Captain George's: Myrtle Beach, SC

The year was probably early 2000's.  The setting Myrtle Beach, SC. The game: UNO.  My Grandmother and I had a friendly bet on that game.  The loser had to buy dinner that night wherever we decided to eat for supper.  It was myself, my grandmother, my dad, my mom, and my sister.  Holly, had not yet gotten married.  It was a family affair you could say.  Long story short, I ended up losing  that game of UNO.  Everybody decided a good seafood buffet would be nice.  I had no idea what I had gotten myself into.  Our tab for Captain Georges was well, over a hundred dollars, maybe even 200.  For grandma's alone, was thirty dollars.   That one trip alone, started a tradition with my family.  We always go to Captain Georges now when we are there.  As an am-age to my Grandma, I always pile up on crab legs.

Since that one trip, we have taken numerous other visits there.  We had our couples weekend in March with the Shaw's.  We also just recently took Shanna's mother with us there.  Captain Georges is always worth the higher price.  Their customer service is unspeakable.  The seafood is so fresh you can almost hear the ocean.  (However, I don't recommend holding the oyster shell to your ear) They boast Mahi Mahi, Salmon, Trout, Whiting, She Crab Soup, Oysters Rockefeller, Prime Rib, Crab Legs… Just about anything you would want, it's there.  And at the higher price point, it weeds out all the "riff raff" and children you might encounter at other buffets.  

They say the mark of a true Chef is that his cuisine, with one simple bite, can take you back in time.  That it can make you a child again, experiencing something for the first time.  The same can be said for restaurants.  Shanna and I, have probably been to this restaurant 25 times over the years.  Every time its a new memory.  This last trip, marked Addie's first time there.  As I'm sure it will be one of many.

So please take my recommendation if you ever find yourself strolling the boardwalk at Myrtle Beach, head up Highway 17 to Captain Georges for a memory you will not soon forget.  I am so confident in this establishment, that if it is not 110% to your satisfaction, I will gladly pick up your tab.  So, until next time, remember to KEEP YOUR KNIVES SHARP, BUT YOUR MINDS SHARPER.

Zaxby's: NEW Greensboro Location

Cone Boulevard in Greensboro, NC is really being spruced up as of late.  In addition to a new Zaxby's there is also a new Dollar Tree, Tire Kingdom, IHOP, and there are two more buildings going up.  I am referring to the Pyramids Shopping Center on East Cone heading away from Irving Park towards Summit.  

My wife and I had high hopes for this Zaxby's, as we do with most new restaurants.  Those hopes were quickly shattered after our cashier was lacking very much in her people skills.  My wife got an attitude from her when she placed our order.  We only ordered two house salads.  It took them nearly thirty minutes to make.  Simply no excuse.  I realize now is the time new franchisees "weed out" the good from the bad employees.  However, with a Zaxby's on New Garden, he might want to speed up that process.  At this point, I'd rather drive the extra mile or two for the better service and friendlier atmosphere.  

The two saving graces on this restaurant were, their drink machine and their cleanliness.  The restaurant itself was spotless.  They boasted a 100% on the sanitation score and it truly showed.  Their drink machine was like a video game.  Scoring a whopping 100+ flavor combinations.  This new technology might be for naught if they can't reign in their employees.  

Our assessment of this new location… If you just gotta have chicken… Go to Chick Fil A.  It's around the corner.  

A Family Affair: Spencer, NC

I love this time of year!  It's full of festivals, family get togethers, pumpkin lattes, and football!  My wife and I used to call Spencer, NC home.  She was born and raised there.  I like to say I was born in High Point, but it was there that I grew up.  This small town in North Carolina is home to the North Carolina Transportation Museum and.... well, thats about it.  But there is one more thing that Spencer has that no other town has... The Pless House.  James and Sherry Pless live off Brinkle Ferry Road on your way to Tamarac.  Every Sunday, James has what I call "A family affair".  The photo above is from the Easter gathering this year.  Everyone here is family.  If you break bread with us, you are family.

