15 Things to Eat, March 15, 2012 ed.
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Ferndale 115 News)
Trying new things is good. Here are 15 suggestions:
#1 – Corned Beef and Cabbage from Country Boy (821 East 9 Mile Road, Hazel Park). This place is great. Inexpensive home-cooked meals, 24/7. In addition to a menu full of variety, they cook things on special depending on their whim, including this juicy, delicious corned beef and cabbage. It’s got a friendly small town diner feel, complete with maternal waitresses who make sure you eat every bite and country songs nearly everybody knows. It’s good sit down food that you don’t have to dress up for, and I like that.
#2 ~ White Pizza add Bacon and Green Olives from Two Guys from Italy (23725 John R Road, Hazel Park). The White Pizza is standard with spinach, mozzarella and ricotta cheeses with no sauce. They’ve got a bunch of different toppings to choose from and a crust that I enjoy because it reminds me of Strawberry Moon (if you remember them). Plus there are Italian dinners like pastas, salads, ribs and grinders. This is another great Hazel Park business, but they deliver to Ferndale too! Call 248-586-1500. …By the way, we’re launching our sister site there later this spring (www.hazelpark115.com).
#3 Fried Apple, Honey and Peanut Butter Sandwiches. I used to not like apples, but since I started buying organic ones I love them. I think my tastebuds were sensitive to the pesticides because in the organic ones I can really taste the apple in them. One day I put them on a sandwich with honey and Naturally Nutty Peanut Butter, which is made in Traverse City, Michigan and sold at Western Market (447 W. 9 Mile). Put all this together and fry in a little butter to get the bread crispy and the peanut butter melted, and enjoy.
#4 – Blueberry Waffles with Blueberry Vodka Whipped Cream from Dinos (22740 Woodward). Um, do I even have to explain why I love this one? I think not. It is delicious beyond words. Dino’s is one of our sponsors. So check them out at www.dinoslounge.com and if you see Dean tell him thanks for supporting the local, independent news that you value so much!
#5 – Salmon Scramble and Cinnamon Toast Crunch from Toast (23144 Woodward). You might notice that the font and the salt shakers are a little out-dated. That’s because Toast isn’t one of our sponsors yet, and I don’t get to eat there nearly enough. This pic is from November. Whenever I do though, I love their decadently thick and melty cinnamon toast crunch. The salmon scramble is a special item that they only have sometimes, but when they do it’s one of my favorites. I hope they see this and consider becoming a sponsor so I can eat there more. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor can go here for more info!
#6 ~ Pulled Pork Po’ Boy and Mac & Cheese from Howe’s Bayou (22848 Woodward). Howe’s is one of my sponsors and whenever I go there I get the macaroni and cheese, and usually the pulled pork po’ boy and cornbread. The pork is a perfect mix of tangy and sweet, and their cornbread is fresh-baked and fine as sunshine. Howe’s is known for their Cajun food – New Orleans style fish, shrimp, steak and other flavorful dishes. Check them out at www.howesbayouferndale.net.
#7 ~ Towne Club Soda at the Dollar Castle (200 W. 9 Mile). I drink a lot of Coca-Cola. But for just one drink I was swayed by this funky, retro-packaged Towne Club Soda that I found at The Dollar Castle. That sweet cherry flavor, however, just didn’t seem the same as I remembered when I was a kid, and this was a one-time purchase. Mainly I just wanted to use this picture somewhere, and give props to The Dollar Castle and it’s owner Mark. They sell Coke there too! Here is a nifty Dollar Castle story if you want to be further charmed – https://oaklandcounty115.com/2011/12/19/woman-grateful-for-returned-wallet.
8. Oysters from One-Eyed Betty’s (175 W. Troy Street). This was my first time trying oysters, and it’s with great regret that I say it will likely be my last, since it turns out I am allergic. That unfortunate fact aside, I thought they were delicious. They’re served with a tray of options, and I had mine with lemon juice and chopped onions. Just slurp them down and follow with any of over 40 types of beer, which is One-Eyed Betty’s specialty. Check out our write-up of the new Ferndale hot-spot: https://oaklandcounty115.com/2012/02/16/reclaimed-art-beer-hall-feel-oysters-and-brews-one-eyed-bettys-has-it-all.
#9 ~ Pot Roast Sandwich with Au Jus and a side of Chili Cheese Fries at The Emory (22700 Woodward). Underneath those gigantic onion rings is a succulent pot roast on top of a buttery grilled bun. It’s a big enough serving that I usually have half the sandwich to eat later. The chili cheese fries are hand cut with the skins on, fresh on site. There’s going to be a Book Party at the Emory on March 15th you may want to check out also!
#10 ~ Random Fresh Fruits and Vegetables from Western Market (447 W. 9 Mile). I’ll be honest, I don’t often eat healthy stuff. But sometimes I like to go up and down the aisles of Western and pick out new fruits and veggies to try. I just cut them up and make them look pretty on a plate and keep them nearby to snack on when I’m writing. Raw green pepper has been a favorite since childhood, and avocado is something I recently discovered and fell in love with.
11 ~ Beef Shwarma from Anita’s Kitchen (22651 Woodward). This is another meal that needs no explanation. Their food is delicious, and if you eat on the patio adorable little sparrows come up and look cute so that you’ll throw them crumbs from your pita bread.
12 ~ Biscuits and Gravy from Hambo Coney Island (22900 Woodward). I love going to Hambo’s and sitting in the long row of booths that look out towards the passing Woodward Ave. traffic. There’s no internet there, so often it’s just me and my notebooks, and the luxury of watching the world go by. Inside, owners Victor and Josephine and their family cook and wait tables until 3 in the afternoon. Then they’re closed for the rest of the day. So if you want to try some hearty biscuits and gravy make sure you go for breakfast or lunch.
#13 ~ My Roommate’s Rolo Snacks. My roommate has a mom, and she taught him how to make these. Make a layer of mini pretzels on a cookie sheet. Put a Rolo candy on top of each one. Put in an oven preheated to 300 degrees for approximately 8 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully place an M&M (or similar) candy on top and press down gently so that the caramel spreads out into a a round cookie-like shape. Once all are done, put the tray in the fridge or freezer to cool. Once the caramel is stable these can be removed and brought to room temperature to eat. Yummy!
14 ~ Egg Sandwich. This was made at home using high-quality Eggland’s Best eggs from Western Market (447 W. 9 Mile) and a bagel from New York Bagel (23316 Woodward). Buying quality eggs is one thing that I am picky about. I suggest you do a taste test for yourself. Pick up some cheap, mass-farmed 99 cent eggs and then try a more expensive free-range and/or organic etc type and you’re likely to notice a thicker, more vibrant york and more substantial taste. And as far as bagels go, New York is Ferndale’s obvious option.
15 ~ Zuppa. There is a recipe for this on Western Market’s website. Check it out and enjoy the flavors of beef, sausage, bacon, cream, kale, cauliflower, carrots, and other vegetables and spices.
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