THE LOST CAJUN - WHO'S YOUR CRAWDADDY
Amarillo has a long love/hate relationship with Cajun Joints. During my lifetime, she has seen a plethora of restaurants, both authentic and pretenders, come and go. Some of them have hung on for awhile, and others were missed if you blinked too long. I am not sure the reasons for their failures, but that has never kept me from speculating, so here goes.
Amarillo has a long love/hate relationship with Cajun Joints. During my lifetime, she has seen a plethora of restaurants, both authentic and pretenders, come and go. Some of them have hung on for awhile, and others were missed if you blinked too long. I am not sure the reasons for their failures, but that has never kept me from speculating, so here goes.
When it comes to a night out, we Amarillo Folk usually have a tight purse. Dining value is generally more focused on portions than quality or innovation; a $10.99 double-stacked chicken fry will usually win over a $17 Tuna Poke Appetizer or a $34 Mediterranean Halibut. The last time I looked, we are not near an ocean and because the majority of Cajun food is seafood based, the price will reflect it. If we want good, fresh seafood we are going to have to pay a premium for the fish’s plane ticket here. If you see cheap seafood in Amarillo, run away.
Which brings me to my next theory; is it just me or is anyone else confused by the difference between jambalaya, gumbo and etoufee? “Which one has okra?” “Which one is spicy?” “What’s a BOO-DAN?” We are just unfamiliar with dishes. Other cuisines suffer this dilemma also; Indian food, Vietnamese food and pretty much anything other than Chinese, Mexican and Beef have fallen victim to it. Some have overcome it, most have not.
The list of Cajun Casualties range from Willie’s Bayou & Bourbon Street, which were solid Joints, to Cajun Magic which I think was top-notch. Then there was Joe’s Crab Shack with its half-hearted, tie-dyed, hourly dance fest by the wait staff and Southern Fried Maine Lobster. I was not a fan. The only stalwart hanging in there for years has been Scott’s Oyster Bar, which I consider more of a Seafood Joint than a Cajun Joint. Nevertheless, it is an amazing Joint that will make an appearance on eatoutamarillo.com
Which brings me to the current Amarillo Food Scene and the introduction of 3 new Cajun Offerings: The Lost Cajun, The Drunken Oyster, and The Lazy Gator. All three restaurants have a pedigree of owners and chefs that have the potential to change Amarillo to a Cajun town. I make a rule of not going to any new restaurant for its first 90-120 days for a multitude of reasons. Amarillo bombards new restaurants the day they open and don’t let up for a while. Also, generally the chefs are working on perfecting the menu. Lastly, the staff is still learning the menus and their jobs. I never want to cloud my judgment of a new restaurant because the hostess is flustered or the potatoes are cold. I have not visited The Drunken Oyster or Lazy Gator yet, but look forward to partaking of their wares soon.
But I have been to The Lost Cajun and it hits a slew of buttons. Its food is really good. Its prices are affordable. Most of its dishes are in the $12 range. It’s located right in the middle of town in the newly remodeled Wolflin Square. The staff is great and the owner has over 25 years of restaurant experience. Mike Fogiel has owned Hoffbrau Steakhouse for a long time and in the last few years, purchased Ye Olde Pancake Station. Both of those Joints have a steady stream of loyal traffic and The Lost Cajun should keep that streak going. The Lost Cajun is a franchise with about 15 locations and look to be doubling soon.
THE JOINT EXPERIENCE
Finding The Lost Cajun takes a little work. It is located on the northeast end of Wolflin Square. Usually, I can tell people where a Joint is by telling what used to occupy the space, but for the life of me, I don’t remember anything being there. The best I can do is “It is in the building at the opposite end of Eat-Rite.”
When you arrive at The Lost Cajun, you are greeted with a “Thanks for joining us. Is this your first time coming here?” With an affirmative answer, a small paddle appears with spots for a sampling of gumbos, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and their lobster bisque. What a brilliant concept to overcome the lack of knowledge of their visitors. You get a taste and an education before pulling the trigger on your order. More Joints, and wannabes, should follow this example. It will stave off order regret and take the responsibility off of the wait staff to explain the dishes. I cannot commend The Lost Cajun enough on this.
