August 18, 2020 is National Fajita Day in the USA!
They say the first culinary evidence of fajitas was in the 1930s, along with the Spanish naming. The cooking style used at that time was by a campfire or directly on a fire pit or in a skillet. Originally, it was made from throwaway cuts of beef by Mexican vaqueros in Southwest Texas. The fajita was developed as an everyday meal in the early 1930s. Since then everyone has fallen in love with the fajita!
Who doesn’t just love some succulent delicious fajitas? I think everyone loves fajitas! Well, at least every one I’ve ever spoken with loves them.
The main issue I’ve learned about fajitas and the folks enjoying them is everyone seems to always want more meat. Some of the other issues I hear from folks when I inquire about how they like there fajitas is pretty basic. They say fajitas can be dry and have little or no flavor, or they didn’t receive enough fixings. Everyone might desire more meat or fixings and eat them differently, use a different choice of corn or flour tortillas, but when it’s all said and done everyone loves fajitas.
Every chef, restaurant, or family business that offers fajitas has a different flavor profile. You won’t find any particular fajita meat with the same flavor profile! Everyone uses a different preparation process. They use an array of different spices, marinades, marinating processes, and cooking techniques. Some restaurants offer you fixings with your fajitas, and some charge you extra for it.
It goes without saying that grilling takes flavors to another level. Most people are aware of this phenomenon when it comes to meat, poultry, and fish. But did you know that certain vegetables taste vastly better when they’re cooked on the grill? Here are five of the most potent examples.
Corn
Delicious Roasted Corn Darren Style
When cooked over an open flame, corn on the cob quickly becomes the most sought-after dish on the picnic table. The kernels take on a sweet, mellow flavor that balances well with the smoky char of the exterior. If you don’t want the kernels exposed to the fire, you can soak the ears—husks and all—in cold water for several hours prior to cooking. Place the corn on the grill over medium-high heat for 20 to 30 minutes, turning frequently. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before removing the husks and silks. They should peel right off, allowing you to dress the corn simply with butter and salt.
Alternatively, you can peel the corn and place the ears directly over medium heat, with no other preparation required. This is our preferred method because it’s so carefree, and because we like the taste of the slightly caramelized kernels. This method also has more visual appeal, adding color and texture to the plate.
If you follow me on social media, or you’re one of the millions of foodies we reach each year then you’re aware I’m always on the hunt for the next new and creative concept. In the last three months of the pandemic crisis, it’s made it impossible for new restaurants to open. We’ve had a large number of them close, and sadly, more will follow.
When I got an email about a new restaurant opening its doors during the COVID-19 crisis my immediate thought response was, NO WAY... This has to be wrong? A new restaurant with an opening date?
Nope, I stand corrected!
When I found out it was a Phil Romano concept I was truly excited that a restaurant wanted to open and share a new concept with North Texans during a crisis.
Phil Romano is passionate about the restaurant business. If he decides to open a new concept, then you better believe it’s going to be fun and exciting.
It was opening in one of my favorite destination spots in North Texas for dining, drinking, socializing, and sweet treats. Yep, Trinity Groves in Dallas, Texas!
If you are one of the three million folks we reach every month then you know about what we’ve accomplished at Trey’s Chow Down Brands. The last seven years has been a wild ride and we are gaining ground every day.
One of my favorite things to do is grab a glass of whiskey, vodka, or any craft spirit, while I sip and socialize with friends. Five years ago one of my followers suggested I create a drinking side to Trey’s Chow Down because they loved following my travels and or nightly debauchery.
Three years ago we introduced the“Drink With Trey”side of our business and it’s been so rewarding. It’s a bit more raw, edgy, and crazy at times but a lot of fun!
We visit restaurants, distilleries, dinner clubs, bars, night clubs, event centers, and socializing events to locate some of the best spirits, food, and fun for all to enjoy.
The distillery business has changed so much that I decided a year ago to evaluate and locate some of the best spirits and distilleries in North Texas.
