cafe rio. in english, cafe rio.

hoy, los hombres y yo decidamos a comer en la fabulosa y muy popular destino de almuerzo el CAFE RIO.

que mal un idea.

ok, it wasn't that bad of an idea, it was just, well, disappointing on a few levels. and the SIX of us all left feeling a little like, "was that really cafe rio we just came from?"

you know what to expect when you order at this ubiquitous cafeteria-style mex fest: fast talkers behind the counter, asking pinto or black, and even faster foil containers of burritos, tacos or salads shooting down the line for the staff to stuff. unfortunately, it can become loud, and sometimes can be confusing on both sides of the order bar.

to whit: friend gary was in front of me and ordered a veggie burro, and then i ordered a barbacoa pork burro. these bad boys flew efficiently through the line, into the warming oven and then to the salsa stop like a well-oiled assembly line. problem is i requested the burrito sans enchilada sauce. but that's how it was prepared. ok, i can live with that. (for the record, they did offer me free chips or dessert for the oversight.)

but my very meaty order showed up first in the line, which gary took to the table. did i mention my friend's vigilance to the art and science of vegetarianism? luckily after we both took small bites, we discovered the error, and after gary assured us all he wouldn't immediately blow chunks post digesting shredded pork, we resumed dining our proper plates. (hope the golden habanero sauce wasn't too much on that veggie burrito, buddy!)

but because of the mass quantity of enchilada sauce, my sweet and savory barbacoa flavor was muted and overpowered. and for the record, no one does barbacoa like the eatery with its namesake. while city weekly plaques and awards adorn cafe rio touting this style of burrito, i think it's a cheap knock-off of the barbacoa real. i digress. no qualms on the quality of food, but sometimes, smothered isn't always better.

overall, the food at this lunch stop to cafe rio was above average, and the ingredients fresh and satisfying. others in the crew, however, complained of soft, crumbly tacos, and the overpowering enchilada sauce previously mentioned.

on the plus side, i now have another frequent eater card to add to my collection at home. yay.

Man-up possibilities: 7 (burros are huge, salads are grande and it appeared the tacos were stuffed)
Food quality: 6.5
Fizz-o-meter of Coke: 8 (from GPaK)
Service: 6.5
Overall: 6.75-ish

Summer Solstice

With the official arrival of summer less than 36 hours away, it seemed appropriate that we venture to a burger joint to ring in the occasion. And since we were half-sized this week (only three GPaKers were present and/or able to dine today), we took Brady's new rig (an Acura RDX) and made our way to Squatters Pub and Brewery.

With our location and mode of transportation accounted for, we first had to get a rundown of all the cool features on Brady's new toy. It's safe to say, we'd never spent that much time sitting in a vehicle in the parking garage on purpose. To make the journey even more delightful, Brady punched in our destination into the fancy nav system, and off we went. The only disappointing part was that Brady still had to operate the vehicle. I'm pretty sure this car can do everything but drive itself, which Brady will take care of as soon as he writes a script.

The month of June has pretty much been filled with rainy days, so with temperatures in the mid-70s and the sky blue and nonthreatening, we opted to dine on the patio under a shade of yellow awnings. Wise decision. Upon arrival, the majority of tables outside finished up and we pretty much dined on our own.

I opted for the Squatters Bourbon Burger cooked medium well. The caramelized onion offering was too good to pass up, and it did not disappoint. Between the sweet onion taste, a slice of cheese and the burger itself, it's safe to say I haven't had a burger that didn't at some point need a splash of catsup. I enjoyed it so much I almost forgot about the delicious sweet potato fries that accompanied my burger. Again, no sauce was needed, leaving the food about as perfectly prepared as I've experienced. A cold glass of watery water (this means it's a solid glass of water) chased my feast, and I left happy and satisfied.

From the time we stepped out of the vehicle until the time we had burgers in front of us was a mere 20 minutes. This, along with prompt but not over attentiveness from our server, left me thinking there was little this meal didn't accomplish.

Upon returning to the vehicle for the short drive back to the office, Brady's vehicle rang (his Bluetooth enabled phone interrupted our radio noise), so we got to experience a live phone call — another cool feature to an ultra-cool car. The Acura salesman who was on the other end timed the call perfectly and concluded what was a fast, fun and feastful lunch.

Man-up possibilities: 10 (Burgers galore and we didn't even look at the dessert menu)
Food quality: 9
Service: 9
Fizz-o-meter of Coke: 8
Overall: 9.5

—SuperScrunch

Herbivores rejoice

Everyone gather 'round; we're going to take a little test. Please answer true or false to the following questions:

I sometimes prefer a bran muffin to a doughnut.
Feta cheese is tastier than mozzarella.
A chicken breast is sometimes better than a steak.
A salad can be a main course.
I enjoy whole-wheat tortillas.
Adding fish to a veggie burrito is "manning-up."
The granola I buy at the store has twigs and small pieces of bark mixed in.

