Go With Your GUT!

Well it is that time year! No, not the holidays that’s for everyone else. I am talking about Fantasy Football! By now you have a pretty good idea of weither or not you are going to make the playoffs. I am not. This is always a given right after I draft my players. I usually look at my roster and think. WTF! What the hell happen what was I thinking. Like this year the only player that really worked out was my kicker. It is only my 3rd year  and I am still learning, spread sheets, and all.

Ladies I am sure you are wondering why should I keep reading from this point on. The answer is, from one patient listener to another you need to know the stress that us MEN face on a daily basis. It’s important that you are sensitive when we break down because Jamal Charles is out for the season or Plaxico Burress won’t be playing this season because he shot himself in the leg. ESPN is our TMZ, Aaron Rodgers is our Kim Kardashian. We have a lot more in common that you think. Sometimes we need you to be our bro and not our problem solver.

So now it is that other time of year. Like I said last week burger joints are popping up everywhere and on Sunset Blvd you now have the wonderful Burger Joint. I figured I would make this fun and do a sit down with my friend and rival Matt Fite. I knew somewhere inside this, 6 time champ and 12 team fantasy owner, where some solutions to how one might make it into the playoffs.

I pulled up and walked in and this place was looking fresh. It has the fun of a burger stand and the vibe of The Standard Hotel. Very! Very! Fun! It was a place you would take group or individuals to go eat some midday lunch or a meet up for dinner before a night of dancing. I grabbed a seat there was no need to wait or ask for seating. After I sat down and turned around an entire team of UPS drivers were dying to get their burger on!

Soon enough my nemesis walks through the door! I can tell he, like I, needed to eat. We get in line and I notice right away these employees are lovin’ their jobs. There were so excited and bubbly to greet us and get exactly what we need. I look up at the menu and all their beef burgers are made from grass feed beef, the buns are made with unbleached floor, and the cheese is white cheddar or American. The soda’s are also all their own. I decide to get the beef with cheddar, grilled onions and the half and half of fries and onion rings. Fite decided on the Turkey Burger (health nut) with the Mexicane Soda and of course got the diet soda. Anything else? Of course I need the chocolate shake. All of this food for just under $40 bucks. Now that is want I am talking about. Normal pricing. Take that Short Order!

We get our number and went right to our table. They have this little device that you put the number in and pull out. It lets them know what table your at and if you need anything you just press the service button. Brilliant! I need one of these in the bedroom! Just kidding, Love You Honey!

Once settled I got right to the Fantasy Football questions…

MEAT ME: "When did you first find out about Fantasy Football?"

Matt Fite: "Wow... you're taking me back. It was my first year in California 1994. I was invited by a roommate to join the California Dream League. A league I am now the commissioner of. There have been so many changes since then. I remember my first draft pick of any fantasy draft ever; it was WR Jerry Rice and it was the 6th overall pick."

MEAT ME: "What was it about Fantasy Football that sucked you in?"

Matt Fite: "I like the idea of managing a sports franchise; albeit a virtual one. All sports fans have thought at one point or another. If I were the GM of "that team" I could turn them around. Whether it be while watching Free Agency periods of the draft. In fantasy football you get the opportunity to be the power broker... It also gives you something to root for or against in virtually EVERY NFL game.. not just the one's your favorite team is involved in."

MEAT ME: "So with that said most people (i.e. me) have a hard time managing just one fantasy team. How does one get involved with 12 Fantasy Football Teams?"

Matt Fite: "Well it doesn't happen over night. For over 10 years I only managed 1. Then I did two. Then 3. Once I hit 4-- the transition to 12 wasn't all that difficult. Most of my leagues are CBS gold leagues with $30 buy ins and $200 winner take all payouts. You just check in once a day when you have time... watch the waiver wire etc. It helps when you can work from home and set your own hours. That's for darned sure."

*note: My chocolate shake came at this point and it was so delicious that this point I am mumming the questions to Matt. It was not super rich. Just Right! Nice and thick like a shake should be.

MEAT ME: "How much time would you say you put in per day/week doing research, setting line-ups, and trades for your fantasy leagues?"

Matt Fite: "It's tough to quantify that on a day to day basis... preseason draft prep is the most time consuming. During the regular season? Maybe an hour on average... but some days none at all. I mean I'm not a professional fantasy football player."

MEAT ME: "If you, a 12 team fantasy owner does not consider yourself a "professional" what would you consider yourself? What does it take to be a professional?"

Matt Fite: "I guess it isn't about how many leagues your in as much as how much is on the line to me. A "professional" in my eyes could make a living off of his winnings. My leagues are relatively low stakes. It's like playing poker to me. Playing a $20 a week even if you play it online doesn't make you a professional. But playing in big stakes tourneys is the determining factor to me."

