What's the correct way to pronounce Whataburger?

As a native Texan, naturally, my first hamburger was a Whataburger.  It was at the location in Houston on Bissonnet near Hillcroft, which isn't even there anymore.

I swear my mom and grandma were there when the USFL Houston Gamblers showed up for lunch because they practiced nearby at Bayland Park!

Only as I got older and could read did I realize it was not Water-burger but What-a-burger.  

KENS 5 San Antonio reporter Hannah Tiede even reported on this (video above)!

But now I feel like younger me is justified! Just add in a Dr Pepper and it doesn't get any more Texas! 

It’s pronounced “WAT-ER-BRR-GRRR”

— Whataburger® (@Whataburger) March 9, 2023

 

Houston pastry chef to star on TLC's 'Bakery Boss'

Drew’s Pastry Place in Northwest Houston goes head-to-head with “Cake Boss” reality TV star Buddy Valastro on TLC show Bakery Boss

Drew Rogers, Cake Boss Buddy Valastro and Carla Rogers

A Houston pastry chef is about to see what he's worth as he goes up against Cake Boss and reality TV star Buddy Valastro on TLC's Bakery Boss (Mondays, 9pm CST).

At age 40, Andrew “Drew” Rogers stopped his direct mail marketing business and enrolled at the Culinary Institute LeNotre in Houston to start a new career.

“Culinary school was rigorous – 46 weeks, four nights a week from 5 to 11 p.m.," Rogers said in a statement. "But it was my passion."

After working as an assistant pastry chef for Master Chef Fritz Gitschner at the Houston Country Club for a few years, Rogers opened Drew’s Pastry Place, in the Champions/Cy Fair area. One of Rogers' biggest investors was his own mother. Joan Rogers retired from Compaq Computer/HP after 18 years and invested her entire 401-K retirement into her son’s second career.

“I’ve put my heart and soul into this place, not to mention mine and my family’s savings," Rogers added. "It’s got to succeed."

Now Rogers is getting schooled by Valastro whose TV show helps fledgling family-owned bakeries like Drew’s step up their business.

“Buddy threw me some hard balls from the start and really challenged me on how I run my business and interact with my family, who are not only investors, but co-workers,” said Rogers, who turned his passion for making Italian pastries into a second career in 2005. “Buddy may have riled me at times, but in the end, I think that’s what brought me to come up with Cannoli Cupcakes, a brand new signature dessert idea."

Here's some insider info on the show...Valastro gave Rogers high marks for his culinary prowess – 9 out of 10 for his cannoli, rainbow cookies and tiramisu. But the Cake Boss zeroed in on where Rogers has had blinders on. For one, how he should be more strategic in his dessert and other food offerings and how to best merchandise his shop to attract the local clientele.

“Buddy helped bring the conversation to a trigger point, spurring Drew’s 'Aha!' moment with regard to creating a signature cupcake that’s a win-win,” said Carla, his wife of 23 years. “The ‘Bakery Boss’ pushed hard, but he finally got Drew see his business in a different light.”

For those Houston media insiders, Carla is a Regional Account Manager at CBS Radio Houston.

The Rogers' Houston episode of the Bakery Boss airs Monday (1/20/2014) at 9pm on TLC.

If you want to check the shop out for yourself, Drew’s Pastry Place (10300 Louetta Road) offers bagels from New York, specially blended coffee recipes, wide assortments of brightly colored pastries, desserts (including his signature Italian cream cake, Cannoli, cheesecake, Italian cookies, créme brulee) and more. For more visit drewspastryplace.com.

Katherine Whaley's Dash of Decadence

KHOU 11 anchor Katherine Whaley's blog could help you in the kitchen

Katherine Whaley

KHOU 11 noon anchor/morning traffic reporter Katherine Whaley is clearly known for her TV journalism career, but off camera, you might find the native Houstonian in the kitchen and blogging.

