Reuben Mina and a Cute Story

Jeremy loves Passover, but not for any spiritual reasons.

First of all, there are sodas made with pure sugar, since corn - and thus corn syrup - is forbidden during the holiday.  (I almost never buy soda, but it's an annual holiday tradition.)  Secondly, my friend Michele makes the most amazing coconut chocolate chip macaroons; she generously gives me a supply each year.

And Passover is also when I serve my Reuben Mina [MEE-nuh], a lasagna-ish dish made with matzah instead of noodles.  This isn't kosher, since it mixes meat and dairy products, but it's incredibly good!  Let me tell you a little story to show just how good.

As faithful readers know, Jeremy is a connoisseur of Reubens.  He will order one if he sees it on a menu, and can rate and rank every one he's eaten in terms of flavor, portion size, tenderness of meat, generosity of ingredients, etc.  Just ask, and he'll tell you which ones are his favorites; he'll also tell you which one was the very worst ever (which would surprise many people, but he could rant for days about how it was overpriced and overrated, virtually inedible).

So one day, years ago, when I found rye matzah sitting among the Passover groceries at the store, I bought a box.  I had instinctively thought of a Reuben casserole.

I layered the matzah, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing, Swiss cheese and corned beef; I poured egg over it all to bind it together.  I baked it until it was golden, melted, and luscious.  I served it to Jeremy and to his friend Doug.  They loved it.

Then I told them there was some more left in the kitchen, and that they could help themselves to seconds.

Jeremy and Doug looked at me and then looked at each other.  The leapt up, they ran to the kitchen.  They managed to get stuck in the narrow space between one kitchen wall and the extended countertop.  They pushed.  They shoved.  They were laughing, but they still fought to see who would get to the casserole dish first.

Like something out of a cartoon, they went "pop" past the blockade and ricocheted to the stove.  They split the generous quantity of leftovers which would, frankly, have likely offered third helpings.  They were happy.

And so, although I couldn't find the rye flavor this year, I had to make a Reuben Mina while using up the leftover matzah now that Passover has ended.  How could I not?  I approximated the rye flavor with a sprinkling of caraway seeds; it's the caraway  flavor that people seem to associate with rye, anyway.  And this can be made year-round with plain or egg matzah, which is available at any time.

This dish is easy to make, rich, and satisfying.  Trust me - my son is a Reuben expert, and he says "This is (friggin') delicious!"

Reuben Mina

1 cup Egg Beaters
4 plain or egg matzot (plural of matzah)
1-1/2 pounds sauerkraut, drained
8 ounces Thousand Island dressing
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
4 ounces thinly sliced Swiss cheese, divided
1/4 pound thinly sliced deli corned beef, chopped

Preheat oven to 350F.  Grease an 8"x8" baking dish.

Pour 1/4 cup Egg Beaters into the prepared baking dish.  Place 1 matzah plus 1/3 of another matzah into the bottom of the dish.

Combine the sauerkraut, dressing and caraway seeds; place 1/3 of the mixture onto the matzah and spread it out.

Reserve half of the Swiss cheese for later.  Chop the remaining cheese and combine it with the corned beef. Distribute 1/3 of this mixture over the sauerkraut.

Pour another 1/4 cup Egg Beaters over the corned beef.  Place 1 matzah plus 1/3 of another matzah on top.

Place half of the remaining sauerkraut over the matzah and spread it to the edges.  Distribute half of the remaining corned beef mixture over the sauerkraut.

Pour 1/4 cup Egg Beaters over the corned beef.  Place the last matzah and 1/3 portion of matzah on top.  Spread the last of the sauerkraut over the matzah, and top with the last of the corned beef mixture.

Pour the last 1/4 cup Egg Beaters over the casserole, and top with the reserved Swiss cheese.

Bake for 40 minutes until golden and casserole is set.  Let rest for 5 minutes before cutting into 4-6 portions.

Makes 4-6 servings.

Frugal Floozie Friday - Cafe Ollie

I've had the great good fortune to visit Cafe Ollie twice recently - once with my very dear friend Sarah (who just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl this past weekend!), and once with Jeremy and his best buddy, Mitch.  Since the restaurant is so warm and wonderful, and such a supporter of Michigan products, it was time to feature it today for Frugal Floozie Friday.

