My two fellas weren’t home this afternoon, and since there was a little bit of a chill in the air what with the non-stop rain that shows no sign of letting up in this lifetime, I decided to grab the laptop and stick my legs under the covers so that I could stay warm while I checked the email and the Twitter and the internet whathaveyous.
And y’all. OH my word. I woke up TWO HOURS LATER with no idea who I was or where I was or what I had done to deserve THE BLISSFUL, UNINTERRUPTED SLEEP OF ANGELS. Now granted, I’m sure I’ll now be awake until 4 in the morning and therefore have to spend the rest of the week straightening out my sleeping schedule, but it was totally worth it because did I mention the BLISSFUL, UNINTERRUPTED SLEEP OF ANGELS?
Divine.
(That reminds me. Every once in awhile when I’m tucking in Alex for the night, he’ll look up at me and say, “Mama, I LOOOOOVE to sleep!”)
(And it makes me so happy.)
Anyway, there were two things today (other than All The Sleep) that just delighted me to no end, and I will now share them in order of occurence because all that rest has my brain feeling very logical and structured.
Well.
Before my nap I was clicking around on the Entertainment Weekly site, and I saw a link to the video for Kris Allen’s new single.
Remember Kris Allen? The one I sort of adored during this past season of “American Idol”? HE’S DARLIN’.
Well, listen to this goodness:
Isn’t that the most fun? Except for the annoying ad at the end?
Then.
Later this afternoon my husband and I were talking about a whole bunch of nothing (IMAGINE THAT), and he said, “Hey. Tell Daphne that I saw a billboard today that says, THE McRIB IS BACK.”
It cracked me up that he remembered that my friend Daphne has a fierce and undying devotion to the McRib sandwich, but it didn’t really surprise me since Daph’s fondness for McRibs is just one of the many things that we love about her. She has been a fan of McRibs since college, and I even tried a McRib with her one time in the spirit of sharing in her joy. Unfortunately, the McRib did not win me over. Even still, I wholeheartedly support Daph in her pursuit of her favorite McDonald’s specialty item (IS THAT AN OXYMORON?), and at least once a year I will call her and say, “HAVE YOU SEEN THE SIGNS?”
Anyway, all of our McRib-related focus today has made me think about foods I enjoy that other people might not find to be quite as delicious. I’m not talking about, you know, STEAK, because just about any meat-eating person would tell you that steak = GOOOOD. I was thinking more along the lines of stuff you might find at a fast food restaurant.
For the longest time I couldn’t think of a thing, but then I remembered that every once in awhile – maybe once every two years – I HAVE TO HAVE some fried fish from Captain D’s. Or as we like to call it: The Cap’n.
And I guess that’s not really a strange preference, but it just feels sort of unusual to me because it’s not something I want all the time. I mean, I’m up for Popeye’s or Sonic pretty much whenever, but a two-piece meal from The Cap’n – well, that is a spesh-ul occasion.
I’m also a sucker for a Zensation Zalad (yes. I totally used the Zs.) from Zaxby’s. They’re uzually available in the zummertime.
Any unique fast food preferences with y’all? Feel free to share. After all, I’ll probably be awake and probably doing laundry until 3:30 or 4, so I’ll have all the time in the world to read about how you too love the McRib. Or how you like to stack an iced chocolate Krispy Kreme donut between two original glazed donuts so that you can make a little donut sandwich in the privacy of your home.
There’s no condemnation here, my friends. After all, I believe I just admitted to a fondness for The Cap’n.
Hope y’all have had a great Tuesday!
November 11th, 2009 at 9:40 am
I LOVE McRIB!!!! I hope it is coming back to Virginia as well!!!!
November 11th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Firstly-thanks for the Kris Allen link…love it!
Second-McRib=ewwww. Apologies to any McRib lovers but seriously? faux ribs?
Wendys Frosty…yum.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:48 am
I am a fast food fiend. When the boyfriend and I first started dating, I think that it freaked him out a little bit when he realized that for any fast food establishment that he might name, I could immediately give him my favorite order. The boy feels guilty if we eat the fast food too often. I, unfortunately, do not. I grew up in Texas in a relatively small town, one which had two Taco Bells, three Chick-fil-As, two Sonics (a third has since gone up since I moved), and two Whataburgers. I up and move cross-country to Boston, only to be left with… nothing. No Whataburger, no Chick-fil-A, no Jack in the Box, no Sonic within a 100 mile radius (believe me y’all– I’ve checked). I’ll wait while you observe a brief moment of silence for the loss of the fast food establishments.
