Friday, November 24, 2023

Big Mike's Burgers, New Smyrna Beach *Italy Travel Notes

I tried this fast food play on West Canal St (land side of Intercoastaland US1) that was lastly a donut spot on Wednesday at lunch. It opened this summer. I think I've now provided you with reports on all the restaurants, etc in town. I had the Classic CB for $9. It came with two patties (they all do), cheese, pickles, yellow onions, lettuce, ketchup, mayo and mustard on a pretzel bun. It was the anti-Papi Smash Burger. The patties were large (over 1/4 lb) and thick and juicy. The veg fresh. The pretzel bun was moist and glossy (the best one I've had). It came out quickly. It is a smash burger. They have around eight kinds. Ones with chili, bacon, etc. A few bucks more. Waffle fries too. You can them covered with similar toppings. They start at $4 for a small (plain). Several hot dogs too. Around $6 or $7. Drinks. That's it. It's a drive thru looking place. White paint and red lettering. Some umbrella'd tables in front. Some parking. Open every day (except Sunday) from 11 to 7 (or so). Dogs welcome. It got pretty packed. May make the Favorites.

*Travel Notes - Italy (Rome): I'm going to split this trip in two posts. I flew to Rome on Delta for $525. Through JFK and back through Atlanta. Afternoon flights. I spent the first two and last two days in Rome. The first day was sunny. The rest were cloudy. I stayed the first two nights at iffy Hotel Nizza (6.8 on Expedia) near the Termini Station for $180 in total. Italy forces you to pay an extra local tax to the hotel directly (usually in cash). I took the train in for 14E. You go up a level and across a bridge. Validate the ticket at a machine on other side of scanner. I've done most of the A level and B level sites already. I was cleaning up the lesser known things. Things I've learned of through Rick Steves, etc or were highlighted on the free map or I'd see on a street sign. It was hard to find legitimate ATM machines. Don't use the ones in the airport either. I started with the Teatro dell'Opera, Basilica di S. Prassede (mosaics), Giardini Nicola Calipari, Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli (Pope Julias II tomb with Moses by Michaelangelo), Trajan's Baths, Domus Aurea, Chiesa di S. Andreae al Cielo, Basilica Santi Giovanni e Paolo al Cielo, park above them, Circo Massimo, Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin (Mouth of Truth), some park across from there, Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere, margherita and soppressata pizza slices at Alice's Pizza al Taglio (turned out to be a franchise), Sta. Caecilia (early martyr), Synagogue, Portico di Octavia, Theater of Marcellus and back to hotel. Started with Basilica Santa Maria Sopre Minerva near Pantheon (Michaelangelo and Lippi art work). It was closed. Panzerotti (bad) at McD's. On to Ara Pacis (a new museum that I peeped in the window at the main attraction for free), Mausoleo Augusto, Chiesa Santa Maria del Popolo (Davinci Museum - didn't go in), Borghese Garden, Borghese Gallery (learned that they have 13 spots at 5pm if you wait in a line - it was too early to wait), Palazzo Margherita/US Embassy, San Carlo Quattro Fontane, Museo Palazzo Massimo (9E). Ate local goods from Carrefour both nights. Hard to find any screw top wines. No corkscrew. Came back from the north ten days later. Stayed at terrible B&B Hotel Roma Italia Viminale (8.4 on Expedia) on Via Nazionale for $127 for two nights. Past Mercati Traianei (now free part of Forum) and Monumento a Vittorio Emmanuele II. Back to Trastevere district and Jewish ghetto area. Thought it was on other side of the river. It is not. On synagogue side. Ate a terrible 9E pastrami sandwich at Fonzie (four cold, paper thin slices). Was going to eat at either Baghetto Milky Kosher or Il Boccione Bakery (both on Rick Steves), but, it was Sunday and both had huge lines. Back across the river. Went back to both churches. Caecilia was open this time. Up the river to Castel Sant Angelo. I was going to walk up the river to the Olympic Stadium. They had it closed off, so, I tried a detour past the Vatican. Thought I got lost. Ended up at the stadium (and Italian Open) Stadium. Also saw the observatory. Took the bike path along the Tiber back to Piazza dei Popolo and did the passagata down the Corso and through Quirinale and back to the hotel. The next day I took the Blue Line Metro from Termini to EUR Palasport Station (1.40E for 100 minute ticket at kiosk - some took cash). Mussolini built a model city here. It's funny. Fendi is one of the buildings now. Facist to fashion. Find the Marconi obelisk. Basilica Santi Pietro e Paolo a Via Otiense here too. Metro was safe. Area is nice. Back to Circo Massimo stop. To see where bus (119 to Appian Way, etc) leaves from. Next time. Weather seemed too iffy. Past Forum. Line too long. Peeped in. Arco di Tito, etc. You can see alot for free. Up the hill to Chiesa di San Bonaventura. Back down. Back to Domus Aurea. Found entrance. Closed. Back to S. Pietro in Vincoli (chains) to see the statute. It was closed (opens again in the afternoon at 3pm) last time. Had 1.69E container of lemon sorbet from Elite market (vs 5E for a scoop of gelato). Back to hotel. The next day I took train to airport for 14E. They are working on it on some days. Double check if it is running. Breakfast of scrambled eggs with bacon and muffin at McD's at Termini. Half the price as US. I'll mention any other new foods, etc at the end of the next set of notes. I'll end by saying that Rome air quality is poor. Makes you feel ill. Kills your sinuses and throat. Cigarettes and carbon monoxide. I swear they would make it their air freshener if they could. It was still pretty packed with tourists. Chinese are back. Prepare for next pandemic. Isn't there already a new pneumonia there? Appian Way, Catacombs, Baths of Caracolla, Ostia Antica (day trip) left to see. Maybe Vatican and Borghese museums? Maybe Italian Open?

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