Today millions of Americans have traveled near and far to see their families and loved ones to give thanks for what we have. Whether you’ve just gone over the river and through the woods, or flown across the continent, this annual trek isn’t an obligation. It’s a tradition. The question isn’t really how far you’d travel for a home cooked meal, but when can you get there? After jumping the pond to Paris, going the extra mile to Finale for a few days seems like nothing. It is really about 400 miles and I arrive late Thursday evening just before a big storm. The next morning, I make my way to...

As the boys from Blue Bell told me, you know you’re in Texas when the bacon on your burger is that thick. We were eating at a Chili’s, but they were right. The Chilis in Arizona don’t have bacon like this. This was the kind of seasoned pork you dream of. Somehow, it was cured with a sweet/spicy rub that would have been just as good on top of a waffle and coated with maple syrup as it was with onion fries and barbeque sauce on my burger. Forget the New Year’s resolutions. I ate it all. Now bring on the ice cream. Related Posts:Home CookingPie TownMeat Wrapped In MeatBelgian Comfort Foods: Beer,...

A few years ago, Josh and I pulled off the road on the way to San Diego when lights started flashing on the CRV dash. Figuring it was just overtaxed after coming over the pass, we took the first exit, followed an access road and stopped at a little cafe for lunch… and the most amazing pie either of us had ever eaten. This was back before we always carried our cameras or made notes about the places we visited, and now that little cafe is only a memory. A pie Brigadoon that appeared out of the mist only to disappear in time. It turns out if we could have taken a bird’s eye view of this...

After a satisfying bowl of mussels and a good nights sleep, I was ready to leave Brussels but not Belgium. The only thing I knew about Bruges was that it had a reputation as an endearing medieval town and that movie with Colin Ferrill and Ralph Fiennes. A quick 40 minute train ride and I was about to find out for myself. The downside to sleeping in, is dealing with morning rush hour with everyone else. The bus queue in Bruges was a cluster with no English signage. I bailed on thoughts of getting to my hostel before it closed for the morning. After some consultation at the tourist office, I decided on...

Dutch apple pie aside, cuisine in Amsterdam left something to be desired. It seems the country’s philosophy is if you want good Italian food, you go to an Italian restaurant. If you want good beer, you go to a Belgian bar. I did one better and just went across the border to Belgium. First stop was Brussels because I had to have the mussels. But as I made my way to the morning market in the Grand Place, I followed a comforting Sunday morning scent to a woman and her portable waffle stand. I gave her a euro and she handed over a warm sugary Belgian waffle. Oh yeah! I thought to myself. I’m...