July 2008
What’s up Brothers and Sisters:This month we travel to a very cool place, one we all have gone to and like, The Sleepy Hollow. What’s not to like at this place, I mean it’s a great ride, the parking is good,even for air boats when the water is up, they are always cool to watch with there hot rod motors, the music is good, oooh that Jenny,not to mention the other bands and singers (I miss the yodeler). there is plenty of seating, shade, fire wood, the biggest industrial fire pit ya can imagine. Since I do food articles I will have to say that the $5 meals on Sat. and Sun. can’t be beat. Where can you get a good steak or chicken or pork with sides anywhere for that! ya can’t that’s the truth of it, and it’s good food, sometimes he has the raw bar going with shrimp and stuff. I have never had to wait long for a beer, food, anything. The girls run around and take care of the people well, and it’s always packed on a weekend. Rich and his boys and girls cook well and he has some great BBQ stuff out back knees when I see his The Captain gets weak in the outdoor kitchen and being the stand up guy he is Rich always spends time with me and talks and shows me his goodies, tells me some of his recipes and in general he shares his time and knowledge with me,that’s a rare thing indeed, even when he’s busy he makes time not only to me but to all his friends, I say that cuz he don’t treat us like customers. His wife Sandy is also very kind and attentive and always greets with a smile as do all the staff. It’s nice to feel special when ya go to a place, like your family, they do that at the Hollow. In short Rich and Sandy are two of the nicest people I have ever met!,and the Sleepy Hollow is the best weekend stop In Fla. and it’s right here in our back yard. once again we are lucky. so even that ya all do, keep it up, and spread the word that this IS THE PLACE to go and tell em the Captain sent ya! Next month we will have a rare bashing of a food place so don’t miss!
"Until We Eat Again" Cpt. Scotty

                                                                                    June 2008
What’s up brothers and sisters: This month I was to write about a cool place, but that will wait till next month. Since we all were at THE RODEO!, I will write about two things. I guess I was the talk of the midway, or so people say. I knew my chicken was pretty good, and I can do a mean rib! but have not much, as the cost is a bit high for good meat, well I did some at the event and sold out fast. I wish to thank all who raved about them and it is an honor to have everyone want and love em so much. I always try to serve good meat and a man sized portion to folks and I will have tooth picks next time and more ribs. thanks ya all for enjoying my stuff. Now for the important part THE RODEO! This is where we are all very lucky, to have such a great event in our back yard. The ICMFH said it best a while back " Its the best kept secret in Florida" he was right. But it is not a secret any more. This is the premier event in Fla. and we all know it. You can’t find this kind of party anywhere.The food, the beer, the vendors, the activities, and the adult games can’t be matched at any price. There are many people involved who help out and I can’t list them all without forgetting people so I’m sorry for that. But people like Don-V and the staff are up there, and most important is J.O. Batten (the Gunslinger).Without him and his land we would not be able to do this deal at all,and this is not just vacant land, it is working land that has to be cleaned up for cattle and hay. There are allot of unselfish folks who help put this on, and we should thank our lucky stars!!!!! "Until we eat Again" Captain Scotty P. S. I wish to thank Houdini for looking out for me on Sat. when the heat was getting to me, he went out of his way to get me sunscreen and a coke! Thanks bro your a good Man.! I was about done in! next to that cooker all day,

                                                                                    May 2008

December 2007

Greetings Brothers & Sisters: This month its back to Ga. (I know what's all the fuss in Ga.) well the Captian takes great pride is tasting food all over so get on that scoot and try it. Cindy and I were in Thomasville Ga.and took the time to stop in and spend a cpl days there its only about 20 or so miles past the border on US-19and a great ride. once again a beautiful town of all 1800s homes and shops and a ton of things to see do, and places to eat. Back in the day this was full of plantations that were used for retreats and hunting parties with many well known and affluent people taking part. Some 300 were in use then with the help being paid a wage to work unlike what some history books might tell you, there are 70 or so still there today and some can be toured and it’s worth it to learn the history first hand, infact at Pebble Hill they even do rock concerts with big name acts and wonderful christmas tours. The town itself has so mush to see on foot as well as driving along the streets with maps of all the spots and shops. Jackie Kennedy came her just after JFK was shot and went to chuch in town and stayed at Pebble Hill to chill. With all the pine forest it was thought at the time that it was therapeutic to breath the pine air so it was a kind of rich mans haven for health and hunting. With all the walking and looking at all the cool stuff ya do get hungry NO SWEAT there are pubs and little food shops all over the town we ate at many but two we like were George & Louie’s Seafood at 217 Remington Av. (299)226-1218a cool laid back place ya can eat inside or out side and enjoy the street great food and salads just a huge menu of sandwiches burgers wraps and seafood the price are good and food is too. It’s been there a long time and is a must when there. For dinner we wanted to go top shelf once again (ya gotta do it) so while in an old music store on main street a cool 1800s building we asked the guy hey where’s the best place to eat a good meal, he said Fish Bonz in fact I’m playing there tonite (soft Guitar) his name was Dan Herring well with that in mind I had to try it a block away at 134S. Madison St. (229) 226-6008 It’s and 1890s building that was a laundry factory (store) till a few months ago and it was left old school and is now a fine dining restaurant with 20 foot ceilings and all the origanal wood and brick and a man that plays the baby grand piano while ya dine at just the right volume it is truly HEAVEN! The owner Victor Mitchell was a very nice man who sat with us and talked and gave us great insight into the place and the menu It changes almost daily and the Chef (not cook) creates new specials all the time with aged and cut on site prime beef to pork seafood and poultry vegetables cooked PERFECT and sauces that ad to not cover up the food and you can get any size steak ,from 10 oz to 50 they will cut it to order. I WAS IN
HEAVEN. they have a lunch menu as well and a pasta nite where the chefs create in front of you any past dish ya can think of, just select from the ingredients at the bar veggies scallops shrimp mussels clams chicken meatballs veal ) your fav pasta and sauces and watch em go to town. It’s so good we went back the next nite as well and WILL be back sgain. Our server Kelly was wonderful and the prices for this high end food were in range. Its not cheap but not over the top $15 to $30 a head is well worth the experience with wine and drinks available as well as beer and soft drinks so take a trip for a nice weekend see the sites and do stop in the Fish Bonz and tell Vic. Captain Scotty sent ya Until We Eat Again!

November 2007

Greetings brothers and sisters : Its off to Georgia and the Windsor Hotel in Americus Ga. 1-888-297-9567tucked between Plains Ga. home of Jimmy Carter the 39th Pres. and Andersonville Ga. the most infamous prison camp of the war between the states.It was only open from Feb. 1864 to April 1865, this bare open field in a natural gully enclosed by a 15’ high wall of logs was home to 45,000 men. The harsh reality is, it was designed for 10,000 so with no living quarters, little food and contaminated water it claimed 100 men a day or about 13,000 men in 14 months. Enough said, rent the movie Andersonville and get up there and see the site walk the origanal ground visit the cemetery and National POW museum on site and be ready for the bone chilling thoughts of wars past. While staying at the Windsor, you are transformed to a time way back. Built in 1892, it is a wonderful brick victorian hotel with all the opulence and grace you would expect and the food was as it should be: 5 star. Service was perfect, the dining room exquisite in decor and simple 1800s charm. From wonderful continental breakfasts with cheese grits, waffles, fruits, rolls/breads, coffees/juices, cereals and more to grand lunch buffets and southern style dinner buffets as well as a large offering of entrees to order from. After a wonderful dining experience take a nice stroll through the hotel with all its hand carved oak wood, then over to Floyd’s Bar,out front on the second floor for a cool drink or cold beer on the front porch overlooking main street with all its 1800s buildings all in mint restored condition. We also ate at The Station a nice restaurant across the street a bit, where again, it was a cool 1800s place. The service was A-1 and the food perfect. I had a Ribeye with bleu cheese sauce, rice and fried cheese grits. Cindy had a Stromboli fit for a king she ate on for 2 days and homemade cheese stix WOW the best I have had. I realize this may not be for all, as I have a passion old architecture and antebellum homes which are in abundance in this town. All are in wonderful shape, some dating back to the 1840s and these are not shacks but lavish homes. It is a great 4-5 hr ride up US19 and ya get to see a lot of great towns and countryside, eat many cool things on the way andonce again think and kinda live in a time "gone with the wind". So for all you like minded folks that miss the past, get on that scoot or in that cage and get up there before its gone; it’s a great weekend and its not very $$$. "Captain Scotty"

