It’s not an often occurrence that I discuss food.  The process of eating has never been one that I find a special event.  Eating has always been a matter of providing fuel to keep the machine functional and nourished.  Sure, I enjoy scallops with a bit of butter.  Yes I absolutely get an occasional craving for bourbon sauce wings from Al’s of Hampden.  Do I savor a meaty, chunky-sauced spaghetti with a bit of fire? I most definitely do.  Are there many things more delicious than a home cooked breakfast provided by my father? Not likely.

So I strangely find myself in need of highlighting two of my favorites and pitting them against each other in Food vs. Food combat to see which comes out on top.  One of these meals I find I eat as a pre-gym meal and the other provides excellent post-workout nutrients.

Honky Eggs – This $6 mountain of wonder is provided by the Filling Station in Palmyra.  Mounds of chunky potato are fried with chunks of ham and scrambled eggs.  Pieces of green pepper and onions round out this mash and it may be ordered with or without cheese.  I opt for the non-cheese pile of Honky eggs and the non-buttered multi-grain toast which I jelly with orange marmalade.  The offering is a bit dry and practically begs to be slathered with ketchup, which I do.  On occasion splashing with Tabasco sauce comes into play creating a spicy variant on this culinary pastiche.

Neato Burrito – The pictures I have provided probably gives away the direction I am leaning in this battle.  It has become a recent monday tradition to visit Neato Burrito as my schedule has made the middle of my Mondays free and made my visitation more frequent.  I have also developed a penchant for snapping a photo of my soon devoured prey and sharing it on Facebook.  These multi-pound masterpieces I usually order in the For Those About To Rock We Cilantro or the Cowboy Crunch variety.  The cilantro version is a heaping pile of cilantro lime rice, black beans, sweet chicken, lettuce, tomato, onions, diced cucumber and a fresh salsa for a little extra kick.  Bundle this up in a spinach wrap and a divine meal awaits.  The cowboy crunch I blanket in a similar covering but the internals are barbecue chicken, refried beans, cheese, ranch dressing , rice, crushed nacho chips, and the aforementioned veggies.  Both options are terrific though the cilantro is only available on Mondays.

When visiting both places I take a book, stay a while, and take my time enjoying these delectable offerings.  The Filling Station provides a steady flow of mass-produced country music and inane prattle as ambient nose while Neato Burrito typically pumps a stream of alternative rock through the speakers.  The edge in the ambiance area goes to Neato as I often hear some of my favorites and certainly am more pleased when I hear Modest Mouse and not Carrie Underwood.

Final results…Neato wins.  I must pay homage to the classics and say I still really love going to the Filling Station.  Yet, if given the choice, Neato all the way.

Try them both though, and see for yourself…..

Humbly yours,

J

Currently enjoying…