Doing some Triple D's in the Buckeye State

Every year I use my vacation time at the end of the year and this time my vacation started in mid November.  I had planned a pretty full schedule of things to do but had a week or so open, so I planned a Triple D trip to Columbus, Ohio.  As the trip got closer I saw that the flights were pretty full so I decided to drive as Columbus is about a 6 hour drive from home.

I wanted to leave early morning to miss some of the traffic, planning to leave about 4a, but when  woke and couldn't fall back a sleep I ended up leaving home about 230a.  The only traffic for most of the trip was trucks, the commerce of the USA travels overnight!  I arrived at my hotel outside Columbus about 830a and was able to check in and rest a few hours before heading out.

My first stop was a place on the west side of the city.  "Sweet Carrot" is a café that specializes in sandwiches, small bites, baked goods and drinks.  I looked over the menu and chose a sandwich-like meal that featured Ohio chicken meatballs on a corncake (a cornmeal based pancake)  After ordering I took a seat at a high top table in the fairly large dining area.  The room is decorate in humorous paintings of veggies and rabbits.  Sweet Carrot does a huge take out business, they had one employee who was focused on getting the orders ready.

Sweet Carrot - Café in Columbus

Inside the open kitchen at Sweet Carrot

Me meal came out quickly.  The corncake was topped with 5 chicken meatballs and an spicy Asian Soy Corn Slaw.  I would have to say each item separately was just okay but together was very tasty with a spicy bite.  The corncake was very good.

My Ohio Chicken Meatball on Corncake meal

After finishing I was able to met AJ, the manager and he signed my book, in fact I had gotten a new book (all the others were full) so he christened my 7th Triple D book!

I headed out to my next stop, which was just a few blocks away.  "Loops" is a casual dining place with a definite Chicago theme.  Named for Chicago's downtown area and fashioned as a stop on the famous Chicago Elevated subway.  Loops has many of the Windy City's iconic casual dining meals.  They were doing a very brisk lunch business with very reasonable prices.  I chose the classic Gyro.

Loops, a Columbus Ohio homage to the Windy City

Loops open kitchen

Love the clock that represent important cities to the staff at Loops

While I waited for my meal I took I all the cool Chicago decorations and two humorous posters one lamenting the fortunes of both the Chicago and Cleveland sports fans.  My gyro was very good, lettuce and taziki sauce helped the flavor of the huge amount of gyro meat on tasty pita bread.  Before leaving I met the owner and he signed my book, he was excited and impressed that I recognized the setting of his restaurant.  I would highly recommend Loops if you happened to visit Columbus.

After a break I headed back out to try a unique place on the north side of the city.  I had some trouble finding the restaurant as it's inside a grocery store.  Mo Mo Ghar Ohio features the cuisine of Nepal and Tibet, a first for me. It's inside the Sakaga International Market.  The stand is small and has two or three high top tables and 4 seats at the bar overlooking the small kitchen.  I was greeted by three lovely ladies, one who was more fluent in English than the other two.  When they saw my book they told me what Guy had during his visit and they also told me that the days following their episode being aired their lines were really long.

Mo Mo Ghar a restaurant inside the Sakaga International Grocery

My first time trying the cuisine of Nepal and Tibet

Guy Ate Here in 2017

I ordered the same thing that Guy had on his visit, the Chicken Mo Mo, which were 8 steamed dumplings served in a spicy tomato based broth along with a piece of Naan bread.  The dumplings were stuffed with vegetables and chicken and was very good, the broth was very spicy.

Chicken Mo Mo, Dumplings in a spicy broth

The dumpling filling

I really enjoyed the meal and as I was there the places filled up, Mo Mo Ghar is a popular places despite having no real signage!

The next morning after visiting with a friend from my early days at United then headed to my next stop.  "Ena's Caribbean Café" is a small spartan place that produces authentic Jamaican and Caribbean cuisine.  I looked over the menu and chose the classic Jerk Chicken but was warned that it was very spicy so I chose the BBQ Jerk Chicken.  The meal included a choice of two sides and I chose the traditional Rice and Peas (Black Beans) and Cornbread.

