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Not sure why, but I can’t seem to watch the show “The Biggest Loser” without a snack.

 J

Why does every (fast food) restaurant that serves stuff in some type of plastic basket have to write on the trash can, “Please don’t throw away the baskets?”  I’m not sure, but I’m thinking that Dairy Queen invented this trick.  At least that’s my earliest memory of said slogan.  The whole process of throwing your trash away is very tense - it’s like a scene from a James Bond movie…you’re desperately holding on to the guy that is falling over the cliff.  One slip and it’s all over.  I remember letting go of a basket or two in my day…resulting in a quick, yet embarrassing basket retrieval from the trash can or a quick, yet embarrassing exit from the restaurant.  If you own/operate one of these restaurants, here are a few tips for you:

1)  Don’t serve your food in non-disposable baskets

2)  if you “have” to serve your food in a non-disposable basket, clean up the tables yourself and save me the stress.

3)  Just about every one of these places that I’ve been to in the last decade have some type of basket restricting device on the garbage can, which makes it:

     a)  impossible to throw away your “precious” basket

     b)  impossible to throw away the trash from the “precious” basket

     c)  a given that there will be a huge “sloshing” of food and sauces on top of your trash can in the vicinity of said basket restricting device.

     d)  ridiculous to have a sign that says, “Please don’t throw away the baskets.”

 Please leave a comment w/as many of these restaurants as you can think of (within reason)…I’d love to compare notes.

 J

I took the kids to Burger King the other day.  The line was a bit long, so we had to wait a few minutes.  As we were getting close to the front, offspring #1 motions toward the front of the line and says (in an excited whispery voice), “Dad!  It’s Yankee Doodle!!”  Of course, being a man of sound reason, I said, “Uh…what are you talking about?”  He points to an older gentlemen about to order his food.  This guy is wearing a sun hat of sorts and when he turned to order his food, he revealed a decorative feather on the side of this hat.  Offspring #1 says, “See…he has a feather in his hat!  It’s Yankee Doodle!!!!”  The mind of a kid is a funny thing sometimes.

 J

A review of KFC’s new Crispy Sauceless Hot Wings

You’re probably wondering why a person would chose to even eat at KFC.  Well, we were out Geocaching, were hungry and our other choice was McDonald’s.  I’ve had enough quarter pounders to last a lifetime, so we chose KFC.

I’ve been curious about the new sauceless hot wings since I saw the commercial a week or so ago.  I got a 5-piece combo, complete w/potato wedges (i.e. fancy fries) and Diet Pepsi.  I’m not a huge fan of Diet Pepsi, but they didn’t carry Diet Coke.  It is what it is…

Back to the chicken - the wings have the familiar KFC crunchy coating.  Most wing purists that I’ve ever run into do not like breaded, battered or coated wings of any type.  I’m a huge wings fan and personally don’t care either way…a tasty wing is a tasty wing (coated or not) and I’m going to eat it. 

I was skeptical that the wings would live up to their sauceless “hot” wing hype.  As I bit into them, they were juicy and had a nice flavor, but unfortunately, my skepticism was confirmed.  They were nowhere near hot.  In fact, they didn’t really have much kick at all.  The Popeye’s spicy chicken tenders pack more punch than these things (which is not much either).

So, there you have it.  If you want a crispy, tasty wing, give it a try.  If you want a “hot” wing…try again.  I guess the moral of the story is:  If you want a hot wing, go to Buffalo Wild Wings on Tuesday night and get something that’s been dipped in sauce (Caribbean Jerk is my favorite).  Gimmicks just won’t cut it. 

That’s it for this episode of Critic’s Corner.  Good night and good eating.

J

On toinght’s news, our weather guy actually suggested that we get the comforter out because the lows in some of the mountain areas will be approaching “a chilly 59 degrees.”  Are you kidding me?  59 degrees doesn’t even make a Diet Coke cold enough to make me want to drink it!  I might take him seriously if I didn’t have to take a break in writing this post because I’m swatting a mosquito.  Now where did I put that thermal underwear??   

J

We had a wonderful Christmas here!  It was fairly quiet…no running around, no trips to the beach - just hangin’ at home.  We did have some friends over late in the afternoon.  They moved the next day and spent their last evening w/us.  We had a good time eating together and playing games.  We will miss them.

New Year’s Eve was also fairly quiet.  Just a small get-together to play games and ring in the new year.  We are looking forward to 2008!

OK - so nothing fancy - just takin’ a minute to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  One of these days I will finish posting the old archives back.

 J