On Wednesday night, I watched that Throwdown show with Bobby Flay on the
Food Network. I am not a fan of that show, but I saw the ad for it a few
minutes before it started and it mentioned a grilled cheese throwdown at
a place called the Pop Shop, which is in Collingswood, New Jersey. Since
Collingswood is adjacent to the township where I live.

I never heard of the Pop Shop before, but from what I saw on Bobby
Flay's show, they feature numerous versions of grilled cheese sandwiches
on their menu.

Anyway, Bobby Flay won the competition. Yesterday at work, I asked a
colleague who lives in Collingswood if she knew of the Pop Shop. She
said it is known for its delicious comfort food and friendly service.

On my way home from work last night, I went to the Pop Shop for dinner.
I got there around 6:30 and it was packed! Its a big room with a very
plain decore; just white walls with basic tables and chairs in the
middle, a kitchen at the far end, and a counter that runs the length of
the room. Although there was a line of people waiting for tables, I got
a seat at the counter immediately.

The main menu is printed like a newspaper, although I don't think its
updated daily. There's also a separate menu for desserts which is heavy
plastic and several pages long. There main menu has a section with at
least 20 different variations on grilled cheese sandwiches. The guy who
sat to my right at the counter ordered the grilled cheese sandwich they
used to go up against Bobby Flay and he said it was fantastic. He was
obviously there as a result of seeing the TV show.

Not being a fan of grilled cheese, I ordered the fried shrimp platter. I
got something like 8 huge shrimp breaded in pancko crumbs, and served
with a hefty side of freshly cut french fries with the skins on. The
shrimp were delicious, with just the right texture and not oily at all.
The french fries were very good, but I have had better. The platter came
with a cup of soup. They had chicken rice or tomato soup, so I ordered
tomato soup. That tomato soup was like none I have ever eaten before!
Just that soup is worth going back to the Pop Shop again! It was
intensely flavored with tomato, very thick, but not too spicy. It was
almost the consistency of a tomato sauce for spaghetti.

Dinner cost me $15 with the tip and a large refillable soft drink. The
menu also had lots of platters and other items at much lower prices.
When I walked up to the counter, a young boy was eating a plate of
silver dollar pancakes, which I think was around $3 on the menu. Those
pancakes looked very good. I will definitely go back there for breakfast
soon to try the pancakes.

I have eaten at several of the restaurants that were featured on Food
Network shows, but long before they were on TV. The Pop Shop, on the
other hand, was the first restaurant where I actually decided to eat
there on the basis of seeing it featured on the Food Network.

> On Wednesday night, I watched that Throwdown show with Bobby Flay on
> the Food Network. I am not a fan of that show, but I saw the ad for
> it a few minutes before it started and it mentioned a grilled cheese
> throwdown at a place called the Pop Shop, which is in Collingswood,
> New Jersey. Since Collingswood is adjacent to the township where I
> live.

Hey, I was on Patco last week and on the way through Collingwood
I wondered if that diner type place was still there. I first saw it on
FoodTV years ago. I can't think what show it was on. They went
through the contruction and opening of it. It looked so nice I really
wanted to go there. The kind of place where you could get a good
burger and maybe an egg cream.

> I never heard of the Pop Shop before, but from what I saw on Bobby
> Flay's show, they feature numerous versions of grilled cheese
> sandwiches on their menu.
>
> Anyway, Bobby Flay won the competition. Yesterday at work, I asked a
> colleague who lives in Collingswood if she knew of the Pop Shop. She
> said it is known for its delicious comfort food and friendly service.
>
> On my way home from work last night, I went to the Pop Shop for
> dinner. I got there around 6:30 and it was packed! Its a big room
> with a very plain decore; just white walls with basic tables and
> chairs in the middle, a kitchen at the far end, and a counter that
> runs the length of the room. Although there was a line of people
> waiting for tables, I got a seat at the counter immediately.

That really sounds like the place I'm thinking of.

