REVIEW: Poe's Sandwich Joint (1710 N. 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA)

Our daughter is getting ready to finish her junior year in high school, which means it’s time to start taking trips to colleges and scope out the campuses where she might be spending a chunk of the near future. It also means we can research and try new places to eat and drink! 

During our recent spring break we decided to take a ride to Philly and look at a few schools, one of which happened to be my alma mater, Drexel University in West Philly. It has been longer than I care to acknowledge since my graduation, and the campus has changed dramatically. The food trucks I subsisted on as a commuter student have been pushed away from the street in front of the main building, replaced with pizza joints, coffee shops, chicken sandwich establishments, and even a Shake Shack. 

Further up the campus towards the University of Pennsylvania, students, faculty and staff can choose from Wawa, Chipotle, more pizza, and a Pret A Manger, which is where we decided to grab a bite and some coffee while we chatted with an old buddy from my days on college radio. We discovered Pret while we were traveling through Europe back in 2017 and I hate to admit I’d rather have one of their baguettes or chicken salad and avocado sandwiches than the hit-or-miss offerings from our nearby Wawas. 

Our travels the next day took us to North Philly and a tour of rival Temple University. The night before our visit I sat down and did some research on eateries around campus. I’m more familiar with spots in the Northern Liberties section, but we wanted to see what Temple’s environs offered, just in case we’d need a good spot when we came up for a visit. 

I whittled our choices down to Oh Brother (burgers and sandwiches with a variety of gourmet cheesesteaks), Luna Café (featuring breakfast and lunch), and Poe’s Sandwich Joint (a, well, sandwich joint located inside Human Robot Brewery at 1710 N. 5th Street). After much deliberation and reading the menu offerings from each, we decided we would be gently rapping on Poe’s door. 

After a soggy college tour in the spring break rain, we hopped in the car and headed back towards Center City. The dreary day certainly didn’t do much to improve the area’s ambiance, and Human Robot is just the sort of dark bar where you could have found me during my college years; though back then I preferred 25 cent Meister Brau drafts and bottles of Yuengling lager/porter/black & tan to a $7 hazy IPA that reminded me a great deal of the Ship Bottom Brewing Hop & Hazy IPA I’m sipping as I type this. 

The small kitchen is tucked down the brewery’s hallway, with only a small sign to let hungry patrons know it’s there. Manned by a few cooks, the brightly lit kitchen cranked out a healthy number of eat-in and take-out orders while we were there. The cooks suggested ordering from the online app since there were “eight or nine” new sandwiches not on the printed menus. 

Our previous night’s research paid off and we ended up ordering exactly what we’d zeroed in on: Gabbygool (chicken cutlet, hand pulled fresh mozzarella, hot “gabagool” capicola, roasted red bell peppers and arugula with house lemon pepper mayo, balsamic glaze and red pepper flakes); Seoulgirl (Korean fried chicken topped with homemade kimchi slaw, drizzled honey, spicy gochujang aioli and cilantro); Hamilton (chicken cutlet, bacon, hand-cut fries, Cooper sharp, house ranch dressing, scallions); and, Skinny Joey Fries (hand cut French Fries, extra sharp provolone, Italian style roast pork, sautéed broccoli rabe and roasted long hots topped with house horseradish mayo, parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes). 

Each sandwich featured a great bread-to-filling ratio with the nice chew that Philly/NJ-baked rolls are so renowned for, and I now demand that ALL fries be topped with roast pork, provolone, and horseradish mayo. Best Fries Ever. Nobody finished more than half of their hefty lunch selection, which meant we also had dinner for the dreary evening ahead. We packed up our sandwiches (and fries) and dashed to the car for another white-knuckle drive through torrential rains back to the shore, the smell of our leftovers filling the cab for the next 90 minutes. 

A few hours later we popped everything into the oven at a low temperature and gathered around the counter for round two. Not only did the sandwiches hold up as leftovers, but I was kinda jealous of the Seoulgirl (Chris’ selection); the kick of the gochujang and the crunch of the kimchi really added texture and heat to the fried chicken. 

We might have to schedule a return trip just so I can get my hands on another one. 

And the Best Fries Ever. — Dan Taylor

Dan Taylor is the editor/publisher of The Hungover Gourmet, which is back in print after (checks notes) 15 years! Visit our website to order our current issue and see how you can contribute to our next issue.

