I'm back, with some more restaurants that I miss, and I'm still in Winchester, Indiana. It's kind of understandable, since it is my hometown, and one I lived in and my family shopped in for many years. So, without further ado, away we go...
The Chicken Shack - Winchester, Ind. - This was a local landmark in the Winchester area for many years, mainly because of the large fiberglass chicken that stood outside the restaurant. The chicken itself was also quite famous for being stolen every year by seniors from Winchester's local high school.
The last I heard, the chicken was still missing, but since the restaurant itself has long been closed, there isn't a hurry to find it.
Who would want to store a large fiberglass chicken on their property, anyway? And why?
I loved going to this place for the Jumbo Tenderloin sandwiches, topped with pickles, onions and mustard. I also enjoyed the Tote Steak sandwiches, topped with pickles, onions and mayonnaise. Either one of these, served with crinkle-cut French fries, was a satisfying meal to be savored before you got there.
The tenderloin, as many of us in the Midwest know, is basically a pork tenderloin that is beaten flat, almost comic-book thin, breaded and deep-fried. It is, quite honestly, a Midwest delicacy. I can reasonably say that you will never see this sandwich served in the Middle East.
It was also much bigger than the bun it was served on, and that particular bun itself seemed to be bigger than the normal hamburger buns we see here. Of course, it may have been the normal bun, but I cared more about the meat than the bun, anyway.
The food scene in Winchester suffered a very real and major loss when this place closed.
Randolph Central Schools - Winchester, Ind. - The schools and their lunches are still here, I should point out, but what the children there eat now in no way even resembles what I got to enjoy as a student. Many of the dishes I took for granted are no longer served, sad to say. From what I've been told, the students today get to eat a lot of frozen foods, whereas we got to eat a lot of government commodities and generic canned foods.
Foods of the past included Old-Fashioned Hash, which was probably a simple roast beef hash, but it did NOT resemble the weird oily canned mess that is available in grocery stores today. The spaghetti and meat sauce was nothing spectacular, but it was quite good, and its sauce was very unique to our school system.
Then there was peanut butter and lettuce sandwiches, something that was served with chili or vegetable soup. This is something that apparently unique to our own area. People I know who went to school fifteen to twenty miles away never had such a sandwich and thought it was totally weird. I fixed these things up when I was in the Navy, and my shipmates thought it was also totally weird.
I always thought the sandwich was a holdover from the Great Depression, especially since many of our cooks when I was in elementary school were old enough to have lived through it.
A special mention needs to be made about the chocolate cake. It was very delicious, so much so that I can still taste it, even now, more than thirty-five years since I graduated from high school.
One thing I do not miss, however, was the chili. When I was in my early elementary years, the chili was quite good, but the quality diminished over the years. What started out with an equal ratio of meat and beans and plenty of "sauce" turned into a bowl of beans with very tiny pieces of meat here and there and very little sauce. Oh, there was also macaroni, which is not something I ever want to see in chili again.
Can you say "cheap"?
To be continued.
Peace be unto you.
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Restaurants That I Miss...Part One
Today is the day I start my series on the restaurants that I miss. Given that I've got adult children, and I live in East Central Indiana, much of my selection will be limited to my general area, but there you are.
Many of the restaurants I mention in this series are not only closed, but many of them are just plain forgotten, or remembered so vaguely that they might as well be forgotten.
I haven't forgotten them, however, and miss them very much. Without further ado, we start our series in Winchester, Indiana.
--The D&J Drive-In - A stand-alone fast-food style restaurant from my own childhood, which closed, if I remember correctly, in the 1980s. The one item I miss is the sandwich called the Farm Hand. I have tried for years to find out what ingredients were put on, and in what order and amounts, but to no avail.
I even asked the man who ran the restaurant that existed after the D&J closed, but he didn't even remember the sandwich, and he's only two years older than me. Oh, well.
What I do know is that the Farm Hand had two beef patties, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a generous helping of a cole-slaw-style dressing. It was also a sloppy sandwich, since the drive-in bought cheap hamburger buns for this and they tended to fall apart. It didn't matter, though, because the sandwiches were that good.
The only fly in the ointment for this place was their soft drinks. They would take a to-go cup and cram it full of shaved ice, and then add maybe four or five ounces of a soft drink to fill in whatever spaces were left. It was a criminal rip-off, in my opinion, and it always ended up in a watery-flavored flat soft drink. Were I to go back in time to this place, I'd bring my own bottled pop.
If my memory serves me right, this practice was once common in restaurants, but not anymore. After all, all of the fast food places I visit now have good-tasting soft drinks where you can tell that they're carbonated.
