Why Go Out? - Pork Chop Sammie

Ingredients:

1 6 oz. pork chop, lean & trimmed/bone out & butterflied
2 tbsp. mayonnaise (your favorite kind is fine; I used the reduced fat olive oil version)
1 tsp. sriracha
2 slices of your favorite bread (this version was done with a fresh challah)
1 cup fresh spinach
½ cup baby bella mushrooms, sliced
½ cup yellow onion, sliced thinly into strings
1 tbsp. butter
Salt & pepper to taste
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. Moroccan Spice Blend seasoning (can be purchased here: http://www.spiceandtea.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=Moroccan )


First, take your pork chop and rub it with olive oil. Rub in the Moroccan blend to cover both sides of the chop. Add salt and pepper to taste; set aside.

Add your butter to a medium-high nonstick skillet, and once it is melted, add in your mushrooms and onions. Sautee until the onions are translucent, adjusting the heat to low. Sprinkle in your garlic powder and stir, allowing to simmer 5-7 minutes more.

Start your grill and bring it up to 400 degrees. Once heated, throw your chop on and cook until slightly pink in the middle, about 5-7 minutes a side (depending on the thickness of your chop). Remove from the grill and allow to rest for 10 minutes so that the juices flow back into the meat.

In the meantime, lightly butter one side of each bread slice and toast to your liking. Take your mayo and sriracha in a small bowl and mix thoroughly. Spread liberally on one side of the bread (preferably the buttered side, as that will go on the inner works of the sandwich).

Take your spinach and place it on one side of the bread. Top that with your mushroom & onion mixture (they will slightly wilt the spinach, which is what you want). Top THAT with the pork chop and close the deal with the other slice of bread.

Serve it up with some homemade slaw, sweet potato fries, or kettle chips. What you'll get is the juiciness of that perfectly grilled chop, the Middle Eastern flavors of the rub, that heat spike in the mayo, the crunch of the toasted bread and the garlicy pop of the veggies.


After all…why go out? You’ve got Da(m)n Good Food right here.

Relish

Price: $$$
Atmosphere: 4 out of 5
Quality of Service: 5 out of 5
Food Overall: 5 out of 5

The word ‘relish’ in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is defined as “Enjoyment of or delight in something that satisfies one’s tastes, inclinations or desires.”  The gourmet burger joint Relish in West Palm Beach, FL is defined as…well, the exact same thing, really.

I had first learned of this place when a few of my friends on a popular social network were ‘liking’ the page of this eatery. I checked out their website and was intrigued by the innovative menu, so I grabbed the wife and trekked out there.

I say trekked because for us, it’s a 45 minute drive in low traffic. I mention the traffic here not as a means to deter you, but to amplify a point: I don’t drive 45 for WORK, let alone for lunch. However, I’d gladly add another 45 minutes to that time clock just to visit Relish again. THAT. GOOD.

A word of advice: If you plan of going, hit up their website first. They have so many choices and combinations that it will take you a bit to decide what you want. Basically, you get your choice of meat (ranging from good ol’ American ground beef to Lobster. Yes. Lobster.), choose a ‘relish’ (these flavor dynamos run the gamut from an artichoke and spinach spread to teriyaki pineapple sauce), and if you like they have various handmade sides, like sweet potato fries or polenta fingers (all with your choice of 4 different salt combinations!).

Throw in a unique shake and you’re in for a ride to TastyVille, my friend. But I think it’s time we got into the review before I salivate all over my laptop…

Ah, the milkshake. Truly a holy trinity staple (Burger-Fry-Shake), Relish is doing these up fresh-to-order and they’re doing them big. This is the Salted Caramel shake, and that wedge on top? It’s a 4 oz. piece of actual salted caramel, kind of brittle-like in texture, and love-like in flavor.

The shake was creamy and rich, but not so that it ruined your meal by filling you up too quickly (of course, I did split it with my wife). It was absolutely fabulous. They have several other flavors to choose from, like Espresso Bean or Cracker Jack, and I’m looking forward to a new selection on my next visit.

This was my wife’s burger: Ground Beef with Drunken Onions (sweet onions sautéed in beer). This was one of the juiciest burgers I’ve ever had. It was magnificent in its simplicity. You got some salt and pepper, and a good crust on the burger, but really they let the meat shine through.

The onions had that distinct beer taste, almost stout-esque in flavor. However, the beer taste still allowed for the sweetness of the veggie to come through first and foremost. These guys have it down to a science.

The fries are almost like shoestring style, with sea salt. Crispy and fresh cut, with the tender middle and crunchy outside, just like a quality fry should be.

And now, the showstopper: Wild Boar burger topped with brie and blackberry compote. Good. Frakkin. Night. This was just a collision of tastes that took me a minute to think on, but I am so glad I ended up here.

First, the boar: I’d never had it before today, and I was expecting a similar flavor to pork. Not true. It’s really very comparable to beef flavor-wise, with a touch of game to it, but not offensively so. I was juicy and had an sort of ‘leanness’ to it. Delicious.

The brie was the perfect complement to this burger; sharp and pulling up that boar taste to new horizons. And the blackberry compote was tart and sweet enough to mellow everything out and put it all on a level playing field. It’s mana on a bun. Speaking of which, the bun is toasted so that the edges just get a char to them, adding yet ANOTHER flavor profile to your sandwich.

The sweet potato fries, like the regular fries, were crispy and perfectly cooked, and were picked at the right time for that sweet flavor to come through. I accompanied mine with the garlic salt to knock the sweet back a notch, and it worked out beautifully.

They also have desserts, like a DIY S’mores Kit, but by the time we were finished, we were stuffed. In fact, we really didn’t eat dinner that night. Throw in a nice little atmosphere and service with personality and you’ve got a burger joint well worth the drive, no matter where you are.

After all….it’s just Da(m)n Good Food.

Relish
401 Northwood Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33407 
(561) 629-5377
http://www.relishburger.com/

The Rustic Inn

Price: $$$$$
Atmosphere: 3 of 5
Quality of Service: 3 out of 5
Food Overall: 4 out of 5


I’ve covered all kinds of dishes so far on this blog, but I think the one edible ecstasy I haven’t touched on yet is seafood. Why, you ask? Well, I’m not a real big seafood eater. In fact, I’m not too big on fish at all, save the occasional Mahi taco.

Shellfish, on the other hand, I tend to enjoy. Especially crab. Crab to me is the steak of the sea. I know I know, most folk say that about lobster. While I do enjoy lobster, I just crab to have more of a meat consistency and just more flavorful.

The thing is though, crab is expensive. And if I’m going to eat it (or at least pay to eat it), it better be of the top quality crab. Also, crab can be difficult to get at, especially for a novice such as myself. I smash and crack for that little taste of meat, but that’s a lot of work for a little pay off. So as I said, it better be worth my effort.

Welcome to The Rustic Inn, my friends. A South Florida staple (nay, icon) for over 50 years, if you’re going to eat crab I strongly suggest you do so here. This is my wife’s favorite restaurant, and in her first trimester when she was nauseas at the thought of ANY food, this was the one thing she could scarf down and feel totally at peace and somewhat normal.

These people do crab right. In fact, they do all kinds of seafood right. My usual favorite is the ‘All Hands on Deck Platter’, which is a ½ rack of their tangy BBQ ribs, a good size bowl of peel and eat garlic shrimp, a cluster of decadent Alaskan Queen Crab (the easiest to crack and eat, next to King), a boat of these awesomely crunchy potato wedges and the sweetest cornbread you’re gonna find dining out. All this for $26.99, and you don’t leave the table hungry.

The main attraction is my wife’s usual, and I’ve attempted to tackle it a few times myself: The Crab Sampler (That picture up above with the cafeteria tray covered in 1/3 of the ocean’s creatures). This is I don’t know how many pounds of crab, but it comes with their famous garlic crabs, golden crabs, Alaskan queen, and Dungeness crab, plus parsley potatoes.

It’s an insane amount of food. I don’t order it because honestly, it’s just too much for me. My wife and her sister however knock this thing back like it was an appetizer to the ACTUAL Sampler.

But about the flavor: Man. This is top of the line crab. The garlic crabs (note: you MUST be a garlic lover, as this is some potent shellfish) are sweet and pungent with that herby-buttery-garlicky love. The queen is well, just the meatiest, creamiest crab you can get on this tray. The goldens are a nice palette cleanser from the garlic, and everything is so fresh it’s like you were eating on the beach.
It’s a ton of food, and this particular dish is ‘Market Price’ (which means if you need to ask, you probably shouldn’t be eating here). After all, great seafood isn’t cheap my friend. But as I’ve said before, you get what you pay for.

The environment is a child’s dream: It’s loud. It’s packed. You get to destroy things with a mallet. And if you’re prone to headaches, be advised: This is a birthday hotspot. Why does that matter? Because they announce your birthday over the loud speaker and as is tradition, EVERYONE in the restaurant slams the bajeeus out of the table with their crab hammers for about a minute each time.

It’s not a romantic night out, for sure. But it IS a ‘grab a couple friends, head down, have a brew, nosh a crustacean or 15, and just have a good time’ night out. Get there early: they fill up quickly. So bring your wallet, grab some Advil, and don’t forget your appetite.

After all, it’s just Da(m)n Good Food.

The Rustic Inn
4331 Ravenswood Road
Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 33312
954-584-1637
http://www.rusticinn.com/

Meals on Wheels - Cheese Me

Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Depends on the location
Quality of Service: 4 out of 5
Food Overall: 3 out of 5

On our recent trip to Bedner’s, the wife and I chose to check out the Cheese Me (http://www.cheeseme.com/ ) truck for our vittles decision. As she’s pregnant, her main craving has been grilled cheese, any which way. So, it made sense that she flocked directly towards this mobile restaurant.

The guys working inside were incredibly friendly and eager to serve you. Of course, when you pay $30.00 for two grilled cheese sandwiches and two cokes, you expect top dollar service. I also decided to try their ‘Truffle Waffle Fries’, as I am a huge fan of truffles, yet I just find better things to spend my money on than truffle oil. You, know, like rent.

For those of you unfamiliar with truffle oil, it is extremely potent, very fragrant, and oh-so-yummy. It’s also about $20.00 for 2.5 oz. of the stuff. So, when I ordered the $6.00 side and only about 8 waffle fries showed up in a little basket, well, it sort of made sense.

I’ll tell you what though: These things were delicious. That truffle flavor was infused in every bite of these crispy, hot fries. It really started the meal off right.

Now, the Sammies: First, let’s review my option: The McShane. This was pulled pork, homemade coleslaw and vintage cheddar, all nicely griddled between two pieces of garlic Texas toast. It was very good, very creamy and extremely rich. There is some sort of creamy sauce on it as well (I think it was mayo), and there was quite a bit of it. A little less of the mayo concoction and this would have made it just a bit more satisfying. But still: Great grilled cheese.

My wife’s choice: The Cheese Us Kryst. This was two pieces of sourdough bread, and in between was provolone, cheddar, mozzarella and American cheeses. This was, quite possibly, the best grilled cheese I’ve ever eaten.

What makes it so good is that despite its intimidating cheese overload factor, it doesn’t show in the actual taste. Oh yes, it’s VERY cheesy, but you don’t get that heavy ‘Ugh, I just ate four cheeses fried on buttered bread’ feeling. It had a…daintiness to it, if you will.

If this truck passes down our way again, I’d definitely stop in for a nosh. It brings you back to that simple time when a good grilled cheese fixed everything, but it also brings some grown up to the party to remind you that, “Hey, it’s life but it’ll be ok. Here, have a sammich.”

After all, it’s just Da(m)n Good Food.

Meals on Wheels - The Fire Within

Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Depends on the location
Quality of Service: 3 out of 5
Food Overall: 1 out of 5

Ah, food trucks. Those mobile little venues of mouth treats delivered to a destination within 10-25 miles of your couch.  I’ve always read about food trucks, seen them on TV, but I’ve never really had the chance to get into them (unless you count those so called ‘roach coaches’ that used to pull up at the warehouse with a sammich or sodas during lunch time).

A few weeks ago at Bedner’s Fresh Market (See the ‘Porky & Beth’s BBQ’ review form more info), they had a few food trucks come by to sell their wares to the masses. I grabbed the little woman, my buddy Warren, and his wife and hopped in the car for what we hoped would be a taste extravaganza explosion type of day.

Warren opted to go to The Fire Within (https://www.facebook.com/TheFireWithinFoodTruck ) for his first go ‘round. He ordered the skirt steak skewers on a bed of beans and rice. Now, food trucks can gather quite the line rather quickly, so it took a good 20 minutes or so to get these meat sticks in his mitts, but steak can take time to do right.

Which makes me wonder what took them so long, as this dish did not represent quality in any way, shape or form. You get two decent sized skewers, with a mini-skirt on each stick, and covered with a thick salsa type of chimichurri. Ok, so first things first: If you do something on a stick, it’s ill advised to cover it in a chunky, non-adhesive condiment. As soon as you pick it up, that stuff slides right off.

But in this case, that was ok because for a salsa/chimichurri, it was virtually flavorless. It’s like they sucked the taste right out of the onions, tomatoes and peppers that looked so bright and inviting. Regardless, it’s a condiment. Yes, it should be tasty, but to be honest, he paid 14.00 for the steak, not a spoonful of veggies.

Unlike the salsa, there was nothing ‘virtual’ about the skirt steak. It was COMPLETELY flavorless. No seasoning (that includes SALT) at all, and what’s worse, the steak was cooked to death. Now I get some people have an aversion to rare meat, and that’s ok. But this was dry, chewy meat that just tasted disappointing. In fact, if disappointment was a purchasable spice, I’d say they marinated this steak in it for a week.

The rice and beans were either out of a can (garbage or otherwise), as they too were dried out and flavorless. It just goes to show you kids, looks can be deceiving. I write this review as a warning. Not to stray you from food trucks (see my review on the ‘Cheese Me’ food truck), but to stay away from this Fire.

After all….this food sucks.

Sabor



Price: $$$
Atmosphere: 4 out of 5
Quality of Service: 4 out of 5
Food Overall: 4 out of 5

By now I’m sure you know that I am a Cuban food junkie. And the best part about living in South Florida is that you are literally surrounded with dozens of choices in any given county of delectable Spanish cuisine. Even better? They spring up all the time so there’s always something new to try, and even better than that is a lot of them are originals: No Chain Required.

This particular restaurant, Sabor, is located in Boynton Beach, FL. Is one such ‘original’ eatery. My wife and I (I spend a lot of time with her judging from my posts, don’t I?) actually found this place through Groupon and figured we’d give it a try. I am so glad that we did.

The first time we ate there we were impressed, however they had just opened and the chef at the time was a BIG fan of cumin. I’m not sure how familiar you are with this lovely spice, but trust me when I say that a little goes a loooooong way. She however, had a difference of opinion. The black beans and mojo were just doused with it, and it was kind of off-putting. However, the rest of the meal was very good.

So, when Groupon offered up another coupon for them, we bought it instantly and returned to this lovely little restaurant. It’s simply decorated, yet has that ambiance of romance and privacy to it. Light colors and intimate lighting are perfect for date night. The servers are bubbly and have great personalities, and are very knowledgeable about the menu.

Our waiter this time recommended we start off with the Quesadillas De Camerones, and we went with it. These things are now a must for us on our next visit. These are not your basic quesadillas. Filled with meaty shrimp, velvety cheeses and a spicy little house sauce for dipping, it’s a great way to whet the palette for the meal to come.

Their salads are crisp and always have that fresh quality to them, and the homemade dressing is just fabulous.  

The actual meal though? Wow. Leaps and bounds above our first visit (we were informed after the meal that they hired a new chef who now does his own spin on the recipes left behind. Kudos for that type of forward thinking, as we both agree on the proper usage of cumin).

We both had ordered the Churrasco, which is a marinated skirt steak, cooked to perfection and covered in a scratch made chimichurri sauce. The steak was juicy, with a wonderful blend of spices and herbs coating the outside, char-grilled and covered in this cilantro-y, garlicky love topping. The black beans and rice were definitely changed, with subtle hints of bell pepper, onion, and cumin (subtle, but present). And the plantains were sweet and fried up nicely.

Top all that off with a Cuban coffee and some of the richest flan I’ve ever had, and you’ve got a great meal in a unique spot. Be sure to keep an eye on Groupon, as they love to use this site. Snatch it up and take your favorite person (or persons) along with ya. We’ll see you there.

After all, it’s just Da(m)n Good Food.

Sabor

220 N Congress Ave Boynton Beach FL, 33426

561-200-4860http://tastesabor.com/home

California Pizza Kitchen

Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: 3 out of 5
Quality of Service: 3 out of 5
Food Overall: 3 out of 5

Chains. Some people swear by them, while others (read: my wife), not so much. But chains can be useful, no? Chains restrain murderous criminals from choking you to death in a courtroom. Chains keep that heavy machinery suspended so when you walk under it you’re not instantly destroyed.

But of course, this is a food blog, and the chains we talk about here are food related. Chili’s. Duffy’s. La Bamba. While these places are good for the quick fix (La Bamba is actually one of my favorite Mexican joints), they’re not necessarily ‘unique’. Today’s spotlight is on California Pizza Kitchen (CPK).

This place has multiple locations across this great nation of ours, and although it is a chain, it’s one of those ‘higher end’ chains. For example, McDonald’s is a chain, but it’s a bottom feeder and not worth another mention on this blog. It serves a purpose, but mostly to late night drunkards and recreational narcotics users.

CPK is a chain in the realms of Grand Lux Café or J. Alexander’s. Better quality of food, finer quality of service (usually), and it definitely comes with an amped up price tag. However, I’m a firm believer that you get what you pay for, which is why I don’t eat at CiCi’s.

My wife had received several gift cards for CPK as a holiday gift, so we decided to have dinner on the fine students at Ideal Middle School. We started with these little BBQ tacos, part of their Small Cravings menu. Simple enough: Two flour tortillas, stuffed with cilantro, Korean style BBQ’d beef in this nice soy-based sauce. They were a tiny bit dry for my tastes, but the flavor profile was definitely present.

We had our dinner salads which were just salads (good, but not worth a paragraph here), but they’re a ‘Pizza Kitchen’ for a reason. I ordered their new Habanero Carnitas pizza with thin crust. This was a really good pizza. It’s got layers of slow roasted pulled pork, tangy red onions, a mild cilantro pesto that only comes through at the end of your bite, quality cheeses that add that creaminess you’d expect in a pie, without being overly cheesy.

The key to this pizza however is the habanero salsa. It comes on the side so you don’t have to worry about igniting your tastebuds on bite#1, however, you’re really gonna want to dive into this stuff. It’s spicy, don’t get me wrong, but it brings a new level of flavor that really takes the pizza to another plateau.

The service was good enough and the décor is appealing to the yuppie crowd (we were in Boca, after all).My wife ordered the spinach and artichoke pizza, which was delightfully creamy with the perfect amount of spinach flavor flowing through the entire dish. Again, while chains may not be ‘diamonds in the rough’, you can find a gem or two if you hit the right ones.

After all, it’s just Da(m)n Good Food (For a chain).

