Who has the best appetizers?
 

Who has the best appetizers and what are your favorites?

Why do they call them appetizers? Do they give one an appetite? I always bring my appetite with me so I never bought one.

How could anyone know who has the best? Isn't it a matter of one's taste preference?

And, one final question, who eats out for the appetizer? Isn't the meal enough?

The escargot at Hemingway is the bomb!

As far as who has the best....well it is a matter of personal preference however we tend to order the same ones each time so we really haven't experimented much. I thought I'd see who has tried what and what they think of them.
We usually like to go for just appetizers maybe for an afternoon snack instead of eating lunch. It nice to maybe eat a variety of snacks instead of just one big meal. By the time you get done you feel as though you've had a whole meal. Many of them are really good.

Now that's food for thought! We like the boom boom shrimp at The Lighthouse. When we go to Cody's sometimes we just sit at the bar and get appetizers...baked potato

Thanks, I never thought of that.

TOTV.............a learning place!

I like the appetizers at Chili's on 441. They have quite a few and are very large. Their chips and salsa is excellent also. The chips are warm, thin and crispy and the salsa tastes homemade.

Hubby loves the chicken fingers (appetizer) at the Lighthouse. They aren't on the menu anymore, but if you ask the will accommodate you. He usually ends up taking a few home, because they are so big.

Is that a good thing or a really bad thing?

I'd go with Sakura, get some rolls, some hot food and share.

What is bang bang shrimp?

Bang Bang shrimp is at Bonefish Grill, they are awesome but you have to like spicy! It's our favorite by far! On Weds. they have them on special I think $5, someone correct me if I'm wrong :)

I tend to avoid franchised, chain restaurants like the plague ..... but the mussels at Carrabba's are prob the best I have ever eaten!

Thanks, I'll be checking that out.

The bang bang shrimp are $5 at Bonefish on Wednesday. Their bar food includes 2 soft tacos filled with bang bang shrimp for $6 between 4 and 6 Sunday through Thursday. Excellent!

The mussels at Bonefish put the ones at RedSauce to shame. They are consistently large and flavorful. Sop up the sauce with the excellent bread.

Bonefish has never disappointed us! Thanks for providing the additional information!

Totally agree

Bang Bang shrimp or tacos at bonefish, mussels and martinis at Carrabba's , onion straws at light house and onion ring tower at Cody's. Have to try the escargot at Havana, love good garlicky escargot.

I agree. I frequently have an appetizer and salad for dinner. For instance, the bowl of mussels at Carrabba's is an appetizer, but it is really filling (and very good). In MI, we used to bring the tuna/wasabi appetizer from Bonefish home for our son when he couldn't join his wife and us for dinner there. It comes in two sizes, and he loves it.

I enjoy almost any appetizer at Bonefish. I'm interested to hear what others like. Good thread, Happinow!

We like the Wild West Shrimp at Longhorns and the Texas Tonions are not bad. But we only get them when it is our freebie for our anniversary.

Someplace we ate at had great stuffed potato skins but I cannot remember where that was. Sorry.

We do not usually get appetizers because they are too filling and too expensive.

Z

Gators
 

Well we went to Gators Dockside at Brownwood tonight for some appetizers. We were looking for "bar food" and we sat at the bar and that's just what we had. We enjoyed chicken fingers, fries and some fried mushrooms. Liked them all, but I like my fries a bit more crispy. It was more than enough food for the two of us and I would go back again to try other appetizers. Nothing gourmet but it fit the bill. Thanks for all the other suggestions and I have a feeling we will get out and try more places suggested by everyone on here.

Friday's is currently running an app special where you can order any of the following apps for $10 and get refills on the same app for the same person for as much as you want. If it were oysters it would make me happy, however none of these choices appeals to me. Here they are as follows in case they appeal to you:

Loaded Potato Skins
Pan-Seared Pot Stickers
Mozzarella Sticks
Garlic & Basil Bruschetta
Tuscan Spinach Dip
Boneless Buffalo Wings
Crispy Green Bean Fries
I love appetizers and would rather eat them than the regular menu. I will have to try the mussels.

Bang Bang Shrimp at Bonefish is the best, hands down. Nice and spicy. If you like wings, I recommend Gator's in Spanish Springs.

