I tried these spots Tuesday at lunch. The first is at the intersection of Dillard and Plant on the right. The second is in the food hall on Plant. The third is aside that food hall. The last is on West Colonial just east of Dillard. South side.
Winter Garden Restaurant - A greasy spoon. I tried the two eggs with link sausage, hash browns and toast for $12. Not the biggest bargain. Eggs were more jammy than over easy. Links (3) were good. Jones'? Toast was toasted correctly. Hash browns were the worst item. I think they may have deep fried them. Spongy. Not fresh. Greasy. Not a ton. Typical menu. Twenty tables. Seven counter seats. Framed pics of old WG. Some sort of beige color scheme. Full. Food came out fast.
Jam Hot Chicken - I didn't put two and two together. Why that number? I will have to look up the origin of that. This is an offshoot. I thought the one in Hannibal Square was ok. I had tried them before. This one was better. Deceivingly large. Mostly batter and air. That's ok. I like the batter husks. I tried the Just the Breast at $13 because it was the cheapest. Good. Ate the whole thing while waiting for my order at the next thing. I had it at 3 out of 5 on the hot-o-meter. Doable. Even without a drink. Crispy. Meat was thin. Around the thigh meat or a skinny bird. Came with two slices of white toast, homemade pickles with some bite and a vinegar slaw. They have a few versions of the chicken and fries. This location just opened. Took a bit of time. Seemed popular.
Cilantro - Open for three years. They took over from Orange Crate Cafe. I wrote earlier this Fall about their street food and market sister locations. I had the curry chicken to go for $12. Abround seven pieces in a good brown curry sauce. Basmati was good. Ok potato and pea samosa. Great black pepper crackers. Ok daal. Ok naan. Watery mini cup of rice pudding. Came with a nice tamarind sauce. Should have done the AYCE buffet for $15. Would have had it all to myself. Butter and tandoori chicken. Chicken biryani. Lamb. And the veg and sides. Light brick. Indian decor. Clean. TV with cricket on. Around six tables. The main issue was the wait. I think just one cook and a frontman. Had to wait for many call in orders to be picked up. Indian food has so much flavor that it is hard to really tell the good from the bad. Plus the heat component. For me, it usually boils down to the quality/freshness of the meat and rice. Had I gorged on the AYCE, probably a Fav.
The Country House - Another greasy spoon. Maybe a bit more disheveled than WGR. I had the the chicken fingers to go for $7.50 (think the menu said $7) because I already had too much food and was just doing them and WGR a solid by including them. BTW I think I have delivered all of WG to you at this point. Two small balls, one big un, one normal one. A bit dry. Side of ranch. Ate them with the left over curry and daal. This amount of chicken at the market hot bar is probably $4. $6 at most fried chicken places. $10 in McNuggets. Usual menu. Specials. Fish fry Friday. The veg I saw seemed stewed. Twelve booths. Twelve tables. Five counter. Half full. A bit less clean than WGR. A bit older. Light gray color.
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