Good Food, Cheap!
It's "funny" how it has become the "norm" to have $15+ entrees on the menu at "regular" restaurants - like the neighborhood kind that's really not fancy-schmancy enough to have entree prices that high ... I know, it's a sign of the economic times, but still!!
that is why I love being able to find a filling, good food meal that rings in at under $5 - where can one find such a steal of a deal? head over to your local Vietnamese hub, ours is called the Eden Center (hopefully your hub has a cool name and a spiffy entrance), and grab a banh mi sandwich - fresh french bread, shredded & pickled carrots and daikon, a couple of slices of jalapeno, some green herb-y thingy, meat of your choice and a little white sauce (don't know what it is, don't care, it's yummy in my tummy!)
if you go to the Eden Center, pretty much every other store sells these delicious morsels and they all pretty much have it for the same right on the money price of under $5 a pop, but one of my favs is the #6 (grilled, shredded chicken) at Song Que, the one in the corner with the little water fountain sculpture thing in the front. the size of the sandwich is fairly large - I can break it in half and feel like I am getting the big bang for my little buck.
don't take my word for it, just go and give it a try! what do you have to lose for $5? I bet you've wasted more than that for so much less ... e.g., overpriced cupcake (I am guilty of this), overpriced burnt coffee (Starbucks, I'm looking at you), a cup of movie theater popcorn (oh wait ... that's probably more like $10 ...), etc ...
http://songquedeli.com/
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Foodie Log 26, date March 4, 2012
Wow ... talk about a long overdue post! (if anyone out there is still reading ...)
I may have "forgotten" to post (aka "too lazy"), but I did not forget to continue eating (har har) ... apparently my comedic blogging skills need a little more juice ...
Anywho!
I would like to present Exhibit A - yum yum fried rice at Rai Rai Ramen in Honolulu.
I know - what a weirdo, talking about fried rice at a ramen place ... but you know what, yummy is as yummy eats and I don't particularly care where it comes from. Don't get me wrong, the ramen here is absolutely lovely and delicious and etc etc, but it gets all the recognition it needs from the name alone, so I want to give a little shout out to the fried rice, ramen's wingman in the journey to my tummy! (literally, you can get the Mini Combo Fried Rice, which comes with ramen AND fried rice - save a little, trust me, your stomach will not be very happy with you if you eat it all in one sitting)
Fried rice - that super awesome mixture of rice and whatever else you want - in this case, egg, scallions, onions, pork, and those fishy while/pink slices. At Rai Rai's, you can hear them freshly frying your meal and those saliva generators go full blast ::droooooool:: and they don't keep you waiting, as soon as they dome it onto a plate, they bring it out to you - that's what I call service!
okay, I have to go wipe the drool off of my keyboard now ... until next time, happy chomping!
I may have "forgotten" to post (aka "too lazy"), but I did not forget to continue eating (har har) ... apparently my comedic blogging skills need a little more juice ...
Anywho!
I would like to present Exhibit A - yum yum fried rice at Rai Rai Ramen in Honolulu.
 |
| Exhibit A: Rai Rai Ramen's Fried Rice (combo size) |
Fried rice - that super awesome mixture of rice and whatever else you want - in this case, egg, scallions, onions, pork, and those fishy while/pink slices. At Rai Rai's, you can hear them freshly frying your meal and those saliva generators go full blast ::droooooool:: and they don't keep you waiting, as soon as they dome it onto a plate, they bring it out to you - that's what I call service!
okay, I have to go wipe the drool off of my keyboard now ... until next time, happy chomping!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Foodie Log 25, date September 25, 2011
weird sleeping patterns ...
last night, i fell asleep just fine, but this morning i got up at the crack of dawn (4:30am is crack of dawn, right???) and nearly 3 hours later, here i am ... still up, surfing the web for christmas presents ... oh yeah, life is good. but i think i have reached the present-search-saturation point, not to mention, i cannot afford all of the things i have marked as "this is the bestest thing for so-and-so" (in the end, i will end up with a handful of awesomely cool presents and the rest will be of the "i had to get you something that was reasonably priced, so i got you this thing that you will never need/use/appreciate for its non-excitability" variety) ...
after this post, i will go check yelp for any new cool restaurant recommendations and, as necessary, amend my list of places to eat - then i will think about how i also cannot afford to eat at all of the places i have marked as "must eat here!" ...
after scouring yelp, i will check out all of the entertainment/celebrity "news" sites and ruminate on how all of those people have loads of money and can probably afford all of the things that i spent my dawn pining after without batting an eye ...