California Pizza Kitchen
http://www.cpk.com

Lucille's Bad to the Bone BBQ

Price: $$$
Atmosphere: 3 out of 5
Quality of Service: 3 out of 5
Food Overall: 4 out of 5


You’ve heard me speak of BBQ by now, and of the several reviews I’ve posted to date, there are a few I would say ‘You REALLY need to stop here.’ Well…welcome to Lucille’s Bad to the Bone in Boca Raton, FL.

The atmosphere takes you to one of those sort of ‘Barnyard hootenanny meets a Nawleans swamp house’ vibes. It’s quaint, with that feeling of this-could-get-rowdy. They’ve got this massive wall of hot sauce that you can use to kick it up a notch, but be warned: That top rack is muy caliente. The staff is friendly and they’re quick with your order.

Ok now that that’s out of the way, let’s get into the meat of our review with the…uh…meat of our review.

My wife and I ordered the Pit Platter IV: A half rack of Baby Back Ribs, and your choice of two meats: We both opted for the pulled pork and brisket, and I had the baked beans and coleslaw (hey, I know that’s my usual side order, but a true BBQ joint stands by the quality in their accompaniments, and these are just staples that need to be done right). Oh yeah, and a corn muffin.

Ribs: My goodness. These were some of the most tender lip-smacking ribs I’ve had in a long time. Fall off the bone, and just the right amount of fat to tenderize them through the slow cook process. You could actually taste the love put into these things, like they had a salt shaker full of it back there. Nicely sauced without trying to hide the smoke.

Pork: Again, another success story. Juicy, succulent, and with a nice rub flowing through each bite. This is a quality butt they’re using here, and it shows in the layers of texture (some bites have a little chew, while others have that melty tendency you get from the fat-side up method of cooking).

Brisket: This stuff was ridiculous. I mean, insanely good. This is the cheerleader your tongue wanted to take to prom. Fantastic rub (and you’ll note when you go that the rub isn’t really generic across the board; you taste subtle differences in each animal sacrifice). It was shredded fine and tossed in their house sauce, but again, you were able to taste the bar-be-que in addition to the sauce.

Coleslaw: Nice and tangy, with a hint of sweet. Definitely get points for doing this one up right. Not overstated, not run-of-the-mill. It’s the side dish that brought the beer to the party. Yeah, that guy.

Baked beans: Another hit. Loaded with meat pieces and some fatback to add that bacony flavor to them, with a distinct brown sugar undertone that reminds you that the road to Tasty Ville is just a few feet up the road.

Corn Muffin: Honestly, it’s a corn muffin. Good, but nothing special, but it’s a must for some bread-like product to hit the plate in a BBQ joint. Interestingly enough, they put a slice of white bread beneath your pork and brisket. THAT’S a true sign of an official BBQ place, friends.

So if you’re in that mood for some down home, love intensive, meat devouring BBQ, swing on by Lucille’s.

After all, it’s just Da(m)n Good Food.


Lucille’s Bad to the Bone BBQ
3011 Yamato Road
Boca Raton, FL. 33434
561-997-9557
http://www.badtothebonebbq.com/



Rock N' Roll Ribs

Price: $$$
Atmosphere: 4 out of 5
Quality of Service: 2 out of 5
Food Overall: 3 out of 5

As any good red-blooded American will tell you, BBQ (or ‘Bar-Be-Que’, if you want to get picky about it) is a staple to a normal, everyday diet. In fact, out of the four basic food groups (Bacon, Cheese, Pork and Beef), BBQ heavily involves two of them. Oh, and before you correct me by saying ‘Bacon IS pork’, I’m fully aware of this fact. That being said, Bacon will ALWAYS deserve its own grouping.

Moving on…

Living in South Florida, we are rife with BBQ eateries, more so than your stereotypical BBQ locations, like NC. So, being an aficionado of the smoky, tasty flesh that these joints produce, I’m always on the hunt for the next great ‘que. Sometimes these adventures are hit or miss. Rock N Roll Ribs in Coral Springs is a bit of both.

First off: This is ‘Rock N’ Roll’ ribs. Meaning, it is owned by the drummer of Iron Maiden, and the décor is littered with signed cymbals,  drum heads, Eddie (Iron Maiden’s skeleton mascot) statues and sarcophaguses, and even a full drum kit on a ‘mock’ stage. There’s a large HDTV center stage that plays concert footage from rock bands while you chow down.

I apparently missed the memo prior to dining here, as most of the clientele we donning their heavy metal tees and spiked bracelets. It was like eating at a concert. I love my heavy music, but not enough to dress up for it so I can consume a rib or two. But the place has style, if you’re into that thing. It has that ‘event’ vibe.

The Service: Sucks. My wife and I sat down and were greeted promptly enough, and placed our drink orders. It took about 15 minutes to bring those back, and for us to order (bear in mind we just ordered club soda and tea; nothing fancy or requiring an umbrella).

Our salads showed up 30 minutes after that, and the lettuce was wilted and just not good. When we addressed this with our waitress, she looked and said ‘Oh, I’m sorry about that.’ Then left. Didn’t even take them off the bill, which isn’t what we were looking for; just wanted to let them know to check their produce for future patrons. But that’s what I get for ordering a salad at a rock joint.

When our dinners finally arrived (another 40 minutes AFTER the salads), it was impressive looking, I’ll say that. Served on a large pizza tin, it looked to be a smorgasbord of flavors: ½ rack of ribs, pulled pork, coleslaw, baked beans and garlic toast. I was intrigued and ready to dig in. And boy was I….adequately satisfied.

Ribs: Tender, with a perfect smoke ring around the entire layer of meat. A little chew to them, but in a good rib, that’s ok and even expected. Great rub, great sauce (and sauce selection as well), and really just a tasty, tasty rib. I would definitely order these again.

Pulled pork: Probably the juiciest pork I’ve ever had. Ever. And I’m part Cuban. Tender as all get out. And flavorless. Yes, you heard me. There was virtually no flavor to this pork at all. Sure, you could sauce the hell out of it, but that kind of defeats the purpose of good BBQ in my opinion. No rub, no sauce…just juicy, plain, no flavored pork.

Coleslaw: It’s coleslaw. Granted, I love my coleslaw, and a great slaw I’d write about for days. But this was just your run of the mill, ho-hum slaw. No big deal. Same thing with the garlic toast, but then again, throwing that on a plate of ‘que is like other restaurants including a sprig of parsley with your steak. It’s like you HAVE to do it.

Baked beans: Honestly? The star of the show. These were the best baked beans I’ve ever had in my life (sorry Ma). They were sweet. They were tangy. They had meat and just this unctuousness to them that…well, words fail.

