Food & Spirits Magazine #17 | Page 11

dogs, burgers and, of course, their famous chili, which you can get by itself or on top of almost everything. If you are looking for a discount, please take note of the sign that clearly states that the only people that eat for free are Bill Cosby and Barack Obama. But don’t “The awesome thing about Hoeks Death Metal Pizza is that you can actually hear the restaurant before you see it.” fsmomaha.com worry; Every item is priced affordably at this celebrated restaurant. Heading west to one of my favorite cities in America, Denver, Colorado, you will find one of the best restaurants in the country to grab a burger.  The Cherry Cricket is a fantastic establishment where you can customize your own burger. With thirty plus toppings including peanut butter, salsa, a fried egg and everything in between, any burger lover will surely find the right combination at The Cherry Cricket.  My personal favorite, which came recommended as a house specialty, is the Cricket Burger. This gem consists of a half-pound, all-beef patty cooked to your liking (I recommend medium) topped with cream cheese and fresh minced jalapeños. The combination of the cool cream cheese and spicy peppers is quite the experience.  This would not be complete if I did not mention pizza.  Easily the most consistent type of food that is consumed on the road, it is something that everyone can always agree on. The most unique pizza place I have ever been to is Hoeks Death Metal Pizza on the historic 6th Street in Austin, Texas. So what exactly is death metal pizza? It is just what it sounds like: a heavy metal themed pizza restaurant that serves up one hell of a slice of pie.  The awesome thing about Hoeks Death Metal Pizza is that you can actually hear the restaurant before you see it. They have two giant speakers that blast brutal death metal from the restaurant’s door onto the street, making the restaurant very easy to find.  With pizzas on display at the walk-up counter right off the street, you can simply choose your slice, pay and continue on your merry way. My personal favorite slice, pepperoni and jalapeño, is guaranteed to awaken your inner metal head. The thin crust of this New York style pizza was designed to be portable, allowing patrons to eat and enjoy as they continue to explore the rest of Austin on foot. It is a spicy, delicious way to soak up the booze, and it will get you shredding and back on the streets in no time. True, the rock and roll lifestyle is not always as fast and exciting as one might believe. Most of our time on the road, after all, has been spent in the close quarters of a 1990 Chevy van. When we finally do roll in to that city where we are scheduled to play a show, the game changes and the good times begin. Finding new great places to eat is part of that adventure. It allows for a cultural experience in a different community. Learning about the food culture of another city while simultaneously awakening one’s inner rocker can only be described as worldly perfection. 11