Thursday, April 24, 2008
The perfect gift for the Krystal Lover in your life
| If you were watching the Krystal Coke bottle on eBay that I mentioned the other day, you probably noticed something went wrong. Tiffany gave the scoop over at Krystal-Lover Blog. Apparently eBay in their infinite wisdom waited til roughly the last minute to yank the auction because it violated some rule of theirs. The bidding had surged over the $600 mark by that point. Thanks eBay! Way to go out of your way to screw a charity auction! Anyway, Tiffany has put the bottle back up for auction again here. The bidding currently sits at $305 with about 3 1/2 days left. Sadly since the last auction was well underway, a lot of bidders now know just how high this could get, so watch for the snipers to go bananas on this one! Now if $305, or $600 (or perhaps $1000) is too rich for your blood, have I got a deal for you. Actually I did see a Kreed that went for less than $20 (plus about $20 for shipping) a few months back. Wouldn't this make a fantastic gift for the person you love that loves Krystal? You could hang this on the wall of your dining room and when you bring home a sack full, it'll feel like you're eating in the Krystal dining room. Well, back when the stores displayed the Kreed in the dining room. Why am I not bidding on this incredibly unique and valuable item? Well first of all I already have one. It is perhaps the most prized item in my vast Krystal Kollection. The second reason I am not bidding is that I wont be around when the auction ends, and I fully expect a bit of sniping. No when this auction ends, I may very well be sitting in a Krystal stuffing down a pile of Border Burgers. (Those are the Krystals you get at the last store before you enter Burgatory.) This weekend I am headed back to Macon. My itinerary is quickly getting packed as I make plans to see folks. The central reason for the trip is a banquet hosted by the Mercer Computer Science Department. Apparently they haven't yet figured out that if they keep inviting me, I keep showing up. I had hope to get to see Penny, but her surgery got delayed and is actually tomorrow morning. About the time I will be rolling out of Wilmington, she'll be rolling into the OR. It's going to be tough driving 9 hours with my fingers and toes crossed for her. While in town I will certainly be getting my fill of Krystals, and should finally be able to have a Krystal Freeze, or two (or seven?) And I hear the spicy chicks are back. And we all know the only thing better than a regular chik is a spicy chik! OK, maybe a spicy chik with RANCH! Mental note pick up some ranch dressing prior to hitting Krystal. And Doritos.) Second mental note write that down on paper because you'll forget in 10 minutes. So rather than wishing me a safe journey, I am rubber, and Penny is glue, your wishes will bounce off me and stick to her this weekend. Tonight I shall sleep as visions of Sunrisers and Cheese Krystals and Chili Cheese Fries dance in my head. After this weekend they shall all be dancing in my stomach!  |
Labels: Cheese, Chiks, Chili, Macon, Mercer, Wilmington
Monday, March 24, 2008
Easter Lunch
| Upon arrival at Krystal yesterday I made my way quickly to the counter. I had noticed no signs inside or outside about the new Krystal Freezes, so I was a bit nervous. (More on that is a moment) I did however notice a sign sitting in the middle of the counter. Each word produced a small giddy little squeal as I read them from top to bottom: Cheese(squeal) Ranch(squeal) Fries(squeal) Obviously I knew what I was getting. So I placed my order. Feeling nostalgic I went with the #1 add cheese and ketchup, up sized my coke, and added chili, cheese, and ranch to my fries. I took my number and grabbed a seat. Soon my order was delivered to me in all its glory:    Now let me address the whole Krystal Freeze thing and the "BrainFreeze Challenge." The Krystal in Murrell's Inlet is a franchise store. For those that didn't know, MOST of the Krystals out there are owned by the Krystal Company. There are some that are privately owned/franchised. These franchise stores are sort of the "renegade" stores. They don't always do exactly hat Krystal does. This gives them the freedom to do the Ranch Chili Cheese Fries and other exciting things. They also have some combo meals I haven't seen anywhere else. The other side of the coin, though, is that they don't always carry the items that come out of Krystal HQ. I spoke with the manager of the store briefly about the freezes. He was at first surprised that I knew about them. Then he noticed I was wearing my brown "Krystal" t-shirt. (I didn't even realize I was wearing it.) He asked if I worked for Krystal. I pointed to the pictures of the two KLHOF members on the wall and told him I was also a member, number 22. He then wanted all the details on when I was inducted, where I