TasteCast

In this latest TasteCast episode, we go clucking crazy for grocery store rotisserie chicken. Read more: https://www.expressnews.com/food/article/Podcast-The-3-best-rotisserie-chickens-from-San-14464214.php

In this latest episode of TasteCast, Chuck Blount and Mike Sutter name their seven favorite San Antonio-area burger joints from the first nine months of their 52 Weeks of Burgers series. You’d be surprised what magic people can conjure from just beef, buns and the things they throw on top.

We dive deep into our favorite restaurants that have a small, limited menu of one or two things that they do really well.

In the perverse world of Texas’ best barbecue, you lack some street cred if you’re not selling out. Read more: TasteCast on ExpressNews.com

Whose is better: Popeyes’ or Chick-fil-A’s? The sandwich from a local San Antonio spot, and we give you our faves. Read more:

The Taste Team talks heat and gives you tips for staying cool through food: the city’s best frozen treats from restaurants, the best frozen treats from the freezer aisle of the grocery store, and the 10 best San Antonio margaritas. Read all about it: https://www.expressnews.com/podcasts/tastecast/

Chuck Blount opines on the calls for a boycott of Bill Miller Bar-B-Q after Castro’s Trump Tweet. Background reading: https://www.expressnews.com/food/article/Podcast-Politics-and-BBQ-Why-food-boycotts-14300962.php

In the wake of three recent zero-star reviews, the Express-News Taste team explains why they still visit local restaurant institutions. Read more at ExpressNews.com: https://www.expressnews.com/podcasts/tastecast/

Avogeddon? Maybe not, but the ups and downs of the avocado supply are the stuff of nightmares for San Antonians. Plus the best things we ate this week.

In this TasteCast episode, we talk about Beyond Meat, the veggie burger and sausage brand that is all over social media with folks sharing pics of their grilling exploits. Chuck Blount tried these for his Chuck’s Food Shack column and came away pretty impressed — which, for a hard-core carnivore and cookout expert like him is high praise indeed. 

We grill and taste our way through those sausages in the grocery case and deliver some pro tips about the knives you should have in your kitchen right now. We’ll get all cowboy and talk about Tejas Steakhouse & Saloon, and we’ll cool off with the Big Swig flavored sparkling water that’s popping up all over the place. 52 Weeks of Burgers explores Frontier Burger, and we celebrate peach season with a clever Italian twist on peach cobbler. For more details on this episode: https://www.expressnews.com/podcasts/tastecast/

The Express-News Taste team helps you step up your spice rack game with some of the spices that don’t get the love they deserve. We shine fresh light on five salads you shouldn’t miss at San Antonio restaurants. Discover Japanese ramen and other pleasant surprises from Kuriya @ Cherrity Bar on the city’s near East Side, then into burger and beer mode at Blue Star Brewing Co. Open up some canned white wine from Texas with us, and we’ll tell you about a cool Korean spot in an unassuming office building.  https://www.expressnews.com/podcasts/tastecast/

This week on TasteCast, we’re gearing up for July Fourth with burgers and dogs cooked low and slow on a smoker instead of the grill. And for fans of the noble grape, we explore ways to incorporate it into your cooking plans. We’ll also hear what restaurant critic Mike Sutter has to say about CoCo Bongo Cocina & Bar — and it’s a doozy, folks — as well as the latest burger report from Charlie Brown’s. We’ll head into the kitchen with a fun new vegetable cookbook, and whip up a frosty cocktail that will appeal to your inner 8-year-old.

We talk about how to cook with floral syrups - not just drink them - and we give you the list of the top 5 dishes we ate this month. Also, why Silo Terrace Oyster Bar is the best seafood restaurant in San Antonio, and all the good to be found at Big’z Burger Joint. We tell you about the Friday fried chicken special we’re obsessed with, how to boost your potato salad game, and we get all ranty about vampires, aka - mosquitoes on restaurant patios. 

