Restaurant Review

Friday, September 29, 2000

Oasis proves a refreshing experience

Tasty tacos, balanced nachos take center stage at Premont restaurant

 

While making the hour-long trek from Corpus Christi to the Oasis Restaurant in Premont, as my companion's stomach growled and my head grew light from hunger, both of us prayed aloud that the food would be good. We weren't disappointed.
   We had called ahead for directions, and the suggestion was to cut through Kingsville to catch U.S. Highway 281 south. We decided to go through Alice - a mistake because we were a half-hour late for our reservation. Not a problem at this place. We got the best service we have ever received in the Corpus Christi area. Because the hostess knew we were coming a long way, she said she assumed we were running late and held our table.
   Friday night was mariachi night, and the place was packed with dove hunters in camouflage, older couples dressed for an evening out and families filling long tables decorated with balloons for a celebration.
   Our waiter greeted us promptly and took our drink order. We asked for soft drinks, which were attentively replenished all evening. He also brought a basket filled with corn tortilla chips still hot from the fryer. The accompanying salsa was thinner than we would have preferred, but it contained just the right amount of cilantro.
   We ordered nachos as an appetizer after our waiter told us it was the most popular selection on the menu.
   They arrived with the perfect blend of beans, cheese, beef and guacamole. Somehow the cook prepared the dish so that each chip had enough topping without losing its crunch.
   For dinner I was undecided and mentioned to our waiter that I'd always wanted to try carne guisada and pan de campo. He teasingly bemoaned my lack of culinary experience and was back in a flash with a sampling of a rich beef mixture with chunks of tender meat in gravy and a square of bread that was crusty on the outside and soft within. It was perfect for dipping into the tasty carne guisada.
   He asked if I wanted to order the dish, but I said I wanted to have a little of everything. I ordered the Special Mexican Dinner, which included two enchiladas, two tacos, one chalupa, rice and beans. My companion ordered chicken fried steak, which came with fries and a salad.
   The arrival of our meals was timed perfectly - we had finished our appetizer and enjoyed a few extra minutes listening to the mariachi band before our dinners were served.
   My companion's chicken fried steak was enough for two and was covered in a thick, chicken-based gravy. It was a decent cut of meat and fried for just long enough to stay tender. The fries were average, but plenty hot.
   My meal arrived on two plates. The crispy beef taco was the best I'd ever tasted. The meat was moist without being greasy and well-flavored without being overpowered with spices. The chicken that filled the second taco was prepared the same way as the chicken in the enchilada. The meat was not overcooked and had a mild taste. The only downfall of the meal was the rice, which contained an overpowering amount of cumin.
   For dessert we shared a piece of homemade lemon meringue pie. The meringue was light and fluffy, but the lemon filling was a little too sweet.
   The restaurant was a welcome and refreshing reprieve from a long drive south - and we'd gladly take the longer shortcut just to taste those tacos again.
  
  Oasis Restaurant
  303 S. Broadway St., Premont
  (361) 348-3917
  Hours: 5 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday-Saturday; 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday
  Entrees: $3 (kids menu) to $9.55
  Checks: Yes
  Credit Cards: Yes
  Full bar
  Wheelchair accessible
  Food: ** 1/2
  Service: ***
  Atmosphere: **
  

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