Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I was a big fan of the Frug' and I think his influence changed a lot about how cooking shows are presented. I can't think of another show at that time that really explained the regional differences in how people eat.

He really raised the bar of food knowledge in the country, especially in the midwest where I grew up. In the mid-80s people just weren't eating things like squid ink pasta, balsamic vinegar, fennel bulbs, etc. etc. Al dente' was a word most had never heard.

If he hadn't had his troubles, and the evidence is pretty overwhelming against him even if he never had to admit to anything, then I believe he would be among the most revered food educators. As it is, most younger people don't know him at all, but his influence is still being felt in very strong ways.

It was a deep personal loss to me, he really taught me how to cook and also why it's important to be curious about the foodways of other cultures. I still have all of his cookbooks, but I don't use them much.

I wish I had thought of this before I left Ann Arbor for TJ's bereft San Antonio.

One item, it would be the Truffle Brownie mix. Just about the only brownie mix I can find that has no corn or milk in it (family member allergies).

I would be awful sad to leave without a log of their super-affordable chevre. Alway 2 or 3 bucks less per log than anyone else for the same brands. Maybe I'd send my wife back in for that ...

I scored 5 out of 10 and I grew up in Kansas City and have lived in South Georgia and Austin, Texas.

2 things about the quiz, though.

1. Raichlan is still laboring under the idea that Kansas City barbecue sauce is all about the molasses. If you eat at Bryant's, Gate's or Snead's you get anything but sweet in their original sauces. It really makes me crazy how KC Masterpiece has come to define Kansas City style. I knew KC wasn't the answer to that question but I voted for the ol' hometown out of spite.

2. I've eaten a lot of ribs in Austin and they never struck me as particularly pink (Maybe the Salt Lick's?). But, the baby backs at Artz Rib House were definitely smokin' hot.

Eric Braun

Cochinita Pibil. Slow roasted pork shoulder in orange juice wrapped in banana leaves.

Robert Rodriguez featured it on his 10 minute cooking school. You can watch it on YouTube.

NOOOO! Oh my god, it's not on there. The Park Cafe in Saint Mary, Montana, right outside the entrance to Glacier National Park. You have no idea what you're missing. It's almost good enough to make me move to Montana. It's one of those places where, for the rest of your life, you'll be saying "oh lord, remember that pie place? what was it called? it was soooooo good." There's a couple of OK pie places around here (Zingerman's, a branch of the Grand Traverse Pie Company, and some good stuff in Detroit) but nothing I've ever had hold a candle to this place. It's beyond comprehension.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g45345-d508904-Reviews-Park_Cafe-Saint_Mary_Montana.html

CANDY CANE JOE JOES!! They are the best, unfotunately they are only seasonal. I also love the CORN CHIPS WITH FLAX but Trader Joes are discontinuing them and selling them at 49 Cents a piece!! Get them while you can!!!!!

The list would not be complete without the Key Lime Pie from the Blonde Giraffe in Key West. They have won their local contest for many years. A visit to the Florida Keys would not be complete without a piece of their pie!

Great list... though I've been so disappointed with Soutine's pies and tarts over the past few holidays that I don't think I'll be going back. I'll have to give some of the other NYC establishments here a try.

Hey, y'all! I think, by way of his throw-down, palatineboor just invited all us Serious Eaters to come have his wife's pie in August!