TEXAS HONKY TONK

Pikk 43
www.texas.ee

In spite of what its name might suggest this establishment's set up more as a restaurant than a bar. It would seem that it is mostly used that way as well.

I first ate here several months ago and swore I wouldn't go back unit both the management and chief had changed. The restaurant and service are fine, both being what you what expect of both Tallinn and a Mexican cantina but it was the most important part that let it down. The food was comment-able but only in a negative way.

Two days later a friend went there, paid and left after hardly touching his meal.

Now having been asked to officially review it as I'm sure you could imagine I was hardly looking forward to the experience.

Along with my dinner partner we ordered a appetizer platter for two, chicken fried steak and tequila fajitas, baked tortilla and ice cream with frits and New York cheese cake.

Whilst waiting for out food which was served in a reasonably timely manner we did have a snigger at an American tourist who took his plate back to bar to complain ..."I'm not sure about that burrito". The specific nature of his complaint was missed but he promptly left after making it.

Naturally this caused us greater concern at what we might have to endure for the sake of journalistic professionalism.

However, the mixed appetizer platter managed to turn us more than slightly. I may have been particularly hungry and particularly in the mood for Tex-Mex food but I do believe I actually enjoyed it as did my partner who had joined me on the first occasion I had eaten here! Very unexpected!

The mains were more of a mixed affair. The chicken fried steak was the servers recommendation but really lacked in qualities that would make it a constant winner. It may well have had some Mexican authenticity about it but we both found it quite bland. The sauce/gravy served with it did nothing to help.

The tequila fajitas on the other hand were reasonably commendable.

They may not have been cooked to perfection but they were served sizzling and flambéed with the tequila at the table. The expected selection of salad and 3 dressings were also present. All in all, it was enjoyable and I could quite happily eat it again.

The deserts like wise were a mixed affair. The baked tortilla and ice cream with fruits was a decent effort but the New York Cheese Cake was uninspiring and more Tallinn than New York.

I would say that pricing is about right for the menu items as described. I think that its would be wise move to increase prices by 10% and improvements to the food quality.

All in all this was a better dinning experience than had been expecting. Resulting in overall view of Texas Honky Tonk as just about average! A small but notable improvement on my previous view.

Given that the food isn't Texas's strong point I would have to agree with the managements decision to push the bar side of the establishment more. However,  if they are going to do this I would recommend qualify it with action to make it more "bar like".

A lesson or two could be taken from the old town's more successful bars.