Real Philly in West Tennessee...

    


The site of oversized trucks in West Tennessee is quite common as is the site of outrageous decorations on vehicles. (ie. 'R.I.P. Uncle Tricky' and 'My Pomeranian can out think your first grader!' You get the picture!)

However over the last few months, a monstrous red colored truck displaying the signage ‘Greatest Sandwiches on Earth’ has adorned a crowded parking lot on Vann Drive. Drawing more than peering glances from the frothy frappucinos at the nearby Starbucks, this gigantic rolling over-compensation heralded the arrival of a truly unique dining experience.

‘United Steaks of America’ grabs you from the moment you open their front door. Colorful chasing lights and pop art decorate the walls as rock and roll plays on the restaurants loudspeakers. The iconic face of Rocky Balboa can be seen throughout the place as it celebrates the city of brotherly love. For it is from here where their star Philly Cheese Steak comes from.

I know what you’re thinking “I’ve had Philly cheese steak at the 5 dollar foot-long place and I don’t consider a mostly bread little meat sandwich to be anything like a real Philly cheese..”. Served on a glorious buttery golden bun, the Philly cheese steak at United Steaks is made from honest to goodness rib eye steak. 

Chef Armondo brings out a beautifully marbled piece of steak wrapped and stamped by the USDA. Yep, real steak. 

But the Philly doesn’t stop there, loaded with sweet tangy onions and the classic provolone or even hardcore cheez whiz, you can custom build your Philly with green or sweet peppers, mushrooms, chili, tomatoes, bacon lettuce and jalapenos. Maybe Chef Armando will fix you one like he made me similar to the infamous ‘Fat Darrell’ sandwich of New Jersey with fries on it!

Now, steak is not the only boat afloat at United Steaks. Try the ‘Hillbilly Philly’ with smoky grilled pork tenderloin or grilled chicken. Want something really different? Try the Pizza Sub filled with steak, chicken or pork, cheese and pizza sauce and Italian seasonings.

Just to take a moment and pause from this gastronomic conversation and let me tell you about United Steaks drinks and desserts. As if the sandwiches were not unique enough, Chef Armondo brings Jacksonians some hard to find treats as well. Try a Mexican Coca-Cola. (Why a Mexican Coca-Cola? There is a growing trend across the U.S. with foodies seeking the syrupy beverage because of the use of cane sugar instead of the American version made high fructose syrup.) Also try a host of specialty desserts like Mexican 3 milk cake…but enough of this, let’s get back to the sandwiches…

Tired of the same combinations of thin sliced ham or turkey and standardized meal deals? Why not try United Steaks Cuban Sandwich filled with ham, turkey, cheese, pickles and mustard on a fresh buttered bun? Or how about Portuguese Spicy Sausage, a unique sausage covered in marinara sauce, green peppers, onions, mushrooms and provolone cheese?

Maybe you are seeking something a little more ‘primal’? Something to fill that secret ‘Man vs. Food’ fantasy that you keep inside? Behold…the Messy Mondo.

The Messy Mondo is a grand sandwich quite worthy of it’s sloppy name. The Messy Mondo is a sandwich made from fresh ground beef, grilled onions, mushrooms, rich red marinara sauce and Italian seasonings on a toasted long roll. It is served with a fork because it’s just too massive and messy to handle with a normal man’s hands!

United Steaks also features a variety of assorted sandwiches like lamb Gyros, pizza burgers, chicken Parmesan, hoagies, hot dogs and salads. And to our vegan friends out there, yes United Steaks can even satisfy your craving. They have an all veggie Philly and veggie wraps available as well!

The service is friendly, the atmosphere is lively and the food is tasty. Looking for something different in Jackson? Pledge your allegiance to the United Steaks of America….

United Steaks of America

901 Vann Drive

Jackson Tennessee

Tourist Tacos versus Authentic Cuisine

I think I have the formula down:

A=Tortilla
B=Beans
C=Beef or Chicken
D= Cheese

A+B+C+D=  The same dish served in many different combinations. Jumble them together, mix them up, any way you slice it these four ingredients are typically the same combination found in many Americanized Mexican restaurants. Now you can go the route of tourist tacos at your favorite McMexican cafe or you seek out the real deal. If you want authenticity in Jackson Tennessee, you need to go visit Taqueria El Mezcal,

Situated in the Hamilton Hills Shopping Center, El Mezcal Latin Grocery offers goods from a variety of Latin American countries. Looking for a pinata or dried Jalapeno peppers? The Grocery features a number of dried goods, spices and food products. But the focus of this journey is not what's in the front of the grocery but what's in the back of the store.

