Opened today in the old Nelson's spot on Boston in downtown. Pretty good. Mostly southwestern/Mexican dishes. I had the puffy tacos and they were pretty good.
The negatives were that someone made of negative comment about the Buffeteria (big no no around me), it took a little while, and it was a dollar or two over-priced.
All that said, I will go back. I'm happy it's not another submarine sandwich place.
Anyone else think there are too many places opening up for downtown to support?
Do you know what hours they're open?
I'd like to go but I refuse to support 11-2 M-F restaurants.
Previous thread...
http://www.tulsanow.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9865
"I'd like to go but I refuse to support 11-2 M-F restaurants."
What?! That makes no sense whatsoever. Any restaurant in the middle of downtown would lose all the money they make at lunch trying to be open in the evening.
Also, Elote is definitely NOT overpriced. It costs the same as every other place downtown.
I was by today (for my third time) and was glad to see they're busy as heck. The deserve it, the food is terrific!
quote:
From Gold:
Anyone else think there are too many places opening up for downtown to support?
No.
quote:
Originally posted by xpublius
"I'd like to go but I refuse to support 11-2 M-F restaurants."
What?! That makes no sense whatsoever. Any restaurant in the middle of downtown would lose all the money they make at lunch trying to be open in the evening.
It's mostly a matter of when I'm downtown and hungry. Usually it's not between 11 and 2.
That and I feel like they're not putting much effort into it if they're only open 15 hours a week. Most of those 11-2 places downtown suck anyway.
quote:
Originally posted by JoeMommaBlake
quote:
From Gold:
Anyone else think there are too many places opening up for downtown to support?
No.
LOL. Biased much? I'm glad you will be open at night. My comment was really directed at the 11-2 sandwich shops all over downtown. Good luck.
I think Elote is just a hair expensive for what you get. I can eat like a king at Tacos Don Fransisco for a fraction of the cost. I realize it's not TDF (and that's a good thing, too) but something about the price, the spanish language lessions on the wall, and the act that this is somehow gourmet cuisine kind of turns me off. I'll go back from time to time, but the place makes me scratch my head.
A restaurant that is open 15 hours to the public takes 40 hours of behind the scene work. Elote reminds me of the fresh mexican food I ate growing up in Southern Calif. It is good business at this time to only be open when downtown businesses are open. I think that most parents would agree that they would rather be home with their children in the evening than a near empty restaurant. The food was never represented to be gourmet. The one time I ate at Elote they were very busy but every new place has a few kinks to work out. I think it is great that the food is fresh, attempts are made to be a sustainable as possible, and the owner is a 27 year old woman. I really like the Frieda Kahlo mirrors.
i might say there is too much mexican/ southwestern influenced restaurants downtown.
Lolas, ElGuapos, casa laredo, elote, on the border
can get burned out pretty quick
On the Border? You mean Mexicali?
I would say of the restaurants you listed, there isn't that much overlap. Outback and Phat Phillies both serve steak but it's doubtful they take business from each other.
mexicali yes
to me they all have southwestern/ mexican influences so they do overlap quit a bit
having eaten at el guapos, casa laredo and mexicalis they are all the same to me. Downtown might be able to support them all but for me its too much mexican food.
outback and phat phillies comparison makes no sense they are different restaurants completely.
Apparently you are just not a mexican food person.
quote:
Originally posted by nancyp
A restaurant that is open 15 hours to the public takes 40 hours of behind the scene work. Elote reminds me of the fresh mexican food I ate growing up in Southern Calif. It is good business at this time to only be open when downtown businesses are open. I think that most parents would agree that they would rather be home with their children in the evening than a near empty restaurant. The food was never represented to be gourmet. The one time I ate at Elote they were very busy but every new place has a few kinks to work out. I think it is great that the food is fresh, attempts are made to be a sustainable as possible, and the owner is a 27 year old woman. I really like the Frieda Kahlo mirrors.
