Food Photos - Local 11 Ten - Savannah, GA

Here are a few shots from a recent visit to Local 11 Ten in Savannah, GA:

The Best Hot Dog In The World

I've raved about the hot dogs at Macon, Georgia's Nu-Way Weiners before, but last weekend was the first time I've had the 'chili cheese slaw dog', and I dare you to find a better dog anywhere. What's better than their fluorescent red frank, topped with Cincinnati-style chili, slaw, and a slice of American cheese? The guy next to me had a plate of four of them.

Where shopping is a pleasure

Photo by joebardi23 on Flickr.

A little over a year ago, I purchased two reusable shopping bags from Kroger. This was right before they became the obligatory enviro-cool-thing-to-have, and I chose Kroger because:

1. The color was blue, not green, and I'm not out to make a statement -- they simply hold way more than plastic bags and don't rip.

2. They were ninety nine cents when Publix and Whole Foods were selling their fancy green bags for $3 or more.

A surprising thing happened today. I was checking out at the Publix on Ponce/Highland and a manager came to me with an offer. He cheerfully asked if I'd be willing to exchange my Kroger bag for two Publix bags, at no cost. I gladly accepted and asked him what he would do with the competitor's bag. "Destroy it," he said, with a wink and smile.

I've been a regular Publix customer since I moved to Florida over ten years ago, and today's event once again solidified what a brand is really about. Strip away the "branding" -- the logo and pretty designs (which were amazingly redone just a couple years ago) -- and you're left with a company that is deadly focused. They lack the we-have-it-all vibe of a Kroger or Albertson's, and they don't give you their best price only if you have a cheesy Member Reward card. What Publix offers is a limited selection of the good stuff you need, and their stores are small and easy to navigate. Combined with warm, personal service and you have a place "Where shopping really is a pleasure."

-a

New York Magazine BLT Roundup

There's not much time left this summer to get your BLTs...although we've never been the type to wait 'til tomatoes are in season to partake. Here's New York Magazine's 'late summer' roundup, and they get it exactly right by including Bar 89's:

Aging Beef

Here's a photo of the aging room at Gallagher's, my favorite old-school/touristy New York steakhouse:
And a photo of that liquor store in the East Village that looks like a pharmacy, for no reason other than I like the picture:

Congrats to the Smith Family!

Congratulations to Chef Andrew Smith of Atkins Park Tavern and his wife, Liz on their new arrival! Baby Aidan Christopher -- 7 lbs 7 oz, 21 inches -- was born on Sunday, September 14th at 12:26 p.m. We wish the new family the best of luck and happiness!

Cannibal Cartoon Pig

I spotted this one at one of those festivals that seems to pop up for no reason in midtown Manhattan (me to vendor: "What is this festival for?" Vendor: "I have no idea."). It's pretty common to see a smiling cartoon pig on a BBQ joint's sign, but I've never seen one look quite so excited to dig into a link filled with his bretheren. Also notice the smaller sign below - "Corndogs - A hotdog on a stick."

J.G. Melon Burger - New York

It's a good sign when you walk in to a bar on a Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. and there's still a line from lunch (or were they early for dinner?) of people waiting to get burgers. See the J.G. Melon burger, cooked to a perfect medium-rare:

Lunch At Blue Smoke

We finally got around to ordering something besides the rib sampler at Blue Smoke - the burger here ranks among Manhattan's finest.

More Jazzoo Design

Check out our billboard design for the Jazzoo festival - it's this weekend at Zoo Atlanta - we're sponsorin' and designin' - get your tickets here.

Rotier's - Nashville, TN

We can't say anything new about Rotier's that hasn't already been said - this is really just an excuse to post a good picture from last week and once again recommend their french-bread cheeseburger.

Olympic Flame - Atlanta, GA

Here's the 'Olympic Flame,' a burger stand / drive-in type of place in a weirdo industrial area of Atlanta. I've never heard of anyone actually eating here...the hot dog was OK, save for the stale bun...a decent choice if you're in the area and need a dog, but if you're over this way to eat, you better be going to Nuevo Laredo.

Green Olive Wins Seven Graphic Design USA Awards

We've won GDUSA awards for the sixth straight year - the seven awards this year are for:
Jazzoo - poster
Cakes & Ale - website
JOEL - poster
Local 11 Ten - website
Food 101 - poster
JOEL - opening invitation
JCT Kitchen - red mule grits can

Martin's BBQ Joint - Nolensville, TN

See below for 'The Porter Wagoner' - according to the menu: "Massive 10-inch, 1/2 pound hot dog. You better be hungry."

James Beard Benefit - Nashville, TN

While we were honored to design the materials for the Friends Of James Beard Benefit dinner at Belle Meade Plantation, the real treat was the food. A few of the highlights, courtesy of the chefs pictured below:
Tyler Brown, Capitol Grille, Nashville, TN - Lowcountry Shrimp Torchon with Vanilla Cream Corn Panna Cotta and Smoked Blueberry
Mike Lata - FIG, Charleston, SC - Over Easy Raviolo with Gardner Grove Pullet Egg, Brown Butter, Kabocha Squash and Chanterelles
John Fleer, Sunburst Trout, Canton, NC - Black-Eyed Pea Dusted Trout with Benton's Ham and Field Pea Ragout

Zarzour's Cafe - Chattanooga, TN

Only open 15 hours a week, the off-the-menu cheeseburger's the thing to get at this tiny meat-and-three in Chattanooga.

Jerry Reed, RIP

Jerry Reed - musician, Coors bootlegger, and possibly the inventor of the Diablo Sandwich, died Monday in Nashville.