Latest news with #localEateries
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Common Fast Food Chain You Should Definitely Visit If You're In Texas
When visiting a new state, common advice says to avoid national chains and seek out local restaurant recommendations to experience a taste of the regional culture. Texas, however, is a different story. Sure, Austin is a food lover's paradise with a booming restaurant scene and Houston has some truly unique spots -- including this restaurant that lets you dine like a hobbit. But, if there's one eatery that offers an inside peek of life across the state, it's Dairy Queen. Whether you're visiting one of the big cities or sprawling suburbs, or you find yourself making a pit stop in a small town way off the highway, good old DQ should be right near the top of your Texas checklist. Yes, Dairy Queen, and not just because the menu's a bit different here. With well over 500 locations, Texas is home to more of these fast food joints than any other state. Even many small towns without other big chains — or much to speak of in terms of eateries in general — often have a DQ. For many Texans, the local Dairy Queen is its own little community hub. It's where teens get first jobs, where families stop for lunch on road trips, where friends snap photos, and where relationships blossom over end-of-the-night soft serve. Leaning fully into its status as local icons, the Dairy Queens here even have their own advertising slogan, heard both in TV jingles and seen emblazoned on the chain's interior walls: "That's what I like about Texas." Read more: Every McDonald's Burger, Ranked Worst To Best They say everything's bigger in Texas, and with the Dairy Queen menu, that's true. The menu is different here, with some notable additions that you just can't find at DQ's in other places. Dairy Queen famously doesn't sell real ice cream and is instead focused on a series of lower-fat soft serve (and other frozen treats). While Texas locations have these desserts too, the menu is home to a lot more savory lunch and dinner items. You still have different types of Blizzards to choose from, of course (prep yourself beforehand with 20 Dairy Queen Blizzard flavors ranked worst to best), but only Texas DQs offer chicken-fried steak sandwiches, chicken and dumplings, tacos, steak fingers, and other Lone Star State goodies. One of the biggest differences is the Beltbuster and other "Buster" burgers. Stacked with two grilled beef patties, tomatoes, purple onions, pickles, and mustard, these hearty sandwiches were added to Texas Dairy Queen menus in 1971 and have been there ever since. There are a few different variations now, though you can't find them in any other state or country. In 2024, a new state-exclusive sauce was added, appropriately named "DQ Texas Sauce." Famed American author (and proud Texan) Larry McMurtry described Texas DQs as "taverns without alcohol," citing their status as local meetup points in his book, "Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen." But how did the chain grow to be such a behemoth in the Lone Star State in the first place? While some locals may insist that Dairy Queen is a thoroughly Texas institution, the first one opened far away in Joilet, Illinois. That was in 1940 — it would be seven years until the chain reached Texas, with the first franchise opened by Rolly Klose in Austin in 1947. Klose went on to sell franchise rights to a large number of Texas locals from all walks of life, leaving the terms wide open for creativity. This resulted in the franchisees exploring all kinds of new additions to the formerly dessert-focused menu, focusing on competing against rising burger chains such as Whataburger and McDonald's. At the same time, new locations opened up in sleepier towns, quickly becoming places to hang out at for local youth. In 1980, Klose relinquished his control of the state's franchises back to Dairy Queen's Midwest corporate headquarters. Not wanting to thin out their menus and change their locations to national standards, local franchisees banded together and formed the Texas Dairy Queen Operators' Council, safeguarding their local menu items and branding indefinitely. So, while Dairy Queen may not be considered one of the best regional fast food chains in America, it's still worth visiting for a taste of Texas culture. Read the original article on Chowhound.
