Hideaway Pizza is a landmark in Stillwater, Oklahoma. After living here for four years while attending Oklahoma State University, Hideaway has found a special place in my heart. Their great service and great food is the reason me and my family always decide to have a meal there when they’re in town to visit.

The Big Kahuna

Richard “The Big Kahuna” Dermer and his wife founded Hideaway in Stillwater in 1957. He built his company on the idea that happy employees equals happy guests. Judging by the fact that I’ve never had bad service and Hideaway employees always have a smile, I’d say they still hold that idea to a high standard.

When we eat at Hideaway, we always start our meal with two appetizers, the fried mushrooms and fried macaroni bites. Both are delicious and fried to perfection, perfect ways to start a meal. Next my brother and I usually order their specialty pizza called “Big Country,” which is essentially their meat lover’s option as its toppings include cheddar, mozzarella, Canadian bacon, hamburger, pepperoni and polish sausage. My parents’ favorite pizza to get is called “Pizza of the Gods.” This pizza comes topped with an olive oil and garlic glaze, mozzarella, provolone, artichoke hearts, mushrooms and roma tomatoes.

Hideaway has 20 different locations across Oklahoma and Arkansas, so next time you see one we at Southern Firefly highly recommend you stop in for a great experience and great food.

Here is the FB page for the original Hideaway Pizza in Stillwater: https://www.facebook.com/originalhideaway

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Santa Fe Brewing Company

Santa Fe Brewing Company – santafebrewing.com – is billed as New Mexico’s Original Craft Brewery since 1988 and has become a landmark. They have multiple locations throughout Santa Fe and Albuquerque, and many types Santa Fe beer are available not only at stores and restaurants in New Mexico, but also throughout the Southern United States wherever craft beer is sold.

When visiting Santa Fe, we ventured to new Santa Fe Brewing taproom, officially known as the Beer Hall at HQ (35 Fire Place in Santa Fe), which was opened in December 2019. The multi-level taproom is roomy and comfortable. You can choose long tables with a large group, high tables with a few friends or relax in a comfortable leather chair by yourself.

Other official Santa Fe Brewing locations include ABQ at Green Jeans Farmery (3600 Cutler Avenue in Albuquerque), The El Dorado Taphouse (7 Caliente Road in Santa Fe), The Bridge Event Venue (37 Fire Place in Santa Fe next door to the Beer Hall at HQ), The Brakeroom (510 Galisteo in a cabin in downtown Santa Fe former house for railroad brakemen), and ABQ in Tin Can Alley (under development in a food hall destination in Northeast Albuquerque).

Beer on tap every day includes 7K IPA (West Cost IPA), Happy Camper (India Pale Ale), Social Hour (wheat beer), Pepe Loco (Mexican style lager), Freestyle (Pilsner), Java Stout (Imperial Java Stout), Santa Fe Nut Brown Ale (English Brown Ale), Santa Fe Pale Ale (American Pale Ale) and Chicken Killer Barley Wine (British Style Barley Wine).

Seasonal beers also are available in the taproom. However, I like to focus on the regular beers to get the essence of the brewery. Because Santa Fe Brewing has wide distribution throughout the country, I am already familiar with Java Stout and Chicken Killer, and both are two of my favorites.

I especially like stouts, and the Santa Fe Java Stout is one of the best coffee-based stouts available. If you like lighter beer, you cannot go wrong with Social Hour or Freestyle. The Santa Fe Nut Brown Ale also had a great taste, and Chicken Killer is a good option for something different.

Boxing Bear Brewing Company

Boxing Bear touts “Beer with a Punch” as its slogan. I saw Chocolate Milk Stout advertised on the brewery’s website – boxingbearbrewing.com – and had to try it. The mission of Boxing Bear is to “help establish Albuquerque as a national destination for outstanding craft beer,” according to the website. The taproom also serves local wines, but that is another story.

The main Brewery/Beerpub where we visited (10200 Corrales Road NW in Albuquerque) is located near a shopping center along the sandy banks of the Rio Grande River. Other locations are the West Downtown Taproom (1710 Central Avenue SW in Albuquerque) and the Bridges on Tramway Taproom (12501 Candelaria Road NE in Albuqerque).

