Savoring May: A Culinary Journey Through Our Favorite Restaurants

May was a delicious month for our family, filled with sweet treats, savory meals, and memorable dining experiences. From cinnamon rolls that stole our hearts to vibrant Mexican flavors and a special birthday celebration, we explored some fantastic restaurants. Here’s a recap of our culinary adventures at Dough Lady, PIKO, Taqueria 27, Fresh Doughnuts and Deli, Lucky Bowl, and Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream.

Our Variety of Rolls from The Dough Lady

Dough Lady: Cinnamon Roll Heaven

We made multiple trips to Dough Lady this month, and it’s easy to see why—it’s home to the best cinnamon rolls we’ve ever tasted! Their creative flavors, both sweet and savory, keep us coming back. This month, we indulged in coconut lime, blueberry lemon, taco, orange, strawberry, traditional cinnamon rolls, and the elusive Dubai chocolate—a strawberry roll elevated with chocolate, pistachio paste, and whole pistachios. The Dubai chocolate was a rare treat worth the special trip! We love the option to enjoy fresh rolls on-site or take them home to bake later. After swim class, the girls adore picking their flavors (Jules and Madi always want to eat there), while Erik sticks to his beloved traditional cinnamon roll. I can’t resist trying the monthly specials. If you haven’t visited Dough Lady, it’s a must for any cinnamon roll lover!

Mexican Food from PIKO

PIKO: A Mexican Gem Near Downtown

One weekend, we craved Mexican food and stumbled upon PIKO near downtown. It was a great find! Erik and I kicked things off with cocktails—I loved my horchata martini with its coffee liquor twist, while Erik enjoyed the spicy Pina De Fuego. The kids ordered from the kids’ menu: Jules got a chicken taco (though she mostly ate her beans and rice side), and Madi had a chicken quesadilla. Erik’s quesabirria with birria beef, cheese, beans, and rice was a hit, and my sausage breakfast burrito was packed with flavor. The service was friendly, and we just missed the live music setting up on the patio. PIKO is definitely a spot we’ll revisit.

Some Great Picks from Taqueria 27

Taqueria 27: A Cinco de Mayo Staple

Taqueria 27 was a star this month, with multiple visits thanks to Cinco de Mayo and meetups with friends. When friends from Colorado visited, I enjoyed the angus carne asada tacos with French fries inside—a fun twist—paired with a strawberry pineapple rita that was good but not my favorite. Another visit with Madi’s friend and her mom was a highlight. We shared guacamole and ordered the P.B.L.T.A taco (with smoked pork belly) and carnitas tacos, swapping one of each for variety. My blood orange strawberry rita, the day’s special, was phenomenal! Madi tried taquitos instead of her usual quesadilla and loved their crunch, proving that trying new things pays off. Jules stuck with her quesadilla. Taqueria 27 never disappoints!

Variety of Doughnuts from Fresh Doughnuts and Deli

Fresh Doughnuts and Deli: A Birthday Surprise

For Madi’s birthday, she requested doughnuts, so we surprised her with a variety from Fresh Doughnuts and Deli, our go-to spot. Madi shocked us by choosing the sugar doughnut first (we expected her to pick maple), while Jules went for the chocolate sprinkle doughnut. The joy on Madi’s face made the early morning trip after the gym worth it. Fresh Doughnuts and Deli always delivers happiness in every bite.

Chinese from Lucky Bowl

Lucky Bowl and Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream: A Birthday Feast

Madi’s birthday dinner called for Chinese food, and her birthday party gift card to Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream led us to Lucky Bowl, a nearby restaurant with great reviews. We ordered house lo mein, chicken fried rice, a specialty combination (General Tso’s chicken, sweet and sour chicken, and chicken lo mein), and beef in garlic sauce with white rice. Everything was a hit! Jules loved the noodles and chicken, Madi devoured the beef in garlic sauce and specifically the shrimp in the lo mein, and Erik and I enjoyed sampling it all. A chopstick hack with a napkin made it easier for Madi to use them, adding fun to the meal. At Handel’s, Madi got strawberry cheesecake chunk (so big we saved half!), Erik chose Ohh…dough, I picked taro, and Jules mostly shared Erik’s. It was the perfect sweet ending to Madi’s special day.

Ice Cream from Handel's

May was a month of culinary delights, from Dough Lady’s irresistible cinnamon rolls to Taqueria 27’s vibrant tacos and Lucky Bowl’s comforting Chinese dishes. Each restaurant brought something unique to our table, whether it was a new flavor, a birthday surprise, or a cozy family meal. We can’t wait to see what June’s dining adventures bring! Have you tried any of these spots? Let us know your favorites in the comments!