Tag Archives: seafood

Aboca’s Italian Grill at Central (75) and Meadow Road!

This time I decided to stray away from my Knox/Henderson safety zone so I went just a couple miles north off the highway.  Actually, I didn’t choose this place.  It was my brother’s birthday, so of course we let his wife choose the place.  ; )  Anyways, we went Italian this time at Aboca’s Italian Grill at Central and Meadow Road.  When you get off the highway, just look for Tom Thumb in a shopping center, and you’ll see Aboca’s a few doors down.  Just look for your sign.

When I first got there, I asked what beers they had, and my crew and the waiter quickly informed me that it was BYOB.  Initially, I began to calmly yell curse words in my head until they reminded me that Tom Thumb was next door.  When I was buying my booze, I actually realized I was saving money because of this BYOB “hiccup.”

I returned shortly and the waiter said he had to get our order right away because they were about to close.  Yep.  We were “those” people.  When we got our food, we ate like wolves so we wouldn’t keep them too much longer.  Still, they showed no signs of being terribly upset for coming in at the last minute.  Also, the food seemed like they took their time on it.  Everything was amazing!  I did take a picture of the hours so that none you do what we did.

Alright.  We started out with the calamari which was fried perfectly and not greasy.  Our dinner salads arrived shortly after.  I picked it up and swallowed it whole.  For dinner, I had the shrimp pasta aboca that had shrimp, garlic, shallots, mushrooms, capers, and artichokes sauteed in a lemon white wine sauce.  Yes, I copied that directly from their menu.  My memory isn’t THAT good, and I’m not that good of a writer.  Someone else had the beef lasagna.  I tasted it and thought it was some of the best lasagna that I’ve ever had.  The birthday boy and his other half had the pasta trio that had fettucini, manicotti, and lasagna.  They split it.  It looked and smelled great.  Someone who looked important even came over and asked how everything was rather than being upset at our last minute arrival.  Honestly, they were probably pretty happy about the quick in and out business and a big tab.  I made sure to tip insanely high to show my appreciation…  Plus, I’m a server, and we all always take care of one another.  It’s an unwritten code, y’all.

Oh.  Other things on the menu that we didn’t try this time?  They have a veal menu, seafood menu, and a pizza menu that includes calzone and stromboli.  They have more selections, of course, but I’ll just include a menu link down below.

In the end, I left very satisfied, and everyone working was very nice to us.  I highly recommend this place.  Don’t forget to arrive early and pick up a six pack before you go!  😉

Aboca’s Italian Grill menu!

Matt’s Rancho Martinez near Skillman and Live Oak!

New Tex-Mex restaurant in Lakewood?  Yep.  I had to try it.  I kinda felt like a traitor since La Calle Doce is nearly right across the street.  Anyways, I’m glad I did.  My dishes were so good!  I got an appetizer called “smoked Bob and sausage” that had slow smoked brisket and sausage laid over a bed of queso and served with sour cream, guacamole, and tortillas.  I loved it.  I tried it with the warm flour tortillas but enjoyed it more on top of a chip.  I piled each chip with all I could and probably embarrassed myself with how messy I got, but I just avoided looking around so I could keep pigging out without feeling embarrassed.  My friend got the shrimp cocktail for his meal.  I tried it.  It was nice.  Lightly spiced with avocado, baby shrimp, Mexican cocktail sauce, and crackers.  For my meal, I had a meal.  😉  I had the farm raised catfish laid over a bed of rice and served with grilled veggies and “drunken” beans.  The spices on everything were perfect.  Usually I force myself to eat all my vegetables, but it was not “forcing” this time.  I enjoyed my veggies.

The patio was pretty cool.  They had glass paneled garage doors behind the bar that opened up so that guests can sit at the outside bar and be served by the indoor bartenders!  They had four HD televisions that faced the patio from the inside so that the patio patrons could enjoy their favorite sports event.  Of course, they had patio tables as well for full service.

Anyways, the food was good, and the service was fast.  Sorry I didn’t try the obvious original Tex-Mex dishes, but I like to be a little different than the rest.  Check it out!

Matt’s Rancho Martinez menus

La Calle Doce at Skillman and Oram!

