"When I was outside China First, I thought, 'I can do this.' Not that I hate China First, but as soon as I walked in and sat down I immediately regretted my decision to go there." - Mike McEvoy
China First is located on The Ave between 42nd and 43rd. What can be said about China First? Let's just say that the highlight was not the food or the atmosphere, but the fortune in Mike's fortune cookie. It said that 'someone is speaking well of you.'
Mike got a meal that consisted of BBQ pork and an egg roll, chow mein, almond chicken, 2 butterfly shrimp, and soup. That all cost $6. It sounds good and all, but let's analyze this. The BBQ pork was a bit different and looked liked 2 pringles that were made of pork. Pork Pringles. And the almond chicken sucked. It was covered in some random gravy substance. While Mike is a fan of gravy, this gravy was not "shui"-ing with him (you know, like feng shui). Bottom line, everything just tasted bad. Also, the restaurant is too Chinese-ee. It's like Christopher Walken in Balls of Fury. It made no sense.
If China First received a fortune cookie from Mike, the fortune would most likely say 'someone is speaking NOT well of you.'
Value: 4.5
Taste: 3
Intangibles: 5
Total Score: 12.5 out of 30
Friday, December 5, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Inay's Manila Grill [22]
"I wouldn't suggest eating there everyday, but you should at least try it once." - Mike McEvoy
Inay's is located on the east side of The Ave between 50th and 52nd. The intangibles were off the chart for this restaurant. It really was a cool looking place with pictures, maps, aerial photos of islands, etc...
There were all sorts of entrees with an exceptionally nice lady whose name sounded like Jules or Julie. We'll go with Julia. The entrees consisted of lots of beef and pork dishes with a healthy portion of rice. The water cups themselves are big. Again, this Julia lady was really nice and helped out Mike decipher the Philippine dishes to find the right one for him.
The actual taste wasn't exquisite by any means, but Mike left with leftovers which is always a good sign. Mike thinks the Julia lady was a sweetheart.
Now to the pig ear:
There was a dish that consisted of pig ear mixed with onions and sauce. The instant Mike took a bit of said pig ear, he decided then and there that he was going to trick one of his co-workers (Jenn Lindsay) into eating it. After a brief planning meeting with Jordan (another co-worker) they put their plan into action. Mike and Jordan should earn an Emmy for the performance that followed. Within 40 seconds Mike had fully convinced Jenn that she needed to try this amazing piece of pork (which isn't a lie, per se, but the location of the origin of the pork was withheld). Jenn agreed and ate the pigs ear. It was hilarious!
Value: 7
Taste: 6
Julia moved to America 8 years ago from the Philippines. Mike was intrigued.
Intangibles: 9
Total Score: 22 out of 30
(The 22 is based on originality when it comes to Ave food...and Julia)
Inay's is located on the east side of The Ave between 50th and 52nd. The intangibles were off the chart for this restaurant. It really was a cool looking place with pictures, maps, aerial photos of islands, etc...
There were all sorts of entrees with an exceptionally nice lady whose name sounded like Jules or Julie. We'll go with Julia. The entrees consisted of lots of beef and pork dishes with a healthy portion of rice. The water cups themselves are big. Again, this Julia lady was really nice and helped out Mike decipher the Philippine dishes to find the right one for him.
The actual taste wasn't exquisite by any means, but Mike left with leftovers which is always a good sign. Mike thinks the Julia lady was a sweetheart.
Now to the pig ear:
There was a dish that consisted of pig ear mixed with onions and sauce. The instant Mike took a bit of said pig ear, he decided then and there that he was going to trick one of his co-workers (Jenn Lindsay) into eating it. After a brief planning meeting with Jordan (another co-worker) they put their plan into action. Mike and Jordan should earn an Emmy for the performance that followed. Within 40 seconds Mike had fully convinced Jenn that she needed to try this amazing piece of pork (which isn't a lie, per se, but the location of the origin of the pork was withheld). Jenn agreed and ate the pigs ear. It was hilarious!
Value: 7
Taste: 6
Julia moved to America 8 years ago from the Philippines. Mike was intrigued.
Intangibles: 9
Total Score: 22 out of 30
(The 22 is based on originality when it comes to Ave food...and Julia)
Monday, December 1, 2008
Burger Hut [20.5]
*Disclaimer* For this review Mike's eating partner Jordan Collier will do the review and at the end Mike will either agree or disagree with what he said.
Jordan - "They had the ketchup in a bottle, which I like"
Enraged Mike - "I hate ketchup packets! They're the devil!"
Located below 42nd on The Ave is Burger hut. When you walk in, you notice the lack of tables. There is just a U-shaped counter with stools. They also had a few bamboo looking things and thatched roof supplies. It was neat. The only thing you really need to know about the menu is The Burger Hut Special. It comes with an egg on it. Who doesn't like eggs? (Though it is a rhetorical question, the correct answer is bears.)
The way they make their burger is they make it on a griddle in front of you. Jordan personally hates that for some reason. (This being said, don't ever go to Subway with Jordan.) it's a good size. Somewhere between quarter pounder and whopper sized.
A nice perk to eating on the inside was that they had heat lamps on the inside. Him and Mike definitely didn't eat with a coat on. Water glasses were okay sized, but very medium. Burger Hut is a great place to go for a study break at any time of the day.
Mike agrees.
(Mike's Scores)
Value: 5
Taste: 8
Intangibles: 7.5
Total Score: 20.5 out of 30
Jordan - "They had the ketchup in a bottle, which I like"
Enraged Mike - "I hate ketchup packets! They're the devil!"
Located below 42nd on The Ave is Burger hut. When you walk in, you notice the lack of tables. There is just a U-shaped counter with stools. They also had a few bamboo looking things and thatched roof supplies. It was neat. The only thing you really need to know about the menu is The Burger Hut Special. It comes with an egg on it. Who doesn't like eggs? (Though it is a rhetorical question, the correct answer is bears.)
The way they make their burger is they make it on a griddle in front of you. Jordan personally hates that for some reason. (This being said, don't ever go to Subway with Jordan.) it's a good size. Somewhere between quarter pounder and whopper sized.
A nice perk to eating on the inside was that they had heat lamps on the inside. Him and Mike definitely didn't eat with a coat on. Water glasses were okay sized, but very medium. Burger Hut is a great place to go for a study break at any time of the day.
Mike agrees.
(Mike's Scores)
Value: 5
Taste: 8
Intangibles: 7.5
Total Score: 20.5 out of 30
Ginger Teriyaki [16]
"Some meals you eat, and then afterwards you need a cookie. Other meals you eat, and then afterwards you love life. After this meal, you definitely needed a cookie." - Mike McEvoy
Ginger Teriyaki is located on 45th just west of The Ave. To be real, everything about Ginger Teriyaki was average. Nothing was under the umbrella of super exciting.
For his meal, Mike got the spicy chicken Yaki Udon. (for all you teriyaki freaks out there, it was like the Yaki Soba but with thicker noodles.) Mike said it felt like eating octopus legs. He's never eaten octopus legs, but I trust his judgement. Like if Mike said he could throw a baseball 100 yards, I'd probably believe him.
