Atlanta Braves All Star Grill

If you ever find yourself in downtown Atlanta, you have go try the Atlanta Braves Grill. A nice little treat that, you mat not expect from the curb side. I honestly only came across it while tripping over a sign that said "Chef Inspired Menu". So of course, I had to go in.

   So as I walk in, 'm warmly greeted by the bar tender. As I perused the menu, she asked, "looking for anything in particular"? I said, "Well, I'm here for my blog. What would you recommend?". To which she replied, "Let me bring out the Chef". So the Chef came out with his favorite appetizers. Smoked chicken wings featuring the chef's own "Hotlanta" sauce, Ruben egg rolls, and Ahi Tuna tacos.

    I have to tell you, I'm not the biggest on smoked wings, but my god, these were amazing! Equally, I've had a lot of Rubin egg rolls, but these rocked so hard! Perfectly fried, fluffy yet crispy, stuffed with a healthy portion of corned beef and sauerkraut, and a nice Russian sauce. I'm also not the biggest fan of seared tuna, but yet again, this All Star Grill knocked it out of the park. Good food, good service, and good spirits this is the place to be for all of the above.

Caney Fork River Valley Grille, Nashville TN

   

 Walking in I had super high hopes, the atmosphere was great, there was a healthy wait time, and a whole wall of accolades. As I look at the menu my mouth starts watering at the concepts laid out in print before me. I see gator tail, frogs legs, wild game chili, and above all the award winning "Nashville's Best" ribs. However my dream quickly turned into a nightmare. It was like as if a bad joke, the punch-line was not funny. I had always told myself that I wouldn't do a bad write up about a restaurant. I didn't want to come off as some smug blogger trying to get a rise out of people, without considering how that could affect business for said restaurant. That being said, I don't think I'm going to hurt this business. The stigma is strong with this one.


  As I roll through the doors, I look around and notice all the amusing taxidermy fashioned. Stuffed raccoons sifting through the garbage. A lovely live band fully unplugged and loving what they do. Signs out front boasting its awesome reviews on Trip Advisor, and locals bragging about the food and there local scene. Just the kind of thing I love to see in any local restaurant.

 

  I walk through the dining are and take my place at the bar. After soaking up this interesting menu, I give my order.I allays request that food come out as its ready. This way I can try each while hot and it gives me a moment to really absorb the flavor profile. I can feel the excitement peak as my choices make there way out. First I receive the fried green tomatoes, something we Southerners take seriously. They are a nice golden brown, and are served with a interesting looking pinkish brown sauce. I'm told the sauce is like a Cajun style sauce. I cut the tomato and dip it in the proud sauce. Its one of those situations. Where, you find yourself really hard to be polite ,and not let show the utter disappointment that you feel inside. The sauce was like horseradish and mayo, and the tomatoes were breaded in nothing more than unseasoned cornmeal. Life goes on. As I push the tomatoes to the side, the fried gator tail shows up. To my dismay, they are served fried with the same batter and sauce. Not to be brought down without trying it. I hopefully take a bite of the tails, this time no sauce. Only to be let down again. I disregard the gator tail, and my wild game "Not So Famous Chili" shows up. It looked great, had a great aroma, the presentation was good. Then bam, I try it. I have to tell you I almost cried when I realized it tasted like thick-and-chunky canned chili. It took only one bite before the decision was made. Finally the ribs are brought out. Everything to this point was a total disappointment, but I was none the less stoked to try "Nashville's Best" award winning ribs. The ribs had a nice aroma and esthetic. I pulled first rib off the rack effortlessly, and take a bite. I instantly feel the harsh crunch, after biting into the chi bone that was failed to be removed. Oh well, I spit out the bone and take a bite of what is destined to be the last. Even though only one bite was taken from each dish I gladly paid my check, and peacefully exited toward my vehicle.


    It was never my intention walking into the place to do a bad review. In fact, it was my goal to strictly write about food, where the cooks and servers get-it. Where you can taste, and feel the point of pride in every bite. But honestly, I think its just as important to cut through the fat and expose these  places that are strictly built on hype. If there is one thing I can't abide, its food that has a reputation undeserved. With my mind looking forward to the awesome restaurants to come, the journey for those really bad-ass dive shall continue.

