Sandwich Tour of Dallas Part 3 - State Fair Edition

Previously

Part 1 - - Part 2 - - Part 3

Out of the Loop  - -  Golden Anniversary

It's State Fair time but put away those corn dogs and drop those turkey legs because the Sandwich Tour of Dallas continues!

We start with an item that mades its State Fair debut a few years back.   Deep Fried Mac & Cheese Sliders can be found at the Steve Velasquez's food stand in the Grand Place Building (the building where they sell hot tubs, sewing machines and alpaca fur blankets).  It's like a regular slider but includes a deep fried patty of three-cheese macaroni and cheese.

When I first heard of these I didn't realize that it came with the beef patty.  I just thought the mac & cheese replaced it instead of accompanied it.  I think they could have gotten away with that but I'm glad they didn't.  The taste is great and the two components are great compliments to each other.  Apparently it takes a while to cook, or maybe they haven't streamlined the process, so there was a wait after I ordered.  But they are definitely a unique fair snack and worth a try.

Little Bob's B-B-Q inside the Tower Building (where the food court is) is a yearly stop for me at the fair.   It may seem a little unusual (or perhaps too usual) but they've got a great thick-cut Bologna Sandwich.  But this time I went for the chopped pork bbq sandwich.

Now, Dallas bbq is a whole other set of blog entries but I'm fond of Little Bob's and bbq sandwiches are a fair staple.  This is a great option for those who might need a respite from deep fried shenanigans but still want to EAT.  The sauce is a milder variety than you usually find and the meat is smokey and flavorful.  It's filling but not too heavy and makes a great lunch.

And now on to dessert and since this is the State Fair of Texas it MUST be deep fried!  You may think that the two elements of being deep fried and in sandwich form would narrow your options but not at the State Fair.  I decided on the Deep Fried Peanut Butter, Jelly and Banana Sandwich.

I've mentioned before that as great as peanut butter is, it becomes ten times better when it's heated up.  The variety of flavors and textures meld together greatly and the batter is so good that it could be fried up and served on its own.  Like many deep fried desserts it's dusted with powdered sugar and served warm.  This one is definitely filling so you'll need to pace yourself.

These are only a small sample of what the fair has to offer.  So grab your Fair Park map, come up with a good game plan and bring your appetite.

Top 5 Things For Sale at Texas Treasures

Previously: Top 5 Items for Sale at the Alamo Gift Shop  

I recently found myself in the unusual (for me) position of having to waste time in a mall.  While in the Galleria in Dallas, surrounded by clothing stores and pretzel/cookie/yogurt places, I stumbled across the only store that could hold my attention:

I'm not sure if other states have these kind of stores but most Texas malls seem to have the obligatory "Texas Store" packed with "Texas Stuff."  So, for the sake of the blog, let's head inside and countdown the top five things they have for sale!

5.  Texas Lip Balm

Looks like they haven't forgotten about you, West Texas!  If that hot weather and dry air is making you feel a little chapped then why not keep some Texas Lip Balm in your pocket...or holster.  It works waaaay better than the New Hampshire stuff.

4.  Lone Star Pasta

Need a side dish for all that barbecue?  Then why not whip up some macaroni and cheese with some Lone Star Pasta?  Shapes seem to include the state of Texas, cowboy boots and Lone Stars.  In Texas, mac & cheese counts as a vegetable.

3.  "Come and Take It" Cuff Links

It wouldn't be a Texas themed gift shop without a wide variety of "Come and Take It" accoutrements.  This time we get cuff links...for the well dressed AND well armed gentleman.  These also have the added feature of being difficult to photograph while trying to look casual in a store where you're not buying anything. 

2.  Texas Postcard With Bluebonnet Seeds

If you've ever wanted to send a little bit of Texas to your peeps in other parts of the world then now there is a convenient way to do just that.  These bluebonnet seed packs are in postcard form so just a few stamps are all you need.  Just let your friends know their not supposed to pick them or step on them.  And that they are required to take pictures of their kids surrounded by them once a year.

1.  Texas Baseballs

What's more Texas than baseball?  Well, football I guess.  But they didn't have any of those so check these out. I can't imagine anything better than throwing on your favorite Nolan Ryan jersey and tossing one of these around.  Extra points for the vintage postcard motif!

So there are my picks for a Texas Treasures shopping list.  Feel free to pick up some of the many novelty hot sauces and barbecue sauces while you're there too!

Review: East Texas Burger Company

 

The East Texas Burger Company has spent decades practicing the fine art of cooking great hamburgers.  It’s one of downtown Mineola’s oldest and most popular feedbags.  Expect crowds and a line if you go during meal times. 

While burgers are their business, they have a fairly extensive menu of standard American fare and southern favorites.

The decor is typical of a small town Mom & Pop burger shack with one exception.  Patrons are encouraged to doodle, scribble or proselytize on their napkins which end up thumb tacked along the walls.  This custom wallpaper includes jokes, cartoons, non sequiturs and even political commentary.

Orders are placed and paid for at a counter in the back and patrons can fill up their drinks and pick their table while they wait. Our wait was not very long at all and when our food arrived our feast began.  I went with that day's "Special" which was an East Texas version of brunch.

Most people, when they think of brunch, think of a little bit of breakfast combined with a little bit of lunch to create a new, light meal for late risers who enjoy leisurely grazing.  The “Sunrise Special” takes all of breakfast and all of lunch and combines them into an action packed wrestling match of a meal.

By adding bacon, eggs and hash browns to their signature burger they succeeded in creating a stomach expanding colossus that more than makes up for two meals.  The bacon is cooked well without being too greasy or too crispy.  The addition of fresh fruit may not seem to fit the theme but they work well as a palette cleanser between great big ol' bites.  All in all, both the patty and the egg could have benefited from a little less cooking but that may just be personal taste.

 

So with sufficient street cred in ambiance, history and especially food, the East Texas Burger Company should be your first choice for a meal in Mineola.  I still need to go back to try the pie.