Author: jpmason2022

I am fortunate to have had a full life. I spent 20 years in the Marine Corps, serving this Country all over the world. I can say Japan has to be my favorite country outside the United States. Australia is a close second. In my professional life, I work in Aerospace. My academic pursuits have led me to Graduating from St Mary's College of California with a degree in Law Studies and I earned a MBA from Golden Gate University. My interests outside of work is eating. It has been said I can't pass up a dive. In my defense, the best food is cooked with love from the heart.

Hub City Diner

The spark for this trip came from listening to Fox and Friends. They went to the Hub City Diner in Hagerstown Maryland for a segment they call Breakfast with Friends. So the question becomes, what was the host raving about when it comes to Hub City Diner, is the food really as good as they say it is? I decided to drive the long route there, which took me through a section of Maryland and Pennsylvania I have never seen. I was captivated by rural Maryland and the beauty of the rolling corn fields. The drive definitely help set my expectations for my breakfast to come.

Deep Fried French Toast! With my love of French Toast, I had to try it. Deep Fried anything has to be good, right? To complete my breakfast I ordered scrambled eggs and bacon on the side. I have spoken in the past about eating with your eyes, so when my breakfast arrived, I wasn’t overly impress. I give them an ‘E’ for effort when it came to plating. Still my hope was bite into the French Toast and have a crispy exterior with a moist, tender center. Unfortunately, it was OK, but not to my expectation. For the most part the French Toast was dry. Honestly, cooking the French Toast the standard method might have made it more appetizing.

Scrabbles eggs, so easy to prepare, so hard to screw up. That is unless you serve them cold. Enough said. The best part of my meal was the peppered bacon. The bacon was cooked just right. I like bacon on the thicker side. Their bacon was just that, plus it wasn’t over cooked or dripping with grease. It was a pleasure to eat and saved breakfast for me.

In the case of Hub City Diner it was the drive not the destination. Was I led astray by Fox and Friends, I don’t know. Hub City Diner could have put on one hell of a show and then went back to their standard way of doing business. Having one meal is not the best way to past judgement, but I will not return for a second. I say this because I saw what the other diners were being served and nothing said to me you have to come back and try that. I leave it up to you whether you want to visit Hub City Diner or not.

Dinosaur BBQ

The Dinosaur BBQ located in Rochester, NY is the real deal.

On my last trip to Rochester NY, I was told about the Dinosaur BBQ . Given my love of BBQ, I knew on my next trip to Rochester, this is where I was going to eat. I even arranged my flight to ensure I had enough time to go out and eat after arrival.

When you are going to a BBQ what is the first thing that catches your attention when you arrive? For me it is the smoke filled air from BBQ’s preparing mouth watering meats. If you weren’t hungry, you soon will be. Walking up to the Dinosaur BBQ the first thing that caught my attention was the smell of hardwood smoke in the air. My expectation of good food was starting to soar.

Dinosaur BBQ Sampler Plate — Sampler Plate Dinosaur BBQ, Rochester NY

Given this was my first time at the Dinosaur BBQ, I chose the sampler plate to get an overall impression of Dinosaur BBQ’s food. Of the choices I went with pulled pork, spicy hot link, and St Louis ribs. Along with my meat choices I selected grill Cajun corn and mashed potatoes. The sides are an important part of the Dinosaur BBQ meal experience. They were a perfect compliment to my selection. The Cajun corn was good, but the brown gravy on the mash potatoes was something else. Not all brown gravy is equal. Dinosaur BBQ’s brown gravy is thick, with a deep rich flavor. Needless to say I cleaned the dish!

The pulled pork and spicy hot link were good, but the star was the St Louis ribs. When you eat smoked meat, you should see the smoke ring where the smoke as penetrated the meat. The meat on the ribs was smoked all the way to the bone. The pork was literally falling off the bones. Dinosaur BBQ smokes the ribs with a dry rub and then serves them lightly glazed with their own BBQ sauce. From the first bite you taste elements of the smokey flavor, chased by a tangy after taste. If I knew how good the ribs were going to be, I would have skipped the sampler plate and ordered a half rack of ribs. The next time I’m in Rochester NY, I want to go back to the Dinosaur BBQ and try their West Texas center cut Rib-Eye Steak. I just don’t know whether I want to go with Habanero Cook’s Butter, Bourbon Molasses Steak Sauce. We will see when the time comes.

The Dinosaur BBQ is the real deal. If you have a hankering for BBQ, this is definitely a destination worth driving too. There are two considerations when deciding to go to the Dinosaur BBQ; first parking at best sucks, and second, expect to wait to be seated. I went on a Tuesday night at 7:30 and there was a 30 minute wait, unless you wanted to eat in the bar. My recommendation, go early and map places to park. But, definitely go!

