The CultureMap Interview

Dallas guy and reality TV villain Alex Stein on being evil incarnate and Whataburger vs. In-N-Out

Highland Park High School graduate Alex Stein initially entered pop culture as the contestant everyone loves to hate on ABC’s The Glass House in 2012. Though he appeared in only a handful of episodes before being eliminated, Stein made his mark, systematically going through housemates’ flaws as he attempted to become, in his words, “the most epic villain in the history of reality TV.”

After his stint on Glass House, Stein, 26, started doing stand-up comedy in Los Angeles, where he’s lived for the past few years. But now he’s back in the world of reality TV as part of Bobby Flay’s team on Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America. The show’s fourth season premiered February 17, and episodes air on Sundays at 8 pm.

He dished with us on the inherent evils of poetry, lost eyebrows and quite possibly the most Highland Park day of meals ever.

“Burger House taught me how to eat a burger — it was my first, my last, my everything,” Stein says.

CultureMap: What’s the most villainous thing you’ve done today?

Alex Stein: Today, I woke up and wrote three poems in my diary, then I had a sugar free Red Bull and took my dogs for a walk before I went and volunteered at the animal shelter. So I guess you could say I’m really crushing it as a villain today.

CM: You claim to eat only fast food. Now that you’ve been in LA for a while, pick a winner: Whataburger or In-N-Out?

AS: This is an easy one, Whataburger will always be better than In-N-Out because In-N-Out doesn’t have breakfast taquitos or the A-1 thick and hearty burger that I eat 21 times a month.

In-N-Out is great, but Whataburger is the greatest fast food hamburger in the game right now besides Burger House on Hillcrest. Burger House taught me how to eat a burger — it was my first, my last, my everything.

CM: You’re in Dallas for the day. What are you eating?

AS: If I'm in Dallas, I am waking up and getting the miga' at Angela's Cafe on Inwood Road; I've been going since the first day she opened in 2001. Then for lunch I'm getting a lobster roll at East Hampton Sandwich Co. in Snider Plaza. Hands down, East Hampton has the best sandwiches in Dallas.

For dinner, I would go to Mi Cocina and get the sunset-style enchiladas with about three Mambo Taxis for dessert. Because I'm in Texas, it makes sense I would eat Mexican food twice.

CM: Any fires or mishaps in the kitchen viewers should look forward to in Worst Cooks?

AS: I can honestly say I started some of the biggest fires in Food Network history. I came on the show with two eyebrows and left the show with zero, so yes, the kitchen was on fire a lot.

CM: What’s up after Worst Cooks? More reality TV?

AS: I'm unable to talk about my new projects at the moment, but I can promise you one thing: that this isn't the last time I will be gracing your television sets. Keep your eyes peeled for more Alex Stein #99 in the near future.

Alex Stein claims he only eats fast food, and he's a big fan of Burger House.

Photo courtesy of Food Network

Alex Stein claims he only eats fast food, and he's a big fan of Burger House.

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Rolling a strike

High 5 Exchange bowling and entertainment mega-center rolls into Allen

Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

The High 5 Exchange in Austin has bowling galore.

A new family entertainment destination is rolling into Allen, bringing bowling, laser tag, miniature golf, virtual reality, and more. Called High 5 Exchange, the venue has broken ground at 2361 Quail Covey Rd. in The Farm in Allen.

It is expected to open in 2027, according to a release.

High 5 Exchange comes from a family entertainment company founded by husband-and-wife team Scott and Jenny Emley. They opened the first location in the Lakeway area of Austin more than a decade ago; a second Austin location followed a few years later.

Their roots are in Austin - Scott Emley played football for UT Austin - but the couple recently relocated to McKinney. There's also a location under construction in Mansfield.

The entertainment mega-center in Allen will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, dining, and rooms for parties and other group events.

Tasty-looking tacos at High 5 in Austin.Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

Bowling will be the major draw, with 24 lanes supplied by QubicaAMF. The lineup will include 16 traditional tenpin lanes equipped with EDGE String pinspotters, HyperBowling, and Neoverse, along with eight Fly'n Ducks duckpin lanes, the release says. The combination will give guests the choice between traditional full-length bowling and duckpin bowling, which uses a smaller ball.

"Bowling has a unique ability to bring different generations, interests and skill levels together," said Jody Pastula, director of new business development, U.S., for QubicaAMF, in a statement. "By offering both tenpin and Fly'n Ducks duckpin bowling, High 5 Allen is creating more ways for guests to participate and share the experience. We are pleased to be part of a project designed around connection, variety and repeat visits."

Beyond bowling, High 5 Allen will feature laser tag, a virtual reality arena, an arcade gaming floor, escape rooms, an immersive experience from Creative Works called "Limitless," and outdoor miniature golf. The venue will also have dedicated spaces for birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and private events, along with food and beverage service.

While details on the food and beverage program have not yet been announced, the Austin locations feature a full-service bar and a menu of "American classics with a gourmet twist."

High 5 Exchange Allen Rendering of High 5 Exchange at The Farm in Allen.Rendering courtesy of High 5 Exchange

High 5 Exchange will be part of The Farm in Allen, a 135-acre mixed-use development at the southeast corner of the Sam Rayburn Tollway and Alma Drive. Developed by Allen-based JaRyCo Development in partnership with the Johnson family, The Farm combines residential, office, dining, retail, and entertainment components.

"Allen and the surrounding communities have been part of our vision for this project from the beginning," said Scott Emley, co-founder and CEO of High 5 Exchange, in a statement. "The Farm brings together homes, workplaces, parks, dining and entertainment in a way that fits how people want to connect.

"We are excited to create a place where a family can spend an afternoon, coworkers can gather after work, and friends can celebrate the moments that matter."

entertainment and dining bowling allen