Tokoa Cheesesteaks (College Park, MD)

My friend mentioned he was taking his son back to College Park today, which presented a perfect opportunity to sample a cheesesteak from Tokoa, which bills itself as serving "authentic Philly-style cheesesteaks". This sandwich clocked in at 9.5" long and just over 1 pound. Our panel agreed that the meat was tasty and cooked well, but the seeded roll just didn't have that chew I crave. But it was certainly better than another popular Baltimore-area shop whose cheesesteak roll literally split at the seams with the first bite. I'd definitely stop if I was in the area but I wouldn't make a special trip. – Dan Taylor

Charcoal Deli (Cockeysville, MD)

With sunny skies and 70-degree temperatures on a Thursday afternoon in March, there was absolutely no reason for the Lunch Bunch to sit around the office and eat sad sandwiches or salads at our cubes or in our offices. 

Instead, we opted to get some fresh air, share a picnic table, and scarf down grub from a Baltimore County staple, Charcoal Deli. Hidden down a side street by a chain pizza joint and the school my daughter attended for nine years, Charcoal Deli is pretty nondescript. There's a handful of picnic tables, an order window, a pickup window and well, that's about it. 

The menu features barbecue, pit beef (a MD staple), burgers, dogs/sausage, and a variety of named sandwiches like the Hillary (smoked turkey grilled with Q, topped with Provolone), Larry (double burger topped with Roma sausage and American cheese), and Scotter (beef/turkey combo with Old Bay and American cheese). I opted for the 1/4 burger topped with a mound of barbecued ham and Tiger Sauce (aka mayo with horseradish), while my pals opted for the Danski (beef with Swiss and Old Bay on a Kaiser roll with Q), Pit Beef, and a Turkey Club. Sides included delicious skin-on fries and so-so mac & cheese that was low on cheese and heavy on oil (booooo!). 

As Lunch Bunch dictates, if the sandwich or eatery you recommend meets with approval, you get to keep going. Thanks to the gang at Charcoal Deli, I'm still up. 

Note: They are building a brand new ALDI across the street from Charcoal Deli. I see a lot of grocery store trips that end with me picking up lunch or dinner across the street. (3.5) — Dan Taylor

J & B's Grill (Shrewsbury, PA)

As a NJ native, one of my biggest culinary complaints about my 20+ years in Maryland has been the dearth of good diners. A trip to the diner was an almost religious experience in the Garden State, with favorite places for favorite times, like The Golden Eagle for post-movie watching or the Oaklyn Diner for a huge platter of meatloaf and mashed potatoes with gravy on a Saturday morning to lay a good base for the shenanigans ahead. We live smack dab between two diners, both terrible, so when Chris suggested a change of scenery on a recent Saturday I jumped at the chance.

I figured out a radius of about 30 minutes from home and thought Shrewsbury, PA (north on 83 just over the state line) looked like it had potential. After a quick search we settled on J&B's Grill, located at 14 North Main Street in Shrewsbury. Though not a standalone diner, it definitely falls into that category, with the restaurant occupying an old home. Dining areas are divided up into a few rooms.

I was hoping for meatloaf but decided on the Open Face Turkey with Mashed Potatoes, Gravy and a side of corn while Chris went with an Open Face Reuben. A cup of salty (in a good way) Chicken Noodle Soup started me off, full of big chunks of chicken, thick slices of carrot, and wide egg noodles. The turkey platter was huge, with plentiful slices of moist turkey atop cubes of white bread, and a mound of delicious homemade mashed potatoes on the side, all covered in a creamy yellow gravy. I made a little spot on my plate, dumped my corn into it and went to town. Fries that accompanied Chris' sandwich were hot and crispy, though the cole slaw was a bit on the sweet side.

It took a bit of time between the soup and entrees, but the restaurant was pretty jammed and we were in no rush. After lunch we hopped in the car and checked out the Markets at Shrewsbury, just a few miles up the road. Great selection of dairy, meats, pretzels, candy, pastries and more. I have feeling we'll be trekking back this spring to check out their flea markets and get barbecue from That Pig Place. — Dan Taylor

Dan Taylor is editor/publisher of The Hungover Gourmet. For more information on our upcoming issue or how to contribute to the zine, check out the relaunched THG website.

The Hungover Gourmet Returns to Print!

(Click for full size image)

It seemed fitting to make this announcement on the most food-centric holiday on the US calendar. 

