Home cooked meals around the corner
by Bernie Scheffler, ne news editor

    (Part one in a four-part series on independent diners)

   Students on NE Campus looking for delicious alternatives to cafeteria fare have nearby options.

   While some students complain about the quality of cafeteria food and high prices, others simply prefer to leave campus and eat in a calmer atmosphere.

   “I would much rather go to a little restaurant and have someone wait on me. Plus, it’s nice to take a break and get off campus,” Ian Watson, NE Campus student, said.

   Many small family-owned restaurants near campus offer quick, inexpensive lunches to satisfy limited time and budgets.

   ReRe’s Grill, at Harwood and Brown Trail, is one of the newer additions to the NE dining scene.

   Kurt Kampfhenkel, owner, opened the restaurant last year after leaving Fort Worth’s famed Reata Restaurant, where he was a chef.

   ReRe’s offers a variety of lunches, most with a Southwestern flavor. In addition to third- and half-pound burgers, ReRe’s serves quesadillas, tacos and one-pound burritos.

   The burgers are fresh and not too greasy, and they are served with seasoned fries. A burrito at ReRe’s is a meal in itself, stuffed with a pound of rice, beans, choice of meats and toppings. A vegetarian burrito also is available.

   Most meals are around $5.

   Kampfhenkel says his specialty is the fish taco, which is served with a unique mango salsa.

   “I make all of my salsas fresh every day,” he said.

   The service at ReRe’s is friendly, with a distinct family feel.

   Kampfhenkel’s wife, Maile, is often present and waiting tables or cooking.

   Even the menu is family oriented. Each of Kampfhenkel’s children has his or her favorite dish named after him or her.

   ReRe’s is a tiny restaurant, but Kampfhenkel is currently building a patio for nice weather seating.

   Joe’s Pasta and Pizza, at 420 Grapevine Highway, is another small operation near NE Campus.

   Joe’s offers inexpensive lunch specials on weekdays, including spaghetti with choice of sauces, tortellini alfredo and a combo plate.

   According to Joe’s waitstaff, the combo plate is the most popular lunch plate. It consists of lasagna, stuffed manicotti and a stuffed shell. The plate is served so hot, the sauce still bubbles with steam.

   For around $5, these specials come with a salad and bread. The house dressing on the salad is excellent, prompting one diner to proclaim it his favorite part of the meal.

   Beyond lunch specials, patrons can also choose from a menu featuring a full variety of Italian cuisine.

   Also worth mentioning are Joe’s desserts, including New York style cheesecake and cannoli. The cannoli is a special treat: crispy flaky crust surrounding a sweetened ricotta cheese and chocolate chip filling.

   Service at Joe’s is quick and sufficiently friendly.

   For classic Tex-Mex dining, students can try Miguelito’s Mexican restaurant.

   Miguelito’s now has two locations; both are near NE Campus. The original location is at 209 W Bedford-Euless Rd. in Hurst. The new location is at 5224 Colleyville Blvd. in Colleyville.

   Miguelito’s has a number of affordable lunch specials, including favorites like taco salad, fajitas or enchiladas. The beef enchiladas are tasty, served smothered in chili with refried beans and rice.

   Service at Miguelito’s is quite friendly, and the kitchen’s speed is impressive. Meals are delivered hot and timely.

   Bayley’s is a small eatery serving homestyle cooking at Harwood and Norwood.

   Bayley’s serves a variety of American food, as well as a few dishes from other culinary genres. The food is tasty, but freshness is suspect, as all side dishes were not heated all the way through.

   Service at Bayley’s was not stellar, but not abominable either.

   Finally, one of the better lunch values near NE campus is not even found in a restaurant.

   Giza Specialty Foods, at 510 Harwood Rd., is a small independent grocer, specializing in imported Egyptian foods.

   But, Giza also serves sandwiches at bargain prices. The gyro sandwiches are large and loaded with fresh vegetables and sauce for just $3. For just $2, patrons can get “kofta” (seasoned beef) or shish-kabob sandwiches.

   Giza also offers authentic baklava for dessert. Flaky and delicately sweet, the baklava is 50 cents.