The inside felt like new york city, which is not necessarily in the essence of teriyaki. It was crowded like NYC because there are only 4 tables inside the actual restaurant. There was also fighting and yelling like NYC. This came in the form of an old guy just sitting in there and for a while, and him trying to be shooed away by the owner. It makes you feel like you're actually in Times Square.
Again, based on what Mike ate, it was pretty average.
Value: 5
Taste: 5
Intangibles: 6
Total Score 16 out of 30
ps It should be noted that Mike is willing to re-review this meal based on the fact that Nolan claims their fried rice is amazing. We'll keep you posted.
Ginger Teriyaki is located on 45th just west of The Ave. To be real, everything about Ginger Teriyaki was average. Nothing was under the umbrella of super exciting.
For his meal, Mike got the spicy chicken Yaki Udon. (for all you teriyaki freaks out there, it was like the Yaki Soba but with thicker noodles.) Mike said it felt like eating octopus legs. He's never eaten octopus legs, but I trust his judgement. Like if Mike said he could throw a baseball 100 yards, I'd probably believe him.
The inside felt like new york city, which is not necessarily in the essence of teriyaki. It was crowded like NYC because there are only 4 tables inside the actual restaurant. There was also fighting and yelling like NYC. This came in the form of an old guy just sitting in there and for a while, and him trying to be shooed away by the owner. It makes you feel like you're actually in Times Square.
Again, based on what Mike ate, it was pretty average.
Value: 5
Taste: 5
Intangibles: 6
Total Score 16 out of 30
ps It should be noted that Mike is willing to re-review this meal based on the fact that Nolan claims their fried rice is amazing. We'll keep you posted.
Jewel Of India [19.5]
"Uhhhhh. I feel weird." - Mike McEvoy
On The Ave between 47th and 50th, The Jewel of India is an all you can eat Indian food restaurant. Again, anytime you go to a restaurant of ethnic origins, AND there are people of that ethnicity eating in that restaurant is always a plus. There was even a nice language barrier that had to be crossed in order to order. The place on the inside was very "India" feeling. There were lot's of elephants and folks with 8 arms on the wall. (Sidenote: why are there so many Indian places on The Ave? Everytime Mike goes into them there aren't many people inside. Somehow they survive.)
The Naan was delicious. Mike ate an entire loaf...or...pita of naan. Who knows. Anyways, pair that with the fact that it is a buffet and you have the fixins for a good time. Mike had 4 random entree things surrouinding a pile of rice. Mike approached this meal like a thanksgiving meal. The first round is for trying a little of everything, then the second round is for eating what you liked from the first round. Mike personally hated 75% of the food there, but luckily he found the red sauce with meat. Mike loved the red sauce with meat.
It was 10 bucks each after tax and tip which is a little steep. It was good tasting, but you have to have a lot of gross things before you get the good things.
Value: 5.5
Taste: 6
Intangibles: 8
Total Score: 19.5 out of 30
On The Ave between 47th and 50th, The Jewel of India is an all you can eat Indian food restaurant. Again, anytime you go to a restaurant of ethnic origins, AND there are people of that ethnicity eating in that restaurant is always a plus. There was even a nice language barrier that had to be crossed in order to order. The place on the inside was very "India" feeling. There were lot's of elephants and folks with 8 arms on the wall. (Sidenote: why are there so many Indian places on The Ave? Everytime Mike goes into them there aren't many people inside. Somehow they survive.)
The Naan was delicious. Mike ate an entire loaf...or...pita of naan. Who knows. Anyways, pair that with the fact that it is a buffet and you have the fixins for a good time. Mike had 4 random entree things surrouinding a pile of rice. Mike approached this meal like a thanksgiving meal. The first round is for trying a little of everything, then the second round is for eating what you liked from the first round. Mike personally hated 75% of the food there, but luckily he found the red sauce with meat. Mike loved the red sauce with meat.
It was 10 bucks each after tax and tip which is a little steep. It was good tasting, but you have to have a lot of gross things before you get the good things.
Value: 5.5
Taste: 6
Intangibles: 8
Total Score: 19.5 out of 30
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Costas [21.5]
“I love breakfast for lunch. In fact anytime I have a big breakfast I try to have it at noon.” – Mike McEvoy
Located at 47th and The Ave. It’s a great little greek restaurant with lots of variety. Mike got breakfast for lunch. (It’s served all day) Mike is still unsure which part of his breakfast was greek, but it was delicious. Mike ordered the chicken fried steak covered in gravy, 3 eggs, hash browns, and toast. (Mike even liked the toast, which according to him is the saddest part of breakfast. He never told me why toast is the saddest part. Perhaps a tragic accident during his childhood? Nevertheless, I was too afraid to ask because I couldn't handle seeing Mike cry. It's like seeing Batman cry or something. It just shouldn't happen.)
Anyways, they had skillets too that were very good. It made IHOP look like crap. (And Mike loves IHOP.) The dining area is nice and big with lots of seating that helped promote a feel of privacy.
Mike even told his friend from out of town to go to Costas and he loved it. His friend said, and I quote, “Thank you for the Costas recommendation. Here’s $300 for how delicious it was." You be the judge.
Mike's Ave Review - 1 Costas - 1
Taste: 9
Value: 6
Intangibles: 6.5
Total Score: 21.5 out of 30
Located at 47th and The Ave. It’s a great little greek restaurant with lots of variety. Mike got breakfast for lunch. (It’s served all day) Mike is still unsure which part of his breakfast was greek, but it was delicious. Mike ordered the chicken fried steak covered in gravy, 3 eggs, hash browns, and toast. (Mike even liked the toast, which according to him is the saddest part of breakfast. He never told me why toast is the saddest part. Perhaps a tragic accident during his childhood? Nevertheless, I was too afraid to ask because I couldn't handle seeing Mike cry. It's like seeing Batman cry or something. It just shouldn't happen.)
Anyways, they had skillets too that were very good. It made IHOP look like crap. (And Mike loves IHOP.) The dining area is nice and big with lots of seating that helped promote a feel of privacy.
Mike even told his friend from out of town to go to Costas and he loved it. His friend said, and I quote, “Thank you for the Costas recommendation. Here’s $300 for how delicious it was." You be the judge.
Mike's Ave Review - 1 Costas - 1
Taste: 9
Value: 6
Intangibles: 6.5
Total Score: 21.5 out of 30
Don Eduardo's [20]
"If ever you need a place for a feast of nations, Don Eduardo's is the place." - Mike McEvoy
Don Eduardo's is located on the east side of The Ave between 45th and 47th. It's the closest you'll get to a family restaurant on the ave. When you sit down they bring you chips and salsa FOR FREE. The downside of that is they keep brinigng chips and salsa at the same rate no matter how fast you eat them. You end up eating a lot of chips.
The problem with Don Eduardo's stems from this constant chip barrage. Mike has to order the grande meal at most places. He knows how to eat and he's good at it. So, Mike ordered a grande meal at Don's. But, by the time he got his food, he is super full from chips. He cannot finish the grande meal. Mike is realizing that he needs to order smaller dishes because he definitely won't eat any less chips. (They're free!)
The taste was good, but compared to other Mexican food places there was nothing that stuck out to Mike. The service was excellent though. Really great waiters. And they have palm trees. So Mexican/tropical.
