Dewey's Bakery: Anniversary Cake

My husband and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary yesterday. We married in an old Victorian house on 9th Avenue in Pensacola, FL just five days after he proposed. Needing a witness, Joe's grandfather stepped in as Maid of Honor and Best Man. We were young and excited to start a life together. Our families in North Carolina sent champagne and a box filled with something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a special penny for my shoe. It was a glorious November day in Pensacola, much like it was in Winston-Salem yesterday, with clear skies, and temperatures in the mid 60s. We went to the beach, enjoyed lunch and dinner at favorite restaurants, and spent the night at a local B&B as a gift from our families. It was the perfect, no-stress wedding day that we both remember fondly.

The one thing that was missing, however, was a wedding cake made by Dewey's Bakery. So many birthdays and celebrations in both of our lives included a Dewey's cake with white cake and white icing. There were local bakeries in the area, but none that could capture the flavor and the happy memories that Dewey's can with a simple cake and frosting. So this year, and every year since we have returned to Winston-Salem, we have celebrated with a Dewey's Anniversary cake. Thank you, Dewey's for being a part of our happy memories for so many years and the years to come.

Old Fourth Street Filling Station: Grilled Salmon Salad

Today was one of those rare November days where the temperature was 63 degree and the sun was shining. We opted for a place where we could enjoy this beautiful weather and enjoy lunch on a patio. The Old Fourth Street Filling Station has an award winning patio (Smitty's Notes Best of Winston-Salem), so it seemed like the best location for our party of nine.

Trying to eat healthier, (seriously, you guys have seen what I have eaten in the last 5 months) I decided to try the Grilled Salmon Salad. This a fabulous combination of sweet and savory, and it is a great portion for a lighter-fare lunch. Mixed greens, grilled salmon, goat cheese, purple onions and candied pecans. I highly recommend the balasmic vinegrette for this salad because the tangy/smokey/sweet is a perfect compliment to the salmon and does not overwhelm the lighter mixed greens. The two items that make this salad so special is the goat cheese and the candied pecans. I could have eaten just these two items and I would have been satisfied. The goat cheese was fresh and creamy, while the pecans added a sweet crunch. Finally, to give it a little extra somethin-somethin, they give you a muffin made of lemony-poppyseed goodness. This may be my new favorite item at the Filling Station. Simple and delightful.

There were several large parties on the patio today, but the service was on top of things and our large party was able to get in and out in about an hour and fifteen minutes. Enjoying the beautiful weather, I secretly wished that it had taken twice as long. :)

Rose's Deli - #8 Club Spinach Wrap

The second dish in my workweek rotation is the club wrap from Rose’s Deli. If you find yourself resistant to trying a restaurant that shares the same building as a gas station, fear not, it’s actually a really cool place with decent indoor seating and a spacious patio with heating for the winter. They have a friendly staff that knows how to move a line through, so grab a menu on your way in. All of the ingredients are fresh and I haven’t tried anything that I did not like there, however, I have settled on the #8 club sub (on a spinach wrap instead), fries and a drink.

The wrap has fresh ham, turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, and two cheeses. I don’t know how they cram all of this into a wrap, but it’s a generously portioned meal. I’m also not much of a fry person, but these fries are like crack cocaine deep-fried to crispy golden perfection. (*Disclaimer: I have never tried crack cocaine nor do I think you can actually deep-fry it. I may be wrong.)

All in all, it’s a great casual place to stop in for a quick FRESH meal that won’t break the bank.

They also have a few beers on tap and I imagine this becomes a chill evening hangout for Wake students, though I’ve never ventured back to this side of town for supper or a beer. Rose’s Deli is located on the corner of University Parkway and Bethabara Park Blvd.

Big Shotz Tavern: Fish Tacos

I went to Big Shotz Tavern on Stratford Road for lunch* today and they have such a diverse menu in food and price point, it is easy to find something for everyone. I ordered the Fish Tacos, three soft flour tacos filled with grilled tilapia, fresh pineapple salsa, and Asian slaw. The ingredients were fresh and delicious. The pineapple salsa and Asian slaw are what makes this dish so unique from others I have tried. The flavors are sweet and the crunch from the Asian slaw gives the tacos a really nice texture. Three tacos is the perfect amount and the side of fresh fruit allowed me to be satisfied without feeling stuffed. Service was fast, in and out in less than an hour, which is important to those of us who have a tight lunch schedule.

