Wonton Hits The Spot!



Love the mixed red and blue china patterns. Adds a bit of whimsy to the soup eating experience, don't you think. 

This beautiful bowl of comfort is from the Hong Kong Restaurant, an off the beaten path joint, in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. 

My little boy and I split this big bowl for a light lunch on a busy Christmas shopping day in December.  The day was just chilly enough for this soup to perfectly hit the spot and tide us until the next treat--- handmade ice cream from the Mexican ice cream factory.  Yes, the day was also just warm enough for ice cream and we do like our dining to be multi-cultural. 

The Mexican ice cream factory will be featured in a future foodie post--  It is ah-mazing  so be prepared to swoon. 









Ruby Tuesday 2

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Ride'em Cowburgers!

Are we dining or riding the range?

Yes, that is me sitting side saddle-- can't hitch a leg over wearing a skirt!

Whataburger is mainly in the South but check here for store locations, maybe you'll get lucky, pardner!

Funny that in my hometown, the Whataburgers have themes-- or at least the two that I've been to have themes.

Can you guess the theme of the other one? 

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 Nascar! 

What can I say, I grew up in Redneckville!  

Do the Whataburgers in your neck of the woods have themes?

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Swoon-worthy Dining: Thai Thai Cuisine in Branson

Squee! Finally, Thai food that suits our spoiled from Hawaii palates.  If you've eaten Thai in Hawaii then you know what I mean-- restaurants in the mid-west just can't compare. 

Branson, Missouri isn't broken out with culinary greatness so we were absolutely estatic to discover Thai Thai Cuisine.

How did I find it?  Before each trip to Branson, I check the Branson Dining Forum to see what the local foodies are raving about-- they haven't steered me wrong yet.

Still, Hubs sent me in for a quick reconnaisance before agreeing to try-- he is gun-shy from too many Thai disappointments.

The decor was lovely-- dark, rich colors and very elegant. The menu pleased and the aroma was intoxicating. As I headed out the door, a well-dressed gentleman exiting the restaurant volunteered that the food was very good.

What an understatement! 

The food is spectacularly out of this world amazing!

We ordered lunch specials which were reasonably priced and very generous.

Wish I could remember the name of my dish-- it consisted of  shrimp,  large asparagus spears, yellow squash, and other veggies in peanut sauce.  See the lovely char marks on the aspargus-- so delicious!

Hubs ordered his traditional pad thai with jumbo shrimp. The best since Hawaii and it just about knocked him out it was so good!

Little Foodie ordered a noodle dish with veggies and shrimp in a light ginger sauce.

The food at Thai Thai Cuisine is fresh and tasty. The only thing that would improve it would be more spiciness-- next time, I'll ask for a bit more heat.

By the way, I thought the fancy oversized square plates were glass but they are melmac-- haha!

We can't wait till our next Branson trip to eat there again!



Little Foodie received a fun little star shaped lolli as an after lunch treat-- that cinched the deal-- he is a big fan of Thai Thai Cuisine.

Joining these linky parties:
Macro Friday
Food Trip Friday
Food on Fridays
Foodie Friday

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Canter's Deli: Now That's a Matzo Ball!

My hubby has been raving about Canter's Deli in Los Angeles for the 25 years that I've known him. Just reminiscing about the piled high pastrami sandwiches caused him to swoon. 

Finally, I was able to sample the delights of Canter's at their recently opened second location at Treasure Island Casino in Las Vegas!  My verdict: OMG! Awesome! Spectacular!Scrumdiddly! Plumb Larapin!

The menu is much more limited than in LA but the hot pastrami sandwiches were offered, thank goodness.

The toasty rye bread was perfect and the meat was piled high-- the sandwich was huge!

We were so hungry that I had a very messy plate before I thought to snap a photo-- which isn't like me at all but I did get a photo of the matzo ball soup.



This was a large bowl not a cup. This was my first experience with matzo ball soup so I can't compare  but it was very tasty. Hit the spot on a freezing cold night, that's for sure! 

