I'm going to make you famous..

My company's warehouse is located just outside of Memphis so I get to come to the area quite a bit.  When in Memphis, there is only one place to stay, The Peabody Hotel. Why the Peabody? Two reasons really. Reason 1: The Peabody Cocktail or as I like to call it, the ultimate sipping drink. It can't be explained, just experienced.  Come to the Peabody and see for yourself.  Reason 2: You are literally right across the street from the greatest slab of ribs in the world, Rendezvous.

Recently, I was in Memphis for a meeting with a friend of Fat Guy with a Little Fork, Mr Keith Ridings.  Keith is an veteran of the blog as he has been featured in numerous posts.  This particular trip was Keith's first trip to Memphis.  So after checking in at the Peabody, we met up with my boss, Fred Dotson and headed off to pay homage to the Capital of Ribville.  After playing frogger, dodging traffic across a few lanes (Yeah! Like I'm going to walk to the end of the block to wait on the crossing sign so I can then cross and walk back up the block to get to my Rib platter when I can just walk across the street.  When we are talking about food, the shortest distance between me and food euphoria is a straight line) we stroll down the alley letting our noses lead us to our destination.

Time out: Let me give you a brief history about Rendezvous. Rendezvous was started on accident.  In 1948, Charlie Vergos was cleaning out the basement below his diner when he discovered a coal chute.  He realized he could use the chute to vent his charcoal grills and allow people to sample his grilling talents.  A legend was born. Three generations later, the world's greatest ribs are stilled being grilled to perfection.  Time In.

Rendezvous Special

When you walk in, the first thing you have to do is walk downstairs to check in with the hostess. On this particular night, there is a 10-15 minute wait.  We give her our name and head back upstairs to the bar to wait.  After a few minutes we get seated. Rendezvous is not a fancy place.  Just a simple setting with memorabilia of time gone by.  Our waiter, Fred comes by to greet us and get us started.  We start out with a pitcher of Memphis's finest local brew and order the Rendezvous Special Appetizer.  It a combination of Ham, Cheese, Salami, Sausage, Pickles and Peppers.  Nothing like starting out a night of carnivorous delight with a plate of meat. 

Rib and Chopped Chicken Combo

Now the reason we are here, the ribs.  I order 1 of 2 things every time I'm here.  Either the Ribs and Brisket Combo or the Ribs and Chicken Combo. On this night, I go with the Ribs and Chicken.  Its a small order of ribs (which is huge) and chopped chicken.  Both are cooked on a charcoal fire.  They are cooked to perfection.  Great smoke flavor and the best dry rub you will ever taste.  Their is sauce on the table if you need it but I don't know why.  The dry rub on the ribs is the perfect combination.  As for sides, they make is simple for you. You get a choice of 2 sides with each plate. Your choices, cole slaw and baked beans. The cole slaw is different, in a good way.  Its a vinegar and mustard based slaw.  I've never had it like that anywhere else.  But let me tell you, it is awesome. As for the other fellas, they had the Rib and Brisket combo. I've had that before and let me tell you, its the best brisket outside of Texas.

As we were finishing up our food and drink, we got to talking to our waiter, Fred.  The conversation with Fred went something like this:

Fat Guy: Hey Fred? How long have you been working at Rendezvous?

Fred:  Ah Man.  I'm a rookie.  I've only been here 24 years.

FG: (With much surprise) Seriously?

Fred: Yes Sir.  We've got guys that have been here since 1963.

He then gave us one of the brochures that showed the Old Timers.  The picture has a group of 6 guys that have been slinging ribs for a minimum of 30 years.  All 6 were working that night. I can only imagine how many ribs those guys have served.

Well this got the Fat Guy to thinking.  Fred should be on the brochure. I mean come one.  24 years is nothing to sneeze at.

FG: Hey Fred. I got an idea.  We need  get a picture so I can put you on my blog.  I'm going to make you famous.

