Saturday, March 15, 2014 • Page 1B
Things are about to start ‘hopping’ at Petrol Station By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
Hughie’s Shaking Beef is the Entree of the Month. (Photo by Betsy Denson)
• Entree of the Month •
Hughie’s Shaking Beef By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
Tender filet mignon marinated for hours and then flame broiled on a hot wok so that the flavor is seared inside. Put your salivary glands on alert. Hughie’s Shaking Beef is The Leader’s entree of the month and a deal at $12. Readers Nicole Aboudaher and David Meng were two people who wrote in about the dish. “The meat is so flavorful and tender,” said Aboudaher while Meng simply called it “awesome.” Manager and cook Thinh Hoang is the brother of the
owner Peter Hoang and said that his passion is cooking: “I’ve been cooking all my life.” He said that Shaking Beef, along with Vietnamese noodles, is a must have at any Vietnamese restaurant but he is particularly proud of his version which has been a specialty since the restaurant opened in July of 2013. “We select the best beef and only marinate what we are going to use that day,” he said. “We cook it at a high temperature on the wok and add 5 or 6 cloves of garlic and half an onion. We don’t burn them but want them to be aromatic.” The dish is served with ei-
ther brown, fried or steamed rice and also a salad with a sweet, yet tangy, raspberry vinaigrette. Hoang also touts the lemon pepper dipping sauce for the meat. “It’s just fresh lemon, salt and pepper but people love it,” he said. Hoang is very appreciative not only of the restaurant staff but also the reception from the local community. “Your food could be the best but if there’s not support, then you won’t be successful.” Judging from the lack of empty tables at Hughie’s on any given night, it looks like there will be Shaking Beef for years to come.
Ben Fullelove is a self-proclaimed hophead. Translation: he appreciates a highly hopped beer. This has served him well as co-owner of The Petrol Station since 2005 and as a beer brewer, which he does as a contract brewer with Brash Brewing Company out of Massachusetts. Now, he is close to living his dream of owning his own brewery, right down the street from The Petrol Station. “It’s about half a mile away” he said. “We looked at 10 or Ben Fullelove visits with patron Emily Shaw on a recent Saturday. so places before we decided on this one. We’re hoping to with three beers: a hoppy Pale recipes are perfected, it will have it ready by summer.” Ale named EZ Seven after a take about six weeks until you Because of the three-tier nearby skaters ditch; an Impe- can enjoy the fruits of their laws in Texas, Fullelove could rial IPA called Item 10 and an labor. not previously open a brewery Imperial Chocolate Milk Stout “We’ll have a patio over because he owns a bar, but af- called Smog Lifter inspired by there and do tours like St. Arter changes to the state’s beer an old Maxwell House coffee nold,” Fullelove said. “Hopelaws last year, Fullelove can called Foglifter. fully we’ll filter people back get a brewpub license and not Well known brewer Vince over here too.” just keep Petrol Station but Mandeville, who came over There will be more beers sell his own craft beers there. from St. Arnold, is heading down the pike for Fullelove You might see his labels at up the Sabco BrewMagic test too. Kroger or Whole Foods in the batch process with frequent “I have a lot of recipes,” future too. tastings by Fullelove. Once he said. “I’ve been thinking Fullelove is starting out the brewery is set up and the about this for a long time.”
The label for Brash’s SmogLifter is a riff on an old coffee ad.
