Pepe's Barbacoa #4 Has San Anto's Best Barbacoa

 

For as long as I have been alive, barbacoa and Big Red have been a Sunday tradition in the Alamo City.  I would go with my Dad to different molinos around town.  His usual order was a pound and a half of the regular barbacoa, some chicharrónes, and a dozen flour tortillas.  My Mom made her own salsa, so Sunday was always worth looking forward to.  Now I'm a couple months away from turning 50 years old, and some of the molinos I used to get barbacoa from are gone.  Where should I get my Sunday Tex-Mex fix?  February first of 2024, Facebook showed my cousin Mark and I a sign.  Mark stumbled across a page for a molino on Bandera Rd outside Loop 410.  This place claimed to have THE WORLD'S BEST BARBACOA.  So we decided to give it a try.

From the outside, it did not look like much.  Looked rather small, but the aroma filtering out of the place was amazing.  Luckily I brought cash, since this place only took cash.  We ordered 2 pounds of all meat, a dozen tamales, a bag of chicharrónes', large salsa, and a 2 liter bottle of Big Red.  Came out to about $50.  We brought it home, and I could say was

PEPE'S BARBACOA #4 HAS THE WORLD'S BEST BARBACOA!!!!

Pepe's Barbacoa has a loyal customer base, and I completely get it now.  First off, it is family owned.  They are the ones scooping the barbacoa, making tamales, and ringing you up at the register.  Secondly, the food is amazing.  The barbacoa is an A+.  The best I have had in quite some time.  The tamales are delicious.  Excellent mix of masa and filling. And the salsa.....Chef's kiss.  It is perfect. And finally, every first weekend of the month, they whip up a batch of smoked barbacoa that will render you speechless.  It is amazingly delicious.  You have to try it to believe it.  All these factors have made Pepe's Barbacoa #4 my new favorite molino.  And you have to try it.  You can find them on Facebook.  

PEPE'S BARBACOA #4 on Bandera Rd is simply the best.  

The Top 5 NYC Pizza Spots

You can argue all you want....when it comes to pizza, New York City is America's pizza capital.  Since 1905, The Big Apple has been home to over 2000 pizzerias.  You may ask, which ones are the best?  Glad you asked, because you are about to find out.

 

 Lombardi's

Located in the Soho district of Lower Manhattan,  Lombardi's Pizza is the first pizzeria to open in America in 1905.  It was here that the New York Style pizza was born.  Many cooks who have worked at Lombardi's went on to open their own pizza places, but it all started under the tutelage of Lombardi's original owner Gennaro Lombardi.  What do you order from the Mecca of Pizza?  You can not lose ordering their original Marguerita  Pizza.  Impeccable sauce, fresh cheese, and a crust to die for; this pizza is old school, yet delicious.  To be there is an experience, after all, Lombardi's is where it all began.

Totonno's

One of Gennaro Lombardi's best cooks was Antonio Totonno Pero.  In 1924, Pero moved from Manhattan to Coney Island to open his own pizza place.  Thus the legend of Totonno's was born.  Totonno's is the world's oldest continuously family owned pizza restaurant. This pizza place makes you feel like you are family.  Their Neapolitan  pizza is amazing.  You wouldn't have to add peppers or cheese to this delicious pie, it's great.  Totonno's is truly the Pride Of Coney Island.

Prince Street Pizza

Only ten years old, Prince Street Pizza is the home of the Spicy Square pizza.  Lines blocks long of loyal pizza eaters flock to the pizzeria for this one serving of  pizza.  The Spicy Square has spicy Fra Diavolo sauce and thick cut pepperoni, and is baked to perfection.  It put Prince Street Pizza on the map.  It is mainly a to go pizza place, but it is worth the time and money of waiting in line to get one.  Trust me....it is delicious.

Luigi's Pizza

Now we go to Brooklyn, Park Slope to be exact for what I call the best tasting pizza in America.  Luigi's is everything that you hoped New York Style pizza would be.  It's so good, their mozzarella slice, which only has cheese as a topping is to die for.  They have rolled out millions of pizza since 1973.  My personal favorite is the Granma Pie.  It's a square pizza with sauce on top instead being in the middle.  So good.  And it is made by Gio Lanzo, the son of  the original owner Luigi Lanzo. Gio is awesome, and is a master of his craft.  Make your way to Luigi's and get yourself a Granma Pie.  