Sarah and I each enjoyed a refreshing dish of Guernsey Farms Dairy's McGuire's Irish Mint ice cream, produced not too far from Ann Arbor in Northville, which was perfect on one of those way-too-early-to-be-summer days that found their way to Michigan before it was even officially Spring.  A single scoop - in either a cone or a lovely sundae glass - costs only $2.75, leaving plenty of room in our mandatory $5 per person budget to buy a local favorite: Faygo soda "made with real sugar in glass bottles."

Cafe Ollie also features daily soups, an assortment of coffees and teas, and baked goods made from scratch (like the fabulous sweets pictured above).  Sarah and I had originally intended to treat ourselves to cupcakes, but the ice cream was calling more loudly on a hot afternoon.  We met just after 4 p.m., and were having such a grand time - truly, talking about everything from family to antique heating grates to Jewish law! - that we ended up closing the place just before 8 p.m., with only the gentlest nudge from the very sweet waitress just as she started to clean up.  Many places would be loathe to let you loiter for quite that long, but we were welcomed stay right until the end of the day.

The next week, Jeremy and Mitch and I sat in the sun on the deck and enjoyed a late lunch of sandwiches, which are served with Detroit's own Better Made potato chips and Perkins Pickles.  For the exceptional price of $7, Jeremy and Mitch split the Reubenesque, Cafe Ollie's own Reuben sandwich.  (Regular readers know that Jeremy will inevitably order a Reuben if he finds one on a menu, and can pontificate at great length about the pros and cons of each one!)  Jeremy gave this sandwich high points for generosity of filling, tenderness of meat, and - most importantly - excellent flavor.

Cafe Ollie features a menu filled with creative sandwiches and salads, and caters to carnivores, vegetarians, and even vegans specifically.  So whether you're looking for a light meal, a sweet treat, or some combination thereof - and no matter what your dietary preferences - you can absolutely find something delicious to eat.

And once you've finished eating, you want to meander next door to the fabulous shop that's also owned by Cafe Ollie's owners, Danielle Scherwin-Teachout and her husband, Mark Teachout.  (If you don't find them on one side of the doorway, you'll find them on the other.)  I first told you about the Michigan General Store in my post about Buffalo Celery Sticks, in which I used some Cajun-flavored chips I'd found at the shop to create a great variation on the famous wings.  You can find so many, many exceptional items at this store, from salsas and mustards to wines and beers to smoked fish and cherry caramels, all made proudly here in Michigan.

So stop by Cafe Ollie and the Michigan General Store.  Enjoy delicious food and a warm welcome, and support both a local business and the Great Lakes State!

Cafe Ollie
42 E. Cross St.
Ypsilanti, MI 48198
734-482-8050

Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.



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Frugal Floozie Friday - Aubree's

Jeremy, his best friend Mitch, and Stuart (my ex-husband, for those who don't remember that we're actually capable of associating with each other civilly!) went out for an early dinner recently to  Aubree's in Depot Town, today's Frugal Floozie Friday feature. Jeremy chose the location, as he was craving a Reuben - his favorite sandwich - and he knew that this restaurant makes a very good one.

Stuart was feeling particularly agreeable that afternoon, so he offered to just split whatever I ordered.    And I was in the mood for something substantial.  I considered a variety of items, and heeded Jeremy's warning not to order salad (he grows weary of watching me do that, but I love salads!).  And so I settled upon a calzone, which would come in at under $5 per person - our mandatory Frugal Floozie Friday budget - when split with Stuart.

The calzone was huge, and could have fed four with no trouble - the portions were significant.  This was, after all, a 12" pizza folded over and filled with sauce, a blend of five cheeses, and two toppings of our choice - spinach and mushrooms.  Even a hearty eater could be satisfied with one slice.

Mitch and Jeremy each ordered a Reuben, which was generously portioned and tender.  It was served with the customer's choice of side dish: thin-cut fries, sweet potato chips, onion straws, cole slaw, cottage cheese or - the one both chose - the endless steak fries.  For $8.99, this is a stellar deal!  And the platter can easily be shared by two.

