Oysters

Being on the Gulf Coast I figured I had to get me some oysters. Now I've had oysters before, but I was in Ohio... I don't even want to know where they came from. So being in Mobile, Ala. I couldn't pass up the opportunity. Mobile is one of the hottest oyster locations in the US, probably second to New Orleans.

Oysters are one of those foods that you either love or hate. It's really an acquired taste. Well, I'd say it's more of an acquired texture. Once you get over the cold, slimy and sometimes sandy texture, the taste isn't bad at all. I ordered my oysters three different ways; Fried, Nude and Char Grilled.

The Fried Oysters was nothing special at all. I almost regret ordering them because it wasn't an experience at all, it was just another deep fried popper. Of course it was delicious. Even a three year old that wont eat anything but grilled cheese, mac n' cheese and chicken fingers would enjoy fried oysters. So if you really want to experience oysters, try something a more bold.

Char Grilled oysters were fantastic. The oyster taste wasn't totally masked by the Parmesan and herb crust, but it certainly didn't taste like the ocean. What I love most about eating oysters is the ritual. You scrap the muscle loose, then throw the shell back like a shot glass and let the oyster slide into your mouth, give a little chew and swallow. Some people don't like to chew but this is incorrect. The Chef at Cohen and Cook in Toledo, Ohio told me if somebody isn't chewing the oyster at least a little bit then it is saying something about quality.

Nude. A single oyster absolutely naked on a half shell. I love it. It is simple, exotic, exciting, adventurous, primitive and bad ass. It's like drinking your coffee black or ordering your steak blue. Most people like to squirt a little hot sauce, lemon, salsa or cocktail sauce on their bare little buddy before, but you got to be careful. Too much of anything can drown out the natural taste of the oyster.

As for a little sand in your shell... People complain about fast food places like KFC, saying they don't know if the chicken is even real, questioning where it came from. Well, a little sand with your oyster is a guarantee that it came from the ocean and not some mad oyster scientist's laboratory. And sometimes the sand adds a nice little crunch.

Dew Drop Burger

Dew Drop Inn: The Burger that Inspired Buffett

The Dew Drop Inn has been serving Mobile, Alabama for over 80 years and claims the title as the oldest restaurant in Mobile. Their florescent, world famous "Dew Drop Hot Dog" is listed as one of the 100 foods to try in Alabama. The menu even instructs hot dog hungry customers how to order a dog properly, thus becoming a true hot dog connoisseur. Although the Dew Drop Inn is not renowned for its culinary elegance, one critic claims it has the best burgers in the world. That critic is none other than the Mobile grown Jimmy Buffett.

"I like mine with lettuce and tomato,

Heinz Fifty-seven and French fried potatoes.

Big kosher pickle and a cold draft beer.

Well, good God Almighty, which way do I steer!"

Buffet's popular "Cheese Burger in Paradise" undoubtedly qualifies him as a notarized burger critic to the highest degree. Although the burger he sings about differs from the burger I thoroughly enjoyed today, which is OK because the Dew Drop Inn only claims to have sparked his obsession for cheeseburger. My slim burger came topped with chili, a slice of cheese and a sliced pickle. Not a whole lot to it, and not much to look at either. But hey, it tasted great and was less than $3, cheaper than most fast food burgers. You can't judge a book by it's cover just like you can't judge a burger by it's buns So Jimmy's cheeseburger in paradise may not be found at the Dew Drop Inn, but I believe 100% that he was inspired by this quaint, historically rooted burger joint. Perhaps after a few hours in Margarita ville the Dew Drop Cheeseburger becomes the burger lusted over in the song.

Buffets: Grazing humans

An inside peek to some of Bowling Green's finer buffets.

Welcome to Hunan Buffet. This guy likes it and I know why. Hunan has just about everything you could ask for from a Chinese buffet at a reasonable price. It says on the menu it features over 60 items daily. I didn't count but I wouldn't doubt it.

Hunan is great, and barely $6 for lunch.

Old Town Buffet has a few more options than Hunan, but not many. Old Town offers a Mongolian bar and a few more familiar American foods.

The atmoshphere may be Chinese but the options aren't limited. Featuring everything from Salt and Pepper Squid to Pepperoni Pizza, Crab Legs on Fridays and Saturdays, this place has it all.

You can rent out space for gatherings. Birthdays receive a dance, song and cake. Overall a real comfortable family environment.

Hunan and Old Town buffets looks great, but King buffet's price looks better...

A five dollar lunch and a six dollar lunch ain't nothin. Especially with a 10 percent discount for showing a BGSU student I.D.

King Buffet sure doesn't have as many options.

But does it really matter when it's all you can eat?

Tofurkey

Gobble! Gobble! - The turkey imitation so often uttered in spirit of Thanksgiving. But what sound does imitation turkey make? I've never come across wild Tofu.

Yesterday at my family's Thanksgiving feast, my vegetarian cousin provided the talk of the table. It wasn't the creamy mashed potatoes, the Swiss grits, the stuffing or the delicately carved turkey which sparked conversation. What everyone was talking about, but not necessarily enjoying, was the turkey without the tryptophan: The Tofurkey.

I solute Tofurkey for providing an avenue for vegetarians to remain traditional, but I do not commend it on taste. If you are not a vegetarian there is really no reason to try the Tofurkey since turkey is a pretty lean to begin with. Sure the Tofurkey has it's advantages; low fat, easy to prep and no nap required post consumption, but that all comes at a tasteless price.

