Overrated Food Places

[Baboontyme 2681]

I'm all for college kids doing the dumbest shit possible. My roommate laid down in front of a fire truck Tianemen Square style. 

[Texzilla58 4686]

That totally defeats your argument because Taco Bell sucks and I haven’t eaten their in years. I mean, I get it. You’re from Texas and those Yankees up in Ohio make a meat sauce that has the word “chili” attached to it and it’s seasoned with Mediterranean spices and not the spices you associate with chili so it must suck.
I first had Taco Bell probably around a decade before I had Skyline. I’ve watched Taco Bell’s decline over the years. I’m not even sure they’re serving actual beef anymore. Have you ever put a leftover bean burrito in the fridge overnight? It’s as hard as a brick the next morning.
I can’t point a finger at anyone specifically, but I know for certain that a lot of the supposed disgust over Cincinnati chili here is ideological, not culinary.
While Cincinnati chili started at Skyline, it’s become its own thing. Not only can you get it at Gold Star, a sort of fast casual competitor of Skyline, but you can also get it at more formal sit-down restaurants. You can find recipes online to make it at home. You can buy spice packets to make it simple.
I whipped this up after the Super Bowl. I couldn’t eat it all but the leftovers were great the day after. (In honor of Joe Burrow, I elected to go with two hot sauces, one from Ohio and one from Louisiana.) And yes, I had to add more cheese.

You have an unpopular opinion: estollong the virtues of Cincinnati “chili”, as the popular opinion is it is shit.

You know why skyline hasn’t declined in 35 years. Because if you’re dogshit, there’s no room left to decline.

Did you put fucking kidney beans in your plate? That’s certainly outing cat shit on your dog shit.

[Hank_Hill 17676]

8 hours ago, irishtexan said:

The asadero tacos at Matt's are legitimately good. The cowboy-style chicken fried steak is also good. As many have said, you have to know not to order "traditional" tex-mex at Matt's because that's not what they do well. Which I guess makes it "overrated" because it's insanely popular and the general quality of food doesn't match its popularity. So if that's your definition, then sure, Matt's is overrated. But I'm fine going to Matt's and know there are a few things that are actually pretty damn good. 

This. If you’re not ordering the Asadero tacos there that’s on you. But, a restaurant with its hype should have more than one really good dish I agree.

[Etexhorn13 3013]

2 hours ago, Texzilla58 said:

You have an unpopular opinion: estollong the virtues of Cincinnati “chili”, as the popular opinion is it is shit.

You know why skyline hasn’t declined in 35 years. Because if you’re dogshit, there’s no room left to decline.

Did you put fucking kidney beans in your plate? That’s certainly outing cat shit on your dog shit.

cripple fight!!!!!

[Etexhorn13 3013]

30 minutes ago, Hank_Hill said:

This. If you’re not ordering the Asadero tacos there that’s on you. But, a restaurant with its hype should have more than one really good dish I agree.

When I was like 12, Matt opened a small Mexican restaurant in Jefferson when he “retired” to Lake O’ The Pines. I guess he wanted something to do while he waited out cancer, but his place was around for a few years. Being that my parents owned a restaurant there and also met in Austin and had been there back in their day, they became pretty good friends with Matt. In our tiny town his food blew any Mexican place - past and future - out of the water and he was exceptionally nice to my family, but yeah… anyone in Austin going to El Rancho for anything other than Margs is doing it wrong. Maybe being a Houston person now I’m spoiled,  but outside of the Queso and Margs there’s nothing to write home about. 

[Underdog 28118]

12 hours ago, WhatTheBuck said:

That totally defeats your argument because Taco Bell sucks and I haven’t eaten their in years. I mean, I get it. You’re from Texas and those Yankees up in Ohio make a meat sauce that has the word “chili” attached to it and it’s seasoned with Mediterranean spices and not the spices you associate with chili so it must suck.

I first had Taco Bell probably around a decade before I had Skyline. I’ve watched Taco Bell’s decline over the years. I’m not even sure they’re serving actual beef anymore. Have you ever put a leftover bean burrito in the fridge overnight? It’s as hard as a brick the next morning.

I can’t point a finger at anyone specifically, but I know for certain that a lot of the supposed disgust over Cincinnati chili here is ideological, not culinary.

