Soup and Pie- What Blew Me Away in 2010

WJ - those are some truly amazing photos.  I'm most envious!  Sorry, we didn't get to meet up at Arcaro and Genell's this time around.
 
It's not even worth a new post - as my travelling this year was infrequent - but I gladly add these places to the GREAT ROADFOOD LIST (all new for me):
 
TADICH GRILL - SAN FRANCISCO, CA (cioppino)
SAM'S GRILL - SAN FRANCISCO, CA (rex sole)
SHORTSTOP DELI - ITHACA, NY (sui)
JUST A TASTE - ITHACA, NY (tapas)
GEORGE'S PLACE - CAPE MAY, NJ (lemon chicken salad).
And... CHARLIE'S POOL ROOM, ALPHA, NJ (mealies - and conversation!)

 
Plus return trips to SEARS FINE FOODS and SWAN OYSTER DEPOT (!!!) were as great as last time - 1995.
 
 
Things are looking up, I may have a trip report (or two) in 2011.   Just got a new camera too!
 
Happy New Year !!
 
 
 

Stan
 Thanks for compliment.
It seems like you did some excellent roadfooding yourself Tadich Grill and Sam's Grill are truly two of my all time favorite Roadfood restaurants and the atmosphere at Swan Oyster Depot is second to none.
I may be heading back to your neck of the woods sometime this coming year, if I do I'll let you (and JoeRogo and Mosca) know.  Have a great New Year!
 

  
 

TJ Jackson


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

 
She's going to have to close the orphanage because the Archbishop wants to sell the building to the Board of Education?
 
Brad

ScreamingChicken

TJ Jackson


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

She's going to have to close the orphanage because the Archbishop wants to sell the building to the Board of Education?

Brad

 
 

 
?????

 

Dale -
 
Been behind lately and just caught up on Soup and Pie...while it has been said several times, great photos on every level!
 
I could really go to town on both of those items as they are among my favorites also.
 
Will get to the rest shortly...
 
CTD

OK I'm going squeeze in one tonight before I head to my New Years Eve Party...
 
Top 10 Breakfasts of 2010
(In no particular order although the top three are the top three)
 
10. Apple Raisin Walnut Pancakes-  Eaton's Sugar House South Royalton VT
 

 
Although they've had to cut back on their serving of real maple syrup,  these pancakes can fare quite well even without it.
 
 
9. Corned Beef Hash and Eggs - The  Porthole Portland ME
 

 

I can never go wrong in Northern New England when a place serves up some "real" corned beef hash, and The Porthole proves my point
 
 
8.  Minnesota Flappers - Three Crows Cafe & Coffee House Delano MN
 
 

 
Buckwheat cakes packed with grainy-nutty wild rice and blueberries makes for a very hearty breakfast
 
 
7. Big Breakfast - Mclean's  Restaurant Richmond VA
 

 
 

 

 
The big breakfast is not only cheap but it's everything a full southern breakfast is meant to be. The country ham doesn't come with the meal, but I ordered it as a side separately...oh and the waitresses!
 
6. Shrimp and Grits- Charleston's Cafe Mt. Pleasant SC
 


 
 

 
Shrimp and grits for breakfast? Absolutely- and it even comes with eggs and a sweet potato biscuit.
 
5. The Wild One- Wild Onion Cafe Grand Marais MN
 

 
Some may consider venison "gamey" however it only adds character to this scramble.
 
4. Deluxe French Toast- Toast Charleston SC
 

 
Formally Diana's, most of the breakfasts served at Toast have been described as "nothing special" however their namsake breakfast specialty is truly the exception to the norm.
 
 
3. Biscuits and Gravy- Niecie's Kansas City MO
 

 
These are probably the best biscuits and gravy I've ever had.
 
 
2.  Loon Omelet - Key's Cafe St. Paul MN
 

 
A hot dish in an omelet which includes turkey, wild rice, mushrooms gravy and swiss cheese,  If you leave the table "hungry" after chowing down on this monstrousity then there's something wrong with you.
 
 
and the # 1 breakfast  of 2010 is
 
Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis MN
 


 


 

 
 

 
Toasted sausage bread smeared with the most amazing peanut butter. Hearty n' creamy Mahnomin Porridge and peppery-garlic bison sausage.
not only the best of 2010 but probably one of my favorite breakfasts of all time!
 
 
Honorable Mentions
 
Not exactly full breakfasts, but the following do deserve a mention because they were so good!
 
Dutch Apple Bread- Jaarsma Bakery Pella IA
 

 
 
Cinnamon Roll Iowa Machine Shed- Urbandale IA
 

 
 
The Top 10 of 2010  tomorrow!
 