The choices for the day were Voodoo Pasta and Cat-Toufee for lunch. The portions are large and you will get your money’s worth. The pasta was full of perfectly done shrimp and spot-on andouille sausage. The sauce is delicious and compliments everything perfectly. The Cat-Toufee is spectacular. Three large filets of catfish are served on a bed of rice with etoufee slathered on top. What an outstanding method of incorporating both entrees into one dish. The rice offers a nice base to catch all of the etoufee and clean your plate.
On every visit to The Lost Cajun, make room for a Beignet and Chicory Coffee to end the meal. It seems that every culture has their version of a sopapilla and the Beignet fill the Cajun niche. These sweet little dough pillows are a perfect end to a spicy meal and the Chicory Coffee is a wonderful compliment to their sweetness. (Sweet Little Dough Pillows would be an awesome band name, by the way.)
The Lost Cajun should be around for a long time, if the crowds since opening are any indication. It is usually full at lunch time, and I have seen lines form at times. Go take advantage of the Cajun Resurgence in Amarillo and find your way to The Lost Cajun.
Website
2401 I-40 W
Amarillo, TX 79109
806-576-0019
THAI ARAWAN - A PLEASANT SURPRISE IS IN STORE FOR YOU…IN BED
Growing up in Oregon, my dad had been exposed to 50s era West Coast Chinese Food. This food was an adaptation of Chinese cooking by Chinese-Americans to appease the American palate with dishes like General Tso’s Chicken, Chop Suey, and Broccoli Beef. As the fares took root in California, they spread north into Oregon and Washington due to a large Chinese population. A similar movement happened on the east coast in cities with abundant Chinese residents. As the food became more popular, it worked its way from each coast inland creating a “Chop Suey Joint” boom across the country.
Growing up in Oregon, my dad had been exposed to 50s era West Coast Chinese Food. This food was an adaptation of Chinese cooking by Chinese-Americans to appease the American palate with dishes like General Tso’s Chicken, Chop Suey, and Broccoli Beef. As the fares took root in California, they spread north into Oregon and Washington due to a large Chinese population. A similar movement happened on the east coast in cities with abundant Chinese residents. As the food became more popular, it worked its way from each coast inland creating a “Chop Suey Joint” boom across the country. You can learn more about this in a great documentary “The Search For General Tso."
My dad joined the Air Force in the early 60s and after being stationed in Japan for a stint, he was moved to the Amarillo Air Force base where he met my mother. He lived in Eastridge and found these restaurants similar to what he had experienced back home. After multiple awkward attempts, he finally convinced my mother to go on an actual date. He was all geared up to impress her with his Chinese Food knowledge and Chop Stick skills. They went to the Hong Kong Restaurant on Amarillo Blvd. He was all set to wow her and was saddened by her revelation that she did not like Chinese Food. His great plan was thwarted, but her appeasement of eating fried rice foretold a lifelong series of marital negotiations that continue to this day after over 50 years together.
Because my mother was not a Chinese Food fan, on the occasion when it was just me and dad, we would go to China Inn on Paramount (where Pacific Rim is now). The order of the “B” special for 2 was placed and we were presented with an appetizer of Egg Drop Soup commencing in dad teaching me the fine art of Egg Drop Soup Doctoring; a little soy sauce and pepper are the keys. After lesson one, a rolling tray appeared hauling a series of pedestaled, metal dishes containing Sweet & Sour Pork, Fried Shrimp, Chicken Chow Mein, and steamed rice. Lesson two began: how to use chopsticks. After much trial and error, I picked it up and was able to successfully transport the deliciousness to my mouth.
Over the years, we became friendly with the owner of China Inn, and upon turning 15, began my first job as a bus boy. For $3.25 an hour and a hot meal each night, I bussed tables and tried new dishes like Shrimp Subgum and Moo Goo Gai Pan. I became fascinated with the flavors that the typical Amarillo teen does not experience at home or at Furr’s. One of my favorite treats at China Inn was being able to take home a bag of the broken fortune cookies damaged in transport and crumbling them over ice cream. Delicious! After gathering some money, purchasing a car, and turning 16, I moved on from China Inn, but never lost my love for Chinese Food.
