Reviews by Mike Orren
Posted on September 16, 2008 at 12:09 p.m.
Actually, Jason, ecg0792's email addy suggests a local affiliation, so we'll presume that he's got some experience with Texadelphia. And that the Cheez Whiz they put on sandwiches in Philly has done some sort of damage to his faculties.
Posted on August 8, 2008 at 5:17 a.m.
I remember when this was still "the media bar" and you could catch a drink with Dale Hansen mere minutes before the late sports report.
Solid bar. Among the best martinis in town. Despite reputation as a dive, has a remarkably good kitchen - and not just the legendary pizza.
On Louie's
Posted on August 8, 2008 at 5:05 a.m.
Beer selection is great, if not as wide as Gingerman. Upscale pub grub is great. One of the few places in town to get a cheese plate right. Highly recommend the frites.
Only complaint is terrible acoustics that make it impossible to hold a convo when crowded. But then there are always Capitol, Idle Rich and the place across from IR - all basically the same place. Capitol is least crowded but give it time.
On The Old Monk
Posted on July 28, 2008 at 5:13 p.m.
First, if someone tells you to meet them at Wang's off NW Hwy, they probably mean Howard Wang's and not this joint.
Portions are generous; everything is fresh; and spicy means spicy.
Posted on July 17, 2008 at 10 a.m.
The main reason I go on picnics.
On Brothers Fried Chicken (Dallas / Fitzhugh & Gaston) (Closed)
Posted on July 5, 2008 at 11:58 p.m.
Always delish, and the service is always attentive and genuinely friendly (as opposed to the forced uncomfortable chatter you get many places).
Often really crowded prime-time dinner, although they do have a large common table you can sometimes sneak into.
We prefer it for a late supper, as their sides and appetizers steal the show from the entrees anyway. They rock the deviled eggs, although the portion seems to have gone heavier on the salad garnish at the expense of the eggs. Flatbread pizzas are great and light enough to leave room for more. Spinach dip and/or hummus come with cracker-crisp pita bread.
New dish for us tonight was the gouda grits. And they were the star of the night.
Posted on July 1, 2008 at 1:51 p.m.
I've been a long-time Bob's zealot, but a dinner with a group of pals last night may have turned me around.
The bone-in fillet may well have been the best steak I've ever had. Really well-flavored, tender and cooked perfectly.
And while there was no Bob's carrot, the array of sides presents a lot of variety and decadence. We shared potato croquettes, creamed corn and broccolli. Only the broccosparagus was unremarkable.
Appetizers were excellent too. The Jumbo shrimp cocktail had a great remoulade. Garlic bread with blue cheese was fought over.
Salads went beyond the usual lazy wedge. I had a great pile of alternating layers of tomato and red onion smothered in Gorgonzola dressing.
The service was excellent -- not over-officious like at many pricey steak houses. The server even helped us play a prank on the pennypincher in the group by faking a higher tab when presenting the check.
Highly recommend, although I also recommend an expense account. Food prices are a decent value, but even more so than most places, the wine markup was extreme.
On Nick & Sam's
Find...
Today
Asylum Street Spankers / Guy Forsyth
Asylum: an inviolable place of refuge and protection giving shelter to criminals and debtors.
Street: a thoroughfare especially in a city, town, or village that is wider than an alley or lane and that usually includes sidewalks.
Spankers: the fore-and-aft sail on the mast nearest the stern of a square-rigged ship.
Asylum Street Spankers: Crazy band from Austin featuring such instruments as the ukulele, dobro, musical saw, and washboard.
More info
Blogs
- Favoriting contest: “The Magic of Christmas”
Square Pegs - Comment on comments
Square Pegs - UPDATE: Be alert, Duran Duran fans — Show canceled
Square Pegs
Latest comments
- jtmbls on Sneak peek of Shinsei restaurant on Thursday drew just about every media scalliwag in Dallas: Hey! Wait a minute!! WTF?? So, Twisted Dog won’t comment anymore to protect his anonymity but he wil...
- Pavel Lishin on Death Cab For Cutie / Snow Patrol / Cold War Kids / Shiny Toy Guns / Carolina Liar / Aranda: I remember liking Shiny Toy Guns, but distinctly remember absolutely hating the rest. Kids these day...
- TJ Callaway on Tio's Tortas: NO!! I love this place. No one is answering the phone, I guess they are closing....
- snowboard9 on Gay filmmaker to protest showing of Milk at Cinemark: If I were here (in Miami that day) I would join the protest. I will always look for something other ...
Latest reviews
- carlamarieweir on Oak Cliff Pizza: I haven’t had delivery so I cannot comment to that, but I really really loved the pizza here. The on...
- Joel Woiton on Thai Soon Restaurant: This place has good food but it also has one of the smallest dining areas of any restaurant in town....
- DC on Himalayan Aroma: In the meantime, we’re still craving Tibetan butter tea. Following our minor success using the pegge...

Posted on October 9, 2008 at 10:47 a.m.
Food: 5/5 Vibe: 3/5 Service: 3/5 Value: 2/5 Overall: 4/5
Was never overwhelmed by Pyles' work at Star Canyon, etc. but had a single dish at lunch that blew me away: Special pasta with beef, mushrooms, goat cheese and the lightest, tastiest pumpkin sauce ever. Total mouthgasm.
I found service thorough, but cloying.
Note: Even at lunch, there is a strict "no shorts" rule. Our out-of-town guest had to borrow a pair of slacks from the restaurant before he was admitted.
On Stephan Pyles Restaurant