Showing posts with label casual. Show all posts
Showing posts with label casual. Show all posts

7.31.2013

Sweetly Divine Pastries & Sandwiches


About
1309 Main St. in Logan, UT - map it!
Sandwiched between Costa Vida and Shopko, Sweetly Divine is a hidden gem in Logan. The owner is Mark Grodkowski, a Polish chef who completed pastry school in Europe and served as a pastry chef at the Jackson Lake Lodge in Tetons National Park where he met his wife. He has sold his famous pastries to the restaurants and hotels along the Wasatch Front and finally opened Sweetly Divine in 2006 after visiting Logan and falling in love with the sweet, country feel. The owner is just as sweet as the desserts he makes, he is super friendly and obviously takes pride in his work! Dressed in his chef whites, he came over often and made sure that we were happy!



Menu - view menu!
Sweetly Divine offers sandwiches, soups, and salads, and numerous european and american pastries as well as his jalapeno jelly line that is available at a multitude of supermarkets and shops in Logan and Ogden. The sandwiches are pretty basic: Ham and Cheese, Pastrami, Turkey, Roast Beef, and Veggie. But they include interesting additions such as feta and a variety of jalapeno jelly. The jalapeno jelly is not something I would think to reach for when making a sandwich but it totally makes a delicious difference. The pastries are intricately prepared and they are to die for! They also have a variety of teas and hot drinks that you can prepare yourself with his Keurig machine.


Black Forest and Raspberry cupcakes. (I highly recommend the Black Forest! Best cupcake I've ever had.)
Price Range - $3 - 8
Everything is appropriately priced, especially when you remember that Mark graduated from pastry school in Europe. When you take a bit of anything he prepares, you know that you're not just tasting a dessert, you're tasting the years of culinary training he's received and the finesse he delivers in every creation. For just under ten dollars, you can get a sandwich + soup combo with a delicious pastry to top it all off.

As you can see, the Creme Brulee ramekins are bigger than soup bowls! Perfect for a date! Look at the cute swans!
We are obsessed with Jalapeno Jelly and think that this would make a great Thanksgiving turkey sauce!
Verdict - 5 stars
I do not have a huge sweet tooth, so I was pleasantly surprised by this pastry shoppe! The icing on the Black Forest cupcake had what I think was mascarpone because it tasted similar to tiramisu, not sticky sweet but delicate and mild. The cupcake itself was not dry or dense but just perfect! I was having withdrawals after just 5 minutes of finishing it! (I am kicking myself for not getting my wedding cupcakes made here!)
He also carries a variety of gluten-free pastas and flours that he makes himself.
Sweetly Divine on Urbanspoon

10.29.2012

Apple Spice Bakery



About
1545 N. Main St - map it!
Apple Spice Bakery & Cafe is a cute new restaurant in Logan. They have multiple other locations throughout the US and offer cafe-style seating, delivery, and box lunches. There are in a convenient location but be wary of eating in their outside seating area, as it could get quite loud due to traffic.


Menu - view menu!
They have a great variety of soups, sandwiches (including paninis), and salads, as well as baked goods such as dessert items or freshly-baked bread. There is something for everyone, which is great because it's a healthy and delicious alternative to having lunch at common fast food places around, like Taco Bell or McDonalds (hey- I love those too, but sometimes a girl craves something healthy!). Apple Spice Bakery has an incredible selection of sandwiches and salads, so every visit there is something to discover!

Granny Apple Turkey on Honey Wheat Bread with (half-eaten) Pasta Salad
Price Range - $5-9
The cheaper items in the $5 range are breakfast items, which they serve until 10:30am. Other than the lone Mac n Cheese or the Garden Salad options at $5.99, all other menu options fall in the $6.99-8.99 range. A little pricey for lunch, but you pay for the creative options and unique variety you wouldn't find much else of in Logan. They do offer free delivery which is a great deal!

