very appealing. It had a roasted tomato profile and was served warm. I thought the chips were a bit on the thick side but they certainly did not break when used to scoop up some of the flavorful salsa, which did have a spicy kick to it due to the seeds that were visible. 

Mariposa and Maple Old Fashioned

A minor critique is that the drinks from the bar were a bit slow arriving, I think there was only one bartender working, but that was not a major issue for us and the manager brought our beverages over himself once they were ready. They were perfectly balanced cocktails. 

For an appetizer we ordered the house-made guacamole ($14). It was absolutely fresh tasting and quite delicious. There was a bit of a sweet flavor to it instead of the avocado being overwhelmed with a lemon/lime, onion, or cilantro flavor, as can happen with guacamole at times. It is a guess, but I think it may have had pineapple juice in it. We enjoyed it immensely and it was consumed quickly. 

For my entree, I was torn between getting the chicken in mole sauce or the enchiladas tres colores ($22) which had three different sauces on each enchilada. The enchiladas won because I wanted to try the poblano sauce in addition to the mole sauce. The third enchilada had sour cream sauce on it. For the filling, I got the chicken but picadillo beef was another option. My companion ordered the steak fajitas ($36). 

Tres colores enchiladas

Steak fajitas

My enchiladas came out looking like perfection on a plate. Of course, I had to try the mole one first. It did not disappoint. The sauce is complex and had some heat to it, the bitter chocolate note was there but the underlying flavor was red chili. Sesame seeds were sprinkled on the top. The chicken inside was tasty and tender. It was even better than I remembered it. The poblano sauce was also yummy and almost gave the mole a run for its money. The sour cream sauce was very, very good, no complaints at all. I could not have been happier with my choice. It was well worth the 2.5 hour drive, one way, to Odessa from Abilene.  

My friend's fajitas came out sizzling and the meat was full of flavor and tender. The accompanying flour tortillas were just the right size to make the a "bite-able" fajita taco. They came with the requisite peppers and onions, with a whole grilled jalapeno and grilled pineapple as well,  which as a little surprising but not unwelcome. 

Our dinners came with rice and refried black beans, served family style. Both were non-traditional as the refried beans were made with black beans and the rice used long grain rice, which put a different twist on the staple sides. I am not a huge fan of black beans but the flavor on both was good but to be honest I was too full from the enchiladas to each much of the sides. 

Interior

As you may surmise from the price points that were annotated, Maria's Kitchen is "elevated" Mexican food. The ingredients are high quality, along with the presentation, and the service as you would expect from the prices. The menu is not huge but the choices reflected several seafood options which one would not expect to see in west Texas. My next goal is to try the Fort Worth location which has been in business longer and see if it is just as impressive. 

If you find yourself in the Midland/Odessa area, I recommend you got the Maria's Kitchen for a lovely meal. I know I will again.  

Maria's Mexican Kitchen

7254 TX-191 #200, Odessa, TX 79765

432-282-0240

https://www.mariasmexicankitchen.com/odessa/

Hours

Mon-Thu 11am-1opm

Fri 11am-11pm

Sat 10am-11pm

Sun 10am-9pm

Brunch--Sat & Sun 10am-3pm

Happy hour--Mon-Fri 3pm-6pm

Whiskey Ridge in Driftwood, TX, offers "upscale casual" dining in a western contemporary enviroment. Make reservations, especiallly on the weekend.

Whiskey Ridge is a contemporary Western restaurant located in the quickly developing Hays county area off a two lane road between Kyle and Wimberley. My date and I were in the area visiting family and decided to go there for dinner on a Saturday night evening.

The restaurant is fairly new and extremely popular. Upon arrival we quickly figured out that we should have made a reservation. By 5pm, the place was already packed. There were several large groups seated (this was between Christmas and New Year's Day) both inside and outside. We decided to put our name on the list since it would take us a while to get back into town to find another place to eat. After that we headed out to the patio bar area but after not seeing a server, we decided to go around the front of the restuarnt where there were a couple of fire pits, a porch swing, and two patio chairs. We watched the sun set as we waited about a little over an hour for our table.   

