Superior Burger Bar: Elgin

No offense, but this place is a dive....with one heck of a burger.  It's Friday, and I find myself driving back from Austin.  I am hankering for a greasy burger not an Elgin Hot Sausage.  Located just outside of the historic downtown of Elgin, Superior Burger is in a non-descript building next to a barber shop.   I think the foldable sign in front let's you know that they are open.

Don't judge the book by the cover because once you walk inside you will really need to be open minded.  The tiny joint is quite dark with a few tables- not very appealing.  On this day, there was a table of local women eating fried fish, and a man, who looked like a banker, eating a burger.  The menu is very limited: burgers, chicken fried steak, pork chops, chicken strips, and fried fish- maybe fried chicken- can't remember.  WARNING: Superior Burger takes only CASH!  There is a bank down the road, so place your order and come back.

Today, I order up a hamburger and fries- imagine that? 

The french fries were the most golden and crispest fries that I have ever had.  There was absolutely no seasoning on them, but they were to die for.  Typical frozen kind, but cooked to complete perfection.  Now, the star, as shown above, was the hamburger. With each bite, the bun oozed with butter .  The meat tasted fresh, and I can't figure out if they seasoned it before or after cooking- lots of black pepper.  All I can think is what a well seasoned griddle they must have!  The burger totally rocked!

Superior Burger Bar is a little gem in Elgin.  It now has a loyal follower.  Plus, it is nice to get off the beaten path into the historic downtown.  My only complaint is that their tea comes in a can, but then again, I should be drinking water.  Stop off if you're in Elgin, I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised that you skipped the Hot Sausage for Superior Burger Bar!

Superior Burger Bar

101-B Central Avenue

Elgin, Texas

512/285-4348

Thur and Sun 11 am to 9 pm

Fri and Sat 11 am to 11 pm

China Garden: Houston

China Garden is my favorite Chinese restaurant in Houston.  Located in Downtown at LaBranch and Leeland across from the Toyota Center, this place is always packed for lunch and dinner.  They have been serving authentic Chinese food since 1969.  My sister introduced me to China Garden fifteen years ago, and whenever I am in Downtown Houston, I always try to stop in.

To be honest, I am not real adventuresome when it comes to Chinese food.  A good cup of won ton soup and some egg rolls are a standard for me.  So, guess what I ordered- a cup of won ton soup and an order of egg rolls.

China Garden's Roast Pork Won Ton Soup is different than other won ton soups.  The broth is thicker and more like a chicken broth.  The Soup, as you can see has tons of cabbage, some carrots, and multiple won tons.  It is really good even on this 100 degree day.
 

 China Garden has the BEST egg rolls that I have ever had- definitely the Star.   China Garden's Home Made Crisp Egg Rolls are fried to perfection without the grease that you find with other egg rolls.  Inside, they are filled with cabbage, bean sprouts, carrots, other vegetables, and lots of black pepper.  They are delicious especially dipped into the Plum Sauce and Hot Mustard.  They are definitely worth the trip to Downtown Houston.

If you are in the mood for other China Garden delights, they have an excellent Lemon Chicken.  They have an extensive menu serving a range of dishes from Fish Steak, Squid, Crab to the usual Chicken, Beef and Pork.  In fact, they have over 70 entrees to chose from in addition to their Gourmet Dishes, Spring Rolls, and Chow Meins. 

Word to the Wise: If you are running from the Law, I would avoid China Garden.  There is usually an officer or two eating here.  Otherwise, China Garden should be a must before any Rockets game, concert, or just because you are in the neighborhood.  They definitely have something for everybody.
 
China Garden
1602 Leeland St
Houston, TX 77003
713/652-0745
http://www.chinagardenhouston.com/

Hinze's Bar B Q: Sealy

Hinze's BarBQ is located in Sealy on Hwy 36 just South of I-10.  I've eaten here a few times, and I've gotten it to go too.  Today, I decide to eat in for my usual Chopped Beef Sandwich with a side of Cole Slaw.

