The Hollywood Smokehouse Diner is located in my favorite Aruba town, San Nicolaas, and the food is worth the drive. It’s easy to find, only 2 blocks from the Main Gate of the refinery. There’s plenty of parking in front. Thus, roll into town, go all the way to the end, and on the corner of Helfrichstraat you’ll find this place ready to serve up some Carolina-style pulled pork and Texas brisket that will impress hard-core barbeque lovers. Here’s a view of the outside. Love that Coca-Cola sign, too.
I opted to try two platters today, one pulled pork, the other beef brisket. Platters are served with cole slaw and a choice of sides. As you can see below, I opted for the potato salad and baked beans, both appropriate to the barbeque vibe. Feast your eyes upon this feast.
All that food for 18 and 22 florins respectively. The brisket is the melt-in-your mouth kind. The pulled pork is tender to the fork. You can also order up simple sides like french fries and so forth, if you’re in the mood for a quick snack on the way to or from Baby Beach. My recommendation, go for the whole meal. Mix and match a couple to share around the table, that way you’ll get the full experience of all the flavors. I might also mention that homemade barbeque sauces are tucked in with each meal. They are also top notch flavors, from mild to hot, hot. (Take the big bottle stuff from the grocery store and throw it away.)
To top the experience off you have Mike and Tina, owners of this joint. Great people, friendly, multi-lingual (English, Spanish, Papiamento), and ready to serve the best. My only problem is I’ll blow the buckle off my belt from chowing down here more often that I should. What a way to go.
Bon dia.
The Bent Page 
Coca-Cola originally from Spain?
Imagine my shock when today I read a story in the Spanish newspapers about Coca-Cola originating in Spain! Apparently, three fellows from the town of Aielo de Malferit in Valencia created a concoction using kola nut strain and coca leaves which became a beverage known as “Nuez de Kola Cola.” Supposedly it was the same color as today’s famous beverage. At any rate, these guys attended a world exhibition in Paris circa 1880 and a drinks congress in Philadelphia in 1885. These weren’t any three amateurs either, they supplied Spain’s royalty with certain types of drinks. Bueno!
Now, regular readers of this blog know my great affection for both Spain and Coca-Cola. Therefore, while this story is intrigueing, I’m going to leave the jury out. No doubt there were numerous beverages being created during this time period. The point is that Coca-Cola rose to the top, all the way to the top, all around the world. I’ve yet to go to a place where Coca-Cola is not available, although I am still looking. Either way, Spain and Coca-Cola are two great things that should not be missed.
ENJOY!
- Coca-Cola
on June 3, 2011 at 1:02 pm Leave a CommentTags: Coca-Cola, Commentary, history, news, Spain