Whaley, a Rice University graduate, talked to me about her cooking blog, Dash of Decadence, which, "represents the idea that you can create a little bit of luxury in everyday life, especially at the table."
No advanced culinary skills are needed to enjoy this blog, since Whaley says she wants it to be a guide for any learning or experienced home chef.

Mike McGuff: What made you start writing a food blog?

Katherine Whaley: It’s fun! Food blogging is a combination of some of the activities I love most: cooking, writing, and photography. It was also practical -- people would ask for a recipe I had made, and posting to a blog was the most efficient way to share my creations with friends, family, and viewers. Because I give a little bit of background in each entry (who I was cooking for, the occasion, etc.), the blog has evolved into a journal of special memories I shared over food. Plus, it’s my blog, so I get to be the boss! How fun is that?!

How long have you been a foodie?

Being a TV reporter turned me into a foodie! The news business brought me to several cities with specific regional cuisine, and I was curious about how to cook those dishes at home. When I worked at the CBS affiliate in Lafayette, Louisiana, I picked up tips on gumbo, sweet potato pie, and fried okra. When I worked at the NBC affiliate in Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to interview chefs who made “fancy food” -- lobster bisque, foie gras, foams, powders, truffles, towers, and so on. I ate it up! But, I wasn't always an adventurous eater – I subsisted on hot dogs and PB&J until I was about ten.

How difficult are the recipes you post for the average home chef to make?

Easy…Seriously! I post pictures of all of the ingredients and steps of each recipe. It’s very visual. Some dishes are perfect for quick, healthy weeknight dinners, others are better suited for occasions where you really want to “wow” your dining companions with something sinful. I’m a “little bit of this, little bit of that” kind of cook, so blogging encouraged me to record the process.

What is your favorite dish/food type?

Tough question! I eat whatever I’m craving, and I will try just about anything. I’ve been cooking a lot of Italian lately since it is such a crowd-pleaser, but there’s rarely a week that goes by without a Tex-Mex run. I like rich food (think chocolate, red meat, and cream sauces), but I balance it out by cooking with a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially in summer. Houston boasts an abundance of innovative cuisine, so I am always on the hunt for new or undiscovered restaurants!

www.dashofdecadence.com

Free food from Smashburger for National Foursquare Day

You know me...I like free food. I also like to help you get free food too!

That's why I am letting you know that in honor of National Foursquare Day on April 16, Smashburger is celebrating by offering free burgers to the first 10 people to check in on Foursquare at each of its six Houston locations starting at 6 pm.

If you can't get there in time, or your phone freezes up and you aren't one of the first 10 check-ins, then you will receive a free side with purchase of an entrée between 6-8 pm.

The hashtag for the event is #4sqDay.

You can connect to me on Foursquare.

Texan up for CNN Hero of the Year vote

Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q is getting the vote out for Taryn Davis, founder of the American Widow Project, and nominee in the CNN Hero of the Year contest. According to its website, The American Widow Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to the new generation of those who have lost the heroes of yesterday, today and tomorrow, with an emphasis on healing through sharing stories, tears and laughter:

LAKEWAY, TX, November 28, 2011 – Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q® declares Wednesday, December 7th, as a day to honor young military widows by donating a dollar for every pound of meat sold that day at participating locations to the American Widow Project. It is a nonprofit organization founded by CNN Hero of the Year nominee Taryn Davis that helps a new generation of young military widows heal and embrace life again.

Additionally, Rudy’s Bar-B-Q’s Follow2Support, its cause-related social media initiative that supports various charities, will add another dollar for every verifiable new “like” (http://facebook.com/rudysbbq) and Twitter follower (http://twitter.com/rudysbbq) through December 7th. Rudy’s Bar-B-Q will also drive online votes for Davis to help her win CNN Hero of the Year through its social media channels, online promotions and in-store marketing. More information can be found at http://rudys.com/vote.

