Jun 27 2009

Leticia’s Mexican Restaurant

San Antonio has as many great Mexican food restaurants as there are stars in the sky, but for whatever reason it can be challenging to find a good taco north of 1604.  I have tried many places (I won’t mention them now, but will wait and review them to see if they’ve improved) that just can’t deliver.  More often than not, they are bland, and for a lack of a better word, too gringo-ized.  I decided to see if Leticia’s could change that.

Located on Stone Oak and Huebner (there is also a location on N Zazamora on the West Side), the customer is transported to a different place when he/she steps into the restaurant with a bright yellow interior and Mexican artwork.  I stopped by for breakfast and decided to get two tacos – a machacado and barbacoa — with a cup of coffee.

Now in full disclosure, I have to say that Leticia’s does come to my place of employment and has tacos in the morning.  They introduced me to machacado tacos; the tacos at work are pretty good, but you have to know taht they are not made to order and have premade tortillas and food in big serving dishes.

At the restaurant, I could tell that the tortillas came out fresh and I was thoroughly impressed.  The machacado was amazing, not being near as greasy/watery as when I get them at work.  I twas complimented nicely with the roasted salsa on the table.  The barbacoa is only available on Saturday and Sunday and it is a treat.  The meat is flavored nicely and had a good spice to it, so much so that I decided to neglect the salsa on that taco.

The tacos were a little pricy, but they were big!

The tacos were a little pricey, but they were big!

The service was excellent, and I didn’t have to worry about running low on my cup of Joe or cream to go with it.  This is always a plus when you wake up a little sleepy.

The one drawback was the price… each taco ran me $2.49 (granted I got the two highest priced tacos on the menu, this is still a far cry from the $1.50 I pay at work (although barbacoa tacos are not served there)).  I think that this price is expensive for breakfast tacos; then again you have to consider they are in the “posh” part of town where at night patrons guzzle $10 drinks at the lounges.  Also, if you live in that area, you would probably have to drive a ways to get out of the northside to a good taco shack, so you have to think of the money you save on gas.

Value: 6.5/10 (at $2.49, pretty steep for breakfast tacos; although they are actually authentic tacos on the northside, so maybe this is a good value for good tacos up there…)
Atmosphere:
8.5/10 (I liked the inside atmosphere and pictures of the niños in traditional Mexican dress)
Service:
10/10 (Very friendly staff; you never have to worry about your coffee or creamer running out!)
Salsa:
9/10 (nice and smokey; went perfect with the machacado taco)
Taste:
9/10 (tortillas were great and the barbacoa was particularly good!)

View Larger Map


Jun 26 2009

Which Wich? Superior Sandwiches

It seems as though sandwiches are the new fast food craze –> think five dollar jingles and mmm mmm mmm toasty.  Joining in the fray is Dallas based Which Wich? Superior Sandwiches who provides a plethora of sandwiches that can be customized by users in a unique way.

Even though they are from Dallas, Which Wich? has embraced being in San Antonio with some cool black on yellow screen prints of city landmarks and the Spurs logo.  To compliment the atmosphere is the ordering process that I think is absolute genius.  At the very beginning, customers select a bag for the type of sandwich they want to order (the bags are segregated on the type of meat — e.g. turkey, beef, seafood, vegetarian, etc.).   You then get a red marker and check off every vegetable, sauce, and seasoning that your little heart desires.  I enjoy making epic sandwiches/burgers and truly admire the breadth and quality of ingredient that Which Wich? presents to me.

A tip for all you newbies: be sure to draw a fun picture (such as a funny face, geometric design, or college logo) on the back of your bag so that you can track the progress of your sandwich through the line.

The reason I love this setup so much is because it allows you to bypass the slow/indecisive people.  By making them select everything on their sandwich at the onset, you don’t have to wait forever on that person who can’t decide if they want tomatoes or not, or if ranch or Italian is their dressing of choice.  As an Industrial Engineer, I approve of this process.

The way to build an epic sandwich -- check as many boxes as possible!

The way to build an epic sandwich -- check as many boxes as possible!

