In Search of Good BBQ in Phoenix, AZ

Ok, this spring/summer I have been in search of good bbq in Phoenix and/or surrounding areas. Here are my assessment so far:

1. Famous Dave's - this might be my favorite overall in Phoenix. I never trusted a chain before, but the ribs here were really good. I got the St. Louis style ribs and they were cooked really well, now these were not cooked out doors on charcoal, but the flavor was really good. The sauce of the ribs was pretty tasty. They glaze the sauce of the ribs, so your ribs are not smoothered in sauce. They also have about 4 different types of sauce at the table you can try. The sides were pretty good also. The sweet tea was a little above average....but I expect sweeter tea for my sweet tea consumption.

2. Thee Pit - now this place is on the other side of the valley. I ventures over to that side one Saturday. If you have ever seen "Diners, Drive-In's, and Dive's" on the food network, this place was feature on one of the episodes. Now, when I walked in there were basically teenagers serving the food....so I was a little skeptical. I just ordered the ribs to go. By far the best sauce, the ribs were smoked and cook really well. I think I would go back, but its kind of a far drive from my side of town. But I would give it 4 1/2 slabs if I was rating this place.

3. Stacey's - This place was in Phoenix before across from Mrs. Whites. Now its located on 16th and Indian School. Met a friend there for lunch. I actually wanted some fish, the catfish was good but the best, see below. But since I am rated bbq, its above the next one on this list. Atmosphere was pretty dainty, but the staff was great. They actually served grape kool-aid, I can't remember the last time I had kool aid of any flavor. It sure did hit the spot on a nice warm day in the valley. The ribs were good, but just good ok....you see, I got them to go and they drowned my ribs with sauce. Now the sauce was really good, but I dont like my ribs swimming in sauce, see above. I place them 3rd because of the kool-aid and the taste of the ribs. Now my friend had the bbq chicken sandwich and that was very good. Also, had sweet potato fries which were good, could of been better if they were fried more crisp. But for a hole in the wall place, I thought it was really good. Heard they have good brisket, might try them later.

4. Papa Joe's Fish-n-que - this place is located next to my bowling alley, but I never noticed it..until my god-mother mention she went there for lunch. I actually ordered fish, because I heard they had some good fish. The fish was really good and very reasonably price. Fish and shrimp for about $6. Notice that they had ribs and I asked about their cooking method, owner says that he grills them on the grill outside and use charcoal. I came back a couple of weeks later to try them, I actually ate fish again....but I got like a sample. They were ok, I don't think my sample size was big enough. I will go there and just get ribs one day and maybe they will move up the list. But the fish is good. If I was rating fish, they would be above Stacey's.

5. Lucille's - Place I heard about in our new Temple market place. Atmosphere is nice and they had the blue's band thing going on when I walked in. Maybe I was just not feeling well after watching "Hancock" and eating a 1/2 tub of popcorn. The band was good and I mean really good. The ribs were just ok, they were St. Louis style, but I think they had too much fat on the tip part. Most places cut that part off, the sauce was good....but the rib were fatty and just plain ok. Now this place did have the best sweet tea. I mean the sweet tea was really good, I actually got some to go. They also have good corn bread and biscuits. Now I would probably go back for the atmosphere and sweet tea. The ribs were ok, but no reason to drive across town

Where Have I Been?

I have not blogged in over a month, quite frankly...I have not really been anywhere. I guess I do have an exciting year coming up. I will be going to the Dominican Republic in August, Atlanta for a wedding in September, Jamaica in December, back to Bloomington, Indiana (IU) for an Ole School Reunion in October. Maybe in between that I can possibly sneak home to see the folks or maybe go to Canada, or go visit some friends in Indy or Ohio.

I did go to New Mexico in the last couple of months....had not been there since, well you know. I went to my favorite restaurant while I was there, Zia's. I had the Thai ribs, but they were not as good as I remembered.

Well maybe I will blog about something later. Lots on my mind, I really need to get out of the country.....only been out of the country once this year. Can't wait to go to DR....Just wanted to let everyone know that I was still kicking.

Republican Baby All The Way

Link to video: http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/

I was trying to figure out how I would vote in this upcoming election. I was thinking do I really want to get back to the America that I envisioned when I was young, an America of rich ideals, values, patriotism, and loved around the world. After I saw this video (thanks Kamara) my choice has become more clear. I decided to vote Republican!!!!

