B&J's Steak & Seafood, Darien, Georgia

Lefty declares the best fried shrimp he has ever eaten can be found at B&J Seafood on Hwy 17 in the coastal town of Darien, Ga. The words "Fresh Shrimp" sprawled across the unasuming concrete block building are the first clue that there's something good inside. The next is the packed parking lot and people standing outside the door waiting for their turn at the seafood buffet that awaits them inside.

Poncho can't help but imagine that this is the sort of place that dotted the Georgia and Carolina coasts at one point; before the b

each front high rises, before the upscale but not remarkable vacation restaurants, and before her time. This is the kind of place where the men who caught the things offered on the menu bring their familes to eat on the weekend.

B&J's declares that it serves only "Wild Georgia Shrimp". Wild Georgia Shrimp have a mild, sweet taste that is becoming increasingly hard to find -- even at restaurants along the Georgia Coast. Wild Georgia Shrimp are caught in the waters off the Georgia coast, landed and processed at local facilities, and distributed to restaurants within just days. If you're eating Wild Georgia Shrimp, there's a good chance that the little guy was swimming less than 48 hours earlier! The shrimp caught in the waters off the Georgia coast are undeniably some of the best tasting harvested anywhere in the world. Farm raised or imported shrimp can't match the plump size of Wild Georgia Shrimp and certainly don't match the freshness of what you'll find at places like B&J's.

The menu at B&J's is extensive. You'll find shrimp, steaks, crab legs, chicken, burgers, and even pizza and spaghetti dishes. Lefty opted for the special weekend "Seafood Buffet" while Poncho went for a blacked chicken dish. Lefty's fried shrimp were lightly battered and fried to perfection.

You can learn more about Wild Georgia Shrimp and the Georgia shrimping industry at http://www.wildgeorgiashrimp.com/ and http://www.georgiashrimp.org/.


B&J’s Steak & Seafood can be found at:
901 North way
Darien, GA 31305
http://bandjssteakandseafood.com/
912-437-2122

Fuego Spanish Grill, Atlanta, Georgia

It may be poor etiquette, but Poncho and Lefty never shy away from sampling each others’ entrees at a great restaurant. A little taste here, a little sip there and before you know it they are swapping plates completely! It will come as no surprise then that tapas, the intimate Spanish-influenced dining experience that encourages “sharing”, is a favorite!

Fuego Spanish Grill in the Crescent area of Atlanta’s trendy Midtown district came highly recommended by Poncho’s younger sibling, a Midtown local. Tucked away behind a low key façade, it is likely you would never notice the place unless someone pointed it out. The covered outdoor dining patio is inviting, and the indoor seating area offers secluded sections for parties or special occasions.

The idea behind tapas is that diners order multiple, appetizer-sized dishes and share them with friends. Lefty loves that you can try something new, without committing yourself to a whole meal! Relax and nibble your way to satisfaction over a glass of chilled Sangria. At Fuego, the Sangria is served in an authentic terra cotta pitcher.

Tapas dining is extremely casual in concept, but often feels upscale to American diners. It really is the best of both worlds; a fancy night out with comfortable atmosphere and good conversation. Feel free to start a tab, just as you would at a bar, and keep adding to your order as you wish. There is even tapas happy hour. Fuego offers $1 tapas selections during the early evening on Tuesdays. The portions are a bit smaller, but it is a great way to try something new.

Poncho is a fan of Fuego’s balsamic drizzled asparagus. The beef empanada is the fine dining version of a “hot pocket” stuffed with what seems best described as Spanish barbeque. Black bean hummus is a fun twist on the garbanzo standard. And then there are the dates… Glorious, sugary dates stuffed with gorgonzola cheese and wrapped in bacon. You must order them. Trust us on this one!

On the hot June evening when Poncho dropped in for a bite to eat with her little sister, the waitress was thoughtful enough to suggest the signature mint iced tea. The tea was perfectly refreshing; just barely sweet and with a hint of mint.

So gather a group of friends, give Fuego a try, and remember it is ok to share!

Fuego Spanish Grill can be found at:
1136 Crescent Ave NEAtlanta, GA 30309
http://www.fuegocafe.com
404-389-0660

The Lady and Sons, Savannah, Georgia

It should come as no surprise that Poncho and Lefty consider themselves connoisseurs of southern cuisine. As such, they felt that a trip down to Savannah for a meal at Paula Deen’s The Lady and Sons restaurant was in order.

