Casa Rodriguez: Bryan, Texas

Casa Rodriguez is located in downtown Bryan, Texas.  They have been serving the area since 1978.  After reading the sweet story on the cover of the menu, you have hopes for this place.  The chips and salsa come out as soon as you sit down.  The friendly servers flock to you for your drink order. 

The chips and salsa are good.  The salsa is fresh, not spicy at all, but very good.  Although steaming fajitas keep flying pass my table and the smell of fajitas fills the room with a delicious aroma, I chose the Casa Rod Combination Dinner: two cheese enchiladas, one beef taco, rice and beans- I asked for charro since I am not a fan of refried beans.

Ummmmm, where do I start?  How about left to right?  The charro beans smelled like a wet, dirty dog, so needless to say, I did not eat them.  I think it may have been whatever meat product was in the beans, but YUCK!  The cheese enchiladas were not greasy at all, but they did not have any taste.  The sauce was thick and tasted like pure chili powder.  The rice was gross.  It tasted like pure chili powder too.  The crispy taco was OK, but the meat was very salty.  There was very little lettuce and chopped tomatoes.

I guess Casa Rodriguez is an acquired taste, but there are just way too many better Mexican restaurants in the Bryan-College Station area to dine at.

Casa Rodriguez
300 N Bryan Avenue
Bryan, TX 77803
979/779-0916
http://www.casarod.com/

Cake Junkie: Bryan, Texas

OK, I knew I would be in Bryan College Station for a few days, and I wanted to find a place for cupcakes.  I had read about Sweet Memories at some point.  When I finally found it on 29th, I was actually disappointed in it's store front.  When you walk in, you just don't get that "kid in the candy shop" feeling.  The selection was small- only a few cupcakes available in a handful of different flavors.

Today, I decided to try a carrot cupcake, a German Chocolate cupcake, and a petit four.

The carrot cake cupcake was awful.  It was dried out and old- I felt like I was eating card board.  The icing was quite sweet and light, but tasted like it was made with Crisco.  Very disappointing.  Next: German Chocolate:

The cake portion was a little more moist, but not overwhelmingly.  The icing tasted like it was right out of the can.  Although better than the carrot cupcake, the German Chocolate cupcake was still a disappointment. 

Since I am crazy for petit fours, I wanted to try one.  I chose a vanilla cake petit four.



Wow, I am really batting 0 for 3.  The pink frosting was strawberry in flavor- very faint and not very good.  The cake inside was OK.  Just below the pink icing, there was a lightly whipped sugar frosting.  It may have been pretty- pretty disappointing.

In the end, I realized that this bakery has gone by two other names: Sweet Memories and Taste of Heaven.  Now known as Cake Junkie.  Their slogan is "feed your addiction," but I would feed it some where else.

Cake Junkie

4001 E 29th Street, Suite 75

Bryan, Texas 77802

http://www.cake-junkie.com/

Feed Barn: Bryan, Texas

Today, I tried the Feed Barn in Bryan, Texas.  I have eaten here before, and I remember it was good food with good atmosphere.  Located in an industrial area of Bryan, Feed Barn is off the beaten path.  The restaurant serves burgers, steaks, and fish- I guess that was obvious from the picture above.  You order and pay at the cash register.  Drinks are self serve, and your food is picked up at a kitchen window.

Since this girl likes her burger baskets, I decided a good cheese burger was needed on this Friday afternoon.

The patty is thin with the bun and condiments fresh.  The meat was actually quite disappointing.  It did have a nice seasoned grill taste, but I kept getting a taste similar to McDonald's.  I don't know what it was, but it was there.  Plus, the patty tasted like and had the consistency of a frozen variety.  The french fries are steak cut, and they were deep-fried crisp.

In the end, I would say that I have had a better burger in the Bryan/College Station area.  I would go back to the Feed Barn to try something else.  The room was filled with men eating steaks, so maybe that is the route to go.

Feed Barn
2017 Fountain Avenue
Bryan, TX 77801
979/822-9488
http://www.feedbarnbcs.com/

Burger Fresh: Tomball, Texas

I discovered Burger Fresh while I was making the drive back and forth to The Woodlands.  Recently, I saw that they made Texas Monthly’s Best Burger Places.  I decided to give them a try at their Tomball location.  Burger Fresh has two other locations in Conroe and Montgomery.

Oh my, what a little gem.  It is a typical burger, drive in place.  You can order ¼, 1/3 or ½ pound burgers.  They serve certified Angus beef, but they also serve wild game burgers and other sandwich fare like Philly Cheese Steaks.  All combo baskets come with your choice of fries, tater tots, or onion rigs.

Tonight, I decided to try a 1/3 burger basket with French Fries to go.

