Redd's Smokehouse Update!!!
     First, I want to apologize for not posting in quite some time.  I got a job teaching third grade and have been kept busying with my first year of teaching.  I hope that the summer will allow me to get back into blogging and sharing the different restaurants in the greater Carlisle and Harrisburg area. Now back to what I wanted to tell you all about.
     Redd's Smokehouse food truck is no more.  You used to be able to find the nice little truck in a parking lot, but no more.  Now if you want to get that amazing southern-style you need to head on down to 109 North Hanover St. (which used to be the BLD Diner).  It is right next to Market Cross Pub so it is hard to miss it (I will be talking about the Pub in a future post).
     The restaurant is not fancy by any stretch of the imagination but it is perfect for what they do.  The door to get in is a little confusing and if you pick the wrong one you will be in an apartment building (it is fun to sit where you can see the door and watch people struggle).  Once through the door, head to the back of the restaurant where a cheerful cashier will ask you want.  Take time to look at the menu posted on the wall, they have some new choices that were available at their old location.  These new items  include cornbread, which contains pieces of pork that explode in your mouth, collard greens, corn kernels, and mac and cheese.  I know I am missing some of them, but since my visit last week I can't remember the rest.  They also have a new spicy bbq sauce that is great on everything.  Another change that is new is the way they do the sauces now.  Instead of them putting them on for you like they did at the food truck, YOU are now the Sauce Boss. Your food comes out without any sauce on it.  The bottles of sauce are on the table and you can control how much or how little you want.
     My stand by is still the BBQ Sampler because I love the way they prepare the different meats.  The meat literally falls off the bones of the ribs, the chicken melts in your mouth (no joke it really does ask my girlfriends sister I was talking about it for days) and the pulled pork is to die for.  Since they added the mac and cheese I have been getting that, but I can't get away from their amazing "real" baked beans.
     Last, but not least by a long shot is their BYOB policy.  They have fountain sodas and tea if you like, but there is nothing like a nice, ice cold Yuengling to pair with the amazing BBQ feast.  And with Market Cross Pub right next door, if you forget to bring your own just run over and grab a six pack of the many different varieties.
    Special thanks to you guys for sticking around and reading.  Again I want to say I'm sorry for being away so long and I appreciate your loyal support.
Taste Life!

Redd's Smokehouse

     The first time I went I was refereed by one of my dad's friends and wow!  I was completely blown away. They have a little food truck in the parking lot of a jewelry store and I was a little skeptical, but once I tasted the food I had no doubts, these guys know their stuff! They do Carolina style BBQ which is something that they said is missing from this area. I now agree.
     I ordered the Sampler which came with 3 ribs, 1/4 chicken (I ordered dark meet) and an almost overwhelming amount of pulled pork. I had the tomato base sauce instead of the honey mustard base and I lack words to describe how amazing the food truly was. Never in my life have I had chicken that was as flavorful or juicy. The meat on the ribs just fell off the bone and was tender as could be. The pork had a nice flavor and was not fatty as it can sometimes be. 
     I then got 2 sides with my meal and selected the sweet potato fries and baked beans. I had never before had fresh cut sweet potato fries and I found even more amazing was that they put cinnamon and sugar on the fries (I usually just put syrup). The baked beans were nothing like our Northern baked beans but the new taste was spectacular and left me searching for more after I licked the cup clean. 
     The second time I went I got the 1/2 chicken dinner and I was not disappointed!  To my amazement the chicken was even juicier than I had remembered.  So very moist and tender as could be.  I thought about trying the honey mustard sauce, but then decided to stick with the tomato sauce because it had been so good (please forgive me for not trying the other sauce)!  Also I stuck with my baked beans and sweet potato fries (again 1,000 apologizes for not trying a new side).  The sweet potato fries this time were done a little longer and proved to be a bit more crunchy.  As before I enjoyed my meal. 
     My only complaints are that they are only open Wednesday to Sunday and there is no seating. But this food is worth waiting for and taking it home or to a friend's house to eat is more than worth it!  Please visit these guys, you won't regret it.  Their address is 728 North Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA 17013-1534, and you can call them at (717) 254-6419.  These guys really know what they are doing!
     My next post should be coming out in a few days and I plan to talk about my Primanti Brothers experience when I was out visiting friends in Pittsburgh the other week.  I apologize again for taking so to post another review!

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!