Harry's Place is located on Knott Avenue, just north of Lincoln. You can't miss the orange sign. Both times that I've gone there, I've ordered the kids' meal grilled cheese. It's pretty legit, it comes with fries, and the whole meal costs less than four bucks. Also, they totally don't care that I'm not 12 or under. Aaron, on the other had, has not had the best time at Harry's place.
The first time we went, he ordered the bean and cheese burrito. Hard to screw up, yes? In this case, it indeed was hard to screw up and Aaron was fairly satisfied with it. Having relinquished some trust, Aaron decided to move forward in his relationship with Harry's and order the chicken burrito. After, of course, scrutinizing the menu for half an hour and peppering the cashier girl with questions. Cashier Girl claimed to really like the chicken burrito. If I recall correctly, she said that it was "one of her favorites."
Halfway through our meal, I noticed that Aaron wasn't wearing a happy face. In fact, his face looked more like that of a man consigned to spend his two-weeks paid vacation with his mother-in-law. "What's wrong?' I queried.
"This isn't very good", he responded.
"Why don't you tell them that and get something else?"
"Nah."
So he continued to pick at it. I felt pretty bad for him. He's so considerate of the cook's feelings.
When we got in the car, he looked over at me, his countenance both green and sly.
"You know what that burrito tasted like?", he rakishly posed. I anxiously awaited his description.
"Like someone took a tortilla and farted in it."
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Nostalgia minus some calories: Yogurtland
A common thread I have found woven between the childhoods of many of my acquaintances is going to “The Ice Cream Place”. This was a highly-anticipated event which could be used to manipulate children into good behavior, when one would go with one’s family, or grandma, or b.f.f., and totally pig out on sugary dairy goodness. (My place was Swensons.) Inevitably the recollection of such times at the ice cream place will conjure a smile, and a faraway look that communicates, “If only I could relive those experiences. And not gain ten pounds a month.”
Yogurtland is The Ice Cream Place for grown-ups. Unless you are a total downer, I promise you some sort of happy rush as you walk through its doors and realize that before you lie 16 or so self-serve frozen yogurt flavors, begging you to sample them, accept them, reject them, whatever – begging you to interact with them. (You might have to wait a while before you get to do this; people can be mighty reflective in line about their yogurt choices.) So grab a styrofoam container, and go for it. To help you out with your selections, I should inform you that Yogurtland’s flavors can be divided into two major categories: Tart, and Normal. The tart flavors are, go figure, not very sweet and have the tangy smack of plain yogurt. This may be a taste that you have to acquire, unless you are Asian or my husband. As for the “normal” flavors, I am a big fan of the Chocolate Mint, but you’ll have to pick your own poison. They range from regular old Chocolate, Vanilla, and Strawberry to fancier ones like Espresso, Green Tea, and Raspberry Cheesecake.
But wait, the happiness grows. Once you have dispensed your yogurt, you proceed to a smorgasbord of toppings that looks like something out of the food-fight scene in Hook. Well, minus the Technicolor frosting and roasted meats, but there are a ton of choices, including cookie dough bits, crushed oreos, gummy bears, and a variety of chopped fresh fruit. Major bonus: as with the yogurt, the toppings are self-serve (no more wincing as the person behind the counter overloads your dessert or sells you short!). So load up, but remember: you have to pay 30 cents an ounce for your creation. Plop your container of deliciousness down on the scale, and the friendly cashier will ring you up. All you have left to do is dig in, and prepare yourself for the cravings that may follow at all hours in the ensuing time until you visit Yogurtland again.
Extra tips for enjoying Yogurtland:
1) Read the yogurt-extolling blurbs that are plastered all over the walls. If you are a grammar snob at all, you’ll have a knee-slappin’ good time.
2) Bring some boba with you and put it on top of your Plain Tart yogurt. This is Aaron’s tip, not mine. Have at it if you wish (or dare).
3) Go really, really late, like right before they close, or at odd hours in order to avoid their notoriously long lines.
Locations / Hours:
Fullerton: 501 N. State College Blvd. Ste. C Sun.-Thurs. 10 am-12 am; Fri. & Sat. 10 am-12:30 am
Irvine: 14775 Jeffrey Rd. Ste. J Mon.-Thurs. 11 am-11:30 pm; Fri. & Sat. 10:30 am-12:30 am; Sun. 10:30 am-11:30 pm
Yogurtland is The Ice Cream Place for grown-ups. Unless you are a total downer, I promise you some sort of happy rush as you walk through its doors and realize that before you lie 16 or so self-serve frozen yogurt flavors, begging you to sample them, accept them, reject them, whatever – begging you to interact with them. (You might have to wait a while before you get to do this; people can be mighty reflective in line about their yogurt choices.) So grab a styrofoam container, and go for it. To help you out with your selections, I should inform you that Yogurtland’s flavors can be divided into two major categories: Tart, and Normal. The tart flavors are, go figure, not very sweet and have the tangy smack of plain yogurt. This may be a taste that you have to acquire, unless you are Asian or my husband. As for the “normal” flavors, I am a big fan of the Chocolate Mint, but you’ll have to pick your own poison. They range from regular old Chocolate, Vanilla, and Strawberry to fancier ones like Espresso, Green Tea, and Raspberry Cheesecake.
But wait, the happiness grows. Once you have dispensed your yogurt, you proceed to a smorgasbord of toppings that looks like something out of the food-fight scene in Hook. Well, minus the Technicolor frosting and roasted meats, but there are a ton of choices, including cookie dough bits, crushed oreos, gummy bears, and a variety of chopped fresh fruit. Major bonus: as with the yogurt, the toppings are self-serve (no more wincing as the person behind the counter overloads your dessert or sells you short!). So load up, but remember: you have to pay 30 cents an ounce for your creation. Plop your container of deliciousness down on the scale, and the friendly cashier will ring you up. All you have left to do is dig in, and prepare yourself for the cravings that may follow at all hours in the ensuing time until you visit Yogurtland again.
Extra tips for enjoying Yogurtland:
1) Read the yogurt-extolling blurbs that are plastered all over the walls. If you are a grammar snob at all, you’ll have a knee-slappin’ good time.
2) Bring some boba with you and put it on top of your Plain Tart yogurt. This is Aaron’s tip, not mine. Have at it if you wish (or dare).
3) Go really, really late, like right before they close, or at odd hours in order to avoid their notoriously long lines.
Locations / Hours:
Fullerton: 501 N. State College Blvd. Ste. C Sun.-Thurs. 10 am-12 am; Fri. & Sat. 10 am-12:30 am
Irvine: 14775 Jeffrey Rd. Ste. J Mon.-Thurs. 11 am-11:30 pm; Fri. & Sat. 10:30 am-12:30 am; Sun. 10:30 am-11:30 pm
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Welcome to reviewsmatter.
I'm glad you stopped by.
Coming soon: a smattering of helpful, or unhelpful, reviews of restaurants, books, and movies.
(But really, if I can keep you just once from getting food poisoning or some type of gastrointestinal problem, then that is all the satisfaction I need from writing this blog.)
Coming soon: a smattering of helpful, or unhelpful, reviews of restaurants, books, and movies.
(But really, if I can keep you just once from getting food poisoning or some type of gastrointestinal problem, then that is all the satisfaction I need from writing this blog.)
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