was from and whereI now lived. He also agreed that Wilmington is a pretty big town not to have a Krystal. I told him "In due time." Anyway, he said they were thinking about the Krystal Freezes, but had not decided yet if they would carry them. They really wanted to see how they did at other stores before they committed to them. On the one hand I can't imagine a FROZEN fruity beverage wouldn't sell this spring and summer in Myrtle Beach. But then there's bound to be lots of seasonal snow cone, slushie, and icee vendors out there who could provide a larger flavor selection, and perhaps a cheaper price. I think if Krystal could push the fact that their are made with REAL sugar, they could lock up a section of the market no one else could access. But then I'm not the one in charge so I don't get to make the decisions. I simply told him I'd be back in a month or so and hoped he'd have them in at that time. He thanked me, shook my hand, and I was on my way. So the brain freeze challenge is on hold. Well my part of it anyway. The next time I can get to a Krystal that has them I will dig in. Currently it looks like I may be back in Macon the end of March, and I may stop by my old stomping grounds to freeze my skull. I guess, like in Murrell's Inlet, we'll just have to wait and see.  |
Labels: Cheese, Chiks, Chili, Macon, Wilmington
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Armor plated Peepsicle
As I was chewing on one of my Peepsicles yesterday I couldn't help but wonder if there was a way to make it even better. It didn't take me long to realize that there was. Everyone likes ice cream on a stick or in a cone. But everyone LOVES it when it's covered in a chocolate shell. After all, haven't you ever seen what all those people would do for a Klondike Bar? This is of course one of the main concepts in Jason's Law of Food Toppings:  So I am standing in my kitchen with another Peepsicle in my hand, and trying to decide if I should go with cheese, chocolate, chili, or gravy. I opted for chocolate for now, but I may try and chili cheese peep someday. The next problem was how to put chocolate on a Peepsicle. I could obviously melt some chocolate and cover it like that, but Peeps do not have a good history when it comes to being mixed with hot stuff. The solution was simple. You might even say it was "Magic." I dug out my bottle of Magic Shell and it was game time! Place a dish on the counter. Slowly pour the magic shell over my Peepsicle as you turned it for even coating. Once it stops dripping, back to the freezer briefly to harden, and in seconds:    |
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Freaky Peeps!
| Date: 3/15/2008 Time: 1:44pm Email from: Chris Subject: peeps
Date: 3/17/2008 Time: 11:06am (roughly 45 1/3 hours later) Email from: My mother Subject: "Peeps"
What to do.... what to do.... Peeps on a Krystal? Eww, no way! Peeps on a Chick? No, sounds like a porn movie. Chili Cheese Peeps? Well I'd try em but I doubt they'd make em. Aha!!! I got it! Tune in this weekend, you'll get it to! |
Thursday, February 21, 2008
DIY Pups, Part 2
| Since yesterday's attempt at Chili Cheese Pups was a total let down, I simply had to try and redeem myself. So here's my second version. We must put Lunchables behind us and move on. While I was at the store buying the lunchables I happened to see something else in the prepackaged meat case:  The difference between the lunchables and these new dogs was that the lunchables gave you buns. Dry, cold, hard, tasteless buns, but at least you got some. I had no brilliant ideas so I decided I'd just use regular buns and cut them in half.  I think my first real mistake was that I kept with the Lunchables method of heating the dogs up. Place dog in bun, then in the microwave. I opted not to waste 4 paper towels this time and just decided they'd have to tough it out in the nuclear storm. In hindsight, I feel that these will never reach true Chili Pup quality as long as a microwave is involved. The dogs need to be boiled (or steamed?) and the buns need to be steamed, just like the real thing. Then you wont have dry buns. Dry hot dog buns I mean. You may still have dry buns, but that's a medical condition and you should consult your doctor for an ointment or something.  A bit more subtle was the bun to dog ratio. Since these were full side hot dog buns I think they may have more bread than is required. Perhaps I need to carve out a small slice from the middle of the bun prior to assembly? I am quite certain I will have to go back to Krystal and inspect some pups very closely soon. I also need to test the mini cheese hot dogs, just to see how they are. Now that I feel confident in my goal of recreating a chili pup, the final step is a Corn Pup. Of "The Big Four" the corn pup is my least favorite. But it deserves a shot. I have seen they sell frozen mini corn dogs at the store, but they don't have a stick. Obviously I could just shove a stick in them and push forward, but I think I may attempt to actually make real corn dogs from scratch. Alton Brown has a corn dog recipe but in typical AB fashion his goal is perfect taste, no matter what. By the time I got done prepping the ingredients, I believe my taste for corn pups would have passed. No, there must be an easier way. And I will find it. (Yes that's my obligatory dog joke.) |
