Chumley's Is Returning!

If you read this blog enough you probably know when I was in the Navy I was stationed in New Jersey about two years and we went to The Big Apple, aka, NYC, aka New York City, often.

And if you read the details you would know we frequented Chumley's restaurant while in town... why?  Because a lot of famous writers frequented the place and we were star struck and  liked to stargaze.

Also you might have read that Chumley's started off  as a speakeasy in about 1922 and some times in the 1970s they had a fire and the place has been closed since.

Now, they have it all repaired, and are fine tuning the details.  Also, a waiting staff are dressed in white jackets.  I'm not sure I like that or not.

My son Rocky sent me this New York Times' link about Chumley's reopening today.

Click on the link NYC's Chumley's Speakeasy at the bottem.

click on all pictures to make them bigger.

My cube mate Ray Schults, the top picture is Ray at the Chumley's door, the bottom picture is Ray stepping from the street into the courtyard that is for some apartments and Chumley's.

The above pages make up Chumley's Menu that  somehow I walked off with.

CLICK HERE FOR CHUMLEY'S

Bustin Butts Briskets and Preacher Cakes

We  met our sister-in-law and Thelma and her daughter TammY, (both Cartersville residents) at Bistin Butts Hickory Smoked BBQ today (Thursday).  We met them on this day because it is Thursday and Thursday is Brisket Day (come early before they run out).

My iphone does not give this brisket justice.  The beef brisket  was delicious.  It was moist, tasty,  and tender.  It was so tender I think I could have cut it by staring at it.

The Brunswick stew tasted  good but it was fine, not lumpy, chunky,  or hearty. 

The waiter and waitress that I saw were very cordial and efficient.

Like other BBQ joints it is decorated in Early Hawg.

We were there at lunch time, before noon, and the place filled up quickly.  One time I saw a line at the cash register stretching  out the door.  I bet they were ordering beef briskets to go.

Bustin' Butt Hickory Smoke BBQ is located outside of Cartersville near the Etowah Indian Mounds in a small strip shopping center surrounded by SOD farms.

Our table ordered a serving of Preacher's Cake.  Our waiter brought it over early and told us, "Before we run out."  I am not sure what Preacher's Cake is made of. Maybe cheese cake and maybe some other rich ingredients.  I wonder why they named it Preacher's Cake?   Maybe someone bit into it, not expecting is richness and said, "Holy Shit!" 

JOY at the Movie Tavern

Yesterday we went to the Move Tavern to see movie JOY.

JOY is a pleasant movie, a rags to riches kind of movie about a young lady who invented a mop that one can wring out without having to actually having to touch the mop strings with their hands.  The name stars in it are Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, and Bradley Cooper.  You would expect Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper to have a romance.  Nope, their relationship was all-business.   The movie based on the true story of Joy Mangano, a self made millionaire who had to fight all kinds of odds to get where she is.  It also gives the entrails of the home shopping networks.

It was good.  Very good.

What was not good while we were watching it was constant chatter of little old ladies.  I think a lot of elderly retirees use the Movie Tavern in the daytime as their social outlet.  They had no idea they should have been quiet during the movie.  

There was a request on the screen before the movie to please  cut off your cell phone, but I suppose they thought talking didn't count.

Also, at the Movie Tavern there is no concession counter.  Instead there are many white shirt waiters and waitresses buzzing around with their round trays held high as a waiter at the Waldorf-Astoria  might do.  The prices are high, considering mostly it is finger food or comfort foot they offer.  The waiter we dealt with and others in earshot were very courteous. Also, the wide walk strip that runs the width of the theater that separated the upper seats and lower seats was the walking area for the waiting staff.  I noticed that each time they crossed from one side to the other then bent over and hurried to the other side like there might be a snapper shooting at them.

When we left, parked at the curb in front was a shuttle bus for assistant living home.  Of course! 

Repeat Hooters

Another repeat.  Harry Hanson won a free visit to Hooters and he was allowed to bring along a long table full of friends.  Harry is the most generous friend ever!

The only thing I can say is "What about those wings!"

Wha da ya have, Wha da ya have? A chili GOB!

"What-da-ya-have?  What-da-ya-have?"  The lady said on the other side of the counter. 

