Bread Basket Cafe
220 S. Eighth St. (downtown, off the north side of the MU campus)
10/17/07
Oldboy: 5 1/2 stars
We went there in the evening and I got the feeling they do a lot more business during the day. Lots of seating and few people on a Wednesday night around 7 pm. Very reasonable and low prices, for the amount and quality of food you receive. Counter service rather than sit down and be waited on. I got a soup and 1/2 sandwich combo. The 1/2 sandwich was more like a full sandwich, with thick slices of homemade bread, though it was a little light on the meat. The bread was toasted/grilled, which gave it a little bit of a crunch factor. Overall, it was filling and tasty, good but not great. The soup came in a bread bowl with the extra in a cup on the side. Unlike other places that offer soup in a bread bowl, you got a full serving of soup. The soup was cheddar broccoli, warm and filling, though I would have liked a bit more broccoli in the soup. As much as I liked the bread bowl, I would have liked the option of just having the soup in a bowl to cut down on the number of carbs in the soup and 1/2 sandwich combo. It was good soup, had a nice taste and flavor, but it didn't make a great impression on me. The best features are the quality and amount of food for the cost.
Showing posts with label American. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American. Show all posts
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Gibson Girls Cafe
Gibson Girls Cafe
3412 Grindstone Parkway (attached to the Ice Chalet Antique store)
Sept. 19th, 2007
Oldboy: 3 1/2 stars
A lot of expectations that didn't materialize. Homey atmosphere, though the booth was a bit cramped, with mostly an older & middle aged crowd. The service was just about the best we've had anywhere, definitely the high point of the whole experience. The prices were fairly average to low/average, my meal, and entree with an appetizer cost around $12. The atmosphere and advertising suggested home-cooking, and the food came out looking definitely homemade. The soups (choice of 4 from the "largest soup bar in Columbia") were tasty, but not the spectacular we were expecting. The chili was more soupy and mostly beans, though the steak soup was a nice, dark thick soup with decent chunks of meat in it. The onion rings were hot, home-made, and just a touch too salty. The roll also was nice and "fresh from the oven" warm, but once again, did not have the outstanding taste we were expecting. My entree, a chicken fried steak, was not made on a production line, but had a touch of heavy handed saltiness to it. The mashed potatoes were real, not from a box, and either they or the gravy suffered from just a touch too much salt as well. The portions were just enough to fill, but nothing left over for a doggy bag. We had a lot of expectations here, the smell and the visual of homemade food had us anticipating more than what we actually received. Other than the great service, a bit of a disappointment.
3412 Grindstone Parkway (attached to the Ice Chalet Antique store)
Sept. 19th, 2007
Oldboy: 3 1/2 stars
A lot of expectations that didn't materialize. Homey atmosphere, though the booth was a bit cramped, with mostly an older & middle aged crowd. The service was just about the best we've had anywhere, definitely the high point of the whole experience. The prices were fairly average to low/average, my meal, and entree with an appetizer cost around $12. The atmosphere and advertising suggested home-cooking, and the food came out looking definitely homemade. The soups (choice of 4 from the "largest soup bar in Columbia") were tasty, but not the spectacular we were expecting. The chili was more soupy and mostly beans, though the steak soup was a nice, dark thick soup with decent chunks of meat in it. The onion rings were hot, home-made, and just a touch too salty. The roll also was nice and "fresh from the oven" warm, but once again, did not have the outstanding taste we were expecting. My entree, a chicken fried steak, was not made on a production line, but had a touch of heavy handed saltiness to it. The mashed potatoes were real, not from a box, and either they or the gravy suffered from just a touch too much salt as well. The portions were just enough to fill, but nothing left over for a doggy bag. We had a lot of expectations here, the smell and the visual of homemade food had us anticipating more than what we actually received. Other than the great service, a bit of a disappointment.
