It’s tough being a gulf oyster. The BP oil spill devastated Louisiana oyster beds, and then a historic Texas drought reduced river flows into Galveston Bay, seriously increasing the bay’s salinity. Predators and disease are thriving and threatening the already hobbled industry. Now the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality has…
Debbie Hays, from BW’s Famous Fried Ribs at the State Fair of Texas, tells me she’s been serving up fried ribs at the fair for 24 years. Twenty-four freaking years? How the dong have I never had these things? Hays says, “Seriously, how have you not tried them? They’re not…
Island Spot is a new vendor at the State Fair of Texas this year and along with this open-flame-grilled jerk chicken, jerk sausage (note: it’s on the menu as “jerk sausage,” not “the hand job” or “the hanje”) and jerk tofu (for all you vegetarians), they’re serving up — wait…
In preparation for Greek Fest I was warned: “Beware of bees with your loukomades.” The fried dough balls, dripping with honey, seemed the perfect attractor for a violet swarm. I pictured myself going all Chris Farley as I ran through the festival. Bees! There were no bees, though. I ate…
When Mike Kearns, owner of El Fenix, set about opening an authentic, regional Mexican food restaurant in Dallas, he tapped Nico Sanchez, who’d spent his youth working and traveling throughout Mexico and learning about regional foods. The resulting restaurant, Meso Maya, has been open for just over a month but…
“I’ll put my dumplings up against anybody’s.” — Cindy Gifford Gifford’s confidence in her dumplings at The Eatery in Haltom City, which she and her husband own, is borderline scandalous, yet enticing. They offer a menu full of traditional home-cooked meals, all made from scratch, but their dumplings are their…
Gorditas Doña Tota is a chain restaurant out of Mexico that serves, you guessed it, gorditas, and just yesterday they opened their northern-most restaurant on Jefferson Boulevard in Oak Cliff. It all began more than 50 years ago when Carlota Murillo started selling her homemade street sandwiches out of a…
The commercial breaks during Monday Night Football are an utter beat-down. That’s my game analysis. Now for the food. Following are five highlights from tailgating and inside Jerry’s world: 1. Hans Yoo of Plano made the above from-scratch paella on a sidewalk, with everything he needed in one brown grocery…
“Good Beer, Uncommonly Poor Food.” The headline did not leave a lot to be desired when Hanna Raskin penned a scathing review of the gastro pub last summer. Browning lettuce in salads and greasy stringy pork crowned a menu described as ranging from unpleasant to horrific. Owner Corey Pond undoubtedly…
The AP reported Monday that the creator of Doritos, Arch West, passed away in Dallas on Tuesday. West’s daughter told the Dallas Morning News that the family plans on “tossing Doritos chips in before they put dirt over the urn.” We’re so sad to hear about the passing of the…
Pho is everywhere. The piping hot, spice-laden broth filled with noodles, various meats and garnishes has become the darling of Asian soups and for good reason. When prepared right it’s transcendent. But don’t let its ubiquity pigeon-hole you into a Pho-only rut. Throw your palate a change-up and head to…
This past Friday I zipped over to Central Market and sat in on a beer tasting event with Greg Engert. The class was part of Brewtopia, a marketing event touting discounted beers and tastings that ends September 27. Engert’s class used various cheeses to demonstrate how to pair beer with…
There’s a little known yet painfully true secret amongst locals about central Arlington: “Division Street, it’s not just for bums and hookers anymore.” A perfect new example of this just off Division on Mesquite Street is The Grease Monkey Burger Shop, which is about a mile and half from Cowboys…
The first round of Oktoberbest 2011 is halfway over, with a couple of surprising upsets and a couple of shocking, bit-spitting failures by favored programs to even make the sweet 16. (Well, actually, they’re just too hard to find in stores, but that doesn’t quite have the same drama.)Plano Craft…
Greek Fest was a plate-smashing success this weekend. Saturday around noon there was a sizable but fast moving line that ushered people into a courtyard that reeked of savory, delicious lamb. The weather was warm, but there was a stiff breeze and a tent provided some shade for those who…
Meso Maya, the new Mexican restaurant at Preston and Forrest, describes its food as an “adventure into the roots of regional Mexican food.” Don’t let that scare you off, though. No, the plates aren’t covered in melted orange cheese, but I think we can agree Dallas has already got that…
This week in food blogs, some special people ate special meals, Dallas placed ahead of Anchorage but behind everywhere else, and someone finally thought to stick corndogs in cocktails. Read on. City of Ate Scott Reitz decides Wild Salsa is decent for its hit-or-miss selection of tacos, passable lamb shank…
The above photo, which forced this author to change his shorts after viewing, is the first shot of a big, food-porny slide show our photographer Sara Kerens brought covering the big grilled cheese of Dallas. Sara stopped by The Porch (which features the port salute, provolone and aged cheddar phenomenon…
There will be people watching at Private Social tonight. A private VIP party planned as a precursor to tomorrow’s grand opening, promises a red carpet and a number of local and National stars. Tony Romo and his wife are listed as attendees, confirming collapsed lung-age is no big thing–if he…
On the heels of Leslie Brenner’s hyper-delicious Italian food photo orgy, news of another Italian restaurant has landed in my in-box. Francesco Farris will open Zio Cecio Cucina Italiana next month on Lovers Lane, just west of Neighborhood Services, Bijoux, and Fireside pies. The restaurant will feature a fettuccine bolognese,…
Throughout movie and television history, there have been fake foods and drinks that have given us the urge to punch through our TVs and force-feed the goods into our faces. Here we stroll through of our favorite faux products.Big Kahuna BurgerScrew In-N-Out, this is the burger chain we really want…
Last night a bartender at the Blue Goose Cantina on Greenville Avenue reached a milestone that not too many can claim. Juan Valdez, who has worked the there for 25 years, served his one millionth margarita. About 10 minutes after they posted the news on their Facebook page, I rang…