Big Shotz has two locations:

Big Shotz Tavern - Clemmons Location
1480 River Ridge Drive, Clemmons

Big Shotz Tavern - Winston-Salem Location
109 South Stratford Road, Winston-Salem

*The lunch that I attended was a Lunch & Learn hosted by Professional Women of Winston-Salem. Lunch & Learns are a great way to learn about a topic of interest, while getting out of your dining comfort zone and trying someplace new. While I enjoyed my fish tacos, I learned about effective blogging tips from Sara Wilson, editor, skirt! Winston-Salem.

Washington Perk and Provision Co

O and I wanted to grab a quick bite and we kept meaning to check out our own little neighborhood store so we combined the two. We wandered the aisles to see what all we could buy to support our local spot and then we headed over to the counter to order dinner.

They have some great wines and beers to grab if you want to swing by and pick up something to go with dinner. They offer some great coffee selections to go or to enjoy there. They also support some local farms and have fresh, local veggies, eggs, milk, etc. I for one took home some ice-cream from Homeland Creamery.

We both ordered sandwiches. I ordered a basic grilled cheese and O ordered the ham sandwich. I also grabbed a bag of chips, which I begrudgingly shared with O. We both picked up bottles of yumminess from the cooler and then (after paying) headed outside to eat. I noticed on the way out that they offer a book exchange if you need to pick up (or drop off) some reading material.

The sandwiches were good. O picked up a Chai Cola, which reminded him of a drink he used to have as a child and I enjoyed a root beer - because really who doesn't enjoy a root beer - and we watched the traffic drive by as we ate.

Stop by and grab some groceries or a sandwich to go, or both. :)

Screaming Rooster: A Whole Lotta Fresh and Local Goodness

I have to admit, at times I take pictures of the food and then I get behind. I have eaten at the Screaming Rooster three times in the last two weeks, so I am doing a cumulative post. One of the things that I like about the Screaming Rooster is how fresh the food is every time I visit. When I go to a restaurant, I like to try a variety of things, but often I get "repeat" items to test for consistency.

The Rooster is consistent and the flavors are good. The menu has staples that many people like, but gets very creative with the specials that they offer- often based on ingredients that have been purchased at one of the local Farmer's Markets earlier in the week. As a result, there is a nice variety with a local and fresh combination. The Rooster is open for breakfast and lunch only, but they are open and have a special menu for brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Below are some of the items that my dining companions and I have enjoyed.

Scrambled eggs, bacon, hashbrowns,
fruit and sourdough toast

Cranberry and Pecan Pancakes
with fruit & a side of scrambled eggs

Chicken and Waffles, fresh fruit, and Cheese Grits
(Brunch Special)

Bacon & Tomato Quiche, fresh fruit,
and apple cinnamon muffin

Lunch items



Tomato and Squash Quiche
with bluberry muffin
and fruit 



Chicken Salad with Walnuts,
served with a side salad and fruit



Breakfast of Course: Pear Streusel Coffee Cake

Pear Streusel Coffee Cake

While browsing updates on Facebook yesterday, I see a posting from Breakfast of Course, Mary's Too. I am usually a savory breakfast girl- bacon and eggs in some shape or form is what I usually go for- but I started planning my breakfast for the following day about 20 hours in advance after seeing the FB post for the Pear Streusel Coffee Cake. This is no ordinary coffee cake, it is made with pears from Walter Farm, from a tree that is over 100 years old. When you eat this coffee cake, you may be happy the it is all organic and whole grain, but there is the bonus of eating the fruit from a tree that has seen decades of sunshine. How can you top decades of sunshine? (Evidently with butter, sugar and cinnamon.) Nature never tasted so good.

Here is my personal slice, consumed with a cup of hot coffee. (Hot husband not pictured, but also made the dining experience a treat.) We arrived at 7:15am to assure that I would not miss out on such deliciousness. It was a wonderful way to start the day.

You can get your own updates of deliciousness from the BOC Facebook Page.  Local Dish is not responsible for cravings that this may create.