All in all? It was an experience. Was it a great one? No. Was it a good one? Yeah, we had a nice time, and the rock atmosphere really makes it a fun dining adventure. Will I go back? Most likely, but it’ll probably be for a full rack and a tub of beans, hold the sleepy slaw, wilted salad and flavorless pork. Oh, and I’ll be sure to don my rock tee so I get better service.

But if you’re in the neighborhood, and you’re a BBQ fan (and a metalhead doesn’t hurt), stop in and check it out. It’s a good time and there are some good vittles here if you play your cards right.

After all, it’s just Da(m)n Good Decent Food.

Rock N’ Roll Ribs
4651 State Road 7 (US441)
Coral Springs, FL 33073
954-345-RIBZ (7429)
http://www.rocknrollribs.org

Georgia On My Mind – Glady’s & Ron’s Chicken & Waffles

Price: $$$
Atmosphere: 4 out of 5
Quality of Service: 5 out of 5
Food Overall: 5 out of 5

It’s no secret that I’m a sweet and savory fan. Chocolate covered bacon. Caramel and Sea Salt. Pork and Apples. Duck and Cherries. But there is no greater S&S combo in the world that that of poultry and pastry. Specifically, Chicken and Waffles.

At Gladys & Rons (Yes, Gladys Knight & Ron Winan), you’re treated to the kind of comfort food you deserve in this fine city. This restaurant, with its elegant décor and friendly staff, serves up all kinds of home cooked favorites from the South, like fried green tomatoes, catfish and shrimp & grits.

But we’re here to talk about the C&W, are we not? ‘The Midnight Train’, named after Ms. Knight’s hit song, is your ticket to ride to the land of tastiness. You get 4 jumbo fried chicken wings, a large waffle, and I opted for two sides and a corn muffin to try the wares while I was in town.

First, the chicken: This is good bird, my friends. It’s fried, yes. But it’s a light fry, so it’s not drowning your waffle in grease or weighing you down. The chicken is tasty, and not overly seasoned, so you get that feeling that this is a place that relies on the quality of it’s meat rather than hiding it behind seasonings.

The waffle is the same way. Simple batter, slightly sweeter than most waffles, but oh so light and fluffy. It’s not a Belgian, but traditional C&W isn’t. This was pure love on a plate. The corn muffin was fresh and, well…corny I guess. This wasn’t a box mix for sure. The green beans had a nice crunch to them still (fresh snapped), but they did swim in a heavy butter sauce. The black eyed peas were well seasoned and hearty.

I normally don’t do ‘restaurant souvenirs’ unless the joint is worth its salt. Needless to say I bought two different coffee mugs from here. Should I decide to grace ATL with my presence again (or rather, should she have me back into her food-laced bosom),  G&R is a definite requirement.

After all…it’s just Da(m)n Good Food. With Chicken and Waffles.


Gladys and Rons Chicken & Waffles
529 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA. 30308
404-874-9393
http://gladysandron.net/

Georgia On My Mind – Big Pie In The Sky Pizzeria

Price: $
Atmosphere: 3 out of 5
Quality of Service: 3 out of 5
Food Overall: 4 out of 5

Every once in a while, you get hungry. Ok, well, it’s probably more than ‘every once in a while’. But I don’t mean that ‘I think I should eat something because I feel faint’ hungry. I mean the ‘I require the sacrifice of several animals and wheels of cheese to satiate my enormous appetite’ hungry. Welcome to Big Pie in the Sky Pizzeria.

A co-worker brought me here after a conversation that I was a foodie and had a blog about the places I visited. She also mentioned that this was one of the spots featured on the popular cable TV show ‘Man vs. Food’, where the host tried the Carnivore Challenge. He didn’t finish it. And now, I know why.

First off, this is a little joint tucked inside an otherwise empty shopping plaza. It’s a tiny restaurant, but it is booming with customers. Their daily special is a slice with any two toppings and a fountain soda for $5.00. Good deal, but most hearty folks would say ‘Yeah, but just one slice?’ My friend, you don’t even need that much at Big Pie.

Living up to its namesake, this was the biggest slice of pizza I’ve ever seen in my life. I decided to take a tiny step in Adam Richman’s footsteps and try a slice of the Carnivore pizza. This slice was served to me on a medium pizza tin, and was the length of two butter knives.

When I picked it up to fold in half (as it was so topping heavy, you had to fold it or you’d lose all the meaty goodness), it resembled an overstuffed burrito in its sheer girth. It was intimidating to be sure, but I finished the entire slice.

Not as a goal, or some claim to fame, but because it was that good. The sauce was light, with a nice homegrown tomato flavor. It wasn’t bogged down by herbs or hidden by unnecessary flavors. Simple but delicious. A nice, crispy crust surrounded my vessel of flavor. The cheese was layered thick, and perfectly gooey, but did not overpower the sauce or the toppings.

Oh yeah…the toppings. For the Carnivore, it’s topped VERY GENEROUSLY with the following dead species: Pepperoni (nicely spicy), Ground Beef (and a ton of it), Italian Sausage (great notes of fennel and sage), Ham (good, salty cuts) and Bacon (no more needs to be said about the wonder meat).

This was absolutely the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever eaten, and I’ve had a 1lb. burger in Vegas. Why? Because after the lunch in Vegas, I walked around and later had dinner. I ate this slice of pizza at lunch and didn’t eat until dinner. The NEXT night. I was that full. It was an amazing slice, and I’d definitely go back. Next time though, I may split a piece with a small village.

From the flavors to the atmosphere to just the good times with friends, this is a great please to store up for the winter before you hibernate.

After all…it’s just Da(m)n Good Food.

Big Pie In The Sky Pizzeria
2090 Baker Rd NW Suite#A103
Kennesaw, GA. 30144
770-420-8883
http://www.bigpieinthesky.com/

Georgia On My Mind – Cheeseburger Bobby’s

On a recent work-related tour to Atlanta, I was able to find some downtime to take in the local culture. And by culture, I mean their hot spot eateries. Join me, won’t you?

Price: $$
Atmosphere: 3 out of 5
Quality of Service: 3 out of 5
Food Overall: 4 out of 5

Not quite fast food, but not necessarily a restaurant, Cheeseburger Bobby’s in Marietta, GA. is a great lunch stop for those craving something a bit more distinguished than two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese…you know what I mean.

The joint is simple enough: Red & yellow accents highlight the inner workings of this circular meat grilling factory, condiment bar next to the register with the stand alone soda fountains. You walk up, place your order, then grab a seat until it’s ready, and they bring it over or you can go grab it yourself.

