Find real Texas flavor in Mesquite's best-kept secrets

Hit the Road

Photo courtesy of Visit Mesquite

Not to be overshadowed by its big sister, Dallas, Mesquite is a vibrant city with its own unique flavor. Within this Lone Star city you’ll find a wide array of hidden culinary gems just waiting to be discovered.

Step off the well-trodden path of chain restaurants to discover Mesquite’s best-kept secret: its mom-and-pop restaurants.These “hole-in-the-wall” establishments are locally owned and deliver in flavor, authenticity, and heart.

Enjoy this sampling of Mesquite’s hidden culinary treasures that are well worth the trip.

Mesquite BBQ
Barbecue
145 E. Davis St.
972-285-6573
Mesquite BBQ has been a fixture in downtown Mesquite since 1959. The rich, smoky aroma and friendly customer service keep both locals and visitors coming back for more. Their meats are prepared daily in a unique smoker manufactured only a few blocks away.
Must-try dishes: brisket, meat-stuffed baked potato, Chop Chop sandwich

Yia Yia’s House of Gyros
Greek
904 E. Davis St., suite 400
469-802-9797
At Yia Yia’s, you’ll experience the true essence of Greek cuisine. This family-owned restaurant takes pride in serving traditional Greek dishes passed down through generations. With each bite, you’ll feel the presence of the chef’s grandmother, whose photo overlooks the preparation of every dish.
Must-try dishes: gyro wrap and traditional Greek salad

Jamaica Cook Shop
Jamaican
2033 Military Pkwy., suite104a
469-917-8417
Jamaica Cook Shop is a hidden gem offering fresh, made-to-order, authentic Jamaican food. Vibrantly decorated in the colors of the Jamaican flag and tucked away next to a gas station, this unpretentious kitchen serves up traditional island dishes and imported drinks.
Must-try dishes: jerk chicken, fried plantains, and stew chicken

Tasty Chicken & Wings
Salvadorian
302 S. Galloway Ave.
214-434-1916
Just as the name suggests, Tasty Chicken & Wings lives up to its reputation. Their birria tacos are hailed by some as the best in DFW, while their perfectly fried chicken wings are generously coated in homemade sauces. Made from scratch with care, every meal at Tasty Chicken & Wings is a flavor explosion.
Must-try dishes: birria tacos, pupusas, fried chicken wings, chicharron y yucca

Dia de Los Tacos
Mexican
1927 Faithon P. Lucas Sr. Blvd., suite 115
469-399-1245
In a city rich with Latino culture, Dia de Los Tacos stands out for its exceptional Mexican cuisine. Combining traditional flavors with innovative twists, this local favorite is known for its unbeatable breakfast tacos.
Must-try dishes: fajita burger, taco pies

Porky’s Burgers & Wings
Barbecue
4612 Gus Thomasson Rd.
972-863-9220
Porky’s has become a legend in Mesquite and DFW for its half-pound burgers crafted with fresh, non-traditional ingredients to create unique flavor combinations. From the tantalizing salmon burger to the tropical Hawaiian burger, there’s something to satisfy every craving.
Must-try dishes: Double Porky Burger (a whole pound of beef!), mango-habanero wings

Vamos Pizza
Pizza
2411 N. Galloway Ave., suite 110
972-803-6575
When it comes to pizza, everyone knows that the best slices are local. Vamos Pizza offers authentic New York-style pizza by the slice or whole pies, alongside calzones, salads, and pasta dishes. With generous portion sizes and affordable prices, you’ll leave Vamos fully satisfied.
Must-try dishes: The Works pizza, chicken and shrimp carbonara, Caesar salad

Oh My Curry
Indian
909 E. Davis St., suite A
972-203-2121
Located just outside of downtown Mesquite, Oh My Curry is about to become your new favorite spot. This cozy restaurant offers flavorful and contemporary Indian dishes at affordable prices. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert and indulge in a refreshing lassi, an Indian yogurt-based beverage with a smoothie-like consistency.
Must-try dishes: chicken tikka masala, mutton biriyani bowl

Taqueria Mi Morelia
Mexican
1821 Crestridge Dr.
469-828-1458
Taqueria Mi Morelia may not catch your eye at first, but you don’t want to miss out on this Mexican culinary gem. Whether you’re craving tacos, tortas, Mexican-style hamburgers, or the famous huarache, there’s something on the menu to satisfy all taste buds.
Must-try dishes: huarrache, camarones a la diabla

Slab's BBQ
Barbecue
4401 N. Galloway Ave.
972-681-8008
Tucked off Galloway Avenue, this no-frills barbecue joint serves up classic favorites with a side of Texas hospitality. The meats are cooked fresh daily, ensuring each bite is packed with smoky goodness. Prepare to leave Slab’s with a full belly and a smile.
Must-try dishes: chopped beef sandwich, sliced beef dinner

Mesquite has a flavor all its own. Next time you’re craving a culinary adventure, visit Mesquite and treat yourself to one of these locally owned and loved restaurants.

