Fat Man Reviews

🎉 5 years of Fat Man Reviews today. I appreciate everyone who reads my reviews, interacts with me, and offers suggestions. More to come soon. Eat well, my friends.

While visiting Las Vegas, the Fat Man and his wife took a drive out to the Hoover Dam and stopped off in Boulder City to try The World Famous Coffee Cup Cafe. This is a family-owned, family-run staple breakfast and lunch destination for locals and people around the globe. It has also been featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.

I had the Papa Con Chili Verde with hashbrowns. This dish is made with Pork Chili Verde, cheddar cheese, pepper jack, pico de gallo, and flour or corn tortillas. I added an over-easy egg as well. The hash browns had a really nice crunch and good seasoning. The egg was cooked perfectly with a nice runny yolk. The cheese added some gooey texture, a little salt, and a bit of bite, while the peppers added a nice crunch to each bite. The pico also added a bright, fresh texture to the dish. The Pork Verde was beautiful, with great spice and juiciness, tender yet with a good chew. The entire dish works well together, and it was hard to stop eating it.

I also sampled their biscuit with homemade gravy. The biscuit was light and airy with great texture, chew, and flavor. It was buttery and fresh. The gravy was seasoned really well, with big chunks of well-seasoned sausage that weren't overpowering, along with sage and other seasonings. The gravy was thick enough to stand up in its own, but not so thick that it had the consistency of glue. Perfect, flavorful, and amazing are about the only ways I could describe it.

My wife had the B.L.T.E. on sourdough with home fries. This sandwich is served with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and egg. The sourdough was thick-cut and lightly toasted, with a light flavor, crunch, and great chew. The lettuce and tomato were fresh, bright, and both had a great texture. The eggs were well fried and seasoned. The bacon was medium-thick, cooked to perfection with crunch, chew, and a great salty flavor. The home fries came in a huge portion, were well seasoned, but were undercooked and had an unwanted crunch. They also came with grilled onions, which tasted good, but I'm not sure why they were put on top of the potatoes rather than cooked along with them.

Coffee Cup has a full menu for both breakfast and lunch. They serve loads of burgers, wraps, sandwiches, plate meals, burritos, omelets, diner classics, and sides. They have a full bar and serve beer. The staff was extremely nice, and the service and food were quick. The Fat Man says that The Coffee Cup Cafe is Fat Man Approved with 3 chins.

After a nice day of hiking in Red River Gorge, seeing Natural Bridge, taking the sky lift, and almost falling several times, the Fat Man and his wife were feeling a little tired and hungry. We decided to venture over to Miguel’s Pizza and see what offerings they had in store. Miguel’s Pizza, a favorite among hikers and climbers, offers a variety of options, including healthy choices, and has a casual, rustic atmosphere in a historic building, with both indoor and outdoor seating.

You can order pizza by the slice to mix and match, or order it whole. We ordered two slices of pepperoni. The crust was thin and crispy, but still had some good chew. However, it lacked flavor and was slightly dry. The crust reminds me of a frozen, pre-made crust. The sauce was thin, slightly sweet, but lacked flavor beyond the sweetness, and the slice could have used more sauce to help bite into the crust. The cheese was light on the pizza and lacked any pull, almost as if it were from a bag at the store. The pepperoni was thin and cut into different sizes, with an adequate amount on each slice and a nice amount of grease, heat, and chew. This was enjoyable on the pizza.

We also ordered a couple of Margherita slices. The crust again had a good crunch but lacked flavor. There was a nice toast on the bottom. The cheese, as before, was light on the pizza, which is fine, but no pull again. The sauce was maybe a little lighter on these slices and lacked much flavor. The tomato and basil were fresh, but there wasn't much of either on the slices, leaving the pizza bare and us wanting more toppings.

Miguel’s menu offers several pizza options they specialize in, a build-your-own option, and salads, pasta, soups, and sandwiches, with options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They also offer beer and wine options with soft drinks. The Fat Man says that Miguel’s Pizza is NOT Fat Man Approved.

On a recent Saturday night, looking for a new fine dining restaurant, the Fat Man and his wife ventured north to Georgetown to try Rodney's On Broadway.
Rodney's is a genteel bar/eatery in a restored house with an upmarket seafood & steak menu, plus outdoor seating.

For our opening course, we tried the Sea Divers Scallops. These were tandoori-rubbed and served with a sweet Thai chili sauce. The scallops had a good sear and a slight crunch, with the tandoori rub offering a mild, earthy kick and a hint of chili powder flavor. The scallop was light and melted in your mouth. The Thai chili sauce added a sweet heat combo that complemented the scallops perfectly.

