First Impressions
Tom’s is a slightly more upscale barbecue establishment than many, with dark-tinted windows, with tinting removed just enough to let the neon lights shine out, large flat-screens on several walls, and a general clean atmosphere. A large amount of Chicago-themed sports merchandise on one wall makes Tom’s feel like it’s halfway to becoming a sports bar.
Impressions
It looked like they were planning to remodel the outside of the Sinaloa today. They had scaffolding up as if to repaint the intricate signage. However, the inside was the same as ever– the two old CRT televisions playing MTV Tres, the intricate, albeit questionably scaled, murals of sea life, and the tables dutifully covered in fraying cloth. We brought about a dozen in today and ended up having to reposition most of the tables to accomodate it.
Sinola isn’t my new favorite restaurant, but I do have to say that I will probably return for another shrimp cocktail. In the future, however, my entre will not include shrimp. The shrimp cocktail was filled with enough shrimp to feed an entire family, and I ordered two shrimp tacos to accompany my cocktail. I have had more shrimp today than I have had all year to this point.
If you haven’t been to Mexico, I would suggest visiting this restaurant to get a taste of what Mexico is like. You will listen to real Mexican music, talk to Mexican waiters who speak little english, and see painted walls that make you feel like you are south of the border.
Don’t forget your sombrero on this adventure.
Liberty Market in Gilbert, AZ is located in old town gilbert across the street from Joe’s BBQ. Liberty Market has a great atmosphere. They serve many different sandwiches, pizzas, salads, & desserts. The food all looked great. We started by asking the waitress what she recommended. She said the white pizza and a sandwich called the Ranchera. Me and 4 of my coworkers all decided to go with the Ranchera. It came with beef, caramelized onions, horseradish, blue cheese, and spinach. The sandwich was absolutely horrible. So bad I couldn’t even eat half of it. A better word….disgusting. What was the waitress thinking!! The rest of my co workers all ordered sandwiches, burgers, and pizza that looked amazing. I tasted a few other things that were all real good. We also ordered some desserts that were excellent. My favorite was the red velvet cake. Great!!!
I would recommend this place to all my friends. I think I may even be going there this Saturday with my wife and another couple. Just whatever you do….don’t order the ranchera.
First Impressions
The outer fascia of Liberty Market still generally resembles the market it was prior to a few years ago, except for the surprising lack of Lottery signs and racks selling the Tribune. Inside has been completely gutted, leaving an open-rafter ceiling (no doubt to create an air of openness), and stainless furniture and decor. A large, supermarket-deli style counter along one wall showcases the side-dishes and desserts, and blends into a mini-market counter which sells a variety of imported snacks. In the centre of the facility is a self-service drinks station.
Non-First Impressions
Given the neighbourhood occupied by Waldo’s BBQ– the “senior-citizen” part of Mesa, where the average age is 92 and the average vehicle speed is 12 mph (with blinker on), it’s not surprising that very little changes at Waldo’s. The walls are still caked with a large number of old signs, primarily agricultural and pig-themed. The floor is still covered with sawdust.
First Impressions
Shakespeare’s used to be Molly Brannigan’s, an Irish-themed pub. While one could be forgiven for using similar styles, there were too many places– images of harps and that stereotypical ‘Irish look’ font in cutesy quotes on the walls– that made it clear much of the decor predates the new branding. The overall look is surprisingly impressive, with heavy brickwork on the inside which gives the effect of a castle, or more accurately, an above-average Rennisance Fair exhibit.
Since we don’t get to enjoy the service or ambience when one guy brings back for everyone, I’ll hit a few key points about the food. I chose the meatball sandwich.
While the sandwich is long, it isn’t very wide. The bread is not particularly crusty, which sort of leaves it soggy. There isn’t as much sauce as there could be. While the meal stays tidy, it lacks a certain gloppy excess.
For some reason, it comes with a pickle. Who eats a pickle with a meatball hero? More sensible is the small cup of Parmesan cheese– a sensible offering.
Overall, I see potential in their take on the meatball sub, but a potential that is not satisfied. A more memorable bread would help to vault them above other similar chains.
First Impressions
My Lynn Cafe is located inside the new Mekong Plaza shopping centre at Dobson and Main. The shopping centre itself is unexpectedly high-class, with attractively tiled walls, a generally spotless appearance, and indoor, air-conditioned hallways between stores. My Lynn itself gives off a bit more of a “mildly trendy bar” vibe, with modern furnishings, several large plasma TVs (strangely, all playing Yanni concerts), and dark-tinted windows. A sign announces karaoke.
First Impressions
Julio’s Too is located one building down from the recently-reviewed Pastis. Considering it’s outlasted several other restaurants in the neighbourhood, I expected they must be doing something right.
