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Category: Reviews (Page 12 of 16)

Sue's condiments of choice: brown mustard and relish. Note the beautifully blackened, bursting exterior of the pup.

Ted’s Hot Dogs, Tempe AZ

January 12, 2015 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

Ted’s Hot Dogs is a regional mini-chain with locations in the Buffalo, NY suburbs of Amherst, Cheektowaga, Lancaster, Lockport, North Tonawanda, Orchard Park, Tonawanda, Williamsville, and Tempe. Wait a minute, Tempe? As in Arizona? Why is one, and only one, branch of Ted’s in Tempe? Well, oddly enough, this Tempe location is the one with the most direct ties to founder Theodore Spiro Liaros. Ted’s son Spiro (who passed away in 2013), was the president of Ted’s Hot Dogs, and opened this Ted’s when he moved to Arizona. Continue reading

The Grove's chicken fried steak is seen here topped with country gravy. Hatch green chile sauce and Monterey Jack is also an option; it would no longer be chicken fried steak, in our opinion, but it sounds very good! The real mashed potatoes on the side are excellent.

Shady Grove, Austin TX

January 9, 2015 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

Of the string of casual and kitschy restaurants that line Barton Springs Road, we recommend Shady Grove, a supremely laid-back Austin institution. You dine outside, on a patio under the shade of a grove of pecan trees, and maybe listen to some live music or catch an old flick (there’s inside dining too, but that would seem to defeat most of the point of The Grove). Continue reading

An assortment of first-rate biscotti from Torino Bakery, ready for their cup of espresso

Torino Bakery, Newburgh NY

January 8, 2015 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

Torino, a 45-year-old Italian bakery, is down towards the western end of the Broadway shopping strip anchored on the east by Tony’s Newburgh Lunch. If the name Newburgh conjures mental images of the worst symptoms of urban decay, rest assured that this piece of Broadway, not far from the New York Thruway, is something of an oasis. Continue reading

There's no need to go searching through the can of nuts for the dark ones. The Carmelcorn Shop offers peanuts cooked extra-dark like these (and also regular roasted nuts, too).

The Carmelcorn Shop, Easton PA

January 7, 2015 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

Are you someone who looks through a bag of potato chips to find the darkest ones? Is your favorite part of the pizza the burnt edge of the crust? Do you keep the toaster down until it starts to smoke? If so, we have a treat for you. Continue reading

A pair of Tony's dogs with the works, which means mustard, Texas sauce, and onions. The soul-satisfying combination is known as a Texas Hot Weiner.

Tony’s Newburgh Lunch, Newburgh NY

January 6, 2015 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

Newburgh is a small city, population 29,000, on the western bank of the Hudson River, almost an hour-and-a-half north of New York City. It’s also one of the most violent, gang-infested cities in the country. But don’t let that stop you from paying a breakfast or lunch visit to Tony’s Newburgh Lunch. It’s just a short hop off the New York State Thruway, and this short shopping stretch along Broadway is not threatening in the least. Tony’s is an ideal way station for travelers headed north. Continue reading

Ecola offers fresh seafood cocktails in any number of configurations. Pictured is a crab/shrimp combo.

Ecola Seafoods Restaurant & Market, Cannon Beach OR

January 5, 2015 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

There’s no shortage of seafood restaurants along coastal Oregon, but for a stripped-down-to-the-basics experience, we recommend Ecola Seafoods. In the town of Cannon Beach, Seaside’s relatively upscale neighbor to the south, Ecola is a seafood market with inside and outside seating. Continue reading

The Gianluca panino is stuffed with fresh mozzarella, prosciutto di Parma, roasted peppers, pesto, sea salt, pepper, oregano, and balsamic vinegar . This one is on 7-grain bread. Ciabatta is also an option. A truly first-rate sandwich in the balanced Italian mode, where quality ingredients speak for themselves.

