DDD Returns to the Metorplex

After returning from my trip to San Antonio I started thinking about where to next.  I have for the past year wanted to go up to Buffalo as there are 7 places that were on the show and I had planned to go up there last June but due to some work issues I was unable to go.  I started to plan the trip to Buffalo.  As many of you know, when I travel I fly on standby so if there are seats then I can go and if the flights are full, it's no go for me.  I had the days in mind and then looked at the flight loads.  Now I figured midweek in mid-May would be a good time to go to Buffalo, well I was wrong.  The flights were full in both directions so I just started looking at different cities to maybe try and plan.  The city that looked promising was Dallas!  I have a good friend named Steve who lives in the Dallas suburb of Lewisville and wondered if he might want to join me on my DDD adventure to 5 places in the Dallas area which is known to many as the Metroplex.  I planned a quick overnight trip and Steve decided to join in and that helped me out as he would do the driving and that save on a rental car and having to drive in an unknown city.  Steve also works as a Beer Vendor at the Texas Rangers Ball Park in Arlington so we would also go there, me to watch the Rangers vs Kansas City Royals game and Steve to sell beers.

The day came to depart and I got a seat on the morning flight to DFW and it was the most uncomfortable seat on a flight I have ever had, it felt like sitting on a wood bleacher for almost 3 hours!  Oh well, it was a seat and I got to Dallas on time so you can't beat that.  Steve met me on arrival and we took off for our 2 day adventure. 

We drove to our first stop which is in an area of Dallas in the northern section of the city.  An older section at the intersection of Maple and Motor Streets.  The place we went to is called (surprise surprise) "Maple and Motor"

My lunch at Maple and Motor - Cheeseburger with a side of Rings and Tots

This place does a huge lunch business.  There was a line about 6 deep and it was slow due to a problem wit their credit card modem.  As soon as they told people that it was cash only the line started to move and we quickly got up to order.  Maple and Motor's specialty is burgers and sandwiches.  Both Steve and I got burgers and then we shared sides of Onion Rings and Tater Tots.  The service was really fast and the burgers were great!  The place is pretty cool with old commercial signs all over along with old photos.  I was able to talk to some of the staff and the General Manager of the place signed my book, They are very friendly and t is worth a visit if you are in the area.

Later in the afternoon we headed over the Arlington, a pretty big city in between Dallas and Fort Worth.  Arlington is home to the Six Flags Over Texas amusement park, the Dallas Cowboys Stadium and the Texas Rangers Ball Park.  Arlington is also the home of our second DDD location "Chop House Burgers".

The Signature Chop House Burger

The Chop House Burger is a mixture of Ground Beef and Beef Brisket

Chop House Burgers lives up to it's name and serves all types of burgers many of which are stuffed with or mixed with all types of ingredients.  Their signature burger and the one that both Steve and I got and the burger that Guy made on the DDD episode is the Chop House Burger.  It is a burger that is a mix of ground beef and beef brisket.  The burger was very tasty and had a very unique taste with the both types of beef giving the sandwich a good flavor.  The bun was excellent and really made the flavor of the burger standout.  I was lucky enough to catch the owner and chef that cooked with Guy sign my book just as he was getting ready to leave. 

From there we left for the Texas Rangers Ballpark at Arlington.  Steve is a beer vendor there and he got me a ticket to the game.  The Rangers were playing the Kansas City Royals.  I was able to walk all around the park before the game and I will tell you that is one of the nicest parks in the Major Leagues.  The area around the park is also home to the Six Flags park and Jerry's Pleasure Dome aka Cowboys Stadium.