Today we talk about what to get dad for Father’s day and San Antonio’s Tiger Woods of brisket trimming. We talk about the zero-star review for the Grey Moss Inn Restaurant, taste test some crunchy veggie snacks Paul picked I suspect as torture and well tell you about all the good that awaits you at Filé’s Burgers on the West Side. We also tell you about a new line of cheeses meant to go on your grill, how to bring some global favors to you potato salad this summer and we get all ranty about the role of restaurant reviewers. And by we, I mean Mike Sutter.

Today we talk about how to bring the fragrant taste of lavender into your cooking and Chuck talks some tomahawks steaks. Then we talk about the 1 ½-star review of Savor in the Pearl and the sad state of affairs at San Antonio Burger Co. We taste test some wee protein bites, tell you about the beignets we’re obsessed with, tell you step-by-step how to make a peach margarita and we get all ranty about food trucks that don’t let you know where you can find them.

This week we tell you how to use the summer to teach your kids some cooking skills. We also tell you about the joys of grilled, bacon-wrapped appetizers and the 2-star review of San Antonio’s newest French restaurant, Bistr09. We taste test some chicken and waffles cereal (yes, you heard that right) and we tell you about the dismal experience Mike had at Luther’s Cafe. We’ll also tell you about the tomato sauce you will crave for the rest of your life, how to update and chef-up your pasta salad game and we get all ranty about how everything — EVERYTHING — has bacon now.

We talk about how great corn and seafood are together, and we give you a great recipe to prove it. We also tell you the 5 best dishes we ate in May, and we talk about the 1-star review of Tong’s Thai Restaurant on Austin Highway. We Talk about what’s going on at downtown diner Candy’s Old Fashion, we give you recipes for two delish honeydew cocktails, tell you about the Instagram account you need to be following now, and we get all ranty about recipe fails -- and trust me, we encounter a lot of them.

We talk about about how to cook with sweet tea and how to make northern Mexico-style pollo asados at home. We talk about the 1 ½-star review of SoLuna mexican restaurant, we taste test some San Antonio-made chile pequin jam, we tell you what’s happening over at Armadillo’s Burgers and we get all ranty about a documentary that claims Texas is only about the beef for its barbecue. We say that’s hogwash.

We spice up your life and your mayonnaise five different ways, all with the flavors of Mexico. We introduce you to five of San Antonio best meat markets, and we tell you what there is to love about Julian’s Italian Pizzeria & Kitchen. We’ll also taste test some low-calorie meringues, tell you all the good stuff happening at Kicaster Country Store and Grill in Adkins, and we get all ranty about restaurants who keep their diners hostage for hours.

Today we talk about all the ways you can cook and drink with loquats, and we tell you the best 5 dishes the Taste Team enjoyed this month. We also tell you about a gem serving the city’s best tortas ahogadas and we talk about the burger game at Papa’s Burgers on the West Side. We taste test some canned spritzers, tell you all about the Asian noodle food truck we’re obsessed with right now and because San Antonio chef Johnny Hernandez is about to face off with Bobby Flay, we wonder aloud whether the show is rigged or Bobby Flay is really that good.

We talk about all the bread puddings that you can make from your leftover Easter bread. We’ll also introduce you to some charming little goats that want to change the way the region views goat milk and cheese. We talk about the 2-star rating for Biga on the Banks, tell you what’s happening over at Biff Buzby’s Burgers in Live Oak, and we taste test some flavored sparkling waters from Ozarka. Also, we’re obsessed with a chile pequin chile oil, we tell you how to make the most adorable Fiesta Stuffed Mini Peppers and we get all ranty about dinner theater. Because, just don’t.

We tell you what the heck to do with those cactus paddles you see in the produce section, and we break down the biggest myths in the barbecue world and tell you why they’re more fiction than fact. We talk about the two-star review of Sushihana, taste test some protein cookies and tell you about the outstanding burgers at Freiheit Country Store. Why are we obsessed with loquats? Find out. And we get all ranty about Guy Fieri, the man so much of America loves to hate.