Photo courtesy of Visit Mesquite

Get Greek at Yia Yia's House of Gyros.

Find more to do, see, and eat in Mesquite here.

Photo courtesy of Goldee's BBQ

Where to find the most iconic — and best — meals in all of Texas

Hit the Road

Texans don't need much of a reason to hit the open road. Our state is brimming with natural beauty and charming small towns, but nothing motivates us to fill up the tank like a bonanza of regional foods.

There are renowned Texas flavors to be found throughout the entire state, from small towns like Round Top to the far west end in El Paso. And with meals ranging from Tex-Mex and barbecue to Frito Pie and kolaches, the Lone Star State is known for some of the most iconic foods in America.

When you hit the open road to explore (and taste) it all, know that a Hilton Hotel is nearby for a good night's rest. Whether you're traveling with family, friends, or as a couple, the right room is waiting with a warm welcome.

Hope you're hungry, because here is but a small slice of some of the best.

Barbecue
Goldee's BBQ, Fort Worth
Few barbecue joints in Texas can make a name without serving the holy trinity of brisket, sausage, and ribs. Still, the young chefs and pitmasters at this Fort Worth stop one-up the competition with unexpected sides like chicken rice and collard greens and crowd-pleasers like fish and chips.

Chicken Fried Steak
Babe's Chicken Dinner House, Carrollton
All Texans take their chicken fried steak with some degree of seriousness. We dare say this eatery — which originated in Carrollton and has locations all over North Texas — takes it the most seriously of all, with plenty of family-style sides to round out the table.

Tacos
La Cocina, McAllen
Former oil worker Evin Garcia combines tradition and innovation at this McAllen haunt. Enjoy everything from birria tacos dipped in a luscious consommé to an octopus version served with traditional al pastor fixings like onion, cilantro, and grilled pineapple.

Elotes
Elotes Fanny, Austin + North Texas
With locations in Austin, Fort Worth, and Garland, this snack shop mini-chain knows everything about corn. Get it by the cob or in a cup, and make sure to douse it in the fiery homemade Atomic Salsa.

Fried Chicken
Dolli's Diner, Nacogdoches
This diner does just about everything right, but the crowning jewel of the menu is undoubtedly the chicken fried chicken. It's served with mashed potatoes, gravy, and fresh veggies for color and is best enjoyed with funnel cake fries for dessert.

Frito Pie
RD's Burger, Cibolo
This casual stop does its namesake dish with aplomb, but found pure magic in its Frito Pie. It's served with no muss or fuss and occasionally on the insanely delicious burger.

Kolaches
Slovacek’s, West
When it comes to kolaches, any bakery in West will serve the real deal. Relative newcomer Slovacek's gets the vote for its dozens of fruit flavors and creative klobasnek (the meaty cousin of kolaches) filled with boudin, pepperoni, or kraut.

Pies
Royer's Round Top Cafe, Round Top
No trip to Round Top's famous antique fair is complete without a stop at this darling cafe. "Pie Man" Bud Royer makes every visit sweet with pies like buttermilk, pecan, and the multi-fruit Troy's Junk Berry.

Queso
L & J Cafe, El Paso
This El Paso tradition is by a graveyard, sure, but don't let that deter you from enjoying its queso. The miraculous concoction made with roasted green chile, tomatoes, and onions is served with just-fried tostadas.

Tamales
Leal's Tamale Factory, Lubbock
A Lubbock classic, this mainstay doesn't go for newfangled tamale flavors like sweet potato. Order pork, chicken, or cheese and rediscover the fundamentals.

Viet-Cajun crawfish boils
Crawfish & Noodles, Houston
Who knows what James Beard-nominated chef Trong Nguyen puts in his secret sauce. What we do know is that it's one of the most intensely flavorful experiences in all of Houston.

Texas knows no bounds when it comes to to where you can go (and eat). No matter where your next foodie adventure takes you, a Hilton hotel is waiting for you.

With over 550 Hilton hotels spanning across the state of Texas, the possibilities to earn more while exploring the Lone Star State are endless.

Photo courtesy of Becker Vineyards

Wake up and smell the lavender at this Hill Country vineyard festival

Purple Flower News

There's a lot of talk about flowers springing up with the seasonal blooms around Texas, but visitors are generally discouraged from picking and eating them. Fans of floral flavors can look forward to the annual Lavender Festival at Becker Vineyards in Fredericksburg, which will serve wine pairings with the unmistakeable aroma on April 15 and 16.

