Eigth Trip -- January 20 - 22, 2012 -- Cleveland, OH

Seventh Trip -- December 2011 -- Chicago, IL

Jon and his mom go see Trans-Siberian Orchestra every holiday season.  He came to me with the plan to go see TSO in Michigan since that show date was closer to Christmas (TSO came to Ohio but would be there either in November or after Christmas).  I looked online to see what time and day there were playing in Michigan and saw on their tour list, the first week in December they would be in Chicago.  We decided then, that as part of his parent's Christmas present, we were going to take them on an all expense paid surprise trip to Chicago, and surprise them with TSO tickets!  AND we could include his parents on one of our Food Network trips within this trip.

We told them to keep the weekend of December 2 - 4th open because we were taking them on a surprise trip.  We told them what type of weather to pack for but did not give them any other information. 

We got in the car to drive to Chicago, without his parents knowing where we were going.  About an hour into the trip, they figured out it was Chicago because of the roads we took.  Originally they said they thought it was a weekend in Columbus.  Jon's mom said she never expected to be stopping at Albanese (candy factory on the way to Chicago that is a must stop location if passing) that evening and it was a surprise to them both!

Albanese Candy Store -- best Gummy Bears

Running chocolate fountain in the store!

You could visit with the reindeer and Santa!

We had planned the whole trip and made an itinerary of where we were going to eat, sleep, and visit.  We didn't tell them what was in store for Sunday's activity as we wanted them to be more surprised when we went to see TSO!

Our first stop on Friday evening after driving 6 hours, was to Bartolini's.  This place was featured on Outrageous Foods for their 10 lb meatball sub.

We all got something different so we could try four different things.  Jon got their calzone, Mrs. B got chicken alfredo, Peej got spaghetti and meatballs, and I got the build your own pasta and chose meatballs, pasta, and aflredo sauce.  We were so hungry that I only took one food picture, of Jon's calzone and part of the alfredo dish!  The place was lit up with Christmas lights and the walls were lined with reviews of the place. 

They also had a claw machine which Jon loves, and he won a bear for his mom!

Our next food stop was for lunch on Saturday at Big and Little's.  This restaurant was featured on Triple D for their fois gras fries, fried grilled cheese, and pork belly sandwhich.  This was a cash only, random open hours place that definitly was unique!

Jon and I got the same thing.  It was a special, breakfast po boy with homemade sausage, fried egg, and maple mayo dressing.

We both enjoyed :)

Mrs. B got the FRIED GRILLED CHEESE!  looked/tasted fantastic.

MMM...Jon's favorite part of this sandwhich, the runny egg!

Peej got the fish and chips....it was a monster piece of fish!

That evening, after a full day of Christmas related Chicago activies, we headed out for dinner to Punky's Pizza and Pasta to have their special, the 'Panzaroni'.  This large food item was featured on Outrageous Foods.  Due to limited street parking, Peej dropped Mrs. B and I off at the door to get a table and he and Jon drove around looking for parking.  They finally came into the restaurant what seemed like hours later.  After eating, we left and spent what felt like hours searching for the parked car.  We finally found it, after contemplating that it could have been stolen.  What a fun evening!  :)

The sign was hard to get a picture of because of the lighting. 

Here are the two sizes of Panzaroni's.  Small and Large.  Jon's parents shared a small and Jon and I share a large.  The crust on this was magical and was the best Calzone I've ever had.

Sunday came, and we headed off to lunch at The Depot - American Diner.  This was a Triple D place and had home cooked America diner meals :)  Every dish we got was amazing, and we would recommend to anyone!

Tiny place with few seats.  You could watch the cooks prepare your food.

Mrs. B got their hot turkey sandwich special that was basically a Thanksgiving meal on a plate!

Of course Jon got breakfast, full apple slice pancakes.

Peej got their BBQ pork chop, fries, cole slaw, chicken noodle soup and a bottle coke as a meal combo.

I got one of their specials as well, the pulled roast sandwhich with gravy and fried onion strings with fries and coleslaw.

This place is known for their homemade donuts and chocolate mocha dipping sauce.  We all shared this and someone licked the dipping sauce containter to get the last drops out!

After lunch, we headed off to surprise Jon's parents with the TSO concert!  We drove out to the arena, and until we walked inside and Mrs. B saw the stage, she didn't know what we were going to see!  Peej had figured it out on the car ride there but didn't say what he thought it was.  We had good seats and really enjoyed our Chicago TSO Christmas concert :)

We left the concert and drove to Champaign, IL to visit a restaurant for dinner called the Fat Sandwich company.  We arrived pretty late and were hungry!  This place was featured on Outrageous Foods for their Big Fat Ugly sandwich.  And that it was.  If you finished the whole thing in 15 minutes it was free!

The sandwich featured the following:  2 Rolls, 4 Cheeseburgers, Double Cheesesteak, Chicken Cheesestake, Gyro Meat, Grilled Chicken, Bacon, Sausage, Mozzarella Sticks, Chicken Fingers, Chicken Nuggets, Mac N Cheese Bites, Fried Mushrooms (we got it without this and the next one), Jalapeno Poppers, Pizza Bites, Onion Rings, Hash Browns, Mini Corndogs, American Cheese, Mayo, Ketchup

The Big Fat Ugly

We had them cut it in half so Jon and his parents could share. 

