Tag: food and drink

Posted in News and Features

Get a Taste of Classic Greek Dishes at DTM Gyros in Washington

Posted on by Amanda

I love Greek food, but since I’m the only one in my household who enjoys it, I don’t eat it very often. For the longest time now, I’ve noticed the sign for a Greek place in Washington when I’ve made a trip to Walmart. Recently I was out running errands solo around Washington and decided to have lunch at DTM Gyros.

As soon as I walked into the door, my nose was greeted by the delicious scent of cooking meat and aromatic spices. The menu is located on the wall behind the order counter, and I wrestled with my choices at first. With menu options that include classic Greek dishes like gryos, Greek salad, hummus, and baklava, among other items, I wanted to sample everything. I decided for my first visit (but it will not be my last!) that I’d go with a gyro. I noticed that the menu also included Greek fries, which are fries topped with feta and parsley, served with a side of tzatziki, so I decided to order those as well.

My food was made fresh to order and came out promptly. Both the gyro and the fries were big portions and I didn’t need to eat both, but since I didn’t have a way to keep them cool before returning to my home, I ate both. And, I didn’t leave a single crumb behind! It should also be noted that I was so full from lunch, that I didn’t eat dinner that evening, but I have no regrets.

The classic gyro made with beef and lamb at DTM Gyros. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

Wrapped in a soft pita, the gyro was honestly one of the best I’ve ever tasted. The meat was tender and flavorful, with just enough tzatziki, feta, and fresh vegetables like lettuce, tomato, and red onion inside the pita to really set off the flavors from the meat.

The Greek fries, while I did not need them, were amazing! The fat crinkle cut fries supplied the perfect bed for the feta crumbles, and were only made better by dipping in the generous side of tzatziki. I’ve always loved this herbed yogurt sauce, and DTM Gyros’ version is absolutely divine: light enough that it paired well with the fries, but flavorful enough that it still complimented the meat in the gyro.

The Greek fries are topped with feta and a side tzatziki for dipping. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

I obviously didn’t save room for dessert on this trip, but the next time I go I plan to try the baklava as well as the Greek salad, which is one of my favorite varieties of crisp greens.

The Socialite recommends DTM Gyros!

The details:
1621 A. Roy Drive, Washington
Follow the restaurant on Facebook

Posted in Events

What’s Happening in Franklin County March 31 – April 6

Posted on by Amanda

Here’s what’s happening around Franklin County this week. With the nicer weather here, there are more events happening throughout the area. If you want to plan ahead, you can always visit the calendar on the website to see what’s coming up.

April 1
The St. Clair Branch of Scenic Regional Library is hosting an event to teach you how to Charleston. 
Register for the event here.

April 1
Bad Beats Dance Class is a fun way to get fit. This hour-long class will feature a blend of music genres and decades such as music from the 90s to present day, with dance moves that encompass Latin, jive, country, hip-hop, and more. Register for the class at badbeatsdf.com

April 2
Purchase tickets for Brushin’ Whimsy’s paint event at Sip on Main and choose to paint a spring cactus or mushroom gnome. Guests of the event will receive $5 off food or drink purchased during the event. 
Register here.

April 3
Head to  Marquart’s Landing in Washington for a night of creativity and fun with Artmazing Event Co! Get ready to unleash your inner artist as we guide you step-by-step through creating a beautiful spring painting. No art experience is necessary.  All the materials and instruction will be provided so you can create your colorful masterpiece. Food and drinks are purchased separately. 
Sign up at the link at this Facebook event.

April 4
The Washington Public Library will host a teen egg hunt. The library will be dark and the hidden eggs will be full of candy. Find the glitter egg to receive a special prize. Attendees should bring a flashlight. The event is for ages 12 & up.
Learn more.

April 4
Belt out your favorite tunes at Sip on Main’s karaoke night. The fun is going down on three different nights in April at the establishment’s event room. 
Find out more by visiting the bar’s Facebook page.

April 5
Ladies, Littles, & Lattes is celebrating its second year with a bash that includes Easter bunny photos, food trucks, horse rides, and other fun activities. 
Get all the details.

Photo via Hoppin’ Into Year Two’s Facebook Event.

April 5
Attend the black light bingo night, which is a Charity Bingo event benefitting The Chief Mason Griffith Foundation at Union City Auditorium. Purchase individual or per table tickets here.

April 5
Attend the Liberty Hall Vendor Fair to find things that are handmade, holistic and other one-of-a-kind items. The vendor fair is from 11 – 3 both Saturday and Sunday. 
Get more details.

April 6
Attend the Liberty Hall Vendor Fair to find things that are handmade, holistic and other one-of-a-kind items. The vendor fair is from 11 – 3 both Saturday and Sunday. 
Get more details.

April 6
Visit the American Legion Auxiliary in Union for their Spring Fling Vendor & Craft Fair! This event will feature food trucks and food vendors, as well as local crafters and vendors. Find out more. 