The Hungover Gourmet: The Journal of Food, Drink, Travel & Fun will return as a print publication in 2023. 

I've flirted with this idea in years past but never pulled the trigger. But after careful consideration (sorta), chatting with fellow zine publishers (okay, one zine publisher), and even writing a THG-inspired piece for said zine publisher, it felt like the time was right. 

I’m not sure if this will be a one-shot deal, an annual thingy, or a return to regular publication (as if we ever had that). I just know that I’ve missed the outlet and after searching for something to fill the creative void left after burning out on Exploitation Retrospect: The Journal of Junk Culture & Fringe Media (issues 52 & 53 still available at Amazon!), I decided to stop searching and return to something I really loved doing—writing snarky restaurant reviews while having an excuse to indulge myself in the frozen food section of ALDI and LIDL. 

At this point I still desire contributions to help make this a worthy Hungover Gourmet reboot. Like Leonard Nimoy, I’m in search of 250 to 2,000 word reviews, rants, essays, food fiction and non-fiction, as well as cartoons, photography, and artwork. Topics THG is interested in include (but are not limited to): 

• Restaurants That Aren’t There Anymore
• Food In Media (TV Shows, Movies, Comics, Music)
• Childhood Memories
• Restaurant/Food/Drink Reviews
• Cooking Disasters/Successes 

All contributors whose work has been accepted for publication will receive byline/artist credit as well as two copies of the issue in which their work appears. 

To submit work, or for more information, email editor@hungovergourmet.com. Deadline for contributions to THG #12 is December 31, 2022. – Dan Taylor

Dan Taylor is the editor/publisher of The Hungover Gourmet and Exploitation Retrospect. Look for a new Hungover Gourmet website launching soon!

Taco Bell to Bring Back Mexican Pizza?

2022 just got a whole lot better, folks. Apparently there is truth to the rumors that Taco Bell is bringing back the Mexican Pizza in the spring of this year. I don't know about you, but there was many a morning when The Hungover Gourmet was brought back to life thanks to a Mexican Pizza and a handful of Mexi-Melts (do they still sell those??). Bravo, Taco Bell, bravo! – Dan Taylor

Bill's Bar and Burger (Rockefeller Center NYC)

After meeting up with friends and taking a long post-HAMILTON walk we decided to duck into Bill’s Bar and Burger for a drink, a bite and shelter from the surprise appearance of some rainstorms.

We were burgered our after Iron Bar for lunch but the menu offered chicken and fish sandwiches for the gals and a spicy Buffalo chicken burger for me. (I thought in my haze that it was a Buffalo chicken sandwich but was pleased with the end result, packed with spicy sauce and blue cheese.)

Shared fries were of the classic fry variety and they had an excellent draft and bottled/canned beer selection including Bell’s Two Hearted Ale.

We were all pretty tired and hungry so this napkin was all I ended up snapping to record our visit. Good place, bustling atmosphere, kid friendly and comfy booths that offered ample relief to my bony butt after two days walking all over the Big Apple. Signs said they're opening an outlet in DC. Will definitely add it to our list.

A solid 4 pints. – Dan Taylor

Dan Taylor is the editor/publisher of The Hungover Gourmet. He really needs to hit the gym tomorrow.

Iron Bar NYC (713 8th Ave and 45th Street, Times Square)

I'm posting reviews and pics from our weekend trip to New York City a little out of order. Not that anybody cares...

On Saturday afternoon we had a hard out for a 2 PM show of HAMILTON at the Richard Rodgers Theater in order to fulfill a Christmas wish for our daughter. (Little did I know how much I would love the show!)

After doing a walking tour of Colonial Manhattan that involved the Stock Exchange, Federal Hall, 9/11 Memorial, Trinity Church and more we made a reservation at Heartland Brewery and Chophouse while we headed back to Times Square. Wondering if we'd have enough time to have a sit down lunch and make it to the show in plenty of time we decided to cancel and head to someplace closer to the theater for lunch before the show.

Unfortunately, Union Square Burger didn't open till 1 PM and the other place we scoped out didn't do much for the group so we headed down the street to Shake Shack, figuring if we didn't see anything appealing on the way we'd be happy with this old standby.

It wasn't long till we crossed in front of Iron Bar and decided we'd give it a try.

"We can be out within an hour, right?," we asked as we met the hostess. "We need to leave for the theater by 1:30..."

"Sure!," she replied with confidence.

