Eat Drink D-FW

What would a celebration of life be without food? Dallas Morning News food reporter Imelda Garcia shares her family’s Day of the Dead traditions, which include offering favorite foods and drinks like tamales and Mexican brandy to departed loved ones. And don’t forget the sugar skulls, which will remind you to live life to the fullest every day. Then it’s time for a scary taste test, as the food team tries a Skittles energy drink as well as the hottest new candy on store shelves. Are the mac and cheese gummies as terrifying as they sound?

One of Dallas’ liveliest restaurants also happens to be its most ... dead? Samir Dhurandhar, founding chef at longtime steakhouse Nick & Sam’s, joins the podcast to tell stories of his many ghostly encounters over 24 years at the restaurant, which used to house a morgue of sorts for nearby Parkland Memorial Hospital. During the quiet morning hours before opening, Chef Samir has heard whispers, seen objects move, and even talked to an apparition. Some spirits are helpful, tweaking administrative tasks or pointing him to ingredients in the kitchen. He says the ghosts seem to like it there, and who wouldn’t want to spend their afterlife at an endless party?

Dallas-Fort Worth is full of new and exciting restaurants to visit right now, and the Dallas Morning News food team has its favorites. From French food in Fort Worth to a North Texas Portillo’s takeover, there’s something for everyone and every mood. Reporter Imelda Garcia also shares why Austin restaurant El Naranjo is worth the trip — for authentic Oaxacan dishes and a sweet behind-the-scenes family story. And if you need some new words to zhuzh up your food vocabulary, the team discusses Merriam-Webster's newest additions, like cheffy, stage, torta and smashburger.

The Dallas Morning News food team and their associate tasters recently spent hundreds of coupons at the State Fair of Texas to taste the ten Big Tex Choice Awards finalists for 2023. Listen as the team samples pizza topped with french fries, cold cheesecake on a stick, fried pho stuffed with noodles, crabby tater tots and more, all while sitting in the shadow of Big Tex. Which dishes are worth your (fried) dough?

While Dallas has seen many high-dollar new restaurants open in the last couple of years, some new (and old) spots are bucking the trend and going back to casual. The Dallas Morning News food team explains how East Dallas favorite Gemma reinvented itself with a more casual vibe and menu, and new Green Point aims to be a casual “seafood brasserie,” where diners can stroll in for a glass of wine and oysters at the bar. The food team then reads some tasty listener emails about sushi, pizza and what’s in their freezer.

The Eat Drink D-FW team sits down with Texas Monthly’s Barbecue Editor Daniel Vaughn at Brix Barbecue in Fort Worth to talk about the state of smoked meats. Vaughn dishes on how Texas-style barbecue has influenced a brisket boom across the country, but how it’s now evolving with more influence from immigrant cuisines like Mexican, Vietnamese and Ethiopian. Texas pitmasters aren’t afraid to break the “rules” now, either, by showcasing whole hog, wine lists and more. Listen as Vaughn also shares his favorite new spots, how much meat he eats in a week, and why being a barbecue editor is sometimes more about the people than the food.

What’s the secret to living to 100? Is it eating sweet potatoes, ditching our dependency on cars, or hanging out with friends more? Listen as The Dallas Morning News food team explores how the new Netflix docuseries about longevity ― Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones ― has already prompted big diet and lifestyle changes. Producer Julie Fisk even says “it’s changed everything” for her. The team also tastes a new sweet potato treat as they talk about the latest Dallas restaurant news and toast to El Fenix as the historic restaurant turns 105. Here’s to longevity!

Did you know that people in Mexico City eat quesadillas without cheese? Dallas Morning News reporter Imelda Garcia explains Mexico’s national debate over cheese vs. no-cheese quesadillas as the food team tries both kinds from Dallas taqueria Tortas Revolucion. The team also shares “the best burger news of the year” before cracking open their pantries to showcase the condiments they can’t live without, from spicy sauces to delicate dressings.