We also ordered dessert ... well, why not?  Each offering costs $4.99, so it's either a great Frugal Floozie Friday treat for one or an even greater value if shared.

Jeremy and Mitch split the Rockside Brownie Bites - "Rich brownie bites topped with caramel, toasted pecans & chocolate ganache dipped in a fluffy batter & fried crisp.  Served with vanilla ice cream & chocolate & caramel drizzle."  It was obscenely decadent and absolutely delicious!  Stuart and I shared the Cookie Crisp - "Creamy chocolate chip cookie dough rolled in a flour tortilla and fried," which was also served with ice cream and the sweet, seductive sugary drizzles.  Neither dessert offered any redeeming nutritional value, but both were simply good for our souls.

When our very friendly waitress left the bill, we thought there had been a mistake made; the calzone was listed at $4.99 rather than the $9.99 I'd seen on the menu.  But when I asked about the discrepancy, I received some fabulous and completely unexpected news: during Happy Hour, from 3-6 p.m., the calzones are half-price!  So the entire enormous, delicious array of crust and cheese and sauce and fillings qualified as a Frugal Floozie Friday bonanza without any need for an accomplice to split the cost!  Shared by four hungry eaters, it would come in at only $1.25 per person!

Needless to say, Aubree's offers great value, friendly service, and lots of frugal dishes to choose from.  Enjoy!

Aubree's
39 E. Cross Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48198
734-483-1870




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Frugal Floozie Friday -- Maize and Blue Deli

Ever since we watched the "Man v. Food" episode in which host Adam Richman visited Ann Arbor, Jeremy has wanted to try the fabulous Reuben that was featured. So we recently headed down to the Maize and Blue Deli, today's Frugal Floozie Friday feature, to indulge in a hearty lunch.

Because my brain is a sieve and I couldn't remember which of the seven - yes, seven! - Reuben varieties we were supposed to pay homage to, we ordered the classic Coach's Reuben: "corned beef, Switzerland Swiss, sauerkraut and Russian dressing on grilled sourdough rye." It only cost $8.25, well within our mandatory $5 per person (or less) budget since we planned to share the sandwich.

The menu is extensive, and the deli was packed on the afternoon we visited; but the service was unbelievably friendly and welcoming, and our sandwich was made very quickly and brought to our table ... the last two seats available, which Jeremy had nabbed as I placed the order.

The Reuben was very generous, but thankfully could still be held and eaten without the contents spilling everywhere. The corned beef was sliced to shaved-thin perfection, and there was a perfect balance of meat to sauerkraut and dressing - proportions matter greatly in this sandwich, after all. (Too much dressing makes it slippery, too much sauerkraut overpowers the tender meat.) And the bread was lightly toasted, leaving it still tender within its crisp exterior.

If he hadn't been on a Frugal Floozie excursion with me, Jeremy would certainly have eaten the entire sandwich himself - 20-year-old males are the secret weapon for someone who is immersed in food in order to write about new recipes and restaurants on a continual basis! But he also told me that the half-sandwich was actually very filling. We'd planned to spend the rest of the afternoon trolling our way through downtown in search of future Friday posts, but it was quite some time before either of us could manage to think about eating again.

There are lots of great sandwiches and other goodies at the Maize and Blue Deli, and the sandwiches are so large that they can easily be shared without going over the $5 Frugal Floozie Friday budget and without going hungry. And isn't this the best time to go, while all the students are away from campus for vacation???

Maize and Blue Deli
1329 S. University Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-996-0533


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Reuben Latkes for the First Night of Chanukkah

Chanukkah, one of my very favorite holidays, begins at sundown tonight. It brings beautiful candlelight from the menorah, as well as permission to eat fried foods without (too much) guilt!

During the eight days of Chanukkah, Jews celebrate "the miracle of the oil" when a mere one day's worth of consecrated oil burned for eight days as the Temple in Jerusalem was rededicated in 165 B.C. In modern times, this has been turned into a tradition of eating latkes [LAHT-kuhs] - fried potato pancakes - and sufganiyot [soof-GAHN-yoht], which are similar to jelly doughnuts.

