Tag Archives: food

Zizigo Korean Flapjack House in Carrollton!

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Alright.  This is another rare out of Dallas post, but do you know how many people from Carrollton tell everyone that they’re from Dallas?  Close enough, okay?

Honestly, we were lost and just ended up here because every door we tried to open was locked, and if we got in, everyone scrambled around and said, “We hurry get your orda cuz kitchen closed!!!”  Of course I just said no and we’ll find somewhere else.  When we stumbled upon this place, we walked in, and they seemed shocked to see us.  I think they were having a family/staff dinner since there were no customers.  Most of them stood up and scattered to their work stations.  The children were hugged and taken away (at least they didn’t put them to work).  It was close to midnight, so we asked if they were about to close, because I didn’t want angry kitchen staff preparing our food!  We were lucky.  They said they close at 4 a.m.

We chose to sit at the bar so we weren’t in view of the buffet they were having in the back.  That way they can sit back down and finish comfortably not worrying about what the rare customer thinks.  We got our menus and drinks.  During this moment, it seemed as if there was a HUGE language barrier.  I had a hard time understanding the menu, and when asked for an explanation, I still didn’t understand.  I ended up telling the waitress (who was probably the owner) to choose my food.  That seemed to lift a huge weight, and she suddenly had a genuine smile on her face.  She ended up choosing for the other guys with me from the categories they were focused on.

After that bumbling start, everything fell into place!!!  Food just kept coming out!  I didn’t know half of what I was eating, but I was loving it!  We did it buffet style.  There were noodles, vegetables, rice, spices, sauces, meat, meat, and MORE MEAT!!!  No.  This is not a vegetarian or vegan post.  Sorry.

While we were eating, the waitress stood there watching us the whole time and guiding us through the eating process.  She kept telling me what spices, sauces, or food items to combine.  It felt awkward being watched while I eat, and my brother whispered to me that it’s how they do it in their country.  Oh well.  I’ll take it.

In the end, we were three big guys who were super full asking for to-go boxes for all the leftovers.  My friends had a few alcoholic beverages, and the tab was STILL under $80.  We split it three ways and tipped 25% since it was so affordable and we were the only ones there.

This was one of my favorite eating experiences ever, and I had to share.  Sorry I couldn’t go in to depth as to what we ate, but the pictures above should give you a really good idea.  I just said get me something, it arrived, I pigged out.  We didn’t even order the flapjacks that they were known for, but she brought us some anyways.  It was amazing!

I definitely advise you to drive a few miles out of Dallas for this unique experience.  If they are closed, I’m sure you can walk a few feet to another experience on the same level.  I’ll add a map link, since this one is out of Dallas!  Enjoy!

Zizigo website

Zizigo’s location @ 2625 Old Denton Rd, Carrollton, TX 75007, USA

 Zizigo’s MENU

P.S.  Feel free to use the pictures I took to show the waitress.  Just hold it up and say, “I want this!”  😉

Buzzbrews at Central 75 and Fitzhugh!

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April 2014…

Hey!  Sorry I haven’t written in a while.  I got side-tracked with this silly thing called LIFE!  Anyways, I’ll post my rough draft and just edit it later.  I’m itching to get another post under my belt.  Also, notice that I put links at the end of my posts to the restaurant website.  I do this because over time, a lot of these places change Chef’s and management causing the menu and decor to possibly change as well.  Check the dates on my posts and possible updates in the end of the post.  If it’s old, it’s old.  Just read for fun.

Okay, Buzz Brews is by far my favorite breakfast place to go in Dallas.  They are open 24 hours a day at the location I go to, and it’s BYOB during regular bar hours.  They do NOT have a bar.  They DO have a huge selection of coffees to choose from.  If you get up to get some, it will end up on your tab of course.  A lot of people get pancakes, omelette, steak, or just dessert.  I always get the same thing even though I have tried almost everything on the menu over the years.  I get the build your own crepe stuffed with turkey, spinach, button mushrooms, avocado, and cheese (I do switch the cheese up sometimes).  All crepes are served with a delicious poblano cream sauce over the top and a side of fruit, toast, and jelly.

To drink?  I usually get the kombucha of the day.  I always love it when they have the apple ginger one, but I am never disappointed if it’s different.  Speaking of drinks, if I’m not very hungry, I just get a smoothie and add green stuff to it.  It comes with a buttered honey toast and jelly to balance out the health factor.

Warning, they do have community seating, so it’s possible a stranger may end up at your table if they run out of tables.  It’s never happened to me, but the idea scares and excites me at the same time…  Scared more, so instead of sit at a table, I now sit at the “bar” where the desserts are displayed.  I can’t have a stranger staring at me while I eat asking me for my toast while they wait on their food causing me to seemingly accidentally cough all over my food as I wipe saliva from my chin, palm the toast, and hold it out.  “Here you go.”

Alrighty then!!!  In short, their food is always good when I go.  I found my favorite item.  Now go and find yours.  Tell them eatingdallas.net sent you!!!  🙂

buzzbrews menu

buzzbrews website

The Truck Yard on Lower Greenville!

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The Truck Yard on lower Greenville here in Dallas is definitely one of my favorite new additions!  I can’t wait for the weather to get nice so that the stage outside is always booked!  As far as parking?  If you don’t think you can park there, don’t park there!  I got a ticket for parking in the huge empty lot next to them that was riddled with tire tracks where hundred have parked before. Still, no pavement.  My bad.

As far as the menu, it’s always changing because they change out the food trucks on a weekly basis.  When I went, there was a Mexican, Italian, and Greek truck.  If you’re ever unsure which truck to visit, just go into the main building and order a cheesesteak (or live dangerously and choose a truck you pansy!).  They drop the meat on the grill right in front of you and chop it as it cooks.  They ask you what type of cheese you want on it, and I usually choose the kind that doesn’t destroy my bowels.  🙂  Once you get it, don’t be afraid to use the condiments provided when you get it and on the counter on the other side of the door as you leave the grill line.

The patio was super cool.  I felt like I was in a redneck museum!  There were truck beds made into patio tables, igloo bar stools, liquor bottle chandeliers, old school picnic furniture, old coke machines, DIRT, a stage lined with acoustic guitars, and a tree house!  Actually, I’d call it a tree patio since there weren’t walls and a roof, and it wasn’t built IN the tree like I tried to as a kid (everything fell down including me).  Still, not to rain on their parade.  It’s a tree house that has tree house cocktails as well!  Go get some!

Also, they DO have wait staff working the floor.  Unfortunately, it’ s not always easy to distinguish them from the rest of us.  A couple of times I asked, “Excuse me.  Can you get me a beer?”  I then got a look that didn’t really sit well.  I can interpret it here, but that would take a few pages.

Beer?  Of course they have the regular selections, but they ALSO keep the Texas selections available!  You know, the more you support local, the richer our city becomes? (As I point at you with my politician’s thumb).

Anyways, I’ll put the website links below.  Keep it real!

The Truck Yard website!

The Truck Yard Food Truck Calendar!

 

Cock and Bull on Gaston in Lakewood!!!

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This place may have the best food in Lakewood EVER!  Still, if you come here, don’t be in a hurry.  There is a possibility that the food may take a while.  In that slight possibility, order an easy appetizer to hold you over.  They often have one bartender, one server, and one cook/bad ass Chef.  It may even just be a bartender and a BAD ASS COOK!!!  🙂  Still, most of the time, everything, including service, is amazing, but you never know when an unexpected rush surprises these wonderful people.

Their specials are generally written on “the board.”  I always like to order the most expensive thing on the board, especially if it is a steak or an odd meat of some kind (like kangaroo).  It’s usually the best thing “not on the menu on the menu” that day, even though a lot of their regular items are pretty amazing.  The board specials tend to run out early in the evening, so if you plan on getting their board special, show up early!  You may see pictured a bay scallop gratin prosciutto with garlic, parmesan, and panko crust.  It’s on the menu, and it ROCKS!!!  The ravioli is on there, too, and I love it!  Chewier than expected, but very satisfying.

As far as music goes, I think they finally did away with the old school jukebox and upgraded to the digital on-line version.  If nothing is playing, be prepared to listen to awkward conversations you shouldn’t be listening to.

All in all, I love this hole-in-the-wall.  It’s been around a long time and hope it stays forever.  It’s totally broken in and has a history we all want to be a part of.  I’ll put a link to their website and menu below in case anything changes.  Please excuse the bad pics taken with my iphone as opposed to my awesome Ashton Kutcher camera that I usually use.  It seems to grab too much attention when I’m out, so I just decided to whip out the phone on a few pictures this time.

Thanks for going out with me.

Cock and Bull menu.

Cock and Bull website.

Acme Food and Beverage at McKinney and Monticello! (CLOSED!)

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DSCN1535

Alright.  This place is in a bit of a jinxed location, because places tend to open here and close soon after.  I didn’t want to write about it because a few of the places I have written about have went out of business.  😦  Still, who’s to believe that an unpopular blog like mine could cause such a thing.  That’s like believing in witchcraft, magic, voodoo, or superstitions! …  Okay, I believe in all those things a little bit, but I’m pretty sure that my powers in all those areas are pretty weak, so here goes…

My favorite thing to eat here was the ribs.  They were sizable, inexpensive, and very juicy.  Then I realized that I should always order the flatbread of the day.  The bartender suggested I add bacon to it.  It was delicious!  The crust was nice and crisp, and all the veggies seemed to be fresh and super healthy (not that I’m going for that).  The wings were very good as well.  I think they were served with coleslaw that had thin crispy potato strips in it!  I love the ambiance of the place as well.  I’m pretty sure they’re about to change the name to Acme Neighborhood Lounge if they haven’t already.  They’re gonna try and let go of the fine dining feel and morph more into the bar scene and maybe even stay open until two every night.  That’s good for me, cuz that’s my hood!  Personally, I think the best way to do this is to add a few flat screens to the place.  The TV at the main bar is in an awkward location that causes me to turn completely away from my food, drinks, and friends.  Still, that’s an easy fix.  The staff here are super nice and love what they’re doing.  I can even tell the kitchen loves what they’re doing as well.  The food is tasty and presented very well.

Anyways, please check this place out if my voodoo hasn’t destroyed them yet.  I want them around forever, so I have more to choose from in my neck of the woods (whoever made that saying up???).  They have local beers on tap as well as a nice selection of creative cocktails.  Also, they’re patio is super nice and very big.  I’ll try to cast a positive spell on their success tonight.

Aboca’s Italian Grill at Central (75) and Meadow Road!

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This time I decided to stray away from my Knox/Henderson safety zone so I went just a couple miles north off the highway.  Actually, I didn’t choose this place.  It was my brother’s birthday, so of course we let his wife choose the place.  ; )  Anyways, we went Italian this time at Aboca’s Italian Grill at Central and Meadow Road.  When you get off the highway, just look for Tom Thumb in a shopping center, and you’ll see Aboca’s a few doors down.  Just look for your sign.

When I first got there, I asked what beers they had, and my crew and the waiter quickly informed me that it was BYOB.  Initially, I began to calmly yell curse words in my head until they reminded me that Tom Thumb was next door.  When I was buying my booze, I actually realized I was saving money because of this BYOB “hiccup.”

I returned shortly and the waiter said he had to get our order right away because they were about to close.  Yep.  We were “those” people.  When we got our food, we ate like wolves so we wouldn’t keep them too much longer.  Still, they showed no signs of being terribly upset for coming in at the last minute.  Also, the food seemed like they took their time on it.  Everything was amazing!  I did take a picture of the hours so that none you do what we did.

Alright.  We started out with the calamari which was fried perfectly and not greasy.  Our dinner salads arrived shortly after.  I picked it up and swallowed it whole.  For dinner, I had the shrimp pasta aboca that had shrimp, garlic, shallots, mushrooms, capers, and artichokes sauteed in a lemon white wine sauce.  Yes, I copied that directly from their menu.  My memory isn’t THAT good, and I’m not that good of a writer.  Someone else had the beef lasagna.  I tasted it and thought it was some of the best lasagna that I’ve ever had.  The birthday boy and his other half had the pasta trio that had fettucini, manicotti, and lasagna.  They split it.  It looked and smelled great.  Someone who looked important even came over and asked how everything was rather than being upset at our last minute arrival.  Honestly, they were probably pretty happy about the quick in and out business and a big tab.  I made sure to tip insanely high to show my appreciation…  Plus, I’m a server, and we all always take care of one another.  It’s an unwritten code, y’all.

Oh.  Other things on the menu that we didn’t try this time?  They have a veal menu, seafood menu, and a pizza menu that includes calzone and stromboli.  They have more selections, of course, but I’ll just include a menu link down below.

In the end, I left very satisfied, and everyone working was very nice to us.  I highly recommend this place.  Don’t forget to arrive early and pick up a six pack before you go!  😉

Aboca’s Italian Grill menu!

Be Raw Food and Juice near Douglas Ave. and N.W. Hwy!

