Hot Dog stuffed crust at Pizza Hut UK?

So... Pizza Huts in the United Kingdom are getting something amazing. They are stuffing their pizza crust with hot dogs. For real. Why this isn't something being offered in America first since this is something that is clearly up our alley. Pizza Hut is based in Plano, and hot dogs are a symbol of America! So what gives Pizza Hut?!

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Q Up BBQ. The Greatest Food Truck Ever.

I've always been wary of food trucks. I don't know why. Just always seemed weird to me, my food from a truck. And whenever I eat from one of those standard food trucks I would get a stomach ache. But when I saw the Q Up BBQ truck pull up to the event I was at for Skunk Creek Flats, I had to try it.

I am a huge fan of BBQ. So whenever I come across a new BBQ place I have to give it a test. They have some pretty good sounding sandwiches, but I opted for some pulled pork BBQ nachos. The result was....incredible.

These are seriously the best nachos I have ever had in my entire life. No joke. Many places have some good nachos but Q Up BBQ is now the nacho king of Arizona. The BBQ sauce, the cheese, the chips, the pulled pork, oh so good.

The thing I hate about writing for this site, is coming across places with great food, and writing first thing in the day, it makes me insanely hungry.

You can check out Q Up BBQ on Facebook to see where their food truck is going to be. Seek them out. Get the nachos. Thank me later.

Rock Springs Cafe in Black Canyon City AZ

After spending the day in Sedona, we decided to stop at Rock Springs Cafe for a slice of pie. This place is famous all around the state of Arizona for their amazing pies. So we decided to make a pit stop. We sat down and I looked through the menu for the desserts but while doing so I came across all the other food and my stomach shifted, it knew what was up.

I had only eaten there once before, when I had a cold from hell that was taking a beating on me, so nothing was enjoyable. I decided that I would have a steak, with some mashed potatoes and brown gravy. Some places are very hit and miss with steak. Some are delicious and easy, others its nothing but fat and gristle. But this steak. Perfection. The gravy and potatoes? Amazing. Some of the best gravy around.

I think I am going to make this place a regular visit, only a 15 minute drive north from our house. And its got that down home country cookin feel. And of course, pies, AMAZING.

Red Planet Diner in Sedona AZ is...OUT OF THIS WORLD!

Yeah yeah, could not resist that for the title, but seriously, this place is awesome.

Tuesday I informed my wife that we were taking a day trip, no idea where we would go, we were just going to go. I decided we would just head north until we came across something interesting, and that was Red Planet Diner in Sedona AZ.

Sedona is a pretty awesome place. All the rocks and mountains there are red. Its a very beautiful place to visit. I would even wanna live there someday. I always go there once a year during Christmas but its at night to check out the huge Christmas light exhibit. So I've never seen Sedona much during the day. All Sedona appears to be to me is UFO stuff and psychics. Really you can put a blindfold on spin in a circle and throw a rock and you'll hit a psychic shop. They're everywhere.

We came across Red Planet Diner after using Urbanspoon and finding it on there. The geekness that runs deep in us could not resist.

They have a pretty massive menu with a crazy choice of burgers. Most of the burgers I read on the menu were unlike any that I have ever seen before. They have something for everyone here. Burgers, steaks, meatloaf and shrimp, ribs, sandwiches, awesomely named alcoholic concoctions. This place has it all. We decided to keep it simple and try the signature Red Planet Burger. Charbroiled with some cheddar cheese on a toasted bun. That pretty much owned my heart with that. One of the best burgers I've had in quite a long time.

This place has a fun atmosphere, is easy to find, and has a large variety of food that Im sure tastes great. If you ever find yourself in Sedona AZ, you owe it to your stomach to check this place out.

Who Has the Best Fast Food Value Menu?

We've all been there.  Money is tight, no food in the house, so the only quick option is hitting the closest value menu (or dollar menu depending on the place) and loading up.  Almost every fast food restaurant has some sort of value menu, but there are many factors like variety and actual cost that can put some places above the rest.  I figured it was time to take a look at some of the top value menus out there.