Now, don't get me wrong - I am not in any way averse to either fried potatoes or fried dough! But I kinda like to honor the traditions while tweaking them a bit.

So instead of making potato pancakes, I deconstructed Jeremy's favorite sandwich - the Reuben - and turned it into a little crispy fried patty of its own.

The familiar flavors shine through, and then they're even enhanced by the caramelization that comes from being fried until golden brown. You could also add a bit of shredded Swiss cheese to the batter; but that wouldn't be kosher (meat and dairy products can't be combined, according to the Jewish dietary laws). Although I don't keep kosher myself, I do try to respect that many of the people celebrating Chanukkah tonight do.

The Reuben latkes are also great for people - like Jeremy and my fabulous blogging buddy Michele - who follow a low-carb diet; there are only about 4 carbs per latke, as opposed to the gazillion that you'll find in the traditional potato variety.

Happy Chanukkah! Enjoy some fried foods over the next eight days, and don't make excuses - just celebrate right along with me!

Reuben Latkes

12 Triscuit crackers - Rye with Caraway Seeds
2 cups sauerkraut
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
4 ounces sliced deli corned beef, chopped
2 large eggs
3/4 cup oil
Thousand Island dressing, for serving

Crush the crackers into fine crumbs and place into a large bowl. Squeeze the sauerkraut to drain it thoroughly, then add it to the mixing bowl with the cracker crumbs. Stir in the onion, the corned beef, and the eggs; combine well.

Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; drop batter by 1/4 cupfuls into the oil, making 4 latkes at a time. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until browned, then remove from skillet to drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining oil and batter.

Makes 12 latkes. Serve hot, with Thousand Island dressing.

And don't forget to check out some other latke recipes for your Chanukkah celebration:

Curried Latkes with Peas

Jambalaya Latkes

Irish Pub Grub

Conor O'Neill's is a traditional Irish pub on Main Street in Ann Arbor; there's also one in Boulder, CO, but I haven't been to that one. Interestingly, the place doesn't seem like a chain restaurant -- it definitely has a secure spot in the Irish lineage, but it still seems unique to our little burb.

I've gotta say that it's kinda loud ... and really, that's an understatement. 'Cause remember, it's primarily a bar. A bar with great food and friendly service and maps of Ireland and pictures of my beloved James Joyce, but a bar nonetheless.

So when Jeremy and I go there to eat -- yes, eat: I almost never drink, and Jeremy's not old enough to do so (legally!) -- we always try to get a small table tucked in the back, behind a wall. It has a bench seat on one side and 2 chairs on the other, so there isn't even the debate you sometimes get between people who prefer booths vs. people who'd rather sit at standard tables. And it's not exactly quiet, but it's quieter.

But that's okay, 'cause I have never, ever had a bad meal or dish or garnish or anything there. The food is fabulous! For starters, two of my favorite appetizers are mussels in a creamy, garlicky sauce (so amazing that I once asked for a small container to take home the extra to pour over pasta!) and Brie baked in a beer batter. Those decisions are pretty easy, and Jeremy will choose the mussels every time to make my life just a little bit easier. But then we move on to the entrees ... and, well, we all know how much trouble I have with that.

Shepherd's Pie, featuring cheese-topped mashed potatoes and a gravy made with Bass Ale? Fisherman's Pie with a luscious, creamy cheese-and-dill sauce generously loaded with salmon and shrimp? The Irish Boxty, essentially an enormous plate-sized latke topped with grilled vegetables and pesto mayonnaise? The slow-cooked Irish lamb stew in a rich Guinness gravy? You can see that an omnivore like moi, who also happens to be one-quarter Irish, would fall in love with every option and feel as though she were being unfaithful to all the others!

But when I was last at Conor O'Neill's with Jeremy, I settled upon the fish and chips. I hadn't eaten it for awhile and, truth be told, they make the best variation on this seemingly simple dish that I have ever eaten. (The menu itself tells you that it's "The best you've ever tasted!") The batter is made with Bass Ale, but that's not the only key ingredient; another is knowing just how long to fry the fish, so that they're not slightly burnt but also not greasy. Truly, the fish is absolute perfection. Even the excellent fries pale by comparison.