The Tofurkey is a rounded log of tofu with a wild-rice-stuffing running through the center. When the Tofurkey is sliced, there is a round disk of Tofurkey with a hole in the middle filled with the wild-rice-stuffing, not a bad presentation. But the Tofurkey really doesn't taste anything like turkey. The texture is chewier than tofu, but still not even close to the texture of real turkey. It really just tastes like Rice-A-Roni pilaf.

My Aunt said she enjoyed it topped with cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy - the way most Thanksgiving plates turn out. So if you don't eat the bird on Thanksgiving but want to remain somewhat traditional, eat the soy variation with a lot of other flavorful sides that will mask the bland, monotonous taste of Tofurkey.

Easy Street, more like Meatball Avenue

Latley I have been on a mission which I recieved from a craving. A craving for a giant Meatball Sub. I had trouble finding one that satisfied my hunger last week, but tonight I believe I found exactly what I was looking for.

Easy Street Cafe's Meatball Sub comes with three giant meatballs that are bulging out of a toasted bun, covered with a classic marinara sauce and melted mozerella. It's a classic Meatball Sub and I ate every last bite. But the crux of the sub wasn't really how it was compiled, but how it was served. It comes served in a small casarole dish which my waitress, Lindsay, said it is baked in until the cheese melts and the edges of the bun get dark. I believe a great meatball sub will always be one that requires a fork and knife, and I would hate to see anybody try to pick up one these fat slobs. Lindsay said she has seen some terrible meatball fumbles. The sub was great although I can't say much for the fries that came at an extra charge. They where a bit saturated, comparable to Steak Escape's fries. So I tip my hat to Easy Street and their giant meatball sandwich. Meatball Sandwich - 6.99 Add Fries ----------- 0.95 16 oz Bass ---------- 4.25 Total ----------> $12.23

Reverend Chico's

I did an article on this place before it opened and the owners made it sound great. But who wouldn't talk up their own restaurant? So I decided to check this place out for myself to see if they are all they claimed to be. Based on four categories, Ambiance, Service, Drinks, and Meal, I rated the restaurant. I combined Plating and Taste into one category, Meal, because I wanted to make way for a new category which college students care a little more about than the way their food looks on the plate, booze. Five points can be awarded to each category Ambiance. 5 Reverend Chico's is in the old Cosmos coffee spot. If you remember what Cosmos looked inside, you will understand why I gave Chico's a perfect 5.

With six flat screens, street wall windows and tall tables, Chico's provides a comfortable dim lit atmosphere. This place really looks great. I think they really did a great job at incorporating a Latino theme without going over the top, like a ChiChi's or DonPablo's. It's an overall comfortable, classy environment.

Service. 3

Since all of the food is carefully prepared, such as the papaya is sliced and fried instead of dumped from a bag in the freezer, a little wait is tolerable. Chico's has two service options. You can either order at a window or give your order to a server. This is a good option for customers, but I think it will take a while untill all of the kinks are worked out. Advice; if you sit down at a table, definitely order from a server.

Drinks. 4

I had their house Margarita and a tall Amber Boch. The reason why I chose them is the same reason I scored Chico's drinks a 4 and not a 5, the price. Even though Chico's has great happy hour deals and late night specials, the drinks are a little pricey. So go during happy hour or after 9 for affordable drink specials that wont break your wallet. I heard the house Sangria and "Mo-chico" mojitos are wonderful. The house Margarita is made without sweet and sour mix, instead with a simple syrup and lime juice so that the drink isn't overwhelmingly sour. Word.

Meal. 5

I had the BBQ Pork Tacos and some Plantain Chips, and they where delicious. The pork was sweet and tender and the tortilla hugged them neatly. I have had plantain before but never plantain chips. I would compare them to potato skins but with a hint of something sweet. I was expecting more of a banana presence in the taste, put I was mistaken. I know it's unfair to rank a restaurant on one dish, but I really enjoyed my meal and so did everybody else I asked. Reverend Chico's provides a new exciting flavor to the area that larger Latino restaurant chains can't and is practically just as affordable.

My meal...

• Amber Boch $2.00 happy hour
• House Margarita $2.50 drink special
• Plantain Chips $2.00
• BBQ Pork Tacos (3) $6.00

Total - $12.50 and some change Reverend Chico's final score... 17/20

Doritos got me Blue

A new product has made it's way onto shelves and into the hearts of many Doritos fans, though it has left me feeling a bit indifferent. The Collision combines two flavors in one bag, as if one flavor accidentally ran a red light or vered into oncoming flavors. But Doritos stepped it up a notch by creating brand new flavors that are complementary to one another. The two flavors on shelves as of now are; Hot Wings & Blue Cheese and Zesty Taco & Chipotle Ranch. I have not had the Zesty Taco & Chipotle Ranch, but I have had Hot Wings & Blue Cheese and it left me a little satisfied but mostly frustrated. Being a huge fan of Blue Cheese I knew that I would enjoy the new bag. Blue Cheese is perfect for Hot Wings, its like peanut butter and jelly, peas and carrots, nothing goes better together. But what about Blue Cheese & Blue Cheese? After a few handfuls I began sifting through the Hot Wings and going directly for the Blue Cheese Doritos. I want a bag of Blue Cheese Doritos with no Hot Wings, but unfortunatly that is impossible since they are only available in the Collision bags. Doritos gave me a gift and then gave me a chore. I would like to see Blue Cheese Doritos in bag all to itself, but in the mean time I am just going to have to find somebody who feels the way I do, but about Hot Wings, and share bag.