By ANON E. MUSS, Journal Services
Every restaurant can have an off night.
Every restaurant can have a bad night.
But there is a difference, as a friend and I learned on a recent visit — her first visit — to Tejas Kitchen-Bar-Patio (855 Pierremont, Suite 149, Shreveport).
Our senses were aroused on the walk from the parking lot to the restaurant. We could smell Tejas’ food — and it was a wonderful smell. That’s a good sign, when you get a taste of a place before you even get to the place.
But it looked like we might not be able to try that good smelling food. There was a sign on the door which read the dining room would close at 6:30. A glance of my iPhone showed the time was 6:10. We assumed the restaurant was hosting a private party, as it was a couple of weeks before Christmas.
We walked in, and asked one of the servers if the restaurant was open. She explained the kitchen would be closing soon. One of the cooks called in sick, and the other cook had to leave for his/her second job.
Assured we would be able to eat if we placed our order in time, we chose one of the three booths in the main dining room. There are also eight tables which seat four people, and a long table which seats eight. There is also a bar with seats. Outside, there were tables, chairs, and portable heaters. That’s where a few folks chose to eat, but not these folks. To me, 59 degrees might as well be 29 degrees.
Tejas looks like a place you would see in Arizona or New Mexico. It’s rustic inside giving off a western vibe. There were a few Christmas decorations, including a Grinch hanging from the ceiling. There’s one big television, but you can only see it if you are directly facing it.
Not long after sitting down, a nice lady told us that our assigned server was tied up splitting checks for a party of six, so she would be happy to take our drink order. That was kind of her. She could have easily chosen to let us sit and wait.
To add to the “western” feel, our water was served in mason jar-style glasses, a nice compliment to Tejas’ atmosphere.
Tejas describes its offerings as Southwest American food. There are eight appetizers on the menu, including Popcorn Shrimp and Brisket Quesadillas. Your entree’ choices range from Steak & Shrimp, to Tejas Brisket Chili, to the Tejas Burger.
Our first choice for an appetizer was Pork Rolls, which by the menu’s description, sounded delicious. Unfortunately, our server (it was obvious the lady who brought our drinks was now our server) said they were out of that particular starter. Bummer. Our second choice was something which was a first for us. Grilled Guac ($11) was described as grilled avocado, roasted corn, black beans, pico, chimichurri, and fresh chips. Our server said to think of it as a “deconstructed avocado.”
The Grilled Guac’s presentation was outstanding. It looked beautiful. An avocado which had been placed on the grill, covered and surrounded by all the promised ingredients. And, there were enough chips for both of us to eat without running out.
Unfortunately, the rest of our meal wasn’t without a few hiccups.
When our server came to take our order, she pointed out it was 6:28. Therefore, we had two minutes to tell her what we would like. Immediately, we felt rushed. I knew what I wanted — Grilled Quail ($23). However, my friend had questions about a couple of items. With the clock ticking, she made a hurried choice of Shrimp and Grits.
Our food was served in a timely manner. However, my friend didn’t receive Shrimp and Grits. She was served Roasted Chicken Breast ($17). At first, my friend didn’t say anything to our server, thinking it was a different looking Shrimp and Grits than she had ever seen. As my friend began to move her food around, it was obvious there weren’t any shrimp and there weren’t any grits.
We got our server’s attention, and pointed out the mistake. She said she understood that my friend wanted the Roasted Chicken Breast. My friend was nice, but confident she ordered Shrimp and Grits. Because the kitchen was closed, our server couldn’t offer (although we think she would have) to remake the order. But, our server offered not to charge us for the entree. We declined, but appreciated her response.
Turns out, my friend’s initial disappointment turned to eventual satisfaction. She loved the Roasted Chicken Breast — a 10-ounce, bone-in, skin-on breast, with fresh herbs and garlic, green chili cream, cilantro rice, and roasted vegetables. She went on and on about the green chili cream.
“She did not steer me wrong,” my friend said of our server.
However, while she said the chicken and rice were very good, the roasted vegetables were very bad. How bad? I saw her do something I had never seen from here. She spit out her first bite, which was of a cauliflower. She said it tasted terrible. I took a bite of another piece of cauliflower, as well as one of the other vegetables. They did taste terrible, as if they weren’t, or barely, cooked.
Fortunately, I had no complaints about my meal — two marinated quail, grilled and served over garlic mashed potatoes, warm five onion relish, a fried jalapeno, and green beans. The quail tasted as expected, and the potatoes were outstanding!
Before ordering, we peaked at the four dessert options, and liked what we saw. There was a Warm Mini Chocolate Bundt Cake, Butter Pecan Creme Brulee, Cheesecake, and Vanilla Ice Cream.
Another hiccup.
Our server said the restaurant was out of dessert. Huh? How can you be out of all four desserts? (She did say there may be some of the chocolate bundt cake.) Our server, who was very nice and attentive throughout the evening, explained that Tejas ran out of desserts the previous day, and had not made any since, which were ready to be served.
We’re not big chocolate fans, so we disappointingly declined the cake (if there was any left.) and asked for our check.
The total for our dinner, before tax and tip, was $51. I appreciated the fact Tejas prints their tip suggestion based on the sub-total, and not the total including tax. We thought the price charged was fair, for the amount and taste of food we ate.
I have spoken with a few people who love Tejas. That is why I say the restaurant did not have a bad night, rather an off night. Hey, it happens. They could not help that one of their cooks was out sick. However, they could do something about the terrible roasted veggies, and not having any (at least three) of the desserts listed on their menu.
So, I am giving Tejas Kitchen-Bar-Patio Three Forks. Others have had a great experience, while we had a so-so (with a positive lean) experience. We would try Tejas again, but not go out of our way to do so.
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1 Fork: Would rather eat a box of dirt
2 Forks: Will return, but only if someone else is buying
3 Forks: Will return and look forward to it
4 Forks: Will return and go out of my way to do so
2 Forks: Will return, but only if someone else is buying
3 Forks: Will return and look forward to it
4 Forks: Will return and go out of my way to do so
