Ask Me Anything: What Was YOUR Worst Airport Meal?
Also, tips on where to eat in New Orleans, Milwaukee and Singapore.
Hello from Minneapolis! You had such great questions, and this week I have a question for you: What’s the worst airport food you’ve ever eaten? (You may remember mine.) Paid subscribers, please leave your tales of woe in the comments.
Hey, here’s a little news: I have a new line of frozen food available exclusively at Walmart.
Links!
• New Orleans restaurants: R&O Restaurant; Herbsaint; Nina Compton’s restaurants; La Petite Grocery; and here’s my travel guide.
• Irish chef Darina Allen.
• My recent appearance on the Bulwark’s Next Level podcast.
• Just some of the Substacks I follow: Michael Ian Black; Mark Bittman; David Lebovitz; Alison Roman.
• Grill stuff: PK Grills; Kamado Joe; The Big Green Egg; Fogues TX.
• Milwaukee eateries: Speed Queen Bar-B-Que; Kopp’s Frozen Custard; Sherman Phoenix Marketplace; Lakefront Brewery; Ardent; The Diplomat; Glorioso’s Italian Market; Birch; Sanford; Bartolotta restaurants; Lupi & Iris; Amilinda.
• Singapore: Wee Nam Kee; ENG's Wantan Noodle; Mellben; Jumbo Seafood.
This week’s questions
Elizabeth:
Great recipe. Ideas to replace fish sauce due to fish allergy? Thanks.
Denise:
Currently processing last of the summer herbs for winter, and I’m stumped with what to do with the Thai Basil, I have a lot!, one lil plant turned into a pretty substantial bush. Ideas??
Christina:
Hubby and I are going to New Orleans at the end of the month for the first time ever and would love to try authentic, homey and hole-in-the-wall food. Any recs on places and dishes to try??
Pat:
What meal could I make with a stout beer?
Jim:
I liked what you said in the Bulwark podcast about the farm bill. Have you ever thought of running for public office?
Marmi:
Could you share your Einstein Bagels horror story please Chef? I travelled this weekend with my kid and she specifically requested it since she remembered her favorite teacher bringing some for a class breakfast party. I resisted at first because you said it was the worst airport food in the world, but we were hungry so I caved; and mine wasn't half bad while my daughter loved hers!
Janice:
What are some Substacks you follow? Food or non-food OK!
Susan:
I saw your outdoor cooking set up on AZ's wild Game Kitchen and wondered if you could explain the components and what I'd need to set up my own? Also any brands you like.
Mary Jo:
Do you have a favorite spot to dine in Milwaukee?
Waynew:
We are going to Singapore in February. Do you have a must-eat place on the cheap?
Speaking of bagels. I’ve lived in Wisconsin my whole life, so I’m not an East Coatser that has grown up with bagel culture. But I have to say, a fresh toasted Bruegger’s Asiago bagel with cream cheese is incredible. I feel like they can hold their own for being a big chain.
Many years ago (come to think of it, decades ago) at Chicago's O'Hare airport there was a restaurant called The Tartan Tray. As a kid I remember spotting many times it as my parents and I raced through the airport on our way to catch yet another flight. Fast forward to adulthood and my 1st husband was a pilot for American Airlines and we frequently passed through O'Hare. I discovered that the Tartan Tray still existed and I just had to eat there. Now, granted, in those days food choices could be pretty spartan in airports. But The Tartan Tray sadly managed to bring that to a new low. The food was basically institutional food - bland, pre-packaged and nothing Scottish about it. To O'Hare's credit, there was a Mexican restaurant downstairs beneath the airport Hilton that was fantastic and eventually I discovered the International terminal's diverse choices for dining which made being stuck at O'Hare far more bearable. But my childhood fantasy balloon was deflated that day at The Tartan Tray, lol!