Back in the day when someone heard the word distillery what you thought of was a big place that produced spirits. A place where liquor is manufactured. It was generally known as a big factory where they created, produced, bottled, and shipped out tasty spirits. We’re talking vodka, whiskey, gin, bourbon, and any other spirit that one might enjoy. The distilleries used to be off the beaten path kind of hidden. Most of them were extremely large and not only needed lots of room but couldn’t be in the middle of the city or didn’t want to be. They were all about business, production, and shipping.
As most of you know those days are long gone in Texas. If you didn’t know this, then you’re either living under a rock, locked in prison, or live so far out in the country that this doesn’t matter to you anyway.
Craft distilleries have become a large part of the overall drinking experience. They have evolved into a perfect destination of exciting entertainment.
They offer educational tours, live entertainment, cocktail parties, gift shops, food, and plenty of craft cocktails to be enjoyed by everyone. The *NEW* generation craft distilleries work diligently at creating the perfect atmosphere for enjoying a cocktail and socializing with folks.
Drinking has become much more than just ripping a top off a bottle, taking a shot of something, or using a mixer to wash it down. People desire better experiences nowadays and long for the perfect destination to make that special occasion happen.
TX Whiskey Ranch With Trey
That’s why so many craft distilleries have popped up all over Texas. People basically have been asking for it and their prayers have been answered.
I’ve spent a couple of years visiting distilleries all of North Texas and I wanted to share my findings with my fellow drinkers, socialites, and entertainment seekers.
I want everyone to enjoy some great food, tasty cocktails, creative chefs, and mixologists all while laughing and having a fantastic Texas-sized time.
Life is about having fun, enjoying your family and friends, and locating the best experiences as possible to enjoy. I would suggest that you share these findings with your friends and visit all of these distilleries to have some fun.
Leonard Firestone and Troy Robertson founded the Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co., the first craft bourbon and whiskey distillery in North Texas. I’m in LOVE with TX Whiskey. I can’t possibly calculate how much of this whiskey I’ve drank at both the old facility and the new one. TX Whiskey Ranch is an unbelievable place. It is the largest distillery in DFW by size and the entertainment area, which even includes its own golf course. The place is unbelievably beautiful and has everything one desires for a drinking and socializing destination in the DFW area. If you are looking for the experience of the perfect spirit then head over to TX Whiskey Ranch.
Deep Ellum Distillery was founded by John Reardon, who also founded Deep Ellum Brewery. They have some amazing vodka that I’ve had plenty of. The master distiller Reade Huddleston spent over a year in Europe learning how to master the distilling process. He has created some amazing vodka flavors at Deep Ellum. They have several different flavors of vodka they create. You can also enjoy some of Aaron Wangs incredibly tasty craft cocktails. The distillery offers a large entertainment area, games, a stage for live entertainment, a merch area, and plenty of fun. If you enjoy vodka and are looking for fun times then head over to Deep Ellum! I had fun with the DEEP Ellum team on our Podcast TV show. Check it out when you get a chance you will enjoy it.
Born in Muleshoe, Texas and raised in Fort Worth, BlackEyed has an incredible story. It is the only vodka born and bred from black eye peas. Owners, distillers, and distributors, Todd Gregory and Scott Billings, have created magic with their brand of vodka. They have one of the most unique vodka products on the market today. It has its own flavor profile and makes the most incredible bloody Mary. The distillery is extremely beautiful and was built in a 100-year-old firehouse. It’s a two-story distillery with a big old school bar and entertainment area on the second floor. They offer tours, live entertainment, and lots of fun. Head over and experience the enjoyment!
Blackland Distillery owner, Markus Kypreos, and head distiller, Ezra Cox, have done an amazing job at creating a sophisticated upscale environment at the Blackland taproom. I’ve visited the taproom twice and I really have to say how much I enjoy the atmosphere and cocktails. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable when you’re wanting to discover what Blackland is all about. They offer vodka, gin, bourbon, and a vast array of craft cocktails. The taproom is a classy low-key place where you can sit at the horseshoe-shaped bar, or in one of the booths, or the big comfortable chairs. I really enjoy this place and spirits. When you get a chance, put them on your list for a visit!
