All posts by Johnny R

Bacon Worshiping Computer Geek, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. and collector of comics.

The Sicilian

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I have had many Italian Subs from many places over the years.  Most good, some very much so, but it wasn’t until I experienced the Sicilian that realized how good an Italian Sub could be.

Verde’s Imported Foods is a little Italian deli packed full of good stuff to eat.  On my first visit Bob suggested that I try the Sicilian.  Having lunched with Bob before I greatly respected his taste in lunch cuisine and did as he suggested.  I have been there many times since, almost weekly in fact, and can not resist getting the Sicilian each and every time I go.

First off it is loaded with fresh meats making it easily twice as filling as any Subway footlong, not to mention the vast difference in quality of the ingredients.  That is not what makes it so special though.  It is the perfect combination of flavors that they have captured in this one perfectly made sub.  Is it the fresh meats?  The Sharp Provolone? the roasted red peppers or maybe the uniquely tangy dressing?  Personally I think it is a combination of these things together.  The quintessential Italian sub which always leaves me sated and content.

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Where’s the Beef?

wpid-20140509_123611.jpgWhen I saw the Pizza Burger at Maxim’s I knew it was something I had to try.  Looked to be a 1/2 patty sandwiched between pieces of pizza, what could go wrong?  Of course if I was going to try it the “optional” sweet peppers were a must.

So one day when the guys were headed to Maxim’s for lunch I asked them to pick me up a “Pizza Burger”.  Now I like Maxim’s and have had many good lunches from there, but this was not quite what I expected.  The term “burger” was used quite loosely as the sandwich contained no beef.  Rather than a hamburger patty it was a 1/2 of sausage between 2 slices of pizza.  Now this may be fine for some, and quite excellent for others, but for me it was a disappointment.  I was lured in by the thought of a juicy burger, covered with Italian sweet peppers and instead I got a glorified sausage patty.

I fully realize the fault is mine for not asking.  Had I asked I would have ordered their amazing Meatball Sub.  Now THAT is a sandwich, but unfortunately a matter for a future posting.

 

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A Few of My Favorite Things…

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My favorite pizzas off Chet & Matt’s pizza & wing buffet include these tasty offerings. The creamy and delicious Mac and Cheese pizza is a unique taste and very good.

Also pictured is their BBQ Chicken pizza. Though most everyone now offers something like this, none I have had are as good. The shredded chicken, bathed in Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ and smothered in a mixture of cheeses is a flavor combination I find hard to resist.

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Stacked beneath some more BBQ Chicken slices are a few slices of their Chicken Alfredo Pizza.  Though I prefer the BBQ, I have yet to find a place that served a better Chicken Alfredo.  

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Rockets Roasted BBQ

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Every once in a while you stumble upon a pizza that is really note worthy, and the Rockets Roasted BBQ pizza from Chet & Matt’s Pizza is just such a pizza.

The menu describes it as:

Really great BBQ chicken and Chet & Matt’s cheese blend. Optional items: red onions

What it fails to mention is that it’s shredded chicken, not the normal chunks, and that it uses Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce.  I don’t know about you, but Sweet Baby Ray’s is one damned good BBQ!

Though the menu says the red onions are “optional” I say otherwise.  They are such an amazing addition to the overall flavor that they should be considered mandatory.

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Philly Has Nothing on Nick’s

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The cheese steak sandwich may have originated in Philly, but Nick’s Gyros has perfected it.

Marinated sirloin steak, grilled onions and mushrooms with melted swiss and mayo served on a freshly toasted hoagie bun.

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Fried up right in front of you by an ever efficient and friendly staff, this is just one of the many delights available at this local “Gyro Shop”.

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Another Culinary Catastrophe

Went into the long weekend fully provisioned with bacon, ground chuck, shredded cheese, flour tortillas, taco seasoning, sour cream, chipotle queso, banana peppers, and my fridge only knows what else.

What followed was one culinary failure after another. I learned many things about myself and reinforced others. My attempt at a burrito was laughable and my nachos depressing. My bacon turned out pretty below average and my tortilla origami a failure of epic proportion.

The moral of the story is to leave the cooking to the professionals. With such as Moe’s Southwest Grill and Nuevo Acapulco so close and affordable there is no reason to sacrifice food upon the kitchen alter, only to be disappointed or disposed of.

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Bad Grandma

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While at Giant Eagle and totally NOT in the mood to deal with deli staff I picked up a tub of Grandma’s Original Recipes Potato Salad with Egg.  Priced at over $3 for a 1 pound tub I expected something at least tolerable.  Especially considering they dared invoke the name of “Grandma”.

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How totally disappointed was I?  This bland, flavorless paste had little right to call itself potato salad and even less right to imply that any Grandma had ever made anything so pitiful.

A liberal application of Bacon Salt is required to make it at all palatable, but even that leaves it wanting. I swear Grandma’s everywhere are rolling in their graves, offended by the mere existence of this insult to everything that is potato salad.  Blech!

 

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