Well, the place I just went to yesterday falls into the latter category. It's called "Billy's & Milly's Restaurant".

It's located on US route 29, about 40 miles south of Lynchburg, Virginia. It's in a town called Chatham, Virginia.

As you can see, the place doesn't look like much but it does have that "Small Town, USA" character that you just don't see anymore. That's what attracted my attention in the first place... That and the sign out front...

So I figured I'd roll the dice and see what it was like. You can tell it's definately no Maison Robert... More like Bob's Place!

Formica counters and wood paneling adorn the inside as you might expect. The food is served on blue Mel-Mac plates like the "Blue Plate Specials" of the old days. The menu is your basic "Meat-and-Two". (That's Southern lingo for a main dish with two vegetable/side dishes.) I had country fried steak with a sweet potato and corn pudding. It was pretty good. Again, not gourmet food but Good ol' Down Home Cookin' just like the sign says. Quite acceptable, if you take it at face value.

Now, leave your Visa card at home because their motto is, "In God we trust... Everyone else pays cash!" Don't worry, I got out of there with a tab of just under $6.00. $7.00 including the tip!

If you are looking for one of those out of the way places where the people are friendly, this is a place to put on your list. Next time I'm passing through, I'd definately consider stopping by to say, "Howdy!".

Two other guys came in right as I was finishing up and asked for coffee. The waitress who I bet was Milly, herself, said, "I'm jes makin' a freysh pot."

They didn't die when they drank it, if that means anything!
 

The nice part is it's about a block from my apartment!

 

For sit down places in Dallas, Country Buffet is quite good and I think they have locations across the country...but not a lot of them. Enchilada's is a pretty darned good mexican sit down place too, with (I think) a couple of locations in Dallas. If you don't mind being the youngest person in the place by a good 20 years, Luby's cafeteria has lots of locations and they are the best cafeteria I've ever been to.

Sit down places in Denver include the Country Buffet and a place by the UA Greenwood theater in Englewood called Old Santa Fe. There are no fast food places that serve digestible food in Denver.

Here's another place in Norfolk:

This one's for carnivores only! Vegetarians can pass this place up!

It's called "The Grate Steak". It's on Route 13 (North Military Highway) in Norfolk, VA. It's right near the Military Circle Mall. It's pretty easy to find.

Sort of a "Frontier Style" decor. You'll find lots of signs and knick-knacks on the inside. (Definately not like TGI Friday's, though!)

So what's on the menu? MEAT!!! If you want to cook a "Hunk O' Heiffer" this is one place you have to stop at. There are several different cuts to choose from, Delmonaco, T-Bone, NY Strip and more. You can get "Reataurant Cut" which is the normal size or "Owner's Cut" which is the larger size portion. Of course, there's an All-you-can-eat salad bar. No respectable restaurant like this would be complete without it.

This is a "cook it yourself" place. That's right! You get your meat RAW! You take it into the grill room and cook it over a giant charcoal pit!

If you want you can have one of the waiters, known as "Chef's assistants", help you cook your dinner. For an extra price you can have them cook it for you but where's the fun in that?
On the side are baked potatoes, bread and melted butter. You can use these to make your own garlic bread, etc over the fire while your meat is cooking.

Just for information... take a look at this next shot:

This is one day's worth of charcoal for this place. Something like 300 pounds! (That's 136 kilos to those of you across the pond!)

For those of you who don't want to cook your own meal there are other menu choices like "Crab Stuffed Flounder" but I've been here 3 or 4 times and have never tried it.

Prices are a bit on the steep side. Expect to pay $30 per person... More if you run up a bar tab. All major forms of plastic money are accepted, though.

To sum this place up in four words: MEAT!... BEER!... FIRE!... GOOD!

TACO CABANA RULES!!!!! Its the first place i hit after getting off the plane when I travel to San Antonio...

-Aaron

 

------------------
Martin Frandsen
Film crazy!, Big 70mm fan!

It's probably just that we get used to the food we eat all the time but I'd say that some places in Europe (and elsewhere across the pond) have the best food I've ever eaten!
 

Did you know that Belgium actually invented the 'fry'? Those pesky French stole the idea and named it after themselves!

HOW RUDE!

------------------
"It's not the years, honey...it's the mileage". Indiana Jones
 

That and Belgian Waffles!\

I'm gaining weight just thinking about it!
 

Next time you are thru Asheville, try stopping at exit 44 on I-40 and try the El Chapalla MEXICAN joint. I've eaten there several times and have not died, yet.

If I know about your arrival in advance, I'll do my best to meet you there.

Other than that, there's no other good places around here besides the TASTEE DINER on Haywood Road just a few miles off the interstate. They have good old greasy Southern cooking that can out-do any WAFFLE HOUSE anywhere!

I'm gettin hongry as I type...
 

Is there still a place called the "Trail Dust Steak House" in the Denver area somewhere? I think it was in the Westminster Mall. This goes back a few years....man, they had good steaks there. Had a big wood-fired grill in the middle of the place where the steaks were cooked in front of everybody.

