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Food Friday: Taj Cuisine of India

It’s always a good idea to step out of your box and try something new, so while driving around looking for something different to eat my husband suggested Taj Cuisine of India. I’ve only tried Indian food once before and liked it, so I was up for trying it again.

We stopped on Saturday night around 5p and the place was empty, but there was plenty to choose from on the buffet. I tried almost everything but only remember my favorites. The two most surprisingly good items they had were the vegetable spring rolls and spinach pakoda. The spring rolls were small but packed lots of flavor in them. Normally vegetable spring rolls just taste bland but these had a flavor that was unique to them. I can’t explain it but they were really good. The spinach pakoda was also a surprise in just how much I liked it. The leaves of spinach are covered in a chickpea flour and fried. It was like eating large spinach chips, crispy but good for you. They also serve onion pakoda, it was more of a flour ball with onion in it. Also good but didn’t excite me like the spinach pakoda. Their lemon rice was really good as well, basmati rice lots of different spices with just a touch of lemon. The chicken biriyani was another favorite, chicken cooked with basmati rice and different herbs. I also tried the chicken tikka masala, chicken in a tomato based sauce. I really tried to sample a bit of everything but I will not eat chicken still on the bone, so there were several chicken dishes I didn’t attempt. I also can’t remember the names of everything I did try, I did my best to remember what I liked best.

The service was great but since they were serving buffet, the employees had to handle all of the food. It is an odd experience to tell someone what you want and have them get it for you. I’m ready for buffets to be able to present food like normal. The only drinks were bottled water, so no soft drinks or anything. Now they were good about making sure you had plenty to drink but it was still odd. The downside was everything was served on styrofoam plates with plastic forks. I wasn’t a big fan of that either.

So overall I will give them 4 strips of bacon for the food. I’ll go back and when I can get my own food, I might up that rating.

Location: 1500 NW 23rd St., Oklahoma City.

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Food Friday: Nashbird

So if you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that there are a lot of burger places in Oklahoma. Recently there have also been a lot of chicken places popping up as well. I just was introduced to one of my favorites just a few months ago. As mentioned in the past, my husband works in Edmond and likes to try new places for lunch. He discovered the Edmond location, tried it, and loved it. So now it was acceptable to take me to try it as well.

Located just off Broadway on E 5th Street on the bottom floor of a modern building is seriously one of he best restaurants for a chicken sandwich. The interior is light as you walk up to the desk to order. There is plenty to choose from on the menu, you can go with a chicken sandwich or chicken baskets with either tenders or still on the bone. There are also four heat levels or if you don’t want anything too spicy, two breading flavors. I went with a Nashvillain- a chicken sandwich on a brioche bun topped with bacon, onion rings, ranch, and mac and cheese. Since I wasn’t in the mood for heat I tried the buttermilk ranch breading and I wasn’t disappointed. The chicken breast is coated with the buttermilk ranch mix and fried to perfection. Now if you’re not sure about mac and cheese on a chicken sandwich, set your concerns aside this is a great topping to this sandwich. The mac and cheese pairs nicely with the chicken and when the bacon and onion rings are added, just brings all the flavors together in each bite. This is one of the best chicken sandwiches I’ve had in years (since the chain PDQ left the metro). I had fries for my first visit which were good but went with the mac and cheese the second visit. This is the same mac and cheese on the sandwich and it is equally delightful by itself as it is on the sandwich. Creamy, lots of cheese for the pasta to soak. My husband had the same sandwich but with some heat to it, he went with the kickin temp. I tried a bite and it has a good spice to it, not too hot but enough to keep your taste buds alive.

To start with we had both the starters- fried pickles and fried mac and cheese. As good as the sandwich was the starters are better. The dill pickles are cut lengthwise and fried up crisp for a nice appetizer. The mac and cheese is almost the same as the side with the addition of bacon bits into the mix, then fried. Both are served with ranch and exceptionally good, the highlight of the trip (and remember I really liked the sandwich as well). Nashbird does sell frozen drinks, haven’t tried them yet but it’s on my short list. They also have wraps, salads, chicken tacos, and baskets with just chicken. Overall I recommend Nashbird, the food is great as is the service, they totally deserve 5 strips of bacon. They do have 2 other locations in the metro area- Norman and downtown Oklahoma City.