Oh my, Oh my.  The burger was so juicy, well seasoned, dripping with ooooze.  The shredded lettuce was super fresh and plump.  The tomato, the pickles, the onions….Oh my, this is the best burger that I have had in my lifetime.  The fries were typical frozen, fried up and tossed with seasoned salt.  Next time, I would definitely try the onion rings because they were a beautiful golden brown, thick cut, and made my mouth drool at their site.

I immediately called my husband, and said that the next free Saturday that we have, we are coming back to Burger Fresh.  And, I can’t wait.  Way to go Texas Monthly, you got this one right.

Burger Fresh

1000 W Main (FM 2920)

Tomball, Texas 77375

832/559-8275

http://iwantmyburgerfresh.com/

Molina's: Houston, Texas

Since I grew up in Houston, I have grown up eating at Molina’s.  Now, it has become my Friday lunch place with my parents.  The original Molina’s was a tiny building right on Westheimer.  Molina’s built their existing building right behind it.  I think the Boston Tea Party restaurant was here at one point- now, I am dating my age, but I have been eating at Molina’s for over 30 years!  Yikes, but at least, it's not since 1941 when Molina's started!

Currently, Molina’s is renovating again.  We promptly get seated in Laurie’s section because she is a family favorite.  She is very personal and gives great service.  You just like her the minute you meet her, and this is true with the following that is sitting in her section.

But, I digress this is a food blog.  Upon seating, your basket of chips arrives with the original Molina’s salsa, a fire-roasted salsa, and marinated onions and carrots.  In the old days, jars of this stuff were on the tables, but I am sure some CODE makes that unsanitary today.  I absolutely LOVE their salsa- there is a hint of vinegar in it that keeps me coming back for more.  The fire-roasted salsa is good, but I LOVE the original salsa.  The marinated onions and carrots take me back to my childhood with every single bite.

On this day, I ordered the crispy beef tacos plate, as does my dad. 

The 3 tacos come out under a pile of shredded cheese, shredded lettuce and taco sauce.  If you want cheese, you will have to order it: shredded or queso is available.  Everything is super fresh.  You ALMOST feel like you are eating a healthy taco salad.  The taco shells were crisp; the meat was seasoned well; the lettuce was plump; and the cheese- why do I love this shredded cheese.  Top it off with some Molina’s original salsa- HEAVEN!  This plate of tacos does not come with rice and beans, but there is more than enough food to eat.

My mom ordered the lunch portion of the chicken fajitas for one.  There is nothing “lunch portion” about it.  We always bring home enough for another fajita.  The chicken comes out sizzling with a side of adobe butter that is never needed.  The chicken is moist and well seasoned.  Guacamole and pica de gallo grace the condiment plate.  You will have to ask for a side of cheese or sour cream.  The flour tortillas were steaming hot.  Yummy rice and terrific charro beans top off this lunch portion of the fajitas. This is my other lunch staple at Molina’s. 

We always top our lunch off with coffee.  Molina’s serves the best pralines that I have ever had.  The pralines are thin, not too sweet, and just divine with our freshly made coffee.  There’s nothing like a sugar-caffeine high to get you through Friday rush hour traffic.  Molina’s is a definite local stop if you are in Houston.  Just beware of their margaritas, but that is a whole other blog!

Molina's

7901 Westheimer

Houston, Texas

713/782-0861

http://www.molinasrestaurants.com/

Nathan's BBQ: Brenham, Texas

Nathan's BBQ, the original Big Daddy's BBQ, is a weekly occurrence in our house.  Located conveniently at the corner of Prairie Lea and Hwy 290, this BBQ joint is housed in the Shell station.  Recently, Nathan's BBQ underwent an expansion and remodeling giving the restaurant it’s own space though still attached to the gas station.

In the mornings,Nathan's offers custom-made breakfast tacos assembled in front of you as you pick out your ingredients that range from normal breakfast fare to Carne Guisada.  If you are in a hurry, pre-made tacos are available on the station side as well as muffins, kolaches, and other baked goods.

Nathan's BBQ will not disappoint.  We often pick up BBQ chicken or brisket to bring home for dinner.  Inside the Texas themed restaurant, you order from a wall menu moving through the cafeteria line.  Meat choices range from chicken, brisket, pork, ribs and sausage.  Typical BBQ sides are available, but the twice-baked potatoes steal the show- though I would love some Tony Chacheres tossed in for some spice.

Recently, Nathan's started to venture into weekend specials that include fried fish and rib eyes.  Nathan's even had a special Valentine dinner with beef filets or grilled shrimp.  And, finally, WINE!