Freshly sliced turkey, havarti cheese, crisp apples, and lettuce on gloriously mouth-watering bread.
Verdict - 4.5 stars
The food was great and the atmosphere inviting, my only complaint is that it was a bit pricey for portion sizes (which is rightly justified by the creativeness and rarity of menu items but we were still kinda hungry after). But all the menu items seem thoughtfully crafted and delicious! I would definitely come back here again even without the "Buy one menu item, get one free" option from our Cache Valley Club Card.

10.22.2012

Pecan Pie




Pecan Pies
Makes 3 pies

16 oz. pecans (Stone Mountain Pecan Company)
2 sticks margarine (Parkay)
16 oz. package light brown sugar (Domino or Dixie Crystals)
1 heaping tablespoon (serving tablespoon, not measuring spoon) self-rising flour (White Lily)
16 oz. bottle light corn syrup (Karo)
1 tablespoon (serving tablespoon, not measuring spoon) imitation vanilla
6 eggs
3 regular size (not deep dish) frozen pie crusts (Pet-Ritz)

Melt margarine in the microwave for about 2 minutes or until melted and set aside.
Prepare your pecans. Remove any unwanted brown pieces from the pecan crevices and shake out pecan crumbs in a colander.
Place brown sugar in a large bowl. Work out any lumps with the back of a spoon. If the brown sugar is too hard, you can loosen it up in the microwave. Heat it for a few seconds and it will be fine.
Add a heaping serving tablespoon of self-rising flour and stir until the flour disappears into the brown sugar.
Add a bottle of light corn syrup. Then add 1 serving tablespoon of vanilla and stir until thoroughly combined.
Add melted margarine. Fold carefully into the mixture so it doesn’t splatter. Fold until the margarine is thoroughly worked in and disappears.
In a separate bowl, crack open six eggs. Remove the “roosters” and loosely beat the eggs with your spoon.
Fold the eggs into the pie mixture until they disappear.
Add pecans and stir until completely coated.
Remove three pie shells from the freezer at this point and check for cracks. If you do have a crack, thaw and knead the crack together and refreeze.
Pour the mixture evenly into the three shells. You’ll probably have a little bit leftover in the bowl. Tap tops with a spoon to check consistency and make sure there is the same amount in each pie. Redistribute pecans if necessary to make equal.
Bake for 45 minutes to an hour at 350. Cook pies until they swell and then fall. At that point they are done.
Remove and cool for about three hours. Store on the counter or in the refrigerator depending on how you like your pie.

10.07.2012

Garlicky Cream of Broccoli Soup



Excellent for beginners, great for people who are on a time crunch to savor that lusciously rich, slow-cooked taste with only 15 minutes of work. Serves 2-4.

Ingredients:
1 cup small broccoli florets
2 cups chopped broccoli stalk and bigger florets
1/2 small onion, quartered - optional
4 giant cloves of garlic
1 pint half and half (or whole milk, but it's only 99 cents and well worth it!)
1 can (10 oz) condensed cream of celery soup
1 cup grated extra sharp cheddar (or really, any cheese)
salt and pepper to taste
a pinch of nutmeg (seriously)

To start, bring a well salted pot of water to a boil and toss in the 2 cups of roughly chopped broccoli, the chopped onion, and 2 cloves of garlic. Boil on high until the stalk pieces are fork tender and scoop out and blend in a food processor until smooth. Save 2 cups of the pot water and dump the rest.

In the same pot, mix the can of cream of celery and the carton of half and half. Add the blended vegetables and stir on medium heat. Mince (don't food processor it- no matter how tempted you are) the other two cloves of garlic and toss in. Add in the cheese and stir. As it bubbles away, periodically add the saved pot water to keep it from getting too thick. I used about a cup and saved the other cup to add when I boiled the soup again later for leftovers.

Remember to keep tasting as you stir so you can flavor it with salt and pepper accordingly. I did add quite a bit of salt and pepper, but I find broccoli usually requires more salt than most veggies do and I just plain old love pepper. Add the nutmeg and cover and let simmer on very low heat for however long you want. I let mine sit on low for 45 minutes since we were in no hurry and it was amazing. Serve with crusty sourdough bread!

