The Rock Cafe – Stroud, Oklahoma

by Adrienne Wilson on

Alligator burger in Oklahoma?

My curiosity peaked when I saw it on the menu and for as long as I’ve lived in Florida you’d imagined I’d be a pro at sampling the scaly reptile, but the opportunity was never there. OK, well I didn’t exactly go looking for the opportunity either, but when I saw gator burger on the Rock Cafe menu I was willing to give it a go. The description under the burger was something to the effect of alligator meat prepped like an old fashioned salmon patty with regular burger toppings. You know – lettuce, tomato and pickles on the spicy side. Still a little untrusting of the meat, I ordered an additional hamburger in the event the gator didn’t agree with my belly.

Then it was there. It sat there right before me. I suppose I was looking for an alligator snout underneath the bun, but all I found was a patty that could have been a turkey burger for all I knew, but it was gator. Without thinking further I sunk my teeth into the juicy burger as if I had been nursed on the meat all my life and I liked it. I actually enjoyed it and I still had one more hamburger there waiting to wash down the first. Considering I also had a root beer float, I’m sure glad I didn’t get sick.

Should you find yourself cruising down the Historic Route 66 in Stroud, Oklahoma, make sure to stop at the Rock Cafe to create your own Oklahoma gator burger stories. The diner serves an assortment of burgers, po-boy’s, nachos, salads, and breakfast all for a highly reasonable price.

The Rock Cafe is located at 114 W. Main Street, Stroud, OK 74079. Ph. 918.968.3990.

The Hungry Cabbie

by Erik Olsen on

Food fans, especially those with a decidedly New York sensibility (like myself) will very much enjoy this site called the Hungry Cabbie. This guy gets everywhere (in New York anyway) and covers gobs of gustatory ground. If you’ve ever wanted to know more about hotdogs, well, here’s your chance to find out.

The Common Grounds – Fayetteville, Arkansas

by Adrienne Wilson on

In every city, no matter how big or small, I always seem to find at least one spot that manages to surprise in multiple ways. For Fayetteville I hadn’t a clue what that place might be until I accidentally stumbled into the Common Grounds for breakfast one morning. Located minutes away from the University of Arkansas, in historic Dikson Fayetteville, the strip where the Common Grounds sits tucked away, is surrounded by many local flavors. And if getting your day started with a fresh cup of gourmet espresso is priority you’ll have tons to choose from at the Common Grounds. Not being a big coffee drinker myself, I suggest you check out the website for an idea of what roasts, blends, beans and aromas you’re destined to discover by swinging through.

I went big, all out and ordered the Meaty Belgian, a Belgian waffle sandwich layered with two eggs, American cheese and a sausage pattie. Accompanying my delish breakfast sandwich was a small cup of fresh fruit and to top it off I had an ice-cold smoothie. Certainly one of the most filling meals I’ve ever started my day off with and not too bad on the pockets I’d surely go back to fuel up again if in Fayetteville. Superb service, warm smiles and a very nice atmosphere makes the Common Grounds highly inviting. Stumble in for yourself.

The Common Grounds is located at 412 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, AR 72701. Ph. 479.442.3515.

Siam Palace – Bentonville, Arkansas

by Adrienne Wilson on

Good Thai cuisine in Bentonville, Arkansas was the last thing I expected to find, but a slight change of plans lead me and my hungry, exhausted, walking troop to Siam Palace. We strolled in to find the restaurant had only been open for a few days which gives me the perfect opportunity to be one of its first critics. So without further delay allow me to give you the delectable low-down.

Anyone entering Siam Palace for the first time will instantly feel at ease from the soft, pale, greenish-yellow freshly coated walls, dimly lit lights, and various aromas drifting from the kitchen. For a second it almost feels as if you’ve stepped into a dining area adjacent to a soothing spa where the host greets you with a smile warmer than the Thai sun and happily escorts you to your seats. (There are two ways to dine at Siam Palace: the Western way and the Eastern way. My party opted for the Eastern way seated on the floor.) Once settled in order a cool glass of Thai tea. It’s sweeter than most, but not as much as sweet as a dessert. For the main meal – If you’re in the mood for something both sweet and slightly tart order the pineapple chicken dish in a special Siam sauce. If noodles are a priority, sample some traditional style Pad Thai with their own special twist.

Judging from all the happy faces and tummies in my group I figured you could order almost anything off the menu and be pleased all the same if you had opted for a slightly different dish. I enjoyed my experience so much I tried making one last late lunch visit the following day, but found they were closed for a two-hour period of the day. If you’re anywhere near or around Bentonville, make sure this one gets placed on your list of dining destinations. You won’t regret it!

Siam Palace is located at 3404 SE Macy Road Suite 20, Bentonville, AR 72712. Ph. 479.254.8559. Hours vary since the plaza is fairly new with several new businesses springing up. Be sure to call ahead to make sure they are open. Most dishes range from $10-$15.

Columbus Fish Market – Columbus, Ohio

by Adrienne Wilson on

My trip into the Columbus Fish Market was a last minute idea and a darn good one to boot. With only one day to spare in the Columbus, Ohio area I was desperately seeking out exciting things to do while in town as some of you may recall and with the rainy weather putting a cap on some of my fun the only thing left to do was find shelter and eat. A friend of mine lived pretty close to the spot and had heard very good things about it, so we were left to try it on our own. When we arrived around 8 PM the place was humming full of patrons. Fortunately my pal had made reservations as recommended on the website and we were shown to our cozy dimly lit booth.

Ordering at the Columbus Fish Market may take a few moments if you’re unfamiliar with the menu. If you really haven’t an idea of what to order the wait staff is very attentive to your tastes and does a marvelous job helping to select the perfect dish for you. I went with the Yellowfin Tuna Shang-Hai style, a signature preparation steamed with ginger and scallions, served with sticky rice; spinach and rice wine soy sauce. Mmm… To keep from posting one of my long foodie type tales I’ll just leave you with this: If you’re in Columbus, Ohio – GO!

The Columbus Fish Market is located at 1245 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH 43212. Ph. 614.291.3474. Lunch hours are M-F 11AM-4PM. Dinner hours vary throughout the week (see website). Prices range from $16-$35.