Suma Veggie Cafe Richardson, TX

Whether you are a strict vegetarian, vegetarian, enjoy vegetarian food or simply tolerate tofu then Suma Veggie Café will be your kind of place. I fall into the third category and therefore Suma Veggie Café is my kind of place. Kishore, who falls into the first category, and I went there for lunch today. This is some really good vegetarian food, some of the best in fact. You can read what others say about it at Happy Cow. It is located at 800 E. Arapaho Suite 120 in Richardson, TX. Their number is (972) 889-8598.

 

They serve a buffet of all vegetarian dishes for only $6.80 with tax per person. The buffet has many great options like “pork” cabbage. I just have to same something about the ‘pork’. It is based on soy and they have done an awesome job in imitating pork both in taste and even in texture. They also have two soups – hot and sour and another with a clear broth. They serve a normal tofu dish, several good mixed veggie dishes, and a potato dish with a greenish color that is my second favorite dish. They also have some good bread, ‘egg’ rolls and much more. Last, but not least, they have white rice, fried rice and brown rice. I am hungry about it just writing about it tonight, even after eating the steak I just cooked on the grill for dinner (never said I was a vegetarian)J Here is an interesting webpage espousing the virtues of vegetarian eating (Check out the list of vegetarians on the top right link).

 

The story here is a good one. Philip and Elaine Chang have owned Suma Veggie for the last 9 years. Previously, they owned a Chinese restaurant for over 10 years that served meat. They then started following Supreme Master Ching Hai. They did a 180 degree turn, stopped serving meat and began serving only vegetarian food (not sure if they sold there other restaurant or just transitioned). Elaine did mention that she uses several of her ‘meat’ recipes and has transformed them into vegetarian dishes. They wanted to provide a place where others can enjoy very tasty vegetarian food. Since they are experienced vegetarians with professional cooking experience they are achieving their goal. This story is a solid 4 page story.

 

The first table for 4 is reserved for Philip, Elaine and the wait staff to sit, eat, read the paper, mail, magazines etc. They treat their wait staff as family; in fact Elaine said they were all like family. This really sets a casual feel to the place, like you were sitting in their living room. The hole in the wall factor; not a difficult choice, 3 holes.

 

Hopefully, I will return soon and take some pictures. Until then check out Suma Veggie Café, my kind of place.

Taqueria El Fuego Richardson, Texas

It doesn’t get any better than Taqueria El Fuego, great tasting authentic Mexican food, homemade corn tortillas, salsa bar – all freshly made, husband, wife and son to greet you, beautiful color inside, great authentic furniture and aguas (natural fruit drinks – lime, orchata, tamarindo etc.). Thanks Russ for introducing me to this place several months ago. This is definitely my kind of place!

I had to do some good talking to convince John to go eat at Taqueria El Fuego with me today. He doesn’t like Tex-Mex food. I told him this is not Tex-Mex, nothing at all like it. You will taste the difference immediately. Well, as we were leaving he said I’ll definitely be back, he cleaned his plate and he did it before I cleaned mine.

When Aquiles was growing up in Mexico City, his Mother cooked all the meals for the week on Sunday. If that weren’t enough she cooked something different for each child because they were pretty picky eaters. Needless to say she got lots of practice and Aquiles said she was quite an awesome cook. Because of that beginning he and his siblings talked for years about opening up a restaurant with Mom’s recipes, recipes that came from all over Mexico. In Mexico, there are significant regional differences in what and how authentic food is prepared. Since they lived in Mexico City where people from all over
Mexico live, their Mom used recipes from nearly every region.

 

Despite all their talk the siblings never acted on starting their restaurant. Finally, Aquiles decided he would start a small, to go, Taqueria. However, when this location (1891 N. Plano Rd.; corner of Campbell & Plano Rd. 972-231-3456) became available he liked everything except the size (too big for his original idea). At 2:00 AM one morning he woke up and said ‘I know what we’ll do’. His wife said ‘great, tell me in the morning’. He said ‘no, I might forget. Wake up and let’s talk’. He shared with her his idea of them cooking many authentic Mexican dishes each day that they could vary daily as well. They would offer a special, where each customer could choose 2 entrees, rice (Cilantro or normal), beans (black or pinto), tortillas (corn or flour) and then the salsas of their choice. Here is my lunch plate from today:

Doesn’t that look awesome? Taqueria El Fuego has been delivering this kind of lunch for the past 2.5 years. Talk about clarity of vision and excellent execution, they have nailed it. The story is a 4 page story; the 5 page story must be extremely unique (see Star of Siam entry).