Locations: 1 NW 9th St., Oklahoma City.

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Edmond Oklahoma, Food, Oklahoma, Oklahoma food

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Food Friday: Abel’s Mexican Restaurant

 

So on many Friday and Saturday nights the parking lot of Abel’s at NW 50th and MacArthur is packed.  Usually that’s a sign that the food is good, so one Saturday afternoon we decided to try it.  I have to admit, I walked away unimpressed.  So on a weeknight, I stopped again to see if my opinion would be different.  I was wrong.

They serve just standard fare Tex-Mex, tacos, enchiladas, chimichangas, and burritos.  Nothing really fancy or creative.  I was seated quickly on both visits and brought the typical chips, salsa and queso.  The chips were nothing really special and the queso was way too runny for my liking.  Both times I ordered beef chimichangas with sour cream sauce with beans and rice on the side.  The beans and rice are ok.  The chimichanga just lacks flavor, the hamburger meat just has no spice at all.  The worst though is the sour cream sauce, very runny with no tang.

The service is good, just the food is lacking.  So I’m going to give them 2 strips of bacon.  I’ll go back but try something different.

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Food Friday: Ichiban Sushi Bar and Poke

20200207_121853While down on SW 3rd Street, I saw a new sushi restaurant I wanted to try so a few days later I stopped in for lunch.  Ichiban Sushi Bar and Poke has only been in town a few months but is becoming a well known place for good sushi.  Located in a strip mall on the south side of SW 3rd street, it almost blends in with the other businesses but has a great atmosphere inside.

I stopped on a chilly Friday for lunch.  The restaurant is very clean with many Japanese decorations all around for a fresh look.  I was greeted immediately by a very pleasant young lady who also took my drink order.  I sat and reviewed the menu, I’m not familiar with poke yet so I just stuck to the sushi.  I did start with the Fried Calamari.  Served with a mango type sauce (and a beautiful purple orchid), this was delightful.  The calamari rings were larger than what I’ve had in the past and the panko breading was light, didn’t weigh the calamari down but the highlight was the mango sauce.  Just added a different dimension to something that I’ve had in dozens of restaurants before.

Next I was brought my sushi.  I went with a Spicy Scallop roll and a Cowboy Roll, a roll with tempura shrimp, cream cheese and avocado, topped with a crab stick.  Took down the spicy scallop roll first, not too spicy but just enough to clear the sinuses.  It was good but the cowboy roll was the star of the sushi.  There was enough shrimp and cream cheese that I didn’t notice the avocado.  Topped with the crab stick and spicy mayo, this quickly became one of my favorite rolls.

The food was excellent and the service was incredible, every lady who came to my table was friendly and ready to help.  I really enjoyed the experience and will be back.  5 strips of bacon.

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Food, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma food

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Food Friday: Cheever’s Cafe

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Food Friday: Baba G’s

baba g's

It’s not often that I get my ideas for dinner from a movie but that is just how I discovered shawarma.  So if you’ve seen the first Avengers movie you know there is a scene near the end when Tony Stark wakes up from being beaten up by the Chitauri, he suggests to his fellow Avengers that he wants shawarma for dinner.  Then the post credit scene has the Avengers sitting at a table eating shawarma.  This scene is totally hilarious and got me to wondering, what in the hell is shawarma?  After some research, I decided I wouldn’t mind trying it and found a place on Memorial Road that serves it up.

