RoMo's Cafe

7627 Culebra Rd
San Antonio, TX 78251

Chicken Slider Soup

This place almost didn’t make my list, on the count that the owner is a Yankee....but after I saw that they were converted Texan’s AND the menu, I knew I had to try this place.  The place is small, but vibrant.  Hung around the restaurant is San Antonio memorabilia photo’s, and there are touches of red throughout the restaurant.  One of the most unique things I found about the environment was the large screen in the back corner of the restaurant.  On a constant stream is video of the food being prepared in the kitchen.  We were greeted immediately, however the service was a little slow.  It took at least five minutes for us to get our drinks, and an additional five minutes for her to get our appetizer order from when dropping off the drinks.  The service was slow during the entire meal, but friendly.  Perhaps they just need to learn how to time the meal a bit better, or perhaps that’s what they were trying to accomplish. The food was so good that I want to give the service the benefit of the doubt.  Another thing that stood out from the get go was that they have the cucumber infused “spa water”.  I usually don’t see this outside of hotel’s and spa’s.  I liked it because cucumber’s are so fresh that I think this water is an excellent palate cleanser.  For an appetizer we choose the Duckodent Fries.  The menu describes it as “Hand cut fried in luscious rendering of duck.”  This is where my lack of knowledge hinders me.  I honestly thought that the fries would have like a gravy on the bottom from perhaps pan drippings of duck confit...but my oh so gracious dining partner explained to me that it’s just fries that are fried in duck fat.  He had to explain to me after because the fries looked, and tasted like normal fries.  An excellent fry with a crisp outside and soft potatoe inside, but a normal fry, no less.  Joseph explained that the fat was probably a very clean fat, I made a mental note to save the $2 and get the regular fries next time.  I ordered the half a sandwich and soup.  I am a HUGE soup lover, and when I saw that the soup was made fresh, daily I had to give it a try.  I choose a Philly as my sandwich.  This plate was slap your momma good.  The Philly meat is hand-cut ribeye steak w/ provolone and sweet onions on a hoagie roll.  The meat was so tender and juicy, and I loved that the caramelized onions still had a bit of a bite to them!  The soup was called Chicken Slider Soup.  It was one of the best chicken soups I have ever had.  Right off the back, you can tell it is a homemade stock packed with extremely fresh vegetables cooked to perfection.  The chicken was so soft and flavorful, and the “slider” is a flattened rectangle pasta, made from scratch!  When it came time for Joseph and me to switch...I didn’t want to share.  He ordered the Roast Beef Au Jus.  The meat is great and seasoned well, however I didn’t really care for the bun it came on because half way through the sandwich it wants to fall apart to mush on you due to the meat being soaked on the au jus.  I know that’s the price you pay for that type of sandwich, but I like my bread to hold up well.  For dessert we had Pastel Imposible.  My first reaction....Mmmmmmm.  It was one of those, “hold everything” moments.  This has got to be one of the best non chocolate desserts I have ever had (other then my peach dessert).  It’s a date cake topped with vanilla flan, with salted toffee and creme on glaze on the bottom.  It’s sinful, the nutty flavor from the date’s marries the creamy vanilla custard so well, you don’t want this harmony to end.  So, the question....”Would you go back?”.  YES!  All of the sandwiches sound so good, it was hard to pick the Philly, and I can’t wait to try another one of their soup creations!  

Duckodent Fries

    

Roast Beef Au Jus

Foodies Diary-Chayitos

6565 Babcock Rd.
San Antonio, TX

In a city filled with Mexican restaurants around every corner, it’s hard for one to stand out.  This place is one of my favorite’s to go for a quick, cheap bite.  The price’s are what they should be.  I have to be honest, paying over $10 for enchilada’s, rice and beans is outrageous, I mean I know how much it cost’s to make rice and beans! They have good lunch specials, usually under six bucks, AND THAT’S WITH A DRINK.  The service is always fast, and friendly too!  On this particular night I walked in about thirty minuets before closing, Joseph felt under the weather and was in need of some good caldo.  On a side note, everything I have had here is good, and it all taste’s like it’s made from my grandma’s kitchen.  To start we ordered Queso Flameado.  What was unique about this one is that they not only have the chorizo and onion’s on top, but also add green bell pepper.  Unlike Joseph, I have a love of green bell pepper because it reminds me of my father’s cooking.  They didn’t flame it, but I thought it was very tasty with the homemade tortillas.  Our server was very nice and timed our meal very well.  We both ordered the tortilla soup that came out as we were more then halfway through the appetizer.  This tortilla soup is something special, and especially when we are under the weather, this soup is the “go-to” meal.  To start with, the broth is made in house, and it’s very clean.  When making tortilla soup, homemade broth take’s extra effort to constantly skim the fat to produce such a clean, aesthetically pleasing finish.  It’s a very large bowl, for just $4.99 you get your money’s worth.  The chicken is very tender, and all the vegetables are fresh and soft.  Our server, Miguel was very attentive to our needs, even though it was near closing time.  I have said before, service is a very large part of the over-all dining experience.  It’s very important for a server to be polite, but also to know how to time your meal and to be attentive to your needs.  It’s easy for service to slip as the closing hour near’s, however the service was so good, you would have thought that we were his first table of the day.  Now...the question.  Would I go back?  This place is near my home and I have frequented this place many times, not only will I be back...but I would recommend it highly to others.  

