“Welcome to the Sunshine State!” (Part 2)
This month, we continue with our introduction to culinary life in SW Florida. We have now been here about 6 months, but we have by no means explored all the diverse dining options available in the Tampa/St. Pete/Sarasota area. It’s certainly not all traditional Southern cuisine around here, so be prepared for a mixed bag of tasty treats and genres.
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The Lost Art of Making Moonshine (or Why Can’t I Distill My Own Booze at Home?
We recently received a great book written by Matthew Rowley. It is all about the art and history of moonshine – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Many of us know little to nothing about the culture surrounding homemade booze. Some have sampled “white lightning” and can surely attest to its belly warming qualities and mule-like kick. Fewer can say that they have ever seen a real working still or witnessed the manufacturing process. Rowley will actually show you how to make your own hooch – but not before you obtain the proper know-how and governmental permits.
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... 2007 ...

A LONG WEEKEND IN AUSTIN UNVEILS THE CAPITAL CITY'S CHARM & UNDERBELLY (PART II)
Our recent trip to Austin was a fascinating study in Texas cuisine and human psychology. Yep, Austin is a pretty strange place with plenty of free spirits. And speaking of spirits and things that go bump in the night, we start the “flip side” of our Austin weekend with a visit to the city's most popular “hangout.”
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A LONG WEEKEND IN AUSTIN UNVEILS THE CAPITAL CITY'S CHARM & UNDERBELLY (PART I)
It had been several years since we enjoyed any significant time in Austin. Sure, we popped into town for a quick meal at Manuel's Mexican just this past winter, yet one day does not begin to scratch the surface in one of the nation's most interesting and, well, eccentric cities.
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EXPLORING HOUSTON, TEXAS - "THIS IS GONNA TAKE SOME TIME" (PART I)
This month we begin a three-month series on our new home state of Texas. We'll be moving about the Lone Star State rather quickly, so we strongly suggest you saddle up and hold on!
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THE ROAD FROM HOUSTON TO CORPUS CHRISTI REVEALS MANY TASTY DELIGHTS
Yes friends, we have recently moved our Dixie Dining headquarters to Houston after five enjoyable years in the Memphis area. It was simply time to move on and we have welcomed the opportunity to further explore the great state of Texas. There is a ton of ground to cover down here, so we will begin that somewhat monumental task with this month's column.
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NORTHERN VIRGINIA THANKFULLY STILL RETAINS HINT OF SOUTHERN FEEL
An unexpected death in the family caused me to quickly venture back to my old stomping grounds of Northern Virginia. Now, as many of you know, this area has changed dramatically since the years of my youth and, hey, I ain't that old! Housing prices have soared out of sight and traffic is now as thick as the mid-summer humidity. The metro DC area is also a melting pot of cultures with recent residents coming from all corners of the globe. I was worried that all traces of Dixie might soon be gone with the wind, yet thankfully I was wrong.
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JANUARY TRIP (PART TWO): HOUSTON, AUSTIN AND ALL POINTS IN BETWEEN
One doesn’t exit Cajun Country as much as one eases out of Cajun Country. This became rather obvious to us as we crossed the TX/LA line on I-10 around Port Arthur, TX. You will still see the occasional billboard for a Cajun-style eatery – even as far west as Houston. And, to be honest, that is just OK with us. We especially like Al-T’s place in Winnie, TX, but that’s another story for another time.
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JANUARY TRIP (PART ONE): LOUISIANA'S CAJUN COUNTRY CONTINUES TO SPICE THINGS UP
The turn of the New Year found us motoring southward to the land of alligators and gumbo. We just love Louisiana’s Cajun Country and never miss a chance to explore its many charms – especially those of the edible variety. This particular journey would take us along the length of Interstate 10 with several additional forays off the beaten path. We would breeze through Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Lake Charles – electing to spend more time in outposts with mysterious names such as Opelousas, Breaux Bridge, Ville Platte, Port Barre, and Sulphur. Lady luck was surely with us in this casino-laden region and we were rewarded with a culinary jackpot of serious flavor.
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DECEMBER ROAD TRIP (PART THREE): KENTUCKY'S CHARMS PLACE US IN THE WINNER'S CIRCLE
My wife and I have often lamented about our lack of experiences in the Bluegrass State. There are certainly plenty interesting ones to be had. It’s just that our travels have not typically taken us in that direction. This trip would be different and we were both genuinely excited about two solid days of Kentucky eats. The starting line would be Midway and Versailles (pronounced “Vur-Sails”) before venturing to Lexington, Frankfort and Louisville in that order.
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DECEMBER ROAD TRIP (PART TWO): NEW DINING EXPERIENCES IN THE OLD DOMINION
Departing Mt. Airy, NC, we headed north and soon crossed the line into my home state of Virginia. It had been quite a while for me, so I was truly excited about re-connecting with family and returning to some favorite dining haunts. We were on the hunt for some totally new road food experiences, but first and foremost on our minds was a long overdue visit with my grandmother, Beulah Smith Saunders. Granny, who recently turned 103 (yep, you heard it right), once brewed what I honestly consider to be the best sweet tea in the history of mankind.
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... 2006 ...

