Hubbuzz's Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Blogs

Dallas-Fort Worth top list of Best Bargain Cities

Murphy Applegate — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:33:05 -0500

In a study conducted by Forbes magazine, Dallas ranked No. 8 and Fort Worth ranked No. 4 best bargain cities in America. AND, another Texas gem took home the grand prize of the No. 1 best bargain city: Weird and wonderful (and apparently affordable) Austin, TX.

Using a variety of research studies, Forbes compiled data like average salaries, unemployment rates and cost of living indexes to determine the rankings. What factors helped Dallas and Fort Worth rank in the top 10? Low unemployment rates, low cost of living and high salaries.

Here are the final report cards for Dallas and Fort Worth:

Dallas-Plano-Irving:

Cost of Living: 23 of 50
Housing Opportunity: 23 of 50
Unemployment Rate: 11 of 50
Average Salary: 17 of 50

Fort Worth-Arlington:

Cost of Living: 16 of 50
Housing Opportunity: 10 of 50
Unemployment Rate: 8 of 50
Average Salary: 34 of 50

Another reason Texas is full of great bargains? A super-soft housing market. In other words, if you need a place to live, you need to check out the amazing deals on apartments in Dallas and Fort Worth ASAP.

Fun Friday! Drive-In Movie

michago — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:55:31 -0500

Every week, I am going to post something fun that I will be doing this weekend. Life is too short to stay in all weekend and lament over housework or business! So here is this Friday’s pick: Ok, if you are cool at all, you like the drive in movie theater. I know, I know, it’s hot outside, the bugs are biting, it may rain, there are rocks underneath your blanket, etc, etc. But, if you are cool at all or want to be my friend, you have to like the drive-in. This is probably my favorite thing to do. A throwback to my childhood when El Paso, Tx didn’t only have an Adult Drive In Theater (Imagine the resale prices on the houses who’s backyards face the movie screen!) We would all pile in- like 8 of us in my dad’s dad’s old cadillac because they charged by the carload. We always took our own chow, buckets of chicken, twelve-packs of coke, pizza. My mom would tell us stories of her parents taking them to the drive-in, chicken sandwiches and green kool-aid playing in the playground! I hope to pass this onto our kids someday as well. We are lucky enough in DFW to have 2 drive-ins close enough to drive to, one in Ennis, TX and one in Granbury, TX they both play first run movies and have double features to enjoy. They charge per person. The cheapest one is in Ennis, TX at $6 a head. The one in Granbury is $9. I highly suggest buying food there, because that is their main profit item and lack of profit is what drives these mom n’ pop organizations out of business. Enjoy a burger, some ice cream, even some mini-golf! Make sure you pack a radio that works and your lawnchairs and blankets. Dogs are allowed! It’s a great night for the whole family. For more info for the one in Ennis visit http://www.galaxydriveintheatre.com or for the one in Granbury www.thebrazos.com. Hope to see you there! Tonight we’re going to see STAR TREK with a bunch of friends!!! Live long and Prosper! Check out more dfw stuff @ www.blog.dreamhomestory.com.

D Art Slam

tippitoes — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:44:24 -0500

Hi All! For those of you who are wondering what to do this weekend, I just heard about this event happening that is put on by D Magazine and others:

D Magazine and f.i.g. have teamed up for an exciting art exhibition featuring some of Dallas’ finest talent.

D Art Slam at f.i.g. is a three-day, juried exhibition of drawings, paintings, photography, and sculpture. More than 150 artists will sell and exhibit their artwork to be displayed on gallery-style walls at f.i.g.

Some of the artists that will showcase their work include Shane Pennington, George Tobolowsky, and Mikki Mallow.

The event is going on this weekend, May 29-31, 2009
Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

The address to f.i.g is 1807 Ross Avenue

For more information on the event visit: d-artslam .com

The best Mother’s Day gift, guaranteed response

TipsnTricks — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:03:46 -0500

Go to your local bookstore.

Buy a copy of a Billy Collins book of poetry – check the table of contents to make sure it includes the poem, “The Lanyard.”

Choose a nice little bookmark, something that your mother will like.

Insert the bookmark into the book at the page where the poem appears.

Have the bookstore wrap this up, if you can’t do it yourself.

Buy a card.

Sign it with love.

It’s a guaranteed win.

No kidding.

Here are some flickr photos of a lanyard, in case you don’t remember making these in Cub Scouts or Brownies or whatever group you were in when your parents were still trying to socialize you.