aren't you glad you decided to read this post? hahahahahaha i really am not bummed/sad sappy about this (i know, tone is so hard to detect over blogs ...), it's just where the thought-train took me this morning ... probably due to being all sleep deprived-like ...
last night, i fell asleep just fine, but this morning i got up at the crack of dawn (4:30am is crack of dawn, right???) and nearly 3 hours later, here i am ... still up, surfing the web for christmas presents ... oh yeah, life is good. but i think i have reached the present-search-saturation point, not to mention, i cannot afford all of the things i have marked as "this is the bestest thing for so-and-so" (in the end, i will end up with a handful of awesomely cool presents and the rest will be of the "i had to get you something that was reasonably priced, so i got you this thing that you will never need/use/appreciate for its non-excitability" variety) ...
after this post, i will go check yelp for any new cool restaurant recommendations and, as necessary, amend my list of places to eat - then i will think about how i also cannot afford to eat at all of the places i have marked as "must eat here!" ...
after scouring yelp, i will check out all of the entertainment/celebrity "news" sites and ruminate on how all of those people have loads of money and can probably afford all of the things that i spent my dawn pining after without batting an eye ...
aren't you glad you decided to read this post? hahahahahaha i really am not bummed/sad sappy about this (i know, tone is so hard to detect over blogs ...), it's just where the thought-train took me this morning ... probably due to being all sleep deprived-like ...
Friday, August 19, 2011
Foodie Log 24, date August 19, 2011
just returned from a day food trek to Williamsburg ... a 5 hour drive (total) for 3 hours of food - that equals just the right amount of dreamy yumminess - mmmmm fooooooood
Pierce's BBQ
a must for bbq fans - just look at the parking lot - truckers, police, constructioners, neighbors, tourists, it's like "we are the world" - everyone gets together, holds hands, and sings their hearts out for BBQ!
The JC Special is your one-stop meal - with it you get your pulled pork sandwich (with coleslaw, or if you are one of those people, then without), fries, drink, AND a cookie (mmmm chocolate chip cookie)
The Peanut Shop
they know how to do nuts and they are all nutty-licious, but my absolute favorites (for now) are the chocolate-covered peanut brittle and the sweet georgia pecans - be forewarned though, they don't come cheap ...
The Cheese Shop
this is a crowd favorite - the lines can get long, but it's worth the wait for some simple sammich joy. there is a line to order your food and a line to wait for your food (opposite ends of the counter in the back). try their creamy House dressing - i like mine to accompany a roast beef sandwich, on the side. just two pieces of bread and some meat - nom nom nom!
Sno-to-Go
sno to go offers flavored shaved ice (very finely shaved) - all good and delicious, but then they can "stuff" it for you (i.e., layer of creamy soft serve between the tasty shaved ice) - and what you get is heaven in a cup! (yes, hyperbole is the ONLY way i can describe things!)
my advice - don't be a hero, just go for a small and if you are really unsure of your appetite, then go for the junior - and whatever you do, don't skip the stuffing (if you do, it will haunt you for the rest. of. your. unstuffed (aka so sad). life!)
Pierce's BBQ
a must for bbq fans - just look at the parking lot - truckers, police, constructioners, neighbors, tourists, it's like "we are the world" - everyone gets together, holds hands, and sings their hearts out for BBQ!
The JC Special is your one-stop meal - with it you get your pulled pork sandwich (with coleslaw, or if you are one of those people, then without), fries, drink, AND a cookie (mmmm chocolate chip cookie)
The Peanut Shop
they know how to do nuts and they are all nutty-licious, but my absolute favorites (for now) are the chocolate-covered peanut brittle and the sweet georgia pecans - be forewarned though, they don't come cheap ...
The Cheese Shop
this is a crowd favorite - the lines can get long, but it's worth the wait for some simple sammich joy. there is a line to order your food and a line to wait for your food (opposite ends of the counter in the back). try their creamy House dressing - i like mine to accompany a roast beef sandwich, on the side. just two pieces of bread and some meat - nom nom nom!
Sno-to-Go
sno to go offers flavored shaved ice (very finely shaved) - all good and delicious, but then they can "stuff" it for you (i.e., layer of creamy soft serve between the tasty shaved ice) - and what you get is heaven in a cup! (yes, hyperbole is the ONLY way i can describe things!)
my advice - don't be a hero, just go for a small and if you are really unsure of your appetite, then go for the junior - and whatever you do, don't skip the stuffing (if you do, it will haunt you for the rest. of. your. unstuffed (aka so sad). life!)