This festival is 24 years running, and still hasn't run out of ideas for the timeless flavor. Over two days, visitors can explore the vineyard, shop for goods like soap and lotion from artisan vendors, enjoy live music, and most importantly, taste the lavender. It's more than a shortbread cookie, too.

Becker's executive chef Michael Lockhart and winemaker Jonathan Leahy invite guests to "Lavender Luncheons" ($125) in the Lavender Haus Reception Hall, a "replica of a barn at the Lyndon B. Johnson Settlement." There's no menu so far, but it will be a meal inspired by the 500 lavender plants in the vineyard. There will also be four "wine and lavender bite pairing sessions" ($60) on Saturday. Less formally, or for those who would rather see the lavender than taste it, there will be three local food vendors on both days: Mac’n Wag’n, Conchita’s, and Garbo’s Seafood.

The history of the festival stretches back almost as long as the vineyard has been producing lavender. The first plants were sown in June of 1998 — that's just one year longer. Although the family struggled to find a healthy variety for the area and lost huge swathes of the three-acre crop, they kept pushing on. Eventually, they discovered that the Stoechas (Spanish) varietal does best in the region.

If readers have struggled with lavender (an extremely likely circumstance), they may find that gardening tips at the festival help this year or next year's blooms. Lavender, unlike the many wildflowers that make the Hill Country famous, does not naturally grow in the region, and instead prefers its native conditions in the Mediterranean. It's starting to make sense that in Texas it thrives in the vineyard, no?

The Lavender Festival at Becker Vineyards is located at 464 Becker Farms Rd., Fredericksburg, Texas. Tickets ($15 general admission, plus add-ons for tastings) are available at beckervineyards.com. The festival is open on April 15 and 16 from 10 am to 5 pm.

Photo courtesy of Becker Vineyards

Becker Vineyards invites Texans to see the fields and try lavender foods and wine pairings.

Photo courtesy of Tarrant Co. Veterans Council

All the Veterans Day 2022 deals in Dallas-Fort Worth that honor military service members

Military Salute

With Veterans Day coming up Friday, November 11, we've unearthed some of the best deals around Dallas-Fort Worth to ease the strain on the bank accounts of all military veterans and current service members.

Below are the top Veterans Day deals to check out for 2022:

7-Eleven: The convenience store chain, which is everywhere throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a free Quarter-Pound Big Bite 100% all-beef hot dog on November 11. The deal, which is available in-store and via delivery through the 7NOW app, is available to all, not just veterans.
Bar Louie: The gastrobar chain, which has four area non-airport locations, is offering veterans and active-duty military a complimentary craft burger, including That’s My Jam Burger, Bourbon BBQ Burger, GastroBurger, and more. The deal is good for dine-in only.
B&B Butchers & Restaurant: The Fort Worth restaurant offers a complimentary three-course lunch to all active military and veterans November 11. The special menu includes appetizer, entrée, side, and dessert. Guests of veterans and military can partake in the menu for $25. Reservations are encouraged and the special will run from 11 am-3 pm.
Beck's Prime: The steakhouse chain, which has one location in Dallas, is offering all veterans and active duty military a free burger on November 11. The deal is good for dine-in and in-store to-go orders only.
Bedford Ice House: The bar/restaurant in Bedford is offering all active and retired military members a free meal up to $14 on November 11. This offer is available for dine-in only.
Black Rock Coffee Bar: The coffee house chain, which has four locations in Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering one free medium drink for veterans, active-duty military, and members of their immediate family on November 11 with proof of ID. Both the veteran and immediate family member must be present.
Bombshells Restaurant & Bar: The Texas-based military-themed casual dining chain, which has two locations in Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering free entrees for veterans on November 11; other items will be discounted 20 percent. In addition, families accompanying veterans as well as active service members and accompanying families will receive a 20 percent discount on entrees and other items. Alcoholic beverages are not included.
Bonefish Grill: The seafood restaurant chain, which has two locations in Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a free order of their Bang Bang Shrimp to all veterans and active duty military on November 11. They also offer a Heroes Discount that gives 10 percent off for all service members, veterans, and first responders' checks all day, every day with show of valid ID.
BoomerJack's: The sports bar chain, which has 18 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering all active and retired military members a free meal up to $14 on November 11. This offer is available for dine-in only.
Bourbon & Banter: The underground speakeasy inside The Statler will offer veterans one drink (including draft or bottled beer, house wine or Champagne, and well cocktails and shots) on the house tab on November 11.
Buffalo Wild Wings: The chicken wing chain, which has 18 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering 10 free Boneless wings and fries for all veterans and active-duty service members with valid ID on November 11. The deal is good for dine-in only.
Cantina Laredo: The Mexican restaurant chain, which has two area non-airport locations, is offering veterans and military members a free entrée on November 11, up to a $20 value.
Carrabba's Italian Grill: The Italian restaurant chain, which has three locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a complimentary dine-in appetizer or dessert paired with a soft beverage for veterans and active-duty military with show of ID. They also offer a Heroes Discount year-round, providing 10 percent off to all service members, veterans, and first responders.
Charleys Philly Steaks: The fast-casual cheesesteak chain, which has 16 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering free Gourmet Fries in-store with no purchase necessary to all veterans and active duty military on November 11.
Coolgreens: The healthy food chain, which has three locations in Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a free meal to all current and retired military personnel on November 11. They can choose from sandwiches, wraps, salads, or bowls valued up to $15.
Corner Bakery: The fast casual chain, which has 17 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering 20 percent orders for active and former military members on November 11.
Cotton Patch Cafe: The casual dining restaurant, which has 22 locations in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area, is offering a free Chicken Fried Steak or Chicken Fried Chicken for all veterans or active military on November 11 with proof of military service. The deal is good for dine-in only.
Denny's: The family dining chain, which has 40 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a free Grand Slam breakfast to all active, non-active and retired military personnel on November 11. The offer is valid for dine-in only at participating locations from 5 am to noon.
Dickey's BBQ: The barbecue chain, which has over 60 locations through Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a free Pulled Pork Sandwich to veterans who use the code VETFREE on November 11. Veterans can redeem the offer in-store for carryout and online for pickup all day at their nearest Dickey’s.
Dunkin': The doughnut chain, which has over 30 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering veterans and active duty military one free doughnut of their choice at participating locations. Check with your local shop before heading out. Deal is good for in-store orders only.
Einstein Bros. Bagels: The breakfast/coffee chain, which has over 40 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a free hot or iced coffee of any size with purchase when veterans show their ID. The deal is good at all locations except license stores inside colleges, hospitals, airports, and hotels.
El Chico: The Mexican restaurant chain, which has four area locations, is offering veterans and military members a free entrée on November 11, up to $20 in value.
El Chingon: The Mexican restaurant in Fort Worth is offering veterans and active military duty 50 percent off their meal on November 10 and 11. They also offer an ongoing 10 percent discount for military members all year long.
Fish City Grill / Half Shells: The sister restaurants, which have 10 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, are offering veterans and active-duty military personnel a free entrée (up to $25.99) with valid ID. This special offer is available with dine-in and to-go orders.
Ford's Garage: The burger and beer chain, which has one location in Plano, is offering a 25 percent discount with up to three guests per table (alcohol excluded) on November 11 for veterans and active duty military. The deal is good for dine-in only.