Fred: (Laughing) You are going to make me famous?  Not like these the pictures over here. The first one is me and Roy Williams (coach of the UNC Tarheels Men's Basketball Team). The second one there is me and Blake Griffin. (Only the 2010-2011 NBA Rookie of the Year).

FG: Fred. That is awesome.

Fred: There's one more. Look in the case.

FG: Is that...

Fred: Yes Sir. That's me between President George Bush and the Prime Minster of Japan.  But no, your blog should put me on the map.

FG: (After a little ribbing from my buddies and a bunch of laughing). That's a good one Fred.  You got me buddy.

So as promised, here is the man, the myth, the legend.  Fred, my favorite waiter at Rendezvous.  No that's not a famous coach or ball player, or even the President and a foreign dignitary.  Its Mr Ridings, Fred and The Fat Guy.

So take a trip to Memphis.  Go to Rendezvous and have some of the best ribs in the world.  You won't be disappointed. And do me a favor. When you get there, asked to be seated in Fred's section.  And make sure to tell him "The Fat Guy with a Little Fork sent me."  The other guys might be on the brochure, but Fred is the only one who made the blog.

And to my friend Fred. Thanks for a great meal.  See you next time I am in Memphis.


Cuisine: Charcoal Ribs
City: Memphis

Restaurant: Charles Vergos Rendezvous
Address: In the Alley, Downstairs, Behind
52 South Second, Memphis, Tennessee, 38103
Phone: (901) 523-2746
Website: http://www.hogsfly.com/

The sea was angry that day, my friends...

like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli.- George Costanza.

With a quote like that, it can only mean one thing, I'm heading to a deli.  I was in Tampa with a good friend of mine, Neil Hellwig of Security Reps.  After seeing a few customers in the morning, it was time for one of my three favorite meals of the day, lunch.  Before I could even open my mouth, Neil put the car in drive and screeched the tires.  We stop 5 minutes later in from of a office park.  I'm thinking to myself, I thought we were getting lunch, not visiting another customer.  As much as I like talking with customers, I do a much better job of it with a full stomach.

I grab my notebook and Neil says "What in the world are you doing?" 

Fat Guy: "Ahh, getting my notebook so we can talk to these people"

Neil: "The only people we are talking to are the people who will take our order."


Ariel View of Moxie'sToo



FG: "Order for what?"

Neil: "Lunch, duh!"



What I was thinking: You mean in this office park that we pulled into.  Yeah.  This office park just screams great restaurant.  Is this another wild goose chase. I mean come on, look at this picture.  This area doesn't say great restaurant, it says I would like to buy a copier or go see my doctor.

What I said: "Oh, all right."


The Tampa Cuban


We walk in and it was nothing special.  A bunch of tables and a counter to order at.  However, there was a line 6 or 7 deep and half the tables were full. Interesting, but still not sold.  I grab a menu.  It is huge.  They have just about every sandwich you can think of.  I look at the lady at the counter and Neil and say, "first time here, what is your signature sandwich?" In unison they say "the Tampa Cuban".  Its a ham and pork sandwich, with Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard, put in a hot press.  After a few minutes its hot and ready to go.  Man can't live on sandwiches alone. So to accompany my Tampa Cuban, I get an order of homemade black bean soup.


Black Bean Soup


As for the sandwich, it was great.  The bread was phenomenal.  It was crispy on the outside and soft and doughy on the inside. It was loaded with meat and nice gooey melted cheese.  The black bean soup had just the right amount of kick.  The fresh diced onions added a nice flavor and crunch.  Note to self: get some gum after lunch.

Well done Mr. Hellwig, well done.  You have impressed me yet again. Now I have to find an excuse so I can get back to Moxie's Too to try their Reuben. No need for a marine biologist.  The whale is going to make it, for he had a great sandwich and soup.

Cuisine: Deli
City: Tampa

Restaurant: Moxie's Too
5925 Benjamin Center Dr. #115
Tampa, FL
Ph: 813-882-4499
Website: http://www.moxies2.com/

Ride the Wave

tsu·na·mi [tsoo-nah-mee] an unually large sea wave produced by a sea quake or undersea volcanic eruption.  Generally speaking, tsunamis are a very destructive force.  However, when speaking of sushi, tsunami is a great thing.  Instead of a large sea wave, I like to think of a wave of goodness produced by an eruption of flavor.