--The Courtesy Café - This was a cafeteria-styled restaurant located just off of Winchester's courthouse square. It is the one place that comes to mind when I think of one of my favorite main courses: Swiss steaks. Whenever my family and I ate here, I always ordered the same thing: Swiss steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, stewed tomatoes, and a roll. That was topped off with a ten-ounce bottle of Pepsi-Cola that I had to pour into the glass myself.
Going here was always a special occasion for us. We all loved it, which is funny when you considered that my sister and I grew up with McDonald's and our desire to eat there. But, as a kid, I thought the Courtesy was that good. I still think so.
The only minuses that comes to my mind were the long lines to get served (actually that was also a big plus - that was how good and popular the restaurant was) and the seating.
About the seating, picture, if you will, a steel (or aluminum - I'm not sure) dining room set (steel tables with cushioned steel seats.) Now multiply that many times over for a style that evokes a crowded high school cafeteria.
I should point out, in all fairness, the food more than made up for that deficiency. It was that good.
That's it for part one. More later.
Peace be unto you.
Many of the restaurants I mention in this series are not only closed, but many of them are just plain forgotten, or remembered so vaguely that they might as well be forgotten.
I haven't forgotten them, however, and miss them very much. Without further ado, we start our series in Winchester, Indiana.
--The D&J Drive-In - A stand-alone fast-food style restaurant from my own childhood, which closed, if I remember correctly, in the 1980s. The one item I miss is the sandwich called the Farm Hand. I have tried for years to find out what ingredients were put on, and in what order and amounts, but to no avail.
I even asked the man who ran the restaurant that existed after the D&J closed, but he didn't even remember the sandwich, and he's only two years older than me. Oh, well.
What I do know is that the Farm Hand had two beef patties, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a generous helping of a cole-slaw-style dressing. It was also a sloppy sandwich, since the drive-in bought cheap hamburger buns for this and they tended to fall apart. It didn't matter, though, because the sandwiches were that good.
The only fly in the ointment for this place was their soft drinks. They would take a to-go cup and cram it full of shaved ice, and then add maybe four or five ounces of a soft drink to fill in whatever spaces were left. It was a criminal rip-off, in my opinion, and it always ended up in a watery-flavored flat soft drink. Were I to go back in time to this place, I'd bring my own bottled pop.
If my memory serves me right, this practice was once common in restaurants, but not anymore. After all, all of the fast food places I visit now have good-tasting soft drinks where you can tell that they're carbonated.
--The Courtesy Café - This was a cafeteria-styled restaurant located just off of Winchester's courthouse square. It is the one place that comes to mind when I think of one of my favorite main courses: Swiss steaks. Whenever my family and I ate here, I always ordered the same thing: Swiss steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, stewed tomatoes, and a roll. That was topped off with a ten-ounce bottle of Pepsi-Cola that I had to pour into the glass myself.
Going here was always a special occasion for us. We all loved it, which is funny when you considered that my sister and I grew up with McDonald's and our desire to eat there. But, as a kid, I thought the Courtesy was that good. I still think so.
The only minuses that comes to my mind were the long lines to get served (actually that was also a big plus - that was how good and popular the restaurant was) and the seating.
About the seating, picture, if you will, a steel (or aluminum - I'm not sure) dining room set (steel tables with cushioned steel seats.) Now multiply that many times over for a style that evokes a crowded high school cafeteria.
I should point out, in all fairness, the food more than made up for that deficiency. It was that good.
That's it for part one. More later.
Peace be unto you.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Just a Quick Note on Witnessing
If you ever ask someone how the fires of Hell are going to feel with a look of glee on your face, then you should be aware that you are a horrible witness, and a discredit to the Lord, the church, and your fellow Christians.
Seriously, how do you not feel convicted?
If you can't do it with a loving and kind attitude, you're better off keeping your mouth shut.
Your attitudes and actions speak a lot louder than your words. Just saying.
Peace be unto you.
Seriously, how do you not feel convicted?
If you can't do it with a loving and kind attitude, you're better off keeping your mouth shut.
Your attitudes and actions speak a lot louder than your words. Just saying.
Peace be unto you.
Saturday, February 6, 2016
A Change on Two Shows I Watch...
I do not watch much television, so what I do watch is, to me, special. Since I don't have full cable television, what I do watch is limited to the broadcast channels, and whatever extras that the cable company offers us.
One of those channels I do watch is PBS-Create, which has a lot of shows on home improvement, travel, cooking and other such shows. So, two of my shows have apparently changed, along with a magazine I like to read.
I've read online that Christopher Kimball (of Cook's Illustrated, America's Test Kitchen and Cook's Country fame) has departed from the parent company of those media over a contract dispute.
My first indication of the problem was that the recent issue of Cook's Illustrated had, instead of Mr. Kimball's personal editorial, a generic message from the editors that basically had the appeal of cold oatmeal.
Like him or not, the loss of Mr. Kimball will not help this company, in my humble opinion. He was the heart and soul of the shows and even the magazine.
If they do not replace him - fast - with someone who is as engaging and entertaining to the audience, I only see these three media suffering as a result.
I've noticed that he's already off of the tour section of the America's Test Kitchen website. Boston Commons Press is obviously on the ball about their web presence. From what I've seen about a lot of companies and how long it takes them to update their websites, that isn't common.
It's sad to see his presence on the show end like this, though.
I know, I know, it's a business, and in the end, this was all just a business decision. But reality does not wrap itself around that quite so neatly.
Besides, deep down, "business decisions" does not take away the actuality that whatever happens in a business is also personal. I get the feeling that a lot of Mr. Kimball's fans will take this personally.
It'll take some time to see the end results of this.
Peace be unto you.
One of those channels I do watch is PBS-Create, which has a lot of shows on home improvement, travel, cooking and other such shows. So, two of my shows have apparently changed, along with a magazine I like to read.
I've read online that Christopher Kimball (of Cook's Illustrated, America's Test Kitchen and Cook's Country fame) has departed from the parent company of those media over a contract dispute.
My first indication of the problem was that the recent issue of Cook's Illustrated had, instead of Mr. Kimball's personal editorial, a generic message from the editors that basically had the appeal of cold oatmeal.
Like him or not, the loss of Mr. Kimball will not help this company, in my humble opinion. He was the heart and soul of the shows and even the magazine.
If they do not replace him - fast - with someone who is as engaging and entertaining to the audience, I only see these three media suffering as a result.
I've noticed that he's already off of the tour section of the America's Test Kitchen website. Boston Commons Press is obviously on the ball about their web presence. From what I've seen about a lot of companies and how long it takes them to update their websites, that isn't common.
It's sad to see his presence on the show end like this, though.
I know, I know, it's a business, and in the end, this was all just a business decision. But reality does not wrap itself around that quite so neatly.
Besides, deep down, "business decisions" does not take away the actuality that whatever happens in a business is also personal. I get the feeling that a lot of Mr. Kimball's fans will take this personally.
It'll take some time to see the end results of this.
Peace be unto you.
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Churches, Part One
I miss going to church.
An easy answer to that is, of course, "Well, duh, go to church."
It isn't as easy as that. Not anymore. I've experienced some real stupidity in churches in the last several years, and I find myself more than a little bewildered. I've seen some real questionable attitudes and practices, not to mention some real love and kindness, and the combination of good and evil has put me in a state of "I don't know what to do."
One church my family and I attended had a conservative bent. No problem with that, because the message of salvation is that it's available to anyone, no matter who you vote for.
If it was only that simple to the people preaching that message, and to the ones hearing it.
There is an undercurrent of belief amongst too many people who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ that if you vote Democratic or anything other than Republican, then you are not a Christian.
Tell me, in what book of the Bible is that one written?
We also noticed that the church in question had cliques - very prominent cliques which made it very plain that if you weren't in any of them, you were merely cannon fodder. The pastor even acknowledged it and told all of us if we didn't like it, we needed to build a bridge and get over it.
Way to make a person feel needed and loved and welcome.
The church now has a bridge built over a ditch in the back of their property so that "People can get over it." Might as well flip a middle finger up in the air as to give that message. It pretty much means the same thing.
When I think about it now, it seems really telling that I attended a church that basically went out of its way to tick off people in its congregation. It shows how easy it is to tolerate what should be intolerable.
One other telling item I remember was that the church's financial situation and its accounts and records were considered a "secret", to only be open to a select few members. Although it did become very well known amongst the congregation that the church lost several thousand dollars on bad stock market choices.
Why would a house of God invest money in the stock market or in any other manner? I still do not understand that one.
Another problem with that church was that in the teen's class, one teacher made an extra obnoxious effort to force my son to read aloud in front of the class. This same teacher loved to boast about how he forced his two teen daughters to watch The Passion of the Christ.
I've often wondered if he's being obnoxious because that's the way he's always been, or if he does it in the hopes that he'll get in trouble. That way he can claim that he's being persecuted. I've noticed that some people really do want to be a martyr - without the real pain that some believers actually suffer in other countries.
I'm not really surprised that my son doesn't want to go to church anymore. I wonder how many shy and reserved people have been given that same obnoxious treatment, and now refuse to have anything to do with church?
Despite what you've might've read in those Chick Tracts, becoming saved does not automatically make you speak boldly and defiantly. Public speaking is a nerve-wracking experience, and it takes practice to get better at it.
The final straw at that church, however, was the pastor's statement of what we should do if President Obama were to show up during Sunday services. He told us that we should take off our shoes and throw them at him.
I guess that even a pastor isn't above hating people.
Not only have I grown up with a lot of Sunday school lessons, I've also taken many classes on the lives of people in classical and ancient times. Throughout all of that, I learned that one of biggest sins a person could ever commit was to attack a visitor. Being a host is a sacred obligation, one that is not to be taken lightly. But, to our pastor, throwing shoes at that man was more important than being a good host, not to mention welcoming a visitor to our church.
When I look back over the years (too many) that we spent there, the pastor openly despised liberals and left out relevant details about his political enemies in order to push a point of view he wanted followed.
Another way to put it is that he lied about others for political reasons, and supported national and so-called religious leaders who also lied about the same things.
To put it even simpler, he violated the Ninth Commandment, and supported others who did the same thing, and encouraged us to do the same thing.
Despite what you may have been taught, the ends do not justify the means. What do you have to lose when you lie about your enemies? Nothing more than your own soul.
What really distresses me is that a lot of Christians do not see that they're being played like a violin by political and so-called Christian leaders. They really fear that if they don't vote the way their Christian leaders tell them, they'll go to hell.
Again I ask, in what book of the Bible is that one written?
I will say this, however: If you give up your right to vote to someone who tells you how to cast your vote, then you deserve neither democracy nor freedom. You will have become worse than those apathetic individuals who refuse to vote at all.
Pray about it, yes, very much so, but watch what the candidates say and do. After all, their actions are a louder witness than what they say.
Should I even have to say that you shouldn't hate anyone, especially someone you have no intention of voting into office, or even someone who votes or believes differently than you do? Hatred is not only murdering someone in your own heart (a violation of the Sixth Commandment), but it is a luxury you cannot afford. When you hate someone, they control you and you allow yourself to be (figuratively) enslaved to them. I can assure you that you are not in their thoughts. So why do that to yourself and to your soul? It's not worth it.
I leave you with a verse I always try to keep in mind when I'm troubled.
"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"
--Micah 6:8 (NKJV)
Peace be unto you.
An easy answer to that is, of course, "Well, duh, go to church."
It isn't as easy as that. Not anymore. I've experienced some real stupidity in churches in the last several years, and I find myself more than a little bewildered. I've seen some real questionable attitudes and practices, not to mention some real love and kindness, and the combination of good and evil has put me in a state of "I don't know what to do."
One church my family and I attended had a conservative bent. No problem with that, because the message of salvation is that it's available to anyone, no matter who you vote for.
If it was only that simple to the people preaching that message, and to the ones hearing it.
There is an undercurrent of belief amongst too many people who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ that if you vote Democratic or anything other than Republican, then you are not a Christian.
Tell me, in what book of the Bible is that one written?
We also noticed that the church in question had cliques - very prominent cliques which made it very plain that if you weren't in any of them, you were merely cannon fodder. The pastor even acknowledged it and told all of us if we didn't like it, we needed to build a bridge and get over it.
Way to make a person feel needed and loved and welcome.
The church now has a bridge built over a ditch in the back of their property so that "People can get over it." Might as well flip a middle finger up in the air as to give that message. It pretty much means the same thing.
When I think about it now, it seems really telling that I attended a church that basically went out of its way to tick off people in its congregation. It shows how easy it is to tolerate what should be intolerable.
One other telling item I remember was that the church's financial situation and its accounts and records were considered a "secret", to only be open to a select few members. Although it did become very well known amongst the congregation that the church lost several thousand dollars on bad stock market choices.
Why would a house of God invest money in the stock market or in any other manner? I still do not understand that one.
Another problem with that church was that in the teen's class, one teacher made an extra obnoxious effort to force my son to read aloud in front of the class. This same teacher loved to boast about how he forced his two teen daughters to watch The Passion of the Christ.
I've often wondered if he's being obnoxious because that's the way he's always been, or if he does it in the hopes that he'll get in trouble. That way he can claim that he's being persecuted. I've noticed that some people really do want to be a martyr - without the real pain that some believers actually suffer in other countries.
I'm not really surprised that my son doesn't want to go to church anymore. I wonder how many shy and reserved people have been given that same obnoxious treatment, and now refuse to have anything to do with church?
Despite what you've might've read in those Chick Tracts, becoming saved does not automatically make you speak boldly and defiantly. Public speaking is a nerve-wracking experience, and it takes practice to get better at it.
The final straw at that church, however, was the pastor's statement of what we should do if President Obama were to show up during Sunday services. He told us that we should take off our shoes and throw them at him.