Davis, 25, whose husband, Cpl. Michael Davis, was killed in action in Iraq in 2007, recalls many fun visits at the Rudy’s Bar-B-Q in New Braunfels, TX.

“I have nothing but great memories with Michael and our friends and family at every visit to Rudy’s before he shipped out for Iraq,” said Davis. “I am grateful for the commitment Rudy’s is making to help raise awareness and funds for the needs of a new generation of young military widows especially this holiday season. I am also appreciative for its assistance to drive votes for me for CNN Hero of the Year.”

“Rudy’s Bar-B-Q has a longstanding and proud history of supporting nonprofit organizations that help active duty service men and women of the U.S. military, veterans and their families,” said Pete Bassett, VP of Operations at Rudy’s Bar-B-Q. “We are extremely impressed at what Taryn has done and continue to do for the widows of U.S. soldiers killed in action. We are honored to help the American Widow Project succeed in its mission.”

Free tacos from Taco Cabana Tuesday

Bet you didn't know it was National Taco Day this Tuesday? It also happens to be my wedding and blog anniversary strange enough too. So to celebrate, the taco thing, not my stuff, Taco Cabana is giving away FREE chicken fajita tacos Tuesday, October 4th, 5-8pm.

The chain is trying to break its record of 118,101 tacos given away during its last chicken fajita taco giveaway.

Anyone can visit their favorite Taco Cabana from 5-8pm to enjoy one free chicken fajita taco (*One free Chicken Fajita Taco per person. Not valid with any other offer. Valid at participating locations only. ).

TC says the taco is made with 100% white meat chicken wrapped in a freshly made flour tortilla. There will be other specials because the giveaway overlaps with Taco Cabana’s Happy Hour (4-7pm).

Food Network's 'Worst Cooks in America' Houston casting call

I told you in June that Food Network's Worst Cooks in America was casting in Houston. Well now the rolling pins have been lifted even higher as Bobby Flay is joning the show's third season.

Worst Cooks in America pits two teams of the country’s most hopeless cooks, one led by Flay and the other by two-time series champion Anne Burrell, against each other to transform from kitchen zeros to kitchen heroes – with the contestant with the best performance and progress awarded a $25,000 prize.

HOUSTON OPEN CASTING CALL

Saturday September 10th
11:00 AM-4:00 PM
Culinary Institute LeNôtre
7070 Allensby Houston, TX 77022

**MUST show up with a replication of your worst dish!**

FOR MORE INFO:
www.theconlincompany.com
or email us: worstcooks@theconlincompany.com

Casting for season three contestants will begin later this month, with open calls slated for cities including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston and Minneapolis.

Slated to premiere February 2012, Worst Cooks in America will begin production in November.

Houston gets Coke machine of the future

I went into the Firehouse Subs at Houston's Meyerland Plaza a few weeks ago and saw the staff offering customers guidance on its new drink machine. I worried about society for a minute until I saw how advanced the machine was! The employee says this futuristic machine is one of six currently in the Houston-area.

Now being called The Ferrari of Coke machines, (because as the Firehouse Subs employee told me, the casing is actually made by Ferrari), the Coca-Cola Freestyle soda machine is catching on across the world supposedly.

The machine that lets you create more than a 100 different flavors is made to feel like you are getting your drink from an Apple product with its simple touch screen and dizzying area of features.  (the employee told me Apple was involved in the software running it but I have not confirmed that anywhere). It also promises a cleaner taste (read less plasticy).

Here is a description from a report in the Seattle's The Stranger:

The machine has a field of circular app-like buttons with Coca-Cola brand names on them: Diet Coke, Fanta, Vault, Dasani, Sprite. When you touch a logo, it brings you to a submenu with flavor options. Press "Coke," say, and you're delivered to a screen with a choice of regular, lime, orange, vanilla, and raspberry (I am assured by a PR person that raspberry Coke is very popular in Europe). Then you depress the huge "Pour" button to fill the cup as much as you like. You are encouraged to mix flavors, freestyle.

