slakingfool

A taste of Tamale's Industry

2012-01-25T19:55:00.000-06:00

A few weekends ago I had the chance opportunity to try the food at Tamale’s Industry on the corner of Second and New York.

For starters, soup for appetizer. A vegetable soup with ground beef to be exact, with a choice of red and green salsas to enhance flavor. Adding a dollop of either salsa does make the soup more flavorful, but adding both gives heat and a welcome tomato richness.

The tamale plate comes with rice and beans. The rice with corn was on the bland side whereas the refried beans were more hearty – though likely from a can – and dusted with a generous dusting of Cojita cheese. The poblano and cheese tamale is quite tasty but rather dry in comparison to the tamales I recently enjoyed in Las Vegas [see blog post]. I think the key factor is to purchase a dozen or so to go and steam at home. My dining partner did so and said they were far better.

Curious about the Tostadas con Cueritos I asked what it was made with. The answer was pickled pig skin. I opted for a tostada with beef, but we were generously offered a sample. It's too hardcore for me but my more adventurous companion was keen to try. She compared it to octopus in sushi: tough and tasteless.

Neither could be said about the tostada made with fall apart beef. Juicy and tender. Delightful presentation.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: More reviewed foods

Holiday trip 2011: Back to the Midwest

2012-01-23T00:02:00.000-06:00

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Our arrival in Kingman, Arizona was as timely as the eastbound Southwest Chief. I awoke in Flagstaff with little time to catch a breath of fresh air, so I focused on getting breakfast. Having tried the cheese blintz on the trip out, I go for a cheese omelet with bacon, grits and biscuit.

Halfway between Gallup and Albuquerque I find myself tiring of Angus burgers for lunch, so going for broke I opt for a black bean burger with strips of bacon. The black bean patty is a huge improvement over the bland, texturally-disappointing Gardenburger previously offered as the vegetarian alternative in bleaker years’ past.

At our crew change and fuel stop in Albuquerque I’m disappointed to find that my trusty food porn camera bit the dust. Just what I need to have after a costly vacation: an unexpected expense.

Nothing terribly interesting for the remainder of the day except for the usual breaks in Raton and La Junta. Seated for dinner, I found that the pasta for the night was out. I ate a few bowls of side salad, and was halfway into what passed for tiramisu when I realized I could gotten the mac and cheese on the kids’ menu with a baked potato and mixed vegetables. Even though what I saw served at lunch was nothing more than the boxed variety, it would be been more substantial than what I settled for.

Monday, January 2, 2012

I slept more soundly on the return trip through Kansas only rising once in Garden City before I woke up for good at Lawrence. Breakfast was enjoyed while creeping through the BNSF Argentine intermodal yard, followed by a crew change outside of Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.

Still feeling poorly I decided to pass on an overnight in either Ottumwa or Chicago, but take a bus home from Galesburg, Illinois instead. I was dejected that I couldn’t buy a westbound bus ticket at the train station. Only westbound service to Peoria and Bloomington sold as an Amtrak connection could be purchased here. For everything else I had to walk a half-mile to the Burlington Trailways agent over by Public Square. Did I mention that the weather was lousy, with high winds blowing around a fresh deposit of powdery snow?

Not quite properly attired for the onslaught, I endured the bitter cold and winds to the agency with a brief stop at an enclosed ATM along the way. With ticket in hand and delighted to find that the local hot dog eatery on Cherry St. nearby was open I braved the cold once again to grab some lunch.

Having stumbled on to Coney Island on my last layover in Galesburg [see blog post], I was intent on trying some more of their cheap, simple, quirky eats. The Taco Dog sported lettuce, tomato, shredded cheese, and a thin veneer of seasoned ground beef atop the wiener. The aptly named Kraut Dog is just a mess of kraut with a squirt of mustard. Finally the Mud Puppy, and my favorite of the trio, is a dog slathered with a cheesy seasoned ground beef sauce. The flavor was so familiar and comforting.

Returning to the agency once more, I’m greeted with the news that the bus is running over 40 minutes late. So much for rushing around town!

The bus ride to West Burlington was crowded, noisy with dirthead banter, and scented with the bad breath of the otherwise inoffensive youth seated next to me. The bus to Des Moines offered more elbow room, fewer unsavory characters seated around me, but did include the cell phone banter of some newly born-again female travelling to Colorado Springs, promising not to rub her renewed faith in the faces of her skeptical family.

Home again I schedule a doctor’s appointment to investigate my prostate/urinary tract woes and stay put for the next day-and-half. So ends vacation.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

Holiday trip 2011: Last days of 2011

2012-01-22T01:50:00.000-06:00

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

On my last visit to Vegas I had found a little independent coffee shop, The Beat Coffeehouse on Fremont across the street from the El Cortez. One year later and the place hasn’t changed a bit.

After coffee and breakfast sandwich, Barb pulled up in her little white Jeep and we sped away to figure out the days’ adventure. Eventually we settled for a road trip to the Hoover Dam bypass bridge – the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge – but not before enduring a traffic bottleneck on the main drag through the north side of Boulder City.

Returning to Boulder City for a hit-and-miss lunch at The Coffee Cup [see blog post], smack in the middle of Old Town, followed by a walk around the neighborhood procuring gifts at the quirky Sherman's House of Antiques and the Western & Mexican Center.

Spying the Boulder Dam Brewing Company, we partook some brews and an order of onion rings. The microbrewed beer and the batter-dipped rings were par. But the Cholula sour cream dipping sauce was a zippy eye-opener, although in fairness I’ve made the same thing at home countless times.

Resolving that evening to sow some oats I ventured out to several bars downtown [see blog post], followed by post-alcohol hot dogs at the diner in the Gold Spike [see blog post].

Thursday, December 29, 2011

The next morning with two ibuprofen dissolving in the belly, I loafed in bed, mostly blogging about my escapades so far.

The lunch hour comes and I set off on an RTC bus to In-N-Out Burger for a late lunch [see blog post]. Sated I come back downtown for some supplies and idle browsing at the failed Neonopolis mall. Other than carryout from Uncle Joe's Pizza on Fremont for dinner [see blog post], I kept to the confines of my hotel room for the evening. About as lazy a day as it gets.

Friday, December 30, 2011

On this morning I make a final visit to The Beat Coffeehouse and stumble across a crime scene [see blog post]. Afterward I check out of the Gold Spike to spend the remainder of my visit at Barb & Al’s. That evening I do the cooking and fixed up a vegetarian spaghetti sauce with what I could find in the pantry and fridge. Onions, carrots, celery, canned tomatoes, soy crumbles, black olives, jarred spaghetti sauce and assorted spices. The night finishes with a few games of Wahoo, and idle time worshipping the idiot box.

Saturday, December 31, 2011

It was a workday for both Barb & Al so I contented myself at home with public television. Feeling rather sore in the groin especially when sitting I figured I pulled a muscle wrestling my luggage the day before on the city bus. However as the morning progressed I found myself frequenting the bathroom more and more. Fearing that I had an infection I walked the 1-1/2 miles roundtrip to the nearest grocery to score some cranberry juice.

Dinner that night was at Diamond China 2 with Barb’s parents. Fried items were all crunch and grease, and the mixed vegetables were laden down with an unappealing cornstarch-thickened sauce, cubes of tofu interspersed could have used some extra time to drain.

A few games of Wahoo at Barb’s folks’ gated community residence in Summerlin complete the evening before leaving for the airport, getting there with minutes to spare to board the van bound for Kingman. No shotgun on this trip, but I did get a rear bench all to myself.

Woke up at our scheduled stop in Laughlin, taking the time to walk to a nearby In-N-Out Burger for cheeseburgers al fresco. Leaving we stopped briefly to watch the local New Years’ Eve fireworks. So ends 2011.


Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

Holiday trip 2011: Christmas in Las Vegas

2012-01-20T23:26:00.000-06:00

Sunday, December 25, 2011

On the van ride from Kingman to Vegas we had enough passengers to require two vehicles. I thought I lucked out when I called shotgun in the van not full to bursting with Amish (going to Vegas?!?!), but my fortunes quickly sank when a family settled in behind me with a coughing four-year-old and parents who talked a mile a minute about the most insignificant minutiae. I should have put in with the Amish.

At McCarran Airport I met up with my bestest pal, Barb, for a ride back to the house for much-needed sleep.

Later after a jump start with coffee and Irish creme I was put to work chopping red and green bells, canned chiles for chile relleno casserole, and hoping that almond milk passes as a substitute for cow fluid in said casserole [see blog post]. Yesterday, Barb’s mate Al found out the hard way that almond milk doesn't thicken when making a white sauce for béchamel.

At last the highlight of my trip, a New Mexican Christmas dinner with Barb, Al, and la familia. With green chicken and red cheese tamales from Doña Maria’s [see blog post], the comforting chile relleno casserole, salad, chicken and sour cream/cheese enchiladas, Spanish rice, beans, pinto and black bean dips, guacamole, salsa, and freshly made sopapillas [see blog post]. What a bounty!

Afterward the holiday tradition of the house: gift-laden personalized Christmas stockings for all in attendance, followed by slices of Al’s much-desired carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. A memorable experience that I hope to repeat.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Morning finds us about enjoying breakfast with Barb and Al at Tony's Mexican Food [see blog post]. Afterward I go shopping with Barb for after-Chistmas stocking stuffers for next year before catching the Sherlock Holmes sequel at a local googleplex.

Later we catch up with Barb’s brother and family atop the Stratosphere to catch the night view of Las Vegas and The Strip. The evening finishes at Northside Nathan's, a local pizzeria specializing in thick, crunchy, Detroit-style pizza [see blog post].

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

First morning on my own in Las Vegas. I started it off proper with a big-ass breakfast at Hash House A Go Go in the newly-remodeled Plaza Hotel & Casino [see blog post].

After an overpriced city bus ride up Rancho without the option for a transfer, followed by a two-mile walk, Barb and I meet up once more with her family from out-of-town for a scenic drive up to Kyle Canyon Road and Mount Charleston. Las Vegans by the droves had flocked up into the mountains to enjoy the snow and sled down any conceivable slope they could find within walking distance of the road.

We retired to the Mount Charleston Lodge for lunch where I feigned a queasy stomach 'cos I didn't feel like eating mediocre, overpriced food. The salads were enormous but uninspiring, the cup of chili with a melted slice of cheese affixed atop was difficult to pierce without slopping beans about, but the fries were halfway decent.

With darkness ascending, Barb and I continued shopping for after-Christmas deals followed by a tasty meal of Christmas dinner leftovers to finish the evening.


Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

Holiday trip 2011: Outbound to Las Vegas

2012-01-19T19:07:00.002-06:00

Thursday, December 22, 2011

First day of the holiday vacation was mostly spent on a Chicago-bound Greyhound. After a nightmarish scene of humanity at the station in Des Moines with travellers jostling about to board the right bus heading east, the ride was rather pleasant.

