Stopped by Union Pizza Works a while back for brunch, because it was clearly the easiest place to get a table in the area. Everywhere else was packed. I’m not sure why this place was pretty empty. Nice spacious spot. Good looking menu. My breakfast pizza tasted good. ello, Jefftown?
Union Pizza Works – 423 Troutman St (b/t Wyckoff Ave & St Nicholas Ave in Bushwick) Brooklyn, NY 11237
I’ve had the pleasure to go to the Barclays Center twice recently. I didn’t realize all the popular Brooklyn foodie vendors they had (Calexico, L&B Spumoni Gardens, Fatty ‘Cue, Juniors, etc.) Makes a lot of food sense and business sense.
First time, Sam and I went to a boxing match. I really wanted to try the famous L&B Spumoni Gardens Sicilian pizza. It was okay for $6.75. Decent doughy pizza.
And then I got the Calexico Loaded Nachos bowl $11.50 that I saw everyone walking around with. It was alright. Although I was starting to get the feeling that these places are not quite up to snuff compared to their real location counterparts. Like the nachos almost seemed like generic chips with more interesting ingredients than you’d get at Madison Square Gardens. I felt the same way at Citi Field. They have awesome local food branded vendors, but they are not quite up the quality you’d expect. But still, Barclays Center food is way better than say MSG, where it’s like generic overpriced skating rink food.
The second time I came back to Barclays Center was for the Amnesty International concert. Lots of great bands and a lot I didn’t even realize were performing like Lauren Hill and the guy from Boomtown Rats. He sang one of my favorite songs, I Don’t Like Mondays. I even got stuck in an elevator with Pussy Riot for about five minutes. I didn’t realize it was them at first. I couldn’t figure out why the elevator wasn’t moving, but some guy was trying to get their autograph, so the attendant kept it open. Then they kicked me off because they were going down to the off-limits area. Pussy Riot is cute. I gave the brunette a half wink as the elevator door closed.
I got a Cheddar Bratwurst sausage from Brooklyn Bangers. I figured it’s probably the same product they sell at other places and also Sam got a dog last time and it looked plump and juicy. I guess it was good. I think I put too much feexin’s (sauerkraut, banana peppers) on it. Should have just ate it straight.
Anyway, the point is that Barclays has way better food than traditional sports venues. But I feel like they all could do better.
Rusty made this faux chicken pizza sandwich –Two Jeno’s Pizzas, Three-pack of Boca vegetarian Chicken Patties, slices of fresh jalapeno and homemade fancy sauce. It was pretty good. Now that I try to watch what I eat, it’s kind of ridiculous that I’d probably eat a whole one of these back in the day. It’s not too big or seem too unhealthy (because there’s not a whole lot of cheese on it), but I’m sure it’ll give me a heart attack if I ate this every day.
I was walking from the UCBeast for some comedy and improv and I saw this new $1 pizza joint near the L train on 1st Ave. Joey Pepperoni’s it’s called. I can’t help say it without an NY Italian accent. It’s like that restaurant, Tommy Lasagna. I feel like I can’t even say Tommy Lasorda without an accent.
Anyway, I never heard of these Joey Pepperoni’s, but apparently there’s a few of them in NYC. I think they’re relatively new though …like within the past year.
I guess it’s pretty good. Kinda tastes like a $1 pizza –like a 2 Bros slice. They all pretty much taste the same when you’re walking home drunk.
I shook some seasonings on my slice and saw something that came out that looked like a squiggly hair. I figured it was just something from the oregano or herbs. On closer inspection of the photo, I think it was. …I hope it was. It was. Right?
Joey Pepperoni Pizza - 222 1st Ave (btwn 13th & 14th St) New York, NY 10009
Last night, Stephen Colbert took his TV show to the Intrepid aircraft carrier on the Hudson for his music festival (StePhest Colbchella ‘012: RocktAugustFest) –w/ Fun, Grizzly Bear, Santigold and Flaming Lips. The show was taped for all four episodes of next week’s The Colbert Report. So check that out, because the bands were great. I’m not familiar with Fun and it’s not music I would normally listen to, but I was impressed how well they sounded live. They were fun. And Santigold was awesome. I’m a big fan of her now.