Walking through El Mezcal the smell of home cooking hits your nose. A little elderly woman with a bundle of fresh onions walks into a small kitchen. The sound of Telemundo Latin television can be heard from a small color television. The backroom of the grocery leads into a full service restaurant. The daily menu is affectionately written on a dry erase board.

The Taqueria features Mexican favorites like Menudo and Shrimp stew.The menu lists such specialties as beef tongue known as 'lengua'. For those who have never had lengua, it is like the most tender pot roast. Served in stews, taco and sandwiches called 'tortas'. It is wonderful. They also feature goat, steak known as 'asada' and one of my favorite's known as Al Pastor. Pastor is pork marinated in fruit juices, chilies and pineapple.  Mexican barbecue known as 'barbacoa' is also a customer favorite.

Mexican traditional dishes like tripe tacos, chorizo Mexican sausage  or pork carnitas are also on the menu. While perusing the menu I found one of my favorite dishes known as 'Mole Poblano. Mole is a sauce made up of several ingredients featuring Chili peppers and chocolate. Their mole poblano is a sweet, smokey dark gravy that is served over chicken.

From the warm fresh tortillas to the rich creamy gravy of the mole, Taqeria El Mezcal  is the real deal. You now have a choice, go to the same four ingredients or try out authentic cuisine...

El Mezcal Grocery and Taqueria
621 Old Hickory Blvd # J1
Jackson, TN 38305-2911
(731) 668-6980

You want sum? Come get Dim Sum!

One of the biggest culinary holes in the Bible Belt has been the absence of authentic Dim Sum. Unless you have traveled outside the area you may think Dim Sum is merely the name of a dumpling found on most Americanized Chinese Buffets. But real Dim Sum is something very different. It is not one particular dish but a celebration of several dishes. If you are looking for an authentic Dim Sum experience, you must check out Asian Palace.

Driving down Summer Avenue in Memphis evokes memories of the still surviving Drive-In theater and the Memphis of the Seventies. Summer has changed a lot and has a new assortment of businesses, people and restaurants. In the end of a busy shopping strip mall, Asian Palace appears very much like many of the cookie-cutter buffet restaurants that can be found slinging msg throughout Memphis. But as you open the front doors, you are met with a grinning face of a gold colored Buddha. An omen of joy that you will soon find behind the doors of Asian Palace.

Every Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. Something extraordinary happens. The streets of Summer Avenue are rolled up and replaced with an authentic Chinatown experience. Waitresses begin rolling out chrome carts filled with boiled, fried and and grilled Chinese delicacies. Patrons can simply point to the items that they would like and the staff serves them fresh.

Let's talk about variety. The Dim Sum menu ranges from very familiar dishes like Spring Rolls and Pot Stickers to the more exotic like Pig Skin and Blood served with chives to Chicken Feet. Each item runs from around two dollars to a little over five dollars depending on the size of the dish. Served this way, you can try a little bit of everything at a very affordable price.

I started out with some very familiar items. Lightly fried golden Hong Kong style Egg Rolls and a Fried Shrimp Ball. The fried shrimp ball is an amazing golden fried plate of deep fried rice noodles wrapped around a buttery battered fried shrimp. Light and crunchy, this dish is delicious.

I then tried my personal favorite Steamed Pork Bun and a the Fried Eggplant stuffed with Shrimp. The fried eggplant is part juicy seasoned eggplant and part golden fried shrimp. The tangy taste of the eggplant is subtle while the sweet fried breading of the shrimp makes a fine compliment to the eggplant.

It is at this point during the meal that I begin to take notice of the 'carnival' type atmosphere around me. Silver carts filled with smoking fresh dishes from the kitchen are being wheeled around tables filled with families and friends. The tinkling of silverware and the silence of chopsticks can be sen and heard at tables throughout the room. The crowd is not overbearing. Many of the patrons are from the Chinese community and have brought elderly men and women with them. This is a good sign. This speaks to the authenticity of the food.

As I am taking it in, a white haired Chinese lady appears beside me seemingly as from out of nowhere. “Try this” she says. She lays a plate on the table in front of me. Amazing colors and smells fill my senses. A waitress leans and tells me “she is the cook!” I smile and thank her.