Labels: Cheese, Chili, Pups, Recipe
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
DIY Pups, Part 1
Recently I had a hankering for some Chili Cheese Pups. Sadly, I'm stuck in Burgatory and can't drive down the street and grab some. Slowly the desire kept growing until I could stand it no longer. I decided that if I couldn't go GET some pups I'd simply have to MAKE some pups. In today's post I will be showing you how NOT to do it. Tomorrow I'll show you a better (though still not perfect) way to pup yourself up at home. Let's start with a quick survey. I remember the early days of Lunchables when all you got was like 3 or 4 crackers, and 3 or 4 round slices of cheese and ham. I think they also included a napkin. How thoughtful. I always knew over the years they'd really "beefed up" the product line (pun intended) but I never paid much attention. Who knew they had tacos, hamburgers, and hot dogs? You'll notice in the box above there is a tiny TINY window thru which you can see the "product." Well sort of. It's not until you get it home and rip it open you realize what you've gotten yourself into:  I unpack and unwrap everything and do my best at Mise en place. It is really quite amazing how much they can squeeze into that little box. I was waiting for a circus full of clowns to come cartwheeling out at some point.  FUN TO EAT...NO NEED TO HEAT!: Place Hot Dogs in Buns; top with Ketchup and Mustard. Enjoy! TO HEAT & EAT: Place Hot Dogs in Buns; wrap each in a paper towel. Microwave 3 hot dogs on HIGH 25 sec.; let stand 30 sec. Top with Ketchup and Mustard. NOTE: Hot dogs will be HOT.For starters, the idea of eating these things cold make me almost hurl immediately. Second, I had to pause for a moment and try and figure out if they had a 4 year old type this up. CAN WE Get A Referee's RULING on the abuse Of The shift KEY? Wrap EACH dog in a paper towel? It's not enough to have the big clunky waste of the cardboard box AND the plastic container, AND the shrink wrap for the buns, AND the the Capri Sun, AND the smaller packets, now I had to also waste a few paper towels? Obviously Oscar doesn't care about the environment much. Knowing that "Ketchup and Mustard" wouldn't be enough, I had planned ahead. I had a small onion diced very fine, a can of chili (no beans) warming on the stove, and shredded cheddar cheese at the ready. I dutifully wrapped my dogs and nuked my dogs.    I also got a free pack of "Mystery Flavor" Air Heads candy. It's still sitting on the counter. Mystery Flavor foods always make me a bit nervous. What if it tastes like butt? I mean I was in a fraternity. I've seen plenty of "Guess what this tastes like" stunts in my lifetime. I also wonder if "the new guy" was working in the flavoring portion of the production line, and the boss wasn't supervising very closely. The new guy says "Oops!" and suddenly they're selling "Mystery Flavor" Airheads. What other industry can get away with this? Come on down to Big Ed's Cars where you can buy a Mystery Car for $22,000! After you buy it and drive it you can try and guess what it is! If you guess right, congrats! If you guess wrong, who cares, cause you still own it either way! Bottom line: Put the lunchables back on the shelf! If your kids are pestering you for Lunchables Hot Dogs, you may want to put them in counseling. Or send them to school with a bag full of dirt. It's got to be better tasting. (and more nutritious!) Come back tomorrow for an imporved version of Do It Yourself Chili Cheese Pups.  |
Labels: Cheese, Chili, Onions, Pups
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Chocolate Cherries and pups on the beach
Yesterday's mission was to go get a Chocolate Cover Cherry Milkquake. I swapped out the CD in the changer in the truck, grabbed some reading materials (chapter 3 from my programming and logic textbook) and headed south. Two hours later I had arrived at Krystal in Murrell's Inlet, SC. I was starving. I went with the old standard, a #1 with cheese, but decided to go for the chili cheese fries, due to the HUGE sign on the front of the store telling me to. I was worried I hadn't saved enough room, but I summoned my inner Kobayashi and went back to the counter: Chocolate Cherry Milkquake and two chili cheese pups. To go! After a brief phone call from Courtney, she had given me an idea. You don't get that close to the beach and not go. So I loaded back into the truck and rolled up the street to Atlantic Ave, that goes directly to Garden City beach. Grabbed my food at made my way out to the sand. The law says you can't have dogs on the beach off leash. You know what I say to that?  Bite Me! In reality, it wasn't the beach cops I was concerned about. That picture is perhaps one of the toughest I have ever had to take. As I "set up" the shot, I look up to see:   With my seagull adventure behind me, I grabbed my MilkQuake and returned to my truck to enjoy it in peace.  |
