I figured with the Christmas Cards going out I would start the countdown….These places range from Texas, to NY, to anywhere else that we have gone.  They are just straight up GOOD.  Once the countdown is over, I will pay homage to Man vs. Food with our trip to Juan in a Million.

Now, I would usually exclude this one because it is somewhat of a chain, but it is way too good to pass up.  We came here the day after we got married, and then came back for a weekend in Houston, and both times it was AWESOME.  The chips were awesome, with almost a sweetness to them, and just really well made food.  We had the special that night, which was some sort of stuffed chicken, but it was excellent.

Both times we have gone though, it has been freezing, so bring your jackets.

More to come soon.  I figured I had to get something up so it wouldnt seem like we havent written in a while.  We definitely havent stopped eating.

This is one where I was rolling solo while I was at a conference in the ATL (aka hotlanta), but Candace would have LOVED this place too.

Man vs. Food.  I don’t think there is anyone who is more jealous of that guy’s job than I am.  He gets to go around and eat massive amounts of food for free.  And, he barely finishes most of them, and people still love him.  One day, my friends, I will go on a Man Vs. Food tour.

That said, the inspiration for finding this place was from an episode of Man Vs. Food, and it took over an hour to get there in the terrible Atlanta traffic, and we pulled up to what looked like your typical strip mall, and there it was.  By that point, my eyes grew wider as I saw the size of the pies that they were bringing to their customers.  Each slice was bigger than my HEAD.

I ordered the carnivore, which was their specialty, which included every meat that you could possibly think of.  First came incredible cheese sticks/bread that my coworker and I devoured.  Then came the slice.  I am not a lite eater, and I could barely finish it.  The challenge on MvsF was to 2 people to eat 4 slices each.  He didnt do it.

All this to say that it is rare that you find both quantity and quality.  The pizza what your NY style, but because there was so much of it, by the end you started to really taste the meat which wasnt my favorite, but that was probably just because I was getting so full.

Overall, great place.  Here is the website:  http://www.bigpieinthesky.com/

I think this post will begin my challenge to Adam from Man Vs. Food.  I think that there needs to be a showdown.  It begins here.

Man Vs. Food?  More like Man Vs. Lose….

Freeman’s Kindergarden Style Grade:

Taste/Flavor: E (Excellent)
Portions: G (for ginormous)
Experience: M/M (Mas o Minos, they must have loved M vs. F coming, cause they wrote about it everywhere)

Our first blog post is like the first bite into a pizza slice that you have been waiting for.  Smelling.  Thinking about. Obsessing over.

“Ya wanna go halfsies on a pie?” Candace asked as we walked into the 3rd best place to eat in San Marcos (according to www.tripadvisor.com)

Still looking for the video so you can see the Brian Regan reference.  Hilarious.  Will link it soon.

UPDATE: http://comedians.comedycentral.com/brian-regan/videos/brian-regan—let-s-split-a-pie

The place was hard to miss with a huge, blinding red sign displaying the word “Valentino” as we drove by.  We walked in an tried to sit at what we thought looked like the most romantic table in the place.  It turned out to be a Pac-Man arcade game.  Go figure.

We ordered the Val, following my rule that if it is named after someone, it has to be good.  Plus, the guy at the front recommended it, which is key for me at a new place.  Took at white crust instead of the wheat.  It was a good slice, great crust, but still not up to NYC standards.  But, of the places I have eaten in San Marcos, it is probably the best local place that I have liked.  HomeSlice in Austin still beats it for Texas pizza, but what are you going to do.

Valentino’s definately beats chain pizza and has a really cool atmosphere.  Toward the top of my San Marcos list.

We walked out, and Candace bundled up and shivered as we walked back to the car.  68 degrees.  She claims that anything below 70 is coat weather.  Typical Texas response.  I cant wait to see her in NY for Christmas.  I can totally see her as the kid from a Christmas Story.

“I CANT PUT MY ARMS DOWN…..”