Biker Billy's Roadhouse Cookbook: Adventures in Roadhouse Cuisine by Bill Hufnagle

Bill Hufnagle is a long-time motorcycle rider and used to have a cable access show called "Biker Billy Cooks With Fire" (because he loves hot foods). There is even a special species of hot peppers named after him that is sold by the Burpee company. In short, if it involves Bikes and Cooking, Bill "Biker Billy" Hufnagle is the guy to go to.

Biker Billy loves food on the road, especially the kind that is sold in small taverns or mom and pop shops and that isn't your standard hamburger or grilled cheese, or what have you. While many of the recipies in here have been road-tasted by Bill himself, others were recommended to him by other bikers from their own rambles around the country.

The book is laid out in 10 sections, ranging from breakfasts to desserts and everything in between, including an entire chapter entitled "Home Sweet Home" that is devoted to comfort foods like Macaroni and Cheese, Deviled Eggs, Apple Pie and Chicken-Fried Bacon (which sounds like a real heart-stopper to me!). Each dish begins with the name and address of the place that serves it, and Bill, or other Biker's tale of how they encountered the food and why it makes its way into this cookbook. Then, after some comments from the cook or owner of the place, the recipie is given. Sometimes there is more than one recipie from the same place, usually quite different from the first.

And then there is another section after, with bonus recipies from the road, and a section on riding safely and sanely with food, such as: Eat where you stop for the night. Never try to motor after a large meal on a full stomach, especially if you are feeling drowsy. Maintain your alertness on the road, and Biker Billy gives hints as to what sorts of foods you should be and should not be eating to help maintain a proper and Healthy level of alertness so you do not get into accidents on your bike.

This book is filled with good food and plenty of wonderful travel tips. Even if you are stuck at home, you can still experience the recipies in your own kitchen with a bit of time and careful shopping. I do warn you that this book will inspire you to go visit the places that Biker Billy recommends and taste the same foods that he promotes in this book. But even if you can't, you can still experience the same tastes and perhaps feel like you've travelled a little in spirit.