The Chocolate Milk Stout was delicious with a creamy chocolate flavor. It definitely packed a punch with me, and I liked it so much that I took some cans home. However, I did not overlook the other Boxing Bear offerings. The Upper Cut IPA with big citrus aromas, Black and Blue Tart with blackberries and blueberries, and Ambear Ale with light hops are also very tasty beers.

Boxing Bear beers have won numerous awards, and have a loyal following. In addition to sampling beers in the taproom, cans are available to go in multiple flavors.

La Cumbre Brewing Company

La Cumbre is Spanish for “pinnacle, peak summit”, and the goal of La Cumbre Brewing Company – lacumbrebrewing.com – is to “produce beers that represent the absolute peak of the art of brewing,” according to the website. The brewery is best known for Elevated IPA, which has won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival.

In addition, the Malpais Stout is very tasty and is described “as onslaught of creamy stout intensity.” The Ryeot IPA – “a malted magic hop bomb” – is another great choice. I tried all three of the beers at the main La Cumbre Brewery Taproom (3313 Girard NE in Albuquerque), which is located in an industrial area. The brewery also has a Westside Taproom (5600 Coors Blvd. NW in Albuquerque).

When trying beers at La Cumbre taprooms, prepare to savor the taste. The beers are tasty, and the main taproom has a cozy atmosphere. Take your time.

Craft Beer in Land of Enchantment

Trips to the Albuquerque/Santa Fe area aren’t complete without a sampling of local beer from a store, restaurant or taproom. Be ready for many great beer flavors. The hardest part is making a choice. After tasting beers from the Land of Enchantment breweries it will be clear why craft beer is on the rise! Below is a map of tasting room locations for these breweries in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas. Enjoy!

Let us know what your favorite New Mexico craft beer is by leaving a comment! Contact us if you have questions! For Land of Enchantment travel ideas, see our blog: Visit New Mexico: Land of Enchantment

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Gallup, New Mexico

We arrived very early in the morning and took off for Gallup, New Mexico. During our side trip, we explored the jewelry shops, had burgers from Blake’s Lotaburger and walked through downtown. Most of downtown was closed due to the holidays, but it was still a nice walk and fun to see the variety available in the spring and summer when the shops are usually open.

Casa Rondeña, Albuquerque

We also visited the Casa Rondeña winery in Albuquerque. Situated in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains, it is a beautiful winery, with lovely wine. We fell in love with their 1629 wine. Because it was winter, the grounds were mostly dormant and we look forward to returning when the scenery is greener. We enjoyed a tasting and bought a couple of bottles of wine for our time in New Mexico.

Old Town Albuquerque

We spent two days in Albuquerque where we explored the galleries, shops and restaurants in Old Town. There are approximately ten blocks of shops and restaurants. We stepped into La Placita, one of our favorite restaurants in Old Town and were immediately wrapped in warmth by the kiva in the lobby. Whenever we are in Albuquerque, we make sure to get to La Placita for a wonderful meal, good service and a warm atmosphere.

I always have the Navajo taco here and my son enjoyed one as well. Chip had some traditional tacos as you will see pictured. La Placita has a long history in Albuquerque having been there since 1933. They have been serving their community and tourists for many years. Offering a culinary experience unique to New Mexico and no doubt the scene of many delightful events and memories made by those who frequent their restaurant. Truly La Placita is one of the “lights that shine” in our world. Steadfast and ready to serve, we always look forward to our meals there.

Galleries and Art

There are many galleries in Old Town that I love to visit. Many artists there have amazing work. There are two galleries that I always make sure to visit. Romero Street Gallery is full of art by a coop of talented artists. You can stroll through and see canvas paintings, pottery, jewelry and more. The other gallery that I enjoy is Yucca Gallery. Nestled in the sweet courtyard of Old Town’s Patio Market. Yucca Gallery is a coop of artists as well. You can find art here in a variety of mediums as well.

“Caught in The Rain”

During this trip, I am specifically taken with artist, Abigail Eaton’s work. I assure you, there were many, many beautiful paintings and art to choose from and enjoy. However, when I stepped into Yucca Gallery, a specific painting caught my attention and drew me in. “Caught in the Rain”, the colors and emotions in this painting are amazing. We purchased the painting and had it shipped to us at home.

