Archive
Jan 28, 2009

Review: Langer's - #19 Pastrami, Swiss Cheese, and Cole Slaw Sandwich

Langer's is a Los Angeles institution and a must-try destination if you're ever in the area. New York has Katz's and Carnegie Deli, Los Angeles has Langer's.

Langer's has been around for quite a while: since 1947. The then Jewish neighborhood is today a predominately Latino neighborhood which may make it seem out of place, but I like to think it's a piece of history that's far too often missing in Los Angeles. The deli has a bit of that old school '50s diner feel to it.
Jan 21, 2009

Review: Popeyes - Big Easy Chicken Bowl

For $3.49, Popeyes' Big Easy Chicken Bowl comes in about $1.50 less than its Jambalaya Bowl which prompted me to try it. It comes in a sturdy and re-useable plastic bowl that you can also reheat any leftovers in.
The Big Easy Chicken Bowl is basically pulled chicken and cajun gravy served atop Popeyes' Red Bean and Rice, and then sprinkled with a blend of shredded cheese. There's supposed to be some parsely as well but I didn't see any. They also give you sour cream and hot sauce in packets if you want.
I wonder where they cook the chicken though since it's a fried chicken joint. It was pretty tasty though, not something I'd crave but it's interesting and a good value.
Jan 19, 2009

Review: McDonald's - Chicken McNuggets

McDonald's Chicken McNugget 4-pieceMy Favorite Chicken Nuggets

Ah, the Chicken McNugget, another McDonald's staple. Formless pieces of minced chicken bits, battered, and deep-fried to a golden, crispy sheen. I pick up these when SoCal McDonald's was running a promotion that featured four Chicken McNuggets (i.e. the child's size) for a dollar.

Nov 21, 2008

Review: KFC - Original Recipe Chicken Sandwich

Straight off of the KFC value menu (only available in the Los Angeles area so far) is the Original Recipe Chicken Sandwich.
The sandwich features a decent-sized chicken patty breaded in the Colonel's Original Recipe seasoning and served on a warm bun with lettuce and mayo.

It would have been okay if the lettuce wasn't soggy without any hint of crispness. In fact, the lettuce was so soggy it was a bit chewy.

I have to say the poor state of the lettuce ruined the sandwich for me. If you live in the LA area and order it, be sure to cross your fingers for fresh lettuce.


KFC Store Locator
Nov 17, 2008

Review: Taco Bell - Triple Layer Nachos

Taco Bell's Triple Layer Nachos are pretty decent deal for all of 79 cents. I think it's best if you have some change in your pocket and just want a simple nacho snack. The three layers are nacho cheese, refried beans, and a red sauce.  They work pretty well together. One of the better items off of the value menu.
Nov 14, 2008

Review: Wendy's - Sausage Gravy & Biscuit

For a bit more than a dollar, a fluffy biscuit smothered in sausage gravy.

I liked this item the most out of all the breakfast items I've tried off of Wendy's recent (only at participating locations, I think they're still testing it out or only making it optional for franchises) breakfast menu.


It's not much to look at but the gravy had a creamy, peppery flavor and little bits of sausage that complemented the biscuit well.
Nov 10, 2008

Review: Starbucks - Free Election Day Brewed Coffee

It was on my way home, so I stopped by my local Starbucks to get a free Tall-sized cup of brewed Pike's Roast Coffee on Election Day.
It tasted a bit burnt but I drank it all, so it wasn't all bad. I think the only coffee drinks I like at Starbucks are the bottled Frappuccinos or a Caffe Latte. It's only early November, but it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.
Nov 8, 2008

Review: KFC - Popcorn Chicken Snack Box

KFC Popcorn Chicken Snack BoxKFC's Popcorn Chicken Snack Box features Popcorn Chicken and Potato Wedges in a tidy little box for $1.99.  It is part of their Value Menu.
KFC Popcorn Chicken Snack Box
I've always been a fan of KFC's potato wedges and these didn't disappoint. The Popcorn Chicken on the other hand, is more batter and breading than chicken.

Honestly, it seems like one of the marketing wonks at KFC thought, "Hey, we have all these little bits and trimmings from our chicken that we just throw away... Why not just dip them in batter, fry it, and sell it!"  They're selling us their leftovers!

So, yeah, I'm not a fan of KFC Popcorn Chicken. I've had pieces that were entirely just fried batter and no chicken.  Now that I think about it, some people might prefer it!  As for me, gimme chicken please!


KFC Store Locator
Nov 4, 2008

News: Election Day: Free Food and Drink


Today, November 4th, 2008, Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, and Ben & Jerry's are offering free food or drink as an incentive to vote.

Starbucks is giving away a free tall-sized (12 oz.) brewed coffee to anyone who says they voted. (At participating locations only. Limit one drink per customer.)

Krispy Kreme is offering one free star-shaped doughnut with red, white and blue sprinkles to each customer wearing an "I Voted" sticker. (At participating locations only. Limit ne doughnut per customer. Select stores may be offering yeast-raised doughnuts in the standard circle shape, but decorated with red, white and blue sprinkles.)

Ben & Jerry's is giving away a free scoop of ice cream per visitor today from 5-8pm. (At participating locations only. Limit one scoop per customer.)
Nov 3, 2008

Review: Yardhouse - Southern Fried Chicken Breast

Interesting presentation: a very sizable boneless, skinless chicken breast served atop a mound of spinach, corn mashed potatoes in a lake of creamy gravy. About 16 dollars.

I would suggest getting the gravy on the side as the chicken loses some of its crispness otherwise.  Still, it wasn't soggy from all the gravy on top and was quite enjoyable.  The mashed potatoes were particularly interesting and I mean that in a good way; you could taste the corn and spinach in a bit of a vegetable medley.
Aug 11, 2008

News: Jack in the Box Introduces Breakfast Bowls

Starting today, Jack in the Box is offering new Breakfast Bowls in two varieties:

The Denver Breakfast Bowl which features scrambled eggs, hash brown sticks, sliced ham, and red and green bell peppers topped with a white cheddar cheese sauce and shredded cheddar cheese...
... and the Hearty Breakfast Bowl which features scrambled eggs, hash brown sticks, bacon, and sausage topped with a white cheddar cheese sauce and shredded cheddar cheese.

The suggested price for a Breakfast Bowl, excluding tax, is $2.99 at all participating Jack in the Box restaurants. Prices may vary.

Photos courtesy of Jack in the Box. I don't have a photo studio, a fancy camera, or spotlight to take pictures like these...
Jul 28, 2008

Review: McDonald's - Premium Crispy Chicken Ranch BLT Sandwich

McDonald's Premium Crispy Chicken Ranch BLT Sandwich is a fairly simple burger with leaf lettuce, tomato, bacon, ranch, and a crispy chicken filet on a premium bun.

I liked this sandwich a lot better than McDonald's Premium Crispy Chicken Club, the blend of reasonably crunchy bacon, ranch, and the lack of cheese really makes for a tasty combination.

Jul 25, 2008

Review: Wendy's - Egg and Cheese Biscuit

You really can't screw up an Egg and Cheese Biscuit... well, unless the Wendy's you went to for some odd reason ran out of biscuits but not half-baked frescuits.
I would rather they just toasted me some bread...

Jul 23, 2008

Review: Wendy's - Custom Bean Coffee

Wendy's Custom Bean Coffee is part of their ongoing breakfast test and features a Folger's roast that was actually pretty decent. I like it better than the McDonald's Premium Blend Coffee that I tried.

Jul 21, 2008

Photos: McDonald's - McChicken vs. Southern Style Chicken Sandwich



You get a more chicken and a lot less mayo.  Before you ask, no I did not eat them both.  Sharing is caring!
Jul 18, 2008

Review: KFC - Biscuits

My favorite fast food biscuit and currently only two for a buck in the Los Angeles area. KFC's Biscuits have a nice crust on the outside...
Jul 16, 2008

Review: Wendy's - Hash Browns

You really can't screw up Hash Browns unless you somehow make them soggy. Wendy's Hash Browns come in coin shapes and are deep fried to a crisp. They are pretty much your average run of the mill hash browns. No surprises.

Wendy's
Find a Wendy's
Jul 14, 2008

Local Review: Porta Via Italian Food - Italian Sub and Jones Coffee Roasters - Cappuccino

Porto Via is a modern take on the Italian deli offering a quick meal to have at one of the small tables or counter inside the deli or in the patio out back. Before I arrived at Porta Via, I made a stop at nearby (just around the block) Jones Coffee Roasters which offers an excellent cappuccino at a reasonable price ($2.05 for an 8 oz. cup, $2.65 for a 12 oz. cup). Besides the Italian sub, I also got an Orange Volcano Cake for $3.50 and is filled with a cream cheese "eruption."
Porta Via Italian Sub for $7.50 is a good size typical Italian sub made with fresh ingredients and served on a nice crusty Italian roll. I tried a couple of their other sandwiches and they have all been pretty good. They also offer full on dinner and lunch meals that you can take home and heat up. It's definitely worth a try if you're in the neighborhood.

Porta Via Italian Foods
1 W California Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91105
Phone 626-793-9000
Summer Hours:
Monday through Friday 10am-7pm
Saturday10am-6pm
Sunday11am-4pm
http://portaviafoods.com/

Jones Coffee Roasters
537 South Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91105
Phone 626-564-9291
Monday - Friday 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
http://www.thebestcoffee.com/
Jul 11, 2008

Review: Wendy's - Coffee Cake

Not much to say about this one... It tastes like a store-bought coffee cake (like Hostess) that you heat up in a toaster oven which is very likely how it was prepared. I doubt Wendy's bakes these from scratch or from a mix.

Wendy's
Jul 9, 2008

Review: Wendy's - Chicken Biscuit

So I went to Wendy's because they started serving breakfast not too long ago at certain franchises. Let's just say that they still need work.