The Manic American

Summary graphic: The smiling pig graphic outside of John’s Roast Pork in South Philly.

How Philly Became the Best Sandwich City in America: A Pandemic Bike Tourism Exploration

On: 01/31/2021

America is a land of awful sandwiches, of industrially produced, sugary bread; of rubbery, microwaved half-meats; of watery, shredded lettuce. The one city that doesn’t tolerate mediocrity is Philly. Philly’s urban density means there is a never-ending appetite for classic comfort as well as hoagie experimentation, and that density gave me the idea to do a Philly sandwich tour by bike.

Summary graphic: Graffiti-covered shipping contains in the shape of an arched medieval gate leading into Munich’s Bahnwarter Thiel.

Breaking Through the Tors of Perception: 700 Years of Urban Planning in Munich

On: 11/15/2020

In: Europe

I wanted a street-level look at Munich’s past, present, and maybe even its future. Instead, I ended up on an urban planning journey through space and time.

Summary graphic: A man surfing in Munich's Eisbachwelle River

Ride the Gnar at Munich’s Eisbachwelle River Surfing Scene

On: 10/25/2020

In: Europe

Sure, you might need a full body suit, but thanks to a little ingenuity you can go river surfing in the middle of Munich!

Summary graphic: Photos of the food, and people, of Versailles Restaurant

2 Hours at Versailles, “The World’s Most Famous Cuban Restaurant,” in Miami, FL

On: 08/20/2020

In: Miami

Spend enough time at Versailles in Miami, and the distance between the United States and Cuba seems to shrink.

Summary graphic: A tryptic of photos: A close-up of mutton held aloft by a fork, a Black man retrieves meats from a slow-cooker at the counter of his restaurant, art hanging inside of an atrium within a renovated building.

Discussing the Future of Taylor, TX at Davis Grocery & Bar-B-Q

On: 08/06/2020

In: Texas BBQ

We spent 10 years wondering what was inside Davis Grocery & Bar-B-Q. Once inside, we got answers to questions we had never thought to ask.

A woman in an apron stands in front of a large barbecue grill

Manic Kentucky Barbecue Adventures: Miss Anita’s Monroe County Pork Shoulder

On: 07/22/2020

In: American Travel, Kentucky BBQ, Near South

So you like BBQ. But have you had thin-sliced, hot-smoked, and sauce-dipped Monroe County pork shoulder? How about Monroe County shoulder in Monroe County, Kentucky itself? Our goal was to track down this delicacy in its native habitat.

Summary graphic: Two food trucks under a former gas station's awning.

Dining Al Fresco at Tacos La Pasadita in Green River, Utah

On: 07/04/2020

In: The West

There’s a stretch of I-70 in Utah which runs through a landscape nearly bleached of color. Then, once in the town of Green River, there is a former gas station repainted in bright yellow and orange hues with a truck reading MEXICAN FOOD and a sign reading TACOS.

Summary graphic: A plate of brisket and ribs at Corkscrew BBQ.

First Impressions: Corkscrew BBQ (Spring, TX)

On: 03/09/2020

In: Texas BBQ

We thought Corkscrew BBQ in Spring, TX would be a good little trip from Houston. Once we got there, we realized that we didn’t budget nearly enough time for the trip.

Summary graphic: a worker slices a piece of Terry Black’s brisket.

First Impressions: Terry Black’s Barbecue (Austin, TX)

On: 03/08/2020

In: Texas BBQ

Arriving at Terry Black’s Barbecue during dinner time led to a thirty-minute wait. It also led to an opportunity to notice a few things about the place.