TX XMAS report

[badthings]

I just spent a week in Houston and San Antonio and ate great food. Highlights included Whataburger, the Fiesta produce section, carne guisada tacos at a number of Houston strip malls, and of course, barbecue, particularly at Williams Smokehouse in Houston and Luling City Market:

You can see that I went after a rib before I could be bother with the camera. Washed it down with a nice Big Red. These were the best ribs and sausage ring I have had; the "sliced" is tied in my mind with a long-ago trip to the Salt Lick. (Williams's brisket was also excellent, though they are famous for their ribs). We tried Schulenburg City Market, but by 1:30, their 'cue was long gone, so we had a good lunch at Franks. Went through Lockhart on a Sun., so Smitty's and Kreutz were closed, but we had great 'cue at Black's (if not quite up to the standards of the first two places).

San Antonio was devoted to Tex-Mex; we ate at Mi Tierra, Rosario's, and Los Barrios in a single 24-hour period. This (washed down with margaritas) did indeed precipitate significant intestinal distress, but I soldiered on in the cause of science. Los Barrios was probably my favorite for food, but Mi Tierra at 2 AM has to be one of the best dining experiences in the country. This is the Los Barrios enchilada sampler:

Visitors are advised to stick to the authentic local specialities instead of "authentic Mexican": the puddle at the top of the plate is the incomparable Tex-Mex enchilada. Judging by the "enchiladas mexicanas," Texans tend to have a heavy hand with the traditional ancho sauce (cofirmed at Rosario's as well). The mole tasted of Swiss-Miss. The salsa verde was also excellent, as was the one at the right of the plate, whose name I've forgotten (give me a break: I had to get nachos and a puffy taco too. Mmmm... puffy taco...).

The only bad meal occurred at the Cheesecake Factory in the Galleria, which is of course not native, but was equally exotic to me as we don't have one in N. California. I cannot imagive what the Olive Garden is like if C.F. is considered good chain food. And really, thinking about your concurrent thread on TX fast food, how can people eat at these places, much less the frighteningly common buffets, when there is so much great, cheap, fast food?

Also, the Mesnil Collection is my new favorite museum.

There was so much that we didn't have a chance to eat, I can't wait to come back. Taco Cabana, Kreutz, Fredericksburg, that Portugese place in Houston, Vietnamese in Houston, a certain tamale factory, not to mention the elusive romeritos spotted at Fiesta, but uncookable in the hotel room...

[fifi]

Which Fiesta did you go to? Some of them are kind of ratty. Then I went into the new one on the west side of town at Texas 6 and Bellaire Blvd. The produce under those bright lights was awesome.

[badthings]

Please don't be offended if I say that all your suburbs look the same to me. Seriously, I was lost most of the time, but it was NW Houston, out by the Willowbrook mall, I think? Off of 290? I was escorted by I native so I did not drive. The freshness of the romeritos was not particularly impressive, but their presence was. The Fiesta itself was as clean as a normal supermarket. I was disappointed that the butcher counter had neither fresh lard (though they had fat shrinkwrapped to make your own) nor cow heads for barbacoa, but maybe that was after the mad cow.

Rice Epicurian also had what I consider a pretty good produce section for a supermarket, but at California prices. Speaking of which, Rio Stars (my favorite grapefruit) seem cheaper here (4/dollar) than in TX. What's up with that?

[Scott -- DFW]

Badthings,

I've never been in a Fiesta that *didn't* have cow heads. However, they're usually kept (wrapped in plastic) in the freezer section, rather than behind the butcher's counter. Keep your eyes open, if you want to get a head.

Scott

[fifi]

No apologies needed for the "suburbs" comment. Houston is one, big, flat, homogenous blob. But we have an amazingly diverse population in all of that flatness. Some of the areas get pretty tacky because we don't have zoning and no one has ever been able to come up with a decent sign ordinance.

I would guess that you couldn't find the cow heads because of the BSE thing. I have usually seen them there, especiallly around the holidays. It is a bit off-putting to some folks. It is kind of fun to hang around the meat case where they are and watch the reactions. I think you have to arrange for the lard. I make my own so I haven't tried it. Most of them have a chicharone operation going and I intend to try to get some lard from that some time soon. It is usually a bit more toasty that what you make yourself in small batches. The one you went to may not have some things if they are in a more upscale neighborhood. That could be the case NW.

I can't explain the cost of the Rio Reds other than a high demand here because everyone waits for them.

[Mudpuppie]

Please don't be offended if I say that all your suburbs look the same to me.

We do that to disorient the yankees. The main difference is in the color of the bricks in the strip centers and homes. It's gotten lighter over the years, having progressed from 60s and 70s tan to 90s and 00s limestone.

As for Cheesecake Factories in NoCal, there's one in SF and one in San Jose, should you feel like you need a fix. Not that I'm recommending it. Just didn't want you to feel deprived.

Speaking of which, Rio Stars (my favorite grapefruit) seem cheaper here (4/dollar) than in TX. What's up with that?

Have you noticed that a lot of CA produce is cheaper in TX than it is here? It is cheaper still in Canada (even after you factor in the exchange rate). I live just a few hours from Watsonville, but always pay more for CA strawberries than I ever did in TX. The exception seems to be artichokes, which will soon be down to $.59. Nyah nyah.

Edited January 10, 2004 by Mudpuppie (log)