In another thread, The Travelin’ Man talked about his top ten roadfood visitors of 2007. in a similiar vein, I would like to pay tribute to the roadfooders I met in 2007.
Before last year I had had the distinction of meeting several roadfooders; Bill Voss in Talent, Oregon, Where Gregg Eats in Seattle, and BT in southern Arizona. In Portland. The Edge, Travelin’ Man, and Elise T had come a callin". In 2007 my roadfood acquaintances increased exponentially.
(1) In 2007, the Travelin Man and I met several times. In Nashville we went to a Vanderbilt baseball game and supped with Ellen 4641 and a college administrator friend of Steve’s at Loveless Cafe. Steve was nice enough to meet son Sam and me and go to a Devil Rays game in Orlando. And his visit to Portland was memorable and enjoyable for the entire Chips family. He has become a good friend and the Chips family fervently hopes he continues his annual visits to Portland.
(2) Wandering Jew, Lleechef, I-95, Lost in the Mail (and husband) and Flyseye(and wife) all paid a visit to the Rose City. Dale was a fun dinner companion(though Halibut’s did not meet expectations) and I hope he enjoyed the portland beavers baseball game. Lisa was training for a new job but had time for some great dinners. The Chips family enjoyed her company and I will never forget her story about serving leftovers to the President of France. Darlene and her husband had a far too brief meeting at Annie’s Donuts and I hope some day i will be able to visit her Mississippi home. I-95 was as charming and humorous in person as he is on-line and our dinner at Jake’s flew by far too quickly. Jack and Connie’s visit with us was too short and we intend to visit them in Port Angeles next summer.
(3) The Nashville Tour and the unofficial Sunday brunch introduced me to so many roadfooders. I’ll name as many as I can remember but if I forget to mention you, please forgive me. Al the Mayor, Janet and the dogs were a memorable beginning and it was a pleasure to meet Sundancer. My brief meeting with Buffetbuster and his cousin has started an online friendship that continues to flourish. Meeting and talking with Bruce Bilmes and wife was a roadfood education, Jane and Michael Stern were remarkably down to earth food icons, Ellen 4641 was fun to talk to and spend time with(I keep hoping I’ll see her at a final table on a WPT telecast). P.C Diva (and mom) and Rick F(and wife) were boon companions at a Sunday brunch as was Poverty Pete.
I’m looking forward to meeting so many more of you in 2008 in Austin and other places. I extend an open invitation to any roadfooders visiting the Portland area to contact me and have a meet. Enjoy roadfooding in 2008.