2017 Asheville Food Truck Showdown

The 2017 Asheville Food Truck Showdown provided good entertainment and great food. 17 food trucks participated in this year's event at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher, NC.

Getting our stink on at the Waynesville Ramp Festival

Ah, the Ramp. The Hillbilly Bouquet of Love.  A stinky little wild onion that tastes like a cross between an onion and a garlic clove. We have been warned that if you eat too many you will stink for at least three days! We set out for the American Legion Post 47 in Waynesville, NC for the 84th Annual Ramp Festival. This small town in Appalachian country is a perfect host for such a festival.

Getting Cheesy at the Carolina Mountain Cheese Fest

I am not sure about you but I love me some good cheese.We decided to check out the Carolina Mountain Cheese Fest this year which was held at Highland Brewing in Asheville, NC.   The festival is held to benefit the WNC Cheese Trail and to promote the artisan cheese industry in WNC. Over 30 vendors, more than half of them being cheese makers, were on hand this year and most of them provided samples. Yum!

Grabbing Lunch at the Reading Terminal Market

Located just across the street from the Philadelphia Convention Center is one of the best places to get lunch or pick-up some munchies for a road trip. The Reading Terminal Market has been open since 1892 and is now owned by the Convention Center. There is a large variety of vendors who sell at the market. If you have the patience to stand in the large lines you can get a cheesesteak from Carmen’s Famous Italian Hoagies & Cheesesteaks or maybe a hand-carved pastrami sandwich from Hershel’s East Side Deli. Don't like the lines? Sneak to the back of the market to have yourself the best grilled cheese sandwich in the state at Valley Shepherd Creamery & Meltkraft Grilled Cheese. Make sure you try it fried in duck fat!  Yum.

Spending Wiener Wednesday with the Top Dog Truck

If there is one food that the guys from Bubba’s Garage and I love it’s hotdogs. Most Wednesdays you can find me in front of the big orange truck known as the Top Dog Truck. This food truck serves up some of the best gourmet hotdogs in the Tysons Corner and Reston, VA area. You can check out their Twitter feed for their daily locations. While their regular dogs are great (try the bacon wrapped Sonoran Dog) I tend to go for the wacky dog of the week creations Dave the Top Dog chef whips up. Some of the goodness from the dog of the week have included a Seattle dog (Cream Cheese, grilled cabbage and onions, finished with BBQ sauce) and the Sweet Pea dog (Raspberry chipotle sauce, provolone cheese, and pea crisps). They may sound weird but they work. Try it, you’ll like it!  Don’t forget to pick up a Top Dog card. Buy 10 dogs and get your next one free!

South Mountain Creamery Visits Bubba’s Garage

There is nothing like fresh milk delivered right to your doorstep. When we discovered South Mountain Creamery in Middleton, MD would deliver to Bubba’s Garage we immediately called to be added to their route. South Mountain Creamery began making milk deliveries in 2001 and have expanded to include a variety of local items including beef, pork, chicken, cheese, goat, and bread.

Black Dog Coffee – Best Coffee from the Panhandle of WV

The Black Dog Coffee Company now has a retail shop located just off Rt. 9 in Shenandoah Junction, WV. We have known Brian Bircher, the owner of Black Dog Coffee, for many years and we were happy to join his crew and him to celebrate their official Grand Opening on Saturday. Brian is one of the hardest working people we have had the pleasure of knowing. The joint was definitely jumping when we stopped by.

Zingerman’s Bacon of the Month Club

Travolta said it best, “Bacon tastes good!” There is no better gift than to get a subscription to Bacon of the Month club by Zingerman’s. We received our first installment and instantly commenced to frying it up in a pan. Once a month Zingerman’s will send you around a pound of a different artisan bacon. Your bacon is accompanied by  recipes, a history of the bacon, a great little binder, and even a pig magnet. We were more than happy after chowing down on a pan full of Applewood Smoked Bacon. It’s not cheap but Bubba’s Garage definitely endorses this product!

Road Trip – Lititz, PA and Wilbur Chocolate

When driving through Lancaster County looking for something to do, we often take a side trip to the little town of Lititz, PA. This charming town is located a few miles north of Rt. 30 on Rt. 501. Traffic can be a little heavy so take your time and smell the flowers.

There are a number of great shops and places to eat in Lititz but what we normally go for is a chance to visit Wilbur Chocolate. The company started back in 1884 under the name of “H. O. Wilbur & Sons” in Philadelphia, PA. The company’s current name, “Wilbur Chocolate Company”, was adopted back in 1958. While you can’t actually tour the chocolate factory, you can visit the candy store and see the Candy Americana Museum. The small museum houses over 1000 varieties of molds, tins, and boxes and admission is free. There is also a candy kitchen were you can watch handmade candies being crafted. The candy store is located directly below the candy factory so the smells are awesome!

Wilton, Iowa - Small Town USA

Bubba sitting at the counter in the Wilton Candy Kitchen

The Wilton Candy Kitchen

A great little out of the way train station in Wilton, IA

The Wilton train station

If you are ever near Wilton, Iowa you should stop by the Wilton Candy Kitchen at 310 Cedar Street.  The original building was built back in 1856. In 1909 the Gus Nopoulos opened the current soda fountain and candy store there. When you walk through the front door you are transported to a different time. The music playing is of the big band era and more than likely George Nopoulos,the current owner, will be singing along. George makes his own ice cream three times a week and it is very good. Don't forget to sign the guest book.  Just around the corner is a neat little train station which is a great place to snap a few photos.

If I knew you were coming

In honor of Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras, we baked a King Cake. Yum!