Big Guy took me out to our favorite restaurant last night - The Parish. I've bragged about this place several times but I'm going to say it all again, so hear me out OK? If you're lucky enough to live in Tucson or unlucky depending on your point of view since the heat's arrived along with monsoon season, then The Parish is the perfect place to go to cool off and drown your sorrows or celebrate.
Their menu contains an eclectic mix of Louisiana style food with a modern twist and there's not a bad thing on it. From incredible tennis ball sized crawfish hushpuppies to dead on perfect gumbo to a blue rare blackened steak salad that Big Guy enjoyed immensely last night to their crunchie bacon popcorn, I've yet to see a plate return to the kitchen or see an unhappy customer.
The atmosphere's fabulous, the staff fun to be around and the Owner's are a constant welcoming presence and sincerely want everyone to have a great experience. Oh, the beer on tap's pretty darn special too and we've yet to try their homemade infused spirits, but hey, we'll be going back so there's plenty of time for that.
If you live here or you'll be visiting, you've got to go. They paid me nothing for this review and barely know we exist except that we met Bryce one of the Owner's last night, so take me at my word - from an incredibly discriminating foodie, this place rocks.
Now, on to a JBug's kitchen antic for the day. I saw these crispy dogs on Homesick Texan and knew we had to give 'em a try. I mean Big Guy'd rather have a tube steak than a filet mignon so I knew he'd be happy and I'm good to try anything as long as it's a good quality "dog".
Simply a weiner (we used Hebrew National 97 percent fat free), sliced in the middle and loaded with cheddar, then wrapped in a warmed corn tortilla and fried, they're so darn easy to make I kinda' wonder why we didn't think about it ourselves.
More important, they're absolutely addictively delicious and a fabulous lunch or perfect summertime snacker. We had our crispy corn doggies along with some of the avocado dip we had the other day and some purchased salsa.
Head on over to Homesick Texan for the more info on the "how to's" and here's the link to our Guacamole Dip.
A year ago - Chicken Mushroom Lasagna with Bechamel
Two year's ago - Biba's Bolognese with Risotto
Fried dogs with cheese. Yum, yum, yum. The only thing missing is the bacon, but whats not to love. Haven't been to Tucson in a long time, but the Parish sounds worth a visit (say when it isn't so hot).
Posted by: Lorraine | 06/16/2012 at 08:55 AM
I'm glad you had a wonderful date-hight with your HOBL Big Guy! That place sounds better and better!
Those "corn" dogs are right up my alley! I bet I could even get SW & CA to eat them! HA!
Posted by: Lea | 06/16/2012 at 10:05 AM
Lorraine - I agree about the bacon! You come on down and visit anytime, you hear! The heat, monsoons, extra bugs and creepies should be gone about November. LOL
Lea - we had a great time and I know you'd love the Parish. As for the dogs, they're really tasty and so much lighter than the old deep fried batter coated dog.
Posted by: June | 06/16/2012 at 11:02 AM
Crawfish hushpuppies, that gives me an awesome idea, as it's crab season in the Northwest: Dungeness Crab Hush Puppies, oooooheeeee weeeeeee!
Posted by: Tom | Tall Clover Farm | 06/22/2012 at 06:08 AM
They'd be amazing Tom! I may just have to make some myself. We'll be there in a little over a week. Yippee!
Posted by: June | 06/22/2012 at 06:45 AM
We had the corn dogs tonight, used our local Lincolnshire chipolatas and a cheddar/mozzarella mix, two dips, sweet chilli and sour cream and chive, gorgeous!
Posted by: Shaun | 07/08/2012 at 09:05 PM
Shaun - I have to admit to being VERY jealous when you mentioned the chipolatas never mind there's no finer cheese on earth (or dairy anything for that matter) than what you produce over there. I've traveled to your beautiful country often and it really is a food lover's paradise. Great to see you back here again! Thank you!
Posted by: June | 07/09/2012 at 12:23 PM
The sausages here in Lincolnshire are one of the most famous in the UK, herby with plenty of sage and pepper, possibly not perfect for a breakfast (I prefer an irish sausage for brekko), but they make a gorgeous toad in the hole and were perfect for this dish.
Posted by: shaun | 07/28/2012 at 02:41 AM