O/R F.O.T.S.!

**Motorwaycop** · 01-22-11, 04:11 PM

Here are some links to my favourite placse in my home town. So come on come visit.

Lunch Menu - Pastiche Bistro and Restaurant Stafford and Hanley

http://www.theswanstafford.co.uk/?pagesub=15

Restaurants Stafford - Stafford Restaurants - Staffordshire

Italian Restaurant Stafford UK | Vivere Italian Restaurant

This one is not so local to me but I had a cracking beef burger there yesterday.

Handmade Burger Co

Just a warning if you are a foodie visiting the UK. We have a wide variety of excellent eateries. Many are now in the pubs. However don't expect the massive quantities you get in the US( see above photos from IM great101!!)
Oh and its highly unlikely you'll get free reffils on your cokes etc.

**IMGreat101** · 01-22-11, 04:35 PM

I would like one of those free range burgers.

**Motorwaycop** · 01-22-11, 04:40 PM

The one I had was fantastic, it was real melt in your mouth beef and cooked just right.

Not sure I do do justice to some of the meals in your pictures, not in one sitting anyway!

**IMGreat101** · 01-22-11, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by Motorwaycop

The one I had was fantastic, it was real melt in your mouth beef and cooked just right.

Not sure I do do justice to some of the meals in your pictures, not in one sitting anyway!

Do you go out for donner kebab?

**IMGreat101** · 01-23-11, 07:46 PM

Smokey D's BBQ | Des Moines, Iowa

We ordered our meals and settled in at the bar.

My friends ordered ribs with sides, potato casserole, mac & cheese, homemade chips and ranch dipping sauce.

I ordered the smoked wings with their competition sauce and bleu cheese dipping sauce...

These wings were some of the best I have ever eaten. The sauce was addicting from the first bite. Sweet and tangy, I was covered from ear to ear. I suspected I was on to the ingredients of the competition sauce!

...Ribs and burnt ends with potato casserole and cole slaw

We all agreed the ribs were consistent all the way through, no dried ends. Juicyhotperfectender. The burnt ends weren't actually burnt, but the most tender juicy brisket I have ever eaten.

The sides were definitely made from scratch and were very flavorful. We were curious about the seasoning of the potato casserole.

yummy!

Next, Darren gives us the grand tour.

**IMGreat101** · 01-25-11, 10:38 AM

Smokey D's BBQ | Des Moines, Iowa

We talked with Darren before heading to the kitchen. They have 94 employees, 8 of them located in their downtown locations. We walked into the kitchen at about 2:30 pm and I was amazed at how clean everything was. The volume of business they do and the back of the house was pretty well kept up. All of the employees were focused on their jobs with a little friendly banter.
The next thing that stood out was that nearly everything is made from scratch. All hand breaded appetizers. All the sauces and sides being made right before our eyes! Only one of the appetizers is brought in ready for the fryer.
I told Darren that I was on to one of his competition sauces, (the wing sauce) it had to be honey with dry rub and another bbq sauce. Darren said "No.". Umm, ok.
We stopped by two of their smokers. They bring in 250 pounds of dry rub at a time and use 50 lbs. per day.

"Tater" (L) Smokey D's Pitmaster, and Darren Warth (R) Co-Owner Smokey D's

Smokey D's uses cherry wood for their smoke.

ahhh, perfect ribs!

On our way out of the kitchen I told Darren that I will have to come back every week to try the entire menu. Then I mentioned the honey/dry rub/sauce. "Did you see any honey in the kitchen?" Umm, no? Darren's favorite meal is actually breakfast. He clued me into some hot spots in town that I will be following up on.. Darren did mention they will be looking at expanding to two more locations. At the north location he is looking at adding live blues on Wednesday nights.

Smokey D's is all about consistent perfect ribs and smoked meats. Throw in a scratch made menu and how can you go wrong?

...and about that honey sauce? lol!

more....

Cityview | Central Iowa's Independent Weekly

Smokey D's BBQ | Facebook

Cityview | Central Iowa's Independent Weekly

**Captain America** · 01-25-11, 02:44 PM

OMG , those look awesome.

**pgg** · 01-25-11, 05:55 PM

I saw that man v food episode at jethroes. That sandwich looked good

**IMGreat101** · 01-26-11, 03:50 PM

Woody's Smoke Shack - BBQ Catering -- Dine In -- Carry Out -- The Absolute Best!!

I don't think we will be dining on the patio today.

Part of the patio is enclosed and heated, adding about 15 more seats.

Order and pay at the counter and they deliver to your table.

**IMGreat101** · 01-26-11, 04:07 PM

Woody's Smoke Shack - BBQ Catering -- Dine In -- Carry Out -- The Absolute Best!!

We arrived early. They bring out a full sheet tray of their corn bread that you help yourself to.

There was a cake like crumble to their corn bread. A sugary crust on top gave it a little crunch. Two bottles of warm honey were available.
Woody's does not serve alcohol, but you are welcome to bring your own.

We both ordered the same meals, One meat and two sides for $8.49. I ordered mac&chz and collards. Somehow we ended up with an extra side on each plate!

Mmm, cheesy potatoes!

These baby back ribs were nearly fall off the bone tender and very smokey. The rub was on the sweeter side which worked great with the smoke.

Yumm!

We will return next week to try more of their smoked meats.

**Autumn2009** · 01-26-11, 08:58 PM

Bread Poets Baking Company: Sonnets

Absolutely best sandwich shop ever, hands down. Fresh everything, can't compete. If I come within a few blocks of this place, it is my weakness. Come visit Bismarck, I'll treat you.

**IMGreat101** · 01-27-11, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by Autumn2009

Bread Poets Baking Company: Sonnets

Absolutely best sandwich shop ever, hands down. Fresh everything, can't compete. If I come within a few blocks of this place, it is my weakness. Come visit Bismarck, I'll treat you.

fresh baked breads are heaven sent

This was a favorite when I lived in New Orleans

La Madeleine

**Buttercup** · 01-27-11, 12:42 AM

Originally Posted by IMGreat101

fresh baked breads are heaven sent

This was a favorite when I lived in New Orleans

La Madeleine

La Madeline is wonderful, I've been to their locations in Texas and Atlanta. Is the New Orleans location at Jackson Square?

That made me think of crepes, this is a great place to go for crepes in Cincinnati:

It's Just Crepes - Cincinnati, OH | The Only Place For Crepes!

**IMGreat101** · 01-27-11, 12:46 AM

Is the New Orleans location at Jackson Square

North east corner

**Buttercup** · 01-27-11, 12:49 AM

Zingerman's in Ann Arbor, MI has awesome breads. They also carry a nice variety of gourmet foods. I miss going to their deli, I have yet to find a good deli in NJ.

Bread at Zingerman's Mail Order

**Buttercup** · 01-27-11, 12:52 AM

Originally Posted by IMGreat101

North east corner

I've been to that one, too. On one of my trips to NO I was with my family and my mother wanted to eat breakfast there every day.

**IMGreat101** · 01-27-11, 12:55 AM

Originally Posted by Buttercup

I've been to that one, too. On one of my trips to NO I was with my family and my mother wanted to eat breakfast there every day.

nothin' wrong with Cafe Du Monde - Original French Market Coffee Stand New Orleans

**Buttercup** · 01-27-11, 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by IMGreat101

nothin' wrong with Cafe Du Monde - Original French Market Coffee Stand New Orleans

You know it!

It's even better when you're with the Swamp Mafia.

**Buttercup** · 01-27-11, 01:11 AM

For real street food, these food carts in Santa Fe were unbelievably good. I'd definitely put the fajitas in the top 20 meals I've ever had.

Cart cuisine: Food vendors entice pedestrians with delicious deals - The Santa Fe New Mexican

**Cidp24** · 01-27-11, 01:43 AM

Cidp24a and I meet friends every Saturday and Sunday morning here. I always have bacon, tomato, and swiss on a toasted sundried tomato bagel with a few cups of great coffee. They heat it up and melt the cheese on the bagel and I have a mixed fresh fruit cup on the side.

Sometimes we eat lunch there and I have an italian panini with bagel chips. Great food and great friends!

http://beaglebagelcafe.net/locations/index.php