Bad Daddy's Burger Bar

After reviewing all the new choices in Birkdale, I was left wondering, "What do I feel like eating?" There are just SOOOO many tasty options to try in Birkdale. So, I did what any destiny-defying, independent, alpha-male would do.

I asked my wife.

Surprisingly, she was in the mood for burgers. And off we went to Bad Daddy's.

We arrived on a Saturday afternoon, just a few minutes after 12 p.m. The place was already packed and I figured that we'd have to wait. Fortunately, there was one table left and we grabbed a seat about half way back, along the window.

Continue reading for the summary, score and restaurant info:

Recipe Friday: The Best Meatloaf Ever

I've gotta admit.  I've never really been a meatloaf fan (the food, not the ROCKIN' singer).  Maybe it's the thought of a loaf of meat.  Maybe because that meat should be on a bun.  Or maybe it's because I'd never really had it growing up.  Either way, me = not a fan.

So, when my wife shared the recipe from this month's Real Simple, I wasn't bowled over with enthusiasm.  However, Real Simple has rarely let me down. AND that publication is what really taught me to cook.  So, I decided to try it.

Boy, am I glad I did. This meatloaf is amazing.  Moist and delicious, with bacon and gruyere cheese, it smells like something that you'd find in a top-notch restaurant.  This is truly a gourmet take on an American classic.

My slightly modified recipe is after the jump. We added some extra bacon and gruyere.  What else would you expect from me?  Lemme tell you, it's amazing, and definitely worth a try.

Bacon Perfume -- The Ultimate Seduction

It has come to my attention, that a company (or evil government conspiracy) has created my version of kryptonite -- Bacon perfume.

You read that right. Apparently, smelling bacon throughout the kitchen is no longer enough.  Now you, me or (HOPEFULLY) my wife can just spritz on the bacon smell.   God, I LOVE technology!

I'm sure you have questions -- I sure do.  Fortunately, their website has answers.  I've listed a few Q&As below:

Question: Do these fragrances smell like bacon?
Answer: Yes and No. These are sophisticated aromas. There is a top, middle and bottom note. Both Bacōn Classic and Bacōn Gold are comprised of essential oils, flowers, herbs and the essence of bacon. The bacon is the bottom note. Hidden in just the right place. It's there alright, and the real fun is in finding it.
Question: Are these fragrances considered a cologne or perfume?
Answer: Each fragrance is designed for both men and women. Pick the scent that appeals to you and uncover a new level of awesome.
Question: What is the difference between Bacōn Classic and Bacōn Gold?
Answer: Each differ in many ways but Bacōn Classic is best characterized as a spicey maple aroma and Bacōn Gold, a memorable sizzling citrus. Both however offer the same potency of the secret formula.

So, if you're looking to seduce the foodie in your life, go grab a bottle of this stuff.  I can't wait to give it to my wife for our anniversary! Click the jump for the website!

Recipe Friday: Bacon Cheese Turtleburger

Earlier this week I made some meatballs for spaghetti for the first time. They were delicious, and I was planning on sharing that recipe with you. But then something caught my attention on the web -- and I had to share.

First let me say that the Bacon Cheese Turtlebuger has no turtle. (WHEW!) But it does have a truck load of cholesterol and fat. Perfect for cold weather --- and the makers of Lipitor!

This thing is made of a hamburger, cheese, hotdogs, and a weave of bacon that surrounds the hamburger. Who needs a bun when you've got bacon???

If any of you actually make this, please let me know. I'd like to document the occasion, and be there to call 911 when your arteries explode.

Here's the directions:
http://klg2a.blogspot.com/2010/02/super-bowl-bacon-cheese-turtleburger.html

Turkey!!

Earlier this month I posted my Thanksgiving Turkey recipe -- and here is the product of that recipe.

As you can see in the "Before" image, you have a turkey all coated in baconey goodness. In the "After" image you have that turkey fresh out of the oven minus the bacon which I ate removed about 90 minutes before the turkey was finished. YUM!!!

I should note, that I modified the recipe slightly -- I also placed butter (seasoned with rosemary, thyme, and sage) under the skin. THAT really added some flavor.

Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving!

-LNF

Recipe Friday: Thanksgiving Turkey

Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching and you know what that means -- TURKEY!!!! Lots and lots of turkey and stuffing and cranberry sauce (from the can) and a whole lotta stuff.

