The unobvious food memories
#51
Posted 03 June 2008 - 07:25 PM
Yourself and others like you are an important reason why this FORUM is well recognized in the community, has achieved some amazing growth and is a welcoming "site" to see everyday we login. Thanks.
www.iheartfw.com
#52
Posted 03 June 2008 - 08:51 PM
Yourself and others like you are an important reason why this FORUM is well recognized in the community, has achieved some amazing growth and is a welcoming "site" to see everyday we login. Thanks.
Absolutely! Whether you're a transplant or an expat, the thing I like about this forum is that it is a place for those who love this special city can trade memories and observances with collective appreciation. I'm sorry for your loss. But I very much appreciate you sharing your memories of your wife while you folks were in Fort Worth. Every time I visit and pass by the City's landmarks, many discussed on this forum, I think of family and friends who are no longer here who thought the town was as fantastic as I do...
#53
Posted 03 June 2008 - 09:42 PM
#54
Posted 04 June 2008 - 08:24 AM
Thank you all for the warm welcome...as our life quickly passes us by one day all we have left are memories.I am just so happy that ALL of my memories are ones that come from my heart. I feel thats why I am still so full of tears. I plan to come up with many more Ft Worth related memories. THANKS AGAIN.
This is me in 1963 at Carswell AFB with my 1st ever car..1956 Chevy BelAir. One year before I met Terry.
#55
Posted 04 June 2008 - 12:03 PM
#56
Posted 04 June 2008 - 07:07 PM
Also, this isn't meant to be a listing of GREAT food, just GREAT food memories and the year(s) you enjoyed them.
Some of mine from the 1970's-80
The Chocolate Butter Spritz Cookies made at any of the old Buddies (and what ever other name they have used).
A little cafe on Jacksboro Highway just west of the river, made the BEST Apple Pie using cream to help cook the apples.
A bakery, I think on Vickery that made Meringue shells for tarts. My mom used to make meringue shells, but the closest I ever got was buying them from this bakery.
A German resturant very near the Weatherford traffic circle.
And I have to mention, a little hamburger stand in downtown Dallas somewhere in the area of Commerce and Akard? I think it may have been west of where the Baker Hotel used to be. It was a little hole in the wall stand, un-airconditioned with VERY minimum seating. People would call in their order and walk to pick it up, never expecting to sit down and eat there. This shop probably had a great deal to adding to my cholestrol levels.
Could this have been Swiss Pastry Shop?
In the early 80's I was only tall as the middle shelf in the case. I remember seeing big huge Pac Man cookies. We never bought one of those but I remember eating something really sweet, kind of like those iced Mexican pastries (name, anyone?). Seems like we went on Saturdays, and it was always crowded.
Voice & Guitars in Big Heaven
Elementary Music Specialist, FWISD
Texas Wesleyan 2015
Shaw-Clarke NA Alumna
#57
Posted 05 June 2008 - 12:05 AM
You have a great wealth of FW memories; thank you for sharing. Please accept my sorrow for the loss of of a lifetime.
#58
Posted 05 June 2008 - 12:07 AM
Why's it gotta be REALLY SWEET?
Why's it gotta be MEXICAN PASTRY?
So you are saying you would ONLY EXPECT thems KIND OF PEOPLES there on Saturdays? Which just happens to be Telemundo Futbol day???
And that THEMS PEOPLES would ALWAYS MAKE IT SEEM CROWDED (like they were stocking up for a WORLD CUP match on TV) there and a game of loteria would breakout!
(WHY? Because IT'S FREE!)
And then those kids would start to bounce those big freakin pink balloons on that long rubberband til it ANNOYS YOU or until their mom or tia would spank them with a chancla, then they would all cause shop riots and looting and a man in a bumblebee costume would just randomly appear and "threaten" you into buying 15 cent "un chicle" and an RC Cola! Isn't that what you just said??? I mean, that's what I thought I was reading into there, Holmes!!!
JUST KIDDING AVVY!
Do you mean Pan Dulce?
or
Churros dipped in frosting??
DAMN! That sounds pretty good.
FIRST!
www.iheartfw.com
#59
Posted 05 June 2008 - 09:05 AM
For the record, I remember a bunch of old white men in slacks and hats!
Are churros the same as durros?
