CoolPapaBell

Close enough. Was looking up something about the Latin Casino and according the the Wikipedia entry it was the wrong Frankie. "Frankie Avalon (whose family owned "King of Pizza" diagonally across Route 70)" was what Wiki said.

Refusing to assimilate in a culture you choose to enter is the ultimate form of intolerance. Whether or not he should have gone so far as to imply he'd refuse service for those who refuse to respect the culture that welcomed them is another story.

Well FWIW, did have some good buttercake for the first time in years and years at Randolph's Bakery on the Marlton/Mt. Laural border.

I will make my yearly visit to the Debellaware Valley. Wife and three kids in tow. I know we can walk to the Reading Terminal from Liberty Bell etc. We did it last year and certainly will do again. Is this feasible: a place in Chinatown in which I can eat off the Asian menu but the rest of the family—unfortunately—Americanized? The Franklin Institute is a yearly must. We usually park on Arch Street. Any great places within walking distance? We may hit the Adventure Aquarium. Like the zoo, I guess I don’t want to venture too far. Oh Valley Forge is very likely this trip. Daughter loves Sesame Place, but that looked like chain central. Any and all great family places are appreciated. Of course it helps, when I drive from the parents, we pass Chick’s Cold Cuts in CHNJ. It’s always tough to pass. I hope I’m not deviating too much from the “PA” theme, but a couple of friends recommended that “Grounds of Sculpture” in Trenton, so there is another possibility.

Is it just an urban legend or am I confusing my Philly/South Jersey singers and pizza places? For years I was under the impression that Frankie Valli’s parents started King of Pizza in Cherry Hill and elsewhere. But the King of Pizza website says it was started by Frank Scaturro, whose family still operates it. Furthermore, Wikipedia says Valli’s dad was a barber. So am I just plain nuts, did I just believe a falsehood, or is there another Philly singer whose family started a famous pizzeria and the deets got scrambled over the years? Most people who know me would vote I’m nuts but I’d like to disprove that theory.

I will get both Hershel’s and Dinic’s, but we are meeting friends who “have” to eat a cheesesteak. I’ve had plenty already in my three-week trip back to the Debellaware Valley. Lee’s Hoagie House and Chick's Cold Cuts are both better than Tony Luke’s but I digress. So where is the best place in RT for a cheesesteak for the Florida tourists we are meeting?

Anatolia is not bad. The best Turkish in the area is Cafe Efendi http://cafeefendi.com/

All at the same intersection. You will like every one, though Soca is perhaps too super casual. The diner will have a lot of kids. All are among the best in their cuisine. http://www.socacafe.com/ http://sichuan-house.com/ http://azelrestaurant.com/ Star Diner (no website?) http://www.trattoria141.com/

Hmm, meanwhile if I want good Dominican or Columbian, I have to drive to Norcross. Why not simply drive three miles west of Norcross and eat at Di Paola? ← I was unaware of DiPaola, I shall be giving it a try. ← I don’t want to get too off-topic (I love Gulf Coast Seafood too BTW), but I was just told the other day by one of Atlanta’s beloved restaurant bloggers than Tratttoria 141 in John’s Creek (formally Duluth) is also phenomenal. I hope to verify, but that part of town has a lot of good restaurants. To NY Mike: Mi Pilon is one of the best restaurants in all of Atlanta, BuHi north of JCB. There is a good Columbian bakery/restaurant across the street and I was told by two foodies, a nice Venezuelan pollo joint in the same shopping center.

Hmm, meanwhile if I want good Dominican or Columbian, I have to drive to Norcross. Why not simply drive three miles west of Norcross and eat at Di Paola?

Everything at the Kibitz Room is awesome. I will have to finally try Short Hills next trip up there. The best creamed herring I had was at the Atlanta Ritz Carlton Sunday brunch. Then I had the Kibitz Room. If you find a bad item there let me know. I love the BAMF sammich.

I can third Gulf Coast. He said he was also going to carry high end red meat soon. Any updates?

I was admittedly just earning my foodie stripes—I was only in college. But circa 1986, I worked at Penn Center and there was a father-son, or more accurately I think, a son who had his elderly father help him out. They had a larger-than-most vendor stand and made surprisingly excellent cheesesteaks. I wonder if in my learned gastronomer years I’d still think the same thing but I loved it as an acne-faced college kid. But either way, said Logan Square vendor did use “Philly” or “Philadelphia” as an adjective for the cheesesteak. South Jersey roots and parents still there, I have no question that across the river is still very much within natural cheesesteak borders. Chick’s Cold Cuts by the Erlton fire station may be my personal favorite, but the Marlton incarnation of mini-chain Lee’s Hoagie House puts out one that also can compete with any. Anyway, currently living north of Atlanta, it took my 19 years to find a real cheesesteak here. Not surprisingly, the owner of the joint is a Philly (West Chester actually) native.