That's not all. You can also create your own flavor, use an app to store 'the recipe' in your iPhone, then use your phone to scan it back to the machine. That means you get the exact same mixture of drink and flavoring every time with the swipe of your phone. No more fumbling on the touch screen to get that perfect lime Diet Coke flavor as a sweaty guy behind you in line stares you down as he is jonsing for a caffeine fix (that guy could be me by the way).

As a Dr Pepper fan, I learned that I could not mix in any flavors.  That's because Dr Pepper is not an official Coke product and could not be altered like the other featured Coca Cola drinks.

This video gives you an idea of what you can do.




So will this catch on? Or is it too complicated for both the restaurant and the consumer? Only time and lots of carbonation will tell.

Houston casting for Food Network's 'Worst Cooks in America'

Attention terrible Texan cooks, Food Network's Worst Cooks in America will be casting in Houston (and other cities around the US, see below) for some kitchen zeroes this July:

Are you a really bad cook? Do you need major help in the kitchen? Do friends avoid your dinner parties like the plague? Does your husband or wife serve you dinnertime disasters? Is your friend or family member a catastrophe in the kitchen?

About Worst Cooks in America:
Sixteen of the country's most hopeless cooks attempt to transform from kitchen zeros into kitchen heroes as they compete in a grueling culinary boot camp on season three of Food Network's primetime reality series, Worst Cooks in America. The "recruits" — nominated by family and friends for their abysmal cooking skills — are split into two teams, led by acclaimed chefs and Food Network stars.

HERE'S HOW TO APPLY:
• Email us at worstcooks@theconlincompany.com
• Tell us why you (or the person you are nominating) is the most disastrous cook in the country * Include name, age, hometown, occupation, contact phone number, and a recent photo of the hopeless cook Additional information & application available at www.theconlincompany.com

NOW CASTING IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK, HOUSTON, MIAMI, MINNEAPOLIS

Houston Dining 2011 - A Guide for Visitors (and Most Locals, Too)

Houston Dining on the Cheap author, Zagat contributor and past mikemcguff.com blog contributor, Mike Riccetti, has a new book out that should make Houstonians hungry for more.

It's called Houston Dining 2011 - A Guide for Visitors (and Most Locals, Too) and I think it caters to both groups well. I was born in Houston and learned stuff from reading it.

Riccetti breaks it down by location, type of food and then he goes and gets creative on us:

- Local restaurants profiled on Guy Fieri's show and The Next Iron Chef
- Places that serve a nice variety of scotches to celebrate the close of that big deal, or just get a customer drunk on expensive stuff
- Restaurant rows - areas like the Rice Village and lower Westheimer where there is a concentration of restaurants

This is an e-book and is a Kindle release but Riccetti says it can also be read on iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, PC, Mac, Blackberry, and Android-based devices.

Houston Dining 2011 - A Guide for Visitors (and Most Locals, Too) ($9.99)

Subway sandwich shop serves beer

A Subway sandwich shop that has beer on tap? Yes, get a foot long club and a Bud light here.
When I first tweeted this photo, it got immediate reaction. Questions of 'Where in Houston can I find this?'

Only problem, I was in downtown Los Angeles in a hotel lobby.

Becks Prime open in Houston's Hermann Park

Becks Prime burgers is opening in Hermann Park. It's taking over the spot where the less than spectacular (in my opinion) Little Bigs used to be near the train depot.

I snapped this photo on Wednesday after riding the train with my son (highly recommend activity.

Here is more from the Hermann Park Conservancy page:

Great news! Becks Prime will be operating the cafe at Hermann Park during weekends in March and the week of Spring Break (March 5, 6, 12-20, 26, and 27). They will open for lunch each day at 11:00am. The cafe is located in Lake Plaza (adjacent to the main Houston Zoo entrance) between Kinder Station and the pedal boat lagoon.