“Caught in the Rain” arrived more quickly than anticipated. and I was thrilled to get the painting hung. It hangs over our bed. It can be seen from our living room, walking by the room and, of course, each time we walk in or out of the room. Every time I see it, I am drawn to it again. “Caught in the Rain” is literally a painting of a horse caught in the rain. The emotion and use of color remind me of not only horses but of any living thing, any human that gets “Caught in the Rain”. Whether caught in a downpour outside or just going through something emotionally or physically, everyone is the same and gets caught at some time. The painting reminds me to be kind. Being kind is always right because you never know when someone you encounter is “Caught in the Rain.”

San Felipe de Neri Church

On our way out of town, we stopped by San Felipe de Neri Church. This is a beautiful, historic Catholic church nestled in Old Town.

Luminaries

In Old Town Albuquerque and The Plaza in Santa Fe, many businesses, house tops and sidewalks were still lined with luminaries. We arrived the day after Christmas. Luminaries are used to light the way to midnight mass and as decorations during the holiday season.

Santa Fe’s luminaries on adobe buildings were beautiful with the snow. Santa Fe as always was charming. We went through a few galleries and shops here as well. We walked around The Plaza and enjoyed our time.

Santa Fe – More art in The Land of Enchantment!

We visited the Georgia O’Keefe museum. There are several elements to the museum in the area, but the main gallery was only open that day. We also visited the New Mexico Museum of Art. The building itself was art in the architectural sense. The exhibits were educational and enjoyable.

Santa Fe Casual Dining

There are many wonderful culinary opportunities in Santa Fe. For your everyday southwestern Mexican fare to grab lunch or dinner, we love Blue Corn Cafe in downtown Santa Fe. The Navajo tacos are always delish, and who doesn’t love a prickly pear margarita?

There is another experience that you need to have in Santa Fe is Dion’s pizza. Remember how we bought that wine at Casa Rondeña? Well, we picked up pizza from Dion’s and took it back to our hotel. We had “The 505”, which is a pepperoni & green chili pizza with our 1629 wine. Yum!!

New Mexico Craft Breweries

Craft beers have begun to earn an exceptional reputation in New Mexico. So, we hit a few craft breweries while we were there. We have a separate blog on the breweries in The Land of enchantment you can read here.

Enchanted Architecture and Landscape

If you are looking to visit the southwest and enjoy beautiful mountains, adobe architecture, and amazing art, food, wine and beer, you need to book your trip to the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas. New Mexico has so much to see and do in both areas that you can make a entire trip in only one of the cities.

Book your trip to New Mexico

If you are up for an amazing experience in art, food, landscape and history, book your trip to The Land of Enchantment and visit New Mexico.

If you have visited New Mexico, share your adventure in The Land of Enchantment with us in the comments! We always enjoy our time in New Mexico. If you know of a great place you would like us to blog about, contact us or comment below!

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What are grits? Grits are a corn-based dish that is served across the nation but they are much more common in the south. The south makes up ¾ of these sold in the United States. Most northerners do not like them and most of northerners haven’t a clue how to cook them. Join us to learn a little about their nutrition and various ways to serve grits, including our favorite ways.

This dish made from corn is a staple in the south. There are many types of them including, hominy, white, yellow, sweet, plain and savory grits. They are bland tasting, with a grainy texture and a tradition in the south.

Why Grits are Important to the South?

Grits as we know them in the South probably originated from the Native Americans. The Native Americans made a porridge from cornmeal. In the South, we use the kernels to make grits. Corn is a plentiful crop in the south and serves as the base of this dish. They have some nutritive benefit, however, the way you prepare them can diminish their healthy presence on your table.

Grits can be served as a vegetarian dish or not. It is all in how you prepare them as to whether you make these vegetarian or not. They are not low carb so won’t fit into a keto diet well. They do fit well into the DASH Diet and some other diets.

How to cook them

How you cook grits makes a difference in whether you like them. Some of the worst ones I have had were at places like Cracker Barrel and hotels. I have also had breakfast at hotels that had fabulous grits. If your only experience eating them is at Cracker Barrel you owe it to yourself to make some homemade or find a popular local restaurant in the south and order some.

In my opinion, the best way to cook grits is not to follow the package instructions! That is right, break the rules. The recipe on the back of the package usually recommends cooking in water. I cook them with broth (vegetable, chicken or beef) or I use a combination of cream or milk and water. To me this is a key to creamy tasty grits. Another key is to buy original gits or quick cooking grits. Stay away from instant grits. The cooking process is part of what makes this dish taste good.