Boehler's

“The crooked place!” as my son calls it.  Boehler’s pronounced Baylor’s is where the Liberty Bar was located on Josephine street.  Walking in you are taken by surprise because you feel like you are walking crooked.  I asked the hostess if it was common to feel dizziness while walking to the table, she laughed and replied I was not the only one to feel that way.  I really liked the atmosphere.  Hard wood flooring and cool color’s are always inviting to me.  And who doesn’t love Reggae music in the background?!  We went on a Sunday at got there a little before three.  I was really excited because of all the buzz about this place to try some of the things I heard of, but this excitement came to a hault when the waiter told us that the small brunch menu was the only thing offered until four.  I am not too much of a breakfast person, especially around lunch time!  The only non breakfast items offered was a chicken salad sandwich over eight dollars and Chicken Ala King that was way over priced.  Of course I didn’t learn this piece of information until at least twenty minuets into me sitting down.  That is because it took ten minuets for me just to get water, and then another ten minuets for the server to come take my order, in which that was when I asked him about the other menu.  From the time we walked in, it took twenty four minutes for us to get our order, and not because of the server’s sense of urgency....but because we had to flag down the bartender to get our order.  I was pretty cranky, and starving by this point.  Luckily, this non loving egg woman did not have to order just breakfast potatoes, because they did let us order off the regular menu...but only what they were ready to make.  Unfortunately, that did not include the crab cakes, or mac n cheese.  Our meal was not kicking off to a good start.  My dining partner, also a sous chef, reminded me to be mindful that we did order of the regular menu.  Because of this it was not prepped, so from a cooks perspective, it may take longer then usual to get our order.  Forty four minutes into our visit, no food, but a visit from the Chef.  Chef Jonathan came to our table for a meet and greet.   A really nice man, he may have given his last name, I am not sure if I missed it because my tummy was rumbling so loudly.  He talked about the new menu, and explained how the Chicken Ala King was not your average, but described his gourmet version, which actually sounded good because the only run in I had with Chicken Ala King was at company potlucks and I was not about to pay over ten dollars for that hot mess.  I was beginning to understand the price, but did not understand why it wasn’t described that way on the menu.  I started to second guess my order.  Luckily, it did not disappoint and lived up to all the reviews that I had read.  I ordered the Pecan Crusted Schnitzel with Raspberry sauce.  The meat was not over breaded, it was so tender and I loved the pork with the sweet and not to tart raspberry sauce.  The vegetables were cooked perfectly to my liking.  I love vegetables that are slightly al dente.  They have a light bite to them, and are not mushy.  Seasoned very well.  The only disappoint to my plate was the mashed potatoes served under the pork.  They were very plain, no flavor really stood out.  I would have liked maybe a gouda, garlic, or butter flavor.  Something prominent.  

My dining partner ordered The Hanger and Dip sandwich. Lots of mushrooms, which I loved! It’s on a toasted sourdough bread that holds up really well with melted cheese oozing on top of the marinated Hanger steak and caramelized onions. The dip was wonderful, tasted like a homemade vegetable stock. The accompaniment were home fries were so good! I couldn’t keep from stealing them. From the moment that we got the food the end, I was a happy girl...ahhhh the power of good food. I finished with the Guinness Chocolate Car Bomb. I didn’t see what the big deal about it was. To me, it just tasted like a chocolate molten cake from HEB. It was just ok.  

So, the question....would I go back?  This place is on a “one more strike and your out”.  That is, that there were things wrong (in this case the service) but I would go back once more to give them another chance.  If it was a great dining experience, then I would go back...but if not, then more then likely, that second time would be my last.  

