ON THE ROAD

[BrianGriffin]

I'll be headed to Huntsville, TX for a few days, is there anything there beside the prison and the event I am covering?  Hopefully I don't spend a night in the prison.

A couple of suggestions: There is a Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church that is famous for its bar-b-que. It's done so well, that it built a new church and turned the old church into a restaurant. It's right off the second exit into Huntsville coming from Houston.

When I stay there — and I've stayed there a few times — I usually wind up in the Woodlands because I'm a big collector of Marriott reward points and the nearest Marriott chain is the Fairfield in the Woodlands. Lots of good places to eat there, but it's a half hour away. Conroe is in between and, from my experience, you'll run into the usual chains there.

Huntsville does have some of the usual chains too and I think there's a popular Tex-Mex place in town.

I gather you're going for the baseball tournament? The team I cover was flat horrible this year and won't be there...

[tmayforth]

Yeah, I'm going to the baseball tournament.  I have some time to kill tonight and tomorrow before the game, and most likely on Friday as well.  Thanks for some of the advice.  I am staying at the Motel 6 in town, it's cheap and it's close to the stadium.  I'll look for some of those places you mentioned.  Thanks for the help.

[Wallace]

Heading to Ft. Lauderdale tomorrow for a few days. Anything good to see? I'm already going to the International Fishing Hall of Fame. Anything cool down there?

[mdpoppy]

Jackson, Mississippi, anyone?

[three_bags_full]

Hope I'm not too late.

Local hangout. As the web site indicates, everyone from judges to felons can be found there during the day.

http://www.martinslounge.net/

Not the best part of town, but there's a decent pub on Fortification, http://www.fenianspub.com/ .

Fratesi's is the best Italian joint this side of the motherland. It's small, cozy and very romantic.

[dixiehack]

Anyone ever been to Perdido Key, Fla.?

[gstreet]

Up in Wash, DC looking to get down to Auburn in Nov. Where should we fly to? Atlanta? Montogomery? Birmingham? Is one really any better/closer than the others?

[three_bags_full]

There won't be anywhere near as much traffic (airport traffic, that is) in Montgomery. Easy access to the interstate, too.

It's probably only a solid hour from Auburn. If you want to save time and hassle, fly in to Motown. If saving money is your main objective, Atlanta's your best bet.

[scottb]

so, anyone been to rapid city, south dakota?

[buckweaver]

so, anyone been to rapid city, south dakota?

No.

But try this: http://www.10best.com/Rapid_City,SD/Restaurants/International/

[Jim Tom Pinch]

Any eating suggestions in Kansas City? I'm thinking BBQ

[alan1066]

You're thinking right on the BBQ.  What I had was served by some restaurant in the parking lot before a U2 concert. I can't remember the restaurant but the BBQ was great.  Sorry for the lack of help.

[luckyducky]

Any suggestions for Muncie/Indy? I fly into Indy late Sunday (driving up to Carmel for a hotel) then heading to Muncie where I'll stay two nights. Leaving late on the 31st so I have part of a day to kill in Indy/check it out (and drive by the speedway, of course). Any suggestions for food/things to do?

[micke77]

If you're in the Big Easy, you gotta go to Muther's. Near the 'Dome. Everything there is fantastic. Po-boys, red beans and rice, everything.We "lived" there during last year's BCS title game.

[SixToe]

Jackson, Mississippi, anyone?

No, I don't care for any.


micke is spot-on about Mother's. Get the roast beef with debris, some greens and maybe a little gumbo.

[micke77]

SixToe..dang, you're getting me hungry. Muther's (wanna say that's the correct spelling) is calling, my friend. 

[SixToe]

www.mothersrestaurant.net/

[countrygirl]

A slice at Brooklyn Pizza

[Some Guy]

Jackson, Mississippi, anyone?

No, I don't care for any.


micke is spot-on about Mother's. Get the roast beef with debris, some greens and maybe a little gumbo.

I've actually found Mother's to be good, but overrated. Most days, for lunch, the line will be out the door. Not worth it. There are hundreds of other restaurants in the area.

[mustangj17]

Going to Vegas next week. Sort of on a budget since it will be furlough time. Any suggestions as to what my friends and I should do?

Also does anyone know which hotels have heated outdoor pools? We're staying at the Flamingo and the pool won't be open.

[buckweaver]

Going to Vegas next week. Sort of on a budget since it will be furlough time. Any suggestions as to what my friends and I should do?

Also does anyone know which hotels have heated outdoor pools? We're staying at the Flamingo and the pool won't be open.

On a budget? Sight-see on the Strip, but spend your money -- drinks and gambling, maybe even hotel -- on Fremont Street. The alcohol is just as strong in old Vegas, but not nearly as expensive.

[kingcreole]

Going to Vegas next week. Sort of on a budget since it will be furlough time. Any suggestions as to what my friends and I should do?

Also does anyone know which hotels have heated outdoor pools? We're staying at the Flamingo and the pool won't be open.

Go see Vinnie Favorito at O'Shea's casino on the strip. Dude is fucking hilarious, and you should find a buy-one-get-one-free coupon on one of those maps you find all over the place.

[CCaple]

Heading to Los Angeles in a couple of weeks to cover the Pac-10 Tournament. I'm staying downtown, and was wondering if there are any restaurants/bars that are worth checking out? Also, any areas downtown to avoid? I know that you pretty much don't want to be out walking around at night, but is there anywhere I should try to avoid during the day, as well? Thanks.

[OTD]

Heading to Los Angeles in a couple of weeks to cover the Pac-10 Tournament. I'm staying downtown, and was wondering if there are any restaurants/bars that are worth checking out? Also, any areas downtown to avoid? I know that you pretty much don't want to be out walking around at night, but is there anywhere I should try to avoid during the day, as well? Thanks.

During the day you're fine. You'll know when you're in the places you should avoid. Lots of stuff by Staples. I don't know where you're staying, but breakfast at the Pantry is kind of a local tradition. You should also get a french dip at Phillipes. Don't forget to get a double-double at In-n-Out somewhere along the way.

If you've got a big expense account, try Pacific Dining Car. Big old red meat place.

[Some Guy]

Heading to Los Angeles in a couple of weeks to cover the Pac-10 Tournament. I'm staying downtown, and was wondering if there are any restaurants/bars that are worth checking out? Also, any areas downtown to avoid? I know that you pretty much don't want to be out walking around at night, but is there anywhere I should try to avoid during the day, as well? Thanks.

I don't know what your budget is or what your tastes are. But I'm in LA multiple times a year, and I always always always stay at the Marina del Rey Marriott. It's a great, great area ... right near Venice Beach ... World Famous Hinano down the street. Nice Italian joint down the street. Nice Mexican joint. And an In and Out is close, too. And they just built an Aunt Kizzy's across the street.

It's a 20-30 minute ride to Staples, if there's no traffic. Unless it's a weekend morning, there will always be traffic. So if you're going to have to go to and from Staples several times a day, maybe this isn't for you. If you're just covering one team and only have to make the trip once a day, I highly recommend Marina del Rey.