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The Griddle Good Cookin' Or am I supposed to read, The Good Cookin' Griddle?  Sometimes I'm confused about how to read the words on signs. But I was not confused about how much I liked this cool this sign, with it's glowing pink letters and the cartoonish image of a cowboy, havin' a sniff of steamy hotcakes! Down the Road Don and I found this wonderful diner on Winnemucca Blvd., just a mile from the very non-epic hotel where we were spending a night.  After a night at the Holiday Inn Express, we were ready for a meal in a family owned biz. Since 1948 The Griddle opened in 1948, when Mike and Betty Aboud started serving up breakfast for hungry folks in Winnemucca. Today diners can arrive as early at 6 am for a hot meal, right off the griddle.  Eventually, The Griddle added a lunch menu. And today, there's more space with an added dining room and outdoor patio seating, as well. Afternoon Visit The day we arrived in Winnemucca, I had myself a peek at The Griddle. After checking into our hotel, I went for a jog along Winnemucca Blvd. It wasn't all too scenic at that end of town, but my goal was to check out colorful restaurant, that I'd already spotted from my car window.  I was surprised that the sweet looking, corner restaurant was quiet at 4. A sign near the door told me they close daily at 2. No dinner served at The Griddle. Window Peeking It was kind of nice, to casually put my face right up the the window glass, without fear of alarming diners.  I was able to get a pretty great glimpse of the retro green diner chairs and the glossy pine walls and ceiling. So much wood!  I could see that the tables were ready for 6 am diners in the morning.  I jogged back to the hotel and told Don where we would be having breakfast the next day! 7:30 We pulled into the parking lot an hour and a half, after The Griddle opened.  Lucky for us, there was one booth left! We ordered coffee and I felt pretty pleased with myself that I sort of matched the Griddle's green colors. Quick Look Around Our very sweet server Hayli, took our order. Then I hopped up to do some snooping.  I felt like I was in a time warp. It sure seemed like very little had changed since the Abouds opened, in 1948. Comparing I found a photo display in the hall, that helped me do a little comparing.  The counter stools in the vintage photo looked just like the green ones today. Surely they've been redone, after all these years. But not replaced! Favored Corner There seemed to be a flow of diners at end of the counter, near our booth. I snapped a quick pic, after a few seats at the corner vacated.  Just minutes before, I'd been entertained by a few sitting there. 2 women wearing aprons and speaking softly in Spanish, finished up a quick breakfast before dashing back to the kitchen. Then I noticed a man with a knit cap, long beard and rugged hands, bowing his head and making the cross, before devouring his meal. I kind of liked that corner. 76 Years Once again, I compared today's counter scene to an old photo. How many people in 76 years, have taken a seat at the counter and enjoyed a cup of coffee and a warm plate of food?  I took a closer look at the photo above and chuckled. Did I see slot machines, next to the door? Today, there are just a few framed portraits on the wall, beside the door. Sunny Booth Before heading back to the sunny booth, I took a quick look at the back room. It seemed to be a popular place, but I took no photos.  I was a little camera shy, when I noticed a big man glance my way as he entered. His long gray beard was neat and his face wasn't intimidating, but the gun strapped to his thigh was. Do we call that a thigh holster? I'm clueless about guns. Food! I of course ordered Dad's Hotcakes, because I'd seen pancakes on the sign.  Don ordered a poached egg, Canadian bacon, hash browns and English muffin. Good balance of protein and yummy starch there!  Don posed for me in the dappled morning light, that warmed us on that chilly morning.  Don's mint green shirt didn't exactly match, but I was happily amused that we both wore shades of green in our bright green booth. The Building I tookone more peek at the vintage photos. This one showed The Griddle's great exterior, with logs and awning and a different neon sign.  This was taken across Winnemucca Blvd. It kind of shows the bumped-out shape, in front. My photo doesn't show the cool shape, but it shows how the awning style has changed.  And it shows how large the newer sign is. I wonder when that sign first started attracting customers? How Many Eggs? I had a lot of questions, but the staff was young. I hate to bombard the youth with questions like "Do you know how old that sign is out there?"  But then I noticed this server's shirt! It was answering a question I didn't even think to ask. So, 23,925,385 eggs have been served at The Griddle, since it opened. The young woman laughed after she posed for me. "And this shirt was for our 75th anniversary and that was a year ago!" Hayli Joins the Photo Shoot Hayli was kind enough to pull her sweater down so I could see the back of her shirt. The words reminded me that they've been "Flippin Eggs Since 1948" and that now you can find The Griddle, in 5 Idaho towns!  I asked Hayli about the owner today. I'd read in the menu that the Aboud's son David took over the biz in 2005. She spoke highly of him and said he checks in regularly. (guessing he doesn't live in town?) While Don and I looked at t-shirts in a case, Hayli answered the phone. She rushed back grinning, "That was him! I told him some out of town guests were asking about him!" Heading Out What a pleasant way to end our 17 hours in Winnemucca! After our welcoming breakfast adventure, we hit the road.  We drove about 30 seconds, before I invited Don to take a quick left down Pavillion Blvd.( yes, spelled with 2 Ls) Another sign was luring me! Next Time So this is how these dining and hotel adventures happen! We just finished a dining adventure and I had my eyes on another vintage sign, already thinking about a future vintage hotel adventure!