 

He made two other unique comments today as we were talking. He mentioned the ethnic diversity of his customers (Hispanic, white, African American, Asian etc.). In fact, he said that a customer told him this was the only restaurant they had seen with such diversity. He also mentioned that the Salsa bar gives his customers the choice which one and how much they want on each dish. He did not want to force a salsa or an amount of salsa on his customers. Here is the salsa bar and tortilla station:

I also really like the fact that they do not serve chips and hot sauce. He asked, ‘what’s the point, plus the chips most places serve are nothing like real baked corn tortillas used in Mexico’. Now, I have to admit, my wife has rubbed off on me and I actually have acquired a taste for Tex-Mex and do enjoy the chips and hot sauce. However, I really appreciate Aquiles’ desire to be completely authentic and I do not miss my chips and hot sauce when I eat there.

 

The place is definitely a hole in the wall. There are only eight tables. Check it out:

Aren’t those colors vibrant?

 

I have seen two different parties share the same table, a normal occurence at a hole in the wall. There may be the rare exception that I find later, but for now… envelope please. Taqueria El Fuego is the first restaurant to receive the coveted 5 hole in the wall rating!!

 

I could go on and on about how much I like this place, but this entry is long enough. Taqueria El Fuego is my kind of place!

Lee’s Catfish Richardson, TX – teaser

I can’t wait until I can post the complete entry for Lee’s Catfish. This is definitely my kind of place and potentially the prototype for my kind of place! I had lunch there today with Hooman and Hal. I have been eating here for many years and simply love it. Here is a picture from the outside.

Hopefully I can complete this post by early next week at the latest.

Dining Hall in Buddhist Temple in Richardson, TX

When was the last time you went to eat lunch at a Buddhist temple? I went Monday, accompanied by Hooman and Malcolm, to the dining hall of the Buddha’s Light International Association. It is located in Richardson at 1111 International Parkway. From the outside you think you are at a normal 3 story office building. The only indication is the sign on the building that says “International Buddhist Progress Society”. Walk in the front door by the playground (there is a preschool for children inside) go up the elevator to the 2nd floor and you will find the dining hall.

They serve a buffet of all vegetarian dishes for only $6 per person. Additional donations are accepted in a large wooden donation box. In years past they had a big screen TV on with a Buddhist priest teaching. The last couple of times I’ve gone the TV has been off.

The food is always very good. There is a large pot holding white rice and two buffet tables holding a great variety of your favorite veggie recipes including: broccoli, tofu brown sauce (for the noodles), noodles, fried rice, spring roll (cabbage), a tasty seaweed, tofu dish, thin noodles (Hooman called them nano-noodles) – these are my personal favorite, fried balls (carrot, cabbage & potato) hot & sour soup, some veggie that I thought was sweet potato, but Malcolm said it is a type of gourd with green skin and grapes for dessert. There is also a nice black spicy sauce that is my kind of sauce (nice flavor and good kick). The menu does change often. Hooman, Malcolm what else did I miss?

The temple has been at this location since 1992 and has been serving food since 1994. They decided to serve food to provide a convenient place for their church goers to eat and experience good vegetarian food and for others to experience a meal where no animals had been killed. I received all this information from a lady who also served as a translator from one of the leaders there in the temple. She told us that a vegetarian meal is more peaceful (since no animals were killed). Another thing I learned while talking to her is that they do not serve garlic or onions either. Both can alter your mood and since in Buddhism you are trying to reach a state of peace you would not eat mood altering foods (garlic & onion) or meat (you have participated in killing a living creature). Interesting thoughts, maybe I need to start another blog related to philosophical and religious discussions (why do other animals eat animals… why do humans have many carnivorous biological features… is it wrong to kill mosquitoes who carry west Nile virus…why do we do evil things… who can help us and how), but that is for another day.

