tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50223979974581415702024-02-18T22:18:06.862-08:00burbank bitesAlissa & Cory work together in Burbank. They are in no way professional food critics, but combined, they'll eat nearly anything, and can almost use cameras properly. Join them as they go on a mission to discover how hard Burbank bites & help you take your lunch break with (some)confidence!Miss Alissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08829326414533510707noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-46679027045787789792012-02-23T09:28:00.022-08:002012-03-07T12:09:49.357-08:00Magnolia Restaurant<span style="font-style:italic;">THAT'S RIGHT. A NEW REVIEW!</span><br />My lovely friend Dylan joined me for lunch in support of the continuation of Burbank Bites & I am ever-so-thankful for her company. Though she will probably not share with you what the food looked like when it came out of her, like our pal Cory, I have dined with her many times & think she knows her stuff!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgve3UoZB17jE3B77yb9Us4bOzPISyi5jNL1BlxX9rrDcv1r11JvLbh6_RusZQpO_Yn2rj5roJxaaG_G90hizhOy8tx18IaeoAFVRjXqvKSRL_LmuhqmC1N10UH6qenbYeeSp9va8YxtFo/s1600/magnolia01.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgve3UoZB17jE3B77yb9Us4bOzPISyi5jNL1BlxX9rrDcv1r11JvLbh6_RusZQpO_Yn2rj5roJxaaG_G90hizhOy8tx18IaeoAFVRjXqvKSRL_LmuhqmC1N10UH6qenbYeeSp9va8YxtFo/s400/magnolia01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716986798795398642" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />The Basics:</span><br />I have driven past Magnolia Restaurant many times as I cruised down Magnolia & always noted its blue awnings & tables on the sidewalk. It usually looks like a pretty inviting scene & had always hoped we would take a Burbank Bites trip to check it out. <br />So, I guess I was sort of under the impression, for some reason, that this would be a Mediterranean joint. It does have some dishes like "Greek salad" and so on, but most of the menu seems to include Georgian fare, or an overarching Armenian theme. I don't want to pigeon hole the place- so I would say it is Mediterranean meets Middle East & leave it at that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33kWyZwNFka9SRtU6g-yzmx6bw5UxVc_d5Jex7d1um-nY852x8N9qP70gEsj9bUns_W1w2N4XROuMoXuMUrH3yIMEZ27QNM6HHmJyX1uBiIf5UQt-qwqEhaPXDxqPNO-MmRXmY9TIDAk/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33kWyZwNFka9SRtU6g-yzmx6bw5UxVc_d5Jex7d1um-nY852x8N9qP70gEsj9bUns_W1w2N4XROuMoXuMUrH3yIMEZ27QNM6HHmJyX1uBiIf5UQt-qwqEhaPXDxqPNO-MmRXmY9TIDAk/s400/03.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716987932807885746" /></a><br /><br />Sometimes when you walk into one of these places- which are large and dark inside, and have older men who seem to be the bosses communing in a side room, and barely any customers, you are in for either terrible food or terrible service. And they frequently make you feel like you are intruding. I had a moment of fear when I peered inside, but thankfully, these fears did not come to fruition. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPymsn7v8YNOPTATBaQUg4GahzgQAU-Sy2s-XDoSITuOKH5QuHNUoAKffDnie0vTnTBD8IqLUWhKhEr6VwWJ_qLH1ir5lBg7To5DyaDc1TvDiWQkBPBXvBcIlh_SYK_LLVPNzOxVN4CWI/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPymsn7v8YNOPTATBaQUg4GahzgQAU-Sy2s-XDoSITuOKH5QuHNUoAKffDnie0vTnTBD8IqLUWhKhEr6VwWJ_qLH1ir5lBg7To5DyaDc1TvDiWQkBPBXvBcIlh_SYK_LLVPNzOxVN4CWI/s400/02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716987246677481218" /></a><br /><br />Our waitress was a sweetheart & she tried very hard to help us navigate the menu & was not even mad when I spilled a bunch of my food on the ground. A woman who seemed to be family of the joint was cruising by, stopped in for a moment and then took a moment to tell us she hoped we would have a wonderful lunch. It is nice to feel one's business is appreciated!!!<br /><br />The indoor seating was not for me, and I had always imagined eating at the tables outside, so we moved ourselves to the sidewalk and dug into the menu.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmb_cFvLVbiallPNphbf8uXJ66gLsoQL7utIKkqZNmcwl8T9fvZwsYuN4ajATpekJ-t4kUnw1oeJjy_C0bsZ3QLZynojXm6_JSOPmbuWZRbWCboWBFEnjdoKQdkIAc0Ug7lPomcXnTms0/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmb_cFvLVbiallPNphbf8uXJ66gLsoQL7utIKkqZNmcwl8T9fvZwsYuN4ajATpekJ-t4kUnw1oeJjy_C0bsZ3QLZynojXm6_JSOPmbuWZRbWCboWBFEnjdoKQdkIAc0Ug7lPomcXnTms0/s400/04.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716988417378334210" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Alissa:</span><br />Looking at this menu, I was tempted to order something wild. Something strange & unknown- once I realized there were things on there I had never had or had even heard about. I know there is danger in this game, but I was planning on letting the waitress help me with my decision. At first I thought I might try my hand at the Harisa but she informed me that it would not be possible to make at the time. Probably saved myself from an odd texture experience.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhACNRr5vKI2-_trRFGLGaV339hCSqSrCXRIb1ymsuV01Gn299DO9LvhLunAX_ZfcuVUirJCpigjZqeEJy7n2OCqhBgK19toBtkTHB64mYGCgoPwfOBUZemGHDQp0wLTHwrZ3zs043q8/s1600/05.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhACNRr5vKI2-_trRFGLGaV339hCSqSrCXRIb1ymsuV01Gn299DO9LvhLunAX_ZfcuVUirJCpigjZqeEJy7n2OCqhBgK19toBtkTHB64mYGCgoPwfOBUZemGHDQp0wLTHwrZ3zs043q8/s400/05.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716989109436301378" /></a><br /><br />I did, however, immediately spot the mutabel dish- as did Dylan. We are lovers of eggplant for sure. I make babaganoush on a semi-regular basis & try to order anything that resembles mashed up eggplant with bread items to dip into it. So we agreed quickly on adding this to our order. When it came, it came with a basket of breads & we immediately started dipping in. This is one of the sharing dishes that make me feel a little competitive for a moment- like- AM I GONNA GET ENOUGH!??! And the wolf inside of me begins to quietly growl. I thought it was pretty good. I have had better & worse. But I feel if you are going to go somewhere with Middle Eastern flare- you best get something that you dip- and I would recommend that this is what you get.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJjFqrnqm7yml64zFJ3HLmhUHDi_QPaTj4WLIy11yQcY0i6ES25jspJPPCVzWD3h3XfBJUlCZ93eREIDarU3OmaagdmFsSAVvB56NtiRcHSPLX_RdhL3M_0y6bwdtZAh8B_d0e8ETUxY/s1600/06.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJjFqrnqm7yml64zFJ3HLmhUHDi_QPaTj4WLIy11yQcY0i6ES25jspJPPCVzWD3h3XfBJUlCZ93eREIDarU3OmaagdmFsSAVvB56NtiRcHSPLX_RdhL3M_0y6bwdtZAh8B_d0e8ETUxY/s400/06.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716989337563776002" /></a><br /><br />For my main dish, I got the Chicken Shish Kabob sandwich. Seemed pretty basic- something I could recommend to a wide audience if it was good, so I felt confident in my choice. I was really looking forward to it. And then it came...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTtVEmoVS8Iei39VQdk_NFN9UW0yIKPoA9N73tZYJ1uikcmtHMlXbquhsrBIsdufh1Swa36l3B_mkYNIsn8ZbbKFHHvbcFE7x99OLVuWL_63VTdI7b_76iyOZCMPXzwcpcBIxehkl1Js/s1600/07.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTtVEmoVS8Iei39VQdk_NFN9UW0yIKPoA9N73tZYJ1uikcmtHMlXbquhsrBIsdufh1Swa36l3B_mkYNIsn8ZbbKFHHvbcFE7x99OLVuWL_63VTdI7b_76iyOZCMPXzwcpcBIxehkl1Js/s400/07.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716989919363240082" /></a><br /><br />Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Never mentioned in the menu, the main ingredient appeared to be my mortal enemy, CILANTRO. I never thought to ask about it- I don't imagine Mediterranean OR Middle Eastern cooking to be blasting out their wraps with that dirty weed. I whimpered. And gave up. Stressed out about a project at work, and semi-full with mutabel and bread, I decided I would dissect my sandwich in the privacy of my own home for lunch the next day. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhCQ6QcBK4zrdRXve-tOgUWQ8Baoa8U4_kO1D0MVqwkCxoZm20BMB-HaJfBUIjVAgrhaR_bqxtwqMO4e0ueunRfUryY7RJHRl-Nh_7joj95pgdO7iwals-1-sFuUYUD475dM74cx3RbY/s1600/08.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhCQ6QcBK4zrdRXve-tOgUWQ8Baoa8U4_kO1D0MVqwkCxoZm20BMB-HaJfBUIjVAgrhaR_bqxtwqMO4e0ueunRfUryY7RJHRl-Nh_7joj95pgdO7iwals-1-sFuUYUD475dM74cx3RbY/s400/08.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716990077862667154" /></a><br /><br />I did take a bite of the chicken and it was good. It was good the next day too, but I really cannot give you a full assessment of the wrap a whole. I think with all the cilantro dislikers out there, it should allllways be mentioned on a menu. It's not salt. It is an offensive herb (if you can call it that). COME ON. So yeah. That happened. I have a feeling if you specify ahead of time that you do not want a cilantro sandwich, this wrap would be pretty delicious.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKhb-f-FqT0qtrtjTXXdzod3vothoMuPaXMRfNZHAG7VhOC7wDVWFyezpZCP2PU1nbTh-DWbY7WpadRmn1wo8VDb8b6ZCwen-ODrQfwL1Wcamo4TtPwnsNSJNjxPRqEkS2eYaAUoKojU/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKhb-f-FqT0qtrtjTXXdzod3vothoMuPaXMRfNZHAG7VhOC7wDVWFyezpZCP2PU1nbTh-DWbY7WpadRmn1wo8VDb8b6ZCwen-ODrQfwL1Wcamo4TtPwnsNSJNjxPRqEkS2eYaAUoKojU/s400/12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716992158127375042" /></a><br /><br />We closed the meal with Armenian coffees- which are apparently like Turkish coffee. Rich and thick- just like I like my women. So Dylan is blowing it there. But let's let her talk about the food anyhow... <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Dylan:</span><br />I would like to begin by saying how honored I am to have been invited to join this particular creative endeavor. I have been a fan of Burbank Bites for some time, and getting asked to be a part of it felt kind of like that movie where Marky Mark gets asked to be in that hair metal band he's loved for all that time because their singer is dead. Except, Cory is not dead and Jennifer Aniston is not my girlfriend, which I feel is for the best. <br /><br />So anyhow, we met up at Magnolia Restaurant and as it turns out we were both wearing blue dresses and blue hoodies, which was great. I recognize this detail is not pertinent to the review of the restaurant, but it IS pertinent to how I felt when I was there (which is great) and that may have influenced how I felt about everything else. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhv76YmUaKv2a11ULBDcDUyFmruB0JtnIv7OQi3xk2jLDXQ94SfUjkrhPUYyz0F1OA4eu-Rfi66G0PvzSEDRbwNNlrMSjnkNmPYTj5ccV_x3p78A_KJ3rQhxUGw3iYQbKjQc7vw6zUqI/s1600/14.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhv76YmUaKv2a11ULBDcDUyFmruB0JtnIv7OQi3xk2jLDXQ94SfUjkrhPUYyz0F1OA4eu-Rfi66G0PvzSEDRbwNNlrMSjnkNmPYTj5ccV_x3p78A_KJ3rQhxUGw3iYQbKjQc7vw6zUqI/s400/14.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716994466582722578" /></a><br /><br />In any case, as Alissa has pointed out, this place isn't really a Mediterranean place, it's Georgian, which I think of more as a plus, since I am into trying new things. However, apparently Georgians are not that into falafel, which obviously is their prerogative (haters!). Side note: I had no idea prerogative was spelled that way until just this minute. How weird! Anyway, Georgians are not into falafel, or apparently other non-meat things. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzrs7jaw3tfkbVfC_FV5ZWawqhmT8MTK6xj6Ov8RtwDEQ0xZLaQfQuIXxxxbcVLF8amP-8wE1NbC3r9pp8RfO2cCNDytYyLMDRibUZU-9Rq-BQHsKwqx6zEMlgW7e4wLKxPBFyDRhl94/s1600/09.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzrs7jaw3tfkbVfC_FV5ZWawqhmT8MTK6xj6Ov8RtwDEQ0xZLaQfQuIXxxxbcVLF8amP-8wE1NbC3r9pp8RfO2cCNDytYyLMDRibUZU-9Rq-BQHsKwqx6zEMlgW7e4wLKxPBFyDRhl94/s400/09.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716990783990399154" /></a><br /><br />The menu at Magnolia Restaurant is essentially meat-heavy. There are some salads and hummus, but beyond that everything is basically meatish. Alissa and I split that eggplant app (she talks about it so I won't bore you with it again - it was yums). I also got a Greek salad and a lentil soup. The salad was nice - if you are fine with cilantro. Obviously, you know that Alissa is not, but I am and I thought the salad was easily delicious. To me a Greek salad is kind of a Greek salad no matter where you go, but this one had spicy peppers and good feta and olives, so I would say that kicks it up into the next gear. But the soup... sigh. I should have asked.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTo_TTLHFOK8C1wOc_f0WQpaI2WV17k0K5EQmpvzf7YIWcuk1pGw4VEnHkAmNYO-HnTapGI_-yLciZOaKh5mF486SjhzlpNnxZWKWRAYzt2vMoMltCcvUdf7B8El8JQR4N6Aj_BGwWJM/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTo_TTLHFOK8C1wOc_f0WQpaI2WV17k0K5EQmpvzf7YIWcuk1pGw4VEnHkAmNYO-HnTapGI_-yLciZOaKh5mF486SjhzlpNnxZWKWRAYzt2vMoMltCcvUdf7B8El8JQR4N6Aj_BGwWJM/s400/10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716990958545851794" /></a><br /><br />At a restaurant where the menu is basically meat dominated, I should have thought to ask if there was meat in their lentil soup. I did not, and that turned out to be an error. I am of the opinion that it's worse something dead should get thrown away than eaten, so when people screw up my orders at places and they turn out to have meat in them, I usually just try to eat it. I ate this soup and I would have to say, were I not somewhat distracted by the unfamiliar texture of meat in my mouth, it was probably really good. Someone else who eats meat would probably have liked it quite a lot. At any rate, I am definitely with Alissa on the Armenian coffee being delish.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxRF5jAPtCHNKjMmXD7fq779uOypGqPMz0O5WbERI9i-ycYjPE5M4anq2OAuFhN_OX71o8j-GV3Zuw_fNVbo9X04a8mCXcVYko8qBaAyCwyAysw5a9HINLE_ynov2VmMXh4KPy4NpOug/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxRF5jAPtCHNKjMmXD7fq779uOypGqPMz0O5WbERI9i-ycYjPE5M4anq2OAuFhN_OX71o8j-GV3Zuw_fNVbo9X04a8mCXcVYko8qBaAyCwyAysw5a9HINLE_ynov2VmMXh4KPy4NpOug/s400/11.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716991286122409010" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Good bites? Or just totally bites?</span><br />A: I'd say it was a good bite. Actually maybe a good sip. I feel like the thing I would most likely go back for would be the Armenian Coffee.<br /><br />D: I would say that if you are somebody who likes cilantro and eats meat, you will probably like this place a lot. However, sadly for the veggies out there, I would have to say that this is probably not the place for you. And neither is Georgia.<br /><br />A: (she means the country- but that might apply to the state as well)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Info:</span><br />1950 W Magnolia Blvd<br />Burbank, CA 91506<br />(818) 974-9374<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxU1aXsuFTvffvXzCDK0HMtpnRPUFFDm7nBxvWbL7sPkLXRXjmizFn0KqKVvb9sDX-6hMsxRXlDNSMq15SAs-qujw3ihaGdsZwkHFGaZ1R0jDZEh9HRLhTggT7m-GagkAitjqX2caKaI/s1600/13.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxU1aXsuFTvffvXzCDK0HMtpnRPUFFDm7nBxvWbL7sPkLXRXjmizFn0KqKVvb9sDX-6hMsxRXlDNSMq15SAs-qujw3ihaGdsZwkHFGaZ1R0jDZEh9HRLhTggT7m-GagkAitjqX2caKaI/s400/13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716993801173804514" /></a><br /><br />**Our reports are based on one visit/meal- so we're far from experts on these joints! If you have advice or experiences you'd like to share, please feel free to enlighten us & our readers! Our goal is to give enough info that someone might feel okay trying somewhere new (or know to avoid it!). Thanks for reading :)Miss Alissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08829326414533510707noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-21865841624468318172012-01-11T23:23:00.000-08:002012-01-13T17:38:54.577-08:00In Case You Hadn't Heard...Hey folks, it's Alissa. I know that many tens of our readers are family & friends, so certainly many of you know that Cory up and left working in Burbank for pursuit of otherness and togetherness with his new bride. That's nice, right? Yes. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahtkAd4MiQKkMOHvxIYOmm6HpsjlGLwrbzDU_9fa604IaouLD5c2aD5xM6JsDatntfpCqPxHHYu3XUHi0IeSNFiKho7fgtOOy8uvjthrD4Z2dFVXcLP0q0dmPiEUvVFnHl6wtuEvipBM/s1600/corygettinhitched.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahtkAd4MiQKkMOHvxIYOmm6HpsjlGLwrbzDU_9fa604IaouLD5c2aD5xM6JsDatntfpCqPxHHYu3XUHi0IeSNFiKho7fgtOOy8uvjthrD4Z2dFVXcLP0q0dmPiEUvVFnHl6wtuEvipBM/s400/corygettinhitched.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696871124211152386" /></a><br /><br />This is also a nice picture of us from the afterparty/math at his very traditional wedding. Picked my own groomsmaid suit & also made up that term cause there wasn't a wedding party. Just a wedding PARTAYYY:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksLMRa9HXvtd3Az11M09-4eD7pTe9dhc72MqtqLoT4Wv6SKDblcXRuIZTkQ_12ldXqOtfLdxJCDcRvc9CgCHoIT045RPDmLq1H725_OEXA_XfJvyp_IqwZnvtKGSABVtcN9SQGFGM_gA/s1600/coryalissawed.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksLMRa9HXvtd3Az11M09-4eD7pTe9dhc72MqtqLoT4Wv6SKDblcXRuIZTkQ_12ldXqOtfLdxJCDcRvc9CgCHoIT045RPDmLq1H725_OEXA_XfJvyp_IqwZnvtKGSABVtcN9SQGFGM_gA/s400/coryalissawed.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696871684338776658" /></a><br /><br />So good for him. But really... should we all suffer due to Cory's attempts to suffer less? I'd like to be completely happy for him that he is now taking his lunches in Hermosa, most likely at his home... but it's totally killing our game over here, man! What does Hermosa have to do with the rest of us? Nothing! That damn beach bum! He said he wouldn't forget us- that he would come up and have lunch now and again for the sake of the readers, but not a once since June has he done it. I can't really think of anything better than getting to spend quality time with me, but apparently Cory has forgotten how magical it is. That gets a TOTALLY BITES vote from Alissa. I can hardly imagine that not having to come to the office and getting to hang out with your wife more is comparable???<br /><br />In any case, I wanted to apologize for the lack of posts. And I would like to try to start making some more... perhaps with special guests, or all by my onesies. Because, after all, I'm still having to take lunch in Burbank. And believe it or not, I still want to continue my quest to let you know what's happening inside those restaurants you always pass by, but just can't get up the nerve to try for the first time. Cause I'm brave. Yeah. And extremely muscular. So, step back and let me handle it, babe.<br /><br />Oh but wait... what I don't have is a stomach-o-steel. So, if you want to know about anything that is meat-wrapped-meat or that involves the words "gut," "bust," or "heart attack" in the name, I'm afraid that taste tester has flown the coop. But hey- if you can get him to Burbank, I bet he'll eat it. Whatever it is. Bless him.<br /><br />Happy 2012!<br /><br />Awesome photos by: <a href="http://lamanda.tumblr.com/">http://lamanda.tumblr.com</a>Miss Alissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08829326414533510707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-42575474421333746632011-03-14T11:09:00.000-07:002012-01-11T23:45:35.696-08:00Papoo's Hot Dog Show*update: this lil joint closed! sorry folks- read on to see what you missed...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQUrRQPWRcQ_M6ZhNjZmqPph9akuTBWAcv81PZs5JjwHgzehyfbzqzlPOvMcF5kSb5KjDfJTkWJKL044XCUrGJDAbO6Makc4NMG0fnUZlxp4Swp55-kD0IUcguNcYtS6fixZ2cCHj4fM/s1600/PAPOO_facade02.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQUrRQPWRcQ_M6ZhNjZmqPph9akuTBWAcv81PZs5JjwHgzehyfbzqzlPOvMcF5kSb5KjDfJTkWJKL044XCUrGJDAbO6Makc4NMG0fnUZlxp4Swp55-kD0IUcguNcYtS6fixZ2cCHj4fM/s400/PAPOO_facade02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603374555239077314" /></a><br /><br />As you can see from the posting date of this entry, Cory started it many weeks (months!?) ago. Yet, all he wrote was:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Alrighty, folks - today's (and when I say "today's" I really mean "several weeks ago's") mid-day adventure takes us to the world famous Papoo's Hot Dog Show in the heart of studioville</span>. <br /><br />Cory has recently made a number of LIFE-CHANGING-DECISIONS. Including deciding he wants to not work here as of sometime in MAY. Which means he will have to drive up here to Burbank to join me for lunch if he still wants to bite Burbank with me. But as you can see by his failure to complete this blog posting- even before he put in his notice at work, it may be a bit far-fetched to think he will continue to participate. In his head, he's already miles away... but hopefully we get a few more in before he leaves! Even if I have to be the main author on them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiZMvYie7gxR18IbR2HUsPn8j-29WR8996QFYu_YXt7eNhDZm9wtJu4-6QRyYqZ7pKL7_KjID7YxicS7Hv9FJtApeu0IVS260l39MUD0nukfiiGlQo3SJTk32yDmv2T0RIGqy12txY3E/s1600/PAPOO_door.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiZMvYie7gxR18IbR2HUsPn8j-29WR8996QFYu_YXt7eNhDZm9wtJu4-6QRyYqZ7pKL7_KjID7YxicS7Hv9FJtApeu0IVS260l39MUD0nukfiiGlQo3SJTk32yDmv2T0RIGqy12txY3E/s400/PAPOO_door.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603373141421200770" /></a><br /><br />SO! Yes. We did indeed eat at Papoo's Hot Dog Show. Cory's choice. He mentioned it long ago- and I always told him that if he could verify it was in Burbank, I'd go. It is a place I had definitely been curious about for years- it almost seemed like you would get in there and there wouldn't be hot dogs at all- just some weird left over name or set from a long time ago... but no. There were hot dogs. And there were top dogs. That's right. Me. And Cory, I guess. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Basics:</span><br />Hot dogs are not the only thing on the menu, but they are certainly the star of The Show. You can, however get things like an Elk Burger or Grilled Pastrami Rueben if you are looking to eat a sandwich in a booth in a place with checkerboard floors and do not want a hot dog. There are many hot dog choices- covered with things like onions or chili or sauces. The dogs themselves can be ordered boiled, grilled, or deep fried. There are fries and other sides, and a variety of fountain drinks. Even a couple beers on tap. You can saunter up to the counter and get something to go (as a few people did while we were eating) or grab a booth and wait for your waitress. If you are like me, you should totally not go here- cause nothing on the menu is really great for a sensitive stomach. But if you are REALLY like me you will go here anyhow, in an ongoing attempt to make others think you are unstoppable. Dangerous. Badass. Woman (with terrible acid reflux and tendency for nausea) vs. Food (as long as it is not beef or any other spooky specialty meats, or has too many onions or cilantro and is not too fatty). I can't believe I don't have my own show.<br /><br />And now for the hot dog show...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWci9_q2vnXKn1Q5EuJFGd1Fv7xtEr9wfFW4xuZjjNjmE46y9WL_jW1jPac6hB1olJ4X6lxu_wSk-gRYM6VszV2pREhvc872dcMAg9h2NLHR9l5r-DXy1JHKbg-ksb7Y9hA42JB6EWx4/s1600/PAPOO_ABCdog.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWci9_q2vnXKn1Q5EuJFGd1Fv7xtEr9wfFW4xuZjjNjmE46y9WL_jW1jPac6hB1olJ4X6lxu_wSk-gRYM6VszV2pREhvc872dcMAg9h2NLHR9l5r-DXy1JHKbg-ksb7Y9hA42JB6EWx4/s400/PAPOO_ABCdog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603373539265941890" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Alissa:</span><br />I know I am boring sometimes. There are just certain staples that I use to gauge a place's worth. If they pass that test, I might try something else the next time. If the staple dish is too good, I may never try anything but that & eat it over and over for years. Now that I am back in the Bacon Game, the BLT or any near relative of it is one of those staples (another example is mac & cheese- you know what I mean?). That is how I decided upon choosing the ABC dog here at Papoo's. That particular dog is loaded up with <span style="font-weight:bold;">A</span>vocado, <span style="font-weight:bold;">B</span>acon and <span style="font-weight:bold;">C</span>heese. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKuHUU2YMkCNpkLDYDhyJaneRvwmYJ-AFzYtuh2xIlrmXqVnjkBPc75NyskB8U9A1DtJrjtlcQIEWuMFWnrVXdUur1VammKGezjGlmh6CtZ6l2NCOx-NN7iaX1b-b4XJTb0WVEamO7IQ/s1600/PAPOO_turkeysign.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKuHUU2YMkCNpkLDYDhyJaneRvwmYJ-AFzYtuh2xIlrmXqVnjkBPc75NyskB8U9A1DtJrjtlcQIEWuMFWnrVXdUur1VammKGezjGlmh6CtZ6l2NCOx-NN7iaX1b-b4XJTb0WVEamO7IQ/s400/PAPOO_turkeysign.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603374399399521074" /></a><br /><br />A white board boasted that they now had Turkey Dogs, so I chose one of those. Those only come grilled, so that's how it came. I did not get a side, but I pulled my classic move of getting a totally unnecessary drink and ordered a chocolate/coffee shake. I do this for you, you know. People of Burbank. So that if you want to just go out for a shake sometime- since this is 1955, you know where to do it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsE-lhq9w6xTJ3t70bLscgQhbsLFfKoXHexI7ZC7ZJ4g1ras-2d6myMVz79euEv25jRO5mGCLhl6FeZITts086SUtqRKVsSoj4JaJHtkfYwqH760MwnfOWb0mfLNFGJpu3FcEbNipKDPo/s1600/PAPOO_chocoffeshake.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsE-lhq9w6xTJ3t70bLscgQhbsLFfKoXHexI7ZC7ZJ4g1ras-2d6myMVz79euEv25jRO5mGCLhl6FeZITts086SUtqRKVsSoj4JaJHtkfYwqH760MwnfOWb0mfLNFGJpu3FcEbNipKDPo/s400/PAPOO_chocoffeshake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603373967061753538" /></a><br /><br />Now there was certainly no lack of food. Let's get that straight- this dog was big. On a big bun. With lots of crispy bacon. As promised there was avocado, and 2 slices of American cheese melted over the whole deal. But not very melted. And I think that is where my issue began. I am from the San Francisco Bay Area- I have been told that this is why I do not like American Cheese. Cory is from Iowa and he sees no problem with it. In fact it is better for some things according to him. I am not a fan, nor do I think I was raised to properly appreciate this form of cheese- so usually I just feel annoyed if it shows up on something. I think menus should have to say it is that kind of cheese. But again, this is quite possibly a totally strange perspective. In any case, what I don't like about it is that it is rubbery and by the time it got to me, was not hot and therefore rubbery. Boom. The dog itself was fine, good, moist. But I think this sandwich as a whole is just too dry. Needs some sort of special sauce on it or something. Less dry bun. I think I could recreate this beautifully at home though. Don't get me wrong- I ate it. But I think it was missing a little LOVE. I also drank most of that milkshake, of course. It was good- in my opinion, if you jam ice cream, chocolate and coffee together, you're probably gonna do alright. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNzXhyphenhyphenIMAJQEs3ozro_8JD98RVR3pmrCQOjGmCRDIjig-cn6wUo6xnVKjWQ-9JYVhA8CBjqy5S9ohyqe3amGCIKNBw4RKTUxXGtHgCJb05XFBHXuYyf8I-T9whF_wxscsR9Qsa-yy_SA/s1600/PAPOO_diningroom.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNzXhyphenhyphenIMAJQEs3ozro_8JD98RVR3pmrCQOjGmCRDIjig-cn6wUo6xnVKjWQ-9JYVhA8CBjqy5S9ohyqe3amGCIKNBw4RKTUxXGtHgCJb05XFBHXuYyf8I-T9whF_wxscsR9Qsa-yy_SA/s400/PAPOO_diningroom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603374149425282642" /></a><br /><br />As far as the place went, I liked the setting. You feel like you are in a soda shoppe or something. You can play video games if you come with someone like Cory and you are totally bored of listening to him talk about how you are going to probably try to eat his fries. Our orders were correct, but the waitress didn't seem very excited about helping us decide what to order- seemed more fond of the regulars who were coming through, but our spirits aren't crushed that easily. I don't mind a little 'tude as long as I get a seat and my food (you can make that a little rap. try it. it's gonna be a huge hit.).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tnDKITKB0qHVnAXiY5p8_a1qtTpC9CCaWINT1STP-vSqz6ZgGX68E9DC-8nV1nQof84tzv5XT0jtw-gvkkZrwD46uLEhkluwa9p-shOx8WWqZfHyK4HxFP0K90wA3N9g3aO9987cnmw/s1600/PAPOO_counter.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tnDKITKB0qHVnAXiY5p8_a1qtTpC9CCaWINT1STP-vSqz6ZgGX68E9DC-8nV1nQof84tzv5XT0jtw-gvkkZrwD46uLEhkluwa9p-shOx8WWqZfHyK4HxFP0K90wA3N9g3aO9987cnmw/s400/PAPOO_counter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603374294262798610" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cory:</span><br />Oh, look at me...I'm Alissa & I'm from Northern California. It's so fancy up there. I'm too good for American Cheese. In fact, I don't even LIKE America. I love cotton candy, disco, and the Taliban.<br />Well, listen sister - a fat animated man once spoke these words: "NO ONE MAKES CHEESE LIKE THE AMERICANS!" And he was right. NO.ONE.<br />Unfortunately, however, you are also right in this instance. That cheese was rubbery & funky. And it wasn't much better on my dog than it was on yours.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMeUIox9z56Z_muO0wm3Od9QJwbKK9vkqckakVf-Rfg_vLgH6MR_4coiOC3xG-mp9Ny2I3SeWPTM25Eh-PWzVxikxja8XByVpbBREZFqkjPZTz85IwNWIUgf7aAJz1tcNBWYPHWrM2Mw/s1600/PAPOO_showdog02.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMeUIox9z56Z_muO0wm3Od9QJwbKK9vkqckakVf-Rfg_vLgH6MR_4coiOC3xG-mp9Ny2I3SeWPTM25Eh-PWzVxikxja8XByVpbBREZFqkjPZTz85IwNWIUgf7aAJz1tcNBWYPHWrM2Mw/s400/PAPOO_showdog02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603373705581441138" /></a><br /><br />I opted for the namesake Show Dog & ordered it ripped, like me. It was topped w/ grilled spinach, bacon, and "swiss" cheese (american-made, presumably). It was pretty good, but woulda been infinitely better had they used actual swiss cheese & melted it instead of just kind of laying it limply across the top of the dog, hoping the heat from the spinach & bacon would melt it (it didn't). I also ordered steak fries; and yes I did assume Alissa would seize some for herself, but she pretty much steered clear of them for once. I'm assuming that's because her frydar indicated that they were a bit overcooked & yet still cold. Regardless, I slathered them with salt & ketchup & had my way with them. I washed it all down w/ a coke, which had just the kind of ice I like - small & crumbly.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Good bites? Or just totally bites?</span><br />A: If you want a dog and a soda, this is a good bet/bite. I probably won't go back because I totally don't care about hot dogs! <br /><br />C: Uhh...I suppose I can call this a good bite. It didn't overwhelm me with awesomeness; but, like the lady said, it's good for a dog & a soda. I might opt for something cheeseless next time though...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRWIlquV8lpIr_m1nPy0DMpRPm458a2jXcWzjRINcJXTU-4Ss1W-X4Lx0DG1Rp_U8UkL4krGGZw-zheox_0P6Ph4XgKmmQWoa69olbKBEonBVyYNJfk9lCOWo1D4jbY3SMIogBg8hRXA/s1600/PAPOO_sign.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRWIlquV8lpIr_m1nPy0DMpRPm458a2jXcWzjRINcJXTU-4Ss1W-X4Lx0DG1Rp_U8UkL4krGGZw-zheox_0P6Ph4XgKmmQWoa69olbKBEonBVyYNJfk9lCOWo1D4jbY3SMIogBg8hRXA/s400/PAPOO_sign.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603374663966025746" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Info:</span><br />4300 West Riverside Drive<br />Burbank, CA 91505<br />(818) 846-1511<br /><br />**Our reports are based on one visit/meal- so we're far from experts on these joints! If you have advice or experiences you'd like to share, please feel free to enlighten us & our readers! Our goal is to give enough info that someone might feel okay trying somewhere new (or know to avoid it!). Thanks for reading :)suddenlycoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629709561131664727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-3934985128093552732011-02-25T17:26:00.000-08:002011-03-02T15:32:04.975-08:00Frank's Coffee Shop & Restaurant<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQimJqwC0HgitS5lGlw9A9vyWic24f8G7La_ONIgjg0iomASja3dDVCfXl5dxeDi1kqWPVceasbjcD4NDA_9uFBazNASLwADmmXw_NDtKZELL04io1RSDlmifm-KymNEslTr9cOXWhgA4/s1600/DSC_0117.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQimJqwC0HgitS5lGlw9A9vyWic24f8G7La_ONIgjg0iomASja3dDVCfXl5dxeDi1kqWPVceasbjcD4NDA_9uFBazNASLwADmmXw_NDtKZELL04io1RSDlmifm-KymNEslTr9cOXWhgA4/s400/DSC_0117.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579394707291392498" /></a><br /><br />Today we went to Frank's Coffee Shop and Restaurant. This, I feel, rounds out our Diners-Along-Victory-Tour which has included such spots as <a href="http://burbankbites.blogspot.com/2010/09/lancers.html">Lancer's</a> and <a href="http://burbankbites.blogspot.com/2010/10/tallyrand.html">The Tallyrand</a>. Yes, not only were Cory and I able to somehow escape from our desks (finally) for lunch, but we had our first guest diners... avid supporters of Burbank Bites... my parents! Mr. and Mrs. Miss Alissa Senior. Thank you for joining us!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnwg8ZRO8vz-MVIoQy_DjYXMjn-9AAnus-UgdOpzI4Baxy4Fp5PQfkgzWtvuYMWziM99tNk0ZVaVkJeuFpZ-e2PfKwDevIrRfVxuXKe-flmQX8ZkV-TGlva9oFAHHv5nvxfcUo7cMXYk/s1600/DSC_0151.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnwg8ZRO8vz-MVIoQy_DjYXMjn-9AAnus-UgdOpzI4Baxy4Fp5PQfkgzWtvuYMWziM99tNk0ZVaVkJeuFpZ-e2PfKwDevIrRfVxuXKe-flmQX8ZkV-TGlva9oFAHHv5nvxfcUo7cMXYk/s400/DSC_0151.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579391153694691458" /></a><br /><br />Graphically speaking (not the way Cory does, where he mentions the state of his bedsheets or what happens in the bathroom after he eats, but as pertaining to graphics) I like the signage at Frank's very much. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVN9tUyLHgmQBIxBLsLKqUnG1PCudfF2nhGObxoo-JmvSeiDgQ6CQ47Jvnm34YmtSjAI02vmf5u5CMjALguetFVT3FkY1ChUR6jdJhcee8Z4lw5MPHbIWjqKpxpFYrV51FDND3AfvB5s/s1600/DSC_0118.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVN9tUyLHgmQBIxBLsLKqUnG1PCudfF2nhGObxoo-JmvSeiDgQ6CQ47Jvnm34YmtSjAI02vmf5u5CMjALguetFVT3FkY1ChUR6jdJhcee8Z4lw5MPHbIWjqKpxpFYrV51FDND3AfvB5s/s400/DSC_0118.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579392771753470706" /></a><br /><br />It is what caught my eye so many months ago when I was first entertaining the idea of lunchtime adventures. Big, bold, and classic. Neither of my parents or any of the much older walker-wielding visitors have any need to use glasses when attempting to read this sign even from a great distance, which I feel is very effective. I know it is hard to tell when I am joking- sometimes I have no idea if I am being sarcastic or if I am just a total bitch, but I am being serious. I like the sign. Signs catching our eyes is how Cory and I choose dining spots, so it is actually an important feature!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSpLdggqtQ3YyxGNZDKG44LOq5ThjcfZMGJFmIGwJp_00PlMMECXcUA4wv6o2Lq6UFTb4RZuiP2m132udxfnfSpvtWpoy_StdETKKBI-aduOVpfd-Iykm5MlsmxBlD4eNf8eOBTRMfLM/s1600/DSC_0123.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSpLdggqtQ3YyxGNZDKG44LOq5ThjcfZMGJFmIGwJp_00PlMMECXcUA4wv6o2Lq6UFTb4RZuiP2m132udxfnfSpvtWpoy_StdETKKBI-aduOVpfd-Iykm5MlsmxBlD4eNf8eOBTRMfLM/s400/DSC_0123.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579392445428335746" /></a><br /><br />Anyhow we met up in the somewhat wet-from-rain parking lot and ventured in. As Cory and I explained to my dad that we did not need help deciding what to photograph, there was a decision to sit in a booth in the corner. I thought it was a little silly because there wasn't anyone in the whole place really except for a young dude next to whom we were about to sit. I completely forgot about him though, and I am just now realizing he was sitting on entirely the other side of the joint when we left. Smart guy. Sneaky too. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCr7guUMYrvO_BhfIomdnVIP2kJcYiEgulmn-MtY7qVMSli1Z-iY6UZ4ggiylqdobGWxm1ojOLwN4xhv7sWQ_Kq0KmEueLbwUlF6rcKNpNG8rxXT5zajK0LHfN2i-oY_TzpKdmOxaLhNk/s1600/DSC_0122.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCr7guUMYrvO_BhfIomdnVIP2kJcYiEgulmn-MtY7qVMSli1Z-iY6UZ4ggiylqdobGWxm1ojOLwN4xhv7sWQ_Kq0KmEueLbwUlF6rcKNpNG8rxXT5zajK0LHfN2i-oY_TzpKdmOxaLhNk/s400/DSC_0122.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579391576868606146" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg140sTZmYZ_eN-wGM62Nv3NkTEIG5Cl9jtass5ZoSThofiy_DF0qSrKYDcfOk5vXfbzAiBRnUU-3iAYSOUatc7D3puwOXBYd2AoN1o-oWMJ71drCZ5tCDuomoOh19MvrAm6s0dT6SjF4o/s1600/DSC_0120.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg140sTZmYZ_eN-wGM62Nv3NkTEIG5Cl9jtass5ZoSThofiy_DF0qSrKYDcfOk5vXfbzAiBRnUU-3iAYSOUatc7D3puwOXBYd2AoN1o-oWMJ71drCZ5tCDuomoOh19MvrAm6s0dT6SjF4o/s400/DSC_0120.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579392188910464338" /></a><br /><br />We mused over the menu for so long that the fellow serving us- who was a polite 20-something year old boy who was cool enough to offer to take our photo- not a lil old lady with a name tag- brought us the breakfast menus as well. But, by then we had actually decided. And bravely, with the power of the bravest and most finely crocheted symbol around guiding us, we each ordered from the not-breakfast menu!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXrrtnTppNpsrLp0pnlIV4BDZR0ZPeUsbygW1unsTwTLI3Ib3zCMZsa372q8tIY9yG0ufGb1ZxLxaVSdMYmnJp20hLBnd59c_GDtYYL6rT23bEOEJNnq8Ui2jWeZm3QfoQ3ExBcC6NwQ/s1600/DSC_0121.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXrrtnTppNpsrLp0pnlIV4BDZR0ZPeUsbygW1unsTwTLI3Ib3zCMZsa372q8tIY9yG0ufGb1ZxLxaVSdMYmnJp20hLBnd59c_GDtYYL6rT23bEOEJNnq8Ui2jWeZm3QfoQ3ExBcC6NwQ/s400/DSC_0121.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579389689212358802" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Basics:</span><br />It's a diner. They have some sandwiches, soups, salads and entrees involving various meats. I would argue that the most interesting entree involves sand dabs. Only because I don't really know what one of those guys looks like. I told Cory it was some sort of 'marine life.' Goddamnit I am looking it up right now....... Okay. Those guys are- well not very sexy. Whatever, no one got those so let's move on. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0KhYUfXYDcBdESr0Qav7aFct7T9vj89hckR088qdE6dv7pfyJi7kc9PwOOaZ3LZXuv9TsiPHpXPpeqKYSxOmjYCdlNQ_pUiqbia7PMDgd6-AxDWsKnGxGAYvk-4kU1i5gGb96BIqKuY/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0KhYUfXYDcBdESr0Qav7aFct7T9vj89hckR088qdE6dv7pfyJi7kc9PwOOaZ3LZXuv9TsiPHpXPpeqKYSxOmjYCdlNQ_pUiqbia7PMDgd6-AxDWsKnGxGAYvk-4kU1i5gGb96BIqKuY/s400/DSC_0125.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579391799774662850" /></a><br /><br />There is also a breakfast menu where you can pair about a million kinds of meat with eggs and potatoes and the like. You can have that stuff any time- I do like that option. At the end, thankfully, you can choose if you have room for pie.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Alissa:</span><br />Perhaps this is not adventurous, but I had the BLT. It was supposed to have A in there too, but there was a miscommunication. My mother ordered first and said she wanted a blat. This is not how it is listed so I think it send our waiter's mind for a spin. I would recommend saying ADD AVOCADO. I said 'I'll have what she's having' and then included 'add clam chowder,' which was white clam chowder. I also got me some coffee, since this is a coffee shop. First came the coffee and the soup. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvFjwhajqDcNDG6F_KVMFCggHVd69A86MG3HabxuN4pJm_v_eSaoBmQe9YiqeiWnSgN0z6CYMNo6IdrmX4aQB9D45fkQUA0xnFIfgb4m8l5ENKOEzS8YkmWUVqtPZPLROLBCsh06LPZI/s1600/DSC_0130.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvFjwhajqDcNDG6F_KVMFCggHVd69A86MG3HabxuN4pJm_v_eSaoBmQe9YiqeiWnSgN0z6CYMNo6IdrmX4aQB9D45fkQUA0xnFIfgb4m8l5ENKOEzS8YkmWUVqtPZPLROLBCsh06LPZI/s400/DSC_0130.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579392995258469010" /></a><br /><br />I was starving by this point, and dove into that chowwdaahhh. And it was good. I didn't expect it to be anything special but I ate every bit. This week the Top Chef contestant who went home had undercooked potatoes in his soup, and I was thinking damnnn these potatoes are cooked perfectly. They were. Meanwhile, my mother announced that the coffee was terrible. I dunno. It seemed okay to me- tasted like diner coffee. I had vanilla creamer in there and probably wouldn't have considered it not being passable if she hadn't spoken up. My dad said the brand was in line with proper diner coffee and I think I am just going to stick with saying it was 'fine'.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQsfZ9GJAenBvT5TW2NoMsRE8u9AmsgE2vmZE5Ojn36k4o9X7ZUrsUQFEpcKpB-IrKJCw83Wd_BUobPnj7f8V2fTnZE4wBFzkzH-LE5m8V8qQ8CI5A7Jkexdo_emUcBWeygnMiaQcbzQ/s1600/DSC_0139.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQsfZ9GJAenBvT5TW2NoMsRE8u9AmsgE2vmZE5Ojn36k4o9X7ZUrsUQFEpcKpB-IrKJCw83Wd_BUobPnj7f8V2fTnZE4wBFzkzH-LE5m8V8qQ8CI5A7Jkexdo_emUcBWeygnMiaQcbzQ/s400/DSC_0139.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579393299180162386" /></a><br /><br />My sandwich came and it looked fineish too. Coleslaw looked fine. Only sad part was the lack of avocado. I had totally forgotten and Ma didn't mention it until she was nearly done. That would have been a really nice element because the bacon was piecey and crumbly. You throw and avocado in there and it acts like a bacon magnet. This is the only way you can have a truly successful bacon bits sandwich- like the awesome one they have at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftrailscafe&src_bizid=HrurjBU0l19vzBP86D_YTQ&cachebuster=1299107191">Trails</a> in Griffith Park. Did you know most of those lil bacon bit shakers are filled with <a href="http://www.generalmills.com/~/media/Images/Brands/Nutritional_Images/Betty_Crocker/Bacos/Bacos_Bits-306.ashx">soy based matter</a> that is flavored like bacon unless they say 'made with real bacon'? Cool, right? Oh well. In any case it wasn't a BLT to die for. Pretty straight forward, but I think could have used a little more love. I don't like overly fancy BLTs but if you are gonna keep to the very basic elements you need to really pour love and attention into each ingredient. My mom later said 'there was NO bacon on the sandwich,' and for a sandwich that leads with a B, I'd say that is not a good review. I tried Mom's fries. They were the thick kind. I liked them fine- but I think Cory is suggesting I ALWAYS like the fries everywhere and basically eat 90 percent of his any time he orders them. F U, Cory!!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vgslMFFToCoynE-bEab889s7pcsvbrtcvPWAilEtmuZ2H5XMyuuzfWOvlZME-EpYgZAWx5tMYH_c8c-Io7VTdQMAfBgDAiI-2s9yLrW_7OeQqAQxT41UZGQ7FYbaLg8yp6g4GjHAhjY/s1600/DSC_0140.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vgslMFFToCoynE-bEab889s7pcsvbrtcvPWAilEtmuZ2H5XMyuuzfWOvlZME-EpYgZAWx5tMYH_c8c-Io7VTdQMAfBgDAiI-2s9yLrW_7OeQqAQxT41UZGQ7FYbaLg8yp6g4GjHAhjY/s400/DSC_0140.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579389356107828498" /></a><br /><br />Meanwhile, my dad had a Reuben? I think his comment was: it had a lot of meat. But that was mostly as a counterpoint to my mom complaining about lack of meat. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3hj7RjRXaKTILdLpP7-J7yRPa4VZNuFRB4Mau5-DqNarFmWNgZjUHXbQZwSyk2z9LlfKX41sUkvvWc6TfruZbuqrfEoR_aVYstyMTTJdW6Jgb7SksJv3WxPf1XGVDiBfA0gKIySZniU/s1600/DSC_0152.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3hj7RjRXaKTILdLpP7-J7yRPa4VZNuFRB4Mau5-DqNarFmWNgZjUHXbQZwSyk2z9LlfKX41sUkvvWc6TfruZbuqrfEoR_aVYstyMTTJdW6Jgb7SksJv3WxPf1XGVDiBfA0gKIySZniU/s400/DSC_0152.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579390765692741330" /></a><br /><br />He also got some berry pie, heated up and a la mode. The flavor was really nice actually but we both thought it was too soft- probably should have foregone the heating up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzD1cA28SBu_YR1o_XleJPQXycOxS4PXyMXk07YNXKXoG6VbrWN54GyhSKC3JmVjJW2ZTP9NQZY8Wem2RMAAHF57DWN8Ypd_RNipLEl9mY_LWSc7f7zyGdM4j2vos0ly5u815HpHbWnQ/s1600/DSC_0129.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzD1cA28SBu_YR1o_XleJPQXycOxS4PXyMXk07YNXKXoG6VbrWN54GyhSKC3JmVjJW2ZTP9NQZY8Wem2RMAAHF57DWN8Ypd_RNipLEl9mY_LWSc7f7zyGdM4j2vos0ly5u815HpHbWnQ/s400/DSC_0129.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579390027148735842" /></a><br /><br />When we left we spoke with a woman behind the counter. She was the mom of our waiter. My mother had made some hollering sound from the table, and he immediately appeared having sensed a mother calling. I see he is trained at work to respond to Mom, so it all made a lot of sense. On the counter she had another awesome American Flag blanket in production. Apparently she started making them after 9-11, and this one was a custom order. They take 100 hours to make!!! But hey- if you are looking at it and thinking I NEED THAT, it is not entirely out of the question that you could procure one. Insider's tip. You're welcome.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cory:</span><br />After assimilating myself seamlessly into The Family of Miss Alissa, I examined the menu at length & opted for a tried & true favorite: the meatloaf. See, when I was a young Suddenly Cory, my mama used to make a mean meatloaf. A meatloaf I didn't come to fully appreciate until much later in life. A meatloaf I often attempt to imitate, but can't ever get quite right. A meatloaf that makes me try meatloaf at pretty much every restaurant that serves it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUW95kfC7rwM6n25PaGGl1U0dcNnxhNiVbmioxAelpU1VRpgJlcuSNwM47V8MeNSiLW8BqT50uH8xHqafkMJq4lJbvzre8pSwHcR-r1sWbGcSzh-pSN53qdTgNNHKXY-_D04ZiMtoVkso/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUW95kfC7rwM6n25PaGGl1U0dcNnxhNiVbmioxAelpU1VRpgJlcuSNwM47V8MeNSiLW8BqT50uH8xHqafkMJq4lJbvzre8pSwHcR-r1sWbGcSzh-pSN53qdTgNNHKXY-_D04ZiMtoVkso/s400/DSC_0143.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579388634780896034" /></a><br /><br />I had envisioned a gloriously browned hunk of meat, topped with a tomato-based glaze. What I got instead was a few meager slices of loaf drowning in a sea of brown gravy & topped with mushrooms most foul. Alright, perhaps that's a little on the harsh side. The mushrooms were not at all "foul" (at least in comparison to other mushrooms), but I simply try to avoid them in most of my dinners; and the gravy was fine (just not what I expected). All this lay beside an artful pile of mashed potatoes.<br />After quickly getting over my initial bummed-outedness, I dug in. The meatloaf was decent. It may even have been spectacular, but there was really no way to tell with all that gravy masking the flavor. The pretty potatoes tasted just fine but, again, they were nothing to write home about. In the end, I even tried a few mushrooms. They were mushroomy so, if you like that sort of thing, here's where you can find em (though you better really like gravy too).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMGxHGwZRYYC3gnAORCNBw7rS9QA6LZ5r4anO2kPJQdVaSZ-igRJivfr8icUZYfw5b0V6P_SYz6w00Fc_rqv2SVdk2bfy2ApfEZwqXmBTP3UsF3Uv3ymw45Wl4AFIBKV9fAvDWvWUZBc/s1600/DSC_0136.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMGxHGwZRYYC3gnAORCNBw7rS9QA6LZ5r4anO2kPJQdVaSZ-igRJivfr8icUZYfw5b0V6P_SYz6w00Fc_rqv2SVdk2bfy2ApfEZwqXmBTP3UsF3Uv3ymw45Wl4AFIBKV9fAvDWvWUZBc/s400/DSC_0136.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579388874566279538" /></a><br /><br />Oh! I nearly forgot...the soup. My meatloaf came with a cup of minestrone, which was actually quite good. It had a nice zesty broth with lots of flavor & the ingredients were fresh and tasty.<br />Once we were all finished, Alissa's father proudly displayed his flaccid carrot for all the restaurant to see. We were all suitably impressed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGesS5y9HxHg-Q9E1Qcxc40N7KFsyP8uacUkZjzRQTsFKQJiRndLZlBEgCsRLxSqdC_9ZROUs_G0K4jLAhAD9man_5PMqt38qNBvWux4l78TgR80HnD5QsDspKAgC9gklJMDZkbGBuLFI/s1600/DSC_0149.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGesS5y9HxHg-Q9E1Qcxc40N7KFsyP8uacUkZjzRQTsFKQJiRndLZlBEgCsRLxSqdC_9ZROUs_G0K4jLAhAD9man_5PMqt38qNBvWux4l78TgR80HnD5QsDspKAgC9gklJMDZkbGBuLFI/s400/DSC_0149.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579389094998379938" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Good bite? Or just totally bites?</span><br />A: Hmmm I dunno- sometimes I feel like my lack of love for meats keeps me from experiencing the more signature experience at some of these places. Who knows. I thought the soup rocked (homemade or canned, I have no idea) and the pie tasted somewhat bite-able. Sandwich I could take or leave and probably leave. If I could afford to have that nice lady crochet me an american flag blanket, I would because it would make an amazing gift. I'd stop in for coffee and pie if I had something to write/work on. I'd guess they get some people coming in to write. I don't know what show or movie I was watching lately- but Frank's was being passed off as a coffee shop in another state. But I assure you, it's in Burbank, California.<br /><br />B: Wait, what's this??? I see that Alissa has given me the label of "B" today. No doubt it stands for BADASS, cuz that's totally what I am. I know this because both of her parents told me so. With their eyes. I'm, unfortunately, inclined to say this place simply Bites. I mean, it wasn't terrible, but it also just wasn't...hmmm...how do you say......"good." Were it not for the sparkling company I was keeping, it would have been a forgettable experience.<br /><br />A: THAT IS WHAT I GET FOR WRITING FAST. I guess I can't change it now. Please enjoy this glamorous photo of me n good ol' "B". You probably thought we were the same person, as we are never photographed together. No, he is not a midget, I am a giant. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3p9asKcbgnlxBHWve7uMiza-Zh6_bDI17kY27DdmcLroQaGHwycAmDMwO8CG1XZgX3KXmyMSExJPLQ9_ANLf6gfjBqvJOGGr-S3NB4LE827-o5647LbKe1Rfo8fM6-MGpgR0ru1S8cmM/s1600/DSC_0119.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3p9asKcbgnlxBHWve7uMiza-Zh6_bDI17kY27DdmcLroQaGHwycAmDMwO8CG1XZgX3KXmyMSExJPLQ9_ANLf6gfjBqvJOGGr-S3NB4LE827-o5647LbKe1Rfo8fM6-MGpgR0ru1S8cmM/s400/DSC_0119.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579388388577970834" /></a><br /><br />And here is proof my mother is very nice, as there is no way something Cory said could have been funny enough to cause this reaction without some acting on her part. You're a real sport, Ma!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1jQPiIU1y0l1PB1sYQsqB8NHtFSP0ms4JQjW_WuIPGl1TjdefTICIiynJ1-bi3DMkoGocP9r0hC2ofjuoiio6_DlGYw42_sT6x5-AbYjgJFASnw3-mOTWHAZ5oDOSyVW6Z-KOP0MQKg/s1600/DSC_0155.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1jQPiIU1y0l1PB1sYQsqB8NHtFSP0ms4JQjW_WuIPGl1TjdefTICIiynJ1-bi3DMkoGocP9r0hC2ofjuoiio6_DlGYw42_sT6x5-AbYjgJFASnw3-mOTWHAZ5oDOSyVW6Z-KOP0MQKg/s400/DSC_0155.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579394118857357074" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Info:</span><br />916 West Olive Avenue<br />Burbank, CA 91506-2210<br />(818) 845-2216<br /><br />**Our reports are based on one visit/meal- so we're far from experts on these joints! If you have advice or experiences you'd like to share, please feel free to enlighten us & our readers! Our goal is to give enough info that someone might feel okay trying somewhere new (or know to avoid it!). Thanks for reading :)Miss Alissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08829326414533510707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-41453586784017433202011-02-22T11:15:00.001-08:002011-03-11T19:27:55.090-08:00Illness Strikes Burbank!Ughhhhhh. So. Cory and I have been totally sick. Possibly both with some flu, but mine was the barfmania/fever/pains/chills thing where I could not leave my bed & Cory has been coughing and hacking and fevering. That was last week and I am still having a hard time eating. Cory just had to get some shot of medicine or something. I finally have gotten un-dehydrated enough that I don't wake up feeling like I'd had a bottle of vodka before bed. Maybe I would have felt better sooner, but I was made to go to work the very next day after my barffest- even though it was the most violent flu I've had since childhood. Cool right? Totally! So... last week's Burbank Bite was basically <span style="font-weight:bold;">ALBERTSONS.</span> At Verdugo and Hollywood Way. Because that is on the way to/from work.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPAnU1ar6GT95F37J1egfiyKolAh7xwUkZI8e5E5FWrU5PhyphenhyphenaeJ8YTsNMVga_yZYSH1yadVqEzYOSk4hQrtHGwONjOSY4-udLRi0l1MuHjFza40HDmz5iVvSB746UZOW7XOojI1nAEDQ/s1600/4c56f3279bed61fc7ad906927.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPAnU1ar6GT95F37J1egfiyKolAh7xwUkZI8e5E5FWrU5PhyphenhyphenaeJ8YTsNMVga_yZYSH1yadVqEzYOSk4hQrtHGwONjOSY4-udLRi0l1MuHjFza40HDmz5iVvSB746UZOW7XOojI1nAEDQ/s400/4c56f3279bed61fc7ad906927.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576600965469167682" /></a><br /><br />Ehemmm... I recommend their brand of ready to eat chicken soup over the Campbell's condensed. And as far as Gatorade goes- I recommend the blue ones. I didn't know there was a low calorie one until yesterday... but if you are going to drink 2 large bottles of Gatorade every day in an attempt to regain hydration, then it's probably a good idea not to go bananas on sugar. Mmmmm. Bananas.<br /><br />If Cory can swallow foods, we will go this week and get a post up for you next week. But if we're both sick, maybe you are too. So rest up. And get ready for us to get back on track.<br /><br />No, I did not take that photo of Albertsons BUT it is the right one!<br /><br />And YES. Being sick totally bites.Miss Alissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08829326414533510707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-33772961618035606152011-01-28T18:47:00.000-08:002011-02-05T17:56:02.739-08:00La Bamba<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSE9FYniiaNos3v_KaCm9S7N10wxgdzdeoMwbfkd-QXbqV0Xd5bUaXAMh39rqZyRuBNoQ4coa0bsDycZNzCgOK39gRAK4nkW_e-y7weehpzDFf-Ujho3XaiAS_S8hDGZGDpSALFh9UtKo/s1600/La+Bamba-12.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSE9FYniiaNos3v_KaCm9S7N10wxgdzdeoMwbfkd-QXbqV0Xd5bUaXAMh39rqZyRuBNoQ4coa0bsDycZNzCgOK39gRAK4nkW_e-y7weehpzDFf-Ujho3XaiAS_S8hDGZGDpSALFh9UtKo/s400/La+Bamba-12.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570026587984461474" /></a><br />As you might guess, Cory and I have been super swamped at work. Mostly eating over our keyboards. I saw Cory eat in the kitchen one day actually, which I have never seen before. It was only because the paint fumes in our suite were so strong that we were all dizzy and gagging. If I hadn't already felt like fainting, I would have fainted from seeing Cory eat in the kitchen. Anyhow, I can say quite assuredly that it bites eating at our desks. So, there's that.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ybewicg4kOb3lopF1zvqxw0CE2-zbzElnjqU4T4fshOu3CUiG0uFGi6eU3pRlz2yIPKIGfcVbLAY8eBUKygN-p3ZQlw-ddweKICqjT7q1bfiezgS-dlKAr_G0rjfhIQKqyqUvOkcA2o/s1600/La+Bamba-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ybewicg4kOb3lopF1zvqxw0CE2-zbzElnjqU4T4fshOu3CUiG0uFGi6eU3pRlz2yIPKIGfcVbLAY8eBUKygN-p3ZQlw-ddweKICqjT7q1bfiezgS-dlKAr_G0rjfhIQKqyqUvOkcA2o/s400/La+Bamba-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570026902385281554" /></a><br />Anyhow- this adventure took us to a place called LA BAMBA. Cory chose this place- I don't know how we got to where we are choosing the places that the other person will have to write about, but personally I would like to turn that around. I like to write about my own success or failure in selection. In this case, Cory's selection was based on seeing a sign outside this joint that read:<br /><br />We're a restaurant! Try us! We don't want to close!<br /><br /><br />Cory- kindhearted Cory came back and told me we were going to help save this restaurant. And when we finally got a chance, there we went to try them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HC_W4xDywtK280r592wnQ4CtPRckmbspzcXvcHBwI7OlD95mUhsEs34MnU4Y5jWTu5YlQNJjc2U4iw5tr0lUiwddDn66jLw_lVIJUebvb_Xb0-H3bk6w6vPH0bmwMIEsVZdALyrUe8c/s1600/La+Bamba-8.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HC_W4xDywtK280r592wnQ4CtPRckmbspzcXvcHBwI7OlD95mUhsEs34MnU4Y5jWTu5YlQNJjc2U4iw5tr0lUiwddDn66jLw_lVIJUebvb_Xb0-H3bk6w6vPH0bmwMIEsVZdALyrUe8c/s400/La+Bamba-8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570024696272175906" /></a><br /><br />Upon initial viewing I thought DANGGGG that patio looks great! This place looks festive! And also- What a weird place for a restaurant in this residential neighborhood! Perhaps, I thought, that was why there was an attendance issue- as it sort of blends in with the homes. It very well could be, but ultimately I think Cory and I had to agree... that might not be the only reason.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNM87TJKaC0dl6jqaHPq0Rag8EEFJadL84-rQ731VmqkRnS9nP82YGS5rb1GM8rqh0PcKsgIcZAOJlOjT9b4u5nUYrpB32-rqVO-GyknDulzclVCCSElmgqscLVVDfOwXsDb7pi5teUM/s1600/La+Bamba-5.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNM87TJKaC0dl6jqaHPq0Rag8EEFJadL84-rQ731VmqkRnS9nP82YGS5rb1GM8rqh0PcKsgIcZAOJlOjT9b4u5nUYrpB32-rqVO-GyknDulzclVCCSElmgqscLVVDfOwXsDb7pi5teUM/s400/La+Bamba-5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570025018080455346" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Basics:</span><br />The food at La Bamba is basically "island" or "Carribean" cuisine. This means lots of ajillo. You know- GARLIC. It also means lots of seafood, beans, rice, fries and even yuca and plantains. They have a big list of soft drinks, beer + wine. Liquids a-plenty. The seating is on a covered patio- so grab a table and watch cars cruise through the neighborhood. ?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwojHAb73RGjYqCu7lvVJ5ENfUQXrUGB9abPoCVGlThsSjQkoaAOE13YnMh3CIAk0bWj6C5yXeZIPuvPzBFKNhl0sPcBpTBCdYMbvgc80OWiiKDyk3p2ZFNBax_9dfFKgwbPDDmK8NcI/s1600/La+Bamba-14.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwojHAb73RGjYqCu7lvVJ5ENfUQXrUGB9abPoCVGlThsSjQkoaAOE13YnMh3CIAk0bWj6C5yXeZIPuvPzBFKNhl0sPcBpTBCdYMbvgc80OWiiKDyk3p2ZFNBax_9dfFKgwbPDDmK8NcI/s400/La+Bamba-14.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570025303128134274" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Alissa:</span><br />Uhhhh what the hell did I get? This is why I need to write my report right after I go. Let me look at the menu... Okay. I think I got a Garlic Avocado Shrimp burrito. That sounds right. Anyhow, it had everything it said it was going to have in it- shrimp in garlic sauce, diced avocado, cheese, rice but hold the pico de gallo. All in a flour tortilla. I think partially the reason I forget is because I tried to forget. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5sOBjGgLhB7zV8uVjeD-L5g3E7-EKGY8ItCF58vsXb9P6_k_QORwK-woesd1fvg0PYHgUZD01VU_wgjUTgeEp_Xnmbg0AMspMajA7gMNP0Lm26Wh3j3IG35spjkDdkZmZXPamK5lkrY/s1600/La+Bamba-25.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5sOBjGgLhB7zV8uVjeD-L5g3E7-EKGY8ItCF58vsXb9P6_k_QORwK-woesd1fvg0PYHgUZD01VU_wgjUTgeEp_Xnmbg0AMspMajA7gMNP0Lm26Wh3j3IG35spjkDdkZmZXPamK5lkrY/s400/La+Bamba-25.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570025539862958850" /></a><br />I admit it- I was disappointed. I really tried to enjoy it- but the shrimp was not really my fave, and there was cilantro stuck with the avocado or in the sauce, and the whole thing just sort of opened up and limply fell apart in front of me. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOT77jTltr24k0hcyNo9ogAqjMSvVgUBVj8P1XZtOrbtp9Yz5zvao_O0ijduxZNVApeYrpUoJ4cEk5T51L2LwXxnUTdHfLDXUPBnczhR3GZWwfZw9-Uiv38wfwNEoTkRMG4YCuojixXdI/s1600/La+Bamba-30.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOT77jTltr24k0hcyNo9ogAqjMSvVgUBVj8P1XZtOrbtp9Yz5zvao_O0ijduxZNVApeYrpUoJ4cEk5T51L2LwXxnUTdHfLDXUPBnczhR3GZWwfZw9-Uiv38wfwNEoTkRMG4YCuojixXdI/s400/La+Bamba-30.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570025944267982914" /></a><br />I tried to eat it with a fork- but then got disheartened and just quit. I supplemented my meal by stealing garlic fries from Cory... but god they just had so much chunks of garlic. So much chunks. My mouth was suddenly just an unholy hole of stinky garlic. You know how sometimes the garlicky thing was so good you are like... proud of your breath? Well I just felt shame. 13 dollar fall-apart-burrito shame.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXFOboA0hyT-zI9CqbAdnJQxxoJJxqFbPjHz4OKCAcIYcFhf2idVsvXnOz3LEkXvHTkdPP4TGVurC8MTqILpBBD6rrnrOiD_a4NpNDf8jxTeVHCSIpWfugVb76_odYULKeqWrV0-hjS0/s1600/La+Bamba-19.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXFOboA0hyT-zI9CqbAdnJQxxoJJxqFbPjHz4OKCAcIYcFhf2idVsvXnOz3LEkXvHTkdPP4TGVurC8MTqILpBBD6rrnrOiD_a4NpNDf8jxTeVHCSIpWfugVb76_odYULKeqWrV0-hjS0/s400/La+Bamba-19.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570026226624769458" /></a><br />The only thing saving me here from disappointment and burning mouth was a TWO DOLLA BUDWEISER! Which I guess is available at that price always. That is great. And the patio is pretty great. I bet it looks really nice with those lil lights on when the sun starts going down. Ambiance CITY. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtjYsst9buYvphWyz7GdzvWRuWD1iALuBU-7oHcyk6nuz-pbYBfVuWKP5r-F-lSSnpRcM56atDHmY1k8kaGmU_DPzTWH6nzfIZEFoQjI5jrZj_2XYmq60M4CdgQQG61PNzXaTggmeWBg/s1600/La+Bamba-22.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtjYsst9buYvphWyz7GdzvWRuWD1iALuBU-7oHcyk6nuz-pbYBfVuWKP5r-F-lSSnpRcM56atDHmY1k8kaGmU_DPzTWH6nzfIZEFoQjI5jrZj_2XYmq60M4CdgQQG61PNzXaTggmeWBg/s400/La+Bamba-22.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570027120182215490" /></a><br />I mean... if you are within walking distance this would be the BOMB - I mean- LA BAMBA. Wait. No. La BOMBA. That pun works better out loud. Sorry. Anyhow- 1.95 beer. Yeah. I was at El Cid in Silverlake last week and Budweisers are SEVEN DOLLARS. God. How could you purposely drink a Bud for 7 dollars. 2 dollars? Okay. Yes. That has hints of sanity.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFlYWaqcdj0viPDe79RrCAGUF0IrONspc_op9pUYPc0hNw0PpYgR9sgiY8LBpPNujP42iVtaVj5cdoOoe_041-he1ZMaFcSJLii5tV1IBfVFtAx_f9lrvabecK67iKZ3BIGAJsq43kus/s1600/La+Bamba-17.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFlYWaqcdj0viPDe79RrCAGUF0IrONspc_op9pUYPc0hNw0PpYgR9sgiY8LBpPNujP42iVtaVj5cdoOoe_041-he1ZMaFcSJLii5tV1IBfVFtAx_f9lrvabecK67iKZ3BIGAJsq43kus/s400/La+Bamba-17.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570027721182721522" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cory:</span><br />You know...I was really really really REALLY ready to love this place the moment I accidentally stumbled across it while driving aimlessly around Burbank. Sure it was in a bizarre location, but it looked quaint. It even looked like it had the potential to be fairly festive. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxLFzAE8DR-GDQOcsUO_PW2_86mh1wKuBpLBGemllzRo2i7tKcmnhCDCjSXp-BSLTvCYh4rPuc6SaV5PGkEPclfTl6xAQFb1hQ6MtO60YH0x-oIycr57293a9OqFkc81F4tPbd3zJRD4/s1600/La+Bamba-4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxLFzAE8DR-GDQOcsUO_PW2_86mh1wKuBpLBGemllzRo2i7tKcmnhCDCjSXp-BSLTvCYh4rPuc6SaV5PGkEPclfTl6xAQFb1hQ6MtO60YH0x-oIycr57293a9OqFkc81F4tPbd3zJRD4/s400/La+Bamba-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570028125596179634" /></a><br />And, considering that it specialized in Mexican-ish food, I could only assume that it would at least be decent. I mean, how hard could it possibly be to make a decent burrito? Well, as Alissa already mentioned, it's apparently next to impossible for these guys. Her burrito managed to rapidly unravel right in front of my very eyes, distracting me from enjoying the terrible carne asada grilled cheese I'd ordered.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6AXoXhIRq0XmKiSDbUZfOfOIpXg3NeJ4JfbG9ClR1MJZvJOinryBDGXP1IlM0olP2IzFPep8XJV3Vh2Q4PkOuEoGKBdjBxPEpdd9EMUCQZrNDIiNcyF94DauXitpBm80QWqihnajBR0/s1600/La+Bamba-10.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6AXoXhIRq0XmKiSDbUZfOfOIpXg3NeJ4JfbG9ClR1MJZvJOinryBDGXP1IlM0olP2IzFPep8XJV3Vh2Q4PkOuEoGKBdjBxPEpdd9EMUCQZrNDIiNcyF94DauXitpBm80QWqihnajBR0/s400/La+Bamba-10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570028408006105522" /></a><br />Yes, I said carne asada grilled cheese. Sounds good, right? Nay, sounds GREAT! Well, it wasn't. It was strangely seasoned - a little too sweet & tangy, and way too tough for my teeths. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aLXWXrHLD7G40ctcN-HdDrMPu3iX8_dItvjEdb8DwMYN96Yc-Wpn10NM0QMv0y1lcU2XDyJ4uOBTAmUrr75dq7g8bFlx9xJAhWMVYvBt_dj1e3rpSJ1DrsYForBaKFgWjYjnD0_hAoo/s1600/La+Bamba-7.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aLXWXrHLD7G40ctcN-HdDrMPu3iX8_dItvjEdb8DwMYN96Yc-Wpn10NM0QMv0y1lcU2XDyJ4uOBTAmUrr75dq7g8bFlx9xJAhWMVYvBt_dj1e3rpSJ1DrsYForBaKFgWjYjnD0_hAoo/s400/La+Bamba-7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570027928575761346" /></a><br />I actually had to add all the cilantro-laden salsa (which was actually AWESOME, btw) & cholula within arms reach just to make it palatable. I'd write more for you about this, but it honestly doesn't deserve the wear & tear my fingertips have already given it...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QGSXbTkEHfJPpQZ0gvHkuvJ8eV90rLoo4WEyS1UWvxL-gdLdbR2QsKWsLr6TQrbPuD2L8Z2rSDo2FxtJ8nvyBVIzQXl0Noq04SrMhtR1z0VEQ-9L3wwsUCHtCFwX2jOmkM98Jzv7au4/s1600/La+Bamba-21.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QGSXbTkEHfJPpQZ0gvHkuvJ8eV90rLoo4WEyS1UWvxL-gdLdbR2QsKWsLr6TQrbPuD2L8Z2rSDo2FxtJ8nvyBVIzQXl0Noq04SrMhtR1z0VEQ-9L3wwsUCHtCFwX2jOmkM98Jzv7au4/s400/La+Bamba-21.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570028683748137890" /></a><br />Thankfully, the crappiness was quelled by the wonderful $1.95 Bud Lights.<br />There. I'm done. Sorry this was crappy, but so was the food.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wlwewLbNJpcbyIiEBeInjuLJW807VoqPu_LqEPh68PLOL75DAx9NVBC7nUw17D_i2ONzHBTXM9Y-K2j4VEhKiuC1ihHwGq4ie8p4i9CYiLNJLcZN49VPJSAth0CE0FVnvamWU6ydRmY/s1600/La+Bamba-2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wlwewLbNJpcbyIiEBeInjuLJW807VoqPu_LqEPh68PLOL75DAx9NVBC7nUw17D_i2ONzHBTXM9Y-K2j4VEhKiuC1ihHwGq4ie8p4i9CYiLNJLcZN49VPJSAth0CE0FVnvamWU6ydRmY/s400/La+Bamba-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570028959948570610" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Good bite? Or just totally bites?</span><br />A: Uhhhh well. I guess there could be amazing things on the menu. But they are not the thing I ordered. I would give this a 'Good place to sip a 2 dollar beer on a patio.' And our waitress was really nice.<br /><br />C: Boooooo! If you can't build a burrito that won't completely unravel & fall to pieces onto the plates of you patrons, maybe you don't deserve to be a restaurant! Or, at the very least, you should take burritos off them menu. And, if that's not an option, how about putting some food that actually tastes good inside there? Skip the food, drink the beer. Maybe they'll get the hint & either step up the food or just become a bar. A bar that I'd totally hang out at, btw...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezYEHBtABdHOSwm6g0Cn8LCZnK_dyAEu8xWC5A3RBhlnjL3cOjp6fTi61EUqN-64p3q9cVrBWPSKQB-pp9anXPMEigAGdU2v3dm9WHsuuEo0Ms_TrUQ2OVDY38Gro6mvUX89dR8D3qcA/s1600/La+Bamba-13.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezYEHBtABdHOSwm6g0Cn8LCZnK_dyAEu8xWC5A3RBhlnjL3cOjp6fTi61EUqN-64p3q9cVrBWPSKQB-pp9anXPMEigAGdU2v3dm9WHsuuEo0Ms_TrUQ2OVDY38Gro6mvUX89dR8D3qcA/s400/La+Bamba-13.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570024443474537474" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Info:</span><br />2600 North Glenoaks Boulevard<br />Burbank, CA 91504<br />(818) 846-3358<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2SDD_cDbvLZg41raJgIFxZA1HaQLGEesxutp2o31fV6IqOlllBh8QlA_g0OnWcedXy64vWkGiLjRH2GS79WamqS3mSKcHoxhpgWhIoCV10xn3mtXjisP9afLTaDQ008ceGKcoYR4LYE/s1600/La+Bamba-28.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2SDD_cDbvLZg41raJgIFxZA1HaQLGEesxutp2o31fV6IqOlllBh8QlA_g0OnWcedXy64vWkGiLjRH2GS79WamqS3mSKcHoxhpgWhIoCV10xn3mtXjisP9afLTaDQ008ceGKcoYR4LYE/s400/La+Bamba-28.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570029127372999698" /></a><br />Sexy Cory Pose<br />**Our reports are based on one visit/meal- so we're far from experts on these joints! If you have advice or experiences you'd like to share, please feel free to enlighten us & our readers! Our goal is to give enough info that someone might feel okay trying somewhere new (or know to avoid it!). Thanks for reading :)Miss Alissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08829326414533510707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-32328305317928103262011-01-04T13:04:00.000-08:002011-01-04T13:48:50.229-08:00Handy Market (a quickie)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMTOKSc3VJdmQXvNUq6pFJLQqOm6wR06a9tBKUpvEaY5I-zgNm6GnqCEjarhFD_Yk8vCOqm28eFYeAMZHlgexCggEnvojYDOUSCocAWQhilW_vTiEP7uSO0J4YfupoNaV9_6uD48nEaNt/s1600/HandySign.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMTOKSc3VJdmQXvNUq6pFJLQqOm6wR06a9tBKUpvEaY5I-zgNm6GnqCEjarhFD_Yk8vCOqm28eFYeAMZHlgexCggEnvojYDOUSCocAWQhilW_vTiEP7uSO0J4YfupoNaV9_6uD48nEaNt/s400/HandySign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558449949408764834" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Okay, okay, I know this is supposed to be a lunch blog and, to be fair, I did have an Italian sub f/ their deli (which was good), but this post is more about their meat selection. Holy Hell, this place is AWESOME. While I was standing around waiting for my sandwich, I became completely mesmerized by the mountains of meat they had on display. Good stuff too. No, most likely GREAT stuff. And at great prices. 85/15 ground beef for $3.99/lb. 93/7 for $4.99/lb. Sweet t-bones, porterhouse, & new york steaks all for around $10/lb. All USDA Choice (no prime that I saw, but I'll ask about it next time I'm in there). Best of all - this week's special - GIGANTIC really well-marbled Spencer ribeye for $6.99/lb! And these things really were huge. Like, solid 3" cuts. You can't get this stuff at Vons. Hell, you can barely get it at Whole Foods or Bristol Farms (where it's way more $$$).<br />Next time I'm in there for a lunch, I plan on grabbing a couple steaks, tossing them in the freezer at work for the afternoon, and drivin' em home to the cozy warmth of the grill.<br />So, go for the decent sandwiches and, while you're there, pick up some steaks for dinner. Methinks you won't be sorry.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u9ROe85aKbNZ26VYYivVGzWIPngiZkOM3zMZ5o23Xc144u71nsbTrVUZJWBvoMXX1weDERGg5h9fwFQzmceqTRK5nfF3c8ApjfFN0yLFxU9NNwrXOWVrQvEluAiK0HMYYs0JpDrwToub/s1600/meats.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u9ROe85aKbNZ26VYYivVGzWIPngiZkOM3zMZ5o23Xc144u71nsbTrVUZJWBvoMXX1weDERGg5h9fwFQzmceqTRK5nfF3c8ApjfFN0yLFxU9NNwrXOWVrQvEluAiK0HMYYs0JpDrwToub/s400/meats.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558449956731456834" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Apparently, they also have a BBQ in the parking lot on Saturdays. I try my hardest not to be up here on the weekends, so I'll probably never experience it. It gets rave reviews though. Check it out & let us know what you think!<br /><br />Also - I didn't intend on turning this into any kind of post today, so I didn't have my camera (and I'd left my phone at the office). The pics on here were lifted f/ their website.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Info:</span><br />2514 West Magnolia Boulevard<br />Burbank, CA 91505-3029<br />(818) 848-2500<br />Open Daily 7:30am-8:30pm<br />http://www.burbankshandymarket.com/suddenlycoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629709561131664727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-17352788409867474872010-12-13T21:04:00.000-08:002011-01-28T19:32:12.118-08:00The Hollywood Way<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5sb4Aam2s4b2-dr5jEresPPMbfx7brKa3vDtpt7N2BWdWaOWknt-vz_tI14qV7L3NTK0KX4UMvzwi3dkZMSs_mwtWlu-1uKfqp0W-ipW9JtHN6QiYZUscwwVUOR9qieDviQIKjqknggG/s1600/Hollywood+Way-2+-+HWay+Sign.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5sb4Aam2s4b2-dr5jEresPPMbfx7brKa3vDtpt7N2BWdWaOWknt-vz_tI14qV7L3NTK0KX4UMvzwi3dkZMSs_mwtWlu-1uKfqp0W-ipW9JtHN6QiYZUscwwVUOR9qieDviQIKjqknggG/s400/Hollywood+Way-2+-+HWay+Sign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553309113164460114" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hola! And Holla! Yes, it's my turn (Cory) to write the bulk of the blog this week, and that usually means that readers have to wait extra long for me to get things together & get this posted. Well, let this week be no exception. The work has piled high over the past several days, but I'm finally able to see the light, and thus, the blog shall be written.<br />Last week's lunch outing found us parked on a back street behind The Hollywood Way on, well...Hollywood Way. There, near the intersection of Hollywood Way & Burbank Blvd, lies the shell of for the former Mr. B's. A ramshackle roadside watering hole which was, in its day, a fine establishment favored by the locals for steak, lobster, and other dining delights. Apparently it was around for over 50 years and time took its toll on gool ol' Mr B's.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5NDnAfT52p4_KvJcFq9zDyIeSVOXsHl2AuD12zNNtN1rt-4Bb322z3PKUEDF_O2fA8EAmItowbD-vWdWhmFUPraA2A6oKww7LoHszte2zkLki7GXS_SUb-XKdq5eVuqSDZl6IrmoeX6D/s1600/Hollywood+Way-1+-+Mr+B.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5NDnAfT52p4_KvJcFq9zDyIeSVOXsHl2AuD12zNNtN1rt-4Bb322z3PKUEDF_O2fA8EAmItowbD-vWdWhmFUPraA2A6oKww7LoHszte2zkLki7GXS_SUb-XKdq5eVuqSDZl6IrmoeX6D/s400/Hollywood+Way-1+-+Mr+B.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553309111164393698" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The once popular bar/restaurant slowly lost the "restaurant" part & became just another bar. Another crappy looking bar, from what I could tell. The kind of bar where it wouldn't be completely unreasonable to imagine yourself being stabbed in the parking lot. And that's *kinda* what I felt like as Alissa & I approached from the rear...<br />Luckily, the new owners of the old Mr. B's have been working hard to scrape away the dirt & dilapidation, creating for us a new (at least in my opinion) Mecca for Burbank meat-eating beer drinkers. The facade is completely renovated & welcoming...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWmr9y5PO_T95_n7lRqTF033L7iImDA_2mNbYJu5SXlN1CyrJ2xUi8YNWEZ-nFcjI_6Nuocj_pL9VN5UJ9BxHnJf40V_su5qJj3tGjycFrpjw9Kl3Lsp931YuwSEPp4XHq13dpakL6sJI/s1600/Hollywood+Way-3+-+HWay+Front.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWmr9y5PO_T95_n7lRqTF033L7iImDA_2mNbYJu5SXlN1CyrJ2xUi8YNWEZ-nFcjI_6Nuocj_pL9VN5UJ9BxHnJf40V_su5qJj3tGjycFrpjw9Kl3Lsp931YuwSEPp4XHq13dpakL6sJI/s400/Hollywood+Way-3+-+HWay+Front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553324018183956738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />the inside is spacious, neat, and clean...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnu9G8dhLEFwsWxwD_NAYGaG1JFy3WvmE6jBYCxJKFB7VScSdI7yntbVCqa1gKldgzt4GHefby0dR2Ohtrr7Q_j5wGym-XX7eIPpEg_RgPKQg1Lo0g9kVkgskxjMIQcXTRZBJbTnrLJM5/s1600/Hollywood+Way-5+-+Other+Room.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnu9G8dhLEFwsWxwD_NAYGaG1JFy3WvmE6jBYCxJKFB7VScSdI7yntbVCqa1gKldgzt4GHefby0dR2Ohtrr7Q_j5wGym-XX7eIPpEg_RgPKQg1Lo0g9kVkgskxjMIQcXTRZBJbTnrLJM5/s400/Hollywood+Way-5+-+Other+Room.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553309134710692850" border="0" /></a><br /><br />the taps are sufficiently stocked with an ample selection of beers, and the menu caused me to have wet dreams for a week. Seriously. My sheets are a mess...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bP-8_C-D-Fpe4S3lvndAVHc1lIDrVyR8xWpp23xg9FzwrRij_IXi-YL7ZUZm03_PCBUkFoOrdwGs99GObpYLmQZSmHwHA9B2PDIb_fLeFtsCWFHutzBulkxLn9uFHqaYz39JpouxCNYE/s1600/messysheets.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bP-8_C-D-Fpe4S3lvndAVHc1lIDrVyR8xWpp23xg9FzwrRij_IXi-YL7ZUZm03_PCBUkFoOrdwGs99GObpYLmQZSmHwHA9B2PDIb_fLeFtsCWFHutzBulkxLn9uFHqaYz39JpouxCNYE/s400/messysheets.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553334546047618786" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Basics:</span><br />The Hollywood Way puts the "bar" in "barbeque"...or, perhaps adds the "beque" to the "bar." Either way, you're gonna find all the BBQ you're likely to desire in your lunch, along with some good beers to boot. Giant burgers, racks of ribs, & mounds of pulled pork are accompanied by classic BBQ sides such as baked beans, onion straws, and mac & cheese. There's even a decent array of salads for those lunchers who may be looking for something less meat-ish.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6s_AuIJB0YoAkdzQ3e2w5lzoFk75T9D9Vc68YyrohN2EgedIVJOjn22GRFYzZ_x4gLfys0OqO9I9TYQAElxZzwZZNeqDn-cGc48kJmvvXO4DtsuxMpGCFGiGp0MFAPakYxU7zV0liWloW/s1600/Hollywood+Way-11+-+Alissa+Food.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6s_AuIJB0YoAkdzQ3e2w5lzoFk75T9D9Vc68YyrohN2EgedIVJOjn22GRFYzZ_x4gLfys0OqO9I9TYQAElxZzwZZNeqDn-cGc48kJmvvXO4DtsuxMpGCFGiGp0MFAPakYxU7zV0liWloW/s400/Hollywood+Way-11+-+Alissa+Food.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553309795920301714" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Alissa:</span><br />Immediately after eating this lunch I came back to my desk and wrote something. I wanted to capture the way I felt at the time. This is what I wrote then:<br />As I write this, I am near vomiting or passing out and maybe both. I attribute it to the meal I had at The Hollywood Way. There was a lot of swearing during this meal- as we saw the food for the first time, as we took the first bite... as we re-realized how crazy or good what we were eating was- as we tried to finish the giant meals before us... as we sat there trying to concentrate on not puking it all back up. That being said- I thought it was TOTALLY AWESOME. No, really. I was expecting a decent meal. Though I got nervous as we approached- something felt dangerous to me. But once inside, I have no idea why I thought that. I think there were probably serious alcoholics that haunted the bar that they took over & I was sensing their gin soaked spirits.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pFI5l9ZLIWWr1S0LXZEl10jTlWyxz0YrFyYXkg0vl_at2Hez-eZd9eQ8RpfKL2mUqGinBMoUSQ5g4hLXSHzn3l5cPJZmdKzsHpsP7f3xILQGWHpOHsQxh0DvUbAGDoHMy3okzKXten85/s1600/Hollywood+Way-10+-+Patrons.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pFI5l9ZLIWWr1S0LXZEl10jTlWyxz0YrFyYXkg0vl_at2Hez-eZd9eQ8RpfKL2mUqGinBMoUSQ5g4hLXSHzn3l5cPJZmdKzsHpsP7f3xILQGWHpOHsQxh0DvUbAGDoHMy3okzKXten85/s400/Hollywood+Way-10+-+Patrons.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553309471047092290" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ah yes. I remember writing that. And I think I am finally not totally full from that lunch, many days later. Anyhoo- as far as what I ate, I laid eyes upon the pulled pork sandwich, and was instantly sold. I barely know what's on the rest of the menu- because I was like- who cares. I am obviously eating this. So I ordered it with a side of mac & cheese and a Flying Dog IPA. I accidentally thought I liked that IPA after tasting it, but after several sips I found it is not one of the guys I like. Some IPAs are sneaky and have too many complex spicy flavors and I'm like EWWWWWWW. I don't want no Belgium nonsense up in this beer! But whatever. I drank it. I pray that after they are there a while, they get some cooler microbrews. It would really raise the stock. I would be glad to advise.<br /><br />My pulled pork sandwich tasted as beautiful as it looked. Gosh it really, really did. They come in at 6am and hand pull stuff that has smoked all night or something. I was really trying to remember the exact details that Sonia, our friendly bartender was telling us, but I kept being distracted by the deliciousness of my food. Cory and I were not expecting much from the mac & cheese. You know how that goes- mac & cheese sides are pretty disappointing usually. But I had no problem with this stuff. It wasn't so crazy that you were thinking "EFF I should have just ordered this- it's a meal in itself" but just cheesy and creamy enough not to be a sad clump no one cares about next to their food. Which is saying a lot because THE PULLED PORK SANDWICH on brioche bun with chipotle mayo was freaking great. As far as the meat goes- chewing was totally optional. I chose to chew, but you can make your own decision. In any case, it's just what I wanted it to taste like & was better than expected.