With James' state of the art outdoor kitchen, you never know what scent you are going to smell up next.  One Sunday we were there, we indulged on some truly amazing ON THE GRILL meatloaf!  And I must say, after eating grilled meatloaf, all others are just okay.  Accompanied with that grilled meatloaf was some green beans, potatoes, and as always it seems, a pound cake.  For my brother in laws bachelor party, he grilled steaks that hung off the plate they were so big.  This hunk of beef was so moist and flavorful you could cut it with a fork.  Served with a side of baked beans and potatoes, and boy howdy, what a meal.  With a newly developed horseshoe pit, basketball goal, and golf cart rides for the kids, this has turned into a great Sunday get together, I've grown to enjoy.  I guarantee you two things, you won't leave hungry and it WILL be divine.  He beckons many families to be a part of this family.

We gather together to break bread, and indulge in a sinful mouth watering steak to fellowship with company that we call family.  From the Pless's, to the Mowry's, To the Wilson's, to the Stowe's... we make up this thing called family.

And until next time, from the Stowe House to your house, this is Jordan Stowe reminding you to keep your knives sharp, but your minds sharper!

Orlando, FL: Friendly's

For Shanna and I's two year anniversary last year, we decided to hit the road to Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Shanna was pregnant with our little Adeline on this trip.  Friendly's satisfied all those cravings that are associated with early pregnancy. 

We fell in love with Friendly's in Florida but now everywhere we travel to, we look for a Friendly's. It is a nice diner type atmosphere with great food and amazing homemade ice cream. They offer close to 50 different flavors and almost 100 different toppings. The banana split I typically get has one scoop of vanilla ice cream, one scoop of chocolate, and one scoop of strawberry. These cold mountains of refreshing ice cream were drizzled lightly with caramel and chocolate sauce. And no banana split would be complete without the splitting of the ol' so perfect banana.   I also ordered 4 hamburger sliders. They are served with an amazingly delectable chipotle pepper mayonnaise for dipping. The sliders were my dessert. They allow you to break the rules here.  Eat dessert first. Be a rebel.  Some sinful destinations we frequent require you to take a step out of our comfort zone and jump off the spoon and into the giant ice cream bowl we call life. And with Friendly's in our life, it's just a little sweeter living. 

When you are on vacation look them up, take your family on your own culinary adventure. 

Till our next road trip destination, this is Shanna and Jordan reminding you to keep your knives sharp but your minds sharper. 

Greensboro, NC: Texas Roadhouse

My wife and I had the privilege of dining at Texas Roadhouse tonight.  They have opened a new location on Battleground in Greensboro, NC.  Again, as I have stated in past blogs, it is very difficult to have a flawless experience.  Going into it, this restaurant was no different.  In fact, our standards were higher because they opened their doors two days ago.  The restaurants ribbon cutting was just this morning, with the city commemorating the opening with a special plaque.  I will tell you in the coming paragraphs why I believe this restaurant is a definite HOT SPOT and a definite culinary adventure for my wife and I.

We arrived tonight around 4:30pm, to a full parking lot.   For a restaurant that has only been open for two days, I thought that was a great sign.  Upon entering, we were greeted with a hearty "Welcome to Texas Roadhouse!" The hostess explained to us on the way to our table that all their steaks were hand cut and prime beef.  She was very knowledgable and friendly.  Our server was Amy, when you go try this place for yourself, ask for her.  You won't be disappointed.  I was very surprised of her knowledge of the menu.  She was very punctual, and it didn't hurt that she continued to smile and talk to our daughter throughout the meal.

We first started our dinner with an appetizer of fried pickles with a side of ranch dressing for dipping.  They had the perfect amount of crisp and flavor.  Very good appetizer.  My wife and I both ordered steaks.  Shanna got the 10oz Ribeye and I ordered the 8oz Dallas Filet.  I got a loaded sweet potato as my side that came with my steak.  When I say loaded, I mean LOADED!  This delectable spud was covered in Cinnamon, brown sugar, butter, and toasted marshmallows.  And if that doesn't have your mouth water yet, we tried their ribs last night as well.  They pride themselves on the ribs.  They have won numerous awards, and I found out why.  They claim the meat just falls off the bone, much in the same way, my tongue fell out of my mouth in amazement of this delicious dish.  I do not like ribs, I never have.  Texas Roadhouse made me a fan!  We ended our dinner with a delicious NY Cheesecake.  It was the perfect palette cleanser after the meal we had just dined on.  Cheesecake topped with whip cream and strawberries gracefully sliding the sides and onto the plate beneath.

