Ernie Hiers

Excited about Eating by Ernie & Dora Hiers

/ Dora Hiers / 6 Comments

This edition of Excited about Eating takes us to Zingerman’s Roadhouse in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This restaurant serves local favorites from all over the US, including grits from South Carolina, crab cakes from Maryland, and BBQ from Carolina.

Zingerman's Roadhouse Fiction Faith & Foodies Ernie & Dora Hiers

Recognize these two handsome dudes? 🙂

Dora here. Don’t let that picture above fool you. Inside, the place was jammed on a Saturday night, and the picture below is only a small portion of the large restaurant. Even so, our server was friendly and didn’t appear rushed or harried, even offered some helpful recommendations. Kudos!

Zingerman's Roadhouse Fiction Faith & Foodies Ernie & Dora Hiers

No empty tables on a Saturday night!

For my dinner, I chose the Chicken Fried Steak, sirloin, breaded and fried, and smothered with chicken gravy. It came with grits, yellow mustard slaw, and bacon braised collard greens. This meal was outstanding. The steak was super tender, adequately breaded, and the gravy was just thick enough to stick to the steak. The sides were great with the greens having that great bacon flavor and the perfect amount of bite.

Zingerman's Roadhouse Fiction Faith & Foodies Ernie & Dora Hiers

Chicken Fried Steak-outstanding!

Dora here. According to our server, their Fried Chicken Macaroni and Cheese started off as a seasonal dish and was only supposed to stay on the menu for a short time. Ten years later…I can see why it became a regular favorite! This is probably the best mac and cheese I have ever tasted! Thick chunks of tender chicken (mostly white meat–which I prefer), the pasta cooked to the right firmness, and the bechamel divine! If that wasn’t good enough, they go the extra mile and add a nice char to the top. Excellent choice! Go for the large, even if you have to take some home. You’ll thank me later. 🙂

Zingerman's Roadhouse, Fiction Faith & Foodies, Ernie & Dora Hiers

Fried Chicken Macaroni and Cheese, some of the best I have ever tasted!

How do you like your macaroni and cheese? Any particular ingredients you like added?

We rate this restaurant 5 forks out of 5 for a family friendly restaurant serving outstanding food.

Zingerman's Roadhouse Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Excited about Eating by Ernie & Dora Hiers

/ Dora Hiers / 9 Comments

This edition of Excited about Eating takes us to Frita Batidos, a Cuban inspired street food restaurant, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Growing up in Tampa, Florida, I have been to many Cuban restaurants, but I can say, I have never been to one like this, with such a modern take on Cuban food.

Frita Batidos Fiction Faith & Foodies Ernie & Dora Hiers

Don’t come with expectations. This place is different from any Cuban restaurant we’ve visited, but it’s all good.

Dora here. Don’t come to Frita Batidos expecting entrees that you’d find in your favorite Cuban restaurant. No Palomilla Steak here. But their fritas (Cuban burgers) and batidos (milkshakes made with sweetened milk, ice, and fresh fruit) enticed us to give them a try. Get here early. Our son has visited a few times when the line to order ran all the way to the back of the restaurant and then back out the door. The relatively small interior is set up with long picnic tables.

Frita Batidos Fiction Faith & Foodies Ernie & Dora Hiers

Get here early. Our son tells us that the line runs all the way to the restroom and then back out the door.

For an appetizer, we chose the Twice Fried Ripe Plantains, fried but still soft and creamy on the inside. They were topped with a garlic mojo and it was hard to stop eating them.

Frita Batidos Fiction Faith & Foodies Ernie & Dora Hiers

Twice Fried Ripe Plantains Appetizer

For lunch, I chose the Inspired Cuban Combo, which included half of the ‘Inspired Cuban’ plus the ‘Best Snack Ever’ (layered coconut-ginger rice, black beans, melted Muenster, & cilantro-lime salsa). This sandwich was made with pork and ham and served on Cuban bread, but without all the condiments like the sandwiches I remember, still great. All of the ingredients of the Best Snack Ever mixed well to create a thick combination of rice, beans and cheese.

