Roll out the barrel

Jim and Nancy do not disclose the fact that they will review a restaurant before they attend, ensuring their reviews are unbiased and uninfluenced by their position with the Sun Day.

We have been writing this column for over ten years. In that time, we have received our share of letters, both good and bad. These range from very complimentary letters, restaurant recommendations, and letters telling us, in rather unflattering terms, what we can do with our column. These letters are often peppered with comments about our taste and intelligence. We must admit we were apprehensive when we received a letter in the U.S. Mail. We nervously opened it up and were relieved when we discovered the contents were handwritten and didn’t have words pasted from a newspaper like you see on detective shows on TV. It turned out to be a very nice letter from Richard and Judith recommending Bobby’s Barrel Inn in Volo, along with a copy of their menu.

Nancy has had a combination of cabin fever and spring cleaning fever. She decided to start cleaning early this year. I saw myself getting sucked into her madness, so I suggested a road trip. We jumped into the Mini-Mobile and off we went to Volo for a late lunch.

Driving into the parking lot, Jim was confused on where to park because he didn’t know where the actual entrance was. I kept telling the moron numerous times that I think it could be by the door next to the big neon sign that said “OPEN.” He parked the car right by the door and said, “yep, this is it.” I don’t know what I’d do without him…

Walking in, you walk past the bank of slot machines behind a half wall. Nancy started liking the place already, because in her little blonde head she heard “cha-ching.” Around the corner from there was the bar and dining area. The bar ran the length of the restaurant, and the dining area had about ten tables. It’s the type of place where everybody knows your name. Regulars were eating and conversing at the bar and we decided to take a table.

Jim started with a bowl of their New England Clam Chowder ($3.99). This was quite a deal since it was a large bowl loaded with clams and veggies. It was served hot on a cold day, and he said it was delicious.

Nancy has been having a taste for a good burger lately and decided on the Bobby’s Burger ($14.99). This was ten ounces of Angus beef served with American, mozzarella, and Swiss cheeses, caramelized onions, bacon, lettuce, and tomato on pumpernickel bread. She nixed the pumpernickel bread for a hamburger bun. This came with your choice of fries, coleslaw, chips, or baked beans. She went with the coleslaw which she really enjoyed. The burger was juicy and cheesy and exactly what she had a taste for. She took half her burger home with her in a doggie bag.

If you know Jim, he has the maturity of a 12-year-old. He was perusing the menu and giggling when he spotted the “Best Breast in Volo” sandwich ($13.99). This was a fried chicken breast topped with ham, bacon, mozzarella, lettuce, and tomato. He chose fries for his side. The chicken was crispy, and the ham was grilled for that extra touch. Let’s just say the name was correct on the menu. I wish I could relay the prepubescent jokes coming out of his mouth all during lunch. Let me just say, he was trying my patience…

Dining Duo Soapbox: There is a current trend in restaurants to serve “manufactured” fries dipped in corn starch to make them stay crunchy. These chemical wonders don’t taste like real French fries, instead they taste like sticks of instant potatoes that stay crunchy on the outside forever. Can’t they just take a potato, cut it, and drop it into the deep fryer? If you want extra crispy fries, they can double dip them in the oil. What’s so hard about that???

FYI: This restaurant is not handicap accessible.

The cost to “Roll Out the Barrel” in Volo was $42.78. Seeing Jim turn into a giggling 12-year-old, priceless…

Jim’s take: My chicken sandwich was awesome and all of my immature jokes made Nancy want to hide by putting a brown bag over her head.

Nancy’s take: Living with an immature moron somehow keeps me laughing even when he embarrasses me. Oh, the burger was tasty too!

Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at: thediningduo@gmail.com

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