Green Papaya

 Next up on the Vietnamese food tour is Green Papaya.  Green Papaya was actually recommended to me when I first moved to Lincoln, but it took me a while to get around to trying it.  More recently, I was reminded that I need to go there and try their food when someone told me that they'll serve a whole shrimp (head and all) on one of their soups.  That clinched it for me as a must try place.

Green Papaya's menu offers a similar fare to Vung-Tao.  There are several Bubble Tea options, banh mi sandwiches, pho, other noodle soups, and rice noodle bowls.    There are also other fun drink options like Pennywort Drink, espresso, and ca phe sua da, or espresso coffee with condensed milk.  Two of the people I was eating with ordered the espresso and condensed milk, and it looked like fun.  You get a little metal container with the grounds and then you pass water through to make your own espresso at the table.

I got the Taro bubble tea.  I had sweet potato bubble tea in Korea and thought it was one of best bubble tea flavors I'd found.  I had heard that taro is supposedly the same thing; but, Taro was a little sweeter, almost marshmallow like, than sweet potato.  Even though it wasn't quite what I thought it would be, I still loved it.  The bubbles weren't at all stale and were squishy and chewy like they should be.   

For an entree, I should have made it a fair comparison to Vung-Tao by getting Green Papaya's pho. But, I was more in a seafood mood, so I went with the Special Rice Noodles with Crab, Shrimp, and Pork. It was  fantastic.  The broth was the rich, velvety quality you want from good stock, and the crab gave it a faint sweetness.  The meat was tasty, the shrimp really good (although there were only a few), and the crab (although imitation) a great vehicle for soaking up broth.

Dennis tried the Grilled Chicken with Egg Rolls bowl.  The egg rolls were unique with a hint of cinnamon and spice, and the chicken had a great flavor, but was a little dry.   I don't think he was that blown away, but his issues were what my issues with rice noodle bowls are.  They sound good, but are just kind of bland.  It is the only Vietnamese dish that I've come across that doesn't excite me.  I think it is because my noodle dishes from Asian restaurants usually have such full sauces, that rice noodle bowls just seem kind of straight forward in comparison; Plus, I also end up comparing it with all the flavor and nuance that you find in pho, which I will chose over rice noodle bowls any day.  

Between the tastier soup and fresher bubble tea, Green Papaya made a better impression.   

 

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Vung-Tau Deli

Vung-Tau Deli was the first stop on my Pho tour.  I drive by it all the time on my way to work and with every pass was increasing curious as to what a Vietnamese Deli entailed.  I also saw a sign for Bubble Tea, and I can't pass up a place with Bubble Tea.

I went for lunch on a Wednesday and the place was really well trafficked.  When I mentioned this to the waiter, he said that this was actually a slower day.  The place has about ten tables and those were rarely empty for long; so, if that is a slow day, I can't imagine the turnover of a regular day.

In overhearing the conversations at other tables (yes, I eavesdrop when eating on my own), I heard lots of oohs, aahs, and praises.  One table had three 20-somethings and one of them was orienting the other two on Vietnamese food, bubble tea, and how to eat the noodle bowls.  Another table contained four people visiting from Texas who liked the place so much that they had come two days in a row.

Over all the tables, the most common dish being eaten appeared to be a noodle bowl with pork and slices of small fried egg rolls.  I was going to try a banh mi, but they were out.  So, instead, I got a bowl of pho and a lychee bubble tea.

The lychee part was great; but, the bubbles were a little stale.  The bubbles weren't that jelly, squishy, and chewy texture so essential to bubble tea; instead, they were a little frozen tasting and a little hard.  I do give them props for offering lots of great bubble tea flavors, including durian, which I was a little too scared to try.  I'm working up to trying durian, but it is taking some mental prep.

As for the pho, I also wasn't completely blown away.  They don't offer tofu as a pho option and tofu is my favorite topper; it soaks up all the broth and becomes a little pho flavor explosion when you eat it.  Instead, I got slices of beef, which were good, but just not as fun as tofu.  The broth itself had a nice richness, but was really cinnamon strong.  Instead of a subtle warmth, you got all the aroma and taste of the cinnamon, making the pho a little sweet.

