I found it! I found it!

[Redstone]

I found a good, nay, a SUPERB cheesesteak in New England!

It's at the Providence Pizza Palace on Elmwood Ave (Us Route 1), four or five blocks north of the entrance to Roger Williams Park.

Be aware, though, if you want to go there: It ain't hardly anyone's idea of a palace. It's a fairly ratty storefront in a fairly rattly block.

Amazingly enough, the nice people who run the place and work there aren't even Italian. They're not even Greek...they're Dominican!

I don't care if they're Martian; I'll be back there as soon as I can, because they sure do know how to cook up a mean cheesesteak. It's not exactly the same as in Philadelphia (the bread has a touch of sweetness, for one thing, and they stick the whole thing in the pizza oven to broil it for a bit before serving), but it's terrific.

Go there. The pizza is good too, by the way.

I know, it doesn't take much to make me happy. Having a good cheesesteak only an hour away, instead of the five hours to Philadelphia, works just fine.

Redstone

[bigwillq]

1. I've been there!

Didn't have a cheesesteak though. Just pizza. My buddy used to go to PC and we would go there a lot when I came up and visited.:hi:

[Redstone]

4. I'm pretty sure the place has been there forever,

judging from the yellowness of the illuminated menu and the general look and feel of the place.

Not to mention that fact that one of the pizza toppings on the menu is linguica...(of those of you who may not know, that's a Portugese sausage; there are many Portugese in Rhode Island).

Redstone

[bigwillq]

6. I think people from DR

ran it back when I went to it, too.

[driver8]

2. Food of the Gods!!

Man, I love cheesesteaks...I don't eat beef anymore, but I salivate just thinking about a cheesesteak.

When I got out of the Navy, I was sent to Philadelphia to get processed out. I think I ate cheesesteaks for lunch and dinner almost every day.

[Xipe Totec]

3. Its called a grindah, you heathen!

:P

[Redstone]

5. Yes, I know I'm a heathen. I didn't even have any coffee milk

to drink with it. Nor a cabinet, either.

Redstone

[usedtobesick]

8. Gindah???

maybe by the unclean and unknowing... in Philly a grinder is a girl in a strip club. Sorry not meaning to offend simply correct. *grin*

[Xipe Totec]

9. In Philly, a cheese steak but in New England,

a grindah!



:toast:

[Redstone]

10. And I almost didn't even find that grindah...

I was hoping for some New York System weiners (all the way, and up the arm) on the way to the zoo in Providence, but the place in the Ahtic section of West Wahwick (Ferruci's) was closed, and we didn't have time for the detour to Olneyville.

So no gaggas for me. I was disappointed.

Just as well, as it turns out, and the lesson to be learned is not to get too bummed out if you don't get what you want, because you never know what might come along that could be even better.

Redstone

[usedtobesick]

12. I hear ya but it just ain't right....

In Philly only think that counts as a grinder is a baked sandwich like a sausage grinder or Meatball grinder, cheese steaks are a class all on their own. I spend a lot of time in N.E. so I get it all the time.

[Redstone]

27. I know. I lived in the Philadelphia area for a long time,

which why I was so happy to find the sandwich, no matter what they call it.

It's a much shorter drive for me to go to Providence than for me to go to Roxborough or East Norriton.

Redstone

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. I am coming to Hartford, CT in October

Care to recommend any good restaurants?

[Redstone]

11. How far's your range? I only know a few places

in the city itself.

And what kind of food are you looking for?

Redstone

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. We will have a car

because we plan on driving to Foxwoods for sure (we LOOOVE to gamble :) )
We are coming to a Math teachers' conference and will be staying downtown - right across the street from the convention center where the conference will be held. But our workday will be over by 4 so we will be ready to party hardy till 9 the next morning.

We like local food. And we prefer avoiding chains.

What are the specialties in Hartford? Good seafood?

[Redstone]

20. Well, there isn't a lot of quirky local food in Connecticut

like you'll find in a lot of other localities, but there is some good stuff.

Especially, there's good seafood. I'm not an expert on that, because I'm hideously allergic to shellfish...can any other Connecticut DUers help me, here?

I can say that the food at the casinos is very highly rated. And if you want the ultimate in New England Lobster Eating, I understand that Abbot's Lobster in the Rough, located in Noank, can't be beat. Noank is not between Hartford and the casinos, but would be worth the short detour.

Near Hartford, there's Doogies in Newington, home of two-foot-long hot dogs, with an astonishing variety of toppings, as well as what may be the world's only miniature corn dogs.

Theres also Rein's Deli in Vernon, which is every bit as much a New York Jewish Deli as any you'll find in New York.

If I can think of any others, I'll PM you.

Redstone

[proud2BlibKansan]

23. Lobster?

I love lobster. And what a drag to be allergic to shellfish when you are so close to the ocean. I rarely eat lobster here in the midwest. It's one of those foods that doesn't ship well.

My friend just reminded me she wants to go to Mystic while we are there. We have got to see the ocean since we live in landlocked red state hell.

I am getting excited. I have only been to CT once - we were in New London. We also went to Rhode Island and it was beautiful. But that was 35 years ago.

[Redstone]

30. If you're going to Mystic, you'll be one town over from Noank,

so you can go to Abbot's.

There are also two Clam Shack type of places in Mystic that are supposed to be wonderful...send me a PM to remind me and I'll look up their names. One is the Seaview, I think, and it's on Route 1 just east of the center of town. the other is just north of Mystic Seaport on Route 27.

You'll want to try a New England Lobster Roll; there are hot and cold versions of these, but lobster people tell me they're heaven, both kinds.