Burger Boy

Doing it old school is what Burger Boy is about.  Serving quality, familiar hamburger’s.  Foie gras huh?  Absolutely NOT!  The place itself is very small, there are probably no more then 10 chairs total lining up the small bars to the side, so it you decide to go, it’s better to plan to take out, or go thru the drive thru.  The menu is no nonsense.  Prices are pretty good. I ordered the Bates Special, for $5.39 you get a burger, french fries, and a drink.  The most expensive thing on their menu is The Working Man for $6.99 you get a Double Boy with Large Fries.  Ohhhhhh the fries.  I guess this is where I should throw out a “Moo".  I LOVE crinkle cut fries from Culvers, Churches, and here as well.  I have always had them fresh when I go, so either the Fry Gods smile upon me as I make my order, or they are dedicated to making every order fresh.  You can choose to add jalapeno’s, bacon etc to your burger as well.  The burgers are a few steps above Whataburger.  Just very old fashioned, cooked to order, good burger.  I want to take a minute to reminisce.  My very first job was down the street at Baldwins Prolab, I vividly remember walking my tweenself over here for lunch and loyally ordering some type of specialty drink every single time I went.  I wasted no time with the soda’s!  It never fails, their shakes (my favorite is the strawberry) are delicious!  I’d imagine this is what the 1950’s soda shops would dish out, no wonder everyone was taking their dates there, and then got to score at a ‘parking’ spot.  They are also known for their Orange Freeze.  This drink is particular to this place, I have not had any other drink like it anywhere.  I wouldn’t call it a dreamcicle.  It taste more like the slush that you get from the icee pops sticks when you let it melt a little, or drink the last of it.  To me, the flavor takes me back to summer’s as a kid.  The question, “Would you go back?”.  I think it’s pretty obvious, I have been going since before I could drive, it’s that good that I would walk...and those who know me, know I would not walk just anywhere.

Choicolate-Artisan Chocolates

Choicolate-Artisan Chocolates

Move over Willy Wonka for this chocolatier.  Located in a chic Stone Oak location are these delicious hand-crafted chocolates that look almost too pretty to eat.  After a stroll from Auden’s Kitchen we wondered in this white on white spot, so clean it was hard to believe that any cooking went on inside.  We were enthusiastically greeted by part owner Young Yang, husband to Jaime Choi (notice a similarity to the name of the shop?).  He spoke with us about his wife’s education, the Belgian chocolate and fresh ingredients.  He encouraged us to try the sample’s in the window, and no one had to ask us twice.  The two available for sample were the Pecan Caramel Ganache and the Strawberry Balsamic.  The Balsamic in the chocolate was sutle.  It had that “what is this factor?”.  The sample’s is what drew us in, you could taste the quality in the chocolate.  We purchased a five piece box for $11.  The boxing is equally aesthetically pleasing and in each box comes a chocolate guide to let you or the gift receiver know what chocolate they are eating.  We choose 5 of the 14 flavors.  The honey hazelnut, cut into a dark jewelry style cut.  Honey is a subtle flavor and the dark chocolate didn’t pack as much as a punch as you typically get from a dark chocolate at the supermarket.  The next one we got was a Dulce de Leche Coffee.  In each of the chocolates the filling has a very velvety texture.  The coffee is the predominant flavor, for me it masked the Dulce de leche flavor, but for Joseph he said he got the flavor immediately after the coffee.  It could be because I don’t care for coffee.  The third and my second favorite was the Grapevine.  It has a golden raisin on top and is made with port wine.  I LOVE red wine with chocolate so the creamy, mousse middle with the co-star wine flavor was excellent.  I loved the small tartness of the raisin in the end.  The fourth one, and surprising favorite of mine was the Pumpkin Caramel!  Again, middle filling was excellent texture, after the visit here I can definitely tell the different between quality ingredients and the ones you get from chocolates made for the masses.  You definitely get the pumpkin spice, this one would be a holiday favorite.  Perfect for a small gift, or a small, sweet after dinner treat.  The last was the Mango Habanero.  Mango was very tropical, mixed with white chocolate and what taste’s like lime.  As only a habanero can, the heat comes up on you gradually.  It was a great balance.  This was was the most complex, creative one of the fab five we got.  Thank you Young we will be returning soon!

Urban Taco

Urban Taco is a newer hip restaurant located in the Alamo Quarry.  It’s a modern take on Mexican taqueria’s introducing fun twists to old favorites.  I went during a beautiful day on lunch and it was pretty busy.  I still got attended to right away and opted to sit inside, although they do have a very nice shaded patio area.  I loved the buzz I got from inside, it had a hip, downtown feel to it. 

Our service was very quick and friendly.  They have a great lunch time special where you can get any two tacos on the menu with poblano green rice and black refried beans for $7.75.  Unless it is a seafood taco, you need to pay one dollar more.  Even with the lunch special comes the free yucca chips.  They are so thin they look like fried corn husk’s and have a lime chile seasoning on them that is very fresh.  I also opted for the chips and salsa trio.  The chips are made in house, this is a secret fetish of mine.  I love homemade, warm tortilla chips, especially with a little butter and hot salsa on them, but that is another tangent blog.  The three salsa’s I got were the peanut habanero, the jalapeno zucchini, and the rooster pico (a crowd favorite that our waitress recommended).  The peanut habanero is a must try for spicy food lovers.  It has a wonderful sweet peanut flavor in the beginning, but since it is habanero, about a second later your mouth feels like it’s on fire.  I could handle it in small doses with lots of glasses of water.  On a side note, as a consumer I love it when server’s never let your glass get empty, and even with the seven glasses of water I had to have, my server kept up with me, on a very busy lunch hour.  The rooster pico was a very run of the mill red sauce.  It was very mild, and reminiscent of a black bean salsa.  I could see why it was a favorite though, it’s a crowd pleaser, one of those salsa’s you couldn’t go wrong with.  The jalapeno zucchini was hands down my favorite.  So cool tasting and creamy, they went really well with both the yucca chips and the tortilla chips. 

