I've Been Won Over
I'm now a "Texas Roadie." It all began nearly a year ago, when Jeff and I went into a Texas Roadhouse Restaurant. We were hungry for barbecue and wanted to try something new. However, upon entering the door, we began to have misgivings. It was so dark and crowded. And, was that country music playing on the sound system? Looking to the left I saw a small, dark room with benches lining either side and tattered peanut shells littering the floor. Huddled on these benches were groups of people holding silver buckets and nibbling on peanuts like squirrels. I'll admit, I'm a bit of a food snob, and this peanut room was the final nail in the coffin. I looked at Jeff, shook my head, and he said, "We're out of here." That was the end of Texas Roadhouse for us. Or so I thought....
This week, we dropped the kids off at Mom's so we could do our taxes (we're getting a refund! YAY!). Midway through, we had to take a break for dinner. Neither of us wanted to cook, and I was craving barbecue again. Something like the pit beef I used to eat at my favorite childhood restaurant, Pinnacle Peak (if you are ever in Tucson, go there). So, Jeff and I hopped into the car, and somehow wound up at the Texas Roadhouse. The smells coming for the place were heavenly, and I decided to try it out again. This time, I kept my gaze averted from the peanut room until we were seated.
From that point on, things just got better. The fresh baked bread and cinnamon butter - delicious! The service - friendly and prompt. The music - still country, but my aversion to that genre is not as strong as it used to be (thank Vika for that one - she digs country). But the biggest delight of the evening was the ribs. Those ribs!!! I'm not a ribs fan usually. Gnawing meat off a bone is not my thing. It's messy and I hate the feeling of flesh stuck between my front teeth. But these ribs were different. The meat fell right off the bone! There was no gnawing involved! They were so tender on the inside and crispy barbecuey on the outside... I was in heaven. Jeff looked at me, laughed and said, "Dang it! You're a Texas Roadie now!" I replied, "I think I might be," and then went back to my ribs.
At one point during the meal, the music got really loud, and I turned to see the wait staff doing a line dance to some song about "living in a hick town." It almost made me rethink my "Roadie" status. But, they seemed to be having a good time, so I was able to return to my baked beans without feeling humiliated for them. (My humiliation for the servers at Hot Dog on a Stick has kept me away from there for years. Why on earth do those poor girls have to wear those stupid uniforms and what are they jumping on to make the lemonade? The person who thought that place up was a sick man, indeed).
I've been won-over. I told Vika about the Texas Roadhouse, and her eyes lit up. She loves ribs (the girl's a bone gnawer), and the country music and line dancing are right up her alley. Maybe I can have her turn on the charm for Jeff so we can go there again. Perhaps tomorrow?
This week, we dropped the kids off at Mom's so we could do our taxes (we're getting a refund! YAY!). Midway through, we had to take a break for dinner. Neither of us wanted to cook, and I was craving barbecue again. Something like the pit beef I used to eat at my favorite childhood restaurant, Pinnacle Peak (if you are ever in Tucson, go there). So, Jeff and I hopped into the car, and somehow wound up at the Texas Roadhouse. The smells coming for the place were heavenly, and I decided to try it out again. This time, I kept my gaze averted from the peanut room until we were seated.
From that point on, things just got better. The fresh baked bread and cinnamon butter - delicious! The service - friendly and prompt. The music - still country, but my aversion to that genre is not as strong as it used to be (thank Vika for that one - she digs country). But the biggest delight of the evening was the ribs. Those ribs!!! I'm not a ribs fan usually. Gnawing meat off a bone is not my thing. It's messy and I hate the feeling of flesh stuck between my front teeth. But these ribs were different. The meat fell right off the bone! There was no gnawing involved! They were so tender on the inside and crispy barbecuey on the outside... I was in heaven. Jeff looked at me, laughed and said, "Dang it! You're a Texas Roadie now!" I replied, "I think I might be," and then went back to my ribs.
At one point during the meal, the music got really loud, and I turned to see the wait staff doing a line dance to some song about "living in a hick town." It almost made me rethink my "Roadie" status. But, they seemed to be having a good time, so I was able to return to my baked beans without feeling humiliated for them. (My humiliation for the servers at Hot Dog on a Stick has kept me away from there for years. Why on earth do those poor girls have to wear those stupid uniforms and what are they jumping on to make the lemonade? The person who thought that place up was a sick man, indeed).
I've been won-over. I told Vika about the Texas Roadhouse, and her eyes lit up. She loves ribs (the girl's a bone gnawer), and the country music and line dancing are right up her alley. Maybe I can have her turn on the charm for Jeff so we can go there again. Perhaps tomorrow?
I love Texas Roadhouse, so good!
Oh, for pete's sake, country music won't kill you! Good for Vika. We took Ed's folks to the Texas Roadhouse once and they loved it. Now I'M craving BBQ!
there isnt one near us. Oh well. I would have liked to try it.
We happened across a Texas Roadhouse and loved it (though the sign read "Texas Roadho" - which is probably why we went in the first place) - even with the country music!
Sounds like a neat restaurant. I ownder if there is one in California.
yeeee hawwww! I love me some barbecue too - and I usually find that the more "rustic" the interior, the better the food! It just means they aren't spending alot on overhead and putting it all into the food. YUM!
Perhaps unbeknownst to Jen, I have always loved ribs and have been thwarted from preparing them at home due to the teeth thing--sadly, corn cobs have also frightened Jen, causing her to cut the kernels off the cob into a heaping mess on her plate. It's a little distracting at the table to say the least. But, when she ordered the same as me at the TR, (she never orders what I order) my spousal behavior predictor was thrown askew. Something very good or very bad was about to happen. I braced myself, sipped the beer and waited. Ribs were served, and well before the second round of fresh-made buns arrived, I realized Jen had found a new love.
I now look forward to several new things: Ultimately, thanks to Sandi for all of the following: First, for having Jenni. Aside from much ribbing at her expense (pun), she is very loved. Second, for the much anticipated hand-me-down BBQ she is going to let us have. And, last but not least, the plethora of cook books that I now own but sadly non of which contain recipes for bbq ribs. WHO KNEW!
You must be ItalianBabuska's daughter. I loveeeeee her blog and visit it everyday! As for the lesson plans....ahhhh ditch em! LOL
I went to Texas Roadhouse in Tucson with my mom and dad not too long ago and thought it was great. I, however, like country music but still couldn't bring myself to fling peanut shells onto the floor.