Man Bites Gump

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 Gump" by kids in Montgomery for years.  One of the ironies of life in the Gump was nailed by a man from Wales who married a Prattville girl and moved to Montgomery.  He said: "I can tell whether someone is from Montgomery or not by the way they describe it.  Those that love Montgomery moved here from elsewhere.  Those that make excuses for Montgomery are from Montgomery.  I, for one, love it here."

Being from Montgomery I understand this well.  I also understand why we locals "affectionately" use the term "The Gump" to describe our hometown.  So once I learned that Midtown Pizza Kitchen in the Z-RED (Zelda Road Entertainment District) was serving lunch seven days a week I was intrigued to find the have a sandwich called "The Gump" and had to try it.

Glad I did. "The Gump" consists of sun-dried tomato and olive pesto, melted provolone cheese, ham, pepperoni, salami, and mortadella. It's a square sort of thing.  And heavy. Especially for only $7. The trendy kettle chips were a nice compliment to the sandwich which was difficult for one moderately hungry person to eat. But it was different and good. A refreshing break from the typical Chappy's sandwich tray selection of club, chicken salad, egg salad sandwiches and the like.

Actually, I am a little embarrassed to admit that I did not really know Midtown Pizza Kitchen was open for lunch seven days a week. And while I do not normally drink beer with my lunches more than once or twice a week, I noted they still serve PBR, the LITG beer of choice for those with discerning tastes.

Those of us who play down our pride in the recent growth in epicurean selection in the Gump when we bashfully acknowledge our roots to outsiders ought to eventually realize, as I have, that the Gump is really improving in many areas.  Midtown Pizza Kitchen is a part of that improvement. So, let's all be a little more positive and upbeat when we respond to the question: How do you like living in Montgomery?  When those who have lived here only a few years appear to love it more than we do, it seems a little dysfunctional.  It's sort of like a relationship you really enjoy but hide from your family or friends because you are afraid they may not like her as much as you do. I can assure you, most people who have moved to the Gump over the last 10 years like her plenty. So maybe we no longer need to be afraid to say: "I like the Gump!" 

Of course, if your peers look at you like you are crazy and that bothers you then you can always back peddle and explain you were talking about the sandwich at Midtown Pizza Kitchen.

And foreverafter be known as a wimp extraordinaire.

NP Bistro Lights Up Z-Red

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 in sight--made the boys a little nervous, but that was certainly not the case as a table for five was immediately available at high noon.
Impressed with the classy décor, Shadow Pup jumped into his chair, quickly realizing that his were the only hindquarters that would fit comfortably. The first thing Tojo noticed was the complimentary sauna, leaving Tojo with three pounds to give going into the appetizer. It turns out that the air conditioning was only temporarily on the fritz, and Tojo’s body temp was restored to its normal 108º by the time his gazpacho arrived.




Shrimp and Pasta (notice the cutlery is not plastic)

The bread was well received and the orders taken promptly. Shadow Pup opted for the Reuben, which was deemed both large and tasty, and led to much tail-wagging. He was, alas, the only one to even sniff the Tojo line. Others used TARP funds to finance a massive Oriental Chicken Salad and an oil-free Summer Shrimp Pasta dish. There was also a salad with tuna that was replete with distinctive French cutlery, reminding Tojo of an item he once saw in the Yokohama Tattler advertising French rifles. Tojo say “French rifles good deal. Never fired, dropped once”. Other menu items--some old favorites and some good-looking new entries—promised a return visit. As loans were closed and checks settled, all were happy. Good food and good service--the recipe for success with this group--garnered Nancy three moons. With Nancy’s Bistro joining its sister eatery, Sal’s Pizzeria, along with Moe’s, Michael’s Table and the restaurant-to-be-opened-later, Zoe’s, Zelda Place is definitely becoming a happening lunch/dinner destination. Now when you throw in Kraze Yogurt — a very cool new ice cream with toppings spot — the Aronovs might be orchestrating the most harmonious lunchtime playground in the Gump.



Oriental Chicken Salad (yes that is feta cheese) Tojo like.


--NoGritsNoGlory