Roadside Online: Diners, Drive-ins, the American roadside

They Do It Differently in Quebec

Category: Eat

Published on Tuesday, 19 January 2010 05:00

Written by Teri Dunn Chace

Yet one more thing different about our neighbors to the north: The Québécois version of the convenience store.

Writing advice from writers you admire is always worth considering, especially if you are aspiring. One of my heroes, Annie Dillard, once remarked that it is good to write about winter in summer and summer in winter — clarifies the mind.

So here I am, snowed in in my little New England town, in January, thinking of summer!

This past summer I had a real treat, an opportunity to visit the province of Quebec. Not just right over the border, as I had a few times before (it was great sport in college to nip over to buy a case of Brador beer). Our destination was deep into the territory, past ever-enchanting Quebec City, and east along the impressive St. Lawrence River to Parc Saguenay. In any event, I had best add that it is not so easy for anyone to “nip” across the border these days. Bring your passport and your patience if you do this, and do not confess to carrying produce or contraband.

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Pie, Oh My!

Category: Eat

Published on Tuesday, 27 October 2009 00:00

Written by Teri Dunn Chace

four-berry-pie Anytime is an excellent time to ponder pie, in my book, but the topic always attracts more attention when Thanksgiving comes around. When I was in my local bakery this past weekend, I saw a big sign reminding us to place our pie orders early. “Let us do your baking for you!” it called. “If you are hosting, we will save you time,” the sign continued persuasively, “and if you are a guest at somebody else’s table, a pie is the perfect contribution.” No arguments there!

Pie truly is the perfect feast-topper. If you make it past the mountain of white-meat turkey and savory drumsticks, the steaming, gravy-laden mashed potatoes, and various other side dishes (yams with marshmallow, anyone?), you may think you are not up to gobbling down anything more. Instead, you will say, “Oh no…! I’m sorry, I am really too full for dessert. This meal was great, thank you anyway! What’s that? Pie, you say? Oh. Well! Maybe a thin slice…” Even after a huge and satisfying meal, a slice of pie not only seems somehow possible, it seems like the only possible choice.

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Raven Cliff Falls, Caesar’s Head SC

Written by Tom Hoffman

This is Raven Cliff Falls in northwestern South Carolina. It requires a bit of effort to reach. Go north from Greenville on winding, twisting U.S. Rou…

Written on 14 May 2012
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Matt’s Folly now Eden’s Folly

Written by P. Lane Speaker

Here again is confirmation that the so-called diner preservation community’s experts are only amusing themselves and wasting their valuable time wit…

Written on 05 May 2012
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Moving Landmarks?

Written by Al Sollinger

Ordinarily when someone thinks of a “landmark” it doesn’t bring to mind something that moves from place to place. A landmark is often thought of as b…

Written on 02 May 2012
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King Tut Drive-In, US Highway 19, Beckley WV

Written by Tom Hoffman

This isn’t something you would see bypassing Beckley on the West Virginia Turnpike. I came upon it while following the signs for US Route 19. I’d just…

Written on 30 April 2012
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Getting Our Money’s Worth Out of City Hall?

Written by Al Sollinger

In 1889 workers completed the Benton County Courthouse in Corvallis, Oregon. Located at 120 NW Fourth Street the structure was designed by a Portland …

Written on 17 April 2012
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