Golden Corral: The casual restaurant chain which has seven locations throughout Dallas Fort Worth that are currently open, has put on a Military Appreciation Night for over 20 years. They offer a free meal to any person who has served in the U.S. military on November 14 from 5 pm-close. The deal is only good for the military member, not guests.
Grimaldi's: The pizza chain, which has seven locations in Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering veterans and active duty military 25 percent off their bill on November 11. If you can't make it that day, they also offer 15 percent military discount all year long.
Hawaiian Bros.: The fast casual Hawaiian food chain, which has 11 locations in Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a free plate lunch from 11 am-11 pm on November 11 for veterans and active military, as well as their friends and family.
John Wayne: An American Experience: Veterans and active-duty military with ID get free walk-in admission to the museum dedicated to the Duke in Fort Worth on November 11.
Kolache Factory: The pastry chain, which has four locations in Collin County, is offering free breakfast to all veterans and active duty military on November 11. Those with valid ID will receive a free kolache and a cup of coffee.
La Madeleine: The fast-casual French restaurant chain, which has 20 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering active-duty service members and military veterans 30 percent off any purchase all day on November 11 with military ID.
Logan's Roadhouse: The casual restaurant chain, which has four locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a free Vets Meal on November 11 from 3-6 pm. Vets Meal options include Steak Tips, Bayou Shrimp, Chopped Steak, Pork Chop, Tenders, and Pulled Pork Plate, as well as side options.
Lucky's: The home-cooking diner on Oak Lawn Avenue is offering veterans and military members a free entrée on November 11, up to $20 in value.
Overeasy: The diner inside The Statler will offer veterans one drink on the house tab on November 11. Options include draft or bottled beer, house wine or Champagne, and well cocktails and shots.
Perry's Steakhouse & Grille: The steakhouse chain, which has three locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, is offering one complimentary dinner pork chop on November 10 (4-10 pm) or pork chop lunch on November 11 (10:30 am-5 pm) to active or former military members when they’re accompanied by a guest that purchases a dinner entrée while dining in. Reservations and proof of valid ID are required.
Pie Five Pizza: The pizza chain, which has 11 locations through the Dallas-Fort Worth area, is offering area personal pizza for active and retired military veterans, in-store only, on November 11.
Pluckers: The chicken wing chain, which has 8 locations in Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a free meal (entree, side and non-alcoholic beverage) for veterans and active military on November 11 with valid ID.
PJ's Coffee: The coffee chain, which currently has six locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, is offering a free 12-ounce hot coffee or cold brew iced coffee for veterans and active-duty military on November 11.
Primo’s MX Kitchen & Lounge: The Tex-Mex favorite with locations in Uptown and Downtown Dallas will offer veterans one drink (including draft or bottled beer, house wine or Champagne, and well cocktails and shots) on the house tab on November 11.
Red Lobster: The seafood restaurant chain, which has 12 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a free Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, Fries, and Coleslaw for veterans and active duty military on November 11. The offer is available for dine-in and to-go orders placed in-restaurant between 11 am and 4 pm.
Sfereco: The Spaghetti Western-themed Italian-American restaurant with locations in Downtown Dallas and Lewisville will offer veterans one drink on the house tab on November 11. Options include draft or bottled beer, house wine or Champagne, and well cocktails and shots.
Shell Shack: The growing seafood restaurant chain, which has five locations around Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering active or retired military a free shrimp basket from 11 am to 4 pm on November 11. The deal is good for dine-in only.
Sidecar Social: The social lounge in Addison is offering all active and retired military members a free meal up to $14 on November 11. This offer is available for dine-in only.
Silver Fox: The steakhouse chain with two area locations is offering veterans and military members $30 off their entire check on November 11.
Six Flags Over Texas: The amusement park in Arlington is offering veterans, active duty, and retired military personnel free park admission, meal, drinks, and more when they present a valid military ID on November 12 and 13.
Snuffer's: The burger restaurant, which has eight locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering veterans and military members with valid ID a free Snuffer’s burger or sandwich on November 11. The deal is good for dine-in only.
Thirsty Lion Gastropub: The gastropub chain, which has four locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering all active and retired military members with a valid ID a free entrée and a nonalcoholic beverage on November 11. The offer is good for dine-in only.
III Forks: The Frisco steakhouse is offering veterans and military members a free entrée on November 11, up to $60 in value.
Trinity Metro: All of Trinity Metro’s local services – including buses, TEXRail, ZIPZONE and ACCESS – will be available on at no cost to veterans on November 11. To receive a free ride, riders must show proof of service to the driver or train conductor.
Twin Peaks: The breasteraunt chain, which has nine locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a free lunch on November 11 from 11 am-3 pm. Veterans and active military personnel can choose from a menu that includes Cheeseburger and Fries, Chicken Tenders and Fries, Pulled Pork Sandwich and Fries, Soup and Salad Lunch Combo, and Chicken Caesar Salad. The deal is good for dine-in only.
Walk-On’s: The sports-themed restaurant chain, which has two locations in Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering all active and retired service members a complimentary Scholarship Burger & side of fries on November 11. The deal is good for dine-in only.
Waterproof: The rooftop poolside lounge at The Statler will offer veterans one drink (including draft or bottled beer, house wine or Champagne, and well cocktails and shots) on the house tab on November 11.
WOB Bar & Kitchen: The beer-focused restaurant chain, which has one location in Fort Worth, is offering an order of their famous, traditional, bone-in chicken wings for free to all veterans and active military personnel, November 7-11. Additionally, on November 11, veterans and service persons will receive an exclusive WOB Bar & Kitchen-branded t-shirt, while supplies last. These offers can be redeemed by presenting a military ID, VA card, or proof of service.

