Be nice -- feed the Republicans. =)

New York Pizza lovers SLICE announces:

Former New York City mayor Ed Koch urged us to "make nice," to "show 'em the ropes." We at Slice listened.

America's Favorite Pizza Weblog is proud to introduce GOPizza. Although we skew blue, we're putting politics aside, hoping to find common ground in Gotham's pizzerias. To that end, we've developed this special guide for GOP conventioneers.

Anyone who wants to learn about—and eat—great pizza is welcome at the Slice table. Plus, we'd rather see the thousands of upcoming visitors spend their money locally in deserving pie shops than order in from national chains.

BBQ - NYC 2004

My wife read about BBQ NYC 2004 at a LiveJournal community and -- bless her little vegan heart -- thought it would be the perfect thing for a transplanted Southern-boy like me. She was right . . . I went as a volunteer and traded several hours of work for several heaping plates of the most delicious pork and brisket since my years in North Carolina, washed down with some refreshing beer. Here's a little description from ChowHound.com to wet your appetite for next year!

West Side Chef - 315 West 57th St.

West Side Chef is overall one of the finer eating establishments on the West Side. Good lunch specials ranging from $5-7 -- especially is the "Shredded Beef, Szechuan Style." This restaurant's attention to special instructions concerning preparation was commendable, given the tendency of many places to ignore you altogether.

Zen and the Art of Competitive Hotdog Eating

USA! USA! US -- oops.

Once again, a skinny 132 pound kid has kicked America's ass in Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, downing a whopping "53 1/2" dogs in 12 minutes to claim the title for the fourth freakin' time in a row.

Ordinarily I'd be a little disappointed in those representing the good ol' U.S. of A. for losing (and on the 4th of July, too!) -- but as WatchMeEatAHotDog.Com exclaims:

. . . the fact that he always completely shatters his competition isn't what makes him great. What makes Kobayashi great is the style and grace with which he performs. To see a 130 pound, 20 something Japanese kid come in and completely destroy a group of 300+ pound American slobs is amazing, but the fact that he takes it in stride and doesn't get cocky is truly inspirational. He carries himself with an air of genuine nobility and class, with the charisma and dignity of a true champion. He took a sport that had previously been a spectacle of people piggishly stuffing as much food as possible into their mouths and transformed it into a science, into an art, and into something that is worth being celebrated.

I love Nathan's hot dogs as well . . . in moderation, like most other things. =)

My wife was somewhat suprised to see the event covered by ESPN -- but no less strange, she thought, than watching a bunch of guys play professional poker on television.

Related Links:

• International Federation of Competitive Eating