Category Archives: The Foodist

RL Reeves Jr 2019 Omnibus

Posted on January 3, 2020 by RL Reeves Jr

I spent a week writing an omnibus of all the memorable places I ate and drank at in 2019. Think of it as a sort of Poor Richard’s Almanack but tilted towards food and beverage in the American south (plus … Continue reading →

Posted in The Foodist | Tagged | Leave a comment

RL Reeves Jr Is The Bacon Critic For Scrumptiouschef

Posted on May 10, 2017 by RL Reeves Jr

My life has been intertwined with bacon. I grew up on a farm in Appalachia (Eastern Kentucky) where bacon was often used as currency in our community. Our doctor’s visits costs were covered with barters of bacon. My grandpa Big … Continue reading →

Posted in The Foodist | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The University Of Kentucky Teaches Taco Literacy To Scholars And Gastronomists

Posted on January 29, 2016 by RL Reeves Jr

My heart is filled with pride that the University of Kentucky is now offering college classes on tacos. Professor Steven Alvarez is teaching “Taco Literacy: Public Advocacy and Mexican Food in the US South” this semester on UK’s Lexington campus.

Posted in The Foodist, The Rural South | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

On The Road With RL Reeves Jr: Wildcat Mountain Cheese In East Bernstadt Kentucky

Posted on November 25, 2015 by RL Reeves Jr

I’m always hunting. I began doing research on Southeastern Kentucky as soon as I got word that I would be traveling there at the end of October. I know the foodways of Eastern Kentucky are among the most diverse in … Continue reading →

Posted in On The Road With RL Reeves Jr, The Foodist, The Rural South | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

On The Road With RL Reeves Jr: A Taste Of Knox County Kentucky

Posted on November 17, 2015 by RL Reeves Jr

Some of the finest cooks in USA hail from Knox County, Kentucky. With a few notable exceptions they are mainly old granny women living up hollers and putting out Eastern Kentucky classics like chili buns, soup beans, corn bread, greasy … Continue reading →

Posted in On The Road With RL Reeves Jr, The Foodist, The Rural South | Tagged , | Leave a comment

On The Road With RL Reeves Jr: Scotties Diner In Knoxville Tennessee

Posted on November 12, 2015 by RL Reeves Jr

When I was a young eater growing up in the Cumberland Highlands region of Appalachia it was a big deal when a new restaurant would open up in our little hamlet of Corbin, Kentucky.

Posted in FOOD, On The Road With RL Reeves Jr, The Foodist, The Rural South | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

On The Road With RL Reeves Jr: Chunky Shoals Fish Camp

Posted on November 3, 2015 by RL Reeves Jr

Chunky Shoals Fish Camp opened in 1951 on the banks of the Chunky River in Chunky Mississippi. Since this portion of Mississippi is near the buckle of the bible belt it’s hard to find restaurants that are open for service … Continue reading →

Posted in On The Road With RL Reeves Jr, The Foodist, The Rural South | Tagged , | 1 Comment

On The Road With RL Reeves Jr: 2015 Andouille Festival In LaPlace Louisiana

Posted on October 19, 2015 by RL Reeves Jr

I’m a longtime charcutière so when I read that LaPlace was set to hold the latest installment of their long-running Andouille Festival, attendance was mandatory.

Posted in FOOD, New Orleans, On The Road With RL Reeves Jr, The Foodist, The Rural South | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

On The Road With RL Reeves Jr: 2015 Festival Acadiens et Créoles In Lafayette

Posted on October 16, 2015 by RL Reeves Jr

Lafayette is the eating center of Acadiana and a sustained argument could be made that it’s the eating center of the entire state of Louisiana. Even battle-hardened New Orleanians would admit that our Westerly neighbor has us beat in a … Continue reading →

Posted in FOOD, New Orleans, On The Road With RL Reeves Jr, The Foodist, The Rural South | Tagged , | 1 Comment

On The Road With RL Reeves Jr: Hansen’s Sno Bliz

Posted on October 3, 2015 by RL Reeves Jr

Today, October 3rd 2015, marks the last day of sno ball season in New Orleans. Yes, there will be sno ball stands still operating across the city after today. Some will even be serving til Thanksgiving, just like Hansen’s Sno … Continue reading →

Posted in FOOD, New Orleans, On The Road With RL Reeves Jr, The Foodist | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