Texas Rangers Ballpark in Arlington

Jerry's Pleasure Dome aka Cowboys Stadium as seen from the Ballpark

The Boomstick, a 2-foot long hot dog which costs $26.00

Baseball Night in Texas

There are alot of neat tings at the park.  In rhe outfield area they have two merchandise stores where you can get all the Rangers souvenirs that you might have a need for .  A open to the public full service restaurant and an outdoor bar with seat that overlook the field.  Then as I was headed to my seat in the upper deck I saw it!  The ultimate ballpark food item, an item that might even have Guy Fieri visit for DDD.  It is called "The Boomstick" a 2 foot long hot dog that includes all the fixin's you might want.  This 2 foot dog of joy will put you back 26 bucks!  No, I didn't get one nor would I ever, I like hot dogs but not THAT much!  I found my way to my seat and it was an enjoyable game.  The Rangers lost to the Royals 7-4 and I was seated near some pretty interesting people.  In front of me were two women who when the game started and the Rangers looked bad one said to the other "They're playing like the Keytone Kops tonight" and then proceed to read a book instead of watching  the game.  the tow young girls next to me who came to a night game with eye black on, I guess they had their game faces on, that's the only reason why anyone would wear eye black to a night game.
After an restful night we headed out to try a few more places before my late afternoon flight back to Dulles.  The places we were going to visit were in an area of Dallas known as Deep Ellum.  This is an old industrial area that is now an entertainment and art district. Our firsts stop was a brick oven pizza joint called "Il Cane Rosso".  The Red Dog.  It is right across the street from another DDD place called The Twisted Root Burger Company, a place I visited in 2010. 

The Lunch Special - Caesar Salad and

Pizza for 2

We ordered the Lunch Special which included drinks, salad and a pizza to share.  We decided on the Caesar Salad and a Pizza with Soapresetta, which is a spicy peperoni type sausage.  Both were fantastic.  The Soapresetta is very spicy and tasty.  the crust of th3e brick oven pizza was awesome, maybe one of the tastiest pizza crusts I have ever had.

From there we proceeded to our last stop which was right around the corner.  It's called "Pepe and Mito's Mexican Cafe".  The owner chef says his cuisine is not Tex-Mex but MEX-TEX!

Albondigno Soup

Pork Tamale Lunch

This place was ding a booming lunch business.  We were seated and immediately a tray of hot chips and salsa was presented at the table.  On the DDD episode they made with Guy the Albondigno Soup which is a meat vegetable patty in a broth topped with fresh cilantro.  Although I am not a real huge fa of soup I had to try it since Guy enjoyed it so much.  The patty looks almost omelet like and it is very tasty and the sharpness of the cilantro really stood out.  I also got the pork tamale lunch and it was also tasty.  I had the Green Chile sauce put on the side because I am not a fan of spicy stuff and that sauce has a real kick!  The co-owner came over t sign the book and when I told her that this was my #248 on the DDD tour she smiled and said, "I'm 248! I need to put that on a t-shirt!".  She thanked me for coming in and told Steve she wants to see him in more often since he is a local.  The place has a rustic feel to it and really cool old Mexican photos on the walls. 

I got on the full flight back to Dulles with the count now at 248!

Doing DDD in San Antonio and Annapolis

I started Day 2 in San Antonio with a place that specializes in breakfasts.  I drove only a very short way to "The Magnolia Pancake Haus".  As I drove up there were so many people walking towards the entrance it looked like a tour bus had just dropped off a load of people, but there was no bus to be found there were just car loads of people arriving.  I walked up and got on the list.  Magnolia is cutting edge (at least to me) in taking your cell number and informing you of your table readiness by text message.  They got my number and told me it would be about a 10 minute wait.  I took a bench seat and waited for my text to come in.

My Bacon Pancakes Breakfast

In about 10 minutes the text came and my table was ready.  The Magnolia menu was loaded with a number of both egg and pancake dishes and pretty reasonably prices.  I knew that I had some more places to try so I decided on a smaller breakfast as many of them seemed quite large.  I decided on the Bacon Pancakes.  The dish is a stack of 3 pancakes with Applewood Smoked Bacon cooked in.  This is a dish that I really like and it brings back memories of my grandmother, who used to make these types of pancakes.  They are served with a small urn of warm syrup and butter and they were very delicious.  The restaurant has a very southern plantation feel to it, with knick knacks on the walls and homey pictures all over.  I can see why they are lining up each day to have a great start to the day.

After a quick stop back at the hotel I drove to a local strip mall to try a place called "Dough Pizzeria Napoletana".  From the outside it looks like a small cafe restaurant with some outdoor seating next to a boat supply store.  Upon entering you see the Brick Oven and get the feel of Italy.  The tables are adorned with cloth napkins and nice cutlery.  Dough is known for their brick oven pizza and hand made mozzarella cheeses. 