Look Paula Deen, no butter! I love butter, but why add it when you can't even taste it in the end? This soup is plenty rich and flavorful without any. The nutmeg saves the soup from tasting too vegetable-y and gives it the right amount of fall spice. You can't taste the nutmeg too much, but it definitely makes a difference.

3.16.2012

Art City Trolley Restaurant

About
256 N Main St, Springville
Art City Trolley is a cute restaurant that opened in 1995 that features a real 1931 trolley built into the front of the restaurant that you can dine in (I definitely suggest it for spring-fall), and their menu boasts lots of delicious creations. Their baby back ribs won Zagat's Dining Guide's "Best BBQ in the State" and their salads (can you say huge portions?) won "Utah Valley's Best Choice" for salads. And you can get their famous salads as a catering option, as well as whole cakes (be prepared- they're giant) and cheesecakes, dressings, wing sauce, and salsa.

Menu
view menu!
The menu is sectioned off into Salads, Sandwiches, Burgers, Quesadillas, "Basket of Goods"(fried chicken and fish), and "Off the Grill," where you'll find the wings and ribs. And of course, appetizers and dessert. I've had the Oriental Express Salad and Trolley Chicken Sandwich (soo yummy, get the "Lip-Sweatin' Hot!" sauce- not too spicy but has a Wingers-like tangy-ness to it). Hubs has had the Fish and Chips and the Bleu Bacon Burger (he ordered it "Build Your Own" to get it cheaper and without tomatoes).

(for mouth-watering foodie goodness, right click on pictures and open in a new tab)
Bleu Cheese Burger (doesn't normally come with fry sauce but the hubs slathered it on before I took take a picture)

Trolley Chicken Sandwich with "Lip-Sweatin' Hot!" sauce

Trolley Chicken Sandwich

Bleu Cheese Burger (not real bleu cheese, but a bleu cheese sauce... still delicious)

Price Range - $7-14
The menu has good variation and is fairly priced for the generous portions and quality of ingredients. The chicken is juicy and seasoned well, never dry. And the cod for the fish and chips were fresh and flaky. The salads are enormous, so if you're not planning on sharing or taking it home to eat relatively soon, I'd order a half salad. The burgers are a bit bigger than your normal burger. So in summary, a little pricey for a casual lunch (or decently priced for dinner) but worth every penny for the quality and creativity.

Verdict - 4.5 stars
Hubs said this might be one of the best burgers he's ever had. The salads are a repeat favorite of mine and the mother-in-law. The chicken sandwiches are to die for (if you're a chicken sandwich fan, you have to try one here) and the fry sauce is one of the best in Utah. The service is awesome and attentive. This place is my favorite place to eat in Springville! A must-try for anyone.

2.07.2012

Cafe Sabor

About
600 W Center St - map it!
Cafe Sabor is a mix of American and Mexican, resulting in crave-able flavors and generous portions of satisfying Tex-Mex food. The complimentary homemade salsa is very addictive and you'll find yourself wanting to put it on everything. The restaurant itself is located in an old train station and is well lit and spacious as well as interesting.


Burrito Supreme - marinated meat, rice, and beans, covered with amazing sauce.
Menu
view menu!
The menu is vast; from spinach and artichoke dip and table-side guacamole to fish tacos and Baja chicken pasta, the menu encompasses hearty and healthy foods for every palate. They've got salads, burritos, pasta, seafood, quesadillas, fajitas, tacos, and chicken dishes.

Fajita Burrito - marinated meat, grilled onions, bell peppers, and zucchini, covered in red sauce.
plate size perspective by soda glass and free chips n salsa!


Price Range - $6-15
The pricing is very fair and the portions are generous. Chips and salsa are complimentary and our server always refilled when they got low. They have different specials for several days of the week, so call in advance or go check it out! And if you have a Utah State Brainy Joe card, Cafe Sabor offers a "Buy an entree, get a fried ice cream free" deal.

