Old Chicago Pizza and Taproom ~ national chain : Colorado Springs, Colorado

Latest visit: Jun 2018 (Colorado Springs - Woodmen)

First visit: Oct 1994 (Colorado Springs - Woodmen)

Perhaps the first place the RJG remembers going where beer was a primary focus. They were offering around the world beer "tours" going back to our first visit. This was a hangout for the RJG's peers and coworkers, and we were here often in 1994 and early '95 (and specifically this location). After moving to Denver, Old Chicago was quickly forgotten. It wasn't until 2011 and a road trip up through Nebraska did the restaurant once again enter our lexicon. We had noticed they had just opened in the Fort Worth area, just as we were leaving. Typical. But we're back here, and the RJG loves their Italian food - staples like baked spaghetti and meatballs - and yes they have of course kept up with the latest trends in craft beer. Unfortunately Mrs. RJG is the party pooper, claiming the place looks and smells old (well it is old...), and so she was nonplussed about the food. It appears we won't be able to go as often as preferred. Pity that. Maybe we'll try a newer location then. Need to sell that...

10//94; 7/7/10; 5/15/11; 6/7/18; 12/16/18 (new entry)

Colorado Springs, Colorado; Aurora, Colorado; Kearney, Nebraska; Fort Worth, Texas 

Red Star Bar & Grill ~ Baltimore, Maryland

Latest visit: Mar 2018

First visit: Jul 2017

Fells Point certainly does not have a shortage of restaurants with a full bar and a creative selection of craft beers. Add Red Star to your list to try. In addition, Red Star offers up a more quaint side-street location than the usual Navy-Sailors-Gone-Wild sections of town as found on Lancaster or Thames Streets, for example. We really like their burgers and sandwiches and really haven't ventured further. Our dining group seemed to enjoy their more creative dinner offerings. We don't go here often, but that's only because we are in Baltimore infrequently and there's so many great options to behold. But Red Star is in the mix and deservedly so.

7/25/17; 3/1/18; 12/16/18 (new entry)

Lebanese Taverna ~ Baltimore, Maryland

Latest visit: Jul 2018

First visit: Mar 2017

High end, corporate lunch-dinner Middle Eastern option in Harbor East. Similar to Cava, but a bit more well heeled. The food is very good, though inconsistent. Seems to be popular with the RJG running work crowd, and even though we settle in on "very good", we've had better Lebanese / Middle Eastern food in our day. Tucked into a quiet street along the harbor, sitting outside on a nice day is a delight. And despite the provenance, they do offer alcoholic beverages. Not sure any restaurant could survive without that in Baltimore anyway...

3/20/17; 7/26/18; 12/16/18 (new entry)

DuClaw Brewing ~ Baltimore, Maryland ***CLOSED***

Latest visit: Jul 2018

First visit: Dec 2016

Nestled right by the TSA pre-check line of the Southwest Airlines gates, DuClaw is an oasis from the chaos. Go deep in and get a quiet dark table, and enjoy the locally made beer from Baltimore. Meanwhile the food is solid, offering up the protein needed to survive the airport experience (along with the beer assistance). Probably the best of the craft beer restaurants at BWI, but I do wish they were inside the gates, so we could enjoy them without worrying about schedule. Though this would be the ideal place for a quick airport meeting, if local and not traveling yourself. Lately the RJG has been flying out a bit earlier, so we haven't imbibed at DuClaw in a while.

See the Bier Reise tab above for all the DuClaw beers we tried while in Baltimore.

Update: The BWI location is closed. That was there only food establishment. The brewery, however, is still going strong.

12/21/21

Blue Dog BBQ ~ Baltimore, Maryland ***CLOSED***

First visit: Oct 2018

Blue Dog takes over the much missed Heavy Seas tavern. Wisely they left the ambiance exactly the same. The meats were a bit on the tough side, but the flavors were good, and the sides as well. The beer selection was a bit tamer than expected, and was hoping for a bit more "local rotation" than we got. Given that Dinosaur BBQ has also exited stage left, we are rooting for Blue Dog, so we'll be sure to visit again. Hoping some of the flaws were new-place-kinks to work out.

Italian Disco ~ Baltimore, Maryland

First visit: Nov 2018

Taking over the much missed Bagby Pizza location, Italian Disco brings forth a sleek contemporary bar setting. Italian food is solid, and the beer selection is very good, though stifled a bit. Seems to have caught on with the dinner crowd, and gets quite lively into the evening - though we miss the more lunch oriented Bagby. All the same, a place we plan on returning to again.

12/15/18 (new entry)

Snake Hill Sausage Grill & Tavern ~ Baltimore, Maryland

First visit: Dec 2018

Great place to try a variety of locally made sausages (platters, sandwiches, etc...), along with a healthy selection of local craft beers. Comfortable digs, and nice bar setup with sports on TV. We'll be back.

12/15/18 (new entry)

Harbor East Delicatessen & Pizzeria ~ Baltimore, Maryland

Latest visit: Dec 2018

First visit: Nov 2016

Solid option for overstuffed hot / cold sandwiches and pizzas. One of the few quick service restaurants in the area. Counter service. There's a few tables to sit or you can take it to go, which is what most folks seem to do.

11/16/16; 12/15/18 (new entry)

My Thai ~ Baltimore, Maryland

Latest visit: Dec 2018

First visit: Nov 2016

They've recently moved a few blocks east. We have not been to this location.

As my regular readers know, one of the favorite food types for the RJG is Thai. So I was quite worried that there was only one in the vicinity of my work area (Harbor East). And when I asked my friend/coworker/peer who recruited me in the first place (we’ll call him Totero from our days working in Racine, Wisconsin in the late 90s), about Thai restaurants in the area, he wasn’t encouraging. What about My Thai I asked? “It’s OK I guess”. Ugh. Since it was the only Thai option, and it was my first week on the job - on a very cold November evening - I wandered over for dinner. “OK I guess”? What? It was great! I dragged him over for my second visit. “Well, I didn’t get the right dish it appears”. Hmmm-mmm. So on that first visit, I perched myself up to the bar, and unbelievably they had a few local taps. Wow – the perfect combo! And the bartender assured me they rotated at least one local beer frequently. When I ordered my fave kad pa grow (or however they spell it), and asked for it Thai style with ground chicken and a fried egg, and they said no problem, I knew I had a regular dinner place! But it wasn’t so…

One evening a couple of months later, I show up, and the taps are shut. Sure, I can get big cans of Asahi or Sapporo, but that’s not what I want. In the meantime, some of my coworkers have taken a shine to My Thai as well. And though it has served as a happy hour watering hole (it’s not bad for that really!), we’ve moved it to a sober-as-a-judge lunch place. So its legacy is secured. In general, I dine with a co-worker we’ll call The Sword (unfortunately my good friend Totero was let go back in March – and he’s back at Software Company Everyone’s Heard Of – there’s a name old RJG readers will remember!). And lunch is every bit as good as dinner. At first I laid off the more extreme heat, given I was new to the company and didn’t want to “take any chances”. But now I go all in with Thai Hot. And it’s really about perfect. It’s not killer, but it’s not wimpy either. Loads of fresh basil too. And for some reason, the taps remain shut. They keep promising to turn them back on, but it’s been well over a year now. When they do, I’ll have to make a decision if it remains lunch or we go back to dinner.

The following applies to their old location on Central: My Thai, especially in the winter, feels like it’s on the edge of civilization. And it kind of is. The area it sits in is very noirish. The gates of Little Italy are only one block away to the west, but the hardcore ghetto is only a few blocks north itself. And every once in a while a stray panhandler will wander in asking for money. And the bartender chases them out with a stick (seriously). Don’t let that scare you. I’ve never once felt threatened physically (anywhere near there in fact). Honestly, I think it’s just one of the coolest parts of town. It’s definitely not touristy. This is Regular Joe territory.

