[thebigr]

Originally Posted by Sunandsand

Have you been to McDonalds, Target, or Walmart anywhere in the US lately? Almost none of the employees speak English so don't hold that against Naples.

We took a summer trip all the way up through NH, MA, NY, NJ, PA, NC, SC, GA......every McDonalds had workers who did not speak English. A few had some high school kids who could not work the registers. Every order was a game of how many items did they actually get right!

Road construction? Every single state. Snobs everywhere? Ditto, seems like 80% of Americans have become stuck up.

Naples has its problems but don't single it out for using cheap labor, construction everywhere, and snobby attitudes. That is now a nationwide phenomenon.

I have been in Northern Alabama and South Tenneessee for two weeks now and have been to 2 Wal marts, several different fast food resteraunts, the IRS office, and many other public places and have been served on by American citizen's speaking only english. All very friendly and every order was just what I ordered.
Just like my last 6 years in Fort Myers, Right!!

[ShadowCaver]

Sorry to interrupt this lively discussion regarding these other important topics, however ,,, however, for those with knowledge of Naples and the surrounding areas, what would be places to recommend and/or not recommend w/in a ~30 minute commute to that intersection [US75 & FL951]? Thanks.

whippersnapper, you posted the following: Is your friend into chain restaurants or more of the mom and pop places? Naples has a lot of chain restaurants: California Pizza Kitchen, Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, Olive Garden, Joe's Crab Shack, etc. plus a few really good smaller places. Is he into golfing? Wine festivals? Boating? Art? Is he always into going out or does he like to hang around the house most of the time? Instead of us telling you what areas to avoid, why doesn't he come up with a few suitable apartments and then we could tell him what we know about each place? Check the Naples Daily News for apartments as well.

Likes both chains and mom/pop places - depending upon what they are. No golfing or art stuff. Festivals and boating, yes. Is adventuresome, and likes to explore. As to the last part, would be much appreciative to help on his time if knew that such-and-such area was not so desirable, that this other area was cool and relatively affordable, etc. Thanks again.

[Sunandsand]

Originally Posted by thebigr

I have been in Northern Alabama and South Tenneessee for two weeks now and have been to 2 Wal marts, several different fast food resteraunts, the IRS office, and many other public places and have been served on by American citizen's speaking only english. All very friendly and every order was just what I ordered.
Just like my last 6 years in Fort Myers, Right!!

Interesting, I spend considerable time traveling through Northern Alabama and S. Tenn on business. I have found the fast food joints staffed by clueless kids or derelict looking folks. Not that bright, friendly, interested, or accurate with the orders.

And I stopped in a Walmart in Decatur to grab some batteries in September and I thought I was on the set of the movie Deliverance.

But to each their own.

[Sunandsand]

Originally Posted by whippersnapper

I never claimed Olive Garden was "real" Italian food. I just remember some survey the News-Press did on what stores Cape Coral "needs" (or something to that extent) and people were clamoring for more chain restaurants. I don't know if this guy's friend is a chain restaurant kind o' guy or if he's a little more adventurous. Trying to cover all bases here.

Sunandsand and Hockeymom, what constitutes a really good pizza place in your eyes? I'm always curious because it seems like people have differing ideas on pizza.

A great pizza is a symphony of every component working together. The crust has to be a great tasting dough, cooked just a tab crispy, but not over done. I am partial to medium crusts on the thin side. The cheese has to be Mozzarella as the primary, with other cheeses blended in to give it a slighty sweeter taste. The sauce has to be real tomato sauce. The seasonings have to be just right, and can make or break the whole deal.

I am not a cook so I do not know the recipe. But when everything is just right, a pizza stands out above all others.

Man I need a pizza bad right now.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by Sunandsand

And I stopped in a Walmart in Decatur to grab some batteries in September and I thought I was on the set of the movie Deliverance.

Yeah, but I bet they were Americans.

[HockeyMom72]

Originally Posted by Sunandsand

A great pizza is a symphony of every component working together. The crust has to be a great tasting dough, cooked just a tab crispy, but not over done. I am partial to medium crusts on the thin side. The cheese has to be Mozzarella as the primary, with other cheeses blended in to give it a slighty sweeter taste. The sauce has to be real tomato sauce. The seasonings have to be just right, and can make or break the whole deal.

I am not a cook so I do not know the recipe. But when everything is just right, a pizza stands out above all others.

Man I need a pizza bad right now.

I've been to Italy a couple of times. Actually, Naples, Italy, is where it all started. I didn't plan it, but my family originally is from Naples, Italy. When they say pizza PIE, they really do mean pie. It is made as an individual serving pie, with a thick crust, and everything under the sun piled on it. Hence the term, pie. I liked it but there were some toppings I just didn't like.

I had a conversation once with a pizza palor owner in NY who also was a snowbird. Why didn't he open a shop in Florida? He told me it would never taste the same as it did in NY, not because the ingredients or the cooking was different, but the WATER was different. He said it was the water that made NY pizza taste better than anywhere else. I would also assume that the same has to be true with NY bagels also.

[Sunandsand]

Originally Posted by HockeyMom72

I've been to Italy a couple of times. Actually, Naples, Italy, is where it all started. I didn't plan it, but my family originally is from Naples, Italy. When they say pizza PIE, they really do mean pie. It is made as an individual serving pie, with a thick crust, and everything under the sun piled on it. Hence the term, pie. I liked it but there were some toppings I just didn't like.

I had a conversation once with a pizza palor owner in NY who also was a snowbird. Why didn't he open a shop in Florida? He told me it would never taste the same as it did in NY, not because the ingredients or the cooking was different, but the WATER was different. He said it was the water that made NY pizza taste better than anywhere else. I would also assume that the same has to be true with NY bagels also.

That is right, they do say the water used in the dough makes the taste. Some say that is why NYC and Jersey shore pizza tastes great.

But as a 1/2 Greek I have to fight you on saying pizza originated in Italy. Our old timers in the family swear that it originated in Greece. And they will also say the Greek run pizza parlors make some of the best!

[HockeyMom72]

Originally Posted by Sunandsand

That is right, they do say the water used in the dough makes the taste. Some say that is why NYC and Jersey shore pizza tastes great.

But as a 1/2 Greek I have to fight you on saying pizza originated in Italy. Our old timers in the family swear that it originated in Greece. And they will also say the Greek run pizza parlors make some of the best!

in NY. It beats chain pizza anyday. My future son-in-law is of Greek heritage. His father is damned good cook. Makes great wine too.

[Sunandsand]

Originally Posted by HockeyMom72

in NY. It beats chain pizza anyday. My future son-in-law is of Greek heritage. His father is damned good cook. Makes great wine too.

Your daughter made a great choice. My dad's family made the best homemade Ouzo and baklava. This was 35 years ago when they had a little farm up in MA, I think the still blew up and ended the Ouzo business.

Time to take the family on a pizza run now!

[hiknapster]

I grew up on Greek-owned pizza parlors in Massachusetts. Love that pizza! What I wouldn't do for some of that now!