Ena"s Caribbean Kitchen in Columbus

Ena's order area and semi-open kitchen

My meal came out and it was HOT (and spicy), when I opened the box, steam poured out.  The chicken, despite what the staff told me was pretty spicy.  The huge portions were very tasty!  I am glad to have ordered the cornbread because it was good to curb the spices.  After finishing I was able to meet Ena and have sign my book.

My meal at Ena's, you can see the steam!

I would definitely go back and try some of the other island meals they offer, especially the traditional Jamaica patties.

My last stop in Columbus would be of the most interesting places I have ever been to.  "Pierogi Mountain" is the food kitchen inside the Café Bourbon Street bar.  The place is pretty dark and has a stage which hosts weekend concerts.  The music playing during my visit was from the 1970s show Flash Gordon, I hadn't heard that song in years!  The kitchen is a side door where orders are taken, drinks are purchased at the bar nearby.

Café Bourbon Street bar which houses Pierogi Mountain

The entrance to Pierogi Mountain where they take food orders

Their unique take on the "Guy Ate Here" wall stencil

I love Pierogis and decided to try four pierogis, they feature about a dozen different styles.  I chose the basic Cheddar Cheese, a Smoked Gouda , Coney Island Dog, and a Reuben.  They make them to order and after a few minutes they came out, all were delicious!  All were topped with sour cream and fried, caramelized onions.

My 4 Pierogi plate

After finishing the 4, I was still hungry so I decided to get a few more and decided to try some more of the cheddar and gouda types.  I was not disappointed!

My second Pierogi plate

I was able to get the kitchen manager to sign my book before I headed out.  I was able to get to 5 new places on this trip, I still have one more but I will get to that on another trip.  As I headed home I was very pleased with all the places I tried and my Triple D count stood at 726!

Triple D's in the First State

My work travel schedule continued, just 48 hours after coming home from Honolulu I was scheduled to work the next week in Philadelphia.  I decided to drive since there were no nonstops between Dulles and Philadelphia and it would take 6 to 8 hours to make the trip via Chicago or Houston and less than 3 hours drive from home.

A few months before my trip Guy had debuted 5 places on Wilmington, Delaware, so I decided to stop and try a few of them.  When I plan a trip I make sure that I have information for all of the places I might visit.  I check the websites and use Google Maps in my planning.  I write down the address and hours the places ae open.  As I headed into Wilmington my first stop was at a place in the midtown area.  As I walked up to "Locale BBQ Post" there was little activity.  It was a Sunday and the website showed the place open from 10a=4p on Sundays, I was a little confused, since the etching on the front window showed those hours!.  It was closed!  I was very disappointed because I really wanted to try some good barbecue.  I headed out for the other pace in the city that was open on Sundays.

The sign says it all!  But no not this Sunday!

My next stop was a short drive away in the Little Italy section of Wilmington.  "Mrs. Robino's" is a family run place in a quaint neighborhood.  I got out of the car at the posted opening of 11a and the hours had changed to 12n opening.  I guess I'd have to wait and not trust the Google site!  I took a photo of the restaurant and was about to walk away when a lady opened the door and asked me if I wanted to come in and wait.  It was Mrs. Robino!  She invited me in to wait, what a wonderful treat!  We chatted a little abut Guy's visit and  what they made.  The place is like going into someone's home.  Family and old time photos decorate the walls.  There is a large bar as you enter.

Mrs. Robino's, A family run restaurant in the Little Italy section of Wilmington, Delaware

As I waited she brought me a basket of fresh bread and butter along with an olive oil dip.  I thought that I would be waiting until noon to order but she insisted on taking my order so I decided to they what they call the "Tour of Italy" a platter that included Spaghetti, Meat and Cheese Ravioli, a meatball and Italian sausage.  I was surprised how quickly the meal had come.  The ravioli are made on site and was very tasty.  The meal was so large that I too most of the spaghetti to go! As I was getting ready to leave she brought me a small slice of their house made Tiramisu.  The dessert was awesome!  Flavorful and delicious!  After getting Mrs. Robino to sign my book I headed out with plans to go to a few places the next day.

