Average Joe: The 2011 Crappy Toilet Award



Yes, this is a real toy given to kids.

 You might think eating out all the time is nothing but fun and bubbles, but there’s a dark side to this job that usually remains locked away behind a stall door. When you’ve been out to eat as much as I have, you stumble on a few bathrooms that look like they just hosted the entire Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. You know what I’m talking about: water on the floor, toilet paper pieces everywhere, broken seats, cracks in the stall, maybe some artwork…the list goes on and on. I’m not just looking for a place where you have to hold the stall door open with your arm or foot while you take care of business. I’m looking for a bathroom that looks like an exorcism was performed there.

Hit me with your best shot Capital Region. Drop me a line on the blog, Facebook, Twitter or send me an email. Snap a few pics if you can, but please try to keep it PG. I’ll keep an eye out during my travels and I’ll let you know who deserves this great (dis)honor.

Paolo Lombardi's "Dash Out - Dine In" Dinner for Four

Just because I leave it to Average Jane to clip coupons out of the Sunday newspaper doesn’t mean I’m never looking for a way to save some money. Go ahead and call me cheap, but a word to the wise: I have spent my First Communion money. It’s my eighth grade graduation money I’m holding onto.

Anyway, many of you may recall my Five Rensselaer County Gems feature. I mentioned Paolo Lombardi’s Ristorante, a great Italian restaurant in Wynantskill. I just wanted to pass on a friendly reminder that they are running their “Dash out – Dine in” family meal deal every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The $20 dinner for four is pick-up only and runs from 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm but the restaurant asks that you call your order in early.

You can’t really beat the deal. I know some days once I walk in the door the last thing on my mind is cooking. On days like that it’s a struggle just to crack open that first beer can…the next one or two don’t come much easier.

Take a look at this week’s menu. Check Paolo Lombardi’s website for more information including their prices for a two or six person dinner.

MENU FOR Week of MARCH 29th:

TUESDAY: Pollo alla Milanese with Roasted Red Potatoes
WEDNESDAY: Lasagna Rollatini
THURSDAY: Sausage & Peppers over Penne Pasta

New World Bistro - Jerked Chicken & Waffles‏

I mentioned previously that there are few meals I enjoy more than a weekend brunch. I am so busy during the week that it is sometimes hard to relax and enjoy a nice meal. That's why weekend mornings are a perfect mealtime. This weekend I tried New World Bistro on Delaware Avenue in Albany.

I credit two dining experiences with making me a lover of well seasoned chicken: one was when a co-worker during my days in New York City brought in chicken from Sylvia's in Harlem, and the other was when I went to the now famous Scotchies in Jamaica. While I use Sylvia's rub on my grilled chicken, there is simply no recreating the trip to Scotchies with their homemade sauces meant to either douse or enable the spice, but I'm sure the bucket of Red Stripes and Caribbean locale enhanced my experience there. I doubt many would even stop at such a roadside joint if it existed here in the Capital Region.

Given this history with spicy chicken, imagine my excitement yesterday when I went to New World Bistro for brunch and saw that they had "Jerked Chicken & Waffles." Two perfectly poached eggs over homemade waffles sprinkled with chives and diced pineapples with a plate of really spicy jerked chicken underneath. This brunch meal was really great and is already booked for a "must go back and get it again."

$10 for $20 at Jack's Oyster House

Even Average Joe gets his news from Twitter these days. Q103 put up a link to a great limited time offer at Jack's. Pay $10 and get a $20 voucher. Check the site for more details and stay tuned, I'll be featuring more content about Jack's including an interview with Chef Luc Pasquier.

Nice Guys Don’t Finish Last in Troy’s BBQ War

Dinosaur BBQ arrived on the scene last year and has been the talk of the town ever since. Average Joe has been one of the chain’s best customers – I’ve been to all of them and plan to keep on going. The rumor is they’re going to open a new joint in Newark, NJ and I’ll probably go to that if I ever find myself in The Brick City. But, as great as they are I’m here to tell you that they have some tough new competition.

Troy’s Mustang BBQ may not have an iconic logo or sell its sauce at Price Chopper, but it’s definitely making a name for itself in terms of food and service.  Just thinking about the tangy sauce they use slathered over the tender rib meat has my mouth watering. Mustang serves all of the classic BBQ dishes with sides like Mac n Cheese, sweet potato fries and some outstanding freshly made potato salad. Mustang’s menu is big enough to keep you coming back and their fried chicken is good enough to make you forget about any other chicken shack. As good as the food was, nothing blew me away more than the service.

Call me a sucker for good service, but I happened to stop by when the owner was working and he rolled out the red carpet just for me. By the time I left I felt like we were best buddies. Troy residents sure do have a lot to be thankful for when it comes to BBQ.

Where’s your favorite House of BBQ? Sound off below!

In the kitchen at Central Steak

Yeah, I know I'm a little late to the party since they already broke this story over at Table Hopping, but the folks at Central Steak are pretty creative.

How many local restaurants can you name with their own Youtube channel and their own Facebook fan page? Check out this video and watch Chef Dave cook up a Guinness Marinated pork chop. If I wasn't a threat to burn down the house every time I tried to cook, I'm sure I'd try this one at home.

3 Calzones and One Hot Shirt

Why is it that a “show about nothing” can be connected to everything? Between today’s crummy weather and my ongoing feature on Italian import shops, the time is right to take a look at the lighter side of food.

Quick, somebody find me the number for DeFazio’s! They said I can stick anything I want in my calzone, so I’m sure they’d be open to warming up a shirt or two. I know their calzones are big so I’ll even fold everything up before I hand it over. And I promise I’ll leave a big tip (no I won’t try to reach back in the jar for it). All I want to know is: can I pay in pennies? Last time I tried that maneuver was when I ran out of bread way back during my college days. All I had to pay with was pennies but the guy wouldn’t take it. Come on man, cut me some slack, it’s still American currency!