THE GOURMET HUNTER

(Justin Thomas)

Presents:

The Barrel House

 

 

The Barrel House at 501 East Broadway has shortly become a staple in the local dining community. They offering a friendly atmosphere and a dining experience that is outstanding. Besides boasting exquisite food and service The Barrel House offers live entertainment and a wide array of adult beverages including local brews.

   As a local Chef and writer my taste buds have led me here a time or two, but I would like to share my experience today, and proudly make this my first contribution to the paper.

   Since 2017 Nancy and Susann Briggs have gone out of their way to create a fun, friendly food experience. In 2020 they moved the business from downtown to the new location at 501 East Broadway. Since the opening of the new location the business has boomed Both friends and family alike will find a welcome place to visit and enjoy an outstanding meal. Even the local PD visit from time to time. “We know all the best places in town!” – Officer Brian Brown said before he rushed out on a call.

Walking in I was greeted with the warm, and inviting aroma of fresh baked bread and cinnamon. The decor is wall to wall eclectic crafts and of course whiskey barrels creating an atmosphere that screams casual comfort, and down-home style. Being a lovely East Texas day, I decided to take my seat on the open-air patio, where the cool spring breeze added a second layer of solace.

   After being greeted by my waitress (Megan) I ordered a locally brewed blonde ale named (Backstory), it was perfectly flavored and ultimately complimented the meal. As with all my reviews I request recommendations from the Chef (Susann) and make my decision from those options. I decided with little hesitation on the hand breaded chicken fried steak, with sautéed green beans, and house made mashed potatoes, and fresh focaccia bread and boy was I happy in doing so! The anticipation had me unable to sit still in my seat. After a short wait maybe 5 minutes my waitress Megan brought my plate.

    I could smell the dish before it was even on the table, after a few pictures it was time to dig in. The steak was tender and juicy, with the crispiest of crusts it was so full of flavor it still has my mouth watering as I am writing this, the green beans were a perfect edition to the meal adding the perfect balance of sweet and savory with a snap that seemed fresh from the garden. The house made smashed potatoes were soft and fluffy with just the right amount of butter and cream. The focaccia was lightly toasted creating and crispy crust and savory chewy center, it’s very obvious Susann and the rest of the kitchen staff put a lot of heart into every dish.

   I opted out of dessert as I usually do, but with the portion sizes I wouldn’t have been able to regardless. I did ask Megan about the choices and what the favorite was, she and the other staff were quick to tell me about the house made bread pudding that comes drizzled with chocolate sauce and sprinkled with confectioner’s sugar. This dish is served two ways, standard or deep fried. I was told the deep-fried option was reminiscent of a carnival funnel cake.  They also offer locally sourced pies, and delicious cheesecakes!

    I had a wonderful experience from top to bottom, Five Stars all around! The Barrel House is definitely a place to add to your list, so next time you are out stop in! Till next time, Happy Eating!

 

The Sushi Guy

I had the privilege of working here for a few months and unfortunately was let go because of health reasons. 

I have no hard feelings towards anyone in the company, but I must say the food prep and storage is sub par, thawed shellfish and chicken was stored above fresh food on multiple occasions. Food is actually defrosted in the same sink the dishes are washed in. On multiple occasions date stickers were replaced and food was continued to be used. The fish is advertised as fresh but all fish products are frozen. 

The idea and concept is great but hiring high school students and expecting them to uphold the standards of trained chefs will be their downfall. 

I believe that the only success they have is due to the fact that they are marketing in areas that are unfamiliar with the sophistication and tradition that actual sushi is. Years of training and skill are required to become a true sushi chef. 

Besides the mildly racist sides/ sauces.. round eye, juantons, I wish them all the best and hope they can find a niche in the sub-society they are targeting. 

Odell's Pizza & Pasta



Odell's Downtown Winona



This month my taste buds have led to to the small town of Winona, were I found Odell’s Pizza. This small and cozy Italian restaurant has been on my radar for some time now, needless to say I was very excited to review this hidden treasure.




Owner Harry Jones could not have picked a better place for this restaurant, an old main street brick building has been the home of Odell’s since 1996. Upon entry my senses were overwhelmed with the smell of fresh baked bread, italian herbs, and the smooth sounds of classic jazz. Covering the walls is an eclectic collection of hand painted artwork from local artists. With ten table tops and a small bar area the restaurant seats around fifty people very comfortably .





Odell’s menu is comprised of italian favorites such as Lasagna, Spaghetti, and hand made Pizza Pie. You will also find a fabulous selection of salads and sandwiches. The Dessert menu has such treats as Tiramisu, Cappuccino pie, and my absolute all time favorite Italian Cream Cake. Odell’s is BYOB and has Wine glasses on hand for the perfect Vino to complement your meal.

