Local, Near and Far: Our journey of exploring the world.

Category: Food (Page 5 of 9)

Alamo Cafe – A San Antonio Icon Review

A long standing family tradition when I lived in San Antonio was going to Alamo Café. It is one of those places that I hold near and dear to my heart but there are times when I need to just take an honest look at a restaurant that I have gone to for years and evaluate the relationship. Growing up, Alamo Café was one of those places that was reasonable for family of four, yet you were still going to get a good meal. From my earliest memories, it has always been one of the most popular restaurants in San Antonio. There are many times when you can just expect to wait at least 15 minutes. They have two locations, one in central San Antonio and one in the Northwest side. Both are busy…always. The central location is the one we would go to the most and it is also the newer location with a nice patio area and a small “field” for the kids to run around. Alamo Café also offers many catering opportunities and is frequently used to hold big parties or gatherings.

As I have moved away from this place, I can feel my stomach yearn for its food. It calls to me. Alamo Café is one of those places that reminds me of home and family. It has many great memories. But as I think of it after our last visit and think honestly of a review, I have to evaluate a restaurant that I know I enjoy for many reasons, but is only average at best.

 

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The Great Burger Adventure

Every Friday we take a break from our regular blogging schedule to allow the authors an opportunity to feature a certain topic they are passionate about. In the past you’ve read about art, studying abroad, and experiencing culture through food. Through this and other future posts we hope you’ll enjoy reading, we hope to share with you our personalities, passions, and interests on a more personal level.

My feature is once again on food. What can I say, I love food and love talking about it. Many take the military philosophy of consuming food in the quickest amount of time possible without enjoying a morsel of it. Food can serve as a  reminder of all that went in to making the meal you are about to partake; each dish takes a great number of things: a farmer, grocer, cook and many things in between. Food is one of those things that stir up memories in us–sometimes we can remember what we were eating during a really good (or bad) situation and it can remind us of loved ones that are no longer with us. It reminds us of home. Food is a way that tells a story of our lives. Food helps us remember, but also gives us things to look forward to. Food can cause the most introverted of people, a person that hates to debate, to become a staunch debater as they clamor for their favorite food or restaurant being the best. Food is my passion, and one of my favorite foods is the hamburger.

I have been on a personal quest to find the best and greatest hamburgers in the U.S.. Throughout my life, I have loved burgers. I would probably eat a burger every day if I could. 

Burgers are wonderful because they are fairly easy to make, but doing this simple act right is difficult. That is the beauty in this quest. Many fondly recall the times in the backyard, camping or at the ballpark eating a burger that just came off the grill. It probably had American cheese on it but there was something to that smell, the seared crust, and freshness. The burger’s greatness allows people to put either a few ingredients on it or 20 different ingredients if they chose; it is that versatile.

This post is not a grading rubric like the barbeque, Tex-Mex, or brewery tours, but simply sharing my personal quest to find the best burgers around and what I love, enjoy, and look for in a good burger. A possible rubric will be done in the future, but this is just my passion for a good burger.

What I look for? Those that know me know I am a “traditionalist.” This means that typically I like foods the way they were meant to be served. This does not mean I only eat burgers. or that I don’t try new things. I love food adventures, however, I generally prefer food in its most traditional sense. I am fine every once in a while taking a classic dish and putting a new spin on it. That is great and honestly some dishes need a modern twist, but I don’t want that all the time. If I want chili, I want a legitimate chili that is simply a traditional chili. I don’t want to order a chili and get it with a bunch of things like carrots and corn or anything else that belongs in a salad. I don’t want to order stroganoff and get some weird deconstructed plate that has a foam as a sauce, some tofu for the protein and quinoa as the carb. I want my classic stroganoff. I will of course try the weird stroganoff, but I would probably prefer the classic dish done perfectly than the weird dish for the sake of being weird or different.

So how does this pertain to a burger? If I was to evaluate a burger place, can I truly assess a normal burger at one place with a specialty burger at another? I think it is great to have 20-30 different topping options like bacon, grilled peaches, a fried egg, or foie gras; but those options don’t necessarily tell me that restaurant knows how to make a good burger. At that point, I probably can’t taste much of the meat. To know if a burger is good, I believe you have to keep it simple–once you know and enjoy the simple, then you can move toward the pineapple, goat cheese, and ghost pepper concoction. A simple burger to me means an all beef patty, cheese, a favorable bun-to-burger ratio, sauce (if any) and traditional toppings of tomato, lettuce, and pickles.

