Plenty Good on the Cheap

Don't Look Back. We went here to eat after watching a matinee of  The Artist at the Byrd. A selection of beers, don't ask me what, since I am not a beer fan. From other reviews and comments I have heard they have decent offerings. An eye popping selection of tequila from the cheap stuff to the esoteric anejos. The menu contains prices (very nice to see) so you know what you are getting into. If you want a margarita, just add a buck for a small and two bucks for a large. Of course, I cannot recommend any of the anejos as the base for the lime green cocktail, those amigos are for slowly sipping and contemplating the origins of the universe. I can recommend the Espolon Silver as a margarita base. While the mix is sweet, the Espolon still shines through. It's important to be able to taste the tequila in a margarita. I need to return to try out the sipping varieties (with DD or taxi in tow).

The food menu is flat out cheap. This is a good thing. Since Nate formerly of Nate's Taco Truck fame is running the kitchen show, we knew the offerings would be delicious. They were. We started with chips, salsa, and guacamole. This is not free like many of the other establishments, but I would gladly fork over the $3 bucks ($2 for the chips and salsa and a $1 extra for the guac). Delicious.

I had the Pulled Chicken Taco and the Carnitas Taco, traditional style (lime and cilantro-topped, no cheese). Lovely as ever and since Nate is not at the South of the James Market these days, this is the place to grab these babies. Best of all - only $3 each.

Hubby had the Carnitas Burrito with pinto beans. A huge and tasty dish for only $7.

Yummy and inexpensive (at least if you lay off the agave offerings). Don't think about it, just go.

Two Casual Northside Spots

A few weeks ago we ate at two places in Northside that were casual and family friendly (at least I think so). Both offered sandwiches, subs, entrees, and pizza. Both delivered to the area.

For dinner we went to Arianna's Grill on Lakeside. A pleasant atmosphere with roomy booths.

We enjoyed Chicken Parm and Meatball Subs.

Both tasty with lost of melted cheese and served with potato chips. Casual, inexpensive, decent. Tiny wine list, but we did order a Dolcetta d"Alba to enjoy with dinner.

We also recently ate lunch at The Mill on MacArthur. We did not look at the wine list. They do have a fair number of beers to choose from. The Mill serves breakfast items all day, which is cool.

On this day we ordered Sweet Sliders - Angus beef with caramelized onions and melted Swiss and Oyster Po Boy - fried oysters, Virginia ham, lettuce, tomato, and Cajun sauce. Both were served with house made potato chips.

Hubby enjoyed the Po Boy; the oysters were decent. The sliders were simple, but had a good flavor due to the onions. My kind of comfort food. The house made chips were a great addition.

Both places were relaxed and laid back, serving casual fare for the neighborhood.