The 8-ounce bacon wrapped beef filet was well seasoned  and cooked medium.  It was tender with a nice smoke taste.  Described above, I chose the twice-baked potatoes that oozed with butter, green onions, cheese, and bacon.  To counter the potatoes, I ordered the green beans.  These green beans are really no frills and almost taste like they have been poured right out of the can and tossed with a bit of bacon.  Some Tony Chacheres could really help the beans.

In the end, Nathan's BBQ has something for everyone whether its dining in, picking up, or catering.  Have no worries because Nathan's BBQ will take care of you.

Nathan's BBQ

1309 Prairie Lea (Blinn College Exit off Hwy 290)

Brenham, Texas 77833

979/830-1619

www.bigdaddysbbqtx.com

Dairy Bar: Brenham

This evening, we were in the mood for a local burger.  We decided on Dairy Bar in Brenham, Texas.  Since 1985, Dairy Bar has been a local favorite and winner of the Brenham Banner Press Favorite Burger Award.  This no frills joint serves an array of food from burgers and shakes to hot dogs and Tex Mex.

On this evening, my dining companion had a cheeseburger with fries.

The ½” freshly ground beef burger is sure to please.  Fresh lettuce, onions, tomatoes and pickles accompanied the burger.  The crinkle fries were golden brown and crisp, but they were your typical frozen bagged variety.  Obviously, the burger is the most popular dish at the Dairy Bar given the standing room only audience.

I went a different route, and ordered a chicken strip basket.  The four strips were golden brown with a black pepper batter similar to Dairy Queen's.  The basket came with Texas Toast, crinkle fries, and gravy.  The gravy was a darker, thinner style of cream gravy which was dotted with black pepper.  It had a faint taste of bacon grease.  Overall, the chicken strip basket was a nice alternative to a burger.

Like I said, the Dairy Bar was standing room only on this Thursday night with a line of cars out to the road in the drive thru.  If you are coming through Brenham on Hwy 290, either stop in or drive thru this local Brenham eatery.  You will not be disappointed unless it is Sunday when they are closed!

Dairy Bar

2703 Stringer Street (off Hwy 290 Feeder)

Brenham, TX 77833-5745

979/836-5112

Butcher Boy's: Nacogdoches

Today, I decided to try Butcher Boy's in Nacogdoches.  I was in the mood for a good burger, and they sure didn't disappoint.  Butcher Boy's is family owned and operated since 1977.  They serve BBQ, burgers, chicken fried steaks, and homemade pies- chocolate or coconut cream.  Don't worry if you are on a diet because Butcher Boy's even has 2 low carb meals on the menu.

You place your order at the counter, drinks are self serve, and they call your name when your order is ready.  Your order comes out in a brown paper bag.  I ordered the cheeseburger combo meal.

All I can say is that this burger is a multi-napkin event.  The thin, freshly ground, beef patty oozed with goodness.  Fresh lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and red onions took their place.  The mayo had a touch of sweet that went well with the slightly salty, in a good way, seasoning in the meat.  The bun was freshly toasted, and the patty covered all of it.  The fries were typical fries, yet they could have cooked a tad longer.

Overall, I really enjoyed Butcher Boys.  If you aren't dining in, still stop by and check out their full meat market that includes fresh meats, freezer meat packs, custom smoking, and famous cheese balls.  Surely, it will not disappoint.

Butcher Boy's
603 North Street (Business 59)
Nacogdoches, Texas 75961
936/560-1137
http://www.butcherboysnac.com/

Joe's Pizza and Pasta Subs: Longview

I decided to check out Joe's Pizza and Pasta Subs for my birthday dinner.  Oh, where do I start?  First of all, when you walk into Joe's, you don't know if you order at the counter, seat yourself, or wait to be seated.  You wait to be seated (by the friendliest and very personal employees). 

I love good thin crust pizza, so tonight, I tried a slice of cheese and a slice of supreme along with a house salad with tomato basil vinaigrette.  With my salad came a basket of bread which included focacia and rolls.  I was shocked when the waitress put my salad down.  It looked like someone had poured thick and chunky cocktail sauce all over wilted lettuce.  I'm on an adventure, but I didn't buy this ticket.  The dressing must have been pizza sauce mixed with vinaigrette.  It was nasty.  I just kept telling myself that it has to get better.

Then, my slices of pizza appeared.

Yep, two very large pieces of two different kinds of pizza on the same 8 inch plate.  The Supreme laid on top of the Cheese.  Toppings galore on the Supreme- to the point that I had to break my cardinal pizza rule: I had to eat it with a fork.  The problem was I was also cutting through the cheese pizza since it laid beneath the rubble of my Supreme slice.  The Supreme slice was very good. 

