I tried these spots Sunday and Tuesday at lunch. The first is in the old Dexters, Park Ave space in Hannibal Square. The second is at the corner of Aloma and 436 in what I refer to as the the Denny's space. The third is in a strip mall north of that on 436. Before Howell Branch Rd on the left. The last two are in the same space near the tracks on 434.
Corner Chophouse - From people from Charleston who run a place I haven't been to called Oak. Open about a month. I didn't see much difference in the interior. The wall paper reminded me of Christmas wrapping. The standard dinner menu is pricy. The bar/brunch menu had a few more reasonable choices. I'm not sure if it is available during the week. They are just open for dinner then. I tried the cheeseburger with fries for $21 over $19 steak tartare app or $24 lobster roll app (looked good) or $35 short ribs. It was ok. I believe they tried to do their own grind. Topped with Mahone cheese and a peppery Gribiche sauce. But, it had an overall flavor of steak sauce. Which I was taught never to resort to. Just savory on savory on savory. Nice, large bun. The waffle fries were overcooked in too low temp oil. Oily. Crusty. Some fries had no open parts and were raw inside. They also had the ac on so high that the meal became cold half way through. That didn't help. The brunch had a $19 benny and a steak and eggs for $22. A few more items. Pastries under $8 such as kolaches. The dinner menu has alot of steak. Some well over $100. I remember pork and chicken and maybe a starch or two from the online menu. I kind of zone out when I see forties and fifties in front of me. I mean if it wasn't for this bar menu, I wouldn't have bothered. The layout seems the same. Seven booths against one wall and two group tables against the other. Bar in between. Scattered tables around that. Two tvs showing football. One large table, one booth and one counter seat occupied. Lots of uniformed staff. Good service. Food came out quick. Not a lot of difference from what it replaced.
Hong Kong Kitchen - As the swishy critics say in Hollywood Shuffle, "I give this place - the finger". Possibly the worst Kung Pao Chicken ever served. It currently resides in my bushes. I didn't trust it not to fuck up my garbage. Rat meat chicken. Tasteless, oil slick sauce. Beyond mushy rice. And my stomach already ain't feeling so great. Cost $15. I kind of sensed this would happen. Why I haven't beaten their doors down for the four months that they have been in business. I really don't feel like giving them alot of pub. Typical dishes. Dim Sum. Hot pot. Chino Latino section. Maybe that should have been the give away? Lunch specials on week days at $11. Not much done to the interior. Maybe resurfaced the table tops and added two kung fu murals. And signage. Only saw whom I assume is the owner in service. Lunch and dinner. Monday is customer appreciation day. They are closed that day. This place must be built over an Indian burial ground. The only two diners who were there at the time said the Sentinel gave it good review. I refer them to my bushes.
Seby's Pizza - Thankfully, the trip to Hong Kong Kitchen wasn't a total waste of time and money. The two people I spoke with there turned me on to this year old pizza place that I wasn't quite sure was new (or open). It has been 1905 Pizza and Digino's and maybe one other pizza place previously. I had the 12" Brooklyn Classic to go for $13. It was good. Thin crust. Otherwise, typical appropriate NY Style pie. No bubbles. Couldn't really taste the sauce. The pecorino on top was a bonus. Came out quick. I think they just use regular steel ovens. The menu is mostly pizza. Said they were eliminating salads after a trial run. Some apps like meatballs. Desserts like cannoli. A small room on the street side. About six tables. It was full. The decor is all NY posters and celeb photos and stickers and pennants. Seat from Shea and Giants Stadium. Owner seemed nice. From Suffolk County.
Cupid's Hot Dogs - Moved fron Lee Rd. Open about a month or two. I had a regular dog for $3.75. Good snap. The have dogd topped with other things and fries, etc. Tiny, 50's style space with Calfornia curios. Around four tables. Full. They give out free water.
Masa - The search was for them. Just opened. I didn't know they were piggy backing off Cupid's. Venezuelan. Eight arepas (chicken, beef, scrambled eggs). Beef and chicken empanadas. I had the Arepa Reina (shredded chicken salad with avocado used as mayo and white shredded cheese) for $8. Came with a savory, mayo based dip. Stuffed with chicken and cheese. I had it fried. Also baked. Not oily. Very pleasant. The empanada ($4) looked a bit too uniform. Probably not home made. Tough shredded chicken. Two dips. I'll still probably put both in the Favorites lowest price category. Both companies' items are rung up on the same POS machine. I just saw where they charged 50 cents for frying the arepa. Give me a break.
*I noticed on Aloma a new place in the tiny strip mall before the bowling alley. On 436 a place called Wan or Won or Ban Cafe or something opened in where I think a short lived Arab Chicken place was near Red Bug Lake Rd overpass. At the 17-92 interchange, there is now a BJ's. Across from Cupid's a pizza place had a grand opening banner and a roti place was being built out next door.
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