I have to admit, we loved the look and vibe of the place. A dark but not impenetrable atmosphere, cool high tops with tables made of pipe and tabletops that looked aged from use, an endless line of taps featuring some of my favorite beers including Dale's Pale Ale.

Alas, the place was sorta hit or miss for our group. My burger – a midwest-inspired Juicy Lucy – was dynamite and tasted like the burgers my Mom cooked when I was a kid. The rest of our group didn’t fare quite as well as medium rare burgers were all super rare in the center and it took a good half hour  (!) to get our food while others who were seated well after us all got their lunches.

Great beer selection,  awesome Juicy Lucy and a cool vibe definitely help offset the crummy service and inconsistent cook on the burgers. Unfortunately, it all adds up to a three pint rating despite an excellent lunch for The Hungover Gourmet. – Dan Taylor

Dan Taylor is the editor/publisher of The Hungover Gourmet and he loves him a burger and some Dale's Pale Ale.

Leave Me Alone with My Chicken Baby

These are the leftovers! Leftovers!

It's no wonder that Gertrude's – John Shields' restaurant in the Baltimore Museum of Art – only serves its moist, crispy-skinned fried chicken once a week. Based on the massive platter of thighs, drumsticks and wings that arrived at our table they'd quickly go out of business if it was offered on a regular basis.

This was my first trip back to Gertrude's since our first wedding anniversary. My wife and I were married on the museum's patio in the midst of a pounding rainstorm in September of 2003 and we had our reception in the restaurant. The chicken – along with a pepper speckled turkey meatloaf and crab cakes based on those served at the Long Beach Island, NJ restaurant my wife's family owned for over four decades – was on our reception menu but that night is a blur of family and friends, highlighted by the smiles of my parents, who never thought they'd live to see the day.

Coincidentally, last night's weather – dreary and rainy – was a throwback to that September night a dozen years ago, but this time we got to enjoy it with our eight year old daughter (and burgeoning foodie). Just walking into the inviting, cozy restaurant with its impressive bar and low but not too dark lighting brought back a flood of great memories.

Actually, I probably shouldn't say "flood" as our honeymoon on OBX was cut short due to Hurricane Isabel which forced us to evacuate the island and sent my bride of a few days off to work as her station covered the damaging storm. On to more pleasant topics... like the food!

Despite doing a brisk Tuesday night biz – thanks to the aforementioned fried chicken and reduced price $15 entrees – we were quickly seated at a quiet corner table and munched cornbread slathered with sweet, creamy butter while we looked over the menu.

Chris had been eyeing the chicken since we made the decision to go while I had a hankering for Shields' signature crab cake – served with hand cut fries and a crisp, refreshingly different cole slaw – and Ryan settled on a whopper of a cheeseburger from the kids menu, which she quickly slathered in the ketchup that was probably intended for her fries.

While Ryan was disappointed the starters didn't include calamari (her "go to" appetizer) I was happy to get a cup of rich, velvety Cream of Crab Soup that reminded me of the Lobster Bisque I love at Howard's Restaurant on LBI. A platter of Corn & Chicken Fritters featured more than enough to go around, and the surprisingly light app paired just fine with a local Union Brewing Duckpin Ale, served in a can but poured into a glass.

We skipped dessert but you can combine one of the reduced price entrees, soup or salad and dessert into a three course meal for $30. While Ryan and I polished off our dinners  there was enough chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits and broccoli – aka My Chicken Baby – to bring home for another dinner or two.

Looks like I'll have to push my Andy Nelson's plans till Friday! – Dan Taylor

You can pick up the anniversary edition of John Shields' influential cookbook Chesapeake Bay Cooking at Amazon as well as at the museum store if you happen to be in the area.

Summer's Gone Part I: Charm City (And Surrounding) Edition

The Spaghetti & Meatball Pizza at Joe Squared in Baltimore.

Now I'm standing in a doorway, thinking of summers gone by
It ought to make me happy, but it just makes me want to cry.
– Summer's Gone, The Kinks

So, uh, anybody out there want to tell me exactly where it is that summer went?

Seems like just yesterday I was picking Ryan up on the last day of school, ten weeks of opportunity and adventure looming large ahead of us. Swim team, fishing, boat trips, the beach – ahhh, yes, the beach – and so many other things to do.

Turns out ten weeks isn't as long as I thought and ten 10 days ago I was packing my third grader (?!) in the car for the first day of the new school year.