Garryowen Irish Pub

Garryowen is a traditional Irish pub in Gettysburg, PA. Enter Garryowen hungry, leave satisfied.

Here’s the challenge: Close your eyes, picture what an Irish pub looks like, then walk into Garryowen. Look around and take in the atmosphere, I would argue with anyone that Garryowen is a traditional Irish pub. According to their website, Garryowen is reminiscent of Irish pubs back in the old country.

Garryowen bar 2 — Garryowen Bar Gettysburg PA

With what appears to be plenty of seating, you can expect to wait at least 15 minutes or more on any given night to be seated. This has a lot to say about the popularity of this establishment. Having dined in Garryowen on several occasions, they are well worth the wait. Once you are seated you can expect first class service.

Shepherd’s Pie, Bangers and Mash, and Fish and Chips are dishes you would expect to find on any Irish Pub’s menu. If this is what you are hungry for, Garryowen will not disappoint. As you are reading down the menu you will come across Ulster Fry. Traditionally Ulster Fry is served as breakfast in Ireland. Garryowen’s Ulster Fry is served with grilled Irish bacon, sausages, black and white pudding, fried egg, grilled tomato, and house-made soda bread. What I found unique about the meal is the black and white pudding. Here in the states, when you think about pudding, you think about a sweet dessert. In England, Scotland, and Ireland, puddings are predominantly savory. The black and white pudding served at Garryowen, is best described as a tasty sausage dish.

If you are not certain about Garryowen traditional Irish fare, then try their meatloaf. Their meatloaf is served with a Smokey Honey BBQ sauce. I say it is good to the last bite. I would also recommend their Reuben sandwich for lunch. I can’t say enough about the meals I have had at Garryowen.

There is no way I can talk about Garryowen without mentioning the selection of 120 + Irish whiskies, plus Ireland’s draft beers. They advertise the perfect pour of Guinness. I have to confess, I am not a fan of Guinness. But, they do have my favorite Danish beer on tap, Carlsberg.

Enter Garryowen hungry, leave satisfied. When I’m in the mood to eat out, Garryowen is at the top of my list of restaurants that immediately come to mind. What makes Garryowen a place that ends up on Road Warrior Dining; of course its the good ole fashion Irish food. Then again, the selection of 120 Irish whiskies helps.

Lincoln Diner

For better then 60 years the Lincoln Diner in Gettysburg, PA has been serving locals and tourist alike.

Traveling to Gettysburg or just passing through, stop at the Lincoln Diner. Whether you are hungry or just love the Diner experience, then you will enjoy the Lincoln Diner. For better then 60 years the Lincoln Diner has been serving locals and tourist alike. Originally established in 1955 as the Varsity Diner, it became the Lincoln Diner in 1971. It is easy to understand how this Diner has lasted more than 60 years. Good food matched with friendly staff is a winning combination.

Lincoln Interior — Lincoln Diner Gettysburg, PA

If you want a taste of Americana go to the Lincoln Diner first thing in the morning. They open at 7:00 and are hopping by 7:15 This is one of those restaurants where everyone seems to know everyone. The waitresses greet the guest by name. Even though this was the first time I was there, I was made to feel welcome walking in the door. Looking at the menu, I had a major dilemma, what to order. They have a menu filled with my favorite comfort foods. On this particular visit My waitress helped me solve the dilemma by asking a simple question how hungry are you.

Lincoln Reuben — Reuben Sandwich, Lincoln Diner

I didn’t instantly gravitate towards the Reuben Sandwich. I was leaning towards their Bacon Cheese Burger. My desire to compare their Reuben to local Irish Pubs helped my settle me late lunch choice. Lincoln Diners Reuben is served with a healthy portion of corn beef and sauerkraut, topped by Swiss cheese and thousand island dressing. The one thing that sets this sandwich apart is the thick slices of rye bread. This is a hearty sandwich, that should be considered when visiting. I like my onion rings to be thinly cut and crispy. The Lincoln Diners Onion Rings met my expectations. I was impressed with my lunch, but I learned from my waitress is that breakfast is were the Lincoln Diner excels.

Lincoln Diner Pancakes — Pancake Breakfast Lincoln Diner

When I went to the Lincoln Diner for breakfast, I was on a mission to try their pancakes. I was told that they pride themselves in making all the batters by scratch. In fact all their menu items are made using family recipes. I believe my pancakes lived up to the hype. They were heavy but airy. I wish I knew what was in the batter because they tasted good, but a little different. I want to know what the difference is. The meal as a whole I could not finish. Three large pancakes, two eggs, and bacon was a bit much. To me bacon says a lot about a restaurant. I use Denny’s as the standard by which to judge all restaurant’s bacon. Denny’s bacon is the worst, usually thins slices of flavored grease. Lincoln Diner’s slices were thick, not over greasy. I’m a definitely interested in trying other menu items.

