by Steven Doyle
I stopped by Local Oak this week for a small bite and a few libations and was pleased to see the owners scurrying about. I am talking Felix Garcia, Paul Delgado and Alycen Cuellar. These are first time restaurateurs, but you probably spotted a familiar name in the bunch. Cuellar is one of ‘those’ Cuellars. You know, from the multi-million dollar El Chico empire that started as a small tamale stand t an east Texas county fair back in 1926. But don’t let this fact detract from the fact that Local Oak is sturdy all on its own, and with only a whiff of Tex Mex to be found on the menu.
The menu is almost difficult to describe. There is a really good burger, a Cobb salad, Frito pie, and green chile chicken enchiladas to choose from. Actually, the menu is quite short, but that is changing very soon with the addition of at least five new items being added next week. We will most likely want to revisit once that good news has been announced.
Frito Pie
Mom’s Meatloaf
Green Chile Enchiladas
The cocktails are the caliber that you would expect from any bar opening in these great times of kicked up bar drinks. There are also plenty of very good local beers on tap and sold at better than average prices. If you are just in for a few cocktails, you may wish to order up the wings or better yet, the bucket of bacon. Thick, sweet and smokey.
The surroundings are tastefully pleasant, and I enjoyed just moseying across the room to note the fun atmosphere collected by the trio of owners. While about in the restaurant last night we bumped into Tito Beveridge, owner of the Tito’s brand vodka. How fun is that? Come to find out that Tito went to school with Alecyn’s husband. The world seemed a bit cozier as Tito worked the room sharing some stories that were fun and a few not eligible for publication.
Bucket of bacon
Tito!
Check into Local Oak, where truly the locals are elbowing up to this spirited watering hole that is serving up some terrific food.
