Hoss's Steak House

Hoss's Steak House, New castle, Pennsylvania, is a Ponderosa style restaurant where you order your steak or other selection when you walk you and then you choose your seats. The meal begins with the salad bar. The selections were plentiful, fresh, and clean. You select what you want, and as much as you want.

I also spied some Chicken pasta soup. I was surprised at how good it was. Nice big pieces of chicken. I filled the bowl with shell pasta, chicken, large carrots and celery. I went back for another bowl.

I ordered the 6oz filet, medium well done and baked potato. The steak was sizzling hot and was cooked to my liking. It had absolutely no fat and was very delicious. The baked potato was hot and very tasty as well.

The service was excellent, the food fantastic, and the price, about $15.00 plus tip, was very reasonable. The Grassy Knoll Institute score Hoss's 4.25 Shots out of 5 and recommends Hoss's for dinner.

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Caffe Palermo - Little Italy

Caffe Palermo On Mulberry Street

Caffe Palermo
148 Mulberry Street
Little Italy, NY 10013

No dinner is complete in Little Italy until you have dessert at Caffe Palermo, an authentic Italian style Caffe nestled in the center of Mulberry Street. You name the dessert, Caffe Palermo not only has it, but it will be the best tasting dessert you ever had. Trust me, I have had dessert there many, many times, and each time is better than before.

A word of advice. Try the cannoli. Caffe Palermo got you covered.

The waitresses are pretty, friendly, knowledgeable, and very efficient. The prices are very reasonable. And the proprietor, Baby John, (Hello Baby John, It's Patrick) is usually behind the counter hard at work making sure everything is fun and pleasurable for all.

And that is a story that no one can beat
And to think that I saw it on Mulberry Street.

The Grassy Knoll Institute ranks Caffe Palermo 5 shots out of 5 and recommends the Orange Italian Ice Dessert and Caffe Palermo.

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Terrace Cafe - Las Vegas

Terrace Cafe, Treasure Island Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada (CLOSED)

During my several trips each year to the ever changing Las Vegas, I sometimes stop for breakfast. The now closed Terrace Cafe offered a really good breakfast. (When Treasure Island switched over to TI, the name of the restaurant changed)

I ordered the big breakfast as I had a show to set up and would not be eating again until late in the evening. Of course, there was bacon, cooked and crispy, sausage, spicy just enough, two scrambled eggs, not runny or burnt, hash browns, browned and cooked very nicely, three buttermilk fluffy pancakes with maple syrup, and a slice of cantaloupe. And of course fresh and cold orange juice.The service was quite fast, courteous and the order was correct. And the food was hot. Silverware was clean. All for about 10 bucks which wasn't bad.

If the Terrace were still in business, the Grassy Knoll Institute would recommend it for breakfast with an award of 4.25 out of 5 shots.

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Texas Roadhouse Restaurant

Texas Roadhouse Restaurant Of Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Located on the Parkway, the popular Texas Roadhouse Restaurant really packs em in. Upon arrival, you receive a beeper and when your table is ready, it begins to hum and red lights flash alerting you that your table is ready. (Expect at least a 45 minute wait on weekends.)The wait was very minimal, and we were seated at a nice table. Rolls to die for were delivered right away. They were hot, fresh, tasty, and served with a cinnamon butter.

A bucket of shelled peanuts was waiting for us on the table. You kind of just swept the peanut shells on the floor when you were finished.

I ordered the chicken strips with bacon and cheese fries and of course a Coke.

The entree was of biblical proportions. Six big pieces of chicken and a moutain of artery clogging cheese fries. The chicken was crunchy and spiced just right. The fries were heaped with bacon and cheese and were crunchy and hot.The service was very good and the order right. The rolls were fresh and hot with cinnamon butter. I have to say that the rolls were the best I ever had at a restaurant.

The cost was just under $20.00 without tip. The Grassy Knoll Institute recommends the Texas Roadhouse and awards 4 out of 5 shots.

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Thanksgiving Turkey Tradition

Thanksgiving Day Turkey

Happy Thanksgiving from all the Grassy Knoll Institute rocket scientists.

Typical Thanksgiving at the GKI.
Of course, our Thanksgiving day meal is all about the turkey. Doesn't it look just delicious?
Stuffing, home made and cooked with the turkey allowing the natural juices of the turkey to soak through adding that perfect blend of taste and texture.
Mashed potatoes, not the instant type, but peeled and mashed and cooked potatoes. (Sidenote: peel a potato. Run it under cold water for 30 seconds. Sprinkle just a dash of salt and bite into a delectable treat)
Corn, not on the cobb, but fresh corn smothered in butter and pepper.
Cranberries, a little wild tasting, especially if you take a sip of cold milk right before or after taking a bite on cranberries. (Go ahead, you know you want to try that)
Pea's and carrots, which I usually pass to the family member on my left.
Crescent rolls, hot from the oven, smothered in butter.
Celery, plain, with cream cheese, and peanut butter.
Green olives, Cashews, Chocolates.
Dessert, Pumpkin pie, pecan pie, apple pie.
A lot of football in between and after.

And today as we celebrate Thanksgiving, let us all remember John F. Kennedy, out 35th president who was assassinated this day 44 years ago.

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I Am Glad I Picked You

I saw you across a crowded room.
Among all the others that were there.
The lights seemed to shine down on you alone.
I knew then that I had to have you for my own.
Willingly, you came with me to my home. From the car, I carried you through the door.
Looking at you, I admired your body, your well shaped legs, and breasts.
Slowly I remove what wraps, were around your body so tightly,
fitting you like a glove. Exposing your tender white skin.
From your neck, I remove your charms, and carry you off in my arms, to the warm water that waits.
The water cascades down your neck, flowing over your soft breasts and then, making your legs glisten with wetness.
Droplets of water cover your taut skin.
My hands rub your body all over....ummmmmmmm,
running them through the beads of water.
Making them trickle down off your body.
I place my fingers inside you.
You are warm and moist, so ready.
I carry your still dripping body, to a laying place,
so that I can put inside you what was well prepared to enter you before we even came through the door.
As soon as I lay you down your legs spread open wide.
You are ready now and so am I.
I put a little in slowly at first,
getting a feel for how much you can take in.
I put in more, you take it willingly.
In anticipation, faster and faster I put it in.
Pushing it in deeply as far as I can, until I can't put any more in.
You are so tight.
With your legs wrapped tightly, not wanting to release any of it,
I make you so hot for a very long time,
until your sweet juices escape from within.
Then I taste you, with my tongue at first,
your skin is so soft and tender.
I taste more of you with my mouth,
you are so hot and moist, you taste so good.
Your juices coating my mouth, making me drool in anticipation of eating you more, with every taste.

Oh yes, I say to you, I must say grace........

Thank God for Butterball turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving From The Grassy Knoll Institute.

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Toarmina Restaurant Of Little Italy

When in New York City, no visit is complete without a trip to Little Italy. There are many amazing restaurants to choose from. Taormina Restaurant, located on famous Mulberry Street, is one of the best ones. The atmosphere was perfect, old Italian style, waiters and servers hustling about all framed in with a wood motiff. We were seated almost immediately even though they were very busy and our waiter brought us our drinks and our menu's.

I started out with penna in tomato Sauce as an appetizer. It was a very generous portion, was prepared perfectly, and was excellent tasting. I couldn't wait for the main course. Some hot fresh bread helped wile the time until it arrived.

The main course was Chicken Parmigiana. The chicken was moist and hot, the batter breading was golden brown, the cheese was hot and smothered the generous portion, and the sauce was hot and just the right kind of spicy.The service was very quick, courteous, and friendly.

The cost, for New York, was very affordable at $25.00 plus tip.

The Grassy Knoll Institute awards 5 out of 5 shots to Taormina Restaurant and recommends it for dinner.

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Gallaghers Steak House - New York

Gallagher's Steak House, located at 228 West 52nd Street, Manhattan, NY.

When in New York, I always try to get to Gallagher's Steak House. Yes, you are correct, there are dozens of quality steak houses in Manhattan but Gallagher's just seems to have the leading edge. Of course, you must arrive early which is the only way to get seated unless you want to wait an easy hour for a table. Get there before 6 and you will be OK.

We were greeted and politely escorted to our table where water and fresh warm bread and rolls were immediately placed on our table. The bread is actually pretzel twists, and when butter is applied, it is a heavenly combination.

Drinks were ordered, (I had a Coke) and then dinner. I ordered, being in a famous steak house, (Gallagher's is well known for its wood fired ovens for steaks and chops that enhance the flavor of the meat) the Filet Mignon, and had it butter-flied for it was such a tall piece, I wanted it cooked more than the normal. I added the Gallagher fries as a side dish.

Drinks were brought right away and after a very short wait, I was spying my filet. Of course it was superb, cooked precisely perfect, tender, juicy, with almost zero fat. The fries, (potato wedges) were crisp, hot, and tasty.

The service was polite, efficient, and professional.

The cost was a little pricey with this meal closing in on $60.00 without tip. The Grassy Knoll Institute highly recommends Gallagher's Steak House and awards 4.75 out of 5 shots.

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Peddler Steak House - Gatlinburg

The Peddler Steakhouse of Gatlinburg, Tennessee

The Peddler Sign welcomes you to the best steakhouse in the South. The restaurant is packed every night of the week, and for good reason. The steaks and chops are legendary and delicious. There is always a good 1-2 hour wait depending on the time of arrival. The trick is to eat in the open bar and lounge area. We walk straight in and find an open table. Most people are sipping drinks waiting for a table to open up down stairs but we just inform the waiter that we are eating here.

The waiter brought out a basket of hot delicious rolls with butter. He took our order and we proceeded to the salad bar. My Salad was fantastic with big chunks of ham, real bacon, hard boiled eggs, green olives, celery, carrots, several varieties of grated cheese, tomato, and of course lettuce.

The main entree, Filet Mignon, was prepared medium well and I asked for it to be butterflied to ensure it would be done. It was perfect. Absolutely zero fat on the filet and it was very tender and juicy.A baked potato came with the filet and I smothered it with butter. The cokes were bottomless and crisp.

The service, considering the crowd was exceptional. Our meals were promptly served with a smile.

The cost is a little pricey. The Filet dinner was just over $50.00 without tip.

The Grassy Knoll Institute recommends the Peddler for dinner in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and awards 4 out of 5 stars deducting only for the crowd and the cost.

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Parkway Pancake House - Gatlinburg

The Hash Browns Are To Die For

Parkway Pancake House is right on the main drag and Airport road in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We make sure to always stop and have breakfast when visiting this great town.

As you can see, I had scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes and hash browns. Hot maple syrup and butter completed the meal. The eggs were cooked well, not runny, not burnt. The sausage was cooked well also. And oh, the hash browns, cooked perfectly. To the pancakes. Light, fluffy, with butter and hot maple syrup were fantastic.

The service was excellent. We were seated right away even though there was a crowd. The waitresses were friendly, well trained, and curteous.

The cost, I was amazed, it was under $9.00 without tip. Keep in mind, we were in tourist trap city and all the prices are higher.

The Grassy Knoll Institute recommends Parkway Pancake House and rates it 4.25 shots out of 5.

Sadly, the Parkway Pancake House is closed. It is now Bubba Gumps.

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Cafe Chloe - Las Vegas

While in Las Vegas several days ago, we ventured upon an Italian restaurant called Cafe Chloe that came highly recommended. The menu was simple yet plentiful, concise yet enticing. And as you can see, the prices were downright reasonable, especially for Las Vegas, the city of excess.

I ordered the Chicken Parmigiana with a side of Penne in a tomato sauce. Appetizers were fried buffalo cheese with tomatoes. They were delicious. Of course the rolls and butter were excellent.

In minutes the main course came and it was steaming hot and perfectly prepared. As you can see, the portion was hearty to say the least. The chicken was tender and juicy, the sauce just spicy enough, and the cheese was melted perfectly. The Penne was also quite delicious. A Coke completed the meal. The Grassy Knoll Institute awards 5 out of 5 shots and highly recommends Cafe Chloe for dinner.

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Omaha Porterhouse Steak

Fellow Grassy Knoll Institute scientist Jungle Jim, (Arnold) offers his own Blue Plate Special critique of an Omaha Porterhouse steak ordered from room service.

Since I am a practicing Catholic ; } and my lovely wife reminded me that we were in Lent now and could not have meat tomorrow I indulged myself. Since I am on the road traveling in Omaha Nebraska AND my hotel offers room service, I ordered a 16 oz porterhouse supplied by Omaha Steaks (but of course). I really wanted to see what a $40.00 steak tasted like and since I am using the company charge card I ordered it. I also ordered a cup or Nebraska Corn Chowder. The meal arrived in my room VERY hot. The chowder was to say the least to die for. Plaintiff Number 2's (ex-wife number two) father who was from this area always used to talk about this concoction. He was right. Think of creamed corn; add some cre'me and chunks of potatoes. Excellent!

