Today is my first day in my new office and I'm excited to start my new job at The American Bible Society in Wayne, Pennsylvania - near Philadelphia.
With Philadelphia comes Philly Cheese Steaks.
This is Pat's King of Steaks, the claimed inventor of what might be the single greatest single contribution to American cuisine. I had this when I was here for my interview about 3 weeks ago. I also had Geno's across the street - also good, but I like Pat's better I think.
This last note might open me up to a horde of criticism and questions about my upbringing... you get the picture.
Maybe it's just me...
October 22, 2008
October 20, 2008
Twitter with a raspberry reduction
It's Internet Ministry Conference time and the food is always amazing. Notice this dessert - white chocolate mousse in a chocolate shell with a raspberry reduction, next to an iPod touch with twitter running on it.
That's much better than an iPod touch with a raspberry reduction running on it.
maybe it's just me...
That's much better than an iPod touch with a raspberry reduction running on it.
maybe it's just me...
October 7, 2008
Fall - with a twist
Whilst driving through my local Starbucks I like to make fun of Sylvia's order. She gets a "Venti, skinny, vanilla, latte" but when I order it I like to say something like this.
Sylvia laughs when I do that, and that's half the reason. This time, the intrepid barista in the drive-thru says:
We applauded when we got to the window.
I'm not a big fan of Fall - as it has fully arrived here in West Michigan, but I do like the Pumpkin Spice Latte an awful lot.
...maybe it's just me?
first I'm gonna need a big ole honkin' venti, skinny, no-fat, no-sugar, no-fun, no-nothin' vanilla, latte...
WITH WHIP
Sylvia laughs when I do that, and that's half the reason. This time, the intrepid barista in the drive-thru says:
wow - with that twist at the end I thought I was in an M. Night Shyamalan movie
We applauded when we got to the window.
I'm not a big fan of Fall - as it has fully arrived here in West Michigan, but I do like the Pumpkin Spice Latte an awful lot.
...maybe it's just me?
September 22, 2008
Crabs!
My friend Steve Wilcox invited a bunch of us over for Maryland blue crabs.
Sylvia and I had a great time and Zeke ate almost a whole hot dog.
Note about blue crabs: after you cook 'em, they turn red. Kind of a political statement, don't you think?
...maybe it's just me
Sylvia and I had a great time and Zeke ate almost a whole hot dog.
Note about blue crabs: after you cook 'em, they turn red. Kind of a political statement, don't you think?
...maybe it's just me
September 5, 2008
Best Juice Ever
Many years ago, Ocean Spray made Cran-Blueberry. It was amazing. Then, they stopped making it. It was sad.
Today, I found this in the grocery store. It is fantastic. I've started hitting the juice pretty hard today.
If you've had someone else's Cranberry-Blueberry concoction, that's fine, but this is the best juice ever.
... maybe it's just me
Today, I found this in the grocery store. It is fantastic. I've started hitting the juice pretty hard today.
If you've had someone else's Cranberry-Blueberry concoction, that's fine, but this is the best juice ever.
... maybe it's just me
September 4, 2008
Wild Stallion
As if we needed one more energy drink - this is mango flavored. I found it on tap at a gas station.
When you think of wild stallions, raw power, rippling muscles, thundering hooves, and manes whipping in the wind as they gallop across the great plains - don't you just think "Orange Mango"?
... maybe it's just me
When you think of wild stallions, raw power, rippling muscles, thundering hooves, and manes whipping in the wind as they gallop across the great plains - don't you just think "Orange Mango"?
... maybe it's just me
August 22, 2008
one please
There's got to be a way that I can set this up in my own kitchen.
I'd probably just end up sticking my face underneath and dispensing both barrels directly into my mouth.
... maybe it's just me.
I'd probably just end up sticking my face underneath and dispensing both barrels directly into my mouth.
... maybe it's just me.
August 20, 2008
Red Knapp's Dairy Bar
Rochester, Michigan is the home of Red Knapp's Dairy Bar. Until I was on the way there, I thought is was the Dairy Barn. Clearly, I'm a moron.
It's a 50's-style diner. It's been a 50's-style diner since the 50's.
That's actually really nice. Great burgers on homemade buns, shakes served in the can and fries.
You can't go wrong when those are all done well.
