Beer 'n Brussels

It's logical, really. You have a beer or two — or a pyramid of them — and before you know it, hunger strikes. It was midnight, and all I could find was a bag of Brussels Sprouts rolling around in the crisper. It was clear what needed to be done. So after just a bit of slicing and braising and buttering, these gleaming morsels appeared.

The Miller Lite had arrived via bicycle messenger, an apparition in shiny blue. It would have been rude not to drink it. It turned out that its watery, Union-made flavor really complemented the petite cabbages.

You don't necessarily need cheap suds to make sudsy sprouts. But then again, you don't really need to make a pyramid of Miller Lite, either. Sometimes you just have to give in to the fact that it's Brussel Sprouts time.


Beer-Inspired Brussels Sprouts

1 large clove garlic, thinly sliced
splash of olive oil
some brussels sprouts — maybe a pound?
2 T butter

Cut the nobby ends off the sprouts, then halve them. If they're really big, cut them in thirds. Heat the oil in a skillet on medium heat and throw in the garlic. Slowly saute it until golden; make sure not to let it burn. You can pick out the garlic chunks at this point, or you can leave them in, depending on how likely you are to go on a date/job interview within the next 24 hours. Toss in the trimmed sprouts and crank the heat to medium high. Add one tablespoon of butter and let them get a little browned. Then pour about 1/4 cup of water in the pan and cover. After five minutes, check to see if the vegetables are bright green and tender. If so, add the last tablespoon of butter, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, with beer.

Hyvee: More than just Frozen Pizzas

I've known for a long time that Hyvee sold more than lunch meats and frozen pizzas, but I've never made it beyond the produce aisle to see just what they sold. Apparently, the options are endless. At the Waterfront Hyvee (my area grocery store), an entire staff of loyal Hyveeans are waiting to serve customers fried chicken, Chinese food, and more potato and pasta salads worth mentioning. This week, I'll compare two of their choices: The fried chicken option and Chinese--which, if any, is worth purchasing?

Let's start with the disappointing. If chicken and rice counts as Chinese food, then the Chicken and rice soup needs to be moved into the "Foreign Cuisine" aisle. Just because you dip chicken pieces in some kind of sauce and throw it over steamed rice doesn't make it Chinese (they don't even serve it in a stereotypical, albeit standard, takeout box). I ordered the two entree dish because I couldn't decide between sweet and sour chicken and general's chicken (apparently, it's supposed to be spicy). I hurried home, threw in a movie, and popped open the plastic lid and started. Five minutes later, I gave more than half of the food to my roommate and made a bowl of cereal.

As I've stated in previous posts, I'm picky about my Chinese (or Japanese) food. Hyvee should just stop selling their variety. No, it wasn't expensive (about $6 for two entrees, rice, and an egg roll), but the quality wasn't worth it. Verdict: Skip it.

Now on to the more promising option. I've long been a fan of fried chicken, so I was a bit weary of ordering it from a grocery store. The three-piece dinner was $6.99 and came with two sides, but no drink. At first, I thought this a little expensive...until the woman took my order.

"What would you like?" she asks.

"The three piece meal," I respond.

"Okay," she says, then pauses. I wait, then she says, "Well, which three pieces would you like?"

As it turns out, you can choose any three pieces of chicken: If you're not a leg and wing type of guy, choose something else. At other restaurants, including KFC, you're almost always served one breast and a leg (or wing). At Hyvee, they'll gladly give you three breasts--if that's what you want. The meal also includes two sides. Because I had frozen corn at home, I decided on double mashed potatoes (my weakness). This day, I again went home, sat down, and started eating. And, for a second time, I couldn't finish my meal--but for entirely different reasons. While I didn't care to finish Hyvee's Chinese food, they had given me way too much of their fried chicken order. I saved half of it and finished it the next afternoon. VERDICT: WORTH IT


A quick note about the Waterfront Hyvee: If you're on a quest for chicken and beer (who isn't?), you might want to head to another location--their liquor department has been closed until the middle of May for (once again) selling booze to underage kids...

Grand Theft Auto IV made me poor. Let's go to Taco Bell.

This week's blog isn't very cool. Sorry. I can't afford to go try some new fancy schmancy restaurant this week, and here's why: I ordered Grand Theft Auto IV and a new pair of shoes (they're velcro!) within a week. Now rent and bills are due soon, so I have to really ration myself when it comes to spending. I could write about something I made at home, but most of the things I make either A) come out of a box or B) have already been written about in this blog (aka grilling). Luckily, something exciting has happened recently at Taco Bell.

The Bacon Club Chalupa is back, but only for a limited time. For those of you who have tried it, it's ok to shed a tear. For those of you who have not, stop wasting your life. It's delicious.

It's pretty much your standard chicken chalupa: lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and chicken. But then they throw a bunch of bacon in the mix along with a tasty sauce. Chicken, bacon, "tangy club sauce", other stuff. Awesome. The only problem is, it costs about $2.50, and in my eyes, that's pricey for T Bell.

Now for the best part. In honor of the Bacon Club Chalupa, Taco Bell has created the Big Bell Box Meal. Here's what you get for $5.00:
- 1 Bacon Club Chalupa
- 1 Crunchy Taco
- 1 Bean and Rice Burrito
- 1 order of Cinnamon Twists
- 1 large drink

The only problem is, the whole thing adds up to be about 1,150 calories plus the drink. A lot, I know, but what did you expect?

I know some people might be able to eat all of this in one sitting. I know I wouldn't, and that makes this an even better deal. Two meals for $5.00!

If you're on a budget and you don't feel like cooking or going to grocery shopping, go to Taco Bell for a couple of cheap meals. But you need to hurry! When the Bacon Club Chalupa disappears, so might this delicious deal.

Not your Grandmother's grocery store

The entrance to the New Pioneer Co-op is tiny and unassuming, a nondescript portal on a nondescript brick building. However, passing through the entrance is a feeling that I imagine is akin to what one feels upon discovering an ancient Egyptian tomb laden with opulent treasures, air thick with intriguing aromas, and staffed by cashiers with full-sleeve tattoos ('k... maybe not that last one).

"The co-op" as it is affectionately known by most who shop there (and justifiably so, as it is the only one in the area) has locations at 22 S. Van Buren St in Iowa City across from the city offices, and 1101 2nd St in Coralville (though i have never been to the newer Coralville location, it looks somewhat more upscale from the road).

I lived in Iowa City for a full year before I knew the co-op existed, and even then it was only brought to my attention by my vegan older sister, a former resident of Iowa City who has, shall we say, an eclectic palate (my dad routinely refers to her diet as "mulch"). True, the co-op does indeed cater to the vegan, vegetarian and organic-only crowd much more so than any other grocer in the area, but they also boast an impressive meat counter with fresh fish of all varieties, as well as hard to find meats such as venison, lamb, and ground buffalo, the latter of which makes a delicious burger. An entire aisle is devoted to their copious beer and wine selection, each carefully selected by their specialist, Tom.

The catch to shopping at the co-op, and the one thing which probably makes many students avoid it, is that you must either buy a membership, or pay an additional fee every time you shop there. However, the membership is a one-time payment of sixty dollars (no annual renewal required unlike Costco or Sam's Club) and, much like stock, you get this fee fully refunded upon resigning. Critics of shopping at cooperatives like this one cite excessive cost, but the co-op allows its members to volunteer and receive a discount on its products. For a mere nine hours a month, a member gets 30% off the first $200 worth of groceries that month, a savings of $60, almost the equivalent of being paid minimum wage. For those willing to put in a little work for the extra quality, your taste buds will thank you.