Don graciously pulled up and let me peek in the office. I snapped photos of the old playground equipment, in front of motel rooms, with pointy roofs! As we headed down the road, I read good reviews about the curious motel.
So next time we drive out this way, we'll be staying at Scott Shady Court and walking to breakfast!
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Dining In Venice!
Well, sort of... Dining at an Outside Café...  Well sort of... Canelleto's Canelleto's is actually a restaurant at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. Which means, when you dine at one of the hotel's "outdoor" cafes, you actually have a roof over your head. And what a roof!  The clouds on the ceiling made it feel like dusk, 24 hours a day. The street lamps felt like they were just lit. The sounds of singing gondoliers and sloshing water could be heard in the nearby Grand Canal. And the musicians playing flute, violin and cello created an atmosphere that felt like a summer evening in an real Italian piazza. The View  When Don and I dined last May, we chose to sit "outside" so we could take in the view. But when I ventured inside in search of the restroom I was amazed at the festive interior. And there was a pretty spectacular view from the upper floors! Italian Dining  My enthusiasm sounds like someone who has never dined in Venice, Italy. In fact, I have such good memories of the "real thing" that I really expected not to be impressed. But I do love playing pretend. And I do love a restaurant with a gimmicky theme. I'd say Canaletto's pulled it off. And I must say, I love the idea of sidewalk cafes with white tablecloths, minus the issues that come with Italian pigeons. Getting Started
I took some time to study the menu artwork which showed a bustling harbor scene and Palazzo Ducale. Then I got very hungry absorbing the mouthwatering details inside the menu. It was nice enjoying a little Chianti and some warm Italian bread as we made up our minds! The Meal  Our waiter had an accent but I didn't dare ask. I'd like to just assume he was Italian, although chances are he was not. We were given just the right amount of attention and the food didn't come out too quickly. I hate feeling rushed when you're trying to enjoy your wine. Pasta, Soup & Salad Don's pasta with prosciutto and cream sauce was deliziososissma. Picture me giving my fingertips a quick kiss, so you know what that means. My Insalata Cesarina, was surprisingly yummy with egg slices and a large sheet of parmesan! I ordered the Minestrone with crossed fingers.
When I was 11 my family moved to Italy for a half year and I remember soothing my homesickness with minestrone. I've been searching since 1969 for the amazing combination of vegetables, cheese and spices, that I remember adoring. Once in a blue moon have I tasted a soup that comes close. The minestrone didn't quite make it. But that's okay. The search is part of the fun. Playing Tourists  When in Rome, (or in Venice) I say, "Act like a tourist and pose on the bridge!" It was a good way to end our meal, before hiking back to our hotel room. We worked off a few calories as we got a bit lost, kind of like you do in the real Venezia!
Tiki Stops in Nevada & California This past spring Don and I had a chance to make 3 retro Tiki Stops on our road trip from Texas to California and back.
There wasn't much dining to be had at the first and no time for dining at the other 2, but they were all quite worthy of a write up! 1- Frankie's in Las Vegas! Being in Vegas puts you in the retro mood. We took a 10-minute cab from our hotel to this 24-hour lounge, far from the touristy Strip.