In my travels, I’m not looking for Americana when selecting a place to eat, but I appreciate Americana evident in my choice. Lincoln Diner is a classic and well worth a visit. When I think of the Lincoln Diner, I think of the famous painting Nighthawks by Edward Hopper. I will certain visit again.

Firehouse Grill

If you want a true taste of Americana, visit the Firehouse Grill in Littlestown PA.

In my opening statement about Road Warrior Dining, I talk about hidden gems, Firehouse Grill is just that. Firehouse Grill doesn’t really standout on the street. The restaurant is flanked by an antique shop on the right and a pawn shop on the left. So what makes Firehouse Grill special; it is because it is Americana. Go to The Firehouse Grill at 6:15 A.M and you will experience Americana firsthand. By 6:30 in the morning the coffee is flowing, and the restaurant is packed. The old timers are drinking coffee and swapping stories. Firehouse Grill is a restaurant that makes you feel like you are partaking in an extended family meal. First thing in the morning the clientele is predominantly farmers getting ready to start their day.

FH Int 3 — Firehouse Grill Interior, Littlestown, PA

It says a lot about a restaurant that has a line of people waiting at their door at 6:00 A.M. on a Saturday. The Firehouse Grill has a steady crowd all day long. Just as with breakfast, lunch has its regulars. As people come through the door the waitresses ask them if they are having their usual. Along with the standard lunch fare, they have daily specials. My favorite is the meatloaf. One thing about the Firehouse Grill, they do not serve dinner, they are open 6:00 A.M to 2:00 P.M, six days a week. They are closed on Mondays.

firehouse-grill-breakfast-rev — Firehouse Grill Littlestown, PA

Looking for a hearty breakfast, Try a Firehouse Grill omelet with sliced potatoes. The selection of omelets isn’t much different than most diners, the difference comes in how they are prepared. They do not scrimp on ingredients. My preference when it comes to omelets is their sausage link with American cheese. I can’t say enough about the slice potatoes. I’m not a fan of home-style potatoes; I actually prefer shredded. The way the Firehouse Grill prepares their sliced potatoes, has me rethinking my feelings towards home-style potatoes. The potatoes are sliced about a quarter inch think and fried to golden crispy brown. They are seasoned just right; I didn’t have to add salt.

French Toast 2 — Firehouse Grill French Toast

As much as I enjoy their omelets, I equally enjoy their French Toast. No thin slices of bread here. The bread is thick with a delicious eggy center, grilled to perfection. Even though I enjoy maple syrup, it’s not needed with Firehouse Grill’s French toast. One of my biggest complaints when I eat breakfast out is usually the bacon. It is hard to find a place that actually serves something other than a limp, greasy slice of bacon. Firehouse Grill’s bacon is thick and crispy; again, I have nothing but praise. If omelets or French Toast is not your thing, Firehouse grill has a full breakfast menu.

Americana has a home in Littlestown, Pennsylvania, it is called the Firehouse Grill. If you want a good meal. that gives you feeling of home cooking, go to the Firehouse Grill. There is a reason people line up at 6:00 A.M; come experience it for yourself. Have you been to the Firehouse Grill or have a favorite breakfast place? Share your thoughts below.

Dutch Corner

I have passed the Dutch Corner Restaurant several times; each time, I tell my self I need to try it. So today I ventured in. If you read the reviews on Tripadvisor.com, you would have the impression that this is a great restaurant, you are in for a real treat. I must have choose a bad day. First of all, there was no one at the front door, so I wondered around to find someone to tell me, that you seat yourself. Then I waited another 10 minutes, until I got up and asked a waitress for a menu. Even though I was seated in her section, she did not realize I was there. I have to say, once she knew I was seated in her section, she was highly professional and very attentive.

DC Interior 1 — Dutch Corner Dining Area

I like the interior of the restaurant. There are two main seating area’s and a section of dinner style counter seating. The rustic look was a plus. The restaurant is clean. Tables were immediately bused as patrons left.

The Dutch Corner Restaurant seems to be geared towards breakfast. Their menu has a large selection of breakfast choices. I stopped in at 11:30, so lunch was on my mind. I was almost swayed to change my mind after watching the meals other patrons were served. Staying the course, I ordered the Dutch Corner Cheese Burger. In their description, they state they make the burgers in house. So, I had fairly high hopes of a juicy, tasty burger.

