Friday, June 20, 2008

 

You know it's good if you need a bath when you're done.

Chris, go get Amy!
On Monday, while on my way home I decided to pick up some lunch. With the tourists in town who don't know how to drive in Wilmington, you have to be especially careful. I watch for out of state car tags, and plan accordingly. The problem is, NC tags don't tell you WHERE they are from in NC so those are the "covert tourists."
Became of a covert tourist, I got forced into a turn lane and wound up in the parking lot for Lowes, Sams, and a strip mall. Getting into the lot is easy, getting out is impossible as it is a 4 way intersection. All but the entrance to the parking lot have stop signs. No one pays attention to the stop signs.
Trying to be creative I opted to go for one of the lesser known side exits by cutting across a parking lot. As I did, I happened to look to my left.
I almost wrecked. I think my heart stopped beating for a few seconds. Instantly my salivary glands kicked in as visions of Buffalo came rushing back.
Over a year ago I was discussing my trip to Buffalo for Chris and Amy's wedding. The main topic of the post was the delicious Loganberry I had on the trip and my inability to find it here in the south. Therefore I was on on an adventure to make my own.
Buried in that post was a reference to "Beef on Weck." There was never really any follow up on that, and I knew there was little chance I'd ever get it again without a trip to Buffalo. I'd attempted to make my own and it failed miserably. I think this article from the local paper explains Beef on Weck very well, and also has the best title I have seen in the newspaper:
What the heck is beef on weck?
(Be sure to click on the picture in the article!)
The descriptions in the article are perfect. I have always said you know you've had a good sandwich when you feel like you need a bath afterwards.(My Bacon Chili Cheese BA Burger is a good example from Krystal.)
I parked my truck immediately and went in. It was only 10:30 or so, so the place was fairly empty but still smelled wonderful. The first thing you notice when you get inside it obviously for those who have never been to Buffalo.
Yes that is a stuffed buffalo to the side. I admit I am not a native "Buffalonian" but I caught the signal. I paused only long enough to glance around for Loganberry, but none was to be found. I stepped to the counter and looked at the menu.
Apparently there's more things on the menu besides Beef on Weck. I don't know as I have never actually seen them. For some reason my eyes can only seem to focus in the upper right corner. You can see a more readable copy of the menu here at MenuPix.com but keep in mind the menu is an old one. They no longer have 2 sizes of sandwiches, and the prices have risen roughly 50¢-70¢. Be sure to read the comments on MenuPix, too!
Obviously I went with the Beef on Weck. Due to my past experience, I was able to order like a pro. I knew how to actually say "Beef on Weck" I also knew it normally comes with horseradish, which I don't eat. I told them to hold the horseradish, and add a side of the home made chips. I was slightly shocked at the cost of my meal but once I saw my food, it made sense. I filled my cup all the while wishing my Cherry Coke was Loganberry, and I went to grab my seat.
While we wait for my lunch, hop over here to read a local blog post about South College Deli. He mentions George Elliot, the local weather guy. Play the video, and laugh. Everyone else does.
I have been to South College Deli three times since Monday, and George has been there 2 of the three times. Yeah, I said I've been there three times in the past 5 days. Got a problem with it? Well then shut up! As promised, George walks in, drops his stuff on a table, rearranges the furniture a bit then walks right behind the counter to make a pot of coffee. Everyone seems to know him, and I hear someone ask him "How's the weather?" Normally that's the cheesiest empty conversation opener. But George is a real weather man. I wonder how often he gets that question.
My food arrives and it is spectacular.
While the blog post above advises you to get the Ranch, in what may come as a shock to KrystalAdventure readers, who know of my passion for RANCH I suggest you skip the ranch. I have something even better.
The secret to a good beef on weck is you want it to be messy. Open the top and pour the au jus on the inside of the bun and on the meat. Put the top back on and flip it over.
Remove the bottom of the bun and pour au jus on that and on the meat. I find that if you wait a little bit for it to soak in, you can add a little more. Then carefully replace the bottom bun. Take a big sip of your soda because once you pick up this sandwich you will not be able to sit it back down. It will self destruct if you do.
Pick up the sandwich with one hand, and use the other to shake your chips so they form a layer in the bottom of your basket. This is to catch the au jus that will begin pouring from your sandwich. If you've done it right, your sandwich should now be along the lines of two super juicy meat sponges with a huge pile of meat in between them. When you take your first bite you should get a Niagara Falls of beefiness. (That's a Niagara/Buffalo reference) Thankfully they have napkin dispensers everywhere. Thankfully I wasn't wearing a nice shirt.
Once you have finished your sandwich, you will have a tray full of chip that should be nicely soaked from the runoff of your beef on weck. Any chips that somehow managed to avoid the flood, can easily be dipped in the remaining au jus prior to devouring.
When you are done, grab a handful of napkins to wipe yourself off. Not just your mouth, but your cheeks, chin, ears, nose, forehead, neck, and arms up to your elbows. Then go home and take a shower.
I've had three since Monday. (I mean three sandwiches. I've had 5 showers.) I find myself waking up in the middle of the night wondering why they're not open yet. How did I last almost 5 years without Beef on Weck and now I can't go 3 days?
Today, however, there was no George Elliot. There was, however, Marcy, the owner. I related my Beef on Weck and Buffalo story. (Chris she wants more details on Amy and she thinks she may know or know of Amy's family.)
I then told her that everything was good, but she'd need to get some Loganberry to make everything complete. She laughed. She then informed me that they used to have Loganberry, but no one ever drank it. I now have clear evidence that people in Wilmington may have brain damage. I told her if she got Loganberry I'd probably be like George Elliot and never leave.
She then told me something that took my breath away. "You know Sam's gets some in on occasion. With all of the New York transplants down here, it goes quick when they do get it in." She then offered to grab me some the next time she saw it, and if I'd just check in on occasion she'd sell me some. I gave her my card and told her to call me immediately upon its arrival. I stumbled out a little light headed.
That was four hours ago. I wonder if it is too soon to go back for another Beef on Weck?
Krystal Lovers like hot buns.

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# posted by JasonJ1052 @ 12:35 PM
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