Carney's - West Hollywood, CA

If you have ever driven along the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, two of the most recognizable landmarks both share a Western theme.  One is the cowboy-themed Saddle Ranch, which has been featured on VH1, while the other lies right next door.  Carney's sits as an old rail car-transformed-into-a-restaurant, undoubtedly a factor that led me to grow fond of it as a youth.

Carney's offers up casual cuisine, specializing in chili burgers, hot dogs and sausages, though they do offer a few other options.  The prices are quite cheap, especially given the location.  A burger is under five bucks, even with chili on it, and comes with lettuce, cheese and a thickly sliced tomato.  It can also be enjoyed with a view of one of the most well-known stretches of road in the world.

As for the food, so far I have tried the chili hot dog, chili cheeseburger, and chili cheese fries.  The chili cheese burger is my typical go-to when at Carney’s.  I recommend getting a double as the patties can be a bit thin, but two patties will solve the problem.  To perfectly describe a Carney’s burger, think of it as the spot that you might end a long Saturday evening.  The burger comes with a heavy slab of chili, thickly sliced tomato, lettuce and onion.  The chili is usually pretty good, though can occasionally fall on the mushy side.  Keep it mind though, that is not a frequent occurrence.  Overall, a nicely sized, tasty burger that reminds any westerner of an In-N-Out burger plus chili and minus the secret sauce.  

The chili cheese dog is a steamed stretch dog.  On the downside, it disappointed me to see that the hot dogs are precooked and sitting in a steamer until ordered.  On the plus side, once the toppings are added, it turns out that does not make much of a difference.  The hot dog features a nice layer of chili, onions and mustard.  Despite being quite messy and prone to falling apart, it actually tastes pretty good.  The fries are about as thick as a McDonald's fries, but a little crisper.  They are a little bland flavor wise, though that can be slightly improved with a little chili and cheese.  The fries are topped with a layer of chili then a few slices of American cheese and then another layer of chili.  Although I am a bit turned off by the fact that the cheese is merely a few slices, the chili on top does help to melt it.

Martell's Tiki Bar - Point Pleasant, NJ

Anyone who has ever spent time at the Jersey Shore already knows about Martell's, the legendary tiki bar at Jenkinson's Boardwalk in Point Pleasant.  As a youth, Point Pleasant was my favorite beach on the Jersey Shore and it was almost like a family tradition to always stop at Martell's while there.

Martell's is right on the beach, and the tables are always packed, as is the bar.  Over the summer, I stopped with my Dad to have a few drinks and grab some lunch on our way back from Atlantic City.  The sun beat down as we enjoyed a bucket full of ice cold Coronas.  The waiter was terrific, hustling and always there when we needed him despite numerous tables to tend.  Between the people watching, nice beach flanking the bar and the often-live music, this makes for a perfect place to hang out on a bright summer day.

For lunch, I was craving a kids classic so I went with a grilled cheese.  The grilled cheese arrived in a basket on top of some fries.  Although grilled cheese is not the most complex dish to make, I had no complaints.  There was enough cheese, most likely two slices of American melted perfectly, and the bread brown without burning.

Martell’s is always a scene on the weekend, when the Shore crew and weekend visitors flock for a party.  During the summer months, check the calendar and take a trip to Point Pleasant for a wild weekend.

Wendy's - Chain

Everyone has their own opinions about what the best fast food restaurants are.  Some swear by McDonald's, while some claim Burger King's burgers are incomparable.  Others claim Wendy's has the freshest products and best variety.  So this write-up will probably do little to sway any opinions already out there, simply deliver my take on the fast-food chain founded by Dave Thomas.

To start off, when dining in the restaurant, one thing that separates Wendy's from the rest of the fast food pack is the level of cleanliness and a more upscale design when compared to other fast food restaurants.  While many burger fast food places offer similar menus, mixing chicken sandwiches, burgers, chicken nuggets, and fries as the main staples, Wendy's seems to stand out in this regard.  Aside from these offerings, they also offer items such as baked potatoes, chili, and a mixture of salads.  However, one interesting thing is that it does not have a signature burger, like McDonald's Big Mac and Burger King's Whopper.

In my most recent trip I decided to opt for the Asiago Ranch Chicken Club.  I took mine with Spicy Chicken as opposed to the regular.  As far as fast food goes, this was one giant sandwich.  The taste was excellent, with the cool ranch offsetting the heat of the chicken perfectly.  The fresh lettuce and tomato added some flavor, as did the few slices of bacon.  Other thing that distanced this sandwich from its chicken counterparts at rival fast food spots were the size of the chicken and the quality of the bread.

Wendy's fries are also among the best fast food fries available, about even with McDonald's.  A bit thicker in size and cooked with a slight crisp, the fries do require a bit of salting, but aside from that are pretty tasty.  The baked potatoes come can come served a few different ways, with cheese, broccoli, sour cream, butter among the options.  I must warn that if you get it with cheese, while it can be good, it comes extremely cheesy.  My usual preferred way is with butter, but the cheese and broccoli option can be enticing at times.  Although this is not a gourmet potato and can sometimes seem a little watery, it is pretty good and a nice alternative to fries at times.

Wendy's remains one of my favorite fast food chains and the Asiago Ranch Chicken Club is a great addition to their lineup.  Next time you are looking for something quick and convenient, give it a shot.

Price: 5.5

Asiago Ranch Chicken Club: 8

Fries: 8

Baked Potato: 4.5

Overall: 7

South Street Steaks - Bethesda, MD

Going to school at the University of Maryland, I first experienced South Street Steaks one day when craving one of my favorite foods...of course, a philly cheesesteak.  College Park had a place that I had heard good things about and despite being very picky when it comes to finding an authentic cheesesteak, I decided to give it a try.  Unfortunately, the College Park location has since closed, but South Street can still be found in Bethesda and Gaithersburg, Maryland.

A very casual place, South Street is great for pickup or a quick lunch.  What I love about South Street is the fact that they, unlike so many other places, offer whiz as a cheese option.  Blending a little of the two main Philly staples, they chop the steak up, similar to Pat's, while putting the cheese directly on the roll, as Geno's does.  The rolls are amoroso rolls, imported from Philly.  While these cheesesteaks are not quite as good as those from Philly, they are some of the best outside of Philly.  The whiz stays nice and liquidy, offering a great complement to the generous portions of meat packed into the roll.

Although the fries are nothing to write home about at South Street, the burgers are actually quite tasty should a cheesesteak not be what you are looking for.  The prices at South Street are also quite reasonable and perfect for the lunch crowd.

South Street is one of my favorite restaurants in the vicinity of College Park, and one of the few that I would drive half an hour every once in a while.

Roll: 6

Meat: 7

Cheese: 9

Price: 9

Overall: 8 

Pat's King of Steaks - Philadelphia, PA

Ever since trying Pat's for the first time, I have been loyal to Geno's.  However, one day, while driving down to Maryland, I was faced with a difficult decision.  On one hand, my beloved Geno's had a massive line that would have taken about 45 minutes to get through.  On the other hand, Pat's stood across the street, with no line at all.

Despite the tough decision, I ended up deciding to give Pat's another shot.  After giving some advice to an out-of-town family on "how to order a cheesesteak," I ordered my own Whiz Without.  Unlike Geno's, Pat's chops their steak up and puts the cheese on top of the meat instead of directly on the roll.  
Unfortunately, this makes the cheesesteak suffer, given that the cheese gets cold quicker and does not stay in liquid format as easily.

While the roll is good and very similar to the ones used at Geno's, I prefer the meat at Geno's, which has a little more fat on it, making it juicier.  I also prefer the slabs of thinly sliced steak, rather than the chopped up steak that Pat's uses.

Although the size of the line can vary, it is usually pretty easy to find parking nearby.  As the originator of the cheesesteak, I will give it credit for inventing one of my favorite foods.  However, their current name takes it a bit far, suggesting being the King of Steaks, which currently should rightfully belong to its cross-street rival, the neon-lighted Geno's.  Nevertheless, this cheesesteak is above average, just not when compared to other Philly locales.

Bread: 8

Cheese: 7

Meat: 7

Price: 5

Overall: 6.5

Timmy Nolan's - Toluca Lake, CA

Having arrived out in Burbank a couple days ago, I was looking for a couple local places to catch some sports, chat with the locals and grab a beer or some food.  Within walking distance from my Grandmother's house lies a small Irish Pub named Timmy Nolan's.  Being the closest place that seemed to offer a combination of the three, I figured I would give it a shot.

With my Grandmother heading to bed early, I ventured over to watch some of the Angels game one night.  Timmy Nolan's offers an impressive array of beer, with a broad blend of domestics and imports.  After settling in for a few minutes with a beer in front of me, I soon found myself immersed in conversation with both the people around me and the friendly barstaff.  Being a somewhat small, neighborhood-style pub, many of the patrons seemed to already know each other.  In fact, on return trips, I was remembered by the bartenders, making it a very welcoming place.  Although Los Angeles gets a reputation for having people who present a "fake" persona, I have found the people at Timmy Nolan's to be very genuine, and the conversation is always something new and interesting.  With an eclectic variety of patrons, you could meet anyone from a construction worker to an artist to a businessman, with a journey to this local pub.

One day, while there, I found myself faced with some hunger.  Taking a look at the menu, I was impressed by a more expansive selection than one would typically find at a bar.  On top of that, the food was more than just the typical burgers, with some specialties (especially Irish ones) on the menu.  After brief contemplation and some advice from the owner/bartender, Dennis (a really friendly guy), I settled on the Irish Stew.  About 10 minutes later, I had decided that whenever I eat at Timmy Nolan's, I probably will not be too adventurous with the rest of the menu.  Why?  The Irish Stew is to die for!  This is something i could easily order every time.  Arriving in a sourdough bread bowl, the hearty stew blends beef cubes, carrots and potatoes.  The beef is perfectly cooked and practically melts in your mouth.  As a whole, the combination works so well together that when you finish the serving you find yourself wishing for more.

The drink prices could be better, but are not outrageous, especially given the superior selection when compared to most bars.  An impressive selection of Irish Whiskey's will also appease any liquor connoisseur.  I have nothing but praise for the food and my Grandmother enjoyed the Fish and Chips when we returned another time.  Compound these with the friendly staff and this is a perfect place to stop by, grab a drink and have a nice conversation when in the Toluca Lake neighborhood.

Atmosphere: 6.5

TV's: 7 (Large, about 4 of them)

Beer Selection: 8

Price:  5.5

Irish Stew: 9

Overall: 8

Philadelphia Sandwiches - North Hollywood, CA

On my way to the Verizon Store today, I stopped at a local joint in North Hollywood. The name was quite unassuming, but it described just what I was craving, so I stumbled into Philadelphia Sandwiches.

Most who know me know that I am a sucker for cheesesteaks and would rank them, along with wings, as my two favorite foods. That said, I did a search on Yelp and discovered Philadelphia Sandwiches. Being a weekday and with a full schedule, I ordered at the counter and grabbed a seat, intent on eating quickly.

The man who took my order, presumably the owner, was friendly, inquiring if I was from Philadelphia upon my asking if they offered whiz. Although whiz was not offered, I have grown to not expect to find that frequently in Los Angeles. Instead of getting my typical whiz, I opted for melted Yellow American instead of Provolone. The sandwich was not on an Amoroso roll, typical of Philly Cheesesteaks, but instead came on a toasted roll. Given the differences from the cheesesteaks I have been spoiled by while growing up, one would not expect this to turn out well. However, surprisingly it all comes together for an above average sandwich. The bread was a little bit crispy, but I did appreciate the fact that it was toasted. A good portion of thinly sliced, chopped ribeye makes this quality meat for a cheesesteak sandwich.

Although this falls short of a true Philly cheesesteak, it is Los Angeles, so expectations must be tempered. Philadelphia Sandwiches offers a pretty good cheesesteak worthy of a chance if in the North Hollywood area.

Bread: 6

Meat: 7

Cheese: 7

Overall: 6.5

Steel City Sandwich - Los Angeles Food Truck

As an avid viewer of the food programs featured on the Travel Channel, it would be hard to miss the legendary Primanti Brothers, holding a spot on nearly every food-related show the channel offers. Primanti Brothers first opened its doors in 1933 in the warehouse district of Pittsburgh, where the famous Primanti Brothers sandwich was born. The idea behind the sandwich was to give truckers that needed to get back on the road their meal in an all-in-one package. Hence, the idea to include the fries, cole slaw, tomatoes, meat, eggs (if desired), and cheese between two slabs of Italian bread, and you have a Primanti sandwich! The sandwich could be eaten using one hand and combined all the elements needed.

Having long craved one of these sandwiches and never having the opportunity to make it to Pittsburgh, I was enthused to find a Los Angeles food truck based on these Steel City staples. Although often across town, I checked Twitter one day to find that it had ventured over to the Burbank vicinity. Naturally, I headed over for lunch to get my first taste of the sandwich that had so long eluded me. After juggling menu decisions for a few minutes while waiting in line, I stepped up to the counter and was greeted by a friendly girl taking orders. I settled on the The Champion, which packs double meat (I chose capicola), a fried egg, and provolone cheese along with the typical slaw, fries and tomato.

One bite in and I was already impressed, the sandwich tasting even better than I was expecting. The hot, salty mixture of the meat and fries is offset by the cool touch of the tomato and vinegar-flavored cole slaw. One tip to really add to the flavor, not that it needs any more, is to add some hot sauce to the sandwich. The fries are the perfect style for this sandwich, soft with a strong flavor. The oil and vinegar in the sandwich serves as the perfect complement to the delectable fries. It must be noted that the sandwiches must be consumed quickly, as they fall apart quite easily if you let them out of your grasp. It is also important to get a bit of everything in each bite for the full effect of the sandwich.

Although the Steel City Truck does offer some other options in addition to sandwiches, such as pierogies, you really probably do not need any sides considering your sandwich already includes them! The prices are acceptable, but not great. My sandwich was $9, though you can get a Yinzer, which has single meat and no egg, for $7.

Bread: 6

Fries: 10

Slaw: 8 (Not usually a fan, but if I had to get it, this was up there)

Meat: 7

Egg: 7

Overall Taste: 9.5

Value: 6

November Mix

November Mix

On a non-food related topic, I have posted my new mix for November on Soundcloud. This mix is not one to miss so go download it!

The Breslin - New York, NY

The Breslin

I first saw The Breslin on the show Best Thing I Ever Ate, where someone mentioned it for their remarkable Lamb Burger.  Interest piqued by the great-looking bread, I suggested it to my Dad as a possible place to check out on a recent trip to New York.  Located on 29th Street and being in the area, we decided to stop in for lunch.  It was a Friday afternoon on a weekend that counted Monday as a holiday and the place was filled with people either taking an early weekend or in for a quick lunch.  

Situated in a hotel, The Breslin is probably not the place you want to go with a group of people with widely varying taste palettes as the menu is rather small.  They did have a decent collection of local and craft beers though, making it a place that a beer aficionado can sip one down with the meal.

Knowing our order before arriving, we promptly ordered two Lamb Burgers.  Served on a cutting board, the burger comes out with a side of fries.  At around $16, this burger is not cheap, but one must also consider that the price of lamb is a bit higher than beef.  The bread that the burger comes on is top notch, reflective of a brioche.  The meat in the burger has a great flavor and is nice and juicy.  Unfortunately, where the burger falls down a bit comes in the cheese department.  Although there is nothing wrong with the feta cheese, inspired by the Greeks and their heavy use of feta with lamb, I found it to overpower this burger a little too much.  I would have found a thinner slice to be preferential given the strength of feta.  However, overall the burger was still enjoyable and something I would order again.  As for the fries, they were a treat.  A great blend between crunch and soft potato flavor made these a terrific side dish.

Overall, The Breslin was a solid experience, but given the price, not one to frequent except for rare occasions.  In a city like New York, where restaurants occupy every corner, this is one to try once and then continue the quest for new food.

Burger: 7

Fries: 8

Price: 5

Overall: 7

Vitello's - Studio City, CA

Vitello's

On my third day in Los Angeles, I was really craving a chicken parm for lunch, so my Grandmother and I ventured off to find an Italian restaurant.  Being an Italian grandmother, I was very surprised to hear that she was actually a fan of Olive Garden.  However, she suggested we head over to Studio City, where she knew of a good restaurant.  We made the short drive into Studio City, where we drove along Ventura Boulevard.  Unfortunately, we had little success finding an Italian Restaurant that seemed worth going to.  One restaurant claimed to serve Italian food, yet featured only pizza and American-style sandwiches! There was not even any pasta on the menu!  The other restaurant we knew to have good Italian food was closed due to the fact that it was a Sunday.  This led us to Vitello's on Tujunga, just a few minutes from Studio City.

Upon arriving, we were a bit frustrated to find the parking lot next to the restaurant to only offer valet, which in this case was more of a hassle than help.  Heading into Vitello's, we found a uniquely designed restaurant with dim lighting and a wall of celebrity autographed photos of past diners.  The room we were led into featured a number of booths suitable for five to six guests.  Painted on the wall was a mural of an Italian city situated on the Mediterranean.  The restaurant was nice and quiet, which was perfect for my grandmother, who can have some trouble hearing in loud restaurants, and our waiter was very friendly.

As an appetizer, my grandmother ordered the fried calamari, while I got a cup of straciatella.  The calamari was easily the best calamari I had ever tasted in my life.  Breaded lightly with tremendous flavor, I got a nicely, but not overdone salty-citrus taste.  It was so good, I could not stop throwing more calamari into my throat!  The calamari also came with a marinara sauce that complemented the salt well.

After finishing our amazing calamari, my chicken parm arrived.  A small side of pasta with marinara sauce complemented my large piece of chicken.  The chicken was excellent, with a perfect blend of marinara sauce, cheese and chicken, none overpowered the other.  The chicken had a light breading that added a slight crisp to it and the cheese was applied generously.  With the calamari as an appetizer, this was enough to fill my appetite and satisfy my craving for a chicken parm.  Both my grandmother and I were very pleased with our meals, and she also found the tiramisu to be delicious.  A return trip to Vitello's is sure to be in the works.

Calamari: 10

Chicken Parm: 8

Straciatella: 5

Atmosphere: 6

Overall: 8

Ben's Chili Bowl - Washington, DC

Ben's Chili Bowl

The name Ben's Chili Bowl may ring a bell if the remote has ever been tucked under the couch with the Travel Channel left on.  A signature spot on the food show circuits, this Washington D.C. establishment has even been revered as a historic site.  Located in the famed U-Street Corridor in the Shaw District, Ben's has stood for over 50 years, withstanding the riots that swept away and forced out many other businesses in the area.  Thank God that Ben's was able to endure the obstacles though, as this is one restaurant worth a long drive.

Made legendary by comedian Bill Cosby, Ben's Chili Bowl has counted visitors such as President Obama among its clientele.  While waiting in line, you will probably even notice a sign that says "The following people eat here free: Bill Cosby, President Obama, and no one else."  Frankly, the sign makes sense.  Anyone who tries the Chili Half Smokes here would be compelled to eat here every day if offered free meals.

While a tourist might just head over to Ben's whenever hunger strikes, they would be unwise in doing so.  Planning can be critical in this eating-out experience as the lines can go halfway up the alley next to Ben's.  Between tourists and the D.C. locals looking to get their chili fix, a trip at the wrong time can include a lengthy wait.  Based on my experiences, some times to avoid would be sunny weekends around lunch time, as well as potentially late-night, when bar-goers look to solve their drunk munchies.

As for the atmosphere, once you get through the line and finally in the door, it feels as though you have truly exited D.C. and entered a popular Caribbean restaurant.  The speakers blare with tunes that would make Bob Marley wish he was buried under the building.  I literally think I have heard "Buffalo Soldier" every single time I have been to Ben's!  The Chili Bowl was opened in 1958 by Trinidadian immigrant Ben Ali, who has kept it in the family ever since.

While waiting for a server to take your order, the smell of the grill emanates as hundreds of hot dogs and half smokes slowly simmer.  Mayhem seems to fill the air as the many servers shout over each other taking customers orders in a somewhat disorganized fashion.  In fact, that would be my biggest complaint about Ben's Chili Bowl.  While it can be easy to initially place your order, keeping track of it is essential as   the staff often take many orders at a time and have been known to lose track of some.  Paying can also be confusing, especially when eating at the counter as different servers have different methods, some preferring to have you pay while receiving your food, some bringing the food to you at the counter, and some taking payment at the counter after the meal.

Now that we have ordered our food and received it, time to dig in!  Personally, I always go with the staple item of Ben's, the Chili Half Smoke, a Half-Pork/Half-Beef Sausage topped with Ben's secret chili, served with chips.  A side of Chili Cheese Fries and the meal is complete.  Each item sets you back about $5.45, a tad pricy for the items that you are getting, but nothing unreasonable, especially given the fact that you will not leave hungry and would pay double that for the same items at a baseball game.

Digging into the Half Smoke too early could burn your mouth, but will get the juices flowing in it and give you a terrific preview into what awaits.  Each bite provides a blend of hot dog bun, little bit of mustard and onions, and of course the sausage.  The chili, while nothing overwhelming, has a tiny kick to it to go with the special blend that gives it such a unique chili flavor.  Combine that with some liquid cheese that is not too thick making it the perfect complement, and the Chili Cheese Fries are really the gem of Ben's.  A cup (or in my case a pitcher) of water to wash the food down and this is heaven.  Although I have never personally tried anything else on the menu, I have accompanied people who have ordered the Chili Hot Dog and Chili Cheeseburger (a bit small, but nonetheless good).  They also offer a veggie chili and veggie burger for those with tamer tastes.

As a University of Maryland student, this was a trip I was willing to take whenever the chance arose.  If in the D.C. area, take a trip over to U and 12th Street for a memorable experience and a meal you will not forget.

Price: 7

Chili Cheese Fries: 10

Chili Half Smoke: 8.5

Service: 4

Overall: 9

Good Stuff Eatery - Washington, DC

Good Stuff Eatery

If the name Good Stuff Eatery sounds familiar, don't question yourself.  Chances are you might have heard the name before as its Owner and Executive Chef, Spike Mendelsohn, has been featured on the television show Top Chef.  However, the restaurant came to my attention after reading a magazine article raving about the tremendous burgers they offer.  In the area following a class tour of the Capitol Building, we made the short trek to the restaurant.

Upon entering, we encountered a busy restaurant, despite getting there around three in the afternoon.  However, after moving through the five minute line, my order was placed for a Spike's Sunnyside Burger accompanied by a side of fries.    While waiting for our food to be prepared, we grabbed a table and assortment of the various flavored mayos they had on hand.  Despite my dislike of traditional mayo, I gave each flavored one a try (they have Mango, Old Bay, Srichacha, and a few others) and found the Old Bay one to be a worthy dip for the fries.  Unfortunately, the fries as a whole were pretty poor.  Many were chopped too small and hardly even resembled a fry and the overall taste was somewhat bland.

If this review has you discouraged about ever visiting though, fear not!  One bite of the burger will change your mind INSTANTLY!  Spike's Sunnyside features an organic patty that has been carefully grass fed, then tops it off with a fried egg, some strips of bacon and a slice of cheese before finding itself on a brioche bun.  My teeth immediately clamp down, ripping through the egg and sending the yolk spewing from all sides.  The bite encompasses every part of the burger and it is magnificent.  The meat is thick and juicy.  It really feels like your are eating a burger as opposed to some thin patty that is then loaded with more produce than your average farm.  As for the egg, perfectly cooked, with running yolk, this is what really brings the whole burger together, adding a flavor not found in most burgers.  I have to say, the bacon is probably optional.  Although it did not hinder the burger much, it added little.  The other triumph of this burger is the bun it sits on, a brioche bun sturdy enough to withstand the dripping egg, yet soft enough to enjoy eating.  Though some of their burgers come on a regular potato roll, I would suggest requesting the brioche bun if your pick does not.  

This is the best burger (2nd place is the Green Iguana in Tampa) I have ever had and whenever I get the chance to enjoy this treat, I do not fail to pass it up.  Get over to the Capitol Hill area and check out this more upscale Five Guys style joint.  It is a trip you will not regret.

Burger: 10

Fries: 3

Shakes: 7

Overall: 9 (Just skip the fries)

Keens Steakhouse - New York, NY

Keens Steakhouse

If you have ever spent some time in New York, chances are you have heard of the well-known Keens Steakhouse.  I happened to be in the area following an interview near Herald Square so I met up with my Dad at this New York establishment.

The restaurant is dimly lit with a dining room and a separate room with a few tables and a bar.  We chose to sit at the bar, as they offered some bar lunch specials.  Being a famous steakhouse, the menu was rather high priced.  My Dad opted for the Miss ____, a burger without a bun, surrounded by salad.  I went the the Filet Mignon skewers, expecting a small amount of meat given its $20 price tag, but pleased that it included fries.

A short time later, out came the filet skewers, three piled together in a teepee shape.  One thing these skewers did not lack was a hefty amount of meat.  With a meat to peppers and onions ratio of about three to one, and roughly 14 ounces of meat, I could not believe what a deal I had just fallen into.  The meat was nice and tender, with enough juice to maintain the flavor.  My Dad liked his meal, but wishes he had gone with the skewers as I did, especially seeing as they were only two dollars more.  Take my advice, get to Keens on a weekday, slide into a bar stool and order the skewers.  You will not be disappointed!

Nomad Pizza - Hopewell, NJ

Nomad Pizza is a little outpost in Hopewell, New Jersey.  Tucked away a bit from the road, it can be easily missed if you are not on the lookout for it.  We arrived for dinner around five in the afternoon and were the first to arrive.  The staff was still preparing for dinner, but we were promptly seated and our orders swiftly taken.

I ordered the Margherita di Bufala pizza with a caesar salad to begin the meal.  The salad was closer to a wedge style than the traditional pre-chopped salad.  Though I prefer the pre-chopped variety, cutting it was not too much trouble.  I found the salad to require more dressing than was originally on it, but the waitress was glad to bring extra.

 

The neapolitan style pizzas were prepared using the brick oven.  The individual sized pizzas do not come sliced so it is your choice how you want to cut the pizza.  The pizza was quite tasty with a very fresh tomato taste.  The cheese was very soft and almost melted in your mouth, although there could have been more on the pizza.  However, one flaw I found with the pizza was the fact that certain pieces were hard to pick up due to the tomato sauce soaking through the thin bread.

Overall, I would recommend this small pizza joint.  The ingredients are very fresh and the pizza satisfying.  However, the prices are a bit high for individual pizzas.

Crust: 7
Sauce: 9
Cheese: 8
Overall: 8