This culinary adventure, right here in Greensboro, NC will become a household name for us.  A must dine for any local resident or passerby.  From the fresh baked bread, that come out of the oven every five minutes, to the dancing in the aisles of the restaurant, to the saloonesque atmosphere, this place had it going on!  My wife and I were very pleased and I will say this is a definite hot spot in Greensboro and a culinary adventure I hope to go on every week.  Whether our adventures take us near or far, we just sit back, loosen our belts, and dream of the next time we enjoy such a fabulous meal!  Till next time, remember to  keep your knives sharp and your minds sharper!

-jordan

(side note: Special thank you to our server Amy and the managers Amanda and Sarah, who took time out of their busy night to stop by our table.  It is because of spectacular management such as we experienced last night that you will make this restaurant thrive.  It truly was our pleasure.)

First Stop: New Orleans, LA

The first stop on this culinary adventure will be New Orleans, LA.  Shanna and I got married October 16, 2010.  We wanted to go somewhere with lots of culture, history, and of course great food.  We decided the best place to encompass all that would be New Orleans, LA.  New Orleans did not disappoint.  New Orleans is one place I think everyone needs to go just once before you die.  I say just once, because I think you'd be lucky to survive the first trip.  Wouldn't want you to press your luck.  Only kidding.

New Orleans was such an incredible experience on the cuisine front as well as a great historical destination.  We literally dined from one end of the city, to the other.  Here's a brief list of our favorite spots in New Orleans, LA.

Cafe Du Monde-- Located in the French Quarter, not too far off Canal street, is what I would call the best breakfast spot in the entire nation, possibly the world.  They served up beignets and a cafe au lait.  Which is a very creamy coffee, similar to a vanilla latte.  It is located across from the market so it provides a great place to sit and people watch.  And believe me, there are definitely characters in this fine city.

Natchez Steamboat--  The Natchez Steamboat sets out on the Mississippi every night to offer a delectable dinner buffet and jazz concert.  My wife still rants and raves about the blackened catfish she had aboard.  And I will tell you, there is nothing finer in life, than sitting on a deck of a boat cruising down the Mississippi River, sipping on a glass of Pinot Grigeo, listening to live jazz, and watching the sunset over the skyline of New Orleans, all of which with my new bride.  That steamboat was definitely a highlight of our trip.

Johnny's Po Boys-- Located on Magazine Street in the heart of the French Quarter.  Johnny's is famous for their Po Boys, as the name suggest.  I was very eager to try an Authentic New Orleans Fried Oyster Po Boy.  Although when we arrived, all restaurants in New Orleans were out of oysters to the BP Oil spill. I settled for a delicious fried shrimp po boy instead.  For those that don't know, a Po Boy is all about the bread.  It's a sandwich on french baguettes with some sort of fish, typically oysters or shrimp. This one again, was a great cuisine destination for us.

One thing about New Orleans that I found interesting was all the open air cafes.  Hardly any of the cafes had windows.  And their bars were open 24/7.  The bars there were only required to be closed one day a year, and that's the Wednesday before Mardi Gras.  This was definitely a destination that I hold dear, because it was our honeymoon.  I would love to go back there again someday.  Until then though I'll settle for my memories of sitting in a hot tub, on the roof of our resort, listening to jazz playing in the streets below, with the love of my life.

I've always been told, you only live once, but when you visit and enjoy cuisines and cultures such as this, once is enough.  New Orleans was just a taste of my little Heaven down here.

Don't forget to be a part of the discussion.  If you have been to any of the locations and destinations mentioned, we'd love to hear your thoughts and memories.  Comment and subscribe below!

-jordan

ANNOUNCEMENT: Great changes coming your way!!

I was talking to a great friend of mine the other night, and he had an incredible suggestion.  He is a fan, and fellow reader of this blog.  He thought it would be a great idea instead of "reviewing" restaurants in the format I was doing, instead making this a culinary adventure so to speak.  My wife and I enjoy fabulous meals, and dine out frequently.  In this new edition, of the blog series, you will read of our trip to the bayou's of Louisiana as we dined on crawfish et toufee and real authentic gumbo.  You will also read of our trip to Charleston and how we dined on alligator and Mahi.  You may also read of our trips here around town, maybe just to Patrick Taylor at Taylor Made Kettle Corn or that food truck on the corner you always wanted to try but never have.