Once seated on the outside patio, the server arrived quickly to welcom us and give us our menus. The menu was not huge but there were several intriguing options. Steak, of course, some interesting appetizers, upscale sandwiches, salads, and items such as a chicken fried ribeye or a Wagyu burger.

We ordered our drinks but did not get an appetizer, even though some of them were very tempting. I decided to go with the fried jumbo gulf coast shrimp ($23) for dinner. It came with cole slaw and a blackberry horseradish dipping sauce. My date ordered the center-cut filet ($65), cooked medium rare (sides were extra), and we shared an order of fries ($7).  

The food took about 30 mintues to arrive. This was not terribly surprising since the place was extremely busy. The server did check on us and kept our water filled. Fortunately, we were not in a hurry but by the time the food arrived we were quite hungry. It was getting close to 7pm and we had been at the restaurant since about 5pm. 

My shrimp were good-sized but had cooled off a bit by the time they got to the table. Perhaps waiting for my companions steak to be done? Not sure. They were tasty and not overcooked but the breading could have been a bit lighter. I did not care for the sauce that came with the dish, so I asked for tarter sauce and cocktail sauces. They did not have any tarter sauce so they brought me some hot sauce and cocktail sauce. 

The steak was cooked perfectly to order and served with a dollop of garlic butter with parsley on top. However, the server did not wait and have him cut into it to be sure it was how he wanted it. 

It was a very good steak but perhaps could have done with a little less "dressing" up so that the flavor of the meat would shine through. 

The fries were the closest thing to a McDonald's french fry that I have ever tasted outside of Mickey D's. Whiskey Ridge must have figured out the secret recipe! They came out hot and crispy with a side of ketchup.

The service was attentive and considerate, if a bit slow. The restaurant's ambiance is certainly a draw, particulary if you would like to sit on the patio when the weather is pretty. The view from the patio was of a pasture. 

The adult beverage menu was extensive. I can certainly understand why it is popular, even if there were more restuarant options within 5 miles of  the immediate area, which there are not, except for the Hays City Store & Icehouse across the road.

I would go back when I am in the area but next time I will make a reservation and/or avoid going on a weekend.

Whiskey Ridge

Sunday - Wednesday - 3 PM to 10 PM

Thursday - 3 PM to 11 PM

Friday - 11 AM to 11 PM

Saturday - 3 PM to 11 PM

https://www.whiskeyridgetx.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076531110232

https://www.instagram.com/whiskeyridge.tx/#

8750 W RR 150, Bldg 300, Driftwood, Texas 78619

CLOSED permanently due to fire--Lucille + Mabel Kitchen & Libations for impressive upscale dining in Brownwood, TX

Exterior

Lucille + Mabel Kitchen and Libations was a lovely surprise to find in downtown Brownwood! I cannot recall having a more enjoyable dining experience recently. The best meals I have had eating out this year have been at the Black Cur Steakhouse in Coleman and now this gem in Brownwood. Restaurants in Abilene need to up their game without question. I will happily drive 80 miles for this kind of quality and service.

My dining companion and myself greatly appreciated the atmosphere, the service, and the food at Lucille + Mabel. All were stellar. You really feel like you are at a restaurant in a much larger city but without the attitude that can come with elevated restaurants in urban areas. That being said, the prices are in line with the quality so be prepared. The menu is elevated but not inaccessible to most tastes.

Lucille + Mabel Kitchen & Libations is in a former bank building, complete with vaults. Upon entering we were greeted by the host. We had reservations and were taken to our table quickly. The bar and dining areas are separated but you can see into both. The restaurant is rectangular shaped with high ceilings, exposed brick and a green, black and white color scheme. It has the look of a historical building which tickles the history buff in me.

Bar area

Dining area

After being seated, the server came quickly to pour our water and get our drink orders while we looked over the menu. There were several steak options as well as many creative twists on familiar favorites--Korean fried chicken for example. The water for the table is served in previously used liquor bottles which is a fun way to use an item that otherwise would have just been thrown out. Clever.

