Posts Tagged ‘Tony Morales’

Their claim states “There ain’t no better breakfast” and BOY are they right.  While I was in L. A. this June I was told by  fellow food blogger and BBQ dude, Tony Morales that I should definitely check out The Serving Spoon.  He knew I had an affinity for soul food and simply said it was the best ever.  How could I pass that up?  Also, it was merely a 15 minute drive from my hotel.

I went on a Saturday morning and it was packed…a line of people waiting outside as well as people waiting  on chairs inside.  I had to be back to my hotel at a certain time to get to my event so I was wondering if I would even have time to get breakfast?  The food smelled so good in there, I wasn’t leaving without at least putting my name on the list and giving my all.  I told the hostess it was just a party of one and I got seated  up at the breakfast bar right away, no waiting!  I really felt bad because there must have been about 20 people or more waiting for tables, but that’s just how they roll and I was happy.

I already knew what I was going to get, crazy I know. However, I had read a ton of Yelp reviews on this place and saw many pictures and decided from there what I would have. I think the server was a little shocked that I ordered right away, so I explained I had come from Arizona and was prepared.  I didn’t know when I would ever be coming back here again, the old adage, “go big or go home” came to mind so I obliged.  I ordered the “Raphael Saadiq” good morning breakfast which came with 2 eggs over medium,  grits, wing drumettes, and cornbread which I passed on since I was getting a waffle as well.  In retrospect, I totally should have gotten the cornbread that came with the meal, to try a bite.  I just didn’t want to appear too overzealous.

Im in breakfast heaven

Talk about some perfect grits…these were it.  Loved that they used margarine as a topping instead of butter. I seriously felt like I was sitting down in in my grandma’s kitchen instead of a restaurant.  It was really great.  The wings were unlike any I have ever eaten.  I liked that they were simply breaded, no sauce.  The breading was super crunchy and perfectly seasoned and you could tell it was a homemade batter.  My waffle was a whole other magnificent story.  It was soft and slightly chewy with a light crunch around the outside of the waffle. The sprinkle of cinnamon on top totally rocked it, with a dab of margarine and warm maple syrup…OH MY!

whoa, what a waffle

Before I paid my bill I was running over the weekend plans in my mind to figure out when I could get back here again?  What an amazing, homemade, and delicious meal.  Unfortunately, too much vodka that same evening made it near impossible to return the next day However, I will be back Serving Spoon, mark my words. If you’re in West Hollywood, type their address into your GPS and just go, no excuses or you’re missing out.

As a butcher’s daughter, there’s nothing I like more than a big juicy hunk of raw meat going on the grill!! I’ve been raised that way. I remember many a winter’s night in cold snowy Michigan, my dad would be busting out the weber grill to cook our dinner.  Barbeque is a lifestyle in my family, it just went hand in hand with owning a meat market.

As a big cook/BBQ-er myself, I’m always looking for new spices, sauces, marinades, and rubs to use with my meat. Enter Tony Morales of Desert Smoke BBQ.  He could never find a sauce or rub he didn’t have to doctor up to make it what he wanted, hence, Desert Smoke BBQ was born!!  Desert Smoke sauces are a Carolina ”Dippin-Moppin” style sauce with bold Southwestern flavor that simply cannot be beat.  There are three sauces ($7.95) to choose from: Sweet & Spicy, Raspberry Chipotle, and Pineapple Habenero.  He also makes a Southwestern spice rub ($6.99) which goes perfect on those ribs or chicken you’re about to grill up!  You can purchase them on his website or you can pick up at bottle at Whole Foods Market, Oakville Grocery, and Luci’s Healthy Marketplace in the Valley of Arizona.  My favorite is sweet & spicy.  I made ribs with that sauce last night and the whole family was loving it.  It has a nice little kick of spice, but not too spicy for the little ones (although my kids have been eating spicy foods for awhile now).  The best part is, the ribs were even better today, cold from the fridge…the sauce even tasted better to me being colder.

mmm, so tasty!! Pick up a bottle TODAY!

Desert Smoke BBQ has also been kind enough to do a giveaway on the Food Tramp Diaries.  Entering to win is quite simple.  You can enter as many times as you want up until Wednesday night when I pick a winner!! The winner will get one bottle of BBQ sauce and a spice rub as well.

1) Leave a comment on this post

2) Fan Food Tramp Diaries AND Desert Smoke BBQ on Facebook

3) If you’re on Twitter follow Food Tramp Diaries AND Desert Smoke BBQ on Twitter

Good Luck!!! I will pick the winner Wednesday night courtesy of random.org