If Heaven is Perfect There Will be A Food Court

So here is a shock for our readers of this blog...Matthew is posting for the second time in 6 months! I know, I know, call the papers, or the blogs or whatever people actually read these days. Well my wife and I have switched roles for the night - she is on the floor with the heating pad under her back and I am posting on the blog.

So since there have been no huge life alterations or major events this will be a "from the mind of Matthew" themed epistle. Regular readers of the blog, or anyone who has spent 10 minutes with us will realize that Ann and I are food-o-philes (or food snobs, whichever). We have been known to be eating one meal and spend the whole time talking about a meal we have had in the past or are planning on cooking/eating in the future. So I am going to compile a list of the best places to eat in the cities that I have lived/visited/spent a decent amount of time in.

Lexington:

#1 First place in my heart, and stomach - Cheddar's, aka the Casual Cafe, also my former employer.
Probably where I spent the most time in high school outside of school and home. No place has a better selection of food for the best prices than C's. I recommend the Ribs and Tenders, and definitely finish with a Cookie Monster (a diet buster but well worth it!

#2 Joe Balogna's - another place that Ann has mentioned in the blog before but the best pizza you can get in LexVegas, it doesnt hurt that it has close ties with UK Basketball and sits in a cool location - inside an old church.

#3 Hunan's - a hole in the wall Chinese restaurant on Southland drive right near our old house. I'd recommend the Kung Pao chicken but for those of you who don't like spicy stuff their cashew chicken is really good too!

Honorable mentions: Rio Bravos (no longer in business but remember how good those fajitas were Scott?), Red Hot and Blue (BBQ), Ramsey's, and many more!

Nashville:

#1 Baja Burrito - a Lipscomb legend, and now with a hand location in the food court. You are guaranteed to see someone you know there, even if you are stopping through from Birmingham on your way to Lex-town. I always get the fish tacos but you can't go wrong with the chicken burrito or tacos!

#2 The Coop - aka McCallister's - the only negative is its proximity to Vanderbilt (boo 'Dores) but other than that you couldn't beat the chicken fingers with a stick! I recommend the Honey Bee (sweet with a kick!)

#3 Demos' - steak, Italian, creme brule, great bread and a unique sweet tea you make yourself. Its also downtown so its a great location. If my wife was writing this she would tell you to get a steak with a side of blackened chicken pasta (it's really good!)

Honorable mentions: J Alexander's (one of the only chain restaurants we like), Flemings (one of our favorites, but a little out of the normal weekend our price range so it didn't make the list), and Ruson's (delicious sushi!)

Birmingham:

#1 No place higher in affordability, taste for money and frequency of visits - Acapulco's! A great Mexican restaurant that has a student-budget friendly 2-for-1 entree Wednesday deal. The chimichanga is deliciouso!

#2 Che Fon Fon - the bistro side of Highland's Bar and Grill that is a perfect nicer date place for the Hardison's at 417 Oaks drive! Surprisingly one of the best burgers ever and a trout that is awesome!

#3 Becky's/Lucy's/Milo's/The J Clyde - a four way tie for third, sandwhiches, burgers, chicken, you can get it all at these places and will not be dissapointed!

Honorable mentions: Bonefish(I know it's a chain, but it's seafood at it's finest, especially the Bang Bang Shrimp, am I right Vicki?), Buffalo Wild Wings (Asian zing anyone?), Surin (great sushi and Thai), Amore/Brio (great Italian!!)

Destin:

#1 The Crab Trap - one of my favorite dates with Ann and one I talk about a lot, she looked beautiful, the food was delicious and its in Florida, come on how can you beat it?!?

#1a The Broken Egg Cafe - get the Eggs Blackstone - it will change your life!! english muffin, grilled tomatoes, paoched egg, hollandaise sauce, and crispy bacon. Quick, wipe the drool off before you fry your keyboard! Thank the good Lord that we now have a Broken Egg in Bham now!

#3 The Donut hole - all dessert but look who is writing the post, are you surprised?

Malibu:

#1 The place with the greatest sandwich in the entire world - Malibu kitchen, I would sell a kidney to have a location closer than 2000 miles away...not my kidney but some kidney from somewhere! Roasted turkey, lettuce, warm brie, cranberry marmalade on rosemary bread, incredible!

There are several other places that would be worthy of this list but I am sure I have bored enough! Till next time happy eating!