Review: Original Tommy's - Chili Cheeseburger

Another Los Angeles institution, Tommy's was founded back in 1946 and I grew up hearing about their burgers now and again.

Review: Popeyes - Onion Rings

Popeyes' Onion Rings are the best I've had from any fast food joint. These rings are battered (as opposed to breaded) in a seasoned batter and then deep fried. The price is six rings for $1.99 in southern California, which is a bit pricey but they've always given me more than six rings.

Review: Burger King - Iced Mocha Joe

Like McDonald's Iced Coffee, Burger King's Iced Mocha Joe comes in a 20 oz. cup for about 2 dollars.  Unlike the McDonald's version, the Iced Mocha Joe tastes more like chocolate milk then like milky coffee.  To be more precise, the BK Mocha Joe tastes like cold chocolate milk with a slight note of coffee after the initial chocolate milk flavor.

Review: Porto's Bakery - Polverone

The polverone is also known as a Mexican wedding cookie though I don't know why. I guess they must be served at Mexican weddings? Anyway, these are pretty interesting looking which is why I bought one for about 70 cents. The taste is much like a sugar cookie except as you can see above, there are quite a few air pockets and the result is a very crisp and crumbly cookie.

You can expect to make a mess if you ever eat one of these. It's not overly sweet. It makes me think of a cross between an chinese almond cookie and biscotti. It's definitely worth a try if you like either.

Porto's Bakery

315 North Brand Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 956-5996

3614 W Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 846-9100

Review: Starbucks - Sorbetto

I tried Starbucks' Sorbetto a while back, when they were testing it in the southern California area. It was free. I'm not sure if it is planned to be a seasonal thing, or if it has been completely discontinued.

They went for about $3 for 10 ounces and came in two flavors: citrus and grapefruit. I tried the citrus since I don't care for grapefruit. At $3 for 10 ounces, I don't think I would ever buy one. It's basically a fruit juice slushie on the bottom half, topped with Pinkberry original flavor frozen yogurt and that is exactly what it tastes like. Mixing it together just makes for flavored frozen yogurt. No surprises here. No peanut butter and jelly combination here folks.

Review: Porto's Bakery - Cheese Roll

A fairly famous Cuban bakery in the Los Angeles area, Porto's Bakery has two locations: one in Glendale and another in Burbank. I've only been to the Burbank location and it's always really busy but the line moves pretty fast. Porto's offers a plethora (including a vast selection of cakes) of baked goods at reasonable prices. They also offer sandwiches (which I'm not too fond of) and coffee (which can be quite good).

The most famous item on the Porto's menu is the famed cheese roll which is a sweet fillo dough pastry with a layer of cream cheese in the middle.  People love these things and will drive miles and miles just to pick up a box.  They sell like hotcakes for 65 cents each or a dozen for $7.40 which is a pretty good price for a pastry.

They cost about 70-some cents each are pretty tasty. There is a negligible discount for buying them by the dozen but I think a lot of people buy them by the dozen anyway.

They are great for breakfast or a snack. Best fresh but still good the next day. For those with no self-control, be careful not to eat the whole box in a sitting.

Porto's Bakery

315 North Brand Blvd.

Glendale, CA 91203

(818) 956-5996

3614 W Magnolia Blvd.

Burbank, CA 91505

(818) 846-9100

Review: Langer's - #19 Pastrami, Swiss Cheese, and Cole Slaw Sandwich

Langer's is a Los Angeles institution and a must-try destination if you're ever in the area. New York has Katz's and Carnegie Deli, Los Angeles has Langer's.

Langer's has been around for quite a while: since 1947. The then Jewish neighborhood is today a predominately Latino neighborhood which may make it seem out of place, but I like to think it's a piece of history that's far too often missing in Los Angeles. The deli has a bit of that old school '50s diner feel to it.

Review: Popeyes - Big Easy Chicken Bowl

For $3.49, Popeyes' Big Easy Chicken Bowl comes in about $1.50 less than its Jambalaya Bowl which prompted me to try it. It comes in a sturdy and re-useable plastic bowl that you can also reheat any leftovers in.

The Big Easy Chicken Bowl is basically pulled chicken and cajun gravy served atop Popeyes' Red Bean and Rice, and then sprinkled with a blend of shredded cheese. There's supposed to be some parsely as well but I didn't see any. They also give you sour cream and hot sauce in packets if you want.

I wonder where they cook the chicken though since it's a fried chicken joint. It was pretty tasty though, not something I'd crave but it's interesting and a good value.

Review: McDonald's - Chicken McNuggets

My Favorite Chicken Nuggets

Ah, the Chicken McNugget, another McDonald's staple. Formless pieces of minced chicken bits, battered, and deep-fried to a golden, crispy sheen. I pick up these when SoCal McDonald's was running a promotion that featured four Chicken McNuggets (i.e. the child's size) for a dollar.

Review: KFC - Original Recipe Chicken Sandwich

Straight off of the KFC value menu (only available in the Los Angeles area so far) is the Original Recipe Chicken Sandwich.

The sandwich features a decent-sized chicken patty breaded in the Colonel's Original Recipe seasoning and served on a warm bun with lettuce and mayo.