I bought a sandwich from the Au Bon Pain stand there –the Steakhouse ($9). It’s funny, I’ve never had Au Bon Pain before. This was my first time. I opened up the sandwich and took some pics. Then the food cart manager came over and asked if everything was alright, but not really in a friendly manner …more accusatory, like I was taking photos to show how disgusting they are. That happens occasionally. But shit, this is Au Bon Pain. Not some dingy hole in the wall beef jerky shop in Chinatown. The manager did look like he could have been my off-the-boat cousin though. Maybe it’s an Asian thing.
I liked the Steakhouse sandwich a lot. I was impressed. Add a packet of mayo to that. It’s quite delightful. Good chunks of steak that’s flavored well. Now I know –Au Bon Pain.
The Colbert show even gave us three free drink tickets and snacks. That was so nice of them to do that for a free show. However, I really wouldn’t have minded if I paid for the beer. Because once I was done with my three, I couldn’t buy anymore. I asked a couple of cute girls if they had any extra I could buy off them and one of them just gave them to me. Wow, that was easy. I wanted to thank her later, but I was too shy.
Todd and Elissa were also at the show. Dang, somehow Toddles drank nine beers. He said the rainbow kids in the crowd gave them to him. Those kids were really excited to see the Flaming Lips and were all dressed up like zombies, elephants, rabbits and hippies. But Todd did drink too much and he had to pee so bad during the Flaming Lips. He didn’t want to leave, so he was almost going to pee in an empty bottle. But when he looked on the ground for one, he already found a full bottle of pee. He did the smart thing and just went to the restroom. He only missed Stephen Colbert and Wayne Coyne get inside space bubbles and surf the crowd.
Dang, I had a good time at Colbchella ‘012. It was a perfect night for an outdoor show. It  never stormed like the forecast predicted, although parts of the Intrepid were drenched with big puddles –as if it did rain on the other side of the boat. I hope it wasn’t pee.
When we walked back to the train, we stopped for a slice at Patzeria Perfect Pizza. I went with the Margherita, when I knew I shouldn’t. I don’t think Margherita works on traditional New York style pizza. The crust just isn’t right. It wasn’t bad, just thick and dense. I wish I was more sober to pick the Grandma slice. It looked good there.
Patzeria Perfect Pizza - 231 W 46th St (btwn 7th Ave & Broadway) New York, NY 10036
On my way home, I was listening to this audio-book “What Every Body is Saying” (ex-FBI agent talks about body language). I noticed these two young guys trying to talk to a girl down the subway platform. I was trying to observe their body language, especially the girl’s. Then I noticed that she was the same girl that gave me her drink tickets! I went over to say hi and to thank her. And then it got really awkward because we had 14 mins to wait for the next train and I had really nothing to talk about. So awkward. I think her body language was saying she wanted to walk away. And my body language was like I wanted to crawl into a hole and hide.
There are plenty of places to get beer and drink in the open outdoors at South Street Seaport, but the best deal has got to be Simply Seafood in the third floor food court (Pier 17 Pavilion –the big mall at the very end next to the water). Check out these prices.
And the large is in a huge styrofoam cup. $4.16 for giant Bud or $6 for giant Sierra Nevada/Blue Point. You can take it back outside and watch the bands perform, where they have $6 for a small cup of Bud. I believe the pizza booth in the food court is reasonably priced as well. I asked Nathan’s/Arthur Treacher’s last night about their prices and it was $6 for a tall cup of Coors Light, but not as large as Simply Seafood.
I took this large beer back out to hear Eleanor Friedberger. The band that opened, Ex Cops, was really good. I really dug their second to last song, “Spring Break (Birthday Song)â€.
Coincidentally, I made some friends at the show and one of them, Duane, hosts the radio show where I was able to find this Ex Cops song streaming. We all went to Lisa’s Pizzeria down the street so I could use the restroom. The pizza did it’s job and reminded me of 80’s skating rink pizza, but in a good way.
