223 Comments
author

Cal

Expand full comment
author

Cal signee Damonic Williams released his senior year highlights. It is over 7 minutes of a grown-ass man abusing children.

http://www.hudl.com/v/2G9DVG

Expand full comment
author

2 Things:

1. Hopefully Isaiah Foskey transfers from Notre Dame to Cal. That way we can actually claim we do stuff with the bay area.

2. Saw Mike Montgomery at the Santa Clara vs Hawaii basketball game last night. Truly odd.

Expand full comment

John Montgomery coaches for Hawaii

Expand full comment

Um like Newellbany said

Expand full comment

Do you think we can get some more help from the portal?

Expand full comment

pretty sure that Monty's son John is associate head coach for Hawaii basketball.

Expand full comment

Go Bears.

Expand full comment

OK, gang - let's do this once more with feeling

Expand full comment

GO BEARS!!!

Expand full comment

Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' 'bout!

Expand full comment

You are a disappointment to your family...

Expand full comment

Hey, I disappoint PLENTY of people I'm not related to and I should get credit for them, too.

Expand full comment

Go Bear?

Expand full comment

I just got an email that Cal BB is handling out a free Cal flag to the first 2K at the Oregon State game tomorrow night. I guess they'll be bringing 1900 flags back to the office.

Expand full comment

Ha, we might go, not sure.

Expand full comment

I heard some of the CGB tailgaters are going to the Dartmouth game because they got free BB tickets from either the OSU or the Colorado game. I was thinking of buying tickets but they're still $39 including fees on seatgeek. And surprisingly there are only 11 groups for sale. I guess I'll wait until the day before and see how low they go.

Expand full comment

If anyone ever wants Cal hoops tix, let me know. I have a pair that keep going to waste. Used to go to every game, then had a kid, which limited that (altho we've been to a few games together). Then Covid. You can have them for $6 less than HAG's StubHub cost. I just want them to have a good home!

Oh, I forgot about the $11/ticket service fee! ;-)

Expand full comment

I ended up paying $10 per ticket. Got a group of 2 and then 1 since we won't be sitting there anyways.

Expand full comment

Well it looks like Stubhub has tickets as low as $6. I guess I'll be getting a couple of tickets from there.

Expand full comment

A surprise move. Wilcox is trying to get a waiver for Bimage to play another year. I don't know what the basis for the waiver would be.

Expand full comment

Can we ask for a waiver for one more year of A-Rod? He clearly needs to learn some more...

Expand full comment

Covid waiver I would guess since Bimage opted out of last year at Texas. It's a longshot imo

Expand full comment

It's a long shot bc it's Cal....if he were at a blue blood, it would be granted in a heartbeat.

Expand full comment

Yep, this. If it were ND or Bama he would be granted that waiver.

Expand full comment
author

If you had a tattoo that lasted only 10 years and then faded without a trace, what would it be and where would you put it?

Expand full comment

A giant backpiece of YesWeCannon's face.

Expand full comment

i love you and i'm in love with you

Expand full comment

What a wonderful picture. Cheers to the photographer!

Expand full comment

I have the tattoos that don't fade....the one I do have that I wish would fade is the one I got senior year of college, which is the bear claw from the Cal football helmets from when I was growing up....the Natu Tuatagaloa years!!!

Expand full comment

Why do you want that one to fade away?

Expand full comment

It now seems like a decidedly SEC thing to do, but without the SEC caliber of play.....

Expand full comment

I have absolutely no inclination to have a tattoo, so I wouldn't. Even if it faded to nothing.

Expand full comment
author

Same, even if it faded in a month

Expand full comment

I have toyed with temporary tattoos, that last a few days.

Expand full comment

I wouldn't.

Expand full comment
author

Someone who is English

Expand full comment

my wife .. was born in London.

her family came here on vacation in 1980 when she was 7 and they never went back. bought a motel, worked hard, made lots of $$, American dream, etc etc

she has UK passport and so do the kids - in addition to US ones

Expand full comment

not the Queen

Expand full comment

Sebastian Gorka

Expand full comment

Wrong, he is a parasite.

Expand full comment

My answer stands

Expand full comment

Alrighty, then.

Expand full comment
author

Wardrobe

Expand full comment
author

I was looking at my closet. Rows of dry cleaned suits, dress shirts, and other things that will likely be worn maybe once or twice more. I was thinking "heck, I don't even know enough people to be invited to that many weddings/funerals". I guess it's time to heavily invest in casual leisure wear.

