Frozen treats

Texas' Blue Bell ice cream jumps on high-protein bandwagon with PRO line

Blue Bell Pro has 33 grams of protein or more per serving.

The famous Brenham, Texas-made ice cream brand Blue Bell is flexing a new product line: a "high-protein frozen dairy dessert." Called Blue Bell Pro, it supplies 33-35 grams per serving depending on the flavor.

That's more than an Ensure meal replacement shake or a cup of cottage cheese, which influencers can't stop putting in every recipe.

The line includes five flavors: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, coffee, and salted caramel. All are available in Fort Worth grocery stores now.

Fueled by the popularity of GLP-1 weight loss medications and social media trends, "high-protein" is one of the hottest food and nutrition categories of the moment. Blue Bell now goes head to head with cult-favorite Halo Top and other high-protein desserts in the frozen food aisles.

An early taste-test of the salted caramel flavor revealed a more creamier, more ice cream-like product than some Halo Top varieties, which can taste "grainy."

But, what is a "frozen dairy dessert?" Other Blue Bell flavors are labeled as ice cream, but this product line seems not to meet the Food and Drug Administration's qualifications for ice cream. It would need to be at least 10 percent milkfat by weight to make the cut.

The Blue Bell Pro recipe is also gluten-free, has 25-27 grams of carbs per serving, and has zero grams of added sugar. It is sweetened primarily with allulose and erythritol.

There are more straightforward ways than icy desserts to get more protein in your diet, and not everyone needs the same amount in their diet.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the average sedentary adult should eat 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, which would be 60 grams a day for someone who weighs 165 pounds. People who exercise regularly should instead eat 1.1-1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight (75-90 grams for the same 165-pound person), and heavy trainers should eat more. A cap of 150 grams would be "excessive" for this hypothetical person, even if they exercise a lot.

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Stephanie Allmon Merry contributed to this story.

blue bell ice cream desserts

Up from the ashes

Blue Goose Cantina in North Richland Hills reopens after January fire

Blue Goose Cantina

Blue Goose Cantina has reopened in North

Popular Tex-Mex restaurant Blue Goose Cantina has finally reopened, following a fire in January that shut down operations for two months.

Blue Goose opened its doors on January 21 at 9005 N. Tarrant Pkwy., near Precinct Line Road and Davis Boulevard. Just 10 days later, the restaurant suffered a fire, and it remained closed until the end of March.

Neighbors eager for it to reopen would check in daily on its progress, restaurant personnel say.

The restaurant reopened quietly, without fanfare, at 11 am Tuesday, March 31, upon receiving final city approval. No changes have been to the building, menu, or operations, a spokesperson says.

Blue Goose Cantina first debuted on Dallas' Greenville Avenue in 1984, where it become a local institution — earning acclaim for its sizzling fajitas, top-shelf queso, homemade tortillas, and tacos, as well as its lively street-facing patio, long before patios were the thing they are today.

That location closed, but they went on to open seven DFW locations ahead of North Richland Hills: Fort Worth, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Highland Village, McKinney, and Plano, all maintaining Blue Goose's neighborhood feel and commitment to quality.

The NRH location spans 5,486 square feet with seating for 250, and feature Blue Goose’s vibrant design, including warm colors, bold tilework, and playful Lotería artwork.

It also boasts a serious climatized patio, installed in what used to be a drive-thru lane, with room for more than 100 year-round. Inside, the space will feature an expansive bar, plus signatures such as its trademark wood fire grill and a tortilla factory.

"We’re thrilled to join the North Richland Hills community and bring our fun, laid-back atmosphere to another Tarrant County area,” said Nick Peterson, CEO of Peterson Management Group, the parent company of Blue Goose Cantina, when the location opened. “Our family has been serving North Texans for over 40 years, and we can’t wait to welcome new guests to experience our signature fajitas, margaritas, and hospitality.”

Peterson Management Group is a family-owned and operated restaurant management company with 12 restaurants across North Texas. Founded by Bob Peterson and Scott Holyfield, the company operates Aw Shucks, Big Shucks Oyster Bar, and Blue Goose Cantina, under the leadership of CEO Nick Peterson.

“This new restaurant represents the best of what Blue Goose stands for — great food, handcrafted cocktails, and genuine connections,” says John Herrera, Vice President of Operations at Peterson Management Group. “We’ve designed this location with the community in mind, from the large patio for family gatherings to the décor that celebrates our Tex-Mex roots.”