We give you our picks for San Antonio’s best tacos, barbecue and margaritas, because we think Culinaria and the city’s World Heritage Office is doing it wrong. We also talk about avocado’s sweeter side and how to incorporate these fabulous little fruits into your desserts. We dive into the 1-star review of El Bucanero Mexican seafood and tell you what’s going on at Chunky’s Burgers - spoiler alert! Lots of pain. We’ll taste test some artisanal kombucha, talk about the Burmese candy we’re obsessed with, how to make the best deviled eggs ever -- they have smoked salmon! -- and we get all ranty about people too cheap to spring for a nice dinner but who have no issues dropping $100 or more at NIOSA.

We tell you how to hack your Tex-Mex recipes to make them surprisingly healthy, and, NIOSA lovers, we tell you how to make those mouthwatering anticuchos at home. We also talk about the zero-star review of Paesanos, the burgers at Mark’s Outing, we taste-test some gin made with honey, we talk about the whole duck we are obsessed with, give you the recipe for a puro gin cocktail made with pickle juice and Topo Chico, and we get all ranty about the possibility that we might have avocados soon. Yes, folks, we’re talking about an avo-pocalypse!

We get all puro with it, taking on the San Antonio classic steak con queso and taste testing a new San Antonio cola. We also tell you what 5 things you should be eating right now, we give you the lowdown on Eastside Kitchenette and Griff’s Hamburgers, we talk about our latest cheese roasting obsession, how to make dill herb butter for all your crudite needs and we get all ranty about traveling with people who won’t eat the local food.

We to talk about all the fresh produce available in San Antonio farmers markets right now, and Chuck tackles a tough cut of chuck beef and comes out victorious with a tasty meal. We also talk about the 1-star review of Burnwood '68 barbecue, why it’s worth it to drive to The Cove for their burgers and we taste test some flavor-infused maple syrups. We tell about the San Antonio pizza truck we are obsessed with, give you the recipe for The Last Word cocktail and we give you the list of the 4 best patios to dine on in San Antonio during this wonderful spring weather.

On this week’s TasteCast, we talk about tasty little fishies you should be eating now for Lent — or any time really, and how to get consistent cooking results from your grill or smoker by controlling that temperature. We also talk about Mike’s 1 ½-star review of Arirang Korean restaurant on Austin Highway, the burgers at Sam’s Burger Joint and we taste test some coconut chips. We’re coo-coo for coconuts! We’re loving the Irish stew at Luther’s Cafe on Main Avenue and we get all ranty about Daylight Savings Time.

We talk about the first 4-star review dining critic Mike Sutter has ever given here and the Olmos Park restaurant that earned it. We also tell you about some easy-to-cook-with squashes that aren’t zucchini, some amazing grilling and cooking contraptions created by kids at the rodeo, and the burgers that are still holding steady at Chester’s. We tell you about the latest food book we’re obsessed with and we give you the recipe for what might be the world’s first Puro San Antonio pimento cheese. And to cap it off, we wax rhapsodic about soon-to-be-released “Top 100 Dining & Drinks” guide -- you won’t want to miss the details on how to get your hands on this guide to SA’s best restaurants, bars, wineries, distilleries, breweries, bakeries and coffee shops.

We’ve got a riot of a show for you this week that includes a full on showdown between the Ikea and Costco food courts. We’ll get into uses for brisket that go beyond barbecue, and highlight five things we love in San Antonio area restaurants right now. We’ll check in on Bombay Bicycle Club for our latest installment of 52 Weeks of Burgers, hear all about the y’all featured in the new season of Netflix’s show Chef’s table and taste a mung bean-based protein snack mix.

We talk about everything you need to know to make your own pasta at home and also how to make an instant party with a seafood boil - because it’s crawfish season! We talk about Mike Sutter’s 2-star review of La Frite Belgian Bistro in Southtown, the mediocre burgers at Orderup in Lincoln Heights and all the recent restaurant news. We’ll explore a puro San Antonio pairing of spicy chicharrones and pimento cheese, Chuck’s new salon obsession and how it can improve your barbecue and instead of ranting, we praise some restaurants that aren’t too proud to modify their dishes.