The Duckworth brand vodka is a flavorful vodka and fairly new to the DFW vodka scene. Owner, Lee Fugua, will happily tell his vodka is an artisanal sipping vodka in unique flavors. He would be correct! It is some, dare I say it, delicious vodka made from 100% sugarcane with flavors like Duckworth original, French Oak Barrel, and Truffle. It is truly a sipping vodka. You can create a craft cocktail or martini that tastes like MORE because you’ll definitely be saying, “Thanks can I have one more please”? The distillery is a cozy little place just off Lemon Ave in Dallas where you can find Lee discussing his vodka and telling stories from his wine days. It’s always fun with a vibrant atmosphere. When you have time check out Duckworth and have some joy. Just be sure and check their hours before heading over to visit them.
The Witherspoon branded whiskey to me is very smooth and easy to drink. It’s a craft branded whiskey prepared in small batches. It was created in 2011 by Quentin Witherspoon with his co-founders Natasha and Ryan DeHart. The distillery is beautiful and has tasting areas for craft cocktails, a gorgeous outdoor area that is kid-friendly, and they offer live entertainment. Like most distilleries, they offer tours and will happily discuss anything about the smooth craft spirits. I’ve only visited this place once but I fell in love with the Weatherspoon brand. This is a must-visit place on your DFW distillery tour.
They DO NOT have a distillery in the DFW area, but they are working on having one soon. Noble Wolf Vodka is a very flavorful vodka and fairly new to the DFW vodka scene. Owner, Bryce Cottrell, developed Noble Wolf Vodka while attending the University Of Texas. He will tell you, ” The Noble Wolf brand is the first premium grade alcoholic spirit to be uniquely and attentively produced from 100% pure and natural Florida grapefruits resulting in a refreshing and gluten-free vodka. ” I LOVE the taste of this vodka! To me it’s very smooth and oh so refreshing with a hint of grapefruit. The best thing about this vodka is there is no after taste, it’s just SMOOTH! I had a chance to spend some time interviewing Bryce for my national T.V. and radio podcast on Trey’s Chow Down LIVE. You can watch this episode below.
I hope you go enjoy some of these awesome craft spirits and have some fun, maybe get into some debauchery like Drink With Trey.If you check one of these places out, make sure to share your experience with us! Until next time, Live, Eat, Drink, Laugh, & Love!
Trey’s Chow Down BEST Burgers 2019 Party on ABC in Dallas with Kara Swell from WFAA Victor Plaza.
Wow. I’m in disbelief that 2019 has already come and gone? Where did it go? It seems like it was just yesterday we completed and introduced our BEST Burgers in North Texas for 2018.
2019 was a BIG burger year in North Texas. We had some old restaurants close and a bunch of new ones open. Almost all of them sell some sort of burger.
The burger business is crazy in the U.S.A.
A national research company states that we sell 6.48 million burgers a day around 75 burgers a second! What? Yes, 75 burgers a second! The burger date roughly breaks down as 4,500 burgers every minute, 270,000 every hour, 6.48 million a day, and 2.36 billion burgers a year. Another research study states we sell 50 billion a year worldwide.
I truly don’t care what the accurate numbers are. I just know that almost everyone loves to bite into a succulent, savory and delicious burger.
Even though another year has come and gone, we spent twelve months locating and chowing down on some of the most amazingly creative burger combinations in North Texas.
In 2018, we visited a hundred and twenty restaurants to locate the best burgers. I’m thrilled to say we topped ourselves again for 2019. We didn’t plan it that way… It just happened!
We were running the roads and adding mileage to our vehicles. We visited over 135 locations and chowed down on 200 different burger combinations.
Every time I ate a burger I would say, “On to the next”!
We’ve had a large number of them close, and sadly, more will follow.