Monroe's Hotdogs and Billiards in Americus Georgia

  As if frozen in time, Monroe's stands a testament to a classic era. It's the kind of place that lacks any semblance of atmosphere, there is no music playing, no juke box, and I'm pretty sure the carpet had survived the Great Depression. Inlaid in concrete on the exterior of the building, the tile proudly proclaims the structure was built in 1920. As you walk in the first thing that catches the eye is the old malt shop bar and stools. At a $1.20 per chili dog, this restaurant has definitely held strong to its roots.

 

 

 

   Few menus anymore have that old school simplicity, it's a lost art to have a small menu. The kind of menu that doesn't need a hundred mediocre items, but instead does a small amount of  things really well. This dive does just that, going hard with coleslaw dogs and gravy fries.

 

 



 

   In most cases when you order three chili dogs, one might expect a plate. Well not here. Instead you get a deli paper lined tray. The fact is this might sound weird, but in fact it's quite genius. There is no clean way to eat this demon of a dog. The open area allows you to be as messy as you want without leaving your wide open area designated just for you. With several dogs to choose from the only problem at Monroe's one should face, is the question which will be your poison.

 

 

   My personal vice in life is chili dogs, a good chili dog goes a long way. Its a lot harder to find a decent chili dog than one might imagine. There seem to always one element of the dog that's lacking, either the hotdogs themselves such, or the chili is lacking. You may see chili dogs somewhat frequently featured in this blog, as I'm on a constant search for the perfect chili dog. Monroe's is up there on the list, the dogs aren't huge, but damn they're good. A skinny little dog in a top cut bun, topped with an awesome homemade chili sauce. That what I call heaven!

 

 

Kay's BBQ in Cocoa Florida

  As you take the humid yet interesting ride to Cocoa Beach from I95 on highway 520 south, you have to look but to right on the corner of 520 and Clearlake Rd to see Kay's BBQ. It doesn't look like anything crazy. As you walk in there isn't an overwhelming theme, you're not rushed with crazy gimmicks, there's no load music, and the décor is a bit lacking. Then it happens. Your food arrives, and you forget there was even anything around you outside of the steaming feast sitting before you

     This is one of those places that if you're looking for a server to kiss your ass or cater to your petty whim, you are in the wrong place. As I sit down in this restaurant for the first time in over 10 years, I realize that this not your everyday wait staff. No, instead of overinfectious service, you get a well balanced front of the house. One that would rather take their time and do it right, than be up your ass every thirty seconds vacantly asking how your meal is and "is there anything else I can get for you". Instead you get a staff that shows up at the perfect time to fill your drink or deliver your meal right on time, and exactly as ordered.

      As my grandfather had done all of my childhood during the summers I spent in Cocoa, I ordered the "Feast". This massive platter of protein comes piled high with sliced smoked pork, beef, turkey, St Louis style ribs, and a half smoked chicken. Not to mention a half pint of coleslaw, and baked beans, 2 pieces of corn on the cob, and your choice of two potato based options. I chose French fries, and a baked potato.

     I take a long look at this wonderful cornucopia of southern inspired goodness, I can't help but wonder: Has a decade of elapsed time had altered my perception of the integrity of this exceedingly nostalgic food for me? Let it be known, for me to admit someone could touch my own BBQ sauce is epic! However, with my hat tipped in admiration it gives mine a run for its money. The sliced beef was truly moist and delicious. The chicken was a bit dry, and lacking flavor. The sliced pork would have been more desirable if it were shredded, and the ribs were pretty good, although a bit stock. One of the main prizes of this dish surprisingly, was the grilled Texas toast.

   Honestly, at the end of this humble meal, I have to say it was more than worth the visit. Out of  all the BBQ places I've been referred, I'm never happy. Kay's is a warm welcome to decent BBQ, to which this country severely lacks. To all of those crappy BBQ dives out there beware I'm on my way to cut the hype. This is the first of many blogs that I plan to write as many have before, but unlike those hacks I know good BBQ. This is to be a chronicle of my trips and the food I encounter on my journeys. The fact is, if you know me, you know that Chef Bob-E has an obsession for dive food.