Glen Bell Jr., the founder of Taco Bell, died yesterday. I thought it appropriate to re-run this post from 2005.When I first left home for college, I ended up living in student housing directly next to a Taco Bell. My residence was on the third floor, and early every morning when they started cooking for the day, the smell of simmering beef and refried beans would waft … [Read more...] about Ode to Mr. Glen Bell
Food Writing Archive
This category could be about anything having to do with food: Food Haiku, Limericks, Contests, Essays, Trips down memory line, musings about life... whatever strikes my fancy, and doesn't fit into the other categories
You’re Old If… Vanished Restaurant Traditions
I was having dinner with friends a few nights ago when we started talking about things we remembered from restaurants when we were growing up. I thought it might be a fun topic of conversation.I'll start:You're old if...You remember when you had to wear a jacket (and sometimes a tie) to many upscale restaurants. Most of them kept a few really "loud" sport coats … [Read more...] about You’re Old If… Vanished Restaurant Traditions
How to Make Sangria
Long before I moved to Portland, I was known for my sangria recipe. I suspected that I was invited to many parties because they knew I would bring a batch. One year my friend Patrick invited me to his birthday party in Healdsburg, California. It was going to be outdoors, looked like it was going to be a hot day, and I got a last-minute phone call saying, “Oh, could you bring a … [Read more...] about How to Make Sangria
An Untimely Death, and a Ham Sandwich
In which you hear about the time I nearly died because of a ham sandwich. It was a perfect ham sandwich that brought me to the brink of an untimely death. Somehow, that all seems appropriate for me. I suppose I’d better tell you the rest of the story.It was a fine summer day in 2005 when I jumped into the car and headed south to the Eugene area to talk to a timber … [Read more...] about An Untimely Death, and a Ham Sandwich
52 Fords, Fallout Shelters and the Steakhouse Review Summary
There are times I just can't help myself. I could just write a boring summary of the steakhouse project and even insert some charts and graphs - and I love charts and graphs! However, I decided to go with my heart and tell you about a memory from long ago. I eventually get to the summary, but you'll have to work for it, or you can just click here to jump past the sentimental … [Read more...] about 52 Fords, Fallout Shelters and the Steakhouse Review Summary