Today's Chop Beef Sandwich has the beef already mixed with their slightly sweet but more tangy BBQ sauce.  You can dress it up with onions, marinated onions, jalapenos, and pickles from a self serve station.  Overall, the Chopped Beef Sandwich is pretty good, but I don't like it when I cannot watch them chop up my beef- usually means you get the leftover brisket with more fat.  Also, the chopped beef amount was not overwhelming- more on the skimpy side.  Come on this is TEXAS!

Their Cole Slaw is another love of mine.  It is a vinegar base with slight sweetness and lots of pepper!  Been know to get a quart of it to go and eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!  It's the little things in life.

You can pick up BBQ by the pound or by the plate.  I prefer the Hinze's in Wharton, but the Sealy location can satisfy your BBQ needs.  Their ribs and chicken are pretty good, and we really like their Seasonings that you can buy at the counter.  Overall, It's not the best BBQ, and it's not the worse BBQ!

Hinze's BBQ

2101 Hwy 36 S
Sealy, TX 77474

(979) 885-7808

Pie in the Sky Pie Company: Conroe & The Heights

Well, to finish this extremely hot Friday off, I decided to go to Pie in the Sky Pie Company in Conroe.  Afterall, it's on my way home, and I had read about their Cake Balls which really intrigued me.  The Conroe location is not too easy to get to, but you can access it from the Loop 336 South of Hwy 105 and West of I-45.

At the Conroe location, Pie in the Sky offers breakfast, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and of course pie.  You can also order casseroles to go from King Ranch Chicken to Lasagna.  Today, I am on a quest for Cake Balls.  They have Italian Cream and Chocolate with Chocolate Icing.  I opt for two of each, and a white cupcake with white icing.

I know this picture does not do these treats justice, but take my word.......  The Italian Cream Cake Ball was incredible.  The cake inside was super moist, and the hard bark like coating was perfect in sweetness.  Next, I had to try the Chocolate Cake Ball.  Pure bliss for chocaholics!  Once again the cake was super moist, and the coating was pefection.   I did wait until after dinner to eat the cupcake- ok, it was my dinner.  The icing wasn't too sweet- just right in fluff and sugar.  The cake was slightly drier than I would have like, but overall, it was quite tasty.

I have a new love and it isn't pie, but Pie in the Sky's Cake Balls.  I am already planning on taking them to a dinner in a few weeks, and I have told all of my friends about them.  I can't tell you if anything else is good, but I can tell you that these cake balls will put a smile on your face.  Stop off the next time you are in Conroe or in the Heights, and pick up a few.... dozen.

Pie in the Sky Pie Company                                                             Pie in the Sky Pie Company
3600 N Loop 336 W                                                                      632 W 19th Street
Conroe, Texas 77304                                                                     Houston, Texas 77008
936/760-3301                                                                                713/864-3301
                                                  
                                                http://www.pieintheskypieco.com/

Splendora Cafe: Splendora

Today, I find myself in Splendora, Texas.  Located about 45 minutes north of Houston, this little cafe tempted my taste buds after reading the reviews online.  Located in a strip shopping center just North of FM 2090, I walk into a large non-descript room booming with business and patrons.  You seat yourself, and you are promptly greeted by the nicest wait staff ever.  A few other words come to mind: bubbly, energetic and attentive.

Today is Friday, and I have a feeling I am about to be VERY bad.  They have fried pickles, fried mushrooms, fried this and that, but I perplexed by the Queso DipnSides: as described by my waitress, "chunks of yellow cheese rolled into tri-colored tortilla chips, fried and served with Ranch."  Wow, that sounds great, but so do the fried pickles.   Luckily, I didn't have to make too much of choice since I could order the Mixed Appetizer:  Fried Pickles and Queso DipnSides.

OK, the fried pickles were very good, though the fluffy batter was slightly too salty for me.  The real hit was the Queso DipnSides.  OMG.  It was like queso just melting in your mouth.  There was some jalapenos rolled in the batter too.  They were to die for, and the Ranch dressing tasted like homemade Hidden Valley.  Yummy. 