Verdict - 4 stars
The portions are well sized for day-later lunch or a big appetite, and the food is definitely soul-satisfying. Hubs and I sometimes crave Mexican-but-not-Mexican food, so this place hits the spot! Open til 10pm on weekdays, this place is nice to go to for those pesky late-but-not-too-late night cravings.

Cafe Sabor on Urbanspoon

12.09.2010

Stroganoff



About
Stroganoff is creamy and peppery and hearty - all of which soul food should be. We love this recipe, as it allows a lot of wiggle room for creativity and adjustments. Stroganoff would be good served with cut corn, green beans and cottage cheese, or a simple salad.

Recipe

  • 1/2 lb ground beef
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 c sour cream
  • 1/2 pkg of egg noodles
  • (1 small can of mushrooms, drained)
  • (1/4 of an onion, finely chopped)
  • (2 cloves of garlic, minced)
  • black pepper
Boil 6 cups of water in a medium sized pot (or fill it halfway). Add the egg noodles in and keep on medium-high heat until tender. Meanwhile brown the ground beef on medium-low heat. When noodles are done (about 8-10 min) drain and set aside.When the pink color of the meat is almost gone, add the onions and garlic and simmer until meat is thoroughly cooked through (10 min). Add in the can of mushroom soup, sour cream, and mushrooms (if you want them). Add in generous amounts of black pepper to taste (at least about 1/4 tsp). Stir until heated through and serve! 
(While the onion, garlic, and mushrooms are not necessary, we find that they improve the flavor of the stroganoff a lot, so if this isn't just a quick meal for you, I'd definitely use those if you have them.)


Price Range - $4.00
This is a serving for two without sides and maybe one plate left over, so I'd say it costs about $2/person to make, less with the more you make (the more you buy in bulk) of course. We both had 2 big plates each with another plate in leftovers, so with side dishes, you could stretch this to a 4-5 serving meal.

Verdict4.5 stars
We love stroganoff and love even more how easy this meal is to make. It takes 10 minutes and uses ingredients most people already have around. Hubby and I used to eat the Pastaroni kind until we realized how easy and painless it really was.

12.06.2010

Grandma Kelley's Waffles


About
Apparently Grandma Kelley is renowned for her cooking prowess: Grandma Kelley's this, Grandma Kelley's that. Her recipes don't do her cooking justice as she has that magic touch and it can never be replicated. I've always thought that grandmothers were excellent cooks and Grandma Kelley having 12 kids and who knows how many grandkids, I guess that makes her a super-grandma. Anyways, I found her recipe for waffles digging through Braden's parents' kitchen cupboards and wanted to try it out.

Recipe

  • 2 c all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 4 tsp baking powder
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 c milk
  • 7 tbsp oil
  • 1 tsp salt
Mix dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Place milk, eggs, and oil in a blender (don't really have to, just whisk furiously for a minute or two), then add to dry ingredients and bake in a preheated waffle iron. No greasing of the iron needed unless you wash it regularly (then just give it a quick spray of Pam or wipe it down with some veggie oil on a paper towel, getting into all the crevices). When the steam comes out the sides of the iron, it's almost ready, or bake until it's golden brown.


Price Range
Since it's from ingredients you should already have in the pantry, I'd say this cost nothing to make or if you really must know, probably around 2 or 3 dollars, if even. Makes around 10 waffles, or two batches and then some in a 4-square waffle iron.


Verdict - 4.5 stars
These were great! All the waffles we've previously made were just alright. These were fluffy, light, eggy, and delicious. And the best part? No buttermilk needed for that wonderful childhood reminiscent waffle flavor and texture. We had ours with lots of butter and Mrs Butterworth's syrup and homemade strawberry and Grandma Kelley's homemade pear jam. Of course the hubby had his with cinnamon peanut butter. We might get creative next time and add in chips of fresh strawberries or blueberries.


This is what we use in our kitchen.
We got it as a wedding gift and it's fantastic to have.
But any waffle iron should be good for this recipe.