April 6
Originally scheduled for March 30, Kaleidoscope Consignment’s first farmer’s market and craft fair of the year was rescheduled due to weather. Find items from local artisans and crafters like local honey, handmade jewelry, Scentsy, delicious food, sourdough baked goods, and more.
Get more details.

Posted in News and Features

Grab Some Excellent Food and Margs at Que Pasa in Union

Posted on by Amanda

Whether I’ve had a long, tough day, or we’re celebrating the big and small wins in our household, Mexican food is always our choice. While I don’t think I have ever met a Mexican restaurant I didn’t like, some places just keep drawing me back again and again.

Que Pasa in Union is one of those spots! The staff is always warm and welcoming, and the service is speedy, which just makes the fact that their food is delicious even better. For starters, I love their salsa, with its balance of flavors, and the crispy, warm tortilla chips that accompany it.

I tend to be a creature of habit when it comes to Mexican food, and so is my hubby, who can’t get enough of their nachos. My go to order is typically taco salad with ground beef, but don’t let the word salad fool you here. It’s loaded up with lots of meat, shredded lettuce, and cheese, and it’s large enough that I can rarely eat the whole thing in one sitting.

When I don’t go the salad route, I really enjoy their tacos. I know, I have such a diverse palette. The combination plates are also excellent and typically are big enough to share, or provide you with an additional meal to take home. I am not much of a drinker, but in the sweltering summer months, nothing hits the spot like a strawberry daquiri, (non-alcoholic, please).

Four soft shell tacos on a plate with rice and refried beans.
Tacos with beans and rice. Photo via Que Pasa’s Facebook.

My hubby’s order never deviates: the full order of their nachos that comes loaded with gooey queso, shredded chicken, ground beef, refried beans, and topped with shredded lettuce, sour cream, and tomato. He also adds jalapeños, cause he likes to sweat while he eats. We always have enough for a second meal the next day, since he doesn’t mind it being reheated in the oven at home.

He loves to pair the nachos with a margarita, on the rocks with salt.

Margarita in a Mason jar
Beverages like margaritas are served in Mason jars at Que Pasa. How fun is that? Photo via Que Pasa’s Facebook.

Now, I am one of those people who can’t tolerate the taste of tequila, and don’t even get me started on how dead-set I am against consuming extra salt via the salted rim of a glass. However, I find that the margs at Que Pasa are excellent, not too sweet, not too tart. Although I could never drink a whole one myself, from time to time, we will get the larger size and I will enjoy a few sips, from a straw, because see above feelings about salted rims!

The Socialite recommends Que Pasa!

The details:
116 S. Oak St., Union, MO.
Follow them on Facebook

Posted in News and Features

Find Sandwiches and Sweets at Joe’s Bakery & Delicatessen in Washington

Posted on by Amanda

Tucked away on Main Street in downtown Washington, Joe’s Bakery & Delicatessen is a place to grab lunch to go or stick around and eat inside the cute dining area that features bits of nostalgia like a working cuckoo clock, old dairy milk pails that have been repurposed into a seat, and vintage-style stained glass lighting.

The menu is centered around delicatessen offerings like sandwiches, wraps, and a few rotating soup selections. Sides include chips, potato salad, or pasta salad. There’s also a wide variety of desserts like cookies, cakes, pies, tarts, and more.

Sandwiches include numerous classic deli offerings like clubs, a French dip, Reuben, and BLT and the wrap selections range from items like a chicken Caesar to chicken salad or a meatless option that is loaded with veggies like spinach, artichokes, tomatoes, cucumbers, and more. Traditional salads like chef, Caesar, and Greek as well as a few others can be found on the menu.

When it comes to the sandwich choices, I can’t pass up The Angelo, dubbed “The Ultimate Italian Sub” by the establishment and with good reason. All truly epic sandwiches start with great bread, and since Joe’s bakes its bread fresh daily, the sub roll forms the perfect soft, pillowy foundation for this loaded Italian sandwich. The Angelo features a number of deli meats: Genoa salami, mortadella, smoked ham and roast beef, provel and parmesan cheeses, shredded lettuce, diced red peppers, red onions and artichoke hearts, plus it gets even more flavor from the Italian herb mayo and balsamic vinaigrette.

Italian sub cut in half with a side of potato salad in a styrofoam container
The Angelo Sub and potato salad. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

Another favorite of mine is the Reuben, made with a generous amount of sliced corned beef, and topped with kraut, Thousand Island, and Swiss, and served on toasted rye. Although I keep promising myself I will branch out on a future visit and try the French dip or one of the two clubs offered (roasted turkey ranch or the standard variety), I just love the Italian sandwich a bit too much to pass it up when I’m there.

In addition to the food, what I really like about Joe’s is that there’s a big selection of desserts, yet they’re made in individual-sized portions, allowing you to get that satisfying feeling of finishing your meal with something sweet without leaving you feeling stuffed. The desserts often rotate and can be anything from small, personal-sized pies to little cakes, and cookies large enough to share, or nibble on throughout the day.

The Socialite recommends Joe’s Bakery & Delicatessen!

The details:
9 West Main St., Washington
Follow Joe’s on Facebook