A friend said, "A slaw dog, Coke, fries, and you."

The lady smiled with a mouth full of pretty white  teeth  and with her Jamaican accent , "That will cost you more than you have in your hand!"  And we all laughed.

We had a little luncheon get-together  today.... nothing like the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, or the Rotary Club Luncheon, more like a Good Old Boys Luncheon.


CLICK ON PICTURE TO SEE IT BETTER.

Neal Lawrence and Paul Roper a.k.a. Jackie Gaskin

Jackie Gaskin a.k.a. Paul Roper and Tommy Bell

Chip Newport and Terry Townsend

Paul Roper grabbing a feel from Charley Waters

Tommy Bell, Tommy, and Terry Townsend

Emmett Burton

Me,, aka Rock, a.k.a. Hey You!

Picture by Neal Lawrence

Buddy Black, 

picture by Neal Lawrence

Jerry Weaver and Emmett Burton

Arnold Guest

Arnold Guest and Buddy Black

Paul Roper

Paul Roper again, I couldn't decide which picture was the best

Terry Townsend

Tommy Townsend and Chip Newport

Paul Roper and Jerry Weaver 

Emmett Burton and Jerry Weaver's Son

Monty Calhoun

Emmett Burton and Neal Lawrence

Charley Waters showing Paul Roper a new dance step.

Harry Hansen

During the luncheon a seasoned lady came up and guessed correctly we all went to the same school.  She secondly guessed we all played basketball.

"No".

Then, she said, " How many of you played football?"

One hand was raised.

She said, "OK, if you stayed in trouble, raise your hand."

All hands went up.

Saturday Night On the square

We went to Glover Park two nights in a row to hear concerts.  Friday night was crowded.  The music was big band and crooning.  Tonight it was an orchestra playing show tunes,  movie themes, classical, and others, which I suppose would be call pop.

We saw several interesting things worth raising our eyebrows over. 

1.  A man in high 30s or early 40s walked up toting a skateboard, sat down at an outside table and ordered pizza, sat there alone and ate it.  Using a skateboard is probably a very good way to get exercise, keeps you on your toes so to speak.

2.  Two women, each with a large dog had a face-off, High Noon style by the old bank building.  Both was hollering at each other to yield to other one and their dog.  Finally, one gave in a crossed the street.

3.  A couple of years ago within a week or two time we went to Martins for breakfast, Come and Get It for lunch, and Olive Garden for dinner.  We saw the same woman at all three places working at grunt jobs, like sweeping or picking up garbage in the parking lot.  And we kept on seeing her as time went by.  I think she was holding down three jobs.   Today at Marietta Pizza  we saw her again and with a male companion.  The male  companion, whatever  his role was to her, wore a very light straw western hat.  I think they had words at Marietta Pizza and she ate at table outside and he ate at a table inside.  One time he came out and snap at her and she snapped back, so he went back inside.  Later at the concert we saw them waking in tow of each other, but not looking like they  happily in love.  No love made in heaven with these two.

The music at the concert was nice and relaxing. 

Boston Market's Pulled Pork

Yesterday several fast food places used the Federal Income Tax Due Date as an excuse to run special deals.  Boston Market was one.  They had buy one meal and get the second (equal or cheaper value) meal free.  We jump at deals like that. 

It just so happened that I wanted to try their new BBQ pulled pork selection anyway.

I think Boston Market's biggest seller is their rotisserie chicken.  It is very good and not as bad for you.  From time to time they introduce a new dish, such as turkey, ham,  K.C. ribs, and now barbecue pulled pork.

Their pulled pork was OK, and in a non-barbecue area it would probably be very good.  But in Marietta we have pit masters David Poe and Sam Huff, who have helped and  inspired at least two other restaurants  in the love of cooking barbecue pork.

Boston Market's, barbecue pulled pork in Marietta, Georgia, would be like a Domino's Pizza in Little Italy in New York City.

Dwelling on Selfies in Error

Yesterday we had lunch at Smoke Jack BBQ in Alpharetta.  Not only was I impressed with their pulled pork sandwiches but also their gumbo.  The place is on South Main Street.  It is across the street from  Alpahretta's new city hall. I thought the big new building was impressive and I attempted to take some pictures with my i-phone.