West End Cafe: Gumbo, Burrito, and Dessert-o

One of the things that I love about the West End Cafe is that they always have wonderful daily specials on their chalboards. There are always 3-4 desserts and a couple of soups to choose from each day. As we move into the cooler weather, our bodies start to crave the warmer, comfort foods. West End Cafe is sure to please.

I love a good soup and the sausage gumbo on the chalkboard was the perfect choice. This is a hearty soup with just the right amount of spicy kick, including celery, tomatoes, carrots, rice, and slices of a Kielbasa-type sausage. A cup was sufficient for dinner because this is a substantial soup. It was absolutely devine.

One of Joe's favorite meals at West End is the black bean burrito. It is a giant burrito, taking up most of the plate, filled with rice, black beans, and topped with green chili queso and pico di gallo. Great for vegetarians who are tired of the same old food. The ingredients are fresh which really makes a difference in the flavor and texture of the food. West End does this dish really well, and would be a great meal to split if you were trying to save room for one of their homemade desserts.

Ahh, dessert. This evening Joe and I split the Chocolate Praline Layer Cake, which is made by a local baker. Chocolate cake, whipped-creamish buttercream frosting with a hint of praline, and then more pralines in between layers. You would think that this would be super sweet, but surprisingly it was really well balanced. A moist cake with a bit of crunch, this is one of my new favorite desserts at West End Cafe.

The Screaming Rooster

We decided to try the Screaming Rooster for brunch on Saturday, a new place in the former location of Mary's, Of Course. When I visited their website I became quite excited about their use of local ingredients and commitment to seasonal flavors. Upon entry, we were met with a very pleasant and quaint atmosphere and friendly staff. The decor in the bright and airy dining room was reminescent of a well-appointed B&B or a cozy cafe. There are  fresh flowers at every table and a specials board that looked delicious. What else do you need?

Well, my brunch companion needed coffee and that quickly arrived. After the initial drink orders, we perused the menu for awhile and I was stuck between the French toast with marscapone cream and berries OR the Mushroom and Asparagus Quiche. I went with the quiche and it was a great choice. Served with a rasberry muffin on the side, the dish was also accompanied by a gorgeous fruit garnish with strawberries, orange, watermelon, plum, and raspberries.

(I took a bite as soon as I got my food before remembering to take a picture!)

My favorite brunch companion ordered "the Morning After" breakfast which included scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes (which were GREAT) , thick cut bacon, and thick-sliced toast. He was especially impressed with the toast- all the bread at the restaurant is provided by the local Three Sisters Bakery and this bread was GREAT- thick cut, poppyseed farmer's bread served with whatever type of jelly/jam you might like.

After we paid our bill (delicious brunch for 2 for less than $20!), the restuarant started filling up fast as the noon crowd moved in. I was pleased to see that business is going well! On the way out, I couldn't resist snapping a picture of these macaroons displayed at the register. Can you say beautiful?

Visit the Screaming Rooster's website at http://wsrooster.com/ for their ever-changing menu and more information.

Putter's Patio Bar and Grill

As a new contributor to the blog, I figured I should pay homage to the places and dishes I frequent most. Thus begins part 1 of the 5 restaurants in my workweek rotation: Putter’s Patio and Grill. As with the others in my short-but-sweet list of restaurants that no longer require any verbal exchange to produce “my usual”, I’ve tried quite a bit from the menu and finally settled on 1 favorite dish, in this case – the Steak and Cheese Sub with Soft Chips and Ranch, coupled with a sweet tea. Since I have been eating this sandwich for the last…oh, 6 years, I have to rave about their consistency – both in food and service. It always takes the same amount of time to complete a meal there, and it is always prepared the same. Staff is always friendly, prompt, and even the owner, Bill, is often there to greet or check in mid-meal. It’s a wonderful 30-40 minute lunch you can enjoy in front of a big screen TV (always on ESPN), or reading the WS Journal (several copies always laying around).

You will certainly enjoy this 8” sub, stuffed…no…overflowing with tender steak and melted cheese, with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise. The soft chips have a tendency to get greasy, so if that’s not your bag, I’d get the hard chips. Another tip I can share, is to make sure to get a knife to push the contents down into the sub before eating it…otherwise it will be all over your plate and not in your mouth. If you’re not into the sandwhich thing, they also have an excellent lunch rib eye at an excellent lunch price.

