tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300311942024-03-13T12:48:18.290-08:00That Food GuyThat Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-23007327233757153492019-09-07T11:30:00.000-08:002019-11-12T12:13:03.215-09:00Rock-A-Billy Diner at the Cumberland Mountain General Store<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Birthday Lunch – Cumberland General <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Store - Rockabilly Diner </div>
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6807 South York Hwy (Hwy 127 North)</div>
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Clarkrange, Tennessee 38553</div>
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931 863-3880<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://cumberlandmountaingeneralstore.net/Index">Web Site</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfcsga4IQ9Q0Vvkrsa44L9rw_hdvS-b5RF2cT3pxg3Z5NtfZWYjwbiSTIlAZhKPEO_k1uEC1H6kpUfVZCJlbWY4_FG6ZoxX24Wkl9PZalBCuc3EKGpI0XUlTFaT1tCUhf7BU/s1600/birthdaylaunch2019-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfcsga4IQ9Q0Vvkrsa44L9rw_hdvS-b5RF2cT3pxg3Z5NtfZWYjwbiSTIlAZhKPEO_k1uEC1H6kpUfVZCJlbWY4_FG6ZoxX24Wkl9PZalBCuc3EKGpI0XUlTFaT1tCUhf7BU/s640/birthdaylaunch2019-00.jpg" title="Click to enlarge - This is it, the famous Cumberland Mountain General Store and the Rock-A-Billy Diner in Clarkrange, Tennessee" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwS8pHvWjZ4F8Y_bHOFfwMsEuwdriHpitYrCqqep5po9gf3D_uNVVkBg_ChK1PzxG2sKogEut0p8NNsQJ3DAHpaUebEMZjfXO1i-7O3x7qkmjv1BUbSEBlO53t_NGfijT07A/s1600/birthdaylaunch2019-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwS8pHvWjZ4F8Y_bHOFfwMsEuwdriHpitYrCqqep5po9gf3D_uNVVkBg_ChK1PzxG2sKogEut0p8NNsQJ3DAHpaUebEMZjfXO1i-7O3x7qkmjv1BUbSEBlO53t_NGfijT07A/s320/birthdaylaunch2019-01.jpg" title="Click to enlarge - A view down one of the aisles of the main store. Can I help you find anything?" width="320" /></a></div>
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I usually don’t get to pick the places we go out to eat except,
perhaps, on my birthday. On this birthday I chose the Cumberland Mountain
General Store, or more specifically, their Rockabilly Diner. Except for local
traffic the Cumberland Mountain store is not a stop along the way you are
going. That is unless you are following the route of the <a href="http://www.127yardsale.com/">world's longest yard sale</a> but that is
another story for another time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1WFV3Xla4xOOxiIOHViE27N7U01ga_qaj_Am3VblGGKI1JtgYVfHkeqfg8IPM_WdHUG2CGBEOpQLyJZYGVgHD7soDgm5lWN3oaZh8AI2d1dPUNJOmFoupixwwrCee4o87Wc/s1600/birthdaylaunch2019-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1WFV3Xla4xOOxiIOHViE27N7U01ga_qaj_Am3VblGGKI1JtgYVfHkeqfg8IPM_WdHUG2CGBEOpQLyJZYGVgHD7soDgm5lWN3oaZh8AI2d1dPUNJOmFoupixwwrCee4o87Wc/s320/birthdaylaunch2019-02.jpg" title="Click to enlarge - One of the side rooms featuring some larger items" width="320" /></a>Cumberland Mountain Store and the Rockabilly Dinner are
definitely off the beaten track in rural Tennessee. Your question is probably,
“Why there?” Since you asked, I am delighted to tell you the backstory and why
I have had a curiosity about the Cumberland Mountain Store for many years. I
guess it was about 1995 when I went to Florida to meet the prospective in-laws.
I had not been in Florida for the previous 38 years so I figured I would have a
lot of relearning to do. I must admit that father-in-law Sonny was an education
in himself. One of the things he showed
to me was a catalog from the Cumberland General Store.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPk-kfo1dW_3EQ4ne6aubld25MWG0ywcOqUn_2qbGr1EZt1uyBZYHog9doYemchwWUG44pcMBWL9k6aHvK8tZbwmZA9kRD3AQqeTkxzJhq268Rv0_qM3n9gzawUkkRtcW9q0E/s1600/birthdaylaunch2019-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPk-kfo1dW_3EQ4ne6aubld25MWG0ywcOqUn_2qbGr1EZt1uyBZYHog9doYemchwWUG44pcMBWL9k6aHvK8tZbwmZA9kRD3AQqeTkxzJhq268Rv0_qM3n9gzawUkkRtcW9q0E/s320/birthdaylaunch2019-03.jpg" title="Click to enlarge - Another of the annex rooms featuring many houseware items" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK75ftm2jqcmUeUfC2Xuu4J_mAtzbXtFHxeB799FrAi1lTj8crMv1fcN6HqfNvPymyerEHph1HJkzq8viD76OLAYDPiloo2BsyfSHbm09TrFyjW0vwMKhAryfa0h165IBiYQE/s1600/birthdaylaunch2019-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK75ftm2jqcmUeUfC2Xuu4J_mAtzbXtFHxeB799FrAi1lTj8crMv1fcN6HqfNvPymyerEHph1HJkzq8viD76OLAYDPiloo2BsyfSHbm09TrFyjW0vwMKhAryfa0h165IBiYQE/s320/birthdaylaunch2019-04.jpg" title="Click to enlarge - Inside the Rock-A-Billy Diner - a soda fountain diner with stools and tables. Note the period décor." width="320" /></a>That catalog was fascinating reading much like a vintage <a href="https://archive.org/details/catalog1918sear">1918 Sears Catalog</a> , you
know; men’s dress shirts, $1.18, a horse blanket for $4.50, a 100-pound iron
anvil for $13.60 a new oak veneered front door for your house for $6.41 or a
pair of men’s fleece-lined cotton socks for 44 cents. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except for the clothing, the Cumberland
Mountain Store sells much of the same merchandise, cast iron stoves, wood-spoked
wheels for your mule cart and plows to pull behind your oxen. The only
difference is the Sears catalog is an image of the past whereas the Cumberland
catalog is for sale today at today’s prices. I know it is not all a<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">uthentic
wares from the past but modern rec</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">reations and there may be a delivery delay
for material made to order. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6ESYnkmQ8EnhhfwmItddXutmrfwsT3_0ph9Saz8MMeqRQMpqGDy1gab_PhuzOHH6o7hAApfprbrtkWJMn4mReUGF3Y8McN7s2CfHIPdnkFsba6pyxrVXBv-2WKzd6pcMfks/s1600/birthdaylaunch2019-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="791" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6ESYnkmQ8EnhhfwmItddXutmrfwsT3_0ph9Saz8MMeqRQMpqGDy1gab_PhuzOHH6o7hAApfprbrtkWJMn4mReUGF3Y8McN7s2CfHIPdnkFsba6pyxrVXBv-2WKzd6pcMfks/s200/birthdaylaunch2019-05.jpg" style="cursor: move;" title="Click to enlarge - Menu – Front Side" width="131" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"></span><br /><br />Sonny enjoyed reading that catalog. It was like a paleontologist’s
catalog of ancient relics. Although the catalog hardly varied from year to year
Sonny ordered a new one almost annually. I was happy to take one of his back
issues for my own. I have ordered a few items. I have also shared the catalog
with my sister and she has ordered a few thing as well from time to time
including parts to restore an old family heirloom lamp. Naturally, curiosity
about the store increased over the years. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tennessee is rich in the history. The
first European explorer was Hernando De Soto and one hundred years later
explored by Frenchmen Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet. And we cannot forget
the famous explorations of Daniel Boone. Amore recent historical tie-in is its
location on the York Highway named for Alvin C. York the Congressional Medal of
Honor recipient during World War I. All of the historical tie-ins made it a
place of interest and worthy of a visit. However, doing my research I found out
they had added a small burger shop on the back of the store. That settled it. I
now had to go to the Cumberland Mountain General Store and try out the burgers at
the </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Rock-A-Billy
Diner</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaqXZwe9wXVEAPvr2BGwM3nB2i-YTVRBNgBgjXaJFsLxFNxmngFR_TYkOhDNssQg3d9iDl765zvUmsFB1wYH7miWvLFSXDkd1sPhNScz0CKEY1vG_1eLUdYK7t4LF7NzF46U/s1600/birthdaylaunch2019-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="804" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaqXZwe9wXVEAPvr2BGwM3nB2i-YTVRBNgBgjXaJFsLxFNxmngFR_TYkOhDNssQg3d9iDl765zvUmsFB1wYH7miWvLFSXDkd1sPhNScz0CKEY1vG_1eLUdYK7t4LF7NzF46U/s200/birthdaylaunch2019-06.jpg" title="Click to enlarge - Menu – Reverse Side" width="133" /></a>It is a good idea to check their <a href="http://cumberlandmountaingeneralstore.net/Index">Web Site</a> or call.
Things like the weather can significantly change their hours of operation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a quick phone call we set out allowing
time for the 1 ½ hour trip to arrive a bit before the 11:00 AM diner opening.
Most of the journey was along Interstate 40. We exited onto US 127, The Sargent
York Highway, near Crossville, headed north and arrived a few minutes later at
the Cumberland Mountain Store.<br />
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The store had not been open very long; there were few cars
in the parking area. That afforded us a leisurely walkthrough the store. We
visited the main room and the side annexes. It is an interesting experience
walking through the store. It is like a museum where the artifacts are on sale.
Quite often there is something you recognize from an earlier era, perhaps
styles of dishes or cookware you remember as a child. There are things you can
recognize form your parent’s youth; bedside pitchers and basins, kerosene lamps
and old flour and sugar sacking grandma used to make clothing. It was a
charming sojourn into the past. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitA8e9XCnzLY0IwDdiuLK5kHsw6GsI6pZqG3_utN0_MmZ8oYlbs8emhlr-WSoatBO9NDOeFJXruv_OGNgSg0_22hlCKrDeuIq6GlBQEEOEhqgCR7fF7iQ_CRwYZHWvAqwvlQ0/s1600/birthdaylaunch2019-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitA8e9XCnzLY0IwDdiuLK5kHsw6GsI6pZqG3_utN0_MmZ8oYlbs8emhlr-WSoatBO9NDOeFJXruv_OGNgSg0_22hlCKrDeuIq6GlBQEEOEhqgCR7fF7iQ_CRwYZHWvAqwvlQ0/s320/birthdaylaunch2019-07.jpg" style="cursor: move;" title="Click to enlarge - Your burger is served plain in a basket. The rest is up to you. The condiment bar is just a few steps away." width="320" /></a> I did not ask anyone
at the store but I surmise the following: The store and the catalog are related
but the store does not in fact display or sell most of the items listed in the
catalog, perhaps operated as distinct businesses. Most of the merchandise
offered in the store, with the exception of a few items like flour and sugar
sack prints material, is one of a kind, much like the offerings of an antique
store. If you are looking for a hands-on look at catalog items you will not
find them in the store. That is not to say the browsing isn’t interesting. I
found a lovely cut glass ship’s decanter, minus the stopper that I really
should have taken. Well, maybe it will still be there the next visit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCNQu78TBcvfXnnGCoz-FUbgxIpDtAG47fuKesRgUNGmEtyi0Er7_d_MU1Tn4n3lUM0UNU9MIk99unB7N9Qohrn0oRfTZmkOCGlfSuxNkUjNY35aBzUPpwlI7a7pNZcMDrfc/s1600/birthdaylaunch2019-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Soon it was lunch time and time for a visit to the attached
Rock-A-Billy Diner. It was early so we had no problem finding a preferred
table. The diner is not a glass and chrome railroad car diner but more akin to
an off the side of the road 1950’s era diner with a bit of nostalgia rock and
roll décor. As you might expect the menu offers burgers, dogs, malts and the
like; it is a soda fountain burger shop geared to the lunch hour. However, something
I have yet to try is their Friday Fish Fry and <a href="https://www.tnvacation.com/events/clarkrange-friday-nite-cruise">Friday
Night Cruise-In</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7fFYufDUi6yLxEa73NssxNyMYWnsX_BIF_VM9ox_geI3cQx4JK94itTuMlt99SdTx7Pr9WOjCeiX7XzVUep56zBUpfb_tjMTcJIRvhaAinIkqX6BV7xbmR-eCOjL7xN7ADk/s1600/birthdaylaunch2019-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7fFYufDUi6yLxEa73NssxNyMYWnsX_BIF_VM9ox_geI3cQx4JK94itTuMlt99SdTx7Pr9WOjCeiX7XzVUep56zBUpfb_tjMTcJIRvhaAinIkqX6BV7xbmR-eCOjL7xN7ADk/s1600/birthdaylaunch2019-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7fFYufDUi6yLxEa73NssxNyMYWnsX_BIF_VM9ox_geI3cQx4JK94itTuMlt99SdTx7Pr9WOjCeiX7XzVUep56zBUpfb_tjMTcJIRvhaAinIkqX6BV7xbmR-eCOjL7xN7ADk/s320/birthdaylaunch2019-08.jpg" style="cursor: move;" title="Click to enlarge - After a trip to the condiment bar you can truly have it your way. " width="320" /></a>The young ladies tending the fountain and tables were
charmingly courteous and quick to serve. One side of the menu features the
sandwiches and such while the reverse lists soda fountain treats, malts,
sundaes and banana splits if you desire something lighter especially on those
hot Tennessee summer days. Janis ordered the 1/3 Pound Old Fashioned Steak
Burger Combo (Burger, fries and a drink - $7.95). I or<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVcLGT-GeiiPkyntpVA3MTURBazrzBepzfTmeF_WpoZpeOsfNkwAvKmQmMz-FVED3mvZV1C9FQlNsg0rKT1BzJXK3je4v0xn1-4Ycq-mZeBAZ_LV1uit2d6VUZhX9KDhiv8Q/s1600/birthdaylaunch2019-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVcLGT-GeiiPkyntpVA3MTURBazrzBepzfTmeF_WpoZpeOsfNkwAvKmQmMz-FVED3mvZV1C9FQlNsg0rKT1BzJXK3je4v0xn1-4Ycq-mZeBAZ_LV1uit2d6VUZhX9KDhiv8Q/s200/birthdaylaunch2019-09.jpg" title="Click to enlarge - The catalog that started it all." width="200" /></a>dered the Rock Basket (that
is a 1/3 Pound Steak Cheese Burger Combo with additional Onion Rings, $8.95,
plus 50 cents for the cheese).We ordered our drinks from the offered Coca Cola
products. The burgers are cooked to order and not sitting on a shelf under a
heat lamp. The burgers and fries arrive in a basket with a paper liner much
like drive-ins of old. The sandwiches are bare. The usual condiments, lettuce,
pickles, tomatoes and the like are at a self-serve station in the dining room –
you really can have it your way. The onion rings were real onion rings. They
were not the minced onions formed into little circles and then fried. No these
were real onions breaded and fried. They had a nice sweet flavor. The French
fries were piping hot, a nice golden brown.
A dash of salt and a bit of ketchup was all they needed. When I cook
burgers at home I like the a bit pink in the middle. When I am eating out and
the source of the meat is unknown I like the burger to be cooked through – but certainly
not over cooked. My burger has just cooked through on the griddle, was still
nice and juicy and good beef flavor. Had I grilled this burger at home I would
have been very happy with it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCNQu78TBcvfXnnGCoz-FUbgxIpDtAG47fuKesRgUNGmEtyi0Er7_d_MU1Tn4n3lUM0UNU9MIk99unB7N9Qohrn0oRfTZmkOCGlfSuxNkUjNY35aBzUPpwlI7a7pNZcMDrfc/s1600/birthdaylaunch2019-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCNQu78TBcvfXnnGCoz-FUbgxIpDtAG47fuKesRgUNGmEtyi0Er7_d_MU1Tn4n3lUM0UNU9MIk99unB7N9Qohrn0oRfTZmkOCGlfSuxNkUjNY35aBzUPpwlI7a7pNZcMDrfc/s200/birthdaylaunch2019-10.jpg" title="Click to enlarge - Typical catalog page 1 " width="200" /></a>The visit to the Cumberland Mountain General Store and the
Rock-A-Billy Diner was a positive experience. The retro diner was the major draw
that brought us there but the shopping tour of the general store was surely
sweet icing on the cake. Tennessee is rich in history and only lightly touched
in remote areas by modernization. You can evidence from the earliest days of
colonization, the opening of the West and trail-blazers like Daniel Boone, the
Civil War and more recent heroes of the Twentieth Century. All you have to do
is turn off the Interstate and follow the small roads into the hills. The
Cumberland Mountain General Store is part of that. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip
back in time and the cheeseb<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pavnszJwgXSjuNnJK08CTGHfsGRfMA7Eq4OIpkNN3qiSb8v3V2v5_10Yp8QWTpE4emiyF0_459bQPTTGZ6CBnkV4dFQYScVr-PcoCeqIHyHNkMgmakd3VbkZVEfW2NgAu_c/s1600/birthdaylaunch2019-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pavnszJwgXSjuNnJK08CTGHfsGRfMA7Eq4OIpkNN3qiSb8v3V2v5_10Yp8QWTpE4emiyF0_459bQPTTGZ6CBnkV4dFQYScVr-PcoCeqIHyHNkMgmakd3VbkZVEfW2NgAu_c/s1600/birthdaylaunch2019-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>urger at the Rock-A-Billy diner. There is much more
to the history of the store itself that I have not covered here. I’ll leave
that to you to find out on your next trip the General Store.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPk-kfo1dW_3EQ4ne6aubld25MWG0ywcOqUn_2qbGr1EZt1uyBZYHog9doYemchwWUG44pcMBWL9k6aHvK8tZbwmZA9kRD3AQqeTkxzJhq268Rv0_qM3n9gzawUkkRtcW9q0E/s1600/birthdaylaunch2019-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pavnszJwgXSjuNnJK08CTGHfsGRfMA7Eq4OIpkNN3qiSb8v3V2v5_10Yp8QWTpE4emiyF0_459bQPTTGZ6CBnkV4dFQYScVr-PcoCeqIHyHNkMgmakd3VbkZVEfW2NgAu_c/s1600/birthdaylaunch2019-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pavnszJwgXSjuNnJK08CTGHfsGRfMA7Eq4OIpkNN3qiSb8v3V2v5_10Yp8QWTpE4emiyF0_459bQPTTGZ6CBnkV4dFQYScVr-PcoCeqIHyHNkMgmakd3VbkZVEfW2NgAu_c/s200/birthdaylaunch2019-11.jpg" style="cursor: move;" title="Click to enlarge - Typical catalog page 2 " width="200" /></a></div>
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<strike></strike><br />That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com06835 S York Hwy, Clarkrange, TN 38553, USA36.187769451590007 -85.0194364871820236.162137951590005 -85.059776987182019 36.21340095159001 -84.979095987182021tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-39682486953256947352019-07-08T14:00:00.000-08:002019-11-01T22:45:21.122-08:00Burger Master - Townsend, Tennessee<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAt0J1pil4Nu1sRRJ_Y-TXTars27RedNbI7U3uyBHYtmTp1hFGMXRz1ULYf0vKtowEzXwMTGeWAylasaoDgphKfXZ8vr-9L0DblU7pfQ3RrwdkcdCJLG7-BGBdursrT1oYjuk/s1600/BurgerMaster-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAt0J1pil4Nu1sRRJ_Y-TXTars27RedNbI7U3uyBHYtmTp1hFGMXRz1ULYf0vKtowEzXwMTGeWAylasaoDgphKfXZ8vr-9L0DblU7pfQ3RrwdkcdCJLG7-BGBdursrT1oYjuk/s320/BurgerMaster-00.jpg" title="Bright red and white, it is easy to along side the Lamar Alexander Parkway in Townsend, Tennessee" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Burger Master – Townsend, Tennessee<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">8439 State Hwy 73<br />
Townsend, TN 37882<br />
865-448-8408<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.burgermaster.net/"><span style="color: blue;">Burger Master Website</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">July 28, 2019 </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Hours
(varies by season – check their website)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Summer –
Memorial Day thru Labor Day week<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mon – Sun
11am – 9pm grill, 10pm for ice cream<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">It was July, certainly a hot time of the year. I had been away from home
for an extended period. We took advantage of some nice weather to take a drive
through Smoky Mountain National Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The deep shadows of the forest <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>provided
welcome shade and offered <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a pleasant
drive with lots of scenic views. Exiting the Park we passed through Townsend
and decided to stop for a late lunch at the Burger Master Drive In.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Burger Master, under various names, has
been a roadside diner and place of interest for many years. It has a lot of
history as does much of Tennessee. I have included a short passage from their
website at the end.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eqZiUWvVQvkYFEsHQ0aLxSNrAzEIvne6YYi_vufh6PSLGz58e2CaYuUBTYW3Ax2pGiuMhuox2VNgm8R79D7wszLe4wWn9SBM__WtnSPybGZ7rd40NF7To4mJF59ayoiizec/s1600/BurgerMaster-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eqZiUWvVQvkYFEsHQ0aLxSNrAzEIvne6YYi_vufh6PSLGz58e2CaYuUBTYW3Ax2pGiuMhuox2VNgm8R79D7wszLe4wWn9SBM__WtnSPybGZ7rd40NF7To4mJF59ayoiizec/s320/BurgerMaster-01.jpg" title="The deep shadows of the forest provide welcome shade in the heat of the day" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">There are a lot of touristy attractions in and around the
park and Townsend. The Burger master is located adjacent to one of the river
rafting concerns. You can’t miss the bright red and white façade. It does
resemble what you would expect to find alongside the byways of years ago,
before the Interstates. It is a drive-in, not a drive-thru. You order at one
window and pick up your order at the next window. There isn’t any inside
seating but there are some picnic tables under the awning and some others
scattered about the grassy areas under the trees.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSzTrDXKSFx_EBf1veQUSH8l4wW3hyQJJ3X404B71THCTwqIlMI_b6Eynfn-NNR0Qxwe1tfOG_OWHBWRxPCHLTtN4o29poev3IukawHZ6lELrKyg6Ax8BYD-Brk_VaPu1dBw/s1600/BurgerMaster-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSzTrDXKSFx_EBf1veQUSH8l4wW3hyQJJ3X404B71THCTwqIlMI_b6Eynfn-NNR0Qxwe1tfOG_OWHBWRxPCHLTtN4o29poev3IukawHZ6lELrKyg6Ax8BYD-Brk_VaPu1dBw/s320/BurgerMaster-02.jpg" title="It is a drive in, not a drive thru. Picnic benches are available for your use" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">You can’t just go to an old fashioned drive-in and not try
the burgers and we did. The full menu is available on their website. We ordered
combos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Combos include sandwich, drink
and regular fries. I ordered the Cheeseburger Combo with a quarter pound burger
for $8.25. Janis ordered the regular Hamburger Combo quarter pound burger for
$7.90. Our faithful companion, Chena, was along for the ride. An avid
passenger, it seems that we can’t leave home without her. There was something
on the menu for her too. We ordered he the Dog Treat – Small dab of ice cream
& Milkbone<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">®</span> dog treat $0.50 which she thoroughly enjoyed. She does
like ice cream and her dog biscuits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4c2dSnZETWC8huSkKtlOEUxWyJ7HTlMEBz37ksdXJja-kD-gQDTnOzdwV6Br3dCmahuJGymqTx_I0fVabne7LyNQ_OBMAAmhLPEbDy-r9zMphx-2GWfavGy0I0ZSstoEJHI/s1600/BurgerMaster-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4c2dSnZETWC8huSkKtlOEUxWyJ7HTlMEBz37ksdXJja-kD-gQDTnOzdwV6Br3dCmahuJGymqTx_I0fVabne7LyNQ_OBMAAmhLPEbDy-r9zMphx-2GWfavGy0I0ZSstoEJHI/s320/BurgerMaster-03.jpg" title="Burgers prepared to order, add what you like and have it your way" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We found an empty table. IT was a bit weather worn but
sturdy. It was in the shade of a tree. IT was a very pleasant day but the sun
can still be quite hot. The burgers are not like the cookie cutter clone
burgers from the fast food chains. Don’t get me wrong. I do like those burgers
too but you have to admit they are all alike, made just so, exact amounts of
this and that. They are all exactly the same and only vary in their stages of squish
and squash. The Burger Master burgers are more akin to the hamburgers you would
make on your patio barbecue, with the lettuce, onions, tomato, etc., just the
way you like it. Sometimes they come out a bit lopsided but that is okay
because they taste just the way you want. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEbt4gXcs9K9dF8z1eXzXBdI1CU-sQrcqdwRqNdaEBD7dP_EnX9q3ht4AHtvAB7dtWlhffWnhrK-XnrIRp-qPW958ZWuJkNd15c_fFcFO-x8czudwsp-x7scW1-7Ul3UBznA/s1600/BurgerMaster-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEbt4gXcs9K9dF8z1eXzXBdI1CU-sQrcqdwRqNdaEBD7dP_EnX9q3ht4AHtvAB7dtWlhffWnhrK-XnrIRp-qPW958ZWuJkNd15c_fFcFO-x8czudwsp-x7scW1-7Ul3UBznA/s320/BurgerMaster-04.jpg" title="Lean patty, crisp lettuce and a generous slice of tomato help make a delicious burger" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We ordered our burgers just how we liked them at one window.
When they were ready we picked them up at the other window, grabbed some
condiments and headed for our table. Personally I like squeeze bottles for
catsup, mustard, mayo and the like. But I can understand the ease and cost for
the provider so I do tolerate the little foil packets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had more than enough of the condiments for
the sandwich and the fries. It took just a few seconds to be ready to eat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxwbGOwx1jvTCkthL6J6s0kEVlJ2xu0_1oWmLTM8b90OI6Xmydn_Ek-euSJeqZVx13Qtgbq2SQbStdYoy11P2_cs6-E0ipuAbA75u0_dp2MWyctA3kDwU5OV4ZN5mJ1Snl7M/s1600/BurgerMaster-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxwbGOwx1jvTCkthL6J6s0kEVlJ2xu0_1oWmLTM8b90OI6Xmydn_Ek-euSJeqZVx13Qtgbq2SQbStdYoy11P2_cs6-E0ipuAbA75u0_dp2MWyctA3kDwU5OV4ZN5mJ1Snl7M/s320/BurgerMaster-05.jpg" title="Chena enjoying her dog treat, some ice cream and a Milkbone" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The lettuce was crisp. There was a thick slice of beefsteak
tomato, some sliced onion and dill pickle chips. The patty was full sized, not
much shrinkage during cooking. The inside was cooked just about right, pink
just gone (At home I cook to medium rare but when<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know the source of the ground meat –
and that includes all burger places – I prefer it cooked just until the pink is
gone.) cooked but not overcooked and dry. All in all it was a very tasty and
enjoyable cheeseburger. The fries come in a thick paper cone, of ample contents
and just a bit of seasoned salt. A very pleasant weather day, a scenic drive
through the countryside, a tasty burger and fries ; what more could you ask
for?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you are lucky enough to be in the area one day, follow SR321,
the Lamar Alexander Parkway East until just before you would enter the Smoky
Mountain National Park. There you will find Burger Master and will have the
opportunity to have a very satisfying burger and fries. Don’t forget to bring
along the family dog. They will enjoy it too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">About Burger
Master Drive In from the</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.burgermaster.net/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">Burger Master Website</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUY-fugcatlrEYMLb34HcJisFUExh8ZWuZgaAVHCjXu-5vYau9ZLk6vcKrjXdApXP0u-AckZZtscsVEXi6Rbcdh-nZqT3bKujze2qxN6UddiJGnj3BTmDURBS1kg4NRir9sWc/s1600/BurgerMaster-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUY-fugcatlrEYMLb34HcJisFUExh8ZWuZgaAVHCjXu-5vYau9ZLk6vcKrjXdApXP0u-AckZZtscsVEXi6Rbcdh-nZqT3bKujze2qxN6UddiJGnj3BTmDURBS1kg4NRir9sWc/s320/BurgerMaster-06.jpg" title="Order aty one window and pick up at the other window" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Known to the old-timers as simply “The Chalet,” Burger
Master Drive-In was built by the famous fisherman J.C. Morgan, in 1967. Morgan
and his family had recently relocated to Townsend from Knoxville. The ice cream
chalet was a good fit for the family’s growing horse riding business and
C-store, which was next door. J.C. Morgan had an entrepreneurial spirit that
never stopped. From horses and ice cream, to live fish wells and a buffalo
petting zoo, the Great Smoky Mountains offered something for everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The horse business grew to become the Morgan family’s focus.
The Chalet would pass through many more business owners creating memories for
the tourists who stopped for a classic drive-in dinner and ice cream cone. The
name “Burger Master” was added in the 1980’s and the covered awning in 90’s. In
2016, the Burger Master was purchased from Bob and Barb, who had added the
iconic extra-large serving on the ice cream cone along with lots of love and
care. The new owner happens to be the grandson of the late JC Morgan, bitten by
the same, apparently genetic, entrepreneurial bug as his grandfather!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-dVeFoHpKDUDv9jBqNFuxUtz3xdTLynOTTLfUzWzmRgsOat9Hge3ADAkM5uNNddma2udgRmhm1jOIVs1xYwIJbdi_ihTO1Wu7MSxmRVWzYJ4ssIQ7fG-l75oUMEV9KAD5bs/s1600/BurgerMaster-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-dVeFoHpKDUDv9jBqNFuxUtz3xdTLynOTTLfUzWzmRgsOat9Hge3ADAkM5uNNddma2udgRmhm1jOIVs1xYwIJbdi_ihTO1Wu7MSxmRVWzYJ4ssIQ7fG-l75oUMEV9KAD5bs/s320/BurgerMaster-07.jpg" width="279" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Fifty years later, the original lighted ice cream chalet
sign, attached to the signature sloped red roof is still shining bright to let
the faithful customers know it is finally summertime in Townsend, Tennessee.
The River Rat Tubing outpost sits next door on the old concrete pad of the Davy
Crockett C-store and where one can still see the backend of what was once part
of the horse stables. Come be a part of history, visiting the Peaceful Side of
the Smokies with a stop at the Burger Master Drive-In. Family owned and
operated!” Quoted from the </span><a href="http://www.burgermaster.net/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">Burger Master
Website.</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com08439 TN-73, Townsend, TN 37882, USA35.678023675328689 -83.71994056054688835.652225675328687 -83.760281060546887 35.70382167532869 -83.679600060546889tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-45864970228765313822018-12-14T17:48:00.000-09:002019-09-30T13:10:33.314-08:00Windy City Grille - Maryville TN<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhB0vZOGIxND0F57KZFmyZ2V_MYoRLSsTWyTfEAqn-Tml_uSI4d05vKs98Po1wRKSd7_H_XLa6kPLucqeEXeCJqWJWeWW711u1tPIkmGacIaDT0dhQzaHd3dmqbuy-jVeaBs/s1600/wsg-daytime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1200" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhB0vZOGIxND0F57KZFmyZ2V_MYoRLSsTWyTfEAqn-Tml_uSI4d05vKs98Po1wRKSd7_H_XLa6kPLucqeEXeCJqWJWeWW711u1tPIkmGacIaDT0dhQzaHd3dmqbuy-jVeaBs/s640/wsg-daytime.jpg" title="Windy City Grille - Convenient with adequate parking. A small patio for days of good weather." width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Windy City Grille<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2641
U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>411, Maryville TN 37801<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">865-724-2508<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="http://www.thewindycitygrille.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">http://www.thewindycitygrille.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This will be a briefer than normal blog. The occasion was a
Christmas get-together of </span><a href="http://www.tnares.com/index.php/blount-county"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">Blount County ARES</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">, a
part of the ARRL </span><a href="http://www.arrl.org/ares"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">Amateur Radio Emergency
Services</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">,
<span style="color: #222222;">trained amateur radio operator volunteers organized
to assist in public service and emergency communications. It is a group that I
am proudly associated. When we get together we talk shop; radio and all that
sort of thing. However most of the other members are unaware that on the side I
am a foodie and do a blog. My family and some other friends are sometimes
painfully aware that I take photos and ask questions about the food, the meals
and the service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On this occasion I strove
to be not obtrusive with the camera and the questions (they will get to know
that part of me later, I’m sure). This was my first visit to the Windy City
Grille and I think that I did, however, get enough material to give you some
insight into the Windy City Grille; a place you might one day like to visit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Lou, our section leader, had made inquiries before but no advanced
preparation had been made for our group. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kaitlyn, the charming young lady who met us at
the door and escorted us in, was more that up to the task. In just a moment she
had pulled tables together and rearranged chairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She took our beverage orders while we waited
for the others to arrive. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Our group came and departed at different times, we ordered a
full range of dishes and beverages from the regular menu and we were Dutch
treat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That should be enough to drive
any server into a panic. Our orders were taken in a timely manner, the orders
when served were correct, drinks were refreshed as needed and bills were ready
when asked and also were correct. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our group
enjoyed a carefree meal; we enjoyed the food and the company. An efficient
server working in the background helps keep it all together and adds to the
enjoyment of the night out to dinner. We were fortunate that Kaitlyn was our
server.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqmncRr_G0eZxB5itos9MJNZdzSYCSpHLgsaIMKi2trqAXBdiupAvfdhpTCcZvGH-_l9yYZiT5AUdnbcctyWoK8RCn85_S2BRzNpbjNUwkFLyOCjpwj-QDG8k7ub7Gc842L0/s1600/wsg-interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqmncRr_G0eZxB5itos9MJNZdzSYCSpHLgsaIMKi2trqAXBdiupAvfdhpTCcZvGH-_l9yYZiT5AUdnbcctyWoK8RCn85_S2BRzNpbjNUwkFLyOCjpwj-QDG8k7ub7Gc842L0/s320/wsg-interior.jpg" title="Casual dining, choice of picnic tables, tables and chairs or stools. Alas, open ceiling makes for a bit of noise." width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Windy City Grille is a casual café. Most of the menu is
for pizza, burgers and sandwiches. There is bar service with a large selection
of draft and bottled beer to choose from. Lou ordered one of their burgers with
French fries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of the burgers seem to
start with a half-pound patty. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prices
for the burgers run from $8.50 to 9.50 depending, and come with French fries or
the house potato chips. Alternate side substitution selections are available at
additional cost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’m not sure which one Lou chose but afterwards he said it
was very good. They are juicy burgers and thankfully there are additional
napkins available in the condiment tray in the center of the table. Another
burger order down the table from me was with the in-house made fried potato chips.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are apparently a well-regarded
local specialty. Perhaps I’ll try then on my next visit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZ4zmU5lD0N_Dzpzzk05YngAP7VeLGE9amTMGppvvUmPzs6jGehNOZS7o81NvAPRIlx2TIsDExrW7zj7VP0AGBOfn3c8KBxOiV291qEWdVgHtSlQs4xsfPix_c3jqhmjnHQE/s1600/wsg-shrimpfries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZ4zmU5lD0N_Dzpzzk05YngAP7VeLGE9amTMGppvvUmPzs6jGehNOZS7o81NvAPRIlx2TIsDExrW7zj7VP0AGBOfn3c8KBxOiV291qEWdVgHtSlQs4xsfPix_c3jqhmjnHQE/s320/wsg-shrimpfries.jpg" title="My Grande Shrimp Platter" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">My order was for the “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grande Shrimp Platter – 9 large breaded shrimp
with side of fries and homemade cocktail sauce. No popcorn shrimp here! -
$11.00.</i></b>” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fry cooks did a
good job. The shrimp and the French fries were a nice crispy golden brown,
cooked but overly so. The shrimp appeared to be butterflied 16/20 and had a
nice flavor, no old cooking oil flavor there. The house cocktail sauce is
excellent. There was adequate sauce for the shrimp but if I were to order this
again I would ask for a second portion of the sauce as it is so much better
than plain ketchup on the fries. It was an adequate portion and a satisfying
meal. I was happy with my choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">During the meal a management person came by the table to ask
if everyone was happy with the service and the food. It is nice to see they
have an interest and it seems to show in the performance of their work staff. As
I mentioned, the Windy City Grille is a casual café, much more so than some of
, for<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>lack of a better word, trendier
brew bars and cafes in town. However, the food offered at Windy City Grille is
on a par with the other restaurants and at comparable prices. There are many
large screen TV screens and I could only guess that it would be a rollicking local
hangout for local sports fans on big game days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The online menu and the menu at the table are slightly different
in the selections offered. The online version seems a bit more comprehensive.
If you have a specific food in mind to order you may want to call ahead to see
if it is available.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My only negative thought about the dining experience is the “re-purposed”
theme; the ceiling not finished in the conventional manner but all of the
ducting and piping exposed. It may be painted a dark color and positioned above
the lighting fixtures but it is all there and the hard surfaces echo and
reflect the sounds so that even a slight amount of activity can raise the
ambient noise level significantly often making cross table conversation
difficult.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amiable friends and colleagues
make for an enjoyable evening meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
also enjoyed the meal and the surroundings. If the question arises, “Where
should we go out to dinner?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Windy
City Grille will definitely be one of the choices.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxiru6WRp8vTsYzTOuq8arWJ8xgHJv6_3KuYpyQ9eEFq2FqWYeVFMEIqLkkKu2p_Moqg9BWOFc2t_WjXZe9kNyP9DVMWHqesOJ5t6WYwiis_nJYTCmmsozcDUx9jX0qiztZA/s1600/wsg-honortable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxiru6WRp8vTsYzTOuq8arWJ8xgHJv6_3KuYpyQ9eEFq2FqWYeVFMEIqLkkKu2p_Moqg9BWOFc2t_WjXZe9kNyP9DVMWHqesOJ5t6WYwiis_nJYTCmmsozcDUx9jX0qiztZA/s320/wsg-honortable.jpg" title="A plaxce for our fallen comrades" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">A last note in passing… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the door to the café there is a Missing Man
Table, sometimes called a Fallen Comrade Table. It is set symbolically as a
remembrance and to honor those who will never be able to accept the invitation.