Actually, the set up reminded me of a ‘Fuddruckers Light’, if you will. Now the menu is your typical drive-in faire: Hot dogs, fries, chicken sammies, shakes, et al. But CB’s is doing something that a lot of places don’t seem to have, and that’s showing your meal a little TLC.
I ordered the Bobby’s Smokehouse Burger with a side of fries. The meat was perfectly cooked to a nice medium, with that slight pink middle. It was juicy. It was a decent size. It made a burgerphile like myself crack a grin from ear to ear.

The BBQ sauce on top was sweet and tangy, with notes of molasses and a touch peppery. The cheddar was just sharp enough to let you know it came to the party, and the bacon was crisp and not overly fatty. Top it all with whatever you like (lettuce, pickles, onions…’da woiks’) and a soft, fresh bun and you’re good to go.

Well, not quite. Something must accompany this tasty treat, should it not? In true American fashion, ‘french’ fries were my side order of choice. And boy, were they tasty. Fresh cut potatoes, fried up to order, with that little piece of skin on each one to let you know these weren’t shipped from some frozen warehouse in some far off land.

The food, while served ‘semi-fast’, was not done in that style at all. Yes, it was a burger and fries. No, it wasn’t greasy, flimsy or leaving you wanting more. Perfectly portioned, and just an all around great choice for a quick lunch to get you back out into the working world.

Besides, the staff walk around at the end of your meal with free ice cream samples to try and entice you into buying something else, which didn’t work with us, but it was a nice treat and just enough to fill that tiny ‘sweet tooth’ craving for the day.

So if you’re out that way, and get a hankerin’ for a good burger spot, look no further than CB’s.

After all…it’s just Da(m)n Good Food.

Cheeseburger Bobby’s
125 Barrett Pkwy
Marietta, GA. 30066
770-919-9110
http://www.cheeseburgerbobbys.com/cheeseburgerbobbys/flash/index.html

Why Go Out? - G.C.S. (Grilled Cheese Sammie)

Grilled cheese: That staple of Americana. The sandwich we all run to, young and old, to satisfy that inner child. The gooeyness. The creaminess. The combination of bread-cheese-bread that just throws us in the way back machine and drops us off at Memory Town.

Ah, but times, they are a-changin’, my friends. It’s time to feed the outer grown-up. Check this out:

2 slices of fresh sourdough bread
1cup blue cheese
Bacon Jam (You can buy it here:  http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-891226/?affsrcid=Aff0001&mr:trackingCode=A6E29125-F30A-E111-973E-001517384908&mr:referralID=NA&origin=pla&mr:adType=pla
1/3 cup baby bella mushrooms, sliced into long pieces
1 shallot, diced
1 sprig of thyme
1 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. olive oil
1/8 cup red wine (good drinking wine, please)
Salt & pepper to taste

Take a small sauté pan and add in your butter, thyme and olive oil. Bring to a medium heat and once the thyme is fragrant, and in your mushrooms and onions. Sweat them down until the onion is translucent; add in your red wine and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until wine reduces. Add salt & pepper to taste.

Take your bread and butter one side of each slice. On the other side of 1 of the sourdough pieces, spread some bacon jam all over (careful with this stuff; it’s deceptively tasty, and you don’t want so much that it overpowers the other ingredients). Top THAT piece with ½ the blue cheese. Add your mushrooms and shallot (be sure to remove the thyme), then top with the rest of the blue cheese.

Grill the sandwich in a non-stick skillet (yes, like you normally would for an ‘old school’ grilled cheese), until the blue cheese is melting and fragrant. Enjoy.

After all, it’s just Da(m)n Good Food, so why go out?

Why Go Out? - Official Meatball Sub

Hey, we all love a good meatball sub right? But where to go? There's so many choices, and most of them are good. Well, here's a recipe to make your own without all that pesky decision making.

Ingredients:

Sandwich base -
1 loaf of fresh French bread
2 slices deli provolone cheese
Dried oregano (just a few sprinkles)

Sauce -
Good tomato sauce (I used Barilla Marinara canned sauce for this recipe, but feel free to make your own or buy another brand)
1 clove minced garlic
2 diced fresh basil leaves (you can use a good dried sweet basil if you don’t have fresh)
Splash of red wine (good wine you’d drink. Please don’t buy ‘cooking wine’. I don’t have time to track you down and smack you upside the head for doing that.)
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
Salt & pepper to taste

Meatballs -
4 cloves diced garlic
1 shallot, diced
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1 lb. ground beef (93/7)
1 lb. ground Italian sausage
1 ½ tsp. dried oregano
1 ½ tsp. dried basil
1 bunch fresh parsley, minced
1 tsp. Salt
1 ½ tsp. fresh ground black pepper
1 large egg
1/3 cup plain breadcrumbs

For the sauce: Start by pouring the jar (or your homemade) sauce in a medium pot; turn on medium-low heat. Add in your garlic, basil, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning; stir. Allow this to cook for about 3-4 minutes, then turn to a simmer. Add your few splashes of wine (sparingly; you want to enhance the flavor, not get all liquored up eating lunch.)

Simmer for another 10 minutes or so (or until the meatballs are done).

For the meatballs: Pre-heat the oven to 450 degrees. Combine all of the ingredients into a large bowl and shape into about 2 inch balls. In a large non-stick skillet, drizzle some olive oil and heat to medium-high. Once the pan is hot, add your meatballs a few at a time (do not over-crowd the pan or they won’t cook correctly) and give each side a sear.

Once they are browned all the way around, remove them from the pan and place in a large glass baking dish; repeat. Once you’ve browned all of them and switched them to the dish, place it in the oven for 12-15 minutes until cooked through.

Now, for the rest of the masterpiece: Take a good piece out of that French bread (depending on your hunger level) and cut it in half to open it, but not separate the bread (you know. Like Subway does it.)

Spread a little ‘love’ on each side (that means ‘butter’) and pop it in the toaster oven for just a few minutes to get the outside crispy. Take out the bread and ladle a good amount of that tomato sauce all inside the bread. From there, throw in enough meatballs to satisfy your inner Soprano and cover with more sauce.

Drop two pieces of provolone on top and throw it back in the toaster oven to melt the cheese down. Take out, plate up, and shake a little oregano and parmesan on top.  Mange!

After all, it’s just Da(m)n Good Food, so why go out?

Under the Sea (in Orlando, FL) - Sharks Underwater Grill

Price: Pricey
Atmosphere: 5 out of 5
Quality of Service: 4 out of 5
Food Overall: 4 out of 5

As this was my birthday weekend, the wife and I made plans to have lunch at a key attraction in Sea World (our park of choice this trip to Orlando). I'd read about it before, but I really had to experience it for myself. I mean, Jaws IS my favorite movie.