A Morning Worthy of Muffins

I awoke this morning to a lulling patter, the clearest of indications I was to stay inside. There were stairs to sweep, and some dishes to wash. And of course, a bit of homework I might drag myself to finish. There were, in essence, plenty of normal, morning-ly things to be done.

But just as I sat down to read the newspaper, a waft of decomposing bananas hit me. That, coupled with the blindingly green grass and itsy-bitsy violets bursting in my yard, led me astray. Clearly, the pre-noon hours had to be spent baking and breathing in the bliss that is spring. Breathing in from under a roof, mind you.



So as the rain coaxed fuschia blossoms from my neighbor's magnolia tree, I took to some butter and flour. Within just a few minutes my house smelled of cinnamon-infused bananas. Birds chirped, my roommate cooed. And a harmonious eau de magnolia/lilac/violet/rain mingled with the muffins browning in the oven. How nice.



Rainy Morning Banana Muffins
Adapted from Epicurious

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large)
1 large egg
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line twelve 1/3-cup muffin cups with foil muffin liners. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Mix mashed bananas, egg, melted butter, milk, vanilla and cinnamon in medium bowl. Stir banana mixture into dry ingredients just until blended (do not overmix).

Divide batter among prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake muffins until tops are pale golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 32 minutes. Transfer muffins to rack; cool.

The Smell of Charcoal

Is there anything better than the smell of charcoal on a spring evening? (Food-wise, that is.) After deciding against leftover pasta for dinner, there was only one thing floating through my mind: It's 80 degrees outside, I haven't fired up the grill since last summer, and there's cold Blue Moon in the fridge.

A quick journey to Hyvee later, and I returned with half a dozen brats, a gigantic bag of Doritos (the bag is marked "FAMILY" for a reason), and hot dog buns. The total cost: 80 cents each for the brats (Hyvee carries four varieties of them, including pineapple), $3.50 for the chips, and about a dollar for the hot dog buns--of course, you can divide the total by three since there was a trio working on eating the food. Also keep in mind, however, that you'll have to buy charcoal the first time around (the Hyvee brand will suffice) and lighter fluid. And, if you haven't already purchased one, a grill. Of course.

Since I have the last three things on the list already, the total cost for each person was around $3.50.

So, once you get home, it's time to fire up the grill and get started. Now, I'm no expert when it comes to charcoal (but please don't switch to gas, because the food just doesn't taste the same), but my strategy seems to work all right: Don't use too much charcoal, get a good flame started in the middle, and when they're smoldering, close the lid and let the trapped heat do its thing. This may not be the best way to do it, but it works for me--if it doesn't for you, play around a little. Don't worry that it might take a little while--sit back, drink a beer (or three) and play catch with your roommates.
















After about half an hour, I was ready to throw the brats on. Before I did this, I boiled all six on the oven in advance. I'm not sure if this takes away from the quality at all, but they sure cook a lot quicker on the grill--after they're completely steamed through (they'll look gray as they float in the water), take them out, throw them on the grill, and listen to the sizzle. Burn them on each side (a crunchy brat is a good brat), add condiments, and enjoy.

It's not the fastest meal you'll ever make. In fact, it's probably one of the slowest. But on a beautiful spring evening, time doesn't matter, does it? Turn off the TV, leave the iPod inside, and listen to the sounds of nature--or, if you live near me, motorcycles, passing cars, and the sorority girls on their way home from class. ("Oh my God, we should totally grill out tonight, you guys!")

Good idea, Kappa Kappa Gamma.

Taking a Trip

So I'll admit that I haven't eaten the food yet. In fact, I just recently heard of the place. We'll call this a food preview--and perhaps an analysis of, you know, stepping outside of downtown Iowa City for a good meal.

A coworker, who lives in Tiffin, Iowa (just a few miles west of Coralville), recently argued that John's Ice Cream Store & Restaurant has the best pork tenderloin in Iowa. Now, I'm no expect on the tenderloin, but I've had them a time or two, and I'll admit: They're tasty. But am I going to go all the way out to Tiffin just to try one? Of course not.

As it turns out, however, Tiffin is about a three minute drive from the Coral Ridge Mall. Literally. If you're brave enough to venture down Hwy. 6 (past the mall, past Lowe's), you'll find small-town Iowa in all its glory: A gas station, a neighborhood, and a restaurant/ice cream joint. For a city-dweller, I get a kick out of such places.

Last weekend I made the journey to Tiffin in search of the alleged "best tenderloin in Iowa," and was disappointed...not at the food, no, but because I didn't even get a chance to eat there. It seems that Tiffin natives, unlike their Iowa City counterparts, don't need their local eateries open at 3 AM. It's a shame, I know. Now, I didn't expect them to be open at 3 AM, but the late evening hours seemed appropriate; unfortunately, they were closed when I arrived. So what's a food writer to blog about? Dairy Queen? I think not!


I was wholeheartedly against the trip when I first heard about John's. Sure, it might be good, but I'm not going all the way out there for food. As it happens, it's not that far away after all. See, in the land of fast food (that would be downtown Iowa City, folks), we're afraid to step outside of our comfort zone and try something different. Hopefully we've done that on occasion here at Lord of the Fries, but I really wanted to review an eatery outside the borders of our sheltered university community--somewhere accessible, mind you, but not a regular destination for UI students.

So here's my promise: I'll go to John's before next Wednesday and report on the food. I'm excited to try it now, even if I'll have to drive just to get there (Has anyone checked gas prices lately?) But if I'm going to go, you need to go too. No, not to John's (though you can if you like). Try something other than downtown Iowa City or Coralville. When you're hungry and on the road, stop at the first place you see, especially if you've never tried it. Thai? Give it a try!

Next week: John's Ice Cream Store & Restaurant. In case you'd like to beat me to it, the directions area displayed below for your convenience:

231 W Marengo Rd, Tiffin, IA (Find your way to Hwy. 6, head west, and keep going!)
(319) 645-2558



UPDATE: John's doesn't seem to be open when I can make it out there, so I've replaced my journey this week with a "take to the yard and grill" piece. I still haven't given up home, though--this weekend could (finally) be the one.

A letter to Iowa City about hot dogs

Dear Iowa City,

Hello old friend. It's been a while, I know. I'm sorry for being so distant lately, but lately I've had some things on my mind. I didn't know how to tell you, but, well, okay enough beating around the bush. I'm just going to come right out and say it, and I'm sorry if it hurts, but it needs to be said.

You've got a problem with your hot dogs.

You see, as we move closer towards spring and further into the baseball season, I can't help but think of the season's perfect edible companion: a Chicago-style hot dog. The thought of one makes me salivate like Pavlov's dog in a bell tower.

So Iowa City, what's the deal? Tell me why you can't provide this simple service. And don't try and tell me they have them at the Skybox, located at 124 1/2 Washington St. I've been there, and those hot dogs cost $5.00 - $6.00, and that's without fries. Are you kidding me? For a hot dog? A hot dog should cost no more $3.00, maybe $3.75.

Also, in Chicago, a place that sells Chicago-style hot dogs sells much, much more. I'm talking gyros, Italian beef, sausage, ribs, and burgers. These are places like Portillo's, Nicky's Red Hots, Superdawg, etc.

I mean, you have a place called Old Chicago, located at 75 2nd St. in Coralville, and it doesn't even have hot dogs, let alone anything else I just listed, except for hamburgers. But what place doesn't have hamburgers? That place is pathetic.