11/14/16; 8/14/18 (new entry); 12/13/18

James Joyce Pub ~ Baltimore, Maryland *** CLOSED ***

Location: President @ Fleet (Harbor East)

Last visit: Dec 2018

First visit: Nov 2016

The closest restaurant to my usual hotel is the James Joyce Pub, which naturally enough is modeled after a traditional Irish pub. I will always associate this place with yet another “former employee”, who I will christen as The Pakistani President, because he indeed looks, acts, and talks like a leader of a populous country. He was my peer when starting, and we had many a night here at James Joyce solving my current company’s problems. We had succeeded too, until inexplicably he was let go by the “Invisible SVP” last summer. Ugh. But the good news is we’re looking to bringing him back, and rolling up into my organization no less, so we can go about fixing the company’s woes again. Or just go eating and drinking at the James Joyce Pub… Of course, given the location, James Joyce Pub is no bargain. Because of that, I never have ventured here on my own – though it’s a good option if ever the weather is so bad to not be able to walk 500 feet. But I’ve found myself here on a vendor’s dime on occasion. So what of the food? Excellent really. Burgers, seafood, crab cakes, etc… all very good. Beer selection is somewhat limited, though of course Guinness and the lot are de rigeur. The atmosphere is lively, often loud, and exactly what you would expect from an inner city Irish pub. Bring your company credit card though.

2/18

Taco Casa ~ regional chain : Keller, Texas

Latest visit: Oct 2018 (Keller, TX) 

First visit: 1992 (Durant, OK)

We snuck into DFW to move the RJG's official Mom to Colorado Springs this past October. This was our only restaurant visit, as we were on a tight schedule. Could this be the last RJG visit in DFW (other than the airport of course)? It could very well be... wow, seems strange. Hard to believe the majority of the below review is now 10.5 years old.

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The RJG likes him some tacos. We mentioned in other posts that while Italian and Thai probably constitute our favorite restaurant experiences, taco places represent our favorite fast food excursion. And we'll boldly admit that it isn't even the authentic Mexican taco / taqueria stand that has been in vogue these last 25 years (though we like those too!). No, we like the good old fashioned American styled, crunchy taco. Taco Bell may be its iconic image, but it's hardly the best representative. Most taco chains are of the regional variety. And we've been to many of them! The RJG has liked tacos since he was a little kid. There are few pleasures in life better than walking off with a sack of tacos, knowing the great taste sensation that comes with the meeting of spiced mush meat, lettuce, cheese, crispy shell and taco sauce (for some reason, we don't like tomatoes in my tacos). If the bag doesn't have a hole at the bottom with orange grease, then you may have gone to the wrong place... Taco Casa isn't the best taco chain we've been to, but we'd put them in the top group. They load up the tacos, so a bag of 5 really fills you up. Lots of cheese and lettuce, and of course meat. The wife likes them too, but depending on her mood sometimes says they have too much meat (how is that even possible?). For regular RJG readers, that's a recommendation right there! The meat is a bit saltier than most chains, but is extremely tasty. Another crucial element of a good taco stand, is the quality of their sauce (in the bottle or packaged). And they have a simple, not too hot, but very good red taco sauce. We would prefer some hotter options, but it's not going to keep us away. Besides, we can always take them home and add our own habanero sauce if so desired (and we never do that anyway).

When we moved to NE Tarrant in 2003, we were thrilled to find out there was one in Watauga. We went there exclusively for years. You'll find the Watauga location on Mid-Cities, just west of Rufe Snow. For years, and maybe even today, if you arrived at prime lunch and dinner times, there was a drive-through line around the building. When folks tell us nobody eats this kind of fast food anymore, we just laugh. Yea, sure. Because of this popularity, a couple of more Taco Casa's opened up in Northeast Tarrant in short order: Colleyville (now closed) and then Keller. The latter is the closest for us, and we went regularly there for over 10 years. The Keller location is on Keller Parkway just west of Pate-Orr on the north side of the road.

Taco Casa is a classic regional chain. They are based in Gainesville in far north Texas at the border of Oklahoma. They continue to be in rapid expansion mode, and now are somewhat ubiquitous - especially in Tarrant County. We suppose it's strange then, that the RJG first discovered Taco Casa in Durant, one of the few Oklahoma locations. In the early 1990s once a month, the RJG's official old man got the bright idea of journeying up to Durant, which is located just over the border from Texas, to buy cigarettes from the Indian reservations. Gas was cheaper then and he apparently saved a bundle (God knows he smoked like a chimney). We'd tag along on occasion, especially on lazy Saturday mornings (there was no Mrs. RJG in those bygone days). Also a compliment about their signage: Taco Casa has the perfect retro cornball look, with the big sombrero and handlebar bigote. Awesome.

1992; 1993; 2003; 2004; 6/2/05; 11/9/06; 5/1/08 (new entry); 6/7/09; 3/8/10; 10/23/11; 7/10/12; 8/21/15; 11/30/17; 10/5/18

Durant, Oklahoma; Watauga, Texas; Colleyville, Texas; Keller, Texas

One Eyed Mike's ~ Baltimore, Maryland

Latest visit: May 2018

First visit: Jan 2017

Admit it, this has the coolest name a Baltimore bar could possibly ever have. It’s your typical Fells Point type of place, with a sliver of a bar in the front, with a bigger room that opens up in the back. So if you like the boisterous crowds with loud chatter and laughter, stay up front. If you’d like to have a quiet conversation, head back. One-Eyed Mike’s is famous for their Bottle Club. Basically you can buy a bottle of Grand Marnier, and they place it safely within the bar. Anytime you come back in, simply ask for your bottle, and you’re ready to roll! Once again, it must be mentioned, this is not only a drinking establishment, and the food is quite accomplished. They have quite a selection of options, ranging from usual pub food appetizers, to Italian and American standards, onto fine dining cuisine. The beer list is solid on crafts, though they only rotate one, which is kind of a bummer. All in all, though, way worth visiting if in town. You will feel like a local instantly. Bring your pegleg and eye patch.

1/18/17; 5/16/18; 8/14/18 (new entry)

Nando’s Peri-Peri ~ regional chain : Baltimore, Maryland

Latest visit: Feb 2018 (Harbor East)

First visit: Dec 2016 (Harbor East)

Nando's (in America) are mostly in the DC / Baltimore area or Chicago.

Have you ever thought about what Portuguese chicken tastes like? Well of course you have. But you never had that answer… until now. Nando’s is a chain based in Johannesburg, South Africa (?!) that specializes in marinated and slow roasted chicken. And it’s just as mouthwatering as it sounds. We come here often for lunch (next to Cava Mezze, so close to our digs), and usually get a quarter chicken (white, dark, or mixed).  The rice is fantastic as are their dressings for the salads. You order up at the counter, and they bring you the food. Or you can take it to-go. They also have one of those fancy 5 billion combination soda machines if interested. One of the few excellent “fast” options we have in this part of Baltimore.

12/2/16; 6/3/17; 2/28/18; 8/14/18 (new entry)

Sweetgreen ~ national chain : Baltimore, Maryland

Latest visit: Feb 2018 (Harbor East)

First visit: Nov 2016 (Harbor East)

Now what says the Regular Joe’s Guide like a salad place, eh? Huh??? Yea yea, I know, but the Sweetgreen chain is different.  The RJG has always frowned on places like Sweet Tomatoes, where it’s one big salad bar, and most people end up eating 10 times the calories than they would have had they just indulged in a double cheeseburger with fries. It just sounds healthy, but by the time they’re done loading it up with ranch dressing, tons of cheese, bacon, and whatever else they can find that isn’t good for you – then you still need to be wheeled out of there. We Americans can’t help it. All-you-can-eat buffets are a magnet for our appetites, and we all feel an obligation to “break even” with the restaurant, and load up as many times as possible. Sweetgreen is none of that. In fact, it’s basically a Chipotle for salads. That is to say, it’s assembly line styled. Pick your lettuce, then protein, then “other stuff”, and finally dressing. Done. Want a “lemon flavored water” to go with that? The RJG isn’t much for a “loaded” salad, but I can certainly do a pile of romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, lots of freshly grated parm cheese, black pepper, and a yummy balsamic vinaigrette. And you know what? It’s actually very filling, and darn tasty too! While I might not wander over there on my own, I find it a good option when with coworkers who are vegetarian, or closely watching their diet. And that’s exactly why I visited here the last 2 times, in that order. Honestly, Sweetgreen has a license to print money. If there was ever a restaurant concept to invest in, this would be it. Think about it. Most folks want to eat healthy – and there aren’t that many lunch options for that. Where I work, most folks a) bring their lunch b) go to Whole Foods or c) go to Sweetgreen. Not to stereotype, but this place is outrageously popular with the local female population. There is a line out the door that reminds me of a San Francisco Starbucks at 8:00 in the morning. For the RJG, I desperately need carbs because of the daily run, but not everyone has the ability – or time – to do that every morning. I can’t imagine this concept failing in any major city that has a large office presence. OK, now you know. Please send royalty checks to the RJG at…

11/14/16; 2/26/18; 8/14/18 (new entry)

Amicci's ~ Baltimore, Maryland

Latest visit: Jan 2018

First visit: Sep 2017

The RJG works and stays right around the corner from Baltimore’s Little Italy. Talk about a kid in the candy store right? Well surprisingly no. I haven’t dined much here, even though in past trips to Baltimore I made a beeline here, usually to Chiapperelli’s (mid 2000s mainly). Many years ago, when the RJG had a steady gig in New York City (summer of 1998), I also stayed right around the corner from Little Italy. What I discovered in trying many of the restaurants there over the course of 4 months was a “lot of the same”. There were exceptions of course. That, and the fact that Italian food can be heavy, I just didn’t want to start rebuilding my gut that I spent years chiseling off through exercise.

