This weeks restaurant - The House of Beef in Oakdale
While
some of us head up the hill for our weekly shopping spree, many of us
head down the hill into the 'Cowboy Capitol of the World'....Oakdale.
Full
of country charm and lots of shopping venues, Oakdale has more than
enough to offer us foothill folks out on the town for a day. In fact I'm
thinking it may take more than a few days to sufficiently scour this
town for good eats.
On this day though I was traveling
with my 15 year son, you know the age- the hollow leg age - when I
ventured upon the House of Beef, corner of Yosemite and 3rd Avenue.
(Just so happens I have a meat locker there too, mighty convenient).
'Come
on in and sit down a spell' is the sense you get upon entering this
establishment. Dated pictures from the turn of the century and farm
implements large and small adorn every section of each wall.
The
menu was not really a surprise as it bespoke of the restaurants
name....beef, beef and more beef. Perfect for a growing young man! If
you are not a beef lover no need to be put off by the main items on the
menu as they also have fresh soups and a salad bar with more toppings
than I could possibly use. The menu also offers a nice selection of
appetizers to whet your appetite. Unfortunately I ordered appetizers and
was full before my main course arrived. Appetizer servings are not
lacking in size or taste.
I did however have to at
least try a bite of my tri tip sandwich....heaven! Sheer deliciousness
wrapped in fresh bread. I would drive to Oakdale just for this sandwich!
My
little mack truck had a 1/2 pound hamburger. While many don't place
much weight in a 15 year olds opinion he rarely tells me something is
good - besides Micki's potato salad - so when he said with a muffle
voice due to the burger in his mouth "this is real good" I know I have
hit the motherlode.
Upon exiting the restaurant we
noticed a craft store with yarn across the street....being ever so
discreet little mack truck says "look mom, they have yarn, guess we will
need to come down here again." That was a hint the size of the
Hindenburg!
We will be back.
Service
was cheerful and quick. Food was flavorful and more than could be
consumed. Prices were reasonable and the setting was quaint. All in all a
great dining experience. Perfect for the family or just stop in for a
bite on an afternoon drive.
For more information of the House of Beef visit http://www.houseofbeef.net/
by,
Charity Maness
(My little disclaimer: 'To dine or not to dine' is meant to be a
helpful - and humorous - informational piece only. I receive no monetary
compensation for this column nor do I endorse any one eatery. This
is simply my opinion. My tastes will be different from others and I
readily admit that I have no culinary background, but I am fairly
confident I know when food is cooked correctly or not, whether a drink
is poured well or not and especially whether wait staff is
first-rate or in need of a career change.)
