Now that Season 8 of Goodtaste with Tanji is a wrap, it’s the perfect time to reminisce on the incredible bites and innovative recipes we gathered from all across Texas. Here are Tanji’s top five food-filled memories from the season, each one somehow more delicious than the next!
#5: Hill & Vine’s Smoked Carnitas Nachos
In this over-the-top take on nachos, Hill & Vine tops fresh tortilla chips with slow-smoked pork, shredded smoked cheddar, and all the usual fixings. The Fredericksburg-based establishment’s Smoked Carnitas Nachos have been described as “addictive” and “the best nachos I’ve ever had.” You really have to try them to believe them!
#4: Island Grill’s Baklava
The flaky, buttery baklava at Island Grill stunned Tanji when she took her first bite! The dessert is based on an antique recipe from the restaurant owner’s grandmother. Years later, the technique still yields melt-in-your-mouth, not-too-sweet baklava that justifies a trip to the Houston restaurant in and of itself!
#3: Wild Oats’ Chicken-Fried Steak
Houston’s Wild Oats is a restaurant by Texans, for Texans. You can’t go wrong with anything off its menu, but the Chicken-Fried Steak is a standout; in addition to a shatteringly crispy skin, the steak is topped with gravy loaded with smoky bacon and spicy jalapeños. Wild Oats was kind enough to share their recipe with us—you have to recreate this killer dish at home!
#2: Musaafer’s Lamb Chops
The flavor-packed lamb chops at Musaafer are marinated five times over the course of 72 hours. This indulgent technique produces layers of spice and an incredibly tender texture. Dining at Musaafer in Houston is an experience every Texas food lover needs to have, STAT!
#1: The Chef’s Table’s Bone-in Short Ribs
Lucky you—you can make this season’s top bite in your own home! The Chef’s Table team sources well-marbled beef to keep this Short Rib Stack moist and tender throughout the cooking process, and they top it with their very own signature sauces and rubs. Pick up a bottle or two the next time you’re in Houston!
Bonus Moment: Tanji Tries a Fish Eye
One of the most memorable moments of the season—and one of the least delicious—was when Tanji tried a fish eyeball! Chef Paul Friedman of The Chef’s Table encouraged her to take a bite, claiming it tasted just like an oyster. Needless to say, Tanji disagreed!
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