Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Sandwiches

Taking a break from new restaurants to talk about something a bit simpler -- the sandwich.  A well made sandwich is one of my favorite things.  Pulling out bread, meat, cheese and whatever else you can find in the fridge as you veg out on the couch and catch up on bad reality TV ranks pretty high up there on my list.  However, when the major lazy’s strike, finding someone else to make you a sandwich is that much better. 
Oak Lawn location
photo courtesy of eatzi's.com
Not having a beau to make a sandwich for me, the next step is choosing out of the many sandwich shop options in Big D, which brings us to eatZi’s. Having spent plenty of time at Eatzi’s in the past 3 years, I don’t know how I never made it to the sandwich bar until this week. I usually don’t make it past the half-price sushi after 9pm, the orzo pasta salad and the great cartons of gelato by the checkout line.  And technically I still haven’t made it there yet. 
But I did get a chance to try the Build Your Own Sandwich the other day. Got a call from my Dad while headed home one night with the offer to pick up dinner if I want -- free meal = YES PLEASE!! He asked what kind of sandwich I wanted from eatZi’s and was not exactly pleased at my lack of response.  Side note – my taste buds are about as fickle as a hormone-filled teen romance.  I very rarely have a “favorite” anything and this includes sandwiches, making the idea of ordering from a new place over the phone nearly impossible – I’ll go ahead and claim my high maintenance tiara now. Luckily my father recognizes my sandwich commitment issues and walked me through the breads, spreads, meats, cheeses and fixins’ for my creation with the patience of a saint – they say anxiety is genetic, so I think he recognizes my inability to order a sandwich is at least partially his fault. 

I went roasted vegetables on wheat with provolone and pesto sauce.  OH MY GOODNESS!!  No wonder this has been my sister’s go-to sandwich spot for years.  It was amazing!! The bread was hearty enough to hold the massive amounts of veggies without soaking in too much pesto to become soggy.  The veggies included grilled mushrooms, peppers, squash, carrots and a few more veggies – I got a little busy tearing into the sandwich like I’d just finished a weeklong cleanse and forgot to remember the rest.  It was warm but not toasted or over-cooked.  Even the leftovers cold the next day were incredible!!  I was in heaven and HIGHLY recommend this as a go-to prior to any picnic or brown bag lunch adventure you have planned.  Grab a sandwich, some cheese and crackers and your favorite adult beverage at Eatzi’s, then spend a perfect Thursday night at one of the many fun activities offered around town.  I would highly recommend Dallas Guide Live to find out what’s going on around town.  I really can’t think of a better Dallas night! A+ Eatzi’s.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

the List

Thank goodness for good friends willing to share good food!  A few months ago a friend of mine passed along what I have grown to call "the List."  It is Oh Hey Dallas' list of the top 100 things to consume in Dallas.  As a fun summer adventure, I decided to try as many of the places and foods as possible. With a full stomach and an empty wallet, I bring you: the List.