Looking at the picture you might notice that there is no cheese, Strike one! Not receiving what I ordered was a major turn off. If you read what they say about themselves on their website, they talk about home made food. I have written about eating with your eyes, my eyes said “Boring,” Strike two! The burger reminded me you buy frozen out of the supermarket meat section. A little salt and pepper would have helped. The fries were good.

To give Dutch Corner a fair review, I ordered the burger the way it is shown on the menu. I say this because I am not a fan of mayo on burgers. They serve their burgers with mayo, I’m ok with mayo on a burger only when, the burger is full of flavor, a higher quality beef, and seasoned properly.

There may be a time I will try Dutch Corner again. As I state earlier, the breakfast dishes looked really good. Not having any prior knowledge of this restaurant, may breakfast is their thing. The reviews I read on Tripadviser.com are all positive, so I may have to come back and order breakfast some morning.

I can’t recommend Dutch Corner Restaurant. Even though, I may go back at a later date and try their breakfast. If I do I will update my review.

Sogo Japanese Steakhouse

Teriyaki Steak, Perfectly cooked, thinly sliced, medium rare.

It is said you eat with your eyes. I believe this to be true. This can also be true when your are looking for a place to eat when you are on the road. I questioned whether I should try Sogo Japanese Steak House. The exterior should have gave me clues about the quality of the food served inside. Then again, there are a lot of strip mall restaurants that are fantastic. Walking in Sogo’s, it had a modern appeal. Neon lighting setting the mood, with the classic Japanese decorations.

I was immediately seated by a friendly host. My waitress made sure I had a menu as soon as I was seated. So my initial concerns were fading.

The menu was limited. Being advertised as a Japanese Steakhouse, I did not expect Sushi to be the predominate option. Given I don’t eat fish, I focused on their grilled options. Usually when I eat in a Japanese restaurant, I order Gyoza as an appetizer. With this comes certain expectations. When my waitress returned, I ordered hot tea, Gyoza, and Teriyaki Steak.

My first surprise was when the tea was served, there was a tea bag in the cup, instead of the traditional pot of tea. I was even more surprised when the Gyoza was served. At first glance I wasn’t sure why they thought it was a good idea to serve on a tray that you could have mistaken for something out of a diner. Secondly, the pieces were over cooked. I like my Gyoza a little crispy, but… I mention certain expectations; I know what Gyoza tastes like. The flavor of their Gyoza was off. It could have been because it was over cooked or maybe the oil they used.

Back to eating with your eyes; when the main course arrived it looked good and I couldn’t wait to try the teriyaki steak. Not only was the steak good, but some of the best teriyaki steak I have ever had. Perfectly cooked, thinly sliced, medium rare. The teriyaki sauce was well balanced, not overpowering. The steak was a little on the pricey side, but it was well worth the price. The steak could have saved the meal if it wasn’t for the bland fried rice. It is just wrong to have to ad soy sauce to a dish to give it flavor.

I cannot recommend Sogo Japanese Steakhouse. I know I am a picky eater, but I the side dishes are just as important as the main dish. If you are looking for better than average teriyaki steak, then Sogo Japanese Steakhouse may be what you are looking for.

LunaZul

LunaZul in Hampstead, MD serves some of the finest Tex-Mex food in Maryland.

Does living half your life in the Southwest of America make you a Mexican food expert, probably not. Does frequenting restaurants that close in the summertime and family goes back to Mexico make you an expert, probably not. What it does is make you a Mexican food snob. LunaZul considers themselves a Tex-Mex restaurant. I would put them up against any of the Mexican restaurants I have frequented in Arizona and California.

Everything on the menu is good! Even though I love all Mexican food, I usually keep to a few favorite dishes. When visiting a new Mexican Restaurant, one of the first things I always try is their chimichangas. This is probably because I fell in love with the way chimichangas are prepared and served in Yuma, Arizona. LunaZul’s chimichanga is very tasty. One major plus is they do not fill it with unnecessary fillers such as potatoes. Another passion is chili rellenos. LunaZul’s chili relleno is the most unique I have ever had. They actually stuff them with your choice of meat. How can you go wrong with Poblano chili stuff with cheese, breaded, and deep fried, then smothered in sauce. LunaZul took that an elevated it by stuffing their chili’s with your choice of shredded meats.

LunaZul Enchiladas — LunaZul’s Enchilada Meal

As I stated earlier everything on LunaZul’s menu is good. I would recommend the Chipotle Enchiladas pictured here. For those that like their food on the spicy side, the Hot Winter combination plate should suffice. The Hot Winter is a sampler plate with a Habanero base sauce. I recently tried their Mexican Sampler and may have found a new favorite. On the Mexican Sampler I especially enjoyed the asado de Puerco, followed by the shredded beef flauta.