I have a very good friend that feels the same. My wife and I disagree. We have had good and not so good meals at both chain and non-chain restaurants. Having said that, we feel that many chains offer good food, extensive (and now and again interesting) menus with reasonable prices. In this discussion, the Bang Bang Shrimp at Bonefish Grill is a clear winner. Bonefish Grill is also the most highly rated Village restaurant on Trip Advisor so it clearly appeals to many people. You mentioned Carrabbas which is another chain that we enjoy. We would add Olive Garden, Ruby Tuesday, and Longhorn to that list. There is another discussion somewhere on TOTV about "high end" chains like Ruth Chris or Mortons. Chain or not, these are excellent (and pricey) places to eat. We don't make categorical decisions regarding places to eat. Instead, we decide based upon our personal experiences with any given restaurant.

Another vote for the Bang Bang Shrimp at Bonefish!!

However, I think the Tapas restaurant at Brownwood should make this interesting since it is all appetizers!!:mmmm:

We ate lunch at Mojo's in Ocala yesterday with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. We ordered all appetizers except for the lettuce wraps. The New Yorkers said the chicken wings are about the best they've tasted, as were the Mile High Chili Nachos. My favorites were Papa's Rellenas (but who doesn't like fried mashed potatoes!?) and the lettuce wraps. Their lime balsamic dressing is indescribably good. I could drink this it tastes so good.

Mojo Grill and Catering

I vote for the tapas at Las Tapas in Brownwood. About a hundred to choose from. I love the one with filet Mignon on lyonnaise potatoes and blue cheese crumbles. To me, that is a meal in itself.

I miss Fridays. Loved the apps !
We really like Las Tapas.
Some of my favorite apps are :) Mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers, chili cheese fries, fried zucchini, etc... YUM !

I like the Cane Cane Shrimp at Cane Garden. Unless you are very hungry it's enough for a meal. $8

Wild wild shrimp at Longhorn and Lighthouse mushrooms loaded with cheese & bacon.
Check your Winn Dixie receipts. Free appetizer with purchase of one at Lighthouse.

One more vote for Bang bang shrimp. They are great. Wish I knew how to make them.

Deep fried Mac and Cheese at Square 1. I know it sounds a little odd, but you have to try it.

Just noticed that on the back of my Winn Dixie receipt their is a coupon from The Lighthouse. It is for a LATE night, BOGO app & drink .... btw "Late night" starts at 7pm !! :a20:

We have the 1/2 Nochos at Gators in Brownwood full meal for 2 of us. Debbie at the Bar is alot of fun and a great Bartender.

The nachos at City Fire are delicious !!

many times we will have a glass of wine and JUST an appetizers...sometimes eating alot of food is NOT good for you...we do that alot..... in fact we know alot of people who do that...have a big lunch and then around 5 or so...have an appetizer and a glass of wine....(sleep alot better)

:mmmm:

I find many recipes from chain restaurant at http://www.copykat.com/. The following is for Bonefish Bang Bang Shrimp...Bon Appetite !!!

1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (or 1 Lb. chicken cut into pieces)
SPICY SAUCE:
1/2 c. mayonnaise
4-5 tsp Sriracha sauce
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp rice vinegar
FOR THE EGG MIXTURE:
1 egg, beaten
1 c. milk
FOR THE BREADING MIXTURE:
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. dried basil
FOR FRYING:
8 to 12 cups vegetable oil

Instructions

Combine all ingredients for the spicy sauce in a small bowl; cover and set aside.
Combine beaten egg with milk in shallow bowl; set aside.
Combine flour, panko, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and basil in another shallow bowl; set aside.
Bread the shrimp by first coating each with the breading mixture. Dip breaded shrimp into the egg and milk mixture, and then back into the breading. Arrange the coated shrimp on a plate and pop them into the fridge for at least 20 minutes. This step will help the breading to stick on the shrimp when they are frying.
Heat oil in deep fryer to 350 degrees (**see below for alternate cooking method). Use amount of oil required by your fryer.
When oil is hot, fry shrimp 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on rack or paper towels.
When all shrimp has been fried, drop the shrimp into a large bowl. Spoon about 1/4 cup of sauce over shrimp and stir gently to coat.
**If you don't have a deep fryer or want to make it a little lighter... preheat oven to 350-degrees. Heat about 1/4 - 1/2 c. oil in a skillet or frying pan to 350-degrees and fry shrimp (or chicken) on each side for a minute or two until coating is golden brown. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes if doing shrimp and about 20 min. if doing chicken. Check for doneness (you want your shrimp to be pink and your chicken to be white all the way through).

Too much like work. Better I just go to Bone Fish and let them make it for me ! LOL :thumbup: