Peter H.
Yelp
OK, so I wanted to support a local business on Small Business Weekend, so I decided to try Millie's in GOOF (that's Garden Oaks - Oak Forest, for those of you in Rio Linda).
Short version: a very quaint locale with a lot of customers and pretty decent oysters, but be armed with patience and a good bottle of hot sauce.
Long version: I was craving some comfort food after the annual Thanksgiving binge, so when I found out that Millie's had both a 2-course lunch and dollar oysters on Friday, I was on it like a duck on a bug.
Here's where things go a little loco. I had no idea who my server was! One guy asks me for a drink order, then he disappears after delivering my water and I don't see him again until later.
Then a Hispanic woman behind the bar asks me for my order. Uh, who dis be? So I order a dozen on the half shell.
If there's one thing I don't like, it's not knowing who your server is. ZAP - one star gone.
Now, the one good thing about this place - hence the 3 stars - are the oysters. Not only were they freshly shucked and fat, but also delivered with a ton of condiments. Pic attached as proof.
But Millie's - do you know how to count? I only found 11 oysters on my plate. I asked for a dozen.
After trying to wave down the clueless girl behind the bar for what seemed like an eternity, the first guy (who took my drink order) finally swings by and I explain the situation. After another wait, I finally get my twelfth oyster.
Did a manager come by personally to apologize for the mishap? NO.
Was I offered anything else? NO.
ZAP - second star gone.
The oysters were OK but could have been a little saltier. Given the fact that they were so fat, I would guess that their oyster supplier probably didn't let them mature in salt water. Let me explain:
You see, in Southeast Texas and all across southern Louisiana, oyster beds are usually started in freshwater so that the oysters can grow quicker. Then, about a month or two before being harvested, they are transplanted into salt water so they can absorb the sodium and make for a delicious bivalve.
Not these oysters. They were too flabby and sweet, which necessitated a good douse of Tabasco and lots of lemons. In this instance, size didn't mean anything to me. (Yes, I know what I said, bitches!)
Anyway, the oysters were the high point of the lunch.
I ordered the 2-course express lunch, which is a steal at $17. I decided on an oyster po'boy with the andouille gumbo.
The gumbo was served piping hot, which was great. However, it was probably the blandest I've ever eaten. Plus, it too needed a lot of Tabasco to pick it up.
This experience is rare for me - I've had gumbo from all over, many of which were infinitely better. Heck, even the Pappas people know how to make gumbo - and you already know how I feel about them.
The oyster loaf was good. The oysters - 4 or 5 in all - were breaded in cornmeal and quick-fried, then served on a dressed bun like they do in New Orleans. Not bad! The accompanying salad was delicious, with the strawberry vinaigrette on the side.
What really bothered me was the whole atmosphere here. As some of the previous Yelpers have noted, service is either hit or miss. And on top of that, you could tell who the regulars were from the way the bar staff was treating them.
The real zinger was the first guy who took my drink order and then was AWOL for most of my lunch. He actually picked a fight with the Latina cantinera behind the bar, right in front of me! Uh, excuse me, but you should either take it to the back and straighten it out, or just not argue in front of the customers and let a manager sort it out.
Speaking of which - where the heck WAS the manager? It seemed as if it was nothing but controlled chaos in the front of the house. Someone needs to step up and make sure that this restaurant is running like a well-oiled machine, because it sure wasn't the case when I was there. SMH...
So - will I return? For the oysters, maybe. For the po' boy, maybe. I'll have to see if there is anything else worthy of notice here. Stay tuned, Yelpers!