Month: March 2016

Martin’s BBQ Joint – Nolensville, TN

BBQ restaurants that I visit almost always smoke their own meats, however, the smokers are usually outside or in the kitchen away from the view of the customers. It’s disappointing because the customers do not get to see all the work that goes into making the BBQ they enjoy so much. Martin’s BBQ changes all of that for their customers. Their pit is right there inside the restaurant.

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You can watch the meat go in and come out. You can see and smell the smoky flavor in the air as soon as you walk in. And be warned, you will smell like BBQ when you leave – so be prepared to get hungry later on. If the smoke is too overwhelming, you can sit on their covered patio for some fresh air.

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They have many meat options to select from. I had to go with my staple, pulled pork. I also really wanted to try their smoked turkey. Luckily they offer a combo plate that allows the choice of two meats plus two of their homemade sides and Texas toast. I love Texas toast with BBQ – Martin’s toasts the bread on both sides so that it is buttery and crispy.

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The smoked turkey was not over-powered with smoke flavor. It did not have any crispy edges the way the pork did, nevertheless, it was still delicious. It was very juicy which I was not expecting. The pulled pork had great bark and was also very juicy. The meats could hold their own in flavor but the taste was elevated when the homemade BBQ sauce was added.

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There are lots of sides to choose from. I went for the mac and cheese (a perfect pairing with BBQ) and the baked beans. Even the beans had a wonderful smoky flavor. I also made sure to order an extra side of their homemade French fries to share with the table.

If you are in the mood for BBQ then Martin’s BBQ Joint is the place to be. See their complete menu at www.martinsbbqjoint.com

Enjoy!

T

Silver Skillet – Atlanta, GA

The Silver Skillet is an institution in Atlanta having been around since 1956.

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Very little in the appearance has changed; when you walk in you feel like you are in the 50s. That could be the appeal to Hollywood since many different television shows and movies have filmed there. You can visit their website for complete list, it’s impressive.

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They have many classic diner breakfast items on the menu; I went for an omelet because I had not had one in a while. I was excited to see that I could get American cheese with ham in my omelet. I find the creaminess of the American cheese tastes so much better with eggs than cheddar. The omelet was much larger than I expected it to be, so it was a good thing I was hungry. A southern diner breakfast would not be complete without a side of grits. Just add a little butter and some salt and pepper to taste to complete the perfect pairing with the eggs.

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Silver Skillet is a must visit in Atlanta. They are open in the morning for those early birds but they close around 2:00pm, so don’t get there too late.

Visit them on Facebook or at their website: www.thesilverskillet.com

Enjoy!

T

Giuseppe’s – Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix is a fun city to visit. If you are into golfing – it’s a must visit. They also have an extensive food scene. While Mexican food would be what you might gravitate to on a visit – I was hungry for Italian. That’s why I was excited to find Giuseppe’s, a small little place in a shopping center.

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I was thrilled to see that they had rice balls on their menu. They can be hard to find. They called them “Suppli di Riso” so I almost missed them if I hadn’t read the description. Their rice balls were stuffed with smoked mozzarella cheese, which gave them a unique flavor. It matched up well with their homemade tomato sauce.

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When I was deciding on what to get for lunch my eyes fell upon the gnocchi. Gnocchi is my favorite Italian dish thanks to my grandmother. That was always her favorite. They serve their gnocchi in a “cardinal sauce” which is a blend of cream and tomato. I thought it was a very rich sauce; it was tasty, but it filled me up much faster than I expected. Yet that’s ok – having leftovers is a perfect way to take the dining experience home with you.

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The wait-staff was very friendly and engaging; they offered wonderful suggestions about what to see when in the area. It was nice to also see all the regulars coming in for lunch. That’s a positive indication for me that a place will be good.

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See their full menu at www.giuseppeson28th.com

Enjoy!

T

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Price’s Chicken Coop – Charlotte, NC

I found another hot spot serving mouthwatering Southern fried chicken. This time I found myself in Charlotte, North Carolina. Price’s Chicken Coop is a small hole-in-the-wall place that had a line out the door. I visited them on a Saturday so that added to the craziness (just know that are closed Sunday & Monday – so plan accordingly).

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I got the quarter chicken of all white meat, plus it comes with several sides including cole slaw, tater rounds, and hush puppies. It was indeed a full meal. Since there is no place to sit in the restaurant I ate in the car, which I noticed many people were doing. I wanted to make sure I ate my chicken while it was still hot.

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The chicken was cooked perfectly. The breading was immensely crispy. When you bite into the chicken you hear that crunch and you are overwhelmed by the juiciness of the chicken. They do a phenomenal job at locking in the moisture of their chicken. Every bite was truly enjoyable.

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One note I need to make about this fried chicken is that it is cooked in 100% peanut oil. So if you have a peanut allergy, please be careful. They do have other items on their menu – burgers & BBQ that you can try. Also note that they are a cash only, so hit the ATM before you get there.

www.priceschickencoop.com

Enjoy!

T

McNamara’s Irish Pub – Nashville, TN

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone!

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Irish pubs are fun places to go to. What makes McNamara’s so unique from other pubs I’ve been to is the building – it use to be a funeral home. Now some people may be freaked out by this, but trust me when I say there is no resemblance to a funeral home inside. When you walk through the door it really feels like you are stepping into someone’s home. There are different rooms set up with tables, booths, a bar area, and an upstairs that they use for events.

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They have an extensive menu with all the classics. I knew I had to order the Scotch Eggs. For anyone not familiar with this dish, it’s a hardboiled egg that is wrapped in ground sausage, breaded and then deep fried. They serve theirs with a homemade sauce that has a hint of mustard in it. Their Scotch Eggs have a great crunch when you bite in. The salty flavor from the sausage is complemented by the sweetness of the dipping sauce.

