Double, Double, Toil & Trouble: a Halloween-inspired trip of “two’s” – an October 2016 TR

[Mrs Doubtfire]

We wanted to hit Steak n Shake after reading your previous reviews but just never seemed to fit it in. If you are going to try different places in Orlando (other than the chains) I have read good things about Kekes breakfast cafe and Teak Neighbourhood Grill, that apparently does a mean burger, so Steve should enjoy it. Have you got anything on the radar for your next trip?

 

[disneyAndi14]

Those milkshakes looks so good. I love onion rings and those ones looked awesome, I'm hungry now lol!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We wanted to hit Steak n Shake after reading your previous reviews but just never seemed to fit it in. If you are going to try different places in Orlando (other than the chains) I have read good things about Kekes breakfast cafe and Teak Neighbourhood Grill, that apparently does a mean burger, so Steve should enjoy it. Have you got anything on the radar for your next trip?

Teak is definitely still on our must-do list. Steve and I read the menu once and he was quite intrigued by their burger line up .

We've actually done quite a bit of chatting about which places we want to dine at in May. Toothsome is a must-do (we LOVED it there in December) and we want to try NBC Sports Grill for the first time. We will also do Capone's (yes, again.....we're on a first name basis with the servers after our second visit this past December ) and we'd like to return to Margaritaville, Trail's End, Millers Ale House, and Longhorns. So....that' pretty much accounts for each of of our nights. Which reminds me, I should get looking for a Trail's End ADR. Hopefully I can still snag a good time.

Those milkshakes looks so good. I love onion rings and those ones looked awesome, I'm hungry now lol!

A small (and probably useless) tidbit about the milkshakes: those in Orlando are much chunkier than they serve at our local S&S here in Michigan. The ones we have had in Orlando have always had such big pieces of mix-ins in the shake, but here in MI they were blended almost totally smooth (so you get the flavour but without the chunks). I'm not sure why I even felt the need to share that, but there ya go .

 

[eyehartdisney]

Now, two days ago she tells me she wants a special dinner. UGGG! At this late date there is very little available that 1, fits our plans and 2, fits her palate. I managed to snag a 7pm at Kona but will continue to see if something inside MK opens up. I had planned to order a fancy cake from the cake hotline but now with her wanting a TS dinner the cake is a no.

What about 1900 park fare? They almost always have openings.



I'm surprised y'all like steak and shake. They're almost always god awful food around where I am. For cheap burgers, our go-to has always been Checkers. They have a 4 for 3 dollar menu I would kill for. Their apple pies are awesome. Just whatever you do, don't do Krystals. Y'all will never come back to Florida if you try that, lol.

 

[Monykalyn]

Ah yes, my retirement . Hopefully the CIS finds it in the corner of their heart to issue my EAD swiftly so I can get out of the house and make some connections here. Not to mention a little extra spending money. This 'kept woman' thing is only a state I wish to maintain for so long. I've already reached Crazy Cat Lady status and I almost fear what might be next!!

1-Have you seen the report of Jimmy Buffett's retirement community plans? Margaritavile?
2-I tried to do the SAHM thing for a very short stint. Or even cut back-part time works for me very well. I just can't figure out what to do all day when I am home-even chores don't take all day!
3-As you have seen on FB already - the little guy and I stopped at Steak n Shake last night-and I blame you LOLOL! Although I did promise him ice cream after the game and he decided on shake for his ice cream. Our shakes have the big chunks in them too. I always go with my favorite Nutella...and the parmesan fries...and loaded double steakburger...Was soooo full when we got hoe last night I ended up cleaning the house for 2 hours-had to work off the calories (maybe 10 sips of that shake ), so now I am lounging instead of cleaning today!

 

[afan]

All this talk of Steak n Shake is making me miss it. I may need to figure out how to fit it in to the Charlotte portion of my trip in May. There's one in downtown Seattle that opened last summer, but it's not convenient since you have to get downtown and then pay to park. I don't go downtown often and have no reason to, other than the steak and shake. I've never had a shake there and most often hit the drive thru on my lunch break or on the way home.

