Big Fatty's On the Square

(Uh ... to the reviewer below, Big Fatty's Flaming Foods and Big Fatty's on the Square are both part of the same delicious empire. And it's an empire that gives the otherwise friendly and dynamic town of Valley View a much-needed jolt of creativity.)

Big Fatty's is located on the northeast corner of Valley View's recently rennovated town square (go check it out), and the outdoor dining area has become a garden spot for casual dining there.

I used to eat at Big Fatty's at least every other week or more when I lived near Valley View, and I haven't found much to rival their style in my new home of Austin, though the eccentric decor inside is very Austin-esque. The reverent might have to forgive the tongue-in-cheek religious kitsch used for decoration throughout the inside.

On that note, the cuisine is heavenly (with elements of Soul Food, Texas Barbecue, Memphis barbecue, Tex-Mex, Jalisco-style and just about any other genre you can think of), and its worth the drive if  you're tired of the same ol', same ol'. The owners, Gail and Ricky Patterson, known for their catering and meat-smoking skills in the area, really love their work. They're very careful about who they hire, so your money isn't going to waste at some heartless chain restaurant that sucks the life out of its employees -- they're an organic part of the North Texas community. But because of that, there is one minor drawback: Big Fatty's closes invariably so the "Gail and Ricky Show" can go on the road or tend to more important things than the almighty dollar, such as family and friends. And sometimes they have seasonal hours when business is slower than usual. So call ahead, and your tastebuds will be glad you did.

Best Big Fatty's experience: Ordering a giant tray of brisket and "spanked" meatballs for a group meeting. They did not disappoint, and if you're really nice and call in advance they might even throw in something special for ya.

Big Fatty's Flaming Foods sells unique baked goods by mail.  They have won prizes for this food.  The goodies defy description, see their website.

Big Fatty's Flaming Foods is located miles away from Valley View in the country.  It is not to be confused with the restaurant, Big Fatty's On the Square, which is located in the town of Valley View, about 2 blocks west of I-35.