Archive for the ‘Athens’ Category

Oh My…3-D Jesus at O’Betty’s

Posted by CMH Gourmand on December 30, 2009

Readers of CMH Gourmand know one central truth, O’Betty’s is the greatest Hot Dog shop in Ohio. As part of my holiday tradition this year I went to the Los Potosinos Taco Truck for Christmas Eve lunch, Little Dragons Chinese restaurant for Christmas Eve Dinner with CMH Mom and O’Betty’s for a bacon and slaw hot dog surrounded by the ambiance of the 3D Jesus Display.

Athens is a special place where different worlds live in harmony. Students and academics live in proximity to locals that have been in the area for generations. Deer Hunters and Vegans pass each other on Court Street without a blink of the eye. There is a mix of conservatives and liberals, right wingers and hippies but the end result is a tight community. In December, there is a shift the the town. College kids leave at Thanksgiving and don’t come back until the near year. The seasons change and things slow down. At O’Betty’s the gang goes all out the make the downtime a good time.

This year customers could get two quarters for the meter if they needed it. Back by popular demand for the third year in a row was “The Life of Jesus in 3D”. The hot dog museum in the back of O’Betty’s is transformed into the Gallery of Fine Contemporary Culture. The portraits of Blaze Starr and Betty Page come down (well most of them) to be replaced by thirty vintage lenticular photographs and images of Jesus from the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s from across the world. A tri-fold pamphlet full of information about the images and the history of the technology that created it is provided for visitors. The development of 3D images from the 1930’s to the present is described in detail. Leticular images were ubiquitous in the mid 20th century. The technology was used in campaign buttons, ads and record albums. Many of these examples have disappeared however this collection serves as an education and was preserved because, well, you can’t throw Jesus away.

The images are amazing whether you look at them from a religious, pop culture or technological perspective. So like I said, in Athens, different viewpoints come together and survive the convergence. I’ll go for a hot dog, fries and a side of culture any day. However in this case, you are out of luck. The exhibit is around for December only. Maybe you can make a journey to Athens next year to make this part of your own holiday tradition.

Posted in Athens, hot dogs, Road Trip | Tagged: 3D Jesus, O'Betty's Red Hot Dogs and Sausages | 1 Comment »

O’Betty’s Red Hot Dogs and Sausages, Athens

Posted by CMH Gourmand on November 11, 2009

Brat, Dog and Fries

O’Betty’s Red Hot Dogs and Sausages
15 West State Street
Athens, OH
740 589 6111

O’Betty’s Red Hot Web Site

This is somewhat recycled content but I just returned from two days in the Athens area and I wanted to make sure I gave O’Betty’s its due. So here we go. Of the many things that connect my soul to Athens county, the strongest is a hot dog shop. Well, not just any hot dog shop – the best ever, anywhere. O’Betty’s won the dining hearts of Athens since it opened in 2003. It has been voted best Hot Dog most years since 2004. The hots dogs names, decor and vibe are inspired by burlesque babes from the first half of the 20th century.

The hot dogs are 5 Star all beef dogs with a natural casing (one of the best commercially available hot dogs in the country). There are twelve “varietease” of dogs including a create your own style and tofu dog for vegetarians. If you want a Chicago style dog – go with the Salome – “Dance of the 7 Veils” – sport peppers, sweet relish, pickle spear, diced tomatoes, diced onion, Stadium Mustard, and celery seed. Many kinds of toppings are available as well as salsas from Casa Nueva, baked beans, mushrooms, and on occasion, homemade corn relish and pepperjack cheese. When possible all topping are locally produced and sourced.

Fries

The dine in area accommodates about 16 people. On a Friday or Saturday night expect long lines of college students outside O’Betty’s waiting for their chance to get the perfect hangover food.

Another bonus of O’Betty’s – the in-house Hot Dog History Museum / Weiner Hall of Fame. The items in the collection were amassed by Bob Satmary and are continually added to by customers.

Owners Bob Satmary and Ryan Stolz enjoy what they do and clearly put service and fun first for the business. They are always chatting it up with their friends/customers. And they like to mix things up as well. In the winter – expect some tasty soups to keep warm and all year long expect special hot dog combos to keep things hopping (last one I experienced was a Mango BBQ sauce dog with bacon – yum!). And in August of each year, Bob and Ryan celebrate all things hot dog culminating in a hot dog eating contest which I wrote about earlier this year. If you are very lucky, during Christmas week, you may have an opportunity to see the display of 3D Jesus items from the 50’s in the back room.