We tell you why you should be cooking with booze (and we don’t mean just drinking it while you cook.) Chuck takes on the task of discovering which commercial sauces and condiments taste better smoked, and we talk about the zero-star review for Mr. C’s Fried Chicken & Waffles on the far West Side. We also talk about the burgers at The Lord’s Kitchen, and we get all ranty about the crappy food at airports.

Today we'll talk about fideo and why you shouldn’t be afraid to get crazy with it, ese. We’ll also talk about the old-school beef cut that rivals brisket, the 1 ½-star review of Babil Cafe in the Medical Center and the latest burger report on Fletcher’s in the Pearl’s food hall. We’ll also talk about how we are obsessed with a little sprinkle of seaweed, the perfect bubbly cocktail to make your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day and we get all ranty about retailers whose websites claim to have something in stock, but then they don’t. Lies!

Today we talk about why sourdough bread is so popular again, what we learned at the rodeo’s barbecue cook-off and the 2-star review of Ácenar on the River Walk. We also talk about the burgers at Big Bob’s Burgers, the green chile and sausage queso that you should make for the Super Bow, and we get all ranty about hosts and order-takers spending all their time on the phone instead of us, who are there, in person, in their faces, waiting.

In this episode we talk about the food of the South and how hard it is to pin down a single “this is the South” definition when it comes to the food — as well as the regions and people. We’ll also tell you the 5 things you should be eating and drinking in San Antonio right now, and we give you the scoop on Bobby J’s in Helotes. We’ll also talk about the 1 ½-star review of A Dong Chinese & Vietnamese Restaurant in Selma, all the restaurants opening and closing this San Antonio this past week, and our obsession with drinking coconuts. We also give you a truly great oven-baked wing recipe just in time for the Super Bowl, and we get all ranty about restaurants that don’t update their online menus.

We talk about why there is no better time than now to make a plant-based diet a goal and what we learned from a champion rib maker. We also talk about the 1 1/2 -star review of SoHill Cafe in Beacon Hill, all the cheesy goodness at burger spot Cheesy Jane's and why we’re obsessed with Naegelin’s Bakery in New Braunfels. We also give you the recipe for a smooth-drinking cocktail that takes advantage of this season’s citrus bounty and we get all ranty about the ubiquitousness of chicken and waffles.

So we took a bit of a break over the holidays and we have a lot to catch up on in this episode. We said goodbye to 2018 with the close of our 52 Weeks of BBQ series and a list of the top 10 barbecue joints in San Antonio. We also put together a list of the top 25 dishes of the year. And we are starting 2019 with the launch of 52 Weeks of Burgers. We’ll discuss all of this, plus why you should be cooking with liquid smoke instead of shunning it, our two-star review of Mrs. Kitchen, what to do with that air fryer you got for Christmas and why hate Dryuary and all food resolutions (well, most of them.)

We talk about christmas cookies, how to make your own holiday ham, and the 2 ½-star review of Meadow Neighborhood Eatery + Bar. We also check in with the barbecue at The Granary, we sample some Austin Eastciders flavors, and we tell you what we’re excited about at the S.A. Cocktail Conference in January. We tell you how to make crispy Parmesan cups that you can fill with a variety of flavors and instead of getting ranty, we wax nostalgic about the odd holiday treats we enjoyed as kids and then make fun of each other. Yay!

We talk about some Mexican soups and stews with a modern twist, all the things you should be getting the foodie on your gift list and the 1-star review of Liberty Bar. We’ll also talk about the new barbecue book we’re obsessed with, we give you an easy recipe for Mexican hot chocolate and we get all ranty about the fruitcake haters out there.

We talk about modern Jewish cuisine, the five breakfast sandwiches to eat in San Antonio right now and the zero-star review of Hon Machi Japanese & Korean BBQ in Stone Oak. We also taste a Texas newcomer into the crowded mineral water scene, we’ll tell you what to do with all that leftover wine after a party and we get all ranty about sneaking food into movie theaters.

