The Skinny: We were there for over an hour and we left hungry.
The Fat: I'm a Houston gal, but we drove into the Bastrop for the weekend to attend a friend's graduation. On Sunday, six of us headed downtown to grab some breakfast. Were were actually on our way to Maxine's when we ran into some friends that suggested we try Wildflower. They said it was less crowded and less expensive so we thought we'd give it a go.
When we walked in the door the place was about 50% full and there were three servers standing up by the register. No one greeted us, so we looked around for a place to sit and just assumed we could choose for ourselves. Just then one of the waitresses nodded for us to take any table.
Our dull waitress took about 10 minutes to even greet us and give us menus, then another 5 minutes to take our drink order. We knew this was going nowhere fast so as soon as we got our beverages, we made sure to order our food.
We chatted and waited, took pictures and waited, watched people come in- waited, watched people leave-waited... Finally, I took my friend's 8 year old son out for a walk downtown while we waited. If I was getting bored, I knew this poor kid must have been.
After about 45 minutes we went up to our server and asked how much longer it would take to get our food. She said we were next in line. This place had 3 servers and and only about 7 tables occupied...what, exactly, was the problem?
About 10 minutes later she burst out of the kitchen with steaming plates of food. We all sat up straight in our chairs, moving napkins and drinks to make way for our feast. Too bad that food was for a table that had arrived AFTER us! When our wait hit the 60 MINUTE MARK, we politely asked to pay for our beverages and we left.
P.S.: Good Service and basic communication can go a long way. Had our waitress said "sorry, the kitchen was backed up", offered some bread, offered some friendly service, or (after more than 50 minutes) even offered to comp our meals - we may have been more empathetic and toughed it out.
Instead we walked right out the door, right across the street to (the very busy) Maxine's and were seated & eating our meals in under 15 minutes.
Showing posts with label Breakfast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Breakfast. Show all posts
BB's Cajun Cafe - Give it a Try
The Skinny: There's just something about the bread that I love. It's light and crusty for the Po-Boys and surprisingly delicious as dessert.
The Fat: It’s game time from the moment a new restaurant opens their doors if it’s located anywhere near Montrose’s restaurant row. Diners are hard to attract when local favorites like Niko Niko’s, Katz’s deli and a host of nearby spots are slinging “no frills” fare from sunrise to sunset without skipping a beat. So when I finally noticed BB’s was even there, it took a while to drag myself away from my chicken gyro and give it a try.
I have to say that I’m not all that fond of BB's set up. When you first walk in there are tables to the left, tables to the right and what looks like a self serve condiment area pretty much straight ahead. When I see a self serve area I think: “order at the counter,” but there is no counter. There’s only a window between the dining area and the kitchen.
While the place is cute, we weren’t sure if we were supposed to order at the window or just sit down. We sort of stood there for a few seconds, and looked over at a guy talking to a table. After a moderate amount of uneasiness had accumulated within our group, the guy let us know we could have a seat where ever we’d like.
It’s a small place, so there’s usually only one person running the front of the house and while it may seem rude for a person to greet guests when he’s already talking to another table, the restaurant is small enough and casual enough that a brief break in his conversation shouldn’t cause much of a stir. Alternatively, this would be a great opportunity to employ a helpful sign near the entrance. “Please seat yourselves and we’ll be right with you” has a nice ring to it.
Once in, the service is prompt and adequate. I wouldn’t call it friendly because “friendly” reminds me of a 17year old waitress with an apron and a striped shirt serving mozzarella sticks at a chain restaurant. Both of the times I’ve visited BB’s the servers were pretty nice and that’s all I need from a little sandwich shop.
The menu consists of all of your Louisiana favorites like Po-Boys, Boudin, fried pickles, and gumbo. I love the Bedtime in the Bayou; it’s a shrimp Po-Boy with all the fixings. Their delicious crusty bread reminds me of the Cuban bread I grew up with in Tampa. It’s a perfectly flaky and subtle addition to a sandwich when the insides deserve center stage.
