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2 people, 1 restaurant, 25 bucks
Meals for people with big appetites and small wallets
Meals for people with big appetites and small wallets
Zebb's Deluxe Grill & Bar, which has five locations in western New York, doesn't pretend to be something it's not. This is some hearty grub (although there are lighter choices on the menu if you look hard enough), served in generous portions, which is why I took a pair of 10-year-old twins, Savannah and Delaney, with me on this lunch date. Savannah won out on providing commentary for this piece.
The mood
A contemporary diner feel with retro accents. The place has checkered tablecloths and floors, neon lights, posters of Marilyn Monroe and James Dean, and sections separated by glass block. The dining area (a bar is on the opposite side of the restaurant) is huge and draws a good lunch crowd.
The food
I've never been able to go to Zebb's without getting a burger. (The restaurant grinds its own beef in an on-premise butcher shop.) Savannah ordered a 1/3-pound Swiss Mushroom & Onion Melt burger ($7.99), served with sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions and Swiss cheese on grilled, homemade rye bread. She was over the moon for the crunch of the rye bread, the sweet onions, the tender mushrooms and the long, gooey strands of Swiss. It arrived cooked medium, as requested, and with hand-cut french fries, which were long and soft.
I went with the Combo Fajita Salad ($8.99), "a crispy tortilla filled with salad greens, marinated chicken and steak, pico di gallo, tomatoes, jack and Cheddar cheese with salsa, sour cream and guacamole." This entree would have been perfect if not for the steak, which was undercooked. (Our server brought the cut pieces to her manager, who took $3 off the bill.)
We decided to use our savings on Zebb's Chocolate Chunk Cookies (85 cents each), baked every day on-site — as are all the breads and desserts. Also on the menu: finger foods, soups, sandwiches, Southwestern and American fare.
The drinks
Zebb's serves nearly 30 beers; specials start at $2.50 for pints and tall drafts during televised sporting events. Pepsi products are $2.29 (with free refills), homemade milkshakes are $3.69 and ice cream floats and sodas are $3.29.
The damage: $21.17 ($24.17 without the $3 discount)
Next time ...
Gotta get a burger. The Southwestern ($7.99) comes with enchilada sauce, caramelized onions, pico di gallo and pepper jack cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla and served with sour cream and guacamole on the side.