It is frequently seen on Memorial Day and National POW/ MIA Recognition Day. Lost
in service to Country those missing men have protected rights to dissent
and eschew traditional things. But please remember they have also protected my
right to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I fondly remember many friends and comrades for whom that
table was set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you Windy City
Grille for remembering and honoring them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRmsFMHsiectH9Jx5lVnrv5qMrPYRJeKY_oo9tGfij5ScA9BIZBR8iAe2ZI0Gu79ilxXNlaSXlwHwFmr1fAF6xdMxW9kkX2RuxGbzrzZEY8dx92TaD8yablHemz2I9iOYoXg/s1600/wsg-nitetime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRmsFMHsiectH9Jx5lVnrv5qMrPYRJeKY_oo9tGfij5ScA9BIZBR8iAe2ZI0Gu79ilxXNlaSXlwHwFmr1fAF6xdMxW9kkX2RuxGbzrzZEY8dx92TaD8yablHemz2I9iOYoXg/s640/wsg-nitetime.jpg" title="After a nice meal and fun with friends, time to leave." width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<br />
<o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
UPDATE: August 30, 2019<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
“The Windy City Grille is winner of the 2019 “Best of the
Best” awarded by the Best In Town Network, a Knoxville-based restaurant marketing
and survey company.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daily Times, August
30 2019.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHWBEccSyVtUNEGVoKqiqRzHY6xeaXSjC9vHq8zAqsRIeky5E1SLOpSOONLMJIs0Ao4GcDqJCUGLH6omF3UHZ9SFspxkxXAJunBV1vHDf2z-Kd3RgTcxHOCD9Li5Dfztxeg8/s1600/WindyCityGrill-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="1600" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHWBEccSyVtUNEGVoKqiqRzHY6xeaXSjC9vHq8zAqsRIeky5E1SLOpSOONLMJIs0Ao4GcDqJCUGLH6omF3UHZ9SFspxkxXAJunBV1vHDf2z-Kd3RgTcxHOCD9Li5Dfztxeg8/s400/WindyCityGrill-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYh3xG8wuitJamZG4ve-SOMemxcSOXa-xp1rmPkigEyuERERbFqC3k8zlBsBNuibLbrFg9JAdXH21DHbCk0wXqVY1jhm5SWKBZNU2OGcybYLbGGNRYq2KKV1snNljbiPHG-4/s1600/WindyCityGrill-02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="749" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYh3xG8wuitJamZG4ve-SOMemxcSOXa-xp1rmPkigEyuERERbFqC3k8zlBsBNuibLbrFg9JAdXH21DHbCk0wXqVY1jhm5SWKBZNU2OGcybYLbGGNRYq2KKV1snNljbiPHG-4/s200/WindyCityGrill-02.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></o:p><br /></div>
That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com02641 US-411, Maryville, TN 37801, USA35.715054102657241 -84.01966094970703135.711831102657243 -84.024703449707033 35.71827710265724 -84.014618449707029tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-22151642077129097672017-09-07T12:30:00.000-08:002017-09-09T12:36:03.529-08:00Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen - Alcoa, Tennessee<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqQmL1r906EorY4N86SQqjr2JNQLg-4snwUYVDki4uASZpFI3KkEH8natSknLXePkjrouzNF5SRKjrGZhZCq7gEFnYlkgx4ynVy2_nhEsALB7HmAEaf5Tg1J2ZjtctQr6beM/s1600/cheddars17-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="1193" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqQmL1r906EorY4N86SQqjr2JNQLg-4snwUYVDki4uASZpFI3KkEH8natSknLXePkjrouzNF5SRKjrGZhZCq7gEFnYlkgx4ynVy2_nhEsALB7HmAEaf5Tg1J2ZjtctQr6beM/s640/cheddars17-01.jpg" title="Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen in Alcoa, Tennessee" width="640" /></a></div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqQmL1r906EorY4N86SQqjr2JNQLg-4snwUYVDki4uASZpFI3KkEH8natSknLXePkjrouzNF5SRKjrGZhZCq7gEFnYlkgx4ynVy2_nhEsALB7HmAEaf5Tg1J2ZjtctQr6beM/s1600/cheddars17-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqQmL1r906EorY4N86SQqjr2JNQLg-4snwUYVDki4uASZpFI3KkEH8natSknLXePkjrouzNF5SRKjrGZhZCq7gEFnYlkgx4ynVy2_nhEsALB7HmAEaf5Tg1J2ZjtctQr6beM/s1600/cheddars17-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br />
<span class="xbe"><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">250
Hamilton Crossing Dr, Alcoa, TN 37701<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="xbe"><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">(865)
983-5582<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://cheddars.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">https://cheddars.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="xbe"><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">10:30Am
– 10:30PM (11:30PM week ends)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wF7WbpAclZE_Io5lJWwcUBLfMmKhp59MTeR0TA1UBIGu_B_HktXK0vCIAlIGn-hMLtGFXAJMVp1vqXveP_3MvtBd2qwFkgRCVwfcVOMBZX3wT6N3-m0driZnFD-ezHy1BrQ/s1600/cheddars17-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wF7WbpAclZE_Io5lJWwcUBLfMmKhp59MTeR0TA1UBIGu_B_HktXK0vCIAlIGn-hMLtGFXAJMVp1vqXveP_3MvtBd2qwFkgRCVwfcVOMBZX3wT6N3-m0driZnFD-ezHy1BrQ/s200/cheddars17-03.jpg" title="The wife, Janis, and I waiting for the goodness to arrive" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">My birthday was coming soon and I was
told that I could pick the place for breakfast. I gave it a lot of thought
trying to select someplace new perhaps or maybe unique but not one that anyone
might object to. I wandered over my mental map of the area, thinking about any
recent drives and what I might have seen. Cheddar’s came to mind! After a quick
check of their web page I learned they opened late morning for lunch, no
breakfast service. I asked our go-for-grub pals if a lunch was okay and I
received positive replies. Then lunch, instead of breakfast, it would be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This would not be my first visit to a Cheddar’s
restaurant. In January of 2014 my wife’s dear Aunt Effie and Uncle Gilbert
treated us to lunch at their new discovery, Cheddar’s Casual Café in Pinellas
Park, Florida. It was a very positive experience and I looked forward to this
next encounter. You can see that blog </span><a href="http://thatfoodguy.blogspot.com/2014/01/cheddars-casual-cafe.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">here</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMiDzxOJ1uR3dUQ0vocM1esXMM8hQcixpZzCkz-Q9unJxSnBKtqsJxNkZpU4WqN07u-iiUA1NnoRdFH-8jhKkvHxx3AJ7tTd4Otvm9E-JLN1nnPRY-r4b3iA2TVeBLEUmIK4/s1600/cheddars17-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMiDzxOJ1uR3dUQ0vocM1esXMM8hQcixpZzCkz-Q9unJxSnBKtqsJxNkZpU4WqN07u-iiUA1NnoRdFH-8jhKkvHxx3AJ7tTd4Otvm9E-JLN1nnPRY-r4b3iA2TVeBLEUmIK4/s1600/cheddars17-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMiDzxOJ1uR3dUQ0vocM1esXMM8hQcixpZzCkz-Q9unJxSnBKtqsJxNkZpU4WqN07u-iiUA1NnoRdFH-8jhKkvHxx3AJ7tTd4Otvm9E-JLN1nnPRY-r4b3iA2TVeBLEUmIK4/s200/cheddars17-02.jpg" title="Our go-for-grub pals, Abbie and Mariano" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The wife and I arrived a few minutes
late. I noticed a change had taken place since<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>my first Cheddar’s encounter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cheddar’s
Casual Café was now Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen. When Aubrey Good and Doug Rogers
founded Cheddar’s in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arlington, Texas
back in 1979 their stated credo was ”… when a meal is prepared and cooked fresh
just for you, it not only tastes better, it makes you feel good.” Perhaps the
name change is paying homage to their beginnings. There are a few stores in the
Great Plains and some in the Southwest but by far the majority of the 164
Cheddar’s locations are in the Eastern half of the United States. </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">In 2012,
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zagat" target="_blank">Zagat</a></span> ranked
Cheddar's the nation's No.1 full-service restaurant chain as well as Top
Overall American Cuisine. Consumer Reports and others have given high ratings
and customer satisfaction reports. We were about to see if the reports were
true.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Abbie and Mariano, our go-for-grub pals, had secured a
spacious booth next to a shaded window. It looked to be a cozy comfortable spot
for lunch. The waitress was already there taking beverage orders. I’m sorry I
didn’t get here name as I would have liked to thank her by name for her good
nature and thoughtful service. She wished me a happy birthday and I then knew I
had been setup by the go-for-grub pals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I just hoped that Cheddar’s didn’t do fool-crazy things designed to
embarrass their patrons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhZIrec97sh_piSyzaG-vOv16oTmdiuwsdFeBsIsFxYfWO2I9cgI93OaKID1JzJldtSNN5hKArVxgg8BxDuDsraSJHr-It0Rrdu1oIMI7IFvQ1O4QLkUKl_q-Cu-s8RBehsQ/s1600/cheddars17-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhZIrec97sh_piSyzaG-vOv16oTmdiuwsdFeBsIsFxYfWO2I9cgI93OaKID1JzJldtSNN5hKArVxgg8BxDuDsraSJHr-It0Rrdu1oIMI7IFvQ1O4QLkUKl_q-Cu-s8RBehsQ/s200/cheddars17-04.jpg" title="Janis' Caesar salad with buttered croissant." width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQz2jSqyffb-59ni38Q6qx_26bzNXI2oRUUgv6aSVGNZhcY9n8-oD5vvniFL7oQXO9BhB0TzY-_emt8trTZVJmKvEz11YsJcWDl1rqkOqIA5CPqobtmbdK-XAqxjssc8Vz1UA/s1600/cheddars17-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The wife Janis is a light eater
and her selection was the <strong>CLASSIC
LUNCH COMBO</strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong> ($6.79 Select
two of the following: HALF CHEDDAR’S CLUB SANDWICH - HALF MONTE CRISTO -
BOWL OF SOUP - HOUSE SALAD - CAESAR SALAD - LOADED BAKED POTATO - BAKED SWEET
POTATO) </strong>Her particular choices were the half Club Sandwich and the Caesar
Salad. The salad was a nice bowl of crisp greens and some croutons, dressing
not too heavy, not to light. It was accompanied with a butter glazed croissant.
Her preference would have been without the butter but the croissant as well as
the salad was very good and fully enjoyed.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Her
sandwich arrived a short time later. A diagonally sliced sandwich of two slices
of toasted bread well filled with ham, turkey, cheese, bacon and tomato, it was
very similar to her order during our first Cheddar’s encounter. The only
significant difference was it was cut as a half sandwich instead of the more
traditional quarters. As with the salad, it was thoroughly enjoyed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1UCCoCvofjl2B6WVkNvVXLrKQD3mD6Bx8pMqknqIEB1sG2vA9FTyYrDe7xN0srsX5mG8ZEyzaW33q6612tiJKyh77Qz3v72TnirhsQ1NFZ7zz-X4ltFZnqoWlB-kFy8KL3A/s1600/cheddars17-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1UCCoCvofjl2B6WVkNvVXLrKQD3mD6Bx8pMqknqIEB1sG2vA9FTyYrDe7xN0srsX5mG8ZEyzaW33q6612tiJKyh77Qz3v72TnirhsQ1NFZ7zz-X4ltFZnqoWlB-kFy8KL3A/s320/cheddars17-06.jpg" title="Full rack of luscious barbecue ribs and French fries" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">go-for-grub pals, Abbie
and Mariano, opted to share a big platter of </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">HOUSE SMOKED BABY BACK RIBS </span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(Add a
House or Caesar salad, $3.29 </span></i></strong></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong>HALF RACK $10.99
FULL RACK $15.99 Homemade rub, slow smoked in-house, and grilled with a honey
BBQ sauce. Served with French fries and coleslaw.)</strong> Coleslaw is not their
favorite and at their request the server provided a house salad instead. The
serving of ribs and French fries was, to say the least, more than ample for two
hearty appetites (luckily for Mariano, Abbie is also a light eater). It was a
pretty serving thick and clingy barbecue sauce adding a delicious shine to the
ribs. The meat was very tender easily separating form the bone. Abbie and
Mariano had eagerly anticipated their visit to Cheddar’s for the ribs and I do believe
they enjoyed them very much.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOfKH4QT5s9-0YYi6dwAXwHZJzWwxedoaaoCa_78fHRA8ceTKSyk7bQvAeysD202Ik84MC8_VpTcdVILDtzuYFIOKKWXWJoVg_jpiOgtKUP81HKo0Au0SOWtsbvqED4adxq4/s1600/cheddars17-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOfKH4QT5s9-0YYi6dwAXwHZJzWwxedoaaoCa_78fHRA8ceTKSyk7bQvAeysD202Ik84MC8_VpTcdVILDtzuYFIOKKWXWJoVg_jpiOgtKUP81HKo0Au0SOWtsbvqED4adxq4/s320/cheddars17-08.jpg" title="My shrimp and chicken tenders - view 1" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6QdwM0OGJiNnLp5ZOiS2jqnFJNMtPsdJDAgFDB-OjL41eUicfqs7KEDU8Zt06_CgKTPMtmr2bgr-MxY0oA0_2Sy5Ga12zpPch7q4Ps_eMlty3_nWm_p35jbMjSdsK2A2X-E/s1600/cheddars17-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6QdwM0OGJiNnLp5ZOiS2jqnFJNMtPsdJDAgFDB-OjL41eUicfqs7KEDU8Zt06_CgKTPMtmr2bgr-MxY0oA0_2Sy5Ga12zpPch7q4Ps_eMlty3_nWm_p35jbMjSdsK2A2X-E/s1600/cheddars17-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6QdwM0OGJiNnLp5ZOiS2jqnFJNMtPsdJDAgFDB-OjL41eUicfqs7KEDU8Zt06_CgKTPMtmr2bgr-MxY0oA0_2Sy5Ga12zpPch7q4Ps_eMlty3_nWm_p35jbMjSdsK2A2X-E/s320/cheddars17-07.jpg" title="My shrimp and chicken tenders - view 2" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I like
light meat chicken and love shrimp. The combination dinner plate of chicken
tenders and shrimp caught my eye; <strong>CHICKEN
TENDERS & SHRIMP ($11.19 <i><span style="color: #231f20;">Served with two
sides. Add a House or Caesar salad, $3.29 </span></i>Grilled or hand-battered
fried shrimp with our homemade chicken tenders. See a list of sides at end of
blog.)</strong> For sides I ordered mashed potatoes and gravy and coleslaw. For a big
appetite the plate piled high with chicken, shrimp, mashed potatoes and
coleslaw was a welcome sight. Included were cocktail sauce and honey mustard
dipping sauce. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
coleslaw was dressed with a slightly seasoned sauce that added to the flavor
but itself did not clamor for attention. Nice crisp cabbage; I would call it a
good slaw. The mashed potatoes were of the industrial grade variety but
acceptably smooth. The gravy was very tasty and would be most welcome on a
chicken fried steak. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">There were
four, possibly five (sorry, I didn’t count them) large butterflied, battered
and deep fried shrimp. The coating was golden brown and slightly crispy and
pleasingly not oily. They were large shrimp, the meat was cooked just right and
moist and tender. (As an aside: This serving of shrimp in a basket with some
French fries would have more than made a beach-front fish shack offering of a
shrimp basket.) They were very tasty fried shrimp.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">There were
four very large “chicken tenders.” I suspect they are more than tenders, more
like a chicken breast sliced in two pieces. Breaded and deep fried to a golden
brown, well drained and not oily, the meat was tender and very moist; lots of
good chicken flavor. I tried a bit of the honey mustard sauce; a nice blend,
not to sweet, not to tart but good mustard flavor. I am on again – off again
with honey mustard and today wasn’t the day. I tried a bit of cocktail sauce;
good but a bit too much tang from the horseradish to go with the mild taste of
the chicken. I thought about asking for some plane old ketchup but decided to
just eat the tenders down to the finger lickin’ end as they were. They were
that good all by themselves. As you can probably guess, I really enjoyed that
meal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In the few
years that we have been here, for various reasons two other local restaurants,
best described I guess as up-scale beer and burger places with lots of big
television screens, had become our fall back places to go. The food was good,
they were close; known entities were we felt comfortable. I feel that Cheddar’s
will replace the other restaurants as the spur-of-the-moment place to go. It is
still quite close to the house, the prices are competitive and the menu offers
more of a variety than the others. The interiors are brighter,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>more focused on the food and dining and
offering a more relaxed and casual (as in casual café perhaps) dining
experience. On this visit Cheddar’s has validated the aforementioned awards and
positive citations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtzlAyCV3nlQil7wTyHqMj_TrctGXGRFewwSYIa6Ny7l9SfTwpgYsxC76gdBQhqgCW_4Eu9phIPXcluGcgeV1b3zpYiMzvNQHeUY_GjmbD4ibytf2xvSfkATLOlZKv3vEb9c/s1600/cheddars17-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtzlAyCV3nlQil7wTyHqMj_TrctGXGRFewwSYIa6Ny7l9SfTwpgYsxC76gdBQhqgCW_4Eu9phIPXcluGcgeV1b3zpYiMzvNQHeUY_GjmbD4ibytf2xvSfkATLOlZKv3vEb9c/s200/cheddars17-10.jpg" title="The cookies were a nice parting ghesture, tghank you." width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoMtfhvlpofHzvCYxAHF8OG1VxfdmiYUWm7cv_yR9kjqnLzr_hAS5yBHumIlaUlqMZ4Ko1SbnADRZBKjD2eJRCimv6KAWtUbrWEJy-ztKvhv5Zm7-dQ_ksFSbAmv1imsqlWk/s1600/cheddars17-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoMtfhvlpofHzvCYxAHF8OG1VxfdmiYUWm7cv_yR9kjqnLzr_hAS5yBHumIlaUlqMZ4Ko1SbnADRZBKjD2eJRCimv6KAWtUbrWEJy-ztKvhv5Zm7-dQ_ksFSbAmv1imsqlWk/s1600/cheddars17-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoMtfhvlpofHzvCYxAHF8OG1VxfdmiYUWm7cv_yR9kjqnLzr_hAS5yBHumIlaUlqMZ4Ko1SbnADRZBKjD2eJRCimv6KAWtUbrWEJy-ztKvhv5Zm7-dQ_ksFSbAmv1imsqlWk/s200/cheddars17-09.jpg" title="Still warm, freshly baked cookies - a birthday treat." width="200" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Just before we left, the hostess came
by the table to offer her birthday congratulations. She brought a small bag
with two still hot, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies (sort of a mini
version of their </span><a href="http://www.twentymile.com/Cookbook/cheddarsmonstercookie.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">giant cookie Sundae</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">). I was grateful for the remembrance especially since it was
low key, quiet and private.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FYI:</span></b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">MADE-FROM-SCRATCH
SIDES – <b><i><span style="color: #231f20;">Substitute any side for a House or
Caesar salad for an additional .99<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color: #231f20;">Steamed Fresh Broccoli, Buttered Off-The-Cob Corn, Freshly
Made Coleslaw, French Fries, Idaho Mashed Potatoes, Homemade Black Beans, Mac
and Cheese, Broccoli Cheese Casserole, Baked Sweet Potato, Loaded Baked
Potato, Seasoned Rice, Southern Green Beans.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #231f20; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Add a side to any order, 2.49<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honey Butter Croissants, 3 for
2.99<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #231f20; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></i><span style="color: #231f20; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
full </span><a href="https://cheddars.com/wp-content/uploads/images/pdf-menus/GCSK__1_2__8_17.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">menu</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
is available online in pdf format.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com1250 Hamilton Crossing Dr, Alcoa, TN 37701, USA35.766734543581322 -83.98620843887329135.765124043581324 -83.988729938873291 35.76834504358132 -83.983686938873291tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-55893774240464978912017-07-01T19:00:00.000-08:002019-10-25T15:34:27.925-08:00Sullivan's - Maryville, Tennessee<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB5SQQY6V07Jcm2zHMqC-8q9WKSYArSPAeVCcQ7hwyf2-l-8Cfn4Z00ePUfyIoIGJ-kx4WFeLijUQpM2Ki4qxGCMcyEM8h-I4BbVLey5OKxl3xpw33dCHpoGI3IWPZkTwBJY/s1600/SullivansMaryville+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="1200" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB5SQQY6V07Jcm2zHMqC-8q9WKSYArSPAeVCcQ7hwyf2-l-8Cfn4Z00ePUfyIoIGJ-kx4WFeLijUQpM2Ki4qxGCMcyEM8h-I4BbVLey5OKxl3xpw33dCHpoGI3IWPZkTwBJY/s320/SullivansMaryville+-+Copy.jpg" title="The front door to Sullivan's on Broadway, Maryville, Tennessee" width="320" /></a><br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
Sullivan’s – Maryville TN<o:p></o:p></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Downtown
Maryville - 121 W. Broadway Maryville, TN - 37804 - 865.681.3334 <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">aLSO<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-transform: uppercase;">Rocky Hill - 7545
Northshore Dr - Knoxville, TN 37919 - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>865.694.9696</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.sullivansfinefood.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">http://www.sullivansfinefood.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To be, in any small way, a part of an event that brings
mirthful glee to a friend is very rewarding to the soul. What brings this to
mind is that the wife and I were invited to a surprise birthday party for a
dear friend that was hosted by her adoring husband and family. The party was
attended by about 25 friends and associates and it did come as a complete
surprise to her; the secret had been well kept. The venue was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Alcove</i>, a banquet room in
Sullivan’s. It was a festive and enjoyable evening; old acquaintances renewed
and new friendships formed. It was indeed a happy birthday for Rosana!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbS3msqzkedxesGFI1gETlQiKw6ZktDzrWDrKmIXrrz2dIyc3ygAyCMNMSnGN2hXumR91SaVuBupHstNt8_1c9kV0cSwevL2FMP_QjB5NNOXdhEH0aLnMj8fmexDicybxtAE/s1600/alcove+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="390" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbS3msqzkedxesGFI1gETlQiKw6ZktDzrWDrKmIXrrz2dIyc3ygAyCMNMSnGN2hXumR91SaVuBupHstNt8_1c9kV0cSwevL2FMP_QjB5NNOXdhEH0aLnMj8fmexDicybxtAE/s320/alcove+-+Copy.jpg" title="The Alcove Room, our party venue" width="263" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This was our first ever visit to Sullivan’s located in the
historic downtown section of Maryville, Tennessee. One of two local area stores,
it is conveniently located across the street from a free public parking lot but
that is problematical if other events are taking place in adjoining venues. The
Sullivan’s building is also conveniently located alongside a picturesque set of
brick “Spanish Steps” that lead to the lower street and another parking
structure below. It was but a short walk in the rain that brought us to the
front door of Sullivan’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As is normal with banquets, a pared down menu was offered
that included selections of fish, meat, pasta and chicken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All were served with the house salad and a
selection from the sides offered;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>an
interesting assortment that included baked creamed spinach, Southern-style
green beans, sweet potato casserole, Boursin mashed potatoes ( I had to look that
one up) and jalape<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ñ</span>o cheese grits. Beverages included iced tea, Coca Cola
products and Vienna coffee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JbOSxrW8Bd76FJBJyxkbcPqNIEUWc5TFUiXQv-KjXNNadEbN0iHSMI4X80lNHws1hGGA2fX5i13B6tIWWj8Ih79KUQIrvt04zUDskCW4XEAZ3riZJa1d0itSQvqVea1KuZA/s1600/DSCF1312+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JbOSxrW8Bd76FJBJyxkbcPqNIEUWc5TFUiXQv-KjXNNadEbN0iHSMI4X80lNHws1hGGA2fX5i13B6tIWWj8Ih79KUQIrvt04zUDskCW4XEAZ3riZJa1d0itSQvqVea1KuZA/s320/DSCF1312+-+Copy.JPG" title="The house salad, mixed fgreens, pickled cucumber, plum tomatoes, cheese, bacon crumbles and croutons - dressing of choice on the side." width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">A dinner roll was provided and butter available from any of
the serving dishes on the table. The house salad is a nice large salad plate of
mixed greens with some pickled cucumber slices, some plum tomatoes and seasoned
with fresh cooked bacon crumbles, shredded cheese and croutons. The salad
dressing is served on the side. It was a nice salad with a variety of tasty
things to eat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The wife chose the sirloin and decided on the Boursin mashed
potatoes; potatoes made with a garlic and herb flavored Boursin cheese.(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">** See Wikipedia note below)</b> The
sirloin was a nice-sized, about an eight-ounce filet, that was cooked
medium-rare to order. The mashed potatoes were served in a ramekin; the plate
decorated with what I believe was a Balsamic reduction. She said the steak was
tender, cooked to order and had very good flavor. She quite enjoyed the flavor of
the Boursin mashed potatoes. Let it be noted that there was no doggie bag this
time. I do believe she thoroughly enjoyed her steak and potatoes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JCZ0esofbhUfhC2XzX9g3IxN8hvn6oABCHPs4QDhM_FrpHwfhCk_dyF5y5WE0dPWVW8530SF22DQfyUHbfEKJQRcu_e9iys9fFwFaA496AacZY-wLkxYSAOMGHS7rH4AojU/s1600/DSCF1314+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JCZ0esofbhUfhC2XzX9g3IxN8hvn6oABCHPs4QDhM_FrpHwfhCk_dyF5y5WE0dPWVW8530SF22DQfyUHbfEKJQRcu_e9iys9fFwFaA496AacZY-wLkxYSAOMGHS7rH4AojU/s320/DSCF1314+-+Copy.JPG" title="Sirloin, cooked to order and with a side of Boursin mashed potatoes." width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The salad was good, crisp fresh greens and a variety of
tastes and textures; something I consider an important asset for a salad. Soon
after the salad plate had been cleared away my entrée, the Garden Fresh Pasta, arrived.
It was a substantial serving and I knew I wouldn’t go away hungry after the meal
was completed. The penne was cooked al dente; not always easy with the thicker
pastas. It was well covered with an agreeable Alfredo sauce. There was a good
portion of tender Italian-style vegetables; broccoli, carrots and Italian
beans. All was liberally decorated with shredded Parmigiano cheese and fresh
chopped parsley. It was an attractive presentation, an adequate portion and tasted
very good, a selection I would certainly enjoy again in any future visits to
Sullivan’s. <a href="http://www.twentymile.com/Cookbook/tuscanchickenpennealfredo.htm" target="_blank">See our home version of this dish.</a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVg8x7nQkJYajeSAgiCc0RagJzjwqPc_DS2p3XlcvYg8prdC0VvoE-NNQGvkZCLzrPUpGg5_lQdJ-d9XKccF2-rIOkRVXggMz6bWV-I4CVHXPnomHYbuajepanO2iYp-LQdw/s1600/DSCF1313+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVg8x7nQkJYajeSAgiCc0RagJzjwqPc_DS2p3XlcvYg8prdC0VvoE-NNQGvkZCLzrPUpGg5_lQdJ-d9XKccF2-rIOkRVXggMz6bWV-I4CVHXPnomHYbuajepanO2iYp-LQdw/s320/DSCF1313+-+Copy.JPG" title="Garden fresh pasta; penne pasta in Alfredo sauce and topped with grated cheese and chopped parsley." width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And what birthday, you may ask, is complete without a
birthday cake? After the dinner dishes had been cleared away the wait staff brought
in a candle-lit cake to a resounding chorus of, “Happy Birthday dear Rosana…”
It was a layered white cake, white frosting and a very nice strawberry filling.
Birthday cakes are special anyway but this was a very tasty cake; a delicious
compliment to an enjoyable meal. It was an enjoyable meal certainly because the
food was good (and free for the guests I might add).But even more it was enjoyable
because it was friends celebrating the guest of honor’s special day. It was a
fairly large group of friends celebrating in a safe and sane matter and each
going home safely at the end. What more could one ask for?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxQ_yFIs2WiWqXDFw9cQnsWaX-B6Ni1xbp1NBJY8n6mBTDtyYSqXBobuTl9hWYEIovhoysFLXioEcvgV3w5T9pFWTKiB8UZ9khkCG0BI5wYyoRtLVSZzcAC944n91NUnGpA0/s1600/DSCF1311+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxQ_yFIs2WiWqXDFw9cQnsWaX-B6Ni1xbp1NBJY8n6mBTDtyYSqXBobuTl9hWYEIovhoysFLXioEcvgV3w5T9pFWTKiB8UZ9khkCG0BI5wYyoRtLVSZzcAC944n91NUnGpA0/s320/DSCF1311+-+Copy.JPG" title="The limited menu for the event." width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I would make one additional comment… The party group was
about twenty five persons. With the exception of the entrée and birthday cake
serving, the one lone waitress took care of all of us. She was more than
adequate and up to the task, kept the orders straight and kept the glasses
filled with the proper beverage. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Credit
for much of the success of the night’s festivities belongs to her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">**From Wikipedia: Boursin</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> is a brand of Gournay cheese. It is a
soft creamy cheese available in a variety of flavors, with a flavor and texture
somewhat similar to cream cheese. The first Boursin flavor <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Garlic and Fine Herbs</i>, was created in 1957 by François Boursin, a
cheese maker from Normandy. Boursin's product was derived from a traditional
party dish, fromage frais (French for "fresh cheese"); guests would
take their cheese and add herbs for flavor. His recipe would be the first
flavored cheese product to be sold nationally in France. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9G4zgdzZfItnPMm6Gj8uIo6c11mNWNeM8dE0o2QzR4U-ZynVZa1tLgNgy7IzPQdu0HhS8DGFPuqdf9DFka75sQXSQWd-a1AUD26_PNh3GwhuCNmjiT21n1Y3_SfKOfwEIbds/s1600/img_11_org+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9G4zgdzZfItnPMm6Gj8uIo6c11mNWNeM8dE0o2QzR4U-ZynVZa1tLgNgy7IzPQdu0HhS8DGFPuqdf9DFka75sQXSQWd-a1AUD26_PNh3GwhuCNmjiT21n1Y3_SfKOfwEIbds/s320/img_11_org+-+Copy.jpg" title="The main dining salon as seen from the balcony over the Alcove." width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0Mywetxtd7cxLMJk2oRwKt6EV35pRuNo6Z3ouSm4ZTH7qL6nmABqX2kr2sKEVms2HvasQlSE6DiqVC2bhZP3IN7A0921y74E9BWZJoTVg512eoyVY8UtGuScQmyaxMVWoC4/s1600/img_12_org+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0Mywetxtd7cxLMJk2oRwKt6EV35pRuNo6Z3ouSm4ZTH7qL6nmABqX2kr2sKEVms2HvasQlSE6DiqVC2bhZP3IN7A0921y74E9BWZJoTVg512eoyVY8UtGuScQmyaxMVWoC4/s320/img_12_org+-+Copy.jpg" title="Additional accomodations are available in the loft seating area, up the stairs and over the Alcove." width="320" /></a>That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0121 W Broadway Ave, Maryville, TN 37804, USA35.758190765440595 -83.96902084350585935.7517477654406 -83.979105843505863 35.764633765440593 -83.958935843505856tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-9972411487865626552016-10-17T12:35:00.000-08:002017-03-28T10:44:38.822-08:00China Lights - Eagle River, Alaska<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIi7kMBes3l5SNc2urV53yZdLNerRgmQYFaW4iQRKgmIHOULS9MLTNXIvc_Ubde247ClQaIQMOrj6uLAERWawzj1K9sju1ok05ei1VHU8tuKIP-q5dsxBvPvQAG4T1Jnd2Ny0/s1600/chinalights2016-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIi7kMBes3l5SNc2urV53yZdLNerRgmQYFaW4iQRKgmIHOULS9MLTNXIvc_Ubde247ClQaIQMOrj6uLAERWawzj1K9sju1ok05ei1VHU8tuKIP-q5dsxBvPvQAG4T1Jnd2Ny0/s320/chinalights2016-00.jpg" title="Larry saying, "Come on, I'm hungry. Let's eat!"" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> China Lights<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>
</strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong>12110
Business Blvd #2<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>
</strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong>Eagle River,
Alaska 88577<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>
</strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong>(907)
694-8080</strong></span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></o:p><br />
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></o:p> </div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></o:p> </div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></o:p> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The China Lights Restaurant in Eagle River is a small to medium-sized
facility located in a strip mall. This particular restaurant has been there
since 1980. A sister establishment, located in Anchorage, has been extant since
2010. I have not visited the Anchorage facility so everything herein pertains
to the Eagle River store.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I have a mixed history with China Lights that goes back a
long time. I first became aware of the Eagle River China Lights when I moved
into the area about 1995. A fan of Chinese food, I was quick to spot it and
mentally mark it for later. Sometime later I had that urge for some fried rice,
one of my favorite foods, and went to China Lights for takeout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was excellent! I really loved it; very
flavorful with a great seasoning combination I wished I could emulate. I was
very happy to have some tasty Chinese food close at hand.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It was a busy time for me then. There was work and the
extracurricular activities such as dog mushing that kept me busy and it was a
long while before I was in town, at the right time, to get some more fried rice
takeout. It was, to put it plainly, terrible. The rice was almost crunchy. It
wasn’t seasoned at all except for a splash of soy sauce and there was only a
pittance of vegetables and chicken thrown in. Even steaming it a bit at home I was
unable to revive it and, sadly, most of that order ended up in the compost pile.
After that encounter I pretty much erased the mental note and never again
considered the China Lights as an asset. Over the ensuing years I have driven
past the China Lights many, many times but never had any inkling to try it
again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEO-n0arXpWs03tgAH8xfpuN8s5BLXHB1xT1IDC0t0fKY1PemfTQRP-36OTNxirV3JEjpuK8yLwVYA-dMsLDkVzjxkLGqNF0FwCbQm1lybYbZnxBKpDHt1pj924VCUgYZro0/s1600/chinalights2016-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEO-n0arXpWs03tgAH8xfpuN8s5BLXHB1xT1IDC0t0fKY1PemfTQRP-36OTNxirV3JEjpuK8yLwVYA-dMsLDkVzjxkLGqNF0FwCbQm1lybYbZnxBKpDHt1pj924VCUgYZro0/s320/chinalights2016-05.jpg" title="Entrance looking towards the mini-food bar along the wall." width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">During this 2016 trip to Alaska I noticed some TV ads for
the China Lights. They mostly featured the Anchorage store, especially the
interior shots showing the buffet, but the ad did tell of the two locations,
Anchorage and Eagle River. That got me to thinking… (Sometimes that is a
dangerous thing to do.) So, if the China Lights has been there all this time
without going under they must be doing something right and not chasing away
customers like they did me. Also, if they have made enough profit to open or
take over another facility they must have a fairly large and satisfied customer
base. Perhaps, I thought, it was time to give China Lights another try.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I called good buddy Larry Tower and asked if he would like
to go to lunch one day soon. On the appointed day we made the fifteen minute
drive to China Lights. Apparently the buffet is popular and the
hostess/waitress assumed we were there for the buffet and when she seated us
she didn’t offer the menu as an option. I thought for a moment and then
decided, “Why not?” We would try the buffet today and I could come back later
for a “lunch special” take home meal rather than eat in. She took our beverage
order and bade us to go and select from the buffet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vPJjYGG9KkS9QScbGl7lTV4TJI_7RwiNQProN0njq2HLdGJN9LeRrtvQlz931eY_QE7kwsq1w8vaOIiPBHnSkYWcBvxOzF0ZJKGutF_1b2ND8oS7KRJ3b7ytBV9riM0-vcE/s1600/chinalights2016-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vPJjYGG9KkS9QScbGl7lTV4TJI_7RwiNQProN0njq2HLdGJN9LeRrtvQlz931eY_QE7kwsq1w8vaOIiPBHnSkYWcBvxOzF0ZJKGutF_1b2ND8oS7KRJ3b7ytBV9riM0-vcE/s320/chinalights2016-04.jpg" title="This seating allows a bit of privacy for the diners whle you wait for your take-out order" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">As I mentioned, the store is of modest size. It is well
decorated in the Asian theme with bas-relief paneling depicting Chinese scenes.