All of this to say – I worry too much. Amicci’s is exactly what I was looking for. Reasonable portions, reasonable prices, and superb food! As is the RJG custom when dining alone, I grab a spot at the bar, order a drink (in this case a glass of red), and begin to peruse the menu. Doesn’t take long to zoom in on a penne with homemade meatballs and a house salad. Delicious as to be expected. I mean really - what else do you need to know? This place is good.

9/5/17; 1/31/18; 8/14/18 (new entry)

Horseman's Haven Cafe ~ Santa Fe, New Mexico

Latest visit: Jun 2018

First visit: Sep 2006

When we first visited Horseman's Haven Cafe, we were on the lookout for the spiciest chile in town. And we found it! We've been regular visitors ever since. While we don't dine here every time we go to Santa Fe (there's so many great restaurants, so little time), we do try for an occasional visit. Especially when I'm hankering for their green!

One aspect of New Mexican cuisine you will discover if spending much time in Santa Fe, is an almost apologetic approach to spicy chile heat. You cannot read more than one page of any local restaurant guide without running into the familiar words "it's not about the heat, it's about the flavor". And while the RJG wholeheartedly agrees with that sentiment, what if we really do want the heat and the flavor? Answer: Horseman's Haven. This unassuming diner on the way out of town was once a local secret. Today it's found its way onto one of the many food TV shows that proliferate. And yet you would never know that by walking in. It still seems a secret, even with the notoriety. The menu is a mix of breakfast and lunch/dinner entrees. The recipes have more of a Mexican slant than what is normally associated with del norte cuisine. And whatever you decide to get, you will want to smother it in green chile. If you do not have any heat tolerance, my recommendation would be to steer clear of this place. If you crave spice, this is your nirvana. The waitstaff will not warn you. They presume you know what you're doing. Even the basic green is very - very - hot. And honestly, its just about perfect, and the flavors do peak nicely. They also have what is called a "Level 2". That's it. No other explanation is offered. If you ask about it, you will learn it is their "very spicy" green chile - and at that point receive a warning about it. We did try it on our first visit. Whoa. I was defeated. According to our waiter that day, they actually go up as high as Level 5 (?!?!). Not sure how that is even possible. In any event, the green chile is Horseman's Haven Cafe's raison d'etre. Nothing else of distinction I can offer. Whether it's eggs, or a chicken burrito, everything is good here - and made better with the green chile smothering it.

As for "drankin''" there is no alcohol served. Strictly diner offerings. They also state no free refills on sodas. But then again the glass they give you is huge, so hard to imagine needing another. We always get water. As a reminder, when eating hot food, don't try to quell the heat with water or soda. That only makes it worse. Get a milk instead. We just tough it out ourselves, and lightly sip on water.

As mentioned above, Horseman's Haven is an unassuming spot far south of town on Cerrillos, and shares a parking lot with a gas station (Giant). You can expect a large crowd for a Sunday breakfast, but otherwise, the restaurant is usually semi-full and comfortable. It's a classic western diner, with dark woods and counter seating if preferred.

Here's a much better review than mine. Somehow I ran into it immediately after he published it, and added a comment as well (apparently Texans are wimpy now. I beg to differ...). Horseman's Haven opened in 1981 and is still run by the original owners.

9/10/06; 9/9/15 (new entry); 6/26/18

Alexander's Tavern ~ Baltimore, Maryland

Latest visit: Jun 2018

First visit: Dec 2016

So we begin our Baltimore sojourn at Alexander’s Tavern. As apropos as anywhere else the RJG frequents in Baltimore I suppose. As mentioned in the year end update, I started working in Baltimore in November of 2016 and I’m here/there roughly once a month give or take a week. While my job and role have changed immensely in the last one year plus, the places I frequent to dine and drink have not. My current company is decidedly a non-liquid lunch kind of environment (dinner is a different story…). And I couldn’t see how it would be anyway, as I pretty much work non-stop from 5a to 6p (sometimes more), except to pull away for 30 minutes (or maybe an hour) of lunch bliss and an hour in the morning to run the beautiful Harbor East/Fells Point, which is quite picturesque at sunrise while running the wooden boardwalk. I state all of this because dinner for me is all about the taverns and brewhouses. I have isolated the non-alcoholic restaurants to lunch and the ones with a healthy beer selection to dinner. When I was a “road warrior” consultant in the 1990s, I preferred to fly in on Sunday to get settled, and that remains the same in Baltimore – and if I travel international I often times prefer to land on Saturday night to allow a day to adjust. So with that we start with dinner... and on Sunday it’s more of a late afternoon, so I can get to bed early.

Alexander’s Tavern sits in Fells Point, amidst numerous watering holes. Of course prior to the 1980s, these places were hardcore bars frequented by sailors, dockworkers, and shipbuilders. Occasionally a Naval ship will still port in Fells Point and rest assured the area transforms itself quite nicely to a bygone era. Alexander’s Tavern is one of the more known places in Fells Point, and is definitely popular on weekends. They have a narrow bar area, and a full restaurant, plus a little outdoor seating. Likely you can find a spot in the restaurant at any time. But I prefer the bar myself…

One of the great things about the taverns in Baltimore is the Italian tradition and background the city maintains. So “bar food” is elevated to a higher standard right from the get. And Alexander’s Tavern is a place I’ve enjoyed going to for things like chicken parm and meatball subs, pizzas, and occasionally they’ll offer a baked cast iron pasta dish (they did in the winter of 2016, didn’t see it this year). But of course they offer more than that, and their soft tacos are another recommendation. The main point here – and will be reflected in many of my other Baltimore reviews – is that food is decidedly not an afterthought. It is not just a little something to fill patrons while they quaff liters of beer. While I may not frequent Alexander’s Tavern every trip, it certainly remains a go-to place. I've never left disappointed.

As far as the beer selection goes, they have a healthy selection of cans and bottles. Their taps are sufficient, though it’s not as locally focused as I prefer. It’s rare I find something new here, especially now.

As mentioned in the prelude, Alexander’s Tavern in in the heart of Fells Point. Usual flat screens with sports, and classic rock blaring in the background. And loud patrons, each yelling louder the next. All good fun.

12/1/16; 1/7/18 (new entry); 6/11/18 

Lucca ~ Montreal, Quebec

(Rue Dante - in middle of same block as Inferno)

This was a compromise selection as I had hopes to find something open on a Monday night. There's not a lot to pick from on Dante, but this little gem gave me a very solid dinner. They also have a limited lunch sitting - noon to 2:30 - so better timing options than many of the other places listed here.

Menu changes daily at Lucca, in fact they do not print a menu at all (all chalk board). Comfortable setting, focus on fresh ingredients, and a mix of higher-brow fare with traditional red-sauce. It was a cold, nasty day, so I wanted to find something warm to start. Decided to follow that theme throughout dinner.

First course was a butternut squash soup. Very good but not a deal-maker or breaker. It warmed me up to the main course, a mixed seafood grille with linguine and red sauce. Scallops, shrimp, clams and mussels - all piping hot and served with a very stout red sauce & pasta. (I did not inquire as to whether the pasta was home-made, but I assume it was). A pretty traditional presentation, very well prepared and plenty for dinner.

