Posted by Drew in Thoughts on 09 Jun 08

Last week the Detroit Red Wings won the NHL championship and were awarded their 11th Stanley Cup and 3rd in the last decade. While the Pittsburgh Penguins finally showed up after two games, they were clearly out-classed by our hometown club.

1.4 million fans descended on downtown Detroit Friday morning to welcome the boys home. It was 93 degrees with unbearable humidity, but my crew and I bravely skipped work to join the fun.

This kid had some serious spirit. Excuse the frat-boy-douche pose I’m doing and just focus on the kick ass cephalopod he’s holding.

Of course Al was in attendance. The crown is a nice touch I think.

Hank was really enjoying the crowd, and wore his Conn Smythe like a hat for most of the parade. (AP Photo)

And here it is, the Holy Grail. Apparently some drunk knocked it over at Cheli’s Chili Bar and dented it. I’m sure it’ll buff right out.

Despite feeling the effects of dehydration by the afternoon, we had a blast.

Let’s do it again next year, eh?

Posted by Nicholas in Food on 07 Jun 08

The other day I had a chance to stop in and try a burger at Cheeburger Cheeburger in Northville. Though I believe its namesake is borrowed the famous SNL sketch, it has no affiliation with the Horny Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago from which the skit was originally based.

Inside is a clean and well designed 50s diner atmosphere. It’s evident that the workers at this location take pride in their job, as the tables and restrooms were spotless and the service was polite and fast.

I ordered a 7oz burger with ‘easy’ shredded lettuce, guacamole, and chopped garlic. (A little goes a long way with shredded lettuce so I always order it ‘easy’ to avoid a messy sandwhich.) They had 20 toppings to choose from, and I was pleasantly surprised to find they do not charge extra for guacamole.

Here is what I was served:

Nice presentation. The patty itself has irregularly shaped sides, which tells me that it has not been pattern cut by a machine. The chopped garlic added a nice zing to the guac, and it was very very tasty.

I also ordered a side onion rings and fries, with their ‘habanero jelly’ sauce.

The onion rings are fresh cut and battered in-house, not frozen. They were pretty good, as they are also fried in peanut oil. There was more than enough for two people to share.

The habenero jelly sauce is surprisingly not hot. Somehow they captured the essence of habenero flavor without any heat, adding a level of sweet that you normally find in a fruit-based jelly. Patrons who are looking for spice may be left disappointed because it is so sweet, but fans of other jellies like lemon curd or marmalaid may enjoy it.

The 7oz burger set me back $5.85, which is a good value considering the quality of the product.

According to their website, you can find Cheeburger Cheeburger in 28 cities in the US. We tend to shy away from corporate franchises because they usually serve overpriced and terrible food. But unlike many of their competitors, Cheeburger Cheeburger actually turns out to be a diamond in the rough.

Posted by Nicholas in Food on 30 May 08

During my travels to Chicago I became exposed to the wonderful world of street food. During the warm months, each city neighborhood or district has its very own festival to celebrate their local taste. It was here Mexican Independence Day that I had my first experience with new cuisine in the form of mangos that were dusted with butter and cayenne pepper. It was delicious and I have been hooked on this form of culinary exploration ever since.

I am fascinated by food thats cooked in the open air, or inside a tiny cart on the sidewalk. It’s so far away from the safe indoors where there is running water and the possibility of good hygiene… and yet it feels OK because I can see the food being prepared right there in front of me. Now granted, there are a lot of bad examples of street food. Usually the worst specimens are found at our local summer festivals and carnivals. Fried frozen corn dogs and funnel cake are not good eats! As such, I will focus only on the best and most noted examples of good street food.

One of the first opportunities available each year is in the heart of Detroit’s Eastern Market. I don’t know the name of this business but they are open every weekend. Click to continue… (More pics!)

You can see the smoke from a few blocks away. Read more…

Posted by Nate in Books, Thoughts on 29 May 08

Super Cholita is the manga inspired, South American female Robin Hood — except that she steals potatoes, rather than money. Apparently Supercholi has been getting some press lately and is making the rounds worldwide. I haven’t gotten my hands on a copy, but I’ll be keeping an eye out for one. This is just one more work to I’m happy to see added to a torrentially increasing list of really great graphic novels.

Super Cholita in the News

Super Amigos: Same vein of thought, but real life Mexican luchadores. Check the Trailer Below

[via F.A.T. Labs]

Posted by Nate in Art on 28 May 08

Found and captured at a gas station near Toledo, Ohio.  This artful rendition of a majestic, breeching cetacean just screams freedom.  What type of man would have such a masterpiece on the side of an ordinary industrial van?  We don’t know.  This camera shy animal lover scampered away at the first sign of observance.  Maybe we’re just not really ready for such an answer.