tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12206888802002504242012-01-30T16:32:54.400-06:00Enjoy the world's most popular blog on food, booze, books, politics, music, armored wankerball and getting your hair cut within the friendly confines of downtown Montgomery, Alabama a/k/a "The Gump." Reading this blog could result in total consciousness. Results may vary.Chase N. Allpotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870145674673024871noreply@blogger.comBlogger2021100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-73571785277934863562012-01-28T09:30:00.009-06:002012-01-29T08:45:44.950-06:00

My father was friends with Hank Williams in high school. By that I do not mean acquaintances. I mean close friends. Earlobe thumping friends. So close in fact that, fortunately for me, Williams scolded him about dating any girl but (eventually) my mother when they double-dated. They remained friends through the short but brilliant music career that tragically ended in a baby-blue Caddilac

Whig In A Blankethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17792030803775796812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-44201344475753613252011-12-22T17:14:00.002-06:002011-12-23T09:12:33.235-06:00

Our Dear (and expendable) Leader Things are a bit hectic this time of year.  Following world events today is like watching a drunk chase a balloon near the edge of a cliff. Alas, we must remain focused on the things we can change. Our role at LITG is to constantly work behind the scenes to ensure the enjoyment of the lunching class in Montgomery. We visit many places you will never see

Squeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851773218612905574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-82311973254320109192011-12-12T22:18:00.003-06:002011-12-13T19:39:33.995-06:00

  During this holiday season many of us are invited to events where we share our table with others which usually offers us the joy of meeting new people or, at the very least, getting to know acquaintances better.  That is not always the case, however.  Not, at least, when you dine with a honey badger. Sharing two for one steaks at Gumpwood CC with a honey badger is, to say the least, an

Shadow Puphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016781393132712664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-725116285532807152011-11-28T22:25:00.007-06:002011-12-08T14:14:12.298-06:00

I may have been born in Ireland, but after decades here I get Thanksgiving and American Football. As for Thanksgiving, which to some is an excuse for overeating, I have grown to like the taste of Turkey and Dressing and the underlying message of being thankful for our many blessings.  I admit I have indulged in both and experienced the placebo effects of small doses of L-tryptophan which provide

Chase N. Allpotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870145674673024871noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-3135506245336771152011-11-19T17:08:00.011-06:002011-12-06T10:07:52.244-06:00

Like many of us do over time, I have branched out from the usual meat and three rut and boy am I glad I have.  Fried chicken, okra and cornbread are fine but as a change of pace I have become especially fond of Asian cuisine. Meals at India Palace, and Green Papaya have taught me there is some mighty fine food out East (and I am not talking about East Montgomery a/k/a West Shorter). Based upon

Cornbread Carphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338034190997737651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-68526832182640474802011-11-06T08:41:00.011-06:002011-11-06T19:13:54.674-06:00

I have a deep respect for the Marine Corps or, more specifically, Marines. In 1945 my father was 17 when as a private in the 5th Marine Division he came ashore on Iwo Jima and eventually earned a Bronze Star leading what was left of is company from pill box to pill box. He witnessed the flag being raised on Mt. Suribachi...both times...and lived to tell about it. Only he wouldn't.Flash forward

Cornbread Carphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338034190997737651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-27136603375685922312011-10-30T19:11:00.022-05:002011-11-01T07:22:12.999-05:00

They appear docile. Some are bilingual and wear sombreros. But none are to be trifled with.Just when you thought it was safe to come out of the water or, perhaps, the drainage ditch, they attack.Any LITG regular knows from which they come. It is from this way they come. And there is nothing more horrible than a furious, voracious, or, even worse, a wounded Chile Poblano.They are offered on many

Squeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851773218612905574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-89790962938270383422011-10-19T19:13:00.005-05:002011-10-25T11:35:57.568-05:00

We are not "Down with the Struggle" against the Street I don't get it. Despite its flaws, we have the greatest lunch system in the world based upon the free operation of self-interested appetites. Sure, not everyone gets a second helping of cornbread and some can afford truffles, but what is it about these ex-hippies and the "Occupy Gail's Down the Street" movement? What do they have against

Shadow Puphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016781393132712664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-88292811356390782012011-10-16T20:19:00.002-05:002011-10-19T14:36:53.272-05:00

I set out last Friday on a heading 180 degrees (due South) from the Gump traveling a secret shortcut (which involves passing through the Kinston) until the last road I crossed before splashing headlong into the Gulf of Mexico was the famous 30-A of South Walton County, Florida a/k/a SoWal. I admit, it was not the first time I had ventured to those little slices of beach heaven called Grayton,

Whig In A Blankethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17792030803775796812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-84193862575618505732011-10-12T17:17:00.005-05:002011-10-13T08:30:25.566-05:00

[Ed. Note: When one of our own makes it big, we have to brag....] Squeak jokes around with a human actor on the set before the shoot. (AP)-Los Angeles. A member of Montgomery's "Lunch in the Gump" gang has been featured on a nationally broadcast commercial for Geico Insurance that has surpassed the gecko and caveman commercials in popularity. The character known as "Squeak" to LITG followers

Whig In A Blankethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17792030803775796812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-84005537455729492592011-10-04T08:08:00.011-05:002011-10-11T22:04:56.713-05:00

Some of you may know that DNA testing of entrees in Mobile by a television station resulted in embarrassing some well-know seafood restaurants found to be serving "Grouper" that was not actually Grouper. You may have noticed since the DNA testing of fish became available to even teenagers, that something fishy has been going on with restaurant menus regarding references to specific species of

Squeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851773218612905574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-51514771808569771452011-09-28T14:20:00.011-05:002011-09-28T17:16:06.441-05:00

This sandwich is called a "Sophia Coppola" I am female. This is something that -- I hope -- is obvious to most people when they meet me. It has come to my attention, however, that the gender of your local, friendly LITG contributor is not always apparent by simply reading this blog. And there is a certain egalitarian beauty to that. You can judge me for my blog entries (few though they may be)

BB MAKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08389453011879732066noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-88057573705118198162011-09-25T10:59:00.007-05:002011-09-28T11:34:07.928-05:00

