Ohio is ranked #18 for its love of green bean casserole

With more than 30 million green bean casseroles set to appear on Thanksgiving tables this week, Del Monte released the results of its latest survey.

Ohio is ranked #18 in the U.S. for love of green bean casserole, according to the Del Monte Green Bean Index.

Del Monte, the country's prominent grower and distributor of green beans, asked 3,000 Americans to "go green bean" and rate whether or not they plan to eat the classic green bean casserole side dish this Thanksgiving. Del Monte also asked U.S. and Ohio residents to rate their favorite "secret ingredient" that makes their green bean, cream of mushroom and fried onion casserole unique and different.

In Ohio, 38 percent of residents surveyed said they expect to dine on green bean casserole this Thanksgiving. The #1 lover of green bean casserole is the state of Louisiana, with 60 percent surveyed expecting to put green bean casserole on the holiday table.

Secret ingredients used to spice up the flavor of the classic dish include, in order of voted preference: bacon, mushrooms, cheese, grilled onions, almonds, sausage, bread crumbs or crushed crackers, garlic, jalapenos or hot sauce, and sour cream

Quaker Steak and Lube to be acquired by TravelCenters

Quaker Steak and Lube, the Sharon, PA-based restaurant chain, has filed for bankruptcy protection, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The chain expects to be acquired by TravelCenters of America for $25 million. The deal calls for Quaker Steak, with more than 50 locations nationwide, to retain its brand and possible expand under the new owner.
TravelCenters of America has more than 500 quick and full-service restaurants in 43 states. The company said it will convert some TravelCenter to Quaker Steak and Lubes.

According to a statement from the companies, a bankruptcy filing Monday by Quaker Steak included details of the proposed acquisition. TravelCenters has already made a deposit on the acquisition and has agreed to offer jobs to "substantially all" of Quaker Steak's current employees.

In other chain restaurant news, McDonald's Corp will start the new year by introducing a new value menu that it hopes will attract cost-conscious customers.

According to a report by the National Restaurant Association, the new "McPick 2" menu, starting on Jan. 4, will allow customers to pick a pair of items for a total of $2 from among four choices: the McDouble and McChicken sandwiches, a small order of fries and mozzarella sticks.

Finding the right value offering has been a trouble spot for the company. McDonald's has struggled for year to find the right formula, with precious tweaks that included the "Extra Value Menu" in 2012 and the "Dollar Menu and More" the following year.

Other fast-food chains have also struggles to find the right pricing balance on their menus. Last month, Wendy's introduced a "4 for $4" deal, consisting of a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, chicken nuggets, fries and drink.

McDonald's McPick menu will be available for five weeks, after which time the company might alter the items, the National Restaurant Association reported.

Reserve your place at the Amp 150 harvest table

Welcome the winter season by dining family style with other local food lovers.

The final harvest dinner of the year takes place at Amp 150 this Friday, Nov. 13, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The chefs were inspired by the bounty of squash, apples and sweet potatoes to devise a hearty and delicious menu.

The meal will begin with appetizers of sausage-stuffed peppers with tomato ragout and arancini served with squash, Fontina and beet chips. The second course is squash soup with pumpernickel croutons and roasted squash salad with pumpkin seed brittle, Lake Erie Creamery goat cheese and apple vinaigrette.

Entrees include scallops with farro and brussels sprouts, pork tenderloin with cabbage and apples, and ricotta gnocchi with sweet potato, pecans and sage brown butter. Dessert is pumpkin panna cotta with five-spice ice cream and apple pie with salty caramel.

The cost for the dinner is $45 per person. Phone 216-706-8787 to reserve your place at the harvest table.
Amp 150 is at 4277 W. 150th St.