Make-your-Own

People have been able to order a sandwich off of a menu for years, but very recently it is becoming more and more common to have a larger say in regards to what goes in the sandwiches you order. This is more commonly seen at larger grocery stores such as Whole Foods and Central Market. However other sandwich shops such as Which-Which and Eatzis also have a large share in this market.

Why is this so popular? Although some people are overwhelmed by the pure number of choices and other feel they do not know what goes well enough together to make a great sandwich, the majority of people like to have freedom in what they eat and feel that they could create something better then the store. 

Take Central Market for Example with over 15 spreads, 8 sandwich meats, and 30 possible topping including different types of cheese there is so much room for freedom and experimentation that lies within the consumers hands. 

I personally believe this is a fantastic idea. I love this type of sandwich shop and will continue to at at these places regularly. However, some argue that if you are going to tell them exactly what to put on your sandwich, would it not just be cheeper to make it yourself. The problem with this statement though is because of the pure number of choices and different tastes that family members have or friends have, buying the ingredients necessary to make even more than one of these sandwiches would prove to be even more expensive then it is to order them. 

All of these sandwiches cost around $8. But they are completely customized to your specifications and used the freshest ingredients many of these grocery stores have to offer. With brand new avocados, tomatoes, and other topping being cut right in front of you, consumers get an idea of how fresh the food really is, and the freshness of food is a large concern for many people. In addition there is a certain comfort with seeing your sandwich the entire time. Consumers know who has touched it, what is on it and where it has been because it has never left their eyes. 

In conclusion I believe these sandwich shops are a great idea. I believe they will prove to be very successful in the future and we will be seeing not only more of these stores continuing this trend, but we ill also see more new stores entering the market to take their share of the sandwich business.

Central Market

I have already blogged about the sandwich counter of Central Market, but honestly I believe the store, as a whole deserves its own blog.  In fact in many ways central market serves as nearly 10 different stores in one. Containing a coffee shop, sushi bar, full service grill, gelato bar, candy shop, grocery store, bakery and florist all in one.

Although Central Market is a full grocery store such as Kroger or Tom Thumb, you would not find the groceries you are accustomed to finding within normal grocery stores. Containing far more organic and natural products, almost every product differs from that found in normal grocery stores. This is most noticeably in sections such as chips, cereals and peanut butters where you will never find brands such as Frito Lay, General Mills, or Jif.

Their florist department is just like any other florist you will find in the area. With the ability to walk in and buy a pre-arranged bouquet or order a specialty one designed with specific colors and ribbons for any sort of event.

The coffee shop located by the sushi bar is much like any other coffee shop you would find such as Starbucks or at McDonalds. Serving Lattes, cappuccinos, Frappuccino’s, teas and other coffees this shop is perfect for a drink on the go or to indulge in while you are shopping.

The bakery makes fresh bread every day, ranging from normal breads such as wheat and white, to loaves of custom breads and muffins such as banana nut and chocolate bread.  In addition next to the bakery is a section of different flavors of roasted peanuts and pasticcios that can be bagged by the pound and be turned into to any type of bread or blended into a homemade peanut butter.

There are so many different options to choose from no matter what you are looking for at central market. They are not always the customary generic brands you might find in other places, but they are all unique and delicious alternatives, which you won’t be able to find at many other places. Central Market is definitely worth visiting if you never have, and I recommend you at least walk through and check it out.

 

Sonic

If your look for something to drink, but don’t know exactly what you want, sonic is the place to go. With over 398, 929 drink combinations everyone is sure to find something that will quench their thirst. From slushes, to limeades, to soft drinks and teas there is a drink to satisfy everyone. My three personal favorites are the orange cream slush, the Purple O and the root beer float.

The orange cream slush is one of the most refreshing drinks at sonic. Consisting of orange flavoring, ice, ice cream and creamer blended and topped with whip cream, the drink highly resembles an orange dreamsicle. I recommend and small or large though as the drink can be very filling.

A drink not many people know about is the Purple O, and not ever sonic even knows what it is. The drink consists of sprite, cranberry juice, Blue Powerade, and Lemonade, and has a sweeter taste to it. I am yet to meet any who does not like this, yet almost all of my friends have tried it.

Everyone knows what a root beer float is, but fewer and fewer places are serving them these days. The one from sonic however still tastes just like the ones you I could order as a little kid. They are great for when you are both hungry or thirsty and believe it or not is still easy to eat.   

In addition to having endless drink options sonic is just simply convenient. You can drive through or park and have an attend it bring it to your car. It is a great place to go with friends and get drinks on hot summer days. No matter who you are there is a drink at sonic for you and I highly recommend you go.  

 

Cereal on the GO

                What type of cereal do you eat in the morning? Do you prefer the healthy cereal with grain and granola, or sugary cereal with cookies or marshmallows? The fact is there are so many different types of cereal, but so few ways to eat it, which is why I am going to tell you about ways to eat cereal on the go. Anyone could go out and buy a breakfast bar, but that’s too easy. There are three very simple ways to make cereal easy and portable.