So it sounds like it is a limited time only. If you have kids, don't worry, the site says there is a child's menu available.

Free food at Chick-fil-A Wednesday morning

Chick-fil-A, which my young son calls Chicks-Fay, is giving out free food February 2 (this Wednesday for those who don't believe in calendars) according to the Houston Business Journal:

All guests that morning get a free Spicy Chicken Biscuit, which was added to the menu on Jan. 10.
There’s no purchase necessary to receive the biscuit, which is usually priced at $2.25, and there’s a limit of one free item per customer. READ MORE FOR TIME OFFER

The article says this is to celebrate Groundhog Day. I could care less. It's freakin' free food, that's all I care about. The chain could say Wednesday was Cow Day for all I care...just give us the free food!

Free Slurpee from 7-Eleven this Friday

Sure Black Friday is this week, but 7-Eleven is changing that to Purple Friday with a free Slurpee offer. Not any 7-Elevens that I know of in the Houston city limits, but there are plenty everywhere else around Texas:

7-Eleven, Inc. is celebrating people coming together by offering a free, small Slurpee® drink on "Purple Friday" — Nov. 26. 7-Eleven wants to extend the fun of its Slurpee Unity Tour that visited 14 cities before arriving to Washington, D.C. for a Slurpee Summit. On Nov. 26, or "Purple Friday" as 7-Eleven has dubbed the day, a free, small Slurpee drink will be available at participating 7-Eleven stores upon presentation of an online coupon.

On Friday, Nov. 26, the coupon is redeemable from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. local time and will be available during that time on the Slurpee Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Slurpee) for fans to print. Simply, "like" the fan page, print the coupon and bring it to a participating store to get a free, small Slurpee. The free, small Slurpee drinks will only be available on "Purple Friday" at participating stores while supplies last.

Vince Young opens steakhouse

One of Houston's favorite sons, NFL Quarterback and UT Longhorn legend Vince Young, is opening a steakhouse. Not in H-town, but in Austin.

And another famous Houston name is behind the venture. Laura McIngvale-Brown (Mattress Mack's daughter) and her husband Phillip Brown are also owners. In fact Brown will serve as the Vince Young Steakhouse Executive Chef.

Signature dishes include, The Perfect 10, which is 10 ounces of American Wagyu (a tribute to Young’s jersey number), Pork Belly braised and deep fried and a Wagyu Beef Burger with a made from scratch bun.

The Vince Young Steakhouse will be located at 301 San Jacinto Boulevard, between 3rd and 4th street in Downtown Austin, close to the convention center and 6th Street. It will be open seven nights a week from 5pm – 10pm Sunday - Thursday and 5pm - 11pm Friday and Saturday.

The restaurant will begin accepting reservations for dinner on Saturday, November 6. Reservations can be made by calling 512-45-STEAK.

Vince Young Steakhouse, 301 San Jacinto Boulevard, between 3rd and 4th street in Downtown Austin
vinceyoungsteakhouse.com

Milkshake back at Chick-fil-A, SONIC brings out new big hot dog and desserts

Attention drive through warriors, we have some new additions at your area fast food window.

Not only is Chick-fil-A pimping some kind of cow calendar, more importantly it has brought back its seasonal Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake. The shake is available now and topped with light whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. Milkshakes are offered in 14 oz. or 20 oz. cups and are priced from $2.55 and $2.95, respectively.

Start saving the pennies in your middle console.

Lace up your rollersaktes too, because SONIC is bringing out the new Tex-Mex Footlong Quarter Pound Coney. Maybe it should sponsor a contest if you can say that fast five times in a row you get one free. The dog is covered in chili and cheese, topped with FRITOS corn chips, jalapenos, onions and a chipotle sauce. For a limited time, customers can order any Footlong Quarter Pound Coney and Tots for $3.99 at participating SONIC Drive-Ins.