Since the late 1980s, Amarillo’s Chinese Food Cuisine Scene has migrated to an eclectic mix of Chinese, Thai, Laotian, Vietnamese, and Japanese. After the Vietnam War, Amarillo became home to a large population of Southeast Asian refugees and immigrants. As they started working in Chinese Food restaurants, the menus began transforming to what I affectionately refer to with the utmost respect as “Vaguely Asian.” What started with Chow Mein and Chicken Cashew evolved into a melange of whole-continent flavors ranging from Thai staples Pad Thai and Moo Satay to Laotian Beef Jerky and Sticky Rice. Business Idea - I have joked that I am going to open “Vaguely Asian Joint” that has a wide variety of dishes from all areas of Asia. Then I will expand and open ”Vaguely Mexican Joint” soon to be followed by “Vaguely American Joint.” The possibilities are endless.
There are dozens of restaurants in Amarillo following this model all over town and their menus have plenty of overlap. There are establishments dotting the Southwest side of town, and clusters of them on the Northeast side of town. I have been told quite a few of the more well known ones trace back to My Thai, but I have no way to confirm these reports. I have heard rumors “The guy that owns this restaurant started as a cook at My Thai.” “The chef there is the cousin of the owner of King & I.” One discovery during my research for this article; the Banker Special I see on most menus doesn’t seem to be found on any menu outside of Amarillo, but is on myriad menus in Amarillo. This seems to be evidence of the rumored “Family Tree” of restaurants in town. If you Google “Banker Special Food”, you will be presented with a list of only Amarillo restaurants. Whatever the story, I am amazed at the level of quality and freshness at most of the Joints in this cuisine style.
THE JOINT EXPERIENCE
I have a few favorites in town. Among them are My Thai, Taste of Thai, and Thai Taste. The one I frequent mostly is Thai Arawan. First opened in a Georgia Street strip mall, they moved to their current location on Wolflin a few years later. The menu includes all the expected staples. There is the ubiquitous Pick Two Lunch Special featuring the conventional Sweet & Sour Pork and Broccoli Beef. Their Pad Thai and Fried Rice are solid, delicious examples of the regular Thai offerings. But if you look a little closer, you will see some unique items varying from the Vaguely Asian theme. The list of curries is distinctive as are the soups. The Arawan Pad Thai is a variant on traditional Pad Thai with the entire dish put into an omelet. One of my favorite items is something not listed on the menu: the Atkins Bowl. It is a pile of your choice of meat with a slew of vegetables that would make any diet proud. I get mine with Chicken and ask for Spicy Thai Style. Give it a try. It’s amazing.
Today’s order was an appetizer of Beef Jerky and Sticky Rice, Arawan Pad Thai, Mongolian Beef, and the Lunch Special with Pepper Steak and Lemon Chicken for the non-adventurous traitor in the group. Side Note, eat what you like, but when you are with self-described Joint Snobs, prepare to catch Hell for it. Jerky and Sticky Rice were so good it was 2/3rds gone before I could snap a pic. This was my first time for the Arawan Pad Thai and I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was good, but because eggs are not my favorite thing, I prefer the Traditional Pad Thai. The Mongolian Beef was spicy and delightful. I am sure the Lunch Special was good, because the plate was clean.
I think the Amarillo Chop Suey Joints are mostly gone, replaced with Vaguely Asian Joints and we are all better because of it. We can still get our Sesame Chicken fix, while branching out to Massaman Curry. And mom can still get Fried Rice, too.
Website
2834 Wolflin
Amarillo, TX 79109
806-463-7167
Recommended Dishes
Chicken Atkins Bowl - Spicy
Combo Pad Thai
Arawan Spicy
HUMMERS - I KEEP GETTING OLDER, AND IT JUST STAYS THE SAME AGE
“Meet you at Hummers!” There is no additional information needed. “Where is that?” “Which one?” “What do they have there?” Hummers needs no explanation, definition, directions or apologies. Nothing has stood the test of time like good old Hummers. From the hilarious quotes on the menu that are the same today as they were in 1983, to the buckets of beer, to the Snack Basket, Hummers is like that old sweatshirt you won’t let your wife throw out. It’s comfy, fits just right, and it has a few stains here and there. You are never surprised by Hummers. In a world of Luke Bryans and bedazzled jeans, Hummers is Waylon Jennings and a 12 pack.
