Federal Donuts, Philadelphia PA

We were on a quest for French export butter-in-a-tin in the Vietnamese groceries in South Philly, so we took the opportunity being in that neighborhood to stop in at the new-ish Federal Donuts.  It's a take-out joint solely serving donuts and fried chicken -- it doesn't get much better than that!

The place stays open until they run out, so we were lucky to still find it open after 5 pm on a Sunday.

The specialty donuts were sold out, but they will fry fresh donuts to order and toss with your choice of sugar and spices.  We got one of each kind:  Appollonia, Indian Cinnamon, and Vanilla-Lavender.  I can't remember exactly what spices were on the Appollonia, but that one (the dark one) was my favorite.  While hot donuts are always good, I have to say, they weren't as decadent as the Fractured Prune (on the Delaware-Maryland shore).  We have been spoiled.

But I'd go back to Federal Donuts for the chicken.  We got a half order for $9 -- a four-piece box.  You could choose either Crispy with a dry topping (Za-atar or Coconut Curry), or Glazed with a wet topping (Chile-Garlic or Honey-Ginger).  I opted for dry, since we were going to have to eat in the car (of the Ikea parking lot no less) and went with coconut curry - it was indeed very crispy - freshly fried a second time and topped with the delicious spices.

It was a great (albeit counterproductive) last meal before I embarked on a 3-day Catalyst Juice Cleanse!  (And as an aside, I didn't document the raw foods and juices I got as part of the cleanse, but the Mexican Lasagna -- made with thinly sliced zucchini, tomato puree, avocado, and hazelnut "cheese" -- was fantastic, as well as the lemon, agave, and cayenne juice. I would happily eat and drink them guilt-free every day!  They really should add the lasagna to the menu at their Jar Bar in Philly.)

Federal Donuts
1219 South 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147

(267) 687-8258 Catalyst Cleanse Jar Bar 113 S 12th St  Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 923-1600

West Side Gravy, Collingswood, NJ

 I'm signed up for a few of those local deal sites, but I find myself rarely being interested in any of the offers, until this one showed up from Rue Philly.  The deal couldn't be beat - $15 for a 3-course meal.  And the restaurant West Side Gravy was less than an hour away from us in Collingswood, NJ, and served up classic comfort food.

It took us a while, but we finally made it out there on a Friday night.  The place is next door to its more upscale sister restaurant Blackbird, which was packed -- a good sign.

I started out with a salad, knowing that I would help Redneckhunter eat his Mac and Cheese.  That was one perfect mac and cheese!  I think it had the most al dente pasta I've ever had in a mac and cheese -- really toothsome -- the cheddar, gruyere, and fontina cheeses were rich and creamy, and the breadcrumbs crispy.  It was a huge portion, so I'm glad we could share it.  Later was we were leaving we saw a poster for a local mac and cheese competition, at which West Side Gravy chef Alex Capasso was competing.  After having his mac, my money was on him to win it!  My salad was really nice too -- mixed greens with Granny Smith apples, gorgonzola, candied pecans, dried cranberries, and a light bright vinaigrette.

Our entrees were equally yummy.  The chicken was super super crispy, and it came with 3 pieces, so I had enough to bring a doggy bag home.  Redneckhunter got the open-faced turkey sandwich -- which made us nostalgic for grade school cafeteria lunch, only much much better.

For dessert, I got the chocolate peanut butter cup -- chocolate and peanut butter mousse, devil’s food cake, and peanut butter crunch.  Redneckhunter got the Boston Cream Cake.  Luckily the dessert portions were small, because we were stuffed by this point.  The peanut butter cup was the better of the desserts - great flavor and not too rich.  The Boston Cream tasted good, but was just a bit dry.

We definitely decided this place was worth coming back to, even paying full price.  The prices were incredibly reasonable with most entrees being under $10.  And we also thought that maybe one day we'd try the Blackbird next door.  

West Side Gravy
714 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ | 856-854-3444

Pies n' Thighs, Brooklyn

I have been wanting to go to Pies n' Thighs in Williamsburg for a while. Two things I love are fried chicken and pie, they're pretty much never bad, but when they're good, they are divine.  

So I finally made it for lunch with 1000yregg and Redneckhunter.  Since we were eating with our cousins later that evening (and we wanted pie!), 1000yregg and I opted to share a 3-piece chicken box, and I ordered a couple sides.  The chicken was hot, crispy, nicely spiced - perfect.

Redneckhunter got his own plate -- his beloved biscuits and sausage gravy, topped with cheese and scrambled egg -- called the Rob Evans.  He had to hand it to them - one of the best he's had north of the Mason-Dixon line.





The collards we ordered with the chicken were wonderfully bacony. I think it was the best of the sides.  1000yregg liked the hush puppies - they were little and crisp and light, but I tend to like mine bigger and denser.  Mac and cheese was fine, but I needed to save room for PIE!

We each got a slice.  I think Redneckhunter's was the best - banana cream.  Mine was pumpkin, and 1000yregg went with key lime pie.  Graham cracker crusts were buttery, whipped cream was smooth and delicious -- everything was just the right amount of sweet - fresh natural flavors and not cloying.  

Pies n' Thighs
166 South 4th Street
Brooklyn, NY
347-529-6090

Tian Chinese & Korean and Mad For Chicken, Ellicott City, MD

There is no denying I'm obsessed with Korean style fried chicken. I've accepted driving 1-2 hours away to get my fix. I was very excited that Tian Chinese & Korean in Ellicott City started serving it a few months ago. They are making a brand of "K"FC called Mad for Chicken. As is common with "K"FC, you either order in advance or you can expect to wait 30-45 minutes for them to make the chicken, but it's worth it. They offer both the regular soy garlic, and the spicy versions. While I think I prefer the flavor of Bon Chon, Mad for Chicken is a good representative of why I love this stuff: crispy skin, juicy meat, not too saucy. My preference is also for the drumsticks over the wings.
They offer whole chicken on the menu, but this is not made the same way, so I would caution folks to just stick with the wings or drums options. Additionally, the orders include the daikon in vinegar and boiled peanuts (so Asian).

One time, when waiting for the chicken order, I tried Tian's chajan myun. I had heard that the noodles were made in house from HowChow, and they started pounding away in the back when I was waiting for my order.
I had the samson-gan chajang, which came with squid and shrimp in the black bean sauce. It's served with raw onion, pickles, and some chile sauce. It was good. The noodles were light and really held onto the sticky thick black bean sauce.

 8801 Baltimore Natl Pike # 21
 Ellicott City, MD
(410) 418-8198

Biscuit Sandwiches from Blacksauce Kitchen, Baltimore

One of my favorite things to do on Saturday mornings in Baltimore is to go to the year round Waverly farmer's market, and have breakfast at the Blacksauce Kitchen stand.

Their specialty is making wonderful buttermilk biscuit sandwiches that change week to week. Their handmade biscuits are great, fluffy, delicate, and buttery.

My favorite sandwich so far has been the fried chicken with blackberry honey. They fry the chicken to order for this one.

I've also enjoyed their beef short rib biscuit, the merguez sausage and fried egg biscuit, and the "BLT" with bacon, microgreens, & tomato jam.
They also make an appearance at the Highlandtown market on Thursday afternoons, but I fear having their biscuits more than once a week will be hard on the waistline.

King's Fried Chicken, Baltimore

Here'a hoping everyone has a nice holiday weekend. The entire TIGBG crew is going to be in Montreal for Canada day.
In the meantime, here's a pic from King's Fried Chicken in Waverly in Baltimore. They are a halal fried chicken joint serving a slightly spicy fried chicken without a heavy batter. It was nice and juicy on the inside as well. While their greens were not so hot (no pork), they take orders for 100 pieces of their tasty chicken.

3300 Greenmount Avenue
Baltimore, MD
(410)338-0609

The Country Cat Dinnerhouse Bar, Portland, OR

On my last evening in Portland, OR, I had a memorable meal at The Country Cat Dinnerhouse Bar, located on the southeast part of town. They serve farm-to-table food that is unpretentious and just plain good.
I ordered a good cocktail for starters, the Summer in the City, Russel's Reserve 6 yr Rye, Punt e Mes and fresh muddled strawberries.
Our table got several starters to share. We had the this sliced Country Cat's onion rings and a wedge of butter lettuce topped with Green Goddess dressing and a poached egg.

They gave us an additional complimentary appetizer that was awesome: braised pig face with croutons and a duck egg.
For my entree, I ordered the cast iron skillet fried chicken. It came with a sweet cream biscuit and bacon braised greens. The fried chicken was great, seasoned beautifully and not heavily battered. I was only able to eat two of my pieces, but the third was still good eaten cold the next morning.
We had two sides, the baked beans and the mashed potatoes with gravy. The gravy was loaded with meat.

