This one packs a REAL punch

Let me start by saying that this one gets two thumbs way up. I just returned from a quick bite out at Firehouse Subs in Charlotte, NC and must say I commend them not necessarily for their fire fighter themed restaurant but for their promotion of the idea of heat. They have a wide range of hot sauces to choose from to help spice up your meal and they've even gone so far as to rate them on a scale. Me being me, I went straight for one of the #10's. And I was not disappointed. I put a fair amount of Mad Dog 357 on my sub and must say, my nose was running. It was outstanding. A very pleasant surprise from a restaurant, as they usually have the traditional choices, ie Tabasco. This however was worth the taste and I'd recommend it again. The label comes with the traditional warnings but also boasts the fact that it is packed with 357,000 scovilles and it doesn't disappoint. If you get the chance, go for it. But be careful, the heat sneaks up and then over-powers you.

Another island...but this one falls short

I was walking through the grocery store yesterday, perusing the bottles of hot sauces they had, searching for that one that hopefully would pop out. I found it in the bottle of Busha Browne's Pukka Hot Sauce. It had all the right signs to keep it looking promising. The color, the visible seeds, the label, the name and more specifically the fact that its from the island of Jamaica. So far, up until this point, I hadn't been disappointed by any hot sauce out of the Caribbean. Of course I picked it up and left the store feeling very excited. Sadly that was the most happy I'd be about it. I opened it as soon as I got home and it smelled sweet. I was perplexed but intrigued, it could be an interesting flavor. However, the sweet smell was right on...it was exactly that. Sweet. There was a faint sense of heat, almost like an engine that you just couldn't get started. It wanted to be hot but fell far, far short of hope. Oh well, living and learning is all a part of it.