Saturday, January 30, 2010

As Seen On TV

Yesterday Ed and I had lunch at the South Side Soda Shop in Goshen, Indiana. I heard about it through my friend over at MennoGirl, who used to live in Goshen and gave me the scoop on the place. Only after I looked it up did I find out it was featured on the Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, hosted by my best friend's fantasty boyfriend, Guy Fieri.

It had a great retro atmoshphere and the main part of the diner, where we sat, still had the original soda fountain counter that was installed back in 1940's. We were waited on by Nicole, the daughter of the diner owners. She was extremely friendly and as one would expect, knew the diner history inside and out. And although she must have repeated those very same words a bazillion times, she made us feel as if it were the first time she said them.

We thought the food was very good, evidenced by the fact that we ate like bovines. We started with a cup of soup; Ed had the snapping turtle soup (yes, there was real turtle in it!) and I had the famous chili, which has been voted Michiana's best chili seven times! Both were delish. With my chili, I asked for a piece of their homemade Swedish Limpa bread (because it was a bread I'd never heard of). It's a light, sweet rye bread that has a touch of orange rind in it. I could have eaten a loaf!

For our meal, I had the Philly Cheese Steak in the photo below, with a side of their spiral fries. The fries were phenomenal. Made from fresh potatoes, they tasted as if I made them in my own kitchen. And my only complaint with the sandwich was that it could have used a bit more cheese and steak; the bread-to-filling ratio was a bit too high.

Ed ordered the Philly Chili, which is their award winning chili served over egg noodles, topped with onions, sour cream and cheese and served in an old-fashioned soda glass. I don't have a picture of this one because it came out too blurry, but just envision a very tall meal in a glass.

We didn't think we had any room for dessert, but then Nicole sauntered over with the pie tray; a tray she had to carry with two hands! It would have been rude to say no, so we eyeballed them all and then made our choices. Ed had the Chocolate Towne, which was like a big chocolate chip cookie baked into pie form. She warmed it and served it to him with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It tasted as good as it looks!

I had a piece of Key Lime Pie. I have to say, it rivaled the Key Lime Pie I had in Key West; quite a feat. It was so fresh and just tangy and limey enough for me. As much as I liked the whipped cream, because it was real, I could have done with less whip and more lime. Not a complaint, mind you, just a preference.

Overall, it was a great place to have lunch and I'd not only go back, but I'd definitely recommend it to others. And we are both SO excited that we finally got to dine at a place that was on Guy Fieri's show. Every time we watch an episode we say, "We've gotta go there!"
Now I have to go buy the book so we can start checking off Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives around the country.

I smell a new blog category...


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO:
Eddie Polishing His Chrome Friday
2 YEARS AGO:
Traveling With Your Cat
3 YEARS AGO:
Getting Wet In The Next County
4 YEARS AGO:
Down With O.P.P.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

We have the same desire to tour all the Triple D places. We found one on our little getaway in Half Moon Bay in the town of Pacifica, but it was closed on Tuesdays. We'll get started checking these places off in a little over three years when I can finally start collecting on my retirement money. Then Craig can cut back on driving full time!

The Daily Rant said...

Diane: I think I'm going to check out Guy Fieri's book tomorrow when we go to Barnes & Noble. There's got to be other places that we pass right by without even knowing it! Do you guys have a place in Half Moon Bay - I can't remember?

Ruth and Glen said...

A real turtle in Ed's soup ? Did you get a pic of that ? LOL

Unknown said...

No, we just went there for an overnight getaway when we took some days off a couple of weeks ago. The name of the place is "Gorilla BBQ" in an old train car, take out only or eat in your car in the tiny little parking lot. We'll have to swing by there again sometime when they are open.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad that you went to South Side and loved it! Yah! for small town diners and I have to say your post made my mouth water (especially that sandwich and fries). I will definitely have to eat there next time I am home.