Old Forge Pizza means home for the holidays

Food Essay and Links | Compiled by Nathan Mattise

The holidays season is quickly approaching which means travel plans are quickly arriving. “Home for the Holidays” is a concept that seems to resonate no matter who you are or where you’re from. The concept incorporates friends, families,  unique traditions… and food.

My December always means a visit to the greater Scranton, Pa. area.  Northeastern Pennsylvania subtly offers strong cuisine like wings, Sheetz, coneys,  etc.  The undisputed king of my hometown food scene is Old Forge-style pizza however.

Every time I’m there I need a “tray” (that’s right, not “pie”) of either Lou’s or Andy’s. I can settle for Duke’s, Barrett’s or even a grab-and-go from the “Archbald Express Mart” (a.k.a. Propst’s)  as well.  It’s a distinct approach only available in NEPA – typically square cuts, sweet sauce, multiple cheese blend, softer crust and as good cold as it is hot. A slice of it feels like home as much as (or probably more so at this point) sleeping on mt parents’ couch.

With Holidays 2010 already underway or just days away, what food makes you feel at home in your area?

Bourdain quotes, a new reviewer, the best local coffee shops and upcoming holiday posts

Food Links | Compiled by Nathan Mattise

• In case you missed this week’s No Reservations holiday special, Eater served up the best 15 Bourdain quotes from it.

• One of the new Post-Standard restaurant reviewers recently penned her first piece on Namu. My favorite part: abiding by the reviewer ethos of anonymity.

• With the semester winding down over at SU and holidays from work just days away, the NewsHouse offers up the best places for some caffeine to help you press through the work.  (It’s missing some essentials – People’s Place – so you can always check out Pure Coffee to cover your bases).

• Finally, in honor of the year being almost up and the holidays upon us, a quick few announcements:

1) Diner Week 2010 is coming up in late December!

2)… so is the Diners Without Frosted Tips year-end list!

3) The best part of the holidays online, the Last Christmas blog, found a version that combines the loveable Wham! tune with..McDonalds… and bacon.