While Cincinnati chili started at Skyline, it’s become its own thing. Not only can you get it at Gold Star, a sort of fast casual competitor of Skyline, but you can also get it at more formal sit-down restaurants. You can find recipes online to make it at home. You can buy spice packets to make it simple.

I whipped this up after the Super Bowl. I couldn’t eat it all but the leftovers were great the day after. (In honor of Joe Burrow, I elected to go with two hot sauces, one from Ohio and one from Louisiana.) And yes, I had to add more cheese.

NGL, I’d go Uncle Boobs on that plate. 
 

11 hours ago, Judge Roybeanbag said:

My problem with eating Italian food out is, I can make that shit at home.  

is opening a can of Chef Boyardee  considered “make that shit at home”?

[Judge Roybeanbag 11728]

6 minutes ago, Underdog said:

NGL, I’d go Uncle Boobs on that plate. 
 

is opening a can of Chef Boyardee  considered “make that shit at home”?

Touché.   But I also know that some sardine paste, toasted breadcrumbs and red pepper flakes with pasta make a fine meal.  

Edited October 1, 2022 by Judge Roybeanbag

[Underdog 28118]

All kidding aside, some fabulous cooks for which I’m not one of on this site, some real mouth watering pics/meals on Shit I’ve Cooked thread. 

[jimmyjazz 45162]

19 hours ago, Baboontyme said:

I'm all for college kids doing the dumbest shit possible. My roommate laid down in front of a fire truck Tianemen Square style. 

I lived on the 10th floor of Jester for a semester.  A total meathead lived down the hall, and back then the dorm windows actually opened.  He would jam a pullup bar in his open window and do pullups 10 stories up.  

[zlavydra 2109]

21 hours ago, jimmyjazz said:

I lived on the 10th floor of Jester for a semester.  A total meathead lived down the hall, and back then the dorm windows actually opened.  He would jam a pullup bar in his open window and do pullups 10 stories up.  

1989-1990? East or west? Lots of shit flew out of those windows. 

[jimmyjazz 45162]

5 minutes ago, zlavydra said:

1989-1990? East or west? Lots of shit flew out of those windows. 

West, but a few years prior.

[MalibuSheriff 1084]

One more thing about Matt’s…

If you order the Grilled Old Fashion Tacos with Smoked Brisket, add a spoonful of onions and cilantro to each taco.  If you don’t think these are delicious, there’s no hope for your palate.

[Al Czervik 1205]

Freebirds in Austin by the Domain has taken a few steps back. Clearly not putting money into the space, equipment, employees and judging by the lack of lunch time lack of crowd I can see why. Maybe they’re just waiting for the lease to end.  Use to hit up this place often but have since moved my office further away and don’t see a reason to go back.  Totally sucked. 

[Guest]

16 hours ago, Al Czervik said:

Freebirds in Austin by the Domain has taken a few steps back. Clearly not putting money into the space, equipment, employees and judging by the lack of lunch time lack of crowd I can see why. Maybe they’re just waiting for the lease to end.  Use to hit up this place often but have since moved my office further away and don’t see a reason to go back.  Totally sucked. 

That's funny you mention it. It used to be a staple and then about a 8-12 months ago, I realized it fell out of the rotation. It always seemed dirty and never had the orders on time and using coupons/specials was a pain in the ass online. 

The kid mentioned it a couple of weeks ago and realized I hadn't been there awhile. We went, and I thought it was back to being really good. It also seemed like it had cleaned up. Gone again since then and it was still better. It's back in the rotation for now. 

But no, there was hardly anyone there. 

[Guest]

On 9/27/2022 at 12:03 PM, Macanudo said:

Chuy's should make the list.

Steak burrito with boom-boom sauce is something better than a lot of other joints.  I would agree that their regular plates are very meh!

[texasdago 7389]

On 10/2/2022 at 2:41 PM, zlavydra said:

1989-1990? East or west? Lots of shit flew out of those windows. 

Yes it did, especially from the 13th floor

[Pescado_Rojo 19235]

5 hours ago, slorch said:

Steak burrito with boom-boom sauce is something better than a lot of other joints.  I would agree that their regular plates are very meh!

literally the only thing I've ordered from Chuy's in years. 

