By RW-(the original)

November 8, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this

Jay B,

It’s not so much the economy that people aren’t dining out much. You can trace it back to when Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares started showing how nasty the back of the house was in most of our restaurants.

j/k

I did see an odd study that said downtown Atlanta restaurants were somehow much less affected. That was a couple of months ago though.

By getalife

November 8, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this

It has hit Main Street for a while now and Krugman said what they have thrown at it so far has not worked.

It’s a 9/11 type disaster that should unite the part time gop patriots like dusty to support our new President to solve w’s catastrophe.

My hope is that he uses the leverage in these bailouts to get green energy jobs and put America back to work with good wages that can’t be outsourced.

By AJC/DNC Management

November 8, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

I’m going to Katie’s diner tonight with Hair Plugs.

By RW-(the original)

November 8, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this

I get the feeling our host must be a superstitious sort since we have no post about the Penn State game up. I guess we’ll see that one around 7:00 if PSU holds their 2 point lead and never if they don’t.

I’ve got some Palin info if Iowa wins and you need some content, Jay.

By JAY BOOKMAN

November 8, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this

I’m watching closely, RW…

Penn State gets the fumble!

By RW-(the original)

November 8, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

Jay B,

Where are you watching? The listings here say ESPN, but they just have ESPN News playing.

And you’re up 9 now. The LSU/Alabama game is a good one too.

By RW-(the original)

November 8, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

Never mind the 5:53. It actually is on ESPN, just not on the ESPN HD channel.

By JAY BOOKMAN

November 8, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this

espn, but not espn HD. They must have lost the HD signal.

By RW-(the original)

November 8, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this

Jay,

They were probably scared to hit those all white helmets with an HD camera. The game might have looked like Iditarod coverage.

By JAY BOOKMAN

November 8, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

Plain and simple, RW. JoePa’s a conservative guy.

By RW-(the original)

November 8, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this

Jay,

It’s been a bad year for conservatives. It might be a good time for you to make your 6:16 disappear.

By JAY BOOKMAN

November 8, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this

That hurt.

By LOLO

November 8, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

I’ll be dining in DC. Best restaurants around. ATL’s restaurants are just a just a flash in the pan for the most part. They are here one day and gone the next.

By RW-(the original)

November 8, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this

Like I mentioned earlier, there’s a good one on SeeBS between Alabama and LSU.

By getalife

November 8, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

Hold em Tigers.

By getalife

November 8, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

Holding!

Ha!

By getalife

November 8, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this

Need a field goal to win.

What happened to Penn State?

By RW-(the original)

November 8, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this

getalife,

They lost on an Iowa field goal with 6 seconds left.

By getalife

November 8, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

RW,

D’oh!

Alabama is in good shape to win this one.

By RW-(the original)

November 8, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this

getalife,

It wasn’t as painful for me, I picked Iowa today. My only loser is Minnesota so far today.

By getalife

November 8, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this

Blocked!

Yes!

By getalife

November 8, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this

RW,

Minnesota looked dead out there today.

LSU starts on offense.

We need 7.

By getalife

November 8, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this

Crap, that Jones guy is good.

By RW-(the original)

November 8, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this

Game over.

getalife,

I can’t pick a game with Michigan in it right to save my rear. I just wish they would drop them off the ballot we have to pick for a few weeks. 14-1 going into the night games isn’t too shabby though.

By AJC/DNC Management

November 8, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this

With the Senate race in Georgia headed for a run-off, Sen. Saxby Chambliss’ campaign has been in touch with a fleet of prominent Republicans — including Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Newt Gingrich, and Rudy Giuliani — to have them campaign for the senator’s reelection over the next four weeks.

Meanwhile, kkkampaigning for Martin will be Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse and the rest of the ACORN crew.

By getalife

November 8, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this

RW,

14-1 is very good.

Maybe I should let you pick to bet at the casino because I am losing this year.

By RW-(the original)

November 8, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this

getalife,

It’s a 20 game ballot so I’ve still got USC, Texas Tech, Florida, Missouri, and Boston College to go.

By GodHatesTrash

November 8, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this

Just got back from an early dinner out here in Vermont.

There was a loooooong line at our first choice, even at 5:45. So we went down the street a little bit, and got the last table at our second choice. When we left there the place was still packed, and they had a line down the street too.

Our waitress said business picked up on Wednesday.

Happy Days Are Here Again!

By "The Corporal"

November 8, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this

It is quite frightening that so much of our economy is based on the service industry which is always the first to fee the pinch. When I was a kid we were lucky if we got to go to the A&W Rootbeer place for a hotdog and a rootbeer float once a week. Now, people eat out several times a week. Something has to give. We’ve really painted ourselves into a corner.

By getalife

November 8, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this

Something did give. We voted for change.

By AmVet

November 8, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this

So the Tide finally beats a decent team. (Sorry getalife.)

And the Little Eleven? Not yet.

The Sooners with over 500 points this year and USC who has outscored 5 teams 214 - 20 since their loss to the Beavers, still look good.