Putter's is located at the corner of University Pkwy and Deacon Blvd (behind IHOP)

Cake and All Things Yummy: White Chocolate Almond Cupcake

I had some shopping to do in Kernersville this weekend and passed an adorable storefront at the corner of N. Main Street and W. Mountain Street. The pink and brown awning caught my eye and when I saw the cakes in the window, I parked the car asap.

The bakery has a variety of  large cupcakes (about 50% larger than your traditional cupcake), mini cupcakes, cookies, and a variety of chocolates and truffles. They are also know for the specialty cakes and there were a few people there picking up their cake orders.

Like many other Americans, I have a  slight obsession with cupcakes. I would love to have my own shop one day but for now, I will enjoy the inspiration of others. There were several flavors to choose from and I chose the white chocolate almond cupcake with buttercream icing. The cake was dense, like a poundcake, and had a wonderful white chocolate flavor with a hint of almond. These are two ofmy favorite flavors and had never seen them in a cupcake. The buttercream icing was sweet and delicious, but not overpowering to take any of the limelight away from the cupcake itself.

If you find yourself in downtown Kernersville (or if you want to make a special trip for someamazing dessert), please stop in and try one of these delicious confections.

Cake and All Things Yummy can be found at 108 N Main St, Kernersville, NC

Bahn Mi Saigon Sandwiches and Bakery

Ever since watching the great food truck race I have been craving a bahn mi sandwich, which I haven't had since I moved here from LA 5 years ago. Since this is not something one can find in Winston, I knew that I would have to look in Greensboro which has a much larger Asian population and greater variety of Asian food options, including a number of Vietnamese restaurants and shops. I had to make a run over there to drop of some dive gear for servicing, so I decided to go in search of a bahn mi for lunch.

I ended up at Bahn Mi Saigon Sandwiches and Bakery on High Point Rd. It is an easy place to miss, located in a run down, ugly strip mall, and the interior atmosphere isn't much better. But the sandwiches are good (and cheap - sandwich+ bottle of water for $4.50) I opted for the roasted pork, which was on the specials board and it seemed to have a hint of some type of curry. It is served on a house baked baguette. As I was telling Susan Morris in the morning, the Bahn Mi is all about the toppings and this one came with a healthy dose of cilantro, onions, carrots, daikons, jalapenos, and cucumber, plus the special mayo and soy sauce, all of which adds lots of crunch and wonderful texture and flavors. I typically go for a chicken bahn mi, so I will have to go back to try that one (there are about 6-7 different sandwiches on the menu, plus specials) and I would love to hear recommendations of other places to try for bahn mi.

-Contributed by Tari H.

Midtown Cafe & Dessertery: Breakfast for Dinner

Midtown Cafe Dessertery is a good destination for breakfast at night.

When Fall begins and the weather is cool and rainy we like eggs, bacon or sausage, pancakes with warm maple syrup, and hashbrowns or grits. Sadly Midtown stops serving grits at noon. That's my only gentle reminder for the owners. It's a Southern thing ya'll.

-Contributed by Doug G.

River Birch Lodge: Lunch on a Time Crunch

I was on my own for lunch today. The weather inspired soup so I tried to think of a place that I had not been to in a while, but I knew had good soups on the menu. Today’s lunch destination was River Birch Lodge. I work on the eastern edge of downtown, so the risk of getting to and from River Birch (halfway across town) and eating originally gave me some concern, but I had a few minutes to play with today so I risked it. I left the office at 12:05. When I got to the parking lot at 12:15, my apprehension continued because there was not a parking space to be found. Because River Birch is in a shopping center, I was able to find parking easily behind the restaurant. By doing so, I noticed they have a patio! Not really a patio day but I will keep that in the back of my mind. Inside, the place was packed. (Evidently, just because I don’t come here often on a Wednesday during lunch, it doesn’t mean that everyone else doesn’t.)

I told the hostess that I was alone and I requested to sit at the bar. The bar area has a long bar and several tables as well. The bartender, Paul, was waiting on two six-tops (tables of six) and another table of two. The bar itself was all mine so I took a seat and waited less than a minute for Paul to take my order. Let me tell you, this guy can multitask! He asked if I would like some bread while I waited and even though I didn’t need it, I said yes. The bread was warm and the butter was soft. We are off to a great start.