The other day, my good friend Ernie Berardi from ACTi was in town.  After a day of exhausting meetings and arguments (Ernie is more like a brother to me than a business partner). Actually, if you have seen our meetings and arguments, they can be described as a tsunami, but that's another story.

Ernie looks at me and says: "Fat Guy, I got a fever and the only prescription is..."

Fat Guy: "More Cowbell" Timeout: I love that Saturday Night Live Skit.  Christopher Walken is great and Will Ferrell makes you think the cow bell is the greatest instrument in the work.  Don;t know what I'm talking about.  Check it our here. Time in.

Ernie: "Ha. No. Sushi."

FG: "No worries. I got the place. Quick to the Fat Mobile."

Ernie: "Shouldn't we get some more people, besides its only 4 o'clock."

FG: "Sorry about that.  But you got me in sushi mode and I can only think of 1 place, Tsunami. I'll try to tone is down for a couple hours.  Let me make reservations."

We get a table for 8 lined up.  We are all meeting down there a 6:30pm.  Now what do I do for the 2+ hours.  "Fat Guy. Conscious here.  How about you work for the next 2 hours." Conscious, you're pretty funny. 



Inside the Tsunami

 After the slowest moving 2 hours in history, the time had finally come. Quick to the Fat Mobile.  After a short ride to downtown Greenville, its time to find a parking space.  Somebody is looking out for the Fat Guy.  Perfect spot, less than 1/2 a block away.  I walk into Tsunami.  Its got a great vibe to it.  The decor is very contemporary and cool. This would be a cool place to hangout.

After being seated, we get a round of drinks and a couple orders of edamame.  Freshly steamed edamame is the perfect start to a night of sushi.  On to the menu.  We grab a couple appetizers for the table.  First we start with Beef Tataki, seared beef marinated with ponzu sauce and scallions and Spicy Tuna Tataki, chunks of tender red tuna in ponzu sauce wasabi sauce.  The tatakis were awesome.  The Tuna Tataki is great, but there is something about the Beef Tataki that takes the cake.

Fat Guy Note: What exactly is Ponzu Sauce? Its a citrius based sauce used in Japanese cuisine. Ponzu is made by simmering mirin, rice vinegar, katsuobushi flakes, and seaweed (konbu) over medium heat. The liquid is then cooled, strained to remove the katsuobushi flakes, and finally the juice of one or more of the following citrus fruits is added: yuzu, sudachi, daidai, kabosu, or lemon.


Our Sushi Boat



Now on to the sushi.  What better way to ride a tsunami than in a boat.  On a side note, what is it with the Fat Guy and Sushi boats. Its like I order I either get a small boat or a large boat.  When did the boat become a unit of measurement?  As for the type of sushi that we ordered, that is a great question.  There were four of us eating off of this boat, The Fat Guy, Ernie, Wes and Russ.  I hope they will shed some light as to the cargo of this boat.  I know I ordered the spicy tuna roll - tuna, avo, hot sauce and repper as well as the yellowtail roll.  We also got a rainbow roll, which consists of tuna, salmon, yellowtail, seaweed, crab cake and avo.  I can definitely tell you that this boat was gone is 20 minutes.  There was no talking at my end of the table. There were just 8 arms moving like hummingbirds.  We were picking it up and shooting it down.  The sushi was phenomenal and very fresh.  I can't wait to my next trip to Tsunami to get some more of that great, fresh sushi.

Cuisine: Japanese, Sushi
City: Greenville

Restaurant: Tsunami
106 East North Street
Greenville, SC 29601
Ph: 864-467-1055
website: http://www.tsunamigreenville.com/

Who you calling lazy?

I've been called many things, but lazy...yep I've been called that too. I definitely got a lazy streak from time to time.  Its usually between 8:30am to 5:30pm, Monday through Fridays.  But Fat Guy, isn't that when you are at work?  Ssshhhh.  Let's just hope my boss doesn't read this post.


Whenever I travel, I always ask people for the best local places to eat.  I never realized the pressure that put on you.  The other day, my friend Renier from Milestone Systems was coming into town.  Of course, anytime some one comes into town, who do they call for restaurant suggestions? You guessed it, the Fat Guy.  I now feel your pain.  There is a lot of pressure trying to find the perfect restaurant. Will everyone like it?  Is this a good representation of my town?  What am I in the mood for?  So many questions.  Ouch.  The pain.  My head hurts.  Deep breath Fat Guy.  You can do this.  Think buddy think.  Great Greenville Restaurant.  Priced middle of the road. Wait for it.  Its coming.  Ahh yes.  I've got it.  Its time to get Lazy. The Lazy Goat that is.  How would you describe the Lazy Goat.  I've been there many times, but I'm just feeling too lazy to think of anything. So I check the Lazy Goat's website and they have the perfect description:


The Dining Room



"A dining experience designed around taking your time, and sharing great food and stories, The Lazy Goat is an escape wrapped in succulent flavors from all around the Mediterranean. The Lazy Goat is the ultimate in social dining.  Its a chance to slow down, treat your taste buds and take the time to truly enjoy company and conversation."



Moroccan Lamb



Its a great layout.  You walk in, there are steps to the left going down to the main dining room. To the right is the bar.  Its a great place to hang out while waiting on your party.  And since I'm the first one there, I believe a nice cocktail is in order.  Once everyone got there, we head down to the dining room.  Its very open.  There are plenty of windows offering great vies of the Reedy River and Peace Center.  .  Its just a nice inviting environment. Our waitress drops by an introduces herself.  After another drink order and our wine selection, its time to peruse the menu.  For those of you who haven't been there, their menu is very different. The have meat and cheese options to start with.  Then there is the "Graze & Nibble" Section aka appetizers.  Next up the "Share or Not Share" portion of the menu.  This is where I usually get greedy and say "Not Share". I start out with the Moroccan Lamb.  its a braised lamb shank served with warm pita, cucumber yogurt and plantain chips.  Its like heaven in a bowl.  I love it.  The spices, the flavors. Ok what's next.



Pan Seared Grouper

 On to the entree.  I've been to the Lazy Goat before and tried many of there dishes.  Tonight, I will have the Pan-Seared Grouper. It was perfectly cook, served over a lobster rapini risotto with a saffron vanilla sauce. 3 words: Fa - Bu - Lous.  This dish was awesome.  And the pairing of the fish with risotto. Let's be honest, I'm a fool for some good risotto.



The Lazy Paella



I've been to the Lazy Goat before as I said.  I had the Chief, my boss Paul Constantine, with me at dinner.  He was having trouble picking so who does he look to, the fattest guy at the table of course.  And since that guy was in the bathroom, I was next up.  I directed him to the "Lazy Paella".  The Lazy Paella is their take on the classic Spanish dish.  It's loaded with calamari, prawns, mussels and chirizo.  Its a nice dish.  Very flavorful and fun to say. Try it, Paella.  It just rolls off the tongue.  Fat Guy Note:  I know many of you food purists are going to say, "But Fat Guy, this isn't Paella."  Well, it's very good and I like is so get over it.  Order something else but don't bad mouth the Lazy Paella.

Also joining us in this visit, was my partner in product management crime, Meg.  For the life of me, I can't remember what she got. I'm sure it was awesome.  I only hope that she will comment later and give us an update on her meal.

 Overall, the Lazy Goat is a great place to meet friends and share a drink or a plate.  But if you come, don't be in a hurry.  It has nothing to do with the service, which is top notch.  But the Lazy Goat just makes you want to take a deep breath, let your cares drift away and enjoy some great conversation.

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Restaurant: The Lazy Goat

170 River Place

Greenville, SC 29601

Phone: 864-679-LAZY

Website: http:/www./thelazygoat.typepad.com/

City: Greenville

When in New Jersey, Do as New Jerseyans Do...Go Italian.