My Porktastic Pizza

I decided to get the small (personal) sized pizza that Guy made on their episode called the Porktastic.  The pizza has 4 or 5 types of meats including sausage, peperoni, and panchetta.  The crust was chewy and very tasty and the pizza was served with fresh shaved Parmesan cheese.  This is a place that I want to return to and try some of the unique pizzas and homemade appetizers that Dough is making, this is a can't miss place in San Antonio.

I then headed to a place that might be the most unique that I have tried on my DDD Adventures.  I headed to a small shopping center and a restaurant called "Moroccan Bites".  This small restaurant makes authentic Moroccan foods.  The owner greets everyone of her guests and when I asked her to sign my book she gave me a big hug.  Each table is adorned with a Moroccan Star display and in the back is a very nicely appointed Moroccan VIP Dining area.

My Kafka Kebab Sandwich

The VIP Dining area

I chose the Kefka Kebab Sandwich, which is a ground beef kebab with spices mixed into the eat and a mixture of spices and vegetables cooked into the sandwich, it was one of the tastiest sandwiches I have ever had.  I was a bit hesitant about trying this place and can honestly say that I am so glad that I ate there!

As I drove to the next place I just had to take a photo of my car's temperature gauge.  It was hot, but didn't seem this hot

I went onto a very cool place that is part car wash, laundromat, and eclectic restaurant; welcome to "The Cove"!  The Cove specializes in all Organic and Sustainable locally grown vegetables and meats.  You enter into the ordering area and then move over to the seating area.  You have a choice of outside seating or inside, but in either place there is a stage for the nightly musical entertainment.  there is also a kiddie playground.  The Cove is a very family friendly place!

My Cove Burger made with Lamb and Organic Fries

I ordered the Cove Burger made with a Lamb Patty.  It was very tasty, but it tasted too much like beef and since it cost a few bucks more I should have just gotten the Beef Burger!  It came with delicious Organic Fries, fresh cut on site.  I know that the next time I go to San Antonio I will return to The Cove and enjoy some of their entertainment.  Note to my friend Deborah in Austin, we need to visit this place!

My last place that I tried in San Antonio is a true local legend.  A San Antonio legend for over 70 years "DeWese's Tip Top" is just your old fashioned cafe-diner.  The restaurant has been in the same family since it opened and draws guests form all ethnic groups and serves some really good food.  The restaurant has old photos all over the wood lined walls with tables and old fashioned booths.  They are known for their Chicken Fried Steak.

Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich - A Tip Top Specialty

The Chicken Fried Steak meal was way too big for me, so I tried the sandwich version.  It is a pounded cube steak fried in the same way as chicken and served on a bun with chips.  Now I am not too sure if it's a small bun or just a large steak and I am guessing it's the later!  It was a great ending to a wonderful trip to San Antonio.

I flew home and headed to Annapolis to try a place by the State Capital of Maryland.  I drove into the city and headed into the historic district, which is by the Naval Academy, St. John's College and the Maryland State House.  The Capital building has a driving circle around it and one of the streets off the circle is Maryland Avenue.  About 100 yards down Maryland Avenue is a white building and my next DDD location "Galway Bay Irish Pub".  I met my friend from high school who lives on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Tammy on a late Sunday morning.

On the episode Galway Bay looked like a pub with some seating, but in reality it is much larger than it looks, both on TV and from the outside.  The interior is very nice with Irish artifacts and pictures all around.  We were seated at a nice table in one of the dining rooms and looked over the very extensive menu and the first thing that struck me is that the prices were very very reasonable.  On their episode they featured a Stuffed Cabbage appetizer that Guy called "Irish Sushi".  I knew that I had to try that.  Along with the regular menu there was also a Brunch Menu, which is what we ended up ordering off of.  I tried the Quiche accompanied by a salad and fruit, Tammy chose the Chesapeake Eggs Benedict which was topped with crab meat.

Irish Sushi aka Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Vegetable Quiche Brunch

Chesapeake Eggs Benedict

The appetizer came and it was awesome.  Cabbage leaves stuffed with a Mashed Potato and Corned Beef mixture with a really tasty Mustard mix and that gave the dish a really good kick.  The main meals came and my quiche was really good, but Tammy's Eggs were absolutely awesome!  Worth the trip, she made a great choice! 

I ended my weekend of DDD visits with my number now at 142.  I am not sure f I will get back to San Antonio anytime soon, but I do know that I want to get a group together to have a great meal and alot of fun at Galway Bay!  Where to next?  Only time will tell!

