Austria vs. Croatia: The Chocolate Banana Candy Bar Battle Continues

Hello LilyOnTheLam.Com Readers!

In true LilyOnTheLam style, I have been on the lam to various parts of the world recently - and have been quite amiss at blogging about it.  Although I have been journaling, so the thought is that eventually (emphasis on eventually) I will be able to share my adventures in various humorous blog posts ... or at least that's the hope!

I was in Houston, visiting the Museum of Funeral History (Yes, that is a real place!) and dining at a restaurant called the BRC Gastropub (BRC stands for "Big Red Cock" naturally!)  

I was in New York City, partaking in my THIRD viewing of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" on Broadway - but this time starring Andrew Rannells instead of Neil Patrick Harris.  

And now I have left America behind and meandered my way over to Budapest.  Because why not? 

Since my body still has not adjusted to the time zone change (it is 4:43 a.m. Budapest time as I write this), I thought I'd give you a sneak peak into some of my Budapest product finds.  So yes, I am declaring "New Product Wednesday" on a Monday (US Time), Tuesday (Budapest Time)!  How's that for screwing up one's calendar?

My last blog post was on a Croatian chocolate banana candy bar I discovered at a relatively new Polish deli in Largo, Florida.  Although I salute having a Polish deli in Largo, Florida; I found the banana chocolate Croatian candy bar to be lacking.  (Extremely lacking!)  Do Croatians make good candy?  If they do, I hope it is better than what I tried.  (Read my Croatian candy bar post here.)

I was in a mini mart near my hotel in Budapest, stocking up on bottled water and random snacks when I spotted this candy bar ...

THE BIG BANANA.  How can anyone say "no" to a candy bar named THE BIG BANANA?  I certainly am not made of steel or diamonds or any other ridiculously hard, impervious material that would make me turn a blind eye to THE BIG BANANA.  

Bam, it went straight into my shopping basket.  I rationalized/justified that since the last LilyOnTheLam post had been about a Croatian chocolate banana candy bar; this was fate telling me I had at least one more chocolate banana candy bar themed blog post in me!  

Side note:  I'd rather fate give me some winning mega millions lottery numbers than throw another chocolate banana European candy bar in my path ... just throwing that message out there, universe.  I hope you're listening, fate!

Just like when I found a candy bar in a Polish deli, I first assumed the candy bar was Polish (wrong: Croatian).  I thought this candy bar from a Hungarian mini mart was Hungarian.  Wrong.  Austrian.  

On a side note, I have been starting to think random thoughts in German.  Which is bizarre because I don't speak German.  This morning I looked at a table filled with pitchers of various juices and thought "I wonder what kind of saft is in this pitcher?"  Saft is the German word for juice.  

Then after I ate, I thought "that was a pretty good fruhstuck (breakfast)" (which by the way, I can't figure out how to add the umlaut, dots over the U's, so just imagine they are there).  I have no clue why I am starting to think in German words in Hungary, other than some sort of misplaced nod to the prior Austro-Hungarian empire?  Perhaps I spoke Deutsch in a past life?  Or perhaps I am having some sort of seizure/stroke?  Anything is possible!

Or maybe eating an Austrian candy bar has somehow imparted the Austrian national language of German into my head?  Hmm ... it's a puzzle, I tell you!

But enough about my linguistical weirdness and on to a review of the aforementioned schokoriegel (candy bar).  The "Big Banana" is everything I had wanted the Croatian Chocolate Banana candy bar to be.  It had a soft, creamy center with a rich, non-artificial tasting banana flavor and a rich, smooth chocolate coating.  It was actually a little too sweet, but it tasted very natural unlike the whipped air chemical taste of the Croatian treat.

Because I am a big nerd, I actually had this epiphany moment as I ate "The Big Banana" and thought "Austrians have perfected what the Croatians were attempting!"  Which is probably a compliment to Austria and an insult to Croatia ... and I am probably being diplomatically insensitive ... sorry Croatia!

So if you have to choose one chocolate banana candy bar and your choices are between a Croatian candy bar and an Austrian candy bar; sorry Croatia I am going to have to advocate that my readers go with THE BIG BANANA - which I can only assume is the National Chocolate Banana Candy Bar of Austria.  And if it's not, it should be.  Nice work, Austria!

