What are the chances that TOP CHEF will ever come to Texas?

[derby378]

Let's see - San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and now New York. Sounds like the producers are going out of their way to avoid the Lone Star State. What gives?

Sure, Texas has this big steak reputation, and our version of meat-and-potatoes may be a Whataburger with French fries, but we've also got Tex-Mex, Native American, BBQ, French, German, Czech, Polish, and even Norwegian influences in our food. You have to search for it at times, but Texans are surprisingly diverse when it comes to all things gastronomic.

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. I love County Line BBQ in Houston...

...and all the mom and pop tex mex in the area.

[derby378]

4. Mom-and-pop Tex Mex is wonderful

There's also El Fenix, El Chico, and Mariano's, where the frozen margarita was invented. The original frozen margarita machine is now enshrined in the Smithsonian.

Sadly, Mariano's lost its lease on its original site in Dallas' "Old Town" district, but they've set up new digs a few miles from White Rock Lake. We have to get their tableside guacamole whenever we go. It's just that good.

[Symarip]

2. What's Top Chef?

Seriously. I don't know.

Anyhow, with regards to Texan dining, when my band went on tour through Texas we noted that our meals were broken down in gargantuan portions of food you don't really want to eat.

[derby378]

3. It's a cooking reality/game show on Bravo

Darn good stuff. They post some of the winning recipes on Bravo's website, too.

True, Texans are all about the portions. But was it all that bad? I'm rather disturbed. I hope you found something good while visiting our state.

[Symarip]

5. Oh I had a blast.

I love Texas. And I love cooking and have since become somewhat of a smoker, myself, and therefore studied the ways of the Texas BBQ Pits. Anyhow, long story short, aside from BBQ we were not very impressed with the food. Granted, we zipped through the whole state in only a week. My biggest gripe is Tex-Mex and I don't like it at all. Compared to So Cal/Baja styled Mexican food, it doesn't do much for me.

Texas is a wonderful state. I loved Austin and Houston. San Antonio was interesting though I thought we were going to get shot. All in all, if someone offered me a ticket to go back to Texas to visit, I'd start packing my bags now.

Check out my platonic life partners: http://www.myspace.com/ryanscroggins

[derby378]

7. I've had a little Baja/So-Cal

It's good stuff. Could always go for it again. But I do love my Tex-Mex. One of my favorites is sour cream chicken enchiladas, which I know is not a universal favorite, but it fits me.

Something I'd love to do, just for the hell of it, is drive across the border to Piedras Negras in Mexico to visit that little hole-in-the-wall restaurant where nachos were first invented. Yum.

[GOPisEvil]

6. I have a feeling the next show will be in New Orleans.

It's much more a culinary center than anyplace in Texas, although Dallas' culinary scene isn't too bad from what I hear.

Plus, all of those cities above are more "touristy" and well-known than anyplace in Texas.

[derby378]

8. I can see New Orleans in about 2-3 years

They need a little more time to rebuild, IMHO. They're working on it, and hopefull we'll start seeing real progress with Obama in charge.

But New Orleans would be a nice choice for a Top Chef season.

[HamdenRice]

9. They are limited to a specific culinary tradition that isn't so much in Texas

I love Top Chef, but have to admit that its idea of great food is a very limited tradition taught in culinary schools. Almost every contestant, and certainly every successful contestant is a graduate of culinary school and a sous chef or executive chef at a restaurant that's part of that tradition. Texas may have great food, but generally it's not part of that tradition. Of course Dallas and Houston have restaurants that are part of it (Tre and kiss of death woman who almost won -- oh yeah, Casey -- were both from Texas, right?) but I don't think there would be enough local celebrity chef judges around.

[derby378]

10. Anthony Bourdain would make the trip to Texas

Don't know how long he could hang around, but he enjoyed his visit to the Texas/Mexico border. Just don't get him anywhere near a Chili's.

[AwakeAtLast]

11. I see Las Vegas in that show's future.

Seattle would be awesome, too!

[derby378]

12. Both are also good choices

"What, we have to shoot in Vegas amongst the big casinos, fine restaurants, great shops, and all those spas and resorts? Oh, the imposition of it all..."

[davsand]

13. I'm not sure I can see Tom and Padma hanging with cowboys for too long.

The Tex Mex cuisine has a lot of possibilities but I just have real problems seeing those two in Texas for too long. They seem a bit too full of themselves to ever be able to relax and have that much fun.

Don't get me wrong--get Padma stoned enough and I'm sure she's a real hoot--but I honestly figured Chicago was about as "small town" as she was gonna be able to handle.

:shrug:

I kind of expect them to go to an international thing before too long. Maybe Top Chef Paris or Top Chef London (not that British food is noted for being all that good, but I'm betting Padma could probably find some good smoke there.)


Laura

[derby378]

15. TOP CHEF in Amsterdam!

Padma can camp out at Grey Matter where she can toke up on that Bubblegum blend without getting hassled by the cops. Maybe munch on a few Space Cookies, too. Why not?

[davsand]

17. OMG!! A quickfire challenge cooking with POT!!!

Bourdain and Padma BOTH would love to judge THAT one!!!!

Better yet! An elimination challenge make an entire dinner with a different form of pot in every course! This might be one dinner where Gail Simmons likes everything on her plate, and Chef Tom can't remember what he wants to be critical of.


:rofl:


I think you may be on to something here! Better submit this idea to the producers ASAP.


Laura

[GOPisEvil]

16. You do know Texas has large, modern cities, right?

Houston is the 4th largest city in the country.

[davsand]

18. That was more a commentary on their inability to see Texas clearly.

I think they have a very real attitude about anyplace that is not someplace they live or visit on vacation.



Laura

[GOPisEvil]

21. Ah, I see what you mean.

I think the real issue is the lack of a culinary scene (famous chefs, restaurants, etc.). Only Dallas has any sort of scene.

[rcrush]

14. Someone told me that San Antonio is one of the fattest cities in the US?

Is this true? I've gotten kind fat over the years. Can I blame the city?

[Lucian]

19. Ewwww....I hope never.

[Shakespeare]

20. Houston and Dallas have some outstanding restaurants, and at least one celeb chef, Dean Fearing.

Yeah, I could absolutely see them doing a season of Top Chef in either city (but probably Dallas).