August 16Aug 16 6 minutes ago, Hook1997 said: They were like $3 on Thursday’s at The Library. We often started Thursday nights with a couple of those. Nice. I must have missed those, but I didn’t go The Library very often. I remember Paradise made a really good Texas Tea.
August 16Aug 16 Wasn't the Mexican Martini just basically a margarita in a shaker with orange juice? No wonder they had to limit us at two. Man, I generally like our Generation but that was a bad era for us.
August 16Aug 16 10 hours ago, Mittens said: Had Outback a month or so ago (80yr old mom's favorite spot) and it couldn't have been worse. On a slow Saturday lunch, w/ maybe 20% of tables sat, it took damn near an hour to get our orders and my ribeye was ass. If I have to suffer that place again, I'll go w/ that smashburger. Outback has always been proprietor-driven. If the proprietor is present and worth a shit, the Outback tends to be consistent and worth it. If not, the place sucks. I worked at the one near the Arboretum in the 90’s and that place was clean and terrific. Back then, they were pushing big on expansion and began watering down the talent and qualifications of who they let buy-in for new locations. It became hit or miss depending upon location. If I’m out in Katy for some baseball tournament or other terrible reason, they have a good one. The one in Sugarland is solid. Others in Houston suck and the one near the Arboretum sucks last time I went also. That said, my kids love visiting them every time. It’s the least expensive option for a potentially good steak available, in my mind. 5 hours ago, Baboontyme said: Wasn't the Mexican Martini just basically a margarita in a shaker with orange juice? No wonder they had to limit us at two. Man, I generally like our Generation but that was a bad era for us. Good Mexican martinis involve lime juice and little to no actual mix. It’s far less sweet than a margarita. Add olive brine and it’s an entirely different taste and experience. Orange juice may or may not make it into either ritas or Mexican martinis, depending upon where you’re buying.
August 16Aug 16 2 hours ago, closetojumping said: I worked at the one near the Arboretum in the 90’s and that place was clean and terrific. That location was my go to. I feel like Outback was one of the first restaurants to embrace take out orders and that place was like a mile from my house. The shitty one in question was in Live Oak - N suburb of SATX.
August 16Aug 16 22 hours ago, Mittens said: Had Outback a month or so ago (80yr old mom's favorite spot) and it couldn't have been worse. On a slow Saturday lunch, w/ maybe 20% of tables sat, it took damn near an hour to get our orders and my ribeye was ass. If I have to suffer that place again, I'll go w/ that smashburger. Fam went with my dad a little while back because he had a gift card or something. I hadn’t been in a while (at least a few years) and it was awful. The “special” that was advertised was apparently not at that location, and I don’t even remember what I got. I just remember it was pretty unanimous from our group that every plate was not good. I had always thought outback used to be pretty reliably “fine”. Not amazing, but fine. Even my dad, who will eat anything, was like “that was awful. I’m not going back there.”
August 17Aug 17 On 8/15/2025 at 11:28 AM, SydneyCarton said: There's a pretty interesting video interview with the CEO of Chili's you can find by googling. Basically discusses how he was able to turn Chili's around from being a punch line to having a huge resurgence at a time when most other restaurants are struggling. Seems like a pretty smart guy. https://slate.com/business/2025/08/chilis-menu-restaurants-food-tiktok-red-hot-mozz.html Quote But as I dumped fries into a plastic basket, Paquette pointed out an example of optimization even a layabout like me could appreciate. “We weren’t getting consistent seasoning on our fries, so we developed a little quality fix,” he said. He held up a shaker filled with salt and spices and pointed out the little holes on the shaker’s cover. “We call this the rose. The holes used to be pretty small, so we were having, like, 30 shakes on an order of french fries to get the right amount on there. That was a lot of shaking for the cooks. So we moved to this shaker.” “It’s got bigger holes,” I observed. They simplified the menu (rip chili at chili's) and a lot of the processes to get your order taken, made correctly and out to you. 99% of the locations are company owned. Which mean they can respond to moments like the moz sticks going viral much more rapidly than needing buy-in from franchisees. It doesn't hurt that most people upgrade from the base 3 for me. Edited August 17Aug 17 by elfenix
August 17Aug 17 53 minutes ago, SurlyGator said: That second pic alone looks like justification for that chain still being open.
August 17Aug 17 37 minutes ago, elfenix said: It doesn't hurt that most people upgrade from the base 3 for me.
