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Baba Yega in Houston, Texas.

I'm sure the French fries are good, but one should NEVER pass up the potato salad here.

Joe's BBQ in Alvin, Texas. I live in Houston, where Goode Co. seems to be the most popular, but I'd drive 35 miles out of town to get Joe's BBQ.

sirloin

someone wrote about their father cooking sirloin over a charcoal webber grill. that brought back one of my fondest food memories. dad would cook on his grill, even in the middle of a chicago winter. he would shovel the snow off the patio or back porch -- at least a few times a week. one of those nights we'd have sirloin, marinated in garlic powder, worcester sauce and mustard. i've tried to duplicate it, but it can't be done. while i loves me a porterhouse, filet, or ribeye, nothing compares to dad's sirloin.

Marcel Desaulniers has a recipe for a pumpkin chocolate cheesecake in his Death by Chocolate cookbook. It is rich and decadent. A showstopper every time I've made it. You can probably find the recipe somewhere online, but I highly recommend purchasing the book.

I've been making the Cook's Illustrated Best Drop Biscuits since it came out in 2007, but this year I am going to try the Maple Walnut Cornbread. For Thanksgiving Dinner anyway. I'll make the Biscuits for breakfast.

family meal for us was always something from the grill, either hamburgers, sirloin steak (which my dad would purposefully mispronounce, "snake") or chicken with bbq sauce. sides were rice-a-roni, canned green beans, frozen peas or corn. we weren't big on desserts as a family.

My preference would be to avoid the passive aggressive ways of letting her know by being more direct. How about saying, "This isn't easy for me to say because I realize your feelings may be hurt, but out of respect for both you and me, it's important for me to let you know that some things have happened that are affecting my work relationship with you. The primary reason is that I don't think we are very compatible any more. I feel pressured to have lunch with you, and while I think it's very generous and kind of you to want to spend so much time with me and bring me food to try, I find it's becoming more of an obligation than enjoyable social time. I appreciate the courteousness we show each other in the office together, and I hope that doesn't change, which is one of the main reasons I feel I need to bring this up, even though I know it is probably hard to hear. So for now, and in the near future, I really want to encourage you to find another lunch companion."

Texas -- Even though the name of the state is represented in "Tex-Mex," my preference is chili or BBQ, and by BBQ, I mean slow-smoked brisket.

Oh, and pecan pie.

melty peanut butter on toast, english muffin or bagel.

ricotta cheese and one egg mixed with italian spices and your favorite marinara with fresh mozzarella or provolone on top. heat in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. let cool before eating.

refried beans with strained salsa and mexican cheese blend on top. again, heat in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. let cool before eating.

pureed tuna with wasabe and mayo.

O' bacon on my plate
I salivate
No room for other fare
Knowing I should share

On the stove top
I smell a pork chop
No one else will see
Keep quiet, all for me.

@hmlicata: i moved away 15 years ago... glad to know it's still there. every now and then i could smell it after getting off work in the loop. near the river. i always thought i could make a killing if i had a brownie stand when that scent wafted through.