I was just reminded that I have something called reference meals when I go to a new restaurant. There is one standard dish that I try for each type of restaurant to judge it by. This is what I get.

Chinese - Kung Pao Chicken
Japanese - Tonkatsu-don, Miso Soup and Salad
Italian - Veal Paremesan if it is on the menu with an order of garlic bread and a side of Angel Hair Pomodoro. Eggplant if Veal is not available.
Mexican - Beef Burrito with Rice & Beans for Dinner and Machaca, Rice & Beans for Breakfast with a small bowl of Posole
Indian - Lamb Curry, Chicken Tandoori, Samba & Idli and Nan
German - Rahmschnitzel ala Natural dazu hausgemachte Spatzle und Rotkohl
(Veal, noodles and red cabbage)
Tai - Pad See Ew
Korean - Bee Bim Bop
American - Prime Rib, Mashed Potatoes and Vegetable
Vietnamese - Vegetable Pho
Greek - Greek Salad and Lamb Shanks

OK, I am thoroughly hungry.

Burrito???

I thought you said you know your Mexican food.

I use that to judge the filling. I could have used Tamale, Chicken Mole, Chili Relleno, Pork Milanesa, Chili Verde, Enchiladas, Menudo or a bunch of other stuff. Plus, an assortment of fresh salsas. Nothing fancy.

Hey, if they don't have queso flameado, they're just average! :rofl

May 5th can't get here fast enough can it.

Got my case of dos equis beer and carne asada ready to go!

Dos Equis XXX

Don't forget to add Tacate :drool

When I visit a new restaurant, I check the Men's room. It it isn't clean, I leave. That is the first reference point. If they pass that test, I check out the menu. If there is no Chicken Fried Steak, I still leave. :drool

St. Croix

I sure hope I can find me a good

Enchirito

when I'm in Ensenada.
Later, my peeps.

About half my favorite places would fail test number one....

-Mo

More than half I'd say. I make it a rule to never look too closely in the kitchen.

I spent 4 years in the food service business. You have to learn to forget...

St. Croix

Yup. That would make me leave, too. I love a good chicken fried steak!

that is the fastest way to learn about a resturant...


CFS is the height of cullinary acheavment.....

The fact that you know to say "CFS" says volumes about you!

Back in my college days, I would sometimes get a gig training waiters/waitresses for a local country club. At one point, they had hired 10 new staff members, three of whom were roommates from Alabama. I was teaching them the usual shorthand, i.e., CFS, CB for Cheeseburger and FF for french fries. When we got to the final day, I noticed they they were turning in orders with "BB" written on them. CFS w/BB. Ribeye w/BB, etc. I finally had to ask. "What the hell is "BB"?" I still laugh when I think about it. "Baked Botato".:rofl

St. Croix

15 years as a trucker before I came off the road....I have eaten CFS in every state of the union but Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Florida. the BEST CFS I ever had was in a little pissant truckstop off I 20 right before ya cross into Alabama :eatdrink020 . not to mention worked in cafes as everything from dishwasher to prep cook to grill cook.

So what would be a trucker reference meal besides CFS? Did someone give a "Southern" reference meal?

biscuits and gravy, eggs, hash browns and coffee....the power breakfast of 15 hour days....

Where's the Meat! Seriously, something's missing. I love what ya got but, but no meat?

I've never seen biscuits and gravy unless they were accompanied by sausage, either on the side or served in the gravy.

St. Croix