 Lucali Pizza

In 2006, Mark Iacono bought the building in Brooklyn that housed his favorite childhood candy store.  Out of fear that a corporate entity would move into the space, Iacono decided to start his own pizza cafe.  Despite not having any pizza making experience, Lucali Pizza was born.  Since then, Lucali has become the hip pizzeria in the five boroughs of NYC.  Only open from 5:45p to 11p, you have to get to Lucali early to get your name on their queue to get a pizza.  It is well worth the wait.  When I visited Lucali, I got the plain pie.  This amazing pizza has tomato sauce, three kinds of cheese, basil, and olive oil on a thin crust.  It is so good.  How good?  Just ask Jay-Z and Beyonce.  They are Lucali super fans.  

Strange Days: In Memoriam

 The last two years have taken their toll.  Hundreds of thousands of lives gone.  Jobs that were filled for decades disappeared.  Mom and Pop eateries closing for good.  The global pandemic known as Covid-19 has done irreparable damage to the food industry.  Grocery stores saw food shortages on a daily basis the likes we have never seen in the modern era.  Cases of bottled water gone in seconds.  Eateries were pick up and drive thru only.  In San Antonio, some of our favorite restaurants closed their doors for good.  

In Memoriam

 LuLu's Bakery and Cafe

 

For 20 years, LuLu's was the home of large chicken fried steak and the 3 pound cinnamon rolls.  Open 24 hours, LuLu's had a loyal following partly since it was a spin off of the legendary Jailhouse Cafe.  It was the perfect place to go grab a bite after a concert.  I would buy my grandmother the monster cinnamon roll weekly to munch on with her coffee.  This closing broke my heart.  It was the quintessential neighborhood cafe. 

The Mexican Manhattan

An Alamo City institution for 62 years, The Mexican Manhattan was know for its Tex-Mex cuisine.  Having some of the best tacos and tamales in Texas, the Manhattan would become a popular place for prom dates, family celebrations, and especially for Valentine's Day.  They closed their doors on October of 2020.  My friend Rich was a busboy there.  He told me that the day they closed was emotional.  Man....those tamales were good.

The Spaghetti Warehouse

The eclectic eatery on Houston Street was a sight to behold.  Not only did the warehouse have some of the best Italian food in San Antonio; it also was the most unique looking restaurant in town.  Relics of a bygone era adorned it's walls.  Some of its tables were in an old train car in the building.  It was a fun place for families to enjoy Italian fare.  They had the best meat sauce I have ever tasted.  The sauce inspired the sauce I use in my lasagna.  I loved this place, and get bummed out knowing it is gone.  Luckily, I was able to score a menu.  So many memories.  

Madhatters Tea House and Cafe

Recently my ex-girlfriend JoAnn passed away from breast cancer.  Madhatters was our favorite place to eat.  We loved their burritos, drank wine while listening to jazz, and usually stopped for a smoothie.  It was a really hip place that you could relax in a Bohemian like atmosphere.  JoAnn loved this place.  She loved the wine selection they had.  It was her JAM as she would say.  I will forever miss this place as I will miss Beautiful JoAnn.  Rest in Peace Sunshine.

Though some of our favorite restaurants did not survive the pandemic, one legendary eatery stayed open thanks to it's loyal patrons.  

San Antonio Pig Stand

Dubbed THE WORLD'S FIRST DRIVE IN RESTAURANT,  The Pig Stand beat the odds to stay open.  Loved by San Antonians, this legendary diner celebrated it's 100th anniversary.  With menu items like THE KING BURGER, PICNIC CHICKEN, & the popular PIG SANDWICH, the Pig Stand still brought in hungry customers.  Police officers would come in droves to have lunch to help keep it open.  I love this place.  I always get the chicken fried steak because it is a big helping for the money.  I remember as a kid car clubs would meet up here and have impromptu car shows.  I usually got a burger out of it.  LONG LIVE THE PIG STAND.

Sorry it took so long to get the blog going again.  These are strange days, and we must stay safe.  Support your local eateries, and be good to each other.  This too shall pass.

