Monthly Archives: March 2012

Trolling with grits

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Andy Staples

NEW ORLEANS – NOLA-based scribe Brett Michael Dykes is a friend to hungry sportswriters. He never steers us wrong when we visit his city. Friday night, a few of us got a direct message on Twitter from Dykes that he … Continue reading →

Posted in Fancy Pants, Fried Goodness, Laissez les bons temps rouler, Late night | Tagged , | 3 Comments

It always knows

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Andy Staples

NEW ORLEANS – It was New Year’s Eve 2009. I had just landed in NOLA, and I needed to find a place to eat. I checked Urbanspoon, but in a city as gastronomically dense as this one, a list of … Continue reading →

Posted in Laissez les bons temps rouler, Late night, Side Dishes, Value | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Just following orders

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Andy Staples

NEW ORLEANS – I don’t usually write about places that require a collared shirt to dine. Shoot, many of the places I frequent barely require pants. But when the boss lady is picking up the check, you steam your blazer, … Continue reading →

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A shrimp and an alligator (sausage) walk into a cheesecake

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Andy Staples

NEW ORLEANS – A bunch of us went to Jacques-Imo’s last night. Mere words can’t describe the place. All you need to know is that five heterosexual men have never shared so much food in one meal. So look at … Continue reading →

Posted in Laissez les bons temps rouler | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Feeding the beast

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Andy Staples

NEW ORLEANS – Wrote Tom Robbins in his beet-tastic classic, Jitterbug Perfume:

Posted in Gumbo, Laissez les bons temps rouler | Tagged , | 3 Comments

From pop star to pulled pork star

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Andy Staples

ATLANTA – Barbecue gets pigeonholed as a regional cuisine enjoyed by people with provincial tastes, and that stereotype exists because it is at least partially true. Every time I mention a joint on my Twitter feed, I get responses from … Continue reading →

Posted in BBQ, Side Dishes | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Automatic, Y’all

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Andy Staples

“I wanted Weaver D’s to be a place where there is a bounty, a land flowing with milk and honey, like Moses talked about in Exodus.” – Dexter Weaver in Automatic Y’all: Weaver D’s Guide to the Soul ATHENS, Ga. … Continue reading →

Posted in Fried Goodness, Side Dishes, Sweet Tea, Value | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Sweet memories

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Andy Staples

LEXINGTON, S.C. – First, a confession.

Posted in BBQ, Side Dishes, Sweet Tea | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

A culinary penthouse in a basement

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Andy Staples

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Hammerheads web site warns diners ahead of time. Don’t bring large parties. Expect to wait. The chefs aren’t trying to be divas. They aren’t trying to be unnecessarily surly. They simply need you to accept the … Continue reading →

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Blessed Redemption

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Andy Staples

SNOOK, Texas – The lord gave unto you 10 commandments. Heaven is a Buffet has only two.

Posted in Eternal damnation, Fried Goodness, Side Dishes | Tagged , , | 15 Comments