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Valentine's Day Tips
| Yes, today is Valentine's Day. The day that the greeting card and candy companies conspired together on. Sadly, the internet and "e-cards" have destroyed the greeting card industry, and so now we are left to be pummeled by electronic greetings from people we don't even know. As a guy, I can sympathize with the other men out there who are always faced with the Valentine's Dilemma: In previous years, I might have suggested you tell her that instead of crummy old diamonds you got her fresh Krystals. Sadly you're likely to spend the rest of the evening trying to convince her that diamonds are "so 1900's" and that Krystals are the new diamond. For those looking for the more passionate approach, I might suggest a quick mid-afternoon phone call telling her that you have a steamy evening planned. Again, sadly, you'll spend the rest of your evening trying to explain that you meant a steamy sack full of Krystals. No, my friends, the old approaches to injecting a little steamy Krystal goodness into your Valentine's Day were simply destined to create another Valentine's Day Massacre. It was time for something new, something sweet, something delicious. And Krystal has done it!  Sadly, due to my work schedule (noon to 8pm, today) and my location in Burgatory, I will be unable to enjoy one of these new MilkQuakes today. I think this means I will be road tripping back into South Carolina this weekend for one. And a mess of Cheese Krystals, chili cheese fries, pups, chicks, oh my! Is it lunch time yet?!? For those who choose not to participate in the "Valentine's Scam" Krystal has you covered, too.  |
Saturday, February 09, 2008
More on that.
This just in from the Ever Clever Chris:My suggestion for the new sandwich should've been obvious to everyone: The Angwich!I have but one response: "Pretty Sneaky, Chris!" As Brian pointed out in his comment on my last post, it was a bit of a long winded, rambling post. It was not, however, 5000 words. (It was 986, not including the title.) Now had I left in everything I originally planned for the post it may very well have hit 5000 words. First there was my script proposal for the TV mini series based on the Black Angus brothers, BA and Little Charrlie as they travel across the countryside in search of wonderful (and delicious) friends to join for dinner each week. Friends like: Bacon, Chili, and Mushroom (He's a Fun-guy!) While I kept the reference to Angus Young of AC/DC I left out the possible tie in of this new sandwich with the TV show Chuck. I got hooked on the show while flipping channels one evening a while back I recognized one of the actors. All of the articles written about the show talk about how the cast is made up of unknowns and nobodies. Well that all sounds like a great underdog scenario, but it's not exactly true. Most of the cast is only unknown or unfamiliar to the unobservant. For starters, the character of John Casey is played by none other than Alec Baldwin. No, he's not one of THOSE Baldwins. That would be too easy. You would know him as the big quite loner, Linderman, from his very first film, My Bodyguard (1980). Chuck's sister, Ellie is played by Sarah Lancaster that you might recognize from the TV series Everwood (2003-'05). You may even recognize Vic Sahay From a microscopic role in Good Will Hunting, or Ryan McPartlin AKA Captain Awesome from his role as the young boyfriend of Fran Drescher in the short run series "Living With Fran." As obscure as these actors may be, none of them were the one that caught my eye. Now, the one that caught my eye was Josh Gomez ("Morgan Grimes"). Who the heck is Josh Gomez, you ask? Obviously you are new here. Have you met The Ranch Tooth and his friend Josh Gomez? (check the video clips on the right side of the page.) That's right, everyone's Ranch-challenged buddy landed a TV series gig. Sadly, I don't think there's room in the series for everyone's favorite molar to make a guest appearance. And while Wendy's has thankfully ditched the red head tree kicking lunatic commercials, I doubt they'll be bringing the Ranch Tooth back. (And given the new "Fishing Wendy" commercials I think they may have sunk lower.) So in closing here's another dozen or so links and 475 or so words to include with the previous 1000. |
Monday, February 04, 2008
Paul has cute little dogs.
