Redstone's Profile
Does anyone else remember "Arches?"
it was at 6th & Sansom in Philadelphia for many years through the 1970s, and in addition to having wonderful Greek food (and entertainment, both live bands and belly dancers).
(Memories of that restaurant just came to my mind because, utterly at random, I thought of a woman, one of the major loves of my life, who worked there.)
What's at that corner these days?
Thanks for any information,
Redstone
suggestion for good road food on Rt 91 in Vermont from the Mass. border to White River Junction, Vt.?
I wrote about Fat Frank's last summer, and it's indeed worth a visit...I'd be there every day if I lived in Bellows Falls. Even tried to get the owner to sell me franchise for here in Connecticut, but he wouldn't.
Redstone
Dining recs Fairlee, Vermont?
Last summer, we finally tried the "black Bear" (I think that's the name; it does have "bear" in the name somewhere) in Bradford, at the intersection south of town where you can get back on I-91 from Route 5.
It was very, VERY good.
Redstone
Lenny & Joes vs. Bill's Seafood, Westbrook
Lenny and Joe's by a mile, especially when you have kids involved. And I'd recommend the one in Madison rather than the one in Westbrook, because it's larger.
Redstone
Nice fried clam dinner (in winter) in Hartford area and in Old Saybrook area
Although I cant eat shellfish (allergy), the others in my family do. And if you come to Old Saybrook, where we live, you CANNOT go wrong with a visit to Johnny Ad's.
My wife and sons LOVE the clams there, and I'm never unhappy eating a chili-cheeses-kraut dog.
Redstone
Regional Fast-Food Chains
There are NO regional fast-food chains in New England (except maybe Duchess, which I really wish would expand), and I've never been able to figure out why that is.
Redstone
Need suggestions for a lazy, sexy, romantic afternoon in CT
I think I can help you with this...go to Mystic and have lunch at Anthony J's, then...well, you'll be in Mystic so there will be plenty of opportunities for hanging out and seeing the scenery.
Redstone
Diners in Vermont/New Hampshire
The diner in Fairlee, Vermont, is very good...in fact, I think the Sterns featured their pies in one of the Roadfood books.
It's just a bit north of the center of town on Route 5.
Redstone
Chinese food in Southeastern CT/RI Border
Zhang's in Old Saybrook (with a branch in Madison) is definitely worth trying.
Redstone
ANDY's MARKET East Haven, CT
Whoa! Thanks for the report; I'll definitely make the time for a visit next time I'm down that way, based on your recommendation.
Redstone
Review: Darbar, Branford, CT
Well, then, you may want to try the Indian restaurant in Old Saybrook if you get out this way...I forget the name, but it's on Route 1 right across from Dairy Queen.
It used to be pretty bad, but was recently bought out by new owners, and when Mrs R and I went there for lunch, it was every bit as good as it used to be bad.
Second best Mulligatawny I've had, after Darbar, and I especially recommend the lamb sikh kebab. You will NOT find that to be dry, if they make it the way they did when I was there. Mrs R found their curry to excellent, and she grew up on curry.
Redstone
Arby's, just how is their roast beef made?
Well, it's always been a kind of "meat loaf" concoction, and I used to REALLY like it...I'd go WAY out of my way to eat there a couple of times a year (there are none close to where we live).
Something has changed, though. A new Arby's was built about 30 miles from here last summer, so we went there.
The texture of the beef has changed form vague (which was OK with me) to revolting, now including BONUS GRISTLE BITS.
And the flavor? I suspect they changed the marinade to include a healthy splash of kerosene, if my taste buds don't deceive me.
Redstone
ANDY's MARKET East Haven, CT
It's been a LONG time since I've been there, but I remember them making VERY good sandwiches. East Haven is the kind of town where things never change much, so I'd say give them a try.
Redstone
Review: Darbar, Branford, CT
I'll second that. We've been eating a Darbar for about 15 years, and it's ben consistently excellent (and has absolutely the best Mulligatawny soup I've ever eaten anywhere).
And not to sound critical, it seems pretty clear to me that the original poster isn't at all familiar with Indian food, so I'd not take his judgment too seriously, and I hope other people don't - especially given that this is the ONLY negative review of Darbar that I've ever seen.
Redstone
Recommendations in and around Mystic,Ct
You should absolutely try Anthony J's. MrsR and I go there for lunch whenever we have the time for the 30-minute drive.
http://www.anthonyjsbistro.com/
Redstone
I ordered from Schwans
About ten years ago, we frequently bought their frozen chicken taquitos, for no other reason than that they were so damn good. then they stopped carrying them, and because they really don't have anything else we'd buy rather than make ourselves, we haven't boought from them since.
Redstone
New London CT
In Mystic, you REALLY should try Anthony J's. Mrs R and I make it a point to go there for lunch at least four or five times a year.
http://www.anthonyjsbistro.com/
Redstone
"Fat Franks," Bellows Falls, VT - Go there NOW!
Thanks a bunch for the info. I'd like very much to deal with a New England provider (especially Vermont, because I grew up there) if and when we do get that freezer.
Redstone
"Fat Franks," Bellows Falls, VT - Go there NOW!
Feel free to let me know who you end up dealing with for that side of beef. My wife is pressing me to by a freezer so we can split a side of beef and a side of pork with our neighbors, and as a native Vermonter, I'd much rather buy one from there if possible.
Redstone
The Zep -
Hey, thanks. I used to live at the corner of Plymouth Road and Park drive, just up the street from there!
Redstone
"Fat Franks," Bellows Falls, VT - Go there NOW!
