food

Excited about Eating by Ernie & Dora Hiers

/ Dora Hiers / 6 Comments

This edition of Excited about Eating takes us to a family owned restaurant located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Boone, NC, and to Coyote Kitchen. This mountain eatery features Southwest Caribbean Soul food and offers burgers, bowls, boats, and tacos just to name a few.Coyote Kitchen Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

Dora here. Winter has to be tough for this restaurant. They have ample outdoor space with tables that extend down a long sidewalk, but a cozy interior (translate small). Not really a restaurant for romantic ambiance or a place to chat privately. But, hey, the food is fantastic and the service friendly and quick. It’s one of our go-to spots in Boone now.

Coyote Kitchen Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

I ordered the chef’s special of the day, the Blackened CAB Tacos with beef, chipotle flavored cream cheese, spinach, tomatoes, caramelized onions, pineapple, and crumbled feta cheese served in flour tortillas. Wrapped in huge soft shells, the sweetness of the pineapple, the crunch from the raw spinach, and the spiciness of the chipotle cream cheese combined to give these tacos a mouthful of favor. Outstanding!

Coyote Kitchen Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

Dora here. The trouble with visiting Coyote Kitchen is that I want to try everything on their menu! lol. I finally decided on the Laos Boat. Amazing! Like a party in my mouth. A dash of sweet, a blast of sass…all those flavors zinging my tongue at different times. Cornbread, black beans, chicken, sweet potatoes, corn, plantains, tomatoes and cheese along with a healthy dollop of a chipotle infused cream cheese. This is the half sized portion, which really was a good size for lunch. Drool alert! 

Coyote Kitchen Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

Laos Boat…party in my mouth!

What’s your heat scale? Raging inferno, fully involved, or simmering sweetly on the back burner?

We rate this restaurant 5 forks out of 5 for a family friendly restaurant serving outstanding food.

Coyote Kitchen Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Excited about Eating by Ernie & Dora Hiers

/ Dora Hiers / 4 Comments

This edition of Exciting about Eating takes us back to Winston-Salem and to Bib’s Downtown, a BBQ joint whose owner, Mark Little, won the 2013 BBQ Pitmasters and is a regular on the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) competition BBQ scene.

Bib's Downtown Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

As a KCBS BBQ Master Judge, I have enjoyed BBQ at numerous establishments. I always appreciate good que and was not disappointed at this stop.

Bib's Downtown Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

2013 BBQ Pitmasters Champion

Dora here. The restaurant was practically deserted the Saturday before Christmas, but hey, everyone was probably out shopping for last minute gifts. (Or all their gifts??) Plus you know we’re earlybirds. Also, this place is downtown. Probably packed during the week, what do you think? (Tell me after you see the pics below. lol) When you’re on wheels, it’s always tough to eat downtown because of parking, but you’ll find spots galore here. Bonus!

Bib's Downtown Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

Not too packed for an early Saturday lunch.

For our lunch, we shared the half rack of ribs and pulled pork combo, but upgraded the pork to brisket. For sides, we chose white slaw, onion rings, hush puppies, and Texas toast. The standout winner on this plate was the brisket, tender, flavorful, and just the right amount of smoke. A close second was the St. Louis style ribs, cooked perfectly with just a little bite and more than I/we could finish in one seating. The hush puppies were golden brown but with a peppery soft inside, a taste that I have never experienced in a hush puppy.

Bib's Downtown Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

The standout winner on this plate was the brisket!

Dora here. Just in case you need a better view…(yes, I’m evil like that, lol)

Bib's Downtown Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

St. Louis style ribs, cooked perfectly with just a little bite and more than I/we could finish in one seating

Wow, just wow! The brisket was amazingly tender, so moist and lean. By far, my favorite over the ribs. I’m not a huge fan of St. Louis style ribs because they tend to be fatty. These were heavier on the meat and the sauce was finger-licking great, so it was easy to overlook the fat. I usually order slaw with my que, and this was sweet but not sugary, nothing to get excited over. But the onion rings? Golden brown excellence! And if a BBQ restaurant can’t serve great okra, there’s no hope for them, lol. No problem here. This okra was crispy and delicious.

What’s your must-have side to go along with BBQ?

We rate this restaurant 5 forks out of 5 for a family friendly restaurant serving outstanding food.

Bib's Downtown Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Excited about Eating by Ernie & Dora Hiers

/ Dora Hiers / 7 Comments

This edition of Excited about Eating takes us on a road trip to Wilkesboro, NC and to Dodge City Steakhouse, a locally owned restaurant serving hand-cut steaks, chicken, ribs, pasta, and sandwiches. Now to most NASCAR fans, Wilkesboro brings up memories of North Wilkesboro Speedway, which hosted NASCAR races from 1949 to 1996, but it is also the second location of Dodge City Steakhouse.

Dodge City Steakhouse Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

Limited hours and ALWAYS jammed when we drive by. Glad we finally decided to stop.

Dora here. Every time we’ve passed this place during their opening hours (which are limited to four days a week), the parking lot is packed. I’m glad we finally decided to stop. This place is ginormous with ample space for hosting large parties.

Ginormous inside with ample space for hosting large parties

I chose the 12oz. New Orleans Sirloin with a loaded baked potato and a side Caesar salad. The New Orleans meant special spices that added a little kick to the meat, and the loaded potato came with cheese, bacon, sour cream, and butter. Although I ordered the steak medium well (a slightly pink center), it came out a little overcooked. Even so, that did not hide the zesty flavor. The baked potato was cooked just the way I like them, with a hard outer skin and soft inside.

Dodge City Steakhouse Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

Dora here. I almost felt bad for Ernie because my steak tips were a perfect medium well, with just a touch of pink, and tender. Mmmm. The veggies were well seasoned and firm, and oh-so-good! Drool-worthy, yes? I don’t order a baked potato very often, but when I do, this is exactly how I want it. Salted on the outside with plenty of butter and sour cream. 🙂

Dodge City Steakhouse Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

Steak Tips a perfect medium well and those veggies were oh-so-good!

What’s your favorite type of potato?

We rate this restaurant 4 forks out of 5 for a family restaurant serving great food.  If that steak would have come out medium well, it would have been a 5.