Voice & Guitars in Big Heaven
Elementary Music Specialist, FWISD
Texas Wesleyan 2015
Shaw-Clarke NA Alumna
#60
Posted 05 June 2008 - 12:01 PM
No, Churros and Duros are NOT the same.
Churros...
are a deep fried stick of tender dough. I have also coined them as "FRIED BLISS". These are wonderful when added with granulated cinnamon and brown sugar. PERFECT for dipping into coffee, hot cocoa, and NOW certain frostings.
A Duro...
is a wheat filled pasta that usually comes store packaged. For a tasty low fat snack, it can be either microwaved or deep fried and sprinkled with some lime juice, a some chili powder and salt to taste. Some vendors will usually sell these ready made in a paper/wax bag. Durritos came up with the Americanized version.
The word duro means "hard or hardened". It's used to describe the state of an object or thing, say for instance, a taco shell. Tacos Duros can be ordered at your favorite Mexican eatery and they will know it to be those TACO BELL style crunchy corn taco shells or some may interpret it as a flauta style item. My preferance is for the flauta style.
www.iheartfw.com
#61
Posted 05 June 2008 - 09:52 PM
#62
Posted 08 June 2008 - 08:04 PM
Us older folks remember it as Leonard's downtown and the thrill of it all was taking the trolley right to the basement entrance.
#63
Posted 08 June 2008 - 11:36 PM
Anyone remember Rick's Locker Room on Park Place off Eighth Ave? It was a great dive bar with outstanding hamburgers. (Later moved to a little more upscale area on Camp Bowie called Rick's On The Bricks)
Papa Joes on 28th St. - Another hole in the wall that had a great reasonably priced steak. (now M&M Steakhouse)
Mr. Quick, Griff's and Ft. Worth's first Taco Bell on Hwy 80 were high school hang outs. (also hung out at a teen club behind El fenix on Camp Bowie called "The Box" It later changed to a bar called I Gotcha)
Took a date to the Farmer's Daughter back in high school and spent the outrageous sum of $7.25 cents for dinner.
Jetton's off University was always my favorite cafateria - I still remember their killer mexican cornbread.
Shakey's Pizza Parlor on Camp Bowie - The pizza was lousy but they had $2 dollar pitchers of beer on Wednesday and never asked for ID's
The Hayloft - Must have eaten the chicken fried steak there 200 times. I still remember the cheesy little red checked blouses, cheap straw hats, and cowboy boots they made the waitresses wear. Poor things
Can't leave out a couple of real oldies, Leta's Grill in the stock yards and the long gone Famous Hamburgers by the courthouse. (the link below has some great history on Leta's Grill)
http://www.anti-hero.../letastory.html
#64
Posted 09 June 2008 - 02:06 AM
Everyone wanted to get to Colonial Cafeteria on Berry before the line got too long. Once you got there, line or no--Oh! the Blackbottom pie, the Chocolate Icebox pie, the Boston Cream pie!
This was a ritual of my early 60's childhood. Cafeterias must have really prospered on Sundays.
#65
Posted 09 June 2008 - 02:09 AM
Everyone wanted to get to Colonial Cafeteria on Berry before the line got too long. Once you got there, line or no--Oh! the Blackbottom pie, the Chocolate Icebox pie, the Boston Cream pie!
This was a ritual of my early 60's childhood. Cafeterias must have really prospered on Sundays.
#66
Posted 09 June 2008 - 09:39 AM
#67
Posted 09 June 2008 - 11:08 AM
Ok I have another food memory: smiley faced pancakes at Burdaav's. I don't know if Vickery Cafe does this also.
Another: my 10th birthday was at an upscale restaurant on Camp Bowie with three girlfriends. It was my first grownup dinner. I don't remember the name of it but I think it was in that split level shopping center that now has La Madeline, and I think it was upstairs.
My parents and brother were at another table, and my brother ordered some kind of cream soup. He took a bite and started chewing on what he first thought was a mushroom but ended up being A PIECE OF CARDBOARD!!!! Fortunately my parents didn't get mad, and of course us girls thought it was hilarious.
Voice & Guitars in Big Heaven
Elementary Music Specialist, FWISD
Texas Wesleyan 2015
Shaw-Clarke NA Alumna
#68
Posted 11 June 2008 - 06:06 PM
Back in the early 80's, I think it was just called "The Balcony".
