Animated Bourdain, sandwich holidays, a cookbook renaissance and one local chef

Food Links | Compiled by Nathan Mattise

• If No Reservations doesn’t give you enough Bourdain, Travel Channel has started an online, animated web series from the mind of Bourdain himself (*if that isn’t enough… Rochester).

• I saw on Pop Candy today that I wasn’t the only who missed National Sandwich Day yesterday (my thoughts go to Primanti’s).

• I recently acquired the Shopsin’s and Yuengling cook books… now the NYT declared a bit of a renaissance for the literary genre.

• Finally, I know he personally utilizes the Julia Child cookbook but here’s a step-by-step look at local The Baking Chin making mac-n’-cheese.

Diner Critique: The Firekeepers Diner (Nedrow, N.Y.)

Review | Written and photographed by Nathan Mattise

Directions | Web site | Overall Rating: 3

It’s not as flashy or as large as other geographic conflicts, but there is a lot of history between Onondaga Nation and Syracuse, N.Y.  It largely stems from the land rights complaint (as outlined on the Nation’s official web site) by the Nation against NY State. My personal, visual representation of it has been the giant graffiti’d anti-government billboard that welcomes you to Nation territory while driving on I-81. Needless to say, I’ve been told numerous times not to wander around off exit 16.

This sign pictured above is what should be the visual representation of the area. For locals, if you can get past whatever incorrect perceptions of the Nation you may have, you’ll get treated to a diner experience that’ll have you planning a return trip.

The Dean of Sandwich, appetizing apps, artsy food and more McD’s.

Food Links | Compiled by Nathan Mattise

• That’s new S.I. Newhouse School Dean Lorraine Branham trying my sandwich creation, The DBQ.  The school hosted a “Name That Sandwich!” contest to honor the new dean (in light of the former dean, Dean Rubin, being immortalized via… a reuben). I was flattered to make the top five but ultimately I came up just short (perhaps it’s because it wasn’t made with the requested cheese, inspired by Dorian’s “Texas-Style” Pizza).

• Yelp was first with the iPod augmented reality app, but does this one count? Starbucks has a pseudo-Starbucks card app that interacts with reality.

• If you’re artistic and culinary, you can make both edible faces and flags.

• Finally, with enough locations that it probably merits a flag, check out McDonald’s nation (in response to Subway’s math).

Diner Critique: Elm Street Cafe (Tully, N.Y.)

Review | Written and photographed by Nathan Mattise

Directions | Web site | Overall Rating:4

It’s not easy to resist the obvious puns when working with a entity like the Elm Street Cafe. If the cafe was more like other I-81 (or I-80) roadside diners, this page would be littered with Nightmare references and a Photoshopped image of Freddie Krueger making eggs.

A morning breakfast at the Elm Street Cafe demands better than that though… much better.

More reviews, two student food stories, the ‘Cuse tailgating guide and Subway mathematics.

Food Links | Compiled by Nathan Mattise

• I started writing some reviews for local media outlet The NewsHouse. First up, King David’s over on Marshall St.

• Two more interesting food items over near the SU campus – one of the residence hall blogs has stories about a self-diagnosed Taco Bell addict and baker who gets his materials from dining halls.

• With the budding excitement in the SU Football team this year, this fairly comprehensive Syracuse tailgating guide might be helpful. (Not to mention, they link to our Thee Diner review).

• Finally, what’s the largest fast-food chain in the world? McDonald’s, right? Well, soon it may be Subway…