Photo courtesy of Discover Temple

Dig into the history and food of Temple, where town meets country

On the Road

Located smack-dab in between Waco and Austin, Temple brings together town and country. It features a historic downtown district with shopping, art, and entertainment, plus easy access to lakes, hiking, and parks.

But the town’s growing scene also boasts an impressive — and eclectic — mix of locally owned and operated dining destinations, where you can just as easily sidle up for some seriously good gourmet pizza with a side of live music as you can for a dressed-up dinner for two, or even a Mexican-Korean mash-up of flavors.

Go for the food and bevvies, stay for the vibe
Treno Pizzeria & Taproom serves up all the artisan, wood-fired pies you could want (try the Lord of the Rings with calamari, or the King Brisket) and the craft beers to go with them. They also have live music on their lawn space outside and a kids’ movie night each week.

Veteran-owned Fire Base Brewing Company offers a large selection of craft beers in a dynamic atmosphere with events and specials throughout the week, including open mic nights, food trucks, and live music.

Casual-cool hangout The Yard – Food Truck Plaza has a rotating list of mobile eateries throughout the year, along with local artists and music.

Find global flavors in the heart of Temple
Drawing inspiration from the owners' cultures and experiences, MexiKo Cafe pairs Mexican and Korean cuisines to create a unique assortment of dishes you didn't know you needed until now.

For authentic, straight-up Mexican cuisine, head to Tres Magueyes for everything from chile rellenos to carne asada, fajitas, enchiladas, and more.

La Dalat Vietnamese Cuisine is a traditional Vietnamese restaurant with fresh, authentic dishes such as phở, bánh mì, caramelized clay-pot catfish, and more.

Visit Ireland by way of O'Brien's Irish Pub. Yes, there are cheese curds and bangers and mash on the menu in addition to lots of beers on tap. The pub is housed in a 100-year-old building, which only adds to the charm.

If your tastebuds are primed for spice of another kind, look no further than Thai Cafewith its classic dishes and seafood specialties.

With a claim to fame as one of the only fine-dining Jamaican restaurants in Central Texas, Ras Kitchen takes its Caribbean-style cuisine seriously. From jerk chicken to brown-stew and curry, it’s all on the menu and made to order by Chef Ras.

For a hibachi experience, head to Nami Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar to enjoy authentic cuisine in a fun, unique environment.

Savor elevated fine dining
Cheeves Bros. Steak House is world renowned for its Prime steaks, an award-winning wine cellar, and impeccable service and style. Other menu favorites include truffle mac and cheese, firecracker shrimp, South African lobster tails, and Pontchartrain chicken.

Also bringing a delicious menu and an award-winning wine list to the table, Pignetti’s is in the business of creating an elegant dining scene. They also have special experiences every week, including a social night every Wednesday with wine and apps, and date night on Thursdays with more wine specials. For the foodies, Friday is osso bucco day — only 15 orders available! — and fresh lobster is available every first Friday.

Find a full list of delicious downtown places to savor here, including Bird Creek Burger Co.’s beef, lamb, bison, chicken, and black bean between-the-bun options, and PJ’s Tabletop Southern Cuisine’s comfort staples.

In between meals, find more to love
Only about 500 steps from The Yard - Food Truck Plaza, the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum is a fascinating place to learn about what it was like to work and travel on the railroad, and it's housed in the historic Santa Fe Depot that dates to 1911.

Right in front of the museum is Santa Fe Plaza, a beautiful and expansive green space with an amphitheater and stage, fountains, and gazebo.

While downtown, you'll want to pop into the Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center. The niche museum is behind a charming, mosaic-tiled 1931 storefront and brings Czech history and culture to life, with a special focus on the story of Czech immigrants in Texas from 1850 to the early 1900s.

For the littles, the Temple Children's Museum is an interactive place for learning and fun, with exhibits designed for children up to 8 years old. Plus, they host periodic summer camps.

For more to do — in downtown and beyond — head over to Discover Temple.

Global flavors can be found at Thai Cafe.

Photo courtesy of Discover Temple

Global flavors can be found at Thai Cafe.

Photo courtesy of Visit Addison

Get your fill in delicious Addison, the restaurant capital of the U.S.

On the Road

Clocking in at only 4.4 square miles, Addison may be small, but it packs a mighty dining scene, serving up more than 200 restaurants to fit literally any craving.

It has more than earned its designation as the restaurant capital of the U.S. — and with this list of new kids coming to the block, plus other delicious destinations and classic favorites, that’s not changing anytime soon.

New and upcoming restaurants
Keep an eye on these eateries that are appearing soon.

With a crispy outer shell and chewy center, Cookie Society's cookies are the best of both worlds — and the addictive, homemade-style sweetness is coming soon to Village on the Parkway.
James Beard Award winners Tyson Cole of Uchi and Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue have conspired to create Loro, an Asian smokehouse and bar that brings together southeast Asian flavors and Texas barbecue.
Speaking of craft barbecue, Oak'd will also have a brewery onsite, because smoked brisket and beer simply belong together.
Oregon-based drive-through Dutch Bros. Coffee is on a mission to open more than a dozen coffee shops throughout Texas, and Addison made the list. Get your caffeine fix with specialty coffee along with smoothies, cold brew, teas, and energy drinks.
Brentwood's Southwestern vibes and Prime steaks are staking a claim this fall in Addison Town Hall Center.
Chic restaurant and wine bar District hails from Northern California but chose Addison for its first Texas location, in Village on the Parkway. Get your tastebuds primed for an eclectic menu of dishes — think zucchini blossom flatbreads and grilled Spanish octopus with “inked” rice and saffron aioli, along with an extensive selection of wines and small-batch whiskeys, plus beers from local breweries.
Put Jake’s Burgers and Beer on your list for casual hangs and crazy-good burgers.
The iconic destination for Japanese teppanyaki and sushi that is Benihana is headed to Addison Walk.
Super-fresh, handcrafted bowls of ahi fish and raw veggies are heading to Addison via Pokeworks.
Puttshack, a mini-golf chain from London, is bringing nightclub vibes to the Village on the Parkway in summer 2023.

