A Donut With The Cutest Baby Ever! - Amy's Donuts , Colorado Springs Colorado

Wherever we go, I am always on the lookout for great donuts.  On our recent trip to see our new great grandson, who by the way is the cutest baby on earth, we were told about Amy's donuts. My step-daughter and fellow snacker was the one doing the telling, so I knew I had to listen! It took another day,but we loaded up the vehicles and off we went.
 Amy's donuts has locations in Columbus.O. Tucson,Az, and a new one coming soon in Spokane Valley,Washington and of course the one we visited in Colorado Springs.The Colorado Springs locationis open 7 days a week.

  As we entered the store, we were greeted by a showcase filled with almost every donut you could imagine.  The hardest part was trying to limit myself to one donut. They had Andes Mint donuts, Cinnamon Toast Crunch donuts,maple bacon fudge, traditional donuts,frosted donuts of all flavors, filled and seasonal donuts, and many more.
  I finally settled on an Orange Creamsickle donut that tasted like it was just made.  This was at evening time too. Everybody with us had a different donut and for the most part, were very happy. Definately would go back, to try a different donut and visit the cutest baby ever!  You can find locations and hours for Amy's donuts on their website.  I can see this donut shop going nation wide.
 http://www.amysdonuts.com/menu.html

Pork Green Chile Breakfast - The Omlette Parlor Colorado Springs,Colorado

On our recent trip to Colorado Springs, my step daughter suggested a breakfast place for us to try. It was the Omelette Parlor in Colorado Springs.  It was definitely a winner. The Omelette Parlor is a homey style restaurant that puts out sandwiches,skillets, pancakes and of course omelettes. We ended up there three times for breakfast because we liked it so much.  It was voted Best of the Springs for twenty years.
  We fell in love with the pork green chile that was used as a condiment on some of their dishes. If you want hearty portions, good service, and tasty food, this is the place to go
in Colorado Springs! You can look at the menu at : http://www.menusearch.net/menus/6899general.pdf, or go to the web site at :http://omeletteparlorcs.com/

Amazing Biscuits- Denver Biscuit Company, Denver Colorado

  Start off with a big, flaky, buttery, biscuit as a base to a sandwich and it is hard to go wrong!  That was my favorite thing at the Denver biscuit company.  I'm not usually thrilled by biscuits.  I always get the muffin at McDonald's.  These were different. They were fluffy and delicious.  I guess if you are going to have biscuit in your name, you better know what you are doing.
  The Denver Biscuit Company  started out in 2009. Started as an idea for a food truck and when that was being built, the owners decided to start cooking in the bar they owned.  It wasn't long before lines formed on the weekend, and hour wait times were common.  They knew they had something. Today they have multiple locations and have been named Denver's Best Breakfast! We visited the S Brodway location.
  We decided to go with sandwiches, but biscuit bowls are also offered.  Rebbel ordered the DBC  Club. It was one of those great biscuits with bacon,buttermilk fried chicken, iceberg lettuce, tomato,and cheddar cheese. She actually added a fried egg to this.
  I went with the Franklin.  It was the biscuit with chicken,bacon,cheddar cheese  and sausage gravy.  Not to be outdone by Rebbel I added a fried egg too.  After a little wait, the sandwiches came out and they were huge.
   I ate mine with knife and fork because of the gravy.  Rebbel tried to eat hers as a sandwich, but found it impossible to fit in her mouth.  She ended up taking off the lettuce and tomato.  I loved my sandwich and would definitely go back lots.  Rebbel wasn't as impressed. but gave it passing marks.
   I f you would like to try them for yourself, yo can find them on the web at:
  https://denbisco.com/
  
   

These Farmers Can Cook! - Founding Farmers,Tysons, Va

  Every now and then we visit a restaurant that is so good at everything they do,  we can't wait to get back and try more of the menu.  Founding farmers is that kind of restaurant.  We arrived to the restaurant after a trip to Monticello that took way too long.  We originally reserved our table for 6:00 but ended up having to call back and change it for a later time.  The earliest they had was 8:00. Needless tosay we were starved by the time we got seated.
  Their menu is filled with a lot of tasty food ranging from steaks, chicken, pastas, and even meatless dishes. All their food looked like it was top quality.  After all they are owned in the majority by farmers who wanted to get their products straight to consumers to showcase the foods grown on family farms according to their website.
  After long thought and stomach grumblings, I ordered the roasted turkey with mashed potatoes and cornbread stuffing.  Rebbel ordered the chicken fried steak and mac and cheese.  Both dishes were very good. Well prepared and well presented. It was so good that we wanted to eat there the next day, but we had to make our way back home.
  Founding Farmers has 5 locations in and around Washington DC. We ate at the one in Tyson's Virginia.  I would suggest reservations.  It wouldn't surprise me if they expand to even more locations in the future.
   You can find them on the web at: https://www.wearefoundingfarmers.com/