The hole in the wall factor is challenging for the Buddhist temple. As mentioned before the building looks like an office building and you would never know there is a restaurant there unless someone told you (that’s pretty ‘hole in the wall’ ish). The décor is next to nothing; a few Chinese character posters and then one wall with several posters and sayings. For example: “Relax and indulge yourself with vegetarian food and determine to be a noble person.” However, there is a lot of room and it is in a large 3 story building. So, taking all things into consideration, I will give it a 3 ‘holes in the wall’ rating.

The story rating is also challenging. It is not an official mom and pop restaurant. However, eating in a Buddhist temple is quite a story in and of itself. I will give it a 3 page rating (save the 4 & 5 page story rating for more interesting personal stories) since it is only one of the two Buddhist temples of the Buddha’s Light International variety in the country that serves food.

So, next time someone says lunch, tell them ‘have I got a place for you’ and take them to the Buddhist temple dining hall, my kind of place.

Star of Siam in Richardson TX

I am glad that Star of Siam is the first entry in the Eating In Harm’s Way blog. This is a great Thai food restaurant in Richardson TX owned by Mark & Ann. Their story is what makes this my kind of place. Mark and Ann met at this restaurant on a blind date. They dated long distance for a season when Ann went back to Thailand. After her return to Texas they married. They wanted to get into the restaurant business and bought Star of Siam. Isn’t that great, meet on a blind date, get married and buy the restaurant you met in. Mark joked with us at the table that he was glad they did not meet at Trump TowerJ. They have been the owners for over 10 years. Mark & Ann, thank you for sharing your story with us! Now that is a 5 page story. I will rank every story by giving it 1 to 5 pages. Five pages being the most unique and 1 page being the least unique.

The décor is simple, comfortable and definitely reflects Ann’s interest in Thai royalty. There are several framed pictures of Thai royalty, framed drawings of Thai royalty and even some snapshots when Ann met Thai royalty. In addition, there are some fans, elephant carvings and a few more knick knacks. At the entrance you are greeted by a couple of statues of native Thai women that warmly greet you.

 

Outside there is a big sign that simply says “Thai Food”. Star of Siam delivers. Check out the extensive menu on their website. Today I visited with Hooman, MT and Bob. We had Thai Tea, which was very good. The big decision at the table is how hot to get our food: 1 star ‘good warm spice’, 2 stars ‘will bring a sweat’, 3 stars ‘native thai’, 4 stars ‘burn your tongue’ or 5 stars ‘eat at your own risk’ (more on 5 stars to come). I ordered the Siam Big Noodle with just 2 stars (I had previously ordered the 3 stars and it was pretty spicy). Hooman had the Fried Chicken with Cashews also 2 stars, MT had the chicken Thai fried rice with 1 star and Bob had the pork chow-mein with 1 star. Each person said their entrée was very tasty and they really liked it, Hooman commented on the fact that Thai food is very aromatic. The quantity of food is perfect for lunch. We all enjoyed it very much.

 

I especially like the soup and salad you can have with your lunch order. They are at a table near the entrance and it is self-serve. The soup is a nice coconut soup served in a crock pot and the salad is quite simple (lettuce, tomato, green pepper) with a peanut sauce for salad dressing. Very nice.

 

As far as the hole in the wall factor, it only receives 3 out of 5 holes. It has 11 booths and 5 tables and each table has nice table clothes under the glass covered tables. These are too many tables to receive the coveted 5 holes in the wall. However, it is in a non-descriptive strip mall with a big Thai Food sign outside. It is very charming and the friendly and prompt service you receive is exceptional. Hooman, Bob & MT what do you think? Should we give it a 3 or 4 hole in the wall rating?

 

One great unique aspect is the 5 Star wall of fire bulletin board. When you order a meal with 5 stars, ‘eat at your own risk’, they take a picture of you and place it on the bulletin board aptly named wall of fire. They have filled up two bulletin boards and are working on a third. I will give you an update once my picture is on the wall. It is ineluctable (word of the day).

 

Star of Siam is my kind of place!