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Bourbon & Boots: Eat Like a Local in Dallas

March 7, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

(This post is sponsored by Bourbon & Boots. All opinions are my own.)

When Bourbon & Boots asked me to write a story on How to Eat Like a Local in Dallas, I gotta say I was thrilled to bring attention to my neck of the woods. But with soooo many great places serving every food type and price range, how could I whittle down my list of favorites?

Here’s what I did. I included those places my husband and I return to time and time again, the spots I take my out of town friends, and the restaurants my kids drive straight to when returning home from college. I didn’t include chains. I didn’t include that certain place (ahem) that wouldn’t allow me to take pictures… (another story)

If you occasionally travel through Dallas or plan to visit soon, pack your fat jeans and add a few of these stops to your itinerary. If you already live here, let’s talk about how lucky we are to be surrounded by such amazing food. (Feel free to add your favorites to the comment section.) Click HERE to check out my list and local tips at Bourbon & Boots…

Grace Grits and Gardening

P.S. Bourbon & Boots can also recommend local eats in Little Rock, Austin, Birmingham, and others southern hot spots!

Rico’s Elotes – corn off the cob

February 28, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

The rich, hot corn off the cob sold from the Rico’s Elotes cart in front of Tony’s Neighborhood Store (820 N. Fitzhugh) makes an incredible side dish to your next Tex-Mex meal. My stomach turned a flip flop just thinking about it. Juanita is the super friendly lady who works the Rico’s Elotes cart at Tony’s. Seriously, just chatting with Juanita is fun—she’s one of those individuals who automatically makes me feel happy even though I’m about to inhale a fat leaden treat. She shaves the steaming corn off the cob fresh to order, mixes up this heavenly concoction of mayo, butter, Cojita & Parmesan cheeses and serves it like a corn sundae. The medium size is only about $2.50. In addition to the regular ingredients, there are other toppings available such as lemon pepper, hot sauce and lime salt. I didn’t say this concoction was healthy. I said heavenly… I’m a firm believer in (most) everything in moderation. It’s okay to go crazy occasionally, and Rico’s Elotes is just the place to make that happen. Lucky me, it’s only six blocks from my house. Closer, really.

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

The Lot is dog friendly!

February 21, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

The Lot is my new favorite dog-friendly place in East Dallas. Only six blocks from my house, The Lot is located at 7530 E. Grand near the intersection of Gaston and Garland Road. If you haven’t been recently (or ever), load up Fido and head over asap. This is a come-as-you-are, relaxed sort of restaurant. Step inside and you’ll immediately feel as though you’ve slipped into vacation mode—maybe because of The Lot’s close proximity to White Rock Lake?

Your dog will love the large sandy “beach” playground with plenty of room to romp and roam.

The fenced space is neat and clean, and there’s cold, fresh water and plastic baggies for poop scooping.

The outside dining patio is dog friendly too. With a shady arbor, this is an ideal place for lunch or happy hour. I noticed an impressive fire pit, so I plan to go back one night and check that out (with hubby / sans dogs).

The menu (designed by Sharon Hage of York Street fame) is creative with burgers, Tex-Mex and Lakewood “favorites” such as cayenne fried cauliflower and yucca fries with malt dust vinegar. I had the Super Green salad which included kale, spinach, sunflower seeds, tofu, eggs and other healthy ingredients. Loved it! (I was trying to be good, and yes the salad cancelled out the calories in my frosty Miller Light… Right?)

The Lot is uniquely connected to the Santa Fe Trail which makes it a convenient stop for bikers and runners. Notice the sign below—$2 pints all day everyday for those who enter from the trail (including dog lovers…)

You should definitely add The Lot to your list of places to visit soon. And don’t forget to follow on Facebook and Twitter so you never miss any cool happenings like $3 rainy day beer specials and $5 Wednesday cheeseburgers.

Grace Grits and Gardening

P.S. The Lot is super kid-friendly with a designated playground connected to the side patio. While you peacefully dine, your little ones can play in the sand and climb on tires like the good ole days. There is an impressive outdoor chalkboard and one of my absolute favorite things… wait for it… wait for it… a BUTTERFLY GARDEN installed by Promise of Peace.

You know I love that.

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Food. Farm. Garden. Life.