Getting Small in a downtown studio apartment

Murphy Applegate — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:19:00 -0500

Here’s how you’re going to start – in your closet.

Pick a Saturday morning and have a good breakfast so you have lots of energy. Pick out some music you really like. Make your bed, because that’s going to be your organizational landing pad. Open your closet door and stand there for a moment. What’s most out of control? For some, it’s the shoes. For others, it’s the purses and bags. Whichever it is for you, start there. There’s great strength to be gained in starting with what’s obviously your weakness.

Take that particular pile of shoes or purses or lingerie, regardless of what it is, and put it on the bed. Organize it into groups that make sense to you. For instance, maybe you have dress shoes, business shoes, workout shoes, casual shoes, summer shoes and winter shoes. Now comes the decision time. Make LESS of all of your shoes! You’re going to have to find a new home for some of them, because you need the space they’ve been taking up for some other stuff that isn’t fitting in your new smaller closets.

How? Can you combine categories? That helps cut down on duplicate colors and styles. Can you identify shoes that really don’t fit or don’t feel good? They just have to go, period. Do you still need those winter boots handy that you bought before you moved to Dallas? Figure out what your secondary storage area is (like under the bed in a stylish storage container) and face the fact that winter boots take up too much room. You can do this! You’ll also learn some things about yourself, like what really matters.

When you’re done paring back the pile to something more manageable, take them back in the closet and put them away. Can’t do that successfully? During lunch, sit down at the computer and take a look at The Container Store website. They have ideas that can make organized closets easy. If you don’t have the money to do something like that, get a smaller packing box or a bunch of shoe boxes and put them away in that.

Then move on to the next pile. Are you getting the hang of this? You know that you’ll be better for being smaller – we’re all going to have to get small. And you’ll save the things that really matter, that look good on you or that serve a specific important need. The rest of it’s gotta go! And think about how happy someone else will be when they find your winter boots at the Goodwill store – where they’re shopping for their move to Denver. You know that’s the way it works.

Need help finding a downtown studio apartment in Dallas-Forth Worth? Click HERE!

Steamboat Springs Offer Is Too Good To Ignore

elizabeth — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:14:36 -0500

Sometimes bad economic news brings good deals – like a Steamboat Springs specially-priced flight with American Airlines.

If there was ever a ski area that speaks to folks from Dallas-Fort Worth, it’s Steamboat Springs in Colorado. Here’s how they describe themselves:

“...a small Western town tucked away high up in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains where the snow falls in giant soft flakes...” Hello? They’re talking to you, Texas.

The resort has put together an American Airlines direct-flight per person price of $109 each way based on a round-trip purchase (please check on the surcharges and taxes when you book, but this is an unbeatable non-stop price!) And, as you well know, getting to Colorado’s mountain resorts on a direct flight is so much easier than the alternatives (like driving all the way from Texas, or flying into Denver International and driving, or flying into same and taking a puddle-jumper – yikes!) This direct flight thing is the supreme option.

You can get more information about the rest of the vacation packages they offer at their website (www.steamboat.com/american) or by calling the central reservations number at 1-800-922-2722. Hint: if you book by December 5th, there are some great savings on lodging and lift tickets, so get crackin’.

The folks at Steamboat Springs suggest that winter is something to be celebrated, in this campaign called “Give the gift of Steamboat.” Look for it - it’s downright pretty. Better yet, book yourself and a friend a gift vacation and you can see the real thing for yourself.

Make sure you find out when this deal has to be booked by - I think it's the end of January, so don't wait.

Photo from www.steamboat.com - Photo of the Day by Garett Mariano

Holiday Gift Ideas That Give Back To Your DFW Community

hubbuzz — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:52:39 -0500

Give the gift that keeps on giving! Check out these fun holiday gift ideas that benefit your local DFW community.