The burger must truly be an all beef patty. I am not the type that will go to a burger place and order the chicken sandwich or a salad (the healthy realtor can tell you all the best chicken sandwiches and salads to get at burger places, but that is not me).  I want my burger to be juicy and not overly done; for me, the patty should be a medium, however I know some places will do medium-well (my max burger doneness) or well done. Likewise, some people don’t like the juices (or grease) getting all over their hands, that doesn’t bother me. That is what napkins are for and when no one is looking, just lick your fingers.

I love cheese as do the other authors. I know American cheese is probably the classic burger cheese in America, but I can’t do that. It is fine every now and then as it offers a sense of nostalgia. I really enjoy a good cheddar or blue cheese on my burger. The flavors of goat cheese are making their way up the list of favorites but this is not a traditional flavor and will probably never overtake cheddar.

Other factors: The bun-to-burger ratio should be proportional and not be out-of-whack. I also don’t want a bun that can’t stand up to the patty as the bun disintegrates and becomes a sloppy, gooey mess. If the burger has toppings, it has to be able to stand up to the patty and bun. If there is tomato, lettuce and pickles, it better be good–not wet, limp, and/or mushy. There must be enough sauce (whether that is mustard, mayo, ketchup, secret sauce, whatever) and it enhances the flavors, but not be so overpowering such that sauce is all you taste. Some of my favorite burgers are served on a poppy seed bun, which is probably my preference, but few places serve this bun.

My favorite burger places are typically dives, that don’t have a ton of options. I appreciate places that give you customizable choices and can appreciate the value from a business perspective, but there is something to the simplicity of a menu that just says, “1. Burger 2. Cheeseburger.” The toppings can cover a bunch of mistakes, but take away from the quality of a good burger. Everything on a burger should enhance flavors and not take away from the original design. I know there is a restaurant in New York that serves a $100 hamburger. The thing is, if I go to a nice restaurant, I don’t know if I want to pay more than $12-$15 for a burger. After all, it is a burger and not a steak. 

During some of my future feature posts, I will share some of my favorite burgers and burger restaurants in different cities and states. Also, I will share with you some of my favorite fast food and “fast casual” burgers. For now, here is a *brief* preview of some of my favorite burgers in DFW:

Legit Burger Places (non-chain, Independent places): I do not have an all-time favorite as I am just on this quest to find the best burgers offered. I also feel like I have not found a truly great, tell all your friends burger yet. In the Fort Worth area, Rodeo Goat was recently voted the best burger in the area. I think they are good but not great. The Chaca Oaxaca (beef and chorizo) is good and I like that they have burger wars, but I just feel disappointed when I leave and don’t feel like they are the best. The Dirty Love burger from The Love Shack is a favorite, as it includes bacon, “love” sauce, and a fried quail egg. One more favorite is from Burgundy’s Meat Market. This farm turned their meat market into a restaurant and offers organic, grass-fed burgers that are dynamite. They have a limited menu of Burger, cheeseburger, hot dog and chili. 

In Dallas, I like the simplicity and atmosphere of Keller’s Drive-In. You order by turning on your hazard lights. The number 5 (double meat) on a poppy seed bun with the sauce is simply wonderful. Best of all, Keller’s offers a quality burger, fries and drink for a very reasonable price. I love Twisted Root (also voted a best burger by some magazines) as they offer a good variety of options including game burgers, but try the Western which has Pepperjack, bacon, fried onions, and jalepenos.

This is not a comprehensive list as these are just some of the burgers that stick out the most to me. As long as my heart allows, I plan to keep eating burgers across the U.S. to find one that is truly memorable and that will leave me wanting to go back to that place just for a burger.

Foreigners in a Local’s Pub

It was our first day in Prague, and we were starving!

After enjoying Czech art at Mucha’s Slav Epic, Rebekah and I were hoping to find a local pub for lunch and  since it was after 2:00 PM, the delicious breakfast from our hotel had worn off.  Following a recommendation, we found the Golden Tiger Pub, located a short walk from the touristy Old Town Square.  The Rick Steves guidebook warned that it was not a tourist-friendly pub.  Not that the place was unfriendly, but that this pub catered to locals.  That was an understatement.

