My Brandon

My Brandon and Me

Last night Brandon came over to the spa while I was working late. If you're totally unfamiliar with my life, Brandon is someone I absolutely love and the owner of Square Burger. Contrary to what a lot of people think when they see us together, Brandon and I have really only known each other since the middle of June. And still, I call him my Brandon. Last night when I told him that, he just smiled and said, "Well, I call you my Jill." As he should. I am his Jill, always.

So, when people question who I am to him, he can just say that I'm his Jill as I will always refer to him as my Brandon.

Strip Burger

Nathan with a sweet potato fry that escaped

I went to Square Burger for the first time in a million years last night. God knows I got plenty of grief from the owner, Brandon Horrocks, for not being as regular as I once was. The truth is that I still see Brandon on a regular basis, but just haven't bellied up to the bar like I used to until last night. A friend of mine from Colorado came into town and there was nothing else we could do but go to Square Burger. He'd read enough about the place in my blogs. It was a must, so Larry and I, along with Tammy, bellied up to the bar in Square Burger last night.

Nothing like a Square Burger pickle



So, the first thing I had to do was introduce Larry to Square Burger crack, better known as popcorn, as only Craig and Gnoc can make it. After finishing off several bowls of that, he had to test drive the fried pickles. They must've been to his liking because he ordered another batch along with the sweet potato fries.

Sweet potato fries

Brandon (left) and Larry (right)

Now you're just going to have to take my word for it when I tell you that the above picture shows Brandon and Larry talking to each other because it's hard for me to even decipher their identities. No flash on the phone camera and that's as good as it gets that late at night.

So, the topic of conversation was that Brandon contends that Larry is the reason I'm moving away from McKinney. I have told Brandon from the beginning that it's not true. I do not move for men, any man. And, now I'm not moving back to Colorado. I'm stopping first in Santa Fe for a tour, and I don't know how long that adventure will last there. However, that being said, it proves that I am not moving because of Larry. I am moving because it's the right next step for me. It was Larry however, who spent 3.25 hours at $450/hour consulting fee, telling me why I was making a mistake by choosing Santa Fe over Evergreen, CO. (Good thing I wasn't paying....) The conclusion my boys came to was that I really was moving because of Larry because number one, I was protesting too much, and two, because according to Larry you can track the switch in my blogs from writing about McKinney to Colorado right after he'd sent me a picture of Evergreen.

What's the truth? The truth is that I'm making my decisions according to how I feel. Right now it feels right to move to Santa Fe with Tammy and begin what we consider to be the first of our healing facilities. Our intention is to eventually land in Evergreen, but right now the energy takes us to Santa Fe.

The other truth is that I will miss Brandon and Square Burger and everyone else there so very much. Brandon's made a home for me there at the bar. Brandon has become one of my dearest friends who I love very much. It's always a better day for having seen him and hugged him. Since June 14th this year I've looked forward to seeing his face and wrapping my arms around him every single day.

 

So, Brandon, just so you know, wherever I go I take my memories of you with me. You are part of my family, and there will hardly be a day that goes by that I won't think of you and wish I was sitting at your bar. Larry wants a Strip Burger in Evergreen.Since there's no square and only a strip in that town, that's the name of the restaurant he wants to put together with you and Craig and my big check I hand over to him to get that party started. See, Brandon, I'm not leaving you; I'm taking you with me.

a little brew

Toto, We're not in Square Burger Anymore...

It's never pretty leaving the square, but sometimes it's essential. This morning presented one of those times. Tammy Davis and I had to trek to Fort Worth and while waiting to meet someone, we stopped in a restaurant that wasn't a chain. We hiked ourselves up to the bar and this is what was looking back at us. Tough to order ham or bacon with this bad boy eyeballing us.

So, I got myself real busy getting to work and drinking waaay too much coffee. Our bartender let us know his name was Jebaaz Jenkins, and he kept that caffeine coming. Even though Wilbur was an awesome assistant and a bit of a heavy Coke drinker, I was more than happy to get back to Oz. After picking up my friend's cothing and ruby slippers at someone's home, we headed back east and let the yellow brick road take us back home.

 The first place to go after a long morning escaping the wicked witch of the west and her cohorts is Square Burger on the square in McKinney. Once we passed 35 on 121 we passed the poppies, narrowly missed the flying monkeys, and saw Oz in the background. We could already taste the turkey burger and fried pickle. Just the image of  a full plate at the bar kept us going through traffic and radar traps.

After my fabulous turkey burger and fried pickle, Ngoc brought me the best popcorn in the world. It's cooked in duck fat and flavored with Parmesan and rosemary.

Marley kept my water glass full and loaded with lemons, and the time spent outside of Oz disappeared from memory.

And of course, Oz wouldn't be Oz without the wizard behind the bar, Brandon Horrocks, one of the owners. Not only am I thrilled to be back in McKinney, but I'm so grateful to all those responsible for the best place in the world to hike a leg up at the bar and hang with the best people on the planet.

Square Burger

On November 12, 2008 I moved to McKinney, Texas, and at that time there was a closed building on the southwest corner of Kentucky and W. Virginia that had a sign promising that a restaurant called Square Burger was going to be opening.

On June 14, 2010 it became true. Here's Katy standing in front of the 33 beers on tap. Not only is she pretty, but the wall itself is a work of art. There's Moose Drool, Blue Moon, Lawnmower, and 30 others. Here you can have a flight -- three beer samples for $6.00. I highly recommend it. If you're not sure what you want, pick three names that sound good or let the bartenders pick them.

Here's to Brandon Horrocks, one of the owners. (He's the one standing behind my friend, Tom Michero.) Here's to someone who kept at it and made it happen, someone who brought people into his life who could fulfill this dream.

The building on the southwest corner of Kentucky and W. Virginia is open now. It has been for three days, and I've been privileged enough to be able to walk through those doors, to sit in the love stool, and belly up to the bar.

So, thank you, Brandon, for what you've done. It's brought a new place to the square that we can meet our friends, make new ones, and enjoy great burgers and 33 different beers on tap! And I haven't even mentioned their wines, appetizers, and desserts, or that the chef/co-owner came from Wolfgang Puck's Spago.

What are you waiting for? They're open Monday through Thursday 11-11, Friday and Saturday, 11-12, and Sunday 11-4. Get over there and keep them busy. The food's fabulous. The company's extraordinary, and you may just see me sitting on my love stool.