A True Happy Hour

So it's early Saturday evening about 4 and Stella and I are sans kids and hungry. We thought it might be nice to try and find a happy hour and have a small dinner. I knew that Tomfooleries had a good happy hour and I seemed to remember that it was good on Saturday. A quick internet search confirmed that Tomfooleries does indeed have a rocking good happy hour on Saturdays (and everyday from 4-7) with 9 small plates for $2.95.

On this occasion the drinks didn't really matter because we were mainly after a bit of a snack before we caught a movie. We were able to grab the last table in the bar area, though there were several seats at the bar. As we were trying to decide what to order we were treated to that evening's Tomfooleries entertainment, two jackasses sitting at the next table discussing a fantasy baseball draft in 1997. Despite the annoyance we were able to come up with and place our order. We were going to split an order of jalapeno poppers, Stella was going to have the southwest chicken eggrolls (I was so close to ordering those for the raspberry habanero sauce) and I was going to get the fish and chips.

Stella makes fun of me because I order fish and chips a lot and I'm usually disappointed in the fish (similar to my sweet potato fries dilemma). Typically the fish ends up overcooked and ends up being dry and chewy and I have trouble choking it down. I'm happy to report that Tomfooleries fish and chips were nearly perfect. The batter was tasty, well fried and not greasy. The fish was cooked perfectly, it was juicy, flaky and tasty. Just. Stellar. I haven't kept a spreadsheet rating my fish and chip experiences like Jason Preu but I'm pretty sure that Tomfooleries has the best fish and chips in the city. I should also mention that the chips were waffle fries and they were quite tasty as well. They were perfectly seasoned and didn't need any ketchup or anything. Probably the best waffle fries I've had (though I try to avoid waffle fries).

Stellas southwest eggrolls were equally fabulous. The raspberry habanero sauce was put on each eggroll very subtly so that you just had a hint of the sauce with each bite. I prefer that method to getting a cup full of sauce and dipping each bite. Then all you're doing is using the eggroll as a sauce delivery tool. This way the sauce was a flavor enhancer, not a flavor killer.

The jalapeno poppers were probably the worst thing we had, though that is not insulting to the poppers. They were quite good but they were prepared in the way that I don't like. They only have one side of the jalapeno, so it's not really a stuffed jalapeno, it's just a jalapeno boat. I know that they are much hotter with both sides of the jalapeno, but I enjoy the burn. I also would have like the raspberry habanero sauce to dip my poppers in, but was instead given ranch dressing. I'm not a fan. On the whole the poppers were about average.

But, with 3 beers and 3 small plates we got out of our happy hour meal for under $20 with tip. True, we drank Miller Lites, but that is still a pretty good deal for 2 people to eat. Plus, we really enjoyed our little meal which is a plus. I've been hungry for those fish and chips every meal since which is my sign of a really great meal. I don't think this is a happy hour that can be beat south of the River Market (Harry's County Club).

Happy Hour Food . . . $2.95
Peanut Butter Fried Chicken Sticks
Quarter Pound Cheese Burger with Caramelized Onions & Instead Sauce
Fish & Chips with Tartar Sauce
Southwest Chicken Eggrolls with Raspberry Habanero Sauce
Grilled Thai Chicken Sticks
Jalapeno Poppers stuffed with Cream Cheese
Ballpark Cheese Nachos
Pepperoni Pizza
Fried Mozzarella with Marinara
Jalapeno & Cheese Stuffed Pretzel