The King

We rolled into Memphis just in time for lunch and headed straight for Uncle Lou‘s Southern Kitchen.  To refresh your memory, this is the place that has the famous fried and honey dipped chicken.  BBQ chicken is one of Anna’s favorite foods and we ordered a three piece dinner to share with coleslaw and a biscuit.  They served us fried okra by mistake, but said to enjoy it anyway—and we did.  Uncle Lou was there working and the place was packed.  The honey sauce is spicy, with the spice blend called “Corruption” because once you’ve had it, you’ve been corrupted.  Guy called the honey dipping sauce “Sweet, Spicy, Love” and it appears that Uncle Lou changed the name (following Guy’s keen restaurant acumen).  It was messy but it sure was good.  It’s probably the best chicken we’ve had anywhere so far.  We took it to go and ate it at a local park, which we like to do when we can.  I forgot to take pictures, but they wouldn’t have done the chicken justice anyway.

Painted Mural Millington, Tennessee

We ended up having to drive back and forth across Memphis to accommodate our destinations with our appetite.  First we drove up to Millington, which is where I was born.  My dad was in the Navy, and they had a medical facility there at the time.  I can’t say that I remember being born, but it was touch and go during those first few weeks while I was learning how to walk and feed myself.  It was another month or so before I developed my life-long infatuation with girls and learned how to flirt. Of course, it’s not easy trying to look cool and pick up chicks on a tricycle, but the Big Wheel hadn’t been invented yet; and by the time it came out I was too big for it.  Things didn’t really heat up until preschool, and by Kindergarten there were so many girls around its a wonder I ever learned anything.  Having been born in the South, I am a proud Southern Boy and expect I always will be (although I was raised in California).

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April 2011:  This is the trip that put us into the Big Time as serious DDD fans.  We went on the road for seven weeks and went to over a hundred DDD places; going as far as Portland, Maine.  It was a trip of a lifetime; and there were so many places to see and things to do, that it took over a month just to plan the trip.  As usual, we had family and friends to visit along the way.

We bought a GPS, and preloaded all of our destinations into it (it worked perfectly).  It was amazing actually.  By the way, driving on the east coast is a lot different from the west coast.  Even with the GPS, I made several aggressive lane changes and more than a few illegal turns just to negotiate the toll booths and busy surface streets with no left turns (craazeee).  It was entertaining and a bit harrowing at times, but no harm done.  I got the finger a few times, but I can get that just for having California plates.  I’m sure Anna was relieved that she didn’t have to navigate (although she is a real heads-up passenger).  She keeps her eyes out for critters, cops, pile-ups, rest areas, coffee stands, taco trucks, adult superstores, aluminum cans and loose change.  She also helps spot our destinations as we roll up on them.

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Fab Hot Dogs in Reseda

We live just a few hours north of Los Angeles, but hardly ever go there anymore (if we can help it).  We figured it must have been ten years since we were there last (although we used to go fairly often).  That’s where the DDD spots are at, and so off we went.  We only planned to hit a few spots and stay for a couple of days.  Turns out Anna and I had never been to Disneyland together, so we were due for a trip to the magic kingdom.

Texas Burrito Dog
at Fab Hot Dogs

We jumped off the 405 near Reseda and made a beeline for Fab Hot Dogs.  On their episode, they made chili from scratch and then used it on a Texas Burrito Dog (which is exactly what we ordered).  As you can see from the picture, it is an inspired creation of grilled hot dogs smothered in chili, topped with cheese, onions, bacon and corn chips, then wrapped up in a tortilla and grilled.  I’m happy to tell you it tasted just as good as it looks and I’ll be having it again next time I get to town.  We split the dog because we had to save room for our next stop.  Fab Hot Dogs has an impressive menu, and some of the best dogs you’ll find anywhere.  It’s a good thing I don’t live anywhere close. Continue reading →

Anna and I made a run to Las Vegas which gave us the opportunity to visit some more DDD spots.  We used to live there and so we know our way around pretty well.

Stromboli at Four Kegs Sports Pub
(It’s so big it won’t even fit the shot.)

We arrived just in time for lunch and so we headed out to the Four Kegs Sports Pub.  To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much.  I’m happy to tell you that I was very pleasantly surprised.  We ordered the Original Stromboli and it was the best I’ve ever had.  The crust was like magic.  It was golden brown and delicious, super flavorful, tangy, with a buttery pastry type crunch.  And yet for all it’s wonderful qualities, it was light and didn’t overpower the Stromboli.  I was just absolutely floored.  We also ordered a bacon cheeseburger, but the large Stromboli is big enough to feed two people.  The burger was good, and I have to try the cheesesteak sandwich next time we go.

We got to meet the owner, Mario, and he was very friendly to us.  I hadn’t seen the show in awhile and I asked about the magic of the crust.  He said, well it’s just like I said in the show… Continue reading →

Restaurant La Texanita

We drove down the Oregon and California coast on our way to Santa Rosa.  After spending the night in Eureka, we arrived in Santa Rosa in time to have lunch at La Texanita.  I must warn you that I am a taqueria nut.  I love Al Pastor and Carne Asada.  There’s a burrito truck near where I live and I’ve been enjoying their food for about 20 years now.  So I was looking forward to lunch and it did not disappoint.  Again, I was so excited I forgot to take pictures.  We left happy.

Anna in front of Guy’s DDD Poster
at Restaurant La Texanita

The big thrill for Santa Rosa was dinner at Johnny Garlic’s.  We arrived and the place was jumping.  We got a good table and a good server.  She was friendly and took good care of us.  We don’t usually eat real big, but we decided to make an exception for Guy Fieri’s place.  It was close to Anna’s birthday (uh, 29) and we were in the mood to celebrate. Continue reading →