Scaddy's: Can I have a 1/2 lb of Guacamole with that please?

While running an errand one Saturday last month, a bout of serious hunger came over me. That is bound to happen when you don't eat breakfast. I turned down a main thoroughfare and was on the lookout for a restaurant calling my name. I felt like a coach being interviewed during the NFL draft. When asked what he is looking for, the response is often: "the intangibles." What this really means is that he doesn't know what he is looking for but will know it when he sees it. I often feel the same way when looking for eating establishments.

On the right side of the road I saw what looked like a Wendy's restaurant. It wasn't Wendy's but it was obvious that until fairly recently, it was. "Scaddy's" was the name on the sign and it was exactly what I was looking for: a burger joint!

Ruby and I went inside and I looked to indulge on a burger that could use up all my caloric allowance for the day. What an exciting feeling!

After we ordered and sat down, I noticed that some of the people around us were eating breakfast food. It looked delicious (actually anything did at that moment) so I looked over the menu again with curiosity. They have a "Breakfast Feast" along with Swedish Stuffed Pancakes, Breakfast Sandwiches and Burritos and French Toast. Could I eat a large burger, fries and breakfast? No, better not go totally on impulse this time. That was a monumental achievement for me.

What I did order was the Blaze Burger. I asked for something spicy and this came highly recommended. It has Hot Peppers, Tomatoes, Lettuce, Onions, and Pepperjack Cheese with a 1/4 lb beef patty. Depending on the severity of your hunger, you can get a second patty to make a 1/2 pound burger. I held off on this double patty on this trip.

The pepperjack cheese on a perfectly cooked patty is like chocolate and a Dr. Pepper (a personal favorite). The tomatoes, lettuce and onions were very fresh and full of flavor; reminded me of Habit Burger Grill. I will say however that the hot peppers will blow you away. They are not kidding with the name "Blaze." I had to remove most of them just to finish it.

What is better than going out to eat? It's going out to eat again at that same place, assuming you enjoyed it. Yes it was two Saturdays later and I had not eaten breakfast. You think that I would learn a lesson here. This time, Ruby and I found another Scaddy's right by CousCous Grill. Oh the anxiety; which to choose? Ultimately Scaddy's won out. A double patty burger was calling my name.

1/2 lb of Guacamole

This time I went with the Guacamole Burger. I think that there was a 1/2 lb. of guacamole in addition to the meat. They say that "Taste is Everything" and they mean it. It was a wonderful burger and the guacamole was smooth, fresh, and tasty. There was so much that I got to have guacamole fries. Not a problem to complain about.

Can I also just share how wonderful the staff were at both locations. So friendly, welcoming and looking to make your experience and happy one. The cook even came out on the first visit to welcome us and the other patrons.

One Happy Customer

Scaddy's 

5430 South 900 East

Murray, Utah, 84117

1557 West 3500 South

West Valley City, Utah, 84119

Happy Eating

Surprise Announcement #1

Jammin Jambon Sandwich

Last week in a post, I talked about two excited surprises. Well what could they be? Am I a vegan, carnivore, obese, bulimic, ADHD, it could be anything right?

The first surprise to announce is that my food writing is now being published. It's an amazing sequence of events that all culminated to the first of many articles. Please check it out here:

Liberty Heights Fresh: Elevate Your Lunch with Tasty Sandwiches

Read it, rate it, comment on it and let me know the food secrets around town that I am missing.

A big Thank You to the City Weekly for this opportunity. I also need to thank my friend John Coon. He is a college friend and a freelance writer. We had not seen each other in about 10 years, so we met for lunch in November. He knew some Editors and recommended my work to them.

Do what you love and doors will open; just don't force them, it will present itself at the right time.

As for the next Surprise, what could it be? You will know in due time.

Happy Eating.

Valentine's Day Dinner 2013: It's all about the food!

On Valentine's Day 2003, I cooked dinner for Rachel. We were engaged at that time and I couldn't afford to go out to dinner. I also didn't want to fight for reservations at a restaurant and be told that I could come at either 5:00 or 10:45pm. That night I cooked chicken adobo and my apartment had a strong odor of garlic for days. It was the start of a great tradition; not garlic odor but cooking Valentine's dinner for Rachel. I cook much more often than once a year but I always look for something fun and exciting for February 14th. Much better than picking out some cheesy balloons and chocolates at the grocery store.

This year I did some research and got excited about cooking bacon wrapped filet mignon, sweet potato wedges with lime mayo, asparagus with hollandaise sauce and apple strudel for dessert.

Now you have to understand, I have rarely baked anything in my life. I wanted to impress Rachel (a colossal task) and I knew that baking; especially baking a delicious dessert would be appropriate.