Corporal,

I can relate! And thanks for making me think about those rootbeer floats. NOT!

Consumer spending makes up 70% of the US economy!

Huh? is this really possible?

Are there that many spoiled brats at the malls?

And the unemployment numbers don’t account for the under-employed, I suspect many of whom had a good job once, but are now making those floats.

Our economy has been a house of cards for some time.

And the Wall Street thieves only highlighted one of the few ways left to “make” money (bad pun) - create false values, extract profits that don’t exist and finally have the paid off “legislators” exempt them from accountability or justice.

Time to brush up on our Chinese…

By Greg Mendel

November 8, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

Me and the missus do most of our own cooking. Grilled steaks tonight. No hassle. No rush. No yuppies. Fresh apple pie for dessert.

Creme Brulee next weekend. And rack of lamb.

Football? Don’t much care, unless the team has United or F. C. in its name.

By Just_Me

November 8, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this

My son, currently in culinary school, has worked at the same bbq joint for three years. Despite being the only one with the mandated “servsafe’ certificate, business is so slow, he works one day a week, and for six hours.

Not even making the gas money to make the drive…but local restaurants are NOT hiring-all citing a huge drop off in business.

I wonder how much longer my son’s restaurant will be open. I don’t think they will make it to see 2009….sad-little mom and pops are really taking a beating.

We’ve definitely cut back on dining out…it just isn’t in our budget that often…now we go out twice a month…

By Soixante huitard

November 8, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

I think Vanderbilt’s hit a brick wall.

By fedupingwinnett

November 8, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

We usually cook at home and go out on Friday night to eat and breakfast after church. Usually nothing special wings, Mexican or pizza on Fridays. We’ve been doing that for a long time. With the economy tanking though we may be cooking on Friday nights as well. That’s one thing we’ve noticed about eating out though seems like the restaurants are fairly busy or maybe that’s the night alot of people go out to eat.

By Just_Me

November 8, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this

Greg

Ditto-I’m a pretty good cook (I’ve been saying for years that Italian girls are just programmed that way-it’s in our DNA!).

I’ve been known to come home from work and spend a few hours cooking a great home cooked meal. Now, that one’s back at school, the other one, a commuter for the time being, is NEVER home, the husband works a second job 3 nights a week—-cooking has kind of lost its luster.

Thankfully when my son comes home from school after eating school cafe. food for a month or so, he is thrilled and eats everything I cook (and takes home all the left overs, to boot!)

By RB from Gwinnett

November 8, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this

I ate out tonight, Jay. Had a neighborhood block party with the pot luck collection of neighbors best dishes. It doesn’t get any better than that. I took some home brew too. Kinda fits with the home cooking theme of the evening. We didn’t support any local establishments, but we had a great time with great food and good friends/neighbors. Hate all you sour attitude liberals couldn’t be there.

Not really…

By Soixante huitard

November 8, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this

Did somebody say ‘rootbeer float’?

By Soixante huitard

November 8, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this

Hate all you sour attitude liberals couldn’t be there.

Well I’m miffed I wasn’t invited. Block party, huh?

I need to move to your neighborhood.

By RB from Gwinnett

November 8, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this

Soixanet,

Sorry, only working class people here. You wouldn’t fit in.

By fedupingwinnett

November 8, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this

RB from Gwinnett that’s sounds like fun maybe we should try that in our neighborhood….we’re working class mostly conservative (except for a maybe a couple of houses)on this side of Gwinnett too!

By getalife

November 8, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this

Sure it does RB.

Neighbors brought me some boudin, crawfish etouffee, fried crawfish, oysters, shrimp, seafood gumbo and blackened, grilled gator tail to watch the game.

These cajuns love to eat and drink and watch LSU football.

By Greg Mendel

November 8, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this

Just Me:

In my opinion, our whole American society would improve if we were to understand cooking and meals together.

Americans — some of us — trash the French for not being…American. Unlike us, the French (and the Italians and quite a few other cultures) don’t “eat and run.” They savor a meal — and the conversation it includes.

I’ve always been amazed by a French restaurant (in France). Nobody goes to one regularly. But, when they go, it’s for the evening. Two hours, at least. They are served wonderful food by waiters (few waitresses). Being a waiter is a lifetime career there, because they’re good and respected. The food is respected, as is the experience.

Our definition of a good dining experience is speed. Slow down for dinner, slow down for conversation — we could learn, enjoy, not need to spend as much money. Fast food is expensive. Good food, well prepared, is not.

Keep cooking!

By TN Gelding

November 8, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this

Thanks for reinforcing my argument, Jay.

Not the economy? Nah, not with fairy tale interest rates and irresponsible tax cuts. The economy has to be booming! I guess that’s why Mr. Duhbya will be issuing more stimulus checks before departing.

I’m glad the county health inspectors don’t have access to our kitchen.

By ByteMe

November 8, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this

We hit “Nam” tonight. Pretty full by the time we left.

Jay, you have my condolences on Penn State.