Happy New Year!

Odds and Ends and Bits and Pieces
 
OK I promise the final top 10 list will be posted tomorrow
however I thought I would post some of the highlights of 2010
 
First I'll include the Roadfooders that I met for the first time this year.
 
The year started for me with Charleston Glee Club Event in February with side trips to Charlotte and  ultimately it was down to two heading south along the coast to Florida with Travelin Man.
Although some of the regulars couldn't make it last year, their presence was missed, however it was good to meet Nancypalooza and Louis for the first time.
 
Then in May I made my way to the old dominion with Buffetbuster and I doing some serious double damage and of course we had the pleasure of meeting Williamsburger for the first time.
 

 
 
Here is Buffetbuster with Williamsburger and Williamsburger's husband, Terry.
 
Also in May I co-coordinated the Central Rhode Island Meet n Greet with Bethgrd, and
among other old friends,  Miami Don  Foodosaurus and Paulde joined us and it was a pleasure meeting them the first time around. And although I met Ivyhouse  the previous year on the Buffalo-Rochester bus tour, I finally had a chance to spend some time and chat with her.
 
After the the meet n greet in May, I was pretty much in diet mode all summer, however that didn't stop me for taking a break every once in a while. My friend Ian from New Jersey and I headed to Scranton to see the minor league Scranton Wilkes Barre Yankees, play and of course we had to include a visit with
 

 
joerogo's scooter.
 
Actually  it was a pleasure meeting joerogo too.
 

 
 
In July on another diet break I took buffetbuster's trip to Maine which he ended up taking vicariously when I sent taunting cell phone photos to him.
 
 
After more than a 25lb victory,  I awarded myself by Heartlanding through the Breadbasket and experiences with some old and new friends including sharing a beer with Davydd for the first time.
Renewing old friendships with Blizzardstormus
 


 
and of course enjoying a couple of burgers and a great soul food breakfast with Zaatar
 
and meeting the legendary Tiki
 

 
 
The weekend after my return, I spent  part of the weekend hosting Buffetbuster and Mariton in Rhode Island and then the other part of the weekend at Citifield and the 2nd Avenue Deli.
 
Finally my roadfood year ended by Sugar Shackin' it in Vermont on Halloween weekend.
 
Anyway here are some more odds and ends....
 
Although my roadfood year ended halloween weekend.....
 
The best roadfood news I had all year was
 


 
 
The reopening of Jiggers Diner- located half a mile from my condo and enjoying this plateful of Jonnycakes.
 
 
The award for Roadfood Server of the year goes to.....
 
Troy- professional magician and owner of Suzie- Q Cafe in Mason City IA
 
 
And although I had many great meals, a few ordinary meals and thankfully no horrendous ones.
Sometimes I will have a good meal but not an extaordinary meal however there is one dish that stands out and really deserves attention, in 2010 it was...
 

 
 
The Stewed Tomatoes at Surrey House in Surry VA
 
Although the overall meal was fine, the Stewed Tomatoes really grabbed my attention.
 
Roadfood outlook for 2011: Not Good
 
I have to spend money on other things this year. Specifically some more condo renovations. I would love to head to Phoenix and Tucson in the spring but unfortunately this is looking more like fantasy rather than reality.
 
I promised Chi Town Diner I would try to make it out to Chicago and Milwaukee, unfortunately I can't commit 100% yet, but hopefully I can figure something out- the most logical choice would be to combine it with my straight roadtrip which I plan to take this summer (and most likely my only trip for 2011) which is a straight driving trip from Rhode Island along I70 to St Louis. On this trip I hope to start out in Gettysburg and check out the Farnsworth House previously written about in the Roadfood books, and perhaps venture out and try an Amish Restaurant or two. Continue on to Pittsburgh, through Columbus OH to see the relatively new minor league park, into Indianapolis which I hope includes a side trip to Nick's Kitchen in Huntington. Eventually I hope to veer into Springfield IL and faceoff with a couple of horseshoes and then make my way to St Louis.
Heading back and stopping in Chicago and Milwaukee may make sense from there...
 
So there you have it.....
 
My final list tomorrow..

Stewed tomatoes?  People eat those?
 
ACK!

Those stewed tomatoes really did me in.
 
I didn't mention how nice it is seeing pictures of Roadfood people.  
 
I also forgot to mention that I really want a plate of that corned beef hash and eggs.  It looks spectacular.

Stewed tomatoes with elbow macaroni is great!
 
The biscuits and gravy look very good.

You just had to bring up the scooter again
 
Great finish Dale, nice to put names and faces together.

wanderingjew

 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.
 

