The Turtle Restaurant — Restaurant in Brownwood

After reading in Zagat that this restaurant was worth a road trip from Austin, we took a detour to Brownwood on our way to Dallas. The drive was pleasant, windy country roads with wide open spaces. When we arrived, admittedly early 5:30P on a Thursday evening, we were their only customers. We were seated and told the Lasagna was not available. We ordered 2 glasses of wine, one of which was not in stock. The server gushed about the beet salad and convinced us it was a must order, which we did. A few minutes later she told us it wasn’t available either, they didn’t have any beets. So we ordered the wedge, which was really the only other option. Unfortunately, even though this should be an easy home run item, the iceberg was a hard lump of yellowish bitter lettuce. There was nothing about this salad that elevated the meal in any way. We then focused our attention to the appetizers & ordered the Pimento Cheese fritters with the tomato jam. They did not disappoint, they were creamy with a little spice and the jam was a perfect accompaniment. As for the entrees, we typically split because neither of us likes to be stuffed. However noticing an $8.00 charge for split entrees we decide to each order a meal. My husband had the veal flank steak & with a glowing review from the server about the crab cakes (& my husbands prodding) I ordered them. The flank steak was seasoned nicely but what should have been a melt in your mouth piece of meat seemed to have an excessive amount of chew. The crab cakes, hmm where to start. They were screaming hot in temperature as if they’d been dropped in the deep-fat fryer versus a gentle pan sauté. The maque choux corn was tasty but plated in such a way that it looked very unappetizing. Like a corn/tomato soup thrown up on a flat plate with 2 crab cakes sitting on top of it. It would have been much more appealing in a flat bowl. Loving dessert we decided we’d try the Entremet Cake listed on the menu. Surprise, it wasn’t available either. We opted for an affogato. It was well made and the homemade vanilla gelato was quite good. To sum it up, the appetizer was worthy as well as the gelato, everything else about the meal was marginal at best. With tax & tip this meal set us back just North of $150. Needless to say, we won’t be taking Zagat’s detour advice again. We’ll drive into Dallas & enjoy a truly good meal somewhere like Neighborhood Services, Houston’s or Paul Martin’s... where you won’t feel taken if you drop $150 and all the items listed on the menu will be available. Oh and when we left, we were still the only...

YUMM! If you are looking for lunch, or dinner in Brownwood this is your place!! I know they also do brunch and can only imagine how incredible it is based off our experience tonight.

We started with the Brussels sprouts (not pictured) (& I like to think I am a Brussels sprouts connoisseur) and these literally made my top 2 list. Sooo crispy, but not charred. The sprinkled Parmesan and balsamic glaze was the perfect touch to balance the extreme saltiness (in a good way, these were heavily seasoned).. even if you don’t like Brussels sprouts, these will change your mind. A 100% must try menu item.

🚨WARNING🚨 If you have sensory issues avoid the curried fig and poblano chicken dish. This is a sensory overload in the absolute best way possible. The abundance of different flavors and textures going on in just one single plate… astounding. Decadent creamy curry meets sweet HOME GROWN in the back of this place fig, thinly sliced poblano spicy peppers, and a largeeee portion of chopped chicken breast, paired with coconut rice garnished w/ home grown basil - this screams home made from scratch, and “ready for seconds” as the kids would say.. I wanted to literally lick my plate clean.. and was so tempted to.. but there was too many people around, so I regretfully refrained.

My boyfriend got the coconut basil gelato & he polished it off before he could even come up for air. Such a unique flavor - was so good and so lite. You dont feel guilty eating a double scoop!

Trevor was our server and knew the menu inside and out. He was very polite and attentive and had great conversation with us throughout the course of our meal. Never made us feel rushed even as we were still there approaching closing time.

We will be back next time we’re...

The service was horrible. The main room of the restaurant was left to the charge of a child who by his own admission had only been there 2 days. Only 3 tables were occupied but I guess because I was alone I was seated at a small table in the front window (it was a cold evening so not a comfortable place to sit). It turned out that the child was not my waiter instead i got a female who had just rolled out of bed and obviously didn't want to be there. My very small pour of a very mediocre Pino was served in a dirty glass and it took me forever to get her attention to get a new glass which i am pretty sure was the same one with the rim wiped clean. After 30 minutes she finally came and took my order. I ordered a salad and Jägerschnitzel. I never got the salad. The food was ok but the cook obviously doesn't know how to make Spätzle (I was so looking forward to it). It took about 30 minutes to get my food. I ate without interruption never once asked if i need anything else, i did need some salt because the red cabbage was very sour. Then I sat there with a finished dirty plate in my face for 30 minutes. I finally got the child's attention and ask for creme brule (also looking forward it). About 20 minutes later I was presented with a passable pudding with a thick syrup on top not the delicate crunchy sugar film it's supposed to be. In total I was sitting there for almost 2 hours ok if you have others to talk to but not if your sitting alone on "bench W". My bill was $56 and though it goes against all my principles I did not leave a tip. Don't waste your time or money...