Taste: 7
Value: 5.5
Intangibles: 7.5
Total Score: 20 out of 30
Don Eduardo's is located on the east side of The Ave between 45th and 47th. It's the closest you'll get to a family restaurant on the ave. When you sit down they bring you chips and salsa FOR FREE. The downside of that is they keep brinigng chips and salsa at the same rate no matter how fast you eat them. You end up eating a lot of chips.
The problem with Don Eduardo's stems from this constant chip barrage. Mike has to order the grande meal at most places. He knows how to eat and he's good at it. So, Mike ordered a grande meal at Don's. But, by the time he got his food, he is super full from chips. He cannot finish the grande meal. Mike is realizing that he needs to order smaller dishes because he definitely won't eat any less chips. (They're free!)
The taste was good, but compared to other Mexican food places there was nothing that stuck out to Mike. The service was excellent though. Really great waiters. And they have palm trees. So Mexican/tropical.
Taste: 7
Value: 5.5
Intangibles: 7.5
Total Score: 20 out of 30
Friday, November 14, 2008
Ichiro [19.5]
"I found a hidden gem on the ave yesterday. A little place I like to call Ichiro. From the outside, Ichiro has a Crack house meets a brothel feel. However, if you are willing to risk it, Fortune favors the bold. Even after being inside, walking by it freaks me out." - Mike McEvoy
They had friendly service and a wide assortment of Asian dishes. The specialty item was somehow the chicken teriyaki. (Not the most exotic specialty item, but good nonetheless.) Coming off of the UW campus it is a great place to go because it is down at 40th and The Ave.
On the inside it had a weird coffee shop feel. There were 5 or so people eating by themselves and reading. It made it weird to actually talk out loud. But, they did have NFL live on the TV and that is awesome. They also did a good job of having a big portion of salad on the side. (That does nothing for Mike, but it might for people who actually eat salad.)
Intangibles: 4.5
Taste: 7.5
Value: 7.5
Total Score: 19.5 out of 30
They had friendly service and a wide assortment of Asian dishes. The specialty item was somehow the chicken teriyaki. (Not the most exotic specialty item, but good nonetheless.) Coming off of the UW campus it is a great place to go because it is down at 40th and The Ave.
On the inside it had a weird coffee shop feel. There were 5 or so people eating by themselves and reading. It made it weird to actually talk out loud. But, they did have NFL live on the TV and that is awesome. They also did a good job of having a big portion of salad on the side. (That does nothing for Mike, but it might for people who actually eat salad.)
Intangibles: 4.5
Taste: 7.5
Value: 7.5
Total Score: 19.5 out of 30
Pho Than Brothers [18]
"Tyler said the medium was big enough. He didn't know me." - Mike McEvoy
"There's a reason I have little brown dots on my shirt right now. It's because I ate soup for a meal. That is why I don't eat spaghetti on first dates." - Mike McEvoy
Mike actually enjoyed his visit to this pho restaurant. The meal itself took a long time to eat. There was prep with plum and hot sauces, lime, basil, etc... In the end it took him 40 minutes to finish. (This seems like an eternity for the man who can eat a Qudoba burrito in 39 second.) He is, however, full. He felt like he was eating healthy, which doesn't please Mike at all. (His heart is happy, but his tummy is pissed.) Mike got the 3 beef pho. It's all different kinds of beef, but God only knows what they were. The beef freaked Mike out at first, but then hunger took over him and he ate the meat. However shiny it may have been.
Mike definitely had to eat with a jacket on. (See the Flowers review for explanation.) They didn't refill his water at all. The restaurant was just there, nothing special. What it did have going for it was that it was $10 total for 2 guys to eat there and there was a lot of flavor too.
Intangibles: 4
Taste: 7
Value: 7
Total Score: 18 out of 30
"There's a reason I have little brown dots on my shirt right now. It's because I ate soup for a meal. That is why I don't eat spaghetti on first dates." - Mike McEvoy
Mike actually enjoyed his visit to this pho restaurant. The meal itself took a long time to eat. There was prep with plum and hot sauces, lime, basil, etc... In the end it took him 40 minutes to finish. (This seems like an eternity for the man who can eat a Qudoba burrito in 39 second.) He is, however, full. He felt like he was eating healthy, which doesn't please Mike at all. (His heart is happy, but his tummy is pissed.) Mike got the 3 beef pho. It's all different kinds of beef, but God only knows what they were. The beef freaked Mike out at first, but then hunger took over him and he ate the meat. However shiny it may have been.
Mike definitely had to eat with a jacket on. (See the Flowers review for explanation.) They didn't refill his water at all. The restaurant was just there, nothing special. What it did have going for it was that it was $10 total for 2 guys to eat there and there was a lot of flavor too.
Intangibles: 4
Taste: 7
Value: 7
Total Score: 18 out of 30
Tokyo Garden [23]
"Have you ever been to Asia?" - Becky Riggers
"I've never been to real Asia but Tokyo Garden is what it feels like in my dreams." - Mike McEvoy
Down on 45 and The Ave is Tokyo Garden. Mike feels like he could eat at TG's 3 times a week consistently. It has a taste that doesn't get old. They know him there. You might have heard RUMORS about finding weird things in the food, but their just that: rumors. TG has lots of fun to offer. For example: If you need to use the bathroom, there is a fun, epic, maze that takes you to another level of the building, and when you finally make it the door doesn't shut all the way. So fun!
For his meal, Mike got the basic chicken teriyaki with extra rice. (The lunch special comes with gyoza and chicken for $5, but Mike goes for the dish with more chicken.) His meal was only $5.95 and he left full. The feel is definitely Asian which helps with the authenticity of the whole experience. It's been there for a while for a reason, it has quality food at a good price and it won't let you down.
Value: 8.5
Taste: 8
Intangibles: 6.5
Total Score: 23 out of 30
"I've never been to real Asia but Tokyo Garden is what it feels like in my dreams." - Mike McEvoy
Down on 45 and The Ave is Tokyo Garden. Mike feels like he could eat at TG's 3 times a week consistently. It has a taste that doesn't get old. They know him there. You might have heard RUMORS about finding weird things in the food, but their just that: rumors. TG has lots of fun to offer. For example: If you need to use the bathroom, there is a fun, epic, maze that takes you to another level of the building, and when you finally make it the door doesn't shut all the way. So fun!
For his meal, Mike got the basic chicken teriyaki with extra rice. (The lunch special comes with gyoza and chicken for $5, but Mike goes for the dish with more chicken.) His meal was only $5.95 and he left full. The feel is definitely Asian which helps with the authenticity of the whole experience. It's been there for a while for a reason, it has quality food at a good price and it won't let you down.
Value: 8.5
Taste: 8
Intangibles: 6.5
Total Score: 23 out of 30
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Aloha Kitchen [12]
"Maybe Aloha is Korean for something?" - Mike
"Yeah. It's Korean for crap." - Nolan
Next to Thai Tom's, Aloha Kitchen is a place you pass with no intention of ever going in. Mike made the mistake of actually going in. It is Korean food instead of Hawaiian food, which would make sense. They had pork belly which is kind off Hawaiian, but mostly not. There was one lady there. She took the role of waitress and chef. Mike got the Spicy Yaki Udon. Instead of chicken and stuff, it was noodles with random garden veggies on top.
