A solid day in Austin,TX was all I had. I checked out of my hotel room at the Sheraton around 12pm, left my luggae in hotel storage, and headed towards downtown for lunch. I walked around and browsed different menus. I stumbled upon Wholly Cow Burgers on Congress and 7^th Street (http://www.whollycowburgers.com/). “Local Grass-Fed Beef” called my name. I opened the door to find a line of 50 people long. The extended line might discourage some customers, but I stood my ground. Patience makes a good meal better.    

I scanned the paper menu, thought deeply about my choice, but couldn’t set my heart on an entree. When the order girl reached my place in line, I asked her for guidance. She directed my attention to the “Wholly Cheesesteak Batman”, a chicken sandwich, or a burger. “Most people learn towards the cheesesteak." The description of a "Philly Cheesesteak with Thinly-sliced Grass-Fed Beef grilled with Onions & Smothered in Gooey Cheeses" lured me in.

As a Redskins fan, I naturally oppose everything Philly. I’m always searching for the best cheesesteak outside Philadelphia. I don’t dislike Philly since I have several friends from the area, but it’s always satisfying to find something that might displace Philly’s ownership of the cheesesteak. In Jersey you might discover a competitor in the summer, but that’s another story involving a place called Voltacos.

I ordered the “Wholly Cheesesteak” and answered yes when she asked me if I wanted it "filthy and trashy." When you add these two adjectives, chopped up jalapenos, onions, mushrooms, and red bell peppers join the party. Don’t fret or worry whether or not the trashy additions are sauteed, because they are far from raw.  

I paid, sat down towards the front, and waited. Before it arrived I constantly wondered if “gooey” cheese description would stand true. I unfolded the white parchment paper and there it glistened. My doubts disappeared.  Every inch of the sub roll and meat were covered with cheese. The melted cheese oozed out. Cheese lived everywhere. I somehow managed to put down this beast sub but it left its cheese marks on my hands and face. Other customers peered at me with suspicion because I looked like a wild mannered child. This was the first time in a long time that I barely managed to finish a meal. I forced the last cheesy bite down. The cheese, tasty meat with the veggies and onions, plus the right amount of kick with the jalapenos fed me for the entire day. I couldn’t eat again until I was in Houston eight hours later. The Wholly Cheesesteak certainly matches up well to its Philly brother. It seems like no matter how far I travel away from Philly, their mark and inspiration follows me.

What's the best cheesesteak you've eaten outside Philly? Do you think Philly should own the title for the best cheesesteak? If not, tell me why.

Do you remember your first time on the snowy mountains? You learned how to ski or snowboard. You finally found your balance and made a run down the bunny slopes or maybe a black diamond without falling once. 

I recall my first experience snowboarding. I'm from Maryland, but I didn't hit the slopes in West Virginia or Pennsylvania. I headed to Mount Okemo in Vermont. I was lucky enough to have a generous sister who encouraged me to come, visit, and learn to snowboard, all at her expense.

Although I skied before and skateboarded till 7^th grade, I couldn’t stand on two feet for longer than twenty yards. I finally listened to my sister's suggestions and took a lesson. After one lesson I flew down the mountain side and didn’t fall, much. My first shot at snowboarding was memorable, but on the return trip to my sister's apartment the real magic of Vermont surprised me. 

This was a trip of first time experiences. It was my first time in Vermont during the winter, a first snowboarding, and the first and only time I visited Heritage Deli and Bakery (http://www.heritagedeliandbakery.com/). To a normal driver zooming by, this small house looked nothing more than a random roadside bakery that you might stop by out of mere curiosity.

With few options available and avoiding McDonalds, we took our chances. Hungry, we stopped and stepped inside the bakery. They baked their own breads and boasted an unusual and alluring sandwich menu. When thinking back I can't remember any Reuben sandwich I ate before this. Heritage set the standard with their warm and rich combination of corned beef, Thousand Island dressing, and sauerkraut on two fresh slices of Rye Bread.

Once I took that first bite the day’s toils and triumphs vanished. I didn't think about my red sore face that had previously acted as a snow plow for thirty feet down a double black diamond. The creamy and delicious sandwich took center stage. The corned beef was tender. The Rye bread was warm and toasty. The awkwardness I felt taking snowboarding lessons with ten year olds seemed foolish now. Yes, they were half my size and they cruised down the slopes better than me, but they weren't biting into my Reuben. They weren't sitting in the Heritage bakery, drinking a cold refreshing coke and savoring every single bite of the Thousand Island coupled with the meat, fresh bread, and tasty sauerkraut. When done, I forgot manners and licked the plate clean. Only the best passes the clean plate test.

Ever since that day every Reuben since faces the Heritage challenge. Any attempt to win my mouth over has failed. The other Reubens were good, but none excited the magic like that sandwich. The Reuben from Heritage bakery in Vermont will forever be cemented in my mind. Maybe I'm exaggerating and perhaps you've eaten the best Reuben. Can your Reuben match up to the Heritage challenge? For now, the Reuben in the winter of 2010 from Heritage sits at the top after conquering Mount Okemo and my hunger.

If you're not a Reuben fan, let me know what sandwich you think goes above and beyond. What’s your favorite sandwich experience?