Shogun Legends in Wall, NJ

Shogun Legends
shogunlegends.com
1969 Route 34
Wall, NJ 07719
(732) 449-6696

Starving Auctioneers Rating: 4 Gavels out of 5

Regional stereotypes are an unfortunate thing and often truly jade our mind. Therefore it was a pleasant surprise when Greg Belhorn and Peter ventured to the Jersey Shore to pick up pottery, glassware and antique items and failed to witness any of the lewd and ruckus behavior demonstrated on the myriad of cable TV programs that have made the Jersey Shore the subject of much national humor. Failed to witness until dinner that is…

After an afternoon of hard work loading a van full of items out of a basement for upcoming summer auctions the two ventured to Shogun Legends in Wall, New Jersey. In somewhat Ohio redneck fashion both changed out of their sweat soaked shirts in the dark parking lot but if in anything that was in an attempt to do the Buckeye State proud and not looking like a couple of farmers. Shogun Legends was an impressive looking place both inside and out and Greg had done some research before leaving on where a couple of Staving Auctioneers might be eat after a long day. The restaurant was packed and it was unfortunately full of walking Jersey Shore stereotypes much to Greg and Peter’s Midwestern amusement.

The somewhat befuddled waiter explained that Shogun’s was known for its New York sushi. That was fairly confusing as it is generally held that sushi originated in Japan but what do a couple of hicks from Ohio know? Greg ordered a selection of sushi, sashimi and rolls that helped contribute to overfishing in all the world’s oceans (by rule Starving Auctioneers are nothing if not equal opportunity consumers, primarily carnivores and environmental bandits) and when that massive sushi platter failed to completely fill the hold another round was ordered. The sushi was truly excellent and the in-restaurant debauchery of the locals was both entertaining and enlightening. New York Sushi turned out to be some of best reviewed to date and much better then Hilliard, Ohio sushi that is for sure.

Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery in San Antonio, TX

Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery
mitierracafe.com
218 Produce Row
San Antonio, TX 78207-4554
(210) 225-1262

Starving Auctioneers Rating: 4 Gavels out of 5

(Note: This review was submitted by an original Starving Auctioneer, Tim Kruse)

On a rare, cold morning in San Antonio, Texas, two auctioneers and food connoisseurs found themselves deciding where to dine for breakfast before a long day of auction work. Tim Kruse was a foreigner of the two, and was driven by John Aguilard of Worldwide Auctioneers to get a taste of his native San Antonio's history and of course breakfast.

John's choice was Mi Tierra Cafe, a staple San Antonio restaurant which prides itself in never closing down. Literally. They never close. 24/7, 365. Inside, Mi Tierra offered an eclectic mixture of architecture and Mexican culture. From the stately barroom area reserved for night life, to the colorful breakfast room that reminded me of a morning cafe joint in the Midwest (except for the year-round Christmas lights). The whole place had a spirit of down-home distinction.

Founded in 1941 by the Cortez family, John regaled Tim with nostalgic stories from years ago of after school dance parties when the cafe was just a one room hole in the wall. If the old walls and shimmering streamers could tell tale after tale of memories and friendships made.

The menu was simple but comprehensive with “regular” breakfast choices as well as original Mexican morning dishes. Tim ordered the Mexican plate—the Chilaquiles Famosos covered in ranchero sauce with thick, crispy bacon and refried beans on the side. Chilaquiles is simply scrambled eggs with tortilla chips mixed in for a yummy, crunchy combination. John opted for the Mi Tierra Special with over-medium eggs and shredded carne de puerco (pork). John suggested that breakfast would not be complete without a also having a Barbacoa Taco—and he was right. The sweet, juicy, steamed beef had great flavor and melted like a chocolate bar in my mouth. Tim indulged in a cup of Mexican Chocolate. Drinking the classic Mi Tierra beverage gave a nice, warm finish to rather large breakfast.

Back-room Deals

Apparently, the place is infamous as a hang out for local politicians. While getting a tour by John, the point was proven when we walked into the back meeting room and found ourselves interrupting an important looking meeting of important looking people. Before leaving the room, though, I got a good look at the giant murals of Selena, Santana and other famous people covering the walls.

The Bakery

Following the scrumptious feast, things had only just begun... We made our way back out to the lobby area where a twenty-foot long, glass showcase displayed a wide array of Mexican pastries, cookies, breads, desserts, and doughnuts that would make any auctioneer(even a full one) salivate. So with the excuse of feeding the office staff we bought a giant box filled to the rim with delectable goodies, plus an extra bag for my giant Creme Puff which made a great post auction snack!