Types of grits

There are really three types of grits. The first type is plain. These are cooked in water and salt and butter are added. These may be served with toast or any breakfast. Many people will add gravy to them at breakfast.

The next type are breakfast grits served sweet or savory. Fruit, nuts, syrup, and brown sugar are common items found in sweet grits at breakfast. One of my favorites is banana maple. For these, I prepare them using milk and water. I prepare the bananas separately and we serve these in individual bowls. I put the grits in the bowl, top with the banana mixture and drizzle with warm maple syrup. I like to do this for smaller groups and more intimate breakfasts. For larger groups, I would prepare the grits using milk and water and put the big serving bowl of grits out with toppings such as brown sugar, sliced bananas, nuts and syrup as options.

Breakfast grits can also be savory. You can serve them with bacon, cheese, chopped tomatoes and onions as a breakfast choice.

When preparing vegetarian grits for a side dish or main dish, I use vegetable broth in place of water when cooking them. Red peppers, onions and other vegetables make a great topping for these. I like to do the veggies like a stir fry and then place on top.

My favorite savory grits are made using chicken broth. This is a preference and beef broth works too. When making these, I serve them up in individual bowls. I cook them in the broth. Then mix in grated Habanero Gouda cheese and White Vermont Cheddar. I then spoon them into individual bowls and top with additional grated cheese and chives.

How to serve this southern dish

The sky is the limit when you are thinking about how to serve this flexible southern dish at your next meal or gathering. I find it fun to serve specific recipes in individual servings with garnishes to add a special feeling to the dish. If I am serving a large group, I find a grits bar to be most effective. Setting out a serving dish and having small bowls with lots of options for toppings so that guests may mix in their favorites.

Southern Style

If you haven’t eaten them before, try them and let us know what you think. If you would like us to point you to a few really great recipes, post a comment or shoot us a message.

You can find this traditional southern dish all around the south if you want to try them but aren’t ready to commit to cooking them just yet. In South Carolina, you can find the World Grits Festival. Check out their website, www.worldgritsfestival.com

Send us your favorite recipes and photos for this southern dish!

Last but not least, share your favorite recipes with us and send or post photos of your favorite way to eat them!!  You can always reach us by commenting or using our contact us page!

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If you are not familiar, Pawhuska is the home of Ree Drummond, known as the Pioneer Woman, who lives on a working ranch outside of town. The Pioneer Woman has launched an empire from the small town with a show on the Food Network, home and cooking products of all kinds and the flagship Pioneer Woman Mercantile store downtown that attracts an average of 6,000 visitors per day. It all started in the mid-2000s with a web blog where she shares cooking tips, recipes and lifestyle trends based on frontier living.

Drummond has filmed The Pioneer Woman on the Food Network since 2011 nearby on the Drummond family ranch, which stretches over 433,000 acres, was founded more than 100 years ago by her husband’s ancestors and is surrounded by the Osage Indian Reservation. The Pioneer Woman has a cooking style that is a cross between Southern, Midwestern and Southwestern and emphasizes simple, tasty meals that can be created on a limited budget.

In 2012, Drummond purchased a dilapidated 25,000 square foot building in downtown Pawhuska and restored it during a couple of years to become The Pioneer Woman Mercantile. The Mercantile takes up most of a city block at the corner of Kihekah and Main. Upon entering, you will find a general store stocked with home decorations, cooking utensils, bowls, serving dishes, pots, pans, books and souvenirs. There are all kinds of items that will interest any fan.

The first floor of The Pioneer Woman Mercantile includes a restaurant Deli that features meals for breakfast, lunch and early dinner. Check out the menu. Menu items include the Cattleman’s Breakfast, the Farmers’ Breakfast, soups, salads, appetizers, sandwiches, steaks, and meals such as Chicken Fried Steak, Spicy Dr Pepper Pork and Beer Braised Short Rib.

That is not all for the Mercantile. The second floor includes a coffee bar and a bakery with cookies, pies, Danish pastries, muffins, croissants and biscuits. You can also take a break on the second floor with plenty of seating and window views of the surrounding area.