Gift Idea: Notecard sets using children's artwork
Benefits: Community Partners of Dallas to help abused and neglected children
Details: Community Partners of Dallas has partnered with students from schools through out Dallas to design a set of note cards using children's artwork from the various organizations. Each set of 12 cards is just $10!
Learn more: Joanna@cpdtx.org or 214-879-1071

Gift Idea: Pet Photos with Santa
Benefits: Operation Kindness (no-kill animal shelter)
Details: Young Active Professionals is partnering with Operation Kindness for the annual Pet Photos with Santa and Holiday Gift Boutique. Photos of pets, all shapes and sizes, start at $15. The Holiday Gift Boutique features a large selection of holiday gifts for pets and owners. Photos are available at Operation Kindness in Carrollton, TX on Dec. 2, 9 and 16 from 10a to 5p.
Learn more: Young Active Professionals

Gift Idea: Gift card for gift catalog
Benefits: TEN charities through out DFW (check website for more details)
Details: The Greatest Gift Catalog Ever is a gift guide benefiting 10 local charities. The goal of the catalog is to raise $500 million for these ten charities over the next 14 years! The gifts range from as little as $10 to as much $5,276. Gift cards can be purchased online and the recipient can redeem the gift card and choose how to divvy up the funds. Remarkably, 100 percent of the tax-deductible donations go directly to charity.
Learn more: www.TheGreatestGiftCatalogEver.org

Do you have other ideas for gifts that give back to our community? Post a comment and let everyone know.

Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie

JenniferH — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:33:03 -0500

Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie offers live Thoroughbred Horse racing in the spring-usually April through July and then they hiatus until the fall for the Quarter Horse races. The Park is open year round for simulcast racing events around the country. Unless you are a die hard fan of simulcast horse betting, the live races are where the true action lies. Plus, the great ballpark-type food of hotdogs, nachos, ice cream and adult beverages keeps you occupied between races. Or you can go and visit the horses up close in their holding pens prior to each race.

Lone Star Park hosts live bands and other promotional events during the live racing season where you can find specials on food or beer. Although there is a fair amount of drunken fun, the park tries to maintain a family friendly atmosphere. Grab the blankets and chairs and you can spend some time on the lawn away from the crowds and have a family fun day. It can still be really hot in Texas this time of year so make sure to bring a hat and some sunscreen. Or for a few bucks more, you can splurge and get Box Seats and Clubhouse Admission for the air conditioned luxury.

On the Park’s website, they offer a Star Player Rewards program where you can earn points on the money you spend on betting, food and beverages. You can redeem the points for free parking, food, beverages and even betting! The membership also gives you $1.00 General Admission on live race days. Check out the Star Telegram for promotions such as free admission, player programs or even T-Shirts. The Star Telegram Press Pass always offers sponsored promotions and discounts as well.

No matter if you bet on the horse, its name, the color…or whatever superstition you have, the horse races make for a great fall evening in Texas. Or if you aren’t a gambler - bet on the hotdog - it’s a winner every time!

Lone Star Park
1000 Lone Star Parkway, Grand Prairie, TX 75050
www.lonestarpark.com

Photo from the GrandPrairieReporter.com

Halloween Themed Events Going On In DFW!

hubbuzz — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 09:29:21 -0500

Check out these Halloween themed events going on in DFW this October!

Trick-Art-Treat
Date: October 24th, 2008
Time: 7:00p - 10:00p
Location: Downtown Plano Art Galleries
K Ave and 15th Street, Plano, TX
Details: Instead of getting a belly full of candy, get an eye full of art at Downtown Plano's Trick-Art-Treat. All art galleries will be open for reception.
More info: www.trickarttreat.org

Katy Trail Pub Crawl
Date: October 29th, 2008
Time: 6:00p - 8:00p
Location: Katy Trail near Uptown Dallas
3523 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX
Details: One of the Katy Trail's most popular events is back for its second year. Sample signature drinks from some of Dallas' best bars, pubs and restaurants. Tickets are $50 per person.
More info: www.katytraildallas.org

Monster Movie Mash
Date: October 31st, 2008
Time: 7:00p - 2:00a
Location: Addison Circle Park
4970 Addison Circle Drive, Addison, TX
Details: Bring blankets, chairs, coolers and friends and enjoy Halloween classics, ET and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Admission is free and concessions are available.
More info: 1-800-ADDISON

Moulin Rouge Masquerade
Date: October 31st, 2008
Time: 9:00p - 1:00a
Location: Fashion Industry Gallery in Downtown Dallas
1807 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX
Details: Celebrate Halloween in style at FIG's Moulin Rouge Masquerade. DJs, live music, cocktails, buffet and a haunted house entryway make this a party like no other. Tickets are $75.
More info: www.fashionindustrygallery.com

Free Things To Do in DFW This October

elizabeth — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:55:58 -0500

Check out these FREE things to do in DFW this October!