Fresh and delicious bread appetizer

Tour of Italy - Spaghetti, Meat and Cheese Ravioli, meatball and sausage

Delicious Tiramisu compliments of Mr.Robino

Near my hotel in Newark I noticed a Metro Diner.  Guy went to the original Metro in Jacksonville in the early years of the show.  I have been to that location twice and I decided to go there for dinner.  The Metro is probably the best example of what I call the "Triple D" effect.  Since their episode aired the Metro has grown in a huge way.  They now have locations all over the country.  I decided to try the classic Philly breakfast meal for dinner, Creamed Chip Beef on white toast.  It was very good and filling.

The Metro Diner - A DDD classic from Florida in Newark, Delaware

That's the Metro!

The Philly Classic - Creamed Chip Beef on Toast

After a night's rest I headed out to Philadelphia for work but had a couple of more places to try.  My first stop was at a small deli in the northwest area of Wilmington.   "Maiale Deli and Sumeria" is a family run place featuring sandwiches with the meats cut and cured on site.

Maiale Deli nd Sumeria in Wilmington, Delaware

Inside the restaurant

The Guy Ate Here stencil with a local award

I ordered a sandwich called the "Ricky Bobby", turkey sausage on a fresh toasted roll with sweet peppers, white cheeses and a mayo sauce.  It came with pasta salad and some house made and cured pickles.  The sandwich was really good and the turkey sausage was very mild and I really liked it, the sweet peppers made it so much tastier!  The pickles were sweet and spicy.  I was able to meet the owner when he signed my book and was told that the place has exploded since they were on the show.  They had been  local success but since airing they have had to expand, more of the Triple D effect!

The Rickey Bobby platter

Mild Turkey Sausage with sweet peppers, sauce and cheese

I headed out to the other side of Wilmington to a place that is basically a bar with excellent food, specializing in burgers and meat.  "Farmer and the Cow" boasts over 200 different types of Whiskeys.  They also feature burgers and milkshakes, but I would try other items,  I took a seat at the car and decided to try something a bit different,  I chose the Crispy Ribs, 5 large meaty pork ribs in a sweet Asian barbecue sauce.  They were good, and messy which is what you want in a rib!

Farmer and the Cow in Wilmington, Delaware

The huge bar area

Inside Farmer and the Cow

My Crispy Rib meal

After a very good meal I headed out for the drive to Philly and my work week.  I had been able to try a few really good places, the highlight being Mrs.Robino's, but all were very good.  At then end my Triple D count was at 718.

Working in the 50th State and doing some DDD's

I was a bit unexpectedly assigned work in Honolulu and wanted to try to get to a few Triple D places during my visit.  My friend Karin lives on Oahu and is also a fan of the show, in fact she has even been to a taping of Triple D a few years back on one of Guy's visit to Hawaii..  After my 9 hour flight from Dulles to Honolulu, Karin picked me up and we headed out to try and couple of places along with a tour of the island.

We planned to try 2 different on the north shore of Oahu and headed out of Honolulu on what would be a scenic tour of the island.  We passed through a number of small towns and arrived in Haleiwa and pulled into a roadside area of food trucks to try "Big Wave Shrimp"  This food truck puts out a huge menu of items but shrimp is the dish to try.  This is the place here the Triple D classic song "Chicken Base nd Garlic Salt" was created.

Big Wave Shrimp in Haleiwa on the North Shore of Oahu

This says it all!

Love the Artwork on the truck

The menu looked so good that Karin and I decided to each order a dish and then share.  We decided to try the Butter Garlic Shrimp and Cocoanut Shrimp. Both came with a small salad and two scoops of white rice, which is a Hawaiian staple.  While we waited we met the owners of Big Wave Shrimp and they signed my book and were very gracious.  Soon our meal came and both were some of the best shrimp I have ever tasted.  The Cocoanut Shrimp was perfectly battered and the cocoanut was very subtle, not overpowering as many paces seem to be.  The Butter Garlic Shrimp was prefect!  They were served with a garlic sauce.  The salad and rice were a nice compliment to the meal.  Kathy the owner came over as we left ad thanked us for coming.  She is so grateful to have been on the show and feels that the success of their business is due to Guy and the show and while that may be a big part of it, the great food they produce is a big reason, too!  This was a great visit for me!

Big Wave's Cocoanut Shrimp

Big Wave's Butter Garlic Shrimp

Big Wave's owner and me.  Very friendly and gracious!

Karin and I headed out to probably the most northern part of the island passing through more small towns.  We arrived at another place with multiple food trucks in the town of Kahuku.  "Mike's Huli Huli Chicken" is the largest of the trucks in the complex.  It's base is a bus with large grills behind where they cook the chicken using locally grown wood.  They have created a small covered seating area where diners can enjoy their meals.  We decided to share a plate with the signature Huli Huli Chicken and the Hawaiian classic dish Kahlua Pork, along with the typical sides of Macaroni Salad and rice.  The meal came quickly and included two pieces of chicken and a large portion of the pork.  The wood used for grilling gives a vey nice flavor as the chicken is only seasoned with ight salt and pepper.  The pork had a nice briny flavor.  This place is a favorite of visitor and locals alike.  There are pictures of many celebrities who have enjoyed dining at Mike's.

Mike's Huli Huli Chicken in Kahuku

It's a food bus

The ordering area

My Huli Huli meal

The meal was so big, we couldn't finish it so I gave the left overs to Karin.  We left and headed back to Honolulu so I could start my week of work.  The drive back we passed an area where the some of the :Jurassic Park" movies were filmed and the very popular Polynesian Cultural Center is located.

The next day I went back, with some of my co-workers to a favorite place of mine in Honolulu.  The "Rainbow Drive-In" is an iconic and classic place that features Hawaiian plate lunches.  They are known for Loco Moco meals and have the slogan "Gravy All Over".  I was disappointed that Jimmy Gusamura, the owner had already left for the day, but as usual the food did not disappoint.  I ordered the Hamburger Steak with rice and macaroni salad and it was delicious!

Honolulu's Iconic and Classic Rainbow Drive-In

My Hamburger Steak meal with rice, mac salad and "Gravy All Over"!

On my last full day in Honolulu was I was able to get to one more place.  "Fresh Catch" is a small chain of places on Oahu operated by Guy's friend Chef Reno.  I went to the location near Waikiki and it's housed in an old Pizza Hut restaurant.  Fresh Catch specializes in Hawaiian style Poke, which is mostly raw fish chunked and marinated is various types of gravy's and sauces.  They also have sandwiches and the very Hawaiian plate lunches.  Inside there is a big refrigerated case with a dozen different types of poke's.  It was a bit overwhelming so my server let me taste about 4 or 5 different types.  I decided to try the Hawaiian Roll poke along with the fresh crab sandwich.

Fresh Catch - Home to Hawaiian Poke's, Fresh Fish and Plate Lunches

Inside Fresh Catch

Some of the Fresh Catch Poke

The "Guy Ate Here" display at Fresh Catch

After a short wait I got my meal.  The Poke had a mayo based sauce and tasted a bit like a sushi roll!  The poke was really fresh and tasty.  The sandwich was served on a dense Hawaiian bun with shredded crab meat mixed with light mayonnaise and garnished with tomatoes and lettuce.  The crab was very good but was a bit overpowered by the bun.

My Fresh Crab Sandwich

The Hawaiian Roll Poke

I finished and headed back to the hotel to prepare for may last work day and the long flight home.  I know that I will revisit Fresh Catch to try some of the other pokes they serve.  After this trip my Triple D count stood at 714!