> The main menu is printed like a newspaper, although I don't think its
> updated daily. There's also a separate menu for desserts which is
> heavy plastic and several pages long. There main menu has a section
> with at least 20 different variations on grilled cheese sandwiches.
> The guy who sat to my right at the counter ordered the grilled cheese
> sandwich they used to go up against Bobby Flay and he said it was
> fantastic. He was obviously there as a result of seeing the TV show.

Cool.

> Not being a fan of grilled cheese, I ordered the fried shrimp
> platter. I got something like 8 huge shrimp breaded in pancko crumbs,
> and served with a hefty side of freshly cut french fries with the
> skins on. The shrimp were delicious, with just the right texture and
> not oily at all. The french fries were very good, but I have had
> better. The platter came with a cup of soup. They had chicken rice or
> tomato soup, so I ordered tomato soup. That tomato soup was like none
> I have ever eaten before! Just that soup is worth going back to the
> Pop Shop again! It was intensely flavored with tomato, very thick,
> but not too spicy. It was almost the consistency of a tomato sauce
> for spaghetti.

I think I just might have to take a road trip.

> I have eaten at several of the restaurants that were featured on Food
> Network shows, but long before they were on TV. The Pop Shop, on the
> other hand, was the first restaurant where I actually decided to eat
> there on the basis of seeing it featured on the Food Network.

I have bought food I've seen on FoodTV, ordered by phone. I really
can't think of a restaurant I've visited just because of them. Actually,
I finally went to a restaurant I have meant to visit for years now
and seeing it on a Guy Fieri show did prompt me to go. Circus
Drive-in.

nancy

On Mar 13, 7:06*am, Stan Horwitz > wrote:
> On Wednesday night, I watched that Throwdown show with Bobby Flay on the
> Food Network. I am not a fan of that show, but I saw the ad for it a few
> minutes before it started and it mentioned a grilled cheese throwdown at
> a place called the Pop Shop, which is in Collingswood, New Jersey. Since
> Collingswood is adjacent to the township where I live.
>
> I never heard of the Pop Shop before, but from what I saw on Bobby
> Flay's show, they feature numerous versions of grilled cheese sandwiches
> on their menu.
>
> Anyway, Bobby Flay won the competition. Yesterday at work, I asked a
> colleague who lives in Collingswood if she knew of the Pop Shop. She
> said it is known for its delicious comfort food and friendly service.
>
> On my way home from work last night, I went to the Pop Shop for dinner.
> I got there around 6:30 and it was packed! Its a big room with a very
> plain decore; just white walls with basic tables and chairs in the
> middle, a kitchen at the far end, and a counter that runs the length of
> the room. Although there was a line of people waiting for tables, I got
> a seat at the counter immediately.
>
> The main menu is printed like a newspaper, although I don't think its
> updated daily. There's also a separate menu for desserts which is heavy
> plastic and several pages long. There main menu has a section with at
> least 20 different variations on grilled cheese sandwiches. The guy who
> sat to my right at the counter ordered the grilled cheese sandwich they
> used to go up against Bobby Flay and he said it was fantastic. He was
> obviously there as a result of seeing the TV show.
>
> Not being a fan of grilled cheese, I ordered the fried shrimp platter. I
> got something like 8 huge shrimp breaded in pancko crumbs, and served
> with a hefty side of freshly cut french fries with the skins on. The
> shrimp were delicious, with just the right texture and not oily at all.
> The french fries were very good, but I have had better. The platter came
> with a cup of soup. They had chicken rice or tomato soup, so I ordered
> tomato soup. That tomato soup was like none I have ever eaten before!
> Just that soup is worth going back to the Pop Shop again! It was
> intensely flavored with tomato, very thick, but not too spicy. It was
> almost the consistency of a tomato sauce for spaghetti.
>
> Dinner cost me $15 with the tip and a large refillable soft drink. The
> menu also had lots of platters and other items at much lower prices.
> When I walked up to the counter, a young boy was eating a plate of
> silver dollar pancakes, which I think was around $3 on the menu. Those
> pancakes looked very good. I will definitely go back there for breakfast
> soon to try the pancakes.
>
> I have eaten at several of the restaurants that were featured on Food
> Network shows, but long before they were on TV. The Pop Shop, on the
> other hand, was the first restaurant where I actually decided to eat
> there on the basis of seeing it featured on the Food Network.

