Reader Mail and thoughts on BLTs, 'hoagies,' barbecue brisket

Get those frying pans ready Saturday.

That's the day to celebrate Bacon Day, the unofficial international holiday to go whole hog.

Apparently, the "holiday" started in 2000 in Bradford, Massachusetts. A bacon explosion has followed in recent years, along with a surge in bacon products on restaurant menus and in grocery stores.

Since tomatoes are still in season, I'd suggest celebrating with a BLT and maybe a Bloody Mary blended with bacon vodka?

Now, on to reader mail. A few questions are still lingering from the Aug. 15 column.

A reader asked about area ice cream trucks, and since then we've heard from Dino Thompson. He is owner of Dino's Ice Cream & Water Ice Truck, which specializes in water ice and novelty ice cream.

Thompson can be found at the Downtown Wilmington Farmers Market at Rodney Square on Wednesdays and at the Cowtown Farmers Market off U.S. 40 in Pilesgrove, New Jersey, on Saturdays.

Thompson's truck also is available to visit parties and business events. For more information, visit his Facebook page, website at dinosicecreamtruck.com or call (302) 983-1666.

Readers Cindy and David Popovich asked where they could find B&G Red Relish. Tom Mitten, via Facebook, suggests checking "with one of the ShopRite stores around New Castle County. However, he said, "the ShopRites do vary their product offerings from store to store, depending on the buying habits of the regular customer base in each geographic area."

Other readers suggested SuperFresh at New Castle Avenue in New Castle, and the Wal-Mart in Camden.

Carolyn Kozlowski of Newark and Dee Williams wanted an update on Kirby & Holloway, the Dover restaurant destroyed in the early morning February fire. We left several messages about the business, but never received return phone calls.

Several readers sent links to an Aug. 5 story in the Dover Post.

K&H owners told Post reporter Jeff Brown they're still working on construction plans and want to build a new structure. No date was given for a re-opening. Stay tuned.

Ready for a frosty mug of root beer

Back in July, Michele C. Jackson asked where to find Dr. Brown's soda. She was so delighted with the many suggestions, she sent her thanks:

Your readers come through for me in a big way! I am headed out to get some of that delicious root beer right now. Thanks so much!

Michele C. Jackson

Wilmington

'Yogi Hoagies' once sated appetites

Years ago, there was a food concession that used to appear at the Brandywine Arts Festival called Yogi Hoagies.

These sandwiches were essentially a chopped salad in a pita with the most wonderful dressing. Even total carnivores, like my three sons, gobbled them up.

Is there anyone out there who would be willing to share the recipe for these superb sandwiches and the dressing?

Bonnie Dill

Wilmington

Bonnie, usually I'd direct any recipe requests to Nancy Coale Zippe, who writes the "What's Cooking" column. It appears in our print Life section as well as on delawareonline.com every other Wednesday.

But this is a very timely question given the festival, now called the Brandywine Festival of Arts, will be held this year on Sept. 6-7 in Wilmington's Brandywine Park. The name changed in 2010 when Wilmington businessman Barry Schlecker took over its operation. But the arts festival has been a Delaware tradition since 1961.

This year, food vendors include Fat Rick's BBQ, Koi on the Go, SAS Cupcakes, Food for Thought, Home Grown Café, Bella Vista Trattoria, Sausage King and Olevano olive oil. Beer and wine will also be available.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 6, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 7. Admission is $5; children younger than 12 are admitted free. Visit www.brandywinearts.com.

Let's toss this question out to readers. Anyone remember these sandwiches? Do you have a recipe or know where Bonnie could find a similar one?

Brisket sandwich deemed a winner

I have gone to Uncle John's BBQ on Philadelphia Pike (parked in the MoJo 13 lot, 1706 Philadelphia Pike, next to the El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant) and had the brisket sandwich.

It is excellent. Other BBQ lovers, give this food truck a try.

Rich Morgan

Rich, there are so many new food trucks, I think it might be time for a round-up. We're adding this to the list of places to try. We're hoping to pull together a story later this fall.

Contact Patricia Talorico at (302) 324-2861 or ptalorico@delawareonline.com. Read her culinary blog Second Helpings at www.delawareonline.com/blog/secondhelpings and follow her on Twitter @pattytalorico.