The ceiling is embossed tiles in a copper color. Various wall hangings and
objects d’art round out the décor. There are several booths along the front
window wall and the main dining area features tables and chair that can be
arranged as needed to accommodate different sized groups. There is no room for
free standing serving bars as you would normally find in a Chinese buffet. In
the addition of the buffet to the more traditional sit down and dine in and
take out there was little room for adding the serving bars. There is a salad
bar and steam table combination, serve from one side only and about 16 to 18 feet
long, against the back wall. That leaves little room for a large number of
selections one would normally associate with a Chinese buffet. As I remember
the selections (and memory can be spotty) the selections, with some of my
initial impressions, were as follows.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Soups – Egg
flower and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- one other: Egg flower soup good,
didn’t try the other<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Almond Chicken
– Lots of chicken, pretty good but a bit confused flavor wise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sesame
Chicken – A mainstream sesame chicken but a bit weak in the sauce<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mongolian
Chicken – A good amount of chicken with pretty good flavor, interesting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Spicy
Meatballs - a bit over cooked, kind of bland<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Vegetable Lo
Mein – more noodles than vegetables<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Pot Stickers
– not exceptional, need the sauce<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Fried Rice –
for a filler dish, not too bad with good flavor and fresh looking vegetables
but not as good as my sampling many years ago<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Spring Rolls
– little prepackaged rolls a bit chewy/crunchy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tempura
Vegetables – onion rings and medallions of squash, I believe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sweet and
Sour Chicken – ahhh, yes! The New York-style is here too. Too bad…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sweet and
Sour Sauce – It’s red.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">French fries
– that one puzzles me – I didn’t try them but French fries in the limited space
available?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Assorted
fruits and Desserts -<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";">What is the allure of the Chinese buffet? I would answer
that it a place where, for a relatively small amount of money, you can eat to
your fill with palatable food; a place to go get stuffed. To that end China
Lights does quite well. Its selections, although limited by space, fare well
compared to any of the other buffets I have tried in the past. I do have some
minor issues with some of the offerings but overall, as I mentioned, it is
quite good as Chinese buffets go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSK-DPDh8hWIGwoVvRIyNslog9OHokdZ65VID2nTEjGa7QpIkgl6Qf4tPgcob_qTkwWaL4VxIQDQODWOc-n7sqAUxpX4dYfPGno2Z-s5G6sn9HYiuQTVAR7dp9oBpq4up66nw/s1600/chinalights2016-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSK-DPDh8hWIGwoVvRIyNslog9OHokdZ65VID2nTEjGa7QpIkgl6Qf4tPgcob_qTkwWaL4VxIQDQODWOc-n7sqAUxpX4dYfPGno2Z-s5G6sn9HYiuQTVAR7dp9oBpq4up66nw/s320/chinalights2016-01.jpg" title="First go-through the line: Egg flower souop, tempura vegetables, sweet and sour chicken, spicy meatballs, and some Mongolian chicken; not to mention my favorite, fried rice." width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 251.1pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlapR9ARm1fW8th5_XLAv2qi0lMGNpkz-8FOZUoNWL3AZwG5EIgXarfoSlmU_4QbykURbzcsSadbH8KGzfdZ-lt_AscO8a61zLtyBobJxbbLNQ9mcshnmpFylHNluzzLsvsiM/s1600/chinalights2016-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlapR9ARm1fW8th5_XLAv2qi0lMGNpkz-8FOZUoNWL3AZwG5EIgXarfoSlmU_4QbykURbzcsSadbH8KGzfdZ-lt_AscO8a61zLtyBobJxbbLNQ9mcshnmpFylHNluzzLsvsiM/s320/chinalights2016-02.jpg" title="Second go around: Tried another spring roll. Also, some sesame chicken and a rehash of the first try." width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">On my first go through the buffet
line, I got a bowl of egg flower soup and a plate with tempura vegetables,
sweet and sour chicken, a pot sticker, spicy meatballs, sesame chicken, some
Mongolian chicken and my favorite, fried rice. The soup was good. There were a
lot of egg shreds and the broth had a good flavor as well as a nice mouth feel;
it wasn’t just a bowl of flavored water. The selection of the tempura
vegetables was limited to some onion rings and some small medallions I think
were squash. The items were battered and fried but the batter was very heavy
for tempura and detracted from what taste the vegetables had. The pot stickers
were a bit chewy and perhaps had been in the pan too long. The spicy meatballs
relied on the sauce for the spice and the texture was coarse, perhaps a lot of
filler, Not one of my favorite for the selection. The Mongolian chicken was one
of the better dishes they offered. It was flavorful with lots of chicken. The
sesame chicken was much like other buffet sesame chickens, an amber sauce and
toasted sesame seeds. It didn’t stand out, kind of bland, and I think the sauce
needed a bit more sesame oil to liven up the flavor. The sweet and sour chicken
here was what I have come to learn is called New York-style; breaded chicken
pieces and a red sweet and sour sauce on the side. I learned to like sweet and
sour chicken a long time ago on the West Coast. It was dish of breaded and
fried chicken pieces, stir fried Bell peppers, onion and sometimes thinly
sliced carrots and pineapple chunks all tossed with a red sauce with definite
sweet <u>and</u> sour overtones; a medley of many great flavors and textures. I
am a bit biased and it is difficult to be positive about a dish that is missing
most of its elements. The China Light’s version was heavily breaded chicken (I
suspect the breaded chicken is a bulk pre-made kitchen supply) and the sauce
was indeed red, sticky and sweet but lacked any definite sour component. It was
just like all the other buffet sweet and sour chicken just a shadow of the real
thing. The fried rice was good. It was a filler dish to be sure, an inexpensive
food to bulk out the meal. Even so, it had good flavor and there were some
little goodies in the mix to add to the taste and texture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Larry, my dining companion, said
that he was satisfied with the meal and if he were in the neighborhood when it
was time to eat he wouldn’t mind eating at China Lights again. He pretty much
echoed my feelings. Aside from the negatives I noted above, China Lights is on
a par with just about any other Chinese, all you can eat, buffet.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 251.1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To date my favorite Chinese
restaurant in Alaska is the Imperial Palace. It is located in Anchorage which
is a 45-minute drive away from home. China Lights, on the other hand, located in
Eagle River, is barely a 10-minute drive away. I suspect that on my next trip
to Alaska I will try out China Lights and order from the menu for a sit-down
dinner. I remember once I had some great food from there. It would be very nice
to know that a good and trusted source was near to home. I will let you know
how well that turns out in a later blog post.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It should be noted that there is a
certificate proudly displayed on the entranceway wall of China Lights: </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry%20Andersen/Documents/FoodBlogs-LJA/ChinaLights-EagleRiverAK/A%20href=%22%20http:/top100.chinesemenu.com/en/us/?type=winner%20%22"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">Top
100 Chinese Restaurants</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exterior
100%, Service 100%, Food 97.06%<o:p></o:p></span>That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0Eagle River, Anchorage, AK 99577, USA61.329970514670038 -149.5705318450927761.326161514670041 -149.58061684509278 61.333779514670034 -149.56044684509277tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-11443255548877831932016-10-11T18:00:00.000-08:002017-01-17T09:12:54.237-09:00Double Musky – Birthday Dinner 2016<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIjLNzqdVDTLbva5gves8na1qaidFLFFgDD98mKavF8DJM4YlndU8Uk4eJxP_0IsywvdwILM8hYZCfNLCOFfBHRko7BFuUfJWfbBsPO1tLZIabYqGBm-4JJ_eG4lKco3-IqI/s1600/doublemusky16-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIjLNzqdVDTLbva5gves8na1qaidFLFFgDD98mKavF8DJM4YlndU8Uk4eJxP_0IsywvdwILM8hYZCfNLCOFfBHRko7BFuUfJWfbBsPO1tLZIabYqGBm-4JJ_eG4lKco3-IqI/s320/doublemusky16-00.jpg" title="Waiting for the door to open - Call ahead to see if they are open!" width="320" /></a><br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p>The Double Musky Inn</o:p></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p><span class="_ZCm" data-ved="0ahUKEwjN2Yukj8PRAhUjwFQKHTbCBcwQrTUIiwEoADAO">Cajun cooking, emphasizing steak & local seafood, in a roadhouse with Mardi Gras-style décor.</span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p><strong>A Birthday Dinner Tradition</strong></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p><span class="_Xbe">Mile .3 Crow Creek Road, Girdwood, AK 99587</span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p><span class="_Xbe"><span class="_Xbe _ZWk kno-fv"><a class="fl r-io0DeTz95c30" data-number="+19077832822" data-pstn-out-call-url="" data-rtid="io0DeTz95c30" data-ved="0ahUKEwjN2Yukj8PRAhUjwFQKHTbCBcwQkAgImAEoADAS" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" jsaction="r.oVdbr2mIpA8" jsl="$t t-6xg4lalHw8M;$x 0;" title="Call via Hangouts">(907) 783-2822</a> <a href="http://www.doublemuskyinn.com/">http://www.doublemuskyinn.com/</a></span></span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In another reality Larry Tower and I would have been
brothers. As it is we share a common first name and share the birthday month,
September. Over the years we have developed a ritual, a tradition. We would splurge
a bit for our collective birthdays and go have a pepper steak dinner at the
famous Double Musky Restaurant in Girdwood, Alaska. See previous eating
adventure 2012 </span><a href="http://thatfoodguy.blogspot.com/2012/2/10/double-musky-inn-girdwood-alaska.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">here</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">.
It had been a long four years since we last were able to get together and share
a meal at the Double Musky. During this trip to Alaska, 2016, with joy we kept
the tradition alive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzTSPBtR7XpR3VIYUt7fSHUSBOitBQjJZHEuTR4YvZBrzkNxkiG0ClhfBU7Fuph9MZgucDcMIeHaMdkWzEB7QqlgNmHQXoJJdywQqvhyphenhyphenMqxT57lxUG4LKwxJikRbYmCnpUsk/s1600/doublemusky16-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzTSPBtR7XpR3VIYUt7fSHUSBOitBQjJZHEuTR4YvZBrzkNxkiG0ClhfBU7Fuph9MZgucDcMIeHaMdkWzEB7QqlgNmHQXoJJdywQqvhyphenhyphenMqxT57lxUG4LKwxJikRbYmCnpUsk/s200/doublemusky16-01.jpg" title="Dear friends, Larrty and Wasana" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Double Musky is located in the Girdwood Valley, about an
hour’s drive south from Anchorage along the Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet.
There is a world-famous ski resort there with a lavish resort hotel. It is a
very busy place during the winter ski season. It is still a mecca for the
Alaska visitor even in the summer although the pace is a bit more relaxed
during the warmer weather. The beauty of the Alaska wilderness surrounds and
seven glaciers in the surrounding Chugach Mountains can be seen from various
vantage points in the valley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIw2qp41JmGSGQtl5oeuyDciMBz3bMe3dNv6Hb2FlhPvqnnswb1aas0iN5_ESuH0zfkGPN2x0jOSYmyaIIBAfDT3-fAaIh1CL3uipdbP575UgLOWwy7ywTjxAzfd6b8W8fjw/s1600/doublemusky16-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIw2qp41JmGSGQtl5oeuyDciMBz3bMe3dNv6Hb2FlhPvqnnswb1aas0iN5_ESuH0zfkGPN2x0jOSYmyaIIBAfDT3-fAaIh1CL3uipdbP575UgLOWwy7ywTjxAzfd6b8W8fjw/s200/doublemusky16-03.jpg" title="Mixed greens salad and bread rolls" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">On this occasion we would also have the pleasure introducing
another person to the Double Musky. Larry’s most charming and lovely companion,
Wasana, would be joining us for a night out with the boys. We had much to tell
her, much about why and how we came to this place and what this night was all
about. It took a bit of time to coordinate all of our schedules but we finally
got it all together October the eleventh. It was an overcast day with a raw
feel to the air, about 30 degrees. The Alaska fall weather was definitely here.
I did my home chores and a few local errands. In the afternoon I drove to
Anchorage’s Eastside to meet up with Larry and Wasana where we would carpool
for the hour drive to Girdwood. We didn’t want to leave too early because The
Double Musky is only open during dinner hours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowVXEN27Ohnyj8IZO28vuubAvpKGH56PjjfZAD-wr6wzydzXgFAy3U4GcWvD_3aWl71UZDS3Ycer-L6_QeBBdCVfn9-OK54kHrCfW9C0N1E4G6Pqnuqr7B8ormfXDUOjNJWI/s1600/doublemusky16-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowVXEN27Ohnyj8IZO28vuubAvpKGH56PjjfZAD-wr6wzydzXgFAy3U4GcWvD_3aWl71UZDS3Ycer-L6_QeBBdCVfn9-OK54kHrCfW9C0N1E4G6Pqnuqr7B8ormfXDUOjNJWI/s200/doublemusky16-04.jpg" title="Wasana's Crab Stuffed Halibut with baked potato" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We arrived a few minutes before opening. There were already
several cars in the parking area. Our hectic schedules had delayed our birthday
get together for almost a month. The early cold weather had blighted the
usually verdant garden in front of the restaurant. On this occasion we would
miss the vibrancy of a floral garden. The building looked the same as always. The
doors were opened soon after and we were shown to a table by the window overlooking
the garden. We did look over the menu but at least Larry and I knew what we were
having. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">French Pepper Steak</b>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">($41.00 “Best steak in America,” says
Jill Cordes of the Food Network.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A 16-20
ounce New York steak crusted with cracked pepper and covered with a spicy
burgundy sauce</i>.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Wasana read over the menu and had a lot of questions. You
can see the menu at the </span><a href="http://www.doublemuskyinn.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">Double Musky
website.</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At long last she too knew
what she wanted to sample:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Crab Stuffed Halibut</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Market Price, today $47.00 </i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">A delicious halibut steak, stuffed with
crab meat dressing which contains crab meat, mushrooms, shallots, chablis,
heavy cream, creole seasoning<br />
and served with creole beurre blanc</span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioH0I9VEqWlOKJcvB59BkOud_vb9W01muJHiWXWlGnJUkpUzgecpGbdTnfnLIvFcH3jsr_qegD45je5pYqSUSIv97Rmr2_iaRuG1oEvvN4v4ZT0sbK1yuaX70KcqOKFeXuzis/s1600/doublemusky16-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioH0I9VEqWlOKJcvB59BkOud_vb9W01muJHiWXWlGnJUkpUzgecpGbdTnfnLIvFcH3jsr_qegD45je5pYqSUSIv97Rmr2_iaRuG1oEvvN4v4ZT0sbK1yuaX70KcqOKFeXuzis/s200/doublemusky16-05.jpg" title="Larry's French Pepper Steak, Burgundy sauce on the side, a baked potato" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Appetizer bread rolls are included. You have the option of salad
with dressing of choice. The entrée is served with your choice of baked potato
(with whatever fixings you choose) or vegetable of the day. All three of us
chose the salad. It was a mixture of lettuce and greens including spinach, some
shredded carrots and croutons. I chose 1000-Island for mine and a good grind of
fresh ground black pepper. Every one enjoyed their salads along with nicely buttered
pieces of the appetizer rolls. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Wasana’s selection, the crab stuffed halibut, was a large
halibut filet folded over the crab stuffing mixture and slathered with a thick delicious
lemon butter sauce and a sprig of parsley. Then accompanying baked potato had
ample sour cream and sliced scallions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a large portion but Wasana was up to
the task and there was little left to carry home in a takeout container. She
did enjoy her meal very much. The Creole seasoning was a bit different than she
is accustomed to but found it to be an enjoyable new encounter, one that she
would enjoy again in the future. Perhaps next year…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZk-gPuEt_ouFaLV20B4kO14ac4fEmhiGncgYZFw6j8rX54ibuJnmkY_L_mwbcQsZNgdaideb0RcYDw-SdlUvRN2_pE3RmrynXD2yFSPN_CnBSyo5Rnrn17uwYw8xQdKnKEBo/s1600/doublemusky16-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZk-gPuEt_ouFaLV20B4kO14ac4fEmhiGncgYZFw6j8rX54ibuJnmkY_L_mwbcQsZNgdaideb0RcYDw-SdlUvRN2_pE3RmrynXD2yFSPN_CnBSyo5Rnrn17uwYw8xQdKnKEBo/s200/doublemusky16-06.jpg" title="My French Pepper Steak, Burgundy sauce over, a baked potato with sour cream and sliced scallions" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The other Larry ordered the French pepper steak with the Burgundy
sauce on the side. His choice of a side was the baked potato with sour cream
and sliced onions. When ordering your steak, you select from the following menu
listed options: “</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Rare - cool red
center - Medium-rare - warm red center<br />
Medium - hot pink center - Medium-well-well – Butterflied - takes time</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">.”<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
He ordered medium, grilled to a hot pink center. Usually Larry has a large
chunk of the steak left over to take home. He was extra hungry this day and he
happily finished off all of his French pepper steak and the baked potato, with
lots of sour cream and sliced green onions, included. He thoroughly enjoyed his
meal and was already thinking about the next time we would visit The Double
Musky for our mutual birthday celebration.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I ordered my French pepper steak medium as well, Burgundy
sauce over. My baked potato was with all the trimmings including the sour cream
and the sliced scallions. The steak, as is usual, cut easily with the knife and
was tender to chew. It meat was flavorful on its own, the Burgundy sauce delicious.
Some of the bites I took were plain, just a slight dash of salt. Some of the bites
were slathered in the sauce. I can’t really say which was better. I would have
been happy with that steak either way – I guess I just had the best of both
worlds that day. I finished my baked potato and would have eaten all of my
steak but I had a use for a bit of my pepper steak; more about that later.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJBAuhOd5N9oR37X9f8xG5dFdtTFQvHqNZXZIu0oGCP6dbjdTRCkeHItpx2i2oIbsoS3HdQzUo8Yotv3KrtU-ULYcJUEJke7lGD9YD66jl9alI_4YLkb4WqMxc26fWycTwV4/s1600/doublemusky16-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJBAuhOd5N9oR37X9f8xG5dFdtTFQvHqNZXZIu0oGCP6dbjdTRCkeHItpx2i2oIbsoS3HdQzUo8Yotv3KrtU-ULYcJUEJke7lGD9YD66jl9alI_4YLkb4WqMxc26fWycTwV4/s1600/doublemusky16-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJBAuhOd5N9oR37X9f8xG5dFdtTFQvHqNZXZIu0oGCP6dbjdTRCkeHItpx2i2oIbsoS3HdQzUo8Yotv3KrtU-ULYcJUEJke7lGD9YD66jl9alI_4YLkb4WqMxc26fWycTwV4/s200/doublemusky16-07.jpg" title="Larry's banana cream pie" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At long last there was clink of forks being placed on the
plates for the last time. Everyone was sated, happy with full bellies, ready to
pay the bill and waddle home. That’s when our server arrived with a tray of
sample desserts. Larry and I had just eaten bread, a salad, a large baked
potato loaded with toppings and a one-pound steak with sauce. And now we were
being tempted with rich, luscious desserts! To coin a phrase, nothing succeeds
like excess. We decided to have dessert to finish off the meal. The other Larry
ordered a slice of banana cream pie. It was a nice large slice of pie, a tasty
pudding and banana filling, cream topping and toasted coconut; very tasty he
said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMiVLQPzLp_l3BUKtGCR-KGVIIW4IbKgsew5E2_xSK05-hwUpWuNyErWmUwdjZk14qnzrkRxKBckJ4ws_6_rHdxi8pOU79RJ4RfwZnKomIOUFGTJ8_esQ5sO3J4Z0IgVvoPQ/s1600/doublemusky16-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMiVLQPzLp_l3BUKtGCR-KGVIIW4IbKgsew5E2_xSK05-hwUpWuNyErWmUwdjZk14qnzrkRxKBckJ4ws_6_rHdxi8pOU79RJ4RfwZnKomIOUFGTJ8_esQ5sO3J4Z0IgVvoPQ/s1600/doublemusky16-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMiVLQPzLp_l3BUKtGCR-KGVIIW4IbKgsew5E2_xSK05-hwUpWuNyErWmUwdjZk14qnzrkRxKBckJ4ws_6_rHdxi8pOU79RJ4RfwZnKomIOUFGTJ8_esQ5sO3J4Z0IgVvoPQ/s200/doublemusky16-08.jpg" title="A delicious crème brûlée dessert" width="200" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">It had been a big and filling meal. Wasana and I both
wanted something a bit lighter and we both chose the </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">crème <span lang="EN" style="color: #545454; font-weight: normal;">brûlée. The serving was a nice 4-ounce ramekin of velvety custard with a caramelized
crust. Very tasty, the sweetness was a nice counterpoint after the savory
meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all capped off the evening
nicely. I too look forward to the next visit with the other Larry to celebrate
our birthdays.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmMRjv6Q69aR97qvQE79ARRe9NkAP1xkc0FyCqGa-Yr-4fYKlmCocsqRVDbjTdzCnZba_Ufin1vAXAIjyQKM1Y6MYiklnZaRAtPExGWiAq7yKV_u00IjQ6coBu52gXp3ycQc/s1600/doublemusky16-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmMRjv6Q69aR97qvQE79ARRe9NkAP1xkc0FyCqGa-Yr-4fYKlmCocsqRVDbjTdzCnZba_Ufin1vAXAIjyQKM1Y6MYiklnZaRAtPExGWiAq7yKV_u00IjQ6coBu52gXp3ycQc/s200/doublemusky16-10.jpg" title="Remembering the feast afterward - French Pepper Steak hash for breakfast" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em><span lang="EN" style="color: #545454; font-weight: normal;">Oh, and that bit of steak I took home in a
doggie bag? Ah, yes – the next morning I fried up some potatoes, onion and the
meat cut into little pieces. In the end I added some peas and carrots to make a
big batch of Double Musky French pepper steak hash that would help top feed me
well over<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>several breakfasts. Each of
those breakfasts brought back memories of a wonderful evening spent with Larry
and Wasana at The Double Musky Restaurant in Girdwood, Alaska.</span></em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0Anchorage, AK, USA60.966297132454748 -149.1328811645507860.950886632454747 -149.17322166455079 60.98170763245475 -149.09254066455077tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-18736884503261669002016-09-15T13:44:00.000-08:002016-09-16T15:17:02.164-08:00Imperial Palace - Anchorage Alaska - A Birthday Revisit 2016<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Y7c2PlrNORpgR-OLvKcZ6VNdcNaFHQjFTu-sNreeq_MuDJ0MrW5HWndws3TUE4ndZ0h-2BcQB2enr_E2dQjg9XHmCP7t2NpybFHFhtiPgLaoyfSJDt8bngx2DdtxEzw8dN0/s1600/CTheGang1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Y7c2PlrNORpgR-OLvKcZ6VNdcNaFHQjFTu-sNreeq_MuDJ0MrW5HWndws3TUE4ndZ0h-2BcQB2enr_E2dQjg9XHmCP7t2NpybFHFhtiPgLaoyfSJDt8bngx2DdtxEzw8dN0/s320/CTheGang1.jpg" title="Jim, Gloria, Larry and Wasana" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Imperial Palace
- A Birthday Revisit <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>September 2016<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">400 Sitka St<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Anchorage,
Alaska 99501<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">(907)272-7809
</span><a href="http://www.imperialpalacealaska.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">www.ImperialPalaceAlaska.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The first time I ever saw the Imperial Palace was back in
1988 or so. It was on my first trip to Alaska. I saw the restaurant across the
highway and down a small street each time I went to the Flight service Station
to get a weather briefing. Flight Service Stations are gone now but the
Imperial Palace is still there. I didn’t visit the restaurant that time but
marked it in my mind for a future time.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It was several more years before I moved to Alaska. I
remembered the Imperial Palace and saw it each time I would drive by the
airport. Somehow it just never came to pass that I would stop in and see what
it was all about. It was not until 2012 during a visit by my sister and my nephew
that we decided to see if the Imperial Palace was indeed worthy. We were all
very favorably impressed and looked forward to visiting again. You can read
that critique at <a href="http://thatfoodguy.blogspot.com/2012/07/imperial-palace-anchorage-alaska.html">http://thatfoodguy.blogspot.com/2012/07/imperial-palace-anchorage-alaska.html</a> .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Fast forward to 2016; in Alaska for the last part of the
summer to do maintenance on our property, I was treated to dinner, the reason
being it was my birthday, by some old and dear friends, Wasana and Larry Tower
and Gloria and Jim Kocis. Given my choice, after all it was my birthday, the
Imperial Palace came to mind. We all agreed to meet in town at 5 O’clock PM. It
was a date that I eagerly awaited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As a young child my first encounters with Chinese food were
from Chinatown in Los Angeles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those
savory dishes, the look, the smell, the taste – those delicious flavors, were
the major part of larger experience. It was an alien world, the exotic dress,
the incense, red and black lacquer décor accents, gilt trimming, paper
lanterns; it was all heady stuff to an 8 or 9-year old but it emblazoned on my
mind what eating Chinese was all about. The menu to a young person was almost
impossible to comprehend. The entrees were a strange combination of alien
sounds. As a family, we would usually order from the combination meals, you
know, “…with four you get eggroll.” I have not been back to Chinatown for more
than 50 years. It has changed I hear and sadly not like it once was. Today it
is very hard to find a Chinese restaurant that compares to the old days of
Chinatown. There are a lot of storefront take out emporium who all seem to
serve carbon copies of each other, now served as Styrofoam plated combo meals.
Even the long cherished Chinese food take out container is hard to find. It is
sort-of Chinese at least in name, often fusion dishes you are a bit adverse to
try. As well, the all-you-can-eat parlors are popular as well. If you want to
get your Chinese food fix it is a place to go with lots of variety and in
seemingly endless quantities. However, I am sure you will agree with me that it
is only a semblance of what Chinese food for Americans could and should be. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The allure of the Imperial Palace for a revisit was that it
is very reminiscent of the Chinatown of old. I was very favorably impressed on
the first visit some years ago and I had hopes that it would be as good this
time. The interior was as I remembered; not a lot of black and red lacquer to
be sure. There were the paper lanterns adored with the Chinese characters, the
moveable screen, very evocative of the General Lee, to set aside areas for
large groups or those wishing a bit of privacy. There was no tall, beautiful
oriental hostess, dressed in a floor length red silk dress with a slit up the
side to greet us. But then, you can’t have everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZBp3FBS7yo316D_61lp7kr3hjaJ3AW8t3QRh1yqqjFFbwReK3norML_Zfe96s0YGL_C6Ozybi8pJJYx1sQL8XUUId9ATuPFdjArSF1uEe1yD6OrdANtjFFXW3VFk0r_1QZo/s1600/CEggFlowerSoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZBp3FBS7yo316D_61lp7kr3hjaJ3AW8t3QRh1yqqjFFbwReK3norML_Zfe96s0YGL_C6Ozybi8pJJYx1sQL8XUUId9ATuPFdjArSF1uEe1yD6OrdANtjFFXW3VFk0r_1QZo/s320/CEggFlowerSoup.jpg" title="Egg drop soup" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The menu, in an elegant cover, is quite complete. There is a
large selection of al la carte dishes including a choice of Korean dishes, a
goodly selection of luncheon combinations at a reduced price, a list of single
and double entrees dinners for one, and even family-style with combinations
from $13.95 to $19.95 each (there are numerous combinations but the selections
do not increase with the number of diners, i.e., “…with four you get eggroll.”)
. For our group of five with eclectic tastes the combination dinner for one was
the best way to because everyone would get just what they desired.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The meal was started with a bowl of egg drop soup. A clear
flavorful broth, chicken flavored, with a good quantity of egg drop shards and
some vegetables. A tasty soup to start the meal, it had many compliments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1j6YiEnPCgFL3xsCEPUBrGXCXIdB8fn1WEr9n0XfWiD_6WX97vjmuK9T1mUfCtGWtB5RD-4zlPunZWKYFxec9wMFS3Exz2EHXlFp3yO00Ny1kCPJaX2C7M8uQ4M81Gp4Nxks/s1600/C1MongolianBeefSesameChicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1j6YiEnPCgFL3xsCEPUBrGXCXIdB8fn1WEr9n0XfWiD_6WX97vjmuK9T1mUfCtGWtB5RD-4zlPunZWKYFxec9wMFS3Exz2EHXlFp3yO00Ny1kCPJaX2C7M8uQ4M81Gp4Nxks/s320/C1MongolianBeefSesameChicken.jpg" title="Mongolian Beef and Sesame Chicken" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The other Larry ordered the C1 Combination Dinner (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">13.95 Mongolian Beef and Sesame Chicken –
Served with eggroll, pork fried rice and daily soup</i>). An attractive
presentation, stir-fried beef in a dark brown glaze, a cone of fried rice, an
eggroll sliced in two, and a helping of breaded chicken fried golden brown and
accented with sesame seeds. He said everything tasted good and he had no
trouble at all completing his meal. He agreed with me and added that it was a
place to come back to.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jim ordered the C3 Combination Dinner (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">$13.95 Spicy Garlic Chicken and Sweet and Sour Pork- Served with
eggroll, pork fried rice and daily soup)</i>. Another appealing plate, a
serving of stir-fried chicken in a spicy sauce with vegetables such as pea pods
and broccoli, the standard cone of fried rice with an eggroll, stir-fried
breaded pork morsels in a sweet and sour sauce and some onions and carrots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jim also completely finished his dinner
saying that it was good, good appearance and presentation and good flavor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8wsdjz0HHCPWjoMe-h9N8k4Amu3GdcQJ95koUKcVYZV3ceVAzSFAA08npH0itAYwxgXdchkgiZ-6IiXNYeEm8Qxkd2doYTPH0-DEi253KDdguvRrnODyA6ngCMbV0f67GJc/s1600/C4KungPaoChickenSweetSoourChicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8wsdjz0HHCPWjoMe-h9N8k4Amu3GdcQJ95koUKcVYZV3ceVAzSFAA08npH0itAYwxgXdchkgiZ-6IiXNYeEm8Qxkd2doYTPH0-DEi253KDdguvRrnODyA6ngCMbV0f67GJc/s320/C4KungPaoChickenSweetSoourChicken.jpg" title="Kung Pao Chicken and Sweet and Sour Chicken" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Gloria and Wasana both ordered the C4 Combination Dinner
($13.95<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Kung Pao Chicken and Sweet and
Sour Chicken – Served with eggroll, pork fried rice and daily soup</i>). An
equally pleasing plate featured stir-fried chicken with vegetables in a sauce
and, of course, the peanuts, there was the fried rice and eggroll, and
stir-fried breaded chicken with peppers, onion and carrot, in a sweet and sour
sauce. A very pretty plate but all was not as it seemed. Both of them liked the
sweet and sour chicken and the fried rice and eggroll. However, both of them
agreed that the kung pao chicken was just too salty to enjoy and both were
unable to finish their portions; everything good except the kung pao chicken.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmjcoLnxevlznAWCTn-WbUBNEzoxoCa9kzH8TmZfB8I6J2YAHlboZaYk318e6ySR_KU0toOi8b86LzoaQKI_hRRu96zP86GcBwJjUddWGx0EVnIgeXnIhVzYyXWbd4oKdYNU/s1600/C3SpicyGarlicChickenSweetSourPork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmjcoLnxevlznAWCTn-WbUBNEzoxoCa9kzH8TmZfB8I6J2YAHlboZaYk318e6ySR_KU0toOi8b86LzoaQKI_hRRu96zP86GcBwJjUddWGx0EVnIgeXnIhVzYyXWbd4oKdYNU/s320/C3SpicyGarlicChickenSweetSourPork.jpg" title="Spicy Garlic Chicken and Sweet and Sour Pork" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It had been a long time since I had enjoyed a decedent chow
mein. After a long look at the choices, I finally chose the C8 Combination
Dinner (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">$13.95 Chicken Chow Mein and
Sweet and Sour Pork – Served with egg roll and pork fried rice).</i> The first
impression I had when the plate was placed in front of me was that the food
looks like what I would expected to. It looked like what I remember from the
Chinatown restaurants. An appealing plate, there was a good portion of breaded
stir fried pork cooked with onion, peppers and carrots in a very tasty sweet
and sour sauce, the pork fried rice and the eggroll, and a serving of chicken
chow mein. The chow mein was a mix of stir-fried chicken, vegetables and
noodles in a sauce. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The noodles were
fried but not crisp. The sauce is a thinner, clearer sauce made from the broth
with just a touch of sweetness, traditional, just as it should be. The flavor
of the chicken and the noodles was never masked by the flavor of the sauce. The
eggrolls were excellent, good enough that you might wish they were more part of
the dinner than as a single one serving in an appetizer role. The fried rice is
the filler of the dish. It is good but not special. I would suspect that if you
were to order a serving of fried rice as an entrée from the menu it would be a
bit more polished. The sweet and sour pork was excellent. It was breaded
morsels of pork, stir fried with some onion, peppers and carrots in a very good
sweet and sour sauce. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oJiOQoNIX_LDwLbA8DuNgS1GM1w4MSKEUm3igS-ijSNhUA7NPNkTb1ytsEAROwbJzS8aXylbRYaVo06bfqYykNYAtLUPdBYUCe-Rw8Rkmyypsc2yidjvWI6mjbueHIobWJw/s1600/C8ChickenChowMeinSweeySourPork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oJiOQoNIX_LDwLbA8DuNgS1GM1w4MSKEUm3igS-ijSNhUA7NPNkTb1ytsEAROwbJzS8aXylbRYaVo06bfqYykNYAtLUPdBYUCe-Rw8Rkmyypsc2yidjvWI6mjbueHIobWJw/s320/C8ChickenChowMeinSweeySourPork.jpg" title="At last, a good Chicken Chow Mein and Sweet and Sour Pork" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Imperial palace is a small and I believe a family-run
business. We actually only saw one person most of the time in the dining room.
She as the hostess, the waitress and the bus boy all wrapped up in one. She was
never hovering but she seemed to know when you needed her.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">For my dinner, I have no complaints. In fact I loved every
bit of it. If it were a more perfect world to my taste, perhaps there would
have been a morsel or two of pineapple in the sweet and sour and perhaps the
noodles in the chow mein could have been a bit crisp – you know, just like the
old days. But that does not detract form the enjoyment of a great meal. Of this
visit I would say that for the most part, with the exceptions noted above, the
food was better than just good. It was a special night and the company was
great making it a special, gala occasion. We all arrived about 5 PM and we
didn’t leave until almost 8 PM – a most enjoyable session of reminiscing and
catching upon the news of the last couple of years. Larry, Wasana, Jim and
Gloria, thank you one and all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJav5McpeR-Ke9YGA3gFNMG4dVdR-1v2a2n5y_f7nToOOf1WS9AVAUZX-3CSAB2BN2JoD1MiojKuO4QmLVoyQs0RkuKAFrTq12wsFNeYfJSZUE4I64LzyFtkBUj9jnz0xkU1k/s1600/CTheGang2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJav5McpeR-Ke9YGA3gFNMG4dVdR-1v2a2n5y_f7nToOOf1WS9AVAUZX-3CSAB2BN2JoD1MiojKuO4QmLVoyQs0RkuKAFrTq12wsFNeYfJSZUE4I64LzyFtkBUj9jnz0xkU1k/s320/CTheGang2.jpg" title="Gloria was kind enough to take this photo for me." width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></div>
dlyThat Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0Mountain View, Anchorage, AK, USA61.218810282854221 -149.8554897308349661.214987782854223 -149.86557473083496 61.22263278285422 -149.84540473083496tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-76260556649170314182016-09-08T16:59:00.000-08:002016-09-15T13:23:39.610-08:00Bacon-Fried Apples - Fresh Off TheTree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaJIdiNY71IKLE61Ju2eWW5GuVAzRLi78APn4q8msOG01P_MVgSYQnTmOKtrdHRRxDseCYQkMr_HNNxULTFfAxqYNLUelTbcoCaBdFuIwfRcPBOpQg-O3INyhJXstf2phABE/s1600/IMGP0162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaJIdiNY71IKLE61Ju2eWW5GuVAzRLi78APn4q8msOG01P_MVgSYQnTmOKtrdHRRxDseCYQkMr_HNNxULTFfAxqYNLUelTbcoCaBdFuIwfRcPBOpQg-O3INyhJXstf2phABE/s320/IMGP0162.JPG" title="Ravaged by the weather but still bearing fruit." width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
Bacon-Fried Cinnamon Apples<o:p></o:p></h3>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Circumstances are often way beyond your control. That is how
it was and why it had been four years since I have been home to Chugiak Alaska.
It was a warm greeting by friends to start off my sojourn. The next day it was
time to see what time and the Alaska weather had done to our pickup and our
little place in the woods. It was, to say the least, a mess. There were fences
down, weeds and grass had overgrown much of the yard. Snow loaded trees had
arched over the drive way. Everywhere I looked I could see the ravages of the
unattended rigors of the Alaskan winters. There was a lot of work to be done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYIAVCtJ_ZM_vdgHqXeh1LxOP3zFQRgQOBUjCgIKBdu-1a8IO18Y_Phw0eCIWyyEeshn0SYL_UWEKUJVOYcU9W6ozEvn0jYDv-wpdA5Mu39EeiZigJss5cQqDudS_b0F9Gg8/s1600/IMGP0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYIAVCtJ_ZM_vdgHqXeh1LxOP3zFQRgQOBUjCgIKBdu-1a8IO18Y_Phw0eCIWyyEeshn0SYL_UWEKUJVOYcU9W6ozEvn0jYDv-wpdA5Mu39EeiZigJss5cQqDudS_b0F9Gg8/s320/IMGP0166.JPG" title="Nordland apples, small, tart and flavorful kittle apples" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">One of our apple trees had died and another looked about to
go. The surviving trees were loaded with fruit; fruit that would go wasted if I
didn’t make use of it. It took less than a minute to fill a bowl. I was
wondering what I would do with the apples. From experience I knew that everyone
nearby had no interest. I would bag some up from more distant friends but the
remainder would still be here. I would be here too short a time to can them so
I decided to make us of them in my daily meals as much as I could. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The next morning while washing the breakfast dishes, I took
the skillet to wash it and noted the bit of bacon grease from the morning’s
bacon. Then I thought about a favorite thing from the Cracker Barrel Restaurant
chain, fried apples. That is where the idea of the bacon fried cinnamon apples
was born. If you like bacon then you know most everything goes good with bacon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlEY_PT1uhWbAY3XvEQcdYAuV9_VcaUFY5DBFltRNxi8jMzMHDHdJ2hLhBT-bY-JgLwZRtiaW8x1fm6ggIgU0Ms6s-rTIcNRtG3Ut4aka2FH6j0ntEfMgjPhBknEocOl6pCY/s1600/IMGP0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlEY_PT1uhWbAY3XvEQcdYAuV9_VcaUFY5DBFltRNxi8jMzMHDHdJ2hLhBT-bY-JgLwZRtiaW8x1fm6ggIgU0Ms6s-rTIcNRtG3Ut4aka2FH6j0ntEfMgjPhBknEocOl6pCY/s320/IMGP0167.JPG" title="In a few minutes peeled, cored asnd diced." width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I peeled and quartered the apples (The Nordland apples here
are small, about the size of a small ball, about 2 to 2 ½ inches). I used a
pair of scissors to cut up 2 slices of the pre-cooked bacon and put it in a
skillet with two tablespoons of margarine. The pre-cooked bacon slices don’t
have a lot of fat left but there is enough to impart that bacon flavor to the
margarine. I cooked the bacon and margarine until the bacon pieces started to
crisp. I added the apples, seasoned with a bit of salt and two tablespoons of
sugar. At the heat setting I had set and what I maintained during the cooking,
for the first few minutes I could hear the sizzle of the apples in the hot
butter bacon mix while gently turning the apples. After about five minutes the
sizzle stopped and the juice from the apples accumulated in the bottom of the
pan and it became a slow stew of the apples.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwIgMzpS78IWX0MG4RWHihGHgkYfBbRsamzGp0KJU1IpgAzdJXBgxQ_MIGHOt_UXqOsfE1gVCmNXLC7qdZVPM-2O7wRSpBpib3TI2lP6R0E1AvvddtoXNohwd5lzdtUIdQRk/s1600/IMGP0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwIgMzpS78IWX0MG4RWHihGHgkYfBbRsamzGp0KJU1IpgAzdJXBgxQ_MIGHOt_UXqOsfE1gVCmNXLC7qdZVPM-2O7wRSpBpib3TI2lP6R0E1AvvddtoXNohwd5lzdtUIdQRk/s320/IMGP0170.JPG" title="Precooked bacon and butter sizzling in the pan." width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The apples were beginning to take on a nice golden brown
color. I tasted one. I could taste the buttery flavor of the margarine and a
bit of the smoky bacon flavor but the apples were a bit too tart. The Nordlands
are a tart apple and I added two more tablespoons of sugar as well as a couple
pinches of nutmeg. After about another five minutes the apple liquid evaporated
and the sizzle sound returned. A poke with a fork proved the apples were almost
done. I sprinkled with about a tablespoon of ground cinnamon and continued to
fold the apples and mix in the cinnamon. About another three minutes and the
apples were fully tender, golden brown and smelled wonderful. I removed them
from the heat and spooned a small sample into a cup.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GDS4UI2LwyUTQTwyBycs9qDvtMfuf5lapfSKepHkeqK-STQjpycd2J-V3kMmtxb2AdNHisMMIk81GUEceWzPvwopfLusONle_-8XCfGvAiFOHATyFi9O33ZxxL1OnH7tlJs/s1600/IMGP0171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GDS4UI2LwyUTQTwyBycs9qDvtMfuf5lapfSKepHkeqK-STQjpycd2J-V3kMmtxb2AdNHisMMIk81GUEceWzPvwopfLusONle_-8XCfGvAiFOHATyFi9O33ZxxL1OnH7tlJs/s320/IMGP0171.JPG" title="The apples are starting to brown, Fold gently so as not to crush the apples." width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Let’s face it. Cracker Barrel fried apples and these apples
are basically apple pie without the crust. These apples have the added
flavoring of bacon. Cooking can be a chore or it can be an adventure in
creativity. Here I merged two things I like in order to make a slightly
different dish. I had fun doing it and I definitely enjoyed the end result and
I found an outlet for many of the apples still on my trees. How do they taste?