Cottonwood Art Festival
Dates: October 4th - 5th, 2008
Time: 9am - 6pm
Location: Cottonwood Park
Beltline Rd and Cottonwood Dr, Richardson, TX
Details: This event is a juried art show, which provides visitors the opportunity to enjoy shopping for artwork, great music, food and children's activities.
Featuring: Cottonwood Art Festival

Forth Worth Alliance Air Show
Dates: October 11th - 12th, 2008
Time: 9am - late afternoon
Location: Fort Worth Alliance Airport
2221 Alliance Blvd, Forth Worth, TX 76177
Details: Enjoy aerial performances, displays, children's activities, and food. Free admission. $20 per vehicle to park.
More info: Forth Worth Alliance Air Show

Free Nights of Theater
Dates: October 16th - Nov 10th, 2008
Times: Various
Location: Various
Details: Sophistication on the cheap! Check out the website to reserve tickets for one of the many free theater performances in the Dallas Metro Area.
More info: Free Nights of Theater

Frisco Storytelling Festival
Date: October 18th, 2008
Time: 10am - 4pm
Location: City Hall Plaza
6101 Frisco Square Blvd, Frisco, TX
Details: Come and enjoy stories from award-winning storytellers, puppet shows, music, and folk art and crafts. Tickets available for purchase for performances on Friday and Saturday night.
More info: Frisco Storytelling Festival

YouTube Contest for R1CU's Gen Y 'Spokester'

Dallasite — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:33:35 -0500

Hey, all DFWers 18-30:

Just saw on www.MLMM.org that a Dallas credit union (Resource One) is giving away a boat load of stuff to entice you to enter their search for a "spokester" (basically, a Gen Y/Millenial spokesperson). For a year, the "spokester" will drive around in a Scion, hit all sorts of parties and events, blog on a new laptop and generally promote R1CU's new line Gen-Y friendly products. I haven't gotten all the details yet, but I think you basically post a YouTube video about yourself & do a blog. Not sure of the deadline...

ZestFest 2008

JenniferH — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:31:37 -0500

If you have taste buds made of steel, then you can taste test your way though hot sauce, salsas, and everything that can be made with a fiery hot flavor. Vendors from all over the United States join local companies to show off their wares in this popular event presented by Chile Pepper Magazine. For the $10 entry fee, you can snack and taste the day away with all the specialties these companies have come to show off. The vendors also bring products for you to purchase, so it’s a great way to stock up on some Christmas gifts for the “zesty” food enthusiast in your life. Aside from the myriad of food products from the sweet to the savory, there is clothing and other merchandise to show off your love of bold flavors. This event is so comprehensive with the amount of products they showcase, that even product buyers attend this event. That means your favorite hot sauce could make it to your local grocery store shelves. If not, the vendors can ship it to your door!

The festival also hosts many attractions and contests. There are live bands each day to offer great music and there are many adult beverages to help you cool down from the tongue-burning experience. If you are aching to prove your mettle against a jalapeno, then line up and be a contestant in the jalapeno eating contests on Saturday and Sunday. There are also chefs on hand to offer cooking advice, recipes and demonstrations. For local school kids, there is even a Student Salsa Challenge.

ZestFest is once again being held in the Amon G. Carter Exhibit Hall at the Will Rogers Memorial Center [where: 3401 West Lancaster, Fort Worth, TX 76107] which is in the Fort Worth Cultural Center. While you are in the area, you can check out the local museums or other attractions and have a fun and zesty day with the whole family! Check out the details at www.zestfest2008.com.

Yarn Shops in the Fort Worth Area

JenniferH — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:19:53 -0500

With fall (hopefully) around the corner, it’s the best time of year to sit down with you next knitting project. When you are looking for that special yarn or just something different, these specialty shops in the Forth Worth, TX area will open your eyes to the world of yarns.

One thing that all these stores have in common are the owners and staff that love to knit or crochet. They are a wealth of information from knowing the basics of a yarn to gladly helping you on a difficult technique.

Some offer classes or designate evenings that you are welcome to come and knit and chat with other knit-addicts! If you are interested in volunteering your skill, many shops get involved with local charities to knit blankets or baby hats for preemies, for example.

One of my favorite places to feel my way through is Yarn Heaven in Arlington [where: 1300 W. Arkansas Lane, Arlington, TX 76013]. They carry a wide range of yarns from all over the world as well as all the supplies and patterns you will ever need. They offer “Therapy Thursdays” for yarn lovers to gather with food, friends and of course, your latest project. There are about 20-30 regulars that show up weekly. It’s a great way to make new friends and learn something new.