...maybe it's just me.
Thanks to Sylvia for taking me there!
It's a 50's-style diner. It's been a 50's-style diner since the 50's.
That's actually really nice. Great burgers on homemade buns, shakes served in the can and fries.
You can't go wrong when those are all done well.
...maybe it's just me.
Thanks to Sylvia for taking me there!
August 2, 2008
Old Joke
I have the privilege of serving on the Board of Directors for Greater Hopes, Inc. Adoption Agency and we had our first meetings this week in Rockford, MI - just around the corner from The Corner Bar.
Famous for their hot dogs and their hot dog contest. It seems if you eat enough dogs in a short enough amount of time, then you get your name on their wall. That's good fun!
When I ordered my hot dog I was reminded of this old joke.
...maybe it's just me
Famous for their hot dogs and their hot dog contest. It seems if you eat enough dogs in a short enough amount of time, then you get your name on their wall. That's good fun!
When I ordered my hot dog I was reminded of this old joke.
Q: What did the Buddhist say to the hot dog vendor?
A: Make me one with everything.
...maybe it's just me
July 30, 2008
one pound of awesome
One of my favorite places in Grand Haven is Pavilion's Wharf right there on Washington. It's a cute little place decked out like a red, green, and white cottage, but inside it's an awesome little restaurant and bar.
The burgers are clearly their best offerings. Cooked to order and available in 1/2 pound or... yes... Full One Pound options. Sylvia - posing with the One Pounder - and I split a big ol' Fiesta burger the other night. It has bacon, swiss, guacamole, and I encourage you to try the curly fries.
You won't go to bed hungry... and you wont wake up hungry the next morning either.
... maybe it's just me
The burgers are clearly their best offerings. Cooked to order and available in 1/2 pound or... yes... Full One Pound options. Sylvia - posing with the One Pounder - and I split a big ol' Fiesta burger the other night. It has bacon, swiss, guacamole, and I encourage you to try the curly fries.
You won't go to bed hungry... and you wont wake up hungry the next morning either.
... maybe it's just me
July 25, 2008
Dairy Treat
It's Summer time and that means ice cream. In Grand Haven, a lakeshore tourist community, that means you have plenty of choices. Today I'm talking about the Dairy Treat - at the request of my special guest requester - Brian.
Of all the gastronomic delights available, Brian had a hankering for a Rock Pile Shake. He said it was kinda like a blizzard but better.
When I arrived at the window I saw the slogan, "Home of the Rock Pile Shake". I was pretty geared up! You get a choice of peanuts or pecans. Brian asked for peanuts so that's what I got. I didn't know what else might be in there and I don't mind the adventure of an unknown. Brian hasn't ever steered me wrong before, so I received my first Rock Pile with salivary glands at the ready.
There were strawberries clearly visible. I like strawberries. I like ice cream, I like peanuts, what could go wrong? (see my food rules for examples of what could go wrong)
I like bananas, but not really in things. This was a banana split in a blender. I ate the whole thing anyway just because I love Brian so much and wanted to honor his food request.
nasty
Brian also wanted me to visit Butch's Beach Burritos (next blog post coming soon). I had to ask him if I should be worried about finding a banana covered in salsa hiding in there.
... maybe it's just me.
PS - got something you want me to eat and blog about? Add your comment and let me know!
Of all the gastronomic delights available, Brian had a hankering for a Rock Pile Shake. He said it was kinda like a blizzard but better.
When I arrived at the window I saw the slogan, "Home of the Rock Pile Shake". I was pretty geared up! You get a choice of peanuts or pecans. Brian asked for peanuts so that's what I got. I didn't know what else might be in there and I don't mind the adventure of an unknown. Brian hasn't ever steered me wrong before, so I received my first Rock Pile with salivary glands at the ready.
There were strawberries clearly visible. I like strawberries. I like ice cream, I like peanuts, what could go wrong? (see my food rules for examples of what could go wrong)
I like bananas, but not really in things. This was a banana split in a blender. I ate the whole thing anyway just because I love Brian so much and wanted to honor his food request.
nasty
Brian also wanted me to visit Butch's Beach Burritos (next blog post coming soon). I had to ask him if I should be worried about finding a banana covered in salsa hiding in there.
... maybe it's just me.