Getting a table at The Lady and Sons was no easy task. In fact, their first attempt to dine with the Lady ended in failure as Poncho and Lefty were met with legions of loyal fans willing to wait for hours to get a reservation.

The pair devised a way to beat the lines and recruited Federale Assistance to swell their ranks to a party of more than ten guests. Paula will take your reservation (no waiting required) with a large group and a pre-paid credit card!

The atmosphere inside the Lady and Sons is welcoming and bright. There are three floors of dining with large open windows that overlook the streets of downtown Savannah. Things really get going when the bread lady shows up at your table with a mountain of cheese biscuits and hoe cakes to get your taste buds started!

For lunch at the Lady and Sons guests are encouraged to order off of the all-you-can-eat buffet. This gives you a nice but limited sampling of Paula’s famous southern favorites. There are a few additional sandwiches and other entrees that can be ordered off of the menu.

The food is good. Poncho ranked the macaroni and cheese a perfect ten! And the fried chicken lived up to Lefty’s most discriminating standards.

Paula Deen’s success seems to be living proof that what most folks want at the dinner table is a good meal. Get the basics right, and the rest falls into place. The food at the Lady and Sons is not unlike what can be found in local cafes and diners all over the south. Paula does the classics; and she does them well. The standard lima beans, back eyed peas, and sweet potatoes have helped position the Lady as a southern cooking royalty. Job well done!

In summary… if you can manage to get a table at the Lady and Sons; eat up! If not, don’t be too disappointed. There’s plenty of good southern cooking out there waiting to be discovered!

The Lady and Sons can be found at:

102 West Congress Street

Savannah, Georgia 31401

http://www.ladyandsons.com/

(912) 233-2600

Clairpointe Resturaunt, Grosse Pointe, MI

Poncho and Lefty look for more than just food. They travel in search of all things local, a sense of place, and an understanding of the people who call the places they visit home.

This is all well and good, but lots of times they stick out like sore thumbs as regulars size up the pair and try to figure out exactly who they are and what they are up to.

It is hard to “blend in” while taking pictures of food.

This was the case as Poncho and Lefty traveled north to Gross Pointe, Michigan. With images of the movie Gross Pointe Blank and Maggie O’Connell in their heads, the pair drove their foreign-made rental car out of the motor city, along the shores of Lake St. Clair and into the heart of Gross Pointe suburbia.

The Clairpointe Restaurant looked welcoming on a downtown corner. And in they went.

Once through the door, it was pretty obvious that regardless which table they choose, Poncho and Lefty would run a substantial risk of taking a regular customer’s table.

With less than a sentence out of their mouths the waitress asked, “Where ‘ya from?”

Lefty ordered fried chicken with macaroni and cheese while Poncho tried out potato filled pierogi. While the food was good the conversations around the restaurant were better.

The Clairpointe was comfortable and surely felt like home to the folks who were eating there. Our waitress knew her customers; not just their regular order, but also their latest health concern and the names of all of their twelve grandchildren. All sorts of interesting conversations were happening all around.

Poncho and Lefty left happy in knowing that their visit would fuel discussions at the Clairpointe for at least the next few meals.

The Clairpointe serves breaskfast, lunch, and dinner. Each day has it’s own daily specials aside from the wide range of selections on the menu.

The Clairpointe Restaurant can be found at:
630 Saint Clair St.
Grosse Pointe, MI, 48230
(313) 884-6810

The Silver Skillet, Atlanta, Georgia

In the heart of the city people need nourishment. I’m talking about a good cup of coffee that needs a lot of sugar and warm biscuits to clean their plate. If you will neglect the popular names and the shiny lights in downtown Atlanta, you can find a warm booth with a window to watch the world go by. Just around the corner from the Technical College of Georgia is a painted white brick building and a sign announcing the award of “Best Breakfast in Atlanta.”

The Silver Skillet was founded in 1956 and under current operation since 1967. The morning we visited the Silver Skillet it was damp and cold, so as we stepped into the busy diner and were met with warmth and the smell of coffee. Every table and chair was filled in the diner. As a table would empty it would immediately be filled by the next patrons. After a brief wait we were seated and on our way to another memorable meal.

The menu offered many nice selections that complemented the specials written on the wall. We were honored to be enjoying this meal with a few of our closest federalies. Between all of us we ordered:

-Ham and Cheese Omelet
-Country ham with red eye gravy
-Hamburger steak
-Egg salad sandwich
-Grits, scrambled eggs, hash browns, white gravy, and biscuits

After the meal no one complained nor did anyone leave hungry. Above all else the biscuits were truly homemade. Even the coffee was worth mentioning. In most dinners you need lots of cream and lots of sugar to manage the coffee. On this visit we were surprised to find the coffee quite tasty, despite the warning on the wall to “add a little sugar and stir like hell.”

