FoodieCuisine.com

By Todd Barron @ FoodieCuisine.com

Five Guys Cheese Burger

McDonalds, Wendys, Burger King, White Castle, Hardees, and others bring to mind images of wonderfully salty burgers which you enjoyed as a child but maybe not-so-much as an adult.  My kids love food from the typical chains but my taste buds have moved long past them.  I read an article the other day that a place called Five Guys Burger and Fries had pulled in the #1 vote for Best Burger.  I have heard of them before but never really bothered to try them out as they don’t offer healthy food.  This all changed a few weeks ago as I was feeling indulgent and stopped by for a burger and fries.

Their menu is simple and reminds me of Chipotle’s but for burgers.  You pick your base burger, the toppings, and the size of fries (if you want them.)  For my burger I choose grilled onions, cheese, and mayonnaise.  I watch them actually grill my burger which is a welcome change from the conveyor belt you see in other places, and its ready in a few minutes.  You actually have to walk inside, and wait a minute, but it is well worth it.

My burger is huge, with two patties, cheese between them, and grilled onions galore.  The patties are small though and add to the texture and flavor of the burger.  My bag of fries, yes an entire bag, are all freshly fried and cut well.  The burger is very tasty, juicy, and has good seasoning on it.  I especially enjoy the texture from the stacked patties and the onions add a nice kick to the entire sandwich.  I am very impressed with the burger and rank it among the best of the fast food chains out there.  It tops several non-fast-food chains as well (although it’s not as good as homemade.)

I went back with my wife and kids and they all loved it as well.  Five Guys is a bit on the expensive side compared to fast food chains but worth every penny!

By Todd Barron @ FoodieCuisine.com

Fish Tacos

Bar food is the not the first thing that comes to mind when I am thinking of good food.  Images of deep fryers that have not been cleaned out in weeks comes to mind, along with “freshly” prepared frozen cheese sticks from the local food distributor.  Much to my surprise, my recent trip to Bar Louie in Little Rock proved me wrong.

A friend recommended I order the Shrimp Tacos, even though they are not on the menu, and I was greeted with four freshly made tacos.  They were piled with juicy shrimp and coated with a generous amount of spice.

I especially enjoyed the roasted jalapeños and sliced avocado on top and the salsa served with them was flavorful as well and added the right note of acidity to the dish.  Overall I was very pleased and will order the tacos again.

By Todd Barron @ FoodieCuisine.com

Scallops with Apple Salsa

For watching football I like to cook healthy items, and some unhealthy ones, so recently I tried my hand at scallops with an apple salsa.  The apples provided the tartness while the natural sweetness of the scallops helped bring everything together.  I really enjoyed it and believe you will to!

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh sea scallops
• 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Cajun spice (or Rock City Smokehouse Spice Blend)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon cilantro
• 1 granny smith apple
• 1/2 small red onion

Salsa

• Dust both sides of the scallops with the spice blend
• Dice the apple into small chunks
• Finely dice the onion
• Heat half of the butter in a large skillet on high until it starts to brown
• Add the onion and apple to the skillet
• After the onion has turned translucent and the apples start to brown, add the vinegar (about 5 minutes)
• Turn down heat to low
• Cook for 2-3 minutes until caramelized and remove to a bowl

Scallops

• Turn the heat back to high and add the remaining butter
• Once the butter starts to brown, add the scallops to the pan
• DO NOT TURN until they brown on the bottom and freely give from the pan (about 3 minutes, depends on heat and metal being used)
• Turn once, let brown on the other side, and remove from heat
• Place on a warm plate and top with the salsa
• Garnish with chopped cilantro

Enjoy!

By Todd Barron @ FoodieCuisine.com

Fish & Chips

I went to the 17th Annual Food & Wine Festival in Disney World this year and have many experiences (and pictures) to go along with all of the great food.  As a teaser, here is a picture of the Fish and Chips I had in the UK Pavilion.  They have it all year around though, so you don’t have to wait until the festival to enjoy it!

By Todd Barron @ FoodieCuisine.com

Masons Deli

The food service joints in the River-Market may not be large or fancy, but several of them serve up good grub for the lunch crowd.

I did not have long for lunch the other day but stopped at Mason’s Deli and ordered the Turkey Reuben with Thousand Island Dressing ($6.99).  I watched on employee wash dishes, while another grilled my sandwich, and after about 5 minutes I had my sandwich ready to go.

I walked out $10 poorer (for the sandwich at $6.99 plus a Diet Root Beer plus tax) and headed back to my office.  By the time I got back the sandwich was still quite warm and gave off a pleasant aroma of hot rye bread.

