The popularity of the bite-sized $2 tacos at five-month-old Rusty Taco on Greenville Avenue has had a direct effect on business next door at Desperados, the 34-year-old Tex-Mex landmark. “Our business has gone up since they opened,” Desperados’ manager Alberto Gonzalez told me the other day. “Some people don’t want…
Welcome to the Taco Trail, dedicated to one of the favorite fixations of Dallasites, tacos in all their glorious variations. Although preference will be given to those taquerias accessible by public transportation, be it DART rail or bus or a combination of the two, The Taco Trail will navigate all…
A Texas-based chain has announced plans to open 35 outlets in the British Isles, saying the expansion will help eaters across the pond learn the difference between Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisines. “In the UK, we consider Tex-Mex and Mexican food to be one and the same,” the first Cantina Laredo…
Since Dallas loves its chicken fried steaks and high-quality beef, it’s hardly surprising that local chefs wanting to pay homage to regional culinary traditions are dredging fancy cuts in batter. But evidence suggests that it’s rarely a good idea. I’ve seen chicken fried ribeye, flatiron and hanger steaks on high-end…
As a countdown to the Dallas Observer’s “Best of Dallas” 2010, City of Ate is serving up 100 of the favorite dishes we crave, savor and hope to scarf down again soon. These dishes are in no particular order. Some are little known, others celebrated. Some are pricey, others can…
I recently had the chance to share a dinner of two freshly caught fish with a group of old friends, an occasion that also allowed me to reflect on all the funny sounds folks make when they’re enjoying their food. In contrast to the slurping, panting and chewing associated with…
A New York Times theater writer, in town to chronicle the Dallas Theater Center’s revival of Superman, apparently found plenty of time to nosh between performances. According to George Gene Gustine’s blog post today on Dallas dining, the city’s standout eateries are Hattie’s, Sonny Bryan’s, Mia’s and — until its…
Cruised on over to a certain Buckner Road taco joint’s Facebook page today to check out the menu board postings — as we are wont to do — and was reminded that tonight it’ll finally be time to see that one episode of The Best Thing I Ever Ate. The…
There is a magical land filled with sun and alcoholic beverages and easy living. A place with ready-made campsites where all you have to do is pay an exorbitant rental fee, build your fire and spend the rest of your life riding bikes, listening to alt-country and checking out new…
Visitors to the State Fair of Texas will have to wait at least a year before they can use their iPhones to instantly locate the closest fried cookie dough stand. State fairs in Ohio and Indiana this week announced plans to roll out iPhone apps that will allow users to…
White tablecloths weren’t the only ritzy restaurant accessory to fall victim to the recession: Local florists say eateries are using fewer floral centerpieces. Decades ago, a fine-dining table wasn’t complete without at least a few blossoms in a vase. Even middlebrow restaurants were in the habit of dressing up their…
Well, it’s officially August, and as usual the seasonal heat is hanging over our heads like the proverbial Sword of Damocles. Fine diners must feel like that legendary Grecian courtier if they haven’t yet made their reservations for fast-approaching Restaurant Week. Accordingly, many neophytes and last-minute types are learning how…
Deep Ellum’s Mokah Coffee Bar is giving back to the community this week. From today until Saturday, August 7, 100 percent of sales will be donated to Deep Ellum Association Community. You can visit Mokah Coffee Bar during its regular business hours, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. on Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-10…
At Hypnotic Donuts early Sunday morning, creator James St. Peter had a big tease: next week he will debut the “no-more than 2,500 calorie” biscuit sandwich. What makes up the 2,500 calories? Fried chicken, honey bacon and a honey pickle. Besides it being the caloric equivalent of Sarlacc, the sandwich…
Tucked discreetly into a nondescript industrial park in the middle of nowhere is one of the best-kept winery secrets in Dallas. Bob and Darlene Leiker run Crossroads Winery, and the largest room in the warehouse space houses casks, tables, tasting bar and the occasional forklift. John Otis is the winemaker,…
As a countdown to the Dallas Observer’s “Best of Dallas” 2010, City of Ate is serving up 100 of the favorite dishes we crave, savor and hope to scarf down again soon. These dishes are in no particular order. Some are little known, others celebrated. Some are pricey, others can…
This week’s Dallas food blog coverage is a sampling of Vietnamese feasts and uncommonly bad food, a stolen can of Whoopass and stale popcorn, an elaborate post-Gospel Last Supper and vegan barbecue, and more highlights. Check out this week’s Sloppy Seconds. The Week in Review(s): Your own Dallas Observer: Hanna Raskin dubbed…
We’ve gotten sort of nostalgic this week. Not sure if it’s hormonal or the fact that we at pizza yesterday and haven’t gotten a whole helluva lot of sleep, but something made us start reflecting on all the old eateries we luuuuuuuuuuved going to as a young adult/teen/kid/infant/speck, but can’t…
Toque to Toque has made strides this year, delving into various cultures and cuisines. Some of our favorites included the mussel challenge, the soup dumpling debacle and the souffle cook-off where we met a former president. A chef friend recently told me that we shouldn’t call this Toque to Toque…
In the third part of our look at Second Floor chef J. Chastain, we go into the kitchen where the chef shows shows us how to create one of his menu items at home. Chastain enjoys combining fresh ingredients with simple techniques to create complex flavors. We wanted something to…
Earlier this week, City of Ater Kristy Yang told you about her less-than-stellar experience dining at the new 99 Ranch Market’s food court. Since the market is a grocery store, not a restaurant, we thought we’d have her come back with a separate review of her shopping experience at the…
Theatergoers who used to grab a glass of wine at Dali before the show may now have to content themselves with cupcakes. Dimples Cupcakes this week announced it will move into the storefront alongside Tei An. The bakery — Dimples’ fourth location in Texas — will open for business on…
