One of the unfortunate consequences of the highly politicized and fractured nature of current American public discourse is the extent to which many serious issues are framed in black and white terms. In most cases, looking at the shades of gray between the two extreme positions would be more productive. I bring this up nowContinue reading “The Straw Man of the Ukraine War”
Author Archives: BZ Maestro
Returning to The Persian Grill After 30 Years
The Persian Grill in the western suburb of Lafayette Hill is likely the oldest restaurant that specializes in Persian food in the Philadelphia region. While I don’t know that for a fact, my last meal there before Tuesday was about 30 years ago, and they weren’t new then. If there is an older one, I’dContinue reading “Returning to The Persian Grill After 30 Years”
Trying the Philly Region’s Hot New Cheesesteak
I’ve mentioned many times that I regularly check in on Facebook’s cheesesteak boards for tips on where to find good ones. Since I began doing that in 2021 there has been a distinct pattern of a new steak shop – or at least new to the attention of most of the boards’ members – creatingContinue reading “Trying the Philly Region’s Hot New Cheesesteak”
Italian for Lunch and a Fountain Treat at Night
When it comes to deciding what and where to eat, it’s become my habit over the past year-and-a-half to focus on what will work best for this blog. But I had to think outside the box Thursday when I went to lunch with my step-mother. She isn’t big on cheesesteaks and roast pork sandwiches, soContinue reading “Italian for Lunch and a Fountain Treat at Night”
Back on the Roast Pork Italiano Trail
After a couple weeks without one, I was starting to feel just a touch of pressure to get back to my survey of the Philly region’s Roast Pork Italiano sandwiches. South Philadelphia is likely where the sandwich was created and is still home to more of them than any other part of the city orContinue reading “Back on the Roast Pork Italiano Trail”
Visiting an Old Favorite in Philly’s Chinatown
I’ve posted on visits to old-school Chinese restaurants twice in recent weeks, but it takes more than two meals for me to tire of a favorite cuisine. So when my wife asked if I’d be interested in accompanying her into Center City for a mid-afternoon meal Sunday in advance of her volunteering at the PhiladelphiaContinue reading “Visiting an Old Favorite in Philly’s Chinatown”
Curly’s: Legendary for Ultra-Cheesy Steaks
My tour of the cheesesteak purveyors that made my top ten last year continued with a visit to Curly’s Creations in Levittown, PA. They’ve already gained legendary status for their steaks in spite of opening just a few years ago. In fact, when I first joined Facebook’s largest cheesesteak group in 2021, Curly’s was unquestionably theContinue reading “Curly’s: Legendary for Ultra-Cheesy Steaks”
My Roadfood Pantheon
I had planned on following my usual pattern by going out for some sort of long-roll sandwich yesterday and reporting on it here today. But I’ve got a very hefty meal planned for Friday and my body was telling me to take it easy until then. So to hold you over, I’ve put together aContinue reading “My Roadfood Pantheon”
Breaking Out the Smoker Early This Year
I don’t normally use my smoker before spring, but when I saw Sunday would be fairly warm, I had the sudden itch to barbecue. It had been at least a couple years since I last made pulled pork, and I decided to end that drought. That meant picking up some kind of pork shoulder roast.Continue reading “Breaking Out the Smoker Early This Year”
Driving South in Search of an Elusive Dish
The ranks of old-school Cantonese Chinese restaurants are dwindling, and some of those that remain haven’t resumed dine-in service since the pandemic put a halt to it. So when I learn of one within a reasonable distance from my suburban Philadelphia home, you can rest assured that it won’t take me long to check itContinue reading “Driving South in Search of an Elusive Dish”
BZ Maestro Eats 