Archive for the ‘Restaurant and Bar Reviews’ Category

Bison Jack’s

Sunday, October 30th, 2011

I eat a lot of protein, but one type that hasn’t made a regular appearance in my rotation is bison. I’m thinking that will change now that I’ve enjoyed a meal at Bison Jack’s, which opened earlier this month in Greenway Station.

According to the USDA, bison has less fat (2.42 g) and fewer calories (143) and about the same protein (28.4 g) per 3.5-oz serving compared to select beef (8.09, 201, 29.89), pork (9.66, 212, 29.27) and even chicken (7.41, 190, 28.93).

That info is comforting since the toppings on each bison dog most likely negates the health benefits. For example, I had the Sonoran ($7.95), which is a bison dog topped heartily with ketchup, cotija cheese, cheddar, green chili and green goddess (a salad dressing). The easy conclusion: delicious but messy (e.g. don’t eat this on a date). In fact, you couldn’t even tell the hot dog wasn’t real.

I also wolfed down the Italian Stallion ($7.95), which is an Italian sausage on an Asiago cheese bun topped with pepperoncini, onion, roasted peppers, marinara and Parmesan. Another supremely messy yet tasty concoction. I accompanied both dogs with a side of sweet potato tots ($2.95).

Outside the nine specialty dogs, you also can build your own. Other menu items include a 1/3 Pounder ($6.95)–which I liked–as well as more sides and a couple of breakfast items.

Bison Jack’s is open for lunch every day and breakfast and Mon-Sat. Catering also is available.

El Rincon Tico

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011

Curiously, Mango Man Thony Clarke opened up his newest restaurant, El Rincon Tico, on Willy Street during its construction this summer. Still, people made the trek, and he told me that business has picked up since the street re-opened.

That’s good, because he’s got some great items on the menu, which consists of Latin soul food. I’ve always enjoyed the empanadas at his other restaurant, Cafe Costa Rica, but honestly, I thought the new versions ($2.99) were even better. The beef empanada has a wonderful, traditional flavor, while its pork counterpart was extremely juicy and tender (I probably could have eaten five in a row). Other fillings include chicken and spinach.

Each day El Rincon Tico has a different special, and the day I was there, I had the pulled pork served over rice ($8.99 for medium-sized). The pork was delicious, though I was a bit disappointed it wasn’t cooked the same way as the filling for the empanada (you can tell I really liked that empanada!). I was impressed that the plantains were perfectly cooked–it’s a difficult task not to make them too soggy or hard. As always, Thony’s accompanying rice and beans were dynamite.

Finally, I tried the fish taco ($2.99). It was a bit bland, but I added Thony’s homemade salsa for flavor. The other choices are chicken, beef, pork and veggie.

If you’re looking for the restaurant, which is open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it’s across the street from the gas station. Park anywhere on the street. On nicer days, the small outdoor porch is open.

The Egg and I

Sunday, October 16th, 2011

The Egg and I opened last month in the same development where Bonfyre is, near American TV. The chain restaurant is similar to a Denny’s or Perkin’s, except it only serves breakfast and lunch.

While the food was good, the terrible service left a bitter taste in my mouth. For some reason, the Egg and I had four hostesses at the entrance (plus the manager), yet I only counted three waitresses. We sat at our table for almost 10 minutes without any contact, which forced me to tell a hostess that we hadn’t been visited by a waitress yet.

Our waitress apologized to us without a decent excuse; I heard her apologize to her other tables as well. During the meal, which took a staggering 25 minutes to arrive (it’s just eggs, after all), two other waitresses dropped trays of dishes. I’m recommending that you wait another 3-4 months (if this place is even still open) to give the staff more time to train.

Now, on to the food. The corned beef hash ($8.79) was very good and definitely not out of a can. It was served with two eggs and a side of Hollandaise sauce, which surprisingly complemented the corned beef hash quite well. I added a side of bacon, and it was perfectly cooked in the seemingly hard-to-reach medium between too crispy and too soggy.

The waffles also were good–moist and tasty. In addition, I was pleased that there were a few flavors of coffee, all freshly ground and bottomless. I enjoyed my seasonal blend.

I would not recommend the Wisconsin Scramble ($7.29), which was three eggs scrambled with Swiss, Monterey Jack, Cheddar and cream cheese. It may sound good in theory, but in actuality, the dish is too soupy. Other skillets and scrambles include the Texas (includes steak) and the Athena (includes feta cheese and spinach).

The rest of the breakfast menu consists of omelettes, frittatas, pancakes/waffles/french toast, benedicts and “Smarter Choices” (aka healthier).

The Egg and I is open every day. It also has a free meeting room and WiFi.

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