Lisa’s Pizzeria - 76 Fulton St (btwn Gold St & Ryders Aly) New York, NY 10038
Then they took me to a keg party in Bed-Stuy, where a band called Nude Beach was playing. I’ve been looking at apartment listings lately in Bed-Stuy. Some pretty good deals. But as I was leaving the party heading over to the G train, I got really freaked out. Everyone was partying so hard. It was like the young white ghetto, Bedford/Williamsburg 1999 (probably earlier). I thought shit, no way am I moving here. It’s so freakin scary. Then I realized that everyone looked like Rusty and me.
Funny enough, in such a sketchy neighborhood, I saw Asian hipsters with what looked like Prada sneakers and Alexander McQueen High Tops. Maybe this is my kind of neighborhood.
I’m happy to have Tio Wally (long-time Me So Hungry reader) aboard to send in his eating adventures from across America. Here he is in Lewisville, Texas.
Some people are so unique, so special that they’re hard to describe. Such is Freida, the gregarious owner (along with her ultra-low key husband, Richard) of Alfredo’s Pizza & Pasta in Lewisville, Texas.
I was introduced to Alfredo’s by a woman I went to high school with and her beau; I believe they’re possibly the handsomest Hog-straddling couple in Texas. I stop and visit them whenever I pass through the Dallas area if time permits.
On the way to the restaurant she described Freida as “one of those people who calls everyone ‘sweetie.’ You’re going to love her,” she said. She then told me an anecdote that turned out to exemplify Freida to a T: The first time she went to Alfredo’s she wasn’t able to finish all of her food. So she got a to-go box and asked Freida, How do I reheat this? “I can’t tell you. It would put me out of business,” Freida snapped, and walked away. A short time later Freida returned and said, “I like you, so I’ll tell you.”
It being my first time there, I was really looking forward to meeting — or should I say “experiencing” — Freida. Unfortunately she wasn’t there.
The next visit, however, I had the good fortune of meeting her. And she was everything my friend said. Alternately warm and no-nonsense, it was obvious she didn’t take crap from anybody. In fact, when I gave her some good-natured lip she was quick to let me know that her sons, who work in the restaurant, knew karate. It was hard to tell if she was serious about what seemed to be a not-so veiled insinuation that, on her orders, they’d happily take me out back for a good thrashing and probably toss me in a dumpster, but I got the message. Truth is, though, that Freida is a genuine sweetheart who not only seems to remember every customer who’s ever come in, she treats everyone like family.
On my third visit to Alfredo’s Freida demanded to know what I’d done with the pictures of her I’d taken previously (which she was none too happy about. And as you can see by the photo of Richard, he too was excited to have his picture taken. “Thanks,” he deadpanned.). I detected a complete lack of trust in my propriety in the use of her image. Evidently, in addition to being a motherly type, Freida is also an excellent judge of character.
The food at Alfredo’s is great tasting and a great value. Every time I’ve been there I’ve ordered either Veal Parmigiana ($10.25) or Eggplant Parmigiana ($8.50). The entrees are served with a side salad and a side of spaghetti, along with really, really great homemade bread (rolls).
I also usually get to-go orders of either Meat or Cheese Ravioli ($7.50 and $6.50, respectively), or an order of each. The raviolis are huge, about 3-inches around, and very generously stuffed.
My friends always order pizza when we go. I haven’t tried it but they say it’s great. The thin-crust pies sure look tasty though.
In addition to pizzas and pastas, Alfredo’s also makes hot and cold Subs, as well as a handful of both appetizers and desserts. (Damn, I just noticed they have a Sausage and Green Pepper Sub on the menu — my favorite! I guess I know what I’ll be ordering next time.)
Alfredo’s, which is open seven days a week, is tucked away in the corner of a little shopping mall. Although you have to look to find it, once you do you will be back.
By the way, I would’ve taken more pictures the last time I was there but I was sort of afraid … of Freida. Without reason, of course.
And so we roll.
Alfredo’s Pizza & Pasta, 2305 State Hwy 121, Ste 225, Lewisville, Texas
Tio Wally pilots the 75-foot, 40-ton(max) land yacht SS Me So Hungry. He reports on road food from around the country whenever parking and InterTube connections permit.