Supporting a Favorite Restaurant in a New Way/Visiting a Favorite Butcher Shop

We love visiting the restaurant, Girl and The Goat when we visit Chicago. We aren't new to Stephanie Izard but long time fans that go back to seeing her on her first cookbook tour at the Ann Arbor Public Library back in 2011 (or as close to when Girl in the Kitchen was published). Upon receiving an email that the restaurant was going to be delivering Labor Day food kits to various locations, I quickly placed an order for the closest location to me in Kalamazoo, That happened to be at Belly Flop in Long Beach, Indiana, just south of the Michigan border along Lake Michigan. It was the perfect glorious weather day for a road trip with temperatures in the low 70's, all sunshine. I was there early for my appointed pick up time, trusty book in tow (A Good American Family by David Maraniss), and was there for the first little thrill when the refrigerated truck pulled in, right on time, carrying the lovely box of ingredients and goodies. This was actually box 1 of 2. The next thrilling item was that one of the folks making the delivery was originally from Kalamazoo. Support your favorite restaurants as much as possible, even if it means in this new way. I may not feel comfortable traveling to Chicago right now and dining in a restarant, but this gives me an alternate to ensuring Girl and the Goat will be there for me when I am ready. Armed with this trove of food goodies, stored in my coolers, I headed home, but not quite yet.

Since I was out venturing, why not stop by one of my favorite Butcher Shops, Drier's in Three Oaks, MI. it has been recognized as a National Historic Site and been in continuous operation since 1875. I picked up delicious and homemade beef sticks, a bologna ring, Canadian bacon, and a new pickle called Sweet Orange Strip Pickles made by Sechlers Pickles out of St. Joe, Indiana.

---