By the end, I had dropped so many of the toppings onto the Cheese Slice that it looked like another slice of Supreme; however, the Cheese Slice was beyond disappointing.  I love just Plain Jane cheese pizza, but not like this slice.  It was old and stale like it had been sitting out all day.   

Overall, Joe's pizza crust is thin, but not crisp until the crust- in fact, it was quite mushy on both slices.  The outer crust portion was light, crunchy, and good.  I just wished the rest of the slice was like this.  The sauce was very light to the point that I couldn't really taste it ( a nice departure from my salad).  

In the end, Joe's Pizza did regain some points with me.  Joe's has a VERY extensive dessert list- with the actual desserts greeting you in a glass case as you walk in.   I chose the Ultimate Chocolate Cake:  chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, chocolate cake covered with chocolate icing with miniature chocolate chips.  Absolutely sinful yet oh so good!

Joe's Pizza plays great Rat Pack music.  The decor is splashed with the colors of Italy.  The carpet was quite dirty upon my arrival, but they started to sweep while I ate (a total pet peeve of mine).  If I go back to Joe's, I think I would try some of their pasta and definitely some more of their desserts.

Joe's Pizza and Pasta Subs
411 N Spur 63 (McCann Road)
Longview, Texas 75601
903/757-9003

Cowboy Chicken: Longview

I drove past Cowboy Chicken one evening.  The parking lot was packed, so I became curious.  Cowboy Chicken is a franchise out of Dallas.  It was started in 1981 serving natural chicken that has been slow cooked over a wood burning fire.  This is confirmed at the Longview location since there is literally a wall of fire and rotisserie chickens. 

I arrived at 11:15 am on Sunday thinking I was beating the Church crowd.  Not even a chance, the line was wrapped along the wall with not an open table in sight.  From the wall menu, I chose the Famous Chicken Enchiladas with 2 sides: Spanish rice and Ranchero beans.  Since there were no seats inside, I sat outside on the round picnic tables waiting for my meal to be delivered.  Finally, the Famous Chicken Enchiladas arrived.

There was a killer wind that was cooling my meal faster than I could eat it.  The enchiladas were filled with lots of thick white chicken meat.  The tortillas were flour, a little tough, and not at all gooey.  The enchiladas must have been rolled just prior to serving then covered with the tomatillo sour cream sauce.   The sauce was extremely good with hints of lime, sour cream, tomatillo, cilantro, and every once in a while, jalapeno.  Sprigs of cilantro complimented the sauce which covered the WHOLE plate- a little overkill I thought.  Regardless, the Famous Chicken Enchiladas definitely rank as some of the BEST in Texas.

Next time, I would skip the uneventful Spanish rice and Ranchero beans.  Just splurge for another enchilada.  Did I mention that these Famous Chicken Enchiladas rank as some of the BEST in Texas?  Definitely check it out when you are in Longview next!

Cowboy Chicken
3080 N. Eastman Road (Hwy 259)
Suite 100
Longview, Texas  75605
903/663-0777
http://www.cowboychicken.com/

The Butcher Shop: Longview

Oh my, I am like a child in a candy store, but I happen to be in the Butcher Shop.  It is early morning, and I am perusing the cakes, muffins, cookies, and everything sweet in between.   This morning, I got a blueberry muffin to go with my coffee.

It was wonderful- light and fluffy, filled with blueberries, and a hint of butter- maybe brushed on top before baking to give it its golden color.  It obviously had just come out of the oven because it was still warm.

In addition, I treated myself to two other yummy delights: a white petit four and an Italian cream cupcake.  It is my 39th birthday after all. 

The white cake petit four was just pure bliss reminding me of my college days in Fort Worth.  Delicious light white cake surrounded by a not too sugary white icing.  This petit four was dressed for Valentine's Day, and even the pink "Love" icing was a nice blend of sugar without that overwhelming sweet taste.

The Italian cream cupcake seemed to be a butter cake with pecans mixed into the batter.  The cake was on the drier side but still very edible.  The frosting was a nice blend of cream cheese and sour cream but a little too dense for my liking.  The cupcake was topped off with chopped pecans and roasted coconut.  Of all of the sweets, this was my least favorite.

I have become a HUGE fan of the Butcher Shop Bakery.  I am told that they have one mean burger here, or if you want a steak, they will cut it right in front of you.  I will definitely have to come back the next time I am in Longview.  

So, if your plans bring you to Longview, check out the Butcher Shop.  It is definitely worth the stop whether it is breakfast, lunch or dinner.

The Butcher Shop

102 LeHigh (Off of Spur 63/McCann Rd)

Longview, Texas 75601

903/758-6066

http://www.butchershopbakery.com/home.nxg