Elite Circle Grille
2132 S. Valley Hills Dr.
Waco, TX 76706
254.754.4941
http://www.elitecirclegrille.com/
5:00 - 5:50 PM
$
Ramona: French Dip Sandwich, Fries, iced tea
Jim: French Dip Sandwich, Fries, iced tea
A most excellent sandwich, and the best French Dip I have tasted in Waco. The bread was great, and the sandwich was warm and delicious.
Our server, Spring, also did a great job. She had the right balance of attention and service without hovering -- a problem in so many restaurants in Waco.
Do not miss this historic Waco eatery on any trip through Central Texas.
-Jim
Showing posts with label Elite Circle Grille. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elite Circle Grille. Show all posts
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Monday, November 3, 2008
Dinner -- 11/02/08
Elite Circle Grille
2132 S. Valley Hills Dr.
Waco, TX 76706 2
54.754.4941
http://www.elitecirclegrille.com/
5:35 - 6:20 PM
$
Ramona: Lunch portion chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, cole slaw, iced tea
Jim: Fish and chips, iced tea
Jim's son was having a slow night, so we decided to help him out with a hefty tip.
Both dishes were hot, fresh, and contained good sized portions. Ramona brought home about a third of her entree. We have had quite a few good meals here, after the bad experience when they first reopened a couple of years ago, so we are much less reluctant to visit. Elite is now in the class of good, dependable food, not too expensive, and a nice atmosphere, but we could do without the sports monitors in every direction.
-Jim
2132 S. Valley Hills Dr.
Waco, TX 76706 2
54.754.4941
http://www.elitecirclegrille.com/
5:35 - 6:20 PM
$
Ramona: Lunch portion chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, cole slaw, iced tea
Jim: Fish and chips, iced tea
Jim's son was having a slow night, so we decided to help him out with a hefty tip.
Both dishes were hot, fresh, and contained good sized portions. Ramona brought home about a third of her entree. We have had quite a few good meals here, after the bad experience when they first reopened a couple of years ago, so we are much less reluctant to visit. Elite is now in the class of good, dependable food, not too expensive, and a nice atmosphere, but we could do without the sports monitors in every direction.
-Jim
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Dinner -- 9/2/08
Elite Circle Grille
2132 S. Valley Hills Dr.
Waco, TX 76706
254.754.4941
http://www.elitecirclegrille.com/
5:35 - 6:50 PM
Ramona: Baby back ribs, rice, stir-fry veggies, iced tea, buttermilk pie
Jim: Chicken fajitas, rice, beans, sour cream, cheese, guacamole, salsa, tortillas, iced tea, white chocolate vanilla custard
This was our second visit, since we awarded them the first of our "Second Chance Visits" and we were once again pleased.
Ramona's pork ribs were juicy and delicious. Jim's fajitas were cooked to perfection, and had a slight hint of spice. However, the beans were way too hot for his Yankee tongue.
Last time we had an issue with bread, but this time it was brought out with our iced teas. The butter had something we had never seen before: coconut flakes spinkled over the top. Jim is allergic to coconut, so the server quickly brought him a cup of plain.
Speaking of our server, Chris was new to Elite and did a fine job. He is also Jim's son, so maybe we are a bit prejudiced!
The desserts were a real treat. Jim's looked like flan, but it was almost the consistency of cheese cake, and it was delicious. Ramona's buttermilk pie was a large slice and was good, but she said it made her miss the Showroom Cafe, another Waco restaurant that no longer exists. They had the best buttermilk pie ever!
Elite has made great strides since it remodelled, and this will be on our list for regular visits. We also get extra miles from American Airlines through their Advantage Dining program.
--Jim & Ramona
2132 S. Valley Hills Dr.
Waco, TX 76706
254.754.4941
http://www.elitecirclegrille.com/
5:35 - 6:50 PM
Ramona: Baby back ribs, rice, stir-fry veggies, iced tea, buttermilk pie
Jim: Chicken fajitas, rice, beans, sour cream, cheese, guacamole, salsa, tortillas, iced tea, white chocolate vanilla custard
This was our second visit, since we awarded them the first of our "Second Chance Visits" and we were once again pleased.
Ramona's pork ribs were juicy and delicious. Jim's fajitas were cooked to perfection, and had a slight hint of spice. However, the beans were way too hot for his Yankee tongue.
Last time we had an issue with bread, but this time it was brought out with our iced teas. The butter had something we had never seen before: coconut flakes spinkled over the top. Jim is allergic to coconut, so the server quickly brought him a cup of plain.
Speaking of our server, Chris was new to Elite and did a fine job. He is also Jim's son, so maybe we are a bit prejudiced!
The desserts were a real treat. Jim's looked like flan, but it was almost the consistency of cheese cake, and it was delicious. Ramona's buttermilk pie was a large slice and was good, but she said it made her miss the Showroom Cafe, another Waco restaurant that no longer exists. They had the best buttermilk pie ever!
Elite has made great strides since it remodelled, and this will be on our list for regular visits. We also get extra miles from American Airlines through their Advantage Dining program.
