Food Lush

Dallas: Campisi's

By Julie

Ask someone to name a favorite food, and pizza is often high on the list. That is certainly true for me. I love just about any variety – thin crust, pan style, meat-topped, veggie-topped, any combination you can concoct (except pineapple, because sweet things do not belong on pizza ever, ever, amen). But if there is something special, something truly unique, something above and beyond the tried and true classic definition on a pizza, well, then it’s got a place in my heart forever.

And for my money, special pizza comes from Campisi’s.

Campisi’s, opened in 1946 by the family Campisi (duh), is a wonderful Italian eatery, despite the sign on their flagship location that proclaims Campisi’s an Egyptian restaurant. It just so happens that when Papa Campisi moved into the space, he didn’t have enough money for a new sign for the former Egyptian Lounge, so he just stuck on his name and added the word restaurant. Locals still call it “The Egyptian.” Legend has it that Jack Ruby spent his last evening here before he shot Lee Harvey Oswald, so this is a genuine piece of Dallas history here.

But you want to hear about the food.

The food is fantastic, all of it, but it’s the pizza that is their claim to fame. It is truly unlike any other pizza. First of all, it isn’t round, nor is it rectangular. It’s oval-shaped. (Their boxes are rectangular though.) The crust has a rustic, homemade bite to it, and the sauce is rich and flavorful. You can add any variety of toppings, but I highly recommend their All the Way pizza, covered in Italian sausage (heavy on the fennel), salami instead of pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, and green onions. On any other pizza, this combination might be boring, but here, it is sublime. It is easily the best pizza have ever eaten. (The closest second is the pizza I used to make myself when I worked at an Italian restaurant in high school and had free reign with the cheese, so any pizza that can beat that has to be amazing. And it is.)

I thought long and hard about what food I wanted to highlight as the best snapshot of my hometown. I considered the Mexican place around the corner from my house that my family adores, and I promise to take you there if you visit me. But Campisi’s is Dallas, as far as I’m concerned. And I know I’m not the only one who feels that way.

Seriously, please visit. I will personally introduce to the best pizza Dallas has to offer.

(Photo Credits: campisis.us, nbcdfw.com)

Wilton, CT: Dina! A Restaurant

By Nora    

I actually live in Westport, which is in a cluster of other small towns in southwestern Connecticut that are about an hour or so from New York City. Wilton is one of our neighboring towns, and only about 2 miles away from my house. It's all very New England-y around here, with winding back roads and Farmers' Markets in the summer and colorful foliage in the fall. I grew up here and moved back (from the DC area) about 4 years ago, and I love it. There's less traffic, it's quieter, and I absolutely appreciate the small town feel. So, when I heard we were doing Hometown Week at Food Lush, my first thought went to the restaurant I think of as a home away from home.

Dina! absolutely deserves the exclamation point. The restaurant is named after its owner, and when you meet her you'll soon understand the inclusion of the exclamation point. She is an outgoing, warm, hard-working lady and if you take the time to talk to her once, you instantly have a friend. She will recognize you the next time you visit, will treat you like family, and make sure you're happy with your experience at her place. Honestly, even if the food wasn't that great, I think people would come back just for the love that Dina has to offer. However, the food at Dina! is as wonderful as she is. I have never, ever been disappointed in anything i've ever ordered there. And I’ve eaten there many, many times (almost always while sitting at the bar. Not sure what that says about me, but there ya go).

The last time I was there a few weeks ago, I brought my friend Jen. We decided to sample and share as much as we could without popping our pants buttons, but that is tough because everything is SO DANG TASTY. And the menu is so varied, with many different types of cuisine that it's always hard to choose. The first thing we decided to order was the Elote. Have you ever heard of this? I hadn't, but Dina insisted we order it, and she's never steered me wrong before.  Basically, it's Mexican corn on the cob:

But not just corn on the cob. A grilled ear of corn on a stick that is covered in butter and chili powder and some other spices, and then on top of that, melted cojita cheese. Definitely not diet friendly, but absolutely incredible, and good to share with a friend (which I did). For another appetizer, we ordered the Risotto Balls, which are my absolute favorite thing on the menu.

They are, as the name indicates, fried balls of herbed cheese risotto. There's a roasted red pepper aioli to go with it, which I could seriously eat it with a spoon. 

For our entrees, I ordered a cheeseburger and Jen ordered the grilled steak salad. It's covered in a spicy sesame dressing, accompanied by fresh mixed greens and lots of sliced veggies. I dare you to look at this photo and not wish you could take a bite right now (assuming your'e not vegetarian, of course).

 

Since we pretty much ate everything that was put before us we didn’t have room for dessert, but those options are pretty great, too. Dina gets fresh pies and cakes delivered daily from local vendors, so there's usually a variety of options on any given day. 

So if you’re ever in southwestern Connecticut and you’re looking for a restaurant with comforting, delicious food and a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere, Dina! is the place to go. Tell her Nora sent you.

{Me and Dina, right. I took all of the photos except for this one, which Jen took.}

Montevallo, AL: Eclipse Coffee and Books

by Jen L.

We moved to Montevallo, a small town smack-dab in the middle of Alabama, from New York City.  The phrase "culture shock" doesn't even begin to describe what we felt.  I was nervous. Nevrous that I'd never find a place to call mine. You see, for as big as NYC is, you have your own special spots there.  I quickly discovered Eclipse Coffee and Books, my new place in my new town.

Eclipse is a one-of-a-kind place.  Situated right in the center of our little town, it looks like a regular old southern house with a wrap-around porch...until you look closer.  It's a coffee shop. It's a restaurant.  It's a bookstore.  It hosts book clubs.  It's a live-music venue.  It's a bar.  They have wine tastings and trivia nights.  The porch is the perfect place to enjoy a cold milkshake on a summer afternoon.  You'll see a wide awray of people there every time you go. There's The Judge, a retired gentleman who makes the rounds and tells great stories about his horses.  There are college students studying, faculty members attending happy hour, families enjoying a snack, and everything in between.

We used to go there a lot for breakfast when my son was a baby. He loved the cup of baby pickles that came with his egg sandwich. I love the four different drip coffee options.  Their milkshakes are off the hook, including flavors like fresh blueberry and pecan pie.  You can sit on the gorgeous wrap-around porch under a fan and visit with the Eclipse kitties, cats who have been adopted by the owners and staff and who pretty much have free rein of the outdoor space. My favorite guy is Big Foot, a huge black cat with a cute droopy ear.  On rainy days, it's nice to sit in the front room and flip through a book while my son plays with toys.

 My favorite thing at Eclipse will always be the breakfast sandwich--eggs, bacon and cheddar on multi-grain bread, served with a side of baby dill pickles, with a large cup of coffee.  Their Eclipse blend coffee is fantastic, but my heart will always belong to one of their signature flavors:  Spicy Morning  It's a blend of Hazelnut, Cinnamon and Vanilla and it is perfect.

If you ever find yourself passing through central Alabama, make sure you save time to stop by Eclipse. They're open all day and well into the evening and their menu has something for everyone.

Photos courtesy of Eclipse Coffee

Vancouver: Poutine

By Hillary

Poutine (poo-teen to anglophones, puh-tsin to francophones) originated in Quebec but has become Canada's best-known comfort food. It consists of thick-cut fries topped with fresh cheese curds and hot gravy. 

The cheese is key. Simply grating cheese on fries and adding gravy does not make poutine. Cheese curds must be used and they should be fresh and soft enough to start to melt under the hot gravy.

There are many places to eat poutine in Vancouver but the best poutine is found at Fritz (don't even try to tell me that La Belle Patate makes better poutine or I will fight you. I am married to a Québécois. We are passionate about our poutine.)