“Meet you at Hummers!” There is no additional information needed. “Where is that?” “Which one?” “What do they have there?” Hummers needs no explanation, definition, directions or apologies. Nothing has stood the test of time like good old Hummers. From the hilarious quotes on the menu that are the same today as they were in 1983, to the buckets of beer, to the Snack Basket, Hummers is like that old sweatshirt you won’t let your wife throw out. It’s comfy, fits just right, and it has a few stains here and there. You are never surprised by Hummers. In a world of Luke Bryans and bedazzled jeans, Hummers is Waylon Jennings and a 12 pack.
The décor has changed with the times. Long gone is the wallpaper made up of sharpied $1 bills. The wall of beers on your way to the bathroom has been replaced. The shuffleboard made way for more seating. I believe the 51 Beer Club and the Hall of Foam left for a while, but returned in recent history. Those massive TVs have been replaced with modern flat screens. I remember the first time I saw the huge projection TV at Hummers. It was fuzzy, grainy, temperamental, and glorious. It has been upgraded many times over the years to its current HD projector incarnation. I would be floored to know the amount of money spent on TVs, satellites, and technology in the last 35 years. The owner probably would be too.
But the baseball bat door handles and the Coke box to greet you inside the front door is still there. The hand-rolled neon napkin silverware hasn’t left. The solid wood, unnatural red and green, tables and chairs still inhabit the dining space. Those huge, round, Hummers emblazoned, yellowed, beat-up tables in the corners are still hosting Amarillo conspiracy plots. All of the old pictures, coolers, neon signs, logoed ceiling fan and street globes let you know the world changed, but somehow stayed the same. The phone on the way to the bathrooms is still the old Executone that has always been there. I wonder how many calls I made there before the prevalence of cell phones.
Hummers was “The” place to go for any major sports happening. Some poor schlub would be tasked with getting there early to stake out enough seats before the Big Game. I remember watching Nolan Ryan’s 300th win and 5000th strikeout at Hummers. The World Series and Stanley Cup were always observed there. We even watched OJ’s final rushing attempt in the white Bronco at Hummers.
I will cautiously broach the subject of the Hummers waitresses. I cannot reminisce about Hummers and not mention the waitresses. 17-22 year old me fondly remembers the encounters with the 20-something, attractive, attentive women. And that’s all I have to say about that.
For a long time, I didn’t know what a sports bar was. Hummers was the only Joint like it I ever went to growing up. The first time I was out of town and saw a sports bar, my first thought was “Hey, these jackasses ripped off Hummers.” Ah, the naivety of youth. Speaking of youth, Hummers has been the setting for a long series of firsts for me. It was the first time I encountered a bucket of beer. The first time I saw Shiner. The first raw oyster of many and my first (legal) drink. My 21st birthday evening started at Hummers with a burger and a bucket before moving on to a Statue of Liberty shot. How this was an acceptably safe method of alcohol delivery, I will never know. The idea of dipping your fingers in flammable liquid and applying a Bic lighter while striking a pose gives the Risk Manager in me the Heebie-Jeebies.
THE JOINT EXPERIENCE
Friday Happy Hour at Hummers is one of the longest relished rituals in Amarillo. Meeting your buddies there after a long week with no agenda and no set time gives a sense of stability to our chaotic world. A chance to get together over a bucket and tell lies is a rite of passage as you move from early adulthood to middle-age. The stories just move from jobs and dating to wives and parenthood. From working on your truck, to working on your house. From how bad the Cowboys are to how bad the Cowboys are. The only difference is instead of a call Friday to set plans, it is just a text “Hummers?”
As you peruse the Hummers menu, you see that there is something for everyone. I wasn’t able to spot any rookies (see what I did there) since the first time I visited. You can do steaks, burgers, salads, chicken, some oysters, Mexican food, and sandwiches. My go-tos have always been the burgers and the steak bites. The appetizers are tasty and provide a good base for some beverages. The beer list has always been extensive long before it was cool. I can remember seeing German and Austrian beers at Hummers decades before the Craft Beer Craze.
