Pizza and Beer

 My favorite pizza is Imo's. It is a St. Louis based chain. Pictured is an Imo's sausage pizza but I like adding onion and black olives.

I think beer pairs perfectly with pizza. And my favorite beer to go with pizza is Michelob. Michelob also goes well with red sauce pastas, toasted ravioli, etc.

 

This last photo here is a Jet's sausage, black olive and onion pizza. Theirs is the best pizza for my taste in the Raleigh area.

 

I use to be a fan of Bada Bing pizza on S. Glenwood, but they aren't there anymore.

So for now - it is Jet's pizza and Michelob for me.

Sausage/Egg/Cheese Breakfast Sandwich

 I tried and compared both the McDonald's- Sausage/Egg/Cheese/McGriddle, and the Jimmy Deans - Maple Griddle Cake, Sausage/Egg/Cheese.
The McGriddle was $5.49 for 1.
The Jimmy Deans $.49 for 4 ($1.88 each).

 

Overall, I actually prefer the taste and texture of the Jimmy Deans. And at a savings of $3.61 each they are almost impossible to beat. Pus, they are already at home and can be ready in 2 minutes.

 

Pick some of these up at your local grocery store and give them a try.

10 out of 10 for a breakfast sandwich.

Hot Chocolates

 I thought that since we are going to have ice and be home for the next several days that I would want some hot chocolate. I decided to get Swiss Miss and Nestles and compare them.

I made both of them with whole milk using the package recommended amounts.

I personally like the Nestle better. It is a bit more chocolatly and a bit sweeter. 

 
The Swiss Miss seemed a bit thinner and darker. 

 The Nestle was from Walmart and the Swiss Miss ws from Food Lion.

Popeyes #11375, on Pinewoods Dr

I don't know why I've always had such bad luck at restaurants, but it continues...
Here is my newest one.

On Tuesday I stopped at Popeyes #11375, on Pinewoods Dr in Raleigh. I ordered a 4 Piece Combo (4 pieces of chicken, biscuit, one side, and a drink.) I ordered it with mashed potatos and a Coke. She then said "We don't have any soda. We have lemonade or water." 

I told her forget the drink and I pulled up to the window. Upon arriving at the window she just opened it and said "10 16" and held out her hand. I handed her my card and she ran it, then handed it back. About 10 seconds later she handed me a bag and shut the window.

I looked in the bag for the receipt and it wasn't there - so I sat there and waited for her to notice me. When she noticed me she opened the window and said "What?"

I stated that I didn't get a receipt and she replied "We don't have them. Our machine isn't working."
So; NO soda. NO - receipts.

 

Then when I got home and pulled everything from the bag there was only the mashed potatos and the chicken. NO biscuit. NO utensils to eat the potatoes with. NO napkins.

Horrible service. Missing items. No soda (and no discount for the missing soda).
I'm adding this store to me "Restaurants to Avoid" list.

Saturday morning at Waffle House

 

It was Waffle House. The experience was everything expected. We sat at the counter and our waitress was fast, cheerful, friendly and efficient. 

Coffee was hot and fresh. Our food arrived quickly and was what we ordered. The eggs were fluffy and hot, the hashbrowns were right on, toast was a bit under toasted with very little butter but still OK, the sausage patties were small, hard, and a slightly off taste. 

I would rate the food overall an 8.2 and our server a 10.

Fried Shrimp and Clams

Captain D's use to have a fried shrimp & clams side combo that was very good.  During the supply issues associated with the Covid lockdowns Captain D's decided to drop this from their menu.  The prices were reasonable and the food was good.  I wish they would bring this combo back.

Howard Johnson's had really good fried clams.  Wednesday nights were all you could eat clams.  I miss this too.

Flaming Pit had fried shrimp that I remember from when I was growing up.

I just tried the fried shrimp/fried clams combo from Carolina Fish Fry Co. on Benson Rd. in Garner.  They were good but not great.  I wish the shrimp breading would have been a bit crunchier. The potato salad was very good.  The hush puppies were cooked well.  The mash potatoes and gravy were good - with the potatoes a bit chunky giving them a nice texture.  Overall, I would rate Carolina Fish a 7.4 out of 10.  Yes, I would definitely order them again.  

MoonRunners Saloon on Hwy 70 in Garner also has some very good friend shrimp.  If you are craving shrimp I would recommend Moonrunners.

My Favorite Fried Chicken

 Pilot House Kitchens. 

Pilot House use to have several locations around the St. Louis area. Now, the chicken is only available at the Sunset 44 Restaurant.  I love friend chicken and really wish Pilot House was available here. 

I would rate Pilot House chicken a 9.5 out 10.