TS Lunches Happliy at Rollin’ in the Dough

On a recent quest to Albertson’s for a Kegerator refill, the TS team ducked into Rollin’ in the Dough (RITD) for a quick lunch. Though this small eatery is known mainly as a lunch spot, we noted upon arrival that they do offer dinner service on Thursday through Saturday nights. They also have a very small selection of beer and wine, which makes it all the more likely that we’ll pop in after work, and probably encourages the Broadmoor crowd to catch dinner there instead of braving the traffic elsewhere.

The atmosphere at RITD is clearly informal; this is a lunch or extremely casual dinner spot, not a place for date night. The menu consists of salads, sandwiches and burgers, as well as boiled shrimp and fried catfish. They also offer soups and gumbo on occasion. We placed our order at the counter, fixed our drinks and snagged the only empty table in the place, a testimony to its’ popularity. The décor is simple, and includes signs warning patrons that the food may take time to prepare, especially the burgers. The kids were mesmerized by the display of cookies and brownies at the front counter, which made for wonderful bribery material. We find it easier to coerce the heathens into eating their meal if they see the definitive promise of dessert in the future.

S ordered the chicken salad sandwich, which was served with chips, a pickle and a small chocolate “Casino” cake, apparently a signature item from RITD’s bakery selections. The chicken salad itself was just how “chicken-salad-purist” S likes it: chicken, mayo and a little celery…no weird stuff necessary. The salad was served on a homemade bun that was absolutely divine, and this has since become S’s favorite chicken salad sandwich in town. The Casino cake was basically a chocolate cake square, topped with some type of marshmallow-ish stuff, then glazed with a thin chocolate icing. S thought it tasted fine, but preferred some of the other cookies and treats she sampled from the kids’ desserts. However, having the entire lunch package of the sandwich, chips and dessert in one order has ensured that S now orders box lunches from RITD for work activities.

N ordered a bacon cheese burger, which was served with a side of fries and a pickle. The burger itself was substantial, and also served on the homemade bun. As a guy who has had just about every burger in town, N ranked RITD’s burger to be definitely on the higher end of Shreveport’s burger selection.

RITD has a kids’ menu, with the usual items you’d find on any kids’ menu in town. Our kids picked a selection of cookies for dessert, and we liked them all. N and S may have intentionally distracted them to steal more than our fair share.

In subsequent visits, S has also sampled the boiled shrimp, and found them to be tasty, large and well worth a try. Her only complaint is that RITD only offers cocktail sauce as an accompaniment. Remoulade would be a welcome addition.

Overall, RITD is a small, casual eatery that really seems to offer quality, clearly handcrafted fare. The prices are comparable to most lunch places in town, and definitely reasonable for what you get. We look forward to trying their King Cake soon.

TS does brunch at Another Broken Egg Cafe

Last weekend, we had a hankering for brunch, and felt compelled to try the newest addition to the Shreveport breakfast scene, Another Broken Egg Cafe.

Popping into a hot, new restaurant right about noon on a Sunday was probably not the best idea. As you can imagine, the place was absolutely packed, and we were in for a 30 minute wait.

We loved both the location and decor of this cafe, and it definitely projects the image of an upscale, classy yet country eatery. Another Broken Egg Cafe seems to be the perfect place to take your grandma after church, or gather with friends after a long weekend of too-much-fun. The presence of a bar is definitely an added bonus. What is brunch without a Bloody Mary, Mimosa or some other “hair of the dog” to ease the pain of an encroaching Monday-of-doom?

Once we survived the gauntlet of the crazy wait time, N ordered the kids some Biscuit Beignets to tide them over. These tasty treats were served with a side of honey marmalade, which N thought was very tasty, but S avoided, because marmalade just isn’t in her vocabulary. On a side note, everyone around us seemed to be ordering the Blackberry Grits as an appetizer, and by the time we left, we were kicking ourselves for not trying it too, as it looked very interesting. Overall, the menu was incredibly diverse and appealing, and we had a very hard time deciding on just one dish to try.

Once the heathen children were appeased with beignets, we ordered our main dishes. N got the Cinnamon Roll French Toast, which quite literally looked like a heart attack on a plate. Thick slices of cinnamon roll were cooked French-toast-style, layered with cream cheese icing and fresh berries, and covered with some type of sinful cinnamon syrup sauce. Both N and S thoroughly enjoyed this dish, though we were probably in danger of going into sugar shock. We suggest a side of bacon to help cut the sweetness overload.

S ordered the Popeye’s Favorite scramble, which was basically scrambled eggs with spinach, onion and bacon. The dish included a side of “country potatoes” and an English muffin. S liked her eggs, but after eye-balling the various eggs benedict varieties around her, wished she had not played it so safe. Her eggs were tasty, and both N and S were pleasantly surprised by the potatoes. Though they appeared to be simply frozen potato cubes, they actually had surprisingly good flavor and texture.

The kids ordered pancakes off the kids menu, which came with the choice of bacon, sausage or eggs. They were in kid-pancake-heaven.

The only downside of our experience, other than the wait time, was the service. While we expected the packed restaurant to have less-than-stellar service as a result of the customer volume, our service was pretty poor, and our waitress was nearly impossible to flag down for either drink refills or our check. However, we acknowledge that this new restaurant was as busy as it gets, so we’ll reserve any permanent judgment on service until we’ve had more experiences in comparison.

As for price, this cafe is certainly on the higher end of the breakfast spectrum. It’s not Waffle House. However, with the higher prices came fresh, diverse ingredients, substantial portions and intriguing presentations. Overall, we got out of there for about 50$ and that included a mimosa or two.

All in all, we give an initial thumbs-up to Another Broken Egg Cafe and look forward to another visit.

TS visits Oyster Bar, and it was tasty!

After a long day at work this week, the TS team decided to boycott our kitchen and head out for a quick, family dinner.

We decided to pop over to Oyster Bar, because it looks loud, has margaritas, and of course, has the all-important kids’ menu. Upon our arrival, the bar area was already packed, with patrons even sitting out on the patio; no small feat when it is over 100 degrees outside. We managed to snag a table, and ordered drinks. S was pleased to find her margarita came in the ever-popular Styrofoam cup. It doesn’t take much to make her happy after a bad day at work, and we now see why Oyster Bar appears to be a very popular happy-hour spot.

The menu at Oyster Bar is fairly unique. It contains several Mexican/Tex-Mex items, but also focuses on the Louisiana staples of oysters and shrimp, offered several ways. The main attraction is the mesquite grill, and most of the entrées include this as a preparation option.

Our heathen children insisted on a bowl of Queso to start (surprise, surprise), which we all enjoyed. For entrées, N and our youngest had the fried shrimp, which N thought was fine, though he was not a fan of the accompanying tartar sauce. However, we acknowledge that this is simply personal preference, rather than any shortcoming of the restaurant. S really scored by ordering the bacon-wrapped mesquite grilled shrimp. Both N and S loved this dish, which was packed with flavor and included a cup of butter sauce that perfectly complemented the shrimp. S was further impressed by her side item. To combat the nutritional suicide of bacon-wrapped, butter-coated shrimp, she ordered the grilled vegetables. Usually, restaurants serve up some generic, frozen vegetable medley with no flavor. However, Oyster Bar scored by delivering a fresh, flavorful mix of squash, zucchini, red pepper and onions that was cooked and seasoned well. Our Oldest had the chicken tenders, which appeared to be freshly prepared, and he apparently liked them, because Mr. Picky actually ate them.

The only downside of our visit to Oyster Bar was the service. While we admit the restaurant was packed, the small location and sheer number of visible servers seemed to ensure that service would at least be average. However, our server was MIA most of the meal, to the point that even the busy crowd could not be blamed for her absence.

Also, we should note that the prices at Oyster Bar are somewhat high. Our entrées averaged about 20$, and our total cost before tip was nearly 80$. While we found this to be a bit pricey for a weeknight meal, we also concede that the prices are very reasonable for a local business, and the quality of the seafood we received. So, overall, you probably need to judge for yourself whether the prices meet your budget and expectations, because in this economy, we all want to be sure we are getting the most bang for our bucks.

The final verdict? We really liked our first dinner experience at Oyster Bar, and will definitely be back.

TS loves El Compadre

Shreveport has a variety of Mexican restaurants, from the declining El Chico’s to the wallet-killing Superior. We’ve just about tried them all, and when it comes to good, consistent value, we pick El Compadre any day.

 Let’s dispel any notion of atmosphere right off. El Compadre is a family owned, hole-in-the-wall kinda place, and that’s precisely why we love it. While the inside may not be much to look at, it’s definitely family friendly, and is a place we are more than comfortable bringing young children. We eat there at least once a week, and by now, they are serving up our drinks as soon as we hit the door. We know that, after a long week at work, we can pop in with the kids, and relax over a consistently good meal that won’t cripple our bank account.

The menu at El Compadre is huge, and much of it includes things we’ve never heard of, and are probably not brave enough to try (sorry, but S draws the line and cactus and octopus). However, it also includes all the traditional Mexican fare that you’ll find around town, and some with a few unique twists. The Grill Del Compadre is N’s favorite; think beef fajitas, but add chorizo, poblano peppers and melted Jack cheese. N also favors the Queso Asado, but warns that it is on the spicy side, so take heed. S loves the beef fajitas and bacon-wrapped shrimp, both with corn tortillas and a side of queso. The salsa bar is nice touch, and offers several interesting selections. Obviously, the kids stick to the kids’ menu, but they scarf it down, so it must be ok. The only real weakness we’ve seen are the enchiladas, but have not tried enough of their selection to give a real opinion on the matter (and S can’t drag herself away from her fajitas long enough to care).

The portions are generous at El Compadre, and the prices are more than reasonable. For example, the beef fajitas come in at under 12$, and happy-hour margaritas are the icing on the proverbial cake.So, the overall verdict? El Compadre is a hidden gem in the Shreveport restaurant scene for casual, family dining. We love the food, the people and the price tag. Two-for-one Margaritas at dinner doesn’t hurt either…

A Great TS Debate: Herby-K’s

For all the ways that we often agree, N and S are at constant odds over Herby-K’s. This debate is both long and bitter, and shows how surprisingly polar opposite we can be. To get to the heart of this debate, we’ll let both members of our team have their say.

S LOVES Herby-K’s, and here, she explains why:

As a home-grown Shreveport girl, Herby-K’s has been a tradition in my family for three generations. My grandparents went on dates there, my mom remembers the days of car service, and I have a lifetime of memories within its’ walls. Jimmy knew me by name, Killer taught me how to spin quarters on the jukebox for extra plays, and my mom smuggled Shrimp Busters into the hospital after my c-sections. Some of the my warmest memories are with my family around a meal at Herby-K’s. I remember eating oysters with my grandfather, drinking beer with dad, and watching my kids eat their first Shrimp Busters.

Herby-K’s is the very definition of  a local, hole-in-the-wall gem. The atmosphere shows its’ history, and proves that, if it ain’t broke, leave it the hell alone!  While the patio expansion has added some much-needed seating, the original  structure is unchanged…and I like it that way. In a town where the old is often abandoned in favor of the shiny and new, Herby-K’s proves that providing tasty, consistent, gut-busting fare can trump all changes in the economy and city scape. Sure, the bathrooms are an adventure, but you know what you’re getting into, and if you’ve ever tried to find a restroom in NOLA during Mardi Gras, the you know Herby-K’s just isn’t that bad.

On to the food: A typical trip involves crab claws, onion rings, Shrimp Busters with extra red sauce, and goblets of ice-cold beer. My sister swears they have the best burgers in town, though I’ve never been able to bring myself to deviate from my traditional order. The crispy goodness of the Shrimp Buster, combined with the tang of lemon and kick of red sauce, pairs perfectly with the crusty bread for a meal of deep-fried, sinful paradise. Wash that down with a frosty goblet of draft beer, and I am in heaven, though my arteries whimper in defeat. Herby-K’s is food for my soul, and  is always at the top of our list for a family get-together.

