Soup and Pie- What Blew Me Away in 2010

That sure is a year's worth of Pie!!!  I  can't make up my mind...if I have to choose one,give me a healthy slice of that banana cream !!!

Bruce is right! Those are amazing photos of soup. And those pies look fantastic. I envy your photographic intuition. Those are some very nice pictures. :-)

TJ

It was just a garnish
 
zataar
 
Thanks!

I can identify that finger, and assure any who wonder that it is, indeed, quite tasty.  
 
The apple pie is fantastic....and even better tasting than the finger.

It's the day after Christmas as a blizzard approaches here in Lil' Rhody..............so.....
on with the countdown!
 
Top 5 Non Pie Desserts of 2010
 
(in no particular order)

 
1. Chocolate Zone and Hog Heaven Ice cream -Murray's Ice Cream Kansas City MO
 

 
I randomly came across this place while I was strolling the Westport neighborhood, although they were not open that day, I deliberately returned the next day for what turned out to be the best ice cream I had all year. Deep dark rich chocolaty ice cream paired with you guessed it- real bacon with maple ice cream- certainly the best of both worlds
 
2. Chocolate Cake- Niecie's Restaurant Kansas City MO
 

 
Who thought that something so simple could be so good- rich and moist, this is everything that a slice of cake should be- the best slice of cake I had all year!
 
3. German Chocolate Cake Willoughby Inn Norfolk VA
 

 
Although I was disappointed that they were out of Peanut Butter Pie, the German Chocolate Cake quickly made me forget that.
 
4. Peach Cobbler - Mama Mary's Sugar and Spice- Richmond VA
 

 
A winner in the pie category too, not only was Mama Mary's warm peach cobbler served in generous portions it was probably the best peach cobbler I've ever had.
 
5.  Banana Pudding- Sweatman's BBQ Holly Hill SC
 

 
Creamy and chock full  of banana slices and vanilla wafers- the perfect ending to a fantastic meal
 
 
Honorable Mention
 
Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream- Toots Ice Cream North Yarmouth ME
 
 

Great choices, WJ. Be careful out there-you guys are in for some horrible weather.

Those are some beautiful desserts WJ!  I had forgotten about the apple cobbler at Mama Mary's.  And the chocolate cake at Niecie's really is world class!

Ann
 
Luckily the brunt of the storm hit overnight. Our office didn't open until 10am. Luckily my parking lot was plowed but they didn't plow the driveway so I had a tough time getting out but made it to work
 
Buffetbuster
 
Wow you really did forget- it was peach cobbler not apple cobbler - I'll tell you , I thought Blue Willow's peach cobbler was the best however Mama Mary's knocked it right out of the park!

So far, WJ, we have been lucky in missing the snow. My friend lives an hour south of me in Kenosha, and they got 8 inches-not as bad as the east, but bad enough. I am about 1/2 hour west of downtown Milw., and while we have about 2 inches on the ground, we havent even seen a dusting.But in honor of all the fine desserts you showed us-I am baking a cherry cobbler right now!

We missed the snow too------By about 2500 miles! Hope everyone back east is Safe, Warm and Cozy!

TOP 10 Standby's of 2010 (non breakfast)

These are the restaurants that I've visited prior to 2010 and have made a return visit.
The same rules apply- that is the standby's do not include restaurants that I visited two years in a row- there has to be at least a one year gap in between visits.
The countdown is in no particular order with the exception of  the top 5
 
10. Chez Vachon - Manchester NH
 

 
After a 7 year absence, I was glad to revisit this restaurant in the old French Canadian neighborhood of Manchester. Famous for their Poutine, this hearty dish of  fresh cut fries, chicken gravy and cheese curds, gets an added boost with steak tips. Certainly not a meal to be take lightly.
 
9.  Tea Steakhouse Tea SD
 


 

 
12 years is a long time coming in between visits to this steakhouse. If you're expecting a  $100 a plate steak (without drinks) then look elsewhwere. For under $30 with tax and tip,
this was a fine hunk of cow and the "lyonnaise" potatoes were solid too!
 
8. Tavern on Grand- St Paul MN
 

 
Despite the decor change (which I barely noticed) the Walleye at this venerable establishment was just as good as ever. In the past I ordered the Walleye sandwich, but this time decided to go with the dinner, and I'm glad I did because the potato cakes were an excellent accompanyment to my meal.
 