Once the server returned with our drinks, she asked if we would like to order an appetizer. We went with the fried asparagus spears that were topped with crispy crab and a Bearnaise sauce ($22). My date had a question about the steaks so our server went back to the kitchen and brought out the various cuts and discussed them in detail to aid him in his choice. 

I ordered the pasta Alfredo with mushrooms and chicken ($21). He ordered the 9 oz prime cut filet ($59) which was sourced from 1855 Black Angus Beef. The steak was served with rosemary garlic mashed potatoes topped with bacon and asparagus on the side.

Asparagus appetizer

The appetizer was yummy and visually appealing. The asparagus were tender but not mushy. The crispy crab on top added an intriguing element to the taste. The portion size was more than we could eat and still have enough room for our entrees.

My pasta Alfredo was ample in size. I could only eat about 1/3 of it as the sauce was so decadent. Unlike so many places, they did not overdo the garlic in the sauce. Yay! The chicken on top was lightly breaded and juicy and the fettuccine was al dente which was quite pleasing to the palate. The past tasted fresh. For the reasonable price of the dish, it may be the best return on investment on the menu. Certainly there was enough left for a second meal the next day.

Pasta Alfredo with chicken

The filet was stellar--cooked to a perfect medium-rare and tender. The server asked that the steak be cut to be sure it was cooked correctly. It was seasoned in a way that really let the beef shine through and was topped with an herbed butter. There was not a bite leftover. A sumptuous steak indeed.

The service was outstanding and that aspect of eating out is getting more and more difficult to find. Our server was friendly without being intrusive but most of all she knew her job, the menu, and was a great ambassador for the restaurant. I had not one quibble about anything in regard to the food, beverages, atmosphere, or service. It was all five star in my book.

Filet cooked medium-rare

One caveat about making reservations there, and you are going to need a reservation, is to just call them. I tried three different avenues to contact them online; via the contact form on their website and two emails to different email addresses that are posted on their website and never heard anything back. Currently, there is no option to make reservations on any of the popular dining reservation apps either. I think the owners are concentrating more on running the restaurant than on their online presence. Their Facebook seems to be the spot with the most up to date information regarding hours and specials.

If you are in the area, I highly recommend trying Lucille + Mabel. Brownwood can surprise you. There is more going on there than you would expect. Check it out.

Update: Yesterday I took two friends to try Lucille + Mabel. Since it was only 4pm we sat in the bar. We ordered drinks and the mint in my friend’s mojito was slimy, not muddled. She had to send it back. The rest of the drinks were fine.

The servers in the bar were okay but not as attentive as what I experienced on the first visit in the dining room. Maybe newer employees? The three of us ordered off the appetizer menu, starting with two tasty crab cakes over grilled asparagus, and one of us added a half wedge salad as well. The steak bites topped with shrimp (3 per order) the others had were very good but we had to ask if the shrimp were breaded with flour, it was cornstarch, as she was gluten sensitive. However, my coconut shrimp tacos ($15) were overpowered by the balsamic sauce on the tacos and only had about two cut up pieces of shrimp in each taco. For dessert we shared a butter pecan cheesecake which was divine. All the desserts were tempting. 

I recommend if you want to experience the best side of the restaurant, get a reservation for dinner and skip dining in the bar.

Lucille + Mabel Kitchen & Libations
114 Center Ave.
Brownwood, TX 76801
(325) 430-0979
 

https://www.lucillemabel.com/

https://www.facebook.com/p/Lucille-Mabel-Kitchen-and-Libations-100076016620145/

Hours (these recently changed so I recommend checking their Facebook page for updates)

Sunday-Tuesday CLOSED

Wednesday 4pm-9pm

Thursday & Friday 4pm-10pm

Saturday Brunch 10am-2pm, 4pm-10pm

 

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

Sumptuous Pasta at La Terrazza in Banff, Alberta, Canada

Rosellini al Funghi

Recently on a summer vacation to Banff, Alberta, Canada, I had the chance to eat two stellar dinners at La Terrazza. The restaurant is located inside the Banff Park Lodge Resort Hotel. I rarely give an almost perfect review but the service at La Terrazza really impressed me and the food was delectable.