N is a nut-bar for not loving it, and he just needs to give in and realize that, when he married me, he was in for a lifetime of meals there.  What kind of weirdo orders a salad at Herby-K’s anyway? His lack of enthusiasm shows that some of his taste buds must still be in a coma. I know four years of NSU cafeteria food can traumatize a person, but come on!

S

N HATES Herby-K’s, and makes no bones about it:

1:First, the food.  Let’s dispel the myth: there is no shrimp in a shrimp buster.  I challenge you to find it!  It is only a matter of time before this is confirmed on Myth Busters (do it, Adam!)  I have yet to figure out what law of physics is being defied by them being able to pound/press a tiny shrimp (if it is a shrimp)into a paper-thin wafer of fried substance and STILL maintain the shrimp’s tail handle.  I have to admit I was intrigued by this ‘shrimp buster’ concept as I had seen it in a magazine somewhere, but am now thinking that anything fried can make its way into Southern Living.  The fries, if you are foolish enough to get them, come from the local Wal-Mart brand bag (I suspect).  I can make those at home, and at least adapt them in some capacity to be edible.  If you like onion rings, and I don’t, I will give credit to them for this item.  Try them, but in moderation, as everything from Herby K’s is….yes, you guessed it, a heart attack waiting to happen.  The burgers are not worth comment, either good or bad, as I can find them at any short-order dive.  Believe it or not, as I have now tried just about everything on their menu, the best item I have found to decent taste is the Chef Salad (with bleu cheese dressing).

2:Now a positive note! Drinks!  If you are a beer fan, and a work-out fanatic, this is the place for you!  Not only do they have decent beer choices, but beer is served in a 10 lb. frozen goblet.  With 4 reps of 20, I can not only work my arms, but feel really happy doing it!  The inherent side bonus: Herby-K’s provides entertainment to their local patrons as every customer non-accustomed to this work-out inevitably drops this bludgeon of beer goodness, deafening those eating nearby (and more than likely waking them from their grease-induced coma) as the glass explodes.  With the removal of video poker, they have also recently expanded their alcohol selection from beer to anything 40 proof and above.  Yay!  Any other drinks come served in bottles (glass not plastic), and for that, Herby-K’s has my gratitude.

3:  As noted in other posts, there is more to rating a restaurant than just the food. Unless you have a hefty seat cushion (either organic from eating tons of shrimp busters, or have purchased one for a local Shreveport Captains game), prepare yourself for a most unpleasant hard-wood seat.  If you are lucky enough to get one of the 4 booths, rest assured if any cushioning exists in the backs, it will be sparse, ripped up, and probably housing some small furry, woodland creature happy to pick up the crumbs of whatever you can drop.  If you need the restroom after surviving a couple of giant beers of doom, and your heart allows you to stand and move, then get ready to trek out of the restaurant (watch your step!), around the corner,  through the dark alley (have I mentioned yet the unfortunate part of town this restaurant is in-pack a weapon!), and step up (a foot step at least!) into a dirty, graffiti’d outhouse (and I was wondering who to call for a good time).    Overall, the atmosphere could be defined as ‘cozy’ in a 3rd world or post-nuclear kind of way as the interior probably has not been updated in over 50 years.  I can see how S’s family has memories of eating from the car.  I certainly would opt for a real seat cushion and a quick exit strategy.

At the end of the day, my wife and her family love Herby-K’s, and because I love them, I will continue to try and suffer in relative silence.  S mentions a lifetime of meals there; perhaps, but it will not be too bad as I believe the years are dropping off with each visit. Consider yourself warned.

N

So, you see, the battle rages on, and will probably continue for eternity. Our best advice is to try it for yourself,  make up your own mind and let us know what you think. Nothing throws fuel on a fire like taking sides…