Mellie Dee ♥

Lifestyle | Food | Travel

2018 Lake Charles, Louisiana | Day 4

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2018 | 007/365 | Lake Charles, Louisiana to Houston, Texas | Heavy Rain

[2018] 007/365: Rainy Days Seem to Hurt the Most

Taco Mel Taqueria | Lake Charles, Louisiana

Scruffy and I cannot wake up today. He kept hitting the snooze button and I continued laying in bed because of it. Once we got our lazy butts up we packed a bit then headed to Taco Mel for what Andrew says is one of the best tacos ever.

Taco Mel Taqueria | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Barbacoa and Carne Asada Tacos

Barbacoa Taco [tender slow cooked beef] | $2.99; Carne Asada Taco [thinly sliced grilled beef] | $2.99

You order your meat and get all you want for toppings and sauces. You can tell I piled that on! I wouldn’t say this is the best tacos ever but maybe it is for Lake Charles.

Checkers Drive-In | Beaumont, Texas

The drive was pretty painful. It was raining super hard and it was super bright out. The plethora of cars on the road didn’t help matters either. Thankfully, Scruffy wanted to stop at Checkers Drive-In and was nice enough to switch seats with me.

Checkers Drive-In | Beaumont, Texas | Vanilla and Strawberry Milkshakes, Famous Seasoned Fries, Chicken Bites & Fries Box, Funnel Cake Fries

Vanilla and Strawberry Milkshakes, Famous Seasoned Fries, Chicken Bites & Fries Box, Funnel Cake Fries

We went on our merry way and I fed him while he drove. Once we were done, I was sleepy and took a nap. By the time I woke up we were almost home!

Rocky, Bruno, Rizzo, Kato Waiting Patiently

He stayed for a quick bit and went home to Luna and his parents. His parents were having people over and we, too, were having people over. Katie, John, Tim, Joanna, and Jas came over for dinner and after dinner we had fun watching Jas make noise and pet Rizzo.

I am pooped. Though we didn’t do much this trip I had fun overall. It was nice of Andrew to let us borrow his place for the weekend.

I finally received my new planner for the year. We’re already a couple weeks ahead but I cannot wait to see how this one will compare to my usual. Stay tuned for that!

Taco Mel
2749 County Club Road, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70605  |  (337) 602-6482  |  Website  |  Yelp
Checkers Drive-In
490 N 11th St, Beaumont, Texas 77702  |  (409) 833-6365  |  Website  |  Yelp

2018 Lake Charles, Louisiana | Day 3

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2018 | 006/365 | Ball's Fried Chicken #2 | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Piece Meals with Onion Rings and Okra

3 Piece Mixed Chicken Dinner [with a side of okra] | $6.49; 2 Piece Dark Chicken Dinner [with a side of onion rings] | $5.49

[2018] 006/365: Best Fried Chicken

Ball's Fried Chicken #2 | Lake Charles, Louisiana

We started off the day with some of the best fried chicken I’ve ever had at the second location of Ball’s Fried Chicken. Their chicken is on point. Crispy, a bit of spiciness, and a whole lot of juiciness. The only thing they need to upgrade is their sides. I wasn’t a big fan of them and wished for either mashed potatoes or green beans.

L'Auberge Casino | Lake Charles, Louisiana

We went home and watched episodes of Black Mirror and took a nap before heading out to L’Auberge Casino. Scruffy and I each gambled a twenty five and twenty bucks respectively and we both lost.

Le Beaucoup Buffet | Lake Charles, Louisiana

We waited in line for what seemed an hour for Le Beaucoup Buffet. This is inside L’Auberge Casino if any of you are wondering. The service was pretty bad at first but it got better as we started to eat.

Le Beaucoup Buffet | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Snow and Dungeness Crabs

All-You-Can-Eat | $36.99/person

We were mostly here for the snow crabs and dungeness crabs. Let’s just say we both ate more than our fair share to make up for the cost of the entry fee.

L’Auberge Casino | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Slot Winner

Scruffy went to gamble some more and I used the $2.40 I had left on slots. After losing it all, I had thirty six cents left the slot asked if I wanted to use the rest to gamble for free spins. I came out winning fifty free spins. FIFTY! And with that fifty spins I won $46.52. Not too shabby!

Golden Nugget Casino | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Nighttime View

We cashed out and went back to the Golden Nugget Casino. Scruffy’s idea. I didn’t mind though since he didn’t suggest Isle of Capri. Yuck. That place … never again.

Golden Nugget Casino | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Slot Winner

Scruffy lost some monies and ended up following me to the slot machines. I put in a twenty, played at three different machines and at my last roll before I had no more money left, I hit a jackpot and came out with $100.07. I clicked “cash out” and we went on our merry way.

We won’t be gambling after tonight so at the end of all of this, Scruffy lost $40 and I won $164 on the whole trip. Not too bad I’d say.

Tomorrow we’ll be grabbing lunch and heading back home. It was nice having only me and him time. We wished our pups were with us. One day …

Ball’s Fried Chicken #2
4325 Common St, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70607  |  (337) 562-2688  |  Yelp
L’Auberge Casino
777 Avenue L’Auberge, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601  |  (337) 395-7777  |  Website  |  Yelp
Le Beaucoup Buffet
777 Avenue L’Auberge, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601  |  (337) 395-7114  |  Website  |  Yelp
Golden Nugget
2550 Golden Nugget Blvd, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601  |  (337) 508-7777  |  Website  |  Yelp

2018 Lake Charles, Louisiana | Day 2

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2018 | 005/365 | Golden Nugget Casino | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Slot Winner

[2018] 005/365: Cashing Out

Steamboat Bill's Seafood Restaurant | Lake Charles, Louisiana

Scruffy started the day working while I slept in a bit more then we both headed to lunch at Steamboat Bill’s Seafood Restaurant.

Steamboat Bill's Seafood Restaurant | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Shrimp & Crawfish Pistolettes, Boudin Ball, & Small Platter

Shrimp Pistolette | $1.99; Crawfish Pistolette | $2.29; Boudin Ball | $1.99; Small Platter [stuffed shrimp, fried fish, stuffed crab, 10-20 medium shrimp, fries, cole slaw, & Louisiana roll] | $19.99

We’ve learned we don’t need to order as much food as we use to so we usually order a plate and something on the side. Since crawfish wasn’t in season we both loved the shrimp pistolette more. Boudin ball wasn’t too bad but wasn’t the best and out of the small platter the best was the fish and shrimp.

Golden Nugget Casino | Lake Charles, Louisiana

We then headed to Golden Nugget Casino. We both won more than we spent so that’s a good feeling.

Crying Eagle Brewing Company | Lake Charles, Louisiana

We cashed out then went to the store to buy some knickknacks. We went back home where I took a short nap and he worked before we headed off to Crying Eagle Brewing Company.

Crying Eagle Brewing Company | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Beers

I got the one beer while Scruffy had five. We played Ascension on the IPad while we sipped. Its a free app!! Everyone should try it out!

Crying Eagle Brewing Company | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Gift Shop

The brewing company had a gift shop and it was nice walking through it to see things like this cup. Too funny.

Calla | Lake Charles, Louisiana

We went back home, debated to go to a casino buffet or not and ended up at Calla.

Calla | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Old Fashioned and Bone Marrow

Bone Marrow [with onion jam, herb salad, toast] | $17

Scruffy got the Old Fashioned while I sipped on water – I’m a good DD. We shared the bone marrow and though we weren’t disappointed, we didn’t truly know how delicious it was until the second one. The waiter brought another out for the man who was sitting next to us a minute ago. He had paid and left, forgetting (he was drunk) he ordered bone marrow. The nice bartender offered it to us free of charge! Free food always taste better!

Isle of Capri Casino | Lake Charles, Louisiana

The last casino of the night was at Isle of Capri Casino. I was not a big fan of this place since it reeked of smoke. Everyone could smoke wherever they stood. Ugh! I wished I had known before we walked in. It wasn’t a great start – I left Scruffy when he was down eighty dollars and when I got back, he had a smile and was up forty so we bid farewell to this stinky, smokey place.

Dairy Queen | Lake Charles, Louisiana

We stopped by Dairy Queen. I got a mini M&M ice cream – still too much for me. Scruffy got steak fingers. We headed home and he is waiting patiently for me to type this up so that we could watch Game of Thrones before calling it a night.

We are thinking of eating at a casino buffet tomorrow. Eeep, cannot wait!

Steamboat Bill’s Seafood Restaurant
732 S Martin Luther King Hwy, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601  |  (337) 494-1700  |  Website  |  Yelp
Golden Nugget Casino
2550 Golden Nugget Blvd, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601  |  (337) 508-7777  |  Website  |  Yelp
Crying Eagle Brewing Company
1165 E Mcneese St, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70607  |  (337) 494-1700  |  Website  |  Yelp
Calla
1400 Market St, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601  |  (337) 419-1980  |  Website  |  Yelp
Isle of Capri Casino
732 S Martin Luther King Hwy, Lake Charles, Louisiana  |  (337) 494-1700  |  Website  |  Yelp
Dairy Queen
732 S Martin Luther King Hwy, Lake Charles, Louisiana  |  (337) 494-1700  |  Website  |  Yelp

 

Theodore Rex | Houston, Texas

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Caitlin and Rami Baby Shower for Peyton | Pin Game, Photobooth, Diaper Games

Saturday was such a busy day for me and Scruffy. We helped his parents with the baby shower for Rami and Caitlin.

Caitlin and Rami Baby Shower for Peyton | Baby Clothesline, Banner, Blanket

We decorated the house, prepped and cooked foods, and I even created a life-like Jeopardy Game – Baby Edition using PowerPoint.

Theodore Rex | Houston, Texas

Scruffy’s work Christmas party was later that night at Theodore Rex. His company rented out the place which made it much cozier.

Theodore Rex | Houston, Texas | Kitchen Staff

All you can eat drinks and the big portions felt like it was an all you can eat! I loved that we could watch them work so that I can steal their culinary skills.

Theodore Rex | Houston, Texas | Parmesan Gougeres

Parmesan Gougeres [aka cheesy poofs]

Tastes better than the cheesy bread you get at Brazillian Steakhouses!

Theodore Rex | Houston, Texas | Smoked Gulf Fish on Toast

Smoked Gulf Fish on Toast

This was a bigger hit among the crowd. I would say that I wasn’t a big fan of the crunch of the toast. I could have done with a big jar of that fish though.

Theodore Rex | Houston, Texas | Tomato Toast

Tomato Toast

I’m not a big fan of bread but holy moly. The title of the dish sounds boring but it was the complete opposite. Whatever this concoction is, oh my goodness. I highly recommend this!

Theodore Rex | Houston, Texas | Italian Bread Dumplings

Italian Bread Dumplings [with braised mustards, Autumn beans, and whey sauce]

Just when you thought they’d be all carb’d out, they brought out dumplings, Italian style. Scruffy loved the dumplings and hated the beans. I was the complete opposite so it worked well for us.

Theodore Rex | Houston, Texas | Gulf Flounder

Gulf Flounder [roasted over coals, with brown butter, radishes, and pomelo sauce]

This was the majority’s least favourite dish. The fish was very bland and we hoped the radish would help bring some of the flavour out but that too was tasteless.

Theodore Rex | Houston, Texas | Wagyu Beef

Whole-roasted Strip Loin of Wagyu Beef [with ‘golden frill’ mustard green sauce and raw mustard root]

If anyone would love to take me out for dinner, take me here and order me this. My goodness. Melt in my mouth deliciousness. I highly recommend this as well. I still cannot believe someone sent theirs back so that it could be cooked well. Sigh .. what a waste.

Theodore Rex | Houston, Texas | Coffee

We were offered coffee before dessert and so it was natural to say yes. It wasn’t too bad … after I poured in a bit of brown sugar. It was a letdown that the milk container wasn’t shaped like a t-rex though.

Theodore Rex | Houston, Texas | Paris-Brest

Paris-Brest [filled with Swiss cheese cream and honey caramel]

I could have done with way less Swiss cheese cream. It made the choux pastry a bit soggy so it wasn’t too enjoyable.

Theodore Rex | Houston, Texas | Women's Restroom

What took me by surprise was seeing tampons and pads in the women’s restaurant. This is the first time where I’ve seen something like this and it was very much appreciated that they were so detailed.

Theodore Rex | Houston, Texas | Justin Yu, Chef/Owner

Justin Yu | Chef/Owner

It took me a while to realize the owner and chef of the place is my old friend’s brother. Small world!

Overall, it was a great experience and would recommend anyone to go! I’d gladly go with anyone who asks.

Theodore Rex
1302 Nance St, Houston, TX 77002  |  (832) 830-8592  |  Website  |  Yelp

Patricia’s Friendsgiving/White Elephant Party | San Antonio, Texas

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Last weekend Patricia was throwing a Friendsgiving/White Elephant party so Scruffy and I made plans to go up for a quick trip.

Rolling FIsh Sushi Burrito & Poke | San Antonio, Texas | Unagi and Salmon Poke Bowl

On Thursday we left his house to mine, switched cars and traveled up to San Antonio in time for a late lunch at Rolling Fish Sushi Burrito & Poke. We shared an unagi and salmon poke bowl with everything in it.

Hotel Alcohol Party

We then headed to HEB and Specs before checking into our hotel where we pretty much spent the rest of the night drinking and doing a whole lot of nothing. It was very relaxing having just us two.

Church's Chicken | San Antonio, Texas

We saw a commercial for Popeye’s but since it was so far away we brought back some Church’s to the hotel room where we ate and watched telly before calling it a night.

La Quinta | San Antonio, Texas | Hotel Breakfast

On Friday, we woke up for a hotel breakfast and Scruffy worked a bit while searched for jobs before we headed off to lunch.

Taqueria Datapoint | San Antonio, Texas | Mini Tacos

I always try to hit up Taqueria Datapoint when I’m in town and was ecstatic when he agreed to go with me. We shared a plate of mini tacos since we had plans to drink and eat something else soon.

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium | San Antonio, Texas | Beers

We jumped from Big Hops Huebner to Flying Saucer Draught Emporium for a few beers before heading back to the hotel. We relaxed at the hotel for a bit before heading back out for a quick early dinner.

Smashin Crab | San Antonio, Texas | Half Dozen Raw Oysters

Half Dozen Raw Oysters | $12

We made plans to hit up Smashin Crab (for me because I love seafood boils) and then hit up somewhere else for him. Once we sat down and got our food, going somewhere else was out the window. We started out with half a platter of oysters and a pound of shrimp with potatoes, corn, and sausages.

Smashin Crab | San Antonio, Texas | Shrimp Boil with Potatoes, Corn, and Sausages

Shrimp Boil [trinity sauce and level 3 alarm heat] | $14/lb + $1/corn + $0.50/potato + $2/sausage (4 pieces)

Soon enough we were ordering another pound of shrimp, potatoes, and corn. My goodness gracious. This is the best seafood boil I’ve been to and Scruffy agrees. We will be coming back once crawfish season is in. Yum!

2017 Patricia's Friendsgiving/White Elephant

We stopped by HEB then went back to the hotel for to get ready for Patricia’s party. We all drank, caught up, and played white elephant before calling it a night. It was nice to finally meet Patricia’s boyfriend and to see everyone else. Every time I go back I wished I lived there. Once we were back at the hotel, Scruffy started getting hungry and we ordered Uber for McDonald’s and soon realized we had too much food and not a big enough stomach. Before long, we both knocked out.

Breakfast at Patricia's

Patricia invited us for breakfast so when we woke up Saturday morning, we packed our car and headed over to her house for a delicious home cooked breakfast, bid our farewells, and headed back home towards Scruffy’s house, stopping by Buccee’s for Scruffy to grab a taco to go.

Luna Car Ride

We stopped by Andrew’s house before ending up at Scruffy’s where we picked Luna up and headed back to my house.

Scruffy and I | Homemade Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, Salad, and Garlic Bread

Homemade Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, Salad, and Garlic Bread

Scruffy and I made Fettuccine Alfredo, garlic bread, and salad for dinner. The family and Tim seemed to love it. With all the traveling, Scruffy and I watched telly and fell asleep.

Tasty Ko | Katy, Texas | Spicy Bulgogi and Soondubu Chigae

Spicy Bulgogi and Soondubu Chigae

Before Scruffy left on Sunday, we had lunch at Tasty Ko. Delicious Bulgogi and Soondubu Chigae. Yum. It was perfect since it was cold and raining.

New favourite restaurant: Smashin Crab. I am jealous of everyone who lives in San Antonio.

Rolling Fish Sushi Burrito & Poke
12730 Interstate 10 W, San Antonio, TX 78230  |  (210) 592-1003  |  Yelp
Church’s
9405 Guilbeau Rd, San Antonio, TX 78250  |  (210) 684-1407  |  Website  |  Yelp
Taqueria Datapoint
4063 Medical Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229  |  (210) 615-3644  |  Yelp
Big Hops Huebner
11224 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, TX 78230  |  (210) 877-9663  |  Website  |  Yelp
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
11255 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, TX 78230  |  (210) 696-5080  |  Website  |  Yelp
Smashin Crab
8910 Bandera Rd, San Antonio, TX 78250  |  (210) 509-7702  |  Website  |  Yelp
Tasty Ko
1645 Winding Hollow Dr, Katy, TX 77450  |  (281) 206-7471  |  Website  |  Yelp