I had lunch at these places on I Drive last Saturday.
Hash House A Go Go - As you know, these guys were on my shit list after big timing me when they opened last year. They are now officially off. Due in part to the food, but, mostly due to my waitress (very polite). They (the hostess) almost fucked up again by only offering a bar seat or a communal table seat (like last time). I could see the little shit assistant's pea brain collapsing into paroxysms of confusion about what to do with a customer who won't accept the treatment he has been trained to give/expect. Lucky for them, the more experienced (and socially non-retarded and financially cognizant) hostess "found" me a table. I had a fried chicken and fried egg platter that came with bacon mashed potatoes and maple syrup for $13. It was an obscenely large chicken breast fried to perfection. The eggs were a little "snotty". The potatoes were fine. I thought the bacon would be in them, but, two strips were just layered on top of them. Oh yeah. It also had a huge, freshly baked biscuit with in house made strawberry preserves. That thing lasted in my cupboard for a week and was still fresh-ish. I saw some ludicrous dishes. A "stuffed" burger that was really two house burgers with some goodness in the middle. A Juicy Lucy without crimping the burgers together. It was only $12 (comes with stuff). A hub cap of a pancake. Everyone was leaving with doggy bags. And they couldn't be happier about supplying them. The menu had about five categories with around six things in each. Salads, pancakes/waffles, hand held foods, knife and fork stuff, etc. The most expensive thing was a steak that I think topped $20. Most things are between $10 and $15. I think they expect to do more business during the day. The dinner menu only adds a few dishes to the possibilities. They started in casinos and much of the crowd looks it. Imagine the people you see in Vegas and you'll understand the "diverse" collection of people you'll be dining with. This place is poised to go global. They appeal to everyone looking for farm fresh, (I think the originator was an Indiana-ian farmer) comfort food. And they deserve the price points. This place will out sell Applebee's, et al as soon as they decide to franchise. If I was an exec at Brinker or any of the other mass market, suburban, food emporium, I would get me bid in now. The place looks cool. Much cooler than an Applebee's or Chili's et al. It has a tractor shed feel. It seats over 100+. The place was packed. They kept the wine room from the old layout. It's monochrome with gray ceilings. They have lots of black and white photo posters on the walls. Just go and see for yourselves. I call it a destination play. If only to be at the forefront of franchise history.
New Punjab - Oddly, New Punjab says it's the first Indian restaurant in Orlando (1981). After my Hash House stuffing, I had little room to try any place else. However, I had to knock out the next two spots on this trip to I-Drive. I had a Chicken Samosa appetizer to go for $4. They minced a fair portion of chicken into the pastry (spherical). It was a little light on flavor on it's own and too salty. Not oily. They gave me three sauces (spicy onion chutney, green cilantro? sauce and a sweet, black tamarind? sauce) that helped.A quick tip - those sauces (especially the chutney) work great at making your frozen hot dogs at home an amusing diversion. A very generous portion. Two, baseball sized samosas. They even were considerate enough to wrap them in an insulated bag to keep them warm. The entrance is on the side of a building on I Drive near another Indian place called Sizler. Across from the CSI and Titanic attractions. The place seats about 50 and has either charm or age depending on your point of view. I may actually go back for a proper meal.
Taj Punjabi - I think I ate at this location when it was something else. It's a block or two towards Wet 'n Wild from New Punjab (in the middle of a strip mall). It looked way worse. Bare bones. Also more expensive. As such, I just ordered some Naan. It was $3. It was flat and burnt. I did show way past the lunch hour, so, I could have been given a half ass attempt. It didn't inspire confidence. I would put this place at the end of the line if you are prioritizing
No comments:
Post a Comment