The first Independence Day parties looked nothing like our modern backyard barbecues. Instead of hot dogs and chips, early Americans dined on whatever they could grow, hunt, or preserve. Imported goods like tea and spices were pricey luxuries, and refrigeration didn’t exist, so food was seasonal or salted, smoked, or pickled to last.
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From Thursday, July 3 to Saturday, July 26, the iconic Portillo’s Beef Bus will be at the following locations, making it easy for everyone to grab a taste of Portillo’s classics like Chicago-style Hot Dogs with all the fixings, a mini version of its famous Italian Beef Sandwich, Char-Grilled Italian or Maxwell Street Polish Sausages, and crispy crinkle-cut French Fries:
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In Oak Lawn area of Dallas, Open Sesame doesn’t rely on flash or spectacle. It draws you in quietly—with the scent of roasted garlic, the warmth of grilled meat, and the unmistakable magnetism of food that’s been labored over with care. The Lebanese menu is concise but far from limited, allowing the kitchen to focus on quality, not quantity.
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There’s something timeless about the Fourth of July. It’s a day when backyards transform into concert halls for cicadas and classic rock, when the air smells like grilled corn, sunscreen, and sparklers, and when everyone—just for a moment—leans into the beauty of summer’s loudest, proudest holiday. The flag waves a little brighter, the kids run a little faster, and the drinks? Well, they better be as spirited as the celebration itself.
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In a city known for its stockyards and cowboy bravado, Roy Pope Grocery in Fort Worth stands as a quiet monument to local heritage and refined taste. On the genteel streets of Arlington Heights this neighborhood grocery has evolved far beyond its 1943 origins as a humble provisions store. Today, it operates as a hybrid—part market, part café, part coffee and wine bar—anchored by an ethos that respects its past while embracing the rhythms of modern food culture. Inside its burnished-brick facade, visitors are just as likely to run into longtime Westside residents on a morning espresso run as they are to find curious newcomers perusing the boutique wine wall.
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by Steve Adelman
The Ravenswood Old Vine—sourced from century‑old Lodi vineyards—is a bold, charismatic Zinfandel that balances fruit intensity with oak elegance. On the nose, rich aromas of black plum, dark berries, mocha and cigar box spill forth. The palate is full-bodied and luscious—think jammy blackberry, prune, and spice—coated in smooth, silky tannins and finished with toasty coconut-vanilla and clove whispers from its oak aging .
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In the same Northwest Dallas strip center as A Step Up Lounge, Tacos El Metro is a bold and soulful taquería where the star of the show is whole-hog pork—prepared with precision, pride, and more than a little fire. The walls are lined with nifty maps and iconography from Mexico City’s subway system, a nod to the hometown of owner Sergio Quijano, whose culinary journey began far from the casual taco counter he now commands. Quijano trained and cooked for years in some of Dallas’ most refined kitchens, most notably as part of Julian Barsotti’s Italian empire, where he absorbed both the discipline of fine dining and the creative confidence to build something entirely his own.
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A three-day weekend trip from Dallas to San Antonio is an ideal opportunity to explore a city where history, culture, and a fantastic culinary scene intersect along one of the most walkable urban riverfronts in the country. Whether you’re interested in luxurious accommodations or prefer to keep your budget in check, there’s a hotel here that suits every type of traveler.
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