I live in Arizona and it's a republican state and one of our own is the nominee. My vote will not count anyway if I vote for Obama, so why waste it (it will only go toward the popular vote). God, you have to love this Arcadian system their fore fathers set up. Really an electoral college, that was good idea from 1789 to 1910....but not any more (if you are historically challenge and don't why it was set up that way, read a book or search the web...I am not a history teacher)....and yes, I definitely know.

I kind of like paying $4.25+ a gallon of gas, hey I make a lot of money...might as well give it back to those who need it (the oil companies). Hey, I live 8 miles from work...everyone should live closer to their jobs. I have no problem telling people that I am from the Bahamas when I go over seas (you should hear my Bahamian accent, probably sounds more Jamaican). Come on, do you really have a problem with the government being able to hold you in prison and not tell you why.....hey if it makes me feel safer, who am I to want civil liberties. I kind of like that air puffer machine at the airport.....that air going all through my body....I think I almost came once (but that's another story). All to see if I am carry crack (or blowing between my crack) or some bomb making material. A wise man once said (or not so wise) that when people get scared, they are willing give up their civil liberties or freedom.....hmm makes absolutely great sense to me. Why should we not beat up on other countries (only the strong survives) and that's what bullies do. If they want to beat us up...they need to get stronger...sometimes you have to sacrifice a couple to save a thousand for no apparent reason.....at least gas is cheaper....oh wait it's not. I loved the fact that my cousin came back from Iraq with messed up skin, well at least he made it back, he needed some scars on his body....he thought he was too cute anyway.

So this year, for the sake of no change...higher gas prices, more guns, less prayer, more wars, more bulliesnism (I made that up), and more separation for the rest of the world, vote republican as I am and you should. By the way, a gallon of gas is still cheaper then a gallon of Starbuck's coffee.....and no one complaining about that.....so check out the video and you will vote republican also.

Click on the red hyper links in the message to see video

The views and opinions stated is this post are not supported by Greg or blogspot and its affiliates. These views are strictly comical and for your enjoyable pleasure. Any other content or context you take them in are strictly your own personal views. If you not have a sense of humor and cant laugh at the world....well that's not our problem. My name is Greg and I approve this message/post. Paid for my the people who really are not voting Republican

We Are Jazz'd You're Here

The sign above the corridor in New Orlean's airport said it all "We are jazzed you're here"; I was jazzed that I was there again. The city that I had been to twice on two festive occasions. The first time was when Indiana won the National title in basketball in '87. And the second time for spring break. Each time I had a ball. Sippin' on Hurricanes...that we could call slurricanes....and eating crawfish, gumble, and numerous po'boys.

Why did it feel so eerie walking through a somewhat empty airport at 9 0'clock at night. I can swear that my plane was somewhat full. But it seemed like I was the only one walking down the corridor. I did not know what to expect. I had not been to New Orleans since the early 90's and now I was coming here post-Katrina. The people did not seemed to have that come party with us and you are about to have the time of your life look on their face that I remembered back in the day.

There were so many questions or things I wondered about? How would the French Quarter look? Would it be weird walking through a city were so many passed away because our government failed to react fast enough. The people were just as friendly, dressed just as wild, and still had that New Orleans flare. But things did not seem the same, the pep in their step and even the tourist step were gone. The excitement wasn't as exciting, and the entertainment just was not as entertaining. But the food was still good and the humidity could choke a desert boy like me and make me sweat like a pig. I guess New Orleans will one day have that jazzy feeling that it gave me back in the day....but until that day comes...I still will go there because their po'boys are still the best.

Harbor Seafood and Oyster, Kenner, LA 70065

If you want good Cajun seafood at a reasonable price, where do you go? You go where the locals go? Well the locals in New Orleans go to Harbor Seafood. Tasty little joint about 10 miles from the airport.

On a hot steamy and humid day in Louisiana, we decided to end our trip with some more Cajun food. I must say this place is really really good. As you walk in, you will see most of the locals partaking in the crawfish bake (boil crawfish, corn, and potatoes). I like crawfish but that is just too much work for me for the little about of meat.