These Dudes Abide. Anyone who has seen the cult-classic: "The Big Lebowski" knows that it is at its core a formula detective whodunit except that the "detective" is a stoner. The "logic" flowing from a conversation between The Dude (Jeff Bridges), Donnie (Steve Buscemi) and Walter (John Goodman) is so spacey that the fact that vandals who by a case of mistaken identity break into the Dude's

Shadow Puphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016781393132712664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-31728804860746678902011-09-19T18:21:00.002-05:002011-09-28T11:34:28.162-05:00

A Lunch in the Gump Gump to Go in the Gump It is not news when dog bites man, but how about when man bites a Gump? That is exactly what I did last week when Lunch in the Gump involved eating a Gump: A "Gump" sandwich from Midtown Pizza Kitchen that is. For those of you still skeptical or baffled by our use of the "Lunch in the Gump" moniker for this blog, know this: It has been called "The

Cornbread Carphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338034190997737651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-78117556777270162392011-09-10T16:37:00.011-05:002011-09-21T11:18:12.349-05:00

The LITG Board of Directors was meeting in August to discuss the timing of our IPO when the Gumphone Rang with a tip from the French Consul General to the Gump--one Michelle Pompidou--explaining in broken English that there would be an event at Roux in September that he was inviting LITG to attend and review. We put him on the speaker as he struggled to describe something about what sounded like

Chase N. Allpotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870145674673024871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-70470753212618845272011-09-06T15:03:00.004-05:002011-09-08T10:40:22.319-05:00

Le Dejeuner Manifique! If one is going to jump the wall, by God, JUMP THE WALL. Not the Wishbone Café, not Birmingham pretenders, make Le Grand Saut. Drive 312 miles southwest of the Gump to the quintessential New Orleans experience, Galatoire’s Restaurant. The line at Galatoire’s for lunch on Fridays is a sacred Bourbon Street tradition. It forms at about 9:30 or 10 for the 11:30 opening and

No Grits No Gloryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08523982496537295785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-48000568239647867932011-09-01T11:57:00.002-05:002011-09-01T17:09:23.391-05:00

They had food, so this is an official LITG review By now you may have read the local news accounts of the truly excellent Montgomery Dragon Boat Race & Festival held in downtown Gump last Saturday on the banks of the Alabama River. As usual, the local news media gave you nothing but the Nine W’s (those being who, what, when, where, wayward, weak, worn, witless and wrong) so here's the real story.

Bidgood Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563382386466081417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-39871935213245566352011-08-28T20:02:00.019-05:002011-09-06T11:47:29.554-05:00

 Did any of you share a sick thought while watching the ubiquitous Weather Channel reporters trying to explain why it was foolish for listeners to brave the high winds and storm surge of Hurrican Irene while they stood a few yards from the surf hunched over like Quasimodo in the wind gusts?   "Only a fool or a brave weathercaster would go out in this storm...." (TWC's Jim Cantore shows us

Whig In A Blankethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17792030803775796812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-59777715782487905252011-08-23T16:33:00.004-05:002011-08-24T16:30:13.760-05:00

My friend and surgeon about dropped his forceps into the operative field when the nurse told him The Olive Room was now open for lunch during the week. After gaining his composure (and retrieving the instrument) I heard him through the drug induced haze say "My God woman get someone over there Stat and get me whatever is the first entree on the menu! Chop chop!" That was the last thing I

Shadow Puphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016781393132712664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-73164236909920455192011-08-15T09:03:00.004-05:002011-09-06T15:21:32.218-05:00

 What is a Fonfon anyway? Pardon me, but I simply must gush about a recent trip I made with the Heiress up to visit her daughter where we enjoyed a fine meal at Chez Fonfon in Five Points in Birmingham. I sincerely hope I will not loose my posting privileges by straying outside of our normal gastronomic boundaries, but I was so greatly impressed with the French country style decor and menu

Chase N. Allpotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870145674673024871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-68237033480772363022011-08-08T22:50:00.012-05:002011-08-17T09:31:46.902-05:00

Eating messy barbecue used to be fun... Well, because the evidence is all in and the jury is sequestered and deliberating my fate, I thought it would be safe to break my lawyer-induced silence and comment upon a true but un-prosecuted conspiracy that affects many members of Gump society: The Ruined Tie Conspiracy between The Locker Room and Dreamland. I would contend that the existence of a

Cornbread Carphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338034190997737651noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-70739383292661790222011-07-25T18:18:00.007-05:002011-07-27T16:44:29.580-05:00

Torta Cubana: I have no idea what's in there. International food snobs often decry the "Americanization" of ethnic fare in the Gump. You will see or hear them bemoaning that "This ________ restaurant or that __________ restaurant doesn't serve 'authentic' ________ food but these poor rubes in the Gump can't tell the difference so we get a bastardized version of ___________food." (fill in the

Squeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851773218612905574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-85041863243592268812011-07-16T16:29:00.012-05:002011-07-21T17:19:06.220-05:00

UPDATE as of July 21, 2011: Returned to Joe's...Again on Friday last week for the "Joe's Burger" and again today for the regular cheese burger. I was blown away, I mean, in a good way. Not injured but almost stuffed beyond capacity with what may, just might, perhaps, maybe, possibly be the best, I said BEST, double cheese burger in El Todo Del Gumpo! Maybe. Since I was alone I cannot confirm the

Squeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851773218612905574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-38904281545027418002011-07-12T13:48:00.011-05:002011-09-02T18:19:22.913-05:00

We at LITG had been saddened to hear of the closing of our enigmatic Capitol Oyster Bar given our high rating while at its former location in a prior post. We were also disappointed that the Marina Bar & Grill had closed even though we still miss poor Nibbles, our fallen GGP comrade, starved by the slow service experienced when the Marina Bar and Grill opened in March of this year. There was,

Squeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851773218612905574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-88647143287641243212011-07-06T14:19:00.017-05:002011-07-08T15:41:21.435-05:00

A typical "Yee-ro" waits to be bit. I know most of you females out there are still pissed about the Casey Anthony verdict but I for one am glad it is over. After gorging the 4th and watching the cable coverage of the verdict on the 5th, today I was about as sick of watching that "reality show" trial as I was of B-B-Q pork, ribs, and chicken. So today I left the Gump in search of something

Shadow Puphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016781393132712664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-74796957466760377932011-06-28T16:36:00.010-05:002011-06-29T00:23:20.915-05:00

First, let's get one thing straight. Well, a few things straight. (1) I like to catch fish by the boatload. (2) I like to shoot multiple species of ducks. (3) I like classic cocktails, expertly built, with loving care, by professionals. (4) I like to gamble in proper casinos, not amongst pensioners playing nickel machines in "bingo" joints. (5) I like great music played by sweaty-ass musicians in

Bidgood Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563382386466081417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-5273380928706299072011-06-23T12:32:00.012-05:002011-09-01T12:28:45.278-05:00

[Ed. Note: Santa Fe Express es muy finito. No trespassing signs up 8/31/2011. Adios Santa Fe Express!] The holes in the facade from the rudely dislodged former "Bama Bistro" sign which once hung above the door a few months ago have not yet been filled, but the space has. Our elite commandos recently received hard intelligence that a new "Mexican" restaurant was now occupying the 15 Commerce

Squeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851773218612905574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-77191974769593486382011-06-21T09:32:00.014-05:002011-07-12T17:03:48.052-05:00

Derk's Proudly Displays the 2010 LCBS Certificate!The answer is: The invention of agriculture!You see, after exile for two weeks in the chain restaurant capitol of the world (i.e. Dothan AL) it was comforting to return to No-Clo and the 2010 LBCS Champion: Derk's Filet & Vine for the best lunch in the Gump for $12.44 including tax and tea. What is so great about Derk's is that the food is so

Shadow Puphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016781393132712664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-76153437171537072692011-06-02T17:32:00.007-05:002011-06-29T00:27:12.125-05:00

Zelda Rd./Ann St. -- the geographic center of the Gump. The Q at Country's is also right in the middle. If you read about Tojo's brush with starvation at Cantina Tortilla Grill, then you know we aren't taking chances with any small portion sissy-food joints, at least not any time soon. So once we sprung our massive Asian friend from Jackson Hospital we motored one exit to the east and hit

Bidgood Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563382386466081417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-53344537388104043162011-05-24T20:06:00.012-05:002011-06-22T13:45:30.286-05:00

We are declining as a society into a bunch of nincompoops. A recent article in The Washington Post documents how supposedly educated and successful people can accomplish a trifecta of nincompoopery such as (1) leaving their lights on; (2) with keys in the car; (3) with the engine running. (Well, "at least the battery won't run down...."). Well, so you say Missy.Before embarking on my diatribe for

Whig In A Blankethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17792030803775796812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-87194598155919765982011-05-16T10:52:00.004-05:002011-09-01T12:31:05.165-05:00

So anyway, this morning the GumpPhone lights up and as usual it's the Cornbread Carp. Apparently one of the Guinea Pigs went to the new Cantina Tortilla Grill* in the Alley last week and lived to tell about it, so the Carp (who always gets his way) decreed that the Cantina was cleared for a full review by Lunch in the Gump. Like so many redneck tragedies that start out "hold my beer and watch

Bidgood Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563382386466081417noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-33751354823069778272011-05-13T10:09:00.001-05:002011-05-17T10:12:41.245-05:00

Squeak in a fine disquise I’ve been to Cantina on an elite solo mission. It opens for lunch to the public tomorrow but got a squeak peak today. My $3 (a piece) pork taco and a similarly priced steak taco left a little to be desired in the taste department. My beans side was cold and so was the (albeit tasty) cheese dip....Could just be the kinks. The menu also emphasizes “fresh” ingredients,

Squeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851773218612905574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-91860913161729456272011-05-02T20:42:00.003-05:002011-05-03T18:25:43.550-05:00

The news has been a roller-coaster ride recently which has caused a disturbance in the usual LITG posting schedules. Royal weddings, tornadoes and real commando raids have (in some cases) rightfully taken the national interest above mundane lunch ramblings in the Gump. I exclude the royal wedding from that list because, actually, I was more interested in where the Gump Guinea Pigs might be

Squeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851773218612905574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-54724877276054311822011-04-19T17:46:00.006-05:002011-04-30T06:32:23.252-05:00

On the pork loin at Lunde’s we’ve often feasted, Although we wonder from whence came this roast-beasted. We have gladly dined and toasted while there, others even bragged and boasted the fare, Now the loss of this place has some feeling triste-d. If you think this ode should be mournful, yea poignant, I do not have time for such soppy annoy-ment. The owner admits they had a good run. Just

BB MAKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08389453011879732066noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-62371891335714030272011-04-18T17:57:00.002-05:002011-04-19T07:14:16.475-05:00

They serve a lot more than wings.... One of the last things you should do before an afternoon meeting is eat a "mountain of hot fries topped with melted Monterrey Jack, Cheddar cheese and bacon" as an appetizer before downing a foot-long Louisiana "Debris" (roast beast) po' boy with "Wet Fries" covered in mushroom beef gravy. That is, at least if you want to stay alert. Unfortunately, today at

Chase N. Allpotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870145674673024871noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-47466662702727868102011-04-13T09:08:00.006-05:002011-04-18T07:00:44.360-05:00

              As a former military man, I like it when things don't touch. --By Squeak (as told to No Grits No Glory) .....like I know Sushi, Oh, Oh what a Cafe! When the Monday Gumpers started rattling off potential lunch destinations, Sushi Café was nominated by yours truly. Bama Bing!'s response was a surly, "Sushi Cafe? Y'all are bold. I'm not so sure I'd even send the pigs." Well, the

No Grits No Gloryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08523982496537295785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-3912668839387824642011-04-04T13:51:00.010-05:002011-04-06T10:22:33.324-05:00

The "margerine" and gravy were too salty and coagulated. Pierce’s Country Cooking was the opted venture of the day and with the reported loss of two adventurers last week at a previously reviewed establishment on Furnace Street*, I felt obligated to provide the review in tune form to honor the fallen: Sung to the tune of Andy William’s Theme From Love Story Where do I begin? To tell the

Fat Clemenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658327085026683335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-40690139215329708152011-04-03T09:05:00.009-05:002011-04-05T21:29:50.825-05:00

I know you must be tired of the mindless ramblings of that n'ar do well Irishman Allpots. I truly know that I am. Therefore, I feel compelled to contribute a little story about my recent trip up AL 63 to "The Spring House" at Russell Crossroads. You see, while CNA's culinary mind is muddled by his cavorting with his stable of wealthy man-starved widows, my bride of umpteen years and I remain