MEAT ME: "So it’s Sunday morning it is 9:30 am and you have all 12 line ups set. How do you know you have made the right decisions?"

Matt Fite: "My friend Eric who is a number and stat obsessed money manager and fantasy football rival in two leagues and I always argue over player values.  I tell him routinely that while I prone to vote Democrat in elections that my approach to fantasy football is right out of George Bush's neocon playback.  I don’t need no stats or facts.  I go with my gut."

MEAT ME: "How many championships have you won with that GUT?"

Matt Fite: "Yikes... I dont know if I remember... 3 CDL, 1 XGL, 2 CBS Gold Leagues... so at least 6... and still in the running for 3 Gold line leagues next week."

MEAT ME: "So what are the most titles you have won in one season?"


Matt Fite: "I've won two leagues in a season before. Getting to the playoffs takes a lot of skill and a little luck. However winning the championship game takes a lot of luck and a little skill. It's all about winning two weeks in a row against two of the other best teams in two of the most unpredictable weeks of NFL action what with team having clinched playoff seeding in some cases and resting star players."

MEAT ME: "What is your most memorable Fantasy moment?"

Matt Fite: "Winning my first title for sure!"

MEAT ME: "Was it a close call or did you win by a mile?"

Matt Fite: "My first title? I believe it was a healthy margin without quantifying it as "a mile."


MEAT ME: "What advise would you give someone interested in getting into Fantasy Football?"

Matt Fite: "Oh that's easy. Try to pick players you like whenever possible, avoid chronically injured guys, and have fun. It's a game."

On that note the food came. Matt and I waste no time and dig right in. It's really, really good. Matt is very satisfied with his Turkery burger and I am just loving mine. This is what you can expect from cows that are grass feed. This is a fattier beef and that just tastes better. There is no need to over season, the beef will flavor itself plus the onions were just the right touch! Matt says his Turkey burger was just as tasty. It is nice when you don’t feel like you are suffering by not ordering beef. The onion rings and fries come in a paper cup. A little rings on top, fries in the middle, and more rings on the bottom. Love That. They are very nice and a little crispy. Not over or under crispy, just right. I hate places that leave these items sitting in the frier because they are busy doing other things. At this place they care.

The atmosphere is awesome. It smells of success and I wish Matt the best of luck in the rest of his leagues in the playoffs. I am being nice because he is in last place in my league (laughing inside). The experience was awesome and with all that shake left I am going to have to “Go with my GUT!” and finish it another time. Be merry and MEAT ME!

For more information on Burger Lounge go to:
http://burgerlounge.com/

Find our more about Matt Fite at:
http://www.marketinggigs.com
http://www.funeraldirectoryusa.com

No Guts, No Glory,
MEAT ME!
aka Sean Rice

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!

Are you up for THE FITE?

I sure am. It’s time to do lunch with Mr. Fite! Probably one of the coolest guys I know, but also one of the most opinionated motherfuckers I know. It’s a blessing for all of us that this guy doesn’t have a Podcast or he’d run all of our ears into the ground.

Not only is this guy a political opinionator, he is a fantasy football workhorse. He is currently a member of 12 fantasy football leagues. To top it all of he has a system to all of his madness and plenty of passion to tell you what your doing wrong. How he has time to do anything is besides me.

If I were to check my Facebook every 20 minutes I could almost guarantee a new post him. Each one more important than the last. Almost always they are politically related with the comments section going for days. If it wasn’t for the fact that it was easy to ruffle his feathers I don't think he'd be that much fun to hang with. He just takes everything so damn serious (sorry, love you dude).

Despite all of that I figured it was time for lunch with THE FITE. Lately I have been struggling with reader interaction. I never get any feed back from you people so it was time to come up with a new strategy. I figured the best way to meet with Matt was over food. At least with his mouth half full we could keep the subject matter focused (sorry dude! Still love you).

We decide to meet at The Counter. I was in the mood for a good tasty burger and knew they would not disappoint. I show up and after the first round of fist bumps the first thing out of his mouth is, “How much did you regret giving up Sproles for Meachem?” At that point I knew what I was in for and I could not wait to order.

The Counter has a multi-option style of menu, you get to check-off a list of what you would like on your burger. Having the option to get a 1-pound burger was something I was not going to pass up. The only problem is that it takes a little over 20 minutes to make, and with all the talking Matt could do I knew we needed an appetizer.

I ordered the 1 pounder with chili, cheese, jalapeños and mayo. Matt got the ½ pounder with grilled onions, peppers, coleslaw, jack cheese, and pickles.  With those options you'd think he'd closed his eyes and randomly pencil dropped the options on his burger. To start we got the chili cheese fries just as they come. Here you have to order the fries separately because they do not come with the burger.

