Small town burgers are usually good (part II)

So small town burgers are usually good...except this one in Green River, Utah. This one is great! It doesn't take long to realize that Ray's Tavern is an icon of this small town, a staple both for locals and the nature lovers who flock to Green River to recreate. The half-pound behemoth with a flock of fries is big enough to share, but tasty enough not to. Loosen your belt, you're burning tons of calories river rafting anyway. Seriously, this burger means business, and it may be the best, authentic, home-made, diner-fresh burger I've ever sunk my pearly whites into. The town of Green River is small enough that you can't miss it—It's across the street from the only grocery store. The fries weren't bad either: big steak cut, not too greasy. Of course it's still in Utah so there is fry sauce to be had, but it's rural Utah so there is also beer on tap. (OK there is beer on tap anywhere in the state, let's not propagate the stereotype too much). I don't know Ray, and I don't drink beer, but I dig his Tavern down there in Green River and I'm totally devoted to his beefy burger. I'll be back Ray...I'll be back.

Small town burgers are usually good

The 50s throwback icon of Snowville, Northern Utah.

This burger was mediocre but the ambience is what I came for.

If you've ever made the trek along U.S. 84 North to Idaho, you've driven past Snowville, Utah: population, like, 15 or something. You may or may not have noticed the last pit stop before crossing the Potato state line depending on whether or not you blinked while passing. Now I've always thought that Snowville was just a Flying J station for bladder relief, such was my exclusive use of it the last several years I've been travelling to Idaho. But it's more than that...not much more. But on a venture further down the village's one main road I happened upon this gem of nostalgia circa 1950. Alas, the food isn't superb, but I can't say I ever expected culinary perfection from a middle-of-nowhere burger pit. I mean, sure they have way more than burgers. Their menu must have 100 different omelets to choose from, as well as classic diner fare, you know, chicken fried steak, patty melts and the like. The real charm, however, is not just in the literally hundreds of dusty Coke bottles from every era of history, but the fact that they actually collect these bottles, which is oddly endearing. The whole place exudes affection for a certain stereotype of what it means to be from middle America and the values it comes with. And let me tell you, that stereotype isn't a caricature at all. It's real. it's believed, even striven for. It was delightfully actualized in every archetype of country folk that either entered or worked at Mollie's the night I was there. Of all the images of America that Hollywood exaggerates, it's the cowboy movies that zoom in on small towns of the proud US of A that get it exactly right. In these towns (as in Snowville) everyone knows everyone and waitresses really do call you "hon." But not to trivialize, it goes much deeper than that. There is something about the people, the place and the fondness for another time that gives the sense it's as deep and intricate as their own DNA.
But, I had a party to get to in Idaho so my pleasant trip down Americana Lane had to end. It may have been a diet buster, but this mediocre burger with a side of greasy fries—surrounded by good people and aged Coke bottles in the small-town diner of Somewhere, USA—never tasted so good.

The Comeback

I have found that it's easier for me to blog lately. You get in a groove and, well, it just happens. You all were right! (well, those of you who said, "hey, keep at it, it gets easier). The only thing is that I have't been "keeping at it" on this blog. Suddenly I have several blogs! Here is the really weird thing about it all: while this blog still is (or will become again) a review of culinary explorations around my city, state, or wherever I am, I am forging ahead with a weight loss blog as well. An oxymoron you say? well, maybe. But I think the juxtaposition is just oozing with potential. I'm on a mission to find extremely delicious food in places where you'd never expect, and do it all in a way that's health-conscious and "line" friendly. But of course I'll cheat along the way. The thing with lifestyle changes opposed to diets is sometimes you cheat and it doesn't change your lifestyle. So that's all I'm going to say about that. For you gentle readers who will see this...thanks for sticking around. Hopefully much MUCH more will come.