BEN'S CHILI BOWL-The Most Loved Restaurant In America

 

     Every neighborhood in the country has that one eatery that many consider their go to, family tradition, all time favorite, etc.  But, which restaurant in our beautiful country of ours is the most loved?  I'm sure this question brings up all kinds of responses.  There are so many loved eateries all over the country.  One place in Washington D.C. is so loved, during a riot in 1968 it was the the only building on the block that was left untouched.  Ben's Chili Bowl is this place.

     The year is 1958.  Some states had certain establishments segregated, and Dwight D. Eisenhower was president.  Ben Ali and Virginia Rollins were an engaged couple in their mid 20s with a dream of opening an eatery.  With $5000 to their name, the couple renovated a pool hall into Ben's Chili Bowl. The couple married 7 weeks after opening their restaurant.  Located on U Street nicknamed Black Broadway, Ben's Chili Bowl offers amazing American favorites with their legendary meat chili.  Their Half-Smoke hotdogs (half wiener, half sausage)  are the favorites of everyday people, celebrities, and Presidents.  Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were frequent visitors to Ben's.  

      Why is Ben's Chili Bowl so loved?  It has a barbershop vibe for all creeds and colors.  It's the CHEERS of restaurants.  Their customers are so loyal, some come for all three meals of the day.  Anthony Bourdain visited Ben's in 2009, he could not get over the sense of community at Ben's Chili Bowl.  "I have never visited a place that was more loved by its customers", said Anthony.  He was right.  Still going strong after 62 years, Ben's shows no signs of slowing down.  Ben Ali passed away, and his sons carry on his rich tradition.  Virginia is still around, and patrons give her the adulation her hard work deserves.  If you are in the nation's capitol, and want some great American fare with killer chili, come on down to BEN'S CHILI BOWL.  You will have a satisfying food experience, and make a new friend.  It's the place that love built.

 

The World's Best Buffet

       Buffets are and have been a huge deal in the United States since the 1970s. Las Vegas has lavish buffets. Chinese buffets are huge draw to families. But, who has the world's best buffet? Let's take a trip to the Philippines. 

The Spiral buffet in Manila is by far the biggest, fanciest, and best buffet in the world. It is said it would take atleast 10 plates to even get through half of the food selection Spiral has to offer. Among its hilights are 3 chocolate fountains, an onsight chocolatier, a room full of premium cheeses, an entire wing of nothing but Japanese food, and the ability to have pizza made your way. Not to mention a premium selection of steaks and meat. 

     For $60, you can basically have your favorite foods anyway you want. Spiral has also known for their courteous staff of chefs and kitchen staff. The staff of Spiral are experts in all fields of cuisine, and are always suggesting selections from the huge buffet. And it is huge. 400 different entrees, not including the salad bar and dessert table. $60 may seem like alot, but the culinary possibilities that Spiral gives make it a bargain. Food heaven I say. 

If you ever make it to Manila, head over to the Spiral buffet. It is a sight to behold. And your stomach will thank you. Every food you can think of is here.

FOOD BUCKET LIST

      Hello from the pandemic.  This year has been rough.  Some eateries have gone away, some are barely hanging on.  Be sure to support your local eateries so they may have a life beyond this horrible pandemic.  They have been good to you.  Be good to them.

     There is a travel ban to most international destinations at the moment, but we all wait to be able to travel again with the desire to try great food here at home and abroad.  I have took it upon myself to devise a FOOD BUCKET LIST for those aspiring foodies willing to try some of what the world has to offer.  

Meat Pie- COUNTRY COB BAKERY MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA

Meat pies are good.  Really good.  No one does meat pies better than the Australians.  This confection is as common in the Land Down Under as burgers are here in the states.  Country Cob Bakery has the best according to tourists.  Steak and potatoes in a pie?  Yes please!

POZOLE- La Casa de Tono Mexico City

Pozole is heaven in a bowl.  Hominy and pork in a rich broth is a long celebrated Mexican tradition.  La Casa de Tono is the most legendary establishment in Mexico City that serves award winning pozole.  So good, you will think your abuela made it herself.

Kobe Beef- Mouriya Lin     Kobe, Japan

At Mouriya Lin....the beef melts in your mouth.  This award winning establishment serves the best quality Kobe Beef in the world.  Kobe Beef has the most marbleization of any cut of meat, and is sought after by vacationing carnivores.  Ask for A5 quality Kobe Beef, and your taste buds will lose it.

