Openings all over Mobile!

I sure do love it when this column is about houses of culinary delight opening their doors to the public as opposed to favorite spots closing down for one reason or another. This issue is full of new restaurants, and I couldn’t be happier. Let’s keep them coming.

Golden Bowl searching for Hibachi gold

Bel Air Boulevard traded one hibachi restaurant for another. Last winter the Asian restaurant at the corner of Bel Air and Airport Boulevard closed down. Another one just took its place. Golden Bowl Hibachi and Asian Cuisine seems to be packing in more people than the former owners. I took Lucas and Graham there for their first hibachi experience, and they were at the very least impressed. At best, Graham was excited and terrified at the same time.

Once our waiter set fire to the grill Graham screamed and ran away toward the turtle pond. He wasn’t gone long, but upon his return he moved his chair back a half dozen feet and remained there until the cooking was over.

There is a complimentary hot and cold bar with the purchase of your meal, and the daily lunch special is only $7.95. It’s worth a try.

Sugar Rush opens midtown location

We’ve been jealous of our West Mobile and Bayou La Batre friends, but now our wait is over. Sugar Rush midtown opened this week at the loop. You may know it as the old Double Olive/Taste location across from the midtown Mellow Mushroom. You’ll forget those names soon enough. It’s still business as usual at 13240 North Wintzell Ave. and the 4701 Airport Blvd. (near University) locations. But things just got a lot sweeter for us in MiMo at 2033-A Airport Blvd. Get anything with bacon on it.

Lickin’ Good Donuts not to be outdone

Sounds like we have us a donut turf war going on here in Mobile. Many of you are die-hard fans of Lickin’ Good Donuts of Robertsdale and Saraland fame. Mobile is reaping the benefit of their success with the opening of a Lickin’ Good on Government Boulevard just west of Azalea. Lickin’ Good is known for plenty of amazing donuts as well as kolaches. Seriously, everyone talks about the kolaches. I will allow myself to visit both Sugar Rush and Lickin’ Good in the same day, but only if I make myself jog from one to the next.

There’s a Queen where the Kreme used to be

We told you Dairy Queen was coming to the former Krispy Kreme at the corner of Bradford and Government. Well the wait is over. The good news is there are plenty of hot days left to enjoy all the blizzards and parfaits you can handle. I’m not ashamed to say I enjoy their normal sized burgers every now and again.

You may pine for the hot and ready of yesteryear, but Mobile is no longer donut poor. Embrace the Queen.

Wind Creek’s food truck hits Atlanta Motor Speedway

Friday, Aug. 27 was a historic day for Alabama racing fans and foodies alike. Wind Creek Casino’s food truck known as Good to Go made its way around the Atlanta Motor Speedway track with Chef Paul Norton behind the wheel.

As sponsors of the Atlanta Motor Speedway’s NASCAR Labor Day race weekend the food truck (based at Wind Creek’s Wetumpka location) left a trail of dust behind it screaming around the track to clock in a 4 minute lap. To put things in perspective, the average NASCAR qualifier makes the oval course in about 26 seconds.

“I always tried to run a fast kitchen,” says Chef Norton, “but I never thought I would be shaking and baking around turn number two here!”

The only thought I ponder is whether or not the chef had his left blinker on the whole time.

This brings up an interesting idea. Could we get Good to Go, Geaux Boy, Smoking Gringos and all of the other Alabama food trucks together and hit the Talledega track? If so, could I please be a commentator? Think it over, boys. Let’s make this happen.

For video of this epic food truck’s journey to Hotlanta visit windcreekhospitality.com and click the press button.

Family Promise event is Serving You!

Family Promise of Coastal Alabama provides homeless shelter services for entire families, assisting families in identifying and solving issues that lead to homelessness. Teaching job stability skills, parenting skills and budgeting, with an 85 percent success rate finding safe and permanent housing for prepared families.

Each year Family Promise has a fundraiser known as Serving YOU! Calling on local celebrities to be waiters and waitresses at different Mobile restaurants. Every cent of every tip goes toward this great organization. The next one is Sept. 16 at T.P. Crockmier’s, 6-8 p.m. I will be serving Sept. 30 at the Bull. Be sure and stop by to give me a hard time.

Recycle those Labor Day leftovers!