They make Po-boys with all the faves like catfish, fried oysters, soft shell crab and sausage. They even serve two egg sandwiches, fried and scrambled, with a bevy of meats, cheeses and savory sauces. All their Po-boys come with a mound of, my personal favorite, shoe string French fries.
For breakfast lovers, late sleepers and late-night snackers this place is open late and serves a full menu, including breakfast items, all day long. For dessert, they have beignets, pecan pie and the fail safe brownie sundae. They also serve bread pudding.
Now there are some of us who love bread pudding and some of us who simply don’t. I liken the opposing positions to the ones people hold for fruitcake; you either love it or use it as a doorstop. I don’t even like it enough to use it as a doorstop.
When my friend decided to order the bread pudding I balked at the thought of having to watch him eat it and proudly declared that I was not a fan. I’ll tell you something, when it comes to food, I’m never too proud to admit when I’m wrong.
When this dessert arrived, I was mostly impressed by the size. A 5x5x3 inch cut of warm bread pudding with a moist meringue and a creamy, caramelly sauce had been placed on the table for all to see. THANK GOD the waiter included three spoons or my words would have been the only thing I would’ve eaten for dessert.
I’d never been so happy to share a dessert with anyone in my life. Sure I took my time eating it, respecting the fact that I was just a guest at this bread pudding party, but boy was it hard not to claim it for my own. If you’re like me and you typically can’t stand bread pudding, this would be the place to give it another try.
When I visited BB’s a while back, the new place was still in its honeymoon phase and, therefore, impeccably tidy. This time, however, the bathroom standards had dropped a notch or two. Forgivable? Maybe. While a restaurant that has closing times anywhere from midnight to 3am should be given a little slack, the fact that they don’t open until 11am most days makes that argument less impressive.
Location: 2710 Montrose 713.524.4499
The Fat: It’s game time from the moment a new restaurant opens their doors if it’s located anywhere near Montrose’s restaurant row. Diners are hard to attract when local favorites like Niko Niko’s, Katz’s deli and a host of nearby spots are slinging “no frills” fare from sunrise to sunset without skipping a beat. So when I finally noticed BB’s was even there, it took a while to drag myself away from my chicken gyro and give it a try.
I have to say that I’m not all that fond of BB's set up. When you first walk in there are tables to the left, tables to the right and what looks like a self serve condiment area pretty much straight ahead. When I see a self serve area I think: “order at the counter,” but there is no counter. There’s only a window between the dining area and the kitchen.
While the place is cute, we weren’t sure if we were supposed to order at the window or just sit down. We sort of stood there for a few seconds, and looked over at a guy talking to a table. After a moderate amount of uneasiness had accumulated within our group, the guy let us know we could have a seat where ever we’d like.
It’s a small place, so there’s usually only one person running the front of the house and while it may seem rude for a person to greet guests when he’s already talking to another table, the restaurant is small enough and casual enough that a brief break in his conversation shouldn’t cause much of a stir. Alternatively, this would be a great opportunity to employ a helpful sign near the entrance. “Please seat yourselves and we’ll be right with you” has a nice ring to it.
Once in, the service is prompt and adequate. I wouldn’t call it friendly because “friendly” reminds me of a 17year old waitress with an apron and a striped shirt serving mozzarella sticks at a chain restaurant. Both of the times I’ve visited BB’s the servers were pretty nice and that’s all I need from a little sandwich shop.
The menu consists of all of your Louisiana favorites like Po-Boys, Boudin, fried pickles, and gumbo. I love the Bedtime in the Bayou; it’s a shrimp Po-Boy with all the fixings. Their delicious crusty bread reminds me of the Cuban bread I grew up with in Tampa. It’s a perfectly flaky and subtle addition to a sandwich when the insides deserve center stage.
They make Po-boys with all the faves like catfish, fried oysters, soft shell crab and sausage. They even serve two egg sandwiches, fried and scrambled, with a bevy of meats, cheeses and savory sauces. All their Po-boys come with a mound of, my personal favorite, shoe string French fries.
For breakfast lovers, late sleepers and late-night snackers this place is open late and serves a full menu, including breakfast items, all day long. For dessert, they have beignets, pecan pie and the fail safe brownie sundae. They also serve bread pudding.