"CHRISTMAS TIME IN DIXIE" --- IDEAS FOR TOSSING AN AUTHENTIC SOUTHERN SHINDIG
I just can’t believe it, friends! Another Christmas season is upon us. Where does the time go?  As some of you may have heard, DixieDining.com has become somewhat famous (some might say infamous) for our annual holiday bash here in little Hernando, MS. The secret to our success is really no secret at all. It all starts with the many fine authentically southern products found year round within the Essential Sources section of our award-winning web site.
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"SOMETHING FOR THE OLD SWEET TOOTH" --- CANDIES MADE WITH LOVE IN THE HEART OF DIXIE
This sweet story has a very happy ending. It's all about little southern-based candy companies that have somehow defied the odds and carved out a niche in the big bad world of candy giants such as Hershey and M & M Mars. The stories of the big chocolate magnates have been well documented, while the tales of the little guys (and gals!) have been a bit harder to unwrap. This month's column will attempt to shed light on these sugar-coated heroes/heroines and, hopefully, introduce some new folks to some very deserving (and highly delicious) confectionary traditions
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FALL MEANS FESTIVAL TIME ACROSS THE LAND OF DIXIE - GET OUT AND EXPERIENCE IT!
Southerners love a good outdoor festival --- especially if it involves food and/or a beauty pageant. We here at DixieDining.com recognize this, so we always feature a complete page of festival listings and links on our site. There are, of course, festivals and cook-offs staged throughout the calendar year, but fall is perhaps the peak season for such activities. This is likely due to the wonderful weather we are fortunate to experience this time of year. The summer heat has finally packed its bags and headed for Old Mexico or points southward.
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THE ROAD TO BBQ FAME & RICHES GOES DIRECTLY THROUGH MEMPHIS, TN
Memphis, Tennessee is generally regarded as the BBQ Capital of the Universe. And although the Bluff City’s glory years for smoked pig meat seem to be in the rearview mirror, it is still a place where cooks come to test their mettle. As that famous good old boy Frank Sinatra used to croon, “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere.” That statement would surely apply to the following story.
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GLORIOUS ICE CREAM: THE PERFECT ANTIDOTE FOR THE DOG DAYS OF DIXIE
August in the Deep South is typically the peak of the summer heat. Southerners have a whole bag full of tricks for staying one step ahead of the stifling humidity – none more effective and satisfying than a cone or bowl full of delicious ice cream. Whether it’s homemade or plucked from the freezer at the neighborhood Wal-Mart, it’s always a welcome summertime treat.
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THREE KINDRED DIXIE SPIRITS TAKE A BBQ TREK DEEP INTO THE ARKANSAS DELTA
It was indeed a brilliant idea: Three friends, all with a passion for fine Southern Bar-B-Q, getting together for a day trip chock full of smoked pork and fellowship. The thought had originated with Rex Nelson, who knows the Arkansas Delta like the back of his own hand. Nelson is employed by the Delta Regional Authority, which has offices in Little Rock, AR and Clarksdale, MS.
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"SINGING THE PRAISES OF MUSIC CITY EATS:" A DAY TRIP TO NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
Residents of the great state of Tennessee will be quick to admit that a healthy rivalry exists between the cities of Nashville and Memphis. A big part of the tug of war is over Nashville’s “Music City USA” moniker. “Nash-Vegas” is certainly the epicenter for lovers of both kinds of music --- country and western. It’s also the home of the Ryman Auditorium, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and RCA’s fabled Studio B. Memphis, on the other hand, can proudly boast about Graceland, Sam Phillips’ Sun Studios, Beale Street, and the legendary soul of STAX. I’ll be nice and say this one is a bit of a toss up. Memphis wins the BBQ battle --- no oinks about it! But when it comes to good old home style cookin’, it’s Nashville by a country mile, y’all.
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SOME DELICIOUS NEW FOOD DISCOVERIES FOR YOUR SOUTHERN CUPBOARD
Those of you who are familiar with our award-winning web site (www.dixiedining.com) are well aware of the plethora of Southern food products to be found on our Essential Sources page. It is a seemingly endless “laundry list” of the finest products and condiments born and bred right here in Dixie. But just when we think we have the South thoroughly covered like that pesky kudzu, a few new goodies jump up out of the creeping vines and grab us by our taste buds. This is true of the three tasty additions we are sharing with you this month.
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CALVARY'S WAFFLE SHOP A LONGTIME LENTEN TRADITION IN MEMPHIS
A longstanding Memphis tradition during Lent is what has become known as The Calvary Waffle Shop. Since its rather humble beginnings in 1928, the culinary miracle of The Waffle Shop has been in continuous weekday operation every Lenten Season (typically early March – early April) for over 75 years now.
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MAMA MIA ... THERE'S BBQ PORK IN MY SPAGHETTI!!!
Only in the South, right? Well, in this case you are squarely on the money. Pork BBQ is a huge part of the South’s culinary culture. And nowhere is that more true than in Memphis, TN – the self-proclaimed BBQ Epicenter of the Universe. Folks around here put smoked pig shoulder and BBQ sauce on just about everything but ice cream (let’s not even go there, OK?).
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NEW ORLEANS UPDATE: "THE BIG EASY" SLOWLY GETS ITS HEAD ABOVE WATER
Now that a significant amount of time has passed, we thought it was a good time to check back on our beloved New Orleans. Hard times have surely been the order of the day, but little signs of life are slowly becoming evident throughout this hurricane and flood ravaged region. This heartbeat is perhaps most evident in the city’s famed restaurant industry, which has long been the lifeblood of the local economy.
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... 2005 ...