• Appetizer of the Month •
Little Bitty’s Famous Chicken Wings By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
The Little Bitty Burger Barn may be under new ownership, but their Famous Chicken Wings are just as popular - and addictive - as ever according to Leader readers who named them Best Hot Wings in the Leader’s Choice awards last year. Manager Tonya Norris says that it’s the sauces and seasonings that make the wings such a standout. Options include: Mild, Hot, Nitro, Honey BBQ, Cajun, Lemon Pepper, Mango, Parmesan, Honey Mustard, Garlic, Thai Chili, Teriyaki or Pineapple Chipotle. All are served with ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks. A new flavor, the Mango Thai Chili, came about after the wings in Norris’ to-go box got inadvertently mixed in with the mango. The Mango
Cocktail of the Month
������������� 1777 Airline Dr. • 713-862-2828
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The Appetizer of the Month is Little Bitty Burger Barn’s Famous Chicken Wings. (Photo by Betsy Denson)
Thai Chili wings took top honors at Wingtoberfest last year. The 2013 entry, the jerk chicken wings took second. Darn you Underbelly. The size of the Little Bitty wing is also a plus. Norris said that people will either order them as a meal or an appetizer. You can also get a six piece with a burger, as many do.
The Tailgater basket pairs 10 wings with fries. If you get at least 10 wings you can get two different flavors. Popular parings are garlic and parmesan and teriyaki and BBQ. One flavor people don’t generally order: the Nitro. “Very few people can tolerate it,” said Norris.
Let it grow at a local workshop Many young and professional inner-loopers are interested in the gardening fad but have never hammered a nail in their life. This is the only hands-on way to learn how without having to build a garden bed without having to spend an afternoon out in the country. $35 a person;
children under 15 are free, but cannot help out with the labor.10 spots per class. March 16, 1 p.m., March 19, 1 p.m. and March 22 at 10 a.m. Edible Earth Resources, 100 Hutcheson St. Houston, TX 77003. Contact: nick@edibleeart hresources.com
SLOW COOKER CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP Sarah Heath is a mother of four and a teacher at Johnson Memorial School at St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church. This slow cooker dish is on regular rotation at the Heath house. It is a lifesaver on those days when you want to come home to a dinner that is already done. Directions Place chicken, tomatoes, enchilada sauce, onion, green chiles, and garlic into a slow cooker. Pour in chicken broth, and season with cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir in corn and cilantro. Cover, and cook on Low setting for 6 to 8 hours or on High setting for 3 to 4 hours. Stir in drained beans a little before serving to avoid getting mushy.
Ingredients 1 shredded, cooked rotisserie chicken 1 (15 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, mashed 1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce 1 medium onion, chopped 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 bay leaf 1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn I (15 ounce) can black beans Fresh, chopped cilantro to taste
Our street is back. Come & enjoy our Daily Lunch Specials
Frida’s Mango Habanero Margarita
Join us for breakfast
Great Food - Great Service - Warm Atmosphere Hamburgers • Hot Dogs • Sandwiches Yes! Salads • Pastas • Pizza We Cater Something for everyone
www.chicagoIBP.com
By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
Sarah Garvey likes to talk. Which makes her popular behind the bar at Frida’s Mexican Restaurant. She’s been the bartender at Frida’s since the bar opened two months ago and says that they have a lot of regulars already. Owner Diana Davila said that the bar is bringing in new customers and also increasing their food sales. New lighting on the sidewalk outside the restaurant makes it a more appealing nighttime hangout. On Fridays, there is live music courtesy of Alex Garza (aka Guitarzza). Mondays and Tuesdays feature $2.99 margaritas. May we suggest the Mango Habanero Margarita?
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3 MEATS � with 2 SIDES & Drink
SANDWICH with 1 SIDE
Ingredients: 1 shot mango juice 1 shot Patron Silver tequila Dash of Habanero sauce (or more, if you can take it) A half a lime Chili Powder
& Drink
PULLED PORK • CHICKEN • HAM • TURKEY BEEF BRISKET • SAUSAGE Kids Eat Free All Day, Sunday!
Wet the rim of the glass and apply chili powder. Mix mango, tequila and fresh squeezed lime juice with a scoop of ice in a shaker. Pour into glass and add the Habanero to taste. Garnish with lime wedge.
1911 Taylor St. ★ 832-673-0077 www.Dickeys.com www.Dick eys.com
GREENWOOD KING Reaching #1 in the Heights in 2013 713.864.0888 G
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