Eats Beat
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As a Texan foodie (both professionally and personally!), I'm always on the lookout for new food trends that are taking the Lone Star State by storm. Browsing the internet, reading blogs, and listening to podcasts are some of the ways I like to keep up to date with all things Texas food.
However, some sources, in particular, have become frequent go-to's for learning about exciting happenings in the world of Texas cuisine. For innovative Tex-Mex recipes, I like to check out Sweet Life by award-winning blogger Vianney Rodriguez. And Texas Monthly has become a staple dining guide, giving informative reviews and recommendations for eateries across the State.
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It’s important for me to try and make sure I’m getting my information from a variety of sources. And when I’m running some errands at home or am out on a long drive, I love to get absorbed in a food podcast. There are plenty of Texas food podcasts out there, each with their own take and perspective. But for a comprehensive and informative guide to dining in the Metroplex area, I subscribe to Eats Beat – a podcast hosted by Steve Wilson and Bud Kennedy.
Hailing from Fort Worth, Bud Kennedy is a prolific columnist and writer. His column in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Eats Beat, talks about Texas cuisine and where to find it, and is the inspiration behind the podcast of the same name. His co-anchor Steve Wilson, also a Fort Worth native, is Star-Telegram’s platform editor, writing about the Fort Worth food scene. He’s also a certified barbecue judge for the Kansas City Barbecue Society.
Metroplex Foodie Guide
Eats Beat is a podcast with a simple mission – to inform its listeners about the thriving food scene in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. If you love to dine out, then the Metroplex is a true foodie paradise. A trip here means having the chance to visit a whole host of restaurants and food spots that serve every kind of fare (and at every kind of price!).
What makes the Eats Beat podcast particularly special are its well-curated interviews with local chefs, as well as its up-to-date reviews on restaurants in the area. Bud and Steve's journalistic backgrounds shine through the podcast format. And as self-confessed foodies from the Metroplex region, they really know their stuff.
Each episode of the Eats Beat podcast is around 10–25 minutes in length, the perfect amount of time to digest some golden nuggets of foodie information. Actively involved in the local community, Bud Kennedy likes to give relevant insights into the background of selected food establishments. Personally, I find the pace of the podcast very easy to follow. The presenters speak clearly and don’t use any culinary jargon, instead opting for a friendly casual tone. Listening to them is like hearing your friends talk about their favorite conversation topic – in this case, food! The guys make their guests feel relaxed by encouraging an on-air atmosphere that allows interviewees to share their perspectives on the local culinary scene.
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Eats Beat has already produced nearly 200 episodes, each of which discusses different topics related to dining in the Fort Worth Metroplex area. I’m going to review some of my favorites so that you can get a taste of what Wilson and Kennedy’s podcast has to offer.
Episode 25
In this episode, Bud Kennedy and podcast producer Nick Dean talk about a fire that occurred at Lonesome Dove Bistro located in Fort Worth Stockyards (luckily, only the rear part of the dining room was damaged!). They also discuss the opening of Cane Rosso, a Naples-inspired pizzeria in Fort Worth.
Bud’s journalistic background comes into play in the episode, as he narrates the events surrounding the fire at Lonesome Dove, which culminated in a police chase. What’s more, his knowledge of Texas culinary history provides insight into the origins of pizza in the Lone Star State, which I won’t spoil for you here!
Episode 53
In this 14-minute podcast, Bud Kennedy, Steve Wilson, and DFW.com editor Rick Press talk about Fathers’ Day and the best dining spots to take your dad to on this special day. Much was discussed about the best places to get steak in the Metroplex, as well as tips on where to find the most delicious margaritas.
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Episode 184
This episode features Kennedy and Wilson taking us on a foodie tour of Arlington. Joining the podcast is Jim Ross, owner of Arlington’s prime steakhouse Mercury Chophouse. In this episode, Ross is a particularly interesting personality. He was an Arlington police officer, became a lawyer, owned a tattoo shop, and then bought a steakhouse – not the most usual life story!
Ross narrates the beginnings of his steak restaurant which started with a dream of building a prime steak restaurant in Arlington. I love hearing stories about people starting their own businesses, especially when they are a little bit unique. Bud, Steve, and Jim then go on to talk about great places to dine in Arlington – it was great to see a local foodie providing insights into the region’s culinary scene.
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Episode 112
This pre-Halloween podcast special features Kennedy, Wilson, and journalist-historian Robert Philpot. The group talks about new restaurants that have opened in the Fort Worth West 7th area. This cultural district has seen new restaurants sprouting up in recent years, with the trio discussing these new eateries. One of the new restaurants they mention is a personal favorite, Snooze – a Colorado-based chain that serves up banging brunches.
Bud, Steve, and Robert also talk about pumpkin season, which usually begins on Labor Day, giving suggestions on where to get delicious pumpkin pies and other pumpkin desserts.
Episode 196
In this podcast, hosts Kennedy and Wilson talk about all things burgers, discussing, in particular, the legendary Fatburger. In doing so, they interview Maisha Bankhead, franchise owner of FatBurger. FatBurger is a popular chain of burger joints that started in California in the 1950s. Maisha informs listeners that Fatburger is a throwback to the good old days of stand-alone burger stands.
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It was nice to listen to a franchise owner’s perspective on what makes a restaurant chain successful. I learned that the Texas food market is a tough cookie, but that cracking it generates a whole host of business opportunities.
There are many podcasts about the food scene in Texas. So, what makes Good Eats one of the special ones? Well, it prides itself on being the “most delicious podcast in the Metroplex”. And indeed, Bud Kennedy and Steve Wilson make our taste buds tingle by giving us all the freshest info about the best, newest, and most exciting eateries in the region.
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The Metroplex has been dubbed the “Garden of Eden” for foodies and those who love dining out. Want to know more about this culinary hotspot? Then give Good Eats a listen and learn all about the best eats in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington.
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