MEMPHIS SOUL EXTENDS FAR BEYOND BEALE STREET AND STAX RECORDS
Most everyone with a lick of musical taste knows that Memphis is the virtual epicenter of the sonic universe. Blues, Rock, and Soul all played a role in making this “thang” happen. The fabulous Stax Museum of American Soul Music on McLemore Avenue is nothing short of Mecca for lovers of artists such as Otis Redding, Booker T and the MGs, Sam and Dave, Isaac Hayes, the Staple Singers, and many others. Soul Queen Aretha Franklin was born just a few blocks away, not far from Royal Recording Studio where Willie Mitchell produced many of Al Green’s biggest hits.
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"MEMPHIS IN MAY " -- PORK BBQ RULES THE DAY ... RAIN OR SHINE!
“Memphis in May” is a month-long international celebration, not just a short three-day weekend of full-tilt hog smoking. The first weekend is reserved for the Beale Street Music Fest ... and it is another top shelf shindig. This year’s Music Fest featured diverse artists like Elvis Costello, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ike Turner, Bobby Blue Bland, and Billy Idol. Even Lisa Marie Presley performed on the banks of the mighty Mississippi. It was a sad display, but it still drew a fairly large crowd of curiosity seekers. I was, I must confess, one of them.
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CAKES, WINGS AND BREAKFAST THINGS - NEW FINDS IN & AROUND MEMPHIS
Friends, I’ve been living in the Memphis area for over two years now and, frankly, I’m ashamed to admit that I’m just finding out about the fine places we’ll be covering in this month’s column. There’s quite a bit of ground to cover this go around … and a heavenly dessert recipe awaits, so lets get started, shall we?
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BLUFF CITY BAYOU BRINGS A TASTE OF "THE BIG EASY" TO BBQ COUNTRY
Sometimes you just snatch victory right out of the jaws of defeat. That is truly the case with Bluff City Bayou, a tasty new dining option in Memphis, TN. Located along the city’s Madison Avenue trolley line, the Bayou is housed in the exact same space that once thrived as the Leach Family Restaurant. Leach’s was regionally renowned for its soulful home cooking, yet the drawn out trolley-related construction activity spelled doom for the long-standing Memphis landmark. But before I could fully complete the mourning process, Les Carloss came along to help my spirits rise from the ashes.
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FROM THE GULF COAST TO THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY - ROAD TRIP PART 2
The second leg of my journey across the Lone Star State began with a surprisingly scenic drive through the lower Rio Grande Valley. My destination was South Padre Island and I was determined to get there while the winter sun was still high in the sky. It was a pretty day and the miles clicked away as I soared past countless palm trees and citrus groves. I stopped for a late lunch at Reyes Seafood in Port Isabel before crossing the long bridge to South Padre.
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PATROLLING THE TEXAS BORDER FOR AUTHENTIC TEX-MEX CUISINE
Traveling on business in South Texas, I found myself with a unique opportunity to explore this strange and wonderful part of the country. Over a five-day period I would be tracing the banks of the fabled Rio Grande … beginning in the old west border town of Laredo and concluding my journey at the very tropical South Padre Island. All stereotypes aside, the Rio Grande Valley offers a truly diverse experience encompassing everything from grove-fresh citrus, sinfully sweet treats, and fiery hot salsas. Lets begin, as Marty Robbins once crooned, on “the streets of Laredo.”
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DINING AROUND IN HOUSTON, TEXAS --- IT'S ALL GOODE, FOLKS!
A recent trip to Houston, Texas (the 4th largest U.S. city) included a guided tour of Minute Maid Park (home the MLB Astros) and an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium (perhaps the nicest facility of its kind). Our brief visit to the Lone Star State was also highlighted by some mighty fine eating. Dining in these parts runs the gamut from Cajun to Texas BBQ to Tex-Mex --- and we were determined to get our fair share. We only had two days in town, so we plotted the plan of attack accordingly.
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... 2004 ...

