Okay Fun-Seekers, it’s another edition of “Stupid Question Day.”
One of my favorite hobbies is to go out to eat. I love trying new restaurants and new foods. (I’m Italian, so what can I say?). I’m a lover of all types of foods — ethnic and gourmet dishes. And although I rarely do it, I like fast food as well. (Big Macs, Taco Bell Chalupas, and Church’s Chicken especially.)
Now, here’s the question.
Suppose that you had to eat dinner at the same restaurant IN YOUR CITY for the next 21 days. That’s right, 3 weeks of dinners . . . and ALL of them had to be from the SAME restaurant in your city.
What would it be?
Name the restaurant, the city/state/country, and tell us a bit about the food there.
I’ll weigh in on Sunday.
Jordan Peacock said,
December 18, 2008 at 1:32 PM
If it was the world, it would be the hole-in-the-wall Sri Lankan place a five minute walk from the old Sheraton in Kuwait City.
If it’s in the States, it would be the Indian/Sri Lankan restaurant in Eagan, MN, named Sambols.
Sam said,
December 18, 2008 at 1:45 PM
I’m sure it would kill my arteries at the end of the challenge….. but my answer would have to be:
The Steel Trolley Diner
Lisbon, Ohio, USA
It was the last production trolley car Diner made in the Fifties and has been in its present location almost thirty years. It’s your average greasy spoon dive, but in recent years has really revamped its menu and food. It’s open, “Most of the time!” which translates into being closed only one day a year (Christmas) and then only in the morning. They have a great breakfast menu which is only shadowed by its 2 page burger menu.
Oh, and I laughed aloud at the pun in your last line.
Marcy Ellis said,
December 18, 2008 at 2:01 PM
I would go with Bush’s (Logan, Ohio). The place isn’t much to look at, but the food is great. A wide variety of home-style meals, good portions. Breakfast anytime of the day (or night). If I had to eat at one place 21 meals in a row, I think that would be my best bet for quality and variety.
bswan said,
December 18, 2008 at 2:07 PM
There is a place called Yan Kee Noodle in Louisville, KY.
They have various noodle bowls that are absolutely delicious. I could eat there for a month straight no problem. The menu is huge with a lot of variety.
The Firecracker Chicken is the best, and can be really spicy depending on the maker.
Brian
Bald Man said,
December 18, 2008 at 2:28 PM
This one’s easy, because I’m pretty sure I’ve done it.
Chipotle on Brown St.
Dayton, Ohio, USA
For those of you not fortunate enough to have one nearby, it’s a simple menu of Mexican-style burritos. Everything is fresh, and more and more of their ingredients are organic/humanely raised. If you have any doubts about the quality, where else will you find people standing in line for 20-30 minutes on their lunch hour for “fast food?” Nowhere!
Jeff Luce said,
December 18, 2008 at 2:53 PM
A no brainer for me. Greenwood’s in Roswell, GA. It’s a southern cooking joint in a 150 yr old house. All the southern style vegetables are cooked w/out fatback (a must for a vegetarian like me!). The motif is woodstockesque. I’m not sure how they blended hippie with southern, but they did. And they’ve been at it for decades. It’s awesome!
Jay said,
December 18, 2008 at 3:05 PM
One of the most delightful parts of my life is that I live in Phuket, Thailand and the choice of restaurants is almost endless. However, if I had to choose one restaurant for the next 21 days, I would just walk 50 meters along the street in front of my home to a small restaruant which is an open air structure with a grass roof and four tables. The owner and cook formerly was employed in a hotel as a cook before opening her own little restaurant. She has a large menu of delicious Thai foods. All for the price equivalent to 1 USD
Lew A said,
December 18, 2008 at 3:22 PM
Easy,
Pizza by Alex, Biddeford, ME, USA.
The absolute best pizza in the world.
Lew
Jeremiah said,
December 18, 2008 at 3:56 PM
I worked at a pizza place in the New Orleans area (Kenner, specifically) called Reginelli’s. I ate there nearly every day I worked, and took leftovers home constantly. Their pizza is made with fresh veggies and locally-made sauces and dough. They also do fantastic sandwiches and pastas. I still eat there any chance I get.
Joshua Tucker said,
December 18, 2008 at 4:50 PM
During crawfish season, a small restaurant outside of Houston called Repka’s. I grew up in New Orleans around crawfish boils. I’m pretty sure I could eat crawfish every day and be a happy man, plus they have other great foods too.
Jan said,
December 18, 2008 at 6:36 PM
I only have one restaurant in my town, if I could even call it a town. It’s the Hotel Jonas, within walking distance from my home. They have quite a selection of foods, from sandwiches and pizza to seafood and steaks and everything in between. Even most of the appetizers are enough of a meal for me, especially if I ended it with one of their fabulous desserts.
Erin said,
December 18, 2008 at 7:49 PM
I was almost surprised at how easy it was to answer this question.
La Granja
Tamarac, FL
La Granja is a peruvian style restaurant here in South Florida. My favorite meal is a quarter chicken, beans and rice and the plantains. It’s absolutely fantastic. My 2 year old asks for it every other night, so if he could weigh in here, his answer would be the same.
D.L. Webster said,
December 18, 2008 at 9:27 PM
I’d have to say Yats in Indianapolis. They make great Cajun and Creole food, and it’s inexpensive!
crystal moore said,
December 18, 2008 at 9:35 PM
It would have to be Sake II a Japanese Restauraunt in Florida…I love it…
crystal moore said,
December 18, 2008 at 9:36 PM
For the La Granja person in Tamarac I love La Granja and go to that one all the time my dad lives right there on Commercial and Pine Island…How funny small world….
Jennifer said,
December 18, 2008 at 10:21 PM
Yeah, this is really a no brainer:
Bombay Curry Company
Alexandria, Virginia
Basic Indian fare with fresh ingredients, light and fluffy Naan with samosas to die for. We have taken almost all of our friends and out-of-town visitors here and regularly get take-out.
Al Newberry said,
December 19, 2008 at 1:32 AM
Thai Namtip in Cincinnati, Ohio, definitely. Best Thai food I’ve ever had. The presentation is great, the food is delicious, the vegetables are always crisp and cooked to perfection. The staff are attentive and friendly, and whenever the proprietor is there (which is almost all the time) he or she makes sure to come to your table to make sure your experience was wonderful.
Andrew Noble said,
December 19, 2008 at 1:58 AM
Duthy Street Deli
(Duthy Street, Parkside, South Australia, Australia)
They do all-day breakfast, with amazing eggs, bacon, sausage, rocket, mushrooms, smoked salmon and much more.
Who wouldn’t want to have breakfast every day, all the time!
julie rust said,
December 19, 2008 at 2:04 AM
C & W BBQ Pit. It’s a shoebox shack sticking out like a sore thumb in the middle of “down town” Oviedo, FL. It’s owned by an old black couple, Corah and Willie (hence the C and W) who are serioulsy southern. They grow their own collards behind the building and serve chicken and ribs with the best wood smoked flavor you will ever have.
Gunnar said,
December 19, 2008 at 7:06 AM
Morton’s The Steakhouse
Not only because it is good, but if I was eating there 21 days in a row, that would mean I would have won the lottery as well, so it would be extra, EXTRA good.
Angela said,
December 19, 2008 at 7:07 AM
As a single mom I don’t get to go to restaurants, like ever, hardly. The ones I loved as a young person have all gone out of business. ( One was like an English pub, with big heavy furniture, called Clinkerdagger, Biggerstaff and Petts.) But if I could, it’d be someplace with great steak, so I could have that every night for dinner for the 21 days.
Jonathan Hathaway said,
December 19, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Definitly not a fast food joint – have you seen “Super Size Me”?
For a local place, I’ll go with a new place down the street from work called Poppy’s. Great bbq, beef brisket and oustanding hash on rice.
Poppy’s BBQ/Springfield/GA/USA
Christo said,
December 19, 2008 at 11:29 AM
It is actualy a chain of restaurants and as far as I know it is a South-African franchise.
They call themselves “Spur Steak Ranches”, we (South-Africans) call it “the Spur”.
Steak, ribs,chicken,Mexican,burgers, enough for 21 Days and more.
They have buffalo wings: njammies.
Not the most expensive, so you will not find yuppies or snobs there (my opinion ofcourse) and that is cool.
All of them has huge safe playgrounds for the kids, so it is a nice family restaurant.
My treat when any of you ever come to South-Africa (no group bookings though
).
Johnny Brooks said,
December 19, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Kokeb. An Ethiopian restaurant that also serves Kenyan and a few Italian dishes as well.
It is in Nakuru, Kenya. I think I choose it mainly because it is where I am sitting right now, but it does have variety as well.
Mark said,
December 19, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Seoul Garden
Nashville, TN
Great Korean food with great service!
Ron said,
December 19, 2008 at 2:58 PM
I am from Kokomo and it would be Pastarrific. They has about six or seven ways that they fix Grouper, plus a lot of other great stuff.
Alas we do not have a cajun restaurant here. That would be my first choice.
Donald Baker said,
December 19, 2008 at 5:08 PM
I’m surprised that no one knows about the Golden Corral. I probably would hog out there for a year if I had to. It is a buffet that offer a variety of foods. Some of the best sirloin steaks, fish, country cookin’ etc. The salad bar is about 10 miles long. Price is no concern. I started eating at GC in North Carolina and they are ALL over the country. I am enjoying their food now in Texarkana, TX. See ya’ later. Don
Jessie said,
December 19, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Uptown Organics
Centralia, WA, USA
Everything they sell in this little cafe is organic, and if you have any questions about what is in your meal or where it came from, Bobbie Jo will be happy to tell you everything. Favorite so far? An Asiago Cheese bisque that makes me wish it was the special every day.
Scott said,
December 19, 2008 at 11:47 PM
Well, ya’ll yankees ain’t had dinner till you’ve had some bob-a-chew from Elmer’s BBQ in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Elmer says “ya don’t need no teef, to eat my beef”. For a Texas boy it’s the best I can find.
