Fiesta Fantasy in West Virginia

On the banks of the Ohio River, wedged in between Ohio and Pennsylvania sits the town of Newell, West Virgina. This entire region was once home to dozens of potteries, china companies and brickyards, all of which used the abundance of clay that was native to the area. Most of those companies are now long gone, but still going strong after more than 110 years is the Homer Laughlin China

Company, best known for its Fiesta line of china. (Pictured left: The view of the Ohio River outside the HLC factory in Newell, WV.)

I began collecting Fiesta china by accident almost 20 years ago when my dear Aunt Jo (Josephine) had to leave her home and move into an assisted living facility. Now, I loved Aunt Jo. We all did. She always had something for everyone, a pack of gum, some little trinket, a candy bar. She was the first person in my family to go to college and was a school teacher. She got married very late in life, and was a widow for all of the time that I can remember. She was actually my dad's aunt, my grandma's sister, but even though she was older, she was always on the go.

Many members of my family were engaged in cleaning out my Aunt Jo's house. She never through anything away. Her house was packed to the gills and it took weeks and weeks to clear things out. Among the items unearthed at Aunt Jo's was a bunch of mismatched old Fiesta ware. There were plates, bowls, creamer, sugar and a few serving pieces. No one wanted it and it was offered to me. I thought the colors were interesting and so I took them home. They sat in a box for months before I gave them a second look. I had never heard of Fiesta before, but when I happened to be browsing around Hudson's Marketplace, I saw that they sold Fiesta. The colors were different then the ones Aunt Jo had, but that wonderful concentric pattern of the plates and bowls were the same. So, I picked up a few more pieces and my love and appreciation for this classic American dinnerware began. (Pictured left: Me having fun inside the HLC company store - I really had to behave myself!)

Taking a tour of the famed factory in Newell was something I've wanted to do for years. Since Ralph and I were going to be in Pittsburgh, PA today, I booked a factory tour of the Homer Laughlin plant. Newell is only about 45 +/- minutes from Pittsburgh, so Ralph, his niece Debbie, her friend Maria and I headed off this morning.

What a beautiful part of the country this is! Industrial but scenic, the twisty-turny roads snake through the rolling hills and take you through one small town after another. We arrived at the factory at about noon today and spent the next three hours seeing the fascinating skills of the potters at work in the factory.

Barb was our tour guide and took us to every corner of the plant that is shown on the tour. The company has a number of buildings, some more than 100 years old. It's amazing how much craftsmanship goes into something as seemingly simple as a plate or a coffee cup. Homer Laughlin not only produces Fiesta, but make china for hotels and restaurants across the country and around the world. (Ralph's niece, Debbie, Uncle Ralph and Debbie's friend Maria are ready for the tour!)

We couldn't take any photos inside the factory itself, but the process of producing these products is amazing. So much clay - it's everywhere! And in the manufacturing of the china there is breakage, and there are bins and bins of broken pieces. It seems like a waste, but it's all part of the production process. (Outside the factory, there are mountains of broken pieces of china. Like an accidental sculpture, these pieces create a landscape of color and patterns.)

The factory store has so many beautiful pieces of every description, but we had the most fun in the "irregulars" section. Here, the bargains were plentiful although each piece has some minor blemish. Maybe it was a bubble in the glaze or a scratch, so the hunt was on to find the pieces we wanted where the irregularities were not very noticeable, or on a part of the piece that wasn't really seen. We had a blast looking at everything.

Sure, it's just dishes. But every time I hold a piece of Fiesta in my hand I can't help but think of Aunt Jo, and nothing could be better than that.

Eating On The Road - Day 1

Today we began our trip headed for North Carolina, with a few stops scheduled along the way. We left Detroit this morning around 9:30am - destination: Pittsburgh PA. Ralph and I were heading to see his niece, her husband and wonderful boys. We thought we'd bring a little taste of Detroit, so our first stop as we headed south was to Mexicantown. We went to LaGloria Bakery to pick up tamales (Ralph thinks theirs are some of the best) and then we stopped and got some tortilla chips at E&L Supermercado to go along with Uncle Ralph's famous salsa that he made to take along. Before we knew it, we were on the Ohio Turnpike and heading east. (Pictured left: A heaping plate of spaghetti and meatballs, served up by the firefighters of Poland, Ohio)

The best part of traveling is the opportunity to take in the local food spots. It's something we always try to experience. The intersections off the highways are littered with fast food and chain restaurants, but we like to drive a little deeper into town, see if there is a downtown area or old business district and look for a diner or hometown favorite. We tried do that a couple of times today, but the towns we stopped in were pretty much empty. You can really see the signs of the economy when you travel through some of these small towns. A lot of empty storefronts.

We drove through Youngstown, Ohio as we got closer to the Pennsylvania border with hopes to find something interesting. Our quick drive around downtown Youngstown didn't yield anything. Maybe because it was a Sunday, but everything was either closed for the day or forever. There was some real beautiful architecture in downtown Youngstown - we'll have to return and explore a little more on a future trip.

Outside of Youngstown we saw a sign for a town named "Poland." The name alone was enough to make us want to stop. We still hadn't eaten, and were good and hungry. We saw a sign for a Chick-Fil-A, which I had eaten before but Ralph hadn't experienced it. An interesting fact about this fast food chain - it's not open on Sunday. So, while it looked like another strike out, what appears before us but a sign for a spaghetti dinner at one of the local churches in Poland. The dinner, which was a fundraiser for the Poland Fire Department, was still going on, so we turned in. If you want to get a sense of a place, attending a church dinner has got to be one of the best ways. (Ralph has got his bread buttered up and he's ready to get going on this mound of spaghetti goodness - the meatballs were wonderful

We entered the church hall and followed the signs to a huge room that served as a gymnasium, auditorium and dining hall. Tables were set up in rows running the length of the room, seating well over 50 people in each room. We bought our tickets for $6 each and were told to help ourselves to coffee and/or lemonade, and find a place to sit. On the tables were plates stacked with slices of soft, white Italian bread and little dishes of butter. There were also jars of Parmesan cheese and pepper flakes. One of the firefighters brought us our plates, heaping with a helping of spaghetti and meatballs and a small salad. "This is all you can eat," he told us. Ralph and I just looked at each other - our kind of dinner! (Pictured left: The dining hall)

After dinner, we helped ourselves to a slice of cake. While we couldn't find a local restaurant to try, stumbling upon this church dinner was better than we could have expected. Not only was it a good meal, it helped a good cause. Thank you, fine people of Poland, Ohio!

Eating Detroit - St. Francis Fish Fry

It's Lent. That, in and of itself, brings with it many traditions depending on one's nationality and faith. Being Polish and Catholic, Lent brings, among many other things, many food traditions. From eating paczki on "Fat Tuesday" (the day before Ash Wednesday), to going meatless on Lenten Fridays.



A tradition that started a few years ago at my former job was periodic lunch runs to an old Polish parish on Detroit's westside: St. Francis D'Assissi. The church is located at the corner of Wesson and Buchanan in the Michigan/Livernois area. A beautiful old church that's more than a century old, they put on one of the best fish frys in town. (Pictured left: St. Francis pop pourer extraordinaire John sets Craig up with a cup of Vernors)





Every Friday during Lent, from 11am to 6pm, a crew of faithful parishioners lovingly serve up meals that are not only delicious, but take one back to a time when sharing the fellowship of such a meal really meant something. You don't have to be Catholic or even Christian to enjoy this fish fry (it would help if you liked fish!), because the idea of sharing a meal and breaking bread with others universally a good one, I think. (Pictured left: Here's my plate - it's speaks for itself. The portions are not skimpy at St. Francis!)





On the lunch yesterday were my work buddies Katie, Craig and Kevin, who stopped and picked up a very special luncheon guest, his lovely mother Peggy! What a delight to have her at the table with us! We had fun talking about some of the old Detroit parishes we knew. I can think of few better ways to meet a new friend then at a table filled with good things to eat. I think for those people who were around when neighborhood parish events like this one were commonplace in Detroit, coming to St. Francis for fish fry is a special treat. I know my dad and some of his friends make it down almost every Friday, too. (Pictured left: Peggy and Kevin, ready to dig in, stop an smile for the camera.)





Here's how it works at St. Francis. You walk into to the old school building and go down the stairs. At the end of the hall a couple of ladies work as cashiers and you pay your $8 and they give you a ticket. Then you go into the dining room and find a table. They are all long tables with six chairs at each, so pick out a spot and sit down. In no time, another lady will collect your meal ticket and they will start arriving with the sides - cole slaw (it's yummy), a fruit cup (count on pears, peaches or a little of each), a slice of bread (rye) and a piece of cake. Then the guys come around for the drinks. You can have pop or coffee - all you like. It doesn't take long and out comes the main attraction - the fish and fries! The plate is heaped with food and sometimes it's hard to know where to begin, but it's best to get your fork, plan your strategy and get down to business. (Pictured left: Katie is all smiles when her plate arrives. This was her first time at St. Francis and she loved it. It sure is fun to share this experience with others - so go!)





As someone who does a lot of food-fundraising for a church (St. Josaphat), I appreciate that this is also a fundraiser for the parish. There is something about knowing that when you eat at a fish fry like this, you're helping to support something very special: a community. All the people who work tirelessly at the fish fry, most of them seniors, try to keep their parish community vital and so they labor for something bigger than just themselves. It's a beautiful thing, and in the end, it has a lot to do with what this season is all about.

My Favorite Burger

Anyone who grew up in the Dearborn area, or on the west side for that matter, probably knows about Miller's Bar. A Michigan Avenue mainstay for more than 50 years, Miller's has been grilling up what many claim to be the Detroit area's finest ground round. Having been born and raised in Dearborn, I can't remember the many times that I have been there - but I, like many other Miller's patrons, can never forget the first time I sank my teeth into one of those delicious, juicy burgers. (Pictured left: the grill knows no rest at Miller's Bar)

I was a junior at Dearborn High School, only about a mile away from Millers. The school had an "open campus" policy at the time, which meant you could leave the school grounds anytime without the need to explain anything. Those were the days! A group of us often went somewhere for lunch - the corner store, a pizza place or fast food restaurant, or we just cruised around in the car for the lunch period. Someone had the idea to go to Miller's Bar. (Pictured left: Some will argue about what's better - the fries or the onion rings. My advice is to stop fighting and get an order of each!)

Now I had heard about this place, but had never been there. It was a bar after all, and you had to be 18 just to go inside. This was before the days when parents took kids with them everywhere - bars, casinos, you name it. Miller's was not a place for children. Some in the group were 18, some, like me, were not, but could pass. So off we went.

Walking in I was filled with anxiety and excitement. Would someone ask for my I.D.? Would I actually be able to experience this hamburger that people keep talking about? An all-business, cut-to-the-chase and order already type waitress (I think she still works there!) came to the table, gave us a once-over kind of look, and said, "What are you guys havin'?"

"Cheeseburger, please." She says, "How do you want it cooked?" Now it's time to panic a little. They don't ask you this at McDonald's. "Medium, I guess, and a Coke." She turned to the next one and went around the table. You know that feeling when you really think you got away with something? That's how I felt at that moment and I don't know if I've felt that way again since. (Pictured left: Nancy holds her first Miller's cheeseburger - bet it won't be her last!)

From that first bite, I knew why they didn't let kids inside this place. This was a cheeseburger for grown ups. The burger was a perfect thickness, thick enough that when you order it "medium" it's still a little pink in the center. Thick enough that when you pick it up, you know you have something substantial in your hand. There's no lettuce, no tomato, no nothing. The burgers either come with cheese (I think it's Velveeta) or plain. There's nothing on the meat but a little salt and pepper. On the table, help yourself to hamburger dill chip pickles, a slice of raw white onion, ketchup and mustard. The buns are beautifully soft and steamed, no seeds, not toasted, but a perfect holder for that wonderful burger and anything you decide to add. (Pictured left: Me holding up the burger I had today, cooked the way I like it and bursting with beefy burger goodness.)

The burgers are served on a sheet of waxed paper. No silverware. The delicious french fries and onion rings come in a small paper basket. I actually don't think the burger would taste the same if it were served on a plate. It's all part of the Miller's experience. You can get a pop or a shell of beer to go with the meal and it can't be beat. You'll never get a check from your waitress, either. When you're done, go up to the bar and tell the man what you had and pay. It couldn't be less complicated. (Pictured left: One of our burgers resting on it's wax paper just waiting to be eaten!)

So, indulging this Miller's habit of mine that started all those years ago, me and my office mates Nancy, who had never been to Miller's, and the other Kevin Gerard in the office (can you believe there are two of us?!), went this afternoon. I love taking people there who have never been before. The joy that these burgers bring to the uninitiated taste buds is always something to witness! Today was a little "get-away" lunch much like the one I had all those many years ago - only this time I had no worries about anyone asking for my I.D. Sometimes, it's good to be grown up!

Eating in Your Car - Chick Inn Drive In

I'm so glad that places like this still exist. The Chick Inn Drive In located in Ypsilanti is more than just a landmark, it's a reminder of how things used to be. Long before the drive-thru that is commonplace for most people, there was the drive-in. Same idea, you pulled your car up to a menu and told the voice on the other end of the speaker what you wanted. But then, you just sat there. You didn't move. In a few minutes, out came your order, you paid the car-hop, and sat in the comfort of your Plymouth Fury and enjoyed a nice hot meal. While the Plymouth is a thing of the past, Ypsilanti is still filled with a number of these wonderful drive ins, and the Chick Inn is a longtime favorite. (pictured left - the neon still burns bright at the Chick Inn Drive In)

Opened in 1953 on the corner of Holmes and Prospect, the drive in features a different special every day. Today, being Saturday, the special was the "Hammy Sammy." There are these great old signs surrounding the parking lot (pictured left) proclaiming each day's special feature.

My dear friend Richard (we've known each other since the first grade and are still getting into trouble) and I went out to Ypsilanti after I saw a listing on Craig's List for catering equipment that was for sale. A man who had a catering business was giving it up (getting too old, he said) and he was selling it all, including a number of 100 cup coffee urns. These are just the kinds of things we need for our parish dinners at St. Josaphat, so I thought it was worth checking out. After walking out of the sale with a coffee urn, it was time for dinner.

In Ypsilanti, there are a lot of great places to eat. If it's a drive in you want, you'll find Kluck's, Roy's Squeeze Inn and Bill's (with incredible homemade root beer!) among the offerings. But today, we were all about the Chick Inn. Although you can get one of their chicken dinners, Rich opted for the Hammy Sammy and I went for a Paul Bunyon Burger. We were so excited to eat the food I forgot to take photos - so take my word for it when I say both sandwiches were dee-lish. We sat in the Town & Country and fed our faces. My burger came with fries and cole slaw, the Hammy Sammy came with onion rings and cole slaw. Did I mention we washed it all down with milk shakes?? Old school ones, nice and thick...your cheeks get sore from sucking it through the straw! (I love their sign, pictured left - it has a clock on top that says, "Time to Eat!")

The food came pretty fast after ordering. In the time we were there, three or four other cars pulled up and ordered, but most got their food and went on their way. I couldn't blame them - snow everywhere and cold outside. For us, we enjoyed listening to the radio, savoring the experience of this wonderful spot that was frozen in time , and gossipping away as two old friends are always apt to do.

Eating Detroit - Senor Lopez

A few of us were talking at the office just the other day about food and the fun one gets out of taking in the regional fare when traveling. Ralph and I are fixin' to take a road trip in a week or so and head southeast to North Carolina to see my brother, but stopping along the way to visit some of Ralph's family in Pittsburgh and West Virginia. I've already gotten a number of tips on places to eat along the way, and if time permits, we'll try to take them all in. But the conversation at the office came around to "Detroit foods" and what is special to us here in the Motor City. Some might say the "Coney Island" hotdog is a real Detroit thing. Others mention regional brands of food like Better Made, Faygo and Sanders - but is there a Detroit "cuisine?" (I might argue that a Sanders hot fudge cream puff is one of the greatest contributions Detroit has made to the world of food!).

I think that one area in which Detroit really shines is is wealth of outstanding ethnic foods. Like most big cities with a diverse population, eating in Detroit is often colored by one's liking/disliking of particular ethnic foods. Regardless of what one enjoys, if it's ethnic food you crave, Detroit is a good place to be.

Southwest Detroit has long been home to a large Hispanic community, and it abounds with wonderful restaurants, stores and shops which all celebrate the rich cultures of Mexico. "Mexicantown," as it's known to us here, is but one small part of a large community that has thrived in Detroit.

After some running around, I met Ralph at one of his favorite Mexican restaurants in Detroit - Senor Lopez. Located on a busy strip of Michigan Avenue at Cecil, it sits next to a funeral home and across the street from a Topless Go-Go Bar (location, location, location!!). It's not a big place by any means, maybe about 10 tables. What it lacks in size it makes up for in food, service and value.

One of the things I love about Senor Lopez is the chips and salsa that is brought out to the table when you sit down. Sure, most Mexican restaurants provide this, but theirs is particularly good. The chips, fried golden brown, are salted and fresh. You get two salsas and something else (I'm not even sure what it is, but it's good!). One mild, kind of garlicy salsa, and one with a kick and a great tomato flavor. Then there is a little container, about the size of a shot glass, filled with a thick oil and pepper flakes. This little concoction is smoky and hot and bursting with flavor. (Senor Lopez triad of salsas in second photo)

We both got the taco lunch, which includes two soft tacos, rice and beans for $3.00. Can you believe it? $3.00! Can I just say something about the beans? These are not the typical refried numbers you get at most places, these are whole beans, slow cooked in a very simple thin broth. Very beany in flavor, these are a little larger pinto beans and they taste delicious with the rice. (Picture 3 - my taco plate that included those incredible beans)

You can pick the kind of two tacos you want with your lunch, and even add one or two more on the plate if you like (that's what we did - they are $1.25 each ala carte). Between the two of us we had the Al Pastor (pork), Carne Asada (beef), Chorizo and egg and Cochinita Pibil (pork) tacos. All of them different, all delicious. They are put on small tortillas (they actually double the tortillas up so these tacos are good and sturdy!) and top each with chopped onion and cilantro. Simple. Authentic. Yummy. (Ralph holding up his plate and telling me to hurry up and snap the damn photo so he can eat!)

Baking Fun - Cinnamon Sour Cream Coffee Cake

So last night, after making some wonderful pasta sauce from a recipe I saw on Smitten Kitchen (a great food blog), which consisted only of a can of San Marzano tomatoes, an onion and butter, I started thinking about what else I could make before the night was over.

Liza, my colleague, friend and fellow foodie at the Honors College, brought in some cookbooks last week that she was putting up for adoption. A wonderful variety, there was a little something for everyone. Of course, I immediately gravitated to the vintage Betty Crocker and Better Homes and Gardens books. The illustrations and photos alone were to die for - not to mention the casseroles galore!

One of the books I gave a good home to was a Reader's Digest cookbook of "great recipes" - and last night after dinner I was leafing through the pages. A recipe for a sour cream coffee cake caught my eye. When running through the ingredients, I knew I had them all on hand and could whip this little number up before bedtime (what good Polish boy doesn't always have sour cream and butter in the house?).

I really should post these recipes, but I always forget. Basically, it's flour, eggs, butter, sugar, sour cream, vanilla, baking powder and soda and cinnamon. The book was from 1971, and this cake was a real transport to a simpler time. Light, moist, a subtle cinnamon flavor and great with a cup of hot coffee.

Don't these photos make you want some? Liza, who not only made our Honors College morning treat possible by providing me the recipe, also takes breathtakingly beautiful (almost pornographic) food photos. She snapped these in the Honors kitchen this morning - and had to make fast work of it because this coffee cake was not long for this world!

Sure, it's easy to pick up an Entenmann's cake - but in just an hour's time you can really create something special to share with those in your world who deserve something special.