Thursday, June 21, 2007

So, what do you want to eat...

is the theme of the meme that Lisa at Lisa Writes has tagged me to do.

Honestly, we're not a huge eating out family. Cost being the most significant factor, but also we just prefer an at home eating atmosphere--because I can wear my pajamas and be barefoot, mostly. Anyway, I'm going to play properly...

so, here are the rules:
1. Link to name of person that tagged you.
2. Include state and country you live in.
3. List top 5 favorite local restaurants.
4. Tag 5 other people and let them know they’ve been tagged.

I live in Georgia, USA.

1. The Korean Market--the first year of our marriage we lived in Korea, and I absolutely adore Korean food. I do not eat the famous kimchi because I cannot eat hot, peppery anything. But their Mongolian Beef, their Yaki Mandu (fried meat and vegetable dumplings), their Bi Bim Bop (a huge bowl of steamed vegetables and a fried egg over buckwheat noodles), and their Chop Chae Bop (glass noodles with garlic, onion, vegetables and beef) is out of this world yummy. The only downside is that the restaurant is about 35 minutes away, so we do not eat there very often. They are connected to an authentic Korean grocery store so when we do go, we always buy up some Korean stocks to try and replicate the dishes at home.

2. Papoulis--a Greek restaurant owned and run by real Greeks. In fact, I took a sign language course years ago with the proprietor who immigrated as a child from Greece and daily makes by hand the baklava for the restaurant. I love their lamb gyros with tzatiki sauce. In fact, my husband actually said the other day that he thinks Greek food is the ultimate comfort food for him. I would agree.

3. Paul's--this is an adorable little lunch place that just plain features good cooking in quiches, green salads, pasta salads, chicken salad sandwiches, soups, all the cutesy lady fare that me and the girls can sit and giggle over with the biggest glass of sweet iced tea the South can offer. The ending is just as good with a crunchy piece of slightly sweetened shortcake cookie. Totally south, totally sweet, run by a chef from England! Go figure.

4. Pig N' the Pit--a barbecue place that will make you slap your mama with their smoky sweet sauce over slow cooked pit-roasted pork. Then they pull the pork off the bone. In North Carolina, where I grew up, we called such events a pig-picking. Their fried okra recipe must be under top secret lock and key because it is that good. Their servings are so generous that I can actually feed us once and a half before supplementation is necessary.

5. Krystal--you know the whole squareburger deal here. Of course, I'm listing this courtesy of the boys who adore this restaurant. I can feed them affordably and conveniently, and enjoy my own square bite. Confession time on this one, because even though I've lived in the South almost my whole life, I had never eaten at a Krystal until this past year. I know, a significant part of my Southern DNA was missing until that day. I'm now healed of previous error and especially library days or hair cut and color days call for a trip to Krystal.

All righty, there they are, some favorite top spots for eating out. To take the tag next, I pick Lana G. but I want to hear her tell her favorite airport eats as well, Clemntine should play to let us know the quirks and eccentricities of good cooking in her locale, Jules must play because anyone who features a diner on her blog must give a food critic's opinion, Barbara H. doesn't like to fly either but inquiring minds want to know what serves up her comfort food, and Christa should not only tell us where she likes to eat out but tell us which places also score big for toddler friendly.

And that's a wrap on the latest meme.

10 comments:

  1. Mmm--hard choice between Korean and slap-my-mama barbecue.

    I first heard that term used when a guest ate a slice of my coconut-macadamia nut pie. "That's so good it makes you wanna slap yo' mama!" I thought it very, very funny.

    Not that I ever wanted to slap my mama.

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  2. Real Greeks and slap your mama bbq, now that's what I'm talking about! I really enjoy eating in my jammies, too.

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  3. Too Funny that you tagged me on this one! My sister tagged me as well and I decided to change it up and do it with my top international eating spots!

    But to answer the "airport with the best eating" question - I would say Heathrow in London. They have some pretty darn good eating establishments. And, any airport that has a Starbucks in it always gets a top rating from me! Heathrow has a Starbucks!

    http://airmiles.wordpress.com/2007/06/15/restaurant-tag-meme/

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  4. Oops forgot to comment on your choices!

    Papoulis - LOVE GREEK FOOD! Hubby is Greek! So glad to hear you like lamb. YUMMY!

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  5. Thanks for playing! Do you know I'm a southern girl, born and bred, and I've NEVER had a Krystal?

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  6. Rosemary, by all means you must not post your coconut macadamia nut pie because not that I've ever wanted to slap my mama either, but I do looove coconut!

    Lisa, get thyself to a Krystal now, girl! Do not pass GO or collect $200--the eating is cheap!

    Lana G., I wouldn't mind the travel so much if I could eat in all those international sites. Thanks for linking.

    Ellen B., you're always welcome at my house if you like to eat in your jammies. It's a sign of true fellowship. Slippers are optional.

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  7. That's quite an eclectic selection of restaurants you have there! I don't think I have ever had Greek food or lamb -- I do think about trying lamb some times but just never have.

    Thanks for tagging me! I've been thinking about my answers off and on through today and hope to have them written out tonight or tomorrow (I love to eat out way too much -- narrowing down to five will be the hardest part!)

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  8. That's quite an eclectic selection of restaurants you have there! I don't think I have ever had Greek food or lamb -- I do think about trying lamb some times but just never have.

    Thanks for tagging me! I've been thinking about my answers off and on through today and hope to have them written out tonight or tomorrow (I love to eat out way too much -- narrowing down to five will be the hardest part!)

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  9. OK, my answers are up! Thanks again! This was fun.

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  10. OK, my answers are up! Thanks again! This was fun.

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