LC’s is extra special because they have a common dish on their menu called “burnt ends”.  It’s pork rib tips basted in LC’s tight spicy K.C. style sauce slow cooked over an open flame fire and smoked to perfection.  Completely sloppy eating and not complete without the requisite couple of pieces of white bread tossed into the take out box where the bread soaks up all the smokiness and flavor that is signature to good slow smoked K.C. BBQ.

I also like Cincinnati style chili.  I just don’t think of it as chili because I grew up on the thicker southern concoction that is usually called Texas style chili.   Whether I order my Cincinnati style chili as a “three way” as in with spaghetti noodles, sauce, 1) onions, 2) cheese and 3) beans, on a coney hot dog or inverted as in the whole boulabaise assembled and then dumped upside down, I simply love the stuff.  I would be remiss not to mention the ongoing chili war between Cincinnati’s two largest chili chains; Skyline and Gold Star.  The amount of money these two spend on slugging it out on billboards and TV commercials is mind boggling.  It is also amazing to what degree this stuff “travels”; as in I have seen it recently in some fairly far flung from Cincinnati places such as central Indiana, given it typically does not settle well on the stomachs and palates of folks not local to Cincinnati.  I was told by a co-worker when I arrived in Cincinnati that it would take “three times” of eating Cincinnati style chili before my system would be fully acclimated (and he was right) to the saucy chili mixture that includes minced meat, cinnamon and chocolate among other things.  In other words its more of a mole sauce with Greek origins than a chili, but no question about it it is a true American classic and I am sure that is part of the reason Camp Washington Chili deservedly has a James Beard Award to prove it!The strong and passionate Cincinnati chili scene is also even more reason why Mr. Gene’s is a real beacon in the Queen City.  First of all they serve the best chili dogs in town.  Better than the Coney’s of Detroit and even better than the gastronomic blip I experienced in 1998 when I visited Brooklyn’s Coney Island and had an original Nathan’s and thought it even tasted light years better than the ones they serve at the Nathan’s in the mall and airport food courts.   I would also venture to say even better than the “papaya” and hot dog joints on almost every corner in Manhattan, where my cousin told me each and every hot dog “tasted different”.  Of course I took him up on that one and could not tell any difference other than they all tasted like hot dog!

The reason Mr. Gene’s dog’s are the best is simple.  It begins with the dog itself.  It is not just any simple dog, it really has a good flavor with a very small hint of garlic (could it be a Nathan’s wiener?) and a nice snap in every bite.  Next up is the bun.  I love Mr. Gene’s hot dog buns as they have always been full, soft and fresh on every visit.  Consistency.  God I love consistency in good food!  They also have those buns with the little sesame seeds which adds a bit of panache.  The chili is a simple sauce that is similar in flavor and texture to what you would find at any chili dog establishment that takes itself seriously.Add to all of the above and Mr. Gene does not stop at the chili dog, he also has a Chicago dog on the menu and a pretty good one to boot!  I also like the fact that Mr. Gene’s is a true road side stand. There is not any indoor seating what so ever.  Simply walk up to the window, order and either return to yon car or make yourself at home at one of several picnic tables situated behind the building.Mr. Gene’s also attracts a diverse crowd as it is in a urban neighborhood not far from downtown Cincinnati.  I overheard a conversation when I was last there from two gentlemen talking about the tough the economy.  One stated he had recently went to the bank and noticed someone had left their deposit receipt on the ATM counter and he exclaimed, “it had $14000 on it…I have never had $14000 in my bank account and can you imagine the person who would”.  I could because he or she was just as likely to be standing in line with me at Mr. Gene’s Doghouse as was the guy with fifty dollars in his bank account because they both know a good value when they see one.  You too can experience Mr. Gene’s the next time you are passing through the Queen City of Cincinnati exit 1 off of I-74 and make the first three right turns and hang a left on to Beekman St. and you will almost immediately see Mr. Gene’s on the right (closed on Sundays).

Okay I admit I am not a food critic and your life could be fairly complete whether you’ve eaten at anyone of these places or not, but in my opinion these are some pretty damn good choices for budget eats given you are in the vicinity of any one of these establishments.

• “Burnt Ends” LC’s BBQ – Kansas City, MO. – Succulent and smokey melt in your mouth BBQ”Garlic Chicken”
• “Garlic Chicken” Vie’s Snack Shack – Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI – Chicken fried and seasoned to perfection and every bite bursting with juicy flavor!
• “The Buffet” Lady and Son’s – Savannah, GA.  - Can you say butter?  The best southern fried chicken I have ever tasted hands down.
• “Catfish Acadiana” Walk-Ons – Baton Rouge, LA. – Down home cajun cooking at its best.
• “Fried Catfish Filet Basket” The Flying Fish – Little Rock, AR – A no frills fresh version of a southern classic.
• “Shrimp Po-Boy” We Never Close – New Orleans, LA. Worth the out of the way trip and you won’t regret it!