Full Pint Brew Tour

               So it was a cold soggy rain stricken Saturday in the greater Pittsburgh area. What to do what to do? Well maybe my wife new that it would be a day like this because she booked in advance a brew tour at Full Pint in North Versailles Pa. It was a great time and something that all craft brew geeks in the area should do. It is a very small operation compared to others and tiny compared to the giants of the beer world, but this place is small hands on craft beer that shows just how beer should taste and all the styles instead of just the bland yellow piss that we have been subjected to.

               Now don't let the rather unassuming outside fool you because inside of this rather large industrial looking place some awesome local beer is produced start to finish. Producing somewhere around 20 different style beers per year Full Pint stands out among other local craft brewery's. From their light easy drinking White lighting to the sour but hands down incredible Cuvee Versailles Full Pint deliverers top quality brew.

              

                They have an awesome tap room where you can have a pint of several of their fine brews. They also have an ever changing menu that is only slated to get better and better. Do the Vampire Slayer, we did and it was great, and as stated we had no worry of Vampires.

               On with the tour. This wasn't a bla bla somebody reading a rehearsed script. This was the real deal, Our tour guide was one of the men responsible for the whole process, and his assistant was his well rounded in beer production and very enthusiastic 3 year old son Gibson. Sean was very down to earth and so interested in what he did. He explained the process from start to finish and answered any and every question.

             

                We purchased our tour package from Groupon, and it was around 35 dollars. With the tour there were samples and each person gets to choose one 6pack of beer, We had a great time, met some very nice people who shared our love of good beer.

             

               So this was a great day all around. The beer was awesome. The tour was great. The food hit the spot, and the whole atmosphere was perfect. All major credit cards were accepted. They sell cool shirts, hats, hoodies, and all the beer as well. Hey don't forget to grab a pint glass for the house. Definitely in the box, and we will do again.

                                                               http://fullpintbrewing.com/

Boxers

          On our last RV trip of the season we headed back to Lake Raystown resort. It was cold but beautiful, but there isn't all that much to do so we headed off to Huntingdon which is only a short drive from the camp ground. There are lots of shops along the streets and cool little coffee shops. We headed for Boxers. A small but really cool Cafe.

          This place has to have one of the largest menu's around. It is amazing that anyone could remember how to cook it all. The kitchen is well about the size of most home kitchens but they really know how to do it. we were there on a Saturday and the place was packed. Have patience and it will work out for the best. The bar has many, many, many top notch beers on tap and a huge selection in the bottle. Prices are reasonable. My wife and I were happy with our bill in the end and we had a crew.

        Now for the food. Like I said the menu was vast at least 50 items and the all sounded great. With an ice cold beer in front of me we started in on the menu, My son went with a classic burger that was properly huge, cooked how he liked it and came with all the veg needed.

  

          My wife and daughter ordered the Nachos. My daughter has ordered the Nachos in probably 6 different states and loves them for sure. We all sampled every ones food so I did snack on the Nachos and the were a hit. Good chips and great toppings. And yes the plate of fries for the table.....

          My mother went with a classic.The Ruben. It was great, with everything that a good Ruben should have. Top quality Rye, thinly shaved Corned Beef, kraut, and a wonderful sauce. I don't remember but I think she only ate half. We didn't bring home any leftovers? My son helped out I do believe.

          

          Now for me. I went off the beaten path for this one and let me say that it was worth it. I had a speciality sandwich called Blue Cheese Delight. It was one of the best sandwich's. In the photos just look at everything that is going on. The sandwich was out of this world. Yes I did reluctantly share a few bites with the table. It was a holy crap is this awesome moment. I cant say enough about the sandwich. Notice the bottle of hot sauce. It is locally made and if you like a little kick its for you. I purchased a bottle and use it on everything.

          So for the wrap up. If you are around the Raystown, Huntingdon area you must stop in at Boxers. The food is great, the place is old school awesome, and hey remember the beer. All major credit cards accepted. Remember the place is small so when they are busy they look 10 times more busy, just give them time and hey have a cocktail and wait. 

          Boxers is so so so in the box.

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/252/1159906/restaurant/Pennsylvania/Boxers-Cafe-Huntingdon

 http://boxerscafe.com/

Athens

          Ah the infamous Gyro. One of my favorites period. But lets be honest there are some very good Gyros and there are some very bad Gyros. Athens restaurant in North Versailles is one of the good ones. Athens is located in a small strip mall across from the Walmart and is very unassuming. My kids and I went and it is a pretty plane place. One guy running the whole show. There were a couple of people in the restaurant when we arrived, they seem to do a lot of take out. We placed our order, Gyro special, it comes with fries.

          Wow is all we could say. The Gyro meat was some of the best I have ever had. It had such a great Lamb flavor. The sauce was cool and crisp, and the fries were perfect. One of the small things that was great was how the Gyro was built. Sauce and veg. on the bottom and meat on top. We all
really liked the place and said that it will be our Gyro spot. Also they sell homemade hummus, and a variety of homemade desserts. We brought home some of both. The custard dessert we had was awesome.
          They have a BYOB policy and accept all major credit cards. It is a small place with big flavor so give them a try. They are definitely in the box.

Famous Dave's

          OK we were at Cedar Point for the Halloween time spooky haunted house deal. Let me tell you it was a really good time. The park was awesome and the haunted stuff was really cool. My daughter and I road the Top Fuel Thrill ride, it was like 120 mph and over 400 ft in the air. Holy crap it was insane. On to the food. It wasn't a small home spun place and it wasn't a crazy fancy place, but after an evening of walking a huge amusement park waiting in lines and getting colder and colder, Famous Dave's BBQ was a really cool place to have some BBQ and a cold beer.

          So what was there to eat you may wonder? BBQ and there were both my kids, my wife, and my mom. So we went with the family sampler. It was a ton of food and it was good. The BBQ at Dave's comes day and they have several sauces on the table for you to try. I say go mustard and mix with the vinegar. One of the high points of the night was our server "Famous Nick" as he told us sorry they make me say that. He was great and could tell we were tired and just wanted to relax and have a meal.

         So for the sampler we had some Ribs, Brisket, Chicken, Coleslaw, Corn, Cornbread, Beans, and potatoes. We were all impressed. My son loves brisket and gets it at all the BBQ places that we go and he loved it. I had a taste I think. The service was prompt and the staff was very nice and like I said it was a great time.  All n all it was a great place. If you are at the park it is so close and the shuttle will take you right there. We were in the RV park and the shuttle got us there in no time.

          It is a chain style place so everything is you would expect. All major credit cards accepted, Full service bar, and take out. This place is in the box.

Out of the Fire

                      Well hello all and yes Fall is here. So doing a yearly trek to 7 Springs for the preseason sale was on tap on this rather blah gray rain filled cold day. Deals were everywhere and the kids made out, especially my daughter but that is how it goes. The springs was packed because it was not only the Willis preseason sale, but there was also a Craft show, and it was Autumn Fest so the place was full of life. Now for the food because this is a food Blog isn't it. We went to a place that is actually not at the resort but about 5 minutes from there. Out of the Fire and let me tell you this place is so good. It is so unexpected at least it was the first time me and my wife stopped in. The menu is top notch, the place is rustic and has some of the coolest looking floors.

                        So now for the food. Myself and my wife split the cheese tray and the charcuterie tray. Oh my very good but we both along with my kids said that we expected more selections. There was a cured Turkey that was very good but also very salty. A Pate that was made in house and came in a really cool jar. There was a meat that was also made in house that had cranberries pistachios and other nuts and was very good. Also a deep mustard, and a type of pickled vegetables in a jar that was a cool presentation. It was served on a cutting board along with a baguette. It was very good and all around tasty, but I will say that we did expect more selections. The thing that I really wanted was for our server to me more knowledgeable about what we were having. Sit the plate down and please give us some back ground on the selections. It was a complaint that i have for the cheese tray as well.

The cheese Tray

          So now we go for the cheese tray. There was a selection of three cheese's. Very thinly sliced Pear's that were way cool. In the corner was a really nice Honey, which worked so well with the cheese bread and Pate. That was my daughters favorite blend. Also a sweet thick salsa was on the side but nobodies favorite. It was all served on a square of slate. That was way cool, but it was also served and that was it. I did ask for a run down on our selections and our server was unsure but the plate was great and mixed with the meat quite well.

The Charcuterie tray

          My son went for the Shrimp taco of which he is a pro. Seafood Taco's are his go to dish. He said that he did enjoy them, but to much sauce. I did swipe one of the Shrimp and is was very tasty and well done. You do have a choice of corn or flour tortillas. And they do have a cool presentation at the table.

       




          My daughter went for the smoked Salmon sandwich, she had it the last time we were there and really likes it so she is bias and will tell you that it is the best meal on the menu. But it is an awesome sandwich so she is right. It comes with a homemade Potato salad and looks awesome as well as tasting great.

           I also had the soup. This was a coconut curry soup with potatoes and sea scallops. This was a great choice on a cool rainy day in the mountains

MMMMM the Soup

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Now for the best Appetizer around. It is the Hummus sampler. You get three types of Hummus. A garlic, Roasted red pepper, and a Spinach Hummus. There is a pickled type salad in the middle of it all with red onions cucumbers and other vegetables. A cheese pita bread and a so good cucumber dressing. This is the best " sampler " we have had. It was our first dish we ever had last year and was a good representation of the style of out of the fire.

The Hummus sampler. Yea it's that good....................

          In the end this place is a great stop on your way home after sliding on the snow at the Springs or Hidden Valley. It is tucked in but not to hard to find. Its right by Thrifty Ski rental on the main drag. Lunch is a little lighter on the wallet than dinner and both are excellent. They accept major credit cards but not AMX. The drinks are soft and I heard bottles of wine popping today so BYOB. So to Out of the Fire I say its in the Box..........

Eating in the Strip

                                               Hello all today was a beautiful day so we headed to the Strip District in Pittsburgh. It was packed and it was fun. The sites and sounds were great and all of the smells were perfect. So what to eat what to eat???????? My son was leaning for Mexican, and there is a place in the strip that is so worth going to. Reyna foods, but that is for another post. They do have the most incredible tacos. Back to today. My daughter will pretty much go any direction except Indian. So I made the call and we went Peruvian.

The entrance to Chicken Latino

                              This place was outstanding. Service was prompt and the staff seemed to enjoy the fact that we were there for lunch. The menu wasn't large or very over the top but had some great choices. There also was this green chili sauce. It was great. I wish that I could have taken some home. It was a very well kept place with a few flat screens for back ground but no free WIFI. On to the lunch choices. I myself had the Shrimp and Fish Ceviche. It was done simple but in a great way. The juice was tangy and when you add the green sauce on the side it was even better. Also came with some Yuca. I like to add some Ketchup to mine. I no what your saying but give it a try next time. My son went with the stir fried Beef with rice and it was served with French Fries. They were under the beef and vegetables. I think that was a Pittsburgh thing. My daughter had the Slow Roasted Pork with a choice of two sides. She did the Beans and Coleslaw. My daughter if the queen of stewed style beans. She thought they were great.
                             

The Ceviche

Slow Roast Pork

Stir Fried Beef

We all did the let me try yours game so I had a little of each. Every dish was great. The slow roasted pork was fall apart tender awesome pork flavored goodness. I was sad when there was no more left on her plate for me to sample. The beef was tender and matched with the onions and rice very well. I felt the fries were an odd touch. To me it was the least favorite of the three. It was good but not what I expected. The prices were reasonable. Lunch for three was around 40.00 bucks. We will return for sure and next time were bringing Mom.












Credit Cards are accepted. All of the drinks are soft drinks with some being imported, and they have a BYOB policy. So you can bring your own beer or wine if you like. Give them a try.


















                       

               

Keep this one in the box..................