"I put ketchup all over my Coney's!"

The second Darin did that Jim’s jaw dropped in shock. I guess it is the equivalent of dipping an Oreo in mayonnaise… You just don’t do it!  With the LA auto show wrapping up Darin the creative director from Car and Driver Magazine and Jim Fets the Audi photographer, both from Detroit, were only here till last Sunday. I was on a mission to make sure they went out in style. I knew the Wings were here in town so it was only fitting that I take them to the Kings game at the Staples Center.

That morning at 9 am Darin hit me up for breakfast to watch the Michigan, Nebraska game. Both Darin and Jim were staying at the London just across the street form the Detroit Style Coney Dog. It was only fitting that we all start the day off with 2 giant chili dogs and some chili cheese fries.

10 minutes after I got off the phone I left to meet up with them. As soon as I arrived I looked in the window and some how they were all ready eating. My only guess was that being on Detroit time was still working to their advantage.  I entered to the smell of fresh hot dogs. That smell woke me up faster than coffee (I don't even drink coffee). I turned around and there they were giving me shit about wearing a Kings jersey and they hadn't even said hello yet. Fuckers!

I sat down and the first words out of Darin's mouth were "This is awesome!" "Who would have thought I could travel half way across the country and find a place that would make me feel at home."

Darin was telling me there is a place in downtown Detroit called the Layafette Coney Island in downtown Detroit made by Winter's Sausage in Eastponite, MI and taste just like this hot dog. This restaurant truly was all out authentic. Family run and very hands on. I spoke to the owner and it turns out everything is sourced right from Detroit. Actors Adam Sandler and Tim Allen are some of the investors. How cool is that! This is the reason I love living in Los Angeles. The entire city is made up of people from all over the world. You could have two places right next to each other and both are authentic. One could be Indian and the other NY Pizza. It truly is a blessing living in such a culturally diverse city!

After sitting down for a few minutes Darin has these 2 chili dogs with mustard and onions on top. They were, and I hate to say it, too darn cute… Cute enough to stick right in my mouth. The waitress then asked what I would like. I didn’t even have a chance to look at the menu and I said the obvious… “I’ll have what he is having!”

I got the Coney Dog and the Coney De-lux. Both are chili dogs with mustard and onions, just one has the ground beef in the chili. Normally in LA I feel at home with my Kings jersey on but not around these two. Little did I know it I was gonna feel like a bullied kid. ALL. DAY. LONG. Thank God the food came it was time to take one for team "Sean’s Stomach".

These dogs were awesome. Just a pure mesh of chili, onions, mustard, and of course hot dog. I have an issue with a lot of hot dog places out here most of them are really rubbery. You have to bite hard and almost pull the hot dog right out of the bun.  Places like Pinks and Carney’s are a lot like this. This hot dog was no work at all. It was a real pleasure.

Now I had always held my Coney Dog from the bottom before I put it in my mouth. Jim was quick to point out that I was holding it wrong. I was supposed to hold the hot dog from the top, not the bottom. How stupid could I be! This was not explained to me but I am guessing it is so the topping falls on my plate instead of my hand. I am sure if Jim knew me a little better he probably wouldn’t have wasted his breath. It doesn’t matter how I hold my food it is guaranteed to get on me no matter what. Sure enough before long I had chili all over my Kings jersey. I was hoping it was good luck but later I found out it was not. Damn you CHILI!

After I finished the regular Coney I went right on to the de-lux. The 2 really complemented each other. Normally I don’t like onions on anything but thanks to this blog I have been pretty open to trying new things. The onions really made this meal complete. They added a richness and a spice that kept the flavors alive.

Jim ended up ordering a plate of chili cheese fries that quite honestly looked like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I really didn’t know what to say. It is over whelming when everything is this good. How do you top perfect with perfect?

Great college football, Michigan ended up beating Nebraska. Their selection of beer was right on with what they have to offer in Detroit. An epic meal and with rowdy company how could you go wrong? The Kings lost to the Wings 1-4, that's how. I had to hear about it all day long (I think I can still hear it now).

If you are looking for good college football, great hockey and the best chili dogs in Detroit. I recommend the Detroit Style Coney Dog. Spend 30 minutes here, you’ll get the best Detroit has to offer without having to go there.

I still want to go to Detroit to see what all the hot doggin' is about and hopeful watch the WINGS go MEAT ME!!!

Find out more about Detroit Style Coney Dog at:
http://www.coneydogla.com/

Hold your fuckin' hot dog right,
Sean Rice aka MEAT ME!

reMEAT – Hole in the Wall Burger Joint

I could not resist not knowing what the burger would actually taste like with the BACON in it. Ever since I posted "Where's the BACON?" at the Hole in the Wall burger joint, it has kind of become a big deal. The blog post soared to the top of my charts. I thought that going back there and taking some nicer photos would help give it the respect that it deserves.

Rather than degrade the images with my words I will let them speak for them selves. I ordered the beef burger with the pretzel bun, chipotle mayo, cheddar cheese, apple wood smoked bacon, and French fries.