I would have enjoyed a breath of fresh air at our stop in Iowa City if it were not for all the damn smokers who can't go more than a hour without a fix. Later down the road at Walcott I spent a few moments outside in the bluster while scarfing a couple of jalapeño & cheese corn dogs.

One more brief stop in Davenport before the final push to Chicago. Night fell and we’re held up in rush-hour traffic on I-55 before arriving at the Chicago Greyhound Station. In the confusing jumble of taxis queued up outside the station, I finally snagged one and endured a plodding ride on Harrison east to Michigan Ave. north before making the turn on Wacker to the Hyatt Regency on the river.

Finally settled into Room 2362 overlooking the Chicago River and the landscape of Streeterville to the north, I survey options for carryout pizza and settle on the closest, the Giordano's at Prudential Plaza two blocks south [see blog post].

Friday, December 23, 2011

The remaining half-a-medium stuffed crust from Giordano’s took care of my breakfast needs. Washed-up and smelling of Calvin Klein Obsession, I lamented that getting laid is a distant option.

Looking across the river I seaw what appeared to be a fifty-foot Marilyn Monroe barely keeping her dress down in the breeze. Upon further inspection I realized my mistake. Sadly, Marilyn was only 26-feet, but the imagery is still quite unique.

After a brisk walk along the river with luggage in tow, I stopped for some liquid lunch at Coogan's Riverside Saloon on N. Wacker. Afterward I wandered briefly into the Ogilvie Transportation Center before I walked the remaining few blocks down Canal St. to Union Station.

With little time to spare I got my tickets, ate lunch at Gold Coast Dogs [see blog post], and queued-up in line at Amtrak’s Metropolitan Lounge to board the outgoing Southwest Chief, all that time wondering why my sweatpants kept slipping down. Once situated in my roomette sleeper I noticed the reason. The damn drawstring broke! An annoying issue I’ve dealt with before with Hanes sweatpants.

Departure was timely as was our progress through Illinois, Missouri, and a tiny slip of Iowa. Dinner was yet another typically abysmal pasta dish. I've had a few in my time. A shame one can't opt out of Dining Car meals for a discount on sleeper accommodations.

Our first lengthy stop at Kansas City gave me an opportunity to try out some tech bling I had bought back in Chicago that allowed photos taken with my camera to be transmitted to my iPod Touch.

Leaving K.C. there was a brief pause at BNSF’s Argentine rail yard before continuing our trip westward to Lawrence, Kansas and beyond.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Usually I sleep pretty well in a roomette sleeper. The occasions I wake up are when the train isn't moving. On that night I pretty much popped-up at each stop along the way: Topeka, Hutchinson, Dodge City, and Garden City. In Garden City I noticed something scarcely seen so far this winter: piles of snow.

Continuing westward into Colorado the snow deepens until we reached our next crew change in La Junta. On over Raton Pass into New Mexico the snow cover remains but lightens in depth until we reach Albuquerque where whatever dusting they received had since melted away.

Couldn't endure another session of eating with strangers so I passed on the night’s communal dinner. Nice trip, but supper on the train isn’t a high point for me. I spent the night seated in my darkened room, awaiting to disenbark in Kingman, Arizona.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

A greasy slice of comfort at Uncle Joe's Pizza.

2012-01-11T18:50:00.000-06:00

Over the years when visiting Las Vegas, Uncle Joe’s Pizza has been my go-to place for a simple pizza for a lazy night in my hotel room worshipping the idiot box. On the latest occasion I ordered a pepperoni and onion, but my pizza came to me sans onion. An oversight for sure, but the pizza was none less enjoyable.

Thin, chewy, foldable crust. A decent veneer of cheese plus the pepperoni lends a satisfying oiliness that pairs well with the crust and the simple red sauce. I’ve never been disappointed, except for the niggling lack of onion on this current build.

For a quick bite, Uncle Joe’s offers two slices of cheese for four bucks. Enjoyed best standing outside in the company of street people enjoying their beverage of choice. Your preference may differ.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

It's no secret what's on the menu at In-N-Out Burger.

2012-01-10T16:22:00.000-06:00

Having done some research on the infamous Not-So-Secret Menu at In-N-Out Burger, I approached my first visit to the wildly-popular California-based chain with a game plan: Double-Double, Animal Style, with chopped chiles, split in half; Animal fries, well done; a Neapolitan shake; and a bag of chiles on the side.

In layman’s terms, a double burger, cut in half, with lettuce and tomato, burgers fried on one side with mustard, extra Thousand Island-esque spread, plus pickles, chiles and onions, diced and grilled with cheese; french fries cooked extra crispy, topped with melted slices of cheese, the aforementioned spread, and chopped grilled onions; a shake made with vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry flavors; and a cellophane bag of whole yellow chiles.

For a fast-food burger it’s better than average. The chopped chiles add a nice kick. Eaten whole they are quite hot and you'll be plowing through your beverage in no time.

Well done shoestring-style fries, cut fresh non-stop, are as crisp as a fry can get short of burning. Fans of fluffy centers should pass on this option. Putting melted slices of cheese plus spread and diced pickle and grilled onion on top makes for a unique treat, but mix up the cheese right away before it re-solidifies.

Fixing up a shake with all three flavors – vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry – is inspired. At first you get distinct flavors with each sip, but as the shake melts it morphs into a mild strawberry-chocolate mélange.

A couple of days later I happened upon an In-N-Out in Laughlin. I kept it simpler this time and ordered a couple of cheeseburgers with chopped chiles. I was more impressed with the quality of the sandwich and found the whole slice of raw onion more appealing than the chopped grilled onion on an Animal Style burger. Another Not-So-Secret Menu option is to order the grilled onion whole instead of chopped. That’s how I’ll roll on my next visit.

Now that I've tried In-N-Out Burger I wouldn't call it the best fast-food burger I've ever eaten, but it's close. That distinction lies with Culver's ButterBurger.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

Lolo Jones vs. Sean Connery

2012-01-08T17:09:00.000-06:00

Whom pulls it off better?

Photo illustration from the Picasa Web Album: Still More Odds and Ends

¡Sopaipillas!

2012-01-07T09:18:00.000-06:00

I wished I had obtained the recipe but it was as simple as mixing water and Quaker® Tortilla Mix (Harina Preparada) into a pliable dough, rolling the dough out on a floured board, cutting into squares, and immersing in hot vegetable oil until puffy and golden.

For all the delightful dishes prepared for our New Mexican Christmas dinner, including the chile relleno casserole [see blog post], the sopaipillas were the highlight of the meal. They were especially good paired with a bowl of homemade beans and strips of fire-roasted New Mexican green chile. ¡Comer bien ya buen!

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

Lunch with Mr. Powers and his pal Joe.

2012-01-07T08:27:00.002-06:00

At Coogan's Riverside Saloon in Chicago.

Photo from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

Gold Coast Char Dog: Don't poke your eye out.

2012-01-07T07:18:00.000-06:00

Upon biting into my first Gold Coast Dog I wondered what sharp piece of wood was jabbing the top of my mouth until I realized it was one of the charred scored ends of the frank.

Gold Coast Dog's Char Dog.

Overcoming the initial surprise I enjoyed the accurately named Char Dog. For a follow-up I tried a Char Polish Sausage. It was fine but the flavor was disappointingly indiscernible from the Char Dog. Must be all that char, right?

Gold Coast Dog's Char Polish Sausage.

Still, Gold Coast Dogs is worth a repeat the next time I pass through Union Station. Air travelers take note: Gold Coast Dogs also has locations at the Midway Triangle and two at O'Hare Terminals 3 and 5.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

Michigan Avenue Bridge sculptures

2012-01-04T19:44:00.000-06:00

"The Discoverers," by James Earle Fraser, 1928.	"The Pioneers," by James Earle Fraser, 1928.
"Defense," by Henry Herring, 1928.	"Regeneration," by Henry Herring, 1928.
Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

Forever Marilyn

2012-01-04T19:26:00.000-06:00

“Forever Marilyn”, by J. Seward Johnson, 2011.

Photo from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

A trio of hot dogs at the Golden Grill

2012-01-03T14:30:00.000-06:00

After an evening of imbibery at Mob Bar and Don’t Tell Mama [see blog post] I mosey back to my lodgings at the Gold Spike Hotel & Casino and settle in at the recently remodeled and revitalized Golden Grill for some much needed eats. I order up a duo of hot dogs: a Downtown Dog with crumbled bacon, grilled onion and pepper, ketchup, mustard and mayo; and a Chicago Dog with yellow mustard, onion, pickle relish, chopped tomato, pickle, celery salt and sport peppers.

My server noted an error on the order and instead of a Chicago Dog, I had a wondrously sloppy Crandall's Chili Cheese Dog with chopped onion in its place. Though I was more than willing to accept what I had received, the grill cook fixed me up a Chicago Dog on the house.

The dogs were simple and filling but the stand-out was the mistakenly-prepared chili dog. Impossible to eat by hand I forked up every bit of the overflowing mess. Sated I retire for the night, bypassing breakfast altogether the next morning.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

From Mob Bar to Don't Tell Mama: A night out in downtown Las Vegas.

2012-01-03T13:53:00.000-06:00

Over the holidays on my first night in Vegas left to my own devices I take a stroll down to Fremont East, wander into the Vanguard Lounge and sip on a Daiquiri Bomb. Deliciously sweet and dangerous, a girls’ night out consuming these likely ends up with the occasional swap of body fluids.

Feeling naked without my iPod Touch I reluctantly return to my hotel room to retrieve the device. Exploring the Downtown Third District just north of the Fremont Street Experience I come upon Mob Bar. Looking in I see a black-and-white movie on the tube behind the bar which piques my interest.

Once seated I acquaint myself with Pinto (@Pintonics), the barkeep/mixologist working that night, and seek his expert advice. I drink Spicebox Canadian whisky neat for most of the evening, while enjoying the laid-back Prohibition-era Supper Club vibe here and the 1921 silent flick The Three Musketeers featuring Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.

Two notable exceptions were Spicebox combined with hot apple cider as per suggestion by Pinto, and a delicious cocktail made with Van Gogh Double Espresso vodka, Absolut Vanilla vodka, Baileys Irish Cream and a shot of espresso to end my experience here. With its close proximity to the downtown casino hotels I plan to frequent Mob Bar on future visits.

Afterward I wander about Fremont Street, taking in the dazzling array of neon. Seeking sustenance I was crestfallen to find both Uncle Joe’s Pizza and Kebab Korner both closed for the evening. Walking down Fremont East I scan the various bars and opt for an establishment with no one outside taking cover charges.

Where I settle into is Don’t Tell Mama, an open-mic piano bar bathed mostly in red hues. I down a few gin and tonics while enjoying the talents of the piano player du jour and a singing barkeep with an impressive voice reminiscent of Bette Midler.

Feeling my limit I seek out late-night eats at the Golden Grill in the Gold Spike Hotel & Casino on Ogden St. [see blog post].

