Fill the Pit Friday: Arby's

So you are out and about and your hungry and need to fill the pit. You see an Arby;s. what is your go to meal to fill the pit?

Arby's - click here

I usually get the classic Beef and Cheddar, curly fries and a Dr. pepper ..
if on the road.. and driving .. i may forgo fries. and swap Dr. Pepper with coffee.

what about you ?

Buon Appetito!!!

Columbus Ohio: Ena's Kitchen

For those that know me, I grew up in Brooklyn, NY. I know and love Jamaican and West Indian foods.
Where I live, now, good places either don't last or exist. But when I am out and about I do look for them.

I worked in Columbus for over a year, traveling back and forth and discovered a gem of a place.

Ena's Caribbean Kitchen

2444 Cleveland Ave
Columbus, OH 43211-1662

 Ena's Website - click here

This place is as authentic as they come. Family owned and run, all learned from Mrs. Ena (about us on their website)

All my meals were delicious: from Oxtail to Curry Goat, my personal favorite and go to dishes to gage the quality of a restaurant.

The portions are huge, so don't let the prices fool you. You will be stuffed or have enough for a second meal depending on your appetite.

They also serve home made Sorrel, you need to ask for it.  This website explains it best: Sorrel from Caribbean Pot website - click here

My Recommendation is to try a beef/chicken patty with coco bread. This is a cheap and easy lunch for someone on the go, most Jamaican/Caribbean restaurants serve it.you place the patty in the cocoa bread. it's very filling. :-)

Buon Appetito!

New segment in the works.

Friday I will start a segment called "Filling the "pit" Friday: XXX".
I will publish the name of fast food or chain restaurant, and then we discuss what the go to meal from there is and why.
A posted comment maybe easier to track and create dialog, rather than a poll.
I will do my best to represent most of the major chains in the area.. :-)

Sometimes one just needs to fill the pit. Friday will be our day to start a discussion what we do when we just need to eat something! ;-)

Buon Appettito! 

Holy Toledo..

Early in 2014 I was working in Ohio and was able to cross off a bucket list item. I went with a few local masonic brothers to Tony Packo's. Why a bucket list, being a fan of M*A*S*H and being relatively near to Toledo, how could I not go to Jamie Farr's favorite hot dog place. many of the actors were given liberties in the show to throw in something personal. With Alan Alda it was Fordham , my alma mater, with Jamie Farr (Klinger)  it was Tony Packo's.

Home to his favorite hot dog, so of course i went there to experience it.
For all the New Yorkers this is not a dirty water dog or red/white hot, depending where in the state you may be. This is actually a Kielbasa slices long ways and placed on a bun. I had the works; mustard, relish sauerkraut and chili with a side of German potato salad. I also had a bowl of their chili , with oysterette crackers. Because, what makes a good chili are the crackers (Columbo reference)

The chili was more heat than spicy and it was decent , just NOT fantastic. Get it and see for yourself; it doesn't break the bank.
(Oh, a reminder, I am not here as a food critic per se, but as a foodie and someone looking to fill a need, rather than someone looking for the "BAD".
All palates are different and knowing that I will say whether a dish was good to me and what may make it not good for others. Above all else, if it was worth the money and experience. )

The dogs were very good, I enjoined them a lot for what they were kielbasa.
The potato salad was nice, but a little on the sweet side. If you don't like your German potato salad too sweet, get something else instead.





At the end of the meal, each check was given a coupon for their store.

I thought it a great gimmick, I was going there anyway and it just allowed me to get a lot more for the money.

Overall all , my experience was great, our waitress was funny and accommodating to our needs and eccentricities.  The food was well worth the money and the experience. If you are in Ohio, find it :-)


Buon Appetito ..

Loughran's Irish Pub, in Salisbury Mills , NY

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Monday through Thursday you can get this Prime Rib Special for $19.95. It reminds me of something out of the Flintstone's :-)

This was my second venture to this restaurant, a few months ago, and it did not disappoint. This side of beef is cooked and cut to order and comes with several types of potatoes. They were out of the mashed/boiled so I opted for the waffle fries.

Parking is at a premium so you need to get there and get lucky to find a proper spot. It is rather small and can be snug depending on how many people show up. We were a dozen freemasons and it was "cozy".
No one had a bad meal, I could have eaten it all but I "chose" to bring half home.

I hear the lobster is good there as well, but I get plenty of lobster in June. Some places you go for a specific meal, this is one of those places for me. I cannot see going there and NOT getting this slab of beef :-)

If I say a place is worth the trip, people know I wouldn't steer them wrong .. It's worth every ounce.

Buon Appetito!

Steve C.

Click here for their website

What I look for in a place to eat

There are times when I feel like filling the pit., there are times when I want atmosphere. What is the difference you may ask?

Sometimes a good food truck hits the spot and doesn't hurt the wallet and sometimes it does both.
There are places that call themselves restaurants and places that call themselves bars. Depending on your mood either may satisfy or make you wish you never walked through the door.

My father raised me with the ideal that good food is good food. No matter the culture or the cook. I try never to allow the look of a place turn me off, unless of course its less than sanitary. when in the south, I was taught and now believe that if its very fancy looking and more than a glorified shack, don't bother.

All that should matter is the food. if its served on a paper plate and the meat falls off the bone and makes you want more.. didn't your wish for good BBQ just come true?

I hope to bring to the attention of the readers that whether the food is served on a truck or in a 5 star restaurant, at the end of the day, it's the food that matters. If the food is over priced and garbage, I will call that place out. If it's fabulous but the place is well not to everyone's taste I will say as much.
But remember if I like a place for it's food, the look is last on my list of concerns.

Thank you for Reading..