Steak- Don Julio Parilla  Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a meat lover's paradise.  Don Julio Parilla is Argentina's fortress of meat.  All their meat is local, and can be cut and cooked to your liking.  It is home of the world's best T-Bone steak.  The steak here is so juicy....you don't need any steak sauce.  

Pizza- Pizzeria Gino Sorbillo  Naples, Italy

I laugh at your delivery pizza, and present you the epic Margherita Pizza of Pizzeria Gino Sorbillo.  This is how pizza should be made.  A rich sauce, fresh farm sourced mozzarella, a butter flavored crust, and smiles to follow.  Italy has the best pizza, and Pizzeria Gino Sorbillo is King.

Crispy Pata  JAMICO'S RESTAURANT  Malabon, Philipinnes

The name Crispy Pata may sound weird, but it is mighty tasty.  Crispy Pata is deep fried pork knuckle.  Has a delicious outer crispy crust with juicy pork on the inside.  Jamico's are the #1 eatery in all of the Philippines that makes this unusual but delicious dish since 1972.

Sandwich- KATZ DELI  NYC

You know I love this place.  Katz Deli may be the most famous eatery in the U.S;  This is because of its legendary pastrami sandwich.  You have not truly indulged in New York City until you have tried what has been called the WORLD'S BEST SANDWICH.  So good.....it will render you speechless.

Tacos- TAQUITOS WEST AVENUE      San Antonio, Texas

Possibly the closest thing to a Mexican taqueria outside of  Mexico any where.  Taquitos West Avenue has all the popular varieties of street tacos you want.  At $1.50 a taco,  it's time to feast.  This insanely popular taco joint is perfect for those diners on a budget, and is lively and vibrant.  The carne asada tacos are killer.

Ramen- TSUTA    Tokyo, Japan

In a country full of ramen restaurants, TSUTA is the best.  Unlike most ramen eateries, TSUTA is only eight years old.  What makes this eatery different than most ramen restaurants is that the flour used to make their noodles comes from France.  The noodles blend well with the tonkatsu, shoyu, and miso broths. A must try in Tokyo.

Falafel- L'As du Fallafel  Paris, France

Falafel definition:  a deep-fried ball made from chickpeas or fava beans, sometimes both.  Middle Eastern in origin, and made popular in New York City, it is a little surprising to know that the best falafel in the world is made in Paris, France.  The outer shell of falafel is called taboon, and L'As du Fallafel has a revered reputation as having the best.  They also have Shawarma and kebabs with Israeli wine to wash your meal down with.  This place is fast, so you know everything is fresh there.

The Top 5 Taco Cities in the U.S.

The Taco has been the undeniable sweetheart meal choice in the United States.  Certain cities in the country have an amazing taco game that make their particular city unique.  We look at the top 5 taco cities in the US.  I'm pretty sure you will make a B-line for your local tacqueria afterwards.

#5

CHICAGO

Chicago is a major carnivore city.  A meat eater's paradise.  Pair that with a homegrown tortilla movement, and you have a pretty killer taco culture.  Small tortilla companies have been popping up all over Chicago, and mixed with the meat reputation of the city, you have tacos delicious enough to jump on a plane to this Second City.  Chicago's tacos are usually loaded.  The usual suspects in their tacos include pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, and sweet corn.  Hearty and delicious, Chicago has amazing tacos.

#4

El Paso

Sorry Austin, but El Paso makes your tacos look like bologna in bread.  El Paso is the king of cheesy and gravy tacos.  And they stack their cheese to your heart's content.  Naturally you would think that the border town's tacos are sloppy, but the flavor makes up for it.  El Paso has the best carne guisada tacos in the country that are also pretty big.  El Paso usually gets overlooked when it comes to tacos, but their taco game is major.  I like their tacos since they remind me of the tacos my mom made when I was a kid.  

#3

Los Angeles

The birthplace of the taco truck.  L.A. is known for their variety and experimentation of tacos.  They do traditional and tacos infused with another culture's flavor.  This city has always made tacos a premier entree.  The arsenal of tacos L.A. offers is astounding.  The last time I was there, I had a Korean BBQ taco with kimchi, a mahi-mahi taco with pico de gallo, and a chicken terriyaki taco with chipotle sauce.  All delicious, and unique in their own way.  Los Angeles is absolutely a taco town.