SFA DIRECTOR JOHN T. EDGE TRULY DOES FRIED CHICKEN RIGHT

DALLAS-FORT WORTH A WESTERN WONDERLAND OF GOOD VITTLES

THE OWNER MAKES ALCENIA'S OF MEMPHIS A TRULY SPECIAL PLACE

A DAY TRIP TO ARKANSAS' CATFISH AND PIE COUNTRY

DELICIOUS CUBAN CUISINE SOUTH FLORIDA’S SOUL FOOD

MOBILE’S CHERISHED BRICK PIT BBQ SMOKES THE COMPETITION

THE DELTA AND BEYOND --- A SPRING ROAD TRIP (PART TWO)

THE DELTA AND BEYOND --- A SPRING ROAD TRIP (PART ONE)

“THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER” --- HOT SPRINGS AND HOT SAUCES

BRUNSWICK STEW – VIRGINIA & GEORGIA STILL STIRRING THE POT

OKRA IS OK! --- “THE POD OF THE GODS” SLOWLY EARNING ITS DUE

POKE SALAD ANNIE … GATOR’S GOT YOUR GRANNY … CHOMP!

... 2003 ...

BLACK-EYED PEAS --- A GOOD INVESTMENT ANY HOLIDAY SEASON

BOGGED DOWN ALONG THE SC COAST --- AND LOVING IT!

GULLAH HERITAGE GETS ITS DUE WITH RELEASE OF NEW COOKBOOK

BIRMINGHAM’S NIKI’S WEST RESTAURANT --- THAT’S GREEK TO ME!

MISSISSIPPI’S “BROKEN PLACES ARE WORTH SAVING” (PART DEUX)

MISSISSIPPI’S “BROKEN PLACES ARE WORTH SAVING” (PART ONE)

PAULA DEEN, SAVANNAH’S NEW FIRST LADY OF FOOD

TINY TENNESSEE TOWN BOASTS TWO DIXIE DINING ICONS

PIGS REALLY DO FLY AT MEMPHIS’ WORLD FAMOUS RENDEZVOUS

FROM MYRTLE BEACH TO MEMPHIS - A SHIFT FROM FRIED SEAFOOD TO BBQ PORK

THE ROAD TO POTATO CHIP HEAVEN IS VIRGINIA'S ROUTE 11

PASCHAL'S OF ATLANTA - "SOUL FOOD FOR THE JET SET"

... 2002 ...

HOLIDAY FRUITCAKE'S BAD REP IS OFTEN A BUM RAP

"NANNER PUDDIN" - NOT JUST FOR ELVIS ANYMORE!

EAT SOUTHERN FOODS & LIVE TO BE 112!

THE WRECK: A SALTY TREASURE WORTH THE TRIP

GOOD LIBATIONS FOR THE DOG DAYS OF AUGUST

SUMMERTIME EATS --- FROM SHRIMP TO NUTS!

THE KRISPY KREME CRAZE GOES NATIONWIDE

STEEN'S SYRUP - A LOUISIANA LEGACY LIVES ON

QUALITY SOUL FOOD IS AUTOMATIC AT WEAVER D'S

SWEET TEA --- "THE COMFORT BEVERAGE"

SWEETS FOR YOUR SWEETHEART ON VALENTINE'S DAY

ALICE'S RESTAURANT NOT A THING OF THE PAST

... 2001 ...

THERE'S NO TASTE LIKE HAM FOR THE HOLIDAYS

REAL BBQ IS WITHIN REACH OF THE BEACH

TRADITION LIVES ON AT NORTH CAROLINA'S TODD HOUSE

MRS. WILKES HONORED WITH NEW COOKBOOK

AUGUSTA'S TRUE MASTER OF THE GREENS

VERMONT'S RIVER RUN FEEDS SOUTHERN SOUL

HOMINY GRILL BLENDS UPTOWN WITH DOWN HOME

CELEBRATE MARDI GRAS ... ANYTIME!