Other notes (Lucca): they started me with a tiny bruschetta and have a very nice wine list - glass or bottle - that I sampled. Also served fresh bread that helped soak up the very little bit of sauce that I missed with pasta & seafood. And lots of Italian conversations between the clientele and the restaurant staff.

- Rude Dante review

Bottega Pizzeria ~ Montreal, Quebec

(Rue Saint-Zotique - one block SE of Inferno)
This one will be more brief as I ordered carry-out after working late one night.

Primarily (exclusively?) a pizza joint - one that was started by the friend of one of my 30-something colleagues who studied / trained in Italy. I ordered a Diavolo pizza and a caprese salad to go. Salad was huge - probably could have done with a half size. Pizza was better than I had hoped - and I had high hopes! Very spicy (they cook in the crushed red pepper - more potent than sprinkling on top), excellent sauce, with salami, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. Crust was good, wood-fired with some flare-spots where the bubbling had caused some extra-crispy cheese. Will go back and have one on-site since the to-go takes a bit of the crunch away. Still one of the better pies I have ever had.

Also, closed Monday.

- Rude Dante review

Inferno ~ Montreal, Quebec ***CLOSED***

OK - as promised (later than initially stated), let's get those Rude Dante reviews out there. Rude Dante - take it away!

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As a follower and kindred spirit of the RJG, one can only imagine my delight in having a couple weeks in Montreal. At first I had no concept of the place - other than it is a long flight on a little plane to get there. And as my arrival was in April, it is considerably colder than my home in the west. But on to the dining.

There is a remarkably strong Italian community in Montreal (ed: Having been in 2004, and exploring the area ourselves, we can vouch for this). It's been there forever, but some of it is rather new and actively evolving & redefining itself.

(Rue Dante @ Rue Saint Dominique) Stopped in after having my first visit (quite enjoyable) to the well-known Pizzeria Napoletana further down Rue Dante (more on this place later). Business travel being what it is, I opted for a spot at the bar. I was hungry but not famished, and had the expectation that a place named "Inferno" would be home to diavalo or at least a stout vodka sauce. Imagine my surprise to find little or no red sauce, no pizza, a compact little menu with daily butcher & seafood choices, and a very casual, relaxed feel. Not your traditional red check tablecloth locale.

My first visit I sat at the bar and let them guide me to the butcher's choice. This was a brazed pork shank with an array of amazing vegetables and a light broth - no real sauce. Truly an amazing dish, big enough to stand on its own (no salad or soup required), worthy of a picture (above). Was not hungry for desert, but as it was an early dinner, I thought I might have a hankering later. They sent me out with a fine tiramisu to go in one of the house ramekins (not their normal practice); it was delicious later in the hotel room as I watched NHL playoffs in Canada (a whole 'nuther experience). Resolved on the spot to return the dish the following week and return for round 2.

My second visit - one week later - I showed up hungry. I mean REALLY hungry! Had a glass of wine to start while I perused the menu - broadly updated just one week later - and I landed on one of their specialties. Leg of duck confit with risotto. As I was hungry (did I mention this already?), I started with a grilled escarole salad with Gorgonzola, apples, walnuts and pancetta. As before, they serve everything with very solid bread - sourdough baguette if I'm not mistaken. Salad was rock solid, but the duck and risotto were spectacular! (Evidence in photo below)

Only minor challenge was wine selection: seemed to be better by the bottle, less interesting by the glass. As a solo traveler, bottles are seldom an option. Also, closed Sunday - Monday as is traditional.

Wrapping up (Inferno): on par with Al Dente in Boston, better than Panzano in Denver. Not a point of comparison for the mama-pappa dive joints that I also love (Pagliucca, Patsy's (both Denver), Pietro's (Dallas) (ed: All sadly closed now) , but a top 5- or 10- Italian restaurant in my catalog.

- Rude Dante review

The RJG is dead! Long live the RJG!

Just when you thought the RJG had stabilized into a routine – he goes off and…. moves! Well folks, what can I tell you? This has been in the works for some time, but for one reason or another – primarily work/career - we couldn’t leave DFW. As we entered into 2018 it appeared we were going to stay put for at least another year, as I needed to be in Baltimore every 3 to 4 weeks, and the job had become more routine. But then my boss suggested I really only needed to be in Baltimore every 2 months or so. Opportunity struck. We decided to sell our home – and it sold in ONE DAY. Which caught us by surprise naturally enough. We needed a new home! Of course we knew where we wanted to go – it was just a matter of flying there and buying one. It’s a place the RJG lived from the winter of 1993 to the spring of 1995. I had always wanted to stay but job/personal circumstances did not allow for it. It’s a place where we hope to be our final home. And that place is… Colorado Springs. Mrs. RJG and I have always loved the weather and the scenery. For those that have followed the RJG, you will have noted we lived in Denver for many years in the past, and even had a summer place there for a few years (2009 – 2011). But Denver was not where we wanted to permanently live again. The city has become too crowded, and it doesn’t have the natural beauty of Colorado Springs, not to mention the cooler summers the Springs has (let’s put it this way – air conditioning is optional). And for those that don’t know the area, it also gets far less snow, which is contrary to what one might initially think. Anyway, to say April was a chaotic month would be to understate the matter considerably.

So we say goodbye to DFW, and to Northeast Tarrant County specifically. Will we be back? The RJG’s official Mom is still in NE Tarrant, but she claims she’s following us when her lease is up in the fall. If that’s the case, of course I need to help her move here. After that, it could very well be the end of the line - at least on any kind of regular basis. I’ve been to DFW at least once every year since my parents moved to Dallas in 1967. I was 2. But there’s nothing really left for us to visit. The few local friends we have remaining all want to visit us in Colorado! Mr. Music is spending more time in Long Beach, California then he is in the Denton area (that story may emerge sometime soon as well). He’s committed to more reviews from both DFW and Orange County, but he’s been extremely busy. If for whatever reason we need to relocate back to DFW – we’re bee lining for NE Tarrant County. Without a doubt, we loved the area. Having grown up in the city of Dallas made me only appreciate more the rolling, and slightly dryer, terrain near Fort Worth. It just felt so much more… comfortable.

I had given serious thought to just shuttering this blog. But then an old friend from Denver appeared on the scene. He was in DFW for business and dropped by on our final week there before the move. He was inspired by our recommendations in the area, and asked to contribute. He had just returned from a business trip to Montreal, and wanted to share his experiences from that visit. And I have those reviews sitting here ready to publish. He has appeared in this blog prior – never as an author, but rather a character – and has rechristened himself as Rude Dante. This name choice will become apparent after reading his Montreal reviews.

Well heck, if I have a new contributor, I might as well get off my lazy butt and get going as well. Where does that leave us? OK, Colorado Springs is now the primary city obviously. We’re in the north part of town, on the way to Monument and across I-25 from the Air Force Academy. Colorado Springs isn’t that large, so entire city coverage is very possible. All the same, we’re likely to stay north at least for routine purposes. There’s a few chains that are following us here, and I’ll probably move those forward first as I revisit each one. Those reviews are written already, and I’ll denote any variations to our new primary location. Baltimore remains the second city. I’m typing this while flying over there now – ironically through DFW. I had already written a few reviews that remain unpublished, so maybe I can get those out shortly as well. Now that we live in Colorado Springs, of course Denver and Castle Rock will get plenty of coverage, as that’s where Mrs. RJG has a strong family presence – and I have many old friends in the area. And you know how the RJG loves Santa Fe. That now is a relatively short drive south, so expect more frequent trips down there (and Albuquerque of course). We will also explore all of Colorado – especially the mountain towns – and another RJG favorite: Durango. Many will be revisits of restaurants that we never published here prior. And what of NE Tarrant? Well, there are a couple of new (to us) places I’d like to write about before leaving the topic. As is often the case, we discovered a couple of new favorites within the last couple of months! Of course we will miss our favorite restaurants, some we grew up within the confines of the RJG, like Sea Siam in Keller and Mi Pueblo in North Richland Hills.

Tomorrow, with any luck at all, will appear some (or all) of Rude Dante's reviews. This will be followed by a barrage of Baltimore reviews, some written today in fact.

