Endless Road Trip Marfa: Padre’s Bar & Grill

Marfa Highway Welcome Sign

If you haven’t heard of Marfa, Texas, I can’t blame you. I didn’t know much about it until I moved to Austin a couple years back, but then I learned quickly enough: Marfa is a little town in the West Texas desert which has turned into an art enclave in the past few decades. It has some glimmers of weirdness because it was the setting of an old James Dean movie way back in the day, and it’s also home to the Marfa Lights, a mysterious phenomenon in the sky… basically, if you are looking for a scenic, artsy, and perhaps slightly creepy wild west desert roadtrip, West Texas (and specifically Marfa) is the place for YOU!

And the place for ME. I loved our trip so much. It’s funny because Marfa really is a teensy town, but I felt like there was way too much to do in the short amount of time we spent in the town (2 days out of the 4 we were in West TX). And by “do” I mean “eat” obviously, because Marfa actually has a great (albeit small, I mean come on, it’s like a 4-street town) food scene! So many cute food trucks and hole-in-the-wall spots only open for breakfast or lunch. There are like three “fancy”-ish restaurants and three bars as well. At least five days’ worth of solid eating and drinking, is what I’m saying.

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Vitabar Forget-me-not burger

Endless Road Trip Iceland: An Unforgettable Burger

Vitabar Burgers

Here we are, back in Iceland. We’ve talked about cheap and easy hot dogs and we’ve talked about exotic whale meat, so now let’s meet somewhere in the middle: burgers.

Specifically the ones at Vitabar, which is said to have the best burgers in Reykjavik. It’s a pretty divey restaurant/bar and I mean that in a good way. I heard people call it “fast food” but it’s nothing like American fast food restaurants—there’s no drive thru, no neon logos, no franchises. But it is really cheap! Especially by Icelandic standards (as you may recall me lamenting in past posts, going out in Iceland costs a pretty penny).

Getting your grub on at Vitabar is simple. You go up to the register, order your beers, burgers, and whatever sides you want (basically french fries or onion rings) and then they’ll bring everything to your table in just a few minutes. It’s very no-frills but hey, it’s a greasy burger joint, what did you expect? Vitabar is especially known for its Forget-Me-Not Burger, which is absolutely slathered in melty blue cheese and stinky garlic. Your breath will definitely not be forgotten after one of these bad boys. Just check out that monstrosity below. Woof.

Vitabar Forget-me-not burger

The Forget-Me-Nots were really great though! The patties were a little thin but they were flavorful with a nice charred texture, firm enough to stand up to all the sloppy blue cheesy glory. Topped off with a classic sesame bun and paired with a pile of thin, crispy onion rings plus a slightly mysterious packaged “cocktail sauce,” this meal was a bar food lover’s dream.

Also on The Endless Road Trip: Iceland
1. The Best Hot Dogs in the World?
2. I Ate a Whale and I Liked It


For more Iceland travel tips (not to mention cocktails, healthy recipes, and restaurant reviews), check out ES Emily’s individual blog, A Time to Kale, or tweet her @emilyteachout with all your burning food travel questions.

Bender Enders and 50-50’s…OH MY

BenderEnder

Go ahead and stare, it’s okay. In fact, it is totally justifiable. Having trouble finding words? Let me help: BACON grilled cheese, juicy burger, cheese, fried egg, BACON grilled cheese. Drooling? You should be. And guess what? I did not find this place through”Diners, Drive Ins and Dives”, or online, or through some tourist trap. This was found through word of mouth and in fact, in Bethlehem, PA, which is near the boonies (where I live).

The place: “The Wooden Match.” Their slogan: “Beer. Meat. Cigars.” Yes, it is a cigar bar. When first told about this, I figured I’d get a good beer, cigar, and have some wings. While the CRAFT BEER and cigars did not disappoint, the food far exceeded expectations. Even the plain burger was good. Bringing other friends to experience this greatness, we finally mustered up the courage for the “bender-ender.” Just read the description again…I really don’t think I need to say more.

