Taqueria El Azteca

Fact File

336-292-4008

Type: Mexican

Location: 5605 West Friendly Avenue #B, Greensboro, N.C.

Price: Most menu items under $10

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon to 9 p.m. Sunday

Payment accepted: Cash, credit card

Overview: Housed in the Quaker Village Shopping Center, El Azteca offers margaritas, tacos, burritos, fajitas and other Mexican fare. Tuesdays and Thursdays are $1 taco nights. Limited outdoor seating is available.

Review by Zac Goldstein

For tacophiles, El Azteca is Greensboro’s gold standard. They are served up authentic Mexican style, with radish, avocado, cilantro and lime. More than half a dozen fillings are available, and you can’t go wrong with most of them. The pastor (marinated pork) is addictively flavorful, while the chorizo has a nice kick. Only the chicken is a bit dry. The tacos are small – don’t expect them to last you more than three bites – but at a $1 each, they are still a good bargain.

El Azteca’s other menu options aren’t quite of the same caliber. Burritos and fajitas can run over $10, depending on the fillings, and are prepared in more of a Tex-Mex style. That isn’t necessarily a demerit and nothing is made badly here, but you can find similar food elsewhere.

The restaurant’s waitstaff is friendly and attentive. Drinks are refilled and baskets of chips replenished promptly. Of course, that will only benefit you if you’ve already been seated. El Azteca is not a large establishment and on $1 taco nights, it fills up very quickly. Show up with a group after 6:30 on a Tuesday or a Thursday and you’re virtually guaranteed a wait.

If you like tacos and don’t mind a crowd, El Azteca has the potential to become a local favorite. If you’re in a hurry or are in the mood for something else, however, you may want to rethink your options.

7.25/10

Sticks & Stones Clay Oven Pizza

Fact File

336-275-0220

Type: Pizza

Location: 2200 Walker Avenue, Greensboro, N.C.

Price Range: Under $8 per person

Hours: ???

Payment accepted: Cash, credit card

Overview: Located in the heart of the Lindley Park neighborhood, Sticks & Stones offers small plates and salads in addition to pizza. Numerous beers are available, as is outdoor seating.

Review by Zac Goldstein

For Sticks & Stones, “local pizzeria” is more than just a geographic identifier – it’s part of a much deeper philosophy. The restaurant prides itself on procuring fresh, often organic ingredients from North Carolina-based farms, markets and creameries. The communitarian approach extends to baking pizzas in wood-burning ovens and using pizza boxes made from recycled paper.

The eclecticism doesn’t end there though. Everything on the menu is named for a Ryan Adams song. This odd touch may delight fans, but will likely confuse, if not annoy, the non-listener. Throw in a sparse-but-intimate ambience (wood tables/booths and low lighting) and a consistently friendly wait staff and you’re left with an establishment which is anything but forgettable.

The food nearly comes close to matching the distinction of Sticks & Stones’ other intangibles. Pizza topping combinations include everything from fried eggplant, wild mushrooms and caramelized garlic (A Kiss Before I Go, sure to become a favorite) to sopressata, arugula, mozzarella and pine nuts (New York, New York) and, of course, you can always make your own. The ingredients are quality and the flavor combinations work well, though the crust (thick and bland) is lackluster. Salads are bolstered by touches like pumpkin seeds (Peaceful Valley) and honeyed walnuts (Dance All Night). Only a somewhat narrow selection – no sandwiches, for instance – puts a damper on the innovation.

In keeping with the considerate ethos, Sticks & Stones does not price its way out of the community. Large pies feed three and run $20 or less. Salads will set you back $4.25 to $7.25 depending on the size and small plates vary considerably.

As I mentioned in my Mellow Mushroom review, what makes a “good” pizza is largely a subjective affair. So to is what makes a good pizza place. Cozy yet quirk-laden, Sticks & Stones may not be everyone’s cup of tea (or can of sauce, as the case may be), but the fried eggplant alone makes it worth investigating.

7.75/10

Green Valley Grill

Fact File

336-854-2015

Type: Fine Dining

Location: 622 Green Valley Road, Greensboro, N.C.

