{"id":1396,"date":"2009-08-09T17:15:37","date_gmt":"2009-08-09T23:15:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hottie-biscotti.com\/blog\/?p=1396"},"modified":"2009-08-14T10:41:19","modified_gmt":"2009-08-14T16:41:19","slug":"cowboy-gelato","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hottie-biscotti.com\/blog\/2009\/08\/09\/cowboy-gelato\/","title":{"rendered":"Cowboy Gelato"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following a high scoring game of bowling this afternoon, Ben and I needed something for lunch before we passed out. \u00a0Amarillo is not known for local restaurants that are open on Sundays and Mondays. \u00a0I was not thrilled about the idea of getting something at McDonalds or Taco Bell, so we tried to eat at a local burger place on 6th street (historic Route 66), but as expected, they were closed. \u00a0So we kept driving and saw a place I hadn’t seen on 6th before boasting fresh made gelato and tasty sandwiches. \u00a0We decided to take our chances and try it out.<\/p>\n

\"164_cowboy-gelato-logo-09\"The restaurant is called Cowboy Gelato<\/a> and has been open since the 1st of August. \u00a0The owner was there, her daughter took our order and I think her son was making the gelato. \u00a0The owner was such a sweet woman. \u00a0She came and talked to us a few times, complimenting me on my lunch decision, the Leone, which I will describe shortly. \u00a0Everyone there checked on us more than once to make sure we were enjoying our food, and offering to refill our drinks. \u00a0I love Texas hospitality.<\/p>\n

The name of this place seems like quite an odd combination. \u00a0Cowboy food and Italian gelato are not a match made in culinary heaven, but it works people…it really works. \u00a0The inspiration for the place is film “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”. Most menu items are named for Spaghetti Western movies, directors and actors. \u00a0The walls are hung with Spaghetti Western movie posters.<\/p>\n

The sandwiches are called The Eastwood, Van Cleef, Wallach, Bronson, Leone, and Hill. \u00a0Salads choices include The Ferzetti, and Volonte. \u00a0Kids meals are the Django, Red Sun, Sabata and Campaneros.<\/p>\n

Are you lost? \u00a0I was. \u00a0I knew Eastwood meant Clint Eastwood and that Van Cleef referred to Lee Van Cleef who starred alongside Eastwood in “For a Few Dollars More”. \u00a0I also knew that Sergio Leone was a direcor. \u00a0I did not know that he directed “For a Few Dollars More” and “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”. \u00a0Other than that I was pretty clueless about who the other food items on the menu were named for. \u00a0I found the answer to all my questions here<\/a>! \u00a0I never thought a restaurant would lead me to a wiki article devoted to the Spaghetti Western.<\/p>\n

Ok, to the food!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Ben ordered “The Hill”<\/p>\n

\"hill\"<\/p>\n

A Texas steak and cheese sandwich with “Ranch Roasters” which are simply baked and seasoned french fries. \u00a0I thought it was pretty tasty. \u00a0The meat had good flavor, and it wasn’t overwhelmingly cheesy. \u00a0The “fries” were definitely healthier than fried french fries. \u00a0They don’t have the crunch of a deep fried slice of potato, but they were good.<\/p>\n

I had “The Leone”. \u00a0Ben wishes that he’d ordered it too.<\/p>\n

\"leone1\"<\/p>\n

Two Sky View specials with cabbage, pimento cheese, red onion and chili between 2 toasted corn tortillas. \u00a0Weird? \u00a0Yes ma’am, weird would be a perfect description. \u00a0Delicous? \u00a0Oh yeah. \u00a0What is a Skyview special? \u00a0The owner of Cowboy Gelato, upon hearing what I’d ordered came and told me how much I was going to enjoy it and asked if we wanted to hear the history of it. \u00a0She’s been making them for her family for years, but had one originally at the Skyview Drive In<\/a> in Lamesa, Texas south of Lubbock. \u00a0I haven’t been able to confirm anything about the origin of this amazing stack of food. \u00a0All I know is that it was good. \u00a0Ben and I agreed that it tasted a lot like a Frito pie, only better. \u00a0Corn tortillas baked until crispy replace the Fritos, pimento cheese replaces grated cheddar, chunks of red onion replaces chopped white onion, the chili is the same, and the addition of cabbage creates a nice fresh crunch. \u00a0It’s eaten like a sandwich, so be prepared to use quite a few napkins and get some greasy chili juice on your face and hands.<\/p>\n

\"leone3\"\"leone2\"<\/p>\n

After lunch I had to have some gelato. \u00a0Lucky for me, a fresh tray of Tiramisu gelato had just been placed in the cooler. \u00a0They had about 6 flavors of sorbet and about 10 flavors of milk based gelato. \u00a0I tried a bit of the Chocolate Green Chile which was described to me as “It is what it is!” meaning that you can taste both the chocolate and the green chile, yet somehow it works. \u00a0I also tried the Chocolate Hazelnut. \u00a0The Green Chile was a little grainy, I assume because of the chiles. \u00a0So I had “The Good” which is a 4 ounce cup with your choice of 2 gelato flavors. \u00a0I had the Chocolate Hazelnut and Tiramisu. \u00a0The Tiramisu was so fresh, rich, wonderful and creamy. \u00a0The Chocolate Hazelnut was also delicious with tiny, tasty, crunchy pieces of hazelnut. \u00a0If you want more gelato or to try more flavors in one cup you can order “The Bad” with 7 ounces and up to three flavors, or “The Ugly” with 9 ounces and up to four flavors of cold, creamy goodness.<\/p>\n

\"gelato\"<\/p>\n

It was hot today and from the moment I was handed my gelato it started to drip on my hand, so I had to eat pretty quickly. \u00a0I managed to snap one pic with my phone, but it magically disappeared so I am using this gelato pic just to give an idea of what I saw as I scarfed down my creamy dessert.<\/p>\n

If you find yourself driving through Amarillo, you should try this place. \u00a0If you live in Amarillo, go here and help support local business!<\/p>\n