Review: Fort Worth Food Park

Well it’s been a long time coming, but Fort Worth is finally catching up with Austin.  A park made up of food trailers opened in the Fort last weekend and as my friend Luke says “it looks like a bunch of gypsies moved in.”  It is located just off of 7th street on Weisenberger which is between Target and White Settlement.  Opening weekend, there were 6 trailers – Red Jet Sweets (cupcakes), Nammi (Vietnamese), Yes Taco, Jake’s Hamburgers, Good Karma Kitchen (Vegetarian/gluten free ), and Lee’s Grilled Cheeses.

Luckily I was with my gal pal Molly who is willing to split things so we were able to try a couple of trailers. We started off with Nammi and we are hooked.  If you aren’t familiar with the banh mi sandwich, all you need to know is if you like fresh ingredients and spice, you will like this sandwich.  You pick your meat – chicken, pork, tofu, bbq pork- and it is served on a baguette with cucumber, carrots, radishes, cilantro, and jalapeno.  I highly recommend the bbq pork.

banh mi (pronounced bun me)

We also hit up Lee’s Grilled Cheese trailer and while we were satisfied with the end result, it did take a while to get there, which is a little shocking for a grilled cheese sandwich.  Our catchphrase for them is “wait 25 minutes for a sandwich you’ll eat in 25 seconds.”  Obviously it’s good, but some kinks need to be worked out to make it run a little smoother.

Luke and Kristin had a hamburger and hot dog from Jake’s and the only thing I can say about Jake’s is if you like poppy seeds, you’ll like Jake’s.  Ok I can also vouch for their sweet potato fries.  They serve them with a marshmallow dipping sauce — kinda genius.   And Molly says they have a really good black bean burger, but they don’t offer it at the food trailer.

This is going to be a fun place for Fort Worth so check it out when you can.  Be sure to check the website before you go because it changes every weekend.  I know they’ll have local bands playing often and I think there are plans to show movies on some nights. Also it is BYOB and pet-friendly.  Brinkley can’t wait to go.

Road Trip: San Angelo black Friday edition

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  It is my favorite holiday and I feel like Christmas creeps up more and more each year to overshadow it. I love it because it is a day to stop and give thanks for all that we have and to enjoy really delicious food that has become a tradition for each family.  We have dressing that has become our own special family recipe, peas that only granny can make right, a cranberry salad that compliments the meal perfectly and a pecan pie that will knock your socks off. This meal has been the same for me for as long as I can remember, but it has become even more special as I have gotten older.

Stacy, does this hot pink mixer make you want to cook?

So my Thanksgiving took me back to the San Angelo area which means I have some more fun places to share with you.  My cousins are hardcore black Friday shoppers and I have avoided being sucked into their craziness until this year when I decided to give in.  I’m willing to try everything once and this was my year to give it a go.  A pretty good year to try it since all the major retailers opened at midnight and we didn’t get started until 5:00 a.m.  When we pulled into the Wal-Mart parking lot they could already tell a difference from previous years.  We hit up Wal-Mart, Target, Pier-1, the mall, and then we hit up downtown Concho where as you know from my previous trip you can find Eggemeyers, J Wilde’s, Sassy Fox, and Gypsy Trunk.  They introduced me to a new shop downtown – Myer’s drugstore.

The Christoval vineyard added a tasting room. Isn't it nice?

I have heard from my cousins how good Armenta’s is  – well I finally got to try it. And I realized that this is the restaurant that is associated with the Tavern in Fort Worth.  Same family! Same great flavor.  I enjoyed it and as soon as I entered I knew it was the kind of place I had to take my dad.  My cousins ordered enchiladas and I had carnitas.  I really liked the carnitas, but I will definitely try the tres colores enchiladas the next time I’m there.

que bueno

On our way back to Christoval we stopped at Sugar Daddy’s desserts and you have got to try it! The proprietor has perfected the art of chocolate and even offers SQUITTLE. You have to check out his website to find out what that is.

Back in Christoval Christy took me to The Christmas Tree Farm.  It reminded me of the Peanuts cartoon and whatever it must be like if your family actually goes out and cuts a tree down for Christmas.  The gift shop is super cute.

One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving in San Angelo is that it means a trip home through Abilene. This was an extra special trip home through Abilene because one of my best friend’s (Jamie) brother had a baby the same night I was there.  Dawson Rose was born and was another reason to stop and be thankful.  Jamie also shared her super-simple, super-delicious key lime pie recipe.

Mrs. Kitty’s Key Lime Pie

1 can of sweetened condensed milk

1 carton of Cool Whip

1/3 can frozen limeade

1 graham cracker crust

Mix by hand and pour into the crust.  Freeze until ready to serve.

I’m working on a post about my recent trip to New Orleans and I will either feature red beans n recipe or shrimp boil.  Either way, this key lime pie will compliment it perfectly.

Enjoy! and please check out sugar daddy’s website.  Trust me, it’s a great gift. Amaretto by morning – how clever is that?