Doing the Trple D in San Antonio - Day 1

As spring was moving along I was getting the itch to "Hit the Road" and continue my DDD excursions.  I looked into a number of cities to go to and as I was looking at the possibilities the city that jumped out at me as a place I had never been to  before and had alot of places to sample was the Alamo City of San Antonio, Texas.  I chose the first weekend (or part of it) of May.  I took the morning nonstop out of Dulles to San Antonio after working the next before.  The flight left around 820a and arrived just after 1030a.  I decided that my introduction to this city (the training home of the Dallas Cowboys) would be met wearing some Redskins gear!  I almost didn't make it out of the rental car lot as the security guard had some feeble Cowboy words about the shirt and then I knew - Mission Accomplished!

I headed to my first stop a small restaurant called "Taco Taco".  This small place had them packed in for lunch.  They specialize in all types of Mexican style cooking and their most popular item is their somewhat unique Puffy Taco. 

My Taco Taco Lunch with the Famous Beef Puffy Taco

I remembered from the DDD episode that Guy had a great time with the owner of the restaurant and also that she knew many of her customers and that is exactly what happens there.  She saw my Redskins shirt and had some comments and from there I was able to chat with her and get my book signed.  The place is fun and friendly and I chatted with a few of my fellow customers and then I saw something I heard happens but have never seen it myself.  The couple next to me that I had chatted with left and then I chatted with a older lady seated near me.  Both couples talked with me abut my travels and also bot had some family in Virginia.  When the older woman was about to leave and settle her check (at least 15 minutes after the other couple had left) she was told by the owner that the couple had quietly picked up her check, what an awesome sight!  By the way the food there is great!  I'd go back given the opportunity!

From Taco Taco I headed to my next place.  Just a few miles away I stopped at the "Bun 'N Barrel" a drive-in style place that has been a fixture in San Antonio for over 50 years.  It looks like a classic drive-in but with out the order boxes, if you want car service just honk the car horn and they will come to you.  most people head into the dining area where they are making all types of drive-in fare with the added specialty of very good barbecue.

The Beef Brisket Sandwich at Bun N' Barrel

On the Bun 'N Barrel's DDD episode they featured a server who is the top server there and has over 37 years of service there.  She was my server and the outstanding and friendly service that I received was the same as everyone received during my time there (she also signed my book, the perfect person to do so).  I ordered the Beef Brisket sandwich and it was really good  It made me think that we in the DC area really don't have any real good barbecue joints and down here in Texas they are all over the place and this place was excellent!

After going to check-in at my hotel I continued on to a couple more places before calling it a day.  I headed to a place that is known as THE place for Empenada's.  The Empenada is a Latin America puff pastry specialty and the best place in San Antonio is "Beto's Comeda Latina".  I went in on a quiet mid afternoon and was just blown away.  Beto's features both Savory and Sweet Empenada's so I decided to try one of each.

My Chicken Mole Empenada

My Guava and Cream Cheese Empenada

Both were fantastic, the fillings of both were awesome and they were baked perfectly tasty and flaky.  If I lived around here I'd be a frequent guest of Beto's.

I then headed out on a short road trip to end my first day in San Antonio to a place that Guy described as a Barbecue Culinary Compound!  About 10 to 15 miles out of the city in the small town of Adkins, Texas is a huge place called "Texas Pride Barbecue".  This is sort of like a barbecue "Honky Tonk" (if you saw the movie called Urban Cowboy a Honky Tonk called Gilley's was featured in that movie).  They make some of the best brisket (as well as other types of barbecued meats) you might find anywhere.  You enter in and order your meal, I got the two meat combo featuring Smoked Pork Sausage and Beef Brisket.

My 2 Meat Combo meal

From there you enter the large dining hall area that, although not air conditioned was pretty cool with fans all over.  In the hall you can get your sauces, drinks and breads.  There is also seating outside and a big stage where nightly there is entertainment and then you can get some souvenirs and just in case you forgot, a tattoo and the on site tattoo parlor.  And don't forget the Helipad in the back!  My meal was awesome, I really like good barbecue and this was good barbecue.  When I arrived there weren't too m any people there, but later the place was probably packed as it was Biker Night!

I drove back to my hotel happy but stuffed, it had been a long but fun and delicious day.  Day 2 was coming soon!