Chuck E Cheese's Pizza

With dozens of locations in Texas, many residents, as well as visitors to the state, visit Chuck E Cheese's for some great family entertainment.

Children and the accompanying adults all get their hands stamped as they come in the door, and children are not allowed to leave unless their stamp it compared and matched to the proper adult. I've also seen them frown on adults leaving without a child- are they maybe leaving them in there, haha?

Chuck E Cheese's menu is quite simple- order a pizza, a sub (at some locations), a drink, and/or a salad. Drink refills are free, and the all you can eat salad is on the honor system, since they do offer a one-time serving, lower priced salad as well. And on most visits, even with children helping themselves to the salad bar and drinks, it is quite clean and kept fairly neat.

There are a variety of games offered, everything from toddler challenging to teen. Birthday parties are also a blast for the kids, as they get to enjoy pizza, cake, singing, dancing, and lots of yelling and hand clapping.

And be sure to keep an eye out, as Chuck E Cheese himself wanders out quite often to say hello and make sure everything is in order. Sometimes he will even toss down free tickets and let the kids scramble to see who can get a few.

For more information on Chuck E Cheese's, and to find a location near you, visit their website here.

Chili's Restaurant

Chili's motto is "life's too short for bland meals". And one thing you won't find here is bland!

With Chili's having 10 entrees for under $7, it's a great place to take the family without bankrupting your wallet. The kids will love the pizza, hamburgers, pasta, and a whole assortment of selections. And for the adults, there's the famous Cajun Chicken Pasta (my favorite), The Old Timer Hamburger (another favorite), the delicious and tender Baby Back Ribs (yet another favorite), and a lot more (all of which are my favorites!)....

For those that are looking for a lighter meal, the Guiltless Grill ushers in great tasting food with less of the unhealthy stuff.

There's really something for everyone at Chili's. Toss in the great, high paced, fun atmosphere, and you'll have a dining experience you'll enjoy.

Cheddar's Restaurant

In the early 80's when I was a young teenager, our parents would drop us off at Six Flags Over Texas for the day, but our finances were limited. Unable to play both video games and eat, the choice was a no brainer. Of course, Pacman, Donkey Kong, and Galaga always won.

That is, until a friend discovered Cheddar's, which opened in 1978 directly across from the entrance to Six Flags. Instead of the expensive food in the amuzement park, we would get our hands stamped with a reentry permit and walk down to Cheddar's for our lunch or dinner, or sometimes both.

We were able to pool our money, get a huge order of nachos in a cast iron skillet, and still have enough left for video games!

To this day, we frequently visit Cheddar's. The prices can't be beat for the unreal amount of food you get. Costing dollars less than comparable meals in the area, there's never a time we didn't have enough left over for at least one more meal.

Cofounders Aubrey Good and Doug Rogers really dreamed up a spectacular way for their patrons to have a great dining experience, at prices even the most modest incomes can afford.

Since opening that first restaurant over 30 years ago, they've expanded and now there are over 60 across the country.

To find out if there is one near you, visit Cheddar's official website.

Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament

Medieval Times opened with a bang in Dallas almost two decades ago, and the shows are still as exciting as ever. Upon entry each group of guest is issued a crown and an allegiance to one of six different nights. Each knight has his own cheering section, and you can't help but get into the show and enjoy yourself as the cheering begins and the flags start waving.

Dinner is served by your rows personal wench, which consist of a medieval dish of chicken, vegetable soup, bread, and a special desert. But get ready to get your hands dirty- in this day and age there wasn't much civility, and cutlery was years from being invented.

The price of admission is worth it for all the excitement, and the excellent meal is included. Show up early and take time to lounge in the medieval bar, tour the torture chamber, and visit the stables before the show! You'll be glad you did, as it really adds to the excitement and ambiance.

For more information, visit the Medieval Times website.

Texas Roadhouse

The other day was our first visit to the Texas Roadhouse restaurant, where they serve hand-carved steaks, award winning ribs, and a variety of other delicious Texas style meals in an environment that lets you know you are in a piece of the Lone Star State.

Each visit provides you with fresh, hot bread, served with plain or honey butter, as well as all you can eat peanuts out of a metal tin while you wait for your meal. But be careful- it's easy to get full before your meal ever arrives!

Below is an actual picture of the hamburger and fries I ordered. It was delicious, though I must admit I am more fond of "regular" hamburger buns than I am the roll buns that Texas Roadhouse serves.



For more information or to look up a Texas Roadhouse near you, visit http://www.texasroadhouse.com.

A1 Super Buffet in Haltom City

Annie and I discovered a new Asian restaurant on Belknap street, located in a predominately Asian/Vietnamese area of town just east of downtown Fort Worth in Haltom City.

The A1 Super Buffet is absolutely huge and has a magnificent variety of Asian cuisine that just about anyone will love. Included in the buffet is a Mongolian grill, free ice cream for desert, and just about every dish that the typical Chinese restaurant in this area of the country has, plus some more! The buffet, as well as the dining area, is huge.

Since we had just grocery shopped at the Saigon-Taipei supermarket next door and purchased quite a bit of fish for me, I stuck to the chicken offerings- BBQ chicken on a stick, sweet and sour chicken, spicy chicken, sesame chicken, orange chicken, and a stir fry assortment of chicken and veggies. I also tested the Mongolian beef, which wasn't quite as spicy as I like, but was still very pleasing.