I have also eaten at Food Network places before they were on the
air.

Actually I remember when Rachael Ray went to Chicago for her "$40 a
Day" program after I had lived there. I was amazed at some of her
choices - I kept othinking "why did she pick THAT place when there are
so much better"?

Glad to hear that your NJ place turned out to be rewarding.

Kris

On Fri, 13 Mar 2009 05:15:36 -0700 (PDT), Kris >
wrote:

>I kept othinking "why did she pick THAT place when there are
>so much better"?

Odd reasons...and could be something as simple as the segment
producer's niece works there.

"Stan Horwitz" > wrote:
>
> The platter came with a cup of soup.
> That tomato soup was like none I have ever eaten before!
> It was intensely flavored with tomato, very thick, but not
> too spicy. It was almost the consistency of a tomato sauce.

You've had that soup before... a cup Heinz ketchup! LOL

On Mar 13, 7:06*am, Stan Horwitz > wrote:

> I have eaten at several of the restaurants that were featured on Food
> Network shows, but long before they were on TV. The Pop Shop, on the
> other hand, was the first restaurant where I actually decided to eat
> there on the basis of seeing it featured on the Food Network.

I've eaten at two places featured on Food Network:

The Bomber Restaurant in Ypsilanti, MI, was featured on... Top Five
(?).
Something about gigantic breakfasts, although I've never eaten the
gigantic breakfast at the Bomber.

Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burgers in Ann Arbor, MI, was featured on Diners,
Drive-ins, and Dives.

I'd been going to both places for years before they were on TV. I'm
due
for a trip to Krazy Jims, although I can just see my doctor frowning
about
it already. Well, I can get the fried broccoli and at least I will
have gotten
some fiber in.

Cindy Hamilton

On Fri, 13 Mar 2009 06:05:31 -0700 (PDT), Cindy Hamilton
> wrote:

>Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burgers in Ann Arbor, MI, was featured on Diners,
>Drive-ins, and Dives.

If you get to Lansing.....don't miss Kewpee's on South Washington.
Their burger with olive sauce is outstanding.

Stan Horwitz wrote:
> On Wednesday night, I watched that Throwdown show with Bobby Flay on the
> Food Network. I am not a fan of that show, but I saw the ad for it a few
> minutes before it started and it mentioned a grilled cheese throwdown at
> a place called the Pop Shop, which is in Collingswood, New Jersey. Since
> Collingswood is adjacent to the township where I live.
>
> I never heard of the Pop Shop before, but from what I saw on Bobby
> Flay's show, they feature numerous versions of grilled cheese sandwiches
> on their menu.
>
> Anyway, Bobby Flay won the competition. Yesterday at work, I asked a
> colleague who lives in Collingswood if she knew of the Pop Shop. She
> said it is known for its delicious comfort food and friendly service.
>
> On my way home from work last night, I went to the Pop Shop for dinner.
> I got there around 6:30 and it was packed! Its a big room with a very
> plain decore; just white walls with basic tables and chairs in the
> middle, a kitchen at the far end, and a counter that runs the length of
> the room. Although there was a line of people waiting for tables, I got
> a seat at the counter immediately.
>
> The main menu is printed like a newspaper, although I don't think its
> updated daily. There's also a separate menu for desserts which is heavy
> plastic and several pages long. There main menu has a section with at
> least 20 different variations on grilled cheese sandwiches. The guy who
> sat to my right at the counter ordered the grilled cheese sandwich they
> used to go up against Bobby Flay and he said it was fantastic. He was
> obviously there as a result of seeing the TV show.
>
> Not being a fan of grilled cheese, I ordered the fried shrimp platter. I
> got something like 8 huge shrimp breaded in pancko crumbs, and served
> with a hefty side of freshly cut french fries with the skins on. The
> shrimp were delicious, with just the right texture and not oily at all.
> The french fries were very good, but I have had better. The platter came
> with a cup of soup. They had chicken rice or tomato soup, so I ordered
> tomato soup. That tomato soup was like none I have ever eaten before!
> Just that soup is worth going back to the Pop Shop again! It was
> intensely flavored with tomato, very thick, but not too spicy. It was
> almost the consistency of a tomato sauce for spaghetti.
>
> Dinner cost me $15 with the tip and a large refillable soft drink. The
> menu also had lots of platters and other items at much lower prices.
> When I walked up to the counter, a young boy was eating a plate of
> silver dollar pancakes, which I think was around $3 on the menu. Those
> pancakes looked very good. I will definitely go back there for breakfast
> soon to try the pancakes.
>
> I have eaten at several of the restaurants that were featured on Food
> Network shows, but long before they were on TV. The Pop Shop, on the
> other hand, was the first restaurant where I actually decided to eat
> there on the basis of seeing it featured on the Food Network.