11.29.2010

Korean BBQ & Market

About
111 S Main St - map it!
Korean BBQ & Market is located next to the Italian restaurant Gia's on Main St. It's a tiny, family owned spot that doubles as an asian market on one side and a small Korean restaurant on the other. Despite the BBQ in the name, there is no actual grill on any of the tables, common with most Korean BBQ places. Everything is cooked in the back and brought out to the front. Service is a little lacking, but do remember that it is a family owned joint with quite a language barrier so it's difficult for the owners, but they are super nice and appreciative of their customers and do what they can.
Jeyuk Bokkum. credits to google (sorry, I was super hungry! I will take my own photos next time)
Menu
view menu!
The menu is limited but carries the basics of Korean cuisine without being too intimidating for Logan, UT. It doesn't sacrifice it's authenticity (such as Americanizing dishes) and each dish has a homemade taste presented neatly. Each entree comes out with rice and a spread of 5 or 6 small side dishes meant to accompany the meal. The entrees are big, traditionally for a family style type serving. You can easily order another bowl of rice and share an entree with another person.
Kimbap. credits to google.
Price Range$6-$20
The price is a bit pricey, as with most Korean restaurants, but it is meant for family style meals (that means grab your friends/family and make it an event!). You'll find prices range from $7.95 to $19.95 an entree. Lunch is definitely the cheaper option if you're trying it out or don't want to share entrees. Hubby and I ordered two entrees and a side of Kimbap, a small snack, really, and it came out to $24. We were stuffed and couldn't finish our meals (and we were starving before we left the house!)
Soondooboo Jjigae. credits to google.
Verdict - 3.8 stars
Since I can make all the Korean staples at home (like Kalbi, Bulgogi, Kimchi Jjigae) we were in the mood for something authentic we couldn't make. Hubby had a Jeyuk Bokkum which is a dish consisting of spicy, marinated then fried pork with onions, bellpeppers, mushrooms (and some other veggies, I think I covered most of them) and I had the Soondooboo Jjigae, a spicy tofu stew popular in the winter seasons and an order of Kimbap, a kind of Korean sushi consisting of imitation crab, cucumber, yellow pickled radish/daikon, and carrots. The Jeyuk Bokkum was delicious and tasted homemade and the Kimbap tasted just like my mom and I make back home. The Soondooboo Jjigae was lacking in flavor, not as flavorful in depth as it should be and I definitely wouldn't order it again. Usually it is rich and has seafood and/or meat, but it only had tofu and mushrooms. The side dishes were delicious and the kimchi is good (you can usually judge a good korean restaurant by the kimchi). We had a good time and were satisfied, but not the best Korean I've had, but for Logan, it's alright. For your first time trying Korean, try the Kalbi, Bulgogi, Doejibulgogi, or the Jeyuk Bokkum.

Korean Bar B Que on Urbanspoon

10.29.2010

Pounders Hawaiian Island Grill



About
473 S. Main St - map it!
Pounders is a casual Hawaiian joint that is open Mon-Sat 11-9. They serve up the good old rice with meat combo. They range from chicken cooked in various ways to traditional Hawaiian Kalua Pork, smoky, slow cooked pork and Locomoco, a hamburger patty on white, sticky rice with two eggs and smothered in brown gravy.

Menu
view menu!
The menu is split in half by meats + sides entrees and Pounders Originals. The meats + sides are combos of your choices of one, two, or three meats ranging from Kalua Pork to Papalani Chicken (a must try!) and a side of macaroni salad and rice. They also have burgers and other meat-lover-heaven goodness. The food is hearty and comes in large portions. I love that they have a balanced menu filled with "safeties" and more intriguing traditional Hawaiian food.

Price Range
The price ranges from $4.95 to $24.99 (but that's for like, 5 people). Kids can eat there for $2.99. I would say it's a bit pricey for what it is, unless you're willing to bump it up and share. Extra meat comes in a heaping to-go box, so that is totally worth it. For a meal for two, you can expect somewhere around $20 with drinks. Single person, anywhere from $7 to $12 with drinks.

