Lunch at Bucee's

 As Summer winding down, recapping the Texas road trip experience.  And as you know, in Texas, stop at Bucee's is a must!

Here are my go-tos: in-house made potato chips.  Every single one is nice, crispy, as though they have double fried it.  The beauty of it is that it's not oily, which is perfect when you're driving and snacking.

Not a good pic, but it was a brisket sandwich.  That's also one of my go-tos.  It's flavorful, good amount of meat to BBQ sauce ratio.  Again, once you wrap it nicely, it's easy to drive.

Now, this one I wouldn't recommend you eat while you drive.  This is an Apple Pie, and this is my first time to get this.  I will say this, this ain't McDonald's Apple Pie.  It has cinnamon sugar galore, all over, deep fried pie flakes and layers of it, you can tell.  The inside filling is good.  The pie is flakey, yummy and cinnamon sugary.  Pretty interesting, may get it again, if no other pies to go is available.  Definitely made a mess in the car.

Bucee's

All over road-did Texas with the best bathrooms

https://buc-ees.com

Ziggle Ziggle Express

Was craving some Korean food and dragged my mom to H-Mart using the guise of grocery shopping so we can eat what I want.

Ended up at Ziggle Ziggle Express.

Each try comes with 3 banchan, kimchi, bean sprout, and broccoli with a bit hot sauce. 

I got the Bulgogi in the stone pot.  It is super hot when it gets here, it's so hot that the rice sticks to the bottom of the bowl.  The whole thing is hot, hot, hot, but the top and middle are just right.  So, if you are super hungry like me, grab couple bite from the middle first, then mix it all up.  

Food is not bad, I think next time I might try their spicy, to get more out of the flavor.  The bulgogi has enough flavor to itself, but sometimes just wanted a little bit more kick.  I will definitely come back for their other dishes like Army Stew (for 1) and other noodle dishes.

Ziggle Ziggle Express

inside H-Mart

1302 Blalock Rd

Houston, TX 77055

 

Cafe Leonelli

Finally got to stop by Cafe Leonelli for a cup of coffee.

It is in the new MFA garage side.  It's so hard to squeeze in here when it's on the weekend.  But weekday is easy to stop in.  Keep in mind they're not open on Monday/Tuesday.

I got the Garden Eclair.  Technically is not sweet and there's some greens and edible flower.  I felt like I had a salad with my eclair.  Even the cream inside is not that sweet to match the flavors.  

This is my first time having non-sweet eclair, I do know that choux is often made for sweets and can be made with savory, just that I've never personally had it before.  So that's new and interesting to me.  Figured I checked off my daily veggie in-take.

When you get here, you can oogle over all the yummy goodness there, and then pay at the counter.  Grab a seat and they'll either call you or bring it by when it's not busy.  Once you're done, you should bring the plate back to the corner to help a bit.  I like to take my coffee to go, so I can just have it with me for the next stop.

Cafe Leonelli

at Museum of Fine Arts

5500 Main

Houston, TX 77004

713-714-3014

https://www.cafeleonelli.com

Burger Chan

I was placing a catering order at Burger-Chan. 

I went mid-morning, so they were still doing breakfast and before the lunch crowd started lining up.

Something that the owner was talking me into having, or rather I was asking for permission for having, was the Sesame Milkshake, it was damn good, and glad I got that. 

I built my own Brekkie Sando - sorry it's all squished.

It has hard scrambled egg, cheddar cheese, spam inside Sourdough buns.  This is so Asian of breakfast with spam but in a very Americanized way with the cheese and sourdough buns.  For breakfast, this is a great breakfast on the go.  You can also order platter too, so don't be shy.

Getting in and out is super easy and quick.  They are still using Greenway Coffee in case you are looking for it with your breakfast.  I had seriously contemplated but decided on the milkshake.  So another try for another day.  You can order online so that you can order ahead and save some time because they do get very popular during lunch.

Burger Chan

5353 W. Alabama 

Ste 110

Houston, TX 77056

832-408-0860

https://burgerchanhtx.com

 

Meet Fresh

Needed some dessert to tie over the hot afternoon. 

The place is spacious, definitely is ready for groups to gather and enjoy their desserts together.

I will say, the amount of combo suggestions does get me very overwhelmed with so many choices.

I ended up with the good o' Red Bean soup with Sesame Ball in the soup.  

I will say, I'm kinda disappointed that they don't do the red bean soup cold, but they do have others in cold.  No matter, I put it in the fridge as soon as I got home.  

Main reason for going off menu is because the combos looked good, but also very busy with lots of toppings.  I just really wanted something simple to cure my sweet tooth, having so much was just not what I was looking for.  Nonetheless it was good. 

I think when you come here, have what you want in mind. Or if you come under pressure, feel free to go off menu.  Their food is designed that you can make your own combo, so don't be afraid to go off.  The parking in the shopping center can be a bear, especially some stores are pretty active with promo one-off events.  Besides that, the shops there are all popular with good food in their own right, so parking at the garage and walk back is the most viable and less stress options.  Of course, if you go early, it'll be easier to get in and out.  Happy dessert!

Meet Fresh

9393 Bellaire Blvd

Houston, TX 77036

832-582-5994

https://meetfresh.us

 

Ichiro Sapporo Ramen

Went back to Bellaire Food Street

It's prior life was Ichiko, and it's already have a second rendition.

I got the Tonkotsu with extra fish cakes.  They lined them all up so pretty.  I can use less corn, but the soup broth was good. The meat was good, the veggie and egg was a good match - separately, but it's not a harmonious together.  I do know and aware that it's not easy to achieve that, but that's where the extra money paying for.  

Funny thing is, though the name of the place is Sapporo Ramen - which is its own style of ramen.  It is supposed to be miso based, so for a Tonkotsu to be their hit was interesting.  Again all the pieces are good on its own. Service is great here, the parking garage definitely help beat the heat.

Ichiro Sapporo Ramen 

9393 Bellaire Blvd

Ste A1

Houston, TX 77036

281-974-1982

 

Peach Cobbler

This is the last of my peaches... also last peach creation.

Not that I phoned it in, just easy way to get something yummy.

Followed the box was easy.  I went ahead and sliced up and lined it all up nice and pretty.  Put it in the oven.

Oh good, rising nice and pretty....

...end result.  Where are my pretty, lined-up peaches?

It all sank to the bottom... lucky for me, every cut still has a good amount of peaches.

Top is all nice and brown but not as crispy on top as I'd like in a good o' fashion cobbler.  It is all in a wet mix after all.  Even it's all browned on top, it didn't get that texture. That's not to say that it didn't taste good.  It tasted good on its own, just different from expectation. 

Anyway, finally used up all 20 something peaches from the truck.  Glad we split the order in 3, because that's too much even 1/2 of the box.  This way it's perfect.  That's not to say I didn't bake in one of the hottest days and the ERCOT tell you to not use the oven, but the peaches were getting soften and I felt there's a time-clock on them.  Yes, I know I don't have to bake, I can canned, jam, or freeze.  Just the baker in me likes to do it this way than otherwise, this is my annual baking exercise.  Had to get it out of my system.  Thus, we conclude our annual baking peach rendition.