GenE
#69
Posted 11 June 2008 - 07:21 PM
Voice & Guitars in Big Heaven
Elementary Music Specialist, FWISD
Texas Wesleyan 2015
Shaw-Clarke NA Alumna
#70
Posted 12 June 2008 - 12:18 AM
Also, this isn't meant to be a listing of GREAT food, just GREAT food memories and the year(s) you enjoyed them.
Some of mine from the 1970's-80
The Chocolate Butter Spritz Cookies made at any of the old Buddies (and what ever other name they have used).
A little cafe on Jacksboro Highway just west of the river, made the BEST Apple Pie using cream to help cook the apples.
A bakery, I think on Vickery that made Meringue shells for tarts. My mom used to make meringue shells, but the closest I ever got was buying them from this bakery.
A German resturant very near the Weatherford traffic circle.
And I have to mention, a little hamburger stand in downtown Dallas somewhere in the area of Commerce and Akard? I think it may have been west of where the Baker Hotel used to be. It was a little hole in the wall stand, un-airconditioned with VERY minimum seating. People would call in their order and walk to pick it up, never expecting to sit down and eat there. This shop probably had a great deal to adding to my cholestrol levels.
Could this have been Swiss Pastry Shop?
In the early 80's I was only tall as the middle shelf in the case. I remember seeing big huge Pac Man cookies. We never bought one of those but I remember eating something really sweet, kind of like those iced Mexican pastries (name, anyone?). Seems like we went on Saturdays, and it was always crowded.
Thinking that hamburger place in Dallas was The Lunch Sack. Used to work in Main Tower Building and it was around the corner I believe on Field Street between Commerce and Main. They also had Chicken Fried Steak Sandwiches. There was a Great American Hero next door on the Main end.
#71
Posted 24 June 2008 - 07:13 AM
Back in the early 80's, I think it was just called "The Balcony".
GenE
Asked Mom, and the place was The Ice House, which she said was actually an old ice house.
Voice & Guitars in Big Heaven
Elementary Music Specialist, FWISD
Texas Wesleyan 2015
Shaw-Clarke NA Alumna
#72
Posted 24 June 2008 - 09:01 AM
www.tchj.com
#73
Posted 24 June 2008 - 09:14 AM
#74
Posted 01 August 2008 - 12:44 PM
* Duke's Donuts on Cherry Lane. Duke was the nicest man and getting his donuts was always a special treat. As a kid, when I had slumber parties my Dad would always get us fresh donuts in the morning. In high school we'd always pick up Duke's before 7am band practice. Nothing like the sugar rush to get you through a long practice just so you could crash in your first class!
* Some little burger joint on Las Vegas Trail. I don't even know if it's there anymore but my grandmother and I would go every single day after she picked my up from school. We went so often that we didn't even have to get out of the car - my grandmother would just hold up one or two fingers indicating how many burgers we were getting. And always with cheese, mayo and no onions. I couldn't stand onions as a kid.
* El Campo. Man I miss that place. It's The Point now but we went all the time. I practically grew up in that restaurant. I remember when I was little being fascinated by the big marlin on the wall. My family was really good friends with one of the waitresses and when I got older and started dating I'd make the guy take me there. I always had to get Judy's "approval" first. They had the. best. chicken fried steak. I was so glad that I happened to be in town from college the weekend they closed so I got to have my beloved chicken fried steak one last time.
#75
Posted 01 August 2008 - 01:45 PM
#76
Posted 03 August 2008 - 04:39 PM
It has been great reading about the places I hung out in high school - Paschal 1964. Grew up on Stanley Ave, one block South of the Chuck Wagon.
#77
Posted 17 November 2008 - 01:05 PM
It has been great reading about the places I hung out in high school - Paschal 1964. Grew up on Stanley Ave, one block South of the Chuck Wagon.
Does anyone remember the Goff's hamburger stand on camp bowie. I was about 5 years old in the mid-fifties. First time I ever had ketchup on a hamburger or sesame seeds on a bun. It was great.
My wife and I have had this ongoing argument on where it was. I say it was right behind where the denny's is today. Any info appreciated.
- cincyvid likes this
#78
Posted 11 September 2009 - 01:32 PM
Didn't last long.
They served a huge burger and an incredible pile of french fries for really cheap.
For an ice cream fix I stumbled into Carnation ( right across from the Loring Hotel )
#79
Posted 01 December 2009 - 10:44 PM
I hope you enjoy them!