After buckets were delivered, burgers were ordered. One odd thing about the Hummer Burger. It is on a whole wheat bun. No option for anything else, just a wheat bun. It's as if to say "You are about to eat some greasy meat with a topping of cheese with a side of fried onions and some buffalo wings. This wheat bun will make it healthy though." This is weird to some folks, but it is what it is. My usual order of Wahoo Sam's Green Chili Burger with half fries, half onion rings was made along with a Snack Basket. The Snack Basket is a mish-mash of beigeness, with varying meats and vegetables fried for your dipping enjoyment. Everything ordered tasted exactly as it always has, solid. There are better meals in Amarillo, but they don't taste like memories.
I was tempted to order a Statue Of Liberty, but was afraid they would deliver it and I would have to suffer through it. Someone do it and let me know if you survive.
2600 Paramount Blvd
Suite B-2
Amarillo, TX 79109
THE BAGEL PLACE - YOU CAN HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO
As eatoutamarillo.com has been growing, I am asked what my next Joint will be. I have a list that I am working on. Some are Joints that very few have heard of, some are Joints everyone has been to. When I mention The Bagel Place, everyone’s eyes light up. “I Love The Bagel Place!” What I didn’t expect were the varying perceptions people have of it. Everyone shoehorns Bagel Place into a niche that fits their personal desires. Some people think of it as a place to grab some bagels on the way to the office in the morning. For others, they rave about the breakfast burritos, tacos and croissants. Some folks take advantage of their desserts, cookies and cakes to go or by the slice. Soup junkies say it is the best place for a bowl. Want to meet some friends over morning coffee? Gotcha covered.
As eatoutamarillo.com has been growing, I am asked what my next Joint will be. I have a list that I am working on. Some are Joints that very few have heard of, some are Joints everyone has been to. When I mention The Bagel Place, everyone’s eyes light up. “I Love The Bagel Place!” What I didn’t expect were the varying perceptions people have of it. Everyone shoehorns Bagel Place into a niche that fits their personal desires. Some people think of it as a place to grab some bagels on the way to the office in the morning. For others, they rave about the breakfast burritos, tacos and croissants. Some folks take advantage of their desserts, cookies and cakes to go or by the slice. Soup junkies say it is the best place for a bowl. Want to meet some friends over morning coffee? Gotcha covered.
For me, it is a place for one of the best sandwiches in town. Which one of their sandwiches is the best depends on my mood that day. I usually stick to the “Signature Sandwiches” side of the menu, each named after a current or former Big 12 Conference mascot. It would be very easy in this part of the story to anger all Big 12 schools by knocking their mascots. Insert Aggie and Sooner joke here. But I would like to keep my readership intact and growing. Let’s just say all of the options are delicious and move on.
I discovered The Bagel Place years ago in their original location on Western in the old Dunkin Donuts building. Side note: I find it fascinating that Amarilloans refer to places by what they used to be. “Where’s Tyler’s Barbecue?” “It’s the old Long John Silver’s on Paramount.” “Blue Sky? It’s the old Taco Cabana.” We even refer to something from 2-3 tenants ago. “The Randall County Annex moved to the old Best building.” Best hasn’t been there in 25 years. Doesn’t matter. For God Sakes, the shopping center is still named Best Plaza. Funny thing about The Bagel Place’s original location; it was a Dunkin Donuts, then The Bagel Place, and then torn down and a Dunkin Donuts was built. Circle of Life. But I digress. When I first visited The Bagel Place, I was working near their Western location. I became enamored with the Rattlesnake sandwich. It was Salsalito Turkey with spicy mustard on a garlic bagel. For years, that was my only order. When they moved to their Bell location, they revamped the menu and removed the Rattlesnake. After going through the 7 stages of grief, I accepted the loss of my sandwich and it was a great thing for my palette. I had to branch out and never looked back.