7.  Pierce's Pitt BBQ Williamsburg VA
 

 

 
Returning after almost a 7 year absence, Buffetbuster and I declared Pierce's the best BBQ on our "Double Damage in the Old Dominion" trip this past spring. From past experience the sides are boring with the exception of the sweet potato sticks.
 
6. GA Pig Brunswick GA
 

 

 
 
Everyone's favorite BBQ Nazi. The staff may be fickle and the rules may seem intimidating enough to  put even Travelin Man on his best behavior, however this shack serves a mean bbq pork sandwich and the brunswick stew was the best that I've had all year.
 
5.  LC's Bar-B-Q Kansas City MO
 


 

 
I declare LC's to be my favorite bbq joint in Kansas City. The sauce and smoke on the  Burnt End sandwich tantalizes the soul and the golden brown french fries are second to none.
 
4. Second Avenue Deli New York NY
 

 
 

 

 
 

 
The least touristy of the NYC Deli's, The Second Avenue Deli is also my favorite.  Just about the best Matzoh Ball I've ever had, the pastrami is top notch and where else can you order kashke varnishkes and gribenes at the same time!
 
3. Stroud's Kansas City MO
 

 

 
Standing room only when I arrived, I would gladly eat the the amazingly addictive cinnamon rolls and the worlds best fried chicken  standing up, upside down, or in any position they choose to put me in.
 
2.  82 Queen Street  Charleston SC
 

 

 

 
If I were to compose a list of my top 10 all time restaurants, 82 Queen would be included.
I have to credit my dear friend, Julianne from Lincolnton NC (via Atlanta, via Seattle via Milwaukee) for first recommending this place to me back in 1999. The she crab soup is extraordinary, the shrimp n grits heavenly and the fried green tomatoes which were shared among our table and which I enjoyed for the very first time were superb.
 
and the # 1 standby of 2010 is........................
 
The Breadbasket - Newton KS
 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
Every once in a while I'll be so impressed by a restaurant that I'll wonder why the Stern's have never visited.  At last count there are probably close to a dozen.
The Breadbasket is at the top of this list.  Not only well known for their multi-diverse high plains soup and salad bar as well as a who's who of pies but this is the place that re-wrote the definition of Bierocks aka "Cabbage Burgers, Kraut Burgers, Runzas".
I hope that the Sterns do visit the next time they have the opportunity to visit the Wichita area.
 
 
Edit to include:
Honorable Mention
 
Crab Shack Tybee Island, GA
 

annpeeples


But in honor of all the fine desserts you showed us-I am baking a cherry cobbler right now!

 
Ann,

I'm glad I inspired you!

The breadbasket looks like a place to spend a few hours in.....my luck...they're out of chili!!

Lee,
 
if you look just  to the right of the chili sign- that's where the chili is.

See it...I'll have some of everything!!!

There is probably no restaurant I get cravings for more than Stroud's.  Great list, with lots of beautiful photos, WJ!  And obviously, all those pies at The Breadbasket caught my attention.  BTW, what are gribenes?

Wow. I am -almost- speechless, due to the amount of drool I am trying to control ;-)  We're of the same mind in many of the choices - LC's, 2nd Avenue Deli, and Stroud's would always be in my "tops" list. Thanks for the mouth-watering photos!!

Buffetbuster
 
Gribenes is "Jewish Bacon" or fried chicken skin cracklings. As you can see from the photo it is served with caramelized onions.
 
I remember enjoying the stuff for the first time when I was a little boy in the early 1970's at a kosher deli in the "Five towns" on Long Island on the way to my grandfather's unveiling. I completely forgot about the stuff until 35 years later when the Second Avenue Deli provided a complimentary sample on my previous visit in 2008

Honorable Mentions of 2010 (new and non breakfast)
in no particular order
 
1 Rooster's Cafe Jones OK
 

 
 

 
Besides deserving an honorable mention, if there was an award for the most incredulous meal of 2010 , This monstrous and amazingly delicious chicken fried steak would certainly be the winner.
 
 
 
2 Snead's Bar-B-Q Belton MO
 
 

 

 
 

 
 
My second favorite BBQ joint in Kansas City. The plate of ribs and brownies supplemented by tangy bbq beans and golden brown fries proves that BBQ in Kansas City is first class.
 
 
 
3. Riefe's Restaurant Davenport IA
 

 

 

 

 
 
From the bishop's bread to the banana cream pie, this is the third time that Riefe's has made an appearance on the top 10 of 2010. It is no wonder that this German inspired restaurant has been in business for over 60 years.
 