I got their custom made ketchup and thousand island sauce. The thousand-island sauce is so unbelievably amazing that it could be used as currency. I am that fucking serious!

Remember just like In-N-Out Burger get a spoonful of the thousand island and put it on the burger before each bite and you can never… ever... go wrong. It’s a sin to not do this.

Soak it in!

I know I am sure you are wondering, "If I am making it all about the food then why are there pictures of me in there?"

Because! You need to know that this food even makes me look good... Thats how good it is.

You can read the first review at:
http://meatmeblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/wheres-bacon.html#.Tst1SGBhpRt


For more information and locations check out;
http://www.holeinthewallburgerjoint.com/

Remember - CASH ONLY!

Don't even think about it... Just MEAT IT!,
Sean Rice
aka MEAT ME!

The Dirty Girl Chili Hangover

It’s hot out there. Like chili cheese dog hot. I am headed down Sunset Blvd and I feel like I’m in the middle of a western. Waaa Wiiaaa Waaa…. Hooooeeeeooooeeeoooo... When I put my hand on the door handle I heard a sizzzzz! Ok, done with the sound effects. It’s about 108 – 110 degrees outside. Most people might go and get an ice cream or milk shake – not me I want it hotter. I need me some chili cheese happiness. Carneys is the only solution!

I parked the car, and thanks to the heat, it wasn’t packed. Thank GOD! As I get out of my car I hear the chirping of the all the cabbies hanging out next door in the empty parking lot.  They’re actually quite loud, yelling at each other. They sound like chickens in a chicken coup. BaaaaaaGock! Sorry, I know I promise…

Anytime I arrive at a place filled with chili goodness I have the dilemma of the hot dog versus the hamburger. Here you can pretty much have a hot dog any way imaginable. So… What to get? I am never sure – so when in doubt order both. That is exactly what I did. I never like vegetables with my meat. For me it’s a texture thing.

Right before I approach the counter a man holds up 2 frozen bananas and dips them in chocolate.  Being a meat guy who doesn’t like fruits either (surprise) dipping fruit in chocolate is the equivalent of giving me the finger. Now I can’t eat it. Who’s idea was this? I don’t go to vegan restaurants and eat ribs while staring in the window – what the hell is their problem? It’s bad enough there are vegetables at my meat restaurants, now the fucking fruit wants in? F-them, in the spirit of Shaquille O'Neal rejecting a 3 pointer… Get that shit out!

Moving on! As I do at every restaurant I get my custom order on, “Double chili cheese burger – mustard, chili, cheese… ONLY. Chili cheese dog – mustard, chili, cheese only, medium french fries and a large diet coke.” That’s how you do it, and they will never screw it up. Unless it is my name, which every place screws up. Chan, John, and in some cases I even get the occasional Seen.

I wouldn’t consider myself a history buff, but I have a bit of an obsession about how things came to be. I like to imagine what it would have been like to live here during that time – or why some genius might come with some crazy idea. Take Carney’s for example, why would someone wanna take 2 train cars and move them to Sunset Blvd, and then configure them in a way that you could sell hot dogs and hamburgers out of them? How cool would it have been to stand across the street and watch them put this together? It would have been the coolest thing ever!

I’m ready to pay and the price ain’t that bad – even for a touristy spot. It is just under $20 bucks. I think about eating inside, but I really want the full effect of the western so I sit outside – don’t worry they have shade. whew.

Usually I suggest you get an extra side of chili to spoon on top of the burger and dog before every bite – but this place always puts on the right amount of chili. As I look down at my chilidog, she closely resembles a gorgeous women waiting in bed. After I take that first bite, I look and my mind takes me to even dirtier places – from that point on I shall call her “The Dirty Girl”. As I get half way around this racetrack of a meal – I realize this stuff is heavy. It’s not your usual watered down chili. This chili means business. After each bite, I take a moment to let every single taste bud appreciate its goodness. Approaching the finish line I can just feel myself filling up.

The fries are good but they are left in the shadow of the epic chili. At this point my capacity is at 99.3 %. Sadly I am going to have to call this one early. I sit and look at the box in defeat. The food won again. Having forgot my food I.V. at home the remaining food will have rest into the can of losers.

I try to pull myself together to leave. I stand up and it hits me… the chili grease has entered my blood stream. This known as the “Chili Hangover.” The signs of a chili hangover are: slow movement, rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, and thoughts of food causing nausea. In some cases it can result in the forbidden regurgitation of food.

The trip to the car compared to that of a defeated boxer’s walk of shame. In many cases it’s not always about winning, but more so the journey along the way.

For now all I can do is rest off this hangover and prepare for the next match and until then… MEAT ME!

Thank you,
Sean Rice

You can find out more information on Carneys locations @

http://www.carneytrain.com/

I am now introducing a icon system to help you better know what is available at each location.

The link that explains the icons is on the bottom right hand side under pages labeled icon key.

