Who is the Fatboy

  First off let, me tell you a bit about myself and what I do, and why I am think I should be allowed to ramble on about food as I eat my way back and forth across the state.

  I grew up in a family that has always enjoyed eating, I mean REALLY enjoyed eating. Especially eating out. I have vivid memories of eating in restaurants way back when I was three years old. The La Pizza House, Alice’s Spaghetti land, along with George’s Chili King and the old Johnnie and Kay’s on Fluer Drive are a few of the spots our family used to frequent on a regular basis. Three of those restaurants are still in operation today, 43 years later. Long established, history-rich eateries are still my favorite, but new, unique and cutting-edge will be given space as well. I don’t discriminate against good food.

  When I was seven I moved to a small town in northern Iowa. It was there I learned first hand what great home cooking was all about. Whether it was the monthly 4-H potluck dinners or Eleanor Gerk’s one-of-a-kind noon lunches at the cafe in town, or a school hot lunch program that featured lunches that were made from scratch, great food was everywhere. While I don’t know for sure, it is my hunch that not many school hot lunch programs could stand up against those at Visitation School in Stacyville where Rose Huemann put out a daily hot dish or meat entree that would have kids going back and getting a second helping). Add to that Gerti Metz’s daily vegetable offering that often included real mashed potatoes and then toss Helen Blake’s daily made-from-scratch desserts. and it all adds up to a group of extremely lucky kids.

  My doctor step-father enjoyed eating out as much as my mom liked not having to cook, so I often found myself perched in a great restaurant in front of a menu with unique entries where nothing was off limits.

  My palate was starting to develop a real fondness for good food. Food that was real, food that was flavorful and food that filled you up. Those are qualities in food that I learned at an early age and that I still seek out today, and that I will be bringing to the reader’s of this column. As I criss-cross cross the state these days taking photos (almost 40,000 miles a year) I constantly find great spots to eat and great folks to meat, and will be writing about both. Almost every spot has something on the menu that is worth writing about. When I go into a cafe, diner or bar for something to eat, the first thing I ask is what is the signature item on the menu. And whether or not am a fan, I will order what ever that may be. I also will almost always order a cheeseburger and fries. I figure that if they can’t cook a descent burger, then they have real problems! I’m in search of the holy grail of burgers and I am always on the hunt for great chocolate stuff and anywhere they serve big ol’ portions and places where you can get a whole lotta stuff for not a whole lotta money. WhenI find them, you’ll be reading about them. And as always, when the words “All you can eat” are involved I will stop and take a second look, or helping if you will....

  It is not my goal to trash anybody’s place. I am a true fan of the mom and pop shops across this great state and will take great pride and go to great lengths to bring those quaint, out of the way, locally-owned spots to the pages of the Datebook each week.

  In the near future ,I’ll be introducing you to a neighborhood bar called Mike’s (for years it was Liz’s) that serves up one kick-ass sausage sandwich with an order of fries big enough to clog the arteries of an elephant. Another spot will be a fun little mobile taco stand on Des Moines’ east side.