On The Road With RL Reeves Jr: Ring Of Fire Nashville Chicken Pop Up

Posted on September 29, 2015 by RL Reeves Jr

New Orleans hot chicken cooks still have a ways to go before they can compete with the descendants of Thornton Prince, founding father of Nashville’s Barbecue Chicken Shack which eventually became known as Prince’s Hot Chicken. But this past Sunday, … Continue reading →

Posted in FOOD, New Orleans, On The Road With RL Reeves Jr, The Foodist | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Dragged Kicking And Hollering Out Of The 2015 Kentucky Ham Breakfast

Posted on August 27, 2015 by RL Reeves Jr

God I hope that’s never a headline associated with me. Chris Hartman, however, probably has a different take on it. The young Hartman was indeed dragged kicking and hollering out of the signal event in the Kentucky ham industry just … Continue reading →

Posted in The Foodist, The Rural South | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

On The Road With RL Reeves Jr: Abear’s Cafe In Houma, Louisiana

Posted on August 10, 2015 by RL Reeves Jr

Abear’s Cafe is Cajun country cooking of the highest order. Seated in Houma, Louisiana, the old, wood-frame building that houses the eatery was constructed in 1922 to be the home of S.E Gaidry and his wife Louise. The Gaidry’s went … Continue reading →

Posted in FOOD, On The Road With RL Reeves Jr, The Foodist, The Rural South | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

2014 Guide To Barbecue Competitions In USA

Posted on May 1, 2014 by RL Reeves Jr

Gas up the Jetta and hit the open road this Summer to reconnoiter your way through pick-up truck loads of smoked meats at barbecue competitions across the USA. It’s how I’ve lived my life for over 20 years and I … Continue reading →

Posted in FOOD, The Foodist | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Broadbent Wins 2014 National Country Ham Association Championship

Posted on April 23, 2014 by RL Reeves Jr

At the big 2014 National Country Ham Championship held recently in the heart of the ham belt: Paducah, Kentucky; Broadbent Hams captured the title of Best Unsmoked Ham in USA. Ham aficionados across the globe have had Broadbent on their … Continue reading →

Posted in FOOD, The Foodist, The Rural South | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rest In Peace: Ray’s Barbecue In Montopolis, Texas

Posted on April 12, 2014 by RL Reeves Jr

A morning trek through the Montopolis neighborhood of Southeast Austin yesterday brought a gut wrenching discovery. Ray’s Barbecue has fallen. In its stead is a muffler repair shop. Flying under the radar for years until it became a set location … Continue reading →

Posted in FOOD, The Foodist | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

East Austin Charcuterie Project: A Cured Meat Food Party At Tamale House East

Posted on April 2, 2014 by RL Reeves Jr

Here’s the menu for our East Austin Charcuterie Project food party this weekend, Saturday April 5th 2014 at Tamale House East. Boudin Shrimp Cake Fried In Hog Lard w/Andouille remoulade   Allan Benton Smoked Ham Hock Bean Purée w/Easy Tiger … Continue reading →

Posted in Austin Texas, FOOD, The Foodist | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Price Of Green Lawns In Travis County: Texas Rice Farmers Forced Out Of Business

Posted on April 1, 2014 by RL Reeves Jr

Brilliant article in this morning’s Houston Chronicle on the plight of the Texas rice farmers. With the Travis County region’s population boom, and attendant thirst for water, Matagorda, and other historical rice farming counties are suffering greatly. That pretty lawn … Continue reading →

Posted in FOOD, Rural Texas, The Foodist | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Dolester Miles Of Highlands Bar And Grill Snags James Beard Nomination

Posted on February 21, 2014 by RL Reeves Jr

Update May 2018-Dolester Miles has won James Beard award for best pastry chef in USA. Update March 2016 Ms Miles has been nominated for yet another James Beard Award. ———————- Dolester Miles is one of USA’s best pastry chefs. Now, … Continue reading →

Posted in FOOD, The Foodist | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Appalachia Proud: New Farm To Market Program In Eastern Kentucky

Posted on February 19, 2014 by RL Reeves Jr

The old days when good, $15 an hour jobs mining coal were readily available in Southeastern Kentucky are long gone. Nowadays the big employers are Wal Mart, Cracker Barrel, and CSX (formerly L&N Railroad.) You’ll work your fingers to the … Continue reading →

Posted in FOOD, The Foodist | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment