etee's Blog

This past weekend, the family and I headed back to our former stomping grounds for a visit. As we hadn't yet eaten lunch, the question arose as to where we were going to stop. After much procrastinating (to the displeasure of my wife, who had a hunger-induced headache), I finally decided on a place we had enjoyed, but hadn't been to in awhile: the Live Oak Grill.

The place looked much as we had remembered it, except for the additional building in the back, which replaced (IIRC) the outdoor play area. Some of the outdoor seating, however, remains. Service is walk-up-to-the-counter-and-order, with one of those buzzy, blinky things to let you know when your food is ready.

E D Truitt

Here's the sign

While they have some great Angus burgers, grilled tuna sandwiches and the like, this day my eyes settled on something called a "Texas Cheese steak". The Lone Star State's answer to the philly cheese steak, it consists of beef fajita meat, onions, peppers, white cheddar, and jalapenos (optional) on a hoagie roll. The roll seemed a bit on the heavy side to me (but then I am not a real bread eater anymore), but the meat and other ingredients were an interesting flavor combination, though it was not as juicy as I remember the cheese steaks in Philadelphia being, and just seemed to be missing something. Maybe a bit of guacamole and/or pico de gallo would have provided what was missing, and made this sandwich a truly Texas interpretation on a Philadelphia favorite. The jalapenos would have boosted the flavor a bit, and normally I would have indulged, but on this day I refrained. Oh well, maybe next time...

E D Truitt

Texas Cheesesteak sandwich (minus the jalapenos)

Speaking of 'indulging'... I decided to abuse my poor pancreas a little more, and also ordered the cheese fries. Unlike the practice in most other eateries, here they come out in a big, blue bowl - the type you might put soup (or cereal) in. The fries themselves looked to be of the standard frozen variety, but they had an OK flavor, and with the addition of the gooey cheesy goodness and a decent dose of TABASCO® sauce, they made a nice addition to the meal.

E D Truitt

Bowl o' cheesy fries, ready for the TABASCO® sauce

There is a saying that "you can't go home again." Fortunately, you can, especially when you live less than 30 minutes away. And, having places like the Live Oak Grill to greet you when you get there makes the trip worthwhile.

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