Top

Dublin Dr. Pepper

January 19, 2012 by · Comments Off on Dublin Dr. Pepper 

Dublin Dr. Pepper, Chef Jon Bonnell has dumped the Dr, and Dublin Bottling’s Triple *** Root Beer will be the new ingredient in Bonnell’s signature ice cream float, replacing gone and much-lamented Dublin Dr Pepper.

Bonnell, a staunch friend of local and regional growers and products, stuck up for the Dublin bottler last week after Plano-based Dr Pepper Snapple muscled the Dublin Dr Pepper brand off shelves in a legal settlement.

Bonnell’s has severed all ties with Dr Pepper, also removing Canada Dry and Schweppes.

“What Dr Pepper did drives me nuts,” Bonnell said.

“That little bottling company is the lifeblood of that community. It wasn’t hurting Dr Pepper a bit. That company keeps the town alive.”

Bonnell sent his brother, physician Ric Bonnell of Tolar, to Granbury stores to buy authentic Dublin Dr Pepper.

Jon Bonnell said if he has to, he’ll drive to Dublin to buy the small bottling company’s other products, including Triple ***, NuGrape soda and Suncrest orange soda.

Bonnell’s Southwestern steak-and-game menu also features Texas cheeses from Dublin and Granbury, along with grass-fed Texas beef, greens from the Red River valley, vegetables from the Benbrook Traffic Circle farmers market and three kinds of grits from a McLennan County gristmill.

“From my first project in culinary school, I’ve cooked with food from Texas farms and ranches,” he said.

“I’ve always tried to help the farmers and small vendors. That includes these folks in Dublin.”

Bonnell’s second cookbook, Jon Bonnell’s Texas Favorites, is expected late next month.

Bonnell’s has also announced its Valentine’s night menu: tenderloin over lobster mac-and-cheese, with bacon-wrapped scallops, an appetizer sampler and a chocolate sampler dessert; $85, 4259 Bryant Irvin Road, 817-738-5489, bonnellstexas.com.

Bottom