For $6.99 it was not worth it. The noodles filled Mike up at the end, but not in a good way.
They did, however, have stainless steel cups for water that you had to get out of a fridge. So futuristic.
In the end, though, aloha in this case definitely means goodbye.
Taste:5
Intangibles:5
Value: 2
Total Score: 12 out of 30
"Yeah. It's Korean for crap." - Nolan
Next to Thai Tom's, Aloha Kitchen is a place you pass with no intention of ever going in. Mike made the mistake of actually going in. It is Korean food instead of Hawaiian food, which would make sense. They had pork belly which is kind off Hawaiian, but mostly not. There was one lady there. She took the role of waitress and chef. Mike got the Spicy Yaki Udon. Instead of chicken and stuff, it was noodles with random garden veggies on top.
For $6.99 it was not worth it. The noodles filled Mike up at the end, but not in a good way.
They did, however, have stainless steel cups for water that you had to get out of a fridge. So futuristic.
In the end, though, aloha in this case definitely means goodbye.
Taste:5
Intangibles:5
Value: 2
Total Score: 12 out of 30
Flowers [9.5]
"I was put on this earth for one reason...to eat meat." - Mike McEvoy
Down on 43rd and the Ave is Flowers, a little vegetarian or vegan restaurant. (Mike didn't know because he doesn't know the difference between vegetarian and vegan.)
Since Flowers doesn't have meat, they try to make up with weird flavored stuff with other equally weird flavored sauces. Mike had to decide between slimy noodles with weird sauce, fried cauliflower, and eggplant souffle. The only thing they had that Mike liked there was a crazy curry sauce over cubed cornbread and lots of pita bread.
They were trying to glorify being a vegetarian, and Mike likes nothing to do with that.
In the restaurant it was cold inside and Mike ate with his jacket on. (He didn't actually eat with his jacket on, it was just cold enough to warrant a jacket. So from now on "Ate with my jacket on" means that it was cold enough for a jacket, but no jacket was used.) Intangibles get a 4. Value gets a 3. Never in Mike's life has he been to an all you can eat joint and wanted to stop eating. In fact he only went up for seconds. Ridiculous. Taste...not good. 2.5.
Total Score: 9.5 out of 30
*Sidenote: upon further examination, they actually DO serve meat, just not in the buffet
Down on 43rd and the Ave is Flowers, a little vegetarian or vegan restaurant. (Mike didn't know because he doesn't know the difference between vegetarian and vegan.)
Since Flowers doesn't have meat, they try to make up with weird flavored stuff with other equally weird flavored sauces. Mike had to decide between slimy noodles with weird sauce, fried cauliflower, and eggplant souffle. The only thing they had that Mike liked there was a crazy curry sauce over cubed cornbread and lots of pita bread.
They were trying to glorify being a vegetarian, and Mike likes nothing to do with that.
In the restaurant it was cold inside and Mike ate with his jacket on. (He didn't actually eat with his jacket on, it was just cold enough to warrant a jacket. So from now on "Ate with my jacket on" means that it was cold enough for a jacket, but no jacket was used.) Intangibles get a 4. Value gets a 3. Never in Mike's life has he been to an all you can eat joint and wanted to stop eating. In fact he only went up for seconds. Ridiculous. Taste...not good. 2.5.
Total Score: 9.5 out of 30
*Sidenote: upon further examination, they actually DO serve meat, just not in the buffet
Friday, November 7, 2008
Mongolian Grill* [27]
"The Ave would not be The Ave without Mongolian Grill. I would not come into work if I didn't know Mongolian Grill was out there for me." - Mike McEvoy
In a different world it would be called "Mike's Grill". He would risk the credibility of his name on this restaurant. What more could you want? Any combo of meat, veggies, noodles, and sauce you want. You never leave there without leftovers (unless you're an idiot). Value is a 10*. The lunch special in only $6.99. If you play your cards right, you get 3 meals out of it. That's $2.50 a meal, folks.
The taste is an 8.5 form Mike. You can't go wrong with adding pineapples to any dish. So tropical.
The intangibles for Mongo is 8.5. Big bowls baby. Big bowls. They cook the food in front of you! It's like a poor man's Benihana.
If something tops Mongolian grill this year, Mike will shave his head.
Taste: 8.5
Value: 10
Intangibles: 8.5
Total Score: 27 out of 30
In a different world it would be called "Mike's Grill". He would risk the credibility of his name on this restaurant. What more could you want? Any combo of meat, veggies, noodles, and sauce you want. You never leave there without leftovers (unless you're an idiot). Value is a 10*. The lunch special in only $6.99. If you play your cards right, you get 3 meals out of it. That's $2.50 a meal, folks.
The taste is an 8.5 form Mike. You can't go wrong with adding pineapples to any dish. So tropical.
The intangibles for Mongo is 8.5. Big bowls baby. Big bowls. They cook the food in front of you! It's like a poor man's Benihana.
If something tops Mongolian grill this year, Mike will shave his head.
Taste: 8.5
Value: 10
Intangibles: 8.5
Total Score: 27 out of 30
Schultzy's Sausage [21.5]
"If you ate schulty's everyday, you would live to the ripe old age of 28." - Mike McEvoy
Between 40th and 42th on the Ave lives Schultzy's. It's a great place to go on a friday afternoon when you've got nothing going on. (It is not the perfect place to go before an afternoon of basketball, so beware.) It sits heavy on the stomach and is thick on the sat fats, but it is severely delicious.
Mike had the sausage burger (press the sausage into a patty) grilled onions and peppers. The brat with sauerkraut was also delicious.
After tax and tip it was $10 a person. The upside to that was that there were a lot of fries and Mike was full at the end of the meal. You know Mike loves something thick, when it comes to food.
Taste: 9
Value: 6
Intangibles: 6.5
Total Score: 21.5 out of 30
Between 40th and 42th on the Ave lives Schultzy's. It's a great place to go on a friday afternoon when you've got nothing going on. (It is not the perfect place to go before an afternoon of basketball, so beware.) It sits heavy on the stomach and is thick on the sat fats, but it is severely delicious.
Mike had the sausage burger (press the sausage into a patty) grilled onions and peppers. The brat with sauerkraut was also delicious.
After tax and tip it was $10 a person. The upside to that was that there were a lot of fries and Mike was full at the end of the meal. You know Mike loves something thick, when it comes to food.
Taste: 9
Value: 6
Intangibles: 6.5
Total Score: 21.5 out of 30
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Mandarin Chef [15.5]
Jordan Collier: “How is the Mongolian chicken?”
Person Taking Order: “It’s a lot like the Mongolian beef…but chicken”
Mike had 2 overarching points about Mandarin Chef:
1) “I’m thankful I went to Mongolian BBQ the day before, because I had leftovers at home.”
2) “I was not aware that the whole menu was actually a kids menu.”
In a disappointed and pissed-off tone, Mike relayed his eating experience to me. He had little good to speak of. Mike liked the fact that he and his eating partner Jordan were the only ones in there. They also liked the mirrors. That’s it.