She tells me that this dish is not on the menu but can be ordered during Dim Sum. Fresh Clams and Black Bean Sauce covered in fresh chives. The owner tells me that the clams are cooked freshly shipped in from Seattle. When he said fresh he was not kidding! The clams were so tender and juicy and did not taste fishy. The sauce is a dark savory gravy that is salty and earthy. Breaking the clam meat from it's shell, I dip it into the sauce. And what...I have a steamed pork bun that I can drag through the remaining gravy....Oh heavens....

Asian Palace has been serving authentic Cantonese dishes since 1988 and has existed in several locations throughout Memphis. Today, the restaurant has made it's home on Summer Avenue since 2010. The owner is Mister Mike Woo who heads a tight-nit crew of cooks and servers. The head chef is Lisa Chen. Lisa cooks Cantonese, Taiwanese and Szechuan dishes.

One of the very cool aspects of Asian Place is there ability to serve fresh seafood. There are numerous aquariums filled with gigantic specimens of crab and lobster. Chef Lisa can take a King Crab and drop it into one of her sizzling woks filled with Szechuan chilies and fresh vegetables.

They also serve specialties such as Peking Duck, Chinese Barbecue Pork, Shark's Fin Soup and Duck Broth Soup.

I have experienced some tremendous Chinese food in three separate Chinatowns of New York, D.C. And San Francisco. Asian Palace offers some of the most delicious, most authentic Chinese food I have had outside of Chinatown. You must do yourself a favor and take a Saturday or Sunday and drove over to Summer Avenue to experience Asian Palace.

Asian Palace is located at 5266 Summer Avenue in the Perimeter Shopping Center.

A Recipe for Deer Hunters and Asian Food fans...

I don’t consider myself much of a ‘hunter’.  Growing up in West Tennessee, I have many friends who hunt and are quite good at it. In fact, when I walk into their homes it sort of looks like a wild game safari lodge with busts of deer heads, robust turkeys and flying ducks all mounted on their walls. My earliest memories of hunting are filled with traumatic memories of dislocated shoulders from the ‘kick’ of a shotgun, aching feet from long hikes and 'shushes' from others in the duck blind.

So while my hunting skills are quite ‘lacking’, I have plenty of friends who enjoy the outdoors and the sport itself. Some of these friends have been known to bring me specimens of game that they have tracked down in the wild. I have had the opportunity to receive wonderful treats like duck breast and venison from friends who hunt regularly. So while I can’t offer them an exchange of wild game, I can offer this recipe.

‘Vietnamese noodles with Grilled Lemongrass Venison' or ‘Bun Thit Nai Nuong Xa’  

For those not familiar with Vietnamese food, Vietnamese cuisine is marked by a number of distinct characteristics. First it is typically served with fresh ingredients. Vegetables are cooked briefly to keep their freshness and color. Secondly, Vietnamese food typically includes fresh herbs and vegetables. Lastly, most Vietnamese dishes will contain the five elements of spicy, sour, bitter, salty and sweet. Vietnamese food is also said to appeal to ‘five’ senses. The first is the arrangement of the food that attracts the eyes. Second is the ‘sound’ of the 'crunch' of fresh ingredients attract the ears. Third is ‘spice’ that attracts the tongue. Fourth is the ‘aromatic’ smell that attracts the nose and lastly, some elements become ‘finger food' that is perceived by touching. 

Vietnamese food is complex but is made with simple natural ingredients. For this recipe we can start out about a pound and a half of venison or beef, thinly sliced.

Next we will create a marinade. Combine a tsp of salt, 1 tablespoon of Fish Sauce (available in most Asian markets), 2 tsp of sugar, 1 tsp of black pepper, 1 stalk of freshly chopped lemongrass, and 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds. Combine these elements and pour them over the venison.  Allow to marinate at least one hour. (Longer for a stronger taste)

Next we want to saute the meat. To sauté the meat, place a tablespoon of butter (or butter ghee if available) in a cast iron skillet. Place your venison in the skillet and allow it to cook to your desired color. 

 

 

Boil a 16 oz. package of vermicelli noodles and drain them.

 

 

Place the meat over the noodles and top with shredded carrots, bean sprouts and fresh mint.

The finished product...

 

It's smoky, sweet, sour, spicy and crunchy. You can serve it over cold noodles or even rice if you prefer. Just one more way that you can taste the world around you.

Suka Pinakurat was her name...

