Category Archives: Restaurants

George’s Sandwich Shop – 900 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

George’s Sandwich Shop – 900 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA

Whatever name you want to call the area of South 9th Street in Philadelphia, I will always think of it as the Italian Market area even though it is losing its once vibrant Italian character. Strolling the area you can get a little bit of everything, but George’s Sandwich Shop (GSS) is one of kind. They are simple, efficient, and delicious. I would go with the roast pork with sharp provolone.

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Every bite oozed with flavorful pork goodness of meat and juices soaking the roll while the provolone adds just the right amount of kick to balance it perfectly. Just like cheesesteaks, Philadelphians are very protective and opinionated about who has the best roast pork sandwich. I am not declaring that GSS has the best, but what I can tell you is that it is damn tasty and should be on the list of any roast pork sandwich fan to try.

 

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2016 Jersey Shore dining scene preview – Brigantine

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

2016 Jersey Shore dining scene preview – Brigantine

The Jersey Shore season is creeping up quickly so I decided to go down to Brigantine, New Jersey and get a sneak peek of what is going on down there. The first stop was “The Crab Shack” and it was AMAZING! The gentleman behind the counter was a jack of all trades and master of all. He manned the fresh seafood display case, read out the specials, hostess, waiter, busboy, chef and cashier and he could not have been better at each turn. He was warm, happy, welcoming, and one heck of a chef. I would have the Captain’s combo with flounder, three shrimp, three scallops, one crab cake with french fries, and applesauce with a Stewart’s soda cherries and cream to drink. A top notch place and highly recommend a stop to “The Crab Shack” no matter the time of year because they are one of the places on the island open ALL YEAR. Just be aware area that seating is very limited.

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Then without missing a beat we popped into Hooper’s Seafood Cafe. Hooper’s is much larger place than “The Crab Shack” and definitely more suited for a night out meal with a date, and the food here was tasty as well. The lobster bisque soup was a great way to start things off with nice cracker assortment and herb butter. The rolls were not as fresh as I would have liked and seafood a little under-seasoned, but the friendly and quick service and very nice nice fresh veggies picked up for any misgivings of the meal. If these two destinations are any indication of what the 2016 Jersey Shore dining scene has up its sleeve, then visitors are going to have a very tasty shore season indeed.

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The Garlic Poet and Culhane’s Steak House – New Cumberland, PA

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

During my stay in the Harrisburg/Hershey area I was lucky enough to find two great places to eat in New Cumberland, PA. The first “The Garlic Poet” was amazing with a really cool vibe throughout the place, a decent craft beer selection, and delicious food. The meal started with Chef’s Charcuterie and PA Creamery Cheese Board, then Calamari lightly fried with figs, duck fat roasted kumquats, shaved fennel, pea shoots, sorrel, lemon-cardamom vinaigrette, and chili glaze, main course was Five Hour Braised Short Ribs that were local harvest Angus beef short rib , balsamic grilled broccoli rabe, maple and hemp seed roasted rutabagas and turnips, seasonal stout demi glace, granny smith and lemon-cardamom kale slaw, and to top it all off ended with a bananas foster creme brulee. Chef Kurt Wewer really shined throughout the meal and has a gem of a dining destination. It is well worth a visit and you will not go away disappointed.

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The next foodie destination and another delicious meal was had at Culhane’s Steak House. I started the meal with king crab legs, then moved on to the main course of a Porterhouse topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions, steak fries, and lump crab cake. It is a little bit off the beaten path to get to Culhane’s Steak House if you are not from the area and may be a little confusing to get there off the highway, but their food was phenomenal and service was top-notch even with a table of 13 guests. I highly recommend any meat lover to give this place a try.

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Both of these restaurants are a tad out the way from the downtown of Harrisburg and Hershey which were the two towns I visited during my stay, but it was well worth the time to drive there and both were easily reached off the exits of Interstate 83 and both were very affordable.

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21 Main at North Beach – Myrtle Beach, SC

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Had a great meal at 21 Main at North Beach while I Visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They are just a stones throw away from Barefoot Landing, but a hidden oasis that if you are not from the area may take a little searching to find. Be sure to ask for Tarver has he was fantastic and tell them Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com sent you.

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Bill’s Breakfast & Lunch – Philadelphia, PA

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Bill’s Breakfast & Lunch – Philadelphia, PA

While walking the streets of Center City Philadelphia, you are usually going to be able to find somewhere to eat. Well that somewhere just happened to be Bill’s Breakfast & Lunch (BBL) for me. BBL had a large lunch crowd the day I visited with the majority of the crowd known on a first name basis to the staff. I enjoy places like this as in larger establishments personalized service is usually the first thing to go. The staff was welcoming and I would go with grilled chicken with bbq sauce and American cheese on a long roll.

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Everything about the meal itself was average, but the price to eat at BBL was very reasonable for the area that BBL serves. BBL is a hidden gem for quick, friendly, affordable, and basic menu items to get you through your day and not have to break your bank account.

 

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Adelphia Restaurant – Deptford, NJ

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Adelphia Restaurant – Deptford, NJ

Sitting on top of a tiny hill across from the Deptford Mall is Adelphia Restaurant (AR). AR is more than just a restaurant though, it is an empire. They have huge banquet facilities, dance floors, bars, a theme and special for every night of the week, and indoor and outdoor dining areas. No matter your age, gender, or background AR seems to bring to the table a little bit of everything for everyone. I would join AR for dinner and would be impressed, for the most part. The meal started with a New England clam chowder.

