November 12, 2009
I'm happy. I can't wipe this smile off my face. While it doesn't take much to make me grin, it is nice when a restaurant is the cause of my joy. I'm a simple guy. I don't need much and don't require much. I like the same in my restaurants. Simple, to-the-point, great food, and comfortable.
At a recent birthday celebration at Mac's on 7th (2600 W. Seventh, Suite 153), I discovered why I love this place so much. In this day and age of being rushed in and rushed out, I was greeted by two very nice people who were engaging, pleasant and helpful in that they directed me to the party being formed on the patio.
As our party came together, it was time to herd our group of 20-plus to our tables. With a party that large, there was never a time that we were without a drink or without enough staff to attend to us. From the time you walk in, Mac's on 7th just makes you feel at home.
Much of this comes from the staff, but, the decor and finish out has a lot to do with this, as well. Mac's is just comfortable. I can't really pinpoint why. But, after being there for a couple of hours, laughing, eating and being engrossed in each other, it hit me that the calm and coolness of the interior is soothing, much like a spa or a resort. I must tell you this, that as a guy, one of the highlights of the evening was a trip to the "facilities." Yes, people, the restroom.
Many of the guys that night were interested in the college football scores. Checking our phones, moseying to the bar and asking anyone who might know. Had I known what I came across in the Men's Room, keeping up with the scores would have been a lot easier. As it turns out, they have flat panel tv's in "there." With the game on. With a ticker running across the screen of ALL the games that day. At this point, I'm quickly developing a big crush on Mac's on 7th.
But, we came to eat. And, eat we did. They have a great choice of selections. Salads, chicken, beef, seafood and so on and so on. One of my favorites is the Shrimp Paesano. This is a dish of shrimp basking in a lemony, garlicky, buttery pool of greatness. But, something happened while watching college football. I got in touch with my masculine side. In making my dinner choice, my testosterone took over and I went with the chicken fried steak. And, it did not disappoint. All of the Mac's restaurants have been known to have great chicken fried steak. Mac's on 7th raised the bar and, perhaps, was a major contributing factor in this smile on my face.
Since we were celebrating a birthday that night (and no one brought a cake for the guest of honor), our little section decided on several desserts in honor of our friend. And, the fact that she vetoed 32 spankings and opted for dessert. Good call!
As a dessert officianado, and also that I had to weigh in on the decision even though the evening was not all about me, I quickly spotted Red Velvet cake on the menu. Done! Get it! But, I kept reading. Mac's gives full disclosure and this cake comes from, perhaps, one of the all-time greatest Red Velvet locales...the Red Oven Bakery in Pantego (Arlington). This cake, along with it's cream cheese icing, is so incredibly good that I'm writing this column at 6:45 in the morning and my mouth is watering. Even better, Mac's is not shy about sharing. This one slice should have been brought out on a forklift.
The reason Mac's on 7th works is that you don't have to think while you are there. The place is comfortable where you and your date won't want to leave or, even better, just get lost in time. The service is great where you never have to take your attention off whomever you are with and the food is so good that you really don't want to be anywhere else. And, should you need to use the "facilities," you can totally get caught up on the day's games and get back to your table without being the typical guy who would rather watch football than being out on a Date Night. Mac's is brilliant. No detail has been left out; no stone unturned.
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