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Foodie Log 23, date May 29, 2011
strawberry-picking + dutch market shopping = great start to the weekend!
i'm really glad that i live in a place that's just 30-40 minutes from u-pick farms and a dutch market - what's not to like about the combination of hunting fresh food and freshly made food? a little bit of work and sweat to build up a good, solid appetite and i am good to go!
if you have not picked your own fruit, then you are missing out! it takes hardly any time, aside from the drive to the farm, and you end up with just the fruit that you want. if you like the big ones, then you can pick the big ones - like the little misshapen ones? well, you can pick as many of 'em as you see!
i like to bring my own little bowl and pick a bunch to share with everyone - usually i sample one in the field - gotta get the full u-pick experience! it is more expensive than the ones you can get on-sale at the grocery store, but i guess that's just the price for fresh food and the experience ...
(strawberries this year were $2.29/lb at butler's and $2.49/lb at great country farms)
anyway, since picking your own fruit really does not take that long, i like to combine it with other food-activities. if i go to butler's orchard in germantown, i stop by the dutch market - just a few lights off of I-270. i love their bakery selection and their fried chicken is some of the best!
if i end up at great country farms in bluemont, then i like to stop by the little country store for their egg salad sandwich - mmmm mmm MMMMMMMMM!!
happy pickin' & eatin'! just remember to pick & eat the right stuff ;)
where i went this weekend:
Butler's Orchard
Lancaster County Dutch Market
another u-pick combo:
Great Country Farms
Bluemont General Store
i'm really glad that i live in a place that's just 30-40 minutes from u-pick farms and a dutch market - what's not to like about the combination of hunting fresh food and freshly made food? a little bit of work and sweat to build up a good, solid appetite and i am good to go!
if you have not picked your own fruit, then you are missing out! it takes hardly any time, aside from the drive to the farm, and you end up with just the fruit that you want. if you like the big ones, then you can pick the big ones - like the little misshapen ones? well, you can pick as many of 'em as you see!
i like to bring my own little bowl and pick a bunch to share with everyone - usually i sample one in the field - gotta get the full u-pick experience! it is more expensive than the ones you can get on-sale at the grocery store, but i guess that's just the price for fresh food and the experience ...
(strawberries this year were $2.29/lb at butler's and $2.49/lb at great country farms)
anyway, since picking your own fruit really does not take that long, i like to combine it with other food-activities. if i go to butler's orchard in germantown, i stop by the dutch market - just a few lights off of I-270. i love their bakery selection and their fried chicken is some of the best!
if i end up at great country farms in bluemont, then i like to stop by the little country store for their egg salad sandwich - mmmm mmm MMMMMMMMM!!
happy pickin' & eatin'! just remember to pick & eat the right stuff ;)
where i went this weekend:
Butler's Orchard
Lancaster County Dutch Market
another u-pick combo:
Great Country Farms
Bluemont General Store
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Foodie Log 22, date February 20, 2011
You know what I love almost as much as food? Romantic comedies!! especially the ones that can give me that "eeeeeeeee"/swoon feeling topped with a goofy smile - the ones that just make me laugh are good too, but the eeeeee/swoon/goofy combo, you can't beat that!
so, for to share with you - I present, don don daaaaaan --> My Girlfriend's Boyfriend
starring the girl from Who's the Boss and Charmed (aka Alyssa Milano), the guy from Popular, Ugly Betty and Covert Affairs (aka Christopher Gorham - who, btw - is a bit of a hutie! a hot, cutie for those of you not "in the know") and that guy from Final Destination 2 (Michael Landes - I'm sure he's been in other things, but I saw Final Destination 2 for like 2 minutes and that's where I remember him from ...)
the movie is about this guy and a girl and the girl's boyfriend - har har - how would you ever have figured that out? but really, it's about a girl who dates two guys who are both cute, charming, caring and all the rest that makes them oh-so-lovable. you get to see the progression of her relationship with each guy and then, thankfully, see who she ends up with (i hate it when movies have that stupid "make it what you will" endings)
not too heavy on the funny, but there's plenty of sugary-cute overload and this line from the beginning got me to keep watching:
"I do not inspire well on an empty stomach"
(yes, movies with food-centricities get brownie points, not to mention that statement is SO true to my life! haha)
it's available on instant streaming on netflix, so hopefully it will not be too difficult for you to find
and, if you are as impatient as i am, then here's the ending for you:
she ends up with her boyfriend (the hutie), there's a good twist at the end, although the twist is foreshadowed in the beginning - so just keep that in mind
http://www.mygirlfriendsboyfriend.com/
so, for to share with you - I present, don don daaaaaan --> My Girlfriend's Boyfriend
starring the girl from Who's the Boss and Charmed (aka Alyssa Milano), the guy from Popular, Ugly Betty and Covert Affairs (aka Christopher Gorham - who, btw - is a bit of a hutie! a hot, cutie for those of you not "in the know") and that guy from Final Destination 2 (Michael Landes - I'm sure he's been in other things, but I saw Final Destination 2 for like 2 minutes and that's where I remember him from ...)
