CoolPapaBell

Good stuff. Wife got me shrimp, red snapper, crabcakes and for the kids, salmon. Yep, extremely fresh, everything was good. It's tough to beat the crabcakes at $3.95, considering how much I pay for a crabcake sandwich at Oak Street Cafe. Not that Gulf Coast's is quite as good, but excellent nonetheless.

ITP clearly was not ready for him. While Kennesaw has not boomed like other parts of the Northside, Blais is following the trend of most of the top new restaurants opening OTP. I think the OTPers will appreciate his talents much more than the intowners disguised as empty seats ever did. Good move rB.

Fresh Market has a good butcher shop.

Virginia Avenue is for food lovers. You have the best gyro in town at Grecian Gyro. On the other side of the interstate, also on Virginia Avenue, some love the Manchester Arms for fish and chips. I like it though perhaps not as much other others.

Bust my buttons, it's all my fault as per this thread I won't even ask about Gonnella rolls. I could be banned at the Mason-Dixon Line. I don't know if Boar's Head demand's exclusivity any more. Zagara’s (RIP) used to carry their own brand with Boar’s Head and I know Publixes (or is it Publi?) down here has their in-house brand. Boar’s Head is the best commercial brand and with roast beef it’s no contest. I do prefer Citterio as someone else mentioned for the Italian meats. Perhaps it’s contracted to a major brand, but the Wegman’s brand sandwich they made was quite impressive.

NYC Mike, it sounds like you are then right down the street from Rasa Sayang. Though Malaysian, they also have a Chinese menu. I think that will fit the bill for inexpensive takeout. I’m guessing China Pearl is even closer and probably the most convenient. Though not as good as RS or Xian, good enough if you're as close as it sounds.

I heard the NPR piece too, and was really struck by this point. An interesting multicultural note to the cheesesteak's origins. I bet the Olivieris took orders in multiple languages, too... ← Well I wouldn't classify that sensitivity as multicultural; otherwise he wouldn’t serve steak at all as to not offend people from India or at least not on Fridays as to not offend Catholics. But I’m with you on Geno’s expecting assimilation as being a bit barbaric. Communication is a bit old fashioned.

They laughed at me in the 70s when I said cheeseteaks were the ultimate healthfood. Try living to 90 eating Granola. He was a whiz of Whiz if ever a wiz there was If ever, oh ever a Whiz there was, the Wizard of Ols is one because, because of the wonderful things he does

Though many say the Buckhead one is better, no complaints about the Dunwoody La Grotta. It's in the Crowne Plaza Rivinia, site my my wedding reception. Drunken family loved the hotel. I may go to La Grotta for my 30th birthday...in a few years.

First the founder of Hooters, now this.

Butcher and Fishmonger: though Harry’s is not as good since Whole Paycheck took over, they are still a good option. I know our leader Gifted Gourmet is also a fan of Fresh Market. For just a butcher, try NY Butcher. Best takeout Chinese is Xian China Bistro. Pizza, it depends on which part of Alpharetta you live in. Alpine Bakery & Pizzeria is worth driving a little further. Right in Alpharetta, Alessio’s and Carmine’s are worthy options. They are many, many ethnic groceries along Alpharetta Highway. There are a few in the shopping center at 11235 Alpharetta Highway. Booze, try the Haynes Bridge Cellar or on certain days my house. Therese is loved.

I can’t say I disagree, but I had one of my most disappointing experiences ever in a restaurant there. This is coming from someone who eats out way, way too often and is truly a go-with-the-flow guy who realizes mistakes happen. But Loupy’s is a bit loopy when it comes to professionalism. Loupy’s sells their blue claw crabs by the piece and size: medium, large, jumbo…. The Dungeness and snow crabs are sold by the pound. We were visiting my parents in Marlton and my wife compiled an order for six. Three adults distinctly heard her, without question order “SNOW crabs” for my mom. For whatever reason, the guy who took the order thought she wanted blue claw crabs. Why, I don’t know, as there is no question whatsoever he was told snow crabs. Anyway, he asks what size? Having never gotten an order from there previously, my wife relays the question to my mom. Bewildered as my mom also never got food from there before answers the guy’s questions and presumably we are done. We get there and my dad notices they gave us the wrong crabs. Loupy himself, could only say, “These are fresh blue claw crabs, we just got them today.” My dad tells him that’s great but it’s not what we ordered. Loupy seems incredulous and speaks to the kid who answered the phone. The kid claims my wife didn’t say snow crabs. I call the wife and verified what I heard with my own two ears, my mom heard and my dad heard—she sure as bleep did. Loupy then insists, “Well I heard my guy ask what size and she answered. We don’t even sell snow by the size, we sell it strictly by the pound.” Loupy is actually 100 percent in said account. However my mom ONLY ANSWERED once the guy asked which size regarding the clearly stated snow crabs. Assuming she misunderstood the menu and thought they were sold by bucket size, she simply responded to the questions. Loupy even had the audacity to say, “What am I supposed to do with these crabs? We cooked them?” I bit my tongue on the answer but… I believe communication is a two way street and so is miscommunication. But bottom line is we gave the right answers to the wrong questions. If they want to argue my mom should have known medium, large, etc couldn’t possibly refer to snow crabs, I guess they have an argument, but other than that, they guy misheard, made a mistake, no big deal, stuff happens. However it took some discussion before Loupy FINALLY gave us what we ordered and stopped trying to get us to take the mistakenly cooked food. I was about 30 seconds—and I assure you there is no easier guy on earth and I’ve never done anything like this ever—from just walking out and leaving him with the order. I’ve never experienced anyone so belligerent in trying to completely cleanse his hands of a mistake. Bottom line is I can’t deny the food is great (but as mentioned expensive). And yes he did eventually make good. As eventually is an understatement, I will have a tough time patronizing this place again.

We were visiting friends in North Jersey. Well versed in food, they knew exactly where White Manna was when I demanded we go there. Sonnova bleep, the place is closed until July 11. Like I said, they knew the grub in the area and Rutt's Hut was one heck of a consolation prize. We got the ripper. I also had as good of a cheap fried fish sammich as I've ever had--the fried oyster. They should try to make po-boys out of their fish sandwiches. Also the onion rings were some of the best I've ever had.

Kewl, yuze know wha supp. I must admit of being very curious about the thought of good ‘cue in Philly. I have had several of North Carolina and Georgia’s best and even a couple of touted place in South Carolina. If we head to Sesame again, we’d head over the Tacony-Palmyra and probably to I-95, so from what I mapped, Lucy’s would be very convenient. Really, killer ‘cue in Philly?

Okay, I will be making my Debellaware Valley pilgrimage next week. Suggestions requested for non-tourist trap restaurants near the usual suspects. The lovely Katie confirmed that Reading Terminal is close enough to the Liberty Bell, so unless y’all, err scuze me, where are my manners, I mean yuze think I should be talked out of it, that will be my destination there. A higher priority request for the pretty definite destinations of: Hershey Park (think we are getting a hotel in Harrisburg), Philly Zoo, Museum of Natural Science, Franklin Institute. Very possible or probable destinations include: Sesame Place, Adventure Aquarium (may finally take the ferry across the wudder though) and Lord knows. Of course all places will be wit kids and where I can dress like a slob. Any options in Frantic City in the same league with White House Subs?

Hum, interesting. I shall ask the cousins up there. I have not been since the 70s shortly after I was a Camden youth back when Camden youth could walk the streets safely. Plenty of other options for when we visit but my kids love “lazy rivers” and we went to Sesame last year, so we'd figure on trying something new. I’ll ask my cousins, they are still hip on the SJ scene. I had heard they upgraded the park since the days of the Jackrabbit having been the feature ride. But on the topic of food, this seems to get some good press in Clementon, Laurel Seafood. Anyone been?

I guess it’s metro Philly, which is discussed generally in the PA forum, but I figured I have less of chance at getting hollered at in the NJ forum. Anyway, the kids seem to want to go to Clementon Park when we visit South Jersey next. Where to take a family to eat? I know WIP named this Fat Jack’s place “Best of Philly” ribs. When I Googled for corroboration, I saw the not-so-reliable Courier Post had it “among the best” with chicken wings. All in all, I’m certainly leaning that direction—wings and ribs will do me well. Do I need to be talked into something else? BTW, I’d be driving down Centennial which begat East Clementon, which begat East Gibbsboro, so anything near that route is great. I've been known to eat to and from.

