Reader Photo: Start of a Food Bender

Everyone loves a food bender!! Recently we received a photo from Red Neck Ricky of his first round of a all night food bender. Ricky will put on either Ted Nugent or KISS while he is bender. He feels he can "bend harder" while rocks out.

We support Ricky on his bender. Not sure how long this bender may last. Ricky one time spent over 24 hours in a Denny's walk-in cooler eating everything he could find.

The Fox Fire Grill Uptown Mac and Cheese

One of our regular contributors Etathed as sent in a picture this great Mac and Cheese dish.

Etathed Says: "Here in the mountain regions of West Virginia lies a ski village with quite a few decent food spots i like to patronize. This plate is an old reliable favorite of mine from The Fox Fire Grill. The Uptown Mac and Cheese is some pasta with loads of cheese, crab meat and shrimp. This is a case of you get what you pay for, Top Dollar, but top shelf. Plus the meal is prider sized.... I turned a recent to go order into 3 full servings, well 2.5 to be exact, but still a great meal all around. And what really sells this dish is its flavor. And GD is it ever cheesy."

This looks like a great dish and could be some of the best looking mac n cheese we have ever seen. Thanks Etathed, and keep the priding up!

Victorville Road Trip Part 2 Los Alazanes Mexican Food

Our 2nd food adventure in Victorville, California was Los Alazanes Mexican Fast Food Restaurant. A full Mexican food kitchen, Tortas to Tacos. We decided to have the chicken taco and the beef taco. The price on the tacos at first seemed a little steep (almost $6.00 for 2 tacos). But once we got them back to the hotel, we where pleasantly surprised.


The chicken taco was large, hard shell with a nice hot red sauce on it. The beef taco was fried with cheese and a nice toasty shell. The salsa bar had a nice jalapeno salsa, and some fresh pico de gallo. Los Alazanes is another Bear Valley exit stop in Victorville that we endorse. They have a large dining area, or take your food with you...it's USA, you have the choice!!

Victorville Road Trip Part 1 Johns Incredible Pizza Co

The FPT went on a road trip this last weekend to the California High Desert. Not sure where we be staying, ended up in Victorville, California. Our first day in town we looked for a local food establishment to sample. Not more than a block from our hotel, we found John's Incredible Pizza Company. We noticed that it was a all you can eat pizza buffet. That pretty much sealed the deal for us.


We went inside and it was more than we could have expected. At least 8 to 10 different pizza to choose from. A salad bar, pasta bar and desserts. John's Pizza is like a Chucky E. Cheese, style restaurant. It has games for the kids, themed eating areas for children and adults.



The pizza slices are small, but that's ok, you can go for back as many as you want. The price of $11.99 we thought was a little steep, that price does include all you drink soda or coffee. If you stop in Victorville, we would suggest John's Incredible Pizza Co. Its right off the Bear Valley exit off of the I-15 Freeway.

Coney Dog Slider Mini Chili Dog

Our latest FPT submission is from our friend Mike E. out in Missoula. Today he sent us a picture and recipe for his Coney Dog Slider Mini Chili Dog. Here is how it was made...

"I took a Nathans Famous Hot Dog (gotta be Nathans) cut them down and cross cut the ends. Wrapped them in Pillsbury croissants and baked till crispy...super bomb"

Here at the FPT, we respect Mike's use of hot dogs, chili and croissants. Please follow Mike at his blog Confessions of a line cook

UPDATE Golden Gate Las Vegas Raises Price on Shrimp Cocktails

This update came to us from one of our correspondents in Las Vegas. We did a story back in 2008 about the shrimp cocktails at the Golden Gate Casino being the best $1 spent in town. It has been brought to our attention that the price on the shrimp cocktails has raised to $1.99. Now we always consider a price increase on food stuffs is never a good thing. But there is one good thing that came out of it. The Golden Gate no longer limits customers to only 2 shrimp cocktails per trip to the counter. So go ahead, throw down a $10 and get yourself 4 shrimp cocktails, tip the cashier with the rest, sit down and have a shrimp feast in one of the oldest casinos in Las Vegas.

Zatarain's New Orleans Style Red Beans and Rice

The FPT latest test kitchen food product is Zatarain's New Orleans Style Red Beans and Rice. Beans and Rice make a great side with BBQ dishes and just about anything. As you can see on the box, the beans and rice look nice. Also there are some red and green looking materials in the rice.



If you are going to make the beans and rice with your meal, make sure you know that they take 25 minutes to cook. As you can see in the cooked picture, the beans and rice are a little runny. We probably could have cooked them just a bit longer, but they came out great. And we don't see any of the red and green items like the box picture.
Overall we suggest the Zatarain's Red Bean and Rice. It has a great flavor, low cost and is easy to make.

Hidalgos West Burrito Plate Con Queso

Thanks to one of our loyal readers ChrisNorton, we have a Burrito plate from Hidalgos West, in San Angelo, TX. A great looking plate of mexican food. We hope that CN can give us a update on how it was.

Pillsberry Crescent Cheesy Pigs in a Blanket

A great, easy to make snack was sent in by one of our readers. Cheesy Pigs in a Blanket takes under 20 minutes to prepare and cook.

First you unroll the crescent dough from the tube. Cut the triangles in half to make two smaller triangles of dough. Next take your lil smokey sausage, chunk of cheese roll the dough up from largest end to smallest. Bake in the oven for 15 min at 375 degrees, and they are done. We suggest dipping sauces...mustard, ketchup, hot sauce, and we have heard of people in the northern regions using ranch dressing.

New Jack in the Box Beanie Jack Antenna Ball

Jack in the Box has a new antenna ball for the fall. Proceeds from the sales of the Beanie Jack Antenna Ball go to the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Pretty cool looking Jackball and the money goes to a good cause. If anyone has a picture of your Jackball on your antenna, please send them to the Fat Pride Times.

Thanksgiving Flashback 2009 - Brainwreck Paper Bag Turkey Cooking Method

Today is a flash back from last years Thanksgiving, by a regular contributor Brainwreck. This was the 2009 FPT Turkey Cook-Off winner.

Brainwrecks Paper Bag Turkey Method

Olive Stuffed with Blue Cheese Pimento and Jalapeno

The FPT came across this little snack while having a martini at the local water hole. A olive, with stuffing. It is very easy to make and tastes great. First find some nice big green olives. The ones that we found had the pimento already inside, no problem. First, remove the pimento with a knife or fork. Grab a little chunk of blue cheese and stuff it to the bottom of the olive. The get some sliced jalapenos, slice the slice in half and stuff that in next. After that, stuff half the pimento you removed back in the olive. Last, top of the top of the olive hole with more chunks of blue cheese and you are done.

We hope you enjoy this little easy to make snack and garnish to your favorite martini.

NEW Taco Bell Verde and Fire Roasted Border Salsa Packets

First off, the FPT must admit that no one from the staff has been to Taco Bell for a while after the "curbside couch" incident....and may we never speak of it again.

But of course, no one can stay away from Taco Bell forever. Which brings us to this new find in condiment packets. Mel, our intern stopped at Taco Bell before coming to the office. He said the drive thru woman suggested that he try the new Fire Roasted and Verde border salsa. Mel was kind enough to bring enough tacos and new salsa for everyone to try.
The Fire Roasted salsa had a smokey, strong flavor with a bit of kick. The Verde salsa was a bit milder, kind of tangy and the right amount of heat for most of us that tried it.
We suggest the next time you visit Taco Bell, give these new salsa flavors a try. But please, if you are driving home and you see a free couch on the side of the road, just keep moving.

Hot Buttered Rum Warm Drink for Cold Months

Fall time and winter weather has started hitting most of the United States, bringing cold, snow, and low temperatures. A nice warm beverage always seems to make one feel comfortable in theses cold times. Our test kitchen was sent a few of these hot buttered rum packets for a sampling.

The packets are very easy to use. First boil some water...a few cups will do. Then put boiling water in a mug, add a shot (or two) of your favorite rum, add a 1 and a half table spoons of Hot Buttered Rum mix, and table spoon of butter and your are set. Easy to drink, and warms you up. Perfect for the long winter months ahead.

Pumpkin Pie Apple Soup A Thanksgiving Alternative

Just in time for Thanksgiving, a creative twist on a very traditional day. This recipe is from a friend and fellow lover of food and food stuffs Mike E. in the great city of Missoula, Montana.
We asked Mike if he would give us some background on the Pumpkin Apple Pie soup, and was gracious enough to send us back a great response.

Basically what happened was I really don't like the whole thanksgiving deal...turkey and stuffing don't do much for me. And since I'm a cook, my family expects me to make food for the party. So I decided to bacon up thanksgiving. I made bacon cornbread stuffing, pumpkin pie apple soup, and bacon brittle candy. The soup is honestly one of the best soups I've ever made, and everybody loved it. I cooked off a pound of bacon until just rendered (not crispy), sauteed an onion and a green apple with the bacon in the fat, added some chicken stock, a can of pumpkin pie mix, and blended it all up with my stick blender. I added a bit of heavy cream after it was blended, then served it with a drizzle of cream on top for garnish. It was the first soup that I ever blended bacon into (I usually cook the bacon, then set it aside and add the crispy bacon back in to the soup at the end). It was pumpkin-y, and certainly tasted like thanksgiving, but it was a whole new way to taste thanksgiving. I'm pretty sure I'm expected to make it again this year. It was awesome!!

We want to thank Mike for his contribution and check back for more food ideas from Mike. Also, please follow Mike at his blog Confessions of a Line Cook

Jack in The Box Free Tacos 11/16/10

This Tuesday at your local Jack in The Box location, Jack is giving away tacos! Only catch is that you have to be there after 2pm local standard time. The FPT will be visiting JiTB locations around town to collect on this great deal. We suggest using the taco sauce as well. It is not to hot, but just enough to give them a little extra added flavor.
We believe everyone should enjoy tacos! So go out to your local Jack in the Box and take him up on his FREE offer.

Ghirardelli 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate Twilight Delight

The staff here at the FPT love chocolate! I mean, who doesn't right? One of our staffers brought in this bag of Ghiradelli 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate treats. It may be some of the best chocolate around. We did not think words could describe how good these are, until we visited the Ghiradelli website. Here are the flavor notes on this chocolate from the website
"Highly aromatic, this bar has mocha, blackberry and dark cherry notes with an intense chocolate flavor and silky smooth texture. This sensuous chocolate has a long finish and a delightful, lingering flavor. "
That says it all right there! Also the website offered up some food pairings for the chocolate. It suggests dried figs, sweet baguette, toasted almonds,raisins or cherries. Some of the beverage pairings include Cognac, Armagnac, zinfandel, syrah, Cabernet, and black tea. Anyway you decide to partake in this wonderful dark chocolate squares is completely up to you. After all it is the USA, and on this Veterans Day 2010, make sure to thank a veteran when you see one, not just today, but everyday.

Happy Meal Ban Food Justice Movement

San Francisco, California has approved a ordinance that is intended to control the distribution of toys with unhealthy food. First target was Mcdonalds and the world famous Happy Meal. With the ordinance, burger and fries will be replaced by fruits and vegetables by December 2011.
How do you feel about this "Food Justice Movement"? Here at the Fat Pride Times, we fell that US Americans should be able to eat and feed their families what the want. We do feel that parents should be feeding their kids better, but it is the USA and they are free to make their own choices.

Free Seattle's Best Coffee Fridays in November at Burger King

The King is being generous this November and giving out free 12oz. Seattle's Best Coffee to its customers in morning. The offer is limited to one per customer, per visit. The FPT thinks this is a great offer for breakfast people and coffee drinkers. It is a good way to start of the morning and once your day has started good, it will lead into a good weekend. Find your nearest Burger King and pick up a cup this Friday. We say raise your cup and give a salute to the King.

Popeyes Chicken 2-Piece and Biscuit Deal

This time around The FPT is talking about a good meal deal. We are always trying to save out readers money and time. So we present to you the Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen $1.99 2 Piece and a Biscuit meal deal. You get a two pieces of Popeye's Original or Spicy Chicken, and a fresh biscuit. And as we can see in the picture, we added a side of red beans and rice for just a $1.50 more. And for dipping sauces....we have some hot sauce to go with the spicy chicken, and some honey for the biscuit. Not every has a Popeye's in their areas, but if you do, the Fat Pride Times suggest making a visit.