May 2009
12 posts
1 tag
America's Dairyland
Wisconsin is America’s Dairy Land so why not showoff a bit of the goods? Here’s a look at my lunch, five different local cheeses to complement a bit salami, ham and fruit.
3 tags
Did the Internet Ruin Three Floyds For Me?
On the way to Wisconsin for Memorial Day weekend we decided to stop in Munster, Indiana. There isn’t much in Munster, but the layover allowed me to taste the beers of Three Floyds Brewing Company, a small brewery famous for their Dark Lord Stout, a beer sold one day a year at the brewery. The brewery is located on a scarcely populated industrial road off of the main drag in Munster. At first I...
Part 4: And the winner is...
…Anchor Bar by a mile! Despite the kitschy décor and a slightly heftier price, Anchor Bar wings speak for themselves. The creators of the Buffalo Wing produce a much tastier product and I will be sure to spread the good word to anyone—and that includes Buffalonians—I meet! Long live the original.
3 tags
Part 3: Duff's
We walked into Duff’s late one evening with the sole mission of tasting their wings. I’ve been told in the past the Duff’s is far superior to Anchor Bar, so it was time to see for myself. Unlike Anchor Bar, Duff’s doesn’t shove its fried history down your throat. The restaurant has been serving up wings since 1969 and has a large army of fans. We sat down at a modest black table and perused the...
3 tags
Part 2: Anchor Bar
Opening in 1964, Anchor Bar is the birthplace of the chicken wing. After arriving in Buffalo, NY, we immediately headed towards Main Street to sample America’s most authentic chicken wing. All it takes is one step inside Anchor Bar to know that you are in the wing zone. Among the antique license plates on the wall are numerous signs telling all comers that Teressa Bellissimo invented this fried...
Part 1: The Buffalo Wing Challenge
About three years ago I discovered an ongoing debate between natives of Buffalo, NY: Anchor Bar or Duff’s? When I first started questioning Buffalonians about Anchor Bar, the birthplace of the chicken wing, I was surprised to hear from several that they weren’t a fan. Many told me they went elsewhere to get their fix of saucy, fried drumsticks. “Duff’s.” It was a single word I heard over and over...
Serving Up Tasty Safety!
I stopped by the F.X. Matt Brewery in Utica, NY today and all I can say is Wow. The Matt Brewery is home of local favorite Club Utica—an old-school pale fizzy lager—and the better-known line of Saranac beers and sodas. If you haven’t tried any of those, you may have sipped a Brooklyn Lager or one of the several year-round offerings from the Brooklyn Brewery, most of which are contract brewed in...
4 tags
Great Beer in Unlikely Places
Last week I ventured to the middle-of-nowhere Maine in search of good beer. Two gentlemen I met at the Bock Fest/Goat Race told me about a Belgian beer bar that I absolutely needed to try. Unfortunately, the bar was hiding in the woods in Lovell, Maine, home of little except for trees and well…more trees. Normally when told of far-off places, I would scribble down the name and hope one day to...
Beers of the North Country
Over the past several days I’ve been relaxing up in Maine, figuring out the cross-country trip and hitting up some breweries. Recently, I’ve stopped in at the Portsmouth Brewery and Restaurant in New Hampshire, Gritty McDuff’s Brewpub and the Allagash Brewery in Portland, Maine. All of them were great, but Allagash was the only one of the bunch that only brews beer. If you have never tried any...
Kentucky Derby? I'll Watch the Goat Race!
As I drove towards Phoenixville, Pennsylvania there was a constant drizzle of rain dampening my hopes about the Sly Fox Bock Fest and Goat Race. I have never been to a goat race before, but I assumed it was an outdoor affair and worried the event would be canceled. My fears were washed away once I tried to enter the Sly Fox Brewhouse and Eatery; the parking lot was packed to capacity and cops in...
3 tags
At Least the Beer is Good...
Before hitting the road on my way to Oregon I stopped by CitiField, the new home of my Mets, to personally sample the new beer selection. I’ve written earlier about the “Taste of the City” area behind center field—the Danny Meyer created food Mecca for baseball fans with a palate—and I decided to get out there and try the goods for myself. Although this wasn’t my first trip to CitiField, it was...
Manifest Destiny
Keep your eyes out for a brand new tastyCHOMP website! I’ve retired from my job as a waiter and will be hitting the road seeking some of the country’s most delicious brews and chomps! I’m going to be moving to Portland, Oregon so while I’m fulfilling my Manifest Destiny I will be writing a few articles for Ale Street news (more info on that to come!) and possibly conducting a few interviews. The...