In memory, I love…
a Chick-fil-A #1 with a large fry and Polynesian sauce to dip them in.
an order of Sonic Popcorn Chicken dipped in ranch, with a side of Ched’r Peppers and a Route 44 Diet Strawberry Limeaid.
a Jack in the Box Spicy Chicken with Cheese sandwich, curly fries, and a Monster Taco
… and the Mexican food. I don’t know if that counts but there’s not a speck of decent Mexican food until I cross the border back home.
And I apologize for the length of this. I believe that I just became homesick for fast food… it’s a sickness, I tell you.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:09 am
I’m not ashamed to say it, I plan my vacations to the greater parts of the country around Chik-fil-A. We do not have any within driving distance in Seattle. My favorite Chik-fil-A item? It’s a toss up between the waffle fries, sweet tea, chicken sandwich and spicy chicken wrap. I realize this is not odd, but I have considered booking a trip to Dallas when flights are cheap just so I could have a delicious lunch.
Also, I really enjoy mixing barbeque sauce and sweet and sour sauce from McDonalds for my chicken nuggets. It’s delicious.
Oh and when I worked at McDonald’s in high school, I would have a 20 piece box of chicken nuggets and wrap each one in a piece of cheese. So delicious, but not very economical when you have to pay for the nuggets and cheese.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Oh, you know I LOVE that I am forever linked to the McRib in David’s mind! Hope you got my text noting that I’ve already indulged in this season’s McRib frenzy (and in your hometown, no less). :)
November 11th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Speaking of McDonalds … http://tinyurl.com/ybax7nc
November 11th, 2009 at 10:32 am
definitely has to be a Milo’s burger and fries– it’s a local fast food joint in the Birmingham, AL area and the burger is TO DIE FOR– lots of onions, which I adore, and their “special sauce”– I always ask for more and dip the seasoned salt fries in it!!!!
ANNNDDDDD
Zaxby’s fries dipped in ONLY their Zax sauce!!!!!
Now I’m hungry. #*%&#@(#*%&
November 11th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Chipolte. That’s my craving. And restaurants we don’t have in Missouri: In-N-Out Burger and El Pollo Loco. Sigh….
On the Travel Channel I saw some ballpark that makes a burger with a grilled Krispy Kreme donut as the bun. I was kind of disgusted when they first talked about it then I saw them make it and thought I would like to try that little special treat!
November 11th, 2009 at 10:43 am
McDonald’s McChicken is the fast food I’m most likely to crave — and the one I feel like I need to eat in the dark, lest I betray everything else I stand for in the way of real food and healthy eating.
The fact that it’s on the $1 menu doesn’t help me resist.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:50 am
You people and your Long John Silvers Crunchies crack me up. For my whole life, we’ve always ordered a side order of those crunchies. And then I grew up and realized why I like them so well. It messed with my enjoyment a little. So yes, for me LJS is a fix sometimes. Also a barbeque sandwich from Dairy Queen (so crazy expensive) and a shake.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:07 am
I need a dose of the Cap’n occassionally!!!! I grew up eating at one most Sundays after church…along with the rest of the church! My friends and I would drive through in HS and order just the crispies and sweet tea for an afternoon snack. We were healthy like that! Now, the closest one is 30 minutes from here…but by golly, I may NEED it for lunch today. Thanks.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Sonic’s chili, fritos on a tortilla calls to me every so often and I always order a side of ranch to dip with. I know…yuck but no people you dont know the goodness!
November 11th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Taco bell meximelts! It’s like a beef soft taco with none of that annoying cold lettuce. Yummy beef and melted cheese and onions. I don’t know anyone else who orders them, which is a travesty really
November 11th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Sonic is my weakness!
Strawberry Limeade and a #2 Mustard burger!
YUMMY!
November 11th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
A hamburger, fries and strawberry milkshake from McDonald’s. Oh, and the onion rings from Burger King. I taste them for 3 days, but they are worth it!!!
November 11th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Nothing like an afternoon nap to get you in a good frame of mind!
The McRib was always a mystery to me. The fact that it does not actually have any ribs in it is, I guess, a good thing, but it has the whole ribby shape thing going which I always thought was very misleading. So given that it’s just a formed and pressed pork product, where or from whom does McDonalds procure the mysterious McRib? Every few years do they jsut go back to the Hormel or Dubuque folks and order up a ton of them? Like most fast food, it’s probably a topic that shouldn’t have too much thought expended on it, but I’ve always wondered.
For me it’s always a good french fry. There are plenty of great sandwiches out there being thrown into paper bags alongside sub-par french fries. McDonalds, Chick-Fil-A and In-n-Out have the deep fried potato down cold! And I’ll consume them pretty much whenever!
November 11th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I have always had an aversion to fast food fish, just can’t do it. It just seems a little not right to me.
But, I do love me some Arby’s curly fries and ooooh Sonic peppers with ranch. Good gracious my arteries are clogging just talking about it. Did you know Burger King also has Icee’s, yes maam, drive-thru, don’t have to make it yourself in a convenience store. I am all about that.
I remember when we could go to Taco Bell after football games in high school and eat a ton of food for around $3, not anymore. But, Tracy T., I do love their Meximelts.
Wishing for a 2 hour, or even 30 minute, nap. The Park Wife
November 11th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
I do NOT usually admit this publicly but I sometimes just HAVE to have a spicy chicken crunch wrap supreme from Taco Bell. But then they had to go and STOP making spicy chicken so it is NOT good anymore. I’m sure my thighs will thank me for not darkening the doors of Taco Bell anymore.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
I’m a lover of the bo-berry biscuit and I think I remember you being a fan too? Or maybe I’m all confused. :)
November 11th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I hate onions, but every once in a while I crave Burger King onion rings. I pull the onions out and eat the batter dipped in ketchup.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Love this post!! Love your Blog! I have to be careful not to read anything you write while drinking, eating or faking working on the computer! The laughter and snorting gives me away!! LOL! Ok, we moved to somewhere akin to Hell (ok, a NORTHERN state) from the great state of Tennessee (bowing my head to cry a little). They only recently opened up a Sonic about 56.8 minutes away from here. Fortunately, we have a hockey playing son who played in the lucky city to have a Sonic and let me tell you, IT WAS HEAVEN! Breaded Chicken Samwich, Onion RIngs a large Coke and later on, after the game, a Route 44 Strawberry Slushie!! Oh be still my heart!!! We go back Dec. 5 – I’m saving up!!! We’re moving back to the Sonic goodness and the Great State of Tennessee next summer, but until then I will have to drive to get the goods. But, it’s worth it!!!
November 11th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Great post. I’m not a huge fast food fan but I do have a few favorites. I think I would die without Chick-fil-A. I think that their chicken is a divine gift from God and it would be wrong not to eat it. So I have it at least once a week. It’s sooo good! Also a fan of their waffle fries and peach milkshakes. That’s heaven on Earth right there.
I’m a huge Kris fan and I loved that video. So good! Thought I would tell you that you can go online and preview his entire new album now. I’ve been listening to it for three days now and I can’t seem to stop because it’s that good. I can’t wait to buy it next Tuesday so I can listen in my car. If you get a chance go here and listen. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/#/1
November 11th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Oh my goodness these comments make me laugh! you all are too funny. I am conflicted—am I so sad that I have almost none of the aforementioned fast food joints up here in Alaska, or am I so very glad that I don’t have that added temptation? I will admit to an occasional Costco Polish w/kraut and mustard and onions and diet Coke. My dog gets one too, plain. She eats the bun first. and we both suffer till the next day. I had fried Okra from Church’s chicken for lunch today. that was nummy. now I need a nap.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Ok. I love Jack in the Box tacos like no other. Every few months I go grab 2 or 4 and eat them hunkered down in the privacy of my own car.
The other thing I crave at times, and is a MUST have when we visit my mom in Tennessee is Crystal’s. Greasy slider mini hamburger deliciousness. Mmmm….
Not a fast food item, but my normal weird thing I like is a good piece of cornbread (made in a well seasoned iron skill, no less) broken up into a big, cold glass of buttermilk. Makes those tweaky things happen at the back of my jaw just thinkin’ about it!
November 11th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
I have discovered McD’s iced mochas. Oh my goodness! I get mine with whole milk but leave off the whipped cream because I am sure that makes it so much healthier. It is my rationalization and I am sticking with it.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
oooh, the broccoli and cheese baked potato from Wendy’s, and the Buffalo Blue Salad from Zaxby’s, and the cookies-n-cream milkshake from ChickfilA, and OHMYYES the tarragon chicken sandwich from Starbucks.
Maybe not all on the same day, but DEFINITELY in the same week.