The time was noon and the sun was straight above us.  Being that the sun glare was in my face I could not see my iphone little mini screen.  But, knowing the building was right in front of me, I thought I would be able to just aim the lens in that direction and its bigness would compose itself.  I took two pictures to make sure I got it right.

Above are the two pictures I took.  What I didn't realize I pressed the selfie selection.

It is always a shock to see a picture of myself  when I am not expecting it,   Unexpected pictures of myself is a rude reminder just how old I am.  I keep forgetting.

Some people might say I am  a flirt around women but I prefer to think I am just doing what I was taught to do, and that is be nice, polite, and congenial  to ladies.

While I am being nice to the ladies I need to remind myself what they are looking at:  not a charming debonair young man but an old fart (see above).

While you are looking above at the two pictures of me please notice the one with white clouds right behind me making me look like I might have thin wavy white hair. 

Darn!  I always wanted to have a stock of thick white hair! 

Best Eats In and Around Marietta

The Marietta Daily Journal's weekend  magazine COBB LIFE recently had an article about THE BEST IN COBB.... pointing out the best (in their opinion)  restaurants   and best this and the best that. 

Then, on the radio (WRAS 88.5), I heard Celeste Headlee, SECOND THOUGHT SHOW,  asked for listeners to tell what their favorite restaurants in Atlanta and Metro Atlanta are.

Jumping on the bandwagon, here are our favorite restaurants in and around Marietta:

Bramdi

Brandi's World Famous Hotdogs.   On Church Street Extension.   Brandi bought it from Betty, then it was Betty's World Famous Hotdogs.  The menu: hotdogs, hamburgers, french fries, and onion rings.  And maybe imported fried pies.  You can get chili and coleslaw added to your hotdogs and burgers.  Brandi's is  known for her spicy chili which she got the secret ingredients from Betty (part of the takeover deal).  Brandi always appears to be relaxed and laid back and more interested in the people she serves more than production.   It is a non-pretentious  joint that the parking lot if full most of the time.  In high school the old service station shape building by the railroad tracks was Marble Inn Barbecue.  Their menu was even more simple than Brandi's... you either want Sloppy Joe's BBQ or you don't, and if don't why are you here?  Brandi also has a food truck that shows up at events like car racing events, etc.  Brandi also owns her second hotdog place on Tennessee Street in Cartersville.

Sabre

The Red Eyed Mule.   The Red-Eyed Mule is just up the street from Brandi's.  The restaurant is ran by co-owner Sabre  (that may be spelled wrong).  Marietta food expert Alton Brown said they make the best hamburger in Marietta, and he might be right.  Sabre appears to know everybody and everybody knows her.   They do creative breakfasts and lunches.     Their breakfasts and burgers are delicious.  The fired egg and hamburger sandwich I had one time still brings up pleasant memories.

John Boys County Cooking Buffet.  It is owned by a Korean family.  The cook very southern style cooking, the type of food that attracts people that lived in the country and yearn for the kind of cooking they used to eat.  The John Boys cooks has it down pat.  A lot of people eat there every day.

Cecile

GC BBQ is on the sign outside, which stands for Grand Champion  Barbecue.  They have a Roswell, Georgia, address, but is only about 500 feet from where Marietta addresses end.   They are in the Publix Shopping Center at Johnson Ferry and Shallowford Roads. They have great barbecue.   The chefs aren't your run-of-the-mill back yard smoking type of barbecue - I think it is a three person partnership and they are graduates from culinary schools, at least one abroad.  But most importantly, they trained under the expert  local pit-master Sam Huff.    Cecile, above, is  the wife of one of the owner.  She has an accent.   But she still has the Southern Hospitality down pat.  She seems to be in control of the counter service.   I wrote a blog post about them once and she really appreciated it.  Every time we visit she spends some time with us and always asks whatever was pending from our last visit.  Once she asked did we finish remodeling our bathroom.  That was 9 or 10 months before.  She calls me by my name too, being invisible, that means a lot.  They were picked the the best barbecue in Metro Atlanta.  Their meat is delicious and costly.  It is worth it.

Righteous Que is a family ran BBQ place.  The owner is religious and donates a lot of his profits to families  struggling with a certain disease, I forgot which.   The meat is as good as GC BBQ and it is no wonder, the owner at one time worked for Sam Huff also.  They are at the Publix Shopping Center at East Piedmont and Roswell Roads.

