This week in gluttony

These are the 6 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Waffles and ice cream are coming to Uptown.

Dolly Llama

End the month with a big taste of Texas this week, from a grocery store festival spotlighting Lone Star State products to a Sunday afternoon barbecue party. Also on the list is a bourbon pairing dinner, a dog-friendly sip-and-shop, and a vegan tour of Dallas. Don’t miss the grand opening of a new sweet treat destination that proves syrup isn’t the only way to top waffles.

Tuesday, May 24

Really Into Texas at Central Market
All locations of the gourmet grocer are spotlighting Texas by stocking shelves with products from the Lone Star State for a limited time. Locally sourced items include cheese, produce, flowers, meats and seafood as well as Texas-made snacks, sauces, wine, beer, and bakery favorites. Highlights include Dr Pepper ribs, brisket corn dip, Gulf oysters, Texas tomatoes, and buttermilk pecan pie. Special cooking classes teach participants to make Texas steakhouse dishes, Texas Czech kolaches, and more. The Really Into Texas event runs through May 31.

Thursday, May 26

Wine & Wag
Victory Park will once again transform into “Victory Bark” during the final spring installment of Wine & Wag, a weeknight dog-friendly sip-and-shop event. Bring your canine companion and enjoy wine and dog treats at multiple stops including Biago Wine and Spirits, Escapology, ViVi’s Victory Park, and more. Tickets are $15 and the event will run from 6-9 pm.

The Pour with Barrell Craft Spirits at Bourbon & Banter
The latest edition of The Pour — a series of spirit-pairing diners at The Statler’s underground speakeasy — will feature Kentucky’s Barrell Craft Spirits, known for its award-wining cask strength bourbons. Highlights from the three-course menu include pan-seared scallops with lychee brown butter, roasted beef tenderloin, and artisan cheeses with bourbon truffles. The pairing event is $150 per person, including tax and gratuity, and will run from 6-8 pm.

Saturday, May 28

The Dolly Llama Grand Opening
The Los Angeles-based waffle and ice cream chain will open its first Texas location in Uptown with a grand opening party. The first 100 guests get free T-shirts and other swag, and prizes will be given away all day. The new Dallas location is the first of many to open across the country this year, from Las Vegas to Florida. Popular menu items include the Hong Kong Bubble Waffle made with a batter that provides a crispy and custard-like texture. The location will open at 12 pm.

The Dallas Vegan Tour
Sample some of Dallas’ best vegan dishes — from apps to desserts — via a motorcoach during this afternoon culinary tour. Former editor of VegWorld magazine Courtney Garza McCullagh will co-lead the event, which is a mystery tour format that will reveal surprise stops. Tickets are $61 per person (plus tax and a small fee) and the tour will run from 12:30-4:30 pm

Sunday, May 29

Boots & BBQ Fest at Legacy Hall
Have a ball at Legacy Hall this Sunday with an all-day country music party paired with barbecue and beer. There’ll be live music by some of the area’s best tribute bands, including Still The One (Shania Twain), Tennessee Whiskey (Chris Stapleton), Straight Tequila Night (90s country), and King George (George Strait). Purchasing barbecue plates ($20) in advance is recommended. Plates include either brisket with jalapeño sausage, mac and cheese, rolls, and avocado slaw; or pork ribs, beans, and corn salad. Or go VIP with a balcony ticket ($65) that overlooks the Box Garden and includes a barbecue plate and complimentary brewery tours and whiskey sampling by Garrison Brothers and TX Whiskey. The party starts at noon.

news-you-can-eat openings vegan

Burger News

Fun family-owned Big Mike's Bar and Grill from TV star debuts in Plano

Tommy LeBeouf

Big burger from Big Mike's in Plano

A charming family-owned restaurant with TV star ties has debuted in Plano. Called Big Mike’s Bar and Grill, it's an elevated sports bar that just opened at 3200 Alma Dr., in a former Pancho's Mexican Buffet where it's serving tasty Angus burgers and beer-battered onion rings, hand-battered in-house.

Big Mike's is from husband-and-wife Mike Cancelmi and Jennie Marie; she gained fame as the star of the 2018 TLC show Mama Medium. The couple is from Rochester, New York, but fell in love with the Dallas area with their four sons after visiting a friend in 2021.

Their signature Big Mike's burger is a biggie: a half-pound patty with cheddar, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and a fried egg on a brioche bun, served with choice of hand-cut fries, tater tots, or sweet potato fries, for $18.

They bring their Northeast influence with dishes such as a Reuben sandwich with corned beef on marble rye, and their own version of poutine, the Canadian specialty, which they make with fries, cheese curds, brown gravy, and thick-cut crumbled bacon.

One dish reflects their hometown roots: Called the Trash Plate, it's inspired by the Garbage Plate, a sloppy comfort food dish that's the unofficial signature dish of the city of Rochester.

Big Mike's version combines macaroni salad, home fries, and choice of hot dogs from Rochester-based Zweigle’s (which they fly in from New York), or two smash burger patties with hot sauce, mustard, and onions.

Their menu also features a few entree items like NY strip steak, their priciest item at $35, served with garlic mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts; and chicken-fried steak with mashed potatoes and green beans for $24. Portions are abundant.

Big Mike's family: Mike and Jennie Marie and their four sons.Big Mike's

“I created the menu based on things I like to eat," Mike says. "Everything we make is made from scratch, the way I would do it if I was cooking for my friends."

They host weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday until 2 pm with a cinnamon roll skillet, frittatas, avocado toast, and a hash version of the Garbage Plate with home fries, mac salad, onions, diced Zweigle's hot dogs, eggs, and meat hot sauce. There are mimosas — they have a full bar — and they also do a daily happy hour from 3-6 pm with appetizer specials and domestic beers for $3.50.

Mike's background as a former contractor can be seen in the restaurant's spiffy remodel. The space sits 270, with enough room to host events that include karaoke every Wednesday, live music during brunch, and a ticketed group psychic event where Jennie Marie draws from her TV show days, performing readings and mediumship, with food and drink.

The restaurant has a wonderful family-oriented atmosphere. Many of their employees are friends of their sons from school or ice hockey, giving the restaurant a comfortable, homey vibe.

“We try to visit every table — that personal touch is important to us," Jennie Marie says. "We want that hometown feel, get people what they want so they come back."

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