Have yourself a time today. Texas Tech is now 2-0 on the road in Big 12 play after winning a game with their third-string QB, the backup center, and a limited TJ Vasher. The defense came through time and time again allowing only 121 yards on the ground. Shoot, even the punting game found its groove in the second half pinning TCU deep within their own territory more than once (okay, twice).

Celebrate this one, especially if you’re back at the office in Fort Worth.

THE MENU

Most of you know that I am not the best food critic (with the exception of BBQ – I can tell good from bad). There are too many things I like that I probably shouldn’t. Fast food is one of those things. That could hurt my chances of ever criticizing a chef when I believe that the Taco Bueno Muchaco is one of the best things you can buy from any restaurant.

A few weeks ago, an idea that had been floating around for years finally came to fruition: we hosted a fast food buffet. The premise is as simple as it sounds. You invite some friends over and ask them to bring a few of their favorite or most interesting fast food items for everyone to try. We even had dessert covered.

There were four of us at this inaugural event, and this was the menu:

• Crispy Bacon & Tomato Chicken (Domino’s)
• Spicy Jalapeño & Pineapple Chicken (Domino’s)
• Chocolate Lava Crunch Cakes (Domino’s)
• Nacho Mexi-curls (Taco Villa)
• Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers & Sauce
• Beef Chalupas (Taco Bell)
• Fiesta Potatoes (Taco Bell)
• Cinnamon Twists (Taco Bell)
• Signature Slingers (Sonic)

Now, some of you may scoff at the notion that Whataburger did not make it on the list. We treated this as more of a wine/cheese tasting (I even swirled the Cane’s sauce before sampling to appreciate the aromas – jk, that’s insane and impossible due to its consistency, of course). You’re there to try new things. We knew each other well enough to know that we all like Whataburger. This was about expanding our low-budget fast food pallet.

Everyone tried at least one thing they had never had before. My wife chipped in the Nacho Mexi-curls (basically curly fries covered in queso) from the Villa, an item the rest of us didn’t even know existed. I brought the guilty pleasures from Domino’s along with Sonic’s oddly delicious burger made with a mushroom/beef patty. Our friends pitched in Cane’s and Taco Bell, and I can’t sing the praises of the Chalupa enough. The only things at the Bell that eclipse it are the Cheesy Gordita Crunch and the Crunchwrap Supreme. This was my first time to have Fiesta Potatoes, though, and I can see why it may be a popular after-the-bar food.

What will you bring to the *First Annual STP Fast Food Buffet?

*date/location/feasibility pending

THE HIGHLIGHTS

Checkout this weekend’s sights and sounds:

• Don’t let the chilly weather keep you from the Turnpike Troubadours Street Party Saturday night outside of Blue Light featuring Jaime Wyatt and the legendary Ray Wylie Hubbard
• If staying indoors is more your deal, Roger Creager will be at Charley B’s tonight
• West Texas Wine Tours is ready to take you for a ride Saturday afternoon
• Papa Roach will be in town this Wednesday (10/17)
• TTU Volleyball faces off against Kansas on Sunday
• Texas Tech Homecoming Week kicks off on Monday (10/15)
• The Nightmare on 19th Street is rolling along with the At’l Do Corn Maze
• Our friends at The Plains Brew Co. will be open Saturday from 2-9pm.
• Visit the fine folks at Lubbock in the Loop for more Lubbock info.