In addition to the new Tex-Mex Coney, SONIC is also offering a Holiday Spiced Sugar Cookie Blast and Holiday Spiced Hot Chocolate. The Blast is made with spiced caramel, Real Ice Cream, sweet sugar cookie pieces and finished with whipped topping. The hot chocolate is a rich, creamy hot chocolate made with spiced caramel and finished with whipped topping. Both items are available for a limited time.

Now you know about this new stuff, wait for Ken Hoffman's review before you try it. I just tell you about it, I don't review it.

Buffalo Grille's new location down Bissonnet

I spied the new location for Buffalo Grille last weekend. It's not far from the old one since it is just west down Bissonnet. The Houston Chronicle recently wrote:

Buffalo Grille, a popular West University Place eating spot looking for a new home, has leased space in the Weslayan Plaza Shopping Center at Bissonnet and Weslayan.
The restaurant's new address will be 4080 Bissonnet, at Academy Street, the far west end of the center anchored by a Randall's store. READ THE REST

As you can see, there is just pretty much the buffalo logo up right now. Sounds like the new location will open up at the beginning of 2011. thebuffalogrille.com/

Sure I like the breakfasts at the Buffalo Grille, but I will remember it for the time in 2007 I covered then Republican presidential candidate and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani there (Remember when it was supposed to be Giuliani and Hillary Clinton battling it out in 2008? That was the thought in 2007 at least). Lots of media there as you can tell in the photos.

In other Houston restaurant news, Meyerland Plaza's new Firehouse Subs location I blogged about in August is still not open. On a drive past there Sunday, I noticed construction on the inside had started though. There was a frame of a counter and more city permits on the window.

PICS: The City Hall Farmers Market in downtown Houston

I told you about the City Hall Farmers Market in downtown Houston right before it debuted. Now a mikemcguff.com camera team (OK...you caught me. Really my wife with her iPhone) has snapped some photos of the big event.

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Farmers Market opening at Houston City Hall

Farmers Market opening at Houston City Hall

Farmers markets in Houston are popular. There is one in Midtown at the T'Afia Restaurant in Midtown, Rice University...etc. Now the farmers and their markets are going all the way to city hall... literally. Urban Harvest is opening a new one at the city of Houston's City Hall this week:

City Hall is the center of Houston's government and will soon be home to the city's newest farmers market, debuting on October 13, 2010. City Hall Farmers Market, the newest in Urban Harvest's family of farmers markets, will be held every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The market is being started in partnership with the City of Houston and will be officially opened on Wednesday, October 13 at 10 a.m., with a celebration at noon with Mayor Annise Parker, City of Houston Sustainability Director Laura Spanjian, Mark Bowen of Urban Harvest, Monica Pope from t'afia Restaurant, Chris Shepherd from Catalan Food and Wine and Randy Evans from Haven Restaurant.

The City Hall Farmers Market will have 40 vendors located along both sides of City Hall's lovely reflection pool, offering local produce and foodstuffs such as salad mixes, fresh fruit, cheese, yogurt, locally roasted coffee, and a variety of prepared and hot foods so downtown office workers and residents can enjoy lunch at City Hall around the Reflection Pool, at the adjacent Tranquility Park or at their desk.

The Market will also feature a Chef's Corner, sponsored by My Table magazine, where chefs will do live cooking demos using local products. For the first market, the Chef’s Corner will be kicked off in style with Monica Pope of t'afia, Chris Shepherd of Catalan Food and Wine and Randy Evans of Haven. Samples of their work will be on-hand. READ THE REST

Jimmy Johns opens in Bellaire, TX

No doubt, I've been loving Jimmy Johns since I found my first one in 2007. Last week I ran across yet another new location of the popular sandwich shop in the Houston area.

Today marks the opening of the Bellaire, TX location. It's on Bissonnet between South Rice and Bellaire. Look for it at the end of the big strip center that houses an HEB (former Quiznos location). I am guessing the address is:

5106 Bissonnet Street
Bellaire, Texas 77401