australopithecus robustus said:

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De baca recently. Beautiful place. Very sedate. Not my cup of tea.

I'll keep on with Houston/Austin, especially steak. Upper casual we've got a couple spots. We just don't have a great, properly prepared steak here.

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They need to step their game up by quite a bit in most areas. I'll leave it at that.

What did you get?

I'd put DeBaca slightly behind the best steakhouses in town that need a membership. Slightly ahead of the average Republic performance- (but only one sample) which is pretty good. I'd go to Republic if I was buying. 1860 Italia and Christopher's are good but not in the same league. Pappas in Houston is playing at a different level than anyone in this county.

The local steaks just don't have the right beef or process. They fall short on Maillard reaction and the beef isn't handled correctly from A to Z.

Pappas Bros.
Vic and Anthony's
Nick and Sam's

australopithecus robustus said:

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The local steaks just don't have the right beef or process. They fall short on Maillard reaction and the beef isn't handled correctly from A to Z.

Pappas Bros.
Vic and Anthony's
Nick and Sam's

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How does Gibson's compare to these? They are based out of Chicago. Raise their own beef. Not sure where. Probably best steak I've ever had.

Another vote for 44 Farms. Don't know if any local restaurant around here uses them but they are some of the best steaks I've ever grilled

Aggie@state.gov said:

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Another vote for 44 Farms. Don't know if any local restaurant around here uses them but they are some of the best steaks I've ever grilled

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We just bought a quarter cow from them and the steaks have been incredible. The best deals are the sirloins they are incredible for the price

Aggie@state.gov said:

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Another vote for 44 Farms. Don't know if any local restaurant around here uses them but they are some of the best steaks I've ever grilled

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I see on their site they have a retail establishment out near Cameron. Have not been out that way lately to check it out.

They do and thats where we go to buy them.
Its on 77/36 right as you come into Cameron from the south.

techno-ag said:

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Aggie@state.gov said:

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Another vote for 44 Farms. Don't know if any local restaurant around here uses them but they are some of the best steaks I've ever grilled

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I see on their site they have a retail establishment out near Cameron. Have not been out that way lately to check it out.

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I think Christopher's and Miramont use Farm 44 sourced steaks.

Miramont has for their lower end steaks in the past. Not sure about now. 44 was not their prime supplier to my understanding.

Finally tried Monk's. Big thumbs up. I'd rank them above Taz and Tikka House but YMMV.

Idk why KBTX keeps talking about Long John's being remodeled. It was completely demo'd and rebuilt. Not the same thing.

Anyway, headed to Casa Monarca with the wife tonight. It's been on our list since it opened. Will report tomorrow.

Went to the new Maddens at Briarcrest Country Club last night.

Food, drinks, and the waitress were all top notch; I will definitely return.

dubi said:

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Went to the new Maddens at Briarcrest Country Club last night.

Food, drinks, and the waitress were all top notch; I will definitely return.

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I'm really looking forward to going there soon!

Casa Monarca was great. Very full, hardly an open table while we were there. We split the quesabirria tacos. Chips and salsa were very good. The salsa was a little warmer than typical, so keep that in mind if you don't like spicy. Our server, Gisela, was very nice and attentive.

MyNameIsJeff said:

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Casa Monarca was great. Very full, hardly an open table while we were there. We split the quesabirria tacos. Chips and salsa were very good. The salsa was a little warmer than typical, so keep that in mind if you don't like spicy. Our server, Gisela, was very nice and attentive.

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Have they expanded the menu yet?

I don't know what it started as to compare to. It was one sheet, front only.

Is there a website for casa monarca? No facebook here.

I think they have Insta (https://www.instagram.com/casamonarca.btx/?hl=en), as well. I have not found a website other than Destination Bryan https://www.destinationbryan.com/directory/casa-monarca/... Plan to try them out next week.

Dustoff00 said:

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I think they have Insta (https://www.instagram.com/casamonarca.btx/?hl=en), as well. I have not found a website other than Destination Bryan https://www.destinationbryan.com/directory/casa-monarca/... Plan to try them out next week.

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no insta either. I'm basically social free now.

Now I know why you never responded to my friend request.

maroon barchetta said:

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Now I know why you never responded to my friend request.

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lol

Tried Frida's for the first time last night. Wife and son and I all really enjoyed it.

Food was great. Service was great. Atmosphere was great. Price was great.

Thanks to this board for the recommendation. We decided last night that Frida's will be added to our rotation.

Since I can walk to it it's become a nice addition to my dining out life.

That bone marrow thing they serve is awesome!

FlyRod said:

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Since I can walk to it it's become a nice addition to my dining out life.

That bone marrow thing they serve is awesome!

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Are you my neighbor?

I live about 100 yards away from Fridas/Chubby's/etc...

Do they still allow smoking in Margie's?
It was a bit of a turnoff when we tried it years ago and were told "They're regulars, they can smoke if they want."

No

Tried Bubba's 33 for lunch. The burger was so salty it was practically inedible. I would go back and try something else, but I won't go out of my way for it.

Hermanos Marquez now has beer. I'm not sure about anything else.

We were at Bubba's over the weekend with a large group. Service was a little slow, but all the food was delicious. Pizzas, shrimp tacos, salmon, burger, some appetizers.

We finally went by the new and improved Long John Silver's. The line wasn't quite out onto Texas Ave at 2:15.

We went to Bubba's on Friday evening with a large group. Our waiter was on his second shift but did a great job.

I had the Monte Cristo. The sandwich was good but the jam was a little too tart for my taste. I did enjoy the fire fries loaded, even if they were a little lukewarm.

Most of our table had burgers and no one really raved about or was disappointed in them.

I will go back to try other things.

After being in Illinois for 2 months, I'm happy to be back home and I tried Bubba's 33 and De Baca with the wife since I've been back.

Bubba's, for the price point was "okay". I had the rib-eye that has the coffee or espresso flavoring on it. Good but not any "wow factor" to it. The onion rings were next level.

De Baca: I went crazy and got the 42-ish ounce Tomahawk. It was slightly undercooked to my usual liking but the flavor absolutely made up for that. I'm not one to send back steaks for additional cooking time and it didn't matter. The cut and the flavor were outstanding. Was not a huge fan of the Brussel sprouts but I wasn't there for that. It'll just be a different side next time I go. Biggest disappointment for me was the room noise. Very loud when the dining room is full and it made it difficult for my wife and I to enjoy our anniversary dinner with quiet conversation.