The steak followed. It was cooked to perfection, med well with a slight tinge of pink in the center. The presentation was colorful. When I looked through the utensils, I didn't see a steak knife. I was going to call down to have one delivered bit decided to go it with just a butter knife. I didn't even need that. It was fork tender. It was accompanied by mashed sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli. The total bill with tip was $50.00. I rate this 4.5 out of 5 shots. While in Omaha Nebraska I recommend this steak which is served at Rain, the restaurant inside the Embassy Suites on South 10th street.

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Burger King Big Enormous

I saw the commercials. Burger King has a new enormous breakfast sandwich. So, I tried it this morning.
The price was $2.85 so I was expecting a rather large sandwich. The bun was soggy. The bacon was cold and not fully cooked. The sausage was cut in two pieces making it appear to look larger than it really was and it was a little dry. The scrambled eggs were OK but overpowering. The cheese was melted but not centered on the sandwich and dripped onto the wrapper.

The Grassy Knoll Institute does not recommend the Burger King BK Enormous sandwich rating it only 2 out of 5 shots.

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Popeyes Fried Chicken

Popeyes Fried Chicken

Stopping on a whim at Popeye's Chicken, the money behind the Grassy Knoll Institute AKA my loving wife Patty, we ordered the 8 piece meal which included mashed potato's with gravy and rolls.

The service wasn't to bad, the waitress was a little ditzy but able enough. We had about a five minute wait for our order.

The chicken was hot and crunchy, and that's all the good I can say about it. The taste was pretty bad. It looked good, but was far from it. It was very greasy, almost soaking with oil, and the batter breading was bland, and the chicken was bruised. it was barely edible.

The mashed potato's were horrible. There was some sort of Cajun mustard gravy on them, (No, you could not order the potato's without gravy which signaled that they were pre-made and frozen and thawed out in the microwave for us customers) And they were processed potato's, and tasted chalky, even with the ultra spicy gravy.

The rolls were not much better. They were stale, and crunchy, which I don't think rolls are supposed to be. They were so stale that they actually crumbled in my hand while trying to eat it.

The cost was $18.00 which was pretty steep considering the food was poorly prepared and tasted terrible.

The Grassy Knoll Institute rates Popeye's Chicken one half shot out of 5 and does not recommend this establishment for dinner.

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Stage Deli - New York City

Stage Deli, Times Square, New York City

This sandwich was so good, I posted it twice......

Just a quick walk from David Letterman's theater is the Stage Deli restaurant where legend has it the portions are so huge you will not be able to finish it. The Grassy Knoll Institute needed to investigate post haste.

Upon arrival, the joint was packed but the waiter squeezed us in at a table that looked out to the street. Although we were piled in, we were comfortable. The service was exceptional. Although the deli was crowded, the hostess seated us immediately and even obliged our request to sit by a window. In just a matter of minutes, our drinks were on our table and several minutes later our dinner arrived.

I ordered the turkey breast, American cheese, on a Kaiser roll sandwich and of course already drinking the coke provided. Potato pancakes and French fries were also ordered as side dishes.

When my sandwich was brought out, I could hardly believe it. The sandwich was packed so high with turkey and cheese that to eat it, I had to re-distribute the sandwich using the top and bottom of the roll. It was the equivalent of four large sandwiches at other restaurants. And I was staring down two side dishes that were huge as well in portion.

Of course the sandwich was tasty, fresh, and perfect. The coke, a fountain coke, was exceptional as well. The cost was just under $20.00 excluding tip. Remember, the Stage Deli is in the heart of Times Square where everything is expensive. And BTW, I could not finish the sandwich. Not even close.

The Grassy Knoll Institute recommends Stage Deli and it scores a perfect 5 out of 5 shots.

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Open Hearth Restaurant

While in Gatlinburg, Tennessee this past November, I found that the Open Hearth restaurant had closed it's doors. Perhaps they had lost their lease, couldn't afford the property taxes, or just had a bad business plan. Whatever the reason, here is a last meal from the now defunct Open Hearth.

We walked to the foothills of the Smoky Mountains and saw the sign, Open Hearth and walked in. It was very eloquent inside and we were waited on right away. For being a busy evening in Gatlinburg and waiting lists of an hour or more at the other restaurants, this was a pleasant surprise. I asked what the soup of the day was and the waiter said that they didn't have any soup today. Oh well, I went for the Loaded Potato Skins and for the main course, Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti.

My fellow Grassy Knoll Institute scientist tried to order several different appetizers but none were available. Even the main courses were not available. he settled for the prime rib. Five minutes later, the waiter came back and said that he was sorry but the prime rib was also not available that evening. Reluctantly, he settled for the fish.

