Ken Dabkowski

Top 5

Oyamel - Mexican
Co-Co Sala - Chocolate
Ceiba - Latin fusion
Dukem - Ethiopian
Dheli Club - Indian

Runners up:
Ten Penh - Vegetarian/Asian fusion
Kabob Palace - Pakistani
Market Lunch - Saturday Brunch
Tabard Inn - Weekend Brunch
Wisemiller’s - Deli/Sandwich shop
Vapiano - Trendy Italian/Pizza
Ben’s Chili Bowl - Chili
Eat First - Chinese
Fado Irish Pub - Irish Pub

During my time in DC I have tried many Mexican restaurants. For the last three years, I have frequented Guapo’s Restaurant (http://www.guaposrestaurant.com/) which by any measure still has the best Chicken Enchiladas in the city, but has since been outflanked quality by Oyamel. Oyamel (http://www.oyamel.com/) has been around for awhile but until recently I hadn’t found my way through their doors. Once inside, you will be greeted by a friendly staff who will serve you the finest ceviche, guacamole, and margaritas in the city. They make it in front of you, the flavors burst into your senses, the spice is just right, the ingredients are as fresh as you’ll find them. The salsa is full and smokey. I never even made it to the main course, the appetizers were too fantastic. I’ll be back!

If you happen to have the pleasure of driving through West Virginia, please take a detour to Fayetteville about an hour from Charleston. There you will find a very large bridge, world class white water rafting and best of all, Dirty Ernie’s Rib Pit. My friend Sergio recommended this place almost a year ago and I’m sad to have waited this long to visit. The food and staff are absolutely spectacular as is the atmosphere. Welcomed by the smell of bar-b-q and salted peanuts crunching under your feet, enjoy tasty ribs, delightful broccoli bites, and a wide variety of other sides and drinks. The rest of the Ernie’s story is better told by their website (http://www.dirtyernies.com/de/themenu.htm) but is told as we continue the experience….

“Many years ago West Virginia was one of the largest coal producing states in the nation. Thurmond, a small town on the New River, at one time mined more coal than any other city in the United States. Thurmond also had another claim to fame; it was home to the world’s longest poker game – 14 years. The game was played at the Dunn Glen Hotel, and the only reason it stopped was because the disapproving people from the far side of the river burned the hotel down.

Now since all these coal miners were in the Southern West Virginia area, there were many small mining towns. Fayetteville, home of the original Dirty Ernie’s, just happened to be one of these towns. Coal miners in those days were paid in scrip. With the scrip miners could buy clothes and other necessities from the company store. This meant that they would spend the little bit of cash they made on food and Booze.

Most of these miners did their drinking in a small building on Keller Ave, that is today’s Dirty Ernie’s. The person who ran this bar/restaurant was a short old man named Ernie. Ernie always looked a little messy. He was short with a dirty beard, and he loved to use foul language and be lewd with the ladies; therefore, he got the name “Dirty Ernie.” Dirty Ernie made a great deal of money selling food and booze to the miners, but he liked to drink a little too much while he was working. Tragically, Dirty Ernie caught his building on fire while cooking and drinking. The townspeople managed to save most of the building, but Ernie was lost in the blaze.

Years later a family bought the building and operated a restaurant for several years. The family lived in an apartment above the restaurant and served three meals a day in the downstairs. Surprisingly, on several mornings, the family would go to work and find refrigerator doors open, oven doors down, burners on, and food spilled, but there were no signs of forced entry. After asking some questions, the family believed that their problems were being caused by the “ghost of Dirty Ernie.”

Several years later when we bought the building from the family, they told us to watch where we put our tools. When we asked why they said the ghost of Dirty Ernie would hide them. We inquired further, and when my dad and I had listened to the entire story, we knew what we had to name our new BBQ restaurant — Dirty Ernie’s Rib Pit! The rest is history and history yet to come.”

Now, I know this place has some sub-par reviews. Mine however, is not one of them.

Dot’s Diner @ 1333 Broadway St in Boulder (up the hill from the University) is a great diner albeit hard to find at the back of a parking plaza. I found the staff to be fun and pleasant with a bit of edge. The grunge factor is high, but I ask you, who wants to eat in a spotless diner? Certainly not me!!! Don’t trust em. I ended up ordering two different breakfasts as I wanted to taste a range of menu items. Both were delicious! Kudo’s! Go and visit!

Recommended by many locals as ‘The Best Subs On The Planet’, I must admit, the assessment was pretty close. Offering an endless possibility list, there is something for everyone’s taste buds. A nice busy college town combined with a nice drink selection menu, patio and friendly staff, makes it a must do for visitors to Boulder. 1215 13th St. Website visit: www.halffastsubs.com

Can enough be said about Hut’s Hamburgers? On a cold winter night, I approached this unsuspecting hamburger joint and upon entering was graced by atmosphere and smells hidden to the outside world. Super sized drinks are poured while you wait for the main event, one of many varieties of Hut’s Hamburgers. Serving since 1939, this place knows how to make a burger. Go there next time you are in Austin, Texas. Visit it here: http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~russell/students/spr06/huts2/aboutus.html

The Salt Lick is a wonderful BBQ joint about 45 minutes outside Austin, Texas. After a nice leisurely drive, a wide open ranch appears. Bring you own libations and drink outside in the fresh air while waiting for your table. Once inside, I recommend the all you can eat family style BBQ. Unlimited portions of brisket, sausage, ribs and sides continually grace the table and all of the meats are soaked in the Salt Lick’s rich BBQ sauce. A fun family or group experience, just make sure you drive home safely! Check it out here: http://www.saltlickbbq.com/

On a quick day trip to Martha’s Vineyard last month, I encountered a wonderful little restaurant called Park Corner Bistro in Oak Bluffs. Tucked away in a short alley way, I wandered in to try the swordfish. Wonderful bread, wine selection and fish - all perfect. My companion had an excellent chicken marsala dish. Give it a shot next time you’re that way.

Park Corner Bistro
20 Kennebec Ave # H
Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
(508) 696-9922

Check out the Dheli Club right by the Clarendon metro stop. All the food is fresh, staff service is wonderful and as stated in the title, the Buttered Chicken is to die for. Make sure to try their fresh nan, and samosas…yummy!

Online Wine Store When purchasing wines or liquor, this site has good prices and service. I had a small problem with my order and they fixed it to the best of their ability and were quite helpful in refunding some money. I give it a high recommend.