Retroblogging: Island Hopping August 2013

It only took a year, but I finally got to go to Island Burgers in Hell's Kitchen. It was also the only "real" Island Hopping that I managed to do this summer - despite having a long list that carried over from last year. (And now will carry over until NEXT year.)

In mid-August, Cynthia and I mourned the conclusion of "our" summer (we're on an academic calendar) by heading down to Island Burgers for a leisurely dinner and lots of catching up.

The burgers may seem pricey ($12+), but they are delicious. If you, like me, are off of ground beef, all of the burgers can be substituted with grilled chicken sandwiches (churascos). I was so full - I had to work it all off by walking across town to the train, and even then, I didn't need food until lunch the next day.

 Me: BOURBON STREET – blackened, bacon, jack, bayou mayo, sautéed onions on sourdough*

Cynthia: HIPPO – curried sour cream, bacon, cheddar, guacamole, sautéed onions, scallions on pita

 Both: ONION RINGS

* I always have to ask, there was no Bourbon in the recipe.
Also, the Jack? It was pepper jack cheese. I sometimes need to check it's not  Jack Daniel's.

Food for Thought: It's Vacation Time!

I'm taking off for a few days, but I thought I'd leave you with some eye candy and some food for thought.

Menu Page from Connor's Cafe, near Burley, Idaho, c. August 2010

Connor's Cafe as seen from the highway at high speeds, c. August 2010

I cannot adequately describe the scene at the Cafe, (farmers, truckers, and locals, oh my!) but the food! The food tasted as good as this looks. My fried chicken was awesome, and the baked Idaho potato - IN IDAHO - was flaky goodness: hot, steamy, dripping with butter and salt and pepper. So good.

The rolls were also delicious. I could have eaten just the rolls -- about a dozen of them. I exerted some self control, however, and saved mine for dessert - with a little jelly.

Grandmary tried to make us feel guilty by ordering a salad - but look at the size of that chef salad! You can't be too health conscious with all of those toppings. Grumpa Max solicited the recommendations of other diners and ordered a special not on the menu. I think it was called the Hangover Buster -- a scramble with potatoes, meat, peppers, onions, and cheese, that even the hardened truckers and farmers couldn't manage to finish.

There was supposed to be pie. Connor's is known for pie. There were signs about pie. I started salivating about pie, and I don't even LIKE pie that much. Sadly, we pulled in too late, and the waitress was pretty much "done" with working andthen forgot to ask us if we wanted any. I was pretty carbed out though, (corn is considered a vegetable, not a grain, in these locales), so it was just as well.

Sadly, on this long weekend getaway, I will not be getting this kind of food, but with three dinner appointments and a brunch scheduled, not to mention a bridal shower, I won't go hungry for company, laughter, and nourishment for body and soul.

Back later. Stay tuned.

Subliminal Advertising

My name is Auntie Nettie and I am a victim of subliminal and “bliminal” advertising. Do you know how hard it is to see thousands of hours of ads for restaurants that are nowhere NEAR my locations? Say, like all the Sonics? And those burgers at Red Robin?

Curse you advertising agencies. Curse you cable channel ad buyers.

So, given my recent proximity of both of those chains, and hungry and famished family members, do you think that Auntie Nettie couldn’t NOT visit them? HA!

Red Robin (yummmmmm!)

Yummy burger. GREAT camp fire sauce. Excellent crayons and placemats for those that are young at heart. I have a feeling that this crew will be back for lunch very often.

Sonic

So I hit up the Sonic twice.

My first time through I was on a deadline, so I just grabbed one of the famous lime-aids. I highly recommend the Cranberry Lime-Aid, but man, seriously, that sucker was TART! Just be warned. They are TART!

Trip two was with was with a very cranky little person. We could have eaten in the car, as it’s known for being a drivethru, but it was a beautiful cool day (for the West), and Drew didn’t need to be cooped up any more.

I think that eating outdoors is a new experience for Drew. Given the opportunity to eat either in the car, or outside under umbrellas, I can see the appeal for families. The regular menu items are fine, but Sonic probably won’t be a family favorite like the Red Robin.


As for me, I’m seriously a victim of advertising overload. Next time out West, I have to go back to the Sonic, get another lime-aid, or try a shakes or slush. I DEFINITELY HAVE TO HAVE a Molten Chocolate Bundt Cake Sundae.

Darnit Sonic. Those improv actors have gotten me hooked ... on the ads, anyway.

Curse you advertising agencies.

Hey, um ... You want fries with that?