The turkey was flavorful and worked great with the sauerkraut and Swiss cheese and was accented well with the dressing.  The bread was a little soggy by this point but could have been avoided if I ate the sandwich right away.

The sandwich tasted great and is one of the best Turkey Reubens I have had.  Give it a try sometime!

Open for Lunch Monday through Saturday

By Todd Barron @ FoodieCuisine.com

Bangkok Thai Red Curry Chicken

It is 1:30pm and I do not have much time to eat lunch.  Where to go?  I know, the River-market which is down the block from my office.  The problem is my past experiences there proved less than ideal there in the food arena.  Regardless of the past, I give it a try and decide on Bangkok Thai Cuisine for my takeout.

Bangkok Thai Cuisine has a tiny booth like most places in the River-market, but cooks food to order and does not draw from a pre-made steam table.  I read they originally thought of pre-making everything but can attest to the good choice to make everything on demand.

I ordered the Red Chicken Curry ($6.99) and a Spring Roll ($0.99) to go.  The food was ready within about 10 minutes and served with a generous portion of rice.  I really like spicy food and ordered the curry Extra Spicy fully expecting it to be “dumbed” down for “typical” tastes.  Wow, was I wrong!  It was spicy, enough to make me sniffle, and tasted great.

The coconut milk was prevalent with a nice depth of flavor from the red curry, and the vegetables were incorporated perfectly.  The green bell peppers were crispy, but not too much so, and the carrots were cooked just right as well.  The curry was not too salty, required no soy sauce, and was piping hot.

I had no complaints and am happy to have found a great Thai restaurant which is right next to my office!

By Todd Barron @ FoodieCuisine.com

Taj Mahal Buffet

The buffet hearkens to me, reaching deep into my soul with it’s siren call of indulgence and near-limitless food.  There it is, in all it’s glory with multiple steam-trays filled with tasty goodness.  Chicken, beef, shrimp, rice, and even dessert beckon me!  Alas, I broke the shackles of heft several years ago and posses self control now.  Still, it is hard to resist the song, how sweet it is.

Taj Mahal in Little Rock offers up a Indian Buffet for lunch in Little Rock and brings to the proverbial table the usual fare of Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, Chicken Curry, Vegetable Korma, and other American-Indian favorites.  They also serve dinner but I have yet to try it.

The buffet is well stocked with warm food and looks appetizing.  I scoop up a small portion of the various offerings and covet my bounty back to the table.  The Chicken Curry is very flavorful, with a silky texture, and has deep Indian spices.

The Chicken Tikka Masala tastes better at Star of India but has the usual flavors you would expect from the red chicken.  It has a tad too much vinegar but works.  The Saag Paneer must be from a can, from a chest which has been lost in the desert for twenty years, because the cheese tastes of plastic and the spinach is inedible.  I don’t know what they did to make it, but they need to burn the recipe and never unearth it again.  I think a firing squad is in order.

The Naan, or bread for those non-Indian diners out there, looks pleasant with a billowy appearance.  Unfortunately it tastes too much of flour.  It looks great but does not deliver in the flavor department.  The Kheer, or rice pudding, has bits of pistachio in it and is sweet yet not too sweet.  I really like it for the end of meal dessert.

Lunch :  11 am-2.30 pm
Dinner :  5 pm-10 pm

By Todd Barron @ FoodieCuisine.com

Coconut Cream Pie

There are simple things in life and every once and a while I want simple food.  I do not want plain or bad food, but I want food which is not complicated.  Luckily, one of the best places in the nation can be found in Central Arkansas.

Frankes Cafeteria has been around Arkansas since 1924 and still serves some original recipes even today.  You can always count on them to be consistent and serve great “home cooking” style meals.  They serve salads, sides, entrees, and desserts and change up the menu with daily specials.  The specials are the same every week but provide a huge variety to choose from.

My personal favorites entrees include: Turkey and Dressing, Meatloaf, Smothered Steak, and the Chicken Fried Steak.  For dessert you cannot go wrong with the Coconut Cream Pie.  Even though the average age of the patrons has to be nearing retirement (or past it,) the food has plenty of seasoning and salt.  The chicken and beef are always tender, and the sauces are thick and flavorful.

The locations look like they are from the 60s with dark interiors but are clean, comfortable, and fit the style of food.  My wife and kids love the place and I would not change a thing.

Franke’s Market Place
Market Place Shopping Center
11121 N. Rodney Parham Little Rock, AR 72212
501-225-4487 Map and Directions

Franke’s Downtown
Regions Center Building
400 Broadway Little Rock, AR  72201
501-372-1919 Map and Directions

“Sack It” by Franke’s
Regions Center Building
400 Broadway Little Rock, AR 72201
501-372-4177 Map and Directions