Again, I like to throw everything and the bathroom sink onto my sandwiches, and I can do just that at Which Wich? without any problems.  Not only that, but they include generous helpings of each ingredient.  When I got my sandwich it had ripped open the bag at the bottom — no joke.  I chose the buffalo shrimp and loaded it up with hot peppers and extra buffalo sauce.  The sandwich was very spicy and the bread was particularly good.  It came in at $5.00 and, yeah, while you can gt a foot long at Subway for that price, I truly enjoy the different types of ingredients that are offered here (e.g. there are like three types of onions alone — caramelized, red, and crispy strings).

So go to Which Wich?, draw funny pictures, cut in front of the slow people, and build a sandwich that is truly a work of art!

Value: 7/10 (a single sandwich costs just at $5; this can be a little expensive for some, but skip out on the chips and drink and be healthy, drink a water!)
Atmosphere: 10/10 (I love the fun, bright atmosphere that is easy to order)
Service: 9/10 (very nice people that are pretty eclectic themselves)
Taste: 9/10 (Pretty much the sandwich is going to taste as you design it, but the ingredients are so good how can you go wrong?)

View Larger Map


Jun 22 2009

My Place Bar and Grill

Today I was on the North Central side waiting to meet up a friend in the evening, so I decided to go to the FAR North Central Side (way up 281 until you just barely cross the Comal County Line) to go get some BBQ from Casey’s, a place that I used to enjoy eating at when I worked on 1604 and Bulverde. I decided to take the backroads to see what developments had taken place, so I went from Bulverde all the way to 281. I was amazed as there was a sea of houses where once the vast and mighty hill country had rolled through with live oaks. I was reflecting on how cities change when I pulled up to the former Casey’s BBQ which had now become My Place Bar and Grill. Deciding to check the past at the door, I went in to see what new food would be inside.

First off, the place is completely different on the inside from the old Casey’s; I will say that they did do a pretty good job with the interior, although the bar that separates the patrons from the kitchen seemed a little tacky. I was greeted by a hostess who promptly seated me; there was the ’50s music channel being played on satellite radio. The gorgeous patio that looks out at the hill country (if you want to check it out, you had better hurry before the developers catch up…) and I believe that they still have live music. I would have sat outside, but our string of 100 degree days has just beat me down.

I decided to order the special for the evening which was the steak and jumbo shrimp with mixed vegetables; you could get the shrimp either fried or grilled, and I opted for the grilled version. For a drink I got the homemade lemonade (I am a sucker for lemonade and limonada) and that turned out to be a good choice — it was on the tart side (which I like) and you could get as many refills as you wanted.

The meal took a little while to prepare, but that was ok by me because I was just on a casual evening out.  Once I got it, I started with the vegetables which were fresh squash, zucchini, and mushrooms; they were all fresh and nothing like that vegetable medley from the bag.  There was a nice taste to them, but throw healthy out the window as they were just dowsed with butter.  If you are having problems with your kid eating their vegetables, take them here.

The jumbo shrimp were nicely prepared too; they had a great flavor to them (I didn’t even bother with the cocktail sauce), but again, I was kind of overtaken by the intense buttery flavor.

The steak was the biggest disappointment.  It was a decent sized steak, but it was a terrible cut of meat.  There was almost more gristle on that steak than there was steak; all kidding aside, I would bet that a good 1/3 – 2/5 of the steak was fat.  You could tell it was a terrible cut of meat because I probably only had three pieces where I did not get a substantial amount of gristle accompanying it.  The taste was all right, but it was again a really buttery flavor.  To top it off there was a big hunk of butter on the side.  Are you seeing a theme.

See that steak?  Yeah, almost all of it was fat...

See that steak? Yeah, almost all of it was fat...

The most positive thing I can say is that the staff was incredibly friendly.  My waitress was very nice and engaged in some pleasant conversation for the majority of the meal.  She was really pretty good.

