Well, here we are back at Andales. I had never tried their Chimichangas, so I decided to vary from my usual selection (enchiladas) and be a little adventurous. I've had chimichangas at several other restaurants in town with a mixed experience. Sometimes they were pretty good, sometimes I really didn't like them. So here goes.
This chimichanga was a winner. The meat choices were ground beef, fajita beef, shredded chicken or fajita chicken. I chose shredded chicken. Good choice. The chimichanga was stuffed with cheese (cheddar? a mix?) and chicken. I don't know how much it weighed, but it was enormous, and the flavor was heavenly. It was served with rice and beans (from our previous blog, you know I like them). About halfway through the meal, I pushed it aside, thinking, I'll take this home in a box. Then I ate a little more. Then a little more. Then, well, you know, I ate the whole thing. I was stuffed and a little ashamed of myself for such a gormandizing performance. But, it was so goooooood, I just couldn't stop!
Phoebe, on the other hand, ordered something called "The Skinny Bowl." I'd like to think she wasn't just trying to lay some guilt on me, but, well . . . we won't go there. At any rate, it was a bowl of their tasty rice topped with grilled veggies, fire-grilled fajita chicken and pico de gallo. It comes with a light italian dressing. She had ordered a small bowl of white queso with our chips, and she poured the remainder of it over her meal. A little less "skinny" perhaps? Was she doing this to make me feel better? No. It just tastes really good that way.
In our last Andales review, I told you we'd return to try the Buneuela dessert. Not this trip! No way, Jose! Maybe when the weather turns warmer (and it WILL warm up someday, won't it?), we can go down some evening, sit out on the patio and order just the dessert. Maybe after some Margaritas.
I just can't figure out why we can't lose weight.
Ciao!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Charleston's - 70th & Yale
We have been to both Charleston's a number of times and have enjoyed everything we have eaten, from steak, fish, and chicken entrees to soups and salads.
This time I decided to try a cheeseburger, since the Tulsa World had just published a story on Tulsa's $10 burgers. Charleston's burger was a little below that at just $9.00.
I have to say that I was very surprised to be so acutely disappointed in the burger. It was quite large with a generous amount of cheese on the beef, plus lettuce, tomato and a small amount of mayonnaise. I asked for mustard (I am a traditionalist, I suppose). Still, what taste it had, was not pleasing. I added salt and pepper. Better, but not great. I ate a little over half of it and left the rest. I have had better burgers at Ron's, Hank's, Logan's, Goldie's, and . . .well you get the picture. In lieu of fries, I ordered the baked potato soup and it was terrific, as usual. (I was reminded of Louie's, where the burgers are just OK while I LOVE most of their other offerings. We'll write about that soon.)
Phoebe had the Smoked Chicken and Spinach Salad and it was delicious. It also contained small chunks of new potatoes, penne pasta, pimientos, and perhaps some other items. A nice balance of flavors. (Their Champagne Chicken Salad is a long-time favorite.)
The decor is handsome, low-key, and comfortable. Service was great and the prices are fairly moderate.
This time I decided to try a cheeseburger, since the Tulsa World had just published a story on Tulsa's $10 burgers. Charleston's burger was a little below that at just $9.00.
I have to say that I was very surprised to be so acutely disappointed in the burger. It was quite large with a generous amount of cheese on the beef, plus lettuce, tomato and a small amount of mayonnaise. I asked for mustard (I am a traditionalist, I suppose). Still, what taste it had, was not pleasing. I added salt and pepper. Better, but not great. I ate a little over half of it and left the rest. I have had better burgers at Ron's, Hank's, Logan's, Goldie's, and . . .well you get the picture. In lieu of fries, I ordered the baked potato soup and it was terrific, as usual. (I was reminded of Louie's, where the burgers are just OK while I LOVE most of their other offerings. We'll write about that soon.)
Phoebe had the Smoked Chicken and Spinach Salad and it was delicious. It also contained small chunks of new potatoes, penne pasta, pimientos, and perhaps some other items. A nice balance of flavors. (Their Champagne Chicken Salad is a long-time favorite.)
The decor is handsome, low-key, and comfortable. Service was great and the prices are fairly moderate.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Senor Tequila, 3348 South Peoria
We live fairly near the Senor Tequila's on 71st street and we had noticed the crowds of people they attracted. On Sunday we were planning a visit to Philbrook and our son suggested we meet at Senor Tequila's in Brookside since it was on the way.