Freestyling Find - Capitol City Brewing Company, Washinton DC

Some of our best food that we had came from just stopping into a place without any research.  Some of the worst food was found by doing that too!  Luckily for us, this time was a home run! We had decided to learn the subway system in Washington to speed our travels. WE took the train to Metro Center.
  As we emerged into the center of town, Rebbel became very hungry.  We started walking down the block and came across Capitol City Brewery.  We decided to give it a try.  After looking at the menu,
I decided to get the crab cakes, and Rebbel got the fish and chips. I got sweet potato fries for an upgrde.  As wewaited for our meal. our waiter brought over a couple of soft pretzels to munch on.  They were unexpected and awesome!
  Our food came out and the portions were plentiful. More fries than a person could probably eat at one setting.  I got two crab cakes that were golden brown and ok, but the star of the show was Rebbel's Fish and Chips.
   Big portion of fish that was hot and cooked to perfection .She was very happy with it and would order it again. I might even order to avoid meal envy! As for the subway, it too was a real winner and we may even take it all the way from our motel next time.  Capitol City Brewing Company is located at the corner of 11th St and H st NW.  Or take the train to Metro Center and walk a couple of blocks.  You can find them on the web at: http://www.capcitybrew.com/index.php

Best Chicken Sandwich Ever, The Doughnuts Are Good Too! - Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken, Falls Church Virginia

Every time we visit our nation's capital, we make sure we stop at least once at our favorite chicken sandwich place, Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken. What makes this chicken so special? The chicken is a juicy chicken breast piece placed on a savory doughnut.  You can choose either ranch ,bbq, siracha buffalo, siracha mayo, and honey mustard sauce. There is an add on menu where you can choose an egg, honey butter, kimichi slaw, bacon,pickles or sausage gravy for an additional cost.
After breakfast you can get an Old Bay doughnut chicken sandwich.
  We ate breakfast there three times on our recent trip and chose the chicken on a doughnut with ranch sauce. Next time we will try the egg and put some bacon on there too.
The doughnuts are good too.  They have their regular line up of pb&J,Creme Brulee, Maple Bacon and Vanilla Glaze. They augment tose with other tasty combos that change.  This time I tried a cherry blossom that was good.
  Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken is located at 7511 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church,and 1308 G Street in Washington DC. They also have a food truck and a location in Los Angeles. Tou can find them on the web at : http://astrodoughnuts.com/

A Sandwich That Brought Tears To My Eyes,(But Not For The Right Reason) Chaps Pit Beef, Baltimre,Md

Driving out of Washington DC to Baltimore on a Good Friday afternoon was a slow process.  It seemed like there was bumper to bumper traffic the whole way.  We were traveling to the Charm City to try out a food that they are known for.  Pit beef. We heard the place to get it was Chap's Pit Beef.
  We finally made it through the traffic and pulled into the parking lot that was shared with a strip club that advertised fully nude strippers. Class all the way!
 The place started out as a shack and is a little bigger now. It is still small inside, and there is a few tables and a large picnic table. You order your food at one window and pay, and pick it up at a window around the corner.
  The beef is bottom round, cooked over a pit,then itis sliced thin. You can order it to the doneness you prefer.  We got ours medium. I recommend putting onions and tiger sauce. Don't make the mistake we did and put horseradish on. It literally brought tears to my eyes and wrecked the sandwich in my opinion. The tiger sauce has mayo nd horseradish whichI hop is tamer.
 We got fries without sandwich, and while they were okay, the little nubs that they use for fries made them too much trouble to eat.  While the sandwich was o.k. to try once, I would definitely not make the trip to try it again.
  Chaps has other meats and sides on their menu. You can find them on the web at: http://chapspitbeef.com/menu/ .  They are located at 5801 Pulaski Hwy in Baltimore and also have another location in Aberdeen.  Just watch that horseradish!