I guess that even a pastor isn't above hating people.
Not only have I grown up with a lot of Sunday school lessons, I've also taken many classes on the lives of people in classical and ancient times. Throughout all of that, I learned that one of biggest sins a person could ever commit was to attack a visitor. Being a host is a sacred obligation, one that is not to be taken lightly. But, to our pastor, throwing shoes at that man was more important than being a good host, not to mention welcoming a visitor to our church.
When I look back over the years (too many) that we spent there, the pastor openly despised liberals and left out relevant details about his political enemies in order to push a point of view he wanted followed.
Another way to put it is that he lied about others for political reasons, and supported national and so-called religious leaders who also lied about the same things.
To put it even simpler, he violated the Ninth Commandment, and supported others who did the same thing, and encouraged us to do the same thing.
Despite what you may have been taught, the ends do not justify the means. What do you have to lose when you lie about your enemies? Nothing more than your own soul.
What really distresses me is that a lot of Christians do not see that they're being played like a violin by political and so-called Christian leaders. They really fear that if they don't vote the way their Christian leaders tell them, they'll go to hell.
Again I ask, in what book of the Bible is that one written?
I will say this, however: If you give up your right to vote to someone who tells you how to cast your vote, then you deserve neither democracy nor freedom. You will have become worse than those apathetic individuals who refuse to vote at all.
Pray about it, yes, very much so, but watch what the candidates say and do. After all, their actions are a louder witness than what they say.
Should I even have to say that you shouldn't hate anyone, especially someone you have no intention of voting into office, or even someone who votes or believes differently than you do? Hatred is not only murdering someone in your own heart (a violation of the Sixth Commandment), but it is a luxury you cannot afford. When you hate someone, they control you and you allow yourself to be (figuratively) enslaved to them. I can assure you that you are not in their thoughts. So why do that to yourself and to your soul? It's not worth it.
I leave you with a verse I always try to keep in mind when I'm troubled.
"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"
--Micah 6:8 (NKJV)
Peace be unto you.
A McDonald's Life Hack
Time for a life hack of the simple sort.
I've noticed lately that the McDonald's near my location has some good deals, going along the lines of two items for two dollars. One of which includes buying a McDouble sandwich and an order of small fries for two dollars.
Normally, I buy myself an Extra Value Meal #2, which consists of two cheeseburgers, fries, and a soft drink. In my area, you can buy the medium size meal for $4.69, and the large meal for $5.19. If you don't tell them what size you want, they seem to make it a large. Of course, I'm tall and stout, so they might think that's what I want.
Let's take a look, value wise. If I buy the value meal (large), I'll pay (with state taxes included) approximately $5.35.
Let's say I opt for the McDouble sandwich and fries, with a large soft drink, instead. This time, I'll pay $3.21, a savings of more than two dollars.
I can agree with that, because money saved means more money for something else.
Now, let's take a look at this, nutrition wise. I know, some people would say that if I cared about nutrition and my health, I wouldn't eat at McDonald's. Well, that's your right, but I eat where I want, thank you very much, and you should, too. If you choose your eating establishments based on what others think of you, then you are a sad person, and I cannot help you.
Besides, I've noticed that quite a few people eat at McDonald's, and their website is very generous with the nutritional information for their food. I do believe in using the resources available at hand to make a thoughtful choice, and I believe that you can have a good meal if you pay attention to what you're doing and make good choices based on what you learn.
First, let's take a look at the two cheeseburgers in the Extra Value Meal. You not only get 600 calories, you also get 24 grams of fat, 66 grams of carbohydrates, and 1,360 mg. of sodium. You will also get 35 grams of protein, 540 International Units of Vitamin A, 400 mg. of calcium, 6 mg. of iron and 2 mg. of Vitamin C.
Compare that with the McDouble sandwich. This has 390 calories, 18 grams of fat, 34 grams of carbohydrates, and 850 mg. of sodium. There is also 22 grams of protein, 280 International Units of Vitamin A, 210 mg of calcium, 3.5 mg. of iron and 1 mg. of Vitamin C.
Buying the McDouble sandwich over the two cheeseburgers saves you not only financially, but it saves you more than 200 calories, 6 grams of fat and 32 grams of carbohydrates and more than 500 mg. of sodium.
How about the fries? Well, it should be obvious that the small fries saves you in more ways than one. A small order of fries gives you 230 calories, compared to 510 calories in a large order. The small order has 11 grams of fat, 30 grams of carbohydrates and 130 mg. of sodium.
The large order will not only give you the 510 calories, but it will give you 24 grams of fat, 67 grams of carbohydrates and 290 mg. of sodium.
A small order will do me, thank you.