 

[dancin Disney style]

What about 1900 park fare? They almost always have openings.

We've been to 1900 several times but it's not available on the 12th. There is very little available next Sunday anywhere near MK.

I found an opening at the Skipper Canteen and showed DD the menu with pictures and while she didn't get excited she said OK.

I think it's time to go back to calling her Grumpy Cat.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

What about 1900 park fare? They almost always have openings.

I'm surprised y'all like steak and shake. They're almost always god awful food around where I am. For cheap burgers, our go-to has always been Checkers. They have a 4 for 3 dollar menu I would kill for. Their apple pies are awesome. Just whatever you do, don't do Krystals. Y'all will never come back to Florida if you try that, lol.

Steak & Shake has been consistently great for us....even here in MI. Checkers, however, has been a total bust the last two times we were there (both the one in Orlando and at one closer to Keananville). The last time, the food was so bad we swore never again....and have stuck to that. The staff has also been terrible. It's too bad, too, because the restaurant itself had so much potential.

1-Have you seen the report of Jimmy Buffett's retirement community plans? Margaritavile?
2-I tried to do the SAHM thing for a very short stint. Or even cut back-part time works for me very well. I just can't figure out what to do all day when I am home-even chores don't take all day!
3-As you have seen on FB already - the little guy and I stopped at Steak n Shake last night-and I blame you LOLOL! Although I did promise him ice cream after the game and he decided on shake for his ice cream. Our shakes have the big chunks in them too. I always go with my favorite Nutella...and the parmesan fries...and loaded double steakburger...Was soooo full when we got hoe last night I ended up cleaning the house for 2 hours-had to work off the calories (maybe 10 sips of that shake ), so now I am lounging instead of cleaning today!

I did read about the Margaritaville-inspired retirement community!! I can bet ya'll know where Steve and I want to spend our golden years now!!

So far I've been able to keep relatively busy even though I haven't been working. We've had a ton of paperwork to do....lots of forms to complete, expense reports to submit, and a million other tasks from arranging for new insurance coverages to importing vehicles and everything in between. There's been a ridiculous amount of administration for a cross-border move, probably even more than I was expecting. Along with the moving related items, I have done the photobooks for both our October and December trips, drafted a new resume, worked on my cover letter, sorted and purged more of our stuff (trying to live a less cluttered lifestyle) and of course, spending some time each day writing an entry my trip report. The kittens keep me busy (they love, love, LOVE to play) and I devote an hour or so daily to keep in touch with Jake, mom, and friends back home. And I'm loving the time to cook and bake! I have missed my time in the kitchen and its so fun to have a really nice meal waiting for Steve every night when he comes home. By the time I receive my employment authorization card, though, I'll be more than ready to return to the workforce, even if its just a part-time retail position. I would be a great greeter at Walmart, don'tcha think?

I saw your FB post about Steak & Shake and it totally made me smile! Your little man is such a cutie . I miss my Jake being that small.

All this talk of Steak n Shake is making me miss it. I may need to figure out how to fit it in to the Charlotte portion of my trip in May. There's one in downtown Seattle that opened last summer, but it's not convenient since you have to get downtown and then pay to park. I don't go downtown often and have no reason to, other than the steak and shake. I've never had a shake there and most often hit the drive thru on my lunch break or on the way home.

Promise me you'll order a shake if you are able to visit a Steak & Shake in Charlotte. They are so, so good. And if you go between 2 and 5 pm (or 2 and 5 am, if you happen to be an insomniac ) they are all half price.

We've been to 1900 several times but it's not available on the 12th. There is very little available next Sunday anywhere near MK.

I found an opening at the Skipper Canteen and showed DD the menu with pictures and while she didn't get excited she said OK.

I think it's time to go back to calling her Grumpy Cat.

I'm with Grumpy Cat. Skipper Canteen looks cool but I'm not thrilled with the menu options.

Did you take my advice and order her the birthday cake?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

So sorry I didn't get any entry up today: we headed out first thing this morning and spent the day touring the Toledo Zoo. The sun was shining, it was comfortably warm, and it would have been a shame to waste such lovely weather by staying cooped up inside. Tomorrow is 'cleaning day' (ah, aren't Monday's grand?) but I will try to get something up later in the day if at all possible.

In the meantime, we have scratched another state of our American bucket list. With today's road trip, we've visited Michigan, New York, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Florida. Only 43 more to go .

Here's a few photos of today's adventures:

 

[afan]

We've been to 1900 several times but it's not available on the 12th. There is very little available next Sunday anywhere near MK.

I found an opening at the Skipper Canteen and showed DD the menu with pictures and while she didn't get excited she said OK.

I think it's time to go back to calling her Grumpy Cat.

I'm with Grumpy Cat. Skipper Canteen looks cool but I'm not thrilled with the menu options.

I wasn't sure about the menu either, but we wanted to have lunch there. The Tastes Like Chicken Because it is. OMG sooooooooo gooooooood. And they won't share the recipe They said the breading had hong kong flour. I asked my friend that graduated from culinary school and sent her a photo of what was left of my chicken so she could see the batter and she has no idea.

The chicken isn't spicy, just well flavored, crunchy and good.

The only bummer was I asked to substitute for jasmine rice and either the way they do it is different or it's not the same as the jasmine rice I steam at home. It was still ok but wasn't something I would seek out again like the chicken.

For a place I thought I wouldn't like, as long as this dish stays on the menu, Skipper's Canteen will be a must for every trip.

Promise me you'll order a shake if you are able to visit a Steak & Shake in Charlotte. They are so, so good. And if you go between 2 and 5 pm (or 2 and 5 am, if you happen to be an insomniac ) they are all half price.

It'll all depend on when we go If we do it for lunch after I run the 5k in the morning I can see a shake being part of it, otherwise it ends up being too much food to have a burger, fries and a shake. I don't want to substitute the shake for fries. The shakes at Five Guys are good. The only downfall was I got it to go and had it basically done by the time I got home and then didn't eat all my burger or as man fries as normal.

 

[Lynne G]

The zoo looked like fun and what a beautiful day it looked out. Road trips are growing on ya, now that you are state side.

With the free entry to Canadian parks, we may do a road trip this summer to use the free pass. I'll let ya know if I'll be around some of your old or new stomping grounds.

Nice update.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I wasn't sure about the menu either, but we wanted to have lunch there. The Tastes Like Chicken Because it is. OMG sooooooooo gooooooood. And they won't share the recipe They said the breading had hong kong flour. I asked my friend that graduated from culinary school and sent her a photo of what was left of my chicken so she could see the batter and she has no idea.

The chicken isn't spicy, just well flavored, crunchy and good.

The only bummer was I asked to substitute for jasmine rice and either the way they do it is different or it's not the same as the jasmine rice I steam at home. It was still ok but wasn't something I would seek out again like the chicken.

For a place I thought I wouldn't like, as long as this dish stays on the menu, Skipper's Canteen will be a must for every trip.

Good to hear! GC just doesn't read past the flowery descriptions on the menus so everything is a no to her. I think I got the half hearted OK because there were pictures. The steak looks like steak, nothing crazy. She also is not willing to spend some time looking at this stuff...pics/reviews. Two years ago I too k her to GFC because I thought the menu was simple enough for her. We got there and she says there is nothing for her to order. The menu then was basically pasta, burgers and salmon. Makes her sound picky doesn't it? I guess she is a little.

 

[bankr63]

I did read about the Margaritaville-inspired retirement community!! I can bet ya'll know where Steve and I want to spend our golden years now!!

Searching for your lost shaker of salt?
(you gotta watch out for that early onset dementia!)

Promise me you'll order a shake if you are able to visit a Steak & Shake in Charlotte. They are so, so good. And if you go between 2 and 5 pm (or 2 and 5 am, if you happen to be an insomniac ) they are all half price.

Hmmm, now that is a tempting side trip. We'll be driving right by around 3:00pm Saturday. A shortish detour off the I-77. But then we'll only be 4 hours out from our destination and looking forward to the smell of the ocean air...
We often stop in Charlotte for a final stop at the most northern location of Burger 21, our favorite small US burger chain.

 

[bankr63]

In the meantime, we have scratched another state of our American bucket list. With today's road trip, we've visited Michigan, New York, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Florida. Only 43 more to go .

Hmm, that got me wondering, so I pulled up the map and started counting - 18 of 50 so far (1/3 of the way there!), and we would love to knock them all off eventually as that retirement age nears. For the record, I've done OH, WV, VA, PA, MD, DE, NJ, NY, CT, MA, NH, VT, ME, NC, SC, GA, FL, and CA. WV might be a bit of stretch as I've driven across it 3 times, but never actually stopped. An honorable mention to MI as I've been within sight of it a couple of times from Windsor, but never actually entered. Boy, travelling is fun! Can you tell I'm getting excited for another huge road trip on Friday?

ETA: As JaxDad points out my sense of geography is off (or I just can't type). There are 50 states, not 53. Canada is still growing (see Nunavut), but it's been a while since that number changed for our southern neighbors.

 

[JaxDad]

Hmm, that got me wondering, so I pulled up the map and started counting - 18 of 53 so far (1/3 of the way there!), and we would love to knock them all off eventually as that retirement age nears. For the record, I've done OH, WV, VA, PA, MD, DE, NJ, NY, CT, MA, NH, VT, ME, NC, SC, GA, FL, and CA. WV might be a bit of stretch as I've driven across it 3 times, but never actually stopped. An honorable mention to MI as I've been within sight of it a couple of times from Windsor, but never actually entered. Boy, travelling is fun! Can you tell I'm getting excited for another huge road trip on Friday?

53?

 

[TwoMisfits]

In the meantime, we have scratched another state of our American bucket list. With today's road trip, we've visited Michigan, New York, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Florida. Only 43 more to go .

Hmm, now this got me thinking...I've done...
Maine
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Maryland
DC (not a state, but still)
Virginia
West Virginia
Ohio
Kentucky
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
Alabama
Texas
Oklahoma
Kansas
Nebraska
Missouri
Iowa
Illinois
Indiana
California

Knocking Tennessee off this summer...so that will give me 28 (out of 51 if DC counts)...I still have a lot of work on the North and Southwest...maybe I should turn this into a bucket list...but it is hard to get excited for really cold weather and huge states - now Nevada and Arizona and Hawaii (and Alaska on a cruise) - those I could plan tomorrow!

 

[juniorbugman]

So I too had to go and check out how many states that I have visited.
Hmm, now this got me thinking...I've done...
Maine
Vermont
Connecticut
Rhode Island
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Maryland
Virginia
West Virginia
Ohio
Kentucky
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
Alabama
Minnesota
Indiana
Michigan
California
Nevada
Arizona
Alaska
Hawaii
DC (not a state, but still)
Puerto Rico & US Virgin Islands
So 28 so far plus DC and 2 territories. I need to get to the western and mid-west states to complete my map.
Judy

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

The zoo looked like fun and what a beautiful day it looked out. Road trips are growing on ya, now that you are state side.

With the free entry to Canadian parks, we may do a road trip this summer to use the free pass. I'll let ya know if I'll be around some of your old or new stomping grounds.

Nice update.

Weekends can be kind of tough on the emotions when we're so far away from friends and family. To combat the lonelies, we have tried to pick one place to go (or something fun to do) each Sunday rather than sitting around and missing our loved ones. There are so many things within an easy drive of this area, its been a lot of fun checking out something new each week. I can't wait until the weather is even nicer and we can spend some time at the state parks here in MI. We'll be looking for some nice beaches and some pleasant trails for walking.

I would love for you to drop in if you happen to venture to Michigan! Pennsylvania is another state we have yet to make it to, and I've been eyeing up Pittsburgh....its only about 4 hours from home. I need to check out what fun things there might be to do for an overnight Saturday/Sunday visit.

Good to hear! GC just doesn't read past the flowery descriptions on the menus so everything is a no to her. I think I got the half hearted OK because there were pictures. The steak looks like steak, nothing crazy. She also is not willing to spend some time looking at this stuff...pics/reviews. Two years ago I too k her to GFC because I thought the menu was simple enough for her. We got there and she says there is nothing for her to order. The menu then was basically pasta, burgers and salmon. Makes her sound picky doesn't it? I guess she is a little.

Not "picky". Selective. It sounds classier, no?

Searching for your lost shaker of salt?
(you gotta watch out for that early onset dementia!)

Quite possible. My mom was just diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease earlier this year, right after we moved to Michigan. I think the news was harder for her to hear than for us, as we all knew that diagnosis was coming (we had noticed her mental decline for some time now). I tend to favour my father's side of the family more than my mom's, but as my maternal grandmother also suffered from Alzheimers in her later years, I'm not ignoring that hereditary tendency.

Hmm, that got me wondering, so I pulled up the map and started counting - 18 of 53 so far (1/3 of the way there!), and we would love to knock them all off eventually as that retirement age nears. For the record, I've done OH, WV, VA, PA, MD, DE, NJ, NY, CT, MA, NH, VT, ME, NC, SC, GA, FL, and CA. WV might be a bit of stretch as I've driven across it 3 times, but never actually stopped. An honorable mention to MI as I've been within sight of it a couple of times from Windsor, but never actually entered. Boy, travelling is fun! Can you tell I'm getting excited for another huge road trip on Friday?

Wow, pretty impressive for a non-American! You'll definitely have to wander across the Windsor/Detroit border some day and add one more state to that list. For the record, Michigan has the BEST rest stops along the highway. Seriously.

Hmm, now this got me thinking...I've done...
Maine
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Maryland
DC (not a state, but still)
Virginia
West Virginia
Ohio
Kentucky
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
Alabama
Texas
Oklahoma
Kansas
Nebraska
Missouri
Iowa
Illinois
Indiana
California

Knocking Tennessee off this summer...so that will give me 28 (out of 51 if DC counts)...I still have a lot of work on the North and Southwest...maybe I should turn this into a bucket list...but it is hard to get excited for really cold weather and huge states - now Nevada and Arizona and Hawaii (and Alaska on a cruise) - those I could plan tomorrow!

So I too had to go and check out how many states that I have visited.
Hmm, now this got me thinking...I've done...
Maine
Vermont
Connecticut
Rhode Island
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Maryland
Virginia
West Virginia
Ohio
Kentucky
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
Alabama
Minnesota
Indiana
Michigan
California
Nevada
Arizona
Alaska
Hawaii
DC (not a state, but still)
Puerto Rico & US Virgin Islands
So 28 so far plus DC and 2 territories. I need to get to the western and mid-west states to complete my map.
Judy

You two rock!!

I doubt I'll ever manage a list THAT extensive, regardless of how long I live in America. Makes my tiny list of 7 states look woefully underwhelming LOL.

 

[Penguinempress]

Gina, you definitely should go to Pittsburgh! It's a great place for a week-end visit, there's really a surprising amount of things to do: the National Aviary (one of my very favorite places, as my husband proposed to me there using a penguin!), the Pittsburgh Zoo, Gateway Clipper river cruises, a Pirates game at PNC Park, the Carnegie Museums of Natural History & Art, riding the incline up Mount Washington to see the view (especially pretty at night!), the Heinz History Centre and tons more. Definitely worth the drive!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Gina, you definitely should go to Pittsburgh! It's a great place for a week-end visit, there's really a surprising amount of things to do: the National Aviary (one of my very favorite places, as my husband proposed to me there using a penguin!), the Pittsburgh Zoo, Gateway Clipper river cruises, a Pirates game at PNC Park, the Carnegie Museums of Natural History & Art, riding the incline up Mount Washington to see the view (especially pretty at night!), the Heinz History Centre and tons more. Definitely worth the drive!

I'm officially hiring you as my Pittsburgh Travel Planner!