Comments on:

By: Starla

Starla — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

Skyline chili is the most godawful thing that had ever passed my lips. This includes fried scorpions, haggis, and menudo.

Let me make this as clear as possible, Cinnamon has NO PLACE IN CHILI.

As a native Texan, we would draw and quarter any loser who tries that horsechit. Keep that crap back in Ohio and don’t let it infiltrate the divine thing that is REAL chili.

Other than that, NR in Cleveland was a glorious watching experience. Thanks for letting us in on the journey.

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

Nice episode, Ruhlman. But anyone who thinks Pittsburgh isn’t superior to Cleveland is him/herself a filthy beast.

Oh, and Ruhlman, how many Super Bowls have the Cleveland Clowns, I mean Browns won?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

By: Chicklet

Chicklet — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

Hot Sauce Williams?! How much laughing gas did Symon inhale to take Bourdain to that abomination? HSW is some of the worst food I’ve ever had – greasy, flavorless baked ribs with a gallon of radioactive red glop dumped on them, runny slaw and fries that were fresh … out of the Cosco bag in the freezer. Luchita’s on West 117th would’ve been a better option.

By: maaia

maaia — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

I loved the show. Having been born and raised in Milwaukee, I almost felt like I was watching a show about my hometown. The post-industrial nature of the city, the loss of factory jobs, the hearty foods of Central/Eastern European immigrants…I especially loved the bookstore. We may even travel to Cleveland someday now. A destination we would have never considered before. A truly eye-opening show.

My husband (who is actually from Eastern Europe) and I nearly cried when we looked up the sausage shoppe only to discover they do not ship. Alas, we live in Phoenix where there is nary a good European sausage to be found. But, if you live in this concrete desert long enough, you learn where to find the hidden gems buried amongst the swath of corporate conglomerates in this giant suburban sprawl of a city. (Yet, for some reason, we love it so.)

Anyways…kudos to all involved with the episode. The show did what it does best – opened our eyes to the lifestyles of the humble everyman doing his/her best to enjoy life the best s/he can with what s/he has.

By: applehome

applehome — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

Great show. But what does it say about the place if the absolutely most mouth-watering chow that was on the show was what you and Bourdain put together at your house? …could’ve been done in Jersey, for cryin’ out loud.

By: applehome

applehome — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

By: Melissa Gajewski

Melissa Gajewski — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

I agree with Hazel. The show focused on the worst of Cleveland. With all the new homes in Tremont and all the renovation of old buildings on Euclid Avenue and the Warehouse District, NR had to keep showing the bombed-out-looking deserted building over and over. One good shot of some renovation would have been nice. Did not do our city justice at all. Very disappointing show.

By: Ms.Anthrope

Ms.Anthrope — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

It’s not all that bad Maura, it was an automatic.

Maura wrote:
“@bob:
“Bourdain in a Firebird…priceless”

Stop torturing me. (More whining)”

By: bob

bob — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

stop torturing who?

By: john atkinson

john atkinson — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

how did bourdain miss a chance to mention the dead boys, cleveland’s greatest obscure 70’s punk band? for the first time in my life i’m almost dissapointed in him. anyway, good job ruhlman, but time for a wardrobe change.

By: Mitsos

Mitsos — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

The Cleveland episode was one of the best.
Harvey and the other guy (Bob?) are true originals!
You can’t find their kind in NY anymore, unfortunately.

By: fv

fv — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

Ruhlman,you filthy beast!!

By: Cleveland Bob

Cleveland Bob — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

D’oh! I missed the NR episode on Cleveland. Anybody know when it is going to re-broadcast? Travel Channel has barely a mention and no listing for a re-run.

By: CincyMom

CincyMom — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

I’m sorry you got stuck with Skyline Chili. However, if you really want the good stuff, go to Camp Washington Chili. It makes Skyline pale in comparison.

By: Claudia

Claudia — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

And Michael – what beautiful children you have. (Although I don’t blame your young son and heir for retreating, like a hawksbill turtle, deep into the recesses of his hoodie at the alarming sight of bad “Uncle” Tony’s cassoulet, given the fact he’s – what? About 10?)

So . . . Harvey busted YOU for potty-mouth and thinks NR is a FAMILY food show? Too funny!

By: Sorcha

Sorcha — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

It wasn’t a hoodie, Claudia, he just had his shirt jerked up over his head. I thought it was funny, but if it had been Littlest doing it at the table while we had company I’d probably have reacted the same way.

By: hazel

hazel — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

To use the words of Tony, “this episode sucked, big time”! You love Cleveland? Not from Cleveland but lived there for a few years(east side). Could you focus on any more of the armpit elements of the city? Far too many “cartoons”.

By: Maura

Maura — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

@parkbench:
“And Maura, get a service worth your time. ”

Heh. I guess we need to go back to digital. Missing what sounds like a classic episode of NR is more than I can take.

@bob:
“Bourdain in a Firebird…priceless”

Stop torturing me. (More whining)

By: bob

bob — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

Beef cheek perogies….dreamy
sausage shoppe…dreamy
Markee…still kickin’
weather…reminded me painfully of growing up in Rochester, N.Y.
Skyline chili…the garbage plate of Ohio
Bourdain in a Firebird…priceless

By: Bookseller

Bookseller — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000

As vile as a Skyline three-way may be, it pales in comparison to the Skyline cheese coney, the yuckiest fast-food tidbit wot has ever entered my mouth. To make it, they ladle a pile of steaming, cinnamony Skyline goodness over a hot-dog bun and — the capper — a sausage-facsimile that has the exact consistency of (sorry about this) a soft turd. My ex grew up in Cinci, and yearns for cheese coneys, here in the wilds of Manhattan, the way I crave bagels in London. The first time we went back to his home town, he bought me a cheese coney and waited — eyes fixed on my face in the anticipation of shared delight — as I took my one and only bite.

I couldn’t swallow it. I couldn’t even bring myself to chew it. I felt like a contestant on one of those reality shows where they make you eat guano in a bid to win a bunch of money. Ruhlman, for the sake of your tum — and Tony’s — I hope the cheese coney I saw on his tray stayed untouched. Yeah yeah, “drunk food,” I get it. There isn’t enough whiskey in the world to make me eat one a them things.