We then shared the Lobster Bisque, which our server recommended. The bisque was very creamy, with a slightly thicker, velvety texture than typical bisques. It was so creamy that it almost tasted like it had cheese in it, which it did not. It had a salty, slightly paprika-spiced flavor, while the sherry added a slight nutty note. This was an excellent dish and worth the drive itself.

For my main course, I ordered the Lamb Chops. They were char-grilled with roasted garlic mint demi-glace and the Potato de jur, which is smoked Gouda au gratin. My lamb was spot-on medium-rare; however, the char was a little hard and bitter, especially on the edges. This was present in most bites. The mint sauce added a touch of sweetness and depth to the meat's flavor. The potatoes were cooked through and offered a slight chew. The Gouda was creamy and nutty, pairing well with the potatoes, though it needed a bit more seasoning.

My wife chose the Filet for her main course. She ordered it medium rare with Weisenberger white cheddar grits and green peppercorn cream sauce. Her grits were cooked well and not overdone; the cheddar was only topped on the dish and not melted into it, but it did offer a sharp bite. We both found them to be bland and in need of seasoning. The peppercorn sauce was creamy, with the onions adding texture, crunch, and a slight sweetness, while the peppercorns popped with flavor and mild heat. The steak was seasoned and cooked to a perfect medium rare; it melted in your mouth. However, the hard char on the edges added a heavy, bitter flavor to most bites.

Rodney's menu features appetizers, soups, salads, prime beef selections, entrees, side dishes, and desserts. They offer a full bar with beer and soda selections. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and will offer suggestions and advice. The Fat Man says that Rodney's on Broadway is Fat Man Approved with 2 chins.

The Fat Man and his wife love to travel. We recently took a trip across the pond and visited Ireland. We started in Dublin with a tour of the Guinness Brewery and an engraved pint glass, and drove around the island through the south and west. We visited Killarney, drove the Ring of Kerry, saw the coast of Di**le, and stayed in Galway. We visited castles and ruins, walked along paths, and looked out over beautiful cliffs to the sea. We drove on the opposite side of the road and met several interesting locals while enjoying a beautiful, green, lush, and old country. It is a beautiful island with lovely people and views. But what about the food? You know the Fat Man is going to find some good food joints.

We ate at several places that had some great food. We started in Dublin with a full Irish breakfast, complete with black and white pudding, both of which are delicious. In Kerry, we enjoyed vegetable soup, which was basically the soup of the week everywhere, and a delicious lamb shank, complemented with mashed potatoes. In Di**le, we had a great sampling of Fish & Chips. Ballyseede Castle offered a delicious Apple Tart to finish off a great meal. After leaving the Cliffs of Moher, we swung by Doolin to sample an amazing Guinness Stew and Chicken Fillet(Fill It) sandwich at Gus O'Connor's. In Galway, we ate a great pizza at Dough Boys, ranked #15 in the world. We sampled food in a lot of different food places, but these were at the top of the list. The Irish love their snacks, especially Tayto chips, but I found my favorite to be O'Donnell's Relish & Cheddar crisps.

Ireland is a great place full of awesome people and loads of food, especially in pubs and petrol stations. If you are thinking about going, then you absolutely should. Take it from the Fat Man that the Emerald Isle is absolutely worth the price, the flight, and learning to drive on the other side of the road. Anthony Bourdain once said, “It seems that the more places I see and experience, the bigger I realize the world to be. The more I become aware of, the more I realize how relatively little I know of it, how many places I have still to go, how much more there is to learn.”Eat well, my friends.

In the area that I live in, there is no shortage of Mexican food. We have several restaurants, grocery stores, and food trucks. The Paradox of Choice isn’t a bad thing to have if you have several good restaurants. On a recent adventure, we tried Viva Mexico Mexican Cuisine in Richmond, KY.

To talk about a Mexican restaurant, the first order of business is Chips and Salsa; we also added Queso. The chips were fresh and had a good corn flavor. The salsa was thick, with a really nice tomato flavor and a sweet lime finish. The Queso had a mild spice and was thick, with a great ooey-gooey texture.

My wife had the Steak Fajitas. Her steak had really good seasoning and a good, tender chew. The grilled onions and green peppers were the stars of the show, offering good crunch and texture with each bite while also adding a nice sweet flavor. The refried beans were 100% not from a can and had a really nice, smooth, creamy texture and good seasoning. The flour tortillas were homemade, fresh, and slightly chewy.