Monday, September 17, 2007
My Kitchen
My Kitchen
located at My House
As many people that have come over to my place and/or have eaten my cooking, I thought I'd toss this in for kicks. Price: reasonable, often free, though the host really hopes that patrons offer some sort of compensation (money, reciprocal meals, etc.). Amount: usually all you can eat, and even sometimes leftovers or take-out (bring my containers back please!). Decor: well, I have two other "gentlemen" roomates, need I say more? The food, well, people always come back and I have frequent requests. One often requested menu selection is my African groundnut soup. In fact, I served this to the Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars band when they performed during the Roots, Blues & Bar-B-Q festival. I spent 2 years in Sierra Leone as a Peace Corps Volunteer. They liked it a lot, and dedicated their oncore song to "the white man who cooked us food!" Several band members came up to me afterwards and said that my food gave them the "power" to perform well. Groundnut soup is actually a sauce served over rice, but good by itself, with onions, butter beans, sweet and Irish potatoes, chicken, lots of peanut butter and red pepper. Another often requested dish (especially by 2nd Best Man & Ferretman in St. Louie) are my pot-stickers or dumplings. Pork stuffing and I like them fried after cooking them in boiling water. I learned how to make these from fellow graduate students from China (I amazed one of my Chinese roomates, Dr. Gu, by making dumplings as fast as he did). A dish I've taken to many a company picnic and social gatherings and have had a lot of requests for the recipe for are my baked beans. These are slightly spicy, sweet sticky baked beans, in a cast iron pot cooked in the oven for at least 6 to 8 hours. Friends know that at birthday time all they need to do is tell me the type of cake they want; chocolate with extra chocolate seems to be popular. People don't go hungry here, and they keep coming back, so the food must be good!
located at My House
As many people that have come over to my place and/or have eaten my cooking, I thought I'd toss this in for kicks. Price: reasonable, often free, though the host really hopes that patrons offer some sort of compensation (money, reciprocal meals, etc.). Amount: usually all you can eat, and even sometimes leftovers or take-out (bring my containers back please!). Decor: well, I have two other "gentlemen" roomates, need I say more? The food, well, people always come back and I have frequent requests. One often requested menu selection is my African groundnut soup. In fact, I served this to the Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars band when they performed during the Roots, Blues & Bar-B-Q festival. I spent 2 years in Sierra Leone as a Peace Corps Volunteer. They liked it a lot, and dedicated their oncore song to "the white man who cooked us food!" Several band members came up to me afterwards and said that my food gave them the "power" to perform well. Groundnut soup is actually a sauce served over rice, but good by itself, with onions, butter beans, sweet and Irish potatoes, chicken, lots of peanut butter and red pepper. Another often requested dish (especially by 2nd Best Man & Ferretman in St. Louie) are my pot-stickers or dumplings. Pork stuffing and I like them fried after cooking them in boiling water. I learned how to make these from fellow graduate students from China (I amazed one of my Chinese roomates, Dr. Gu, by making dumplings as fast as he did). A dish I've taken to many a company picnic and social gatherings and have had a lot of requests for the recipe for are my baked beans. These are slightly spicy, sweet sticky baked beans, in a cast iron pot cooked in the oven for at least 6 to 8 hours. Friends know that at birthday time all they need to do is tell me the type of cake they want; chocolate with extra chocolate seems to be popular. People don't go hungry here, and they keep coming back, so the food must be good!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
New York Deli
New York Deli
1301 Vandiver Dr.
Sept. 12th, 2007
Oldboy: 4 1/2 stars
OK Deli-style food, fairly limited menu I thought. Not a very large place, limited seating. I think they do most of their business early in the day, we got there around 5:30 pm. Unfortunately, they were out of hero/sub buns for the sandwiches. My Miracle Mets sandwich was tasty, but a bit sloppy. I had asked for mayo and it seemed a bit runny. However, the amount of meat was definitely on the thick side. Two sandwiches, some Tortellini and Macaroni salads, two slices of cheesecake (had to try cheesecake from a NY-style Deli!) and a couple of drinks cost us just over $30. I thought both the salads were good but not great. The cheesecake was also ok, but nothing to write home about. I enjoyed the food, but it wasn't anything that I thought was outstanding.
1301 Vandiver Dr.
Sept. 12th, 2007
Oldboy: 4 1/2 stars
OK Deli-style food, fairly limited menu I thought. Not a very large place, limited seating. I think they do most of their business early in the day, we got there around 5:30 pm. Unfortunately, they were out of hero/sub buns for the sandwiches. My Miracle Mets sandwich was tasty, but a bit sloppy. I had asked for mayo and it seemed a bit runny. However, the amount of meat was definitely on the thick side. Two sandwiches, some Tortellini and Macaroni salads, two slices of cheesecake (had to try cheesecake from a NY-style Deli!) and a couple of drinks cost us just over $30. I thought both the salads were good but not great. The cheesecake was also ok, but nothing to write home about. I enjoyed the food, but it wasn't anything that I thought was outstanding.
Cafe Berlin
Cafe Berlin
Corner of Providence and Walnut
Aug. 18, 2007
Oldboy: 5 1/2 stars
One of several places in Columbia that serve breakfast and lunch only. Cafe Berlin is a bit different in that it leans more to the organic and healthy fare. Lots of bran and fresh squeezed o.j. The prices were average to above average. The decor was a touch eccentric and pleasant enough surroundings. I liked the Eggs Benedict, very tasty with thick chunks of sliced ham. The amount of food was average, but no real left-overs.
