Hard Grubbin at Phoenix Landing ( pre-show, post work )

When a pal is going to see his boys play a show, a brah has to grub
down to prevent later situations (see The Adventures of Skip.) A brah
is well aware of the calories one should consume before a night of
beers and Friendship.

Tired of my usual fare, I went to hang with my Irish pals at The
Phoenix Landing in Central Square, Cambridge MA, USA.

A last minute decision, post ordering, I sent fair Molly to the back
to get this gravy boat filled with curry for my 'chips.' This is
always recommended at Hard Grubbin if you are in an Irish pub.

Sadly, this was the best part of my pre-beer grub fest. "What's that
wrapped in a picnic gingham wax paper?" you ask.

Well, true believers, I had ordered a buffalo chicken 'Warrior
Sandwich.' It looked great on the menu, with it's promise of it's blue
cheese and fresh bun. This was a clever deception, as this chicken was
fried so hard I nearly cut my mouth on it.

The worst part if this sandwich was that it was the consistency of a
dog chew toy. I felt like I was trying to get the ball out of this
red, hard, rubber ball.

I give this meal a Sad Batman.

Off to see Zim, Paul, Dennis, Danny, Damien ('Oh Hey Skip'), and the
unflappable Christian Brat back at the Middle East. I had best avoid
the Jägermëister this evening, or there will be chew toy all over the
floor. And that will be 'nasty!'

Jackson Diner- The Ultimate in Hard Grubbin

Jackson Diner
74th St. and Roosevelt Ave
Jackson Heights/Queens/NYC

Jackson Diner buffet truly represents the spirit of Hard Grubbin. An amazingly endless supply of quality Indian food. Every time I go I worry I'm missing out on some smaller, more authentic Indian restaurant in the neighborhood, but the Diner never disappoints. The tandoori chicken is always right on and they always have tons of options. The real challenge is trying everything. For the fiercest of grubbing fanatics I recommend four trips to the buffet. Round 1, load your plate with as much as possible. You probably won't be able to get to everything unless you bring your own bucket. Round 2 is the lightning round. Pick up everything you didn't fit in round one and put it down as fast as possible. Make sure to swing by the Indian Pancake guy, indian pancakes cooked to order by the guy on his blue tooth wireless phone. Round 3 is the all star round, go back and load up with your favorites of Rounds 1 and 2. Really savor Round 3, you've deserved it. Round 4 is dessert round. Grab some nice cooling rice pudding to complete the meal.

When you're finished, make sure you have a bed, or couch in front of a large TV. Block out the rest of the day because you won't be going anywhere.

Tierras Colombianas

Broadway and 33rd Street
Astoria, Queens, NYC

This place is awesome. Huge portions with a ton of options. You get so much food. I rolled with the Bistec a Caballo seasoned beef and fried egg. Kenny and Dave hit off the Pechugo de Pollo Asada, a grilled chicken cutlet. The rice and beans were the best i've had in a while. Gotta try the house hot sauce when you go over there.
I hadn't grubbed on Columbian for a while so it was a welcome grubfest. Check this place out.

Huge piece of thin seasoned steak with fried egg, cassava, potatoes and some sort of red sauce. See the pepper shaker for perspective on how big the meals are. A necessity for any hard grubbin fan. Medium price range. The meal to the below was $15. I'll definately be back to try the rest of the menu.

Hard Grubbin. Big Fish.

Fried haddock fish and chips from Zuzu (Special)

Niani recommended I go for the mixed vegetables along with the chips. I hear tell that this is just the regualar fried chicken batter at Zuzu. Chips were best out of that kitchen that I've had in a while. The whitefish was light and fresh. I added some salt (a bad habit, I know) and lemon
for the whole traditional meal. This was my work meal, but believe me, I had a Stella Artois and a Knob Creek neat soon after, as a digestif.

I had a long commiseration about how delicious this meal was with a kind Zuzu waitress.

I danced well into the evening at SOLID! with Flave, Jessica, Chrissy, Rob, and Mike until I decided to turn my attention to the ladies (and Red Bull vodkas).

Will "Hard Grubbin'" be the new 'Hanger That?'
Well, this meal and my night gets an overwhelming 'H-G'.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang
Centre and Walker St/Chinatown/NYC

Went back to this place today after two solid experiences. Pretty standard vietnamese/pho restaurant that had really good pho last time I went. This time, not so good. Summer rolls were loosely rolled and served with only shrimp (rather than the regular shrimp and pork). Pho came out and when I asked the waitress for a spoon she grabbed a jar of spoons from the next table and yelled in my face "THEY TWO SPOO HEE" Bitch. Automatic low tip situation. Bowl of pho was too small, probably good size for a normal person but not for your hard grubbin boy.

Then I found a long black vietnamese hair in the bottom of my soup. Fuck this place. Never going back. Makes me miss pho grand.