Marfa's Miniature Rooster

In the town known as "delightfully quirky," Marfa offers yet another surprise.  Out here in Far West Texas--in the land of chicken fried steak and tacos--Marfa's Miniature Rooster restaurant serves the head-turning combination of Indian and Southern food.  We're talking chickpea curry and pakoras and fried chicken and waffles at the same meal, if you want it. 

Can we pause a moment and talk about the fried chicken and waffles?  At first, this combo seems an extreme indulgence to our non-Southern palates--yet, when it arrived at our table we fell instantly in love with its spicy, sweet, soft, crunchy, perfectly prepared juiciness.

The folks at the Rooster perform similar magic on simple vegetables.  We've swooned over their acorn squash (with lime and Hawaiian black sea salt), their beets (braised in balsamic vinegar and served with boiled egg and arugula) and roasted cauliflower (in vinaigrette with capers and tarragon).  In fact, we've been inspired to order all-vegetable, and thoroughly satisfying meals of their small plates and starters.

Those small plates, sides and starters run $3-8.  Entrees include Pork, Beans and Greens; Shrimp and Grits; and Steak and Eggs; cost $14-20.  And the "Low Country Miniature Rooster," a whole roasted game hen with asparagus vinaigrette, potato puree and gravy is $18.

Save room for the desserts.  Our favorite?  The Gateaux de Isle, a rum soaked cake with pineapple and coconut, and a generous dollop of real whipped cream on the side.

Miniature Rooster--1300 W. San Antonio (Hwy 90) is open Tuesdays-Saturdays for dinner starting at 5:30 pm.