12:20: I ordered the soup and ½ sandwich. I decided to try the soup of the day, a vegetarian black bean chili with their homemade chicken salad sandwich. The meal also comes with a side and I had the fresh fruit. I spent some time checking e-mail on my phone, watching ESPN on one of their two TVs in the bar, and watching Paul buzz about the bar area filling drinks, boxing food to go, and making drink orders for the wait staff. It was quite impressive. After running some food to one of the bar tables, Travis -the Executive Chef, stopped by the bar to ask how I was doing. Travis did not know who I was, so I found this to be just another area where the service at River Birch excels.

12:34: My food arrives and it is delicious! The black bean vegetarian chili was fantastic. It was loaded with fresh vegetables and tons of black beans. The soup was exactly what I wanted when I started my quest for soup. The chicken salad is made with oven roasted sage-pesto chicken and served on wheat bread with lettuce and tomato. This is a hearty sandwich, not to mayonaisey and great roasted flavor from the chicken. The fruit was a great medley for this time of year- including melons, blackberries, strawberries and fresh pineapple.

12:55: I ask for my check as I finish up the last of my meal. Paul asks me if I would like an iced tea to go and I accept. He makes me a fresh iced tea and left the lid slightly ajar so that I can add my yellow sweetener before I head on my way. It was that little extra something that made my experience that much more memorable.

1:06: Back in the office, enjoying my tea from River Birch. My hunger and craving for soup are both satisfied. I was extremely impressed with the food, speed, and quality of service.

3:00 Update: I am usually reaching for a snack around 3pm in the office, I am still satisfied from the half a sandwich, soup, and fruit.



You can visit River Birch Lodge at 3324 Robinhood Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106 (in the parking lot of Sherwood Plaza Shopping Center)

Taco Truck

I've been eating tacos and other Mexican lunches from a taco truck that is parked on Polo Rd between Cherry and Indiana Ave in a small strip mall. The food is great and authenic. Luciano cooks the food fresh every morning and sets up for lunch and is open into the evenings and late at night on the weekends. He serves all the standards; tacos, tortas, burritos, etc. My favorite is the Barbacoa Torta (BBQ sandwich) but it is all good. We have had him cater a lunch at work and everyone loved the food. Probably best to take out but he has a small table that can be used. Soft drinks include mango and other Mexican bottled sodas.

Midtown Cafe and Dessertery: Dinner and Dessert

We have been to Midtown Cafe and Dessertery many times for breakfast and dessert (not during the same visit), but thought that we would try it for dinner. Our eyes have never diverted from the breakfast menu so it we took a few extra minutes with the menu.

Our server, Jessica, was very helpful and helped me choose the Grilled Grouper Sandwich, which is covered with melted Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and homemade tarter sauce and served with house-cut fries. The grouper had great flavor and was tender.  The house-cut fries were cooked perfectly, lightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I am not sure what kind of oil they use but the flavor was excellent.

Joe enjoyed the the chicken quesadilla, which is one of the September specials. It had diced, grilled chicken with a mild Mexican spice, Monterrey jack cheese, fresh black beans and crisp white corn. The crunch from the corn and the fresh black beans gave the quesadilla a wonderful texture and crunch. A side of salsa gave it some extra spice and complimented the flavors.

I made the mistake of sitting on the side of the table that faced the chalkboard that listed all of the desserts. Cakes, pies, cookies...how was a girl to choose? Joe helped me decide on the German chocolate cake. Chocolate and coconut together is a wonderful combination. I'm not sure which German created this particular cake but danke schoen. The cake was moist and had a great cocoa flavor. The frosting was to die for, all coconuty and carmelly, and pieces of pecans. We made the right choice, but we will have to try the others on future visits...just to be sure.

151 S. Stratford Road

Stratford Village Shopping Center

Wolfies: Root Beer Floating

I know that it has been a while and now that there was an article about the blog in the Winston-Salem Journal, it is time to clean out my photo file in my phone and get this thing updated.

First on the list is the root beer float at Wolfie's. Joe is a traditionalist and enjoyed the rootbeer float with vanilla frozen custard. In his defense, I am not sure if there is another flavor that would taste that good with rootbeer.