The broth had a hint of some spice that added pizzazz-- maybe clove or nutmeg?



Can you believe the size? Like I said, this was my first bowl of matzo so I don't know if this is the norm or not. Is it? I was expecting lots of small matzo balls floating around like dumplings. This thing was a monster! 

The flavor reminded me of Premium crackers and the texture was not too dumpling-ey-- it was juicy throughout like soggy bread.  So not my favorite but I might order it again (it was interesting and fun to eat) or I might just order the chicken noodle-- that broth was amazing!

LA was never a destination that I aspired to travel to but now it is-- Love me some Canter's Deli! Now pardon me while I swoon...

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Crazy Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich!



Boomarang Diner Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich!

This has got to be the most hilarious chicken fried steak sandwich ever!  How is one expected to pick it up? 


Jim has a big mouth but even he was taken aback by this monstrosity!

So how was it? Tasty but not spectacular-- this chicken fried steak sandwich is better.  Doubt Jim will stray from Boomarang's  tried and true burger basket again.



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PF Chang's

PF Chang's in Tulsa is always a favorite and we ate there yesterday for my birthday lunch.

Shrimp in garlic sauce. Well prepared but rather bland... certainly not worth giving up Kung Pao Shrimp for and doubt we will order it again.

Our perenniel favorite: Shrimp with Candied Walnuts and Honeydew! Not spicy but such interesting flavors. The burst of sweetness from the melon is spectacular!


My all time favorite side: Spicy Stirfried Eggplant! Actually, it is an entree but I always order it as a side... so melt in your mouth delicious!



Talon's kiddie Shrimp with Lo Mein. Always a large serving so mom and dad share too!


Tiramisu in a shotglass! These little $2 dollar desserts are scrumptious and the perfect size to complete a fabulous but filling meal. There are about 8 flavors to choose from so everyone is happy. We prefer these shotglass desserts to the spectacular Great Wall of Chocolate that featured in an earlier post.


Our tiramisus were missing the usual coffee bean garnish which, of course, Talon brought to the attention of our server. Can't slip anything by that boy; he is a dessert expert!

Typically, we overdo the ordering at PF Chang's but this time we did without the lettuce wraps and wonton soup. And didn't splurge on a second side or third shrimp entree... just to experiment. Our pocketbook and tummies were very grateful. ;o)

Do you enjoy dining at PF Chang's? What dishes do you recommend? Any that you would never order again?

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Happy Hour!

My five year old loves half-price happy hour-- Sonic Happy Hour, that is--- What did you think I meant, hmm?

Can you guess his poison?

Wait for it....

Wait for it...


Aack! Freaky! What is it with little boys and blue tongues anyway?!

Talon's drink of choice: Blue Coconut Slush!
What is your favorite refreshing Happy Hour drink? Doesn't have to be from Sonic. ;o)

This is my first time to participate in the Blue Monday photo meme-- I am becoming quite the memer!
Please visit Smiling Sally to see more blue photos from around the world!

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Talon's Adventures at PF Chang's

Working a maze. Note Talon's tongue sticking inside his cheek. Yep, he is of that tribe. Sometimes his tongue even sticks out when he concentrates on a task.

Lemon Pepper Shrimp on Fresh Bean Sprouts, Celery and Green Onion--Delicious!
So hard for us to try a new dish because we never want to give up a favorite. We gave up Kung Pao Shrimp to try this one. We will never give up our Shrimp with Candied Walnuts and Honeydew Melon.

Guess what I saw sneaking into the frame as I shot a photo of Talon's cute little Strawberry Cheesecake. Good thing it was a keeper because I didn't get another chance--- the cheesecake disappeared like magic!


Talon's post dessert happy face! Remember his motto: Every food needs a dessert!

Wish you could've seen the look on Talon's face when I asked him to climb into the saddle! He thought I was serious...

Now that's a big horse!
The Clydesdales don't have anything on this brute!