PS - got something you want me to eat and blog about? Add your comment and let me know!
June 27, 2008
Rick and Aedan
So what do you say to someone when you haven't seen them in 25 years? That's what my friend Aedan said this week when we met up for a visit. He's been living abroad for most of his adult life and lives in Finland now with his family. He found my website and recognized me by my toes.
He's kept in touch with our mutual friend Rick over the years and this week while I was in Chicago, speaking at a conference and recording a podcast and Aedan was in town visiting home - we all got together.
So - what do you say after 25 years?
Giordano's - that's what!
maybe it's just me...
He's kept in touch with our mutual friend Rick over the years and this week while I was in Chicago, speaking at a conference and recording a podcast and Aedan was in town visiting home - we all got together.
So - what do you say after 25 years?
Giordano's - that's what!
maybe it's just me...
June 24, 2008
Instantly delicious
This is Jeff. 
Jeff wants his coffee. Jeff Parker is my oldest friend. He's actually about the same age as me, but I've known him longer than nearly anyone I know. Jeff moved to Chile about 15 years ago and we've been keeping in contact ever since.
This is the dark and robust Uruguayan Cafe de leche. After a couple days of that, I flew from Uruguay to Chile.
I was surprised to find that the Chilean coffee is all instant. In fact if you want brewed coffee you need to ask and pay special for it. Apparently they export all of their coffee.
However, this is like no instant coffee I've ever had. If you made it dark - and most places simply hand you the hot water or hot milk and a tin of Nescafe - it's really good. That was by far the strangest thing I ate/drank on my South American jaunt.
...maybe it's just me
Jeff wants his coffee. Jeff Parker is my oldest friend. He's actually about the same age as me, but I've known him longer than nearly anyone I know. Jeff moved to Chile about 15 years ago and we've been keeping in contact ever since.
This is the dark and robust Uruguayan Cafe de leche. After a couple days of that, I flew from Uruguay to Chile. 
I was surprised to find that the Chilean coffee is all instant. In fact if you want brewed coffee you need to ask and pay special for it. Apparently they export all of their coffee. 
However, this is like no instant coffee I've ever had. If you made it dark - and most places simply hand you the hot water or hot milk and a tin of Nescafe - it's really good. That was by far the strangest thing I ate/drank on my South American jaunt....maybe it's just me
June 6, 2008
Dids Deli
I had to run some errands at lunch and just before I went home I stopped in at a Deli, just around the corner from my apartment.
Sweet Fancy Moses!
That's what I call a sandwich.
I'm never leaving.
... maybe it's just me
Sweet Fancy Moses!
That's what I call a sandwich.
I'm never leaving.
... maybe it's just me
June 5, 2008
Donut Day
Wednesday at the office is Donut Day.
It's a day devoted to donuts.
It doesn't get much better than that.
... maybe it's just me.
It's a day devoted to donuts.
It doesn't get much better than that.
... maybe it's just me.
May 30, 2008
guest brian
Today I had lunch with Brian Tol. He and I used to work together at Gospel Communications and he's recently gone over to 5Q Communications.
We ate at one of my favorite places in Grand Haven, Pavilion's Wharf. The Wharf is right downtown, has great burgers, and is smoke-free. I'm pretty much done eating in places that allow smoking. Michigan is considering legislation that will ban smoking in public places, we'll see about that.
The Wharf has this one burger that bears mentioning - The Magnificent Stuffed burger. It's a burger - yeah, that's pretty obvious - and it's stuffed with bacon, cheese and jalapeño peppers - add curly fries and you're set for the day. I estimate the calories at around 400,000.
On a personal note - Brian and his wife Amy are preparing to adopt a child from Ethiopia. I wrote up a warm-fuzzy letter for them and hopefully it will help. When I heard they were looking at Ethiopia I said, "Hey, at least they won't each much."
... maybe it's just me.
We ate at one of my favorite places in Grand Haven, Pavilion's Wharf. The Wharf is right downtown, has great burgers, and is smoke-free. I'm pretty much done eating in places that allow smoking. Michigan is considering legislation that will ban smoking in public places, we'll see about that.
The Wharf has this one burger that bears mentioning - The Magnificent Stuffed burger. It's a burger - yeah, that's pretty obvious - and it's stuffed with bacon, cheese and jalapeño peppers - add curly fries and you're set for the day. I estimate the calories at around 400,000.