Expand full comment

i recommend some merino wool casual leisure wear.

i have nice stuff from both Vuori (regular) and Ibex (merino)

Expand full comment
author

VIVOS LOS CHONES MERINOS

Expand full comment

I have been throwing so much away - I don't know what to do with all my business wear. I have like ten suits - I really only need one in life now. I want to bring them back and donate them to the groups that give out suits for interviews and such - but who even wears suits to interviews anymore?

Expand full comment

I imagine non tech still does. That's a great idea.

Expand full comment
author

What can be said in the bedroom and the 4th quarter of a Cal football game?

Expand full comment
author

This is painful. I'm turning off.

Expand full comment
Dec 1, 2021Liked by SGBear

He hit the wrong hole.

Expand full comment

Which leads directly to: that’s out of bounds

Expand full comment
Dec 1, 2021Liked by SGBear

I'm sure it will be better next time.

Expand full comment

:: cries in the corner ::

Expand full comment

(cannon sounds)

Expand full comment

....with YWC just watching from the side

Expand full comment

what have i done

Expand full comment

Not fired a cannon?

Expand full comment

I hope we can finish this off!

Expand full comment

That was disappointing.

Expand full comment

Are we done yet?

Expand full comment

Go deep

Expand full comment

Another incompletion?!?

Expand full comment

The band is on the field!

Expand full comment

NOOOO, not like that!

Expand full comment

I'm sure this is bad for my health.

Expand full comment
author

Crumbling Democracies

Expand full comment
author

SCOTUS hears MS case about scaling back abortion rights. The arguments by the Justices expose where everyone stands - not that anybody is surprised. Roe v Wade is in trouble.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/12/01/supreme-court-mississippi-abortion-live-updates/

Expand full comment

I can't even read or discuss this.

Expand full comment

I listens to a bit of this on NPR today while driving into work and my thoughts were I can’t wait for the robots to replace judges.

Expand full comment
author

House submits contempt charges against Jeffrey Clark. As a reminder, AG William Barr resigned on December 14th after his investigation into irregularities found no evidence of such. Rosen succeeded him as acting AG, effective the 24th. Rosen would not assist Trump to overturn the election voter fraud narrative. Trump pushed a work-around by promoting the Deputy AG for the Environment to be in charge of Civil in order to investigated Hunter Biden, investigate voter fraud, and push Georgia to de-certify their elections. Clark and Trump tried to get Clark to replace Rosen, but stopped after learning that big swaths of the DOJ would resign if they did try the coup at the DOJ. Then 1/6 happened, some light was shed of Clark's shenanigans and he quit 21 days later. Now he's up for misdemeanor contempt charges.

https://docs.house.gov/meetings/IJ/IJ00/20211201/114281/HRPT-117-NA.pdf

Expand full comment
author

This is important because it is the first document that officially cites that Congressmen were part of the coordination of 1/6. The committee has already deposed over 250 witnesses, so they have a pretty good idea of what is going on. To connect the dots, Rolling Stone's sources cite that the Congressmen were Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), and Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas).

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/exclusive-jan-6-organizers-met-congress-white-house-1245289/

Expand full comment

all the brainiacs

Expand full comment
author

Today in COVID

Expand full comment

I'm trying to decide if I should do Pfizer or Moderna for the booster. I am TeamPfizer for my first two. Same with No 2 and 3. I have a Moderna Appt right now but I could switch to Pfizer since I have to make an appt for No 3 and can reschedule mine for the same day as his.

One article I read said you could mix to get the benefits of each for maximum immunity but maybe only if you're in the highest risk group. So we could both do Pfizer.

I'm guessing we'll need a new booster for Omicron anyways.

Expand full comment

Everything I've read says Moderna gives you the highest and longest-lasting immunity. I am P3 but wish I were PPM.

Expand full comment

public private partnership

parts per million

Expand full comment

Hmm...maybe I'll have him cancel his Pfizer and I'll switch him to Moderna.

Expand full comment

i thought you got the M booster already?

they say mix and match is generally good. but i am sure you can read the internet too

Expand full comment

I have an appt. CVS is scheduling 2 weeks out. Pretty much have to schedule it in the beginning of the day otherwise they're all full. I ended up scheduling Pfizer for No 3 and I'll do Moderna. I guess I'll be the guinea pig for the family.

