The Search for the Perfect Meal
For a while now I have been searching to create the perfect meal. I think the definition of such a meal varies from person to person. However for me it includes something along the lines of
- Chicken Fried
- Potatoes
- Corn Bread
- Beans- green or baked
- And Root Beer
And of course for it to be the perfect meal it must be eaten at home.
I have been on a search for a few months now (about 5) in attempt to find the places which excel at making these items. My intent is find these foods and assemble the Perfect Meal. I have found many places that make a great chicken fried steak (cfs), so far its a toss up between Outback Steak House and Babes Chicken. Babe’s cfs is quite amazing, good quality meat with a surprisingly home cooked taste. Its almost like they have my grandmother stuffed back in the kitchen somewhere. Outback has a different approach to the cfs. They have added to their batter what seems to me like garlic powder (my best guess). Their cfs is absolutely amazing, the only problem lies with the size. Its huge! Now under no circumstances am I afraid of a giant piece of meat. However, when something is battered, fried and, over seasoned (to perfection) you can only eat so much of it before your taste buds become tired of the excess seasoning; at which point you are no longer able to taste the great flavor. This made me a little sad. I was proud though when the waitress came back and told me that I was the first person she had ever seen finish all of their cfs. (I may not look like much, but I’m a hearty eater.) Both restaurants have amazing cfs however, I think I’m going to have to go with Babes on this one. I just love that home cooked taste.I have found an amazing cfs but the search will never end. I am constantly looking to see if there is anything better.
While I continue to search for the perfect meal and all of its parts, my thoughts are preoccupied with how it will all come together. In order to have this meal in its perfection, I need cfs from Babes, mashed potatoes from Outback Steak house, corn bread from Grandma’s (my actual grandma), baked beans from Prairie House (I believe that is the name of the place), and a dang good Root Beer (Henry Weinerd’s). My dilemma is this- how in the world can I get what I need from each of these places?
My initial thought is utilize to-go orders; drive by and pick them all up rush home and enjoy. However upon further consideration… these places are way too far apart from one another. For it to be the perfect meal it must be eaten at home, and nothing can be re-heated (obviously nothing gravy covered can be soggy); its all got to be hot and fresh. This dilemma is indeed a most serious one. I have plenty of time to ponder the logistics of it all. The majority of my sides are only place holders until a more suitable replacement can be found. But still… its perplexing.
I will keep you posted to my progress of a solution. Please feel free to advise me on a suitable one.
also please let me know if you are aware of a more perfect meal or a locations where better food can be found.
Black & White 