It has been a while since I did one of my list. I just wasn’t inspired. This idea hit me when I was eating at one of my favorite places.
#10: Stagecoach Inn (Salado, TX) — Established in 1860, The Stagecoach Inn actually began as a stagecoach stop. The chicken fried steak is still made with the original recipe. One of the most unusual features is that they do not use a printed menu. The menu is still recited orally as it has been done since the beginning. I love their hush puppies and desserts.
#9: Pulido’s Mexican Restaurant (Ft. Worth, TX and surrounding areas) — Pulido’s has been one of my favorite’s since I was young. It is the first place I remember having chicken enchiladas. Their chicken enchiladas are still one of my favorites. They also have some very good tamales.
#8: Beachcomber Restaurant (St. Augustine, FL) — Located right on the beach Beachcombers has burgers, seafood and other things at a great price. I like how it is a causal and fun place at a good price.
#7: Antonio’s Mexican Restaurant (Burleson, TX) — Antonio’s may be the best Mexican restaurant and certainly one of my favorites.
#6: On The Border (Texas based chain) — Great place to get good Tex-Mex outside of Texas. Unfortunately, the one near us closed.
#5: Steak and Pasta Works (Gainesville, FL) — Steak and Pasta has a great steak in a causal dining environment. The company that owns Steak and Pasta Works used to have a high end steak place but I prefer the fun environment. — Upated 7/3/2011 No longer in business.
#4: Texas Land and Cattle Steak House — (Texas based chain) — One of my favorite steak houses is Texas Land and Cattle Company. I love their smoked sirloin. Unlike another chain that has Texas in its name Texas Land & Cattle Company is actually from Texas. Their menu and decor is reminiscent of a Texas cattle ranch.
#3: Dutchman’s Hidden Valley (Hamilton, TX) — Dutchman’s Hidden Valley is a country store and German deli owned by a friend of mine and her husband. It has been one of my favorites for several years. They have the best peanut butter cookies and cheesecake.
#2: Goode Company Barbecue (Houston, TX) — Whenever we are driving through Houston schedule a stop at Goode Company. They may have the best barbecue in the country. Goode Co serves real barbecue done right. None of that sissy pork stuff. I really like their brisket and sausage.
#1: Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studio (Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL) — Dining at Disney is not the normal theme park food. In fact, it is actually quite good. Two of my favorites are the salmon and the mac and cheese. In my opinion Hollywood & Vine is one of the best if not the best Disney has to offer. It features an all you can eat buffet which includes drinks. We have found it is actually more cost effective to eat one meal at a buffet. It cuts down on the need for snacks. Hollywood & Vine is an Art Decco themed tribute to Hollywood’s golden era. One warning, at breakfast and lunch it is character dining featuring Playhouse Disney. So, if your party doesn’t include any munchkins stick with the evening meal.
The Dee Zone 
What a great list! This is awesome, good work! We had an “On the Border” in Gainesville, I ate there a few times and liked it, the economy took them out though… too sad… they didn’t have a very good location either.
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Yes we used to eat at OTB several times a month. It was more the location and that people in Gainesville don’t understand what Tex-Mex is.
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Great list. I will have to hit all of them, especially the Texas ones.
You should do a top ten of the best restaurants for Mac&Cheeese. You always seem to take me places that have the best Mac&Cheese.
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Jana,
Yes I should. Guess I just have a weakness for Mac & Cheese. This weekend I had salmon and Mac & Cheese twice at Disney.
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Last week I enjoyed a ham and cheese sandwich PLUS peanutbutter cookes on Sunday.
The previous Monday we ate at the original Pulido’s in Fort Worth. Unfortunately I ordered the Enchilada dinner instead of Chicken Enchiladas.
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I know.
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