It appears that they get all of their ingrendients from New Egland (with the exception of the potatoes from PEI). Most of their meats (if not all) come from Boston, and their variety of mustards are from a company in Maine. The cook did tell me that they use local ingredients "as much as possible," so I'd guess the local content to be 90% or more overall.
I just re-read their menu, and don't see anything about organic ingredients.
Redstone
The Zep -
That's the place that used to be on Sandy Hill Road, yes?
Where on Johnson Highway is it these days?
Redstone
10 best restaurants in Montgomery County
For the best cheesesteak you'll ever have, Pudge's on Route 202 in East Norriton.
Redstone
"Fat Franks," Bellows Falls, VT - Go there NOW!
I say "Go there now" because I have a disturbing feeling they may not be there next year; because of their out-of-the way location (even given that they're next door to the Miss Bellows Falls Diner), and also from the fact that the place was empty when we were there and the business is for sale.
(The cook told us that it was for sale because the owner is a 'serial start-up guy' who has concepts, opens restaurants with those concepts, then sells them and goes on to the next idea.)
Fat Franks is a terrific idea, it seems to me, and one that would readily be successful as a franchise operation, in the right locations. I really, REALLY hope this place stays in business, and even expands. I wouldn't mind having one in the town where I live.
Anyway, it's a burger-and-dog place, and their "hook" is the quality of their food. They don't make their own dogs (They use Boston Smokehouse), but they steam, then grill them, and do so perfectly. They have an excellent range of condiments, including numerous varieties of Maine-made mustards.
I had a cheese dog with kraut, dressed it with mustard and relish, and wished I had stomach space for another. (And hey, you Chicago-style dog folks, they DO have pickles and celery salt on the condiment bar.)
Mrs R tried the chili, and as soon as I tasted it, I swiped half of the cup and put it on my dog. It's the beanless type and fairly spicy, but the cool part is that it's never the same. When they make their chili, they use whatever leftover meat they have, whether it's beef, lamb, kielbasa, andouille sausage, or whatever. So the spice mix stays the same, but the meat mix can vary from day to day. Oh, yes. We HAD to buy more chili to take home.
Then the cook talked us into buying some fries - which, he said, is their #1-selling item. It took only one bite for us to understand why. They use only Highland Gold potatoes from Price Edward Island, and fry them twice (of course). They're a medium cut in size, with the peels on. If I lived near Bellows Falls, I'd eat them ate least once a day, and I'm not that much of a French Fry Fan. They really ARE that good.
To sum up: Sometimes one visit to a restaurant is enough to tell you that you HAVE to go back. We're going to be back up in that area in a couple of weeks, and we'll do whatever it takes to get to Fat Franks and explore the rest of their menu. And we'll hope that they'll still be there next summer.
Disclaimer: I have NO relationship with this restaurant, except as a happy (and full) customer.
Fat Franks
92 Rockingham St. (Us Route 5)
Bellows Falls, Vt
802-463-4388 (Call before you go, because they have a bad habit of changing their hours frequently.)
Redstone
The Zep -
Suggestion seconded.
And, if I remember right (it's been a while since I lived there), it's almost impossible to get a zep that's NOT good in ANY of the old, established Norristown places.
(I think the Tuna Zep is kind of a Norristown specialty as well, yes? You never hear about a Tuna Hoagie, but every place in Norristown serves a Tuna Zep.)
Redstone
A Religious Experience
All you ever hear about is Pepe's and Sally's, Sally's and Pepe's, on and on.
But I've always liked Modern more than either of the Big Two.
Redstone
Best Indian Buffet - Connecticut Shoreline Betw New Haven and New London
Darbar.
In Branford, exit 55 on I-95, take a right at the end of the exit ramp, then a left where Main Street splits off.
Buffet or standard dinner, you'll not do better than to go to Darbar.
(Disclaimer: I have NO connection to Darbar except that of a happy customer.)
Redstone
Cheesesteak hoagie in Ocean City, NJ area?
I know this is the Pennsylvania board, but I figure you guys know the good spots Down The Shore, too.
I have to go to a funeral in Somers Point (Ocean City) NJ on Wednesday. I have to find a really good chesesteak hoagie to eat in memory of my departed friend (I promised him I'd do that.)
But it's been so long since I've been down there, I don't remember the places we used to go (besides the White House in A.C., and I've heard their quality has dropped off.)
All recommendations appreciated.
Redstone
I've never eaten at a "Jack in the Box." How is it?
Thanks for all of the well-thought-out replies. I asked about JITB because I'll be driving from Connecticut to Georgia and back in June, and figured I'd check the place out on the way...I've been to most of the other southern / Western regional chains, but never Jack in the Box.
I do indeed make a habit of eating at local, home-town places when I travel (especially because I stay off the interstates as much as possible), but I have an overwhelming curiosity when traveling that extends to wanting to check out everything, including fast-food chains I haven't tried.
Redstone
Where to eat in Skippack that won't break the bank
Ah, for the old days when I lived in Skippack (late 1970s). The Peppermill for a good solid dinner at a decent price, and the Trolley Stop for when you wanted to get fancy. And of course the Diner for lunch.
Sounds like every one of them is long gone, and like so much in Montgomery County, it's all gone upscale and everything that isn't a brasserie is a trattoria or a "roadhouse" (which, of course, doesn't MEAN it's a roadhouse, at least in the Northeast).
Man, it was such a nice little town when I lived there. "Quaintsy" of course (which was why I was there, given that I owned a jewelry store), but still a real American small town nonetheless. I used to love it when Route 73 was closed for the little kids' Haloween parade.
Redstone
