Oak Forest Eateries

As in my previous post Oak Forest eateries are now providing us foodies w/ even more options! My 2 Oak Forest favorites - El Rey & Plonk.

Where to start? El Rey is not new, but Oak Forest was their first location and have expanded to 4 locations - Washington, I10/Bunker Hill and Downtown. This one just located off Ella and 34th, at a very busy neighborhood/commercial intersection. Many people drive by not knowing the deliciousness inside b/c it looks just like a regular Taqueria - but read carefully its "Cuban & Mexican Cuisine." I think I have gotten 1 Mexican thing here, I go Cuban all the way...I always pretty much order the same thing either the Cuban Taco which is by far one of the best taco's I have ever had in my life, the Ropa Vieja plate or taco and/or the Ceviche. Let's begin with the Cuban taco and what in store for you inside of the warm tortilla - which by the way you can get in flour, corn or WHEAT! Beef or Chicken, black beans, plantains & a hint of sour cream! Ropa Vieja means "old clothes" in Spanish & this is the best, juiciest, shreeded beef you have ever had. The plate includes rice and beans and if you get the tacos, it comes alone. Watch your clothes b/c this will get you messy! My mouth is watering just thinking about it! Now, if you are hot & humid in our hellish weather, want a way to cool down? How about some ceviche! This is tender, juicy, limey marinated fish, topped w/ avocado, pico & yummy mango! Not your regular ceviche but to me, much, much better! Another favorite is the grilled fish w/ Habanero Mayo, spicy and creamy and I order w/o the cabbage and always on Wheat. If you come by here in the morning make sure to try the cafe con leche, it'll warm you up and get you ready for the day! Visit http://www.elreytaqueria.com for more information.

Plonk - located on 43rd and Ella is the area's hippest year old beer and wine cafe. Plonk doesn't necessarily roll off the tongue but the logo intrigued me ( I got a postcard in the mail) and there was nothing else in the neighborhood with such a twist and quirky attitude. Decided to ride my bike there one afternoon and have a drink and some pizza. Wow! It was crispy & tasty! The menu constantly changes to keep up with local, fresh ingredients. It's nicely decorated, modern bar, and quaint with a nice patio & totally welcoming. Fits perfectly in between Oak Forest & Garden Oaks at the end of a new shopping center with neighbors like Massage Envy, Wells Fargo in front, Signature Kroger and many other amenities that are just walking, biking or driving distance. Come to Oak Forest and experience El Rey or Plonk!

Your happy resident of Oak Forest,
Jenny Vargas
Realtor, CNE
281.948.2951
Jenny@MyPlaceinHouston.com

Oak Forest

My all time favorite neighborhood in Houston. I am so grateful to have bought a home in this area b/c I instantly fell in love w/ it. I had seen it growing up b/c I worked just down the street but never really thought much about it & never realized the potential & how unbelievably close it was to EVERYTHING. Oak Forest is like nothing else (well close in amenities & Inner Loop like Idylwood & of course gorgeous Garden Oaks) & its still affordable. Plus, there are lots of people that have lived in this neighborhood forever (& don't want to leave) & are astonished at all the changes. Homes are relatively small 2-3 bedrooms, 1 bath but many are remodeled & have been added on to or have been torn down & completely rebuilt. So you can pretty much find anything you are looking for, old to new, small to large, etc. The neighborhood was started in the 1940's & now has over 5,000 homes and over 24k residents. The neighborhood is super charming & inviting w/ lots of large, shading trees, parks everywhere & bike/walking trails. Not only is Oak Forest right outside of the loop (literally less than 5 minutes) but its close to many major freeways - 610, i10, 290 and 45. You can take back ways anywhere from here, that's great for those of us who like to avoid traffic. Houses usually contain hardwood throughout & since are typically small the lot is enormous & keeps you a good distance from neighbors. Lots are typically 7,000sf & deed restrictions don't allow you to combine lots so this has helped keep the integrity of the size.

Oak Forest has grown and there is a lot to keep you in the neighborhood when it comes to shopping & convenience & service: a Signature Kroger, tanning salon, all the banks, a credit union, Dollar Store, Dollar General, Palais Royal, a new Ross, Walgreens, CVS, antique shops, Bally's, hair salons, nail salons, Massage Envy, churches & liquor store. Not to mention on the other side of the freeway (610) you have Memorial hospital, Lowes & Home Depot. If you keep going down 34th headed to 290 you will find a vast array of options, restaurants, Randalls & smaller grocery stores, Sonic, Jason's Deli, Radio Shack, Citi Trends, shoe stores, Starbucks, TMobile, Academy, Luby's and a few more things, you name it, we got it.

When it comes to food, you can get almost any fast food off of Ella - McDonald's, Arby's, Taco Bell, KFC, Burger King, & pizza etc. Mom & pop shops in the area: Doyle's, Raznovsky's Hamburgers, Mexican restaurants, & Chinese etc. Newer places in Oak Forest include: Baskin Robbins, Plonk, El Rey, & many more!

Come by Oak Forest or learn more below...
For more information visit www.jennyvargas.com
For the wiki definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Forest,_Houston
HOA is voluntary, but for more info visit: http://www.ofha.org/our_community.html

Regards,
Jenny Vargas
Resident of Oak Forest
Realtor, CNE
281.948.2951
Jenny@MyPlaceinHouston.com