BBQ #1, or of course, Barbecue Number One.  Is owned by Sam Huff, the local barbecue expert.  Sam was a lawyer.  When I was on the grand jury in the 70s he was an assistant DA under Buddy Darden, and I think he might have been a judge too later in his law career.  He cooks well, and he trains others well to be his competitor.  BBQ #1 is on Lower Roswell Road, just a shopping center past Johnson Ferry Road.

David Poe's Barbecue.  David Poe's BBQ was named BBQ #2 when he was partners with Sam Huff, which explains why his barbecue is very tasty.   David does a lot of community work, or "giving back" as they say.  David Poe's Barbecue is on Whitlock Avenue.  I have never been there at lunch that I didn't see a law officer eating there.  Cops know where the good food places are.

Gabriel's.  Gabriel  and Paula Dean are cousins.  She used to own a quality bakery and I suppose one thing led to another and  now she just bought the Old Mill Restaurant in Acworth.  For several years now she has owned and operated a restaurant/bakery and I think will continue  to do so.  The restaurant has a big staff with  fine southern cooking, and the baking department is as high quality as ever.  And, as costly as ever.   Like House of Lu, it is a place for OAMs, Old Affluent  Mariettans, such as mayors, congressmen, local politicians', and Yuppies to be seen.   Gabriel's is located on Whitlock Avenue in the shopping center at Burnt Hickory Road.

The Chicken and the Egg.  It is fine dining.  We have eaten here several times for birthdays and maybe a few other times and we have only been disappointed once.  That is when we were seated behind a pillar which caused our waiter to keep overlooking us (what else is new?).

Henry's  Of Louisiana is on Main Street in Acworth.   When  I think of Chef Henry He reminds me of a  "Raging Cajin"   He is very active in keeping the people in his restaurant entertained.  I love his Cajun  menu items.   We have been there for birthday parties and lastly at brunch with a friends Joe and Christine Jenkins to see other friends' daughter Melanie Denard singing the blues.   Nice.

Marietta Pizza.  Marietta Pizza is on the southwest corner of the Square in Downtown Marietta.  Before Marietta Pizza, years ago, it was Atherton's Drug Store where I used to frequent as a teenager, hanging out.  On Halloween night, Halloween night, 1963 there was an explosion in the basement, as leaking gas main, killing and injuring a number of people.  I never had a Marietta Pizza pizza.  We go fairly often have their Company Salad with grilled chicken.  It is good and wholesome - and their honey-mustard salad dressing - Man!  I'm not sure it is a requirement for the serving staff to have tattoos or not.   And, there is a floating balloon shaper artist... he or she will make little figures for you or your child.  Another plus about Marietta Pizza our dog Willow can dine with us if we dine outside at one of their sidewalk tables.

Oyster King.  Oyster King is located in on Cobb Parkway (or "The 4-Lane" as us older natives say) between Kennesaw and Acworth.  It is ran by a Korean family.  Everybody that has eaten there, us included, say they  have the best jumbo shrimp or prawns  in Cobb County.

Trackside Grill.  Main street Kennesaw, with the railroad tracks behind it.  It is a nice upscale dining experience.    We have been there several times.

The Varsity.   I was trying to keep from talking about franchised or chain restaurants - but I have to throw the Varsity, which has developed into a chain over the years.  The food is the same.  If you like hotdogs you will like the Varsity.  The people behind the counter  normally shout at you "What-da-ya-what-da-ya-have?"  with a sense of urgency but take your time and get it right, it may appear they are not listening, but they are.

Louise's.  Is at the base of Kennesaw Mountain at the corner of Kennesaw Avenue and   the Old 41 Highway.  .  On TV news, etc.  The restaurant used to be named Bill's and Louise'  but Bill died.  Now, Louise had died and I think I read that their daughter runs it now.    I remember they lived on a hill behind the restaurant and used to have a mailbox high up on a pole and a sign saying "For Airmail".   And other corny stuff inside.  Their specialty is southern cooking breakfasts .

Cazadores Mexican Restaurant.  Sandy Plains Road.  We love their Chicken Soup.  Every time we have a cold we head for Caadores for their chicken soup.

