September 1, 2008 by admin.

Just got back last night from Reno and The Reno Rib Festival hosted by the Nugget Hotel. Sarah invited us to join her posse of festival veterans, Mellie, Maristelle and their families to what has become an annual Labor Day weekend trip the past several years. The festival closes a couple of city blocks and lines up the block in front of the hotel with food stands and the block acoross the street with arts and craft stands.

We sampled BBQ recipes from all over the country like Texas, Kentucky, Chicago, St.Louis, and one from the Caribbean, Jamaica. Here are some of the foods being offered, pork and beef ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, turkey legs, rib/brisket/pulled pork sandwiches, Texas Toast, jumbo sized onion rings, deep fried Zuccinni, grilled corn on the cob, and funnel cakes. I was so hungry the both days we went, I was unable to tell the difference between any the sauces and rubs. All I knew was that they were good.

There’s just something about wall to wall rib and beer stands that can’t be beat.

Young rib fanatics, Evan and Haley.
**The Accomodations**

During our weekend in Reno, we called the Grand Sierra Resort home. We were lucky to get a room this holiday weekend, because it was booked months in advance. But a daily phone call from Ethel to the reservations department finally paid off and with only a week to spare.

I have never stayed here before, but I remember seeing this building when I was kid riding with my parents. The hotel was built in 1978 by MGM, and at the time it was considered the largest casino/resort hotel in the world. Yes, the largest casino/hotel in the world was in Reno. This place is huge, with the casino alone estimated to be about 100,000 square feet, a size that you would be used to seeing in Las Vegas, and not in Reno or Tahoe. Aside from the casino, there’s also plenty of family friendly public spaces within the building like entertainment venues, restaurants, stores, and a spa.

There’s even a 2 screen movie theater that shows movies still in theaters. Tickets here are only $3 per person and the whole theater is filled with loveseats and not theater style seats…

A Round Table Pizza Parlor…

and a Johnny Rocket’s Burger joint.
Now here’s the problem…since 1978 the property has changed hands several times, from MGM to Bally’s, to Hilton and now Grand Sierra Resort. And since the property is so huge, it’s too large to renovate all at once. Each time a new owner took over the hotel, they added their own signature touches, but a major refurbishment has never been fully completed.

Notice the MGM logo still on the elevator doors in the lobby.

Have you’ve ever seen the movie, “Walk the Line”, starring Joaquin and Reese…Do you remember the elevator scene? I think it was shot in this same elevator.

Here are the elevator doors from the 2nd floor. I think this was part of the Hilton’s refurbishment. Not very appealing.

…there’s even matching carpet…

…and matching guest room door and room number.

Here’s our room, with the slightly soiled, beige, medium shag carpet. You decide, was this refurbished in the 80’s or 90’s?

A flat screen from the 80’s.

The view from our room on the 2nd floor overlooked “The Beach”. At night this area turns into a very loud outdoor nightclub. It didn’t bother me too much, but if you’re a light sleeper, avoid this side of the hotel. And the body of water in the background is Lake MGM, which is now used as a golf driving range.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this. Look closely and notice the Go-Go dancer dancing on the life guard tower. There were also two other dancers, one on a makeshift stage and the other on a different life guard tower. This was in the middle of the day. Kinda Hard Rock-ish.

Here’s the spa where Ethel was asked to leave, due to alcohol consumption issues. In her defense, she was not intoxicated, but since a staff member overheard a private conversation between her and Sarah laughing about how much alcohol they had both drank while at the pool, they refused service to her.

The Grand Sierra Resort Master Plan
The top eleven or so guest room floors have already been refurbished. And, I’m guessing, they’re working their way down, because there’s no way they can keep the floor I was on the way it is. Also, work will begin on a new water theme park early next year. There are also plans to fix Lake MGM, which looks like an ugly concrete reservoir and turn it into a Bellagio Style lake with dancing fountains. We’ll just have to wait and see.

jm
The Editor

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June 1, 2008 by admin.

AS.com is LIVE so Ethel can see whats going on at home when she misses us. We’re also testing new equipment and gearing up for another Hawaii broadcast…

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The Hunt for Cheese Steak

Earlier this week I watched a special on the Food Network about Cheese Steak Sanwiches. Of course, for the absolute best cheese Steak, you have to go to it’s birthplace-Philadelphia. I thought the most interesting thing about the authentic Philly version is that they like to use Cheese Whiz. They look so good on TV that it really makes you want to plan a trip over there. Since Ethel is only 20 minutes from Philadelphia right now, I sent her the address to Pat’s King of Steaks (pictured above) to sample one. But that didn’t help my craving for a cheese steak sandwich.

A Google search found a little mom and pop hoagy shop next to Evan’s school in Fremont. So I piled the kids in the car and drove to Bob’s Hoagy Steaks, 37404 Fremont Blvd. I got the Philly Cheese Steak (large-$5.05), Jon ordered the Mushroom Cheese Steak (large-$5.55) and Evan wanted the Grilled Cheese and fries ($3.50) from the kids menu. We took our orders togo and they really hit the spot.

I can’t tell you what a Pat’s sandwich tastes like, but they look similar. Pat’s on the left Bob’s in Fremont on the right. (WARNING: Clicking the above photos will enlarge them and make you go on your own Hunt for Cheese Steak Sandwiches!)

Jon’s Mushroom Cheese Steak. He liked it alot…probably could have used more mushrooms.

Evan’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich. I’m not sure if it was actually grilled. It looks more like it was toasted and then microwaved. But Evan didn’t complain. Notice they use steak fries.

I also ordered Fish and Chips (3pc. $7.45). The strips of fish were still crunchy when we got home and they use nice long pieces.

Don’t be shocked to see Udon, Terriyaki and Kabobs over rice on the menu too, the place is Asian owned. I saw other people eating the soup in the restaurant and it looked good.
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Big Island Bound

jm
The Editor

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