Weekend Vacay

Your ultimate guide to spending a fun-filled weekend in Burleson

Feel like you need to get away from it all, but don't have time for a major vacation? Burleson is only a short, 45-minute drive from Dallas, and offers plenty of escapism.

From wineries to museums, ghost tours to shopping, there's plenty you can pack into a weekend. Here are some of the top picks:

To stay
Whether you choose to sleep out under the stars; claim an RV site; or snuggle up in a cozy, comfortable cabin, North Texas Jellystone Park is ready to welcome you. Keep a close eye on that picnic basket, because you're likely to run into Yogi Bear, Boo-Boo, and Ranger Smith during your stay.

To do
Right next to Jellystone is Pirates Cove Fun Zone, a water park that boasts 11 slides, two waterfalls, and a 750-foot-long lazy river. If you want to keep dry while having fun, Buffalo Nickels combines an arcade with mini golf, while Painting With a Twist lets you create a masterpiece with a brush in one hand and a glass of wine or beer in the other.

Speaking of wine, there are two wineries you'll want to check out. The family-owned and operated Lost Oak Winery, on the picturesque banks of Village Creek, has won prestigious awards for its Viognier, Blanc du Bois, and Cabernet. Sunset Winery is known as "the best little wine house in Texas," and it's located in the actual former home of owners Bruce and Birgit Anderson.

Russell Farm Art Center also provides a glimpse into the past, as several of its buildings date back to the earliest days of what would eventually become Burleson (as far back as 1877). Today, it also offers summer art camps and year-round classes in painting, watercolor, and woodcarving.

If buildings aren't enough of a history lesson, let the people — er, spirits, — tell you stories themselves. Burleson Historical Ghost Tours prowl the town every Friday and Saturday night, with guides using EMF sensors and KII detectors during the two-and-a-half-hour walk.

To shop
Independent boutiques abound in Burleson, with Pink Chandelier, Rebecca's Boutique, Meccafox, and Tin Rose Boutique all offering a curated selection of womenswear and accessories.

Accents, Bricoluor Vintage Home, and Gypsy Trunk and Fabulous Junk each stock unique finds for the home, but nothing is more unique than Geek Out's selection of comics, toys, games, and collectibles. A stop at CB Fincher’s Western Wear is a must, especially if you're in need of a new pair of cowboy boots or a hat.

To eat
Foodies are quickly discovering Burleson as a must-visit for authentic home cooking, and this list is a good starting point for the hungry. But the choices are vast, including American classics such as the homemade pies at Our Place, the delicious fried chicken and family atmosphere of Babe's Chicken Dinner House, and the low and slow barbecue at Roscoe's Smokehouse.

Cosmopolitan eats and craft cocktails await at The Rim, while Mojo's TexMex Smokehouse and Grill is refreshingly simple, with four different meat options and a handful of toppings served as burritos, bowls, nachos, or tacos.

Looking for something record-breaking? Moontower Pizza Bar holds the Guinness world record for the largest commercially available pizza (measuring 8 feet long and 32 inches wide). Also noteworthy is Old Texas Brewing Co., which has the only SkyBar in Burleson and is now brewing its own beers in-house.

Pirates Cove Fun Zone offers aquatic entertainment for all ages.

Pirates Cove Fun Zone/Facebook

Pirates Cove Fun Zone offers aquatic entertainment for all ages.

dinner lunch promoted shopping cocktails wine kids tex-mex vacation families nature barbecue museums drinks

Movie Review

Melodramatic movie Maddie's Secret digs into modern foodie culture

Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

John Early in Maddie's Secret.

Comedian John Early is one of those “that guy” actors, having appeared in shows and movies like Broad City, Neighbors 2, Portlandia, Late Night, and Search Party without ever being the lead. So he’s taken it upon himself to give himself bigger exposure by writing, directing, and starring in the new film, Maddie’s Secret.

Early plays the titular female character who works as a dishwasher with her best friend Deena (Kate Berlant) at a food video content company called GourMaybe. When a homemade cooking video shot by her boyfriend Jake (Eric Cahill) goes viral, Maddie gets bumped up to on-camera talent, soon becoming the face of the company, much to the chagrin of rival Emily (Claudia O’Doherty).

With that added exposure comes more scrutiny in the form of online comments, many of which point out Maddie’s fuller figure and clear enjoyment of the food she makes. This criticism triggers Maddie’s bulimia, a condition she thought she had under control. Not wanting to lose her coveted spot, Maddie tries to keep her bulimia from everyone around her, something that becomes increasingly difficult to do.

If that sounds like an ABC afternoon special, that’s because that’s the vibe it seems like Early is going for. The film feels like a melodrama, with many of the actors speaking in unnatural cadences to make situations seem more intense than they actually are. That gives the film a natural comedic tilt, although Early makes sure to have everyone play their scenes straight, letting the ridiculousness of the story speak for itself.

Early playing a woman is oddly not part of the joke. According to him, the performance is not him doing drag, and he never plays the role in an over-the-top manner or like he’s making fun of the character. In fact, it’s striking how earnestly he inhabits Maddie, as if he truly was trying to get into the skin of a woman who found herself in such a situation. Anything funny that comes from him is just part of the progression of the story.

Setting the film in the world of food vlogging is the one area where Early seems to actively be going for jokes. Maddie and Emily come up with creations that seem reasonable and off-the-wall at the same time, like a Rotel dip made with French techniques. Characters also frequent real L.A. restaurants with punny names like Naughty Pie Nature, making fun of the food scene as much as they are exalting it.

Early definitely holds the viewer’s gaze in his first lead role, allowing Maddie to become a fully-realized character. His scenes with Berlant and Cahill make the film, as each of the supporting actors commit to their roles and elevate Early’s writing. Other standouts include Connor O’Malley as the boss at GourMaybe, Kirsten Johnston as Maddie’s mom, and Vanessa Bayer in a late-film cameo.

Because Early is not trying to make a full-on comedy, many may come away perplexed by Maddie’s Secret. But the film is clearly made with intention, giving a slight send-up of both 21st century food culture and a loving homage to the cheesy TV movies of the past.

---

Maddie's Secret opens in select theaters on July 3.

food tv movie review