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

A visit to the Coffee Cup Cafe in Old Town Boulder City

2012-01-03T09:47:00.000-06:00

After a visit to the Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge spanning the Colorado River I had the opportunity for lunch at the popular Coffee Cup Cafe in Old Town Boulder City. The Coffee Cup has garnered some attention of late on a segment of Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and having been selected as the staff pick for Best Diner/Coffee Shop of 2011 in the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s The Best of Las Vegas poll.

Famished I ordered up the hot meatloaf sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy, and a cup of chili while my partner selected a spinach omelet with hash browns and toast.

The simple ground beef and bean chili was quite good. I would order it again easily, even a bowlful with cheese and onions. My pal’s omelet was well received but in her words to our server, “The hash browns sucked.” Indeed they were underdone and only slightly browned on one side. We were given a discount, a gesture that I appreciated much.

The meatloaf on my plate was plentiful and had a satisfying homey texture with the odd crunch of minced onion per bite. The potatoes were decent enough. Lacking any tell-tale lumps I could not ascertain if these were truly mashed or instant. The gravy was quite thick and beefy. And as expected the slice of white bread underneath served little purpose.

Aside from the pale hash browns it was a good meal and fueled our shopping efforts, though my compatriot required further sustenance at the Boulder Dam Brewing Co. Onion rings and a pint of craft beer fit the task well.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

Dance to a different beat at The Beat Coffeehouse

2012-01-03T07:52:00.000-06:00

The Beat Coffeehouse & Records, an independent coffee shop and vinyl record store located on the corner of Fremont and Sixth in, offers up a decent mug of Joe, interesting eats and nice selection of beer and wine in an eclectic setting boarding on hip.

I came upon this place on my last holiday trip to Las Vegas, and instantly took a shine to the place, so utterly devoid of chain coffeehouse BS. The croissants though not made locally – the frozen dough is imported from France – is proofed, shaped and baked in town, and are crispy, flaky, and slightly sweet and chewy.

On my two visits this holiday season I opted for some simple breakfast fare, mainly to atone for the humongous breakfast I partook at Hash House A Go Go the morning prior [see blog post].

On the first day I spied the Slap & Tickle sandwich on the menu, with organic peanut butter, homemade strawberry jam, crispy bacon, pickled jalapeño slices and honey on Country White bread.

What stood out was the jalapeño. Packing a serious wallop, it drowns out the flavor of the bacon in the process. The homemade strawberry jam is a little runny and the organic peanut butter is a tad loose, so be mindful to hunch over your plate while eating.

A couple of mornings later I returned to snag a breakfast croissant sandwich. Along the way I passed a street person throwing some cards on to the pavement. Waiting for him to go off the radar, I grabbed up with turned out to be casino and credit cards. The name listed clearly didn’t match with the make and model of the now apparent thief. I tried calling the numbers listed on the cards to no avail.

Frustrated I related my story to the barista at the coffeehouse. On her suggestion I cut up the cards and tossed them in the trash. While waiting for my order there was a small commotion in a back room. One of the cleaning staff had their wallet pinched from their purse, and there had been a questionable character briefly in the shop only minutes earlier. I had, by chance, picked up the cards tossed aside from her purloined pocketbook.

Crestfallen that I had just chopped up her credit card, I went back out to look for other items, most importantly her drivers’ license. Finding nothing more I returned with the bad news, and finally settled into my sandwich.

The croissant was crisp and flaky, with a big fluffy oval of scrambled egg nestled within along with melted Swiss cheese and crispy bacon. It was fine and filling.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

Your hunger. Kill it with a skillet of hash from Hash House A Go Go.

2011-12-29T11:07:00.000-06:00

Visiting the famous Hash House A Go Go’s new Las Vegas location in the reboot of The Plaza Hotel & Casino, I pondered the inventive breakfast selections on their menu while I quaffed on appropriate liquids.

The freshly squeezed OJ hits the spot. Bonus for lots of pulp. Coffee is first rate too. Primed, I order up the meatloaf hash with roasted peppers, fresh spinach, smoked mozzarella, atop crispy potatoes, served with two eggs of your choice and a biscuit.

Presentation is kick-ass, from the large 'kill-a-man' cast-iron skillet to the sprig of rosemary jutting up from the voluminous biscuit. Large cubes of hearty meatloaf are rich and spiced. Skin-on potatoes are also equally substantive. Browned over all surfaces, likely deep-fried. Larger pieces are just barely underdone in the middle but still great home fries. The mélange of red, green and yellow bell peppers with spinach is perfectly tender, yet still bright with color. The gooey mozzarella binds the components together without drowning them out. Slapping my over-easy eggs atop takes this "hash" to a whole new level of oral pleasure.

The biscuit was massive and tasty to boot, though the exterior was somewhat… firm. The peach preserves hiding amongst the condiments until my server pointed them out are super chunky and delicious. Hash House changes up the fruit selection weekly.

With a few forkfuls of hash left in my skillet along with the better part of the biscuit, I had to throw up my hands and cry "No más!"

I am a big fan of Omelet House’s locations on W. Charleston and in Henderson [see blog post]. That said, if I find myself on Fremont Street with no compatriots to whisk me away for their huge omelets and thinly sliced potatoes, Hash House A Go Go is a welcome alternative. After one of their big-ass breakfasts, I’m atoning with lighter morning fare at The Beat Coffeehouse down the street for at least a couple of days afterward [see blog post].

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

Guys and Dolls should take note of Northside Nathan's

2011-12-28T08:58:00.000-06:00

Growing up you’ve likely had your share of 'pan pizza' served up by a well-known national pizza chain that rhymes with 'slut.' Ra knows I have, and developed a dislike of its bready, often doughy texture.

On a recent visit to Northside Nathan’s, on W. Lake Mead in Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to try a far superior example.

Northside Nathan’s has its roots in Detroit, the Malinowski family having opened a eatery there back in 1969. A newer generation brought Detroit-style pizza to Las Vegas and has since garnered two Best of Las Vegas awards for their thick deep-dish crust that also sports a crunchy texture. It’s this crispness that gives this pizza its appeal.

Northside Nathan’s identifies their popular combos after the name of the popular musical Guys and Dolls and its cast of characters. I mostly noshed on Sister Sarah's "Very" Veggie. The thick crust is surprisingly crunchy with an eye-catching golden color on the bottom, with a decent mix of standard veggie toppings atop.

It’s a good pizza, of that there is no doubt. If I had a gaggle of youth to feed, this would be an optimal place to stuff their yammering maws with fun, satisfying pizza and slake their thirsts with unlimited refills of fountain soda.

Connoisseurs of fizzy sugar water and juggalos take note. Northside Nathan’s carries cans of Faygo, a Detroit-based soda offered in a plethora of flavors, and the preferred drink that the Insane Clown Posse baptises their concert-goers with.

I still have my preference and thin, crispy Tavern-style will always be my choice. But if my Vegas crew treats me to Northside Nathan’s again, I will go happily.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

Chilaquiles at Tony's Mexican of Las Vegas

2011-12-27T08:31:00.000-06:00

On the day after Christmas, I had a simple but delightful breakfast at Tony’s Mexican Restaurant in the Asher Plaza shopping area on W. Craig. Tony’s also has four other locations scattered across the Las Vegas area.

The table salsa has a pleasing texture and the spiciness is a good kick-start to the morning. Better than average.

My tablemates ordered up a bacon breakfast burrito and huevos rancheros, while I went for the chilaquiles, a Mexican breakfast staple of fried corn tortilla strips mixed with scrambled egg then covered in a spicy red sauce.

The huevos rancheros garnered no negative comments and the breakfast burrito was praised for its crispy bacon and the presence of green chile. As for my dish, the chilaquiles were both simple and delightful, and the best I’ve had since the chilaquiles I had eaten at the Ceres Cafe in Chicago back in 2010 [see blog post].

The slight pungent aroma of crumbly Cotija atop the chilaquiles was a nice introduction, the crisp corn tortilla strips were just pliant enough to spear a forkful, and the smooth spicy red sauce rounded off the dish with a zesty heat that catches up after the first few bites.

From left: table salsa, huevos rancheros, chilaquiles.

It’s not the flashiest breakfast served in Las Vegas, not by a longshot, nor it is the biggest. But Tony’s Mexican is worth a visit for simple, comforting eats.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

Tamales to go from Doña Maria’s of Las Vegas

2011-12-27T07:01:00.001-06:00

Serving up Mexican cuisine to Las Vegans for over 30 years, Doña Maria’s specializes in tamales. Tamales for Christmas meals is holiday tradition in these parts. For take out alone, Doña Maria's two locations make well over 7,000 pounds of tamales the week prior to Christmas day.

This pot-full from my holiday feed came from their Summerlin location on Tenaya. Pictured are chicken tamales with a spicy green sauce in the front, with Monterey Jack and green chile tamales in a mild red sauce taking up the rear.

Doña Maria’s also serves up pork tamales in red sauce and dessert tamales with pineapple and raisins. As for the aforementioned cheese tamales, only a big holiday feed keeps me from loading up on them. Savory and filing, flavorful but not too spicy.

Photo from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

Chile relleno casserole

2011-12-26T00:03:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese
2 cups grated Longhorn cheese
four 4 oz. cans green chiles, diced or undiced
4 eggs
2 tbsp. flour
2 cups milk
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Dice chiles if needed. Spray 13 x 9 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Spread jack cheese to form a bottom layer. Lay diced chiles on top of cheese, then sprinkle with longhorn cheese to form top layer. Beat together milk, flour and eggs, season to taste, then pour over cheese/chile mixture.

Bake for 45 minutes, checking for doneness with toothpick inserted until it comes out clean starting at 30 minutes, repeating every five minutes until done. Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before cutting into squares.


Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

One night in Kansas City...

2011-12-24T18:51:00.000-06:00

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

Bus ride to Chicago, Dec. 2011

2011-12-24T07:40:00.001-06:00

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

Stuffed crust at Giordano's

2011-12-23T08:09:00.000-06:00

"You can't go back home to your family, back home to your childhood … back home to a young man's dreams of glory and of fame … back home to places in the country, back home to the old forms and systems of things which once seemed everlasting but which are changing all the time – back home to the escapes of Time and Memory."

~ Thomas Wolfe, You Can't Go Home Again

I had idealized Giordano's after a 2007 visit when I was crippled with an Achilles injury and could only hobble so far [see blog post]. After an agonizing hoof to Binny’s Beverage Depot to score some travel liquor I found a location a mere two-and-a-half blocks from the Hyatt Regency where I was staying. The leftovers were most comforting after I woke up in the middle of the night in screaming pain from bumping my severely bruised heel.

Four years later I pull into town aboard a late Greyhound bus and return to the Hyatt Regency. Seeking to get the most out of what I paid for the room, I googled the surrounding area for carryout. Pizzeria Uno and Gino’s East were just beyond the range of walking back with a pizza without it becoming a cold, lifeless disc.