On a personal note - Brian and his wife Amy are preparing to adopt a child from Ethiopia. I wrote up a warm-fuzzy letter for them and hopefully it will help. When I heard they were looking at Ethiopia I said, "Hey, at least they won't each much."
... maybe it's just me.
April 30, 2008
Table Scraps
Three Years of Brian-Food and 100 posts - a retrospective.
It was on June 8, 2005 that I first posted about breakfast cereal. I'd been blogging since 1995 with my Wacky Thing of The Week - before there were blogs. I first started with internet fun available on a shared drive for my co-workers, and then started putting them on the web in '97 when I learned how and registered mirthmobile.com. But Brian-Food was/is my first actual blog as we understand it today. I thought a great way to celebrate this milestone might be through reflection.
Some of my favorite food topics center on the elixir of life - Coca-Cola:
Zero
Black
Flavors
The Real Thing
I've switched over almost entirely to Coke Zero now, but now and then I have to get the good stuff.
I've used the word "joint" in 10% of my posts and "eatery" in 5%.
I also find oddities in my food:
Bones
Things
Stuff
I try to take pictures before or while I'm eating. This is one of my favorites.
One of my favorite posts focused on the story I made up about the guy at my local Taco Bell. For a while there "Chipotle Grilled Stuffed Burrito" was the #4 referring keyword to my site and MirthMobile was the #1 hit on Google with the words "Chipotle Grilled Stuffed Burrito". Now, thanks to the magic of blogs, it's #1 and #2. Give this post a couple of weeks and I'll have that #3 spot locked up as well.
I try to come up with catchy titles for my posts like:
Thank you very mocha
What up G
Unfortune cookies
and...
Shout out to my peeps
By the way, I still have some of those peeps drying nicely in my cupboard.
I also try to feature the gastronomic gyrations of my friends. Steve shows up from time to time, but his best work has to be the giant gumball in Mouthfull of pain. (not for the faint of heart)
Not everyone may agree with what I write, after all - I have my rules, but I hope the past three years have been entertaining and possibly enlightening for you gentle reader.
... on the other hand, maybe it's just me.
It was on June 8, 2005 that I first posted about breakfast cereal. I'd been blogging since 1995 with my Wacky Thing of The Week - before there were blogs. I first started with internet fun available on a shared drive for my co-workers, and then started putting them on the web in '97 when I learned how and registered mirthmobile.com. But Brian-Food was/is my first actual blog as we understand it today. I thought a great way to celebrate this milestone might be through reflection.
Some of my favorite food topics center on the elixir of life - Coca-Cola:
Zero
Black
Flavors
The Real Thing
I've switched over almost entirely to Coke Zero now, but now and then I have to get the good stuff.
I've used the word "joint" in 10% of my posts and "eatery" in 5%.
I also find oddities in my food:
Bones
Things
Stuff
I try to take pictures before or while I'm eating. This is one of my favorites.
One of my favorite posts focused on the story I made up about the guy at my local Taco Bell. For a while there "Chipotle Grilled Stuffed Burrito" was the #4 referring keyword to my site and MirthMobile was the #1 hit on Google with the words "Chipotle Grilled Stuffed Burrito". Now, thanks to the magic of blogs, it's #1 and #2. Give this post a couple of weeks and I'll have that #3 spot locked up as well.
I try to come up with catchy titles for my posts like:
Thank you very mocha
What up G
Unfortune cookies
and...
Shout out to my peeps
By the way, I still have some of those peeps drying nicely in my cupboard.
I also try to feature the gastronomic gyrations of my friends. Steve shows up from time to time, but his best work has to be the giant gumball in Mouthfull of pain. (not for the faint of heart)
Not everyone may agree with what I write, after all - I have my rules, but I hope the past three years have been entertaining and possibly enlightening for you gentle reader.
... on the other hand, maybe it's just me.
April 29, 2008
Coffee Refils
I love eating at diners, drive-ins and dives.
In fact, about the only cooking show I can stomach is the show by that name, "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives". As much as I love the food and the great variations on the PEB theme (pancake, egg, burger) at the local place, there's something that those joints could learn from a national chain.