Now for everything else:
The guys sat down in the empty dining area, carousing the menu for a delicious meal to partake in. (At this point the guys are unaware that the meal portions are barely able to sustain even the smallest life form.) In a break of precedence, the cook came out from the back to take their order. Mike placed his order and Jordan’s was taken right after, by the chef. Then out of nowhere, someone comes and pushes the chef away from the table in a blur of color and confusion. The chef retreated to his home in the back, and a lady took his spot besides the table. As if the chef never existed, the lady goes ahead and asks both guys for their order…again. Both of them looked at each other and then to the new person beside them, and repeated the order they just placed. Weird.
Food tasted fine but there were way too many water chestnuts and not enough chicken. Also, the portions were way, WAY too small. Mike said, “Someone could have told me I didn’t just eat lunch and I would have believed them.”
Taste: 7
Value: 2.5
Intangibles: 6 (because he liked how the lady pushed the chef out of the way)
Total Score: 15.5 out of 30
Person Taking Order: “It’s a lot like the Mongolian beef…but chicken”
Mike had 2 overarching points about Mandarin Chef:
1) “I’m thankful I went to Mongolian BBQ the day before, because I had leftovers at home.”
2) “I was not aware that the whole menu was actually a kids menu.”
In a disappointed and pissed-off tone, Mike relayed his eating experience to me. He had little good to speak of. Mike liked the fact that he and his eating partner Jordan were the only ones in there. They also liked the mirrors. That’s it.
Now for everything else:
The guys sat down in the empty dining area, carousing the menu for a delicious meal to partake in. (At this point the guys are unaware that the meal portions are barely able to sustain even the smallest life form.) In a break of precedence, the cook came out from the back to take their order. Mike placed his order and Jordan’s was taken right after, by the chef. Then out of nowhere, someone comes and pushes the chef away from the table in a blur of color and confusion. The chef retreated to his home in the back, and a lady took his spot besides the table. As if the chef never existed, the lady goes ahead and asks both guys for their order…again. Both of them looked at each other and then to the new person beside them, and repeated the order they just placed. Weird.
Food tasted fine but there were way too many water chestnuts and not enough chicken. Also, the portions were way, WAY too small. Mike said, “Someone could have told me I didn’t just eat lunch and I would have believed them.”
Taste: 7
Value: 2.5
Intangibles: 6 (because he liked how the lady pushed the chef out of the way)
Total Score: 15.5 out of 30
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
DaVinci Subs [20]
"I'm going to bump Thai 65 up another point." - Mike
DaVinci is no stranger to UMin and UW. It's constant and will be there for a long time to come. Good locatioon, good prices, and good sandwiches spell success. Unfortunately for them, Davinci doesn't have a fish tank anymore, and Mike is unsettled by that. But, he's not unsettled by the hearty portions of meat on their sandwiches.
It's a good fallback.
Taste: 6.5
Value: 7.5
Intangibles: 6
Total Score: 20 out of 30
DaVinci is no stranger to UMin and UW. It's constant and will be there for a long time to come. Good locatioon, good prices, and good sandwiches spell success. Unfortunately for them, Davinci doesn't have a fish tank anymore, and Mike is unsettled by that. But, he's not unsettled by the hearty portions of meat on their sandwiches.
It's a good fallback.
Taste: 6.5
Value: 7.5
Intangibles: 6
Total Score: 20 out of 30
Thai 65 [24]
Mike - "If I were to take a date to the Ave, I would go to Thai 65."
Jordan - "Mike. I have taken a date to Thai 65."
Between 42 and 43 on the east side of the Ave lies Thai 65. On the outside of the building, there isn't much that grabs your attention. A typical building to the random Ave-walker passing by; a couple of windows, some doors. But, Mike had no idea what he was about to embark on when he entered those doors. He was greeted by a magical wonderland of Thai food and people. Indoor trees were everywhere, with monkeys swinging away. People were eating and laughing. Not a care in the world drifted in through those doors. The water cups were big, quenched your thirst and never once went dry.
Mike floated over to the counter and ordered the drunken noodles, and as we speak he actually is drunk. Drunk on joy. His meal looked small at first, but like the magical water glass, it never went dry and Mike was able to be full from his portion.
(Mike came back to work for about 20 minutes to relay this information, then left again to go back to Thai 65. We hope to see him again, but I think he's found what he's been searching for for so long...home.)
Intangibles get a 9.5. that's right...a 9.5.
Value lands a 7.
Mike gives it a 7.5 on taste.
Total Score: 24 out of 30
Jordan - "Mike. I have taken a date to Thai 65."
Between 42 and 43 on the east side of the Ave lies Thai 65. On the outside of the building, there isn't much that grabs your attention. A typical building to the random Ave-walker passing by; a couple of windows, some doors. But, Mike had no idea what he was about to embark on when he entered those doors. He was greeted by a magical wonderland of Thai food and people. Indoor trees were everywhere, with monkeys swinging away. People were eating and laughing. Not a care in the world drifted in through those doors. The water cups were big, quenched your thirst and never once went dry.
Mike floated over to the counter and ordered the drunken noodles, and as we speak he actually is drunk. Drunk on joy. His meal looked small at first, but like the magical water glass, it never went dry and Mike was able to be full from his portion.
(Mike came back to work for about 20 minutes to relay this information, then left again to go back to Thai 65. We hope to see him again, but I think he's found what he's been searching for for so long...home.)
Intangibles get a 9.5. that's right...a 9.5.
Value lands a 7.
Mike gives it a 7.5 on taste.
Total Score: 24 out of 30
Friday, October 24, 2008
Tandoor Indian Cuisine [18.5]
"The one thing to watch out for when you eat at an all-you-can-eat Indian buffet is that you smell like Indian food the rest of the day." - Mike McEvoy
Located at 52nd and The Ave, Tandoor offers a $7.99 all-you-can-eat Indian food buffet. There are 4 combos of meat and sacue that goes over different rices. Mike separated his plate into 4 sections, one for each combo. (They also had a salad bar but I quote Mike, "Like I care about that.")
Usually a buffet of this calibur is around $10. For $8 he go the buffet and free Naan. (If you don't know what Naan is, you haven't lived.) With regaards to their accredidation, they proudly posted a sign claiming they won the best Indian food in Seattle for the year 2001.
Mike started to talk about some doorway inside where he wanted to get a prom photo taken. I didn't quite follow, but if you need a prom photo then go there.
Taste: 5.5
Value: 7.5
Intangibles: 5.5
Total Score: 18.5 out of 30
Located at 52nd and The Ave, Tandoor offers a $7.99 all-you-can-eat Indian food buffet. There are 4 combos of meat and sacue that goes over different rices. Mike separated his plate into 4 sections, one for each combo. (They also had a salad bar but I quote Mike, "Like I care about that.")
Usually a buffet of this calibur is around $10. For $8 he go the buffet and free Naan. (If you don't know what Naan is, you haven't lived.) With regaards to their accredidation, they proudly posted a sign claiming they won the best Indian food in Seattle for the year 2001.
Mike started to talk about some doorway inside where he wanted to get a prom photo taken. I didn't quite follow, but if you need a prom photo then go there.
Taste: 5.5
Value: 7.5
Intangibles: 5.5
Total Score: 18.5 out of 30
New China Express [17]
“Never do I say, ‘Today is a New China Express day.’” – Mike McEvoy
It is below 43rd on the east side of the Ave. Mike was a culinary adventurer on this embarkment. He tried a dish called crab cheese. (Not his best.) Mike feels that New China Express is not bad by any means, but there is no draw to return.
