Recipes + Reviews

Tasty Tuesday: Taco Hut (Lewisville)

Y’all…. Why are tacos SO good? Not the kind you get at Taco Bell (no offense). I’m talking authentic Mexican tacos with cilantro, onions, and limes. I can eat those at least four times a week. At one point, I was eating them that often because the craving was so strong during my pregnancy. This place was one of the main taco spots I frequented when I was pregnant.

I was introduced to Taco Hut by an old friend years ago when I was hunting for great, quality tacos in the Denton county area. She expressed to me that it did look a little sketchy, but the food was worth it. Naturally, I had to see what it was talking about. Well, she did not lie about it feeling a little sketchy. Nonetheless, I walked up to the ordering window and gave my order. The people at Taco Hut are super sweet, even years later!

Girl, what did you order?

Whenever I order tacos, I ALWAYS get chicken, steak, and pork. Sometimes I get all three at once or I’ll get the specific choice of meat for all of the tacos I plan on eating. I love every single topping that comes on tacos. Seriously. Cilantro, onions, and limes are the holy trinity for an excellent taco. Add some hot green or red sauce (I have yet to learn the names of them) and it’s perfection!

Jay and I recently went while in the area a few weeks ago. We ordered the 3 tacos any style. My order consisted of chicken, steak, and barbacoa; Jay’s order was all chicken.

3 tacos any style: chicken, steak, and barbacoa

What makes Taco Hut so special is not only do they provide the usual cilantro, onions, and limes, they also include grilled onions and jalapeños! That’s what sets their tacos apart from other taco shops for me. Whoever thought that added both grilled onions and jalapeños to tacos is what will send it right over the edge of a taste explosion?

Taco Hut has two locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex: Lewisville and Grand Prairie. Personally, I like the Lewisville location a lot better than Grand Prairie. I just can’t drive out to Lewisville every week! I highly suggest that if you are ever in the Denton county area, give Taco Hut a try if you haven’t already!

Taco Hut

1235 S State Hwy 121

Lewisville, TX 75067

Open 24/7

https://www.facebook.com/Taco-Hut-372376136236596/?ref=page_internal

Until next Tuesday!

Genuinely,

Gabby

Categories: Recipes + Reviews

Homemade McGriddles

Not every day can we wake up in the morning and grab a McGriddle sandwich from McDonald’s. Sometimes, we don’t have the time. Other times, we might not have the money.

I’ve seen this recipe in so many ways, but I feel like mine might be the easiest way to make your own at home and on a budget.

I no longer eat at McDonald’s anymore for a number of reasons. The main reason is that I really enjoy my fast food is cooked fresh to order. What can I say? Whataburger has spoiled this Texas girl rotten and, quite honestly, they are better than Mickey D’s. However, one breakfast item I thoroughly enjoyed growing up was the McGriddle.

I start by making my pancakes small and about the same size.

The major key to making these taste exactly like an actual McGriddle from McDonald’s is to drizzle syrup on the uncooked portion of the pancake before flipping it.

Next, I cook my protein of choice. You can use bacon, sausage, ham. Or if you’re vegan, you can use whatever protein suits you. I chose to use Purnell’s Country Sausage. It’s our favorite sausage brand to use. Here’s a link where you can find it! https://itsgooo-od.com/store-locator/

Then, I made my eggs. I chose to let it cook as if I am making an omelet, followed by folding it together, flipping it, and letting it cook through to the doneness I like.

Finally, I stack it together: pancake, cheese, egg, sausage, pancake!

Homemade McGriddles

Ingredients + Supplies

Your favorite pancake mix or pancake recipe (I prefer to use pancake mix because I don’t always have the time to make mine from scratch)
Syrup
A protein of your choice (I’ll be using Purnell’s Country Sausage)
Cheese slices (optional)
Eggs (optional)
Skillet or griddle
Spatula
Cooking spray

Steps

Preheat your skillet or griddle. If using a griddle, set the temperature to 300°.
Follow instructions for pancake mix or pancake recipe. Pour batter into a measuring cup for easier mobility. Spray griddle with cooking spray.
Pour the batter and make small, even circles. Follow the same technique you normally use in making pancakes. Drizzle syrup on the uncooked side of the pancake. Flip and once done, set aside.
Next, cook your protein. When it is done, then prep your eggs. Prepare them to your liking.
Build your sandwich with a pancake bottom, cheese, egg, protein, pancake top. You can drizzle more syrup on the top if you like.