I knew I was being bad, so I went for the worse thing on the menu for my arteries and my main meal.  I chose the Lunch Portion of the Chicken Fried Steak.  The 8 oz sirloin came with a choice of side (Cole Slaw for me) and a salad from their salad bar (I skipped the only healthy thing of my meal).  You could also chose white or brown gravy.  As soon as it came out, I asked for a to go box. 

The lunch portion was huge; but then again, I am sure the Fried Pickles and Queso DipnSides had nothing to do with it.  The Cole Slaw was good- not too sweet and not too tart.  It actually tasted like the kind that comes right out of the bag- I really like that kind since that's the kind my mom used to make.  Back to the CFS though, the batter is the same fluffy batter from the fried pickles, but the meat has a taste that I can't figure out- it's a VERY good thing.  It tastes almost like they soaked it in white wine.  It was super tender and just amazing.  The gravy was just fair, but it didn't matter- that meat was just superb. 

If you are ever on your way North from Houston, stop in and try Splendora Cafe.  The food and the staff will not disappoint.  In fact, add thoughtful to the description of my waitress.  She brought me out an extra large tea to go on this hot afternoon.  Splendora Cafe was packed from the time that I got there at 12:45 to an hour later.  They definitely have something good going on!

Splendora Cafe and BBQ
13817 Hwy 59 #F
Splendora, TX 77372
281/699-1650

Domenic's Pizza Connection: Brenham

With Brenham being the closest town to us, the eating establishments are some what to be desired for a town this size- Bada Bing.  Each week, Domenic's Original Pizza advertises in the local paper pushing their New York style pizza.  Of course, I have been wanting to try this place because I Luva Gooda Pizza Pie, and tonight was the night- husband working late (and, I don't feel like cooking).  I called in some pies to be picked up.

Domenic's serves either New York style or Chicago Style.  Their pizza comes on a wheat crust with their own special sauce, a Parmesan cheese blend and fresh toppings.  You can build your own or chose from the 8 specialty pizzas.  You can also pick up a variety of 6 different kinds of 9 inch frozen baked pizzas.

Tonight, I wanted to try a cheese pizza, and I wanted to try the "Kitchen Sink" which includes ground beef, pepperoni, sausage, green peppers, onions, sliced tomatoes, and black olives.  Both pizzas in New York style (ie. thin crust).  I've spent some time with East Coast Italians, so let's see how this Brenham to New York connection is working....

Of course, I knew that I would try a piece of the cheese before I made the 20 minute drive back home.  I had to make sure the crust was crisp since it gets so soggy just sitting in those to-go boxes.  When I opened the box, alarms went off.  The redness of the sauce was overwhelming, and the cheese just reminded me of something not good.  

First of all, the crust was not very thin.  It wasn't light.  It didn't have that crispy, bubbly texture.  The cheese tasted like Mr. Gatti's blend.  In fact, this pizza reminded me of Mr. Gattis, but it was different.  The sauce was the culprit.  It was so thick and tart- it had to be one thing: alot of tomato paste.  When I first tasted it, the first thing that crossed my mind was "I bet I have heartburn tonight!"  This cheese pizza had definitely lost it's signal because there was New York connection.

After the 20 minute drive home, it was time to try the "Kitchen Sink."  All I can say is SERIOUSLY!

This is the medium, and I just want to say "Can we skimp on the toppings a little more?"  You can count those tomatoes on one hand- sliced tomatoes--- with a knife maybe.  In fact, they skipped the ground beef too.  The sausage is not even good- super salty and greasy.  For $16, this pizza is not worth it- the ingredients are lame and lacking, and the size is too small for a medium.  What a disappointment- once again, no connection.

I hate to sound so negative, but Domenic's really failed me.  There was definitely not any Bada Bing.  It just did not connect to New York or Italy or me.  I guess the positive is that Brenham has a Pizza Hut.  So, if you find yourself in Brenham and you want to try Domenic's Pizza Connection, I would say "Fugeddaboutit!"

Domenic's Pizza Connection
1122 S Market Street
Brenham, TX 77833
979/830-1133
http://www.nypizzaconnection.com/