the movie is about this guy and a girl and the girl's boyfriend - har har - how would you ever have figured that out? but really, it's about a girl who dates two guys who are both cute, charming, caring and all the rest that makes them oh-so-lovable. you get to see the progression of her relationship with each guy and then, thankfully, see who she ends up with (i hate it when movies have that stupid "make it what you will" endings)
not too heavy on the funny, but there's plenty of sugary-cute overload and this line from the beginning got me to keep watching:
"I do not inspire well on an empty stomach"
(yes, movies with food-centricities get brownie points, not to mention that statement is SO true to my life! haha)
it's available on instant streaming on netflix, so hopefully it will not be too difficult for you to find
and, if you are as impatient as i am, then here's the ending for you:
she ends up with her boyfriend (the hutie), there's a good twist at the end, although the twist is foreshadowed in the beginning - so just keep that in mind
http://www.mygirlfriendsboyfriend.com/
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Foodie Log 21, date September 5, 2010
don't know why it took me so long to try cafesano! my Reston friend had been telling me about it for years and it just never clicked that i should give a hoot about it - but then i tried it and within weeks i had been back thrice! talk about wasted years!
i don't know who started it, but corner bakery seems to be the model everyone is familiar with now - fast food with table-delivery & clean-up service. cafesano has the little numbers for the table, but the food is sooooo much better! this time with italian/mediterranean food. they do have some seats out on the patio, but it's a small patio and it gets crowded quickly on any reasonably-weathered evening
the food is awesome, though the service can be slow - hard to remember to mind it once you take a bite - mmmm!
some options i would recommend:
Tzatziki - great taste and portion, the slight downside is they don't seem to give you enough dippers (pita in this case) - so either order extra pita or get an entree that comes with chips :)
bruschetta - we loved that it was so fresh! (or tasted fresh, which is the most important) - they certainly do not skimp!
Zucchini Fritti - yummy and not too oily, though i would recommend eating these quickly - not so yummy after they've been sitting for more than 5-10 minutes
Greek salad - huge portion and i love that it comes with a little stuffed grape leaf (or is that all greek salad? i'm not usually a big greek salad gal ...)
shrimp kabob wrap - this came with about six reasonably-sized shrimp - can't argue with that for the price!
chicken parm panini - mmmmmm
lemonade - very strong, mix it with something first - my mixer of choice is the cranberry juice
Stats:
Cafesano, Reston, VA (in one of the corners of the shopping center)
nice bathroom, just a single, but it has the bag holder and a trash can conveniently located by the door (no eeww germs!)
i don't know who started it, but corner bakery seems to be the model everyone is familiar with now - fast food with table-delivery & clean-up service. cafesano has the little numbers for the table, but the food is sooooo much better! this time with italian/mediterranean food. they do have some seats out on the patio, but it's a small patio and it gets crowded quickly on any reasonably-weathered evening
the food is awesome, though the service can be slow - hard to remember to mind it once you take a bite - mmmm!
some options i would recommend:
Tzatziki - great taste and portion, the slight downside is they don't seem to give you enough dippers (pita in this case) - so either order extra pita or get an entree that comes with chips :)
bruschetta - we loved that it was so fresh! (or tasted fresh, which is the most important) - they certainly do not skimp!
Zucchini Fritti - yummy and not too oily, though i would recommend eating these quickly - not so yummy after they've been sitting for more than 5-10 minutes
Greek salad - huge portion and i love that it comes with a little stuffed grape leaf (or is that all greek salad? i'm not usually a big greek salad gal ...)
shrimp kabob wrap - this came with about six reasonably-sized shrimp - can't argue with that for the price!
chicken parm panini - mmmmmm
lemonade - very strong, mix it with something first - my mixer of choice is the cranberry juice
Stats:
Cafesano, Reston, VA (in one of the corners of the shopping center)
nice bathroom, just a single, but it has the bag holder and a trash can conveniently located by the door (no eeww germs!)
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