It took about two hours to cook everything but it all seemed to come out just fine. Ruby and Rachel would be the ultimate judges. Rachel loved it and Ruby's favorite part was the filet mignon. Nothing like a medium rare steak with a crisp exterior and juicy, tender inside. The bacon on the outside would make your foot taste good.

Valentine's is a special day for many and I love our little tradition. Now what to cook for next year?


Happy Eating  

What's that you say: Suprises?

Yes, there are two exciting announcements here at Hometown Slop.

The first is: I can't tell you yet.

The second is: I can tell you next week.

I know, that is about as exciting as getting to the airport for your long awaited vacation, and finding out that your flight was delayed. And then, when you do get to your destination, you find out that your bags are elsewhere. It's only then that you remember your cheap tip to the Sky Cap. His thinking: "You gave me a $2 tip for 6 suitcases? Well you might be going to Florida, but your bags will be in Honolulu."

Lesson here for all of us: don't be rude to anyone who handles your bags, your flight, or both. A Dive Master in Hawaii once told me that he use to work for the airlines. When people were rude to him, he would send their bags to a place that they were not going.

Lesson here for me: how did a post start out with an exciting announcement (or at least the hint of one) and end up talking about Dive Masters in Hawaii? I don't know but it's often how my mind works. I'm just glad that I recognized to clarify this.

Stay Tuned!

Happy Eating

In Honor of Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day dish from last year

Every Valentine's Day since 2003, I have a tradition of cooking Rachel dinner. It started as a way to save money and avoid the crowds, but has become something that we both really enjoy. Since I love to cook, this works out well. It also keeps me from having to be part of the mass of men wandering through the store looking at cheesy valentine's balloons, flowers, and chocolates. Yes, you can tell that I am a romantic.

Each year it is a dish that we have not eaten before. I always do a lot of research looking for a dish that is very "Rachie." She loves fancy cheeses and breads, so when I came across the Goat Cheese and Mango Quesadillas dish, I knew that I had found the Valentine's dinner for this year. Here it is:

Goat Cheese and Mango Quesadillas:

4 ounces goat cheese, room temperature
6 whole wheat tortillas
1 large ripe mango, peeled, pitted, and thinly sliced
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 jalapeno, thinly sliced
1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves

Directions:

1. Spread goat cheese on tortillas. Divide mango, onion, jalapeno, and cilantro on one half of each tortilla. Fold tortilla over filling.

2. Heat a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook quesadillas until cheese softens and tortillas are crisp and browned in spots, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and cut each into 4 wedges. Serve it and Love it.

These were a huge hit. Once Rachel found out that goat cheese was in the dish (even before she knew the entire recipe), I was a hero. The creaminess of the goat cheese really mixed well with the other ingredients. The red onion added a sharpness that makes your mouth water.

Try it soon; you will love it also. You know where I found this recipe: Everyday FOOD magazine. There are quite a bit of good recipes here.

Happy Eating.

Now what is Hometown Slop?

So really, where did the name, Hometown Slop, come from? Let me tell you. Every Sunday morning I like to make a breakfast sandwich. Over time it has become very sloppy and very delicious (if I may say so myself). There have been numerous variations until the most recent one. This one has stuck. Like many of the dishes I make, I don't follow a recipe. It was a lot of "some of this, some of that, I think I put this in last time."

Here it is: Hometown Slop Sandwich:

2 pieces sourdough bread
2 large eggs
2 pieces honey ham
4 leaves fresh basil
Dash of salt
Dash of fresh ground pepper
Dash of paprika

Directions: Toast the bread. Cook the eggs over easy (very important); dash with salt & pepper while cooking. Fry the ham. Place eggs & ham on bread with basil and paprika.

Be sure to not lift sandwich far from the plate when you take a bite. The over easy eggs will run onto the plate. This becomes your dip for the rest of the sandwich. Remember: dry food is terrible food. Dip, bite, and enjoy. Your spouse will be disgusted with you but let's face it, they probably are already.

So the "sloppy" sandwich gave rise to the name. After I repeatedly made the sandwich, I asked Rachel what a good name for a diner would be. What do you think? Would you eat at a diner named Hometown Slop? It just might happen one day.

Happy Eating.

Hunan Garden, HUNAN, not HUMAN!




While Rachel was on a business trip to Tucson last week, I didn't cook much. I do love to cook but watching Ruby, working, writing and visiting my dear Aunt who is ill, added up to very little free time that week. I was, to put it simply, exhuasted! Even this simple task of taking the garbage cans to the street on Wednesday night was just too much. You know the feeling, the one that if you have to do one more thing, no matter how small, it will be the breaking point. I had visions of me and a baseball bat in an antique store.