On my entree I loved the cilantro flavor but the way the rice was bland, it kind of tasted like rice o roni.  I like a more fluffy rice.  The black beans were really good. I am not sure if it was all natural.  They top it with queso fresco, but they taste sinfully good, in only a way refried beans with lard can taste.  I am lucky that my dining partner let me taste her taco’s too!  I tried the Al Pastor it’s cooked rotisserie style and topped with roasted pineapple, salsa, onions, and cilantro.  I loved the pineapple it in, went well with the chile rubbed pork in the taco.  The meat could be a little more tender and juicy though. I also tried the Dos Equis Amber Barbacoa taco.  The meat is braised in the beer along with other chile’s and topped with roasted corn and pickled red onions.  Again, pairing something sweet with the taco.  I loved this adventurous take on a classic taco, the meat was flavorful.  Moving on the the Chicken Al Carbon, it’s a garlic mojo grilled chicken with a green salsa and topped with manchego cheese and pico de gallo.  I loved the salsa on it.  The chicken was dry to me though, but the salsa and the fresh tomato helped to mask it a little.  The last taco I tried was a big step for me.  It was the Pollo con Mole.  I have not had any kind of mole since my Aunt Sandra and Uncle George’s wedding when I was in the fifth grade and I vividly remember getting sick in a bad way at the wedding.  I had since sworn of mole.  However, in the name of journalism I retracted that fear and jumped in the water.  The clouds parted and the mole gods took pity and mercy on me with this taco.  It was sweet, and creamy.  I didn’t know that the presence of chocolate would be so palpable.  It’s like a sweet old friend that creeps up next to you.  If I knew that I would be greeted like that, I would have tried mole a long time ago. 

 One of the endearing things at the end of my meal was the tiny chicle's that they have at the front of the restaurant for the end of your meal.  I love the mini familiar mexican gum, it was a sweet touch.  So the question...will I go back.  Yes, not only will I be back, but I am recommending this restaurant to my fellow Dallasonians.  See you soon Urban Taco.

Boardwalk on Bulverde: New Food Trailer Park, Tin Can Tacos

Food Trucks!  No longer are the day’s of the “Roach Coaches”, food trucks are a new trend now, bringing elevated and fresh cuisine idea’s to you street food style.  In this trailer park there are seven food trucks, but I could only fit two in my stomach, regretfully.  I went there specifically for Tin Can Tacos.  The owner/chef was really friendly and informative.  He is very health conscious.  His corn tortillas are all natural.  They contain no trans-fat, oil or butter.  His get’s his cilantro and other greens from a local “farmer Bob”.  I personally love when restaurant’s support their local farmers, everything is just fresher.  The owner is a definite farm to table advocate.  He explained that even in his lamb they would soon be using only grass-fed locally raised lamb.  He extends his healthy cooking to all the other menu items, again not using any oils, trans fats or butter.  The chipotle chicken is so tender and juicy, so when I called him out on that he says he uses a vegetable puree to cook it with.  Interesting.  The chicken reminds me of a dish your Hispanic grandma would cook up in the kitchen.  Very reminiscent of the tomato bouillon and cumin flavors.  The fish tacos had great texture to them.  It comes with red cabbage, cilantro, grilled fish, queso fresco and a mango peach jalapeno ranch salsa on top, wrapped in an all natural corn tortilla.  The fish was a tiny bit fishy to me, but very fresh.  I loved the pairing of the sweet mango with the slight spicy fish.  The cost was five dollars for two tacos.  In addition to the fish tacos I had the five tacos for seven dollars.  I know; five tacos?!  But these tacos are super small, maybe the size of your palm.  I didn’t like how you could only get one meat per order.  Not because I tired of the lamb, but just because as a first timer I would have liked to try other meats.  I got the lamb with a pinneable habanero salsa.  The lamb is ground and very lean.  The tacos have very earthy flavors.  The small tacos include cilantro, grilled onions and queso fresco.  “This is the healthiest taco you will every eat”- say’s owner Manny.  But here, not only do you get a healthy, guilt free meal, but no sacrifice in flavor!  Will I go back?  Yes, most definitely.