INZO Italian Kitchen ~ Roanoke, Texas

Latest visit: Apr 2018

First visit: Mar 2012 (as Brix)

So what was the final destination for the RJG before leaving DFW? Yep - INZO. Strange choice, but once again, it's somewhat random I guess. You can tell as I update this blog for 2018, we revisited a lot of our favorites before going back to Colorado. And it was for dinner - which as the note below explains - is something we hadn't done with INZO before recently. Bye-bye DFW, we'll miss you!

---7/24/17 update

For years we've been going to INZO for pizza at lunch. This time we went for dinner and Italian. We've been missing out! Now we have a new Italian favorite!

On this visit, we started by ordering a bottle of Cabernet. At $20, it's too cheap to pass up (yes, of course we know we can get it cheaper at the grocery store, but that's not the point). This was accompanied by fresh baked artisan bread that was served with an olive oil/black pepper mix, red wine vinegar, and fresh soft butter. We weren't hungry enough for an appetizer, but there were plenty of attractive choices. Straight to the menu we went, and both us were in a Secondi mood. I went for my staple dish - Chicken Parm, and Mrs RJG went with one of her standby's Chicken Cacciatore. Both of us settled on a Caesar Salad for starters. We both liked their version, which featured a light, not too powerful dressing, and fresh romaine lettuce with shaved parmesan cheese. And just the right amount of salad. As for the main meal, Hooray, an Italian restaurant that actually knows how to make Chicken Parm in DFW! The lost art. It's a simple dish rarely made correctly. INZO gets it right. A healthy portion of a thin cutlet, breaded properly, and baked crisp in the pizza oven. This comes with a zesty and smooth red tomato sauce. Served with a side of al dente spaghetti. Absolutely perfect! Meanwhile, a sideways glance at Mrs. RJG demonstrated her own glee with her Chicken Cacciatore, that featured a light sauce, plenty of mushrooms, and well cooked chunks of chicken breast.

Tarrant County has been ill served by Italian restaurants in the past, primarily only offering two types of Italian in the past (a Yugoslavian variation of New York Sicilian pizza-pasta, and high-end old fashioned "Northern Italian" restaurants with $$$$ prices). That seems to be changing rapidly, and INZO has been at the vanguard of this movement. No longer does one have to trek all the way to Dallas to get decent Italian food. (yes, we know Roanoke is in Denton County, but it's right over the county line)

INZO's menu looks loaded with RJG favorites like Penne Arrabiata (which has the right ingredients if the menu holds true) and old school spaghetti and homemade meatballs. More than that of course. We'll be back to try them all!

According to their website, they've been open since 2007. And we've been going on and off since then. Hard to believe it's been that long! You'll find INZO right in the heart of Roanoke's "Restaurant District", that is rapidly expanding. There's outdoor seating and a bar area that features a nice selection of craft beers and fine wines.

---original 3/10/12 review (as Brix)

This past summer while in Denver, Mrs. RJG had a craving - a craving for the kind of pizza you get in Italy, and really all throughout Europe. Fortunately artisan pizza places are starting to crop up all over in America, one of which is Campania Pizza in Southlake (RIP) So we visited a few places in the Denver area, and our favorite ended up being a small local chain called Proto's Pizza. (We specifically went to the Lafayette location for a nice drive - and a long way from our former townhome in southeast Denver). We by no means exhausted the area, and all of the restaurants in this category were satisfactory.

I wasn't quite sure where to go, as Campania is the only Neapolitan pizza place I'm aware of in NE Tarrant. There are other inventive pizza places like Coal Vines, which pays homage to the old New York styled coal oven places like Lombardi's. Cavalli's is receiving high praise over in Irving, close to Las Colinas. I was about to head over there, when my eye caught INZO. In fact, I had just been up in Roanoke to try Outlaw Burger, so why not head back and this time go to the main street and try it? INZO has a fairly simple menu of appetizers, pizzas, salads, calzones and Italian pasta dishes.

Obviously they double as a wine bar, though the Mrs. and I weren't in the mood and settled on a beer (they feature one Texas micro - Real Ale's Fireman #4, which is refreshingly becoming somewhat easy to find).

We were there for pizza, and on both visits we each tried a different one. I've had the Meat Lovers and a simple Margherita with Italian sausage added. Mrs. RJG tried the chicken and onions as well as one with Italian sausage, which I'm not finding on their internet menu. We also shared a garden salad, which is mixed greens with an excellent vinaigrette dressing. A small pizza is plenty for one, and the Mrs. had to take the last one home. For our money, we prefer the pizza here to Campania. The key is the crust, which has a wonderful flavor with the right amount of crisp to chewy ratio. I believe the sausage is homemade and is excellent as well. The only negative was the chicken pizza, and that was really our fault as we didn't realize it was a "white" pizza (no tomato sauce). And that's what we wanted. So our bad - the crust and the cheese were still cooked to perfection.

3/10/12 (new entry); 11/9/13; 1/24/16; 7/24/17; 4/28/18

Magic Springroll ~ Watauga, Texas

Latest visit: Apr 2018

First visit: sometime in 2004

This was our last visit to our cherished NE Tarrant Thai restaurants. Sigh.

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We had mentioned in the Casa Milagro update that their timing had been fortuitous in regards to this blog. Magic Springroll had a similar fate, but in reverse. Magic Springroll was originally one of our "rotation" Thai restaurants, not long after we moved to NE Tarrant. Not necessarily a weekly, or even monthly destination, but one we frequented often. According to my personal database, in early March of 2008 we had a poor experience, and decided to drop the restaurant from our regular routine. Later that month, I started this blog, and never revisited again.... until late last year, not long after we stopped (again) writing. We saw that the reviews were very positive, and Mrs. RJG and I said we must go back. So we did and what we learned is that there had been a change of ownership since we last had been. In fact, not long after our not-too-positive experience. So, as we like to state, timing is everything. And since that visit in late 2015, we've been regulars ever since! Magic Springroll is one of the finest of Thai restaurants in the area, in regards to the food that is. And the owner couldn't possibly be nicer.

One of the reasons the RJG loves going out for Thai food is that each place has unique recipes, where a similar dish can be completely different at each establishment. And so once again, my favorite Thai Basil is treated differently here than other places we rave about. And I order it "Thai style" and he knows exactly what I mean: Ground chicken, fried egg, peppers, chiles, copious basil, and Thai hot. Delicious every time. The rice is always cooked to perfection as well. Mrs. RJG recommends the Red Curry, a dish she first fell in love with in Amsterdam, of all places, back in 2004. She says this is the best she's had in DFW! She also loves their Garlic Chicken and Drunken Noodles. As an appetizer we love their fried shrimp rolls, which honestly taste like the very best a legendary Southern restaurant could come up with.

It's BYOB, and they provide glasses. Otherwise, they have a refrigerator filled with canned and bottled drinks for you to purchase. I'm sure they have Thai coffee/tea as well, but we haven't taken advantage of that.

Magic Springroll is the Webster's dictionary entry for "Hole in the Wall". It shares an old concrete building with an insurance office next door. The floors are concrete and the walls are white painted brick, and there's about 7 tables total. Despite this, the restaurant is surprisingly quaint, and has a strange romantic vibe after dark (preferably a cold winter night), especially if you're there alone with your date. Very noir. Magic Springroll is popular for take out, so there's usually a steady stream of people walking in and out. You'll find Magic Springroll behind the OC Burger (auto parts store), on the northeast corner of Watauga Rd and US 377.

5/11/06; 3/6/08; 2015; 6/2/16 (new entry); 4/27/18

Niki's Italian Bistro ~ Keller, Texas

Latest visit: Apr 2018

First visit: 2003

There's always that "odd" visit before one moves out of town. For whatever reason we hadn't been to our local Niki's in a long time - and this post hasn't been updated since 2010. But we were hankering some local Italian food, and we'd already said goodbye to Tony's. So off we went. I also just noticed TripAdvisor had it spelled wrong (as Nikki's). I just sent in a correction.

The NRH location is no longer associated with the one in Keller. We had visited awhile back, and here's our entry.

---original 9/4/08 review

Mrs. RJG and I have been regular, albeit infrequent, visitors to Niki's since we moved back to Texas in 2003. In fact, I think they're the first Italian restaurant we visited upon our arrival.

