Finding Hidden Treasures

Published 9/11/2011

Finding Hidden Treasures

The Retired Cooks Diary

By Suzette Pennington Munson

Hello everyone, after a long hot summer we have returned from vacation and finally after September 1, we are beginning to settle down to a regular routine.

I know everyone has been excited to enjoy a few days of cool weather. After all it is Texas in September and frankly, it may be fall everywhere else but it is still summer in Texas.

Recently I looked thru the new telephone directory. Amazed that they still print one since everyone is going to Cell phones for their primary phone, I was in search of a Chinese restaurant that I had been hearing about in Bridgeport. The listing did not give directions so I placed a message on Face Book and low and behold I found the location.

One of the things I look for in a restaurant is whether or not they understand their clientele. Of course the food is the star of my research, but I want to know if they do what they do well and don’t spread themselves all over the map with a complicated menu and failure to make good food.

The location I visited was the EXXON Truck Stop 99 on Us Hwy 380 and Hwy 101 in Bridgeport.

All the local truck drivers recognize this address I am sure. Rock truck and long haul drivers of all shapes and of all colors were pulling in to fill up their trucks and their stomach.

Meeting Cindy and John Tak was a pleasure. Cindy explained that she and John had been working in Bridgeport for about 4 years. They do not pretend to be anything other than a “Fast” food place. They offer all the usual truck stop variety of quick, carry out and eat in a hurry food. Everything from a Breakfast menu which includes biscuit sandwiches and pancakes to a lunch and 24 HOUR hot menu including Deli Hamburgers, Blt’s , Fajitas , burrito’s and of course my favorite, Chinese Take Out.

The Chinese Menu is limited to the things which most locals recognize. Chicken Teriyaki, Spicy Chicken Teriyaki, Beef Teriyaki, Chicken Chow Mein, Shrimp Chow Mein, Fried Rice of 3 varieties and of course egg rolls.

Now don’t go expecting gourmet Chinese food. I am not sure you could go that far, but all the ingredients are fresh, there is no MSG and everything is cooked while you are waiting. No hot on the steam table food here. The menu is limited but what they do is excellent! I have not had Fried Rice as good as the Tak’s outside of the metroplex.

Talking to Cindy I realized that she and John are doing what they do right and meeting the clientele on their level. Knowing what people will eat and eat a lot of, is important in this day and age. It helps the little guy stay in business for the long term.

John and Cindy are Korean by origin and I love Korean food. May be one day they will add a little kimchee or Korean Spicy Steak to the menu. If they don’t it doesn’t matter I will go back again for the Shrimp Fried Rice or the Chicken Teriyaki.

So if you are in Bridgeport or have the time to drive over, take a stop at the EXXON and try the hidden treasure in their deli section I know you will enjoy anything on their menu.