Easy.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
I’m feeling led to confess that I have NEVER, NO NEVER been to Long John Silver’s. After the grand kudos, I think I should try it…but it feels like lots of pressure…kind of like the PSL.
In the meantime, I will stand by the jalapeno poppers and mozzarella sticks from Sonic. Because they have stood by me. Especially when I polish them off with a mudslide blizzard from DQ.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
I do love a Quarter Pounder with Cheese. Which is strange because I loathe mustard, pickles, and ketchup on a hamburger at any other time. But on a QPwC? Love it. Also must have the fries. Because you just can’t beat McDonald’s fries.
My complete rare and random thing though, is fries and a Frosty from Wendy’s. The fries aren’t as good, but eating them with the chocolate perfection that is the Frosty makes up for it.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
I work nights in the ER and used to stop by Sonic every morning for breakfast…a BLT and fries. But for the sake of my waist and cholesterol count, I gave Sonic up for Lent and I have been back since 2/28 of this year. However, I would kill for a corndog right now!!! Jesus, take the wheel!
November 11th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
I cannot believe all of the Long John Silver and Captain fans out there?!?!?!?
It may force me to give it a chance!
Personally, I love the crispy fried chicken skin mixed in with a bite of cole slaw from KFC. And who doesn’t love some salty fries dipped in a chocolate shake?!
November 11th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Girlfriend. The Capn and I have a long standing love affair in which I could make a meal out of his slaw and hushpuppies, and his fries are out of this world. Next in line is Jack’s fries. Then a Mexican Pizza from the Bell of Taco. Then a footlong chili-cheese dog with cheese tater-tots and a Route 44 Diet cherry limeade from Sonic. I guess I’m a fast food junkie. OR, I guess this doesn’t qualify as fast food but chicken-on-a-stick from Dudy Noble would top all that off nicely! Now I understand why I’m fat.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Napping in the middle of the day is a guilty pleasure that was most enjoyed when pregnant with the first child. After that things were never the same! Other guilty pleasures … yes meximelts, especially with a mt. dew and a caramel apple empanada! The McRib is pretty good but how about a filet ‘o’ fish with extra tartar sauce? Or a potato cake with a jamocha shake from Arby’s? YUM…
November 11th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
I eat a lot of Taco Bell… at least two or three times per month. If I’m going to grab lunch on the run, there’s a pretty good chance it will be Taco Bell. Their Mountain Dew tastes better than anyone else’s- can’t explain that one. But between that and the spicy cheesy goodness, I am a happy camper.
But actual cravings? Once in a while… seriously, maybe twice a year… I’ve gotta have White Castle. And not the original ones– has to be the ones with the jalapeno cheese.
And now I’m hungry.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Oh! I rambled about my own fast food confessions and totally forgot why I clicked through my reader to comment in the first place.
My beloved Grandma absolutely loved McRibs. She was like your friend, waited all year for the signs to appear. My Grandma died several years ago, but I think of her every time the McRib signs appear.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:43 am
Those fully loaded nachos at Taco Bell are pretty darn good, y’all.
And I can’t believe no one has mentioned the loaded potato bites at Arby’s. Mmmm. Dip them in the ranch/sour cream/whatever it is sauce that they give you with them.
But hands down, Popeye’s spicy chicken and dirty rice wins for me. We get Popeye’s once a week, usually Sunday after church. :)
November 12th, 2009 at 12:51 am
I’m a college student so I know some fast food LET ME TELL YOU.
ChickFilA- Number 5 8 count with a Sprite and LOTS of Ranch for both the fries and chicken. I also work at a local Old Navy and one of our prizes over the summer were free Chick Fil A Milkshakes. THANK YOU, GAP INC, THANK YOU.
McDonalds- I have to have some Cinnamelts once in blue moon. 2893 calories if not more but oh so worth it.
Sonic- There is a Sonic within walking distance from campus, and mmmm. Their cheese fries. Their butterfinger blast. MMMMM.
And not really fast food but at Chili’s I ALWAYS get chips & ranch. Sometimes it’s all I get (can you say BOTTOMLESS chips? yes, please). I’m a Ranchaholic, but even my not so “I’ll have a little _____ WITH MY RANCH” friends LOVE it. So good.
November 12th, 2009 at 3:56 am
Since we live in Guam we have to live without Sonic, Chik-fila, Arby’s, and In-n-Out Burgers….but the good news is that in seven months I’ll no longer live in the land of endless summer-time weather and I’ll be back with endless choices in food.
November 12th, 2009 at 6:38 am
I, too, have intense cravings sometimes for Long John Silver’s fish, but I have to wait until we go to the big city for that.
My other splurge, and my daughter really likes these, too, are those ‘cookie critters’ or in some places they are called ‘double doozies’ from those cookie places in the mall. They are two big, soft cookies-usually with M and M’s in them-with a mound of sickenly sweet frosting between them.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:20 am
I gave up fast food quite some time ago because of some health issues.
Oh. Don’t think I don’t miss it! I do!
My fast food love was pretty basic: McDonalds or BK. But I loved the McD’s Filet O’ Fish, the BK Chicken Sandwhich. Basic, but lovely to me! : )
November 12th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Hey Boo Mama – just thought I would say hello and tell you that yes, Kris Allen is dahling isn’t he? He is from mine and my husband’s hometown though we didn’t know him as he is about 20 years younger than us – LOL – but we LOVE him and was so happy he won Idol this year – he really deserved it. Glad to see he has another fan as well. :o) Thanks for posting the video,
November 12th, 2009 at 9:22 am
I’ll have to agree with the zalad – zeriously zatisfying!
But another guilty treat would be the fries at Bojangles. Darn it I haven’t just had to ignore all Bojangles signs while driving or it’ll stir up a hankering sure enough. I could eat them for breakfast, for lunch for dinner and for a midnight snack – and my hiney is a testament to this truth.
November 12th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Well…I have to admit that there was a time when I loved Wendy’s fries with a Frosty. However, that was before I left a half-empty Frosty cup out overnight and umm…discovered what a melted Frosty looks like. Or rather what a Frosty looks like after it DOESN’T melt but instead turns into some frothy, vile, disgusting substance unknown to human-kind. No more Frosty’s.
I do love an Arby’s roast beef sandwich with 2 Arby’s sauces and 1 Horsey sauce and a side of loaded potato bites with a huge Diet Pepsi. Yummmm!! Can’t have it often, though, because the kids always cry when I eat junk in front of them. LOL
November 12th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I LOVE Wendy’s Grilled Chicken (the original) and I love their fries. I love McDonalds chicken nuggets with sweet and sour. I love quarter pounders at McD’s and their regular cheeseburgers are good too. I am not a big BK fan, and Taco Bell I am in love with their bean burritos. Arbys I love the French Dip toasted sub with no sauce, or the philly beef one, I loved homestyle fries but our Arbys got rid of them and they JUST opened a Sonic here. I never had that before last yearish. First one in MI I think. I like cherry limeade. mmmm. I love Boston Market if that counts. Turkey dinner. KFC love the mashed potatoes. So now? I am getting fast food for dinner. LOL. Yall made me starving!!!
November 12th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Love Raisin’ Cane’s chicken fingers…the sauce is incredible! Also love the oreo milk shake from Chick-fil-a. Oh my! But, my main reason for the comment is to tell you how jealous I am of your nap. :)
November 12th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
OHMYGOSH I am so hoping the McRib is not some regional thing toying with my emotions. DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN SINCE I HAD A MCRIB? I was pregnant. My son is now 5 and some change. That is a crazy long time. Oh McRib How I Love Thee
November 12th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
McDonald’s Breakfast Burritos. I could eat them three meals a day and never get tired of them.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
B’ham locals…I forgot…I had a new thing this past weekend that I fell in LOVE with. Y’all hurry down to Wing King on 31 in Alabaster. We were down that way and picked up some wings. (Very good wings!) They asked my son if he wanted fries and he said yes. Then they asked if we wanted the cajun ranch fries, said everyone likes them. He said OK. I had no idea what they were but OH MY!! We ate them right then and there with two forks, in the car, sitting in the parking lot. Run down there and get some!!
November 13th, 2009 at 10:14 am
I just had a Big Mac Meal last night! It tasted of nothing but salt, but no complaints from me! Got me the OJ as a drink option so I was all healthy-like and had something to soak up the salt with! And looove Starbucks. I have a gingerbread latte daily when it’s in season.. mainly though my treats are chocolate bars (Reese’s peanut butter cups are the best), Ben & Jerry’s chocolate fudge brownie ice cream, popcorn with seasoning salt, and I would KILL for a Taco Bell nearby.. you guys makin me drool. I weaned myself off Krispy Kremes a while back because they are like $2.50 each in my country.