McDonald's Dollar Menu is the first one that comes to mind.  They have a small selection, but a good value for your buck.  The McDouble is a decent sized burger with two pieces of meat so that is probably the standout item.  Aside from that, they have the McChicken which is the only other sandwich on the menu (as you may recall, the 2 sandwiches on the McDonalds dollar menu also comprise the "McGangBang."  Another big thing is that ANY size drink is a dollar, so that's a big plus (although I don't know why anyone would get a small drink when the price is the same for a large.)  They have a few other items and even some deserts so McDonald's is a good choice even with the small selection.

Next up is Wendy's.  Wendy's has a nice variety on their value menu, with a couple of burgers and a chicken sandwich, as well as spicy chicken nuggets, a baked potato, a small drink, a frosty, and other items.  You can really get a decent lineup here with some choices since there is a choice of small fries or banked potato (and the potato is a decent size.) 

Taco Bell is another well known value menu.  My only problem here is that all the items on their value menu are fairly small, therefore you would probably need 4-5 of an item to get filled up.  A good choice for something to grab in the car when time is an issue.

I've heard about KFC, Sonic, and Arby's also having value menu's, but have yet to try them out.  Seems like Jack in the Box has a few items like the Breakfast Jack that is always a dollar.  I think McDonald's and Wendy's are the top 2 choices personally.  What are some of your value meal favorites?  Is there a value menu we're missing out on?  Let us know your opinions below.

The Dorito Locos Taco. Taco Bells McRib?!

Once in a blue moon, a fast food place comes up with something so insanely genius, it becomes legendary.

The Big Mac.

The Whopper.

The Double Down.

And now.... The Dorito Locos Taco from Taco Bell.

This taco is so legendary, that it could be the McRib for Taco Bell. The one thing so good, that if it ever goes away fans will begin to protest and riot. It is an instant cult hit. I learned of this new taco not by a commercial, but because the local news here had a story on it! That is how important this taco is.

It's a very basic, and simple concept that I am surprised it hasn't happened sooner. Basically the taco shell, is coated with the nacho cheese powder used on nacho cheese doritos. Thats it. But the results are amazing. And if you are worried about getting that powder all over your fingers, fear not, it comes with a handy little sleeve to hold it with!

This is Taco Bells finest moment. My hats off to you Taco Bell.

What is Pork Roll?

Ode to my favorite meat...

I'm not a huge breakfast fan in general, mostly because I don't like getting up early. However, there are a few things that can get me out of bed no matter what, for some people its bacon but for me its all about the Pork Roll. Some people call it Taylor Ham and you can find it in the store as John Taylor's Pork Roll, usually in the deli isle in on of the cases in the middle of the isle that has your more exotic cheeses and salamis.

Here in Arizona Pork Roll seems to be lost in the crowd but for us east coast transplants Pork Roll usually made its way into our breakfast once or twice a week. What is it? In essence Pork Roll is just a salted pork breakfast meat, Pork roll is generally sold in 1, 1.5, and 3 lb. unsliced rolls packed in cotton bag, as well as 6 oz. boxes containing 4, 6, or 8 slices. Larger rolls and packages are available for food service customers. It has been a staple in public school cafeterias in New Jersey.

How to cook it: Now I prefer my Pork Roll to be sliced thin and cooked more on the well done side. However, others prefer thick cuts, its all a matter of personal taste. So I will instead give you user friendly instructions for your first Pork Roll encounters.

1. The Jersey Breakfast - Scrambled eggs and cheese on a long roll with diced Pork Roll.
(Perfect on a hero roll or any kinda of long roll.)
2.The Other Breakfast Meat - Thin sliced Pork Roll grilled or fried in a pan and served with eggs your way. (Perfect alteration to the typical bacon and eggs.)
3. The Baby Bear - two slices of thin cut Pork Roll grilled or fried in a pan, on a hamburger bun with a slice of cheese.
4. The Momma Bear - two slices of thin cut Pork Roll grilled or fried in a pan, on a hamburger bun with a slice of cheese and a fried egg.
5. The Papa Bear - 4 slices of thin cut Pork Roll, pan fried, served on a hamburger roll, on top of a medium cooked hamburger, topped 2 slices of cheese and with a fried egg (yolk still runny).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pork_roll

Recipe: Sausage Pizza Meatloaf

On the occasional food fest the family likes to chow down on this old favorite... it combines a hearty (and dense!) meatloaf that has very little bread crumbs (I hate a filler filled meatloaf!). You get that pizza sauce, oregano, sausage flavor! BooM!