You know, things are always going to be changing; you just hope that it is for the better.  I really can’t say that the food was bad, but when I go out to eat, I want to really feel spectacular about visiting the establishment.  I think the restaurant was all right, but I would trade it to have Casey’s back any day of the week.

Value: 6/10 (my bill was $18, but then again I did get steak and shrimp and homemade lemonade for dinner; that would have been a good value had the food been spectacular, but alas, it was only average)
Atmosphere: 8/10 (like the atmosphere; the patio really makes it)
Service: 8/10 (really solid service, however, I was disappointed no one told me goodbye when I left)
Taste: 5.5/10 (The food was slightly above average thanks to the lemonade and vegetables; the steak was incredibly fatty)
View Larger Map


Jun 18 2009

Willard’s Jamaican Jerk BBQ

Hidden off of the St. Mary’s Strip is Willard’s Jamaican Jerk BBQ which the owner, cashier, cook, server, and operator are all the same person. Driving down Mistletoe Street, you might miss it if you blink; the restaurant is tucked between a shop and Carmen’s de la Calle, but just look for the smoker out front.

If you are having a hard time finding the restaurant, look for the smoker.

If you are having a hard time finding the restaurant, look for the smoker.

I went to the restaurant with a couple of friends and upon walking up to the restaurant you get hit with that BBQ smell of smoked meat. It is one of the best smells in the world, and is the litmus test of all great BBQ restaurants. Willard was behind the counter, and the man was very outgoing. He engaged us from the moment that we came in, and told us all kinds of stories about how he was a personal chef for two of San Antonio’s great families – the Holts and the Midcaps. Willard is quite the talker and full of stories.

When I found out that he had pork ribs, I knew what I had to get; having lived in Memphis for a summer, I was educated on the positives of pork and always seek that out. I decided to get ½ pound of pork ribs, potato salad, and beans. Additionally, since this was not one of the specials so I was also going to have to pay extra for BBQ sauce (more on this in a moment) so I was going to be out about $7.50; there were specials for brisket and sausage that would be in the $6 range that included the two sides and sauce.

Willard asked me which sauce I wanted (a hot jerk sauce, a medium jerk sauce, or the BBQ sauce), and I told him to give me his favorite. He is quick and said, “No, this is not about satisfying me but satisfying you; I am gonna be satisfied when I get your money, you need to be satisfied when you get your food.” Point taken.

Willard came out with three of his concoctions and set down a napkin and poured a dab of each of the sauces down and asked me to taste them as he described their qualities. Being a fan of more traditional BBQ sauce, I opted for that one, but I really liked the kick of the hot sauce. Not really thinking it through, I asked him if I could have a container with the hot and BBQ mixed; that was a mistake because Willard prides himself on creating the sauces and said, “Well, I could do it this once, but then everyone will come in and start customizing their sauces and this and that.” I told him that I understood, and just opted for the BBQ sauce.

We paid for the order, and as he gave us the receipt he said, “Now, I do guarantee my food and here is the guarantee – if you don’t like what you eat, then bring back the receipt. You will get your money back, but you are never allowed to come back.” At this moment, I knew this was going to be good.

After paying for our order, it took quite a while to get the food. If you go there, don’t be in a hurry, you will only frustrate yourself. The one friend who had been before and also to an event that Willard catered told of how methodical he is with the preparation. He makes sure there is exactly the right quantity of meat, sides, and sauce and painstakingly measures to ensure this.

The ribs were absolutely amazing and made me recall living in Memphis. They were really moist and had a nice smoky flavor (I believe that Willard mentioned he smoked them for 28 hours); the BBQ sauce complimented the meat nicely, but didn’t overpower the flavor of the meat. The beans were delicious, but I would have liked to have added a little bit of salt to them. The potato salad was interesting but something that I didn’t care for; it was just a different tasting potato salad than what I am used to and will pass on it next time. But those ribs… oh my goodness… they have to be some of the best bones in the state; I am really looking forward to taking my friends to this restaurant whenever they come to visit me.

Mmmmm.... ribs.

Mmmmm.... ribs.

