Fam Fest Flipside Arts and Music Festival 2018 Miami New Times August 11

You may have seen the news that the Plano Airship Festival has been canceled for the 3rd time in iv years, only the urban center of Plano isn't taking a year off from festivities. While you tin can't get a flight in a hot air balloon this twelvemonth, you can get flights of food and cocktails all over town.

And though the State Fair of Texas hasn't been canceled, the city of Garland is repeating final year'southward popular Fair Fare on the Square event. A dozen restaurants around the urban center square will offering fair-inspired carte du jour items to those who just can't get enough fair food.

Both events volition run for the entire month of September, and both are worth a visit, even if you have to make a trek to the 'burbs. If you're looking for outdoor or at-domicile dining and safe entertainment that doesn't involve big, crowded events, these go-at-your-ain pace activities will fill the bill (and your belly).

Plano Up, Upward and Away Days

Instead of getting a gold sentinel after 40+ years of service, the Plano Balloon Festival is getting some extra holiday time this year. Yes, we're sad about it, but what do we do when we're sorry? Nosotros brand lemonade out of lemons. Or we ask our bars and restaurants to practise it for united states of america.

"Balloons or no balloons, our talented food and beverage community have gotten into the spirit of the festival to offering consumers a fun and flavorful new pursuit. It's a win-win for everyone," said Mark Thompson, director of Visit Plano.

Xviii or more participating restaurants will offering flight specials throughout the month of September with a broad variety of restaurants and cuisines represented. Urban Rio is serving an titbit flight of 3 contrasted tacos ($10), while Flying Fish is serving their "Grunter Wallow" fried seafood sampler for ii ($28) with two catfish fillets, four shrimp and six oysters. Sweets are on the carte likewise: Milky Treats is offer a flight lath ($xx) with scoops of the shop's eight well-nigh popular flavors (including Unicorn Credibility, Salty Toffee and Choco-lit Coma) or your own favorites in the combo of your choice.

Beer, bourbon and cocktail flights are also role of the fun. Go a Shiner beer flight ($6.fifty) of 4-ounce pours at Dearest and War in Texas or a 4-whiskey flight ($16) at Whiskey Cake. Prim & Proper (inside Neighborhood Goods at Legacy West) will be serving a flying of four aviation-themed mini cocktails ($22).

To be fair, some of these flights are regular carte du jour items, but if a monthlong flight-themed issue takes some of the sting out of the festival cancellation, we're all for it. And putting the spotlight on local restaurants is never a bad idea.

For the full listing of participating restaurants and flights, drop past the Visit Plano website.

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These jalapeño pimento cheese fried assurance of glory are a crowd favorite.

Paw Paw's

Fair Fare on the Foursquare Back for Seconds in Garland

Last year when the State Fair of Texas was canceled, Garland restaurants on the foursquare came together for a foodie event that was pandemic proof. With all the deep-fried or on-a-stick food we were going to miss, information technology was a roaring success, making outdoor dining on fair fare the matter to exercise in September.

The outcome is back for another run, giving fair food lovers a adventure to get an early start before Large Tex comes alive at Fair Park. "In Downtown Garland, we tin can smell September already," Letecia McNatt, Garland Downtown Evolution coordinator said. "These restaurants are putting their own spin on everything fit to be fried. Be sure to article of clothing your stretchy pants."

Everything fit to exist fried is right. From a corn dog ($2.25) at Hubbard'southward Cubbard to Funnel Cake Chips ($12) at Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery, all the options are affordable and at that place'due south an added bonus in that you don't demand an admission ticket or coupons to buy them.

Y'all tin become caramel and candy-coated apples ($5 to $8) at Mrs. J's Heavenly Delights, Cotton wool Candy Tea ($8) at G-Town Nutrition, a Fried Twinkie Latte at fifth Avenue Nutrition and fried Twinkies ($v) at Paw Paw's. At last year's event, Paw Paw'due south also served upwards something called Horny Toads — fried pimento cheese with jalapeños. Also priced at $5, these were amidst the best-tasting things this author ate last year, and they're back for an encore.

"My wife and I dear the off-white; it was our first date," Cary Hodson, owner of Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery said. "Nosotros besides love collaborating with other businesses. And then when this idea came up, we were immediately on board. It non just helped us and other businesses weather the closures of 2020, but it brought joy to ourselves and many customers who were as well missing the fair.

"This yr nosotros take a Fruity Flakes Cream Ale, our Fruity Flakes Funnel Cake Fries and footlong corn dogs," Hodson said. "On Mondays, our special burger will be a fried PB&J Burger." Other eatery owners around the square are looking forward to this issue besides.

If outdoor dining is a priority for you, some of the restaurants offering outdoor seating. Merely all of them are on or around the downtown foursquare making it piece of cake to become takeout to eat in the picnic area in the middle of the square.

And since there's no access fee, you don't take to put those stretchy pants to the test all in ane go. These special dishes will be offered all month alongside regular menus, and so eating a mostly healthy repast or sampling a different (not-fried) cuisine is altogether possible.

The full list of participating restaurants and fair-inspired foods can be found on the Visit Garland website.

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Source: https://www.dallasobserver.com/restaurants/plano-balloon-fest-goes-foodie-and-fair-fare-on-the-square-returns-to-garland-12319736