Whig In A Blankethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17792030803775796812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-67711008004935976802011-03-27T22:10:00.004-05:002011-12-01T17:58:21.364-06:00

[12/1/2011: Ed. Note official word is that City Grill is moving their operation soon to the Ham and High location. So long Pimm's No. 1 Cup! :(]  Whoops....Sparky would be mad. These are what I meant....and yes I did have three. Those of you who have been to Bermuda numerous times like I have will no doubt recall the favorite drink of the locals which they call the "Dark and Stormy."  The

Chase N. Allpotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870145674673024871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-16640563701855122122011-03-19T16:34:00.013-05:002011-07-12T14:03:37.517-05:00

Ed. Note: The Marina Bar & Grill has, as of July 2011, closed and the Capitol Oyster Bar has moved into the space. Check out the post for July 12, 2011 for the details. Nibbles and the Marina will be missed but the COB will be a great replacement....we hope.Nibbles no more. (At least someone was happy about it).It is my sad duty to report the loss in action of one of our fearless and expendable

Squeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851773218612905574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-1058235457007140222011-03-17T22:30:00.004-05:002011-04-01T21:32:01.993-05:00

St. Patty wondering if you can make whiskey from a shamrock (he actually wore blue you know). On St. Patrick's day I dined at the Gumpwood CC and Snobatorium where they served an very fine Irish Whiskey dinner. On the menu was a wedge with Jameson Blue Cheese followed by a corned-beef brisket simmered in Jameson Irish Whiskey. Both were positively superb. During the dinner we sampled 12 and 18-

Chase N. Allpotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870145674673024871noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-60131193308641783122011-03-14T07:41:00.001-05:002011-03-15T12:15:24.842-05:00

Winter is over when the Chile Poblano does not see its shadow Forget that stupid ground hog from PA, I know winter is over when I hear laughter from the al fresco diners on the La Zona Rosa balcony wafting down into the parking lot as I walk up the stairs to the entrance of this local "Mexican" favorite. Yes, I know that this is not "authentic" Mexican food. I know the cuisine here is some sort

Shadow Puphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016781393132712664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-44631812687171728712011-03-08T20:14:00.020-06:002011-03-11T20:29:04.296-06:00

Babycake likes Mini-Moonpie! Is there a more appropriate or better place to lunch in the Gump on Fat Tuesday than Lunde's? Mardi Gras beads, moon pies, red beans and rice, Louisiana Hot Sauce and King Cake (complete with baby!). Laissez les bons temps rouler! Our favorite NOLA-transplants lunch spot with all the carnival trappings without the liquor license.  Drat. Plenty of King Cake babies

Shadow Puphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016781393132712664noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-71782852958831436412011-03-01T16:43:00.005-06:002011-03-21T17:07:14.679-05:00

A municipal inspector slaps the face of a street fruit vendor in Tunisia and the next thing you know a 23-year dictatorship crumbles leading to further uprisings in the Arab world, the flight of Hosni Mubarak and the impending doom of that tragically comic figure Muammar Gaddafi, recently falsely rumored to have been shot by his own troops. Of course, in between these events Mohamed Bouazizi, a

Squeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851773218612905574noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-18112317947496523512011-02-23T14:30:00.000-06:002011-02-23T14:30:53.723-06:00

Good friend Bam-Bam call Tojo last week, ask Tojo to promote Temple Beth Or Food Festival on world famous Lunch in Gump. Tojo Buddhist, but say okay, Bam-Bam. Tojo like church food from all the churches. Tojo like St. John's Episcopal Bazaar, Tojo like Greek Orthodox Barbecue on Labor Day, Tojo like others. If Tojo ever find good Buddhist church-home, Tojo put Sushipalooza in suggestion box.

Tojo Yamamotohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10849794030012195556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-39733847481293268362011-02-19T13:09:00.002-06:002011-02-22T17:08:52.206-06:00

 Two old-favorites of Gumpers everywhere together at last!  As you know, you are currently reading the number one blog in the world dealing with food, booze, books, politics, music, football and hair cuts in Montgomery, Alabama a/k/a "The Gump." Although we do not like to brag, one of our lesser-known areas of expertise is local music. One or two of our Gumpheads have even been known to

Shadow Puphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016781393132712664noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-40873275006076559012011-02-14T17:40:00.003-06:002011-02-15T11:23:06.652-06:00

  If they had room, the chickens would be rolling around in their cages....  Inspired by those brave young Gump Guinea Pigs, I decided to eat outside the box during one of my frequent visits to local fried chicken and cornbread icon: Martin's Restaurant. Every now and then a little change of pace spices up one's mundane day to day grind. Today, being Valentine's Day, I invited my

Cornbread Carphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338034190997737651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-74122333290970792242011-02-10T11:36:00.006-06:002011-02-10T13:58:46.894-06:00

A small reconnaissance squad and myself unwittingly journeyed outside the bypass on that warm Saturday where the rain let up and the temperature got bearable. My force, usually more disciplined than their lemming cousins, was undoubtedly led out of the gump proper by the presence of an elusive DOUBLE RAINBOW! This guy knows what's up We followed the rainbow to its shocking source: the Tipping

Squeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851773218612905574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-69293211719551716122011-02-10T09:36:00.004-06:002011-02-10T11:20:25.633-06:00

Since the discussion and discourse of this blog has been expanded to include "sounds in the gump" I suppose it could be appropriate to add conversation to include "bird watching in the gump". It seems that from time to time flocks of Columba Livia will find themselves migrating through this territory (including some that are indigenous) and lite in an unfamiliar (and sometimes familiar) bird

Fat Clemenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658327085026683335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-51284024695436934342011-02-01T22:04:00.001-06:002011-02-02T07:17:33.350-06:00

This past Monday--when Michael's Table is normally closed--Chef Michael Hochhalter hosted friends and benefactors of the Capri Film Society for a wine tasting and dinner which raised thousands for the effort to pay off the mortgage on the Capri Theatre Building. Yours truly, CNA, Esq., was privileged to have been invited to attend and donate to the cause.  Chef Hochhalter and his staff served

Chase N. Allpotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870145674673024871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-46729026743780125582011-01-28T12:59:00.010-06:002011-02-01T21:12:26.957-06:00

Wedding soup shown with garlic bread. As an elite and expendable member of the recently formed Gump Guinea Pigs, I have had my eye for some time on the lunch time activities of one local individual whom I shall identify only as "Finicky Real Estate Lawyer." I have noticed that over time this Finicky Real Estate Lawyer walks to lunch most days in what has developed into a habit involving where

Squeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851773218612905574noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-75788778805852889172011-01-25T18:00:00.004-06:002011-02-21T14:10:04.414-06:00

 Things went "South" quickly...and loosely.  We Were Guinea Pigs Once....and Young. (AP--Montgomery) Wikileaks, the international non-profit organization that publishes submissions of private, secret, and classified media from anonymous news sources and news leaks and its pedophile founder Julian Assange, is at it again. Recently, WikiLeaks released excerpts of a Top Secret Report to the

Cornbread Carphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338034190997737651noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-16942745359857144272011-01-20T16:42:00.003-06:002011-01-24T08:43:09.580-06:00

Gump Guinea Pigs hit the salad bar at the barracks. Waiting for a mission. Today the Lunch in the Gump Secret Committee (they know who they are) announced the formation of the Gump Guinea Pigs, an elite unit of first-strike commandos dedicated to keeping the Gump safe for gastronomy. The "Pigs" are dedicated to the memory of LITG co-founders Doyle B. Cooper, who perished in a freak accident

Bidgood Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563382386466081417noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-79761268477410669742011-01-18T15:09:00.005-06:002011-01-18T17:33:27.286-06:00

[Flashback: It is September 1983 and I am sitting in a booth at Joe's Deli savoring a pastrami burger and noting that "Das Boot" (a German film with English subtitles) is playing across the street at the newly re-opened "Capri" (f/k/a the "Clover") under the auspices of the recently formed "Capri Film Society." My namesake, The Younger, has just turned one and lies in his "carryall" in the booth

Chase N. Allpotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870145674673024871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-81609427733941298902011-01-06T17:12:00.000-06:002011-01-06T17:12:11.317-06:00

Hamburger KingOld pal Chase N. Allpots told me recently that his New Year’s resolution was to be unpredictable, to try new and exciting things in 2011. “So, you’re going to skydive, go bungee-jumping, that sort of thing?” I asked him. “No, I was thinking along the lines of maybe trying a hot dog at Hamburger King,” he said, "maybe the pot roast at Martin's, a steak at Jubilee Seafood. You know,

Bidgood Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563382386466081417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-73939719886309366332010-12-30T11:56:00.001-06:002010-12-30T14:53:28.229-06:00

While I do enjoy a cup of cheer every now and again I am still puzzled at what "Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind" really means in this day and age. I think Billy Crystal summed it up best in his rant in When Harry Met Sally but why in the world would I want to digress and get into that sentimental crap here?One more day after this one for 2010, and even La Cosa Nostra

Fat Clemenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658327085026683335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-86940084872124104282010-12-26T16:22:00.030-06:002011-01-19T16:02:01.861-06:00

The year 2K10, as viewed through the greasy prism of the Lunch in the Gump gang, was a year of surprises and reversals of fortune. It was a down year for the economy, gambling, Obama, Bama and the Bistro but an up year for the GOP, criminal defense lawyers, Auburn and Derk's Filet and Vine. Join us now for a walk down lunch memory lane for a review of the history of world as revealed in the 

Shadow Puphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016781393132712664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-36429464919321772322010-12-21T15:40:00.005-06:002011-02-20T09:54:06.223-06:00

Proudly displayed at Filet & Vine     We do not accept free meals or advertising from the restaurants we review (unless we are caught and disclose it).  In this case, however, we all paid for all of our meals at Derk's and have not even asked him to advertise with us since we don't sell advertising space anyway.

Chase N. Allpotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870145674673024871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-24194282589979505962010-12-13T13:13:00.003-06:002010-12-21T17:51:38.897-06:00

 Urban cool at Shashy's in the calm before the traditional Bagel Walk...  Coach Derk Lyerly leading his team under the W.C. Fields Arch into the dining room at Derk's.   Whoa Nellie!  It was a real flan burner, a battle etoufee, a bread heat, a Rumble in the Gumple! Yes, it was Lunch in the Gump -- back-to-back at the two finest lunch spots in Montgomery (according to our

Whig In A Blankethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17792030803775796812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-60111561454392605042010-12-02T16:18:00.015-06:002010-12-11T08:25:31.479-06:00

Ed. Note: Yesterday, our Cornbread Carp was declared eligible to post on luncheon blogs by the FBI (Food Bloggers Institute) despite the finding that his father, Cecil Carp, engaged in efforts to shop his son's reviews to the Rock Bottom Cafe. Cecil Carp is no longer associated with LITG and has no authority to contact restaurants on behalf of LITG. The controversy concerning Cornbread's

Cornbread Carphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338034190997737651noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-29099685955544241512010-11-30T14:24:00.007-06:002010-12-01T08:46:05.449-06:00

As a New Yorker transplanted into the Gump via the witness protection program, I am at odds with which perspective to present this review. Should I go NYC "in your face" or take the southern genteel position of “If you don’t have something nice to say, then keep your mouth closed.” Which? Well, the road goes on forever and the party never ends. I received word of a meeting called and convened

Fat Clemenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658327085026683335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-13013381552943143872010-11-28T21:25:00.024-06:002010-11-28T21:38:18.514-06:00

The Coveted Silver Lunch Bowl Trophy Ed. Note: There have already been questions raised about the unfairness of the LBCS rankings. Should "The Wishbone Cafe" or "LaJolla" be eligible although they serve in an area of weak franchises known as West Shorter.  Is it fair that the established Gump areas such as No-Clo or Z-Red get preferences.  Is it fair to exclude restaurants from the Northern

Chase N. Allpotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870145674673024871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-83928995824407660022010-11-16T10:10:00.007-06:002010-11-16T12:31:15.764-06:00

Best lunch in a bowl series. Montgomery--The editors of LITG announced today that voting for the 2010 Best Lunch in the Gump poll is now underway.  Posters and fans of the World's No. 1 Blog on lunching within the confines of downtown Montgomery, Alabama, a/k/a "The Gump," are invited to submit their rankings of the top-ten places they have lunched in the Gump during 2010.  The votes will be

Chase N. Allpotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870145674673024871noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-38096365472539724872010-11-12T10:29:00.011-06:002010-12-05T08:29:12.941-06:00

(Finebaum Network)--As if highly acclaimed blogger Corn B. Carp did not have enough problems already, over the past week there have appeared highly trustworthy internet postings quoting annoymous sources and others who only contradict themselves every other day, that Corn B. Carp's father, the Rev. Cecil Newton Carp, was shopping great reviews from his son with at least one local sports bar in

Shadow Puphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016781393132712664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-85430002038474943342010-11-05T22:07:00.005-05:002010-11-09T08:13:00.141-06:00

   Look for the sign on Monroe Street. It's on the opposite side of the building from the Folsom Grill.  Deep in The Gump, in a state office building opened in 1958, on the back side of Goat Hill, state employees and the occasional outsider all cherish The Grill in the Folsom Administrative Building. Why do they cherish it? It's convenient, the staff is pleasant, and you can get

Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411560558293052674noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-17918373791945859422010-11-04T19:15:00.005-05:002012-01-05T07:40:36.097-06:00

[Ed. Note 1/3/2012: Alas, All City Coney is no more. A wing's place is about to open in this space]The LITG Gang is a pretty tough crowd. The other day I invited them to join me at the new "All-City Coney Island Eatery" for a review of this "new" eatery (which opened Oct. 26) and the first response I received was: "Where is that greasy spoon?" Well, it is located at the corner of Madison and N.

Cornbread Carphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338034190997737651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-39893927308480026602010-10-28T15:08:00.005-05:002010-11-04T16:55:55.933-05:00

This little piggy has no pants on. This little piggy has gas. Being a Gump native, I am required by heritage and societal pressures to eat barbecue at least once a week. Today at lunch, my blue-eyed bride and I dined, again, at Varsity Barbecue, currently located in the parking lot of Burlington Coat Factory, across from Kripy Kreme, on the road that connects Mount Meigs, Alabama to Ann

Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411560558293052674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-88595082839438875892010-10-27T17:48:00.005-05:002010-11-13T08:37:54.299-06:00

Damn it, political ads really are here....(make the bad men stop!!!) I don't know about you, but I am bombarded each day with more unhelpful political advertisements than I can stomach. Unfortunately for me, being of advanced age, I have in the past made political donations to so many different candidates that, apparently, both parties believe I am an ardent supporter of their most outlandish

Chase N. Allpotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870145674673024871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-52498723937362610332010-10-22T11:31:00.007-05:002012-01-23T08:21:31.656-06:00

[Ed. Note: Depending on when you read this, India Palace will have moved to Pensacola, FL Jan. 30, 2012.  We will miss the curry and goat and naan] ("Yes" I am out on bail and "No" I cannot talk about it). Dinner at "India Palace" Sunday night reminded me of a joke (perhaps grounded in truth) I heard years ago: A college professors' Peugeot breaks down on I-65 near Clanton and a Good Ole Boy

Cornbread Carphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338034190997737651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-23503124100060712992010-10-15T09:39:00.010-05:002010-10-15T13:10:55.896-05:00

(AP)--The "Blogging 11" were arraigned today at the Federal Courthouse. Each plead "not guilty" to the 65-count indictment charging they took favors from restaurants in exchange for glowing reviews. The defendants included bloggers from "Eat Gump," "Midtown Montgomery Living," "Lunch in the Gump," "Urban Spoon," "Lost in Montgomery," and "The Adventures of Pirate Bendy."[Portions of article

Shadow Puphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016781393132712664noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-53035927426460936432010-10-12T08:54:00.009-05:002010-10-13T13:04:47.366-05:00

(Montgomery)--The Montgomery Brew Pub has "temporarily" closed, according to owner/manager/chef Chris Ellis. See article in The Montgomery Advertiser. We at Lunch in the Gump are extremely disappointed and hope he is not kidding about reopening soon with pool tables, dart boards and "Jenga." When Coach Saban was asked by some wag if he knew of the closing at his press conference following the

Shadow Puphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016781393132712664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-52832708354989934872010-10-11T10:05:00.005-05:002010-10-11T11:39:17.373-05:00

(Association Press)-- A Montgomery blogger was arrested today at his trailer by agents of the Federal Blogging Institute (FBI) for allegedly demanding and accepting improper inducements from a restaurant owner to post a favorable review touting the owner's restaurant. Corn B. Carp, 33, was taken into custody at 4 a.m. this morning and charged with corrupt blogging, conspiracy to mislead the

Chase N. Allpotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870145674673024871noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-48422012272607203502010-10-04T22:12:00.008-05:002010-10-11T10:09:12.173-05:00

[Ed. Note: Despite the recent indictment of the "Cornbread Carp," except for the patent hyperbole concerning the benefits of Thai food, we stand behind this post and our friend.] I know they do not serve cornbread, but GreenPapaya serves up the kind of food that makes a body feel good. Whomever at the Agonizer only voted the Green Papaya "three" forks has a lot of 'splainin to do. Why, that

Cornbread Carphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338034190997737651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-59749887760713737192010-10-01T12:29:00.023-05:002011-04-19T07:23:13.225-05:00

[Ed Note: On Tax Day 4/18/2011, this was in the window of the Village Kitchen] What new restaurant will replace Village Kitchen? While not expecting a dining experience on the level of Galatoire’s nor a tuxedo clad maître’ d to snap for my seating, I did hear tell of a new local bill of fare in my Cloverdale hometown that would suit my discerning tastes. I am delighted to note that The

Whig In A Blankethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17792030803775796812noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-64827386732397383512010-09-27T20:40:00.016-05:002010-10-13T12:11:39.842-05:00

It was a dog and monkey show. [Ed. Note: After much gnashing of teeth and soul-searching (including bowing to the whinning of Shadow Pup in the comments section of the "Don't Make Us Kill This Dog Post") we decided not to put the Pup down for his recent rant on Katrina victims. Instead, we held a "Tammy Trial" and decided he/she was guilty as charged but should be sentenced to "time served." It

Shadow Puphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016781393132712664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-26381393984404434432010-09-24T16:53:00.002-05:002010-09-30T07:10:30.653-05:00

A Confounded Chile Poblano Eyes His Plate Mates My squeeze and I are fans of La Zona Rosa as are many of the posters on this blog. On a typical Thursday night you will see the Z-Red restaurant chocked full to the gills with locals chowing down on the reasonably priced "South of the Border" fare. The service is good, the atmosphere friendly and the al fresco dining area a pleasant spot to dine

Cornbread Carphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338034190997737651noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-59577531754442011142010-09-17T08:58:00.014-05:002010-09-24T13:51:39.455-05:00

"OUTRAGEOUS HAPPY HOUR PRICING$1 domestic beer / $2 well drinksFREE Appetizers4 until 8 p.m. EVERY DAYThe season is changing and so is Happy Hour at AlleyBAR !!!! Gone are the dog days of Summer and crisp Autumn afternoons are ahead. Join your friends as our big doors swing wide and the bar and the Alley become one. Enjoy a cold Bud Light, Miller Lite, Mic Ultra, Coors Light, PBR, Yuengling, Bud

Cornbread Carphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338034190997737651noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-25831352728879491972010-09-14T09:35:00.005-05:002010-10-18T08:28:45.379-05:00

Grounds for Divorce.... Football Frenzy Foils Friendly Feasting Another Monday and again no gump, a lonely Monday indeed. Within the LITG crowd we all take our college football seriously, and so it seems to the detriment of the collective. Yesterday evening after reading Chase’s latest review it saddened me to realize that we have become a divisive group choosing to dine alone. Cause?

Fat Clemenzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658327085026683335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-65439438071280276612010-09-13T22:35:00.004-05:002010-10-01T07:42:04.585-05:00

Meatball Parm Sandwich at Sa-Zas One of the grossest or, depending on your point of view, most wonderful shows on the Travel Channel is "Man vs. Food" where some overweight guy with curly black hair named Adam Richmond searches out and destroys the largest, fattest dishes served up by Hamburger King-like places all over America.  Tonight it was a "Double Judd" in Boise, Idaho.  A "Double

Chase N. Allpotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870145674673024871noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-32148074803325787382010-09-02T12:42:00.000-05:002010-09-02T12:42:25.275-05:00

bamabing@lunchinthegump.com Email me to save this dog. Well, I took a much-needed vacation and it looks like somebody forgot to give Shadow Pup his distemper shot while I was gone. Apparently our once-lovable four-footed foodie, whose well-tuned sniffer saved us from many a dining disaster, suddenly went off-message and became a snarling, bile-spewing right-wing elitist social commentator of

Bidgood Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563382386466081417noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-89789816285016874582010-08-31T21:21:00.011-05:002010-09-09T09:14:33.599-05:00

[Editors Note: We apologize for the rant of Shadow Pup and have redacted portions of same per requests from the Montgomery Humane Shelter.] Bob Dobbs Warning: If you believe that [Redacted] This was posted by the Shadow Pup. We are not responsible for liberal heart attacks caused from reading this.... You know I am famous for my lack of patience. And I do not suffer fools well. While waiting

Shadow Puphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016781393132712664noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-37924382014164512872010-08-31T20:53:00.000-05:002010-08-31T20:53:09.244-05:00

I must confess. I love the Olive Room. It's not the trendy design, the "mafia room", the confusing bathrooms nor the candlelight that attracts me back again and again. It is the duck. Yes, I said the duck. The quack quack duck. Of course, the martinis are also good but many places in town can make a decent 'tini. They also have a very reasonably priced wine selection. So too other fine

Chase N. Allpotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870145674673024871noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-83984237919220419552010-08-27T07:26:00.003-05:002010-08-31T12:49:58.633-05:00

The above sign is proudly displayed on the wall of Five Guys Burgers and Fries in Eastchase. It says: "Best Bargain" 2001-2007 "Washingtonian Magazine."On Urban Spoon, Five Guys is consistently rated "Best Cheap Eats" in Montgomery. Apparently, eighty percent of the 243 raters of the restaurant liked it. If so many like Five Guys, who are we to complain?  Well, we dare to complain! This is

Cornbread Carphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338034190997737651noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-64299101331159613652010-08-23T18:07:00.002-05:002010-08-23T18:07:00.339-05:00

The "Salad"Concerned about the recent publicity over the seafood situation in The Gump://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20108110348, I decided I would head for lunch at the Seafood Mecca of Downtown, Wintzell’s Oyster House, http://www.wintzellsoysterhouse.com/ to put my finger on the pulse as to the “real skinny” on things. I had heard the seafood situation was so

Bodiddlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12102616764920845395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-15245622023938978452010-08-20T16:19:00.008-05:002010-08-22T16:53:46.138-05:00

Alhough the LITG faithful might wish to poo-poo our lunch location selection today since we went to a chain restaurant (gasp!), the TRUE faithful will know (1) that a review of Dreamland has been posted on this blog previously (http://lunchinthegump.blogspot.com/2009/07/dreamland-bar-b-que.html) and (2) that we don’t really give a damn what you think about our lunchtime choices (I would include

BB MAKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08389453011879732066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-7392498456866370542010-08-16T21:08:00.007-05:002010-08-18T16:56:41.407-05:00

[Ed. Note: Normally the LITG gang would not have selected the Carp to rate any restaurant that never serves cornbread.  But, as you will see below, due to the head injury to Tojo, we made an exception. Please forgive us.] I was honored to be invited by the gang to write the first real review of one of the Ala-Thai restaurants in the Gump: Ala-Thai Classic on Ann Street. As the Show Dog pointed

Cornbread Carphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338034190997737651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-69440561130545129292010-08-10T08:35:00.006-05:002010-08-10T08:51:27.361-05:00

A gaggle of gumpsters with very little notice visited the burgeoning Zelda Road Entertainment District (Z-RED) and its newest entry, the reconstituted Nancy Paterson’s Bistro. After leaving the friendly confines of C-RED under a full moon, Nancy, Burns and crew have opened a stylish café in the old Klein & Son Jewelry location in Zelda Place. Tales of long waits and slow service—and no Pine Bar

No Grits No Gloryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08523982496537295785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-38061292871511184742010-08-02T22:42:00.005-05:002010-08-04T12:15:23.890-05:00

“Never go outside the Gump” we have said over and over. But we, the LITG gang, never learn from our prior mistakes and thus are destined to re-live the past—sort of like the Pre-Fab Four super group—The Rutles—made all the mistakes those copycats—The Beatles—repeated. This time, however, perhaps we have found at least one reason to visit the far east. I mean one more than lunching with Tojo. So

