ANNOUNCEMENT: Great changes coming your way!!

I was talking to a great friend of mine the other night, and he had an incredible suggestion.  He is a fan, and fellow reader of this blog.  He thought it would be a great idea instead of "reviewing" restaurants in the format I was doing, instead making this a culinary adventure so to speak.  My wife and I enjoy fabulous meals, and dine out frequently.  In this new edition, of the blog series, you will read of our trip to the bayou's of Louisiana as we dined on crawfish et toufee and real authentic gumbo.  You will also read of our trip to Charleston and how we dined on alligator and Mahi.  You may also read of our trips here around town, maybe just to Patrick Taylor at Taylor Made Kettle Corn or that food truck on the corner you always wanted to try but never have.

You can expect this new blog to be published bi-weekly.  Highlighting a different location my wife and I have stopped into to dine and indulge in our culinary sins.

So, if you are ready to come with us on this culinary journey, strap on your seatbelts, hit subscribe at the bottom of the page, and get ready for this awesome and fun experience.  Won't you come dine with us on this incredible culinary adventure!

-jordan

Olive Garden: HOT or NOT!?

I think it is no secret that I love pasta.  One of my favorite meals is sauteed shrimp and scallops blended with a creamy four cheese alfredo sauce tossed into penne pasta.  Seriously, amazing dish.  Until recently, Olive Garden was the only restaurant in the area I could get this dish.  I say until recently because after a mixture of bad experiences, at various locations, my wife and I decided to divorce Olive Garden.  It was a painful breakup as I knew that I would be separated from the pasta I love so dear... but enough of that sob story.

At the Salisbury location, we went for my brother in laws birthday.  There were just four of us in the party; my wife, her brother Alan, his wife Elizabeth, and myself.  The waitress poked fun at us because she didn't think any of us were of age for a wine sampling.  All of us are of age, mind you, I'm 29 and my wife is 32.  Instead of just being cool about it and carding us, she just refused the sampling.  Which if we liked the wine, we were going to buy a bottle in celebration of his birthday.  However, that never came.  Although, our waitress had made this dining experience awkward, the issue came after we got done eating.  At Olive Garden, as with most places, when you have a birthday they come out and sing and provide you with a cheesy chocolate cake with a candle and say Happy Birthday.  Well, they did just that, however when the bill arrived she had not comp'd the cake she volunteeringly brought us.  She charged us for his birthday dessert.  i asked to speak to a manager and he stated that if we ate the dessert, we had to pay for it, rather we ordered it or not.  Apparently, they don't comp items when a server just brings you something.  Good thing it was just cake and not a 700 dollar of Merlot.

At the High Point location, service was really bad.  Granted they had only been open about a month when we tried there so I won't rip them too hard.  My only hope for them is that their servers have learned what gnocci is.  My wife ordered a gnocci and vegetable soup.  She received what looked like sliced potatoes in water.  I'm sure it was a different type of soup.  I realize to a new server that could be confusing because gnocci is made from potatoes.  But, would it suffice if I ordered Cabbage and she brought me Sauerkraut or vise versa?

The Greensboro store... EXPAND YOUR PARKING LOT!  My wife and I have been in there, and been the only ones in the restaurant and we almost hard a hard time parking.  If you have limited parking because you have so many employees, either cut your staff or build a staff parking lot.  But taking away from your paying customers is just ludicrous.  And after fighting the parking battle for what my wife and I consider now mediocre Italian.  It has landed Olive Garden on the NOT list.  I want to like you, I really do.  Sometimes, when there's a breakup, you hear  it's not you, it's me... No, this time it was you.

Please leave comments and feedback in the comment section if you wish.  Till next time remember to KEEP YOUR KNIVES SHARP, BUT YOUR MINDS SHARPER!

-jordan    

Steak Street: HOT or NOT!?

I have been around restaurants and kitchens long enough that I can spot a flaw almost anywhere.  It's been my thought for quite some time that I would make a superb health inspector, because of my keen attention to detail in kitchens and restaurants.  That being said, most restaurants I've found it to be the case that if the meal is excellent, sometimes the service is lacking.  Or the atmosphere doesn't match the overall ensemble. There is typically always one thing off about most restaurants.

However, that is not the case here.  I tried to find a flaw, I really did.  Just recently my wife and I had the privilege to dine at this establishment.  And as a side note I don't generally look at restaurants as a privilege to eat at.  Most of them take privilege that we, as consumers, dine there.  My parents had a Groupon for Steak Street one Friday night and asked if Shanna and myself would like a double date. Of course, we delighted in a date night.  Since the birth of our daughter "Date Nights" don't come as often as they used to.  So we dropped Addie off at her godparents house for the evening and we set off on a culinary adventure I won't soon forget.... Or at least till I go there again.

