Roosevelt Restaurant in Port Aransas

REOPENING SOON!

Great cottage "homestyle" potatoes at the Roosevelt.  The Roosevelt specializes is gourmet seafood brunch.  But traditional breakfast dishes are served as well.  Brunch was served Friday thru Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Roosevelt is nestled behind the historical Tarpon Inn in Port Aransas.  Just follow the highway into Port Aransas until it dead ends at an all-way stop on Cotter Street.  Turn left and you're there.  If arriving at the port from the ferry, just drive straight down Cotter until you're at the Tarpon Inn.

Roosevelt's expects to reopen sometime after Valentine's Day.  Rebuilding has been slow for everyone in Port Aransas.



Oysters Egg Benedict:


The chef lightly dusts oysters and pan fries them.  He serves the oysters on an English muffin under a poached egg.  The dish is covered with a Creole-seasoned Hollandaise sauce.  This dish comes with a side of Roosevelt's cottage potatoes.  This is an eat-slowly, take-small-bites dish.  Savor the flavor.









The Western Omelet:

My girlfriend Jewell ordered this dish.  "How boring!"  But then I tasted it.  "Wow!"  The chef has a hint of Louisiana-style seasoning in the omelet that brings out the flavor of the red and green peppers and the onions in the omelet.



Pancakes:

Roosevelt's pancakes are some of the best I have ever tasted.  They are not thick or thin, but cooked perfectly.  But it's the taste that comes through.  Must be in the batter.  My guess is that there is butter in the batter.




Shrimp & Grits:

Grits are cooked until thick.  The shrimp is cooked in butter and then the grits are added.  The whole dish is apparently stir fried in the butter.  My guess is either the shrimp or the grits is seasoned with sage, though the waitress said otherwise.  (Probably a trade secret.)  I want to try this dish at home!

Roosevelt's is located behind the Tarpon Inn.  Both Franklin Roosevelt and Ernest Hemingway were said to have stayed there.  In 1970, I was employed by the Corpus Christi Caller Times as a cub reporter.  The editor sent me with an older columnist to cover the auction of the inn.  He was the writer, I was the driver and photographer.  I took this same shot with a press camera (over five pounds in weight), but was dissatisfied.  To get the whole building in the shot, I would have to climb a radio tower at the Coast Guard station, then located directly across the street.  After getting permission, I climbed the tower with one hand, the other holding the press camera.  Great shot and that's the one they used in the paper.  No bidders at the auction, but a gentleman approached the owners afterwards and worked out a deal.  Very few changes have been made to his historical building over the years.  And as you can see, the "No Vacancy" sign is up.

Old River City Cafe of Guadalupe County

 

Move over Cracker Barrel!  Here is just about the best cheesy hash browns that has ever crossed my pallet.  This is the side to order at the River City Cafe.  Breakfast only on Sundays.

The Old River City Cafe is located just east of New Braunfels on FM 725 in Guadalupe County just past the county line from Comal County.  From I-35, take exit 187 to Seguin Avenue.  Instead of going west into NB, head east away from town.  Travel down FM 725 for about 3.5 miles and the cafe will be located on the right.  Breakfast is only offered on Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm., and you can get a table.  Parking is a bigger problem than getting a table on Sunday.

Breakfasts ----------------------------------------------

Breakfast Sides:

The Sunday Breakfast Sampler allows you to order four sides which includes breakfast meats, biscuits and gravy, cheesy grits, cheesy hashbrowns, country fried potatoes, & toast (boring).  A fruit cup is also available, but I won't tell you about that.

Biscuits & Gravy (gravy is already peppered).

Crispy bacon and country sausage (& BF ham)

Cheesy grits (I really love this stuff).

French Toast:

Their French toast comes with a fruit and cream topping.  It's really good stuff.  And for a side, my girlfriend chose bacon and cheesy hash browns.  The cheesy hash browns are the best.




Chicken-Fried Steak:

Chicken-fried steak comes in a sufficient portion along with two biscuits.  Had to get the gravy for the biscuits.  My eggs were over easy.  My two sides were cheesy grits and the hash brown casserole. Every item on the plate was excellent, particularly the chicken-fried steak!  Too bad this place only has breakfast on Sundays.




LUNCHES ----------------------------------------------


Fried Catfish:

This is the good stuff.  Thin fillets and probably wild caught.  The big fillets are pond catfish and not near as good.  Mac-n-cheese is really good.  Any dish the RCC adds cheese to is great.  Forgot what that side casserole with the melted cheese on it was.  Probably a squash casserole.



Behold the Cheeseburger!

Need I say anymore....

Wildflower of Sattler, TX

Portabella mushroom appetizer.  Oh sooo good.  Wildflower Cafe has about the best selection of appetizers I have ever experienced.

This place is located in Sattler, TX and unless you live in Canyon Lake, it doesn't get anymore out of the way than this.  But the food is worth the drive and people already know it.  This place crowds up fast.  Come early for breakfast or late for lunch.  I go in for breakfast at 7 a.m. or at 10 a.m.; for lunch, at 2 p.m.  If you don't know Sattler, then Google for directions.