1. Cereal in a cup. Its seems so simple but for some reason people just do not think to put cereal in a cup. You don’t even need a spoon very easy to drink, they key however is to add extra milk otherwise you will be left with half of your cereal at the bottom of the cup. This is very transportable and fits in the cup holders of cars, this is how I used to eat my cereal when I had to drive to school.

2.  Making your own cereal bars is another great way to take your cereal on the go. You can use rice Crispies, Trix, or any other assortment of any other round cereal, flat cereals like frosted flakes do not work. The best way to do this is by melting marshmallows and butter together, then mixing in the cereal. It only takes about 20 minutes and you can have a breakfast bar made out of almost any cereal.

3. Little Kids do it right when they just throw their cereal into a Ziploc bag. It is possible the easiest way to take cereal with you, and can easily be wrapped up and put away if necessary. This works great for office and class situation as well, if necessary it is very easy to hide that you are even eating cereal.

These are three easy ways to eat cereal on the go, but you would be surprised, there are people that just can’t figure it out. I often see many of my friends attempt to take large bowls of cereal in cars when they drive or walk to class and it just never works out. 

Milkshakes

It’s amazing that although almost all milkshakes consist of the same ingredients, they differ greatly in taste. Now I am not talking about the flavor of the milkshake, but one would think a strawberry milkshake from one restaurant  would taste very similar to the strawberry milkshake from another. The question is, where do you get the best milkshake.

In-and-Out is newer to the Dallas, but already has a strong presence in the fast food market. They only have three different flavors of milkshakes (Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla), but these milkshakes have a perfect consistency. Unlike places like Whataburger, it is not necessary the milkshakes be eaten with a spoon. I personally believe they have the best strawberry milkshakes, and paired with cheese fries they are an awesome snack.  

Twisted Root, although it is not a chain restaurant, has some of the best milkshakes around Dallas, but some of these milkshakes have a twist. Of course, like other restaurants they have the normal variety of milkshakes, but if you’re in a really good mood, you can add a little alcohol for an adult milkshake. The Oreo milkshake is my personal favorite and paired with a burger, these milkshakes can turn even the most boring of nights into a party.

Chik-Fil-A has my personal favorite place to get milkshakes in Dallas. Not only do they have a variety of flavors, including seasonal milkshakes, they have the truest flavors. They have a solid consistency, and are creamier and richer than other typical fast food shakes. They are an excellent complement to the chicken sandwiches as well, and make the most basic meal taste even better.

Anytime I go to one of these places, I always order a milkshake. Milkshakes can turn a boring fast food lunch into something far more exciting. 

Seafood In Dallas

Originally being from the West Coast, one of my favorite foods is sushi. Because of this, it is hard to find any seafood that can compare to the fresh fish that can be caught in California. However, I have now lived in Texas for almost 12 years, and to this day, seafood  has remained one of my favorite foods. Finding seafood in Dallas has not been the easiest task though, but Central Market, DIVE, and Blue fish are both affordable and delicious ways to satisfy seafood lovers.

Central Market. Although it does not have the same quality or prestige as some of the more upscale Sushi restaurants in Dallas, the sushi at Central Market is very fresh. At low prices ranging from $7-$13, the sushi bar at CM is the perfect place to stop for a quick lunch during work or break between classes. If you aren’t sure about sushi or how it tastes at CM, you don’t have to worry because very often they have free samples to help customers determine their favorite rolls. Central Market is one of my favorite places to eat in Dallas, you can always count on everything being fresh and prepared directly in front of you. Whether you like sandwiches, burgers, wraps, salad bars, or SUSHI there will be something for you at Central Market.

DIVE Coastal Cuisine. I discovered DIVE with my family late during my freshman year, two semesters ago, and since then my family and I eat there every time they visit. A smaller relatively unknown restaurant in Snyder Plaza, DIVE is known for the quality and freshness of its food. Whether ordering a Steak Wrap or my personal favorite the Seared Ahi Tuna Sliders, every customer is sure to find something they enjoy. My parents always order the Shrimp Tacos Trio, it comes stuffed with a variety of grilled, coconut, and fried shrimp and an arrangement of salsas and sauces. I highly recommend if you have not yet tried DIVE you head over as soon as you find the chance.

Blue Fish. The most formal of the three seafood options I have given you, Blue Fish offers a modern environment with  delicious seafood and Sushi options. Whether you are heading over for lunch, a date, or even a formal dinner Blue Fish will be perfect for you. Their sushi is fresh, and they have a full bar and wait staff. Their Samurai roll is one of my personal favorites, but rolls like the California are a great option for beginner sushi eaters. I highly recommend if you are feeling a little daring to try the Nagiri or Sashimi, essentially raw slices of fish on rice or ice,  most people avoid these options because of the texture but it is the best way to truly appreciate the flavor of your fish.

Not only do I love sushi and seafood, but I have also worked in a sushi restaurant in my home town for a little over year. I love seafood, and If you have not tried it just because you don’t like the idea of raw fish you are missing out. The next time you go out for lunch consider one of these options and I promise you will not be disappointed.  

