Readers have questions. Do you have answers?
The cafeteria at the Newseum. Appropriate name, eh? (Photo by Lindsey Nair.)
Happy Monday, everybody. I hope you had a great weekend and that you get a chance to go outside today and enjoy the unseasonably warm weather.
We went to Northern Virginia for the weekend, where my husband attended a Neil Young concert and we went to see the Newseum. If you have never been to the Newseum, I would highly recommend it. It’s simply amazing and not just for news junkies. Our dining adventures during the trip included lunch from Qdoba in Harrisonburg (I have a bad weakness for Qdoba), dinner at a place called the Green Turtle in Fairfax, and dinner at Madigan’s Waterfront in the beautiful town of Occoquan, which was all decked out in holiday lights.
Moving right along, I’ve received a few questions from readers recently and want to put them to the group of you to see what kinds of feedback you can offer. So here goes:
Reader Jeff writes:
“Several years ago when local bakeries like Bingo’s were still in business, I ordered wonderful fresh-made fruitcakes for the holidays. Now the bakeries seem to be all gone, and I’m wondering if you know of any local folks who provide this service. I’ve heard a few people make and sell them from their homes but have no idea how to find those people. Perhaps a mention in your blog would bring some to the surface! Thanks!”
From reader Dennis:
“Don’t know if you can help or not, but am wondering if there is anywhere in Roanoke that serves the old Lendy’s drive in menu items? Pat Dotson’s restaurant did so up until 2005 when he closed. If not, are there any sources for some of the recipes, especially the Buddy Boy hamburger and Slim Jim sandwich?”
Any responses for Jeff or Dennis would be greatly appreciated!
December 3, 2012 - 10:02 AM
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Jeff, I don’t know of a local supplier for tasty fruitcakes, but I do know of a regional supplier who makes excellent fruitcakes.
These are NOT similar to the fruitcakes you find in your local grocer. These actually taste good. They’re heavy with nuts, and the candied fruit tastes homemade. In fact, the company syarted out as a couple of sisters making these for relatives, if I remember. The same recipe just grew into a huge business, evidently.
Anyway, it’s a regional company, and I’ve eaten their fruitcakes, and they’re one of the extremely few fruitcakes I’ve ever eaten that tasted good. Theirs tastes really good!
http://www.southernsupreme.com/
I’d also like some Lendy’s recipes!
Fresh Market carries the Southern Supreme fruitcakes during the holidays. Recommend visiting their kitchen/store in Bear Creek, NC, not too far from Chapel Hill. It really is good cakefruit.
Grama’s Goodies, in Christiansburg, makes a very tasty fruit cake that it sells in three different sizes.
JL, I have never had anything from Grandma’s Goodies in Cburg that wasn’t delicious. I’m sure their fruitcakes are the same.
Dennis, I thought that Shoney’s in Salem still served the Slim Jim Sandwich.
Thanks for this very helpful information! I’ve purchased one of the Southern Supreme fruitcakes from Fresh Market, and it’s very good! I’m also glad to know about Grama’s Goodies as another option.