Saturday and Sunday is breakfast only and come early to beat the crowd.

The Silver Skillet can be found at:
200 14th Street
Atlanta, GA 30318
http://www.thesilverskillet.com/
(404) 874-1388

Mama's Boy, Athens, Georgia

Sometimes you only need to look in your own backyard to find something special and noteworthy. Poncho and Lefty often find this to be true… especially since their backyard happens to be the cultural and culinary melting pot that is Athens, Ga. In a town with a population to restaurant ratio that can only be found in a place made up of one third college students, surely there are more than a few good places to eat!

Mama’s Boy is just such a place.

In an unassuming building overlooking the Oconee River Greenway, Mama’s Boy offers “southern fun dining” in wonderfully retro atmosphere complete with jazz on the radio and not-too-sweet tea in a mason jar.

Poncho likes to call this kind of cooking “fancy southern”. It’s the way your grandmother would have cooked if she’d been shipped off to cooking school to learn how to add goat cheese to her macaroni.

Mama’s Boy pulls all of this off to perfection. The fried chicken is brined in sweet tea, the green beans are still crisp, and the French fries are hand cut. Homemade breads and sweet herbed butter are not to be skipped.

Lefty’s meatloaf was well-seasoned, but he preferred to scrape the marinara off and just add Heinz 57.

The servings were plentiful with the menu featuring several “southern fun” additions such as milkshakes, a signature strawberry-lemonade, and even espresso drinks made from Athens’ own, Jittery Joe’s coffees. Poncho and Lefty shared a memorable blueberry cobbler a la mode.

The laid back atmosphere welcomes guests to bring their own bottles of wine (or coolers) to enjoy at the comfortable tables and booths indoors or on the deck out back. Perfect for a week night or a date night, the food here may just make Mama’s Boys out of all of us!

Mama's Boy can be found at:
197 Oak Street
Athens, Ga
http://www.eatatmamasboy.com/
(706) 548-6249

The Loveless Cafe, Nashville, Tennessee

Sometimes there are restaurant finds that are so memorable you try to recreate the experience over and over again. Sometimes doing so requires a 500 mile journey just for a good biscuit. Sometimes you find yourself attempting to replicate recipes and dreaming of the good food that someone must be eating right at a distant table right at that very moment.

For Poncho and Lefty, the holy grail of restaurant finds happened on a cold, wet November night when they walked into the Loveless Café outside of Nashville, TN. After thousands miles without sweet tea and just one night away from Georgia, the desire for a home-cooked meal had taken on a whole new meaning.

The Loveless is a magical little café that makes you feel as if you’ve just walked into your grandmother’s house. Pictures of famous locals along the walls let you know that you’re not the only one who feels this way. Most of Nashville’s red carpet gang has stopped in for a meal at the Loveless at some point during their stint in Music City.

There is so much to say about the Loveless, but the short of it is that this place is legendary. If you are anywhere remotely nearby there is simply no excuse for not having a meal at this Nashville institution. The Loveless opened more than 60 years ago serving hot biscuits and fried chicken to travelers out of the front door of Annie Loveless’s kitchen. The tradition (along with the good biscuits and chicken) continues to this day.

Poncho and Lefty were so impressed with that first night at the Loveless that they have returned two additional times to dig deeper into the menu. The country ham with red eye gravy left Poncho speechless. Lefty has declared the fried chicken almost as good as his grandmother’s. (The fact that it is even worthy of a comparison speaks volumes to the quality of the crust and the juiciness of the meat!) The hashbrown casserole and cucumbers salad round out Poncho’s favorites, while Lefty taps the fried okra and macaroni and cheese as his notables.

And then of course there are the biscuits. Always served warm and fresh, these biscuits are worth writing home about. The biscuits are neatly shaped and always have just the right amount of melted butter drizzled on top. They are still made with Annie Loveless’s recipe and you can watch the masterpiece in progress through a big glass window in the back of the dining room.

The biscuits are best enjoyed with a generous helping of preserves. Strawberry, blackberry and peach preserves are all homemade with only two ingredients: sugar and the fruit! You can take the preserves or a smoked ham and other memories home from the Loveless’s Country Store.