French Fries

Fries compliment almost every lunch and dinner meal, whether being a burger, sandwich, or even a chicken fried steak. When people think of fast food, they think about fries, and the sauces in which they dip them. But what is the best type of fry? Where would fries be without the sauces in which you dip them?

Crinkle cut/ Straight Fries. These fries are considered probably the most traditional type of French fry. There was a time when McDonalds monopolized the fry industry. If you wanted good fries, McDonalds was the only place you could go; however, the new health standards have changed this drastically. Although McDonalds fries are still good, along with fries from burger king, sonic  and other fast food restaurants it is clear that they lack something. The fry is incomplete. This is why in Dallas, places such as Cans and In-and-Out now are the dominant traditional fry suppliers. Canes, famous for their secret sauce and its recipe turn the traditional fry into something much more. It is no longer just a fried salted potato, but has new flavor and texture. The perfect compliment for fried chicken. On the other hand, In-and-Out changed the fry but not only with sauces, but also cheese. With the option to animal style the fries or get cheese fries, they have turned the ordinary fry from being just a side into a type of meal on its own.

The waffle fry is a rather unique fry, with a larger overall surface area and distinctive look. As a fry connoisseur I am always looking for new fries, or cuts that I already like, however, I have never come across the waffle fry anywhere in Dallas besides Chik-fil-a. There are many decisions to make when order fries from there though. Do you want Barbeque, Honey Mustard, Polynesian, or Chik-fil-a Sauce? My personal favorite is a Honey Mustard and Polynesian blend. I believe at many fast food restaurants only about 50% of the people that order food also order fries, but it is very rare that people go to Chik-fil-a and do not dip and indulge with a hot fresh batch of waffle fries.

Curly Fries. Once one of the world’s greatest fries has simply disappeared. They used to be very common with places like A&W and Arby’s, but they are now much harder to find. Although these fries are not as commonly dipped they are usually heavily seasoned with much more than just salt. They have distinctive spice flavoring that would range from place to place, some being spicy and other somewhat sweater. In addition I have found that some curly fries are often sweet potato fries, which adds a whole new dynamic to french fries. Changing from salty to sweet is an unexpected twist, and I hope one day this twist  re be enough to bring back the curly fry.

There are so many different cuts of fries and everyone has different tastes and opinions for both fries and the sauces in which they dip them. But next time, don’t overlook the fry, the little guy that turns even the most ordinary meals into a delicious lunch. 

Sandwiches

Sandwiches, the most basic lunch staple, ranging from peanut butter and jellies, grilled cheeses, to overstuffed subs. But In a city like Dallas, there are so many options to choose from so when 12:00 rolls around, how could anyone know where to go. When thinking about sandwiches quiznos, Subway and Jimmy Johns come to mind, but there are much better healthier options within the city.

3. Jasons Deli. One of the most underrated sandwich shops/ chains, Jason’s Deli offers a wide variety of grandiose healthy sandwiches which are more than just pleasing to the pallet. Everything at Jason’s deli is made fresh including their delicious hot soups, and arrangements of seasonal fruits. The Santa Fe Chicken sandwich consists of grilled chicken breast, avocado, bacon, Swiss cheese and a homemade Russian Dressing. This is one of my personal favorites with a side of fresh strawberries and pineapple, or a broccoli and cheese soup. For those of you who get really hungry at lunch the beefeater, is a gargantuan 1/2 pound roast beef sandwich that truly gets your taste buds dripping. The club royal and hot corn beef are two other personal favorites.

2. Eatzis. This small Italian market located no more than 10 minutes away from SMU on Lovers Lane. Eatzis has far more to offer then sandwiches though with a full deli and shopping market. The market always has fresh new samples to try with a diverse selection of Italian cream sodas and fresh teas. Their sandwich market is equally as impressive though. With practically every meat and cheese combination you can think of and fresh vegetables such as sunflower sprouts and roasted red peppers. My personal favorite is a turkey Swiss on wheat with pesto, red peppers, sprouts, avocado and spinach. After purchasing the sandwich Eatzis has a beautiful patio in which customers can sit and eat with their family and friends.

1. Central Market. Arguably the best place to get a quick sandwich in the Dallas/ Park City Areas, with a full sandwich station with all fresh ingredients cut and prepared right in front of you. Every day the bread used is made fresh, with practically any type of bread you can think of. Central market has more spreads than can be counted including basil pesto, Dijon mustard, Chipotle Ranch and many more. All the vegetable are cut right in front of you, whether you prefer fresh avocado slices, tomato or cucumber. My personal favorite is a Panini Sandwich with a basil pesto spread, Fresh grilled chicken with Swiss cheese, topped with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and double avocado, finished off with a few minutes in the press. For just $10 customers receive a full size sandwich, chips or fries, drink and an inviting atmosphere.

Sandwiches are a personal favorite food of mine, and the city of Dallas has more options than one could know what do with. Although I still find myself at subway and potbellies, these are my top three favorite sandwich shops in the Dallas Area.