While I definitely recommend you check out Willard’s, I was to summarize the things that you need to know before you go:
(1) Be sure to interact with Willard and hear his stories.
(2) Don’t be in a hurry – talking with Willard can take 10-15 before you order and the food takes a while to come out.
(3) Be sure to call ahead, 210.736.5375, because if he has a catering gig the restaurant will be closed.
(4) Don’t ask to mix sauces.

Value: 9/10 (if you opt for the special, you can get a dang good deal considering how much time it takes to prepare and the flavor of the food)
Atmosphere: 10/10 (total dive with pictures of family and patrons all around the inside; I completely love it)
Service: 10/10 (I love the service, because I really felt that I got to connect with the person who prepared the food; other people might not like the fact that it takes a long time)
Taste: 9/10 (The meat was amazing; the sides were good)
View Larger Map


Jun 17 2009

The Serrano Pepper Bet

So tonight I decided to grill some steak for my roommates; first off, I have to give a shout out to HEB and their combo loco for this week.  In case you are not familiar, HEB will have these yellow coupons throughout the store to save you money and once a week if you buy a bigger ticket item you get a lot of stuff for free.  The combo loco this week was if you bought two New York strip steaks (around $9-$11) you got a four pack of potatoes, cheese, sour cream, butter, HEB brand 2L soda, and steak sauce — a pretty darn good deal averaging at $5 a person!

I paired the steak and potatoes with some grilled zucchini and I throw in some serrano peppers for flavor.  I truly love hot/spicy things so I often mix in some serranos, other peppers, and green chili into whatever I cook.  I have two roommates who are both a little sensitive to some of the hot things that I cook.  The female roommate is from the south and has been living with me for around 2 years and I have brought her up to speed where she can eat a lot of the hot things that I cook in moderation.  The male roommate is relatively new to the house and is a Kansas boy — thus he is not familiar with spicy food or peppers; in fact, it has been my duty to introduce him to the world of hot foods.  Anyway, I told my roommates that there were some peppers in the zucchini and to avoid them, but the male roommate, Aaron, neglected to head my warning. He ate the pepper and his mouth was on fire.

Needless to say, after he had this small experience with a serrano pepper (he actually didn’t even eat it — he spit it out), I decided to make a bet with him.

The bet was that Aaron had to eat a sliver of the serrano pepper, and after he swallowed it and had nothing in his mouth, he had to wait a minute until he could put anything (water, milk, sour cream, bread, etc.). If Aaron was able to do this, I had to give him $5 and a six pack of Lone Star Beer. If he wussed out and had to drink or eat something because of the heat, he had to buy the six pack and we would split it.

This is the video that documents this bet. Will he make it or will he wuss out. Remember, he is from Kansas and not Texas!


Jun 12 2009

Biff Buzby’s Burgers

Biff Buzby’s Burgers may be a tongue twister to say, but will you be glad that you said it when your friend asks where you want to go grab some grub?

Located off of Topperwein and I-35 on the NE side of San Antone and in/near the little city of Live Oak is a burger joint that makes you recall the days of old.  I happened on this restaurant off of a suggestion from a friend; I decided to go on a Friday night when I was over in that part of town.

When I arrived to the restaurant I noticed that it was packed and was almost tempted to turn around.  I’m glad I didn’t because it turns out that every Friday Night (weather permitting) is an impromptu car show complete with a DJ spinning some tunes outside.  You see everything from 30s model Ford coupes, old hot rod pickups, 60s/70s muscle cars, on up to the recently released and redesigned Chevy Camaro.  There is a booth set up outside that sells beer, so you can drink while admiring some classic cars.

Cruisin nightBiff Buzby's Cars

I definitely advise you going on a Friday night to see the cars, and need to pass on the following piece of info: it costs $5 to park, but don’t fret, you are given a $5 coupon to be put towards the cost of your meal at the restaurant.  As long as you are eating, it essentially doesn’t cost you anything.