Frita Batidos Fiction Faith & Foodies Ernie & Dora Hiers

Inspired Cuban Combo

Dora here. I ordered a Chicken Frita with a side of tropical slaw, but they loaded it all on the bun, which was fine. The bun was soft and light. The chorizo in the chicken patty gave it a little zing. The sandwich was flavorful and filling, and I would definitely order it again.

Frita Batidos Fiction Faith & Foodies Ernie & Dora Hiers

Chicken Frita with side of Tropical Slaw. Flavorful and filling!

Still Dora. If coconut’s on the menu, I’m more than likely going to try it. And a Coconut Cream Batido? I’m all over it! Check it out! Thick, creamy, and coconut-ty! Delicious! 

Frita Batidos Fiction Faith & Foodies Ernie & Dora Hiers

Coconut Cream Batido

A bit pricey, I think, but considering we left with full and happy bellies, it’s all good. Frita Batidos definitely made it on our “must go back” list.

What’s your favorite milkshake flavor?

Frita Batidos Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

We rate this restaurant 4 forks out of 5 for a family friendly restaurant serving great food.

Excited about Eating by Ernie & Dora Hiers

/ Dora Hiers / 11 Comments

This edition of Excited about Eating takes us to a local Charlotte eatery that cooks their meats on the Big Green Egg using hickory wood and lump charcoal. Welcome to Urban Cookhouse. This “Farm to Fire to Table” restaurant offers a variety of salads, wraps, sandwiches and entrees to meet the taste buds of anyone in your family.

Urban Cookhouse Fiction Faith & Foodies Ernie & Dora Hiers
Sorry for the light streak!

Dora here. With a beautiful shady patio, we debated sitting inside or out, but opted for inside. Spacious and roomy, and we had the place practically to ourselves since everybody else chose outside. lol. This is an order-from-the-counter restaurant, but they bring your food to the table and refill your drinks.

Urban Cookhouse Fiction Faith & Foodies Ernie & Dora Hiers
Spacious and roomy, order from the counter and they bring the food out to your table. 

For my lunch, I chose the Wood-Fired Shrimp Kebab. Instead of the rice that comes with the kebab, I opted for roasted veggies. The perfectly grilled shrimp had a strong smoky flavor and a touch of spicy heat which also transferred to the veg’s on the kebab. The housemade ranch dressing raised a standard salad to great.

Urban Cookhouse Fiction Faith & Foodies Ernie & Dora Hiers

Wood-Fired Shrimp Kebab with grilled veggies instead of rice pilaf. Perfectly grilled shrimp with a strong smoky flavor and a touch of heat!

Dora here. Doesn’t this Chicken Salad and Fruit Plate look like a perfect summer dish? Believe me, it was exactly what I was looking for on this blazing hot afternoon. Wowza, that’s a ton of fresh fruit, and miracle of miracles, not a single honeydew. Yay! And there’s a good-sized mound of lettuce under the chicken salad, which was good and creamy, too smooth for me if not for the added texture of all the fruit. The citrus vinaigrette paired well with this dish, so light and fresh and not overly citrusy. I wanted to bottle it up and bring it home. But the star on this plate was definitely the warm orange roll. Oh. My. Word! Firmer than what I expected, with a hint of citrus, and not overly sweet. Happy sigh…Next time here I might have to convince Ernie to buy a bag of these goodies to bring home. And with so many appealing menu options, we’ll definitely be back!

Urban Cookhouse Fiction Faith & Foodies Ernie & Dora Hiers
Chicken Salad and Fruit Plate. Wowza, look at all that fresh fruit! And there’s lettuce down there somewhere. Happy sigh…

 

What about you? What dish jazzed up your taste buds this week?

We rate this order-from-the-counter restaurant 4 forks out of 5 for a family friendly restaurant serving outstanding food.