Malay Mail
03-07-2025
- Malay Mail
For big, plump oysters tossed in luscious noodles or folded into hot plate omelettes, make a beeline for Eng Kee Oyster Mee in Melaka
MELAKA, July 3 — In a secluded corner of Taman Pertam Jaya, Melaka, there's a restaurant that has been run by a single family since 1981. Eng Kee Oyster Mee serves Teochew dai chow fare — no prizes for guessing their bestselling dish — but they are more than just their menu. Locals have known Eng Kee since they started at the bustling Jalan Bunga Raya's 'London Bridge' (where they stayed for almost 20 years) before settling down in their current premises — and even that, only after moving a few times. In fact, it was at their last location of Ujong Pasir, where my family lives, that we finally got to know this restaurant better (Jalan Bunga Raya was and remains a challenging place to get parking). Their present shop in Taman Pertam Jaya has been around since 2004, so there is a lived-in charm to the space. Round tables, stackable red plastic chairs, and regulars coming and going. This is a real neighbourhood eatery. Eng Kee is an old, family-run Teochew 'daichow' restaurant. — Picture by CK Lim Drinks are matter-of-fact here. Traditional Chinese herbal teas such as chrysanthemum and pat po liong cha are offered sweetened or not, depending on your preference. We ask for lightly sweetened chrysanthemum, with plenty of ice cubes — even in the evening, the weather remains far too warm nowadays. What truly matters is the food, and Eng Kee's two signature dishes both employ big, plump oysters — fresh and several sizes larger than what we've seen at other restaurants and dai chows. The star of the show is their trademark Oyster Mee, of course; it's in the name of the restaurant. A huge platter of noodles arrives cloaked in a deeply savoury sauce and speckled with nuggets of crisp pork lard. There's no need to hunt for oysters in this dish. Fat and impeccably fresh, they are everywhere, tucked beneath every sauce-slicked strand. Honestly, the noodles are merely the vehicle for these molluscs, these fabled aphrodisiacs. Oyster Omelette. — Picture by CK Lim Then there's the Oyster Omelette. Which is a far cry from the typical o chien you might be thinking of — and this is a good thing. Unlike its glutinous cousins found elsewhere, Eng Kee's version dispenses with starch entirely. What you get instead is an eggs and oysters only affair, soft and lightly charred from the sizzling hot plate. It looks rather ordinary, truth be told, until you taste it — and then you'd want seconds and more. Sweet and Sour Pork. — Picture by CK Lim Even the Sweet and Sour Pork — a dish that is a staple on so many Chinese menus to the point it is taken for granted — is executed with much skill here. The pork is lightly battered, fried till golden, and dressed in a sauce that is a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Vegetables, often an afterthought in many dai chow restaurants, are prepared with the same care as the meat dishes. Our favourite — Stir-fried Sweet Potato Leaves with Garlic and Pork Lard — benefits from just enough time in the wok (and not a minute more), so the juicy greens retain much of their natural flavour. Stir-fried Sweet Potato Leaves with Garlic and Pork Lard. — Picture by CK Lim On previous visits, another popular dish was their Claypot Ginger Wine Chicken. As their broth is built on glutinous rice wine, and not the sharper varieties used elsewhere, Eng Kee's version is more delicate and quietly warming rather than an overwhelming, in-your-face heat. A good dish to order on rainy evenings. There are many more dishes, and hopefully many more visits by my loved ones and me. Eng Kee might not announce itself with much fanfare but it's what we crave for a simple family meal. Judging by the number of families who return each week, we aren't the only ones who feel this way. A simple family meal. — Picture by CK Lim Eng Kee Oyster Mee 永記蠔麵 78, Jalan PJ 18, Taman Pertam Jaya, Melaka Open Wed-Mon 11am-9pm; Tue closed Phone: 06-281 7164 * This is an independent review where the writer paid for the meal. * Follow us on Instagram @eatdrinkmm for more food gems.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
May is National Burger Month: 5 essential Tallahassee spots to try for the food holiday
