🚀 go-pugleaf

"Vickie B Davis" <vbd123@swbell.net> wrote in message
news:3DA48CF6.5020901@swbell.net...
>
> I was not impressed by Juanito's -- reminded me of enchiladas from the
> freezer section in the grocery store. Better food at the restaurant in
> the old Pizza Inn/Hut building next to Burger King on 518.  Best Mexican
> food in town is Mely's (same center as the movies) on 518. (Haven't
> tried Herredera's.)
>
Agree with your opinion regarding Juanitos and Mely's.  For decent TexMex,
try Robert's down on 35.  I still can't figure out why they pack them in so
thick over at Gringo's.

>
>>
>
> Again, I like Busy Bee much better than Kelly's, but YMMV.

I don't find the food at Busy Bee better than Kelly's, and certainly the
service at "the Bee" leaves one wanting.
>
>> >
>
> Lunch or dinner, I like Pho 518 (near Silverlake entrance) in same
> center with "The Grille" and Jicamas.  The Pho (Vietnamese soup) at Pho
> 518 is really good.  The broth is good enough to drink, when you've
> finished all the noodles and chicken (we get Pho Ga -- chicken breast
> without skin and noodles).  A small bowl is about $4.50, but PLENTY big
> enough for one (sometimes two, depending on appetites.)  The large bowl
> is way too much for one in my opinion, and it's difficult to share.
> (Although I keep trying, I have not yet really mastered eating noodle
> soup with chopsticks and a soup spoon -- sometimes the noodles seem
> determined to stay in the bowl (or jump back as soon as possible!)  At
> least by the time I've got that first spoonful ready, it's usually
> almost cool enough to eat.)

Agreed about Pho 518.  Nice surprise when it opened.


>We tried The Grille when it first opened
> (different name, then, but I don't think they changed much but the name)
> and weren't too impressed.  Okay food, but too pricey for what you got.

The best meal I had at The Grille was my first, when they were still
Cavanaugh's.  Every meal has been worse than the one before, so I just
stopped going altogether.


>   Jicamas was good, considering that we were there the first night they
> were open for business.  We had pulled in to go to Pho 518 and saw both
> an "Opening Soon" sign on the building and the neon "Open" sign in the
> window.  When we asked how long they had been open, the answer was
> "about 10 minutes" -- it was shortly after 5pm.  The wait staff was very
> helpful, although not yet up to speed on the items on the menu.  When we
> would ask what a particular dish was, often there was a
> puzzled expression, but immediately followed by "I'll ask the manager."
>       They did, and either came back with the info, or he stopped by to
> give it.  Steaks were good, but not competition for Churassco's (which
> is what I mentally compared them to, maybe unfairly, but it's the only
> "true" South American cuisine I know. :-) )

I was also in Jicama's on their premier night, and wasn't all that
impressed, and certainly felt it was one of the priciest meals I have had in
Pearland, and the portions left one wanting.  As I also mentioned, the
restaurant is a Mely venture.
>
>
>  >
>
> I like the burgers at Great Eats Grill (in the old Albertson's center
> --Foodsomething now.)  Especially good on the sourdough buns!
> MMMMMMmmmmmm.  Never tried Scooters, 'cause I can't stand that type of
> atmosphere (noise or smoke.)
>
The burgers as Scooters are as good as the cook making them.  I generally
don't go there for the food, however.



> Don't forget Central Texas Barbecue on 518 just west of the RR tracks.
> Great ribs and brisket, and baked potatoes, too.  They now take plastic!
> (For years, we've had to be sure we had cash before going, now, MC/Visa
> are accepted!)

I preferred Grand Prize to Central Texas, but obviously I was in the
minority.

>
> And, lastly, though probably favorite, Thanh Phuong for Vietnamese food.
> It's in the center across from the old Kroger on 518 (same as HEB, I
> think).  Their Bun Thit Nuong is fabulous -- they trim their meats for
> the American tastes, rather than Asian, so the pork is lean without
> "gristle".  The fried shrimp with garlic and French butter is also
> wonderful.  Their dumpling sauce is the best in the Houston area that we
> have found.  All in all, better than Kim Son in every dish we've tried
> (although Kim Son does have a larger selection :-) ) at both places.

Thanh Phuong was also a nice surprise, but stay well clear of the Italian
buffet joint a couple of doors down.

There is also a new coffee house on Grand and Broadway which serves coffee
and sandwiches, but I believe their main focus is the electronic gaming.

Does anyone know about the Dos Hermanos going in on 518?

Carey in Pearland