I’ve talked before about how I’m not really from Philadelphia, I just tend to tell everyone that because if I tell you where I’m really from, you’ll most likely look at me with a confused expression that you quickly try to hide with a nod and a smile and a “Oh, that’s nice.”
But, there is a reason I have never had a real Philly Cheesesteak,* don’t care how the Eagles perform (although did you see that game on Sunday?), and know nothing about the city except how to get to the airport. (And even that I’d have to googlemap first.)
*Yes, I do believe it is worthy of proper noun capitalization.
Home to Longwood Gardens….
…The Kennett Run…
[Yes, the race does end in the park, where you are served beer, pizza, and pretzels...making it, in my father's opinion, the best race ever.] 
…The Mushroom Capital of the World!
[Well, he's excited about that. Obviously.]
*Aside from the obvious “Sarah grew up there before she became a the most hilarious food blogger in the world”^ connection. You know, that little tidbit.
^Also where she was imbued with incredible self-confidence.
But we do have a restaurant that was featured on The Travel Channel. And if they ever decide to come back to shoot Man v. Food, it is TOTALLY where Adam Richman would go. Unfortunately (for me), it wasn’t Man v. Food, but Hamburger Paradise that had the folks over at The Travel Channel strolling down our one-way streets. 
Destination? Half Moon Restaurant & Saloon.
This is probably my favorite restaurant in town.* An upstairs deck that is great in the summer, deep, wide wooden booths, and daily hummus specials. 
They make incredible crab nachos, and you pretty much want to eat everything on the menu.
The menu was the reason for The Travel Channel‘s visit. Why? Well, in addition to creative sandwiches, Half Moon is famous for featuring wild game of all varieties in diverse forms (chili, gumbo, and of course, burgers). You thought buffalo was exotic? Try alligator, ostrich, elk, or, as I had for lunch yesterday, yak.
Yes, I ate yak. A yak burger to be exact.
And yakity-yak, it DID talk back.
But you know, not in the way that people say food “talks back” in terms of sad stomach ailments. No, all it said was, “Eat me AGAIN….eat me AGAIN….I am delicious….eat me AGAIN!”
[Bonus: Yak has half the fat, calories, and cholesterol of beef, and about two-thirds that of chicken! AND IT IS DELICIOUS. I cannot even tell you. I couldn't stop talking about how good it was, nor lamenting the fact that I couldn't describe the taste accurately.]
There was no need to spend time eating the top bun. The bottom bun is where it’s at.
Not only is it really a waste of flavorless calories, but, like the McDonald’s sausage biscuits I used to eat without sausage, you know the best part of eating a hamburger bun is the now meat-flavored and delicious soaked bread on the bottom. Oh man…mmmmmm….add a little of the leftover mushrooms and avocado salsa and we are in business.
Both wonderful choices…the mushrooms were some of the best cooked mushrooms I think I’ve ever had.
Did I mention I started the meal with a bowl of Half Moon‘s famous Gator Gumbo? Yes, that kind of gator.
So thick, rich, and spicy…and a deep brown that is the sign of a perfect roux.
I almost wish I had ordered the hummus…[or perhaps I'll just have to procure some nigella seeds and make my own?]Overall a fabulous lunch, and not just because Dad paid for it. 
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Hummmm. Yak. You are an inspiration Sarah! I ate a bite of rattlesnake one time at a wild game feast. Tasted like … snake
OMG I love rare* kinds of meat! I would be all over that place.
*rare as in unique, not undercooked
yak?! Way to be adventurous! I'd try yak… I think
Totally know where KSQ is, I have cousins in Landenberg, PA! We love going to the brewfest in the fall . . . and the wine fest in November usually held inside at Longwood Gardens!
Happy Holidays.
I lvoe Man vs FOOD! I saw that episode. So cool! I'd love to try yak, and I'm sure I'd come back!
I lvoe Man vs FOOD! I saw that episode. So cool! I'd love to try yak, and I'm sure I'd come back!
I lvoe Man vs FOOD! I saw that episode. So cool! I'd love to try yak, and I'm sure I'd come back!
I lvoe Man vs FOOD! I saw that episode. So cool! I'd love to try yak, and I'm sure I'd come back!
I'm glad you're enjoying your time at home…I can't wait to be in Charlotte with the parental unit so I can actually go out to eat. My little town has a Waffle House, McDonalds, Bojangles….let's just say I don't go out to eat…
Merry Christmas!!!!
I can't refrain myself … I have to applaud your prose here:
"Oprah-like, arms spread in effusive excitement, voice of proclamation"
Got it. Perfect.
You're so gifted! (0:
~Missy
Sarah, my family went to Delaware last year for New Years and we went to The Longwood Gardens one night and it was beautiful. I took plenty of pictures of the Christmas trees there and made one of them the background on my computer for Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Oh WOW!! I had no idea about the nutritionals of yak! To tell you the truth, had you not posted a pic of the animal, I wouldn't have been able to think of what it looked like! Haha!
This is definitely going on my foodie bucket list! What? Don't tell me I'm the only one who created a list of foods I have to eat before I kick it!