You might also enjoy:

Great Wall Of Chocolate!
PF Changs
Shrimp with Candied Walnuts and Talon

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I'm Hungry!

Came home from school hungry as usual. The cold wind the weatherman promised arrived. I need comfort food! NOW!

MMM! Chicken fried steak would hit the spot! I'm craving it but have nary a steak in the house nor enough gumption to head to the store or even to a restaurant.

This plate of culinary delight hails from Chester's in Branson. Chester's is a local Branson dive that actually has good food.
(normally we have to eat at chains in Branson to get good food)

I wonder if the chef is from the south because the beans are so well seasoned. They sure don't taste like Missouri beans. Real potatoes and gravy. But the steak is the star: real steak and perfectly crisp crust!

I've been on a quest for the best chicken fried steak for the last two years: Chester's is the best in the homestyle category so far.

Wish I could teleport to Chester's right now!!

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Coconut Sorbet!

Shrimp & Stuff is a yummy and inexpensive little lunch spot that the locals in Galveston frequent. It is located away from the tourist areas at 39th and Ave O.

Here is their website: http://www.shrimpnstuff.com/

The fish tacos and oyster po-boys are delicious and the coconut sorbet is 'out of this world'!!

The sorbet is served frozen in a coconut shell. It is rock hard until it thaws a bit. Talon couldn't wait! He worked and worked...

What a sweet boy! Offering his mama a bite of sorbet...

What a trickster!

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Getting Cheesy..

Here is Talon acting silly at Barnstormer's BBQ in Checotah. In case you've considered trying it, the food was merely good. Nothing was spectacular. We tried ribs, sliced pork and chopped beef. The bbq was not up to RibCrib standards, of course, but we didn't expect it to be. They do make sweet potato fries and homemade potato chips which were tasty but we've had better elsewhere.

Now What...

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Diamond Steakhouse

Not sure about the name as it is more dive than diamond. Wouldn't really consider it a steakhouse either. Despite the name paradox, it is the place to eat lunch in Crowder. The chicken fried steak sandwiches are delicious! Freshly battered on site--- not frozen!

Now that is a chicken fried steak sandwich!

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Great Wall of Chocolate! PF Changs!

Absolutely massive! Talon was speechless!

Too much, even split 3 ways-- but can there ever really be too much chocolate?

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PF Changs

PF Chang's makes the best wonton soup! In addition to wontons, there's shrimp, chicken, water chestnuts, mushrooms and spinach floating in the broth.

The perfect apre-zoo warm up on a chilly day!

Kung Pao Shrimp! Delicious!

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Boomarang Diner!

Boomarang Diner is an Oklahoma company that has about 15 locations now. The name is a reference to customers coming back again and again. We sure do! We've been known to eat there twice a day--- at a Boomarang in one town for lunch and at another Boomarang in a different town for supper!

Our favorite: The burger basket! Notice how the meat is irregular and hanging out past the bun-- it is freshly made not a factory pressed frozen patty--- and the buns are toasted like they should be--- Yummy!


Only Four....
and won't sit with his parents anymore!

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Incredible Pizza Part Two...

And the winners of the go-cart race are--- Talon and his Pa in car #22 sponsored by Caterpillar--- and the crowd goes WILD!

Talon helped edit this photo-- he chose black and white and the frame. He thinks the frame looks like a racing flag.

Even the kiddie bowling balls are hard to handle....


Labor Day weekend, we took Gram and Pa to Incredible Pizza--- so much fun! We all bumped ourselves silly in the crazy round bumper cars and Talon was ecstatic to win the go-cart race. He thought it was very funny that I lost. Never drive car #3--- it is SLOW! Jim and Talon starred in a silly music video--- hopefully I can upload it to the computer soon.

Oh, Saturday is a better day for the food by the way. It was yummy this time.

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PF Chang's

Shrimp with Honeydew and Candied Walnuts-- Our new favorite dish!

Look ya'll, here's how to do it!

Excuse me, would you please put the camera away...

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