The inside of the restaurant is really retro with a lot of the yellow and blue neon; the checkered table cloths complete the feel and you are transported back to the days when rock was young.  On this night, there was a special of a 1/2 pound Philly burger (came with cheese, grilled onions and peppers) with fries for $8.00 (there was a smaller sized burger that ran $6.50) so both my friend and I got this burger and a beer and were out only $10 for dinner.

Biff Buzby's Burger

The amazing Philly Burger; I really thought the fries were holding the burger back, but you may like them

The fries are incredibly disappointing; they are those “steak fries” look like you are eating planks.  I am assuming that they are not fresh cut, and this is unfortunate, because of how good the burger was…

The burger was nothing short of spectacular; the onions were caramelized just right and the patty was nice and thick.  The item that stole the show was the bun; it was really fluffy, hot, and had a nice sweet taste to it.  I am not sure if it is homemade or not, but it is a hamburger bun that I don’t think I have ever tasted.  The meat was excellent too and had a nice taste.  I would suggest putting a little bit of salt on the burger because it really brings out all the different flavors (in particular the onions).

Value: 9/10 (pretty solid value of getting a 1/2 pound burger and beer for $10 at dinner)
Atmosphere: 10/10 (the inside has a throwback feel and if you go on Friday you are treated to a classic car show with a beer booth outside)
Service: 9/10 (very friendly and prompt at getting tables cleaned)
Taste: 9/10 (so if all you get is a hamburger, then the restaurant is by far a 10/10 and probably the best burger in San Antonio; unfortunately the fries bring it down a bit)

View Larger Map


Jun 12 2009

Pam’s Patio Kitchen

If you are going to Pam’s Patio for lunch, be sure to get there a shade on the early side. Pam’s cookin’ has been known to pack the locals in the smallish dining area right when traditional lunch time starts; however, true to the name, there is abundant seating in the outside patio. You just have to be able to brave the Texas heat to snag a spot!

I have to start out by saying that the most striking feature about Pam’s Patio is the fact that the staff is so friendly given the fact that their restaurant is so packed that they must have to negotiate around the maze of people to deliver food and pick up the plates. Amazingly they all have smiles on their faces.

One of the big minuses to Pam’s, although something that would not typically bother a consumer at any other restaurant, is the whole ordering process. You wait in a line that snakes around tables and then order your food, but instead of paying, you are told to walk down the line to the register. The line is quite congested because there are multiple servers to the queue that takes the orders; top that off with the fact that some people are being served their salad instantaneously along with the fact that the soda refills are in the same line, and you get a cluster pretty quick.  This cause you to be in a line for a while in order to finally pay. I think the biggest minus to this is that you don’t get to talk to your friends because it is pretty much a single file line and you have to be on point to figure out where to go and incoming people to dodge.

Ok, enough about the ordering process (I know that is not why you are here).

I ordered the strawberry lemonade and the chipotle chicken sandwich which came with a piece of watermelon, homemade chips, and mango avocado salsa. The total of my meal was $11.35 (it would have been $9.25 if I just got the sandwich).

The strawberry lemonade was fresh, and the added bonus was having real strawberries (not some syrup) floating at the top of my glass. I definitely recommend this choice and bypassing the soda.

The chips were all right, but what really made them was the mango-avocado salsa that has some red onion and maybe cilantro in it. I know that it may sound a little gross, but I wish I could have had more! It really tastes like summer and that with the lemonade made me feel like I was free.

They were out of focaccia bread, so I got it on their sub bread, which I think turned out for the better. I have to say that the sandwich was pretty dang amazing. The chicken was hot, the bread was soft, and the homemade chipotle mayo was muy delicioso.  The sandwhich really brought it.

My friend got a chicken salad sandwich and said that it was equally as impressive.  He did make a lot of sense when he said that, “The reason that I got a chicken salad sandwich is because if I am going to spend $9 on a sandwich, there better be more work involved than just slicing meat and putting it on bread.”  In spite of Expensive Sandwiches being Number 63 on the popular list www.stuffwhitepeoplelike.com, I think it is a little absurd to charge that much for a sandwich.  This is callous, but it is true.