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Instead of ordering the traditional Shepherd’s Pie, I decided to try their “Irish Nachos” – which combines French fries with shepherd’s pie ingredients, cheese and fresh tomatoes on top. It was a fun twist on the classic that is much better for sharing with the table.

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If you are in the mood for some good Irish comfort food then you must visit McNamara’s. Visit their website at: www.mcnamarasirishpub.com

Enjoy!

T

Dough – San Antonio, TX

If you have worked up an appetite visiting the Alamo or enjoying the roller coasters at 6 Flag Fiesta Texas – head over to Dough and enjoy their Neapolitan style pizza. They are made with fresh ingredients and are cooked in a giant wood-burning oven.

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I would recommend you get a seat at the counter-top area, this way you can watch them make the pizza right in front of you. There is a genuine art to making pizza, especially when it comes to cooking it in the oven – one wrong move and the pizza would be burnt.

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I ordered the Fontina pizza (roasted mushrooms, balsamic onions, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and thyme). I thought it was distinctive compared to the other pizza’s out there. The crust was not too thin and not too thick. It had a marvelous crunch that was enhanced by the smoky flavor from the wood. The salty flavor from the cheese worked well with the mushroom and the sweetness of the onions.

Another special treat that you must try is the Caprese salad. It is made with homemade mozzarella cheese that is hand pulled right there in the restaurant. If you have a counter-top seat you can watch it being pulled. It’s amazing to watch the cheese being created. I have never seen that done in person before.

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I had an enjoyable meal and an entertaining show at Dough. Their menu is extensive so I definitely want to go back the next time I am visiting San Antonio.

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Check them out at: www.doughpizzeria.com

Enjoy!

T

Drago’s – New Orleans, LA

As I have mentioned in previous posts, New Orleans has amazing choices when it comes to food. I was having a great conversation with some locals and I revealed to them how much I love the charbroiled oysters in New Orleans. They mentioned that before I could leave New Orleans I had to try one more place – Drago’s. This is the home of the “Original Charbroiled Oyster”. Well once they said that I knew I had to go.

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What I love about Drago’s is when you walk in you can see directly into the kitchen area where the grills are located. You can watch them shuck the fresh oysters (they go so fast, it’s amazing).

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You can see exactly how they cook their oysters. As soon as they drop the Parmesan & Romano cheese on top, the flame on the grill gets higher.

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The oysters at Drago’s are similar to others that I have tried. However, they seem to use a little more garlic which is wonderful and always welcome. Plus you get just a little more of the grilled flavor in each bite.

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My suggestion is to order them a dozen at a time. You want to make sure you eat the oysters while they are hot because they just don’t taste as good when they are cold.

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I went to Drago’s specifically for their charbroiled oysters but realized that they have a full menu of other seafood specialties. I have them on my list to revisit since they have a lot more to try.

Get hungry by visiting their website at: www.dragosrestaurant.com

Enjoy!

T

Café Du Monde – New Orleans, LA

I remember visiting Café Du Monde when I was a kid. It was the only thing I remembered about New Orleans. Now going back as an adult I have a completely different perspective of the city. However, seeing Café Du Monde and thinking about their beignets made me feel like a kid all over again.

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The original coffee stand opened in 1862 in the New Orleans French Market. They are open 24/7, which means whenever you get hungry for something sweet, they are there for you. Their world famous coffee is served Black or Au Lait (half and half with hot milk) although if you truly want to feel like a kid, then get a chocolate milk.

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Some people might not be familiar with what beignets are, so for a little background, they are square French donuts that are covered with powdered sugar. You might think they would be heavy, but they really are not; they are light and the dough has a sweet taste, even without adding the powdered sugar. Despite that, eating them with powdered sugar is a MUST. You get 3 per order but be prepared not to share, you will want each one!

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There is always a crowd, so be prepared to wait in line. Part of the fun is eating the beignets there in the outdoor café, though if you are in a hurry, you can always get them to go. They are perfect for breakfast or as dessert after eating some awesome Cajun jumbo.

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If you want to have a little New Orleans at home you can buy the beignet mix and coffee there to take with you. Depending on where you live, you might be lucky enough to find the mix and coffee at your local grocery store.

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If you want a taste the sweet side of New Orleans, check out Café Du Monde. www.cafedumonde.com

Enjoy!

T

Sugar’s Ribs – Chattanooga, TN

If you’ve ever driven in interstate 75 through Chattanooga, you have probably seen billboards for Sugar’s Ribs. My advice to you is make sure you visit. It’s the perfect spot to stop and stretch your legs from your journey.

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They are located at the top of a hill that overlooks Chattanooga and the Tennessee River. If you listen closely you might hear the sound of a steam boat floating by.

When you walk in you are presented with their menu on the wall. Their options are simple but it can still be hard to decide because everything sounds and smells good.

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The typical meat I usually try at BBQ restaurants is the pork, so I had to keep the tradition going. Their pork butt sandwich has nice pieces of bark included, which is sometimes hard to find in pulled pork.

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I also tried the fajita bites. They are apparently sell out quickly so since they still had them available I jumped at the chance to try them. The flavor of the beef was smokey and crispy around the edges. The meat was very tender considering that sometimes fajita meat can be tough.

You definitely have to make some time to eat at Sugar’s www.sugarsribs.com   and while you are there make sure to stop by and see their pet goat.

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While you are in Chattanooga, stay a while and explore what this city has to offer.

There is an awesome aquarium downtown. There are 2 buildings – one for salt water fish and one for fresh water fish.  www.tnaqua.org

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Another place to visit while you are in town is Ruby Falls. You journey deep down the inside of Lookout Mountain to see the largest natural waterfall. A beautiful sight. www.rubyfalls.com

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Enjoy!

T