Schilo's Deli

Coming from the East Coast I've been missing the delis.  Even though I don't eat much meat, every now and then I get a hankering (do you like that nice Western word?) for a corned beef or pastrami sandwich and some good dill pickles. I've been reading about an old-time German deli, Schilo's, that's been around since the 1800's.  

Well, the Reuben and German beer we had really hit the spot. And the atmosphere is definitely old-German. It's not the Jewish deli that I'm used to (no Matzoh Ball soup or whitefish salad!) but when in Texas, it's the closest you'll find. 

Wimberley Glassworks

Last weekend we made a visit to the Wimberley Glassworks in Wimbirley, Texas.  Who knew there was a Wimberley, Texas?  It sounds so British.  We were driving along a fairly deserted road when the Glassworks appeared. More about Wimbirley itself in another blog. The Glassworks is fabulous. When we walked in the owner was about to start a glass blowing demonstration. It was impressive to see the speed, dexterity and agility needed to blow a piece of glass. 

Tim de Jong is from Philadelphia and fell in love with Wimberley on a trip out to Texas. He said it is an ideal place for an artist and loves the lower taxes here.


The showroom features lots of blown glass chandeliers and pendant lights as well as bowls, pitchers and some jewelry.
Tim is very personable and specializes in custom designs. You can select your own shapes and colors and I am sure he would work with you on the design of your choice.             

Texas is full of surprises. Who could guess that a glassblowing place would be out in the middle of nowhere. What a great surprise.  Worth a visit.      

San Antonio Deco District

I hate freeways so I take all the side roads. I frequently go through the "Deco District" on Fredericksburg Road. Let me just say it's no South Beach. There's a police station, a uniforms store and, of course, an HEB!

I think the HEB is probably the most art deco of all the buildings in this block. Well, at least the exterior of the store.












Unfortunately, the inside of the HEB looks like a run-down version of other HEBs. This area has lots of potential and someone in San Antonio with some artistic creativity should try to revive it and make it a true art deco destination.

Greek FUNstival

When I suggested to N. that we stop by the Greek FUNstival he thought I was crazy. We are in San Antonio, a city filled with Mexicans. They aren't exactly known for Greeks here! Exactly! Let's go see the handful of Greek people who live here!  


This is an annual event held at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church. There are church tours available and a large hall filled with Greek souvenirs, t-shirts, religious icons, paintings and some neat Greek fishermen caps. 


There's plenty of Greek food available- stuffed grape leaves, spanakopita, baklava, gyros and of course Greek beer, Greek wine...even Retsina. 

It's a small festival (N. was right...there probably aren't a lot of Greeks here) but it was fun and a little different.  Much to my surprise N. wanted to stay to watch the Greek dancers. They ranged from young children to the adults who were well choreographed and lively. 


It turned out to be a fun way to spend a beautiful Saturday afternoon.  Probably something we won't do again but worthwhile to do once.

Randolph Air Force Base Air Show

Saturday's weather was perfect- temperature in the 70's and a sky of turquoise blue. We decided to visit the Randolph Air Force Base Air Show. What a great day! Admission is free, easy parking and lots of shuttle buses to take you to the site. Top it off with no lines for beer and you have the perfect day.

Little boys and big boys had the time of their life. There are vintage jet planes that you can walk on and lots of air-related rides and activites. Plenty of food and Blue Angels souvenirs. 






No lines for the Porta-Potties!
And they were clean with plenty of hand sanitizer available.  


The air show is terrific. Lots of dare devil stunts and the Blue Angels are certainly worth seeing at least once in your life. Amazing.


Oh, did I mention all the handsome men who attend this event?  Not too shabby!!!

Helotes Country Club

This weekend we made a trip to the Helotes Country Club. Yes. Really. This place has been around for over 40 years and not much has changed. Certainly a lot of ambience! Don't expect to eat or drink anything except beer. That's right. Just beer. We are in Texas afterall. You have the option of sitting inside or outside on the benches. I took a lot of pictures because words just can't describe this place.

For all my friends from past drinking clubs (A.O.D.C. and T.T. members) eat your hearts out! This place would have been our first stop every year. Puts the Northside Tavern on Greenmount Avenue to shame!

Easy to read signs. Friendly customers. We met a lovely man who lost his wife 2 years ago and comes here on a regular basis to get some friendly conversations. The night we visited there was a Randy Travis concert down the street. We could actually hear the music. Lots of Country Music acts perform here. Maybe we'll take a trip out here to see Willie Nelson next time he's in town. But we'll probably just listen while we have our beer sitting outside on the benches.










I am sure you wonder about the inside of the Country Club...well, it won't disappoint you. Check out the charm and the old world atmosphere. If the walls could talk in this place!




















Since I am trying to do a full review of this establishment you will all want to know about the bathrooms. I didn't visit the men's room but the women's room was terrific.  It's all about Texas...because everything in this state is really just all about Texas...

So, if you're planning a trip to Texas and want to see what living here is all about, plan a trip to the Helotes Country Club.  No membership fees required!

Witte Museum

I decided it was time to find some culture so I went to the Witte Museum on Broadway. I would pronounce it Wit but was told it is pronounced Wittey... 


I went on a Tuesday- free day. Discovered there was a Shipwreck exhibit and it sounded interesting so I paid the 5 bucks to see it. When I walked into the exhibit it was filled with small children running around excited by the pirate exhibit and the hurricane simulation machines. Oh, joy. Left the Shipwreck crowd to explore the museum. 


Hmm...Upstairs was a fashion exhibit with 1 mannequin dressed per decade from 1900-1980. Really. Just 1 outfit per decade and they were really sad. All the items were donated by people and I have the feeling some old ladies went through their closets and decided that instead of throwing out some of that old crap, they could instead get a tax deduction by donating it to the Witte. I am pretty sure some of the items weren't even old. Some shoes from the 60's described as "platforms" but they didn't have platforms and they did have a label that looked as though they were about 15 years old. I was the only one in that exhibit and I can understand why.

I did wander into one room that was more interesting and featured items from Texas including a Confederate flag and a spur collection. Interesting but I wish
there were more items. Seemed rather sparse.

Oh, I have to describe the "Museum Store." There were a few books about Texas...nice but they were on glass shelves that were covered in a  layer of dust. Most of the items for sale had to do with the Shipwreck exhibit... Skull and Crossbones items and toys for the kids. The postcard rack was almost empty and the selection was terrible. HEB has a better variety! The front of the store sells soda, chips and candy...more like a gas station convenience store than a museum store.  

I realized that I hadn't seen any art in this place and came home and did some research. In 1926 Alfred Witte left $65,000 for a museum in honor of his parents. His mother, Ellen D. was director for 34 years at the salary of one dollar per year. The museum focuses on natural history, anthropology and Texas and regional history. I guess I need to find an art museum now...

Taco Cabana

My niece is visiting from Minnesota. She told me she discovered the most fabulous place for lunch. It's called Taco Cabana and she was super excited about the great prices and the fabulous salsa bar. You have a choice of toppings- cilantro, pico de gallo, a number of hot salsas and fresh lime and lemon. I told her she had ruined my surprise because I had planned to take her there for lunch. Well, we went anyway. You can never have 
too much Taco Cabana. Oh, and the great part- she treated!

Buc-ee's

Texas is the 2nd largest state in the country. It is huge. Everyone is used to driving long distances and when you're driving for hours with flat roads and dry landscape (there's a terrible drought here) the only thing to look forward to are the gas station convenience stores on the highway. One of the very best is Buc-ee's in Luling. If you are driving between Houston and San Antonio give yourself some extra time to stop off here.  Be sure to check out the pickled section.  Texas is big on pickled food. That is because in the days before refrigeration it was the only way to keep food for a long period of time. The pickled stuff continues today, and it is wonderful. Try the pickled garlic, pickled baby corn and even though it sounds kind of gross, please, please try the Candied Pickled Jalapeños.  See below for the recipe. I am addicted to this stuff.  And guess what everyone is getting for Christmas this year?

•  

1/5/20111 Check-in Here

The Savior of Souls! The Ultimate Rest Stop on I-10! The Savior of Bladders Alike! A Sight for Sore Eyes! All these would be great titles for Buc-Ee's. Whenever I'm heading to or from Houston, I always make it a point to stop here. It's more then a refill stop and a place to stretch you legs. It's your one stop shop for food, snacks, drinks, clothing and so much more that I have yet to discover.


This has probably been said more then a million times in the reviews but I'll vouch for it as well. This place has some of the cleanest bathrooms that I have ever seen for road stop area. If you can hold it, wait until you get to Buc-Ee's. They also have plenty of RV parking as well.

• Sonia T.