Chill out on a patio
On good weather days, have your meal with a side of fresh air and fun vibes. Here’s a short list of patio faves to savor brunch, happy hour, and more.

Stay for a live comedy show at TK’s after your patio time.
Vidorra is the place for authentic Mexican favorites and modern flavors.
Go to Pie Tap for the pizza, and pasta, stay for the shaded patio.
Bring your pup to the patio at Pluckers Wing Bar.
Make sure you order the rose lemonade at Mendocino Farms to go with the artisan sandwiches and salads.
It’s all mojitos, tamales, and sunshine at Gloria’s Latin Cuisine.
Be healthy and happy at Flower Child.
With more than 100 beers on tap, along with sunset sangrias, salted watermelon margs, and more, Yard House has your drink order covered — to go along with shareable apps and savory mains.

Claims to fame
Did you know that Brazilian steakhouses Fogo de Chão and Texas de Brazil, fast-casual favorite Genghis Grill, and Cantina Laredo’s Mexican goodness all got their start in Addison!? Dine at the O.G. version of these national chains.

More to love
With more than 200 places from which to choose, you can literally eat at a different place in Addison every day for more than half of a year. Here are a few more places to put on your short list:

Chef Nick Badovinus’s cool-kid favorite Neighborhood Services is a can’t-miss.
Snag a spot at Stirr for its food and Instagram-perfect setting.
Sidecar Social is the ultimate 20,000-square-foot social lounge for cocktails and shareable plates, an enormous patio, live music, private karaoke, and classic gaming.
Make reservations for an iconic steakhouse experience at Chamberlain’s.
Hudson House’s East Coast-inspired “old-school casual” design and menu is everything you want for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch.
Speaking of brunch, Ida Claire serves up an ultimate Southern menu. They also have a Vinyl Hour with classic records and bar bites during the week.

See everything on Addison's menu here.

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Property Showcase

'Yellowstone' stars to greet fans at Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Yellowstone news

Yellowstone fans, get your comfy shoes ready - there'll be a long line for this one. Cole Hauser a.k.a. "Rip Wheeler" on Yellowstone, and Taylor Sheridan, the show's co-creator, executive producer, and director of the series, will meet fans and sign autographs at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

The event will take place from 4:30-6:30 pm only on Friday, February 3. Location is the 6666 Ranch booth near the south end of Aisle 700 in the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Exhibits Hall.

According to a February 2 announcement from FWSSR, "fans will have the opportunity to snag an autograph as well as purchase some distinctive Yellowstone and 6666 Ranch merchandise while also enjoying all the features the Stock Show offers."

The event is free to attend (with paid Stock Show admission) and open to the public.

It's the second year in a row for Hauser to appear at FWSSR; in 2022, he and fellow cast mates drew huge crowds.

Sheridan, a Paschal High School graduate, is no stranger to Fort Worth; he lives in a ranch near Weatherford and filmed 1883, the prequel to Yellowstone, in and around Fort Worth. Currently, another spinoff, 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, is filming in North Texas.

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is winding up its 2023 run on Saturday, February 4.

Quonset hut in south Fort Worth to be transformed into ballroom

Quonset Hut News

A Quonset hut in south Fort Worth is about to make a Cinderella-like transformation: Called the Quonset Ballroom, it's being developed into an entertainment space which will host live music, food trucks, and events.

The hut is located at 2608 W. Dickson St., and was previously home to a lawn care operator for 30 years.

Husband-and-wife Jason and Hedy Peña stumbled onto it while searching for a new location for Hedy’s insurance agency, Armor Texas Insurance Agency. They landed at 2612 Dickson St., a cool mid-century office building built in 1957, which was ideal for the agency, even despite its offbeat address in a heavily industrial area.

“It was a piece of property where we could locate the office and it also had this 4,000-square foot Quonset hut next door,” Hedy says. "We started thinking about creating a venue which could be rented for parties, weddings, and social events."

Quonset huts are sprinkled across the Dallas-Fort Worth landscape, most dating back to the 1940s, shortly after the structure was first invented at Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island.

