Huge Burgers and Onion Rings

We are Contessas.

We are not afraid to get our hands dirty (sometimes our clothes) when we eat. We love food. Greasy, tasty, salty, delicious, lick your fingers good food.

For this very reason, we ventured to the small but well-known Mike's Grill. Believe it or not, Molly and Katherine had never been. Kat almost graduated without experiencing bliss on a bun.

While I waited for my two lovely friends to show up, I sized up the establishment. Lined with booths and diner style tables, Mike's Grill is the perfect college town eatery. It features a simple menu (no flipping required) on a board on the wall. The walls are covered with posters from Virginia Tech athletic teams of years past, and also an eclectic variety of Greek prints.

I recommended we all order burgers, since that is the specialty of the Grill. We were on an onion ring kick and decided to split a basket as well. Three burgers. Extra pickles.

We received our burger upside down on a plate. Molly and Katherine were pleasantly shocked at how massive the burger was for such a reasonable price. Before we dug in to our less-than- girly meal, we asked the waitress why our food was upside down. She explained that they serve the burger upside down because when you pick it up and bring it to your mouth, you will flip it right side up.

They think of everything.

The tasty beef patty was on a sourdough bun with fresh tomatoes and lettuce and of course lots of pickles! The onion rings were not overly greasy or oniony for that matter (I'm taking the liberty to make up my own word). I think they're the best onion rings we've had in Blacksburg but if you know of any other places that might give Mike's Grill a run for their money let us know!

In fifteen minutes or less, we devoured the feast before us. It was all amazing. In between bites we discussed future plans. It's hard to believe we actually talked about anything when we ate so fast, but we did. The only thing that makes goof food even better is good conversation.

We left Mike's Grill stuffed and satisfied.

Since this is a food blog, I wanted to share that I'm trying a new recipe this weekend. I am inspired by the movie "Julie and Julia" and I've been wanting to make the bruschetta (pronounced brusketta) that Julie Powell makes for her husband. So I'm strapping on my apron and giving it a try. If it is a success I'll post the recipe and pictures. Wish me luck. But until then... happy eating!

The Return of the Kin- ahem, Contessa

Hello friends,

Let me begin the post by apologizing for our recent absence. The three of us have each undergone a fairly life-changing month, but that is no excuse for our disappearance. Don't be fooled, the lack of blogging does not, and will never, translate into a lack of eating. Now we will attempt to catch you up on our latest adventures through Blacksburg.

Returning for school before the majority of Tech students always has its perks. Molly and I thought it best to celebrate the week before classes with a lunch at Sycamore Deli. Walking in, we expected to see the usual crowd. You know, frat stars in backwards baseball caps, and a few locals (perhaps the donors of the myriad of caps hung across the ceiling?). We were initially surprised to see a large gathering of sorority sisters. Ah yes, rush week. I mean recruitment. Panera's line was undoubtably out the door, so naturally they were drawn to the next closest sandwich shop.

I ordered the Roxanne (I believe that is the one). I described it to Molly as perfection in a sandwich. Put all of my favorite things together... ham, cheese, salsa... on a fresh, toasted sub roll and I'm yours. Molly can't remember which sandwich she ate on this particular visit, but she claims it was excellent. The prices are wonderful, especially if you happen to catch them on a day with a good special. My personal favorite is what I like to call Meatball Monday, where you can order a footlong sandwich for $4.99 (and if my memory serves me right this comes with chips and a drink!)

We decided to go a little crazy and each get a side dish to best experience what Sycamore has to offer. I went with the potato salad, and she chose the macaroni and cheese. They were each about a dollar give or take, so piggy banks, have no fear. Let's talk about the potato salad for just a minute. Remember the 80s? Like hot pink, neon green? Ever go laser tagging and see your shoelaces magically turn bright colors? If you've conveniently forgotten the 80s or sadly never owned cool shoelaces, check out the color of a tennis ball. Or, you could venture to Sycamore to see the color of the potato salad yourself. I kid you not Blacksburg, that stuff is green. Before you judge, let me say (and feel free to quote me on this): Sycamore Deli has the best potato salad I've ever had. I'm not a celery person, I like dill pickle. Let's be honest, I don't even like potato salad that much to begin with. However, this creamy mixture with the perfect amount of dill crunch will live on in my memory.

Although we had a wonderful time at lunch we missed our dear friend who was willingly detained in Franklin County. We made the sacrifice and ate extra for her. For Olga!!!

With the usual crowd returning, so did our ease. It is indeed the same college deli it has always been. Please Sycamore, don't change.

Just remember, if there's ever an absence again, what does your heart tell you? The Blacksburg Contessa is alive. Yes, yes, we're alive.

The Contessas Welcome Sarah Carlson

Hello All Southwest Virginia Foodies!

My name is Sarah Carlson and I had the honor, neigh the privilege, of accompanying the Blacksburg Contessa on one of their food adventures. You see, it was the last week of school before Christmas break and Olga had already left for that strange state of Texas, so Molly and Katherine invited Lauren Flynn and me to fill her void. Considering that we are the almost exact definition of opposite (she barely hits 5 feet, I try to stay under 6) hopefully we did a decent job.

This Wednesday, we went to Our Daily Bread Bakery and Café. We hoped it would be good considering there's that whole Jesus reference and it would really suck if they let Jesus down now wouldn’t it? When you look at it, it doesn’t seem like there would be much. But behind a beautiful array of snowscapes painted on the glass by local artists there lies a very large bakery and café that probably has any type of carb you are looking for. Now the prices aren’t exactly cheap (~ $7-9 dollars), but the food is quite unique and very tasty. On this cold day, Katherine, Molly and I got the same thing, because we have the issue of liking the same things. We got tomato soup and turkey paninis with yummy hummus that really hit the spot on a cold December day. Lauren ever the dare devil got a quiche, which was also delicious. The booths, if you can get one of them, are nice and big and really help you feel separated from the hustle and bustle and allow you to enjoy your lunch and lunch mates more thoroughly. If you can’t get a booth then there are a couple of tables but not that much seating.

Now just to warn you, if you are like me and have a tendency of getting hit on by old men, the pickings are prime here. As I was getting water, this one old guy came up to me and commented on my water-attaining skills. Apparently, back in his day men looked for women had good ability of finding water and getting it for the family (how old was he??). But don’t let that scare you, the workers there are really nice and the whole atmosphere really got me into the holiday spirit. Since we were feeling so good, we decided to get some desert as well. Molly and I got delicious canollis and latte which made me feel like I should hop on a Vespa and ride the hills of Tuscany…but that might be because I always want to. But the most wonderful thing was not the food but when was Lauren Flynn turned on one of those robotic singing stuffed animals by accident. It was a dog with big floppy ears and moved when he sang, looking at the joy on little Lauren warmed my heart.

I feel like that best sums up Our Daily Bread: warm, and I think Jesus would be pleased with that. Until next time!

Carlson