Exterior of the Golden Tiger Pub

Exterior of the Golden Tiger Pub

As we entered the pub’s rectangular room with simple tables and benches stretched along the long walls, we looked for an empty space.  All the tables were packed.  Catching the eye of an employee, I attempted to ask him for a table.  He simply walked away.  Total fail.  When I returned to the bar he saw I was still there, and stated abruptly, “Wait here.”  After a few minutes, he returned for us, ushering us to a table with four other people.  He indicated we were to sit down by tossing two beer coasters on the table.  Before walking off without saying a word, he set a blank sheet of paper on the table.

We sat, encouraged by this small achievement.  We had a table.  I looked for a menu, even turning the sheet of paper over in hopes of finding a list of food and drink options.  Blank on the other side.  Feeling out of place, we surveyed the other guests at our table.  A young Czech couple sat next to me.  On Rebekah’s side of the table, two retired Czech men chatted away.  No one acknowledged us.

Suddenly, two full pints of Czech beer were set before us.  Just as quickly, two hatch marks were added to our blank sheet of paper.  “Oh, that’s the tab”, I realized.  “But why had we received beers without ordering?” I wondered.  As I looked at other tables, I realized everyone was drinking the same beer from the same glass.  I guess this pub only serves one beer (Pilsner Urquell), and why would you be at a pub if you did not want a beer?  I sipped the beer, enjoying the light yet flavorful taste.  This is how a pilsner should taste.

The beer was wonderful, but we still had not ordered food, and we were hungry!  When we entered, I noticed food on other tables.  Finally catching our server’s attention, I requested a menu.  He responded by walking off.  He left me again feeling discouraged.  However, in two minutes, he presented us with one menu to share.

We decided on a sausage plate and some beer cheese.  Shockingly, our nameless waiter was back within a few moments to take our order.  We pointed to our choices, and he briskly took the menu back from us, giving it to another table.  Our order had been taken promptly because there were only a few food menus for the entire pub, and they needed it back.

Drinking the local brew, we waited for the food.  A basket of bread appeared first.  Soon after, two plates arrived at our table.  The sausage, served with a house-made mustard and horseradish sauce was delicious.  The beer cheese plate was a bit of a mystery.  Two blobs dominated the dish, along with mustard and chopped onions.  Thinking the smaller blob was cheese, Rebekah took a bite.  Pure butter.  She chased the butter with some bread.  The first blob was the only cheese.  And it smelled.  With some effort, we spread the cheese on our bread.  Adding the sausage, mustard and onions, we made miniature sandwiches.  It was delicious!  However, the Czechs at the table were visibly amused.

Almost finished with our meal, the young man sitting next to me turned away from his date, and asks, “What do you think of the cheese?”  After sitting there for almost an hour and a half, our new friend spoke to us!  Rebekah replied, “It is a bit strong.”  He laughed, and informed us that we are eating it incorrectly.  “You do not eat it on the bread”, he stated.  I inquired, “How do you eat it then?”  He replied, “I will show you,” ordering his own beer cheese.  Turning back to the woman, he resumed his conversation without us.

Once his order arrived, he took a fork and began mashing the blob of cheese, mixing in the butter, mustard and onions.  Still talking with his friend, he slowly, mechanically mixed his cheese for 15 minutes.  It seemed like an hour.  After this, he signaled to the waiter, who then brought a small shot glass full of a white liquid.  Dumping it on the plate, he handed the glass back to the waiter without a word.  For another ten minutes, he mixed the beer head/foam into the cheese concoction.  Once complete, he turned to us and said, “This is how you eat the cheese.”  Taking his knife, he smeared the mixture on a slice of bread, and proceeded to consume the entire concoction.

The Surprise Second Round

The Surprise Second Round

Thinking this unique experience was almost over, we began thinking about our bill.  Before we could act, Rebekah’s empty beer stein was replaced with a full mug, and a third mark was added to our sheet of paper.  I naïvely said, “I’ll help you with that,” thinking I had bested the unfamiliar system since I had left a small amount of beer in the bottom of my glass.  However, as soon as I took a sip from her beer, my mug was also replenished, and a fourth mark added to our bill.  Needless to say, we would be here for a while.  The man next to me became more talkative, and shared some insights into the city and the music scene.  This turned out to be a wonderful delay!

