Dallas vs. Atlanta (tallest, living, best, cost)

[wpmeads]

Originally Posted by johnatl

I know this is off topic (sorry), but I have to admit that I REALLY want to visit San Antonio. So much of what I see and hear appeals to me.

Probably doesn't hurt that I live in a very Latin area of Atlanta! I've been hooked on the culture and food for a long time now.

Well then you'll love San Antonio. Excluding New Mexico, the city has the best Mexican food in the country, IMO.

[blkgiraffe]

Originally Posted by wpmeads

This is off topic, but I think in general, San Antonio is a better theme park region than Dallas/Fort Worth.

Agreed. Sixflags, Splashtown, Sea World, Slitterbahn, and more

I don't think no water park can beat Slitterbahn.

[johnatl]

Originally Posted by wpmeads

Well then you'll love San Antonio. Excluding New Mexico, the city has the best Mexican food in the country, IMO.

Yeah, so I've heard.

New Mexico's cuisine is pretty unique to it's area, and very different from what most of us know of as "Mexican" food. Their whole chili culture is amazing.

I have to admit that I am a HUGE Tex-Mex fan, although I know it isn't authentic.

Up until about 15 or so years ago, that was basically all we had here. Now is a totally different story. I have some fantastic taquerias and panaderias all around me now, along with several excellent latin markets.

[wpmeads]

Originally Posted by jluke65780

Agreed. Sixflags, Splashtown, Sea World, Slitterbahn, and more

I don't think no water park can beat Slitterbahn.

I think if San Antonio had a Disney theme park, it could give Orlando a run for its money. I haven't been to Slitterbahn in a long time. I know they have one in Galveston now but I haven't been yet.

[Adric]

Originally Posted by johnatl

Very interesting!

Re: Opryland - That was a GREAT park, and I was lucky enough to go when it was still fairly new. I still can't believe they tore it down.

Yes. All that's left if Opryland is a big rock that used to be part of the Grizzly River Rampage. You can see it from the Opry Mills parking lot. It's quite sad.

[wpmeads]

Originally Posted by johnatl

Yeah, so I've heard.

New Mexico's cuisine is pretty unique to it's area, and very different from what most of us know of as "Mexican" food. Their whole chili culture is amazing.

I have to admit that I am a HUGE Tex-Mex fan, although I know it isn't authentic.

Up until about 15 or so years ago, that was basically all we had here. Now is a totally different story. I have some fantastic taquerias and panaderias all around me now, along with several excellent latin markets.

If you get a chance to go to San Antonio, stop by the Market Square. Some of the best Tex-Mex I've ever had! I have to admit that New Mexico is probably the best place in the country for "Mexican" food (of course it's still Americanized Mexican food). When I eat Mexican food outside of Texas, it seems like most of it is just a bad imitation of Tex-Mex. I'm not being egotistical about Texas food, but some of the worst food I've ever had are Mexican restaurants in the Southeast and Colorado. I'm glad to hear Atlanta has some good Latin restaurants. I would imagine they would have some decent Cuban food as well as Mexican.

[johnatl]

Originally Posted by wpmeads

If you get a chance to go to San Antonio, stop by the Market Square. Some of the best Tex-Mex I've ever had! I have to admit that New Mexico is probably the best place in the country for "Mexican" food (of course it's still Americanized Mexican food). When I eat Mexican food outside of Texas, it seems like most of it is just a bad imitation of Tex-Mex. I'm not being egotistical about Texas food, but some of the worst food I've ever had are Mexican restaurants in the Southeast and Colorado. I'm glad to hear Atlanta has some good Latin restaurants. I would imagine they would have some decent Cuban food as well as Mexican.

Yeah, we do have some great Cuban food, but still not enough for this ex-Floridian!

We certainly can't have as much Mexican as you guys do, but the real thing very much exists here now. My favorite places are all Mexican owned, and I am frequently the only "gringo" in many places I go.

[johnatl]

Okay, time to change gears just a little.

We are about to get a new store here that already exists in Dallas (and Houston).

It's a HUGE furniture store called The Dump. The Dallas store is out in Irving. Ours is replacing and expanding a vacant Home Depot not far from me.

What is this store all about, to anyone that knows? Is it decent, or is the name pretty descriptive?

[polo89]

Originally Posted by johnatl

Isn't that the one they built in an old quarry or something, out by Sea World?

Yeah, it's in a rock quarry, with HUGE rock walls with apartments, houses, and a mall at the top, overlooking the WHOLE theme park.

[johnatl]

Originally Posted by polo89

Yeah, it's in a rock quarry, with HUGE rock walls with apartments, houses, and a mall at the top, overlooking the WHOLE theme park.

Very cool!

I think I saw something once on the Travel Channel about a roller coaster that "dives" into the quarry from the top of the rim.

Another reason to visit SAT.....