Motel 6 Tallahassee West

Tallahassee = politics, part 1

by pchamlis

For many of you living outside the USA, and perhaps even some of you Americans, it may come as a surprise that TALLAHASSEE is the capital city of Florida. No, it's not MIAMI or ORLANDO or TAMPA. And, with TLH being the state capital, it's no secret that much of our economy is based on state government and, yes... politics.

Be advised that political discussions are probably much more the norm in Tallahassee than many other towns, and a lively political debate can easily be had in a bar or on the streets. For the most part, these will remain civil and respectful. In many ways, it's good for the civic education of our population, I suppose.

Then again, I do kind of wish we had a few times when politics and government were more in the background around here. Then again, I never worked for state or local government. :)

Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves

by pchamlis

One of the first things I noticed when I moved to Tallahassee in 1968 was that we had an official gypsy fortune teller in town. Sister Fay has been in business locally for well on 35 years, a regular pillar of the community. As for the tramps and thieves part of the title, I really don't know of any trampish behavior on the part of Fay over the years.

As for thievery.... let's just say that if collecting money for dubious services is a crime, then the phone company would be in maximum security right now.

I've never had my palm read by the good madame, but I've heard that she's big into getting you to "come back" because she's seen some "unclear issues" in your reading. Hmmmmm.

But, if you're in the mood for something really silly, have a couple of beers and go see Sister Fay. I'd tell you to say hi for me, but why bother? Since she has special powers, she's probably already hearing me as I type now.....

New York-style pizza pie in Tallahassee

by pchamlis about Itza Pizza (as in "it's a pizza")

Tallahassee's "Itza Pizza" restaurant has terrific NY style pizza. Everything is made with the best traditional ingredients, and they also show a great deal of variety and inventiveness on their menu. This is the sort of pizzaria that has both pepperoni AND broccoli available as toppings. How about fresh garlic added? White pizza, greek-style.....even nutty stuff like buffalo chicken and such.... All on that wonderful NY-style crust, the kind you fold over and cram into your salivating mouth. :)

In addition to pizza, Itza Pizza also has wings, calzones, baked ziti, hot submarine sandwiches, breadsticks, ice cream, Italian-style ices and such. All good, all filling, all served with a smile.

Itza Pizza is, for me, a bit out of the way. But, I still try to find a reason to be in their neighborhood every once in a while, just to enjoy the beauty of a true NY pizza. Itza Pizzas come in 12, 14 and 18 inch sizes, and are ready for pickup in about 20 minutes. Well, the pizza is terrific. Among our favorites are...

The veggie deluxe, featuring black olives, onions, peppers, broccoli, fresh garlic and lots of mozarella cheese.

The doctor special (???), which is double pepperoni and double fresh mozarella.

The works, which has, ah...... damned near anything you could imagine.

And, Itza Pizza also serves something they call a breakfast pizza, which is very very good. It's egg based, and features cheese and bacon as well. You can add anything else you'd like to personalize your breakfast pie. And although Itza Pizza isn't open FOR breakfast, you can get one the night before.... breakfast pizza reheats VERY nicely.

Federal Bankruptcy Courthouse

by karenincalifornia

The Bankruptcy Courthouse is just one of many beautiful old buildings located in the Tallahassee downtown area. It fronts Ponce de Leon Park, where an arts and crafts fair is held every Saturday afternoon featuring jewelry, photographs and paintings of local artists.

The fair also has a few food booths serving delicious and innovative food. I picked up some spanokipita and caffe almond brittle ice cream to share with a friend.

Crazy Signs around Tallahassee

by pchamlis

"A great place to find a jerk"

OK, I'm being funny, associating a chiropractor's office and "a jerk". The official term is "readjustment". Lots of you probably swear by chiropractors and more power to you. As for me, I want my spine to stay just where it is. :)

I do, however, have to chuckle at this guy's sense of humor. "Crawl In (appointments) welcome".

Priceless.

"One + One does not make a happy Two"

Saw this display set up in the back of some guy's pickup truck. The funny part is that the truck was parked in front of the "North Florida Bankruptcy Court" in downtown Tallahassee. So, putting one and one together, and then splitting it back apart, it sounds like this guy is muy pissed off at his ex-wife.

"Forget Viagra, get yourself a Stiffy Push Pole"

OK, I'll be totally honest... I'm not exactly sure what a stiffy push pole IS. But, I think it's something that could be of use to a manly-man. ;)

(I think it's a fishing accessory, actually)

"Nothing worse than phony Cubans"

...and I'm not talking about cigars, either. This sign at THE BLACK BEAN is meant to make a point about the authenticity of their food. But, I like the concept of real, versus phony, Cubans. Or, how about "un-real Cubans"?

"I beg your pardon????"

Just for the record, they are referring to RIB bones. Southerners love barbecued ribs.

Didn't try this stuff. $3.99 a bottle sounds like a bit of a rip-off. True southerners make their own sauce.

"Sexy what????"

If tractors are sexy, then it gives all new meaning to the term "plow".

My dad has a nice tractor, but I wouldn't describe it as sexy. Then again, he didn't buy it at the store in the picture.

"Equal Employment Opportunity for Vampires"

I'm not sure what the local McDonald's means by "hiring overnight". Can it be that Ronald McDonald has, in an effort to appeal to young adults customers, gone "Goth"?

Could it just be that hiring overnight is the only way to give Vampires (or should I say hemoglobin-challenged) applicants a fair chance at employment? One never knows in these days of Political Correctness.

Maybe hiring at night is the only time that Mickey D's can find people who are chemically-altered enough to want to make french fries for a living. BTW...just being funny, McDonald's employees. You guys and gals are tops with me. Please keep making those Big Macs and milkshakes!

"But? But?"

OK, I get what they're saying here...they're tired of unstopping the toilet. But taken in its strictest context, this sign over the toilet at the Uptown Cafe in Tallahassee seems to defeat the entire purpose of HAVING a toilet. :)