I tried the Tamales Platter. My rice was cooked well and had a nice, subtle flavor. The guacamole had a really nice flavor, good chunks, but could have used some salt. The tamale masa was light, not super thick, and had a nice salty corn flavor. The chicken, however, was dry and lacked seasoning and flavor.

I also sampled their Steak and Chicken Taco, both on crispy tacos. They were both served with lettuce, tomato, and cheese. The taco shell was fresh and crunchy, the vegetables were fresh, the cheese was salty, and the steak was tender and had some really good flavor. The chicken was moist and tender, with a really lovely, subtle flavor, enhanced by the green pepper.

Viva Mexico has a very large menu with loads of Mexican dishes, including tamales, fajitas, house specials, tacos, seafood, and enchiladas. They have a full bar and also serve beer and Coke products. Viva Mexico has three locations, one in Richmond and two in Lexington. The Fat Man says that Viva Mexico Mexican Cuisine is Fat Man Approved with 1 chin.

When the wife said that she wanted the Fat Man to take her for a nice dinner, he had several places in mind. We looked at several menus and eventually decided on The Obstinate Sons in Lexington’s Chevy Chase area. The Obstinate Sons is known for its Southern comfort food with a fusion twist, extensive bourbon selection, and craft cocktails in a cozy, stylish setting.

We decided to try a couple of appetizers, starting with the Maryland Crab Cakes, which were pan-seared with roasted heirloom tomatoes, apple cider vinaigrette-tossed arugula, and whole-grain mustard aioli. The sear on the cake was perfect. Inside the crab cake was a proper amount of crab and cake, making for a great bite, texture, and taste. The crab was meaty, tender, fresh, buttery, and delicate. The mustard aioli cut through the cake like a surgeon, giving each bite a nice tang. The salad is a nice side with the cake, and the apple cider really complements the arugula.

Next up were the Roasted Oysters. These were made with a Herb lemon Parmesan panko crust, mozzarella, Parmesan, and roasted red peppers. The oyster was cooked perfectly; it had a slight chew and had tremendous flavor. The crust had a nice crunch, the peppers added texture, and the lemon really comes through from start to finish. The Mozzarella and Parmesan give the dish a little nutty, salty flavor that pairs well with the oyster.

Next, I tried the French Onion Soup. This was prepared with caramelized sweet onions, a port wine reduction, gruyere cheese, and Parmesan toast. The cheese was melted to a great ooey gooey texture and had an amazing cheese pull. The onions were caramelized perfectly. The port wine reduction, along with the onions, makes the dish sweet rather than its traditional savory flavor. The toast adds a mushy texture to the dish while helping to combine all the flavors.

My wife tried the Andouille Sausage and Chicken gumbo with dirty rice made with corn, okra, green onions, and bay leaves. The rice was cooked perfectly, with good flavor, a puffy mouthfeel, and slight heat. The broth was layered with flavor, had a velvety texture, and a great spice level that lingers at the back of the tongue. The chicken and sausage were both tender and flavorful, giving the soup body and chew. The okra and corn went well in the dish, although my wife still found the okra a little slimy.

We split the Prime Pork Chop, a 10-oz boneless center-cut sauteed over creamy portobello risotto with sauteed spinach, roasted garlic, and Dijon cream. The chop was seasoned and cooked perfectly. It had a great salt level and almost melted in your mouth. The risotto had great mushroom flavor, and the sauce had an awesome creamy texture. The risotto was slightly overcooked, but it still tasted extremely good. The sauteed spinach was cooked down to a nice, wilted texture; however, I found it a little salty. The Mac and cheese were maybe the only miss, but not by much. The amount of cheese was perfect, and it had great flavor. The noodles were overcooked and mushy, and the cheese sauce had broken, leaving the dish grainy. That being said, it was still not the worst I had ever had.

The Obstinate Sons offers appetizers, soups and salads, sandwiches, entrees, desserts, and seasonal specials. They have a full bar offering handmade cocktails, beer, and wine. The service was really good, and everything came out perfectly timed. The Fat Man says that The Obstinate Sons is Fat Man Approved with 3 chins.

My buddy Grizz let me know that there was a new burger joint in Wi******er that we needed to check out. So we met at The Urban Stack & Co with his boys to give it a go. Urban Stack meticulously curates the freshest ingredients to ensure every menu item meets its high standards of quality and taste.