Now, Jeremy doesn't ever have these menu dilemma issues. If there's a Reuben on the menu, he will order it. And there's a Reuben on the menu at Conor O'Neill's ... a classic one of corned beef, Swiss cheese, Thousand Island dressing, sauerkraut and rye, grilled to toasted, gooey beauty.

As Jeremy puts it, this specimen doesn't offer as much corned beef as some other restaurants do; however, each and every bite is meltingly tender, whereas the places that might give you more beef are using a lesser quality ingredient that is often chewy or gristled. 'Tis better to have less of an exceptional product than globs of a mediocre one. So this is Jeremy's favorite Reuben, other than the one he ate at the Carnegie Deli in NYC which was amazing even though it was about a foot tall (or maybe 1/2" shorter, but pretty close).

Fortunately, since Irish "fayre" is some of my favorite food, Conor O'Neill's is very conveniently located -- no plane rides for the phobic, yay!!! And we'll be going back there fairly soon, for Jeremy's birthday in January. As I typed this, I asked him if he wanted to go back there again as we have for several years (enough to make it a tradition). He looked at me as though I were the most foolish creature on Earth and said, "Pfft! Yeah!" Oh, if only I could type out the disdain and dismay in his voice!

But I love him anyway, so Conor O'Neill's it will be on January 10 ....

The Gift of Food

Today I'm joining the Follow Us Monday Morning crowd and answering the question of the week: "What is the best blog giveaway you have won, and why?"

Well, that's very easy to answer -- I've only won one giveaway! But it was a great one -- read on ....

"There's nothing like the gift of food to bring people together. And gathering friends and family around mouthwatering favorites ... is what Applebee's does best."

And that it did on Saturday night, when Jeremy and Tom and I ate there with the gift card that I'd won last weekend from Karen of I Made It Through the Rain. Lots of laughter, LOTS of food ... a grand time was had by all!

Jeremy always orders a Reuben if he sees one on a menu, and he has long bemoaned the fact that Applebee's never offered one. Or, at least, they had never offered one until Saturday night, when Jeremy gleefully announced that this was what he was ordering.

It was a beautiful thing when it was presented -- generous portions of corned beef, and toothpicks required to hold everything together. Some places will skimp on the meat and load up on the inexpensive sauerkraut, but not Applebee's! True to their m.o. of subscribing to two different celeb-u-chefs' mottoes -- Emeril Lagasse's "Kick it up a notch" and Nigella Lawson's "Never knowingly undercatered" (one of my own personal favorite slogans, I might add) -- the plate was fillled with Jeremy's very favorite foods.

As I watched him eat, he started with the pickles and then moved on to the fries. "How come you're not eating the sandwich?" "Rule #1 of eating a Reuben -- eat the Reuben last; it is the staple of the meal." Okaaaaay. "But what if you're not hungry after eating all those fries and pickles???" I know -- 19-year-old male not hungry, ever?!?!? Stupid, stupid question. Jeremy was in his glory, with his beloved Reuben, crispy fries, and an opportunity to feel superior to his mom. Does it get any better than that???

Tom and I, as per usual (especially in my case, with my noted menu-induced brain paralysis), took a considerable amount of time trying to decide what to eat. Split something? If so, split what? Appetizer? Variety plate? Salad? Jeremy tried to persuade me to get barbecued pork sliders, and he ranted (as is his habit) about my always ordering salads (which I don't, though I often do); he tried to forbid me from doing so. Complicating all of this, Tom didn't want the chicken sandwich with portobellos, as that would have been too much mushroom. He didn't want pineapple with his chicken, thus ruling out one of the salads that Jeremy didn't want to see me eating anyway.

So I let Tom choose 2 options that I would split with him because I, of course, will eat virtually anything -- no sushi, no tofu, preferably no green peppers, but almost anything else is happily devoured. So I have a difficult time ordering because everything looks good; it would be easier if I liked only 1 or 2 options and could simply go with "the usual."