When I start talking about eating at one of the many hot dog places around Wilmington, it is only a matter of time before my father with bring up Paul's Place. Sure enough, it's only a few miles from where my office is on North Campus, and I'd driven half way to Pauls on many occasions. There's an Andy's Cheesesteaks just north of campus, and if you drive past it you'll run into Paul's Place. Well as long as you don't blink. Paul's is very small, unassuming, and competely in the middle of nowhere:   Prior to making the drive up, I of course hit the Web Site to get the scoop. It's worth taking a moment to go see the site and read the history. Everyone talks endlessly about the relish at Paul's. It's apparently a love it or hate it type of thing. (I hated it!) This past Friday I went in to get some work done. I don't normally work on Fridays but it's so quite on campus I get a lot done! I decided to try and blend in like the natives and went with their 3 dog combo, BUT I only got one with relish. The other two I got chili, since the relish is supposed to be a chili alternative.  The relish dog is in the middle.  Looking around the place one of the things you just can't miss are the millions of jars of pickled, jellied, jammed, peppered, and sauced items   As you step up to the counter you can look down and see the hot dogs in the hot water right below you. They literally assemble your dogs within arm's reach. They place them on big squares of tissue paper and place them on your tray. Then you get your cup to go get your own drink. This is when you may notice one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. Since moving to eastern NC (the birthplace of Pepsi Cola) from Georgia (the birthplace of Coke) I have fallen repeatedly into the Coke/Pepsi conundrum. The first week or so everywhere I went I would order a Pepsi and be asked if Coke was ok. So then I'd ask for a coke and occasion get asked if Pepsi is OK. Frankly, you cannot win. I'd say there's an even Coke to Pepsi ratio here. Often it's a mad dash to scan the menu or look for the drink fountains to see if you are in a Coke or Pepsi place. As I walked in to Pauls I quickly saw the Pepsi fountains to the left of the counter. So I ordered a medium Pepsi with my lunch. But as I turned to my right to find a seat I saw Coke fountain to the right end of the counter. I then had to turn completely around to make sure I hadn't mis read something. I hadn't. Paul goes both ways, apparently. This is the only time I have EVER seen a place with both Pepsi products AND Coke products. Next time I go back I will certainly get a picture. I haven't figured out exactly where to stand to get them both in the same shot. While the cola wars is currently a cold war situation (get it? Cold Cola war?) I suspect Paul's would be the perfect spot for a taste-off. Lts face it, when they hand you your cup it's 3 steps to a Coke and 3 steps to a Pepsi. Come to think of it you also have the opportunity to "cross the streams" by mixing Coke AND Pepsi in the same cup at the same time. Oh yes, my next trip to Paul's will be an enlightening and entertaining experience for sure! But please, hold the relish. |
Labels: Cheese, Chili, Onions, Wilmington
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Chihuahua!
