Tour American Dates

Our tour dates for our Schnack Road Trip America 2005 are May 15th to Sept 24th. A new trip will start every Sunday. Please join us in May 2005 as we tour the country.

Road Trip American Summer 2005

This summer is going to be the Ultimate Road Trip Summer. Packing up the car or van and heading down highways with names like 10, 40, 80, and 95 and Routes like 66, 46 & 1. Along the way we will be packin' our bellies with some of the most interesting, strange, and well-loved food this side of the planet. Interested in coming along? ... it's easy - just plan on visiting Schnack this summer.

We are doing our research now and expect to serve a variety of local food from around the country all summer long.

The books we are reading include:

Fast Food by John A Jakle

The Food of Paradise
by Rachel Laudan

Lost America by Troy Paiva

Road Trip USA
by Jamie Jensen

Best American Recipes 2004-2005
by Fran McCullough

One Tank Trips Road Food, Ohio
by Neil Zurcher

The American Diner Cookbook
by Elizabeht McKeon

Retro Diner
by Linda Everett

Route 66 Cook Book
by Marian Clark

Roadfood
by Jane & Michael Stern

Mac N' Cheese N' Stuff

Aside from requests for some really good chicken wings, the biggest request we have is for Mac'N Cheese.

After trying the excellent Mac'N Cheese from Mama Duke's on Oct 18th and seeing a recipe for Mac 'N Cheese from "HOME," I have started to work on our Mac N' Cheese. The inspiration comes from "HOME" who doesn't bake it but rather they make it in a skillet to order. I've always imagined baking it and then trying to sell it out in one night because it just isn't as good the next day.

It's still very much a work in progress, but we will use pasta, some type of cheddar cheese, blanched onion, and tomato. We also have an option for the addition of any sausage. Hot Dog for the kids, Swojska for the adults.

We tasted it today in the kitchen with some friends of Schnack and with a few guests. So far all thumbs up.

The main issue, since we will make it to order, is can we produce it in 10 minutes or less?

Stay Tuned!!!

Beer Shake or Beer Milk Shake

First, it's hard to know what to call it. In the store, we call it a Beer Shake because it doesn't have any milk in it... that is added milk; of course there is some milk in the Ice Cream. But in the press, we call it a Beer Milk Shake because otherwise people don't have any idea of what we're talking about!

So what's in it? It's really simple. Ice Cream and Beer. It's our really fresh and excellent ice cream from Perry's, and DogFish Head Chicory Stout.  FYI, World Wide Stout, when available, is better, but with a retail price of about $20 a bottle it is a bit out of the budget range we are use to.

So how do they make Chicory Stout? From the DogFish web site... "A dark beer made with a touch of roasted chicory, organic Mexican coffee, St. John's Wort, and licorice root. Brewed with whole-leaf Cascade and Fuggles hops, the grains include pale, wheat, roasted and oatmeal. We buy the coffee used in our Chicory Stout from the Oby Lee Coffee Roastery in Lewes."

More BLOG Links..

The Washington Oculus writes...

A quick guide to Carroll Gardens. Take the F or G train to Carroll Street.

1) Get a rice ball at the Italian Pork Store on Court Street near President Street. It’s a thick ball of ricotta cheese coated in rice and deep fried.

2) Go to Schnack (122 Union St. between Hicks and Columbia). Get $1 PBR. Eat 99 cent mini burgers, yam fries, and if you’re adventurous order the most expensive thing on the menu -- a Jubilat Swojska sausage for $3.50 -- all amid disaffected Brooklyn hipsters.

3) Wash all that down at the B61 bar on Columbia Street, named for the bus line that runs from Red Hook up through Williamsburg and Greenpoint. It’s a low key place on the far side of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway near the waterfront but worth venturing out to.

Best Burger in Brooklyn? NYC?

A Brooklyn Life BLOG writes,

"...the best burger I've had in all of New York is at Schnack. Unfortunately, my umbrella is no match for the remnants of hurricane Jeanne (see above picture of my "covered" subway station), and I didn't get out to take a photo of it. Schnack passes the crave test. I crave the unrivaled melt-in-your-mouth tenderness of its patties, the tangy Schnack sauce, the oozing melty cheese..."

Read the whole blog entry...

Brooklyn Eats (and DRINKS!)

First, thank you to James Reid and his students for being such a big help today with the "Brooklyn Eats" event, and to the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce for putting on the event in the first place.

That said, and like the Time Out New York event a few weeks ago, it doesn't surprise anyone to learn that people make an extra effort to make their food look interesting. Huge floral arrangements, hand woven baskets the size of Rhode Island, blinking lights, balloons and tablecloths of many hues...

