I know this will sound weird to some of my country friends, but we eat differently when you grow up in the city. Restaurants are different -- not better -- just different. The pace, style, type of food, and service is all different. It's hard to explain.
I have discovered this in dating Josh and visiting, and now living in the area. For instance, we eat at the "Hungry Hobo", which when he first took me there, I couldn't believe it. I also could never remember the name so just called it the "Hobo" -- side note, it's also next door to "Happy Joe's", which I thought was the same restuarant (Happy Joe's Hungry Hobo) but I have come to learn that Happy Joe's is another restuarant that we have recently explored. While the Hungry Hobo is a random restaurant, I have come to quite adore this place that serves the biggest baked potatoes (made to order) that I have ever seen. Now I find myself saying "let's eat at the Hobo!"
Small town America is also known for their dives or holes in the wall, which are a hidden secret. Because even though I thought I would die before I called these restuarants "home", I have found myself going back, trading classy atmosphere for good food at times. Such as McMahon's Pub, a new discovery introduced to me by the Oaks family. In fact, when I walked in with my future mother-in-law, she said, as she is opening the door "this place will certainly be blog worthy!" It's hidden in Monmouth -- almost literally. The first time, I followed the street to get there and it was a dead end, only to find I had to detour around a few blocks to stumble upon this place. The cheapest lunch special ($4.50 with the drink!) and decent food - what's a girl, who use to have a meal plan in the residence halls, to do?! Head to McMahon's, that's what...I'm not dumb.
We frequent the Italian Village (or as called by the locals, the IV) for pizza -- it's not so much a Village as it is a big room, with pizza ovens, folding tables, chairs, and no air conditioning. Not a fine dining experience but I bet you would love the cheesy bread too!
Then there's the gas station restuarants. I had this first experience in college when my college roommate (from a near by small town) took me home. This Chicago girl had no clue about country life then (even less than now), and when we went to pick up the pizza, we went to Casey's gas station. I asked, confused, "what are we doing, getting gas?" She said, "No, we are getting pizza." Did I mention I was from Chicago -- where we practically invented (great) pizza? And we don't pick up our pizza at a gas station! I had a similar experience when Josh first took me to "Charley's", which turned out to be a sandwich shop attached to the gas station. Yet, there we sit and eat -- with other people -- like this is the most natural thing in the world...
We eat out alot, I know. I could go on and on with the adventures I have had with restuarants in the area, or even ones that I have yet to get to -- such as the BBQ Shack that Josh's parents promise me what it lacks in ambience (picnic tables) it makes up for in awesome BBQ. I'm not a snob and I love me some BBQ...and pizza...so bring on the picnic tables and gas stations folks, if that is what it takes...I am not above that...
When we don't eat out, we eat at home -- I cook now. Believe it or not. I know, some of you are laughing out loud. I can cook...sometimes...and it is trial and error when I can't. I am marrying an awesome sport who eats just about everything, tells me it is great, and always goes to bat for me in telling other people I am too hard on myself. As Josh says "it may not win a contest for looking good, but it still always tastes the same." Thank you for that! He even ate the shrimp fettuccine alfredo I made last week with a smile...oh yeah, sounds awesome except for when your fiance mistakes a teaspoon for a tablespoon and brings on the basil! Oh well, we all had to learn some how right? Great memories to laugh about some day.
My home cooking lessons with Josh sometimes go like this, which is my favorite: I say "I am going to make green beans" and he says "with bacon?" Ummm...didn't know green beans were made with bacon!? In the country, they are. I learn these lessons a lot -- where a simple meal, has a twist that no one told me yet. Where's the country cooking handbook? Grilled cheese is made a special way in the Oaks household too, in case you wondered. Who knew? I just smile and say, "yes, sure, with bacon..." ?!
Finally, and I know some of you will think I am crazy when I say this, but in honor of full disclosure, there's the beef... yes, back to the cow... turned to beef. Simple right? However, I buy my ground beef at the store. Josh and his family bought half a cow and have ground beef in the freezer --- so they say I should take some, use it, cook it, eat it. They keep reminding me. For awhile, despite this, I kept going to the store. YES, I know it is the SAME beef...but it's a mental thing -- there's something different about getting it at the store (yes, I know it is crazy), but I just couldn't do it. Finally, last week, I did. It probably tasted the same. But, it's hard still. I'm growing. It's the same beef. I know, I know...
Live and learn. We don't starve and we are never short of a food story. I still prefer Chicago pizza, but bring on the tacos from McMahon's on Thursdays any day...
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