It would have been okay if the lettuce wasn't soggy without any hint of crispness. In fact, the lettuce was so soggy it was a bit chewy.

I have to say the poor state of the lettuce ruined the sandwich for me. If you live in the LA area and order it, be sure to cross your fingers for fresh lettuce.


KFC Store Locator

Review: Taco Bell - Triple Layer Nachos

Taco Bell's Triple Layer Nachos are pretty decent deal for all of 79 cents. I think it's best if you have some change in your pocket and just want a simple nacho snack. The three layers are nacho cheese, refried beans, and a red sauce.  They work pretty well together. One of the better items off of the value menu.

Review: Wendy's - Sausage Gravy & Biscuit

For a bit more than a dollar, a fluffy biscuit smothered in sausage gravy.

I liked this item the most out of all the breakfast items I've tried off of Wendy's recent (only at participating locations, I think they're still testing it out or only making it optional for franchises) breakfast menu.

It's not much to look at but the gravy had a creamy, peppery flavor and little bits of sausage that complemented the biscuit well.

Review: Starbucks - Free Election Day Brewed Coffee

It was on my way home, so I stopped by my local Starbucks to get a free Tall-sized cup of brewed Pike's Roast Coffee on Election Day.
It tasted a bit burnt but I drank it all, so it wasn't all bad. I think the only coffee drinks I like at Starbucks are the bottled Frappuccinos or a Caffe Latte. It's only early November, but it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

Review: KFC - Popcorn Chicken Snack Box

KFC's Popcorn Chicken Snack Box features Popcorn Chicken and Potato Wedges in a tidy little box for $1.99.  It is part of their Value Menu.

I've always been a fan of KFC's potato wedges and these didn't disappoint. The Popcorn Chicken on the other hand, is more batter and breading than chicken.

Honestly, it seems like one of the marketing wonks at KFC thought, "Hey, we have all these little bits and trimmings from our chicken that we just throw away... Why not just dip them in batter, fry it, and sell it!"  They're selling us their leftovers!

So, yeah, I'm not a fan of KFC Popcorn Chicken. I've had pieces that were entirely just fried batter and no chicken.  Now that I think about it, some people might prefer it!  As for me, gimme chicken please!


KFC Store Locator

News: Election Day: Free Food and Drink

Today, November 4th, 2008, Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, and Ben & Jerry's are offering free food or drink as an incentive to vote.

Starbucks is giving away a free tall-sized (12 oz.) brewed coffee to anyone who says they voted. (At participating locations only. Limit one drink per customer.)

Krispy Kreme is offering one free star-shaped doughnut with red, white and blue sprinkles to each customer wearing an "I Voted" sticker. (At participating locations only. Limit ne doughnut per customer. Select stores may be offering yeast-raised doughnuts in the standard circle shape, but decorated with red, white and blue sprinkles.)

Ben & Jerry's is giving away a free scoop of ice cream per visitor today from 5-8pm. (At participating locations only. Limit one scoop per customer.)

Review: Yardhouse - Southern Fried Chicken Breast

Interesting presentation: a very sizable boneless, skinless chicken breast served atop a mound of spinach, corn mashed potatoes in a lake of creamy gravy. About 16 dollars.

I would suggest getting the gravy on the side as the chicken loses some of its crispness otherwise.  Still, it wasn't soggy from all the gravy on top and was quite enjoyable.  The mashed potatoes were particularly interesting and I mean that in a good way; you could taste the corn and spinach in a bit of a vegetable medley.

News: Jack in the Box Introduces Breakfast Bowls

Starting today, Jack in the Box is offering new Breakfast Bowls in two varieties:

The Denver Breakfast Bowl which features scrambled eggs, hash brown sticks, sliced ham, and red and green bell peppers topped with a white cheddar cheese sauce and shredded cheddar cheese...
... and the Hearty Breakfast Bowl which features scrambled eggs, hash brown sticks, bacon, and sausage topped with a white cheddar cheese sauce and shredded cheddar cheese.

The suggested price for a Breakfast Bowl, excluding tax, is $2.99 at all participating Jack in the Box restaurants. Prices may vary.

Photos courtesy of Jack in the Box. I don't have a photo studio, a fancy camera, or spotlight to take pictures like these...

Review: McDonald's - Premium Crispy Chicken Ranch BLT Sandwich

McDonald's Premium Crispy Chicken Ranch BLT Sandwich is a fairly simple burger with leaf lettuce, tomato, bacon, ranch, and a crispy chicken filet on a premium bun.

I liked this sandwich a lot better than McDonald's Premium Crispy Chicken Club, the blend of reasonably crunchy bacon, ranch, and the lack of cheese really makes for a tasty combination.

Review: Wendy's - Egg and Cheese Biscuit

You really can't screw up an Egg and Cheese Biscuit... well, unless the Wendy's you went to for some odd reason ran out of biscuits but not half-baked frescuits.
I would rather they just toasted me some bread...

Wendy's
Find a Wendy's

Review: Wendy's - Custom Bean Coffee

Wendy's Custom Bean Coffee is part of their ongoing breakfast test and features a Folger's roast that was actually pretty decent. I like it better than the McDonald's Premium Blend Coffee that I tried.