Listen, here's a good description of a Chicago-style dog from Wikipedia. Maybe you can learn something:

A Chicago-style hot dog is a steamed or boiled all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun, which originated in the U.S. city of Chicago, Illinois. The hot dog is topped with mustard, onion, sweet pickle relish (usually neon green), a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt; but never ketchup.

So Iowa City, there you have it. That's all I wanted to say. I'm sorry if it hurt, but you need to be aware of the dire hot dog situation that you have let get out of hand. I don't blame you because you didn't know any better. Now I hope that you will go and right this horrible wrong.

Love,
Kevin

Beef of Champions

This man does two things well; coach football and serve up

kick-ass steak. And he's retired from football.

On a recent trip to Miami, I had the pleasure of eating at Shula's Steakhouse, one of a chain of high end restaurants owned by Miami Dolphins' legendary coach Don Shula, who is best known for coaching the 1972 Dolphins to their undefeated and still unequaled (thank you, Eli Manning) championship season.

It is possible my stomach was biased, having eaten nothing that day save for a powdered eggs airport breakfast and a half a can of Pringles in flight, but if the food at Shula's was not the best meal I have ever eaten, it was at least good enough to fill out the other four spots in the top five collectively.

Realizing that most are not blessed with in-laws as remarkably generous as mine, who paid for the trip to Miami as well as the hefty check at the restaurant (Shula's will set you back about 50-60 dollars a plate) there is a way which one can attempt to recreate the experience of eating at Shula's in their own backyard, though the recreation will likely not include the 15 minute presentation of various cuts of beef by a Cuban waiter with perfectly coifed hair and a slight lisp. But I digress.

To achieve "Coach Shula's Favorite Steak" you will need the following:

1 charcoal grill (apparently Coach Shula favors the flavor from coals)
1-2 Angus porterhouse steaks (pricey cuts of meat; substitute a lesser cut at your pleasure, but it probably won't fly with the coach)
2 tablespoons melted butter
and the coach's seasoning salt made from a combination of:
3 tbsp salt
1 tsp white pepper
1 tsp sweet paprika
3/4 tsp granulated garlic
1/2 tsp dried thyme

The coach recommends letting the steak sit at room temp for 15 minutes prior to coating with the seasoning and then grilling to your desired temperature. Remove from the grill, brush with butter, and garnish with watercress. Congratulate yourself on achieving a championship quality meal.

Spring Cleaning (Snow Cordially Asked to Leave)

I peered out the window, fully prepared for clouds. I was even ready to accept drizzle. But what I found was so much more heinous, so fully obscene, I could nearly bear it. Snow. In mid-April. Oh, Iowa.

I seldom ventured outside that solemn Saturday. How could I? By some stroke of fate, what I found inside my cupboards suited me just fine. I managed to make lemonade out of a thoroughly lemony day, with the help of some errant lentils. Rummaging in my pantry, I found not one, not two, but three bags of lentils kicking about in the back. I wasn't really in the mood for soup. But what else does one do with the humble legume?

One makes hummus, it turns out.















I found a recipe on Epicurious for a simple lentil hummus, one made with all the makings of the traditional spread but replacing the chickpeas with lentils. Within minutes, my kitchen reeked of garlic and lemon and tahini, and the grayish sludge was dripping from all extremities. It's not exactly the most glamorous of processes, but the reward was sweet: Creamy, flavorful hummus with just a slightly different tang. It didn't bear that sandpapery texture so sadly endemic to lentils, nor did it have the stiffness of a (yawn) chickpea variety. It was, in short, the best of all (Middle Eastern) worlds.
















By the time the sky cleared on Sunday, my fingers had lost the pungent aroma. My pantry was one bag of lentils cleaner. My refrigerator bore the remnants of a dinner fit for a sultan. And, best of all, I think all that garlic scared away the snow.

Panda Express v. Sarku Japan

I'm picky when it comes to take-out Chinese food. In fact, I'm more than just picky--I'm unbearably harsh on its presentation, appearance, and, of course, flavor. So naturally I was amused by the dueling restaurants at the Coral Ridge Mall: Could fast-food Japanese really compete with the better-known Panda Express, a Chinese fixture in most American malls?

I was about to find out.

Each restaurant has its own signature dish. Panda Express is known for its orange chicken combination while Sarku Japan touts its own titan: Teriyaki chicken. I'm a fan of both, but since I've eaten at Panda Express a time or two (hey, I worked at the mall for a while), I decided on Sarku Japan. I don't know if I'll ever visit Panda Express again.

Sarku Japan isn't really Japanese food. The chicken Teriyaki combination (99 cents more for double meat, I might add), is essentially chicken on rice. Sure, you have your options of fried and white rice, and they'll put vegetables on top, too, but it's about as authentic to Japan as Taco Bell is to Mexico. Either way, though, it's delicious.

I enjoy any Teriyaki dish, but I can never get the flavor combination right when I make it at home. Sarku Japan has, in my opinion, the best sauce of that variety I've ever tried, and they'll splash an additional spoonful over the rice if you ask. For $8, you can order their finest special with double meat, rice, and a fountain drink large enough to hold most of the water flowing through the Mississippi River. Yeah, it's that big.

Sarku Japan serves its food on a Styrofoam plate (no love for the environment here), but will box it for to-go orders if requested. And for those Panda Express loyalists who might be nervous switching teams, I've seen their manager working at the register at each restaurant--for all I know, he may own both. What a clever guy.

Sarku Japan, for fast food, is the most satisfying Japanese food I've ever had--well, at least the most satisfying to be served with a plastic fork. It just goes to show that, even in a mall's food court, you can find a gem among the burgers and fries.

Saloon, A Place to Try

My preexisting impression of the bar/restaurant Saloon was that it is a great place for nightlife and comical karaoke on Wednesday nights. But recently I got to know their food selections very well in a matter of one day.

I first tried their “saloon tacos” one night and was very pleased by the sophisticated plate that came my way. They are white and in the shape of squares or rectangles, reminding what gourmet cuisines are prepared on for Iron Chef. Though I was excited for the presentation, I soon realized that their tacos were very spicy. I love spicy food, but it was almost overwhelming for a taco. On the other hand, I was impressed by the amount of salsa and queso that is served in one order; they are served in regular sized bowls.

The next day I found myself eating out in their patio. I figured that I just had their southwestern take of tacos, so I wanted to try something different. They serve mostly southwestern food with certain “chef specialties,” which are priced from $9 and up. So I decided to stay at a reasonable price and had a hamburger. Though the burger was atypical for a southwestern restaurant, the bun had a tasty, buttered seasoning on the flip side and the burger was extremely tasty and done just right. They accompany it with waffle fries, which are already salted to perfection. Though I was pleased, my dinner companion had the Tortilla soup and was disappointed that it was prepared unusually and the soup itself was nothing to brag about. They should have read the menu closer to know all of the ingredients, but they were not impressed by the unique additions of sour cream and avocado to the soup.

All in all, Saloon is great for its unique take on food.

M.A.C.

I know what you might be thinking: "I thought it was F.A.C." Or maybe you're thinking, "Monday After Class? Is that a club for Iowa City's best and brightest alcoholics?" Or maybe you're thinking, "Mickey's After Class? Yeah, I know all about that." If you chose the latter, then you are correct. Also, if you chose the latter, you can probably stop reading now.

Micky's Irish Pub is located at 11 S. Dubuque St. in Iowa City. This place has great food. I have been coming here since my freshman year (I'm now a senior), and I am consistently satisfied with each and every visit.

Micky's has specials on food and drink everyday during the week. Here's a listing of all the specials. It wasn't until recently that I had finally tried their Micky's After Class special.