It's a pretty typical Mexican food menu except that their lunch menu is good on weekends too, and the prices were quite low. I ordered the Chile Relleno, Phoebe got the Tostada and the kids, Carlisle and Deirdre, shared an enormous multi-ingredient Fajita platter. Our incredibly handsome and well-behaved grandson, Harrison, shared the fajitas.
I started with the rice. If you read our previous posting on Andales, you know I use rice as an early indicator of quality. The rice at Sr. Tequila's was bland, bland, bland. The Relleno was two small peppers "filled with cheese" the menu said. The first pepper had no cheese in it. The second was half empty with a little cheese in the upper half. The breading on the peppers, which is usually fried crispy, was soft. Soggy, really. The beans were okay.
I leaned over to Phoebe, "How's your lunch?" "Well," she said, her expression telegraphing the message, "disappointing, not much flavor." Now Phoebe is not one for spicy foods, but this food actually needed a boost to have some flavor. The chips and salsa were fine.
Carlisle and Deirdre had no complaints with their meal and even took some home with them. Little Harrison appeared to enjoy his food (especially the chips), each piece dipped in salsa. We might give Senor Tequila another chance, but then again , we might not.
It's a pretty typical Mexican food menu except that their lunch menu is good on weekends too, and the prices were quite low. I ordered the Chile Relleno, Phoebe got the Tostada and the kids, Carlisle and Deirdre, shared an enormous multi-ingredient Fajita platter. Our incredibly handsome and well-behaved grandson, Harrison, shared the fajitas.
I started with the rice. If you read our previous posting on Andales, you know I use rice as an early indicator of quality. The rice at Sr. Tequila's was bland, bland, bland. The Relleno was two small peppers "filled with cheese" the menu said. The first pepper had no cheese in it. The second was half empty with a little cheese in the upper half. The breading on the peppers, which is usually fried crispy, was soft. Soggy, really. The beans were okay.
I leaned over to Phoebe, "How's your lunch?" "Well," she said, her expression telegraphing the message, "disappointing, not much flavor." Now Phoebe is not one for spicy foods, but this food actually needed a boost to have some flavor. The chips and salsa were fine.
Carlisle and Deirdre had no complaints with their meal and even took some home with them. Little Harrison appeared to enjoy his food (especially the chips), each piece dipped in salsa. We might give Senor Tequila another chance, but then again , we might not.
Tucci's, 1344 East 15th
Another of our long-time favorites, Tucci’s (pronounced too-cheese) is small. It has about six booths, six tables and six chairs at the bar. During good weather, there is a large covered deck out front with more seating. Inside, you’ll find dark red walls with black booths and nice art and photos on the wall. It’s intimate and romantic. They play mostly standards by Michael Buble, Steve Tyrell, Tony Bennett, and others.
The food is terrific. We’ve been there for lunch and dinner, have tried a number of items on the menu, and we like it all. Every Friday for the last two or three years, they have offered baked ziti as their lunch special. We make it a point to go there for this dish on a regular basis. It’s served with their home-made focaccia bread and I always ask for an extra piece because I love it.
Their meals come with a lemonata salad which is a selection of fresh Romaine and garden greens, served on a chilled plate with lemonata dressing, a sort of lemon vinegarette that’s crisp and tart. We love this place and recommend it to everyone.
The food is terrific. We’ve been there for lunch and dinner, have tried a number of items on the menu, and we like it all. Every Friday for the last two or three years, they have offered baked ziti as their lunch special. We make it a point to go there for this dish on a regular basis. It’s served with their home-made focaccia bread and I always ask for an extra piece because I love it.
Their meals come with a lemonata salad which is a selection of fresh Romaine and garden greens, served on a chilled plate with lemonata dressing, a sort of lemon vinegarette that’s crisp and tart. We love this place and recommend it to everyone.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Brothers Houligan
A community fixture for more than 20 years on 15th street, the Brothers opened a new place a couple of years ago at 61st and Mingo in an old Git-n-Go building. Inexplicably, the "decor" of the new place (and that's a generous use of the term) duplicates the atmosphere of the old place. Oh well.