<br /><br />Cory and I loudly cursed at our food throughout the meal, while a guy who was pretty much a younger version of The Dude sang selected lines from the 80s & 90s songs Jack FM was supplying. I'm guessing this would be a good place to catch sports on their multiple TVs AND there is free wi-fi, which I used during our meal. I was really sad when I saw this BBQ place down a couple blocks pop up and soon realized sold BBQs, not BBQ'd food. I witnessed Cory spotting it and had to be the one to break the bad news to him. BUT FINALLY there is a place we (I mean not just Cory & I, but you as well!) can go to get some sweet barbecued meat! Your vegetarian friend can come too- there are options, but I feel it is unnecessary to mention them at this juncture. I don't eat a lot of meat, but if I feel like devouring some- this is gonna be a top pick.<br /><br />And hey, Cory: gross about your sheets. God. This is supposed to be appetizing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLWeXO6tK6EXE9UnUMEXcwu89_7uuGqFe6Ou5QwF-l6mEsjunXInmLc2JvBz58e9L9ZhUVKs22tFfPZL7yrOGwwa8VNvWjRk0OZ9rnIzTjUlVlbleF5fJL_gYrmlf7nrxxVE1AZr6Artw/s1600/Hollywood+Way-12+-+cory+food.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLWeXO6tK6EXE9UnUMEXcwu89_7uuGqFe6Ou5QwF-l6mEsjunXInmLc2JvBz58e9L9ZhUVKs22tFfPZL7yrOGwwa8VNvWjRk0OZ9rnIzTjUlVlbleF5fJL_gYrmlf7nrxxVE1AZr6Artw/s400/Hollywood+Way-12+-+cory+food.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553309804491370386" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cory:</span><br /><br />Dear The Hollywood Way,<br /><br />It's not often that a person, place, or experience provokes me to write in letter form. Almost never, actually. I thought about simply sending you a text, but that wouldn't suffice. There's just so much to say. So many thoughts whizzing around in my brain. So many flavors that I'm still savoring. Oh, Hollywood Way, I must admit that my expectations were perhaps a little on the low side for this lunching. But now, having sampled your goods, I feel ashamed of my initial skepticism. Yes, the walk in was a tad shady; and yes, I did half-expect to get my ass kicked by a gang of bikers once inside; but I was wrong, Hollywood Way. I was wrong and I'm sorry. Instead, you welcomed us into your dark, woody, loving arms. You greeted us warmly & presented us with the greatest bar menu I have ever seen in all my days.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5aW2W5Lt3hAFEaeIUQVxFsAcxT6GRE5uaQY6x3TWieqZ79Te3AyP6eAbVnGX2SbDu7DMholKs6RqFGLop03jCwvVCT_dBikoD0npFgkbthkwH5zFevHGJuvlb7-HI6f-RQ_JGV9mO7dn/s1600/Hollywood+Way-7+-+Menu.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5aW2W5Lt3hAFEaeIUQVxFsAcxT6GRE5uaQY6x3TWieqZ79Te3AyP6eAbVnGX2SbDu7DMholKs6RqFGLop03jCwvVCT_dBikoD0npFgkbthkwH5zFevHGJuvlb7-HI6f-RQ_JGV9mO7dn/s400/Hollywood+Way-7+-+Menu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553309448905417138" border="0" /></a><br /><br />(actually, that picture - like most of them on here today - is terrible, so just look at this...)<br /><a href="http://thehollywoodwaybbq.com/menu.html">The Hollywood Way - MENU</a><br /><br />Everything freshly made from scratch, with love & attention to detail. The burger hand-pattied, the pork tenderly pulled, the mac creamily cheesed, and the beans barbequed-ly baked.<br />You undoubtedly remember this, Hollywood Way, because - let's face it, we had a connection. But, for the sake of others, I'll recount my meal. I was having a very hard time deciding on just one thing as I perused your menu. Those burgers sure looked great, but shouldn't I get the BBQ? And then I laid my eyes on a miracle. The baby jesus of bar food. The Memphis Burger. To quote your menu, "How about a juicy 1/2 pound burger piled high with Carolina pulled pork, cheddar cheese, bacon, and onion straws, topped with Hollywood’s BBQ sauce. Served on a toasted brioche bun." How about it, indeed!<br />It arrived standing nearly as tall as a pint glass. It was one of those times where I really wasn't quite sure where to start, so I just kinda mashed it all down & had at it. The burger itself was massive & really well-seasoned. Just enough salt & pepper to really make it work. And the pulled pork portion was mind-bendingly awesome. So awesome, in fact, that I nearly forgot about the accompanying ingredients: the hunk of bacon & the mountain of onion straws. Honestly, there wasn't a single part of that burger that I don't think could stand alone. The whole thing is JUST THAT GOOD.<br />Then, to top it off, you served it up with a side BBQ baked beans. Beans with chunks of pulled pork hidden within. Beans with just right amount of kick. Beans that all other beans should aspire to be(an). I would seriously go back just to get a bucket of these things.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdx2S2U2IzkIltL2NP-wCHiOYMQ9Y8qN7nFG2f9tmcwWuGtvdUsmGTHa8DpVQvTyy0EM9qhfqZOQMoTOjHZOZRHcnmBS1dv73K8YFG-69X8tbu6625SiNZSY7kLBmANuNbxoDcL7kEnMr/s1600/Hollywood+Way-13+-+beans.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdx2S2U2IzkIltL2NP-wCHiOYMQ9Y8qN7nFG2f9tmcwWuGtvdUsmGTHa8DpVQvTyy0EM9qhfqZOQMoTOjHZOZRHcnmBS1dv73K8YFG-69X8tbu6625SiNZSY7kLBmANuNbxoDcL7kEnMr/s400/Hollywood+Way-13+-+beans.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Good bite? Or just totally bites?</span><br />A: BITE IT. BITE IT NOW. I honestly ate everything except for this last little teeny bite. And I do believe I almost fell into a coma- or crashed the car on the 2 block drive back due to food-drunkness. But I encourage you to do the same.<br /><br />C: To say this was a "good" bite would be grossly understating the complete & utter awesomeness of this place. Go! Eat! Drink! And maybe stay 'til the next morning...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdx2S2U2IzkIltL2NP-wCHiOYMQ9Y8qN7nFG2f9tmcwWuGtvdUsmGTHa8DpVQvTyy0EM9qhfqZOQMoTOjHZOZRHcnmBS1dv73K8YFG-69X8tbu6625SiNZSY7kLBmANuNbxoDcL7kEnMr/s1600/Hollywood+Way-13+-+beans.jpg"><span style="" try="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYwY8dFQKnM2hSBsCwBla5LQm5H3SKL-4KrcB6zHNbiXAq8cEMAEpeQyk5Of0hJOrqIKkx9sVrnTpCSE5W0u4llNPeQfIyqDZpYBjmP21wSOFNwa2uymsyplZCf2wOP_kJlt2OXo1cNm9/s1600/Hollywood+Way-9+-+Piano.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYwY8dFQKnM2hSBsCwBla5LQm5H3SKL-4KrcB6zHNbiXAq8cEMAEpeQyk5Of0hJOrqIKkx9sVrnTpCSE5W0u4llNPeQfIyqDZpYBjmP21wSOFNwa2uymsyplZCf2wOP_kJlt2OXo1cNm9/s400/Hollywood+Way-9+-+Piano.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553309461274609458" border="0" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Info:</span><br />1333 N. Hollywood Way<br />Burbank, CA 91505<br />(818) 845-4400<br />Open Mon-Wed 11am-12am; Thu-Fri 11am-2am; Sat 10am-2am; Sun 9:30am-10pm<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXM2xwqlflXXFKIDlNBatF_Sv4RF9hFZXNs8cHDRYBYl2mNW47g1BPBEE1t8XJwKMFckXsLPAXxqNWEjEAg22JKvN2EyLGQA1-dP9KhSO_85tQ_gkJvKttZ_39bP3BQceOx9dAC1Irx8Ga/s1600/Hollywood+Way-8+-+AlissaBlur.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXM2xwqlflXXFKIDlNBatF_Sv4RF9hFZXNs8cHDRYBYl2mNW47g1BPBEE1t8XJwKMFckXsLPAXxqNWEjEAg22JKvN2EyLGQA1-dP9KhSO_85tQ_gkJvKttZ_39bP3BQceOx9dAC1Irx8Ga/s400/Hollywood+Way-8+-+AlissaBlur.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553309458306328546" border="0" /></a><br /><br />**Our reports are based on one visit/meal- so we're far from experts on these joints! If you have advice or experiences you'd like to share, please feel free to enlighten us & our readers! Our goal is to give enough info that someone might feel okay trying somewhere new (or know to avoid it!). Thanks for reading :)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>suddenlycoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629709561131664727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-61915856469464094902010-12-02T18:03:00.001-08:002010-12-02T18:03:58.069-08:00Full o' Life<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nPQTWGnslssI4qOw8KGaCL8yQDNG1tOzMvf1p1IjDwQ_XOmJRs8Cf17uExFTfsTiSs3EALwldsXPMupIRV9ts-fgdlebHhuoxHCpdoF575X-zG5G7tC1FO5yxlYStPd9Ga4BxWtpxOo/s1600/menufront.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nPQTWGnslssI4qOw8KGaCL8yQDNG1tOzMvf1p1IjDwQ_XOmJRs8Cf17uExFTfsTiSs3EALwldsXPMupIRV9ts-fgdlebHhuoxHCpdoF575X-zG5G7tC1FO5yxlYStPd9Ga4BxWtpxOo/s400/menufront.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544066116322293842" border="0"></a><br />Apologies readers. At least initially, this time it was my fault (Alissa's fault) that this took too long. I've been sickly, and we've been busy at work... hence the hang up. We'll be better at lunching, we promise! Or we hope, anyhow.<br /><br />So let me get real with you for a moment, Burbank- and the one random Russian and/or German person who hits up this blog on accident: I really will eat almost anything- but typically I don't. I eat greek yogurt for breakfast and a trader joes salad or some leftovers from dinner I'd made for lunch. If I eat out I usually eat some sort of healthy veggie or at wildest, a grilled chicken breast sandwich. These are the things my stomach tells me it wants. Usually a soda(without alcohol in it) or pile of fries happens in my life like- once a month. So I says to Cory- Cory, sometimes I'd just like to eat somewhere that fried food with piles of mysterious sauce is not the focus- where words like 'crazy' and 'heart attack' don't come into play. I realize that the humor/danger factor gets lost a bit, but not <i>everyone</i> in Burbank is just wondering about shacks and diners.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZ0TttZSIqTFWQ0-C7KXkoEFnpkchTWNRpgbQNmETEt0nTR1XbEfpbRMxD1xMdUYTzmXmU0Luy_zonz1OW6qYPhBJitrcfE19JOZ0i1iCSIaATbjyvxgto_DX9tCM2H0Iz7uR9_zL_j0/s1600/frontsign2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZ0TttZSIqTFWQ0-C7KXkoEFnpkchTWNRpgbQNmETEt0nTR1XbEfpbRMxD1xMdUYTzmXmU0Luy_zonz1OW6qYPhBJitrcfE19JOZ0i1iCSIaATbjyvxgto_DX9tCM2H0Iz7uR9_zL_j0/s400/frontsign2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544379231951012082" border="0"></a><br />Basically this speech was all in preparation to break the news to him that this time we'd be going to Full of Life. A health food store with a restaurant tucked into it. Please use this moment to imagine the resulting groans from our friend Cory. Okay go: __________________. So yes. It sounded something like that. But we're basically at this point where we have to go along with one anothers' choices and essentially can tell one another to effing eat it. Hence our joyful journey to Full o' Life!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tZncjYtXSYr9iv31jD_PU1q4iSWQ_FrwBikGSbPPl8YwmRwdcWMABsBHRlPrhmNxaD38KTnhNkHezyzrCqwUNkeC77dk-AVAhEktbrJHy8i1mX5XRSu9Xa90QWRLdWgk-nmT61sYN9s/s1600/opensign.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tZncjYtXSYr9iv31jD_PU1q4iSWQ_FrwBikGSbPPl8YwmRwdcWMABsBHRlPrhmNxaD38KTnhNkHezyzrCqwUNkeC77dk-AVAhEktbrJHy8i1mX5XRSu9Xa90QWRLdWgk-nmT61sYN9s/s400/opensign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544070690479669730" border="0"></a><br />Full of life is a pleasant little health food store with lots of natural foods, healthy to-go items, homeopathic remedies and supplements and all that jazz. Family run & celebrating 50 years, apparently, it's 2/3 store and 1/3 restaurant. I've been shopping here for something a couple times before, but had never set out to eat from the restaurant. Cory and I walked in and eyed the fun-looking counter seating, but the place was packed (just before 2pm- so maybe don't go at that time) and we took what we could get. A romantic table for two by the window.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGWGJVSDaWRHRfeNhRxc8c_MC6apU8A3p7SKMGm8mgIP2nC7u40P0-iQtMdBaaMvHPsrvTOa5g4pjuk_xjVU5PdVvpUcnqPYI6mq1CPy_EOEO_uoiVrYm0AM2EDDJmzpBcB6AUxzzR44/s1600/diningarea.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGWGJVSDaWRHRfeNhRxc8c_MC6apU8A3p7SKMGm8mgIP2nC7u40P0-iQtMdBaaMvHPsrvTOa5g4pjuk_xjVU5PdVvpUcnqPYI6mq1CPy_EOEO_uoiVrYm0AM2EDDJmzpBcB6AUxzzR44/s400/diningarea.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544373838294693458" border="0"></a><br />It's a pretty comfy atmosphere for a store, and you will surely be surrounded by wacky conversation from people who like friendly piles of sprouts instead of whatever this scary crap is that Cory keeps ordering. Instead of sports and cars, I overheard snarky talk about Scientology in one ear and something about an "elephant compound" in the other. The waitresses are all kind older ladies with senses of humor who would love to give you a taste of something if you are not sure about ordering it. Cory was already calming down, and as the menus- which boasted a vast array of healthy dishes were placed before us- I knew it was going to be alright.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvKVJjbMrkpRR5S5tUY04HXbsax6l9zr7H43IXwsmRlOFD3CMKiwYGIZ-3pIdAT1X2LOQ6eR9DddOGYfmaATTcUBHK1grnXp6nn4QEft2RqXXXwCPD-X7jBKDXyZfeNEk15jovn8OrVw/s1600/insidemenu.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvKVJjbMrkpRR5S5tUY04HXbsax6l9zr7H43IXwsmRlOFD3CMKiwYGIZ-3pIdAT1X2LOQ6eR9DddOGYfmaATTcUBHK1grnXp6nn4QEft2RqXXXwCPD-X7jBKDXyZfeNEk15jovn8OrVw/s400/insidemenu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544371561853725970" border="0"></a><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">The Basics:</font><br />Big ol' menu of health-mindful foods & beverages. Order something. Ask to sample something if you are not sure. There are soups, sandwiches, salads, casseroles, stir-fry dishes and more. There are specials too. Your sides are likely to be salad, chips, or carrot slices.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcE8CVbeqzhdYFyAJArpBTyu-yLAS_9Gma97V9rAIpJ1eW4m1AGgLIj4BpUn-DLvvBI9SHNYagD3kI9Br0_2-Lc5W4l51cupkO6Au-r-CMfSAq3HIyNnnqrVH-cY6UQlXfZ5LeF16cSI/s1600/bbqsandwich.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcE8CVbeqzhdYFyAJArpBTyu-yLAS_9Gma97V9rAIpJ1eW4m1AGgLIj4BpUn-DLvvBI9SHNYagD3kI9Br0_2-Lc5W4l51cupkO6Au-r-CMfSAq3HIyNnnqrVH-cY6UQlXfZ5LeF16cSI/s400/bbqsandwich.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544067388258627122" border="0"></a><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">Alissa: </font><br />Having been 'vegan' and 'vegetarian' at points in my life, I have eaten lots of veggi-fied foods. I love healthy stuff- and was immediately eying the avocado/tomato/sprout/cheese sandwich until I remembered I could easily make this myself & frequently do. That's why I like it. Silly to order in a restaurant. So I looked for something that might exceed any of my vegetarian ambitions in the kitchen any time soon. I found the Grilled BBQ Tofu sandwich. I thought this sandwich was really nice. Straight up tofu can be a little too tofuey for me... you gotta sauce it and grill it sufficiently if it is going to pass for a protein on a sandwich. I feel this did the job well enough. The BBQ sauce was good and that is what mattered. The bun was also nice. I added mayo (one of my favorite bad-for-you things)- but as I suspected, it was one of those healthier ones. You can tell by tasting it and it not tasting like magic. Magic is what Best Foods mayo tastes like. This was certainly not that- but once on the sandwich it added the extra kick I knew I wanted. Aside the sandwich were large slices of carrot- like chips. It was such a lovely relief from fry-piles. I tried to order a green drink- some healthy concoction they have, but it never came. She tried to give me a sample when I ordered it and I said I didn't need one. I guess you should say yes to the sample- if you survive, they bring you a grownup size one. I decided that they knew better than I and skipped notifying them. I got a kombucha drink from their store when I left instead.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lrnmwLAWacBNPKjN6qAmyehyphenhyphenKEE2o14KeUeFj7a6BwBZCHhmi7OqY3AI8aKgyXCYeJpeA7n97r67xWaapsZ3klI3KzvNiW3nHEZkm2v1zYNnLaB9hgRkJK9nrb1HkvuPM0zN2wn2CoA/s1600/patrons.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lrnmwLAWacBNPKjN6qAmyehyphenhyphenKEE2o14KeUeFj7a6BwBZCHhmi7OqY3AI8aKgyXCYeJpeA7n97r67xWaapsZ3klI3KzvNiW3nHEZkm2v1zYNnLaB9hgRkJK9nrb1HkvuPM0zN2wn2CoA/s400/patrons.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544372687762213186" border="0"></a><br />I liked my food and got a kick out of the folks around us and their conversations. I believe the man next to us went to the San Diego Wild Animal Park and was describing the experience in minute and painful detail the whole time we ate. I was trying to figure out if the ladyperson was interested in what he was saying but I couldn't tell. I don't really think hearing someone talk about seeing things at the zoo is fun though, is it? Don't you go to the zoo or not go to the zoo depending on your interest in the zoo? Well I think I would take my food to go in the future in any case... the ladies who work there are certainly nice, but I don't see the dining experience as a must have.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAD2gtoaoIYRR9L5jP-qeI-wA2N-yC49BorjHgqm90uOROeMiNi_2iW3o7pjPaG3cWrnvaivXailjnd0I2ojZkmgjv0CwhBLKzs3D9hguZZal0IFqWZjIOIrWdl-JVE4n7BEsAX3jxmo8/s1600/tunamelt.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAD2gtoaoIYRR9L5jP-qeI-wA2N-yC49BorjHgqm90uOROeMiNi_2iW3o7pjPaG3cWrnvaivXailjnd0I2ojZkmgjv0CwhBLKzs3D9hguZZal0IFqWZjIOIrWdl-JVE4n7BEsAX3jxmo8/s400/tunamelt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544376356039143554" border="0"></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cory:</span><br />So Alissa's description of my reaction to the news that we'd be eating here wasn't quite as vocal & groany as she made it out to be. It was more eye rollingly acquiescent as I knew I didn't have a say in the matter. It's not that I necessarily have anything against healthy natural food stores, it's just that they're generally too gritty grainy granola hippy for my tastes. I rarely find anything enticing on their shelves & the people are, well...sometimes kinda Wal-Martish...but in a greener way. Plus the stores are always dismally decorated. Forgive me for wanting a little flair with my flax seed oil. Also, the thought of eating food inside a store that also sells all-natural bio-degradable gluten-free deodorant in compostable containers didn't exactly excite my taste buds...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfemNtAbm3QCMRb1pL-iddSK3hms0remm9MRwsvv2ohSoSRo1IDucj0mWsSgPJYKXsOKrC5f5wuXv9XN36D00Mwg1G292M93RNknELLbU8RR7zSQbFfPrDEkSC9E3UzF_Gg6PL3cMmB8/s1600/deoderant.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfemNtAbm3QCMRb1pL-iddSK3hms0remm9MRwsvv2ohSoSRo1IDucj0mWsSgPJYKXsOKrC5f5wuXv9XN36D00Mwg1G292M93RNknELLbU8RR7zSQbFfPrDEkSC9E3UzF_Gg6PL3cMmB8/s400/deoderant.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544375186177399922" border="0"></a><br /><br />HOWEVER...it seems that all my trepidation was uncalled for because this place was not nearly as horribly horrible as I assumed it would be. Yes, the walls were barren & the overall vibe was kinda funky (and not funky in a Bootsy Collins kinda way, but funky is a sorta weird way), but the people were nice & they didn't seem to have the holier-than-thou attitude so common amongst natural foodites. And, most importantly, the food was GOOD...and there was a ton to choose from. <br />I actually had a hard time deciding what to try and, after much hemming & hawing, I opted for the tuna melt. It came served on an English muffin (that didn't taste at all like cardboard) & topped with sesame seeds. They usually top it with sprouts as well, but I asked for mine on the side since I was a little wary of the potential warm stringiness of the sprout/tuna salad combo. All this was tucked neatly beside a pile of fresh carrot slices, which were a nice change from the usual soggy lackluster fries of Burbank. I salted them heavily (just to knock as much of the "healthy" out of them as I could) and wolfed them down first & foremost. Next came the tuna melt. It was a little olive-laden for me, but it was still pretty tasty. It was well-seasoned & the sesame seeds were a nice touch. Would I order it again? Probably not. It was good but not great and, with such a vast menu to choose from, I'd rather try something new next time. Yes, I said next time. I'd totally go back.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsydb3-Naw_pZcCd2vcMmuKUhVDIpCNxGfedNwhoB4X8NCtI1ph1KNs49YVoJ8k4L3ErQhZt6gIJoD1plmVLHtiNOa0T6bC7Dcj6r1fKUamh7kyviVn9mXhKub4VF5m16dksdh2v4dY5A/s1600/counter.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsydb3-Naw_pZcCd2vcMmuKUhVDIpCNxGfedNwhoB4X8NCtI1ph1KNs49YVoJ8k4L3ErQhZt6gIJoD1plmVLHtiNOa0T6bC7Dcj6r1fKUamh7kyviVn9mXhKub4VF5m16dksdh2v4dY5A/s400/counter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544377474875823362" border="0"></a><br /><br /><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">Good Bite? Or just totally bites?</font><br />A: Good bite. The food seems fresh and on the healthy side- so if you aren't trying super hard to have a heart attack, I would say this would be a good place to add into your take out rotation- and if you want to hear some wacky convo or plead for a green drink throughout your lunch- you should eat in. And tell me how it is?<br /><br />C: Good bite. It's a nice change from the usual go-to lunches I have 'round these parts; and it made me feel better about skipping the gym that night...and the night after. Check it out next time you're in the mood for something not topped with pastrami & covered in chili.<br /><br />Info:<br />2515 West Magnolia Boulevard<br />Burbank, CA 91050<br />(818) 845-8343<br />Open Mon-Thu 8am-8pm; Fri 8am-4pm; Sun 9:30am-6pm<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKLhNmd3Nn_BWaUIX8ZoHYfMSqw-x1bV9eRc6Z2V-mEomTj6VYBPh7WOyfm4Uzgq2SajXWgSR7J71yXFrKkhzRPVhePAS_JRElqImUY35IgWhORZtLqMFF6V8-jyLTd3Gmkh0-u2Vatw/s1600/awesome.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKLhNmd3Nn_BWaUIX8ZoHYfMSqw-x1bV9eRc6Z2V-mEomTj6VYBPh7WOyfm4Uzgq2SajXWgSR7J71yXFrKkhzRPVhePAS_JRElqImUY35IgWhORZtLqMFF6V8-jyLTd3Gmkh0-u2Vatw/s400/awesome.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544074007205805362" border="0"></a><br /><br />**Our reports are based on one visit/meal- so we're far from experts on these joints! If you have advice or experiences you'd like to share, please feel free to enlighten us & our readers! Our goal is to give enough info that someone might feel okay trying somewhere new (or know to avoid it!). Thanks for reading :)Miss Alissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08829326414533510707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-71307531219852083972010-12-01T17:24:00.000-08:002010-12-02T16:24:58.897-08:00quick bite- empire centerAt first it was my fault that our latest blog entry is not posted. Now it is Cory's fault. I guess I was trying to steal his thunder in the flake department, but he has prevailed. He will blame it on work- but it was my turn to write so his little part will take like 5 min. COME ON MAN! Hopefully that is coming soon. God only ONE post in November? That is shameful. Please tell Cory how disappointed you are in him.<br /><br />In the meantime (which I hope is just until tomorrow) I thought I'd post a 'quick bite' here complete with crappy phone photos. Many of my lunches are dedicated to errands since I have pretty much no time otherwise to do them. Today I needed to go to Target to look for an electric blankEYYYYY. And get some face wash. In case you were wondering. Obviously I am not going to eat at the food place inside Target- and I didn't have time to go on a whole 'nutha adventure for food (even though what I really wanted was a field green salad from Trader Joes!!!) so I decided I must find something edible in the center.<br /><br />Over by BevMo there is a place called Daphne's Greek Cafe so I ran in there. I got a grilled Chicken pita. It had lettuce and tomatoes and grilled chicken in it- hold the onions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgsRX6H_shvlyFwnxodrYC-kOSW-4tOh3T_wuIazLPzTumLgp3-FjNr_DIqu4_zE9VX9WYPn3FX6iyVSXOLmS-IX4wqK1fxRo9uWBHHQZIzTCQ7wfwPVoBN2ZtHWWfTigDOf27JgExAA/s1600/pita.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgsRX6H_shvlyFwnxodrYC-kOSW-4tOh3T_wuIazLPzTumLgp3-FjNr_DIqu4_zE9VX9WYPn3FX6iyVSXOLmS-IX4wqK1fxRo9uWBHHQZIzTCQ7wfwPVoBN2ZtHWWfTigDOf27JgExAA/s400/pita.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545895391738809442" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The pluses: </span><br />- it was fast<br />- the girl I ordered from was nice<br />- the calories are all listed next to the food items (i don't care but i should- maybe you are more conscious of what you eat and this will appeal to you) <br />- the chicken was tender & well seasoned<br />- there is an interesting feature on the soda fountain in there where you can add cherry, vanilla or orange to your coke or sprite or whatever. I didn't get one but- seems cool.<br />- there is plenty of seating indoor and out<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXW4Rfen3CGodySw2L-K8GJzJG1NP9KHjikF_PRLTytIiQfDGvxeBFc9Q05dAB5HSlfHU9jvnSXifA0Qaqj4xpBL_zmOxLK2c1pThXUENLBZa24aybblZzU8c0rgvcR_CHsZfGXGiZ0VM/s1600/tzatziki.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXW4Rfen3CGodySw2L-K8GJzJG1NP9KHjikF_PRLTytIiQfDGvxeBFc9Q05dAB5HSlfHU9jvnSXifA0Qaqj4xpBL_zmOxLK2c1pThXUENLBZa24aybblZzU8c0rgvcR_CHsZfGXGiZ0VM/s400/tzatziki.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545894696967995650" /></a><br /><br />I went and sat outside and jammed that puppy down the hatch. Not AMAZING. The tzatziki was not as sour as I like and too thick. But they don't FORCE you to put in on your stuff (and if you are counting those calories, you'd be better skipping it). I liked my gyro from <a href="http://burbankbites.blogspot.com/2010/09/norms-no-not-that-one-different-norms.html">Norm's</a> better, but it's totally edible- fast to eat- and I didn't feel yucky afterward. Most importantly, I was able to do my errands without feeling like I was going to faint. It is a totally reasonable quick bite if you are in need of some nourishment while shopping at Empire Center.<br /><br />This gets a quick bite approval. By me. Which is very fancy and super official!Miss Alissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08829326414533510707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-71513409664299243232010-11-08T20:23:00.001-08:002010-11-13T13:49:59.612-08:00Steve's Oriental Burger/ Steve's Charburger/ Steve's Burger (pick one - they all work)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6jq08jrpLo2XGyfAGXdXmC_LhUZSMjpRV9gfjSXDFbyLKqvYRfWtVQmIpEPn0QNNyi4E_xGeUOvofdPJH2zxANkAsxUTB-5ig502mrw0cmPlh9M1ozYY5ZbVltp7HDGqnk5L_x5uJm9a/s1600/Alissa+Stretching.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6jq08jrpLo2XGyfAGXdXmC_LhUZSMjpRV9gfjSXDFbyLKqvYRfWtVQmIpEPn0QNNyi4E_xGeUOvofdPJH2zxANkAsxUTB-5ig502mrw0cmPlh9M1ozYY5ZbVltp7HDGqnk5L_x5uJm9a/s400/Alissa+Stretching.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539104744811640306" border="0" /></a>(*alissa, gearing up for lunch)<br /><br />Alrighty - sorry I've been so lazy about getting this bite posted, but I've been feeling pretty ambivalent about this place & so I've been having a hard time putting pen to paper. Err...finger to keys. Anyway, Alissa's mom complained about the lack of post the other day, so this one's for you, Pamela. You really do look quite lovely today, by the way. Have you done something different with your hair?