Chase N. Allpotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870145674673024871noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-74247337580221161712010-07-27T22:39:00.005-05:002010-12-21T17:39:31.216-06:00

Bama Bistro lunch crowd at 12:00 noon Tuesday [Ed Note: We regret to inform you that it appears that our little hole in the wall is now a void between two walls i.e. closed] As loyal LITG readers already know, Bama Bistro (15 Commerce St.) has made some changes to its business model. In these trying economic times, many business people are tweaking their modi operandi to hang on until we get

Bidgood Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563382386466081417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-48991125283316242132010-07-20T11:06:00.005-05:002010-07-20T17:48:03.534-05:00

Vegans build their pyramids on water. They are not good swimmers.  Unbeknownst to us, effective July 5, the Bama Bistro decided to close on Mondays. So when the LITG gang (Tojo Yamamoto, Big Easy Slim, Show Dog, Chase N. Allpots, Bama Bing, Cornbread Carp, Shadow Pup, BB MAK and Fat Clemenza) showed up at Bama Bistro hungry but locked out, the consensus was to shift the meeting to nearby Lunde’s

Shadow Puphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016781393132712664noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-14481436492043914582010-07-09T14:07:00.004-05:002010-07-20T13:27:45.050-05:00

The "Mariner"We miss Old Cap'n Pat. He was a cantankerous crusty old fart, but he was curiously lovable and always interesting. When he "owned" the Marina Bar & Grill on Shady Street it was a seedy, grimey dump that probably violated every health, building and safety code the stateys have come up with. Heck, even dogs roamed the kitchen ("Dogs can't read the 'No Dogs Allowed' signs" said Capt.

Cornbread Carphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338034190997737651noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-80024947201520765092010-07-01T17:28:00.010-05:002010-08-09T22:34:39.583-05:00

I was on the work-release program for good behavior and got sent out on a solo mission to P-Vegas (read: “Prattville, Alabama”). Allowing the cool breeze to air out my sans-bracelet ankle, I decided to stop at a local joint and get some grub. I ended up at a place in historic downtown, just across the river from the old cotton gin, called “Roy’s Deli.” In spite of the fact that I have no idea who

BB MAKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08389453011879732066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-50439668518870547582010-07-01T13:34:00.002-05:002010-12-21T17:43:38.344-06:00

[Ed. Note: The Montgomery Brewing Company is "closed for rennovations." However, it does not look llike any work is going on there and we are beginning to doubt the "See You Soon" sign after two months of outward non-activity.] No Toby, you can't have any you old sot! With the market in the crapper, oil spoiling beach vacations and investment portfolios all askew, a gentleman must adapt to his

Chase N. Allpotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870145674673024871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-60249385613768346382010-06-28T16:49:00.006-05:002010-06-29T10:29:19.521-05:00

A misguided motard (presumably the Saza's employee that yucked it up with the coppers as Regina McLucid shivered at the prospect of seeing her father in chains) called two black & whites to issue me a parking ticket to spoil an already forgettable Saza's Sunday lunch for the McLucids yesterday. I am calling for an immediate boycott of Saza's and will be soliciting all Gumps to walk the picket

Reginald McLucidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494084369366920511noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-70181309013365671122010-06-17T18:30:00.002-05:002010-06-23T12:18:58.921-05:00

Is that a Spanish question mark? Your Lunch in the Gump investigative reporting team (yours truly, The Younger and Detective D) visited the NoClo (North Cloverdale) district today and boy have we got some news for you! NoClo is already the home of Chophouse VY, Derk's Filet and Vine and the Pine Bar Salad Bar with more eateries and/or drinkeries on the way. Here's the straight poop:First, we

Cornbread Carphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338034190997737651noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-29843163959991401412010-06-11T14:45:00.003-05:002010-06-12T12:59:52.224-05:00

You heard it here first. Cajun-Norwegian Fusion. It's a movement.It is probably true that few Norwegians ever settled in the squishy part of southern Louisiana. The heat, humidity, gnats, gators, binge-drinking and non-stop sex would be too harsh for Norsemen (this is why they took over Minnesota instead). But I can tell you that  Lunde's Norwegian apple pie sits just right with their excellent

Bidgood Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563382386466081417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-89902111881669277212010-06-09T21:23:00.013-05:002011-01-28T20:41:06.716-06:00

[Ed. Note 1/1/11: Sal's is, sadly, now closed.]The fruitbasket turnover of restaurant leagues in the Gump has a new player: Sal's Pizzaria in the Zelda Place Shopping Center. Already the home of one of the best places to eat in town-Michael's Table (and a chain called Moe's), Zelda Place will soon also boast the reincarnation of Nancy Paterson's and a new semi-chain Zoe's perhaps becoming a third

Shadow Puphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09016781393132712664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-51709509284434679902010-06-06T07:00:00.002-05:002010-08-31T21:29:25.437-05:00

Outside the Comfort Zone: Island Delight Every now and then we all need to get outside our comfort zones by trying something different. You know, like paying your child support on time or drilling oil wells a mile deep in the Gulf. My comfort zone for lunch is your typical fried chicken with three sides with some hot cornbread muffins and real butter. But today I ate lunch where they serve

Cornbread Carphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338034190997737651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-49245330565071670312010-06-05T10:03:00.002-05:002010-08-09T22:33:37.765-05:00

LITG Endorsement = Kiss of Death Since apparently the Lunch in the Gump endorsement means certain defeat, we are selling our endorsements for the runoffs and general elections. For a modest sum (like, enough for two Chris' Dogs w/ fries) we will endorse your opponent. Inquire at bamabing@lunchinthegump.com

Bidgood Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563382386466081417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1220688880200250424.post-51350489320033380152010-05-27T21:12:00.005-05:002010-05-28T13:18:04.114-05:00

Lunch in the Gump Endorses Kathy Brown for Circuit Judge*ALL RISE.We have never led our loyal fans astray, not once. We have turned our readers on to some solid meat & 3 joints, introduced rhythmless diners to great soul food and warned you away from death by salmonella (which we hear is a bad way to go). We have taught you the proper way to handle the Widowmaker at Hamburger King, recommended a

Bidgood Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09563382386466081417noreply@blogger.com2