Houston, TX

9/19/2011

On a recent trip to the Gucci outlet in San Marcos, I was more excited about going to Buc-ees than the actual Gucci outlet.  Okay, not quite, but a close second.


Buc-ees that SUPER clean restrooms, rock candy, signs that read "Searching for an Enabler" University of Texas coasters, laffy taffy, dip in dots, cattle brands, and everything else known to God.


Homemade fudge.  Oh yeah, I forgot that.  Seriously, this place has the best Texas junk, T-Shirts, drinks, coffee, and all kinds of other goodies.


Again, the bathrooms are SUPER clean.


If you haven't been, its almost worth the drive to Luling.                                                

Candied Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip
1 Jar Buc-ee’s Candied Jalapenos
1.5 lbs Cream Cheese

Chop Buc-ee’s Candied Jalapenos
Mix entire jar with 1.5 lbs of cream cheese, including juice from the jar.
Mix until smooth.

Notes

• If you make the dip the night before, it will become spicier as the jalapenos blend with the cream cheese.
• If you want the dip less spicy use less of the Buc-ee’s Candied Jalapenos.

Other uses

• Use  Candied Jalapenos anywhere you would use relish, such as potato salad, chicken salad, or tuna salad.
• Spoon  Candied Jalapenos on top of your burgers, place burgers close under the broiler in your oven until the sugar in the jalapenos becomes caramelized (yum).
• Serve  Candied Jalapenos over Vanilla ice cream.

Buc-ee's in Luling

Denman Park

We discovered a beautiful park located in the middle of San Antonio. It is located close to I-10 and Fredericksburg Road on Pleasure Hill. It's a surprise oasis of nature and tranquility right off a major highway. Denman Park has a pond surrounded by a walking path. 

 The park has a jogging path and picnic tables and it seems as though people don't even know it's there so you can bring a book or just relax and watch the ducks in the pond.

The centerpiece is a charming Korean pavilion given to San Antonio by her sister city in Gwangiu, Korea. This place is definitely worth a visit and on a nice day, bring a picnic lunch.                   

http://www.mysanantonio.com/life/columnists/paula_allen/article/Paula-Allen-Denman-park-almost-ready-694837.php

The Broadway 50 50

Where do the locals hang out? Well, here's one spot- the Broadway 50 50.  It's located on the Frontage Road near Wurzbach. Oh, more about Frontage Roads in a later blog. Back to the Broadway 50 50. I have no idea what that name means. They do have live music and a decent and reasonably priced bar menu. You can get a pretty good meal for about 8 bucks. 

Of course, the obvious reason why people go to this place is to check out the handsome men. Here in San Antonio we call them guapo. And speaking of guapo, if you aren't up on your Spanish you might start learning some. Over 60% of the population here is Hispanic.

Eating Meat in Texas

Not a huge fan of meat. That's a problem here in Texas. 




I admit that I saw the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills when they visited San Antonio. They ate at Rudy's http://www.rudys.com/ so I pleaded with N. to 
take me there. He told me they wouldn't have much on the menu that I would like. He was right. Lots and lots of meat, barbecue (bar-b-que) and not much else. I had beans and creamed corn.  Actually, this place is worth a visit if you want to experience San Antonio. And for those of you not from Texas just go to their website and get some brisket or ribs shipped to you. Yee-haw!

Taco Trucks

I watch the Food Network and know that gourmet food trucks are all the rage in many parts of the country. But here in Texas there's really only one type- the Taco Truck. 


If you see one, stop and try it out. N. knows his way around a taco and he swears the Borracho Beans and Tacos al Pastor (pork) are the best from this truck located on the south side of San Antonio. These places are not for vegetarians- quesadillas are the only thing you can find without meat. Also, be prepared for some types of meat that you don't find back east- menudo (beef stomach), lengua (beef tongue) and other interesting parts of the animal.... And whatever you do ALWAYS order the corn tortillas. Flour tortillas are only for gringos. And really the corn tortillas have a better flavor and are actually better for you.
Make sure you add the homemade salsa (usually pretty hot) and a squirt of fresh limon (lime.)

Try the Jarritos soda. They are far more interesting than a regular soda. The Tamarindo (tamarind) is my favorite.

What to drink in San Antonio...or what not to drink. You decide.

