Andy's Kitchen is familiar comfort food

 

 

 

Culinary Thrill Seekers, let’s dive into 2026 with vigor! If you’re resolving to eat more healthy, know that this can   an exciting challenge. Try new ingredients, new restaurants and dine with friends! I recently tried Andy’s and wonder why it took me so long.

       It’s kind of like “Cheers,” but with eggrolls, soup and crab Rangoon. Familiarity of flavors and aromas is what I find comforting at Andy’s Kitchen Chinese Restaurant. Like Cheers where everybody knows your name, Andy’s knows what you crave in a good chicken, pork or seafood dish. Super-red sweet and sour sauce, soup as yellow as the sun and greens of broccoli fill platters at this restaurant on Jimmy Johnson Boulevard in Port Arthur. Andy came to my table to ask how everything was, and he got my two thumbs up. Maybe it’s the fortune cookies, but I love Asian food this time of year.

Toast the New Year with Tequila – I had no problems watching a couple of mini movies from the makers of Pezuña Blanca. A beautiful woman in silver jewelry enjoys her stunning horses. Later there is surely this tequila in the works, poured from a unique, off center bottle inspired by earthenware and Brutalist architecture. It is “concretely” a positive experience. Hoof it to this organic Tequila Blanco and other varieties in this line, where even the water used has a higher calling. It’s really more high class than the joke I could not resist. The name means “hoof” and the site recalls this saying regarding horses:

 “One white foot, buy him; two white feet, try him; three white feet, look well about him; four white feet, go without him.”

I say it’s delicious. Makers say “Pezuña Blanca, inspired by the legend and good fortune of a horse with a single white hoof, reflects the resilience and heritage of the charros who embodied the spirit of Mexico. Born in the volcanic, red soils of the Amatitán Valley and crafted under at the NOM 1480 distillery, Pezuña Blanca celebrates rich tradition and artisanal excellence.” www.pezunablancatequila.com

Pancakes are Back on the Menu – Because of my GF friend, I’m into trying gluten-free products. Eban’s Bakehouse announces pancakes are back on the menu. Flip some yourself or try some of this line’s ready-made goodies. A loaf of Flaxseed Oat drew me in with the little seeds on top. There’s oat and seeded loafs and cinnamon raisin for breakfast. These are dense and heavy. I don’t know if that’s the proper baking term but I like that hefting a loaf feels a bit like holding a baby. Bring on the sandwiches!

As for their cookies: Crispy Pecan Shortbread, Peanut Butter, White Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal and Cranberry Walnut Coconut Oatmeal hit all the spots.

Ready to get Eban’s into your own kitchen? I made a nice pancake with the “no gluten, no regrets” all-purpose flour blend. I think a quick bread will be next. www.eban'sbakehouse.com

Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who will join in those who welcome 2026 as a positive new beginning. Reach her via panews@panews.com