Now there are some of us who love bread pudding and some of us who simply don’t. I liken the opposing positions to the ones people hold for fruitcake; you either love it or use it as a doorstop. I don’t even like it enough to use it as a doorstop.
When my friend decided to order the bread pudding I balked at the thought of having to watch him eat it and proudly declared that I was not a fan. I’ll tell you something, when it comes to food, I’m never too proud to admit when I’m wrong.
When this dessert arrived, I was mostly impressed by the size. A 5x5x3 inch cut of warm bread pudding with a moist meringue and a creamy, caramelly sauce had been placed on the table for all to see. THANK GOD the waiter included three spoons or my words would have been the only thing I would’ve eaten for dessert.
I’d never been so happy to share a dessert with anyone in my life. Sure I took my time eating it, respecting the fact that I was just a guest at this bread pudding party, but boy was it hard not to claim it for my own. If you’re like me and you typically can’t stand bread pudding, this would be the place to give it another try.
When I visited BB’s a while back, the new place was still in its honeymoon phase and, therefore, impeccably tidy. This time, however, the bathroom standards had dropped a notch or two. Forgivable? Maybe. While a restaurant that has closing times anywhere from midnight to 3am should be given a little slack, the fact that they don’t open until 11am most days makes that argument less impressive.
Location: 2710 Montrose 713.524.4499
Los Charros II - Give it a Try
The Skinny: Los Charros II is the official birthplace of the "Fat Baby". After my first meal here I was so full, I claimed to be just like a Fat Baby, plump and ready for a long nap. Needless to say, this dive is one of my faves.
The Fat: A few years ago a friend and I started coming here for breakfast. Back then, $2.75 would get you a huge plate of scrambled eggs mixed with anything from chorizo to sausage, a side of refried beans, potatoes, fresh salsa and warm corn or flour tortillas. I always order shredded cheese and avocado with my breakfast, for $.50 each, it's so worth it.
These days, that same plate costs $3.25. The price increase is of little importance to me. When I see price increases at other places, I sometimes get peeved because I know they're just doing it because they can. Here, they do it because the have to and because they should. The food is scrumptious, substantial and still a steal.
If you're an OJ lover, get some. They squeeze it fresh to order and it's amazing! Be sure to specify that you want the small glass. The small is pretty big so unless you want to end up with an enormous glass, reminiscent of a goldfish bowl, you'll do as I say.
The best thing about Los Charros II is that they serve breakfast anytime of day ($1.25 extra if you order it after 11am). It's perfect for those of us who choose to roll out of bed on a Sunday and prefer to avoid the "post religious services" crowd or the "uber popular brunch-a-mania" wave that washes over the city between 9am and 5pm.
I've never once had to wait for a table. On the same note, this place fluctuates from 5 to 50 other diners at any given time of day. Never empty, they know they got the goods.
If you're not an eggs and tortillas gal, go for the Torta. The warm sandwich can be a vegetarian delight or filled with steak, fajita chicken, barbecue beef, etc. and is served on a soft French loaf and stuffed with lettuce, tomatoes, avocado and sour cream.
They make incredible Gorditas, crispy Tostadas and even serve up a mean Mexican Hamburger; all of which are under $4.00. A few other lunch and dinner items hover around the $7.00 range and will fill most grown men up well before they clean their plates.
The decor is...well...interesting. The seating looks like it may have been extracted from the post renovation buy-out of a 1970's McDonald's. The back wall sports an uncomfortable mural of a bear family with a super strong politically incorrect vibe - sort of like those oldschool cartoons with the guys that blew up their lips from smoking dynamite cigars. Thankfully the mural has since been covered up by juice dispensers for their Aguas Naturales - natural fruit drinks of melon, mango, strawberry and the like. The rest of the walls have been (repeatedly) painted in loud hues of yellow and blue and about half of the windows are covered with faded car window tinting.
I wouldn't suggest taking your high-maintenance girlfriend here if you're trying to impress her. Once you know she loves you for your mind, however, Los Charros II is a great place to fuel up for a long day of...whatever.
