Everything is bigger in Texas, so they say, right? That's the case with 72 oz. steak that can be found at The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery in Amarillo, Texas.



"In 1960, R. J. “Bob” Lee opened The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo Texas on Route 66, the “Mother Road”. It’s distinctive architecture soon became recognized across the Mother Road as a good stopping place for great steaks grilled over an open flame. The Big Texan is famous for the FREE 72oz steak challenge, which includes eating a salad, baked potato, shrimp cocktail and 72 ounces of beef!" reads the website.



Everything about this place is larger than life. The decor, the personalities, the menu. It's a bit of a spectacle and quite entertaining if you've been driving across the endless Texas landscape for days. At this point, I certainl had a Big Texan appetite.



"The Big Texan feeds almost half a million people each year from all over the world. It has been featured in countless TV shows, movies, magazines, and newspapers throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. Countless movies and sit-coms have featured or parodied the World Famous FREE 72-oz. steak dinner (if eaten in 1 hour)," reads the website.



I wasn't leaving this place without a steak of my own. Not a 72 oz. one, but a perfectly reasonable 10 oz. filet.



Actually, it was served as two 5-ounce filets, plus two sides, rolls and butter.



I opted for macaroni & cheese, as well as green chili cream corn.



Plus a fruit punch, because that is one of the ultimates in beverages.



The steak was really good. I asked for medium, and it was done perfectly. That might be a perk to making hundreds - thousands? - of steaks every day. Warm, pink center. Moist. Delicious. And, you know how folks always say - if it's a good enough steak, you don't need sauce. I am firmly sinking my heals in the fact that simply everythign is better with sauce. A really great steak? Even better with some A1.



The mac & cheese and green chili cream corn were both solid. Nothing too out-of-the-box here, but a good straightforward version. The cream corn did have a bit of a kick to it, which I enjoyed.



Would you put this on your roadtrip itinerary?



Grade: A

Mintage Vintage is a market that hosts more than 100 artisans seasonally in the Parkersburg area. The open-air market spans a number of buildings at the 4H campgrounds in Mineral Wells. There is everything from stickers and clothing to dog treats and food. Of course, food.


Valley View Apiary & Breads
Valley View Apiary & Breads was a new one to me! These breads looked so good.
Sweet Ash Cookies
These beautiful custom sugar cookies are almost too pretty to eat. But don't worry, I will be devouring these carrots.
Wood Chipps BBQ
I started my day with some pulled pork nachos, complete with cheese sauce, bbq sauce, ranch, jalapenos, and, of course, pulled pork. I would've loved these even more if those toppings were layered, but tasty nonetheless.
Farmhouse Kitchen & Bakery
These pastries and baked goods made it hard to choose because each one looked delicious. I ended up going with a Reese Peanut Butter cup brownie. I'm still working my way through that beast.
Philly Twist
Braided soft pretzel with a variety of dips; I went with the honey mustard. A soft pretzel is one of those simple delights because they're not readily available everywhere. It makes me think of a carnival or other event.
Mama Maria
I was pleasantly surprised to see a locally made marinara sauce from Bridgeport. In addition to the sauce, there was also meatball mix and the base for the sauce. If you want to put your own spin on it. I've already been using the sauce as a dip for pepperoni rolls.
Willowbrook Cottage
Speaking of, I snagged a little round pepperoni roll from this bakery. They had mozzarella and pepper jack cheese. Nice for a snack sizespeaking of, I snagged a little round pepperoni roll from this bakery. They had mozzarella and pepper jack cheese. Nice for a snack size.
Fluffy Hippo
I think one of my favorite confections is homemade marshmallows. They don't last as long as the commercial ones, of course, but you can get such interesting flavors. Here, I tried a peanut butter and jelly. The texture is probably off-putting for a lot of folks, but it was so satisfying for me. Like flan, but with more bite.
Timmy’s Originals
As "home of the Smashburger," this food truck made it easy on me. I knew what I had to order. I got one smash burger with cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard, and ketchup. I don't think that it was as flat as I expected from a smashburger, but it was still tasty.
Leslie's Grub Shack
Hands-down, my most favorite bite of the day: a sloppy joe. It was the perfect blend of sweet and tangy, and the huge portion kept me full all day. I'm still thinking about it days later.
Kettle Pop Company
Last, but not least, who doesn't love some kettle corn?

I saw 9290, LLC posted on Facebook that they were going to be serving up dinner plates today.

Because they are primarily a catering business, I hadn't had a chance to try much from them.

So, I jumped at the opportunity and placed an order for fried chicken, sweet mac & cheese, potato salad, honey cornbread & water. All for $17. The fried chicken was nice and crispy, but it was a bit difficult to bite through to the meat without ripping all the skin off in one go. The mac & cheese was a little sweet, which is my favorite. I could have eaten an entire box full of that. The potato salad had sweet pickles/relish, which is not my favorite. And the cornbread was OK, but the entire edge of mine was burnt so I tossed that part of it all in all, a nice comfort food meal perfect for a Sunday. Grade: B

Starvin' Arvin's is a restaurant on the West End of Huntington that features comfort food in a fast environment.



Think spaghetti with meat sauce, pot roast with vegetables, open faced roast beef sandwich -- all at a place with a pick-up window. Is this a dream?



I enjoyed chicken & dumplings - hand-pulled rotisserie chicken immersed in a rich, savory chicken gravy with fluffy dumplings for a comforting, homestyle meal. Soul satisfying.



Mac & cheese - this was okay. A little bland for me. Give me some more flavor.



Meatloaf - a classic blend of seasoned ground beef and pork, baked to a savory finish and topped with a sweet and tangy glaze. Nostalgic favorite for me.



All washed down with a fresh strawberry lemonade, which hit the spot. Delicious.



Grade: A

Savannah Bee Company is a local and specialty honey producer - in the form of honeycomb, bath & body products and more.



"At Savannah Bee Co., our mission is centered on supporting the vital work of bees. Beyond honey, we're committed to safeguarding these essential pollinators, crucial for building hives, sustaining our food supply, and enhancing our environment. Climate change and pesticides threaten their existence, making bee preservation our top priority. Through every honey jar, bee-powered beauty product, or cultivated hive, we actively contribute to their protection. By choosing Savannah Bee Co., you're not just buying products; you're joining our mission to preserve bees and the planet for future generations," reads the website.



They offer so many varieties of honey, from wildflower and tupelo to orange blossom and lavender.



"The species of flower from which the bee gathered the nectar determines the color, flavor, and sugar composition of the honey. Buckwheat honey is black and strong in flavor, acacia honey is almost completely clear and mild. We mostly sell monofloral honey – nectar from one specific flower species. We like to say all honey is good, but some honey is great. And believe us, there is a big difference. Common commercial honey is often blended for color consistency without regard to taste," reads the website.