Restaurant Review – IHOP (Seabrook, New Hampshire)

IHOP is an acronym for International House of Pancakes and specializes in American breakfast food. The company has 1,841 locations in the Americas (United StatesCanadaMexicoPeruEcuador and Guatemala), the Middle East (United Arab EmiratesKuwaitSaudi Arabia and Qatar) and the Indian Subcontinent (India and Pakistan). Alex and I had an early breakfast at the IHOP in Seabrook, New Hampshire. We arrived early and were the first ones seated but the restaurant had quite a few customers by the time we were finished mostly with families and their young children. The atmosphere was very convivial for the family crowd. Alex and I were both underwhelmed with the food. He enjoyed his milk shake drink but the food left much to be desired. Everything seemed no different than product you would purchase at the supermarket and cook at home.

Alex did love his shake

My hot chocolate reminded me of Swiss Miss

Average

Pancakes disappointing

Taste Test – Hammons Black Walnuts

The wild American Black Walnut is native to 32 states and is the official tree nut of Missouri, where the crop is most abundantly found. It is one of the most valuable and fully utilized natural forest trees in the United States. The flavorful nuts contain the highest protein of any other tree nut and are hand-harvested and used as a popular ingredient in both savory and sweet dishes. We purchased a package from Hammons and gave them a try. The flavor of the plain nut was distinctively different than the typical English Walnut. The flavor of the Black Walnut is more pronounced than the much milder English Walnut. Although not as nice for snacking the use as an ingredient is still very good.

Alex ready to try them

Too strong a flavor for just a snack

Taste Test – Backroad Country Pickled, Cured Pork Hocks

Hormel’s Pickled Pork Hocks are one of my all time favorite snacks. My mother used to buy the hocks and pigs feet when I was a child and it was something we used to enjoy together. I saw these hocks on Amazon from Backroad Country and decided to try them. The hocks were very meaty and had the distinctive pickled flavor that I love but they were a little chewier than I like. I much prefer the gelatinous texture inherent in the Hormel product.

Not his favorite thing but Alex bravely tried them

It did not go well

Taste Test – Chisholm Farms Maple Kettle Corn

I am a mild fan of caramel coated popcorn, my Dad used to love Crunch ‘n Munch it was one of his go to snacks. Nostalgia brings me to buy a bag every once in a while as a way of remembering him. This bag was not only locally produced but also had the added incentive of being maple flavored something I had not tried before. The popcorn was good typical of the type but I did not detect much if any maple flavor. The kernels were large and well coated but there was a significant amount of broken pieces in the bottom of the bag.