The crowded, noisy experience of Lou Malnati’s River North location on a previous visit swayed me from attempting a dine-in experience [see blog post]. Chicago truly is the City of the Big Shoulders. Vibrant, active, bustling. That said, I’m not a fan of bustling. Like a growling dog, I prefer to have some lebensraum while eating.

Revisiting the Giordano's at Prudential Plaza, I passed on ordering a speciality build and opted for a stuffed crust with my benchmark toppings: pepperoni and onion. I appreciated the abundance of cheese, and surprisingly the white onion. The crust seemed not as dense as the Lou Malnati's "Lou's Special" I had tried at the aforementioned River North location. For thickness and heft Giordano's stuffed crust tops Lou's Special. Veneer of sauce atop is flavorful enough but I expected more.

In Des Moines, back in the dark age of the last century when good pizza was limited to a handful of family restaurants specializing in crispy thin tavern-style pies, deep-dish was defined by Felix & Oscar’s heavily sauced “pizza-in-the-pan.” That seminal foray into sauce-on-the-top as a youth still influences my preference, which is why I wasn’t as enamoured with the sauceless “Lou’s Special” that utilized sliced tomatoes on top, nor after a sober evaluation of Giordano’s stuffed crust.

I resolve to return to Lou Malnati’s for a sauce-on-top "Buttercrust," as well Pizzeria Uno, Gino’s East, or any lesser known Chicago pizzeria that strikes my fancy.

My favorite deep-dish remains to be the outstanding cheese-on-top pizza served at the Exchequer Pub on S. Wabash [see blog post]. Their judicious use of pepperoni underneath a thick cap of surprisingly flavorful cheese was delightful.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Holiday trip 2011

Keller's Deli. A once fertile plot bears fruit again.

2011-12-18T17:26:00.000-06:00

You may remember when South Union Bakery Cafe started off in a shared space with Boesen The Florist on the northeast corner of Seventh and Grand.

After South Union relocated to the Masonic Temple building, The Funky Pickle operated there for a few years until it closed at the end of 2010.

The space sat fallow for months until October when Keller’s Deli recultivated the location, now sans Boesen. Not one to take lunch breaks during the workday, I never had the opportunity to see what crop had sprouted there until recently.

Having read a reference to the homemade beef and pork meatloaf in Jim Duncan’s Food Dude column in cityview, I knew in what direction my stomach would lead.

The thick slice of meatloaf is tender, delicious, and replete with diced carrot and onion. Throw in caramelized onions, a sweet, ketchupy apple cider vinegar tomato sauce, all served between slices of Keller’s artisan French bread, and it’s a fine sandwich indeed.

The jalapeño creamed corn is nothing like the canned variety that plagues the grocery shelf. Boasting intact kernels with minced jalapeño in a milky cream sauce, the texture is toothy and the flavor is zesty but approachable to the average palate.

The mac and cheese is delightful! Penne pasta is a pleasant surprise, and a scant of garlic gives the dish a unique, pleasing flavor while not being overt. They should sell it by the pint or quart. I'd easily make a meal of this.

Keller’s fills a void sorely missing east of Ninth St. and rightfully deserves patronage.

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Game Day Breakfast platter at Jethro's. Game over, man.

2011-12-15T18:14:00.001-06:00

Nary a bit of sausage in the overtly-seasoned gravy, and the portion is rather light atop the heavy, dense biscuits. If you're in the neighborhood opt for the Waveland Cafe's more satisfying offering [see blog post].

The hash browns have a nice brown top, but once you get past this veneer they're quite wan and unremarkable. The chili on top is rather sweet, and sports less spice than the gravy on the aforementioned biscuits.

I was able to salvage this gut-busting meal by adding my eggs on top with liberal dashes of Cholula hot sauce.

I must admit to a lunch visit here a few years back where I was served the most overcooked, desiccated smoked sausage I have ever eaten. Sadly, this trip has only slightly improved on that experience.

For a weekend breakfast, without tricking someone into a road trip to the Crouse Cafe in Indianola, Mullets is still my top choice [see blog post].

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Eight Days of Holiday Cookies

2011-12-14T21:09:00.000-06:00

Over the weekend I was oohing and ahhing over the cookie porn being posted my one of my St. Louis tweeps, TeriQuiteContrary (@teritunes1). I commented on how I'd like to blog the photos. Well, Teri took it upon herself to snail mail me a package with two of every cookie she baked and photographed. So here are all those delicious cookies. Thanks, girlfriend!

Cranberry White Chocolate Macadamia Nut. The only logical pairing for white chocolate… macadamia. Cranberry a surprising bonus.

Mini Chocolate Chip. The mini-chips can accommodate a thinner cookie. Thinner equates to more crispy.

Strawberry Gooey Butter. Super soft and fruity with an aroma of Crunch Berries.

Snickerdoodle. Why Cream of Tartar was invented. Delicate cinnamon flavor.

Peanut Butter. Always a favorite. Unless you have a peanut allergy. Or just plain weird.

Oatmeal Scotchies. They laugh in the face of oatmeal raisin cookies. Hah-hah! Hah-hah-hah-hah!

Peppermint Crunch. Oh Andes®! What can you not make awesome?

Russian Teacakes. A couple of these with a cup of coffee and you're good to go.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Eight Days of Holiday Cookies

Recent eats: Chuck's, Abelardo's, Chisme, Bauder's.

2011-12-14T17:34:00.000-06:00


Pizza Margherita from Chuck's in Highland Park. Super thin, delicate crust. Order up only what you can eat as any leftovers loses its crispness quickly. Disappointed to have a chunky sauce instead of diced tomatoes. Torn basil leaves visually appealing, but not evenly scattered about. Still, I'm game to try a pepperoni and onion on my next visit.

Abelardo's ground beef burrito with cheese, above left, is a superior product to the meat paste served at larger chain joints like Taco Bell or Taco John's. The flavor though seems all too familiar, like that from a taco spice packet. Still, it's probably how your mother made taco filling. Very simple, basic comfort food. Your kids should go nuts for it.

The hash brown burrito, above right, with eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, cheese constitutes a complete breakfast and then some, substituting tortilla for toast, and throwing in not one, but two classic breakfast meats. Finicky children should also enjoy this as well.

Chisme's huevos rancheros with an added side of hash browns. The hallmark of honest, hand-crafted food is that sometimes a dish doesn't come quite as you expect. The hash browns are a tantilizing melange of julienned potatoes, and sautéed strips of green bell pepper and red onion, however today they were a bit oily. Also I had requested eggs over easy, but what I was served were over hard. No big deal. This happens, even among the best cooks and their hand working wait staff. If you want agonizing consistency get a McMuffin.

I did relish Chef Jesus' take on the typical ranchero adornment of the eggs. The generous heap of sautéed white onion, jalapeño , and meticulously diced tomato was pleasing to my eye and palate.

The fact that Chef Jesus employed two different varieties of onion for each particular dish speaks volumes. ¡Salud!

Bauder Pharmacy's famous turtle sundae. O-M-G! This rocks in so many ways. Handmade vanilla ice cream, pecan pieces, and chocolate and caramel syrups. There are times when getting something to go does not do justice to that which is eaten. To see the construct and hear the clink of metal upon glass as you consume this simple, sinful delight. Plan your schedule accordingly.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: More Reviewed Foods

Waveland Cafe: Like the food, loathe the crowds.

2011-12-13T17:56:00.000-06:00

The Waveland Cafe is one of those places I absolutely, positively avoid going to. Not for some vile retching horror served on a plate, but because of the crowds. Every time I’ve passed by on a weekend morning the place was packed, with a large queue up front waiting for seats. On the few occasions I’ve ventured there I couldn't even get through the door.

I tend to eat like a starving dog, but I appreciate the luxury of letting my meal settle in for a few unhurried minutes, or enjoy a beverage refill or two before I get up to leave. And though some folks are content to do that while the hungry masses wait in quiet desperation, I’m not one of them. I find it uncomfortable.

One time I was there to order some loaded hash browns to go. The mass of people up front waiting to sit gave me no choice but to stand elsewhere, either hovering over patrons enjoying their meals or in the way of the hard working wait staff, while the seemingly endless minutes dragged on until the order was ready.

But I digress.

Recently I was passing through the neighborhood on a weekday afternoon and called ahead to inquire about the waiting time. There was none I was told. Aha, time to go! Settling in at a table of my own, I hammered down the coffee with nary a wait for a refill.

The Mexi Best Skillet is a plank of crispy hash browns resting on a bed of seasoned ground beef, diced green bell peppers, onions and jalapeños, with choice of egg atop, adorned with shredded cheese. The scrambled egg I ordered was light, fluffy. The hash browns were first rate.

Still feeling peckish I set into a half-order of biscuits and gravy. Nice grill on the cut side of the biscuit. Delicious, well seasoned gravy, accentuated with chunks of breakfast sausage. The peppery bite builds with each forkful.

Great food, nice people. But ain’t no way I’ll ever brave the weekend crowd. I’d rather stay home and eat a can of beans.

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Return to Mullets

2011-12-12T18:19:00.000-06:00

On a cold, wet weekend earlier this month I returned to Mullets to sample more of their breakfast fare [see blog post of previous visits].

The Jalapeño bacon is a pricey side but tasty nonetheless with a good zest in the throat. As much as I like the flavor, I'll save my money for another screwdriver.

The mushroom red pepper omelet has no shortage of mushrooms, but could use a boost in the red bell pepper department. Being so close I'd suggest getting some big-ass cans of roasted, peeled red bell peppers from Graziano's and employ liberally. The fontina cheese on top is a nice visual feast, but I have a fondness for cheese in the middle, where it can stay hot and melty a little longer. Overall a good omelet.

The side of hash browns sport a nice brown, crispy exterior, and an almost fluffy texture inside. Among the best bar hash browns in town. I passed on toast and upgraded to a grilled English muffin. Skip the butter and enjoy the crispness.

Next morning I ordered Eggs Benedict with streaky bacon as a substitute for Canadian bacon. Poached eggs had a thick runny yolk and the creamy Hollandaise sauce, was both bright and well seasoned. Spot on!

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It's not a tumor! It's Tumea & Sons. Pasta la feasta, baby.

2011-12-11T19:42:00.001-06:00

It was a frustrating Friday night back in November when I was out and about looking for food and drink. The afternoon started off well with a tea date at Gong Fu followed by a couple of bottles of Guinness Extra Stout at Buddy’s Corral.

Afterward I wandered south, briefly distracted by a fireworks display off the Walnut Street Bridge. Every time I’ve tried going to The Garden for a drink I either come by on a day when they’re closed or not open yet as in this instance.

Further south I find Chicago Pub & Hot Dog open. I’ve frequented the place a few times [see blog post], but on one occasion had to back right out the door when the joint was crowded and noisy. It wasn’t a full boat this night, but the noisy acoustics still made eating here not an option.