At those prices, it better be gourmet. I've been three times and after every trip, I leave wanting a sandwich. I want to see her succeed and she is no doubt working her tail off, but I don't think it's going to work.
yes i believe my wife would agree with you there
mexican food is her favorite, i don't know how we make it work
You can fill up for less than three dollars at one of the fast food taco places. Its nice that we have so many choices and price ranges. I work out near Saint Francis and I know that Cosi's sandwiches for a one item filling are around six dollars. The middle eastern deli inside the shell station sells felafel for five or six dollars. A sub is around five dollars. How mush do you pay for pizza and a drink or a sandwich at Panera? I think the prices are very competitive. Some people want more meat,some more bread, and some maybe something light. The sandwiches in the machine where I work are now over two dollars. What a deal. Eating a meal at the TCC cafeteria in 1978 was over three dollars. Saint Francis cafeteria is over five dollars for a meal. All of this food talk is making me hungry. I am going to go make a sandwich with my four dollar a loaf locally made organic bread, seven dollars for eight ounces locally made cheese, two dollars and fifty cents a head local organic lettuce, and some delicious California olive oil. I will have supported local growers, decreased trucking expenses and pollution, and have a meal just the way I like it.
quote:
Originally posted by Gold
quote:
Originally posted by nancyp
A restaurant that is open 15 hours to the public takes 40 hours of behind the scene work. Elote reminds me of the fresh mexican food I ate growing up in Southern Calif. It is good business at this time to only be open when downtown businesses are open. I think that most parents would agree that they would rather be home with their children in the evening than a near empty restaurant. The food was never represented to be gourmet. The one time I ate at Elote they were very busy but every new place has a few kinks to work out. I think it is great that the food is fresh, attempts are made to be a sustainable as possible, and the owner is a 27 year old woman. I really like the Frieda Kahlo mirrors.
At those prices, it better be gourmet. I've been three times and after every trip, I leave wanting a sandwich. I want to see her succeed and she is no doubt working her tail off, but I don't think it's going to work.
How do you define gourmet? The days of 99 cent 6 inch Subways are long gone.
I have a feeling that in the next couple of months you will experience a price increase at all restaurants not only in downtown but all over town.
That's possible, but for the amount Elote costs, I would like to not be hungry at the end of the "meal." It's not bad stuff and it's a neat idea. I just think it's a weird idea.
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
On the Border? You mean Mexicali?
I would say of the restaurants you listed, there isn't that much overlap. Outback and Phat Phillies both serve steak but it's doubtful they take business from each other.
When did we get an Outback downtown?
quote:
Originally posted by Double A
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
On the Border? You mean Mexicali?
I would say of the restaurants you listed, there isn't that much overlap. Outback and Phat Phillies both serve steak but it's doubtful they take business from each other.
When did we get an Outback downtown?
It's on Houston. Go check it out and tell us what you think.
quote:
Originally posted by Gold
That's possible, but for the amount Elote costs, I would like to not be hungry at the end of the "meal." It's not bad stuff and it's a neat idea. I just think it's a weird idea.
Their chicken and veggie burrito is huge. If you're still hungry after one of those, perhaps you need to read the thread about downtown fitness clubs?
I'll outrun an average joe any day. Can't recall their burrito. Maybe I'll try it if we ever go back. The owner even said in their writeup that they are trying to do small portions.
quote:
Originally posted by Gold
Can't recall their burrito. Maybe I'll try it if we ever go back.
You would remember this burrito. It's that good.
quote:
The owner even said in their writeup that they are trying to do small portions.
I think the portions are just right. To be honest, I don't enjoy getting massive amounts of food for lunch. It's quality over quantity for me. I realize that puts me in the minority in Oklahoma.
But I'll state it more directly -- the portion sizes are perfectly fine and still a good value for the quality of the ingredients. I pay the same amount of money for lunch other places and don't enjoy the food nearly as much. I've never left hungry, either.
quote:
I'll outrun an average joe any day.
[:D]
This is what is wrong with our country. Everyone is complaining that they can't "fill up" for less than $10. If you want to stuff your face cheaply, you need to be hanging out on 71st street, not posting about how a local restauranteur is trying to offer good food to Tulsa!