My wife has the patience of Job. She can still remember the first time I asked her to eat something 'different'. It was a Chinese dish served at a little Asian hole in the wall in Memphis. As she raised the fork to her mouth she looked at me with trusting eyes. " I better not die from eating this" I telepathically heard her say. Over 13 years later she still is trusting with her palate. So for this reason she was not surprised when I brought home a new sauce.

I'm a sauce fiend of sorts. At any given time if the 'Let's Make a Deal' guy asked if anyone had Thai fish sauce, Chinese oyster sauce or West Indian dipping sauce in their fridge, we could win some major moolah. Seriously. our fridge looks like the United Nations of condiments. There are sauces, spices and herbs from ten different countries in it right now. And as a sauce fiend I feel it is my job to enhance our culinary experiences on a regular basis with tastes from different regions.

I recently discovered a new addition to the fold of sauces I had to add to our personal collection. Now this came on the heels of bringing home a small can of African 'Harissa' sauce. Harissa is a chili sauce made from bird's eye chili peppers, serrano peppers, garlic and olive oil. For those who like the burn, Harissa is a wonderful addition to your meal. It does have a great taste but will blaze a trail through your intestinal tract if you are not ready for it.

Enter Suka. I discovered Suka Pinakurat at one my favorite Asian grocers in Memphis. Suka Pinakurat is a sauce made from fermented coconut sap, vinegar and chillies. It is a product of the Philippines and is used primarily as a dipping sauce for pork, chicken and fish.

The sauce reminds me of a smooth, sweet and spicy 'mopping' sauce typically used in cooking barbecue pork. But the flavor of the coconut makes it a unique taste you can't find anywhere else. I think my Siracha knows there's competition in town. I put this on everything. Tenderloin, grilled chicken, grilled salmon. You name it! I can't get enough of it! Thank goodness the nearest bottle when I finish this one is seventy miles away.

For those who have never experienced Suka Pinakurat, let me introduce you... Somewhat like a Christopher Guest movie, it is a little quirky, has a 'cult' following and is always enjoyable. If you have never tried Suka Pinakurat, you have to find this sauce. It is a taste truly like no other.



 

A Taste of the Pacific: Filipino Food in the Mid South

I have had the privilege of trying a number of different ethnic cuisines from around the globe but I had never had the opportunity to try Filipino cuisine...that is until now. My palate had been primed from a friend who had invited us to a Filipino Christmas gathering where many of the more popular Filipino dishes were being served. It was to be here where I would finally get a chance to taste the sacred dish known as 'Lechon'.

Lechon is a Filipino roasted suckling pig. The pig is roasted for hours over a fire until the skin is golden crispy. I have wanted to try this dish for years and unfortunately missed the Christmas party where said 'pig' was being served.

But this past weekend we found ourselves in Memphis, home of VGM Foods and Deli. VGM is a Filipino owned supermarket and restaurant and home to some of the best homemade Asian cooking I have ever tasted.

As you enter VGM the smell of food hits your senses. The walls are covered in ads and shelves stocked full of Filipino food items and groceries.

There are a number of authentic dishes to choose from. We ordered a few samples of different dishes so that we could try a little bit of all of them. We ordered a plate of Lechon, their version of the pig but this time the pig was roasted then deep fried. The meat tasted like a piece of buttery roasted bacon. Pork heaven!

The next dish was 'Lumpia', a Filipino version of the eggroll. These crispy pastries are filled with chicken, pork, fresh garlic, crushed peanuts and vegetables. Warm and flaky, these golden treats are best dipped in sweet chili sauce.

We then sampled the barbecue pork kabobs. These are traditionally sold on street carts in the Philippines.  The pork is marinated in seasoning and sauces and is grilled over a charcoal grill. The result is a sweet and smoky lollipop of pork goodness.

Amber tried a plate of the Pork Adobo. Adobo is a Filipino dish consisting of pork or chicken marinated in vinegar and garlic and then browned in a stew of pineapples, black pepper, onions and soy sauce.

These dishes included steamed white rice or stir fried pan noodles cooked with vegetables. Some of the other dishes that VGM offer includes Filipino sausage known as 'Longganisa', 'Kare Kare' which is oxtails marinated in a peanut sauce, 'Pata' which is deep fried pig's leg and 'Pancit' a dish of stir fried vegetables and noodles.