Alright let’s get down to business, I started off my meal with an order of Pimento Cheese Sticks for the appetizer and let me just say WOW. As I sat eating this cheesy dish I could not bring forth the words to describe it, so I will just say woo hoo and move on to the Entrée.

All the Entrée’s are served with a side salad and delicious homemade toasted garlic bread. With my salad I went with the house dressing which is a spicy apple vinaigrette, it was an amazing blend of sweet, tangy, and spice, I can honestly say I could write an entire article on the dressing.



The Dining Room and Artwork, And Brooke.



Now its no secret that I love Italian ccoking so making a decision was very difficult, but after talking to Harry he had the perfect dish in mind. His choice for me was a delicious Spicy Italian Sausage Primavera with fresh sliced mushrooms, red peppers and olives. The Handmade Fettuccini Noodles were cooked to perfection complementing the robust sauce and vegetables. The enormous pieces of sausage exploded with juicy flavor and spices. Unfortunately I was unable to finish the the dish due to the heaping portion size, seriously it was enough to feed two or three adults. I also had the pleasure of sampling one of Odell’s signature Pizza Pies, the Spicy Italian. What a treat, this hand tossed masterpeice blended pineapple, jalapenos, peperoni, and italian sausage smothered in a blanket of melty mozzarella.

Even though I couldn’t finish my entrée I had to try the Italian cream cake, my Mother makes me one every year for my Birthday and after eating this one I have to say Mom I’m sorry but Odell’s Cream Cake is the best I have ever had. It was so moist and creamy with the perfect amount of Walnuts. A must have with every meal.

Odell’s was absolutely wonderful from its friendly staff and fabulous food, to the comfortable atmosphere. I would recommend eating here to anyone , anytime. Whether you are coming from Shreveport, DFW, or anywhere in between it’s well worth the drive. A++ Great Job Guys!! Until next time Happy Eating!!

Odell’s Pizza

119 South Main Street

Winona, TX 75492

903-877-4488

300 Forks Restaurant

From Right to Left: Owners Darcy and Linda Burton,
Me and My Fiance Brooke.




 

Hello food fans, and welcome to another exciting adventure in eating. This month I picked a special place for a very special reason, and that led me to 300 Forks in between Gilmer and Longview. On this trip I invited my Mother Melanie, and her Boyfriend Jim to join me and my girlfriend and travel companion Brooke, now Brooke always accompanies me on my journeys but this time I had news to share.

From the moment we arrived at 300 Forks I knew we were in for a magical evening, the restaurant sit amidst rolling hills and was perched overlooking a beautiful and picturesque lake. As we got closer to the door we noticed the subtle smell of cinnamon and spice, as we got closer it got stronger and more enticing. As we walked inside the first thing we noticed was the patio overlooking the lake and the magnificent stone fireplace. Soulful Jazz joined the cinnamon spice and warmed the air around us. I knew I had picked the perfect place to announce my engagement to Brooke.

The Stone Fireplace, and Dinning Room.

Owners Darcy and Linda Burton opened 300 Forks in November of 2009 and have been going strong since. With a perfect location, friendly atmosphere and excellent menu they are sure to be around for a long time.

Alright on to the good stuff, we finally sit at our table after taking pictures and overlooking the property. The waitress Sarah was prompt and polite as she brought us menus and took our drink orders. I quickly ordered the Mango Tea and a Spinach and Artichoke dip as an appetizer for the table. We exchanged conversation back and forth while perusing the menu trying to decide what to try. It was a very tough decision between Blackened Catfish, Chicken Fettuccine, and the 12oz Rib-Eye. After careful deliberation and several minutes I decided to ask the Chef and Owner Linda for her recommendation, I was very pleased with her suggestion of the 12oz Rib-Eye Sautéed Green Beans, and Potatoes Au Gratin, Mmm Mmm.

Captivating views from the Patio.

With great conversation and the Spinach and Artichoke dip time flew by and it was time for the Caesar salad that preempted the Entrée. The salad was superb, nice crisp lettuce and the homemade Caesar dressing was excellently robust and you could really taste the Anchovy, topped of with parmesan and fresh ground pepper it was a wonderful starter.

Shortly after the salads the Rib-Eyes followed as our waitress placed them on the table they were still sizzling, and the aroma overwhelmed my senses. As I cut in to the steak for the first bite juices flowed and the meat just fell apart, this was probably the tenderest steak I have ever eaten. The charbroiled flavor and spices ran throughout every bite leaving me craving the next. Served with the steak were crisp and flavorful sautéed Green Beans and rich creamy Au Gratin Potatoes. All together an excellent set up by any standards.

Juicy, Tender, Delicious.