Osteria Procaccini, Pennington NJ

January 4, 2015 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

Have you ever spent time traveling in Italy? If so, you’ll recognize Osteria Procaccini very quickly. This osteria is very much in the classic Italian mold, with a simple menu of thoughtfully constructed antipasti, panini, salads, and pizza, and a very casual, almost offhanded, demeanor. None of that would mean a thing if the food wasn’t up to snuff. We’re happy to report that the execution is as successful as the conception. Continue reading

The sandwich is unwieldy. The delicate fillets are fresh.

New Sandusky Fish Company, Sandusky OH

January 3, 2015 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

If you find yourself near the southern shores of Lakes Erie or Michigan, in the states of Ohio or Indiana, look for a place that serves up the local lake perch. It’s not hard to find in these parts, but try to find a spot that uses fresh, not frozen, fish. One of our favorites is the New Sandusky Fish Company in Ohio. Continue reading

Small dishes of strawberry and peaches and cream ice cream. Simple and unimprovable.

Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, Brooklyn NY

December 24, 2014 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory is one of the most understated ice cream parlors we’ve ever visited. It’s basically a counter inside a small historic old building. There’s little need for ice cream-themed razzle-dazzle inside when the stunning Brooklyn waterfront serves as an incomparable dining room outside. Continue reading

We can now answer this SAT question: ______ are to Montana as biscuits are to the South.

The Western Cafe, Bozeman MT

December 23, 2014 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

If you’re out for breakfast in Montana, one thing we guarantee you’ll find on the menu are cinnamon rolls, probably made in-house. In our experience, they are as mandatory as biscuits in a Southern café, a situation which makes us very happy. We love cinnamon rolls! Continue reading

The Chowda House makes their own key lime pie, and it's a good one, perfectly poised between tart and sweet.

The Chowda House, Red Bank NJ

December 22, 2014 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

Most of what we sampled at The Chowda House was good; some was mediocre. It’s good enough, though, to warrant a return visit to explore more of the menu. That name almost kept us away. It’s a pretty good rule of thumb that when a restaurant uses cutesy names like “chowda” instead of chowder, you’re dealing with a strictly-for-tourists joint. But that rule is violated here. Not that Red Bank is any kind of tourist magnet to begin with but Chowda House, across the street from the train station, is fairly unobtrusive and not in the choicest part of town. If they want to survive they’ll have to click with locals and commuters. Continue reading

We think Charlie's serves one of the best tasting Italian hot dogs in NJ.

Charlie’s Famous Italian Hot Dogs, Kenilworth NJ

December 21, 2014 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

It’s possible to be served an Italian hot dog in the Newark area at a restaurant with more soul, more sass, but few dog houses can compete with the taste of a Charlie’s Italian dog. What makes a Charlie’s dog special is that each item in the sandwich is a little bit, but noticeably, better than at most other places. The hot dogs themselves are more flavorful, the potatoes are superb and crisp, and the onions and peppers are brighter, too. We recommend getting a double. In fact, we always recommend a double when ordering an Italian hot dog. Not only is it easier to eat (you get a 180 degree section of bread, rather than the awkward 90 degrees), but it just feels right, in the same way that getting a double brat in Wisconsin feels more right than a single. Continue reading

Everything on the plate is good, but the fried pork chop is terrific. We ordered a la carte, but our waitress thoughtfully assembled it all into combo orders to keep the price down.

M & M Soul Food Cafe, Las Vegas NV

December 20, 2014 / / 0 Comments

When it comes to food for the visitor, Las Vegas is a funny place. All the attention goes to the casinos, for three things: the upscale restaurants run by nationally known chefs, the buffets, and the old-time bargains like 99-cent shrimp cocktails. People forget that Las Vegas is a big city and, like all big cities, there are plenty of superb places to eat around town. We guarantee that the 2 million folks living in the metropolitan area don’t limit their dining to The Strip. You just have to know where to go. Continue reading

The carp is slit before frying, and the result is a crunchy piece of fried fish. You'll have to pay attention while you eat, though. The fried potato discs are particularly good, too.

