Blue Plate Specials and Blue Ribbon Chefs [Hardcover]

Jane Stern (Author), Michael Stern (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 8, 2001

The authors have packed up their bags and hit the highways once again in search of the tastiest dishes and most fascinating chefs. The result is an amazing journey across America's heartland, with stops along the way for a few down-home meals and delightful desserts at the coziest, friendliest, and busiest diners and roadside cafes.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Lebhar-Friedman; 1st edition (August 8, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0867308400
• ISBN-13: 978-0867308402
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,586,628 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Disappointment for the Sterns, October 16, 2001

By 

J Keistler "[e-mail]" (Lake Jackson, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blue Plate Specials and Blue Ribbon Chefs (Hardcover)

I have been a fan, and buyer, of the books of the Sterns since the original Square Meals many years ago. I've enjoyed their books on all sorts of different subjects, not only their food books. Therefore, I picked this book up without even looking inside.

What I found in this book, more than new material, was the impression that this was a book made up on short notice out of the Sterns's existing files. It was neither as comprehensive or descriptive as earlier food reviews. Certainly nowhere near as comprehensive as Road Food, sort of like a little abridgment. Additionally, a bunch of the eating places in the book aren't in business anymore.

I'm looking forward to trying the fried chicken recipe given in the review of the Bon Ton Mini Mart, but this book left me feeling like a hungry man on a diet--satisfying somewhat, but left feeling like something was distinctly missing. I really got the impression that this was a 'quickie', and not up to the standards of their other books.

I love reading the Sterns, and seeing them on TV, and hope this isn't the beginning of a trend.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Celebrating the (lunch-) counter culture, March 21, 2003

By 

Andrew S. Rogers (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blue Plate Specials and Blue Ribbon Chefs (Hardcover)

If the excellent "Roadfood" can be thought of as the complete guide to America's roadside eateries, "Blue Plate Specials" would be the Greatest Hits collection, at least in the opinion of our tireless guides, Jane and Michael Stern. This book is a fine collection of some of the Sterns' most distinctive and interesting roadside restaurant experiences, along with a memorable recipe (or facsimile of one) from each. Sadly, some of the restaurants discussed here are no longer in business, but the Sterns help keep them living in memory.

Personally, I found this title less evocative than "Roadfood." That book made me want to toss a copy of it in the glove compartment and head out on a cross-country tour, hitting one great-sounding diner or rib shack after another. This book didn't. It was nice to read about the Sterns' experiences in their travels, but I didn't catch the passion of it all like I did with "Roadfood." Your mileage may vary.

Still, if you're a fan of the Sterns, this is a title worth checking out -- not, perhaps, as a guide to your own future travels, but as a good example of "foodie lit" and the vicarious excitement of sitting down and studying a never-before-seen menu.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Entertaining, February 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Blue Plate Specials and Blue Ribbon Chefs (Hardcover)

Although there are recipes in this book, it is much more than a cookbook. It is an interesting and entertaining look at America's eateries. Each entry contains a short history or background on the establishment, its food, and the people who work there and eat there, followed by a recipe or two.

Anyone who travels and has eaten "roadfood" (or just dreams of it!) will enjoy this well-written book. And for those of us who will never get to visit even a small percentage of the eateries examined, it is a wonderful glimse at these businesses and the people who love working at them and eating at them.

Another reviewer stated that some of the places listed are no longer in business. With a book of this nature, that's inevitable. So many small, family-owned businesses are closing up fast. I'm just glad that the Sterns were able to document their existence for us enjoy, if only from the comfort of our easy chairs. I put this book on my list of must-haves and look forward to reading other books by the Sterns.