100. Fish & Chips from The Mucky Duck
99.  Grilled Avocado Salad from Snappy Salads
98.  Cotton Candy Martini from Four Lounge
97.  Chicken & Dumplings from Norma’s Cafe
96.  Mac Daddy Dog from The Stand
95.  Sushi Pizza from Dee Lincoln’s Bubble Bar
94.  Salted Caramel Gelato from Paciugo
93.  Cheeseburger from Village Burger Bar
92.  Ropa Vieja Tacos from People’s Last Stand
91.  Build Your Own Sandwich from Eatzi’s
90.  Dip Duo from R+D Kitchen
89.  Slap Your Mama Chocolate Cupcake from Trailercakes
88.  Thai Iced Tea from The Mint
87.  Ahi Poke Taco from Velvet Taco
86.  Kimchee Fries from Ssham BBQ
85.  Blue Crab Fried Rice from The Fish
84.  Black Bean Dip from Gloria’s
83.  The Evan from Taco Joint
82.  Smoked Brisket from Lockhart
81.  Chicken & Waffle from Big Mama’s
80.  “The Chaz” from Gandolfo’s NY Deli
79.  Rollo de Canela from Iron Cactus
78.  Larb Gai from Naga Thai
77.  Beef Bone Marrow from Meddlesome Moth
76.  Ahi Tacos from Del Frisco’s Grille
75.  Corndog from Fletcher’s (State Fair of TX)
74.  Duck Spring Rolls from Marquee Grill
73.  Smoked Salmon from TJ’s Seafood
72.  The Gamechanger from SoCal Tacos
71.  Good Karmel from Oh Brownie
70. Portobello Mushroom Sandwich from The Greenhouse Truck
69.  Martini Trio from Perry’s Steakhouse
68.  Fried Avocado Taco from Torchy’s Tacos
67.  Muffuletta from Jimmy’s Food Store
66.  Flatiron Steak with Chimichuri from Asador
65.  Roasted Beet & Blood Orange Salad from Hibiscus
64.  Chocolate Chip Cookie from Kessler’s
63.  Iltalchos from Terreli’s
62.  Basil Pesto Loaf from Breadwinner’s
61.  Deconstructed California Roll from Parigi
60.  Burger from The Grape
59. Lobster and Garlic Ravioli from Holy Ravioli
58.  Dumplings from Royal China
57.  S’mores Calzone from Cane Rosso
56.  Skittle Sangria from The Common Table
55.  Ligurian Caesar Salad from Oak
54.  Cheeseburger from Dairy-ette
53.  The Athenian from Pie Five
52.  Cleaver & Block Burger from Neighborhood Services
51.  Blackbird Julep from Tate’s
50. Onion Rings from The Cedar’s Social
49.  Dill Pickle popcorn from Uptown Popcorn
48.  Buffalo Mac Cups from Oddfellows
47. Chicken Biscuit from Hypnotic Donuts
46. Loaded Sweet Potato Fries from Company Cafe
45. Butterscotch Pot de Creme from Neighborhood Services
44.  Pimento Cheese Sandwich from Bolsa Mercado
43.  Fried Pickle Chips from Frankie’s
42.  Sticky Bun from Nick & Sam’s Grille
41.   Chicken & Jalapeno Dumplings from The Common Table
40.  Garden of Eatin’ Omlet from Lucky’s Cafe
39.  Coconut Cream Pie from Original Market Diner
38.  Fried Green Tomatoes from Hattie’s
37.  Bob Armstrong Queso from Mattito’s
36.  Chocolate Covered Strawberries from Chocolate Secrets
35.  Captain Crunch French Toast from Nick & Sam’s Grille
34.  Crawfish Pistolette from Cajun Tailgators
33.  Truffle Popcorn from Tillman’s Roadhouse
32.  Create Your Own Ice Cream Sandwich from Pokey O’s
31.  Chicken Fried Steak from Company Cafe
30.  Marshmallow Soup from Rise No 1
29.  Pearl Latte from The Pearl Cup
28.  Seared Ahi Tuna Wrap from Dive Coastal Cuisine
27.  Escargot from Toulouse
26.   “The King” from Trailercakes
25.  Herb Marinated Seared Scallops from Local
24.  Pad Kee Mow from Asian Mint
23.  Pretzel Bread from Prime Bar
22.  Italian Style Crab Claws from Campisi’s
21.  Peppermint Whoopie Pie from Society Bakery
20. Brisket Pie from Baker’s Ribs
19.  Miso Glazed Salmon from Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse
18.  Foie Gras Stuffed Prune from Lucia
17.  Biscuits and Honey from Babe’s
16.  Tableside S’mores from Tillman’s Roadhouse
15.  Wild Mushroom Soup from Palomino
14.  Szechuan Green Beans from FiveSixty
13.  Fried Chicken from Sissy’s Southern Kitchen
12.  Lobster Bisque from Ocean Prime
11.  Olive Oil Cake from Lucia
10.  Spanakopita from Stratos
9.  Cheeseburger from Keller’s Burgers
8.  Peanut Butter Pie from Avanti
7.  Smoked Brisket Cornbread Hash from Smoke
6.  French Fries from Off-Site Kitchen
5.  Lobster Shooters from Abacus
4.  Panko Brussel Sprouts from Oak
3.  Seattle Style Deviled Eggs from Neighborhood Services Grill
2.  ANY pizza from Cane Rosso
1.  Duck Breast with Beets and Blood Oranges from Lucia