Back in 2007 I'd visited Jeonju for their Film Festival and managed to sample a dish called bibimbap. No not a boxing videogame sound effect--a bowl of rice with vegetables meat and sweet chili sauce topped with a fried egg, the national dish of Korea they say but also Jeonju's particular point of pride.
So imagine my surprise four years later when this place opened in my town: Korean Bulgogi House, on 408 West Loudon St., Chambersburg Pa (717 263 0419), opposite the Sheetz gas station. The spot was originally a Salvadorian restaurant (not bad); then a Tex Mex joint (not as distinctive); then decided to abandon the Latin vibe and go Asian--and this was the result.
Labor Day, and didn't have the cash to buy steaks, so what did I do when confronted with M & M Meats' glass display counter at Jim's Farmer's Market downtown?
Bought ribs.
Not just any rib, beef ribs. Megasized contusion-forming-when-swung-at-head ribs. Meaty mighty megalomanically massive ribs. Of beef.
INKAntado
Anthony Bourdain in his old TV show No Reservations made an impulse visit to a legendary hole-in-the-wall in Washington DC called El Pollo Rico, which served something called Peruvian roast chicken (the segment starts 18 minutes into the show). The place was packed, and not just with regulars; out-of-state visitors and even foreign tourists have lined up to order, including myself.
Now our little burg has acquired our very own Peruvian chicken joint, and I don't have to drive ninety minutes to order; just take Route 30 east of I-81, right next to KFC to try some of the best chicken in town.
You heard me. I say this standing next to the Chambersburg Branch of Korporate Franchised Chicken, with a straight solemn face.
"Best chicken in town."
How spoiled can we be when we have our own creamery (actually there are others--we'll get to them)? Our own buttery milk, our own buttery chocolate milk, our own organic ice cream, our own cheddar?
Andrews Farm Market west of St. Thomas, PA doesn't really look like a fruit store, more a warehouse or barn...but between you and me and the walnut tree they put out some of the sweetest juiciest local fruits I've ever eaten, and believe me I've had a few.
The end of summer
Fall just around the corner (no really--turn right and there's a five foot drop) and I have yet to grill. Believe it or not, have not broken out the giant bag of All-Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal, to smolder away in a starter chimney (Charcoal starter easier you say? Why would I want to eat gasoline flavored meat? Gas grill? 1) I like making things harder for myself; and 2) I like the smoky primordial uncertainty of it all, cooking the way my Cro-Magnon ancestors did, millennia ago).
Momma B's
I promised to write about local eats, and you can't get any more local than this: located on 565 Lincoln Highway East past the hospital and nestled under the neighborhood Travelodge, Momma B's owner promises always fresh never frozen meats and fishes, locally sourced, reasonably priced, simple diner fare, cooked in what may be the cleanest kitchen in town (the owner/chef/manager is willing to have you step in and take a look yourself if you like--he's that proud of his establishment).