But between vacation trips, beach weekends and catching up with old friends, THG has been doing a lot of out and about drinking and eating recently. And I do mean "a lot".

One of our favorite treks of late was down to Columbia, MD which, while only a 30 minute drive, always sounds much further away. But when old friends were in town to visit their daughter it seemed like a great chance to try Victoria's Gastropub. Set amidst one of those confusingly cobbled together groupings of stores, banks and chain stores, Victoria's is quite the craft beer and upscale pub grub oasis.

Though our reserved table netted us nothing more than a cramped booth next to the kitchen, I was happy to see they offered a robust beer menu in addition to the varied dinner fare. Bonus points, too, to the server who admitted that our friends were much better off hitting nearby G&M for their legendary softball-sized crab cakes than ordering at Victoria's. Love the honesty, dude.

Chicken Liver Pate was smooth and not at all gamey – though still not as great as my father-in-law's but on par with the Smoked Chicken Liver Spread I made back in 2009. I must admit, though, that we were definitely disappointed that steamed clams were already off the menu at such an early hour. On the other hand, entrees were met with a lot of enthusiasm, especially my juicy Wagyu burger with mushrooms and Swiss cheese which had me scrambling for my napkin to stem the tide of juice running down my hands.

The ambience doesn't quite capture the gastropub/craft beer feel they're going for and our second round of beers was completely mixed up, but any hiccups were smoothed over by the hearty sides of addictive Duck Fat Fries that were devoured by everyone, even the 8 year old diner in our midst.

Two recent trips to Ryleigh's Oyster House in Cockeysville, MD met with definitely mixed results. (They have a couple other popular locations but we've never been.) While I love noshing on seafood at Mama's on the Half Shell down in Baltimore, the opening of Ryleigh's in Cockeysville has brought some of that convenience a lot closer to home. We're talking ten minutes versus thirty, not to mention no lengthy wait for a table.

On National Oyster Day I accompanied my buddy and his son out for lunch, which resulted in picture perfect service, ice cold Natty Boh drafts, smooth and chunky Cream of Crab Soup and my usual, a Fried Oyster Po' Boy that may not be as good as Mama's but is worth stopping in for every month or so.

Unfortunately, another recent trip to Ryleigh's resulted in the first time I was officially disappointed in the restaurant. We had decided to meet an old friend there on a Saturday afternoon and sat under an umbrella on the steamy patio, which sits, unfortunately, right along busy Padonia Road. To be frank, I'm still trying to find a nearby Baltimore County patio/deck bar that doesn't butt up against a busy thoroughfare.

Service from the patio bartender was a little shaky – a bit too much time between courses, forgotten soup – and my Grilled Fish Tacos were a major letdown, though everybody else seemed to enjoy their lunches. Unfortunately, my flour tortillas were a dense, soggy mess, the grilled fish limited to one nearly tasteless strip per taco, with whatever flavor the fish might have had overwhelmed by the pico de gallo.

More impressive was a Sunday afternoon trek to Joe Squared on North Ave. for some pizza and beers before catching a documentary at The Ottobar. I've always liked the food and drink at JS, even if parking your car and walking three blocks reminds me of my days walking from classes at Drexel to a bar or friend's house in West Philly. And not in a great way.

Despite an air conditioning system that was clearly struggling on a sultry summer afternoon, I loved the Spaghetti and Meatball Pizza that my buddy Dave suggested. To be honest, I was expecting something far heavier but JS once again elevated the simple concept and delivered a delicious thin crust packed with red peppers, meatballs and just a hint of pasta.

Dave and I ordered a 14" pie, but I could have definitely housed another few slices. And maybe another small pizza before we headed to The Ottobar for a screening of DON'T YOU WISH THAT WE WERE DEAD about one of my favorite punk bands, The Damned.

And, yes, we even spotted two large rats cavorting in the Ottobar parking lot afterwards, so it was an official Baltimore trip!

I'll be back with Part II of our Summer Wrap-Up soon, with some thoughts on new and old haunts on our home away from home, Long Beach Island (NJ). – Dan Taylor

Dan Taylor is the editor and publisher of The Hungover Gourmet. Be sure to check out THG on Facebook and Twitter.

