APJ Texas Weiner Restaurant

So in what used to be a hooker and porn choked section of the city (13th and Arch) lies one of the few remaining old school philadelphia hot dog joints.

They even have the "fish cake sandwich" -pretty much the holy grail of philadelphia cuisine, at least for me - which is a deep fried fish cake on a hot dog bun with chili and/or cheese and mustard.

A Texas Weiner with "the works" comes split and grilled with chili, mustard and chopped raw onions on a short & stout roll. It's really messy and really good. Next time you're in the area stop buy and grab one before they tear it down and put in a starbucks.

Memorial Day

There's not really anything better than not having to work and spending the day eating and drinking with friends.
Like every year there was way too much food, two different guacamoles, giant tomato pies from Sam's Italian Market, beer-marinated hot dogs and burgers rubbing against vegetarian "brats" that taste like styrofoam but are pretty good on amoroso rolls and covered in cheese, guacamole, bean salad and mustard.
Also margaritas, chicken, cupcakes and 10 or 12 cases of beer.

Also petty gambling and free "Bodytalk" sessions to clean out the system and "balance the chakras" after 8 beers and 4 chili dogs ( my friend's mom is a professional holistic healer).

Sam's Italian Market
3504 Moreland Road
Willow Grove, Pennsylvania

Beer Marinated Hot Dogs
marinate hot dogs for a few hours in beer, onions, garlic, bay leaves, hot peppers, etc. grill and place on bun slathered in "hot dog chili" (ground beef, shallots, garlic, paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper, coca-cola, etc but NO BEANS if you want it to taste like the stuff that comes out of the pump at 7-11) and mustard if desired. enjoy.

Yocco's Hot Dog King

Northeastern pennsylvania is a mysterious world of forgotten towns, winding country roads, flea markets, abandoned palace-sized hotels, bikers and pierogies. Yocco's hot dogs has been the "hot dog king" of the Allentown area since 1922.

So I guess I was expecting something short of amazing... unfortunately Yocco's dogs were mediocre at best. I liked the well-done grilled dogs but the buns were all smashed up and there's wasn't nearly enough of the "secret sauce".

The deep fried pierogies were awesome though. And the decor and atmosphere was like nothing else... A giant hot dog statue, floor to ceiling wood paneling, and dedicated locals in Yocco's T-shirts walking out with dogs by the dozen.

Maybe Yocco's dogs are an acquired taste? I might need to spend a week trying every hot dog spot in Northeastern PA -and there's a lot of them..

Yocco's 100
I-78 and Route 100
Foglesville,PA

Yocco's - the original
625 Liberty St
Allentown, PA

Pizza Book!

"The Pizza Book" by Ansley Joe and Gregory Pizzoli is the greatest thing ever and I wish I had done it! Maybe I will do a tiny addition dedicated to sicilian style pizzas.

It's a fully illustrated book about pizza places in Philly, and they are judged solely on the slice. The drawings are awesome and the information is fun to read. 

Highley reccommended to anyone you know moving to a new area of town or to Philly in general. Seriously if I ever move back to the West Coast, I know there will be no comparison pizza wise. And if you don't think there is a difference West Coasters, it's like getting Mexican food here, close but not quite right. 

To get a hold of this gem email: thepizzabook@gmail.com

Roast Chicken

It's been cold and rainy lately, so I was craving a roasted chicken. I have also been reading alot about seasonal foods, and meats also have a season. They tend to be better tasting and healthier from spring till fall because they are outside grazing on grass. That being said Tim picked up a great farm raised, grass fed, half chicken and I stuffed it with garlic and rosemary for roasting. The asparagus also happens to be from the Headhouse square farmer's market. 

Tom's Diner

(SIDE NOTE: JUST REALIZED I WAS BEATEN TO THE PUNCH BY A CERTAIN LADY)

Duhdadodaddaa

I love Brooklyn. I really do. The longer I live here, the more I sing its praises. Now, I have one more reason. Tom's Diner. This diner was the basis for the ever popular Suzanne Vega song "Tom's Diner." It is an amazing food destination where good old fashioned diner food is given that added touch.

Who doesn't want chipotle sauce on their table or three types of butter including raison cinnamon, peach walnut, and strawberry? Or how about free coffee, cookies, strawberries and oranges while you wait in line? Free, in NYC?

