Welcome to Steve’s Food Blog, a site dedicated to publishing restaurant reviews, delving into different cuisines, analyzing local and regional food trends, and encouraging discussion of these and other subjects.
Primarily devoted to Restaurant Reviews, Steve’s Food Blog works in conjunction with two older sites, with the full list here:
- Steve’s Food Blog has an Index of restaurant reviews which can be accessed by the menu bar at the top of this and other pages or on the Restaurant Index
- OKGourmet is the previous web site which contains most of the Older Reviews (dated 2015 or earlier)
- Steve’s Gastronomic Home Page went on line in 2005, and has a few older reviews that did not get listed in the Comprehensive Index (the Gastronomic Home Page reviews are all from 2011 or earlier)
Currently the reviews are concentrated in these areas:
There are also a number of reviews for the following:
A new feature to the site is a list of “places to try.” With vivid memories of the “old days” when I would travel to different cities and have my eating experiences based on blind luck and an occasional AAA travel guide, I think the existence of online reviews and other tools now available will make the compilation of this list a worthwhile endeavor. The Restaurant Guide is the first draft, and I solicit reader’s suggestions for any restaurants which should be included. The list should include the best restaurants for regional specialties as well as the best in a variety of cuisines (but largely excluding very expensive special occasion restaurants unless they represent a regional specialty). The initial list covers the Southwestern United States and a few other states I was able to compile (mainly because I started my research while Urbanspoon.com was still online, and this web site allowed statewide searches of the types of restaurants I include on the list).
I would be remiss if I did not mention my special interest in Chinese and Mexican food (and others are not far behind). The blog will include articles about restaurants as well as the food itself.
The humble beginnings of this food blog can still be seen on Steve’s Gastronomic Home Page (which went on line in 2005). Steve’s Food Blog holds to the same tradition of being non-commercial and offering readers my honest opinions (and hopefully providing useful information along with it).
Disclaimer: My opinions are offered “as is,” and are not warranted to be error-free. If you rely on my opinions you do so at your own risk. They are, however, guaranteed to be my opinions.
(A Less Tongue-in-Cheek Disclaimer): I will attempt to correct inaccuracies about restaurants whenever possible, although this will only apply to the date of the review (please check with the restaurant or other web sites for updated information on the menu, hours, prices, etc.).
Please feel free to comment on any articles and make your opinions known.
E-Mail:
Here is a link to my Contact Information
Dear Steve,
Karam’s Mexican Dining Room of San Antonio had the absolute best Tex-Mex in the country.
My parent’s invented the style that chefs tried to copy without much luck.
All over the country to this day when I say I’m from San Antonio, strangers will ask me if I ever ate at Karam’s. Of course they go crazy about the food when I tell them who I was lucky to be.
My dad started me in the kitchen and I know the secrets to the taste of our food.
I miss a Deluxe Dinner as much as the next person.
Thank God I can whip one up when necessary..
I’m glad you enjoyed our place.
I loved it and miss it every day.
Pamela, I used to go to Karam’s all the way back in the 1960’s, I remember my Aunt Mae was my Father’s older sister and she was a Lt. Colonel in the Army. Being on Zazamora street was a good haul back then when I was a kid. We lived in Colonies North back in the 1960’s. We went to Karam’s frequently and my Father and my Aunt Mae were friends with the Karam’s family. They always knew who we were back then. My Father was the Assistant District Attorney of Bexar county. Unfortunately we moved to Amarillo in 1967, however every time we passed thru or visiting San Antonio we always made it a point to eat at Karam’s. In 1974 we moved to Corpus Christi, so I was closer to San Antonio, thank goodness, I was in driving range of Karam’s. In 1990’s I moved to California, but all my family was back in Texas. Every time I drove to Texas to see my family I always made it a point to eat ar Karam’s. I always loved the Chili con Queso, the aged cheese Karam’s used is like no other.. I have lived in many places in our country, however no body can come close to Karam’s. I remember the old clay pots they use to serve the hot tortillas in. I rember the beautiful colored glass near the restrooms. I remember being a small child playing on the patio. I have many fond memories of Karam’s. It was a real tragedy and left a pain in my heart to know that is closed it’s doors for good. A San Antonio landmark gone, to sad to think of. I thought the Karam’s family also owned The Mexican Manhattan. If my memories serve me correct, I believe the Karam’s family was from Turkey. I have been to Turley a couple of times, and the last time I was there I was in Istanbul. Turkish food is amazing, I have traveled extensively and Turkish food is some of the best in the world.
I hope you food blog doesn’t devolve in 1/2 dozen loyalists defending the Blog master like Gil’s Thrilling has. It’s like a private party that has a small group who do 95% of the comments some of whom don’t even mention food.
And dare disagree you will be set upon by these loyalist for whom he, the Blog Master, can do no wrong including the occasional descent into politics.
Steve, La Guelaguetza in Albuquerque is outstanding.
It’s the work of 5 brothers from Oaxaca and they make great moles. You’re offered a taste of the 3 moles they’re doing and the one you select is the mole they sauce the dish you order.
They were nominated for the James Beard Award for the southwest.
And they do have chapulines.
And a great cheesecake.
My wife and I have dined there several time and can understand the nomination for the award.
One word of advice, the decor is bright colorful Mexican inspired.
The antithesis of fine dining, but you’ll soon forget anything but the great food.
La Guelaguetza is definitely on the list of places I want to try. I like the idea that the food is good but it is not fine dining. On a recent trip to Austin I wanted to try out a Oaxacan restaurant that I think did win a James Beard Award but it was $30 for a mole dish and they required reservations, so I decided to pass for this time. I first tried Oaxacan food at a restaurant in Oklahoma City that is now closed, and I have been wanting to have it again. La Guelaguetza sounds like a great place, and it is on my Albuquerque Restaurant Guide (the list of places I recommend plus the ones that sound like some of the best choices in the city). I will add what you said about having the 3 mole tasting because this sounds like a great deal.