Eating Local

I recently received a request to answer a questionnaire about "buying in the golden circle", or buying from local vendors. So - in that regard we will be asking for you to post some of your favorite local businesses. This time - your favorite local place to eat. Anyone who knows the Eisnlauer family, knows that we love to eat at local ethnic "Mom & Pop diners". We even enjoy taco trailers! So the question is - Where is your local non-franchise place to eat?? (You can include a franchise if they are locally owned and operated and the owner is around to meet and greet customers.) Please reply with a post at the end of this so that others can get some ideas for new places to try.

I'm listing three of my favorites. El Salvador del Mundo is located at 2901 6th Ave. (south of Hull Ave). It has parking in the back of the building. Their specialty is papusas. They are handmade tortillas with filling of beans/cheese/ meat. They are served with a cabbage slaw and hot sauce. The owner is very personable and he welcomes newcomers.

Cafe Fusion is located at E 14th and University. It serves Thai food. My favorite is Vermicelli. It is sort of a salad - noodles on the bottom, then beansprouts, other veggies and fresh herbs. You can choose to have meat and/or egg roll to top it off. A small bowl of dressing is served with it. My sons enjoy the pad Thai. The best dessert - sweet sticky rice with fresh mango! It's DELISH!

Kin Folk Barbecue is located in a strip mall on 8th St. in Altoona (3160 8th St. S.W.) It's down-home cooking. To order you go through a cafeteria style line, choosing your meat and sides. Don't be afraid of a line - they serve quickly and efficiently. My favorite here is beef brisket and potato salad. The potato salad is better than homemade (because you're not making the mess at home!) For desert you can get a huge warm chocolate chip cookie topped with ice cream and chocolate syrup. They'll serve it with as many spoons as you have people. Definitely big enough to share with the family.

So - Cant wait to hear your suggestions. We will pick a winner to give a prize to. So vote early, vote often! And don't forget to pass our names on to anyone you know wanting to buy or sell real estate in the Polk County or Des Moines area. Two experienced Realtors to assist you. Bob at 979-2883 or Bill at 770-2455.

Grandview Park Defenders at Principal Park

The first thing when we got to Principal Park Monday night for the 6:00 game - we saw the grounds crew covering the infield. The wet weather was coming they reported, so instead of starting the game and having to stop, they would wait for the rain, and then begin. So after almost a 2-hour delay the game started. That long wait for already anxious players didn't help. The opposing team was North Sentral Kossuth. How good can a school be that can't spell central ?? Well - they were good! They beat the Grandview Defenders 12 - 2. But that certainly doesn't take away the achievement of making it to the State Tournament. Who knows...maybe it's the beginning of a tradition! Way to go Team! And Kudos to the coaches!

Grandview Park Baptist Baseball - to State Tourney

After only 4 years of baseball at the school, Grandview Park Baptist boys are going to play at Sec Taylor in the State Tourney! The game will be Mon. July 21 at 6:00 P.M. How Exciting! The pictures are a sequence of action in a game earlier this summer. It is our sixteen year old- John Eisenlauer. He is the catcher for the Grandview Defenders. The photos are by Phil McCollum Great shots - thanks Phil. His son is the first baseman. I circled the ball in the last photo - he has seconds to spare!

Eisenlauer's Guys Travel to the Big Apple

Bill is a 3rd generation Yankee fan. He enjoyed following the baseball team with his grandpa and his dad when he was growing up. Of course, he has influenced his sons in the same direction. So, for fathers day, Bob planned a pilgrimage to the Yankee Mecca. Bill, Bob, John & Dillon all traveled to N.Y.C. to stay with a cousing on Long Island and explore the city. They went to two Yankees games, one against the RedSox. Also got to explore Central Park, So-Ho shopping, China-town, Italian-town, Time Square and more. Here are a few pictures of their adventure.