At $6 for his meal, it was a pretty good deal. The food was “okay”; a little above average. Intangibles, again, just weren’t that special.
“It’s just there…it’s just there. It’s been there for years, It’s consistent. Just don’t get the crab cheese.”
Taste: 5.5
Value: 7.5
Intangibles: 4
Total Score: 17 out of 30
It is below 43rd on the east side of the Ave. Mike was a culinary adventurer on this embarkment. He tried a dish called crab cheese. (Not his best.) Mike feels that New China Express is not bad by any means, but there is no draw to return.
At $6 for his meal, it was a pretty good deal. The food was “okay”; a little above average. Intangibles, again, just weren’t that special.
“It’s just there…it’s just there. It’s been there for years, It’s consistent. Just don’t get the crab cheese.”
Taste: 5.5
Value: 7.5
Intangibles: 4
Total Score: 17 out of 30
BBQ Chicken [14]
“If I was in China and I wanted to eat American food, I would go to BBQ Chicken.” - Mike McEvoy
It says BBQ on the outside(Thoughts of an extra crispy KFC meal comes to mind.), but it is Chinese on the inside (Chinese banners everywhere). The sign next to where you order said “we no have beer”. They tried hard to be an American food restaurant, but it just wasn’t working for them.
While they might “no have beer” they also “no have efficiency”. They brought out Mike’s food a full 7 minutes before his eating partner. It did not sit well with Mike.
Mike got the marinated chicken that came with 2 thighs, rice, and salad. They weren’t very big but they tasted good. What this meal was worth, in Mike’s mind, was $4.25. A far cry from the $7 he actually spent.
Taste: 8
Value: 3
Intangibles: 3
Total Score: 14 out of 30
It says BBQ on the outside(Thoughts of an extra crispy KFC meal comes to mind.), but it is Chinese on the inside (Chinese banners everywhere). The sign next to where you order said “we no have beer”. They tried hard to be an American food restaurant, but it just wasn’t working for them.
While they might “no have beer” they also “no have efficiency”. They brought out Mike’s food a full 7 minutes before his eating partner. It did not sit well with Mike.
Mike got the marinated chicken that came with 2 thighs, rice, and salad. They weren’t very big but they tasted good. What this meal was worth, in Mike’s mind, was $4.25. A far cry from the $7 he actually spent.
Taste: 8
Value: 3
Intangibles: 3
Total Score: 14 out of 30
Monday, October 20, 2008
Jack In The Box [12.5]
Mike - "If you handed me a burger from Jack In The Box, I'd be happy."
Nolan - "If anyone handed you a burger from anywhere, you'd be happy."
What do you expect from fast food on the Ave? Mike odered 2 burgers but only got one in his bag. He proceeded to reverse back into the drive through line, yelling to the man behind him to move away from the window. He got his burger.
Drive-Thru/Indoor Intangibles: 2
Taste: 5
Value: 5.5 (The bacon ultimate cheeseburger is too expensive.)
Total Score: 12.5 out of 30
PS: The Drive-Thru is dangerous.
Nolan - "If anyone handed you a burger from anywhere, you'd be happy."
What do you expect from fast food on the Ave? Mike odered 2 burgers but only got one in his bag. He proceeded to reverse back into the drive through line, yelling to the man behind him to move away from the window. He got his burger.
Drive-Thru/Indoor Intangibles: 2
Taste: 5
Value: 5.5 (The bacon ultimate cheeseburger is too expensive.)
Total Score: 12.5 out of 30
PS: The Drive-Thru is dangerous.
Mi Charrito [19]
"If they priced it like they price food in Mexico, I would eat there every day. Next time I'm going to get the taco elhombprree." - Mike McEvoy
It is a Mexican restaurant on 45th, 1/4 block off of the ave. It is soooo much more than Hispanic folks working there. Mike was unable to communicate with the lady taking orders, but eventually he just pointed at a picture to get his meal.
They had very authenic cuisine with tamales in actual corn husks. They even had tacos el pastor! Mike got the grande burrito for $5.25, smothered in sauces and cheeses. The side items could've been priced better.
The seating was cramped inside, so it is not good for fostering conversation. Mike said the tables were the ones that if you put any wieght on the table, it would lean towards you. The atmosphere, however, was enjoyable due to the soccer on their small tv, and all of the spanish that was being spoken around him.
Taste: 8
Value: 6.5
Intangibles: 4.5
Total Score: 19 out of 30.
It is a Mexican restaurant on 45th, 1/4 block off of the ave. It is soooo much more than Hispanic folks working there. Mike was unable to communicate with the lady taking orders, but eventually he just pointed at a picture to get his meal.
They had very authenic cuisine with tamales in actual corn husks. They even had tacos el pastor! Mike got the grande burrito for $5.25, smothered in sauces and cheeses. The side items could've been priced better.
The seating was cramped inside, so it is not good for fostering conversation. Mike said the tables were the ones that if you put any wieght on the table, it would lean towards you. The atmosphere, however, was enjoyable due to the soccer on their small tv, and all of the spanish that was being spoken around him.
Taste: 8
Value: 6.5
Intangibles: 4.5
Total Score: 19 out of 30.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Nasai Teryaki [17]
“Hey Tom. Remember this quote for tomorrow: I would like to eat at Nasai teriyaki if I were a chick on a diet.” – Mike McEvoy
Nasai was pretty average as a whole. They have pretty good teryaki sauce. The dish may have been $5.25 for the whole meal, but Mike was licking the plate for any last drops of sustinence; fueled by hunger, confusion, and rage. (sidenote: Gyoza is added at the expense of some chicken. Not worth it.)
Mike said the atmosphere inside was okay. Puff Daddy may have been swooning in the background, but the posters covering the walls were super wierd. The one that Mike couldn't take his eyes off was a poster for the (unknown) movie Bagheads. It was a picture of 4 people in bed, no shirts, with bags on their heads.
Taste: 7
Value: 5
Intangibles: 5
Total Score: 17 out of 30
Nasai was pretty average as a whole. They have pretty good teryaki sauce. The dish may have been $5.25 for the whole meal, but Mike was licking the plate for any last drops of sustinence; fueled by hunger, confusion, and rage. (sidenote: Gyoza is added at the expense of some chicken. Not worth it.)
Mike said the atmosphere inside was okay. Puff Daddy may have been swooning in the background, but the posters covering the walls were super wierd. The one that Mike couldn't take his eyes off was a poster for the (unknown) movie Bagheads. It was a picture of 4 people in bed, no shirts, with bags on their heads.
Taste: 7
Value: 5
Intangibles: 5
Total Score: 17 out of 30
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Chipotle Mexican Grill [25]
"If only I could find a girl like Chipotle." -Mike McEvoy
All The Things Mike Loves About Chipotle:
There is always a line, but it moves quickly
He can get as much cheese as he wants
No need to sign for credit card
Limitless toothpicks
There is lemon for the water
He can get all 4 salsas if he wants
He always sees at least 1 person he knows
He can throw a spiral with a burrito because it's the size of a football
He loves the meat
He loves the fact that he can leave full after one burrito
All of the free burrito days
Free drink with a student ID
Very authentic staff
Indoor or covered outdoor seating
All The Thinks Mike Doesn't Love About Chipotle:
Nothing
This is not the first time Mike has been to Chipotle and it won't be the last.