The Loveless Cafe can be found at:
8400 Hwy 100
Nashville, TN 37221
http://www.lovelesscafe.com/
615-646-9700

Jack's Bar-B-Que, Nashville, Tennessee

If flying neon pigs aren’t enough to draw you into a Bar-b-Que joint then it is quite possible that nothing ever will. And so it was without high expectations, but with heightened curiosity that Poncho and Lefty stepped off of Broadway and into Jack’s Bar-B-Que in the heart of Nashville’s downtown “district”.

Once you’re through the door of Jack’s and take a deep breath of the heavy, smoke filled air you know, “this is going to be good.” The concrete floors and red checked table clothes complete the feeling.

Jack (or one his employees) takes your order at the head of a cafeteria-style line. The menu is vast enough to please BBQ connoisseurs from across the south. There is beef brisket for the Texan, South Carolina mustard-based sauce, and even Kansas City sweet sauce. Turkey, sausage and of course pulled-pork round out the choices of perfectly smoked meat. There’s also macaroni and cheese, a lovely vinegar based slaw, BBQ beans and other sides to complete your meal.

All of this may sound a lot like your nearest chain BBQ place – attempting to be just good enough at all styles of BBQ but never hanging their hat in one place. The difference is that Jacks does them all – but does them well.

Even the corn bread is worth mentioning. As much like cake as bread, the dense slices are not to be skipped.

A BBQ purist will note the lack of Brunswick stew on the menu. Maybe it’s the style, maybe one of the pigs flew off with the stirring stick, who knows? At any rate the tasty sides, perfectly sweetened tea, and even a selection of pie slices just begging to come out of their syran wrap make for an excellent Bar-b-Que experience.

Items we ordered:
Smoked Turkey, Pulled Pork, BBQ Beans, Macaroni and Cheese, Slaw, Corn bread, and Sweet Tea.

Jack’s Bar-B-Que can be found at:
416 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203
http://www.jacksbarbque.com/

615-254-5715

Dinglewood Pharmacy, Columbus, Georgia

Dinglewood Pharmacy is your typical small town pharmacy, half retail and half restaurant. If you come during the noon time hour be ready to stand around, because there is always a crowd. If there are no open tables feel free to stand around and wait or you can always get a to-go order. The day Poncho and Lefty visited they only had to wait 10-15 minutes, though a much longer wait is not uncommon.

Once they found an open table it took the waitress a while to find them. After about 30 minutes Poncho was ready to leave, so Lefty flagged the waitress down and was able to get the process started. Poncho was bit indecisive as to what she would have and settled with a grilled ham and cheese on wheat. Lefty came ready to try the world famous “Scrambled Dog.”

Scramble Dog: Chopped up hot dog on a bun served in an oval bowl with lots of fixings. Fixings included but are not limited to the following: mustard, ketchup, cole slaw, thinly diced onions, pickles, secret recipe chili and oyster crackers. When ordering the “Scramble Dog” make sure you have utensils ready and plenty of napkins.

Dinglewood’s Pharmacy is the kind of place where major business deals take place next to the stories of the big fish that eluded the homegrown angler. The fair was not determined to be blue ribbon, but Lefty says the experience of the “Scramble dog” is not to be missed. The next time you are in Columbus stop in, enjoy a “Scramble Dog,” and listen to the stories of neighbors.

Dinglewood Pharmacy can be found at:
1939 Wynnton Rd
Columbus, GA 31906
706-322-0616

Sgt. White's Diner, Beaufort, South Carolina

Sometimes there are vacations where everything seems to go awry. There are times when impending vacation doom is only hours away, but the travelers move on with their plans blissfully unaware of the misfortune that the travel gods will throw upon them just around the next corner.

Such was the case with Poncho and Lefty's trip to Beaufort, South Carolina for a camping trip at Hunting Island State Park. Thanks to Tropical Storm Barry, which hit the South Carolina coast on the first official day of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, eating at a few favorite restaurant picks was the only good part about the trip!

On the way into Beaufort on Boundary Street sits Sgt. White's Diner; just in front of the local Piggly Wiggly. The story goes that Sgt, White was a drill sergeant at nearby Parris Island and cut his culinary chops preparing meals for the thousands of Marines who train at Parris Island each year.

The meat and three menu at Sgt. White's is heavy on the Bar-b-Que. There are BBQ ribs covered in a tangy sauce, smoked chicken, and pork. The Bar-b-Que is notable, but the side dishes were what really impressed Poncho and Lefty. We shared a remarkable yellow squash casserole that wasn't really like a casserole at all. The macaroni and cheese was one of our favorites, and the greens and butter beans were enough to make any home cooking connoisseur smile. These were the big, creamy beige butter beans; not to be confused with its little green butter pea cousin. The cornbread was star of the show. The bread has just the right amount of sweetness and a light texture. After just one bite, Poncho thought to herself, "This must be what Jiffy mix was shooting for?"

Sgt. White's is a good stop in Beaufort. If you have some extra time, visit beautiful Hunting Island State Park just over a few rivers and a couple of barrier islands. It's a wonderful place with beautiful beaches, a cool light house, and a charming history. Just be sure to check the tropics before you book your campsite!

If you're headed to the Beaufort area, be sure to check out our review of Barbara Jean's restaurant. The original Barbara Jean's is in St. Simons Island, Georgia but they have a new location in Beaufort as well.

Sgt. White's Diner
1908 Boundary Street
Beaufort, SC 29901
(843) 522-2029

Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q, Leon Springs, Texas

Poncho and Lefty drove more than 1300 miles with one thing in mind – trying some real Texas ‘Q. Both had heard of the wonders of Texas beef brisket, but had never tasted the real deal, cooked the real way, and in the real place. So off they headed to Leon Springs, Texas just outside of San Antonio, to visit a good pal and try some authentic Texas-style Bar-B-Q.

If you’re looking for the real deal, Rudy’s is it. Attached to a gas station and convenience store, the atmosphere at Rudy’s was all that Poncho and Left had hoped for. There was a wonderful open-air seating area (it never gets cold or wet enough in San Antonio to worry about the weather). Guests sit around a wood-burning fire that also serves to smoke Rudy’s famous meats.

Don’t get in line until you’re sure you know how things work. You’ll need to grab a long neck bottle of your favorite ale or soft drink out of the metal tub on your way to the counter, and you’d better be ready to place your order once you make it to the front of the line.

For the Georgia pair, Texas brisket was new experience. A lot like roast beef, only smokier and spicier, both Poncho and Left were impressed. They learned that Rudy’s meats are rubbed with spices and smoked over a slow burning oak fire. The “sauses” get added later on the side.

You can take some of Rudy’s Rub home with you. Poncho and Lefty highly recommend that you be sure to pick up a jar on your way out the door.

Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q
24152 W. IH 10
San Antonio, TX 78257
(210) 698-2141
http://www.rudys.com/

Dixie's BBQ, Bellevue, Washington

Keep your eyes open because the Porter Automotive Service sign is easy to miss, much less the Dixie's BBQ sign. Once you find the sign you will realize that underneath the two freeway overpasses is the world of Dixie's BBQ. The now closed garage is the home of Dixie's BBQ and "The Man."

As you pull into the drive you see a garage, a few parked cars, and a handful of picnic tables. Once you step inside you are engulfed by the sweet smell of BBQ slowly cooking. The counter is a long stainless steal counter with two commanding lady's serving the food and two or three staff busily working in the kitchen behind them. The walls are covered with awards, newspaper clippings, and magazine articles all claiming the fame of Dixie's.

After much deliberation, Lefty made his choice of pulled pork, dirty rice, and potato salad. When making a drink selection Lefty realized he had found the sweet spot of the northwest. Dixie's has sweet tea! This is one of if not the only place in the Pacific Northwest in which a southerner can find sweet tea. The reason behind the sweet tea is that Gene and Dixie Porter are Louisiana transplants.

After being handed his styrofoam plate of goodness Lefty found a warm seat in the corner. Just as he was about to begin enjoying his lunch, he felt the presence of a big man over his shoulder. Looking up he found Gene Porter holding an old black pot with a steamy dark red sauce. Growling out in a low voice, Porter asked, "Have you met the man?" The Man being the steamy red sauce of course. Having never met "The Man" Lefty answered "no," at which point Mr. Porter placed a small dab of the sauce on Lefty's plate. As he placed the sauce on Lefty's plate he said, "now don't be cryin' like no baby." Be advised "The Man" is HOT! This is not for the faint at heart. Everyone should try a dab for fun, but you better test it before you add it to everything. "The Man" is indisputably the most heat that you will find packed onto the end of a toothpick anywhere.

All in all the food is about average, but meeting "The Man" is worth making the trip!

You can find Dixie's BBQ at:
11522 Northup Way
Bellevue, WA 98004
425-828-2460