Expand full comment

minuteclinic, baby

Expand full comment

does minute clinic accept walk in booster shots?

Expand full comment

yes but also every time i have checked this for other people in the last two weeks there are same-day or next-day appointments avail

Expand full comment
author

DBD Kitchen

Expand full comment
author

Cast iron.

Expand full comment
author

I've got two skillets. Nothing replicates the crust one can get on hamburgers, steaks, and corn bread by using them after getting them ripping hot. Also, they are a pretty good replacement for a wok. Lastly, they clean up in seconds after they are properly seasoned - which the cleaning crew shift appreciates.

Expand full comment

Same, a 10" and 12" skillet. Also, enameled cast iron dutch oven.

PSA: Yes, you can use soap on your cast iron. Don't be disgusting.

Expand full comment

A 7" or 8" is a good addition for small stuff. Also have a flatiron for hotcakes. ~98% of the non-boiling (sauce-pan) stove top cooking I do is in cast iron.

Expand full comment

2 skillets- 10", and 12"

1 dutch oven

2 mini skillets- 6" I use for individual potato gratin, or cornbread, and the like

2 sizzle platters I use for oven roasting

Expand full comment
author

I love how waiters always say "careful, it's hot" when they put down a violently hissing and sputtering sizzle-platter.

Expand full comment

I got 3 & love them - tho the 12” is tantamount to a weapon straight out of DragonSlayer…

Expand full comment

Carbon steel skillets

Back in September Mrs Slug said we'd have to replace the non-stick skillets we have as they were losing their coating. It's been more than 5 years, so this was to be expected. In an effort to find something more durable, I bought a set of carbon steel skillets from Misen. Three skillets in 8", 10", and 12" sizes.

As I think I reported back in October, we seasoned them according to the manufacturer's instructions. Mrs Slug has been using one or more of them pretty much everyday for the last 7 weeks. They distribute heat evenly, they hold heat well (though maybe not quite as well as cast iron), and they are not quite as heavy as cast iron (though they are heavier than non-stick skillets of a similar size. Further, they stand up to use with metal utensils which is a no-no for non-stick.

I give it about a 14 or 15/19. Mrs Slug would buy again.

Expand full comment

air fryer day 2

crab cakes turned out great.

also roasted some potatoes and asparagus. my wife tried to make some french fries but i thought the roasted potatoes were better.

what i most impressed with so far is that things cook surprisingly fast in air fryer mode. normally roasted potatoes take 25-40 min in oven, but these were crispy and done in less than 20.

Expand full comment
author

DBD AV

Expand full comment

Episode 3 of Hawkeye is quite a lot of fun! Can't believe the story will unfold over the last 3 episodes when there's so much left to tie up (Kingpin? Yelena? Echo? Tracksuit Mafia? Ronin? Kate?)

Expand full comment

the big leap on FOX is so fucking good

Expand full comment

I think I'm 2 or 3 weeks behind on the show. I enjoy it.

Expand full comment

the A part of AV ..

i started some strength training w/ a coach. we "meet" once a week on Zoom and i workout 2x more times a week.

for workout music listen to classical music. i like the longer format and it is a perfect amount of time to listen to a 45-60 min symphony or something

Expand full comment

I'm going to see Cosi fan Tutte tonight, but I can't imagine working out to classical music.

Expand full comment

today's listening, Mendelssohn and Brahms violin concertos. forgot how good these were

Expand full comment

Snowpiercer season 2

just picked this up again. only on E2 so far. but pretty good. maybe not as good as season 1 so far

Expand full comment

I loved the movie, haven't seen the show. Watched episode 2 of Hawkeye last night.

Expand full comment
author

I loved the movie, the show was hard to get into. Too procedural compared to the movie, which is probably the goal of a multi-season TV series.

Expand full comment
author

DBD financials

Expand full comment

i know i am "supposed to consult my tax advisor" but DBD is pretty good too ..

do people have full time jobs + consulting income?

specifically, i hear that you can deduct expenses - like the new macbook pro i just ordered - but if i make X in w2 income and Y in consulting income do they just all get added together first before i can take deductions? and that has to be more than 2% of X+Y to even start making a difference?

also, now that i have started to make more than just a little consulting income, should i make an LLC out of myself or something else clever?

Expand full comment

1. Yes, both incomes get added together first, then you deduct

2. I was an LLC when I was consulting because I thought (hoped) it would help my tax situation. It did not, it just cost me $500 to set up.

