Food Trucks, Barber Trucks, and Growlers

So, I know it has been a little while since I have written here. I am hoping this is a start of a regular time for me, Anyways, I am bringing you the reviews from the past weekend. My wife and I went Austin St Food Truck Park for the Food Truck Fest last week  by Oak St Draft House and Eastside and boy was it packed. I was spinning in excitement with what all they had, from vegan and vegetarian options, to full on meat coma educing items. This paired with a good beer selection  is a start of a great evening.

First going to the food trucks with the choices galore, from sandwiches to Kim Chi to Bon Mi, gourmet pizzas to barbecue and sushi, you had a wide selection. Many of the local favorites were out there including The Lean Machine, Waffle Wagon, and The Pickled Carrot, there were many others. The one we had was the Easy Slider Truck, they have some interesting parings like goat cheese and strawberry jam on your slider and the Nutty Pig which had Peanut Butter

and bacon topping the small burger of awesomeness.  These guys know how to make a slider interesting and tasty. Looking at all the options, you just have to bring some friends and spread out, so for those of you wanting a wide selection, there is an idea, though might be a bit difficult to get your friends to share the goodness of what they ordered.

Now there was one truck that had no food but still an interesting flavor, my local friends at The Bearded Lady. They can make sure your hair is trimmed and your beard is clean. With offerings of beard salves and balms and a stache dam that will keep that nice looking mustache clean from any beer that you might be enjoying.

After a few glasses of the Oaktopia from Audacity Brew House, we headed over to end the night at The Bearded Monk, which had its grand opening that night as well just behind Eastside at 122 E McKinney St in Denton. Do you need an odd beer? Something you never had before? Head to Ben Easly, he and his crew will make sure you find something that will fit your needs and likes. They have guys that know their beer and ones that you can take home, and even get a growler to fill and head home with fresh draft beer, FRESH DRAFT BEER at home, just making sure you heard me. That's right, the first dedicated growler shop here in Denton, TX. Oh, the uniqueness keeps growing.

But definitely was a sight to see here in Denton. Hope next year will bring some of the old favorites back and some new tasty options as well. Check out these local places and as always support your Denton local businesses. They have some great offerings and some tasty fixings. Let your friends know and stay local. Hope everyone had as much fun as we did. 

A Denton Staycation

This summer has been interesting and not as eventful as other summers in the past. I have been going some places and doing things, yet have not gone to anything major, unless you count my trip to New England to see my sister-in-law graduate from the US Naval Academy (go Navy, beat Army!). But I will simply say other than that it has been a bit quiet. Until news of a few new venues came out! There are now a few new things in Denton that should excite some of the local Denton natives, one is a craft brewers supply store, a growler filling station, and a new place on the square! With all that the city council here in Denton, Texas has made it possible for small breweries to move in the area, I feel like a little kid in a candy store! There is so much going on right here in Denton that it seems it might be looking to boom again.

First off, I want to talk about the new craft brew supply store Baron's Brewwerks, where has this been?!? In all honesty, I never understood why it took so long for someone to open a craft brew supply store. I would think that it would be a no brainer with the community and how many people brew in this area, the closest one I could think of was one in Richardson. Anyways, the owner is a great guy and a welcome addition to the Denton scene, with a great love of the craft and seeing he wants to help people find what he enjoys as well, this is a great addition to the community.

Now, coming in right behind Eastside, The Bearded Monk, a growler filling station. I know, you can get some at Eskimo Hut or at the Chestnut Tree, but competition is healthy, plus, I want to be able to get some of the odd ones you see ar Oak Street Draft House and East Side, This will bring a new facet to the growing popularity of craft beer, especially in this area. Watch for that coming in.

Next, we have a great possibility coming in where the Subway on the square just left, Barley and Board, started by some of the guys that started LSA, this project seems to be a bit high scale. A nice clean look, with that local flare. Love this concept and looking forward to checking it out, hopefully in the near future.

Finally, the story that has been on everyone's mind here in Denton, where are all these brewers going to fit in downtown Denton. There have been some concerns with the proposed ideas of breweries able to set up shop in downtown, one I somewhat understand, the overall atmosphere. I think the concerns that were mentioned in the article here have some validity. Denton has a certain scene, and to see that possibly skewed by something by trying to get business in can be a big risk. The concerns on smells and how it will effect the downtown area is a big concern, no one will want to come if it stinks. i know what all of you are thinking, "Charles, you like beer and Denton, why not mix the two, it just seems logical." I like barbecue sauce and ice cream, doesn't mean they are good together. My main point is, there are some industrial areas that can be used that are needing tenants, and just having them in the area would help out and be a great addition. I do believe that there is some room in the square for some distilleries and brewers. Denton city council needs to be careful with how they designate some of the areas.

So, with everything going on, I feel this year is our year Denton, we are rising to something that might be able to see how Denton is growing in good ways. Hopefully bringing more jobs and life to this already fun little college town. With a new growler station, restaurants and other interesting things going in, this will be something to keep in mind. Keeping an eye out for all you Denton people out there. So grab all you can and watch for more posts here about the new places and reviews!