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgHqMAj3JfEkkS-SBowk3_F7H9kULNKcEZK_XQ9N29sK9EFWduutPAi2BHukoibv5ReN_McfEUiFXHuMKbruHEWUkhQExvjeSQf6PI2gEzjJWAMSNBcfgYSKD8vd8yofsh12XP5Qk9VI0/s1600/Sign.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgHqMAj3JfEkkS-SBowk3_F7H9kULNKcEZK_XQ9N29sK9EFWduutPAi2BHukoibv5ReN_McfEUiFXHuMKbruHEWUkhQExvjeSQf6PI2gEzjJWAMSNBcfgYSKD8vd8yofsh12XP5Qk9VI0/s400/Sign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539102911479631634" border="0" /></a><br />This past week's lunching started out on a sour note when we arrived at my place of choice only to find it closing for the afternoon. Seriously, why close a restaurant at 2:00 in Burbank? People late lunch 'round these parts! Mildly bummed & bemused, we headed east on Victory in search of a plan b. Luckily, we didn't have to travel far as plan b presented itself just a few blocks away, in the form of Steve's. Or Steve's Oriental. Or Steve's Burger. Or perhaps it's Steve's Oriental Burger? I'm really not sure. Depending on which side of the sign you were looking at, it seemed to indicate all of them.<br /><br />Steve's is a modest little corner joint similar to that Norm's place we went to a few weeks ago. They have an outdoor walk-up counter to order from, an outside seating area from which to take in the scenic view of pavement & traffic, and a small inside seating area. They specialize in all things burger...and Oriental, I guess...And charred.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfm2ZsSnKHosXMXQW8UHn8FNNnzd-D_CEUjhT5OJfIs9-8K1GV7QDsHYv3eJmOS3Z69a6jizEVY_kbb2KIvwZq53_1kyV91cPmWLV2Ub6b41j9tstAVj6kxSRFEGPW1H_QqbstfBWZSdP/s1600/Outside.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfm2ZsSnKHosXMXQW8UHn8FNNnzd-D_CEUjhT5OJfIs9-8K1GV7QDsHYv3eJmOS3Z69a6jizEVY_kbb2KIvwZq53_1kyV91cPmWLV2Ub6b41j9tstAVj6kxSRFEGPW1H_QqbstfBWZSdP/s400/Outside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539103648198737106" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Basics:</span> This place has exactly what you'd expect from a "charburger" stand. Burger, fries, hot dogs, etc. But wait! There's more! They also offer a variety of asian dishes, which may actually be the way to go here...<br /><br />Here's a couple amazing photos. If you look *REALLY* closely, you might just be able to make out what it says on the menu...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_QZPBvAalsHq0Gk2uKTj2GLLTpO5SCt8Eu2rz2cvFBAhoiPsW4oJ08rqXZ7u2Shf04G_jgQpfIgYPLjT6zuK0q96nnOpKgneYbq1v6PV7NVVg3wcvLRABS_4QmviS2fjVa6kJEA2F2Yv/s1600/Menu.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_QZPBvAalsHq0Gk2uKTj2GLLTpO5SCt8Eu2rz2cvFBAhoiPsW4oJ08rqXZ7u2Shf04G_jgQpfIgYPLjT6zuK0q96nnOpKgneYbq1v6PV7NVVg3wcvLRABS_4QmviS2fjVa6kJEA2F2Yv/s400/Menu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539104318926817810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQ8_l3XAgPrGzw4xe1YLBu2lrjNQutjcjoOrZWOD4kyPIsOBKVGCaELlg_pjT6VIf8LX4YwA7qOYUSFREpO06ddi-exaC_Us-Tc2GQl0j1egpT-yyzbv8wcNVNZX12t02mDdWY2SYkUcg/s1600/Menu+Specials.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQ8_l3XAgPrGzw4xe1YLBu2lrjNQutjcjoOrZWOD4kyPIsOBKVGCaELlg_pjT6VIf8LX4YwA7qOYUSFREpO06ddi-exaC_Us-Tc2GQl0j1egpT-yyzbv8wcNVNZX12t02mDdWY2SYkUcg/s400/Menu+Specials.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539104327727397474" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cory:</span> Still reeling from the early closing of my restaurant of choice, I begrudgingly ordered the Crazy Burger. When the nice girl at the counter told me exactly what it was, I quickly became less begrudged (yes, I know that's not a word) & eagerly awaited the arrival of my pastrami & chili-topped charburger with visions of greasy drippy cheesiness dancing in my head.<br />When my crazy burger arrived, I was a little surprised by just how tame it looked. I expected a giant hamburger patty piled high with a mountain of meat and drizzled with chili. I expected to walk out wearing at least 3/4 of it. I expected to get to fart all over alissa's office all day. Instead, I got a perfectly reasonable & manageable burger.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPpdHXs8UM9g-8it9ZRpSClGkaQPpk0vXlMBtsL4TI_pZN91_oeL3i7mrGScBXGwKRA7fieCgbu04yst1bPOQG2ZQt8wMRFVtBfdF_-kcKckrztVR4j8YqFSPrthi3FPnV8EiOi3GlY63/s1600/Crazy+Burger.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPpdHXs8UM9g-8it9ZRpSClGkaQPpk0vXlMBtsL4TI_pZN91_oeL3i7mrGScBXGwKRA7fieCgbu04yst1bPOQG2ZQt8wMRFVtBfdF_-kcKckrztVR4j8YqFSPrthi3FPnV8EiOi3GlY63/s400/Crazy+Burger.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539105774597240146" border="0" /></a><br />And it was actually pretty tasty! So, no matter how much I'd like to, I can't really complain. It was well-seasoned. There was just enough pastrami, the tomatoes seemed fresh, and the lettuce crisp. I could've used a little more chili but, like I said, I really can't complain.<br />As a bonus, the combo came with a drink & CRINKLE CUT FRIES (just like the kind I liked when I was 5!). All for around $5. Super cheap!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0voglrhPeBApGao8hMC1OBLYSQb5xCDhS0iaC7rYjKi1E24GBW5pP1XsBaooQVypwQhsH6fkI61hy_kjcZ5XB-kKHY-z_WqNMN3hScRVoBFx1j-9mLR_HNegajBOnZK4A_B2HPtWx4Ci/s1600/Alissa.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0voglrhPeBApGao8hMC1OBLYSQb5xCDhS0iaC7rYjKi1E24GBW5pP1XsBaooQVypwQhsH6fkI61hy_kjcZ5XB-kKHY-z_WqNMN3hScRVoBFx1j-9mLR_HNegajBOnZK4A_B2HPtWx4Ci/s400/Alissa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539107626495355250" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Alissa:</span> So Cory was pushing me to try one of the Asian dishes- which actually would have been a good idea & something I would have suggested so we could give a more thorough report... but goddamnit I didn't want noodles so I got a fried fish sandwich and planned to eat as many of Cory's fries as I could steal.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU7tHlmc2M9BdRTHuZJpu4oFc6XU6-wF5ONp57-yydA7qe8q54QlxtgSvTKyw55heOt3RDB8YTKJfexT63d8lOe20hHj8uvCHJj_HWQ2H2xc9_GAS4GboTFuaanwtjfWnEQNpL3esXJ4k/s1600/Fries.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU7tHlmc2M9BdRTHuZJpu4oFc6XU6-wF5ONp57-yydA7qe8q54QlxtgSvTKyw55heOt3RDB8YTKJfexT63d8lOe20hHj8uvCHJj_HWQ2H2xc9_GAS4GboTFuaanwtjfWnEQNpL3esXJ4k/s400/Fries.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539106218877114674" border="0" /></a><br />I also got a Cherry Coke- I feel like if a place has Cherry Coke or Dr. Pepper or something I have to get it. So I did. Are you sure 'begrudged' is not a word Cory? Cause like... I am typing it: begrudged. Begrudged, begrudged, begrudged. And there is no spelling error on it. Stop claiming you've made up words that already exist. If anything you're just not using it right (cory edit - shut your facehole, alissa. Stop making me feel stupid for being stupid!). Anyhow- the sandwich was a fine fish sandwich. I think the best part may be the bun- it's one of those semi sturdy ones like they have at In-n-Out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5mJMnUwvRYxfQpAX3vhxcsPbE154WKxM7apeiYOyUwL6q9XpDVlurcAu2nLG2VMsp4FogCL1JWxGzf5JXsLOJBH4v7kvRBOV44Tl7oRW1kZgVKmJmioUQN1tCOD3YCQ5MyHMe_g7lA6N/s1600/Fish+Sandwich.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5mJMnUwvRYxfQpAX3vhxcsPbE154WKxM7apeiYOyUwL6q9XpDVlurcAu2nLG2VMsp4FogCL1JWxGzf5JXsLOJBH4v7kvRBOV44Tl7oRW1kZgVKmJmioUQN1tCOD3YCQ5MyHMe_g7lA6N/s400/Fish+Sandwich.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539107247591966578" border="0" /></a><br />I just really upset my coworker recently when I told him I had only had grilled cheese from In-n-Out, as I have not eaten hamburger in over 10 years. But because of that I am EXTRA aware of the bun there. Which I like. And this reminded me of it. Also, I will report: there was enough tartar sauce. Lord knows this is the real question in a fish sandwich- did they screw you and give you a quarter size dollop or really give it to you like they know you want it? Anyhow no problems there. And if you like iceberg lettuce, you're in luck. I have recently decided it totally bums me out. I hate burping and tasting iceberg lettuce. That stuff shouldn't get to have a flavor whatsoever. But it does. I removed all of it- probably someone in there was shaking their head watching me do this but OH WELL MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS. '<br /><br />Overall a little better & voluminous(oh don't mind this really cool word- I made it up) than McD's. However- I think I would rather go ahead and eat the cheaper dumbed down version of this sandwich at a fast food joint OR get one of those 10 dollar jazzed up ones at a seafood restaurant. Fries were alright. I'm like... whatever about the whole place. But the lil young lady who took our order was nice. I will say that. She seemed perfectly happy working with Dad at their family run burger shack, and I like that attitude.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZkvPy1FRsh-eV1Ls6n0-D3iPZNnjFOPrDaeV18uuSOK0eW_nUuxR5Ikt9RPyibsyf-dbkSylDkJHghTfa9QNt6pK0s_pGt0VtXrH9B6izbLyI4KdABObIdCfIVzMJ0_7QH-9eN40gy_t/s1600/Kitchen.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZkvPy1FRsh-eV1Ls6n0-D3iPZNnjFOPrDaeV18uuSOK0eW_nUuxR5Ikt9RPyibsyf-dbkSylDkJHghTfa9QNt6pK0s_pGt0VtXrH9B6izbLyI4KdABObIdCfIVzMJ0_7QH-9eN40gy_t/s400/Kitchen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539108224209608466" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good bite? Or just totally bites?</span><br />A: Boring bite. Not gross, just mediocre non-scary fare. There were a bunch of people in there though & again- we did not try any of the Asian dishes so... we could have missed out.<br />C: Gotta say, I'm totally on the fence with this one. It's decent & it's cheap, so that's what I'm callin' it - a decent cheap bite. You could do a lot worse<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Info:</span><br /><span style="visibility: visible;" id="search">2320 West Victory Boulevard<br />Burbank, CA 91506-1227<br />(818) 846-6620<br /><br /></span><span style="visibility: visible;" id="search">Open Weekdays 9am-7pm; Sat 9am-5pm<br /><br />Here's one for the ladies...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylYpA5hJtZSrDBJu4Oj3KRLyvF0uk8B6XEkDEVRYHrCB9xFvKP0_vfTUI1j7ZOp0han2roR_DOzz2pdzXoyuNSMErq6E8EVn29PC7wOBFCGWihHh0A-cBqNWj-InYI82nakr_JB2INnSI/s1600/Cory.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylYpA5hJtZSrDBJu4Oj3KRLyvF0uk8B6XEkDEVRYHrCB9xFvKP0_vfTUI1j7ZOp0han2roR_DOzz2pdzXoyuNSMErq6E8EVn29PC7wOBFCGWihHh0A-cBqNWj-InYI82nakr_JB2INnSI/s400/Cory.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539105038505524658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span>**Our reports are based on one visit/meal- so we're far from experts on these joints! so if you have advice or experiences you'd like to share, please feel free to enlighten us & our readers! Our goal is to give enough info that someone might feel okay trying somewhere new (or know to avoid it!). Thanks for reading :)suddenlycoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629709561131664727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-7520057580944300642010-10-28T22:46:00.000-07:002010-10-29T19:22:56.834-07:00Sawan CafeHello I'm back from my travels & we're back in biz!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsxgvQw_UVSiC8x1sa79mWTt-0Fj29mccP1qTzttDX2Xo0r13jjfnvZj8iLbLgDdVouYEP7pJDC-uSEt84k8AL953JtDgNacGl_QVvMNZAS3aIUtjdGj6auGxQiAv4nibac1PGsF5mSU/s1600/menu.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsxgvQw_UVSiC8x1sa79mWTt-0Fj29mccP1qTzttDX2Xo0r13jjfnvZj8iLbLgDdVouYEP7pJDC-uSEt84k8AL953JtDgNacGl_QVvMNZAS3aIUtjdGj6auGxQiAv4nibac1PGsF5mSU/s400/menu.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533656848447283858" /></a><br /><br />When Cory suggested the Thai place by our office a few weeks ago, I rudely jumped down his throat and announced we were not going there. I have already been there. And I didn't like the Pad See Ew so they are effing fired. Yep. I'm not going to name any names but I also don't plan to review it, as it is not an adventure. Sawan Cafe, on the other hand, was a little place I spotted out of the corner of my eye while barreling down Magnolia one day. A nice looking dad and daughter were walking in with confidence- as if they had been there before. And I thought "that looks promising". So today when I was up to bat, it's what I chose. Cory made some sort of jerky resignation to eating with me. Noncommittal compliance with my choice. Apparently not a big Thai fan. But I appreciate that he didn't flat out complain- as I would have had to use my outside voice on him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaRyg1vlYouqa0lxehtD0uiX-27X-pnIIScS8WELAAcNIvKm6VN4BGejs30pDZNRv2xzm5nLHrl0-Tg_Swa70DbIzdF7_wDnknzAiKovD3XI9DOINwQzirDppjvWkPlkYSIJ4iCyniUk/s1600/facaed.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaRyg1vlYouqa0lxehtD0uiX-27X-pnIIScS8WELAAcNIvKm6VN4BGejs30pDZNRv2xzm5nLHrl0-Tg_Swa70DbIzdF7_wDnknzAiKovD3XI9DOINwQzirDppjvWkPlkYSIJ4iCyniUk/s400/facaed.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533650782897206690" /></a><br /><br />Anyhow, we made it down Magnolia and Cory even remembered exactly where it was (as I had previously pointed it out) so he scored some points. As we walked up there were diners leaving with smiles past a very lo-tech lunch special sign. A $4.95 lunch special sign. That is wayyy reasonable, right? <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZYCQtUTgBgfKDG9GH7I6j7gMHtuPy163fJIgJ4gqIKTPW3gKx4OLobikIGWZtpV7s2dXztOCNhDhoTsgEAhvya5ley14poCEnX8fbgMM3HR7pq8KlB_VcOcN7jDfW2Wb4VgOA7aU3D8/s1600/special.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZYCQtUTgBgfKDG9GH7I6j7gMHtuPy163fJIgJ4gqIKTPW3gKx4OLobikIGWZtpV7s2dXztOCNhDhoTsgEAhvya5ley14poCEnX8fbgMM3HR7pq8KlB_VcOcN7jDfW2Wb4VgOA7aU3D8/s400/special.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533650968315507730" /></a><br /><br />We walked on in and a smiling lady jumped to clean the table at the booth we were headed to, and spoke to us in an adorably high pitched helium voice. I wanted to chortle with glee over it- but I just did an inner chortle. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OIxGdzIzRj2IoEGekf3rEv7ayeDmVDYpd9pgQN8jBgqq0Fy1vVDr7kn0WYvOvzKQ8-vbPZD6y200metAgB31KE81-2l0RJaxj_kQzsPKnLH4BTJ-uU5rIsoiuuE1p6Nv4tXEDW4JIbI/s1600/hostess.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OIxGdzIzRj2IoEGekf3rEv7ayeDmVDYpd9pgQN8jBgqq0Fy1vVDr7kn0WYvOvzKQ8-vbPZD6y200metAgB31KE81-2l0RJaxj_kQzsPKnLH4BTJ-uU5rIsoiuuE1p6Nv4tXEDW4JIbI/s400/hostess.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533653640367009938" /></a><br /><br />We looked around snapping photos and found there was no light but daylight coming through the front window- which did make taking photos (for um unprofessionals) very difficult. But it was very calming- as was the cute, clean and simple decor. Like... if they had a nap area for after you ate, it would be perfect. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQsq_vw_CElR7lEURbtZMiLZMmAIQchRKDgcl1_n8lySSIdn5-f-_EI0ht9fDQfdojNrmkSjJ1iO9g5c4RYnhOmkd-O8wV8nOHXp-73PV3UJNmkDPxNwGgxFkMoqCYq4doXPGVbBRB0Q/s1600/dining.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQsq_vw_CElR7lEURbtZMiLZMmAIQchRKDgcl1_n8lySSIdn5-f-_EI0ht9fDQfdojNrmkSjJ1iO9g5c4RYnhOmkd-O8wV8nOHXp-73PV3UJNmkDPxNwGgxFkMoqCYq4doXPGVbBRB0Q/s400/dining.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533651685553843330" /></a><br /><br />After accepting our photos would be dark we chose a lunch special each, and I ordered to share... you guessed it Pad See Ew. Cory, of course was skeptical. Like a grumpy five year old. Sorry I think I am tired. Now I'm the grumpy five year old.<br /><font style="font-weight: bold;"><br />The basics:</font> Typical Thai fare with some interesting looking specials. At lunch there is a limited, but appealing lunch special list. You get a little soup, rice, and your dish for $4.95. You get to choose a meat unless it is specified.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobbjJwkuSd0xGdXYywUGP_XdVBrFWAQbixdFS0um5XsIXmqdJPgKCyxmzqBxo-8gOI1K_qvtdqx-7A5giODrZVkQjccGqEw66UoImc7tV1wCNwDwNQoMfvD86EsvrpAe0RMcf0RM79LU/s1600/eggplant.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobbjJwkuSd0xGdXYywUGP_XdVBrFWAQbixdFS0um5XsIXmqdJPgKCyxmzqBxo-8gOI1K_qvtdqx-7A5giODrZVkQjccGqEw66UoImc7tV1wCNwDwNQoMfvD86EsvrpAe0RMcf0RM79LU/s400/eggplant.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533653145176200786" /></a><br /><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Alissa:</font> So check it: I ordered the spicy eggplant vegetable dish. My meat was tofu. I also ordered a Thai iced tea (I order the tea at Thai places and the coffee at Vietnamese places. That's just how I do it.), and I informed Cory that off the non-lunch menu, we would be sharing some Pad See Ew. I said "trust me, you'll like it" while he made skeptical groans and faces. I ordered that with chicken.<br /><br />The tea came out first- and that passed. Then the soup- it was just veggie broth and simple veggies. It was pretty bland, but I was into it. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePhX8RI61-4UJhyv8MpioESq1xsxywqqWjZ2VXDoTgE6rqzYAaoyG0P0PFw3gFnAgsZEHpljj1GWvwVAH2GvU3x2WeX25gGa3XVezE7VS5TKl1jOCnXN29zVEf98HjDNNQwU2Fu-6MMs/s1600/soup.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePhX8RI61-4UJhyv8MpioESq1xsxywqqWjZ2VXDoTgE6rqzYAaoyG0P0PFw3gFnAgsZEHpljj1GWvwVAH2GvU3x2WeX25gGa3XVezE7VS5TKl1jOCnXN29zVEf98HjDNNQwU2Fu-6MMs/s400/soup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533654778274756562" /></a><br />Sometimes I get tom kha soup to start and it is so flavorful and spicy and filling that I can hardly move on to the rest of my order. This just sort of whet the ol' appetite. God what a terrible sentence. Instead of erasing it I will just say- I am sorry. THEN out came our Pad See Ew and I immediately snuck some egg. It was good! SO I started shoveling it onto my plate like a damn wild animal and Cory had to say "um don't you think we need to snap a photo of that first?" Damn it. Yes. So I hit rewind and we did. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_3FqFnMtYgujkfAFbQvbCAWiP6XzN38_N7dga6O6oM9N3ieoD2-QKvJx6OrX6MR8SLAfu-RC2UYyDOfqcsDsTv1a8xIW9frJTSVX37m8isn7GlWLg-DtuC049HW3-di_hEcI5tSGom4/s1600/Thai-9.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_3FqFnMtYgujkfAFbQvbCAWiP6XzN38_N7dga6O6oM9N3ieoD2-QKvJx6OrX6MR8SLAfu-RC2UYyDOfqcsDsTv1a8xIW9frJTSVX37m8isn7GlWLg-DtuC049HW3-di_hEcI5tSGom4/s400/Thai-9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533655121921012018" /></a><br /><br />When I finally got to eat it, I found I was correct- it was really good. Not like that bunk place by our office. It was just the right flavors and textures... the ones that made me fall in love with Pad See Ew when I first snuck a bite of it out of my roommate's leftovers in the fridge. Sorry Morgan! I realize sometimes the egg in Pad See Ew is not so much exciting as present, and I really liked how this egg was done. Next came the eggplant dish. It was good- not like to die for- but certainly eggplanty, spicy, and tofuey. The rice is a nice contrasting texture. I tasted Cory's also and I would say that's probably a really good way to go- I just like trying a veggie dish out so that folks who are not into meat know it's there and is bite-able.<br /><br />On a side note I would like to say the bathroom is really clean- decorated and well attended to. Sometimes these lil' hole-in-the wall joints have a pretty depressing situation back there, but not these guys. Gals. Also there is some sort of shrine/offering in the hall on the floor on the way to the bathroom which I think indicates this joint is pretty legit.<br /><br />Now... my only concern is... later I felt that special sweet taste in my mouth which hearkened back to the days when no one made a fuss about MSG. I do believe I need to get to the bottom of that. I could just be paranoid... but it was a little suspicious.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cory:</span> Are you seriously concerned about MSG, Alissa? MSG is one the highlights of all Asian food as far as I'm concerned, and any place that uses it is tops in my books. I mean, I've had plenty of good food sans-MSG but a nice sprinkling of that powder goes a long way toward improving the flavor of most dishes. Ah the miracles of chemistry...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LMRBlSHo84CM9uF_HNeNhzk_KdFRY13ZiXpbHHo2deQI1WZIcdsGb-wYvRWTOcKUQoBOgX0R0IBm9E5ezKQqVto07iyxzK7dNfl7xtcnnWj_RXqtEqcfG9fr68S8NrZ7EdxQzUKkFro/s1600/Thai-3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LMRBlSHo84CM9uF_HNeNhzk_KdFRY13ZiXpbHHo2deQI1WZIcdsGb-wYvRWTOcKUQoBOgX0R0IBm9E5ezKQqVto07iyxzK7dNfl7xtcnnWj_RXqtEqcfG9fr68S8NrZ7EdxQzUKkFro/s400/Thai-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533656599994711410" /></a><br /><br />Anywhoo...I was immediately bummed out when Alissa asked if we could have Thai food, and I can only assume that I made some sort of angry scowl to go along with my grumpy 5 year old groans, but I decided to let her have this one. It was, after all, her big day to pick & I couldn't very well welcome her back into town by promptly poo pooing her choice of lunch spot. So I acquiesced & rode shotgun while Alissa nearly got lost on the way there, secretly hoping all the while that she would give up trying to find it & take me elsewhere. But find it we did, so I was stuck. I've gotta say, this place isn't really much to look at from the outside. Or from the inside for that matter. You could easily pass by it without ever knowing it's there (so if you really wanna try it, keep your eyes peeled on the north side of Magnolia). The inside is tiny & mostly barren, save for a few happy customers. It was nice to see the smiling faces enjoying their lunches, but I generally have a problem dining in tiny places, so I still wasn't 100% on board. The delightfully squeaky waitress seated us at a booth near some strange naked lady lamps, which I'm pretty sure were in my friend's parents' basement when we were kids, and plopped a couple menus on the table. <br /><br />Thankfully Alissa decided to be the man on this date & order some noodle dish for us to share (the pad see ew, or whatever) because I'm certainly no connoisseur of Thai food and, frankly, had no idea what the hell I was looking at or how to pronounce it. The one item I felt safe ordering was the yellow curry chicken, so that's what I did. And, just to be a copycat, I ordered a Thai iced tea too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRBd6he0R7HTdKwGJ6V171pBFt07uNLm_q9f6mFnDAsU3ju_fPEYD89sdNgU01kjTVX-jrJI8zlSOh4hXDi5BSMqz6kLCIsFciV3RF9UlfIUAXIOTNh6wzBcwZzrsvD8tgilM6OroO3w/s1600/thaitea.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRBd6he0R7HTdKwGJ6V171pBFt07uNLm_q9f6mFnDAsU3ju_fPEYD89sdNgU01kjTVX-jrJI8zlSOh4hXDi5BSMqz6kLCIsFciV3RF9UlfIUAXIOTNh6wzBcwZzrsvD8tgilM6OroO3w/s400/thaitea.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533653971991749394" /></a><br /><br />The iced tea came out first & only served to raise my level of skepticism. It looked like someone bled into a cup of tea. Casting my concerns aside, I stirred, sipped, and nodded my head. It was good! Kind of like tea. And creamy anemic blood. Sort of. Or maybe that's not at all what it tasted like, but whatever. It was tasty.<br />Next up was the pad see ew. Big flat noodles stir fried with egg, chicken, and veggies. "Well, this can't be half bad," I says to myself. And guess what? I was totally right. Not only was it not half bad, it was completely awesome! The other thing that was awesome was watching Alissa use both hands to shovel it into her mouth at a frightening pace. I'm certain now that if I'm ever in prison, I would like her to be there with me. Not to keep me company, but to help me tunnel to freedom.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dEGkmf5KUx8wRiCzorGiP9FOw0OUXSpbyiuClZOtHOxPOKbwSKqeRD0_6aNHzClsYCS7_e8bLm5LO8hUhspV2yfl-VUwOhfx_f-CI9W2QwN9opwtkMoDnWRKMS2Yid2K0wFDF3xgFas/s1600/Thai-8.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dEGkmf5KUx8wRiCzorGiP9FOw0OUXSpbyiuClZOtHOxPOKbwSKqeRD0_6aNHzClsYCS7_e8bLm5LO8hUhspV2yfl-VUwOhfx_f-CI9W2QwN9opwtkMoDnWRKMS2Yid2K0wFDF3xgFas/s400/Thai-8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533655478472417794" /></a><br /><br />The yellow chicken curry was last for me. I'm no curry expert either, but this was pretty good. The chicken was a teeny little bit overcooked, but the curry was spot on & more than made up for it. The dish also included potatoes, which tasted like...well, potatoes; and something else, which I can't recall but can only assume was awesome.<br />I also sampled Alissa's eggplant extravaganza. Eggplant is sort of a new thing for me. See, I was horribly scarred as a child when my 2nd grade teacher brought an eggplant casserole to class & passed it around for all the kids to sample. When no one took any, she got all upset & basically forced everyone to eat it. As you can imagine, forced eggplant is disgusting to an 8 year old; and I've been an 8 year old, as far as eggplant is concerned, ever since. This one was pretty good though. It didn't knock my socks off or anything, but it didn't make me spit it out, throw a temper tantrum, and get sent to the principal's office either...<br /><br />And here is an unflattering photo of Alissa which she will post as a good sport since she is literally taking a bite. And trying to keep from laughing. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZmMrHJ2IRAP35WNRLUGTS1gmNDfb2pYq6Qwn6GxPR8eKGO-xCowTPpqeXYvpCWvhcdqYDj5k6v8NNpEviw3PWHPkkx3XbG0VyAtkG9oE632QdHVnx6r0XsZD3EEVigNnY-G3-9NdHXg/s1600/Thai-6.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZmMrHJ2IRAP35WNRLUGTS1gmNDfb2pYq6Qwn6GxPR8eKGO-xCowTPpqeXYvpCWvhcdqYDj5k6v8NNpEviw3PWHPkkx3XbG0VyAtkG9oE632QdHVnx6r0XsZD3EEVigNnY-G3-9NdHXg/s400/Thai-6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533655716046962274" /></a><br /><br />Good bite? Or just totally bites?<br /><br />A: Well heck I would go on back there and have me some Pad Se Ew and Thai iced tea just about any time if I can figure out for sure that it wasn't all glistening in a MSG rich glaze. That Yellow Curry was really nice & I am sure there are several other menu items that are just as great.<br /><br />C: Yeah, I'd bite that again. The red chili sauce is the business, btw. Bring on the MSG!<br /><font style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Info:</font><br />1907 1/2 W Magnolia Blvd<br />Burbank, CA 91506-1727<br />(818) 558-5051<br /><br />Open Mon-Sat 11am-9:30pm<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVZi53JUg9tyDFL9E9Dj1UGJJ262GtZ-4uUSBwCFy3a80ngzOSykGABzyMkxm842ctdUrrUYjPoAIJyVVVIYKojxipmEIylyJqh_8EVvYV0v2p-mgIqOh8o81DPS6gtBS7LIzNt7B9c8/s1600/ole.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVZi53JUg9tyDFL9E9Dj1UGJJ262GtZ-4uUSBwCFy3a80ngzOSykGABzyMkxm842ctdUrrUYjPoAIJyVVVIYKojxipmEIylyJqh_8EVvYV0v2p-mgIqOh8o81DPS6gtBS7LIzNt7B9c8/s400/ole.