LunaZul has become a lunch time favorite. If you are in the Hampstead Maryland and want to try good Tex-Mex food, give LunaZul a try. Her you will find, good food, priced right, and portions that leave you feeling satisfied. The wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable. LunaZul is not only the type of restaurant you want to tell people about, you want to return to.

O’Rorke’s

If you are driving through Gettysburg Pennsylvania and desire a hearty lunch, O’Rorke’s should be your destination. Fine dining no; Pub fare yes.

Dinning Experience

O’Rorke’s is more than a place to get a cold beer and a good meal. O’Rorke’s is a place where couples and families come to meet. I expected the place to be empty due to it being a chilly, rainy Saturday morning. I was surprised no sooner had I been seated that people started to flow in. I heard a woman tell the hostess, that she needed seating for seven. Her family was traveling from different parts of the area to meet for lunch. Shortly after they were seated a party of six bellied up to the bar. Just like with the party of seven, O’Rorke’s was a central location for them to meet. Within less than an hour of opening O’Rorke’s was busy. I can only imagine what it is like when tourist fill the streets.

ORORKES GUEST — Friends Gathering at O’Rorke’s

O’Rorke’s is your typical Irish Pub. From Boston to Los Angeles, when you stop in an Irish Pub you can expect the menu to have the standard fare; Bangers and Mash, Shepard’s Pie, Fish and Chips, and my favorite, a Reuben Sandwich. If you are looking for something that sets O’Rorke’s apart from other Irish Pubs, it has to be their house made chips. When you order Fish and Chips in most Irish Pubs, the fish is served with steak fries. O’Rorke’s chips are thicker then commercially produced potato chips. They have a satisfying texture and were salted just right. I’m not a fan of steak fries in general, so the chips actually enhanced the meal.

ORORKES RUEBEN 2. jpg — O’Rorke’s Reuben Sandwich

The Food

Prior to driving to O’Rorke’s, I had already looked at their menu online and I planned on ordering their Reuben sandwich. First of all, I love Reuben’s and secondly I wanted to compare their sandwich to their cross town rival, Garryowen. The Reuben sandwich at O’Rorke’s was to much for me to eat. I ended up taking half of the sandwich and chips home. The sandwich was comprised of a generous portion of corn beef, covered in sauerkraut, thousand island dressing and Swiss cheese. It was served with house made chips and corn fritters. The portion was large enough to fill a hearty appetite or have take out. Both Garryowen and O’Rorke’s Reuben sandwiches are worth drive. One sandwich is not better than the others. So, the next time I am hankering for a Reuben, I will have to toss a coin.

ORORKES Fish and Chips — O’Rorkes’s Fish Basket

Just like the first time I went to O’Rorke’s, I had a specific item on the menu I was looking for. In this case I wanted to try their Fish Basket. I saw on their menu, they make their Fish and Chips with Cod. Given I only eat Fish and Chips if they are prepared with Cod or Flounder, I knew I had to come back on a Friday and try their version of Fish and Chips. As with their Reuben, they did not disappoint. The fish was fried to perfection. The flavor was light, seasoned just right. If I don’t like a fish, I will hide the flavor with tartar sauce. No Tatar sauce required. Just as with the Reuben platter, the chips were cooked to perfection. No need for adding salt. If I was to suggest anything, I would reduce the amount of chips that comes with the Fish Basket.

Final Thoughts

O’Rorke’s is definitely a restaurant I will return to. I can’t say enough about about the food. If you are spending the day in Gettysburg, then O’Rorke’s should be your destination for good food.

Welcome to Road Warrior Dining!

Firehouse Grill 2

You are driving down the highway, hungry, looking for a good place to eat. Do you stop at the first diner or restaurant you come to or do you continue down the highway looking for a familiar chain restaurant? Driving through small-town America, are you willing to stop at a restaurant you see off the main road?

It has been said there is not a Dive out there that I’m not willing to try and regret later. If trying different restaurants was a baseball game, I’m batting 400. How do you know if a restaurant is a hidden gem if you don’t stop and give it a try? Firehouse Grill is one such place. If I had not ventured in, I would never learned that it is a hidden gem.

It is my mission to share the hidden gems I have found and steer people away from the places I swear I will never go back to. The Road Warriors amongst us know of places that they are willing to take a drive to go back to. Whether you stumble on a good place to eat while traveling or go to a restaurant because of word of mouth, these are the places that need be shared. The adventure is rolling the dice and trying new places.