Yes, I have eaten at the Deluxe Town Diner in Watertown, MA. I think it
was featured on The Secret Life of ...Pancakes a few years ago. I have
only been there once. It is always crazy busy. They are supposed to have
really good pancakes.

Tracy

"Stan Horwitz" > wrote in message
...
> On Wednesday night, I watched that Throwdown show with Bobby Flay on the
> Food Network. I am not a fan of that show, but I saw the ad for it a few
> minutes before it started and it mentioned a grilled cheese throwdown at
> a place called the Pop Shop, which is in Collingswood, New Jersey. Since
> Collingswood is adjacent to the township where I live.

You had a good experience.

We've gone to the Modern Diner in Pawtucket, RI a couple of times. Sunday
they have a different menu and more exotic fare than during hte week.
Lobster omelet, pulled pork omelet, assorted pancakes, etc. There is
usually a line outside.

On Mar 13, 11:14*am, "Edwin Pawlowski" > wrote:
> "Stan Horwitz" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> > On Wednesday night, I watched that Throwdown show with Bobby Flay on the
> > Food Network. I am not a fan of that show, but I saw the ad for it a few
> > minutes before it started and it mentioned a grilled cheese throwdown at
> > a place called the Pop Shop, which is in Collingswood, New Jersey. Since
> > Collingswood is adjacent to the township where I live.
>
> You had a good experience.
>
> We've gone to the Modern Diner in Pawtucket, RI a couple of times. *Sunday
> they have a different menu and more exotic fare than during hte week.
> Lobster omelet, pulled pork omelet, assorted pancakes, etc. *There is
> usually a line outside.

Next time you're up this way, drive up East Avenue to Garrison
Chocolates, just before the CVS on Hope St. They won an award for
their confections.

And if you're in Providence late, check out Haven Bros., next to City
Hall all night. It still rolls.

maxine in ri

Stan Horwitz wrote:
>
> On Wednesday night, I watched that Throwdown show with Bobby Flay on the
> Food Network. I am not a fan of that show, but I saw the ad for it a few
> minutes before it started and it mentioned a grilled cheese throwdown at
> a place called the Pop Shop, which is in Collingswood, New Jersey. Since
> Collingswood is adjacent to the township where I live.
>
> I never heard of the Pop Shop before, but from what I saw on Bobby
> Flay's show, they feature numerous versions of grilled cheese sandwiches
> on their menu.
>
> Anyway, Bobby Flay won the competition. Yesterday at work, I asked a
> colleague who lives in Collingswood if she knew of the Pop Shop. She
> said it is known for its delicious comfort food and friendly service.
>
> On my way home from work last night, I went to the Pop Shop for dinner.
> I got there around 6:30 and it was packed! Its a big room with a very
> plain decore; just white walls with basic tables and chairs in the
> middle, a kitchen at the far end, and a counter that runs the length of
> the room. Although there was a line of people waiting for tables, I got
> a seat at the counter immediately.
>
> The main menu is printed like a newspaper, although I don't think its
> updated daily. There's also a separate menu for desserts which is heavy
> plastic and several pages long. There main menu has a section with at
> least 20 different variations on grilled cheese sandwiches. The guy who
> sat to my right at the counter ordered the grilled cheese sandwich they
> used to go up against Bobby Flay and he said it was fantastic. He was
> obviously there as a result of seeing the TV show.
>
> Not being a fan of grilled cheese, I ordered the fried shrimp platter. I
> got something like 8 huge shrimp breaded in pancko crumbs, and served
> with a hefty side of freshly cut french fries with the skins on. The
> shrimp were delicious, with just the right texture and not oily at all.
> The french fries were very good, but I have had better. The platter came
> with a cup of soup. They had chicken rice or tomato soup, so I ordered
> tomato soup. That tomato soup was like none I have ever eaten before!
> Just that soup is worth going back to the Pop Shop again! It was
> intensely flavored with tomato, very thick, but not too spicy. It was
> almost the consistency of a tomato sauce for spaghetti.
>
> Dinner cost me $15 with the tip and a large refillable soft drink. The
> menu also had lots of platters and other items at much lower prices.
> When I walked up to the counter, a young boy was eating a plate of
> silver dollar pancakes, which I think was around $3 on the menu. Those
> pancakes looked very good. I will definitely go back there for breakfast
> soon to try the pancakes.
>
> I have eaten at several of the restaurants that were featured on Food
> Network shows, but long before they were on TV. The Pop Shop, on the
> other hand, was the first restaurant where I actually decided to eat
> there on the basis of seeing it featured on the Food Network.

