Jersey Mike's on Hulen.

Yesterday, I stopped by Jersey Mike's to try their Philly cheesesteak. I have Jersey/Philly street cred, having lived in both places, so keep in mind, I'm picky.

Conclusion: Just decent. 6 of 10.

Jersey Mike's is a 500 location company; it's not some guy who just moved to Texas with a passion for cheesesteaks. And a company of that size has to make some compromises in the price/quality equation.

Here's my opinion on their approach:

• The steak is authentic "chip steak" as used in Philly.
• The steak portion of the sandwich is on the light side. The cheese flavor overwhelmed the overall taste.
• The cheese itself is American (I think). And American cheese is what? Not much. I prefer provolone. I wasn't offered an option.
• Sandwich could have had twice the amount of fried peppers and onions.
• The roll is big, fluffy white bread. I prefer a denser roll with a slight bit of crust.

I'm not trying to be a cheesesteak snob. Jersey Mike's is a decent, if pretty generic, cheesesteak but I'm not putting an "authentic Philly" seal on it. 

Sorry.

--------------------------------

Jersey Mike's is next door to Five Guys Hamburgers on Hulen south of I-20. 

Website: Jersey Mike's.

Share:

Foods I don't get. Part 2.

1. Overcooked, boiled vegetables. Can someone tell me what is enticing about cooking sliced carrots until they have no flavor and have the consistency of baby food? Same with any other vegetable.

2. Pho. The name itself puts me off for some reason, maybe because it's pronounced faux, as in fake, as in not really good food. Yes, I have tried it. My daughter likes it as do other people I know. I just don't get the rice noodle.

3. Rice pudding. Can we talk? Anything that looks as nasty as rice pudding or its cousin tapioca can not taste good. I don't care how you trick it up.

And the worst of them all one more time: chicken pot pie -- yes, I have talked about this before but I have to bring it up again because my wife just heated one up and I took a look inside. Gooey substance, green peas, carrots and an occasional piece of overcooked chicken. Unless I'm starving on some deserted island, there is no way I'm eating that.

Share:

Carmel at Lightcatcher Winery & Bistro

Friends of ours are performing at Lightcatcher Winery & Bistro this Sunday. Lightcatcher features jazz musicians at their Bistro's bi-weekly, Jazz Sunday.

Carmel is performing Sunday, February 20. Carmel sings and plays a mixture of Soul, Blues, and original Jazz. Samples of their music can be found on their website here: Nightwork Jazz.

Details
-> Carmel at Lightcatcher Winery
-> Sunday, February 20, 2011
-> 4 pm - 7 pm

-> See Lightcatcher Winery & Bistro website for directions. It's 12 miles north and west of downtown

Lightcatcher website

Carmel on Facebook

---------------------------------------------------

After attending comments: the music and setting were fantastic. Comments on the wine were mixed. The bistro's cheese-meat-crackers plate was good but for $20 it should be.


Share: