#FoodPornFriday I've heard good things about Panera Bread and finally got to try them

I've been hearing good things about Panera Bread for a few years now. For example +Robin Laws has noted that he does most of his writing while sitting in a Panera in Toronto on his Ken & Robin Talk About Stuff podcast. I've been wanting to check them out for a long time but it just never worked out.

The main reason it never worked out is that you won't find a Panera Bread anywhere in Windsor. Actually I would have to drive to Oakville to get to the nearest one in Canada (that's like 3 hours away from here).

So where did I finally find a Panera? On the Ohio Turnpike, on the way to Pittsburgh.

Does it live up to the hype? I would say: "mostly". I will admit I had really high expectations, probably way to high for what is really a fast food chain. It was good, actually it was a bit better than good, it just wasn't great. I enjoyed my Ham & Cheese Sandwich on a Provolone Bagel with a side of French Onion Soup. I loved the fact that I could have gotten it on about 8 other kinds of bread and I could have gotten many other things besides soup (IIRC I had four soup choices as well). I also really loved the brownie that I was too busy eating to take a picture of. It was much better than your average fast food, that's for sure.

If there was a Panera Bread here locally I'm pretty sure I would go their fairly often. Free Wi-Fi and decent food with lots of customization. I dig it.

It's that time of the week again. #FoodPornFriday! Who's going to link up with me?

Burger Battle: Motor Vs. Mamo

There's a battle raging right now in Windsor. A burger battle. On one front you have Motor Burger and onthe other front you have Mamo Burger Bar.

In case you haven't noticed, Windsor has become a battle zone of amazing burger joints. We've had Bubi's and Gilligan's for a while now but now there are tons of amazing burgers around the city at places like Joe Schmoe's and the Bull n Barrel. Two of the newest entries onto the field of battle, and my personal favorites, are Motor Burger and Mamo Burger Bar

Motor Burger

Motor Burger is located in the heart of Via Italia, Windsor's Little Italy, at 888 Erie Street. Awarded the Reader's Digest Canada's "Best Gourmet Burger" medal in 2012 and followed up with their "You Gotta Eat Here" stripes the next year, Motor Burger comes to the field well decorated.

You will find fifteen different burgers on the menu. These are all gourmet burgers made with a huge variety of fresh ingredients and toppings. My favourite is the Autostrada (Chipotle rubbed northern Italian sausage, gorgonzola cheese, sliced apple slaw), the wife loves the Twin Barracudas (2 panko encrusted haddock sliders, creamy cajun slaw, cheddar cheese, pickle). All of these are available single or supercharged. Supercharged means a scary amount of burger as they toss a second patty on there.

Supporting these fifteen lieutenants are the best damn sides in the city. Truly amazing onion rings. Sweet potato fries. Poutine and some of the greatest Mac & Cheese in the city. There are also some salads for those of you who forgot you went to a burger joint. Oh, and some great starters too, not that you really need them, a bowl of rings and a burger fills this Big Dude right up, but if you are a glutton for punishment grab the Chili Spring Rolls (chorizo chile & black bean, lime, smoked cheese, sour cream).

Added to all this great food Motor Burger has one more thing going for it. It's also an Ontario Craft Brewer. Yep you read that right. Motor Craft Ales is brewed specifically for Motor Burger. I could so use a pint of Dragula right now.

Mamo Burger Bar

Mamo Burger Bar can be found at 1515 Ottawa Street. The previous location of Sweet T's Southern Cooking and before that Smoke n' Spice. Actually Mamo was opened by the same owners and they have a real hit here.

Mamo has only ten lieutenants in their army but they back it up with a lot more support troops. The ten signature burgers are all tradition beef burgers. Well somewhat traditional. They get the meat from Shawn Morris Farms (better known as The Butcher of Kingsville), ground fresh that day. While it's not the variety you get at some other places in the city, this is the most tasty beef burger patty I've ever had. Added to those patties are some of the greatest topping combos ever. Personally I can never decide between the Wakin' & Bacon (cheddar, house bacon, fried egg & bacon jam) or The Daddy Mac (House made mac & cheese, smoked pull pork & caramelized onions).

Alongside those burgers are a couple of different sets of sides. Standard ones and deluxe specialist troops that cost a bit more to muster. These include fries, garlic fries, tater tots, Caesar salad on the low end and poutine, chili cheese fries and fried pickles for the elite troops.

There are also quite a few non-burger items on Mamo's menu. There are those same confusing salads (seriously, who goes to a burger joint to get a salad?), turkey sandwiches, pulled pork, chicken tenders, soup and chili and more. It's definitely a much more diverse set of troops.

The beer selection at Mamo isn't so bad either. Sure it's not brewed right there but they do have an Ontario Craft Beer menu and they mix up the taps pretty good.

My thoughts on the war

Both of these competitors have something amazing to bring to the battle. I think the sides at Motor Burger are some of the best in the city, if not the best. My kids love it as well, they can't get enough of the mac & cheese. I love the burgers too but I have to give an edge to Mamo Burger there. Given the choice I would choose a Daddy Mac over an Autostrada more often then not. But then Motor Burger brews their own beer, I really like beer. It's crowded though and Mamo feels more relaxed. Wait I know what will decide this battle: price! No wait that doesn't work, a burger and side at Motor Burger will cost you about $12-15. A burger at Mamo costs about the same and comes with side.

You know who really wins this battle? All of us, the people of Windsor, by having such amazing burgers made right here in our backyard.

#FoodPornFriday The best Crêpes I've ever had came from Pittsburgh

Today's #FoodPornFriday pic comes from Pittsburgh.

Before our tip to Pittsburgh a few weeks back I posted on Google+ asking people from the area what we should try to make sure we did on our trip. The first thing that came up was Primanti Bros. I already wrote about that amazing place. The second thing that was mentioned was Pamela's Diner for breakfast. 

I was warned to expect a long wait and that when I got there I had to try the hot cakes. Quite a few more people jumped into the thread and said the same. Everyone kept going on about the hot cakes with many people noting how unique they are.

Well when I got there I found that people in Pittsburgh haven't really heard of crêpes. That's what these hot cakes were, crêpes. Crêpes are pretty common here in Canada, more so the further north you go. So at first I was a bit disappointed. Then I tried them.

OMG they were so good! I have no idea what they do different down there but these were the best damn crêpes I've ever had. Actually they were the best grilled breakfast item I've ever had. Better then all pancakes and even waffles (I really love waffles. Not the Belgian kind, the kind with the small holes). 

I have to agree with my followers on G+, if you are ever in Pittsburgh you owe it to yourself do at least two things. Get a sandwich from Primanti Bros and try some hot cakes cêpes from Pamela's.

It's #FoodPornFriday and I'm looking for other blogs to join in the fun an link up with me. I'm going to be posting one of these every week and you should stop by and link up. I want to see your awesome pictures! For the faint of heart feel free to use #FoodPicFriday