Sunday, November 22, 2009

West Side Cafe

I've been teased by Mrs. FWHITW for my devotion to you. B y that, I mean going to the same place two times in one day or even three times in three days. She obviously doesn't understand what we have together.

The West SIYEEEED Cafe was introduced to me as the "best blue plate" in Fort Worth. I happen to have four blue plates in my kitchen so I was a bit suspicious, but then I realized what blue plate meant. On a somewhat recent Thursday I made an initial trip and had the chicken fried steak (no queso here, but good thought). The next day, my neighbor and I went. I had the noodles with brown gravy. I went a few days later for breakfast. It is fair to say that I have the necessary expertise to give you a review.

For lunch on day one the chicken fried steak came with broccoli and cheese, mashed potatoes, and gravy. The broccoli was well prepared and covered in nacho cheese. The potatoes and gravy were hot. But of course you only care about the CFS. It was terrific. Great crispy crust, tender meat, and all well flavored. One of my lunch mates opted for the club sandwich. He cried the entire meal.

On day two, I had the noodles and gravy and beef. Imagine carne guisada on egg noodles and a lady named Flo saying, "Need some moar tea Hun?". I can't remember what else I got but it was all delicious.

The CFS and noodles were two of the lunch specials available. The rest of the available items range from your typical cafe blue plate entrees to what you may remember as school lunch-line stuff. They have meatloaf, sirloin covered in gravy, green beans, other veggies, etc. You can try a lot of different combos before going back to the same thing.

But don't load up on vegetables and CFS, because they also have pie. To be honest, I didn't order pie at first because I didn't think the restaurant could excel in both the meal and pie portions of life. I thought only Carshon's could do that. However, after mentally stabbing my eating companions in an attempt to steal their pie, I decided to order a slice. My coconut pie was covered in whipped cream instead of meringue. The cream was firm and lightly flavored and the pie tasted like a million coconut angels tickling my tongue. It was better than you're thinking right now. Stop licking your monitor because it wont make these words taste better.

After my back to back lunch experience, it was breakfast time. I went on a weekday and the WSC was packed. I screwed up though. Normally the best test of a breakfast place is their regular egg/meat/hashed brown plate. However, because of the cold weather, and worries regarding my cholesterol intake over my two previous visits, I ordered the oatmeal. The oatmeal was good. It was creamy, came with some stuff to mix into it and it definitely hit the bill. Plus, I'll now live until I'm old enough to only eat oatmeal.

So, where is this mecca of affordable down-hominess? On the West SIYEEEED, obviously. But specifically, at 7950 West Camp Bowie, just west of Cherry. The line gets long quickly at lunch but you should go and wait. They move quickly and I guarantee that you'll leave happy. If you don't, I'll give you a free subscription to this blog for six weeks.

Let me know if you've been and if you agree. Also, if there is something else that must be had at the WSC, please share it with us so I can tell everybody about it as though I figured it out all by myself.

West Side Cafe on Urbanspoon

22 comments:

Unknown said...

We love West Side Cafe! I'm pretty boring in that I always get the same thing no matter what time of day...pancakes.

Keep up the great blogging about FW!

FortWorthHoleInTheWall said...

Emily, the pancakes must be good if you get them every time. I'll have to give them a try.

Unknown said...

their okra is outstanding. I know, sounds odd, but it is fresh and cooked to perfection...

Fort Worthology said...

Unrelated, but humorous: apparently, you, Bud Kennedy, and I were all coincidentally seated right next to each other at Tokyo Cafe this weekend. I was the guy in the Panther City Bicycles shirt in the corner with the lady. Small world!

FortWorthHoleInTheWall said...

Kevin, do you think Tokyo Cafe knew that they had the powerhouses of Fort Worth media all together at once? I also saw you but I figured you're probably always being bugged for autographs. Plus, I try to maintain a little bit of anonymity. Despite Bud outing me in a loud voice.

Fort Worthology said...

Say hi next time - always love meeting people.

Somebody remarked that they wished we'd all noticed each other and started circling, fingers snapping, West Side Story-style.

FortWorthHoleInTheWall said...

Yeah! Or Grease style - Bloggers versus print.

I'll definitely catch you next time.

Unknown said...

Whoa...don't you guys know that you're supposed to make sure that you're in separate places at all times? What if the restaurant had burned down, or something? It's just an irresponsible risk you took right there. Please don't endanger the FW blogging community like that again. ;^)

--Rena

Beth and Weldon said...

Hey, FWHITW Guy.

I have a completely different kind of blog than you do, but I dedicated an entire entry to the bacon at West Side Cafe. It started quite a discussion. :)

http://www.laughingladybugyoga.com/2009/08/the-philosophical-power-of-bacon/

Thanks for keeping us in the know about the good places around town.

Your ever loyal fan,

Beth

Unknown said...

Your writing is outstanding - you should try a book.

I'm honored to know such a talented person - to bad you chose to pass up playing piano in a whooo house to do the devils bidding.

Bert

FortWorthHoleInTheWall said...

Beth, I like the betrayel of your vegetarian leanings for the deliciousness of bacon.

Bert, what most people don't know is that this blog is the devil's bidding.

FortWorthHoleInTheWall said...

Rena, it's my fault. I came in to the restaurant last so I should have immediately left.

Tina said...

We live on the West Side and love West Side Cafe here, too! I can't even recall anything that's been bad there---it's all been GREAT! I also love that no matter how picky my family is, we can all manage to find something there we like!

You guys are funny! Love the blog!

Unknown said...

Does this place by any chance have a veggie plate?

FortWorthHoleInTheWall said...

Stephanie, I believe they do have that optino so if you're okay with fried/cheese covered/ or butter engorged veggies, you're set.

Tina, you're right about the wide variety. I noticed the first time I went and then everybody but one guy ordered the chicken fried steak.

Thanks for reading.

Unknown said...

It is a great place. I eat there three or four times a week.(guess I'm what you call a regular) They will fix your meal however you want it, add this or that is no problem.

Unknown said...

the chicken and dumplings is awsome as well

Kim said...

My husband has been eating breakfast there nearly every weekday morning for about 10 years. He says to order the the #3 breakfast with a side of hash browns but you better be hungry. Like on a day you're going to do yard work. Also, as far as pie, the buttermilk is the best by far. Also, don't be afraid to ask for something that's not on the menu. My husbands signature sandwich is sausage, egg, cheese on rye. Great post as always. I love the new holey rating system.

FortWorthHoleInTheWall said...

Kim, thanks for reading. If I had something like the number three every day, I wouldn't be doing much yard work or moving for that matter.

I refuse to try the buttermilk pie because from what I can tell, the pie contains no chocolate or coconut.

Tanz said...

This year for my birthday I went to west side cafe instead of.. any other place. Ever. I always get fried chicken on a bun with a slice of cheese. Then I work out for two weeks! It's worth it every time

FortWorthHoleInTheWall said...

Tanz, I think you and I would be good friends.

william said...

One of my favorite things here is the Chicken and Dumplings, although, truth be told, I think its just a can of Sweet Sue. Their hamburger steaks are also really good, and for the sides, I LOVE the mac n cheese and the fried okra.