Root beer floats remind me of summer vacations spent on the Pamlico River with my family. We would sit on the porch as my mom would give each of us our own jelly glass with our favorite cartoon characters (very popular in the 1970s), dad would follow her with the vanilla ice cream and give us each a scoop that we would press down to the bottom of the glass with our spoons. Mom would follow with the root beer, giving us just enough delicious foam so that it reached the brim of our glasses. We would devour them in minutes.

I love it when the flavors of food can bring back memories that are so vibrant and happy.

Breakfast of Course: Labor Day of Love

The long Labor Day weekend gave us an opportunity to have Monday Brunch at Breakfast of Course, Mary's Too. I was in the mood for something sweet and was trying to choose between the waffle and the French toast. The French toast won the coin toss, oh happy day! Stars aligned, kismet kicked in and it was a perfect example of syrupdipity.

The French toast starts with the most incredible cinnamon bread that is baked fresh by the ladies of Three Sisters Artisan Bakery.  The bread has more than a hint of cinnamon, but giant ribbons of cinnamony goodness throughout each thick slice. The bread is firm which is important, because soggy French is the worst. The BOC lightly egg washes the bread and then cooks it to perfection. Slightly crunchy on the outside but fully cooked on the inside. It was amazing and I ate every single bite. I was not ashamed; I was happy.

Joe had the Breakfast Club, which is a favorite on the Local Dish Facebook Page.  The club is like a BLT with the addition of a fried egg, avocado and some light pesto mayo. This sandwich combines three of Joe's favorite flavors (pesto, avacado, and bacon) that Joe loves so this was bound to be a hit.

We are extremely thankful to Mary and the gang for giving up their Labor Day so that we could start our day in a state of euphoria. We really, REALLY appreciate it.

Both items are available on the regular menu so you can get it whenever they are open. YeeHaw!

Breakfast of Course (Mary's Too)

Let me begin by saying that I don't like change. Who does? I firmly believe that those who profess to embrace change really mean they like change that they initiate.

I loved Mary's of Course - the kitsch, the food, the staff, the tables arranged too close together. It was MY place.





The restaurant has now moved locations. I still refer to the restaurant as "Mary's," although my niece does me one better and refers to the new restaurant as "new Mary's." I love this place too.


O ordered a daily special, which consisted of a sweet potato biscuit and sausage gravy. I ordered an egg and cheese sandwich with avocado. I then splurged on dessert at 9am because it was the whole reason I came in.



I have adjusted slowly to the change. I love that Mary (or somebody)
updates facebook with the specials. I have gone there specifically for things I've seen posted on facebook (most of them involve fruit and sugar, but also vegetarian specials and vegetarian soups).

The new place is huge, there is plenty of room between the tables. Some of the old staff is still there and newbies are growing on me. The kitsch is gone, but probably wouldn't have felt right in the new place and I still love Mary and her food.

Foothills

Foothills was the first restaurant I visited when I moved to Winston-Salem a little over a year ago. As lovers of craft beers and good bar food, my husband and I have been to Foothills MANY times since that first visit.

This was my first time getting the Cuban sandwich. I'd seen it on the menu and have had my eye on it for a while and finally broke free from the chicken wings and ordered it.

The Sandwich: Pulled pork, ham, swiss cheese, pickles, and HOMEMADE spicy mustard. Of course I ordered fries as my side because I had literally been craving that HOMEMADE ketchup all week. (Fun fact from Waiter Evan-the homemade ketchup has a special ingredient: Pilot Mountain Pale Ale. No wonder it is so delicious)

My husband ordered his usual, Brewhouse wings, and helped me eat some of my fries.

And of course, we washed it down with some refreshing Foothills Brews. Beer of choice: Oktoberfest! I've been waiting since last fall for this seasonal to come out. If you haven't tried it, you must this fall before it goes away again for another year. Foothills Oktoberfest is truly tasty-a little sweet and really smooth. Out of all of the Foothills beers, it is definitely my favorite.

--Sadie S

Prissy Polly's BBQ

I was spoiled for barbeque when I taught elementary school in Kernersville. I had the pleasure of teaching the daughter of the owners of Prissy Polly's BBQ. When we had field day, all the other classes had hot dogs, hamburgers, or pizza- but we had Prissy Polly's barbeque and Brunswick stew. It was heavenly then. It is heavenly now.