#2

San Diego

The Surf and Turf taco town. San Diego has the liberty of being both a border and coastal city, and it shows in their tacos.  San Diego has the world's best carne asada.  Though they are known for their burritos, it's tacos are not to be ignored.  The tacos they offer are very close to the ones you enjoy in Mexico.  San Diego also has a big reputation for having amazing fish tacos.  There are upscale eateries in the Gaslamp District that specialize in fish tacos.  My favorite is the HH fish taco from Mariscos El Pulpo.  

#1

San Antonio

There is no city in the country that loves tacos more than the Alamo City.  It is the birthplace of the breakfast taco, puffy taco, and the fajita taco.  The barbacoa tradition in this city alone assures the top spot for San Antonio.  Nothing like barbacoa and a tall glass of Big Red on a Sunday morning.  With taco trucks popping up all over town, and a huge amount of molinos (Mexican deli) with long storied traditions, the taco possibilities in the city are endless.  It's the one city where you can have tacos for all three meals of the day.  One day, I had three barbacoa tacos followed by two crispy picadillo tacos and ended the day with 3 carne asada street tacos.  All tacos in one day and a quarter mile from my house.  It's not bias on my part that this city is number one. It's the fact that my hometown has the best variety of tacos in the world.  San Antonio, Texas is TACO CITY USA.  My favorite taco is the carne asada street taco from Tacqueria Ricardo's.  Amazing flavor, and very inexpensive.  

Legends Never Die: Chris Madrid's Rises From The Ashes

Back in 1977, a college graduate named Chris Madrid returned to his hometown of San Antonio to open his own restaurant.  It opened in Beacon Hill, and the eatery would bear his name.  Originally named Chris Madrid's Tacos and Burgers, the restaurant quickly became an Alamo City staple. Chris Madrid's would gain city and nationwide attention as one of the best burger joints in the nation over the next 35 years.  Sadly, Chris Madrid passed away in 2012.  The legendary burger joint continued to thrive.  In 2017, the Madrid Family stepped away from the restaurant Chris started from the ground up.  Unfortunately, 45 days into the new ownership's tenure, a fire destroyed Chris Madrid's.  Many of the eater's faithful thought it was the end of an era.  But, the team at Chris Madrid's was not about to give up.  Though they no longer had a building to call home, Chris Madrid's became a food truck.  Dining tents were set up for the Chris Madrid faithful to enjoy their favorite confections.  The spirit of Chris Madrid's was alive and well.  As the food truck became successful, the new home of Chris Madrid's broke ground.  On October 1st of this year, the new home of Chris Madrid's opened to mass amounts of their fans and new customers.  Proof that legends never die.

What makes Chris Madrid's so great?  It's a number of things.  For starters, their burgers are amazing.  The beef is seasoned perfectly and is garnished perfectly in a delicious bun.  If you get the Chedder Cheezy, you get your burger dowsed with delicious cheese.  You can get the regular 1/4 pound size or man up and get the 1/2 pound MACHO size.  The fries are amazing.  Freshly cut on location, and you get a generous portion of them too.  Their tostada has refried beans and chips on the patty to give you some local flavor.  Besides serving great burgers, Chris Madrid's makes some great Nachos and Chalupas.  And yes.....the chalupas come in MACHO size as well.  Secondly, the staff at Chris Madrid's is super friendly.  conversing with them is like talking to an old friend.  I love this place.  It has that neighborhood feel even though I live across town from it.  Alot of my childhood favorite restaurants have closed, so I am so happy Chris Madrid's is alive and well.  So....go get yourself a MACHO sized Chedder Cheezy with a large order of fries, and enjoy the legend that is CHRIS MADRID'S.  And I'm pretty sure you will keep coming back.  

Say It Isn't So WHATABURGER

Born in Corpus Christi, Texas; Whataburger has been a fast food icon that Texans are proud of.  The love for Whataburger is almost as Texan as the Alamo, blue bonnets, and the Dallas Cowboys.  When tourists visit Texas, they make a pilgrimage to mecca of Texas burgers.  The pride for Whataburger reigned proudly for 69 years.....then June 14th happened, and backlash ensued.  It was not pretty.  