Niki's, like almost all of NE Tarrant's Italian restaurants, are of a Balkan heritage. So there isn't much deviation of taste from others we've written about before on these pages like Oggi Italia, Cafe Italia and Bellisimo's. All the familiar telltale signs are there: A tomato based vinaigrette house dressing, similar desserts, a familiar menu with a mix of chicken / veal entrees and tradition pasta, including baked dishes - and pizza of course. On the latter, of the restaurants we mentioned above, we've only tried Oggi Italia's pizza, and if the others follow suit, we'd be very happy. Mrs. RJG's co-workers swear by Niki's pizza, and we've vowed to try it sometime. (4/18/10 update: Tried, and while it's good, there are better pizza places nearby like My New York Pizza and Marco's).

There is one major difference between Niki's and the others: They have a liquor license. That can be seen as a plus for many, but we like the savings of BYOB. We're spoiled in these parts, as most of the country's restaurants want the juicy margins that alcohol can bring. Still, we don't see that as a show stopper, and we'll dutifully order a 1/2 carafe of vino to go along with our meal. Or a nice cold beer at lunch.

Both the wife and I recommend sticking to the baked dishes, or basic red sauce pasta concoctions like chicken parm. They have a nice smooth textured and tasteful red sauce, and the pasta is always cooked al dente and steaming hot.

We probably frequent Niki's about 2 to 3 times a year, and it's consistently good, though not exceptional. It doesn't have to be.

The Keller location is at Rufe Snow and North Tarrant Parkway, set inside a newish strip center on the SE corner. The decor is excellent, in a darkened room with nice lighting and plenty of murals of Italian scenery. It's rather capacious, with two distinct rooms, ideal for large parties of people.

2003; 2/19/05; 7/31/06; 9/4/08 (new entry); 2/5/10; 2/17/12; 10/2/14; 4/25/18 

Taverna Rossa ~ Southlake, Texas

Latest visit: Apr 2018

First visit: Feb 2017

Taverna Rossa was our favorite discovery of 2017. If you recall the RJG is a huge proponent of craft  beer, and combine that with artisan pizza, and you darn near have the perfect mix. This is the type of restaurant we're starting to seek out when traveling out of town like Pies and Pints in West Virginia (both Charleston and Morgantown) and Lucky Pie in Denver.

They have a wide variety of pizzas and pastas, all excellent. Personally I like their Spicy Pig pizza, because I'm in fact, a spicy pig. Their All-American is great as well (mostly these are meat pies). The pizza is appropriately crispy, with a great sauce. Their lunch special is the way to go: A personal sized pizza and a salad for $9.99. I personally think their Caesar salad is one of the best I've had - not drenched in a thick gooey overpowering monstrosity. This is a lighter blend, with crisp and cold romaine lettuce and fresh shaved parmesan cheese, and they don't skimp on the portion (or the cheese). And the beer taps are not wimpy or predictable, it's truly craft, with beers you may not see anywhere else. And they actually rotate them. They even have their own brewery now known as Union Bear.

Taverna Rossa is a great place to hang out. Sit at the bar and chat with the bartender, or take a seat in the large spacious restaurant. Comfortable digs. You'll find the restaurant in one of the zillion new retail spaces in Southlake on the NW corner of Carroll and Southlake Blvd.

They have another location in Plano that remains open as of May 2022.

2/16/17; 12/27/17 (new entry); 4/24/18

Pho in the Box ~ Keller, Texas

Latest visit: Apr 2018

First visit: Dec 2017

First out of the shoot is Keller's newest Vietnamese restaurant, cleverly named Pho-In-The-Box. No two for 99 cent tacos here, but damn the pho is good. This is a Mrs. RJG discovery (she's gotten good at it since we've been traveling)!

Here we have some fantastic Vietnamese fare. The meatball pho I tried is some of the best I've had, with a wonderful broth, filled to the brim with cilantro and onions. The crispy eggrolls are awesome as well. I must try their stir fried chicken soon! Mrs. RJG is hooked on their tender brisket soup. We still like Big Bowl too, but Pho-In-The-Box is offering a serious challenge. And it's closer to us, truth be told.

To drink, it's the fountain for sodas. I imagine it's also BYOB, if you bring your own supplies. But we've only been for lunch.

As for their location, remember Yu's Gold-In? Gone. That's too bad as they were our favorite Chinese place in the area. We had been as recently as of November of last year (not exactly regulars were we?). I can't believe I never got around to updating that entry from 2009. Well anyway, let's pilfer some language from it:  From what I can gather, Gold-In was once a small hamburger joint, that eventually evolved into a Chinese restaurant. When I first located the restaurant on Urbanspoon, it was listed as Betty's Gold-In and I later made the correction for them. You may recall our reference to this restaurant in the Little Joe's Pizza post (which is now closed), where we stated "Behind an ancient combo gas station/Chinese restaurant (and, yep, the two sure do go together), is another strip mall, that looks like an afterthought of planning." This is that Chinese restaurant. Kind of fun to reminisce here, as Little Joe's has been gone forever (there's a burger/bar there now). The gas station is gone, though the convenience store lives on. Urbanspoon? Old times, huh Uncle RJG? In any case, PITB didn't do anything with the interior, but it was good as it was. It's not fine dining - in fact they offer all to-go utensils - even the bowl for soup is plastic! It's practical, right?

Pho-In-The-Box first location is in Grapevine, which remains open as of May 2022.

12/27/17 (new entry); 4/24/18

Tolbert's Restaurant & Chili Parlor ~ Grapevine, Texas

Latest visit: Apr 2018

First visit: Jul 2006

Of all the restaurants the RJG covered in Dallas-Fort Worth, Tolbert's has to be considered the most "local".

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Have family from out of town, and not sure where to take them? Start right here with Tolbert's! You'll be known as the family know-it-all who has the "in" on all the good places in town.

Simply put, Tolbert's is our favorite place to bring out of town guests who are looking for something uniquely "Texan". The food, naturally enough, has a traditional Texas focus with chili, Tex-Mex, chicken fried steak, beef steak, and hamburgers dominating the menu. I like to start with a bowl of red, and ask for it 5 alarm. In the old days, they use to serve it straight-up spicy. Nowadays, they provide the mix for you to add to your heat tolerance - apparently they received too many complaints about it being too hot. Obviously, the RJG dumps the whole thing in! Mrs. RJG prefers the North of the Border, which basically adds beans to the mix. In addition, we like to get the Henderson County burger with fries as our main meal. Mrs. RJG will tell you that Tolbert's has the best burgers in town, and while I might not go that far, it does underscore how good it can be. We've brought friends and work colleagues alike, and they all go home happy. Some swear by the chicken fried steak.

When Tolbert's started out, the craft beer movement hadn't yet taken hold here in Texas. So we always took advantage of their $1 Lone Star longnecks. That deal is over, but in its place is a very healthy craft beer selection. They have 32 micros on tap, and half of those are from Texas! None are real obscure, but it's just cool they have a good selection of beers on tap from Real Ale, Saint Arnold, Franconia, Rahr, Revolver, Spoetzl, and more. And their selection of out-of-state micros is also well researched. In fact, they give full descriptions of everything they serve. In addition, they carry Texas made wines and hard liquor as well.

The setting simply could not be more perfect. The restaurant is set as the cornerstone of one of the many old buildings lining the old town, this one from 1911. Tolbert's sits in a large space, with a fireplace, full bar, multiple open rooms, and now a concert stage (though I personally preferred the old closed room, which presumably was for rehearsal dinners, conference gatherings, and the like - guessing business for this wasn't brisk). The music can be a distraction if you come here for conversation, so file that away for the appropriate audience. In any case, one imagines riding in on horseback, roping the steed to the hitchin' post, slamming through the saloon doors, and demanding some chili and a beer. Extra points if you go in looking like Clint Eastwood circa 1967.

Tolbert's was originally started by Frank X. Tolbert, the legendary journalist who co-founded the Terlingua Chili Cookoff. In 1976, Tolbert opened a chili-themed restaurant in Dallas that eventually closed down. Fast forward a few years later, and his daughter and her husband reopened the restaurant, but in a far more appropriate locale: Downtown old Grapevine.

7/19/06; 7/3/08 (new entry); 6/8/09; 4/6/10; 1/10/12; 6/25/15; 4/23/18

Sea Siam ~ Keller, Texas

May 13, 2022: We've learned that Jam and Eddie did eventually sell the restaurant. It's still open with great reviews, but we can't be sure until we go back.