Posted in Athens, hot dogs, restaurants, Road Trip | Tagged: O'Betty's, O'Betty's Red Hot Dogs and Sausages | 2 Comments »

Athens: Farm to Table Tour – September 12th

Posted by CMH Gourmand on September 9, 2009

The information below was sent to me by Kirsten Graham of Kirsten Graham PR. It is a pretty cool event that features the best of Athens area farmers and restaurants. I have eaten at many of these restaurants and visited some of these farms so having all of these people in one place is pretty amazing. This also pairs nicely with the Field to Table event at Franklin Park Conservatory this weekend.

All of the content below is a direct copy from an e-mail.

TOYOTA HYBRID FARM TO TABLE TOUR
Toyota’s Farm to Table Tour Heading to the Athens Farmers Market to Celebrate the Connection Between Farmers, Chefs, and the Local Community on Display at the Market

WHAT:
12 local beloved chefs are paired with market farmers to highlight the bounty of locally grown food and product available at the Athens Farmers Market. The chefs will prepare special tastings showcasing their partner farm’s fresh ingredients and visitors will have the opportunity to sample the chefs’ creations while also learning more about the market vendors, their products, and how to buy and eat seasonally.

Toyota will also provide interested market goers with the opportunity to take a ride in the 3rd Generation Prius or a 2009 Highlander Hybrid.

WHERE:
The Athens Farmers Market is located at 1000 East State Street.

WHEN:
The event starts at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2009 and concludes at 1:30 p.m. the same day.

CHEF/FARMER PAIRINGS SCHEDULE:
Pairings subject to change

TENT 1:
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Scott Bradley of Zoe Fine Dining + Gillogly Orchards

10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Sandy San of China Fortune + Yankee Street Farms/Mitch’s Produce and Greenhouse

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Doug Weber of Rhapsody + Chowdery Farms/Gillogly Orchards

Tent 2:
9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Michelle Wasserman of Casa Nueva Restaurant and Cantina + Shew’s Orchard/Shade River Organics/Green Edge Organics/King Family Farms/Companion Plants/Snowville Creamery

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Kevin Hurst of Latitude 39 + Chowdery Farms/King Family Farms/Green Edge Organics

12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Ryan Stolz of O’Betty’s Red Hot + Integration Acres/Chowdery Farms/Green Edge Organics/Crumb’s Bakery/Athen’s Own/Shew’s Orchard

Tent 3:
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Hilarie Burhans of Restaurant Salaam + Integration Acres/Shade River Farms/Sassafras Farms

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Bee Vacca of Heaven’s Oven + Arnold Farms

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
John Gutekanst of Avalanche Pizza + Rich Organic Farms/Chowdery Farms/Starline Farms/Yankee Street Farms

Tent 4:
9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Jana Durham of Jana’s Soul Food Café + Rich Organic Farms

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Barbara Fisher + Harmony Hollow/Green Edge Organics/Rich Gardens Organic Farm

12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Jade Mu of Lui Lui + King Family Farms/Shew’s Orchard/Sassafras Farms/Green Edge Organics

EVENT BROUGHT TO ATHENS FARMERS MARKET BY:
The Toyota 3rd Generation Prius and 2009 Highlander Hybrid

Posted in Athens, events | 1 Comment »

Hot Dog Derby No. 6 (O’Betty’s Hot Dog Eating Contest at Jackie O’s)

Posted by CMH Gourmand on August 24, 2009

A few of my favorite things include: Athens, O’Betty’s Hot Dogs, Jackie O’s Micro-brewed Beer and women in red dresses with devil horns. By a great stroke all of these were at the same place so I took a day off work to get my fair share of the excitement.

Plenty of empty parking spaces but few empty meters. There were 3-4 bikes were locked to each parking meter.

Plenty of empty parking spaces but few empty meters. There were 3-4 bikes locked to each parking meter.

People walked, biked, skateboarded and drove (from Columbus in one case) to the Hot Dog Derby. This year the event was held at Jackie O’s. Hmm, Hot Dogs and beer. Oh Boy! Jackie O’s + O’Betty’s = Outstanding.

What is the recipe for a good hot dog derby? Start with a Boxcar Burlesque show, add a Hot Dog Trivia Jeopardy contest for valuable hot dog themed prizes, mix in some really good beer, pay homage to the Hot Dog King and Queen, then surround yourself with a lot burlesque dancers in training wearing devils horns.

Subdued hot dog fans....prior to the event

The contest started at 3:00 PM. Bob Satmary, co-owner of O’Betty’s and the reigning Hot Dog King served as master of ceremonies. The contestants included a retired champion from the original contest in 2003 along with newcomers with nicknames such as “The Dark Horse” and “Chuggs the Dog Man”.

A capacity crowd of hot dog lovers gets ready for the contest. Notice the large number of horned heads.