Across the Scott Street Bridge I traversed hoping the vibe at Tumea & Sons would work for me. Though busy, the atmosphere was more conducive to enjoying a nice meal. Expecting a wait for a proper table I zeroed in on a cocktail table with high stools.

For an appetizer I order up the combo meat and cheese toasted ravioli. Supremely crisp yet yielding exterior. With savory meat filling and seasoned creamy ricotta, I couldn’t decide which one was my favorite. First rate! The marinara dipping sauce is looser than I expected but clung well to the ravioli. On the plus side it makes a wonderful tomato soup. I slurped it down with relish.

The creamy Parmesan adorning the side-salad has a definite texture of grated cheese within it, and a sweetness akin to French dressing but with a pleasant tone of garlic to balance the flavor.

For the main course I try the pastachena, a baked casserole of penne rigate with chopped meatball, egg, red sauce and mozzarella. One of the better baked pasta dishes I've had in a long time. Delicious! And the warm Italian dinner rolls show their true calling to sop up the zesty red sauce.

My only issue was the tall stool I sat upon. By the time I got my leftovers packed and ready to go, Little Beavis was in a deep, deep coma.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: More Reviewed Foods

Cheese Castle Pizza. Meh.

2011-12-05T17:22:00.001-06:00

Who can argue with the Everything Sauce Man?

Recently I took a bus ride down S.W. Ninth to snag some grub from Rock Power Pizza. I’ve been a big fan of their bottled Everything Sauce for some time and was looking forward to trying their pizza. Alas, I happened upon the place ninety minutes before they opened.

Being bereft of funds I couldn’t wile away the time downing suds nearby so I caught the next bus south, hit an ATM, and walked over to Cheese Castle Pizza.

I found it closed as well, and looking from the outside it appeared to have passed the way of the dodo. Dejected I walk into the adjacent Southport Sports Bar for a pitcher of beer to drown my sorrows.

Seated and through a pint of Fat Tire I spy a bar patron yapping away with a dude through a window carved between the bar and Cheese Castle. After Chatty Cathy got herself a basket of fried cheese sticks, I scoped out the pizza portal. Turns out the place wasn’t closed but just understaffed. The lone employee had been out on delivery.

Hopeful for a reversal of fortune I ordered up a pepperoni and cheese. Twenty minutes later with pizza in hand, I settle back at the bar for my repast.

A floppy slice with a decent amount of cheese, it wouldn't take much more to overload the thin crust. Pepperoni nestled underneath the cheese is plentiful enough, but not much for onion.

Considering that a better pizza can be had across the street at the Tavern South [see blog post] and a far superior crust is just a few blocks down and round the corner on Ninth at Bordenaro's [see blog post], I'll probably pass on future visits to Cheese Castle despite the spacious, friendly confines of the Southport.

In the future if I'm hellbent on a tasty bar pizza I'll walk the extra mile to the County Line Cafe [see blog post] for one of their cheesy pies.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: More Reviewed Foods

Godfather's Sunday brunch buffet. Meh.

2011-11-28T18:57:00.001-06:00

Always on the hunt for buffets, I walked out to Godfather’s Pizza on Hickman in Urbandale to try their Sunday breakfast brunch.

The breakfast pizza is pretty decent hot from the oven. Lots of egg and sausage or bacon, with a creamy cheese layer underneath. Nothing earth-shattering like the breakfast pizzas served by either Fong’s or Chisme [see blog review], but certainly a step-up from Casey’s.

Tater tot casserole has the unmistakable taste of industrial onion flavor. Pretty sure these are Ore-Ida Onion Tater Tots. Some bits of bacon, and cheese make it slightly more palatable to eat, but just. I could just be snobbish too. After you’ve tried the deep fried tater tots at the High Life Lounge, you’re pretty much spoiled for any other.

Breakfast buffet French toast sticks tend to be an abomination. These are par.

The biscuits and gravy are hands down the best breakfast item offered. Good peppery white gravy, almost floral with perceptions of lavender on the nose and palate. Uh oh, I’m being snobby again. Biscuits are okay. I borrowed a page from Fong’s and slathered the gravy atop the breakfast pizza.

A few tomato sauce based pizzas, garlic cheese bread, and salad bar are included in the price.

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The Skywalk deli tradition continues with Palmer's

2011-11-26T21:42:00.001-06:00

Having worked downtown for most of my adult life I remember fondly the Skywalk deli operated by David Fishel, the last location where the EMC “Absolut” Building on Seventh Street now resides.

Though both Fishel and his deli are but fading memories, I can still get a decent sandwich at Palmer's Deli & Market on the Skywalk level of the Kaleidoscope.

If I’m whore for anything its a good potato or egg salad. Palmer’s egg salad is super chunky with sliced egg white. I like mine tricked out with lettuce, tomato and onion on dark rye.

Another sandwich I prefer with dark rye is Palmer's Deli Stack. With salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion and garlic cream cheese, the Deli Stack rocks with flavor.

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Breakfast sandwiches at Mr. Filet. Suck it, Burger King!

2011-11-22T18:46:00.001-06:00

As many of you know I’m a big fan of the Greek omelet served up at Mr. Filet Steakhouse downtown, as well as their crispy hash browns [see blog post]. Turns out those hash browns generally start out as extra baked potatoes from the prior days’ lunch, chilled overnight in the fridge to firm up, then peeled and grated before hitting the grill. w00t!

I had always made a habit of getting a side of browns with my omelet, but of late I’ve been enjoying them with more simpler fare like eggs over easy.

I’ve also become quite fond of Mr. Filet’s breakfast sandwiches, the McGreek and the breakfast pita.

The tongue-in-cheek named McGreek is basically scrambled egg, meat and cheese on a grilled English muffin. Note… grilled, not toasted. The grilled open side develops a delightful crispness, while the crust gets soft and tender. Just plain delicious.

The breakfast pita takes scrambled egg and chopped choice of meat and wraps it up in a soft grilled pita bread. Extras like onions and peppers can be requested. I like mine with jalapeños.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Breakfast at Mr. Filet in Des Moines

Sweet Binney's: Evil has a pleasing taste.

2011-11-21T20:25:00.001-06:00

As soon as I saw the tweet from Sweet Binney’s (@sweetbinney) about their experimental chocolate chip bourbon pecan bacon tart I had to get in on this.

Firm, tasty crust. Filling pert near same to pecan pie, but with added bits of crispy bacon and miniature chocolate chips. Unless you run into a cluster of chips, the chocolate is easily lost in the rich, darkly sweet filling. A smidgen more bacon would be nice, but still overall a fine dessert that satisfies the sweet tooth. A strong cup of coffee would balance well with the richness.

If bacon were to be the primary player in a variant of this tart I would strongly suggest Torani Bacon Syrup as an added flavoring agent, if not just for its aggressive aroma.

Seeking a savory counterpart I snagged a delightfully simple ham and cheese croissant. The slightly sweet croissant paired with tangy cheese and thin-sliced ham is about the lightest treatment one could imagine for the traditional ham and cheese sandwich. A spoonful of Dijon mustard on the side to dab into would complete the effect.

Other items from Sweet Binney’s that float my boat are the spinach and cheese croissant and the sinfully decadent dark chocolate mousse cake [see blog posts here, and here].

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: More Reviewed Foods

Jake may hate Illinois Nazis, but I love the pizza!

2011-11-09T20:31:00.000-06:00

"I hate Illinois Nazis." ~ Jake Elwood

If you can get past the inflammatory moniker, the “Illinois Nazi” served at Angelo's Pizza in West Des Moines is a sight to behold. The crisp crust, with nice spots of char on the underside, is loaded down with sauerkraut, chunky summer sausage, and deli-thin Canadian bacon. The aroma of the kraut is intoxicating. Its bright, vinegary bite is a nice counterpoint to the meaty sausage and Canadian bacon.

The only addition I could possibly ask for would be a scattering of caraway seed. It’s not a criticism, just food for thought.

Angelo’s eschews the typical hoagie roll for their Italian grinder in favor of a big, soft, toasted half-loaf of Vienna-style bread. Each bite sports a mouthful of soft bread, a savory blend of ground beef and Italian sausage, vinegary banana peppers, and gooey mozzarella. Easily one of the best grinders in town.

Served with your choice of side, I opted for onion rings. Battered not breaded, crisp with no hint of sogginess, a few overdone. Among the crunchiest in town, but not otherwise noteworthy.

If eating in, take a gander at the vintage colored vinyl collection upon the walls, especially if you're a Joan Jett fan.

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Fat Tuesday is food for the soul… and your pie-hole!

2011-11-05T15:06:00.000-05:00

I happened upon Fat Tuesday on S.W. Ninth not too long after it opened a few years back. I enjoyed that visit and planned on a return, but for whatever reasons never made it back until just a few weeks ago.

The Cajun greens is vibrant with tomato, onion and accentuated with slow-cooked, fall apart pieces of pork. Tangy, spicy, vinegary, with a bright burn on the back of the throat.

Red beans paired with a cone of white rice sports a vegetal flavor profile, celery being quite prominent. Slices of chicken sausage links don't add much to the dish. Its fine, wiener-like consistency and flavor makes one want for andouille, although in comparison to the red beans I had a few decades ago in NOLA the sausage is quite similar. In that instance, the links were sliced lengthwise, grilled and served on top. The beans are appealingly toothsome.

The jalapeño cornbread doesn't exhibit much jalapeño to look at, but the warming essence permeating each bite is unmistakably delicious! Unlike the cornbread that you'd get from your average Midwest grocer bakery, this isn't overly sweet or cake-like. I’d skip the rice and eat this crumbled atop the red beans.

Fried pickle chips are salty, zesty and tangy in one fell swoop. The corn meal crust is first rate. Hardly greasy at all until you get to the very bottom of the bowl.

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Alright stop… Hammertime.

2011-11-03T18:40:00.000-05:00

Photo from the Picasa Web Album: Still More Odds and Ends

It's not Tiffany's, but Breakfast at Mullets is sure to please.

2011-11-02T21:21:00.000-05:00

UPDATED Monday, December 12, 2011

Earlier in October, several Saturday morning visits to Mullets brought forth a cornucopia of breakfast delights to enjoy.

On my first visit I ordered up biscuits and gravy, a breakfast taco, and two breakfast sliders, one with bacon, and one with sausage to go for my four-legged canine pal, Okie. But that is another story [see blog post].

With scrambled egg, chunks of potato, cheese, and bacon enrobed in a flour tortilla, the breakfast taco is a simple eat with clean, definite flavors. Two salsas are offered alongside. The roja has a pleasant flavor of red chile, and sports a bit of a zesty kick in the throat. The more robust verde is decidedly the more picante of the duo.

The gravy atop the biscuits is replete with diced sausage patties, and has a savory, slow-cooked flavor. A good filling meal for a cold, blustery day.

The slider is one of the best breakfast deals I've found in a long time. With a full slice of bacon, its more than double the amount present on a lousy downtown Burger King breakfast sandwich. Scrambled egg is also abundant. And the soft dinner roll adds a pleasant sweetness to the sandwich. Order a bag to go for your next road trip, or to nosh at home in your underwear.