Battling Barbecue: A Hungry THG Tackles Some Chain 'Que

Happy Fourth of July to all our American readers and I hope you're getting ready to enjoy a long holiday weekend filled with doing patriotic stuff like grilling, wearing too much red, white & blue and overindulging the way we Americans do. Just don't blow any fingers off with illegal fireworks. My guess is this column will get lost in the holiday shuffle but it has been rattling around in my head in one form or another for months now, so I felt like it was time to do a brain dump. Enjoy!

I've often found that food – no matter the preparation or pedigree – almost always tastes best at the end of a long day when your hunger is gnawing at your gut something fierce.

For example, my Mom made a wicked simple tuna and macaroni salad and nothing, I mean NOTHING satisfied my hunger more after a night at Philly punk clubs like The Khyber Pass or Dobbs than a heaping bowl or three of that mass of elbows, tuna and mayo.

So I must admit that we were a little surprised by the polar opposite reactions we had to a couple of barbecue chains during our recent travels.

Readers of this blog are well aware of my fondness for Andy Nelson's, a Baltimore County-based barbecue restaurant just up the road from us. Pulled pork, smoked wings, slabs of ribs, creamy slaw, piquant redskin potato salad... it doesn't matter, Andy Nelson's has delivered the goods as long as we've been going there.

So when they started building a Famous Dave's across from the local State Fairgrounds I looked upon the rising edifice with a mix of guilt and optimism like I was some sort of adulterer. I'd never actually been to a Famous Dave's, but it had received grudging recommendations from friends and I'm always up for giving a new place a try.

Even a chain.

While I'm not sure how the topic of visiting Famous Dave's came up, I'm not surprised since we were in the midst of driving the 8 hours from Maryland to Virginia and back to pick up a new car and, well, we like to talk about food.

The wild card of the trip was that our daughter, then age 7, was in that "pukey car ride phase" that I guess curses a lot of kids. Car trips to and from Florida were met with quick shoulder pullovers and equally quick recoveries as she shook it off and smiled away, next destination on the horizon, puke-filled grocery bag left by the roadside. Sorry, Florida highway workers!

But with one Pukey McGee incident already "in the bag" on the ride to VA we decided that a stop along the way home from the car dealership might be a bad idea. Especially since she was riding with her mother. In the new car.

After arriving home and debating our options we ended up at Famous Dave's, outrageously hungry and somewhat optimistic that we'd made a decent – if not perfect – choice to satisfy our barbecue-loving bellies.

Barbecued Nachos at Famous Dave's

I had a feeling things were going to be a bit rocky when the platter of something called Barbecue Nachos arrived at the table (see picture). A wholly unsatisfying mix of lettuce (?!), nacho chips, chili and other "stuff" (I think there was some sort of meat buried under there), it looked like two servers carrying separate platters had crashed into one another and the resulting monstrosity landed on our table. Granted, I'm not above enjoying an abominable looking appetizer every now and then but this looked and tasted all sorts of wrong, setting a rather disappointing tone for the start of the meal.

I'm still not sure what that sauce on top was supposed to be.

And, please take into consideration that we'd eaten nothing more than a breakfast bar and bottled water in the car dealership waiting room since the wee hours of that morning. Famous Dave should have been able to slather cheese and chili on a slab of wet cardboard in order to satisfy us.

Unfortunately, we hadn't set the bar quite low enough.

I prayed the entrees would be met with a better reception, downed another beer (I recall the selection being equally forgettable as the rest of the meal... spoiler alert!) and hoped for the best. Especially since a friend, knowing my affection for chicken and familiar with my above average homemade ribs had suggested I lean toward the poultry when making my selection.

Alas, it was not to be. Chicken was fortunately forgettable but the ribs were a nightmare that will linger on my palette for years to come. (Come on, I was at a barbecue place. I had to get the rib and chicken combo.) Caked? Coated? Lacquered? I'm not even sure what the right word is to describe the application of the super sweet, cloying sauce that instantly masked any flavor the ribs may have actually had. Even my wife and daughter – card carrying lovers of sweetness – were equally turned off by what they found as our platters were picked at and pushed to the side with a collective wrinkle of the nose.

The Chicken & Rib Platter at Famous Dave's

But, as Ryan said, "at least the cornbread was good". And I'm going to trust her on that because I've blocked out most of the finer details to the point that I almost feel like I should pop in one day for lunch just to make sure it wasn't better than I remember. And judging from the almost always empty parking lot I don't think I'd have trouble grabbing a table.