The apples are a bit tart, a bit sweet. They have a definite cinnamon fragrance
and taste as well as a bit of earthy flavor from the nutmeg, The smoky bacon
and buttery flavor is in the back ground. They are not too sweet, not too
tart, not too much cinnamon and not too much bacon although the little bits of
crunchy bacon are a plus. I think, if only by accident, they came out just
right. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I know how much sugar and cinnamon I added but I only know I
had a skillet full of apples; a bit crude measurement wise for a recipe. I will
play with this dish until I have a reproducible recipe and I will enjoy the
experimentation as well as the final result and it will be a part of my
personal recipe book. Remember, a recipe is only a starting point, a place to
start to make it better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7Wv90ugc3KzSMXQo5QpS8ivxfn7rSCW5HhD8NEhcnZKCJalO7TlTRtQrDUCgSsX67zdt0S7LC6tWcD1Am9vVz7A-DKUH_Dq-KEvKkuKYopE3tXeNr4wQnOivyxr-BvAGUQA/s1600/IMGP0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7Wv90ugc3KzSMXQo5QpS8ivxfn7rSCW5HhD8NEhcnZKCJalO7TlTRtQrDUCgSsX67zdt0S7LC6tWcD1Am9vVz7A-DKUH_Dq-KEvKkuKYopE3tXeNr4wQnOivyxr-BvAGUQA/s200/IMGP0173.JPG" title="They are good cold but even more so hot for a snack or dessert - a dollop of sour cream is really great!" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoyZiESlwSM9K3gFqTbSC8OLfKzvj0-gU_wyBDGZRu6KlX8A_G_EnzkBdwvrlbE8HvUEaSLjhrfkBKJ43ozK2kJuJeNvWwoUvWiMYNSPddHaWSLhz8ykU5uJJGnsr5Yvo8aU/s1600/IMGP0172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoyZiESlwSM9K3gFqTbSC8OLfKzvj0-gU_wyBDGZRu6KlX8A_G_EnzkBdwvrlbE8HvUEaSLjhrfkBKJ43ozK2kJuJeNvWwoUvWiMYNSPddHaWSLhz8ykU5uJJGnsr5Yvo8aU/s200/IMGP0172.JPG" title="A dash of salt, a bit of sugar, some nutmeg and a generous sprinkle of cinnamon." width="200" /></a><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></div>
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That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0Anchorage, AK, USA61.388887632821934 -149.5369720458984461.358473132821935 -149.61765304589844 61.419302132821933 -149.45629104589844tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-64532963496269305902016-09-02T17:09:00.000-08:002016-09-10T17:12:12.209-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztmJr6z0afoBlXdyc2YjN6wKMfi2V9UhRDJW3FV-GVQq-t_huma1Puo5oWHOenOf8e4jr3H7IjzqNquvnNqoSod0cCeevAa1NfwXUFGY6sDTuVCjN_1rs1wzmPOrfV3AsjJg/s1600/IMGP0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztmJr6z0afoBlXdyc2YjN6wKMfi2V9UhRDJW3FV-GVQq-t_huma1Puo5oWHOenOf8e4jr3H7IjzqNquvnNqoSod0cCeevAa1NfwXUFGY6sDTuVCjN_1rs1wzmPOrfV3AsjJg/s320/IMGP0150.JPG" title="A familiar sight in Anchorage for as long as anyone can remember." width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
Gwennie’s Old Alaska Restaurant </h3>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
Anchorage, Alaska<o:p></o:p></h3>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was a long and tiring trip northward, back to Alaska. My
good buddy Larry met me at the airport. That’s right! There are two Larrys and
when you get the two of us together there is bound to be trouble so beware. It
was an arrival in the wee hours of the morning so it was off to his place to
crash for the little that was left of the night. After a welcome sleep I was up
early for Alaska but late for the East Coast. Over coffee we caught up on the
news of the day. There were lots of things to do that day. I needed to get a
new battery for the pickup so I would have wheels and I needed get some
groceries to stock the pantry. But before any of that it was time for
breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoB54-OVvcrm0SBU8n3jU_5V0gKL4iEbt32N00uio8vMOie17Irc1EHj68S1lIA5su_NC56-y1o9jHmsSCl9m0ZU_ZIhnB4AOwjVjykYl3HBa30rVmrm1x9phms5UwZ0YOMtY/s1600/IMGP0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoB54-OVvcrm0SBU8n3jU_5V0gKL4iEbt32N00uio8vMOie17Irc1EHj68S1lIA5su_NC56-y1o9jHmsSCl9m0ZU_ZIhnB4AOwjVjykYl3HBa30rVmrm1x9phms5UwZ0YOMtY/s320/IMGP0155.JPG" title="The decor is all things Alaska" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you have been in the greater Anchorage area very long
then you must have heard about Gwennie’s Old Alaska Restaurant. It is located
in Spenard, an area a bit removed from downtown Anchorage during the rough and
ready days of the Alaska Pipeline construction. Spenard was where the oil field
workers would go to seek female companionship. The unofficial rumor is that the
upper floors of Gweenie’s saw a lot of action back then. Those wild frontier
days are long gone and the area has mellowed and is now busy with tourism and
general commerce. But Gwennie’s Old Alaska Restaurant is still there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The décor of Gwennie’s features rock walls, stuffed bears, a
wishing well in the middle of the dining room; all the Alaska kitsch you can
think of. It is also know for tasty food at Alaska prices. It was off to
Gweenie’s for breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DZ05j0e0nqqmy4Kch4_NL6DgoNaA8pXv0yyR4T3ZCq8LVXSUeZVcW9aRNU-9XcoOk-_366EpPguFki0nev0XCpfxcRuRrFzV4W73lyG46my8bHh1xpdri0kxX8ZjBZbvNwI/s1600/IMGP0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DZ05j0e0nqqmy4Kch4_NL6DgoNaA8pXv0yyR4T3ZCq8LVXSUeZVcW9aRNU-9XcoOk-_366EpPguFki0nev0XCpfxcRuRrFzV4W73lyG46my8bHh1xpdri0kxX8ZjBZbvNwI/s320/IMGP0151.JPG" title="That is the other Larry. We have a great time together." width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our server was named Sparky. It was a good name for her. She
was always busy but always there when you needed her. She brought our coffee
quickly and left a carafe with more coffee. Sipping our coffee we studied the
menu. The other Larry decided on a broccoli and mushroom omelet (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Broccoli and Mushroom Omelet $11.75</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Omelets served with melted cheese sauce: All
omelets served with choice of home fries or grits, toast or biscuits.) </i>with
the home fries and toast. It was large and filling meal, an omelet filled with
mushrooms and bright green broccoli covered with melted cheese. It was well
cooked without any crispy edges. Larry enjoyed his omelet saying that it tasted
very good, had loads of mushrooms and broccoli. The home fries are primitive in
nature consisting of various sizes and shape of potato. Apparently cooked in
masse on a griddle, there are many textures that make for an interesting
dish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are golden brown all over and
some have darker crispy edges. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVys-FN8X8HhyDAgcXxTf4iJLjH6RCBdNZjIBuqBAlW0P_7ZwupnqowCPUqyIe7mNP_0s8yCVDuKhX4xRcU3hn6eIQXuwC-Tkd9vcl3CliJQj7GwQri-F7DBbZZJnGL6QWzc/s1600/IMGP0152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVys-FN8X8HhyDAgcXxTf4iJLjH6RCBdNZjIBuqBAlW0P_7ZwupnqowCPUqyIe7mNP_0s8yCVDuKhX4xRcU3hn6eIQXuwC-Tkd9vcl3CliJQj7GwQri-F7DBbZZJnGL6QWzc/s320/IMGP0152.JPG" title="Mushroom and broccoli cheese omeket, home fries and toast." width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This Larry was going to order eggs and the potatoes I just
couldn’t decide on what breakfast meat. It had been a long time since I had
corned beef hash and I finally decided on that. (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Breakfast served anytime: Corned beef hash or ham or sausage or bacon
and eggs.$8.75 Served with a choice of home fries or grits, toast or biscuit.)</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also ordered the home fries and toast. The
eggs were cooked to order and I had a good-sized serving of the same potatoes
the other Larry had. There was a very large serving of corned beef hash. This
hash wasn’t made in the kitchen; it came ready to heat and serve in a large
container form a supplier. That’s not to say it wasn’t good. A bit of a salty
tang as normal, it was fully equal to the premium canned corned beef hash you
would get at your local super market. There was lots of corned beef and a small
amount of diced potato. The toast was thick slices of bread toasted golden
brown. It was a big and filling meal, one that I fully enjoyed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-ZAALfxoGIpy2pgcG5CCn9nXJ0dj5kNEoM3T80FLACZC8PW2Cctmr_WlDPGMlrhGvPbiE9kw6Cn57GQ_NhtXrLU5WsmiuIaDjjvFgK4Tyhey-dHUAuWSb3IACHdXAkJWa9w/s1600/IMGP0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-ZAALfxoGIpy2pgcG5CCn9nXJ0dj5kNEoM3T80FLACZC8PW2Cctmr_WlDPGMlrhGvPbiE9kw6Cn57GQ_NhtXrLU5WsmiuIaDjjvFgK4Tyhey-dHUAuWSb3IACHdXAkJWa9w/s200/IMGP0153.JPG" title="Eggs over medium, home fries and corned beef hash - toast on the side." width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsY4sBx9IYqamOGnBqZ3L80PkKiJ3xbo1FHBF9WDv8HYVagG0v4iOQX3I97xyxsc5UJ0l_0qJyWDcyXc5uWgNncjlhsP2oHby_h0NjITjNlwcO__X9oKgEH_SbDWP7W64PJs/s1600/IMGP0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsY4sBx9IYqamOGnBqZ3L80PkKiJ3xbo1FHBF9WDv8HYVagG0v4iOQX3I97xyxsc5UJ0l_0qJyWDcyXc5uWgNncjlhsP2oHby_h0NjITjNlwcO__X9oKgEH_SbDWP7W64PJs/s200/IMGP0154.JPG" title="It was a tasty breakfast and it included something I haven't had in a long time." width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you are ever fortunate enough to be in anchorage, Alaska,
seek out Gwennie’s Old Alaska Restaurant for one of your meals. It is Alaska
however and where else could you say that you had breakfast in a bawdy house? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0Spenard, Anchorage, AK, USA61.183623435125163 -149.9149703979492261.175969435125161 -149.93514039794923 61.191277435125166 -149.89480039794921tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-3781310278721617932016-08-28T14:59:00.000-08:002016-08-31T12:23:59.821-08:00Gap Creek Coffee House - Cumberland Gap, Tennessee
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-K6uyH_jW01mQ2Fy7K-Ho2-3bmX6iXNiFDxt9GD3jDWPHPU_Mhd1tvY7FKX-1jYOGYoupK2OdbcZDtB9VOeJvT0dAc_UoSA9qbaYS22mlNt_23wq2GvE772hETI03WwVKf4/s1600/GapCreek-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-K6uyH_jW01mQ2Fy7K-Ho2-3bmX6iXNiFDxt9GD3jDWPHPU_Mhd1tvY7FKX-1jYOGYoupK2OdbcZDtB9VOeJvT0dAc_UoSA9qbaYS22mlNt_23wq2GvE772hETI03WwVKf4/s320/GapCreek-00.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong>Gap Creek
Coffee House<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong>10 Pinnacle
Alley<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong>Cumberland
Gap, Tennessee 37724<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong>423-801-3100<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></o:p> </div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The original thirteen colonies, now the United States, were
looking to westward expansion. There had already been inroads to the Ohio River
Valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the southwest there were
significant natural barriers. There were tales of green and fertile land to the
west on the other side of the Cumberland and Appalachian Mountains. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many men explored these far and distant lands,
men whose names you probably remember form school. There were men such as
Daniel Boone, James Bowie, Kit Carson and Lewis Clark. They followed the game
trails and explored the area bringing back stories of rich and verdant land, deep
forests with abundant wild game. But it was too far away, too difficult to
reach to be of use for settlement. Settlement needs the exchange of goods, the
farmer’s crops for the manufactured and imported goods from the Atlantic
seaboard states.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In 1750 Dr. Thomas Walker, a physician and explorer led the
first expedition that discovered the Cumberland Gap, a natural
break in the mountains near the juncture of Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a narrow gap but suitable for making a
mule train and wagon road across the one seemingly impenetrable barrier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Wilderness Road was born. The way was
open for the westward expansion to "<em>Kentuck</em>" and "<em>Tenasi</em>."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPVT1rftI3cph_Gh8sriXBnmvHN8jQ2zGoNeSX4VSa1BW9-cVD0sIrzvnEhnk4ZG_e23qhqK_n7YFBKfgtCF_M-vCxV08_0SD1md1AjCJ_IaI1VZmrkd2hpIkC9fKtdvFIoU/s1600/GapCreek-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPVT1rftI3cph_Gh8sriXBnmvHN8jQ2zGoNeSX4VSa1BW9-cVD0sIrzvnEhnk4ZG_e23qhqK_n7YFBKfgtCF_M-vCxV08_0SD1md1AjCJ_IaI1VZmrkd2hpIkC9fKtdvFIoU/s320/GapCreek-01.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It was only natural that a settlement would spring up at the
foot of the gap. What better place to have a blacksmith to repair the wagons, a
store to provide the needed flour, bacon and coffee? That settlement became a
Postal destination in 1803. It was incorporated in 1907. Walking the street of
Cumberland Gap it is hard to come up with just the right word to describe it
although quaint frequently comes to mind. It is almost like taking a trip back
in time and perhaps a bit of the mystique of Daniel Boon, Jim Bowie and Dr.
Walker can be felt in the air.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">On this particular Sunday, a day that dawned hot and
glaringly sunny, we went to Cumberland Gap for a dog event, canine scent work,
a sport where dogs and handlers try to find selected odors that may be hidden
in vehicles, in rooms or in the out-of-doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The center of our activities that day, with their gracious cooperation
and generosity, would be the Gap Creek Coffee House. Nestled on a grassy and
wooded lot adjacent to a perennial stream, Gap Creek, the coffee house was
fashioned from a 90-year old wood frame cottage. The grassy area surrounding
the cottage offers many patio chairs and table. The covered front porch has a
swing and offers a shady vantage point to people watch while sipping your
coffee. Part of the parlor has some seating but is mostly an order area at the
counter behind which is the food prep area in the old dining and kitchen area.
The bedrooms serve as small and cozy dining rooms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MoorT5l5NcPoWK_3w2Tyl9j_mTnPlwWmzTjL6z6N5Iu-x6DuSlaMll78fdQhb8lWCENt8w7OzBBZcG5aVDdgEGY9NLfkznH9qVkEyVWaKEztYsg6L25zQRuPZfhdZ-hWI1Q/s1600/GapCreek-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MoorT5l5NcPoWK_3w2Tyl9j_mTnPlwWmzTjL6z6N5Iu-x6DuSlaMll78fdQhb8lWCENt8w7OzBBZcG5aVDdgEGY9NLfkznH9qVkEyVWaKEztYsg6L25zQRuPZfhdZ-hWI1Q/s320/GapCreek-02.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The wife, the dogs and I left home early for the two hour
drive to Cumberland Gap. I skipped breakfast hoping to get something to eat
once we arrived. After setting up the kennels in a shady spot I went to see
what the Gap Creek Coffee House had to offer. It is a coffee shop and not a
restaurant as such. They do offer a big selection of sandwiches and wraps, as
well as pastries with their lattes and gourmet coffees. I asked the young lady
at the counter what they might have in the way of breakfast fare. She thought
for a moment and offered me an egg, bacon and cheese grilled panini sandwich. I
placed my order; I had a choice of eat in or outside. I chose to eat in and
took a seat in one of the dining rooms to wait.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It appears the coffee shop is popular with the locals. There
were several sipping their coffees while they perused their phones and tablets.
Several others stopped in and got their coffee and left. There is no need for a
Starbucks in this tiny community.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTs8YpYv8bYar6tPWbXo_BhdnnUQCzR1Zh-c_VYBubYaCpBBOt4nPrV2OJ9OqFV97gaEsHX2wFQxQxHmE3Qfx6EGrAt30tDW2IaLV38pJgJHTgRZ2A7FUSTXi12tzNl7ljpM/s1600/GapCreek-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTs8YpYv8bYar6tPWbXo_BhdnnUQCzR1Zh-c_VYBubYaCpBBOt4nPrV2OJ9OqFV97gaEsHX2wFQxQxHmE3Qfx6EGrAt30tDW2IaLV38pJgJHTgRZ2A7FUSTXi12tzNl7ljpM/s320/GapCreek-03.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My order was ready shortly. It was served on a round tray
with a fresh paper liner. My order slip and receipt and some napkins were
tucked under the paper liner. Although my egg, bacon and cheese panini was not
listed on the menu it should be noted that, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All sandwiches, melts and wraps are served with chips and a pickle
spear.</i>” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had this sandwich been
served in a big city restaurant it would have been acceptable. Being that it
was in a small village almost in the wilderness it was a very nice
presentation. The behind the counter personnel do make an effort to make
appealing dishes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The potato chips are not the usual chips you would get from
a bag at the grocery store. These are I guess what you would call “artisan”
chips. They are not salty and I would hazard a guess they are baked rather than
fried. Although these “healthier” chips have a following they are not what I am
used to. There was an adequate serving of these industrial grade chips. A
pickle spear served with a sandwich is a long standing tradition that seems to
have been lost in many newer chain restaurants. A nice crisp pickle, not overly
tart, a good accompaniment to the sandwich.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTLvLg54Z_hjPg_8V79oLbw8gY_7ssjUuSr1hZ350UueHgkIb_6JvqPIaoRxTHb49lRUp4Msqt4ufqfK4Ct1ihUzwc_gLXqo_1F4grGLiX4pKMiMqJcegzZVb7aF3ByqEz90/s1600/GapCreek-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTLvLg54Z_hjPg_8V79oLbw8gY_7ssjUuSr1hZ350UueHgkIb_6JvqPIaoRxTHb49lRUp4Msqt4ufqfK4Ct1ihUzwc_gLXqo_1F4grGLiX4pKMiMqJcegzZVb7aF3ByqEz90/s320/GapCreek-04.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The sandwich, on the outside, was made of slices of mild
sourdough bread, toasted with panini grill marks but not pressed or flattened –
an asset for this sandwich. Inside the bacon had been fried to just crisp. The
cheese was hot and melted. I am not sure how they cooked the egg before it was put
in the sandwich. The gleaming egg white and bright yellow yolk almost looks
like it was a poached egg but I will probably never know. To me it was the
ideal way to make the bacon, egg and cheese panini sandwich. It was a filling
and tasty late breakfast and I appreciated it very much. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My wife, Janis, and I had different duties during the meet.
As a result our meal times were staggered and we didn’t have the opportunity to
eat together. At a later time she ordered a Club Wrap <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">($7.79 Smoked ham, smoked turkey, bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce,
tomato, mayo and honey mustard on a wheat wrap.</i>) And remember, that would
be served with chips and a pickle. Unfortunately, we did not get a picture of
that one. Suffice it to say that she enjoyed her wrap and finished her meal. If
she had made this for herself at home it is what she would expect it to be. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cumberland Gap is in a very scenic area rich in history. We
plan to return one day soon when we would have leisure time to do a little
sightseeing and exploring. I think we will again frequent the Gap Creek Coffee
House, sit in the shade of tall trees alongside the cool, flowing waters of the
creek and enjoy another sandwich for a laid-back lunch.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><a href="http://places.singleplatform.com/gap-creek-coffee-house/menu?ref=google"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">http://places.singleplatform.com/gap-creek-coffee-house/menu?ref=google</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Summer Hours: 8:00Am - 8:00PM daily</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Late Note: There were a lot of people and a lot of dogs all
around. I asked the event coordinator if she had any feedback from the Gap Creek
Coffee House about our visit that day. She did not have any direct knowledge
but she told me one of the other entrants was asked when we might be coming
back. That is a good sign. If you would like more information about canine
scent work:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Event coordinator Rosana Dropkin </span><a href="http://www.sunshinek9s.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">http:/www.SunshineK9s.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or </span><a href="mailto:Ro.SunshineK9s@gmail.com"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ro.SunshineK9s@gmail.com</span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Or National association of Canine Scent Work </span><a href="https://www.nacsw.net/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">https://www.nacsw.net/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0Claiborne County, TN, USA36.597304756495376 -83.66706848144531236.571809256495378 -83.707408981445312 36.622800256495374 -83.626727981445313tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-46547355507225174902016-08-26T12:51:00.000-08:002016-08-27T13:14:31.697-08:00Oriental Cuisine - Maryville, Tennessee<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DaozskoFYFashhRknUIWapXu3ofsI7-jFO__UOZ4pjH9DDlsEJHb5lVrqOdc9_QKtT8w1kJG15iYg86dAceMh9snwcodRFQCQrPwzSO4Z-LrTRneTztkbqJ459RcpDqzPvQ/s1600/ocexterior01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DaozskoFYFashhRknUIWapXu3ofsI7-jFO__UOZ4pjH9DDlsEJHb5lVrqOdc9_QKtT8w1kJG15iYg86dAceMh9snwcodRFQCQrPwzSO4Z-LrTRneTztkbqJ459RcpDqzPvQ/s320/ocexterior01.jpg" title="The only thing visable from down the street" width="320" /></a><br />
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Oriental
Cuisine<o:p></o:p></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
622 Condry
Lane<o:p></o:p></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Maryville,
TN 37803<o:p></o:p></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
865-984-0810<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><a href="http://www.865-984-0810.chinesemenu.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">http://www.865-984-0810.chinesemenu.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">First Visit – A Take-Out
Order<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihN-H5ToT_7Xxg5PkU0wkO4YW9cKkkay9ED2SOL-OZgOoLCfQoOx0FSJikHPZR_fTm1P_xevi5D4BIRmT8m5aEypL1ZgK1AQRKzJYI3_9vOiYsawrkaNqvkJ3R5JllUvRthBY/s1600/ocexterior02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihN-H5ToT_7Xxg5PkU0wkO4YW9cKkkay9ED2SOL-OZgOoLCfQoOx0FSJikHPZR_fTm1P_xevi5D4BIRmT8m5aEypL1ZgK1AQRKzJYI3_9vOiYsawrkaNqvkJ3R5JllUvRthBY/s320/ocexterior02.jpg" title="Set back from the street and almost hidden, the restaurant shares the building with other businesses" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I would have never known the Oriental Cuisine Restaurant was
there except for one thing. Several times a week my wife and I would go to the
local gym. When leaving, while waiting for traffic, we would be looking across
the street down a very small alley like street that has a name. In fact its
name denotes its diminutive stature, Condry Lane. A lane; it is so much less
that a boulevard, an avenue or even a street. It serves as the back entrance to
a muffler shop and a bank parking lot as well as access for some industrial
metal buildings on the left. Way down at the end of the street where it appears
to dead end is one small sign; Oriental Cuisine shares sign space with a rug
and tile company. From our vantage point we cannot see that building because it
is set back to allow for customer parking in front. I was intrigued by this
almost hidden restaurant and I thought that it must have something going for it
as it would not garner any drive-by traffic.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Many months went by before I finally decided to see what it was
all about. I did some internet research and found their website which is
basically their menu. They offer a mix of Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese foods.
I was on my own for lunch one day and stopped by for a takeout meal of sweet
and sour chicken <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">($9.00 Breaded white chicken chunks deep fried to a golden brown and
served with diced tomato, green pepper and pineapple in our sweet and sour
sauce. Served with fried or steamed rice</i>).</b> At $9.00 dollars it seemed a
bit on the expensive side but this was an exploratory visit to see what they
offered and on that day I did have a “hankering” for some Chinese food. I also
asked for a spring roll to compliment the meal <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">($1.75 A delicious mixture of
jicama, carrots, onions, rice thread and pork wrapped in a crunchy spring roll
wrapper</i>)</b> . <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I was offered a seat at the nearest table and while I was
waiting for my order I read over my take-home menu copy. I had ordered from the
inside, the a la carte portion. On the back was the lunch menu of lower-priced
combinations meals. Part of the combination is a bowl of soup. That would have
made for an inconvenient take-home but I planned one day, if my pending order
was good, return to try something their luncheon menu.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPQv6O-Suk9VRLyoqRTGbxp1s-XRmE6HjyooW-s6gWq_SckV2u55Bq_tPKlJd475j7HW0GJeHyvq6t6euTbEPgmm8dBoCqN8BoDsO2QETnDYbRDUcGLbssJNhFVWR8TOVncA/s1600/ocbagful01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPQv6O-Suk9VRLyoqRTGbxp1s-XRmE6HjyooW-s6gWq_SckV2u55Bq_tPKlJd475j7HW0GJeHyvq6t6euTbEPgmm8dBoCqN8BoDsO2QETnDYbRDUcGLbssJNhFVWR8TOVncA/s320/ocbagful01.jpg" title="My take home order of sweet and sour chicken" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">My order soon arrived. It was a large brown paper bag,
neatly folded and stapled. I was quite surprised when I picked it up. Thinking
back to my thoughts about the rather high cost I now, at least, considered it a
very good deal on a price per pound basis. There was a lot of food inside that
bag. I could hardly wait to get it home and check out the contents. The fact
that it smelled so good made me even more eager.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Opening the bag, I found a large (26-ounce?) traditional
Chinese take-out container of breaded fried chicken that was overflowing. I
suspect that was a fluke and I got the benefit of the chef’s “Oops, I cooked a
bit too much.” It was a large-sized container and if the chicken all fit inside
it would still be a large portion. There was a portion of sweet and sour sauce
and a portion of fruit and vegetables. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6LyhQ26VGbGLaKY1ZfHwnE59NUx2TviaeMZQ__nF5DafPxuVELsb82gnwfqUBYsk11QD29z7SpUdotKiKKNbqSnDbveHrP73Mf2j_h4sqKGsdhiox8-1iHyZdeYEqDIYH5c/s1600/ocbagful02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6LyhQ26VGbGLaKY1ZfHwnE59NUx2TviaeMZQ__nF5DafPxuVELsb82gnwfqUBYsk11QD29z7SpUdotKiKKNbqSnDbveHrP73Mf2j_h4sqKGsdhiox8-1iHyZdeYEqDIYH5c/s320/ocbagful02.jpg" title="All of the goodies inside the bag - lots of good stuff!" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I just have to add
this in as a parenthetical comment: Over the years I have noticed that sweet
and sour chicken or pork have become <u>cheapened and degraded</u> under the
banner of “New York style” and the pineapple, sweet peppers and other
vegetables that helped to define the dish in Chinatown settings have been
eliminated and all you get is breaded chicken and sauce usually served separate.
That rendition of sweet and sour chicken is travesty and defames the sweet and
savory combination that is also beautiful to the eye. A pox on New York style.)</i><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">There was a 16-ounce container of fried rice, the spring
roll, some packages of soy sauce, some plastic utensils and a fortune cookie.
Looking over my stash of Chinese food I realized that if I had bought another
spring roll I would have satisfying and filling meals for two; on a per serving
basis, $4.50 per person plus the spring roll. The economics of my Oriental Cuisine
purchase were looking much better. Now how does it taste?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOu9ffrDU-AZY410ANvnf5CYfkckl6VK-GANQHfG2oFo1i8Mioe0cy8GZGjyP1RNaiLk9BjpM0nj-y_0IXCw2WEEtE7_bL4-MXc8iL4m1NN5lT__Ow9HiTNPclkQoNZX_-h8/s1600/ocsandschicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOu9ffrDU-AZY410ANvnf5CYfkckl6VK-GANQHfG2oFo1i8Mioe0cy8GZGjyP1RNaiLk9BjpM0nj-y_0IXCw2WEEtE7_bL4-MXc8iL4m1NN5lT__Ow9HiTNPclkQoNZX_-h8/s320/ocsandschicken.jpg" title="Plated for a picture, this is half of the food in my order for a single meal." width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Taking myself at my word, I divided the food into two portions
and cut the spring roll in half. I would have half now and the remainder at a later
time. I plated the food for a photo before eating; nothing fancy, just so it
wasn’t a picture looking down into the bottom of a box. It was only half of my
order but the food literally filled the plate. The sweet and sour chicken was
delicious. The breading was fried crispy and the chicken inside was moist and
juicy. It occurred to me while I was eating it that the extra <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>effort in separate packaging made for a crisp
chicken in the sauce whereas if it had been all packaged together the chicken
in all likelihood would have been soggy and unpalatable. The sweet and sour
sauce was very good with a bit of tang from perhaps vinegar and sweetness but
not just from sugar. I enjoyed the snap and flavor of the slightly crispy
pepper and loved the fruity sweetness of the pineapple. An excellent sweet and
sour dish I will definitely try again.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">You can order fried rice as an entrée and it will be more
elaborate that the pedestrian fried rice that usually serves as the
carbohydrate filler in combination plates. This rice was no exception to that
rule of thumb. There are bits and pieces here and there but for the most part
it is rice, fried and seasoned with soy sauce. Certainly more flavorful than
steamed rice but it was not too salty or overly seasoned with soy sauce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was good as filler rice goes but at the
same time it was not exceptional.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The spring roll was crispy fried and the filling was tasty.
A bit of hot Chinese mustard would have been beneficial but not necessary.
Although I prefer the thicker, less crispy egg roll skins, I did enjoy the spring
roll. It seems that egg or spring rolls are always an appetizer on Chinese food
menus. I like them well enough that they should be a main course item. I will
certainly add these spring rolls to my next order.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As a side note, take-out orders don’t always go home to be
eaten. They may go to the office or on a climate day, to a picnic table in the
park. The inclusion of the plastic cutlery was a nice thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Second Visit A Month Or So Later – Eat In
Luncheon Special<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It was a very hot and sultry day, one usually better spent
indoors. I had errands to run and as luck would have it, I was on my own for
meals that day. I decided to treat myself to lunch out. It wouldn’t be a
drive-thru burger this time. It would be the long awaited sit down meal at the
Oriental Cuisine Restaurant for lunch. On the previous visit I had ordered an entrée
from the main or dinner menu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
waiting, I noticed that they also serve from a lunch menu with lower prices
from 11:00Am to 3:30PM. It is a long list of choices and the entrée is served with
soup (your choice of hot and sour, wonton or egg drop), a spring roll and rice
(your choice of steamed or fried). My expectation was that It would be smaller
portions and perhaps less elaborate in presentation. The lunch menu includes
sweet and sour chicken and it would have been a good comparison but I also
wanted to try a broader range of their offering so I chose the Sesame Chicken
at $6.00 instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For my soup I ordered
the wonton. For beverage I went with Coca Cola. My server, Sabrina, was very
attentive, very personable. She checked on me at intervals and kept my soda
glass full. I need to thank her for making my dining experience pleasurable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2LeQcXMhzgR16Uf-xvm2S8bqGpBLiM6-XXLeXRvEFcNSG8syROvEN7MgZiVemcrCjgXUbgy-kwQGRLLd4Yc6zoOutCHc_hNbOaGq2bV1Z81hf5Xow8JbybfS3IBUuNTGcxc/s1600/ocwontonsoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2LeQcXMhzgR16Uf-xvm2S8bqGpBLiM6-XXLeXRvEFcNSG8syROvEN7MgZiVemcrCjgXUbgy-kwQGRLLd4Yc6zoOutCHc_hNbOaGq2bV1Z81hf5Xow8JbybfS3IBUuNTGcxc/s320/ocwontonsoup.jpg" title="Clear broth wonton soup and a bowl of fried wontons" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">My drink was delivered with a bowl of fried wontons, I sat back
to await my meal. As I mentioned, it was a miserably hot day outside and the
cool interior of the restaurant was a relief. The shades were drawn and the lighting
subdued but you could still see images of the out-of-doors through the slats in
the shade. I looked around. It was as I described before. It was oriental in
motif, black lacquer chairs, a mural but not much else to give it that Asian
look, certainly not gaudy. A quick count found about 50 seats. There were two
tradesmen at the table next to me and a solo elderly gentleman across the aisle.
There was a party of about 6 or 8 in the alcove. About 8 people came in to pick
up their take-out orders; all must have called in and each order was ready on
their arrival. Towards the end of my meal several people arrive and must have
been regulars from the greetings. Apparently Sabrina, the server, saw one of
them parking his car and had his preferred beverage ready for him when he
entered the store. My observations answered the fundamental question I had
harbored. How does this almost hidden restaurant manage to survive? It requires
returning customers and word of mouth advertising. It certainly has returning
customers and I will be providing some word of mouth. It is not an ornate place
nor does it have an elegant ambiance but it is comfortable and it does have the
feeling<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>like in the old Cheers theme song,
“…where everybody knows your name.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBTf88QiglhiCb7HslHP8HAn-5xWCYIaDP4Z_nzpms9KHvbLLrottmKzB4PMcl6k6BLuGZ6Y9Rn0lE9KS5TCJ5bzeDJUvNuNQjkkkau65HTgqUw64m1uR13OCkapnhXoe_wQ/s1600/ocsesamechicken01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBTf88QiglhiCb7HslHP8HAn-5xWCYIaDP4Z_nzpms9KHvbLLrottmKzB4PMcl6k6BLuGZ6Y9Rn0lE9KS5TCJ5bzeDJUvNuNQjkkkau65HTgqUw64m1uR13OCkapnhXoe_wQ/s320/ocsesamechicken01.jpg" title="A rectangular platter of fried rice, broccoli, sesame chicken and a spring roll. For size, compare to the fork on the right" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The wonton soup arrived quickly. There were two wontons in a
clear broth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is served hot. A couple
of the small ice pellet from my soda cooled it enough to sip. It is a mild
broth with hints of many flavors, chicken and vegetables but not highly
seasoned; nice flavor but mild, very subtle. The wontons are large and the wrappers are thick
that made for a slightly doughy texture. A seasoned pork mixture in the middle was
tasty. It was a flavorful way to await the entrée.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My entrée soon arrived. Oh, my God! The expected meager
portions were huge. I must admit that I ate the whole thing with relish but I
would have been much better of eating half and taking the rest home for later
(something I saw others in the restaurant do). Two people could have shared the
meal and felt satisfied. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdruHSC1DX37gRzKNPGLzT8GmEreE335QwLPulouR6hMHq1AZf9EQVHBvSKrWZX5y6ZvrP97h-WslLEiAmmlW2uyzHe596QFNTKpU1TS_J29mjgcdz0mkL3spG-GbDM4eIJxA/s1600/ocsesamnechicken02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdruHSC1DX37gRzKNPGLzT8GmEreE335QwLPulouR6hMHq1AZf9EQVHBvSKrWZX5y6ZvrP97h-WslLEiAmmlW2uyzHe596QFNTKpU1TS_J29mjgcdz0mkL3spG-GbDM4eIJxA/s320/ocsesamnechicken02.jpg" title="Beautiful sprigs of steamed broccoli, large crispy chicken pieces in a savory sauce with lots of toasted sesame seeds." width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The rice was the standard carbohydrate filler, seasoned with
just the right amount of soy sauce. It was a soup-bowl full of rice, upended on
the plate to make the rounded pile of rice. A line of three large florets of
steamed broccoli divided he plate. The remainder of the plate was filled with
chunks of breaded and fried chicken, coated with sauce and liberally sprinkled with
toasted sesame seeds. Great aroma and a very nice presentation; it looked very
appetizing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The chicken, mostly dark meat I believe, was cook just about
right, the meat cooked through, the breading still slightly crispy under the
sauce. Good chicken flavor in the meat and their version of the sesame sauce is
very tasty although perhaps a bit thin compared to others. In this case that
isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The sauce that pools under the chicken provides
a nice condiment for the otherwise slightly bland fried rice. It was a very
enjoyable meal, one where I did really eat too much.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In conclusion: Will I go back to Oriental Cuisine? Most assuredly!
