I’ve told you before my friends. My mom and dad have lost it. Totally. This past weekend was one of “those” adventures – snorts. They were looking for some adventure and wanted to try a place they had never been to before. So they took off in Albert, mom’s little Smart car, and hit the highway. Almost sounds like a song huh – snorts.
They ended up at this place called Mellow Mushroom – it’s a pizza joint which was right up dad’s alley. He ❤ pizza. Mom was somewhat reluctant. First off because they sat right beside exhibit A to the left. Pardon me while I say this but does that ‘mushroom’ look psychedelic? It was kind of disturbing in a weird sense of direction. Mom couldn’t take her eyes off of it. There was just something about it that was just plain weird.
That’s when mom got up to take a closer look at the psychedelic mushroom.
It’s not all its cracked up to be – double snorts. You get it – cracked up. It really is around the head area. What kind of restaurant is this place? Mom shook her head, snapped a couple of pictures and sat down preparing herself for a psychedelic adventure.
P.S. If you are ever out and about and see some crazy lady taking pictures at a restaurant, just call her mom. That will probably be my crazy mom – she takes pictures of *everything* as you will soon see in this post.
Shakes piggy head. At least it’s not all about me now.
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Mom has been on this DIEt thing lately. It’s going okay. As she says, it’s all about choices. So today she choose a Greek salad to start her meal.
Exhibit B to the left here. She says if she starts with a good salad, it fills her so she doesn’t eat too much of a bad thing.
Which is good – I guess if you are living a DIEt kind of life. Mom did say that this salad was delicious! It had everything she loves – lettuce, mushrooms (which didn’t look scary like exhibit A), olives, peppers and feta cheese.
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Dad on the other hoof, went with a cheese covered pretzel. See exhibit C here to the right. Not only was it delicious and cheesy, they served it with a beer cheese dipping sauce. It must have been great because daddy licked the cheese sauce dry and there were no crumbs left from the pretzel.
Which is good because mommy kept watching him waiting for something to drop. So much for eating a nice decent sensible salad huh?
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Now came the main course. Mom and dad can never agree upon toppings for their pizza. There solution is to always get a pie 1/2 and 1/2. That way mom can have what she wants and dad can have what he wants. May I present to you exhibit D to the left. Drum roll – tongue hanging out – deliciousness.
Mom got the top side. She ❤ white pizza with cheese, garlic and tomatoes – what’s not to love right?
Dad on the other hoof got the bottom side. He gets the works… something this little piggy can’t discuss and think about. But it looks good. Of course a lot of pizza made it’s way home for lunch the next day.
You have to admit though, mom had hesitation at first with seeing the psychedelic mushroom – or maybe it was because of the psychedelic mushroom – the food was delicious!
Yum! Can you say that? Double Yum. When mom/dad went to Chicago back in May, Aunt Tina took them to a place called Pilot Pete’s. This restaurant was on a small airfield. You could eat in the restaurant and watch small plans come/go. It was totally neat.
Aunt Tina ordered some wings. You want them a little hot but you don’t want them swimming so bad in the sauce that you end up wearing the sauce. You know what I mean? So Aunt Tina got the sauce on the side with some blue cheese.
These wings were totally delicious and yummy. Go ahead. I won’t tell anyone if you lick the screen 🙂
Have you heard the recent uproar about the restaurant IHOP (International House of Pancakes) changing their name to IHOB (International House of Burgers)? I know it’s a publicity stunt to get their burgers out there so you know my mom/dad had to give them a whirl. Now, mom/dad had tried their burgers previous to this new promotion and they enjoyed them.
So off they went to the IHOB cause you know burgers are daddy’s specialty. Currently during the promotion, you get a drink and endless fries with your choice of burger. Did you hear that? Endless fries. Mom said she heard angels singing when she read that – my mom is so silly. Burgers range from $7.00 to $11.00 and come in various forms. Mom went with the Classic with Bacon and Cheese (how could you mom?). Dad ventured out a bit more. He got something called a Big Brunch. It had cheese, bacon, a fried egg and hashbrowns on it. It was a monster!
