#roadtripeats

OK City to Fort Worth: Pops Shop & {more} Texas Tacos

On our way out of Oklahoma we couldn’t pass up the chance to visit some Route 66 attractions to add to our list of others from previous road trips.  We stopped by Pops Soda Ranch to check out quirky and seemingly limitless varieties they had to offer.  Organized by colors on glass shelving the old glass soda bottles drew the attention of many visitors passing through.  The attraction was not only drawn from the colors, but also by the fun labels and wild flavors ranging from classics like Rootbeer & Orange to “Kitty Piddle” & “Pimple Pop” (proving that there really is no limit to the soda creations available)!

Pops Soda Ranch-- Arcadia, Oklahoma, Route 66

Strawberry by Yacht Club was my soda of choice with the subtle flavors and sweetness of wild strawberries.

We then continued on our journey back to the lone star state for.... more tacos-- of course!  With our very own host and personal tour guide, daddy, leading us to Velvet Taco with some great local flare and flavor.

Velvet Taco-- Fort Worth, Texas

With so many taco choices it was difficult to choose, but this array (ranging from falafel to cat fish to pork) was a wonderful selection paired with unusual {but ever so delightful} sides, including roasted corn with goat cheese & fried egg tots.

Egg tots with a perfectly runny yolk and fried egg white with crispy deep fried tater tots is special to the Velvet taco and unexpectedly tasty.

After leaving the rodeo later that evening, we topped off our eventful night with a walk around the streets of Fort Worth and Gelato from Paciugo by Sundance Square. 

From Peabody Room Service to Side Road Dives!

Arriving in Memphis after dark we strolled past the bright neon lights reflecting on the pavement of Beale Street as we stroll up to The Peabody hotel.  A Wednesday night in Memphis meant earlier hours for restaurants... but not for room service.  If ever in the luxury of The Peabody hotel I recommend taking full advantage of the 24 hour In-room Dining services available. After draping ourselves in The Peabody robes embroidered with ducklings we were quick to decide on the cookies and milk baked fresh to order and delivered at the foot of the bed.  (The only regret being that we had to run an extra mile at the gym the following morning.)

Cookies & Milk for Two

Chocolate chip cookies by The Peabody {wonderfully rich and still warm}

The following day after watching the entertaining parade of the ducks we headed over to Gus’s for some world famous fried chicken for lunch!

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Memphis, TN

As noted by several signs on the interior the daily special is the crisp and spicy fried chicken (served over white bread).  A chicken skin like no other!  This chicken is well worth any wait and a dive you will certainly want to dive into!  The service is also notably exceptional taking the time to refill the home brewed and delightful sweet tea.  The menu provides you with the choice of white or dark meats, legs, thighs, breasts & wings, and a variety of sides if you so choose. (2 dark pieces, thigh & leg, pictured above)

Next on the map was Arkansas where we passed through the lovely and quaint Little Rock known for its history and hiding a spectacular little bakery not far off of the highway, the Community Bakery.  With so many pastries, cakes, & cookies it would have taken us the rest of the afternoon to decide on an order (trust me, we struggle in that department) if it wasn’t for a recommendation of a friend who reminisced about her childhood memories of fantastic cookies here. So the frosted sugar cookie & cowboy cookie it was!

Frosted Sugar Cookie {sweet & delightful} by Community Bakery

The Cowboy Cookie, a peanut butter cookie with oatmeal and chocolate chips, only lacking a glass of milk.

Indulging with Old Friends & New Friends

We headed to Atlanta to meet up with some childhood friends who introduced us to the delightful food culture of Atlanta.

We enjoyed dinner at the Krog Street Market offering a variety of venders with exceptional food.  Yalla was our vender of choice providing a contemporary Middle Eastern menu extending from food to specialty drinks!

Falafel Bowl with a side of Laffa -- my favorite thus far! Paired with the specialty drink below.

Peach, Ginger & Birch carbonated specialty

The following day we got the pleasure of having breakfast at the work of a friend and tasting her delicious pastries for breakfast!

PROOF-- a bakeshop that was recently opened by the owners of Cakes & Ale, another wonderful dining option found in Atlanta.

Ham and Cheese Croissant {fresh & flakey} just the right way to wake up your taste buds!

The Blueberry Biscuit, made by our lovely friend, is a must! A hybrid between a biscuit, scone & muffin offers a sweet start to the day.

Next on the food journey was meeting up with other friends for lunch over Asian cuisine at Steel (located on Peachtree Street-- of course).

The Summer Roll-- a specialty Steel sushi roll wrapped in cucumber

A Watermelon Lemonade specialty drink of Steel made with natural flavors and lots of refills that came along with the excellent service!