Annie on the other hand dug into the fresh seafood you see pictured below. I bet next time they see a pregnant Pinay coming they'll lock the door!

Panchos Mexican Buffet

Panchos is a Texas family tradition. This all-you-can-eat cafeteria style restaurant serves a variety of Tex-Mex food at inexpensive prices most families can afford.

As you go through the serving line the first time, you can pick your favorite items such as Flautas, Enchiladas, Tacos, Fried Chicken, and many more. After paying, simply find yourself a seat of your choosing, and you're ready to get started.

The most fun for the children comes when you've cleaned your plate and are ready to summon your server for a refill. Each table is equipped with a small flag in the center of the table that you simply raise, and the servers, who are usually helping other tables or standing to the side waiting for the flags, will come over and take your refill order.

Included is a bottomless pit of tortilla chips and hot sauce, and a side bar with sour cream, guacamole, and other things to supplement your plate. Also included in the desert bar is soft serve ice cream with toppings, brownies, and cinnamon pastries. And if you are in the mood for Soppapias, simply ask your server to bring you a hot, fresh batch. Honey is provided on the table!

Kids 4 to 11 get a discounted child's price, and kids 3 and under eat FREE!

Robert's Texas Chili Recipe

When I was a teenager, my ex father-in-law (Robert), used to make the best Texas Chili on the planet using his "secret family recipe". From the time I started dating my exwife until we divorced many years later, each fall I looked forward to the winter weather setting in so we could eat a huge bowl while watching the Dallas Cowboys. Nothing taste better than a good bowl of Texas chili on a day when it sleets or snows.

Then the day came when my family relocated, and I wasn't able to enjoy it as often. I would get jealous when we'd call and he would tell me he was on his fifth bowl.

Eventually he began to feel sorry for me, so he finally released his secret recipe so I could make my own chili and enjoy it once again. And I did, then did again, and again, each time tweaking it to my taste just a little more.

On his next visit, I made him the modified version of the chili and he loved it. He loved it so much, that he wasn't able to enjoy a batch of his own for another 17 years. You read that correctly- 17 years. It took him that long to match (he says "surpass") my authentic Texas Chili. The debate goes on to this day which is better.

Below is the recipe I use, released for the first time ever to the general public. And while this style of chili might not be for everyone- I can honestly say this- I have never entered it into a chili cookoff contest where it didn't win first place. I've also been fortunate enough that everyone who tries it tells me its the best chili they've ever had.

Though slightly tweaked from his family's secret recipe, I still call this "Robert's Texas Chili".


Ingredients-

3 pounds of ground chuck hamburger meat
1 large, white onion
Salt
Pepper
Seasoning Salt
Garlic Salt
Onion Salt
Chili Powder
Oregano
Ground Cumin
1 Can Ranch Style Beans
Rotel (regular)
Flour
3 Small Cans Tomato Sauce

You'll also need a large sauce pan, a teaspoon, a tablespoon, and a large wooden or plastic spoon.


Preparation-

Chop onion and fry on medium heat with hamburger meat in the large sauce pan.

As it cooks, add a small amount of salt, pepper, seasoning salt, garlic salt, and onion salt.

When meat is brown, pour in 3 cans of tomato sauce and mix well. Set one empty can to the side, you'll need it later.

Add 3 heaping tablespoons of chili powder, 1 tablespoon of Oregano, and 1 tablespoon of Ground Cumin.

Pour in Ranch Style beans. Stir in gently- do not mash beans.

Pour in can of Rotel. Stir gently.

In the empty can of tomato sauce, fill it with hot water (HOT!), then add in one heaping teaspoon of flour. Stir briskly to remove all lumps of flour. Pour into the chili. Stir gently.


Cooking (90 minutes, minimum)-

Simmer on medium-low temperature for a minimum of 90 minutes, stirring and tasting regularly (often!). Adjust spices as needed. Do not let chili burn to the bottom of the pan.

(Note- If you need the chili finished faster than 90 minutes, you can turn it up to medium heat and it will be safe to eat in approximately 30 minutes. However, this will not taste nearly as good as a long-simmered batch. You will probably be disappointed in the taste.)

Serving-

Put a generous portion of chili into a bowl. Chili can be topped with diced onion, cheese, or both.

Chili can be enjoyed with either crackers, Mexican chips, Fritos, or any other chip or bread you desire (I prefer Mexican chips but most people enjoy crackers).

Leftovers-

Leftovers can be frozen or refrigerated, and many people claim the leftovers taste even better than the original batch. Chili reheats best on the stove but can be reheated in the microwave. Add a small amount of water, as needed, to keep chili from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Posados Mexican Cafe

Posados Cafe is a full service family oriented Mexican restaurant with several locations in the Texas and Louisiana area. They have been in business for over eighteen years and know how to treat their guests, and the food is nothing less than extraordinary.

The portions are huge, but don't expect a large tab. When dining with four or five of our family, the bill rarely exceeds $30. And our service has never been anything less than superb. The orders come out right, the food is piping hot, and the chips and hot sauce provided free of charge while you wait for your meal is awesome as well.

For more information, and to find a restaurant near you, visit their website here.