M.A.C. deals are as follows:

Monday-Friday from 2pm-5pm
$2.50 burgers
$2.50 chips and salsa
$2.00 margaritas (lime, strawberry, boysenberry, or pomegranate)
$2.00 domestic pints


Pretty sweet, huh? Unfortunately, the $2.50 burgers are just burgers, not burger baskets, which means they don't come with fries. My girlfriend and I decided to split a full order of fries, which costs $3.00, but only comes to $1.50 between two people, so it's still a really good deal. You can also get a half order of fries for $2.00.

We also split an order of chips and salsa. The salsa was delicious and tasted very authentic, but the whole time I couldn't help but think that if we were at Los Portales, we'd be getting unlimited chips and salsa for free. Still though, between two people, it's not a big deal.

Each of us ordered a margarita. I had lime, she had strawberry. Both were good and strong, and the salt around the rim is lime flavored, which is a nice touch. My only complaint is that they don't have frozen margaritas, but I'm not picky. I think next time I'll have to be a little more adventurous and try the boysenberry or pomegranate.

Along with a bowl of Mickey's free popcorn, the two of us had a feast. We were stuffed and still had leftovers. Since M.A.C. runs on Monday thru Friday, I think I know where I'll be going to eat and pre-game for F.A.C.

Take me out to the ballgame!

On Tuesday, April 1, the Hillcrest Marketplace at the University of Iowa switched gears for a night and offered a special baseball-themed menu in honor of the beginning of the 2008 season. Gone were the usual offerings of pot roast and mashed potatoes. Instead, Hebrew National hot dogs (with all the toppings, including chili and cheese), walking tacos, soft pretzels, and, yes, even deep-fried pickles were offered as an alternative. For dessert, diners were treated to cotton candy, snow cones, and Cracker Jack--a baseball essential.

Sure, most locals will avoid the Marketplace (it's just a fancy word that sounds better than cafeteria), but Burge and Hillcrest do occasionally offer up a few surprises every now and again. Tuesday night was a perfect example of what a little creativity can do. Inflatable baseballs and bats sat atop the sneeze guards and a large sign proclaiming "Play Ball!" was taped to the wall nearest the entrance. And, of course, the food was good too.

Walking tacos, an ingenious little item, consists of a crushed bag of Doritos (or, as was the case yesterday, Fritos), topped with taco meat (or spicy chicken), cheese, lettuce, or whatever else you want. Served with a fork, the idea is simple: As you walk around the park (or the cafeteria), you can eat your taco on the go without spilling everything on the inside. Thus, walking taco.

The only thing missing was baseball-themed songs or employees wearing baseball hats or other appropriate outerwear. Still, it's all about the food, isn't it? The Hillcrest Marketplace delivered nine full innings of fun last night (sorry about that lame excuse at humor). For those interested in learning more about their special meals, visit the Residential Dining website to see when the dueling marketplaces on campus will offer their next change-of-pace menu.

21st Birthday Fun at Los Portales

Over the weekend I attended my second-ever 21st birthday dinner at Los Portales, located at 1402 S. Gilbert St. in Iowa City. Based on these two experiences, I wish I had eaten there for my 21st birthday.

Los Portales serves authentic Mexican food and it is delicious. I recommend the having pollo fundido and one of their (very strong) margaritas if you get the chance.

Anyway, the first time I was there for a birthday was last May for my two friends who happen to be twins. Our waiter was extremely generous, both because it was their 21st birthdays and because one of them is a devout White Sox fan, which our waiter seemed to like. My friends each received a free shot of Patrón tequila, a margarita, and a margarita for their girlfriends, all for free. They also got to wear a sombrero the whole time. They each had numerous margaritas for which we paid as well, leading to each of my friends getting pretty tipsy. Good times.

This past Saturday, we went to Los Portales for my girlfriend's 21st birthday. This experience was even better. First off, there was a mariachi band. They played a couple birthday songs and we even received a solo performance from the guitar player with the two lazy eyes. We liked him a lot.

My girlfriend also had numerous margaritas and a shot of tequila for which we paid. Unlike the previous birthday dinner, she wasn't receiving all the free stuff throughout dinner like my other friends had. All of a sudden, five waiters surrounded our table. One placed a shot of tequila in a wine glass in front of her while another planted a black and gold sombrero on her head. They sang three or four quick birthday songs while she sat there, completely oblivious to what was coming next.

What she failed to see was that the waiter behind her was holding a bowl of whipped cream with chocolate sauce drizzled over it and a giant spoon. Just before they started chanting "Te-qui-la! Te-qui-la!" the waiter took the spoon with a big wad of chocolate covered whipped cream and put it right in her face. He did this two more times. I believe this completely disoriented her because it took her about twenty seconds to realize she was supposed take the shot. She too got a little tipsy.

Overall, if you want to have a good time for your 21st birthday, or really any birthday with a legal drinking age, you should have dinner at Los Portales. The waiters there will make sure you have fun and get a little drunk in the meantime.

Warning: Contains Crunchy Content

"What have you been up to, Margaret?"
"The usual, Mom. A little of this; a little of that. Let's see...well, I made granola last night."
(laughter from the other end of the phone)
"That's....er...nice, honey. Glad you're having fun. But uh, your dad and I have to get going. The frozen pizza's almost done."

To my parents, baking your own granola is about as, well, granola-crunching hippie as it gets. It's another one of her college "experiments," they sigh. She'll soon come around. Soon enough, she'll give in to a life of blissful ignorance, free of the guilt that organic-types plaster onto every Styrofoam cup or non-fair trade coffee bean they see. This crunchiness will soon pass.

Or so they think. They haven't dipped into the eternal spring of homemade cereals. Only then would they understand this "college experiment" will stick with me. For if, as they surmise, granola baking is a sure sign of unabashed hippie-dom, I'm guilty.

Homemade granola is just too good to leave to Phish fans and Bonnarooo road trips.

I have been perfecting my recipe over the last year, ever since my roommate's mom first bestowed upon us a jarful. It's a continual work in progress. Granola, thank God, is foolproof. The ingredients are as simple — or complicated — as I want. The necessities: oatmeal, honey, and vegetable oil. The extras: sunflower seeds, coconut, brown rice syrup (totally excessive), nutmeg, and so on.

It's easy, it's cheap, your house smells like peace and love, and you get serious hippie cred, to boot. What's not to love?

Granola

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 oz. butter, melted
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 3 cups regular oatmeal (not instant)
• 1/4 cup nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds, or a combination)
• 1/4 sunflower seeds, shelled
• 1/4 unsweetened flaked coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a rimmed baking sheet, combine oil, butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Stir in oatmeal, nuts, seeds, and coconut until everything is well-coated. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Granola will crisp as it cools.

Yield: one big jar of granola.

(mis)Adventures in California Cuisine

I mean, I was in California. It is, after all, the home of "California Cuisine," that delectably snobby foodie genre. It's a cuisine known for liberally basting itself in terms like "fusion," "organic," and "local." It's the kind of cuisine that inspires you to consume a pizza adorned solely in nettles. And it's the kind of cuisine that makes you believe nothing else could have satiated you in quite the same way.




Alice Waters, executive chef of Chez Panisse












So there I was in San Francisco, just a hop and a $4 toll bridge away from Berkeley, home of all things crunchy and California. Being the foodie I am (but refuse to admit to being), I booked a reservation at Chez Panisse, the acclaimed restaurant known for starting the California Cuisine. And known for having prix-fixe menus that start at $55 a pop (and if you want the "grilled loin and leg of Dal Porto Ranch lamb with spring vegetable ragoût and crispy potatoes," we're talking $85).