For those who like down-home comfort food, Houligan's is your kind of place. I'm not a fan of fried chicken. Given a choice, I just don't eat it. Except at Houligan's. They serve their well-seasoned, boneless chicken fingers with fries, green beans and delicious country cream gravy. The gravy is used as a dip for both the chicken and the fries. Oh my, they are really tasty that way! If you are the least bit interested in your health or keeping your weight down, this is, obviously, the wrong place to be. I haven't tried it, but I'll bet their chicken-fried steak is a winner too.
The sides are served "family style" and they will bring you refills as long as you can eat them. If you like your green beans overcooked, salty and loaded with grease, then Houligan's beans are perfect!
Phoebe, on the other hand, got a healthy meal: grilled salmon. It was a generous portion, perfectly grilled, tasty, flaky and satisfying. (With fries and green beans, however, it wasn't completely healthy!). We did both have side salads as a tip of the hat to better health. They were pretty typical diner style -- iceberg lettuce, grated carrots, croutons and dressing on the side. Phoebe has also had their grilled trout in the past and it is very tasty, too.
The place holds more people than it looks like, but it can get pretty busy at times. The wait staff serves everyone, interchangeably, and they do a good job of it. Prices are moderate.
For those who like down-home comfort food, Houligan's is your kind of place. I'm not a fan of fried chicken. Given a choice, I just don't eat it. Except at Houligan's. They serve their well-seasoned, boneless chicken fingers with fries, green beans and delicious country cream gravy. The gravy is used as a dip for both the chicken and the fries. Oh my, they are really tasty that way! If you are the least bit interested in your health or keeping your weight down, this is, obviously, the wrong place to be. I haven't tried it, but I'll bet their chicken-fried steak is a winner too.
The sides are served "family style" and they will bring you refills as long as you can eat them. If you like your green beans overcooked, salty and loaded with grease, then Houligan's beans are perfect!
Phoebe, on the other hand, got a healthy meal: grilled salmon. It was a generous portion, perfectly grilled, tasty, flaky and satisfying. (With fries and green beans, however, it wasn't completely healthy!). We did both have side salads as a tip of the hat to better health. They were pretty typical diner style -- iceberg lettuce, grated carrots, croutons and dressing on the side. Phoebe has also had their grilled trout in the past and it is very tasty, too.
The place holds more people than it looks like, but it can get pretty busy at times. The wait staff serves everyone, interchangeably, and they do a good job of it. Prices are moderate.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Andales
Andales ( pronounced ahn-duh-lays) Tex-Mex Grill & Cantina is one of our personal favorites, we eat there two or three times a month. The food is uniformly good, the prices reasonable and the service is prompt and courteous. They have a large menu with all the things you expect plus a few items you might not find other places. They make a big deal out of the fact that they start with fresh ingredients every morning using recipes that have been handed down for more than a hundred years. Does all this make for good eating? Phoebe and I think it does.
On our most recent visit, Phoebe ordered a taco salad while I got an enchilada dinner. The salad was LARGE and filled with lots of grilled chicken (she could have chosen beef) lettuce, cheese and tomatoes spilling out across her plate from a light, crispy shell. Usually it comes with Pico de Gallo, but Phoebe prefers it without. With a salad entrée, the emphasis on FRESH ingredients really stands out.
My enchiladas, came with a choice of four sauces as a topping. I chose yellow queso. It had a great, cheesy taste with a lot of flavor. I could have chosen (and probably will, some time) either sour cream or verde (a spicy green sauce cooked with fresh tomatillos, jalapenos, onions, and cilantro), ranchero (a spicy red sauce) or the traditional chili con carne.
My enchiladas came with rice and beans, of course. I think a lot of Mexican restaurants spend all their attention on their entrees and the rice and beans are just along for the ride. I’m kind of picky about my rice. The rice at Andales reminds me of Goldilocks and the three bears: She tasted the rice at El Chico and it was too boring, she tasted the rice at El Guapo and it was way too spicy, then she tasted the rice at Andales and it was JUST RIGHT! That’s the way I feel about it! It’s got a nice flavor but it’s not overpowering.
Oooops! I almost forgot to tell you about the “ambience.” Well, it’s not your usual Mexican place. It’s tastefully decorated and they don’t play Mexican hillbilly music. They play some great-sounding jazz. Originally, at Andales you placed your order at the counter then sat down and your meal was brought to you. Now, it’s a full-service restaurant and also has a full-service bar.