The coolest thing about the place was, no neck-ties were allowed there. (I remember a sign in the lobby, "Attention City Slickers: This ain't no country club...") If you walked in wearing a tie, a gal with a big pair of shears would ring a loud bell, and then cut the tie right off of you and allow you to staple it to the wall along with your business card. Needless to say the place was lined with ties.
 

-Aaron

!Tacos y cerveza... muy bien!

I'm actually on a set schedule now and I go to each theatre in my area on a "regular" basis. (Up until something breaks and I have to make "midnite express" run! )

Right now, I'm in Fayetteville, GA. (Atlanta) I won't be going through Asheville to get back home but I'll try to remember to look at my list and let you know when I'm gong through there.
 

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion
 

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion
 

Well, on your first trip down South it should be a requirement to stop and eat at a place like this:

Melear's Barbecue, in Fayetteville (near Atlanta)

It's on Highway 85, just outside of the town of Fayetteville.

So take a look at the shelves, lined with all kinds of different pig statues and such. When the waitress walks up and asks, "What'll ya' have?", what are you going to say? That's easy! Just say, "Barbecue Plate". It doesn't matter. If you're in a place like this and you ask for Fois Gras, you've got another thing comming!

It's a real Spartain, cement block building. I don't know but it seems to me that places that spend a lot of effort on fancy decor are usually not the ones with the best food. I guess that's why I like the dingier, out of the way places.

So... what's REAL barbecue like? First off, it's got practically NOTHING to do with barbecue sauce. When you get barbecue done right, the sauce can be found in squeeze bottles on the table. The meat is served plain. With true Souhern cookin' it's all in the PROCESS.

How do you cook real barbecue? Easy... you go out and dig a hole in the back yard. (Really!) If you want to get fancy you can line it with fire brick or somethin'. Then you fill it part way with firewood and set it ablaze. Then you wait until the fire has burned down to embers. You put a screen down to keep your meat off the coals, put it in to cook and then cover the hole with a sheet of metal, or somethin'. The idea is to "slow-roast" the meat, not to incinerate it like most of us Northerners do. The process of cooking barbecue takes hours but it's worth the wait.

When cooked this way, barbecue comes out tender and juicy but not the slightest bit greasy or fatty. It's got a nice smoky flavor that doesn't taste like "charcoal" the way some Nothern cooking gets. Usually you get a side of "slaw" and pickles if you want. Sometimes you can have Brunswick stew with toast or bread on the side, too.

When I went there it was on a Sunday afternoon. I was probably the only one in the place. I had my reservations about that, but by the time my order came the place was almost full of people. You know if the locals all eat there they must be doing something right, eh?

Anyway, my bill came to a little over $10, not including the tip. They don't accept plastic, so be sure to bring cash.

If you are a "just-fallen-off-the-truck Yankee" like me and you want to find a place to eat, find yourself a place like this and order your self a glass of "sweet tea" and a plate of barbecue. You'll probably be glad you did!

The Crown & Anchor Pub
On Tropicana just east of Maryland Parkway

This place introduced me to the wonders of bitters, ales and stouts (not just British ones either), and British pub food. Run by a British couple it's very authentic, complete with live-by-satellite Soccer matches on the tele. The place is the gathering spot for all of the British expats in town. Also a hang out for many of the local TV, AV and stage freelancers. Some nights we could get an IATSE 720 quorum in there!

Lindo Michocan
On Desert Inn Road just east of Eastern

The best Mexican food in 'Vegas, end of story! Very authentic, not Tex-Mex or Americanized at all. Tortillas made by hand while you watch (Machines? We don't need no stinkin' machines!). Very good Margaritas. Lots of tequilas not normally found in the US (Javier the owner, travels back to Michocan regularly and always brings back something different). Specialty of the house: Goat in mole sauce. Dang it--I've made myself hungry now!

-Aaron

 

It's called Sonny's

It's based out of Florida and that's where you'll find most of the restaurants. I have been to one in Atlanta, GA and there are four of them in South Carolina, right near Charoltte. (The home of the Charlotte NASCAR track)

If you're a racing fan, (or even if you're not), and you happen to be looking for some BBQ, why not stop in?
 

If you make it to Salt Lake City don't forget to try the Market Street Grill. Definately one of my favorite stops. Their salads can't be beat and their fish and steaks are also hard to beat. Be sure to try some Wasatch Ale while you're there.

Brad, Old Country Buffets are all over the place. OK if ya need to pig out. The food is passable but a bit high on MSG for the most part. Not a real healthy place to visit very often.
In SLC and Boise we have Chuck'A'Rama. Its like Old Country Buffet but on a smaller scale. The food is perhaps a micron or so better. The places are known as "Up Chuck 'A' Rama" to the locals.

I really get tired of all the fast food places while I'm on the road. I spent a month in Greensburg Indiana which is a really nice town but lacks any really nice restrauants. All the usual fast food places there and a couple of small joints but nothing memorable. At least there is a really nice 6 plex there now!

If I travel around the southeast I like the standard Waffle House Restrauants for breakfaast. Its always fun to watch the short order cooks try to keep up with the incomming orders. And the pork chops are really good too.
Mark @ GTS

PS: I kinda' like Old Country Buffet but my humorous nickname for them is "Country Bucket".
 