- blissgoodloe likes this
#80
Posted 02 December 2009 - 09:18 AM
Thanks friskevision for the pics.
#81
Posted 02 December 2009 - 09:57 AM
Thanks friskevision for the pics.
Wow, these are great pictures. I ate there a thousand times probably. The managers name was Tommy but I can't recall his last name. I worked at the Chuck Wagon on W. Berry from 1968-1973 and used to talk to him all the time as both stores were owned by the same company. He was quite a character. We were always in competition to see who could run the most business in a day. At one time, the Merry Go Round was one of the few places you could get an Icee and I was hooked on them. I see the Icee sign in the window on one of the pictures.
#82
Posted 02 December 2009 - 11:27 AM
The good old days.
#83
Posted 02 December 2009 - 01:16 PM
The good old days.
Rex Lanier owned the stores when I started working at the Chuck Wagon as you noted. He had his office in a building behind the Chuck Wagon on W. Berry. He sold out to the Mr. Beef chain and it was never the same after that. Tommy ran the Merry Go Round like he owned it. He was so tight he squeaked. It was amazing how much business he did out of that little hamburger joint that two people could barely fit into. What I would do for one of those hamburgers.
#84
Posted 03 December 2009 - 10:14 PM
And Welcome!
#85
Posted 03 December 2009 - 11:27 PM
Yeah, His name was Tommy Whitley. He worked there from around 1963 until he died around 1980. He was a cool cat. He was actually in WWII on a ship that was sunk during the war. I have a lot of pictures of him during WWII including pics of some heavy duty fighting including ships on fire, planes on fire, etc.
He was actually my step grandfather. Tommy and my grandmother lived just up the street from Mama's Pizza off of Berry. I got to "know" Tommy more after digging through my grandmothers old pics and hearing stories. I didn't even know he was in the war, much less that his ship was sunk until after he died. He had a dry sarcasm, I remember my mom (his step-daughter) bought me a battery operated fan once, I liked sleeping with a fan, and he said sarcastically "Yeah, like you really need that", trust me it was funny.
He could also cook one MEAN BURGER. He had a doberman that he loved and that dog loved him. The dog died 2 days after Tommy did, it was amazing how much that dog cared for him. I remember one time we had to go to the Merry Go Round because some college kids had stolen one of the horses the night before. They used a cutting torch and cut it loose.
Bailey, you're right! I loved Icee's, much better than a 7-11 slurpee if you ask me. Also, Tommy ran a tight ship (pun intended), I vividly remember if he wasn't cooking or telling everyone to keep the place clean, he was sitting on his barstool near the back door working the books. I remember the Chuck Wagon, but of course we didn't eat there. That would've been blasphemy. :-) However, I never wanted to. Tommy always made me a greasy, delicious burger.
If I remember right The Merry Go Round won best burger by TCU more than a couple of times.
Anyway, I'm glad you all liked the pics and thanks for the kind words!
Bobby
#86
Posted 04 December 2009 - 10:38 AM
Tommy was a great guy as you noted. One thing he did was keep his staff working. He wouldn't let them goof off. I often told him I thought he lived in the backroom of the Merry Go Round. It seemed like he was always there from opening to closing 7 days a week. That wasn't an easy job especially in the summer months. Those restaurants weren't air conditioned and I can tell you from experience with that grill blazing it was easily 120 degrees inside. It was just short of unbearable. He obviously loved what he did as did all the managers that worked for Rex Lanier. They were all with him for a long time and a close knit bunch. It's been many years but there was just something about those Merry Go Round hamburgers. I can still taste it.
Thanks for bringing up a great topic of Berry St. lore and the little hamburger joint that stood the test of time. Tommy would be proud of you for remembering him.
#87
Posted 04 December 2009 - 10:57 AM
Loved Crystal's. That's where the Travis Avenue Baptist youth group met after Sunday evening service back then (alternated with Mama's Pizza on W. Berry, which amazingly is still around.) How 'bout the Hayloft on Forest Park Blvd. for chicken fried steak and Brittany's on Altamesa where you phoned in your order from a telephone on the table? Site of my first date. Their specialty? Chili burgers... Does anyone know what that building is now? It's been many years ago for me...
Oh! And Mr. Quick in Wedgwood Village. Meat and bread, nothing else. Delicious...! Caddy corner to the Fotomat.
I loved Crystal's growing up. Is the Crystal's in Irving still open? I took my AAU basketball team over there about 5 years ago and they loved it.
