Taste of the Town: Good pasticchio found outside of Greek Food Festival

When Edith F. Gurdzynski contacted me in search of a good pasticchio served locally, I had to resist the temptation to point out that the Greek Food Festival is always a good source, because the good people of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church prepare and serve a stellar version there. But since the festival is held only once a year, in the early fall, I figured Gurdzynski wouldn’t want to wait that long. Luckily, three of her fellow Taste of the Town readers came to the rescue.

Libby Casolari and Al Wirtzbaum recommended The Fat Greek at 4001 S. Decatur Blvd. And Casolari and David Fleury recommended Stephano’s Mediterranean Grill, 4632 S. Maryland Parkway. …

For Phil Miller, who’s looking for Smucker’s or another brand of mixed-fruit jelly, Rob Lindley emailed that it’s available at www.Smuckers.com (800-742-6729). And Roberta Shulman emailed that Trader Joe’s carries a mixed-fruit jelly. …

For Jennie Waldman, who’s looking for Lactaid Cottage Cheese, Colleen Sams emailed to report spotting it in 16-ounce containers at Albertsons at 2650 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway in Henderson. …

More on pork roll: Tom Harder emailed to say that he saves money by ordering from www.CasePorkRollStore.com (888-996-7833). …

More on B&M Baked Beans: Nancy A Nolette reported seeing it at the Wal-Mart Supercenter at 2310 E. Serene Ave. …

More on Spanish peanuts: Bev Greer emailed to say she saw them at Sprouts Farmers Market at 3365 E. Tropicana Ave.; there’s another Sprouts at 4020 S. Rainbow Blvd. (and the company website has a “coming soon” for a store at Sahara Avenue and Hualapai Way).

MORE READER REQUESTS

“At Halloween and Thanksgiving time in the East, fresh-pressed apple cider was THE drink,” Joyce Hambacher emailed. “Last year I was able to find it at Smith’s” at 6855 Aliante Parkway in North Las Vegas. “Has anyone seen it in the refrigerated section elsewhere?”…

Scott Lee Baranoff is looking for a local source for boquerones. …

Minnie Mistretta is looking for Tony Chachere’s roux, for making New Orleans brown gumbo. …

Bob McIntyre is looking for Daily’s Bacon, which he used to get at Wal-Mart. …

And Lois Weir is looking for Fiber One muffin mix by Betty Crocker, which she used to get at Wal-Mart and Target.

Readers?

NEWS FOR FOODIES

The second annual World Food Championships are Thursday through Sunday in downtown Las Vegas, at Fremont East and on the Fremont Street Experience. More than 300 people are expected to compete in barbecue, chili, burger, sandwich, pasta, dessert and bacon categories, for a share of the total purse of $300,000. Opening rounds are Thursday and Friday, with the category championships on Saturday and the Final Table on Sunday. It’s all free and open to the public; for details, go to www.WorldFoodChampionships.com.

Submit information to Heidi Knapp Rinella, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070. You also can send faxes to 702-383-4676 or email her at hrinella@reviewjournal.com. Include your first and last names and, if emailing, put “Taste of the Town” in the subject line. Follow @HKRinella on Twitter.