In recent years, the Drummonds have purchased additional surrounding properties near the Mercantile and have opened The Pioneer Woman Boarding House, P-Town Pizza and Charlie’s Sweet Shop. When visiting on a Saturday, the blocked off triangle-shaped block looked like a real version of Mayberry with a line of visitors standing in line to get autographs for one of Drummond’s recent cookbooks. Please check the hours before visiting and keep in mind that Saturdays attract the largest crowds, and the stores are closed on Sundays.

The Boarding House, located nearby the Mercantile, is described as an eight-room “cowboy luxury” hotel. Check out the specialty rooms, including The Photograph Room, The Emerald Room, The Butterfly Room, The Boudoir, The Drugstore Room, The Ranch Room, The Prairie Room and The Tack Room.

Walk across the street to find P-Town Pizza where you can choose from a variety of wood-fired pizza, chicken wings, salads, specialty drinks and desserts. The restaurant has plenty of televisions to watch sports.

Located next door is Charlie’s Sweet Shop, which opened in May 2019. The shop is named after longtime pet, Charlie, an easy-going basset hound that passed away in 2017. Charlie is remembered with tasty sweet treats, such as multiple flavors of handmade ice cream. You can get ice cream in a big waffle cone or a bowl. You can also taste Signature Sundaes or Bootleg Banana Splits. Plenty of Charlie items are available for purchase as well.

If you would like to visit the Lodge, the site where Drummond films her television show on the family ranch outside of town, tickets are free but must be obtained at the Mercantile on the day of the visit. Get the details here.

Other businesses are now restoring Pawhuska and serving visitors. Another choice for nearby lodging is the Historic Frontier Hotel, which was restored from a 1912 building. The hotel, which is a triangle-shaped building inside of the triangle-shaped square, features 20 boutique rooms. There are also other nearby lodging options from bed-and-breakfasts and vacation rental properties.

If you would like to become familiar with the area and other tourist attractions, you can take a tour. For example, Roaming the Osage tour, promises to “take you back in time to the 1920s oil boom with stories of riches, historical buildings, famous cowboys, and Native Osage Culture.”

To visit Pawhuska, the drive is about 60 miles north of Tulsa and about 150 miles northeast of Oklahoma City.

The Pioneer Woman ventures all started with a blog about the Oklahoma frontier life. Her dreams now attract visitors from far away who want to get a taste of her interesting life.

If The Pioneer Woman attracts you to the small town of Pawhuska, on the Oklahoma Frontier, let us know when you visit and what you think! We loved our visit and plan to go back. If you know of a great place you would like us to blog about, contact us!

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While Texans must spend much time driving, making a pit stop is a big part of any long road trip. Buc-ee’s has reimagined the simple convenience store into a Texas-size icon that is a must stop for any long drive.

Texas is beyond a far-flung place. The distance from El Paso to Los Angeles (802 miles) is closer than the distance Beaumont to El Paso (830 miles). Drive from South Padre Island to Dalhart in the panhandle, and you have gone 882 miles. You can pass through seven states from Marshall, Texas to Charlotte, North Carolina in a shorter distance at 880 miles.

The Buc-ee’s beginning

The first Buc-ee’s opened in 1982 in Lake Jackson, south of Houston. Over time, other regular-sized convenience stores were opened primarily in towns near the Houston area. The first travel center opened in the early 2000s. A big milestone was the opening of the “world’s largest convenience store” in 2012 in New Braunfels at 68,000 square feet with 120 gas pumps.

As Buc-ee’s became a favorite in South Texas, it began expanding in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. A travel center in Terrell, east of the DFW area, opened in 2015. A location north of the DFW area on Interstate 35W was opened near the Texas Motor Speedway in 2016, and a location on Interstate 35E opened in Denton in 2018. Other locations also opened since then. As of late 2019, there are about 40 locations throughout Texas. In addition, a travel center opened in Alabama in 2019, and construction is underway for a travel center near Daytona Beach, Florida.

Signature snacks

The first hint about Buc-ee’s is billboards that promote stores miles away with the company mascot, Buc-ee the Beaver, promoting clean restrooms and food items, such as Beaver Nuggets, which are a signature snack made of caramel coated corn pops.

The travel centers feature assortment of food items and beverages from Lone Star heaven.

Dozens of snacks line walls and shelves. It is impossible to list them all. Some of my favorites include the Texas Trail Mix, Chocolate-covered Pecans, Roasted Corn, Expresso Beans and Yogurt-covered Pretzels. Cups with fresh fruit, such as apple slices and pineapple chunks, are also available.