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533656279567600562" /></a><br /><br /><br />**Our reports are based on one visit/meal- so we're far from experts on these joints! so if you have advice or experiences you'd like to share, please feel free to enlighten us & our readers! Our goal is to give enough info that someone might feel okay trying somewhere new (or know to avoid it!). Thanks for reading :)Miss Alissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08829326414533510707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-53962894956478771532010-10-15T10:26:00.000-07:002010-10-15T10:30:55.597-07:00He did it!Cory did it- Tallyrand is live! And now I'm out of the office... we should only take our vacations together from now on. This just won't do. If he doesn't fall into a deep depression over my absence, perhaps Cory will take a bite on his own while I'm gone. Or maybe he's one of those people who starts realllly chowing down when he gets sad. That's fine, as long as you blog about it, Cory! See you in a couple weeks!Miss Alissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08829326414533510707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-12403366604895743392010-10-10T21:50:00.000-07:002010-10-10T21:54:22.606-07:00wow, how surprising!Cory promised to finish the post for last week's bite, but I see he hasn't. I never for a moment totally did not believe him! This is shocking! Well, he'll probably do it while on vacation in Florida this week. That sounds really likely, so watch for it!!!Miss Alissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08829326414533510707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-14403149433579684852010-10-07T16:42:00.000-07:002010-10-18T15:12:21.607-07:00Tallyrand<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRChfb_UYDx__7WHasvTSfpADFDC85Vu-H8_1eUt_1aPW85aYlelF4dqaCTioHLcuhRpq9bcIZVR3Manc6_sHjNuLZxj6MWSTryg6-Fm4ZmdHn_uGehiluRsgjuho-7AGNb_517lFMOJhj/s1600/tallyrand_sign01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRChfb_UYDx__7WHasvTSfpADFDC85Vu-H8_1eUt_1aPW85aYlelF4dqaCTioHLcuhRpq9bcIZVR3Manc6_sHjNuLZxj6MWSTryg6-Fm4ZmdHn_uGehiluRsgjuho-7AGNb_517lFMOJhj/s400/tallyrand_sign01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528065969184590194" border="0" /></a><br />The Tallyrand. Sounds like a euphemism that your grandfather may have muttered in reference to his penis, doesn't it? Well, lucky for us it's not. Because that's where we ate last week.<br />If you're a Burbank luncher, I'm sure you've seen it lurking on Olive, near Verdugo, with its silly-fonted signage. It's been tempting me with the promise of potential weirdness ever since I first started working up here; and now I'm glad we went, because it sure did deliver...<br />Now, first things first, this place is another "family style" diner. Given our recent lunching at Lancers, I was none too impressed when I discovered this. I've since been convinced that family style diners excel at only one thing. Mediocrity. Alas, we went in anyway...<br />Walking in, we were greeted enthusiastically by Marty.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJPmzQVaysFcssa_eCWbjfiJTjXvxEDSWHIepF5bN-STgU0n6z93AJjvSPlxt_HqgMMprCksW5zeu8fRIUO4d6Suk9rbwOtdQ3OxJYnbTOc6bX51ls2nYRPrLEqYycei8_yHar_s6jaoY/s1600/tallyrand_marty01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJPmzQVaysFcssa_eCWbjfiJTjXvxEDSWHIepF5bN-STgU0n6z93AJjvSPlxt_HqgMMprCksW5zeu8fRIUO4d6Suk9rbwOtdQ3OxJYnbTOc6bX51ls2nYRPrLEqYycei8_yHar_s6jaoY/s400/tallyrand_marty01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528066909465886738" border="0" /></a><br />Towering over us at around 6 feet tall (well, towering over ME, because Alissa is shenormous too), Marty unleashed a well-rehearsed rapid-fire string of sounds & words welcoming us to the Tallyrand. She waited patiently (though, clearly, with ants in her pants) while we wandered about the restaurant taking in the sites & deciding where to sit. See, there are 3 seating areas here:<br />the diner side, which looked like a typical diner...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWK3kCRFr8Cfy1zCYynT5Ar_EW05XEu2T0VUzAFXmR5rHJPCV_UM_2HaYKE05QFUQ7SEiq2ILh8o44nm0PQccCcIDL-pIQANUpYV2Mf8VNIv_1eZbFE_6uAe20Dq3WN7Cubj4t5AQCchZ-/s1600/tallyrand_seatyourself.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWK3kCRFr8Cfy1zCYynT5Ar_EW05XEu2T0VUzAFXmR5rHJPCV_UM_2HaYKE05QFUQ7SEiq2ILh8o44nm0PQccCcIDL-pIQANUpYV2Mf8VNIv_1eZbFE_6uAe20Dq3WN7Cubj4t5AQCchZ-/s400/tallyrand_seatyourself.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528067722166323762" border="0" /></a><br />the bar, which looked AWESOME...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasAHq6AYaMw3iJGZgWpRVK4PmX7uLdMQicv8_bQQOCJRMK6FVsXWpIvolQ8Hr-gmyfd_6DNBlZQDRlWhza9Mn5to_c96cW7yG00pq_pDcSP_Q8RKjHmnQnp6wdEqhSj9ApgTNC4o6isPW/s1600/tallyrand_bar.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasAHq6AYaMw3iJGZgWpRVK4PmX7uLdMQicv8_bQQOCJRMK6FVsXWpIvolQ8Hr-gmyfd_6DNBlZQDRlWhza9Mn5to_c96cW7yG00pq_pDcSP_Q8RKjHmnQnp6wdEqhSj9ApgTNC4o6isPW/s400/tallyrand_bar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528067936995736354" border="0" /></a><br />and a 3rd area on the other side which was closed so received zero of our attention.<br /><br />After much deliberation, we chose the diner because it was nice & light and didn't make me feel like I needed to order a bourbon with my lunch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLcnL39vMxqGvTZYHBxJkp6diQobttApDV7gaF7U5iNkdeU9TIoTF6a-NXSdSYzctg8yQNcJbs1kF1191mIh29kuXnw4FSPizAurlnBid71LjMkRoCjv7bg6NPXu1UwU4icOlJqu5zczF/s1600/_tallyranddiningroom.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLcnL39vMxqGvTZYHBxJkp6diQobttApDV7gaF7U5iNkdeU9TIoTF6a-NXSdSYzctg8yQNcJbs1kF1191mIh29kuXnw4FSPizAurlnBid71LjMkRoCjv7bg6NPXu1UwU4icOlJqu5zczF/s400/_tallyranddiningroom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528068549803095890" border="0" /></a><br />While seating us, Marty mentioned that Alissa & I were just too cute & asked our birthdays. She went on to very excitedly explain that Capricorns & Virgos are always wonderful couples. And did she mention that we were just too cute? Well, unfortunately for Alissa, Marty had incorrectly labeled me a Virgo. I am, in fact, a Libra; and everyone knows that Libras & Capricorns are a wholly unholy alliance...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Basics:</span>It's a family sort of place with a family sort of fare. Soups, salads, sandwiches, and fried things aplenty. You're sure to find something to suit your lunch here. Huell Howser recommends the Hot Turkey Sandwich, though, and Marty will tell you all about it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlDavDXH_B368ddPRW9MhtkI-qX2xYTAC8lqCZN0HYD_VtBR4bm_RizMA0dFqGd4JihRgT0Ib3V1AR46Q3Ffs0bPInOB4kKL1lBHYOMztGF1AGXYrg_vyc1PTWZakSH9mx3SI_EQDgWOL/s1600/tallyrand_menu6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlDavDXH_B368ddPRW9MhtkI-qX2xYTAC8lqCZN0HYD_VtBR4bm_RizMA0dFqGd4JihRgT0Ib3V1AR46Q3Ffs0bPInOB4kKL1lBHYOMztGF1AGXYrg_vyc1PTWZakSH9mx3SI_EQDgWOL/s400/tallyrand_menu6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528069159418174562" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Alissa:</span> After getting adjusted to the fact that we were going to not only be fed, but entertained, Cory and I examined the menu for anything that could be called a "specialty" and found that there was a powerful core group that they recommended. We sorted out which we felt needed to be in our mouths, and I came up with the fried chicken. Also, having in NO WAY learned from my past food endeavors, I ordered a root beer float. Cause it was on the menu. And I was like- yeah- I clearly want that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpomvNU9dHHE9rsUXSVmOWonQChQYM4sOqGN-n-U7ghDP9XDTS1mkugE2YOn5QwZ_TI4GPa5zTNAlkIi9WxGGcML4nqMRq4GzUWYjP6jRlRTM_k7HdgmaCFH-LP50pWY2r_eIv69tkygf/s1600/tallyrand_chicken02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpomvNU9dHHE9rsUXSVmOWonQChQYM4sOqGN-n-U7ghDP9XDTS1mkugE2YOn5QwZ_TI4GPa5zTNAlkIi9WxGGcML4nqMRq4GzUWYjP6jRlRTM_k7HdgmaCFH-LP50pWY2r_eIv69tkygf/s400/tallyrand_chicken02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528070578230092098" border="0" /></a><br />I am a horrible food-taster, apparently, because I did not remember to retain the flavor of the chicken. It was moist- I remember that. But all is overshadowed by the skin. It was not so much a flaky crispy skin, as it was a shell that literally snapped in your teeth it was so crunchy. It was the kind of texture I find dangerous- as I will eat way more than I need just to feel that snap again. In fact. I wish I could bite dat right now. Dang. Anyhow it is good... in that it is unique and fun. It must taste good too, as I think I would have remembered bad or incredible. Fries came with this at Marty's suggestion because we were already gettin mashed taters with Cory's choice. Steak fries. Not under or overcooked. Just right.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOKPs9kSgJq7fnXR1kW-3mBDOvTRg_k-39oFDtR8jgw5k2apVM7cXfPkGZf619Pm4lWvW1ll7PKBUG68pBHi0dqw2jVQN4CX2F6QW9TQeZYp-YSu1i9ORcqTBog2L7uYLNj22xj03s4Q3/s1600/tallyrand_float.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOKPs9kSgJq7fnXR1kW-3mBDOvTRg_k-39oFDtR8jgw5k2apVM7cXfPkGZf619Pm4lWvW1ll7PKBUG68pBHi0dqw2jVQN4CX2F6QW9TQeZYp-YSu1i9ORcqTBog2L7uYLNj22xj03s4Q3/s400/tallyrand_float.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528071343180794130" border="0" /></a><br />I definitely should not have gotten the root beer float- but I am not complaining. It was good & satisfied my yearly float craving. Cory & I tasted each others' dishes as well- and I really liked eating a sandwich (which he will describe below) with a knife and fork. I don't know if I have ever done that. It made me dream of Thanksgiving and that ol' fashion "I ate too much and I feel like I might vomit and everything will just look like stuffing" feeling. I assume this is the way you describe food to others to make it seem appetizing. Please let me know if I am wrong.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVfjpp-tMdn7WkJhlM0vxVIRPSbnc4tZwphMsIGa_mrRBCNRIfdnsIkxEdDcu8Y-AFSDNr-63THLlqEauOHDwbbRFopsN7gwGCJThmCcR4SoJaVjF5sC4edOWulkY0C4iPR8Kv7b7HtVP/s1600/tallyrand_thespread.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVfjpp-tMdn7WkJhlM0vxVIRPSbnc4tZwphMsIGa_mrRBCNRIfdnsIkxEdDcu8Y-AFSDNr-63THLlqEauOHDwbbRFopsN7gwGCJThmCcR4SoJaVjF5sC4edOWulkY0C4iPR8Kv7b7HtVP/s400/tallyrand_thespread.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528071695772858626" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cory:</span>Walking in, I was like, "Awww, crap...it's another Lancers," but it really did prove to be quite the opposite. While it's essentially the same type of place, everything about it is just...better. The vibe is cool, the bar is silly (and the pic we have of it doesn't really do it justice), the food is good, and the staff is, well...quite possibly insane.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P7I_9v7gwz67bWwEWMi2lUKEG7GXMwgLkGM65vLpAAXlSHBo-vO0Q5DZHR7rX8xt6zcx08tFr1JtJhjTaeaL5t2O0bSAbvQ6HZvV17y7kJlyU9AlfLmloQPIMRaareZ5qKNGI8DhHW19/s1600/tallyrand_marty02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P7I_9v7gwz67bWwEWMi2lUKEG7GXMwgLkGM65vLpAAXlSHBo-vO0Q5DZHR7rX8xt6zcx08tFr1JtJhjTaeaL5t2O0bSAbvQ6HZvV17y7kJlyU9AlfLmloQPIMRaareZ5qKNGI8DhHW19/s400/tallyrand_marty02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528072098664427298" border="0" /></a><br />After the welcoming song & dance from the very gracious & highly caffeinated Marty, I decided to order the much-lauded-on-public-television Hot Turkey Sandwich. I haven't actually seen one of these on a menu since I was a wee lad in Iowa & would frequent the strange little diner attached to the Woolworth store in our small-town mall. I used to love these things & was very happy to have the chance to order one again. When it arrived, it looked EXACTLY as I remembered from my youth. A heap of mashed potatoes between two halves of a plain white bread turkey sandwich, all smothered in a snot-colored gravy. This version included a side of stuffing & cranberry sauce too, which gave the meal more of a white trash Thanksgiving feel. Thankfully, I'm a lover of all foods white trash. Hot turkey sandwiches, chipped beef, tater tots, or anything containing Velveeta - put em on a table in front of me & I'll happily put it in my facehole.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VqqnTpAY7Bb8z5cITW6OBI0l7Klp29gtlpeeNIgFOsdE88U6h8EAZ7QH6XEvfwKFvImFcFdKAHRwBwl_z2dMy2_CikAd4ieaB4HBh2lIpXYjruAHvXQ8ZCH7qEiE_2WJPDVO3wNPICNB/s1600/tallyrand_hotturkey.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VqqnTpAY7Bb8z5cITW6OBI0l7Klp29gtlpeeNIgFOsdE88U6h8EAZ7QH6XEvfwKFvImFcFdKAHRwBwl_z2dMy2_CikAd4ieaB4HBh2lIpXYjruAHvXQ8ZCH7qEiE_2WJPDVO3wNPICNB/s400/tallyrand_hotturkey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528072524767626434" border="0" /></a><br />Perhaps it was just my sense of nostalgia, but this sandwich really delivered for me. The turkey was juicy & flavorful, the potatoes had the perfect consistency, and the plain ol' white bread was utterly saturated with gravy. Every bite took me back to that weird little diner in Iowa and, while I can see why the appearance may scare some people away, I think everyone should try this at least once.<br />I also nibbled some bits of Alissa's fried chicken. It was pretty good. Crispity crunchity...just the way I like my chickens. bock bock.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Good bite? Or just totally bites?</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A:</span> Good bite. Snap. Crunch. I don't know if Marty's always there- but I cannot imagine what it would be like without her. Probably less rapping.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">C:</span> It's a good bite. Actually, the overall experience beats the bite; but the experience makes the bite worth biting. Be prepared for aural overload.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjUuGGiz13cHq9rd_14rkuLgWafNsNbGETMt27XopiV1vjsjpJY53CD0fvgO3dv7Kxber5DJPIgLAxBFC1zeZinsUWzXgKCwExReCnP_C7G_u_PR4UsqwA1FC3GHTgK76Z2FUWd4barfc/s1600/tallyrand_menufront.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjUuGGiz13cHq9rd_14rkuLgWafNsNbGETMt27XopiV1vjsjpJY53CD0fvgO3dv7Kxber5DJPIgLAxBFC1zeZinsUWzXgKCwExReCnP_C7G_u_PR4UsqwA1FC3GHTgK76Z2FUWd4barfc/s400/tallyrand_menufront.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528073850547341394" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7pLvM8ASl93enz6oInDGR68Qi_10IprAgXy0UzRaQyGy245WQfalFGyBiW8uLmexbAPULzoLKpB2ih9e3VtkC0avk5_0LgT0C7Vn-3Uy7R6UM9w7Cwumw0fUaLEfOZnqERPLDviKgtxj/s1600/tallyrand_menuback.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7pLvM8ASl93enz6oInDGR68Qi_10IprAgXy0UzRaQyGy245WQfalFGyBiW8uLmexbAPULzoLKpB2ih9e3VtkC0avk5_0LgT0C7Vn-3Uy7R6UM9w7Cwumw0fUaLEfOZnqERPLDviKgtxj/s400/tallyrand_menuback.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528073858578209138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br />Info:</span><br /><span style="visibility: visible;" id="search">1700 West Olive Avenue<br />Burbank, California 91506<br />(818) 846-9904<br /></span><span style="visibility: visible;" id="search">Open Daily 6am-10pm</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2M7NPnMVKQeP-zc4AlzCGGkJG84ESEiytCgqL4G_07bInEVfZpRqLiO8LPK_FY4xw0Ql1V9JbBWQaLjJDnXYSNW3kigtnZoIRHK04pZGRyFNfx_P2gowFPx3fxC0FN4ZaS3a5rsVe7Vf/s1600/tallyrand_sign02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2M7NPnMVKQeP-zc4AlzCGGkJG84ESEiytCgqL4G_07bInEVfZpRqLiO8LPK_FY4xw0Ql1V9JbBWQaLjJDnXYSNW3kigtnZoIRHK04pZGRyFNfx_P2gowFPx3fxC0FN4ZaS3a5rsVe7Vf/s400/tallyrand_sign02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528074224588843314" border="0" /></a><br />**Our reports are based on one visit/meal- so we're far from experts on these joints! so if you have advice or experiences you'd like to share, please feel free to enlighten us & our readers! Our goal is to give enough info that someone might feel okay trying somewhere new (or know to avoid it!). Thanks for reading :)suddenlycoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629709561131664727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-67896511653690857422010-10-01T17:00:00.000-07:002010-10-06T13:42:18.779-07:00Choza Mama Peruvian Cuisine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdhjaLlUctqzcb59o4Wpwa55vPntRJQXnl5GgkS3qe0WHdnzcLJt2t40dQ4iHg_8WAYgQhYTL1f9IuaOJUP4Oq9cX9vhlhsedH0l6S4uxwBqWzvT0s3EqKqSSfwSqRaLIgZgCjN5Ul1w/s1600/Choza+Mama-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdhjaLlUctqzcb59o4Wpwa55vPntRJQXnl5GgkS3qe0WHdnzcLJt2t40dQ4iHg_8WAYgQhYTL1f9IuaOJUP4Oq9cX9vhlhsedH0l6S4uxwBqWzvT0s3EqKqSSfwSqRaLIgZgCjN5Ul1w/s400/Choza+Mama-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524720906607799810" /></a><br />Well, chances are if you work at NBC, you know this place well- as it is directly across the street. Cory and I do not work at NBC, however, so this is yet another place we have never been. Personally, I have been eying it for years from my car- but I am not good at trying new places on my own WHICH is why Cory and I teamed up. Maybe you have been eying it too and just needed someone to say... don't be scared!<br /><br />Well don't be. Cause it's really good. There is delicious food, air conditioning, and the fellow behind the counter- Brathzo- is friendly and funny. There's nothing to fear. Except cilantro itself... but I think you can figure that part out. Because if you can figure out how to navigate a turn through the intersection there, where like 8 roads converge with a variety of angled green arrow lights... you can probably figure out anything.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQL-jeo_Oumj8wZZyqxpNuKoXimlxZnnDHVryGb9ZXpvU7SFf_fiGzT7e5ds088dznq95B9WO8RtSRkTlM9uIfDO0f4EEw23OJDWUVrasuoMsmLg9TZ6-jSYnePvOCwbgUOzjaLPKCI5A/s1600/Choza+Mama-6.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQL-jeo_Oumj8wZZyqxpNuKoXimlxZnnDHVryGb9ZXpvU7SFf_fiGzT7e5ds088dznq95B9WO8RtSRkTlM9uIfDO0f4EEw23OJDWUVrasuoMsmLg9TZ6-jSYnePvOCwbgUOzjaLPKCI5A/s400/Choza+Mama-6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524721174440936114" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHS_WG4OHfzg5ccET9ScHSj6BUB3c4T06exycO4nu0v5Ix20rFyrqt0Fl6TOwgckaKJooFjHyG0650F_WCnL9k9nsI5lhFiPe-TciqIeczxoTHY_dph8w3JcKTFwjMtFwFX4forxOtm-Q/s1600/Choza+Mama-5.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHS_WG4OHfzg5ccET9ScHSj6BUB3c4T06exycO4nu0v5Ix20rFyrqt0Fl6TOwgckaKJooFjHyG0650F_WCnL9k9nsI5lhFiPe-TciqIeczxoTHY_dph8w3JcKTFwjMtFwFX4forxOtm-Q/s400/Choza+Mama-5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524722227895583282" /></a><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">The basics:</font> If you have had Peruvian food before, this stuff will be familiar. There's a big menu that allows you to have stuff as a plate with sides, or like- wrapped up as a burrito and more. If you're not sure what to get, ask. A lot of people who came through took stuff to go, but there is a nicely air conditioned room to eat in as well. There isn't a wait staff- you get food on a tray at a window & there is water cooler nearby so that you may help yourself. I hate waiting for water... so I was pretty happy to see that. It's the little things, you know?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyNQ8_uHKyrgjVkkkNyvBYJrgCHkCF0nDrsdcAf03GZ2NxSx-wJQB0gjtnEjG0LoBBkKTZv5iUaPsHSb4kvAF9H2YdlUq1DU02dZ150wkUCCb6ho438EC6HRtTaFmcFh_HQcSYugCbzk/s1600/Choza+Mama-8.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyNQ8_uHKyrgjVkkkNyvBYJrgCHkCF0nDrsdcAf03GZ2NxSx-wJQB0gjtnEjG0LoBBkKTZv5iUaPsHSb4kvAF9H2YdlUq1DU02dZ150wkUCCb6ho438EC6HRtTaFmcFh_HQcSYugCbzk/s400/Choza+Mama-8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524721306101007410" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6TGkJvcD2anGHo5tSfir5uRq3jJQhXWY5d36o-utvRjpgZxlQrrn4oqNXjBoqvUZIkVWfcpP_-eYzeA98Mo75EMiTLng5len03FJ5jAZlHuKc0jRzaRV-8M3QAA09RKbQIhEA6C6nls/s1600/Choza+Mama-16.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6TGkJvcD2anGHo5tSfir5uRq3jJQhXWY5d36o-utvRjpgZxlQrrn4oqNXjBoqvUZIkVWfcpP_-eYzeA98Mo75EMiTLng5len03FJ5jAZlHuKc0jRzaRV-8M3QAA09RKbQIhEA6C6nls/s400/Choza+Mama-16.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524722480295706898" /></a><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">Alissa:</font> So, again I remembered to ask for a recommendation on my order instead of just randomly choosing something- which I think is a good idea if you are going somewhere for the first time. I announced "I have never been here, and I like chicken. What shall I order?" There was no hesitation- Brathzo recommended #3. That is a plate: Pollo a la Parilla. With this you get 2 sides, so I chose black beans and fried sweet plantains (which is an extra $2.15, but I lllove plantains). Also, having failed to learn not to order a whipped drink with a large meal, I ordered a Pina Colada Bang.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Jt3lsq9GuN53Dl45KfIS2Ad7vtt456ESO-MYFn7oBKCd5PKz47b2M0otkhPU-D9V0ahY6MyN5SfHpjgQ_i-4hlDBTEUN2bDfL_eDJKj45k29Yu6WfdFLrrBzfkb3rmZKbo5dm92BIn0/s1600/Choza+Mama-9.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Jt3lsq9GuN53Dl45KfIS2Ad7vtt456ESO-MYFn7oBKCd5PKz47b2M0otkhPU-D9V0ahY6MyN5SfHpjgQ_i-4hlDBTEUN2bDfL_eDJKj45k29Yu6WfdFLrrBzfkb3rmZKbo5dm92BIn0/s400/Choza+Mama-9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524721594485843378" /></a><br />I was really satisfied with my meal. Overly satisfied. Cory peer pressured me into eating the entire thing, but I would say it is definitely 2 meals- next time half is coming home for dinner. The chicken was really tender & moist and had great seasoning. The black beans were... well they were black beans. And the plantains were awesome and I didn't have to share them with Cory cause he is anti-banana and banana-like fruit. I could have gone with some crema fresca for those puppies. Ah well. In addition... everything seems to come with both yellow and green chili sauces. The yellow is waayyy good- although I had a hard time justifying saucing up my stuff since I liked how it tasted already. I absolutely did not need the PC Bang & later tossed it after a couple sips. I realized if you are going to get one though- it should be the orange- I think this one tastes a little like bread that is getting a little sour. This obviously has nothing to do with Choza Mama- just a general realization.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggw23UiNBtsP5lGl2mBKDTUEsbJ7TjDm5XjL2caeV-80qt2ikuSzBL1vDTr9cuUbgAb8gf7vWYwEpyRdtve5LD95gC18V5bVE7IjkxbwvgvuUQtSisJ6ocVMThTa5SUZyAm7bvJPi-AEQ/s1600/Choza+Mama-13.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggw23UiNBtsP5lGl2mBKDTUEsbJ7TjDm5XjL2caeV-80qt2ikuSzBL1vDTr9cuUbgAb8gf7vWYwEpyRdtve5LD95gC18V5bVE7IjkxbwvgvuUQtSisJ6ocVMThTa5SUZyAm7bvJPi-AEQ/s400/Choza+Mama-13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524721923741750034" /></a><br />Also- I would say that while the temperature is nice in there- you may as well get stuff to go. Hanging out with Brathzo is cool- but when we sat down the TV was on and I had to watch a huge woman trying to get her baby to breast feed and heard a bunch of unsavory words- followed closely by that show about chicks who didn't realize they were preggers and there was also some really yucky things immediately broadcast into my trying-to-enjoy-my-meal earholes. I asked if I could change the channel and there was no problem with that- so it wasn't the end of the world. The other downfall is trying to cut meat with plastic cutlery on plastic plates with compartments that prevent you from mixing all your stuff together. Again- you could take your stuff to go- or take your personal knife set out of your holster that you obviously have strapped around your hips.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwV0rpivmqeihL-jt06xammw9Obl6ml6sj2P3tzKE0L36P36p3p-wcA_qtvUzOLGTa-ApAeBg8oFhD3p2Bsluq_JV-rQiGYh3D7EzHCWxzLkZPtEyh3S04nm_35pUyz9VBtUC9Mke30VE/s1600/Choza+Mama-10.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwV0rpivmqeihL-jt06xammw9Obl6ml6sj2P3tzKE0L36P36p3p-wcA_qtvUzOLGTa-ApAeBg8oFhD3p2Bsluq_JV-rQiGYh3D7EzHCWxzLkZPtEyh3S04nm_35pUyz9VBtUC9Mke30VE/s400/Choza+Mama-10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524722598857551634" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cory:</span> So this was the first time that we went somewhere without it discussing first. Alissa just scooped me up in her Amazonian arms, tucked me into her front seat, and whisked me away toward the more studio-ish part of Burbank. It's been a while since I've been over there & I nearly forgot about all the dining options. Sure beats the hell out of tired ol' Burbank Blvd...<br />Anyway, I was pleased to see that she had set her mind upon this Peruvian place. Peruvian food has long been a favorite of mine - since waaaay back when I first moved to Los Angeles & my super stoned friend brought over a giant platter of what looked like french fries piled with steak, rice, & tomatoes. I assumed it was just some sort of conglomeration that he, in his WAY high condition, concocted in his kitchen; but he informed me that it was called lomo saltado. Then he got annoyed because I ate most of it...<br />I enjoy the way Peruvian restaurants find 50 different ways to serve up the same things. Like a Mexican restaurant, only way better. Typically, the menu consist of steak or chicken dishes accompanied by some combination of rice, beans, pasta, or potatoes. My favorite of those combos is the lomo saltado, and that's what I ordered. It's essentially grilled steak tossed with french fries, onions, and tomatoes. The two sides I chose were rice & Peruvian beans (like pinto beans, only softer).<br />Now, I've had some damn good lomo saltado in my day, but this one really took me by surprise. The steak was perfectly seasoned with I-don't-know-what & it must have been pan-cooked because it produced an amazing sauce in which the tomatoes & onions were sauteed. All of this came heaped upon a plastic plate beside my rice and beans, and I mushed them all together to create something that looked not unlike dog vomit. The most delicious dog vomit I've ever eaten! Not that I eat dog vomit...often. Top if off w/ some of that homemade yellow chili sauce & you're good to go.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSwI2s32Qcjs-YIihndQrQwWaQ10Vf44e5ptkKiveJRBo7v2Njy58Soc7EHC9sUorsggZaZmOSZPu2rb_cPrwmOT8ObNL9OWbV5V-gaDF74l8T7oR-qb9ZhAiI5r-txzlLrtKSp-8H60/s1600/Choza+Mama-12.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSwI2s32Qcjs-YIihndQrQwWaQ10Vf44e5ptkKiveJRBo7v2Njy58Soc7EHC9sUorsggZaZmOSZPu2rb_cPrwmOT8ObNL9OWbV5V-gaDF74l8T7oR-qb9ZhAiI5r-txzlLrtKSp-8H60/s400/Choza+Mama-12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524722927351909890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROCvaVC3xZxCapb_o3HQiXlXHGU99UovsQ-3eevcq6jkYwRIuvP43u-uosAln6Uae34wfnhU8GFpJJwoIkL2lleWXYABXeQ6kOC7fHMZujlLKXvHszSuynQZn792DVHJk3LhrcBhqQwY/s1600/Choza+Mama-11.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROCvaVC3xZxCapb_o3HQiXlXHGU99UovsQ-3eevcq6jkYwRIuvP43u-uosAln6Uae34wfnhU8GFpJJwoIkL2lleWXYABXeQ6kOC7fHMZujlLKXvHszSuynQZn792DVHJk3LhrcBhqQwY/s400/Choza+Mama-11.