I booked it, of course, with the assumption my Cheeto-loving, hot dog-munching family would laugh my dream restaurant meal into the bay. I didn't really plan on stepping foot in Chez Panisse — the Chez Panisse — the pantheon of modern, fresh, elegant food. Yet somehow, miraculously, my entire 6-member crew folded. So there I was, slightly withered from a wild night of San Francisco hipster bars, stepping into the restaurant's hallowed halls.

The service was great. The decor was lovely. The classical music — while mildly pretentious — adequate and at the very least pleasant. But the food? The very object of our voyage?

(shoulder shrug, half eyebrow lift)

I don't know. I barely dare say this, but ... it could have been better. The flavors were bright and fresh, and the visual appeal quite nice. But the portions were small — real small. And I just wasn't blown away.

To be honest, I don't know what I was expecting; all I ordered, after all, was a citrus salad with a chile vinaigrette and pistachios. Everything was just so darn expensive. So I guess I got what I (my dad, rather) paid for. But come on, Alice Waters. You founded a cuisine, created the landmark restaurant on the West Coast. You should at least be able to impress a girl from Iowa.

Italian food for the student budget

For two nights in a row now, I have gotten carry-out from Zio Johno's Spaghetti House, located at 953 S. Riverside Dr. in Iowa City. These two occasions were the first two times I had ever had Zio Johno's in my four years of college. I have long known about it, but I avoided it for mainly two reasons: A) I try to avoid Italian places with the word "spaghetti" in their names because of a place called the Spaghetti Warehouse in my hometown and B) because it is located next to a Panchero's (yuck!).

Anyway, since I ate there for two nights in a row, I obviously like it, and here's why: they give you a ton of food for a small price and it tastes pretty good.

I was exploring their online menu on Monday and discovered a section on the site with some unbelievable specials for carry-out and delivery orders only. Upon seeing these specials, I didn't even bother with the menu anymore.

The first day I got the Chicken Salad Extravaganza. For $6.99, I got a huge salad and a 16-inch loaf of garlic bread. This was plenty for two people, so needless to say I had enough leftovers for a nice lunch the next day.

Yesterday my girlfriend and I split the Sicilian Feast, which is meant for six people. For only $15.99, or $8.00 each, we received one 1/2 gallon of spaghetti with meat sauce, a 12-inch 1-topping pizza, and a 16-inch loaf of garlic bread. We looked at the amount of food in front of us, said, "Oh my God, what have we done?" and dug in. We didn't get very far into the meal before we were stuffed. We split the leftovers, and I myself have enough food for two, if not three more meals.

Everything I've had there has been pretty delicious, and it becomes even better when you consider the price. My least favorite dish thus far was the spaghetti and meat sauce. It was better than I expected and I did enjoy it, but nothing compares to my Mom's spaghetti and meatballs.

The salad and pizza were pretty awesome. The garlic pretty is decent. Like I said, it's good but gets even better when you consider the low price and the amount of food you're receiving. If you're on a small budget and need a few days worth of meals for the price of one, check out the specials at Zio Johno's. You won't be disappointed.

Oh, and they also have gyros, which might be a future blog topic...

The Pit: A Second Look

Perhaps I should begin with a disclaimer: I've never eaten at Jimmy Jack's, so this won't be a comparison. Instead, I'd like to reflect for a moment on my experience tonight at the Pit (located on the corner of Market and Dubuque Streets). I didn't plan on eating at the Pit tonight--with pudding cups, lunch meat, and bottled water galore in my apartment, why not save some money and eat at home, right? Well, that wouldn't make a fun food blog, would it?

My roommate decided to stop there for dinner, and though I initially didn't plan to order anything, the pulled pork sandwich piqued my interest. At $4.50, it was a minor investment, so I took the plunge. I was, as it turns out, impressed.

The Pit is a small restaurant; I didn't expect that. With just a handful of tables, it's informal and simple, and I appreciate that. It took less than 10 minutes for our order to be prepared to go. Sure, it takes a little longer than McDonald's, but the food tastes--and looks--like real food (unlike Mikey D's.)

The pulled pork sandwich doesn't come with any barbecue sauce on it: Visitors beware. In fact, apparently none of the sandwiches are garnished with that special sauce. They leave it to you to decide between their house and spicy barbecue sauces. Each are tasty, but the spicy adds a little kick that some of us will appreciate. Too often "barbecue" equals ketchup, but the Pit knows how to deliver the goods.

Also worth the investment are their French fries. They're huge and crinkle cut and leave loads of grease marks on the brown paper back they're served in: Just another sign of the simple presentation that makes you feel like you're at a superior barbecue stand at some outdoor festival.

I guess I'll have to visit Jimmy Jack's so I can make a proper comparison, but as it stands, the Pit offers the best barbecue in downtown Iowa City--and to think I lived directly across the street from the place for three months and never visited it. Shame on me.

Top Chef: Season 4 Begins Tonight

Food lovers unite! The fourth season of Bravo's Emmy-nominated reality TV show, Top Chef, debuts tonight at 9 P.M. Unlike most college students, my normal TV viewing is limited to the news and reruns of Full House on ABC Family. Dramas, comedies, whatever--none of them appeal to me. Top Chef, meanwhile, is the only show I haven't missed since it debuted in 2005, and I'm warming up for another weekly adventure this spring.

Last season was particularly exciting. Dale Levitski, a former UI student, finished second in the 16-chef competition. While there isn't any local color this time around, Bravo has announced the release of a Top Chef cookbook later this month. It should make an excellent compliment to the already-inspiring cooking show.

Sure, none of us are probably too comfortable with many of the products used on the show. Growing up in a major metro area, I haven't even seen many of the animals they cook on this show. Still, you can't help wanting to learn how to cook after watching this program. (It doesn't help that I work in a kitchen either; I find myself humming the theme while I make mashed potatoes. It's sad.)

I plan to pick up the cookbook when it's released next week; that, combined with my dedication (or, rather, addiction) to Top Chef, I hope to "recreate" some of these dishes at home--in a simpler style, of course. Check back for a side-by-side comparison of my meal compared to theirs. It should be an interesting experiment.

What: Top Chef: Season 4, Chicago
Where: Bravo Network, Channel 46 on Mediacom
When: 9:00 P.M. every Wednesday (with reruns almost daily!)
Who's it for: Anyone who likes reality TV; for those that don't (like myself), it's less about personality (though that's important, too) and more about skill, talent, and what somebody can do with $5 from a vending machine.

La Reyna: The Most Authentic Local Mexican Cuisine

On Saturday night, my friend and I ventured to La Reyna, a local grocery store and restaurant. Having eaten at many other Mexican restaurants throughout Iowa City, and being disappointed with almost all of them, I did not have high hopes for La Reyna. I was delightfully surprised.

The restaurant is located on Iowa City’s Southeast side on Keokuk Street, across the street from Pizza Hut and K-Mart. La Reyna is tucked away in a small store front. The grocery store and the restaurant are connected, separated only by a small entrance room. The restaurant itself is very small and cannot seat more than thirty people, which was to my liking.

When I arrived with my friend, the restaurant was crowded, and we had to wait for a table. The waiter, who we would later find out to be the owner, brought us a menu and we ordered a beer and relaxed comfortably outside the main dining room until a table was open. The restaurant offers a wide variety of Mexican beers, but that is the extent of their alcohol. No margaritas or tequila.