The food is good, the portions are large, the staff members are friendly and
the restaurant just seems to be a comfortable palace to be. They have a lot
more dishes that I would like to try but I will remember in the future to
divide my plate; eat that part there and take the other part home for later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">They are
open 6 day a week, closed on Mondays<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Hours are
Sunday – Thursday 10:00AM to 9:30PM </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Friday 11:00AM to 10:00PM</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYfg88LziieXk_JSzh9FR8M3tMjF4NX8qJOSqVrE2tHgTD4e6MBGKZSlXwwqa7qR4B664FBi7cl7IkQgYI0ayrJcE0JAK4f3F7U7u1b7oTPczDYbJWJezB-RYAt3lVUo9Lu4/s1600/ocinterior02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYfg88LziieXk_JSzh9FR8M3tMjF4NX8qJOSqVrE2tHgTD4e6MBGKZSlXwwqa7qR4B664FBi7cl7IkQgYI0ayrJcE0JAK4f3F7U7u1b7oTPczDYbJWJezB-RYAt3lVUo9Lu4/s200/ocinterior02.jpg" title="Another view of the dining room." width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-m77geV2P7DL9DKPwjokXT1rhzbeRaWYhK-F7v6_lhLI4_7vEXJMfs2sgEgMXEj3Dn6TrXS2pc2F4xJLDDlTi0_PmcjK2b8sp0114IpIhQLkiwcy2t7HNDuEfjRFwPec760/s1600/ocinterior01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-m77geV2P7DL9DKPwjokXT1rhzbeRaWYhK-F7v6_lhLI4_7vEXJMfs2sgEgMXEj3Dn6TrXS2pc2F4xJLDDlTi0_PmcjK2b8sp0114IpIhQLkiwcy2t7HNDuEfjRFwPec760/s200/ocinterior01.jpg" title="One view of the dining room." width="200" /></a><br />
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<br />That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0Maryville, TN, USA35.735582393397266 -83.99110078811645535.733971393397269 -83.993622288116455 35.737193393397263 -83.988579288116455tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-45108008399942924242016-08-20T14:36:00.000-08:002016-11-07T08:19:16.473-09:00Cracker Barrel - Alcoa, Tennessee<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1aso86GAo4RUgReLPbDkZW_-fE-kTzlkjHEThonn3i8tV45A4GSK3MOfdZYGusPDeNYY0MvMUyWXXKRN-WOh1SzlRZnds5bUI8MnfYOqlx2fPrfvIaPZ0aBLkOD1XVPQ9pU/s1600/crackerbarrelalcoa00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><h3>
<img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1aso86GAo4RUgReLPbDkZW_-fE-kTzlkjHEThonn3i8tV45A4GSK3MOfdZYGusPDeNYY0MvMUyWXXKRN-WOh1SzlRZnds5bUI8MnfYOqlx2fPrfvIaPZ0aBLkOD1XVPQ9pU/s320/crackerbarrelalcoa00.jpg" title="Mariano, Abbie and Janis - all ready for breakfgast" width="320" /></h3>
</a><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Cracker Barrel (</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Old
Country Store</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">)<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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Rd, Alcoa, TN 37701<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Call via Hangouts"><span class="xbe"><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">(865) 982-1277</span></span></span></a><span class="xbe"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span></span><a href="http://shop.crackerbarrel.com/"><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">http://shop.crackerbarrel.com/</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">My first experience with Cracker
Barrel was probably more than 20 years ago; long before I started blogging my
food adventures. Back then, Cracker Barrel’s were a mostly Southeast presence
and someone from Alaska would be hard-pressed to find a convenient Cracker
Barrel. The wife and I flew down to Florida to visit her parents and one of the
places they took us was a Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Over the years and many
more trips to Florida to visit the in-laws garnered many more Cracker Barrel
experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">When the wife retired we started the
motor home phase of our retirement. We found that Cracker Barrel had expanded
and had stores across much of the United States and they made a convenient
place to stop for a bite one on the road. A bit later, we stayed in Florida to
spend quality time with the wife’s father in his later years. That of course made
a breakfast or even a lunch or dinner a common occurrence. That’s not to
mention that frequent newspaper promotions for daily specials made for an even lower
priced meal.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Since then we have relocated to
Eastern Tennessee. We are located not too far from where the very first Cracker
Barrel company store opened in 1969 in Lebanon Tennessee. In the past Cracker
Barrel has had some rough times with customer relations. Apparently they have
managed to smooth out the rough edges and I notice that the customer base seems
to be a cross-section of the population. They seem to be doing it right because
it has grown to be 630 stores located in 42 states and a bit less than 50
years. All of them are company owned and operated.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQiwtQw2p2XJrHvYj5VgUEa3I0_PgHQ43AyAJLpwvvuWtHF2Z-wYTi3jOLJTXwGgHS3H6C2xcKAdevBVBgcvxEDJUqnOH_10hcMcV6Mtn7mTlbH3LbJuW6qQDIo2ML-6pl3A/s1600/crackerbarrelalcoa01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQiwtQw2p2XJrHvYj5VgUEa3I0_PgHQ43AyAJLpwvvuWtHF2Z-wYTi3jOLJTXwGgHS3H6C2xcKAdevBVBgcvxEDJUqnOH_10hcMcV6Mtn7mTlbH3LbJuW6qQDIo2ML-6pl3A/s320/crackerbarrelalcoa01.jpg" title="Our "Grub Companions!" Abbie and Mariano" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">That brings us to today’s blog, Alcoa Tennessee's Cracker
Barrel. Since we moved here we have met Abbie and Mariano who are also Alaskan ex-pats. We have become good friends and grub mates as we see what is good
to eat in Eastern Tennessee. We agreed to meet at the local Maryville Cracker
Barrel for breakfast. There is an old expression, “if you have seen one you
have seen them all.” That is a close truism for Cracker Barrel stores. They are
not exact copies of what but very, very close in layout, merchandise offered,
the menu and usually the quality of the food. When we were traveling Cracker
Barrel offered known quality, ample portions, and reasonable price.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It was a bright sunny and unseasonably
warm day in Maryville. We managed to find a parking spot in the shade of a
tree. The coolness inside the store was a welcome change from the heat outside.
The hostess led us to a corner table where Abbie and Mariano were waiting for
us. It was all very familiar, the fireplace and the old-time country decore They
had arrived after us but we managed to pass each other in the store without
noticing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Our server, Misty Dawn, was there
within moments to take our beverage order. A charming young lady, she would be
at tables frequently to see what we needed and yet never looming. She was a
plus to the dining experience. The menu was familiar. I was trying to juggle
the included side dishes with each selection and Misty knew the menu well
enough for me to order the right selection without having to order it
piecemeal.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxxlxlBO3-fv8PjtIXpWdzaJ7uafQA33I6zRrgHMTyX-7srT3gYgB6fa7JiUP7AcfDEXx5irXlNSguyy9A99E5GArZAvc_vsr-dRz-v4kt0PLkaY1VYbuw3ayRlJShnvTxyw/s1600/crackerbarrelalcoa02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxxlxlBO3-fv8PjtIXpWdzaJ7uafQA33I6zRrgHMTyX-7srT3gYgB6fa7JiUP7AcfDEXx5irXlNSguyy9A99E5GArZAvc_vsr-dRz-v4kt0PLkaY1VYbuw3ayRlJShnvTxyw/s320/crackerbarrelalcoa02.jpg" title="Momma's Pancake breakfast - pancakes, bacon and eggs" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Abbie ordered the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Momma’s Pancake Breakfast</b>® ($<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">8.19 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Three freshly made Buttermilk
Pancakes with your choice of any fruit topping or a warmed bottle of 100% Pure
Natural Syrup plus two eggs cooked to order and your choice of Smoked Sausage
Patties, Thick-Sliced Bacon, Turkey Sausage or Turkey Bacon</i>.) On a plate by
themselves there were three large golden brown pancakes with a large dollop of
whipped butter. On a companion plate was the bacon, fried crisp, and eggs done to order.
It was a typical Cracker Barrel presentation, the food looked good and appetizing.
On request Abbie got more maple syrup. Momma’s pancake breakfast is a big meal
and a bit more than Abbie normally eats. She did enjoy her mail but there was a
good portion that went to Mariano and some in a doggy bag.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJeTvgC7tmGakoxbS69fQDxF-75q4FxUoCBoqnKgpzbt0Nk34bXDJvXrAUFRoufsoO4JqmqQzTxS8oOx3_nzLXVPz8idrVJWGwLkxkzB2Zwk52vs6_tfMdG7g47jTp83Ia0g/s1600/crackerbarrelalcoa03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJeTvgC7tmGakoxbS69fQDxF-75q4FxUoCBoqnKgpzbt0Nk34bXDJvXrAUFRoufsoO4JqmqQzTxS8oOx3_nzLXVPz8idrVJWGwLkxkzB2Zwk52vs6_tfMdG7g47jTp83Ia0g/s320/crackerbarrelalcoa03.jpg" title="Mariano's French toast" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mariano
ordered the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">French Toast</b> ($<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">7.19 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Four
slices of our own Sourdough Bread (regular or whole wheat) dipped in egg then
grilled to perfection. Served with any fruit topping or 100% Pure Natural Syrup</i>.)
The serving was on an oval platter and there were six thick slices of sourdough bread,
egg dipped, and they were fried to a nice appetizing golden brown with a dollop
of whipped butter on top. More syrup came as requested. Mario said it was very
good, very tasty but he did have one observation. At $7.19 for four slices of
bread the coffee really should come with it. The French toast at good
appearance, good taste, but may have been a bit overpriced after adding the coffee.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAthz81aBBaJVW2LHwwVVGBqBiN_WXF4xvtFtHBIASLVYgwxgZqNmKWO6Om0pefC4DmJvWzO358hsQuro3HgfjFQ3rmMo70jIhmK-evnYM72wpgBQdDLb9a8QrA-oGyDNqhMU/s1600/crackerbarrelalcoa04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAthz81aBBaJVW2LHwwVVGBqBiN_WXF4xvtFtHBIASLVYgwxgZqNmKWO6Om0pefC4DmJvWzO358hsQuro3HgfjFQ3rmMo70jIhmK-evnYM72wpgBQdDLb9a8QrA-oGyDNqhMU/s320/crackerbarrelalcoa04.jpg" title="Wild Maine Blueberry Pancakes - there were lots of blueberries" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Janis
ordered the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wild Maine Blueberry
Pancakes</b> ($<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">7.39 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Three Buttermilk Pancakes loaded with wild
Maine blueberries. Served with Wild Maine Blueberry Syrup</i>.) Served on an
oval platter were three golden brown pancakes topped with an amazing abundance
of blueberries. All of that was topped with a generous helping of whipped
cream. There was more than enough blueberry preserves that no additional syrup
with needed. Janis enjoyed her meal, and set it was very good, very tasty. It
is a serving much larger than she normally eats but she managed to finish most of her
meal. The blueberry pancakes were presented well, were good tasting, and
adequate portion with an abundance of blueberries.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1uXUM0GHIC6tVXVI-bE8r5PFKb4clIyt_sQcwdM1lu-9TkcjV0bWZBTxfgT_mbNkX4jX3QD_1K4aAu5pbud2KMb7EUWiCYRaqslNZVE0y6Y1flneju27CpBxAJytwfmQjdI/s1600/crackerbarrelalcoa05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1uXUM0GHIC6tVXVI-bE8r5PFKb4clIyt_sQcwdM1lu-9TkcjV0bWZBTxfgT_mbNkX4jX3QD_1K4aAu5pbud2KMb7EUWiCYRaqslNZVE0y6Y1flneju27CpBxAJytwfmQjdI/s320/crackerbarrelalcoa05.jpg" title="Sunrise Sampler with things I usually like - potato casserole, biscuits and gravy, eggs, sausage and fried apples." width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I ordered
a more conventional breakfast, at least for me, I chose the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sunrise
Sampler</b>® ($<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">8.19 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Two eggs cooked to order with Grits, Sawmill
Gravy, homemade Buttermilk Biscuits, real butter and the best Preserves, Jam n’
Apple Butter (on request) we could find. Plus Fried Apples and Hashbrown
Casserole and a Sampling of Smoked Sausage, Country Ham and Thick-Sliced Bacon</i>.)
This is a good combination as it includes eggs and breakfast meat along with
hashbrowns, biscuits and gravy and fried apples. I asked for my eggs over
medium and ask for the sausage as my choice of breakfast meat. The eggs were
cooked order just like I asked for. The sausage is fried nicely with good
color, was tender and had a good taste. The gravy was nice and hot, nice and
thick and had that good peppery country gravy flavor. The fried apples were
very good and always make a great end to breakfast meal. They’re kind of like
eating an apple pie without the crust.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj777jLBGGl2xwgOhTloz1azziPjmYquHpVcFc0cxbpcIbqe-jof2w4fuI35LnvNTbly9gpfbuL9587buDGynX7xrBrTDbfblm7eEwkVXpEs6UiBmwRbaAByMKxYIU2BIScvNA/s1600/crackerbarrelalcoa06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj777jLBGGl2xwgOhTloz1azziPjmYquHpVcFc0cxbpcIbqe-jof2w4fuI35LnvNTbly9gpfbuL9587buDGynX7xrBrTDbfblm7eEwkVXpEs6UiBmwRbaAByMKxYIU2BIScvNA/s320/crackerbarrelalcoa06.jpg" title="The uniformity of the Cracker Barrel stores probably adds to the comfort feeling in the stores - no surprises." width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">That leaves the biscuits and the hashbrown casserole. The biscuits it had
been a loft. They were dense, heavy and one would guess that they had not used
enough baking powder. They were also cold and makes me wonder if perhaps they
weren’t left over from the day before. Without the gravy they would have been
way to dry to eat. One of my favorite parts of the Cracker Barrel breakfast is
the hashbrown casserole. This serving did not live up to what I have come to
expect from Cracker Barrel. It was quite dry and the edges crispy and serving
was way too small-sort of like the kitchen scooped the last remaining drag out
of a long-standing pan to fill my order. I did enjoy the eggs and apples
as well as the gravy. The poorly prepared biscuits and potato casserole severely
detracted from my enjoyment of the meal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qTtwZydmzVvvKEjmxGW8tB0oLz__r7oLirQUTIu3bQTfAhVEDSCYo-1ZHD6ozFugGYBG3F-Qa4fXcDBkv2ahtQvVOW6KgBWyItWbcNUvPrKmiEqt0T_IubbGw7k9BfLbvNg/s1600/crackerbarrelalcoa07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qTtwZydmzVvvKEjmxGW8tB0oLz__r7oLirQUTIu3bQTfAhVEDSCYo-1ZHD6ozFugGYBG3F-Qa4fXcDBkv2ahtQvVOW6KgBWyItWbcNUvPrKmiEqt0T_IubbGw7k9BfLbvNg/s200/crackerbarrelalcoa07.jpg" title="The doggie bag is really a doggie bag - Chena does like her pancakes." width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">One of the things that kept us going back to Cracker Barrel over the
years was a consistency of quality in the food. For the most part the four of
us received meals that were up to Cracker Barrel’s normal standard. In my case,
however, slight deviations from normal quality made a meal less than totally satisfying.
As far as I can recall this is the first time I have been dissatisfied with
Cracker Barrel. I am sure we will have breakfast a Cracker Barrel again in
future and I hope that this glitch was a one-time event. <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And the grits.... well I never eat
that stuff anyway. </span><br />
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<o:p>
</o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Previous Cracker Barrel Blogs:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May 12 2012 </span><a href="http://thatfoodguy.blogspot.com/2012/05/cracker-barrel-revisited.html"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">http://thatfoodguy.blogspot.com/2012/05/cracker-barrel-revisited.html</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Aug 19, 2011 </span><a href="http://thatfoodguy.blogspot.com/2011/08/cracker-barrel-st-petersburg-florida.html"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">http://thatfoodguy.blogspot.com/2011/08/cracker-barrel-st-petersburg-florida.html</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
</span></div>
That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0Alcoa, TN, USA35.771642852971475 -83.987560272216835.765201352971474 -83.9976452722168 35.778084352971476 -83.9774752722168tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-14930710842674473952016-08-12T12:00:00.000-08:002016-08-13T10:21:15.017-08:00Smoky Mountain Brewery - Maryville, Tennessee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jjb46jxU9Z7cI_xtbQzHjnzlKZaNDn3gB0TQ8HWHhT8DnuxxzGbV29ry3cKWq5xhKJAeh2YHzroRYQ6EM0WeE84CHoKa98MlNZ5itufI4ey-mLKKyb8sxuj6Qgm1vZFFS3c/s1600/smokymountainbrewery00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jjb46jxU9Z7cI_xtbQzHjnzlKZaNDn3gB0TQ8HWHhT8DnuxxzGbV29ry3cKWq5xhKJAeh2YHzroRYQ6EM0WeE84CHoKa98MlNZ5itufI4ey-mLKKyb8sxuj6Qgm1vZFFS3c/s1600/smokymountainbrewery00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jjb46jxU9Z7cI_xtbQzHjnzlKZaNDn3gB0TQ8HWHhT8DnuxxzGbV29ry3cKWq5xhKJAeh2YHzroRYQ6EM0WeE84CHoKa98MlNZ5itufI4ey-mLKKyb8sxuj6Qgm1vZFFS3c/s320/smokymountainbrewery00.jpg" title="Abbie, Mariano and Janis at the Maryville Smoky Mountain Brewery." width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jjb46jxU9Z7cI_xtbQzHjnzlKZaNDn3gB0TQ8HWHhT8DnuxxzGbV29ry3cKWq5xhKJAeh2YHzroRYQ6EM0WeE84CHoKa98MlNZ5itufI4ey-mLKKyb8sxuj6Qgm1vZFFS3c/s1600/smokymountainbrewery00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Smoky Mountain Brewery </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">in Maryville,
Tennessee<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="xbe"><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">743 Watkins Rd, Maryville, TN 37801<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="xbe"><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">(865) 238-1900<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="xbe"><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><a href="http://www.smoky-mtn-brewery.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">http://www.smoky-mtn-brewery.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There are a lot of
restaurants under the Copper Cellar family manner. They include such
restaurants as Calhoun’s, Cappuccino’s, Copper cellar and Copper Cellar
Catering, Cherokee Grill, Chesapeake’s and of course, Smoky Mountain Brewery.
There are four restaurants carrying the smoky Mountain brewery name. They are
all located in the greater Knoxville Tennessee area of eastern Tennessee and
are located in Turkey Creek, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Maryville. We visited
the Maryville location which is closest to our home.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhga8vNQYfoFRiAfYMo6t_YLTHxtqxoqdClmk2TyhRKS9WPLGyE5eHibawrubq_8Mf-MAu6nZnYvzDgWQM881JRTUimrCm186ufpMcxa2TYaZ0g-wohQHXRbZZQyvASW1fbR-k/s1600/smokymountainbrewery1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhga8vNQYfoFRiAfYMo6t_YLTHxtqxoqdClmk2TyhRKS9WPLGyE5eHibawrubq_8Mf-MAu6nZnYvzDgWQM881JRTUimrCm186ufpMcxa2TYaZ0g-wohQHXRbZZQyvASW1fbR-k/s320/smokymountainbrewery1.jpg" title="Our amiable dinner companions, Abbie and Mariano" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">About the 1970s a movement of creating
craft beers began. Americans consumers were looking for alternatives to the
pale lager beer sold by the major growing companies. If you wanted an old world
style beer you had to seek out an important. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1978 President Jimmy Carter </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">signed the <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">H.R. 1337 </span>bill and home brewing
became legal. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With the increasing popularity of home
brewing and the emergence of micro-breweries it was only natural that the
brewery pair with the restaurant. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Following the trend, in 1996 the first
Smoky Mountain Brewery store opened in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. On their website
they state, ”…</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span lang="EN">the
restaurant and brewery combination has been a fun place to take the family with
its fresh mountain micro-brewed beer plus traditional pizza, one-of-a-kind subs
and sandwiches.” The Maryville store boasts of over 40 hi-def video screens and
that it is a great place especially during sporting events. Our visit was
during the Olympics and we did have a great view of many of the Olympic venues.
We arrived a bit before the dinner hour and there was immediate seating and it
was not at all crowded. By the time we had finished our meal it was well into
the dinner hour and the seating was full and there was a waiting line to get
in; plan your visit. As with many places these days, the ceiling is unfinished,
sporting the semi-industrial look with exposes AC ducting and the like. All of
those hard surfaces reflect sound and a full restaurant is a noisy place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1YRrZDSXYog6bU4FHleBE74h_gmkiznjSpw4ynxgK54AN2MIvlfWAjkYV0jHP9ZuieZgjAmJd7VN2LYQ2xwmV7J5XPsynRl1XTkFaZ5ze-k_hTce6B9o33XXketIidYrwKI/s1600/smokymountainbrewery02.jpg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1YRrZDSXYog6bU4FHleBE74h_gmkiznjSpw4ynxgK54AN2MIvlfWAjkYV0jHP9ZuieZgjAmJd7VN2LYQ2xwmV7J5XPsynRl1XTkFaZ5ze-k_hTce6B9o33XXketIidYrwKI/s320/smokymountainbrewery02.jpg.JPG" title="Janis and Abbie ordered the Brewhouse Burger" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Nonetheless, it was a pleasant interlude, the sharing of a meal with good
friends. By prior arrangement we met Mariano and Abbie at the Smoky Mountain
Brewery. Although we came from opposite directions we arrived almost
simultaneously. We seem to have it down to the seconds…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNOOC725DhGMTsVASEnRNGtCKlCWl0mbFQ0y6cOEf_yQ2wagqRT2u6shn5HryHewdeD9qBGMJzp8U09j6MDckVSzkBtII3x5SGuhpx5gUw_LcYdTwz9ZVx_kGd5fZsJ3qUDI/s1600/smokymountainbrewery03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNOOC725DhGMTsVASEnRNGtCKlCWl0mbFQ0y6cOEf_yQ2wagqRT2u6shn5HryHewdeD9qBGMJzp8U09j6MDckVSzkBtII3x5SGuhpx5gUw_LcYdTwz9ZVx_kGd5fZsJ3qUDI/s320/smokymountainbrewery03.jpg" title="Mariano ordered the Grilled Mountain Melt" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We were seated almost immediately. Joanna. A most charming and efficient
young lady and our server, was there in seconds to greet us and take out
preliminary order for beverages. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must
add that during the meal she was usually close at hand but never obtrusive,
certainly an asset to the Smoky Mountain Brewery. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyLIuXbx6C1yGQLZruYCUmL1xvUa6n-f8YeQm6l5eXuDQGEXgkMpeYAbrGoqRi4LijDYgBGSwiO419xhG0fHzQg9jd3EDwa6jDjOP-AW7nhYn-fXirNOi6CVHm6bCqhfnO_Q/s1600/smokymountainbrewery04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyLIuXbx6C1yGQLZruYCUmL1xvUa6n-f8YeQm6l5eXuDQGEXgkMpeYAbrGoqRi4LijDYgBGSwiO419xhG0fHzQg9jd3EDwa6jDjOP-AW7nhYn-fXirNOi6CVHm6bCqhfnO_Q/s320/smokymountainbrewery04.jpg" title="The Grilled Mountain Melt is as tall as a mountain" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The menu has lots of choices including appetizers, deli-style sandwiches,
wings, salads, ribs, steak and chicken, pizzas and calzones and some pasta
dishes as well as a selection of “Brewery Burgers.” From their menu: “Brewhouse
Burgers – Ground fresh daily and served on your choice of sesame or whole-wheat
bun. Choice of any side.” Those sides include honey mustard potato salad, fresh
broccoli and beer cheese, baked macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, or a basket
of fries. Not surprisingly, we all ordered from the Brewhouse Burgers section
of the menu.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAqfUwWGbOnAi4TVqKWSoqjsSgCjXr93-LuGhbI9heKv1B6mygiQsr9WYRqGKBK72AINTeJWnGiNV-p5cc_vFjnd-Diq6qEO4cjoSYHuGFzZO51cYrE9lwom-uxy81ILMYb4/s1600/smokymountainbrewery05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAqfUwWGbOnAi4TVqKWSoqjsSgCjXr93-LuGhbI9heKv1B6mygiQsr9WYRqGKBK72AINTeJWnGiNV-p5cc_vFjnd-Diq6qEO4cjoSYHuGFzZO51cYrE9lwom-uxy81ILMYb4/s320/smokymountainbrewery05.jpg" title="I ordered the Swiss Mushroom Burger with a side of French fries" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Abbie and Janis both ordered the Brewery Burger ($5.50), the basic burger
that can be outfitted to taste with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles. Both
also chose the basket of fries for a side dish. The Brewhouse Burgers are in
the middle of the middle range of what could be called “gourmet burgers.” The meat,
somewhere between a third and half-pound patties, is cooked to order and the
chef has the cook time pretty well nailed; a nice sear on the outside and the
red to pink as ordered inside. The ladies seemed to enjoy their selections and
stated that they were quite good leaving only minor amounts for a doggie bag.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouNJgk7XpxCHnuvOrIT9poccV0fEVsJzfshzhuVGw8T4uSkrJuYRhgpZUtYOud5HVPsqlEzm018wsEyqGyYvcOdY6O3T0UWdjHLyGMSro7QZvTDsDHykWkXlMOpaXSdvE5jA/s1600/smokymountainbrewery06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouNJgk7XpxCHnuvOrIT9poccV0fEVsJzfshzhuVGw8T4uSkrJuYRhgpZUtYOud5HVPsqlEzm018wsEyqGyYvcOdY6O3T0UWdjHLyGMSro7QZvTDsDHykWkXlMOpaXSdvE5jA/s320/smokymountainbrewery06.jpg" title="Assembled, the Swiss Mushroom burger is an imposing handful of hamburger" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mariano ordered the Grilled Mountain Melt (Swiss and American cheese, sautéed
onions, grilled rye bread - $6.50), basically a 2 cheese and onion hamburger on
rye. Mariano said it was a very tasty burger and that he did enjoy the
different taste and texture imparted by the grilled rye bread. He also noted
that it was a big sandwich, very tall and very filling.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I ordered the Swiss Mushroom Burger (mushrooms and Swiss cheese, $6.50). I
chose French fries as my side and a soft drink ($2.75 – when they glass gets
low it is quickly replace usually without asking. They serve Coca Cola
products.) When served the fries and burger were piping hot and the first bite
was a bit of a surprise. The burger was cooked to order. There was a good
portion of mushrooms covered with melted Swiss cheese. Served open face, the
opposite but had the lettuce, tomato, red onion slices and pickles. All of the
vegetables were fresh and appetizing looking.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">When assembled it is a tall, imposing sandwich. First thought is, “How am I
going to get a bite of this?” No worries. When you are hungry and there is a
good burger in front of you it is certainly manageable. At first there is the tart
crispness of the pickles and onion. Then comes the silky smoothness of the
cheese, then the earthy goodness of the mushrooms and finally the juicy
goodness of the meat. Truly, the whole can be greater than the sum of its
parts. It was an excellent burger and one that I would definitely order again.
As it comes from the kitchen it is just about perfect. You don’t have to add
any condiments and what is on the burger already is just about right. I was
able to eat to the last one or two bites before the burger fell apart. The
French fries are whole potato fries, lightly seasoned and fried to a golden
brown, served hot, and a mere dash of salt is all that might be required plus a
dip once in a while in the ketchup.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It was a very pleasant meal; good food, good conversation in a congenial
atmosphere and amiable service people. The Smoky Mountain Brewery will
certainly be on our list of places we would like to return to.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0Maryville, TN, USA35.751118460658162 -83.99301052093505935.74789696065816 -83.99805302093506 35.754339960658164 -83.987968020935057tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-14286739528609877292016-06-15T14:17:00.000-08:002016-06-15T14:33:20.420-08:00Seafood Paella from a Kit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MNxlPVYkq50U18GrOCRA90nMWxK1hbvnHrlnU4dzWPKVg5A1zAN-U-qaC5xEcsJqhDzmKHME3M9-RvYia4cAYjJQ6bFn40xgC_NSZH-G7cyqUdeQCAXIj95jGzfciGTjHis/s1600/AAsItComesSmall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MNxlPVYkq50U18GrOCRA90nMWxK1hbvnHrlnU4dzWPKVg5A1zAN-U-qaC5xEcsJqhDzmKHME3M9-RvYia4cAYjJQ6bFn40xgC_NSZH-G7cyqUdeQCAXIj95jGzfciGTjHis/s320/AAsItComesSmall.JPG" title="Click to enlarge: My new paella pan and a kit for seafood paella" width="320" /></a></div>
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Carmencita Paella Kit</h3>
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Seafood Flavored Paella from a Kit</h3>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I surely did not need a paella pan. I have enough kitchen
gadgets as it is. The wife agrees with me on that issue too! In fact, I already
make a very tasty chicken paella in a cast-iron skillet. You can see that
recipe at:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.twentymile.com/Cookbook/chickenpaella.htm"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">http://www.twentymile.com/Cookbook/chickenpaella.htm</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It is a very tasty paella and I can vouch for that. That was
how it was and would have stayed until that fateful day I was walking the aisles
of the local Kroger’s supermarket. One of the end-of-aisle displays caught my
eye. There was a display by a Spanish company, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Carmencita,</i></b> makers of a
“kit” for making paella. Them kit is a small box of rice, a cute vial of olive
oil, and an envelope with dehydrated seasonings to make a seafood and saffron
flavored paella rice. As an introductory offer it was paired with a traditional
paella pan. On sale, the seafood paella kit and the paella pan cost what the
paella kit would cost all by its self-in other words the paella pan was free.
In a flash, I decided I needed a paella pan after all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Later at home, reading the instructions on the kit box, it
put me in mind of a product evaluation my sister, Pattie Sue, did awhile back
for a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vigo Paella Valenciana</i></b> kit. It too was an all-inclusive kit in
a box containing an envelope of rice, a seasoning packet and a small can of
bits and pieces of things that swim, float of crawl in the sea. Although it had
some pieces of sea food in it, the Vigo version was pretty much a pan of
seasoned rice with the yellow color of saffron and turmeric. Her finished dish
did look a bit barren so she added the finishing touches herself. You can see
her blog and serving solution here:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://pattiesuefoodreview.blogspot.com/2011/01/product-evaluation-vigo-pallea.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">http://pattiesuefoodreview.blogspot.com/2011/01/product-evaluation-vigo-pallea.html</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOrT4Px1MUGoKHw5c4M2PF0P8w-LpoSkEmdb3UoPSbXETMjqZAAfYR75UGsCRAmjBp3LbvtgV6UbeU6B0TkEhFjT6w83sQPMmKvf86UIu6NV_CqnlB4MQLd73G9jzbGwSLL4/s1600/Paella+032m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOrT4Px1MUGoKHw5c4M2PF0P8w-LpoSkEmdb3UoPSbXETMjqZAAfYR75UGsCRAmjBp3LbvtgV6UbeU6B0TkEhFjT6w83sQPMmKvf86UIu6NV_CqnlB4MQLd73G9jzbGwSLL4/s200/Paella+032m.jpg" title="Click to enlarge: Pattie Sue's Vigo paella after enhancing with real seafood" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMN9xA7WJvs3UtxA-fqDEs4CaeOaRuij75V9hspbDMZp2LQPpZr79_xDPifM7r9qMAHDJuh0RLXk3gvst-LP4sR7H5OssjglXOCcB6NVfOQZzMyLwsyr-I3XqE5amvbQ3V1Y/s1600/Paella+025m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMN9xA7WJvs3UtxA-fqDEs4CaeOaRuij75V9hspbDMZp2LQPpZr79_xDPifM7r9qMAHDJuh0RLXk3gvst-LP4sR7H5OssjglXOCcB6NVfOQZzMyLwsyr-I3XqE5amvbQ3V1Y/s200/Paella+025m.jpg" title="Click to enlarge: Pattie Sue's Vigo paella as it came from the box" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Examining my new treasure, I found a box with the paella
makings nestled in an informational cardboard collar inside a 12-inch paella
pan; all of that secure in transparent shrink wrap. The box contained a bag of
rice, an envelope of dried paella stock and a small vial of olive oil. There is
a picture of a “suggested serving” on the printed materials but the shrimp,
clams and mussels are not included. The kit will make a pan of seafood flavored
paella rice. This was not unlike Pattie Sue’s Vigo paella. Where possible I
would make the rice according to the directions to see what the product was
truly like. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would also have additional
food items to make my own suggested serving photo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhx9wBsSKS7qhpefwUnnYHxjVEgtyhsNNDU-8MZPsDbmFWs8Az4lkjyW0AxntmGK8HvFFDuP0_wRKwXvh34BAf_cAi5yMwgJRshmcLuJ9FcU-zhsbJPeeJXErQvW3alBckQGk/s1600/BInTheBox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhx9wBsSKS7qhpefwUnnYHxjVEgtyhsNNDU-8MZPsDbmFWs8Az4lkjyW0AxntmGK8HvFFDuP0_wRKwXvh34BAf_cAi5yMwgJRshmcLuJ9FcU-zhsbJPeeJXErQvW3alBckQGk/s200/BInTheBox.JPG" title="Click to enlarge: In the kit: rice, that cute little bottle of olive oil and packett of dehydrated flavorings and spices" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The free paella pan is enameled steel. It could be used over
a campfire, on a barbecue grill on a camping trip. It is suitable for a gas
range as well as an electric element or ceramic-top stove. A steel pan, it is
also usable on an induction cooking unit. It feels to be about 16-gage steel with
a nice enamel finish. With care it should last a long time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Traditional <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">paella</i> is an all-encompassing term; it is more of a cooking style.
Coastal regions will frequently be seafood <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">paellas</i>
with the local catch determining the ingredients. Inland, chicken and other
meats may be found as well as vegetarian versions. There is a variety of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">paella</i> for just about everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As much as possible… according to
package directions… Traditional paella is finished over a high heat and that
makes the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">socarrat</i>, the caramelized layer
on the bottom of the pan that adds so much to the flavor of the dish. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">socarrat</i> has also become a benchmark of
traditional paella perfection. If I am making a batch for lovers of traditional
paella, I finish over high heat and usually get a semblance of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">socarrat</i>. Americans, mostly on the other
hand (and that includes me), like fluffy rice and often view the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">socarrat</i> as the burned bottom. When cooking
for them I finish the dish over low heat and make fluffy rice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhigqHo17pGbfI6Blf7YZHSzFNPu28hmUhZ3YEUzyWhyLLZS0w_qUw6lGPlGfPMmK-zlSKcQWm5pyByaU-PDevqLs12kXEZh-cDrxjdnFc6H2LD2InCJ_KK7iWuNZkp6qXkZc/s1600/CMyIngredientsS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhigqHo17pGbfI6Blf7YZHSzFNPu28hmUhZ3YEUzyWhyLLZS0w_qUw6lGPlGfPMmK-zlSKcQWm5pyByaU-PDevqLs12kXEZh-cDrxjdnFc6H2LD2InCJ_KK7iWuNZkp6qXkZc/s200/CMyIngredientsS.JPG" title="Click to enlarge: What I am going to add to the paella to jazz it up a bit; snow pea pods, brocccoli, red onion, chicken white meat, fresh roasted garlic and peas and carrots and my little bottle of saffron" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">My plan to cook the basic dish to
the instructions and later add my items had a flaw. I needed to cook the
chicken bits, garlic, onion, Bell pepper bits, peas and carrots in with the
rice. As it worked out, the dish was pretty much a batch of yellow rice with a
few colorful items floating in the middle. It was augmented but it would give a
taste of the original product. The garnishing and finishing touches, the Bell
pepper rings, snow pea pods and the broccoli florets I would steam and add
later. The chicken tenderloins I grilled with the lemon lime chicken breasts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqS1HR3mG7iwgE1q9O4HdsPO6m2CO2Bo0xRSZCTUFAZ0DcVct0o-qgVvcge6W_EwS8-ZfLni9Ob3q4cqXoSamNIqSnoh7cE4ZK9VqhMw-90LXy3p2Kszwx4dBAFcz2s8Yo7A/s1600/EAddRiceSaute.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqS1HR3mG7iwgE1q9O4HdsPO6m2CO2Bo0xRSZCTUFAZ0DcVct0o-qgVvcge6W_EwS8-ZfLni9Ob3q4cqXoSamNIqSnoh7cE4ZK9VqhMw-90LXy3p2Kszwx4dBAFcz2s8Yo7A/s200/EAddRiceSaute.JPG" title="Click to enlarge: Adding the rice to the mix" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfDaxSlhMYI5Nl0r2Jo_BUTeUeHXndmsYXUiTQ9LvyoGaEv04i8RjXmI4gXF5OdxbjG6_K-3zJHcBgdgMKWB2rHHUJd8qPZDhFYK_u0DjT1FJf7dwBVqPEfOv1cAmrSDuxqE/s1600/DSauteeChickenVeggies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfDaxSlhMYI5Nl0r2Jo_BUTeUeHXndmsYXUiTQ9LvyoGaEv04i8RjXmI4gXF5OdxbjG6_K-3zJHcBgdgMKWB2rHHUJd8qPZDhFYK_u0DjT1FJf7dwBVqPEfOv1cAmrSDuxqE/s200/DSauteeChickenVeggies.JPG" title="Click to enlarge: Sautéing the vegetables" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The basic directions for making
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">paella</i> from the kit is to sauté
the rice in the provided olive oil, add the flavoring packet and the prescribed
water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer over medium high heat until the
liquid is absorbed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I did was to sauté
the chicken, add the vegetables and cook for a few more minutes. I then added
the rice and cooked until it started to brown. Instead of water, I added an
equal amount of chicken broth. I brought that to a boil and then reduced the
heat to a slow simmer and cooked until all the liquid was absorbed, about 20
minutes. As a side note, in reading the ingredients list it was noted that
saffron was very near the bottom of the list; not too much there. I did add a
bit of my own saffron.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKF75gcxuziT2W0gby2D9Jn5AVjC6FqAFlB6-rpyhlrx763mgv86SzmEart9l0PEIXKdEzenqbPbHqKPPtn4brpOqHq-ptCKoP9JXOW5NuSiwiwInVIHsYTj65MpCWY8cVkqI/s1600/GChickenVegetablePaella.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKF75gcxuziT2W0gby2D9Jn5AVjC6FqAFlB6-rpyhlrx763mgv86SzmEart9l0PEIXKdEzenqbPbHqKPPtn4brpOqHq-ptCKoP9JXOW5NuSiwiwInVIHsYTj65MpCWY8cVkqI/s200/GChickenVegetablePaella.JPG" title="Click to enlarge: The paella in presentation mode" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmwoOCdPc635RJU-a4QeDSP2sJ9CyvPLi96EjB5okB48tjKCjk36tKE0XvloJmbeJ20y5ELyQgS7J-ZYIarFEo8rCJJYTFpAGcpyD9S-ftAFkIs_rEbGZ2ZzUAco5zrhbtfY/s1600/FAddSpiceAndBroth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmwoOCdPc635RJU-a4QeDSP2sJ9CyvPLi96EjB5okB48tjKCjk36tKE0XvloJmbeJ20y5ELyQgS7J-ZYIarFEo8rCJJYTFpAGcpyD9S-ftAFkIs_rEbGZ2ZzUAco5zrhbtfY/s200/FAddSpiceAndBroth.JPG" title="Click to enlarge: Simmer until all the liquid has been absorbed - nothing fancy here" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I took a sample for taste test.