Texas Barbecue

Are you hungry for barbecue? Sandwiches with chopped barbecue or sliced brisket are available at any time along with sausage on a stick. You can also order many types of kolaches in the kitchen area. If you don’t find a pre-packaged item that you like, you can use a kiosk to order food made in the kitchen.

There are multiple fountains with soft drinks, a coffee bar area with multiple flavors and dozens of coolers along the walls with pre-packaged drinks.

If you like beef jerky, you can choose among dozens of flavors. Pre-packaged jerky is displayed on a wall, but you can also order jerky behind the counter.

“Cleanest bathrooms in America”

Clean and spacious bathrooms are an important feature of any Buc-ee’s. The Buc-ee’s location in San Antonio was literally proclaimed with the “cleanest bathrooms in America” in 2012 following a contest by the Cintas Corporation.

About one third of any Buc-ee’s travel center is clothing items, household decorations and other supplies. If you are seeking items with the beaver mascot, you are especially in luck. Some items are sold for a specific store. For example, shoppers can find floating supplies at the New Braunfels store to wade in the Guadalupe River. Those stopping at the Madisonville store on Interstate 45 can find hunting supplies. There are many other examples.

Keep in mind that Buc-ee’s is not a truck stop. Signs at the entrances specifically say that no 18-wheeler trucks are allowed. The dozens of gas pumps are specifically for autos, pickups and recreational vehicles. At some stores, there are more than 100 gas pumps. The gas price is competitively priced with other gas stations in an area. The Denton store features the “world’s longest car wash.” If you purchase a car wash, you can also get 50 cents off per gallon of gas.

Buc-ee’s is worth the stop

If you have never stopped at Buc-ee’s, it is worth the time just to people watch. We live near the Denton location, and it can be fun to watch far-flung travelers stop and stare in the distance. Just keep in mind that people pack into Buc-ee’s during busy travel times. It is easier to check out items at nights and on weekdays, but if you need to stop, have some fun.

Happy traveling! Tell us how much you love Buc-ee’s and post your Buc-ee’s photos in the comments! Here is a link to Buc-ee’s so you can map out your Buc-ee’s stops for your trip. Contact us if you have questions or want to share your favorite travel stop with us!

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After attending a Texas Tech football game in the Fall, I stopped by Two Docs Brewing Company and The Brewery LBK. Both breweries are located in downtown Lubbock and are helping to revitalize previously neglected areas.

Two Docs Brewing Company

Two Docs, at 502 Texas Avenue, is located near the main Lubbock Post Office along the Marsha Sharp Freeway. The building has an industrial look with a big courtyard outside. A food truck was parked near the courtyard and served tasty tacos on the day I visited.

The Two Docs taproom is newly constructed with a rustic look with wood, stainless steel and cinder blocks. A few picnic tables are available inside, but the outdoor courtyard offers the most seating.

I tried a four-beer flight with the Buddy Holly IPA (American), Doktoberfest, Hayes-E Baby IPA (New England) and Two Docs Bock. I especially liked the smooth, fruity taste of the Hayes-E Baby. The other three beers were very good, but my preference depends on my mood.

Other beers available on the day I visited included Pickle Gose, Weller Weis, Dos Doctores (lager), End of Street Wheat and Lubbock Light (lager).

You can tell that the beer that the beer varieties are very well planned, and I like how Lubbock history, such as Buddy Holly, is the name of the Two Docs flagship beer.

The Brewery LBK

On the same day, I ventured a few blocks in the center of the downtown to the historic Pioneer Hotel building where The Brewery LBK, 1204 Broadway, is prominently located on the ground floor. The taproom is an intimate area with seating along the bar and along the walls. The brewing tanks are directly behind the bar.

I especially liked the variety at LBK. On the day that I visited, the brewery was serving Chilton Witbier (wheat), Blue Agave Pilsner, Strawberry Lemonade (wheat with milk lactose), Marzenbier (Munich style malt), IPA, Brown Ale, Farmhouse Amber, Belgian Tripel, Flipping C Word New England IPA and Coconut Porter (Nitro).

I had a flight of six beers at LBK, and I especially liked the Coconut Porter. I prefer darker beers, such as porters with a heavier taste. The coconut taste was prominent, and the nitrogen infused into the beer made it very smooth. This brewery seems happy to experiment and offer varying types of beer.

