Taqueria Acapulco: Mexican Fare for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Do you love Mexican cuisine so much that you could eat it for every meal of the day? Well, at Taqueria Acapulco in Universal City, you actually can. This authentic Mexican eatery serves some of the cuisine’s most popular dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and everything on the menu is priced very low considering the large portions. You’ll find items like tacos, sopapillas, and sizzling fajitas, as well as breakfast tacos perfect for a morning meal. There is even a full bar with tequila, cervezas, and more.

The restaurant itself looks a bit nondescript from the outside, but once inside, you’ll find that it is very clean and runs like a well-oiled machine. Whether you’re craving Mexican food for dinner or looking for a unique breakfast spot, it’s always a good time for Taqueria Acapulco.

Taqueria Acapulco also offers takeout on any of its menu items.

Taqueria Acapulco
1721 Pat Booker Road
Universal City, TX 78148
(210) 658-3099
www.yelp.com/biz/taqueria-acapulco-mexican-restaurant-jalisco-universal-city

Bring Fall Indoors With These Festive Wreath Tutorials

Who says that a wreath has to hang outside? There are a number of fun and creative ways to make DIY wreaths that bring the beauty of fall indoors, and many of them don’t cost a dime to make. Here are three great wreath tutorials for you to try this weekend at Avana Grove.

DIY Apple Wreath [thewoodgraincottage.com]
While an actual apple wreath would likely be too heavy to hang, this one uses faux apples from the craft store to achieve the same effect. All it takes is some hot glue, a Styrofoam wreath mold and some burlap to hang it.

Glitter Wreath [homemadebyjill.blogspot.com]
If you’re looking for a fun wreath project that the kids can do, too, this one is a great choice. They’ll enjoy cutting out the small leaves from heavy cardstock, and they’ll enjoy it even more once it’s time to sprinkle glitter all over.

Fall Wheat Sheave Wreath [bhg.com]
If you prefer something with a more natural look (and a quicker preparation), this tutorial is one of the simplest you’ll find. Simply gather some dried wheat and tie it together with a piece of oversized ribbon in a fall color, then attach the whole thing to your door (or anywhere else that can use a bit of decoration).

Enjoy a Homestyle Meal at Williams Confectionery Crafts

Williams Confectionary Crafts is one of those special places that almost everyone seems to love. Perhaps it's because Joyce Williams, the retired school teacher who has run the family business for years, aims to recreate a dining experience that reminds everyone of a home-cooked meal.

Regulars call Williams Confectionary Crafts the best breakfast in town, particularly for its homestyle biscuits and gravy and stuffed omelettes (breakfast is served all day long!). Food critics have lavished praise on Williams’ chicken-fried steak, while Yelp reviewers cheer the smothered pork chop special served on Thursdays. Make sure to leave room for dessert, as the display case full of pies, cakes, and other treats is sure to beckon.

Located in Live Oak, Williams Confectionary Crafts is open Mondays through Saturdays.

Williams Confectionary Crafts
121207 Toepperwein Road
San Antonio, TX 72833
(210) 967-5200
www.yelp.com/biz/williams-confectionery-crafts-san-antonio

Must-Read Tips for a Perfectly Carved Pumpkin

Carving a pumpkin may seem like a fun, relaxing autumn activity that you can do together as a family, but if you’ve ever actually attempted to carve a pumpkin, you know that this isn’t always the case. Carving the perfect pumpkin is possible, however, and these simple tips can help you get there safely and without too much stress.

  1. Start by choosing a pumpkin with a flat bottom so that it won’t roll around while you try to carve it.
  2. Cut the top of the pumpkin on an angle, so that once you scoop it out and replace the stem it won’t drop down inside.
  3. Soak the pumpkin in a bleach solution for one or two hours before carving to lengthen its lifespan. After you carve it, dry thoroughly and rub the edges with some petroleum jelly to prevent it from shriveling.
  4. While it may seem like a waste of money, it’s very helpful to purchase a kit of knives designed especially for pumpkin carving. Using a common kitchen knife that is too big or not sharp enough can be dangerous for everyone involved.
  5. If this is your first time carving a pumpkin, choose a pattern with bold features and large details to make it a bit easier.
  6. Cut out your stencil and either trace it directly onto the pumpkin or tape it on with clear tape before carving.

8 Pro Tips for Carving the Perfect Pumpkin [Good Housekeeping]
Pumpkin Carving Tips – How to Carve a Jack-o'-lantern [About Food]
How to Carve a Pumpkin [Martha Stewart]

Don’t Skip the ‘SMO’ Burger at Biff Buzby’s Burgers

If hip, gourmet burger restaurants aren’t really your thing and you’re just looking for something cheap and classic, you’ll love Biff Buzby’s Burgers. This casual eatery and popular takeout spot serves a delicious selection of burgers, including its signature “SMO” burger smothered with grilled onions and mushrooms. If you’re not in the mood for a burger, the restaurant also offers homestyle dinner platters of country-fried steak, chicken, and housemade stuffed jalapenos. The Lil’ Biffer menu includes kid-sized meals that the little ones will love, while the large selection of ice cold beers perfectly accompany any meal.

There are always fun events going on at Biff Buzby’s, such as live music and fun DJs, and you’ll also find affordable specials on food and drinks every night of the week.

Biff Buzby’s is open Mondays through Saturdays.

Biff Buzby’s Burgers
12702 Toepperwein Road
San Antonio, TX 78233
(210) 590-2040
www.biffbuzbys.com/index.html

Neat and Nifty DIY Projects for Your Kitchen

While you may not be able to pull off a full kitchen renovation in your rental, you can make the space function better for your needs by crafting up a few simple projects. Here are just three useful DIY projects that will improve your kitchen space and help make it your own.

Dip-Dye Wooden Spoons [housebeautiful.com]
Looking to add more color to your kitchen without going overboard? This simple tutorial will add rainbow hues to your wooden kitchen utensils, and best of all, it takes less than an hour to complete. Store them upside down in a large ceramic jar to show off their fun new makeover.

Additional Cabinet Storage [lifehacker.com]
If the items in your kitchen cabinets are always stacked precariously on top of one another, you could likely benefit from additional storage. Add a tension rod for additional storage, or add a classic Lazy Susan so that you can reach things like spices and small jars with ease.

Cutting Board Tablet Stand [countryliving.com]
If you frequently use your iPad or other tablet to look up recipes or listen to music in the kitchen, keep it protected by creating your own stand out of an old cutting board. Simply attach a wooden Scrabble tile stand to the bottom to hold up the tablet, then prop up the entire cutting board using an old door stop on the back.

Revamp Your Space With Help From Tuesday Morning

In the mid-1970s, Lloyd Ross began renting warehouse space in North Dallas to hold his “upscale garage sales,” featuring gifts, home decor, furnishings, and household necessities purchased from closeouts, auctions, and overstocks. Since that time, Ross's Tuesday Morning has blossomed into a national chain of hundreds of retail locations, each offering a unique selection of deep-discount items from top-quality brands.

The Universal City store, located in the Triangle Shopping Center, is a go-to spot for many locals looking for everyday necessities like smartphone cases, stylish throw pillows, and tabletop knick knacks. Whether you are revamping your space at Avana Grove, sending a kid off to college, or browsing for gifts, a stop at Tuesday Morning most likely won't leave you empty handed.

Check out the Tuesday Morning blog for inspiration in your latest home project and to help you put together a shopping list for your next visit to the store.

Tuesday Morning
2935 Pat Booker Road
Universal City, TX 78148
(210) 566-7311
www.tuesdaymorning.com/store/916

New Facebook Sweepstakes! Enter to Win an iPad Mini!

To enter the Sweepstakes, visit our Facebook Page and then look for the Sweepstakes tab (image shown below) located on our Facebook Page to enter. Sweepstakes ends October 31, 2015. We suggest you like our page to keep informed about future sweepstakes and community happenings.

For mobile users, click here to enter.

Harmon’s BBQ: A Real Taste of Texas

Most people would agree that barbecue is Texas’s signature cuisine, but with so many places to find it, it can be difficult to know which spots are best. Harmon’s BBQ is a local favorite in the Universal City area that serves authentic Texan barbecue fare in large portions for very affordable prices. This award-winning eatery is frequently named one of the best places in town for dishes like baby back ribs, brisket sandwiches, and smoked sausage, all slow cooked and smothered in tasty sauces. Choose a combination platter and pair your choice of meats with two Southern-style sides, and then pick up a kids' meal with portions perfect for the little ones.

The restaurant’s long tables are perfect for a meal with the whole family, and the cozy, barn-style eatery makes this a comfortable spot for dinner any night of the week.

Harmon’s BBQ
102 South Main Street
Cibolo, TX 78108
(210) 904-0353
www.harmonsbbq.com

La Fiesta Patio Cafe: Vegetarian-Friendly Mexican Fare

Eating tasty food is one of life’s simplest and most enjoyable pleasures, and if you’re looking to dine on flavorful Mexican fare in Universal City, La Fiesta Patio Cafe is the perfect spot. This favorite for Tex-Mex serves a large menu of chicken enchiladas, tortilla soup, and unique puffy tacos that you won’t find at many similar eateries, plus all of the chips and salsa that you can eat before the meal.

While many of the dishes contain meat, La Fiesta Patio Cafe is especially well known for its large selection of vegetarian options. You’ll find vegetarian sauce for the meat-free enchiladas, tofu tacos, vegan rice and beans, and much more. There is a selection of beer and wine for of-age guests, and everything tastes even more delicious when enjoyed inside of La Fiesta Patio Cafe’s whimsical, brightly colored dining room.

La Fiesta Patio Cafe also offers takeout options on any of its dishes.

La Feista Patio Cafe
1421 Pat Booker Road
Universal City, TX 78148
(210) 658-5110
www.fiestapatiocafe.com

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