What Do You Want to Eat? I Don't Care Burgers!

How many times have you asked your Sig-O, “what do you want for lunch/dinner?” And get the response “I don’t care.” Sure, that’s been frustrating all of us for years, but the genius folks over at I Don’t Care Burgers just solved that with their catchy-named burger join.

The Sig-O and I recently got to try the burgers and fries from I Don’t Care, and we now definitely care about where our burger comes from. The Sig-O opted for the Bacon Jam Burger, because, well, bacon jam pretty much makes everything amazing. IDC’s bacon jam is no exception to the flavor fabulousness, but just in case you were craving your bacon jam on actual bacon, they put a few strips on the burger too. The Bacon Jam Burger comes on a delightful sweet sourdough bun that somehow manages to stand up to the 1/3 lb patty. I opted for the Sweet Heat burger, which featured their jalepeno-peach marmalade(made from Parker County peaches).  The sweetness of the peaches tempered that jalepeno nicely, and the jalepeno-cheddar bun that held it all together was not to be missed.

Aside from being started by local hunk Jerred Fulbright, IDC keeps it local by using only the freshest ingredients made from scratch daily with produce from local farmers. But this won’t be a break the bank burger, as most burgers ring up around $8. Even better? All burgers come with their delicious made-from scratch fries. They’ve also got some fun flavored wings, and even a salad for that vegetarian you still love.

Sure, their brick and mortar location in Aledo isn’t quite as convenient for us Dallas-dwellers (but it is worth the trip), but they cater! Yes, that’s right, they will bring their set up and cook delicious burgers at your house. Think of all the hours you won’t be sweating it out at the grill or in the kitchen at those summer pool parties, Memorial Day gatherings and 4^th of July celebrations.

Visit IDC Burgers at 401 FM S 1187 in Aledo, or call Jerred to set up that party at your place 817-600-6189.

Eating the D 100: Best Random Finds

You know how you get stuck in a rut, want to try a new restaurant, but don't have any clue where to go. Here's a list(from the list) about the best random finds we encountered on the list. Sure, there are others, but these are our tops recommendations if you're looking to change up your usual weekend dining plans:

1. Mr. Wok – This is the restaurant I have told more people about than any other. It’s a hole in the wall in an old Pizza Inn in Plano and it is the best Chinese food in town. Call ahead to make sure they’ll save a Peking Duck for you. And BYOB.
2. Wingfields – This burger is amazing. But I am not kidding you when I tell you to call in your order ahead of time. Seriously, there is nowhere to wait and nowhere to sit, and expect to be doling out cash to panhandlers who walk by while you wait in your car. Also, you might want to take an SUV since my $6 burger turned into an $800 burger thanks to a pothole so big and deep that it cracked my headlight. Thanks Dallas streets.
3. Tei Tei Robata Bar– Two words – River Crabs. They’re small, adorable, crunchy, delicious, and Tei Tei has them. Go early to get a table, or show up later and plan to spend some time cooling your heels and people-watching in the bar. Try the more adventurous items on the menu and you’ll be pleasantly surprise, but you should definitely get the beef on the hot rock. It sounds gimmicky, but it melts in your mouth.
4.  Meshack’s Bar-B-Que Shack – This truly an old white BBQ shack with a window. So glad we found this BBQ in Garland. It’s definitely on the list for some of the best BBQ in town. Go early or they might run out of what you want.
5.  Urban Crust – The Sig-O and I had the misfortune of living north of 635 for a few years. Urban Crust made living in the northern hinterlands much more tolerable by giving us an upscale pizza place that has a killer rooftop bar (32 degrees) for pre or post-dinner cocktails. If you happen to be up north, definitely check out Urban Crust or its sister Urban Rio.

The Sig-O and I are still "discussing" who will make the overall top 5, but we've got a few other lists coming your before then so check back to be In the Know!

I Ate the D 100 AKA Much Respect for Nancy Nichols

In June of 2013, D Magazine finally printed their list of the Top 100 restaurants in Dallas. This isn’t an annual list, or even a biennial list. It’s been a while since they last published that list, but knowing how we all love a good list so we can compare notes(scores) with friends, the good folks at D, more specifically Food and Travel Editor Nancy Nichols, put together the list of the top 100.

