Chatterbox - Dinner

I had the Barbeque Pork loin with vegetables and potatoes au gratin ($9.99). It was nice to see this place making substantial food besides the usual fare but it ended up being expensive. The iced tea was $2.59 and the side salad... making the total $16.66 before tip. While I give them credit for trying real food... the potatoes seemed to be a mix and the 4 slices of pork loin had a strange texture (not roasted) maybe they were precooked, frozen and microwaved (I don't know.) I must say the green beans were done just right, a little crispy with some butter. The Chatterbox is located on the intersection of 15 and 206. While they are trying nicer things, I would stick to what they are known for. I especially like their roast beef sandwich on wonderful whole wheat bread.

Smokehouse Barbeque - Lunch

Smokehouse BBQ Brisket on Bun ($7.95) This is a sandwich on a nice round roll filled with tender, smoked brisket. It comes with a side order of creamy coleslaw with a nice bite of grated onion. This place is a wonderful find! it is not necessarily cheap and they do serve on styrofoam plates but they smoke their own meat... chicken, ribs which fall off the bone and pulled pork. They also bottle there own soda. It is opened 6 days a week (closed Mondays.) They also sell their own BBQ sauce. It is located in what used to be Stewart's Root Beer (515 Route 206), south of Newton just below the Stickle Pond Road traffic light (on the left.) They also have a full service restaurant in Independence on Route 46.

Listen And Ask

I go out to eat frequently and am well known in several places (although I hope they don't know I write this.) One thing I have learned is that when you frequent a place you can ask for things that may not be on the menu. If you are polite and they have the ingredients and the time, they most likely will do as you ask.

Another advice I have is to listen and watch. I look at plates as they go by and ask about them. At one place I discovered something they make up for the servers and now order it frequently.

I will not mention these places or the special things they make as it will definitely flag who I am.

Business is hard not and most places are cooperative. Enjoy eating!

Julie & Julia

You may think this is a strange entry for this blog... well it is not. If you haven't seen the movie, do so. I started this blog for similar reasons as Julie started hers in the movie... to share my experiences. After watching the movie I realized that it has been a long time since I have made an entry. This is for two reasons. One.. I am trying to lose weight and that is not always easy going out to eat. The other reason, I am not aware of new eateries in the area that I have not experienced.

Having said that, there are two places I have to visit. The first is the JC's Grillhouse which has reopened after some trouble over their liquor license. The other is a new Mexican place which is located in the former Kebab place just north of Newton on 206 right after the light at Clinton Street. I wish them well but unfortunately, the parking there is absolutely terrible. One doesn't need many strikes against you to kill a new food business and the parking thing here is a BIG one. Hopefully I will stop in there soon.

Airport diner/Family Restaurant - Lunch

Burger (1/2 lb.) with swiss ($4.40) The burger came with a small cup of cole slaw, pickle and a pile of chips. The burger was not a purchased pattie and was very moist. I asked for it to be medium rare and it was. As an option I got it on an English muffin (sandwich size) for 65 more cents. I also opted for tomato slices for 50 cents. I could have purchased the platter which came with fries, lettuce and tomato, but I did not want the fries. This place, right at the Sussex airport is food like you would cook at home. Nice food and reasonably prices. Just be aware it is a luncheonette - only breakfast and lunch.

Airport diner/Family Restaurant - Breakfast

Two poached eggs on corned beef hash ($6.50) This was served with hash browned potatoes, toast, and coffee. Eggs (especially poached) are a good way to test a place and these were cooked perfectly. This place is right at the airport on 565 (about a 15 minute drive from Newton.) It has a great deal of local color -- you can sit at the counter and joke around with the local people and waitress. It is a luncheonette (serving only breakfast and lunch) so don't show up for dinner. I am told that they have incredible hamburgers (their menu says the best in Sussex County.) If you want a friendly place like what diners and luncheonettes used to be years ago, give this place a shot. I will head up there soon for one of their hamburgers.

Taco of the Town (dinner)

Chile Relleno ($13.50) The meal started with chips and salsa with chunks of onions and noticeable celantro. The chile relleno was by far the best I have had around here. It was made with a large pepper, breaded and fried and stuffed with plenty of cheese. It was served with refried beans, mexican rice and a nice slaw (warm in a good way.) My iced tea was served with lime. For dessert I had flan.. which was mediocre. The flan was piled with whipped cream. If the flan was good with a nice caramel sauce it wouldn't have needed the cream. The decor at Taco of the Town is Mexican. Parking is adequate on the street (in the town of Sussex.) Besides the mediocre flan, the other thing that bothered me was chipping paint on the ceiling in the dining room. I know it is an old building.. but could it end up in your food? I have not been here in a long time and I guess my first visit several years ago... the menu confused me. Now, after being at several Mexican places around here and judging by this one meal, it is the best in Sussex County. It is worth the trip to Sussex from Newton.