I've been to three, all of which were featured on "Diners, Drive-ins,
and Dives" (DD&Ds) by Guy Fieri. The first place we tried was last
summer in Springfield, Illinois called the "Maid-Rite" diner
[http://www.maid-rite.com] that features "loose meat" sandwiches.
Spouse and I were most disappointed with this place. Spouse didn't even
take more than two bites of his 'loose meat' sandwich, made with loose
(unpacked - no patty here) cooked ground/minced hamburger served on
slightly steamed hamburger buns. I finished about half of my sandwich.
Even a sloppy joe would've been better, and it's been a few decades
since either of us eaten one of those.

The second place was "Guy's Gumbo Shack" in Fairhope, Alabama
[http://www.guysgumbo.com] - no relation to Guy Fieri <g>. Thing is,
neither spouse nor I like gumbo (or jambalaya), and that's mostly all
this restaurant. It was a trick to find the restaurant, and when we
visited, there were no diners there at all (hamburgers don't count). We
perused the menu and decided to check out another restaurant (next
paragragh) that we'd seen featured on DD&Ds. I did ask for and was
given a menu to take home with me It's fun to collect menus.

The third place was "Manci's Antique Club" in Daphne, Alabama
[http://www.manci.net]. I cannot begin to count how many times I'd
driven by this place over the decades, and I never even knew it was a
restaurant until I saw in featured on DD&Ds last fall!!!! All these
years I had always thought this place was an antique shop, not a pub
full of antiques! If only I had known - now I feel deprived!!!! It was
by far the best restaurant (well, more like a pub) that I'd visited in a
long time! We went there twice during our visit this past Christmas
holiday. Their kitchen was open until about 9:30pm on Christmas Eve! I
thought I had ordered the fried shrimp po' boy sandwich but it came with
grilled shrimp instead. My fellow diners emphatically told me I did
order the grilled shrimp (oooops!). Had to order just-shucked raw
oysters on the half-shell, too. And that grilled shrimp po' boy was so,
so very good, as were the dozen raw oysters, too The second time we
went, another dozen raw oysters were to be had (can't get those easily
in landlocked, central Illinois) along with a 1/2-pound of fried crab
claws, which cannot be had in landlocked, central illinois with
incurring majorly expensive shipping costs.

It's a lot of fun checking out restaurants featured on FoodTV, most of
the time. I wonder if the number of diners increased at these places
solely due to the TV shows, or perhaps it was the restaurants that
brought the TV shows to them ;> An interesting note, there were
autographed posters of Guy Fieri displayed in prominent areas of
restaurants #2 & #3!