Other than utilizing The Bagel Place as a regular lunchtime Joint, we grab their lox sandwich on a regular basis for a weekend breakfast. There is nothing better than thin smoked salmon, tomatoes, capers and a schmear to set the stage for wonderful Saturday. Years ago, when you could actually take things through airport security, my wife and I took a lox sandwich on an early morning flight. We were headed for a much needed vacation, and wanted a treat to start the trip. We ordered bloody marys, busted out our sack of deliciousness, and received such hateful envy from the other passengers. “Did you bring enough for everyone?” “Marge, why didn’t you think of that?” Suckers.
THE JOINT EXPERIENCE
When you arrive at The Bagel Place, you first notice that the parking lot is full. It is always full. The drive thru is always full. There is a reason; the service is wonderful, the prices are right, and the food is damn good. Perhaps that is the reason for the diversity of the customers. When we visited, there were elderly folks, high schoolers, old grouches, younger couples, and everything in between. I think I saw an albino monk at one of the tables. I tried not to stare.
On the agenda for today, The Longhorn, The Raider and a cup of Taos Soup. The first thing you take in with all of their food is the freshness. The bagels are made on location each day. When you are planning your order, have a backup bagel plan; your garlic bagel option may be sold out for the day and you will be forced to punt. The Raider with all of its roasted peppers and guacamole smoothness is delicious, but The Longhorn is my favorite on the menu. There is something about the combination of the toasted bagel, roast beef and the herbed cream cheese creating a perfect symphony of flavors. The Taos soup is full of ground beef, beans, corn and the most savory, buttery broth you can imagine.
Go try The Bagel Place at different times of the day. Experience each niche they have to offer. Get a schmear on an early morning bagel. Get a pizza bagel. Have a latte. Get a slice of cake. Let your defenses down, just like the Big 12 does. (I had to get one jab in)
The Bagel Place is easy to find. It is the old Taco Villa on Bell, next to where the Mr. Burger used to be.
3301 Bell St
Amarillo, TX 79106
806-353-5985
Recommended Dishes
The Longhorn
Lox Sandwich
INDIAN OVEN - FEAR LEADS TO ANGER. ANGER LEADS TO HATE. HATE LEADS TO SUFFERING.
No one would ever look at me and say “That guy looks like a picky eater.” BUT! I hate curry. I hate coconut. I hate chocolate. I hate eggs. I hate cream pies. I hate whip cream. I hate milk. I hate bananas.
I have said all of these things MANY times in my life along with other vile profane hate speech directed at food. The reality is they are not true. Forgive me Julia Child, for I have sinned; I have avoided foods for many years due to lies I have told myself.
No one would ever look at me and say “That guy looks like a picky eater.” BUT! I hate curry. I hate coconut. I hate chocolate. I hate eggs. I hate cream pies. I hate whip cream. I hate milk. I hate bananas.
I have said all of these things MANY times in my life along with other vile profane hate speech directed at food. The reality is they are not true. Forgive me Julia Child, for I have sinned; I have avoided foods for many years due to lies I have told myself.
When I was a child, I got violently ill after eating chocolate birthday cake. From that day forward, I was “allergic” to chocolate. An overwhelming sadness consumed me during my entire childhood when I would go to a party and chocolate was the only option. In my early teens, I rebelliously tried a peanut M&M. Probably because that green M&M made something inside my pubescent body feel funny. I didn’t die. I didn’t even get sick. I even kind of liked the taste. Over the next few years, I branched out. I experimented here and there. Today, I accept chocolate. I don’t crave it. I don’t seek it out. It is never the first thing I choose from a dessert menu, but I don’t hate it. I have a more positive than negative view of chocolate. I know. I am a freak.
I have the same attitude towards eggs. A childhood experience gone wrong ruined me from eggs for 10 years. I have a texture problem with them. Something about the semi-solid form of the whites triggers my gag reflex. And not in a good way.
