Month: December 2022

North Carolina

The Boy Scout Troop 33 Barbecue, Charlotte, North Carolina

Family is important. I can’t overemphasize that. Think of my nephew, Jimbo Tanner, telling me about Bum’s, B’s, and Grady’s, and his brother, Henry, telling me about the Captain’s Kitchen. Think about cousin Murray Johnston clueing me in to the Blue and White. I could go on and on, but you’d probably jump to a site that’s more intellectually stimulating, perhaps cat videos. The latest … Continue reading The Boy Scout Troop 33 Barbecue, Charlotte, North Carolina

John Tanner2 Comments
DC and Maryland

Logan Tavern, Logan Circle, Washington, DC

What a treat! My grand-nephew Jack Tanner, the new and much improved John Tanner, was back in town to visit Patterson Sheehan, who recently moved to DC from North Carolina. We all — Liza, Michael, Ella, Lily, and I — got together for a Saturday brunch. (Alas, Nancy was at a ladies gathering for a friend from Maine, Nancy Breul, who was staying with us.) … Continue reading Logan Tavern, Logan Circle, Washington, DC

John TannerLeave a comment
DC and Maryland

Bulrushes, Prince Frederick, Calvert County, Maryland

Nancy and I have been to Bulrushes a couple of times now. On our first trip we simply were looking for a new place to have lunch in Prince Frederick, just lunch, nothing special, and settled on Bulrushes. It’s a pleasant place, nothing fancy or elaborate, but preternaturally clean. There’s plenty of room, and the dark ceiling softens the light. You order at the counter … Continue reading Bulrushes, Prince Frederick, Calvert County, Maryland

John Tanner5 Comments
North Carolina, Top Places

Rest in Peace, Latham “Bum” Dennis

A truly remarkable man has died. Barbecue legend Latham “Bum” Dennis has gone to his reward. We are the poorer for our loss, but the richer for his life. Bum and his wife, Shirley, founded the restaurant that bears his name in Ayden, North Carolina, back in 1963, and it is one of my all-time favorite barbecue places. Make that one of my all time … Continue reading Rest in Peace, Latham “Bum” Dennis

John Tanner2 Comments
DC and Maryland

Bread and Chocolate, Chevy Chase, Washington, DC

I recently gave a positive report, one perhaps influenced by the opening cocktail of heroic proportions, and certainly by the company, on La Ferme. Remarkably, it was the first time for all four of us, even though both we and La Ferme have shared the neighborhood for decades. Here’s a report on another longstanding favorite that I’ve neglected, Bread and Chocolate. I had been to … Continue reading Bread and Chocolate, Chevy Chase, Washington, DC

John Tanner12 Comments
Other foods

A Tale of Two Green Chile Cheeseburgers, The Original Owl Bar and Cafe in San Antonio, New Mexico and Oso Grill in Capitan, New Mexico

I’ve been neglecting one of the all-time great sandwiches, the green chile cheeseburger. My nephew, Senior New Mexico Correspondent, Jon Berry, has stepped up to fill the gap. I was just mentioning his son Henry, a soon-to-be graduate of the University of Texas, in my review of Terry Black’s in Austin, and you may remember Jon for his report on Mad Jack’s Mountaintop Barbecue, which … Continue reading A Tale of Two Green Chile Cheeseburgers, The Original Owl Bar and Cafe in San Antonio, New Mexico and Oso Grill in Capitan, New Mexico

John Tanner1 Comment
Other foods, Texas

Vera’s Backyard Bar-B-Que, Brownsville, Texas

I recently wrote up five Texas barbecue places from the Hill Country. (Scroll to the end of the page.) Vera’s offers another face of Texas barbecue spots, the Rio Grande Valley. I’ve had one blog post (here), and that from the far reaches of the Valley, a place celebrated in song and story. Unlike the Hill Country, the Valley serves delicacies the like of which … Continue reading Vera’s Backyard Bar-B-Que, Brownsville, Texas

John Tanner6 Comments