Corner of Providence and Walnut
Aug. 18, 2007
Oldboy: 5 1/2 stars
One of several places in Columbia that serve breakfast and lunch only. Cafe Berlin is a bit different in that it leans more to the organic and healthy fare. Lots of bran and fresh squeezed o.j. The prices were average to above average. The decor was a touch eccentric and pleasant enough surroundings. I liked the Eggs Benedict, very tasty with thick chunks of sliced ham. The amount of food was average, but no real left-overs.
Catfish Corner Restaurant
Catfish Corner Restaurant
6307 Leupold Court (off Rt. B)
Aug. 29th, 2007
Oldboy: 4 stars - average
On entering the Catfish Corner Restaurant one enters a family dining atmosphere that evokes what Cracker Barrel wants to be. A sort-of quaint, down home feeling with decent food, friendly staff and pleasant surroundings, though it did have a slight slapped-together industrial feel to it, a box building slapped down on a cement pad. Lots of family groups and older couples, this place didn't seem to have much of a college crowd to it. I bought $19 worth of food, as we wanted to try a variety of things, which provided some leftovers, though just getting a regular filling meal would likely have provided few leftovers for an average/average-high cost. The food was decent, plain, filling fare. The jalapeno hushpuppies lacked bite, the fries weren't that great, and the only thing that really excited me were the Boudin Balls (sausage and rice filled cornmeal balls deep fried - imported from Louisiana the waitress said). If I really, really craved catfish/seafood I would consider returning, if only for the Boudin Balls. The main problem with this place is its location, out of town on Route B towards Hallsville (past the Quaker and 3M plants).
6307 Leupold Court (off Rt. B)
Aug. 29th, 2007
Oldboy: 4 stars - average
On entering the Catfish Corner Restaurant one enters a family dining atmosphere that evokes what Cracker Barrel wants to be. A sort-of quaint, down home feeling with decent food, friendly staff and pleasant surroundings, though it did have a slight slapped-together industrial feel to it, a box building slapped down on a cement pad. Lots of family groups and older couples, this place didn't seem to have much of a college crowd to it. I bought $19 worth of food, as we wanted to try a variety of things, which provided some leftovers, though just getting a regular filling meal would likely have provided few leftovers for an average/average-high cost. The food was decent, plain, filling fare. The jalapeno hushpuppies lacked bite, the fries weren't that great, and the only thing that really excited me were the Boudin Balls (sausage and rice filled cornmeal balls deep fried - imported from Louisiana the waitress said). If I really, really craved catfish/seafood I would consider returning, if only for the Boudin Balls. The main problem with this place is its location, out of town on Route B towards Hallsville (past the Quaker and 3M plants).
Buckingham Smokehouse Bar-B-Q
Buckingham Smokehouse Bar-B-Q
213 Business Loop 70E & 3804 Buttonwood Dr. (Nifong area)
Sept. 5th, 2007
Oldboy: 5 1/2 stars
Having lived in Texas for about 7 years, I'm a bit particular about my BBQ. Buckingham's has about the best BBQ in Columbia (though Smoking Chicks - review to come - is pretty close). Reasonably priced food that usually gives you a second meal out of it. The Nifong location is a touch larger and more pleasant surroundings. I'm more of a wet-rib fan instead of the dry-rubbed ribs Buckingham's does, but still pretty good eats. The sauces are ok, but a bit mundane. Good smoke and flavor for all their meats, I prefer the brisket and spicy sausage. Although the meat is good, I really like their sides, especially the horseradish slaw. I also like the french fries with the skin on. The sweet potato sides are a good addition. Good friendly service.
213 Business Loop 70E & 3804 Buttonwood Dr. (Nifong area)
Sept. 5th, 2007
Oldboy: 5 1/2 stars
Having lived in Texas for about 7 years, I'm a bit particular about my BBQ. Buckingham's has about the best BBQ in Columbia (though Smoking Chicks - review to come - is pretty close). Reasonably priced food that usually gives you a second meal out of it. The Nifong location is a touch larger and more pleasant surroundings. I'm more of a wet-rib fan instead of the dry-rubbed ribs Buckingham's does, but still pretty good eats. The sauces are ok, but a bit mundane. Good smoke and flavor for all their meats, I prefer the brisket and spicy sausage. Although the meat is good, I really like their sides, especially the horseradish slaw. I also like the french fries with the skin on. The sweet potato sides are a good addition. Good friendly service.
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