--Jim & Ramona
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Dinner -- 7/11/08
Elite Circle Grille
2132 S. Valley Hills Dr.
Waco, TX 76706
254.754.4941
http://www.elitecirclegrille.com/
5:45 - 7:05 PM
Ramona: Tanqueray & tonic, Caesar salad, filet mignon, loaded baked potato, glass of Penfolds Koonumgo Hills Cabernet-Shiraz (Australia), Tootie buttermilk pie with strawberry sauce
Jim: Tanqueray & tonic, Caesar salad, 14 oz. rib eye, loaded baked potato, glass of Penfolds Koonumgo Hills Cabernet-Shiraz (Australia), Tootie buttermilk pie
Shared Appetizer sample (potato skins, wings, chicken tenders, fried mushrooms, onion rings) with three sauces (ranch, honey mustard, barbecue)
When I lived near Baylor back in the early '90s, I ate here frequently, then it closed for a couple of years, then new owners bought and renovated it. We ate here a couple of years ago when it first re-opened, and we were definitely not impressed. However, we have gone over our list of disappointments, and we have decided to give them all a second chance. This is the first in that series.
The appetizer sample plate was huge -- we couldn't finish it all, and every item was hot and tasty. I especially liked the fried mushrooms. We ended up bring some home, along with our pie, which made a great late-night snack. The pie slice was generous and tasty. I skipped the strawberry sauce, because I prefer to taste the actual pie by itself.
The beef is advertised as "Nolan Ryan Guaranteed Tender All-Natural," and that sounded promising. Promise kept! This was definitely better beef than last time. My rib eye was tender, but I thought there was a little too much pepper in the seasoning. It interfered with that first contact with the taste buds, but it did not entirely kill the taste. After the first couple of bites, I scraped some of that off, and I would consider it perfect.
The baked potatoes were also good.
Two minor sour notes: we were not offered bread, because the server assumed that since we had an appetizer, we would not want it. Wrong! Bread is key to any meal, and while it is probably a good thing for our waist lines we didn't have it, and we probably might have said no, maybe, it would have been nice to have been offered.
The second note of souricity concerned the wine. Once gain, my old complaint -- nothing at all from France. In fact, I thought the wine list was boring -- with only one or two exceptions. I chose the Penfolds, because we have had that before and liked it. It has a spicy flavor, but our mistake was getting a glass. I think this bottle may have been opened a day or two before and not properly re-corked. It seemed bitter to me and on the verge of going to vinegar. Neither of us finished the glass.
The bottom line is, we are taking this off our list of "no return." We will be back, albeit with a more careful wine selection -- and a weather eye out for that bread!
-Jim
2132 S. Valley Hills Dr.
Waco, TX 76706
254.754.4941
http://www.elitecirclegrille.com/
5:45 - 7:05 PM
Ramona: Tanqueray & tonic, Caesar salad, filet mignon, loaded baked potato, glass of Penfolds Koonumgo Hills Cabernet-Shiraz (Australia), Tootie buttermilk pie with strawberry sauce
Jim: Tanqueray & tonic, Caesar salad, 14 oz. rib eye, loaded baked potato, glass of Penfolds Koonumgo Hills Cabernet-Shiraz (Australia), Tootie buttermilk pie
Shared Appetizer sample (potato skins, wings, chicken tenders, fried mushrooms, onion rings) with three sauces (ranch, honey mustard, barbecue)
When I lived near Baylor back in the early '90s, I ate here frequently, then it closed for a couple of years, then new owners bought and renovated it. We ate here a couple of years ago when it first re-opened, and we were definitely not impressed. However, we have gone over our list of disappointments, and we have decided to give them all a second chance. This is the first in that series.
The appetizer sample plate was huge -- we couldn't finish it all, and every item was hot and tasty. I especially liked the fried mushrooms. We ended up bring some home, along with our pie, which made a great late-night snack. The pie slice was generous and tasty. I skipped the strawberry sauce, because I prefer to taste the actual pie by itself.
The beef is advertised as "Nolan Ryan Guaranteed Tender All-Natural," and that sounded promising. Promise kept! This was definitely better beef than last time. My rib eye was tender, but I thought there was a little too much pepper in the seasoning. It interfered with that first contact with the taste buds, but it did not entirely kill the taste. After the first couple of bites, I scraped some of that off, and I would consider it perfect.
The baked potatoes were also good.
Two minor sour notes: we were not offered bread, because the server assumed that since we had an appetizer, we would not want it. Wrong! Bread is key to any meal, and while it is probably a good thing for our waist lines we didn't have it, and we probably might have said no, maybe, it would have been nice to have been offered.
The second note of souricity concerned the wine. Once gain, my old complaint -- nothing at all from France. In fact, I thought the wine list was boring -- with only one or two exceptions. I chose the Penfolds, because we have had that before and liked it. It has a spicy flavor, but our mistake was getting a glass. I think this bottle may have been opened a day or two before and not properly re-corked. It seemed bitter to me and on the verge of going to vinegar. Neither of us finished the glass.
The bottom line is, we are taking this off our list of "no return." We will be back, albeit with a more careful wine selection -- and a weather eye out for that bread!
-Jim
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