Poor Boy Itaian Style - Nonna Soluri's Italian Deli, Chicago, Ill

  Located in the Bridgeport neighborhood in Chicago sits a little Italian deli that makes sandwiches. We first saw this place on Chicago's Best t.v. show, and after seeing the breaded steak sandwich, we thought we would give it a try.
  We arrived early and waited for them to open.  They were just cutting the bakery fresh bread for the day, and the steak was cooked right after we ordered.  It was nice and hot.  We were asked if we wanted any marinara, or giardinera on it.  We declined but got some eggplant sauce on the side.
  The sandwich was pretty dense.  We split the sandwich because it was already our second meal of the day in just a few hours.  We found the steak to be a little on the plain side and would I wished I would have tried the the marinara, that they offered.
  Live and learn.
  Nonna Soluri's has a different sandwich banner on the fence as a special for different days of the week. There are no tables to eat at inside the restaurant, so we ate in the car. If you would like to give Nonna Soluri's a try, you can find them at

3142 S Morgan Stin Chicago.

A Chicago Legend - Jim's Original Hot Dog, Chicago,Ill.

Usually, on our way out of Chicago, I would see it.  A yellow hot dog stand that stood out from the other buildings.  After seeing the place on t.v., I decided to give it a try. Jim's Original Hot Dos Stand has been a Chicago tradition for 70 years. They were originally located on Halstead street and later moved to their current location on Union St.
  Their menu features Polish Sausages, hot dogs, fish, chicken and pork chop sandwiches.  All f their sandwiches come with fries.  I decided to try the sausage and Rebbel got the hot dog.  We got these as soon as we arrived because we had a lot of eating on our schedule.
  The sausage is especially made for Jim's with the same blend f spices they have had since the 1940's.  It has mustard and grilled spanish onions on top.  I founf it to be more peppery tasting than I care I like.  Rebbel cot a natural casing hot dog that instead of a nice snap was rubbery. Maybe it was on the grill too long.  The fries were good, though.   After reading all the positive reviews of this place, I was expecting a bit mre and maybe that is why I found this place disappointing. At least the fries worked out.  Jim's original is located at 1250 S Union St in Chicago, Ill. They also have a location at 16 E. 95thSt. You can find the on the web at : http://www.jimsoriginal.com/jimsoriginal/Menu/

Two Great Snacks in One! - Firecakes Donuts, Chicago, Illinois

Nothing is better than a fresh doughnut....except a fresh doughnut with good ice cream sandwiched between it.  That is what was on the try menu on our recent trip to Chicago.  We first saw this marvelous desert on You Tube.  After watching the program, there was no way out, we had to have it! As we pulled up, on what was a somewhat chilly evening, we noticed a line out the door.
  Firecakes has a small storefront only big enough for maybe ten people to fit through the door.  They sell some very original donuts along side some doughnuts that look familiar but are kicked up a notch. Some of their varieties of doughnuts are, Valrhona Chocolate Iced, a seasonal fritter, wildflower honey glazed, and even some that rotate dependingon the season.
  We got a Classic Sandwich. The Classic Sandwich features a honey glazed doughnut with ice cream and Valrhona Chocolate Sauce on top of the ice cream.  The only variation I made was choosin pistachio ice cream. They have a choice of 4 doughnuts and three ice creams.They also have nine toppings you can choose between.  Next time I will choose the vanilla ice cream, but other than that, it was a scrumptious treat. Even the chilly wind couldnt change that!
  Firecakes has four locations and a food truck.  You can find them on the web at:firecakesdonuts.com

How Can Fried Chicken Be Improved? - Honey Butter Fried Chicken, Chicago, Illinois

  On our recent excursion to Chicago, we decided to pass by some of our favorite food places and try some new ones.  We started our journey on You Tube.  We watched many episodes of Chicago 's Best.   This show is a show that highlights some of Chicago's restaurants that are sent in by viewer tips.  From the many places we watched, we picked the ones that tripped our food triggers.  Right from the start Honey Butter Fried Chicken did just that.
  As we located the restaurant and tried to find a place to park,  we noticed a line going out the door.
As we went inside the door, there was a sigm telling us to grab a menu, order at the counter and we will be seated.  We decided to bypass eating inside and ordered it to go.  We decided to try two thighs and a some creamed corn.  We found the corn to be good.  It wasn't your typical creamed corn,this was Thai green curry,and you could taste the flavor in the corn.  It was a good flavor ithout being overwhelming.  The bone free chicken had an extra crispy crust that held up well to the honey utter that we slathered over it.  The sweet buttery taste paired well with the slightly spicy chicken.We needed many napkins to get through this juicy chicken.
  Honey Butter fried Chicken is a little pricey, but they use the finest ingredients that are locally sourced, cage free and antibiotic free.  The employees don't work for tips and are paid industry leading salaries with benefits. They are located at 3361 N. Elston Ave in Chicago.  They accept charge cards.  You can find them on the web at; https://www.honeybutter.com/ .  You can order online at the site.