Verdict - 3 stars
Hubby went out on a Friday night to grab Pounders to go and waited an HOUR for one order. There were groups there that came after him that got their order before he did. That definitely dampened our mood. We had the Kahuna, (an order of 3 meats, a side of rice, and a side of macaroni salad) with a side order of extra meat and extra rice. The Kalua pork was pretty dry and bland compared to the ones I've eaten before and the macaroni salad tasted strongly of bulk macaroni salad, the one eerily similar to the one that we served at Honeybaked Ham, scooped out of a huge white bucket and very mayonnaise-y. The rice was disappointing because there were so much meat but a tiny scoop of rice (like literally 3 tablespoons of rice) so if you're ordering for one, definitely get an extra scoop of rice (even though it's super pricey at $1.50 for the amount they give you). The Papalani Chicken was definitely our favorite- so flavorful! They were sold out of Kalbi and gave us two Teriyaki Chickens instead of the Pounders Chicken we ordered alongside the Kalua pork. So with a screwed up order, an hour of standing around wait time, and two tiny scoops of rice with bland Kalua pork later, we give it 3 stars for the Papalani Chicken alone. We'll try Pounders again sometime after the initial shock wears off.
Pounders Hawaiian Island Grill on Urbanspoon

10.01.2010

Pupusaria El Salvador

About
95 E 1400 N Logan - map it!
Pupusaria El Salvador is located kitty corner next to 5 Star party supplies and where Tummi Yummi's used to be. It's a quaint little family-owned place that serves great pupusas and amazing tacos. The prices are great and it's a thoroughly delicious and satisfying meal. They have food deals going on Monday through Thursday (which you can check out in the side bar on the right).

Menu
The menu is limited but each entree is delicious and any Mexican food lover will find a new love once they've had it. They serve pupusas, carne asada plates, tacos, and more. Pupusas are basically a corn tortilla stuffed with cheese and sometimes refried beans or pork (I always get everything in it) melted and steaming hot to fill or eat with curtido, a spicy, vinegar based coleslaw (no mayo) that is highly addictive. There is something here for everyone. Also, if you've never had agua fresca (fruit juice), they have it here and you should definitely order it.

Price Range
The price range is very affordable. They have deals going on from Monday-Thursday but even if you're not going on one of those days, you should definitely go (it only saves you a couple bucks). It's satisfying, soul-food that will have you coming back for more a couple times a week. It's a cute little grandma cooking up authentic food in the back, and you can't slap a price on that! It's great for get-togethers, a quick family bite out, or a casual date. I'm not exactly sure, but it ranges from $1.50 or so per taco/pupusa to $10 a plate.

Verdict - 4.4 stars
The hubby and I adore this place. The food is immensely satisfying and I just can't get enough of that curtido (it's probably the best curtido I've had yet), paired with their spiciest sauce on a pupusa doesn't get much closer to happiness for me. The tacos there are small but loaded with savory steak meat and top La Tormenta's tacos by tenfold. The Carne Asada plate is of actual steak, not like La Tormenta's super thin, questionable-cut of meat. It's definitely a different craving than Mexican, it's a pupusa craving! The owners there are super super nice and casual. You go in, sit down wherever, and order! Once you're done (sad!) with your meal, you pay up front. It's not as well rounded as La Tormenta in menu, but it shines in the differences. Definitely go and try the pupusas, tacos, and carne asada (and order extra tortillas if needs be, they're amazing), you'll see us there on a regular basis!

Pupuseria El Salvador on Urbanspoon

9.23.2010

Wok On Wheels

About
123 E 1400 N - map it!
Wok On Wheels is located right next to the Little Caesars across from the mall. They've got an ad in the Aggies Coupon Book for a lunch special for $5.49 which included an entree, ham fried rice, egg roll, and a drink. A pretty good deal for any Chinese food lover. And they deliver for free with a $8 minimum order.


Menu
view menu!
They serve the basics you can find at any Americanized Chinese food place. Meat with veggies in a special sauce. Sweet and sour. Mongolian beef. Cache Valley's Tiny Spicy Chicken (I've been eating Chinese food all my life and I've never seen that one before). Everything is safe, there is more variety at mall food courts. If you have a favorite Americanized Chinese dish and don't care for anything hardcore Chinese, this will hit the spot.