Coffee refills are too slow almost everywhere. Perkins on the other hand gets this right. If you order coffee, they give you the pot. That's what I'm talking about. They brew small pots, directly into this air-tight carafe so you can enjoy fresh coffee during your stay. Today, I spent about 2 hours in a Perkins and finished the pot. It was diner-coffee, that is to say, not great, but not bad. But I never had to wait for a refill and I never had to deal with the dregs at the end of the pot, nor the regular/decaf problem.
Perkins, you get a gold star.
... maybe it's just me.
PS - this is post number 99 on Brian-Food. I'm going to have to find something pretty good for #100. Stand by.
In fact, about the only cooking show I can stomach is the show by that name, "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives". As much as I love the food and the great variations on the PEB theme (pancake, egg, burger) at the local place, there's something that those joints could learn from a national chain.Coffee refills are too slow almost everywhere. Perkins on the other hand gets this right. If you order coffee, they give you the pot. That's what I'm talking about. They brew small pots, directly into this air-tight carafe so you can enjoy fresh coffee during your stay. Today, I spent about 2 hours in a Perkins and finished the pot. It was diner-coffee, that is to say, not great, but not bad. But I never had to wait for a refill and I never had to deal with the dregs at the end of the pot, nor the regular/decaf problem.
Perkins, you get a gold star.
... maybe it's just me.
PS - this is post number 99 on Brian-Food. I'm going to have to find something pretty good for #100. Stand by.
April 22, 2008
Movie Popcorn
Just in case you haven't ever been to a theater with a refillable popcorn bucket, I need to explain.
You see, you buy this bucket, then you fill it up with popcorn as much as you want until the bucket expires. I pretty much quit buying popcorn at the grocery store once I got my bucket. Although, I do keep a few bags of microwave corn around for emergencies.
There are two major buckets around these parts.
Bucket #1 - good at any of the theaters in this particular chain. Festooned with a recent movie ad, the bucket is good for about 5 months (December to April or May to November). This bucket goes for $37. That's pretty pricey, but you get a $20 gift card with the bucket and the last two times I've bought one the cashier asked if I wanted to redeem the gift card toward the purchase of my bucket... seriously. So, now it's $17. With that I also get $12 worth of coupons toward concessions, and I'm a sucker, so I get those over the course of time. So, at the end of the day, I'm paying $5 for 5 months worth of popcorn.
Bucket #2 - good at just the one theater in Grand Haven, where I live. It's $10 and good for 6 months this year, and 6 months next year. You buy another bucket to cover the other 6 months of the two years. So, $20 gets you 24 months of popcorn.
They've got you hooked.
OK... maybe it's just me.
You see, you buy this bucket, then you fill it up with popcorn as much as you want until the bucket expires. I pretty much quit buying popcorn at the grocery store once I got my bucket. Although, I do keep a few bags of microwave corn around for emergencies.
There are two major buckets around these parts.
Bucket #1 - good at any of the theaters in this particular chain. Festooned with a recent movie ad, the bucket is good for about 5 months (December to April or May to November). This bucket goes for $37. That's pretty pricey, but you get a $20 gift card with the bucket and the last two times I've bought one the cashier asked if I wanted to redeem the gift card toward the purchase of my bucket... seriously. So, now it's $17. With that I also get $12 worth of coupons toward concessions, and I'm a sucker, so I get those over the course of time. So, at the end of the day, I'm paying $5 for 5 months worth of popcorn.
Bucket #2 - good at just the one theater in Grand Haven, where I live. It's $10 and good for 6 months this year, and 6 months next year. You buy another bucket to cover the other 6 months of the two years. So, $20 gets you 24 months of popcorn.
They've got you hooked.
OK... maybe it's just me.
March 12, 2008
Chili Cookoff Real Winner
There were chilies of all flavors, concoctions, colors, and spice levels. The big winner was Kevin Kyser and his Chicken Chili. It was overwhelmingly fantastic with an average score of 4.17 out of a possible 5. Kevin won a 5lb Hershey Bar and $20 gift certificates to O'Charley's.
It turns out that Jody (pictured), Kevin's wife made the chili.
I've suggested to Kevin that he send Jodi to O'Charley's and he stays home with the 4 kids and each one gets 1/4 of the chocolate.
Maybe it's just me...
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