One evening, just after Ruby woke up from a nap, I knew that we needed to get some dinner. We loaded in the car and headed out. I didn't quite know where we would be going so I called Sous Chefs Sam & Jesse to see if they wanted to join, and to get their ideas. I was craving Chinese food but was still coming up short in my tired brain. There was one easy, default restaurant that I mentioned to Sam but his quick response was "yuck, I am sick of that place." Okay, not that joint. I then thought of this Chinese restaurant that I have driven past for years but have never gone inside. Sam said that he would meet us there. I thought about it because Sam & Jesse always make fun of the name.

Spicy Yu Hsiang Garlic Chicken

As Ruby and I walked into Hunan Garden, I was happy. It was apparent that this was a very authentic place. I immediately was transported back in my mind to a visit to San Francisco back in 2006. On that trip, Rachel and I went to China Town and desired a very authentic meal. We walked into a restaurant and were the only white people there. Ruby and I had the same experience here at Hunan Garden. The interior hasn't likely been updated for about 20 years. Some may be disgusted at this but I love it. This shows that they have a strong following and there is no need for fancy decor to woo people in the door.

Ruby got an bowl of Egg Drop Soup as an appetizer. She loves that soup and finished all of it. I ordered Spicy Yu Hsiang Garlic Chicken with Vegetables and Hunan Pan Fried Noodles with Shredded Pork. What's good food if you can't have cold leftovers for breakfast the next morning? Sam wasn't hungry but came for the company. His mom sent him with money and instructed him to order for her whatever I was having; Flattering! Sam's friend Chris ordered the Moo Shu Pork. We weren't leaving hungry tonight.

To sum it up: Amazing! The Spicy Yu Hsiang Garlic Chicken had carrots, snow peas, mushrooms, brocolli, shrimp and chicken. They got the name correct, it was spicy. The Pan Fried Noodles are good but definitely loaded with a strong soy sauce flavor which makes it a little bitter. Still good but the best part of that dish was the pork. It was sweet and tender. The Moo Shu Pork had tender shreds of pork and eggs mixed with sun dried tiger lily flower, bean sprouts, cabbage and onions. It also comes with four specially prepared thin steamed hot pancakes and hoison sauce. It was delicious. I snuck extra Moo Shu Pork while Chris had to run a quick errand.

As we were wrapping up our meal, the table next to us was just getting their food. I stalled for a bit because I was mesmerized by their order. They got a Hot Pot meal. There was a portable burner with a pot of simmering stock on their table. The ingredients are then placed into the pot and cooked at the table.

A superb Wednesday evening!

Leaving the restaurant was like watching the end of a great movie. You know it's time to go but you wish the moment could last; if but only for a few more minutes.

Hunan Garden

2121 East 2100 South

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84109

Happy Eating

Moochie's Meatballs: The Gut Buster!

If you have lived in the Salt Lake area for longer than a few months, you have likely heard of Moochie's Meatballs. I first went here in 2008 and it's an addiction that is hard to break. They have a selection of sandwiches but two that they are most famous for: Moochie's Handmade Meatball and the Authentic Philly Cheesesteak. A classic philly cheesesteak consists of thinly sliced ribeye steak, grilled onions, and is topped with melted American Cheese.

Most recently, we went here at 1:30pm on a Saturday afternoon. Rachel had just completed a big project and we were in the mood for some celebration food. We were misled in our belief that it would be quiet at that time; the place was packed.

Not a clear picture but here are the details: 12 inches long, 1.5 pounds

It's a little confusing as to how to order. Be sure to read the "How to order a philly cheesesteak:"

Step 1: Choose either a 6-inch or 12-inch sandwich. (I would highly recommend the 12-inch Cheesesteak).
Step 2: Let us know if you do NOT want onions.
Step 3: Let us know if would like to add fresh grilled mushrooms, and/or roasted bell peppers, or any other variations.

I would like to add a few steps:

Step 4: Grab a bottle of the Jalapeno Sauce to pour all over your sandwich.
Step 5: If you took the advice of ordering the 12-inch, eat it all. You won't be hungry for it but some power overtakes you and the energy is summoned.
Step 6: Take a Nap. It will be much needed.

A Beautiful Sight: Moochie's Cheesesteak dripping with Jalapeno Sauce

The popularity of Moochie's has spread like a bad attitude in an office where everyone hates their job. Get there prior to 11:30am on weekdays and if you have to wait, it's worth it.

