finally

Finally... a new post in the restaurant review column. How about getting back to the basics with some helpful suggestions.

Salad dressings - MAKE YOUR OWN. Don't buy the overly processed stuff like Kraft or Seven Seas. Not only is it filled with preservatives, it simply doesn't taste that great. A better option is to make your own with decent olive oil. And try rice wine vinegar instead of red wine vinegar. There is a lone exception - that's when it comes to purchasing ranch. Trying to make your own would be downright insane. Stick with Hidden Valley. For some reason they seem to get it.

Grilling while tailgating - For god sake, don't go to all the trouble to grill out and opt for hot dogs. Why go to all the trouble and expense of grilling out and settle for hot dogs? How about chicken or shrimp and possibly some vegetables. Hot dogs should always be the last possible choice when everything else has failed, and you have failed as a human being. Maybe if you have children under the age of 8, this is barely acceptable.

Cheezits - Go for the reduced fat kind. They taste better than the regular because they have a light airy quality.

Cranberry and Ruby Red grapefruit juice - Try the Sam's club or Wal-mart brand. Ocean Spray is way too concentrated and it's more expensive.

Coke or Pepsi - For Christ sake, COKE. Pepsi sucks and it tastes like syrup. They are the ultimate bandwagon company. They always seem to get the lamest superstars for their commercials. Never financially support Pepsi Cola or any of their subsidiary companies like KFC, Burger King and Taco Bell.

Water - Avoid Dasani at all costs. It tastes like they've added some kind of iron chemical. Truly disgusting.

I'll add more to this post in the future.