ejebud

Yea, we went to Chili's last weekend and had our fill of Boneless Shanghai Wings and Southwest Spring rolls. It sure wasn't Cheescake Factory good, but it was fast and relativeley inexpensive. Word of cuation to those considering having children: Your dining standards WILL shift as much as you may hate to think that they won't. <sigh> But it's worth it; at the end of the day, It's worth it!!

Well I first want to thank all those who replied. We made a most unfortunate decision and went to Bogey's. BLECH!!! first of all they offered Zero in the way of NA beer. I do not drink(anymore; read between the lines here folks) they had nada. We ordered chix fingers for the kid, a cheddar burger with sauteed onions, and a rack o' baby backs. The ribs came with soup or salad. I chose the "Crab" Bisque. BIG MISTAKE!!! Sealeg slurry would have been a more accurate description. PPTTEWIE; someone please sandblast my tongue!! Next the burger came out without the sauteed onions but that was quickly fixed by our waitress. The ribs; O man, the ribs. They took the phrase dry as a bone to a new level. The only real edible thing was the french fries. Oh well, better luck next time.

I'm familiar with all the mediocre offerings on Rt 10 in the area, but is there a diamond in the rough in the casual dining genre that I'm forgetting or may not know about?

I actually use Dave's insanity etc.. to "upgrade" sauces that fall short in the Scoville Dept. Oh yea, and to torture my friends by daring them to lick the end of the toothpick while asking"how hot can this microscopic amount be?"

Allow me to introduce you to "Meatloaf" aka Soph-a-loaf, aka Sophie on the right. and "Punkin' Pie aka Amy closest to you. To take the name game even further, they're names are the inspiration behind the name of my company: AmSo Delicious LLC!! Oh as for me, no food name, just Big Daddy Guy

Rutt's Hut--doesn't get any more casual than that. LOL

You haven't lived untill you've had a Cheddar Onion burger at Pal's Cabin in West Orange. In my opinion, the perfect grind, intense juicyness on a brioche roll. Killer O-rings too.

Pasta night tonight. It all started with a little help from my Sous Chefs: I made Fettuccine Alfredo (Fettuccine shown in above photo) for the kids. For us grownups, I made: Baked Clams Oreganata : Plated : Then Linguine with Bacon and Onions (Carbonara): It hit the pasta spot tonight!!

I go to the one in Orange/West Orange that has been there for years( just for the kids honey, I swear) There is never a wait.

CHA-CHING!!!!!!!!

Maybe I'm being hypercritical here, but does Perfectly Frank automatically denote hot dogs? For some reason I picture people walking in and asking "Hey, are you Frank? What kind of food do you guys sell?" ← The signage will depict a hot dog in some way so it will be really clear. As far as being asked if my name is Frank, my plan is to have a bucket with a sign on it that says "If I had a dime for everytime someone asked me if my name is Frank I'd be rich" and everytime someone does, I'm gonna throw in a dime. So please, ask me if my name is Frank!!

Franks for all your suggestions, Folks!! It looks like Perfectly Frank is the wiener!! I registered a corporation this week named after my 2 daughters Amy and Sophie. I am now the owner and CEO of the AmSo Delicious Corporation. Things are moving ahead niceley. Time to work on my menu, a logo, a business plan(already in the works), and a location. Franks again for your ideas and support. I'll keep you updated on my progress. Eric

YES on all accounts!!

I like Top Dogs, but I'd rather take your initial idea and go one step further...just call it Best In Show or Best In Show (Top Dogs) ! I guess I'm not the average person, but when I hear the words Best In Show, I immediately think DOGS, so I'd get it right away and think it was clever... ← Am I wrong in thinking that every dog owner in the world would be offended by my comparison of the majestic show dog and my meat product on a bun for human consuption?

That site has been under construction for years ... I'll believe it when I see it open and ready for business! ← Local rumor has it that they overstepped their boundries as far as what was approved by the town. I heard something about cages suspended from the cieling for girls to dance in and stuff like that. I also heard that their approval was pulled by the town. I'm not validating my sources, just local rumor.

**Dons flame proof suit** Les Marmitons was first introduced in Canada by Swiss immigrants approximatley 20 years ago. The idea of men meeting with chef's as stated in the Les Marmitons literature, is a long standing TRADITION that started many years ago, which one can assume is well over 20 years since it has been stated that it was introduced to North American that long ago. I'm not saying that excluding women is neccesarily politically correct, but TRADITION is leading us here. Think about some traditions in your own experience, and how sacred and special they are to you. Now, that being said, there are cultural differences that I have seen by attending events of some Canadian chapters, and there are differences in dynamics between being with all men, or all women, or both men and women. I know my wife likes to do "night out with the girls" a few times a month. That outing has a whole different feel to it than couples night out. It's not good or bad, just different. Throw a man into the mix of a girls night out and I guarantee you the topic of discussion would be different. Politically correct? maybe not, but it is what is. I again had no intention of offending anyone. I consider my time at a Lea Marmitons event as "Boys night out" and very sacred and special to me. The rest of my time is spent with my family and friends of all sexes, races, colors, creeds, religions, lack of religions. **Jumps off soap box**

I knew I should have put in a discalimer!! It's only because its a Men's Cooking Society. A woman/girl may feel out of place. ← Why would the woman\girl feel out of place? Would the men make a woman feel uncomfortable, even though, the helper would be in the kitchen? In this day and age, I would really like to believe that we are past this issue...sadly we're not. ← My sincere appologies to you. I truly did not mean to offend. I realize the closed mindedness of my statement. I'm very sorry.

DING DING DING!!!! I really like this one. It's got the element of a pun that makes people stop and say "great name" The pun is the most intelectual form of humor, and I think you nailed it. Thanks!!

No location yet Rosie, But I'll have most of the plan in place in a pretty short amount of time, so when I drive by "THAT" place and I say to myself, "THAT would make a great location for a hot dog joint" I'll be ready to go. I'm not married to any particular area either so it's W-I-D-E open. Also may buy a HD truck and operate it through the summer to accumulate some capitol and then go full bore in the fall on a permanent location.

Thanks for your input!! My vision goes WAY BEYOND the Garden State.

Thanks but those 2 words should never be spoken (or typed) together. Gourmet and Dog Perhaps "Oxymorons Dog Barn" LOL All kidding aside, I appreciate your help.

All I can say is WOW!!

I'm in the planning stages of opening a hot dog joint. I know, ANOTHER hot dog place!?! It is my desire to make available all the various types of dogs ie. the best All beef dog, the best beef/pork dog, the best game dog(Bison for example), the best poultry dog, the best Veggie dog. Each dog can be cooked a variety of methods, with my personal suggestions on what I think the best method for each type of dog is. Then the toppings!! I intend on introducing folks to combinations of toppings that are common around the country but seldom seen here in NJ. Of course I'll offer the old standbys as well. Oh, did I mention hand cut double cooked fries and killer shakes? I suppose I'll supplement the menu with some other offerings(like burgers) but my main focus will be the all mighty hot dog!! So onto the name. I turn to you, my esteemed partners in all things culinary to dig deep into your creative centers and excavate the name of my new venture. I have one Idea, but I want to see what you guys come up with before I share it. Thanks, Eric

Congratulations on realizing a dream!!! I too am in the process, albeit the beginning stages of it, of opening my own hot dog joint. You Egulleters will have yet another stop to make on the next hot dog run!! Anyway, Good luck to you guys!!

I knew I should have put in a discalimer!! It's only because its a Men's Cooking Society. A woman/girl may feel out of place.