(above: the backyard on Labor Day)
Labor Day comes along during the final stretch of summer, and it begs for meat like a dog in heat. This is why we clean the grill for one more backyard throw-down, giving birth to the one-of-a-kind ‘Hotdog Jalepeno Cheeseburger.’ Mmmmm… take it down Shawn.
(above: black sheep pub)
It’s 7:30 on a Monday night, and the Black Sheep Pub appears to have a somewhat ‘family friendly’ dining area, that is, until we show up. Ryan immediately fires up our ammunition with a round of car-bombs, and Steve turns up the dial of sexual innuendo by ramming his fish log into a warm cup of tartar sauce. And by the way, this is some of the best homemade tartar sauce. However, the ‘Fish Master’, Nate, would disagree. He informs us that if we ever say that again, an Irish soccer houligan would kick our faces in until our eyes bleed vinegar. But this is America, and Americans love tartar sauce! Okay. So now we might want to discuss portion control. It seems that some of us machos found this fish to be more like a Miller Lite ad campaign, ‘Great Tasting, Less Filling.’ A table divided by strong contrast, and leaving the question undecided. Do you A) order a second round of fish and wish that had happened the first time, or B) think about splitting an order but you don’t, and realize that one order is just enough? Hmm… now that’s what I call a ‘fish pickle.’ I say that when you’re walking the plank of fish, you have got to be patient. Just like with really good ganja, you have to wait at least 20 minutes for the heaviness to kick in.
(above: chickie’s and pete’s)
We are all familiar with the phrase, ‘When in Rome,’ or at least we are all familiar with the inappropriate and confusing use of it by Ron Burgundy: Anchorman, but on this Macho Monday the phrase holds true, ‘When in Chickie’s and Pete’s, Do as the Chickie’s and Pete’s do.’ This is why we have to order a beer dispensing tower for the table. This is also why we have to order a cheesesteak topped with lobster meat. Chickie’s and Pete’s is known for their seafood, and South Philly is known for their cheesesteaks, so why not fuse the two together. Some might not buy into this novelty, and some might not want to pay twice as much for their steak, but if the Taxi Crab is a rockin’ then you knows I’m a comin’ knockin’.