It's hard to eat at Moochie's too often. Your diet and workout routine will suffer. If you do find yourself pulled to their location and your tummy isn't quite ready, go to Guzzi's. It's one block away and then you will be ready to return to Moochie's the next day.

Moochie's Meatballs & More

232 East 800 South

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111

Happy Eating

 

PapaO's: A Taste of Southern Soul Food!

Once a month, Rachel's family gets together for dinner. They rotate siblings as to who chooses where we eat. Rachel e-mailed me on a Tuesday to ask where we should go that Saturday. It was ironic as I was just thinking about some restaurants that I wanted to try. Okay, that might not be ironic since you could ask me that question anytime and I would have a quick answer. I replied that we should try Papa O's in Draper. Having visited Louisiana just a few weeks before, I was excited for some Soul Food.

Papa O's brings the "Meat & Three" concept to Utah. This concept is famous in the Southern States and is where you get a meat for your main course and three sides. I was ecstatic upon walking in and reviewing the menu. How was I going to be able to try all this food? Pace yourself; life is a marathon, not a sprint.

The menu was loaded with items such as pork chops, fried chicken, meatloaf, pulled pork, fried chicken and waffles, crawfish gumbo, pot roast, catfish and fried shrimp among others. The sides are red beans & rice, green beans, cheese grits, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes & gravy, corn, okra, cole slow, baked beans, collard greens, black eyed peas, potato salad and candied yams. You can also get hushpuppies, cornbread and biscuits.

Via: slcdailydeal.com

The Low Country Dinner looked delicious. It is Tomato Based Andouille with crawfish and fried shrimp over cheese grits. For my three sides I got red beans & rice, cole slaw and hushpuppies.

Growing up I expected grits to taste like sand. They sounded awful. That was until my good friend my South Carolina introduced me to grits. He would make a bacon, eggs and grits breakfast that could make your heart stop. The bacon was cooked first and then the eggs were cooked in the bacon grease. The grits were boiled and then what looked like half a cube of butter was dropped in the pot. It was delicious but you really did have chest pains that day.

I can't recall having grits at all in the past few years since my friend moved to Ohio. That was until I walked into Papa O's. They were incredibly delicious and I savored every bite. The crawfish and shrimp were great and very flavorful. The red beans & rice had a spicy bite to them but were wonderful. The cole slaw was nothing special but good. The only bad thing was that the hushpuppies were a little dry. No big deal.

My sister-in-law was sitting across from me. She stopped eating halfway through the meal saying that the crawfish shells on my plate were grossing her out. I would feel bad but I do know that anything that doesn't come pre-made from a box or bag would in fact gross her out.

I look forward to raiding their menu again soon.

PapaO's

11483 S. State St.

Draper, Utah, 84020

Happy Eating

JONI'S DELI: Only open for lunch but always on your mind!

My food wanderings have left me with an insatiable craving for out-of-the-way, inexpensive joints; otherwise know as dives. Two weeks ago, the decision as to where to meet for lunch with a couple friends, was left up to me; a common occurrence. Many times I have driven by a restaurant on the corner of 1700 S. Main St. that caught my eye. I did not know the name of it however, so I told my friends the address. One friend replied that it was Joni's Deli. As I was driving there, I saw Joni's Deli on the south side of the street, further east from the restaurant that I had in mind. No worries, I turned into the parking lot and immediately liked what I saw.

It looked just like something I would search for while on a road trip: local joint, hidden, inexpensive. This place had a cheese steak combo and cheeseburger combo advertised in the window for $8.99 and $6.99 respectively. The first combo sounded great so I entered prepared to order. My heart was broken was Joni told me that they were out of steak. What now? I actually have to read the menu? She then said that if I didn't mind waiting a few minutes, the food delivery guy would be there in a few minutes with the steak. No problem, I ordered a cheese steak, paid, and waited.

And the wait (only 10 minutes) was worth it. The steak was overloaded into the bun and partnered with onions, mushrooms, and peppers. The bun was firm and never got soggy-maybe because I ate it too quickly. The french fries were thick, firm, seasoned, and delicious. The meat had just enough sweetness to it which paired well with the vegetables. Three refills of Dr. Pepper helped to wash it all down.

Yum. I am tempted to drive down there after I write this post. Except that it is Saturday and they are closed.

The interior had a cafeteria looked to it which has never been updated and I hope it never does. It really reminded me of something I would find off a back-woods highway in South Carolina.

Joni's slogan is "No day is so bad that it can't be fixed with Joni's Deli." It couldn't be more correct. Stop by here once a week and your problems will seem so small. It's strictly a lunch time joint and closed on the weekends. See you there soon.

Joni's Deli

52 East 1700 South

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84115

Happy Eating.