Good Morning, Friends!
First things first…
CORRECTION: I referred to Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse as “Ukiah Japanese Steakhouse” in the podcast version of the newsletter yesterday. Erps. Serry.
I also forgot to mention the other two places that Dawn and I went to on our snack and saunter in the newsletter, even though I talked about them on the podcast version. One of them was Ukiah, at which I had some excellent chicken karrang, which were very crispy, juicy, and tender chicken nugs that came with two dipping sauces, one of which was straight-up Kewpie mayonnaise! Deeelicious. Here’s a crappy picture. It was the best I could do in the waning light.
Just based on my limited observations, fried chicken seems to be pretty common in Asian street food, and in terms of offering it at a fancy Japanese restaurant in Asheville, and dialing it the fuck in, so that it’s awesome, I just think that’s a real good idea, and a perfect fit with what we love and expect here in the American South.
One friendo likes raw fish in miso, the other likes fried chicken with ramekins of mayo, Ukaiah has you covered. Everybody’s happy, and there’s peace in Friendship Valley.
At Ukiah we also got an order of their seasonal smoked pumpkin skewers, and they were even more delicious than the very delicious chicken nugs above. Aaaand I got an even worse picture of them. So bad, that I don’t wanna share it. But I fully intend to go back to Ukiah in the broad light of day — they are open for lunch now — to get better pictures, and another belly-full of the pumpkin skewers, and more!
WHAT’S FOR LUNCH
There were TWO winners in yesterday’s What’s For Lunch contest! I went to Ziggy’s Bakery & Deli with my friend Micah, and before I went, I had asked y’all to leave me suggestions on what to get. Karen K. suggested that I order the Philly, and John B. suggested that I take home a 1/2 dozen bagels. I did and I did, so they both win a piece of cake from Old Europe delivered via KickbackAVL!
One of the most dangerous things you can do is posting a picture of a cheesesteak online and calling it a “Philly.” People lose they frickin’ miiiinds over their personal definition of what a Philly is. So now days, I just say “cheesesteak” most of the time (and motherfuckers still be fightin’ me!) BUT all that being said, the sandwich-bullies and food purists can go get bent, because that sandwich, the one in the picture above? THAT’S a Philly. And I’m pretty sure that Gritty would throw a can of soup at you if you argued otherwise.
As mentioned above, I also got a half dozen bagels and a some cream cheese, and dang it if these ain’t the best bagels in town too! Best bagels, best Philly, plus I also got a KILLER meatball sub (not pictured) that ticked every box. Ziggy’s is the real-deal, Y’all. Get on down.
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