Sky

--
Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice

On Fri, 13 Mar 2009 07:06:47 -0400, Stan Horwitz >
wrote:

Since I don't usually watch any of those 'restaurant review' type
shows I wouldn't know... but I've been known to plan a visit to a
restaurant because I heard good things about it online. Sometimes
that's disappointing... we tried a local bbq place last week that was
supposed to be 'the best' and it was overpriced for what you got and
the bbq didn't taste any better than mine! I don't know if I have
unusually high expectations or just a low budget but I'm often
disappointed in eating out...

"Kajikit" > wrote in message
...
> On Fri, 13 Mar 2009 07:06:47 -0400, Stan Horwitz >
> wrote:
>
> Since I don't usually watch any of those 'restaurant review' type
> shows I wouldn't know... but I've been known to plan a visit to a
> restaurant because I heard good things about it online. Sometimes
> that's disappointing... we tried a local bbq place last week that was
> supposed to be 'the best' and it was overpriced for what you got and
> the bbq didn't taste any better than mine! I don't know if I have
> unusually high expectations or just a low budget but I'm often
> disappointed in eating out...

I'm cautious of recommendation unless I know the person giving the tip.
Some people thing a mediocre chain is great because, compared to their own
cooking, it is. We were at a family & friends picnic last summer.
Conversation came up about a trip to Maine. One of the guests made the
remark that if you're going, I can tell you of a really good Applebee's up
there. Now Applebee's has some OK meals for the price, but I'll be damned if
I'm going to seek one out for a special meal on my vacation.

"Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Kajikit" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Fri, 13 Mar 2009 07:06:47 -0400, Stan Horwitz >
>> wrote:
>>
>> Since I don't usually watch any of those 'restaurant review' type
>> shows I wouldn't know... but I've been known to plan a visit to a
>> restaurant because I heard good things about it online. Sometimes
>> that's disappointing... we tried a local bbq place last week that was
>> supposed to be 'the best' and it was overpriced for what you got and
>> the bbq didn't taste any better than mine! I don't know if I have
>> unusually high expectations or just a low budget but I'm often
>> disappointed in eating out...
>
> I'm cautious of recommendation unless I know the person giving the tip.
> Some people thing a mediocre chain is great because, compared to their own
> cooking, it is. We were at a family & friends picnic last summer.
> Conversation came up about a trip to Maine. One of the guests made the
> remark that if you're going, I can tell you of a really good Applebee's up
> there. Now Applebee's has some OK meals for the price, but I'll be damned
> if I'm going to seek one out for a special meal on my vacation.
>

Hear hear, Ed! When travelling it's more fun, not to mention more
interesting, to seek out local places. Usually more rewarding, too

Jill

"Stan Horwitz" > wrote in message
...
> On Wednesday night, I watched that Throwdown show with Bobby Flay on the
> Food Network. I am not a fan of that show, but I saw the ad for it a few
> minutes before it started and it mentioned a grilled cheese throwdown at
> a place called the Pop Shop, which is in Collingswood, New Jersey. Since
> Collingswood is adjacent to the township where I live.
>
> I never heard of the Pop Shop before, but from what I saw on Bobby
> Flay's show, they feature numerous versions of grilled cheese sandwiches
> on their menu.
>
> Anyway, Bobby Flay won the competition. Yesterday at work, I asked a
> colleague who lives in Collingswood if she knew of the Pop Shop. She
> said it is known for its delicious comfort food and friendly service.
>
> On my way home from work last night, I went to the Pop Shop for dinner.
> I got there around 6:30 and it was packed! Its a big room with a very
> plain decore; just white walls with basic tables and chairs in the
> middle, a kitchen at the far end, and a counter that runs the length of
> the room. Although there was a line of people waiting for tables, I got
> a seat at the counter immediately.
>
> The main menu is printed like a newspaper, although I don't think its
> updated daily. There's also a separate menu for desserts which is heavy
> plastic and several pages long. There main menu has a section with at
> least 20 different variations on grilled cheese sandwiches. The guy who
> sat to my right at the counter ordered the grilled cheese sandwich they
> used to go up against Bobby Flay and he said it was fantastic. He was
> obviously there as a result of seeing the TV show.
>
> Not being a fan of grilled cheese, I ordered the fried shrimp platter. I
> got something like 8 huge shrimp breaded in pancko crumbs, and served
> with a hefty side of freshly cut french fries with the skins on. The
> shrimp were delicious, with just the right texture and not oily at all.
> The french fries were very good, but I have had better. The platter came
> with a cup of soup. They had chicken rice or tomato soup, so I ordered
> tomato soup. That tomato soup was like none I have ever eaten before!
> Just that soup is worth going back to the Pop Shop again! It was
> intensely flavored with tomato, very thick, but not too spicy. It was
> almost the consistency of a tomato sauce for spaghetti.
>
> Dinner cost me $15 with the tip and a large refillable soft drink. The
> menu also had lots of platters and other items at much lower prices.
> When I walked up to the counter, a young boy was eating a plate of
> silver dollar pancakes, which I think was around $3 on the menu. Those
> pancakes looked very good. I will definitely go back there for breakfast
> soon to try the pancakes.
>
> I have eaten at several of the restaurants that were featured on Food
> Network shows, but long before they were on TV. The Pop Shop, on the
> other hand, was the first restaurant where I actually decided to eat
> there on the basis of seeing it featured on the Food Network.