P.S. The waitstaff are super efficient but most of the ladies barely speak English, which rocks as far as I'm concerned. They're cool and decent and just there to make sure you get fed. So, when you order, go ahead and try out your old Spanish lessons from 6th grade. You suck, they suck; it's all good. You'll still get your food.
Location: 404 N. Shepherd 713.426.6226
The Fat: A few years ago a friend and I started coming here for breakfast. Back then, $2.75 would get you a huge plate of scrambled eggs mixed with anything from chorizo to sausage, a side of refried beans, potatoes, fresh salsa and warm corn or flour tortillas. I always order shredded cheese and avocado with my breakfast, for $.50 each, it's so worth it.
These days, that same plate costs $3.25. The price increase is of little importance to me. When I see price increases at other places, I sometimes get peeved because I know they're just doing it because they can. Here, they do it because the have to and because they should. The food is scrumptious, substantial and still a steal.
If you're an OJ lover, get some. They squeeze it fresh to order and it's amazing! Be sure to specify that you want the small glass. The small is pretty big so unless you want to end up with an enormous glass, reminiscent of a goldfish bowl, you'll do as I say.
The best thing about Los Charros II is that they serve breakfast anytime of day ($1.25 extra if you order it after 11am). It's perfect for those of us who choose to roll out of bed on a Sunday and prefer to avoid the "post religious services" crowd or the "uber popular brunch-a-mania" wave that washes over the city between 9am and 5pm.
I've never once had to wait for a table. On the same note, this place fluctuates from 5 to 50 other diners at any given time of day. Never empty, they know they got the goods.
If you're not an eggs and tortillas gal, go for the Torta. The warm sandwich can be a vegetarian delight or filled with steak, fajita chicken, barbecue beef, etc. and is served on a soft French loaf and stuffed with lettuce, tomatoes, avocado and sour cream.
They make incredible Gorditas, crispy Tostadas and even serve up a mean Mexican Hamburger; all of which are under $4.00. A few other lunch and dinner items hover around the $7.00 range and will fill most grown men up well before they clean their plates.
The decor is...well...interesting. The seating looks like it may have been extracted from the post renovation buy-out of a 1970's McDonald's. The back wall sports an uncomfortable mural of a bear family with a super strong politically incorrect vibe - sort of like those oldschool cartoons with the guys that blew up their lips from smoking dynamite cigars. Thankfully the mural has since been covered up by juice dispensers for their Aguas Naturales - natural fruit drinks of melon, mango, strawberry and the like. The rest of the walls have been (repeatedly) painted in loud hues of yellow and blue and about half of the windows are covered with faded car window tinting.
I wouldn't suggest taking your high-maintenance girlfriend here if you're trying to impress her. Once you know she loves you for your mind, however, Los Charros II is a great place to fuel up for a long day of...whatever.
P.S. The waitstaff are super efficient but most of the ladies barely speak English, which rocks as far as I'm concerned. They're cool and decent and just there to make sure you get fed. So, when you order, go ahead and try out your old Spanish lessons from 6th grade. You suck, they suck; it's all good. You'll still get your food.
Location: 404 N. Shepherd 713.426.6226
Hot Bagel Shop - Give it a Try
The Skinny: Get the best bagel in town from the biggest hole in Houston. Yeah, you heard me.
The Fat: This is my place. You will rarely, if ever, hear me speak badly of this place - even though it may deserve it from time to time - and this is why. They make the best bagels around, it's that simple. I love me some hot bagel.
The Hot Bagel Shop is not for the weak. The service can be shoddy, but that’s what you get when three generations of superb bagelslingers are running a place from before 6am to after 3pm. On an any given day, you’ll enjoy hearing the miserable grandmother lecture her teenage granddaughters (and you, if you're lucky) about how somebody didn't do something the way it should've been done. If you’re up for a little show, it can be more of a perk than an detriment.
The peripheral help comes and goes. Over the years there have been some crazy peeps working the counter. Some have been funny, some have been rude, and there was even one that was down right inappropriate (by anyone’s standards.) Nonetheless, if you love your bagels, hang tight because the Hot Bagel Shop knows just how to make them. If you walk in and there’s a skinny middle aged guy, one young girl and two young boys working the counter: You’re GOLDEN! If anyone else is around...get ready for some crazy action.