Serve warm.

Categories: Recipes + Reviews

Tasty Tuesday: El Arroyo

Let me go ahead and make this VERY clear. I love authentic Mexican/Tex-Mex food. That genre of food brings me so much joy. I can literally eat it every day. I love it that much. So when I find a new spot AND it’s good, I stay loyal to that establishment. Hence, this week’s review on El Arroyo. This restaurant was suggested to me by my nail tech! She told me about their fantastic drink specials during their happy hour and told me to check them out.

Mural outside of the restaurant. The quote is pretty accurate.

To describe El Arroyo, I wouldn’t categorize it as a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. It does give that vibe, but it’s not exactly that kind of place. It gives a sense of home. It’s like a hometown spot that you love to visit when you’ve been away for too long. There’s even a mural on the outside wall that was painted by a local resident from the city. The staff was very friendly and attentive. They have a very large patio area that is both covered and uncovered. The outside area is perfect for pandemic seating and just for pure enjoyment. They have a total of 15 flat-screen TVs to watch any sporting event that is airing The restaurant also has live music on some nights (I haven’t been on a live music night yet, but I do plan to attend!).

Let’s get to the food, shall we? We started with an appetizer of chips and queso. We love queso and this place did not disappoint. It was so good that we ordered TWO large servings of queso. It was a winner with us for sure. Next, we all ordered quesadillas. It was not planned, might I add! I had fajita steak, Jay had chicken, and our daughter had a kid’s cheese quesadilla. If you can’t get a quesadilla right, then you don’t know how to serve quality Mexican food in my opinion. Our quesadillas were so freaking good! I immediately wanted to come back the next day just to order something else on the menu. Lastly, I ordered a regular margarita. I love a strong margarita and it was perfect. It was strong, but you couldn’t taste the tequila in the margarita. Normally when I go during happy hour at an establishment, I can drink a minimum of two drinks. This margarita put me on my butt, okay?

Overall, I definitely give this place a 9/10 rating. I seriously plan on taking my friends here during happy hour to catch up and enjoy the scene. Also, they played ALL of the throwback jams. I’m talking Backstreet Boys, N’SYNC, Lady Gaga, EVERYTHING. I love when a place plays good music. So if you’re ever in Arlington and you don’t want to go to a chain restaurant for great Tex-Mex food, stop by at El Arroyo! You will not be disappointed!

El Arroyo

5024 S Cooper St

Arlington, TX 76017

Happy Hour: Monday-Friday, 2 PM- 6 PM

https://www.elarroyorestaurantarlington.com

See y’all next Tuesday!

Genuinely,

Gabby

Categories: Recipes + Reviews

Tasty Tuesday: Flavors Wings N Daiquiris (Arlington)

This Tasty Tuesday feature is Flavors Wings N Daiquiris located in Arlington, TX. This black owned wing spot is incredible! I found out about this place through a Facebook group for black owned restaurants in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Naturally, I had to see what they were talking about because I love a good chicken wing!

Flavors pride themselves for having a total of 20, TWENTY, different flavors for their wings. And before you even ask, yes I am about to give you every single flavor that they have.

Wing flavors:

Crazy Ranch
Garlic Ranch
Golden Garlic
Garlic Parmesan
Cajun Candy
Spicy Garlic
Spicy Jalapeno
BBQ
Honey BBQ
Flammin’ BBQ
Teriyaki
Lemon Pepper
Lemon Pepper Garlic
Hot Lemon Pepper
Cajun
Honey Mustard
Hot Honey Mustard
Obey Me
Pure Gold
Hot
Medium
BLG: BBQ-LemonPepper-Garlic

That’s a ton of flavors right?! Wings are not the only items on the menu. They also serve catfish, sandwiches, salads, boudin balls, and of course, daiquiris.

Order #1

I loved this place so much that I went twice within a week. The first time I went, I ordered the 5 wings + 1 piece catfish, fries, and a fruit punch flavored daiquiri. The wing flavor was Hot Lemon Pepper. The first impression was scrumptious. Have y’all ever had a euphoric experience with food? If so, then you know exactly how I feel. It was love at first bite. Seriously! The catfish was seasoned to perfection. It was crispy and mouthwatering. The daiquiri was strong and very well flavored. It had the right amount of alcohol where it was strong, but you did not taste the alcohol in it.