The Knitting Nook in North Richland Hills [where: 5198 Rufe Snow Dr, #113, N Richland Hills, TX 76180] is a lovely little place with beautiful yarns and supplies. They offer classes for beginners to advanced. Their staff is friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful.

Jennings Street Yarns in the Fairmount neighborhood of Fort Worth [where: 217 S. Jennings Ave. Ft. Worth TX 76104] is like a candy store for knitters. Their beautiful displays of yarn by color and purpose make it easy to find what you are looking for -and much more! With their experienced knitters, guaranteed low prices and a great atmosphere, you’ll definitely become a repeat customer.

For your next knit or crochet project, instead of getting the same old brands of yarn from retail craft stores like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby, check out these specialty shops and you may just become a yarn connoisseur!

Library Book Sales through out DFW

JenniferH — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:08:08 -0500

For any true book lover the words Library Book Sale can cause their heart to flutter with delight. The beauty of living in the DFW metroplex means there are dozens of large libraries that hold these events at least once a year. The Dallas and Fort Worth libraries obviously hold the largest sales with books coming in from donations or excess books from their numerous branches across the metroplex. These sales are usually so large that, in the case of the Fort Worth sale, it’s held in one of the barns in the Will Rogers Coliseum complex in the Fort Worth Cultural District [where: 3400 Burnett Tandy Dr. Fort Worth, TX 76107]. Dallas has been known to hold theirs at the Dallas Convention Center in Downtown Dallas [where: 650 S. Griffin St. Dallas, Texas 75202].

For the other cities like Arlington, their fall book sale is being held on September 17-21 this year at the Meadowbrook Recreation Center [where: 1400 Dugan St Arlington, TX 76010]. They will offer over 50,000 books - and most paperbacks and hardbacks will be $1.00 each! This is usually a great sale to go to for children’s books and cookbooks plus hundreds of fiction and non-fiction selections.

Most of these sales will only accept cash or check, so bring lots of cash and if you don’t trust your self control - leave the checkbook at home (or in the car!). From my experience it also helps to throw a few cardboard boxes in your trunk in case you need to pack up your purchases. Some places will gladly give you their leftover boxes, but you can’t count on it. But don’t lug around a box of books with aching arms and a sweaty brow! Save yourself the strain and bring a personal shopping cart with wheels or even some tote bags, it will be easier to haul around your selections and enjoy browsing.

If the opening day is on a Thursday evening, sneak out of work early and check it out before it gets picked over and messy. Or if you really just want a great deal, go on Sunday which is usually the last day of the sale when they offer even more discounts to get rid of the books. Or for the die-hard, book-loving shopper, go every day of the sale. Sometimes they will have more books that they will continue to add to the sale as space allows. Ask them when you arrive if everything is out, or if they will continue to add to it.

Check out this website for a list of library sales across the country and clear off the bookshelves for some new additions to your collection.

Southlake Town Square

JenniferH — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:57:47 -0500

The Southlake Town Square is a bit of a trendsetter [where:1256 Main St, Southlake, TX 76092-7630]. Many cities in the metroplex are beginning to copy this model of outdoor shopping versus building a giant indoor mall. When Southlake began creating it’s town square, they had a master plan including shopping, dining and entertainment mingled with offices, hotels and living spaces. Today, The Southlake Town Square is teeming with unique and upscale shopping, dining and entertainment along with government services and public works. They certainly make it a pleasant experience to pay a water bill in person!

I have to admit that this time of year during the sweltering heat that an outside “mall” is not the most ideal situation, however, sipping on an iced coffee from Starbucks or grabbing a Dr. Pepper ice cream cone from Milwaukee Joe’s Gourmet Ice Cream is a great way to cool down between shops. If you wait until later in the year, be sure to stop by during the holidays to see their beautiful decorations.

The beauty of this complex is that you can park and spend the day. It feels eerily like a movie set of a quaint small town square, but with major retailers like the Container Store, Barnes and Noble, Pottery Barn and Victoria’s Secret it’s the best of both worlds. Getting hungry from all that shopping? Never fear, the best restaurants are all around you. From sandwiches to sushi, there are almost 30 restaurants to choose from and they seem to be adding new ones as fast as they can build them.