 
There's this one: 
"
 
and I really thought I had one of Chris working on shucking them but apparently I took that picture in my head only.  Dale I really like your categories, and I am always amazed at the range and quality of your pictures when I see them all in one swoop like this.  And thanks for the qualification on the 'lyonnaise' potatoes. ;)

Nancypalooza, Oh Yeah, that's the money shot.  I never had oysters prepared like that, I can only imagine how good they are.  
 
Looks like TTM is having and out of body experience.
 
(can't explain the text gone wild)

Oh no, are you seeing weird extra text?  It doesn't show up here.

Nancypalooza


Oh no, are you seeing weird extra text?  It doesn't show up here.

 
Darn Sambuca!

Hope that you included the coffee beans.
 
 

Joe-
 
That scooter is going to follow you around for the rest of your life!
 
Nancy
 
Thanks for adding those photos
The world is certainly your oyster! (sorry- I just had to say that)
 
I edited my previous post for two reasons- I realized the Virginia trip was in actually in May and also I forgot to include Miami Don who I also met for the first time on the central Rhode Island meet n greet and who traveled the greatest distance to attend.

Great report,  WJ.  If you get to Gettysburg,  you  should  go to The  DObbin House for their  baked onion soup.....................it is  terrific.  And  if you are in Gettysburg,  you are just  15 miles north of  Chubby's  and  that is a  must  stop.  You  could  even  try  his  "challenge"......................we have to have one  Roadfooder do it!

WJ
Being the baseball fan you are, You MUST come out to Phoenix during Spring Training and check out all the NEW Spring Training Ballparks and accompanying facilities. They're Beautiful!
There's even a Cactus League Museum out here! http://www.playballexperience.com/
http://www.cactusleague.com/ 
There are 10 Stadiums out here and I think 12-13 teams! Most of the Ballparks are less than 5 years old!
http://www.cactusleague.com/c_map.php
You can see a ton of Games and eat some great Roadfood at the same time! Not to mention hang out with some Roadfood brothers.
I don't think there are any Teams still training in Tucson. They all moved up here.
 
EDIT: I stand corrected. There are 15 Major League Teams and their Minor League Prospects out here!
Here's a breakdown of the teams and the stadiums where they play. The Stadium #'s correspond to the locations on the map above:
STADIUM:
1. Camelback - White Sox & Dodgers
2. Goodyear - Indians & Reds
3. Hohokam Park - Cubs
4. Maryvale - Brewers
5. Peoria - Mariners & Padres
6. Phoenix Stadium - "A's"
7. Scottsdale - Giants
8. Surprise - Royals & Rangers
9. Tempe Diablo - Angels
10. Talking Stick - Diamondbacks & Rockies  
So much baseball in a relatively concentrated area and time. From the furthermost East Stadium (Cubs) to the furthermost West Stadium, (Royals/Rangers) is about 50 miles on open Freeways and Interstates.
 
Here's the Master Schedule;
http://www.springtrainingonline.com/features/master-schedule-cactus.htm
 
Got you Excited yet???

Dale, sorry I'm late to the party.  WOWEE!!  Just an amazing list with crisp, stelar photos, great recapping and a perfect combination of regionally appropriate food and colorful people serving it!  I'd like to place my order now:  I'll start with the Corn Chowder and Wild Rice Soup, then on to the Chicken dinner at Strouds followed up with some Maple Cream and Sour Cream Raisin Pie.  Just ring the buzzer downstairs.  Thanks!

Greymo
 
I'm probably not going to have more than a day in Gettysburg, so my time will be limited. Farnsworth House has been on my hit list for over a decade and I'm going to try a desperate pre-trip investigation to try and find some Schnitz und knepp in Amish Country.
 
Foodbme
 
Unfortunately my heart says YES but my wallet says NO
 
Billyboy
 
TWO slices of pie? I thought only Buffetbuster did that!

WJ:  I sincerely want to compliment you on your hobby and travels.  A few of us and mostly BB and yourself really travel the USA finding what you consider the best and I certainly appreciate it.  Your pics, BB pic and Al's continue to be among the best.
 
Joerogo's scooter really rocks.  I was glad to meet him.
 
Your breakfast post was out of sight.  Roadfood should employ you and BB.
 
Thanks for the travels of both of you.  Perhaps othes will be inspired by your hobby and do the same although I have noticed that some are trying.
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

OK......
Here it is.....what you've all been waiting for-

New- Non Local- Non Breakfast
(in no particular order with the exception of  5 through 1)
 
The TOP 10 of 2010
10. Gullah Cuisine Mt Pleasant SC
 

 
 

 
 

 
I previously expressed my enthusiasm about the Gumbo which earned a slot in the top 10 soup category, however the rest of the meal including the yams and after enjoying the  the Gullah rice, I just don't find low country red rice interesting anymore.
 