In this experience, I have a pretty strong disjoint between my own impressions and the positive reactions of others.  So, I think it sort of comes down to preference.  The other customers and Urbanspoon reviews give Vung-Tau a lot of high praise.  Plus, the waiter, who must also help run the place, was really friendly and nice.  He knew lots of the people who came in, suggesting that Vung-Tau has a strong following.  I was really impressed by how many names he knew, how often he remembered what they liked to order, and how well he picked up on small clues.  Those qualities alone speak to a restaurant you would like to keep going to. 

As for the food, I think I would go back and try the banh mi or a noodle bowl; but, as a far as the pho, I'd keep looking. 

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Lincoln’s Pho Food Fight

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As I mentioned in my first “Ethnic Side of Lincoln” blog post, Lincoln has quite a large Vietnamese population.  The population is so sizable that in applying for a public library position, one of the application questions is if you speak Spanish, Russian, or Vietnamese.  

The prevalence of Vietnamese food in Lincoln makes me super happy.  The bulk of my Vietnamese food experiences have come from my friend Kathy's mother.  Kathy's mom loves to feed me and I love to eat her cooking.  When she found out I was moving to Lincoln, she was worried about where I was going to get Vietnamese food.  So, I am pleased to report to her that there is lots of tasty Vietnamese food to be had here, and I am slowly but surely trying it all out.   

The bulk of the Vietnamese restaurants are on North 27th Street.  Within 1/2 a mile, there are about three Vietnamese restaurants, and that is not counting the Vietnamese/Chinese duos.  Traveling north on 27th, you hit Pho Nyugen, Vung-Tau Deli, and Green Papaya.  There is a fourth restaurant, Pho Factory, which is coming soon, making North 27th fairly pho centric. 

Over the next week or so, I'll give you a three post series giving the pros and cons of each.  This way, you’ll know where to go for the best Vietnamese and Pho in Lincoln.

PepperJax Grill

 I work a retail job as well as teach, and one day at my retail job a customer started telling me about PepperJax Grill off of Pine Lake Rd.  She had the night kid free and wanted to do something to treat herself.  We were all giving her ideas and PepperJax came up with enthusiasm.  When I asked what it was, the customer said that it was a Phillycheese steak place that had opened in Omaha, NE.  It was so popular they opened a branch in Lincoln.  Supposedly, the owner has a patent on the way he prepares the sandwich.  The enthusiasm, statement of patented recipes, and ooh's and aah's all put PepperJax in my head as a must check-out food destination.

I finally got around to trying the place out last week.  The place has a pretty stripped down menu.  You have the option of steak, chicken, or vegetarian, in a prep of Phillies sandwich, rice bowls, wraps, and salads.  Once you pick the base, you get a list of Signature Sauce options and Complimentary Toppings.  Dennis and I both got a Philly with steak, green peppers, cheese (slices--not authentic Philly style of cheese from a can), mushrooms, jalapenos, and added jalapeno juice to make it extra spicy.  The sandwiches are served hot in large, squishy 10in sub rolls.   We also got a order of fries to split.

Once you get your sandwich, you can trot over to the saucing station.   There is Herb Roasted Au Jus, Sweet Asian, Creole, Mushroom, Original Hearty Steak Sauce, Classic Bold Steak Sauce, and Sweet Homestyle BBQ Sauce.  Near the dressings, there is also a Spicy Ranch.  I tried the Creole, Bold Steak Sauce, and the Spicy Ranch.  The steak sauce was sufficiently bold and hearty, the creole was a little too tomatoie.  The favorite was the Spicy Ranch.  It worked for the fries and worked really well on the sandwich to balance and compliment the spicy jalapenos.

As for the sandwich itself, I thought it was supper tasty, but not without its flaws.  The meat was so tender and rich, the cheese gooey, and the bread the perfect vessel.  With some sauce on top, it feels like a polished event.  My only complaint is that it is just too salty.  When cooking the meat, PepperJax adds extra seasoning, which is the same seasoning on the fries.  It has a good taste, but adds a lot of salt to the equation.  If you are sensitive to salt, it would be worth asking for half the amount or having them leave it off completely. 