[Enemy07 279]

On 9/30/2022 at 3:12 PM, PilotsError said:

Any Detroit style pizza place.  Finally went to Via 313 after hearing about the magic of Detroit pizza.  

It tastes just like Pizza Hut deep dish. 

Don't get me wrong, it's good pizza.  But it's not special. 

This guy knows. Ate it three times when they had their trailer at Violet Crown. All three times it was given to me. Was drinking, so it was decent and got the job done. Walked down to the new location and it was worse. Tasted similar to a sponge soaked up in tomato sauce! Any pizza specialist want to chime in?

I believe they hit the bottom of the food and truck bubble when they were at Violet Crown. @PilotsError Did you try their trailer and their new brick location? I will have to give it another chance. Just to check out the scenery and have a few drinks. Drove by there earlier and there was a group of girls already taking shots on the 6 plex wagon. Lots of good looking girls on E. 6st now. 🤘

Edited February 24 by Enemy07

[4th&Five 41111]

There was definitely a step down in quality after they sold out. The original trailers and the first B&M’s were tits when they opened, imo. 

[Rudiger 1147]

10 hours ago, Da Fino said:

Speaking of atmosphere, grilling outside with friends and tailgating are exceptional ways to enjoy a culinary experience. For fans that are going to the ball game, they have an opportunity now to tailgate at a brand new stadium and smoke it up and saranate the whole stadium itself. To me tailgating is a part of gameday experience. And what we found is that 42% of the people prefer pork over the other meat. And at tailgate parties I can understand why because pork is easy, easy to cook, it’s simple and it’s affordable, and so going to gameday stadium, look for everyone out there to be tailgatin. To be using some type of pork meat on their grills.*

*This statement brought to you by the American Pork Council.

[jimmyjazz 45162]

I hate AI.

[DoobieWah 1374]

On 2/23/2024 at 8:50 AM, Da Fino said:

Speaking of atmosphere, grilling outside with friends and tailgating are exceptional ways to enjoy a culinary experience. For fans that are going to the ball game, they have an opportunity now to tailgate at a brand new stadium and smoke it up and saranate the whole stadium itself. To me tailgating is a part of gameday experience. And what we found is that 42% of the people prefer pork over the other meat. And at tailgate parties I can understand why because pork is easy, easy to cook, its simple and it’s affordable, and so going to gameday stadium, look for everyone out there to be tailgatin. To be using some type of pork meat on their grills.

 

Saranate?

[elfenix 34075]

12 minutes ago, DoobieWah said:

 

Saranate?

finominole

[Judge Roybeanbag 11728]

49 minutes ago, DoobieWah said:

 

Saranate?

Cross between serenade and marinate.  

[DoobieWah 1374]

1 minute ago, Judge Roybeanbag said:

Cross between serenade and marinate.  

I was thinking saturate and marinate. 

[patrickdrinksbeer 787]

Speaking of atmosphere, grilling outside with friends and tailgating are exceptional ways to enjoy a culinary experience. For fans that are going to the ball game, they have an opportunity now to tailgate at a brand new stadium and smoke it up and saranate the whole stadium itself. To me tailgating is a part of gameday experience. And what we found is that 42% of the people prefer pork over the other meat. And at tailgate parties I can understand why because pork is easy, easy to cook, its simple and it’s affordable, and so going to gameday stadium, look for everyone out there to be tailgatin. To be using some type of pork meat on their grills.

My pig found itself smart enough to hop over the barrier from his pen to the next pen and eat all of that pig’s food, and go to the next one and eat all of that pig’s food, and the next one and eat all of that pig’s food and make his way back in time when it was my time to feed him he had already eaten 3 meals and was sitting there waiting for me and I would feed him and he would eat that and that’s why he gained so much weight and got sifted at the fat stock show.

[Underdog 28118]

21 hours ago, DoobieWah said:

 

Saranate?

Billy Joel song/album... Streetlife Saranater. 

[texasdago 7389]

On 2/23/2024 at 7:25 PM, Enemy07 said:

This guy knows. Ate it three times when they had their trailer at Violet Crown. All three times it was given to me. Was drinking, so it was decent and got the job done. Walked down to the new location and it was worse. Tasted similar to a sponge soaked up in tomato sauce! Any pizza specialist want to chime in?

I believe they hit the bottom of the food and truck bubble when they were at Violet Crown. @PilotsError Did you try their trailer and their new brick location? I will have to give it another chance. Just to check out the scenery and have a few drinks. Drove by there earlier and there was a group of girls already taking shots on the 6 plex wagon. Lots of good looking girls on E. 6st now. 🤘

Detroit style pizza is just fat pizza... like "way too much" pizza pizza.  Its good when you are drinking but otherwise, I'll find another option.

[ztejas 42775]

5 minutes ago, texasdago said:

Detroit style pizza is just fat pizza... like "way too much" pizza pizza.  Its good when you are drinking but otherwise, I'll find another option.

Yeah I'm not big on Detroit Style.

For whatever reason I like Jet's though. 

[texasdago 7389]

4 minutes ago, ztejas said:

Yeah I'm not big on Detroit Style.

For whatever reason I like Jet's though. 

Last one I had was Jet's... and it was accompanied with margaritas by a fire pit so it was perfect.

[conVINCEd 21468]

15 minutes ago, ztejas said:

Yeah I'm not big on Detroit Style.

For whatever reason I like Jet's though. 

I don’t know if they still do this, or if it was location specific, but I worked near a Jets several years ago and they sold it by the slice for lunch.  2 slices was just the right amount of food for a midday snack.

[Bolero88 249]

4 hours ago, texasdago said:

Detroit style pizza is just fat pizza... like "way too much" pizza pizza.  Its good when you are drinking but otherwise, I'll find another option.

Hard disagree. I make my own every 6 weeks or so. So damn good. 

[ChickenSandwich 9760]

5 hours ago, conVINCEd said:

I don’t know if they still do this, or if it was location specific, but I worked near a Jets several years ago and they sold it by the slice for lunch.  2 slices was just the right amount of food for a midday snack.

Still offered. Great deal. 

[Brisketexan 103515]

Get ready for never-ending pasta, and unlimited salad and breadsticks, at CHUY'S!

Quote

AUSTIN, Texas — An iconic Austin chain will soon be under new ownership. 

On Wednesday, Darden Restaurants, Inc. announced a mutual agreement to take over Tex-Mex restaurant Chuy's Holdings, Inc.

The Orlando, Florida, based restaurant operator owns multiple popular eateries, including Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, Eddie V's, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, Bahama Breeze and more. 

 

[ChickenSandwich 9760]

Cashing out. Every restaurant owner’s dream. 

[randomhorn 1500]

I thought Chuy's had sold out a while ago, hence the nationwide expansion. Now it's even more sold out I guess.

[Trey3216 15308]

1 hour ago, Brisketexan said:

Get ready for never-ending pasta, and unlimited salad and breadsticks, at CHUY'S!

 

Good, now I'll be able to tell my wife that I really really am never going there again.  I've only ever liked their hatch chili sauce enchiladas to begin with.  Their salsa, aka watery pico, is fucking gross and I'm not one to go to a place just to eat cilantro ranch "sauce".  

 

[Texzilla588 765]

Never cared much for Chuy’s. Now I can say it ain’t even Tex Mex but Florida shit.

[conVINCEd 21468]

Chuy’s has always sucked.  How is it possible that this restaurant group specializing in warmed over dogshit also runs Eddie V’s?

Edited July 18 by conVINCEd

[Brisketexan 103515]

1 hour ago, Texzilla588 said:

Never cared much for Chuy’s. Now I can say it ain’t even Tex Mex but Florida shit.

The only things I ever liked there were some of the green chile dishes or a chuychanga topped with deluxe tomatillo.  And yeah...I dig the cilantro ranch dip for the chips, but that isn't sufficient reason to go there.  If you get dragged to Chuys, there are a couple of decent things to eat, but it was never a chosen destination for us.  I haven't been to one in at least 5-6 years.

Edited July 18 by Brisketexan

[Vegas64 640]

2 hours ago, Trey3216 said:

Good, now I'll be able to tell my wife that I really really am never going there again.  I've only ever liked their hatch chili sauce enchiladas to begin with.  Their salsa, aka watery pico, is fucking gross and I'm not one to go to a place just to eat cilantro ranch "sauce".  