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524722853607598130" /></a><br />As Alissa mentioned, the portions are generous - enough for lunch and dinner - but real men man up, so that's what I did. I put the whole thing down AND topped it off w/ an Orange Bang (which I'd never had before). Honestly, I think the Orange Bang was a little too much. It pretty much put me over the top & I floated out of that place on a cloud of orange froth. I suppose the frothy floating was a good thing though, because I was far too full to walk.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPZhT0hiFq0shMSTPYPfcT1TEp96cV7bhXOLRPpMIrenU8wyfpOMymlxgLv8bN6uisd58EYQjnCdEAIM2NwlobLo78bMP92tnMxtVvwOjFt_O08KDT3NN0hOcArPNwWzfAGaFT7ai2Rw/s1600/Choza+Mama-14.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPZhT0hiFq0shMSTPYPfcT1TEp96cV7bhXOLRPpMIrenU8wyfpOMymlxgLv8bN6uisd58EYQjnCdEAIM2NwlobLo78bMP92tnMxtVvwOjFt_O08KDT3NN0hOcArPNwWzfAGaFT7ai2Rw/s400/Choza+Mama-14.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524723152841149666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyongIZRhY_EilcXh8ly4Vs1B5_r5eDhZONbJEIpxUPTgKTWIzNhe2vpoRK3jpMYBIWub6M8YhN36uyzIaV3TDQJcJHL8b2f4S4VZf-DpT4Dyv6eejzDiZ-BFig5fFJjoh88PnTf6XpQQ/s1600/Choza+Mama-7.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyongIZRhY_EilcXh8ly4Vs1B5_r5eDhZONbJEIpxUPTgKTWIzNhe2vpoRK3jpMYBIWub6M8YhN36uyzIaV3TDQJcJHL8b2f4S4VZf-DpT4Dyv6eejzDiZ-BFig5fFJjoh88PnTf6XpQQ/s400/Choza+Mama-7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524723246050750594" /></a><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">Good Bite? Or just totally bites?<br />A:</font> Good bite! Recommend! I bet there is a burrito or sandwich version of the chicken I got- and I think it might just have to come on a lunch date to the park with me sometime soon. Pina Colada Bang- you're not invited.<br /><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">C:</font> A good bite! Best Lomo Saltado I've ever had & that's saying a lot. Check it out for yourself. Just do like Alissa says & get it to go. Unless you don't mind the zero-atmosphere atmosphere of the dining room.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbZOEvVh4R-V7mSgMqymVCsDuls4gOy4yaCy3vrtZiJ7ApuOxk28_3eIuRealx4PcD4CjMlo75fV_DRO1bD3OyBuEXrArZWMg9MLiRN-1evLwdNElhl2lW86yt7F3XkRfRduPKwgkrOs/s1600/Choza+Mama-2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbZOEvVh4R-V7mSgMqymVCsDuls4gOy4yaCy3vrtZiJ7ApuOxk28_3eIuRealx4PcD4CjMlo75fV_DRO1bD3OyBuEXrArZWMg9MLiRN-1evLwdNElhl2lW86yt7F3XkRfRduPKwgkrOs/s400/Choza+Mama-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524723625880229090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SgygUArSnK48p2rwxxbJ8Km814vFFfZk6DNVBO8Zuebh8mogCR2WDARpZOJlUXRBFRVCR1SLtwqba3qL-j30kv4-0qVPZJ7YXPwsSxHj6RO8o-WcEDHysU7AOlLvD1IZEtGYxxbCUdc/s1600/Choza+Mama-4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SgygUArSnK48p2rwxxbJ8Km814vFFfZk6DNVBO8Zuebh8mogCR2WDARpZOJlUXRBFRVCR1SLtwqba3qL-j30kv4-0qVPZJ7YXPwsSxHj6RO8o-WcEDHysU7AOlLvD1IZEtGYxxbCUdc/s400/Choza+Mama-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524723500541034194" /></a><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Info:</font><br />W Olive Ave<br />Burbank, CA 91505<br />(818) 566-9888<br />Open Mon-Sat 11am-9:30pm; Sun 11am-9pm<br /><br />**Our reports are based on one visit/meal- so we're far from experts on these joints! so if you have advice or experiences you'd like to share, please feel free to enlighten us & our readers! Our goal is to give enough info that someone might feel okay trying somewhere new (or know to avoid it!). Thanks for reading :)Miss Alissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08829326414533510707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-43956423157156307952010-09-30T20:26:00.000-07:002010-10-01T17:48:08.629-07:00Larry's Chili Dog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiL9GQfR8TsdDCKYmb-VvHuYQfWc5VXitWIOrsde4Pwotlvlcab6DuAwRXuF1r6P2T6t0ecepMQwl8Vz2O2kMzmn7UXkvXZ_Y2fCrMMdbbsDnAA6qnb14TfPHonUMerEY6GMT5JIhNSs1-/s1600/Larrys+Sign.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiL9GQfR8TsdDCKYmb-VvHuYQfWc5VXitWIOrsde4Pwotlvlcab6DuAwRXuF1r6P2T6t0ecepMQwl8Vz2O2kMzmn7UXkvXZ_Y2fCrMMdbbsDnAA6qnb14TfPHonUMerEY6GMT5JIhNSs1-/s400/Larrys+Sign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523235013343743474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />What a lamely workified two weeks it's been! Alissa & I have been trying to get lunchy for the past ten days to no avail. And for that, we apologize. But today the light at the end of the tunnel shined bright & we were able to sneak out for the most hasty Burbank Biting yet. A 3:45 lunch. A lunch that would ruin my dinner. A lunch that threatens to rise up in the middle of the night & strike back. A lunch that could, quite possibly, ruin my digestive tract for life. And it was worth it(???).<br />Today's late lunching took us to Larry's Chili Dog on Burbank Blvd. A large sign on the wall boasts that they've been serving Burbank for over "50 Years." Alissa wondered aloud why they had put that in quotes as I pondered it silently....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDQPaoIXK81EacUK3PQiPM7fb91o9EQBSAuSw1rcqBvx_7xaRh3DEK36ZEHwIa8Wak2ZbANPcvxE0AjlVgF8sEzmkbeBkxAJBglQeqd5iWDwgVdfKovKc8n88ZpnSXdoojqJgjMb9b6Te/s1600/CDL_50years.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDQPaoIXK81EacUK3PQiPM7fb91o9EQBSAuSw1rcqBvx_7xaRh3DEK36ZEHwIa8Wak2ZbANPcvxE0AjlVgF8sEzmkbeBkxAJBglQeqd5iWDwgVdfKovKc8n88ZpnSXdoojqJgjMb9b6Te/s400/CDL_50years.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523235255985053154" border="0" /></a><br />Larry's is one of those little corner shack-type restaurants with a sweet sign that you can't help but to notice when you drive by. Seating is outside only (which can be a little brutal when Alissa takes the only chair in the shade, presumably to protect her Casper the Friendly Ghost-esque skin, while you sweat in the glaring sun) & there's a walk-up window for ordering. At that window was John. I already knew what I'd be ordering from John, and I'd been dreading it for weeks...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSTy9dsA-S9DyD7K1GDvKbCykty4nq_8acxWLZJmQijZbtQEB6zmaFG_JUE9sCJxoTanQQ2DEt1LWkME1MtK0xHzwkO6f0NifH8cocKwcnJBWJXcL3Rzd51FoOmZjmmGzh0InEPAzgCqY/s1600/CDL_John.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSTy9dsA-S9DyD7K1GDvKbCykty4nq_8acxWLZJmQijZbtQEB6zmaFG_JUE9sCJxoTanQQ2DEt1LWkME1MtK0xHzwkO6f0NifH8cocKwcnJBWJXcL3Rzd51FoOmZjmmGzh0InEPAzgCqY/s400/CDL_John.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523235775093703954" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The basics:</span> It's called Larry's CHILI DOG. Need I say more? Well apparently, yes I do. Because they have a lot more than just chili dogs here. They also have chili burgers, chili fries, chili chicken things, chili turkey things, chili veggie-based items, chili breakfast morsels, etc. Oh, and a lot of other non-chili stuff too.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OLOzNTHPY3ty06FGLlOqRmTUxrP5GGsdqSLae9fpKU6CsGdJ5sHO2sWfjWwR5UFMshakdIOQGyAOIGe_7DfTdQfSVVBqW1wa1BdulCoILHkg9hbAEmz35zcOzE3VM0EsXeWqacLo42AP/s1600/CDL_window01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OLOzNTHPY3ty06FGLlOqRmTUxrP5GGsdqSLae9fpKU6CsGdJ5sHO2sWfjWwR5UFMshakdIOQGyAOIGe_7DfTdQfSVVBqW1wa1BdulCoILHkg9hbAEmz35zcOzE3VM0EsXeWqacLo42AP/s400/CDL_window01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523236280067204578" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9JscMdiCtFWrUzyBzRCBZhIskcA2_owOOhwZuf3zUer1T3S3WQ_8XuVMMPKWYDQ6dn8TNo1yH13hSG63OoMXAHpkKliej3iJUN-CvbM3FMCvmrXk9rSMlacULbXfpZUsPVN1UQ1A9QxI/s1600/CDL_window02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9JscMdiCtFWrUzyBzRCBZhIskcA2_owOOhwZuf3zUer1T3S3WQ_8XuVMMPKWYDQ6dn8TNo1yH13hSG63OoMXAHpkKliej3iJUN-CvbM3FMCvmrXk9rSMlacULbXfpZUsPVN1UQ1A9QxI/s400/CDL_window02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523236287357870098" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Alissa:</span> I will now admit that I was a little jealous that Cory ordered something that allowed him to feel naughty and dangerous... but I guess he had to deal with digesting it as the night progressed and that part probably wasn’t so badass. Or literally was. Meanwhile, I was at the fair eating a chicken fillet between crispy creme jelly donuts to make up for it- but that’s another story.<br /><br />So. What did I order? I got the Hawaiian Dog. That’s pineapple chunks and bbq sauce piled on a hot dog. It’s also grilled onions at John’s recommendation. And I got it with a veggie dog, as it is my intention to let you know if there are vegetarian/vegan options at these places. Though I am not vegan/veggie now, I have been both, and have many friends who are- and it’s nice to know that if you don’t eat animalparts you can get something to eat at a place called Chili Dog Larry’s, right?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghL8-ilxnBYX3gPMw8svOEhJ3Tlpg8zRKE4h8B7pNY66wd80OB0OJ_zZsM_lSq2Q5k3IbciTH28SpPxBvs4qD1hpVep6g35M_fie7qz4vtKPivJrnFDHtfbeoKNNa8EzGpWYlhsHMNMVXp/s1600/CDL_hawaiianDOG.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghL8-ilxnBYX3gPMw8svOEhJ3Tlpg8zRKE4h8B7pNY66wd80OB0OJ_zZsM_lSq2Q5k3IbciTH28SpPxBvs4qD1hpVep6g35M_fie7qz4vtKPivJrnFDHtfbeoKNNa8EzGpWYlhsHMNMVXp/s400/CDL_hawaiianDOG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523236904741198898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Anyhow- it tasted just how you might think it would. BBQ sauce is not overpowering... bun is nice and soft. I did not feel horrible after eating it either. I cannot say it was EFFING amazing- but it was totally pleasant. I realized while eating it that it was truly missing the fat/salt component that meat would have delivered. Pork and pinapple? DUH. But I can say- I would have been real happy to find this when I was completely not eating les animaux.<br /><br />John said that he will cook your dog- veggie or otherwise however you want. He said most of his vegan customers get it grilled. But that he can boil or DEEP FRY whatever you order. John is totally down for your ideas- not a dog nazi. He seems game for experimentation so I totally recommend you look at what they have and ask for whatever you come up with. I think I blew it by not ordering a bacon-wrapped deep fried veggie dog. NEXT TIME. But the fact is- you can eat something that isn't totally going to clog your arteries and allows you to work through the rest of your day without dying on your desk. Which is nice. And oh yeah- I also got strawberry soda, which is awesome. Obviously. They have a handful of delicious-looking bottled sodas. Grape will be next for me!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_H8h9gsd-qZ5vkE_t_52gKuVorPXYYp4u5Skt0oWafxM4jkeBwI93s-PtC3Qkw5w2kpYccshycTCwQ1Yc2GJ6P9MXXb5unIfu9IHQNXZPCpBEIsA9tSexWHomLacGnT1qC1U4bY3vPLS/s1600/CDL_strawberrysoda.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_H8h9gsd-qZ5vkE_t_52gKuVorPXYYp4u5Skt0oWafxM4jkeBwI93s-PtC3Qkw5w2kpYccshycTCwQ1Yc2GJ6P9MXXb5unIfu9IHQNXZPCpBEIsA9tSexWHomLacGnT1qC1U4bY3vPLS/s400/CDL_strawberrysoda.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523238120348408002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfs9JmcUM3oFK2ukZwyStDp4Ia2EDYfwC1URyOnphWr5WT33sMYq42y0AhkN9w7ZDfV8I4Z2PsUXoYcrrmimGhN4x1M5Bvwydc8CqX0P4HIZyOb867AmVfZIlTqbuoGP5bhLOgCm1uPvD/s1600/Alissa+Pose.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfs9JmcUM3oFK2ukZwyStDp4Ia2EDYfwC1URyOnphWr5WT33sMYq42y0AhkN9w7ZDfV8I4Z2PsUXoYcrrmimGhN4x1M5Bvwydc8CqX0P4HIZyOb867AmVfZIlTqbuoGP5bhLOgCm1uPvD/s400/Alissa+Pose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523240277344199154" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cory:</span> You know those anti-smoking ads you used to see that said something along the lines of, "every cigarette you smoke takes 5 minutes off of your life"? Well, I kinda feel like a similar warning should be posted regarding what I ordered. Oh, wait...it sorta is...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdytsiskVWgzNM1BWH9P6Rn76BtKwCJkResmLbeUNWtpLNTten5Fv90_ewwv5arp9HdZxP-L2Ebj1thZJbKQ-IYmaLgi1j4bNFyHpgwtg3gkG9nJAkuGtCRImFSuNt5ynhoPaW4ihKiYz/s1600/Warning+Sign.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdytsiskVWgzNM1BWH9P6Rn76BtKwCJkResmLbeUNWtpLNTten5Fv90_ewwv5arp9HdZxP-L2Ebj1thZJbKQ-IYmaLgi1j4bNFyHpgwtg3gkG9nJAkuGtCRImFSuNt5ynhoPaW4ihKiYz/s400/Warning+Sign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523238335635143906" border="0" /></a><br /><br />John recommended that I top it off w/ chili, which I did because, hey, it's in the name of the restaurant. It took a little longer than I thought it would to arrive (presumably because John was back there masterfully hand-crafting this beast, and when it finally came out it looked...um...menacing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOAtLx2bYEsLXjw0BHBNYbPXr1EyuLStW6q67ENDXLIRI2JCXFU_Dk9jPc7eiw0VKaOHudVJUC-C4laWj4nds9tRuLlWYTXFIsUR3VD-rMCHS0cWL7gS1y3x5cBA_r80V9G5ID0OdWr3s/s1600/My+dog+1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOAtLx2bYEsLXjw0BHBNYbPXr1EyuLStW6q67ENDXLIRI2JCXFU_Dk9jPc7eiw0VKaOHudVJUC-C4laWj4nds9tRuLlWYTXFIsUR3VD-rMCHS0cWL7gS1y3x5cBA_r80V9G5ID0OdWr3s/s400/My+dog+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523238916315820882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdc9bSpaXGtBN0HQh6oTVLtLdhdsyV312kb6CN4_3cL9yJJZjKal1q0AGQtzryrBUtnH8OJ99gHCia1jFB8VdsbWktfrdWoVRbmnYK3g1QQWEkSbLljOD0VVYvSNTU1i3K6pfQvzLOBFK/s1600/My+dog+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdc9bSpaXGtBN0HQh6oTVLtLdhdsyV312kb6CN4_3cL9yJJZjKal1q0AGQtzryrBUtnH8OJ99gHCia1jFB8VdsbWktfrdWoVRbmnYK3g1QQWEkSbLljOD0VVYvSNTU1i3K6pfQvzLOBFK/s400/My+dog+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523238909963774706" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The plastic knife & fork indicated that this is a dog too big to be treated like a dog. But I did anyway. After scoping it out for a bit & carefully selecting the "first bite zone", I picked it up & chowed down. Chili, bacon, rings, hot sauce, and polish sausage. Amen! This thing was AWESOME. Granted, I will never ever EVER have it again (because it's now a full 24 hours later & I'm still feeling it), but damn am I glad I tried it once! The genius behind its construction is what really propels this thing to greatness. Everyone knows that bacon-wrapped dogs are the bee's knees, but threading it through onion rings & DEEP FRYING it? Brilliant. The hot sauce added a nice tang to the meaty friedness & the chili was the perfect addition. Frankly, I'm a little surprised that chili isn't included in the standard-issue Mini Stroke. I just makes it that much better.<br />And, as daunting a task as it seemed to finish the entire thing, I easily could have. But Alissa said I didn't have to. So I didn't.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBm1D8cY2uMRpwQ0K0RPGZKYuJVe8Njzubm3IRgSB7HFl65ffaXdPXrv2Fa_Jx4U4fibz3X304lWP4FALiNruufp038F92OlbCaOxsmno32Z7Xl19AzXU9K15-cnODlJAOrXt_Iu0vGvp/s1600/Last+Bite.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBm1D8cY2uMRpwQ0K0RPGZKYuJVe8Njzubm3IRgSB7HFl65ffaXdPXrv2Fa_Jx4U4fibz3X304lWP4FALiNruufp038F92OlbCaOxsmno32Z7Xl19AzXU9K15-cnODlJAOrXt_Iu0vGvp/s400/Last+Bite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523239531332063730" border="0" /></a><br />And then I exploded.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifth0-kRX7Pe_ybqa5tSIB7OLT4Y24kfaARTNfDI2QLHoCOlWLxUNpFNWw6gGnx9BwdpQa6NM1RXXekJ2l2O5JwjKlLwoiP_qRIk9kl0YKqbQGKZ9m9MCvSNwcfIFWVxlFWzbQvIZ19zXK/s1600/CDL_HotCory03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifth0-kRX7Pe_ybqa5tSIB7OLT4Y24kfaARTNfDI2QLHoCOlWLxUNpFNWw6gGnx9BwdpQa6NM1RXXekJ2l2O5JwjKlLwoiP_qRIk9kl0YKqbQGKZ9m9MCvSNwcfIFWVxlFWzbQvIZ19zXK/s400/CDL_HotCory03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523240286291723890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good Bite? Or just totally bites?</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A:</span> Good bite. I'd go back fo sho. You might want to wait til the heat calms down a little tho- cause it's only outdoor seating. John said he nearly just closed for the day during the record heat on Monday... but had one customer every time he almost called it quits.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">C:</span> Good bite. So long as it covered in chili (and bacon...and onion rings...and hot sauce), how can it possibly be bad? Though my hot body may never recover...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_CTKk_8XJ3SHMg-lT3amwESUmwwS32jK0c8pDzOY97n3ZJolphcRMM2LVMAN_bAdgSwA3C23v1EV2wqgXUUuSLgJJxkq0CK-myN90nGhtzMXon2W4BBITxd0X-no5HRRoO84xeb3aJNn/s1600/CDL_facade.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_CTKk_8XJ3SHMg-lT3amwESUmwwS32jK0c8pDzOY97n3ZJolphcRMM2LVMAN_bAdgSwA3C23v1EV2wqgXUUuSLgJJxkq0CK-myN90nGhtzMXon2W4BBITxd0X-no5HRRoO84xeb3aJNn/s400/CDL_facade.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523240281393865346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Info:</span><br />3122 W Burbank Blvd<br />Burbank, CA 91505<br />(818) 842-0244<br />Open Weekdays 10am-5pm; Sat 11am-4pm<br /><br />**Our reports are based on one visit/meal- so we're far from experts on these joints! so if you have advice or experiences you'd like to share, please feel free to enlighten us & our readers! Our goal is to give enough info that someone might feel okay trying somewhere new (or know to avoid it!). Thanks for reading :)suddenlycoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629709561131664727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-19155775246334151152010-09-24T16:01:00.001-07:002010-09-24T16:07:07.346-07:00double up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DykquvJ7xvOJpsuW43oUx5TNQE-gu3yF69Wtwaa0l5pdrArJ6-2Z8jACngvC1yvhZrkMZEFHjD7LkmSwENRkdJMEscTrmC-s3DGJxaF6_Ae7Vl7ftxlbIKOdrPsS1xHOJZfpXwvZSKM/s1600/Norms_coryscopglasses.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DykquvJ7xvOJpsuW43oUx5TNQE-gu3yF69Wtwaa0l5pdrArJ6-2Z8jACngvC1yvhZrkMZEFHjD7LkmSwENRkdJMEscTrmC-s3DGJxaF6_Ae7Vl7ftxlbIKOdrPsS1xHOJZfpXwvZSKM/s400/Norms_coryscopglasses.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520619522623030946" /></a><br />Looks like Cory & I got too slammed this week at work for a lunch excursion, so we're planning on doubling up next week. For now... I leave you with Cory tolerating me taking a photo of myself in his cop glasses... and our hopes that you have a wonderful weekend. Gonna be a hot one!Miss Alissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08829326414533510707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-22958683369824880892010-09-22T17:26:00.001-07:002010-09-22T17:35:55.407-07:00Between Meals - Motorin'<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81OJ1W_8V644QqssXYz3cBrhUX-8H6YGMb3M4Y8MmU3vJYn6Uk94wjlUgNUFu-Li4fs79SZcd4wIc8GU1mRMKkKXEHmabYlDRvMGUAMhhMDZFEHL4H0USl7WRZkzXFr6PekIqOgHF7mA/s1600/burbanktransmission1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81OJ1W_8V644QqssXYz3cBrhUX-8H6YGMb3M4Y8MmU3vJYn6Uk94wjlUgNUFu-Li4fs79SZcd4wIc8GU1mRMKkKXEHmabYlDRvMGUAMhhMDZFEHL4H0USl7WRZkzXFr6PekIqOgHF7mA/s400/burbanktransmission1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519898989540206098" /></a><br />Burbank Transmissions - Magnolia Blvd.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8jUv-GJkEYcrxPvFa7INvF32oF1o4RNA1wGxTK8rjgEqOUlKwmG1HZd9S1CV0Nu4pRpJWLYTXHsbGdU4df_B5cJKy0hMJdzmTa_ObmdWak6KF-qfzpkRW9m3mMs_RKNqhJTbcYOPWTE/s1600/carwash.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8jUv-GJkEYcrxPvFa7INvF32oF1o4RNA1wGxTK8rjgEqOUlKwmG1HZd9S1CV0Nu4pRpJWLYTXHsbGdU4df_B5cJKy0hMJdzmTa_ObmdWak6KF-qfzpkRW9m3mMs_RKNqhJTbcYOPWTE/s400/carwash.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519898881560258706" /></a><br />Lakeside Car Wash - Hollywood Way & Riverside Dr. <br />-this is where I get my car washed by the way & they have a little air conditioned room if it's too hot for you outside & and a lot of 70's rock facade- which is awesome, in case you thought otherwise.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD19x-epFVT3RFaZnTiaRhQ_eOREMJrx6EgYyOV1GFuJ5gBoLxF2Aw8gwoSBBHxn3WLlZMLJV-kVhFCsySGWy4j9fz0lSy8KTJENKp_wCA5u49Rhe8ZG1EGzqGahLA_6-AtgwSYQM917I/s1600/safariinn.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD19x-epFVT3RFaZnTiaRhQ_eOREMJrx6EgYyOV1GFuJ5gBoLxF2Aw8gwoSBBHxn3WLlZMLJV-kVhFCsySGWy4j9fz0lSy8KTJENKp_wCA5u49Rhe8ZG1EGzqGahLA_6-AtgwSYQM917I/s400/safariinn.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519899079808814850" /></a><br />Safari Inn - Olive Ave.Miss Alissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08829326414533510707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-90073458513828462092010-09-16T15:37:00.000-07:002010-09-30T21:44:37.798-07:00Norm's (no, not that one- a different Norm's)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRdXNEJuilZCRrcdk6HtHv6w_28E0q5ChAn3W2LAZqZ5w5h-lG3cMjEXPcGmoHLcAfYHhsrAY9MfXs6dHnbrP96MW6R4LcvQkxXMfuuX2tpHRxB8jta7EgUVhGGPHXgi2-oHXKNyHFI8/s1600/Norms-4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRdXNEJuilZCRrcdk6HtHv6w_28E0q5ChAn3W2LAZqZ5w5h-lG3cMjEXPcGmoHLcAfYHhsrAY9MfXs6dHnbrP96MW6R4LcvQkxXMfuuX2tpHRxB8jta7EgUVhGGPHXgi2-oHXKNyHFI8/s400/Norms-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517983135493455730" border="0" /></a><br />Today, we barely went to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Norm's</span>. Not the chain diner- but a little joint started up by another guy with the same name. Presumably. Actually I think maybe it's called Norm's Hamburger #3??? I say <span style="font-style: italic;">barely</span>, because Cory and I had what he called "our first fight" over where to go (I just thought we were discussing- but his discussion tolerance is clearly low), because we've both been having upset stomachs and were wondering if we should eat somewhere that was in no way boasting any health properties and which Cory was calling a "shady shack", and finally, because once we were there looking at the menu aside the B rating it was not seeming as exciting today as it may have been on another day. But like... I'd already parked and walked across a whole street... so we dove in. This time we remembered to order something for which the place felt it was famous. Things in big letters on the sign. This meant Cory ordering something that he didn't even necessarily think he'd like. Then I tried to get some help deciding from the nice lady (Norm?) running the joint, but she was merrily indifferent about my selection. So I just manned up and chose something. That's right. Cause I'm a grownup.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdd7YaKlRMumeoGd__XPdSHMbdv-nDcgy8lrzFHW-rpptfKSQYJDan7wDxWyynAGJJrvLeHTnDLzjmGANaxkAAuwj5cbYI6J7xQwa7T7REBgCEMEH5bFP2BQk56stJUhG5aOZM8U39Jg/s1600/Norms-8.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdd7YaKlRMumeoGd__XPdSHMbdv-nDcgy8lrzFHW-rpptfKSQYJDan7wDxWyynAGJJrvLeHTnDLzjmGANaxkAAuwj5cbYI6J7xQwa7T7REBgCEMEH5bFP2BQk56stJUhG5aOZM8U39Jg/s400/Norms-8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517951024875786930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKr4FXkVDZ8_JwUITCvjKHXcPjvWks9vLdvVNJZN2C_4Yh53fiQdfQdOBa4pCEQzaCCkiBiN5RaVfBNZQKyyjwXW-khhkZqp3DLESoZ1l6NCPJ4AY9U42KzEKXOonPaEL0kE9FpLZGDo/s1600/NOrms_menu.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKr4FXkVDZ8_JwUITCvjKHXcPjvWks9vLdvVNJZN2C_4Yh53fiQdfQdOBa4pCEQzaCCkiBiN5RaVfBNZQKyyjwXW-khhkZqp3DLESoZ1l6NCPJ4AY9U42KzEKXOonPaEL0kE9FpLZGDo/s400/NOrms_menu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517982875718108962" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The basics:</span> Well for lunch, which is our bag, they have many different burgers (and yes even a garden burger), various sandwiches, bowls, tacos and burritos, salads, fried sides and soft drinks. Yes. It's that kind of place. One that boasts Gyros and Mexican Gyros (tacos) on the same sign. If you are eating there, under the shadow of that mighty sign, you can sit inside or outside- and if you are lucky enough to snag the right table outside, you can have a conversation on a pay phone from your seat while you eat. Talk about convenience!!! Like literally- you could call someone and talk about the convenience.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadbkiZvp11nFjnNjKfOt7mai113dDluL6c4osz6xOLDQeokX65LWYX4VFPqhJEk6PYo5gD2n2ugATn8_gH2jHpUmbKqXX5an7bjTQ8t8FEgCCvMP_4dw7ujJcneH4vWfL2JAI0iuSRAM/s1600/Norms_payphone.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadbkiZvp11nFjnNjKfOt7mai113dDluL6c4osz6xOLDQeokX65LWYX4VFPqhJEk6PYo5gD2n2ugATn8_gH2jHpUmbKqXX5an7bjTQ8t8FEgCCvMP_4dw7ujJcneH4vWfL2JAI0iuSRAM/s400/Norms_payphone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517978565303997394" border="0" /></a><br />Also Cory said "this doesn't look like the kind of place that takes debit cards," which could have been a deal breaker- but they do!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjse2A_vbeB9pyVNVEDPJtFonMLSwuJJdXK9IyOR_XPY0DmyBFgeJlHjoy8i4wXcTpDb3u9yJ78Uzk6OYR510_w3KFTTmFcFx5_uuq0D2y2R7GgGubNlsSuRjYSnSku7BdOTqLMwDEuA/s1600/Norms-3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjse2A_vbeB9pyVNVEDPJtFonMLSwuJJdXK9IyOR_XPY0DmyBFgeJlHjoy8i4wXcTpDb3u9yJ78Uzk6OYR510_w3KFTTmFcFx5_uuq0D2y2R7GgGubNlsSuRjYSnSku7BdOTqLMwDEuA/s400/Norms-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517951699050909026" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Alissa:</span> So after my usual unnecessarily long period of deliberation, I decided on a chicken gyro and orange whipped drink. I was nervous- but the food came quickly so the fear didn't have time to build.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbG3K3T0_k4yMhHykMSvMpsSMYkIUo7RNJky0PV0dBiUtKxex0KeZkN9K1sKpq1usq1W6PWwzLzDlSmsYPv5jS7E4w3zPwzg_QHp8ZxiQKqmvQdQef-Uj_6VjPgMLVrULkzAqyMg0dgAc/s1600/Norms_Gyro01.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbG3K3T0_k4yMhHykMSvMpsSMYkIUo7RNJky0PV0dBiUtKxex0KeZkN9K1sKpq1usq1W6PWwzLzDlSmsYPv5jS7E4w3zPwzg_QHp8ZxiQKqmvQdQef-Uj_6VjPgMLVrULkzAqyMg0dgAc/s400/Norms_Gyro01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517977928545129346" border="0" /></a><br />When it came out I thought "hey that doesn't look half bad." And it wasn't. I ate all of it. The chicken was just shy of dry (so not to be tough) and was seasoned in a gyro fashion. There weren't any nefarious textures, the tomatoes were not mush, and the tzatziki was honestly quite good.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyTpv1cPhtENV9f1JTwAxN2CnHuQNmgq63eFt7wSkKCTnhF-IOvxDiEqw_XdZk-huwnXqiFfKIncVtsaNWBtwEi77uo4cKw9LmC0byvJZdwgylorjI4aWZoVTfFOz-1cc_xGFFQbQS50/s1600/Norms_Gyro02.