Chris Wolfgang
Audio By Carbonatix
Desiree Gutierrez was checking out breakfast at La Casita Coffee and found herself, quite unexpectedly, licking the lid of her Salted Honey Matcha. She never expected a drink to be so so good. But mostly, Gutierrez says the crispy duck with harissa sauce at The Charlotte from chef Wyl Lima won her heart in October. See her first look at the new Knox-Henderson spot.
Aaren Prody found a banh mi at Ba Lee Sandwich Shop and Deli in Carrollton that she says is one of the best in the area – and it costs only $5.
The Italian Deli from Cenzo’s.
Lauren Drewes Daniels
The fried peanut butter and jelly at the State Fair is officially my favorite thing about fall. Fight me. I don’t care. But then there was the Italian Deli from Cenzo’s; we previously swooned over the Fancy Fried Bologna with pistachio butter here, but wanted to go back to try more options. The thick, spicy, very meaty sandwich with a cold local beer from Jaquval Brewing made for a lovely Saturday lunch. And, honestly, the playlist here is so niche and magnificent.
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Smoked Porchetta from Brix Barbecue
1012 Main St., Fort WorthWith a fourth year in Celina in the books, the Troubadour Fest is the highlight of every barbecue lover’s year. Over 40 of the state’s best joints come together to sling smoked meat, share stories and listen to some great music. Some places will unleash their creative juices for their dish, while others, like Brix Barbecue in Fort Worth, stick with something they know. In Brix’s case, it’s the smoked porchetta, replete with fresh herbs that infuse the smoky pork with a fistful of flavor. We mentioned the porchetta last year when we stopped by the new Brix brick-and-mortar in Cowtown, and a bite of this savory, smoky and salty dish reminds us that we need to boogie back to Cowtown soon for another fix. – Chris Wolfgang It’s all in the name at Yummy Sichuan. Miguel M. Vargas
Dried Chili Fish at Yummy Sichuan
2221 Cross Timbers Road, Flower MoundFood writer Miguel Vargas visited Yummy Sichuan in Flower Mound, where he always gets the dried chili fish because it never disappoints. We have the full account of Vargas’ recent visit coming soon.
Stir-Fried Rice Cakes at Shanghai Taste
109 Legacy Dr., PlanoThese stir-fried rice cakes from Jimmy Li’s first restaurant in Texas, Shanghai Taste in Plano, are among the best we’ve had in North Texas, and we’ve tried them all. Tender pork, cabbage and onions all in a richly flavorful sauce that we’re still thinking about. – Hank Vaughn Stir-fried rice cakes at Shanghai Taste. Hank Vaughn Last but not least, Observer news editor Kelly Dearmore went to Sherman recently for a bit of mountain biking. He pulled into Buc-ee’s on the way home, as he’s wont to do. He dined on a cheesesteak burrito, Big Red and chocolate pie cup and reports he has “never felt more alive.” 
