Mac's Speed Shop

Finally a blog post from home.

Tonight, Mac's Speed Shop in Charlotte, NC with the fam.

Mac's is a blend of Biker Bar, Beer Bar and BBQ joint. They have an awesome selection of beers, and some of the best BBQ you will find in Charlotte.

On the menu tonight:

Appetizer: Tabasco Fried Pickles




Main Course: Chicken Wings





Split the order up with VTX Chipolte, and Smokin Burn Out. Wings have an awesome flavor. They are Not fried. They are first smoked and then grilled.

A cool hang out. Great food and reasonably priced.

They have 3 locations in Charlotte. Tonight we ate at the Sandy Porter location.

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Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill - Austin, TX

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill is housed in a part of the old Waterloo Compound, an original
grouping of some of the very oldest commercial buildings in Austin. Located where the pre-
Austin 1835 settlement of Waterloo was established, Moonshine is steeped in the early history of
the city.

Between 1952 and today, the building has been operated by a number of small businesses and
has seen many careful restorations. Established in 2003, Moonshine is the second restaurant to
occupy the space. The Hofheintz-Reissig Store, as it is officially known, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is an important part of Austin’s cultural and architectural heritage.

Moonshine serves up great cooking with an innovative take on classic American comfort food

Appetizer:


GRILLED ARTICHOKES with Pimento Pepper Sauce









Main Dish:


MOLASSES & CHILE CURED PORK CHOP with Bourbon Apple Sauce

BAKED MACARONI
with Pimento Cheese & Bacon Gratin

FRESH VEGETABLES



Dessert:


WHITE CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING
with Raisins, Pecans & Bourbon Sauce










Drink:


MOONSHINE
Shot of White Lightning spiked with peach

HARD LEMONADE
Vodka, Mint,& Fresh Lemonade with a
splash of Paula’s Texas Lemon



Extremely flavorful food, excellent service and a cool atmosphere. The pork chop and baked macaroni are excellent.

Food: ****
Service: ****
Location:303 Red River Austin, TX 78701

Fonda San Miguel - The Best Mexican Food I've EVER Eaten

Fonda San Miguel was founded in November 1975, in Austin as one of the first restaurant's in the United States to serve exclusively the Cuisines of Mexico (drawing on seven various regional cuisines in Mexico).

It features classic Mexican cuisine prepared with authentic recipes and numerous ingredients from the restaurant’s on-site organic garden.

Appetizer:

Guacamole

A great recipe combining avocados, tomato, onion, cilantro, serrano chili's, and lime juice.






Main Dish:

Cochinta Pibil

This is a traditional pork barbecue of the Yucatan Peninsula, where for centuries it has been cooked in pits lined with hot stones and banana leaves.

The pork is basted in an achiote rub, and cooked inside a banana leaf. It is served with 2 sauces. A chipolte sauce and a creamy habanero almond sauce which is truly remarkable. It is served with rice and beans, and corn tortillas.

This is an amazing dish - and a great recommendation from the bartender.

Drink:

Silver Coin Margarita:
1.5 Oz of Watermelon Infused Tequila (Made from half of a 12 lb Watermelon and a 1 liter bottle of Patron Silver)
3/4 Oz of Cointrreau
1/3 Oz fresh Lime Juice

This may not be for everyone - but I though this was fantastic. My new favorite Margarita.





In my travels, there are two types of food I pride myself on sampling. Barbeque and Mexican.

This was the Best Authentic Mexican food I have ever eaten.

Food: *****
Service: *****
Location: 2330 W. North Loop Austin, TX 78756

Prejean's - Award Winning Cajun - Lafayette, LA

One of my favorite Cajun restaurants. Located in Lafayette, LA just a couple miles from I-10 just off I-49. Prejean's has been around since 1980 and serves a great combination of cajun seafood, steak, wild game and a plethora of Gumbo's.

Appetizer:

Shrimp Sassafras
Two jumbo shrimp stuffed with pepperjack cheese, grilled Tasso, wrapped with apple wood-smoked bacon, breaded and fried and set in Crawfish Cardinale cream sauce.

Amazing. Anything wrapped in bacon tends to be good - but this is a fantastic dish. One of my favorite appetizers anywhere!



Gumbo:



Chicken & Sausage Gumbo - a three time world champion gumbo.

I have eaten the Smoked Duck & Andouille Gumbo as well. Both are fantastic.





Main Course:


Soft Shell Crab Imperial
Jumbo soft shell crab stuffed with crawfish dressing, fried and finished with crab butter cream, grilled Tasso and served with rice dressing and grilled asparagus.





All of the dishes were very well done and extremely flavorful. Prejean's is a must stop location anytime you are in Lafayette.

Food: ****
Location: 3480 N.E. Evangeline Trwy. (I-49)
Lafayette, LA 70507

Great Food Truck Race - Hodge Podge

The Great Food Truck Race - Atlanta, GA.

A treat today as we found out that the Food Network Show - The Great Food Truck Race, was in Atlanta, so we decided to go check it out.

Chef Tyler Florence is the host of the show, and the first episode will air Sunday, August 14th. The last truck standing wins $100,000!





The Menu:
Ribeye Taco's
Fish Taco's
Uncle Lou's Fried Chicken Taco's
King Crab Dip
Truffle Tator Tots
Fruit Cup




Truffle Tator Tot's - Tot's cooked in a truffle oil. Tator Tot's are one of those bad for you foods I have to say I am guilty of loving. Nice flavor cooked in the truffle oil.











Rib-eye Taco's - Marinated Rib-eye - topped with sweet corn slaw and BBQ Sauce.

Very flavorful. Slaw was excellent.










Fish Taco's - Marinated White fish, topped with Georgia Peach Slaw and Lemon Aioli.

Fish was cooked well. Slaw was good. Good dish - but I thought it lacked something. Maybe a different sauce could have kicked the dish up a little bit.







The Challenge of the truck today was to serve food to the mass's without the main chef being there. Of course, Food Network picked a 95 Degree "Hot-Lanta" day - and had the customer's baking on the pavement. You could tell that this affected the Service as the line was long - and service was slow. The girls in the truck seemed to do their best and served with smiles on their face.

Hodge Podge Brings their culinary talents from Cleveland, OH, serving "Midwest" Comfort Food.

Parrain's - Grilled Mahi

Appearing for the 2nd time on the blog, Parrain's in Baton Rouge. Tonight on the Menu - Grilled Mahi - topped with grilled shrimp and pecan pepper jelly. Served with garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus.


As always, I am never disappointed when I eat at Parrain's. I have eaten dozens of meals here, and have never had anything bad. There specials are always unique and good.








I am not normally a dessert person - but I had a hard time passing this up:



White Chocolate Bread Pudding.

Unbelievable. I hate to guess the amount of calories in this, but it was pure bliss. A true bucket list item.





Location: Baton Rouge, LA.

Darrell's Special - An Incredible Sandwich

I have to think long and hard before I come up with better sandwich's that I've ever had. This was a recommendation from my friend and fellow large mammal, Chris Wooley.









Darrell's Special. Po-Boy made of three kinds of meat (ham, turkey, roast beef) topped with a roast beef gravy. Topped with 3 kinds of cheese, lettuce and spicy jalapeño mayo. This sandwich could be nicknamed the big messy. You will have to be careful or you will be wearing it.

Located: Lake Charles, La.

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Location:W College St,Lake Charles,United States

Red Neck Lobster Night

Crawfish Time on Ridge

To those siting by me, they either witnessed an eating exhibition by the Master, or the most disgusting display of eating anyone has ever seen. Heads were torn off with precision. Crawfish juice flung everywhere. I'm embarrassed to stand up as my shirt is covered. (Though I could hardly be to blame, as I am Mary Shannon's son. She's always wearing her meals............)





So many pounds of crawfish were consumed, I feel guilty putting the number down.

The crawfish were made to order "extremely spicy" as they were coated with a delicious pepper concoction that has burned the skin off my hands and lips. A garlic sauce, tabasco and horseradish mixture was used for dipping to push the hotness up a couple more levels.

I had to go 15 miles out of my way to eat here tonight, but truly worth it.

Location: Crawfish Time on Ridge Road. Lafayette, La.