Greek to Us.  On Church Street extension, just down the street from Brandi's.  Very good and filling gyros.  Yum!

The Lunch Basket.  The Lunch Basket is on the Cherokee Street near Cherry Street.  I don't think anybody in any lunch counter operation makes chicken salad sandwiches as good as  these ladies.  They have all kinds of sandwiches but the only other kind I have tried is their corn-beef sandwich.  It was good too.  There are three or four ladies, sometimes their operation reminds me of a church booth at the fair and sometimes not.  They opened a Lunch Basket #2 near Sessions and Rose Lane.  We ate there not long ago on a day we were going to doctor and they are doing well too, they have more room, more elbow room, so to speak for the diners.  I think both places the bulk of their business is the professional medical people in and near Wellstar Hospital.

Crooked Tree Restaurant.    Is on the 4 Lane (aka North Cobb Parkway).  They have breakfast and lunch  and close up for the day about 3pm.  We have been there for breakfast, brunch, and lunch several times.  The food is good and the waitresses remembers seeing  you and something about you, like to Anna, "How's your mom?"

Swallow in the Hollow BBQ.  Green Street in Roswell.  They have good barbecue and sometimes, weekends I think, they have entertainment, it reminded me of The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, although the Swallow is in an old house and Bluebird is in a storefront in a shopping center.

Guston's.  There are two Guston's Bar and Grill.  One in Kennesaw and the one we frequent is in Woodstock.  They come out with weekly  specials.   I think they always have a spicy dish on special.  The food is good, and only once or twice did we complain.... I remember the baked potato episode.

Marietta Diner Group:
Marietta Diner
The Marietta Fish Market
Cherokee Cattle Company
Pasta Bella

  The Marietta Diner is owned by Greek family that owns several other restaurants in the family:  Cherokee Cattle Company, Pasta Bella, and The Marietta Fish Market.  They are all good with reasonable prices.  I tend to gravitate to The Marietta Fish Market whenever I have a say.

I deleted about 5 or 6 because they might have been good but seemed like yuppie magnets and/or they lacked character or eccentricity.  I am sure there are some I overlooked.  And they will return to my memory as soon as I publish this.

To Douse Or Not To Douse With Catsup, That Is The Queston

Brandi and Brandi's World Famous Hotdogs

Today I went to Brandi's World Famous Hotdogs for lunch.  I had two hotdogs, both with chili and coleslaw.  The chili is a little spicy so catsup is a good complement to serve as a cooling agent.  The Varsity hotdogs, not very spicy, also taste better with a good douse of catsup.  And of course catsup on fries and onions rings is a must.

Today I happen to remember back in my Navy days our division petty officer's, or office manager's, wife, Lucy O invited us to dinner.  She conveniently invited us on a night that her husband would be on duty, so he would not be there.  This was all planned out in a bar in downtown Lakehurst, New Jersey, almost most next door to Lucy's and her husband's house.  In the bar Don bragged to Lucy what good spaghetti sauce he knew how to make.  Lucy challenged him and told us to come over, and she picked the night.

Lucy had a drinking problem, later that same year on New Years Eve they told her to get out because she was drunk and causing too much trouble.  Lucy said, "That is no way to treat a fucking lady!"  and picked up a pool ball off the pool table and threw it at the owner, which he ducked and it broke his stained glass window.  Lucy and we took off running.  Since she lived next door, they knew where to find her.

The evening of the dinner, we went by a grocery store and bought ever thing Don would need to cook spaghetti sauce, plus wine and beer.  We bought enough for about four people.

What we didn't realize, Lucy forgot to mention it is that she invited some of her drinking friends.  A big old thug of a man, his weathered wife, and a younger single woman.  They arrived drunk.  Don almost panicked.    He did what he could, made smaller servings and handed them out himself. 

The big drunk lug of a man was proud of his loud belches and his wife and lady friend thought it was funny.  Don gritted his teeth.

Then the big lug asked for some catsup.  Don hit the roof.  He told the whole group nobody asks for catsup - it was the worse insult one could possibly do to the cook.  I don't remember if he just told us that behind the lug's back or he gave the lug a piece of his mind.    I suspect he ranted to us in private, he wasn't dumb.

