Chicken, Chicken, Chicken...and You Gonna Like it

Any of you who lived in Pittsburgh in the 80s and 90s remember the commercial with restaurateur, Lou Pappan, saying those words. Pappan restaurants closed their doors in 2007, much to the chagrin of locals.

I'm going to use that same phrase to describe Raise the Roost Food Joints awesome chicken.  If your lucky, you can find one inside your local 7Eleven.  Raise the Roost has locations across the Northeast and as far south as South Carolina.  While visiting Charleston, I stopped to get gas and discovered one by accident.  It was love at first bite.  Great tasting chicken, potato wedges, and biscuits!  Lucky for me I found one not far from where I live in da 'Burgh.  

If ya see one, stop by and get some bird.  Trust me on this one.  Hey, have I steered you wrong yet?

Dem Old Bones

 

The family and I decided to go out to dinner last night.  We tend to be Olive Garden kind of folks so that's where we headed.  Upon arriving we found the parking lot full and the young man at the front desk told us that we would have a 45 minute wait.  We were hungry and that was just too long.

Back in the SUV. we headed down the strip to see where else we might dine.  We spotted a Smokey Bones and decided to give it a try.  We've eaten at various Smokey Bones over the years, but since there isn't one close to where we live, we hadn't been to one in in quite some time.  They seated us immediately and our waitress, Kat, couldn't have been any sweeter or better.  Kudos to her!

As great as she was, the food was even better.  My youngest devoured the ribs he ordered. My wife loved her pulled pork sandwich.  My oldest got a chicken sandwich and said it was fantastic.  His girlfriend and I ordered the brisket grilled cheese.  I can honestly say it was beyond exceptional.  We had French Fries all around that were quite good.  When I got the bill I was even more pleased- the overall cost was very reasonable.

Great night out with family.  Great meals.  Great service.  Great price.  Great experience.  Smokey Bones, we'll be back soon! 

Satisfaction

I read in the local paper that when the Rolling Stones played in Jacksonville that Mick Jagger ate at restaurant here on Amelia Island called Espana.  My wife and I went to eat there yesterday evening and it was magnificent. 


The place is quaint. The service was fabulous.  Everyone working there couldn't have been nicer.

For our meals, we went with several of the tapas.  Each was terrific in its own right.  I washed mine down with a Killer Whale Cream Ale by Bold City Brewery in Jacksonville...good stuff!  The food was filling and delicious.  I just finished the leftovers for lunch!

Sorry, Mick, despite what you and the Stones have been singing about over the years, at Espana, I got satisfaction!

Good Start To The Day

The family and I went to First Watch in Murrysville this morning.  We had a fairly big party but were seated in no time.  Everyone raved about their meals.  Great selection of breakfast entrees.  Super good coffee too.  Awesome service.  Meals were out quick.  A bit pricey, but the portions are big.  I'm stuffed and probably won't eat until dinner now.  Great experience!  Hope to go back there soon!

Frank the Tank

I had lunch today at a place called "The Yard".  The restaurant is located in Market Square in downtown Pittsburgh.  My son had talked about the amazing grilled cheese sandwiches there for some time.  When he asked if I would like to go to lunch there with him, I jumped at the chance.

We both ended up ordering Frank the Tank.  Frank is a grilled cheese sandwich with buffalo chicken dip and fried onion rings on it. AWESOME!!!!!  It is served with tomato soup (more like tomato sauce) and homemade potato chips.  I can tell you that it is a ton of food.  It's been nearly five hours since we ate there and I still feel full.

I felt that the food is a tad pricey, but it won't stop me from going there again.  I hope that the next time we go there, we get a waitress with a personality.  All in all, a good experience.  When in the 'Burgh, yinz gotta try da Yard enat!