Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burgh and a slice of Jersey

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (wanderingjew)

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:07:03 GMT

joerogo

Hey Dale, The only PA Dutch items(2) were on the specials menu. One was sausage and I forgot the other one. No chicken pot pie either At least I stayed away from their Hi-Talian Specialities

If the other special was Pig Stomach and you turned it down, then I will not forgive you

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (joerogo)

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:28:47 GMT

Hey Dale, The only PA Dutch items(2) were on the specials menu. One was sausage and I forgot the other one. No chicken pot pie either At least I stayed away from their Hi-Talian Specialities

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (BigGlenn)

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 04:57:53 GMT

I love your reviews.....Coming out to the west coast in the near future?

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (Foodbme)

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 03:35:39 GMT

Joe,
I'm not sure if BuffetBuster's radar range can pick up that sign so you better forward it to him.

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (wanderingjew)

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:05:38 GMT

joerogo

Hey Dale, I stopped at Risser's yesterday. The soups were very good, and yes they had chicken corn. I ordered the smothered sirloin patty...it was horrible. Did the place smell funky when you were there?

How did you miss this place when you were in the area?

Joe,

No discernable odor if I recall. Did you eat in the diner or the dining room? I ate in the dining room.
I wouldn't order something non Penn Dutch in a Penn Dutch restaurant- it's asking for trouble
Ask anyone (especially TTM) when I have tunnel vision and want to check out one place and one place only, everything else in my surroundings seems to dissappear- so the sign may have been completely in front of me and I just didn't notice it. Screaming Chicken pointed out something similar in a photo I took in Independence MO there was a bbq joint - I honestly didn't even notice it when I took the photo

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (joerogo)

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 08:35:45 GMT

Hey Dale, I stopped at Risser's yesterday. The soups were very good, and yes they had chicken corn. I ordered the smothered sirloin patty...it was horrible. Did the place smell funky when you were there?

How did you miss this place when you were in the area?

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (pnwchef)

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 08:57:03 GMT

mr chips

This is the first day i've seen your report.As always, I completely enjoyed your photos and food commentaries and your adventurous nature in food choices. A few random thoughts:

There is an excellent hungarian restaurant called Novack's in the unlikely town of Albany , oregon started by a family that fled hungary after the 56 revolt. I've eaten there with roadfooder Ed sails and totally enjoyed it.
Nitro, West Virginia is the hometown of Milwaukee Braves great Lew Burdette
The Chips family loved our visit toPittsburgh and wished we had known roadfoders back then. We really loved the Warhol museum, located next to the stadia.
I so love the way you are able to find regional specialties. Thanks for taking me along a wonderful ride.

Mr Chips, thanks for the info you posted on Novack's Hungarian Restaurant, I will make that a stop on our next trip to Portland or the Coast. I still need to make it over to Kenny and Zuke's Deli for some Pastrami. We do have a need for more of these kinds of Restaurants and Deli's in the Pacific Northwest..................Thanks again.....pnwc

WJ, Thanks for the trip through Europe without leaving the USA. I guess it goes to show you the Emmigrants didn't venture all that far after arriving at Ellis Island.................

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (wanderingjew)

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 08:18:12 GMT

Nancy

That's why I decided to get the Lima's. I figured I was in the South and how could I go wrong? Well, I did, I was disappointed.

Cajun King

Don't let the ~~cat~~ chicken out of the bag

Mr. Chips

I remember you mentioning Novack's to be previously. If it's good as Jocza's Corner then I can see why.

Besides Diehl's it's good to know that Nitro is famous for other reasons, especially Lew Burette.

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (mr chips)

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 22:14:33 GMT

This is the first day i've seen your report.As always, I completely enjoyed your photos and food commentaries and your adventurous nature in food choices. A few random thoughts:

There is an excellent hungarian restaurant called Novack's in the unlikely town of Albany , oregon started by a family that fled hungary after the 56 revolt. I've eaten there with roadfooder Ed sails and totally enjoyed it.
Nitro, West Virginia is the hometown of Milwaukee Braves great Lew Burdette
The Chips family loved our visit toPittsburgh and wished we had known roadfoders back then. We really loved the Warhol museum, located next to the stadia.
I so love the way you are able to find regional specialties. Thanks for taking me along a wonderful ride.

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (CajunKing)

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:25:48 GMT

wanderingjew

joerogo

WJ, I now order a single Italian Dog, which is placed on a 1/4 pizza bread. I think the 1/4 bread, which hold less potato, lets the dog shine through.

Thanks for the great trip report. Where you heading next?

joerogo

That makes more sense-

Where am I going???

You'llhave to wait for the next trip report to find out!!

I know, but I aint telling!

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (Foodbme)

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:24:57 GMT

A post-Easter tradition in our family. The leftover Easter Eggs ended up as Pickled Eggs. Canned Beets & juice, a little vinegar and a little sugar. Sometimes a little pickling spice too. Made them other times of the year too.
Chicken & Waffles Dutch style was all I knew there was until I started traveling to the South 35 years later. Didn't know there was another way to do it.

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (Rusty246)

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:50:42 GMT

CajunKing

The pickled beets and eggs are a Penn Dutch / Amish / Mennonite of that area thing.

I remember growing up and seeing jars upon jars of them in the fridge of Grandma's house. Grandpa would eat several every afternoon when he got home from work, before he took his nap laying on the floor in front of the box fan in the living room.

That's exactly how I make my pickled eggs, the way my Mom makes them, the way my Grandmother made them. All from W.Va. I'll eat them everyday for a week then I have to take a break. The beets go to the trash, Mom eats hers.

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (Nancypalooza)

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:57:23 GMT

You aren't kidding, that was quite a trip--great photographs! You know, I don't know that the region matters for this at all, but I really don't order lima beans out of the South. I just like the way we make 'em around here.

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (wanderingjew)

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:51:28 GMT

joerogo

WJ, I now order a single Italian Dog, which is placed on a 1/4 pizza bread. I think the 1/4 bread, which hold less potato, lets the dog shine through.

Thanks for the great trip report. Where you heading next?

joerogo

That makes more sense-

Where am I going???

You'llhave to wait for the next trip report to find out!!

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (joerogo)

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:40:19 GMT

WJ, I now order a single Italian Dog, which is placed on a 1/4 pizza bread. I think the 1/4 bread, which hold less potato, lets the dog shine through.

Thanks for the great trip report. Where you heading next?

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (wanderingjew)

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:31:25 GMT

Lee

Although an Italian Hero Roll may be heresy to Italian Dog purists- that's how I was introduced to it- I can assure you the roll (or whatever it's called) at Jimmy Buff's was fresh- however between the potatoes and the bread- I thought it masked the flavor of everything else- and I even ordered a double dog

brookquarry

I deliberately hit those two places ( plus Rissers) because they offered those unique specialties which seem so hard to find- although the Oregon Dairy Restaurant does have chicken and waffles on their daily menu. Another place I would have loved to hav checked out was the Family Cupboard, also in Lititz- Stuffed Pigs Stomach on Thursdays!- unfortunately the timing just didn't work

Cajun King- glad I could inspire

Everyone else- thanks for your comments-

Now I'm waiting for Buffetbuster and his Mississippi addendum from this weekend.

BTW- my last big trip of the year is 10 days away- another week of roadfood and yes, this will be a baseball trip -

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (CajunKing)

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:02:42 GMT

WJ
The more I think about those chicken and waffles.......
The more I think it is on my dinner menu for the evening.
I think I have some smoked chicken or turkey in the freezer and bisquick in the cupboard

YUP CHICKEN & WAFFLES (Amish Style) for dinner tonight

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (FriedClamFanatic)

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:53:19 GMT

Dear lord! WJ....with a little help from your friends......you have outdone yourself and set a new standard for RF! Took me over 45 mins to read all this..broken up by a few "snack breaks" because the photos and food look so darned good. And fortunately i found a few new places
Thank You!

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (Michael Hoffman)

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:58:12 GMT

Terrific report WJ. I lived in Charleston for several years, and this report was the first time I'd ever heard of Diehl's. Then again, I usually tried to stay out of Nitro, except to check police reports..

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (CajunKing)

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:16:26 GMT

The pickled beets and eggs are a Penn Dutch / Amish / Mennonite of that area thing.

I remember growing up and seeing jars upon jars of them in the fridge of Grandma's house. Grandpa would eat several every afternoon when he got home from work, before he took his nap laying on the floor in front of the box fan in the living room.

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (MiamiDon)

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:57:59 GMT

Thank you Ann!

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (ann peeples)

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:43:12 GMT

MiamiDon-they are beets.

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (MiamiDon)

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 07:49:25 GMT

THAT'S the chicken and waffles that I had a very long time ago. I was so puzzled when I heard of the fried chicken on top of a waffle version.

What is in the bowl with the two hard-boiled eggs?

Another fine report, wj.

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (brookquarry)

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 06:12:04 GMT

WJ, you picked my two favorite non-touristy Lancaster County Pa Dutch restaurants- glad you enjooyed both of them.
Chicken and Waffles Pa Dutch style is in my opinion, comfort food at its best. There is a resaurant not far from us (Snydersville Diner) that serves it every Sunday, and we go bout once every six weeks or so.
Corn pie is getting harder to find, but, when done right is a truly delicious dish.
Enjoyed following your entire trip.

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (leethebard)

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 20:28:48 GMT

Ps...I've loved following this trip...great stops and great food...thanks!

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (leethebard)

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 20:26:23 GMT

Wanderingjew....Italian hotdog purists just had a fit......a hero roll instead of true Italian pizza bread........It's just my opinion, also...but if it's REAL pizza bread...the flavor is different, and it's NOT too bready, but, in truth, I've had bad pizza bread...and it tends to lose its freshness quickly...but fresh pizza bread is the way to go, taste and texture wise...and if they put only a few potatoes on my sandwich, I'd return it!!I've had hundreds of Italian hot dogs(used to make them for my Uncle's stand almost 40 years ago..and when I see one on a menu,I must try it....I think Mr. Fox would agree, a true Italian hot dog experience depends on the perfect blend of quality ingredients, from the hot dog down....like everything we talk about here, it's opinion,and for what it's worth, that's how I feel!

