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Just remember to reach up above the needle and carefully pull the rubber washer down a bit to create a better seal around your My K-Cup. I learned about this after lots of hot water squirting everywhere, and really watery Dunkin Donuts coffee.

Did you eat upstairs? Did you sign up for the MLM program? Are you going to be hawking diet gojii berry juice products on Serious Eats?

It's designed to compete against McDonald's McGriddle, but IMO McDonald's wins in the taste category. The McGriddle has more heft, and the quality of the egg and cheese on the McGriddle are superior. The maple infused pancake from Mickey D's has a better texture than DD's waffle. DD wins in the bacon category, which was the best part of the sandwich.

At the DD store that I went to, even though they had the sandwich on the board for 3 days and the manager had pointed it out to me the previous Saturday, the team didn't know that it was on the menu. They didn't know how to prepare it, or where the waffles were. Major fail. Also, the counter person told me outright, "Dunkin Donuts can't beat McDonalds. The McGriddles are the best!" Yikes.

Wait, that locally sourced honey that I've been buying from Berkshire Berries is illegal??? WTF? The honey, from NYC rooftops, is contraband?

I just noticed "Trader John's" when I was walking across 14th Street, and my first thought (after a cynical snort) literally was, "Oh, wow. The Recession is turning 14th Street back into the trashy low-rent strip that I remember from the late 80's - early '90's. " Then I started humming some music from "Rent" and went on to grab dinner at Mr. Skewer.

@ Adam and Little Sis and Girlfriend:

Yes, it was a joke. I'm sorry for suggesting that the gift giver is anything less than sincere! However, if someone got me one of those gift cards, (or one for Chik-fil-a).... I'd be so very, very depressed. ;-)

I absolutely loved Cröonchy Stars and I was sad when it disappeared! It was the perfect blend of sugar and styrofoam! ( I was going to put this through the Encheferizer... but decided not to. Bork! Bork! Bork! Bork!)

For the 2nd Christmas in a row, I'm making a Christmas dinner for a small army direct from Nigella Lawson's "Feast". My menu choices were a huge hit last year, and I'm doing a repeat. But seriously, I really am tired of turkey after Thanksgiving... but no one will humor my Prime Rib and Ham whims.

Maple Roast Turkey (Brined, baby!)
Cornbread & Cranberry Stuffing
Allspice Gravy
Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta and Chestnuts (and a splash of Marsala)
Homemade Liquored-up Cranberry Sauce
Maple Roasted Parsnips
Roast Potatoes (with duck fat substituting for the goose fat)
Traditional English Christmas Pudding (bought at a local Irish Deli) + Fire Extinguisher.
Rum Butter (from scratch)
Lots of alcohol to drink and set the pudding on fire with
Other assorted desserts from whoever is bringing what
One guest is bringing homemade Passover Haroset -- it's a great relish for turkey... and ham!

Add to this all some challah rolls and a simple green salad with toasted walnuts, mandarin oranges and dried cranberries and you've got a nice meal. With the exception of desserts and the rolls, everything is homemade. I'm proud of myself for baking the cornbread for the stuffing all by myself. It turned out decently, considering that I haven't really baked anything since my grandmother tried to teach me how to make Austrian pastry when I was little (scary, scary, scary.)

THAT's what those packets of Ranch were for? Midwest college mystery solved.... sheeesh. I still don't get it, but yah... that pizza was really subpar.

My first Chicago dog was a revelation.. Superdawg in the early 90's. Whenever I fly through Chicago, I make sure I have a long enough layover to get a grilled Chicago style dog from Gold Coast Dogs, which is actually very good. I frequently order the Shackago Dog from Shake Shack when I'm in the mood... but it doesn't taste nearly as authentic as the real thing. I am a native New Yorker, and eat at Gray's Papaya once a week (I work on the same block).... but Chicago Dogs got me, sport peppers and all.

I really can't wait for the Yonkers store, and I'm forwarding this to my brother the former pizzeria manager who really wants to get back in the game.

I finally visited the new location last night with a fellow deli-craver. The food was good and satisfied the craving. We ordered a bowl of gribenes (some reviewers say that this is free --- nope. It's an appetizer), matzoh ball soup (very good), potted brisket (good, but I should've ordered extra gravy) and kasha with bowtie pasta (heavenly). The best part of the meal was the tiny portion of chopped chicken livers on (too soft and squishy to be authentic) rye bread while we were waiting for a table. The chopped liver was a revelation - silky, schmaltzy, chickeny.... this is the best I've ever had. The service was friendly, the host was funny. The tables are crowded and everyone in my section was talking amongst the other tables and chatting about what they ordered, and my gribenes inspired the table in back of me to indulge once I explained what they were and how they're the Kosher equivalent of deep-fried pork rinds. We had a good meal, a good time, and I got a chance to chat with Jeremy on the way out the door. I'm glad the place has re-opened.