As a Texas Tech University graduate who has spent years in Lubbock, I am happy that city now has craft beer choices. The breweries are welcome additions and highlight how the South Plains of Texas is a special place.

If you would like to tell us about another brewery to visit in West Texas, contact us with details!

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Finding a good chicken fried steak in a Texas restaurant is common, but the meal must be fresh to taste great. Not all steaks are equal. The crust must be crispy and golden, and the meat must be tender.

How chicken fried steak is cooked

I can remember my grandmother preparing chicken fried steak in my earliest memories. If you are not familiar, it starts with cube steak, which is extra tenderized round steak. The steak is coated with flour and then a mixture of milk, eggs and other seasonings. Then the steak is coated once again with flour before it is heated in a large skillet. The frying creates a golden, crispy crust on the meat. The crispier, the better. When serving, do not forget to cover the steak cream gravy (a combination of flour, milk, salt and pepper). When prepared correctly, chicken fried steak is a simple meal that has a heavenly rush of taste.

Locating the best chicken fried steak

Many of the best chicken fried steaks are served at local cafes that are not advertised. You just hear about them from friends, family and tips from acquaintances. Although a few cafes have become renowned for their “best” chicken fried steaks, a few especially standout.

Visiting Mary’s Cafe in Strawn, Tx

On the way through West Texas recently, I stopped by Mary’s Café in Strawn. The café is a bit out of the way. When driving down Interstate 20 between Eastland and Weatherford, exit on State High 16 and travel almost 4 miles north. When reaching Strawn, you will see the Mary’s Café sign and restaurant to the right. Strawn is about 30 miles south of Possum Kingdom Lake, which is a major local attraction.

When visiting a local rural café in West Texas, do not expect fancy furnishings and have some time to spend. When in a hurry, you will not enjoy the experience as well. The food should be savored anyway.

Home of World Famous Chicken Fried Steak

The Mary’s Café sign says, “Home of the World Famous Chicken Fried Steak”. Many restaurants can make a claim, but Mary’s has the clout to back it up.Restaurant reviews from Texas Monthly magazine, American Airlines’ American Way magazine and local newspapers adorn the walls near the bathroom. In addition, the weekly state travel television show, “Texas Country Reporter,” declared Mary’s Café as Texas Best – Chicken Fried Steak in 2012 after viewers cast votes in a poll. See the Texas Country Reporter video below.

Local cafés in communities

To show how local cafés are a fixture in communities, the 2017 six-man football championship of the Strawn Greyhounds is displayed even more prominently than the restaurant reviews on a local newspaper front page.

Mary’s actually serves many types of food. Regular steaks, burgers, sandwiches, salads and other dishes are displayed on the menu. Other dishes should be reserved for local residents who frequently visit the restaurant. We were visitors who want to sample the most prominent attraction that is displayed as “Mary’s FAMOUS Chicken Fried Steak” in a white box on the menu.

Ordering a Mary’s world famous chicken fried steak depends on your appetite. There are three sizes: small, medium and large, and all are reasonably priced. A small portion is the typical size that most of us are familiar. A medium chicken fried steak should only be ordered when you are especially hungry. Then there is the large portion that covers an entire plate. Let the eater beware.

Because I have lost almost 60 pounds over the past year, I am especially aware of how much I eat. So, I chose the small portion. I have always heard over the years how chicken fried steak is fattening, but it always depends how much you eat. A chicken fried steak does not have many more calories than a regular steak. Just add a bit of gravy, and it will fit into a sensible meal plan, especially if you want to add protein.

Mary’s Chicken Fried Steak

The crust is golden brown on Mary’s chicken fried steak, and it is relatively thin. That makes it easier to eat because most tenderized meat is thin. The steak is especially tasty. I also had a baked potato and garden salad. My son had french fries with his steak and an appetizer of broccoli cheese bites that were tasty.

It is hard for me to judge the best chicken steak because I have had so many over the years. However, I do proclaim that Mary’s is in the Top 10 of the best chicken fried steaks that I have ever tried.

Of course, restaurant preferences are often a personal choice. Just because a restaurant is beloved does not mean others will have different opinions, especially for chicken fried steak. If you have a favorite local restaurant, let us know. Although chain restaurants serve the same food in many locations, some become regional icons. However, it is hard to beat a good, local “hole-in-the-wall” café or restaurant.

