Countdown to Hot Cornbread

NOB HILL--Maybe we should form a Grandfather's Cooking Group to share recipes. My little Robby loves to bake. Here he keeps an eye on the cornbread. I know cornbread isn't the most complicated recipe, but we both like it...especially with butter and honey. We just follow the directions on the corn meal bag.

We used to make a lot of biscuits with Bisquick. But I was reading the label and found they use transfats in the mix. Unbelievable. Well, we've moved on to cornbread for now.

Eating Cheap at the Route 66 Casino

RIO PUERCO--The billboard said the $7.95 buffet was '2 for 1' on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Well, that was enough for The Artist Ken Saville and me. We went. Then, a week later, we went again...this time with friends. Here is a scouting report.

First, the buffet is large and full of a great variety of things. There are 3 hot food lines, 1 large salad island, and 1 dessert island. One of the hot lines has what might be called 'western' food, including barbeque and tacos. Another has 'home cookin'...items like roast beef and mashed potatoes. The other line contains asian cuisine: fried rice, noodles, and various stir-fry offerings.

Ken and I visited every line and island. It took three trips...plus an extra two trips to the dessert section (small plates at that island).

I wouldn't say that it was the best food I have ever had, but it was certainly above my minimum standards. But then, my standards are heavily influenced by PRICE.

So we got a group together and went out there again. Everybody seemed satisfied. There were enough healthy items as well as comfort food to give everybody something to grab.

One thing. You need to get a Player's Card to get the special price. And then there need to be 2 of you...it is not $4.00 each--it is 2 for $7.99. Some people were teaming up with strangers at the cashiers desk. Without a card the price is $12.00.

And another thing. The compliementary Player's Card comes with $5.00 worth of gambling chips in it when you get it. So there's that.

Just stop by the service counter to the left when you go in the casino to get your free card. Bring a carload. You won't regret it...unless you lose more than the five bucks.

Post Ride Carb Intake...Lam's Chinese Restaurant

CENTRAL & RIO GRANDE SW--Yesterday I tried out my ankle on what turned out to be a 35 mile jaunt. It would have been longer except for an incident as I was riding past the Hispanic Cultural Center.

I was on my #3 bike, that beautiful road tourer, just cruising like a sonofabitch, when a bee popped out of the bushes and flew into one of the vents on my bike helmet. I tried to brush it off, but it couldn't get out. I was shaking my helmet as best I could (since it was still on my head) and hoping the bee would work its way to freedom. It stung me as all this was going on. Not only that, it kept stinging me until I could stop the bike and take my helmet off. Right on the top of my noggin.

Well, I decided to cancel the 50 miler and settle for the 35 miler...especially since my ankle is still more than a little tender.

I stopped at Lam's on the way home. I usually do.

For me, a good lunch starts with the word "Cheap." Ideally it would also be tasty, fresh, low-fat, and good carbs. As I said, I usually stop at Lam's. It is west of Rio Grande on the south side of Central Ave.

I ordered my favorite: the #6 off the luncheon menu. This is their jumbo portion of Szechwan chicken. It comes with egg drop soup, an egg roll, and a mountain of fried rice. Cost: $5.25! I usually splurge and get an iced tea. They bring a pitcher and put it on the table. That's an extra dollar.

The portions are so big, I have never been able to finish the meal. I take home enough for supper. They serve lunch until 3:00. It is always a pleasant way to end these long rides.