Tuesday, July 08, 2008

A Slice Of Southern Life


Widow's Beach, Mexico

One of the great culinary pleasures of growing up in Texas was a visit to the local Dairy Queen for soft serve ice cream treats and good simple fare served quickly. My favorite sandwich was something they called The Dude which was your basic Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich with mayo, lettuce and tomato. Back in the day they took actual steaks and pounded them with the meat mallet to tenderize them and hand bread them before deep frying. In recent years there has been a dearth of quality Chicken Fried Steak sandwiches around, most of them being preformed mystery meat with soy filler and strange breading. For those of you who did not grow up in the Southern US or especially Texas, Chicken Fried Steak made and served correctly is just a little slice of heaven on a plate. Served either in sandwich form with some variety of french fries or at a sit down restaurant with cream gravy and baked potato with the works. I got my first introduction into the mysteries of the makings of a good Chicken Fried Steak in my first job as a soda jerk at Moreland's Drug Store on Seminary Drive in Fort Worth. The cook there was this older lady who had a way with all things grille, fried or broiled. She would pound the hell out of these cuts of steak then dip them in the egg, milk and spice mix then press them into a bus tub of flour, then redip and repeat before laying them out on wax paper in another buss tub for easy access. I tell you all of this as back ground for todays adventure here in NLR.

As a frugal shopper, I frequent the chain of Family Dollar Stores for many items I use on a week ly basis . Not all Family Dollar stores are equal, for as with many chains, some stores are run better than others and the stock varies somewhat from store to store. So I visit several locations in close proximity to me to find the one that best suits my needs. Today I was going to visit one down by the Walgreens on JFK Blvd as I had some thing I wanted to get a Walgreens and this would give me the opportunity to check out this Family Dollar which I had not been to previously. After completing my purchases at Walgreens and Family Dollar, I was headed to the bus stop for the trip back to the hotel when my stomach reminded me I had not eaten since about 6 PM the night before and there was a restaurant next to the bust stop by the name of Frostop. I had never heard of the franchise or been in there so I decided to give it a spin. Frostop is sort of a cross between Dairy Queen and A & W Root Beer stands with simple southern fare served well and quickly. Inside I found the slightly chunky, vivacious brassy "broad" you find all over the south, outgoing, friendly with brassy hair and the balls to match. Always a good sign as they add so much to the exprerience. I ordered the Chicken Fried Steak "value" meal at $7.45 and hoped to get my money's worth. Was I every pleased with my choice of fare for this day. While waiting in the booth for my order to arrive I had the pleasure of observing the Hispanic/Asian Busboy going about his duties in the dining room with bright brown eyes, a ready smile and a cute shyness about him that passed the time pleasantly. He then delivered my order to the table and gave me one of those shy smiles that just light up the place. The meal itself was much more than I was expecting . There was this huge piece of Chicken Fried Steak on a 7 inch kaiser roll with mayo, lettuce and tomato served along side a massive amount of real potato french fries with the skins still on that were deliciously spiced and with just the right amount of grease. All of this came on a 12 inch round platter and include a your choice of soft drink (I had Dr Pepper of course). Now I do not know if it was because I was so hungry or not, but this sandwich was the best of it's genre that I have had in several years which includes some of your more famous eateries that charge a lot more for similar fare. This sandwich was delicious in addition to being huge. I was completely starved wihen I walked in yet I was having trouble finishing the meal as the portions were so large. I went to the counter to tell the chunky brassy gir l there how pleased I was and we were speaking pleasantly when the cook came out to get himself something to drink. He was this tall slim yet defined Hispanic man of about twenty four with creamy brown skin some discreet tattoos and a nice smile. He came out in tan cargo shorts , nikes, a slightly too tight tee shirt and an apron. My jaw dropped and my eyes locked onto him like a heat seeking missle and I popped a chubber right at the counter. With delicious food, friendly service and heavenly eye candy, this is one place you have to come if you are in NLR. There is no doubt I will return to this location many times looking forward to good food, good times and great looking eye candy in the flesh. Frostop may not be a 5 star restaurant, but it has my vote as a must visit for anyone planning a visit to the River Cities. If you live here and don't go, you have no idea what you are missing and I urge you to make a sojourn to this small slice of southern life that is so rare to find when it is executed as well as I found it to be here.

Moving on to the entertainment section via the video aisle we have Davey Wavey, John Paul and the Gang at Holly Oaks and a two part Nuke as well as something new from Jay Brannon recorde in the Emanuel Vigeland Mausoleum in Oslo Norway, The Vigeland Mausoleum is a Museum built by Emamuel Vigeland which became his final resting place. It is dimly lit with some interesting accoustics and I think you will enjoy it. Then of course come the traditional and very essential eye candy section with more men for you to ogle and lust after. Until next time as always, Enjoy!

Davey Wavey - The Secret Of Life





Holly Oaks







Nuke - Part 1







Nuke - Part 2







Jay Brannon In Emanuel Vigeland Mausaleum, Oslo Norway





































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