Food #1

Following the lead of Danny Sims, I will have a guest blogger with me this week. My sweet wife, Beth Ann, will be joining me in my rant. This week we will enlighten and discuss with you certain thoughts and feelings about food.

The topic for Monday will center on favorite places to eat out or favorite foods from specific restaurants. A preview for Tuesday: candy (Beth Ann feels it deserves a day of its own).

Craig:
As most of you know, I am considered to be a picky eater. That seems to bother other people more than it bothers me. I know what I like and I am happy with what I like.

If we are going to get a quick bite at a fast food establishment: count me in for Sonic. They have a great grilled cheese on Texas Toast. They also have the chili/cheese coney. Their cheddar peppers are great, but I do pick the pepper out and eat just the batter and cheese (told you I was picky). Sonic burgers are good too. I am a big fan of the Sonic drinks as well. Some desserts are pretty good as well.

I am also a fan of Taco Bueno, Chick Fil-A and Jack in the Box (I also like their marketing strategies). I do admit to liking Long John Silver's. So bad for you, but so good.

I do consider myself a corn dog specialist as well. Nothing touches the Fletcher's corn dog but the CornDog 7 at Hulen Mall is excellent. Getting past the funny hats they wear is a challenge but I have been able to do that due to their great corn dogs and lemonade. Sonic's corn dog is another I would endorse.

If we are going to sit down at a restaurant and order: Chili's, Red Hot and Blue, Pei Wei, On the Border and Johnny Carino's. The chips and hot sauce at Chili's is one of my favorite. I like their burgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken tortilla soup, chicken fried steak and chicken fingers. I was raised on pork barbeque so Red Hot and Blue is a favorite. Great pulled pig and dry ribs. The hot and spicy chicken with white rice from Pei Wei is a favorite. I do think my family could eat at Pei Wei about three/four times a week if we could afford it. On the Border has great fajitas and great chips and salsa. I am not as lover of Italian food but I do find Johnny Carino's to be very good. Great chicken dishes.

If Beth Ann and I get to have a nice dinner out then I want steak. I do like red meat, although I like it well done. Our once every 2 years meal at Del Frisco's is wonderful. The peppercorn steak and a side of augrautin potatoes is the best. A place not as expensive for steak that I enjoy is The Keg. Great atmosphere and the flavor of their steak is excellent. Another restaurant for a red meat fix is Salt Grass. They have great Shiner Bock bread and excellent steaks.

Beth Ann:
Mmmmmmm....I have just finished walking 4.8 miles while thinking about food in preparation for this maiden blogging experience. There is something strange about exercising while thinking about food, but I had to prime the pump a little to allow for maximum productivity at the keyboard before the little ones get up! I listened to a lot of your stuff, too, BST and Sheryl.

If we're talking fast food, I have to tell you about Taco Villa. You may have heard about this chain, but there is a branch in Topeka where I grew up that makes their own sauce. They have the very best beef/bean/sauce/cheese proportions in a burrito. I don't know how they do it. Their tortillas are just the right thinness. They specialize in something called the "Thing". I don't know what it has in it. I just know that it is the best cheesy mess on top of a tortilla chip I've ever had. The best thing about this place is I used to go there as a little girl and the owner would make balloon animals, and I ate there several times a week in high school (open lunch). And now, when we are in town, my husband likes it so well he sneaks out of the house and has it about once a day!

For a casual dining experience, IHOP gets my vote! Seriously! I could eat breakfast any time of the day. They have these new whole grain pancakes that are about the best thing I've ever put in my mouth. Also, I don't know what lingonberries are...but they have them at IHOP and they are good!

For nice evenings out, we are definitely Ft. Worth folks. We've tried the Dakotas and the Antares of Dallas...that's just not us. Give me Firecracker Shrimp at Harbor One on Lake Worth. The best part about that place is we used to go there when we were dating. Reata is also one of my favorites. And we always agree on Del Frisco's. He can have his steak. For me it's the shrimp cocktail, spinach souffle and a great dessert. The best part is watching a man who truly enjoys a good meal in peace. It puts a special smile on his face that I love to see. Thanks for the guest spot, baby! More on candy later...a dining experience in itself....