I generally read D cover to cover the day it arrives in our mailbox(don’t judge), so I remember when the issue came out. I remember turning to the Sig-O when I saw the list and saying, “We should do this. We should eat at all 100 top restaurants.” How on Earth I managed to snag someone who would blindly join me on this quest to #EatTheD100 is beyond me, but the Sig-O said, “Sure. Why not?” So the quest began.

A few clarifications before I go on. We did not do all 100 in the time since the list came out. We’ve been in Dallas about 15 years, so if we had already been to one on the list, it counted. If one of us had been to the restaurant, but the other had not, it could still count – those amounted to less than five restaurants each. As people who eat out a fair bit, vary their restaurant choices and have adventurous palates, we (I) were pretty disappointed when we had been to just over 50 of the top 100.

While we’re not in 100 percent agreement with where restaurants were placed on the list, we really have no qualms for the majority who made the list. Were there some that should have been on the list but weren’t included? Of course. Were there some that were on the list that probably shouldn't have been? Probably. Were there any who absolutely didn't belong on the list? Yes, but only one and I’m not going to front them out publicly because someone still has to make a living and feed their family from that restaurant, but hopefully not feed them food from that restaurant. What about the ones that closed? Yes, we made it to all of those before they closed.

I now completely understand why Nancy gets tired of the “what’s the best restaurant in Dallas” question. Seriously, if I had a dollar for every time we’ve been asked that question, I would be able to go back to all of our favorites on the list and probably still have a little cash in my pocket for a drink at the Windmill. I’m by no means a restaurant critic, but I have gained a new found respect for those who have to eat for a living. Personally, I’ll stick to food as a hobby rather than a living. And I’m never attacking a list of 100 again.

I knew this adventure would eventually end up on the blog, but I’m not going to bore you with reviews of all 100.  Because we all love lists, we’ve created “Best Of” lists from the Top 100 list. Yep, lists from lists, mind blown! I’m breaking these lists up over several days, so check back later for the next installment. 

Get Fashionable with Legal Hospice of Texas on April 9

If you haven't bought your tickets for Fashion Cited: A Style Event 2015 on April 9th, you'd best log on and snag yours before this fashionable event sells out. 

The always fabulous Rhonda Sargent Chambers of RSC Productions will emceeing this year, a change from her honorary chair position in 2014. The stylish Todd Brownlee, DDS, is the generous presenting sponsor this year. Even better is this year's ever fashionable and philanthropic Carol Meyer, who is the event's honorary chair. 

Fashion Cited is celebrating its ninth year and continues to be one of the most anticipated annual fashion events in Dallas. Proceeds from Fashion Cited benefit Legal Hospice of Texas, which is a non-profit law firm providing legal services at no charge to low-income individuals who are terminally ill or HIV positive.  This year marks LHT’s 25^th year of service in North Texas.

The Frontiers of Flight Museum has rarely seen as well-dressed a crowd or fashion show, so you'll want to make sure you're there this year. 

Valentine's Dinner at Home Thanks to Civello's

Want to surprise your sweetheart with a homemade Valentine's Dinner rather than fighting the overpriced restaurant crowds, but you don't know how to cook? Do you know how to boil water? If so, Civello's Ravioli has you covered with their adorable heart-shaped stuffed pastas that have been tinted using red beets(just the tint, not beet flavored). They've got four different fillings, so whether your Sig-O prefers cheese or something more exciting, they have your dinner taken care of. Prices range from $10-$20 a dozen (lobster is more expensive then cheese, obviously).

Call 214-827-2989 for the current selections, visit them at http://civellosraviolismo.com/  or swing by the shop on Peak Street. Since you're saving all that money by staying in for dinner, go splurge on a good bottle of Italian wine at Jimmy's Food Store, just up the street.

Community Brewing is Turning 2!

One of Dallas' favorite and older local breweries is turning two this month and they're throwing themselves a party. The Sig-O and I went to the 1st anniversary party, so we have no doubt that this one will be even bigger and better. Word of advice - get your tickets online and early - you may be able to get in, but don't you want the cool glass and first crack and the special oaked/aged beers or small batch releases? Get your tickets already. It's the best $25 you'll spend this week.