9. TNT's Diner- West Fargo ND
 

 
 

 
 

 
Classic Northland comfort food- The beer cheese soup and some of the best sour cream raisin pie I ever had received previous accolades, however the Scandinavian Klub or Potato Dumplings were in a class by themselves and are usually reserved for those harsh cold winters.
 
8. Saltwater Cowboys St. Augustine FL
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 
A last minute substitute for the closed on Mondays O' Steens where apparently the fried shrimp is even better, however everything but the overly oniony coleslaw was about as good as it gets at Saltwater Cowboys.
 
 
7. Mama Mary's Sugar and Spice- Richmond VA
 
 


 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

 
 

 
 
From the warm buttery cornbread to the incredible sweet potato pie and peach cobbler- this is roadfood straight from the soul. Although the green beens and collards were less than spectacular,  everything else was.
 
6.  TC's Point After DeWitt IA
 

 
Quite possibly the best breaded pork tenderloin I ever had, and the fresh cut fries only made this meal that much better.
 
5. Magnolias Charleston SC
 


 

 

 

 
 
Although I didn't eat a full meal here, I can say that the blue crab bisque was the weakest part of the meal and it was still pretty darn good, however after enjoying a bite or two of the pimento cheese and crackers, the down south eggroll and fried green tomatoes over crabcake, I can trully say that Magnolia's was truly one of the highlights of 2010.
 
4. Zuppardi's Apizza- West Haven CT
 


 
Paying market price  for this  fresh clam pie- it was well worth the wait.
 
3.  Highland Mills Cafe - Charlotte NC
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Sadly, like it's predecessor the Coffee Cup at the same location, the Highland Mills Cafe is no longer in business, and that's a shame, because everything here was nothing short of extraordinary.
 
 
2. Jess and Jim's Kansas City MO
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Jess and Jim's definitely deserves the #2 spot for 2010. A classic Kansas City Steakhouse in the heart of cow country. The strip steak was nothing short of perfect and what more can I say about a place that begins every meal with pickled beets.
 
And the # 1 restaurant of 2010 is..................................
 
The Angry Trout Grand Marais MN
 


 
When the veggies are singing to you, you know you have a # 1 hit!
 
That's it!
 
Happy 2011!
 
 

Paul
 
Thanks for your thoughtful comments, they really mean alot to me. I also consider you among a select few as one of the most prolific contributors to the Roadfood website

WJ-
Great conclusion to your lists!  And I feel fortunate to have shared meals with you for three of your top 10.  It is also wonderful to see Jess & Jim's get some love here in the forums.  There are so many good places to eat in Kansas City, Jess & Jim's often gets overlooked.

The official start of my roadfood year began this past weekend in Boston.
 
Although it appears that this isn't going to be a big Roadfood year and I probably won't have a top 10 soup list for 2011, I do already know if there is any list for soup no matter how limited there is already at least one contender.

wanderingjew

After more than a 25lb victory,  I awarded myself by Heartlanding through the Breadbasket and experiences with some old and new friends including sharing a beer with Davydd for the first time.

WJ,
 
Thanks. You didn't bother taking my picture but you could have least showed everyone a picture of my yacht I sailed in with at Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge on Lake Minnetonka.

I have completely enjoyed your year in review! And certainly hope you make it thru the Chicago/Milwaukee area this year....

wanderingjew


The official start of my roadfood year began this past weekend in Boston.

Although it appears that this isn't going to be a big Roadfood year and I probably won't have a top 10 soup list for 2011, I do already know if there is any list for soup no matter how limited there is already at least one contender.

 
Somehow, I will bet you do. You and BB always cover the USA.  Both of you do Roadfood.com the best.
 
I will put my money on you and BB this year.  I cannot wait until the end of the year to see where the both of you have gone and done.
 
Paul E. Smith
knoxville, TN

Davydd
 
You know, I would have, but my private jet got in the way.
 
Ann
 
I'm crossing my fingers that I'll be able to get up to your neck of the woods as I would be honored to consider you one of the new roadfooders I met in 2011.
 
Paul,
 
Again, thanks for the compliment but I still declare that Buffetbuster owns the Roadfood crown, however I'll provide an early in the year teaser of something that's going to end up on a list at the end of 2011.
 

So, you are just going to show us a bowl of chowder and not tell us where it is from?  What, no name?

He's a tease like that. :)

buffetbuster


So, you are just going to show us a bowl of chowder and not tell us where it is from?  What, no name?

Yep,
no name....