I had an appointment in High Point so I stopped off on Hwy 66  to grab some lunch at Prissy Polly's. I ordered the regular Lexington Barbecue pork sandwich with barbeque slaw. One of my FAVORITE things about Prissy Polly's is that no matter what you order, even if it just a sandwich, they throw in some of their hush puppies. Some look like 8s, some look like Os. They are both crunchy and corny and fabulous.

People in these parts are very particular about their barbeque, and I respect the opinions of others, but Prissy Polly's is my favorite by far.

Kernel Kustard: Lick the Bowl

The most amazing creation ever: Kernel Kustard's 'Lick the Bowl' Jumble. Vanilla kustard, brownie batter, chocolate chip cookie dough, peanut butter cookie dough...need I say more?

--Sadie S.

Pulliam's BBQ: Wow

I am a Winston-Salem Local. I know the city well, and have been to each of its corners and all the places in between. I know about many of the "landmark" restaurants in town and would say that I have been to 90% of them. It's that other 10% that allows me to find a treasure like Pulliam's. There could have been 50 pictures in this post, amazing since the restaurant is only about 400 square feet. I am limited to my phone camera this week so I will eventually go back for more/better quality photos.

Doug G. sent me the e-mail about Pulliams and I added it to the blog, but for some reason I could not get this place out of my head. I LOVE a good hot dog and if there was a place that had amazing hot dogs in W-S, I was going. Doug was kind enough to make another trip and meet me at Pulliam's. Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to Pulliam's, a tradition in Winston-Salem since 1910, yes 1910!!! I could not believe that this place had been here for 100 years and this is my first visit. I fell in love right away.

Part of Pulliam's success is that they keep it simple, local, and old school. There are two hot foods to choose from on the menu. Hot Dog or Barbecue. (No french fries, but an assortment of chips.) Dessert are B&H Pies, made by hand in W-S, and their drink assortment is the best around. They have your traditional drinks, but they also have a cooler of Nehi, Sundrop, Cheerwine, and RC cola. They are cold, in a bottle, and full of southern summer memories.

I ordered a hot dog, maybe two- I don't remember (ok, I DO remember both of them. Don't judge me), all the way (mustard, slaw, chili, onions), a chocolate B&H pie, and a diet Cheerwine (yeah, whatever, I like it) The hot dog is delicious, all the flavors melding together in every bite. There are bottles of Big Ed's Hot Sauce that is made in-house that are available if you like a little, or a lot of, heat. It's pretty darn tasty. If you have never had a B&H pie, they come in a variety of fruit flavors, and chocolate. Doug tried a peach pie for the first time and is now a fan.

While the menu may not have much of a variety, the customers are a diverse crowd. All collars are represented and chat it up at the counter inside. There are no tables at Pulliam's, you just belly up to the small counter and eat. There is one "table" outside that is completely recyclable. Pop a squat on a stump and enjoy the delicious meal. The environment inside could keep your eyes busy for an hour, but with only a camera phone this week, it just couldn't do it justice. One favorite item was a sign that was stitched in needle point, "If you can't enter with a smile, take one when you leave."  I did. :)

Pulliam's is near the Smith Reynolds Airport: 4358 Old Walkertown Rd, W-S 27105

Pancho Villa's Mexican

Mexican Food: delicious, filling, and cheap.
When dining on a budget, you can usually count on a good Mexican restaurant to fill you up without breaking the bank. Pancho Villa's on Stratford road is no exception to that rule. My husband and I went out on a Friday night and had a wonderful meal for under $20. He ordered the Grilled Chicken Quesadilla--which was perfect for him. He is pretty picky when it comes to quesadillas; he likes only the cheese and chicken to be inside, whereas many restaurants include peppers and onions with their chicken. Pancho Villa's only included the chicken and cheese (a good thing to note for picky eaters!).

I ordered combination dinner #27 of 1 Chile Relleno, 1 Chile Poblano, rice and beans...and it was amazing! Honestly, I couldn't tell you which was the relleno and which was the poblano, but both were fantastic. Since my husband only got one quesadilla, he helped me polish off the rice and beans.

Combine this meal with bottomless chips and salsa and $3.50 grande (32 oz) Dos Equis Amber on draft to make your cheap-and-delicious Friday date night complete!

--Sadie S.