Tom chose a plain burger -- who knew they had them on the menu??? -- rather than the ones with cheese and bacon and Ranch dressing and all the other stuff poured on top; but we made sure we still got the lettuce, tomato and onion which are crucial items. And he chose the Santa Fe Chicken Salad: "Grilled marinated chicken breast on a bed of greens with homemade pico de gallo and Mexi-ranch dressing. Crunchy tortilla strips, cheese, guacamole and sour cream too!" Excellent choices, Mon Amour!

The burger was very good, as one would expect from a place like Applebee's which serves so very many of them. Huge, juicy, served with all the fixin's and with crispy fries ... sigh. Tom conscientiously cut it in half, divided the fries, and placed my share onto the empty plate our waitress had very kindly provided when we told her we'd be splitting our two options. We watched as my portion of the burger slid off the vegetables, and then Jeremy skewered it all back together again with the toothpicks from his Reuben. All was right with my dinner again.

We had ordered a full salad because I always do so, with the hope that there will be leftovers. And we did, indeed, have leftovers to bring home because the salad was ENORMOUS! Lots of lettuce, crispy little colored nacho chip strips, what appeared to be practically an entire chicken cooked and sliced and placed decoratively on top ... it was beautiful, truly beautiful.

Tom is devoted to not eating too much fat (he is absolutely one of the most disciplined eaters I know, vs. my being an omnivore with 28 sweet teeth), but had to let that little bubble burst upon seeing this salad. It was not a healthy option, but it was absolutely fabulous! The chicken was moist, the vegetables crisp and crunchy, the rich dressing coupled with guacamole and sour cream was just luscious ... sigh.

Since there was so much salad left, I asked Jeremy if he'd like to try it. His response? "Rule #2 of Reubens: Never wash out the taste." He had spoken.

Our waitress asked if we wanted dessert, and I just burst out laughing. I do admit that the Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae -- a large cookie topped with ice cream, hot fudge and whipped cream -- had looked seductively enticing on the menu, and would have made an indulgent and coma-inducing dinner all by itself. But there was no more room left for food after this amazing dinner, so we left without eating any sweets.

Again, MANY MANY thanks, Karen, for the fabulous giveaway and for drawing my name as the winner! We are all truly grateful for your generosity, and you were with us in spirit as we celebrated on Saturday night at our wonderful meal ... :)

Burgers, Burgers Everywhere ....

I registered with the Restaurant Reviewers BlogRoll recently, because so many of my posts were dedicated to eating out that I felt I was earning the title even if I didn't have anyone backing me up with an expense account. (I don't want the clout or the power that come with being the New York Times reviewer, God forbid! I just want someone to pay my tab ....) And then, of course, I started cooking again and writing up soups and desserts and such. But I'm baaaack! I've been to two different restaurants this past week, and I'm here to tell the tales.

On Thursday night, Jeremy and I ate dinner at Great Plains Burger Company, which essentially makes only 3 items -- burgers, fries and shakes -- but makes them exceptionally well. Okay ... they make beef burgers and turkey burgers and black bean burgers, and they offer chocolate, vanilla or strawberry shakes. And you can order either a standard supply of fries or an entire basketful. But these are merely variations on a theme -- make 3 things, and do it right.

Jeremy and I each ordered a beef burger, and picked most of the same toppings from the list of lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard, etc. and so forth. We split a regular order of fries, as the basket would have been enough to feed a family of 4. And Jeremy ordered a strawberry shake which, as you can see, was so enticing and so luscious that in the time it took me to answer a phone call, he could not resist sucking down half the shake before I could take out my camera to photograph it in all its unsullied glory. Topped with whipped cream, drizzled with syrup, and creamy beyond my admittedly verbose descriptive abilities ... if I had to choose only 1 favorite item at Great Plains, it would be the shakes without hesitation. They are that good.

The fries were crisp and freshly made, without the raw taste that I've noticed in some other fries I've had recently. (Shhhhhh ... Rabbi Israel Salanter stated that "Not everything that is thought should be said."). And there are thousands of potatoes to be found in their crates and boxes, such that the fries are not frozen or pre-packaged, but started their trip to your plate as spuds in Idaho and didn't metamorphose into fries until just after you placed your order. The burgers are hand-formed and only cooked when you show up at the counter and pay, so they are ridiculously juicy and literally dripped down our hands and onto the baskets' paper liners. This is how burgers and fries were meant to be!

And yet, they have some serious competition from the Sidetrack Bar & Grill, which I've written about before and which I chose specifically for my Mother's Day lunch with Jeremy and Tom. Other people can go to fancy brunches where they wear corsages and panty hose (aaauuuggghhh!!!); I wore jeans, sat next to folks with tattoos and paint-splattered pants, and even noted that the country music -- which I normally loathe -- perfectly suited the ambience, since thankfully it wasn't too twangy.

As per usual, my brain went into paralysis over all the options -- and I'd even looked up the menu the night before, just to try to settle on something pro-actively!!! BBQ pork sandwich with cole slaw and yam fries? Spicy Louisiana-style cornmeal-crusted-fish sandwich, highly recommended by Tom? The fabulous beer-battered fish? The fish tacos with fruit salsa? Burger, the fabulous ol' standby??? Oh, my God, please make it stop!!!

I am trying to eat nobly for awhile. ("Ha!" said my alter ego, the woman who ate a piece of strawberry-rhubarb pie last night -- albeit a small one -- simply because it was there.) I'll be attending a fancy dinner and the graduation ceremony next week for Tom's beautiful and dynamic daughter, who is currently finishing up the final crush of work (due tomorrow) for her Master's program in Urban Design from the University of Pennsylvania. Not only will I be meeting Cassidy for the first time, but I'll also be meeting the ex-wife and her family ... hmmmm.

I am therefore feeling even more pressure than usual to tone my floppy underarms and to suck in my stretchmarks. My days of gym membership ended along with my marriage, and I spend way too much time sitting in front of this screen to be in any kind of shape (BMI on the borderline between "underweight" and "normal," but flabby nonetheless). Societal standards are oppressing me as I read the menu -- feed my soul or wear my jeans with no muffin top nonsense going on while the ex assesses me???

But I digress ... ah, but what else is new?

With all of this swirling around in my mind, it's a wonder I didn't just pass out and hit my head on the floor. But I persevered, and ordered a Springtime-only -- so it's just found its way back to the menu! -- spinach salad with oranges, strawberries, dried cherries, and grilled chicken, all served with a lovely raspberry vinaigrette. Some of my favorite foods (with the exception of chocolate) on one plate, gorgeous colors, nutrition ... I was happy, truly.

The "boys" ordered like men: Jeremy chose his usual Reuben, having become quite the connoisseur after eating them in virtually every restaurant he's ever been to ... if there's a Reuben on the menu, there will likely be a Reuben on Jeremy's plate. This one was not gargantuan, but was most certainly very generous. And by the time he'd eaten the sandwich and moved on to the fries, Jeremy -- a 19-year-old male, remember, whose sole purpose in life sometimes seems to be eating me out of house and home -- couldn't finish everything. Thankfully Mom has a good appetite, and finished the fries for him ... :)

And Tom chose the classic and award-winning burger 'n' fries, which always seems to call more loudly than anything else on the menu and wins above the din of the other options. (There are times when you need earplugs not to hear the Siren song of that burger!) With tomato, lettuce and onion, as well as the pickles that can be added from the excellent assortment of condiments (hot peppers, pickles, Tabasco sauce, and vinegar among them), the famous burger -- hand-crafted with freshly ground beef -- is a thing of beauty that is only exceeded by its exceptional flavor.

Once we'd finished eating, a waiter came up to ask us if we were interested in dessert. We had discussed the strawberry shortcake before ordering lunch; it is an astoundingly gorgeous thing -- big as a plate and easily just as tall -- which could be shared by 3 as an entree if desired. But after eating all that chicken and beef and corned beef, there was no way dessert was going to be an option. The waiter asked, and I let out some sort of yelp of ridicule that made the waiter -- as well as Jeremy -- giggle. It was obvious that we had eaten all we could manage, expressed entirely without words but without any vulgar noises like burps, I'm happy to say.

I'm glad that there was no competition between burgers or ranking system required -- there's no way I could choose a favorite among these options. Fortunately, I don't have to! But then, my wishy-washiness is why I get paid no money for my reviews and have to pay my own tab, too ....