Botak Jones @ Toa Payoh

I kept hearing about Botak Jones over Power 98, and subsequently reading it on the newspaper.

It kept boasting about their juicy burgers and the authentic All-American food. Well, hard to believe when everywhere is using that same phrase.

In my own view, the mini beef burgers at Ice Cold Beer (ICB) are the best! REAL juicy beef patties that splatter once you sink your teeth in. On top of that, the cheese and thick tomato slice didn't help stop my saliva mixed with the juices from dripping from the side of my mouth! Oh and not forgetting the chunky fries!! All these for only $15+++ or so for 3 mini beef burgers & fries? (I'm missing it already)

So I definitely have to try myself what this Botak Jones is all about, especially when my friends who introduced me ICB's have gone to try themselves. (Luckily, they've not betrayed ICB!)

I chose the branch at 970A, Toa Payoh North, which is very near to KY's home. And we'd to rush to Bishan Junction 8 for 'Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull'.

It was a large place with a few stalls still opened by the time we'd reached there. Most probably, the place may be busier during the week days when serving those who work around the area.

Most of the people came with the same purpose as us.

The menu was like an excursion's itineary over a week. Too many words in their 'stories' didn't help but confuse me.

So, we ordered a How's Salad (basically house salad), a regular Black Pepper Chicken and a regular Fish & Chips. They offer choice of 2 sides for the chicken, but KY said that they never asked him.

They did informed that the waiting time would be 20-30mins.

While waiting for the food to come, I noticed this pretty stall that sells anything choc; brownies, fondue, cakes & etc.

That's probably for a person's share.

The house salad is really worth $4, even though it's quite plain. Well, what do you expect from a house salad?? In the plate are lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, cheese, olives and thousand island.

And the food came in less than 20 mins, one-by-one.

Black Pepper Chicken

I forgot that I was eating chicken because my taste buds were absorbed by the black pepper aroma. The chicken was tender too.

Fish & Chips

We'd wanted to order a large portion to share, but luckily we didn't! $6.50 for the regular course was far more worthy. There were 2 big chunks of fish, crispy yet not too over-coated with the flour batter. The fries were not your usual kinda plain ol fried potato strips , as I believed that they'd been processed with some seasoning or cheese.

Overall, food and service are good at an affordable price. The only minus point is the menu and if the choice of sides are actually valid. Or is it possible that they could only provide fries and coleslaw as the only alternatives that night?

I came home to find this on the dining table. My bro exclaimed how good it taste. But I don't always trust his taste. Most of the time, he's only half right!

Not exactly fantasticly great, I think. But good enough for a snack during office tea-time.

I shared it with my colleagues. Reviews were pretty good. Mr Tan, who always gives a constructive comment, found it similar to Don's chicken pie.