One of our favorite restaurants is in Mystic--Anthony J's, near the flagpole and right across from the place where you can rent bicycles and Mopeds. Again, ask anyone, and they'll guide you there.

We also have a place here in Old Saybrook (Johnny Ad's) that wins all kinds of awards for its fried clams. Again, send me a PM and I'll give you our phone number in case you are coming through town. I wouldn't object to eating a Johnny Ad's chili dog while you snarf down your clams.

Redstone

[proud2BlibKansan]

32. Sounds great!

I will send you a PM. I would love to meet you. We are going to be there Oct 5 - 9; it's a Wed thru Sun.

:woohoo: :woohoo:

[usedtobesick]

15. Max's Oyster House

is cool and happening. Black Betty's is a great ribs and blues,

run down to New Haven and do Miso's Sishi great place, The Mill just 7 or 8 miles east of Hartford

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. Sounds great

especially those ribs and blues.

Thanks :hi:

[Old_Fart]

13. Did you eat the cheese-steak like Rocky did?

:shrug:

[Redstone]

22. I don't remember that scene from the movie.

I don't remember much from more than about fifteen minutes ago, actually.

Remind me how he did it in the movie, and I'll be able to tell you.

Redstone

[Old_Fart]

24. He bent over on a special spot on the sidewalk

He ate the sandwich over the spot and all of the cheese and grease fell down on that spot.

I am very bad at describing it because I don't really care for the Rocky movies.

[Redstone]

26. Oh, blech. I'll bet $100 it was from Pat's Steaks,

which, notwithstanding all the tourist books, are unutterably dreadful.

Philadelphians only eat at Pat's when they're drunk, because it's one of the few places that are still open when the bars close.

Redstone

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. That sounds wonderful, my dear Redstone!

You're making me hungry! But I haven't had my dinner yet...I can smell it cooking downstairs; my wonderful spaghetti sauce is simmering away, and it's fabulous! Another half-hour and I'm eating! Yum.....

Your cheesesteak sounds fantastic!

:pals:

:yourock:

[Redstone]

31. It was tasty, indeed. And I could just about hear my arteries

slamming shut when I was finished with it.

I know you Californians prefer light, healthy food with sprouts and stuff, but out here we tend to go more for heart-attack-on-a-plate food.

Just joking. I know you also have stuff like the Hangtown Fry, cioppino, and of course Carls's Jr in California.

What do you put in your spaghetti sauce? No sprouts, I bet.

Redstone

[CaliforniaPeggy]

39. My dear Redstone! NOBODY, but nobody

puts sprouts in spaghetti sauce; and that includes me! LOLOL....

OK, here's the recipe:

one and one half pounds ground sirloin
one onion, chopped
one red bell pepper, also chopped
one small can mushrooms (or fresh button, if you prefer)
2 four ounce cans tomato sauce
one 12 ounce can stewed tomatoes
Spices: pinch of cinnamon, some oregano, 2 bay leaves, some chili powder, garlic (fresh, or powder)...I don't measure these!

To Cook: brown the meat, add in the onions and bell pepper. Throw in everything else, stir well. Turn the heat down so it will simmer. Cook covered for 30 minutes, and then uncovered for 30 minutes. Serve over vermicelli, or whatever your fav. pasta is...It is superb, and even better when reheated...
:woohoo:

[Redstone]

40. Sounds good. The cinnamon is a nice touch, especially.

But there's no celery!

Mrs R always starts with sweating (not sauteeing) onions, garlic, and celery, then builds from there. Try it.

I'll mention the cinnamon to her; she grew up on an island where there were actually cinnamon plantations, so she'd likely be amenable to using some.

Redstone

[DS1]

16. Sometimes it's the places with the ratty storefronts in the ratty areas

that have the best stuff. Which is partly why finding them is such a joy.

And yes, the people that make the best pizza up here in Westboro MA aren't Italian, I think they're Brazillian, but I'm FAR from an expert.

[proud2BlibKansan]

19. KC is famous for barbecue

and one of the best places in town is in a gas station.

[Redstone]

25. You got that right. Being a bit adventurous pays off

pretty frequently. The sleaziest-looking bar in a town (usually also the one with all the motorcycles in the parking lot) turns out to have the best food for miles around, more often than not.

That's why we latched on to the Providence Pizza Palace when we saw it.

Redstone

[LynzM]

21. Excellent!

I will have to keep that in mind.... next time we take the little one to the zoo!

[Redstone]

33. And you know what else? They have CARTOONS on the TV

(or at least they did when we were there).

We got to have The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy with out lunch...the Little Guy really liked that.

Redstone

[LynzM]

35. Extra double-plus good.

I like cartoons! (so does the munchkin!)

[Redstone]

36. And Grimmy is one of the best. Probably too old for her,

but you and your husband would enjoy it, I bet.

It's the only TV I've watched for about six months...I catch about 15 minutes of it a day with the Little Guy. Even better than Spongebob.

Redstone

[LynzM]

37. I'll have to look that up...

what time of day is it usually on?

[Redstone]

38. Cartoon Network, 7PM weekdays.

Where else can you find the Grim Reaper with a Jamaican accent?

Redstone

[GalleryGod]

28. Sometimes I have to take friends directly from the Airport to Jim's

I prefer his steaks:bounce:

[wovenpaint]

29. I'll bet that bread

was Portuguese sweet bread.....mmmmmmmmmmmmm!

[Redstone]

34. It may well have been, though I've never seen that

in roll form before, as opposed to a loaf of bread. But you never know. I think you're right.

(We eat the non-sweet Portugese bread at home all the time. I don't know how they do it, but it's white bread that's actually tasty!)

Redstone