Eat, Play, Run

Food Fight: Longhorn Barbecue vs. Bronco's Barbecue

I need some help here. Where in Seattle can I find a good barbecue sandwich? I like both beef brisket and pulled pork.

I tried Longhorn Barbecue because I happened to stroll past it while walking through Pioneer Square on my way to Elliott Bay Book Company. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with the "hot" sauce. The pork was nicely cooked, very tender, and the sauce had good flavor, though not that much kick. 

I also tried Bronco's Barbecue a little bit by mistake. I was at Westlake Center and starving. Unfortunately, the food court kind of blows there, so I tried the beef brisket sandwich sandwich with 'hot' sauce at Bronco's. It was fine. Not spectacular, but it didn't blow, either.

I'll give the victory to Longhorn in a split-decision for atmosphere. There's really nothing worse than eating in a mall food court.

Like I said, Longhorn Barbecue is fine. But, I'd love to find a place that's outstanding. Any recommendations?

Food Fight NY: The Double Shack vs. The Double Stack

Y'all know how much I love my Shake Shack. On my last trip to New York I went twice. But, on my second visit, I tried something new.

The Double Shack, a burger with two patties, lettuce, tomato, cheese and the secret Shack sauce is divine. For the money, the best burger I've ever had. But, the Double Stack, which adds the vegetarian option of a deep fried portobello mushroom stuffed with cheese to a Shack Burger has always tempted me.

So, how is the Double Stack? Well, I'll answer it this way. I won't be ordering another one. While the taste and execution are fine, it's just too much... both in size and flavor. A single "veggie" burger from Shake Shack is enough to give you a stomach ache. The portobello mushroom is huge, and the melted cheese on the inside seems to go on forever. It's a serious gut bomb. Add a burger patty and it's just too much. For the first time ever, I couldn't finish a hamburger.

The other issue is the taste. I love the flavor of the beef mix at the Shack. Unfortunately, the stuffed mushroom overpowers the taste of the burger. 

In the head to head competition of the Double Stack vs. the Double Shack... Double Shack wins in a knockout.

Food Fight: Yummy House vs. Beard Papa's

Until recently, I always associated cream puffs, rightly or wrongly, with French food. You know, eclairs. I loved them. Shouldn't speak in the past tense... I still love them. Chocolate eclairs are one of my favorite desserts of all time.

But cream puffs are also popular amongst Japanese and Chinese food diners. Beard Papa's is cream puff shop that started in Osaka, Japan and grew into a worldwide phenomenon. I had first come across Beard Papa's in New York. I can't tell you how excited I was when I saw there was one here in the International District, located in Uwajimaya.

But Beard Papa's isn't the only cream puff in the ID. Yummy House Bakery, with two locations, a stand-alone shop and a counter about 20 feet from Beard Papa's in Uwajimaya, also makes a mean cream puff.

So, let me introduce a new feature: Food Fight, where I'll compare similar foods  from different shops/restaurants, and choose a winner.

Here we have a battle of cream puffs and they'll be judged in two categories: Pastry and Filling.

1. Pastry: Yummy House tastes fine, but it's a little heavy and soggy. Whereas Beard Papa's is light and crisp.
2. Custard filling: Again, Yummy House is fine, not overly sweet with a nice consistency. But, Beard Papa's is lighter, and while not overly sweet, seems to pack more flavor.

Well, this one is a first round knock-our for Beard Papa's (right, in the above photo.) Beard Papa's topped Yummy House in both categories. It's not that Yummy House is bad, but Beard Papa's is just really good!

See how I suffer for you? I ate two cream puffs in one night. By the way, you'll never see me doing a Food Fight on peas or spinach. But more desserts? Absolutely!