I tried nibbles of my friends' dishes. Beth got the wonderful red wine braised beef with an asparagus and spring onion bread salad. Matt got the Country Cat's Whole Hog plate which included rolled pork belly, a brined pork loin chop, and smoked shoulder with grits and cider soaked cherries.


We tried a couple desserts. First was a rhubarb upside down cake with salted caramel and whipped cream. We also had the trio of puddings: chocolate, butterscotch, & creme brulee. This came with homemade cookies.
I'm happy that my last dinner in Portland on this trip was the best meal of the whole trip. Can't wait to head back.

7937 Southeast Stark Street
Portland, OR
(503)408-1414

Eating in Cape May, NJ

Over the Memorial day weekend, the TIGBG crew took a day trip to Cape May, New Jersey. We rode over from the Delaware shore via the ferry out of Lewes, a pleasant hour long ride.
Our first stop for snacks after we disembarked was The Lobster House. The place has the feel of a tourist trap, but we enjoyed sitting dockside on the pleasant day next to moored fishing boats. I was told by some friends to try their snapper(turtle) soup. We also ordered a small cup of their clam chowder. The snapper soup was very rich and hearty. Too bad, it did not come with some sherry. We were disappointed in the chowder which was not hearty enough.

Our next stop in Cape May was Gecko's, a Southwestern restaurant. We shared some chips with salsa and guacamole and a Ute taco. It's a Navajo fry bread topped with lamb adovada and bean & corn salsa. It came with a chipotle salsa. The lamb was similar to pulled pork, and it was a little spicy. Gecko's is definitely worth returning to as their dinner menu had some delicious sounding plates.

For supper, we went to the Magnolia Room, inside the Chalfonte hotel, for the Sunday supper buffet. Fougoo had heard that the fried chicken was special because the chefs use their mother's old cast iron skillet which is over a hundred years old to make the chicken. Also, a key component to their recipe is that the first fry onions brown in the oil prior to putting the chicken in. The chicken was good, with subtle seasoning. The skin was wonderfully crispy.
The rest of the buffet was Southern style cuisine including black eye peas, broccoli salad, ham, and stewed tomatoes. For dessert, we tried their chocolate cake and tapioca pudding.

The Lobster House
906 Schellengers Landing Road
Cape May, NJ
(609)884-8296

Gecko's
31 Perry Street
Cape May, NJ
(609)898-7750

Magnolia Room
301 Howard Street
Cape May, NJ
(609)884-8409

Soyo Korean Barstaurant, Las Vegas

One late night in Vegas, I went to Soyo Korean Bartaurant on the south side of town. It reminded me of a Japanese izakaya, but the cuisine was Korean and soju was the drink of choice.
When you walk in, the decor is whimsical with shelves of manga along the walls, and several private booths elevated above the main floor of the restaurant.
The menu is a wide array of Korean bar food including soups, noodles, and side dishes. Since I was flying out the next day, we only drank a pitcher of beer, but next time I go, I plan to try their sojus.
Upon arrival, you are immediately served a container of cold barley tea poured out in metal cups. It was a refreshing start. They also brought a variety of bon chon including kimchee, seaweed, and a kind of cole slaw.
We started with the grilled squid and garlic. It came in a ball of aluminum foil which was unwrapped at tableside. The fragrance of the garlic was the first thing you were hit with. The squid was light and flavorful
We also ordered the dduk bok-kee, the rice dumpling and fish cakes with cabbage and carrots. They pulled no punches on the spice and the dumplings were wonderfully soft.
My friend Alex was intrigued about their dish with sweet corn & green onion topped with mozzarella. Served in a cast iron plate, this was surprisingly satisfying.
I knew right away, I had to try their version of Korean fried chicken. Their's was more saucy than my preference, but packed with spicy, soy garlic flavor. Not Bon Chon, but not bad at all.
For our last course, we ordered the gamja jeon, or potato pancake. The Koreans like theirs savory, dipping it in a little soy sauce.
This is a great place for late night snacks and drinks, and I plan to drop by Soyo again when I return to Vegas this summer.

7775 S Rainbow Blvd
Ste 105
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 897-7696

Breakfast at Hash House A Go Go, Las Vegas

One morning in Las Vegas, I went with friends to the Hash House A Go Go, a small regional chain originally from San Diego with a few locations in Vegas. Their food is over the top- massive portions with fun and kooky presentation. I started with a glass of fresh tangerine juice.
I ordered the sage fried chicken with bacon waffles, maple reduction and fried leeks. It was a ridiculous portion- two fried chicken breasts and 4 large waffles with bacon cooked in each one. I was able to finish one breast and 1 1/2 waffles. Of course, then I ate the skin off the other breast.
I hope to go back to try their different hash recipes.