Fort Worth is also currently in thrall with Quonset huts, thanks to the hip PS1200 mixed-use development near the Medical District which opened in July.

This one was built in 1948, and will require an overhaul, including new flooring, AC, and framing, with a planned-for capacity of 250 people.

Even as they work on the revamp, the Peñas have hosted private parties as well as a campaign event for Jason Peña, who ran unsuccessfully for Fort Worth city council in May 2023.

“We’ve had some private events there, but it’s not ready for a full event," Hedy says.

They currently have no plans for a bar but they're building a kitchen space to serve as a platform for the food trucks, including hookups.

The tract also has what was once a 10-car garage, which the Peñas are developing as storefronts they hope to lease as office spaces.

The industrial nature of the neighborhood initally gave them pause, but Hedy says it's turned out to be a positive, and the property itself has mature, leafy trees.

"Everything around us is industrial and at first I was uneasy about opening the insurance agency there," she says. "But the neighborhood has not deterred customers. We've even grown. And without homeowners nearby, it's a good setup if we have live music."

She envisions a spot that will eventually have a community feel, where families can dine and sit outside or inside – there will be seating – and enjoy music and conversation.

“It will be open to rent to the public, for sure, and could turn into something where it has regular hours," she says. “It will be for everyone, the public, our friends, family, so that everyone can see what we have here.”

Gamestop stock saga gets fun, star-filled movie treatment with Dumb Money

Movie review

The stock market feels like one of those aspects of American life that only a select few truly understand. The rest of us acknowledge it as something that exists and affects our lives in some way, but how and why any particular stock is traded and becomes more (or less) valuable can be a complete mystery.

Dumb Money tackles one of the most interesting recent stories to come out of the stock market, the surprising inflation of Gamestop stock in late 2020/early 2021. The film bounces around to a variety of characters, but centers mostly on Keith Gill (Paul Dano), a YouTuber who went by the name of Roaring Kitty. Gill, an amateur stock trader, took an early position about liking the lightly-regarded Gamestop stock, regularly posting videos and on the Reddit thread WallStreetBets about how his significant investment in the stock was doing.

Concurrently, hedge fund managers like Gabe Plotkin (Seth Rogen) were actively trying to short, or bet against, the stock. That began a battle by Gill and other similarly-minded individual investors to fight back against what they saw as unfair trading practices by the big firms, resulting in Gamestop’s stock rising astronomically in a relatively short period of time.

Directed by Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya) and written by Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo, the film is notable for what it is not, a deep dive into the inner workings of the stock market. Instead of getting into the nitty gritty details, the filmmakers treat it as the ultimate David vs. Goliath story, with Gill and other everyday people like a nurse, Jenny (America Ferrera), Gamestop worker Marcus (Anthony Ramos), and college student Harmony (Talia Ryder) going up against billionaires like Plotkin, Steve Cohen (Vincent D’Onofrio), Ken Griffin (Nick Offerman), and Vlad Tenev (Sebastian Stan).

Photo by Claire Folger/Sony Pictures

Paul Dano in Dumb Money.

It doesn’t hurt that Gill is an eccentric character who wears cat-emblazoned shirts and a headband, and that the Reddit community he inspires communicates primarily in memes, upping the entertainment factor of their side immensely. The story is also a suspense in a way; as the variety of individuals drive the stock ever higher, their net worth – on paper – also grows exponentially, and the longer each of them holds on without selling ups the potential that they could be burned.

Because the real-life event happened during the thick of the pandemic when it was still up in the air as to the full impact of COVID-19, the story takes on a little more significance. Characters mask up regularly, conversations take place on the phone or over Zoom, and a general feeling of unease permeates the film. That may or may not have influenced how certain people approached the situation, but in the context of the film, it definitely seems to play a part.

The back-and-forth between the haves and have-nots takes up so much time in the film that it barely has time for such well-known actors as Shailene Woodley, Dane Dehaan, Olivia Thirlby, and Pete Davidson, among others. Each of them plays a supporting character to one of the main people, and all of them deliver that little something extra in what could have been throwaway roles.

Dano is a chameleonic actor who’s gone between drama and comedy with ease throughout his career. This role is a mixture of both, and he has an effortlessness about him that makes everything he says instantly believable. Rogen is great casting as Plotkin, amiably playing the buffoon of the story. After her big role in Barbie, Ferrera once again shows that she deserves as many showcases as Hollywood can give her.

Storytellers can rarely go wrong in showing people with little power taking on those with great wealth, and the fact that the story shown in Dumb Money is (mostly) true makes it that much better. You may not understand the stock market any more than you already did at the end, but you’ll be so entertained that it won’t matter.

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Dumb Money is now playing in theaters.

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