Eat Drink D-FW

Everybody loves a potluck, especially this food team. Listen as food editor Erin Booke chats with reporters Sarah Blaskovich and Claire Ballor, plus our producer Nataly Keomoungkhoun, about summer entertaining and what dishes to bring (and which ones to avoid). Do you bring something cold? Something hot? Or go for dessert? Then Erin talks about the D-FW beer scene with George Esquivel, founder of Four Corners Brewing Co. in Dallas, as he celebrates the 10th anniversary of the brewery. Cheers!

This week’s episode is fun and feisty. Listen as food editor Erin Booke (Team Iceberg Lettuce) has a big burger fight (OK, mild, respectful debate) with writers Sarah Blaskovich (”I like squishy food”) and Claire Ballor (Call Me Caramelized). Then writer Nick Rallo joins us to chat about Italian food and which pasta his aunt packs in her luggage when she visits from New York. Then Erin, Sarah and Claire do a taste test of the viral “Healthy Coke” trend. We hope you like balsamic vinegar!

We’re all being asked to pay more lately when we eat out, be it a 20% tip at the coffee counter or a 10% service fee for to-go meals. Listen as food editor Erin Booke and food reporters Sarah Blaskovich and Claire Ballor discuss the state of tipping and extra charges, especially during a time of historic inflation. Then, we’re joined by Brian Reinhart, dining critic at D Magazine, to talk about food and the Muslim community in D-FW. It’s an important focus of his work, and he details the different cuisines and dishes that are finding a home in North Texas.

It’s June now, and that means weddings are on the minds of lots of folks. And what’s one thing guests remember most about weddings? The food (or maybe, the open bar). In this episode of Eat Drink D-FW, food editor Erin Booke chats with our producer Nataly Keomoungkhoun about her upcoming Dallas wedding and how she’s making her food decisions. Plated dinner or food trucks? What to offer vegetarians? Brunch or no brunch? Chocolate fountain or champagne waterfall? Then we hear from listeners about their favorite foodie finds: Paula loves Monster Yogurt in Richardson (it’s kosher!); Susan is a new fan of elk tacos; and Kristie gives us the best tip ever: where to shop while drinking wine!

In this episode of Eat Drink D-FW, food editor Erin Booke talks with food reporter Sarah Blaskovich about her story on the Dallas restaurants we miss most. That’s right, these restaurants are no longer around, but still hold a special place in our hearts. The ones we miss most are either the spots where we celebrated important dates with those we loved, or where we just knew our friends would be hanging out. Then we hear lauded chef Dean Fearing, Rangers Insider Evan Grant, food writer Amanda Albee, and longtime reader Paige Flink share in their own words about the spots they miss.

In this special episode of Eat Drink D-FW, food editor Erin Booke talks with food reporters Sarah Blaskovich and Claire Ballor about the stories behind D-FW’s oldest, most historical restaurants. Sarah talks about her research methodology, why oral history is important, and how wonderful it is that Fort Worth seems to preserve its dining history so well. Then you’ll hear from Gene Dunston, the 91-year-old owner of Dunston’s Steakhouse: He’s got tons of stories. And [spoiler alert], we also talk about possibly the boldest Shark Tank restaurant proposal yet, and if Dallas is ready for swankier dining dress codes.

There’s lots to love in this week’s episode of Eat Drink D-FW, from news on Dolly Parton and Mexican Pizza to TikTok videos of a copycat Raising Cane’s sauce. (Plus you’ll get a kick out of hearing us all pronounce “Worcestershire.”)

Then food editor Erin Booke chats with Cynthia Nevels of the local Soulgood restaurant about the vegan food scene in D-FW, and why collaboration and supporting others is key in being a woman entrepreneur of color. “I’m the Lizzo of the Dallas food scene,” Nevels says. (!!!) Then take a food tour around the world with former Dallas Morning News dining critic Leslie Brenner as we talk about her Webby-award winning cooking website, Cooks Without Borders, plus we get her always-interesting thoughts on how the Dallas dining scene has evolved.

Big restaurant openings this spring: Carbone, Clifton Club, Cafe Hunan, Akira Back in Grandscape, Dolce Riviera, Casa Rosa, Knox Bistro

Dirty Shirley! Are you into the ‘drink of the summer’?

Asian Grub x Krio Block Party 2022: 12-6 p.m. May 14 at Krio, 233 W. 7th Street, Suite 100, Dallas, hosted by Asian Grub in DFDub and Krio restaurant. Vendors include Beard Papas, Crack Brisket, An Choi (owned by same folks at Pho 544 restaurant in Murphy), Scoop N Buns, and 7 Leaves.

Other spots named by Vu Ly: Japanese cafe called Okaeri Cafe (also owner of Chelle’s Seafood Kitchen), Jollibee, Ober Here in Fort Worth, Ampersand Coffee in Fort Worth, Ari Korean BBQ, Shoyo, and Asian Nights in Haltom City.

Carne Asada Fest: May 29-30 at Gilley’s South Side Ballroom: carneasadafest.com. Vendors include Jazzy’s Tacos, Cheros Latin Kitchen, Serape Treats, BlackHeart Treats (concha sandwich), Pinche Smokerz, Ely’s Micheladas, and Stewart’s Roasted Corn on the Cob.

Grab your grub to go this week as we explore a lot of food on wheels. Listen as food editor Erin Booke talks about the new Dallas food truck rules with Dallas Morning News city government reporter Everton Bailey Jr., then chats with Deah Berry Mitchell about the relaunch of the Soul of DFW food and Black history bus tours, and why oral history is so important to learning about Black food culture. And for a special bonus, Texas Monthly Taco Editor José Ralat stops by to talk about “why there’s no better place to be eating Mexican food than in Texas right now,” and how Dallas fits into that. (We definitely need more puffy tacos.)

Move aside, Starbucks, “college kid coffee” is taking over North Texas. Listen as food editor Erin Booke and food reporters Sarah Blaskovich and Claire talk about this new coffee shop trend along with other popular drink stuff we’re seeing, like non-alcoholic bar programs (and, by the way, why smoothies are not mocktails). Sarah also talks about why people love - and will miss - Herrera’s Cafe, the backstory behind Hard Eight BBQ paying money back to its employees, and how one restaurateur is helping refugees from Ukraine. Plus, we talk about our favorite junk foods, and why mac and cheese and Hot Cheetos might be the best combo ever.