Price Range: Dinner entrees $19 and up

Hours: 11:15 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:15 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday

Payment accepted: Cash, credit card

Overview: Located next to the O’Henry Hotel, the Green Valley Grill offers European-influenced fine dining, Guilt Free (reduced fat and sodium) selections and an extensive wine list. The restaurant serves brunch until 4 p.m. on Sundays and a daily afternoon tea in the O’Henry lobby from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Outdoor seating, private rooms, and catering are available.

Review by Zac Goldstein

Fine dining is as much about the eating experience as it is about the food, and in that regard, the Green Valley Grill comes through. High ceilings and spacious booths ensure that the restaurant never feels crowded, even when it is full. The wait staff is prompt, professional and polite.

Of course, this would mean little if the food was not up to par with the presentation. Fortunately GVG acquits itself nicely. An eclectic assortment of small plates includes everything from high-end burgers (the short rib sliders come recommended) to seafood to flatbreads. The truffle fries are full of zest, while faro, pine nuts and squash put a unique spin on a salmon salad.

The entrée selection is limited and several chef’s features rotate regularly. The traditionalist will be comforted by the presence of such staples as loin of lamb, steak (New York strip or filet mignon) and roast chicken. Those looking for an international bent can go for the jagerschnitzel (German breaded veal cutlet) or the paella (saffron rice with seafood and sausage), the latter of which is seasoned to perfection.

Portions are reasonable – you won’t go hungry, but don’t anticipate leftovers. If you do have room afterwards, be sure to take in a dessert. Like the rest of GVG’s fare, there’s a good balance between traditional (an apple tart and crème brulee) and inventive (white chocolate cheesecake and the Nutty Irishman, a frozen cake/cream/coffee concoction). You really can’t go wrong in either direction.

Needless to say, food of this quality will agitate your wallet while mollifying your stomach. Small plates and salads are in the $11-$12 range, entrees go from $19 to over $30 and desserts run between $6 and $7. Dinner for two can easily put you out half a c-note and lunch/brunch is barely less costly.

As a hotel restaurant, the Green Valley Grill has an unspoken obligation to convention: it must appeal to guests and travelers of the simplest tastes. It takes up this mantle well while still finding plenty of room for creative flourishes. This deft balance makes it one of Greensboro’s premier dining spots for special occasions, as long as you have the dough.

8.5/10

Mellow Mushroom

 

Fact File

336-235-2840

Type: Pizza

Location: 609 S. Elm Street, Greensboro, N.C.

Price Range: Most non-pizza food items under $7

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday

Payment accepted: Cash, credit card

Overview: This downtown establishment offers appetizers, salads, pizzas, calzones and a full bar. Drink specials change daily and live music can be found on select Thursdays.

Review by Zac Goldstein

When it comes to pizza, there’s a school of thought that says nothing good can come from a chain. While Pizza Hut and CiCi’s do plenty to bolster that argument, a trip to Mellow Mushroom could leave it in tatters.

Founded in the mid-70s by a trio of college students, the Atlanta-based franchise has grown to include over 100 restaurants in 18 states. Despite the ubiquity, Mellow Mushroom has the feel of a local pizzeria: it’s a sit-down establishment with plenty of seating and more than just pizza, wings and garlic bread on the menu (though, of course, they have those too).

But while a local pizzeria might have a specialty or two, Mellow Mushroom prides itself on creative combinations. The Philosopher pie combines steak, Portobello mushrooms and artichoke hearts with three kinds of cheeses and all pizzas feature a whole-wheat crust. If such flourishes are not to your liking, have no fear: you can also build your own pizza, salad, or calzone. The dozens of available toppings include everything from jerk chicken to tofu and tempeh and it’s likely you’ll find at least one combination you like.

Needless to say, prices vary depending on your level of customization. If you go for a pizza, you’re better of splitting with friends: a large specialty pie feeds four for about $6 per person. Sandwiches and salads come in two sizes and run between $4 and $8. Calzones are slightly pricier.

Like most restaurants, service will vary depending on the size of the crowd. The downtown location ensures that patrons aren’t exclusively college-aged. The ambience works well for families and groups. Dinner for two? Not so much.

It’s impossible to say if Mellow Mushroom offers the best pizza in Greensboro because no two people will agree on what constitutes the “best” pizza (thick crust vs. thin, New York-style vs. Chicago-style). And while I certainly find the pies here (a not-too-thick crust with your choice of base, moderate sauce, tasty toppings) to my liking, it’s far easier to say that at Mellow Mushroom, you really can’t go wrong.

8/10

Coffeeology

 

Fact File

(336) 274-7282

Type: Coffee Shop

Location: 423 Tate Street, Greensboro, N.C.

Price Range: All food items and drinks under $10, most under $5

Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

Payment accepted: Cash, credit card

Overview: Coffeeology offers waffles, crepes, sandwiches, gelato and numerous java- and non-java-based beverages. Soup and sandwich specials change daily. Free WiFi and limited outdoor seating are available.

Review by Zac Goldstein

More so than anything else these days, Coffeeology is a testament to the efficacy of the free market. Founded by a former employee of Tate Street Coffee, the newcomer was first to offer payment by credit card and an expanded menu. And though Tate Street has begun to catch up,  the brew-haha should serve as a reminder that competition gives us more choices and should be welcomed rather than dreaded.

Benefits to the local economy aside, Coffeeology has a lot going for it. The beverage selection is extensive. Not only does coffee come in numerous strengths, sizes and flavors (none of which, as a non-coffee drinker, I can vouch for), but you can get hot white chocolate and spiced apple cider (hot or cold) year round.

Like most coffee shops, Coffeeology has the requisite assortment of baked goods, including a respectable selection of cheesecake. But unlike other java-slingers, Coffeeology doesn’t limit itself to dessert. Breakfast is available all day long, making it possible to enjoy banana split waffles at the unlikely hour of 8 p.m. Or, conversely, you can take in a prosciutto and cheese panini in the morning (fresh fruit or chips are your side options).

The gelato is top-notch, which is a blessing considering its scarcity in Greensboro. Traditional ice cream flavors like cookies n cream comingle alongside the custard-like zuppa and other Italian specialties. Free samples make it difficult to decide on a flavor and equally hard to pass up.

The quality of Coffeeology’s potables would mean nothing, however, if they were priced prohibitively. Fortunately, they aren’t. Waffles, crepes and panini run between $5 and $7 and egg sandwiches can be had for less. Several of the desserts and specialty drinks go for more than $3, but for the more economically-minded, beverages can be found for as little as $2.

Free WiFi, pleasant cashiers, outdoor seating and a general lack of hassle all combine to make Coffeeology hard to pass up. Ironically, that very popularity is probably its biggest drawback. Lunchtime crowds make finding an open seat or getting your food quickly a risky proposition. Go off-peak though and you aren’t looking at much of a wait at all.

If its proximity to UNCG gives Tate Street a dubious culinary reputation, Coffeeology makes a compelling counterargument. Fine dining it is not, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a better spot in the neighborhood (or in much of Greensboro, for that matter) to grab something to drink or a bite to eat at a random hour.

9/10

Old Town Draught House

 

Fact File

336-379-1140

Type: Bar/Pub

Location: 1205 Spring Garden Street, Greensboro, N.C.

Price Range: Varies for drinks. All food items are less than $10

Hours: Food available from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily

Payment accepted: Cash, credit card

Overview: Located on the UNC-Greensboro campus, Old Town offers appetizers, sandwiches, salads, burgers, pizza, vegetarian dishes and southwestern fare. Outdoor seating, a jukebox, and multiple televisions are available. Food and drink specials change daily.

Review by Zac Goldstein

Fair or not, being an on-campus bar carries with it a certain stigma. You would expect a campus establishment to serve up food quickly and cheaply to student clientele who value convenience over quality. But in Old Town’s case, those expectations go out the green awning-covered window.

First and foremost, the food isn’t bad at all. The burgers and sandwiches are about what you’d expect from a sit-down place, though the meatloaf sandwich – a house specialty – is well-seasoned and decidedly above par. Ditto the chili, which is great on a cold day, but only available on special. A choice of sides allows the health-conscious to sub fresh fruit for fries and the hummus and black bean burrito should satisfy meat eaters and meat-haters alike. Only the chicken fingers, chewy and flavorless, were a disappointment.