They do it in just about every W.H. that I have been to so it must be some kind of policy.

Shoney's used to be a halfway decent place before it was taken over by TCI or whoever the management group was. I gave up on it about five years ago.

Waffle House restaurants vary tremendously. FWIW, There are two things to notice as you walk in the door - at least one waitress should greet you by hollering out as you enter, and the grill area and floors should be clean. If you see a dirty floor or sullen staff, walk out. My one peeve with WH is the 1/2 size face-n-chin napkins they use. I've never seen smaller napkins.

Checkers can be surprisingly good for fast food. I was surprised that their burgers can be better than McD or BK.

Real southern cooking is still best at the hole-in-the-wall restaurants along the main street of a town or main drag in a rural area, though. If the collards are cooked with bacon fat, and half the dishes come with gravy, you've hit the jackpot.

Surprisingly, some of the health food stores have restaurants or cafes that serve good (albeit fat-free) meals. Chamberlins in Orlando comes to mind.

As employee incentives I used to trade comps with the two OCB's in Central New York, well until my employees refused to even take the passes any more and would not even tell me why... So one day an assistant and myself stoped down for some good old plate fillin grubbin and before we even got up to leave I realized why - thank God I have the mall theater managers best friend with me at all times - Imodium A-D.

I have, on one occasion, gone to a W.H. and sat down to eat and took one look and thought, "Eeeeewwwww!" Since the waitress had already come over to take my order I just ordered coffee, paid my tab and got back on the road. Really, the main thing I wanted was to use the restroom anyway. (Which is another story all together! )
 

Yeah, we lost our WH on Commercial Blvd to a bad staff. For the longest time it was the furthest south WH. We went there a couple of weeks ago and were grossed out. Fortunately, a few others have opened in the area.

 

Now, if the cook's name was something like "Earl" that would top it all off!
 

Aaron, Who are you servicing in San Antonio? You should try the Alamo Cafe when you are there. There is one on San Pedro close to the Airport there.
 

Nobody (yet)

I have been to SA several times while associated with Air Force Entertainment TOPS IN BLUE http://www.tibpriors.org which is based out of Lackland AFB. (and the obligatory 6 month stint at Lackland we all go thru when we join up, of course, but I didnt get a lot of time off-base then hehehe)

Last time I was in SA was over the 4th of July 1998 for the 45th Anniversary Reunion of TIB

Aaron

 

Our kitchen staff would sing and dance to our favorite medley of "2 Live Crew" tunes as we prepared the food and wings. It was defintely a "different" place to work.

Oh... and all the things people say about those "Hooter's waitresses... all of it was true!!
 

I like the stickers and junk they put up on the range hood. I always thought there would be SOME place at Hooters where you could stick one of those stickers that comes in the box with Christie lamps: "This bulb will explode if dropped".

Doesn't take too much effort to think of a couple of places for that one!
 

Anyone here use Texas Pete? You should... It's GREAT STUFF! And you are aware that most of these BBQ places use it in their meals anyway... =)
 

I also have had a brand called "Inner Beauty". On the back of the bottle it says, "Keep away from children, pets and bad advice".

Much as I like "Texas Pete" I must say that when it comes to good ol' fashioned hot sauces, "Tabasco" is at the top of the heap. It's not the hottest thing out there but, IMHO, it's got just the right combination of flavor and heat.
 

Michael.
 

Favorite hot sauce: El Yucateco green--made from habaneros. Or you can just go directly to the top of the Scoville scale and get Dave's Insanity Private Reserve. Just tell someone where you want the remains sent.

Come on ice cream!!!

 

"Red Hot" is a cayenne sauce. "Tabasco is a red pepper sauce. There is a distinct difference. I like the cayenne but I'm a red pepper man, myself.

Ummm... Ice cream? (Cheech and Chong) I can't eat milk products. If I did that'd be a real one-two punch to my gastrointestinal system.

 

I know it isn't the hottest Hot Sauce available, but I just can't handle hot and spicy foods. Had grilled chicken at Copeland's (New Orleans theme restaurant) the other night... Chicken was great, but I could only take about 3 bites because it was just too spicy for me. Texas Pete is mostly flavor, no "hot". That's why it works for me. Not to mention, it's my family business... =) On the topic of the peppers though, the Cayenne peppers are very sweet. (as far as peppers go), the red peppers are the common base for most hot sauces, like ours and Tabasco. If you're in for more flavor go with anything Cayenne. If you want spice, go with Red. If you want "Knock-You-On-Your-Ass" go with the Habenero... WHOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooo!
 

I don't think Tabasco is more spice than flavor. There are some sauces that are but Tabasco is one of the few with the right balance.

If you want REALLY hot, there's this one "sauce" I've seen that's basically nothing more than pure oleo capsicum extract. It comes in a small medicine bottle with an eye dropper. If you get it on your skin it will cause a blister. You're only supposed to use one or two drops of the stuff in a whole pot of chilli or something like that. I'll have to go and look up the name of it again.
 

That's too much for me!