But lets face it, it's the turkey that rules the roost. It's what we all think about and look forward to. I've been cooking the turkey for a looong time now, and I've finally got it down to a science. The ingredients? Bacon, butter, herbs, more bacon, more butter, and a nice chardonnay. It's a modified version of my Grandfather's recipe. He used the bacon and butter. I added the injecting of the herbs and wine. :)

My recipe is below. But this got me to thinking -- what do you do to your turkey for Thanksgiving?

Ingredients:
1 small turkey
1-2 packages of bacon
lots of butter
2 cups of chicken broth
1 tbsp of thyme, sage, and rosemary each
1/2 cup of wine
pre-made stuffing
1 Turkey Injector

Directions:
1) Prepare turkey as necessary. (Thaw, remove neck and gunk, and wash with water)
2) Mix broth, herbs, and wine in blender, then strain, and put into bowl. Then fill injector.
3) Use injector to inject liquid into breast, thigh, and drumsticks.
4) Coat turkey with butter.
5) Fill turkey cavity with stuffing.
6) Top every part of turkey with a layer of bacon, adding new bacon as old bacon shrinks.
7) Cook as directed, basting with remaining injector liquid and butter.
8) Remove bacon one hour before done cooking to let turkey skin brown.
9) Serve with lots of sides and family.
10) Enjoy!

Recipe Friday: Macaroni and Cheese (with Bacon!)

Until I met my wife I'd never had home-made macaroni and cheese. It was always from a box, and prepared in the amount of time it took to cook noodles, and open the packet of neon yellowish cheese. If I went really crazy, I added sliced hot dogs to it!

Now I've come to realize that home-made macaroni and cheese doesn't have to take too long. And it will taste MUCH better. I've also learned that if I add about 20 minutes to the quick home-made mac and cheese recipe, it'll taste even better. In addition, I've learned that if I add bacon to the same recipe -- it'll taste EVEN BETTER. After all -- everything tastes better with bacon!

Below is my recipe for the best mac and cheese that I've ever created. I made this last week, and I enjoyed every bite!

Ingredients:
1 lb pasta (macaroni or rotelli)
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp flour
1 1/4 cup milk
8 - 10 ounces shredded cheese (approx)
3 large thick-cut slices of bacon
(optional) 2 slices worth of dry sourdough bread crumbs

Directions:
1) Bring water to boil, and cook pasta
2) Cut bacon width wise into small pieces, and then cook in small pan. Once crispy, place in bowl with paper towel and set aside.
3) Place 1 tbsp butter into skillet and melt over medium/ high heat
4) Add flour and stir, once it starts to thicken, slowly add 1 cup of milk and stir continuously.
5) Once milk is boiling, slowly add cheese, stir continuously
6) If sauce gets too thick, add additional 1/4 cup of milk. Then add bacon.
7) Place cooked noodles in pre-buttered oven safe pan.
8) Pour cheese over noodles and stir
9) Top with extra cheese, and then top cheese with (optional) sourdough bread crumbs
10) Cook in oven at 350 for 20 mins. Enjoy!

Steak and Shake (Mooresville)

As you know, I like local / non-chain restaurants. They give a better flavor of the region that they serve. And not just their food, the restaurant's decor and service usually reflect the area as well. That's just my preference. Though I'm sure there are others who prefer chains because of their stability and consistency.

However, I will on occasion, go to a chain to enjoy a good meal. Hey, don't judge me -- tasty is tasty. And when my wife and I were driving on 150 through Mooresville and she wanted Steak 'n Shake I just rolled my eyes. Steak 'n Shake?? They can't even spell "and" properly!

But, my wife batted her eyelashes, and I caved in -- AGAIN!

So, we got to Stake 'n Shake, and entered. I was shocked that it sorta had a 1950's diner theme. The interior was surprisingly clean, including the men's restroom. Those are never clean!

I chose a "Single Steakburger" with cheese and bacon. I just didn't have room for an "Original Steakburger" with two patties. I also ordered fries and a Chocolate and Banana "Side by Side" Milk Shake.

There are two burger places on this planet that I revere: In-N-Out Burger and Mel's Drive-In. In-N-Out has the freshest burgers with the freshest ingredients. And Mel's is a landmark which has the best chocolate and banana milk shakes. Both have great bacon and cheeseburgers. So, I wanted to see how Steak 'n Shake compared.