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Location:S Domingue Ave,Lafayette,United States

The Temple of Tex Mex - Matt's Famous El Rancho

Matt's Famous El Rancho has been an Austin, TX food Institution since 1952. Matt's is family owned and serves some of the best Tex-Mex this country has to offer. Matt's has been dubbed by some as the "Temple of Tex-Mex".

http://www.mattselrancho.com/richhistoryreview.htm





On the Menu:

Drink: Pepe Zavada Margarita. Pepe Zavada Repasodo Tequila, Cointreau and 100% Lime Juice.

Appetizer: Bob Armstrong Dip. "Little Bob". Queso with fresh Guacamole and taco beef. Right on. I don't know why I have never had this combination together before, but it is awesome.



Dinner: Taco's Al Carbon. Beef Tenderloin wrapped in flour tortillas, with a guacamole salad. Served with Frijoles a la Charra, Chile con Queso, and Pico de Gallo.

This was the recommendation from the waiter as the "best thing" on the menu. It did not disappoint. The beef tenderloin was excellent.





Location: 2613 South Lamar Boulevard Austin, Texas 78704
Food: ****
Service: ****

Pappasito's Cantina

I tend to have a rule about including chain restaurants on the blog, but a special exception can be made for the Pappa's brand of restaurants. Pappasito's, Pappa's Seafood, Pappa's Burgers, Pappa's Steak House and Pappadeaux are all top notch with great food consistency throughout the different locations.

Today on the menu, Fillet Mignon Fajitas with Crab Cake Stuffed Shrimp, with Mantequilla (garlic butter) for dipping. This is on the specialty menu, but they have had it there for several months so it has become a staple. One of my favorite meals here. Only to be rivaled by the Quail Fajitas and perhaps the Seafood Enchiladas.





Food: ***
Service: ***
Location: San Antonio, TX

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Location:Paige Burch,San Antonio,United States

Parrain's - Andouille Encrusted Drum

Andouille Encrusted Drum - A dish that never disappoints. Parrain's Seafood is one of my Louisiana favorites.




Paneed fresh drum in andouille bread crumbs served over sautéed crawfish, mushrooms, & andouille cream with garlic mashed potatoes.

Location: 3225 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge LA 70808
Food: ****
Service: ***


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Location:Perkins Rd,Baton Rouge,United States

Maximo's Italian Grill

Hand's down, my new favorite restaurant. The food is consistently excellent.


Caprese - Tomato slices layered between buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil, accompanied by jumbo lump crab meat and drizzled with a balsamic reduction.






House made crushed red pepper pappardelle pasta topped with Alfredo.

This dish will take your concentration away from whatever you are doing - and you will have full focus on this. It is truly amazing. One of my favorite pasta dishes anywhere. If you only order one thing - order this, you will not be disappointed. Very addictive.




Braised veal shank finished with garlic, thyme & white wine demi and accompanied by herb roasted red potatoes and fresh asparagus spears.

This is the signature dish at Maximo's.






Maximo’s Italian Grill is a local favorite. It is best known for the open kitchen, so the seats at the marble top grill bar are a must to be reserved, as you watch the chef's do their magic.

Chef Woods always does an amazing job. I was amazed watching all of these meals being prepared, and noticed that not one dish was returned. Everything seemed to be prepared perfectly.




Location: 1117 Decatur Street New Orleans, La.
Executive Chef: Thomas Woods
Food:*****
service: ***

Location:New Orleans, La

Perry & Sons Market & Grille - World Famous Pork Chop

A special treat today, as I got to sample one of the finest pieces of meat, with my good friend Chad, a fellow Large Mammal and food lover.

Today for Lunch - Perry & Sons Market Grille in Houston, TX. On the menu - their World Famous Pork Chop. Perry's got it's start in Houston back in 1979 as a butcher shop and meat market. They now have a chain of Steak House's (Perry's Steakhouse and Grille), Italian Food (Perry's Italian Grille), and they have expanded their meat markets to have dinning area's (Perry & Son's Market Grille). http://www.perrysrestaurants.com




Served on a hot fajita plate, (2) Double Cut Pork Chops each, standing in at 4" tall. More meat at our table than some African tribes have in an entire month. Initially, I did feel guilty. Than the first bite came. This is a must have dish. Be prepared though, if you finish it, you will be useless the rest of the day.....................