Fast forward a few months and we're on our way to Florida for one of our whirlwind Sunshine State excursions. Along with everyone in Maryland, Virginia and North and South Carolina who had the same damn idea, resulting in hour upon hour of bumper-to-bumper roadways.

But we're road warriors and we're determined to make it to Georgia so that our second day of travel can be a little easier, meaning that we continue to forge ahead in the face of a sea of brake lights, hoping that each easing of the traffic pattern will mean clear sailing ahead.

It didn't.

Upon arriving at a Brunswick, GA hotel that had decent looking accommodations (and, uh, available rooms) we quickly surveyed the dining options that didn't require anybody getting behind the wheel of the car. Winn Dixie? CVS? Scary Looking Chinese Place?

Or we could literally walk through the parking lot and end up at Sonny's BBQ.

Ignoring the feral cat and its glowing red eyes we made our way to a booth, ordered some ice cold Yuengling Lager (the closest Sonny's comes to craft beer it appears), forsook appetizers due to our raging hunger and dove into plates of ribs and chicken.

"Holy crap," I thought. "This is actually pretty good."

Quick glances at the appreciative looks from my wife and daughter confirmed that despite its chain roots and slightly trashy ambience, Sonny's was a hit with our family. Ribs had a slight give when pulled from the bone, mac & cheese received a thumbs up from Ryan, and even the waitress charmed us by asking to see some ID. (I hope I left a big tip.)

And with that we retreated to our hotel rooms, slipped on some comfy pants and drifted off to sleep under the power of Sonny's BBQ, another day on the road awaiting us.

While I'd rather support an independent place like Right on Q, at least we know Sonny's delivers when weary travelers beckon. – Dan Taylor

Dan Taylor (aka The Hungover Gourmet) is a barbecue aficionado and the editor/publisher of The Hungover Gourmet. You can follow his exploits and eats here at the blog as well as on Twitter and Facebook. Back issues of the award-winning THG zine are available from the webstore.

John Steven Closed in Fells Point?

Sorry to read the report from Richard Gorelick's 'Baltimore Diner' blog that Fells Point eatery John Steven Ltd. has been closed since the beginning of the week with the owner citing the "difficult economic climate".

The restaurant had been one of our "go to" destinations whenever we entertained out of town visitors and I have fond memories of the Irish stew around St. Patrick's Day as well as their fish and chips. But it's the Cream of Trout Soup I had there many, many years ago that will always stick in my mind as one of the finest dishes I've had during my years visiting and living in the region.

I always crossed my fingers the dish would be listed as a special when we passed by so I'd have an excuse to go in. Here's hoping I get that chance again.

What's Happening with Piv's and Patrick's?

I'd been meaning to research what was happening with Piv's on nearby York Rd. since catching a glimpse of the electronic sign outside thanking their customers for years of memories.

The restaurant's outside has changed quite a bit in recent years with the addition of a patio and a seven day a week package goods store but I'd never eaten there despite living down the street for the last 12 years. Reviews were never that great and eating on a patio that's literally a stone's throw from York Rd. never seemed that appealing.

But it totally slipped my mind until seeing Richard Gorelick's write-up on its closing as well as that of another nearby mainstay, Patrick's (which I wrote about back in 2009).

Will have to keep an eye on what's happening with these two... and maybe when my daughter starts school next week I can find out what they were building across from Corner Stable all during last year.

Dishcrawl Baltimore Schedules Locust Point Event

Like to get out and explore different area restaurants but hate having to do it one place at a time? Check out Dishcrawl Baltimore, which recently debuted in Baltimore after a successful launch on the West Coast.

For the price of a ticket you get to sample four area restaurants, hear from the owners/head chefs and socialize with other area food lovers.

The latest Baltimore-area installment is scheduled for Wednesday, June 19th at 7:00 PM in the Locust point area. Tickets are $45 and still available.

Dishcrawl also offers an event called Neighborfood with eight restaurants each offering up a single dish. I think I might like that one even better than Dishcrawl.

If anybody attends one of these events please post a comment or send an e-mail. They sound interesting and a great way to sample Baltimore's exploding food scene.

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No Foolies... Hungover Gourmet Returns to Print with Fall 2013 Issue!

I wanted to post this earlier this week but hesitated for fear that it would be laughed off as an April Fool's joke.