I recently took a trip up to the great state of New Jersey.  I was visiting my good friends Frank DeFina and Keith Ridings at Samsung.  Keith is a veteran to Fat Guy with a Little Fork.  He introduced me to Steve's Sizzling Steaks, a great New Jersey Steakhouse. If I'm meeting up these guys, odds are I'm going to eat at a quality place. So I give Frank a quick call.

Frank: Hello, Frank DeFina

Fat Guy: Hey Frank, its the Fat Guy.

Frank: Fat Guy, how are you?

FG: I'm great buddy.  Good news. I'm coming to New Jersey to see you and the good folks at Samsung.  You know what this means?

Frank: Is it my turn?

FG: Yes sir. Your up.

Frank: Great.  I know the perfect spot.  Its a can't miss.

FG: Sounds good.  See you soon.

After an uneventful flight from Charlotte to Newark, I meet up with Frank, Keith and Ch. We start driving and I'm thinking, huh, this looks familiar. There's the Teterboro Airport.  What a minute.  I know where we are.  Their Steve's.  "Hey Frank. Are you taking me to Steve's.  Don't get me wrong, I love Steve's but I thought we were going somewhere new." Frank comes back with "Trust me Fat Guy." Ok. Frank hasn't lead me wrong before.  We pass Steve's, grab a quick U turn (which in New Jersey means hit the exit ramp, go up and around, stop at alight, go over a bridge that seems a mile out of the way. Stop at another light.  Jump on the entrance ramp back on route 17 then drive back to where we originally wanted to turn around. Who designs these things?) and pull up to Il Villaggio Ristorante.  It was an absolutely huge and beautiful building. We walk in the front door and I'm thinking, wow this place is beautiful. Are we in a museum or a restaurant.  It looks incredible.But looks aren't everything.  We need to get down to business, the food. 

We are shown to our table in the dining room. The room is beautiful.  Its fancy, but not to the point that I feel like I need to be wearing a coat and tie.  First things first, we need a nice bottle of wine. We start with one of my favorite Italian wines, Ruffino's Riserva Ducale Chanti Classico Riserva 2006.  I'm not wine connoisseur, but I really like this wine.  Its a nice, flavorful middle of the road Italian wine. There's nothing worse than getting a $100 bottle of wine when the $50 bottle is better.  This is the $50 bottle that is better.

    



Stuffed Asparagus

Double Cut Veal Chop

I start looking over the menu and think, this isn't your typical Italian restaurant.  What's the story behind this place. Hey Frank, give me the rundown on this place. Il Villaggio has been preparing the best that Northern Italy has to offer since 1979. Zagat has named Il Villaggio as one of the Top 100 Italian restaurants year after year.  Well Fat Guy, I think you are in for a treat. I put the menu down, look at our waiter and say, tell me about the items not on the menu.  As he goes through the night's special, a appetizer immediately tickles my fancy,  A stuffed asparagus.  It was perfectly prepared asparagus stuffed with fresh mozzarella and wrapped with prosciutto.  Then they heat it in the oven to bring it all together.  They serve it with a little tomato sauce and what do you get, heaven on a plate.  At this point, I am one happy Fat Guy.  As for the entree, again off the night's specials I pick the Veal Chop.  It was a double cut veal chop cooked to a perfect medium rare.  It is topped with roasted red peppers and assorted sauteed mushrooms.  A very simple dish, but done to absolute perfection.  The veal was the star of the plate and everything else was a perfect compliment.  It came with a side of spaghetti and marinara sauce.  I've eaten a lot of marinara sauce in my days, but Il Villaggio might have some of the best around.  This is definitely not from a jar.  What's in it, tomatoes, spices and lots of love.



Canolli



How do you finish off such a beautiful meal? Why with a traditional canolli and a cappuccino.  Il Villaggio has one of the best canolli's around.  As everyone knows, a good canolli isn't made until you order it.  And that's just how Il Villaggio's does it.