When my friend and I were shown to our table, entering the dining room revealed how small the restaurant really was. There are only about 12 tables, and the kitchen is not too far off the dining room. The waitress brought us chips and salsa, as well as another round of beer, and she suggested, being as it was our first time in the restaurant, that we try the guacamole. We gave in to her recommendation, and she told us it would be about 10 minutes while it was prepared. Inquiring as to why it would take so long, the waitress told us that all the food is prepared fresh each day, including the tortillas, guacamole, vegetables, and meat.

The guacamole was delicious. The freshness of the avocadoes, the tomatoes, and the onion went great with the salsa. Unlike other Mexican restaurants in Iowa City, the guacamole did not arrive at the restaurant in a large can, but, instead, it was prepared fresh to order, just as it should be.

The dinner menu is limited, but the available choices should suit any patron. After much deliberation, I ordered the Enchiladas. My friend ordered the Tampiquena, which was green peppers, tomatoes, onions, and melted cheese, served over a skirt-steak. The restaurant also offered fajitas, chiles, carne asada, tamales, tacos, and poblanas peppers. All of the entrees include rice and beans. The prices are very reasonable, my enchiladas were only $6.99, and a lot of food is provided.

When our food came to the table, I could see, and smell, the freshness and quality of the food. Unlike other Mexican restaurants, I could taste the freshness in the corn tortillas. The tortillas were also dipped in La Reyna’s special souce, and they were delicious. The chicken was marinated and was sautéed to perfection. The rice and beans were hot and they did not have a crust over the top of them, showing me that they were just prepared.

For dessert, we ordered the house special, Flan, which is kind of like Mexican custard. It was served with chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and a cherry, and it was a great end to the meal. Overall the service was wonderful. The owner came up to our table numerous times to make sure we approved of our meal. He told us that his wife, along with one other woman, cook all the food each night. We gave our compliments to the chef and told the man we would be back soon, and we definitely will.

A week of dinners on twelve bucks

There comes a time in everyone's college career when the demands of homework preclude one from engaging in such luxuries such as, say, leaving the house. Being that food is required to live, and money is tight for the average student, it is easy to find oneself in a position where fiscal responsibility allows for only the most basic of dishes in a diet. Whoever it was that invented Ramen has been laughing all the way to the bank thanks to this very principle.

However, one can only subsist on extruded rehydrated noodles and flavored salt for so many consecutive meals in a row before the stomach rebels, crying out for more variety. To that end, I offer one of my favorite four ingredient meals: Tater tot casserole.

I am convinced this particular meal was designed with the single man in mind. It's innovative combination of the staple bachelor ingredients of meat and potatoes allows for a maximum of both in every bite. It is large enough to feed an average appetite for almost a week. Not to mention, it can be prepared by anyone who ever graduated first grade with a remote concept of what it means to stack things.

You will need:

2 Lbs ground beef
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 Cup grated cheddar (or more if you feel like extra cheese)
2lbs of frozen tater tots
A 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan
Grease (the edible kind)

The preparation for this dish is so simple, I can give instructions monosyllabically as follows:

Grease pan. Spread meat in pan. Spread soup on meat. Spread cheese on soup. Spread tots on cheese.

Then stick it in a 350 degree oven with foil over it for an hour. Take it out, let it cool, and dig in. If you are cooking for one, you can make it last a week easily. Plus, you don't even have to dirty a plate, frisbee, or whatever it is you eat from; you can just dig straight into the pan you cooked it in.

Isn't single life grand?

Early St. Patrick's Day Meal

Everybody knows that St. Patrick's Day is next week, so why would I be writing a said holiday-themed post this week? Basically, it's because next week I'll be in Florida and I'm not sure if I'm going to know what day it is once I get there.

Anyway, I recently went to Mickey's Pub, 11 S. Dubuque St. in downtown Iowa City. The place is known for its great burgers, but they have an assortment of other tasty dishes as well. Check out the menu for yourself.

When I got there, I was fully expecting to order my favorite burger there: the bleu cheese and bacon burger. Then something else caught my eye. With St. Patrick's Day coming soon, I had been craving some corned beef, and the Reuben sandwich just sounded too good to pass up.

I was a little skeptical, since the price for the sandwich and fries was a little high at $8.99. But since Mickey's food had never let me down before, I went for it.

Like I said, the sandwich came with fries, as well as a pickle and a side of Thousand Island dressing. Upon its arrival, the sandwich looked a little small for the price, but there was a good amount of corned beef and sauerkraut packed onto the two little pieces of bread.

The sandwich was good. It wasn't great like Mickey's burgers, but it was good. I'm not so sure if it was $8.99 good. Being my frugal self, I'd like to see the price bumped down a couple of bucks. And even though I said the sandwich seemed kind of small, I ended up taking half of it home, but I attribute this to a partial hangover and a not-quite-ready stomach.

Overall, the meal was decent, but I must say, if you're going to Mickey's for the first time, get a burger. They've also got some pretty good deals on weekdays that make Mickey's a great lunch option.

Is it just me, or does that milk cost too much?

I was at Hy-Vee the other day, picking up some groceries, when I realized I'd had enough. Nearly $4 for a gallon of milk ? Give me a break. Something was going on. I decided I would no longer pay a small fortune on such essentials without knowing why.

It turns out I'm not merely one of those whiny old-timers who remember the days of $1/gallon gas and milk. In fact, prices are higher by all measurable accounts. The USDA has the most authoritative take on the topic.

After a bit of calculating, the USDA Economic Research Service estimated that food prices are to increase 3-4 percent this year. Compared to January 2007, beef costs are up 4.7 percent. Milk is up 17.7 percent from last year. Eggs have jumped 34.7 percent. Tomatoes are up 25.4 percent.

Isn't that absurd? I'm slightly distressed. Looks like egg frittatas are off the menu. As are deviled eggs. In fact, Easter in general is probably a no-go. No cascarones this year.

Yet thankfully, not all is bad news — ice cream is only up a mere 2.1 percent, and oranges are actually cheaper, 10.1 percent so. But still. No painted easter eggs stuffed with confetti, primed to crack on an unsuspecting friend's head?!? What kind of an Easter will this be?

The New York Times attributes the rising prices to ethanol, that conflicted Iowa babe. According to many critics, government-subsidized ethanol raises corn prices, which raises the prices of producing dairy and meat. And that, in turn, encourages farmers to edge other crops out of their fields to make way for corn. Hence pricey eggs and milk? Well, nobody said economics is simple.

All I know is that we folk in the Heartland are suffering. I guess I'll go eat an orange.

BBQ Showdown: Jimmy Jack's vs. The Pit

When it comes to barbecue in Iowa City, and I mean real barbecue (none of that Buffalo Wild Wings crap), the choices are few and far between. In fact, to my knowledge, there are only two: Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack and The Pit Smokehouse. Now it's time for them to duke it out.

In order to judge the two, I ordered the food by which all barbecue restaurants should be judged: ribs.

Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack:

First, I went to Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack, located at 1940 Lower Muscatine Dr. The menu doesn't offer a whole lot of choices. Click the link above to see it for yourself. If you go there, you better be in the mood for barbecue because that's all you have to choose from. They've got a variety of barbecue sandwiches with various meats (and even a portobello mushroom option), as well as ribs and chicken. They also offer some sides, including fries, a corn bread muffin, baked beans, coleslaw, chips, and a chocolate chip cookie for dessert.

A half-slab of ribs by itself costs 11.99, but a the half-slab dinner, which comes with corn bread and two additional sides cost $15.49. I got the dinner with the beans and the fries.

Let me just say this: Jimmy Jack's has some of the best ribs, fries, and cornbread I have ever had. I'm not one who enjoys rib whose meat falls right off the bone. I like them to stick a little bit, so that when you cut them, the meat doesn't slide off, leaving the bone completely bare. These ribs do just that. They're tender, juicy, incredibly meaty, and come off the bone only when you bite into them.

