D. Taylor's Food & Travel

Restaurant Review I had heard that B-Good had healthy food, was reasonably priced and was really good. So, I've wanted to stop by for myself and see what they are like. "Cousin Oliver" burger B Good - S. Portland It is a walk-up order counter.  We let the person behind us go first as we needed time with the order. Kale and quinoa were touted in several different varieties.  Not being either a kale nor a quinoa fan my eyes immediately moved to the Burgers and sandwiches. Burger, Veggie Burger, Turkey Burger, or Chicken Sandwich. I ordered an “El Guapo” all-natural (whatever that means) beef burger with bacon, homemade jalapeno slaw, and jalapeno ranch. My wife ordered a “Cousin Oliver” Burger with Boston lettuce, tomato, onions, and Chef Tony’s homemade pickles.  We also ordered sweet potato fries to share. We wondered to the drink station and got our drinks, napkins, and condiments.  They have Sir Kensington's catsup, which I found to taste very...

The New Moon, Saco ME Photo by Google Maps We had some business in Biddeford and decided to grab lunch on the way home in Saco .   Downtown Saco has several restaurants, and we haven’t been to any of them. We turned in at Pepperell Square to see what might be good. Within a half a block there was pizza, sushi, a diner, and an adorable little place called “The New Moon Restaurant.”   Looking like something transplanted from the Swiss Alps, The New Moon has a mountain-steep roof and yellow paint. A sign on the front door let us know that they are closed from 2:00 PM (the end of lunch) until the start of dinner (5:00 PM). It was a bit after Noon, so we were good.   Tables and chairs were close; but our hostess brought us to a table that seemed to have enough room, although it would have been uncomfortable if someone was sitting directly behind me.   Bloody Mary at The New Moon We ordered our usual water with lemon and took a look at the me...

The Miss Portland Diner is a 1949 Worcester Lunch Car Company railroad dining car. It was originally located on Forest Avenue, but moved to 49 Marginal Way in 1964. Besides the original dining car there is an addition which provides additional kitchen, storage, bathroom, and dining space. Coffee Mug Miss Portland Diner - Est. 1949 A “seat yourself” sign let us know to wonder a bit.  The upstairs was fairly full, although there were some spaces at a long lunch counter area, so we decided on a booth in the addition. Our server took our coffee orders quickly and was back in a flash.  The coffee was served in absolutely beautiful, old fashioned cups.  The cup was the kind that would make a great souvenir. I later learned you can purchase one for $10.00. A great addition to my cups at home.   Corned Beef Scramble Our server was really helpful and attentive.  When I asked if the hash was locally made or Mary Kitchen™ out of the can she indicate...

As you know by now, I really like breakfasts. A great breakfast is hard to beat, and a poor breakfast is inexcusable. As the saying goes, it's hard to mess up eggs. I was out and about recently and had a chance to stop in at Lucky Loggers in Saco. It had that look of a breakfast kind of place. It is next door to Reny’s in Saco, where I was going to pick a couple winter shirts and maybe a new fall jacket so I figured it was a perfect time to give it a try. Kitchen area from my booth. Lucky Loggers, Saco, ME I arrived about a quarter after 10 and the breakfast crowd had clearly started dwindling down. I was quickly greeted and brought to a seat. A server stopped by with a menu and the offer of coffee. I ordered the coffee and started looking at the menu. The coffee arrived and I was asked if I were ready to order. I asked if the hash were made in the kitchen or if it was Mary Kitchen™ out of the can. The waitress told me they make everything locally. I also asked if they had...

Review by Don Taylor Pappy's Tavern - Andover, Minnesota It is rare that I go to the same restaurant two times in a row; however, I during my recent visit to Minnesota I went twice with friends to Pappy’s Café (The sign outside says Pappy’s Tavern while the menu says Pappy’s Café. People who know me know I really love a good breakfast, so two sets of friends on two separate days took me to Pappy’s. Frist, I went with friends from Blaine, MN, who live about 10 miles from Pappy’s. When we arrived, the place was very busy. We threaded our way to the back to a table next to the pull tab sales booth. It was busy, but it made buying pull tabs easy for my friend who only needed to turn around to purchase them. We ordered Bloody Marys while we reviewed the menu. The waitress, Sidra, brought the Bloody Marys with a snit. It had been a long time since I had a Bloody Mary in the Midwest that I had forgotten the tradition of having a small beer chaser (called a snit) with your Blo...

Review by Don Taylor My sister and I were about during Memorial Day. After an early start and a long day of paying our respects at various cemeteries in the Detroit area, we decided we were finally done and it was time to eat. We were both famished and stopped at a place for a late lunch, early dinner. We stopped someplace, (I forget where) and learned that the place closed at 3:00 PM because of the holiday. She then suggested we go to Travis Restaurant in Clinton Township. She said they have good food at a great price. She couldn't have been more right on. Travis Restaurant, Clinton Twp, MI Photo from Google Maps .  Travis Restaurant is what I call, a "hole in the mall" restaurant -- a small strip mall with several different businesses in it. We arrived about 3:45 in the afternoon and they still would serve breakfast, my favorite meal of the day. It has been my experience that if you want to judge a place on their breakfast there are two things to order. First, if...

By Don Taylor When we want a really great meal, we go to the Pine Point Grille in Scarborough. I think it is the best restaurant I've ever been to that doesn't have tablecloths. The food is elevated, I'd even say gourmet, and the service is impeccable. We had two reasons for going to the Pine Point Grille. First, my wife's birthday was last March. She wanted to go there for her birthday, but they hadn't opened for the season yet. Our going kept getting put off and I needed to make good on my promise to her.  Second, we had an out of town guest that we wanted to take to dinner. The Pine Point Grille seemed to be the perfect place to do both. We arrived early -- opening time, which is at 5 PM. and ordered drinks. We took our time with the menu. I'm a native of Minnesota, where "Tater Tot hot dish" is a staple. I was amazed reading about how the Pine Point Grill was elevating the humble Tater Tot ® to gourmet status with truffle ketchup, black ga...