Waddell's is definitely a good stop for beer, but how about for wings? Surprisingly good, as it seems. Surprisingly very good at that.
Now granted, these won't be the hottest wings you'll meet in your journey, and even the sauce you gain access to after going through what apparently is a required process of secret handshakes is less than teeth-kicking. But it is good. So so good.
This is a chipotle sauce, creamy with just a bit of smoke to it, served over some well cooked drumettes. The chicken passes the teeth-pull test easily; we're talking meat with a bit of bite yet perfect tenderness. No sogginess to be seen.
Yet the flavor of the sauce, that's what it's all about. I am guessing actual cream was involved in the process here -- others have speculated that it was cheese -- and this tastes like an actual sauce as opposed to something thick that mainly exists to give the chicken a bit of a kick. It's a sauce with depth and nuances
That in itself means I'd order the wings not just for the purpose of eating wings but for actually eating food. Wing connoisseurs will know there's a difference.
Waddell's, then, might not have the spiciest wings out there, but damn if they're not among the tastiest.
Most of you should remember LK Studios' 6pack Saddlebag, the six-pack saddlebag (no, really) that was introduced at SpoBREW. A lot of bicyclist took note, as this clearly is the best and most practical way to bring beer on your two-wheel outings.
Word has reached us that the product is now out of its prototype stage, and production of the first batch will start next week.
For those who still haven't ordered their's -- and really, why haven't you? -- and need a quick intro to the product, the saddlebag will hold six beers and comes complete with an attached bottle opener. Witness for yourself...
... and color us impressed. The price hasn't been set yet, but it will not go above $45 plus shipping. (Or just pick it up in Spokane to avoid shipping charges.)
We like smart and fun industrial design here at Team SpoCOOL, and we also like beer, so consider us 100% behind the 6pack Saddlebag. As you should be too. Visit LK Studios' site to get in on the fun.
We might not usually be into hard candy here at Team SpoCOOL (stop snickering about that Ellen Page movie right now) but Savor Sweets has found a way to hit both our sweet and savory tooth.
This is a startup by the people behind the rather well known Wedding Cans project, and they're once again looking at creative ways to fund this venture, but more about that in a bit.
The candy is very good, produced using whole ingredients (local when possible) and it comes in some odd but wonderful flavors. Pink Peppercorn, for example, is tasty, surprising as that might sound. The Salted Caramel, too, is up there, and there are thirteen total to choose from -- Ginger, Chai Tea, Espresso, Fresh Mint, etc. -- which should keep you busy sucking for a while.
My personal favorite is the Habanero. I usually don't enjoy the flavor of that pepper, but here the sweetness of the cane juice and the spiciness of the habanero come together nicely. It's spicy -- very much so -- yet strangely mellow at the same time.
Consider me a fan of it. As well as of the others.
Add the fact that this is an environmentally friendly product -- you can compost pretty much all of it -- and you have something good going here.
The start-up will be funded through Kickstarter if they receive $1,500 in pledges. It's a no risk proposition: if the goal is met you will get candy, so the pledge is sort of a pre-order; if it is not you won't have to pay your pledge.
With that in mind, if your dream is to fund a small local candy startup, we say do so.
More importantly, our Screaming Yak wing review has been updated with a response from the operations manager of the spot. It's all kind of odd, but heck, go read it yourself.
