Why do these Weird Sodas exist? It is a simple question really…
One of my guilty pleasures in this world is that I get to travel to Texas every year to visit my brother in Waco, Texas. Besides being known for Cults and the Fixer Uppers, Waco has a unique charm to it. Each time we have visited, we take a trip to Downtown Waco and visit the variety of awesome stores. One of my favorite stores is called Hey Sugar.
Hey Sugar is an amazing little candy store in downtown Waco.As soon as I walk in I am surrounded by all the candy and soda I can imagine.From the new candies to old vintage ones you can’t find anywhere, Hey Sugar has it all.In the back, they have huge fridges filled with an awesome mix of sodas and even have a large variety of ice cream.
While we were in the store Hey Sugar, we came across a few different things that tickled our fancy, particularly in their weird Sodas section.
One of my many weaknesses is the gift from the Mexican gods, Tacos. I cannot get enough of them. Off the street cart, in fancy restaurants, on my lunch breaks, I can’t seem to quench my thirst for tacos. When I went and visited my brother in Texas, I asked my brother what the best taco joint in the state is. Without hesitation, he yelled Torchy’s Tacos, and we were in the car.
The outside of the place isn’t anything spectacular. Simple signage of Torchy’s Tacos with an awesome logo of a little devil with a pitchfork and a sign that says Damn Good Tacos. When you walk in, you are bombarded with smells and smiles from everyone. The menu is a little intimidating, so here is a little guide to get you going.
They have Tacos (Duh!)
Here are some of my favorites
The Tipsy Chick
Chicken Fajita, Fresh Spinach, Grilled Corn, Green Chiles & Freshly grated Cheddar Cheese with Chipotle Sauce on a Flour Tortilla. Comes with a side of Bacon Bourbon Marmalade.
The Green Chile Pork
Slow-Roasted Pork Carnitas simmered with green chiles and topped with Cotija cheese, onions, cilantro and a lime wedge with Tomatillo Sauce on a corn tortilla.
The Republican
Grilled Jalapeno sausage, Pico de Gallo and freshly grated Cheddar Jack Cheese with Poblano Sauce on a Flour Tortilla.
The Trailer Park
Hand-Battered and Fried Chicken, Green Chiles, Lettuce, Pico de Gallo, and Freshly Grated Cheddar Jack Cheese with Poblano Sauce on a Flour Tortilla. You can get it Trashy, which means you substitute the lettuce for Queso (a win-win)
The Crossroads
Smoked Beef Brisket with Grilled Onions, Jalapenos, Cilantro, Fresh Avocado and freshly grated Jack Cheese with Tomatillo Sauce on a corn tortilla.
What about the sides?
I was just getting to that!
Hillbilly Queso
Delicious Queso with a big helping of Chorizo!
Chips and Salsa
If you aren’t into Queso, check out their chips and salsa with one of the best salsa’s I have ever tasted.
The place is pretty packed most of the day, probably because everyone knows where to get the best tacos. One more unique thing about them is that they include craft sodas to their soda fountains. I don’t think that I have had a better Root Beer. Don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself!
Conclusion
If you are in Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, or Arkansas (as of 1/31/19) going to check out Torchy’s Tacos is a MUST. They are always coming up with new items and new ways of doing things. They are a perfect example of taking one thing and making it better. They use fresh ingredients and do not skimp on the seasoning. Their conquest across the country has just started. Look for them coming to your neck of the woods soon (We hope!)
The Super Bowl is right around the corner. You have been faithful all year to your diet. Your friends are coming over to watch the big game. How can you balance having awesome snacks and not breaking your diet? Here are some Healthy Super Bowl Snacks that will be a hit with your friends and family.
Baked Buffalo Chicken Skewers
What you will need:
Chicken
Skewers
Your favorite Buffalo Sauce
Bleu Cheese Dressing (Optional)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Directions: Keep it simple stupid, cut the chicken into strips and marinade in Buffalo Sauce for 15-20 minutes and then skewer the meat. (HINT: Soak your skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent the wood from burning.) .Season with Salt, Pepper, and Garlic. Throw it into the oven to bake at 375 F for 30 minutes. Flip the skewers often, giving them a new coat of buffalo sauce each time. Dip in Bleu Cheese Dressing.
“This is a great substitution for buffalo wings! Can be made gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian. Make sure to coat your cookie sheet well with oil or they will stick. Dip this in ranch or blue cheese for even more added flavor, but it doesn’t need it.”
Ingredients
olive oil cooking spray
3/4 cup gluten-free baking flour (such as Premium Gold(R) Flax and Ancient Grains All-Purpose Flour)
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, or to taste
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 heads cauliflower, cut into bite-size pieces
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup hot pepper sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot(R))
1 teaspoon honey
Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray.
Mix flour, water, garlic powder, salt, and pepper together in a bowl using a whisk until batter is smooth and somewhat runny. Add cauliflower to batter and mix until cauliflower is coated; spread onto the baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes.
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove saucepan from heat and stir hot pepper sauce and honey into butter until smooth. Brush hot sauce mixture over each cauliflower piece, repeating brushing until all the hot sauce mixture is used.
Bake in the oven until cauliflower is browned, about 10 minutes. Remove baking sheet from oven and allow the cauliflower to cool 10 to 15 minutes.
A copycat recipe that you can easily make in just 20 minutes. And it tastes a million times better too!
INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground chicken
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1 tablespoon Sriracha, optional
1 (8-ounce) can whole water chestnuts, drained and diced
2 green onions, thinly sliced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 head butter lettuce
DIRECTIONS:
Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium high heat. Add ground chicken and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the chicken as it cooks; drain excess fat.
Stir in garlic, onion, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, ginger and Sriracha until onions have become translucent, about 1-2 minutes.
Stir in chestnuts and green onions until tender, about 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
To serve, spoon several tablespoons of the chicken mixture into the center of a lettuce leaf, taco-style.
1 (17-ounce) container of 2% Greek yogurt (or about 2 cups of your favorite)
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons honey
1 cup finely chopped kale
1 cup finely chopped spinach
3 thin green onions, finely chopped
1/3 cup finely chopped red pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped carrot
2 garlic cloves, finely minced or pressed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
if desired, chopped water chestnuts and chopped marinated artichoke hearts
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well to combine. The key is to chop everything as finely as possible! This dip is extra flavorful after it sits for a few hours (refrigerated of course). Taste and season more if desired. Serve with chips, crackers or vegetables.
This one could go either way on the healthy-o-meter, but has a lot less calories than other bacon wrapped jalapeños I have seen.
What you will need:
1 Pack of Bacon
6 Whole Jalapeños (small)
1 8oz block of cream cheese
Directions: Slice the jalapeños in half (hot dog way) and de-seed. Cut up the Cream Cheese into strips long enough to sit in the jalapeño. (The actual size varies, but just remember to put a healthy serving of cheese in it. Wrap the jalapeño and cheese with a slice of Bacon. Place them on a cookie sheet and preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Bake until your bacon is how you want it (about 20 minutes) and Enjoy!
Nothing says Tex-Mex more than corn, Jalapeños, and cheese. This Cowboy Corn recipe is a great addition to any football party as a dip, or as a side for your enchilada or taco dish. Super simple to make, it tastes delicious and people will want the recipe everywhere you go.
Go make it! You won’t regret it.
Cowboy Corn
An amazing dish that will satisfy for years to come. Classic Cowboy recipe.
Growing up in Southern California, you kind of take for granted the amazing things that happen around you. Access to major sports teams, minutes away from the beach, and all around you AMAZING food. One of those places I didn’t start appreciating until I had moved away was The Hat.
Currently with 11 locations throughout Southern California, The Hat has been around since 1951. They have other things that are delicious, but nothing compares to their World Famous Pastrami sandwich. And what pairs with that World Famous Pastrami sandwich? Thats right, a monster order of their Onion Rings. Officially called the Pastrami Dip, it is served on a huge french bread roll with mustard and pickles. The holy trinity of Pastrami.
The feel of each of their restaurants is a nod to the golden age of diners. Neon lights and vintage fixtures and booths complete the ambiance. You order at the counter and everything is wrapped to-go. They do not skimp on the portions either. Each sandwich has more than enough meat and they practically fill the rest of the brown bag with Onion Rings.
The next time you are in Southern California, make sure to check out The Hat World Famous Pastrami. Get the Pastrami Dip with Onion Rings. You will not be disappointed.