WHERE TO EAT
One good way to start an argument in Midland,Texas, is to talk about barbecue. Everyone has their favorite, and “By God!” their favorite should be your favorite too… or harsh words will fly. Now, I must have been blessed with an extra “yum” gene, as I’ve yet to enter a barbecue joint and leave unhappy. So I really don’t have a favorite… I love them all. As you’re driving south down Big Spring Street through downtown, look to your left. Perched atop a roof, you’ll see a very happy spotted pig. Beneath that perky porcine, you’ll find some great barbecue. Johnny’s Bar B-Q has been around, well, probably longer than I have. They serve up barbecue goodness, old fashioned style. As you line up to place your order, you’ll see even more happy pigs painted on the walls, happily munching on, well… other pigs, in the form of ribs and sausage. And of course their happy, huge slabs of meaty goodness wait at the front of the line. Along with your generous portion of brisket, sausage, ham, ribs, or turkey you can get traditional sides… just the way Grandma made them. You can get tender green beans, hearty red beans, buttery melt-in-your-mouth butter beans, mac and cheese, cool and crisp coleslaw, and super creamy potato salad (the good kind, with mustard). Add to that toast or, for an extra charge, some cornbread to sop up the drippings. I, of course, cannot pass up the wonderful homemade cobblers in cherry, peach, and pecan for desert. Any true Texan knows that great barbecue is best served on butcher paper, and Johnny’s Bar B-Q loads up your paper-lined tray to the brim. Don’t be surprised if after you’ve “pigged-out,” there’s still a bunch left over. Take it home and enjoy it again—I sure did. So come on down and join the happiest eaters and the happiest little piggies in Midland. You’ll be glad you did.
—By Bobbie Cupell, General Mgr., Burmass Oil Directory
WHAT TO GET
Instagram may have taken over the way we share photos, but some of us are still nostalgic for framed snaps. But, true to our digital-age style, we still want that instant gratification we’ve grown accustomed to, and, let’s face it, waiting an hour at a printing center won’t cut it. The solution? LG’s Pocket Photo Mini Mobile Printer that connects to any Android phone via a cable or Bluetooth, so you can have tangible photos at your fingertips in an instant. The palm-sized device even has a handy-dandy photo-editing app so you can eliminate unwanted details for picture perfection. Available for $129 at Amazon.com.
WHO TO SEE
Grab the kids and make your way to the Ector County Coliseum Sept. 6-14, when the “Cool Dogs Thrill Show” will be part of the scheduled daily entertainment as the Permian Basin Fair unfolds in Odessa. Described as a nonstop, action-packed canine extravaganza that showcases amazing dogs and their handlers, the Thrill Show adds crowd participation, with the audience rooting for their respective teams in an exciting head-to-head competition. The show extols the importance of pet adoption, as most of the performing dogs have been rescued from various shelters through out the country. For more information, go to permianbasinfair.com.