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.

Aromatic House of Kabob

by Adrienne Wilson on

Walking into Olde City’s Aromatic House of Kabob is like walking into a modern day Persian food asylum
on the opposite end of the world. I stumbled inside one rainy Philadelphia day searching for a dry place to warm up and
refuel. What I found was a soothing trickling fountain in the center of the restaurant, a Hookah bar, and a heavenly
mixture of aromas floating throughout the spaces between dining tables. My friend and I were tucked away in a cozy
corner table underneath the red, glowing, neon lights welcoming guests from the gray streets outdoors to the warm
atmosphere indoors. Now, whenever I enter a Persian restaurant I always inquire about my beloved fesenjoon, hoping that
even if it’s not on the menu someone will hear my hunger cries and whip up a serving big enough to last me for years.
Like most Kabob places fesenjoon wasn’t found on the menu and they weren’t about to prepare the difficult dish just for
me, but my waiter did a fine job picking out a meal that would tickle my fancy and tastebuds just fine that cold
afternoon.

What he pointed me to is the same thing I’m going to point any of you to should you happen to
accidentally or purposely find your way to the establishment – the Super
Persian Sandwich. This sautéed spinach, tomato, mushroom, feta cheese with your choice of lamb or
chicken blanketed in warm wrapped bread is a crowd pleaser hands down. Look for it under the famous dishes on the menu
and with one bite you’ll instantly know why. I wanted to melt in my seat, cry tears of joy and laughter and order
seconds though the super sized sandwich is quite big enough. Food that tastes good is one thing, but food that evokes
emotions and the courage to breakaway and travel afar is another. While my trip to the Middle East is still patiently
awaiting my arrival you needn’t plan to go so far to taste great cuisine.

The Aromatic House of
Kabob is located at 113 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Visit their website at www.gokabob.com to check out the menu, reviews, or read about the assortment of Hookah flavors available. Phone
ahead by dialing (215) 923-4510. Dishes range from $5.95-$16.95.

Jemma's Treehouse — Tobago, West Indies

by Karen Walrond on

If you ever make it to the island of Tobago in the Caribbean (and really, at some point, you really ought to
make it to the island of Tobago in the Caribbean), remember the following words:  Jemma’s
Treehouse.  This quaint restaurant sits on the northernmost part of the island in the little town of
Speyside.  It’s charm is derived by the fact that it’s actually nestled in the branches of trees — take the
convenient staircase up, and your automatically in a simple West Indian restaurant, featuring the best of local fare,
and affording you an amazing view of the Caribbean sea. 

Most of the islands luxurious resorts are on
the south side of the island, so to get to Jemma’s, it behooves you to rent a car.  However, you won’t regret it
— the 1-1/2 hour drive to Speyside will afford you some of the most beautiful scenery in the West Indies. 
Definitely worth the trip.