Taste: 8.5
Value: 8
Intangibles: 8.5
Total Score: 25 out of 30
*While Chipotle doesn't embody the authentic "Ave Feel" it is still a really good restaurant.
All The Things Mike Loves About Chipotle:
There is always a line, but it moves quickly
He can get as much cheese as he wants
No need to sign for credit card
Limitless toothpicks
There is lemon for the water
He can get all 4 salsas if he wants
He always sees at least 1 person he knows
He can throw a spiral with a burrito because it's the size of a football
He loves the meat
He loves the fact that he can leave full after one burrito
All of the free burrito days
Free drink with a student ID
Very authentic staff
Indoor or covered outdoor seating
All The Thinks Mike Doesn't Love About Chipotle:
Nothing
This is not the first time Mike has been to Chipotle and it won't be the last.
Taste: 8.5
Value: 8
Intangibles: 8.5
Total Score: 25 out of 30
*While Chipotle doesn't embody the authentic "Ave Feel" it is still a really good restaurant.
Aladdin Gyro-cery [23.5]
Jenn: "Do you have advil?"
Mike: "I don't believe in pills."
Mike really enjoyed Aladdin. The gyro is a nice departure from the norm with the warm flat pita and mix of lamb and beef. It holds a pretty good value at $4.57 for a jumbo gyro. The fries have this amazing seasoning on them and they taste awesome. The Gyro alone doesn't necessarily fill Mike up, but it's great if he isn't totally hungry. More of a once-every-2 weeks type of place.
Amazing atmosphere that felt authentically middle eastern. Couches in the back next to a diagram of Bethlehem, big tapestries hanging from the walls and ceiling. It is a place that would be okay to go by yourself to read and do homework while you eat.
It does have 2 locations as well. One south of 47th and one north of 42nd.
Taste: 9
Value: 7.5
Intangibles: 7
Total Score: 23.5 out of 30
PS: The lower Alladin is CASH ONLY. Be prepared.
Mike: "I don't believe in pills."
Mike really enjoyed Aladdin. The gyro is a nice departure from the norm with the warm flat pita and mix of lamb and beef. It holds a pretty good value at $4.57 for a jumbo gyro. The fries have this amazing seasoning on them and they taste awesome. The Gyro alone doesn't necessarily fill Mike up, but it's great if he isn't totally hungry. More of a once-every-2 weeks type of place.
Amazing atmosphere that felt authentically middle eastern. Couches in the back next to a diagram of Bethlehem, big tapestries hanging from the walls and ceiling. It is a place that would be okay to go by yourself to read and do homework while you eat.
It does have 2 locations as well. One south of 47th and one north of 42nd.
Taste: 9
Value: 7.5
Intangibles: 7
Total Score: 23.5 out of 30
PS: The lower Alladin is CASH ONLY. Be prepared.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Spicy Wok [17.5]
"If i made General Tsao's at home, this is what it would taste like." - Mike McEvoy
Spicy Wok is located below 42nd on the west side of the Ave. It has a small store front but it had a board outside with pictures of food that caught their attention. (However tacky the board may have been.) As you entered the restaurant, you stepped into a megalomaniacal amateur food photographer’s domain. Pictures of meals were everywhere. A repeated picture menu. Art that was only pictures of the same food from the menu. (while there were only food pictures, they had nice employees and asain TV shows on.)
The menu was pan-Asian fusion (thai teryaki chinese, etc...) A great place to go if there are 6 different people who are indecisive. Their downside was that they had too much of a variety. (It's the anit-Dick's for all you hardcore Seattlites.)
Mike ordered the General Tsao’s chicken dish. Mike was filled up, for the $6.25 he spent. (The menu averaged about $6, which is not too shabby.) It was a plate full of plain rice, okay salad, and chicken. Not a bad taste, but bland and unexciting.
Bottom Line: Mike says it’s not worth walking all the way down there for some Chinese food.
Taste: 4.5
Value: 7
Intangibles: 6
Total Score: 17.5 out of 30
Spicy Wok is located below 42nd on the west side of the Ave. It has a small store front but it had a board outside with pictures of food that caught their attention. (However tacky the board may have been.) As you entered the restaurant, you stepped into a megalomaniacal amateur food photographer’s domain. Pictures of meals were everywhere. A repeated picture menu. Art that was only pictures of the same food from the menu. (while there were only food pictures, they had nice employees and asain TV shows on.)
The menu was pan-Asian fusion (thai teryaki chinese, etc...) A great place to go if there are 6 different people who are indecisive. Their downside was that they had too much of a variety. (It's the anit-Dick's for all you hardcore Seattlites.)
Mike ordered the General Tsao’s chicken dish. Mike was filled up, for the $6.25 he spent. (The menu averaged about $6, which is not too shabby.) It was a plate full of plain rice, okay salad, and chicken. Not a bad taste, but bland and unexciting.
Bottom Line: Mike says it’s not worth walking all the way down there for some Chinese food.
Taste: 4.5
Value: 7
Intangibles: 6
Total Score: 17.5 out of 30
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Memos [23]
"It’s fresh in my mind. Like the carnitas pork was fresh in that burrito today." - Mike McEvoy
Today Mike came bounding into the trailer with a mile wide smile and a spring in his step. What could the cause of this joy be? A Husky win? Finding $20 in his pocket? Santa? The answer is Memos.
A clear ordering board with pictures greets you as you enter. The menu was full of possibilities. Breakfast burritos, jumbo burritos, entrée plates with beans and rice. Incredible. Mike got the jumbo carnitas burrito. It tasted well, earning an 8 on taste. The fact of the matter is, it wasn’t so jumbo.
The intangibles earned an unprecedented 8.5. Big wooden booths were the seating options inside with big arched, adorned backs that block out the rest of the world. (These seats make it nice and private to have things like DTRs. Actually, never ever have a DTR at Memo's.) No taco bell here folks. Pure, unadulterated Mexican food.
Taste: 8
Value: 7
Intangibles: 8
Total Score: 23 out of 30
PS Jordan Collier accompanied Mike and gave it a 22 out of 30. This was because the bathroom was clean, but it smelled bad.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Appe Thai [14.5]
"When I have people up here from Alabama, Appe Thai will not even be close to top of the list of places I will take them. In fact...it will at the bottom." - Mike McEvoy
Appethai is located at 43rd and The Ave. Upon entering the restaurant Mike noted that it looked like they just moved about 3 hours prior to his arrival. No art, no Appe Thai floor matts, and significantly less energy than most thai places. Value gets a 5. Lunch was $8.95 before tax and tip, but he left full. (Side note: he also did not leave sweating. Mike's indicator of good Thai is a good sweat.)
Mike gives a 6.5 on taste. Mike strayed from normal (with a chinese fusion dish) and was still satisfied.
The intangibles is what hurt the score the most with a 3. (Again, they had less decoration than a public restroom.) In their defense of the 3, their service was good. Mike's water was never empty the whole time they ate.
