Well, if you know me then you know that I enjoy both … food and photography.
So, with this I am able to “feed” two passions. 
To see more of my food photography check out my photography portfolio at www.dreier.com.
-Kyle
Ever since I was a boy I’ve had a certain affinity for Whataburgers. I can remember my mom saying those ever welcome words of “you wanna get a Whataburger?”
The love continued through high school and college and now well into adulthood. But this is where my story takes a dark turn.
In 1998 Amy and I moved to Tennessee where if you were to ask where to find a Whataburger you’d likely get a response of “A what-a-what?”
While my obsession for Whataburger pales in comparison to Wayne Geyer’s, I do, when given the opportunity, go a little out of my way to rekindle my Whataburger taste buds.
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This past weekend I kept an eagle eye on the roadside as I headed down to Florida. Apparently Alabama is more worthy of not just one, but multiple Whataburger locations. I stopped at one of them, just 2.5 hours south of my home.
- Kyle Dreier
My wife doesn’t mind me going out on dates with … well, er, uh … with our boys. Blake and I ended up at his favorite spot once again.
This time Blake was craving a “Goessel Soda”. Know what one is? You likely find someone that does unless your in central Kansas. It’s a root beer float. It’s also Grandpa’s favorite.
I have to say that it wasn’t much of a sacrifice for me. I’m sure some day he’ll have a favorite place that I will despise.
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I’m already looking forward to our next date. Same place, I hope. Same great company, for sure.
- Kyle
There’s nothing like fresh. Fresh rain. Fresh vegetable. Fresh fruit. Fresh idea. Fresh wife.
I found a few fresh things at the farmers market last Saturday. I enjoyed the company, the conversations, the visuals, the atmosphere. Just a really refreshing morning.
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I was inspired. We’ll see if my inspiration actually leads to anything. If it does, you’ll see it here at a later date.
- Kyle
The search continues. Out of sheer lack of decision making energy Hunter and I resigned to a Wednesday evening of Mexican food at Cozymels. I knew better. But, out of obligation to my critical self I thought I’d give them a try thinking that maybe they possessed the ability to deliver the elusive perfect enchilada. Suffice it to say they do not have the magic formula.
To date, Ojeda’s in Dallas, Texas is the current winner.
Thankfully the evening wasn’t a total loss. The company was first class and certainly worthy of a repeat, but next time at a different venue.
- Kyle Dreier
How do you explain the taste sensation associated with a crawfish boil? For me, this was my first. I’ve been to New Orleans and had crawfish in a restaurant but that’s not at all the same. There’s something to be said about being outside and experiencing the process up-close and personal.
Thanks for some locals here with roots that are south of New Orleans, this crawfish boil here in Franklin, Tennessee was a great way to set the bar high right from the start for me.
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I will admit, one of the difficult tasks is digging in with both hands while also trying to manage a camera and a 5, 3 and 2 year old. Making things even a little more precarious was that our 2 year old is allergic to shell fish and he was eying these tasty morsels all afternoon. I’ll give 99% of the credit to Amy for watching after the boys and particularly Matthew while I mingled with my camera in hand.
I’m sharing the following link to over a hundred shots for those who wish to print out for personal use. Click here to order prints via Costco or view slide show. (side note about the photos … the resolution is good enough for 4 x 6 prints.)
A big thanks to everyone for such a fun and tasty event. Thanks to the Murray’s for the invite. I hope we behaved in such a manner that garners an invite for next year.
-Kyle Dreier
One could probably make a pretty quick, and accurate, assumption about what speaks volumes to my love language simply by reading my blog entries. Simplicity (if there’s a way to actually speak that into someone love language) would be one. Another? Let’s see, hmmm … what could it be. Food maybe? (In the Church Lady voice.)
Yes, food is and has been for as long as I can remember a very strong part of my love language. I enjoy a good meal. I enjoy preparing a good meal. I enjoy a good meal being prepared for me.
Love languages are interesting. I find that because I like food I try to use that as a love language to my children. I enjoy doing a big batch of French toast for my kids (although it’s been weeks since I’ve done this because of our new low sugar lifestyle.)
I also enjoy the art of food. “Presentation is everything” is my motto. I also enjoy the adventure of food. Amy and I recently had a nice date evening and at one of our favorite restaurants we let the waiter choose one of our entrees. What he brought our was a fantastically presented and very tasty dish. (I’ll blog on this at a later date.)
Friday night I experienced a carrot cake that was tops. I’m not just saying that. Just to give a little perspective here, you know how most guys at their wedding have a grooms cake? So far all that I’ve seen have been chocolate. Yes, I love chocolate, but at our wedding my grooms cake was carrot.
Friday night’s cake was the best carrot cake I’ve had. I mentioned this to the host, Susan McKinney, who informed me she was the baker. I should have know. She’s an excellent baker, cook, chef … food maker.
So where did this lead? Church Sunday morning I’m handed a half carrot cake! What a great gift. What a huge deposit into my love language account! It was so good, I had to take a photo.
I ate three pieces Sunday.
-Kyle Dreier
I’m not sure what I’m really trying to accomplish with my Wednesday Night outings. On one hand, it’s a built in evening for me to exercise my trigger finger in shooting various things … shooting photographs that is. On the other hand, it’s an excuse for me to venture out a bit to try new eating establishments.
I am starting to see a pattern in how I choose where to eat. Thus far I’ve selected venues which are not chains, which are ethnic and which are a little outside my normal routine. That’s part of the adventure.
Tonight was no different. I remembered seeing a place that I’ve driven by many times. Tonight, I was looking for enchiladas to rival Ojeda’s in Dallas. A quick side note about Ojeda’s … the first time I went there was back in the mid 70’s and they have the best enchilada dinner I’ve ever had.
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Tonight my venture out took me to a quaint little place on Columbia Avenue in Franklin. It was good. It was nice. The people were nice. Does it get the prize? No. But I’ll be back.
- Kyle Dreier