shakes

Charcoal Pit, Wilmington, DE., 4/3/24

~ hsnixon ~ 9 Comments
exterior – 2600 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803

Charcoal Pit has been serving burgers and ice cream creations since 1956.  It has long been a favorite of President Joe Biden, according to Food and Wine magazine and was listed in a Road Food book by Michael Stern as a place to find mid-century Americana.  Opening with just 4 tables it was so successful the founder had to expand to a space with room for 115 customers.  Now there is also a second location but we went to the original “Big Pit” which was being re-modeled inside.  According to our server, the remodeling has been going on for some time but they have not shut down one day for it. Booths are small and slightly larger varieties and hug the walls while tables fill in the rest.  On one end were openings into the kitchen and on one side of it was the round to-go waiting area.  Another portion of the interior was the ice cream counter which looked to usually have seating but today the counter was being resurfaced.  Large squares of linoleum are on the floor and the booth seats are bright red.  Small individual jukeboxes are at each table with free choices but all choices are added to the queue played on the overhead speakers.  The menu offered lots of choices and specials for seniors which seemed very popular.  Our server didn’t flinch at any customizations of the burger order. Continue reading →

El Rey de las Fritas, Miami, 1/25/23

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments
exterior –1821 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL., 33135

La Rey de las Fritas has been serving Cuban food in Miami for 40 years.  They originated and are known for “La original Frita Cubana” – a Cuban-style burger they invented.  It is a ground beef patty with sautéed onions that is topped with a mound of shoestring fried potatoes on a fluffy Cuban roll. There are several locations but we visited what we think was the original.  Located in a strip shopping center, it was a large place with 2 U-shaped counters with stools facing toward the kitchen and the opposite wall had booth seating.  It was bright and a bit sterile, but managed to get a fair number of people both eating in and taking out.  Their famous burgers are offered with a number of variations and otherwise they had a large menu of Cuban dishes.  They also had shakes and drinks made from lots of different fruits and so we also tried a mango shake or Batidos.  The sandwich was interesting but not killer however the shake was lovely. Continue reading →