Well Mr DeFina, you are officially in the Fat Guy with a Little Fork Hall of Fame.  What an absolutely great Italian restaurant.  I thank you for this wonderful find.  Next time you are in New Jersey.  There is no need to go into New York City for great Italian food.  Simply take a short drive down Route 17 to Carlstadt and see my friends at Il Villaggio. You won't be disappointed.

Cuisine: Italian

City: Carlstadt

Restaurant: Il Villaggio Ristorante

651 Route 17 North

Carlstadt, NJ 07072

Ph: 201-935-7733

website: http://www.ilvillaggio.com/

Holy Frijoles!!

I received my first complaint the other day.  I really didn't know how to handle it.  A complaint aimed at the Fat Guy.  What ever did I do?  A complaint? Really?  "Hey Fat Guy!" Who's that? "Its your conscious again. You're about to get another complaint if you don't get a move on." You know conscious, you always keep me on track. Thank you. "No problem. Now what was the complaint?"  Ah yes, the complaint.  A Fan of the Fat Guy, who will remain nameless to protect them from all my other happy fans, said "Hey Fat Guy. You are always jet-setting all over the country.  Eating at the best restaurants in the country.  What about the locals?  Where does the Fat Guy like to dine when he's in town?"  An excellent question.  Where does the Fat Guy like to eat in and around Greenville, South Carolina?  That's a tough question.  What is the Fat Guy in the mood for?  Well, when the Fat Guy is feeling like margarita and a fiesta of food, there is one place that can satisfy my Mexican pallet, Sabroso Mexican Grille.

Sabroso Mexican Grille has one mission, to create high quality Mexican food.  This family owned restaurant doesn't just put out burritos and tacos. Though I have to say, I love their tacos.  I get them every time I come here for lunch.  But let me tell you, dinner at Sabroso's is where it's at. This particular evening, after dropping the kids off to play with Grandma, the Fat Guy and his wife went out for a night of fine Mexican food.  After sitting down and ordering the Sabroso Margarita (on the rocks with salt on the rim, of course) we dive into the homemade salsa.  The salsa is outstanding.  Its a chunky salsa that is made in house.  It packs plenty of flavor.  In fact, I could just each chips and salsa for the meal.  Fat Guy Note: Looking for something a little more, get the homemade guacamole. You won't be disappointed.



Acapulco Fish Tacos

 Now for the meal.  I look at the waiter and said, look, I always get the tacos or fajitas.  I want something different.  He pointed me to the Acapulco Fish Tacos.  It's not your typical fish tacos.  First of all they are not fried.  In fact they take Sushi grade Yellowfin Tuna and season and grill it to perfection.  It's served in flour tortillas topped with shredded cabbage, pico de gallo and tartar sauce.  Talk about a cornucopia of flavor.  Much to the excitement of my wife, I was quiet for a good 10 minutes while devouring these fabulous tacos.  Accompanying these fish tacos were Mexican rice and black beans.  Let me tell you, these are your mama's black beans.  Marcos Nunez, the guy that keeps this place running, will probably kill me if I tell you, but the secret to the black beans is jalapenos.  They add just enough fresh jalapenos when they simmer the beans to take it to the next level.  For you tenderfoots, don't worry, its not spicy.  Its just extremely flavorful.  I wonder if Marcos will give me a pot of beans to go?  I'll have to put that on the list next time I'm there.



Carnitas Dinner

 As for the Fat Guy's wife, she got the Carnitas Dinner or as I like to call it, Mexican BBQ.  The Carnitas Dinner is a slow coked pork that is served with grilled onions, rice, black beans and flour tortillas. I snuck a couple pieces while she wasn't looking.  It was muy bueno.  The tenderness of the pork, the flavor, it worked beautifully.  The secret to the Carnitas, oh yes, I know it but I'll never tell.  You got to ask Marcos yourself.

But Fat Guy, I don't like fish or pork.  Don't worry. I've had the fajitas (best in town in this Fat Guy's opinion), Carne Asada and of course, the tacos.  But even better than the food is the staff.  Every time you are there they treat you like family. I've never had to ask for refills.  Usually it's me that says no mas to the chips.  They must get chips by the truck load because my chip basket never runs empty.  As for dessert, the Flan is awesome.  The kids love the fried ice cream.

Next time you are in Greenville, or for you local Greenvillians, venture down Woodruff Road and stop into a top notch Mexican restaurant.  Tell Marcos, the Fat Guy sent you. You won't be disappointed.

Cuisine: Mexican
City: Greenville

Restaurant: Sabroso Mexican Grille
1860 Woodruff Rd Ste H
Greenville, SC 29607
Ph: 864-288-4825
http://www.sabrosomexicangrille.com/

The Perfect Ending

Its a sad day in the Fat Guy's house.  For his Myrtle Beach vacation has come to an end.  Gone is the sleeping in, the water slides, the sand between my toes.  Back to the cruel, cruel world of distribution.  "Hey Fat Guy! It's your conscious again. Pull yourself out of this Debbie Downer moment.  How soon you forget the home of the greatest steak in the universe"  Thank you sir.  How can I forget that?  It was phenomenal. It was stupendous.  It was dare I say, AWESOME!

Ok, let me set the scene. The wife of the Fat Guy was watching The Championships, Wimbledon on the tele. Sorry about that.  We watched way too much tennis while on vacation.  The Brits always rub off on me.  Anyway, she saw an ad for Angelos Steak and Pasta, Home of the Greatest Steak in the Universe.  A couple questions come to mind.  There is a title of Greatest Steak in the Universe? Is there a belt for that?  Who determines the Greatest in the Universe? Is there a committee? Can the Fat Guy get on that? Are there aliens out there? And if so, are they big steak eaters? I digress.

We hopped in the Fat Mobile and plot a course for Angelos. We arrive and the parking lot is packed.  What? A wait! Do they not know who I am? I walk up to the hostess and proudly proclaim, Fat Guy party of 4. Nah, that's not how it happened.  Actually my wife got us on the list.  20 minutes later we were seated.  The place reminds me of an old school Italian Steakhouse.  The waiter steps up  and takes are drink orders.  I was going to ask him about the Greatest Steak in the Universe Title but he distracted me with salad and garlic bread.  You got me this time waiter.  After giving us the rundown, It's time to order.  I'll start with the she crab soup. Very nice indeed.  This bowl of soup had more crab in it then I could imagine.  It was just full of flavor.  Again, Mr Waiter, stop distracting me from the greatest steak in the universe.

The Greatest Steak
in the Universe

The time has come to order.  Before he can ask me what I want, I proudly say, (with echo for effect) "I'll have the GREATEST STEAK IN THE UNIVERSE".  Who knew that the greatest steak in the universe is the 10 oz ribeye prepared medium rare.  However, the waiter said if you want a medium rare steak, order it rare.  Why do you say that sports fan? He then went on to explain that the steaks are served on a sizzling iron skillet.  If you order one temperature below what you want, it will cook up to perfection when it comes to your table. Interesting, when in Rome...

The steak came out sizzling.  After letting it finish up on the iron skillet for a minute, I dove in.  Well let me tell you, this just might be the best steak in the universe.  The cut was perfect. If was seasoned perfectly and cooked to perfection.  Accompanied by a baked potato, I was one happy fat guy.  The Mrs. got the Filet Marsala.  It was a perfectly cooked filet smothered in a Marsala sauce.  I snuck a little taste.  Outstanding.  They also have an Italian buffet and chicken and veal dishes. But why, when you have the best steak in the universe.

So next time you are in Myrtle Beach for a vacation or on a golf outing, be sure to make some time for Angelo's Steak and Pasta. You won't be disappointed.

Cuisine: Italian Steakhouse
City: Myrtle Beach

Restaurant: Angelo's Steak and Pasta
2011 South Kings Highway
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Ph: 843-626-2800
website: http://www.angelosteakandpasta.com/