What happened on June 14th?  Well.....Whataburger sold a majority stake in their company to BDT Capital Partners from Chicago.  CHICAGO! That's right....the pride of Texas is now owned by a private equity firm from the windy city.  Since this sale took place, the Whataburger faithful were not happy.  Memes blew up social media in mass numbers blasting Whataburger .  Even when the burger chain would post about a menu item on Facebook, they faced the fury of angry fans calling them traitors and sellouts.  San Antonio BBQ stable Bill Miller's even burned Whataburger on social media.  Why did this sale take place?  It seems that Whataburger wants to go national.  Plans are underway for Whataburger to hit the East and West coasts.  The Patty Melt is coming to New York!  Yet there are many fans of  Whataburger who are passionately upset.  Their anger is understandable, but their favorite burger joint will always call Texas home.  In fact, Whataburger HQ will stay in San Antonio.  I am pretty sure many changes are coming, but we must take pride in the fact that we exclusively had Whataburger for nearly 70 years.  

I knew this day was coming.  Whataburger's popularity was rising at a rapid rate, and the word of mouth about the Texas burger chain was growing.  I went to a comic-con here in San Antonio where there was a Whataburger close by.  First day of the convention, Whataburger had to close early due to running out of hamburger buns.  And the fact the wait to get in was 3 hours.  But seeing the glee of these out of towners trying an A-1 Thick and Hardy burger or the famous Double Patty Whataburger was cool.  To me, I knew Whataburger was going to expand outside of the Lone Star State.  It is still a Texas staple that will kick ass all over the country.  So don't turn your back on Whataburger!  They are out to show this country how great a Texas born legend is.  Besides.....did you know that Chicago's first deep dish pizza parlor was opened by a Texan?  It's true.  Uno Deep Dish.  Google it.

Many of you have already decided not to go back to Whataburger.  That is your choice.  As your Alamo City food blogger, I would like to suggest 5 burger joints that all of you should pay a visit to if you appreciate a great burger.  I love these places, and I think you will too.  Let's get this going.

Brenda's Burgers

Brenda's Burgers is the archetype neighborhood burger joint.  It's easy to get to, just past Lackland Air Force Base.  The meat is perfectly spiced, and will satisfy every appetite.  It's an old school burger that will make your day.  Priced fairly, and the staff is very cool.  I got the double with avocado, and I wanted more.  Great vibe at this place.  Perfect to bring the kids to.

Hometown Burger

Hometown Burger awesomely does old school burgers.  They are made like they have been around since the 50's.  Perfect balance of condiments and vegetables on a toasted bun.  They also have onion rings just like the ones from the now closed local burger icon THE MALT HOUSE.  It's a small place, but the burgers are great.  They also have Nathan's Famous hot dogs.  That's a winner in my book.

CHRIS MADRIDS

Home of the Cheddar Cheezy.  This burger joint is a legend in San Antonio.  Their original building suffered major fire damage, so Chris Madrid's is operating out of a food truck at the present time.  But, they are still pounding out their amazing menu of hamburgers.  Macho size one of their burgers, and you will be in burger nirvana.  No one does cheesy like Chris Madrids. 

Sam's Burger Joint

A rock and roll burger joint that your taste buds will love.  They have a huge menu of delectable burger hits.  The patties are perfectly grilled.  Meat lover's paradise.  Their appetizers are fantastic.  I suggest their fried mushrooms and onion rings.  They even have a full bar.  You will be surrounded by rock and roll memorabilia, so your eyes will be in awe of all the albums on the wall and ceiling.  Such a great place to hang out with your friends at.

and of course.....

BURGER BOY

Burger Boy is my favorite place to get a burger.  It is the tastiest burger I have ever had,  and many agree with me.  It is about as fresh as a burger can get.  All of the components of their burgers just meld together in beautiful harmony.  Try the Orange Freeze, it is amazing.  And their thick crinkle cut fries are great.  It's my go to place for a burger, and I urge everyone to try it because you are gonna love it.  Get the 2 patty Working Man Special with bacon and cheese, and you can thank me later.

RIBERA STEAKHOUSE: Steaks, Wrestling, and cool Satin Jackets

Japan and wrestling have had a long and prosperous relationship dating back to the 1950's.  Tokyo is one of the meccas of professional wrestling.  Many aspiring wrestlers dream of one day wrestling in one of the many promotions in Japan.  When coming to Tokyo, there is a right of passage among wrestlers.  If you want to call yourself a wrestler in Japan, you must visit RIBERA STEAKHOUSE.