May is National Burger Month and while you may have celebrated without even realizing, the food holiday National Hamburger Day lands on May 28. To help you get in the spirit, the Tallahassee Democrat went parading around to get our hands on a few stacks we think are both worthy of your dollars and appetite. It's easy to forget all the pleasures of a good, hand-cooked burger when you can conveniently grab them at a drive-thru. While those can hit the spot at times, our hope is that you'll get out to explore the charming atmosphere at local eateries and enjoy a juicy Tallahassee-made burger. Here's where to start: 325 N. Bronough St.; 850-222-1075; Oysters may be the main attraction listed in their name, but if you ask true hamburger fans about their favorite picks in town, Bird's is bound to be on the list. Their 10-ounce patty is a big, juicy burger ($15). Bird's offers a long list of toppings, ranging from pickles to pineapple to decorate your burgers. Burgers are served on a Kaiser roll with a side of either French fries, onion rings or coleslaw. Their specialty burgers can be enjoyed both outside on the picnic tables or inside where fun, funky decor fills the space and live entertainment and karaoke nights bring the space alive. 805 S. Macomb St.; 850-766-7143; Facebook Originating in Perry, Florida, this burger joint located on South Macomb Street offers towering burgers that aren't for the faint of heart. Its most popular stacks includes the signature "Nelson Burger," dressed with lettuce, tomato, American cheese, onion, pickle, mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard ($10.99). Another fan favorite is the mushroom Swiss burger topped with a generous pile of grilled onion and a mayonnaise shmear ($14.99). Get this, you're not limited by just a double stack, for $7 extra you can get up to four patties for a sky high, jaw-dropping bite. This space offers all the right vibes for anyone whose looking to enjoy a serious game of poker, a hearty laugh at its weekly comedy night and sip on cocktails for a full experience. 3813 N. Monroe St.; 850-562-6500; Facebook Salty Dawg Pub & Deli, nestled in the Lake Jackson Trading Post retail center, is a vet in the burger game with over 37 years of operation under its belt. Less is more at this pub with only five burgers to choose from. Whichever you pick you're in for a treat with an option to customize your entree with all the fixings. The classic bacon cheeseburger is "perfection, baby," as co-owner Lana Radke, puts it. She prepared it for the Tallahassee Democrat topping the patties with a layer of crispy bacon, a gooey cheese melt and golden buns that hug it all together ($8.99). Switch it up with the patty melt served on toasted rye bread ($8.99). This spot expresses it's cozy, family friendly charm with its attentive staff and decor both inside and out, making it a standout. No wonder its been around for so long. 663 Railroad Square; 786-568-9864; Lots of people have been singing their praises for this burger joint. If you haven't been on social media lately, let us help you catch you. Trap Boy Burger has been open for only three months and as its name circulates around on all the socials, more people have been flocking to the spot to get their hands on the signature smash burger to try it for themselves. For $7.49 you can grab a single "Trap Boy Cheese Burger" topped with its signature sauce, pickles and onions. Order a side of its shoestring fries ($3.99) to dip in its craveable "Trap Boy Sauce." You may want to order this burger to go. While there are a few seats outdoors on the deck, you may want a little privacy once you get a bite. This isn't clean eating, especially if you get extra sauce on your burger. 2520 W. Tharpe St.; (850) 224-9766; They say some of the best food places are hole-in-the-wall spots and this would ring true for Woodchuck's Cafe. Located next to the Sunoco gas station on West Tharpe Street, this hidden gem decorated in woodchuck decor might take you by surprise. They tote a generous list of burgers, including the "King Kong" a double stack burger topped with 2 slices of cheese, stuffed with golden French fries ($12.75). The "Breakfast Burger" is made with an egg (prepared as guest choice) and crispy bacon piled between two pancake buns ($12.75). Pro tip, this burger deliciously pairs with funnel cake fries ($1.50). For the last 13 years Woodchuck's Cafe has offered a casual dining space with an abundant selection of specialty breakfast items, sandwiches, desserts and more. Kyla A Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Democrat. New restaurant opening up, special deals, or events coming up? Let me know at ksanford@ You can also email your suggestions for a future TLH Eats restaurant profile. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: 5 best Tallahassee spots to try for National Burger Month