Price Range
The price is decent for the amount of food you get for a lunch special. Everything is under $8 except for the family dinners. And a family dinner for two includes 2 entrees, egg rolls, fried won tons, ham fried rice, and fortunes cookies for $13.98, that can't be beat.

what beef with broccoli is supposed to look like
Verdict - 2 stars
I've eaten at this place once and never went back. I had Beef with Broccoli to-go and it was searing hot in one side and slightly cold on another- a sure sign of microwaving. The beef was sparse and mushy. It was a weird mushy where it felt like the beef just sat in water. Like fake, processed beef. The sauce that was on it was like duck sauce (that goopy red stuff meant for egg rolls). I asked the kid before I ordered it what it was and he said it was simply beef with broccoli in a sauce. Coming from an asian background that usually meant thinly sliced beef with pan fried broccoli in a dark teriyaki sauce with a bit of garlic. This had raw carrots in it, onions, bamboo shoots (which I love, but in this felt like a half hearted attempt to be Chinese), smushy broccoli caked in sauce, and of course that low quality beef. I tried eat the ham fried rice since I was so hungry but it was super bland- not fried and really dry. When I picked up a piece of ham for a closer look it had that grayish color and it smelled rancid. The ham in the ham fried rice had gone bad. That turned me way off and I will never go back there. This meal is so simple to make that I can't believe Wok on Wheels couldn't get it right. I probably should go back there one more time to make sure, but there is no excuse for rancid ham and microwaved food. Go to Panda Express, it delivers on quality and offers more authenticity. I love Panda Express and that will be my go-to Chinese in Cache Valley. Or I'll make it myself.

Wok On Wheels on Urbanspoon

9.16.2010

La Tormenta

About
105 E 1600 N - map it!
La Tormenta is located on the strip mall to the left the old Walmart (if you're facing Walmart). While the name provides entertainment in forms of wondering what the owners must have been thinking (plotting?) naming it the way they did, is it La Tormenta in the bathroom aftermath? Is it La Tormenta while waiting for the food? (We pompous English speakers crudely translate by taking off the a/o at the end). It's a dive-type of place, lacking decor and ambiance- but aren't those the best? No showy gimmicks, just honest to goodness soul food.


Menu
La Tormenta offers great, authentic Mexican at an honest price. I always go for the smothered burrito, and at $4.99 it comes with a side of rice and beans and a slow simmered beef burrito smothered in what has got to be the most cheese I've ever consumed in one sitting. But whereas that's enough to leave me a little over comfortably full, hubby always orders a couple of either the regular tacos or crispy tacos (not hard shell, actual fried tacos) alongside his burrito. You can probably tell we don't branch out of the smothered burrito, but why settle for less when we can order the best every time? They offer so much more, like stuffed peppers, the carne asada plate, fried fish, beef stew, and so much more. The quesadillas are lackluster, a simple tortilla filled with a white cheese and nothing else. it's teeny and at $2.49, definitely opt for the tacos instead ($1/ea for regular, $1.25 for crispy). All of the entrees come out with a cute mini condiments bar, a trio of salsa verde (which I slather on everything), grilled onions (it used to be pico de gallo but I actually prefer this more), and pickled jalapeƱos and carrots.

Price Range
The prices they have set for the more popular dishes have slowly gone up, but it's minuscule and they set them so low initially that it doesn't bother me. For a great meal for two coming in at around $10, I won't complain. It might not be romantic date material, but it satisfies like none other.


Verdict - 4.2 stars
While La Tormenta does not mean 'the torment' for us crude translators (it actually means 'storm'- brought to you by my lowly Spanish education), hubby and I love this place to bits and visit there at least once a week. It's so far one of the best Mexican in Cache Valley and it's taken the Logan college fooding scene by delicious brute force, nothing less we expect from La Tormenta. If you're looking for messy, satisfying, honest to goodness Mexican soul food, this is the place.

La Tormenta Restaurant on Urbanspoon