Sausage Pizza Meat Loaf

Recipe & Notes:

3lbs Ground Beef 80%
2lbs Sweet Italian Sausage (if you like a stronger sausage, use 1lb mild and 1lb sweet)
3 eggs
Salt
Pepper
1/2 Cup of Breadcrumbs (Italian preferred)
1 cup shredded cheese (moz or a mixed blend is fine)

Glaze:
Ketchup, Pizza Sauce (not tomato paste, but PIZZA SAUCE) *if you want to experiment, hoisin sauce is an excellent addition just add to the ingredients (and finish with crunchy noodles!).
Mix 1/4 cup Ketchup and 1/4 cup Pizza Sauce w/ salt, pepper and your choice of herbs. Oregano is a great choice! Mix well. Let sit.

Herbs: Here's the thing folks, salt and pepper do not count as your herbs! Experiment, try different herbs and learn what you like.

For this: I like 3 nice pinches of dried Oregano, dried Rosemary & dried Thyme, also added to this, you should add garlic POWDER and black pepper to taste.

Cooking Instructions:
Bring the meat to room temperature before working with it.
Set the shredded cheese aside until later.
Mix all the ingredients for the loaf together in a large bowl and let rest for 10 minutes.
Mix the ingredients for the glaze together in a small bowl and let rest for 10 minutes.

(take this time to clean your station. Wipe it all down, wash your hands.)

Preheat your oven to 375

Form your loaf out of the 5lbs of meat you have in your bowl. Make it 4 fingers tall and approx the shape of a rectangle. push a 1 inch canyon in the meat for later and place on a cookie sheet and put in a ready oven.

after approx 45 minutes take the meatloaf out of the oven and use a spatula to take the meatloaf and put it on a baking cooling rack or elevated oven rack and place back onto the cookie sheet.
(Doing this allows the meat to cook on all sides and not have a soggy bottom!)
Sauce the top of the meatloaf with the glaze and until its thick and goopey and in the canyon we created on the meat... enough to cover everything, but not too much that its sliding all over the place!

Place back into the oven for 10 minutes - take out, add shredded cheese to the top of the meatloaf and then place back into the oven for 5 minutes, or until the cheese meets your desired done-ness.

Suggested Sides: Mashed Potatoes and Peas or Sauteed Greens.

Let the meatloaf sit for 10 minutes before cutting and enjoy :)
if you make it, leave me a message on how you liked it!

Wendys Baja Salad is a sloppy mess

I went to Wendys today and grabbed the Baja Salad. I got home and opened the bag to see some chili, and then realizes this salad wasn't no ordinary salad.

It comes with the usual, lettuce of course but it has the leaves in it which is always weird. And the prickly purple lettuce, which sucks. Cheese, tortilla strips, a jalapeno type dressing, and uh, chili, which you pour on your salad.

The salad was OK I guess. Nothing I would ever go nuts about. But by the time you get down to the bottom of the salad, its just a swamp of, salad. A Salad Swamp. All the juice from the chili has mixed with the dressing and the little crumbs of the tortilla strips and cheese that melted because of the hot chili and its just a goopy swampy mess. And its no good, because you eat salads with a fork right? Well ever try to eat a soupy substance with a fork?

This salad is fail.

Healthy Choice Cafe Steamer: Chicken Marinara

So I have cut out fast food but I hate cooking, so I have started grabbing these bad boys off the shelf. Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers come in tons of different flavors, I have about 6 different ones in the freezer.

They're pretty easy to make, just take it out of the box, microwave for 4 minutes and boom, done. Mix the food with the sauce and you're ready to go.

Today I had the Grilled Chicken Marinara. Which was actually pretty good. Only thing I have it these little things come no where close to filling me up, but I suppose that is the price to pay for going on a diet.

Most diet foods taste horrible, but this one tastes pretty good. Has that home cooked meal taste. Highly recommended for all starving jerks out there.

Starving Jerks?! Crystal Light Energy a savior?!

I have decided to go on a diet. I have actually been on one for a couple weeks now, but now is the time to kick it into overdrive. I have gone from drinking nothing about soda, about 5-6 a day, to drinking no soda at all. Sticking with water, and water. And sometimes the occasional Crystal Light packet.

Also cutting out Fast Food. The reviews will continue since I will have to stop by the occasional fast food place for a salad, or for other people.

However I will now also be using Hungry Jerks to track my diet progress. I am not even going to bother weighing myself, and will not track my diet by how much weight I have lost. Instead I will go by pant size! See how many pant sizes I can drop through this diet. So how about a little review of something?

Since I became insanely addicted to sodas, I got massive headaches after I stopped drinking them. And then I was saved when I came across Crystal Light Energy. Which comes with a nice kick of caffeine, I now drink one of those after I wake up and no headaches at all. Crystal Light Energy has saved the day.

So if you are also starting a diet and seem to be having trouble kicking the soda habit, grab one of those, they help.

Q-To-U-BBQ and the Southwest Chicken Salad

I love me a good salad, but it is really hard to find a good one. Its either too small, or too big. Too much dressing, not enough dressing. Too much chicken to the point its just a bunch of fried pieces of, fryness, or too little chicken where after four bites you're stuck with just a regular ol salad.

But that all changed.

Today I went to Q-To-U-BBQ in Anthem AZ. I love this place, have reviewed it before, and today I felt like having just a nice salad, what I got, blew my mind.

The usual stuff that you expect in a salad, with some perfectly fried chicken on top of it, diced up nicely with some of their amazing BBQ sauce drizzled over top of it. Along with that it comes with a cup of their homemade southwestern ranch. And some cheese that the chicken rested on top of. The chicken was placed on the salad very hot, so the cheese had even melted a little bit onto the salad.

This is the best salad I have ever had. A perfect amount of ranch and BBQ sauce, with the perfect amount of chicken. It did the job of filling me up nicely, and it tasted amazing. This is by far the best chicken salad I have ever had. I will be back for another in the near future. Highly recommend you all check this out soon.

Dillons on Thunderbird Review

Dish #1

I had the pleasure of eating at Dillions on Thunderbird this weekend and I was not disappointed. I had 2 meals this weekend and will review both of them briefly.

First up, Burnt Ends w/ Loaded Mashed Potatoes and Coleslaw plus a side of Deep Fried Pickles.

The burnt ends where very tasty and not over sauced at all. They had a deep smoke flavor and where butchered to perfection. The sauce was flavorful, rich, sweet, tangy and hot... perfect! The loaded mashed potatoes really got the fungus flying for me too! Bacon, sour cream, cheese, and bits of meat in the mashed was a nice touch.

The next dish we sampled was the Deep Fried Pickles - CAUTION - THESE JERKS ARE HOT!
Deliciously tart and hot (temp wise) these deep friend southern staples are really a great treat!

SIDE NOTE: EVERY DAY FOR HAPPY HOUR. $1.00 for a plate of Onion Rings!

SIDE NOTE: DONT KNOW WHAT BURNT ENDS ARE? (FROM WIKI: Burnt ends are flavorful pieces of meat cut from the point half of a smoked brisket. A traditional part of Kansas City Barbecue, burnt ends are considered a delicacy in BBQ cooking.


Dish #2
Dish 2 was an unexpected choice... typically I don't order diner standards like BLT's or Club Sandwiches due to my more adventurous eating habits but this sandwich was well put together and extraordinary! What made it delicious and worthy of posting here? Out of the oven sliced ham and out of the oven sliced turkey, no lunch meat for this beast!

All in all... Dillions is a BBQ joint with flavors of your local eatery or diner, they offer some amazing advertising, real value savings and discounts and some tasty eats too!


8706 West Thunderbird Road. Peoria, Arizona.
http://dillonsrestaurant.com/thunderbird/index.html