Serious Eats: ronfrankl's Profile

The Serious Eats Guide to Taco Styles

Fantastic article. To me, the best thing I've ever read on this blog.

Do You Remember Hojo's?

At a time when road food could be pretty hit or miss, Howard Johnson's offered a consistent standard of quality. No, it wasn't great, but it was okay, and it wouldn't make you sick. In that way, it was the direct predecessor of the fast food chains that many of us rely on when we travel by highway. The ice cream - a then mind-boggling 28 flavors - was probably the best thing they offered, although I have fond memories of the hot dogs and fried clams. For a long time, Friday evenings were "all you can eat" seafood nights; all fried and frozen, of course, but relatively tasty.

ronfrankl at 6:25PM on 04/20/11

From A Hamburger Today

The Burger Lab: The Burger Gadget Edition

I own a Big City Slider Station, and it was worth the $15 I paid for it. It pretty much does what it claims to do, and the sliders it turns out are decent.

The one major problem is that the clean up takes longer than the combined prep, cooking and eating time; it's not machine washable. Other users have complained that the coating of the cooking surface comes off on their meat, but I think they were cooking at higher than the recommended temperature. Also, if you're cooking multiple batches it needs to be cleaned between them, as the fat quickly accumulates in the cooking chamber.

ronfrankl at 1:49PM on 08/30/10

From Serious Eats

Chick-fil-A's Spicy Chicken Sandwich

I've tried the Spicy Chicken and I liked it; I'd always found Chick-Fil-A's standard chicken sandwich a little too bland. But if I'm going to eat a fast food chicken sandwich I would opt for Bojangles over Chick-Fil-A every time. Bo's very tasty Cajun Filet Biscuit is my go-to lunch on the quick.

ronfrankl at 12:51PM on 08/09/10

From Serious Eats

Quiznos vs. Subway: Toasted Sub Showdown

In theory, I prefer Quiznos to Subway, with one major caveat. At every Quiznos at which I have eaten quality control is a major problem. If they are getting slammed during lunch or dinner rush, the sandwiches are sloppy and rushed, making them unappetizing or inedible. If they ever figure out how to solve this problem, they are far better than their primary competition.

Another vote for Jersey Mike's, a terrific mini-chain that reminds me of the hero shops I used to frequent on the Jersey shore many years ago. Nothing fancy, but the sandwiches are consistently good.

ronfrankl at 3:46PM on 06/28/10

From Serious Eats: New York

A Sandwich a Day: The Mile High Special at Manganaro's Hero Boy

Hero Boy is the sandwich shop on the left, not the deli.

I used to love this sandwich, but the staff was so unpleasant I finally decided that no sandwich was worth the rudeness. Sadly, this behavior can be found in both Managanaro-related stores.

ronfrankl at 10:52AM on 06/11/10

From Drinks

Baristas Test The Slayer, the New $18,000 Espresso Machine

This reads like coffee porn, and I like it!

ronfrankl at 11:17AM on 02/04/10

From Talk

When it's hot. . .

Cold fruit soups, preferably with berries.

ronfrankl at 5:44PM on 06/29/09

From Talk

Cannibalism

It depends on the side dishes.

ronfrankl at 6:25PM on 03/04/09

From Talk

Condiments hate them or love them?

Definitely love them, but the condiment should never overpower the rest of the dish, particularly if its something interesting. Use moderation or serve it on the side. I particularly like a good salsa, with just a small dab of mayo on any type of burger.

ronfrankl at 5:46PM on 02/26/09

From Talk

What mysterious smell would you like to waft through New York?

Fois Gras sauteed in madeira wine.

ronfrankl at 4:21PM on 02/05/09

From Talk

Crusts: Way or No Way?

I live outside NYC now, and I've never appreciated great bread, with crust, more than I do now. Here on the mainland, they don't seem to feel that a hard crust is a positive attribute. Almost all breads and rolls are as soft as sponges, and it drives me absolutely crazy. Try eating a hero sandwich or, excuse me, a sub, that's served on a soft roll! In any case, quality bread is something to be treasured and, yes, it has a real crust on it, which is certainly meant to be eaten.

ronfrankl at 5:35PM on 01/27/09

From Talk

Old New York: Bygone Restaurants

the Balkan-Armenian Restaurant on East 30th Street.

Smokey's (the original on Ninth Avenue, not the two lesser versions), which introduced NYC to slow-cooked barbecue).

ronfrankl at 5:18PM on 01/20/09

From Talk

I LOOOVE GUY FIERI

Have you ever considered that you may suffer from a poor self-image? You deserve nice things, too, just like other people. And you deserve a lot better than a Neanderthal like Guy Fieri. You can be helped.

ronfrankl at 6:26PM on 12/04/08

From Serious Eats

Glenny's American Fries, Ketchup Flavor

Herr's makes a potato chip that claims to use real Heinz ketchup in the flavoring, making it an all-Pennsylvania product, I guess. While it doesn't taste horrible, the bag sure did seem to last a long time, if you know what I mean. Glenny's American Fries sounds awful, though.

ronfrankl at 11:56AM on 09/12/08

From Serious Eats

A 13 Shot Venti Soy Hazelnut Vanilla Cinnamon White Mocha With Extra White Mocha and Caramel

Hey! That's my regular drink at Starbucks!

ronfrankl at 11:48AM on 12/22/07

From Serious Eats

Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Southside Market Sausage

Green River Barbecue, Saluda, NC!

ronfrankl at 4:08PM on 12/11/07

From Serious Eats

Fish-Flavored Fish

Although, this stuff might go well on Soylent Green. Worth a try.

ronfrankl at 1:18PM on 12/10/07

From Serious Eats

Fish-Flavored Fish

Please don't.

ronfrankl at 6:22PM on 12/09/07

From Talk

School lunches - A walk down memory lane

Fish sticks and spaghetti? What was up with that?

ronfrankl at 9:18AM on 09/13/07

From Serious Eats

Did Leah Chase Do the Right Thing? Cast Your Vote Here!

As angry as I am at the Bush Administration at their ongoing failure to help the people (as opposed to the businesses) of New Orleans, I believe that Ms. Chase did the right thing here. She is not a politician, she runs a business, a restaurant that offers fine dining to all. To expect her to endanger the future of her establishment to make a political statement is unfair. What would be appropriate, however, would be for others to point out the irony of the Bush visit, with Ms. Chase in her trailer, tens of thousands of New Orleans residents displaced from their homes, and violent crime ubchecked in the streets of the city. Ms. Chase's graciousness in the face of these realities should be commended, not condemned.

ronfrankl at 8:36AM on 09/05/07

From Serious Eats

NYC Mac and Cheese Porn

I feel so cheap and dirty after looking at the pictures. Hungry, too.

ronfrankl at 11:18AM on 08/31/07

From Talk

Where's everybody from?

Western North Carolina, after 48 years in New York. No lookin' back, either. We have a Fresh Market store here, the same chain where you've seen the Top Chef contestants shopping, so I didn't feel completely cut-off from high-quality foods. And there's a Whole Foods clone called Earth Fare nearby.

ronfrankl at 5:25PM on 08/28/07

From Talk

Walking into the Grocery..wanting a cheap bottle of wine...

I've always liked Chateau Greysac, a Medoc Bordeaux that goes well with beef or pork without overpowering it. It's a blend, so it's not too complicated, so it's not likely to run away with the meal. Under $20.

ronfrankl at 5:21PM on 08/28/07

From Talk