Tastes of the Town

Lisa Franke stands with a cherry pie.

Lisa Franke stands with a cherry pie.

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Tastes of the Town: Lulu’s Pie Shoppe is ready for business

Linda Dwyer
Sunday, March 19, 2023
Lulu’s Pie Shoppe is bringing pie and more to the Square in Georgetown. “Our menu will grow, but the heart of our business will stay the same, pie,” said Lisa Franke, who goes by Lulu. “I didn’t come from a family that baked, but my mother-inlaw made cookies every year.
Co-owner Ephraim Hailu at the Taste of Ethiopia in Pflugerville.

Co-owner Ephraim Hailu at the Taste of Ethiopia in Pflugerville.

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Enjoy the taste of Ethiopian cuisine

Linda Dwyer
Saturday, February 4, 2023
Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa is the continent’s oldest independent country. Apart from a five-year occupation by Mussolini’s Italy during World War II, it has never been colonized. The country is home of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, one of the oldest Christian denominations.

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Happy Lunar New Year

Linda Dwyer
Saturday, January 21, 2023
Cultural diversity brings fun celebrations for all. The Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebrations of the year among the Chinese community.  In China, Lunar New Year lasts 15 days from the new moon to the next full moon. In 2023, celebrations begin January 22 and end February 5.
A sausage plate from Krause’s Cafe. (Photo by Linda Dwyer)

A sausage plate from Krause’s Cafe. (Photo by Linda Dwyer)

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A New Braunfels day trip

Linda Dwyer
Thursday, January 12, 2023
Our first day trip of 2023 was to New Braunfels in Central Texas, between Austin and San Antonio. The town was established in 1845 by a German Prince who named it after Braunfels, his German hometown.

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A day for three kings

Linda Dwyer
Friday, January 6, 2023
January 6 is the Christian Feast of the Epiphany. It is celebrated in Ireland as Little Christmas and in some Latin countries it is known as Three Kings Day. In England it is called Twelfth Night because it comes twelve days after the birth of Jesus.

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Enjoy your freedom’s eve celebrations this year

Linda Dwyer
Friday, December 30, 2022
On New Year’s Eve, many African Americans attend church for Watch Night Service. The night of prayer, commemoration and celebration ends at midnight with the new year.  Watch Night Service is a Christian tradition that began in the Czech Republic and was adopted by congregations around the world.
Denice and Dennis Morgan enjoying impossible coconut pie. (Linda Dwyer)

Denice and Dennis Morgan enjoying impossible coconut pie. (Linda Dwyer)

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Impossibly easy pies are magic in the kitchen

Linda Dwyer
Saturday, December 24, 2022
Recently, I learned about depression-era water pies.  During tough times, people were desperate to treat their families to something sweet. Referred to in a cookbook as Hard Times Pie, the desert was made with water, flour, butter and sugar.
Aurora’s Family Kitchen is serving tamales again this season. (Photo by Linda Dwyer)

Aurora’s Family Kitchen is serving tamales again this season. (Photo by Linda Dwyer)

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It's Christmas tamale time

Linda Dwyer
Monday, December 19, 2022
Some folks dream of a white Christmas, but visions of tamales dance in my head. It’s tamale season.  Tamales date back to the Aztecs, Mayans and Incans. The word “tamale” comes from the Aztec word for wrap. Tamales, made from corn, were sent out with hunters, travelers and soldiers.

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Get figgy with Christmas Pudding

Linda Dwyer
Thursday, December 8, 2022
In the United Kingdom, Christmas Pudding — also referred to as Figgy or Plum Pudding — is traditionally served as the finale to a proper British Christmas dinner.
Chris Poulos owns The Spice Agent. PHOTOS BY LINDA DWYER

Chris Poulos owns The Spice Agent. PHOTOS BY LINDA DWYER

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Spicing up the holidays after a road trip

News Staff
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Tastes of the Town by Linda Dwyer Road trips should always include culinary discoveries. Recently, on the way to Chicago, we discovered The Spice Agent in the lovely town of Branson, Missouri. Owner Chris Poulos opened the shop in 2011. The tourist town brings customers from across the U.S.
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