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Okay.  So I’m playing Words With Friends with my friend in New Zealand, and he says in the chat box, “Dude, your blog is a meat fest!  You should go to a vegetarian restaurant.”  It’s funny, because I actually discussed that with a co-worker the day before.  So!  I took one for the team!  Not only did I go to a vegetarian restaurant, but I went to a VEGAN one that did ALL RAW foods that’s ORGANIC and GLUTEN-FREE!!!  This is way out of my zone, but I had to do it.  We went to Be Raw (fresh) Food and Juice near Northwest Highway and the Tollway.  When I sat down, I asked if they have beer, and they said no and that I need to cleanse myself.  Oh man.  If this was the military, I’d get an achievement medal.  Anyways, I stayed.  We ordered the kale salad to start off with, and I honestly thought it was very good.  It had avocado and tomatoes on it, and the kale was marinated in olive oil and lemon juice.  We devoured it.  After that, we shared the coconut kale enchiladas, spaghetti and “meatballs,” and the primavera bowl.  Family style.  You can tell from the pictures what they had in them, but if you want an in-depth description of the ingredients, I put a link to their menu below.  I will tell you that my favorite items were the kale salad and enchiladas.  The fake cheese was awesome, and the tortillas had a nice spiciness to them.  The noodles were tasty, but they threw me off a bit because they were cold.  Duh.  Raw.  I should’ve expected it.  I just wasn’t thinking straight because I didn’t have a beer to wash the food back with.  Oh, the “meatballs” are made with walnuts, basil, olive oil, and marinara.  I hit a wall when I was here, because there’s only so much healthy food I can eat.  I was still a little hungry yet had to stop, but we ended up sharing a chocolate bliss smoothie that had raw cacao, agave nectar and coconut butter.  That was the best thing I had and was literally finally full after the few sips I had of it!  It’s really hard to believe that it was vegan.  So tasty.

They have a lot more items on their menu like soups, sandwiches, raw pizza, wraps, and rolls.  I just shared what we had on this visit.  Maybe next time I’ll get a soup and ask them to microwave it!  Just kidding.  They’d probably hurt me if I did that.

Honestly I wasn’t sure if I’d come back because of the lack of a bar, and I didn’t wanna get in trouble for concealing a flask, but Yelp says they’re a BYOB joint.  If this is the case, I’ll definitely be back!  I really need to add healthier foods to my body.  Check this place out for sure, especially if you’re one of “those people.”  You know?  Health conscious, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose intolerant, or a recovering alcoholic.

Thanks for reading!  🙂

Be Raw Fresh Food and Juice menu!

The RAW website!

The LOT at Gaston and E. Grand Ave./Garland Road!

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I truly love what they did here at the Lot in East Dallas.  It was once known as the Backyard Beach Bar for many years where there was a swimming pool and a few volleyball courts.  I had fun going there to prove that older people could still play volleyball.  Granted.  I did seek out the drunkest team available so the “Dirty Thirties” could win.  Anyways, enough about me, on to the Lot!  My friends and I went on opening day in February of 2013.  It was Monday, and they were super busy!  So busy, in fact, that they ran out of the two items I chose from their menu online before even going, so I MUST go back to try them.  If you’re curious, I wanted the wagyu beef tongue sandwich with a fried egg and the bison bleu cheese buffalo meat balls.  Still, what I ended up getting was very satisfying.  We started off with the crispy baked kale and the red hot mini dogs.  They were both good.  I’m curious how they seasoned the kale to make it taste so good.  For dinner I had the turkey meatloaf sandwich, and my friend had the LOT burger.  I saved the second half of my sandwich for later because I hate eating until painfully full, and I didn’t want to waste such a delicious juicy sandwich.  My friend’s LOT burger had smokey ham, cheddar, white onion, crisp lettuce, and red chile smear.  He finished it all.  What a pig!…  or it was a good sandwich.  We also shared the hand-cut fries.  They tasted really fresh and were seasoned perfectly.  I didn’t get a picture of it, because we attacked it before I thought about grabbing my camera.  😦

After dinner, we ordered their healthy juice drinks.  One had carrots, orange, and ginger, and the other had beets, orange, and ginger.  Well, I guess forgot I don’t like beets!  The rum we had them add (for $2 more) made it better, though.  I drank it all for a nice healthy buzz.

Outside, although the swimming pool and volleyball courts are missing, they have a huge dining area resting atop where the pool was, and they have a play area for kids and one for adults (bags/cornhole etc.) where the volleyball courts once were.  It also looks like there will be an outside bar when the weather gets nice.