The appetizer came and it is solid. Bite after bite of home made chili goodness. Normally I don’t like onions on anything, unless it is added as minimal flavor (it is a texture thing or me). Luckily these were chopped up nice and small. As you can see as we each took turns digging until we got to that uncomfortable food bridge when neither person wants to touch the other persons food. Personally I don’t care, more for me.

The server brought our food as if she was herding the cattle all by herself. Big meat requires lots of work. She must get very tired. As a bonus... It didn’t take too long and the burgers were cooked to perfection. In the past I have had issues with how they cook their meat. Normally I like it medium rare on a half pound or smaller, and medium on anything larger. Instead I have gotten rare to almost not cooked in the middle but it looks like that issue has been taken care of.

I was a little surprised after first bites Matt did not have much to say. I guess that means the food did it's job. Normally I yell about where are my jalapeños but they are hiding under the massive cow sitting on my bun. You would think a place that serves a massive 1-pounder would have chili pouring off the top of the burger. Not this place they give you a tiny little (Mexican salsa) cup of chili. That is all! And Yes! You are actually paying extra for that tiny ass side of chili.

I feel that places that get super duper fancy with all the sides, toppings and add-ons really suffer when it comes to the main objective a really “Tasty Fuckin’ Burger!” They get so caught up in having tons of options that they end up lacking in the most perfect possible out come.

As much as I believe in customization and making everything your own, the customer shouldn’t have to be the cook. I am sure most people get over whelmed when they see all these options and more often than not come up with combinations that don’t work together. I think it helps to have a starting point, like they do, and offer ready to order burgers on the menu. The customers will always change things to work in their favor.

His burger and mine turned out to be pretty delightful. I got ¾ of the way though mine and the MOUTH only finished ½ of his. For some odd reason I felt the need to get dessert. I have a soft spot in my stomach for a giant cookie under a scoop of ice cream. This thing was perfect. It touched me in places I haven’t been touched in a long time… And it was good.

So it turns out Mr. Fite’s strategy for multiple feedback isn't really my style. He believes in being controversial and overly opinionated about absolutely everything. My fantasy league can vouch for that. Fortunately for me there are certain things I just do not care about... Kind of how he feels about foodies.

So just keep in mind that the jack-of-all-trades can also be the jack-ass of none. “Mr. Fantasy Football owner who is 3 and 6 in my fantasy league.” So MEAT ME!

You can check out The Counter locations @
http://www.thecounterburger.com/

Despite the fact that he is extremely opinionated he is actually pretty good at what he does.

You can check out Matt Fite @
http://www.marketinggigs.com/  a FREE job site for Marketing Professionals
http://www.FuneralDirectoryUSA.com/ for all your post death needs

Stay Focused,
Sean Rice aka MEAT ME!

How am I going to even fit that in my mouth?

Yes it was that fuckin’ big. I woke up this morning with one thing on my mind. All I wanted was a Napoleons and an Éclair from Café Tropical. Located right in the heart of Silverlake, CA. I know… It is not meat, but it is sweet and that rhymes so that is how I am justifying it. Plus I promise I will not disappoint. If you were driving by this place you would not think much of it at all. You might even even consider it a dump, but trust me you don’t want to judge this book by its cover.

I have always associated Silverlake with a city filled with culture. It is kind of like Hollywood, but without all the tourists and occupied by ethnicities that actually give a shit.

At every restaurant or shop they are always planning an event to get the community involved. If it is not an art show every place always has that little something extra that makes it feel special. At Café Topical everything is bigger and bigger. Yea, that is not a typo. Their shit is GINORMOUS.

Café Tropical is a great place to start the day. They have wonderful coffee (so I’ve heard, sorry not a coffee drinker) great breakfast options and a cozy space to stop, sit and enjoy the internet. There are little knick-knacks all over the place so if you even forget your laptop you’ll have plenty to keep yourself occupied. Plus with the AA type meeting room next door the people watching is never ending.

Normally when I am out I take all my pictures with my little Canon digital elph. Which at first I did, but after I saw the lighting, I knew that camera wasn’t going to do this any justice. It was time to bring out the big guns. Having gone to Art Center for photography I knew this was inevitable. This glorious food was in need of serious photographic respect. Just those cookies are 7 to 9 inches across.

As you stroll through the café all you see is giant over sized food. I literally feel like I am walking through Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. It truly is a marvel. The breakfast they offer is not as huge but just as tasty. They also serve a variety of meaty Cuban sandwiches. With that said, you can see I am not straying too far from my meaty roots.

With so much going on 12 minutes had gone by before I even got to ordering. I do not live in near by so I never know if they have specials or events going on, but if anyone knows… please feel free to drop some hints in the comments section.

I finally make it to the counter, and they are quick. If you don’t know what you want you will start feeling like your wasting their time. Deciding not to get too fatty I ordered the éclair and the napoleon. After all it was just the first meal of the day. Keep in mind each is so big that they get their own box. Having paid I needed to get home as fast as I could to photograph these delights.