On my return, two weeks later, I ordered up the breakfast meatloaf, and a breakfast burrito.

First off, the breakfast meatloaf is covered in an addictive Monterey Jack sauce. It’s a breakfast rarebit! The pork meatloaf, accentuated with bacon, is firm, savory, and seasoned just right. Atop toasted biscuits and paired with eggs of your choice, it's a hearty dish. I’d recommend over easy for a decadent pairing of egg yolk and Jack cheese sauce.

The breakfast burrito is a melange of flavor and texture. Seriously sturdy, this is simple comfort food at its best. Big chunks of potato fix the need for starch. The savory blend of egg, chorizo and bacon is just grand. As with the taco, both roja and verde salsas come as sides. I like a good salsa, but I’d rather down them straight than adulterate this fine burrito.

On a cold, wet weekend in December I returned to Mullets to sample more of their breakfast fare [see blog post of previous visits].

The Jalapeño bacon is a pricey side but tasty nonetheless with a good zest in the throat. As much as I like the flavor, I'll save my money for another screwdriver.

The mushroom red pepper omelet has no shortage of mushrooms, but could use a boost in the red bell pepper department. Being so close I'd suggest getting some big-ass cans of roasted, peeled red bell peppers from Graziano's and employ liberally. The fontina cheese on top is a nice visual feast, but I have a fondness for cheese in the middle, where it can stay hot and melty a little longer. Overall a good omelet.

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Why did Slakingfool cross the County Line Road?

2011-11-01T19:19:00.000-05:00

The County Line Cafe has a dedicated crew of regulars who come to enjoy their burgers, grinders, and huge sausage patty sandwiches. Even more popular is their hand cut, pounded, breaded, and pan-fried tenderloins, and the $12 one-price-fits-most-toppings pizza, popular enough to keep a clipboard handy with blank pizza gift certificates.

On a very lazy Saturday morning, while the rest of the town gravitated around the Iowa State Fair, I ventured south of County Line Road, but just barely, to the Cafe for mini-pitchers of Fat Tire and shots of Jim Beam. Cafe is a misleading term. The County Line is most definitely a bar, and an old school one at that.

In the course of friendly conversation with the morning barkeep I talked myself into a pepperoni and onion pizza. The barkeep graciously built my pizza not as heaped-upon as regulars might ask for, on my request. Not that I don't like heaps. I thought it would be appropriate to get one built like what an average Joe might get otherwise.

That said, I did mention a preference for lots of cheese and that's exactly what my pizza came with. Thin pre-made crust, easily soggied by the plentiful, tasty red sauce. I was told the oven wasn't quite up to temperature so the crust was not as crispy as it could be. Crispy or not, it's a delightfully messy pizza to eat.

The sauce is quite zesty, likely a consequence of the pepperoni under the plentiful cheese cap. As much as I like pepperoni with a light crisp on the edges, placing it under the cheese allows the spicy fat to mingle and flavor the sauce.

It's not a pizza like one would enjoy at Bordenaro's [see blog post] or Chuck’s, but it's a far cry from the ubiquitous frozen pizza usually served up at your average neighborhood bar. You'd pay more than a Tombstone or Pasquale's, but the cheap beer and the twentieth century atmosphere more than compensates for the price.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: More Reviewed Foods

In Memoriam: Walnut Tap

2011-10-24T17:28:00.000-05:00

The last time I went to the Walnut Tap – likely around ten years ago – The Princemen were playing a gig there.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Still More Odds and Ends

Okie eats!

2011-10-24T16:50:00.000-05:00

Okie eats a breakfast slider from Mullets, and a pork taco from Tacopocalypse.

Algal Bloom For The Cure or a pink plague?

2011-10-21T18:42:00.002-05:00

Is the pink water in front of Gino's West a Susan G. Komen algal bloom? Or perhaps some kind of biblical plague not written up in the Book of Exodus... מכת ורוד?

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Still More Odds and Ends

A dog, a Hexbug, a gumdrop, and a bad person.

2011-10-15T20:03:00.000-05:00

Okie suffers the indignity of schadenfreude.

Return to Capital Pub and Hot Dog

2011-10-06T20:41:00.000-05:00

On my second visit to Capital Pub and Hot Dog I was intent on taking on the half-pound Homewrecker dog, but decided against the weighty pup for a couple of regular size quarter-pound dogs.

First up was the Mobayashi. The siracha mayonnaise starts off light but gets zestier with subsequent bites. A generous gob of cream cheese softens the zing, as well as the cool, crisp chunks of cucumber. A light coating of tempura batter adds a nice crisp to the frank. The otherwise fiery punch of wasabi is restrained in a creamy application. You get a taste, but not enough to clear your sinuses. I would have like that.

The Maddog is a zippy dog indeed, however the “nuclear sauce” wasn't the hottest thing I put in my mouth on this visit. The affable barkeep gave me a taste of Dave's Ultimate Insanity Sauce and that pretty much superseded anything the Maddog could dish out. I do appreciate the abundant crushed red pepper encrusting the frank. I love the flavor and the wee crunch it imparts. Cream cheese again tones down the heat, but not nearly enough for delicate palates. Accompanying planks of carrot and celery seemed gimmicky at first but are a welcome nosh after consuming such spicy fare.

Since my last visit [see blog post], sport peppers for the Chicago dog have been acquired. Trade in the diced tomatoes for sliced, and you’d have as close to a real Chicago dog as you can get this side of Aurora.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Reviewed Foods and More Reviewed Foods

Return to Zombie Burger + Drink Lab

2011-10-05T19:55:00.000-05:00

On my second visit to Zombie Burger + Drink Lab I was intent on trying the Zombie Poutine. Poutine, a staple in the colder climes of Quebec, is a hearty combination of french fries, cheese curds, and brown gravy.

The disappointment I had with Zombie Burger’s opening day fries [see blog post] was abated somewhat in this evening’s offering, but aside from a few crispy pieces they were still underdone. The gravy was thick and clingy, but also a tad saltier than I cared for.

The cheese curds. Well, what could I fault in a cheese curd? Not a thing. They might have even melted a little from contact with the fries and gravy were they not still cold. Neither I nor my dinner companion were terribly impressed after a couple of forkfuls, and pecked at it some more until we had our fill with about half of the fries and gravy remaining.

In contrast, the burgers and shake we ordered fared much better.

My pal was pleased with the goat cheese on the La Horde burger which also sports bacon, caramelized onion, and mayo. I opted for a Dawn of the Dead burger, topped with a fried egg, bacon, American cheese, red onion, and mayo. My lone lament was that the yolk was runny enough to fully eviscerate upon my first bite.

The Chocolate Nutella Marshmallow shake, though pricey, was damn good and I was the fortunate one to finish it.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Reviewed Foods

Vegan Cincinnati-style chili recipe

2011-10-03T19:56:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp. canola oil

3 white onions, finely chopped

3 pinches Kosher salt

1 - 28 oz. can tomato sauce

3-½ cups water

2 tsp. Vegemite

2 Tbsp. molasses

1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

1 Tbsp. cocoa

1 Tbsp. chili powder

1 Tbsp. garlic powder

2 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. ground allspice

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground sweet paprika

½ tsp. ground cayenne

½ tsp. ground cloves

1 lb. Bob’s Red Mill Textured Vegetable Protein (or approx. 1-½ 10 oz. pkgs.)

Heat canola oil in large saucepot on low heat. Add onions and salt. Sauté until onions are translucent, stirring occasionally.

Add tomato sauce, water, Vegemite, molasses, vinegar, cocoa and spices. Increase heat to medium-high and boil until Vegemite has completely melted into liquid.

Drop heat to low, add TVP, simmer with lid on until desired tenderness, add water as needed to keep consistency loose. Cool overnight in fridge for flavors to mature.

Heat, add water or tomato sauce to loosen consistency if needed, and serve.

TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein), left, made intoVegan Cincinnati-style chili, and served four-way, atopspaghetti with onions and cheddar cheese, right.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Still More Odds and Ends

Take a Dump for the Cure

2011-10-01T17:44:00.000-05:00

File this under the category of "Unnecessary pink objects."

Photo from the Picasa Web Album: Still More Odds and Ends

Flour Pizza: Sterile ambience, good pizza.

2011-09-27T18:37:00.000-05:00

The minimalist communal interior and drippy mood music were rather intimidating upon first entering Flour Pizza, nestled between Jimmy John’s and Smokey D’s BBQ in the Nationwide Insurance building on the corner of 13th and Locust Streets. After the initial shock subsided, I stepped up to the counter and placed my order.
The Everything is a solid filling slice. Good crisp on the crust’s bottom. Topped with abundant cheese and a good mix of pepperoni, sausage, black olives, ham, mushrooms, and roasted red peppers.
The bright Caprese sports a interesting mix of cherry tomatoes, red grapes, and dried basil. A thicker, bready crust asserts itself against the subdued flavors.
The Verde offers broccoli, caramelized onions, zucchini, and a brush of pesto underneath the cheese. The abundance of sautéed veggies imparts a distracting oiliness. In comparison, the Caprese's clean, simple tastes are refreshing.
	Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Reviewed Foods

Open your taste buds to Open Sesame

2011-09-27T16:41:00.000-05:00

Back in Des Moines after my time away in Iowa City and Ottumwa, I finally got an opportunity to dine at Open Sesame in the East Village neighborhood. My dining partner tried the Falafel Salad while I ordered the Vegetarian Plate.

Falafel salad, left, and Vegetarian Plate.

The falafel was lightly fried, which made for a tender bite. If I had not asked, I could easily assume it was baked. Texture and spiciness were first rate too.

Hummus was super smooth and creamy, sported a nice salty tang and hint of sesame. Not as earth-shattering as the hummus I tried recently at Fair Grounds Coffeehouse in Iowa City [see blog post], but still a superior dip.

The pita was thin and crispy, appealingly so. Stuffed grape leaves were the tenderest I've ever eaten, with a bright briny flavor but not overpowering. The tabbouleh was also bright, and vegetal.

For beverages, I started off with cardamon spiced iced tea. It was delicate and refreshing. A squeeze of lemon is not advised.

Turkish coffee, left, and baklava.

The Turkish coffee was a roller-coaster, but still surprisingly smooth and flavorful. Beware if you're an espresso lightweight. Once finished, dredging the sludgy dregs with the handle of my fork amused me so. Obviously not to be consumed, but might do in a pinch for eye black.

