Where’s the beef?

Where’s the beef? OK this is posted way late - yes it is 2006 but from Thanksgiving 2005. Back then I thought about posting a summary of my Halloween adventures but who really wants to hear about my Joe Dirt Mullet on Friday and the ½ Ozzy ½ Brandon Lee’s Crow on Saturday. Let’s just say I am already planning next year’s costume!

Well Thanksgiving is right around the corner and of course I am back in New England for the holidays. While most people are thinking about Turkey w/all the trimmings (don’t worry I will get my fill) I am thinking about one thing – Nick's. I have been in Chicago for three years already and yes I love a slice at Gino’s, an Italian Beef at Al’s and my Old Town fav a Hot Dog (or 2) at Sammy’s. And over the years I also learned to crave a garbage plate at Nick Tahou's in Rochester, a burger (protein style) at In-N-Out in SoCal, Steak Tacos at Mike’s Big Mouth in Buffalo, Chicken at Brook’s in Oneonta, BBQ at Mama Dip's in Chapel Hill, Cheesesteaks at Jim's in Philly. But no matter when I head back to the Boston’s North Shore I need a couple Jr. Beefs w/Cheese Sauce Mayo at Nick’s. I know when you think of the Massachusetts & the North Shore you think of franks at Fenway (Go Red Sox!), Lobster at Legal Seafoods , Steamers at Woodman’s, Fried Clams at Farnum's.

But what the locals really crave is a roast beef sandwich! The battle over the best roast beef sandwich has raged on in this region for years. Yes I have stopped at Bill & Bob's on the way back from Boston or Salem, Kelly’s is a must but only in Revere at the original and of course the now defunct Buzzy’s Roast Beef (conveniently located between the hospital and police station on the way out of Boston which virtually guaranteed an interesting crowd at 3:00 AM Saturday morning). But when it comes down to it nothing beats 2 Jrs w/ Cheese Sauce Mayo at Nick's Famous Roast Beef in Beverly, MA. Now occasionally I will vary with a beef plate or maybe a 1 ½ or add some chicken fingers or a pizza roll. Yes the lights are a little brighter these days and the next generation is behind the counter but when I cast my vote it is Nick's all the way!

Black Label

The other week I went out in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago for a friend’s birthday, after a great dinner at Blue Line Club Car we wandered over to a bar called CANS. They specialize in serving canned beers (though apparently they will serve the occasional draft or mixed drink) and I went in thinking I would get a can of Old Style to quench my thirst. Now keep in mind this is not a dive-y place, it is actually pretty trendy (which in retrospect I wonder why I was even there – oh yeah they serve beer). As I walked up to the bar and looked across the 34 cans of beer on display to evaluate possible alternatives, a red glimmer of light reflected off the last can in the line. I was blinded for a second but as I my eyes adjusted to the light it suddenly became clear, what I was seeing was not a vision, not a dream, but and actual can of Black Label beer (fyi red can w/black label for you connoisseurs). I was overwhelmed with excitement (of which my other partners in crime at CANS that night just could not understand) and quickly placed my order (the 1^st of many). As the first drop hit my tongue the memories of picking up $4.99 cases of Black Label longnecks at the Southtown Beverages Drive-Thru and then listening to A.S.Y. (a very influential but virtually unknown Buffalo band) play their B-B-B-Black Label version of La Bamba while attending R.I.T. came flooding back. Yes, “Carling Black Label is an easy-drinking quality beer that needs no more introduction. Its distinctive black label gives it a mysterious, sensual and somewhat rebellious air.” Isn’t that what we are all looking for? Now if I can just find a Chicago bar that serves Narragansett or Ipswich Ale things will be right with the world.

More Black Label info:

Hey Mabel Black Label

Black Label Diet

History of Black Label