Then again, it was an amazing sandwich and I might be tempted to set aside some money from the next 3 paychecks and go back…

Value: 6.5/10 (lunch is steep, but (1) it is a restaurant that prides itself on “fresh ingredients” and (2) it truly does taste good; I just want you to know your dollar won’t go far)
Atmosphere: 7/10 (I like the inside atmosphere, the paintings, and the patio, however, as a person with a background in Industrial Engineering their ordering process is nothing but frustrating that robs you a quarter to a third of your lunchtime from talking with your friends)
Service: 9/10 (Incredibly friendly folks that somehow can wind around the crowds to make every table clean; the service is quite good in spite of what they have to work with–imagine what it would be like if they got the ordering process straightened out)
Salsa: 9/10 (yes, this is San Antonio so we do have chips and salsa at our sandwich shops; it is a funky take on salsa that really delivers)
Taste: 10/10 (as much as I want to complain on the price, it is a dang good sandwich)

View Larger Map


Jun 11 2009

Tito’s Restaurant

Tito’s, oh Tito’s, how do I love thee Tito’s…

Located in an old grocery store off of the main drag, S. Alamo, in the King William area, Tito’s has been serving me up some great Mexican food since moving to the River City nearly four years ago. If you are a tourist and staying downtown, do yourself a favor and go just a little south (you can even take one of those old trolleys!) to eat at Tito’s. The food is far better than any Mexican food on the River and WAY cheaper. This will mean you will have more money for drinks and dancing afterward!

I order different things depending when I go. If I am going at lunch, I ALWAYS order the Enchilada Tejanas (TAY – han – as) lunch special with a unsweet tea. This is an incredible deal at $5.29 (with tax it is right under $6).

The salsa always has a very fresh flavor too it and is of a very fine texture that is not watery at all. It does have a bite to it, but it is a pleasant one, not one that will make you want to drink from a water hose (for that type of salsa ask for the green, guaranteed to clear up any allergies you might have!).

The enchiladas are of the cheese variety and are truly great; what separates them is the gravy (or sauce to you turistas) on the enchiladas. It is very rich, and often times has chunks of meat in it which gives it a good flavor. The rice and beans are superb too and compliment the meal. I often use the tortillas that are brought out (I think the second best in all of San Antonio) to make a taco to go with the meal.

The best enchiladas in town; the salsa is delicious too, you can tell because there are no chips left!

The best enchiladas in town; the salsa is delicious too, you can tell because there are no chips left!

If you are there for dinner with a friend and both very hungry, I recommend that you get the Pariallada plate and split it. Think fajitas, except it is every possible meat that could be grilled (fajita chicken, fajita beef, tocino, sausage, and shrimp) mixed with green pepper and onions; you will have PLENTY of leftovers.

Wash it down with a michelada which is a beer (go with Carta Blanca) on ice, with lime, Wostershire, Tabasco, and pepper. It has a nice spice to it (if you get Joaquin as your waiter as him to go easy on you!), but if you are a little scared, you can always get a chelada which is just beer, ice, and lime. I would not recommend the margaritas at Tito’s, but this is largely based on my preference for very tart and non-sweet/syrupy margaritas plus for the fact that the micheladas are so good.

Value: 8/10 (lunch is cheap (if you stick with the enchilada tejana special with a tea you are at $6 with tax — the best $6 you will spend in town), but dinner won’t be quite as cheap, but a good value)
Atmosphere: 9/10 (I like that I can sit outside on a chair on the sidewalk if the day is nice; inside often features exhibits from local artists)
Service: 9/10 (I like the service because they are friendly and have become friends; that being said, it may frustrate out-of-towners because it can be slow; just remember you are in the land of mañana)
Salsa: 10/10 (I could make a meal on their chips, salsa, and a michelada)
Taste: 10/10 (one of the better Mexican restaurants in the city)
View Larger Map


Jun 6 2009

Pacific Moon Bar and Grill

Nestled away in a shopping center that has a throwback non supersized HEB grocery store, is an Asian fusion restaurant that really brings the goods called Pacific Moon. A stay at home mom started this restaurant 10 years ago as her children left the house to go to college; she coped with the empty nest syndrome and lack of teenagers coming over to eat by opening up shop.