Overall, I like the new dining room and appreciate all the hard work they did in renovating.  It looks and feels great.  Their Chef is very good and pleasantly creative.  I’m glad they have vegan options for my weird friends, as well.  I’m gonna miss the swimming pool I never swam in, but I will actually miss the volleyball courts.  It looks like it’d be easy to bring them back, though.  They will soon expand the back area to connect with the Sante Fe Trail, and I’m sure this will bring them more traffic.  Sweaty runners and bikers get hungry and thirsty just as much (if not more) as us cave dwellers.  I hope they do well because I would love to have this place as an option to go to whenever I’d like.  I like what’s going on here.

Check out the link below for the rest of their menu.

*cough*bring back volleyball*cough

The Lot website and menu.

J. Black’s on Henderson! (CLOSED)

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We got really lucky on the night we visited J. Black’s.  We were just driving around and randomly chose this place.  I said, “Let’s just go there.  I’m too hungry to think.”  It was Tuesday, and they have half-priced pizza and $3 select drafts on that day!  Score!!!  I think I got the Rahr Whiskey Warmer.  Plus it was kinda slow, so we had awesome service.  I didn’t know if our server was a manager, server, bartender, or all the above, because he was all over the place.  Behind the bar, on the floor, making drinks, running food, adjusting other server checks, etc.  Whatever the case, he was bombtastic.  I hate that they were kinda slow, but I loved it too.  It was nice and laid back.

For an appetizer we got calamari.  It was great!  It came with greens, parmesan, cocktail and tarter sauce.  As soon as we were done, we got our half priced pizza.  We were gonna get the crab an portobello pizza but ended up getting the omnivore that was recommended by our server/manager/bartender/owner/carpenter dude.  He said that he thinks seafood is odd on a pizza… to him.  He said it’s good but odd.  I like odd. I’m gonna try it next time.  Anyways, we got the omnivore.  It had Jimmy’s Italian sausage, pepperoni, salami, ranch bacon, mushrooms, pepperoncini, and feta.  It was nice.  The crust was thin and crispy, and it was meaty.  Very flavorful!  The half priced pizza deal strayed me from perusing the rest of the menu, but after we were done, I realized they had lollipop lamb chops!  I love lamb!  Sooooo……  next time I’m getting the weird pizza and lamb.  No need for a menu.  Just ring that in please…  And crab cakes.

Off the subject, I LOVE that they played some old school Michael Jackson.  I think it was Girlfriend or P.Y.T.  I was in heaven.  Also, the seats were super comfy, and there was a LOT of … HD TVs!  😉  I highly recommend this place during their slow times.  I’ve heard less impressive stories during their peak hours on the weekend.  To be honest, that’s the case at any restaurant or bar.  It’s just common sense.  We all strive for perfection, but we’re only human.  Sometimes we fumble.

J. Black’s Menu

J. Black’s website

Baker’s Ribs south of Greenville and Lovers!

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Here’s your sign!

Here’s your sign!

Yep.  This is yet another post about “take out,” but it’s not about five star tacos.  It’s about barbecue!  I love ribs, and this is where I usually go for it.  There’s something about eating with my hands that makes me feel a bit macho.  Grounded.  Animalistic…  Then I go home and listen to Jason Mraz and watch the WWE.  Anyways, it’s hit or miss here with their ribs, but hit more than miss.  There were times when I’ve had more bone than meat, but after I eat my sides and the “other” meat (I always get two meats in case one is lacking in quality), I always leave full and satisfied.  They may not have servers, but they have a huge dining area with a “salad bar” stationed in the the center where you can get pickles, onions, jalapenos, etc.  Also, they have sweet tea!  If you look at the pictures, you’ll also see they have beer.

On this visit, I got the ribs with brisket, green beans, and spiced tomatoes.  My friend got ribs with sausage and a stuffed baked potato.  I had sweet tea instead of beer this time.  It was early.  Trying to be responsible since I had to work soon.  (I should’ve had a beer.)  Two of my ribs were AWESOME and meaty, and one was mostly bone, but hey, I eat too much anyways, AND I left super full.  Full, happy, and ready for a quick nap.  🙂

Of course, you can order family dinners if you don’t feel like cooking after a long day.  Check it out.  There’s a nice Texas theme goin’ on.

Baker’s Ribs Dallas Menu (Greenville Avenue)

Baker’s Ribs Website (TEN LOCATIONS!!!)