Phoebe’s meal was $8.99, mine was $7.99. With drinks, tax and a 20% tip, we were out the door for less than 25 bucks. Not a bad deal for a great meal. We managed to resist their wonderful “Bunuela” dessert which I’ll tell you about later. Andales, a locally-owned restaurant, is in the KingsPointe Village Shopping Center at 61st & Yale, across the intersection from Saint Francis Hospital. Ciao!
On our most recent visit, Phoebe ordered a taco salad while I got an enchilada dinner. The salad was LARGE and filled with lots of grilled chicken (she could have chosen beef) lettuce, cheese and tomatoes spilling out across her plate from a light, crispy shell. Usually it comes with Pico de Gallo, but Phoebe prefers it without. With a salad entrée, the emphasis on FRESH ingredients really stands out.
My enchiladas, came with a choice of four sauces as a topping. I chose yellow queso. It had a great, cheesy taste with a lot of flavor. I could have chosen (and probably will, some time) either sour cream or verde (a spicy green sauce cooked with fresh tomatillos, jalapenos, onions, and cilantro), ranchero (a spicy red sauce) or the traditional chili con carne.
My enchiladas came with rice and beans, of course. I think a lot of Mexican restaurants spend all their attention on their entrees and the rice and beans are just along for the ride. I’m kind of picky about my rice. The rice at Andales reminds me of Goldilocks and the three bears: She tasted the rice at El Chico and it was too boring, she tasted the rice at El Guapo and it was way too spicy, then she tasted the rice at Andales and it was JUST RIGHT! That’s the way I feel about it! It’s got a nice flavor but it’s not overpowering.
Oooops! I almost forgot to tell you about the “ambience.” Well, it’s not your usual Mexican place. It’s tastefully decorated and they don’t play Mexican hillbilly music. They play some great-sounding jazz. Originally, at Andales you placed your order at the counter then sat down and your meal was brought to you. Now, it’s a full-service restaurant and also has a full-service bar.
Phoebe’s meal was $8.99, mine was $7.99. With drinks, tax and a 20% tip, we were out the door for less than 25 bucks. Not a bad deal for a great meal. We managed to resist their wonderful “Bunuela” dessert which I’ll tell you about later. Andales, a locally-owned restaurant, is in the KingsPointe Village Shopping Center at 61st & Yale, across the intersection from Saint Francis Hospital. Ciao!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Ghengis Grill
While our intent is to review local eateries, we went to this new restaurant on the day we first decided to start this blog. Located in a new building on scenic Cherry Street (15th), there was ample parking behind and you get to do a little walking to get to the front door. Not unusual in this area.
Ghengis, a franchise from Dallas, is a "Mongolian Grill" (more about this later) and is a little confusing at first. They gave us a couple of small metal bowls and a menu. Well, sort of a menu. We started reading it when a young lady came over to lead us into the line for ordering where she explained that we select our "protein" (she's talking MEAT here), from chicken, beef, pork, turkey or shrimp displayed buffet-style. Put whatever you want into your bowl. Next, you select spices such as salt & pepper, garlic and more exotic and "spicy" offerings. Next, you select your veggies from a wide selection including peppers, carrots, brocoli, water chestnuts and many more. Next, you select a sauce from about a dozen selections including teriyaki, sweet & sour, Hosin, and more. Next, you choose your "starch" which is the type of rice, noodles, etc. that you want underneath your meat and veggies. You deliver your metal bowl, now filled or heaped, to a cook at the really large circular grill in the cooking area. Then you sit down. At this point, we realized we had no idea what the prices were.
In about ten minutes, we received our dinners in red bowls which slanted to one side for easier access. It was really quite tasty, and pretty filling. The seating was almost all banquette style with a padded booth on one side and small, wooden, (pretty uncomfortable) chairs on the other. The noise level was high. I ordered a flavored tea and they were out of it. When she brought several bottles of other flavors to choose from, I chose a Coke. (I can easily drink three glasses of tea at a meal. Three BOTTLES of tea would cost $7.50.)
The meals are $11.00 and drinks about $2.50. With a 20% tip (which Phoebe and I believe in giving) we paid about $32.00 for two bowls and 2 drinks at lunch. Was it worth it? Hmmmm, we'll have to think about this. Within two blocks, for instance, there's Tei Kei's where a delicious, full service meal in a great environment can cost less. We'll probably give them another try before forming an opinion.
So what did the Mongols REALLY eat?
