Skip to main content

For “Cheez on Anything You Pleez”: Roll N Roaster





Since I have been on a quest to conquer this year’s 2015 to-do list (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2015/03/for-year-5-2015-2016-to-do-list.html), I have been focused on places I have yet to try rather than those that are a part of my everyday life. When I am reminded of such places I am always surprised I forgot to pass it along via a blog. I suppose I figure since I know it, you know it. But only now will that be true.

Forty-five years ago a man named Buddy Lamonica purchased a plot of land in the Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn. He took a chance that this desolate area would soon be home to his thriving restaurant. I can only imagine how his success exceeded his wildest dreams.

I don’t remember my first trip here but I can assume it was sometime within my first few years of life. I remember going there as a kid countless times. The things I do remember is the expansion that was done to create more seating and even a time when there was no indoor bathroom. I can’t verify these things I just feel as I grew so did Roll N Roaster. The only thing I remember crystal clear is the food. It is exactly the same as back then and that’s a good thing.






Over the last few years Roll N Roaster tried to spread the cheese by opening another restaurant in Manhattan and Staten Island. Both locations opened and have since closed but the original has stood the test of time. I guess there ain’t nothing like the real thing.

Recently I feel like I have been hearing/reading about it more as the foodie culture grows. It has apparently become a cult favorite. I was just happy to see a familiar face online. To be sure I could report accurately, I went back last weekend. I had my order all ready to go: cheese fries, chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, cheeseburger, and because I spent over thirty dollars I got a complimentary pizza. It sounds worse than it is when you consider everyone I saw had a pizza on their tables too.
  
Even this guy couldn’t pass this food up:


This time it was even more fun because I was bringing my niece and nephew for the first time. They are die-hard loyalists to McDonald’s and when I said we were trying a new place (new to them) I was quizzed on how far away it was and had to repeat the menu over and over again. But once they walked in and got balloons they were insistently happy with my choice.




We sat in the back and took turns trying everything. My nephew was the most impressed and ate virtually the entire pizza on top of his food and mine. It was like we struck gold. As we were pulling out he exclaimed we will have to go here every time we go out to eat. All this praise and there were no toys accompanying their meals.

I know what that love is like. The cheese wiz they use makes everything better. I usually get the burger or chicken tenders but after seeing Anthony Bourdain’s video I am going to get the roast beef with cheese wiz next. It never occurred to me to do that, despite their promising “You can have cheez on anything you pleez”. The roast beef is good I can imagine this will only make it better.

Despite Lamonica’s success he has never forgotten to give back. According to their website:

“….Roll-n-Roaster has contributed over $300,000.00 alone to "Save the Children." "Feed the Children" has also been a beneficiary of contributions from Roll-n-Roaster. Bud Lamonica hates the idea of children going to bed hungry, so through his restaurants, he feeds his loyal customers and those less fortunate.”

Now it’s hard to resist a place that wants to make you happy and make the world a better place.

In fact the only complaint I have, and hear from others, is the parking. The lot next to the restaurant has only a few strangely arranged spots. They also seem to be in need of a drive-thru. But since I know that going in you just patiently wait and stalk someone who is about to leave. Getting a spot and getting inside is well worth the effort. Just hang in there.

I realize it’s still restaurant week in New York City, though this establishment isn’t part of the deal, I feel it’s still a good time to appreciate what I ate this week as it is special and delicious. There is no one doing what Roll N Roaster does. Even if someone tries it this will be always be a Brooklyn favorite.

Here’s to the next forty-five years!

For More Information:





Comments

  1. We had such a great time. The kids absolutely loved it. Looking at your pictures makes me want to go back now. The cheese fries were the best!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

For My Madness During Migraine Awareness Month

Last weekend as I sat staring at the blank page in front of me, I was still surprised and elated that I had an entire day to myself and unlike past experiences it was filled with what I wanted when I wanted it. There were a few rough moments but when I consider the previous twelve hours (and the days to come) have been better than the last week. Especially this last week even though I had braced myself ahead of time, I just didn’t know I should have braced for a more serious episode. I am a chronic migraine sufferer for so many years I don’t quite remember when they started exactly which is ironic because I can remember every special event they have ruined. I remember plays or dinners I was at where I don’t remember what happened but I could tell you what I felt minute by minute. It amazing how the mind works, especially when it’s operated by a migraine brain. In the last few years, specifically the last few years since I have been going to the Montefiore Headac

For Find Out Friday - Why Do Emery Boards Make My Skin Crawl?

You know that sound a fingernail makes when it scratches against a chalkboard?  You know that feeling the sound of that action gives you? I, like most people, hate that sound.  I instantly feel like scrunching my shoulders up to my neck and closing my eyes.  I feel the exact same way when I am using an emery board to file my nails. This annoying sensation has a name: “grima” which is Spanish for disgust or uneasiness. This term basically describes any feeling of being displeased, annoyed, or dissatisfied someone or something.  It is a feeling that psychologists are starting to pay more attention to as it relates to our other emotions.  Emery boards are traditionally made with cardboard that has small grains of sand adhered to them. It is the sandpaper that I believe makes me filled with grima.  According to studies that are being done around the world, it is not just the feeling that we associate with certain things like nails on a chalkboard or by using emery boards

For a New Chain of Mexican Fast Food: “Dos Toros Taqueria”

When it comes to fast food there are the names we are familiar with: McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and Chipotle.  In you live in New York City, there is a new kid in town: Dos Toros.  Dos Toros is relatively new to this area but with any hope there might be one in your town soon.  Started by two brothers, Leo and Oliver Kremer, from Berkeley, California, the Mexican food you find here is inspired by food they loved growing up.  In California, the brothers grew up worshipping Gordo Taqueria, a favorite of Bay Area residents since 1977 (now promptly added to my San Francisco to eat list). Much of the recipes and even decor found at Dos Toros has been modeled on Gordo. Before moving to NYC in 2008, the brothers were living very different lives. Leo was the bassist for the band “Third Eye Blind”. Oliver fresh out of college, considered working in the technology or finance industry. Both disillusioned with their lives, they decided to pursue something they have l