Inbox: ROY Row

SMOKIN’ DEBATE

I have only eaten [at Podnah's Pit] once ["Restaurant of the Year," Oct. 19, 2011]. It was bad! The brisket was chewy like rubber. The ribs were not baby backs, and also were like rubber. The service was slow.... It was expensive in comparison to Buster's [Texas Style Barbecue], and the food did not even compare.... We did not even finish the food; it was BAD.

—"Larry"

Really? Buster's? Was Outback all full up? Arby's too far away? Podnah's is consistently the best barbecue in this city. I've been eating there regularly for nearly three years, in the old location and the new. It has only gotten better. I find the prices to be fair, especially for the quality. I like that the meat isn't slathered in gallons of cheap corn-syrup barbecue sauce, so you can actually taste the meat and the smoke. Good call, WW.

— "Chris"

Seriously? Podnah's? Give me a break. I wonder how much they had to pay WW to be named restaurant of the year. I can do better barbecue in my backyard with the rusty old Weber and a $20 vertical water smoker.

—"Paul"

Podnah's is true Texas barbecue. As a native Texan (having an affair with Portland), I know what good Texas barbecue tastes like. And Podnah's is the place.

—"Sarah"


KROGER'S ILLNESS

[Attorney General John Kroger] is not owned by the state; he has no obligation to share his medical history ["The Puzzle At Justice," Oct. 19, 2011]. If he had anal warts, would you want to see proof? He's agreed to finish his term; let his performance speak for itself as his obligation expires.—"Yogi"


INCOMPLETE PICTURE

Author Corey Pein acts as a third party in a chess game, presenting a litany of known problems and how they stack up for incumbent politicians ["The Other Portland," Oct. 12, 2011]. The article did nothing to note where real strides and diligent effort are being undertaken [in East Portland] by local nonprofits. Instead Pein presented a part of the Rosewood Initiative as if it were an autonomous working nonprofit.

In fact, the Rosewood Cafe is the first initiative the nonprofit is undertaking. It is in the most preliminary stage. The cafe is not open. The initiative is working out of the cafe space so the community can operate as the real stakeholder and choose how to define the center. To not give the full picture on this is irreverent and independent in a communally apathetic way. I guess Pein wants to think of his career. Generating a big stir and pointing big fingers...may make you a big writer, but not a good one.

—Millicent Zimdars, Northwest Portland


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