My father, who passed away last fall at age 99, regaled us for years of his memories of New Orleans, where he was stationed briefly during WW2. I knew his favorite haunts, hotel, the food and music he loved. I don’t think my siblings and I really understood his passions, on any level, certainly not… Continue reading New Orleans, LA – Pascal’s Manale
California – The Habit Review
Your typical American story – 16 year old works for burger place in Santa Barbara, saves his tips, buys the joint four years later, ropes his brother into coming in on the deal, thirty odd years later, they have one location for each year they have been in business – spanning the length and width… Continue reading California – The Habit Review
I Pop My Back Yard Burger Cherry
Backyard Burgers started in Mississippi, back in the day, and has spread to 20+ states in the South and Middle West. I’ve driven by them on many occasions, but never found myself in close proximity to one at meal time (HEY, I heard that!). But the other day, I did. Odd, I have no real… Continue reading I Pop My Back Yard Burger Cherry
Western States – Good Times Burger
Spotted this while looking for a mail box in the far north exurbs of Denver. Hadn’t heard of it, parking lot was pretty full, thought I would give it a try. Walked in and was surprised to see a co-branded menu board, “Good Times Burger” and “Taco Johns.” There had been no Taco Johns signage… Continue reading Western States – Good Times Burger
Black Bear Diner Review
I have written about this chain once before, started in the 90s near Mt. Shasta, California, and now having spread its wings across six western states. The occasion of me noting it once in the past, was stopping at a location in Madras,Oregon, and getting a very tasty club sandwich to go. The memory still… Continue reading Black Bear Diner Review
Arby’s Steakhouse Onion Rings
Got a chance to try these out, accompanying literature and POP says “for a limited time only”, which probably means they are test marketing, so the product might not be available chain wide. The Steakhouse Onion Rings come in box similar to a fry container and include a side of ranch dressing. There are 5… Continue reading Arby’s Steakhouse Onion Rings
Pizza Guys – Northern California Chain
With about sixty locations covering the San Francisco Bay area and beyond, Pizza Guys seems to be the “little chain that could.” I found them by accident tonight, punching in “pizza” on the Tom Tom, and ending up at a place around the corner from a “Pizza Guys” locale – my first stop looked far… Continue reading Pizza Guys – Northern California Chain
Tulsa, OK – Ron’s Hamburgers and Chili
You know how I feel about places that are pronounced “the best in the city” by various local polls. Ron’s is one such place, an “institution” the puff pieces say. How can some place be an institution that was started a couple decades after I was born? For once, I sat down for a meal… Continue reading Tulsa, OK – Ron’s Hamburgers and Chili
The Greatest French Fries in the World, Bar None
After this event, I was wondering if my meager writing skills could even start to describe the experience. I decided to take a stab at it. These fries only occur every couple of decades when a perfect storm of prep is able to occur, in nature, and in the kitchen. On the southward slopes of… Continue reading The Greatest French Fries in the World, Bar None
Dallas, TX – Central 214
Maybe you caught a few episodes of The Naughty Kitchen, with @ChefBlytheBeck on Oxygen last year? The show revolves around Beck, a hot Dallas chef, who is running the back of the house at Central 214, the restaurant inside Kimpton’s Palomar Hotel on Mockingbird Lane in Dallas. If you haven’t stayed at a Kimpton, first… Continue reading Dallas, TX – Central 214