Even the website to which the article spreads the urban legend only claims provolone to be “preferred”. But honestly I think that former Philly chef is the first place I’ve heard someone go so far as to insist on a one and only cheese and a one and only topping. I can understand how one would frown on a cheese outside the Big Three. Yes I know about the incident where the Bostonian wanted Swiss. I think Carmen, not able to look outside the cocoon of his own ‘hood merely insists his and only his cheese of choice is a prerequisite to the Balboa Pearly Gates. It’s worse that a credible chef is spreading the innuendo. He should be disbarred or disspatulaed or dissed or whatever they do to chefs derelict in cheesesteak doctrine.

You got it. Brace yourself, it's ugly. linky Start with the third post down. Ugly, just ugly rumors and urban legends. I have heard too many people talk about what they think a philadelphia cheesesteak is. I am from South Philadelphia. The traditional cheesesteak is NOT served with Cheez Whiz!!! What makes a cheesesteak is the following: cherry peppers, shaved meat, provolone cheese,

YEAH!! Holly's right. The logic just doesn't add up. And soft bread?? MOST Philadelphians prefer Provolone?? Say Whaaaat??!!?? Right there they just blew whatever little cred they started with. You could fill the Delaware River and float several barges overflowing with cheesesteaks down the oceans of Cheese Whiz this city consumes annually. Sorry boys. You've revealed yourselves for the fraudulent pretenders you are. Pffft. Time to climb into the Munchmobile, put it into drive and actually CROSS the river (there are bridges that make this easier) to do some real research. ← It’s worse. An Atlanta based restaurant posting board, with former Le Bec Fin chef Carmen Capello contributing to the misinformation, is trying to also claim somehow claim the same BS. Somebody else says (and I always seem to agree with that guy) that sure probably in South Philly, provolone is the most popular. Also I do think in the South Jersey precinct, American would probably be considered default, but no question, no question whatsoever that city and metro wide it’s Whiz. Pfft, the nerve of some people. It would be like a guy originally from Evesham Township trying to tell them where to get the best barbecue. Hey wait a minute. Anyway is there truly a specific cheese required for “authentic” or “classic”? I say no, but if one HAD to single out a most popular or “typical”, it’s whiz wit fried onions. Isn’t anything other than American, provolone or Whiz sacrilegious? Let’s settle this once and for all and nobody is leaving until we do.

Can they really do that??!!?? That sucks fiercely for Matt, who has been an a beacon of honesty and hard work in that strip of no-tell motels for years. That really doesn't seem fair. I can understand the township wanting to make improvements but it just seems that Fuji (and Matt) are being punished for not being a sleazy low rent crime ridden business and keeping up with their neighbors. ← Now, now Katie. I’m no apologist for state, local or federal gubmint, but I think your anger should be at Matt’s landlord as he/she (probably a she j/k) sold out. It’s the landlord who’s treating him like rainbow roll compost. But if he doesn’t wind up on his feet somewhere, I may never visit the family again. Mikado is good, but no Fuji. Man can’t live on cheesesteaks alone. And what’s wrong with no-tell motels? I made some good money when I was a South Jersey gigolo.

This is an interesting rumor. Can we get some confirmation or more facts? When is the Route 130 "clean up" scheduled to take place? ← My source is 100 percent reliable, but no definitive word if Matt is receptive. Source tells me he thinks Matt is too independant to bite. He'll find out more for me. Well I mean he or she...I have to keep her...or him confidential. Hint: my source is not Bob Woodward. But it could be.

Sources close to Cool Papa Bell, or whatever name I use on this board, and reliable sources at that, tell me the owners of Le Bec Fin is talking some serious business with Matt Ito. Perhaps a move to Philly when the clean up route 130?

There is one and only one Golden Rule about eating scrapple: NEVER, ever read the ingredients.

As I'm a just visiting the family, I've only been once, but the Tony Luke's line moves at light speed. They don't have the full menu, just cheesesteak and pork Italiano, so they move you through quickly because they churn 'em out and have them seperated by the "wits" and "witout" already. Yes I can figure out the origin of the name (assuming there is a "d" in there), but what exactly is a Schmidter?