~~Setting~~
This place is relatively small but they serve a lot of people. The tables are so close together, that you could eat off your neighbors plate. Which in L.A. would probably not be a big deal. But no complaints because that how they roll in the south. The staff is great and willing to serve and explain anything on the menu to you. And they do have some interesting stuff on the menu.
~~Food~~
When I am in New Orleans, I have to have a po'boy. This time I had the shrimp and soft shell crab po'boy. Now I did not know, that with soft shell they fried it in the shell. But you are suppose to eat it all, hence the name soft shell. It was very tasty, if you never had a po'boy before, I suggest you make it to New Orleans and get one. We started off with an appetizer or fried crawfish (OMG), fried pickles (these were unbelievable good), and fried alligator (no it did not taste like chicken...more like fish). Every thing was great Also, on the menu was turtle soup and some other stuff...don't know if I am that adventurous yet. Top this off with a Hurricane and I asked for a slurricane (that's one with an extra shot of 151 rum) Overall, the food is a must. Now I know why I like the food in New Orleans so much. (Pic...from top left to bottom: Fried Pickles, Fried Alligator, Fried Crawfish)
~~Overall~~
Every thing was great. Top that meal off with about 5 glasses of Southern style lemonade...on a hot humid day, you drink as much liquids as possible. So if you ever venture to New Orleans...stop by the little town right outside of N.O. called Kenner and get you some great Cajun food.

G's rating
Food..... 5 G's
Price.... 2 G's
Overall .. 5 G's

Recipe: Kahlua Drunken Pineapples

Someone asked me why I dont I put recipes on my blog....I decided to add this recipe because it always goes over big at bbq's.

Ingredients:
2 Fresh Pineapples (If you can fly to Hawaii and get these)
1 bottle of Kahlua
Brown Sugar
Optional:
Haagen Daz Pineapple Coconut Ice Cream
Butterscotch snapps

Directions:
Peel and core the Pineapple. Try to leave the pineapple intact.....Cut the pineapple in whole steak cuts. If you cored the pineapple correctly....you should be able to cut it in 1/2 inch steaks cuts and the core is out of the center. Marinate the pineapple in Kahlua for at least 4 hours. I usually do it over night. After finishing BBQ'ing on hot coals...if you are using gas...please dont make my recipe....this is for real people that truly bbq. Coat pineapple with brown sugar and place on grill. Once pineapple and sugar camelizes and you get your grill marks take off.

Two ways to serve this....
1. Got this part from a Brazilian restuarant in Philly.....drizzles some butterscotch snapps on it.
2. Serve with ice cream, Haagen n Dazs pineapple coconut is the best to go with this....sizzles on some chocolate (I make a chocolate drizzle with baileys and chocolate syrup).

Proud to be back in the USA

Before I publish a real post about my adventures in Brasil, I thought I would do a, I am glad I live in the USA post. Its hard sometimes traveling around the world. There are a lot of things you see that makes you appreciate your country and things that make you say, I am glad I have a passport and travel. Its nothing like seeing the sunset on the harbour in Sydney, sun going down after 10 p.m. in Spain, families out on the streets walking and eating ice cream at 2 in the morning in Madrid, red light district of Amsterdam, the glow the pacific has when the moon hits it at night.

But being in basically a 3rd world country like Brasil makes you appreciate the USA more. Its heart breaking seeing young kids beg for change at all ours of the day. Its harder because you have to say no. I actually took granola bars with me and gave those out when kids were begging. Someone accused me of working for Quaker Oats...LOL Walking down the streets and seeing kids laying on the pavement sleeping, no blanket or anything...just a piece of newspaper as a so call pillow....it takes a strong person to be able to walk pass that and not say "dang". Women in that country basically using their looks to get by, sometimes just to get a real meal or a warm bed to sleep or a warm body to sleep next to at night. One thing I noticed that all of the service jobs are taken by the men.....I have never seen a women bartender, server, waiter or anything any of the times I have been there. So now you understand why they do what they do. Basically, there are no jobs for them.

I do love my country and probably would not want to live anywhere else in the world, with the exception of Australia. I dont agree with some of our countries principles....but I rather be here. I was listening to a promo for the nightly news and the anchor said "there are people around the world, that hate the American way of life". The first thing I said to myself, this person has probably never been out of North America. People dont hate our way of life, they hate the fact they we feel that we should impose our way of life on the rest of the world.