So what did mom/dad think? Both said they were good and they loved the french fries (crispy with a crunch and yes they got a refill of them). These burgers for the price combining the fries and drink were a deal; however, the burgers themselves didn’t make their top 3 list of burgers they’ve tried. They weren’t bad but they didn’t really stand out in flavor either. Does that make sense? They would eat them again for the mere price but wouldn’t go out of their way.
But hey, you make your decision. Have you tried them yet?
Sometimes you just want to try a new restaurant. Daddy has been seeing a certain restaurant on the television for weeks now and telling mom about it. With that being said, this another week that I’m going to let daddy discuss his thoughts – take it away daddy!
Thank you Bacon. I’m glad you understand these things when it comes to food. After seeing this advertisements on television and pestering asking the wife to go, we looked the restaurant on line to see where the closest one was to the Hotel Thompson. The closest one was about 25 minutes away from us several towns over. Now we tried to go on several different occasions but something always came up. Maybe that was an omen we should have listened to? You decide.
So we get to this place and it’s a barbeque restaurant where you order in one place, pay and then pick up your food. We told the person at the counter when we ordered we had never been there before. They said, “Ah, okay, what would you like”. And that was that. No smile, no welcome, no greeting. Okay, so customer service is not their best. Some of the best food can still be found in places like this.
I ordered waffle fries, potato salad (I know double potatoes – LOL), ribs, pork and brisket. The food came out lukewarm. It was okay – nothing to write home about or put on your list to visit again.
The wife unit ordered something called a frito pie. It had Frito’s on the bottom, covered with pinto beans and brisket and topped with onion strings and barbeque sauce. She ordered it the same time I did mine; however, it literally took them about 20 minutes to put something together that the ingredients were all ready. I personally think they forgot about her and was thinking the next person was going to do it, etc. It doesn’t look appealing but she really enjoyed it.
So this wasn’t a place we would visit again anytime soon. Maybe they were having an off day. We might try it again but it will definitely be some time.
Oh my friends – mom/dad found the *best* local seafood restaurant. It is called Fishers of Men and they are located at 1500 Mt Zion Road, Suite 20, Morrow. They are open everyday except Sunday.
Mom/dad went there one Saturday night to check it out and they have since been back repeatedly. Why? Let me tell you why mom/dad like it so much.
The food is authentic. As you’ve read on my blog, mom/dad like to travel and they like to eat. They’ve eaten everywhere. And this place can hold their own with some of the other restaurants they’ve been to all over the world.
The atmosphere is home. You go in, order and pay for your food. Then you find a comfy spot and wait smelling all of that deliciousness being created in the kitchen for your order. There’s no rush to herd you out of the restaurant like some places do. Everything is cooked fresh to order so it comes out sizzling hot.
And let me tell you one more thing. You may go in as a stranger but you will leave as family.
When mom/dad went the first time, they ordered two of the whiting and shrimp dinners. That’s four pieces of whiting and thirteen shrimp with fries. They didn’t have any clue how much food they would get. Look at all of that food! And yes, dad said they snorted it all down – can you believe that?
There is a LOT of pictures below that mom/dad wanted to share with you – no they didn’t order everything at once – snorts with piggy laughter. As I’ve said, they have been there many times in the past couple of weeks.
As they like to tell one of the owners Arlene, they are working their way through the menu. Today, I wanted to share with you some of their fabulous food. And, if you are in the area we highly suggest you try this place.
You will not regret it! In fact, as mom/dad try more of their food, you might see them here again on Travels in the South.
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Now try not to get too hungry looking at these gorgeous pictures!
In no particular order, the following pictures are: scallops (sweet, succulent and flaky on the inside like they should be); crab sticks (we had to ask what these were too! crab meat breaded and fried); oysters and catfish; whiting and shrimp; whiting and the best seafood salad and clams. And let me add by saying there french fries are crispy and there onion rings are out of this world!! Mom/dad have also tried their wonderful cole slaw and grits. Yes grits are good for you!