Drive By Try - Mary’s Fabulous Fried Chicken and Fish , Ann Arbor, Mi

Have you ever been past a place and thought to yourself, “Someday I have to try that place. “ Well after saying that about Mary’s Fabulous Fried Chicken and Fish, we decided today was the day.

  At Mary’s, you walk to the counter and give your order.  There is only one table in the place and the condiments are on the table.

  I decided to try the 3 piece fried chicken dinner, and Rebbel decided on the 2 piece fish dinner.  I asked for three thighs because I love the thigh.  Meaty and juicy dark meat. Can’t go wrong! I found the chicken to be all that with a little bit of heat way in the back.  It was very good chicken.  The dinner came with cole slaw and mashed potatoes.  The potatoes were good, but could have used a bit of salt in my opinion. The slaw was excellent. A good sweet slaw. Only complaint was that it was ground pretty small and resembled mush, but was still tasty. A roll was served with the dinner and was good but nothing special.

  Rebbel did not fare as well with the fish. She found it to be chewy instead of flakey.  It was a white fish but the kind was not listed. Her fries were good. Medium size, no crinkles. 

  We would definitely stop again in the future, but would stick with the fried chicken.  Mary’s also offers  hoagies, clams, and shrimp on their menu.  They are located at 3220 Packard St. In Ann Arbor, Mi.

Southern Buffet in the Old South - Blue Willow Inn, Social Circle, Georgia

Deep in the heart of Dixie, about 45 minutes east of Atlanta, life gets slower and you seem to travel back in time. You see old towns with single owner party stores, old towns, gas stations with only two pumps with no credit card slots, and lots of older homes. In this area dwells a historic southern cooking icon called the Blue Willow Inn.                            

   Located in the town of Social Circle, The BLue Willow has been around since 1991. The building was renovated and a kitchen area added. It opened for business in late 1991. A gift shop came soon after along with expansions to get to where they are today.

  We arrived for the lunch buffet.  The buffet had ham, fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, field peas, squash, and pies and cakes. 

   We found the menu to be a very good example of down home southern cooking. The chicken in my opinion was a bit bland and a little bit of a letdown.  The rest of the meal was good.  While we didn’t indulge in the deserts, some looked like they were made outside the restaurant but I withhold judgement, because we were too full to try them. The price was a little moderate, but for a true taste of the south, this would be a good place to try. This was our second visit and probably our last as we are ready to move on. I was happy though, to try them out.   If you would like to try them out , they are located at 294 N Cherokee Rd Social Circle Georgia. Find them on the web at www.bluewillowinn.com

An Amish Buffet In Sunny Florida - Der Dutchman, Sarasota Fla.

On our recent trip to Florida, we decided to visit a buffet we has first found out about on You Tube.We drove down to Sarasota which turned out to be a pretty long drive.  Der Dutchman offers a full menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner also, but we went there for the buffet.  We got there early, so we browsed through the gift shop and looked through the bakery and the pies and doughnuts as big as a manhole cover.  Lunch did not start until 11:30. We finally made it to lunch and our server was prompt and friendly.
 The lunch buffet include he regular Amish food staples you find in Shipshewana or other Amish buffets. Noodles, creamed corn, dressing, salad selections, and soups. For meats they offered fried chicken, meats like pulled pork, and turkey that you could make a sandwich

  We found the chicken to be crispy and juicy on the inside and very good. The only thing we did not like, was that the food wasn't hot enough. That migh be because we were early birds and the food did not have a chance to warm.  They had a few desert choices and ice cream was served with the buffet. The place was clean and service good.  We were not sorry we visited, but would not put it on our list to have to visit.  If you are looking for an Amish meal in sunnu Florida though, this is the place for you. Der Dutchman has locations in Walnut Creek, Ohio, Berlin Ohio, and several other locations in Ohio. The location in Florida is located at 3713 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota.  You can find them on the web at: http://www.dhgroup.com/restaurants