Nick's Taste Of Texas - Covina

From the outside, Nick’s Taste of Texas doesn’t look particularly appealing, but stepping inside revealed a spacious area with long communal tables stretching from one end to the other. To order, you go to the counter, receive a number, and wait for your order to be called. My niece, who accompanied me, ordered chicken soup while I went for the brisket and dessert. We decided to share a funnel cake. While we waited, there was a self-service chip and salsa bar to satisfy our appetites. There were only two or three salsa options, but the one I chose tasted fresh and had a nice kick to it. Finally, our food arrived. My niece’s chicken soup was large enough to serve two and came with tortillas and Mexican fried rice. She is usually a picky eater and rarely orders soup, so I was surprised she chose this dish; however, she said she enjoyed it. Just by looking at it, I could see they were generous with the meat, and the broth looked clear and light, which is always a good sign. As for the barbecue beef brisket, it wasn’t particularly exciting. I understand that brisket is a cheaper cut of meat that requires slow cooking to become tender, and for the most part, it was indeed tender. However, the meat lacked a strong “beefy” flavor, tasting rather bland overall. The BBQ sauce was a bit sweet, which I liked, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression—it felt like just an afterthought. I fulfilled my craving, but I definitely wasn’t satisfied. The real highlight of the meal was the tortillas. They were some of the best flour tortillas I’ve ever had: thick, soft, and fluffy. On their own, they would be wonderful with butter or as a snack with salsa. Unfortunately, the sides didn’t impress; neither the rice nor the salad stood out. I had high hopes for dessert—after all, how could anyone mess up funnel cake? Well, they did. We were served funnel cake that was overcooked. I would have sent it back for a fresh order that was just lightly golden brown, but I wasn’t sure if they would get it right the second time either. Perhaps the cook mistook it for a darker caramel color? At least the soup was good, and the tortillas were fantastic. However, I don’t plan on returning to Nick's Taste of Texas anytime soon. It’s frustrating to really look forward to a meal and be left disappointed. If I get that craving again, I’ll have to seek out a different place.