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyTpv1cPhtENV9f1JTwAxN2CnHuQNmgq63eFt7wSkKCTnhF-IOvxDiEqw_XdZk-huwnXqiFfKIncVtsaNWBtwEi77uo4cKw9LmC0byvJZdwgylorjI4aWZoVTfFOz-1cc_xGFFQbQS50/s400/Norms_Gyro02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517978092840216754" border="0" /></a><br />Just to make sure I felt uncomfortable after lunch I drank all of that orange whipped drink which could probably be a meal in it of itself. If you want to stand up and feel orange flavored gurgles at the back of your throat, I totally recommend this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmJh1_YtP9Tazbz6dEVWjcwm0m-z7Yqq9uaksGuGQ7tW7pp3foK-TBEgDmaoay_Yv5FA4AkOjQ5jG0niVr27VXm9LUtzo-GI_3CWAbFpaw-puuSvN4OMyO1BRG1dmmQOKvwe0eQ7bvq0/s1600/Norms-7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmJh1_YtP9Tazbz6dEVWjcwm0m-z7Yqq9uaksGuGQ7tW7pp3foK-TBEgDmaoay_Yv5FA4AkOjQ5jG0niVr27VXm9LUtzo-GI_3CWAbFpaw-puuSvN4OMyO1BRG1dmmQOKvwe0eQ7bvq0/s400/Norms-7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517951418608549666" border="0" /></a><br />I would eat that gyro again- this time without fear. I would even try something else off the menu. I think this is a good place to go with your buddies at lunch to prove you are not a complete wuss (when you feel choosing the Olive Garden has started to make you appear soft), without totally for sure getting food poisoning. We even saw a pretty hot lady in a nice executive-type outfit which matched her slick Lexus have lunch inside while we ate. She was by herself & I am hoping it is because this spot is a secret guilty pleasure for her.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWk3t4fEeidiOI46hQyWOlhwmqfIahpCzlgeekmknFClQfjTmevk9JDj1Zq5PERcr4WOoMgW8Y0511NaWfteg1BFhNFYbnDsMF8Pr6gx4vLf0MWKzZ3Jsl6NxzXSDfrgQX2BLO_WMN94Y/s1600/Norms_pastrami.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWk3t4fEeidiOI46hQyWOlhwmqfIahpCzlgeekmknFClQfjTmevk9JDj1Zq5PERcr4WOoMgW8Y0511NaWfteg1BFhNFYbnDsMF8Pr6gx4vLf0MWKzZ3Jsl6NxzXSDfrgQX2BLO_WMN94Y/s400/Norms_pastrami.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518026556436623202" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cory: </span>After finally getting up the courage to throw caution to the wind & pull the trigger on this place, I dove right in & opted for the most prominently displayed item on the sign: the pastrami. Okay, so maybe it wasn't the *most* prominent, but it was the FIRST black bolded item up there. Plus, last week's decision to stick to "house specialties" meant that, per the sign, I really only had 3 choices: pastrami, gyros, or tacos. Strange bedfellows, and I really didn't feel like having either of the latter two.<br />Now, I'm not normally much of a pastrami fan because, frankly, I don't even know what the hell pastrami is. All I know is that it usually looks super fatty and it's usually pretty red. Like really REALLY red. In a weird off-putting sorta way. Upon ordering, I learned from the nice nameless lady that they serve their pastrami on a french roll. This was welcome news to me because, from what I gather, pastrami is generally served on rye. And I happen to think that rye bread is one of this world's most vile & evil substances. Evil averted, I anxiously awaited the arrival of my sandwich while Alissa took far too long to finally decide on her gyro.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZoKWya0MoWM7ijQSOe1Dfy1yWFP-EqJAlBeK69n3KdC759Vjc5tN7rYygRLjMZqatz7t8OQsSQHlvH-KOP1yTncceVAEN-q0ixzP5Mjg-pPwpnivwOWqMhj2q2gzjK2G23vMcFoZWHQ/s1600/Norms-6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZoKWya0MoWM7ijQSOe1Dfy1yWFP-EqJAlBeK69n3KdC759Vjc5tN7rYygRLjMZqatz7t8OQsSQHlvH-KOP1yTncceVAEN-q0ixzP5Mjg-pPwpnivwOWqMhj2q2gzjK2G23vMcFoZWHQ/s400/Norms-6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518026987289383858" border="0" /></a><br />(*we call this piece Pastrami Sandwich Boobs)<br />When the lady heaved my pastrami upon the table, I first noticed that it was indeed really really red. But in a good way. In a way that made me wanna scarf it down immediately. Which I totally would have done if only my sense of gentlemanliness didn't dictate that I wait for Alissa to get her food as well. Well her food arrived quickly & I was finally allowed to sample the goods. And good it was! The french roll provided a nice crusty element & the meat was cut thicker than I've seen in most pastrami situations. This thicker cut allowed for a sort of burnt end thing to happen with the meat. If you're familiar with real BBQ, you'll know that "burnt ends" are the hyper-browned bits of meat at the end of cut. They're thick, chewy, and extra flavorful. Well, this pastrami sandwich had those goin' on all over it and, for that, I was happy.<br />Like Alissa, I would also eat here again without *too* much fear of spending the night in the bathroom. Would I venture out on a limb to try something else on the menu? I'm not so sure...that pastrami might have its hooks in me. I did notice the word "Hamburger" on the sign though. Preceded by the words "Famous Charbroiled" even. I could maybe go for one of those...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4US60WQC1q4ldIjDXw95L03BYLHr0M0_g-gZZmkOQHKdLZHguT9n9WRATqJHUTLpJZM-DmczZHFK4H8-wjTXsQqjZ684qR-LAAQHsLkum_8vG7Hu9przrKCSb-gq5KsbrQVIXpsMs4U/s1600/Norms_rockwall.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4US60WQC1q4ldIjDXw95L03BYLHr0M0_g-gZZmkOQHKdLZHguT9n9WRATqJHUTLpJZM-DmczZHFK4H8-wjTXsQqjZ684qR-LAAQHsLkum_8vG7Hu9przrKCSb-gq5KsbrQVIXpsMs4U/s400/Norms_rockwall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518027354012926946" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good bite? Or just totally bites?</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A:</span> I say it's a good bite. Not like HOLYCRAP THIS IS GOOD good, but good enough. I'm sure not everything on the menu is amazing- but I bet if you at least stick to that stuff on the sign, you'll get a decent lunch.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">C:</span> A good bite. Their food's not gonna save the world or anything, but it might just earn you some cred with your lunchable friends for suggesting it. Just be sure to look past the "B" sign on the front window...<br />(ps. from Alissa: I know some pretty "fancy" restaurants that have B's that I see celebs at all the time. You never know if it's actually cause of a violation or if they just won't pay off the inspectors properly.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqG-GABtcBDv9JRT3EdaPXP3z-7eVqRyX7fh1NLI5mVTY4rLuH0es1SwYCVzOUEKalwc9gzAm7MkJPYRBZKC5ydDFRmlqiWYzNFnzKvgOJzDPHOWHwNgzIxQsZwIF1lneqQn5TcaGIRk8/s1600/Norms+-+B.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqG-GABtcBDv9JRT3EdaPXP3z-7eVqRyX7fh1NLI5mVTY4rLuH0es1SwYCVzOUEKalwc9gzAm7MkJPYRBZKC5ydDFRmlqiWYzNFnzKvgOJzDPHOWHwNgzIxQsZwIF1lneqQn5TcaGIRk8/s400/Norms+-+B.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518027786358116418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVtCZaPgMkHHDbpNoMHnSMtt8e_MDck8lRW4DKl1k7ZDHcc-vCcSQ9lMcnkbb9exAqqbJvIcuFdm2jBgMDDXWD05RJKpqa13hD6-pki4b-85AUGwtTTgm5wTXgFIUbaKKqbp8vbUCZTA/s1600/Norms_exterior.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVtCZaPgMkHHDbpNoMHnSMtt8e_MDck8lRW4DKl1k7ZDHcc-vCcSQ9lMcnkbb9exAqqbJvIcuFdm2jBgMDDXWD05RJKpqa13hD6-pki4b-85AUGwtTTgm5wTXgFIUbaKKqbp8vbUCZTA/s400/Norms_exterior.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517978791744824946" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Info:</span><br />1201 W Magnolia Blvd<br />Burbank, CA 91506-1829<br />(818) 953-5050<br />Open Mon-Sat 6:30am-4pm; Sun 6:30am-2pm<br /><br />**Our reports are based on one visit/meal- so we're far from experts on these joints! so if you have advice or experiences you'd like to share, please feel free to enlighten us & our readers! Our goal is to give enough info that someone might feel okay trying somewhere new (or know to avoid it!). Thanks for reading :)Miss Alissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08829326414533510707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-1736687657968563442010-09-14T11:24:00.000-07:002010-09-17T14:31:38.431-07:00Lancers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3PtB55J6WnmdA8NuT7BMrFbkqqGtxdAZZAFTWI4HR1aNm-R6BvGs7rOz3XVMRdjXKj1v1ftsHtAa1mod6qLobAv6Zj7x2652v1wX6dnRiEqJDTudB-o15qLNHPpG9Ut8vRHDIyojWEmg/s1600/Lancers-7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3PtB55J6WnmdA8NuT7BMrFbkqqGtxdAZZAFTWI4HR1aNm-R6BvGs7rOz3XVMRdjXKj1v1ftsHtAa1mod6qLobAv6Zj7x2652v1wX6dnRiEqJDTudB-o15qLNHPpG9Ut8vRHDIyojWEmg/s320/Lancers-7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516848947437236338" border="0"></a><br />Staying true to my Alissa-given title of "Worst Blogger Ever," I said I would do this last night yet opted to put it off 'til this morning instead. No matter though. Lancer's has been around for quite a while & I don't think it's going to disappear any time soon, so I feel alright about my laziness.<br />Lancers is one of those weird places that you drive by repeatedly & always wonder about, but fail to ever visit. You think, "Huh, that's kind of a strange location for a restaurant. I wonder why it's so HUGE? Could it possibly be any good??" Then, you notice that the light has turned green & you go on your merry way toward the freeway.<br />Well one Wednesday long long ago (last week), Alissa & I happened to drop by Ye Olde Kragen Auto Parts to buy some more duct tape to hold her car together. Lancers, as it just so happens, occupies a very large corner of this very same shopping center. Noticing the GIANT sign that says, "COCKTAILS," she suggested we venture inside. So we did.<br />Inside, it's pretty much what you might imagine it to be during all those drive-by ponderings. A typical family diner atmosphere - clean & appropriately decorated - staffed by typical family diner cooks & wait staff, offering a menu of typical family diner fare. There's a counter, a bunch of vinyl booths, and a very large & separate "fancy" dining area.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_BAPE4eeV1wqUpiLyz5ZgT5faQm7aClMmzMuqiihThKxOy7xatAqvCXTemOyz_vAqfPmT0pr7W_drI5qB5Dhq3mOkpRbpsu6aZJldJ3jgNvcpQNGw8EFV20QPc11BaYxNJ1S39AcRqDS/s1600/Lancers-4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_BAPE4eeV1wqUpiLyz5ZgT5faQm7aClMmzMuqiihThKxOy7xatAqvCXTemOyz_vAqfPmT0pr7W_drI5qB5Dhq3mOkpRbpsu6aZJldJ3jgNvcpQNGw8EFV20QPc11BaYxNJ1S39AcRqDS/s320/Lancers-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516848500556616146" border="0"></a><br />Now, here's where Lancers breaks from the "typical family diner" vibe. They have a bar. A fully stocked bar. A very weird little fully stocked bar that drew an interesting crowd all its own.<br /><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhO-lJXAJ93sih1o_SxAeFLei0hgH3Z092UZ60szm6B_2Q_L4N63FnDeg6XA3YS1U-NPMnT9rCb6YeZgWRbr-nBqzJIuyLZMgvehbWTpVVB4f5SsjWHKPJu4puzzZefH3YpV5EVNmk9LT-/s1600/Lancers-5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhO-lJXAJ93sih1o_SxAeFLei0hgH3Z092UZ60szm6B_2Q_L4N63FnDeg6XA3YS1U-NPMnT9rCb6YeZgWRbr-nBqzJIuyLZMgvehbWTpVVB4f5SsjWHKPJu4puzzZefH3YpV5EVNmk9LT-/s320/Lancers-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516849257869491730" border="0"></a><br />The basics:</font> Like I said, it's pretty standard fare here. A large menu with all the choices you would expect from a place like this. Soups, salads, sandwiches, etc. And pies.<br /><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQr5JO9k4x-tVYEr-XyOExjePU_7IjE6sb4oEkMk7cI2GQgsvg-ihb7mT29Yn6XCUJ1MlumnQlSJu2tDGKEG_o3mWYN_gGjGrSDQfJGHaUbmgw3i7IEv_nWPo8lEYQpDqEgbHl11Rn00Y/s1600/Lancers-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQr5JO9k4x-tVYEr-XyOExjePU_7IjE6sb4oEkMk7cI2GQgsvg-ihb7mT29Yn6XCUJ1MlumnQlSJu2tDGKEG_o3mWYN_gGjGrSDQfJGHaUbmgw3i7IEv_nWPo8lEYQpDqEgbHl11Rn00Y/s320/Lancers-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516852127284762386" border="0"></a><br /></font><br /><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;"><font style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccFfV61qcrSy4Bco3C0LgN23D7EPCM9zVDaXhiKxemS5RnoLLANfNIjAjICMUAPvOi35x1BJmak4TtugU0lz5Jz5AoBBdCpP_brecONusWSooidVzJi4Ib5DWiduR-UXcAgReIWWbHW5-/s1600/Lancers-3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccFfV61qcrSy4Bco3C0LgN23D7EPCM9zVDaXhiKxemS5RnoLLANfNIjAjICMUAPvOi35x1BJmak4TtugU0lz5Jz5AoBBdCpP_brecONusWSooidVzJi4Ib5DWiduR-UXcAgReIWWbHW5-/s320/Lancers-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516850723663844562" border="0"></a></font><br />Alissa: </font>I'm with Cory on his assessment of the atmosphere. It was what I would call 'fine'. I feel like I either want to feel really cool or extremely ashamed anywhere I am eating. I felt nothing. My whole life is a dark room. One big dark room. What am I talking about? Oh yeah. But really- very middley WHICH is exactly why there was a ton of sweet granparenty people eating there. Sometimes those grandparenty people are onto something. Sometimes they are just gathered because it's easy and familiar. I think that is the case here. Anyhow CORY took so long to write this I can't remember what I got- OH WAIT. It was called the Cobb Sandwich. And you know what? It was fine. I think if you asked them to ease off the blue cheese a bit, you'd be in biznezz. It's just a little too much & you wonder what creamy hell you bit into for a moment before remembering it's blue cheese and calming down and chewing and swallowing. I tasted the fish n chips too & I can't say I enjoyed the texture of the fish being like fake crab meat- where it flakes into big chunks, but no smaller. I will say, however, that we did not try the things that were highlighted as specialties... so that may have been our mistake. WHAT WAS GOOD: They have steak fries which were totally decent causing me to eat way too many- and they have Mr. Pibb and are very attentive when it comes to free refills. I feel like that bar Cory described might get pretty weird- and may be worth a visit. My inkling is that those ol' weathered gentlemen probably worked on movie sets for 40 years and are fulla stories- and despite being serious fellows gave me a warm and polite hello when I intruded. So they wouldn't mug you out of the place. <br /><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;"><font style="font-weight: bold;"><font style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSU0EgGUSsAvcukFZSGDDTiv7UTawVut_dd_l6bkGZlcmGrnrRdlFJ1zBDqCg1gBBGDtBLyv2uyz79rlQHeL3tHo1QZeSXA0BY0jzborktHKagy31DttHvfMv6bQCzFDOQBvshdrYC6wHI/s1600/Lancers-8.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSU0EgGUSsAvcukFZSGDDTiv7UTawVut_dd_l6bkGZlcmGrnrRdlFJ1zBDqCg1gBBGDtBLyv2uyz79rlQHeL3tHo1QZeSXA0BY0jzborktHKagy31DttHvfMv6bQCzFDOQBvshdrYC6wHI/s320/Lancers-8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516851492040860546" border="0"></a></font></font></font><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">Cory:</font> You know, as much as I wanted to really really like this place, something just didn't feel right. I typically love diners, but this place is just too...I don't know...BIG, maybe. And sterile feeling. It didn't feel grimy enough to be good & it didn't feel cozy comfortable enough to be homey. That's not to say that the food was bad though. I went for the fish & chips and was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't as super-fried & beer batter-y as I normally like my fish & chips, but it actually worked out alright for lunch. The batter was crisp & tasty enough and the fish seemed to be of high quality. Nothing special, but better than I expected. I also tried some of Alissa's turkey bacon avocado & blue cheese bonanza. It was blue cheesy...<br /><br /><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEqTxnB5N2ZUGrTCu2OXQ1Prgr9SZX02IhGNPxB6vE0XQEnkK82RzghMN7gLkJK8_9RGMnXp4_XDbH5z6ZrTzW0f4NQr7SziQpu1dSpbel5-1UjQYUE4JeLuToSvEpeA4FYcbrD5QaG0r/s1600/Lancers-6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEqTxnB5N2ZUGrTCu2OXQ1Prgr9SZX02IhGNPxB6vE0XQEnkK82RzghMN7gLkJK8_9RGMnXp4_XDbH5z6ZrTzW0f4NQr7SziQpu1dSpbel5-1UjQYUE4JeLuToSvEpeA4FYcbrD5QaG0r/s320/Lancers-6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516849941169163106" border="0"></a></font><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">Good bite? Or just totally bites?</font><br />A: Bites, softly. As if with dentures that are not quite secure. <br />C: Totally bites. Actually, that seems a little harsh here, because it definitely doesn't TOTALLY bite. It just regular bites. Mostly because it's just not my style.<br /><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">Info<font style="font-weight: bold;">:</font></font><br />697 N. Victory Blvd<br />Burbank, CA 91502-1628<br />(818) 843-3433<br />Open Daily 5:30am-12am<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">**Our reports are based on one visit/meal- so we're far from experts on these joints! so if you have advice or experiences you'd like to share, please feel free to enlighten us & our readers! Our goal is to give enough info that someone might feel okay trying somewhere new (or know to avoid it!). Thanks for reading :)</span>suddenlycoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629709561131664727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-50300138555610188332010-09-07T15:08:00.000-07:002010-09-07T16:57:24.544-07:00Between Meals - Burbank Blvd.A lil taste of Burbank while you wait...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs1KUWbjVabydxXSRmehhtDm9o-7iU7UcDV2ln8cNBk1JN5i-96fm1XyI2jAjGCQtd7JzEt55ScduMrzeKDVBz_NlxQVtXRNfUmQFFzazQ2wcP4m9WO7NV-QY-yTrfQ6IZXnOCHUTFDA/s1600/Otto_01.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs1KUWbjVabydxXSRmehhtDm9o-7iU7UcDV2ln8cNBk1JN5i-96fm1XyI2jAjGCQtd7JzEt55ScduMrzeKDVBz_NlxQVtXRNfUmQFFzazQ2wcP4m9WO7NV-QY-yTrfQ6IZXnOCHUTFDA/s400/Otto_01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514297161930249986" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmfYibk8jntL37tf6TX6e2FRZd35PRgn134PURZlpsyL5ntR0Dv9_uyOrjUesw_2fe2DT6rNtdcaJd-nROql_zX2GZbmVM9Jzkg88fz1YiAjQz1ds2d4eBiWjH6jtpHKG03qmfbIsgW0/s1600/Moose_02.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmfYibk8jntL37tf6TX6e2FRZd35PRgn134PURZlpsyL5ntR0Dv9_uyOrjUesw_2fe2DT6rNtdcaJd-nROql_zX2GZbmVM9Jzkg88fz1YiAjQz1ds2d4eBiWjH6jtpHKG03qmfbIsgW0/s400/Moose_02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514297797659575458" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvD8gA3WhKRkge8scKoQ0fAFFaB8yCag-mHqzvfKppnFcZxKYS48D53h8DCkcYxKy5Z8jIhFoivTAirQV5AG5rkLc49QwHoYEiwgDlzoW1wKyOmsa61rtI6HVck25kH4cigXKcW-kJlk/s1600/hats_02.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvD8gA3WhKRkge8scKoQ0fAFFaB8yCag-mHqzvfKppnFcZxKYS48D53h8DCkcYxKy5Z8jIhFoivTAirQV5AG5rkLc49QwHoYEiwgDlzoW1wKyOmsa61rtI6HVck25kH4cigXKcW-kJlk/s400/hats_02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514297457871172434" /></a><br /><br />Photos taken along Burbank Blvd.Miss Alissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08829326414533510707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022397997458141570.post-78534153361227852702010-09-01T15:55:00.000-07:002010-09-17T14:31:22.667-07:00Chili John's<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihe0sPh5A9YW-NGv2gf68jJhwoMqLLfDhu0l3T8ODxqqrv5MJ-1HuS1Si3L-iV8WaB9gMC3EQ4A93WJghEYsaQaubpcDmNsdw44xrlay5GMpD-fPbmPjxPWHTzSjAnXIrXFNOkwhSXltg/s1600/debbie.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihe0sPh5A9YW-NGv2gf68jJhwoMqLLfDhu0l3T8ODxqqrv5MJ-1HuS1Si3L-iV8WaB9gMC3EQ4A93WJghEYsaQaubpcDmNsdw44xrlay5GMpD-fPbmPjxPWHTzSjAnXIrXFNOkwhSXltg/s400/debbie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512126238721389554" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chili John's</span> has apparently been around since 1943. It is no new chili on the block. Debbie has worked there for 20 years, and can therefore point out things on the wall that she knows have been there that long. Sometimes when a body's been working somewhere that long, they are cranky. They are not excited about new customers. And they sure as hell don't want to give you a spiel about the history or go into depth about what they are serving or how best to enjoy your dining experience. But that was certainly not the case here. Alec- the young man (presumably Debbie's son or nephew) who was brewing up the chili asked us "have you eaten here before?" almost immediately and not in a tone that smacked of irritation- but invitation. He lovingly described his creations, made sure we tasted before choosing and piled extra food into my leftover container. He is busy perfecting his vegetarian recipe- which he feels is not yet right- but I definitely admire his quest. He spoke like a scientist about his craft and is rather well informed about Scoville units so don't be afraid to chat him up about the Bhut Jolokia or pepper spray.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX8LgEPrBmIUotP8DPtaC3znO-TZpyRF2B3cOrb9bdRAqvTjmgazKBjacsIOvrt-y8-OOjGSuf9ry2csgVgW3fHlYHZcZ68e52RKfLtuijQjCrd1B9dYmVxnL60ixgzt88GtcIylavYQ/s1600/menu.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX8LgEPrBmIUotP8DPtaC3znO-TZpyRF2B3cOrb9bdRAqvTjmgazKBjacsIOvrt-y8-OOjGSuf9ry2csgVgW3fHlYHZcZ68e52RKfLtuijQjCrd1B9dYmVxnL60ixgzt88GtcIylavYQ/s400/menu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512126565408383186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUR5Bh-S1L_XBcInYIEvKiV8T1CgAkEv52J_5Vnz8MlYT9wtklz5q6M5HbV4ZoZr2fQ5-s6z6OdAsLG9b2QPWiCbt3PlC8H-w8HkYeARY57imR9x-CLIDhSpNbOvrA1_9_5k5kv7PcZoM/s1600/acoutrements.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUR5Bh-S1L_XBcInYIEvKiV8T1CgAkEv52J_5Vnz8MlYT9wtklz5q6M5HbV4ZoZr2fQ5-s6z6OdAsLG9b2QPWiCbt3PlC8H-w8HkYeARY57imR9x-CLIDhSpNbOvrA1_9_5k5kv7PcZoM/s400/acoutrements.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512127390830078914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ncHJ4r3LIgZd8t48kBXNBO99bU_3cjj5dNep6zMaig3j0Gd02IPXA9FHsSqkvBUehLIDGX90i9cSxCvZaAU8pj2oIW1uDvIW7AHlM31REqWThrolYsu-TfH3kH9rJ32wW3VAzqDuOOE/s1600/tasting.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ncHJ4r3LIgZd8t48kBXNBO99bU_3cjj5dNep6zMaig3j0Gd02IPXA9FHsSqkvBUehLIDGX90i9cSxCvZaAU8pj2oIW1uDvIW7AHlM31REqWThrolYsu-TfH3kH9rJ32wW3VAzqDuOOE/s400/tasting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512127735293529650" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The basics:</span> You choose a type of chili & can have it on or mixed with a variety of things. It's just the meat (or unmeat) until you scoop it on to something. There are some sides and soft drinks & that's pretty much it. Simple.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ggq7YLRe-YrDgFEMSjlJxHFnk-EBVi2fozPxTgotlC2_HEUWvm-Jr1VjpGKurIsSLgfoBlx75OfsdCHsz2EaMIpJ27RA8rx5NQVvf60axGnrA5PmaDUIo6EpAqYGAtwMOmTiogrLk1Q/s1600/spaghettichili.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ggq7YLRe-YrDgFEMSjlJxHFnk-EBVi2fozPxTgotlC2_HEUWvm-Jr1VjpGKurIsSLgfoBlx75OfsdCHsz2EaMIpJ27RA8rx5NQVvf60axGnrA5PmaDUIo6EpAqYGAtwMOmTiogrLk1Q/s400/spaghettichili.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512126848542391234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Alissa:</span> The first thing I noticed was that eating around the horseshoe shaped counter (which is the only seating) was like... 10 dudes. Zero ladies. So I had the pleasure of being the only female nasty enough to take down a bowl of chili for lunch. I tasted the chicken and veggie chili- but Alec seemed disappointed in the amount of quinoa in the veggie, so I chose chicken. I got it over spaghetti. He said a couple drops of apple cider vinegar would make the protein pop- so i dropped them puppies in there. It was just spicy enough to have that special tingling- the threat of sweat on the brow... but no actual sweat. I ate nearly the whole thing before feeling totally food-drunk so, needless to say I enjoyed it. I liked Cory's too...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEcomplWPsHjY09_UAghdWbJYfOdTLlrNlXMrmcmf1AXXW7A0G8yg6kzzmszJdOG9KmpXugA6xK0e6zp67iZC3vrIWvgmIstGBlMWlakPmL8rezdV_Ktb1ppFGXGPxnHuvsF6s1zAxxw/s1600/corychili.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEcomplWPsHjY09_UAghdWbJYfOdTLlrNlXMrmcmf1AXXW7A0G8yg6kzzmszJdOG9KmpXugA6xK0e6zp67iZC3vrIWvgmIstGBlMWlakPmL8rezdV_Ktb1ppFGXGPxnHuvsF6s1zAxxw/s400/corychili.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512127150981266978" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cory: </span>Be prepared to perspire when you walk in the door. The place is like a sauna. A sauna full of bearded paunchy dudes huddled around steaming deep wells of chili, which are placed appropriately dead center of the seating arrangement. <br />Don't read that as a negative statement though. This place is exactly what a chili joint should be: down & dirty (in a clean way), plain & simple. Chili John's serves up an awesomely satisfying bowl of chili in the classic sense. I opted for the chicken chili over beans with some cheddar, a few droplets of vinegar, some oyster crackers, & a dollop of sour cream to cool the burn on this already sweltering summer afternoon. I was impressed! The flavor was right on, with a not-too-fiery finish. I could have put down another bowl, but I opted not to for Alissa's sake (since she had to work near me for the rest of the day).<br />I'll definitely return, but may wait for the temperature in Burbank to dip below 90 first. Or wear a mesh shirt...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRILdz7xroWt6mYQ9-a0c9jN6x1c-BmOsWH21vkSqcmjYbz_8mxVp7cI4Nud_mVi1lxFrYo0HRoWjaSWxovR4WbKGEzkV2joeXBduBZXpEYkJWc01G5U8Cy3tcAjcM7HgMAdrnHw6wkc/s1600/facade.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRILdz7xroWt6mYQ9-a0c9jN6x1c-BmOsWH21vkSqcmjYbz_8mxVp7cI4Nud_mVi1lxFrYo0HRoWjaSWxovR4WbKGEzkV2joeXBduBZXpEYkJWc01G5U8Cy3tcAjcM7HgMAdrnHw6wkc/s400/facade.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512129131854980482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WvTqrWZc1WW1Q4NWwjoDZmI4UKG5P4V0JpKD926JtDlOE7BCL8nOBTQT4ve30c45kg_DyCi_aDOkuNDJhoUfvaa5GSGOHPuW8yagBx7wHkld_WFuHAyiuBY5JUkLRHMJR3ahBNmj9jA/s1600/wallart.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WvTqrWZc1WW1Q4NWwjoDZmI4UKG5P4V0JpKD926JtDlOE7BCL8nOBTQT4ve30c45kg_DyCi_aDOkuNDJhoUfvaa5GSGOHPuW8yagBx7wHkld_WFuHAyiuBY5JUkLRHMJR3ahBNmj9jA/s400/wallart.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512129526715599410" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good bite? Or just totally bites?</span><br />A: good bite. recommend. i want that feller to get that vegetarian chili poppin so I can eat it.<br />C: good bite. I'd love to go back. And I have an idea for that veggie chili: barley.<br />Possible bummers: saunaesque atmosphere, grease, a little $$ey<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOS_EzpuM1smvt8yhN6k7BlNfSwLxCuYTCwF_mBScvcSAGIzsZ6IKmo-3-IcznPeK5nY83x4dyCIytbab8JNeVVfvb0Wimo7OgTUW_FbABUPgQGJOpZDUtuGdGVn2_ZR2Vjr-akL4-u88/s1600/building.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOS_EzpuM1smvt8yhN6k7BlNfSwLxCuYTCwF_mBScvcSAGIzsZ6IKmo-3-IcznPeK5nY83x4dyCIytbab8JNeVVfvb0Wimo7OgTUW_FbABUPgQGJOpZDUtuGdGVn2_ZR2Vjr-akL4-u88/s400/building.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512128733201029938" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Info:</span><br />2018 West Burbank Boulevard<br />Burbank, CA 91506-1319<br />(818) 846-3611<br />Open Weekdays 11am-7pm; Sat 11am-4pm<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">**Our reports are based on one visit/meal- so we're far from experts on these joints! so if you have advice or experiences you'd like to share, please feel free to enlighten us & our readers! Our goal is to give enough info that someone might feel okay trying somewhere new (or know to avoid it!). Thanks for reading :)</span>Miss Alissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08829326414533510707noreply@blogger.com0