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The chowder was better than average and was accompanied by bread and butter. It did its job, but was nothing to really write or mention about. My entree prime rib would be next.

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The prime rib is where AR really shined. The price point was very affordable, yet tasty. They brought it out with a beautiful pink hue and it was tender and juicy with each bite. The green beans were fresh, sautéed nicely and crisp and the baked potato was large and not overcooked in the least like a lot of places do. A slip for AR was the service. The server would visit two times within a five minute period and then not be seen again for thirty minutes and it took a little longer than needed when the check was asked for. Visits to the tables should be timed in an evenly flow of the meal and is easily fixed with a little retraining or refresher to the staff. Even with tiny misstep in service, I must say I did enjoy AR especially since my son was dining with us the night we choose to visit AR and they had a balloon artist going around to all the tables for the kids which was a nice touch. I will definitely visit AR again.

 

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Parkway Corner Deli – Philadelphia, PA

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Parkway Corner Deli – Philadelphia, PA

The Parkway and arts district in Philadelphia is booming with new buildings, restaurants, stores, etc. The Parkway Corner Deli (PCD) is near the intersection of Spring Garden and the Parkway. PCD took over little while ago and gutted the space of a deli that was in the same location for many years. The makeover PCD did is remarkable as the old deli was quite old and beat down, and the selection of beers and things to buy at PCD is a large improvement compared to the last tenant as well. PCD is bright, stylish, and their ordering system for hot foods it completely digital. I would go with a chicken cheese steak with fries.

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The meal was quite average in all aspects, but the prices at PCD are extremely reasonable compared to others places to eat near PCD. You are not going to get any surprises on the menu or find a new trend, but PCD had friendly service at a great price and some neat little foodie and beer finds in their aisles. If I am in the area and looking to dine on a budget and grab a few items to go, I will not hesitate to stop in PCD again.

 

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Nunzio Ristorante Rustico – Collingswood, NJ

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Nunzio Ristorante Rustico – Collingswood, NJ

You already know that MANY – MANY restaurants line Haddon Avenue in Collingswood, New Jersey. Some are better than others, and some have been in business much longer than others. During a lunch time visit to this town, I would end up in Nunzio Ristorante Rustico (NRR) one of the restaurants that have been there the longest. The interior of NRR is very formal and I did like the feel of walking into an European neighborhood with NRR’s décor, but it did feel a bit dated and stale. I would start things off with the lobster bisque with lump crab.

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The soup was a little thinner than I enjoy my bisques, and it was a tad salty, but it did have many nice pieces of lump crabmeat throughout which always helps. For my entrée I would have Ravioli alla Aragosta.

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The Ravioli alla Aragosta in easier terms was lobster ravioli in vodka sauce. I had high hopes for NRR with the semi-upscale setting, staff dressed to impress and proper, and price points setting the stage for something special. Sadly NRR, did not impress. The presentation of the dish was a mess, the sauce and raviolis were bland, and service was sometimes non-existent with drink and bread refills. The service also disappointed when I asked for the check, I had to ask for it again fifteen minutes later, and it finally arrived past the twenty minute mark of my first request. NRR may have tried to recreate that European atmosphere and flair in their dining room, but the meal and service need to take a trip back to basics.

 

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Agave Mexican Food – Bellmawr, NJ

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Agave Mexican Food – Bellmawr, NJ

I love finding little hidden gems whenever I go out to eat. Well in an unassuming parking lot with a Laundromat next door I found Agave Mexican Food (AMF). When you walk into AMF, the décor is nothing to write home, the place is huge and definitely underutilized, setup kind of strange, but the minute I set food next to the counter to order and looked over at the fridge and spotted Refrescos O-KEY bottle of Mexican Orange soda sitting there I knew nothing else ever matters except for the food, and AMF was headed in the right direction. To go along with my tasty orange soda of choice, my order would be four tacos.

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The taco order consisted of two pastor tacos and two beef tacos. The waitress started things out with a beautiful complimentary basket of fresh chips and dipping accompaniments, but I ate them so quickly and they were so delicious, I forgot to even take a picture. The beef tacos would continue the trend of being fabulous at AMF with crisp onions and nice cilantro topping the tacos with a squirt of lime to go along with a hearty portion of beef in each taco. The pastor tacos were just average, but better than most places and after the success of carrying a soda I enjoy, to join forces with fabulous chips and beef tacos that were just amazing, I will give AMF a pass on the pastor. I cannot say enough good things about this small family operated gem of a Mexican style restaurant. So if you are in the area, you should give AMF a try.

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MTQ Café (Old City) – Philadelphia, PA

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

MTQ Café (Old City) – Philadelphia, PA

Taking a walk around Old City Philadelphia, one is not only entrenched with some of the city’s most interesting and important history, but also a tasty stroll as well with the variety of eateries around. MTQ Café is one of those places and I decided to pop in and give them a try. I would go with their Banh Mi Beef.

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The sandwich was your standard Banh Mi variety, and was very good for the location, but with it being slightly grisly and flank steak a tad tough, not the best version around town. The insdie of MTQ is nice and the staff was friendly, but service was a bit slow and they were so slow to take the check I had to walk it up to the counter myself. All in all, MTQ is a nice change of pace for this touristy for of Philly and I enjoyed them for the most part.

 

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