You can expect this new blog to be published bi-weekly.  Highlighting a different location my wife and I have stopped into to dine and indulge in our culinary sins.

So, if you are ready to come with us on this culinary journey, strap on your seatbelts, hit subscribe at the bottom of the page, and get ready for this awesome and fun experience.  Won't you come dine with us on this incredible culinary adventure!

-jordan

Olive Garden: HOT or NOT!?

I think it is no secret that I love pasta.  One of my favorite meals is sauteed shrimp and scallops blended with a creamy four cheese alfredo sauce tossed into penne pasta.  Seriously, amazing dish.  Until recently, Olive Garden was the only restaurant in the area I could get this dish.  I say until recently because after a mixture of bad experiences, at various locations, my wife and I decided to divorce Olive Garden.  It was a painful breakup as I knew that I would be separated from the pasta I love so dear... but enough of that sob story.

At the Salisbury location, we went for my brother in laws birthday.  There were just four of us in the party; my wife, her brother Alan, his wife Elizabeth, and myself.  The waitress poked fun at us because she didn't think any of us were of age for a wine sampling.  All of us are of age, mind you, I'm 29 and my wife is 32.  Instead of just being cool about it and carding us, she just refused the sampling.  Which if we liked the wine, we were going to buy a bottle in celebration of his birthday.  However, that never came.  Although, our waitress had made this dining experience awkward, the issue came after we got done eating.  At Olive Garden, as with most places, when you have a birthday they come out and sing and provide you with a cheesy chocolate cake with a candle and say Happy Birthday.  Well, they did just that, however when the bill arrived she had not comp'd the cake she volunteeringly brought us.  She charged us for his birthday dessert.  i asked to speak to a manager and he stated that if we ate the dessert, we had to pay for it, rather we ordered it or not.  Apparently, they don't comp items when a server just brings you something.  Good thing it was just cake and not a 700 dollar of Merlot.

At the High Point location, service was really bad.  Granted they had only been open about a month when we tried there so I won't rip them too hard.  My only hope for them is that their servers have learned what gnocci is.  My wife ordered a gnocci and vegetable soup.  She received what looked like sliced potatoes in water.  I'm sure it was a different type of soup.  I realize to a new server that could be confusing because gnocci is made from potatoes.  But, would it suffice if I ordered Cabbage and she brought me Sauerkraut or vise versa?

The Greensboro store... EXPAND YOUR PARKING LOT!  My wife and I have been in there, and been the only ones in the restaurant and we almost hard a hard time parking.  If you have limited parking because you have so many employees, either cut your staff or build a staff parking lot.  But taking away from your paying customers is just ludicrous.  And after fighting the parking battle for what my wife and I consider now mediocre Italian.  It has landed Olive Garden on the NOT list.  I want to like you, I really do.  Sometimes, when there's a breakup, you hear  it's not you, it's me... No, this time it was you.

Please leave comments and feedback in the comment section if you wish.  Till next time remember to KEEP YOUR KNIVES SHARP, BUT YOUR MINDS SHARPER!

-jordan    

Steak Street: HOT or NOT!?

I have been around restaurants and kitchens long enough that I can spot a flaw almost anywhere.  It's been my thought for quite some time that I would make a superb health inspector, because of my keen attention to detail in kitchens and restaurants.  That being said, most restaurants I've found it to be the case that if the meal is excellent, sometimes the service is lacking.  Or the atmosphere doesn't match the overall ensemble. There is typically always one thing off about most restaurants.

However, that is not the case here.  I tried to find a flaw, I really did.  Just recently my wife and I had the privilege to dine at this establishment.  And as a side note I don't generally look at restaurants as a privilege to eat at.  Most of them take privilege that we, as consumers, dine there.  My parents had a Groupon for Steak Street one Friday night and asked if Shanna and myself would like a double date. Of course, we delighted in a date night.  Since the birth of our daughter "Date Nights" don't come as often as they used to.  So we dropped Addie off at her godparents house for the evening and we set off on a culinary adventure I won't soon forget.... Or at least till I go there again.

