Food To Eat, Things To Do

Margaritas reign over 5 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

The frozen swirl, by Mariano's Hacienda

Mariano's

This week's food & drink events in Dallas include an incredible lesson in whiskey history about iconic brand Jack Daniel's. But first, experience a collaboration of art and food, a fine wine pairing dinner, and a stout beer festival. Last but not least, visit the birthplace of frozen margaritas on their very special day.

Thursday, February 20

The Art of Food
To be held at the Shops at Willow Bend, this colorful culinary event brings together young chefs and local artists to create tasty and artistic visual experiences. Tickets start at $85 and include more than 20 chef tasting stations, adult drinks, music, and “live art.” The event will run from 6–9 pm. Proceeds benefit Independence Gardens, Abide Women's Health, Intellichoice, and Top Achievers Plano.

An Evening with Caymus Vineyards at Al Biernat’s North
Relish in four courses, including veal and wild mushroom risotto arancini and filet mignon Wellington Luis, paired with Caymus Vinyards wines. The dinner is $195 plus tax and gratuity, and begins with an opening reception at 6:30 pm. Call 972-239-3400 for reservations.

Friday, February 21

Love & Whiskey Unfiltered Book Tour at Taste Kitchen + Bar
Founder of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, Fawn Weaver, is also the New York Times bestselling author of Love & Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel, His Master Distiller Nearest Green, and the Improbable Rise of Uncle Nearest. Hear her during this book talk and whiskey tasting at Taste Kitchen + Bar. Special guest Victoria Eady Butler, a master whiskey blender and great-great-granddaughter of Nearest himself, will lead the tasting of four whiskeys. Tickets are $100 plus tax and fee, and the event begins at 6 pm.

Saturday, February 22

National Margarita Day at Mariano’s Hacienda and La Hacienda Ranch
Lots of restaurants and bars will have specials for National Margarita Day, but only one can claim the world’s first frozen margarita. Mariano Martinez developed the ingenious invention in 1971 after opening his original Dallas location. In 2005 the “World’s First Frozen Margarita Machine” was inducted into the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Find the frozen concoction on special for $9 at all locations, including Arlington, Dallas, Frisco, and Colleyville.

Festival of Darkness at Tupps Brewery
The annual celebration of dark beer draws stout lovers from all over DFW to Tupps Brewery in McKinney. There’ll be live music, “dark” foods,” and more than a dozen stouts on tap to try. Tickets are $40 and include a glass and tasting card good for eight 5-ounce pours. The event starts at 6 pm.

wine holidays cocktails event-planner

Burrito News

Crazy King Burrito brings authentic Cozumel-style burritos to Dallas

Crazy King Burrito

A restaurant with roots in Mexico is making its Dallas debut. Called Crazy King Burrito, it's a concept founded in Cozumel that's now open at 13675 Noel Rd. #160, in a new center near Galleria Dallas, where it's serving Mexican food with burritos as the centerpiece.

The concept was founded on the island of Cozumel in 2012 by Jaime and Haidee Gonzalez, using family recipes, with a slogan "Burritos Done Right." The original in Cozymel is still open along with locations in Michigan, Georgia, Alabama, and Lewisville, Texas at 4820 SH-121 #100.

The menu is simple, with burritos, sides, and beverages. However, the burrito section is teeming with 14 options including:

Crispy Cali, with breaded chicken, beans, rice, and avocado. This one's the best-seller.
Crazy King, with beans, rice, cheese, asada, shrimp, garlic, onion, chipotle sauce, lettuce, and sour cream. A surf & turf.
Bean & Cheese, with refried black beans and a nice slaw. Simple but good.
Molida al Chipotle, with ground beef, rice, cheese, chipotle sauce, lettuce, and sour cream. Hearty.
Loco Veggie, with beans, rice, cheese, garlic, zucchini, onion, mushroom, tomato, avocado, lettuce, and sour cream. So veggie.

There are also three breakfast-y options with eggs: spicy chorizo sausage, potatoes, & egg; ham & egg; and veggies with egg.

Crazy King Burrito Mexican ice box cakeCKB

Sides include queso, bean dip, and guacamole, and there are two desserts: churros and a tempting offering called Mexican ice box cake, described as a cool, creamy no-bake treat with layers of sweet filling.

There is also a wide variety of Mexican beverages including Jamaica, a hibiscus-flavored iced tea, and horchata, the creamy cinnamon rice milk drink.

The opening is coming via franchise owner Jon Carter Ferguson, who says in a statement that their team is excited to offer authentic Mexican recipes to the community.

"Our menu answers that breakfast, lunch, or dinner question in a way that’s not only quick and affordable but also super healthy," Ferguson says. "We make everything fresh every day instead of warming up meals that have been shipped frozen from miles away." Ohhh burn.

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