MEATLOAF...
THAT SPECIAL DISH
GUS' GRILL DAILY SPECIALS |
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December 16, 2004 - Besides my infinite love for hot dogs, I am an
ardent fan of meatloaf. I wasn't always such a big fan, and I am
still horrified and nearly vomit anytime I see a hard boiled egg stuck
in the middle of a meatloaf, but I've come around to no longer secretly
love this dish, but actually revel in its goodness. A special
treat in Austin is found on East 7th, at a little diner called 'Gus'
Grill' just over the Tillery Bridge before 183.
| Meatloaf, sadly, is not on their
regular menu, instead its the Thursday special. For $4.99,
your taste buds can savor two sides, a lovely slab of meatloaf and
some toast on the side. My choice for sides is usually a salad
and mashed potatoes, although corn would be a delectable treat in
place of green beans.
People around me usually see me on Thursdays bouncing around
after lunch, wondering why I'm so happy. My one word response,
"meatloaf" is invariably met with groans and a rolling of the eyes.
It's simply that good. A solid, basic meatloaf, not wrapped in
bacon, not filled with onions, fancy vegetables, no corn flakes and
sure as hell no vegan substitute, is thick and filling.
Covered in a tomato/onion/pepper sauce, the meatloaf makes my taste
buds rejoice, and then I mix it up and move over to the potatoes.
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Mashed potatoes and gravy is one of the great treats of Western
Civilization. Since the almost complete Americans conversion
to french fries, mashed potatoes have gotten the shaft in everyday
eating experiences outside fine restaurants and the really good
diners. Finding good, basic potatoes, mashed and covered in a
standard gravy is a fine thing, and Gus' Grill pulls it off well.
I needed a Dr Pepper and a half during my meal to finish things
off, and I left full and happy. Another Thursday on the East
Side. |
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