Dennis called PepperJax Grill the 5 Guys of the Philly cheesesteak, and that is a really apt description.  They have a commitment to getting your food fast, but they also took the time to make sure the product is the best possible product: fresh bread, tender steak, and tasty, seasoned fries.  Like 5 Guys, each sandwich is made fresh to order and created for your personality.  By the end, you feel you did just eat a monster meal of steak and potatoes and bread, but don't quite feel like you've done anything wrong.

Ethnic Side of Lincoln: El Rancho

For the next installment on The Ethnic Side of Lincoln, I'm continuing by exploring Hispanic food in Lincoln by reviewing El Rancho (27th and O).

I found out about El Rancho when a co-worker, whose Mexican, recommended it to a couple people as being the most authentic Mexican food in town.  From the outside and inside of the building, it does have the aura of being a dive.   But, the things that rallied optimism was a busy outdoor taco cart and a large sign announcing that they serve pozole and menudo.

Both Dennis and I started with $4.50 double shot margaritas and munched on fresh salsa with tasty (slightly spiced) tortilla chips.  Then, because I wanted to try a couple of things, I got the "Fiesta Plate," which includes a taco, quesadilla, and enchilada with a side of refried beans and rice.   You can choose between beef, chicken, pork, and vegetable, and I went with vegetables.  Although this can translate into just onions and green peppers, all the dishes had those two plus bright red peppers, making everything look bright and colorful.  Plus, instead of large dollops of sour cream, there were nice little swirls that helped makes things creamy without over-powering.

Dennis got the Pollo en Mole, which was chocolaty and a spicy red, and served with a side of really fresh flour tortillas.  The sauce was great and I found myself stealing tastes from Dennis's plate--one of the hazards of eating with me.

So, if you are looking for an authentic Mexican food experience, go to El Rancho.  Next time, I'd like to try either the tamales or the pozole, and, maybe, work up to trying menudo.

Ethnic Side of Lincoln: Pan Dulce Bakery

Sorry for the hiatus.  Although I may not have been actively blogging, I've been doing some research.  Today is the first of a series of posts about ethnic foodie finds in Lincoln, NE.

I don't know the why and wherefore, but Lincoln is home to several large ethnic groups.  Part of that history comes from the Russian and European settlements that made their way out to Lincoln.  You can see signs of that past through the Germans from Russia Museum and in the ever present fast food chain, Runza, which is named after a meat pocket style sandwich that originated in Russia.

However, Lincoln also has several other large ethnic niches as reflected in several different markets.  The two largest ethnic groups represented in the food scene are Hispanic and Vietnamese.  Along 27th, there are about 4 (possibly more) Asian markets.  Also along 27th are several Mexican markets and restaurants, even little taco stands serving late.

The place I'm launching my Ethnic Side of Lincoln Series is Pan Dulce Bakery.  The bakery is located on G and 11th (official address is 801 S. 11th) around the corner from a market and an ice cream parlor.

I've only gone a handful of times, but I leave happy and with a paper sack full of goodies.  Everything is incredibly affordable (four pastries runs about $2.50) so you can feel free to try lots.  When you get in, there is a stack of trays with tongs.  The first time in there, a little boy ran in with lots of excitement, grabbed a tray and tongs, handed it to his Dad, and started looking at all the goodies--he knew the drill.   

I have to admit, I don't really know what anything is so I try something different every time.  Most are puffy and cake like, but frosting isn't big.  On some, there is a type of crispy sweet exterior, others opt for fruit or bostom creme style fillings.  Overall, there is more emphasis on the pastry than on a icing and frosting accoutrement.

On the day I was taking pictures, I got a puffy coconut covered pink thing with creme on the top; it was something like an inside out  Sno-Ball but without the chocolate.  I also tried one of the Strawberry filled and one of the Boston Creme filled pies.  Dennis and I split a Pumpkin one last time and the Pumpkin is the best (although I am a little partial to Boston Creme).

The one repeat I had was a pastry that I call the Lobster Tail, because it looks like those Italian pastries of the same name.  These are made of light pastry (that my guess is shortening based) and lots of creamy filling.  I will admit that there is a slight aftertaste, but with a cup of coffee nobody is going to notice.

So, it you find yourself on 11th Street and you've got a sweet tooth, swing into Pan Dulce Bakery, grab a tray, put anything that looks tasty on it, and enjoy a treat. 

Pies and Pints

 Over the summer, Dennis and I were driving through Charleston, WV, and decided to stop downtown for lunch.  One of the places I noticed was a restaurant called, Pies and Pints.  The menu featured lots of foodie driven pizza options--Grape Pie, Thai Pie, Mediterranean Shrimp Pie--and great microbrews on tap.  Unfortunately, at the time, Dennis and I were looking for something a bit cheaper and easier, so we opted for a more traditional Italian pizza place down the street.

When I moved to Lincoln and saw that there was a Pies and Pints, I was a little excited to get the chance to finally try one.  So, on Thursday Dennis and I had a date night and went to the Haymarket area of downtown to give it a shot.

Yuppied, trendy pizza place this Pies and Pints is not.  Catering to UNL college students, they offer reasonable pizza and cheap beer.  Students always gets 10% of regular prices with idea; lunch specials feature two slices and a soda for around $5.00; another special features a pint of Sam Adams and a personal pizza for $7.50.  On Thursday, we were able to get a pitcher of Miller for $6.00 and a large Supreme Pizza for $2.00 off.  Ultimately, not a bad deal.

The menu does have some pretty playful pizzas.  I'd like to try the double entendre ridden pizza, the  "Flaming Head," a pizza topped with chicken, sausage, Tabasco, jalapenos, mushrooms, and optional habenaros.  There is also "Wisconsin Best," bacon, macaroni, cheddar sauce, mozzarella, and cheddar.

So, though not the Pies and Pints experience I thought I was going to get, it was overall a success.  Nothing fancy, it is what it is--a nice college hangout with tasty food, pool, skee ball, and beer. 

Omaha Cupcake Taste-Off

Before I moved to Nebraska, a student told me about a cupcake place, Jones Brothers, in Omaha which she had seen on Cupcake Wars.  So, when a couple of weeks ago I went in to Omaha for a job interview, I figured I deserved a treat.  

During the interview, I mentioned that I planned on going by Jones Brothers afterwards.  Although one of my interviewers responded with enthusiasm, the other said she was more of a Cupcake Island fan.  

Thus began the Omaha Cupcake Showdown.  

Truth is, I liked them both but for different reasons.  Although the two interviewers had very definitive feelings and loyalties, after trying three from each I was undecided.  Ultimately, here's my evaluation of each.  

Jones Bros:

Jones Bros is more of an overall package.  A very trendy style cafe, they offer food, desserts (homemade marshmallows, cookies, etc), wine, yogurt, and coffee.  So, you can go, hang out, and eat a wide range of sassy foods.  To give you a stronger sense of the place, it was voted an Omaha "Hot Spot" just shortly after it opened.

As cupcakes go, there is a great range; they take bolder risks with flavors.  I tried the "Salty and Sweet," "Caramel Apple," and "Strawberries and Cream."  All where really moist and decadent tasting.  The "Caramel Apple" towered with frosting and pieces of apple cooked inside, making it almost muffin like.  The best was the "Strawberries and Cream" which had real strawberries.  Overall, it was just the right amount of sweet and fluffy.  

Cupcake Island:

Cupcake Island, in comparison, is a simpler affair.  It is located in a less trendy strip mall, and is more a traditional bakery.  Instead of spreading themselves over many food arenas, they focus on cakes and cupcakes. 

The three I tried was the "Pink Champagne," "Chocolate Covered Cherry," and the "PB Cup."  In comparison, I think the cake was a little denser (although still moist), but the frosting was more satisfying.  Jones Bros has a slight aftertaste that Cupcake Island didn't have. 