Where, you ask? Sharks Underwater Grill inside the Sea World park. Unfortunately they don't take phone reservations, but you can head over to the booth right at the front gate to reserve a lunch or dinner time here. So that's what we did, and I spent the day wandering through the park and anxiously awaiting 12:30pm.

Like with my Paris (Las Vegas) review, this one is primarily about the atmosphere. When you walk in, you are led down a short flight of stairs and then you see it: The entire restaurant is underwater, surrounded by a tremendous tank filled with large fish and SHARKS. Big, hungry looking, gliding monsters swimming around as you dine and stare in wonder.

It was...amazing. But ambiance aside, the food was definitely worth sinking your teeth into (pun intended). The picture above is of the Shark's Romaine Salad, which is kind of a play on your traditional Wedge.

It's a large heart of romaine, covered with crumbled gorgonzola, crisp bacon pieces, freshly diced red onion and a raspberry ranch that was just phenominal. That set the tone for the main dish, which was (in my case) a Chicken Portabello: Grilled chicken breast, juicy and flavorful, topped with portabello mushroom slices marinated in a blasamic glaze, and served with sweet potato fries.

It was a (semi) health conscious meal, and didn't bog me down, so I could get back to my thrill rides in the park. I seriously recommend dining here if you're in the Sea World park. The food is spectacular, and the view is worth dying for. Luckily, there's several feet of glass between you and the sharks, so you won't have to.

After all, it's just Da(m)n Good Food.

Sharks Underwater Grill
Sea World Theme Park
Orlando, FL
http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando/Dine-and-Shop/Dining/Sharks-Underwater-Grill

Under the Sea in Orlando, FL - Flipper's Pizzeria

Price: Affordable
Atmosphere: 2 out of 5
Quality of Service: 3 out of 5
Food Overall: 3 out of 5

Our first food stop on a recent trip to Orlando, Flipper's Pizzeria is no doubt a chain restaurant. I mention this because, if you share my wife's opinion, you're not real big on chain eateries. I'm not sure why; the logic has never been explained to me.

Now don't get me wrong: I'm a big fan of unique, 'there's only one of these' type places. It's kind of special, like 'This is MY place, and I found it." However, there's an appreciation I share with most Americans on the chain/franchise restaurant.

It's convienient. It's cheap. And best of all, there's usually one 5 minutes away in any direction. Now I'd never been to Flipper's before, but they are apparently popular in the Orlando area, and we were walking around Old Town killing time until we could check into the timeshare.

Pizza sounded good, as it often does when the mood strikes, so we gave it a shot. To be honest, it was a very good pizza. Was it unique? No, not particularly. Was it comparable to an Anthony's Coal Fire or Amore? Don't think so. But that being said, it was quite delicious.

We ordered a medium pie with baby bella mushrooms and 1/2 with smoked bacon. The sauce is always key in any pie, and here it didn't disappoint. It was a little sweeter than I'm used to (this happens with chains), but it did have strong notes of basil and oregano which toned down the sweet factor quite a bit.

The mushrooms were interesting, as I usually cook with them, but never see baby bellas at your everyday pizza joint (hell, not even at some of the 'stand alones'). They provided a subtle earthiness to the meal, which was a welcome change from teh norm.

The bacon was indeed as described: Smoked. You really got that bite in the pork, and it was crisped up for a great crunch in each chomp. And sitting outside enjoying the fall weather with a good pie, a great woman, and a vacation to boot? Well it doesn't get better than that, friends.

I was pleasantly surprised by this place, and I think you will be too. They offer your typical pizzeria/bar type food as well, if you're not feeling a pie: Wings, calzones, salads. Give it a try if you're out that way.

After all, it's just Da(m)n Good Food.

Flipper's Pizzeria
5770 W. Highway 192
Kissimmee, FL 34746
(407) 397-9509
http://flipperspizzeria.com/Locations/OldTownCelebration/tabid/107/Default.aspx

Under the Sea in Orlando, FL - Cap'n Jack's Restaurant

Price: Affordable
Atmosphere: 3 out of 5
Quality of Service: 4 out of 5
Food Overall: 4 out of 5

On a recent mini-vacation to Orlando, FL. my wife and I had spent all day at a themepark and by the time we left, we were starving. Chalk it up to all the rollrcoasters, shows and outdoor excitement, but we needed to feast...and soon.

We drove over to Downtown Disney, which if you've never been, is probably the coolest open air 'shopping center' in the US of A. Disney themed shops where you can buy anything from the parks without dropping the dough for admission, a Lego store that you have to see to believe, candy shops, even a resident Cirque Du Soliel.

And the restaurants. House of Blues, Bongos (Gloria Esteffan's cuban inspired joint), and this place: Cap'n Jack's on the water. It was late, and everywhere else was booked solid.The hostess was able to get us a seat at the bar, which was fine by us, and we began perusing the menu.

As it is on the water, Cap'n Jack's hosts a good amount of seafood dishes, ranging from large crabcakes to a baked tilapia filet served with a cool mango salsa. However, this night I was in the mood for some comfort food. And what's more comforting than pot roast?

Old Fashioned Beef Pot Roast, served in a bath of onion ragut, with a heaping side of red skin mashed potatoes and sauteed green beans. The pot roast was fall-apart tender (of course it was; how else do you expect to eat it?), but the sauce was simply divine. You instantly get the tang from the onion, with that red wine sharpness and of course that singing slow cooked beef flavor.

The potatoes had that perfect hint of garlic to them, and were just velvetly enough to be good mashed potatoes, and not overly creamy. The green beans had that 'fresh picked' snap to them, but were cooked all the way through.

If you're ever out that way and need that warm 'only-momma's-cooking-will-do' meal, stop in on Cap'n Jack. (Note: Although it is a part of Disney World, there was no sign of Johnny Depp or affiliations with this restaurant. Yeah, I was disappointed too.)

After all, it's just Da(m)n Good Food.

Cap'n Jack's Restaurant
Downton Disney
Orlando, FL.
(407) 827-2253
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/capn-jacks-restaurant/

Porky & Beth's BBQ/Bedner's Farm Fresh Market

Price: $
Atmosphere: 2 out of 5
Quality of Service: 3 out of 5
Food Overall: 4 out of 5

I’m an equal opportunity restaurateur. I can slum it in the dives, hole-in-the-walls and grease pits. I also clean up real nice for the establishments (fancy word for ‘pricey eatery’) that require a jacket, tie, reservation and a third mortgage.