Bojangles' Vs. Popeye's Fried Chicken & Biscuits

It's no secret that Fougoo & I are fans of Popeye's Fried Chicken. I can't call it "Louisiana Kitchen". However, I've always heard from friends who have lived in the South that Bojangles' Famous Chicken & Biscuits makes better fried chicken and biscuits than Popeye's.
I discovered that a short drive from my house to New Carrolton, MD would take me to both a branch of Popeye's and Bojangles' about a half mile apart from each other. I wanted to see who's menu items would reign supreme.
I did drive-thru first to Popeye's then to Bojangles', ordering from both places the two-piece meal with biscuit.
I first compared the two biscuits. On visual inspection, the Popeye's biscuit has a slightly more yellowish color and is just a little less thick than the one from Bojangles'. I've always felt that Popeye's biscuit is a bit too greasy, but I usually cut it with some honey or jam. Bojangles' biscuit is much less greasy, and it is also fluffier. It was clearly better, as I finished the Bojangles' biscuit off. I would most certainly return to try one of their biscuit sandwiches.
Now on to the chicken. The Bojangles' chicken (above) is a little less battered than Popeye's. When you bite into the skin, there is slightly more obvious texture of fried skin. The Popeye's chicken seems to have a little more saltiness and flavor than Bojangles'. My preference between the chickens falls to Popeye's in this case.
I tried a few additional sides. The seasoned fries clearly were dominated by Popeye's. The mashed potato & gravy sides were a draw as Popeye's uses a spicy meat gravy and Bojangles' uses a creamy gravy. Bojangles' offers pinto beans that hold nothing to Popeye's red beans & rice.
Winner: close one, but I would give it to my Popeye's. Loser: me.

Revisiting Some Baltimore Favorites

There are several restaurants that I love going back to again and again to try out new items on the menu, so even though we have posted on these places in the past, I wanted to provide some updates.
One of the true great discoveries in the past few years is Grace Garden in Odenton, MD. Chef Li's place has now been rated the Best Chinese restaurant 2 years in a row in the local City Paper, and just recently, he updated his menu to include some items he's made for special dinners only.
I last had the Szechuan Dan Dan Noodles, a dish with warm noodles with sweet sesame sauce, but then covered with Szechuan spicy pork and veggies.
The Phoenix Purse is an item Chef Li often made for Chinese New Year, but it's now on his permanent menu. It is a delicate dumpling that uses a thin sheet of egg white for the skin, filled with chicken and vegetables in chicken broth.
He's also added pork chops to the menu, including the savory salt and pepper pork chop. I'm going to need to get back to try several new seafood items including conch and Cantonese seafood treasures with shark fin, shrimp, & scallops.


After a couple more visits to Columbia, MD's Bangkok Garden, I've found a few more items on the menu that I just love.
The first is Pla Muk Pad Kra Pow, or squid cooked in spicy Thai basil. My favorite item is Yam Makheua Yao, a salad of warm smokey Chinese eggplant with shrimp. It is particularly good to eat on a warm summer day.



Yet another spectacular dish at Catonsville's Hunan Taste is their fish head with red chili peppers. It is a 1/2 head of large fish, so you get to have parts of the cheek, the collar and some of the neck- all the best bits.



I feel so lucky that the Bluegrass Tavern is walking distance from my place, and I surely take advantage of that. Chef Patrick Morrow continues to change up the menu weekly with local, seasonal items that respect the nose to tail ideology.
He's started making taco trios which include items like beef heart, pork cheek and tongue. One week, I tried a wonderful venison heart tartare for an appetizer.
One of the most impresssive dishes is his fried chicken. In the spirit of Airline chicken, his fried chicken is completely deboned, the white meat is wrapped by the dark meat, and the whole cut is fried, and served cut into 4 large slices. The result is meat that remains juicy and delicious with a wonderfully crispy skin. The feat is just awesome.


Grace Garden
1690 Annapolis Road
Odenton, MD
(410) 672-3581

Bangkok Garden
5810 Robert Oliver Place
Columbia, MD
(410) 992-9553

Hunan Taste
718 N Rolling Rd
Catonsville, MD
(410) 788-8988‎

Bluegrass Tavern
1500 South Hanover Street
Baltimore, MD‎
(410) 244-5101‎