Eat Drink D-FW

How long should you smoke a brisket? Do you salt and pepper, or use a slather? In this special bonus episode of Eat Drink D-FW, listen as Dallas Morning News food reporter Sarah Blaskovich hosts a barbecue roundtable with Joe Zavala, co-owner of Zavala’s Barbecue in Grand Prairie, and Lane Milne, co-owner of Goldee’s Barbecue in Fort Worth. They talk about what equipment they use, their different approaches to barbecue, and how they’re handling the rising costs of meat and supplies.

We’d all love to eat like an Italian every day, right? The Eat Drink D-FW team recorded at Eataly Dallas to talk to chef Paola Saglietti about her favorite holiday dishes and entertaining tips, plus what she thinks of Italian restaurants in Dallas. Host Erin Booke and writers Sarah Blaskovich and Claire also talk about the cult of Buc-ee’s, Dallas spots on reality TV, and food packaging that causes anxiety. Then we chat with Mike McCloud, president and CEO of the World Food Championships, about what it takes to judge 1,500 chefs competing for big money.

We don’t want to be James Corden, but sometimes you do need to send your food back at a restaurant. Listen as The Dallas Morning News food team talks about bad behavior in restaurants, and why it’s so hard for nice people to ever complain about their food. We also talk about the “cult of the restaurant kitchen,” why we all love olive appetizers, a new jalapeño popper dip recipe, and a great new lunch spot. Then we chat with Elizabeth Myong, reporter for ArtsAccess, about the role of food in the North Texas arts community, and why she thinks “Dallas has the best Korean food scene in Texas.”

Join the Eat Drink D-FW team for a special — and very spirited — Halloween episode recorded at spooky Dallas mezcaleria Las Almas Rotas. Owner Shad Kvetko tells stories about haunted happenings at his bar. Did that mummified monkey just move? And does pouring a shot of mezcal keep the spirits happy? Maybe. Host Erin Booke and food writers Sarah Blaskovich, Claire Ballor and Nick Rallo also talk about their favorite Halloween candies, and La Casita Bakeshop owner Maricsa Trejo tells us why she loves Halloween so much and what’s actually in her “Murder Cruffin.”

Will these viral pumpkin cookies make you the best new neighbor? Is breakfast soup really a thing? And what on earth does Flamin’ Hot Mountain Dew taste like? (It definitely looks like “windshield wiper fluid.”) Listen as the food team tries some new foods and shares a lot of opinions about them. We also then talk about writer Claire Ballor’s series — the best things we ate this week — which can include anything from homemade “hamburger helper” to a Costco sample or a special avocado nigiri. Have something great you ate? Share with us at [email protected].

Everybody eats, right? Even politicians. And restaurants often play a huge role in how people get elected in Texas and beyond. Dallas Morning News political reporter Gromer Jeffers joins the food team this week to chat about the big midterm election on Nov. 8 and why food is so important on the campaign trail. What restaurants does Beto like? What does Abbott order? At which Dallas restaurants can you often find local elected officials? Gromer knows. Listen in, and don’t forget to vote.

From “It’s a disaster” to “I want this for my final meal” and “I don’t really like hot fruit,” our team did not hold back when trying and ranking the top 10 Big Tex Choice Award finalists at the State Fair of Texas for 2022. Listen as seven journalists — food editor Erin Booke, food reporter Sarah Blaskovich, audience journalists Ariyon Dailey and Sam Bonacci, product manager Britton Peele, our managing editor Amy Hollyfield, and producer Julie Fisk — let loose with some hot (and maybe kinda shady) opinions on everything from the horchata milkshake to a brisket biscuit and fried charcuterie.

Do you “get it” or not? Dallas Morning News retail reporter Maria Halkias talks to food editor Erin Booke and food reporter Sarah Blaskovich about the three kinds of H-E-B customers, what the biggest sellers were on the first opening day in Frisco (get the Texas-shaped chicken nuggets), and what’s next for the grocery store in North Texas. Then, Sarah and writer Kevin Gray talk about Belgian beer at the new Meyboom Brasserie on Greenville Avenue, and longtime State Fair of Texas concessionaire Cassy Jones gives us the scoop on those deep-friend collard greens.

Sometimes we are just too tired to cook — and too broke to order DoorDash. That’s when we grab our go-to burnout foods. Join food editor Erin Booke, food writers Claire Ballor and Nick Rallo, and producer Julie Fisk as we talk about the quick meals we put together when we are just OVER IT. (Hint: The freezer is your friend.) Then, we chat about hot dogs, our favorite movie snacks, and sit down with the founders of the Dallas Asian American Historical Society about how they are tracing the history of Asian restaurants in North Texas.

Brats or brisket? White Claw or Lone Star? Cowboys Insider David Moore joins our food team in talking about Texas tailgating culture. Where does Dallas rank? He has some thoughts. Host Erin Booke and food reporters Sarah Blaskovich and Claire Ballor also discuss the Great Coleslaw Debate, the two D-FW restaurants on the Bon Appetit best-of list, and why we love the Chilton cocktail.