Latest visit: Apr 2018

First visit: 2007, not long after they opened

Of all the restaurants in DFW, we'll miss Sea Siam the most. Over the years we became good friends with Jam and Eddie. But it was time for us to move...

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So much has changed since we wrote this review just over 10 years ago. Sea Siam was just starting out, and so was the RJG. In fact, Sea Siam was the first Thai restaurant we reviewed for the blog, so we had to introduce where we were coming from in regards to the cuisine. Today, Sea Siam is one of the most popular restaurants in NE Tarrant County, and deservedly so. And for our part, we have remained loyal customers for the entire time. Their children were just young teens, and now they have graduated from college! It doesn't seem that long, and yet here we are.

With that prelude, I'm going to leave our original notes as stated, even though many of my comments you no doubt have already figured out if you've peeked on this site before. But for those new to the blog, it does provide some context. And if for some reason you haven't been to Sea Siam, or it's been a long time, be sure to visit. They have only gotten better with age!
Want to know the RJG's favorite food destination? Thai food. Why? Because that's Mrs. RJG's favorite food - and pretty close to my favorite as well. And we've been to every, or just about every, Thai restaurant in NE Tarrant (with multiple ventures into Ft. Worth and Arlington as well).

Before I get started here on Sea Siam, I want to tell a little story. A couple of years ago, I walked into a Southlake based pizza joint (that is now closed), and mentioned to the owner that I was glad he was still here, and the food is great. His response to my magnanimous comment? "Yea, well no thanks to YOU". He didn't say it rudely, but matter of factly, with a slight smile. I was a bit taken a back by his comment, paid up, grabbed my pizza and got out as fast as possible. On the way home I realized he had been right. Truthfully, as someone who tries as many restaurants as possible, I'm not what you would call a reliable customer. If the business counted on folks like me to make a living, they'd all be broke quickly!

The two paragraphs above are there to set the stage for this important statement: We go to Sea Siam every single week. Almost without exception. If that doesn't underscore how great this place is, then I'm not sure anything else I say will.

For me, the battle I have at Thai restaurants is getting the heat level to where I need it - scorching hot. See, I'm a fair skinned blond, with blue eyes. Naturally, Mrs. RJG is dark haired with brown eyes, so usually on first visits she gets the hotter plate, even though I ask for it spicier than her. Preconceived notions? You bet your sweet biscuits on it! Perhaps it's because Jam ran a restaurant in southern California, but right away when I asked for it hot, I got it HOT. Thai hot - and I don't mean the menu Thai Hot, but what the locals consider as such. It doesn't take long for Mr. RJG to hear that the only other person who eats it as hot as he, is the cook himself. Yes, it makes me proud! And Mrs. RJG is no wimp either, as she's right behind me on the heat scale, maybe one or 2 notches less.

Thai basil chicken is my standard fare. It's a core Thai dish, and I could eat it every night. I prefer ground chicken, to really accentuate the Thai authenticity, but most Thai places don't have it. Sea Siam doesn't either, but they always cut the chicken very fine (on my request), thus allowing the spices to penetrate the meat better. Mrs. RJG loves her vegetables with her chicken, and her dishes are loaded with the greens. The other barometer is the rice, which many local Thai restaurants think should be mushy. Wrong! Mrs. RJG will quit going to a Thai place on the spot if they offer mushy rice. Sea Siam always has firm and fluffy rice!

We've tried many of their appetizers and they're all uniformly great. Mrs. RJG has had the Pad Thai on many occasion, and she says it's the best she's had. Prices are insanely cheap (not to mention the extra savings with it being BYOB), and the ambiance is perfect for the setting. Best of all, maybe, is that Jam and Eddie are great folks, who have a lot of fun. It reminds me of the good old days when customer service was authentic and an essential part of the business.

As mentioned above, it's BYOB, so a great opportunity to save there. They provide chilled glasses for wine, and an opener if you need it (we always bring our own - it's easier!). If for whatever reason you forgot to bring your own bottle or cans of beer, you can always go to the Kroger next door and load up! For you non borrachos, there's the usual Thai coffees and teas, as well as "fizzy drinks" as the Brits like to say.

Sea Siam sits peacefully in a strip center location anchored by a Kroger grocery store at the southwest corner of Keller Parkway and Rufe Snow. The decor is cordial. It's not a big restaurant, and it fills up quickly - especially on Friday and Saturday! (they are closed Sunday). They took over a former home cooking place (that came and went so fast, we never tried it). Prior to that there was a Wings-N-Things, that was pretty good actually!

Jam and Eddie are veterans of the restaurant industry. For years they had a similarly named restaurant in Huntington Beach, California (and, would you believe it, Mrs. RJG and I tried it while there in May of 2008! It clearly wasn't as good as our Sea Siam). Relocating to the Keller area, they brought their expertise in Thai cooking right here to Northeast Tarrant, and I think the local denizens have benefited ever since from that decision. In addition to the restaurant, Sea Siam now have their own line of product that you can buy at the grocery store! They started with their famous Peanut Sauce, and I believe they have introduced (or will soon) their Green Curry sauce. These are distributed at Central Markets in both the DFW and Houston areas!

If you live anywhere in the DFW area, and love Thai food, make a beeline to Sea Siam. You won't regret the trip I assure you.

4/30/08 (new entry); 4/17/18

Mi Pueblo ~ North Richland Hills, Texas

Latest visit: Apr 2018

First visit: sometime in 2003 (the location near the Northeast Mall). We started going to the one on Davis and North Tarrant right after they opened in 2004.

This was our very first post for a Mexican restaurant. As is often the case, it was just a timing issue, more than a preference. We'll miss Mi Pueblo!

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There are a couple of distinctive characteristics of Mi Pueblo, that make it a recommendation for those that don't live in the area. One is the margaritas. I'm always dubious when someone recommends a restaurant based on their alcoholic drink selection. The RJG has found that the restaurant that serves the most alcohol content per drink, is generally referred to as "the best". At which point the half-in-the-bag claimant will also mention they have "the BEST food". Hmm-mmm. Well, I'm here to say that Mi Pueblo does indeed have a great frozen margarita - something that when we travel, we realize that most of the DFW restaurants do better than their counterparts across the nation. And they also have more Happy Hours than usual, so there's a better than average chance you'll get that drink at a favorable price too! More important than the booze, though, is that Mi Pueblo has unique combo platters. I've often wondered why most Mexican restaurants only serve variations on the taco, enchilada, burrito, tamale, and tostada when making up their combos. Mi Pueblo will also throw in items like quesadillas and flautas. I mean why do flautas have to be an expensive, one-food-only option on the menu? They also have a pork and rice dish I like quite a bit (al pastor platter). Mrs. RJG really enjoys the green enchiladas. Of late, I've been fond of their Pollo a la Plancha, which comes out in a sizzling plate similar to fajitas, with a fantastic guajillo pepper sauce. I would also add their fajita chicken enchiladas as a favorite with the RJG. In addition, their chips and salsa are excellent. Very thin corn chips (perhaps too thin) that are easy to douse into the 3 salsas they provide. They will only bring out the mild red (which is good but...), so be sure to ask for the hot (spicy) green, and the hot (temperature) red. Both are outstanding.

This is Mi Pueblo's second location, the original is over by Northeast Mall, in what their website calls Richland Hills, but I think it's still NRH. You'll find the location we're talking about on Davis near the Super Wal-Mart, which is back to back with a Super Target, and across the street from a Kroger Marketplace. That's just insanity right there. I can understand putting a bunch of used record or book stores next to each other, since they all might have something different. But 3 big box discount stores/groceries offering more or less the same crap? Wow. For the record, we prefer Kroger Marketplace. Anyway... the restaurant is large with 3 rooms + a full sports bar area. Popular with families, so be prepared for screaming babies and kids. Fair enough, that's their core business. Get a second frozen margarita, and the screaming babies actually start to sound good.

BTW, the same owners run Los Molcajetes, which is almost exactly the same in every way to Mi Pueblo.

5/6/08 (new entry); 9/24/11; 8/13/17; 4/16/18

Kincaid's Hamburgers ~ Southlake, Texas

Latest visit: Apr 2018 (Southlake)

First visit: Jun 2005 (Southlake)

Kincaid's maintains 5 Fort Worth area locations including the one below in Southlake and also one in Arlington.