Let us know

Let us know if you have a favorite restaurant that serves a local or regional cuisine. And keep an eye on our cuisine blogs for more southern foods. Comment to let us know if you have had Mary’s chicken fried steak or where your favorite chicken fried steak is served.

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Microbrewers

Microbrewers have now given way to craft breweries. These are mostly do-it-yourself brewers who have opened their own businesses in their own communities. Taste be damned. They offer beers, such as IPAs, lagers, pilsners, stouts, sours and many other combinations. From traditional beers to crazy beers that taste like a candy bar, you can now find beer that fits almost any taste thanks to the craft beer phenomenon.

Family Friendly

The craft beer brewery and related tasting rooms are displacing bars as the gathering place of choice for younger generations. Craft breweries are often family friendly with root beer and craft sodas for kids, and many even invite pets. It’s not unusual for craft breweries to have a picnic-style setting with food trucks and games. Beer is finally fun. When you search for craft beer at a store, you collect it and savor it as a treasure.

It seems that corporate and microbrewers have accepted the craft beer trend. They now offer their own varied beer brands and are purchasing some craft brewers to distribute their product to a wider area.

Southern Craft Beer

That brings us to beer in the South. The South has always featured diverse food tastes, ranging from spicy, comfort, traditional and daring. Beer finally matches the food. During our travels, we will visit a range of breweries throughout the southern half of the United States. Some may meander closer to the north, but you will be able to purchase the craft beer in the South. Who cares? Good beer is good beer.

Now let’s have some fun. When telling younger generations about the corporate beer swill offered only in the “old days”, it is a distant memory. Let us know if you have a favorite craft beer brewery or beer brand. We will try to find it. Watch our Craft Beer page for all things craft beer. If you are from the Louisiana area, you will want to check out The Cane River Brewing Company.

The post Craft Beer Phenomenon appeared first on A Southern Firefly.

Over the past year, I have sought craft beer when travelling. You can get a perception of a community through its local breweries.

I was delighted when visiting Natchitoches, Louisiana, to discover the Cane River Brewing Company. The brewery, which opened in 2018, is in a spacious building. Here is a description from the website:

“Our brewery is housed in a refurbished cotton gin building that is nearly a century old. The overlap between this historic space and the birth of a new business is a perfect representation of what Natchitoches is all about: rooted in history but constantly evolving.”

Craft Beers on Tap

Multiple beers are on tap anytime that are brewed on site. We tried a four-beer flight with the IPA, Peach Ale, Brown Ale Porter and Pilsner. My wife especially liked the Peach Ale because she likes lighter beers. Because I prefer darker beers, especially porters and stouts, I found the Brown Ale Porter to be especially tasty.

Other beer selections on tap that we did not try were Demon Lager, APA, Root Beer and a Taproom Series beer with raspberries. Obviously, we need to plan another visit to try all of the beer types and other selections may be available over time.

The brewery as a venue

The brewery building is a perfect site for parties, concerts and gatherings. On our Saturday visit, the big screen television was showing a Louisiana State University football game, and there was plenty of room to spare. The building has an industrial look, but it feels comfortable.

The Cane River Brewing Company is becoming a happening spot in Natchitoches. The place is becoming quite a concert venue with a band record release party scheduled on the first weekend in October. During the second week in October, another band will be featured. It seems something big is scheduled almost every weekend.

Brewery Events

Cane River Brewing also hosts additional events, such as trivia night on Monday. The taproom is open from Thursday through Monday. Updates are posted the brewery website, but the Facebook page is the best source for up-to-date information. You can find and follow their FB page here.

Cane River Brewing Company certainly did not disappoint. We enjoyed our time there and brought some beer and t-shirts home with us.

Located in Natchitoches, LA

We have enjoyed our previous trips to Natchitoches, but the Cane River Brewing Company makes the area especially fun. I am glad we took them up on their suggestion to stop by and have a beer with them. It was well worth the stop. We definitely got a taste of the community spirit while we were there and when we return to Louisiana, we will make sure to visit again.

Let us know if you have visited Cane River Brewing and what your favorite beer is there. We would love to hear if you have visited similar breweries in the South. Be sure to subscribe to our blog to get updates on our brewery visits and check back to our craft beer page often!

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