The potato skins were cooked just right, plenty of bacon, cheese, and no sour cream which I asked to be left off.

The chicken parm was very good as well. A very generous portion with plenty of tangy sauce. The spaghetti was average, a little to rubbery, and almost cold, like they forget to warm it up. But I was so full from the skins and parm, that the spaghetti was left on the plate and not touched.

The cost was just under $30.00 without tip which was reasonable, but not the best. The Grassy Knoll Institute rates Open hearth 2.75 stars out of 5 shots and barely recommends Open Hearth for dinner.

The lights are on, but no one's home.

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Duffs Smorgasbord

Duffs Smorgasbord Of Pigeon Forge

You guessed it. We are staying with the Gatlinburg, Tennessee cuisine for a few more entries. This time, we went to Duffs Smorgasbord in Pigeon Forge. It was Saturday night and Gatlinburg was packed with the lighting of the Christmas lights ceremony plus the Smoky Mountain Gift Show was in town packing the city to above maximum capacity. Hence, all the restaurants had a minimum of one hour wait time. So we set off to the Forge. We spotted the Duffs Sign and pulled in.

The line was short as it was a self serve set up. I quickly paid my $11.95 and got in line. I selected Mac and Cheese and a salad for starters and then went for the main entree pictured above. The fried chicken was crispy, not greasy, hot, and very good. The mashed potatoes were real, not flaky, and the rolls were fresh, hot, and tasty.

For dessert, there was Strawberry Shortcake and Brownies. And you could go back as many times as you wanted. The cokes were bottomless as well. It was a feast indeed. Duffs receives 4.5 out of 5 shots and the Grassy Knoll Institute recommends Duffs Smorgasbord.

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KFC Bucket Of Chicken

Kentucky Fried Chicken

Pictured above is the $9.99 10 piece meal, including 4 rolls, a pint of mashed potatoes and gravy. Technically, thats a dollar a piece plus the sides thrown in.

The chicken was cooked, hot, and was not real greasy. I hate greasy chicken. The rolls were warm, not stale, and adequate. The potatoes however, were paste like, and although hot, they were barely edible. Thats why they give you the gravy. To kill the taste of the mashed potatoes.

The service was drive through, not a bad wait, several minutes, the employees nice and cheerful, and the food packed neat and nice. All in all, Grassy Knoll Institute awards KFC a 2.75 out of 5 shots and barely recommends KFC.

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$3.00 Hot Dog

This is what a $3.00 hot dog at a typical trade show looks like. Yes, 3 bucks for a hot dog. And not even a foot long, or a chili dog, just a plain hot dog.

This one was purchased at the Smoky Mountain Gift Show in Gatlinburg, Tennessee November 6th, of this year. Being a little busy that day, I decided to stop at the kiosk and grab a dog. What a mistake. I re-tasted that hot dog all day long and well into the evening. That was the last hot dog I will buy there. (BURP!)

The Grassy Knoll Institute fires 1 out of 5 shots and does not recommend trade show hot dogs.

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Wendys Double Cheeseburger

I drive past a Wendys fast food restaurant almost daily but rarely stop. Today, for the first time in a long while, I tempted fate and pulled into the drive through lane. The line was only several cars and it moved quite quickly. I ordered the Wendys double cheeseburger and large french fries. A always have the urge when at a drive through when the voice from the speakerbox asks, May I help You?" I have to fight back the words, "No, just driving through!"

In a matter of minutes I was at the first window paying for my order. A double cheese and a large fry came to just over $4 dollars. A little steep for a double and fry. A few seconds later I was at the second window picking up my order. I must say that the drive through line was quite efficient but not very friendly or courteous. I didn't get a hello, or thank you, or if I needed ketchup or salt. All that was said from the employee was, well, nothing. I handed her a fiver and she made change and stuck her hand out the window with my change. No thank you, no smile, nothing.

As you can see, the burger looks nothing like the one's you see in the television commercials. This one was flat, with a little piece of the bun scrapped off. The burgers were haphazardly tossed on the bun and there was more cheese on the wrapper than on the burgers. The burger was hot, but was rather bland tasting. I remember Wendys from the past having a very good unique tasting burger. Today's burger does not compare to the one's of old at Wendys.

The fries were hot, crunchy, and plentiful. Lightly salted, tasted good but again, the one's of old were much better.

The Grassy Knoll Institute score 2.5 out of 5 shots and does not recommend Wendys double cheeseburgers. If you find yourself hungry late late at night and Wendys is your only choice, perhaps it is time to start your diet.

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