St. Patty's Day

Happy St. Patty's Day everyone.  I will have a new post soon after going out to dinner for my mother's birthday.

The H-A-Milton

So now you’re asking yourself what the H-A-Milton (Hamilton) could possibly be.  A sandwich?  Sundae? No, he must be talking about a drink down at the G Man (towny bar) made with orange juice, vodka, and Jack Daniels, named for the founder of Carlisle, Howard Alexander Milton (actual founder of Carlisle John Armstrong, Sr.).  Sorry, the correct answer is a weekly restaurant visit for all True Carlilians (Car-lil-ian).  For True Carlilians (from now on referred to as TCs), there are only 4 acceptable food choice — and 2 of them aren’t even on the menu!

These two items are the Hotchee dog and the Hotchee burger.  There are only two items on the menu that could possibly accompany these truly righteous entrees: onion rings or fries.  And if you do choose the fries, then you have to decide on your gravy: chicken or beef.  I like both (not at the same time of course), but depending on my cravings each has its place.  

But enough about the sides — what about those Hotchee burger and the Hotchee dog?  Well there is only one way to describe them, and that is to explain how they are made.  You start with a soft fresh hot dog roll, smear a knifeful of mustard across one side, place a piece of American cheese, throw in the special hotdog, add one spoonful of Hotchee sauce, and finally the master piece is topped off with diced onions. It looks lovely, and the use of the knife or the back of the fork is allowed to push the Hotchee sauce and onions back onto the bun.  

That first big bite introduces you to what many people have come to describe as the taste of Carlisle.  You are first hit by how nice and soft the hotdog bun is.  Then your tongue is introduced to the slight bitterness of the mustard.  Then it is into the smooth American cheese, right before hitting the salty flavor of the hot dog.  You get the slightly sweet Hotchee sauce and its coarse texture.  The crunch of the onion finishes off the bite.  The flavors blend perfectly into a symphony which is the Hotchee dog.  It is a Hotchee dog not a Chili dog!  

The Hotchee burger is similar to its dog brother, but has what I perceive to be a taste that is just a little bit sweeter.

“But Ethan, you haven’t told us exactly what the Hotchee sauce is!” — and for that I apologize.  Some would say it is like a chili, but that is not completely true.  If one must say it is a chili, then it would be a beanless chili.  It has spices such as cumin in it and also has ground beef.  The sauce is not sloppy and wet, but it isn’t dry either.  It has the perfect consistency to sit on the bun and not make it soggy.

The restaurant is run by Tommy and Angie, who are Greek, and the faces of the H-A-Milton.  Finally there’s Athan, the guy who works the grill, and craftsman of the Hotchee dogs and Hotchee burgers.  They are as friendly as are the TCs who you can see every day talking with each other at the H-A-Milton.

This is the place that I had my first hot dog, and I’ve never looked at the menu.  I mean, I love this food so much that my favorite meal used to be my pin number! The only thing left to do is to tell you what I get when I go there.  In my high school days, before the matabilism slowed down, I would have 2 Hotchee dogs and 2 Hotchee burgers. Since then, I’ve gotten either get a Hotchee dog and fries with gravy, or a Hotchee combo — one dog and one burger.  

If you are in Carlisle, even if it is just to visit Dickinson College for the day, you must stop by the H-A-Milton (call it that in Carlisle and even TCs will think you are a local!), and try some good Hotchee food!

Welcome Hungry Friends

     I am an enthusiastic eater who enjoys trying all kinds of food and drink and then discussing it.  I go around, like Andrew Zimmern and Anthony Bourdain (but on a smaller scale), trying different foods and talking with the people who make them.  I live in a small town, Carlisle; home of Dickinson College, the Army War College, and  the many unspoken amazing eateries that are hidden.
     There is no restaurant too shady, and if its too expensive I'll save up money and then splurge.  I love going to breweries and I am trying to start brewing at home.  There is no food that I will not try so every different type will be discussed when I find a restaurant that serves it.
I will try to keep you as up to date on my masticating migrations and upload pictures when ever possible!