Our server on both nights that we dined at La Terrazza, our first and last nights in Banff, was Ibon Quinoy. He was from the Basque region of Spain. Ibon was exceptional, which is not a small task with a family group of 9 individuals! He took wonderful care of us and we really enjoyed his sense of humor.

 

Ciabatta bread with herbed butter and tapenade was provided for the table. There is no need to order the garlic knots on the appetizer menu as the ciabatta that was provided was superior to them. We did not try any other appetizers.

 

The Rosellini al Funghi that I ordered for my dinner the first night was the best pasta dish I have ever eaten in my life (so far) but I have not traveled to Italy--yet

Bison Cannelloni

. The pasta was formed into the shape of a rose with wild mushrooms, ricotta, spinach, and mozzarella in a creamy pesto sauce. It was not garlic heavy which I appreciated. I absolutely loved it. Several people in the party ordered bison cannelloni and ate every last bite of it and said is was delicious. All the dishes we had the first evening were scrumptious!

 

One our second night dining there, I ordered the Risotto al Tartufo which had wild mushrooms, spinach, truffle oil and parmigiano-reggiano cheese. It was very good and I enjoyed it, but it was not to the stellar level of the pasta I had the first night. Everyone was very pleased again with their meals, with one exception. My sister found the eggplant parmigiana, served with spaghetti and seasonal vegetables, rather underwhelming. However, my brother-in-law enjoyed his steak and it was cooked perfectly. For dessert, several people had the tiramisu cheesecake boxed "to go" and enjoyed it later in their hotel room when they were not quite so stuffed from dinner. I only good reports about it.

The restaurant is rather small, so reservations are recommended. We had a large group but they were very accommodating. We dined on a Monday night at 8:30pm and again on a Thursday night at 6pm. Neither were the peak dining time between 7pm-8:30pm which probably helped the restaurant staff handle such a large party.

Salmon

 

La Terrazza's prices were not out of line with my expectations, particularly considering the quality of the food and the service in a tourist heavy town. Entrees ranged from $27-$54 (Canadian). The menu changes with the seasons. If you are ever in Banff, you should eat there.

La Terrazza (inside the Banff Park Lodge Hotel)
201 Lynx Street P.O. Box 2200
Banff, Alberta, Canada T1L 1K5

Hours: 5pm–10pm daily

Reservations 403-760-3271 our use OpenTable

For reservations of 6 or more, please email terracemanager@banffparklodge.com.


 

CLOSED?--MOVED now a food truck --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

Catfish Corner--downhome favorites and AYCE catfish

Catfish Corner the name pretty much says it all...and yes, there is a $20 PB& J sandwich on the menu but it's a joke folks, I think.

The highlight is, of course, is the all-you-can-eat catfish plate ($11.99) and has been for years. They have spruced the place up with better tables and chairs and a general remodel but it is still the same food that Abilenians have been coming to enjoy their catfish fix for over 30 years. They also serve a good old-fashioned burger and hand-breaded onion rings. The fries are hand-cut too. This is not health food but you do not leave hungry. They have chicken-fried bacon on the menu for goodness sake. 

AYCE Wed shrimp special

On Wednesdays, they offer AYCE shrimp ($15.99) and it comes with catfish as well. They also have lunch specials that include catfish plates that are not AYCE. There are also chicken tenders, frog legs, chicken fried steak, hamburger steak, and options for kids who don't like fish (in addition and less expensive than the PB&J).

Plates come with choice of potato--baked or fries, salad or coleslaw, and hush puppies.

I took my mom and brother there for lunch on a Wednesday and we all left stuffed. The onion rings ($9.99) we ordered for an appetizer were a hit but they could have come out of the fryer just a bit quicker as they were extra crispy but still very good with nice thick onion inside. 

My shrimp had a nice breading on it as did the catfish, not too heavy. I had a baked potato and coleslaw as my sides, The meal was not overly seasoned and the fish was mild. It could have used a bit more spice but I know that is not for everyone and that issue certainly did not keep me from eating all of it. Mother got a loaded potato for her lunch because what she really wanted was the onion rings and my brother order the five piece catfish plate with a salad and fries. 