This was not my steak, but looking at this almost makes my mouth water all over again.  As we walked in, it screamed New Orleans atmosphere.  But not the tacky Mardi Gras, mask everywhere.  When we got to our seat I looked at my wife, and was immediately taken back to our honeymoon.  Which was in New Orleans.  I fell in love with her all over again.  There was a musician playing live jazz and soul music.  It was just loud enough to be heard in the background.  It ensured an incredible evening, before we even got our meal.  We started out with Crab Dip and Pan Seared Sea Scallops as an appetizer.  Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu as well as punctual about refills, ordering, and delivery of food.  When our food came out, I had order the Bourbon Street Filet Minon served over Asparagus and accompanied by a Sweet Potato.  I could have cut that steak with a fork it was so tender.  I took my first bite and the only word that I think does it justice is orgasmic.  It was seriously the best steak I have ever put in my mouth.  The temperature was perfect.  The sear was perfect.  The accompaniments were perfect.  It was by far, the best meal I think I have ever eaten.

And folks this is why I love culinary adventures such as mentioned above.  Only warm meals, hearty desserts, nice homemade stews have the power to transform you.  Take you back to a time in your memory where you remember mom's apple pie baking in the sunshine. Or that Shepard's Pie that your mom used to make when you were feeling down, and now its an incredible comfort food for you.  Or even the power to send you back to Louisiana on the Mississippi River with your newlywed wife, as this place did.  Restaurants like these is what makes me so passionate about being a chef.  It's not about the food.  It's never about the food.  It's about transforming someone and taking them back in time to connect with those memories that will bring a smile to their face.  And a full satisfied belly that comes along with it.  I think this goes without saying STEAK STREET IS A DEFINITE HOT! 

Till next time, keep those knives sharp, and your minds sharper!

-jordan

Tex and Shirley's: HOT or NOT!?

You know how the Griswald's family vacation always goes?  That's your average trip to Tex and Shirley's in Greensboro at Friendly.  The location in High Point near the Palladium is a little better, but not by much.  At the friendly location, it is like a scene out of any of the National Lampoons Family Vacation franchise.  Somethings just never seem to go right.

My wife and I always give restaurants two chances.  In case the first time it is a fluke.  This was no fluke.  We had horrible service both times, one of which our waitress screamed at us from across the restaurant if we wanted refills.  Then both of our waffles were cold!  There were two other tables in the restaurant and both had their orders already.  Which means, we were the only ticket in the kitchen.  HOW DO YOU MESS UP WAFFLES!?  You put the mix (that's already made up) in the waffle iron, when the timer dings you pull it out and serve a nice, fresh, and hot waffle.  Perfect everytime.  It seriously is the easiest breakfast food to make.

We have never been there for lunch or dinner, but first glance at the menu I know why.  It is apparent by looking at their menu they are a breakfast joint.  They have fried chicken, spaghetti, and salad... and I think that might be it... I'm sure that isn't it, but a very limited menu none-the-less.

We have tried Tex and Shirley's twice, and I can admit that I'm not a fan.  That's why Tex and Shirley's has landed on my NOT list.  Go try it for yourself and leave me feedback about your experience there.  As with all my entries, feel free to comment and let me know what you think about the various locations I cover on a daily basis.

Till next time, KEEP YOUR KNIVES SHARP, BUT YOUR MINDS SHARPER

-jordan

HAM's (ALL LOCATIONS) : Hot or Not!?

That yummy mound of cheese fries says it all!  My wife and I frequent Ham's with our friends, the Shaw's.  We have somewhat decent service every time.  Their service is definitely lacking but they more than make up for it, in cheese fries!  If you haven't guessed by now, I like cheese fries.... a lot!  And Ham's, hands down, has the best cheese fries in the area.  I typically get the Cheese Fries as an appetizer to split with our friends, and then I indulge in a scrumptious Caribbean Chicken Wrap smothered in Polynesian Sauce.  Wash that down with a Dr Pepper and I'd call that a great meal with great friends!

My good buddy Dylan Shaw, Bryan's son, shares our love of cheese fries.  After church almost every sunday we ask him where he wants to go eat.  " HAM's CHEESE FRIES!" He always excitedly proclaims.  I hope that Dylan can help teach and share his love of cheese fries with my daughter Addie.  Addie will be four months old soon, and I'm already looking for cheese fries on the Gerber baby food aisle.  No luck yet, but the search continues.