On the Northeast corner of Memorial and Meridian (across the turnpike, north of the Mercy Hilton, I mean Mercy Hospital) is a rather large strip mall with all types of businesses.  Baba G. Mediterranean Grill is on the very end of the mall, closest to Memorial Road.  They have a good selection of other food such as gyros and salads but I was there for shawarma.  You can get it in a pita, plate or bowl.  I always get mine in a fresh-baked pita which they fill with your selection of steak or chicken.  Then you get to put in some veggies, I highly recommend the Arabic pickles.  I’m a pickle lover and these are so different, not sweet or kosher, almost a dill taste but not quite.  Then add some tzatziki sauce and it’s ready to eat.  I always get a combo that you can get with seasoned fries or you can go for their homemade hummus.  Now if you’re like me, I was skeptical of hummus.  Tried some at a work party many years ago and hated it, swore I would never put it in my mouth again.  My husband changed my mind on a visit, he got the hummus and it was great.  Had a fresh taste that I just can’t find with the store-bought stuff.

The staff is always great and the place is clean.  They have opened a location in Edmond recently, I haven’t tried it yet.  So if you want to pretend you’re an avenger, stop by and get some shawarma.  I give it 5 strips of bacon.

Address: 4401 W. Memorial Road, Oklahoma City; 1165 E. 2nd St. Edmond.

 

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Food Friday: Hideaway Pizza

hidaway pizza

I have found myself getting picky about my pizza recently.  Back when I was pregnant with my daughter, I was perfectly happy with Ci-Ci’s pizza.  I could damn near eat a whole pizza all by myself and I enjoyed it.  I also liked Pizza Hut and Mazzio’s but now 15 years later I have become a pizza snob.  I shed no tears when Ci-Ci’s on NW Highway closed, I can’t stand the taste of Pizza Hut, have no desire to stop at Mazzio’s, and refuse to go back in Pizza Inn.  So in NW Oklahoma City, that doesn’t leave many options.  Initially, I didn’t want to try Hideaway because it was founded in Stillwater and for a die-hard Sooner (I was also born in Norman, so there’s that as well), it was hard for me to want to stop but my persistent husband finally talked me into it.

I know their pizzas are legendary, but I wanted to try the fried mushrooms to start.  The server brought a bowl with a big pile of steaming fried mushrooms along with ranch and marinara for dipping.  Honestly, these are the best fried mushrooms on the planet.  I was immediately in love with them and have to get them every time we visit.  The crunchy batter is fried to perfection while not over-cooking the mushroom inside.  The homemade ranch that is served with them is a perfect addition to help cool the temperature for eating, plus you can also save it to dip the crust in after you’ve eaten the rest of the slice.

Now for the pizza, our first visit we got the pepperoni palooza.  Three types of pepperoni piled on top of the hand-tossed crust (there is also a thin crust but I haven’t tried it yet).  It was wonderful, there was the proper amount of grease from the pepperoni but not too soggy.  The crust is almost biscuit like, very flavorful but not overpowering.  We got a large and had enough to take home for later.  So needless to say we’ve been back many times now, always trying a different pizza.  We’ve now tried The Boz, Cimarron, the Capone, and the Sicilian.  Every pizza has been great.  There are about 20 different pizza’s to select from plus sandwiches and pasta.  They also have some deserts that look really good but I’m always too stuffed to try them.

The service is always good and we are seated quickly.  Never a problem with cleanliness either.  The price is about the same as the chain pizza places but the quality is much better.  I know the original location is Stillwater has been around since 1957 but they have been spreading out over the state the past few years.  The best part of Hideaway is that there are many locations to try even though I’ve only been to the NW Highway location.  I give it 5 strips of bacon plus a couple of fried mushrooms just for fun.

