Caution: Peanuts Ahead

On Saturday, February 12, 2011, at dinnertime, I went to Texas Roadhouse, near River Town Crossings Mall. Texas Roadhouse is a steakhouse chain restaurant. Dinnertime wasn't a good choice because I had to wait an hour to be seated. They had very interesting decor around the building. There were lots of paintings of an armadillo. One painting was a picture of him wake boarding, and his friend, an iguana, power cruising on the Grand River. There were also cactus plants, caricatures of race car drivers and their stock cars and Texas flags. I had a bucket of peanuts that you crack open to eat. I also has root beer. We shared a Baby Blossom, an appetizer that's a chopped deep fried onion that you can dip in Thousand Island dressing. I also has soft, cushy, big rolls with cinnamon butter. They were fresh from the oven. Then I had the Ranger Ribs-pig ribs with barbecue sauce-and fries. They were delicious, chewy and tangy. My favorite part was the peanuts which came from a big barrel. My least favorite part was waiting an hour to be seated. Our waitress was quick at bringing our food. She was nice. I give 4 stars for Texas Roadhouse because the food and experience were excellent, but the wait was long.

Hero of Gyros

On February 5, 2011 at lunch time, I went to The Pita House. It is also known as Sam's Gyros. When I walk in the door I see 10-15 little tables, yellow walls, and windows that have a view of 28th Street. Not much artwork. There is a patio to eat on in nice weather. It is a typical mom and pop hole in the wall. It is a fast food Middle Eastern restaurant. There is food from Lebanon, Greece and Israel. The menu is on the wall, along with some photos of the food. There is a buffet that the cooks prepare your food from. There is a spit with a lamb and beef mixture that turns while the meat cooks. They will shave the meat off it for your entree. I had a gyro with black olives, gyro meat, lettuce, tomato, cucumber sauce and feta cheese. I also tasted a purple vegetable, hummus, a stuffed grape leaf, falafel, and a cheese pie. My dad shared his fatosh which is a salad with chopped tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, mint and lemon. My mom shared her tabbouleh-a parsley, tomato, lemon, couscous salad. I like the food a lot. It is not spicy like Indian. The prominent flavors in Middle Eastern cuisine are lemon, mint and garlic. The food has a good taste and lots of flavor. I think the food is delicious. And the way they cook the food is interesting. This restaurant is not fancy. It is busy. People go because the food is fantastic. Most entrees are between $7-$13. It is definitely worth it. I give 5 stars for Sam's Gyros.