And  asking for catsup and it being the sauce of the people with common taste reminds me of another catsup adventure:   One time not long after we were married somehow we came upon a coupon to buy a meal and get one free at an Italian restaurant on Cheshire Bridge Road in Atlanta.  The owner/chef, when he learned he was cooking a meal for a buy and and get one free coupon  he made all kinds of sarcastic remarks.  When we were eating he dropped by the table and asked how did we enjoy the meal.  We told him it was very good....he added a little insult by asking, "Do you need any catsup?" 

I remember one time meeting friends at Steak and Ale.  We have been there several times and knew their Kensington Club steaks were delicious - such a tasteful marinade.  We recommended the Kensington Club.  They followed our recommendation and when they arrived the man requested catsup.  I thought to myself if I knew he was going to do that, I would recommend  a hamburger.

Then, this past week on THE TODAY SHOW they were discussing the pros and cons of asking for catsup in a restaurant that prides itself on its choice beef steaks.  Some  New York restaurants  now refuse to give catsup for people over 12 years old.

Brandi does not feel insulted at all if you want to put catsup on your hotdogs and hamburgers.

Pigging Out at Righteous Que

One of the best barbecue joints in  Marietta is RIGHTEOUS QUE..  The pork is divine, or you could say

the swine

is divine. 

But,  the beef brisket  is even better  than the pork.

The co-owner, and Patrick, seems to be the manager in charge, seems to know all the top barbecue restaurants  owners in Marietta and even  knows their spouses.  Apparently, he worked for or with them all at one time or another.  I suppose that is how he learn to cook such mouth watering meat.  The pork tastes a lot like Sam Huff's BBQ #1. Davie Poe's BBQ2, and Grand Champion BBQ (GC BBQ).

The sides are good too.

They are kind of frugal with their bread though.  You have to ask for it.    I never heard of barbecue served without bread until we walked in this restaurant.   We asked for bread and the bread they delivered is high quality.

The restaurant is a small hole-in-the wall in the Publix Shopping Center at Roswell and East Piedmont Roads.  It has only 6 small tables, so I think  it is probably more cut out more for carry out.  The first time we ate there, and next two times we carried out.  Last night we had BBQ pulled pork salads.  The salad itself it just a salad.  Lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers, but the pork and the barbecue sauce made it.

Speaking of barbecue sauce they have regular sweet barbecue sauce and also white barbecue sauce that is supposed to be like the white mayo-based barbecue sauce in north Alabama.

Patrick is red headed and very polite and customer friendly.  I think the "Righteous" in the  name refers to a religious experience he had or felt. 

I mentioned Patrick was red headed because I thought it was interesting that a young man and a young lady, at two different times worked there were also red headed.  I wonder if they are close kin?

And  Jim's Smokin' Que just south of Blairsville is run by a mother and father and 3 red headed daughters works there.  Could it be a family chain?

COME AND GET BBQ!

Driving by COME AND GET IT RESTAURANT we noticed a barbecue smoker parked by the street.  I think on another ride by a second smoker was in place.  Maybe I imagined the second one.

COME AND GET IT is owned by Nick.  Nick is a grandson of the owner of Fat Boy's (Home of the Foot Long Hotdog) in Smyrna.   I'm sure as a child Nick was at his parents' and grandparents knees' watching the  hustle-bustle and urgency of the restaurant business and somehow it got into his blood - how could it not?

We have eaten at COME AND GET IT (CAGI) a number of times, each time trying something different.   As in any restaurant, some things were good and some were not so impressive.

Nick  is a likable fellow  who wants to be a friend. a boisterous way,   to every customer who walks in the door.  He also knows how to get the most out of his employees which I suspect plenty of them are his relatives.

Interesting, a lady server that works there we have noticed also working at two other restaurant fairly recently.  Within weeks ago we have seen her working at Martin's and The Olive Garden.  I noticed at all three restaurants she takes her job seriously. 

As with any Greek restaurant they try to please as many tastes as possible.  So, now it is delicious barbecue cooked on a slow cooker smoker.

Before we tried their bbq we asked people how did they like CAGI barbecue and they said it was delicious.  We agree!  I think it gives the top bbq grill masters of Cobb County a run for their status.