Breakfast ------------------------------------------------


Shrimp & Grits:

This New Orleans dish was their special on my first visit.  Sure wish this was a regular menu item.  Just a word about shrimp and grits, no two places makes this the same.  Here is a great Creole sauce with bell peppers and onions and sautéed shrimp on a bed of grits.



Hill Country Omelet:

This omelet contains venison sausage and duck bacon along with tomatoes and sautéed onions.  Then they add smoked provolone.  Choice of toast or biscuit, but look at that southern-style biscuit.  Who could turn down a biscuit that looks this good.

What I love about Wildflower is that the menu runs the gamut from vegan to wild meats.  The other omelet choice is the garden omelet: spinach, tomatoes, onions, portabella mushroom, and a bell pepper medley, all covered with cheddar.

Mystery Special of the Day:

I forgot to log in this dish and don't remember what it is.  Though I do remember having the cook add a cream gravy to whatever it is.




Steak & Egg:

This was another special of the day.  I loved the taste of steak with egg yolk.  Yes, I ordered biscuit again.  Look at their hash browns.  They're brown on both sides, not hash whites or half hash browns.  There is reason that the dish is called has browns ... the shredded potatoes are supposed to be brown!




Paw Paw Bill's Biscuit's & Gravy:

Not sure who Paw Paw Bill is, but his sausage gravy and biscuits are good.  I had the cooks add two fried eggs.  Note the chunks of sausage in the gravy.

Hill Country Tenderloin Hash:

Pan-seared tenderloin tips for breakfast!  Add sautéed onions and bell peppers and put on a bed of crispy hash browns.  Finally top all of that with two eggs your way topped with hollandaise sauce and green onions.  Ummm good.



The Clucker:

Hebrew National hot dog topped with hashbrowns, grilled onions, bacon, fried eggs, and a special clicker sauce.  One of my grandchildren got this dish.




Eggs Benedict:

This is one of three eggs Benedict dishes they have.  The other two have salmon or beef tenderloins instead of Canadian bacon.  This classic dish consists of two poached eggs served on toasted English muffin halves and Canadian bacon, all topped with hollandaise sauce and chives.

Gruene Eggs & Ham:

This dish is a succulent combination of baked eggs and creamed spinach in Canadian bacon cups topped with pesto.  If you want the yolks runny tell the waitress and that's how they should come out.




Appetizers & Soups & Salad -----------------------


Quail Breasts Poppers:

This is my favorite dish here at Wildflower.  The cooks stuff each quail breasts with fresh jalapeno and wrap them in bacon before baking.  They are served with a side of chipotle ranch dressing.  Ummm good.



Whit Cheddar Poblano Soup:

I love their soups.  This one is made from roasted poblano (my favorite vegetable) withe red onions cooked in a creamy cheddar soup.

Caprese-Stuffed Portabella:

This is my other favorite vegetable.  This huge mushroom is served bottom side up and filled with mozzarella, basil, and sliced cherry tomatoes.  They top this dish with a blood-orange demi-glaze sauce.  Oh, I just love this place.



Avocado Goat-Cheese Toast:

Avocado is also my favorite vegetable.  Remember this is a bakery as well as a cafe.  They bake their own breads.  This dish is served on their toast and topped with a seasoned slice of tomato ... after they spread lime-zested goat cheese spread.  The tomato is topped with avocado and radish.  The dish is sprinkled with goat-cheese parmesan.  Can you believe this place is in Sattler?   And after months in business, the place still has a crowded parking lot.  No surprise once you try the food here.

Savory Cheese & Smoked Meats Board:

Homemade savory soft cheese and select hard cheese along with smoked venison sausage and a house-blackened smoke turkey served on a board.  This dish comes with a homemade triple-berry jam and crackers.



Bison Chili:

This is a Shiner Bock Bison chili which is topped with diced onions and cheddar along with Fritos.  I remember when Fritos came out in the 50s.  Before that there were just potato chips and Cheetos.

This place has something to pease everyone: wild game, vegan, and stuff in the middle ... all so well seasoned and prepared that a hunter would like the vegan dishes and a vegan would, if they tried it, like the game dishes.

Lunch ----------------------------------------------------

Venison Burger:

This burger tastes like venison.  Not like pork or beef which a lot of venison blends taste.  This burger tastes like venison and that is great.  Note the potato chips are house made.

Andy's Kitchen of Corpus Christi

Behold the blueberry muffin!  That's Andy's welcome gratis when you visit his place.  All customers receive a blueberry muffin on the house.  On my first visit, the waitress gave me two!

Andy's kitchen is on Staples off the main north-south freeway that runs to North Padre Island.  Just head east (away from the gulf) on Staples and Andy's will be on the right.  By the way, Andy's Kitchen has been in business for 35 years.  Not too many restaurants last that long.  And come early, there's a crowd.

