Black gold, ten gallon hats, chilli and BBQ. These are a few of the things that the great state of Texas is famous for.
Now slow cooked meat, chilli sauces and margaritas, along with some of that southern hospitality, have found their way to downtown Moonah, at The Texas Pantry.
Housed in the space that was previously Split Restaurant, the Two Girls are already big fans.
If you are a meat eater, you will love this place! Slow cooked meats, sticky molasses-like saucy ribs and tortillas, are the go. The Texas Pantry does have some vegetarian options and filling sides like cornbread, frijoles borracho, pico de gallo and traditional BBQ salads like potato and coleslaw.
The Other Girl and the Lovely Deputy shared the Tex-Mex Platter at $34, a selection of three different meats; Barbacoa Beef, El Paso Pork Carnitas and Tex-Mex Chicken – accompanied by a selection of sauces, rice, beans and warm tortillas. There was meat enough for three on this platter.
This Girl had the Havana Classic Steak, $28, which also comes with rice and beans. The steak was melt in your mouth tender and delightful with the flavours of their homemade chimichurri sauce.
The consensus was that This Girl’s Devotee had the pick of the meals with his choice of the Baby Back Ribs $26. The smoky tender ribs were accompanied by potato salad, coleslaw and the best corn bread the Two Girls have eaten. Even the Lovely Deputy enjoyed it and polenta is not his friend.
The Texas Pantry is a family affair, run by Mikey and his English partner Sam who grew up in Launceston before moving to the States. Mikey is ex-construction industry, used to high pressure jobs and managing a crew of 150. He wanted a different life and started catering Texas BBQ to football games, pulled meat and salad served on grease-proof paper in the States. On a recent trip back home, they decided that Tassie offered the sort of lifestyle they’d been looking for, something a little more laid back and a place they could share the Texas flavours they love. They've been open less than two months and have already had Sam's daughter, Savannah, visiting from Texas at work, waiting tables.
They are not only producing great down to earth hearty Texan food, dressed up to restaurant standard, they are supporting local businesses. They source their meat from Ziggy’s Supreme Smallgoods and their bread from Manna Bakehouse, both within the Moonah precinct.
They also have a handful sweets available for dessert. We chose caramel and white chocolate blondie and raspberry swirl cake.The Two Girls are dessert cooks themselves and have high expectations. There was nothing standout about these homemade cakes served with blue-white icecream and aerated cream. We might need to introduce the Texas Pantry to Valhalla icecream just around the corner in Albert Road. We're already have reservations to return.
Find the Texas Pantry at 100A Main Road, Moonah.
They are open Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 3pm for breakfast and lunch and Thursday to Saturday 7pm to 9:30pm for dinner (although we booked for 6.30pm).
Definitely make a reservation if you want to eat in for dinner. Call them on 6228 4682.
Check out their menu here. If you follow them on Facebook you can keep up-to-date with their daily specials.
Other food south of the border The Two Girls like:
