Check into hotel’s pancake machine
Visitors couldn’t get over a stainless steel box at the Holiday Inn Express breakfast area. Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce coffee guests pressed a button and waited 45 seconds for two hot cakes to come rolling out. There’s no batter to pour. There’s just anticipation. Better have your plate ready to catch them at the end. The whole breakfast area and lobby is a first-class setting.
Jody Clausen and Ryan Dews of the hotel say the machine stirs a lot of talk among tourists.


Grab your chopsticks
A special occasion finally brought me to Port Arthur’s new Tokyo Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar and it was even more fun and delicious than I anticipated. The tableside chef did tricks with eggs and masterfully seasoned and grilled my luncheon calamari. One of the biggest onions I’ve ever seen became a flaming volcano that had diners leaning back in their chairs, amazed at the tower of flames. Then we got to eat this artwork. My party had the good fortune to dine with a man who lives nearby and says he gets to walk to the restaurant almost daily. Lucky him.




Win 1 Million, Cupcake
The Duncan Hines® 1 MILLION Cupcake Challenge will raise funds for Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale to help end childhood hunger. Through July 24, bakers may win prizes including one of five trips for two to Los Angeles and seats on the Red Carpet of the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards. Each week, the participants who raise the most funds for Share Our Strength have the opportunity to earn a matching donation from Duncan Hines.
Visit DuncanHines.com for recipes such as creamy Lemon Chocolate Cupcakes. Check out an instructional video on the Duncan Hines Facebook page for decadent chocolate cupcakes. Great American Bake Sale’s Top 10 Tips will boost bake sales. Join the Duncan Hines Baker’s Club at www.duncanhines.com/bakersclub for exclusive access to additional recipes, baking tips and coupons.
ddoiron@panews.com