Our driver chuckled with us and took our photo before entering. (More or less wishing us luck) When we stepped back out later that evening, we got to see the bright pink neon. Interior When we entered through the red door, we thought our daylight eyes would adjust.
They didn't. It was so dark we couldn't see the bamboo walls or mermaid on the ceiling, until viewing these "flashy" photos. Décor It took nerve to use the camera flash, since we seemed to be the only tourists. But we wanted to see (and remember) this awesome setting that was designed by Bamboo Ben.  He and owner P. Moss, with the help of a number of tiki artists created an atmosphere of southseas exotica and modern primitivism! Frankie's Tiki Room has been hopping since it opened less than 10 years ago. I admire Moss' mission to revive the tiki glory days while preserving the name and stucco structure of an actual 1950's Vegas cocktail lounge. Bar & Drinks The bar was an exciting clutter of Polynesian delights. The black and white TV played beach-y film clips while retro island music played.
We used our cell phones to light up the tropical menu, all priced at $9. It wasn't an easy choice since there were 77 cocktails offered at Frankie's. I chose a tasty, coconut Malakula. The menu gave it 3 skulls for "strength" instead of 5. Bartender, Mike A space opened at the bar, so we moved to chat with Mike, the most energetic, upbeat bartender you could hope for.  Being tourists, we bought some quite amazing tiki mugs designed by a local artist and Mike called our cab. There's no food to be had at Frankie's, so some of us can only linger so long. But it was well worth the cab fare to come enjoy for a while! 2- Bali Hai in San Diego Area We discovered this tiki lounge/restaurant on Shelter Island after seeing it pictured, along with a recipe in a 1959 Ford Motor Co. Travel Cookbook.
We were mighty excited to find it open and still being operated by the same family since 1955! Not Sure... These Polynesian figures are shown in the cookbook illustration. No one seems to know the full history of the character nicknamed "The Goof" on the roof top.
The other greeter was by the door. "Mr. Mai Tai" was less cheery, but equally odd. I'm not sure about political correctness at tiki bars, but there were many more carved tiki figures to wonder about once we stepped inside. Grand Round Room When we stepped inside, we were greeted by live acoustic Hawaiian music and about 100 tiki artifacts.
The shiny, massive support logs were impressive, as was the wall of glass with its spectacular view of San Diego Bay. But from 4 to 6, the action was centered around the dramatic bar under a narrow cone-shaped ceiling. Mai Tais We squeezed in at the corner of bar, with light illuminating the thick stone surface. The timbers holding the cone roof held dangling lanterns and glowing puffer fish, as well as a sign with changing numbers.
A man drinking a Mai Tai beside us, warned us about the strength of Bali Hai's Mai Tais. "No juice. You have to be careful." Just then, the sign changed to 2,285,362. That's a lot of Mai Tai's served at Bali Hai! Two Mai Tais We each ordered one. I ordered mine in the special Mr. Mai Tai mug.  Once again, I'm not sure about these tiki images. But I think the half closed eyes are a reminder of what you will look like if you have more than one. Meal with a View The dining area was beginning to fill around 6, but we had to take off.  It would have been nice to have dined with that view! Quick Chat Before Leaving Big Brian, (as he told us to call him) was the only bartender. He was moving fast, whipping out the cocktails, but I couldn't leave without showing him the cookbook. That odd book had acted like a treasure map, luring us to our little our island paradise.  Big Brian's reaction was pretty fun! He nearly hopped over the bar to get to the book. He was giddy over the "Chicken of the Gods" recipe and raced back to the kitchen (abandoning the bar) to show the chef. It was a perfect ending to our second Tiki Adventure. (I look like I had numerous Mai Tais in this photo) 3- Don the Beachcomber in Huntington Beach, California It was a bright Sunday afternoon when we found Don's on the Pacific Coast Highway.
Once again we aimed early for a tiki visit, but the place was throbbing by 5. Arriving The wonderful swooping roof and swordfish sign lured us right off the Highway. It was tricky getting into the parking area, which was bustling with very efficient traffic directors, who must double as security guards or bouncers.
They were having their weekly Reggae Event and we made the mistake of trying to go in the VIP door. We eventually found the bamboo door in front, with sign. "Host to Diplomat and Beachcomber, Prince and Pirate." "Don" or Ernest Gantt from Texas This is the guy who started the real Polynesian craze in 1930's Hollywood.
Inspired by his own island travels, he ended up with a chain of Tiki Lounges all over the country and a list of over 80 patented drinks. None of the original restaurant/lounges remain, but the nostalgic chain has been revived in 3 US locations. The other 2 are in Hawaii. The Other Don I had my Don pose with the sign before heading in. A man snickered nearby, when I snapped the photo. "He must be important!" the man teased. I agreed, "Oh he is! This is Don."  I felt bad when I had to explain to the man that "my" Don wasn't "The" Don. That Don died in 1989 at 82. I guess the teasing man was a tourist or he would have known that. Dining Once again, I wish we had been able too stay for a meal. It would have been a slice of tropical heaven to sit beside a waterfall or Hawaiian mural and sample the Polynesian foods that became especially popular after WWII.
The real tiki craze began in the '40's after soldiers returned home, craving the exotic foods they had sampled in the Pacific. I'm sure there wasn't really anything that unusual about the dishes served up then or now, with all their decorative pineapples and flowers, but I wouldn't mind trying! The Bar We passed up the Reggae event, and headed for the cozy Dagger Bar.  Karaoke was in full swing, at 4:30 in the afternoon. Enjoying the Show Once again we found ourselves relaxing with more locals than tourists. There seemed to be some karaoke regulars and a few were pretty decent. A couple made us wince, but that's all part of it. The fine fellow with gray beard, knit Rasta hat, braids and croqueted eye patch (with crocheted eye) was quite the performer.
The lai-adorned woman pictured dancing along, was actually our delightful server. I had a chance to tell the "pirate" he did a nice job before we left. He said "Thanks!" instead of "Aye!" So I guess we didn't get to meet a pirate, prince or diplomat after all. The Hut... Next Time! We only had 3 Tiki Adventures on our trip. But on our way home we did spot this fine image not far from our hotel in Tucson.
We'll have to try The Hut on our next Western Road Trip! I have a feeling there could be many more to choose from. Tiki is making a comeback!
A Ranch in Vegas?  This past April, Don and I stopped in Las Vegas on a road trip. Why on earth would we decide to leave the festive neon city to track down this 1950's ranch, hidden within the sprawling suburbs? A Cookbook of course!  Some people use a travel book or YELP for dining suggestions while on the road. But, Don and I took a couple cookbooks on our trip, instead. This book was put out by Ford Motor Company in 1963 to promote road travel across the States. The book is a hoot! It's filled with recipes and illustrations, from some of the best roadside and city dining establishments back in the day. Browsing through the pages makes you want to go back in time and visit these iconic places and sample their featured dishes. But the majority of these old cafes, clubs and inns, no longer exist. So Don and I gave ourselves something new to add to our list of adventure goals for our 4 week road trip from Texas to California. We would try to track down a few of these curious places that still exist... and then give them a try! Our lunch at Bob's Ranch House was our first "dining with the cookbook" adventure! Hidden in the Suburbs  This ranch used to be about 7 miles outside of Las Vegas. Now the 10 acre ranch is surrounded by neighborhoods, interstate and shopping centers. But once you drive underneath the wood sign, it feels just like it might have 50 years ago. Just head down the road towards the old windmill... well maybe not. That's a cell phone tower!  Bob's House I was excited to know the ranch was still serving since it opened in 1955. Bob passed away a few years ago, but back in the 1950's it is said that Bob loved cooking for his friends so much, that he finally took their advice. He turned his ranch house into a restaurant. Where's the Entrance?  It was pretty quiet around noon on a weekday when we arrived. (Except for the roaring of the nearby freeway) We followed the path, past a fountain and a few flower beds, searching for the entrance.  Getting Closer If we hadn't seen the sign, I would have been hesitant to go further. It really seemed like we were invading someone's private home.  Should we knock? The door had a nice little square opening, kind of like the one the Wizard looks through, when Dorothy and her friends knock on the door at the entrance to the Emerald City. We weren't as polite as Dorothy, we just walked on in.  The Bar This is Vegas after all, so it wasn't surprising to first be greeted by a big old cocktail lounge when we stepped inside. There were a few saddles tucked here and there, creating a unique Ranch-Vegas decor.  Familiar The view in the front dining room matched the illustration in the book! We grabbed a couple of captain's chairs at a table with a view out the window. Note the cowboy, etched in the glass.  Book Illustration This is the illustration in the cookbook. You can see the glass windows looking out over a pond and trees. Awesome Menu  Liz, our server, handed us each a hefty brown and gold menu. I'm pretty sure the design, (With the words "Supper Club") had not changed since 1955. The inside of the menu had been updated, however. No signs of the cheese sauce that was featured in the Ford Cookbook. Too bad because my mouth was watering for a hot meat pie, slathered with a ladleful of Bob's cheese sauce! Sharing the Book  After Don and I placed our order, I pulled out the cookbook. I didn't expect Liz to "get it" that we were sort of using this cookbook like a map for a treasure hunt. I didn't expect her to understand our cookbook adventure, but she had the reaction we hoped for. She laughed and shook her head as she stared at the curious book. Then she asked for permission before dashing off to make photo copies of the pages and to share the book with the chef and some regulars dining nearby.  Meat! This is the kind of place you go to eat meat. I ordered the Duke Burger. (Bob was a John Wayne fan) That's my burger on the grill, before the caremlized onions, mushrooms and Swiss cheese!  At Home We might have felt like outsiders had we not had the cookbook to help break the ice. The Ranch House is not a place tourists just stumble across. The other diners were all regulars who have probably been coming for ages. The knotty pine, western memorabilia and fireplace added to the homey appeal.  The Food My Duke Burger and Don's barbecued pork sandwich were delicious. The steak fries were yummy too and made me almost wish I'd gone for a big old steak, which is probably what the Duke would have ordered. I couldn't help but wonder what this place must have been like 50 years ago when Bob was cooking and the place was packed.  A Good Visit
We left The Ranch feeling pretty pleased about our first cookbook adventure. Since I'm a big fan of stepping back in time, I was glad that little had been updated in the decor. I guess the windmill-celltower was a big reminder that the ranch is trying to hold onto a little of the past, while moving forward. Gotta appreciate that! The Lincoln Highway - November 2013  Recently my husband and I drove the nearly 300-mile stretch of the Lincoln Highway, known as the Loneliest Road in America. There aren't many dining options on the loneliest road...but I guess that made it a dining adventure. Stop 1 - International Café and Bar in Austin, Nevada  Being big fans the Austin in Texas, we liked the name of this tiny town that suddenly appeared. We also liked the idea of a 140 year old (once) hotel, out in the middle of nowhere, serving international food. There was a lot of stuff attracting our attention as we pulled up. I particularly liked the welcoming sign announcing Ice and Free Restrooms and a very intriguing sign on the side saying, Serbian Christmas Jan. 7! Quiet  The sign said OPEN, but it was awfully empty when we entered the diner portion of the building. The portrait of W.C. Fields glaring down over the counter seemed to match the look of 60ish woman who entered from the kitchen in a Hawaiian shirt and ponytail. "Hi, do we just sit anywhere?" I asked apologetically, feeling as if we'd rudely interrupted her quiet. She nodded and left the room. Cozy Wood  There were many tables to choose from. Most were round with Lazy Susans in the center. My photo looks like some kind of comfy pancake house with all the light wood, but there was really nothing cozy about the place. We sat and waited and I was scared to look at Don or I might burst out laughing. We know each other's thoughts too well. The Menu  Another woman entered. Her moccasins actually stomped the floor as she headed to our table. She hadn't bothered to pull her pink shirt down over her stomach, or to hide her bra or the tattoos on her bosom. However, our 40ish, frowning server may have been covering something on her neck, since the white hand towel was meticulously wrapped (not slung) around her neck. She slapped 2 sticky menus on the table and I almost jumped. She said nothing, so I greeted first. "Hi, how are you doing?" She answered with. "Do you want something to drink?" She left to get our coffee and Don and I shared nervous grins before searching the menu. There was nothing at all international on the menu! But the menu did mention something about the friendly staff at International Café. Hmm? Ordering and Eating  When she came with the coffee, Don and I knew better than to stall with ordering. I did make the mistake of changing my order from