PTR: larrygator's road to Cedar Point - Parks and Food

[KDCOASTERFAN]

I wonder why they're taking wave swinger apart?

[Coastinmiller]

Larry, just for my future reference, what day did you visit Schmidt's, Thurman's and jeni's? Just wondering if I am going to have these kinds of waits when I go on a Wednesday??

[Philrad71]

^^ I want to think that it was closed during the time we were at Halloweekeds last year too. Not sure if they are rehabbing, removing or relocating.

[DirkFunk]

Wave Swinger was up and down Saturday and the last time I saw it that day, it was stuck about 3 feet off the ground. Probably just technical problems.

[larrygator]

Larry, just for my future reference, what day did you visit Schmidt's, Thurman's and jeni's? Just wondering if I am going to have these kinds of waits when I go on a Wednesday??

 

Schmidt's was around 7PM on Friday night, the line was a longer when I left at 8PM.

Thurman Cafe was around 6PM on Saturday night (definitely off peak) and then I arrived at Jeni's around 7PM

[larrygator]

More food

 

Before I get to the last park of this trip I stopped at two more places for food.

I went a little out of my way to find this place south of Cleveland. I can't remember the name of the town. My GPS sent me down a road that was closed for construction a couple of miles before the destination, so I had to wing it to find an alternate route.

There are only about a dozen tables in the main room along with a bar.

I had heard good things about the burgers, but I had a big dinner planned for two-three hours later so I went for dessert and an appetizers.

Chef's Shake and dusted onion fried circles.

In Pittsburgh I still have not tried Primanti Brothers as I've heard they give an attitude if you ask for your sandwich without slaw on it, so I opted for Big Jim's. The place is known for it's Italian food. As you can see I got there late.

It was only about an hour before close and the place was empty on a Monday night (as you can see), so I placed my order quickly in case they wanted to start cleaning the kitchen early.

This is the Veal Parm sandwich. I have no idea how much it weighed but I could only finish half of it. I kept the remainder in a plastic bags in my hotel ice bucket to eat for breakfast the next day.

I was a little leery of their sauce as it has ingredients that I normally don't associate with sauce (such as carrots) but it was incredible. Make sure you have a GPS if you try to find the place without a local guide. Next up is Kennywood.

Edited May 21, 2012 by larrygator

[Meteornotes]

Loving this report. You're giving me all sorts of places to check out if I'm these different areas. How was the Chef's Shake?

 

dt

[Hilltopper39]

The Apple Pie shake with bourbon sounds amazing.

[larrygator]

How was the Chef's Shake?

dt

 

Very good. I expected the pretzels to be crushed up in the shake (versus a couple of nuggets on top), but I guess crushed up would have just become soggy real quick and ruined the purpose.

[larrygator]

The last leg of my trip included a stop at Kennywood on Tuesday, 5/15. This was my 4th visit to Kennywood, but first time in 4 years. Ghostwood Estates and Sky Rocket were both new to me. Kennywood is one of my favorite parts for the way they blend their historical rides with innovative new rides.

 

Ghostwood Estates and Sky Rocket blew me away. I was very impressed with the quality of Ghostwood Estates (even with the mirror not working in the parlor). Sky Rocket shocked my with its intensity. That second inversion is now one of my favorite inversions on any coaster. I absolutely loved both of these additions. Black Widow was testing.

 

I rode most of the classics: Kangaroo, Noah's Ark (no water room, boo), Bayern Kurve, Thunderbolt, Racer, Jack Rabbit and even Garfield's Nightmare while also taking a couple of spins on Phantom's Revenge and Swing Shot.

 

When I pulled into a practically empty parking lot I was psyched. However, the reason there were no cars was that the bus lot was packed. At times I felt like I was the only adult that was not an employee or chaperone in the park. However, the child were ruly for the most part and it was an enjoyable day.

 

I decided to take a lot of pictures of the hidden aspects of Kennywood. The folks at Kennywood like recycling and reusing.

I went to Sky Rocket at opening and this was how long the line was. I got four rides in on Sky Rocket.

So early in the season landscapers were out in force to "purty" up the place.

As is typically the case the line for Phantom's Revenge is longer the first few hours of the day so I returned later.

Black Widow was almost ready to accept guests.

I do like Swing Shot.

Kennywood's Wave Swinger was operating.

Whassup Noah?

As usual the line for Potato Patch from noon to 2PM is insane. But I had to get my Bacon Cheddar Fries.

When I got back the Phantom's Revenge, Black Widow was testing.

The lemonade stand by Potato patch was closed so I had to walk to the Log Jammer lemonade stand. They make good lemonade at Kennywood.

Is this new at Kennywood?

One of my favorite flat rides of all-time.

Whassup Kenny?

Now on to some history. I had never sought out Laffin Sal before. Certainly creepy, even without sound.

If anyone wants to start a productive petition, start one to bring back The Old Mill. Garfield? Off with his head!

I did not ride The Turtle on this trip, but great to still see it running.

Noted

Those dragon heads used to be on The Old Mill boats way back when.

You might not notice this at first, but this food pavillion was the original carousel building.

That's all I got. I'm outta here. Hope you enjoyed my PTR.

[cfc]

As you know, I'm not a "flat-ride person," but I think Kangaroo is great, too.

[chadster]

I liked Kennywood on my only visit but chose the wrong time to attend as the park was packed with school kids and took me a good bit to hit all the credits. That being said, the park is on my return to list next time I'm up thata way.

[Ed Farmer]

The Apple Pie shake with bourbon sounds amazing.

 

Did you just order a five dollar shake?

 

[beatle11]

I hope to get back to Kennywood in the next year or two. I definitely feel that the newer, more advanced rides don't feel out of place alongside the classics. I really like Sky Rocket, and was really surprised how much airtime Phantom's Revenge has. The Potato Patch is definitely worth the wait.

[PhantomNick]

Great report and photos, Larry! I had actually never heard of that Italian place you stopped at in the 'Burgh.....I am intrigued now. Glad to read some Sky Rocket love too. I really think that was a perfect addition to a park like Kennywood. The airtime/hangtime is pretty impressive for such a compact coaster! And it's one of those rides I like more and more each time I ride it. I'm also in total agreement about that zero-g roll - might be my favorite inversion on any coaster I've ridden.

[RoCo]

Very entertaining and informative report; love all these eaterie recommendations. This was an excellent thread to read while eating lunch.

 

And if anyone really does start a petition to evict Garfield and restore The Old Mill properly, I'll sign happily. That Garfield overlay is grotesque.

[larrygator]

For the record, I ended up gaining 2 pounds on this trip with all the food, which I have since lost.

 

I credit Fast Lane for keeping it at only 2 pounds. Due to Fast Lane I had a lot of spare time at the Cedar Fair parks and took a lot of quite a few laps around Kings Island and Cedar Point while not waiting on lines.

[jslim39]

Hey man you gotta try Primanti Bros! I'm a Pittsburgh native and I've nearly always taken the cole-slaw off the sandwich, I've never been looked down upon for it. Trust me it's worth it. Cool PTR.

[OISU8P]

^I miss Primanti's.... especially the pastrami and egg.

 

Many people avoid the slaw because they think it is the same milky crap that Long John Silvers scoops up on their plates. I always try to tell people it is completely different stuff. I have heard it called Amish Slaw and Sour Slaw before, but not sure where those terms came from.

 

I believe it is a nice mixture of sliced cabbage, vegetable oil (non-olive), sugar, cider vinegar, salt, pepper and celery salt. More like a cabbage salad than coleslaw. I have a recipe somewhere with approximate measurements and preparations. I have come real close to making it the exact way they do.

[jslim39]

Yeah I've left the slaw on the past few times I've had a Pittsburger, but either way I was always fine without it too. Either way something to not pass up in the Burgh.

[larrygator]

If it is green and/or vegetable in nature I don't want in on my sandwich in any way shape or form. If it is put on my sandwich and part of it seeps into my roll I will not eat it.

[OISU8P]

Ya, they tend to pile it up and I really only ask for a light brushing of it. Goes back to the history of the sandwich in the first place. The truckers in the Strip District where on a tight schedule. Thus throw everything in one sandwich that can be eaten quick or taken on the road with them . Today, they tend to put to much on it (along with the fries) to make it what it used to be. They tend to cheapen on the meat also these days.

[packfanlv]

Awesome TR Larry. I have some of these eateries on my list now as well!

[TPDave]

I don't think I had Potato patch fries last year (or at least I don't remember it!). I'll have to try if I ever end up at Kennywood again!

[cfc]

^They're pretty damn good, but they will make all your arteries slam shut at once.