For the ribs, you have your choice of four different barbecue sauces: the regular, the 4-alarm, the cowboy, and the Carolina mustard. While they were all delicious, I have to say that the cowboy was my favorite. It's sweet and smoky and the perfect compliment to the meat, though the spicy 4-alarm is a close second.

Like I said, Jimmy Jack's also has some of the best fries and cornbread I've ever had. Everything they give you comes in huge portions. They give you a bunch of huge, steak cut, ultra fried and crispy fries. Oh, how I love crispy fries. They're a beautiful golden brown and as far as I'm concerned, no other fry can compete. The cornbread is great and huge as well. It's sweet and full of flavor.

The restaurant itself is spacious and clean. They even have a nice outdoor patio, though it backs up to Lower Muscatine Dr., it's still a nice place to eat in the non-winter months.

Basically, I love this place. Now I just had to see if The Pit could compete.

The Pit Smokehouse:

The Pit Smokehouse lies just outside of downtown Iowa City at 130 N. Dubuque St. It's a convenient spot, especially on those last weekend nights since The Pit is open until 3am Friday and Saturday. It's a smaller place with a difficult parking lot, but I wasn't too worried about that. I was there for the food.

The first thing I noticed was a noticeably larger menu. Here's both parts of the menu so you can see for yourself: Part 1, Part 2. They've got everything that Jimmy Jack's has, plus more desserts, salads, burgers, hot dogs, and a list of "Fried Goodies".

I was surprised to see that there are no combo-style dinner options. Every thing on menu is separate.

The half-slab is less than Jimmy Jack's, at $9.75. If I had wanted to match the Jimmy Jack's dinner, it would be another $2 for the fries, $1.75 for the beans, and $1.25 for the cornbread. That's $14.75, which is about $0.75 less than Jimmy Jack's. I opted for the half-slab with just fries and cornbread.

The ribs were less than spectacular. The top of the rib meat was dry and tough while the rest effortlessly slid right of the bone. So while some of the meat was dry, the rest was a little too slimy. There was very little middle ground between the two. They also lacked the meaty factor that Jimmy Jack's perfected so well. They were an overall disappointment.

There are only two sauce options: House and Spicy. The House is sweet and overall pretty good, while the Spicy is just the House with more pepper.

The fries are big and crinkle cut. I'm a fan of the crinkle cut, and these fries were pretty good. The portion of fries was big and hearty, but they weren't as good or unique as Jimmy Jack's.

The cornbread was good, but nothing special. It tasted fine, but could never live up to the standards set by my previous cornbread experience.

Conclusion:

Jimmy Jack's is the clear-cut winner. The food was simply outstanding. The ribs, the sides, and the sauces were some of the best I've had. And unless you're a really tightly wound penny pincher, you won't mind dishing out an additional $0.75 for better food and bigger portions.

I'm not saying I won't return to The Pit, just not for their barbecue. I would like to try a burger or hot dog, but that's for another blog. For now, just get to Jimmy Jack's get ready to have a full belly and a plate of leftovers.

Local Fish Fry

Going to a fish fry wasn't exactly on my agenda one Friday, but I had heard the fried cod was well worth it. Going into the Eagles Lodge, located at 225 Highway 1, I had certain negative expectations. For some reason the term "fish fry" had a negative connotation for me. The event seemed like a place where people of only a lower stature would go or like it could be a scene off of Drop Dead Gorgeous. However, my expectations were put to the test when I started eating delicious, fried goodies.

The fish fry at Eagles Lodge has taken place from 5-8pm every Friday since February 8th and will run until March 21st, running the entire Lent season. Though it might be a costly $10, it is all-you-can-eat and the food is like a gormet banquet dinner. With the long, plastic tables and all, the atmosphere is extremely casual. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are offered, along with service that is very kind.

The dinner includes fried cod, six-piece shrimp, fried potato wedges, coleslaw, mac 'n cheese, and plenty of chocolate. The fish and potatoes were lightly fried and lightly seasoned, creating just enough flavor. Though the mac 'n cheese didn't last too well as a soft food, the rest of the food was very tasty. And when I was told that the potatoes were out, there were fresh wedges before I could even finish my plate.

The atmosphere of the fish fry at Eagles Lodge wasn't necessarily where most students went for a Friday night, but I recommend trying it out. There is plenty of tasty food for multiple plates, there is a bar for your pleasure, and even though it's all-you-can-eat, the food is prepared just for you and they'll be sure to ask how the food tasted.

To get more information about Eagles Lodge and their fish fry, call: (319) 337-9505

In pursuit of the preferred pizza place

It is difficult to find a place to stand in commercially zoned areas of Iowa City, where one cannot throw a stone and hit about five different pizza joints. Being a college town, the market is indeed ripe for aspiring pizza restaurateurs, pizza being the cornerstone of the college food pyramid.

While a four year hitch at the university certainly offers enough time to sample the plethora of pizza kitchens in the area, many college students tend to find one or two favorites and return to them ad nauseum.

Being no different myself, the pizza place that draws me back again and again has been, and will likely continue to be, Sam's Pizza.

Sam's, at 441 S. Gilbert St, is in the center what could easily be termed the "Pizza district" of Iowa City, given that it is one of four pizza places in that particular block of Gilbert St. The restaurant was relocated in 2006 after its former locale one block to the north was torn down to build new apartments. Of interest is the fact that owner, Terry French, in constructing his new establishment, personally purchased and processed a grove of cherry trees for the wood paneling which covers much of the restaurant's interior. French's pride in his business comes through in the food. The calzones in particular are a terrifically filling meal for a reasonable price, at around seven dollars, and chances are good you will have leftovers.

Space-wise, Sam's is potentially the most spacious sports bar in the downtown area; you won't have to worry about cramming elbow to elbow like you might in certain ped mall establishments (Bo James, looking at you). It's great for a quick cheap lunch or for those who prefer a beer to coffee during an afternoon of studying.

Cowboys ate pizza, right?

During my time here at the University of Iowa, I've often wondered where I could find a good buffet that wasn't on the lower level of a dormitory. As a college student, an inexpensive place where you can stuff yourself silly is always nice.

Last year, I ventured out on my first quest to find such a place. My destination was the Peking Buffet, 93 2nd St. in Coralville. Everything was great about the place, that is, until I tried the food. The chicken on a stick was nice and bloody on the inside, and the vegetable egg roll almost made me vomit upon my first bite. This is quite a feat, considering that I like, or can at least tolerate, almost every food I've ever tried.

That experience deterred my buffet quest for about year. Last Saturday, I decided to suck it up and try another place. This time the Pizza Ranch, 1610 Sycamore St. at Sycamore Mall was my destination.

The hours for the restaurant are as follows:
Dine-In Hours
Sunday - Thursday - 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Friday & Saturday - 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Buffet Hours
Sunday - Saturday - Lunch Buffet - 11:00 am - 1:30 pm Evening Buffet - 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

We went for the evening buffet on Saturday. When we got there, we went to the register, paid our $9.00 per person, received our drink cups, and showed ourselves to the table of our choosing.

A word of advice for those "frugal" types: Since you choose your table and seat yourself, here's a way to save some cash. The only way they can tell that you paid for the buffet is by the drink cup. Just steal the cup, bring it when you come back in the future, and casually sit down at a table. Now I have not tried this, but I bet it would. Oh, and I guess I don't condone this or whatever.

Now back to the meal. The Sprite Zero appeared to be out of syrup. It was pure soda water, and that's gross. Luckily, the regular Sprite tasted just fine. Now it was time for the food.