Al Newberry said,
December 20, 2008 at 1:25 AM
Y’all ain’t had barbecue unless you been to Kansas City though, you southern barbecue lovers.
M+ said,
December 20, 2008 at 3:09 AM
It’s funny that someone (Donald Baker) should mention Golden Corral. I was thinking I could find plenty of variety there to keep myself from getting bored for 21 days. And I have one less than a mile from my house – which is in Monroeville, PA.
However, If you’re looking for cuisine that suggests local color/flavor, I’d have to say it’s a toss up between Vincents (pizza), Primanti Bros (killer sandwiches) or one of the many chinese buffets around here.
Lynne said,
December 20, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Wow! Thank you all for bringing the world to my little bungalow in the woods.
We don’t have a great selection of resturants (mostly fast foods) so I like to cook rather than go out.
Jay-That place in Thailand sounds great and I’d bring my friend Wan (she is homesick).
But for now, I’ll just sit here and drool over your descriptions!
dwilli58 said,
December 20, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Marcy Ellis, is right-on about Bush’s in Logan, Ohio. I lived down there for a while, Rockbridge, and the food, atmosphere and service was “old school!” I never walked out of that restaurant displeased or hungry!!
Sarah said,
December 21, 2008 at 3:03 PM
Hard one but it would have to be Lainston House Hotel, a beautiful country house hotel just outside Winchester, England where we live. And Frank if you come to the UK my husband and I will buy you dinner there !!!
Victoria said,
December 21, 2008 at 6:13 PM
The answers on here make me want to travel again! Southern cooking without the fatback & the Spur sounds wondermous. Uptown Organics sounds amazingly soothing on the conscience and great for the body!
Southlake, TX is host to a lot of eateries around the Town Squre, so the choosing is hard, however, I’d drive 30 minutes anytime to the Central Market Cafe across the street from the Town Square. Their chicken tortilla soup pleases our “like it better homemade” tastebuds and the gelato also inside the store is made fresh daily. I could come up withat least 21 different combinations for dessert after the generous options in the cafe.
Leo said,
December 21, 2008 at 6:50 PM
Hmm, I would have to say “China Buffet Restaurant” in Southaven, MS. Why, you may ask. Well, it’s close to where I live. It’s Chinese food, and one can never eat Chinese food too often. And last, if you get tired of Chinese food they do offer a few American items on their buffet as well.
David Olson said,
December 21, 2008 at 7:20 PM
I’d probably opt for a little Japanese place called Rokko in Surrey. British Columbia. They greet me by name, and inquire about various family members. If you come up for the 2010 Olympics I’ll take you out for some sushi and then we could try out the new gondola at Whistler.
frankaviola said,
December 21, 2008 at 9:12 PM
It’s a toss up between Yamato Japenese steak house and Fresco Italian Restaurant. Both are in Gainesville, Florida where we had 80 degree weather today
Donald Baker said,
December 22, 2008 at 1:06 AM
Good choice I guess, Frank, but you don’t need to be so uppity about it. (the weather, that is). It started about 28 far. here in Texarkana this morning and hasn’t gotten much better. In that weather, I’d like to be anywhere where there is a fireplace, an low rumble of conversation with wood tones all around. Any kinda food in that enviornment would be fine with me. cheers. Don
frankaviola said,
December 22, 2008 at 2:00 AM
We’ve got a cold front coming in tonight, but no snow. Christmas isn’t the same without snow on the ground. Nothing like a “white Christmas” in my book. I do miss that.
dawn said,
December 22, 2008 at 6:32 AM
Flames Coffee Shop would be my choice. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and they have an extensive menu. Everything I’ve tried there so far is delicious. Great quality and great variety.
http://www.flamescoffeeshop.com/
Whipsnard Q. Bimblemann, III, Esq. said,
December 22, 2008 at 8:44 AM
I know I’m showing up late, but the place has to be Barbie’s. No, it’s not what any of you wayward might be thinking, but a down home hole-in-the-wall type diner. Come on down to Palm Beach Gardens were it’s warm, Frank, and I’ll make Brant Hansen ‘receive a blessing’ and buy us lunch!
Kat said,
December 23, 2008 at 2:53 AM
Schreiner’s in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The best clam chowder and spinach salad with hot bacon dressing and homemade pies. I’m getting hungry just thinking about the menu! And their waitresses wear white 50’s style uniforms and there is counter service if you’re in a hurry. Go there!
Ruth said,
December 24, 2008 at 4:24 AM
OH MY GOSH! Listening to everyone and their favorite places to eat just down right makes me hungry and homesick….especially for that Texas BBQ.
Living in Saudi Arabia that leaves me with only one great choice. Lebanese restaurant called Babaylos in Jeddah. But my all time favorite in US was in San Fran (bay area) was a Thai Restaurant called Thai Pou…I think? Even eating in Thailand wasn’t that good….and a very close second for me was all of the great food in New Orleans…..man I am so homesick now! Thanks!!!
Oh by the way Frank…..It is hitting the high 80s everyday here and we get sandstorms to go with it. It really doesn’t feel like Christmas here.