F1 Bar & Grill - Odessa — Restaurant in Odessa

F1 is my new “must go” place after a movie or theatre event. My mother turned 75 years young this month and we took her to see The Witcher in Concert at the Wagner Noel. Afterwards hunger drove us to find a place open late and we made our way to F1 Bar & Grill. How fortunate we were to find this place.

We were seated next to the kitchen which made for a real treat to watch the magic happen in real-time. The lady running the line made busy look easy. Makayla was our server and did a fantastic job. Being a group of 3 adults and 4 kids, we can be a lot to handle, but not for her. She was enthusiastic, smiling, attentive, and seemed to be having fun. Most of all she was professional. In fact, all the wait staff were professional. No fewer than 5 different people in blue aprons checked on our table throughout the meal. That level of service is tough to find anywhere and nearly impossible in west Texas. I was impressed.

For appetizers we had the smoked salmon dip, the wagyu corndog, and the brisket queso. All 3 were excellent, even the corn dog. I was a bit skeptical that a corndog would make for an interesting appetizer, but Makayla assured us it was worth it to try. She was not wrong. It turned out to be a fun take on a typically ordinary dish. The kids devoured it and the queso, while my wife and my mother enjoyed the salmon dip.

Main courses were the Wagyu Smash Burger, Filet & Wedge, Club Salad, BBQ Chicken, Zydeco Salmon, Wagyu Barbacoa Tacos, and a Chopped Brisket Melt for me. I have only been a parent now for 14 years and one thing I’m sure of is good food makes for quiet children. All 4 were deeply engaged in their meal. The brisket melt was amazing along with the shoestring fries which were fun, crunchy and complimented the sandwich. Reports from around the table came in the form of “My new favorite”… Hat tip to the chefs in the kitchen.

Although some of the cocktails offered showed some inventive mixology, the only drinks ordered were two top shelf margaritas. Both received a perfect rating from my wife and the birthday girl.

In summary, beginning at 10:00 at night, F1produced a refined yet relaxed atmosphere, 10 amazing dishes to satisfy the harshest critics (my children), 2 five-star margaritas, and without equal the most attentive and cheerful waitstaff in the Permian Basin, all in under an hour’s...

We had The truffle honey fried chicken with mashed potatoes and mac and cheese, G money Burger with fries, brisket queso & chips, banana pudding, and a famous butter cake. Let's start with the bad or needs improvement: The mac and cheese had pimento on it, wasn't a big fan, and needed seasoning. They could have used some of the seasoning from the oversalted string fries but the cheese itself was good and creamy. Mashed potatoes were good (no gravy) people in Texas need gravy! The honey chicken was cooked well and had a really well textured batter. The burger was just a burger. I thought I was getting a bacon cheeseburger, but got "bacon jam" whatever that is. Would of like to have some real bacon. Brisket queso was ok but got it's flavor all from the brisket and was a skimpy portion, and it had large pieces of cilantro on top as a garnish that should have been somewhat chopped. They have a large selection of beer on tap and they were cold and kegs were fresh. Now the deserts is where our dinner excelled. The butter cake was rich with flavor and the vanilla ice cream and raspberries complimented it well. The banana pudding has caramelized bananas on top and the cookie crumbles were delicious also the pudding was great. We weren't served with spoons with our dessert and we had to ask for them. Was disappointed that they were already out of the barbacoa tacos even though it wasnt that late. This menu could use another Mexican dish, maybe some sort of comfort food. The place is nice but the ambiance isn't all there. At least what I saw in the dining rooms. It lacks identity and the music they were playing needs work. Prices are a bit high per some of these items but entrees are substantially portioned. You know your gonna pay some money when your waitress pours you water with one hand behind her back! All in all place is decent and worth...

My family visited the opening week so take this all with a grain of salt, please F1 if you could locate that salt.

Our server was great but new to the place, we asked if they had a kids menu and were told no but they do it just isn't given during seating. The water and normal drinks kept coming no issue so there is that, the beer drug it's feet getting to the table.

The chips and queso can exit the menu, the chips are thick similar to pita chips with no to low salt and the queso has a hint of ranch seasoning. If I wanted Cool Ranch Doritos I'd go to the store, it's not great when Torchys has you beat.

The Mac and Cheese tastes like the queso but with more ranch seasoning and noodles, I don't know what this choice is but I don't like it.

The burger was clearly good as my wife and kids ate theirs no issue.

I ordered the NY strip that came with mashed potatoes and a chocolate stout. The steak was very well cooked possibly sous vide as it was tender and perfectly medium rare yet lean, or it's just a really good cut of beef with a really good grill master. The butter on the steak offers little as the steak is missing its crown, SALT, yes it had finishing salt but that's steak flair not the flavor setter. The mashed potatoes were perfectly smooth and buttery but again, why no salt. The stout was excellent yet a little pricey but I understand it's a restaurant in 2025 some joints around here serve what is basically Kool aid for almost $7.

All in all would I visit again? Sure, but I'd let it get some age on it. Would I go with a family with young kids? Eh, I'd actually have to see the kids menu as the majority of the menu is a bit out of their comfort zone and my wallet zone for food that...