These were phobias and decade old truths that I held to my chest like Linus’s blanket. I remedied my aversion to chocolate and eggs before I turned 20, but I held on to the other ones well into adulthood. And then a funny thing happened. For my birthday a few years ago, a friend of ours was in charge of bringing dessert. She brought a coconut cream pie. I panicked. You have to understand; I HATE coconut and cream pies. Like the red hot intensity of 1000 suns. Don’t know where it came from. Probably an ill-fated trip to Furr’s at age 6. But I love my friend. She brought me a thoughtful gift. She had no idea of my illogical fear of a pie. I cannot tell you the emotional tug-of-war for the next 2 hours. I was dreading the time dessert rolled around. After much wine over dinner had kicked in, I had built up a determination to take a couple of polite bites and move on with life. First bite, “HOLY CRAP! Why have you people been hiding this from me my entire life? Who lied to me and told me I didn’t like this? Does other coconut cream pies taste like this or is this an anomaly?” It was delicious. And not just “This is fine and I can power through it,” but “OH MY GOD, CAN I HAVE ANOTHER PIECE?”
I had an epiphany that things I had told myself and others may not be true. My life was a sham. I had lost culinary years avoiding things that I could truly love. I had to charge forth into the food landscape and conquer my demons. When I am presented with a new food experience, I embrace it. I drop all hesitance and dive mouth first into the next adventure. Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose. But I never abstain. Do I like squid? I don’t know, give me a bite? Delicious. How about crawfish heads? Delectable. Tripe? Not so much. But I tried it and that is the point.
That was a long explanation to get to my internal belief that I hate Indian Food. I tried Thai green curry 15 years ago; “hated” it. Thus the following rationale:
No curry of any description would even touch my lips again
All Indian Food is curry
Thus, I hate Indian Food
It was like a hateful algebra equation.
Then, recently, some friends asked us to join them at Indian Oven. Finally, here is my opportunity to embrace the hate or let it leave my food phobia list. They go on a regular basis so I knew I would have a spotter. Upon arriving, we were given some garlic naan. “Oh my god, this is Indian food?” Many dishes were ordered. Tandoori Salmon, Madras Chicken, Botti Kabab, and Bhindi Masala were placed on the table. Some things looked familiar; botti kabab and the tandoori salmon looked like fajitas. The Bhindi Masala was okra deliciousness. But the Madras Chicken was the tipping point. How can I hate coconut milk and curry and love this dish so much. I could not get enough of that flavor. It was so unfamiliar and slightly spicy and unlike anything I had ever had before. It was a game-changer. After that meal, I had dreams about it. I had to have it over and over. Since that first time, I have tried other curry dishes and loved them. Not just tolerated them, but loved them. Indian Oven is in the regular rotation with all the Mexican and Asian Joints. I have even tried that Thai green curry again. So good.
THE JOINT EXPERIENCE
If you have never been to Indian Oven and are wanting to dip your pinky toe in the curried sauce, be prepared to get SLIGHTLY out of your comfort zone. The first thing you will notice is the fragrance. If you have grown up in Amarillo and never ventured past enchiladas and chicken fried steak, you will take note of the bouquet of spices you have never experienced. It is not unpleasant, just unfamiliar. The second thing that tips you off that you are not at Texas Roadhouse is the background music. It is an Indian pop music that is not disagreeable, but just not the terrible top 40 junk that you hear too loudly in chain restaurants.
Upon opening the menu, you are presented with a list of words that do not resemble anything you are accustomed to. My go-to order is the Madras Chicken, medium spice and an order of garlic naan. Today also included Bhindi Masala. It is okra and a few sautéed onions in a delicious coating. Don’t ask me what’s in it. I have no clue. It is just good.
The Madras Chicken is the star in my book. The spice is just right and mixing it over the provided rice is pure heaven. I would still be eating it if there were more in the bowl. The okra is amazing and the naan is out of this world.
Stop the hate crimes against your palate. Be adventurous. Don’t believe your inner lies. Venture out of your Amarillo Food Rut. If you are that person who hates yourself for going to the same 5 restaurants and never tries anything new, this is a beginner foray: order some samosas, some naan, and some tandoori chicken. It doesn’t get more basic. Or get wacky. Have a vegetarian dish. Have a mango lassi for dessert. Life is short, stop wasting your peak culinary years.
By the way, I still hate bananas.
2406 Paramount Blvd
Amarillo, TX 79109
806-335-3600
Recommended Dishes
Madras Chicken
Bhindi Masala
Garlic Naan & Bullet Naan