As the hot dog queen looks on, Bob Satmary reads the rules of the days contest.

The rules are shown below. Here is what one needs to do, eat as many hot dogs as you can in 10 minutes while music blares and the crowd of 100 plus people cheer you on. Hope that you do not puke – not for the shame of it but because you lose out on your chance for some really good prizes. Hot dogs and buns are steamed with no toppings and piled in front of the contestants just prior to the start.

The Rules..... to Roman means to barf, puke, spew, etc. (It happened).

I can think of no better way to spend 10 minutes than to stand in a crowded bar, drink a micro brewed beer and watch people shove, push, mangle and slide hot dogs down their throats. There is a magic about Athens in the summertime. Most of the people at Jackie O’s knew each other or at least knew of each other. The sense of community and fun permeated the place and people. I felt like I was a character in or at least a visitor to a “Northern Exposure” episode. The winner won with 13 dogs consumed. Most of the others ate 8 -11 hot dogs and one contestant vomited. This was not unexpected which is why each contestant had their own bucket.

The hot dog cake (not made of hot dogs)

To make the event complete there was a hot dog cake for all the share and plenty of left over hot dogs served gratis to the guests.

Cutting of the cake by a lady (one of many) in red

After the festivities, people strolled or rolled over to the Athens County Fair to watch the demolition derby and to see how this years O’Bettys car fared in the Mad Max like competition. It was a perfect summer afternoon in Athens.

Posted in Athens, hot dogs, Road Trip | Tagged: Hot Dog Derby | Leave a Comment »

Back To O’Betty’s!

Posted by CMH Gourmand on August 23, 2009

In a previous installment, our heroes Hungry Woolf, Taco Drew and CMH Gourmand were heading to Athens after The Inn at Cedar Falls, Ash Cave and Etta’s Lunchbox. Our mission: to consume a late lunch at Casa Nueva. Casa was closed for the week. While we weighed our options we walked across Court Street to O’Betty’s. I was hoping to catch co-owner Bob Satmary at the establishment to fill him in on Dirty Franks and the other events of the summer.

In case you did not know, O’Betty’s is the best Hot Dog place in Ohio and probably the best hot dog purveyor in the history of hot dogs. I had only intended to drop in for a few minutes but the aroma of hot dogs searing and fries frying was enough for us to defer our plans for a quick snack.

Life is Athens is usually slow in the summer. This summer was not slow for O’Bettys, they have been super busy the entire season and had their busiest day ever in July (just wait until the students get back).

O’Bettys also added a website this summer www.obettys.com

Equally exciting, as I was walking out the door I saw the sign for the annual Hot Dog Derby! This includes a hot dog eating contest. Yep – the light went off in my head and I made plans to be there. Details in the next post.

Posted in Athens, hot dogs, Road Trip | Tagged: O'Betty's | 1 Comment »

No Bake Cookie Coolness

Posted by CMH Gourmand on August 6, 2009

On a rainy afternoon in Athens, I spied a sign for pizza by the slice at Avalanche Pizza. Popping inside to inquire, I noticed a small display that caught my eye.

With the name Troy’s Self Righteous No Bake Cookies, I did not care if it was good, I admired the moxy of such an honest advertisement.

The cookies are individually wrapped in tin foil with the same logo as you see in the photo above. Choices are Paw Paw and Walnut. Each cookie is a mix of oats, peanut butter, vegetable oil, cocoa powder, maple syrup, cinnamon and either some of Ohio’s native fruit the Paw Paw (marked with a Paw Paw Power logo) or walnuts.

Selling points for the cookies – as noted on the packaging are (all checked off): vegan, local, post modern and delicious.

On the backside, sealing the tin foil is a sticker with a logo of Troy saying “I’m Troy, and I approved the cookies”. The net weight is listed as 4 oz (give or take).

I ate the cookie on my way back to Columbus and enjoyed it but the packaging and concept intrigued me after the treat was gone.

Avalanche Pizza is worth trying out as well as several other local eateries. Check out the Eating Athens section or the link below.

Multiple Meals in Athens

Below is my exclusive e-mail interview with Troy Gregorino the no bake maker.