Although the family is of Korean descent, the menu boasts an eclectic assortment of Asian fusion fare.  I even spotted loco moco on the menu which contrary to thought has nothing to do with being Spanish for crazy, but rather an offering that is commonly found in Hawai’i that is composed of a bowl of rice, hamburger patty on top with brown gravy, and a fried egg.

For a drink, be sure to get the tea as it is infused with ginger that gives it a nice finish.  If you are looking for something a little more stout, they do have a full bar with some liquor that is not offered everywhere (I saw some Partida tequila from the distance) and happy hour specials throughout the week.

I ordered the Honey Walnut Shrimp which came with brown rice and a side salad.  The shrimp was in a light batter, and the sweet went nice with the sesame/soy/ginger sauce  that was available to dip it in.  The salad was made of fresh romaine lettuce with a little bit of spinach that had a nice crisp to it.  The dressing was really light and had a ginger taste with a little bit of a bite to it.

The staff was incredibly friendly, and I got to talk a lot with the lady who started the restaurant and her daughter.  The owner told me to come back on Wednesday nights as she makes several pots of soup and gives it out for free with each entree ordered.  She was an incredibly friendly person, and with her personality I can see why the food tastes so good!

Value: 8/10 (there were some reasonably priced meals at $10-12, but some of the others can get in the $25 range pretty quick; Wednesday is complimentary soup night)
Atmosphere: 7/10 (I like how the inside felt, however, I thought that the TV  above the bar was a little loud (granted, we did dine at an off time and this might not be the case))
Service: 10/10 (always great to meet the owner of the restaurant and to understand the passion that comes with the food)
Taste: 10/10 (the food was a real delight to eat)

Please note that the restaurant moved from its 1604/281 location is now currently located off of Brookhollow/281 regardless if Google Maps states “Place closed”.

View Larger Map


Jun 6 2009

Bad Haircut

To all the ladies,

I just want to say that I finally understand your pain of a bad haircut. For most of my life, when a woman complained about a bad haircut I was not very sympathetic. I did not understand your pain, your anger, your sorrow. I think this was due to two reasons: (1) I have never had long hair and did not know the time it takes to get long and (2) I don’t have style so I genuinely would not have realized that your haircut was bad.

Recently I have grown out my hair; my colleagues were complaining that I looked like I was homeless so I decided to go get it shaped up this past week. Now, I had never been to a salon so I thought I would try it out. I was unsure of what I wanted (seeing that I had never been to a salon before), but did answer all the ladies questions. Yes, I liked it longer. No, I was not planning on growing it out more. Yes, I would like for it to be shaped. No, I did not like looking like I was homeless.

She then proceeded to cut my hair; when she was done, it was wet and I didn’t know exactly what it looked like, but the back looked a little short.

I went home and it dried; I thought it might not look the best, however, as I mentioned above I don’t really have style so I couldn’t tell for sure. My roommates (one guy and one gal) came home and immediately laughed at me. At this moment I knew I had a bad cut. In fact, it is like I had two styles on one head: short in the back and long on the sides/front. As one colleague put it, I had a mullet in reverse – I affectionately called it a “Tell um”; thanks Soulja Boy.

Thankfully, I have a good friend who took it upon herself to make an appointment for me to get it fixed.  Her words were, “I can’t let you go on looking like that.”  Had it not been for her, I would have probably just continued to rock it out because, as I have said, I have no style.

Upon going into the salon and explaining the situation to the stylist, he looked at me and was like, “Oh no, oh no.  You look like Johnny Depp from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”  Although I have a respect for Mr. Depp and his craft, that was one role that I did not like being compared to.  Thankfully the stylist was able to get me squared away and shaped up.

Anyway, I want to let all of the women know that if you ever need true sympathy from a man when you get a bad haircut, I will be there for you. I now know your pain and if anything, you can find solace in the fact that you don’t look like Willie Wonka!