Expand full comment

You set up LLC's to reduce exposure for your other assets, at least that's what you do in RE.

Expand full comment

Various things can be deducted - percentage of home used for business in your house, marketing expenses, travel expenses/mileage, business losses against gains, etc. I'd set up an LLC, too. It's easier to deduct from the Y side of the equation because you are not an employee, you would be owner/managing member of the LLC.

Expand full comment
author

other college

Expand full comment
author

Texas Longhorns launching an interesting approach to NIL.

https://twitter.com/ericprisbell/status/1466069995503378432?s=21

Expand full comment
author

In contrast, Texas A&M WR has an NIL contract with Durex condoms. I mean, he's not even a safety.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CW655fMs6Bm/

Expand full comment
author

Arizona hires UC Southern Branch's DL Coach to be DC

https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1466082617661566985?s=20

Expand full comment
author

Marcus Freeman as HC at Notre Dame?

https://twitter.com/DougLesmerises/status/1466069884442488838

Expand full comment
author

While Freeman is an elite coordinator, it would be his first as HC. Seems like a best case scenario Cal fans could hope for.

Expand full comment
author

[Thamel at Yahoo Sports] Florida State looking to fire their AD.

https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1466123859069915147

Expand full comment
author

College Football Playoff expansion press-release: "Yes. No. Maybe. It's classified."

https://twitter.com/RossDellenger/status/1466150354047885318?t=XVmoGjkL_8lLckqzQD22Mg&s=19

Expand full comment
author

He'll probably be better than Huard.

Expand full comment

He’ll probably be better than Garbers.

Expand full comment
author

Ohio State upsets #1Duke in MBB.

Expand full comment
author

*Dook

Expand full comment

Hate both teams...was rooting for a COVID breakout.

Expand full comment

I checked the box score to see if Justice Sueing played and didn't see him in the boxscore at all so I wondered if he left after last year. But it looks like he's out for a while.

Expand full comment
author

You made me go look up how Sueing, Vanover and Bradley are doing are their new schools. Vanover is coming off the bench and getting 14 minutes a game, and producing decent stats in those minutes. Bradley is the leading SDSU scorer at 13PPG, but is only 18% for 3-pointers on the year.

Expand full comment

A SDSU fan I know is happy he's there, but thinks he should pass the ball more often.

Expand full comment

SDSU's offense has been baaaad this year. Really need to figure out their offensive identity (and work on FT%).

Expand full comment

One thing Bradley has always needed to do was be more of a facilitator...the offense loses flow when he's so ball dominant.

Expand full comment

Part II....

Former Cal SG Darius McNeill is on his 3rd team....Cal/SMU/now UTSA, averaging 4 ppg in 22 mins.

Former Cal commit Jemarl Baker is now linked to his 4th school (Cal, Kentucky, Arizona, Fresno State), where he is just back from an injury.

And the gold standard, 34 year old senior PG Charlie Moore, said hold my beer...he's now with his 5th school (Memphis commit, Cal, Kansas, DePaul, Miami, and is enjoying his senior year at the U, averaging 11 ppg in 30 mins of action....

Expand full comment

I wonder how many players would have been better off staying at Cal? Ignoring the head coaching change. I would think Darius McNeill and Vanover would be in the starting lineup playing major minutes.

Expand full comment

I actually think in retrospect, Jemarl Baker would've been better off sticking with Cal, despite Wyking Jones disaster - IIRC he committed to Cuonzo and bailed when he did...he was a 4*, but was then a late commit to Kentucky, where he got hurt & saw somewhat limited action towards the back end of the stacked UK rotation....he got hurt again, and jumped to U of A, where he saw limited action off the bench on a not-as-stacked U of A team...and now he's in the Mountain West...

If he honors the Cal commitment, he probably has much more success and sees a lot of action as a 6'4" SG on a bad team, but he doesn't see the Elite 8....

Expand full comment
author

Pro

Expand full comment

Max Scherzer says his overcooked arm is because the Dodgers put him on a pitch count to rest him for the playoffs. Not because he's 37. Says he routinely threw 110-115 pitches every 5 days with the Nats...when he was 2 years younger.

https://theathletic.com/news/mets-max-scherzer-talks-labor-dispute-overcooked-arm-jacob-degrom-in-intro-news-conference/UzQMT3K7IbLj/

Expand full comment

Someone dug up this old tweet from Steph last night

https://twitter.com/stephencurry30/status/12606929768?s=21

“Very sloppy bball being played right now”

Expand full comment

Warriors lose to Suns in battle of best NBA teams.

despite it being a close game early in 4th Q, you felt that the Sun were going to win

- lots of turnovers by Dubs

- great D by Suns, especially in 4th Q. they forced a lot of those turnovers

- Steph was not having a good game

- Jordan Poole is fantastic, hopefully they have him under contract for a while

- Chris Paul is still getting it done at a high level

Expand full comment

i guess the Warriors get a chance to atone on Fri night at home in their next game which is against the Suns.

Expand full comment

W’s will blast them...Suns good, but everything went right for them & it was still close late until Draymond took 2 awful shots & Crowder buried 2 daggers from 3.

Expand full comment

Those blown layups by Draymond were brutal, and (as usual) left him behind the play on the defensive end, allowing easy shots for the Suns.

But whatever, Suns are a great team and were at home. A Warriors loss is not shocking.

Expand full comment

Exactly. Suns are solid, but Draymond on a wild take to the tin is not who you want shooting those shots...sure, Curry was struggling, but where's Poole...and Wiggins with another disappering act, which is why he is so maddening.

Expand full comment

Don't forget the missed back to back lay ups by Looney. Overall it was sloppy offense by the Dubs and great D by the Suns. Ayton provides a huge advantage down low, it'll be interesting how he matches up with Wiseman when he's healthy. Also Bridges locked up Curry all night, which won't be nearly as easy once Klay is out there.

The idea of a line up with Curry, Klay, Green, Wiggans or Poole and Wiseman or Looney is pretty scary, especially when you can rotate in Igudola and the other bench contributors.

Expand full comment

How many of y'all are tired of mediocre Cal football and would be interested in doing something about it?

Expand full comment

I think many of us on the DBD would be.

BTW, I'm going through your #TheRootTrip articles. It's fascinating so far.

Expand full comment

I wonder if I'm fed up with the Cal version of mediocrity. Do the players and coaches look like they're putting in a solid effort? Sometime yes, sometimes no. Or how about this: Lets say they actually win games they're supposed to win, and lose games they're expected to lose--would that be more tolerable?

Expand full comment

I am okay with that, except I want there to be more games where Cal is expected to win.

Expand full comment

If that's the case, one could assume they've been mostly winning in previous games for the most part....so sure.

Expand full comment

THIS is the dysfunction that is a symbol of what is wrong with Cal football. Wilcox was completely reasonable.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/11/29/audio-recording-of-cal-football-parent-meeting-during-covid-crisis-reveals-frustration-with-university-berkeley-health-officials/

Expand full comment

It's the administration. It's always been that. Snyder leaving. Academic issues under both Holmoe and Tedford. Stadium construction delays thanks to lawsuits. The COVID debacle. All of this is a result of an administration that doesn't care to support the football program until a crisis forces them into action.

Not sure what can be done about that? It's been the Cal way for a long time.

Expand full comment

Since about 1960

Expand full comment

I'd peg it since 1952. The Ronny Knox Affair changed the way campus administration viewed football and the amount of leeway that the football program was allowed. The Southern Seas booster group was forced to clear anything they did for the football program with the Chancellor's Office.

The academics side was outraged beyond measure by the Knox Affair. Consequently, the Chancellor (Clark Kerr at the time) forced Waldorf and then Pete Elliott to report to him directly. Ultimately, Waldorf was forced out after the 1956 season because he was rendered ineffectual by the new reporting structure and he couldn't recruit as well as he had in the past.

It was very ugly. The reverberations are still felt to this day. If it hadn't been for the academic (over)reaction, Cal football would be a much stronger program.

It will not be that way again unless and until there's a cultural change within the Cal community that allows athletics to compete without having to answer to the academics side just for the privilege of breathing.

Expand full comment

I'm certainly gonna be tired of Cal football this weekend - 11pm kickoff, my time. Ugh.

Expand full comment

I'm finding it harder and harder to stay awake for these late games even when they might be half decent

Expand full comment

A DVR is your friend.

I know it's not live, but you could go to bed at a reasonable hour and then wake up a little earlier to watch the recording. You'd also have the benefit of being able to skip through commercials if you want.

Expand full comment

What can we do about it?

Expand full comment

i can't reply to comments

Expand full comment

I'm having that prob intermittently. I do a couple of replies and then can't anymore. Refreshing the page is fixing it.

Expand full comment

ANNNNDDDD...the first American Omicron case is in San Francisco. https://twitter.com/jeneps/status/1466117450957836291

Expand full comment

Surprising absolutely no one.

Expand full comment

i guess that's where all the people from South Africa are??!!

Expand full comment

I would have guessed LA.

Expand full comment

Book

Expand full comment

Finished Dolores Claiborne last night. As a consequence, I got only about 6 hours sleep last night and that was because I slept through my alarm. But I digress.

The book and the movie have many similarities. The book is told from Dolores' perspective and has a different sort of perspective. I'm hesitant to say much more because I think it would lessen the impact. If you've seen the movie, the two stories have the same similar thread. Much of the phrases and dialogue that's in the movie come straight out of the book. Some of it doesn't. And there are characters in the book that don't appear in the movie. There's one particular character in the movie that doesn't appear in the book, but there is what I would call a "character exchange" between the book and the movie.

Both the movie and the book are good entertainment. In many ways I prefer the book over the movie. But because I saw the movie first (numerous times), I read the book with Kathy Bates' voice and visage in my head in the title role, Judy Parfitt as Vera Donovan, and David Strathairn as Joe St. George. Indeed, the principal actors in the movie do excellent portrayals of their respective characters.

17/19, would read again.

Expand full comment

Straitharn is always good...River Wild, Sneakers, LA Confidential, the Bourne movies, not to mention his Oscar turn as Edward Murrow in Good Night & Good Luck...

Expand full comment
author

He is great in The Expanse as well, on Amazon.

Expand full comment

I need to start that...its been on my list

Expand full comment
author

Season 6, the last season, drops in a week. You have until then to watch all 60 hours of seasons 1-5.

Expand full comment

Considering I banged out S3 of Ozark in a 24 hour period, I could probably pull that off.

Expand full comment

Heh, so great I didn't realize it was him until you said so...

Expand full comment
author

The ghost knife himself.

Expand full comment

Strathairn is an underrated actor. He does a good job with villain roles and sympathetic characters.

Expand full comment

Rank ‘em: French fries, tater tots, glazed cake donut, beignet

Expand full comment
author

Glazed cake donut, tots, beignet, fries

Donut wins for having a higher ceiling than tots, but tots have a very high floor. Beignet has a higher ceiling than fries, so fries go to last place.

Expand full comment
author

Glazed cake donut, french fries, tater tots, beignet

Tater tots and beignets CAN be the best when done well, but usually they are not.

I'll eat a room temperature french fry, while a tater tot turns gross after it cools off. That being said,

And for the air fryers out there, the tater tots from Lamb Weston (the brown bag that just says "Grown in Idaho" on the front are waaaaaay better than Ore Ida.

Expand full comment

Tater tots, fries, beignet, glazed cake donut

Expand full comment

This is perhaps the most difficult ranking we've had yet.

I'm going:

1. Fries

2. Tots

3. Donut

4. Beignet

If it were a glazed raised or old fashioned donut, it would move into 2nd place. If it were an apple fritter or a good chocolate French, it would rocket to 1st.

Expand full comment

FYI El Patio in Berkeley has duck fat fries and they are possibly the best fries I've ever eaten. Not to mention the shredded beef arepa. HOLY FUCK it was so goddamn good.

Expand full comment

oh that sounds amazing....maybe we need to have a CGBHH there.

Expand full comment

++ to this >> This is perhaps the most difficult ranking we've had yet.

Expand full comment

Agreed...two sets of related pairs. It's not only fries v tots (PawlOski has the right answer), but the donuts v beignets. Can't compare tots to donuts, for example. So I think the degree of difficulty is an artificial construct here. Like this week's Kennection (for those who do that). Interesting answer, I guess. But not really cricket.

Expand full comment

The french fries/tater tot debate is one that deserves more coverage. Really good fries are untouchable but hard to find. Tater tots are more consistent in quality, although they have a shorter ceiling.

Expand full comment
author

Yep. Unless I'm at a place that I know has otherworldly good fries, I'll always pick tots over fries.

Expand full comment

I used to frequent a diner that would ask if I wanted my fries to be homemade or frozen. This, I thought, was the world's most ridiculous question. Who would possibly choose frozen over homemade?

As it turns out, the correct answer is frozen. Their homemade fries were soggy and disappointing. It's hard to nail fries.

Expand full comment
Dec 1, 2021Liked by SGBear

double fry is the only way to go for fresh fries. Cook in low heat to cook through, then fry in high heat just before eating. And peanut oil.

Expand full comment

on a separate note, i really dislike ketchup for the most part but will have them w/ tater tots.

i usually have fries w/ mayo or plain, but never ketchup.

Expand full comment

This! Only place I'll use ketchup is tots (and fries). Altho lately it's been half ketchup, half okonomiyaki sauce. not mixed; just next to each other in the bowl.

Expand full comment

I agree with this take.

Expand full comment

Yes

Expand full comment

Napoleon give me some of your tots

https://youtu.be/vUjBn5ZtzTc

Expand full comment

Fries, beignets, tots, donut

Expand full comment

Fries

Beignets

Donuts

.

.

.

.

.

.

Tots

Expand full comment

i love them all

Expand full comment

I'm more of a yeasted donut than cake donut fan. I've never been to New Orleans, and I'd like to go before I pass judgment on beignets. (Similar to how I'm reserving judgment on German food, though I feel like it's not really my thing, because I've only had German food in the US, primarily in Ohio).

If you give me fries and tater tots, I'll eat them both. Mmmmm also totchos.

Expand full comment

One of the Houston Rockets dancers LOVED beignets and so after every game we would go eat beignets afterwards. I may have gone for the attractive company but the beignets were good too.

Expand full comment

Daughter is in a German kindergarten, which is cool, but as far as travel and food, leaves a lot to be desired. Ran into a Italian/French friend as the doctor's yesterday and was thinking that doing Italian immersion would be more useful. Rather visit there. And rather eat there. Especially as a vegetarian. Only so many potatoes, beets, and pretzels one can handle...

Expand full comment

what about brenda's beignets

Expand full comment

The Cajun Kitchen in Santa Barbara does some pretty solid beignets...but for my money, you just can't beatbthe Cafe DuMond patio, overlooking Jackson Square......

Expand full comment

I find beignets boring (not boring enough not to eat them, but they do not excite me).

Expand full comment

even when filled with crawfish?

Expand full comment

Brenda's crawfish beignets are fucking delicious. I'm so glad there's one in Oakland now

Expand full comment

French fries, beignet, donut, tots.

Expand full comment

Donuts are disgusting.

Expand full comment

institutional donuts are disgusting - Dunkin', Krispy Kreme and whatnot.

But if you got a fresh, warm apple cider donut fried fresh at a northeast orchard, I GUAR-AN-TEE that you'd reconsider.

Expand full comment

Generally, but I had a blueberry Dunkin that was darn good.

Expand full comment

Best donut on the planet is at Stan's in Santa Clara. Simple glazed donut, freshly made and warm. Place has been open since the 50s. I once went out of my way to get a couple of dozen for our tailgate before Big Game at Stanfurd and they did not last.

Expand full comment

I hear you. Your example is dead on. Now for a more West Coast example: Ferrell's Donuts, amirite?

I think for Slugs the conversation starts and ends there.

Expand full comment

I have the furthest thing from a sweet tooth, so I disagree. I would find them disgusting as well.

Expand full comment

but what if there was a savory donut

Expand full comment

The foie gras profiteroles at Le Pigeon in Portland are one of the best dishes I've ever eaten.

Expand full comment

Porcini donuts at Rich Table.

Expand full comment

those look like savory donut holes

Expand full comment

Do you like Chinese desserts? I don't because they aren't sweet enough. For example, cakes from chinatown with fruit in between the layers aren't good to me at all.

Expand full comment
author

No.

Expand full comment

I do prefer Chinese desserts because they are far less heavy on the sweets.

Expand full comment

i like all of them mostly. chinese and the sweet stuff

Expand full comment

this is hard because they are all so good but i have a soft spot for

CAKE DONUTS of any kind. the Doughnut Plant in NYC just sent me a couple for a free donut on my bday week.

aside from that i love tater tots too.

Expand full comment

Woohoo happy birthday donut!

Expand full comment

I used to have season tickets to the Copley Symphony Hall in downtown San Diego, and the Donut Bar just down the street was a required stop, much like Top Dog on game days. Line was almost always out the door, but the selections were almost always insanely good...miss this place immensely!!

Expand full comment