Washington Huskies have begun to rise from the ranks of the University of Washington student body into professional sports. We have a way to remain connected to so many athletes now spread across the nation
2017 has been a year filled with good news and accomplishments of Washington Huskies athletes. From Kelsey Plum, to Chantel Osahor, to John Ross, the nations headlines have splashed the names of Washington Huskies breaking records.
So it comes as no small wonder to pause and reflect – ten students have already joined the ranks of professional sports. Two to the WNBA, and eight to the NFL. With so many departing so rapidly, that creates a challenge of how to remain connected to each of the Huskies in their new residents.
Alternatives
Of course, social media is always an option. But that is oftentimes no better than the evening news. So we wracked our brains to come up with alternatives. And the one option which seemed to generate the most positive feedback is cuisine. Now, ideally that means traveling to the new home of each player and trying the native foods with the natives.
But bills, budgets, and time crunches eliminate that option rather quickly. And so, we have searched our experiences and data bases for the closest thing to being there. Here are our choices, and we hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Minnesota Cuisine – Chantel Osahor
If you ever visit Minnesota, you will wonder at the food. Is it edible? Which nationality is it? You will find such treasures as lefse, lutefisk, rosettes, gravlax, krumkake, lingonberries, kransekake, sausages, and sauerkraut. There is also an abundance of berries, such as serviceberry, chokecherry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, cranberry, salmonberry, and thimbleberry, Chantel Osahor is now a member of the WNBA Minnesota Lynx. So how to stay connected?
The Restaurant? Old Ballards
Old Ballards is a nice restaurant specializing in Scandanavian dishes. You have got to try the “Herring Board”, a sampler of herring prepared five different and delicious ways. If you don’t know, just ask! The staff will be happy to point you in the right direction.
San Antonio Cuisine – Kelsey Plum
There is something incredible romantic and tranquil about the San Antonio river walk. But there is also something special about Tex Mex. I had the fortune of serving in the U.S. Air Force, and so the sights, sounds, and smells of San Antonio hold a special place in my heart.
Kelsey Plum is a rising WNBA star with the San Antonio Stars. As such, her new home happens to be a city I know a little about.
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- Jack Westover is a breakout star for the Washington Huskies
- Washington football: Negatives and Positives in win over Michigan State
- Huskies offense slices through the Spartans in 41-7 win
So I won’t steer you wrong on this one. Try Laredos Grill
The restaurant boasts about the unique Tex Mex tastes of San Antonio Texas. The do a fine job of replicating the taste if not the river walk. You will savor the flavor of Texas Fajitas or the house specialty, Carne Asada.
Southwest Cuisine – Budda Baker
If you have been to the state of Arizona, you may have been fortunate enough to see cacti everywhere. Arizona is scorched all summer, baking the dirt until very few plants can scavenge enough water to survive. In short, Arizona brings to mind cacti.
Washington Huskies safety Budda Baker is on his way to the Arizona Cardinals. You see, he’s pretty hot in the eyes of the NFL too. And his play in the defensive backfield can make it awfully difficult for wide receivers to flourish.
And so, why not try any of a number of Cactus Restaurants in the Seattle area? From the moment you arrive, you can almost feel the hot dry goodness of the the desert sun in each tasty morsel.
Try a Quesadilla, or a chicken flautas. You can thank us later.
Wisconsin Cuisine – Kevin King
Cornerback Kevin King was one draft spot away from remaining in Seattle Washington to play for the Seahawks. But the Green Bay Packers elected to draft the Washington Huskies cornerback. Now, he is a cheesehead.
There is only one food to satisfy the cheesehead. That’s cheese curds. And the only way to satisfy that appetite is to check out The Gerald and have their fried cheese curds.
What’s so special about fried cheese curds? You simply need to try them to discover the answer. Imagine the best fried mozzarella stick you had ever had, improved ten-fold. To truly get the full experience, follow that up with one of several Mac And Cheese dishes. Mmhmm. Creamy goodness.
Houston Cuisine – JoJo Mathis
Houston is the home of true Mexican experience: from the Mariachi band to the myriad of assorted peppers. You know you’ve hit Houston cuisine if you need more than one beverage glass filled at your place at all times.
More from Huskies in the NBA
- Washington basketball’s McDaniels gets selected 28th overall
- Washington basketball’s Stewart goes 16th overall
- A mixed year for former Washington basketball star Kelsey Plum
- Huskies in the NBA: Washington basketball’s Markelle Fultz is blossoming in Orlando
- Washington basketball: Stewart declares for NBA Draft
JoJo Mathis worked hard. In fact, he was one of the hottest young talents in 2016 before falling to injury. So it’s fitting that he was drafted by the team playing in the hottest city of nation, the Houston Texans.
So why not treat yourself to some true Mexican at Plaza Garibaldi? This little gem has captured the magic of Mariachi meals. Houston has that magic where sidewalk dining under a big ole Texan moon with music playing is unequaled anywhere else.
Well almost anywhere. Plaza Garibaldi delivers as close to the real thing as I have ever experienced. Try the tortilla soup, traditional ceviche, ending with the pernil. wow!
Indianapolis Cuisine – Darrell Daniels
If you are in Hoosier country, you’d better memorize two things: Corn on the cob, and pork tenderloin sandwiches. The Indianapolis Colts needed targets for their quarterback, Andrew Luck. The huge upside of Washington Huskies tight end Darrell Daniels was too much for the Colts to pass up. And so, he is off to Indianapolis, Indiana.
But if you are traveling to Indianapolis this week, you can enjoy the same succulent tastes by stopping by Loretta’s Northwesterner.
When you are there, order the … you guessed it… pork tenderloin sandwich. It may sound plain, but it’s truly a taste explosion.
Los Angeles Cuisine – Jake Endrenkamp
The LA scene is hip, pop, ethnic and a kaleidoscope of cuisines. So too, the Los Angeles Rams are a melting pot of the nations top football talents. In fact, the team returned to Los Angeles some time ago, only to discover that the San Diego Chargers are joining them in the city. The fusion of the two teams in one city could benefit both.
So why not follow the fusion circuit made famous in Los Angeles all the way to Trove’s? The restaurant specializes in Korean barbecue and a noodle counter.
We are not the only ones tempted by the incredible offerings. Providence Cicero of the Seattle Times wrote an outstanding review. The consensus is…Try This Restaurant.
Cincinnati Cuisine – John Ross
Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross made the University of Washington famous when he blazed a new record for speed at the NFL combine.
The fame of Cincinnati is Cincinnati Chili. It’s not chili. It’s not spaghetti sauce. But it is available at Mike’s Chili Shop.
Now, timing is everything. Dine at Mike’s on a weekday night to avoid the crowds. And if you arrive and get distracted by the robust menu options, you are forgiven in advance. Ignore the rest though, and get the Big Ass Bowl of chili.
Now, this is not a place to make an impression on a first date. It’s an old fashioned diner experience, and as such will not be everyone’s cup of tea. But if you go for the food, this is worth the journey.
Philadelphia Cuisine – Sidney Jones and Elijah Qualls
So this is the one I’ve been waiting to talk about. Washington Huskies cornerback Sidney Jones IV and defensive tackle Elijah Qualls are the only Huskies to land on the same team. It just happened to be where the NFL Draft took place, the city of Philadelphia.
Jones was a top-ten rated talent who fell due to injury concerns. Qualls fell as many “hybrid” players do because he is versatile enough to fill many of the NFL defensive front seven positions. Now, both are on their way to Philadelphia.
I’m somewhat of a Philly cuisine aficionado, as I had spent a significant portion of my early life in the “Keystone State”. Of course, the cuisine is the Philly Cheesesteak. And if you the real deal, you have to try Tat’s Delicatessan. They are the bona fide deal, even down to the “Wiz Wit” (Cheese Whiz and With Onions).
However, if you travel across the state to Spokane Valley , Washington, you simply must stop at Zelia’s Cheese Steaks & Subs. Order the Cheesesteak (without A-1 sauce) or the Mushroom Steak. Believe it or not, with the exception of the torpedo rolls, this small stop away from the hustle and bustle of city traffic is a quaint enjoyable treat for your taste buds.
Next: Will Washington Huskies Decommits Regret Leaving?
In either location, you get the taste of a Philly Cheesesteak.