It's not a huge buffet, but there are enough options. There were 8 kinds of pizza at the time, breadsticks, both fried and barbecued chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, chips, and a salad bar with potato salad, pudding, etc.

At a place called the Pizza Ranch, the main draw is probably the pizza. They had the standard varieties of pizza, such as pepperoni, sausage, mushroom, etc. There are also some less traditional pizzas, such as buffalo wing, taco, and cheeseburger. For the most part, the pizza is a disappointment. It's basically a frozen pizza with some fresh(?) ingredients thrown on it before baking. I wasn't expecting gourmet, but was still a letdown. The buffalo chicken pizza was probably the best tasting one that I tried. This is partly due to my love for hot wings, as well as the fact that it was one of the only pizzas that didn't taste like it came from the Hy-Vee frozen foods section.

The other food was pretty good. The plain fried chicken was a little slimy but tolerable. The barbecue fried chicken was actually pretty tasty, as were the mashed potatoes and gravy. Both were reminiscent of KFC, but better. The salad bar was decent. It's nothing to rave about, like the salad bar at Sweet Tomatoes, but nothing to complain about either.

Once during the meal a waitress came by offering slices of the apple dessert pizza. It's free, of course, and it's pretty good. The regular dessert pizza is available at the buffet line. It tastes like a danish. While they're both good, I wasn't interested in them, at least not with the rest of the meal.

Overall, I think $9.00 is a little pricey for what you get. I mean, if you want some crappy pizza, go for it. If I was craving pizza, I would rather get something from Falbo Brothers or Pagliai's. If I really unlimited chicken with some pizza on the side, then I might go back to the Pizza Ranch. I think I'll just wait until Iowa City gets a Cici's pizza buffet.

On to the Impromptu

Like most good things, it began with a whine. A steady flow of whine, rather: "I get soooo lonely there all by myself." "I am going to starve to death." "Fluoreeeeeescent lights." "The cardboardy pizza I bought tastes like cardboard." "Huuuuuuungry."

My roommate works in a computer lab, in one of those jobs that involves a lot of sitting in an empty room. She works over the dinner hour. You may not be aware, but to be starved and trapped in a fluorescent room is mighty unpleasant. So last Thursday, since I happened to have some wild salmon and asparagus lying around anyway, I stepped up to the challenge. Thus, the impromptu midwinter clandestine picnic was born.

The preparation was fairly simple — some blanching, a little baking, and a lot of stirring. The menu: Lemon-glazed salmon with a side of asparagus risotto. The ingredients were straightforward, thanks to the $3/pound wild salmon I had caught at Hy-Vee. The real challenge came in the logistics of transporting such a meal to a sequestered, window-less lab. In order to pull it off, my assistant and I had to synchronize the salmon and rice's cooking time, quickly pack it all up, and haul the whole shebang to the aforementioned lab. It was quite the feat.


Her face upon our arrival, though, validated the effort. That, and infusing the once-sterile environ with the mingling scents of butter, salmon, and white wine. It wasn't your traditional, ants-on-the-blanket affair, but for an icy night in February, we made do.

• I adapted a recipe from Epicurious for the risotto. I skipped the shitake, and when the rice was nearly cooked, I added a handful of frozen peas.

• For the salmon, I baked it at 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes. I brushed it with a glaze made of equal parts butter and lemon juice, and I threw some chopped dill on at the end.

• Lastly, if you are ever packing a post-ecliptal midwinter clandestine picnic, remember these essentials: 1) Go as elaborate as possible, 2) Don't forget extra forks in case passersby are tempted in by the aroma, and 3) Don't get caught

And now we compare: Chipotle v. Los Portales

How many Mexican style restaurants dot downtown Iowa City? Chipotle, Panchero's, Taco Bell, and the Saloon are just a few that immediately come to mind. A mile south of the Pentacrest, meanwhile, Los Portales, el Ranchero, and Carlos O'Kelly hover over Hwy. 1.

So how do you separate the good from the bad; the cheap from the pricey? In this blog we'll occasionally offer comparisons of restaurants, and this seems like a decent place to start.

Los Portales v. Chipotle

Los Portales, located at 1402 S. Gilbert St., has one of the best lunch specials in town. Their extensive menu includes an entire page of lunch specials available during the early afternoon hours; prices range anywhere between $3-6. Not only is the food better than the fast-food offerings of Chipotle, you get more bang for your buck, too. And for hungry--yet poor--college students, this is exactly what we have in mind.

A steak burrito at Chipotle costs $6.47, including tax. If you include a drink, that price climbs to nearly $8. Hungry for chips and salsa, too? Well, now it's time to pull out a Hamilton--this meal has struck double-digit prices.

The same meal at Los Portales costs about three dollars less. It includes a burrito, refried beans and rice, unlimited chips and salsa, and a drink. If you substitute a drink for water, the entire meal costs only $5.25 (before tip). If you're keeping track, that's more than a dollar less than one burrito at Chipotle.

It doesn't hurt to wander away from campus now and again. Sure, the food is convenient, but it's not always cheap. Iowa City has more to offer than bars and fast food restaurants. If you're willing to take a look, you might just find a better meal at a better price.

So you think you hate sushi.

I must admit I was skeptical about the idea of sushi the first time the words "raw fish" were uttered, but as one whose palate is always game for an adventurous new endeavor, I agreed to dinner at Formosa. The result was the discovery of an entire new previously unknown and unappreciated genre of lip-smacking tastes and textures that leave me thinking "That was too good to be legal" every time I eat there.

Not to overstate things.

I must also stipulate, for those who lack my swashbuckling taste buds, that I am married to one of you. My wife, a true Iowan, was raised on a steady diet of farm food, and is somewhat less inclined than me to jump at the chance to sample strange new dishes and cuisine combinations. As my partner in life (and a wonderfully accommodating one at that) however, she regularly gets dragged into my food adventures (or from her perspective, misadventures) the Willie Scott to my Indiana Jones, unwitting of the eyeball soup that may await her.

Formosa, to be sure, is not nearly as frightening to the picky eater's sensibilities as such dishes. After some scrutiny of the menu, the wife opted for the Scorpion Roll, which is made with crab meat and tempura flakes, and served with a mysterious red-orange tangy sauce which was so good, I am convinced someone must have sacrificed themselves just to get the recipe out of Japan. At six bucks for the roll, it is definitely a reasonable price. One roll would probably not fill you up, but each sushi roll can be ordered as an a la carte item, and most fall in the same price range. The maki dinner comes with two different rolls and miso soup for only $10. Most bars in the area won't thaw out a frozen hamburger for much less than that, and the myriad of flavors alone is worth the 1-2 bucks extra you might have to throw down. The atmosphere is laid back yet chic, and those who appreciate tasting the food as opposed to the Marlboros being smoked in the booth behind them will love that Formosa is non-smoking.

If you weren't already aware, the restaurant is located downtown at 201 S. Linn St, on the ground floor of that most prevalent of Iowa City skyline features, the Hotel Vetro. If you are a sushi amateur, I (and one of the waiters) recommend the California or Scorpion rolls. For those with more refined tastes go for the Black Samurai roll (it comes wrapped in a piece of pepper crusted seared salmon skin). If you still don't think you are capable of enjoying sushi, the Shabu Shabu comes with your choice of thinly sliced meats, served with various vegetables which you cook yourself in a bowl of boiling broth set into a range in the table. Enjoy!

The improper way to eat sushi:



Although, I always say, if it's good enough for Takeru Kobayashi, it's good enough for me. And even my wife agrees.