This was not my steak, but looking at this almost makes my mouth water all over again.  As we walked in, it screamed New Orleans atmosphere.  But not the tacky Mardi Gras, mask everywhere.  When we got to our seat I looked at my wife, and was immediately taken back to our honeymoon.  Which was in New Orleans.  I fell in love with her all over again.  There was a musician playing live jazz and soul music.  It was just loud enough to be heard in the background.  It ensured an incredible evening, before we even got our meal.  We started out with Crab Dip and Pan Seared Sea Scallops as an appetizer.  Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu as well as punctual about refills, ordering, and delivery of food.  When our food came out, I had order the Bourbon Street Filet Minon served over Asparagus and accompanied by a Sweet Potato.  I could have cut that steak with a fork it was so tender.  I took my first bite and the only word that I think does it justice is orgasmic.  It was seriously the best steak I have ever put in my mouth.  The temperature was perfect.  The sear was perfect.  The accompaniments were perfect.  It was by far, the best meal I think I have ever eaten.

And folks this is why I love culinary adventures such as mentioned above.  Only warm meals, hearty desserts, nice homemade stews have the power to transform you.  Take you back to a time in your memory where you remember mom's apple pie baking in the sunshine. Or that Shepard's Pie that your mom used to make when you were feeling down, and now its an incredible comfort food for you.  Or even the power to send you back to Louisiana on the Mississippi River with your newlywed wife, as this place did.  Restaurants like these is what makes me so passionate about being a chef.  It's not about the food.  It's never about the food.  It's about transforming someone and taking them back in time to connect with those memories that will bring a smile to their face.  And a full satisfied belly that comes along with it.  I think this goes without saying STEAK STREET IS A DEFINITE HOT! 

Till next time, keep those knives sharp, and your minds sharper!

-jordan

Tex and Shirley's: HOT or NOT!?

You know how the Griswald's family vacation always goes?  That's your average trip to Tex and Shirley's in Greensboro at Friendly.  The location in High Point near the Palladium is a little better, but not by much.  At the friendly location, it is like a scene out of any of the National Lampoons Family Vacation franchise.  Somethings just never seem to go right.

My wife and I always give restaurants two chances.  In case the first time it is a fluke.  This was no fluke.  We had horrible service both times, one of which our waitress screamed at us from across the restaurant if we wanted refills.  Then both of our waffles were cold!  There were two other tables in the restaurant and both had their orders already.  Which means, we were the only ticket in the kitchen.  HOW DO YOU MESS UP WAFFLES!?  You put the mix (that's already made up) in the waffle iron, when the timer dings you pull it out and serve a nice, fresh, and hot waffle.  Perfect everytime.  It seriously is the easiest breakfast food to make.

We have never been there for lunch or dinner, but first glance at the menu I know why.  It is apparent by looking at their menu they are a breakfast joint.  They have fried chicken, spaghetti, and salad... and I think that might be it... I'm sure that isn't it, but a very limited menu none-the-less.

We have tried Tex and Shirley's twice, and I can admit that I'm not a fan.  That's why Tex and Shirley's has landed on my NOT list.  Go try it for yourself and leave me feedback about your experience there.  As with all my entries, feel free to comment and let me know what you think about the various locations I cover on a daily basis.

Till next time, KEEP YOUR KNIVES SHARP, BUT YOUR MINDS SHARPER

-jordan

HAM's (ALL LOCATIONS) : Hot or Not!?

That yummy mound of cheese fries says it all!  My wife and I frequent Ham's with our friends, the Shaw's.  We have somewhat decent service every time.  Their service is definitely lacking but they more than make up for it, in cheese fries!  If you haven't guessed by now, I like cheese fries.... a lot!  And Ham's, hands down, has the best cheese fries in the area.  I typically get the Cheese Fries as an appetizer to split with our friends, and then I indulge in a scrumptious Caribbean Chicken Wrap smothered in Polynesian Sauce.  Wash that down with a Dr Pepper and I'd call that a great meal with great friends!

My good buddy Dylan Shaw, Bryan's son, shares our love of cheese fries.  After church almost every sunday we ask him where he wants to go eat.  " HAM's CHEESE FRIES!" He always excitedly proclaims.  I hope that Dylan can help teach and share his love of cheese fries with my daughter Addie.  Addie will be four months old soon, and I'm already looking for cheese fries on the Gerber baby food aisle.  No luck yet, but the search continues.