Hand selected in the Midwest specifically for Perry’s restaurants, this prime chop is cured, roasted, slow smoked and caramelized.



This is such a popular dish, a Facebook site has been dedicated to it - calling the Pork Chop - "The Meal of the God's". http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52039555027



Location: 12830 Scarsdale Blvd. Houston, Texas 77089
Food: ****
Service: Restaurant is mostly self service, so no rating will be posted.
Atmosphere: Great Mammal Atmosphere. You are surrounded by freezer's and display cases full of meat.

Tastes from Jazz Fest 2011 - New Orleans

Jazz Fest is much more than just a music festival. It serves equally as a food festival. Dozens of vendors have set up shop to sample their fine eats. This is much more than your typical hot dog, hamburger, turkey leg type of meals you will find at many festivals. Many unique and delicious items were served. Here is a sampling of some of my favorites. (Most dishes can be had for $3 to $6.)


Dish: Alligator Sauce Piquante
Vendor: Fireman Mike's Kitchen

A great stew filled with Alligator meat and Andouille Sausage. On a hot sunny day - this is probably not the best item to order - as it will light you up and bring on the sweat. Delicious. Lots of Cajun spices - very flavorful.








Dish: Spinach Artichoke Casserole
Vendor: Fireman Mike's Kitchen

Hope I don't lose to many man/mammal points for ordering a vegetable dish, but this was really damn good. A cross between creamed spinach and artichoke dip.








Dish: Crawfish Enchiladas
Vendor: Prejean's Restaurant (Lafayette, LA)


Maybe my favorite dish from the festival. Lots of cheese and crawfish. Man food.







Dish: Pheasant, Quail and Andouille Gumbo
Vendor: Prejean's Restaurant

This dish came in a close 2nd. Very unique flavor. Once again - hot stew on a hot day brought the sweat on - but this dish kicks butt. One of the best gumbo's I've ever had. Period.









Dish(s): Boudin and Boudin Balls
Vendor: Fireman Mike's Kitchen

Boudin just makes me happy. Boudin is a sausage/rice mixture in a sausage casing. Boudin Balls is the Boudin (without the casing) deep fried.




Dish: Key Lime Tart
Vendor: Mona's Cafe

Key Lime Pie is my favorite dessert. This did not disappoint. Many fine desserts were served - but hard to beat Key Lime anything.

Mr. B's - Mothers Day Brunch

Grilled shrimp barbequed New Orleans style, served in the shells with peppery butter sauce and French bread for dipping







House made springrolls filled with duck confit, shiitake mushrooms, spinach and goat cheese served with sweet ginger-garlic dipping sauce







Location: 201 Royal Street New Orleans, LA (French Quarter)
Executive Chef: Michelle McRaney
Review: Mr. B's is a reliable New Orleans favorite, and BBQ Shrimp is the quintessential New Orleans Meal. The shrimp is good - but its the sauce that makes this meal. The BBQ sauce is a mixture of butter, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, black pepper, garlic and Creole seasoning. Much enjoyment is had by licking your fingers clean, or moping up the sauce with the french bread that accompanies it. You will need to wear a bib (provided) as you will be flinging sauce everywhere as you peel the shrimp. This is a must visit location on your trip to New Orleans. Service is a good here as you will find anywhere. You will have multiple people serving you, keeping your drinks full and bread on the table.

Food: ****
Service: *****

Breakfast at Stanley

Bananas Foster French Toast - Battered French Bread, Sliced Bananas, Tahitian Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, and Toasted Walnuts with Foster Sauce

Eggs Stella - Cornmeal-Crusted Soft-Shell Crab, Poached Eggs, Canadian Bacon and Creole Hollandaise on Toasted English

Muffin





Location: 547 St Ann St New Orleans, LA (Historic Jackson Square)
Chef: Scott Boswell
Review: Stanly is not only one of my favorite breakfast spots in New Orleans, its one of my favorite breakfast spots anywhere. On the menu today was Banana's Foster French Toast for Mary Jo, and I had the Eggs Stella. Both meals were incredibly flavorful. The soft shell crab cooked perfectly.

Food: ****
Service: ****
Cost: $10 to $20 per person