The rice was cooked through, tender and there was a slight crust underneath. It
had a distinct seafood flavor but no particular sea food stood out as
predominate. It tasted very much as other seafood<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> paellas </i>I have tasted; good but not exceptional. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then smoothed out the surface and added my presentation
items. It was a colorful and attractive dish, very tasty and enjoyable for
dinner that night. The pairing with lemon-line and white pepper chicken was a
good one. The wife and I fully enjoyed the<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
paella </i>prepared in our new pan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQmW9JQjM_JoIqhvqmvaXBY6J_MLb4rZbRagxEIUPUschNzPfUujAtK5I9uRmRtp3oFbF831zehh945eFQPztzCyhgy46iIVGOixlpinzRB3H4jHTgkNWOHD5aG11hqNuM9M/s1600/HLemonLimeChickenAndPaella.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQmW9JQjM_JoIqhvqmvaXBY6J_MLb4rZbRagxEIUPUschNzPfUujAtK5I9uRmRtp3oFbF831zehh945eFQPztzCyhgy46iIVGOixlpinzRB3H4jHTgkNWOHD5aG11hqNuM9M/s320/HLemonLimeChickenAndPaella.JPG" title="Click to enlarge: Paella with lemon-lime and white pepper grilled chicken for dinner" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Come the next day it was time for
some left overs for lunch. It was then I noticed I had apparently overlooked
the night before. For convenience I had used chicken as the meat in the dish
that was seasoned with a seafood mixture. Although it was unnoticed the night
before when it was fresh, it was very apparent when reheated that there was a
mismatch of flavors with the seafood portion winning out by a big margin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I tasted a bit of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">paella</i> without any added food items and
pondered what I had. Here is what I concluded… When freshly made it has good
flavor, has lots seafood overtones, and it cooks up nicely and a<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> socarrat</i> crust easily obtained on a
stove top. With a bit of added garnish it can serve as a main dish. On the
second day things are a bit different. The seafood flavor seems to have
intensified and is a bit overpowering the seafood becomes just “fishy.” Without
things to pair the flavor to, clams, mussels, squid and the like, the fishy
taste of the rice becomes rapidly less appealing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In conclusion, I love my new <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">paella</i> pan. I like chicken <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">paella</i> and will use it often. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Carmencita Paella Kit</i> makes a nice rice
with seafood flavor and very handy if you require a paella in short order. As
prepared from the package it would be more suitable as a side dish rather than
a main dish. It would require additional items, shrimp, squid, clams and mussel
for example, to serve as a suitable main dish. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without any seafood in the dish to pair with the
taste from the seasoning when reheated the fishy rice can quickly become unpalatable.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Additional information about this kit and other <em>Carmencita</em> products, check out:</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/Carmencitaespecias">https://www.youtube.com/user/Carmencitaespecias</a></div>
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That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0Blount County, TN, USA35.738640177024976 -84.08055782318115235.737834677024978 -84.081818323181153 35.739445677024975 -84.079297323181152tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-51253131710330473392016-05-28T08:30:00.000-08:002016-06-06T11:29:19.982-08:00TC's Grill - Maryville, Tennessee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img alt="" border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTIYpCbRw-44CyelBSiPScu2Gvj5CBW7rTsCcpVzeDEjQrpL1dyT3T_rxmq98AU89rsauTMfKl10fNVzvQeQk82_A311ny071YNq8ar6ybF77osiXUnOHcyZkJCI7XA23zSw/s640/TCGrill.jpg" title="Thanks to Google for the image - it was morning and all my outside photos were severly backlit." width="640" /><span style="color: black;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;">TC’s Grill<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
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</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;">2514 Old Niles Ferry Rd,
Maryville, TN 37801<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;">(865) 980-1905 <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Open </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday
through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed on Sunday</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;">Our good friends, Abbie and Mariano,
told us about a new restaurant they discovered. Discovered is the operative
word. To find it you either had to be going there on purpose or were helplessly
lost. It all has to do with how the local area has grown over the years. From
way back when, in the horse and buggy days, at small crossroads businesses
would spring up. Perhaps a general or feed store, perhaps a smith or even a
grain mill; quite often there was a church as well. It was easier for the local
farmers to go a mile or so to the local crossroads rather than spend the day in
travel to the big town many more miles away over rough and unimproved roads. With
the advents of the motor vehicle and improved highways, farmers can now
travel to the main town often bypassing the local crossroad businesses they
used to frequent. If you should visit TC’s, look around and ask yourself how you
would attract customers, what would you do to draw them to this seemingly
remote location (albeit just a few blocks from a Walmart Super Store)
surrounded by bucolic acres of working farmland.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiug1EZe04-VFa8-q0ZIyNoPr_3EoY9LNTKbsamP5kgBcmE0s3CZPLhQgwr-199PhJDYmmt1jKa00KEy2JQyJ6HY6L6INH8cCcPhRcHCebJXR66w7BR_RgqdDxlPlPQVD0XTl0/s1600/IMGP0003+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiug1EZe04-VFa8-q0ZIyNoPr_3EoY9LNTKbsamP5kgBcmE0s3CZPLhQgwr-199PhJDYmmt1jKa00KEy2JQyJ6HY6L6INH8cCcPhRcHCebJXR66w7BR_RgqdDxlPlPQVD0XTl0/s320/IMGP0003+-+Copy.JPG" title="My Fairview Combo with a side of Home Fries" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">I may be
wrong but it appears that pattern has influenced the advent of TC’s Grill.
There is a church, a few outbuildings, and what was once a busy gasoline
service station.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Restauranteurs Shirley and Tom Clark
and Jeff Hodge m</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">oved to
present location in 2012 repurposing the old service station (which accounts
for the motif and much of the interior décor). They established a reputation
for good wholesome food at reasonable prices. In 2015 they a placed the
restaurant up for sale. Steve and Audrey Nelson purchased the Grill in December
2015 with plans to continue TC’s Grill much as it has been only seeking to
tweak the menu bit and perhaps add-on to the kitchen to make more workspace. See
the link at the bottom of this article for more information on the evolution of
TC’s Grill.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LfHoRzLRrdvTIPiQVYFYvrdW4tgwQTkY8J59RIfHWMtPeDDReV5YbIq0CjRWBN1yKj-0qux7QJiGvrA7ISwiGvmK46-JI9nKSMX-PE5nLWCkE2WLJANs3hFxkhdMgwBV6qI/s1600/IMGP0005+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LfHoRzLRrdvTIPiQVYFYvrdW4tgwQTkY8J59RIfHWMtPeDDReV5YbIq0CjRWBN1yKj-0qux7QJiGvrA7ISwiGvmK46-JI9nKSMX-PE5nLWCkE2WLJANs3hFxkhdMgwBV6qI/s320/IMGP0005+-+Copy.JPG" title="A tall biscuit with a tasty gravy" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;">Abbie and
Mariano ate breakfast there one day. They wanted to tell us about the biscuits;
big beautiful freshly baked biscuits! Apparently a lot of people were impressed
with TC’s biscuits because they were frequently mentioned in food blog
websites. It was only natural that one day Abby and Arturo along with Janis and
I went to TC’s for breakfast to see for ourselves what it was all about..<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;">The original
renovation from service station to restaurant was well done. But inside of the
restaurant seems more like a purpose built restaurant made to resemble the old
service station rather than an old service station made into a restaurant. The
starkly contrasting black and green tile floors, the shop-green color of the
walls, the murals and pictures tell the story of the servicenbays where we
were now dining. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-5Q_wMCfi2nzH0wxmkOWT9Yco35DBJLhBm1LV9E8-DYN2-NGuO9HvU8x7vo9dEGRKRx8GXQ52tJtxGi81hXnScy5HX_R6mtrVUNn9tZLPonyHJauV4KdINvW6g0-x4L1A6g/s1600/IMGP0006+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-5Q_wMCfi2nzH0wxmkOWT9Yco35DBJLhBm1LV9E8-DYN2-NGuO9HvU8x7vo9dEGRKRx8GXQ52tJtxGi81hXnScy5HX_R6mtrVUNn9tZLPonyHJauV4KdINvW6g0-x4L1A6g/s320/IMGP0006+-+Copy.JPG" title="The biscuits are light and tender; cut easilt with a fork" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;">Their menu
has many selections for breakfast (served 7 AM until 10:30 AM), lunch and
dinner. One of their combos, the Fairview, caught my eye. It consists of two
eggs, bacon or sausage and served with biscuits and gravy for $4.49. I chose
that one; the egg over and sausage. I also like my breakfast potatoes so I
ordered a side order of home fries for an additional $2.50. Coffee was an
additional $1.35. Our server made sure the coffee cup stayed full.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;">It is a
diner and it was a busy morning. Certainly an acid test of what comes out of
the kitchen. My eggs were cooked to order, over medium, although they were a
bit rough looking somewhat like Army mess hall eggs cooked on a griddle. I will
say they were cooked to order, were not greasy and tasted good. I can’t hold their
rough exterior against them. The sausage patties were well cooked, nicely
seasons, cooked done but not overcooked to crisp. When I ordered the home fries
I took the option of adding onions. The home fries are diced potatoes that are
fried to a nice golden brown. The onions were perhaps added a little late as I
would have preferred them cooked a bit more. All in all it was a satisfying
serving of potatoes with onions. The biscuit gravy was served on its own plate.
True to their reputation, the biscuits were big, lite and tender; easily as big
as two biscuits elsewhere. It cut easily with a fork. The gravy was just the
right thickness, had good flavor and was an excellent pairing with the biscuit.
It was a good breakfast, adequate portions to fill a hungry appetite and tasted
good. It was good enough that I will be coming back to TC’s Grill to try other
things on their menu.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzu0JuHRktiv0nmRqFgxeWC7MN3euU93_tleUhP7-qxxoJIGUj11bm5crAlrR9M_K5gsXeNKhYkkbAV6aSRmbtRR6oOgQBvDyqaXY2CRx0Gjn2BfRwqMc-7YLRlSl4YJOdxU/s1600/IMGP0004+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzu0JuHRktiv0nmRqFgxeWC7MN3euU93_tleUhP7-qxxoJIGUj11bm5crAlrR9M_K5gsXeNKhYkkbAV6aSRmbtRR6oOgQBvDyqaXY2CRx0Gjn2BfRwqMc-7YLRlSl4YJOdxU/s320/IMGP0004+-+Copy.JPG" title="The Shirley Combo - eggs, bacon and pancakes. It is on its way to being a egg and pancake sandwich" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;">Janis chose
the Shirley’s special; two eggs, bacon or sausage, with a short stack of
pancakes for $7.00. She chose eggs over and bacon. By the time I got the camera
out she was already remaking her plate into an egg and pancakes sandwich. The
eggs were cooked order, the bacon crisp and not soggy. The pancakes well cooked
and with that the ethereal “golden brown and delicious.” She did enjoy her
breakfast very much; all very tasty. Coffee was an additional $1.35.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;">Abbie and
Mariano’s choices for breakfast with similar to ours. When I asked how their </span></span></span>food <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;">was they replied that
it was very good, as good as remembered, and they would be back for more. To
return for another meal in the future is perhaps the best accolade you can
bestow on the restaurant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;">TC Grill is
just a few moments automobile drive from downtown Maryville. For a nice place
the, serving good food, and a friendly atmosphere, it is not far away from
anyone in Maryville or Alcoa.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;">There menu is posted below.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<a href="http://www.thedailytimes.com/business/t-c-s-grill-under-new-ownership/article_ff55e341-0882-508e-99d2-de188d2fe779.html" target="_blank">For more information about TC's Grill...</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVhCYmgAnJxCDzK0vya-dLhcas4R0d34DDkJhL4dmdEnFSK5mFt-jG9-Rr76Q8RxDrFN_0MgTXfBcEQLV0teXHwb7-aOSq8WcJgSat_Dp61ShfwOMdsrXtpsBgK6rNUklVCw/s1600/Menu-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVhCYmgAnJxCDzK0vya-dLhcas4R0d34DDkJhL4dmdEnFSK5mFt-jG9-Rr76Q8RxDrFN_0MgTXfBcEQLV0teXHwb7-aOSq8WcJgSat_Dp61ShfwOMdsrXtpsBgK6rNUklVCw/s200/Menu-01.jpg" title="Menu - Front Page" width="156" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nXddIjuYHnI4g_8iwzFzvDDZ5HRBMNa6RJtAxXTwXnLahYm7Z_s3fx41x1m8-7yrGVZYZ5BqlflWh-_CqqnDkRlyw8ybo40Uj4cuP6QpZJ15XkLsywNJSY9Uonb2tRdjceY/s1600/Menu-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nXddIjuYHnI4g_8iwzFzvDDZ5HRBMNa6RJtAxXTwXnLahYm7Z_s3fx41x1m8-7yrGVZYZ5BqlflWh-_CqqnDkRlyw8ybo40Uj4cuP6QpZJ15XkLsywNJSY9Uonb2tRdjceY/s200/Menu-02.jpg" title="Mednu - Back Page" width="159" /></a></div>
That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0Blount County, TN, USA35.710994642624946 -84.01176452636724435.704548142624944 -84.021849526367248 35.717441142624949 -84.001679526367241tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-10459546905018787722016-05-05T12:53:00.001-08:002016-06-06T14:48:28.605-08:00Chicken Chow Mein for Breakfast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ9WdK7RADvoqBBIAhRAs142E3LaEVG7CSUUE0MgEuWjI3HeMAIKk2Lf7sFicjPysB4OyS0AGLEju1hpRUeun1lspqBlFqrCG3ZQXRuf6d-kpISm4bCCoYbFwmyUXqRLqelQ/s1600/IMGP0001SM+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ9WdK7RADvoqBBIAhRAs142E3LaEVG7CSUUE0MgEuWjI3HeMAIKk2Lf7sFicjPysB4OyS0AGLEju1hpRUeun1lspqBlFqrCG3ZQXRuf6d-kpISm4bCCoYbFwmyUXqRLqelQ/s320/IMGP0001SM+-+Copy.JPG" title="All the goodies for chow mein cooking in the wok." width="320" /></a></div>
<h4>
Chicken Chow Mein for Breakfast</h4>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It is true. This blog is about chicken chow mein for
breakfast. It’s not just for dinner anymore! Chicken chow mein is for breakfast
too. But seriously, it is also about a tip to save time and some money<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Back in my Florida days, shopping at the Publix Super
Markets, I saw in the meat section small packages of diced ham sold in 8-ounce
packages and labeled as “recipe ready” packages. As such they were just the
right size to make lunch and served ham salad sandwiches, or to make a
wonderful ham and cheese omelet. No need to buy a 10 pound piece ham when
you’re only going to use a handful to start.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, that brings me today. We buy our chicken in the
multi-piece pack from the big-box stores and I repackage when we get home into
smaller portions. A lot of the times the chicken breast will have rough edges
or pieces of the tenderloin still attached. I trim those small pieces of
chicken and place them in a separate bag. And presto, I have recipe ready
chicken.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Place the diced pieces of the raw meat on a plastic film or
parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Cover with a sheet of plastic film and
place in the freezer until fully frozen. Remove the cookie sheet and place the
frozen meat chunks into a Zip-Lock freezer storage bag for short term storage
or into a Vacu-Seal bag for long term storage. Freezing them before bagging keeps them from sticking together; it is easy to grab a cup or handful as you need them. <strong><em>Observe safe food handling
procedures.<o:p></o:p></em></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I used a bit of that recipe ready chicken to make my chow Mein
this morning for breakfast. Normally, my preferred breakfast is a serving of hash
browns (I like to make my own but I usually make too much so I use the little
already cooked prepared hash brown patties), and egg, and usually one strip of
the pre-cooked bacon (that saves a lot of frying time) and sometimes they slice
of buttered toast with a little dab of jam. As I said it’s my preferred usual
but sometimes a little difference is appreciated.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I just happened to have in the refrigerator a bag of bean
sprouts and some Chinese Peapod’s. There is a long story about those but that
is for another day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In short order I assembled all the goodies to make my chow
Mein. I sliced up some celery, a bit of roasted red pepper, a small onion, some
sliced baby carrots, a clove of garlic and went to work. I use my five dollar
Walmart wok. The thin steel heats quickly on the ceramic stovetop so the
stovetop doesn’t get too hot. I preheated, added a bit of canola oil, watched
it smoke, and tossed in my chicken. I stir-fried until the chicken was browned
but not quite cooked all the way through. To save a bit of time I directly
added the vegetables but held back the bean sprouts and pea pods. I stir-fried
the vegetables until the celery was just tender. I then added the sprouts and
pea pods along with a few mushrooms that had been cooked the day before,
mushrooms that I put on just about everything else. While that was cooking, I
made a slurry of a rounded teaspoon of chicken base, a quarter cup of water,
and a few drops a sesame oil, and a good sprinkle of soy sauce with a
tablespoon of added cornstarch. I seasoned with salt, pepper, and some MSG.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzv9TxEYHQf_fFu0LVseGsuZu1u4YLWQwc2wo3cltaeAdD2EHhYqWbinQsoQ_1IfnQVfCtrSA8EkDohSd6OZKokBfLIViUmaP-A2c5eWoX4bzIYZdFx2IUEYIxhVmUlfTg7Dg/s1600/IMGP0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzv9TxEYHQf_fFu0LVseGsuZu1u4YLWQwc2wo3cltaeAdD2EHhYqWbinQsoQ_1IfnQVfCtrSA8EkDohSd6OZKokBfLIViUmaP-A2c5eWoX4bzIYZdFx2IUEYIxhVmUlfTg7Dg/s320/IMGP0002.JPG" title="Time for a delicious breakfast: a bit out of the ordinary but delicious nonetheless. Try it, I'm sure you'll like it." width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Also while I was cooking, I boiled up a package of Ramen
noodles. I added the flavoring packet to the water. When they were cooked
through I drained noodles into a colander. When bean sprouts were just tender,
I added the slurry and stir-fried until the sauce thickened. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put the drained noodles on a plate
and then ladled on half of the stir-fried mixture (the other half will be
breakfast tomorrow). However tomorrow, I will use a bowl instead of a plate
because it is easier that way with chopsticks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I enjoyed those two chow mein breakfasts but I would never
have made the batch if I did not have the diced chicken in a convenient, ready
to use small portion. I plan on keeping a supply of diced, ready to use small
portions of chicken as well as some beef and even make my own diced ham handy-pack
for the freezer. I never know when the impulse to experiment in the kitchen
will come but I will be ready when the urge strikes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h4>
Just remember, with the possible exception of the ham, the
meats, chicken and beef are raw and all precautions need be observed when handling,
preparing, freezing and storing the raw meats to prevent contamination and the possibility of causing a food-borne illness.<o:p></o:p></h4>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Using my stash of Recipe-Ready chicken pieces, I had fun cleaning out the refrigerator and was rewarded for my efforts with some delicious meals. Best wishes from Tennessee, home of chicken chow mein for breakfast!</span>That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0Blount County, TN, USA35.7382401936895 -84.08002942800521935.7380386936895 -84.080344428005219 35.7384416936895 -84.079714428005218tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-38864619895809007842015-11-04T16:41:00.000-09:002015-11-07T09:44:38.228-09:00Jim Beam Applewood Smoked Bacon Wrapped Filets<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbur9pZ3IEDWDxBm6Dz7YobzAUjiDzIB6XasEt7_UbUjBJjjt7sRIRzFOUPSTHksu3zZAAKIHlAHeFb4ev_mESCglbePIU3Rj8d-XPlC0BX-IWoRrD-MzEaMmnEBDlF4r3pHA/s1600/jbfilet-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbur9pZ3IEDWDxBm6Dz7YobzAUjiDzIB6XasEt7_UbUjBJjjt7sRIRzFOUPSTHksu3zZAAKIHlAHeFb4ev_mESCglbePIU3Rj8d-XPlC0BX-IWoRrD-MzEaMmnEBDlF4r3pHA/s640/jbfilet-00.jpg" title="The Jim Beam Applewood Smoked Bacon Wrapped Filet package" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It is an old truism that you should never go grocery
shopping when you are hungry. Perhaps I was a little off my feed that day we
went shopping at the local Costco. The Jim Beam Applewood Smoked Bacon Wrapped
Filets caught my eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The box offered
eight 5-ounce steaks and four pouches of peppercorn bourbon sauce. The wife and
I are not big beef eaters but we like a streak now and then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is usually a way-to-big chunk of meat
and expensive to boot. At a couple of dollars apiece for a small steak once in
a while sounded like a pretty good deal. It didn’t seem logical that a big name
company like Jim Beam would lend themselves, at least knowingly, to a bad
product so we decided to try a box and see what was inside.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPebLZh2iNOTbFXpA7v8dNGUcvYzr425ZuUdhaThb3r5zhBx7emChRGDxR6u1v9vhNOtwr2IcHtJz8EZgFJsRrP77-LzgR86hE0L5iKVwlmq8l6_P4zZjKex-njsExRHBRAjA/s1600/jbfilet-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPebLZh2iNOTbFXpA7v8dNGUcvYzr425ZuUdhaThb3r5zhBx7emChRGDxR6u1v9vhNOtwr2IcHtJz8EZgFJsRrP77-LzgR86hE0L5iKVwlmq8l6_P4zZjKex-njsExRHBRAjA/s200/jbfilet-02.jpg" title="Applewood bacon wraped filet" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEao_wT7Bpt-J83jEilB8JZKqvHusJEJQX1LkJp8wdj-ubsfKCntcMl44mzvW4ggFzDTt6qa1mq6yeytv-kMPXb6JJo1ux-1k90ojxWVvIm5xX8IWFDODKkrxhNeJYa8Q51Es/s1600/jbfilet-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEao_wT7Bpt-J83jEilB8JZKqvHusJEJQX1LkJp8wdj-ubsfKCntcMl44mzvW4ggFzDTt6qa1mq6yeytv-kMPXb6JJo1ux-1k90ojxWVvIm5xX8IWFDODKkrxhNeJYa8Q51Es/s200/jbfilet-03.jpg" title="Applewood bacon wraped filet" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The bacon wrapped steaks are individually wrapped so it is
easy to take out what you need for the meal while the rest remain frozen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems one pouch of sauce is intended for
two steaks. I thawed the steaks overnight in the refrigerator. An hour or so
before cooking I opened the package to set them out to come to room temperature
before cooking. I thought I could smell the aroma and feel the texture of papain
and/or bromelain, meat tenderizers, in the marinade sauce although I could not
find them listed on the packaging label. I warmed the sauce pouch in a bowl of
hot water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpigdGvtc7NiLfRM-UEGnwZYTWRgrqkrCBFReZo3ahBASw6Zv3SQWEoKaGdw6spQV5ix2TjKYTLcwO6CopQiAuzKdVmw_tjNAXxdkiwaoTvjv3sWZjcC7sf9mWrZQgjWnjCEc/s1600/jbfilet-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpigdGvtc7NiLfRM-UEGnwZYTWRgrqkrCBFReZo3ahBASw6Zv3SQWEoKaGdw6spQV5ix2TjKYTLcwO6CopQiAuzKdVmw_tjNAXxdkiwaoTvjv3sWZjcC7sf9mWrZQgjWnjCEc/s320/jbfilet-04.jpg" title="The grill marks appear rapodly, all cooked in about 8 minutes" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It is a thick piece of meat so a hot grill will burn the
outside before the middle heats to the desired temperature. I preheated the
grill so the grill would leave the marks but I tuned the gas down to between
medium and low before grilling the steaks. There is apparently some sugar or
other sweetener in the marinade because the grill marks were dark and
distinctive. About four minutes per side gave an inside temperature of 145
degrees (and we all know the mantra, “Cooking times will vary depending on your
grill!”) The result was a nicely browned steak with distinctive grill marks and
a warm pink interior.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The bacon: That is the only part I had a problem with. I did
not have good results with the bacon. It always ended up cooked but it was soft
and sort of rubbery. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like bacon a lot
but I prefer my bacon crispy. As a result, I am ambivalent about the bacon
wrapping the steaks. It didn’t really add to the flavor of the steak though it
may have helped keep it moist. It was not particularly appetizing to me at least
when it was done and on the plate. Not to worry though, Chena, our dog, took
care of that problem for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbYwftmiGxI-WXe7X-zS65UUDUhowWdGcehnZFEhinNxfBF2QKotKlFd3emhj0BFTqO8lY2K0_xO3FUsC8rVPixyz6sb7T-75jyWVIabrSRTJMm2vimEUiuQpF0-lvTBRtN0/s1600/jbfilet-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbYwftmiGxI-WXe7X-zS65UUDUhowWdGcehnZFEhinNxfBF2QKotKlFd3emhj0BFTqO8lY2K0_xO3FUsC8rVPixyz6sb7T-75jyWVIabrSRTJMm2vimEUiuQpF0-lvTBRtN0/s320/jbfilet-01.jpg" title="Indidually wrapped steaks for convenoence and a pouch of peppercorn sauce" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The sauce: I am not usually a sauce fan. After all, all a good
steak needs is some smoke from the grill and a sprinkle of salt. It has always seemed
to me that if it needs a lot of sauce it wasn’t a good steak to start with.
Since this is where the Jim Beam gets into the act, I was eager to at least
sample the sauce. I tasted some on my finger and some on a part of the steak. Although
it has been many, many years since I have tasted it, the Jim Bean Peppercorn
Sauce evoked strong memories of A-1 Steak Sauce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure I could tell the difference
between the two in a blind taste test at this moment. I did, however, set some
aside for the next time I grill hamburgers. I am anxious to see how it will be
as a seasoning condiment for burger patties. I have a hunch it might be pretty
good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The steak: It is not the best steak in the world nor is it
the worst. A filet: a piece of meat without any bone. So, here we have a
5-ounce piece of cow but where did it come from. It certainly isn’t Kobe beef,
Angus or a filet mignon. It is solid piece of meat without any marbling; a
working muscle. Perhaps it is sirloin or similar cut of meat. It does have good
flavor but it tends to be a bit on the tough side and a bit chewy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you had been served this steak at an
upscale steak house you would have been disappointed and maybe even sent it
back to the kitchen. And yet it was much better than the steak you would have
been served at a chain bargain steak house of some years back that was often the
butt of comedian’s jokes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9633k7k5gzpfnWnaH04zMcoNJaVY6RHkj28ffI6GU4L6ONaJX1r0VyawMXLt25jPGW1dU4uSa3WEgzzHrH4jtR69ZWTK0IHiHPyrnp-ozEWHPJ_BRcQK_LjeQIzl8VW5DAc/s1600/jbfilet-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9633k7k5gzpfnWnaH04zMcoNJaVY6RHkj28ffI6GU4L6ONaJX1r0VyawMXLt25jPGW1dU4uSa3WEgzzHrH4jtR69ZWTK0IHiHPyrnp-ozEWHPJ_BRcQK_LjeQIzl8VW5DAc/s320/jbfilet-05.jpg" title="Make it a surf and turf for a full, satisfying meal" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">To sum up, a fairly tasty piece of meat, adequate for a
meal, albeit it is a bit on the tough side. Perhaps all it really needs is a
pinch of salt rather than the steak sauce (unless you are into the steak sauces
which then brings it into the realm of personal preference). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bacon adds a bit of glamor in the name but
does little to really enhance the steak. The real strength of this product is
the convenience. It is an “okay” steak,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>frozen, waiting in your freezer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
short order you can grill on the gas or charcoal grill or one of the electric
parallel plate grills and have a nice looking, tasty meal on short order. Pair
it, as we do, with a baked potato, some shrimp for a surf and turf and you have
an easy to prepare, full satisfying meal to satisfy your carnivore instincts all in the comfort of your home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com3Blount County, TN, USA35.738491086570349 -84.08034324645996135.735269086570348 -84.085385746459963 35.74171308657035 -84.075300746459959tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-45838666917643164742015-08-28T19:40:00.000-08:002015-08-29T13:43:13.767-08:00Gander Mountain Sportsman's Seasoning Tex Mex Rub<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52MhsfVhipB753pyBk6mdCCnoh7xJglHWiFj5ZEL2qA6MX6DsTW3DcaZuIJ1-u1ikcezYlfjQPdt2hkeCQNZlvkiGQPK40HGBC_PkbpT1mH6h5iZcWAS5ZUEnLwMI9CknfVU/s1600/gmtexmex00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52MhsfVhipB753pyBk6mdCCnoh7xJglHWiFj5ZEL2qA6MX6DsTW3DcaZuIJ1-u1ikcezYlfjQPdt2hkeCQNZlvkiGQPK40HGBC_PkbpT1mH6h5iZcWAS5ZUEnLwMI9CknfVU/s320/gmtexmex00.jpg" title="Grilled Tex Mex chicken with rice and beans" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52MhsfVhipB753pyBk6mdCCnoh7xJglHWiFj5ZEL2qA6MX6DsTW3DcaZuIJ1-u1ikcezYlfjQPdt2hkeCQNZlvkiGQPK40HGBC_PkbpT1mH6h5iZcWAS5ZUEnLwMI9CknfVU/s1600/gmtexmex00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">The wife and
I went shopping at Gander Mountain the other day. While she was looking for
clothing items, I wandered about the camping and cook-out areas. I found a bean
crock on sale. I have always wanted a bean crock and it looked like this was
the time to get one. There will be another blog about the bean crock later.
While I was strolling through the aisles, I came across a rack of store brand
spices. One of them caught my eye; Gander Mountain Sportsman’s Seasoning
Specialty Blend Tex Mex Rub. Ever since McCormick stopped making their </span><span style="color: #414141;">Fajita Marinade and Seasoning (and went to that junk in
the envelopes) I have been looking for a substitute. The label promised a
savory garlic and onion with chili for a zesty flavor. I picked up a bottle to
try it out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPxGEXnEL7ywK-CheP6zsCH-VGFC8RzDIrkj3mXEzbdsjn4YSQEGcliC3-PmunJfTKnvCM1wil2vKcjDtkypRhLKhVLd3zEVFoT-LNTnQSpLa3UfHtH2K2jHZpABe1Iy_lEI/s1600/gmtexmex02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPxGEXnEL7ywK-CheP6zsCH-VGFC8RzDIrkj3mXEzbdsjn4YSQEGcliC3-PmunJfTKnvCM1wil2vKcjDtkypRhLKhVLd3zEVFoT-LNTnQSpLa3UfHtH2K2jHZpABe1Iy_lEI/s320/gmtexmex02.jpg" title="Gander Mountain Tex Mex Spice Rub" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #414141; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
let a couple of large boneless and skinless chicken breasts partially thaw. I butterflied
the breasts and seasoned both sides with a moderate amount of the Tex Mex Rub.
I placed the breasts in the refrigerator to finish thawing. An hour before
grilling, I put the chicken on the kitchen counter and let the chicken warm to
room temperature.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #414141; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
preheated the grill, a nice scorching grill plate to make nice grill
marks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I placed the chicken on the
grill, closed the cover and reduced the gas to maintain about a 350˚F. I cooked
for 2 minutes and then turned the chicken pieces. I cooked an additional 2
minutes then turned and rotated the chicken pieces to make crisscross grill
marks. I cooked an additional 2 minutes and then turned the chicken on to the
last side and cooked an additional 2 minutes, a total of 8 minutes. I checked
the temperature and had an internal temp of 150˚. I grilled for an additional 1
minute and pulled them chicken from the grill just as they reached 170˚.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhoIzx1cvN0FfsQrIot4aRGy6-W5Muu9V-Hn6TbklZodufTwA299sBuFmXRrZ2tsTzmsuIxEd5XIRofL8ynOefulMqA7fT3w3OgrJzWIDUULqYzte7TwDTPeKjvrpv8NPu8k/s1600/gmtexmex03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhoIzx1cvN0FfsQrIot4aRGy6-W5Muu9V-Hn6TbklZodufTwA299sBuFmXRrZ2tsTzmsuIxEd5XIRofL8ynOefulMqA7fT3w3OgrJzWIDUULqYzte7TwDTPeKjvrpv8NPu8k/s200/gmtexmex03.jpg" title="Grill - keep temperature about 350" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UaX13bwcTN64nrGZU0t5qGgTlB2_u5k_N4BN-Lc2RzRJFTgGJCU3XPxu_MLlCAXvonOBPGlqUJBUR-vYKbbNf254Gk6JjFik8mDhFoLnzVIH4oJaaIzLqe2pwOgBlcQu208/s1600/gmtexmex01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UaX13bwcTN64nrGZU0t5qGgTlB2_u5k_N4BN-Lc2RzRJFTgGJCU3XPxu_MLlCAXvonOBPGlqUJBUR-vYKbbNf254Gk6JjFik8mDhFoLnzVIH4oJaaIzLqe2pwOgBlcQu208/s200/gmtexmex01.jpg" title="Chicken with Tex Mex rub seasoning" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #414141; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To
go with the chicken I made some Spanish rice and some refried beans. Not
overcooked, the chicken was moist and it was tender. The main spices in the mix
are salt, chili powder (with oregano and a few other things) cumin, black
pepper, paprika, onion and garlic. It makes for a nice balanced flavor, none of
the flavors overpowering the others. The moderate seasoning I did make for a
piece of chicken with a very nice spicy flavor. If I were going to make fajitas,
where the pieces of chicken are mixed with the peppers and onions, the sour
cream and the guacamole, I would probably double up on the Tex Mex spice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVv8dEsBCJCEzRklkTzUF5-XumvDWpEn9O_3jb7cI9z3azag824SGNOmZ1_05VOOnWMeG_02vVPoVTq39wJ7SI3FBZvggXkVWlpiA86xdpbwvfqo_jqaBAYBk0xKGkGmKe4w/s1600/gmtexmex05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVv8dEsBCJCEzRklkTzUF5-XumvDWpEn9O_3jb7cI9z3azag824SGNOmZ1_05VOOnWMeG_02vVPoVTq39wJ7SI3FBZvggXkVWlpiA86xdpbwvfqo_jqaBAYBk0xKGkGmKe4w/s200/gmtexmex05.jpg" title="A deicious meal." width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNX5kmnV2Xm5ZP0hxu0Dao3Ww1B0s2NsiXOG3KmAm_s8jyZ7B0ZxOywIxJMIslNW_w0kQptE7k50Sx3NKwFywVqNznh7ccA7sL4CAE6kyAnW4-D0WOm5iAkBpvbDSiToNirc/s1600/gmtexmex04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNX5kmnV2Xm5ZP0hxu0Dao3Ww1B0s2NsiXOG3KmAm_s8jyZ7B0ZxOywIxJMIslNW_w0kQptE7k50Sx3NKwFywVqNznh7ccA7sL4CAE6kyAnW4-D0WOm5iAkBpvbDSiToNirc/s200/gmtexmex04.jpg" title="Pull the chicken from the grill at an internal temp of 170" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #414141; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
wife and I both enjoyed our meal and we agreed that the chicken was very good.
