Scratchpad

Oh, Rotel

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25 Mar. 2008

Much as poutine to Quebec, marmite to Queensland, or egg cream to the Bronx, such is Rotel to Texas. Which means it has thus far eluded me in NY, and now I find I need it desperately. Shit, shit, shit. Time for another weekend mission, I guess. Googling indicates the following as possible sources, but I fear the list is outdated:

  • Walmart
  • Stop & Shop (I do recall as a student in Yonkers that this was accurate...but today?)
  • Food Emporium
  • Target
  • Dean & Deluca
  • Random bodegas

If any of you five trusty readers has had a recent Rotel sighting, now is the time to come forward! Do you remember that crap queso I served you recently? Do you?! Do not make me feed that to you again.

Update: Although the bodegas and larger groceries of Astoria and Greenpoint were sadly lacking in the Rotel department (as was Kmart), Food Emporium of Union Square came through.

2: Key Foods @ Ditmars has Rotel. Instead of being shelved with the other canned tomatoes, however, it is tucked away next to the beans and Mexican foods.

Restaurants (for Diane)

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13 Jul. 2007

Per Diane's request, a list of my favorite restaurants in towns around the country.

Portland

  • Chaba Thai
    Noveau Thai. Sandy Blvd, SE.
  • Baan Thai
    Thai. By PSU. Wicked spicy & authentic.
  • Bún bò Huế
    Vietnamese. 82nd and Bybee. Best I've had outside of Vietnam. Obvious house specialty (Bún bò Huế) not to be missed.
  • Mi Tierra Carniceria
    Tacos, tortas, Mexican hand food. Weekends only? Hillsboro. 937 SE Oak. In parking lot behind Los Hermanos Ochoa.
  • Los Hermanos Ochoa
    Mexican. Hillsboro. 937 SE Oak.
  • India Direct (Chaat House)
    Indian, vegetarian. Chaat House is inside an Indian market named India Direct. In a shopping center (hard to find) 16205 SW Bethany
  • Toro Bravo
    Spanish, tapas. A little pricey, but excellent. Good drinks. MLK and Russell.
  • Eleni's Philoxenia
    Greek. Downtown, Chinatown/Pearl divide. Like eating in Greece.
  • Sorabol
    Korean and Japanese. Haven't had the Japanese. Korean great. 79th and Powell. Apparently a chain? Who knew.

Houston

  • Ragin Cajun
    Cajun. Multiple locations, should visit one on Richmond Avenue near loop.
  • Otto's Barbeque
    Barbeque. The pickles are worth eating alone. The bbq is pretty good too. Memorial Drive. Pretend like it is not Bush's favorite restaurant.
  • Goode Company Barbeque
    Barbeque. Love the peppery red sauce. Kirby Dr.
  • Taqueria Arandas
    Mexican. Local chain, all over city.
  • House of Pies
    Diner. Open 24hour. Best breakfast deal in town. Go at 2 am when all the drag queens from nearby Montrose are finishing up their shows and go to "House of Guys" to trade bitchy comments and shovel blueberry pie.

New York

  • Chat n Chew
    Southern. Fried chicken dipped in honey says it all. Union Square and 16th?

Washington DC

  • Jaleo
    Spanish. Tapas. Incredible. Really. Frigging. Incredible. Chinatown-ish.
  • Falafel Shop
    Falafel. Great topping selection. Cheap cheap cheap. Adam's Morgan.
  • Tacos Pepito's Bakery
    Mexican. Tortas are best. Adam's Morgan.
  • Madam's Organ
    Bar. American. Amazing food (fried okra especially) for dirt cheap happy hour specials. Adam's Morgan.
  • Oceanaire Seafood
    Seafood. Crab cakes not to be missed, but everything else is pretty good too (ie - hash browns). Chinatownish, theater district.
  • Waffle Shop
    Breakfast. Across from Ford's Theatre. Insane breakfast deals. Has scrapple and waffles. Hasn't been cleaned since 1951.