frugalbites, Author at Frugal Bites

Sally’s Restaurant: Grits, Victorian Dolls, Bear Statues and Jewelry – All Under One Hot Pink Roof!

August 30, 2012 by frugalbites Leave a Comment

Sally’s Restaurant and Seafood Kitchen

The outside of Sally’s Restaurant is warm, pink, and inviting. Kitschy pink decor is everywhere: from the pink walls to the plastic pink cups. The Victorian dolls in the curio cabinet next to the giant bear plaque are an eclectic touch. Is jewelry your thing? Not to worry! You can pick up a heart necklace for just $5 when you check out.

Listening to the locals tell their alligator stories added to the mom and pop vibe of the joint (definitely something we don’t get to experience as Yankees). Even the waitstaff stopped what they were doing to join in the conversation (putting cooking and cleaning temporarily on hold, I might add). I don’t think I’ve ever been to a restaurant where the entire restaurant participates in one group conversation. That was definitely a first! Everyone made us feel very welcome.

Overall, the food was good, tasty and cheap. Grits were creamy, bacon was crisp. Sally’s is definitely a no-frills place. You’re not going to find eggs benedict or rye bread on the breakfast menu. My daughter is turning into a bit of a foodie herself, as she noticed the cheese on her omelet was processed, not “real” Cheddar. I would like to come back sometime and sample the burgers and seafood, as that’s what Yelpers raved about.

Now for the negatives: The place could be cleaner. Half the tables had dirty plates left on them waiting to be bussed, and my flip-flops stuck to the floor as I walked. Bathroom walls needed a good scrub-down. Note to greasy spoon restaurant owners: If you’re going to decorate with ceiling fans, chandeliers, and artificial flowers– make sure they’re not dusty. Customers like me notice when they are, even if you do not.

Another minus: All of our four meals arrived at different times. To me, that’s basic restaurant operation 101. Two of us had completely finished our meals before the fourth was brought to the table. My husband commented, “Maybe Sally can only cook one thing at a time.”

Sally’s restaurant is not going to win any food service or culinary awards. It’s old fashion(ed) in every way (according to their sign pictured below, and I’d have to agree). However, if you’re looking for a good value on simple food with local color, this is your spot.

Sally’s Restaurant
1594 Hwy 90
Ponce De Leon, FL 32455
(850) 836-4403

Filed Under: Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: Florida, ponce de leon, sally's restaurant, Sally's Seafood Kitchen

Skillet Cornbread for 12″ Skillet

August 30, 2012 by frugalbites Leave a Comment

Skillet Cornbread for 12″ Skillet

After visiting the south, skillet cornbread was on my list of things I wanted to make when I got home. Any soul food restaurant worth its salt knows how to get cornbread just right, and I wanted to add it to my list of culinary accomplishments as well. Plus, I just so happened to have a brand new Le Creuset cast-iron skillet waiting to be broken in.

When I searched for skillet cornbread recipes, most of them were for an 8″ skillet. Since I have a 12″ skillet, I had to adapt my recipe accordingly. This recipe was not only easy, it was a big hit with my kids. While it wasn’t quite as delicious as the skillet cornbread we tasted at Sweetie Pie’s, I will definitely be making it this way again. Apparently the south, it goes against everything that is well and good to do it any other way. As Mommysavers member Phoenyx says, “If I ever made cornbread in anything BUT a cast iron skillet, my grandmother would come out of her grave for the sole purpose of kicking my arse.”

What are your favorite skillet recipes? Let me know what you make in your cast-iron skillet.

Skillet Cornbread for 12″ Skillet

Recipe type: Bread

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 20 mins

Total time: 30 mins

Ingredients

2 C. cornmeal
1½ C. flour
2 C. buttermilk
2 C. corn
½ C. butter, melted
¼ C. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
Crisco for the skillet

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine butter, eggs, corn and milk. Next, combine wet and dry ingredients.
Heat the Crisco in your 12″ skillet over medium-high heat on the stovetop. Pour batter in skillet and heat 2-3 minutes until the edges start to pull away from the sides. Continue cooking in the oven for about 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when insert in the middle of the bread. Serve while hot. Drizzle a little honey butter on top for added sweetness.