Now, when I go to McDonald's, I always get the same thing to drink: A large Hi-C Orange Lavaburst. Why? I can get a carbonated soda somewhere else (and usually do), and I happen to like the Hi-C drink. It's a holdover from my youth.
McDonald's charges $1 for any size soft drink, and I prefer the large size. What do I get for that? Well, it's 310 calories, no fat or sodium, but a hefty 84 grams of carbohydrates. I also get 244 mg. of Vitamin C, an impressive 410 percent share of the vitamin's recommended daily allowance. Of course, Hi-C is a vitamin-enriched drink.
So, not only does the McDouble sandwich, small fries and large drink save me more than two dollars, it gives a savings of almost 500 calories, 19 grams of fat, almost 70 grams of carbohydrates and 670 mg. of sodium.
Until McDonald's changes their prices and menu options again, I've found a new meal of choice.
But, I have to tell you, I really, really miss the Cheddar Melt sandwich.
Peace be unto you.
I've noticed lately that the McDonald's near my location has some good deals, going along the lines of two items for two dollars. One of which includes buying a McDouble sandwich and an order of small fries for two dollars.
Normally, I buy myself an Extra Value Meal #2, which consists of two cheeseburgers, fries, and a soft drink. In my area, you can buy the medium size meal for $4.69, and the large meal for $5.19. If you don't tell them what size you want, they seem to make it a large. Of course, I'm tall and stout, so they might think that's what I want.
Let's take a look, value wise. If I buy the value meal (large), I'll pay (with state taxes included) approximately $5.35.
Let's say I opt for the McDouble sandwich and fries, with a large soft drink, instead. This time, I'll pay $3.21, a savings of more than two dollars.
I can agree with that, because money saved means more money for something else.
Now, let's take a look at this, nutrition wise. I know, some people would say that if I cared about nutrition and my health, I wouldn't eat at McDonald's. Well, that's your right, but I eat where I want, thank you very much, and you should, too. If you choose your eating establishments based on what others think of you, then you are a sad person, and I cannot help you.
Besides, I've noticed that quite a few people eat at McDonald's, and their website is very generous with the nutritional information for their food. I do believe in using the resources available at hand to make a thoughtful choice, and I believe that you can have a good meal if you pay attention to what you're doing and make good choices based on what you learn.
First, let's take a look at the two cheeseburgers in the Extra Value Meal. You not only get 600 calories, you also get 24 grams of fat, 66 grams of carbohydrates, and 1,360 mg. of sodium. You will also get 35 grams of protein, 540 International Units of Vitamin A, 400 mg. of calcium, 6 mg. of iron and 2 mg. of Vitamin C.
Compare that with the McDouble sandwich. This has 390 calories, 18 grams of fat, 34 grams of carbohydrates, and 850 mg. of sodium. There is also 22 grams of protein, 280 International Units of Vitamin A, 210 mg of calcium, 3.5 mg. of iron and 1 mg. of Vitamin C.
Buying the McDouble sandwich over the two cheeseburgers saves you not only financially, but it saves you more than 200 calories, 6 grams of fat and 32 grams of carbohydrates and more than 500 mg. of sodium.
How about the fries? Well, it should be obvious that the small fries saves you in more ways than one. A small order of fries gives you 230 calories, compared to 510 calories in a large order. The small order has 11 grams of fat, 30 grams of carbohydrates and 130 mg. of sodium.
The large order will not only give you the 510 calories, but it will give you 24 grams of fat, 67 grams of carbohydrates and 290 mg. of sodium.
A small order will do me, thank you.
Now, when I go to McDonald's, I always get the same thing to drink: A large Hi-C Orange Lavaburst. Why? I can get a carbonated soda somewhere else (and usually do), and I happen to like the Hi-C drink. It's a holdover from my youth.
McDonald's charges $1 for any size soft drink, and I prefer the large size. What do I get for that? Well, it's 310 calories, no fat or sodium, but a hefty 84 grams of carbohydrates. I also get 244 mg. of Vitamin C, an impressive 410 percent share of the vitamin's recommended daily allowance. Of course, Hi-C is a vitamin-enriched drink.
So, not only does the McDouble sandwich, small fries and large drink save me more than two dollars, it gives a savings of almost 500 calories, 19 grams of fat, almost 70 grams of carbohydrates and 670 mg. of sodium.
Until McDonald's changes their prices and menu options again, I've found a new meal of choice.
But, I have to tell you, I really, really miss the Cheddar Melt sandwich.
Peace be unto you.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Thoughts on Restaurants and Reviews
At one time, I wanted to be a restaurant reviewer. Then I grew up and that desire left me. I'm not trying to be flippant here, or dismissive of restaurant reviewers, but when I eat at restaurants, I'm there for my enjoyment. If I were to do it because it was my job, I'm afraid that something good would be lost.
