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Debbie Linder
Golden Travel Inc
630-365-6210
Without your travel agent - you're on your own!

Alla Spina in Philadelphia

So it happened just the other day, Tom and I were talking about a picnic ham and a great way to make it. Then we were talking to our neighbors who are from Philly and asked for some restaurant suggestions. First thing they said was Alla Spina. Then same day we go out on the deck with all our weekly travel and food  magazines for the "read". The Bon Appetit magazine drops on the table opens to an article about Chef Marc Vetri at Alla Spina and his rustic family meal starring a jaw dropping pork shoulder or picnic! Talk about  meant to be.

So we went and have not posted the recipe on our other blog. Check it out www.itsallabouthedish.blogspot.com

Philly cheesesteak

So the rivalry between Pat and Gino about who invented the Philly cheesesteak still goes on today.

Pat Olivieri invented the steak sandwich in 1930 - its open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and is called "Pat's King of Steaks", Gino's Steaks is across the street. We're going to both to get 1 steak sandwich at each and make our own decision.


Some say that Gino, Pat's brother actually added the cheese to the steak sandwich in 1966. Then, the story goes Pat responded by adding cheese wiz which has become the preferred cheese of choice on South Philadelphia cheesesteaks. I think we would prefer the provolone. We'll see.

When ordering a cheesesteak, the idea is to let the cashier know
A: that you would like a cheesesteak
B: what type of cheese you want
C: if you want fried onions

You have to be concise as possible when ordering. Locals are so adept that they have it down to 3 words: saying - "One wiz with" meaning 1 cheesesteak with cheese wiz and onions.
Or "one provolone without" which would get you 1 cheesesteak with provolone and no onions.

Ok well we had one at Pats and one at Geno's. Pats was juicier and the bread was like French bread. Geno's bread was a little chewy and the onions a little big. We choose Pats.
It seems like everyone was doing the same thing. Back and forth

Carolina Barbecue

OK so I haven't Traveling Dished for a while! We are on our week long trip to "the Low Country" aka South Carolina with my family. We are on a drive vacation which to me is a great way to make memories. So the food junkies that we are took us right into Spartanburg where we went to this little place called Carolina Barbecue. The restaurant is nothing to speak of, but certainly something when it comes to traditional Carolina style BBQ. What you see here is the Coarse Pork Plate. It was full of flavor. They have an array of different smoked meats and sides. The hot sauce kicked butt so of course a few bottles are coming home with us!

McNally's in St Charles

Tom had the fish tacos (or course)
And said they were excellent
Try McNally's I bet everything is great