Bet you didn't believe me when I said two muffins.

Steak & Eggs:

Breakfast steak is just thick enough for them to prepare it your way.  Mine is medium-rare.  Look at the hash browns, they're brown.  Below are Andy's good biscuits.

Cowboy Country-Fried Steak:

Not just a country fried steak, though Andy has that as well.  This is a country fried steak covered with onions, chili, and cheese!  Put that on your plate, vegans.  Oh, and this comes with eggs, hash browns, and biscuits.  You can swap biscuits for toast, but why?

Chorizo & Bean Chalupa:

There is only one other restaurant (Lisa's Taco of SA) where the menu offered a chorizo and bean combination.  It's a deep secret of best Tex-Mex flavor that I have discovered in my travels.  Add cheese and I'm in heaven.  I ordered two chalupas and elected to have an egg on one.  Love them both ways.


Custom Scramble with Custom Hash Browns!

Let me start with the hash browns:  bacon and onions with cheese.  And now for the omelet: sausage, onions, mushrooms, and don't forget the cheese.  Now with a side order of biscuits, and that was a fun breakfast.




Fried Pork Chops:

Note that this plate comes with two fried pork chops, but you can get them grilled as well.  The plate comes with eggs, hashbrowns, and bread (I got the biscuits).  What a great taste!



Andy's Sampler Platter:

Large, but not too large.  This platter comes with eggs any style, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, two sausage paddies, two bacon slices, and a stack of silver dollar pancakes.  Note the bacon is perfectly cooked.  The scrambled eggs are a Tex-Mex scramble where the eggs are lightly beaten.  If you prefer French scramble, then get the eggs fried.  I saved the leftover pancakes for dessert (see below).

McCain's Cafe of Salado, TX

Ummm!  Dark chocolate pie.  McCain owns a bakery in addition to this restaurant.  Both quiche and pies and other baked goods are carted over from the bakery daily.  All other foods are cooked on site.

The website says that there is no other restaurant in Salado with the variety of home-made items as McCain's Cafe and that's true.  I have viewed a dining room filled with regulars and new customers and can tell the difference in how the customers interact with the waitstaff.  The place is located on Main Street which runs parallel with the I-35 frontage road.  Just take the first exit off I-35 you come to and turn on Main.  McCain's will be discretely located on the opposite side of Main as I-35.  If you're traveling from the north, it's located on the left; from the sough, it's an easy right turn.

Thanks to my Salado friend Becky for directing me to this great breakfast cafe.



Red Potatoes with Sausage Gravy:

Seasoned diced red-skin potatoes and this is good!  But not a menu item.  The potatoes came with the burrito breakfast, but I wanted the potatoes on the side.  Then the thought came to me: Why not add a side of sausage gravy.  Becky loved it as did I!  This needs to make the next menu update.



Biscuits with Sausage Gravy:

Look at the chunks of sausage!  Woh!  The biscuit came with the everything omelet so I ordered the sausage gravy for the biscuits.



Everything Omelet:

Cheddar cheese, onions, peppers, diced ham, bacon bits, crumbled sausage, and optional mushrooms.  Optional mushrooms!  No, not an option.  Have to have them.  Bring on the shrooms!  Three eggs and so much stuff inside that the omelet can't close completely.  Now that's an everything omelet.



Eggs Benedict:

Standard eggs bennies with a mild Hollandaise sauce.  Did I say standard?  No, not standard.  These bennies have melted Swiss cheese and does the cheese make a difference.



Breakfast Wrap:

Breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, cheddar, green onions, and bell peppers.  Standard are the seasoned red skinned potatoes, but I had those on the side.  The wrap is a grilled jalapeno tortilla, burrito size.  This is a really good breakfast!



Migas & Eggs with Sausage:

You can order just migas and eggs, but why when it also comes with sausage.  Two eggs are scrambled with onions, bell peppers, chopped tomatoes, and crispy tortilla strips.  Cheddar cheese is added and I had the sausage upgrade.  This breakfast comes with extra chips instead of bread.  Yes!  My guess is that they make their own salsa which has a rich tomato taste.  


Guatemalan Pancakes:

An extra large pancake has walnuts baked into the batter.  All is topped with ripe bananas, powdered sugar and cinnamon.  Note that this is a small sample of the real thing.  Oh was this so good. 

Coffee:

The large round table at the entrance is reserved for the locals who meander in and out for coffee.  I sat down there by myself my first morning.  One of the waitress there asked how large was my party, obviously getting ready to politely move me to another large table.  I told her I was with Becky.  "Oh, this is her table.  What do you want to drink?"  It's always good to know the right people.



Ms. McCain & the Breakfastbro:

Lynette McCain-Jones poses with the breakfastbro.  A native of Oklahoma, Lynette moved to Salado in 2005.  Her dream was to open a restaurant here and three years later did so.  She now owns a bakery as well, but that's another post.   For more information, go to mccainsbakeryandcafe.com.