After all, I used to enjoy eating at Pizza Hut, until I actually worked there. I haven't worked there for more than twenty years, and it's just not the same as when I was in high school.
There's only so many words that be used to write about food, anyways. The sad thing I've realized is that there are not that many words that can be used when writing about food. An even sadder thing I've realized is that many of those same words can be used to describe sex acts in the cheesiest ways possible.
How crazy is that?
Besides, while I might post an occasional restaurant review here, this blog isn't about erotica, or even double entendres.
But, dealing with restaurants, the best things that can be said about them is that you post all the necessary information, such as:
--Their full title (or what it says on their marquee.) For instance, call it Burger King, not that hamburger place with delusions of royal grandeur.
--Their hours of operation, especially when their prices change from a lunch setting to a dinner one. This is tricky in the case of franchised restaurants.
--Their full and accurate address, especially when it comes to franchised restaurants.
--Their price range. After all, some people like paying through the nose because they believe it's more real, or fits their self-image of their personal class setting. Others want their money's worth, and hate paying for what they view as snobbish phoniness.
--Their phone number and a URL (if they have a web address, that is.)
--Whether they require (or even accept) reservations.
--Their specials. Some places have good deals for their regular customers, or for seniors. Quite a few even have good deals for veterans or active duty service members, especially on Veteran's Day. It never hurts to ask.
The important thing to remember is that a restaurant review is basically the opinion of the reviewer himself (or herself). So you're never really sure if what you're reading is a genuinely good experience, or a self-serving puff piece.
At the same time, in the case of a negative review, you don't know if someone's getting their vengeance for whatever reason, or if he or she really had a nasty experience.
I've read tales of restaurant reviewers demanding perks or special treatment or even special meals for the planned visit.
Not for this guy. When I do a review, I'll pay for the meal myself, and I will not announce who I am or that I'm a reviewer to the staff or anyone else. My reviews will be more of an experience report than an actual review, anyway.
I've learned through real experiences that I'm actually very easy to please at a restaurant. For instance, when I was fourteen, myself and six other relatives went to a restaurant/tavern located in Fort Recovery, Ohio. I don't remember the name of the place, and since it happened in 1976, the place may not exist anymore.
I ordered Swiss steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, and a roll. It was delicious, and I really liked my meal, but apparently, I was the only one in my party who did. There was a lot of complaining after we left the place.
At the time, my father was prone to using colorful metaphors when he was displeased with a restaurant. He did get better about that as he got older, though. At least he didn't use them at the restaurant that day.
Or say that my sister and I were to have each written a review immediately after our meal. Our reviews would have been markedly different, even though we were at the same table on the same day and at the same time.
My wife has told me many times that a restaurant review is merely someone's opinion, and not necessarily a fact. I concede that fact, and that applies to movie and book reviews, as well.
You would have to go out of your way to give me bad enough service to actually displease me. Two restaurants have hit that distinction in the last twenty years, and both of them happen to be in Portland, Indiana.
One of them was not open when it was scheduled to be, and no explanation was posted on its main door that day. I'm a pretty easy going person, but if a restaurant does not care to honor their own hours, then I do not care to patronize their business.
The other restaurant had good food, though I've had better cole slaw. I was asked if I wanted mustard and ketchup for my breaded pork tenderloin sandwich and French fries, I said, "Yes."
Apparently, that was only a conversation topic, and not an actual offer of condiments, for the waitress never brought either one. I've not been back to that restaurant, either.
Life's too short to patronize a restaurant you know that you do not like.
As far as eating in a fancy (read that as "expensive") restaurant, you're simply paying for an image, in my humble opinion. The staff in most fancy places is really not any different than those in most working place restaurants.
In some instances, that can be downright frightening. There are some people who work in restaurants in whose homes I would never eat in.
There is a rule of thumb a person needs to observe as a customer in a restaurant.
Treat the staff as you yourself wish to be treated. Unless you are a masochist, you want your dining out experience to be pleasant. Attacking the people who cook your food is a form of Russian roulette. Most cooks are professionals who can work in spite of insults and degradations.
Others, however, are not. It pays to remember what George Orwell wrote in Down and Out in Paris and London: "Roughly speaking, the more one pays for food, the more sweat and spittle one is obliged to eat with it."
Acting superior to others, or treating others as if they were slaves, is hubris, pure and simple. No matter how highly you think of yourself, that doesn't mean it isn't true. There are others who are willing to prove it to you, too.
Why take such a chance?
Now, I shall relax, having eaten a rather delicious Mushroom and Swiss Thickburger from Hardees earlier in the day.