While I wasn't overwhelmed by my Steakburger, I wasn't disappointed either.

The burger patty was VERY thin. In addition, it was a bit on the greasy side.... but in this case, that's a good thing. The burger was rather tasty, and I didn't need much ketchup and all. The fries were thin too. But since they were shoestring fries, that was also a good thing. I liked the fries, they weren't soggy, and they didn't need any ketchup at all. They were plenty good plain.

Then came the milk shake. It was less milkshake, and more soft-serve ice cream. The banana flavor was on the right half of the cup, and the chocolate was on the left side of the cup. I mixed them together, and took a sip.

The milkshake was refreshing, but the artificial banana flavor wasn't what I was hoping for. However, the chocolate seemed fine by itself, and I propably should have just forgone the banana all together.

But, all-in-all, it's a good meal. I was pleased with the service, the food was good, and for the price, I thought it was a decent deal. I'm not in a rush to go back, BUT I won't veto the idea of eating at Steak 'n Shake again.

Score:
Atmosphere: 3/5
Food: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Total: 9/5
Price: $

Conclusion: It's a good meal for a good price. Not the best burger and shake in the world, but very good nonetheless.

Restaurant Information:
Steak 'n Shake
635 River Highway
Mooresville, NC 28117
704-746-9231
http://www.steaknshake.com/states/ncar.asp

Sports Page (Denver)

Though this blog may give me a certain amount of anonymity, let me assure you, I am a man. And even though I may be, could be, probably am writing this in my polar bear pajamas and fuzzy slippers; once I actually wake up I will be doing manly things. Like mowing the lawn, using a chain saw, and drinking appletinis beer. In the interest of keeping my toes, I usually put-off the drinking until after the power tools are put away. :)

So, yesterday when I was feeling the need to assert my manliness, I went to Sports Page in Denver, NC -- a nearby sports bar. As it turns out, this place is actually one of three in the area. And I find that reassuring. With all the games and races now available on the television, sports bars are a slowly vanishing breed. Which, in my opinion is a bad thing.

Once I entered, I was faced with a decision -- do I go to the room on my right? Or the room on my left? Fortunately, before I had to make that monumental decision with only a 50% chance of choosing correctly, a hostess came and seated me in the room on my right (non-smoking). FYI, the bar, and the smoking section are in the room on the left.

I was given a seat, where I could easily see at least four TVs, and was able to catch up on this weekend's golf tournament (Tiger Woods is unstoppable!). And I took a look at the menu. The menu had a good selection, from salads and sandwiches to steak and fish entrees, this place has something for everybody.

I settled on the Chicken Monterey Sandwich. It's described as a "Lightly breaded Chicken Breast, topped with Applewood Bacon, Cheddar and Monterey Jack Cheeses on a Kaiser Roll with Lettuce, Tomato, Onions & Mayonnaise. Add Any Wing Sauce .50¢."

WOAH! Fried Chicken, bacon, cheese, AND wing sauce? Sign me up! So I ordered the sandwich minus the mayo, but added their original wing sauce and a side of blue cheese dressing. Oh, and I got the fries as well. Too bad they didn't have a side of Lipitor!

The food came to my table quickly -- or at least it seemed quick. With all the TVs grabbing my attention, time flew by! Fortunately, I wasn't disappointed with the sandwich. It was fantastic! I've already the ingredients above, so you know what was in it. But it should be noted that the lettuce and tomatoes were fresh and delicious. And the wing sauce was tangy and spicy -- and just plain delicious on this sandwich. I'm glad they suggested it -- because I wouldn't have thought about adding it by myself.

The fries were the weak spot of this meal, they weren't as crunchy as I would have liked, but they still had their skins, and I actually like that. So while the fries weren't great, they weren't bad either.

I had a good time there, and the service was great. My waitress was attentive and quickly attended to every request. I'll be heading back any time I need some man time.

Score:
Atmosphere: 3/5
Food: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Total: 11/15
Price: $$ (Most entrees are under $10, but with tax and a beer, you'll be over $10)

Conclusion: The prices were slightly more than I was expecting, but then again, the food was worth every penny. And the service was simply great. If you like sports bars, this place is for you.

Restaurant Info:
Sports Page
179 Cross Center Dr.
Denver, N.C. 28037
p) 704-827-6283
f) 704-827-6376
http://www.sportspagefoodandspirits.com/denver.html