Dining with David: Nellie's Cafe

Nellie's Cafe - Las Cruces, NM - December 17, 2010
My goal of eating out while traveling is to visit the best local restaurant; no chain food for me.  Well, Nellie's is truly a local place; seats less than 50 people in a little building.  We had to wait 30 min to get in the door but the wait was worth it.  This place is locally owned and has many 'regular's' there; we were an outsider but treated great anyway.  I had the burrito with green sauce; now that was spicy.  Menu said red was hot and green was hotter; you have to obtain a taste for the hot peppers.  Very good food though.
Rating: 8

Dining with David: LaPosta de Mesilla

LaPosta de Mesilla - Las Cruces, NM - December 16, 2010
http://www.laposta-de-mesilla.com/
When you visit these nice little towns, it is critical to find the right places to eat.  We asked around and was pointed to a mainstay located in historic Old Mesilla.  This building has been around since mid 1800's and is on the National Register; made of adobe bricks with many themed rooms.  We got to eat in the Blacksmith Room with a wonderful atmosphere.  I wanted something local and ordered their famous enchilada plate. In the south, we know enchiladas as round; true Mexican are flat and served like pancakes.  As with most true Mexican food, it requires a special taste as most seem a little bland to Americans.  The food was good but just not fantastic.  We finished off the meal with a little sopaipilla; a quick fried dough served with honey.  Great building, wonderful atmosphere and decent food.
Rating: 7

Dining with David: Rudy's County Store & Bar-B-Q

Rudy's Country Store & BBQ - El Paso, TX - December 16, 2010
http://www.rudys.com/
Well, it has been since July 2009 since I have had the pleasure to visit a Rudy's.  We passed this location on the way to a customer's site and decided to turn-around and go back; very wise choice.  There is nothing like a Rudy's and just wish we had one in AL.  I decided to get their sliced brisket sandwich.  I love to watch them cut this fresh and serve in a plastic coke carry.  I can not believe how much brisket they put on just one sandwich.  At the wood picnic table, you get to choose mild or spicy sauce; of couse, I did a little mixture of both and had a wonderful sandwich.  To top it off, I got to have a nice bottle of Big Red; wonderful flavorful red drink that tops off a very good meal.  This is one of my favorite places and ranks right up there.  If you ever see a Rudy's, don't pass it up; stop in and have a great meal.
Rating: 9.5

Thought of the Week - December 18, 2010

“Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won't make it 'white'.”     ~ Bing Crosby

Dining with David: The Cajun Corner

The Cajun Corner - Eufaula, AL - December 14, 2010
www.thecanjuncorner.com
Sometimes it just seems you are supposed to go to certain places?  Remember, God has a plan whether we follow-it or not.  In coming into Eufaula earlier today, we passed a little corner restaurant that looked pretty good.  When we decided on dinner, we decided to go to a great place called River City Grill.  River City, have been there before, was a great place with wonderful service.  Well, let's just say Tuesday night is NOT their strong-point.  After sitting for 15 mins with no help what-so-ever, we finally just got up and left; NO service, no thank you, NO Nothing.  Not a good mark for what I thought was a good little restaurant.
Well, we drove right down the street and went to this corner place called Cajun Corner.  As soon as we walked in, we were assisted and taken to our table; service was great and no comparison to the poor job at River City.
I ordered their special Mardi Gras Stuffed Shrimp.  These were large grilled shrimp stuffed with their special crumbs and seasonings and topped with cheese.  Wow, these were very good.  I also had a cup of gumbo that was good with a side of sweet potato strips.  We somehow got an order of cheese bread (yes, that is cheese on top).  What a great little place with good food.  If you want true cajun, this will not serve your taste but if you want a good meal and service, this is the place for you.
Rating: 8.5

Dining with David: Phil's BBQ

Phil's BBQ - Eufaula, AL - December 14, 2010
http://www.bestbuttsinalabama.com/
Are you ever just driving through a small town and need to grab a quick bit, but just don't want some ole chain food?  Well, that was the case today as we had an appointment down in LA (lower Alabama) and needed some quick lunch.  A big sign said to stop on in at Phil's and get some BBQ.  We did just did and it was pretty good.  This place has a great slogan of 'best butts in Alabama'; not bad.  I had the sliced pork sandwich and the meat had a very good taste.  Phil's uses the Carolina style sauce; vinegar based with mustard.  This is a thin, slightly yellow sauce with a different taste than your normal southern red, sweet, ketchup based sauce.  Great atmosphere and good meal.
Rating: 8

Thought of the Week - December 11, 2010

“What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.”
~ Agnes M. Pahro

Thought of the Week - December 04, 2010

“Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster, and do with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.”
~ Og Mandino

Dining with David: Custred Christmas Cooking

Christmas Cooking - Pleasant Grove, AL - December 4, 2010
It is that time of year again.  The family (and friends) get together and cook all day.  Our goal is to provide a little joy to others with little special Christmas treats.  Of course, the real treat is just having the family together all day working on one mission.  My Mom and Dad are thrilled to have everyone (with all the kids around) at their house.  This day was long, 13 hours, but did include a little SEC championship football game and lots of cooking and fun.  Treats included: lizzies, oatmeal raisin cookies (new), cowboy cookies, date balls, party mix, pecan muffins, raspberry/dark chocolate jelly rolls (new), chocolate peanut butter cookies, dark/white chocolate covered pretzels, and chocolate/raspberry cookie cups (new).
Merry Christmas!

Dining with David: Anton's Restaurant

Anton's Restaurant - Waite Park, MN - December 1, 2010
http://www.antonsrestaurant.com/
Coming back to St. Cloud, I could remember a quaint little restaurant located on a river with great food.  Well, I just had to take my travel partner to this place and it did not disappoint.  This is an old log cabin converted right on the Sauk river; great atmosphere and great food.  This place also has themed rooms and we sat in the River Room; looking over the river, of course.  The 'Original' room has several covered wagon style booths; very neat.
Our meal started with the famous Popovers; these are fresh mushroom looking style bread served with honey butter; wow, these are good.  How could a place be bad if they are specialize in great bread?  I then had their homemade chili which was very good.  Main course was their Bacon Wrapped Scallops.  These were large scallops wrapped in smokehouse bacon with a side of hot butter for dipping.  These were very good scallops; just the right balance of meat, bacon and butter.  I also had their hashbrowns asiago.  If you want a great meal at a local place, this is it.
Rating: 9.5

Dining with David: Nelson Bros. Bakery

Nelson Bros. Bakery - Clearwater, MN - December 1, 2010
http://www.clearwatertravelplaza.com/
Well, who would have 'thunk', a great bakery at a truck stop.  When traveling across I-94 in MN, just stop at exit 178 and go visit the Nelson Bros. Bakery and Restaurant at the Petro fuel station.  I had heard this was a great place and known for their famous Fritter Bread.  We just had to stop and sure enough, they have these wonderful loafs of bread in apple, blueberry, cinnamon and raspberry (my favorite).  These are soft on the bottom and inside with a nice crunchy crust on the top drizzled with a little sugary topping.  If only my wife & kids were with me to enjoy this goodness.
Rating: 8.5