Two and a half hours after entering the Golden Tiger Pub, we managed to pay our bill.  Not sure how to make the beer stop arriving, I put my wallet and money on the table, trying to convey, “We are ready to give you money!”  The entire meal cost $14.40.  For such a small amount of money, we had an amazing experience, one we will never forget.  And we now know how to eat beer cheese in Prague!

Experiencing Food as Culture

Every Friday we take a break from our regular blogging schedule to allow the authors an opportunity to feature a certain topic they are passionate about. In the past you’ve read about art and studying abroad. Through this and other future posts we hope you’ll enjoy reading, we hope to share with you our personalities, passions, and interests on a more personal level.

Food is a necessity to human life. It sustains us physically, the sharing of food can foster community, and food can reflect culture. By far, one of my favorite things to experience when I go to a new place is the food. You can learn so much based on it: what is grown local, what is considered delicacy, how the food is eaten, who is your company, what flavors are emphasized or subtle, what social cues are in play, just to name a few.

Ethiopian Cuisine

Ethiopian Cuisine

I’ve had multiple experiences traveling abroad where I was served a very lavish meal by my hosts. They could barely afford the cost of the meal, but in those acts, it was communicated that hospitality was valued, that I was a honored guest, and that the food was the best of whatever it was that I was served. As I reflect on those experiences now, I think about how much the host culture revealed of itself in those instances. I might have been hesitant to eat whatever was served (not being a fan of insects) or be nervous about how the conversation might flow, but those things didn’t matter at all. What did matter was that I embraced what was provided and thus embraced my hosts and their culture. I’ve learned that there is value in being invited to dine with someone of a different culture, being served traditional food, and being willing to try something new even if it makes you uncomfortable.

Food from El Salvadore

Food from El Salvadore

Now this is where you interject and say “I’m not going abroad just for that” or “Is there a way to experience this close to home?”.  You’re right, I don’t just travel for food either…although it is usually a pretty high priority for Matt and I, we do love to sight see. And YES(!), if you live in a decently sized city, you don’t have to travel far to be able to experience different cuisine; you just need an adventurous appetite and/or a guide to help you along the way. Food allows you to explore the world without leaving your hometown; in a matter of a couple hours you can experience a different culture than your own just by tasting something new.

Indian rest 2Recently, Matt and I went out to eat with several of Matt’s co-workers. A majority of his co-workers are from India and they took us to an authentic (Southern) Indian restaurant. It was so fun and interesting to hear them speak about their food, what their favorites are, and explain how to eat it. I think they loved sharing it with us and they seemed appreciative that we were enthusiastic about trying a piece of their culture. Through this experience of eating together, we were able to learn so much from them about food, festivals that are celebrated, traditions, music, and values. It was an experience that I won’t soon forget and didn’t even require us to leave DFW!

I would strongly recommend getting out of your normal “box” in terms of cuisine–it will be a learning experience and a wonderful local way to experience food as culture.

indian rest 1

Woodshed Smokehouse

When friends and family visit Rebekah and I in Fort Worth, one of our favorite places to take them is the Woodshed Smokehouse.  However, it always comes with a disclaimer:  This is not your typical Texas Barbeque hole-in-the-wall.

On one occasion, my Aunt Debbie and Uncle Bob traveled from Pennsylvania just to come to the Woodshed!  Well, maybe their trip also had something to do with my cousin (their daughter) Lynn, her husband Nick and their boys that live on the other side of the Metroplex.  Anyway, our whole group loved the meal, including my two young nephews, who nibbled the very last specks of corn off the leftover cobs.

Recently, Rebekah and I hoped to share a delicious dinner with Rebekah’s close friend, Mary Beth during her Fort Worth visit.  Again, the atmosphere, food and service (by our server Taylor) did not disappoint!

The Woodshed's Woodshed

The Woodshed’s Woodshed

Actually, the Woodshed may not even be a Barbeque restaurant, with offerings as varied as bulgogi (Korean) beef tacos, red fish, 3 kale salad, and even paella, a Texan take on the traditional Spanish recipe, including mussels, clams, shrimp, rabbit-rattlesnake sausage, and game bird.  Nationally-known chef Tim Love takes a new perspective on Barbeque.  This is the only pit experience that comes complete with linen napkins!  But different can be equally delicious!  The Woodshed serves the barbeque staples:  brisket, sausage and ribs, each smoked with different woods (pecan, mesquite, oak and hickory), pairing the meat and wood perfectly.  As you can see, the Woodshed does not mess around with their food.

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