Next time instead spending time trudging through a mall, check out the Southlake Town Square for an afternoon the whole family will enjoy. Their website has directory of shops, dining, services, etc. www.southlaketownsquare.com

Star-Telegram Press Pass

JenniferH — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:05:29 -0500

The Dallas Morning News is a great paper for Dallas county, but the Fort Worth Star Telegram comes with a fantastic bonus when you purchase 6 or 12 month subscriptions - The Press Pass. The 6 month subscription will get you a Silver Press Pass and the 12 month is a Gold Press Pass. This can make a difference in some of the offers for special events, but it makes no difference on any of the other discounts.

For the details on all the offers, you can visit their website or check out the Go! weekend guide in Friday’s paper. Each week they will highlight events, museums, restaurants and entertainment promotions. For example, for the upcoming Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus in Fort Worth [where: 1111 Houston St, Fort Worth, TX 76102] August 13-15, Press Pass holders get 50% off tickets. The Fort Worth Stockyards Championship Rodeo [where: 121 E. Exchange, Fort Worth, TX 76164] on Friday & Saturday nights is offering Free Tickets for the Gold cardholders and Buy One Get One Free for Silver Passes (General Admission tickets are $15).

Even if you aren’t one to go to museums or sporting events, the discounts at over 650 local restaurants is always nice for 20% off the total cost of food and (non-alcoholic) beverages. Participating restaurants include local “Mom and Pop” places to chain restaurants like IHOP, Dairy Queen, Pizza Hut and Sonic Drive-Ins.

So if you are living in the Mid-Cities, Arlington or anywhere in Tarrant County, the Star Telegram offers a great newspaper and even better benefits. With the Press Pass it’s fun to check out new restaurants or even get discounts on dry cleaning and prescriptions!

Barbec’s restaurant

JenniferH — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:55:49 -0500

Located a stone’s throw from White Rock Lake in East Dallas, Barbec’s [where: 8949 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218] is a breakfast food haven. The decades-old establishment is bustling on the weekends with young and old alike. You’ll see the younger crowd feeding a hangover, cyclists stopping in for carbs before or after a ride around the lake and the older ladies in their Sunday best after church.

Barbec’s is open through the week until 9pm, so it’s the perfect spot for a weeknight dinner of breakfast or any other of their daily specials like meatloaf, deep-fried pork chops, etc. On Friday evenings they do All You Can Eat Catfish! The menu is jammed with options and it’s always difficult to make a decision.

All of their food is great, but nothing shines like breakfast. They have classic diner/truck stop favorites like Corned Beef Hash, Creamed Chipped Beef with Gravy (over those heavenly biscuits), Chocolate Chip Pancakes and the Mexican-inspired Migas or Huevos Rancheros. As a side they offer hash browns, but ask for them with cheese and onions and you have a heart-attack on a plate that you won’t soon forget. And no matter what you order, you can’t forget to get some of those biscuits!

On a recent return visit to Barbec’s I was pleasantly surprised that they have spruced up the joint - new tables and chairs as well as new paneling on the walls. It was a welcome sight after watching the tablecloths become more tattered and dust piling up on the rafters.

Just remember, Barbec’s does not take credit cards. They will accept checks with a local I.D.

And did I mention the biscuits?

Kimbell Art Museum - Fort Worth

JenniferH — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:52:24 -0500

The Kimbell Art Museum [where: 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107] in Fort Worth’s Cultural District has an award-winning building housing a small collection of Europe, Asian and African art. I have to say that although they have some great pieces from Monet and Matisse to name a couple, the Dallas Museum of Art has a much more comprehensive and expansive collection. However, the Kimbell makes up for their quantity of art by displaying impressive exhibits throughout the year and this year is no exception.

Thanks to the renovations at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Kimbell has said they “seized the moment” by borrowing a fantastic selection of 92 works of art by the Impressionist masters such as Monet, Manet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Degas and much more! Don’t get your hopes up to see what is probably the most famous piece Chicago displays - Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte. Chicago has refused to let that masterpiece out of it’s sight! That’s ok, because there is so much to see in this exhibition that you won’t miss it too much.

Whether you check out this special event or just visit the museum for it’s permanent collection, you must time it so that you can dine in The Buffet Restaurant. The restaurant offers a beautiful selection of salads, sandwiches, soup and quiche for around $10.00 and it is well worth it. They have seasonal offerings that are not only fresh, they seem to “hit the spot” for the season. It might be fresh fruit in the summer or a turkey sandwich on cranberry bread in the winter. Either way, the food is as beautiful as the art surrounding you.

