I woke up ready for a battle today.
For those of you unaware, my real job is as an administrator at a public school in Tulsa. Every week, our leadership team gathers and we always begin with a starter question to kick off our meeting. While these are often light-hearted ice breakers, the most contentious discussions we ever have as a group is when the beginning question is food-related. I’ve learned over time that people hold their food opinions very near and dear.
That being said, I decided that I need to share some food opinions here and I am ready for the backlash, the pretentiousness, the pearl-clutching, etc. Here are a few of my food opinions to get us started:
The best thing to dunk your fries in is a well-crafted combination of ketchup and mustard. Not too sweet and not too tangy. You’re welcome for this tip.
Can we as a society stop applying the word “foodie” to people? It basically just means someone who likes to eat, which is about 98.7% of humanity. It’s more appropriate to remark about someone being a “non-foodie”.
I’ve got a wide appreciation for all levels of coffee-making. While I often go to local places like Topeca and DoubleShot in Tulsa that have this process down to a craft, for a quick cup McDonald’s is a pretty solid choice.
Pizza is also something I appreciate along the spectrum of offerings: I can do a Tony’s frozen pizza, Little Caesars, and Tulsa’s local options like Umberto’s and Andolini’s. There is no need for judgment, all are welcome.
I’m ready for a revolution: We think we need to stand up and refute the inclusion of raisins in just about everything.
Mayonnaise should be used and incorporated in small amounts. I think a hint of mayonnaise is appropriate. When I see it slathered on sandwiches liberally, my gag reflexes are initiated . Also, can someone tell me the difference between aioli and mayonnaise or is it just a new term created by foodies?
Can we please stop trying to assign genders to particular drinks? I am a forty-year old man who can appreciate both a strong, nuanced bourbon and a frozen, sugary margarita.
We’ve gone a little overboard with avocados, people. Yes, they are good. No, they don’t need to be on everything.
If you like to talk about how much you hate the taste of soda, you are a sad person and you are no different than the folks who used to brag that they didn’t own a television. I also don’t believe you.
You’re up next. What are your food opinions?
Watching | Reading | Listening
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has a few thoughts about Winning Time. There are some valid critiques here (but I’m still watching and enjoying it…)
My wife is a bookstore manager for one of our local B&Ns. This is a good piece about their comeback and how they actually can be an assist to local bookstores: How Barnes & Noble Went From Villain to Hero
This is a couple of weeks old but Donald Glover “interviewed” himself and things got a little weird, as expected.
Pachinko (Apple TV+) - Apple continues a dominant year with this generation-spanning epic set across Korea, Japan, and the United States. It also features some of the best cinematography to be on the smaller screen in quite some time. I’m only a couple of episodes in but I think this could be one of the year’s best.
Outer Range (Amazon Prime) - I’m also only a couple of episodes in on this show and there’s a lot of mystery left to unspool. It’s No Country for Old Men x Yellowstone x Leftovers x LOST and some other stuff! It has a solid collection of actors in it but I honestly need it to pick up the pace. Amazon is also debuting two episodes per week, which is an interesting release model.
Barry (HBO Max) - After three years, one of the best shows on television is back. This past Sunday saw the return of Barry! Oklahoma doesn’t have a lot to be proud of right now socially and politically, but on the creative front we are killing it. Bill Hader (born and raised in Tulsa) has created a dark, funny, and thrilling series and is one of the few shows that doesn’t have a long enough running time. Everything I’m reading from critics with advanced screeners say that this season is even better than the first two.
South to America (Imani Perry) - I recently started this book that flirts with a lot of differing writing styles as it is part-historical reflection, part-journalism, part-memoir, and more. Perry visits various towns and cities of the South and creates a document of appreciation, criticism, and internal/external exploration that is both moving and haunting. I’ve really enjoyed it thus far.
Armchair Expert (Spotify) - I’ve never been much of a Dax Shepard fan, as far as acting goes, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this podcast. I like the mix of having celebrities and leaders in various fields come on to discuss their work and also their personal perspectives. I also find Shepard to be a good interviewer with thoughtful questions and without the constant need to interrupt to offer his own opinions (looking at you, Pete Holmes).
You had me at “Tony’s Frozen Pizza”. Drives my wife nuts.
Everything was going fine with your Food Opinions post UNTIL you referred to aioli and mayonnaise as possibly the same. Tsk, tsk....
As a Francophile who enjoys BOTH French concoctions, I can assure you that although aioli and mayonnaise are both creamy emulsions, aioli is made from garlic and olive oil while mayonnaise is made from egg yolks and canola oil. The final result may look similar but the two sauces have distinctly different flavors!! And, incidentally, aioli is quite tasty on pommes frites!!
I could also iterate the many health benefits of avocado, but I'll save that for another day. :-)
Cheers!