etee's Blog

Houston is a city with a lot of diversity in its restaurant population. And, I have eaten at some outstanding places over the years - so it takes something truly awesome to get me to write about it. Amazon Grill is such a place. I first heard about it on Saturday, when I read Alison Cook's post for Burger Friday in the Houston Chronicle. The experience she described sounded intriguing, so I convinced the wife to come with me (Son elected to stay at home), and we got in the car and drove over. On the way, I kept thinking: $9 for a cheeseburger, $3+/gal for gas, boy this had better be worth it.

It was totally well worth the price (even considering that gas is still closer to $4/gal than $3.) We both ordered the Amazon Burger with sweet potato fries, and I also ordered the empanadas. We then got our drinks, helped ourselves to the banana chips and sauces, and sat down to wait.

E D Truitt

Banana chips

The banana chips were so good I couldn't eat just one (bag) of them. They were just slightly sweet (meaning "no added sugar"), and while they went well with both the chimichurri and the salsa, I found that the cilantro dressing provided just the right combination of sweet and savory. I also appreciated that they were fresh from the fryer, and not at all greasy (which means these folks know how to deep-fry. Not all restaurants do.) Finally, after not too long a wait, our food arrived.

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Empanadas, with cilantro dressing

First up: the empanadas. Flaky crust, with a spinach, artichoke, and chicken filling. I could easily make a meal out of two of these Perfectly seasoned, they didn't need any sauce: however, I did try a bit of the cilantro dressing.

E D Truitt

Amazon Burger with Sweet Potato Fries

Once I saw the burger, I (almost) regretted eating so many banana chips. However, it didn't take too long (just about one empanada's worth of time) to introduce that wonderful, medium-rare beef to my stomach. I knew it was gonna be good when my wife offered to trade me what was left of my burger for her empanada. Since I had not yet started eating the burger, I declined her generous offer.

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Amazon Burger, I would like you to meet Mr. Stomach...

This burger was, in the words of the dood at the counter, 'to die for'. I really liked the sensation provided by the fact that they diced most of the veggies - no big pieces of tomato, lettuce, or onion coming out with the first bite, this was much more like a relish. I also like the pinkish interior of a piece of medium-rare beef, which in this day and age is a very rare treat indeed. My wife mentioned that it could have been Kobe beef, but to be honest this thing was perfect just as it was. In fact, I chose to not add the bacon, and I really didn't miss it at all (though I may have to add it next time. And, yes, there will be a next time.)

I also didn't miss the slice of processed cheese food that is often found on cheeseburgers. I am not sure what cheese was used (though I suspect it was either a mild provolone or white cheddar), but it complemented the rest of the ingredients quite well.

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The meal wasn't finished... but I was. Not a clean plate, but a very satisfied customer.

As you can see, I failed to clean my plate. However, that wasn't the fault of the food: rather, I was simply stuffed. Over-stuffed, in fact. I will certainly have to make a return visit, and next time I may go for one of their seafood dishes (the ceviche and sirenas both looked appealing), and I certainly want to try the sweet potato fries with the jalapeño mayo. While I stuck with iced tea this first time, in the future I could go for a glass of sangria, or a cold beer. I will also take advantage of the free WiFi (though, since they don't encrypt the connection, I won't be sending out my passwords or anything like that.) Lastly, thanks to Alison Cook for pointing me in this direction. I certainly need to get out more!

(Amazon Grill: 5114 Kirby Drive at Bissonnet, 713.522.5888;
9600 Westheimer at Gessner, 713.933.0980)

Photographs copyright © 2008 E D Truitt. All rights reserved.