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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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, entrĂ©e 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

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

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

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