Ham's is a great place to relax on a Sunday afternoon with great friends or hang out Sunday nights and catch the games on ESPN.  It's the best of both worlds at a price everyone can afford.  It's for that reason that I vote this another HOT place in Greensboro.

Until next time... keep your knives sharp, and your minds sharper.

-jordan

CICI's Pizza; Battleground Location... HOT or NOT!?

If you are looking for good cheap pizza in the Greensboro area, you might want to steer clear of the Cici's at their Battleground location.  The price sounds good on the outside, $4.99 All You Can Eat Buffet.  Although, step inside and you'll find this misleading.  The price is actually $5.49 with a water or $7.02 with a drink.   And that's if you pay by card.  That's right, the price is different if you use cash.   It is $5.29 with a water or $6.46 with a drink.  So neither of those prices are the advertised $4.99 buffet.   That's my first complaint.  They advertise an ATM in the window so you can get cash for the cheaper rate, however there is a $3.00 surcharge for use of that ATM.

Secondly, my wife and I have been to this location fairly often, because of the buffet and what we thought was the cheapest pizza in town.  (Side note: Little Caesars is the cheapest in town) We have never seen the sanitation score higher than a 95 while there.  Take a closer look and you'll see why.  We have been in there at 3:30 in the afternoon, and seen dishes and pans stacked up in the dining room left over from their lunch crowd.  I asked a manager on one visit why their score was so low, and he replied their coolers were not at the right temperature.  Well, to me as a consumer and a Chef, proper food storage is a big deal.

Customer Service is severely lacking as well.  One of the things Cici's prides themselves on is Customer Service.  You are supposed to be greeted with a nice hearty "WELCOME TO CICI'S!".  They also offer special orders of pizza they will bring right to your table.  And at however many slices you want.  That would all be great, if thats how it happened.  We have been to this location maybe twenty times and my wife ALWAYS special orders cheesy bread.  Because apparently, they always... just ran out.  She has NEVER received what her special order is.  Most the time they put it on the bar if they make it at all.  On one occurrence, they attempted to bring out our special order and took it to the table behind us.  We were okay with that.  My wife and i said that was fine and we went on about our meal.  The manager then made the server that brought it out, come and apologize to us, and almost made fun of her mistake at our table.


Cici's Battleground location is a definite NOT!

Stay tuned for the next HOT or NOT: Greensboro Restaurant Edition.  Have any bad experiences or great ones at any of the places mentioned, please leave comments and let us know about your experience.  Till next time, keep your knives sharp and your minds sharper.

-jordan

Taylor Made Kettle Corn: Hot or Not!?

For some of you, you may know this already, but I'm a huge sports fan.  And part of being the fanatic that I am, is that you get to meet lots of great people that love the same sports you do, and just share that common bond with.  I am a 3 time season ticket holder at the Greensboro Grasshoppers ballpark.  One of the familiar sights and sounds around the ballpark, Taylormade Kettle Corn.  Anytime there was a pop fly to the outfield, Jim Scott would announce: THATS A TAYLORMADE KETTLE OF CORN!  Taylormade became a household name, until last season.  Donald Moore, President and General Manager of the Grasshoppers, decided that money was more important than quality.  This is a very common mistake among businesses, primarily restaurants.  Patrick Taylor has been in business in the Greensboro area since 2009.  

The mission of Taylormade Kettle Corn is to provide fresh, quality kettle corn to people of all ages and economic levels through local events where large numbers of people gather.

When Taylormade says fresh, they mean it.  He never recycles any for the next days batch.  In fact, today when I went by to pick up a couple bags, that batch was only twenty minutes old.  They offer on site popped kettle corn for most any event.  Taylormade can be now found at the Citgo/Quik Mart on Battleground in Greensboro.  When he was in the ballpark, it was the absolute best deal in the stadium.  Now that he has moved outside the stadium, I would venture to say he might just be the best deal in Greensboro.  

I would highly suggest you come out and visit Patrick Taylor out at Taylormade Kettle Corn on Battleground.  Tell him Jordan sent you!  

This is DEFINITELY a HOT spot in Greensboro!  

Stay tuned to see what gets the NOT SO HOT award coming up.  Be sure to subscribe to the blog to see all the latest and greatest, and the no so great places in Greensboro, as seen by yours truly.