Ribera Steakhouse, located in Meguro City in Tokyo, is a combat sport themed steakhouse that is a must see on anyone's list of places to visit in Japan.  It was the legendary Bruiser Brody who discovered this steak house in the late 1970's during one of his many excursions to Tokyo.  It was then that many other wrestlers found their way to the now famous steakhouse.  Legends such as Hulk Hogan, Macho Man Randy Savage, Eddie Guerrero, Stan Hansen, and The Undertaker have made their way to Ribera as a tradition.  The walls of the steakhouse has photos of the legendary combat athletes that has come through its doors.  Looking at their steaks, I would keep coming back too.  The steaks at Ribera look like they were grilled in Texas.  They look amazing, and to quote Bullet Club legend Bad Luck Fale would say, "These steaks are too sweet!"  The steaks are huge and cooked to your liking.  They are served on a metal platter, and come with Ribera's legendary sweet corn.  They are delicious, and very filling.  

Yet, there is another reason both wrestlers and fans come to Ribera Steakhouse.  It is a garment of clothing that they are after......the famous Ribera Staekhouse satin jacket.  Wrestlers have worn them into the ring.  Many consider these jackets a badge of honor.  They look great.  I want one, and soon that will happen.  They come in several colors and sizes.  They sport the Ribera Steakhouse logo.  They guarantee its owner bragging rights amongst their peers.   It is just a very cool jacket to have.  All the more reason to head over to Ribera.  Just google Ribera Steakhouse jacket and just look at all of the wrestling legends who sport these famous jackets.  And you will probably want one as well.  

Delicious steaks, pics of wrestlers on the wall, and cool satin jackets make Ribera Steakhouse a great dining experience.  The chances of running into Toma Tonga or Tetsuya Naito of New Japan Pro Wrestling are very good.  It's not a big place, but the tradition that this place holds is second to none.  The food is great.  It is just alot of fun.  So if you are ever in Tokyo......get your carnivore self to Ribera Steakhouse.  And, don't forget to buy a jacket from there.  It's tradition.

My Favorite Places: Ye Olde Reindeer Inn in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England

When I was six years old, my family and I lived in England due to my Dad being active duty in the United States Air Force.  We lived in a small town call Banbury, 50 miles Northwest of London in Oxfordshire.  My Father had moved there ahead of us, so he had become very familiar with the city.  Trust me, I had to be dragged to get on the plane to get to my new home.  Upon arriving in Banbury, I fell in love with it.  It had vast green fields, clean and fun parks, friendly locals, and shopping galore.  One place in Banbury will forever have my heart.  It is where my Father and his friends would get together and be merry.  I always looked forward to coming there because the patrons who frequented this pub made you feel like family.  Welcome to YE OLDE REINDEER INN.

The Reindeer as my Dad called it is one of England's oldest pubs.  For over 400 years, The Reindeer has been a meeting staple for Banbury locals and tourists alike.  This legendary pub has a very welcoming aura about it, and is all about being friendly.  The Hook Norton Ale Brewery calls The Reindeer its flagship pub, and their premier beers are on tap there.  My Dad's favorite was the Reindeer Ale.  Over two years, I went to birthday parties, pub athletic competitions, dart tournaments, and friend games of Aunt Sally.  To explain, Aunt Sally is a game where you toss one pound wooden clubs at a dolly (sphere on top with tapered cylinder bottom painted all white) sitting on an iron stand.  To score, you has to knock off the dolly without hitting any part of the stand.  I am actually very good at it.  I always had fun here, and there was never a dull moment.  

I remember the food at The Reindeer.  I developed a love of fish and chips.  The Reindeer had some of the best around.  Great beer batter with fries draped with salt and vinegar, pure bliss.  Whether it was salted pork, blood pudding, Yorkshire pudding, or cornish game hen......it was all good.  The Reindeer always had bottles of Sherry waiting for us.  Sherry was a cherry flavored soda that was easy to make and was always served at pubs for children.  And of course I can't forget my favorite chips or as they are crisps, RINGOS. Ringos were alot like the Funyun chips we have here, only Ringos had vinegar.  I loved Ringos.  They were my go to food at the pub.  We felt loved there.  We consider many of the friends we made there family.  I look back at all the good times we had at The Reindeer with fondness.  To experience a family like community in an old pub across the pond from my home in Texas was very meaningful.  I will never forget The Reindeer.  It is absolutely one of my very favorite places on this planet.  I miss it and hope to return there very soon.

JOHN EATS WORLD TURNS ONE YEAR OLD! YouTube here I come.

One year ago, I was on a two week vacation from work.  My boss accidentally did not schedule me for the next week, so I had no idea what I was going to do being off for a third consecutive week.  After a few hours of brainstorming, creating a food blog won the day.  JOHN EATS WORLD is a forum for me to tell the world why I love being a FOODIE.  I only write about the places I love, promising never to diss any eatery.  This blog has become very successful.  I feel it is now time to take this blog to YouTube.  This move has been influenced by the works of TabiEats and Paolo from Tokyo.  I will draw from the influence of Anthony Bourdain and add my quirkiness.  I am excited to announce that the JOHN EATS WORLD YouTube channel will drop on June 1st of this year.  What will you see you say?  Here are the ideas for the first five episodes.

Episode 1 :Carnivore's Paradise

Lockhart, Texas is a small town outside of the college town of San Marcos.  Lockhart is known for one thing.....World Class BBQ.  We will visit all 4 of Lockhart's legendary BBQ restaurants.  This episode will include a visit to the famous BUC-EE's travel stop.

Episode 2:  Some Legends Never Die

The Malthouse was a Westside institution.  An eatery that offered old school favorites for very low prices.  For 75 years it stood as an iconic eatery until 2016 when it closed.  In 2019, has it returned? We will look into the resurrection of the much loved MALTHOUSE CAFE.

Episode 3:  Welcome to San Antonio.  Home of  the World's Best Barbacoa.

No one does Barbacoa like San Antonio.  There are more molinos in San Antonio than any other city in the country.  I will take you to some of my favorite molinos in the Alamo City, including one that doubles as a karaoke bar.  It must be seen to be believed.

Episode 4:  SAN ANTONIO ASIAN FESTIVAL 2019

One of my favorite days of the year.  A cool cultural festival featuring food from all over Asia.  Why is lumpia the world's perfect food, and why Korean BBQ is so addictive?  I give you a tour of Asian food heaven.

Episode 5:  Food At A Rock Festival

I am headed to the Rockville Rock Festival to show you what to do about food if you are camping out at a music festival for 3 days.  What not to bring, and what is a must bring, I tell all with my cousins there to rock.  Raise your devil horns and lets eat.

I want to thank everyone who has read my blog.  The first year was amazing, and the new year will have alot of cool things happening.  Keep reading, and I will keep exploring.

Ramen made a killing in the food market in 2018

Over the last 35 years, we have looked at ramen as a dish that in Japan is great cuisine that is a quick eat in the USA.  It was thought for a while that only Japan had great ramen, and that the ramen in America was a noodle square that you boiled in water for ten minutes.  In 2018, Japanese quality ramen became a regular in the United States.  Foodies are lining up for what the noodle bars popping up everywhere have to offer.

It was thought that Pho was a huge threat to ramen in the food market, and for a little while it was.  Pho was a healthy alternative at a fraction at the price of ramen.  But, flavor wins all.  Ramen eateries started offering Japanese style bowls of ramen such as Shoyu, Tonkotsu, and spicy Miso to much fanfare.  These bowls of ramen introduced America to visually appealing naruto-maki or fish cake.  American noodle bars started to look like ramen bars in Shinjuku.  

Two weeks ago, I took a couple of old high school friends to a ramen eatery that I have reviewed on this blog called NAMA RAMEN located in the Northwest side of San Antonio.  They were huge fans of Pho, but had never tried traditional Japanese ramen.  I advised them to try the Shoyu ramen which has pork belly and a chicken/soy broth.  The bowl also had a soft boiled egg,  naruto-maki, seaweed, and green onions.  After one try, they fell in love with Shoyu ramen.  It was packed with flavor, was filling, and hit the spot.  My friend Paul was surprised how good the ajitama or spiced soft boiled egg was.  Paul is not a big fan of eggs, and loved how the yolk had the texture of mashed potatoes.  Needless to say they want to go back.  

Ramen is both great cuisine and a comfort food.  It offers alot of flavor for an affordable price.  It is my go to food when I can  not decide what to have for dinner.  It is great for a gathering of friends.  It is a food trend that is here to stay. Find your local ramen noodle bar, and order a bowl with extra naruto-maki.  Trust me you will love it