| I have an idea for Krystal for this year's Cinco de Mayo celebration. But as usual I need to build up to it. (And no it has NOTHING to do with Mayonnaise!) Recently I was over at Trolly Stop getting myself a few hot dogs. (Isn't it sad that my blog post is about the only real online ad for Trolly Stop?) If they are willing to make such insane hot dogs as mayo and melted cheese, then you'd think they'd have figure this one out. I decided to go with a Mexican themed dog: all beef frank, salsa, onions, melted cheese, and jalapenos. I dubbed it "The Chihuahua" after everyone's favorite dog. The Mexican dog with a lot of attitude that will bite you when you least expect it. It also sounds like the sound I make after eating an especially hot jalapeno: Ai Chi Wah Wah! (How exactly do you spell that?!?)  So perhaps this year Krystal can really do Cinco up right. They already have the dogs, the cheese, and the onions. They usually have the jalapenos. All they need is some salsa and there they go! And even if Krystal doesn't offer this Mexi-dog you can make them yourself. Just buy a pack of dogs to go. (Get it? Pack of Dogs?) They'll even put them in a nice carry bag, like Paris Hilton's dog Tinkerbell. And when people ask what's in the bag you can tell them in your worst Paris impression, "It's hot!" |
Labels: Cheese, Chili, Onions, Pups
Friday, January 04, 2008
No Más
| After 18 years of Krystal Thursdays, what would one get on their final official Krystal Thursday. I had almost 2 hours to think about that while I drove down. My poor planning resulted in me hitting Myrtle Beach at 5pm. Rush hour, idiot drivers, and multiple car wrecks made the final 10 miles last forever. For a brief moment I wondered if the Krystal Gods were trying to get me to turn back and reconsider. In reality I didn't need 2 hours to decide what I would have. I didn't need 2 minutes. The decision was one of the easiest ever: Normally I celebrate special occasions by adding Bacon to my cheese Krystals, so that was a given. But then there's the ultra rare delicacy known only to the few people who really know Krystal: the Chili Cheese Krystal. In fact I still remember a debate I had with a manager in Macon over if you could actually add chili to a Krystal. I am not sure he believed me when I told him you can add chili to anything at Krystal. As I turned the corner to pull into the Murrell's Inlet Krystal there in bright shiny glorious color was a sign proclaiming that it was essentially Chili-time! (Can't Touch This!) It was another sign. Chili Cheese Krystals would be mine. I walked in, took a slow deep breath, and firmly placed my order:
 This is what $12.09 can get you   I sat there, staring at the remains scattered across the tray. Spent Krystal shells scattered across the battlefield of my dinner. Barely a crumb from the steamy bread to show what had happened here. The only one who knew of the significance of what had happened was me, and me alone. Which is really how it should be. While I have shared Krystal Thursday with many people over the years, when it gets right down to it, most of the 18 years were a solitary journey. It all started alone, and it is fitting that it ended alone. But I couldn't simply toss it all in the trash and walk away. There had been one last Krystal Kreation I had been thinking of for months, but unable to try due to geography. I decided it was now or never. I walked to the counter and asked the girl if we could get a little creative. Apparently these words signaled to the manager that she might need to get involved so she stepped up to the counter to take my order: "To make the Strawberry Milkquake, you start with vanilla then pour strawberries on top, right?" "Yes, sir, that's right." "Can we do the same thing, but start with a chocolate Milkquake instead?" "That sounds great!" There was never a pause, no hesitation, no complaints. I think she felt that great feeling of excitement and discovery that I felt. She rang it up and jumped right to it. This is why I love Krystal. The cashier came back to the counter and mentioned that she was shocked she'd never thought of it before. We then got to talking of other great things you can do at Krystal. I mentioned the Apple Pie in the Vanilla Milkquake and she said she'd already done that and loved it. She said she'd tried it in all 3 flavors of Milkquake and apparently chocolate is good too. If only I had 3 more stomachs, but sadly I am not a camel. I only had room for mine:  As I said yesterday, I do not know how the end of Krystal Thursdays will impact this blog. I certainly have a lot of Krystal topics left untouched. I have, as a friend once called it, a "Krystal Kloset full of Krystal Krap" that I haven't even mentioned yet. But for right now, for the first time in almost 2 decades, I don't have a unreasonable craving for Krystals. I am happy, and I am satisfied. And when it gets right down to it, isn't that really all we need out of life? I know personally, that the past few years of my life have been missing one or the other. |
Labels: Bacon, Cheese, Chiks, Chili, Macon, Pups
Friday, November 30, 2007
Cans, Biscuits, Beer, and Keys
| I actually started this post this morning but had to run out for a few errands. If you return to my previous post on the frustration of extracting cranberry sauce from the new Oceanspary can, you'll see my friend Brian has left a comment. While he did correctly call me on the fact that "normal" folks would probably not use an expensive knife to extract their canned cranberry sauce, I must point out that I was at my parent's house, so I used my mother's knife. Even more important, though, is the fact that if I do use a table knife, it is unlikely my "I slipped and chopped off my finger" lawsuit will work very well. I am, however, still hung up on the question of why did they change it in the first place?!?!? What was wrong with the old can? So I felt I simply had to call "The Bog." That's what the Oceanspray folks call themselves. Seriously, call their 1800 number for yourselves! I spoke to Lynn and told her I had what may be the most bizarre question: Why did you change the can for the cranberry sauce? Her first response was to ask if I was having trouble and then told me exactly the same instructions printed on the side of the can: "To remove product intact, sweep a flat knife around inside edge of can, invert and shake." I told her I had done that and it didn't work so well, so now I was wondering WHY they changed it. I explained my normal way to open the cans (which I am finding is how everyone else did it, too.) Remove BOTH ends and "pop" the jelly out of the can by pushing on one end. She then replied that by doing away with the "seamed" end of the can, they saved almost 20% of the steel needed to make a can. That took a moment to process, but then it made sense. Lets pause for a moment. Do you know where the term "Baker's Dozen" comes from? Most folks know a baker's dozen is 13, but few know exactly why there is such a thing or why it has that name. After all, my box of donuts only has 12, never 13. A quick read over at Wikipedia will shed some light on it. Since the ends of the cans are "stamped" out of a sheet of metal, think of cutting out biscuits. If you cut them out in a simple grid pattern, in straight columns and rows, you get a LOT of wasted dought. Of course with biscuits, you just roll it back out and cut more biscuits. It's not that simple with steel, what's left over is wasted. By eliminating the need to "punch out" metal for one end, they can save a lot of metal. For those who now wish to ask why they didn't do that on both ends of the can, we'll all wait here for you while you figure that one out on your own. So Lynn had won me over on the whole less waste angle. She also pointed out that companies had been doing this on soup cans for years. Go check your soup cans now! In fact, I had my Botulism Chili handy and it has this kind of can. (And the nasties inside haven't distorted the can, yet.) I was still stuck on why they chose to screw up the bottom instead of the top. Sort of as I predicted she said that by sealing the top, there would be an "air pocket" at the top that would allow the sauce to slide out once you "broke the seal" with a knife. I just didn't have the heart to tell Lynn that it isn't as easy as she (and the can) make it out to be. As soon as you remove the knife, the seal will reform. Unless you leave the knife in the can while you start shaking it, which of course will produce a lot more problems. I think I'm going to try sticking a straw all the way through the sauce, extract the straw with a small "core sample" of sauce, and see if that will allow for the free removal of the sauce. Plus I get to slurp out the core sample! While Lynn's answers helped some, I found I had a whole new crop of questions.Will the cost of a can of cranberry sauce go down now that they're reducing waste in their production? (I doubt it!) Why are the instructions for removing the sauce printed right side up on the can? The instructions will only be useful AFTER the can is opened and at that point the can will be upside down. Why doesn't the can say "Open the can..." before they get all into the swirl and shake stuff? If we're going to give instructions why not give COMPLETE instructions? Why don't they sell your cranberry sauce in something other than metal cans? Yes I know the next question is: what SHOULD they put it in? I believe that if they sold "Squeezable Cranberry Sauce" like they sell "Squeezable Jelly" it would be a big hit! I know I'd buy it! Just think, you now have a better choice for something to put on your turkey sandwich! And Krystal could keep a bottle in the store for those who want to make their own Cran-Chik! And on that note, I hereby claim the Squeezy Cranberry Sauce idea! Or perhaps small "Cranberry Sauce Packets" like they have jelly in? I'd need 8 or 9 for Thanksgiving. Finally, as for Brian's excitement over the term "Church Key" I forget when I first heard the name but it was ages ago. I first heard the name from someone talking of "the old days" when you had to have one to get into your beer. Since I don't drink beer and I'm not THAT old, I couldn't really relate. I do however need it for opening cans of Sweetened Condensed Milk to make my "chocolate fudgy bon-bons." Nothing worse than opening a can of that with a can opener and the sticky sweet stuff spills and glues your can opener to the counter or worse the lid falls into the can and you'll never get it out. Lastly, though, if I didn't have a church key, how else would I open these beauties?  |
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Old McDonald
Old MacDonald had a farm,If you've been coming to Krystal Adventure for a while then you already know how much I love chicks, chiks, and chix. I mean what's not to love about em. Soft and warm, fun and playful. Some are sweet, some are spicy. When you're not around em you can't help thinkin about em. Oh yes, I am absolutely crazy about them. And while it may appear that all's quiet on the Krystal front, they have not been phoneing it in up in Chattanooga. Now, it appears Krystal went cruising for Chiks (and chicks). I do believe I am jealous of Krystal. Sadly, my usually cure for jealousy, a chili cheese pup, is at least 2 hours away. So I must suffer, all alone, in burgatory. Without a chik or a chick to drive away the sadness. But enough of that. Yes folks that's right, Krystal has gona Chik crazy! In an email blast just this week there were several announcements. You may have noticed over on Krystal.com our usual WebChiks have been replaced. The new web chik is blonder and appears to be quite a bit perkier. (Neither of those statements are to be taken as an insult!) It seems our new WebChik is only the tip of the ice berg. Krystal has now announced  The 2008 Krystal Chik Calendar  Sadly, none of the Chiks appear to have the dream of moving to Wilmington. Perhaps if they knew that the largest movie studio east of California was in Wilmington, that might change things? I drive past Screen Gems Studios every day on my way to work. Dawson's Creek or One Tree Hill ring a bell? I did say previously that due to scheduling problems (and georgraphy) I wouldn't be able to make the Square Off World Chapionship in Chattanooga on Oct 28th. However, if I find out that the Calendar Chiks will be there, I may have to throw caution (and common sense) to the wind and make a run for it. After all, last year I got to meet the original Krystal WebChiks and well as Krystal Kitty at last year's Square Off Finals. That many Krystal Chicks in one location may be unavoidable! While I may be unsuccessful in trying to bring home one of the Krystal Calendar Chicks, there are three new Chiks I can bring home!  I am unsure if these will be in addition to or instead of the original Saucy Chiks (Buffalo, Honey Mustard, Barbecue). You also can have Breakfast Chiks with the new Sausage Gravy Chik biscuit. Despite the fact my freezer is still well stocked with Krystals, I think I may have to take a trip south to Murrell's Inlet soon. Chiks do not survive the freezing and thawing very well. Timing will be essential so I can do both breakfast and lunch and get as many Chiks as I can. While I am in Myrtle Beach I may see if I can cruize the beach and pick up some Chicks too. I can test out my theory that you can pick up a truck load of Chiks if you first pick up a sack full of Chiks. I do actually already have a Krystal Calendar. I was given a Krystal calendar by Penny back about 1999 or so. While it was not full of sexy chiks, it was quite an entertaining calendar anyway. Lots of Krystal coupons, trivia, and fun..I'd show you a picture of it, but it is currently still packed in an unmarked box in a closet. One day I'll manage to dig it out, I hope. I'd like to take a moment to ask you to keep Penny in your prayers right now. I just recently learned that the reason I missed her while I was back in Mid-Ga was that she's run into a bit of a health problem and was in the hospital. They have figured out what the problem is, but she's got a bit of a fight on her hands. Though I am 400 miles away, I am always there with ya, Penny! Penny's known about my Thursday thing for a long time and finds it quite amusing. Penny also worked at a Krystal at one point. Ah the secrets she could probably tell! |
Labels: Cheese, Chiks, Chili, Pups, Recipe, Wilmington