I ordered the Classic Smash Burger, double, which came with American cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and Urban Sauce. The bun was fresh and soft, out of a bag. The veggies were fresh, crispy, and offered texture to the burger. The cheese was melted well and added that salty ooey gooeyness that you love from American cheese. The patties were smashed well, with crisp edges and a good salty seasoning. The beef flavor is present throughout every bite. The urban sauce, similar to Thousand Island dressing, was lightly slathered on the burger; it added a little sweetness to cut through the salt of the cheese and the burger.

I also tried the Monster Fries made with sautéed onions, cheese sauce, and urban sauce. The fries were shoestring style, like McDonald's. They were a little undercooked for my tastes, but they did have good seasoning and flavor. The sautéed onions were caramelized with great flavor and a little crunch. The cheese melted well, adding another level of taste and saltiness to the fries. The urban sauce, again, added sweetness to the fries and cut through the saltiness.

Urban Stack offers several burgers on its menu with various toppings, or you can order them however you like. They also have chicken sandwiches, onion rings, and several appetizers. They offer fountain Pepsi products, shakes, and various canned sodas. The Fat Man says that The Urban Stack & Co. is Fat Man Approved with 1 chin.

I had been hearing some buzz about a burger joint in Lexington, and we decided to head out and give it a try. Son of a Burger, S.O.B., is known for its creative, loaded burgers, including the "Cowboy SOB" with BBQ sauce and onion rings and the "Hangover SOB" with a fried egg and bacon.

I ordered the S.O.B. Deluxe double with fries. My wife had the same burger, but as a single. The fries were out of a bag, but they were cooked perfectly and seasoned extremely well. They are served with S.O.B. sauce, a typical fry sauce made with ketchup, mayo, and a few spices. They had a great crispy crunch and were pillowy on the inside. The bun was fresh, a typical hamburger bun out of a bag. The veggies were fresh and crispy, but they were a little thin to hold up to the burger. The pickles are sweet pickles instead of dill, giving them a unique taste with a burger. The cheese melted well and was added to the burger, giving it some much-needed salt. The two 1/4lb burgers were smashed well and had a good crust. The beef flavor was pleasant, but it was light on seasoning for my taste. The S.O.B. sauce added a little extra sweetness to the burger, but it could have used more to amp up the beef's flavor.

Son of a Burger offers a small menu featuring 10 burgers with loads of toppings, including a vegetarian black bean burger. They have a couple of appetizers, and the sides are classic burger fare: fries, onion rings, or slaw. They offer water and sodas, but there is a full bar in the same space if you would like beer or other alcohol. The Fat Man says that Son of a Burger is Fat Man Approved with 1 chin.

After passing it many times, curiosity led the Fat Man and his wife to Mama Devechio’s Pizzeria in downtown Stanford, Kentucky, known for its Neapolitan-style, stone-fired pizzas made with local ingredients.

We decided to try a couple of different pies to see what this place had to offer. We started with The Kentuscany. This pizza was made with smoked pork, goat cheese, sweet red onions, and bourbon sorghum reduction. The crust had a great chew, texture, and crunch. There is a great buttery, salty flavor that melts in your mouth. The pork was dry but had good taste and some smoky notes. The red onion adds crunch, while the goat cheese has an incredible salty creaminess that the sorghum reduction mellows out and cuts through with its sweetness.

The next pizza we sampled was a Cheese pizza with pepperoni, beef, and banana peppers. Once again, the crust was phenomenal with a great crunch, buttery flavor, and chew. The cup pepperoni was mild in spice with good beef flavor. The beef had a good, mellow taste, but it was dry and overcooked. The banana peppers add a great acid from the vinegar, but the cheese didn't have the melty, ooey-gooey stretch that pizza should have, almost like the cheese was out of a bag.

Mama's also offers a Savor Flight of their sauces or dips. We tried the Marinara, Tuscany Ranch, Calabrian Chili Ceaser, and Pesto. The ranch was very thick, fresh, and dill-forward, with a cooling balance and a hint of salt. This was some of the best homemade ranch that I have ever had. The chili was salty, with a lot of heat on the backend, and the Parmesan cheese added texture. The marinara was thick and chunky, with delicious tomato flavor. The pesto was vibrant green, chunky, fresh, and had great flavor and texture from the pine nuts. However, all of the sauces were served cold. The ranch and Calabrian Chili were fine that way, but the marinara and pesto should have been served warm.

Mama’s features a small menu of pizzas, salads, sandwiches, breadsticks, and desserts, plus a full bar with beer and wine. The Fat Man says that Mama Devechio’s Pizzeria is Fat Man Approved with 1 chin.