The server was attentive and friendly especially considering there were several tables of customers and she seemed to be the only server working. Experience shows.

It had been about three years since I had eaten at Catfish Corner and it was pleasing that they are still in business and serving up traditional favorites. Give it a try next time you want some fried food and the new year resolutions have worn off.

Five piece catfish plate

780 S Treadaway Blvd

Abilene, TX 79602

(325) 672-3620

• https://catfish-corner.business.site/
• Open 11am-9pm all week

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

Galveston Seafood Company now in Abilene--fresh and quite fabulous

My apologies for the long absence from the blog. Sometimes life gets in the way of dining out.

Now on to the good stuff.

There is a new seafood place in town, Galveston Seafood Company, in the old Towne Crier location on Highway 80. Table service, nice dishes, freshened decor, very attentive servers and a visit from the son of the owner to check on us, I have to say--I was impressed. But what most impressed me was the food. Lunch specials for $10...alright, alright, alright!

Lunch fried shrimp with red beans and rice and hushpuppies

My companion and I walked in and were greeted promptly and seated quickly. We both had the fried shrimp $10 lunch special. Two sides were included. Me being me, I had to have the red beans and rice and hushpuppies.  My friend got fries and mixed vegetables to go with her shrimp. Other side options were greens, fried cabbage, and red potatoes. A definite southern/Cajun/Creole influence was at play.

The shrimp had a tempura style batter and they were fresh. You can just tell. The texture is different. Fresh seafood is something that is not easy to get in landlocked Abilene. The shrimp were good-sized as well, not those sad little ones you get served in chain seafood restaurants.

I enjoyed the extra effort in the presentation of the food. The red beans and rice were tasty but my preference is for a bit more spice so some added Tabasco sauce did the trick. The hushpuppies came out crisp. The fries and mixed vegetables that my friend has as sides were good as well, though keep in mind the vegetables are sauteed not steamed. Portions were generous.

Lunch fried shrimp with fries and mixed vegetables

The service was excellent. The son of the owner brought me a sample of the crawfish etouffee after he stopped by our table and we were discussing the food. It was a variation on a recipe from his grandma.  The etouffee was extremely rich. Butter and cream were part of the roux and it had a nice spicy kick to it. I could not finish the sample due to being stuffed from the size of my lunch. He told me that they bring in the seafood every 2-3 days.

Dinner prices are higher but I would imagine the servings are large. The main menu had a lot of variety of seafood and included some non-seafood items such as a burger and chicken Alfredo pasta.

Sample of the crawfish etouffee

This is a nice restaurant and fresh seafood is not cheap. Plan accordingly. The quality and service was wonderful and my next visit will be for dinner or maybe breakfast/brunch on the weekend which had some intriguing options on the menu.

If you like seafood, I highly recommend you give them a try.





Galveston Seafood Company
818 E. Hwy 80, Abilene, TX 79601
325-232-6580
https://www.facebook.com/galvestonseafoodcompany/

Friday 11AM–3PM, 5–9:30PM
Saturday 8AM–3PM, 5–9:30PM
Sunday 10AM–3PM, 5–8PM
Monday Closed
Tuesday 11AM–3PM, 5–9:30PM
Wednesday 11AM–3PM, 5–9:30PM
Thursday 11AM–3PM, 5–9:30PM

Lowake Steakhouse in Rowena, TX

Apologies for the long absence from posting. Life has been turbulent so I just have not had the time to post in the past few months.

The Lowake Steakhouse (formerly in the very small town of Lowake, Texas) has been around since the early 1950s and was regionally famous in its heyday. The current incarnation moved a couple of years ago over to the town of Rowena, a few miles outside of Ballinger. My assumption is the move was to take advantage of the more frequent traffic on the highway between Ballinger and San Angelo but one of the wait staff said it was also less expensive to move than to fix up the building in Lowake. Judging by the number of vehicles outside of the restaurant, they are doing booming business. People seemed to have come from miles around to eat a Saturday evening meal there. 