Despite what it said atop issue #11 – published back in 2009 – that will no longer be "The Final Issue" of The Hungover Gourmet: The Journal of Food, Drink, Travel and Fun!

We're currently accepting submissions for issue #12: The Return of The Hungover Gourmet and are looking for...

• capsule restaurant reviews for our 'For Those Who Are Fussy About Their Food' section (250-300 words max with 0-5 star rating);
• snack, beverage, fast food, frozen food reviews (250-300 words max);
• articles in the 1200-2500 word range (anything from cooking techniques and explorations of new gadgets to travel roundups, winery visits, food taste tests, etc.);
• recipes;
• photo essays;
• food/drink/travel-related zine, book, tv, movie reviews.

Deadline for submissions is September 1, 2013 with an anticipated street date of mid-November. That gives you the whole spring and summer to get your thinking caps on, get out and eat fun and interesting food, fire up the grills, grow veggies and share it all with the world. Or, at least, our small but enthusiastic readership.

All contributors receive a complimentary copy of the issue. In addition, we'll be holding a Hungover Gourmet Photo Contest with the winning photo gracing the cover! More details to come...

Have ideas? Want to contribute? Email me or touch base with me via our Facebook page or Twitter feed.

Mission BBQ Grand Opening and Charity Night

I haven't made it to their Glen Burnie location yet but I'm happy to hear that Mission BBQ is opening a second location in Perry Hall. Grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony is Monday, November 19 at noon but you can try them out tonight, Friday, November 16, from 5-9 PM with all proceeds going to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.

You can RSVP for tonight's charity night at their website or by emailing mission21236@mission-bbq.com.

Is This How You Roll in Flavor Town?

Brutal review in NY Times of Guy Fieri's own Guy's American Kitchen & Bar in Times Square.

Gimmie an Ol Mork, Hold the Minde

Despite spending countless hours at various IKEA stores over the years, I have to confess that I've never actually eaten at one.

I know, everybody talks about the Swedish Meatballs (even if all the reviews seem to portray them as very middle of the road). I have to admit that they smell really good once you get to the Checkout/Pick-Up aisle. But by that time I'm completely focused on putting together my confusing furniture and the inevitable screw that will rip through the bottom of my Billy bookcase that I can't think about eating. (Check out the video below from Freezerburns for a review of Frozen IKEA Swedish Meatballs.)

But, now that IKEA in Europe has introduced beer, I might just have to rethink things. And not just beer, but a beer that gets halfway decent reviews.

Hell, I know I've put together a staggering amount of home office furniture under the influence of Yuengling Black and Tan, so why not just package the Lerberg shelving unit with some Ol Mörk?

Hold the Minde.

DRAFT PICKS: Captain Larry's, Here I Come!

Here's another in our series of rediscovered 'Draft Picks' ripped screaming from the files of The Hungover Gourmet. I immediately knew what this one was... a brief diss of the quality of The Baltimore Sun followed by some kudos for their food and dining section. The review that promoted this reflection was this one for Captain Larry's, a neighborhood bar in Federal Hill/Locust Point that apparently serves up a mean fish taco for lunch.

Despite a long-standing love of the newspaper medium I don't read the Baltimore Sun on a daily basis. Frankly, I think it's a pretty bad paper. I got spoiled as a kid with the Philadelphia Inquirer and think that even on its worst day the Inky is better than 99% of the newspapers being produced in big cities.

So when I get the Sun and the Sports section consists of about three pages of "news" that's mostly wire service copy I get kinda depressed.

But one thing I do like about the Sun is their coverage of the area food scene. I honestly look forward to the food and dining news that gets its own section each Wednesday and I've definitely become a fan of Monday's lunch review that not only comments on the food but also provides a look at how long it took for the meal to come out.

Something's Fishy. DNA Tests Show Cheaper Fish Being "Mislabeled".

I've often wondered about this when I go out to a restaurant.

A lot of fish look and, frankly, taste the same once they've been filleted, seasoned and cooked.

So, how do I know the flounder I'm paying top dollar for is really flounder ($23/lb.) and not, oh I don't know, swai ($4/lb.)?

Apparently, I'm not the only one to have these sinister thoughts. A Boston Globe investigation gathered fish from 134 restaurants, supermarkets and fish-mongers and gave them to an independent testing lab.

The results? DNA testing showed that 87 of the 183 fish tested were "mislabeled". That's a staggering 48%.

Keep that in mind next time you're eying up some pricey cod!