We talk about Thanksgiving: 8 dishes to bring some creative oomf to your table and 13 GOOD holiday wines all under $15. We also taste test some Texas sotol and pineapple tequila and fawn over Snoop Dogg’s surprisingly good (and seriously funny) new cookbook. We also tell you how to DIY your own marinated snackies and we get all ranty about bossypants restaurants that find the need to scold customers into obedience.

We'll help you update those classic casseroles, including a killer recipe for King Ranch Chicken. Plus we'll explore the meat and mystery of working with a Pit Barrel cooker, our 1.5 star review of Las Sabrosas de Guanajuato and the closing of 50-year Tex-Mex favorite El Mirador. Our 52 Weeks of BBQ series hits Bob's Smokehouse, and we get on our soapbox about soap. You love it, we hate it: Fabuloso.

We tell you how to make a great, low-stress brunch at home this holiday season. We rate the 9 best canned baked beans from your grocery store and we talk about the 1-star review for the once-great La Canarias at the Omni La Mansion del Rio. We’ll tell you what you need to know when you head out to Wurstfest in New Braunfels and the awesomeness that is 2M Smokehouse. We also give you two fall mimosa recipes and we get all ranty about the politics behind fast-food.

We talk about how to make good pizza and beef jerky at home. We also talk about the 2-star review of old-school favorite Josephine Street Cafe, we taste test from French red wine, we talk about our disastrous visit to Smoke BBQ Brew Venue in St. Paul Square and we get all ranty about bad restaurant karma. Seriously. It’s a thing.

This week we tackle the classic bowl of Texas red, serve up five notable sandwiches and sip a recent winner at the Great American Beer Festival. We'll also hear a 2-star review of the new Playland and dish on the meats over at Snoga's Bar-B-Q. For dessert we've got a Halloween party punch with a side order of rant about leaving a tip on those iPad payment systems.

We tell you how to make a quick pan sauce to finish your meat and give you the 12 frozen pizzas we actually recommend you keep in your freezer, and. We also talk about the 2 1/2 -star review of The Esquire Tavern and our obsession with chiles pequín and what to do with the spicy little suckers. We give you a grown-up pigs in a blanket recipe and we get all ranty about people who insist on customizing everything they order.

What’s available at area farmers markets and Chuck’s new wurst love affair. We talk about the 2-star review of Madurai Mes, taste test some of Becker Vineyards’ double-gold winners and let you know about the peanut hummus that will be your new obsession. We also give you the recipe for the perfect fall transition cocktail with tequila and cherry juice and we get all ranty about diners who want to try a new place and then order the same old thing.

Everything you need to know about all the cooking fats, how pellet grills and smokers are going mainstream and the 2-star review of downtown ramen restaurant Kimura. We also taste test some pork jerky, talk about the new sauce we’re obsessed with, how to make 2 spanish tapas hors d'oeuvres - on a stick. And we get all ranty about the horror of rude tablemates in restaurants.

We are cooking with beer in honor of Oktoberfest and drinking beer while cooking in honor of tailgate season. We also talk about the new barbecue restaurant to earn a high rating on a dining review, taste test some hemp food products, talk about the new book of worldly pancake recipes that we’re obsessed with, and how to update the classic gin and tonic for fall. And then we rant away about those obnoxious coffee shop squatters hooked on free WiFi and caffeine.

The cooking crew makes the most of extra space on the smoker, plus we get greasy with a half dozen recipes for oven-baked chicken wings to feed that football crowd. Also, we test a new line of pimiento cheese snack packs and see what's happening at one of San Antonio's most popular pizzerias.

While Emily Spicer is away, the boys will play on today's episode of the TasteCast Podcast. Topics include edible plants native to Texas, five sandwiches we're loving right now, a "Cheetos" taste test, and discussion of when a restaurant should close, and when it should stay open. Read more at https://www.expressnews.com/food/.