Foods on a Stick

Sideshow Kabob

by Kelly White

We're a stickler for these sugary treats, which come coated in cement-like candy or ooey-gooey caramel, the latter with or without crushed nuts or chocolate. Our favorite is Mueller's chocolate-covered caramel apple dipped in peanuts, a super-fresh rendition that puts the prepackaged Acme-bought variety to shame.

Keep those fingers clean by ordering a plate of Alfa's tender beef skewers. What really makes this charred masterpiece sizzle is the roasted pineapple mint coulis—you've got three sticks of meat to make a dent in the sauce, so dip wisely.

The kid in you knows to stick with the classics. Get your childhood fix at the city's newest bowling alley, with two dogs (kosher or veggie) dipped in homemade corn batter and speared for true hands-off fun. Squirt 'em liberally with yellow mustard and knock down the $4.95 ($5.95 for veggie) gutter ball must-have with a beer—you've got a game to finish.

Come lunchtime, it's a stickup for Sansom Street's kabob lovers. The Sansom Kabob Special combines tender chunks of lamb, beef and chicken marinated in garlic, salt, pepper and the juices from onions and lemons.

Konak's fresh-from-the-sea appetizer serves pan-fried mussels with tarator, a mixture of bread crumbs, garlic and olive oil, along with spicy grilled red pepper sauce for a scorching experience that'll leave your tongue wagging. Feel free to share, but be careful: It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye.