Aimee's Fruit Salad Bowl

Aimee made this little ditty for our daughter. Strawberry, banana, red banana, apple, mango, papaya and kiwi berries with yogurt and a hint of mayo with a touch of cummin all stuffed into a half an orange.

The Parrot Confectionery Store

The Parrot Confectionery is an amazing local candy and soda shoppe. The make home made Ice Cream, Almond Roca, Phosphates, Milkshakes (they used to make them with a raw egg if you asked.), A delicious and unique chili and hand dipped chocolates. I remember growing up running around the back of the Parrot, Dave, then the owner, gave me fresh made caramel right out of the giant brass pot he made it in, scooping it into a bowl of cold water to cool it off and serving it to me pipping hot!

This is a hand dipped Chocolate Cover Cherry.

The Parrot Confectionery

42 N. Last Chance Gulch

Helena, MT  59601

406.442.1470

(You can phone in orders, but not online yet.)

Steak 'N Shake Round 2 - Medinah, IL

Gave Steak 'N Shake a second round. There was a White Castle up the road, but the guys I was with didn't want to go (Except Mario from NYC). At least I know White Castle is bad. So bad it's good. Seriously, it is so bad it's good, like a comedy that's not really supposed to be funny, that is White Castle. Steak 'N Shake, if a movie, is MEET THE FOCKERS.

The Western BBQ Burger was a bit off. I think they're using a low-rent BBQ sauce, WAAAAY too sweet. This time I went with the Guacamole burger. You can't tell from the photo, but there was a perfect amount of Guacamole on it. I did enjoy this burger much more than the last, but still an average burger, at best. 

Farina 00 - Executive Chef Recomended!

I was walking around Chicago with nothing to do and stopped in a place for a beer and some lunch. I struck up a conversation with a young guy named Joel, who turned out to be an Executive Chef for Wolfgang Puck. He had just stopped into Fox & Obel (A high end grocery store in Chicago) and picked up some of this flour, which was his favorite for baking thin crust pizza with, so I stopped in a got myself a bag to take back home and try out. With a big bag of white powder I have a feeling that my bag will be "randomly searched".

Ted's Montana Grill - Itasca, IL

I suppose it's a bit ironic that I travel to Illinois to eat at a Ted's Montana Grill. I had the Bison Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and steamed squash. The meatloaf was crap, the potatoes edible and the squah delicious. Our waiter, Will, was a top notch server but Ted is making a bad name for Montana Bison.

Colt 45 - It works every time!

OT: I Shoot Movies Too!

S

Shot this with Marshall, the director from Colorado, in the Bronx with Reef Hustle, the protege of Big Pun and a top notch dude. (I was the cinematographer)

Buesnos Dias Burritos - Itasca, IL

Chili Relleno. Yummy cheese stuffed pepper tostada.

With Hot green sauce. (Their red sauce was quite nice too.)

Tounge taco. ($1.70) A very soft and delicate meat that was much milder than anticipated.

One Tounge Tace, One Beef Taco and One Bean Taco. The Bean Taco was my favorite. The spice mix they used was amazing. Next time I think I'd get a Tounge and Bean Taco Mix. 

Buenos Dias Burritos

919 W. Irving Park Rd.

Itasca, IL 60143

(630) 250-7666

Neat Packaging

Steak 'N Shake - Medinah, IL

Went to a Steak 'N Shake for the first time today. The inside reminded me of In-N-Out, but you sit down and they wait on you. I had a BBQ Western Cheeseburger with shoe string fries and a Chocolate Shake. The burger was okay, nothing special and the shake was quite boring. The burger flavor reminded me of Wendy's, but they did have a great selection of burgers. (Guacamole, Western BBQ, Spicy Chipotle, etc...) I'll give them another shot.

Chicago Style Dinner - Grando's - Itasca, IL

An Old Style tall boy and two Chicago style dogs with fries. The perfect Chi-Town dinner.

So. Damn. Good.

Grando's

925 W. Irving Park

Itasca, IL

(630) 773-0455

Chicago Style Hot Dog - Grando's - Itasca, IL

Last time I was in Chicago I left without trying a genuine Chicago style Hot Dog, so this time I wasn't leaving without one. After sitting on a plane all day, I was a bit hungry so I walked around by my hotel out in the middle of Nowhere Suburbs Chicago and found this little place in a strip mall. This fine gentleman (George) made me a Chicago dog. (Actually, a lady did, but she was a bit camera shy and darted for the back as soon as I whipped out my camera. I think she thought I was up to something...maybe I was...)

Yummy.

I want to go to there.

Chicago: Round 2

Back to Chi-Town tomorrow for training. Actually, outside Chicago in Itasca, IL. Food adventure awaits...

(This picture was taken out of my hotel window from last visit. 14th floor, I think, which we all know is floor 13.)

Weekend Fun Time Cooking!

First off, Aimee's tacos with home made Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, Cojita cheese, lettuce and shredded pot roast with taco seasoning.

Eli and I attempted deep fried potato balls. Mashed potato with cheese dipped in egg and bread crumbs with a bit of cornmeal. I think these would have been better baked as the mashed potato kind of shrunk.

Aimee bought a loaf of little tiny cocktail bread so, of course, we made mini-paninis!

And to end off the weeked we made home made Big Macs. Eli used smoked cheddar rather than American.

Aimee's Big Mac was pretty spot on. Mayo, Miricle Whip, Pickles with a bit of juice, ketchup and some salt and pepper.

Birthday Present Pt. 2: Kitchen Aid