Pop quiz: what is the difference between Rugelach and arugula? One is a mouth-watering cookie, and the other is a bitter vegetable. Two guesses as to which one keeps bringing people in to Jewish Delis everywhere. Everyone loves a Jewish deli. Why? Not cuz they’re Jewish, but for the same reasons everyone loves a theme restaurant. And the theme at these homey places is ludicrously oversized sandwiches.
Archive for the ‘Restaurant Reviews’ Category
August 19th, 2014 
Food Fight Radio Challenge, Food Talk, Restaurant Reviews, Slideshow 
No Comments » Food Fight Challenge – Jewish Deli
Restaurant Review: Searsucker
I love a challenge, especially a food challenge. It’s not always eating 5 pounds of fried cheese balls, though; sometimes it’s just trying something new. Or in this case, several new things: cow organs, all of them, served up as gourmet entrees, snobbery included. Now, I’ve never actually had rocky mountain oysters before. But talking about it on last weeks all offal episode inspired me to make a reservation at what would either be a breath of fresh air in a downtown sea of Italian places, or just another expensive reminder that not all chefs can cook just because they’ve managed to procure a high interest loan after hurling a pot at someone’s head on TV. Read more »
Restaurant Review: Phileas Foggs
Our recent visit to Phileas Foggs was an awesome digression from the normal, boring pub fare. Firstly, the charming little pub is strange upon entry- soccer jerseys stapled to the ceiling, a full-size Chinese art mural splashed across the walls, and an impressive lineup of beers on tap. Brian, the owner, likes it that way. For this place is an extension of himself: an interesting hodgepodge of curiosities and bad attitude that makes this place irresistible to culinary treasure hunters like us. Read more »
Food Fight Challenge – Bag vs Bucket – Who’s Got the Best Crabs?
We’ve reviewed all kinds of places for many different reasons but never two places that both serve their food in trash cans. To be specific, one serves steamed seafood in a metal bucket and the other serves theirs in a plastic hefty bag. They may both be a bit crazy – but are they maybe a bit too right? After all, Americans pride themselves on excess, much to the chagrin of many starving nations. If there’s one thing we’re good at – it’s wasting stuff. So why not embrace it and revel in the trash heap-edness of it all, roll in it and soak in it like a hot bath.
You see, at a local San Diego favorite called “Joe’s Crabshack”, they bring you steamed oceanic critters piled high in a big metal bucket, and “The Boiling Crab” declares that the real way to enjoy total seafood surrender is to sift through a sauce-filled plastic trash bag of shrimp, crab, crayfish and garlicy steamers. Read more »
Fair Food
Ah, the Del Mar Fair. How can one describe the thick wafting smell of deep fried fat, popcorn and a whole lotta cow plop? Is it a giant over-rated parking lot and a really expensive sun burn? Yes and yes. Is it a good reason to skip work and eat a bunch of deep fried delicacies? Absolutely. Folks, there’s vendors selling air plants and farmers showing cloven hooved truffle sniffers wallowing in their own filth. And where else can you get a corn dog the size of a small child? Read more »