Taste: 6.5
Value: 5
Intangibles: 3
Total Score: 14.5 out of 30
Appethai is located at 43rd and The Ave. Upon entering the restaurant Mike noted that it looked like they just moved about 3 hours prior to his arrival. No art, no Appe Thai floor matts, and significantly less energy than most thai places. Value gets a 5. Lunch was $8.95 before tax and tip, but he left full. (Side note: he also did not leave sweating. Mike's indicator of good Thai is a good sweat.)
Mike gives a 6.5 on taste. Mike strayed from normal (with a chinese fusion dish) and was still satisfied.
The intangibles is what hurt the score the most with a 3. (Again, they had less decoration than a public restroom.) In their defense of the 3, their service was good. Mike's water was never empty the whole time they ate.
Taste: 6.5
Value: 5
Intangibles: 3
Total Score: 14.5 out of 30
Monday, October 6, 2008
Orange King [14]
"I love cirlcle bacon." - Mike mcEvoy
Orange King is aptly named for...absolutely nothing. Their claim to fame is the fact they have burgers AND teriyaki. Fellow staffer Janie Stuart claimed, "They have the best crinkle cut fries!" FACT: they do not serve crinkle cut fries. Only shoestring fires, which according to Mike are totally lame.
Mike got the bacon cheeseburger. It tasted alright. The bacon was in fact circular, an attribute that Mike loved. For taste, Mike gave it a 5 because while the bacon was good the beef tasted like Costco. The burger and fries alone cost $6.25. Way too much for what he got. There was nothing special about the service and the lady was less than helpful. But...they serve burgers AND teryaki. Overall, however, it is not recommended by Mike.
Taste: 5
Value: 4.5
Intangibles: 4.5
Total Score: 14 out of 30
Orange King is aptly named for...absolutely nothing. Their claim to fame is the fact they have burgers AND teriyaki. Fellow staffer Janie Stuart claimed, "They have the best crinkle cut fries!" FACT: they do not serve crinkle cut fries. Only shoestring fires, which according to Mike are totally lame.
Mike got the bacon cheeseburger. It tasted alright. The bacon was in fact circular, an attribute that Mike loved. For taste, Mike gave it a 5 because while the bacon was good the beef tasted like Costco. The burger and fries alone cost $6.25. Way too much for what he got. There was nothing special about the service and the lady was less than helpful. But...they serve burgers AND teryaki. Overall, however, it is not recommended by Mike.
Taste: 5
Value: 4.5
Intangibles: 4.5
Total Score: 14 out of 30
Malibar [15]
"I would get down on a big pile of Indian food and some garlic naan." - Mike McEvoy
In general Mike was underwhelmed with Malibar's Indian food restaurant. Malibar is located south on the ave on 42nd. It's a bit of a hike which is made more trying with a light rain. Upon arriving, Mike ordered the Rogan Josh dish. (An ode to his lunch partner, Josh Kennedy.) Made up of rice covered in chicken and an indefinable (yet flavorable) orange-red Indian sauce, he enjoyed the taste. The price, however, hits you in the wallet...hard. It cost $27 for two, including tax and tip. The inside decor left much to be desired, but you can people watch if you're creepy...like Mike.
Taste: 7.5
Value: 3
Intangibles: 4.5
Total Score: 15 out of 30
In general Mike was underwhelmed with Malibar's Indian food restaurant. Malibar is located south on the ave on 42nd. It's a bit of a hike which is made more trying with a light rain. Upon arriving, Mike ordered the Rogan Josh dish. (An ode to his lunch partner, Josh Kennedy.) Made up of rice covered in chicken and an indefinable (yet flavorable) orange-red Indian sauce, he enjoyed the taste. The price, however, hits you in the wallet...hard. It cost $27 for two, including tax and tip. The inside decor left much to be desired, but you can people watch if you're creepy...like Mike.
Taste: 7.5
Value: 3
Intangibles: 4.5
Total Score: 15 out of 30
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Hawaii BBQ [23.5]
Today I sampled some Hawiian BBQ on the east Ave at 50th st. They told me the house special was the chicken-katsu/spicy-chicken combo with a fried egg sitting atop some fried rice. So naturally I had to try it out. Similar to teriyaki, the spicy chicken and rice were average for a lunch time meal on the Ave. The thing that impressed me however was the Katsu. Big pieces on dark meat chicken thigh coated in a deliciuos crispy breading was seriously the best chicken katsu I've ever had. Very fried chickenish if I do say so. It raised the taste score from a 5 to a 7 based on the katsu alone.
The portion size was great, a heaping mound of food piled high to fill me well for $6.50. I usaully like a meal of this stature for under 6 bucks, but you definitely get more than you pay for here giving them a 7.5 on value.
The intangibles here set them apart though and I will tell you why. Not only did they do their best to decorate the place with Hawaiin artifacts and paintings, they even had updated team posters for the University of Hawaii football program. That showed me that were real hawaiins. Plus all the other people that come in there looked fairly hawiian which made me think this place was authentic.
-And then, the difference maker. They had a poster up of the 2004 UW seniors on the football team. Since I was in the picture (#32) I pointed myself out to everyone in the restaurant, got a little giddy, and then talked to the man running the place who knew all the Samoan guys on the team real well. This just made me feel special which gave them a 9 on intangibles.
Overall a great experience and although I still don't know the difference between teriyaki and hawaiian BBQ, the 23.5 they put up left a pretty good taste in my mouth.
Taste: 7
Value: 7.5
Intangibles: 9
Total Score: 23.5 out of 30
The portion size was great, a heaping mound of food piled high to fill me well for $6.50. I usaully like a meal of this stature for under 6 bucks, but you definitely get more than you pay for here giving them a 7.5 on value.
The intangibles here set them apart though and I will tell you why. Not only did they do their best to decorate the place with Hawaiin artifacts and paintings, they even had updated team posters for the University of Hawaii football program. That showed me that were real hawaiins. Plus all the other people that come in there looked fairly hawiian which made me think this place was authentic.
-And then, the difference maker. They had a poster up of the 2004 UW seniors on the football team. Since I was in the picture (#32) I pointed myself out to everyone in the restaurant, got a little giddy, and then talked to the man running the place who knew all the Samoan guys on the team real well. This just made me feel special which gave them a 9 on intangibles.
Overall a great experience and although I still don't know the difference between teriyaki and hawaiian BBQ, the 23.5 they put up left a pretty good taste in my mouth.
Taste: 7
Value: 7.5
Intangibles: 9
Total Score: 23.5 out of 30
Monday, September 29, 2008
Which-Wich [19.5]
Today Mike went to Which-Wich. Overall he liked it because of the wide variety. The food was moderately priced at $5.25 for a sandwich. The food's quality was good, but the overall portion size was a lot less than he was used too.
For future reviews, wait for a special grading matrix to rate the food and the intangibles of the restaurant.
(fast forward to the creation of the special grading matrix)
Taste: 7
Value: 5
Intangibles: 7.5
Total Score: 19.5 out of 30
For future reviews, wait for a special grading matrix to rate the food and the intangibles of the restaurant.
(fast forward to the creation of the special grading matrix)
Taste: 7
Value: 5
Intangibles: 7.5
Total Score: 19.5 out of 30
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