 

Their chips are fantastic and that creamy ranch stuff is like crack.

Super underrated Tortilla soup as well.

[Vegas64 640]

Speaking of Tex-Mex. I lament that Taco Diner is officially dead now with the last few spots being shuttered I believe now, but I was at HPV the other day and noticed that the cousin restaurant Mi Cocina's as taken the one thing I loved and incorporated it: Los Cabos Salad. 

Other than that, Mi Cocina's sucks. Their chips are stale and the salsa is average and the food is below average. I'd rather eat Chuy's than Mi Cocina's.

[Trey3216 15308]

8 minutes ago, Vegas64 said:

Their chips are fantastic and that creamy ranch stuff is like crack.

Super underrated Tortilla soup as well.

The chips and salsa at Chili's is better than Chuy's.  That shouldn't happen at a "Tex-Mex" place.  

 

Do you eat your Dino Chicky Nuggies with your crack?  

Edited July 18 by Trey3216

[Brisketexan 103515]

2 minutes ago, Trey3216 said:

The chips and salsa at Chili's is better than Chuy's.  That shouldn't happen at a "Tex-Mex" place.  

 

Do you eat your Dino Chicky Nuggies with your crack?  

The salsa at Chuy's is indeed sub-par....but my love for Chili's salsa is well-known.

And say what you want, it's pedestrian as hell, but the cilantro ranch is still delicious.  Pedestrian can be delicious - I love me some McDonald's fries fresh out of the fryer.  And yeah....I bet dino nuggies would be pretty good dipped in cilantro ranch.

[Vegas64 640]

3 minutes ago, Trey3216 said:

The chips and salsa at Chili's is better than Chuy's.  That shouldn't happen at a "Tex-Mex" place.  

 

Do you eat your Dino Chicky Nuggies with your crack?  

The chips at Chili's are as close to perfect as one can get. Fresh chips at Chili's still wet from the grease is perfection, so I don't take your attempt at a dig, as a dig.

That said, the chips of Chili's and Chuy's ARE actually quite similiar, and their strength.

[Trey3216 15308]

Just now, Brisketexan said:

The salsa at Chuy's is indeed sub-par....but my love for Chili's salsa is well-known.

And say what you want, it's pedestrian as hell, but the cilantro ranch is still delicious.  Pedestrian can be delicious - I love me some McDonald's fries fresh out of the fryer.  And yeah....I bet dino nuggies would be pretty good dipped in cilantro ranch.

I like cilantro ranch just fine.  On salads, sandwiches, stuff that is deep fried that involves bacon (crazy wings at George's with cilantro sauce for instance).  I just don't like chips and ranch.  

[Vegas64 640]

Just now, Trey3216 said:

I like cilantro ranch just fine.  On salads, sandwiches, stuff that is deep fried that involves bacon (crazy wings at George's with cilantro sauce for instance).  I just don't like chips and ranch.  

As a young man when I had the metabolism of an Olympic swimmer, I would pound the Chili's chips with their ranch. So maybe that explains my affinity for Chuy's chips and cilantro ranch. I've been conditioned.

 

[Brisketexan 103515]

4 minutes ago, Trey3216 said:

I like cilantro ranch just fine.  On salads, sandwiches, stuff that is deep fried that involves bacon (crazy wings at George's with cilantro sauce for instance).  I just don't like chips and ranch.  

So....I'll bring the cilantro ranch, you bring the dino nuggies?  Sounds like we gots a plan.

[Trey3216 15308]

1 minute ago, Brisketexan said:

So....I'll bring the cilantro ranch, you bring the dino nuggies?  Sounds like we gots a plan.

I have a huge supply of dino nuggies, 3 & 2 yr old kids and what not.

[SurlyGator 822]

Man, you guys are spoiled when it comes to Tex-Mex.  I haven't lived in the Lone Star State since I graduated college in 1991.  Six states throughout the Southeast since then now finds me in Nashville.  Chuy's blows pretty much everything Mexican or Tex-Mex around here out of the water.  No exaggeration.  There is one Uncle Julio's, but that's about it for competition.

I miss competition for my Mexican food dollar.  If it becomes more Olive Garden-esque, they may get a Molotov cocktail through a window.