The place is a bit of a dump. If you're a stickler for fresh paint on the walls and matching floor tiles, don't bother. And please, don't go into the bathroom. Even devotees like myself can loose their appetites after a quick trip to the HB loo. It's a little on the gross side.
Hot Bagel is small and not very cozy so I usually get my goods to go. There are a couple of tables outside that are worth snagging on a nice day. On the weekends the line can stretch straight out the door. Don't get discouraged, it moves pretty quickly.
They serve Starbucks coffee in pre-brewed dispensers with the an assortment of sweeteners and creamers. They also have a few coolers filled with sodas, juices and a variety of other beverages. It's pretty basic.
There are a few things you should get around to trying; the breakfast sandwich, the lox cream cheese and their tuna sandwich. Those are my faves. Basically, the food is cheap and the food is good. That pretty much sums it up.
P.S. Always, Always, Always check your order before you leave. Your order will be perfect most of the time, often enough for you to be lulled into a false sense of security. Do not be fooled. About 1/6 of the time they will forget something vital; like oh, say the salmon in your order of lox. I’ve walked out of there having paid for lox, with nothing more than a bagel, a slice of tomato and a lump of cream cheese in my bag. I’ve also walked out of there thinking I had a sausage, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich in my grips when all I had was egg (no meat, no cheese). The other day my friend ordered a bagel dog, but when he went to eat it, there was only a hot dog shaped hole in a sad little bagel wrap. It was clear that there used to be a hot dog in there, it just didn't make it to his bag. No matter how good the food is, you can't enjoy it if it's not there.
Location: 2009 S. Shepherd
The Hot Bagel Shop is not for the weak. The service can be shoddy, but that’s what you get when three generations of superb bagelslingers are running a place from before 6am to after 3pm. On an any given day, you’ll enjoy hearing the miserable grandmother lecture her teenage granddaughters (and you, if you're lucky) about how somebody didn't do something the way it should've been done. If you’re up for a little show, it can be more of a perk than an detriment.
The peripheral help comes and goes. Over the years there have been some crazy peeps working the counter. Some have been funny, some have been rude, and there was even one that was down right inappropriate (by anyone’s standards.) Nonetheless, if you love your bagels, hang tight because the Hot Bagel Shop knows just how to make them. If you walk in and there’s a skinny middle aged guy, one young girl and two young boys working the counter: You’re GOLDEN! If anyone else is around...get ready for some crazy action.
The place is a bit of a dump. If you're a stickler for fresh paint on the walls and matching floor tiles, don't bother. And please, don't go into the bathroom. Even devotees like myself can loose their appetites after a quick trip to the HB loo. It's a little on the gross side.
Hot Bagel is small and not very cozy so I usually get my goods to go. There are a couple of tables outside that are worth snagging on a nice day. On the weekends the line can stretch straight out the door. Don't get discouraged, it moves pretty quickly.
They serve Starbucks coffee in pre-brewed dispensers with the an assortment of sweeteners and creamers. They also have a few coolers filled with sodas, juices and a variety of other beverages. It's pretty basic.
There are a few things you should get around to trying; the breakfast sandwich, the lox cream cheese and their tuna sandwich. Those are my faves. Basically, the food is cheap and the food is good. That pretty much sums it up.
P.S. Always, Always, Always check your order before you leave. Your order will be perfect most of the time, often enough for you to be lulled into a false sense of security. Do not be fooled. About 1/6 of the time they will forget something vital; like oh, say the salmon in your order of lox. I’ve walked out of there having paid for lox, with nothing more than a bagel, a slice of tomato and a lump of cream cheese in my bag. I’ve also walked out of there thinking I had a sausage, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich in my grips when all I had was egg (no meat, no cheese). The other day my friend ordered a bagel dog, but when he went to eat it, there was only a hot dog shaped hole in a sad little bagel wrap. It was clear that there used to be a hot dog in there, it just didn't make it to his bag. No matter how good the food is, you can't enjoy it if it's not there.
Location: 2009 S. Shepherd
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