guest post!

I have been encouraged to update this website a lot, like daily. I have played that encouragement forward and asked for some guest commentary. Say "Hello" to my first guest! I hope to make her a regular spotlight on here. -Rutha


Vacation at the beach means a lot of good things. Lounging and laughing with toes in the sand. Quality time spent with old friends, telling and retelling funny stories. Getting tossed around by the rolling waves. Demonstrating that our cooking skills have, in fact, improved in the past few years. Finding the local hotspots (if you’re ever in Kitty Hawk, check out Jerome’s for a casual pub feel, Crow Bar for late night action).

All in all, a great weekend. But it wouldn’t be a vacation on the Atlantic Seaboard (and certainly not a road trip) if we didn’t stop at everyone’s favorite quick-service chicken restaurant: Chick-Fil-A.

Now, my mouth has been watering for the new Spicy chicken since I received an “exclusive invitation” to reserve one during the sandwich’s soft launch. Unfortunately, DC is a certifiable Chick-Fil-A desert. And, the Sabbath doesn’t help.

That said, I made one request of my road trip co-pilot: The Spicy. Long ago at the William and Mary MP, a good friend taught me to combine Ranch and Buffalo sauce to make the perfect sandwich. The Spicy sounded like it would perfectly meet my Chick-Fil-A expectations!

At 1:35 on Monday afternoon (several days later than I would have liked) we pulled in to a friendly Fredericksburg Chick-Fil-A. This place had TWO drive-throughs! TWO drive-throughs!

I had one minute of reservation at the counter. Like I said, I don’t get to Chick-Fil-A often, and what if the Spicy was a let-down. But, before I knew what was happening, my co-pilot took the reins ordered our sandwiches, fries and milkshakes (hey, we were still on vacation). When I asked for Ranch for the Spicy, I got a look from the cashier that made me think I was supposed to eat it plain. Uh-oh. The sauce is what sets Chick-Fil-A apart.*

All-in-all, my last-minute instinct had been right. It was good, but the original – with the limitless sauce combinations is great. Maybe perfect.


So here’s to next year’s vacation. One year older, and certainly one year wiser.



* After much thought, I think the Spicy might be a ploy to limit sauce distribution.

-corinne