You know the saying...."When in Rome..." Well, I've learned how "to dress" a Corona and I must say they are quite tasty on a typical 100 degree day. My wine drinking friends on the East Coast are probably in shock. Corona, Dos Equis, Tecate...all very good. But here's the shocker...the Chelada or the Michelada. I did some research on these damn concoctions...who came up with the idea that Clamato juice and beer with lime was a good idea? Well, it looks pretty. Give it a try and let me know what you think. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelada

The Supermarket

I love to cook and I love to shop for unusual ingredients. In Baltimore there are a variety of supermarkets, delis, fish markets, farmers markets. Here in San Antonio there is HEB. For those of you who have never been to Texas that is an unfamiliar name. For those who live here it is the only game in town. Don't get me wrong. It is a great supermarket with a terrific selection (in some areas) and the prices are wonderful. When I arrived you could get avacados for 68 cents. Figs are $4.99 a pound! But if you want some fresh fish you can forget it. So I started to research other places and found a great store called Central Market. Wow! What a selection! Probably 20 types of mushrooms- many I've never seen before. The bad news is that some of those mushrooms were $38.99 a pound! Still, at least it was an option other than HEB. But as I wandered the aisles I noticed that Central Market was selling HEB cottage cheese (actually the best cottage cheese I have ever eaten) and wait..HEB ice cream...and HEB butter! Guess what? Central Market is owned by HEB! Of course it is! To be fair, there is 1 Whole Foods here...no Trader Joes though. There is a market nearby called Sprouts. It's like a Whole Foods wannabe and the selection really stinks. So do the prices. And no fresh fish. But check out the sale on fake crabmeat! Yuck! I guess I can start trying the Indian supermarkets and heaven knows there are plenty of Mexican markets! If anyone knows where I can get some reasonably priced fresh fish let me know.

I knew that Texans eat a lot of meat but check out the size of those sides of cow!

Wildlife

I lived in Baltimore for many years. The wildlife in the city consists mainly of rodents of all shapes and sizes, raccoons, foxes, and I once saw a possum.  Here in San Antonio we do have rodents and there's a big hole where some unknown creature lives...haven't seen it yet. We have loads of frogs and one day I found one living peacefully in the atrium. His name is Paco and he's really adorable. I worry though...does he have any friends?












The biggest change for me are the bats. Oh, sure, we have them in Baltimore but here every night at sundown they swoop down into the swimming pool. At first N. told me "oh, they're just little birds." Nice try, N. They're bats...not birds. And while I realize they are good for the environment and eat the mosquitoes and moths they seem to be low fliers that are heading for my hair. I did some research and discovered that they come from Mexico every year in the spring and return in the fall. The number one bat population in the US is in Austin, Texas and San Antonio is number two.


http://www.mysanantonio.com/living_green_sa/article/Beware-The-bats-are-back-in-town-1115617.php

Birthday Celebration San Antonio Style

My boyfriend (let's call him N.) and I met many years ago in Cuernavaca, Mexico where we both lived. This weekend was his birthday so I thought it would be appropriate to celebrate his cumpleaños in style.  I found a great place called Alamo Fiesta (on the corner of Main Street) where they sell plastic banners of the Mexican flag. You can buy it by the yard and decorate your whole house! Imagine N's surprise when he came home from work and saw this! Hopefully we won't be kicked out of the neighborhood!

When I pulled out the surprise piñata (also purchased at Alamo Fiesta) we had to figure out how to hang it. Luckily, N. has many years of piñata hanging experience and after several attempts to throw a rock tied with a rope over a tree (and several near misses hitting the window and my head) the piñata was swinging in the breeze.


























And what could make a Texas birthday more complete than an authentic Mexican sombrero (purchased for $1.99 at the local Goodwill store.)  Hey, I'm starting to get the hang of things here!

From Baltimore to San Antonio

On August 3 my boyfriend, my cat and I arrived in San Antonio, Texas.  We drove 1,600 miles from Baltimore, Maryland with a small U-haul attached to the back of my car.  100 degree temperatures have been the norm since then and we finally saw rain for the first time a couple of days ago. Luckily the heat is bearable because of our wonderful salt water swimming pool.


You may notice, Chance, my boyfriend's dog by the pool...more about him later.

My cat, Sebastian, is 12 years old and has lived in a condominium his entire life. Needless to say, he enjoyed his first outing into the atrium inside our new house. Unfortunately, Sebastian did not see eye to eye...well, actually they did see eye to eye and then Chance proceeded to chase Sebastian through the house. Sebastian found his way to the closet in the master bedroom and has been spending most of his time there. Now and then he plucks up his courage to venture out only to be greeted by the barking 97 pound  
dog.