February 2010
Captain Scotty "What’s Up Brothers And Sisters" Let’s start with new yrs. eve.& the party at Wormy’s! The hog was shot and cut up for smokin! After many hrs. in the pit, it was done and very tender. Many of the Dumpling Gang showed up and we all had a great time, even the rain did not stop us! As you remember Cindy’s Dad died last new yrs. so she was happy to be busy with friends and loved ones. Their were sides and cake and brew and booze and it was a great calm and nice way to bring in the new year. So kudos Wormy for another nice gig at home B. Now for the Dominick’s review. Having heard about the place from Don-V, J.O. and some others I was ready to see what all the fuss was. So Cindy and I took a spin up to the place ( It’s not a far ride at all at 7431 Suncoast Blvd (US 19) in Homosassa (352)621-6760. Well kid’s I was happy when I got there!, as it was very nice, clean, and well staffed. Every one was very polite, eager to work, and gave the impression that you were kinda special, something that most people want when they eat out, they wanna feel like hey I’m the man. Our server Kaycie was kind, attentive, helpful, funny, calm, knowledgeable, and well trained as were most of the staff, and in talking with the manager Dave, I found him very nice as well. Even other staff would grab an empty plate off of a table that was not theirs, that’s how it is done! I can’t speak for all the food but what we had was A. O. K. A very good bottle of Riesling to start ( and served properly) My stuffed mushroom caps were spot on and was the salad. Bread was very good and the dipping sauce for it was way cool and VERY good! can’t tell ya, ya gotta go try it! I had the Delmonico, RARE, a wonderfully marbled tasty cut, cooked just right. Cindy had the Panga ( a Grouper like fish that is very good and not near as pricey, her salad was spot on as well, as it was diff. than mine (and she is a veggie girl don’t ya know. In looking at the menu I found it to be in most peoples tastes and for the service, quality, and portions very fair, it’s not dirt cheap but not over the top either. Good food does cost a little bit and a shit meal at a deli will cost ya $10 or better a head hell Mickey D’s ain’t cheap anymore so $15 to 20 or so a head ain’t bad. And as always I do not say who I am till after the meal, so I get the same deal anyone would. So I guess ya could go to Carraba’s and feel like part of a herd of cattle and probably pay the same if not more, but for my money, I will go back to Dominick’s and feel a bit special, and give my money to a small time guy rather than a big ass chain.

"Until We Eat Again" Captain Scotty

January 2010
What’s up Brothers and Sisters: The festive time is here, and good eats are everywhere if ya look! First The Weeki Wachee Smoke-Out presented by Chickenman, Charlie Brown and DonV, how can you describe this feast and gathering, legendary Sprouts, fresh fish and bird, sides (Sharky where’s my slaw recipe) fries, drinks, heat, oysters, shrimp, the great folks we have come to enjoy, chillin together as one, and an eclectic display of some of the coolest stuff ya will ever see, great job, and to all that made it a no miss party again. The next Smokeout is December 4th 2010. On the retail side I have found a small coo in the Woodside (the old Fla. Boys // Jimmy Diablo’s) at 915 W. Jefferson (352) 797-3575 Ya all know where it is. Cindy and I took a shot at it last week and I will; have to say they got it down for this town! how you say, Nothing on the menu more than $14 and that’s the large Prime Rib (It’s Good too) Babydoll had Pistachio Encrusted Cod, It was killer and that cod had a taste between sweet crab and lobster it was great the veggies were spot on and the rolls were like a Lay’s chip one is not enough. With lunches at $6 dinners for two at $15 (complete) beer, booze and soft drinks and a good menu ya cant go bad here. In talking with Tony, Jay and family members who own and run it they seem to have it right. Well It’s about time we had a place in Brooksville that served good food in a clean place with nice people that is very reasonable and has great value for the buck, I was rather full when I left and I will go back again. So if Tony can keep his pricing as he has it with the quality he is serving he will be busy there, I hope he does as it’s good for our town and it’s another place we can go to I don’t want to see another place blow away in the wind. Next month we travel to Homosassa for the all awaited Dominick’s Italian Steakhouse review

"Until We Eat Again" Captain Scotty

December 09
What’s up Brothers and Sisters: Let’s get to it! sad news in town, The Nobleton Outpost / Paddlers Pub is history; I was just gettin to like the place too, and the Istachatta Gen.Store / Ta Ta Froggy’s Cafe is closed too,both long time icons of the area have gone by the wayside, sad but little by little, the old time joint’s are dryin up! One bright spot in the world of old time in our town is R-Place (the old Crossroads) ya all know where it is, the same place it has been for 60 or so yrs. Walter and Heather have done a fine job with the place,and I will admit I was very leery at first about going back to my once favorite eatery. But to my amazement they have cleaned it up in a way that has made it even better I think,and it still has it’s old time charm. I do drop in often, and you will see many familiar faces and Walter and Heather are very nice.They have food and the menu is just what it needs to be simple bar food and the prices are way cool and very inexpensive. On Fridays Laurie roasts a turkey and puts it out for the gang to eat. (nothing like a hot turkey sandwich to soak up some brew) It’s a nice
thank you to the customers from them, so when your bar hoppin,stop in and have a cool one you will like joint and the folks in it. It seems that one of the food joints I wrote about was pissed at me and this rag for giving a bad rap to them. First it is MY opinion I am giving not this rags or anyone affiliated with it, and I am entitled to it. I do not slander people by name and try to be fair. I do not announce my presence and I go back more than one time before I write (anyone can have a bad day) but after 3 times if a place has still done a bad job tough shit! fix it! By all means people can try a place and like it and I may not, some like liver and onions, I hate it! but I think food quality, cleanliness, service, price and value ( how much food ya get for your hard earned buck) are important. once I had a shit meal and I still tipped the server and well as he deserved it, it was the shit cook and the management that screwed up,the moral of the story is I don’t mind paying for a $30 steak just give me one! BUT this is Brooksville and we here in our town like a good value more often than not. Unemployment in the County is the highest in the state and most people in this town don’t like to spend big $places go under all the time around here for many reasons. I as a brooksvillian hope we don’t lose anymore and hope for improvement where it is needed, I work damn hard for my measly dollars! " Until We Eat Again" Captain Scotty

November 09

What’s up Brothers and Sisters:Food news this months a bit diff. than usual as ya don’t always find it at a restaurant. So let’s move em out! Back a bit it was the Gunslingers B-day so Wormy picked out a hog and he and I were about to cut him up so after the bang was a BANG! out came Wormy with knife in hand (she left Cindy to the house work in home B) and said lets get to cuttin! so as JO and I busted a nut to heft the hog up she gave a big bear hug to the bloody thing and up she went yee haaa! gotta love those hard women I sure do! We got her done and ready for the party. Here is where the story gets good, We left her with a well see ya tomorrow, just cook the thing! well guys it was her first time swimin alone with no help as far as stoken and smoken the hog pit, and I must say when we all ate the next day it was GREAT,she did a perfect job on the pig and we all were plenty full all day and nite so great job on the cookin Wormy the Captain was impressed! with his cosmic sister and loves her get er done attitude! and a Happy B-day the Gunslinger as well as he approved of the food too. As far as food locally Cindy and I went to Paddlers Pub and Cafe the other day and were very happy with the food and the folks. Been a while since I was there and the food is very good at this time and a big menu as well the Shrimp were good as well as the Crab and Cream Cheese dip(real crab) Cindy the Veggie found allot of stuff to eat and had the Tuna Melt (she loved it ) and the beer was COLD!!!!!!!!!!!! I think they are doing a better job there now and I was very happy and am going back ASAP! for more cold beer and some food .hell ya can even rent a canoe and chill on the river or sit outside and look ate the river.With fall on the way and the temp getting nice sitting outside is very peaceful and relaxing. Open Thursday thru Sunday it’s a great quiet place to ,relax and unwind so check it out the Captain says so you know where it’s at the bridge on the county line on 476 in the Nobleton Outpost (352) 796-7176 "Until We Eat Again" Captain Scotty

October 09
What’s up Brothers and Sisters:

As you recall it’s Savannah this month, and there is allot going on in that town. I will say it can be a bit $$but one can find deals and inexpensive food. This place is like St. Augustine on STEROIDS! with a ton of things
to see and a ton of places to eat and drink. Be ready to walk and it’s not a good place for kids, but us big guys can see so much history and tour so many old buildings and parks it is overwhelming, and so is the food, so lets get into it. There are more cool places to eat than ya can dream of in the Historic district, some I found cool were Bernie’s Oyster House with $3 a Doz Oysters from 4 till 6:30 I ate 10 Doz my first go round and all the cold beer ya want AND ya can drink on the street in a cup! Its at 115 E. River St. (912) 236-1827 also the Distillery at 416 W. Liberty St. (912) 236 -1772 Petra our server was AWESOME and so was the owner Mike it’s a 100yr old brick distillery that looks like an old speak easy with 21 craft drafts on hand 7 rotating drafts and 30 in bottles its COOL try the Crab Balls and the Sweet Potatoe Fries! this was a favorite place for us. Want Pizza, look out world, Vinnie Van Go Go’s was the shit, at 317 W. Bryan St. at the City Market (912) 233-6394 ya can smell this place a long way away. I thought I had had some good pizza in my day but this is the real deal, hell a slice is a meal, all hand tossed and all fresh natural ingredients makes it a winner, the best I have had for sure! sorry Mykinos. There are Oyster Bars all over River St. Bars all over town, food joints all over town, Subway, Five Guys Burgers, a Quiznos, Deli’s,BBQ joints and cool shops all within the district. and all set around 21 town Squares or small parks. And for the real foodies a Ruth’s Chris Steak House on W. Bay St. 5 star at it’s best.In a town so rich in history with all 1700 and 1800 buildings in perfect restored shape I was in awe and did not know where to go next, we were there a week and just saw a small part of what we wanted to and we will go back minus kids and bust out a bit more soon as we can. So give it a try, allot of bikes go there it’s a party town and the second largest St .Patty’s day party in the country, and not enough room in the Rag for me to rave about it. So get on the scoot and take a nice road trip Up I-95 and enjoy! the Captain Sez so! "Until We Eat Again" Captain Scotty

September 09
The Captain is in Savannah Ga. With family in tow for a cpl weeks so I will be doing some good reviews next month. Never been here and there is allot of great food here, kinda like a huge St. Augustine with allot of Food news in Brooksville is gone a bit crazy as of late, and is a long story so I will give a short overview of some of the deals. The Bistro is crap now because a man we will call the Greek screwed my friend and Chef after a year of hard work so he is gone. He then lured the chef of Zips away and promised the world, then screwed him and he is gone after only a month. So now Zips is crap too as well as the Bistro. So one asshole can mess up two family’s many workers and patrons as well as two restaurants. I have been to both and was not happy. We went to the new Mex place on Broad St. (the old Broad St. Café) way to much $ and not that good Cindy never gripes but she was PISSED and wont go back nor will I but you be the judge there. Sorry about the negative crap but hey its whats goin on in town. We did try the Greek place next to Winn Dixie on 41 it’s very good,priced well and is owned by a nice guy who tries hard to give good food at a good price . The monster Gyro is over a pound. And the Saganaki OOPA (fried cheese) is great, and we will be back again there so check it out, it’s close locally owned and a great value as well as tasty. "Until We Eat Again" Captain Scotty

August 2009
What’s up Brothers and Sisters: A while back the Apple Dumpling gang took a spin north to some watering holes we all enjoy, and on the way back we hit the Old Bait Shop. I wanted a Pork Chop on a stick! NOPE! GONE! but I was very happy with what I found, and so was most all the gang. Mr. Bills. Slow Pokes BBQ A nice free standing trailer out front and a sweet smell of BBQ. Now the Captain loves his Q! and I was right up there to get some The menu is just what it should be simple Brisket, Ribs, both Baby’s and St. Louis, Chopped Pork, good sides, Potatoes, Wings, Dogs , Gator, and a home made Dessert, Ice Cream Pie. I just wanted meat so I got me a slab of St Louis ribs they were very good! some of the best I have had, as I walked back to the table and ate I gave a few of the gang some too, well they all went and got some. I talked with the man and he told me about his food and stuff and I do think he knows his shit he also has boat packs for folks who ride the waves and not scoots he has bulk packs for parties and also has a some kind of boat tour he does there for folks to see the water sites and or have private parties (with great BBQ) as well on board. The prices are very good and the food is enough to fill one up just fine, I shared and was plenty full. Not being a sweet eater he gave me some of his legendary Ice Cream Pie It was good I must say. In fact there is to much good to say about this place that Don-V can’t give me enough room to print it. So I will say this get your ass over thereand try it next time ya make a run to Turners Fish Camp, or Thunder Inn, or The Bait Shop. the Captain says so!Located at 2727 N. Florida Av. In front of the Old Bait. Shop. (US-41/ SR 200 at the Y in the Road in Hernando. (352) 344-5678 11AM - 7 PM closed Monday. Tell em the Captain sent ya! "Until We Eat Again" Captain Scotty

July 2009

June 2009

APRIL 2009
What’s up Brothers And Sisters:This month we travel to The Ramble Inn! I know we have all been there, if not recently than in the past.I have been there many times, and since they are great supporters of this wonderful rag called Scootergoods I took Don-Vs heads up and went back to eat instead of drink. Now being a MEAT guy and a REAL Pastrami guy I had to try theirs, well sir it was huge and was of a great quality as far as the meat goes too. Nothin but Boars Head, and that ain’t bad. It was the kind of Deli Sandwich ya mite see in N.Y. City. And the price was well worth it too, infect he has allot of good food there now. Sal has done a good job with changes in the place inside and out. He also has always put on great spreads, whether it be the Sunday breakfast or BBQs for events, he now has a great kitchen menu that will sure to please everyone. I have been to many functions there and have always had a good time and had a great value for my buck! and Sal is also a great guy as well. So for my money I will try to stop in more often when I head that way as ya can’t go wrong with the food too. It’s not that far away and its on the way to many stops north of the Brooksville area so stop in and tell em Captain Scotty said, hey gimme a huge Pastrami on Rye! and feast you eye, and belly on it. Cindy and I also found a place that’s kinda new and we just stopped in, it’s the Buffet City across from Wal-Mart on 50, west of town. I don’t care where ya eat or what ya like or what ya pay if ya wanna just flat PIG OUT try it they have about 10 double sided steam tables with every kinda food ya could want Italian, Chinese, Seafood, Salads, Clams, Oysters, Crabs, Desserts, Meats, Sushi, you name it.It is very clean well staffed and the food is fresh and replaced pretty fast when gone. Ya can even have beer if ya want. It’s hard to beat the Golden Corral, both in price and food, but this place gives it one hell of a run and is a nice change of pace too. So try it and let me know how ya like it. Next month the all awaited Zip’s revue, yes its open and ya mite be surprised " Until We Eat Again" Captain Scotty

MARCH 2009 
" What’s Up Brothers And Sisters" Now that the smoke has cleared, and all have dried there eyes, we seem to have found a new hole to wet our whistles and chat a bit. The PIT’S lounge at the bowling alley seems to be the place, as it were. I have gone in many times and it is a nice place. Ken the owner is a super guy, unlike some owners we have seen in the past. some of the old crew are working there and many of the locals have taken the time to give it a chance. Laurie has resurrected what seems to be a perfect likeness of the big burger we all came to love, as well as steak hoagies, wings and, ahhh for you early birds breakfast. So we now can say WOW there's food available ALL the time! It’s not the same as the old place BUT we locals can make it pretty good if we just show up and enjoy. It’s very clean, plenty of parking, has bathrooms that WORK and ya could eat in em. with a full bar and good prices ya cant go to bad there. On Fri. and Sat. Ken puts out the best (Free) Happy Hr. buffet ya could imagine, and he and I are working on getting some of the ole Captains BBQ there on Sundays after Webster bike swap weeks, with March 1st a kinda kick off with Kenny breaking out some Ribeyes while they last. No one was more sad than I was when we lost our hole, but it’s time to stop pissin and get out there and start over, If I can, anyone can. So get over there and say hi to the folks, ya mite be surprised who ya see. Well folks every now and then the Captain gets humbled! I can cook mean BBQ,not that others can’t as well, and I just have to give credit where it’s due!A cpl weeks ago at "The Hobo Village" I was in the presence of the village God, we all were. Having gotten the call from Wormy (thanks kid) that a B-day party was in store for the "Great Houdini" I set out to the Hobo Village and found our own Gunslinger making a homemade basting mop from an old sock top (I wondered why his boot was off) a zip tie and a 1/2 drive breaker bar. needless to say it worked well and again I was at home with the simple backwoods allure that I have come to love and expect from the appledumpling gang.J.O. can sure cook fresh pig, "Capt Scotty"

Brooksville Motorcyclists screwed by ASSWIPES
February 2009
With rumors of a big closing party and free beer we could have sent the place down the toilet in style NOT! As sad as it was that after over 60 yrs of history the last day was a total slap in the face to every one who ever went there goes there and died being part of the place. I have seen many a great home town joints die. And the old stale home town joints are the heart and soul of a small town. Ya have to be an old crony who has grown up in Lil shit hole bars to know what I’m talkin and I know many here in town do. Not only is it shitty that a piece of Brooksville history is now dead and so many people displaced, you should have seen the faces of the overwhelmed locals. This was not done right, to strip a place in front of all who came, lived, loved,ate,shared, talked,drank,laughed and lived there this was not just a ledger book, it was part of the people, the fabric of a group of people and of a town, some having been there 20,30, 40, yrs.some grew up there some had parents that worked there. This was the Crossroads for Christ sakes. I drove 10 mile out of my way to go there and see my people, there are 3 or 4 bars closer to me but none that had that old musty down home feel, it had a soul all it’s own. The people behind the bar (you know who you are) the people ya always could see the smiles the jokes the laughs the birthdays the parties, deaths, the lives! Just like in the movie Fried Green Tomatoes when the Whistle Stop closed the town dried up and blew away. Brooksville will live on but it will now have the taste of shit in it’s mouth for many a townsfolk. I even talked to some regular customers who said they brought some food in (as there was none)(Capt. Scotty from 41) so food was made for them and they were charged for their own food and the rest sold to customers WOW no shit! I kid you not ALL who went there are not happy!!!!!! They feel raped,screwed,kicked and let down some have voiced it some can’t some are to sad too and some just don’t care anymore. I know that the ultimate decision to close a place is up to the one who signs the check and whether or not they make enough money to stay open, I won’t get into that, even that there are allot of opinions there as well but it was not my lease, all I was a customer one of many who now have lost part of there lives. The Crossroads was the best little shit hole in town and one of the best I have hung in. It also had some of the best barflies and cronies I have sat with. Some I talked with showed some interest in the possibility of reopening the place but with the place being stripped they said no way,they were not going to by stuff that was part of the building and lease that was gone with the wind,I even was told a toilet was taken as well. Well I guess I have beat this dead horse enough I am sad, lost and have no where to go anymore that made me feel like old Brooksville like old history, like all the old guard there, we must all try to move on,I hope to see all the old crew somewhere in town it won’t be the same but it’s all we have now "Until We Eat Again" and it won’t be a Crossroads Burger