Go Gators! Only need to win out to get to the BCS championship now.

By Dale Gribble's GOP

November 8, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this

RE: Penn State

Heh, heh, heh, heh.

By AJC/DNC Management

November 8, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

Food is alright, music is better-

Shaggy ft. Janet Jackson - Luv Me, Luv Me

By Soixante huitard

November 8, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

Sorry, only working class people here. You wouldn’t fit in.

I fit into all neighborhoods.

Equally little, that is.

:-)

By TN Gelding

November 8, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

Greg Mendel

November 8, 2008 9:27 PM

And wouldn’t have as many gastro-intestinal problems.

By Greg Mendel

November 8, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this

Seriously — buy the book entitled “Smokehouse Ham, Spoonbread, and Scuppernong Wine.”

This is a non-partisan (but southern-partisan) recommendation.

It’s part cookbook and part southern anthropology. It includes the origins and recipes of southern Appalachian food. The stuff you (if you’re older than MacDonald’s) grew up with.

Great book! I always figured southerners grew up eating grits. I learned that if you grew up in the Appalachians, you grew up eating corn meal mush. The book has recipes for both.

If you think those old southern foods and recipes are being forgotten — and they are — get the book! You can buy it used online for just a few bucks.

By Hillbilly Deluxe

November 8, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this

I don’t eat out much but when I do the places I go don’t require reservations, just shoes and a shirt. (Pants too I imagine although it’s not on the sign).

I’m just a casual football fan but I caught Joe Paterno’s post game interview. The guy is gracious in defeat. I laughed out loud when a reporter asked him how he knew the field goal was good, by listening to the crowd, etc. Joe told him he watched the ball go through the uprights. What an ignorant question that was.

By Soixante huitard

November 8, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this

Dirty Harry trilogy is running on AMC tonight. Enforcer is on right now.

By Soixante huitard

November 8, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this

‘Nobody. I mean nobody, puts ketchup on a hot dog’ DIrty Harry

‘On a similar note I must confess to you, I’m giving very serious thought… to eating your wife’ Hannibal Lector

By HIllbilly Deluxe

November 8, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this

To Greg Mendel @ 10:02

I know what corn meal mush is. I also know streak-o-lean, cracklin bread, cornbread and milk, the difference between scuppernongs and muscadines, the joy of fox grape jelly, a homemade biscuit cooked on a wood stove, and fried ham that makes your head spin when you get up from the table. Nothing like a peach fried pie and I could go on and on. Nowdays I feel like a stranger in a strange land. I won’t die hungry though. :o)

By Soixante huitard

November 8, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this

Anybody ever had occasion to eat bunny chow?

(It’s not what you think.)

By Greg Mendel

November 8, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this

“Anybody ever had occasion to eat bunny chow?

(It’s not what you think.)”

(I hope not.)

By Soixante huitard

November 9, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this

Well, I’m gettin’ some champagne ready, but not for tonight. It’s for what’s coming to an Atlanta suburb near you in the not too distant future.

And it’s going to be so nice to savor.

Courtesy of the morning paper:

The Democratic president-elect carried Douglas, Newton and Rockdale counties. Kerry, in the 2004 presidential election, lost all three to President Bush by huge margins. Obama also ran much closer in Cobb and Gwinnett counties, winning roughly 45 percent of the vote where Kerry only carried a third.

Demographers have long predicted that the steady migration of nonwhite voters into metro Atlanta’s once monolithically Republican suburbs would eventually transform them into politically competitive turf.

To some, Obama’s showing in these counties suggests this transformation might be taking place faster than previously predicted.

“We are just one election cycle away from possible parity between Republicans and Democrats in Gwinnett and Cobb,” said Mark Rountree, a GOP political strategist based in Duluth.

By ron

November 9, 2008 1:49 AM | Link to this

I haven’t been out to dine in over a year and I have no plans for going out in the future.For me that is finished.

I pity the retailer that is expecting my money in his till this Christmas.He’s got all he’s going to get,and that wasn’t much.

This summer I replaced the origional rotors and pads on the front of my 94 Ranger.I find it disgusting that brakes only last 14 years.I did the work my self with the help of a handy dandy repair book that I purchased at a yard sale for 50 cents.How old does a vehicle have to be before it starts to appreciate in value?

The gasoline bill last week was $15.72

I have been able to cut my electric usage another 8%.I am down to 265 kilowatts per month.This was accomplished by unpuging or shutting off all electric using devices when not in actual use.The tv,vcr,dvd combination is all plugged into a power bar for easy shut off.Same for the computer.All of the little charging devices for the battery powered drills and lights are unplugged when not being used.The photocell controlled l.e.d. pathway lights are on a manual override switch now because the transformer drew 7 watts even with the lights off.A combined savings of 23 kilowatts a month by doing this.

By pogo possum

November 9, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

Jay, Just so that you know the lobster bar at Chops is just fine as of 11/08/08, regular sized crowd and one of the best places on earth in my humble opinion. God hates trash was there…..Right….. LAMO…..