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (ann peeples)

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 19:50:23 GMT

I am envious of all your culinary experiences on this trip.Thanks for, as usual, a wonderful ride along!

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (wanderingjew)

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 19:18:37 GMT

Wednesday August 10

Not sure if all the driving I did finally caught up to me- but I felt sluggish getting around in the morning. Even the fine cuppa joe I got at Square One Coffee in downtown Lancaster didn't completely bring me back to life, however I did manage to relax at my hotel, before lunch.

Speaking of lunch...

I drove to the Country Table Restaurant in Mt Joy PA- I was looking forward to trying their Wednesday Special-
Unfortunately I was once again disappointed when Chicken Corn Soup was not mentioned as one of the soup specials of the day..

Since I enjoyed it so much at Risser's earlier on in the trip- I started out with

Lettuce with Warm Bacon Dressing- still good, but obviously not quite as liberal with the salad dressing...

I also tried something new

Red Beet Eggs- Hard Boiled eggs stained in beet juice with beets- it's an interesting concept but I'm not certain if I would go out of my way to order it again.

The special I mentioned previously was Corn Pie

When I called and spoke with the owner a couple of weeks before to ensure that it would be on the menu, he told me that ingredients include eggs and potatoes. For some reason I was picturing something similar to a quiche- however this was actually quite good- picture thick creamed corn or corn pudding filling enveloped in a pastry crust.

Dessert , though was definitely the highlight...

Not something they have on the menu everyday

Fresh peach pie- made with fresh peaches right from the restaurant's garden. At first I was put off by the whipped cream- but after taking a bite- I realized it's a necessity - to go along with the peaches- peaches n' cream of course!

After lunch, I headed back to Lancaster and was bummed to find out that the Central Market is only open Tuesdays and Fridays during the week. I did end up going to the Bird and Hand Farmers Market instead- unfortunately I left my camera in the car both times - so therefore no photos.

My initial plans were to head back home after lunch- but since my afternoon plans took longer than expected and I didn't want to drive the 300 + miles back home- I decided to spend the night once again in Princeton NJ but not before one last meal in Amish Country..

The Oregon Dairy Restaurant in Lititz

Which includes a real working farm..

After striking out for the third time with no Chicken Corn Soup....

I went with a cup of the surprisingly good potato soup

and some pepper cabbage

Since I was not able to enjoy chicken and waffles at Thelma's the day before in Roanoke- I decided to get some today

This is NOT your soul food restaurant's Chicken and Waffles
This is Amish Style- hearty creamed chicken (definitely homemade) on top of Waffles- and it was actually very good.

My waitress, who saw me taking photos suggested a banana split for dessert noting that it would make for a good photo- silly her! I explained I only take photos of regional food- no dessert me for anyway- I was stuffed..

After dinner, I drove directly to Princeton NJ for the evening...

Thursday August 11

Strictly a travel day- I had an opportunity to make amends for the beginning of the trip...

YAY- they're open!!

I ordered the pork roll- and YES- they can do a half hoagie roll, how's about grilled onions and peppers? No onions and peppers.

I actually do prefer the pork roll on the half hoagie roll versus the hard roll- now if I could only get those onions and peppers from the Briarwood Deli - this would have been the perfect sandwich.

Ending the trip like it began was a good thing- after another superb dark roast at Small World Coffee in downtown Princeton, I checked out of my hotel and was on my way....

However I had to make one final stop in Jersey...North Jersey this time...

Jimmy Buff's in West Orange

I went with the Double Italian Dog with everything..

I switched off with both ketchup and mustard.
You know I'm on the fence on this overly carb heavy dog. This is my second experience with an Italian Hot Dog- and honestly I think my first experience was better- too much overkill with the home fries- sometimes less is more- my other impression was that the roll was just way to "bready" an italian club roll would have been much more appropriate- but hey that's just my opinion....

Either way I was back home by 3:30 in the afternoon-

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (wanderingjew)

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 18:29:32 GMT

jm199

visiting the link museum was certainly one of the non food highlights of the trip- I really enjoyed spending the morning there checking out the fantastic photography.

Re:Amish & Appalachian Adventures with a bit of da' Burg and a slice of Jersey (jm199)

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 13:48:39 GMT

Glad to see that you made it to the Link museum. It is a hidden gem and Link is a talent who should be better known in this country. He should be discussed in the same vein as Ansel Adams.

For those who want to read more about the later years of O. Winston Link's life, here is a juicy story from the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/31/nyregion/trove-of-stolen-photos-is-found-after-arrest-of-creator-s-ex-wife.html?ref=owinstonlink