3 Men and A Taco

First Time Long Time..... I think thats how it goes. Well I'm back for 2012 at least the end of 2011 was lets say I was busy... yeah that sounds about right. So in my post Super Bowl hangover I decided to get back on the horse and do this whole eat at new places and tell you (all 3 of you) about what I thought.

So here it goes...

I'm strolling along in my sweater vest jamming to El Camino by The Black Keys trying not to get run over by cars as I lazily stroll up the side of the Nasher Sculpture Garden ajacent to the DMA. Once back in the area I'm familiar with 2121 Flora, the ephicenter of the downtown food truck revolution, 4 trucks adorn the sidewalk. SSHAM, Gandolfo's(see earlier post), Delizioso?, and 3 Men and A Taco.  With Lonely Boy guiding me through throng of patrons I end up in front of the 3 Men and A Taco truck, with their stripped down menu consisting of 4 items. Taco's: Coconut Chicken and Carolina BBQ Pork. The Queens Best Pies: Sausage Roll and Beef Pie.  Confused how there were tacos and English meat pies on the same menu.... After much deliberation I went with the Carolina BBQ Pork taco, yes just one taco the proprietor assured me, topped with the basic but not often done right pico de gallo. Throw in a bag of original Fritos and the combo will set you back a mear $5. Not a bad deal at all, lets face it the days of me stuffing my face with a cheeseburger fries and a shake for lunch are gone. Yes my metabolism may be higher than most but Im trying to keep this figure in shape for beack season (its cyclical). After my first bite "I SAY GODDAMN!!" rang out of my office to the suprise of the receptionist. The pork seemed like it hald melted off the bone, so tender and juicy it almost seemed other worldly. The tortilla was hand pressed flour similar to the ones you can buy at Central Market. In my inability to not douse everything in sauce I pulled out my stash of hot sauce from the office kitchen, Malco's Magnificent, quite possibly the best salsa I've ever had. Ask me how to get some or visit http://www.malcosmagnificentsalsa.com/, tell Malco I sent you. I would give the whole meal a solid 3.5 out of 5; fast easy and delicious. All said and done the taco and bag of Fritos was the perfect size and price for a twenty something on a "budget" whatever the fuck that means. Go check out http://www.3menandataco.com/ and get some.

Roll With the Pachyderms....

Jacks Chowhound

And we’re back… been lacking in my writing but not to worry my food adventures have been far and wide, even internationally, but more on that later. Jacks Chowhound is next on the docket, they were in the Arts District just down from my office. Today as it turned out is the best day so far to take a jaunt in search of a new food adventure, cloudy skies and cooler temps. Before I spot the large black beast I notice the largest crowd gathered at a food truck to date.

After a minute or two in line I get a glimpse of the menu resting on the ground scribbled on a dry erase board, after some inquiries among my other patrons I learned they change their menu regularly. The menu is stacked with flavorful items, Meatball sliders, Portabello Burger, Cheese Burger, a Pulled Pork grilled cheese that almost stopped me in my tracks but I had the exact same thing for dinner at The Common Table, but I digress, a Texas Dog, and Spicy Steak Sammies and something you wouldn’t think to see on a food truck, Steak Frites. The choice of sides includes natural cut fries, chips, and Cajun fries (natural cut fries with a spicy Cajun blend and Tony Chacheres). Being a sucker for anything with spicy in the name I went with the most natural choice for my side and main dishes.  After a few minutes of deliberation my spicy intuition took over and I went with the Spicy Steak Sammies and Cajun fries.

After about 20 min waiting on my food, I dodged some rain drops on my way back to the freight elevator and settled into a food coma inducing lunch. The sammies came two to an order, index card sized sandwiches of rare flank steak with a spicy rub and piled high with crunchy pico de gallo and a slice of melted cheddar cheese to add a creamy note, but what set the sammies above any other sandwich was the Hawaiian rolls. They added a sudden shot of sweetness that sends the savory flavors into the stratosphere. To complete the spicy Cajun entendre I went with the Cajun fries, natural cut fries smothered in Cajun spices and Tony’s, though the fries were slightly undercooked, but in their defense there were about 2 dozen people waiting on food and a very frite centric menu, and they were  burning and turning to keep up with the demand.

One thing that worried me initially about the steak sandwiches was the annoying little occurrence of biting into a steak sandwich and getting the whole piece of steak and being left with a shell of bread and condiments. But my fears were eased after the first bite, the steak was so tender it was like cutting into a filet. The sensation continued throughout as I devoured the two sandwiches and a majority of the spicy yet delicious fries.

Overall my experience at Jacks Chowhound was a great meal, although I was in dire need of a nap after dominating the food. If you are out and see the truck it is a must stop,  for a great snack or a belt loosening meal.

 Follow them @JacksChowHound on twitter for their menu updates and locations.

Roll With The Pachyderms...

Gandolfo's NY Deli

Its hot, very hot to be walking around in my work casuals, but its August in Dallas and I should be used to this madness. Im riding the freight elevator in search of the first Chase-ing Foods adventure. In my trek across Woodall Rodgers bound for Flora ave I have begun to master the Provencal style of walking, never leave the shade, even if it means walking down the middle of the street.

When I walk up no one else is in line, its only 11:50, the lunch rush is just around the corner. I take my time searching through the two stand very expansive menu, not something I'm very good at. Once I spot the Big Apple, I'm in, roast beef, capacola ( either a hit or miss among deli patrons) banana peppers, and feta along with the other basics (lettuce tomato onions mayo and evo). The mix of the olive oil and the mayo serve as a binder and runny goodness that is consistent throughout, but doesnt over power the meat pairing.

The roast beef is super tender and almost non existent as thinly sliced as it is, piles high with the robust fatty smokey capacola, both essential and classic to the model sub sandwich. The addition of the feta cheese and the bite of the peppers makes this more than your average sub. Adding both silkyness and bite that compliments the fatty tender meat perfectly.

I went with the half "Big Apple", perfect size for someone on a short lunch break that has to scarf something down in their cube or enjoy in their plush corner office. At under $7 the half sandwich is the way to go for those concerned with the rent and looking to have a gourmet sandwich.

To follow Gandolfo's around DFW follow them @gandolfosdallas on Twitter. Hey thats how I found them.

If you dont know me, pinch your nose and read alound for better effect.

Roll With The Pachyderms