Peace be unto you.
After all, I used to enjoy eating at Pizza Hut, until I actually worked there. I haven't worked there for more than twenty years, and it's just not the same as when I was in high school.
There's only so many words that be used to write about food, anyways. The sad thing I've realized is that there are not that many words that can be used when writing about food. An even sadder thing I've realized is that many of those same words can be used to describe sex acts in the cheesiest ways possible.
How crazy is that?
Besides, while I might post an occasional restaurant review here, this blog isn't about erotica, or even double entendres.
But, dealing with restaurants, the best things that can be said about them is that you post all the necessary information, such as:
--Their full title (or what it says on their marquee.) For instance, call it Burger King, not that hamburger place with delusions of royal grandeur.
--Their hours of operation, especially when their prices change from a lunch setting to a dinner one. This is tricky in the case of franchised restaurants.
--Their full and accurate address, especially when it comes to franchised restaurants.
--Their price range. After all, some people like paying through the nose because they believe it's more real, or fits their self-image of their personal class setting. Others want their money's worth, and hate paying for what they view as snobbish phoniness.
--Their phone number and a URL (if they have a web address, that is.)
--Whether they require (or even accept) reservations.
--Their specials. Some places have good deals for their regular customers, or for seniors. Quite a few even have good deals for veterans or active duty service members, especially on Veteran's Day. It never hurts to ask.
The important thing to remember is that a restaurant review is basically the opinion of the reviewer himself (or herself). So you're never really sure if what you're reading is a genuinely good experience, or a self-serving puff piece.
At the same time, in the case of a negative review, you don't know if someone's getting their vengeance for whatever reason, or if he or she really had a nasty experience.
I've read tales of restaurant reviewers demanding perks or special treatment or even special meals for the planned visit.
Not for this guy. When I do a review, I'll pay for the meal myself, and I will not announce who I am or that I'm a reviewer to the staff or anyone else. My reviews will be more of an experience report than an actual review, anyway.
I've learned through real experiences that I'm actually very easy to please at a restaurant. For instance, when I was fourteen, myself and six other relatives went to a restaurant/tavern located in Fort Recovery, Ohio. I don't remember the name of the place, and since it happened in 1976, the place may not exist anymore.
I ordered Swiss steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, and a roll. It was delicious, and I really liked my meal, but apparently, I was the only one in my party who did. There was a lot of complaining after we left the place.
At the time, my father was prone to using colorful metaphors when he was displeased with a restaurant. He did get better about that as he got older, though. At least he didn't use them at the restaurant that day.
Or say that my sister and I were to have each written a review immediately after our meal. Our reviews would have been markedly different, even though we were at the same table on the same day and at the same time.
My wife has told me many times that a restaurant review is merely someone's opinion, and not necessarily a fact. I concede that fact, and that applies to movie and book reviews, as well.
You would have to go out of your way to give me bad enough service to actually displease me. Two restaurants have hit that distinction in the last twenty years, and both of them happen to be in Portland, Indiana.
One of them was not open when it was scheduled to be, and no explanation was posted on its main door that day. I'm a pretty easy going person, but if a restaurant does not care to honor their own hours, then I do not care to patronize their business.
The other restaurant had good food, though I've had better cole slaw. I was asked if I wanted mustard and ketchup for my breaded pork tenderloin sandwich and French fries, I said, "Yes."
Apparently, that was only a conversation topic, and not an actual offer of condiments, for the waitress never brought either one. I've not been back to that restaurant, either.
Life's too short to patronize a restaurant you know that you do not like.
As far as eating in a fancy (read that as "expensive") restaurant, you're simply paying for an image, in my humble opinion. The staff in most fancy places is really not any different than those in most working place restaurants.
In some instances, that can be downright frightening. There are some people who work in restaurants in whose homes I would never eat in.
There is a rule of thumb a person needs to observe as a customer in a restaurant.
Treat the staff as you yourself wish to be treated. Unless you are a masochist, you want your dining out experience to be pleasant. Attacking the people who cook your food is a form of Russian roulette. Most cooks are professionals who can work in spite of insults and degradations.
Others, however, are not. It pays to remember what George Orwell wrote in Down and Out in Paris and London: "Roughly speaking, the more one pays for food, the more sweat and spittle one is obliged to eat with it."
Acting superior to others, or treating others as if they were slaves, is hubris, pure and simple. No matter how highly you think of yourself, that doesn't mean it isn't true. There are others who are willing to prove it to you, too.
Why take such a chance?
Now, I shall relax, having eaten a rather delicious Mushroom and Swiss Thickburger from Hardees earlier in the day.
Peace be unto you.
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