Yes, its all true and fantastic.

I had the huevos rancheros which was perfect spicy with a homemade salsa and over easy eggs. My partners in brunch had some amazing pancakes made with ricotta and lemon. The overall decor was a mix of homemade signs and really great stained glass. I sat at the best booth as I had Ms. Vega's lyrics right next to me.

If you are ever in Brooklyn, take the Q or 2/3 to 7th Ave and Flatbush. Walk a few blocks to 782 Washington Ave to find Tom's.

Rodeo Breakfast

I have to scan in the Rodeo Menu because it's pretty amazing. But untill then this is where we had our Mexican breakfast in Echo Park. Yummy Carnitas and Carne Asada Sopas and the yummiest beef soup thing. Oh and fresh tortillas of course and a cute lady walking around trying to convince me to get some tres leches cake. I should've gotten it.

Rob and Ako's B-fast

I had great patio envy when I was in LA. Rob and Ako kept a lovely outdoor spot full of lovely plants that of course grow and bloom year round. Here is a most nice morning breakfast with our gracious hosts enjoying the sun and some tea.

Also Rob just updated his website.

Palms Thai Food LA

It's hard to find good Thai food in Philly, at least in the city. What I miss about the left coast is the abundance of cheap delicious thai food in large portions.
Palms Thai food had delicious food and we as a group happened to order the best combination of food.
The cilantro lime whole steamed fish was delicious. Cooked in a fish shaped steamer, Ako spooned lime cilantro soupy stuff on it and it cooked away and was the most delicious thing I had eaten in a long long time. It was super limey cilantro-ey perfect with the fresh tasting steamed fish. And of course came with a delicious chili and fish sauce type of condiment.
Pineapple fried rice, awesome, chunks of pineapple, cashews, some kind of curry seasoning type taste and raisins. YUM!
Yummy BBQ pork in a tastey fresh thai chili red sauce oh and Papaya salad with raw blue crab. I like my papaya salad a little finer, but only because I am spoiled by my mom's papaya salad.

We went during the day because apparently at nite there's a Thai Elvis impersonator and apparently it becomes quite the scene.

Either way, delicous and not expensive.

YUM!!!!

Palms Thai
5900 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028-5410
Phone: (323) 462-5073

Daikokuya Super Ramen LA

Super Ramen, the broth is made in a undisclosed location in a cauldron with pork bones boiling overnite. This is what I hear at least. This place in Little Tokyo had the most delicious Ramen I have had in  a long time. And I waited a long time for it. We had hoped that writing down a Japanese name on the waiting list would make the wait faster, it didn't work. 

They specialize in the tonkatsu pork broth and if you like you can ask for Kotteri I think for extra pork back fat for flavor. 

The noodles were firm and delicious, but the broth still steals the show, oh and so does the delicious hard boiled egg floating around inside. 

The best part is that you can get a small ramen and get a combo addition of a small sashimi bowl or tonkatsu.

This is what I miss most about California, Ramen my ultimate comfort food.

Daikokuya

327 E. 1st St

LA, CA 90012

Potacos

Back from L.A., and there was good eating. But before I pass out and attempt to make it to work the next day I had to put a picture up of these potato tacos. It was after the opening, my good friend's Ako and Emi decided that they would take off and meet us back at the house. They arrive with 25 deep fried potato tacos covered in cheese and guacamole. The homemade green and red sauce was delicious and the deep friedness went well with our drunken whiskey state.

I have no idea where they came from, I didn't ask questions I just ate them before they got cold. I've decided I think this was the best thing I had ever had.

Going to LA

I'm going to L.A. on Thursday for my tiny show at Thinkspace Gallery. Any suggestions on delicious eats?

Pazu's Egg sandwich

Tim made himself a fried egg sandwich on a slice of toasted beer bread. I made a tiny side salad. Tim's mom made that delicious beer bread yesterday, it was hearty sweet and slightly beery. Perfect for soaking in yummy friend egg yolk.

I can't help but think of the scene in Laputa or Castle in the Sky where Pazu eats his eggtoast. I couldn't find that image but I did find one of those cool robots turned real in the Studio Ghibli Museum in Japan. For those who have never seen this film, I suppose this is just gibberish.

The sandwich was delicious, I stole 2 bites.