Order #2

The second time I went, I had the 10 wings and fries combo. This time, the wing flavors were Hot Honey Mustard and Crazy Ranch. Never in my life have I had honey mustard wings. Ever. It was so freaking good! And it had the right amount of spice! The Crazy Ranch flavor is the most popular flavor, and I understand the hype. I can’t even pinpoint the exact way to describe the way it tastes. Again, I was having a euphoric experience with my meal.

I highly recommend giving this restaurant a chance if you live in the area or if you are traveling to the metroplex! In my personal opinion, Flavors is better than Wingstop. I mean, you can’t beat 20 different and unique flavors. This place has become an instant favorite for me.

Flavors Wings N Daiquiris

5005 S Cooper St

Unit 175

Arlington, TX 76018

https://www.flavorswingsndaiquiris.com/menu

Until next Tuesday!

Genuinely,

Gabby

P.S. Obviously I’m obsessed. And just like the caption in the picture says: “This isn’t a wing, this is a WANG!”

Categories: Recipes + Reviews

Tasty Tuesday: Pie-Tap (Dallas)

Starting this week, I am posting a thorough review of the restaurants I visit here in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex or out of area/out of state. I am so excited to share my experiences because I LOVE food! I thoroughly enjoy going to a new restaurant and experiencing new recipes (or favorite recipes in a different way). I plan on being very transparent about each experience when I review. Please do not be discouraged to try these places. I am only giving my honest opinion.

Our first Tasty Tuesday on the blog will be Pie-Tap here in the Dallas area. A couple of weeks ago, my family and I met up with one of our dear friends for lunch to catch up. I love fellowshipping with others and making memories. It brings me so much joy. And what better way to do that than to share a meal of pizza!

Pie-Tap is a small pizza chain here in the Dallas area. They have a total of four locations. This pizza parlor gives its own spin to enjoying pizza. They pride themselves in making their food with the “best ingredients available and prepared with love and dedication.” Another thing they stand for is supporting local restaurants and businesses. For example, all of the beer options are from local breweries in Dallas.

When we entered the restaurant, we were greeted with kindness. The atmosphere of the place is very nice and aesthetically pleasing! Our waiter was very kind and personable. We first ordered the garlic knots (not pictured) as our appetizer. The knots also came with a provolone asiago whip. To be honest, I could have done without them. They were just okay. Plus, I was more excited about the pizza that we were going to order.

We also ordered some alcoholic beverages (not pictured) as we waited for our pizza. I ordered the Raspberry + Basil Mojito (rum, fresh raspberries, basil, fresh lime juice, mint, simple syrup). My boyfriend order the Bourbon Blackberry Smash (bourbon, fresh blackberries, fresh lemon juice, mint, simple syrup). Lastly, our friend ordered a Raspberry Lemonade (blueberry vodka, fresh raspberries, house-made roasted rosemary lemonade, elderflower liqueur). I did not really enjoy my drink. It was sort of a slush consistency and I was expecting my mojito to be on the rocks. I will say that it was very fresh, just wished it was on the rocks.

Our pizza order was the Pepperoni pizza and the Chicken (rotisserie chicken, bourbon bbq, bacon, onion, red onion, pepperoncini, cilantro, smoked mozzarella). The best way for me to determine if a pizza place is worth coming back is by how good the pepperoni pizza is. It. Was. Magnificent. I loved every bite! The chicken pizza was scrumptious too! I am a huge bbq chicken pizza fan and Pie-Tap did NOT miss. I can certainly say that my family will be coming back to this spot in the future!

For dessert, we ordered the House-made Donuts served with honey, from a local supplier, and strawberry jam. I was too full to give it a try, but my boyfriend said that the donuts were absolutely heavenly!

House-made Donuts served with honey and strawberry jam

Overall, I’d give this place 9/10. I know it sounds crazy given that I didn’t care for the appetizer and drinks, but the pizza itself was enough to win me over! Be sure to check in every Tuesday on here for my full review and on Instagram!

Genuinely,

Gabby