fried egg to scrambled after she had gone to the trouble of writing it on her pad. She said nothing, but I felt a flood of childlike guilt when she shifted her weight and sighed and closed her eyes very slowly. After a short wait, our plates arrived without a word. The food was steaming hot, but I had no appetite. Don's biscuits and gravy tasted a bit spongy and my hash browns were greasy, I think...but maybe they were good. I'll never know. Our silent pink waitress had me so intimidated I couldn't taste my food. The Bar  After a while I went in search of the free restroom and discovered the old bar. The morning sun lit up the ornate wood columns and mirror, as well as lots of clutter including a wheelbarrow filled with logs...? Maybe this bar is the reason Pinky and her possible mother were so grumpy. Maybe they had worked into the wee hours and it was all they could do to serve 2 travelers on a Friday morning. Heading Off I had so many questions I wanted to ask Pinky, but before we headed to pay at the counter a middle aged couple entered with cheery smiles. I was amused to see they were treated no differently.  I exchanged a few pleasant words with them to practice my social skills before attempting a conversation with Pinky. I was just so curious about the kind of reaction I might get if I asked her about the cafe's history. Or maybe I could be a little braver and find out if she grew up in Austin. Or I could just go all out and torture myself by asking her to pose for a blog photo. But more customers arrived and she was not approachable. I left disappointed that I hadn't had my chat. So disappointed that I actually called a day later. "Do you all serve International food?" I asked innocently. The confused woman's voice answered. "No?" As if no one had ever asked. With a few more questions she did explain that her husband was Serbian and they serve Serbian food for a Christmas celebration once a year. I doubt we'll ever return for the Serbian Christmas, but I bet the ladies in their bright shirts might be a little more lively during the evening. Stop 2- Ely's Hotel Nevada Café!  A few hours later at the end of the lonely stretch, we stopped for lunch in Ely. I was pretty excited to be in Ely, because Ely happens to my middle name...an old family name. And I was quite thrilled to dine at the Hotel Nevada. This 84 year old casino may not be the oldest building in Nevada, but it was once the tallest! AND, it has a very cool neon sign with the macho miner. Inviting!  Not only did the neon miner welcome us in, but the donkey mural was very encouraging with the words, Western Hospitality. That's something we were craving by lunchtime! Nice Floor  As soon as we entered there were things to see...starting with the floor! Casino Atmosphere  I'm not a big fan of casinos usually, but give me one with neon, buffalo heads and a cowboy and I'm impressed! Animals and Ranch Stuff  Every nook and cranny was crammed with blinking casino lights or stuffed critters or ranching gear! I love the wall behind this wild cat. In the 1960's, ranchers from the area brought their branding gear right into the casino and branded their mark right onto the wood wall. The Cafe  I was kind of disappointed that the dining room had been updated with a somewhat corny race car and motorcycle theme. But at least our server arrived with a smile and she took our order and answered an important question of mine. Yes, the locals of Ely pronounce the name as if you're describing something "eel-like". I hated the teasing I got as a child, but defended the name in recent years when people argued about the pronunciation. Yum  It's fun to eat when you're hungry and I was starved since I hardly ate my breakfast. My simple BLT came with a pickle and super-crunchy AND creamy coleslaw which was delicious! Don had a bowl of cream of broccoli soup. (I liked my pick better) We even got a free bumper sticker which did not ride home on our bumper. But the food and atmosphere hit the spot. Clean, fast, yummy and our bill came to less than $10.00!
Yea for Dining Adventures along Nevada's Highway 50! |
The Dining Blog
This is a blog about Dining Adventures. Sometimes, I talk about food. Below, you can read how this started. On July 4th 2011, I set a goal to try 50 culturally diverse restaurants in one year! (I knew that was possible, living in the Houston area) I spent the year pulling in friends and family to join me, on some unusual dining adventures. I met some curious people, tried some scary foods and explored places and cultures I never would have otherwise. Even though I met my goal, I learned too much to end my adventures in dining. I have continued blogging about memorable dining adventures of all kinds, near and far... and all the discoveries and funny things I've learned along the way! Locations and types of dining adventures, are listed further down. Archives
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