Temujin, was declared the undisputed leader of the Mongols in 1206. He then launched a military campaign that, by 1227, put him in control of the largest empire in history: from China to Turkey, and from Siberia to India. Temujin and the Mongols considered their conquests to be ordained by the sky god, Tenggeri. The conquests led by Temujin were legendary, and to celebrate them the Mongols posthumously bestowed on him the title “Fierce Ruler,” or Chingis Khan. Today, thanks to an imperfect Arabic transliteration of that name, he is widely known as Genghis Khan.
Chingis Khan recognized that his people, accustomed to lives of hardship, deprivation, and perpetual motion, were natural warriors. They traveled with huge numbers of spare horses, and by using them in rotation managed to travel up to a hundred miles a day. As nomads, they knew how to live off the land and the peoples they conquered, but during times of privation and hard travel they could sustain themselves by drinking the blood of their own horses - and, if necessary, by eating them. “The men are inhuman and of the nature of beasts,” an English monk of the time reported, “rather to be called monsters than men, thirsting after and drinking blood, and tearing and devouring the flesh of dogs and human beings.”
OK, so this sounds really delicious, right? Admittedly the guys ate some “protein.” But do you really think they added spices, veggies, “starch” and sauce, stirred around on a metal shield over a campfire? Oh, for sure.
Ghengis, a franchise from Dallas, is a "Mongolian Grill" (more about this later) and is a little confusing at first. They gave us a couple of small metal bowls and a menu. Well, sort of a menu. We started reading it when a young lady came over to lead us into the line for ordering where she explained that we select our "protein" (she's talking MEAT here), from chicken, beef, pork, turkey or shrimp displayed buffet-style. Put whatever you want into your bowl. Next, you select spices such as salt & pepper, garlic and more exotic and "spicy" offerings. Next, you select your veggies from a wide selection including peppers, carrots, brocoli, water chestnuts and many more. Next, you select a sauce from about a dozen selections including teriyaki, sweet & sour, Hosin, and more. Next, you choose your "starch" which is the type of rice, noodles, etc. that you want underneath your meat and veggies. You deliver your metal bowl, now filled or heaped, to a cook at the really large circular grill in the cooking area. Then you sit down. At this point, we realized we had no idea what the prices were.
In about ten minutes, we received our dinners in red bowls which slanted to one side for easier access. It was really quite tasty, and pretty filling. The seating was almost all banquette style with a padded booth on one side and small, wooden, (pretty uncomfortable) chairs on the other. The noise level was high. I ordered a flavored tea and they were out of it. When she brought several bottles of other flavors to choose from, I chose a Coke. (I can easily drink three glasses of tea at a meal. Three BOTTLES of tea would cost $7.50.)
The meals are $11.00 and drinks about $2.50. With a 20% tip (which Phoebe and I believe in giving) we paid about $32.00 for two bowls and 2 drinks at lunch. Was it worth it? Hmmmm, we'll have to think about this. Within two blocks, for instance, there's Tei Kei's where a delicious, full service meal in a great environment can cost less. We'll probably give them another try before forming an opinion.
So what did the Mongols REALLY eat?
Temujin, was declared the undisputed leader of the Mongols in 1206. He then launched a military campaign that, by 1227, put him in control of the largest empire in history: from China to Turkey, and from Siberia to India. Temujin and the Mongols considered their conquests to be ordained by the sky god, Tenggeri. The conquests led by Temujin were legendary, and to celebrate them the Mongols posthumously bestowed on him the title “Fierce Ruler,” or Chingis Khan. Today, thanks to an imperfect Arabic transliteration of that name, he is widely known as Genghis Khan.
Chingis Khan recognized that his people, accustomed to lives of hardship, deprivation, and perpetual motion, were natural warriors. They traveled with huge numbers of spare horses, and by using them in rotation managed to travel up to a hundred miles a day. As nomads, they knew how to live off the land and the peoples they conquered, but during times of privation and hard travel they could sustain themselves by drinking the blood of their own horses - and, if necessary, by eating them. “The men are inhuman and of the nature of beasts,” an English monk of the time reported, “rather to be called monsters than men, thirsting after and drinking blood, and tearing and devouring the flesh of dogs and human beings.”
OK, so this sounds really delicious, right? Admittedly the guys ate some “protein.” But do you really think they added spices, veggies, “starch” and sauce, stirred around on a metal shield over a campfire? Oh, for sure.
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