 
 
4. Carol's Restaurant Blaine MN
 

 
This meatloaf commercial represents real honest to goodness comfort food.There's nothing fake on this plate!
 
 
5.  Uncle Don's Spurwink Country Kitchen Scarborough ME
 

 
 

 
 

 

 
 

 
A taste of inland New England in coastal Maine. The shepherds pie, homemade bread and blueberry pie are shining examples of classic New England cookery.
 
 
6. Arcaro & Genell Old Forge PA
 

 
I came here for the old forge pizza but fell in love with this double crusted spinach pie.
Even Joerogo gave his  thumbs up on this cardiologist's nightmare.
 
 
7.  Willoughby Inn Norfolk VA
 

 

 

 
 
A hidden secret in the ocean view neighborhood of Norfolk for nearly 40 years. Everything at this casual eatery is cheap and fresh. These fried oyster tasted fresh off the boat and the homemade bread tray was a nice added surprise. I'll forgive them for their oniony coleslaw.
 
8. AW Shucks Norfolk VA
 

 


 
An oyster bar that promises to deliver fresh seafood. Not only were the tomato crab soup and crab shucks aka crab norfolk fantastic but the jumbo hushpuppies and collards which accompanies the meal were oustanding too.
 
9. Bowen's Island Charleston SC
 

 

 
 
This ramshackle joint which reopened after a devastating fire a few years back,  serves seafood feasts galore. I can't tell you about the other meals, however between my visit to The Wreck in 2008 and Bowens Island this past year, there's something about Charleston that makes the shrimp so amazingly special
 
 
10 . Sweatman's BBQ Holly Hill SC
 
 
 

 
The premier SC Carolina  BBQ Joint, that means' the Q is accompanied with a mustard style bbq sauce and "hash" over rice. For the squeamish, I'll refrain from letting you know what the hash consists of. Enjoying this bbq during a freak winter snow storm, made the experience extra unique.
 
 
 

wanderingjew, Glad to see you enjoyed A & G.
 
Now, come on, what's in the Sweatman's Hash?  Can't be any worse than some of the stuff I wanted you to try while you were in Old Forge 

joerogo


wanderingjew, Glad to see you enjoyed A & G.

Now, come on, what's in the Sweatman's Hash?  Can't be any worse than some of the stuff I wanted you to try while you were in Old Forge 

joe
Let's just say when serving WHOLE HOG BBQ, it's a way to ensure that nothing is wasted.....NOTHING!

The seafood plates from Norfolk and Charleston look fabulous!
 
Brad

What Brad said!!!

wanderingjew, No oysters on your visit to The Mayors(Bowen's)Island?
 
I have that place in my sights just for the oysters.  Thanks for showing that there is a whole lot more.

Screaming Brad's comment about the seafood made me realize that I forgot to include my honorable mention under The Standby category so I edited it to include same.
 
Joe
 
I didn't order oysters at "Al's Island" but I know that quite a few others did. Unfortunately other than a smattering of photos, there really wasn't a full blown trip report from the 2010 glee club event....but I'm certain there are photos of the oysters somewhere.
 

I must admit that I ignored burgers this year- almost deliberately, since there was so much more "regionally appropriate" roadfood to concentrate on this past year however if there is one burger that deserves a best burger award for 2010 it's this one.
 

 
The Big Block Southern Style Burger
The Penguin- Charlotte
 
I'm going to be a very social and popular boy over the next few days so I'll complete the final top 10 lists over the weekend.

O M G !!!!!!!

Unbelievable delicious list of food and pictures. I am headed out to a fine dining restaurant tonight, a birthday gathering, but would rather visit any one of the selections you have pictured here. Good job.

WJ - I assume you have heard the news about the Penguin?

wanderingjew

joerogo


wanderingjew, Glad to see you enjoyed A & G.

Now, come on, what's in the Sweatman's Hash?  Can't be any worse than some of the stuff I wanted you to try while you were in Old Forge 

joe
Let's just say when serving WHOLE HOG BBQ, it's a way to ensure that nothing is wasted.....NOTHING!
 
 
For those of you that enjoyed hot dogs, let me assure you that nothing is wasted.
 
After all, hog testicles and other parts are used.  I guess you have to get over it if you enjoy hot dogs and other processed meats.
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN