I love watching the Food Network and one of the shows I have enjoyed recently is “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.” On the show, chefs talk about what they love to eat and where they go to eat it. It makes me very hungry just watching it! Since I write a lot of the food features for My City, I thought I would share some of my favorite foods that I’ve discovered over the years.
Who doesn’t love pizza? MCM readers recently shared their favorite places to go for a slice. My personal favorite pizzeria is Gina’s in Flushing, which is well-known for the generous amount of toppings piled high on a crispy crust. And that pepperoni! So good. Mario’s brick-oven pizza (topped with pepperoni, bacon and pepper rings) is a close second, for me.
I love The Grafted Root in Grand Blanc, known for their farm-fresh food. I have gone back several times for the yummy crustless Quiche Lorraine, served with fried potatoes and fresh fruit. Love their Artichoke-spinach Dip, too!
I found the best dessert at Pesto’s, which has also become one of my favorite places to go for lunch. Their soups are amazing, especially the Shrimp Bisque served in a sourdough bread bowl. The eatery is also known for their scrumptious desserts. When my sweet tooth kicks in, I want a piece of Belle’s Heavenly Chocolate cake, (chocolate cake covered in chocolate ganache, mousse, raspberry sauce and chocolate buttercream frosting).
When writing the Best Soups feature a few months back, I knew my favorite – the Seafood Bisque at Fenton Hotel Tavern & Grille – would be on the list. It’s rich and creamy with a delicious lobster and sherry base, shrimp, clams and scallops. Super yummy.
Where do you like to go for some good, down-home Southern barbecue? I honestly cannot leave the Flint Farmers’ Market without a visit to Charlie’s Smokin’ BBQ for some of their award-winning, melt-in-your-mouth barbecue spare ribs. Give me a side of baked beans, homemade barbecue spaghetti and corn bread, and I’m good to go. Beale Street Smokehouse BBQ is my go-to place for a tasty pulled-pork sandwich dripping with spicy barbecue sauce and a side of sweet potato fries. I’ll take a sweet tea with that order!
Where did I find the best French fries? Hands down: Krystal Jo’s Diner in Flint. You watch as the potato is put into a French fry cutter mounted on the wall. The hand-sliced potatoes are then thrown into the fryer, cooked to perfection, salted and plated. It doesn’t get any fresher than that.
I don’t know about you, but when I’m craving authentic Mexican food, once again, I will head over to the Flint Farmers’ Market for a visit to Mexico at the Market. I took my grandson, Mack, there for lunch and he ordered the Carne Asada Tacos, two perfectly seasoned, grilled beef skirt tacos garnished with homemade pico de gallo and queso fresca. “This is the best thing I ever ate,” he said. I agree!
