Hanging on to the Last Days of Summer
8:22 AM
I’m about to write something that makes me very sad… summer
is almost over. Back-to-school flyers have invaded our mailbox. There’s now a steady stream of
communication from the boys’ schools. Our family dinners outside are ending a
little earlier every night. Sniff.
But I try to be the "glass-is-half-full" kind of gal and look at it this way: there are over two more weeks to
celebrate the best of the season. So when I heard Joe’s American Bar and Grill has
a summer menu complete with an upscale take on cookout classics, plus a killer Summer at Joe’s sweepstakes, I raised my glass of Sam Summer and shouted
“Hallelujah!”
Joe’s American Bar & Grill is a classic in the New
England restaurant scene. With 12 locations throughout New England, Joe’s is
all about familiar American fare in a family-friendly atmosphere. I had the
opportunity to sample some items from the summer menu and some of Joe’s all-time
favorites with fellow Boston Parent Bloggers.
For appetizers: try Joe’s Maryland Lump Crab Cakes, Joe’s
Famous Barbecued Ribs (slow cooked for fall-of-the-bone-goodness), Black
Skillet Roasted Mussels (my favorite), and the Spinach & Artichoke Dip.
For Entrees: you gotta go with the Joe’s Original burger,
finalist in the Boston Battle of the Burger or the Fish N Chips. The Grilled
Shrimp and Watermelon Salad is a great refreshing choice too (though my shrimp
was over-seasoned for my taste).
Dessert: everything. Still dreaming about the Skillet
Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie and Charles River Pie…
Concept Chef Sean McDonald was sure to point out that unlike
other restaurants, everything on the menu is made from scratch. You won’t find
a microwave or a freezer in the kitchen (except for a small freezer for the ice
cream).
And every Wednesday through Labor Day, Joe’s is running a “Celebrate America” sweepstakes. Fans get a
chance to win concert tickets, Six Flags Passes, and Joe’s gift cards to name a
few. And one lucky winner will win a grand prize package with VIP passes to the
Life is Good Festival, tour the Sam Adams brewery, Red Sox Tickets, an
overnight at the Hotel Commonwealth, and special dinners at Joe’s and sister
restaurant Abe & Louie’s. Wow. Be sure to check out Joe’s Facebook page for
more details.
Joe’s summer menu is a tribute to the backyard barbecue.
That’s my kind of barbecue! And the Summer at Joe’s Sweepstakes would
be the ideal way to celebrate all the things you love about summer in
New England. I’m hanging on to summer – even if it means wearing white after
Labor Day.
Disclosure: Thanks to Joe's American Bar & Grill for hosting the event, which I received free of charge. I have no material connection to the brands, products or services mentioned. As always, opinions are my own.
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