August 17Aug 17 6 hours ago, Deej said: They’re dying out. They closed the 1604 location. I’d always stop on the drive to Midland because it’s on the way. Your order is top notch. I basically order that or pork chops and eggs every time.
August 17Aug 17 Funny timing. My wife and kids are at the oak hill location right now and the guy next to them is ordering a week’s worth of dinners to go. I can only assume it’s Brisket!
August 17Aug 17 23 minutes ago, 4th&Five said: Funny timing. My wife and kids are at the oak hill location right now and the guy next to them is ordering a week’s worth of dinners to go. I can only assume it’s Brisket! you're assuming wrong, that's for tonight and tomorrow
August 17Aug 17 33 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said: you're assuming wrong, that's for tonight and tomorrow It's for his drive home.
August 17Aug 17 2 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said: They’re dying out. They closed the 1604 location. I’d always stop on the drive to Midland because it’s on the way. Your order is top notch. I basically order that or pork chops and eggs every time. Pork chops there indeed go hard.
September 1Sep 1 Chili’s was solid today. The $10.99 burger deal is enough for 2 people to split. I’ll give them credit for keeping it super simple. It’s very hard to screw up cheeseburgers, fries, and chips & salsa. I’m glad they’re making a comeback. They deserve to be rewarded. Kept the menu simple and prices low.
September 2Sep 2 19 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said: Chili’s was solid today. The $10.99 burger deal is enough for 2 people to split. On 8/17/2025 at 12:20 PM, Chopper said: Although I do get broccoli for the fries. Who needs another salt bomb after the chips & salsa? Edited September 2Sep 2 by WBT
September 3Sep 3 Certainly a Houston only thing, but I nominate James Coney Island (JCI). I can happily report the Meyerland location is not only open; they’re thriving. Chili and cheese coney with a little hot sauce. Tastes just like how it did growing up.
September 3Sep 3 1 hour ago, billfromlaketravis said: Certainly a Houston only thing, but I nominate James Coney Island (JCI). I can happily report the Meyerland location is not only open; they’re thriving. Chili and cheese coney with a little hot sauce. Tastes just like how it did growing up. Speaking of Houston, I was in town at a campus of an organization that won't be named out of shame which is a 10 minute drive from Humble, and someone unironically offered up "Pancho's Mexican All You Can Eat Buffett" as an option to eat. I thought they were joking because I thought all those dumps had been shuttered 20 years ago. Looked it up; nope! Humble, Texas carrying on the tradicions.
September 3Sep 3 5 hours ago, Vegas64 said: Speaking of Houston, I was in town at a campus of an organization that won't be named out of shame which is a 10 minute drive from Humble, and someone unironically offered up "Pancho's Mexican All You Can Eat Buffett" as an option to eat. I thought they were joking because I thought all those dumps had been shuttered 20 years ago. Looked it up; nope! Humble, Texas carrying on the tradicions. A XOM really suggested Pancho’s?! That’s some wild stuff.
September 3Sep 3 12 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said: Certainly a Houston only thing, but I nominate James Coney Island (JCI). I can happily report the Meyerland location is not only open; they’re thriving. Chili and cheese coney with a little hot sauce. Tastes just like how it did growing up. Last time I ate there was 2017, after spending a weekend on Harvey cleanup with my son. Before we headed back to Austin, I took the boy for a pilgrimage to one of our Houston haunts from growing up. It was still perfect. We had one here in Austin for a few years (middle of Congress between 6th and 7th), and we hit it plenty. Even went there for my wife's birthday one year when the kids were really young. JCI was one of her favorite places as a kid, and that's what she wanted, so we went, and everyone was happy.
September 4Sep 4 16 hours ago, Brisketexan said: This movie will never get old, and the soundtrack is a total banger. There were other aspects of this movie that were bangers as well. edit: And that ski ballet shit remains one of the coolest things ever (visually) and should have remained part of free-style skiing. I tried for years to pull off that pirouette move without a hint of success. Edited September 4Sep 4 by dcbc
September 4Sep 4 Certainly a Houston only thing, but I nominate James Coney Island (JCI). I can happily report the Meyerland location is not only open; they’re thriving. Chili and cheese coney with a little hot sauce. Tastes just like how it did growing up. My standard order was “3 all the way w cheese”.I could inhale those.Good thing I moved away from Houston at an early age or I’d surely be dead by now.
September 4Sep 4 13 minutes ago, TxTower said: My standard order was “3 all the way w cheese”. I could inhale those. Good thing I moved away from Houston at an early age or I’d surely be dead by now. My parents and grandparents usually bribed me with JCI to go to church. I think the Sunday special was like $1.50 per chili-cheese dog. When I met my wife they still had the Sunday special. We’d go there after church. Good times.
September 4Sep 4 1 hour ago, Rip76 said: I still love these more. https://www.wienerschnitzel.com/ You and my dad lol
September 4Sep 4 1 hour ago, Rip76 said: I still love these more. https://www.wienerschnitzel.com/ the best hot dog in america
September 4Sep 4 When I was driving to Denver last year, I stopped in Amarillo for the night (with the dog) and stayed at a Best Western that had one in the same parking. I took a pic for him like "oh look what I'm staying next to!", since I know he loves them, and he asked me if I was going to eat there. I said no, and I could feel the disappointment through the phone.
September 4Sep 4 40 minutes ago, Js1 said: When I was driving to Denver last year, I stopped in Amarillo for the night (with the dog) and stayed at a Best Western that had one in the same parking. I took a pic for him like "oh look what I'm staying next to!", since I know he loves them, and he asked me if I was going to eat there. I said no, and I could feel the disappointment through the phone. What? You turned down the opportunity to eat Wiener in the parking lot?? Son, I is disappoint.
September 4Sep 4 4 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said: My parents and grandparents usually bribed me with JCI to go to church. I think the Sunday special was like $1.50 per chili-cheese dog. When I met my wife they still had the Sunday special. We’d go there after church. Good times. Mom used to bribe me with taco c to go to church. No idea how taco c is still open, haven't been there in years. Last time I even considered was during the margarita live-blog that happened here.
September 4Sep 4 4 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said: My parents and grandparents usually bribed me with JCI to go to church. I think the Sunday special was like $1.50 per chili-cheese dog. When I met my wife they still had the Sunday special. We’d go there after church. Good times. 15 minutes ago, elfenix said: Mom used to bribe me with taco c to go to church. Lucky. The rule in our house growing up was “No church, no lunch!” There was no input into what the lunch was going to be, just the prospect of missing a meal.
September 4Sep 4 On 9/3/2025 at 11:04 AM, Brisketexan said: Last time I ate there was 2017, after spending a weekend on Harvey cleanup with my son. Before we headed back to Austin, I took the boy for a pilgrimage to one of our Houston haunts from growing up. It was still perfect. We had one here in Austin for a few years (middle of Congress between 6th and 7th), and we hit it plenty. Even went there for my wife's birthday one year when the kids were really young. JCI was one of her favorite places as a kid, and that's what she wanted, so we went, and everyone was happy. Not sure why but I was thinking there was one on the SE corner of Mesa and Spicewood Springs quite a few years back. Maybe it was some other hot dog place.
September 4Sep 4 2 hours ago, Judge Roybeanbag said: Not sure why but I was thinking there was one on the SE corner of Mesa and Spicewood Springs quite a few years back. Maybe it was some other hot dog place. Jack's Burger House that begat Lucky Dog that begat Torchy's. Edited September 4Sep 4 by ftf82 House not Hut
September 4Sep 4 11 minutes ago, ftf82 said: Jack's Burger House that begat Lucky Dog that begat Torchy's. Wtf is Lucky Dog? I thought Torchy's took over right after Burger House.
September 5Sep 5 2 hours ago, ftf82 said: Jack's Burger House that begat Lucky Dog that begat Torchy's. Lucky Dog was what I was thinking about, thanks. I looked at it a lot while picking up pizza at Ropollo’s but never ate there. Edited September 5Sep 5 by Judge Roybeanbag
September 5Sep 5 On 9/4/2025 at 11:21 AM, Rip76 said: I still love these more. https://www.wienerschnitzel.com/ used to love it. I went to one off 183 after a trip to the skeet range last summer and and it was ass.
September 7Sep 7 On 9/5/2025 at 4:59 PM, Cousin Strawberry said: used to love it. I went to one off 183 after a trip to the skeet range last summer and and it was ass. did you order all beef dogs ?? Edited September 7Sep 7 by tx 3 putt
September 7Sep 7 On 9/5/2025 at 4:59 PM, Cousin Strawberry said: used to love it. I went to one off 183 after a trip to the skeet range last summer and and it was ass. To be fair, it likely wasn't all ass. There were some lips mixed in as well.
September 8Sep 8 On 9/4/2025 at 11:21 AM, Rip76 said: I still love these more. https://www.wienerschnitzel.com/ There's one in Lubbock, and San Marcos.
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