Cheese, cheese, and more cheese, and all handmade. Still in operation today, the Coolidge family cheese factory continues to carry on the legacy of the 30th US President Calvin Coolidge’s family, churning out artisan cheeses to the satisfaction of locals as well travelers passing through Plymouth, Vermont.
What artisan products have you been making or encountering in your travels? How did you hear about it?
Have you ever been on the road, and get a hankering for BBQ? I have. This time we were traveling through Alabama. I had never been to Alabama so had no clue where to look. We grabbed the maps. Our route was going to take us through Tuscaloosa. So, I plugged in a search on my iPhone, and out came “Dreamland”.
Sometimes the search engines get lost and deliver results with terrible reviews, but this one was right on!
It was a dark night when we reached Tuscaloosa in our RV. Following the directions on one of the maps applications, we soon discovered how much road development and and land ownership can change the landscape created by previous generations. Dreamland BBQ was located off the the highways going through this busy city. It was located in a residential neighborhood with narrow streets and tight turns for our not-so-big RV.
The lateness of the day contributed to our worry that our efforts to find good BBQ might be for naught if they were closed.
When we arrived at this neon-lit food destination, several men were just coming out from the entrance. Of course they stopped and stared at us in our RV rig maneuving the residential area into the parking lot. I got out and asked “Are they still serving?” One with a German accent retorted, “Gut luck. You betta hurry, there is only one couple left in there.”
We somehow managed to park in their small parking lot, and rushed in to find a bartender mopping the bar for the evening, and several staff trying to control what appeared to be an angry grease fire in the grill. A waitress arrived and said, “I can seat you, but the kitchen is about to close!”
Beer and water was ordered and menus quickly reviewed. “We heard about the ribs. What do you suggest?”, I asked. The waitress had probably heard that line from every tourist. “Well, with the kitchen closing, I’d suggest the ribs and slaw.”
“By the way, do you sell your sauce?” I was thinking ahead for doing our own home-cooking BBQ. “Of course! How many jars?”
This turned out to be a finger-licking good time. Within minutes we were enjoying one of the best BBQ dinners we’d ever eaten. My belly was feeling good after a long day of driving! And we were continuing on our journey across America with a jar of their secret BBQ sauce!
Here’s a little background on Dreamland BBQ. The business was started at the Tuscaloosa, Alabama location in 1958. Since then they expanded to 10 locations across the Southeast.
The website touts “The best BBQ ribs and a variety of hickory-smoked meats, as well as classic Southern sides and desserts.” It includes “mostly true stories” of ribs, sauce, and the legend of founder John “Big Daddy” Bishop.
What is amazing – and explains why the original restaurant is still located in a neighborhood instead of aloing a strip mall – the site goes on to explain, “While Dreamland has grown over the years, Mr. Bishop’s incredible story and love for the community remain at the forefront of everything we do. It’s why we proudly say, ‘Ain’t nothing like ’em nowhere.’”
What dreamy BBQ have you experienced on your journeys across America? Send me your story and I will post it here.
The Bourbon Trail in Kentucky includes several revered bourbon distillers, from Jim Beam to Makers Mark. However, these aren’t the only makers of fine bourbon in Kentucky. Some startups are attracting attention, such as the 10-year old Whiskey Thief Distillery.
Whiskey Thief just came out with their 10-year bourbon release. Originally named 3 Boys Distillery, this single-barrel bourbon maker has been putting in its time to make delicious products. They have a following of single-pot aficionados and are hoping to be soon added to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Stayed tuned to hear more about our recent visit to this distillery.
First stop for us on visiting the Kentucky Bourbon Trail was the Woodford Distillery.
RV parking signs led us to parking next to a fancy building where you could have a cocktail and pair it with food, not exactly what we were interested in at the time. Looking for a tasting which was in a separate building on the grounds (had to ask where). Although we had not set up a reservation, they included us in the next tasting.
5 samples were arranged at each seat, with coasters identifying key ingredient ratios: grains, wood, fruits and floral, spice, and sweet aromatics.
Certainly tasty! I would give it 4 stars. Classy, good presentation, beautiful grounds, and great product. Signage for location of tastings and tours could be improved.