foodobsessed

God, I love anchovies too! I've only had them fresh once....at Mario Batali's Babbo in NYC. They were heavenly. But from my local Italian market I buy them in oil in a resealable glass jar. I rinse off the salt and oil, and pop those little beauties in my mouth. Unbelievable. They get such a bad rap for such a tasty morsel. Why is that?

Hellmans definately. I've made my own and it's not the same. And I can't believe all of you Miracle Whip snobs! For me there is no substitute for Miracle Whip on a Jersey tomato sandwich laden with salt and MW on white bread in the dead of summer. It's king! Other wierd ways I like mayo....bacon dipped in it (gross sounding, I know...but yummy), fries dipped in it........gosh, you'd never know that I'm not overweight!!

I like the Zweigle's (from Rochester, NY) Pop Open Texas Hot Frankfurters. They're amazing...and I've experimented with a lot of dogs, including Usingers. I like them either grilled or broiled, on a buttered New England style bun. Around my parts in Western, NJ, the only place I can find both this dog and the buns are at my church.......Wegmans. Ahhhhhhh.........

Yes. Gumbo wouldn't be the same without it.

Okay. Definately Stouffer's Mac & Cheese. Baked about 20 minutes beyond the called for time so the top and bottom has that great brown crusty stuff. Mmmmm... Hot Pockets Chicken & Broccoli Pot Pie pockets. And I'm just saying this one for the ease and relative nutrition to feed my kids quickly when I need to or don't feel like cooking.

Yeah...what's with the ketchup haters? You can't beat piping hot fries dipped into cold Heinz ketchup!! Also good: malt vinegar brown gravy beef drippings from the steak which accompanies the fries better yet, fries on a burger!! A-1 Frank's hot sauce And finally...the most embarassing admission. When I take my kids to Chuck E. Cheese (horrendous!!) they serve their fries with ranch dressing. The fries are NOT very good, but with the dressing they're not bad!!!

There's another location in Watchung on Rt. 22 West. I've been there twice and have really liked it both times!! It's true that everything is fresh. At this location, at least, the kitchen is right out in the open where the patrons can see their food being cooked. They also have a salsa bar with 6 or so different types (red, verde, hot, mild, etc.). I, too, found their chips to lack a little flavor, but their salsas are quite good. I get their fish tacos which were great in my opinion. The best part about it is the flavors linger in my burps for the next several hours.....prolonging my enjoyment of the flavors. Give them a try if you're looking for something quick and good.

Oh my gosh! You people are my soulmates!!!! My first answer is absolutely SLIM JIMS!!!! Can't get enough of 'em! Spaghettios w/ Meatballs Big Macs anchovies Buffalo wings Frank's Hot sauce (on anything) Crispy skin off of a roast chicken Salty fatty crust on a standing rib roast beef marrow from Osso Buco Stale Peeps Stale pretzel rods YUM!!!!

John, No, unfortunately I can't find Usinger's here in NJ. I order them like you. Such a shame, and I can't understand why Trader Joe's will carry the Brats but not the dogs. Makes no sense to me! After your description, I want to try Best's again. I made them myself by just grilling them on the grill, and I did find them pretty tasteless. Certainly doesn't fit your description, so I'm curious to try them again.

I'm newly turned onto the beauty of our all-American friend the hot dog. I've been frequenting many stands lately (thanks to the advice of hollyeats.com....thanks Holly!) and experimenting with different brands at home. I'm curious as to what your favorite brand is and how you like the dog and bun prepared (boiled, fried, grilled, etc.). Right now I'm into a grilled Usinger on a buttered grilled roll. Had 2 for lunch today. Mmmmm... Also, I was told that Best's was a good brand to try. I live here in NJ and was fortunate to pick up a pack recently and found them kinda tasteless personally.

Maytag for me too. Boring yes, but very true. So crisp and bursting with flavor!!

Yep...what a great little brew pub. The food is good too! The Fish 'n chips are great.

I've had good luck with Salsa ExpressThey have just about any hot sauce imaginable. Good luck!

Oooh yeah. We're all on the same page here with burned, crispy stuff: The crispy skin off of a roasted chicken... The brown drippings from a roasted chicken... The crispy crust of a perfectly roasted rib roast... The burnt cheese from ANYTHING..... Green potato chips...... Absolutely the semi-popped kernels from popcorn.... YUM!!!

I agree with almost everything you're all saying. Reggiano Buffalo Mozz. Fresh Herbs Good knives Freshly cut meat fresh fish good wine Thank God I have a Wegman's close by!!!

When I was a waitress at a wonderful french restaurant in NJ years ago, we wouldn't get a family meal, but we would get a fantastic meal from the menu at a discounted price. Honestly, I didn't mind paying the money. The meal was MUCH better than what most of you are describing from your staff meals, and I was able to research first-hand the meals on the menu, and therefore be able to recommend and really know the meals for my customers. I think this gave me a leg up. Not to mention....YUMMY!!!!

Most baked goods, but especially cookies. I can't bake!!!!!

I paid $7.69 a pound for some beautiful veal shanks at Wegman's today. I don't consider that very expensive considering what most meats cost. I got 2 gorgeous shanks for a little over $13.00. Big marrow bones too...yummy. I think in general shanks are less expensive since they are considered to be an inferior cut of meat that needs braising. You & I both know that with some TLC and a great slow braise, these veal shanks will soon become....HEAVEN!!

Panko and Parmigiano Reggiano crusted Gray Sole sauteed in Plugra butter with lemon.... Rice Pilaf.... Steamed broccoli.... Mini Patty Pan squash sauteed in evoo w/ garlic. Even the kids liked the dinner tonight! Sweet!!!!

What is the difference between a revolting and non-revolting vein in a shrimp? I think they all look revolting!!

I have to admit, I've done that at buffets before and it didn't bother me. (Although I generally try to stay away from buffets.) Now that I read your post and really think about it, I'm thinking that at a buffet, you take a small amount of all of the foods you want to try (instead of a heap of it). If you really like something, you can go back and get more, instead of wasting and throwing away what you don't like. You've opened my eyes, thanks.

Lately I've been bored with what's available at my local markets and am interested in finding great food over the internet. I'm curious to know your favorite internet food source sites. Mine so far is Usingers Sausages. They have great sausages, hot dogs, etc.

I know exactly what you mean S'Kat! I too wonder when I got so picky. However, I think we foodies can agree on a few things that restaurants should never do. 1. You should never serve mushrooms from a can. I mean...c'mon!!! 2. You should always devein shrimp!!! ALWAYS!! 3. Iceberg lettuce in a salad? Pathetic!!!! 4. "Sea Legs" are not crabmeat!!! Don't say it is!!! These are my restaurant pet peeves. I seem to constantly be disappointed when I eat out. Very rarely am I happily surprised unless I venture into Manhattan or a great roadside joint recommended by roadfood.com. Most of the time I feel like there is no point eating out, since I think I can usually make it better. Snobby? Yes.....True?...Absolutely!! I never "fake it" with my husband (food-wise I mean!), but with friends it's necessary (especially if someone is treating you to the meal. Most of my close acquaintances know how picky I am. Depressing.

Sweet baked goods. By sweet, I mean cookies, cakes, etc. I can turn out a good loaf of bread from time to time. I'm convinced that the reason why I burn every cookie I try to bake for my kids' school functions, is because I don't have much of a sweet tooth. Savory is my thing. So subliminally, I'm burning them on purpose. You think?..............

Classic Osso Buco (recipe from Epicurious), Risotto alla Milanese (Lydia's recipe), and steamed broccoli. The house smells so gooooood!!!