I got a hangover sandwich which included Bacon, Eggs, Cheese, hashbrowns on a roll.

We took one whole half home and Jon ate it the next few days as leftovers!

We headed home after this last stop and got home in enough time Sunday night to sleep a few hours and were back to work on Monday morning!

Here are pictures from the rest of our trip that aren't food related :)  We love Chicago at Christmas time!

There was a huge Marilyn Monroe statue that Jon is standing beside.

Who wouldn't look up the blown skirt?! :)

Magical Christmas Story display windows at Macy's.

Macy's tree and famous restaurant inside Macy's.

Every year we go for Christmas, we take a picture in front of this tree!

Shopping on Holiday Lane in Macy's-- Jon feeling the fragile leg.

One of my favorite trees outside of the John Hancock building

Jon and his Mom

We took Mrs. B to the signature lounge at the top of the John Hancock building for drinks and a fantastic view of the city on Friday night.  Jon likes to get the most girly drink on the menu ;)

One of the malls on the Magnificant Mile has the best decorations!

Santa was on break in the mall, so Jon pretended to be Santa :)

On Chicago Avenue!

Sixth Trip -- August & September 2011 -- Jacksonville, FL and Charlotte, NC

For one of our two weeks of vacation each year, Jon and I decided to drive down to Charlotte, NC to visit with my sister and then drive down to Jacksonville, FL to visit my best friend and her family. 

This was the perfect opportunity to go to Food Network places and visit with family and friends!  We drove down to Charlotte, visited for the weekend and then drove down to Jacksonville for the week. 

We went to a fisherman village area down the street and ate at Singletons Seafood Shack.  We pulled up to this....

Jon was so excited he could barely wait to get out of the car and go inside!  This place is right on a harbor area and they pull in some of their own food or buy from the local boats that pull in.

We got the large basket of fried seafood to share...

Needless to say, we ended up taking a lot of it home.  My favorite part was the shrimp and the hushpuppies.  Jon loved it all!

The next stop we made in Jacksonville was at the Metro Diner.  A cute little diner that had a huge wait time and had fantastic food.

This was the Pittsburgh Salad, which was featured on Triple D.  The steak flavor was out of this world, and with homemade ranch dressing....sooo good!

Jon got his favorite thing ever, breakfast food.  Thumbs up all the way!

Here are some pictures from the Jacksonville part of our trip:

Eating at Nippers Grill - where Heather was a pastry chef!

Tea Party time with Layla!

My Cap't Morgan Man!

One of my favorite places to eat at the beach..you are eye-level with the tops of palm trees!

At the end of the Jacksonville Beach pier.

And back to Charlotte we went, with lots of adventures planned for food and day trips!  We went to a drive in BBQ place called Bar-B-Q King.  This place was on the side of a highway, and had curb side service only!  We got the fried chicken meal with fries, coleslaw, and a roll for under $5.00 and a hot dog and hushpuppies!  MMMMMM



Our next stop in Charlotte was a place called DISH.  Triple D featured this location and had their chicken and dumplings.  We both ordered the chicken and dumplings with different sides. 

Standing outside of the restaurant.

Our next stop in Charlotte was across the street from DISH, at The Penguin.  This was featured on Triple D as well and Guy said he frequents this location when he is in town.

Jon standing in the parking lot of The Penguin

Our two hot dogs and onion rings, which was their featured dishes on the show.  I had the Batty Batty Batty (queso cheese sauce with onion rings cut up on the dog)

Close up of the ICHYGF (I can hear you getting fatter) hot dog which Jon had -- with lots of bacon, chili, and queso cheese sauce!

And so ends our fabulous food, family, and friends trip down to Charlotte and Jacksonville.  Here are some pictures from our Mountain adventures in Charlotte before heading home!

Amazingly beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains @ Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain - mile high swinging bridge.  We arrived when there was a fine mist rain and most tourists had cleared out for the evening. 

One of my favorite pictures from the trip.  We climbed all the way to the spikey cliff edges after crossing over the swinging bridge.  It was straight down behind us, which is hard to see because we were basically standing in the clouds!!! 

Cloud cover on the bridge

Jon thinking it's a great idea to look over the edge!

Leaving Grandfather Mountain, last time standing on the bridge.

We went to Chimney Rock as well on this trip.  The elevator was down for the Spring season that took you to the top, so we climbed the stairs.  I almost made it up, but I blacked out because we didn't bring water with us and I was dehydrated.  I sat on the stairs while Jon ran up the little ways that was left and took some pictures and came back. 

Peeking under a waterfall before we started to climb.

Picture is dark because it was so sunny and my camera was not cooperating.  At a plateau, part of the way up to the top.

Jon at the top of Chimney Rock!

Climbing back down Chimney Rock!

Onto the next great adventure!