October 2007

Greetings brothers and sisters: Today we take a ride to Ozello and Pecks Old Port Cove. 9 miles west of US 19 on C.R.494 (the Ozello Trail.) (352) 795-2806 I have been wanting to write this a long time as Cindy and I stumbled on it while taking a nice ride. They have a great place very old school and no frills but the food is SUPER we like to sit at the bar and eat so we can watch Rho do her thing in the kitchen, man can she get er done back there and she is a fun person as well I can’t say which is the best meal there cuz it’s all so good, they have a blue crab farm on the property and ya can sit by the water as well and chill a bit the soft shell crab is great and the Grouper is to die for. and ya get darn full as well they have a good size plate so all ya big eaters can go to town, In talking with Amy and Kim the managers it seems that this place has been there a long time over 40 yrs. there are lunch specials and daily specials as well as steaks and prime rib, wine and soft drinks, as well as ice cold beer served in mason jars oh that killians is so good open 7 days from 11 to 10pm with all you can eat deals every day how can ya go wrong I love the soft shell crab sandwich they will even cook your fish and serve it for a small fee as I saw a mountain of scallops go by me one time and I yelled hey I want that ( I was told it was the guys own catch that day ) it was a pile for sure Cindy loves the Grouper sandwich blackened, its owned by Capt. Tommy Williams and it is a real quaint, rustic place to chill and we go all the time its a great way to take a nice ride there is no traffic and the long curving road is a nice slow drive and the views are so cool as you rideyou can see the land as it was meant to be with out all that concrete just natural Florida marsh lands and grass lands its very calming so plan a day and take that babe of yours and go for a nice ride stop in and chill a bit and slow down the pace, eat or have a cool one, or both its a nice simple way to have a great day tell Kim, Amy and Rho the Captain sent ya!
Until We Eat Again
Captain Scotty

Sept 2007
THE GUMBO RUN

Greetings Brothers and Sisters : Today its the GUMBO RUN! I thought I would write about It this month as it was a nice and different way to eat, Scootergoods own Gumbo put together a nice run and feast to beat all.5 stops with a different gumbo at each one ranging from seafood to traditional Cajun style Gumbo made all the dishes but one and supervised the whole deal he must have been BUSY! He was also on the run.The gumbos were designed to be a taste not a meal to some it was not enough but there was a reason for that as you will see. It was nice to have a snack on each stop to try, as the run was long, 220 miles or so which is nice for a change its great to ride a bit rather than just start and stop I found all the gumbos good but two were super in my mind uh tastebuds stop 2 at the Hidden River Dam Pub was my favorite with stop 4 (no wonder I took a wrong turn) being the next favorite both a more traditional gumbo with a red base and sausage mixed in. I found stop 3 the Crossroads Inn ( not ours) to be my least favorite with 1 and 5 being kinda neck and neck now for the trump card, talking with Gumbo about his smoker I was all revved up for a tour at stop 5 the County Line Bar it seems ole Gumbo has one hell of a smoker ( I thought I did ) ha! this is a smoker!and to top off the run he had a huge BBQ at the end (hence the small snacks on the run) no need to waste the gut when BBQ is on hand. as I got my tour of the smoker with Gumbo we talked of food and meat and smoke with the passion that all BBQ nuts have then he opened the doors and I saw it, MEAT! nice plump chicken and off the side yes pork butts,the chicken was good better than most BUT! the pork was to DIE for well the old Captain has been humbled again by in my mind some, if not the best pulled pork I have eaten I mean this stuff was Damn good !! 12 hrs on the smoker makes a big difference in the end and very few will take that time so to Gumbo and his crew who worked there asses off and fought rain (a BBQers nightmare) thank you for all your hard work and great food it was one of the best runs I have been on, and as for pulled pork, all I try now will be measured by the flavor texture and tenderness of Gumbos and he just may be the Champ a long time. Until We Eat Again Captain Scotty

August 2007
Capt. Scotty goes SOUTH of the Border

What’s up brothers and sisters: Today we head south of the border to Cozumel an island off the coast of Mexico in the Yucatan. Cindy and I took a cruise a cpl weeks ago and we wanted to try the food NOT the tourist trap kind on the Warf but back in the inner city where 99% of the tourists don’t go (the ghettos!) as we call them, to the folks that live there its just home (be glad you live here!) we were amazed at the sights we saw and how backwards the people lived I said Cindy lets get some real tacos from and old crappy stand we found one and sat on the veranda,( a concrete slab with plastic chairs) I ordered 3 beef tacos and a coke Cindy ordered 1 shrimp taco and a coke the little man first gave us chips and salsa, the chips were very good, fresh and home made, they had a stone ground look to them, the mild salsa was good and hot enough, the hot pepper sauce was that, hot, but good well then or tacos came we both got shrimp why I don’t know, no beef or the lack of English speaking in that part of town they were open faced on soft tortillas and not like our tacos no cheese or sour cream, lettuce and some strange veggies and spices and the shrimp they were pretty darn good and the fact they were not huge or full of meat bugged me but after 3 I was full enough to have room for some cold beer in a bit so I was happy the cost was 1,200 pesos about $12 I threw a 20 spot and got back

78 pesos 3 20 peso notes one 10 peso coin and 8 one peso coins Cindy then asked to use the girls room YIKES she said the kitchen was a small concrete room no windows a wood table a old fridge and an OLD! stove that’s it I said where the food she said oh in back in a courtyard with the hanging laundry in pens and tanks and on the ground yup chickens and all fresh to order HA! what a trip but we were very happy to have eaten there and seen the real side of the place we also went in the only super market on the island woe the smells of the place would floor you the meat and deli was RIPE the seafood area was,,, well all the fish had white eyes and every thing in the store was out in the open with flies around the food lets say the FDA would have a field day there but the townsfolk all seemed to be at home and I guess to them all was well they are use to there surroundings and food all in all it was a great visit and I would go again so If ya get down there get off the beaten path and see the real city it will open your eyes and make glad ya are here "Until We Eat Again" Captain Scotty

                                                                                      July 2007
This month we find a small local hole in the wall that’s perfect for a quiet beer and sandwich. I remember Cindy telling me about this place years ago when I came here to gods country in Brooksville.She knowing my love of MEAT! told me many time go check it out when I was hungry,well we did. It may have taken a while but I’m glad we did. One day in June while in the Winn Dixie plaza at 50 and 41 we decided to drop in to the Red Mule Pub at 1208 Broad St. ( 352) 796- 9650 in the Winn Dixie plaza . What a COOL place, its like an old museum or a old wooden shed with stuff all over the place, junk, pictures, trinkets of all kinds, it even had a cool kind of old antique smell to it, it was very cozy and had much to look at on the walls. I had a Pastrami sandwich on Rye with Swiss and hot Mustard, Some of the best Pastrami I ever tasted and a rather good portion as well and ya can have a nice cold beer with it, along with a pickle and chips its not a bad meal. Cindy being a vegetarian had her Cheese sandwich WOW what a great one she had, HUGE amounts of cheese very thicksomething ya don’t see allot I had a bite and it was great! well I have been craving for one ever since and I’m going back to sit in my cubby hole and have one ASAP. I have many more places to visit and I’m sure there will be many great stops but hey! this is a little small slice of heaven right here in our town, and I love to spent my money in my town and even more so on small Mom and Pop places, that’s what old values and small townliving is meant to be and if we don’t go and try these places they usually get swallowed up by the chains.So go back in time and live the simple life and stop by the Red Mule Pub enjoy the look , the smells, the food,and let the clock go back and stop a while, sit and chat with your babe, kill some time and remember the good ole days as they are all but gone with the wind!  Until We Eat Again! Captain Scotty

                                                                                  March 2007
Greetings brothers and sisters. Today we change pace a bit, I hate sour grapes but I got some!A few weeks ago I went on
a ride with Guido,Pirate,Turtle, the Abigor boys and a bunch of nice folks. Well we went to Bayport and I mustsay for the second time in a row I had the worst service in the world we sat an hour after ordering and watched 10 yes TEN! tables get there food not to mention the other half of our party at the bar eat oh we did get two appetizers in the final min. of the Hr. one was gator bites (ALL BREADING NO MEAT) the other fried mushrooms well we split as we were treated like bums. I wont be back there for sure. we went to the Upper Deck and were taken care of very well!!!! So all was not lost and we all had a good meal we just did not get to ride as we sat pissed off the better part of the day. Enough of that and on to the next part. The Coney Island Drive Inn Blair has done a wonderful job of taking an old established place that was neglected and bringing back to Brooksville the glory of the past and keeping the history alive as well. he has a great staff a great selection of food drinks cold beer and YES bike nights . he has Guido of the Scootergoods Staff and Guido’s Bike nights there every other Thurs. From 6pm till 9 or so and it is doing well. This is what our town needs. The Coney Island has been around since 1960 and thanks to Blair it will not die and be swept away as many good ole things do. Our town needs to keep its roots, keep its ways simpleand having a link to the past we can all participate in first hand, It makes it even better. The crowds are good well mannered and pretty large most times but hey ya can always enjoy a Dog and cool one anytime as the Drive Inn Is open every day . so stop by for a Dog or come to a bike night he even has truck nights, so way to go Blair for keeping the good old days alive and well, oh and I must say hi to Phyllis, She’s a doll and always hooks up Captain Scotty and his family fast and with smile and the food is great so get out to see em at The Coney Island Drive Inn 1112 East Jefferson Brooksville 352-796-9141 he even sells fire wood. And last but not least, being the food snob for the magazine I was able take my wife out for a nice mealand the reason is the huge savings I got from BIG TIM and High Noon Cycles In Homosassa I needed some tires for my bagger and he sure hooked me up,Great touring tires liners and tubes plus the labor for a great price. I saved enough to have the dinner with Cindy! he did a good job and did it right using care and safetyas I waited and talked with him. I am very happy with the ride I have and the big retro white walls and am safe again as I was a bit on the overdue side with my rubber so give him a call he’s a great guy and a good wrench. High Noon Cycles 352-628-4725 tell em captain Scotty sent ya UNTIL WE EAT AGAIN Captain Scotty

                                                                                 February 2007
What’s up Brothers and Sisters? This stop is in Nobelton at the Log Cabin General Store & Smokehouse. The place is very cozy and friendly with lofts and little rooms to eat in and a back yard picnic area I like alot.
The owners Kelly and Sandy Wintjen have a Deli, Store and Resturant all under 1 roof serving Breakfest,Lunch and Late Lunch.From a simple breakfast Menu to to a great salad selection and deli items including Pork Turkey Chicken and Sides. These meats are smoked for great flavor and YUP RIBS TOO! But you better call ahead because they sell out fast. I love Ribs and have been cookin’ them for a long time but I will admit they are the best I have had in a long time (maybe ever). A strong statement but here is why. Forget sauce and other things that hide the flavor. THINK MEAT ONLY!BBQ started back in the Caveman days when Ug and Oink just threw a hunk of meat on the fire and said WOW that tastes great. With the influx of Slaves and such pre-civil war it was redifined even more to make use of cuts of meat less tender and undisireable to the affluent. And now it has developed into a subculture with folks everywhere who live to smoke meat. And this is where Kelly comes in. You need 4 things to do it well. 1) it’s not always neccessary but he uses good meat. 2)WOOD 3)Temperature 4) Time. Good BBQ is not done fast or hot or on a gas grille,he cooks low temp for 6 hours on wood,the result is smokey pink meat that falls off the bone , because a rib bone you don’t have to chew on is done to perfection,this is why they are so good and need no sauce. I eat this stuff for any meal of the day because it is so addicting. You BBQ addicts trust me and try the BBQ at The Log Cabin General Store. It is a great ride to Webster the back way. The Cabin is located at 29104 Lake Lindsey Rd. (476) in Nobelton 8 miles east of hwy 41 so call ahead and tell um your comin’! 352-799-5695

UNTIL WE EAT AGAIN CAPTIAN SCOTTY

                                                                                January 2007
What's up brothers and sisters today we stop at Smokey Bones Clearwater Mall. Can you picture a huge log cabin with open beams of pine and the smell of smoke, that means REAL BBQ its like being at the Ponderosa on Bonanza what a cool place to eat.
  You are first greeted by a very friendly hostess who will seat you as fast as she can some times ya gotta wait a few min. ( its always busy here as the food and service are that good) I had for an appetizer spinach artichoke dip smoked brisket some sides and my usual cold beer they have a full bar as well as all the soft drinks ya can think of I have had most everything on the menu at some point and its all good the ribs are some of the best I have had In a restaurant in my top 2 as chains go also the salad menu is killer how about crisp romane and field greens tomatoes sunflower seeds toasted pecans roasted peas mixed with Asiago, jack and cheddar cheese with a creamy Santa Fe dressing topped with sesame the menu is superb and will meet anyone's needs from steaks burgers ribs chicken and fish to sandwiches salads appetizers and drinks the place is very clean the staff is very friendly and smiles are abundant the Manager Randy Wetherington also walks the floor stopping to talk to his customers as they savor the flavor oh I forgot the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie Chocolate Silk Pie and Apple Cobbler Smokey Bones is located at 2693 Gulf to Bay Blvd (corner of US 19 and Gulf To Bay) (727) 712-1930
UNTIL WE EAT AGAIN ! Captain Scotty

December 2006

What’s up brothers and sisters this is Captain Scotty. I replacing tiny who is moving on to new adventures in South Carolina. I enjoyed his articles immensely, he Is a great guy and we will all miss him. Good luck Tiny and Mrs. Tiny! I know I have some BIG Shoes to fill and I hope I don’t disappoint ya all. I love to cook and love to eat in fact my wife says I’m a food snob and I think she is right! I am going to do articles on many types of food and many types of places some may be black tie or more up beat (sometimes ya gotta treat the ladies to a nice dinner) and some will be just the opposite. I have eatin’ and cooked all over Fla. for 36 years so we will have some fun with the culinary arts together, I may even throw in some old time recipes for fun SO LETS MOVE EM OUT! My first stop was in Istachatta at Tata’s Foggy Cafe and General Store. Why you may ask? Well Melissa and Mark have a very cool Store /Cafe with a great breakfast menu from 7 AM to 11 AM (good potatoes!!!) Lunch and dinner from 11AM and there are specials all week. A kid’s menu is also available for ladies who don’t want to eat to much,and every Friday they have A Fish Fry featuring local talent pickin’ and playin’. The atmosphere is very calm and relaxed and a great value. Tata’s presented the best haunted house this Halloween I have seen in a LONG time along with a great evening named Trunk or Treat, meant to keep all the kids safe and in a good fun place on a crazy night. My Family loved it and we will be getting more involved next year,so head on down to Istachatta and Tata’s for some Good Ole’ country food and friendly country people ya cant miss it, its the only store and cafe in town just take Istachatta Rd North from 476 and its on the right about a half mile down at 28198 Magnon Dr. 352-544-1017

Tell them the potato man sent ya! It also is a nice back road ride to Sleepy Hollow ! "Until we eat again " Captain Scotty