Follow @meatmeblog

Make It a 3 by 3, Spread ONLY... Fries, and a Medium Dr. Pepper!!! - In-N-Out Burger

And for God sakes put it in a box so I can eat it in my car... That should be rule number one when you go to In-N-Out Burger. Whenever you order In-N-Out Burger through the drive-thru, always get it in a box to eat in the car. If you don't, they put it in a bag and they place a napkin over your cheeseburger. Its like wearing your underwear around your head… you just don’t do it. Cause then... your cheese is stuck to your napkin... then that’s stuck to your cheese paper… Ugggg. Its just a mess and easily avoidable. They do this to keep the cheese from sticking to the bottom of your fries. It’s their only flaw so I put up with it.

Today’s options were workin’ on the car with the boys… Or with only 2 hours of sleep in me, enjoy some drive thru In-N-Out Burger. The latter won.

With every great cheeseburger comes a great experience. You can tell by the young man standing on the grassy knoll in front of the drive thru. Gazing as he preps himself to serve the greatest war ever… MEAT!!! Pure 100% USDA approved goodness.

As cows are sacred in India, In-N-Out is sacred to American's. Its the Fort Knox of Burgers.

Now you can read reviews all day… or you can take the necessary steps to guarantee that you will have the best “burger-sperience”. This is what I strive to do at every In-N-Out Burger Restaurant.  It’s a sacred ritual, so respect it. If you over indulge in anything this heavenly… you may just kill it for yourself. Just as I did with PBn’J. (RIP Mrs. Smuckers & Mr. Skippy you are dearly missed.)

There are scriptures called out on the bottom of the cups and the bottom of the burger wrappers. Its no secret, but you wont find anything about it on the website. As a child I knew there was something special about this place, and it being my Dads favorite, I knew it had to be mine too. My Mom wasn’t so thrilled about us eating junk food. When my Dad told her he was gonna take me to hear some scripture, I knew exactly where we were going.  Though I was only 5 years old, I could never see over his giant Lincoln Continental dashboard. I say, “Dad are we there yet?”...  “Yea get out!”, he'd say.

But I knew he was bluffin’!

We’d pull up to the long drive thru, order, and all the way up to the window I learned about patience.  We’d get our food and drinks, he’d sip, look under his cup and say, “John 3:16, And it was GOOD!” And from that point on my understanding of addiction was born…

So respect it!!!

It is way faster to go thru the drive thru, than it is to order from the walk up window. Everyone has his or her own opinion, but I, have actually timed it. So don’t fight me on this. I don’t know what it is, but there must be some drive thru priority thing-a-ma-jig that favors people in car. Go figure…

In-N-Out Burger has its own language. I wouldn’t know how to explain it, you’ll just have to figure it out on your own.  They do have their “Not So Secret Menu”, which is on the website. Here is what I do know. Spread = Thousand Island, its their own recipe just like everything else on the menu (I say “spread only” on mine because I don’t like the vegie stuff). 3 by 3 = 3 patties and 3 slices of cheese. The largest they go is 4 by 4. They used to go larger, but someone screwed it up for all of us. Don’t look at me! Back in the day the largest I had was a 9 by 9 (on a dare) and yes… I ate it all, with a shake and fries to top it off… God how I miss High School so much. I was a champ I tell you... A CHAMP!!!

Everything, and I mean everything, (except for the ketchup of course) is either raised, or grown by In-N-Out growers. The salt, potatoes, buns, lettuce, tomato, and cows. They control all of it. Not only that, they bring it to you... Fresh… Daily. You can’t find a restaurant chain like this anywhere else.  They are not organic or processed. They are what I call él naturál.

So with moderation in mind, I order the 3x3 (cause 4 would be too much) spread only. No veggies. I just need the cheese and spread as a lubricant to help get the savory meat down. Add a simple order of Fries (No need to get the French involved in this one). Some people like the “well done fries”. I like them soft. Why over cook them? Half the time I end up with the left over “well doneies” from the last order. So stop it please! You are ruining it for everyone.  99.9% of the time I get the Diet Coke. For some reason, cosmic or otherwise, I prefer the Dr. Pepper. It may just be to balance all the spread I put on after-the-fact…

Yeah! Shut up! I'm not finished... I'm really passionate about this stuff (This fight with myself may have just resulted from low blood sugar). 

That is the final step… Ask for the extra spread at the window. Once they have smiled and sent you on journey of happiness, pull over (don’t drive, come on… safety people!!!).

Stop and Enjoy It!

Squeeze out a little bit of spread over every bite of burger. While chewing grab 2-3 fries shove those in. Once your oral cement mixer is primed take a sip of that sugary soda and repeat these steps over and over again. Until you can’t get out of the car, or are full, its your choice.

Remember “X” marks the spot (look for the crossed palm trees out front).

As I rub my sacred Buda Belly and pay homage to "THE" Burger (not just "A" burger). MEAT ME

For the directions to your nearest In-N-Out Burger go to the following link.

http://www.in-n-out.com/locations.asp

P.S. All locations have out door seating and are pet friendly. You can even order “Doggie Patties” plain burger patties. No salt or pepper just for the dogs.

Sean Rice

Follow @meatmeblog