Love For Texas

Chili’s Missing Menu Item

admin — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 20:37:31 +0000

I grew up eating at Chili’s. Not the Chili’s you know today, but the Chili’s that started in Dallas on Greenville Avenue and was the start for what has become a cornerstone in the casual dining ensemble. Not to say Chili’s is a lost cause. Much of their menu still lives on from their beginnings in 1975 when they were brand new and had no auspicious dreams of cranking out the same thing over and over to folks on their way to a showing of “Mamma Mia.” Still, on key menu item I used to get every time, is missing.

The Terlingua Pride.

The fact that I have now been to Terlingua makes the burger who carries its name all the more important to me. For those of you who came in late, the World Chili Championships are held annually in Terlingua (which is a hint on what the burger is made of). But fear not, you can still order your own Terlingua Pride, and I recommend you do.

Just order an Oldtimer (their regular burger) and have chili and cheese on it. For all practical purposes, a Terlingua Pride is a chili burger. But for me, it’s more than that: it’s a call to the past of a restaurant (from Texas!) who has grown far past their humble beginnings (not that humble beginnings are a bad thing, mind you).

Amateur Traveler Interview

admin — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 20:48:47 +0000

Last week I interviewed with Chris Christensen of the Amateur Traveler Podcast and had a chance to talk about Texas. The toughest thing about summing Texas up in a one-week trip? It’s impossible to get every corner of the state in! Nevertheless, places like Houston, South Padre, The Big Thicket, and Lubbock and Amarillo can’t be missed.

Check out the podcast, and come to Texas (and stay a little longer than just a week if you want the full experience).

Birthplace of Texas

admin — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 05:59:51 +0000

Today I began a road trip across Texas with a stop at Washington-on-the-Brazos. It being Independence Day, the streets were lined with historic flags of Texas as we pulled into the park. Washington-on-the-Brazos is the site of Independence Hall, where Texas declared independence from Mexico on March 2,1836. It was an exciting (and beautiful) day to be at the birthplace of Texas!

Texas Independence Day Party is Today!

admin — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 06:55:45 +0000

It’s February 28, and time for the 8th Annual Texas Independence Day Party! Preparations are being wrapped up and soon, the food will start cooking for this year’s celebration. We hope you can make it, and if not, we hope you’ll check out the webcam.

The Siege of the Alamo

admin — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:18:50 +0000

Today, February 23, 1836, Santa Anna and the Mexican army began the siege of the Alamo. And on February 12, William B. Travis wrote this stirring letter all Texans know and love:

Fellow citizens and compatriots;

I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual Bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken. I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country. Victory or Death.

William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Comdt.

P.S. The Lord is on our side. When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn. We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.

Travis

The Wienermobile comes to Texas

admin — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:32:44 +0000

A couple days ago, I was on my way south on I-35 in Lewisville, Texas and as I ramped onto the freeway, out of my peripheral vision, the Wienermobile screamed past traffic in the left lane. Though it had a head start, I was not about to let this wiener get away.

At the cheering of my family, we raced through traffic, darted between cars, hauled the mail and eventually caught up to the fiberglass hot dog on wheels to get a few pictures and a wave. Sure, we missed our exit in pursuit of the sausage, but it was well worth it. Just hearing my son yell “you can do it, Daddy!” was enough for me.

And let it be said for the record, this account was for drama only, both the hotdogger and I had complete control of our vehicles (wiener?) at all times and the Texas traffic laws were obeyed.

Barbecue Manna

admin — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 05:02:01 +0000

I was at Dickey’s with Bill and Josh today and when it was time to pay, someone offered Bill a buy one get one free card. I couldn’t help but mention that God provided the barbecue. Which brings the thought: had God provided barbecue brisket instead of manna for Israel while they wandered in the wilderness, maybe they wouldn’t have complained so much.

That is, unless the sauce was lacking.

Love For Texas

admin — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:11:16 +0000

We’ve hosted our Texas Independence Day Party for seven years, and this year will bring the eighth. The most fun about this party is when folks ask us when it’s coming up again. They expect it to happen… dare I say, they actually look forward to it happening!

Well, yes, it’s going to happen again. The Eighth Annual party will be Saturday, February 28. And to commemorate it, this site has been launched. Here’s hoping you enjoy.