The visit would not have been complete without a taste of baklava. Sweet but not cloyingly so. No lack of walnuts within its phyllo confines. More filling than expected: split one with a friend.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Reviewed Foods

Dog shit is a serious matter on N. Market St. in Ottumwa

2011-09-23T22:15:00.000-05:00


This homeowner had two sets of these signs on both sides of their property along the sidewalk. Considering the neighborhood, I'd say getting "shit on" by the neighbors, in one form or another, is not uncommon.
Photo from the Picasa Web Album: The Lost City of Ottumwa

Lunch in the sun at Graham's Dairy Freez in Ottumwa

2011-09-18T20:03:00.003-05:00

On my last day in Ottumwa during my recent vacation I passed on breakfast after two disappointing meals the previous two days and opted for lunch at Graham’s Dairy Freez, a local soft-serve favorite.

Enjoying lunch al fresco, I started off with a tasty Black Angus hot dog with chili and cheese sauce, a “steakburger” made with a fairly decent pre-formed patty, and a cup of the soft-serve flavor-of-the-week, black raspberry.

Cool and creamy, but the raspberry flavor is quite muted, and incomparable to hard-pack and frozen custard versions I've enjoyed elsewhere. Still worth a try if vanilla or chocolate neither float your boat. Graham's rotates a special flavor every two weeks.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: The Lost City of Ottumwa

In Memoriam: Red Garter Parlor

2011-09-15T15:52:00.000-05:00

Sadly, this remnant of history exists no more. And so with it goes the whimsical fantasies of Ottumwa youth, pondering the delights within.

Photo from the Picasa Web Album: The Lost City of Ottumwa

Breakfast at Fair Grounds in Iowa City: Great Taste…Less Killing!

2011-09-14T11:53:00.000-05:00

My recent trip to Iowa City had no end of breakfast delights. I secured a comforting omelet at an old favorite, The Hamburg, No. 2 [see blog post]. And took an opportunity to rediscover another Iowa City institution, Lou Henri [see blog post].

The last morning, on my way to catch a bus out of town, I visited Fair Grounds Coffeehouse and Bakery, conveniently located across the street from the Megabus stop and just around the corner from the Greyhound/Burlington Trailways station.

Fair Grounds is a nexus of vegetarian/vegan breakfast items, with a dizzying selection of egg-free, cholesterol-free, dairy-free waffles and french toast. Gluten-free waffles are available upon request as well. Sadly, things like pancakes, waffles and french toast aren’t my cup of tea, but I did spot a breakfast burrito on the menu which looked promising.

With scrambled tofu, roasted potatoes, homemade vegan mockstarella and sour cream, and fresh salsa in a spinach tortilla, the breakfast burrito is formidable in size and scope. All together, the flavor and texture reminds me of a spicy potato salad. I rather like it! Quite creamy inside, but nicely balanced with bite-size chunks of potato. Pieces of carrot and celery are an unexpected bonus; perhaps from the salsa? The overt yellow hue of the scrambled tofu likely comes from turmeric, which my taste buds appear to agree with. For the portion on the plate it's a good valve and all the breakfast you'll need to order.

Vegan breakfast burrito.

Grilled tempeh.

Feeling curious I also tried the grilled tempeh, marinated then grilled in maple syrup. Salty like Parmesan, slighty sour, great texture, the light touch of maple syrup complements. A good protein source. If you like tempeh, then this should please you. Being a dyed-in-the-wool crispy bacon eater, it doesn’t come close to satisfying that desire.

After beholding the breakfast burrito I realized my error in ordering a side of Fair Grounds homemade grilled toast, with sides of hummus and butter. Still, I had to try the wonderfully creamy hummus. A exceptional amount of tahini went into this, so much so that the rich taste of ground sesame, paired with tart lemon juice is a real eye-opener. This is a great hummus!

I’d come back here without reservation to sample their coffee and to try the few savory waffles that pique my interest. Oh! Be still my craving stomach.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Iowa City 2011

In a world of sophisticated tastes, Pizza on Dubuque abides.

2011-09-13T08:25:00.000-05:00

The foundation of Pizza on Dubuque’s slices is a crispy, crunchy, rustic crust made with part white and part local organic wheat flour. Spots of char on the bottom compliments the crust’s wheaty flavor.

A slice of homemade Italian sausage, green bell pepper, and red onions is about as perfect as it gets. Good spicy sausage made with locally acquired ground pork, flavored with parsley, fennel, cayenne, salt and pepper. Crunchy peppers and red onion. A light hand on the sauce lets this simple trio of toppings stand out.

In contrast the pepperoni and sausage pizza has a generous amount of P.O.D.’s made-from-scratch tomato pizza sauce, but suffers not from overabundance. The ratio of sausage to pepperoni clearly nods towards the latter. Either more sausage or larger chunks would have made a better balance.

The veggie combo is loaded down with tomatoes, green peppers, black olives, and mushrooms. In-season locally grown heirloom tomatoes burst with fresh, vibrant flavor. A true artisan pizza. It's like a Farmers' Market in my mouth, but without all the shitty arts and crafts junk to wallow through.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Iowa City 2011

If you have Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachman [sic]…

2011-09-13T07:07:00.000-05:00

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Iowa City 2011

Madness…? This is Sparti's Gyros!

2011-09-11T17:59:00.000-05:00

The spanakopita at Sparti’s Gyros – with locations in Kenosha and Racine, Wiscsonsin, and Coralville, Iowa – is slightly reminiscent in portion size to the abysmal spinach pie I had tried to consume at some cheap gyro joint in Chicago last September [see blog post]. However, Sparti’s offering does have flavor. The phyllo has some crispiness and the spinach is quite moist, but the feta was wan.

It’s not the most appetizing presentation for the hummus with pita. The hummus is pretty average. If the pita had been warmed before serving I could not tell, for placing the cool hummus atop the pita imparted an undesirable chill.

The gyro chili was an about face from the previous dishes and impressed me more than I expected. Made with finely chopped and ground gyro meat, chopped green peppers, onions, tomatoes, and pinto and red kidney beans. The spices start off rather mild, but build up with each spoonful. Pass on saltines, order a side of pita and dip it in the juices. It's quite good.

And lastly the Sparti Dog. It's a hot dog! It's a gyro! Goodness gracious, it’s both! On a super soft poppy seed bun with tomatoes, onions and gobs of ultra-creamy tzatziki, this pairing of hot dog and sliced gyro meat is insanely decadent and delicious.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Iowa City 2011

9/11: What I Remember…

2011-09-11T16:37:00.000-05:00

I had gone downstairs to the break room to get an egg salad sandwich from the vending machines. As I returned, eating the sandwich, the first plane strike was on every television in the office.

It is the most vivid thing I remember of that day. After that, it was a blur.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Iowa City 2011

Whitey's Ice Cream saves the day!

2011-09-10T10:10:00.000-05:00

Recently an otherwise futile trip to Coral Ridge Mall was rescued with a visit to Whitey's Ice Cream – a Quad Cities/Iowa City/Coralville chain – to sample some of their delightful ice creams.

Whitey’s orange sherbet is refreshing, and not at all as cloying as Heyn's strawberry sorbet [see blog post]. It is though an unfair comparison, sorbet being made with sweetened, flavored water, whereas sherbet also has a small amount of dairy present.

Big pieces of fruit are what takes notice in Whitey’s smooth and creamy strawberry ice cream. The flavor may not be as bright as Des Moines’ favorite Bauder's [see blog post], but nonetheless would make a good foundation for a delicious shake.

The mint chocolate chip’s mintiness is neither weak nor overpowering. Unevenly sized pieces of chocolate add a nice crunch and are visually appealing. A treat for kids of all ages.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Iowa City 2011

Filled with holes or holes filled. Take your choice, parents.

2011-09-10T09:25:00.000-05:00

The boys' costume with matching accoutrement warrants a SWAT team takedown, while the girls' attire is more than enough for the neighborhood pedophiles to take notice.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Iowa City 2011

Omelets galore at The Hamburg Inn in Iowa City

2011-09-10T08:54:00.000-05:00

When visiting Iowa City’s famous Hamburg Inn, No. 2, I usually order up the ground beef Mexican Deluxe omelet with an English muffin. The omelet is spicy, tomatoey, beefy, and cheesy, highlighted with a decadent ribbon of sour cream, all packaged nicely within the confines of an eggy shroud.

The Hamburg's Mexican Omelet, with or without home fries.

On my latest trip, I veered off the norm and went with a Goosetown omelet, filled with grilled kielbasa, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese, with a side of home fries to complete the meal.

The Goosetown is replete with slices of meaty kielbasa which contrasts well with the tart sauerkraut. The skin-on home fries are not as crispy or seasoned like the home fries at Lou Henri [see blog post], but still quite hearty.

A Goosetown omelet with home fries.

Photos from the Picasa Web Albums: Iowa City & Coralville, February 2009 and Iowa City 2011

Heyn's Ice Cream: The Towncrest treat

2011-09-08T08:14:00.000-05:00

Having the luxury of time during my recent visit to Iowa City, I took a long walk southeast to the Towncrest neighborhood in search of Heyn’s Ice Cream.

For over twenty years Heyn’s has been perfecting their handmade ice creams. Ready for a break after an hour’s walk, I sat down and sampled a few of their hard-pack creations along with a scoop of Heyn’s sorbet, a frozen dessert made from sweetened water usually flavored with fruit.

Dense and creamy ice cream.

Sampling the Chocoholic Delight, I was reminded of the taste of chocolate cake and frosting. So rich and dense, and studded with hot fudge, brownies, and crushed Heath bars. There's no end of oral delight!

OUCH!

Sadly, the strawberry sorbet was way too sweet for my palate. Despite the bits of fruit strewn about, the sugar overpowers the fruit flavor and renders one unconscious from the diabetic coma it induces. I could not finish it.

Trying to end my visit on a positive note, I ordered a scoop of Lemon Custard. More dense than the delightful Lemon Custard ice cream served at Bauder Pharmacy in Des Moines [see blog review], Heyn's has a smooth and creamy lemon flavor but doesn't sport as much flavor and aroma of zest that makes Bauder's ice cream shine.

Fans of Whitey’s Ice Cream – a popular chain of ice cream shops in Iowa City, Coralville, and the Quad Cities – are legion. Generally I would not pass up an opportunity to have some of Whitey’s delicious ice creams, but if given a choice I would gravitate to Heyn’s for another scoop of their creamy concoctions.

But not the sorbet. My teeth hurt just thinking about it.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Iowa City 2011

A time to reflect. A time to exploit.

2011-09-07T19:00:00.000-05:00


Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Iowa City 2011

Lou Henri: The other Iowa City breakfast tradition

2011-09-07T18:52:00.000-05:00

Back in the early nineties I had an acquaintance whom I’d accompany to Iowa City for Socialist Party gatherings, research at the University library, or the odd visit to John’s Grocery for beer while returning from minor league baseball games in such exotic places as Clinton, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport.

For breakfast we did not join the queue at The Hamburg, as most in- and out-of-towners tend to do, but instead opted for black-bean laced burritos from a diner located east of downtown.

Now, nearly twenty years later, I sought out this old familiar breakfast and found the source: Lou Henri at the corner of Iowa and Dodge.

Scanning the menu for a dish close to my previous experiences, I settled on the Huevos Quesadilla. In actuality it’s a big ole breakfast burrito.