Addresses: The original in Stillwater at 230 S. Knoblock; Downtown Oklahoma City- 901 N Broadway Ave.; Northwest Expressway Oklahoma City- 5501 NW Expressway; West Memorial Oklahoma City- 5950 W. Memorial Rd.; Western Avenue Oklahoma City- 5022 N Western Ave.; Edmond- 116 E 5th St.; Moore- 835 SW 19th St.; Norman Campus Corner- 577 Buchanan Ave.; Norman University Town Center- 1353 24th Ave. NW; Yukon- 1701 Shedeck Pkwy.; Enid- 2201 W Owen K. Garriott Rd.; Bartlesville- 100 SW Frank Phillips Blvd.; Tulsa Cherry St- 1419 E. 15th St.; Tulsa 51st & Memorial- 7877 E. 51st. St.; Tulsa 61st & Yale- 5966 S. Yale Ave.; Tulsa Hills- 7549 S. Olympia Ave.; Broken Arrow- 1150 N. 9th St.; Owasso- 12903 E. 96th St.; Bixby- 10461 S. Memorial Dr.; North Little Rock, AR- 5103 Warden Rd.; Benton, AR- 20260 I-30; Conway, AR- 1170 S. Amity Rd.; Fort Smith, AR- 8302 Phoenix Ave.

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Food Friday: San Marcos

San Marcos bird

It’s no secret that there are  a lot of Tex-Mex restaurants in the OKC metro but one of my favorites is San Marcos.  I was first introduced to their food in 2002, one of my husbands’ co-workers took him there for lunch.  A few days later, my husband thought I would enjoy their food as well.  At this point I was pregnant and would eat anything spicy (which is interesting since the child now hates everything spicy).  I really like their chips- the queso isn’t bad and even though I haven’t had it in a while, I remember their salsa being good as well.

Now if you’ve been reading me for a while, you know that once I find one thing to eat at a restaurant, I stick with it.  I have been eating their chimichangas with sour cream sauce for ever but one night I got wild and tried their Pizzadilla De Lujo.  Wow, was this good and different.  Between 2 huge flour tortillas there was cheese, fajita beef, onions, peppers, and bacon.  I really love this but you need to have a big appetite to eat it.  Yes it does come with rice and beans.  It was truly a different way to mix up pizza with Tex-Mex cooking.  Their chimichangas are also good, but I have had better at Zarate’s in Edmond.  I love their rice but really don’t care much for their beans, a bit too runny for me.  At the end of the meal you do get a sopapilla, so try to leave some room.

The first location I visited was on the southside of OKC but they have expanded to NW OKC and I frequently visit the North Rockwell location.  A few years ago they took over an old closed up Burger King and turned it into a colorful representation of a Spanish villa.  I have always had good service at the locations I’ve visited and the food has always been good.  I’m giving them 5 strips of bacon just for that pizzadilla.

Address: 2301 SW 59th St; 12201 N Rockwell Ave.; 1732 S Meridian Ave., all in Oklahoma City.

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Food Friday: Café 7

Cafe 7

If you are up around Quail Springs Mall and want a quick meal then stop by one of my favorites, Café 7.  This is one of my favorite places to stop for lunch and the food is better than what you can find in the mall.  Located in a strip mall to the west of Quail Springs Mall, this small restaurant does get full quick during the lunch rush.  Once you get in, grab one of the menu slips, you chose between pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and salads, put your name on it and select what you want from the menu slip (I really don’t have a better name for the slip of paper you fill out).  Place your order, then grab a seat.

I have my favorite- baked macaroni and cheese.  Listed on the pasta slip, it is mac and cheese with tomatoes and bacon mixed in, then baked with breadcrumbs on top.  Always served with garlic bread, this is easily the best thing on the menu.  Yes I have tried other pasta’s, a pizza and a couple of their sandwiches and it’s all been good but I always come back to the mac and cheese.  Of course that’s all that Mae will eat even if she doesn’t want the bacon (kid isn’t right in the head, hates bacon).

Only down side is that it is small and does fill up quickly.  The lunch crowd gets there around 11:30a but is gone by 1p.  The staff has always been friendly and everything has been clean.  This review is only for the Northwest OKC location, there is another downtown.  I do see on their website that the downtown location does have breakfast as well, so I might have to fight the traffic and try it sometime.  I’m giving it 5 strips of bacon, but try to avoid the crowds.

Address: Northwest OKC- 14101 N. May Ave.; Downtown OKC- 100 w. Main, Suite 105.

 

 

 

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