I left Pappasito's near CityCentre after eating a late lunch by myself today (bear with me here I'm not calling Pappasito's fine dining) very disappointed after dropping $70 on a Del Mar mixed fajitas platter and 2 beers (with tip). Service sucked at the bar and their prices just keep going up and the quality and quantity of food keeps going down. What is your go to for a "fine dining" experience that isn't necessarily a special occasion? I left feeling like I should have just hit Perry's down the street for the same amount of money and a better environment. For reference my favorites are usually B&B or Eddie V's, but those are definitely on the higher end. Just looking for places to grab lunch or dinner that are a better vibe and experience than the Pappasito's ripoff of $70 per person.

I'd think there's a pretty long list of places that offer better service and better food than Papasito's/Papadeaux for equal or less than what you paid. They get so slammed at happy hour and dinner that they're probably not too worried about the experience.

And yeah, a lot of the chain steakhouses have daily specials or lunch specials that will get you out for around that price.

*I'd offer some suggestions, but I don't spend much time around City Centre and I think that Pappasito's may actually have been the last place I sat down to eat over there.

Escalantes at Woodway and Voss is one of my regular go to's when I'm in town.

Milwaukees Best Light said:

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Fajita Flats. The only thing that sizzles more than their fajitas is the stereo system blasting Mambo number 5 and the Maquerena.

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Still?????????? Way back in the day, they'd play the Maquerena, and all the ladies would drop their forks and drinks and get up to line dance in between all the tables.

B&B Italia on Memorial at Dairy Ashford

I'm not calling McCormick and Schmicks fine dining, but their happy hour is pretty good. You can have a bunch of beers and appetizers/burger for pretty cheap.

Milwaukees Best Light said:

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Fajita Flats. The only thing that sizzles more than their fajitas is the stereo system blasting Mambo number 5 and the Maquerena.

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Ahh, Flats. Nothin' quite like a pitcher of Especial.

Tell em' it's your birthday! Good people at Fajita Flats.

it is depressing.

we stopped at Wendy's (my fault I know) on the way back from Austin, as I couldn't handle the Whataburger line.

40 bucks for a bunch of room temperature crap. It was always pretty mediocre fast feed, but at least it used to be cheap.

htxag09 said:

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Lots of places you can eat at for under $70 per person....but not when you order the most expensive thing on the menu.....

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No joke. Pappasitos is already infamous for having really expensive fajitas if you order just the "base" level. Pappasitos is priced for the corporate lunch/dinner crowd. You add on two $6 beers and a tip and no joke its going to be $70.

Marauder Blue 6 said:

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Hwy30East said:

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Carrabbas - The original one on Kirby.

It's definitely not the chain restaurant.

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No need to drive all the way to Kirby when the one at Voss/Woodway is much closer to City Centre.

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Tha 1 on the 10 feeder b/w Kirkwood & Wilcrest is even closer.

Federal Grill: not impressed.

Jonathan's The Rub: owner was an ass 1 night when my wife sent her meal back b/c he burned it, she won't go back.

Treebeards: meh. But the chocolate cake is worth it.

I had a really good steak at Ciro's on my birthday. I hadn't been there since the last remodel, pleasantly surprised & it was affordable.

Does the $35 Sunday Dinner still exist? Was a full-sized pork chop, salad, and dessert.

Edit: just looked it up and they have increased the price to $49. Still a decent deal but at $35 it was pretty awesome.

Marauder Blue 6 said:

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12thMan9 said:

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Marauder Blue 6 said:

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Hwy30East said:

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Carrabbas - The original one on Kirby.

It's definitely not the chain restaurant.

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No need to drive all the way to Kirby when the one at Voss/Woodway is much closer to City Centre.

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Tha 1 on the 10 feeder b/w Kirkwood & Wilcrest is even closer.

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That location is ass compared to either of the locations on Voss or Kirby. Feel free to keep going there, though.

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Well since you seem to know what ass tastes like I'm not sure your opinion on real food matters. But you keep eating ass.....

gindaloon said:

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His point is the Kirby and Voss locations are run by the family. The others are run and owned by Bloomin Brands aka Outback. Hence the two different websites:

Original

Trash

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Fair delineation, though I'm not sure Trash is fair. They're a few steps above OG for sure.

Brenners at I10 and Britmore is nice if open for lunch. I had a really good dinner there before. Heard the crab cake is great but I can't vouch for it.

Jonathans the Rub.

DDub74 said:

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Jonathan's the Rub at Campbell/10 is great food and very reasonable lunch menu

Mia Table is always good, cheaper and get free ice cream on way out. But counter service

Goode Co Cantina or Goode Co. BBQ are always consistently good.

Treebeards.

Pappy's at Dairy Ashford and I10 always is consistent comfort food (chicken fried steak, best chicken tenders) and have $4 margaritas every day. Pretty decent for $4.

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I love pappy's. Nothing that will blow you away, but always solid and affordable

Jack Klompus said:

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B&B Italia on Memorial at Dairy Ashford

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Lol, this will cost you nothing.

Diggity said:

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it is depressing.

we stopped at Wendy's (my fault I know) on the way back from Austin, as I couldn't handle the Whataburger line.

40 bucks for a bunch of room temperature crap. It was always pretty mediocre fast feed, but at least it used to be cheap.

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we drove back from Florida in one run this Saturday. had lunch at Chickfila. dinner at a place in Baton Rouge called Rice and Roux. Rice and Roux was a smattering of jambalaya, beans, gumbo. more than we could possibly eat in 1 sitting. it was cheaper than CFA.