I thought that too and peeps from Buffalo say the same thing about "Buffalo wings". However, a vendor in Logan Square, right outside the Academy of Natural Sciences (the corner left of the main entrance) advertises “Philly cheesesteaks”. I guess it’s for tourists. He was bragging big time how only he and Tony Luke’s make a real cheesesteak. Alas, I was pretty full at the time and had to settle for soft pretzels and water ice for the three generations with me. I think Logan Square is close to the Mother Ship.

Truer words have never been spoken.

The best thing you could do is post reviews and get things stirring. Atlantacuisine is the undisputed King, but different styles, different voices, different angles never hurt anyone.

It’s been a good 10 years since I’ve seen the inside of a Chili’s, though I will confess their farm raised catfish wasn’t too bad. I know there are chains here and everywhere, but they all look the same to me. I couldn’t tell you which is which. Honestly, just within the seven or so mile parameters, I could come up with at least 50 indies that are good to excellent. Ironically, so few are within four miles of me, but from 4-7 in each direction there are many. Oh and most places around here are kid friendly—they have to be. I think you mentioned your kids playing soccer at Newtown Park, as do mine. So it’s not likely you are far from me. I lived ITP—both in Northlake and for several months in Decatur while I was waiting for my first house to be built. I never had as many choices as I do now. Of course in fairness, I also have 10 times as many choices here as when I moved here five years ago, so things change everywhere. As far as the aforesaid Aladdin http://www.aladdinmediterraneanrestaurant.com/#

Just a couple of weeks ago, we picked some incredible sweet white corn at Johnson's Farm in Medford. We also got some good blueberries at Conte Farms in Tabernacle.

I could not disagree more with that statement. First let me tell you my parameters. I live pretty much on the border of Roswell/Alpharetta/John’s Creek area. I consider about seven miles to be “within reasonable distance”. So that encompasses parts of Alpharetta, most of Roswell, parts of John’s Creek, the westernmost part of Norcross and the northern tip of Dunwoody. Just as one example, I think Byblos is the fourth best Persian/Middle Eastern place using the above limitations. I definitely prefer Aladdin (super casual) and Davish and I’d rate Sahara pretty close. All three are just a few miles from Byblos. I’ll grant you the “special occasion” bells and whistle places are limited, though existent in these parts. However other than more obscure cuisines like Indonesian or Burmese, I can pretty much find a quality INDEPENDENT restaurant of any type within seven or so miles. What type of places are you looking for?

I’m almost done this year’s long pilgrimage. With parking around the museums such a beeatch, we seemed to have settled on a lot at 23rd & Race and enjoy the walk. One place we’ve passed a few times and will probably do one more time on the way to Logan’s Square. They seem to get a lot of business. Anyone been to Little John’s? Little John’s 161 N 21st St Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 246-0653 I believe there is another steak/hoagie place we pass in that area, perhaps with “Pete” in the name. Anyone care to opine?

I stand corrected. It’s not in the same shopping center as a 7-11, though near one. In fact, the shopping center is homage to Camden I guess, as next to it is Leo’s Famous Yum Yum. I had not heard the term “Yum Yum” for water ice since the days I safely played in the streets of East Camden. Anyhoo, not having been to the original Donkey’s, I can’t answer my own question. But I ordered the cheesesteak with double meat. Even for my fat self, the meat was more than plentiful. It was sliced as thick as any cheesesteak I’ve had and in fact the pieces were also chopped larger than most. Although the steak was a bit overcooked, it was pretty good, but not one I’m rushing back to. So far, the Marlton Lee’s Hoagie House is the best cheesesteak I’ve had on this trip. I will say the Donkey’s fries were excellent and my oldest son, well versed in burgers, said he thought Donkey’s was in a three way tie with White House Subs and Oak Street Café in Roswell, GA as the best burger he’s ever had. I grabbed a bit and wouldn’t put Donkey’s up with those two. BTW, I had the White House Special, so they wouldn’t be included in the above proclamation regarding Lee’s Hoagie House.

Donkey’s Place is definitely opened. Unfortunately I saw it on my last night there last year AFTER I ate. If you coming from the west, pass my alma mater Cherokee then King’s Grant. It’s barely over the Medford/Marlton border on the right-hand side. It’s a small shopping center I believe. There is a 7-11 there. Doh, I thought you said where *is* Medford. My bad. Old age. I guess I’ve piqued my own curiosity more. I will likely have the answer in early July. Donkey's Place Too 7 Tomlinson Mill Road Medford, NJ 08055-3480 Phone: (856) 810-0445

Where in medford? ← Most of the South Jersey recs seem to be in the PA forum since it's metro Philly, but I figured the Jersey forum is the safer one to post in order avoid protest of the wrong forum. I'd guess 15 miles east of Philly. http://www.medfordnj.com/

As I approach my annual South Jersey grubfest, I want to try Donkey’s Place. Not only will the Medford location be closer, but I may bring the family and I’m very confident it will be a safer option. Is the Medford location just as good?

Often driving through the Carolinas on the way to Mr. Moore’s home chomping grounds, I’ve had my share: Lexington No. 1, Jim’s, Allen & Son’s, in South Carolina Henry’s Smokehouse among many others. Anyway, I thought though Allen & Son’s was considered the perfect east/west hybrid. The dance floor is yours.