Category: Miscellany

I Go on a Rant About Yum Brands

Yum! was created on October 7, 1997, as Tricon Global Restaurants, Inc. an independent company, as a result of a spin-out from PepsiCo, which owned and franchised the KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell brands worldwide.  It’s been a successful venture, by any measure. What fascinates and irritates me at the same time, is the company’s idea of “product innovation”… Continue reading I Go on a Rant About Yum Brands

Algonquin, IL – Nero’s Pizza and Pub Review

(2nd contribution from our Chicagoland reporter, thanks!) In the far Northwestern suburbs of Chicago, Algonquin is a sleepy burg, with its share of housing divisions and strip malls. In one such mall, on Algonquin Road, you’ll find Nero’s Pizza and Pub, a full menu restaurant and bar, open from 11AM daily. On the Monday nite… Continue reading Algonquin, IL – Nero’s Pizza and Pub Review

Elgin, IL – Alexander’s Restaurant

(First review from our new Chicago contributor, keep ’em coming).  Your fairly standard Chicago local diner fare, open early for the local business coffee crowd, and just off the tollway for travelers. Probably does a brisker business since a local Cracker Barrel relocated out of the area. We didn’t vary from the norm, went with… Continue reading Elgin, IL – Alexander’s Restaurant

Frozen Pie Smackdown – Home Run Inn vs Reggio’s

Years ago, when I lived in Chicago, Home Run Inn or Reggio’s was my choice of frozen pizzas.   Which one I picked up just depended on what the store I was visiting, was carrying.  I always considered them equals, and among the best of the best in frozen pies. The taste and appearance are similar,… Continue reading Frozen Pie Smackdown – Home Run Inn vs Reggio’s

Boron, CA – Home of 20 Mule Team Borax

(From our travel archives)  I like to stop in obscure tourist attractions that mildly interest me, just to see how many other people are mildly interested.  In Boron, CA, where they mine borax, today, the answer was nil.  No visitors at the Borax information and visitors center. Most of you are probably not old enough… Continue reading Boron, CA – Home of 20 Mule Team Borax

Why I’m Done With McDonalds

Mc Donalds has been around my whole life, but it hasn’t been around me.  It was late coming to my hometown, where my introduction to fast food chains came via the also-rans. McDonalds has tens of thousands of restaurants around the world.  They took in almost $30 billion dollars in revenue in 2011.  They have… Continue reading Why I’m Done With McDonalds

On Being Diabetic and Eating This Kind of Stuff

I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about 2 years ago. Decades of not paying attention, being overweight, not exercising.  I can still enjoy all these foods I write about, but in moderation, which should have been the case from the get go.  I guess I was absent that day in health class. I’ve made… Continue reading On Being Diabetic and Eating This Kind of Stuff

Marios Pizza and Restaurant Review, Albuquerque, NM –

(Editor note – I am currently traveling and will be mostly posting reviews that I left unfinished for one reason or another, while building up a repertoire of the new places I hit!  There will also be reviews from some new reporters we have signed up). Local favorite, going on 50 years, I was delighted… Continue reading Marios Pizza and Restaurant Review, Albuquerque, NM –