The Kimbell has free general admission and the exhibit will cost $16.00 per adult. If you are interested in a museum membership, they have their individual membership priced at $65.00. The membership gives you two free adult admissions to all the special exhibits. If you go twice in a year, it pays for itself. I was given one as a gift and it was one of the best presents I ever received!

This summer, instead of trying to budget for a trip to Chicago, just head out to Fort Worth for a afternoon of beautiful art and a tasty lunch.

www.kimbellart.org

German Cuisine in Dallas and Fort Worth

JenniferH — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:26:53 -0500

When you have a craving for sausage, beer and polka music, neither restaurant will be a disappointment! Kuby’s Sausage House [where: 6601 Snider Plaza, Dallas, TX, 75205] located across from the Southern Methodist University campus , has occupied a place in Dallas’ heart since 1961. Bringing their recipes and techniques from Germany, Kuby’s is not only a restaurant, it’s also a market. The market is teeming with German products like jars of pickles, sauces and condiments to candy, magazines, toiletries and music. But the stars of the show are the meats! Over a dozen varieties of sausage, deli meats and some of the most beautiful steaks and beef products I have ever seen. You’ll want to make time to shop before or after your meal.

Kuby’s is open during the week for breakfast and lunch, but the real treat is to have dinner on Friday or Saturday night for the live accordion music. When you are eating authentic food, you need authentic music to complete the experience! They offer a variety of schnitzels and sausages as well as entrees like rouladen, pork chops and goulash. Start out with their perfect Pfannkucken (potato pancakes) and finish with a slice of German Chocolate Cake - of course!

Edelweiss in Fort Worth [where: 3801 Southwest Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76116] is like Kuby’s on steroids. They take the music to a new level with a stage, live bands and lots of dancing. Their menu is also more extensive than Kuby’s and they offer a Combination Plate that no one person could finish in one sitting. Don’t let the generic name fool you. It has a sample of just about everything on the menu - sausages, schnitzel, rouladen, spatzle, sauerkraut, red cabbage, potato pancakes… and more. It’s definitely enough to take home leftovers and have another whole meal. Edelweiss frequently runs coupons in the Fort Worth Star Telegram for Buy One Entrée, Get One Half Off.

Edelweiss also prides themselves on their Bavarian Biergarten. Their full service bar offers a wide variety of German beers, wines and spirits. It’s also a great place to be in October when they celebrate Oktoberfest - all month long!

Check out their websites for the menus and hours.
www.kubys.com
www.edelweissrestaurant.com

Babe’s Chicken Dinner House

JenniferH — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:45:55 -0500

Babes Chicken Dinner House, [where:104 North Oak, Roanoke, Texas 76262] was established in Roanoke, Texas in 1993. With their hodgepodge of dining furniture and kitschy southern décor, this old warehouse building exudes as much charm as their staff. A family-style dining experience where it’s always fun to make new friends at the long community tables. In Roanoke, you are welcome to bring your own alcoholic beverages to the restaurant and the patrons are known to have small tailgate parties in the parking lot while waiting for a table. It’s certainly a festive atmosphere, but completely appropriate to bring children or your grandparents visiting from out of town.

Babes popularity has demanded the expansion across the metroplex to some other area such as Dallas, Burleson and Garland to name a few. No matter where you are located, any drive to Babes is well worth the trip! The Roanoke location only offers Fried Chicken or Chicken Fried Steak but other locations such as the Garland Babe’s offers other options such as Smoked Chicken, Pot Roast and Fried Catfish. But don’t fret, they still offer all the classic “grandmotherly” sides in refillable servings such as creamy mashed potatoes, cream gravy and the decadent corn side that is a cross between kernel and creamed corn swimming in a pool of butter. Their perfect homemade biscuits also make a great dessert drenched in butter and honey - it’s southern cooking at it‘s finest.

Most locations also offer desserts and you’ll swear they stole your grandmother’s recipes. Freshly made Banana Pudding, meringue pies and cobblers are a happy ending to an outstanding meal. And when was the last time you had Pineapple Upside Down cake? An old fashioned favorite with baked-in memories!

Before you leave, pick up some of their Texas Brush Honey or even a Babe’s T-Shirt, although you won’t need a souvenir to remember this place! Check out their website to plan your next trip!
www.babeschicken.com