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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 8, 1985)
Los Nortenos otters an eating experience By MARY COX Staff Writer Part of the fun of trying new places to eat is the hope that you'll find a diamond in the rough, a place few people know about that you can call your own. But you take chances when you play this game of Russian roulette, because there's often more bad than good. Judging from the exterior and its location, Los Norte nos, a Mexican cafe, on Main Street in Bryan, could be considered for the diamond m the rough category —with emphasis on the rough side. The exterior is dive-ish looking, and the Hotel Charles next to it is down right spooky. This is definitely not the place to take a first date you re trying to impress. The food's much better than the place looks, al though that's not saying much. The Came Guizado, the Mexican version of stew, has chunks of beef and potatoes in a thick, spicy gravy for $4.10, and it's good. The beet and cheese nachos were even tasty enough to make up for the chips being soggy. And the chicken enchiladas were pretty good. But don't get a craving for tacos al carbon here because the meat was over-done and dry. The prices at Los Nortenos are pretty reasonable, and they're open for breakfast, lunch and dinner ev eryday. Feel free to bring the beverage of your choice — si senor, that means beer — because they don’t serve alcohol. I guess the roughest part about Los Nortenos is the atmosphere, not the food. Atmosphere doesn't mean fancy to me, but it's more than a scruffy black and white tile floor and bright green walls. The diner- quality charm loses something in translation here. The biggest turn off I got was when I looked up and saw a man with no shoes on at the counter paying his bill. If this was some fast food joint it wouldn't have bothered me. It was just that this is a sit-down restau rant. I could picture Marvin Zindler clutching his chest, and with my ultra-clean upbringing, I clutched mine. Some of my friends think Los Nortenos is great, food and all. And I respect their opinion, but for this kid the chance that Los Nortenos would be a diamond in the rough has turned out to be nothing but a chunk of coal. On behalf of Marvin Zindler and my mother, who raised me to be so clean-conscious, I give Los Norte nos a one out of five. ' □ Shop gives 'prioriteas' to coffee, tea By WENDY JOHNSON Staff Writer Snuggled in a corner of the newly- opened wing of Post Oak Mall is Prioriteas Coffee & Tea Specialty Shop. Although the shop has a Euro pean air, it was not originally styled after a European shop, says owner Mary Newton. She made her first trip to Europe last year. "I wanted a warm feeling," she says. "I wanted it very inviting and comfortable." The shop does have a charming aura. Empty burlap coffee sacks and dark wooden apple and tomato crates cover one wall, just above the small gathering of tables and chairs upholstered in navy and rust chintz. Another wall is stacked with bottles of imported vinegars and oils, jars of jellies and jams, seasonings and spices, and boxes and tins of tea. Yet another wall contains boxes of can dies and other sweets, including chocolates from Switzerland, Bel gium, Germany, France and a hand-dipped, double-layered Texan variety called Sweet Shop. Baskets hang from the rafters and an an tique lamp post stands guard over the barstools and wine rack at the cappucino bar. The shop has been in business in other locations for eight years, but two years ago, Newton added the capuccino bar and restaurant as pect. Still, the shop is an old friend to many Bryan-College Station resi dents, whether they stop in for spe cialty staples, a light lunch of chicken or ham salad on a fresh croissant, quiche or pastries. Priori- teas also designs gift baskets stuffed with imported treats for giving. Tories, brownies and nine differ ent types of cheesecake are made fresh daily, though not on the prem ises. "I like to support my other local friends in business," Newton grins. The bar boasts of an espresso ma chine and "the best and freshest se lection of coffees and teas between Houston and Dallas," she says. She stocks sixty varieties of coffee, and loose teas, including herbal and de caffeinated. They will grind the beans and personalize the grind according to the type of coffee maker you own. If you don't own a coffee maker yet, you will find a selection of them here, including the trendy Krups label. Copper, brass, stain less and pottery tea pots and tea services are available, as well as an Irish coffee warmer and an exten sive selection of mugs. Prices range from 75-cent brow nies to $3 for slices of quiches or cheesecakes. The new location is open from 10 a. m. to 9 p.m. week days and 12:30 to 5:30 on Sundays. Opening in December, on the heels of the new location, will be "Prioriteas Presents 'The Kaffee Klatsch'" in the new Garden District of Bryan, at 108 North Ave., in a quaint Victorian-style house. □