Last week we talked further about our trip to Chicago, Illinois and a visit to a little restaurant called Portillo’s. Portillo’s has great Italian beef sandwiches… however, they also have great dogs. You might be asking yourself at this point just how good is the food at this joint? Well, I can tell you a short story and you decide. We went one day to try this restaurant and its great food. The next morning we planned to eat at a different restaurant after my sister ran an errand. While my sister was running her early morning errand, a decision was voted on in her absence. When my sister returned, we explained to her that the breakfast place was a most followed by a second breakfast back at Portillo’s. Yep, you heard that right… a second breakfast. That’s how great Portillo’s is to eat. Now don’t worry, the first breakfast place will be highlighted next week. But this week, let’s finish up Portillo’s.
They have awesome dogs! My hub *had* to try an original Chicago style dog. It came with mustard, relish, celery salt, freshly chopped onions, sliced red tomatoes, kosher pickle and sport peppers on a steamed poppy seed bun. Doesn’t it look awesome? Of course we learned really quick that a true Chicagoan refers to this style of a hot dog as “dragging the dog through the garden“. Fitting huh?
Now, I found fascination in the char-grilled Maxwell Street polish sausage dog. You can also get this dog filled high with grilled onions. This day, I passed on the onions and just went mustard and sausage dog. I couldn’t get enough of these dogs!! You could hear and feel the ‘snap’ of the casing of the sausage. That is a true sign of greatness in my book.
It didn’t matter which side you go on these dogs, both of them were great on their own… even if it was a second breakfast of the day – giggles.
No trip to Chicago, Illinois is complete without a visit to Portillo’s. All I can say is bring an appetite! You will want to try one of everything… and I think we did. We were visiting for three days and visited Portillo’s twice. Does that tell you anything about their awesome food? This place is so busy that the line can be seen during the day out the door! And to hear people order is a treat in itself. Some people know the lingo of how to order while me the virgin of ordering just explained what I wanted – LOL. On the first visit, we *had* to try an Italian Beef – loaded! The Italian beef comes in two sizes – regular and big. We went regular this day and still had enough to share. It’s made with their famous thin sliced roast beef topped with sweet peppers. And here’s a hint for you – there’s three ways to order it. Standard with a splash of ‘gravy’; Dipped which means the whole sandwich is dipped into the ‘gravy’; or Dry with very little ‘gravy’. “Gravy” is referred to the natural juices from the slow roasted beef. This day, we went dry. We didn’t want to wear the gravy all day if you know what I mean – ha! And it was delicious! The meat was tender, the sandwich was juicy and it felt like we belonged there eating this Italian Beef all of our lives.
The next day – yep the NEXT day – we had to come back and try some more delicacies again. Since the beef was so delicious the day before, we thought we would try it again in a different form. This time we split a Beef-n-Cheddar Croissant. The same thin layers of Italian beef with cheddar cheese all over it on a nice toasted croissant. Closing my eyes just thinking of this yummy sammy – it was that good!
Which one was better? It’s hard to say. Both of these were so delicious…. maybe I need to try both again before I can make a decision 🙂
Last November, mom/dad traveled to Chicago, Illinois. Or should I say, mom planned a trip and told dad absolutely nothing about it until the car came and picked them up at the Hotel Thompson the morning of departure. Mom had already packed everything for their adventure. Why Chicago? Well first up, my Aunt Tina lives there with my cousin Sherlock Bones. Second up, daddy has *always* wanted to go to Ditka’s Chicago. Are you asking yourself what is that? Well Mike Ditka is a former football player, was an awesome coach and a television commentator. He coached the Chicago Bears back in the day which was one of dad’s favorite teams.
In the next couple of weeks, we will be highlighting some of the food that everyone enjoyed during their trip to Ditka’s Chicago.