But with better-than-expected quality comes higher-than-expected prices. Burgers and many of the sandwiches will run you $7 and even a basket of veggies or fries costs $4.50. These aren’t outlandish prices, particularly when you factor in the sides, but if you’re looking for cheap, try the food court.

Service and ambience tend to fluctuate. Sometimes, you’ll be surrounded by twenty-somethings; on other occasions, you’ll see an older crowd. On a good day, you can eat outside in the shade. On a bad one, you’ll have to shoulder your way to the bar and shout out an order. The bartenders are reasonably friendly, hard-working and fast on their feet, though there are times when they seem overburdened.

As a place to go with friends after class, Old Town is as good as you can hope for. You can take in a meal without feeling like you squandered your money or punished your stomach. But factor out the convenient location and the flaws begin to show. If you’re going out for a meal, there are certainly better options nearby.

7/10

College Hill Sundries

Fact File

(336) 370-1372

Type: Bar

Location: 900 Spring Garden Street, Greensboro, N.C.

Price Range: Varies

Payment accepted: Cash, credit card

Overview: A neighborhood staple, the bar features drink specials, a jukebox, a pool table and an outdoor area.

Review by Charles Wood of Gate City Blues

College Hill has been a staple of Greensboro for decades.  Jason Paul has owned the establishment as long as I can remember, but then again, my memory is never good after a good night of drinking there.

Its location, at the corner of Mendenhall and Spring Garden Streets, is perfect stumbling distance for a good chunk of UNCG students.  Its prices, especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when domestic bottles are only a dollar, also appeal to broke drinkers of any age.  College Hill’s patrons range from older, blue collar workers to V-neck and bad tattoo sporting hipsters.  The place, especially the boys’ bathroom, is utterly filthy but charming anyway. 

It’s a great place to drink on a Sunday afternoon on the patio with a few friends, or you can go on Tuesdays when it’s jam packed and hard to move if you want to meet new, interesting, and highly intoxicated people.  The bartenders are all nice and friendly, unless you’re rude, then they’ll treat you like the piece of shit you are. 

8/10

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Boba House

Fact File

(336) 379-7444

Type: Restaurant – Vegetarian

Location: 322 Tate Street, Greensboro, N.C.

Price Range: Most entrees under $10

Hours: Mon-Sat 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m

Payment accepted: Cash, credit card

Overview: The menu offers soups, salads, entrees and noodle dishes. Many selections can be prepared vegan. A selection of beer and wine is available and there is a different special for each day of the week.

Review by Zac Goldstein

“It doesn’t taste like meat.” Such was the verdict pronounced by a friend on Boba House’s tofu chicken and beef substitutes. It’s a valid point – for meat eaters, nothing compares to the real thing – but the faux flesh is an acquired taste rather than an inherently off-putting one.

Once you get past that, there’s a fair amount to like here. The Asian influenced menu offers everything from satay (not bad, but lacking in texture) to spring rolls (small and nothing special), but you’re better off trying something which won’t inevitably suffer in comparison (though the cheesecake can actually hold its own). Case in point: the mixed bowl, a vermicelli/vegetable stir fry with a tangy sauce and your choice of topping. The salads lean toward the exotic (avocado and calamari are among the options) and feature a complimentary blend of flavors. Whatever you get is likely to be good for you – or, at the very least, better for you than that burger or pizza you forsook by coming here.

Boba House is a small space, but not a cramped one. It’s rarely packed and bar seating ensures you won’t be waiting for a chair for long. The intimacy of the surroundings and a two-person weekend special make Boba House an attractive date destination, but you’re just as likely to run into families with little kids as you are college-aged couples.

Service is very prompt and the wait staff is personable, though you sometimes get the sense they are trying too hard to be outgoing. Pricing is plenty reasonable. Though the portions aren’t very large, just about everything on the menu runs under $10.

Better options exist for non-vegetarians, but Boba House still offers a healthy, affordable meal in a comfortable space. At the very least, it presents a compelling challenge to the notion that meatless cuisine is bland, boring or insubstantial.

7.25/10