NY Style Pizza from Sbarro - $3.99

4737 Concord Turnpike, Wilmington, DE - (302)477-9850

First off, I'm not sure exactly which Sbarro I ordered this from. It was at one of the rest areas on Route 80 in the middle of Ohio, but I threw down some address in Wilmington, DE instead just to have something there. The reason I brought this up is because rest areas are usually more expensive than other locations so $3.99 may be a bit inflated.

Anyway, as you can see from the picture, there's nothing in particular that makes an NY style pizza stand out from any other typical pizza. I mean, I guess it's big and has a thin crust, but so what? It's like ordering an extra large thin crust from any pizza joint. That's why I'll always prefer the Chicago deep dish.

There is one other style I've heard many praises over and that's the Connecticut style. Who knew? Anyway, I hope to one day try their pizza.

Apple Kuchen from Riva - $6.00

2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, IL - (630)718-1010

Unfortunately, I don't remember everything that was in this dessert. It's ice cream atop a little cake (kuchen means cake in German), and the cake was stuffed with some sweet stuff like caramel and warm apple bits.

Without the dressings around it, the cake would've been fairly tasteless so it reminded me a lot of a scone. But overall, the dessert was very yummy.

McRib from McDonald's - $2.19

1520 North Naper Boulevard, Naperville, IL‎ - (630)505-0220

The McRib is a limited time sandwich that consists of a boneless pork patty covered in BBQ sauce, onions, and pickles on a six-inch bun.

It's a very good sandwich, but the corporate big wigs at McDonald's like to toy with people's emotions so they discontinue the sandwich on occasion, but simultaneously talk about making it a permanent menu item. I heard people were die-hard about this sandwich to the point where they would travel to different cities when it was discontinued in their own city. While I wouldn't say it was THAT good, it was still tasty. The BBQ sauce tastes like the same sauce provided with their nuggets - a sweet, slightly tangy, sauce and the pork patty resembles rib meat fairly well. This would be a fine addition to their permanent menu to give it more variety.

Reuben Sandwich from Ashkenaz Deli - $8.45

12 E Cedar Street, Chicago, IL - (312)944-5006

I walked about four miles each way in Chicago winter weather for this sandwich and it was totally worth it.

It's a standard reuben sandwich in that all the ingredients are there without any extras: corned beef, Russian dressing, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut all on toasted rye bread. Therefore, I'm not sure what makes this sandwich so awesome, but it is. My sister even dubbed it "the best sandwich she's ever had."

The sandwich is a bit pricey, but you have to remember you're right next to the Gold Coast where people walk dogs wearing clothes worth more than most people's cars. Yes, I'm serious. So I don't think $8.45 is too outrageous, especially when the sandwich tastes as good as it does.

Meen Fun Kerr - $?

Meen Fun Kerr

This is called "Meen Fun Kerr" in Hokkien. It's square pieces of noodles, vegetables, shrimp (not in the picture), calamari, fish balls and small slices of pork in a brothy chicken stock based soup. I don't know the history of this dish except that my grandma used to make this for me when I was a kid. My mom made it again for me recently and this is the result. Brings back memories. I like it. It's a simple dish. Maybe it's something my grandma made up along the way, I mean what can be simpler than rolling flour with eggs, throw in some vegetables and meat and whatever else into your chicken stock and then starching it up so it's thicker? But if anybody has a story about this dish, do tell.

Vegetable Dutch from Pancake Cafe - $9.95

1292 Rickert Drive Suite#168, Naperville, IL - (630)637-1010

The Vegetable Dutch is a collection of vegetables baked into a Dutch baby and then topped with havarti cheese. If you're like me and don't know what a Dutch baby is, it's a miniature German pancake. If you're like me again and don't know what a German pancake is, then follow this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_pancake

Anyway, I'm very proud to make a find as tasty as this one, particularly because breakfast items are usually the same ol' same ol' sausage, eggs, etc. This on the other hand, was like a pancake-pizza hybrid with vegetables for toppings. It's dense like a pancake with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla, so reminded me a little of pumpkin bread. Another note: since the German pancake is larger, it looks more like a bread bowl than a flat pizza.

White Castle from White Castle - $0.61

1219 Lake Street, Aurora, IL - (630)820-1333

These are the infamous White Castle "sliders" so named because they "slide" right through you. It's a steam-grilled patty with grilled onions, and a slice of pickle.

My sister told me that the police caught a jewel smuggler and he had swallowed some diamonds so in order to force them out, they fed him these suckers. That's the kind of effect they will have on you.

I know they will tear my stomach to pieces, yet, I keep going back for more. I also think the aroma can be pretty overpowering and perhaps even disgusting, yet, I keep going back for more.

So what gives? Why do I keep going back for more? I don't know. Maybe the 24x7 hours are convenient. Maybe the price is tempting. Maybe I like that I can demolish one with two bites. MAYBE I even enjoy the taste. I don't know, but their slogan "What You Crave" definitely has some truth to it.