After the Entrée we ordered a Chocolate Mousse and Linda’s special Bread Pudding. While we were waiting we decided to step out on the patio and enjoy the cool fall breeze and moonlight kissed lake views. After ten minutes or so we noticed the waitress had brought the desserts, we returned with amazement to the size of these dishes and began to try them. I started with the Bread Pudding, it was so warm and delicious the Rum Glaze was just dripping off the sides it was just amazing. Now on to the Chocolate Mousse, at first bite I immediately noticed the real Cocoa, this was so decadent and rich, a chocolate lovers dream.

This experience was amazing Darcy and Linda and the rest of the staff were so warm and inviting, it felt as if we were having dinner at a friend’s house. 300 Forks was just great and will always hold a very special place in my heart. AA+ Superb job!!!

Well that’s it for this month; remember good food is always worth the drive.

Happy Eating,

Justin Thomas

300 Forks Restaurant

3800 Flamingo Drive @ Hwy 300 North

Flying Feathers Ranch

Gilmer, TX 75644

903.734.1724

www.300forks.com

Be sure and send your requests, and comments to:

thegourmethunter@suddenlink.net

300 Forks Restaurant

Hello food fans, and welcome to another exciting adventure in eating. This month I picked a special place for a very special reason, and that led me to 300 Forks in between Gilmer and Longview. On this trip I invited my Mother Melanie, and her Boyfriend Jim to join me and my girlfriend and travel companion Brooke, now Brooke always accompanies me on my journeys but this time I had news to share.
From the moment we arrived at 300 Forks I knew we were in for a magical evening, the restaurant sit amidst rolling hills and was perched overlooking a beautiful and picturesque lake. As we got closer to the door we noticed the subtle smell of cinnamon and spice, as we got closer it got stronger and more enticing. As we walked inside the first thing we noticed was the patio overlooking the lake and the magnificent stone fireplace. Soulful Jazz joined the cinnamon spice and warmed the air around us. I knew I had picked the perfect place to announce my engagement to Brooke.
Owners Darcy and Linda Burton opened 300 Forks in November of 2009 and have been going strong since. With a perfect location, friendly atmosphere and excellent menu they are sure to be around for a long time.
Alright on to the good stuff, we finally sit at our table after taking pictures and overlooking the property. The waitress Sarah was prompt and polite as she brought us menus and took our drink orders. I quickly ordered the Mango Tea and a Spinach and Artichoke dip as an appetizer for the table. We exchanged conversation back and forth while perusing the menu trying to decide what to try. It was a very tough decision between Blackened Catfish, Chicken Fettuccine, and the 12oz Rib-Eye. After careful deliberation and several minutes I decided to ask the Chef and Owner Linda for her recommendation, I was very pleased with her suggestion of the 12oz Rib-Eye Sautéed Green Beans, and Potatoes Au Gratin, Mmm Mmm.
With great conversation and the Spinach and Artichoke dip time flew by and it was time for the Caesar salad that preempted the Entrée. The salad was superb, nice crisp lettuce and the homemade Caesar dressing was excellently robust and you could really taste the Anchovy, topped of with parmesan and fresh ground pepper it was a wonderful starter.
Shortly after the salads the Rib-Eyes followed as our waitress placed them on the table they were still sizzling, and the aroma overwhelmed my senses. As I cut in to the steak for the first bite juices flowed and the meat just fell apart, this was probably the tenderest steak I have ever eaten. The charbroiled flavor and spices ran throughout every bite leaving me craving the next. Served with the steak were crisp and flavorful sautéed Green Beans and rich creamy Au Gratin Potatoes. All together an excellent set up by any standards.
After the Entrée we ordered a Chocolate Mousse and Linda’s special Bread Pudding. While we were waiting we decided to step out on the patio and enjoy the cool fall breeze and moonlight kissed lake views. After ten minutes or so we noticed the waitress had brought the desserts, we returned with amazement to the size of these dishes and began to try them. I started with the Bread Pudding, it was so warm and delicious the Rum Glaze was just dripping off the sides it was just amazing. Now on to the Chocolate Mousse, at first bite I immediately noticed the real Cocoa, this was so decadent and rich, a chocolate lovers dream.
This experience was amazing Darcy and Linda and the rest of the staff were so warm and inviting, it felt as if we were having dinner at a friend’s house. 300 Forks was just great and will always hold a very special place in my heart. AA+ Superb job!!!
Well that’s it for this month; remember good food is always worth the drive.
Happy Eating,
Justin Thomas


300 Forks Restaurant
3800 Flamingo Drive @ Hwy 300 North
Flying Feathers Ranch
Gilmer, TX 75644
903.734.1724
www.300forks.com