 

Cupcake Island had my least and most favorite between both cupcakeries.  My least favorite was the "Pink Champagne."  It was light, but had no real definitive flavor.  The best was the "PB Cup."  The cupcake was a chocolate cupcake with a rich peanut butter center and cream cheese frosting--all three things that I'd want in a cupcake. 

The Bottom Line:

• The final ranking was 1.) PB Cup; 2.) Chocolate Covered Cherry; 3.) Strawberries and Cream; 4.) Salty and Sweet; 5.) Caramel Apple; and 6.) Pink Champagne.  
• For creative cupcakes--Jones Bros.
• For sweet and decadent--Cupcake Island
• For trends and atmosphere--Jones Bros.
• For classic bakery--Cupcake Island
• Best Frosting--Cupcake Island
• Best Cake--Jones Bros. 

Blue: Sushi Sake Grill

Dennis had an audition in Omaha on Sunday, so I went with him to enjoy an afternoon out.  To find a place to eat, I went onto Urbanspoon, Restaurant.com, and a couple “10 Best” lists.  What I ended up picking was a sushi place, Blue, which several people had mentioned as the best place to get sushi.  That recommendation, plus all day food and drink Happy Hour specials was all I needed to know.

To start, Dennis and I both had Sapporo Sake Bombs.   I’ve had Sapporo and I’ve had sake but never at the same time.  I know you are supposed to chug them, but that always seems like a waste.  When you sip them, then they end up with a rather tasty combination of beer with a little bit of a rice-like finish.  For the second drink, I had their cold sake, which, to my surprise, was unfiltered  (my favorite).  

For Nigiri, we ordered the Hawaiian Roll (tempura fried, salmon, crab, mango, and mirin mango puree), the Snow White (crispy seabass, avocado, burdock root, bibb lettuce, soy paper, and spicy cream sauce), and the South Pacific (eel tempura, cream cheese, pineapple, scallion, and eel sauce).  My favorite was the South Pacific because the way it was constructed was cream cheese and pineapple in the center, and then the eel in a separate roll above.  It was crunchy, creamy, and sweet, making for a complete bite. 

 Just to top things off, we also split an order of Crispy Crawfish with tempura pickle and miso mustard sauce.  This was Dennis’s favorite.  The crawfish was crunchy and spicy, the pickle was tangy and crunchy, and the sauce was the icing on the cake that brought it all together.

 

In making future plans to see a show in Omaha in a couple of weeks, I was excited to see that this same Happy Hour special is available late, starting at 10:30 on Fridays and Saturdays—a perfect post show treat.  

Panda Garden

It is now about 8 months since my trip to Korea, and I’ve been keeping my foodie sense alert to the chance of getting Korean food.  In July, I gave it a good shot with Fancy Hill Korean Diner, but, alas, it just wasn’t what it could be.  Other than that, the opportunity to have Korean food hasn’t come my way. 

Last week, though, the food gods smiled on me.  Tucked away, in a very nondescript looking Chinese restaurant in Lincoln, NE, is the closest I’ve come to getting satisfying Korean food in America. 

Panda Garden is a place that on my own, I probably would have never gone to.  It is in a strip mall between the Super Saver Grocery Store and a Target.  Also, a name like “Panda Garden” speaks more to mass cooked and generic Chinese food.  Although a place I might have checked out on a night when I was looking for low key Chinese, there is a strong chance I would have just passed on by. 

Luckily, a new colleague introduced me to the place.  Not just luckily, that is food karma at its best. 

Though Panda Garden does offer a long line of reasonably priced Chinese food, it is worth the extra money to splurge for the Korean.  There is a long list of the classics—Kim Chee soup, short rib soup, Bhim Bahb, and sweet potato noodles.  Plus, all the dishes come with four different kimchi.  The first time I went, the kimchi assortment had broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, and eggplant.  The second time, it was daikon, cabbage, potatoes, and  cucumbers. 

On the visit I made with my colleague, I got a vegetable and tofu soup that was spicy, red, full of lovely tofu, and what almost looked like chopped up mung beans.  It was so satisfying on a cold day and hit the spot beyond words.  On my recent visit, I went with Korea nostalgia and got the Kim Chee Chi Gae, kim chee soup with mung bean sprouts.  Probably not quite as good as the vegetable and tofu soup--it was a little too tangy.  However, even though not as strong, it is still a soup that I would order again.

Sure not exactly like what I got in Korea, but the spirit of Korean pride in the food was there.  Panda Garden is run by a friendly, happy looking couple.  When the food comes out, the wife stops in to make sure that you are happy and that the food is pleasing.  With me, she also brought out a to-go cup just in case I couldn’t finish the soup.  And just like the restaurants I enjoyed in Korea, if you want any more rice or kimchi, they are happy to give you more.  That is such a gracious gesture and really makes you feel welcome. 

With Panda Garden right on my way home from work, I expect there are many cold Lincoln nights that will be warmed with a large steamy bowl of Korean soup.  

Southwest Pit BBQ

Before moving to Lincoln, NE, I went to Restaurant.com’s website while they were having a Christmas sale to stock up on gift certificates to restaurants I wanted to try.  The first one on my list to try was Southwest Pit BBQ on P and 16th. 

Given that Lincoln is the home of Ribfest, I figured any bbq places in town have high standards.  So, I was pretty excited to get to load up on all the different smoky options that Southwest has to offer.  Because of having to spend $35 to use the gift certificate, Dennis and I got an excuse to try a lot.  Given the very reasonable prices on the sandwiches and sides, getting to $35 was a little tricky to do.   To get a full sample, we ordered a full slab of ribs, 10 wings, one brisket sandwich, one pulled pork sandwich, coleslaw, and potato salad. 

After sampling everything, I had rather mixed feelings. All the meats are incredibly tender.  The ribs and wings just melt off the bone and the brisket and pulled port are incredibly moist.  There is a nice touch of smoke and that helps give the meat a little depth. 

The con is the sauce and flavor.  Everything felt a little under seasoned.  The sauce, that was on all four meat options, simply lacked depth.  Even so basic as a tad more salt and pepper and spice would have gone a long way to bring out more of a savory quality. 

All in all, a good deal and not a bad place to pick up a pulled pork sandwich in a pinch.  However, for the most have bbq in town, I think I’ll keep looking.      

Thelma's Chicken and Waffles

Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles

I first had Chicken and Waffles at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles in Los Angelos.  I was visiting a friend who lived in Orange County and of the few list of things I was determined to do, Roscoe’s was the top.  Though it may sound like a strange combination, it is the best of all worlds when done well.  Crispy fried breading, salty savory chicken, waffles that are crunchy outside and squishy inside, and syrupy sweet maple goodness drizzled on top.  It is breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all on one plate. 

Chicken and Waffles has a pretty intriguing history.  One source said that it harkens back to the early 1800’s.  However, another source contradicts that, claiming that there is no mention of any Chicken and Waffles recipes in Mrs. Porter’s Southern Cooking (1871) or What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking (1881), two of the earliest African American recipe texts.  Other histories credit Wells Supper Club with the raise of Chicken and Waffles by serving late for dinner, early for breakfast meal to jazz musicians.     

In my last visit to Roanoke, Mom and Dad wanted to take my boyfriend and I out for lunch.  In brainstorming where to go, I just so happened to walk by Thelma’s Chicken and Waffles while in Downtown Roanoke.  Since I had never eaten there and I’m such a big fan of this flavorful and soulful combination, it just made sense to give it a whirl. 

Thelma’s Chicken and Waffles has been around Roanoke for a quite a while, but has only recently moved to its Downtown location.  You feel like you’ve been welcomed into someone’s home from the moment you walk in the door.  Friendly smiles great you and soul food exuberance is apparent in all the staff.  They boast of serving the “true flavor of the south” and the menu reflects that joy. 

Although lots of great looking items on the menu, I was there on a mission and that mission was Chicken and Waffles.  Luckily, a waffle with a fried piece of boneless breast was on special, and so all four of us ordered up a plate.  Dennis and I go the side of potatoes; Mom and Dad got fried apples. 

All of us agreed, the Chicken and Waffles were awesome.  The chicken had a great balance of spice, pepper, and saltiness, using a tasty crunchy outside to hide a juicy chicken inside.  When you cut the fried chicken, juices just ooze into the sofy, slightly sweet waffle below.  Mom and Dad loved the fried apples that were decadent and delicious, and Dennis and I loved the potatoes.  The “fried potatoes” aren’t really like fried potatoes at all.  Instead of little cubes or slices of potatoes, it is more like a potato mash with seasoning and a little onion--such a perfect side bite to the Chicken and Waffles. 

While eating, I noticed there were two definitive approaches to consuming Chicken and Waffles.  Dad and I cut up the chicken breasts in smaller pieces and distributed them over the waffles so that each bite of waffle was topped by a piece of chicken.  Mom and Dennis kept the chicken on the side, slicing off a bit of chicken and placing it over a bite of waffle, keeping both waffle and chicken independent until the moment of the bite.  

In sitting back in the booth, enjoying a post sweet and fried high, I wondered how many tasty meals we all missed by not having gone to Thelma’s earlier.  On the website, Thelma’s ends the commercial that they are the place “where the food is for thought and it is always a family affair.”  That is the best punchline to experience eating there.  Don’t make the mistake I made by not trying Thelma’s.  I don’t want you to live with that kind of regret.  

Roanoke Date Night

Before Christmas, I was spending time with my parents before moving.  While staying with them, I joined them on their Friday “date night.”  Most Friday’s, Mom and Dad start the evening at Burger in the Square and then head to dessert at Yogurt Café, making for a great food night of heavy and light.

Burger in the Square

Burger in the Square is one of the best places in Roanoke to get a hamburger.  The website even goes so far as to say that they are Roanoke’s “most awarded burger,” and I’d believe it.  Nothing fancy, they just serve good quality hamburgers.   This shows in the their 3 rules: 1.) beef is ground fresh everday; 2.) they always inspect the ingredients; and 3.) they treat the customers like they were friends.  The third rule in particular true; the woman taking my parents order knew they were regulars and remembered what they usually order. 

I’ve been their twice and tried two different burgers.  Most recently, I got “The Three Cheese Burger,” featuring Provolone, Swiss (although I substituted Pepper Jack), and American.  This is a super cheesy burger (as the picture shows) and has long strands of gooey goodness that stretch out with each bite.  It is so cheesy that if you aren’t careful, the bun might just slide off.  

Though good, the burger I got on a previous visit, “The BBQ Barbeque Burger,” was my favorite.  I love bbq sauce and I love bacon, so how could those two things on a perfectly cooked juicy burger be a bad choice? 

Yogurt Café

Like many, I’m a fan of the new wave of frozen yogurt cooling the country.  Although it can very easily turn into a less that financially fiscal dessert if you pile on too many toppings, as a modest post palate teaser it can be a great way of a little something sweet and satisfying.  After a big ole cheesy burger, frozen yogurt can be especially pleasing. 

Mom and Dad’s frozen yogurt stand of choice is The Yogurt Café, which is near Burger in the Square.  They usually keep about eight yogurt flavors, with the eight split up into sets of two for twisting options.  Then, there are crunchy cereal topping options (like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Fruit Loops, and Cookie Crips), the more traditional toppings like fruit, nuts, and sprinkle variations, as well as a warm section for hot butterscotch, fudge, and caramel. 

I wanted to try a twist of the mint yogurt with the blueberry and top it with fruit and nuts, but Dad thought that sounded weird.  And, truth be told, I’m a sucker for warm caramel and butterscotch, which wouldn’t have worked with mint and blueberry.  So, I got the Cake and Cappuchino twist topped with nuts and caramel--warm, yummy, melty goodness.

All in all, a great combination and I can see why it is my parent’s Friday night combination of choice.  I was just lucky they let me come along!