Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Loud and Proud.
Posted by Kat Robinson on Tue, Jun 9, 2009 at 11:28 AM
The new Texas Roadhouse has opened at Shackleford Crossing. And just like its other area location in North Little Rock, it's loud and proud of its country fried roots. The volume (as in the noise, not just the influx of people) is intense; those wooden floors and overhead beams do nothing to quiet down the hubbub of a crowd. This is not the place for quiet conversation.
The menu is just as loud -- lots of steaks, lots of big sides (like the loaded sweet potato you see above), lots of names that raise eyebrows like "rattlesnake bites" and "chicken critters" and "roadkill." The side salads are loaded with hardboiled egg and cheese.
We did discover on this last visit that the Baby Blossom ($3.99) is actually a much better bargain for us than the Cactus Blossom ($5.99) -- another version of the "awesome blossom" deep fried onion and sauce you tend to get at most of these big chain restaurants these days.
Thing is, Texas Roadhouse is a guilty pleasure. We love our local restaurants, but sometimes you just want to go kick back and throw peanut shells on the floor and listen to Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton and have a cold beer. And, selfishly enough, we like a spot of Prime Rib (10 ounce for $13.99, larger sizes available) now and again, and dropping everything to run up for a really primo Prime Rib at Cagle's Mill in Russsellville isn't always convenient.
Which brings me to this -- there's got to be another couple of great places for steak and prime rib in Central Arkansas. Where do you go when the urge for red meat strikes you? Share and care.
Comments (7)
Showing 1-7 of 7
Wow, how about anywhere other than a mediocre steak chain claiming to be from Texas but which first opened in a mall in Indiana?
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I think the lady asked for your input, do you have a suggestion or just felt the need to write a snitty comment???
Doe's Eat Place - Only been there once but I remember the steak being fantastic. Perhaps I should round up a friend or two and do that again soon. Faded Rose - You guys will hear me proclaim my love for the Faded time & time again, and one of the reasons is cuz of a damn fine steak. Sonny Williams - For when I win the new lottery.
Getting a good steak from a local place is rather difficult without spending a boatload (like Sonny Williams), but it is possible. Haven't been to The Butcher Shop lately, but have usually been impressed . Probably my favorite steak in the area is from Capeo in NLR. Tenderloin topped with goat cheese and mushrooms...divine! Mr. Mordy likes the steaks at Faded Rose, but I've never been that much of a fan.
I recently had a steak at Loca Luna. They describe it as: Aged Black Angus Tenderloin Filet Mignon topped with Shallot-Parsley Butter and Homemade Onion Rings and Wrapped with Petit Jean Bacon. Very tender and delicious!
I will second Faded Rose & Doe's as two good local places for quality red meat. I've also only ever been to the Butcher Shop once, but I enjoyed the meal -- I let them cook it for me. Too bad Coy's is gone, I like going there every so often for the steaks & atmosphere.
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