 Truth is, if the food is top notch, there is no pro or con to either type of food spot. Sometimes you need the homey feel of a small time restaurant, and sometimes it’s a special occasion and you want to play dress up.

Today’s subject is almost in a category of its own: The Food Truck. Although I’m pretty sure it lives on campus at the wonderful Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market in Boynton Beach, FL. (more on that in a minute), it’s still in that convenient portable design. You’ve seen them before: The lines outside a little window, with 1-3 people inside taking your order as you make new friends in line waiting for your meal to be fresh prepared.

In my opinion, food trucks are the Facebook of the world outdoors. Everyone’s waiting to eat and slowly but surely they begin to bond over their delicacies to come, discussing their order and what they love about this place. And Porky & Beth’s BBQ has plenty to love I assure you.

My wife and I went to Bedner’s one day with a friend to do some shopping. If you’ve never been, then shame on you for eating less-than-the-freshest produce and paying twice as much for it through chain grocery stores. Bedner’s has it all: Homemade ice cream, freshly made pickles, just-picked herbs, unique fruits (I’ve had the blackberry plums and mango nectarines; both are delectable) and when in season, a U-Pick strawberry farm. During the fall, they deck the place out with haunted houses, pumpkin patch rides (and by that rationale, a U-Pick pumpkin patch).

Ok, so why bring this up, you ask? I thought this was about the ‘Que? My friends, I’m getting there, but you need to understand one to appreciate the other.

Porky & Beth’s uses (the day I was there, at least) a nice cut of hickory wood to perfectly smoke their meats. I ordered the rack of ribs with cole slaw and baked beans, and my wife had the chicken and sweet corn. Since it’s my blog, well…me first.

The ribs were fall-off-the-bone material, with that beautiful smoke ring encompassing each tasty one. Very lighty sauced, and as I’m a big sauce person I can say honestly that the way they were served up was just the right amount.

The baked beans were nicely done as well, with those notes of brown sugar coming through every other bite, as almost to switch up your taste buds. The cole slaw wasn’t the sweet processed stuff you buy at the commercial stores, and here’s why: That market we talked about? Yeah. Fresh, on-the-premises ingredients.  It was a lovely, creamy slaw with raisins thrown in the mix for that sweetness this side dish requires. It was crunchy, it was delicate, it was refreshing.

Now my wife’s chicken had that beautiful pink color you get from a perfect smoke, and it remained juicy all the way through. The corn…oh my. I’m sure you’ve had sweet corn before, but let me tell you: This was like nothing else. It didn’t need a thing. Straight out the husk, smoked a little, and have at it. It tasted naturally buttered, and I thought about getting a few for the road (we did go back in and buy a few for the house however).

The best part of all this? The smoke stays on your fingers for hours. The drive home was like being in a car made of that killer ‘Que, and it followed me in the house. Bedner’s is worth the trip regardless, but the on-location BBQ they’re cranking out is no joke either. And hey, while you wait you can even get your car washed.

So pack up the family and head down to Bedner’s, and hop on line for Porky & Beth’s BBQ. It’s truly just a nice day outdoors, and you’ll definitely remember the meal.

After all, it’s just Da(m)n Good Food.

John G's

Price: $$
Atmosphere: 4 out of 5
Quality of Service: 5 out of 5
Food Overall: 5 out of 5


To be honest, I've never been a big breakfast person. On the weekends, sure; I like to get up, throw some bacon and eggs in a skillet and enjoy my coffee with a plate of grub, but during the week, who has time? It's usually a banana and out the door to face the corporate world once again.

In fact, up until a few years ago, I never used to eat breakfast at all. However, I do LOVE to go out to breakfast, on any occasion. If I'm going to make a conscious effort to wake up early-esque on a Saturday or Sunday, I want to be fed right, and sometimes that grits-in-a-pot at the home front just won't cut it.

And I don't mean just 'any' breakfast. You won't catch me at Denny's, IHOP or Shoney’s. Granted, they served a purpose in my life once, but when I graduated high school, I decided that a working man deserves a hearty, cooked-to-order morning meal when he goes out to spend his hard earned dough.

Enter John G's, a South Florida staple for over 40 years. Owned and operated by a firefighter and his always friendly wife, They're cranking out huge comfort meals every day of the week.

Whatever your fancy, John G's delivers in droves. Be it blueberry pancakes, homemade corn beef hash, or the classic eggs Benedict, you just can't go wrong with anything on the menu.

"Anyone can quote a menu, Dan. Where's the detail??" Oh, ok. I see how it is. You want to drool for this place, eh? Fair enough. One of my wife's favorite dishes (and I gotta admit, mine too) are the Buttons & Bows: Two extra large eggs atop a more than generous mountain of mushrooms, sautéed in a sauce that can only be described as 'liquid love', served with grits or hash browns (more on that in a sec) and toast.

This past weekend when we showed our support for their grand re-opening in a new & prominent location, my love ordered the Steak & Eggs, which consisted of a perfectly seasoned and wonderfully cooked strip, kissed with a little helping of those mushrooms we spoke of earlier, and served up with your way eggs, hash browns/grits & toast.

Of course, my staple is the picture at the top of this review. I love this dish. Hands down, one of my favorite breakfasts anywhere. This, my foodie friends, is the Stuffed Croissant. Since your eyes can see it, let me paint the flavor on your palette: A large and fluffy buttery croissant, split in half and filled with a sort of diced ham-and-egg concoction, and topped with a blanket of the most amazing cheese sauce you will ever taste.

I’d go so far to say that you could put that cheese sauce on ice cream, and with the proper marketing, put Ben & Jerry’s out of business. It’s rich, but not to the point of being ‘too rich’. It’s velvety. It’s decadent. It’s the perfect way to finish this dish off.

Oh yeah, those hash browns? Simply amazing. They are fried up with just the right amount of salt, and it seems like nothing else. But there’s the beauty: The potato is the star, as it should be, and there’s something about the way it is cooked up that brings out this…You know what, you just need to go. I really can’t explain it. It’s like standing at the Grand Canyon and trying to explain a picture of it to someone else.

They’ve got a new look for the new location, but they kept the friendly service, great food and just homey vibe they’ve been doing since they’ve opened. So do yourself a favor, hard working man (and woman): Take that hard earned cash over to John G’s and tell them Dan sent ya. You deserve it. But go early: The line is usually pretty extensive, but well worth the wait.

After all, it’s just Da(m)n Great Food.

John G’s
Plaza Del Mar, 264 S. Ocean Blvd.
Manalapan, FL. 33460
(561) 585-9860
http://johngsdotcom.wordpress.com/