Considering we are having left-overs tomorrow that is a good thing. It wasn’t
as good as the McCormick Fajita Spice I remember form long ago but it has
earned a place on my spice shelf and it is certainly much better that the stuff
McCormick puts in those little envelopes today and calls it fajita spice. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #414141; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
did look up this particular spice on the Gander Mountain website. As far as I
can tell, it just isn’t listed. I don’t know if it is s discontinued product (Oh,
great. Here we go again, just like McCormack.), if it is just a limited
circulation product, or perhaps a new product that has yet to be added to the
online catalog. Either way, if you are in the neighborhood of a Gander Mountain
store, stop in and pick up a bottle of the Tex Mex Rub. I think you will enjoy
it. Let me know how you like the spice.</span></span></div>
That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0Blount County, TN, USA35.73852383062043 -84.08068656921386735.732079330620429 -84.090771569213871 35.744968330620431 -84.070601569213864tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-19316698783208563362015-05-07T11:30:00.000-08:002015-05-13T12:50:06.777-08:00TerraMar Brazilian Steakhouse - Pinellas Park FL<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7klux9fSIuAAwZCGAOsDg0qQGP3rCaiw68zNocgCKmcUNJt-ve3c9fQuFE_qEBJzXHFoJr4HS1PipidRaqliqs7AYe11PHnNz-mfMu_spEIfh3hC3wTOXpW5n8QkxS_SQTrU/s1600/terramar00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7klux9fSIuAAwZCGAOsDg0qQGP3rCaiw68zNocgCKmcUNJt-ve3c9fQuFE_qEBJzXHFoJr4HS1PipidRaqliqs7AYe11PHnNz-mfMu_spEIfh3hC3wTOXpW5n8QkxS_SQTrU/s400/terramar00.jpg" title="Effie, Janis and GIl at the TerraMar in Pinellas Park" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Terra Mar Brazilian Steakhouse<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">6715 49<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> St No<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pinellas Park, FL 33781<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(727) 525-1100<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="http://www.terramarsteakhouse.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.terramarsteakhouse.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Open 11:00AM until 9:00PM <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">and until 10:00PM Fri and Sat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Closed Mondays<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As our moving day neared, my wife’s Aunt Effie and Uncle Gil asked to take us out to lunch. They reasoned that it would be a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>long time before we could go out to lunch together again. I was all for the idea. Whenever anyone wants to take me out to lunch, I am for the idea. I was assigned the task of finding a suitable place to eat. Ordinarily an easy task, it was not so in this case as there were some very definite likes and dislikes to be considered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2vfbgfm70To35hUezBLauEf9327_2sKbe3zGzmAY3QyWOHww4SrhCk4KSxB9-4MZlbbEpNDQnj5rZ1TRwAZIcAEPZ4ypJYo4OCwhyphenhyphenI4TIozprg7aZm7LYJwCnRN2sz3iIug/s1600/terramar01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2vfbgfm70To35hUezBLauEf9327_2sKbe3zGzmAY3QyWOHww4SrhCk4KSxB9-4MZlbbEpNDQnj5rZ1TRwAZIcAEPZ4ypJYo4OCwhyphenhyphenI4TIozprg7aZm7LYJwCnRN2sz3iIug/s320/terramar01.jpg" title="The buffet, the cold side." width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We, my wife and I, have driven past the TerraMar almost weekly on our errands and each time I wondered what it was like. When I was assigned the task of selecting the restaurant, the TerraMar came to mind. Last year we all had dined at another <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Churrasco</i> restaurant across the bay in Tampa. Everyone enjoyed that dining experience. It is close to home, of a type already enjoyed, and a check of the online reviews provided a positive picture of the TerraMar. Also, in checking the online menu, the lunch prices were very reasonable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We drove over to Seminole and picked up Aunt Effie and Uncle Gil. It was about a twenty minute drive in mid-day surface street traffic. The restaurant was open but we were the first to arrive. There was a tree shaded parking spot right in front of the restaurant. We entered to the aroma of meat roasting over a charcoal fire. If we weren’t hungry before we were now!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpJuGSFrP6yiJVgt-8n77OUhSQiW68ba-CUsJGXryg4bfBstbsZSt6O83G-iNVAxYMzyl1twSkvy0Fbm1N5j59xDmHNRFUMHqdD_B1pIzX-TKmz6NCRqqLQLYAni9xWCwvME/s1600/terramar02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpJuGSFrP6yiJVgt-8n77OUhSQiW68ba-CUsJGXryg4bfBstbsZSt6O83G-iNVAxYMzyl1twSkvy0Fbm1N5j59xDmHNRFUMHqdD_B1pIzX-TKmz6NCRqqLQLYAni9xWCwvME/s320/terramar02.jpg" title="The buffet, the hot side." width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Marlete greeted us and showed us to our table. She was very vibrant, telling us all about the restaurant and our choices for the meal. Our beverage orders taken, we ambled to the buffet to start our meal. To those of you not familiar with the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Churrasco</i> style restaurant, it is a restaurant that serves grilled meat; many offering as much as you can eat. Most feature a large <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rodizio</i> grill where a charcoal fire roasts many skewers of meat at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Waiters, called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">passadores</i>, bring the skewers to the table and slice off portions of the various meats. There is usually a colored token of some kind to indicate bring more or, “I have had enough.” This style of service is popular in Southern South American nations and other Latin American countries. Legend has it that it is reminiscent of the fireside meat roast of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gauchos</i>, South American cowboys, herding cattle on the Pampas. The Pampas is a fertile plain extending from southern Brazil, across Uruguay and into Argentina.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitP6-9pdm9lfqN_Czjz5-BBAnqUA1zrkO2Q6yUmWcSOr8CRJmPviBnMMV_h6IKLLCi7wLeRJ-Nd370BWe9tGwEHf6FzfkBdGhhKSq5GkxX-ifVLMnMTIkTQwm3zHQwqrjoZJw/s1600/terramar03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitP6-9pdm9lfqN_Czjz5-BBAnqUA1zrkO2Q6yUmWcSOr8CRJmPviBnMMV_h6IKLLCi7wLeRJ-Nd370BWe9tGwEHf6FzfkBdGhhKSq5GkxX-ifVLMnMTIkTQwm3zHQwqrjoZJw/s320/terramar03.jpg" title="A sampling of the offerings from the buffet." width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For lunch or dinner, the options are the same; the difference being the price. There is a buffet, a cold side and a hot side each with about 10 offerings. There is also a cauldron of soup of the day. (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lunch – Hot and Cold Sides Only: $9.99 All you can eat. 11AM – 3PM 10 different kinds of hot sides. 10 different linds of salads and soup of the day</i>.) The second option is: (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lunch – Sides Plus Rotisserie Grill: $14.99 11AM – 3PM Top Sirloin, X Kebab, Pork Ribs, Chicken Drumsticks and our home made sausage</i>.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dinners and weekends are a bit more, $24.99 for the sides plus rotisserie grill but there are some added meats. Included are chicken breast with bacon, filet mignon with bacon, garlic steak, rib eye steak and lamb. There are some lunch and dinner entrees to order from the menu but I did not explore that option. Juice, soda, beer, wine and sangria are available.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSWjYTYobRiyl4BcgHaC2TB5aE2I1bM6qS1wJnhbxE83IOfPiKp8FGwZKFaztxsqjk9QzWVhuNJbXiTsXkgteNFJuhOEFiyxOFtwMxO4SwBAzxC794tBRdzTSbCuwHiqT9qY/s1600/terramar04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSWjYTYobRiyl4BcgHaC2TB5aE2I1bM6qS1wJnhbxE83IOfPiKp8FGwZKFaztxsqjk9QzWVhuNJbXiTsXkgteNFJuhOEFiyxOFtwMxO4SwBAzxC794tBRdzTSbCuwHiqT9qY/s320/terramar04.jpg" title="Our very personable passadore with roast meat offerings." width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A bit early for a heavy meal, my three companions chose to have the Hot and Cold Buffet. I, on the other hand, chose the Sides and Rotisserie Grill. Even taking tiny sample portions, it requires two trips to the hot and cold buffet to try everything. My first plate of buffet food included green salad with tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, chick peas and delicious house dressing. There was cold pasta salad, sweet potatoes, an excellent potato salad, rice, fried bananas, and fried white fish. It was a meal in itself but the best was yet to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">passadore,</i> who also seemed to be the kitchen man during the slow start to the lunch hour, came by often with skewers of roasted meat. A very personable young man, he provided me with many samples of delicious meats from the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rodizio</i>. I am nit a particular fan of dark meat chicken so any such offering will meet with keen scrutiny. There is minimum seasoning, salt perhaps, so it is chicken and grill smoke flavor; all very good. Chicken on the bone is hard to grill; getting the next to bone meat cooked without burning the outside is difficult. The slow roasting over the coals does an excellent job. The chicken was cooked through yet still very moist and most certainly not burned on the outside. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vLPgI7wLKia8qqn90QTBijaReb0mKU3yIYh0gfccbWKluJx9StHLoWj7bSz2oleNG8hm7wGa9c-yqv2kcKML881IqhUqGTz3bI-_YzZuwdp4gqSclD0wjBSZ7BE5RW45a9g/s1600/terramar05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vLPgI7wLKia8qqn90QTBijaReb0mKU3yIYh0gfccbWKluJx9StHLoWj7bSz2oleNG8hm7wGa9c-yqv2kcKML881IqhUqGTz3bI-_YzZuwdp4gqSclD0wjBSZ7BE5RW45a9g/s320/terramar05.jpg" title="Rodizio grill - a still frame form one of the restaurant's YouTube videos." width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The slices of top sirloin were excellent. Cooked medium rare, they were tender and full of roasted meat flavor; a minimum of seasoning. That particular cut became my favorite for the meal. My second favorite was the X Kebob (why the X I do not know but I will ask my next time there). Skewered with slices of green Bel pepper and onion, they are flavorful little chunks of meat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not as tender as the sirloin, they are however very tasty and go so well with the peppers and onions. I had several sausages over the course of the dinner. Homemade, they are very flavorful although I am not familiar with the spice combinations used. They are very tasty but I would have to learn to like them to make them a favorite.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With all of the tasty food available, my three lunch companions had more than enough to eat and were pleased with the selection of the TerraMar as the place to go for lunch. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal perhaps a bit to excess. I would definitely like to return to the TerraMar in the future and if not for lunch then perhaps to splurge a little and try out the other meats cooking on the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rodizio</i> grill. Good food, good conversaion and all shared with loving family; what could be better?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In researching the TerraMar, I came across these two videos on YouTube. Perhaps you would like to take a look.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1ob60eG-XM&"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1ob60eG-XM&</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uploaded <strong><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mar 22, 2013, and</span></strong></span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RguJf7fEZKc"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RguJf7fEZKc</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uploaded <strong><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dec 15, 2010.</span></strong></span><o:p></o:p></div>
That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0Pinellas Park, FL, USA27.880754442331646 -82.726707458496127.852683942331648 -82.7670479584961 27.908824942331645 -82.6863669584961tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-1109833070131288872015-01-02T15:00:00.000-09:002015-04-24T10:57:55.876-08:00The Hurricane Seafood Restaurant - Pass A Grille, Florida<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i6m2cGQqs3Kh_M9oUDw9NHFXe92IpV3FswsN9QOfyoznawZ6oGSESVn65g6X4z7WOkzwsT72dc8cEB96JKF6D7G8cswDlRIP_X-JvRV9RUJNECBkVuruR5KrXMMfMFUpcXY/s1600/hurricane00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i6m2cGQqs3Kh_M9oUDw9NHFXe92IpV3FswsN9QOfyoznawZ6oGSESVn65g6X4z7WOkzwsT72dc8cEB96JKF6D7G8cswDlRIP_X-JvRV9RUJNECBkVuruR5KrXMMfMFUpcXY/s1600/hurricane00.jpg" height="300" title="The Hurricane Seafood Restaurant, Pass A Grille, Florida" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
Hurricane Seafood Restaurant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">809 Gulf
Way<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St Pete Beach, FL 33706<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(727)
360-9558<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.thehurricane.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.thehurricane.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Open 7AM till close”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although it has been around for almost forty years, my
knowledge of the Hurricane Seafood Restaurant is new. I may have seen it on a
sight-seeing tour some years ago but it wasn’t until I read a newspaper article
about the restaurant that I became intrigued with the restaurant. Anything that
is called “world famous” usually deserves a second look. That was about the
middle of last year. I clipped out the article and set it aside. It wasn’t
until my sister, Pattie Sue, came from Idaho to spend her snowbird holiday with
us that I found the opportunity to try out the Hurricane. She was favorably
impressed and in her</span><a href="http://pattiesuefoodreview.blogspot.com/2014/11/hurricane-809-gulf-way-pass-grille-st.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">
food-blog</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> she tells why.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE__7da3-LFFAO52zqrVLeeaIJo0QuObG_mFlCnPxRxROvNfF0hmkS9eSAzPtNywiAQaPAXPg-LduaOEHDN7JmIhHRB_OUu4GWW_yGp9Q_EEK7PqBjV9TWNWA-rkGMg0i00ME/s1600/hurricane01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE__7da3-LFFAO52zqrVLeeaIJo0QuObG_mFlCnPxRxROvNfF0hmkS9eSAzPtNywiAQaPAXPg-LduaOEHDN7JmIhHRB_OUu4GWW_yGp9Q_EEK7PqBjV9TWNWA-rkGMg0i00ME/s1600/hurricane01.jpg" height="150" title="Roof top bar and patio" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My wife, Janis, was very positive about the experience and a
short time later, when her cousins came from Tennessee for their snowbird
holiday, we again visited the Hurricane Sea Food Restaurant. In this blog I get
to write about two almost back to back visits to the restaurant. I hope you
will enjoy recalling the moments with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before we even start discussing the restaurant, let us talk
about the parking. On street parking in Pass-a-Grille means metered parking.
You need lots and lots of quarters or a credit card. The parking spaces are
number coded and at intervals there are kiosks where you deposit your quarters
or insert you credit card to pay the fee. Then you get to take the receipt back
to your car to display and avoid a traffic ticket. Considering that The
Hurricane is across the street from one of the nicest beaches on the island,
and that all the public parking is curbside, no lots, on a nice day parking at
the hurricane can be a problem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJloFJdDWS9H0AEY7BJbuMrlrRoq-cTbi6QZWmTDjQX9DtyVDQk46fwu9QqiGMabrfI2W8rh8l2g8N0hAfR9wlaqsoM5hQ7azrwXs3eQsEOKZM-6FAmu6Qf0svsrngM21wks/s1600/hurricane03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJloFJdDWS9H0AEY7BJbuMrlrRoq-cTbi6QZWmTDjQX9DtyVDQk46fwu9QqiGMabrfI2W8rh8l2g8N0hAfR9wlaqsoM5hQ7azrwXs3eQsEOKZM-6FAmu6Qf0svsrngM21wks/s1600/hurricane03.jpg" height="150" title="Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On our first trip to the Hurricane, we thought ourselves lucky
as we found an empty parking space on the side street adjacent to the
restaurant. To begin with, we were not aware of the parking before coming to
the restaurant. We did not have many quarters. It was better to use a credit card
and avoid having to run out mid-meal and add more quarters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried and tried but I could not get the
machine to complete a transaction. Then I tried the quarters we did have; it
spit those back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed that our good
luck in finding a parking place was a sham. I would have to look for another
place near a working kiosk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While I was having a heated discussion with the parking
meter machine, the wife and sister were looking around. They motioned me to
come to the alley behind the restaurant. There is a small lot behind the
building. It is nondescript, has no signage and is unimproved as well as being
hidden behind the trees. All well and good and right behind the restaurant; I
drove in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gate keeper handed me a
brightly colored stub and said, “That will be twenty dollars, please.” Seeing
my look of shock and disbelief, he quickly added that it was to discourage
beach goers from using the restaurant’s lot and that the parking fee would be refunded
inside the restaurant. To make a long story short, park in the lot behind the
restaurant and avoid, if possible, parking on the street.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQUIIpZ0NEfENXMpCJE_SIxPFqNtt1Yt3xcFii934oknk1DcB8ftWCcL13Jh2RF7i8LPFPjYoPl0o6ZF5_rat42hrvS-mCSrZezo6XhXOrpw_Oh30FVde95niQJduwd8yDmc/s1600/hurricane04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQUIIpZ0NEfENXMpCJE_SIxPFqNtt1Yt3xcFii934oknk1DcB8ftWCcL13Jh2RF7i8LPFPjYoPl0o6ZF5_rat42hrvS-mCSrZezo6XhXOrpw_Oh30FVde95niQJduwd8yDmc/s1600/hurricane04.jpg" height="150" title="Our sidewalk table facing the Gulf of Mexico" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cousin Bill, his steady Sally, and cousin Nancy were our
guests for their snowbird getaway. A lunch at the Hurricane seemed to be the thing
to do. From southwest St Petersburg, it was a short drove through So Pasadena,
then along the hotel row of </span><a href="http://www.stpetebeach.org/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">St Pete Beach</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">,
pass the historic </span><a href="https://www.loewshotels.com/don-cesar/history"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Don
CeSar</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> hotel and then onto the picturesque island community of </span><a href="http://visitpassagrille.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Pass A Grill</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> where time passes to the
beat of a different drum. On this day I pulled into the parking area. There was
no one in sight. So I parked the car just like that was the thing to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was a mild and sunny day and a few cool libations on the roof-top
patio bar were just the thing to let us slow down to the pace of living. The
roof top bar is a place for snacks and sipping on tall cool drinks. The view
was excellent. We looked out over the serene waters of Gulf of Mexico. Below
people of all ages were enjoying the white sandy beach, sunning, running,
playing and swimming. After a bit, our appetites honed by the salty sea
breezes, we went down stairs (on this day it was a long walk indeed as the
elevator was not operating). I haven’t been to the Hurricane enough to know all
the ins and outs but it seems (and correct me if I’m wrong) that the roof top
bar is more of a casual meeting place, the second floor a more formal dining
room better suited for the dinner crowd, and the lower, street level floor a
casual café with indoor and sidewalk table service. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We chose a table facing Gulf Way with a view across the
beach and the Gulf. It was a picnic-style table under the second story
overhang. That provided a bit of shade against the bright and hot sun but let
the breezes across the water cool us. All relaxed, at ease with the world, it
was now time to eat. Our server that day was Amber, a pleasant young lady who
worked hard to make our day an enjoyable one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBupqLXxY4EYDDXjYGvRnm49phjEM8r-Ecz0jl5i9l8doh387nW5it2VGtvAGixjwJ0McMHvN_VAXf7kL_9ZGPTEd-tVBryaF8Os7yO7bFSoAFyQ6fmSALhSQS9z3mfdgiQk/s1600/hurricane05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBupqLXxY4EYDDXjYGvRnm49phjEM8r-Ecz0jl5i9l8doh387nW5it2VGtvAGixjwJ0McMHvN_VAXf7kL_9ZGPTEd-tVBryaF8Os7yO7bFSoAFyQ6fmSALhSQS9z3mfdgiQk/s1600/hurricane05.jpg" height="239" title="Gator Bites" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cousin Bill has an adventuresome spirit. For an appetizer he
chose <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gator Bites</b> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Right from the bayou. Tender bites of alligator
hand breaded, lightly fried in rice bran oil and served with barbecue sauce,
$10.00</i>) About 10 pieces of gator, fried golden brown and served with a
small cup barbecue and some wedges of lemon and lime; with some urging, everyone
tried a bite at least if only just for curiosity. “It tastes like chicken,” is
a common assertion when trying to describe the flavor of an unfamiliar food. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given the evolutionary kinship between birds
and reptiles, we can see and understand the connection and it does hold true
here to a certain degree. Indeed, gator does taste a bit like chicken
(certainly not ham, or beef streak to be sure) but not just like chicken. It
was not a bad or repellent flavor but one that would require a bit of
acclimatization to become a readily accepted flavor. It was fun, passing the
plate around, trying a new and novel food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBjvVOIKR4EfN4iy3QL3KQDjrkbRWKFNlSxDWu9vBvU0-AvQDLsCE4mmpHKra5ASsrfmcNYbopDEPpN2K-wkJJ96JWJ3-1A0JNBXlhbYC3MsoOb4X9nF9Oz0hlHGkRuyjJ74/s1600/hurricane06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBjvVOIKR4EfN4iy3QL3KQDjrkbRWKFNlSxDWu9vBvU0-AvQDLsCE4mmpHKra5ASsrfmcNYbopDEPpN2K-wkJJ96JWJ3-1A0JNBXlhbYC3MsoOb4X9nF9Oz0hlHGkRuyjJ74/s1600/hurricane06.jpg" height="214" title="Janis' BLT on Cuban bread" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Janis, knowing the menu from her last trip to the Hurricane,
again chose the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Triple Decker BLT</b> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bacon, lettuce and tomato, served on your
choice of Texas toast, wheat, rye or local baked Cuban bread, $8.25</i>) She
chose the Cuban bread. It is an imposing triple-decker sandwich. There is more
than ample of everything, the lettuce, the tomato and the crisp fried bacon.
The flavor is good and the ingredients are fresh. With a side of fries it is a
more than adequate meal. If ever there is another trip to the Hurricane in the
offing, I suspect that the BLT would be Janis’ choice again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1RcNinW-L_noBacdvCO_b8fPZhTLS0RUCVkokCIfgVMo9kTMbAR_EVy2_zObCpzGIp0GNh4gufvO14CxOao3r678WpjB2nrTnj7ukzZUhRfzgWNPGTbJin-L7aOx0NGzAfBg/s1600/hurricane10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1RcNinW-L_noBacdvCO_b8fPZhTLS0RUCVkokCIfgVMo9kTMbAR_EVy2_zObCpzGIp0GNh4gufvO14CxOao3r678WpjB2nrTnj7ukzZUhRfzgWNPGTbJin-L7aOx0NGzAfBg/s1600/hurricane10.jpg" height="256" title="Bill's blackened grouper sandwich" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bill and Nancy spent much of their childhood in the Tampa
Bay area where grouper is the predominate game fish. So, it is not surprising
that they and Sally went for one of the famous staples of the Hurricane, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The World Famous Original Grouper Sandwich</b>
(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Since 1977, this is the one you have
heard about around the world. Fresh Gulf grouper cut daily, hand breaded to
order in the Hurricane original breading, lightly fried in rice bran oil.
Served on a corn dusted Kaiser bun with Duke’s specially made tartar sauce and
a fresh lemon wedge. The house recommends fried, broiled or blackened, Market Price
on this day was $11.00</i>) As luck would have it for the food blogger, they
each ordered a different grouper sandwich and provided a look at each variety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IqDFXIGxG2KoHCraowYOK8EvYVUOwk-t9g2d1R2Y7jf9Kga1_etwjlM8ovvGqNJLEErNJTCuw5NDZ-QRCp7_68ePHyR7zVu9cO9wqjCQR2HXbVG6dd1jUfZxC6IS-iowCcQ/s1600/hurricane08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IqDFXIGxG2KoHCraowYOK8EvYVUOwk-t9g2d1R2Y7jf9Kga1_etwjlM8ovvGqNJLEErNJTCuw5NDZ-QRCp7_68ePHyR7zVu9cO9wqjCQR2HXbVG6dd1jUfZxC6IS-iowCcQ/s1600/hurricane08.jpg" height="245" title="Sally's grilled grouper sandwich" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Billed ordered his blackened. The serving was a nice sized
piece of well blackened fish that covered the bun. There was a crisp leaf of
lettuce, a slice of tomato and slices of red onion. A small cup or tartar sauce
and a side of crispy fried French fries completed the plate. He ate his
sandwich with gusto. Perhaps he was thinking back to teenage years and other
long-ago grouper sandwiches when the beaches were wide open and overcrowding
not a problem. He said it was a delicious sandwich and a wise menu choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sally ordered hers grilled. Again, the serving was a nice
sized piece of fish with pronounced grill marks, Served with the usual sides,
it was full sized meal for Sally who gave it a thumbs-up rating and a definite order
again menu selection.</span></div>
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</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqUrmHOwRoyBPMnUHkYDjKeJA9tJerAWwLxYY-9aUGJk8jos-jasDXomeuXEDYnphO-X0W21J1c9tWU75nNiBrj8ve-9gwzKoqsSgflX-ARFL9g8gRotNCbXHDMAkFaVokPk/s1600/hurricane09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqUrmHOwRoyBPMnUHkYDjKeJA9tJerAWwLxYY-9aUGJk8jos-jasDXomeuXEDYnphO-X0W21J1c9tWU75nNiBrj8ve-9gwzKoqsSgflX-ARFL9g8gRotNCbXHDMAkFaVokPk/s1600/hurricane09.jpg" height="239" title="Nancy's battered and fried grouper sandwich" width="320" /></a>Nancy ordered hers fried. Breaded and fried to a crispy golden
brown finish, the plate was completed with a side of fries and garnishes of
lettuce, tomato and red onion. She also gave the dish a big thumbs up for
flavor and freshness. Perhaps it too was a reminder of days long past when
teenagers hung out at the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Relying on past experience, I again ordered the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tilapia Fish and Chips.</b> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tilapia hand breaded to order, lightly fried
in rice bran oil and served with French fries and Hurricane house-made coleslaw,
$13.00</i>) It was a nice tilapia filet, breaded and fried golden and crispy,
the inside moist and tender. It had a very nice delicate flavor and just a
touch of tartar sauce or a spritz of lemon gave it all the zing you would want.
There was a serving of crispy fried potatoes and a side of coleslaw. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Made mostly of green cabbage with a touch of
purple cabbage and carrots, it was fresh, the vegetables crisp and tasty. The
dressing was a bit thin, not really clinging to the cabbage but it has a nice
zesty flavor. All in all, the fries and the slaw were a good paring with the
tilapia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-Pu1ivSgUGYNchxtHjohJR6z3rv4qI6mvU3mLFBInNoo7AoAW_k5aPqRI8wJ6jLyXpbuWeSjnkzWjxHMXGwT6QNOsMJI_Vk54D1_mnqbHOlmH8qKLMKpiCwIzwdRnbqkFnY/s1600/hurricane07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-Pu1ivSgUGYNchxtHjohJR6z3rv4qI6mvU3mLFBInNoo7AoAW_k5aPqRI8wJ6jLyXpbuWeSjnkzWjxHMXGwT6QNOsMJI_Vk54D1_mnqbHOlmH8qKLMKpiCwIzwdRnbqkFnY/s1600/hurricane07.jpg" height="216" title="Mt tilapia fish & chips, fries and coleslaw" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was a pleasant day, filled sunshine, the company of
friends and family and conversation over a delicious shared meal; a very good
day indeed. Just as we were winding down we noticed that the area was filling
quietly with law enforcement vehicles. There were many St Pete Beach officers,
Pinellas County Sheriff and many of those unmarked, dark sedans and SUV’s with
the tinted windows. I was beginning to wonder if maybe I should have waited
earlier for the parking attendant. We asked one of the officers what was going
on. He said, on the QT, that the Prime Minister of Canada, <span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Stephen Harper, visiting in the
local area that day, had requested to eat lunch at the Hurricane. I guess it is
world-famous after all. I’m sure the Prime Minister had as delicious a meal as
did we.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If one fine day you find yourself driving down the
seafront road and come across a big green gothic-looking building, on a corner
overlooking the sea, stop and enjoy the moment and enjoy a good meal in a
scenic setting.</span></span></span></div>
That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0Saint Pete Beach, FL, USA27.688647687180698 -82.73756504058837927.685132687180698 -82.742607540588381 27.692162687180698 -82.732522540588377tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-26679507643875833892014-12-28T13:30:00.000-09:002015-01-19T15:59:06.553-09:00Sam's Club Cafe - I Learned To Read The (Other) Menu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_N56q6u7Rxd882ULZz6RviF6T7BY3CEFjApvZ4PpDWggAUA5eph792KzQG9KV-TCnhcXjCwcRvv540149BCDY2_jlp5q2XxveNQtumkAAs-sZ21TY0_qR9ucX78nTgRy_YZM/s1600/BigMenu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_N56q6u7Rxd882ULZz6RviF6T7BY3CEFjApvZ4PpDWggAUA5eph792KzQG9KV-TCnhcXjCwcRvv540149BCDY2_jlp5q2XxveNQtumkAAs-sZ21TY0_qR9ucX78nTgRy_YZM/s1600/BigMenu.jpg" height="480" title="The big overhead menu with the most popular items." width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
Sam’s Club Café – I Learned to Read the (Other) Menu<o:p></o:p></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The wife and I made several trips to Sam’s Club this holiday
season. As usual, we planned the shopping trip round the noon hour so we could
have a very affordable lunch at Sam’s Club Café.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time it was a bit different than the
usual. During the last few visits I started reading the little menu, the one on
the wall behind the servers, nor the big, garish one over their heads; there is
more available that hot dogs, pizza and pretzels. I learned to read the
entirety of the menu and I found that there are two additional sandwiches available.
One is the Crispy Chicken Sandwich and the other is Italian Sausage with
grilled peppers and onions. It should be noted that these sandwiches are not
part of a combo deal and a soda is extra.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeZq1hnyv5qEgAg6NFWbvljA5wa1BOWH-U6eV4yXXgu2RUBnjkPPPJE7AyEu2PqcpXZiCnKCB6vM7dRv-o2eD6kblqBr1Sua61JEvpbDXVzHwHdGKE_3_2STOkeVgdFPy2zU/s1600/LittleMenu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeZq1hnyv5qEgAg6NFWbvljA5wa1BOWH-U6eV4yXXgu2RUBnjkPPPJE7AyEu2PqcpXZiCnKCB6vM7dRv-o2eD6kblqBr1Sua61JEvpbDXVzHwHdGKE_3_2STOkeVgdFPy2zU/s1600/LittleMenu.jpg" height="240" title="On the back wall, much smaller, the menu with the other assorted items available" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last shopping trip I sampled the Crispy Chicken Sandwich
($1.99). It was a breaded medium-sized chicken breast (not too much breading to
fool you into thinking it was a much larger piece of chicken), deep fried and
served in a round steamed bun. In keeping with the major sales being the hot dog
and a soda combo, self-service dispensers of mustard, relish and ketchup are
self-serve. Onions are available on request. That was not exactly what I had in
mind for the sandwich and found that mayonnaise is also available in those
single-serve packets on request. The edges of the chicken are indeed a bit
crispy and just a bit dry. The rest of the chicken piece was not exactly crispy
but the breaded coating firm, the chicken tender and moist; it did have a good
flavor. It is a basic sandwich, just a piece of deep fried breaded chicken
breast between two pieces of bread. If it fact it had some lettuce and a slice
of tomato it would have been a very good sandwich. However, lacking those
condiments, it was just an ordinary run-of-the-mill sandwich. Not bad but not
exceptional either. At $1.99, it is not as good a deal as the large hot dog and
soda combo for $1.50. On some future shopping foray into Sam’s Club I may want
a change from the dog and soda and will opt for the Crispy Chicken Sandwich
again but not soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After we finished today’s shopping for New Year’s dinner, we
took our usual noon meal break at the Sam’s Clun Cafe. The wife had her usual
pizza and soda combo. (After all, where can you take the wife to get something
to eat that she really likes and all it costs is $2.49?) I tried the Italian
Sausage Sandwich with Onions and Peppers ($2.69), the soda was extra ($0.89). A
total of about three and a half dollars, over twice the cost of the dog and
soda combo, it is a Sam’s Club premium sandwich and I was about to see if it
was worth the difference. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To digress for a moment; the hot dogs used at the Café are
larger than the average hot dogs you find in the deli case at your supermarket.
They are much larger, more like a Polish sausage in size. They are made by
Nathans and the flavor is not hot dog nor is it sausage but somewhere in between
and very tasty. Apparently they are not generally available to the public and
are not featured inside the Sam’s Club main store. However, you can buy them by
the case from the Café. Likewise, the buns are much larger than the usual hot
dog buns to accommodate the larger sausages.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVuBbVbtHZxSJm6Vx04mfPO4YGGeXWmjkfrmjAZsPvmctQCWYLE1A31yw8jKaByj8KEugIFAzFZuwDg7Wvy0eKDEtQ4Umqr6hku0YLyZhpb5w7u9FZrBPTUW4Gth20Pc1oOc/s1600/ItalianSausageSandwich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVuBbVbtHZxSJm6Vx04mfPO4YGGeXWmjkfrmjAZsPvmctQCWYLE1A31yw8jKaByj8KEugIFAzFZuwDg7Wvy0eKDEtQ4Umqr6hku0YLyZhpb5w7u9FZrBPTUW4Gth20Pc1oOc/s1600/ItalianSausageSandwich.jpg" height="240" title="Italian Sausage sandwich with peppers and onions." width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, back to the Italian Sausage Sandwich with Onions and
Poppers ($2.69); that was my choice for lunch today. The Italian sausage is a
little bit smaller and firmer in texture than its hot dog counterpart but does
a good job of filling the bun. There was a sufficient serving of grilled onions
and peppers though I personally would have liked a bit more. There was no need
for any dressing. The sausage was moist and with the additional moisture from
the onions and peppers there was no need to smear anything else on the
sandwich. The sausage had excellent flavor it was mildly seasoned, not spicy hot.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bun had been in the steam cabinet
and was soft and folded around the sausage and filling. I was able to eat the
whole sandwich without the bun splitting on the bottom and spilling the
contents. I was able to really enjoy the sandwich.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Which brings us to the question, will I order it next time.
As far as the taste and quality of the sandwich, I would order it again. I also
very much enjoy the Polish/hot dog (loaded with mustard, relish and onions).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would come down to the mood of the moment
and the difference in cost. The dog and soda combo is $1.50 and the Italian
plus a soda is $3.68. I will have to wait until the next time to see which way
I bend with the mood of the time. But that doesn’t stop me from saying that you
should perhaps try one of the Italian sausage sandwiches with onions and peppers.
You just might have a new favorite Sam’s Club Café sandwich.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">See
my first blog of Sam’s club Café August 30<sup>th</sup>, 2011 at <a href="http://thatfoodguy.blogspot.com/2011/08/sams-club-st-petersburg-fl.html"><span style="color: blue;">http://thatfoodguy.blogspot.com/2011/08/sams-club-st-petersburg-fl.html</span></a>
.</span>That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0Saint Petersburg, FL, USA27.800947916746217 -82.67658233642578127.772857916746219 -82.71692283642578 27.829037916746216 -82.636241836425782tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-22618599987952163702014-08-06T17:14:00.000-08:002014-08-06T13:17:40.653-08:00Texas de Brazil - Tampa, Florida<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIifa5rYnJ55Huz0SQHAZkNqL_rpL0XimG1MYpQOMrWbD5yaSeiSR4hUOicD0mMIC84CxkobSXruxSbeeieDxOALgJHd05oYI6f9dPbx3sgOY9qezFue44ISgc9bAqrRzTLG4/s1600/APartyOfSix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIifa5rYnJ55Huz0SQHAZkNqL_rpL0XimG1MYpQOMrWbD5yaSeiSR4hUOicD0mMIC84CxkobSXruxSbeeieDxOALgJHd05oYI6f9dPbx3sgOY9qezFue44ISgc9bAqrRzTLG4/s1600/APartyOfSix.jpg" height="300" title="Texas de Brazil - Brazilian Steak House in Tampa, Florida" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Texas de Brazil</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
4112 W Boy Scout Blvd</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Tampa, FL 33607</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
(813) 871-1400</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.texasdebrazil.com/">www.texasdebrazil.com</a> </h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fYzhU7R_lf5IcGsDcDXCLPvRmdegltboD0rPnjGJrPBZjRz9-7ZvvJewgHoLHkPy9xCCjh2eFN0Nk_zahBpN-fjMKKmrx-V2en713UxeFEJWpY8e1-pEaq1rOmeCZNdVydo/s1600/ATableForSix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fYzhU7R_lf5IcGsDcDXCLPvRmdegltboD0rPnjGJrPBZjRz9-7ZvvJewgHoLHkPy9xCCjh2eFN0Nk_zahBpN-fjMKKmrx-V2en713UxeFEJWpY8e1-pEaq1rOmeCZNdVydo/s1600/ATableForSix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fYzhU7R_lf5IcGsDcDXCLPvRmdegltboD0rPnjGJrPBZjRz9-7ZvvJewgHoLHkPy9xCCjh2eFN0Nk_zahBpN-fjMKKmrx-V2en713UxeFEJWpY8e1-pEaq1rOmeCZNdVydo/s1600/ATableForSix.jpg" height="240" title="A corner table for six" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many countries have traditions carried over from their
pioneering days. In the Western United States we have cowboys, trail drives and
barbecues that incorporate many of the unique flavors, ingredients and cultures
of the American Southwest. It is no different in the rest of the Americas. In
Mexico there are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">vaqueros</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">charros</i>. There are many regional names
in South America but we are probably most familiar with the cowboys of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pampas</i>. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pampas</i> is a large, flat and fertile plain that includes southern Brazil,
much of Uruguay and part of Argentina. We know those cowboys as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gauchos</i>. Each of those regions have
enshrined their cattle ranch hands in legend and frequent works of fiction much
as we have here created the cowboy myths. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Common to all are meals taken together either during the
cattle drives or at the end of the trail. Here we have the chuck wagon and the
barbecue with all the traditional Southwestern fare. In Southern Brazil they
have the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">churrasco,</i> Portuguese for
barbecue, it is meat on a skewer and roasted over coals. A <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">churrascaria</i> is a house where <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">churrasco</i>
is served. It may be served as proportioned meal on a plate or it can be served
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rodizio</i>, for a fixed price, all-you-can-eat.
When served <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rodizio</i>-style, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">passadores, </i>meat waiters, bring skewers
of the freshly roasted meats to the table and slice off pieces for the diners.