Kincaid's is as great as ever. Their location in Southlake is probably as close to a "regular" burger stop as can be for us. And why is that? Because this is Mrs. RJG's favorite in the area, and she's really picky about hamburgers. I finally made it to the original Camp Bowie location in Fort Worth last November (2015), and I have to say that the Southlake locale did a fantastic job of replicating the original.

---original 12/31/08 review

What better way to end the year than a writeup about one of Fort Worth's most endearing institutions? Officially known as Kincaid's Grocery Market and Hamburgers, the Gentry family has been delighting visitors with their unique blend of seasoning for over 40 years. Kincaid's opened in 1946, and as the name suggests, as a local grocery. Starting in 1965, O. R. Gentry began grinding up excess beef and cooking hamburgers for a few cents each. The legend began.

You don't need the Regular Joe's Guide to learn about Kincaid's, and this is one reason I haven't rushed to write about it, even though we eat here at least once a month. Everyone from Texas Monthly to Frommer's to numerous newspapers have recommended Kincaid's to travelers and locals alike who visit Fort Worth. It is frequently mentioned in Top 10 lists for Best Hamburger - sometimes in national polls. Sometimes as "#1 Best in the USA".

And I'm sure my Fort Worth readers are aghast that I highlight the Southlake location when, after all, it is a Fort Worth icon. But since the RJG is based in NE Tarrant, we're quite proud of our local branch. The Southlake location was the local chain's first excursion beyond the original store, opening in late 2004. They did a great job of simulating the original, with shelves of canned goods, long picnic style benches, and the walls painted in a 1950's Chevy Mist Green color. And the "ego walls" are filled with accolades and awards from all corners of the world. It's a large place, and the line moves fast. They even take credit cards now.

And there's good reason why Kincaid's is so popular - it's just flat out a great hamburger. Is it the best we've ever had? Well, maybe not, but it certainly deserves consideration. It's a thick burger, with plenty of unique seasoning that seeps through the entire patty, which is no small feat. The Ore-Ida style fries are also a big favorite.

When arriving, just order at the counter, grab you a park bench, and wait until they scream out your name when it's ready. Pay close attention, as the place is often crowded and noisy. The Southlake location is at the NW corner of Southlake Blvd. and Kimball. Hard to imagine this corner shopping center once housed a humble (not Super) Wal-Mart and its parking lot.

Southlake was Kincaid's first outlet, but they have since grown to 6 stores, including Arlington, Weatherford, and two more in Fort Worth (Alliance and Hulen).

6/5/05; 9/11/06; 12/31/08 (new entry); 12/7/09; 11/6/15; 8/11/17; 4/15/18

Southlake; Fort Worth

Sweet Basil Thai ~ Hurst, Texas

Latest visit: Apr 2018

First visit: Nov 2004

As we now have moved to Colorado Springs, this is the restaurant I may miss most. I have yet to encounter anyone here who can compete with Sweet Bail when it comes to Thai Basil Chicken - Thai style!

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Not long after the RJG relocated from Denver to NE Tarrant in 2003, we discovered a place in North Richland Hills called Top Thai. It quickly became our favorite, and remained so until they closed sometime in 2005. To set the stage, my first exposure to Thai food was while in San Francisco on business sometime in the mid 1990s. It was love at first taste, and most of the Thai restaurants I tried on the left coast were of a similar style. Unfortunately Denver seemed a wasteland for Thai food. Oh sure, we had Thai restaurants, but none reminded me of the flavors of Northern California. Then we found Top Thai and that was it! The taste I had remembered so fondly.

Of all the Thai restaurants in the area, Sweet Basil reminds me most of Top Thai. That is, what I would consider more traditional Thai cooking. Thai style means ground chicken, not cut up chicken breast. Spicy means spicy, not "are you sure?". Thai style means simple ingredients, not stir fried with whatever you can find in the garden. Sure, Sweet Basil has those kind of dishes as well, but you have the authentic option here. And the spice levels here are serious. They say 4 stars is "super spicy" and indeed it really is! I've gone hotter than that in the past, but 4 stars is enough for even the most adamant of fire seekers (which includes me). Though lately I discovered I've been getting it at "6 level", and it's very hot my friends. VERY hot. Oh - what dish am I referring to? That would be Pad Graphow (Thai Style). That's all I ever get. I couldn't even imagine having anything else. It's heaven on a plate.

Mrs. RJG is far more adventurous than I, and has dug deeper into the menu. She really enjoys their soups, especially the Tom Yum soup with shrimp. Cashew Chicken is another one of her favorite go-to dishes at Sweet Basil. Speaking of shrimp, do not miss their divine Butterfly Shrimp appetizer. They do it better than any of the Southern cooking places. This is my fried food allowance for the entire week, and it's worth it! Reminds me of the old Southern Kitchen in Dallas (who remembers them?)

As for drinks, at one time, Sweet Basil had beer and wine, but fortunately now it's BYOB. And no corkage fee - so it's savings city! They provide the glasses (and a wine opener if you need it), and you do the rest. How many great bottles of Chardonnay have we devoured here? Who knows, but we've saved a bundle being able to buy them at Goody-Goody rather than here at the restaurant.

Sweet Basil is one of the nicer Thai restaurants in the area. Mood lighting and sleek furniture add a sophisticated ambiance, rather than the usual divey fast food feel. That is, a good place to take a date and have a romantic dinner - or simply a place to take dear friends. Just don't forget to bring your own wine! Sweet Basil is on Melbourne, near Pipeline, tucked into a small strip mall, next to Northeast Mall.

Sweet Basil has had at least 3 owners since we first visited back in 2004. But the current owner is not only the longest lasting, but by far the best!

11/10/04; 11/10/05; 2/28/08; 3/2/09 (new entry); 4/14/18

Tony's Pizza and Pasta ~ Watauga, Texas

Latest visit: Apr 2018

First visit: Feb 2005

Another update here from the RJG archives. When we first moved to NE Tarrant in 2003, there were dozens of these places. I was anxious to try them all, until I realized they were all more or less the same: Eastern European owned, and stemming from the Moni's empire in Arlington. As time has moved on, most of these establishments have shuttered, moved on, shut down by the authorities, etc... The few that are left have carved out their own identity, and are the cream of the crop. And for us, Tony's is our go-to Italian in the area.

Tony's is very similar to most of the $ and $$ Italian restaurants in NE Tarrant, and you can read some samples of that here and here. All the same, unlike many of the Italian restaurants in this category that have closed recently, Tony's continues to be very popular. Their to-go pizza side of the house is doing a land office business, as dozens of folks come in for pickups, and no doubt just as many are going out for delivery. Mrs. RJG really loves their Capellini Pomodora, which always comes out blazing hot, and al dente every time. Even though it's more or less a vegetarian dish, I love it too. One of the best unique sauces in town, and a nice diversion from the norm. I like their chicken parm, of course it's not crispy enough for me (it rarely is), but you do get a big slab of pounded white meat chicken with a nice seasoning. And the pasta is al dente with an excellent fresh tomato sauce. As can be expected from a pizza joint, their baked dishes are a cut above as well. I usually get it with some meatballs stuffed in. Sure, they're right off the truck, but I have no higher expectation when I come here. I like the way they prepare their food. As with all of their dishes, the meal is still steaming hot even on the last bite! Huge plus there. Typical salad accompanies most meals, with a nice red win vinaigrette, as well as hot baked puffy rolls that are delicious.

For drinking, it's BYOB as per protocol, thus adding to the savings for us winos.  Bring a nice bottle of red and enjoy. They'll provide glasses and an opener, though we always bring the latter along because it's easier to use...

Tony's is set in a strip center in Watuaga, on the SW corner of Rufe Snow and Mid Cities/Watauga Rd. Their dining area is comfortable though hardly romantic. You don't go to Tony's for date night. You go there for reliably good food, usually with a mixture of typical suburban neighborhood folks - older and younger complete with whole broods in tow. Oh, and the waitstaff is consistent and very friendly.

According to their website, Tony's has been open since 2000, making it one of the older Italian restaurants in the area. Our first visit goes back to 2008.

2/16/05; 11/3/06; 12/19/09; 7/7/13 (new entry); 4/6/18