Navigating a Buffet

From June 28, 2013, Yahoo! by Shawn Smilie, executive chef of buffet at Aria in Las Vegas. What you should do at one of those buffets:

** Scope it out, especially new ones to you.

** Don't pile plate too high, take smaller amounts.

** As you go back for seconds, your body is digesting round one.

** Buffets put the cheaper, more filling foods at the beginning of the line.

** The healthier, more expensive foods are at the end.

** He hates people who take a whole portion and just take one bite out of it. (Me too.)

** Eat the foods that you eat at home.

**  Don't eat everything at the dessert buffet.

Essentially My Ideas As Well. --RoadDog

Back to Our Old Stomping Grounds-- Part 2: Bill's Pub

July 16th, we drove to Libertyville for a concert in Independence Grove. Much of the way, was the route I used to take going to my teaching job in Round Lake for two years back from 1973 to 1975 from Des Plaines and then Vernon Hills. Quite a few changes since then.

We decided to go to our old favorite place to eat, Bill's Pizza in Mundelein, and I have to say, other than the sign warning about peanuts (in this age of people who will die or get really sick or die if they come into contact with peanuts, something I had never heard of before until the last decade or so) and, of course, prices, this place hasn't changed a bit.

Right away, the waitress brings you a basket of peanuts which you munch and throw the shells on the floor (something I am not allowed to do at home). We ordered the classic Bill's Special pizza which is essentially a garbage pizza with a whole lot of great toppings. And, it tastes just the same. Some of the best-ever pizza. 

Then, there is the North Woods decor with all the stuffed animals, fish and heads.

Great Fun and Eating. --RoadDog

The Local Dealer, the Cozy, Double J and the Curve

APRIL 22ND

We ended up taking the '03 Malibu over to the local Chevrolet.  Not that we wanted to, but because the check engine light came on the day before.  Don't want to have problems on the road going home.

Friendly Chevrolet, on the southwest side of town took it in right away and had to wait for a part, but had us out of there in a little over two hours and a little over $200 lighter.  Something about something with emissions.  Very friendly place and great popcorn, coffee and pop while you wait,   Sure like the looks of the '13 Malibus.

We were way too late for breakfast at Charlie Parker's so went to Cozy Dog for the Cozy Dog special (4 Cozy dogs and a large fries for $9.50).  You can't go to Springfield without eating at Route 66's Cozy Dog.  While we were there a tour bus came in with people from welcome centers around Illinois` who were finishing a five-day excursion around the state to experience some of the sites and places.

Hung around the motel and enjoyed the first bit of springlike weather and then went to Capital City and played NTN with JJ, Rusty and Peaches and then to the Curve Inn for 25 cent wings.  Lastly back to the motel's Southside Pub and watched the Bulls win their playoff game against the Nets.

The Day Got Better.  --RoadDog

Heading for the Warmth: December 30,2012 "WhaddaYaHave?"

Very cold this morning for the sunny and warm South, if you ask me.

Back on I-24 and past all those familiar Civil War names to Atlanta, which now has not one, but two bypasses, but we were going straight through downtown as I had visions of the Varsity in mind.  Calling themselves the World's Largest Drive-In, it is right by the Georgia Tech campus, and evidently near the Georgia Dome, judging by the all the Atlanta Falcon fans assembled.

Of course, had to get some hot dogs and a big orange drink as Andy would say.  Denny may have missed it a couple days ago, but we didn't.  Always love their employees and you'd best know what you're ordering when you get to the head of the line.  "WhattaYaHave!!!  WhattaYaWant!!!" very loudly and earnestly.

Then, onto I-75 where we joined the Great RVusBigus Migration south to Florida for a really long way.  I always suggest stopping at any and all Florida Welcome Centers Along the interstates.  You find the usual, plus your choice of fresh squeezed orange juice or grapefruit juice.  Small cups, but mighty fine way to say, "You're here."

Took I-10 east to Jacksonville, then a bypass to St. Augustine and got a room at the Super 8, next to Panama Hattie's where we unwound and watched the Cowboy-Redskin game with a lot of rabid fans.

I'llaHaveTwoSlawDogs!!  --RoadDog

Civil War in Illinois-- Part 6: Old Gas Station-- Wishing Well-- Oval Barns-- Lincoln Highway-- Scholarship-- Alumni Association--- Athletics

Stopped at the old Standard Oil station in Odell where we ran into two people from France driving Route 66. Ate in Odell at Misty's Wishing Well. Great food at reasonable prices. Too full for the homemade pie.

Drove Illinois Highway 47 north to the Lincoln Highway in Elburn, counting five oval barns along the way. There was one oval barn on the Lincoln.

Met with our scholarship advisor at Altgeld Hall and put another $11,000 into our education scholarship, making it fully funded. Also joined the NIU Alumni Association and looked into joined the NIU athletic group.

The grass definitely needed cutting by the time we got back, so cut it before going over to the Dill Pickle for the 35 cent jumbo wings.

As Usual, a Great Time in Illinois. --RoadDog