It’s been a while, but let’s get real. I’m a big boy who loves to eat. Honestly, the reason I’m not skinny is God gave us BBQ, fried fish, and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts! I mean, why would I want to be skinny when I could eat that stuff!

In all seriousness I discovered two great places to eat in the Lake area this past week. 

The first one is Dough Daddy Dough food truck, which is located over by Radio Shack and the 44 Draft House and Growler Bar. Man, let me tell y’all something! That was some good eating! The owner, John Padjean, specializes in Chicago-style food. That means really good hotdogs with sport peppers and hot relish on them! Oh, and no ketchup. Never ketchup, Chicago-style deep dish pizzas as well as Italian beef and Italian sausage sandwiches. The holy grail, in my opinion, is the Italian beef and sausage (together) sandwiches that are then made a little “wet” by the application of the juices from cooking the sausage and the beef. Add in some hot pepper relish, and you have the makings of an elbow dripping good sandwich! Seriously, give them a try this Friday. I just about promise you won’t be disappointed! Do me a favor and tell John I said hello!

Next, I was out and about on a Saturday and got hungry all of a sudden. You know how it is. I was driving around, finding folks to talk to, and pulling a 24-foot boat as a billboard when I remembered someone told me we now had a Jamaican restaurant! It’s called the Chef’s Delight Sports Bar and Grill, over in Harmony Crossing. Well, of course I had to stop and try it. I mean what kind of person would I be if there was someplace serving jerked chicken or oxtails and I hadn’t eaten there yet! Really!

Let me tell y’all something. This is some seriously good food. I mean I loved it! I got oxtails with rice and pigeon peas. The oxtails were so good they left stains on my elbows! They were so tender and succulent. There’s not really a lot of spice to them, just had deep levels of flavor. The peas were so good! I am huge fan of peas from the Caribbean countries. I’ve never understood how Cubans, Jamaicans, Ticos, or anyone from that region can take a simple pea and make it so delicious but they do! The rice was made with coconut milk, giving it a rich, deep, unique flavor that just makes me think of saltwater, sun, and a lazy afternoon. Really, the rice alone will make you want to take a nap in a hammock somewhere. All together though they are just an amazing dining experience.  

Aren’t we so lucky the Lake Country continues to provide good dining options for all of us. From the Lake House to the many food trucks, from the Pickled Okra to 5B’s BBQ. I urge you folks to get out and go try these new places. Celebrate the diversity our area has nurtured and enjoy the good food that brings! 

Tight Lines and following seas y’all!