A Tasty October: From Hotpots to Hearty Burgers

October brought a mix of fun dining experiences, from cozy family meals to catching up with friends and colleagues. Here’s a look at the places we visited and what we enjoyed.

Bayou and Whiskey Street

When a coworker from out of state was in town, we decided to meet for dinner at the Bayou. I ordered my favorite, the crawfish etouffee, which never disappoints. It’s perfectly balanced, with the flavor of the crawfish standing out over rice. Paired with a mormon mule made with peach vodka, the meal was satisfying, and I even had enough leftovers for another serving at home. We ended the night at Whiskey Street for drinks and dessert. I opted for the pina picante, a spicy-sweet concoction with chile liquor, and we shared the bread pudding. While the drinks and dessert were good, the crowded and inattentive service left me feeling like my night would have ended better going straight home.

Left Fork Grill

We enjoyed a brunch outing with my brother one weekend at Left Fork Grill. Madi and Jules shared pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs, while I chose the spinach, bacon, and gruyere omelet, which I’ve had before and loved. Erik ordered the chorizo con huevos, and my brother tried the smoked salmon scramble. The portions were hearty, and the girls particularly enjoyed their pancakes and bacon. It was a filling and satisfying meal that lived up to our expectations from past visits.

Penny Ann’s Café

After a trip to the zoo, we switched plans from Ruth’s Diner to Penny Ann’s Café due to long wait times. Fortunately, we were seated right away. I tried the Penny patty with mushrooms, gravy, and eggs over medium, while Erik had the PAC benedict. The girls had their usual kids’ pancake meals with bacon and eggs. The standout was, as always, the heavenly hotcakes that come with the adult meals. The girls were fans of my beef patty, stealing bites as I ate. It turned out to be a great brunch, making us glad our backup plan worked out so well.

Chengdu Hotpot and BBQ

My brother and I had the chance to try Chengdu Hotpot and BBQ after dropping Madi off at preschool. We chose the mala broth and Chinese herb stock and ordered a variety of meats, including angus beef, lamb shoulder, and crispy pork strips. The veggie and seafood bar had a wide range of options, from taro and bok choy to squid and mussels. The all-you-can-eat setup was perfect, and we left feeling stuffed and happy. We ended our lunch outing with a stop for boba, where I got a matcha latte with boba and my brother chose black oolong tea.

Supremo Pizza

We gathered with Madi’s friend’s family for a fall craft day and wrapped up the afternoon with dinner from Supremo Pizza. This time, we were happy to find that they had garlic knots available, so we ordered two servings. The supremo pizza and a pepperoni pizza were on the menu, but they didn’t wow us as much as our first visit. While everyone enjoyed the meal, it felt like something was missing compared to previous experiences.

Red 8 Asian Bistro and Sushi Bar

We decided to try Red 8 after receiving a flyer and were pleasantly surprised by the food. We ordered Mongolian beef, chicken lo mein, and edamame, and received a free orange chicken dish with a coupon. The girls loved the orange chicken so much that I barely got a taste. The food was excellent, and we were surprised the restaurant was nearly empty during our visit. We hope to return soon and try their sushi offerings.

Del Barrio Café

I finally got to celebrate a friend’s birthday at Del Barrio Café a month late. I went for the cheesy asada tacos, which came with pico de gallo and guacamole. They were packed with flavor and paired perfectly with the restaurant’s chips and salsa. My friend chose a bean and cheese burrito with rice and enjoyed it as well. It was a great spot to relax and celebrate over delicious food.

Pizzeria Tasso

Our love for pizza led us to Pizzeria Tasso for some Neapolitan-style pizza after a trip to the aquarium. We ordered garlic cheese sticks, the diavola pizza with salami and spicy olive oil, and the salsiccia with sausage. The girls devoured the salsiccia, while Erik and I enjoyed both, with the diavola’s spicy kick being a pleasant surprise. The thin-crust pizzas were perfect for eating fresh, and we didn’t have any leftovers.

IHOP

Using a coupon, we decided to visit IHOP for breakfast, a rare chain restaurant stop for us. Erik got the country fried steak and eggs, while I had the sirloin steak tips and eggs, substituting pancakes for French toast. The girls had happy face and cupcake pancake combos. While the food was enjoyable, I found the steak seasoning odd. Madi especially loved my hash browns. The only issue was being charged for the pancake substitution without clear communication. Despite that, it was a fun breakfast for the girls, who seemed to enjoy it the most.

Bandits’ Grill and Bar

A colleague in town wanted a burger and beer, so we met at Bandits’ Grill and Bar. I ordered the grilled pineapple mint cooler, which was refreshing, and we shared tri tip street tacos as an appetizer. For my main course, I had the hickory burger with herb garlic fries and mac and cheese. The burger was juicy and full of flavor, making the meal a hit. It was a great choice, and I look forward to returning.

October’s restaurant outings offered a variety of flavors and experiences, from laid-back family meals to work gatherings and celebrations. Each meal had its unique highlights, making it a month to remember.