I went to La Calle Doce Mexican Seafood for their lunch specials.  Go figure!  My first lunch special post!  It’s probably because I’m not a big fan of daywalking.  So, I decided to take one for the team and do this for “you people.”  By “you people,” I mean normal.  Also, I took another one for the team and did this for the “not lactose intolerant.”  The food coma afterwards was worth it!  I got the sour cream chicken enchilada that came with beans and rice all for $7.95!  Delicious.  My buddy ordered the first special off the board for $5.95.  I think they were crispy chicken flautas with beans and rice.  He gave me a taste.  Really good stuff.  It’s funny that the cheaper special comes with a cup of chicken tortilla soup!  It’s okay, I incorporated the complimentary chips and salsa into my meal again.  My pictures aren’t too exciting, but the entrees look awesome on their website.  Lunch was good and cheap, but I MUST come back for dinner.

Oh!  Apparently, this place burned down recently (probably just the inside), and it took them eight months to rebuild.  It looks completely different.  They moved the bar closer to the front door.  Great idea!  Also, they have a private dining area, dining upstairs, and two patios!  Anyways, check out their link below.  Good stuff.

http://www.lacalledoce-dallas.com/menu-lunch.php

Victor Tangos at Knox/Henderson and Central (75)!!!

I love this place!  The food is delicious, and it’s a great escape from the outside world.  No windows.  It’s like a big, cozy, well lit, basement, with awesome people.  When I walk in, I feel like I just entered a well kept secret.  Almost like I shouldn’t be here.  The staff here are super nice.  I just can’t help but smile when any of them speak to me.  Also, I noticed a lot of Texas brews on draft.  I love that!  I had the Fireman #4, and my buddy had the Lakewood Wheat.

For food, we started with a flatbread.  I try to be sure and order whatever’s written on the board behind the bar, because it’s ALWAYS good.  The flatbread had grilled shrimp, lemongrass sausage, fresh jalapenos, cheese, etc. etc.  It was great.  After that we had the dayboat scallops, mussels, and roasted bone marrow.  The bone marrow came with caramelized onions (“onion confit”) and buttered toast.  Be sure to put it all together for the best bite ever!  The scallops laid on a bed of mushroom risotto and black bean sauce.  The mussels were served with a buttered baguette, and we discovered more lemongrass sausage in the bowl!  Wow.  I usually get the lollypop lamb chops, but I was a bit full after that random “surf and turf” we devoured.

For dessert, I was gonna get the toffee cake with an extra side of that fancy whipped cream.  I always get it, but opted for a cocktail called “The Last Word”.  I said, “can I get the last word?”, but he spoke, so I guess not.  LOL?  Not so much?  Oh well.  It was very good!  It had rye whiskey, lemon juice, green chartreuse, and maraschino liquor.  Shaken to perfection and poured in the least manly glass I could drink from…  as I kept my pinky out.  I was very happy with my cocktail as my dessert.  It was delicious, and I am not insecure, so I took my time.

Oh. They have so many other good things on the menu.  This is just what I had on this visit.  Definitely try other things. (tuna nachos)  Their kitchen is usually open until midnight EVERY night except Sunday when they’re closed, of course.  They’re located at Knox/Henderson and Central across from Velvet Taco and right next to Sleep Experts.

www.victortangos.com

 

May 2014.  New Chef.  The menu has changed a bit.  Still very good.  Check it out.  They kept the most popular items if you’re worried about the bone marrow.  😉

Alligator Cafe’ in East Dallas!!!

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Yep!  We went Cajun this time!  This place was pretty busy with only three servers.  Generally, I try not to go to a restaurant during their dinner rush, but, oops!  I did it again.  I just had to be sure that I was ready to order enough “stuff” every time the server stopped by.  Right away we ordered water, Pabst Blue Ribbon (don’t judge, it was refreshing), shiner, calamari, and crab cakes.  I just gotta say, I love when someone does fried food well.  Not too greasy or chewy, etc.  The crab cakes were on an awesome sauce that I can’t pronounce.  The calamari was served with tartar and cocktail sauce.  Both appetizers were very good.  It made waiting, which wasn’t that long, more bearable.  It’s just that time is in slow motion when you’re super hungry.  For dinner we had more beer, blackened tilapia that sat on a bed of dirty rice (instead of white rice by request) topped with an AWESOME shrimp cream sauce, fried okra, blackened alligator, blackened salmon, and fried cream corn.  I loved everything.  I don’t have to describe all the flavors, just know that it was great, and please try all this good stuff.  I see why their Chef has been on television.  Also, one of their regulars told me I should’ve got the pork chops.  Next time.  No dessert this time.  I couldn’t even finish my tilapia which I took some home as leftovers.  It was even better the second day!

Oh, I understand they sometimes have live music.  Acoustic blues and jazz I think.  Check out their website for that info.  Speaking of their website, their pictures on there do their food much more justice than mine.

http://eatgator.com

I love food, and I approve this restaurant.  (Sorry, election coming up.)  😉