Surprisingly good sandwich on the road

[reddogge]

Have you ever been pleasantly surprised by a fantastic sandwich at an out of the way stop on a road trip? We were heading from Bonita Springs, FL to Vero Beach via route 78 and I wanted to see Lake Okeechobee so we detoured down to the lake on 441 and caught the northern end. My wife had to use the potty and none was availble at the launching ramp and I headed to the McDonalds back up the road. I came to a dive called Lunkers Sportsmans Grill and pulled in and decided to eat lunch. The place was hung with dozens of team flags, the waitress young and a little flippant.

I ordered a BLT and fries expecting the worst. Out came one of the most memorable BLTs I have ever seen or eaten. I should have taken a picture of it. Two large thick pieces of toasted rye bread, fresh lettuce, a couple of large ripe red real tomato slices( not the pale variety we get now), slathered in mayo and a very large portion of the tasiest thick bacon I have ever eaten. Combined with fries cut just right and fried perfectly this sandwich was memorable. Hell the waitress became chattier and prettier too when I pointed out they left the Ravens flag out of the flag mix.

 

[bamabiker]

Thanks, now I'm hungry. I love a good BLT.

 

[jeffsmith]

Year-round Fresh Veggies (Especially Real Red Tomatoes)
Were a Major factor in our relocation to Florida

 

[BaldEagle1313]

Actually, yes. 20 years ago the car lost a water pump while in Spokane and while it was at the Nissan dealer I asked about a place to eat nearby that wasn't a chain or fast food. Was directed to this German style place that had the hands-down best Monte Cristo I've EVER had. It was phenomenal. Sadly they are no longer there - I've looked. Going by their portion size they probably lost money on each meal.

 

[diamonback68]

reddogge, I know the place well. It used to the Clock Restaurant, a chain throughout Florida. I haven't been in there since they changed hands, but I sure will now, thanks.
BTW, the Clock had very good food and good service too.
BTW#2, it's also good fishing off the pier at the north end at 441.

 

[Class III]

Another "Actually, yes" story.

A few years ago we where in the Birmingham, AL area for several weeks. After eating more fast food in a week than I normally eat in a year we started driving looking for something different, where the locals eat.

We found Lovoy's Restaurant. The BEST Italian food I have ever eaten. We ate there six nights a week (Closed on Sunday) for three plus weeks.

Lovoy's is so good that I have driven from Memphis to B-ham several times a year just to have dinner. Ask any member here that's in the B-ham area about Lovoy's. Chances are they'll tell you the same as I have.

Class III

P.S. Order the Stuffed Shells. They are the best thing on the menu.

 

[gfy1960]

First time I went to the new sub place near the university I work at I ordered corned beef on rye. The guy proceeded to weigh the meat when he got to .9lbs. he put it on toasted rye, mustard, cheese. I couldn't buy the meat at the grocery for less than the whole sandwich. Small places are great.

 

[Jack Flash]

Are there any young people now that aren't flippant?

Hope I don't get dinged for being an age-ist!

 

[mtgianni]

Actually, yes. 20 years ago the car lost a water pump while in Spokane and while it was at the Nissan dealer I asked about a place to eat nearby that wasn't a chain or fast food. Was directed to this German style place that had the hands-down best Monte Cristo I've EVER had. It was phenomenal. Sadly they are no longer there - I've looked. Going by their portion size they probably lost money on each meal.

Thadeus P Thuddruckers?

 

[diamonback68]

Was directed to this German style place that had the hands-down best Monte Cristo I've EVER had. It was phenomenal.

Absolutely no one knows how to make a good Monte Cristo anymore. It's a lost art in restaurants now.

 

[rburg]

Hope I don't get dinged for being an age-ist!

Ya seen old Lee lately? His hair hasn't had any color in it for a long time.

 

[meaneyedcatz]

Forgot where I ate it but it was
white bread
cream cheese
onions
roast beef
simple but so tasty

 

[Erich]

FWIW, I feel it's worth rewarding places that do an outstanding job with a review telling about it on TripAdvisor or Yelp. Do consider it.

 

[BaldEagle1313]

Thadeus P Thuddruckers?

I thought the place was farther south than just a couple of blocks away, but it might have been The Cottage Cafe on Appleway. But they don't list a Monte Cristo on the menu at their website. Maybe they added on but the footprint they show on Google is a lot larger than what I remember. I just seem to remember the place being on a hill near Jaremko Nissan. But I don't trust my memory on a lot of things.

Absolutely no one knows how to make a good Monte Cristo anymore. It's a lost art in restaurants now.

Tell me about it. When I run across one on a menu I order it, hoping against hope that it's decent. I'm usually disappointed.

 

[DeathGrip]

FWIW, I feel it's worth rewarding places that do an outstanding job with a review telling about it on TripAdvisor or Yelp. Do consider it.

+1

So many negative reviews are posted. People like to complain when things don't go their way. It's usually them and their self-centered attitude that makes them post up bad stuff.

Take the time to thank them. It's a tough business.

 

[Frank46]

not so much a sandwich but how about a burger and fries. Out on Long island route 110 near Huntington there used to be a burger joint. Went in there one day and ordered a cheese burger/fries. What I got was a genuine two handed cheese burger and the best darn home fries I ever had. used to stop in there about once a week after making a trip to the Huntington town range. And no pickle or ketchup. Frank

 

[geddylee10002000]

Snoddy's in New Franklin, MO. Snoddy's Store - New Franklin, MO | Yelp Very basic, no frills, but very good. When walking in the store you will think you just went back 40 or so years in time. Great place. I always hit them up when going over to my fav locker - Welcome to Jennings Premium Meats! They have the best meat in Mid MO. Their cured meat is outstanding not to mention the rest of products.

 

[Onomea]

Absolutely no one knows how to make a good Monte Cristo anymore. It's a lost art in restaurants now.

Had to look that up. They seem to come in a variety of ways, and are considered a variant of the "Croque-monsieur." I make these at home to general acclaim.

I get a kick out of telling a dining companion that I am going to get a crouque-monsieur. When asked what it is, as I am almost invariably, I explain that it is a grilled ham and cheese sandwich.

In your view, when restaurants still knew how to make a Monte Cristo, how were they prepared?

 

[Beemerguy53]

New York is famous for its deli food, and everybody knows about the corned beef sandwiches at the Carnegie Deli and Katz's in Manhattan. But if you are ever on Long Island, and don't feel like driving into 'the City', as they call it, check out The Pastrami King in Merrick, Long Island. (This is about 15 minutes east of JFK Airport.) They have got the best pastrami, bar none, that I have ever tasted. And, as an added bonus, there is convenient parking right outside!

In Baltimore, check out Attman's Deli, located at 1019 East Lombard Street, just east of downtown...best doggone corned beef you'll ever taste!

 

[BaldEagle1313]

Had to look that up. They seem to come in a variety of ways, and are considered a variant of the "Croque-monsieur." I make these at home to general acclaim.

I get a kick out of telling a dining companion that I am going to get a crouque-monsieur. When asked what it is, as I am almost invariably, I explain that it is a grilled ham and cheese sandwich.

In your view, when restaurants still knew how to make a Monte Cristo, how were they prepared?

The "bread" of the sandwich is basically two pieces of French Toast, covered in powdered sugar, and the usual issue is that it's soggy and smushed. It's been over-soaked in the egg/milk mixture and not cooked correctly.