L'Shanah Tovah

Happy New Year to all of my peeps! May it be a good year for all.

Chickie's and Pete's!!

Upon entering the original Chickie's and Pete's, on Robbins Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia, I was whisked a few years back in time by the fantastic aroma of crab spices. It was all I could do to contain my enthusiasm as I ordered for our table!



Crab fries, cheese on the side!

Folks- it just doesn't get any better than this. The concept is easy enough (crab seasoning on french fries), but the following that Chickie's crab fries have is legendary. So much so that Lincoln Field (where the EAGLES play) has a Chickie's and Pete's and the most popular food ordered is...you guessed it...crab fries. They're crispy, hot, crabby and the cheese to dip them in is so good- and a mystery. Nobody can figure out what it is. People have tried to duplicate it without success. It's american cheese, it's creamy and doesn't harden as it cools. It's rich and delicious, and exactly what a crab fry needs to be dipped in!



Two orders of hot shrimp (the real test since recently trying to duplicate the recipe from memory)! The shrimp were spicy and definitely loaded with italian herbs. The hot shrimp I made are close, TLMM even said she likes mine more (awww, so sweet). I noticed that the real thing has more garlic chunks and more herbs and probably no butter. The taste is like no other!



As I was savoring the hot shrimp, the lobster tails arrived. They're small and plump and (I think) cooked with paprika. Very good.



The littlenecks - fresh and perfect with a little dip in the butter.



The mussels deserve special mention because of the red sauce. It's thick, garlicky and worthy of eating by itself with a spoon. In fact, I couldn't stop myself from doing so! One person in our party is from Boston and considered seafood her own comfort food- and she said these were the best mussels she had ever tasted. I savored every bite, trying to commit all of the flavors to memory.

Chickie's and Pete's keeps their recipes a secret- and for good reason. Nobody does it like they can.  We all enjoyed our dinner, especially me- finally back at Chickie's- I felt like the luckiest girl in the world...and the eggs.

Tony's Tomato Pie- There's Nothing Like It!

Tony's Place, in Northeast Philadelphia, has a secret weapon that sets it apart from every other neighborhood joint. Their tomato pie! It is perfection in its simplicity.



Dough is formed into a crust.



Mozzarella is dealt like cards over the dough.



A garlicky, thick tomato sauce is spread over the crust. A drizzle of olive oil over the top and it's ready to be cooked!



The pie goes in the oven and...voila. Tomato pie.   The crust is so thin that it bubbles slightly when done.  A sprinkle of Italian seasoning goes on top and it's ready to eat.  

I don't think that words do this pie justice.  I always order a garden salad with Tony's homemade Russian dressing - it goes perfectly with the pie.  After eight years in Philadelphia, and four years in Miami without a bite of tomato pie, I can honestly say that my taste buds missed this more than anything else in Philly.  The crust is almost cracker-thin but each bite has enormous taste.  If you find yourself in Philadelphia, stop in at Tony's and ask for Sue.  For their website, click here.  Sue will treat you like family- and, evidently, never forgets a face...and the eggs.

Yo! Vacation!

I'll be back on September 22nd so look for a post shortly thereafter. Our plans include Atlantic City, Philadelphia, the EAGLES vs. Steelers game (watch it on national TV Sunday, Sept. 21st at 4:15 PM!!) and many restaurants, including the original Chickie's and Pete's.

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!! Let's all sing now! Fly, Eagles, Fly..on the road to victory...and the eggs.

Better Late Than Never!

Click on graphic to enlarge. When GW was asked what journalists like to eat, he said "brie and cheese".

Okay, so I was a little behind on reading my calendar.