Dallas,TX

Okay. You want to eat at the State Fair. If you want to save a little money - or rather - get more food for your coupons, do not just run up to the first booth that looks good. Walk around and see some exhibits or shows - all the while looking at the food prices on booths as you go by. The prices usually only vary by one or two coupons, but if you eat a lot, or have a family, they can add up to something else to eat.

Drinks vary as well. Not just in price, but in the amount that you actually get. Look for booths that have fountain drinks or beer on tap. Some booths have them in cans, although this is more common for beer than for soft drinks. A can does not fill up the cup, but tap drinks will pretty much guarantee a full glass.

Do you go to the fair to shop? Sure you do. You shop for a car or truck, you shop for souvenirs, and you shop for crafts. Some people just shop for what is cheap or on sale. So why not shop for food? You see more choices before deciding so you have a chance to figure out what you want more than other things. Which will help with the “oh, I that look’s good, I hadn’t seen that before” impulse buys. And when you finally do decide on something, you realize while you are enjoying it that part of your day at the fair is already gone and you have already saved money by waiting to eat. When you eat, take time to enjoy it. It will fill you up more. Have fun at the State Fair.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

If you are taking your family to the Texas State Fair, it would behoove you to plan ahead. The complete schedule can be found by following the link to the website. You can go to the date you plan to go and print out the schedule if you wish. If you plan for the shows and exhibits you want to see, you can keep the family moving, avoiding as much as possible those money - drenching side trips.

Our family is planning to go this coming Monday. My wife and I have picked out all the shows we and the boys want to see. They are spaced out such that there will be little time to do anything else. I usually let them play a game or two on the Midway. It does not take them long to realize how impossible it is to win big.

When the boys want to do something that will cost extra, I always let them know that for each of us to have a corny dog and drink costs about twenty-five dollars. Since eating is high on their priority list for the day, it usually slows them down a bit. I also point out that they had an opportunity to earn their own money. Since they did not do their chores they are empty-handed.

Riding rides has never been an issue. Our boys have never been excited about riding the rides at any fair or event with rides. For one thing, we let them know what they could have and do if they used the money elsewhere. They usually opt for the alternate plan.

With Conner, the oldest, beginning to get into cars now, the automobile shows will keep them occupied for a while. The events we have picked out alternate between things Cyndy and I want to see and would like them to see with us and things the boys want to see and we can live with. Then there are the ones just too fun to pass up. I mean, who would not want to see pig races - at least once?

I have known families who blew their family budget - and their diet - by going to the fair. They tried to see everything and do everything and pay out the wazoo for the experience (they never really see everything or do much of it at all). Mostly, people succumb to the sights and sounds of unique foods, obviously most of which is fried.

But if you plan ahead, a trip to the State Fair can be thoroughly enjoyable without emptying your pockets. Our plan? Get up, have a good breakfast, and head to the fair. After parking (the first $10) getting in (buy advance tickets at Kroger), and getting a map, we head to the first event. After the first couple of events, we get lunch and head to the next one. We’re through just before dinner time. So we head back home for dinner.

Only one meal out, and we had an enjoyable time seeing shows, exhibits, and activities at the State Fair. If we are in a good mood and they act fairly decent, they may come home with a souvenir. It did not cost us an arm and a leg. And if we did not see it, we probably did not need to - we saw what we came to see.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

If you want to sneak out of work or class early and go the State Fair, this would not be a bad day to do it. Then again, is it ever a bad day when you leave early? After the bird show, the car shows, and everything fried, Ray Wylie Hubbard is playing at 3 p.m. on the Toyota Truck Stage. Kacey Musgraves performs on the Chevrolet Main Stage at 4 p.m., 5:45, and 8 p.m. Shelley Laine also performs on the Bud Light True Music Stage every hour on the hour beginning at 2 p.m. with the last show at 8 p.m.

All three performing artists are homegrown Texas talent. Ray Wylie and Shelley Laine are from the Dallas area. How else to complete a day of Pig Races, Dog Shows, Livestock Shows, fried delights, and all things Texas? Just do not tell the boss.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

A trip to the State Fair is always a little better when a live music performance is thrown into the mix. After seeing the livestock, the bird shows, eating corn dogs and other fried delights you will regret later, cruising through the Midway, and riding the new SkyWay gondola ride, settle down to a musical treat.

Tonight, as I mentioned in an earlier post, Grupo Fantasma plays at 8 p.m. on the Chevrolet Main Stage. Their mixture of rhythms will keep your feet tapping. Maybe just break out and dance. Or watch the dancers who are a little better at it. Should be interesting.

Saturday, Boyz II Men perform their harmonizing R&B. They are releasing a Motown tribute record in November, so there are sure to be some Motown classics in the show. It would be a good break in the afternoon at the fair. Grab a corny dog and beverage, find a place to seat, and listen to some good harmony.

If you are going to the fair Sunday, end the day with Bowling for Soup as they return to town for the fair. After all, they are from Denton. An irreverent show to be sure, but their onstage antics are sure to entertain. They have come a long way from being a garage band around town.

Enjoy the State Fair this weekend. All three shows are at the Chevrolet Main Stage.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

A sure way to beat the 5 o’clock rush hour traffic Friday is to leave work early and go to the Texas State Fair. My mouth is already watering for a corny dog. IKEA is sponsoring a Celebrity Kitchen where noted chefs will provide their audience with cooking ideas. There are dog shows which are also a fun way to relax after walking for hours. On Friday, Brave Combo plays at 3 p.m. on the Toyota Truck Stage. Grupo Fantasma performs at 8 p.m. on the Chevrolet Main Stage.