Common to most is a table top token that is used to signal ‘More’ or ‘No More.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRdwkb5CwU37Kvi0bVw84scQDc7dCiApT86GeLe_D5ysTLtvXiCOTJeBBoL3ejKbtl7vv5oijASOa2PKJlPP8UqKZDaZCbJFLd2jqiLMLlGkS-pyi3nVCzOjM2aqUCZmWloY/s1600/TdBBar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRdwkb5CwU37Kvi0bVw84scQDc7dCiApT86GeLe_D5ysTLtvXiCOTJeBBoL3ejKbtl7vv5oijASOa2PKJlPP8UqKZDaZCbJFLd2jqiLMLlGkS-pyi3nVCzOjM2aqUCZmWloY/s1600/TdBBar.jpg" height="150" title="The Texas de Brazil bar" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Churrascarias</i> are
not common here in the United States. There are a few chains and their presence
seems to be increasing. One of those chains, Texas de Brazil, is represented in
West Central Florida by their Tampa restaurant. It was our pleasure to be the
guest of my wife’s Aunt Effie and Uncle Gil for lunch at Texas de Brazil. I am
all for it when someone wants to treat me to lunch. Cousins Alan and Kyla were
also there. It all made for a compatible party of six.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZz9kIf7J1y2nXXNZVvrbXvUpA40R_Iydp5TDuPWsSOmhz3UZDGoPc7k_yPjaqHbelh09oHqwhj2OkBORLzeFkM5_MuHWaPL32bJRE7sS3H44leByLnLqcbObjeBgWWDSNwo/s1600/TdBDining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZz9kIf7J1y2nXXNZVvrbXvUpA40R_Iydp5TDuPWsSOmhz3UZDGoPc7k_yPjaqHbelh09oHqwhj2OkBORLzeFkM5_MuHWaPL32bJRE7sS3H44leByLnLqcbObjeBgWWDSNwo/s1600/TdBDining.jpg" height="150" title="Dining room, from the entry, looking towards the salad bar" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The restaurant building appears to have been purpose built. Nicely
furnished and maintained, it boasts of high-ceilings that maintains a low
ambient noise level; one can talk across the table in a normal voice. Center
stage, against the back window wall, is the soup and salad bar. They are open
daily during the dinner hours; 5 to 10 weekdays, 4 to 10 weekends. In addition,
they are open Friday 11 to 2, for lunch and Saturday and Sunday, 12 to 3, for
brunch (may vary with location). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
serve <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rodizio</i>-style for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pre</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">ç</span>o fixo</i>, a fixed price. With
each meal you can select just the salad bar, a meal in itself, of the meat
course which includes the salad bar. For <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dinner:</b>
salad bar $24.99 and meat course $44.99. For <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lunch:</b> salad bar $19.99 and meat course $24.99. For <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Brunch</b>: salad bar $19.99 and meat
course $24.99. A 10% discount is offered for seniors and a 15% discount is
offered for the military. Call for reservations. I would hazard a guess that
they use the reservation totals to schedule the meat going into the <i><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">churrasqueira. </span></i><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We arrived just about the appointed hour. The hostess showed us to our
seats within moments of our arrival. Our server, Camille, was there to greet us
and take our beverage orders. The restaurant does feature a full service bar
(where bar patrons can order downsized meals from their own menu) and a wine cellar
for wine by the bottle or the glass. Then it was a short walk to the salad and
soup bar.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_utZzvwYxxnT7RuHZomZJzDRJ5VlxNeMKxrZPsLE5bzinQsqDDEXJrHdF9zErlY3GZA-dH5m2P5Vr0X0ffIr4tbp-m8KjgeJ4w50g4_PTUf3Fj7PEs93cp2VjlYjNVgdRo4/s1600/TdBSaladBar-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_utZzvwYxxnT7RuHZomZJzDRJ5VlxNeMKxrZPsLE5bzinQsqDDEXJrHdF9zErlY3GZA-dH5m2P5Vr0X0ffIr4tbp-m8KjgeJ4w50g4_PTUf3Fj7PEs93cp2VjlYjNVgdRo4/s1600/TdBSaladBar-01.jpg" height="240" title="Part of the salad bar selections" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Salad bar is a bit of a misnomer; it is much more. The salad bar itself
is a free standing kiosk. Next to it is a serving counter with many tureens;
rice, black beans, au gratin potatoes, and </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">soup du jour (that day it was lobster
bisque. On the salad bar there are some small bowls of lettuce. But this salad
bar is not about the lettuce, it is the fifty or so other items to choose from
including salami, </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">prosciutto</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, shrimp, steamed asparagus, sliced
tomatoes, green beans, cheeses, olives and grilled sausages. Carnivores and
vegetarians alike can make a satisfying meal from the salad and soup bar.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJC_Zfi08R258DTWXod2Mto-NUc1y0KBR6GNqdQSgDJVlER1YyhKS9lveqtzXZIIASDMlh75M2KBNMjS5DDe7lYPcwXPVxk6nx_DpOrh5WdmboOF6mYRgFSNXMPQcLqkyWDPE/s1600/TdBSaladBar-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJC_Zfi08R258DTWXod2Mto-NUc1y0KBR6GNqdQSgDJVlER1YyhKS9lveqtzXZIIASDMlh75M2KBNMjS5DDe7lYPcwXPVxk6nx_DpOrh5WdmboOF6mYRgFSNXMPQcLqkyWDPE/s1600/TdBSaladBar-02.jpg" height="240" title="More of the salad bar selections" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Returning
to our seats we found the side dishes had already arrived, small bowls of
garlic mashed potatoes, sweet fried bananas and Brazilian cheese bread; little
almost bite sized pieces of tasty bread. As a side note, it was probably there,
somewhere, either on the salad bar or on the table. I am speaking of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">chimicchurri </i>sauce. It is a green sauce
made of parsley, garlic, olive oil and oregano. It is used as a serving sauce
for meats. I was anxious to try this unfamiliar sauce but forgot about it in
all of the activity.</span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You will have to tell me how you
liked the sauce on your next trip to Texas de Brazil.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk_a3FBMZ3j3YR4fEGkyYyYr9w5fPR5RUqCSUOGvyc6EhYFWTR7iKCf6lDBCQfaHhpJh7z_EVTUq2AK7c4SDlL4F9T9o1W_IKySndEOsASDSRd0PFadI54F9WgDqj2FE_we4/s1600/TdBSaladBarPlate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk_a3FBMZ3j3YR4fEGkyYyYr9w5fPR5RUqCSUOGvyc6EhYFWTR7iKCf6lDBCQfaHhpJh7z_EVTUq2AK7c4SDlL4F9T9o1W_IKySndEOsASDSRd0PFadI54F9WgDqj2FE_we4/s1600/TdBSaladBarPlate.jpg" height="240" title="My plate from the salad bar" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since we all were served from the same bowl, so to speak, I
will tell you about my meal as a collective for the table. At the salad bar I
chose the following; sausage, olives, marinated cucumbers, sliced tomatoes,
potatoes au gratin, pickled hot mix carrots, shrimp, potato salad, steamed
green beans and steamed asparagus, Genoa salami and some <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">prosciutto</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">. It would have been a fun meal all
by itself. I returned to the table and sampled awaiting the arrival of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">passadores</i>. Each of my selections was
excellent; taste and texture as you would expect it to be. Each place setting
has a small disc resembling a coaster. One side is green meaning <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">More Please</b>, and the other side red for
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">No More Thank You</b>.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkkljWDLMecy4CmmJ_1ZsvaJBbiUZ80qITC6AtBQx8lcWUJ_b6wL2dEr53cAZiTMiS5IDKs5B34t3EMbk341J2ZMUczQjOLR7u__f0bm3fT2yG1N1-pnRON8S3IMnXPe-QnY/s1600/TdBBBQRibs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkkljWDLMecy4CmmJ_1ZsvaJBbiUZ80qITC6AtBQx8lcWUJ_b6wL2dEr53cAZiTMiS5IDKs5B34t3EMbk341J2ZMUczQjOLR7u__f0bm3fT2yG1N1-pnRON8S3IMnXPe-QnY/s1600/TdBBBQRibs.jpg" height="200" title="Passadore with ribs" width="125" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRd7xWH0KpR9Mkoki34L2dkgdWp53HPVnezgsxdYSj7qv98XzA7GanX188_Dscs_ZKzkA80UvhGjBZ8b-Ev3DNDfaerR3oZoBlbrZw9LF72zYunnfBJJeoge62SF4gspkYdc/s1600/TdBBBQPorkLoin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRd7xWH0KpR9Mkoki34L2dkgdWp53HPVnezgsxdYSj7qv98XzA7GanX188_Dscs_ZKzkA80UvhGjBZ8b-Ev3DNDfaerR3oZoBlbrZw9LF72zYunnfBJJeoge62SF4gspkYdc/s1600/TdBBBQPorkLoin.jpg" height="200" title="Passadore with pork roast" width="110" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The meat, carried by the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">passadores</i>,
comes from the kitchen in batches. There were more than a dozen kinds, perhaps
less than twenty; too many to really keep track of. There are offerings of
lamb, many cuts of beef, pork and chicken. I passed on the lamb, not one of my
favorite meats. I did hear that it was very good. The beef; flank steak, ribs,
filet, etc., were all excellent. They are cooked to about medium rare inside.
If you prefer a more well done piece of meat you have to ask for an outside
cut. When the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">passadores</i> come to your
table, they are holding a large skewer of meat, a large sharp knife and a small
dimpled metal saucer. The dimpled saucer is placed on the table and the sharp
point of the skewer sits in the dimple. He then starts a slice down the length
of the meat. He waits until you use your tongs to grab hold of the meat and
then he completes the cut. Each place setting has a small tongs similar to a
sugar cube tongs. The meats are seasoned before cooking and you will have
little use for your salt and pepper shaker; all had excellent flavor, savory
and juicy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGhwz_WXCeK7kGLGTTZViUblZDjqgk3_oiLHOU9BRh-1RqfBZklY_tfGnpm-EoGyUyWsR3GZzgZ-k31WZcqFuwF07UTWYgh7Y_DQtGM3NiYmxAfkHs9szKr1Jm8BdlHYm1qs/s1600/IMGP3279+(1280x960).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGhwz_WXCeK7kGLGTTZViUblZDjqgk3_oiLHOU9BRh-1RqfBZklY_tfGnpm-EoGyUyWsR3GZzgZ-k31WZcqFuwF07UTWYgh7Y_DQtGM3NiYmxAfkHs9szKr1Jm8BdlHYm1qs/s1600/IMGP3279+(1280x960).jpg" height="150" title="Medalion asking for MORE!" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With such an over-abundance of food, I didn’t sample all of
the meat offerings. As I mentioned I passed on the lamb, but of all the other
selections, save one, were, to my tastes, excellent. The chicken thighs were
cooked skin on. That made for a very juicy piece of meat but also a bit greasy
with the chicken fat from the skin. It wasn’t bad but it was far from a
favorite piece. The side dishes, the garlic mashed potatoes, bananas and bread
were all excellent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAM3zKZ-DxJWgIIaEd2Dhuta8MMCoWDlzittE9EPHHJSCD0Ua4Y1sP61zrZp3KE8F-hLJxp-S_UHF7vogQ6xmXb6L-LtJCNfHI4t6LnlZ6TuZsT5XpzE2qDkKUdCHgjyNjbc/s1600/FullToTheBrim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAM3zKZ-DxJWgIIaEd2Dhuta8MMCoWDlzittE9EPHHJSCD0Ua4Y1sP61zrZp3KE8F-hLJxp-S_UHF7vogQ6xmXb6L-LtJCNfHI4t6LnlZ6TuZsT5XpzE2qDkKUdCHgjyNjbc/s1600/FullToTheBrim.jpg" height="240" title="Sated, full to the brim" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The manager was a busy fellow. He was never obtrusive,
almost always in the background, but he was there making sure everything was
working smoothly. Our server, Camille, did an excellent job. She kept our
glasses full and responded quickly to requests. Like a good server, she was a
very definite reason we had such a good meal, a good time at Texas de Brazil. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were all engrossed in after dinner chatter as the last of
our dinner plates were cleaned. Camille arrived with a large tray of dessert
items. Yes, there is a whole other menu page for dessert things. There were
some luscious looking items but there were no takers. We had all sated
ourselves on the meat and salad bar items. There was no room left for dessert;
we had gone from gourmet to gourmand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1miFNGzYTSEmmxwJmIBSuxz1IRVeunTpmFhSuwvvkgh_0ZaYJh4eYCSyekFgW_cRhZQoAsjdsuH9jNgptgkTGdMtkSKF6qQZCJnrvfn3OnsYbrWN_SHhCG9T6H_RzF9Mf2bY/s1600/Camille.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1miFNGzYTSEmmxwJmIBSuxz1IRVeunTpmFhSuwvvkgh_0ZaYJh4eYCSyekFgW_cRhZQoAsjdsuH9jNgptgkTGdMtkSKF6qQZCJnrvfn3OnsYbrWN_SHhCG9T6H_RzF9Mf2bY/s1600/Camille.jpg" height="240" title="Our congenial server, Camille" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was a great meal that we all enjoyed. A good meal is so
much more enjoyable with good company. Good company was in abundance at that
table. Save for the kindness of Aunt Effie and Uncle Gil, the dining at Texas
de Brazil might not have come to pass. I will always be thankful for their generosity
and courtesy. And all our thanks to the staff of Texas de Brazil for their kindness and service.</span></div>
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<br />That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0Carver City/Lincoln Gardens, Tampa, FL 33607, USA27.964053545630733 -82.5132465362549427.957041045630735 -82.523331536254943 27.971066045630732 -82.503161536254936tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-78665483617737228482014-06-21T14:07:00.000-08:002014-06-21T14:07:47.043-08:00Harold Seltzer's Steak House
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7IvmNM5PGExKnnpDueKxrda8CPMhWOqy1lrf1_0NfkXf0jpvCBtbH5ktCft01LyPDR-RG9OWcDscLMpYzk9vtTru_f1WNxv_IAEnU6AktVvwAZnjWWnH9qC67JBM1DfbQFw/s1600/Seltzers00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7IvmNM5PGExKnnpDueKxrda8CPMhWOqy1lrf1_0NfkXf0jpvCBtbH5ktCft01LyPDR-RG9OWcDscLMpYzk9vtTru_f1WNxv_IAEnU6AktVvwAZnjWWnH9qC67JBM1DfbQFw/s1600/Seltzers00.jpg" height="225" title="Seltzer's trademark fiberglass steers" width="400" /></a><br />
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Harold
Seltzer’s<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">3500 Tyrone Blvd N, St
Petersburg, FL 33710<br />
(727) 954-7777<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://seltzerssteakhouse.com/">http://seltzerssteakhouse.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">About this day</span></b>: Some days
are easy to keep track of; The Fourth of July, New Years, Christmas and
Thanksgiving are a few. Some other dates have a way of falling through the
cracks; birthdays and anniversaries are prime examples of two of those dates.
My wife remembered and, luckily, so did I. So, we made plans to go out to
dinner to celebrate. But where? That was the question. After deliberation, we
decided to return to Harold Seltzer’s where we celebrated our anniversary the
year before – sort of like making a family tradition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxW-WPpTqXgHL60BdXkV0OHYDPegyYCnpzuLB1B_y6RmBIttLJ_qy6K7oiovbVRbtEUiTIOj19vPA1x635OtjQ8K3m9CF5EsrbWXfSZ74A3Ke269eAX13vgechhE8_Pmk7vu0/s1600/Seltzers01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxW-WPpTqXgHL60BdXkV0OHYDPegyYCnpzuLB1B_y6RmBIttLJ_qy6K7oiovbVRbtEUiTIOj19vPA1x635OtjQ8K3m9CF5EsrbWXfSZ74A3Ke269eAX13vgechhE8_Pmk7vu0/s1600/Seltzers01.jpg" height="150" title="Ready for a great meal" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">About the
restaurant</span></b>: Harold Seltzer opened his first restaurants in 1995; he
named them Sam Seltzer’s in honor of his grandfather, Sam. Sam was a butcher in
Montreal. As a young apprentice in his grandfather’s shop, Harold learned about
beef. The restaurant was successful and expansion followed. The company opened
seven stores and employed upwards of 300 people. A downturn 6 or 7 years later
led to infighting. Harold sold his interest in the company in 2004 and his
cousin Michael Seltzer was in charge. The company acquired heavy debt and went
through a period of reorganization. There was no turnaround and about 2009
Michael ceded control of the company to the creditors. Although the restaurants
were doing business as normal, including selling gift cards, the creditors,
without forewarning, closed all of the existing restaurants, locking out the
employees and leaving gift card holders with a worthless piece of plastic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXVZTCX-zI_6XRerT8C_JE9jzgQRcGT415o_WIx2pheEryuOdQcELSN9CzOTAsk3hAG7O6In41WtRynXPayhDAOLI8B9BvsSb3CGs52YyQ4NgsqDflePNVy8PtnW9HNwDENI/s1600/Seltzers02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXVZTCX-zI_6XRerT8C_JE9jzgQRcGT415o_WIx2pheEryuOdQcELSN9CzOTAsk3hAG7O6In41WtRynXPayhDAOLI8B9BvsSb3CGs52YyQ4NgsqDflePNVy8PtnW9HNwDENI/s1600/Seltzers02.jpg" height="150" title="I think I know what I want" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 2010 Harold opened a couple of restaurants under his name
as the Sam Seltzer name was entangled in bankruptcy court. It is reported that
he wanted to clear up the Seltzer family name and one of the steps was to make
it right for the holders of the Sam Seltzer gift cards. Although the name has
slightly changed, you would be hard pressed to point out difference between the
Sam Seltzer of the past and the Harold Seltzer of today. The restaurant we
visited today, located on Tyrone Blvd., in St Petersburg, is the same facility,
the same look, the same feel, and the same delicious prime rib that we visited
many years ago when it was Sam Seltzer’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have actually been to Seltzer’s several times since the
reopening. We went there on our last anniversary and signed up for the wife
birthday special. An e-mail reminder some months later brought us back to
Seltzer’s for the wife’s birthday and the complimentary bottle of wine with
dinner. There have also been a couple of well remembered lunches with her Aunt
Effie and Uncle Gil. I have included a few photos of those happy times at the
end of the blog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For out day out together, we went in the midafternoon, after
the lunch crowd and before the dinner rush. It was quiet in the restaurant and
it had a nice laid-back easy feel. We were shown directly to a table. Our
server, David, was almost immediately there. He was a soft spoken man but with
a good-humored demeanor. He has acquired that essential server trait, attentive
without hovering. He kept watch over his tables and seemingly anticipate our
needs before we were aware of them. He did add to the enjoyment of the meal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We perused the extensive menu, snacking on the croutons much
as you would some peanuts or crackers. There is a full dinner menu and the late
night-lunch men as well as selections for children. There are sections for
soups and salads, appetizers, entrees including lamb, chicken and beef
selections, seafood, add-on to your meal and side dishes. Also listed are
specialty mixed drinks, beer, wines and cordials. There is also a dessert
section with lots of sweet and luscious things to make you really go off your
diet. The reading of the menu was mostly for curiosity sake as we both already
knew it was going to be a prime rib night. The only question was what size? We
both chose the one-pound cut. I would eat all of mine there, in the restaurant,
while Janis would take half of hers home for dinner the next day. Tomorrow I
would be on my own for dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLm_Ai_mGahENJMl8NkgRP1djhmb0ukUuYIdd57S_0-prbYJJsnqSE37cHsQy0RdLxK-ZOHS90MooeAJmf8QcLLKGVmn2baOev4RQqOcxZqUQrCbddtFmG9DC1YBGzl4DQzE/s1600/Seltzers03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLm_Ai_mGahENJMl8NkgRP1djhmb0ukUuYIdd57S_0-prbYJJsnqSE37cHsQy0RdLxK-ZOHS90MooeAJmf8QcLLKGVmn2baOev4RQqOcxZqUQrCbddtFmG9DC1YBGzl4DQzE/s1600/Seltzers03.jpg" height="150" title="Caesar salad and bread roll" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The One-Pound cut of prime rib <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">($19.99 “The best prime rib in town. Our superb roast prime rib of
beef, perfectly aged for 35 days or more, perfectly prepared, rubbed on the
outside with Harold’s Secret Steak Spices & simply delicious!” Served with
choice of “Au Jus,” creamy horseradish sauce or regular horseradish. The Star
of the Show! All dinners served with our homemade garlic croutons, bakery fresh
rolls, choice of traditional or Caesar salad, and your choice of baked potato,
Harold's homemade French fries, homemade garlic mashed potatoes, sweet potato
puffs, seasoned black beans and yellow rice, creamed spinach, broccoli, or
vegetable medley. Choose from one of Harold’s six signature homemade salad
dressings: blue cheese, classic vinaigrette, French, garlic ranch, honey
mustard or thousand island.</i>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJN-RjB-9AT4SMRxlns5ANQUYf3jEaRJp09FP3cCFGqi_GaBt3lRlZL53Zg7gTD2BIPQW-vnjKWqN0bzO5z48oHbwqfMT8IKSTKi9R7kCdVabKOHORWb3BCosBLsMa9v0alI/s1600/Seltzers04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJN-RjB-9AT4SMRxlns5ANQUYf3jEaRJp09FP3cCFGqi_GaBt3lRlZL53Zg7gTD2BIPQW-vnjKWqN0bzO5z48oHbwqfMT8IKSTKi9R7kCdVabKOHORWb3BCosBLsMa9v0alI/s1600/Seltzers04.jpg" height="150" title="House salad with 1000 Island dressing" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Janis ordered the Caesar salad, the one-pound cut of prime
rib, medium rare, with garlic mashed potatoes, Au Jus. I ordered the
traditional salad with thousand island dressing, a one-pound cut of prime rib,
medium rare, Au Jus, and a baked potato with all the fixings. Our salads and
rolls arrived soon after. Janis Caesar salad was Romaine lettuce with a creamy
Caesar dressing and a generous portion of shredded Parmesan cheese. She said
the salad was good, average but perhaps a bit too much garlic and Parmesan
isn’t one of her favorite cheese. That being said, she did finish her salad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My salad was of mixed greens and a bit of red cabbage and
some cherry tomatoes for color and texture. The house thousand island was
creamy and smooth, adequate for the amount of salad and very tasty. With the
freshly baked roll, it was a good start for the meal. A few of the crouton
snacks also went well in the salad. About the time we finished our salads the
entrée arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xxH6Joe-biiq2xhuqoq_4-38j9xsIo4RgEh6DHIJ1B908NforYCQ2PbryVoP3IKFeEPPCdCSG_oK6S5h9UFrh13bWi_1mGt4vV5qHA53-2jRR4xlpsNlDk2Kd0YuM0e_UPc/s1600/Seltzers05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xxH6Joe-biiq2xhuqoq_4-38j9xsIo4RgEh6DHIJ1B908NforYCQ2PbryVoP3IKFeEPPCdCSG_oK6S5h9UFrh13bWi_1mGt4vV5qHA53-2jRR4xlpsNlDk2Kd0YuM0e_UPc/s1600/Seltzers05.jpg" height="150" title="Janis' 1-pound cut with garlic mashed potatoes" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The prime rib is served on an oval platter. Even though the
baked potato on mine was of medium size, there was little extra room on the
platter for the portion cup of Jus and a sprig of parsley. Janis’ serving was
very lean, only a small piece of fat on one edge. It was beautiful medium rare,
a pinkish red, enough to get any carnivore very interested. Accompanying was a
substantial serving of garlic mashed potatoes. She said the beef was very
tender and delicious. The garlic mashed potatoes were also very good she said.
They were of a rustic variety, bits of potato in a creamy potato and garlic
mixture garnished with a bit of parsley. Except for the half piece of prime rib
that went into the take-home container she managed to clean her plate quite
handily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbvZRluoy3GWuItLejqq8QiyQpIi62-Z-QSd3zJhRIC1XoR8boVwOd5Tu4HDY28RU6c8XT9VMZ3h8EsXv3IavwiCQysNWLgatmDaul2S0pUS5hnM05-z_AmHkfW_eOuE9Kh8/s1600/Seltzers06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbvZRluoy3GWuItLejqq8QiyQpIi62-Z-QSd3zJhRIC1XoR8boVwOd5Tu4HDY28RU6c8XT9VMZ3h8EsXv3IavwiCQysNWLgatmDaul2S0pUS5hnM05-z_AmHkfW_eOuE9Kh8/s1600/Seltzers06.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My prime rib was also a perfect rosy red medium rare piece
of meat. Being a steak house, the standard table setting is a steak knife. This
cut of meat was tender enough that a standard place setting butter knife was
all that was needed to cut through the thick slice of prime rib. The 35 day
aging does a good job of breaking down the fibers and the result is a piece of
meat that is almost butter smooth. Even if I had planned to eat only half and
take the rest home, it would never have happened that afternoon. I ate it
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harold seasons the outside of the
roast with their seasoning blend. Much of that seasoning is still on the edge
of the prime rib slices. To my personal taste, that seasoning doesn’t need to
be there. All that cut of meat needs, even though my cardiologist says no, is a
slight sprinkle of salt. It was an excellent cut of meat, flavorful and tender
to the max. The baked potato, of medium size, was one that is cooked in batches
and kept warm for the upcoming service. That makes for an okay potato but not
the best. The butter, sour cream, bacon, cheese and chives added to the top
surely made it seem better than it was. Normally I eat the skin of the baked
potato but that was not the case this time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfhw5kw-bYXY4id94LlqHxq18t-dGmu8FTC4W6wbUtNFSSuj2R-eqBFmhgc33QnK3XUCUcyM4avEzItcS5NN8NG5LA0uxJJf6pNG_Co5SbDXHPP9DXXKtRddPrjgmldEvitc/s1600/Seltzers07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfhw5kw-bYXY4id94LlqHxq18t-dGmu8FTC4W6wbUtNFSSuj2R-eqBFmhgc33QnK3XUCUcyM4avEzItcS5NN8NG5LA0uxJJf6pNG_Co5SbDXHPP9DXXKtRddPrjgmldEvitc/s1600/Seltzers07.jpg" height="150" title="Dark woods, wine racks, mirrors - all make for a comfortable setting" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Other than a couple of little things that I think could be
done better, it was still a delicious and enjoyable meal, more than ample to
sate even the heartiest of appetites. The service was quick and courteous. It
all made for a memorable interlude and a nice way to low-key celebrate our
wedding anniversary. If anyone asks me, I’ll simply say, ”Sam Seltzers is a
good place to go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIuW5mCXg-DkCOUNMIfDsJaxVgKVRxwtBlCqrwFLhgUpDb04iAN0dBKDL8S-6847Wrn0xmwGTXVjJKz9D5GKYieT9IF8dmWT38xK6mK7NQclJaD9Fho4MAdajE1015S-0FbU/s1600/Seltzers08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIuW5mCXg-DkCOUNMIfDsJaxVgKVRxwtBlCqrwFLhgUpDb04iAN0dBKDL8S-6847Wrn0xmwGTXVjJKz9D5GKYieT9IF8dmWT38xK6mK7NQclJaD9Fho4MAdajE1015S-0FbU/s1600/Seltzers08.jpg" height="150" title="Janis with Aunt Effie and Uncle Gilbert" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXT1Ej31fB1_yUzXPZ0dF09jBmZJLNULI2RNF6GQkhbDMgwHZxmqH7b3al1dNj9h6nNmYN74ua6XYG2qM-ybX_2lYMMJ9UMECEJZufg4XtkzZbKKTtK_GqQzBXjUuS1KqsqY/s1600/Seltzers09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXT1Ej31fB1_yUzXPZ0dF09jBmZJLNULI2RNF6GQkhbDMgwHZxmqH7b3al1dNj9h6nNmYN74ua6XYG2qM-ybX_2lYMMJ9UMECEJZufg4XtkzZbKKTtK_GqQzBXjUuS1KqsqY/s1600/Seltzers09.jpg" height="150" title="A toast for Janis' XXX birthday" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hM6XM9H2vxPkDTP_i92tt0ric23lclGvFput4NuG-S2ueQYnQQEg1iZ9LI8zbfItnVrIbiGL931PDhBTzLc2QlnG5iehZRZPdIBbESuEzE-qpo9USqZp-bjM2tI7oVele_0/s1600/Seltzers10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hM6XM9H2vxPkDTP_i92tt0ric23lclGvFput4NuG-S2ueQYnQQEg1iZ9LI8zbfItnVrIbiGL931PDhBTzLc2QlnG5iehZRZPdIBbESuEzE-qpo9USqZp-bjM2tI7oVele_0/s1600/Seltzers10.jpg" height="150" title="Last year's birthday girl" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7VraxshRKunJawqEgQVTkt3D4ZEpXQc8bOh7gpnluBolCdN5-loKAjebtICzPcPA5WWIkgwcyf-UkaY8fGxjj_ZCYWSDKF6xM5d5v3zyAf7yq4sR0RqDby092dolXEGyKWk/s1600/Seltzers11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7VraxshRKunJawqEgQVTkt3D4ZEpXQc8bOh7gpnluBolCdN5-loKAjebtICzPcPA5WWIkgwcyf-UkaY8fGxjj_ZCYWSDKF6xM5d5v3zyAf7yq4sR0RqDby092dolXEGyKWk/s1600/Seltzers11.jpg" height="150" title="Uncle Gilbert is driving" width="200" /></a><br />
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That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0St. Petersburg, FL, USA27.802651342643063 -82.73975372314453127.774558842643064 -82.78009422314453 27.830743842643063 -82.699413223144532tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031194.post-87558029179575058402014-06-19T15:54:00.000-08:002014-06-20T08:12:17.636-08:00Teppanyaki Grill and Supreme Buffet - St Petersburg, Florida<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EeVCufu6W9vSxNsAskbBn9Bln1yfxT-xyav4UULtqT55Spv-R3vzfHbCBRw6wfmFqrOaxaxQC0cQISvQTSDRgJHM6WX0jLpDYT0Agl1HXwyZChG_Pm0LC6a9QDzqFxamHGo/s1600/TeppanyakiGrill-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EeVCufu6W9vSxNsAskbBn9Bln1yfxT-xyav4UULtqT55Spv-R3vzfHbCBRw6wfmFqrOaxaxQC0cQISvQTSDRgJHM6WX0jLpDYT0Agl1HXwyZChG_Pm0LC6a9QDzqFxamHGo/s1600/TeppanyakiGrill-01.jpg" height="216" title="Janis and Martha in front of The Teppanyaki Grill" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Teppanyaki
Grill and Supreme Buffet<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">391 34<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
St North<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">St
Petersburg, FL 33713<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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7<span style="font-family: Calibri;">27
327-8886<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Sunday paper had a single sheet, full-color
advertisement for the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Teppanyaki Grill and Supreme Buffet</i></b>.
That was a new one to me and I looked at the ad a bit more closely. It is
indeed a new establishment. It has set up shop in the old Social Security
building and boasts 18,000 square feet and seating for 500. I remember the
Social Security building from a few years ago. There was a tiny, cramped little
waiting room with no amenities and a pass-through window that was mostly
closed. Once inside there was a maze of walkways, a seemingly endless warren of
partitions and office cubicles. I was curious to see what the new occupants had
done in remodeling. Among the other boasts in the advertisement was the phrase,
“…something for everyone” and “The Largest and Most Elegant Chinese, Japanese
and American Cuisine Restaurant.” That covers a lot of ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With something for everyone, the wife was amenable to trying
it out if only to humor me. We called Martha. She has a liking for the oriental
style foods. What with the recent closing of one of her favorites, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Good Fortunes</i>, she was at a loss for a
new place to occasionally visit and take visitors. It looked like a good bet
for everyone. The fact that the advertisement had several $1.00-off coupons was
an added inducement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53Dlcs-qokAVk71M6NG1v9_HBzlSxXodYFHgNNc7YznI4NRjBkT3V7x2om5S6lU5xiG9XF-zBnsldUbnI1LrU-ztjTTP_rrDBfsvT_GbIt_ml4vy57l3T4tquDkYoxalt2QA/s1600/TeppanyakiGrill-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53Dlcs-qokAVk71M6NG1v9_HBzlSxXodYFHgNNc7YznI4NRjBkT3V7x2om5S6lU5xiG9XF-zBnsldUbnI1LrU-ztjTTP_rrDBfsvT_GbIt_ml4vy57l3T4tquDkYoxalt2QA/s1600/TeppanyakiGrill-02.jpg" height="240" title="Interior of the serving area of the restaurant" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is a buffet-style restaurant. The lunch buffet Monday
through Saturday (11:00 am to 4:00 pm) is $7.29 for adults and tiered lower
prices for children depending on age. The dinner buffet (4:00 pm through 9:30
pm) is $9.99 for adults and lower priced for children. Sundays and holidays are
all day dinner buffets (11:00 am through 9:30 pm) adults are $9.99 and children
at reduced prices. We arrived in the late afternoon but in time for the lunch
buffet. With the coupon a filling buffet meal for three, soft drinks and tip
was just about thirty dollars; pretty reasonable for a dinner out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The anteroom, the left over from the Social Security days,
is still there. It is bare, devoid of furnishings or decor. Perhaps it now serves
as an air-lock entry keeping the hot and humid air outside. In the future, if
there is a need, some comfortable seats would transform the area into a congenial
waiting room for overflow guests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just inside is a wishing well pool to help set the mood. Opening
the central area and colorful lighting of what was an office complex helps to
transform it to a large, festive arena filled with more than a dozen self-serve
buffet counters. At the far end of the area there is a sushi station and a
teppanyaki grill. Seating for up to 500 customers is along both sides of the
complex. Being new, everything appears very clean and pristine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The usual in a buffet is to pay at the door; so much per
head and your drinks. Then you are free to roam the floor. Since The Teppanyaki
Grill offers extra cost items, such as beer and wine, the customer is presented
with the bill at the end of the menu.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With so many choices, the best strategy is to walk the
aisles between the serving stations to see what is offered. Even a little dab
of this and a little dab of that can be overwhelming when there are so many options
to choose from. As much as I would have liked to, I knew I could never sample
everything. Most of the stations are of an oriental flair. Others offer
American comfort food items, fruits, salads and a large selection of desserts
and ice cream. Perhaps they do have something for everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZUuJdcmUih6qIKP1_I5KSFpeW6zR_bX8KUUfUkC0fINe1wuQfct2tXrYPWgQewWTIeBCpsXQgv1eX9k8_ZyK2KIKqd8hB_Pre7ceKzZJLXIWlRzfw1_L1xVcheUoYJeZMMo/s1600/TeppanyakiGrill-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZUuJdcmUih6qIKP1_I5KSFpeW6zR_bX8KUUfUkC0fINe1wuQfct2tXrYPWgQewWTIeBCpsXQgv1eX9k8_ZyK2KIKqd8hB_Pre7ceKzZJLXIWlRzfw1_L1xVcheUoYJeZMMo/s1600/TeppanyakiGrill-03.jpg" height="240" title="My first run through the selections offered" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My first round was a sampler, a little of this and a little
of that until I filled the plate. It included, among other items, a teriyaki chicken
skewer, honey chicken, beef and broccoli, salt and pepper you peel shrimp, some
fried zucchini and some California rolls. First lesson: soy sauce, wasabi and
the like are not table items. They are there at the serving stations but not
always obvious. Also, small dishes or containers are also available; you just
have to look around to see where they are. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sushi, layered on top was the first to be sampled. It is
decent sushi, machine made I believe, but the rice is well cooked and the
grains are not compressed into an amorphous mass like some although it may be a
bit stickier than you are used to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
selection of sushi is makizushi; I didn’t see any nigirizushi. About a dozen
varieties were offered; a small selection If sushi was to be the main course. A
little dip in the soy sauce and the rice holds together (the hashi are also located
at the serving station). Tasty morsels and considering you can make many trips
to the sushi bar, an economical entrée.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The teriyaki chicken skewer tasted fine but it was a bit on
the tough side and a bit overcooked. The fried zucchini was more crunchy than
crispy, as well a bit over cooked although it did taste pretty good; it just needed
to come out of the fryer a minute or two earlier. The salt and pepper you peel
shrimp, one of their signature dishes, had a good flavor, not too heavy on the
spices so you could still taste the flavor of shrimp. It’s just that it is
messy, more suited to a New England Shrimp and crab seafood boil; good but
messy. My favorite of that plate was the honey chicken; small strips of chicken
in a slightly sweet sauce. These were cooked just right, tender and moist and
the sauce slightly sweet and a wonderful adjunct to the chicken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIA7yEWSAj6o_2khkJpq9biWbB_fzamL3CVFM6LcnOZb3xbxAENVnGeRUkKkF2jwfZ8p4s2BuVjGAsRCT5NrCdAlm6DTBvlkK1NbfIbmpUaeB9iOEdDUtEg3kpxA7dT6eXxI/s1600/TeppanyakiGrill-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIA7yEWSAj6o_2khkJpq9biWbB_fzamL3CVFM6LcnOZb3xbxAENVnGeRUkKkF2jwfZ8p4s2BuVjGAsRCT5NrCdAlm6DTBvlkK1NbfIbmpUaeB9iOEdDUtEg3kpxA7dT6eXxI/s1600/TeppanyakiGrill-04.jpg" height="240" title="My second sampling of the offerings" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My second sampler plate consisted of some fried rice (I
know, it’s a filler but fried rice is definitely one of my favorite foods),
sweet and sour chicken (more about that to come) some shrimp, egg foo young and
skewered meatballs. The fried rice was, as you might have guessed, a filler
dish. Not bad just pedestrian, uninspired and needs some work to be a good
dish. The shrimp were shelled and deveined 40 - 50 shrimp cooked in a slightly
spicy sauce although I can’t remember the name. They tasted like shrimp in a
slightly spicy sauce. Not bad but nothing exceptional. The egg foo young, hard
to find in most buffets, was a bit over cooked but with a bit of the gravy top
moisten the patty it had a pleasant flavor. The skewered meatballs were a bit
of a disappointment. They looked very good. If they had been cooked on the
skewer someone would have had to tend them very carefully to get them to cook
so evenly although a bit overdone. The flavor was okay but a bit dry. A sauce
or dip would be of great value. That brings us to the sweet and sour chicken. New
York, or whatever style it is, is merely breaded and fried chicken nuggets with
a red sweet and sour sauce on the side. So it is with every other local take
out or buffet I have tried. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me,
sweet and sour chicken (or pork) is a much more involved dish that combines
stir fried onion, Bell peppers and pineapple with the sweet and sour sauce and
breaded meat morsels. A trip to the salad bar provided some raw peppers and
some pineapple tidbit from the fruit bar. Although the chicken tid-bits here
tasted okay (I suspect they are purchased pre-breaded and fried, just heat and
serve) and the sweet and sour sauce was also tasty, I can’t rate the overall
dish very high because it isn’t complete; a short coming shared by many restaurants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsyR9kDt2RO-nqphN2b5A4IVmrXISADjm1C7M51W-FLXbFJO7PXxewUHegj2UzyFUiWDM0ZnDiJgZsP6Rd_4_Rmuimbq-zbBFCMDiTKfZHQr-IILprgqhL404BTPoG9tiZkM/s1600/TeppanyakiGrill-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsyR9kDt2RO-nqphN2b5A4IVmrXISADjm1C7M51W-FLXbFJO7PXxewUHegj2UzyFUiWDM0ZnDiJgZsP6Rd_4_Rmuimbq-zbBFCMDiTKfZHQr-IILprgqhL404BTPoG9tiZkM/s1600/TeppanyakiGrill-05.jpg" height="240" title="The teppanyaki chef cooking my sample dinner." width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many restaurants that claim to be Mongolian have a raw bar
where you select the items you want the chef to cook on the grill. This
restaurant also has a raw bar where you select the items you want and then the
chef will cook them on the grill while you watch. In this case the grill is
rectangular instead of round and perhaps that is why it is called the Teppanyaki
Grill. There is a nice selection of vegetables, onions, peppers, sprouts,
mushrooms and such. The meat selection is limited to chicken and beef. The buffet
counter is well iced and the selections seemed to be fresh (the meat is put out
in small batches to preserve freshness).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To try out the Teppanyaki grill, I make a small selection of
chicken and vegetables. The chef was very amenable even smiling so I could take
his picture as he prepared my food. You are offered a variety of flavoring
sauces for you food. It was small plate and I neglected to get a picture. However,
fresh vegetable and fresh chicken cooked in front of you, to your order, is
certainly better than previously prepared foods, kept warm while waiting to be
served. In my case, the meat was cooked through, the vegetables had mouth feel
but were cooked through and the sauce was quite tasty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My dining companions, my wife Janis and our friend Martha,
we all look favorably on the Teppanyaki Grill and Supreme Buffet. It does have
its deficits but overall it is as good as or possibly better than other buffets
in the local area, at least meeting that standard. My next visit I will probably spend more time at the sushi
bar and teppanyaki grill although I will seek out some of that honey chicken
and, well, I have to admit it, some fried rice too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The local Teppanyaki Grill and Supreme Buffet seems to be
part of a larger chain with many stores in the North and Midwest. I can’t seem
to find a web presence for the parent company although many local TG&SB’s
have web presence. Check your local facility’s inspection record.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
That Food Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14000270052011873067noreply@blogger.com0St. Petersburg, FL, USA27.773396322373333 -82.67623901367187527.717201822373333 -82.756920013671873 27.829590822373333 -82.595558013671877