The next time you're in the Alamo City stop by Mi Tierra(meaning My Land). It's a tourist hot spot and a fantastic place to have a fun, tasty and unique eating experience any time day or night all year through... oh yeah, the auction went well, too.

Florentine in Columbus, OH

Florentine - Map
florentinerestaurant.com
907 West Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43222
(614) 228-2262

Starving Auctioneers Rating: 4 Gavels out of 5

The most frustrating table to wait on in the food service world is one with two auctioneers when neither has an auction in morning. They just talk and talk and talk and don’t order dessert. To add insult to injury you have to wonder if two people so poorly dressed could possibly be good tippers. Such was the case when Peter and Mike Brandly, CAI, AARE had dinner last week at a Columbus institution, Florentine. The Florentine is a family owned American/Italian restaurant that has had the same menu and sign out front since the Eisenhower Administration.

A short walk from downtown Columbus, the Florentine has been serving Americanized Italian food long before the Olive Garden made unlimited bread sticks cool and pushing cheap house wine the industry standard. The Florentine is the perfect Starving Auctioneers hang out: local, fast, reasonably cheap, and a working class joint. Dinner at the Florentine won’t change your life but it will fill your belly.

Both men had to stop talking long enough to give some serious attention to the menu, after that the orders came out quickly. Mike ordered the fish and Peter the veal. Peter often orders veal as a test of his dinner companions, Mike passed the test in that he did not recoil in disgust, as many often do, and he got a sticker for his decorum. Dinner started at 7 PM and they closed the place down a little after 10 PM. They sat in their booth so long the first waitress gave up and went home and the manager had to call up a new arm from the bullpen. Despite their appearance they tipped well.

This is first review with Mike Brandly but won’t be the last. Mike is a restaurant connoisseur and has assembled a list of future restaurants for review that covers most of Ohio. Mike’s specializes in two simple things: Absolute auctions and finding places to eat in between absolute auctions. In fact his dedication to these two missions often comes at the cost of any type of modern hair care or even simple combing.

Red Pig Bar-B-Q and Deli in Johnson City, TN

Red Pig Bar-B-Q and Deli - Map
2201 Ferguson Road
Johnson City, TN 37604
(423) 282-6586

Starving Auctioneers Rating: 4 Gavels out of 5

It is always special when you are afforded the opportunity to fellowship with a great auctioneer and good friend on his home turf. Such was the occasion last month when Peter called on Travis Royston, CAI, CES, GPPA of Johnson City, Tennessee. Travis is a block of man. The legend says he is 7 foot tall and once killed a wild bear with the carcass of coyote while saving a bus full of red headed orphan children from a runaway locomotive. Truth be told not all those kids were orphans.

Travis is a model Starving Auctioneer: hard worker, champion bid caller, big eater and marginal dresser. Peter was in Travis’ home town delivering a collection of antique water pumps and water rams. If you don’t know what those are and why someone would collect them you can join the club. Travis bought’em, Peter delivered’em that is all you need to know for this blog. Peter dropped the pumps off on his way to Asheville, North Carolina and Grove Park Inn Arts and Crafts Convention (pottery pick up). Having sold cars in the morning and driving all afternoon and evening Peter and his wife (Paige Gehres) and friends, Brian & Annalisa Henslee were ready for some BBQ.

Being a fire fighter (honest) and a Starving Auctioneer, Travis knew just the place: Red Pig Bar-B-Q and Deli. Like most local BBQ this was a homespun place where the owner shakes your hand when you enter and the simple menu has a few items ‘everyone’ had to get.

Everyone ordered a BBQ pork sandwich and a much ballyhooed twice baked potato. Peter also ordered the salad which had more toppings then it had lettuce. This was perfect because, as has previously been mentioned on this blog, a Starving Auctioneer salad is more an excuse for eating dressing and fix’ins then an exercise in eating healthy. We arrived near closing time and thus had our run of the place and sat at a large round table in the corner that Travis said was on permanent reserve for the local politicians and power brokers, that is of course why WE sat there.

The food was good but the stories were better. Travis regaled his dinner companions with tales of auctions, family and friends. The most memorable was the story of Travis’ friend who wished to get into the chicken and egg business on a small scale. After setting up the coop and equipment this friend purchased 50 laying hens and 50 roosters for those hens to mate with, the friend knew were eggs came from at least. After a few rough nights in the chicken coop he called Travis concerned, Travis advised his city folk friend that it is not ‘religious with chickens’ and they don’t mate for life and one rooster can do the deed. Heathen chickens…

UPDATE: Starving Auctioneers fans can expect more of Travis’ stories as he is planning to make a family trip to Ohio’s Amish Country this summer and his travels to the Starving Auctioneer’s home state will surely generate some much needed blog content.

Town Tavern in Auburn, IN

Auburn's Town Tavern - Map
1343 South Main Street
Auburn, IN 46706
(260) 925-0555

Strarving Auctioneers Rating: 4 Gavels out of 5

On a cold Monday in December there is not much going on in Auburn, Indiana. The crops are off and the locals are getting ready for Christmas. However on this December morning the 220nd class of the Reppert School of Auctioneering was in session and Peter was presenting Ohio Auction Law and a discussion of Auction Technology to a classroom full of auctioneering students from across the country, Canada and South Africa. As you might expect after a morning of talking and often talking fast Peter developed a mighty appetite. Tim Kruse, Vice President of Reppert (and friend from CAI) knew just the place: Auburn’s Town Tavern.

The Town Tavern is as local as local gets. Looking like a converted home The Town Tavern is a continuous tread that often binds small communities together. An institution in Auburn there really was only once choice for lunch and that was the fried fish with mashed potatoes. That is what we all ordered. Sometimes local joints survive on a lack of competition. This place survives on fried fish and tartar sauce and lightening fast service. I could have gone for seconds but that is never cool on a business lunch. The company was of course great, a mix of auction school students, Tim, his brother Daniel and an intuition at Reppert’s Ron Chaffee the Dean of Instruction. Our table looked like a bunch of Lumber jacks eating the first meal after clearing half a forest rather than a bunch of guys who had just spent the morning talking auctions. I was surprised the waitress was able to keep the drink glasses full without getting bitten.

The students and Ron had to leave in order to be back in time for the afternoon session and that left Peter and the brothers Kruse to enjoy peanut butter pie and catch the opening segment of The Young and Restless coming on in a TV in the corner.

UPDATE (December 2009): David Helmer, the Kruse Brothers and Peter found themselves eating at The Town Tavern again just over a week later when David and Peter concluded their Rampage Road Trip 2009 with a visit to Auburn and Kruse Auction Park to pick up items purchased at an auction there over the weekend. We are happy to report the same great food, service and soap operas.

UPDATE (July 2010): Starving Auctioneers returned yet again to the Town Tavern for another great meal. On hand were Tim Kruse, Jack Christy, Ron Chaffee, Peter D. Gehres, Dennis Kruse and students from the lastest class of the Reppert School of Auctioneering. The Tavern is fast becoming the go to place.

Ali Baba in Ann Arbor, MI

Ali Baba
601 Packard Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-3313
(734) 998-0131‎

Starving Auctioneers Rating: 4 Gavels out of 5

Our most recent pottery pick up saw Peter traveling to rural Michigan just north of the Ohio-Michigan boarder to pick some outstanding examples of Rookwood, Weller and middle period Roseville. After the pickup Peter travelled to meet up with friend and fellow auctioneer David Helmer in Ann Arbor and he filed this review.

David Helmer and I’s friendship is a product of the often cited ‘conversations in the hallway’ of an NAA event. We meet at the Certified Estate Specialist (CES) designations course held in Ft. Wayne, Indiana in November of 2006. Over the last three years we have partnered on auctions large and small. We often partner on lunch.

We entered lunch with great expectations of all the ‘work’ we would discuss. That didn’t happen and never does. We returned to one of Ann Arbor’s finest Middle Eastern establishments: Ali Baba. The restaurant is billed as Iraqi food but our waiter was from Morocco so I was a little disappointed. We both ordered a dish that consisted of chicken, beef and hummus. Basically meat and potatoes for those without potatoes. However you can get a side of fries, which we did so we still got us some potato action. The food was good and the service on point if not ethnically consistent. The price was right and the portion size was good. The place was clean if not a little worn, but what hole in the wall place isn't...that's what makes them great.

After lunch we sampled the styling’s PJ's Records & Used CD's just a few feet away and up a flight of stairs. Every college town seems to have one of these outfits and Ann Arbor’s holds a special charm because once the two shopkeepers, David and I were in the store there was little room for anyone else. I might be tempted to say I have never seen that many LP’s in one place before but I have: an estate auction in Columbus where it was our job to move them all from the basement in milk crates. We lost a lot of good men that day and gained great appreciation for the iPod

We went there looking for original Larry Norman LP’s. We didn’t find any but David did find and purchase enough to earn him a place in the PJ’s Hall of Fame. They have a strange and inexplicably long check out procedure made worse by David’s attempts to stump our hosts with 1970's music trivia. The shop keepers are examples of what happens when you are into sex, drugs and Rock’n’Roll…professionally. At least they have their music.