Filled with cheddar, wild rice, beans and eggs, the flavors are simple, even a tad bland. But when topped with a superbly chunky and zippy house salsa, and a garnish of scallions, the taste factor blossoms.

The rustic housemade salsa boasts a nice red chili heat, not unlike a good enchilada sauce. Still not enough heat? The plethora of bottled hot sauces on each table can fix that.

Available in small and regular sizes, the "regular" Huevos Quesadilla will fill you up good.

The chunky, skin-on, salt and pepper seasoned home fries at Lou Henri are as equally rustic as the salsa, and taste great on their own. But decadence comes to mind if you ask for a side of “Lou's sauce” – a combo of mayo, sour cream and the house salsa – and spoon that over the fries.

The next time you pull up to The Hamburg for breakfast and find the ubiquitous line waiting outside to be seated, ditch that scene and drive the eight blocks to Lou Henri for an equally satisfying meal.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Iowa City 2011

Not your ordinary lawn ornament…

2011-09-07T06:38:00.000-05:00

"IL Compositore" by Patrick Stephenson, bronze and marble

…and this one really speaks to me…

"Ashley Twenty-Ten" by Patrick Stephenson, bronze

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Iowa City 2011

The pizza, the whole pizza, and nothing but the pizza

2011-09-07T06:10:00.000-05:00

Having never been to A & A Pagliai’s Pizza, on the corner of Bloomington and Linn in Iowa City, it was quite a surprise to find an old school sit-down restaurant that serves nothing but pizza. No onion rings, pasta, or breadsticks. Not even a side-salad! Just pizza. And beverages only with a pizza purchase. Don’t believe me? Here’s their menu.

Even the selection of table shakers is unique. No Parmesan! Just crushed red pepper, oregano, garlic powder, salt and black pepper.

Going for broke, I ordered up a large Palace Special, with Italian sausage, ground beef, pepperoni, mushrooms and onion. Crisp tavern-style crust, but yielding to bite. A thicker-style is available if you order a “double” crust. Simple, comforting sauce. A good mix of toppings, none dominate the rest. Tasty mild sausage.

Another surprise. Pagliai's sells frozen pizzas for home bake. A lot!

Is this the best pizza in Iowa City? Many think so. Do you need to eat here? Yes. Like breakfast at The Hamburg, a pint at The Deadwood, or a six-pack from John’s Grocery, a pizza at Pagliai’s is a must-do.

You want salad? Go suck a fern.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Iowa City 2011

Thou shalt not park here

2011-09-06T08:45:00.000-05:00

Photo from the Picasa Web Album: Iowa City 2011

The TARDIS leaves its mark in Iowa City

2011-09-06T08:39:00.000-05:00


Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Iowa City 2011

Z’Mariks serves up flavor by the bowlful

2011-09-06T08:26:00.000-05:00

In the past I’ve enjoyed Z'mariks Noodle Cafe’s Z’Mac N Cheese at the Iowa State Fair in 2010 [see blog post], then later that fall the Z’Pesto at their location in Clive. Both dishes were quite good.

This Labor Day holiday I found myself walking the streets of Iowa City looking for good eats. For lunch I visited Z’Mariks’ home location at 19 S. Dubuque St. in the heart of Iowa City’s vibrant downtown district.

Using all my resolve to stave off ordering a large bowl of Z’Mac N Cheese, instead ordered up a small bowl each of the Z’Lemon Sauté – with bowtie pasta, zucchini, spinach, all tossed in a lemon-cream sauce and sprinkled with shredded romano – and to bring on some heat the Z’Thai Stir-Fry featuring broccoli, shredded carrots, snap peas, roasted peanuts, all sautéed in a spicy peanut sauce and served over rice.

The Z’Lemon Sauté’s sauce was velvety and bright with hints of lemon and Dijon mustard. The zucchini was perfectly cooked: the thin-sliced quarters still sporting a nice crunch. Spinach leaves also retain some structure but with just the right amount of wilt. This is no wimpy pasta dish, this is a meal.

In between bowls I tried a few meatballs. Best if ordered as a add-on to a hot pasta dish, the meatballs have a good spring and chew without being tough, otherwise not too remarkable.

The Z’Thai Stir-Fry boasts a sweet, smooth, zesty peanut sauce that leaves a lingering burn in the back of throat. Crunchy peanuts, with some visually appealing spots of browning, reinforce the nutty flavor. The snap peas pack a nice sweet pea flavor and a satisfying crunch. The broccoli is not as eye-popping but the florets trap the zesty sauce, making for a flavorful bite. Shreds of carrot add color and texture, but don’t contribute much for flavor against the background of the peanut sauce.

Service was surprisingly quick. Much more time is spent in queue waiting to order, especially if you come during the height of the lunch hour.

For both unique and familiar flavors, Z’Mariks serves each up in bowlfuls.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Iowa City 2011

DISNEY. Catering to perverts, one awkward product at a time.

2011-09-01T19:40:00.000-05:00

From Slakingfool's Lolz at I Can Has Cheezburger.

The taste of his cherry ChapStick.

2011-08-31T22:41:00.000-05:00

From Slakingfool's Lolz at I Can Has Cheezburger.

This is no Sunday School picnic!*

2011-08-30T20:11:00.000-05:00

^{* Ben, from Night of the Living Dead}

UPDATED Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Normally I avoid the crowd, but today I queued up amongst the masses of the “walking living” clamoring for a bite of restauranteur/baker George Formaro's latest food adventure, Zombie Burger + Drink Lab, nestled in the repressively hip East Village.

Going for broke I ordered up The Boomstick – a burger topped with with a deep fried bubble of breading filled with chili, the Mac Dog – a Thumann's pork and beef frankfurter nestled in a New England-style hot dog bun, loaded down with mac n' cheese and fried bacon cubes, and a side of house cut shoestring fries. Even after this repast I found enough space to fit in a Zombie Burger, with a slice of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and Thousand Island "Zombie" sauce.

The fries were lovely to look at, but were disappointing to eat. Limp and over-browned, underdone inside, I did not finish them. I suspect the oil wasn't hot enough. Hopefully just an opening day flub.

The Boomstick definitely needs caution to eat. I tried to eat it like any other burger – with my hands – and the hot chili gushed forth from its crusty enclosure, landing mostly on the fries. It's an interesting gimmick, but in the end I had about as much breading to eat as the burger it sat upon.

Zombie Burger's hand cut fries, the Boomstick burger, and the end result of eating the Boomstick. Fortunately it wasn't on my crotch.

The Mac Dog looks and tastes awesome. I didn't think I could find anything messier than Capital Pub and Hot Dog's Coney dog [see blog review], but this one takes the prize. The cheese sauce is quite rich, and the bun is more akin to some mutated Texas toast. Somewhere in the mix I taste garlic, but unsure of the source. The frank itself is decent enough but if given a choice I'll take Capital Pub and Hot Dog's all-beef wiener over Zombie's.

The Zombie Burger is a good sandwich. Superbly soft toasted bun. The beef patty is juicy, with the odd spot of crunchy sear. It's a far cry from McDonald's or Burger King, but more along the lines of burger chains like In-N-Out, Fatburger [see blog review], Five Guys or Steak 'n Shake.

The decadent Mac Dog, and the Zombie Burger.

Once I recover from this feast – which may require several days of liquid meal replacements – I plan to return to sample Zombie Burger's less fleshy offerings, like grilled portobello mushrooms, veggie patties, and the Mushroom Apocalypse – a breaded mushroom/cheese croquette.

Zombie Poutine, and the Dawn of the Dead burger.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Reviewed Foods

The classic soda fountain thrives at Bauder Pharmacy

2011-08-29T21:33:00.000-05:00

Gelato reins supreme at Chocolaterie Stam on Ingersoll, the south-side’s Classic Frozen Custard pretty much sums their forte in their name, and Snookies Malt Shop is a Beaverdale soft serve favorite.

But for homemade, hard-pack ice cream, the place to go is Bauder Pharmacy at 38th and Ingersoll.

When in season Bauder's fresh strawberry ice cream is sublime. Bright with flavor, peppered with bits of fruit. The occasional crunch of seed reinforces the homemade quality of this otherwise velvety texture. The “lemon custard” is equally awesome, with the smell of zest tickling the nose before the ice cream hits your tongue. This doesn't just taste of lemon: you really can catch the citrus lurking in all that cool, creamy milk-fat.

The first spoon of coffee ice cream is like a shot of espresso with sweetened cream, then quickly mellows with successive bites. The butter brickle has a rich, caramel flavor, and lots of toffee bits. Creamy, crunchy, and cold! Compared to the light, refreshing fruity ice creams, this one is just evil!

In addition to their award-winning ice cream, Bauder's soda fountain serves up sodas, shakes, malts, sundaes, and a decent selection of sandwiches.

The finely chopped egg salad served here is one of my favorites. Paired with rye bread, the odd caraway seed is a perfect flavor companion. A simple iceberg lettuce leaf adds a light crunch, with pickle chips on the side for a refreshing, tart counterbalance. A substantial, little sandwich.

The corned beef in the Reuben is lightly grilled, and very tender. With just the right amount of sauerkraut and dressing on toasted rye, it's quite simple and delicious.

Other items things tried during my recent visits include a classic Green River soda, a fried egg sandwich with cheese, and the legendary Iowa State Fair treat: Bauder's peppermint bar. Available at the pharmacy during State Fair time and shortly after until sold out for the season.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Reviewed Foods

"Good gravy!" at D's Main Gate

2011-08-29T18:59:00.000-05:00

The Italian grinder at D's Main Gate at the corner of E. 30th and Grand, across from the Iowa State Fairgrounds, lacks not of lightly seasoned Italian sausage or melted shredded cheese, but what really floats my boat is the biscuits and gravy pictured below. Plentiful sausage gravy with a nice peppery kick. A simple, filling breakfast. Good stuff.

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: Reviewed Foods

Sunset over The Rumely

2011-08-28T07:15:00.000-05:00

Photo from the Picasa Web Album: Still More Odds and Ends

The Last Swallow of Beer

2011-08-26T21:03:00.000-05:00

Photo from the Picasa Web Album: Still More Odds and Ends

Bacon is a Girl's Best Friend

2011-08-24T19:44:00.000-05:00

Photo from the Picasa Web Album: A day on the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad

Caboose ride aboard the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad

2011-08-22T20:04:00.000-05:00

Prepping then piloting the interurban.

Travel companion watching the world pass by; Returning to the station.

Our ride to Fraser and back; The rest of the consist, before the steam engine in the distance broke down.

Signal tower of yore; The lure of technology at one's fingertips.

A view of the station yard; a yard engine in Iowa State Cyclones livery (see logo on side of cab).

Pulling out of Boone; trackside flora and fauna.

Inspecting the consist upon loss of air brake pressure; "Dependable transportation."

Photos from the Picasa Web Album: A day on the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad