First Impressions

While Ted’s is very clean, although heavily decorated with Best of Phoenix awards and pennants for Buffalo-area sports team, you can’t shake the feeling it was another fast-food place in the past.  The bolted down benches and wood-panel walls do it.

Notable touches include many awards from local school fundraisers and a box of “borrow and read” copies of the Buffalo News.  They’re really pushing their heritage– supposedly 75 years in Upstate New York, and one location, strangely, in Tempe.

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Today for lunch we ventured out to Tempe to Ted’s Hotdogs. Upon entering we had to go to the back of a very long line. Although the line was long it moved pretty fast. While waiting on line I was able check out some things they had hanging on the walls. Being a born and raised New Yorker, I quickly noticed the origins of Ted’s; Buffalo, NY.

Finally it was my turn to order. I got a regular hot dog with cheese, french fries and a large root beer. The dog was pretty good. Nothing that I would write home about but good. The fries came served in a large folder paper container, sliced thin and crunchy. Although the place was packed and the line never died down, I still didn’t see what the big deal was. The hot dog was adequate but a little burnt.

The atmosphere of the place is similar to a McDonald’s, except they specialize in hot dogs. The walls are covered in Buffalo, NY posters and also offers a newspaper to read from Buffalo. If I was to go back I would certainly try one of their burgers and maybe get a hot dog on the side.

First Impressions

Nielsen’s used to be across the street, in a building now housing a vet.  Instead, they’ve moved into the former Iceburg Drive-in.  The interior is spacious and uncrampled, but the spotless tile and racks of vending machines in the corner make it clear it’s a non-edgy and family-safe encounter.

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First Impressions

Rosa’s, in a lower-rent neighborhood on University, gives the impression of a slightly downmarket Tia Rosa’s.  They are, or at one time, were ran by the same firm, so it’s not surprising.  Expect a lot of brickwork and tile mosiacs, and some rustic styling across the board, all hidden in a strip mall. We were given a table suitable for 10 for our group of eight, some trays of chips (fresh-tasting, but a bit greasy and not warm) and plastic cups of salsa to start.

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For Friday lunch we ended up at Crackers and Co. Although we were seated quickly, the location of our table was in the middle of a lot of traffic made up of waiters, waitresses and customers. Initially for a table of 10, the table was just big enough for the 8 of us that made it.  But besides the location, the service was fast considering the restaurant was crowded.

I ordered a Cracker Club with a side of fries and a pickle. Everyone else ordered specialty sandwiches. They were well proportioned and very fresh. The fries were crunchy and not over cooked. Besides sandwiches they also offer salads and soups as well as other dishes. In the end I left feeling full. I would suggest anyone who hasn’t tried Crackers & CO. to give it a try.

Just a brief review, since I made a longer review of this establishment recently.
The decor and general degree of service remained unchanged.  It meets the percieved needs well, judging by how busy it was.

For an entree, I tried the ‘Steve’s Bacon Cheeseburger.’  Now, Steve, obviously does not know that ‘medium well’ is not particularly pink.  The bacon was crisp and savory and the bun had a nicely crisped edge.  However, the overall experience, with greasy cheese on top, was a little short.  The portion, admittedly, was more than ample– I left about a third of the burger.

The standard side for the burger was french fries.  Sadly, these are the ultra-crisp, double-fried kind.  They don’t taste homemade or even good– just crisp.  Who likes these?  It seems everyone dishes ‘em up now.

The server was at least cooperative, taking our payment as we finished eating, since we were in a rush.  Still, the experience is merely acceptable.

Sinaloa Mexican Restaurant is located on the south east corner of Gilbert and Mckellips in Mesa. It is in the back corner and almost hidden. Sinaloa specializes in traditional mexican food and seafood. I have been here several times and love the place. For around 7 bucks you can get a shrimp coctail that tastes great. For those of you who have had a mexican style shrimp coctail you know what I’m talking about. For those of you who don’t, go to Sinaloas and order one.

I usually like to order their tacos. They have fish, marlin, carne asade, pork, and chicken. They are right around 2.50. Very good price because after the chips n salsa two is usually enough to fill me up. Oh, and speaking of the chips n salsa, it is awesome at Sinaloas. The chips are average, but the salsa is above average for sure. If you are in this area and you are looking for some traditional sonoran style mexican food, go to Sinaloas!!  Trust me…you won’t regret it.

First Impressions

The Iowa Cafe is a small, crowded breakfast-and-lunch place near a large pensioner’s community.  You enter a small room, but it’s the overflow room– you’re actually directed to sit in a slightly larger main room.  This room seemed surprisingly unkempt– loose newspapers on the tables, and the only table large enough for six still having a tip on it from the last party.\ (more…)

I’ve already reviewed Papaya once, so I’ll focus on the parts which are new:

* The crab-puffs were noticably fresh and crunchy, better than many offered in Chinese places.

* The Pad Thai, a dish we don’t typically order, has an interesting tanginess.

The staff is still attentive and surprisingly efficient, and the general performance of the kitchen is quick and surprisingly competent.  There’s a lot of slight presentational aspects which tend to make the experience a bit better than many hole-in-the-wall Thai houses.

The neighbourhood is barren of slightly fancier, and more exotic, restaurants.  They do what they do well.  One would expect more success for them.

After passing the Iowa Cafe on McKellips the other day, I figured I would suggest it for lunch.  Upon arrival, you enter a room that has a lot of chairs and post cards for sale. After asking the man on the chair where to go, you follow down the hallway to what seems like a nursing home dining hall. The tables and chairs seem to be from a doctors office waiting room. The dining area walls are covered in Iowa trinkets and photos. Most of the photos are from a serious flood that took place in Iowa a few years ago. FYI they are still collecting donations.

After waiting for a bit, our waitress finally brought out our drinks and took our orders. Three of us got lunch special sandwiches and three of us got omelets. I ordered the pulled pork BBQ sandwich. To my surprise, it wasn’t half bad.  The bun was somewhat soaked in sauce but the meat was very tender. It was served with french fries and pickle slices.

Although the food wasn’t a 5 star culinary masterpiece, for the price you pay it was adequate. The portions are fair and the menu offers traditional selections and breakfast all day. Considering it is a quite small cafe, it actually seemed somewhat busy. Our group seemed to stand out considering we were probably the only table that consisted of people under 60 years old.

On the negative side, there was a slight moth ball smell that seemed to linger throughout the cafe. The tables, chairs and carpeted floor did not give a good memorable experience.

Overall, the Iowa Cafe offers simple dishes at a fair price. Maybe next time  we will try some of their homemade fruit pies!