Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I'm in love with the vendor. Nice arms!

I live in Saratoga Springs and went to the racetrack last weekend, primarily to have my first Shake Shack experience. Maybe the hype/expectations spoiled it for me, but my experience was a bit disappointing.

The line wasn't much of a wait (in fact, after I ordered, there was no line at all). I got our burgers fairly quickly, but not the shakes we'd ordered. When handed the burgers, I was told the shakes would be right up.

[Waiting, waiting, waiting...seeing people who were in line behind me getting their shakes...10 minutes or so now, box o' burgers in my hand getting cold.]

Eventually someone noticed my continued presence and asked what I was waiting for. Then we got the shakes, and and offer for some fries "on us", which I declined. Then an offer of "anything", which I also declined. That was good service, at least.

Burgers: VERY tasty-looking and juicy, yet surprisingly meh. My fellow-Serious-Eater called it right away: needs some salt.

Shakes: We both had the black-and-whites. FANTASTIC.

Verdict: Two (single) burgers and two shakes: $23. Value-for-money is questionable, and I certainly wouldn't wait in a long line to pay that much.

If you've ever eaten shrimp or lobster, you've already eaten bugs. Sea bugs, but bugs nonetheless. I'd give land bugs a try.

I'm all about the sides, smothered in turkey gravy. Therefore, the turkey is necessary.

I second Capital Q Smokehouse. Fantastic BBQ. I always hear great things about Bros. Tacos. Tried going there once on a Sunday, and they were closed, which is how we discovered Capital Q (it's 1/2 block down the street).

Pump Station is great for a beer and burger. The jerk pork burrito at Bombers is killer.

What Luther said about stuffing the oven, plus you then have to refrigerate all that warm food. Using a toaster over or micro-convection oven is a better way to save energy.

Vinegar is the best cleaner in the world and it costs a couple bucks a gallon.

I'm dubious as to whether dishwashers save that much water. Anyway, how much water, energy, carbon, steel, plastics and other natural resources were expended in manufacturing and shipping the thing?

I'd lick that.

Er...without it.

Noooooo! I love cocoa mulch on my garden.

I say both. I buy almost 100% of the beef, lamb and pork for our household from local farmers. Doing so preserves local farmland, requires less fuel for shipping, and supports the local economy. It's also tastier and healthier since the animals eat a natural diet and are better cared for.

As far as land usage, that depends where you live. Here in the Northeast we have a short growing season, relatively poor and rocky soil, and hilly topography. Sheep, pigs and cattle flourish in such an environment. Corn and wheat...not so much.

OMG I'd kill for a pastel right now. There is nothing better than pasteles.

I thought we had settled this permanently:

http://www.modernarthur.com/blog/christwhatanasshole.html