Welcome back my friends as we continue our trip in Chicago to Ditka’s Chicago. Today I want to show you something that Aunt Tina ordered at this fabulous restaurant. Do you see that picture? Does that not look like a rack of Fred Flinstone ribs? So tender and so wonderful – served with a side of fries to the left of the plate. Can you say WOW look at all of that food? And the picture really doesn’t do it justice because it was such a huge plate of goodness.
Make sure you come back next week to see what mom/dad split at the restaurant. Oh my goodness – so much more yummy!!
And remember I told you that this entire trip was a surprise for daddy? Watch this video for his reaction… and next week I’ll show you something that happened to them at the airport – you won’t want to miss that my dear friends!
Today, March 4, is a most wonderful and tantalizing day. Today is National Pancake Day. Do I hear you cheering on that holiday? I know Bacon’s daddy can’t wait to hit the nearest IHOP Restaurant today for some FREE pancakes. Did I mention FREE? Yep, you can enjoy a FREE short stack of buttermilk pancakes today on National Pancake Day in exchange for a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network. That sounds like an awesome deal. FREE pancakes and you are helping out a wonderful cause.
Do you know who else likes pancakes? Yep, you guessed it. That little oinker I refer to as my buddy, Bacon. In fact, Bacon’s mom has a little skillet made just for that spoiled little pig. When you pop out his pancakes, they look like a little pigs face. When the Hotel Thompson has pancake weekend, you can always find Bacon dining on one as well.
Let’s also think about my friend Lilly here in this picture. She’s not much for eating pancakes but she loves to wear them as hats. I guess that’s why her parents sometimes call her Lillycake – chitter chatter.
However you like your pancakes – be sure to enjoy some today on this National Pancake Day holiday!
Hello dear friends. Welcome to another week of Travels in the South. This week, we are focusing on daddy and his hamburger passion. He loves hamburgers. I mean really LOVES. Every time we go somewhere, he has to try their burgers out to see how they are on the taste scale. This week is no different.
This hamburger was so big that the restaurant had to put a huge steak knife in it to hold it together in transit to the table. It’s a one pound patty, cheese, and gulps – bacon, with pickles and a hard fried egg. Talk about getting all of the your food groups into one plate. And if you haven’t noticed in the past with dad’s burgers, he likes a little mayo on his burgers – no ketchup or mustard or tomato or lettuce.
What did dad think of this concoction? He gave it two thumbs up and said he would order it again. What do you like on your burgers?
Miniature pot bellied pig and friends - Bacon, Houdini, Hemi and all of the Rock Clan with Journalist Rocky the Squirrel all out looking for adventures from the Hotel Thompson.
Mom has been on this DIEt thing lately. It’s going okay. As she says, it’s all about choices. So today she choose a Greek salad to start her meal.
Dad on the other hoof, went with a cheese covered pretzel. See exhibit C here to the right. Not only was it delicious and cheesy, they served it with a beer cheese dipping sauce. It must have been great because daddy licked the cheese sauce dry and there were no crumbs left from the pretzel.
e the main course. Mom and dad can never agree upon toppings for their pizza. There solution is to always get a pie 1/2 and 1/2. That way mom can have what she wants and dad can have what he wants. May I present to you exhibit D to the left. Drum roll – tongue hanging out – deliciousness.
Yum! Can you say that? Double Yum. When mom/dad went to Chicago back in May, Aunt Tina took them to a place called Pilot Pete’s. This restaurant was on a small airfield. You could eat in the restaurant and watch small plans come/go. It was totally neat.
Welcome back my friends as we continue our trip in Chicago to Ditka’s Chicago. Today I want to show you something that Aunt Tina ordered at this fabulous restaurant. Do you see that picture? Does that not look like a rack of Fred Flinstone ribs? So tender and so wonderful – served with a side of fries to the left of the plate. Can you say WOW look at all of that food? And the picture really doesn’t do it justice because it was such a huge plate of goodness.
Piglove 