Archive for Mac n’ Cheese
BurgerQue in Ft. Myers, Florida
Posted by: | CommentsBurgerQue is not a fast food joint. Most folks will take one look at it and assume that which is bad for 2 reasons. First, the food is not fast food as there is much depth of flavor and secondly you’re not gonna get your order in 120 seconds. It’s gonna take a little longer than to get something this good.
I’m all about Blue Collar in North Miami
Posted by: | CommentsSometimes I write about a new restaurant, go through the motions and point out a couple things here and there I like. I’ve been to Blue Collar run by Chef Danny Serfer five times and have not left disappointed. I’ve had something different each time but honestly, truthfully and really you should have The Big Ragout (Pork, Veal Shoulder & Brisket mix in hollowed out bread with fresh Mozzarella). It’s unbelievable. Oh and also get the mashed potatoes they’re heavenly.
Check out what delicious looks like below:
Potato Pancakes
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Flip Burger Bar in North Miami, Florida
Posted by: | CommentsLast time I was at Flip Burger Bar there were different owners. Since then a couple of brothers who were fans of the joint decided to buy it up once it was put up for sale. They’ve changed a few things on the menu but the food is still great and in the case of the mac n’ cheese, better than I remembered it.
I started with the hot wings. You can of course go the mild or medium route but I opted for hot on this particular occasion. Their homemade hot sauce, made with 3 different peppers can be brutal to non chili heads but if you’re looking for some heat and flavor this is definitely it. Took a good look at the wing in the picture and you can see the pieces of the diced peppers.
Hot Wings
Sparky’s Roadside Barbecue in Downtown Miami, Florida
Posted by: | CommentsYou just can’t trust the GPS on your phone. I’ve been wanting to buy one for use exclusively in my car (where else would I use it?) and it would have come in handy today. I get lost in Downtown easily but luckily Sparky’s Roadside Barbecue was easy to find after my disastrous attempt to drive down a one way road thanks to my GPS.
I walked in and could smell the BBQ goodness in the air. I felt right at home as this isn’t one of those trendy pretentious places trying to pass themselves as a barbecue joint. While I don’t consider myself a BBQ expert I do consider myself an “experto” at spotting a fake.
Sparky's Wings
I was kinda torn as to which of the appetizers to go for but the Wings and Corn Nuggets ended up being my choices. I wanted to try the Hush Puppies also but I figured there’s always next time if I dig this place. The Wings were awesomely smokey and delicious but those Corn Nuggets. Damn those guys! The Corn Nuggets are breaded cream of corn deep fried. They’re served with a side of ranch for dipping but it’s really not necessary. Wow.
Sparky's Corn Nuggets
Corn Nuggets Up Close
My wife Marcela orders Tyler’s Pressed Sandwich (Brisket, Pulled Pork, Sauteed Onions, American Cheese & BBQ Sauce) while I go for the obvious choice of the half pound Angus Beef Burger w/American Cheese. The sandwiches are served with Waffle Fries (interesting) and Coleslaw (not my cup of tea). There are a bunch of sauces at the table, six to be exact. Sparky’s BBQ Sauce was my favorite of the 6 but the one labeled “Magma” is sure to guarantee a bad time for the person who doesn’t realize the serious heat they’re about to take on.
1/2 Pound Angus Burger
I liked Tyler’s Pressed Sandwich but I wish we had just decided to have the Brisket or the Pulled Pork individually. I’m not trying to dissuade you from having this I just think since it was our first time here we should have tried out the goods solo. Now, as for the burger…..well I was kinda speechless. It was so good, since the smokey taste permeated the patty. It had 2 slices of American Cheese and nothing else on it. I barely touched the waffle fries. I was mesmerized by it so much so that I ordered a second one.
Cornbread & Mac'n Cheese
Mac'n Cheese
The Mac’n Cheese and Cornbread were both fresh and solid. Good stuff and the Cornbread ended up being my guinea pig for the sauces I mentioned before. Also try the Apple Wood and Hickory Smoked Boneless Chicken Thigh, it’s killer.
Sparky's Chalkboard
Burger numero dos arrives and I don’t even remember eating it but I know I did. And I’d suggest you do the same. When you go save me a seat!
Sparky’s Roadside Barbecue
204 Northeast 1st Street
Miami, FL 33131
305-377-2877
Prime 112 – South Beach, Florida
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My buddy (an actual friend not the 1980′s toy) called me up and tells me that I must eat at Prime One Twelve. What do I know about Prime One Twelve? It seems as if every celebrity that visits Miami ends up there. In other words, it’s a place that does not normally interest me. After looking over the menu I have a change of heart, comfort food heaven. The prices of course are higher than my usual hot spots. I figured let’s do this, if it’s worth it I’m always willing to pay.
We head out for lunch and decide to make the hard decisions, we order (our table is pictured above): Tomato Basil Soup w/ Mini Fontina Grilled Cheese, Five Cheese Truffle ‘MAC’, KOBE Beef Hot Dog, 1 lb. KOBE Cheeseburger, Sea Salt Baked Potato w/ Vermont Butter, Applewood Smoked Bacon Bits and Chive Sour Cream , Potato Pancakes and Crispy White Truffle French Fries.