The correct answer to all of these is, of course, false. If you, however answered true to even a single question, you'd probably have a great time at the Oasis Café, the GPaK Crew's latest Friday lunch destination.

I admit I did not love the Oasis, but it wasn't bad, by any stretch. Really, it is just not my kind of eating establishment. First off, I had a hard time finding something that appealed to me. I was stoked when I noticed that the Oasis served breakfast until 2:30 p.m. Then I actually read the rest of the menu. No waffles, bacon, sausage, buttermilk pancakes or hash browns. I have to admit that the German Pancake sounded promising and I must have mentioned it loudly because a nearby waitress quickly sucked the air out of that idea.

"We're out of the pancakes," she called. Figures.

Next, I got excited when I saw the "Roasted Beef Tower," only to realize after a moment that it read "Beet" and not "Beef." Why anyone would eat a single beet is beyond me, much less a tower of the scary purple vegetables. I finally settled on the safest-sounding entrée, the Oasis Gyro. Too bad the meat choices were chicken breast or Tempeh.

For those who don't already know, Tempeh is made from cooked and slightly fermented soybeans and formed into a patty, similar to a very firm veggie burger. Sounds tasty, eh!? I would have gone for the Tempeh of course, but I already had a steaming Tempeh log for breakfast, so I opted for the chicken.

As far as chicken gyros go, it was fine. The chicken seemed fresh and was seasoned with a mostly appealing tomato and spice rub. The tzatziki sauce (which is one of the few condiments that agrees with my cosmopolitan palate) tasted all yogurty and cucumbery, as it should. The pita was fluffy and warm. Aside from a garnish of lettuce and a handful of olives, that's what I got. It was $9.

Believe me, I've had plenty worse, but I came away less than satisfied. I even had to go grab a second Friday doughnut to take the edge off my lingering hunger. I'm pretty sure the foofier members of the GPaK enjoyed the place well enough.

I suppose the anti-meattites of the world need a watering hole of their own. The Oasis Café might just be the place.

Man-up possibilities: 1
Food quality: 7
Service: 9
Fizz-o-meter of Coke: 4 (courtesy of GPaK)
Overall: 5

Kickin'

Anytime a lunch starts with an "epic" parking job by Wingnut, you know it's going to be a great lunch.

And Moochies proved to be one the best Friday lunches in recent memory.

The moment we walked in, the five of us were greeted by a friendly "Buongiorno" from the Moochies employee at the counter.

The staff quickly took our orders, which were amazingly simple: Five of their famous Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches. And they didn't disappoint!

While Brady and I secured an open table outside, the other fellas grabbed the grub, which came out quick and hot. Good thing my truck comes with an optional towel for the daily spillage from my daughter! I was able to dry off our chairs to avoid the "wet butt experience."

While I focused my lens on my fellow GPaK crew, including new member Mark Reece (welcome aboard Big Red!), they sunk their chops into a mighty tasty sandwich.

Seriously, it has to be one of the best I've ever had. I manned-up with a side of "kickin' " potato salad, which had just the right amount of spicy factor and a very yummy, thick brownie that was perfectly soft, yet just the right level of crunch with chocolate chips buried inside.

We were rushed out of our leisurely lunch with a quick cloud burst, but it didn't dampen our spirits after a "kickin' " lunch.

Overall, I'd give the place a 9.0 for quality. Man-up potential is high at 9.5. A damn good place to add to the rotation.

— Wingnut

moochies moochers

wow. can i just say what an honor. although i kinda feel like the dude that gets put up on stage at his first 'rocky horror' experience. i digress.

so officially this is the second time hanging with the crew. i went as a guest to toasters a few back, and must say it was not not enjoyable, so it was a no-brainer when asked this morning if i was rolling today. having a rare overlap of staff at work, the choice was easy.

and good choice it was, this moochies place. it screams all good things one expects in small, quaint, dive-esque type eateries. loud colors. kitschy knick-knacks for sale. smells of beef and cheese. and a condiment cart!

upon entering the front door of this urban venue, cheerful staff and useful ordering instructions were welcoming. someone on the way to the joint said it was famous for meatballs (i guess it has meatballs in the actual name), but once i saw an old-school philly steak sandwich photo near the entrance...game over.

ordering was easy: went with the six-inch steak sandwich (as opposed to the mamut-sized footlong) with added fresh mushrooms and green peppers. seems like a decent lunch/deli menu (return visit will have to try the moochies dog). soda fountain had red creme soda. yay! outside, dining was indeed al fresco, and, as mentioned, timely with a brief summer squall coming down as we finished up.

the sandwich reminded me of my utah county youth grinding at the italian place on state in orem, but this meal had a little more bite and was very hearty. the beef was excellent, the cheese was gooey and the veggies indeed fresh. baguette bun was very good. along with the spicy whole pepperoncinis and mild sliced peppers, this sandwich hurt so good. washed down with the red cream and a share of really good brownie? forget about it. nappy-time factor of 10 imminent!

all in all, highly recommended. and a great place to pop the bloggin' cherry.

Man-up possibilities: 8.5
Food quality: 8.5
Overall: 8.5

Munchies for Moochies

I started my morning hungry and although a banana and our customary Friday donut took care of that early rumbling in the stomach, my appetite needed something solid today. Moochies to the rescue.

This well-talked about downtown eatery was recommended by Wingnut weeks ago and finally came to fruition and, as was mentioned by GPaK, turned into a picture perfect lunch.

The Philly Cheesesteak seemed like a no-brainer from the time I walked in the door and once everyone else had ordered, following suit was a simple task. I said no to the addition of mushrooms but the peppers were a nice addition to a messy meal. I, like my crew, went with the six incher and passed on turning my meal into a combo. That said, GPaK was kind enough to share his brownie. This thick treat, along with my usual cup of water water chased my sandwich to the tune of one fine meal and an economy busting $6.40!

Moochies (located at 232 East 800 South) is a fine establishment we should all be so lucky to visit. Converted from two houses, or so it would appear, the buildings are painted bright yellow and offer seating inside and out. We opted for the umbrella covered outdoor seating on a 70 degree day with threatening rain and finished our meal mere seconds before a brief could burst. Curbside parking (or parking karma) allowed for a quick getaway and the fastest meal of blog record. If you require handwashing before dining, be sure to check out the bathroom in the west building. Being a former home, the bathtub is piled with live soil and green plants — an interesting addition to a quirky but fun and tasty place.

Man-up possibilities... 10 (6 inch was filling, I can't imagine what a 12 inch would do to you)
Food quality... 9
Service...9
Overall...9.5

—SuperScrunch

Who needs arteries anyway?

Nothing like a good, old fashioned myocardial infarction-inducing lunch to make it worth coming to work on Friday.

Chuckles mentioned that we should try Moochie's several weeks ago (at the suggestion of his wife, Julie) and I've been angling to give it a whirl since then. The stars finally aligned today and four-fifths of the original GPaK, plus new recruit Mark Reece, piled into Wingnut's "Big Rig" to make the short journey.

When it was my turn to order, I was instantly impressed with the down-home friendly demeanor of the woman at the counter. I went for the six-inch cheesesteak and added grilled mushrooms. I was not disappointed. The sandwich was hot and the American cheese melted pleasantly over the steak, onions and mushrooms. I've never been to Philly, so I can't vouch for the meal's authenticity, but it satisfied my appetite just fine. In retrospect, I think I would have enjoyed just a little heat, so next time I'll add some peppers. All of the other guys went the pepper route and came away happy.

The man-up quotient here is off the charts. Now if they only let you add bacon on top of the cheesesteak. Hmm, might have to suggest that.

From the outside, Moochies looks like a couple of 1950's-style houses were smushed together and painted pastel yellow. Diners can choose to eat inside the funky little reception area or outside on what's basically one of the houses' front lawns. We ate at an umbrella-topped table while Chuckles creeped everyone out by taking multiple pictures of us while we ate, then proceeded to take shots of himself. I even recall getting cussed at because I wasn't posing the way I was told.

Man-up possibilities: 10 (this one's a no-brainer ... you could induce cardiac arrest with the footlong combo)
Food quality: 8
Overall: 9

— Brady

Manning up at Moochie's

As slow and frustrating as last week's lunch was, today's was just as fast and satisfying. In fact it was, I dare say, taste-o-riffic.

We took a quick trip to Moochie's Meatballs and More on a cool summer day, and we were not disappointed. I went expecting to get a meatball sandwich, but once I saw the description of the Philly cheesesteak, I changed my mind. And boy, am I glad I did. In addition to excellent meat and tasty, gooey cheese, mine had onions and, based upon my request, peppers. The result was a sloppy, messy, savory delight.

I also had the potato salad, which had a just-right consistency and a bit of a kick, and an excellent brownie for dessert. As for the Coke, it ranked perfect on the fizz-0-meter.