I made the mistake of using a large plate (8"x 14" to be exact) to photograph the Napoleon. That was all it would fit on, so you really don’t get just how big this beast really is. It is 2 and a ½ inches wide, 3 and a ½ inches tall and over 6 inches long. I swear it had to weigh a least a pound. The éclair was a little shorter than I was used to, but wider in the middle. It came in at 3 and a ¼ inches wide, 3 inches tall and over 6 inches long...

I urge you to take a moment to fathom how big this really is. I got smarter with the éclair and put it on a desert plate. It is so massive it crumbled, creamed and oozed all over my mouth (Yep, I just got excited!). It almost died but I only took one bite of each so I wouldn't spoil my lunch. Plus I am attempting to enjoy this in moderation, but that is probably not going to happen.

Even as I think about it now, I really can’t take it any more. Once this is up I’m straight for the fridge. I will probably cut off about an inch on each piece. Put them in the same bowl with 2 scoops of Ben and Jerry’s Cheesecake Brownie ice cream, sit on the couch and try and figure out what to stream on Netflix.

I know… I can hear myself getting fatter… So until I allow myself to eat again, MEAT ME!

Look for the image of my dessert on Twitter @meatmeblog

You can find out more about Cafe Topical @
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-tropical-los-angeles

I do not believe they have a website.

Sweet Jesus,
Sean Rice aka MEAT ME!

I’m gonna go get FOOD WASTED!!!

That is exactly the mission I was set out on. I got off the scale and realized that I had some how lost 9 lbs. Alleluia! Lets celebrate! So recently I noticed a restaurant downtown, was following me on Twitter called the Stray Cat Café. It was one of my first followers so I thought I owed it to them to go and check it out. 


I head out to downtown around 3pm. I figured I would head down there when there was no traffic and maybe it won’t be busy either.  I get in the car and with a 20 minute drive I figured I would make some phone calls. I glanced at the GPS  a few times to make sure I was on track but for the most part I had a general idea of where this place was. So I’m talkin’, talkin’, talkin’, talkin’, talkin’, talkin’, and I have no idea where I am some how there are lines of homeless people on both sides of the street with trash and pigions flying everywhere. I’m lost (thanks Jay). I have no idea where I am but I need to get out of there quick. I make a few turns and hewf… I am in the clear. 

I turn and bam! There it is Stray Cat Café, right on the corner. Parking? Right out front, $3 no problem (its better than $6 or $8). I walk in and it really has a coffee shop/café vibe. Really mellow. Cool artwork on the wall’s. I am guessing they have internet, the man behind me was on his laptop.

The person working there was really cool, sweet, and nice! I was handed a menu and thought… What does one eat at the Stray Cat Café? She told me. They are known for their Cheese Steak sandwiches. The Man vs Food challenge enlarged on my menu. I thought... that would be awesome! I got so excited and she shot me down. Good thing she did. She says, ”Yea it is so hot and spicy you won’t even enjoy it. I recommend the Mexican Cheese Steak!” So that is what I ordered. She even explained that it too could be very hot but she would put in a good word with the cook – to be nice to me.

It was not before long and this Macy’s day parade float was on the table wrapped up in front of me like a present. Ohhhhh what was waiting for me inside? I opened it up and it looked inviting. It had frilled rib eye, fresh jalapeños, sautéed peppers and onions, cilantro, jack cheese, topped with their own special salsa, and chipotle dressing. Plowing this thing down made me feel like a UFC wrestler. It took some work and every bit was worth it. In the end it was not too spicy. It wasn’t until the second half that I started sweating.

A few people I know would come in here, get the same sandwich, and say, “It was ok, I don’t know what MEAT ME was talking about!”  Well I will explain. The name out side of the restaurant says Stray Cat “Café”. It is not a bar, cafeteria, canteen, chophouse, diner, doughtnut shop, drive-in, fast-food place, greasy spoon, grill, hamburger stand, hashery, hotdog stand, or nightclub. It is a café. So for a café the food was awesome! All the flavors were there, nothing out of the ordinary, but better than what I expected. For $13 it was great food and I ate the whole damn thing! Haven't done that in a while.

If you want to hate something, then hate the website. I go to the web site to get the address and it is impossible to find. Don’t get me wrong, may be it is just me, but how hard is it to put a locations button, or the address right at the bottom of the page. Not until I clicked on the Contact page did I find the address and a link to a map. 

As I have said before and I’ll say it again, “I should not have to struggle to find a good place to eat!” The easier you make it for your customers to find you, the easier it will be to enjoy your food.


Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I am just sharing with you mine. 


Haters are always gonna hate! And if you hate just to hate you can MEAT ME!


You can find out more about Stray Cat Café @
http://straycatla.com/


Stay wasted,
Sean Rice aka MEAT ME!

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