VGM also serves wonderful desserts. We tried some gluttonous rice pudding (which tasted like bread pudding) and avocado ice cream. (Sounds strange but is really good!)


VGM is located right off the interstate in Memphis. If you've never tried Filipino cuisine, you owe it to yourself to try it. It is simply amazing...

VGM
6159-1 Macon Road
Memphis TN 38314

Sweet CeCe's! SAH-WEET!

Answer to a question no one asked: I love ice cream.  It's a fact, that I would choose ice cream over any other food. That doesn't mean I don't love other foods too, I am just saying ice cream is my favorite. If I was given the choice between an eight ounce fillet mignon cooked over open flame to a perfect medium rare OR a pint of ice cream? I choose ice cream. Every. Single. Time.  The only problem I have with ice cream is while on a quest for a healthier, longer living, less heart diseased version of myself-I am forced to dig deep and exhort massive amounts of self control. Leaving me to limit my intake of said goodness to the occasional scoop or two.  So yea, the problem with "my perfect food" is that well...I can't really enjoy it as often as I would like.  Enter the super hero! The knight in shining armor! The Clark Kent to my Lois Lane.....Enter...Da-Ta-dadaaaaaaaa.......SWEET CECE's

It's not ice cream folks, nor does it pretend to be.  Sweet CeCe's is in fact LOW-FAT frozen yogurt.  I know what you are thinking..."I've had fro-yo before, it's no ice cream." Okay, I'll respect your jaded opinion of my new obsession.  To each his own right?  (I'm sure I lost some of you at "steak medium rare").  But trust me, while it may not be ice cream, Sweet CeCe's aint your mamma's frozen yogurt. (Did your mom eat frozen yogurt?)


Sweet CeCe's Jackson opened one week ago tomorrow. And I made it my personal goal to eat there every day their first week.  Mission accomplished!  I attended the free view night last Tuesday night.  People lined up around the building to try a FREE sample of their treats.  I will pause to admit I did not stand in said line (Thanks again for sharing with me Nat!) Two things stand out about the first experience at Sweet CeCe's Jackson (I have visited multiple locations) 1. Even amidst the crowd and the chaos-the owner, Kathy and Sweet CeCe herself, Shoppe manager, Wendi and staff  all seem to be having a great time. They were kind and well...yea, sweet! 2. They generously gave out basically "all you can fit in your bowl" samples and not just a little half cup servings of one flavor.  It seems like to me, they really wanted everyone who came out for their pre-opening to have the actual Sweet CeCe's experience. 

Sweet CeCe's isn't just run in and order some ice cream, oh- no- it's way more fun that that.  You choose from 6 or 8 flavors, or....you don't have to choose, you can get a little of all the flavors if that's what you like. But frozen yogurt is just the beginning....Behold! The Wall O' toppings! 

And wait- there is more....look at the beautiful fruit! 

The choices are entirely up the individual- the options for combinations are limitless.  The experience is yours to create! 

Keeping in mind that I am above all else a "purest" when it comes to ice cream and sweet frozen goodness so I don't really like to add any of those beautiful toppings. Thus, my average "splurge" at Sweet CeCe's costs me just over $3.00 and 220-280 calories. (totally financially affordable AND nutritionally) But don't let my personal choice discourage you from adding candy and cookies and nuts and fruit till your little 5 year old's heart is content.  No matter what your preference-from the tree hugging-granola eating health nut (i love you by the way) to the super-indulgent-throw caution to the wind-you only live once chocoholic- Sweet CeCe's can meet you where you are and does not disappoint. 

Sweet things to know:  Sweet CeCe's Jackson is located in The Columns at 1142 Vann Drive
                                    Hours are:  Monday-Thursday 11:00 AM- 9:00 PM
                                                      Saturday 11:00 AM-11:00 PM
                                                       Sunday 12:00 noon-9:00 PM



                                     They have a "Punch Card" after 9 punches- your 10th treat is FREE!
                                      Tuesdays are "Two Punch Tuesdays"  SWEET!
                                      You serve yourself and pay by the ounce. (currently .49) TOTALLY worth it!
                                      Wendi Allen is the manager and She is also super sweet!
                                       Like them on Facebook


And boy are we glad!

Sweet CeCe's Jackson, from your beautifully painted "rainbow sorbet" colored walls, to your almost impossible to describe "Original Tart" frozen yogurt and the fact that I get two punches for every yogurt I buy on Tuesdays, I adore you! See ya tomorrow!