I will be bringing you more activities, concerts, and ways to wander around Fair Park each day. The State Fair usually means fall weather and some rain along the way - both of which we could use. There will still be hot days of course, but even variation is a change of pace.

Texas State Fair, Fair Park, September 28 - October 21. Click on the link for more information.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

Fall Festivals are upon us and are popping up all over the Dallas area. If the Addison Oktoberfest or the Plano Balloon Festival do not strike your fancy (See previous posts), the Mid-Cities Greek Food Fest is just a jaunt out 183 into Euless. The festival kicks off this evening at 6 p.m. with Taverna Night. The evening will include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and dinner (including chicken or beef souvlaki, dolmas, Greek potatoes, Greek green beans and Greek pastries). A portion of the $60 admission for Taverna Night will benefit Kidd’s Kids.

The festival itself will begin Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., continue through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free. There will be food, food, and more food, including gyros, pastitsio and moussaka to baklava and other sweet delights. If that is not enough, the Taverna Grill has grilled octopus and saganaki, not to mention Greek-style sausage. Stroll through the marketplace and peruse the crafts, clothing, jewelry, and packaged foods.

16th annual Mid-Cities Greek Food Fest, St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 303 Cullum Drive, Euless. 817-283-2291

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

This is the time for Oktoberfest celebrations to begin. The Addison Oktoberfest begins Thursday at 5 p.m. The four-day celebration includes carnival rides, midway games, arts and crafts. A children’s tent will have live performances for the younger set. Obviously, there will be German food, German potato salad, beverages, and live polka music and yodeling. You can also stroll through the biergarten with its strolling musicians. Thurs. 5-11 p.m., Fri. 5 p.m.- midnight, Sat. noon to midnight and Sun. noon to 6 p.m.

Addison Oktoberfest, Addison Circle Park 4970 Addison Circle Drive.

Have a good morning and Peace be with you.

Charlie Robison is appearing at Love and War in Texas in Plano this afternoon at 4 p.m. Be part of the live broadcast on KHYI 95.3. Bobby Duncan is opening the show. Charlie Robison, as well as his brother Bruce, is a talented songwriter. Both have written songs from the hilariously absurd to gut-wrenching ballads. Charlie Robison puts on a great upbeat show which should include most of his most memorable tunes.

While you listen to the show, try some of the mouthwatering dishes served at Love and War in Texas. Food from all areas of the state, such as Roasted Wild Boar from the Hill Country or Caddo Lake Catfish from the East Texas Piney Woods. Or indulge in ribs with the Sunday all you can eat Big Beef Ribs. A relaxing Sunday afternoon on the patio listening to good music and munching on ribs. What could be better than that?

Love and War in Texas, 601 E. Plano Pkwy (just off Central) 972-422-6201 Charlie Robison with Bobby Duncan 4-6 p.m.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

Saturday morning on a long weekend is certainly not the day to wake up with a headache. One of those tricky little suckers that trick you into thinking the headache is slowly fading. Then, without warning, returns to pounding intensity within seconds. An angry son slamming drawers in the kitchen does nothing to help. The kind of headache that leaves you feeling drained when it finally subsides from just trying to fight the darned thing. It helped to go out to get gas in the car and find that the weather had cooled down a bit and was actually quite pleasant for a change. Thank God September is here.

If you listen to KHYI, 95.3 much, you have heard of Brian “Beerman” Houser. If you haven’t, check it out. And if you have not seen Brian Houser, check him out tonight as well. Houser is a singer/songwriter in the country vein for the common man. He is a common man himself, having grown in up in common surroundings. Houser is a carpenter by trade, residing in Denton.

While you are listening to the show, don’t forget to check out the much varied menu. Love and War in Texas is known for its food as much as for its entertainment. An evening of down home songs for the workingman, a laid back good time and some really good food.

Brian “Beerman” Houser @ 7:30 - Love and War in Texas, Plano, 601 E. Plano Pkwy (just off Central Expwy.), 972-422-6201.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.

Here is an update on an earlier review I did of Burger Island on August 7th. One of the dangers of finding or trying a new establishment is that they make a fabulous first impression, but subsequent trips are not as satisfactory. That is happily not the case with Burger Island. After dropping the rest of the family off where they needed to be, our youngest son and I stopped by Burger Island on the way home to split a combo.

One of these days, I will have to try other burgers and sandwiches, but the Mushroom Cheeseburger was so delicious the first time, I wanted to try it again. I was not disappointed. J.D. tried the mushrooms even though we had talked about him taking them off of his part. They were so good that he almost liked them. Just for him to want to try them said something about the quality.

I remembered to ask them to fix the fries well done and crispy. They made an honest effort to do so. With the thickness of the cut of the fries, it would have taken longer than they wanted to make me wait. I made a mental note to let them know I am not in any hurry. J.D.’s eyes got big at the size of the hamburger. Followed by a “hmm…m…m..” after the first bite. Even at age eleven, he knows a good hamburger when he tastes it.

Burger Island, 1208 E. Beltline, Carrollton, TX 972-245-4628. Do me a favor and let them know you read the review on this blog. I would appreciate it. When you bite into the hamburger or sandwich, you will not regret your decision to try it.

Check back for the first post in the Best Of category.

Have a good day and Peace be with you.