Deep-Fried (insert name of bite-sized food here)
May 29 '01 (Updated Feb 04 '03)
The Bottom Line Lounge Cuisine - deep fried and dippable.
Ah… lounge cuisine, bar food, or appetizers – however you may call it, it translates to “deep fried” or “with cheese” (and oftentimes “deep fried cheese”). There isn’t really much to know or learn about this type of bar food other than the choices that exist are that which is deep fried or buried under cheese. Bar food is my guilty confession.
Where To Find Deep Fried Stuff
Chain and theme restaurants are fertile breeding grounds for various types of deep fried and cheesy bar appetizers. You can also find most bar food served together on huge sampler platters, which is a good way to get to know each one.
Why Even Bother?
C’mon! Because you know it tastes good! Plus, they are fun to share with friends (read: embarrassing to eat alone).
A Few All-Stars in Lounge Cuisine
Onion Rings – Whether it comes as onion straws, an onion loaf, an onion mountain, beer battered, or breaded, onion rings are yummy! The best onion rings are the ones that are actually rings and not shaped into something else (like a loaf) because they’re crispier. I like them slightly sweet and hidden under a crunchy coating. Served hot is also nice. I used to worry that the onions would make my breath smell funny afterwards but they’re fully cooked and not that potent. And the dipper possibilities are endless…barbecue sauce, ketchup, Ranch or blue cheese. Bonus points when sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. More points if the onion rings are spicy!
Hot Wings
I like these. A lot. The hotter, the better! I think these are my favorite bar appetizers of all because they taste so good. I like getting the little paper-lined plastic basket filled with those teeny-tiny, deep fried, spicy wings. Some places serve them with carrot and celery sticks. Great contrast! Also, I like the bleu cheese dressing they come with to dip. The only downside to hot wings is it’s pretty difficult to look cool while nibbling on a hot wing, and you can’t really use a knife and fork to eat it.
Chicken Strips
…or the wimpy sibling of hot wings. Not as exciting as hot wings but still a decent bar appetizer. Great dipping potential because they go well with both barbecue and honey mustard. Buffalo chicken strips are good too.
Breaded Mozzarella Strips
Served with a little bowl of Marinara sauce for dipping, deep fried mozzarella strips are the ultimate in artery clogging… deep fried cheese. Think about that for a minute. Deep fried cheese. I personally never order these for several reasons -- one being that it’s deep fried cheese and two because it’s really quite bland. Without the sauce, it’s like eating breading. Mozzarella is a weak cheese (unlike Cheddar cheese curds) and while these may be a lounge favorite, they’re no favorite of mine.
Stuffed Jalapenos
These are good too – I think it’s because it’s a mild Jalapeno pepper half stuffed with cheese, dipped in batter and then fried. (As opposed to just fried cheese.) Awesome when dipped in sour cream. I also like the fact that you’re encouraged to stuff the whole thing in your mouth since they cheese oozes out if you just take a bite.
Other Deep Fried Veggies
I once got the mixed vegetable basket at some bar and was pleasantly surprised to see that everything was fried; it was like I had ordered vegetable tempura. There were deep fried whole button mushrooms, slices of zucchini, and onion rings served with a rather big bowl of Ranch dressing. While I like veggies, I don’t really like deep fried mushrooms and zucchini primarily because they get pretty mushy and are rather bland.
While there are healthier options to deep fried lounge cuisine, I like the deep fried stuff simply because it tastes good. I know it’s bad for me and I just can’t bring myself to ordering an apple with my beer.
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