There is the axiom that if it looks good it IS good... At Schnack we don't exactly have a budget for transplanting small forests or ordering bountiful flower arrangements. We did bring three small bunches of flowers from Miss Lee (our Union St. Neighbor), and a few ears of colored Indian Corn. The award for the least unique presentation item goes to... Indian Corn. It seems everyone had an ear or two, or a few dozen.

So while our booth was plain and our presentation less then sublime, we hit some solid runs with our Beer Shake. In a room filled with a half dozen styles of jerk chicken, more crab, clam, and fish cakes than could be counted, and at least as many shrimp dishes as well.. we stood out. Why? Because we had something people hadn't really tried before and something that made them actually think about food and what they think they might like. And of course, after tasting the beer shake perhaps finding out there are some things they like which they didn't expect that they would.

Other highlights? The Marriott Kitchens' jumbo shrimp with bacon.. It was perfect and huge. Truly JUMBO. Blue Ribbons' sushi, and killer Mac'N Cheese from Mama Dukes!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by!!! We had a great time!!

New Digs

It's official.

"Brooklyn's favorite Burger Joint, Schnack is MOVING to a larger location; we are selling our landmark store, fully fixtured with Beer & Wine Lic. $135k or best offer/Terms available. Call Jim @ 917 499 6019."

Burger Contest

I found this link to the burger contest we did in the Spring of '04.

Nick DeSilvio took home the “Schnackie Award” this week when he devoured nine mini-hamburgers in six minutes, beating out his fellow longshoreman at the first-ever hamburger-eating contest on the Red Hook waterfront.

The full story is here.

Midnight Schnack

We have gotten a lot of millage out of being open late. We take food orders til 1am (every night), drink orders til 1:30 and close at 2am...

Here was a really nice review.

...

"Upon arrival, our group of 8 was greeted by a friendly (yet appropriately sassy) server, who helped us arrange ourselves into a corner. Cozy and cute, Schnack is decorated with all manners of old-school Brooklyn memorabilia (murals, ads, soda bottles) and bright colors. A small, hand-lettered construction paper sign advertised free wi-fi access. After considering the menu (and hearing more than a few suggestions from the duo that directed us there) I settled on the ‘Schnackies’ (tiny burgers with a spicy special sauce), fries, and a chocolate shake."

...

In the Post

The NY Post has been really writting us up lately.. Here is the lastest..



THE SUPPER CLUBBERS

By ANDREA STRONG
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 3, 2004 -- Oprah has done wonders for reading with her monthly Book Club, but with all due respect to the daytime diva, she's behind the times.
It's hard enough to get through the iPod manual, let alone a novel, and leisurely reading is taking a back seat to a more immediate pleasure - eating.

...
Every couple months, Hawk chooses an ethnic restaurant and leads a group of intrepid eaters through a five-course dinner, keeping the tab under $30 per person.

Hawk started the club two months ago by e-mailing like-minded friends and is seeking only those with a desire for dishes that might be "an acquired taste."

The first Brooklyn Food Club dinner was at Teeda, an authentic Thai spot on Columbia Streeet in Brooklyn where the feast included Todd Man Pla (fried fish cakes), sea scallops with curry sauce,and Thai custard with ice cream.



Brooklyn Food Club:

www.brooklynfoodclub.blogspot.com, or email harryhawk@gmail.com.

burger

A link back to the halcon and burger eating excess of summer!

http://www.brooklynpapers.com/html/issues/_vol27/27_20/27_20nets4.html

Eat NY - Time Out

For the youth of today, a "time out" means standing in the corner or some other location being quiet and without outside stimulation; it's a punishment.

For the rest of us, a Time Out is an adventure out side of our homes. Let me tell you it was a great adventure leaving our Schnack home in Brooklyn and going to the Time Out New York "Eat NY" event at 35th St. I mean, you had food ranging from Bouley to Schnack, and from Alma to WD-50.

Thanks to everyone at Time Out New York, including Emily, Rob, Amy, and everyone else including all of the staff at the event like Brian and Karry (Keri?, Carrie?) who keep us in top shape!

We served more than 1000 beer milkshakes from about 6:15 to 9:15! Wow!

See you next year!

Maine

I'm up in Maine... near Deer Isle. Things have been great weather-wise... which means a few nice days and not too much fog!

The first afternoon "on Island" we stopped over to Little Deer Isle at Eaton's Lobster Pool.. a "lobster shack" since the mid 60s that has evolved into a more inside and more upscale dinning... The original owner, Gene Eaton, is still around but sold the business last year. There a few changes like the relocation of the gift shop from one side of the place to the other, and the addition of an actual bar with some micro brews.

The good news? The fried clams (whole, native) were amazing. Best I've ever had. The shore dinner, ,about 8 bucks when I was a kid, was now $20. And the lobster, barely 1.25 lbs and a soft shell to boot (boo!), was, on the bright side, cooked within a second of perfect.

Other than that I've been, of course, cooking my own feasts with the exception of a trip to Connie's. Overlooked by many as they explore the finer side of Island dining, Connie's offers great local favorites like fried or broiled haddock sandwiches, homemade donuts, and great fried fish!

Making some of your own lobster? Have some shells left over? Hmmm...make some lobster stock and make some lobster Risto!

Brooklyn Food Club

What is the Brooklyn Food Club?

The Brooklyn Food "Trip" Club is organized by Schnack Owner/Chef Harry Hawk. It started when Harry invited some friends and friends of friends to join him on some food "trips." Mostly in Brooklyn every 6 to 8 weeks, Harry plans on finding a restaurant interested in showcasing their menu. The price for each "trip" includes everything including tips and tax but never drinks. Harry pays his own way.

If you think you might want to join one of these adventures and you have a open mind towards eating new or different types of food, please email Harry. Most trips will offer a regular and vegetarian menu.

Want to learn more, Visit the Brooklyn Food Club BLOG!

Sept Mike Daisey

NYC is much more fun when Mike Daisey is in town performing, reading, or just enjoying the food at Schnack...

Mike writes, "With the advent of autumn the air conditioners are finally coming out of windows, beloved houseguests who've stayed just a little too long. To celebrate this brief temperate period you might want to get out of your apartment and stop by one of the three events I'm performing at before fall abruptly departs and the ice storms descend.

THIS SUNDAY THE 26TH I'll be telling a story at The Moth--it's a real honor to be asked to perform where so many talented, eccentric and gifted storytellers have come before. Mark Katz, author of CLINTON AND ME, is curating an evening titled OFF WITH THEIR HEADS: Stories About Politics, and I will be doing my part to prove that the very best in all politics is the personal. If that doesn't work, I'll be talking trash about anyone in the crowd who got a Purple Heart--whichever works faster.

Doors open at 6pm, the show starts at 7pm. Crash Mansion is located at BLVD, 199 Bowery at Spring--all seats are $20. You can make reservations at 212-868-4444 or by following this URL:
http://tinyurl.com/3p6vb

ON TUESDAY THE 28TH I'll be performing at Fez with Judy Blume, an obscure author of a few mostly-forgotten books on teenage and childhood antics. Ms. Blume will answer audience questions and read from her book, "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" in hopes that some publisher will finally recognize its brilliance and get it back in
print. A number of luminaries will be presenting true stories of teen angst and childhood gone awry, and donations will be accepted to help the benighted Ms. Blume get a taxi home to Flushing.

Doors open at 7pm, and the show begins at 7:30pm at Fez Under Time Cafe, 380 Lafayette Street @ Great Jones. Cover is $10, and you can call 212-533-7000 to reserve tickets in advance.

ON THURSDAY THE 30TH I'll be reading at the Barbes Reading Series. Yes, reading, not performing: in my copious free time I have been scratching and clawing out a manuscript, and on the last day of September I will release a small part of it into the world. A terrible mistake? A delightful strategem? I invite you to Barbes so you can make the call yourself.

The reading starts at 7pm, and you can find Barbes at 376 9th Street in lovely Brooklyn, just a few steps from the 7th Avenue F subway stop...and this event is free, free, free.

Next month I perform in Los Angeles and Seattle--more details as they emerge.

Be seeing you,

md"

Long live the Beer Shake! According to scientists at the University of Western Ontario, beer is good. A biochemistry and kinesiology professor at Western, professor John Trevithick, 'We were very surprised one drink of beer or stout contributed an equal amount of antioxidant benefit as wine, especially since red wine contains about 20 times the amount of polyphenols as beer.' For more info on how beer helps police harmful free radicals in blood

Jack's Party

35.5 years on the job and Jack decided to retire... so when it came to having a party he told his friends it had to be at Schnack and we told them they'd have to shut us down... They said ok and so Sept 18th, this coming Saturday, we will be closed to the public from 7:30pm to 11:30pm. Sorry if this spoils your plans but, well, it will make Jack happy!

Tasty Treats

After talking last night about Eastern European "treats," Jean-Michele wrote me this morning:

Here's a little on what salo (the Ukrainian pork fat I described) is...

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2002009149_tressay22.html

And here's what Harry would do to his salo if he served it at Schnack!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3825221.stm

Time Out New York's second annual Eating & Drinking event

You are invited to Time Out New York's second annual Eating & Drinking event on October 4 from 6:30 to 9:30pm at Splashlight Studios (529 W 35th St between Tenth and Eleventh Aves).

Celebrate our new Eating & Drinking 2005 guide with tastings from more than 30 of TONY's favorite restaurants. The evening will also include cocktails from Absolut Vodka, Peroni beer, Frederick Wildman wines, and Sole Mineral Water.

Admission is $75 and includes a copy of the Eating & Drinking 2005 guide.

Participating restaurants include: Schnack, Alma, Barbuto, Biscuit, Blue Fin, Bouley, Chocolate Bar, Ciao Bella Cafe, Crispo, Cube 63, davidburke and donatella, Dawat, Django, 5 Ninth, Fleur de Sel, Florent, Gramercy Tavern, In Vino, Jane, Jefferson, The Kati Roll Company, Keens Steakhouse, Kirara,, Kitchen 22/82, Landmarc, Manhattan Ocean Club, Next Door Nobu, Nobu, Pampano, Peanut Butter & Co., Peasant, Public, The Restaurant at Splashlight Studios, Serendipity 3, The Spotted Pig, Strip House, Two Boots Restaurant, Wallse and wd-50.

Eating & Drinking; A Tasting Celebration is presented in partnership with
the Food Bank for New York City.


Click here for more INFO.

Click here to order tickets now!

Interesting Link

Blog Shares

Our Kind of Elk

Anyone who knows Harry well enough knows that he goes for the wild side; wild game of course. In the restaurant business the best "game" comes from free range farms rather than the neighborhood hunter. We have a long term relationship with Lone Hawk Farms, no relation to Harry. We source their super Elk Tenderloin for private parties; always tasty at $23.50 per lb (PLUS overnight shipping!).

During the recent tasting at LeNells for the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery we taste tested some ELK Burgers (no fat added!) along with some 12, 15 and 20 year old Van Winkle bourbon. The 20 year old was best; we like to point out we are against drinking any hard liquor that is younger then the age of consent, but we made an exception in this case; We think the Elk burgers will, in particular, go very well with Jever and with DFH Chicory stout.

Check out the Lone Hawk Farms web site for more info on Elk.

This September we will be offering "single" Elk burgers for $3.00 each or in a Chef's Platter containing: 2 elk burgers, 1 pork & onion single, a smokey and spicy chicken tostada, and a small salad for $9.00.

Never Leave Brooklyn

Never Leave Brooklyn... Ok, some times you have too... One of the nicest places to go in London. I spent a few months there back in the mid 80's. Fond memories of cheap chips and expensive Indian food. The defend Star of Bengal being my favorite.

You might think about going over September 7 to 12th and Join Todd Deatherage who will performing some acoustic sets and working on the release of his up coming and yet to be named EP.

Quinn From Ypsilanti

Ypsilanti. That's in Michigan, near Ann Arbor. None of us have ever been there, but we had Quinn and his family including mom, dad, and the "grand-cat" in for dinner the other night. Apparently the road from Ypsilanti leads directly to Schnack. The grand-cat had to stay in the car, but everyone else came in and had an all-you-can-eat-and-drink Schnack FEST!

Whenever we do these "all you can" events, we open up the menu vaults and more or less cook anything in our "catalog" of good eats. A lot of our regulars use this method to get some of their favorite specials cooked to order. Sometimes we are known for even giving out a few of our secrets.

With Quinn and his family it seems the secrets flowed both ways. Let's be clear -- Brooklyn, without a doubt, got the better half of the deal. What did we get? YAM Fries with a special sauce. Horseradish and something like Schnack Sauce. That was easy to whip up, and it was very tasty. We also got leads on some good milkshake ideas for the fall and spring. We already do chocolate and banana. How about vanilla ice cream, peanut butter and banana? Or strawberry and peanut butter. We have yet to make these but we will keep you posted.

Thanks Quinn, and please send a big Meow to the Grand-Cat.

Hardball In Brooklyn?

Looking for some real baseball?

-----
Tired of Playing Softball?

MSBL, Men's Senior Baseball League.

28 & over league organizing now for Spring 2005. Contact JEFF by Email.

playMSBL20005@yahoo.com or call between the hours of 9am to 5pm, 718 266 6194 (and leave your name and #).

Would it be silly for us to suggest after game dining at Schnack?