15 April 6–12, 2023 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents Biscuits and Bingo Slowing down with a WWII vet at the Chick- fil-A in Waxahachie. BY LAUREN DREWES DANIELS T he standard line of cars snaked through the parking lot at the Chick-fil-A on the north side of Waxahachie on a recent sunny Thursday morning. Signs of a recent construction project — dirt, leftover supplies — were scattered around the res- taurant, and there was only one parking spot left in the lot. As I entered, the restaurant was strangely quiet for being packed. It was a little after 9 a.m. and just about every table in the place was occupied. Diners looked down in front of them, almost as if in prayer, but there were no prayers. Or phones, or red trays full of chicken and biscuits. Even babies were quiet. It was Thursday morning bingo. Everyone was staring at bright green bingo cards in front of them; most had four covering more than half of the table. A Chick-fil-A worker held a cell phone in front of her and called out a letter and a number after each light tap. “B-12.” I grabbed two cards (four felt arrogant for a newcomer) and found a chair at a four-top ta- ble with one other bingo-er. A neighbor to the right whispered the pattern we were aiming to cross out (all outside edges) and the bingo caller came by and slid the red cellophane down over a few squares (threes were wild). Chick-fil-A’s coffee was above average for a fast-food chain, and a chicken and biscuit was way better than it needed to be. For an hour on this Thursday morning — with cars hurrying by on Highway 287 just outside — the dining room remained this way. Every now and then the calm was interrupted by a “Bingo,” and then a chorus of sighs. Jack Stroop and his wife, Helen, both originally from Dallas County, started orga- nizing Thursday morning bingo more than 15 years ago. Jack is 96 years old. He and Helen got married 24 years ago, after their spouses had passed away. Jack is a national treasure; he served in the Navy during World War II and fought in the Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Usually, about 15 others show up for bingo, but today was a bit more crowded be- cause this was the first bingo game since the store closed for a remodel. Chick-fil-A’s op- erator, Philip Browne, presented the Stroops with a special gift before the game, which he said was from the corporate office, as a way to say thanks for creating a community at the store and slowing things down a bit ev- ery Thursday morning. Not slowed down in the sense of “where’s my food?” but slowed down as in catching a breath. Sometimes regular customers will walk in and see the game going and grab a seat to play along. Anyone is welcome at any time. It’s a bit of a drive for Dallasites, but it’s lovely if you’re in the neighborhood or like road trips for random things. And if you happen to get a bingo, you’ll get to choose from a table of prizes, some of which have a regifting vibe (like a snowman teapot, a hat and mittens, and various tchotchkes). There are also Chick-fil-A gift cards for a free cookie or brownie. After the game, as Jack was picking up cards, I asked him if I could take his photo. He was more than gracious, but as he posed a few of his friends and family were cajoling him to smile. “Smile, Jack. Smile,” they said. He wouldn’t. One of them gig- gled and then said, “Sex!” to which the slightest grin spread across Jack’s lips for just a second. ▼ FOOD PARKS SUNSHINE FOR DAYS THE SUNNY SOUTH DALLAS FOOD PARK STARTS ANOTHER SEASON. BY E.MAYNE T his is the time of year when we’re in- vaded by crane flies and summer dresses as we prepare for the Texas heat. Sunday, if you turned your head slightly to the south of the city, you might have noticed the sweet smells of a simmer- ing feast and heard the rumbling sounds of the alluring African drum. Those aromas and music would be coming from the Sunny South Dallas Food Park (formerly known as the MLK Food Park). There is a wide variety of foods, goods and services provided by vendors from the neighborhoods of the south side of Dallas. Dee Powell, who organizes these events with her organization DRBTS (Do Right By The Streets), says that although it may seem like it, this event is not a festival. “We tend to stay away from the term ‘festi- val’ as it implies something that’s just for a spe- cial occasion and that’s not what the food park is,” Powell says. “South Dallas doesn’t need any more special events just to show up and leave. The food park shows what all South Dallas has in resources and services. It’s about economic mobility for South Dallas. “ At the Sunny South Dallas Food Park, you can find independent business owners selling anything from decorative scented candles to stylish fedoras. With all the various vendors from the area and the bumping music playing in the background, there is plenty to keep you occupied while you leapfrog to each food truck, which is entirely why we went. One of the first trucks that caught our gaze was the one with funnel cake at the en- try point. We decided to be adults for once in our lives and not eat dessert before our sa- vory entrées. The smell of a fish fry lured us to the back, where we had some of the best catfish this side of the Trinity River. Fish Trap, a locally owned catering outfit, serves up thick fillets, lil’ reefers (fish nug- gets) and sides like fried cabbage and dirty rice. Don’t blush, but their menu declares “Beware - This FATCAT will have you cum- ming back to back” for $10. For $20, you can get the “suck deez neckbones,” which we decided to maybe try another time. Another star player at the food frenzy was Mac and Fromage with its macaroni and cheese bowls topped with either Nash- ville hot, Cajun or Buffalo ranch chicken. Depending on your hunger level, this can easily be shared by two. For those who truly want to enjoy the day, there are plenty of booths for daiquiris and cocktails through- out the event. As the crowds started growing we decided to cut our losses and come back for the funnel cake during next month’s event. The moral of the story, come early. South Dallas, like other places in North Texas, could use all the help it can get. Or- ganizations like DRBTS are attempting to right the wrongs with a city that histori- cally failed the area. In 1930, people of color thrived in Freedman’s towns of North Dallas. North Central Expressway was built directly on top of a booming, ec- onomically sound Black neighborhood that divided North Dallas into east and west. The residents of the Freedman’s towns were forced to go south in search of housing. This destroyed not only families, but also historical sites that were impor- tant to that community. In the 1950s, South Dallas was com- pletely composed of white residents and redlining was alive and well. After WWII, many Black families who served were able to procure the funds to purchase a new home and a bright future. But in 1950, when a Black family purchased a new home, it was either destroyed by seg- regationists or the families were harassed until they were forced to move. After laws were changed and minorities started moving into South Dallas, white resi- dents quickly moved away — taking much municipal support with them — resulting the South Dallas we know today. Now, busi- nesses and residents are doing their best to celebrate and advocate for the neighbor- hood they want to live in. For more information on future events, you can check in with Sunny South Dallas Food Park’s Instagram. These monthly events will run from April to July. ▼ BARBECUE BBQ&A BURNT ENDS TO TEXAS TWINKIES, TREY HUTCHINS LOVES EVERY BIT OF THE BARBECUE BUSINESS. BY CHRIS WOLFGANG H utchins BBQ may be the area’s most well-rounded barbecue spot. Whether you go to Frisco or McKin- ney, everything on the menu is con- | CITY OF ATE | ▼ Dish Lauren Drewes Daniels Two regulars started hosting bingo at the Chick-fil-A in Waxahachie more than 15 years ago. >> p16
