Blue Oak Grill - How to Avoid an RIP for a place that doesn't deserve it?

[hnewburn]

You'll come for the free cornbread and stay for the rest of the food. The cornbread is killer, almost fried in honey and butter and served in a small cast iron skillet.

The food is here is fantastic. Helluva chicken fried steak and fantastic burger. Nice selection of salads, soups and seafood that looked excellent. The sides are phenomenal, the green beans were my favorite, but mashed potatoes, mac & cheese and broccoli rice casserole were big hits.

The only problem - It's behind a bunch of restaurants at 3406 & I-35. Johnny Carriono's, Sawgrass, Cracker Barrel are all full and this place is dead. These guys are doing all the right things and need some Chow Love.

Service was good, not great, and a couple of nits - not enough bacon, a hard egg on the burger (which they said I just can order the egg runny next time) but we are definitely headed back.

I know it's far north for most of you, but it's worth the trip. Head up and bring a friend.

[redhatcharm]

Drove to Blue Oak for lunch today and they have permanently closed. I'm sad. I liked Blue Oak. RIP

[ericthered]

There seems to be a lot of this going around. A new place opens and a few months later it's gone. What slays me is that good places close while the "breasturaunts" (Brick House, Bone Daddy's) pack them in. Says a lot about peoples taste buds because to me they are all forgetable.

[Defman]

I ate there a few weeks ago, it was just OK at best. The "corncake" rocks, totally loved that. CFS was OK, nothing special. "Mashed Red Potatoes" came out of a box, no red to be seen.... Table could use a good scrubbing, kind of greasy with lots of glass rings. The service was good though, that helps a lot.

[yum72]

ate here a couple weekends ago with spouse and kiddo. went late afternoon and place was practically deserted. however, there was an abundant amount of staff. even so took quite a while to get drink order. staff was pleasant. food was slow coming, too. i had plain cheeseburger and fries. my burger was juicy and had great flavor and i loved the thick cut steak fries. daughter enjoyed her "make your own pizza" and blueberry lemonade. hubby had the bleu cheese stuffed burger. said was good but after having bite of mine said his wasn't nearly as good. plus he's not a fan of the sweet buns that so many places are using now. if we lived a bit close we'd probably return and give it another try. can't honestly say that we'll go back, though. i do hope they can make a go of it as it's not a chain, but i think the location kinda stinks.

[WSZsr]

Had dinner there tonight. Good service, good cornbread. The chicken fried steak was very forgettable. The breading was not cooked all the way through and was a bit doughy. Wife had a cobb salad which was ok. The place has weird vibes too.

[nytexan]

i live in round rock its better than most chains but i woiuldnt come up from austin just to try iy.

[dinaofdoom]

some of you may be interested in the blue oak grille deal today from ad pages:
$15 for $30
Expires 10/5/2011

http://deals.adpages.com/austin/12883
(there are a few other deals too, like the noble pig).

[girloftheworld]

Must agree! I want to scream at the people waiting on Cracker Barrel front porch " Hey guys over here!!!!" The Chicken Fried steak far better!! and the corn bread oooooohhhhhhhhh yummmmy!!!!! Our server was very good .

[Rene]

I saw on their website that they are participating in the Taste of Round Rock next Tuesday. It's from 6:00 - 8:00 at the Dell Diamond.

[redhatcharm]

I agree. Great skillet of hot cornbread. I went on a Sat. and had great meal and great service. It's nice inside and can't wait to come back.
http://www.blueoakgrill.com/index.html
I don't see it on current website, but they used to have a different lunch special entree M-Fri. Turkey and Dressing was one (Mon. I think). Would love to try that!!!

[hnewburn]

Had meatloaf when I went this week, it was very tasty, had a bit of gristle, but otherwise very good. However, the tortilla chicken soup was just fantastic. I'm not much of a soup person, but since it was cold, I ordered it and could have just had a couple of bowls of it for my meal.

[redhatcharm]

I forgot to say they lean towards a "home cooking" brand. Lot's of fresh veggies as sides and apparently homemade yummy soups.

[dinaofdoom]

thanks for posting.
not too recently, someone posted asking for recs near ikea, and this place is definitely on the way.

[DevoBevo]

Yelp peps give Blue Oak Grill some good ratings, def checking it out in the near future, SICK AND TIRED of the big chains in RR, support the locals with great food!!!

[dinaofdoom]

the cornbread description is making me drool.

[missmitzi]

The kids menu actually has grilled chicken listed. That in itself is a miracle. I can't wait to try this place. Thanks for the heads up!