Bar area

I remember a family outing when I was in upper elementary or junior high traveling from Abilene to Lowake to eat at the steakhouse. My dad was in the insurance business and he often found little interesting and out-of-the-way places to grab a bite. As a kid, I did not understand the ongoing search to find a delicious, yet reasonably priced steak. However, I do remember being stuffed full and falling asleep on the hour drive back home.

Door to patio

This past weekend, some friends and I took a short road trip to go eat at the Lowake Steakhouse on a Saturday evening. We left Abilene a little after 5pm and arrived at the restaurant around 6:15pm. As we suspected there would be, there was a wait which we were told was between 10 minutes up to 30 minutes. When we picked the date to go, it did not cross our minds that it was Mother's Day weekend as well at time that area college graduations were happening. Not to mention that is was Saturday night. The place was PACKED and there were several large groups in the party room. Our wait to be seated turned out to be 25 minutes. There were other "waits" to come but that is to be expected with the crowds.

Once seated, it took our server a few minutes to come by and get our beverage order. Some of us had already gotten drinks at the bar but we needed some water and soft drink refills. We also decided to put in an order for some onion rings as an appetizer. When the server brought the drinks about seven minutes later, we ordered our meals. All the adults ordered steaks and the pre-teen got a bacon cheeseburger. Then the wait for food began. Granted we had ordered our steaks cooked everything from medium-rare to medium-well but after about 30 minutes we began to wonder about our onion rings and an update on the progress of our meal. Turns out the server forgot to put in the order for the rings. She asked if we still wanted them, we did, so they came out with the meal.

Hand battered onion rings (large size)

Several of us took shifts to head to the salad bar for the salad that came with our steaks. It was very basic selection. Iceberg lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, pickles, imitation bacon bits, a few other items, no mushrooms. Nothing special about it but it was serviceable. The ranch dressing did seem homemade.

As far as the main course, as you would expect from what I have written so far, the biggest issue with the meal had to do with timing. They were busy but it is not a good plan to go ahead and plate the sides while waiting for the meat. My fries were not hot. Others at the table had a similar issue with their fries and baked potatoes, except for the kid that got a burger. We were brought some fresh french fries since I said something about their temperature. The server did not act surprised by the comment which let me know that it was not an uncommon complaint. The onion rings were not piping hot either but the portion was generous, which is expected at the $8 price point. They were nice big slices of sweet onion breaded like a chicken friend steak. The onion rings were filling but the breading could have used more seasoning. The bacon cheeseburger pleased the palate of the kiddo in our group. It was big and the patty was fresh. 

Bacon cheeseburger with hand cut fries

As for the steaks, the menu states that garlic is featured in their seasoning. Very, very true. I tasted garlic powder, black pepper, and probably some seasoning salt. Applied with a heavy hand. This is not necessarily a detriment if the meat shines through which is did but if you aren't a garlic fan, skip the steak. The beef was of high quality.

I had a tenderloin, three others got filet mignon (bacon-wrapped tenderloin) and a bone-in rib-eye. Everyone stated their steaks were cooked to the requested "doneness". One or two would have liked the bacon on their filet to have been crispier but I find that the bacon on a filet mignon is not ever crispy as that would mean overcooking the steak. My steak was quite good but I do not mind garlic. The meat was tender and juicy. I was only able to finish about half of it, so the rest went home with me.

Tenderloin cooked medium with hand cut fries

The tenderloin and filet mignon were priced at $32.00 for 10-12 ounces. I am not sure how much the rib-eye was but the least expensive steak was a small 6-ounce dinner steak (sirloin) for $15.50. The prices were about $2-$5 higher than what I was expecting. On the menu there is KC (Kansas City strip steak) available for up to 7 people. If you have a large group, the KC options are a good bet.

Lowake Steakhouse gets high marks for the steak but they need to work on timing to be sure the sides come out hot. Nonetheless, judging by the crowd, people are pleased with what they get there.

Next time, I'll probably get a burger or the small steak and try the spicy fried pickles appetizer. If you are driving on highway 67 between Ballinger and San Angelo, it is worth a stop.

Also, they do serve beer, wine and wine-a-ritas.

12143 US Highway 67
Rowena, TX 76875
(325) 218-4025
https://www.lowakesteakhouse.com/

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