Joe Tess Place, Omaha NE

December 18, 2014 / / 0 Comments

Joe Tess sells carp. Not for stocking the pond in your Japanese garden, but for eating. Most Americans do not consider carp much of an eating fish (although it does find its way into gefilte fish), but here in Nebraska and the surrounding states, it’s an inexpensive treat. Especially when someone else does the cleaning and cooking. Continue reading

People around here drive great distances to enjoy Willow Creek's mustard-sauced ribs. For good reason, too.

Willow Creek Cafe & Saloon, Willow Creek MT

December 17, 2014 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

The Bozeman, Montana airport not only serves the college town of Bozeman, but is also a popular point of arrival for those planning a trip to Yellowstone. Bozeman is additionally, as far as we can tell, the only destination in Montana to which east coast residents can get a non-stop flight. Whatever the reason you find yourself at Bozeman Yellowstone International, we recommend the following course of action upon arrival: drive about 30 miles west (practically next door in Montana terms) to the tiny town of Willow Creek and dine in a 1910 saloon. Continue reading

The ribs at Gates are among the smokier specimens you'll find in Kansas City.

Gates Bar-B-Q, Kansas City MO

December 16, 2014 / / 1 Comment

REVIEW

As soon as you walk in you are hit with a greeting of “Hi, may I help you?” Of course, if you’re new here then at least a quick scan of the overhead menu will be necessary. So step aside and listen to the regulars place their orders: it’s like another language. Folks here are very specific about how they want their meats cut, their meals prepared. Slice this cut of beef in such-and-such a manner from that side, extra meat on a roll. None of these options appear on the menu, mind you; they are simply the requests of experienced barbecue eaters who know what they like. Newcomers can get flustered and overwhelmed. Continue reading

Do NOT leave Mammy's without sampling a dessert, or three.

Mammy’s Cupboard, Natchez MS

December 14, 2014 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

Mammy’s Cupboard is a classic piece of vernacular architecture and, as such, is well worth a visit for that reason alone. How often do you see a restaurant in the shape of a mammy? She’s been spruced up, and made ethnically vague: if you mixed all the different peoples of the world in a jar, and shook them up, you might get today’s Mammy. But here’s the kicker: this Esperanto mammy serves some superlative pies and cakes! Continue reading

The terrific rings are made fresh, not frozen.

Lobster Claw Seafoods, North Reading MA

December 12, 2014 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

The best fried clams in America can be found in the Ipswich-Essex area of Massachusetts, but it’s not the only place to find good fried clams. The hand-breaded whole-bellied clams fried up by Lobster Claw, while not quite at Ipswich level, can more than hold their own against most challengers. These clams are not as gushy and sea-briny as those at The Clam Box, but they are far superior to the fried clam strips found in most parts of the country. Lobster Claw’s clams are probably a good entry point for novices who approach the consumption of the entire clam with some trepidation. Continue reading

During one visit they were running a special: two sliders, a side, and a drink for $6. Pretty hefty for sliders, these.

Kooper’s Chowhound Burger Wagon, Baltimore MD

December 10, 2014 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

We love to try the local cuisine when we travel — we’re LAFers, after all! — but it would be nice to have at our fingertips a list of the best burgers, dogs and, perhaps, pizza, wherever we might be. So, while we crave steamed crabs plastered with Old Bay, crab cakes with big pearlescent lumps, and Maryland crab soup with a kick, we also enjoy the occasional palate refresher when we’re in Baltimore, and a hunk of crusty, flame-cooked beef, as served by Kooper’s Chowhound Burger Wagon, fits that bill perfectly. The trick is in finding it. Continue reading

Freshly made whipped cream and sweetened berries on a homemade biscuit

Eagles Nest, Brewer ME

December 8, 2014 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

We’ve traveled in Maine many times, but rarely have we ventured more than a few miles from the awe-inspiring coast. A visit to the Bangor State Fair brought us further inland in Maine than we’ve ever been, and lucky we were, as our search for dinner in the area turned up a gem in the nearby town of Brewer. Located on the banks of the Penobscot River, well out of town down Route 9, the Eagles Nest serves Maine down-home cooking to a mostly local crowd. Continue reading

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