Ham's is a great place to relax on a Sunday afternoon with great friends or hang out Sunday nights and catch the games on ESPN.  It's the best of both worlds at a price everyone can afford.  It's for that reason that I vote this another HOT place in Greensboro.

Until next time... keep your knives sharp, and your minds sharper.

-jordan

CICI's Pizza; Battleground Location... HOT or NOT!?

If you are looking for good cheap pizza in the Greensboro area, you might want to steer clear of the Cici's at their Battleground location.  The price sounds good on the outside, $4.99 All You Can Eat Buffet.  Although, step inside and you'll find this misleading.  The price is actually $5.49 with a water or $7.02 with a drink.   And that's if you pay by card.  That's right, the price is different if you use cash.   It is $5.29 with a water or $6.46 with a drink.  So neither of those prices are the advertised $4.99 buffet.   That's my first complaint.  They advertise an ATM in the window so you can get cash for the cheaper rate, however there is a $3.00 surcharge for use of that ATM.

Secondly, my wife and I have been to this location fairly often, because of the buffet and what we thought was the cheapest pizza in town.  (Side note: Little Caesars is the cheapest in town) We have never seen the sanitation score higher than a 95 while there.  Take a closer look and you'll see why.  We have been in there at 3:30 in the afternoon, and seen dishes and pans stacked up in the dining room left over from their lunch crowd.  I asked a manager on one visit why their score was so low, and he replied their coolers were not at the right temperature.  Well, to me as a consumer and a Chef, proper food storage is a big deal.

Customer Service is severely lacking as well.  One of the things Cici's prides themselves on is Customer Service.  You are supposed to be greeted with a nice hearty "WELCOME TO CICI'S!".  They also offer special orders of pizza they will bring right to your table.  And at however many slices you want.  That would all be great, if thats how it happened.  We have been to this location maybe twenty times and my wife ALWAYS special orders cheesy bread.  Because apparently, they always... just ran out.  She has NEVER received what her special order is.  Most the time they put it on the bar if they make it at all.  On one occurrence, they attempted to bring out our special order and took it to the table behind us.  We were okay with that.  My wife and i said that was fine and we went on about our meal.  The manager then made the server that brought it out, come and apologize to us, and almost made fun of her mistake at our table.


Cici's Battleground location is a definite NOT!

Stay tuned for the next HOT or NOT: Greensboro Restaurant Edition.  Have any bad experiences or great ones at any of the places mentioned, please leave comments and let us know about your experience.  Till next time, keep your knives sharp and your minds sharper.

-jordan

Taylor Made Kettle Corn: Hot or Not!?

For some of you, you may know this already, but I'm a huge sports fan.  And part of being the fanatic that I am, is that you get to meet lots of great people that love the same sports you do, and just share that common bond with.  I am a 3 time season ticket holder at the Greensboro Grasshoppers ballpark.  One of the familiar sights and sounds around the ballpark, Taylormade Kettle Corn.  Anytime there was a pop fly to the outfield, Jim Scott would announce: THATS A TAYLORMADE KETTLE OF CORN!  Taylormade became a household name, until last season.  Donald Moore, President and General Manager of the Grasshoppers, decided that money was more important than quality.  This is a very common mistake among businesses, primarily restaurants.  Patrick Taylor has been in business in the Greensboro area since 2009.  

The mission of Taylormade Kettle Corn is to provide fresh, quality kettle corn to people of all ages and economic levels through local events where large numbers of people gather.

When Taylormade says fresh, they mean it.  He never recycles any for the next days batch.  In fact, today when I went by to pick up a couple bags, that batch was only twenty minutes old.  They offer on site popped kettle corn for most any event.  Taylormade can be now found at the Citgo/Quik Mart on Battleground in Greensboro.  When he was in the ballpark, it was the absolute best deal in the stadium.  Now that he has moved outside the stadium, I would venture to say he might just be the best deal in Greensboro.  

I would highly suggest you come out and visit Patrick Taylor out at Taylormade Kettle Corn on Battleground.  Tell him Jordan sent you!  

This is DEFINITELY a HOT spot in Greensboro!  

Stay tuned to see what gets the NOT SO HOT award coming up.  Be sure to subscribe to the blog to see all the latest and greatest, and the no so great places in Greensboro, as seen by yours truly.