“Thank you for your interest in Troy’s Self-Righteous No-Bake Cookies. They were inspired (equal-parts) by a dream, a joke, a terrible economy, and by the burning desire for things that are delicious. Additional credentials are listed on the packaging. Currently, they are available in Athens at Donkey Coffee and at Avalanche Pizza. We are a fiercely independent and righteously underground cookie operation. Kindest thanks. – Troy”

Posted in Athens, Ohio, Road Trip, Vegetarian Friendly | Tagged: Athens Ohio Food, Troys Self Righteous No Bake Cookies | 1 Comment »

Athens Food Tour – Roadtrip to Ruin

Posted by CMH Gourmand on August 4, 2008

Twice or thrice a year I drive down to Lake Hope State Park and rent a cabin for a long weekend. I hike at my favorite places – Cantwell Cliffs, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave and Moonville Tunnel. I make fires, get caught up on books and podcasts. I play a game Risk or Carcassone depending on the company of my companion(s). But the real reason I go is to eat like a fool in Athens, my favorite college town east of the Mississippi. Athens is a short 22 mile drive from Lake Hope which is about how long I can stay awake after what is typically a lunch at two…or more locations.

Avalanche Pizza

Avalanche Pizza
329 East State Street
740.594.4664

Avalanche Pizza web site

Avalanche pizza may look a bit cheesy from the outside but these guys know what they are doing. Avalanche has been voted as the best pizza in Athens eight years in a row. The shop has won several national and international pizza competition awards. Among their 45 plus toppings are Kimchi, Red Bliss potatoes, and cashews.

Pictured below are the two pizzas I tried on my last food tour

Ted Nugent Pizza

Ted Nugent – Genoa Salami, Chicken. Ham, Pepperoni, Steak, Meatballs Mozzarella and Provolone

The Godzilla

Godzilla – Best Pizza in World Pizza Championship (Italy) 2007
Spinach, Feta Cheese, Chicken, Sun dried Tomatoes, Provolone, and something else

Casa Nueva

Casa Nueva Restaurant, Bodega, and Cantina
6 West State Street
740.592.2016

Casa as the locals call it started in 1985 as a worker owned co-op restaurant. It is still worker owned today maintaining its hippy, tree hugger, whole foods roots and continuing to deliver some exceptional food at reasonable prices. The Bodega and Cantina are extensions to the original restaurant space. The Bodega offers quick meals and appetizers while the Cantina serves as a waiting area, fully serviced bar and venue for local performing acts.

As much of the food as possible is from local or Ohio suppliers whenever practical. The supplier lists features over 40 local farmers and food companies as well as Columbus Brewing Company and Marietta Brewing Company. The menu is changes each season to feature and showcase the produce available. A must try for any visit is the salsa sampler of chips with two or more salsas. You will not be disappointed. The menu does offer meat but is very vegetarian friendly. Most of the menu is Mexican themed or inspired but there are other food styles represented for personal as well as bio-diversity. Breakfast is really good as well and always busy on the weekends. There can be a wait at peak times but feel free to use my survival strategy, put your name on the wait list then walk across the street to O’Betty’s to order a hot dog and fries to go to make wait enjoyable.

$O\'Betty\'s$

O’Betty’s Red Hot Dogs and Sausages
15 West State Street
740.589.6111

According to Jim Ellison, O’Betty’s is the greatest hot dog place ever, in the history of the world. No doubt about it, this is a true fact. And you can get the full lowdown on the page I have devoted to O’Betty’s on this blog. O’Betty’s did a small expansion in 2008 adding about 5-6 seats which doubles the seating area. The variety and creativity of hot dog combinations that O’Betty’s puts together never cease to amaze me, see some examples below.

A true Athens experience is getting a burrito from the Burrito Buggy late at night in the heart of campus, the buggy was doing Chipotle before the concept was big, One little food cart makes a lot of yummy big burritos. I love this place and look for it whenever I am at Athens. Hours vary by time of year, number of students in town, and weather conditions.

Burrito Buggy Link

I should also mention Seven Sauces. It is supposed to be a great restaurant but I never have room left when I am in Athens, I will have to stay an extra day some time.

Seven Sauces Link

(Update May 2009 – I guess I should have gone, because the Seven Sauces sailed off). An alternative is Zoe’s. Another lower priced alternative is Jana’s. Both are very good.

There are two newer discoveries as well.

Mistretta’s Italian Market
9 North Shafer Street
740.594.4949

This little market is about the size of a garage. It has a small selection of fine wines, some miscellaneous gourmet items and cheeses, some chocolate and a large selection of deli style sandwiches and Italian paninni.

Miller’s Chicken (Poultry Company)
235 West State Street
740.593.6544

The Miller family has sold chicken, in various forms since the 1940’s. This simple, cinder block building is tucked away off the beaten path in town but is well known to locals You can buy buckets of chicken, pints of side dishes, or chicken hearts and gizzards. They make a fine fried chicken and the prices are very pocket friendly to promote poultry consumption.

Posted in Athens, Ohio, restaurants, Road Trip, Vegetarian Friendly | Tagged: Casa Nueva, O'Betty's | 5 Comments »

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