Fog City Diner in SF. Lousy food, terrible wine list, small portions,
ridiculous prices and a rude bartender. Other than that it was great. Oh,
I got a parking ticket, too.

Paul

<Subject: Ever eat at a place you saw on Food Network?>

Yes, I did. I was watching "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" by Guy Fieri and
he talked about a place in downtown Portland that made the best Amaretto
French Toast. I LOVE French Toast and I LOVE Amaretto. I just had a friend
move to Portland and knew I'd visit eventually. She gave me a plane ticket
for my birthday and I visited a lot sooner than I thought.

I had put the address in my PDA for safe keeping. She knew exactly where it
was. I called and asked if their breakfast menu had a time limit. Person
on the phone said no. About 11am we headed over. With the trip and parking
we got there about 11:30am. Yes, you guessed it. I order the Amaretto
French Toast and the waiter politely told me that they don't serve breakfast
after 11am. I was ticked, because I just called a half hour ago and was
told no time limit. Told him I had traveled a long ways for their specialty
and he politely appologized and wouldn't budge. So, we ordered lack luster
sandwiches, but decided to come back the next day for breakfast. I really
didn't want to come back, but my friend, who always runs late felt badly.
She was the reason we didn't get there before 11am that day. She wanted to
bring me back.

The next day, same waiter, I ordered Amaretto French Toast. I was SO
disappointed. Other than a sprinkle of sliced almonds on the top one would
have never known it was Amaretto French Toast. It was good for French
Toast, but nothing special. So, I don't know what they did to make Guy
Fieri's mouth water, but mine didn't.

Lynne

King's Crown wrote:

> The next day, same waiter, I ordered Amaretto French Toast. I was SO
> disappointed. Other than a sprinkle of sliced almonds on the top one would
> have never known it was Amaretto French Toast. It was good for French
> Toast, but nothing special. So, I don't know what they did to make Guy
> Fieri's mouth water, but mine didn't.
>
> Lynne

I imagine having cameras and food commentators ordering food inspires a
little extra effort on the part of the staff, eh?

I'm more a fan of the anonymous review myself.

"Stan Horwitz" > wrote in message
...

<snip>

> I have eaten at several of the restaurants that were featured on Food
> Network shows, but long before they were on TV. The Pop Shop, on the
> other hand, was the first restaurant where I actually decided to eat
> there on the basis of seeing it featured on the Food Network.

Same here - the Food Network seems to be way behind the times. They have
yet to explore many classic places.

Dimitri

Stan Horwitz wrote:
> On Wednesday night, I watched that Throwdown show with Bobby Flay on the
> Food Network. I am not a fan of that show, but I saw the ad for it a few
> minutes before it started and it mentioned a grilled cheese throwdown at
> a place called the Pop Shop, which is in Collingswood, New Jersey. Since
> Collingswood is adjacent to the township where I live.

Only one - the Eveready Diner in Hyde Park, NY, featured on
Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. Guy raved about their home-made
corned beef hash. So that's why I wanted to go there - to try
the hash. Well, I did but it really sucked! Oh, well . . . .