Stay tuned to LilyOnTheLam for more adventures, product reviews and language brain seizures ...  Thanks for reading!      

Are The Croatians Known For Their Candy? Sikorski Deli and Fish Market Largo Florida

Hello LilyOnTheLam.Com Readers!

I have lived in Florida for ten years.  I think when you have lived in one place for a decent amount of time, you need to work a little harder to find new places.  It's really easy to fall into a rut and just go to the places you know you can depend on and enjoy, but where is the sense of adventure in that?  

One day I was driving to the beach, when I passed by a large sign for "Sikorski Deli and Fish Market."  Ethnically, I am half Polish - so a Polish deli along the road in Largo, Florida definitely caught my eye.  Plus my Mother always loved visiting fish markets, so the sign brought back some childhood nostalgia.  I decided to stop and check it out.

It is a decent size deli with an eating area/mini restaurant to the side.  There were large banners for pierogis decorating the eating area.  Up until now, I had only had pierogis in Tampa Bay at my beloved Pierogi Grill.  I was intrigued that I might have a new pierogi source.

I walked around the couple aisles of Polish and other Eastern European food products.  I was so excited to see the brands that I have rarely seen outside of Europe or New York City, right here in good old Tampa Bay.  The deli counter had a variety of meats and whole smoked fish.  I wish my Mother lived close by, I would have brought her one.  The lady loves smoked fish!

There were about six people in the deli when I was there - staff and customers.  They were all speaking Polish.  To myself I said wryly "Thanks a lot Grandma for never teaching me any Polish!"  But in my heart, I was really excited to have this very rich slice of Poland in my Floridian backyard.  On my bucket list is to travel to Poland, so I hope one day I can make it happen.  

I went to the deli counter and asked about ordering the pierogis that were advertised, but not to be found.  The woman behind the counter said you had to order them in advance.  I asked how much advance notice did I have to give.  She said "Ehh, maybe 15 minutes."  

I just blinked at her.  If it only takes 15 minutes, couldn't I just order some now?  I just looked at her confused and she didn't offer to help me with my pierogi needs.  So I just stood there, staring at her.  Evidently the deli counter lady was not too keen on helping a 1/2 Polish sister out with some pierogi, so eventually I broke down and just ordered some Black Forest Ham.  Which was terrific, by the way.  Smoky, salty, meaty deliciousness.  

After she handed me the small packed of sliced meat, I looked around me to see what else I might want to buy.  So many choices ... I was paralyzed.  Suddenly I saw this candy bar on a shelf.

  
A "Bananko" candy bar.  It appeared to be banana and chocolate flavored.  Two of my favorite tastes.  And it had a monkey on the wrapper ... and if you have read previous LilyOnTheLam.com posts, you'll know I will buy anything with a monkey on it.  Plus I haven't had Eastern European candy since I was traveling around Russia, so why not?

I paid for my weird shopping basket of ham and chocolate and then walked out to my car.  It was a very hot day and I figured that it was only fair to consume this candy bar before it melted.  I was putting the candy bar's structural integrity at the forefront.  ;-)  

I flipped over the packaging and discovered this was not a Polish candy bar.  WHAT?  OH NO!  WHAT IS IT?

This was a Croatian candy bar.  Are the Croatians known for their candy?  Only one way to find out ...  I opened the wrapper and took a bite.

A "Bananko" tastes like whipped artificial banana air covered in a weird chocolate-like substance.  Now being an American, I am used to our candy being so sweet and so rich that you instantly get diabetes - so I may not be the best judge of candy from other countries since my taste buds have been permanently mangled.  But that being said, I have to say that I am not a "Bananko" fan.  I took a couple bites and threw the rest away.  My apologies to Croatia.

I like candy, but this one is not going on my "must buy again" list.

However, I will definitely be back to Sikorski Deli - and I guess I'll call in advance to order some pierogis and see how they turn out!

I loved finding a new place in Tampa Bay that reminds me of New York City or Eastern Europe.  This was an unexpected road trip adventure that produced a Polish jewel.  Check it out!