Good food for Locals around me.

I was going to write about this before I was reading my cousin's blog here about the pepper grinder. I was thinking that I should give one of my favorite restaurants a plug. I like to support independent restaurants (not box or chain stores) Of course I do that with just about anything. I would much rather goto a small mom & pop store then the Wal-Marts of the world if I can. I was reading some place that small independent businesses hire something like 70% of the nations work force. (I don't know how true that is) but we should ALL try to do what we can to support our local small independent business people. YES EVEN IF IT COSTS MORE. I can't stand it when people come in and say "I can get it cheaper at ________'s." (A local discount repair chain) You can get it cheaper because they are bigger and you will have someone doing your oil change and tire rotation thats only making about $7.00/hr. that will also leave one of your wheels lose after the tire rotation. As apposed to to a 20 or 30 year skilled worker that by rights should be making MUCH MORE then $7.00/hr.

Sorry LOL let me get back on track.... Can you tell I have strong feelings about some things? LOL I was saying that to someone else this morning.

Now about my favorite restaurant "The Grill At Park Circle" - in Hagerstown Maryland I started going to this place because a very good friend of mine waited tables there and over the years it had become a standing joke with the others there that ONLY my friend was to wait on me or my family when we would come in there. My friend no longer works there but I do still go into this place regularly. The host Bobby also one of the owners knows me by name and is glad to see me every time I come in. I think he thought when my friend quit working there that he would lose my business that could not be more false! The food here is great! and that was proven to me one more time when I went there last Thursday night for dinner. They have daily specials and also a full range of things on the menu. As a mater of fact I have never ordered anything from their standard menu I have always gotten something that was on special. And last Thursday was no different. On special was Mai~Mai now mind you I am not a big fish eater and I really don't like to eat fish in a restaurant.

I asked the waitress if she would recommend this Mai~Mai she said oh yes the fish was fresh and they had just gotten it in that day. So I said ok let me give it a try. (keeping in mind I have never had a bad meal from this place.) The main dish came to the table and not only did it smell fantastic it looked Great it was a huge piece of fish grilled and topped with a sweet yet spicy salsa and to accompany it was green beans and roasted red potatoes. I really should have taken a picture of the plate. LOL It was dressed up so nicely I almost didn't want to eat it, I took the first bite and it was just heaven. So in short great food, & service for the price. That had to be one of the best meals I have ever had there. So if your ever in the Hagerstown area please stop by The Grill At Park Circle & tell them Huffer sent you! Also remember to do your part to support your small local businesses.

Have a great day!
~Dan

How many of you have been to The Olive Garden raise your hands?

How many of you have been to The Olive Garden raise your hands please?

I live in a town that I would say within the last six months has gotten a new Olive Garden restaurant. My sister and I met up on Sunday to go out to dinner. We do that from time to time it gives us a chance to talk about all the family gossip. Well that and I think this time she wanted to know how my trip went with Amy and Brandon. :)

Anyway we had a nice time and I will admit the dinner was great I ate way to much. Heres why I ask the question have you ever been to The Olive Garden. I have been driving by this place since it opened and they always I mean aways are busy. I have seen people waiting to get a table standing outside in 15 F weather.

So when we talked about going there I knew I was going to have to get there early to get on the list my sister came and met me later. It was Sunday about 4:00pm when I got there. And sure enough there was a wait and people standing outside. I got on the list and my sister showed up about 5:00pm and shortly after that we did get a table. We didn't leave till just about 7:00pm and it was still standing room only out front. Now this puzzles me to no end I'm not stupid I'm kind of sure that everyone that was there has been to Olive Garden before. I mean we do have one in the next town over that is about 35 miles away. Why is it that just because it is "New" Everyone has to pile in there and see what it is like. I have a news flash for you its a chain restaurant if you have been to one you have been to them all. Right? I just don't understand why when a new chain restaurant comes to town it is packed up for the first 6 months to a year it is open. Then it seems to settle down a bit after that. I am puzzled by that I even heard someone say that was waiting for a table that they had just gone to an Olive Garden down the road and wanted to see what this one was like ROFL. its the same! what gives?

Anyway just things I think about I hope everyone has a good week!

~Dan

Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Sales up 10% in the last year

I heard something interesting this morning on my way to work on the radio. It would seem that Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Sales were up 10% last year (2007). There was speculation that this was due partly to the recession (that we are in or is pending) depending how you look at it (I think we have been in one - to each his own) I dont remember the numbers they were spouting but there was a huge number of households that are using Mac and Cheese as a main part of their meals. They were saying that as money tightens up people look for cheap easy ways to feed their families.

The other thing I found funny was the radio people were talking about how they loved mac and cheese and that they just about grew up on it. Than I started thinking back to my childhood (and mom if you are reading this you can correct me.) As a kid we as a family at the dinner table ALMOST never had Mac and Cheese. I may have had it in a school lunch. But I really dont remember having it at home at ALL.

And still to his day I really am not a big fan of the stuff I can tell you this I never fix it for my own meals. There are other cheap ways to fix a meal of I need to save money. I do eat a good amount of pastas but not Mac and Cheese.

I dont know just some food for thought no pun intended

Everyone have a great day!

~Dan