Now you must be thinking, there’s no way they ate all that food and you would be correct. Everything was delicious, except for the potato pancakes which I found to be way too crispy and not potato-ey enough. And one last thing, it would be great if they removed the name KOBE from the burger and dog because we all know it’s not authentic KOBE from Japan. For your drooling pleasure, please check out all the pics below especially the one with the bacon chunks on top of the baked potato.
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| Tomato Basil Soup w/Mini Fontina Grilled Cheese |
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| Five Cheese Truffle ‘MAC’ |
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| porn star gigantic KOBE Beef Hot Dog |
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| 1 lb. KOBE Cheeseburger |
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| Potato Trio: Baked Potato, Potato Pancakes & Truffle Fries |
Prime One Twelve
Facebook: Prime 112
112 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL
305-532-8112
The Filling Station & Garage Bar – Downtown Miami, Florida
Posted by: | CommentsI don’t know my way around Downtown Miami very well which is where The Filling Station is located. I’m also bad at following the directions of the GPS, it seems to take too long to respond (I can just hear that voice in my head “calculating route”). Between my sense of direction and usage of a GPS, I was pretty happy that my friend and I were able to locate The Filling Station without much hassle the first time we visited.
The Filling Station Sign - You can't miss it
Originally the Filling Station was much smaller but over the course of the last couple of years they’ve expanded hence the addition of the name, Garage Bar. Luckily, its expansion has not hurt 2 of the many things I love about it, its character (Filling Station theme) and service.
Howard's Big Mack Truck
One of the first things I noticed here was the walls with pictures of customers who had ordered Howard’s Big Mack Truck. The burger is a really great Double Cheddar Burger topped with Onion Rings so it could be difficult for some of you light eaters. What’s weird is that it wasn’t only pics of people who had eaten it but also those who only ordered the burger. I guess that’s a different way to do things! Order that burger and I guess you’re guaranteed to get your picture on the wall (I’m not too sure if they’re still doing this but I am up on the wall).
As a matter of fact, if you do go, look for our picture. Even though my friend suggested against it, I ordered the tater tots covered in cheese, bacon and jalapenos (which were good) plus an order of buffalo flavored wings to start with. The wings, what can I say are on point. I awarded them with Best Wings for 2010 at my annual Burgie Awards.
Burgie Award Winning Buffalo Wings
There’s also a whole slew of Burgers & Sandwiches with catchy names to order from. Two of my favorites are Steve’s “Respect” Mobile (Burger topped with Pulled Pork, Cheddar, Jerk BBQ Sauce) and Bev’s Benz (Chicken Sandwich with Fried Mozzarella & Marinara served on Garlic Bread).
Steve's "Respect" Mobile
Bev's Benz
If those weren’t enough there’s Hot Dogs, Phillys and even dare I say the dreaded “S” word, Salads. You can’t go wrong hitting up the Filling Station, trust me I know. And now to get your hunger pangs a goin’, here are some more pictures:
Chili Mac - A Daily Special I had one time
Hog
Malibu Bleu
Is there any dessert? Well, you can get some fresh baked cookies. I guess that counts, doesn’t it?
Fresh Baked Cookies
They’re open every day for lunch and open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday but closed on Sunday. I only mention this because once upon a time there was no Dinner or Saturday service:
Mon – Thu: 11:30AM – 9:00PM
Fri – Sat: 11:30AM – 10:30PM
Go Downtown and Eat from:
The Filling Station
95 SE 2nd St, Miami, FL
786-425-1990
Tom Jenkins’ Bar-B-Q – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Posted by: | CommentsWe met a crew of bloggers which included Beth aka The French Fry Fairy at Tom Jenkins’ Bar-B-Q. MY wife Marcela and I arrive late (our new thing). When we walk in a few folks are already sitting down with their food while everyone else is receiving theirs. After looking over the menu we decide to do the ol’ divide and conquer routine and order 2 different things. Marcela orders the Beef Brisket w/Mac n Cheese and Coleslaw (it also brings a cornbread).
Brisket Platter
I had the Rib & Chicken Combo with Mac n’ Cheese and Fries (cornbread also). We also got 4 hush puppies (their minimum hush puppie order). Marcela did not like her Beef Brisket and after trying it I agreed. It was way fatty. The Mac n’ Cheese was good, she liked the cole slaw and the fries were ok. The ribs were acceptable but the chicken was on the amazing side.
Chicken & Ribs
I regret not going with Baby Back Ribs though. The hush puppies were really good also. After talking to one of the guys, he told me that pork was the way to go at Tom Jenkins’. I wish this conversation had taken place before we got here. Doc Brown anywhere?
For a full fry review on this place check out : The French Fry Fairy.
Tom Jenkins’ Bar-B-Q
1236 South Federal Highway
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
954-522-5046
Burger & Beer Joint – Miami Beach, Florida
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There was also a ridiculously amazing 4 cheese mac n cheese.
At Dave’s suggestion I ordered another burger tambien (also, for you non latinos). The Thunder Road burger had been calling my name since I arrived so I decided to give it a go.
The Thunder Road Burger has American cheese and thick hickory smoked bacon. The fries were nice and crispy. This dude was really good, one of the best burgers I’ve had. The bacon on it was unreal which makes me regret not ordering their Basket o’ Bacon starter but there’s always next time…..
Burger and Beer Joint
Burger and Beer Joint Facebook Page
1766 Bay Road, Miami Beach, FL
305-672-EATS