My sister had the 3-Cheese Macaroni (or was it 4-Cheese?) and I
tried a taste of that. It was very good.

Kate

--
Kate Connally
“If I were as old as I feel, I’d be dead already.”
Goldfish: “The wholesome snack that smiles back,
Until you bite their heads off.”
What if the hokey pokey really *is* what it's all about?

Stan Horwitz wrote:
> On Wednesday night, I watched that Throwdown show with Bobby Flay on the
> Food Network. I am not a fan of that show, but I saw the ad for it a few
> minutes before it started and it mentioned a grilled cheese throwdown at
> a place called the Pop Shop, which is in Collingswood, New Jersey. Since
> Collingswood is adjacent to the township where I live.

I have eaten at many places seen on PBS, most of them diners
from Rick Sebak's Pennsylvania Diners and Other Roadside
Restaurants.

Kate

--
Kate Connally
“If I were as old as I feel, I’d be dead already.”
Goldfish: “The wholesome snack that smiles back,
Until you bite their heads off.”
What if the hokey pokey really *is* what it's all about?

Michael "Dog3" wrote:
> The Lady & Sons and
> the Blue Owl restaurants are a couple I've been to.
>
> Michael
>

Ugh. Once at the Lady&Sons was enough for me. ugh ugh ugh.

Michael "Dog3" wrote:
> Goomba > : in

>> Ugh. Once at the Lady&Sons was enough for me. ugh ugh ugh.
>
> Our experience was okay. The staff was really nice. I guess my
> expectations were too high for the food though.
>
> Michael

Yes, the staff were all very nice. Especially her son who comp'd my
meal, LOL. But the food was just plain dreadful and disappointing. I
likened it to expensive cafeteria style food. Far too much celebrity
focus and not enough food focus.

"Goomba" > wrote in message
...
> Michael "Dog3" wrote:
>> Goomba > : in
>
>>> Ugh. Once at the Lady&Sons was enough for me. ugh ugh ugh.
>>
>> Our experience was okay. The staff was really nice. I guess my
>> expectations were too high for the food though.
>>
>> Michael
>
> Yes, the staff were all very nice. Especially her son who comp'd my meal,
> LOL. But the food was just plain dreadful and disappointing. I likened it
> to expensive cafeteria style food.

Hey, that's not fair (you're thinking hospital cafeteria), some cafeteria
food is wonderful... you probably never ate at Dubrow's, Garfield's, or even
Horn & Hardart. Unfortunately they're gone but the food they served rivaled
and surpassed what's served at today's 5 star rip off eateries... those
cafeterias had far superior decor as well, no eatery today comes close.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubrow's_Cafeteria

http://brooklynboard.com/pgal.php?p=6&b=b

http://www.theautomat.net/

brooklyn1 wrote:
> "Goomba" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> Michael "Dog3" wrote:
>>
>>> Goomba > : in
>>>
>>>> Ugh. Once at the Lady&Sons was enough for me. ugh ugh ugh.
>>>>
>>> Our experience was okay. The staff was really nice. I guess my
>>> expectations were too high for the food though.
>>>
>>> Michael
>>>
>> Yes, the staff were all very nice. Especially her son who comp'd my meal,
>> LOL. But the food was just plain dreadful and disappointing. I likened it
>> to expensive cafeteria style food.
>>
>
> Hey, that's not fair (you're thinking hospital cafeteria), some cafeteria
> food is wonderful... you probably never ate at Dubrow's, Garfield's, or even
> Horn & Hardart. Unfortunately they're gone but the food they served rivaled
> and surpassed what's served at today's 5 star rip off eateries... those
> cafeterias had far superior decor as well, no eatery today comes close.
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubrow's_Cafeteria
>
> http://brooklynboard.com/pgal.php?p=6&b=b
>
> http://www.theautomat.net/

My husband says you are nobody, if you have not eaten Horn & Hardart's
macaroni & cheese. Geez, I guess that means I am a nobody. lol I have
never been there, but he loved eating there as a child. Looks
interesting, thanks for the photos.


Becca