Be sure and send your requests, and comments to:
thegourmethunter@suddenlink.net

The Edom Bakery And Grill

This month my adventures have taken me to Edom, TX where I discovered a quaint eatery known as The Edom Bakery & Grill. As we pulled off the highway and into the parking lot I noticed a large covered porch scattered with rocking chairs and potted flowers. As we walked in the door we were greeted with smiling faces and a few second glances due to my ever changing colored Mohawk and tattoos. We were quickly seated after a quick walk around to take in the décor. The restaurant has a large circular floor plan with a central open kitchen allowing for maximum seating and flow. Decorated in classic country artwork this eatery was very cozy and home like.
We took our seats at a small table in the back of the front room which had a great view of the kitchen, so I could watch the preparation and techniques of the staff. Our waitress was very prompt and friendly bringing us menus and our drinks. I decided to go with the fresh brewed ice tea and my girlfriend and eating partner Brooke had Ice Water with Lemon. Chef Jackson the Bakery’s Executive Chef came and joined us telling us the specials of the evening and upcoming events. I thoroughly enjoyed conversing with someone who shares my passion and knowledge of the culinary world. After our brief conversation we had made our decision of what to eat, we started with an order of the crab cakes which were off the charts good. They were served with a southwest coulis sauce which was robust and a wonderful addition to the dish.
After fully enjoying our appetizers we moved on to the main course, I had the Rib-eye steak medium rare served with garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans. The steak was cooked to perfection and had a brilliant flavor of the house seasoning and the char grill. The potatoes and green beans added a wonderful medley of flavors to compliment the steak in every aspect. Almost to full to move the waitress talked us into dessert, we decided to go with the local favorite which is a hand rolled peanut butter ball. This delectable treat was a chocolate covered masterpiece well worth the extra inch added to my waistline.
All and all The Edom Bakery & Grill was a wonderful experience and well worth the drive from anywhere in East Texas. A+ Great Job!
The Edom Bakery & Grill Downtown Edom, Texas
FM 314 and Highway 279
Phone - 903.852.5552
Fax - 903.852.5247
e-mail - edombakery@embarqmail.com www.edombakery.com

Brewbakers Winnsboro, Texas

Brewbakers has always been a favorite eatery of mine and I was greatly honored to have this as my first assignment. Formerly known as the Winnsboro Bakery, this restaurant has been a staple of the community since the mid 90’s and with the recent remodel and addition of the pub, owner Jeff Heath has outdone himself yet again.

The subtle ambiance of small town charm mixed with the artistic influences of an upscale restaurant found in a large city. The main dining room is placard with local artist's paintings and photographs adding quaint character to a Winnsboro landmark. The main street building was erected in 1901 and is the tallest standing building of its era. This century old building was once a small town bank and to this day still contains the original safes which are now used for dry storage.


Not only Does Brewbakers have the right ambiance and setting the food it absolutely wonderful. To start my meal I ordered a Killians Irish Red, which I must say is my favorite beer. Killians is an amber lager with a medium body and rich caramel malted flavor. For an appetizer I ordered the White corn Tortilla chips and Freshly made Queso dip. I wanted to keep it light because I knew the main course was soon to come and I wanted my appetite strong and my palette alert.
After peering over the menu for what seemed like forever which contains such delights as Salmon, Burgers, and a Wonderful selection of salads. After careful deliberation I decided to go with the breaded Tilapia and Mango Salsa. As part of the meal I was treated to a dinner salad with Apple Almond Dressing which is made in house and is an excellent addition to any salad. After ten to fifteen minutes and another Killians my food arrived, I was immediately overwhelmed with sights and smells. The Tilapia had a beautiful golden brown crust, and the Mango Salsa added vibrant orange and red to the dish. The fish was set on a bed of wild rice and served with fresh cut green beans sautéed with Garlic and butter. If the sight of this of this entrée was not enough the fragrance of garlic and sweet mango filled the air tantalizing my every breath.
Everything looked delicious and it was a hard choice what to try first, so I decided to go for the green beans first. Excellent choice I might add, they were soft, and with a subtle crunch you only get from fresh beans cooked just right. The flavor was a marriage of garlic and creamy butter, my favorite combination. Now on to my next bite, the wild rice; with its woodsy earthy flavor and brilliant texture it was a perfect addition to the meal. Now for the Pièce de résistance, Tilapia with Mango Salsa, my fork cut into to the tender flaky fish effortlessly. The natural flavor of the fish was kept intact and only the crust had subtle hints of herbs and spices. The mango salsa is what gave the flavor to the dish, a wonderful contradiction of sweet and spicy added to the tilapia in a way that not only confused my palette but delighted it as well. I would definitely recommend this dish to anyone and will certainly be going back to sample more.
Brewbakers was an excellent first choice; this restaurant has the full package, great food, good prices, wonderful atmosphere, and excellent service. The combination of Fresh baked breads and desserts, friendly staff and décor make for a perfect night out any day of the week. All in all I give Brewbakers an A+ Good job. Until next time, I’m Justin Thomas Happy Eating.