And the service really set Moochie's apart from last week's debacle at Su Casa. We walked up to the counter to a friendly welcome, ordered immediately and had our food within minutes. We were able to eat outside and finished just as a brief, torrential rain started to fall. Our entire trip, from leaving our desks to returning to work, took less than an hour, which was good for this busy day. But I'm also certain that, had it not been rainy and had we been so inclined, we could have enjoyed a much more leisurely lunch, too. I've posted this within an hour of our return, as an homage to the quick service, and again, in contrast with last week's experience.

All in all, it was a near-perfect Friday excursion for the GPaK, and I'm hoping we have many trips to Moochie's in our future.

Man-up possibilities: 10 (I didn't get it, but the 12-inch cheesesteak would feed a family of four for a week.)
Food quality: 9
Overall: 9

— GPaK

Su Casa, who's casa?

Don't be fooled by the name of this restaurant as it's anything but your house. At least my house. At my house when it's time to eat, we eat, and we get at it. Apparently at Su Casa, our restaurant of choice last Friday, we eat when the chef and server feel we've marinated long enough and successfully tied a pair of shoes together and slung them over the above power line.

Seriously, if it weren't for the tasty food and great low prices, this place would wind up on the cutting room floor and might never be seen by the likes of me or my fellow hombres. But as is the case with most dining outings, if we can leave satisfied, it generally means a solid outing and a likely return (with ample time on your hands, of course).

I too (as has been well documented in previous posts) went with the the daily lunch special (smothered burrito plus a bean tostada for $4.99) and added shredded beef for an extra $1.79. I chased it with my typically glass of water and left a small portion on the plate as it dutifully met my man-up possibilities. The chips and salsa are decent — definitely not the best on the block — but they act as a good buffer when waiting ample time for your meal.

Man-up possibilites... 8.5
Food Quality... 9
Service...3
Overall ... 6.75

Special note: Prior to our meal, Gmac and I discussed the urban legend revolving around tennis shoes slung over power lines (see photo above) and its true meaning. After extensive research (typing the phrase into google and clicking on the second link), I've come to the conclusion that it means poor service awaits you at the nearest restaurant (in our case, we failed to heed the warning and dined at Su Casa anyway). For more ubran legends, and an unconclusive reason behind this ritual you'll find across the country, you can read about it here.

—SuperScrunch

Su Case: Take Three (make that four)

Su Casa no es mi casa!

I figured I would write this review at the same speed I was served my lunch Friday afternoon ... SuperSlow!!! (no offense to SuperScrunch!)

Seriously, I've recently been painted as the curmudgeon who dislikes this blog. That is not true.

But truth be told, one of my biggest dislikes is slow, crappy service at what's usually a favorite eating establishment.

That said, the service during our visit to Su Casa (approximately 300 South 500 East) was about as sluggish as it could get. And the food really didn't make up for the disappointing service. My burrito's shredded beef was very tough. It took way too long to be waited on, even longer to get the food. And I never got my Diet Coke refill!

So when the bill came (and yes, they did split it up into five separate bills, which was nice) ... we didn't even think of letting our tortoise-of-a-waiter process the checks.

The crew was its usually funny self, which along with the beautiful weather was the only bright spot on the whole lunch!

Overall....6.5 on quality.
Man-up potential is 7.0.

Other than Gary, non of the GPak manned-up...kinda sad.

-cw

A leisurely lunch

Not sure what was going on at Slow Casa (© Greg Kratz 2009) for the latest GPaK Lunch, but the downtown Salt Lake City eatery did reach an all-time high in sloth-itude.

Even so, the food was customarily good. I decided on the the daily lunch special (smothered burrito plus a bean tostada for $4.99) and added shredded beef for an extra $1.79. My fellow diners followed suit like a bunch of lemmings and ordered the same thing, except Gary, our resident Corey Feldman (No. 128 on the Famous Vegetarians list ... http://www.happycow.net/famous_vegetarians.html). The special is plenty to eat, especially when you add the meat to the burrito, and I was full when it was time to leave (near dusk as I recall). As Greg mentioned, Gary put us all to shame on the man-up scale with his collosal burrito; it was bigger than Jonny's head.

We were a group of five and had to shoe-horn ourselves around a table made for four. It wasn't too bad, but large groups should probably look elsewhere unless you don't mind sitting at separate tables.

There must have been plenty of excellent one-liners flung about, but I can't recall any at the moment. It's possible that I slept through much of the meal.

Just how sluggish was the service? It was so slow that Greg actually wanted to get back to work. If that doesn't make Speedy Gonzalez roll over in his grave, I don't know what would.

Man-up possibilities: 8.5
Quality: 8
Service: 2
Overall: 6

— Brady