The loop always started with a stop in Chetopa, Kansas for gas since the stations there were constantly engaged in a gas war. We'd also hit Coooper's Drive-In for chocolate dipped ice cream cones, half of which ended up on my shirt. The next stop was Grand Lake dam where Grandpa would park the Buick at the overlook to admire the mass of concrete. I had no interest in that scenery, but I do remember thinking driving over the dam was a big deal. Woo hooooo!
The return trip home was never complete without a stop at Buffalo Ranch in Afton, Oklahoma.
We'd pile out of the Buick to stare at the buffalos beyond the tall fence, then Grandpa would always ask us if we were hungry enough to eat a buffalo burger. It was a novelty and we were always amazed that buffalo really didn't taste much different than beef. In fact, in later years, I wondered if it really was buffalo meat, or just ground beef from the local Piggly Wiggly. But I suppose they were honest and actually serving meat from the buffalo raised on the ranch.
Now I'll cut to the chase. Michael was home this past week and is a very picky eater. He's the same kid who refused to eat a hamburger until he was in first grade. He insisted on fish sandwiches from McDonald's. (His pediatrician called those Crisco suppositories.) Since he was leaving on Monday to go back on the road, I decided to barbecue Sunday night. I suggested steaks or hamburger, but he insisted that he would not eat beef. (Never mind the fact that I KNOW he ate mystery meat tacos from Taco Bell for lunch!) He was set on buffalo. Uh . . . WHAT? I told him to call up Ted Turner and see if he delivered.
Michael checked around and found out Fry's supermarkets actually carry ground buffalo meat, so he brought home the buffalo and I cooked it up for dinner. I added Worcestershire sauce, seasoning, and blue cheese to the mix because I remembered a statement from Top Chef that buffalo burgers tended to be very dry. That and I figured the Worcestershire and blue cheese might cover any gamey taste from the buffalo?
I resisted the entire buffalo burger idea, but I'll admit, they turned out good. Really good! And that first bite brought back all the memories of Buffalo Ranch and those Sunday afternoon drives. I read online that it was torn down in 2004 to build a gas station/mini-mart. I wonder if they sell buffalo meat?
Buffalo Blue Burgers and Grilled Veggies with Peaches
Michael confessed sheepishly after dinner that the ground buffalo was $8.99 a pound. I about blew my teeth out! Those people really think a lot of their buffalos! HA!
P.S. The spelling of all those damn dams is now corrected. LOL!