Filed Under: Breads, Recipes Tagged With: cornbread, cornbread for 12" skillet, skillet, skillet cornbread, skillet cornbread for 12" skillet, soul food

17th Street Grill: Home of BBQ Champ Mike Mills

August 26, 2012 by frugalbites Leave a Comment

17th Street Grill: Home of BBQ Champ Mike Mills

When we stumbled upon the 17th Street Grill in Marion, IL we had no idea of Mike Mills’ status as a legendary BBQ cook. We were just looking for a good bite to eat close to our hotel. When we walked in the door, we were greeting by walls of his accolades and mentions in nationally-known publications from Food & Wine to Vogue. This guy knows his stuff (check out all of Mike Mills’ credentials)!

Like with most southern BBQ restaurants, the sides don’t play second fiddle. My husband liked the beans (not the canned stuff) and the kids liked the Macaroni and Cheese.

For lighter appetites like my own, I’d highly recommend the ribs sampler. They were a delicious way to taste what Mike Mills is known for, and the onions served with them were delicious too.

17th Street Grill
2700 17th Street
Marion, IL 62959

Filed Under: Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: bbq, soul food, southern food

Bruce Cafe: Where the Locals Eat

August 23, 2012 by frugalbites 3 Comments

Bruce Cafe: Where the Locals Eat

If you want a real mom-and-pop “retro” experience in the south, Bruce Cafe is your place. We came here on the recommendation of a gentleman we spoke to outside of a gas station. He told us it’s where all the locals eat, so we were intrigued. Eating here is like stepping back in time. I suspect this fare would be what any southern Granny would serve up for Sunday dinner. Plus, the inside is filled this kitschy decor likely to be found in Granny’s house (if Granny was into taxidermy and plate collections).

At just $7.50, the Daily Special plus three sides advertised on the table placards is a good value. I had the beef tips and my husband had the chicken and stuffing. Given the choice, I’d recommend the chicken and stuffing. The chicken was tender and the cornbread stuffing was flavorful. Portions were generous. While the beef tips were tender, they were bland. Salt and pepper helped a little, but good food shouldn’t require additional seasoning. All of this was served up by a waitress with the highest blonde hair and brightest blue eyeshadow this side of 1988.

On the downside, I am not so sure Bruce’s would pass any food safety inspections. My daughter swears she saw the waitress reuse the biscuits on the table next to us for new patrons (I can’t make this stuff up, y’all). Plus, the restrooms are outside just past the two Shop Vacs and box of slightly rotten apples. That said, we were glad to have the authentic southern cafe experience, and for us it was worth the risk.

Bruce Cafe
Hwy 20
Ponce de Leon, FL
(860) 835-2936

Filed Under: Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: bruce cafe, Cafe, Florida, mom and pop

Tom’s BBQ: The Best Ribs in Memphis

August 18, 2012 by frugalbites Leave a Comment

When we’re on a road trip, one of our Foodie Road Trip Rules is to NEVER eat at chain restaurants. Another one of our self-imposed rules is to try a new Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives location when we’re on the road. When we were in Memphis, we stopped in at Tom’s BBQ. Not only was Tom’s featured on the show, Guy Fieri mentioned their famous rib tips again in his Best Thing I Ever Ate special.

Tom’s is located in an industrial area near the airport and isn’t fancy by any stretch of the imagination. When you pull up, you notice the AC units and steel bars on the windows. Walk past that and the seating looks like your Southern Granny’s front porch (that is, if Granny lived in the ghetto). The staff is welcoming and friendly.

The seasoning blends at Tom’s are complex and unique, leaning heavy on the oregano and cumin. Their seasoning, smoking, and grilling process has been well-honed over thirty years. Tom’s isn’t messing around. We actually liked the ribs better than the rib tips as they were meatier and more tender, but everything was good. The sides were delicious and rried bologna has never tasted so upscale. What really sealed the deal was that the host, Adam, brought us an extra basket goodies to sample. I notice and appreciate that kind of hospitality, and I believe it’s one reason why restaurants like Tom’s BBQ in Memphis gain such a loyal following. It’s worth the detour off the interstate to enjoy some of the best ribs in Memphis.