While Emily Spicer is away, the boys will play on today's episode of the TasteCast Podcast. Topics include edible plants native to Texas, five sandwiches we're loving right now, a "Cheetos" taste test, and discussion of when a restaurant should close, and when it should stay open. Read more at https://www.expressnews.com/food/.

Simple holiday weekend recipes, what’s new in the world of ovens and what are the features you really need. We also talk about Boudro’s 1.5-star review, some big barbecue news, the new spice blend we’re obsessed with, a great peanuty snack to pair with cocktails, and we rant and lament that no, in fact, fall is not just around the corner for us here in San Antonio.

We talk about how to elevate your steak game with creative sauces. We also tell you the 5 sandwiches in downtown SA that you should be eating now and why Hot Joy was knocked down to 1 star in a re-review. We taste test some Thindulgent cookies, talk about the espresso we’re obsessed with, give you the recipe for Smoked Salmon Bites with Lemon-Dill Creme Fraiche and we get all ranty about bad music at restaurants.

We talk about all things Hatch chile and why you should be grilling your breakfast. We also talk about the two-star review for the Jerk Shack, the new mom-and-pop liquor store in Alamo Heights we’ve fallen in love with, tell you how to add tea to 2 summery cocktails and we get all ranty about the absolute insanity of national food holidays. Read more at https://www.expressnews.com/food/.

Get your summer melons out the fruit salad and onto your dinner plate. We’ll also give you the top 5 pollos spots in San Antonio, we taste test the products from the 4 S.A. finalists in HEB’s annual state contest, we share the burger we’re obsessed with right now, the marinated olives we can’t get enough of and we get all ranty about men who can’t plan for dinner.

The Taste Team discusses easy, steamed one-pot meals with big flavors that get dinner on the table with little heat and little fuss. Then we go big with beef ribs, we talk about the 1-star review of Koi Kawa, the vanilla salt we are craving right now, 2 watermelon cocktails to brighten up your summer and we get ranty about long waits at restaurants.

Today we talk about fancy-pants ice cream floats, the 5 sandwiches you should be eating right now, the 2 ½ star review of Chama Gaucha. We tell you about the new pollos asados joint that should be on your radar, our new Italian ice obsession, updating your caprese salad for a party -- and we complain loudly about the rude guests who like to ruin dinner parties. Read more at https://www.expressnews.com/food/.

All the chilled, no-heat ways to use the season’s bounty of corn, why you should be bathing your ribs and chicken wings in peanut butter and jelly - yes, for reals.The 1-star review of San Antonio favorite India Oven, the new restaurant going into the old Casbeers spot on Blanco, the new fruit that’s about to become your summer obsession, an herby salsa verde you will want to slather on everything and we rail loud and proud against buffets! Read more at https://www.expressnews.com/food/.

Today we’ll talk about pineapple drinks - most without any booze - and what happens when you add fruit to a smoker. We’ll also talk about the zero-star review of downtown’s Hoppin’ John, the closure of San Antonio’s best bar, the cutest food-related kids book and we get all ranty about buns that don’t hold their own against stuffed sandwiches and burgers - like an elephant squeezed into skinny jeans.