#88
Posted 04 December 2009 - 12:04 PM
As far as Crystal's pizza goes, it's still in Irving, but don't go if you don't want your childhood memories ruined. It's a dump now. The rooms are still there, it's buffet style and they do still show cartoons in the theater, but it's just trashy. And the food is sub par if you ask me.
I've always said my dying meal would be Mama's Pizza from Berry st. We have one here in Dallas (well, Plano) and it's good, but there's something about the Berry street location. I don't know if it's because it's the same tables, chairs, stuffed bear from 30 years ago. I do know that they haven't changed their pizza since the first time I went. I love that about them. I guess a first timer could consider Mama's a dump too. But I love that place and I love the pizza.
I also remember the Cox's store and the little shoe store next to it, I think it was a Buster Brown's. My mom took me there and I wanted a pair of Nike's (just came out) real bad and the shoe salesman sold me a bogus pair that looked kinda like them with a swoosh that went up AND down. Of course he said "these are better than Nike".
Wow, I'm babbling. Just some good memories all up and down that street.
Good times.
Bobby
#89
Posted 04 December 2009 - 02:53 PM
Yep, you can still smell Brook's BBQ and hear the Ashburn Man's train whistle blowing across the street as you walk by as you approach the Wheel Drive Inn.
#90
Posted 04 December 2009 - 03:47 PM
I remember in the later years, I took an associate to lunch over at Brooks. We order some sandwiches and of course were the only 2 in the place and he gives us a piece of paper with a number on it. Order is ready and again were the only 2 in the place and he calls out "Number 1" and we get our food. He was working with his white apron on. All the TCU pictures all over the walls. He would be proud of the Frogs today..
#91
Posted 04 December 2009 - 03:55 PM
You mentioned the Mama's pizza in Plano. It is just a block from my house but I have never eaten there in the 23 years I've lived in Plano. It always has business though so I'll give it a try. I remember when the Mama's on Berry opened. I can't remember the name of the restaurant that was in its location earlier but it was there for a long time. We used to eat there quite a bit. Some kind of family restaurant.
I'm getting hungry thinking about all this food.
#92
Posted 04 December 2009 - 04:35 PM
Baily your right , I am now hungry.
#93
Posted 04 December 2009 - 09:05 PM
A gentleman at our church had a TV repair shop in part of the Herby's building in the 60's. Herby's bought a mom & pop grocery store across the street from their main building.
Herby's sandwiches were sometimes served on Wednesday nights at out church's Mid-Week school. A lady at out church bought them directly from Herby's.
Herby's also won a Texas Monthly Bum Steer Award in 1974 for their Watergate sandwich which I think was sold out of vending machines.
#94
Posted 04 December 2009 - 09:48 PM
#95
Posted 04 December 2009 - 10:09 PM
Do any of you remember the Fire Station that was where the TCU Noble Book Store is now? (University at Berry) and the Fox's Barber Shop behind it.
#96
Posted 02 February 2010 - 08:15 PM
#97
Posted 02 February 2010 - 08:28 PM
Also learning the double know windsor. My good friend Rex Norris was the guy to see.
#98
Posted 22 February 2010 - 11:54 AM
Who remembers Sandy's Drive-Inn?? The one that used to be on Seminary Drive in the 60's, well the building is still there but I think it's a laundromat now.
Great 15 cent burgers, fries and drinks, and just a fun place to hang out and meet people.
#99
Posted 23 February 2010 - 02:30 PM
* Clown hamburgers - delish.
* Colonial Cafeteria I think it was, used to be next to Colonial Country Club and by the river. The set up was really cool inside.
* Casa Linda - my favorite restaurant as a kid. Is now the Mexican Inn on 8th Avenue.
* Mama's is the best! Really miss the old Camp Bowie location, the upstairs bar area was awesome.
* Casa de Guillermo, was really good too. Was in the Weatherford trafic circle, next to the Eldeweiss.
* Smokey's BBQ, was really good. I still remember the woman who worked there forever, she was a hoot. Think her name was Val. They re-opened I think, but I've not been yet.
* Taco Bell, yes Taco Bell. Remember how it used to have a totally different, completely different taste - ressembled more like Taco Casa back then. It is nothing like it used to be - changed recipes, flavors, just everything.
#100
Posted 23 February 2010 - 03:11 PM
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