A billboard that I saw recently that stuck:
“How’s your relationship with food?”
Did I say stuck? I meant to say sucked. Yeah, let’s guilt people for being gluttons!
I mean, who came up with that?
We all have our vices right?
That being said, I’ve chosen to share a few delectable finds from being on the road. Some of these are real gems.
1.) A Homemade Cannoli
While doing the typical touristy things on the north end of Boston, we noticed that EVERYONE had these cute little blue bundled boxes:
Because everyone had them we figured that the place had to be good! Needless to say, we sniffed that bad boy out like a couple of Bloodhounds. Ordering was a real educational experience. I mean, walking into the bakery I had no idea what a cannoli even was. I’m ashamed to admit that I thought it was some sort of pizza flavored calzone. It wasn’t good, it was like, the BEST dessert that I’ve EVER put in my mouth. The Boston Cream Pie was fantastic as well.
Mike’s Pastry
300 Hanover St, Boston
MA 02113
2.) Geno’s- for a Lobster Roll and Lobster Stew
I’’ve always had a soft spot for a family owned business. This place claims to have three generations working under the same roof. After driving all over south Maine to find a good deal on lobster this place was a real treat. We set out to find a place to eat lobster tails, but we were deterred at the thought of dropping a Benjamin on a seafood lunch. What we found at Geno’s was much better than any plain lobster tail that I can imagine. The thing that won me over right off the bat was I heard “ma” announce from the kitchen “I made a WICKED lobster stew this morning”. She must have known that we weren’t from the area because I smiled when she said “wicked”. She then proceeded to educate me on the proper New England usage of the word wicked. As in, “that storm out there is pretty wicked” or “I’ve got a wicked bruise”. I ate that conversation right up. You learn something new every day. Anyways, ma was right, her lobster stew was WICKED! Whole claws in there. . . Simply delish. Lobster rolls have to be eaten with melted butter. Period. This place is a bit off of the beaten path, it’s quaint, authentic and right on the water.
Geno’s Chowder and Sandwich Shop
177 Mechanic St, Portsmouth
NH 03801
3.) Wings at the Best Place in Buffalo
Apparently in Buffalo, they aren’t called “buffalo wings”, they are just “wings”. Makes sense right? Duff’s wasn’t the first establishment to sell buffalo wings, but they have perfected the art. When put to the test, they’ve consistently won taste tests when placed up against the competition. [I can handle spicy food. I mean, my family jokes that I burnt off all of my taste-buds when I moved to southern Louisiana o.k.?] But might I suggest ordering the “mild” ones, because you ARE going to need that whole pitcher of soda that they bring you. The place was built about 1969, so what it lacks in aesthetics, it makes up for with some really hearty portions and great taste.
Duff’s Famous Wings
3090 Orchard Park Rd
Buffalo, NY
Honorable Mentions Include:
*Stop in for a Brew at the Oldest Restaurant in the U.S.
Serving as the place where soldiers during the American revolution used to pick up their wages is the Ye Olde Union Oyster House. JFK had his own favorite booth at this place. The history spoke more to me than the clam chowder did, but I’m not sure that I have developed the proper taste for clams like a New Englander. So, if clams are your thing, the restaurant offers quite the historical experience.
* Delicious Canadian ‘Poutine’
(pronounced poo-teen, not to be confused with that other word) gross name, great dish. Can be picked up pretty much anywhere north of the Canadian border where French fries are served. It’s basically taters with gravy and some sort of white cheese “curds”. I’ll admit that it doesn’t sound too good, but it’s to die for. I’ve had Poutine several times, and it is consistently good. Blame it on my southern roots, i think it’s the gravy . . . but I don’t really want to know how they make those cheese curds (ew).
* Pat’s King of Steaks
I love Philly Cheesesteak. I haven’t had it often, but when I do, I’m obsessed. The fact that Sylvester Stallone was filmed at this joint during “Rocky” is a pretty cool fact. The food at Pat’s is good but I will say that I was a bit uncomfortable trouncing through south Philadelphia to get to the joint. To put it nicely, the neighborhood is a little rough but for the most part the people of Philadelphia are very proud of their city and give off admirable tough vibes. If you’re a local you’ll have no problem trouncing in the neighborhoods of south Philly, I just wouldn’t recommend it for newcomers to the city. Even though I enjoyed my meal here, later a local did tell me that he wished he would have tried some of the joints on South Street first.
Some things I’m still searching for:
The perfect . . .
–>slice of Chicago Deep Dish Pizza (apparently this is the mid-west, but I’m grouping it together)
–>Little Italy’s slice of pizza with mozzarella in NYC
–>The perfect Philly Cheesesteak on South Street
–> New York Bagel
Any other typical North East foods that you think I should try?
I’m positive that I’ve missed something crucial.
Have any suggestions for what/or where to taste? I’d love to hear them.
Tasting my way about and infinitely wrong in grammar,
KAS
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