No trip to Canada is complete without sampling our national dish.

(Photo from fritzeuropeanfryhouse.com)

San Clemente, CA: Eat Your Way Through Town

By Dani

San Clemente is one of those tiny coastal towns that still feels like a tiny coastal town. We just got a Target earlier this year, and most people still shop in the small businesses scattered around town instead.

Even though I've only lived here for a few years, San Clemente feels like home.

(The San Clemente Pier after sunset. Photo by my Hubs.)

I realized that I've written about some of my favorite places to eat in San Clemente before, so here's what your day would look like, were you come see me (which you totally should).

Breakfast at Cafe Mimosa. Now, granted, this breakfast might ruin your appetite for the rest of our food tour, but it's SO worth it. Just as the name implies, they have incredible mimosas in every flavor, and gourmet breakfast options that aren't too unusual to be comforting, but still not boring in the least.

Lunch at Pizza Port. Granted, you should only go to Pizza Port if you are willing to drink some beer with your pizza. So, if you're not a "drink in the middle of the day" type, A) why are you coming to see me and B) maybe save Pizza Port for later. But you do have to eat here at some point in your stay, because holy cow, the pizza and beer are unparalleled.

Drinks at San Clemente Wine Company. Stop in for a flight of pre-selected wines (I like letting the Somm surprise me) or just get a glass of whatever suits you. SC Wine Company's big wooden tables and cozy interior make it the perfect place to unwind after a long day at the beach or walking around San Clemente's charming downtown. They also have specialty beer for the non-winos, and cheese plates if you're feeling a little munchy. Best of all, it's right across the street from....

Dinner at Nick's. (Bonus! No corkage fee! Bring that bottle over from the wine company and you are set.) I really don't know what to say about Nick's, other than if you think roasted chicken or spare-ribs sound a little on the tame side, you have to try Nick's version. It's not so much that the food is ground-breaking, it's just good in a wholesome, oh-right-this-is-what-chicken-should-taste-like way. Also, if you can eat another bite, get the Butter Cake for dessert. It is as awesome as it sounds.

All of these places are within walking distance of each other, the pier, countless adorable boutiques and shops and of course, the beach. So... who's coming on a San Clemente Food Tour with me?

(Extra credit: On your way back to the airport, stop in to Bruxie. Delish.)

Philadelphia, PA: Pizzaria Stella

by Maura

Pizza is one of my favorite foods, if not my favorite. I'm a non-discriminatory pizza eater, but Pizzeria Stella is one of my favorites. It is located in Society Hill across the street from Headhouse Square. On the weekends this square is a fun place to wander around, see the little shops and walk through the open air craft and farmer's market. After working up an appetite, head in to this corner pizzeria.

(Image credit: Pizzeriastella.net)

Pizzeria Stella is owned by famous Philadelphia restaurateur, Stephen Starr. Starr owns over a dozen restaurants in Center City serving inspired cuisine from Mexico, Japan, France and America. Starr is one of the most prolific and well-respected chefs in the area.

Will and I like to bike down to Pizzeria Stella and share a pizza and some beer in this low-key restaurant. The pizza is made out in the open and cooked in a wood fired stove. They also serve appetizers, pasta and salads if you are not in the mood for pizza. In addition to Italian beers and wine, they also have local brews and Italian soda. The restaurant is large, relaxed and very family friendly. It is a perfect choice for lunch or a laid back dinner after a day of exploring Historic Philadelphia.

(image credit: Pizzeriastella.net)

I have liked all of their pizzas, so choose whichever your taste buds tell you. I would strongly recommend the sheep's milk ricotta cheese appetizer. It is AMAZING. It is creamy, a little tangy, and the drizzled olive oil and rosemary give it an earthy flavor. Spread on wood fired flatbread, it is not to be missed!

Narragansett, RI: Narragansett Beer

by Caitlin

When Jennie announced to the writers that we'd be doing Hometown Week*, I was both excited and a little apprehensive. Excited because it's a great idea, apprehensive because I'm 31 years old and still am not quite sure where my hometown is. Is it the town I lived until I was 8? The town we moved to at 8, where I stayed until I left for college? The area I lived in during college and through my mid 20s? The town I live in now, married and a home-owner? (Because those things make it somehow more official, no?)

Oh, come now! Would you really expect a post from me that didn't turn a simple, wholesome assignment into a watered-down existential crisis?

Well the easiest answer, as it so often does, came down to beer. (The cause of, and solution to, all life's problems! Name that quote.)

*Have you seen the other lovely posts this week? It's been so much fun reading about everyone's hometown eats. Go browse the site for a ton of fun, local gems!

The town in Rhode Island that I once called home is Narragansett. Across the bay from Newport, it's a long narrow thing that curves along the southeastern coast and is chockablock with beaches and college students (URI is in the next town over).

The center-ish of town looks like this.

Photo from narragansettpropertymanagement.com.

Not so shabby, right? Too bad I didn't appreciate it when I lived there.

Fun fact: those towers are called The Towers (creative) and it used to be part of a casino. At the turn of the century the whole oceanfront street (called Ocean Road. I mean, why confuse things?) was lined with casinos. Then they all burned down, and the towers were all that was left standing. It's now the site of social functions, proms, and if you went to my high school and have ever been married, quite possibly your wedding.

Casinos aside, at one time Narragansett was also known to have a namesake beer, then it wasn't, and now it is again. Narragansett beer, specifically. Again, we aim to keep it simple with the names, though despite being brewed in RI, I think the name had something to do with the Narragansett Indian tribe and cigar store Indians? Whatever, we're sticking with the hometown theme here. You can read the whole story here, but I'll give you the Cliff's Notes.

The brewery had been around since the late 19th century, and even managed to survive prohibition. By the '50s and through the '60s Narragansett was huge, the biggest brewing company in New England, and basically had the market cornered. Their slogan, "Hi neighbor. Have a Gansett." was all over and they were still brewing in Rhode Island, which I happen to think is pretty cool. By the early '80s, though, they were too big for their facilities, which were old and needed repair, and were having a hard time keeping up with production. Something something utility problems aaaand it was all over by 1983. In 2005 someone decided to resurrect Narragansett beer. He bought the rights, brought an original brew master back on board (!) and had it available to the public by that Fall.

Is that an American Hometown Story or what?

I haven't seen Narragansett outside New England, but for the past 6+ years I've noticed it becoming more and more ubiquitous every time I go back. I make sure I have one (or, um, more) every time I go to visit my parents. Narragansett seem to be coming out with a new beer every time I turn around, and they've kept the original "Hi, neighbor" tag line, which tickles me to no end. Despite this growth and my love for all things beer, I prefer to keep to the original, straightforward, and very drinkable session Lager. It's refreshing, always hits the spot, and my Dad usually makes sure there are a few cold ones in the fridge when they pick me up from the airport.

Hometown indeed.

 

 

Have you seen Gansett beers near you? A favorite hometown or namesake drink?

Grapevine, TX: Grapefest

By Jennie

One of my favorite times of year in North Texas is mid-September when Grapefest hits town. Grapefest is a food and wine (mostly wine) festival in the historic town of Grapevine, Texas.

It's got everything a festival should have, in my opinion: so-bad-for-you-but-still-so-delicious food, local street vendors selling jewelry and other fun items, live music, and as much wine, champagne, and beer you can stand.

There's a grape stomp--which is something I've always wanted to do!--wine tasting at local wineries, olive oil tasting at The Grapevine Olive Oil Company, shopping at the adorable stores on main street, and (my personal favorite) a Champagne Terrace.

(Grapefest 2012 photo courtesy of me)

If you are planning a trip to North Texas (you should! come visit me!), timing your visit around this festival is absolutely worth your time.

Grand Junction: No Coast Sushi

by Elsha

When you think of eating out in western Colorado, I'm guessing sushi isn't the first thing that comes to mind. So it's a good thing I'm here to tell you that No Coast is worth going to, otherwise you'd never know! Lest you think my perception has been skewed by living in a small town for most of my life, even my friends and relatives who live on the coast make it a point to eat at No Coast when they're here. I've enjoyed everything I've ever ordered there, sushi and non-sushi dishes alike.

Usually when Brian and I go with family, everyone orders something different and we all share. The menu includes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. You can also substitute soy paper for nori in most of the rolls, if you prefer.

If you ever find yourself driving through Grand Junction (I know nobody actually stays here) call me up and we'll go!

Austin: Breakfast Tacos

By Tara C.

Breakfast tacos are really popular here in Austin. You'll find them at just about any morning event or meeting and they're sold almost everywhere--from sit-down restaurants to the corner gas station. Sometimes I forget that breakfast tacos are not ubiquitous in every American city. Then I'll hear from a friend who has moved out of state and laments the lack of breakfast tacos in her new town. Even the New York Times claimed a few years ago that Austin trumps all other American cities when it comes to the breakfast taco.

Around here, breakfast tacos are almost always of the Tex-Mex variety and served with salsa and/or pico de gallo (onions, tomatoes, chilis, cilantro). Most of the time breakfast tacos include eggs and cheese. Popular add-ons include potatoes, bacon, sausage, or beans. All wrapped up in a flour or corn tortilla, of course.

(photo from: CC Chapman via flickr)

I consider myself to be a bit of a breakfast taco connoisseur. That is, if eating a whole lot of something can make you a connoisseur. Okay, so I'm not entirely sure about that but I can tell you that I've lived here a long time and eaten my fair share of this stuff. Ergo, I thought I would share some of my favorites with you. Some are very popular while others are a bit more off the beaten path.

Elsi's Restaurant

Elsi's is a Mexican and Salvadorian restaurant that serves a variety of breakfast tacos. Their migas tacos include eggs scrambled with corn chips, topped with ranchero sauce and cheese, served with potatoes and refried beans. Edited: It looks like Elsi's has closed! One of the commenters mentioned this so I went to check. Sure enough, their number has been disconnected.

Maudie's Tex-Mex

At Maudie's, I like Pete's Tantalizing Tacos with sausage, egg, potato,cheese, serranos and onions. It's got some kick and is delicious with a cup of hot coffee. I've never had Tatiana's Tamale Tacos (eggs scrambled with a pork tamale and cheese) but they sound intriguing.

Taco Shack

Taco Shack's egg, potato and cheese breakfast taco was a staple of my diet when I was pregnant with my daughter. I was nauseous all the time. Something about the grease and protein settled my stomach. I don't know why, but it helped and I ate them all the time.

Texas Honey Ham Company

Texas Honey Ham Company may not be the first to come to mind when you think of Austin breaktfast tacos, but, oh my, their ham, egg, and cheese breakfast tacos are so delicious I would be remiss to leave them off my list of favorites. Although it's served with salsa, this is not your traditional Tex-Mex taco. But it's so, so good in its own right.

Torchy's Tacos

Torchy's started in a food trailer and now operates several wildly popular restaurants around town. Their breakfast tacos definitely veer to the side of the unusual and decadent. The Dirty Sanchez sounds, well, dirty, but it's delicious. It has scrambled eggs with fried poblano chilis, guacamole, escabeche carrots, and cheese. This isn't actually on Torchy's breakfast menu, but it has eggs in it, they serve it in the morning, so why not? Torchy's migas tacos are also fantastic. They include scrambled eggs, cheese, crisp tortilla chips, green chilis, pico de gallo, and avocado. I haven't seen avocado in migas very often, but they are a welcome addition as far as I'm concerned.