My wife and I were talking about this at lunch today, and I was curious to see if anyone else has a dish that a certain restaurant has ruined in that no one else comes close?

For me there are two. The first is onion soup at Bouchon, and the second is the tom kha soup at Lotus of Siam.

Mapo Tofu at Asia Cafe in Austin. No one comes anywhere close to the depth of flavor they get with that dish.

Lobster bisque at Brasserie Mon Chou Chou in SATX.

I won't order many of the things I've dialed in to personal preference way more than one restaurant to another

AggieOO said:

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honest question that could sound like a typical texags jackass response: If you will only eat it at a certain restaurant, how do you know someone else won't do it better?

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In fairness, I think he's tried these at other places and been disappointed. Regarding the onion soup at Bouchon, I know I've tried dozens of others and they don't compare so I don't even order onion soup anywhere else. Bouchon or homemade for me.

Nam Kao Tod at Lotus. Mainly because no one else makes it.

On the low brow side of things.
Double daves pepperoni rolls. No other store bought. comes close

About the only fast food hamburger I actually crave is White Castle. When I'm up north, I'll eat there a few times.

BSD said:

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AggieOO said:

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honest question that could sound like a typical texags jackass response: If you will only eat it at a certain restaurant, how do you know someone else won't do it better?

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In fairness, I think he's tried these at other places and been disappointed. Regarding the onion soup at Bouchon, I know I've tried dozens of others and they don't compare so I don't even order onion soup anywhere else. Bouchon or homemade for me.

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This. For the two I've mentioned I've tried them numerous other places as well, and no one has been able to come close. A third would be the fried fish sandwich at Eventide Oyster Company in Portland, ME. It is likely the best sandwich of any kind that I've ever had that wasn't the burger at Au Cheval. I'd rank those as 1A and 1B.

jh0400 said:

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My wife and I were talking about this at lunch today, and I was curious to see if anyone else has a dish that a certain restaurant has ruined in that no one else comes close?

For me there are two. The first is onion soup at Bouchon, and the second is the tom kha soup at Lotus of Siam.

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so how often are you at Bouchon? just curious


I can't really think of anything for me.

Chalupa box - Taco Bell
#1 all the way, mayo and mustard - Whataburger

All kidding aside, Pecan Crusted Spicy chicken pasta at a local place in Victoria.

Matzo Ball Soup and Corned Beef Sandwich at Kenny and Ziggy's. Their Fish and Chips is slowly making it's way onto this list too as I find fewer and fewer decent fish and chips in Houston.

Pretty much any sushi outside of Oishi Sushi in Lafayette Louisiana. I try it all over the place and that's not to say good sushi can't be had elsewhere, but nothing ever compares. I just about refuse to even have it anywhere else anymore.

Hamburgers in Houston that's not the Pappas BBQ Burger. I just don't even bother anymore outside of cheapo fast food burgers when I'm in a pinch. Definitely not paying $10-$12 for just the burger anywhere else.

Massaman Curry at Thai Gourmet (RIP, but also screw those people for screwing their employees.)

jh0400 said:

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"...onion soup at Bouchon, and the second is the tom kha soup at Lotus of Siam."

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If you're ever in Denver, try the onion soup at Ship Tavern. Off the lobby of the Brown Palace Hotel.

I'll add another one I remembered. The Japanese braised pork belly at Midori Sushi in Irving, Tx. It's an unassuming sushi place, but the fish was excellent, and this braised pork belly was on there daily specials list. I had been sitting at the sushi bar, and just told the chef to bring me what he liked. He brought me this braised pork belly, and it was so damn good I told him to bring me another one. It's a stupid simple dish, but it was executed to perfection.

One or two times per year.

I was thinking about this and thought the thread was silly. But more I thought about it, it started to make sense....

I won't order chicken and dumplings anywhere because I'm always dissapointed....so if anyone has a good recommendation I'm all ears.

It won't stop me from getting it at other places, but the CFS at Mia's in Houston is in a class of it's own.

Where in Victoria? Pump House?

Bonzer103 said:

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It won't stop me from getting it at other places, but the CFS at Mia's in Houston is in a class of it's own.

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Yes sir, it is. The Jalapeno gravy adds to that too.

Trucker2005 said:

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Where in Victoria? Pump House?

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Yes. That plate has never disappointed so far.

What do you order? My wife is from Cuero, so we eat there occasionally when passing through. I've never had a bad meal there but also haven't had anything memorable.

BSD said:

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AggieOO said:

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honest question that could sound like a typical texags jackass response: If you will only eat it at a certain restaurant, how do you know someone else won't do it better?

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In fairness, I think he's tried these at other places and been disappointed. Regarding the onion soup at Bouchon, I know I've tried dozens of others and they don't compare so I don't even order onion soup anywhere else. Bouchon or homemade for me.

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I've not been to either - but have had more opportunity to go to Bouchon vegas than the real bouchon.

Can anyone speak to how they compare?

I haven't noticed a difference between Yountville and Las Vegas. I haven't been to the Beverly Hills location.

Eventide is SO good.

jh0400 said:

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I haven't noticed a difference between Yountville and Las Vegas. I haven't been to the Beverly Hills location.

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I think Beverly Hills closed, didnt it? And there really isn't much of a difference. I eaten at both quite a bit.

It appears Beverly Hills did close. That's not really my scene anyway. One thing I will say is that the wine list in Las Vegas has a much better Bordeaux and Burgundy selection than Yountville.

Chicken Fried Steak just about anywhere. How I miss the Lone Star State

Since moving away from Texas/the South - I miss 3 things the most:

In no particular order
1) good texmex
2) Cajun food
3) southern fried seafood. Both the Midwest and west coast are obsessed with beer batters.