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Movember Eating: Top 10 “Manly Mo Foods”

Happy Movember! Don’t get me wrong—I’m excited for Thanksgiving, but this is important too. The Movember campaign raises awareness of men’s health issues (particularly prostate cancer and testicular cancer). Ladies have pink—us men have something a bit more permanent and…natural. That’s right, a mustache. Hopefully you’re noticing more men fashioning a stash recently; raising awareness and “changing the face of men’s health.” So next time you see someone with one, please say “Happy Movember.”  In honor of Movember and supporting the cause to raise awareness of men’s health issues, I bring you the top ten manly “mo foods” to feed men or to enjoy with men. Onward…

10. Deep Fried…Anything?

Really—what isn’t good deep fried? Pickles, Twinkies, hostess cupcakes (so sad, I know), snickers bars, even butter. I really don’t think there is much that is not better when battered and fried. Men enjoy fried foods—we all do. But more than that, odds are you are eating it on a stick and getting messy.

(Photo: BS)

9, Meatloaf

Elf has his main food groups, while us men typically enjoy our own three: meat, beef, and beer. Don’t ask about the logic, just trust me that it’s there. I love meatloaf. What’s better than tossing meet together, baking it in the oven, and slathering ketchup over it? Well…maybe Katt’s recent turducken of meatloaf concoction (which I’m pretty sure includes at least two of the three men’s food groups). (Note from ML: MAAAAAAM! THE MEATLOAF!)

(Photo: Katt Kasper)

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Top 10 American Flags Made Out of Food

Here at Endless Simmer, we pledge allegiance to two things: this great country we call America, and all the ridic food treasures it holds within. Fine citizens of our sea-to-shining-sea have taken it upon themselves to honor the former with the latter; there are so many entertaining food flags lurking around the internet. Just in time for the daydrinking-fueled, explosion-laden meatstravaganza that is the celebration of our glorious nation’s birth, here are our T10AFMOOF: Top 10 American Flags Made Out Of Food.

10. Taco Bell Hot Sauce Flag

Like many of life’s greatest and most inspirational mysteries, we’re not sure exactly where it originated… but this beautiful Taco Bell Hot Sauce Flag has been making the rounds on Twitter lately. We support it. Not a bad idea for a festive “tablescape” if you’re serving tacos at your holiday gathering.

 9. Cake Pop Flag

Cake? Fine. Cake pops? Sure, whatever. Cake pops remade into cake?! Invention and the freedom to do what you want is the backbone of this great country! We’ll take it! Thanks, Bakerella.

 8. Pancake Flag

Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas has the right idea: start your day the American way! To turn boring, regular pancakes into spectacularly patriotic pancakes that even George Washington would be proud of, all you need is some food coloring and chocolate chips.

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Shouldn’t Work But Does: Hawaiian Pizza Sliders

I’ve been thinking about Hawaiian pizza lately.  How weird is it that pineapple, ham, cheese and tomato sauce would get together and make it work?  It works, though.

So, I cracked my knuckles and did some research on Hawaiian pizza.  Ok, I just went to Wikipedia—whatever.  So apparently it is not a Hawaiian invention and it is the most popular pizza of choice in Australia.  Huh.  Who knew?

I know one thing.  This flavor combo goes beyond pizza.  I have made a Hawaiian pizza grilled cheese that was the bomb-diggity, so I figured it would also be an awesome burger.

It is.

Hawaiian Pizza Chicken Sliders

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Not Your Typical Burger

 

We have to say that with all of our travels, there’s nothing better than returning home to an all-American burger. Whether you’re indulging in a juicy beef burger hot off the grill, or an extravagant veggie burger stocked with funky toppings, the first bite is pure bliss.

To add a Spanish spin to a summer BBQ, we created a burger featuring three of our absolute favorite tapas staples: Manchego cheese, chorizo and roasted red peppers. The finely-chopped chorizo adds a smoky intensity to a classic Angus beef burger, and we sprinkle a layer of sharp Manchego cheese on top. Finely, we substitute classic ketchup with a staple in Catalan cooking: romesco sauce.

We are obsessed with romesco and will put it on anything. If you find yourself with extra sauce, try spreading it on a grilled baguette for a quick and impressive appetizer, use it as a spicy dip for cocktail shrimp, or drizzle it atop grilled chicken or fish. You can’t beat this fiery pesto!

Spanish-Style Chorizo and Romesco Burgers with Manchego Cheese

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