Taco Wagon #2, Tacos La Pasadilta, Ontario, Oregon

There is no shortage of Mexican food in Ontario, Oregon. That's good.

This taco wagon is on the far west side of town, on SW 4th, the main drag. It showed up a few months ago and looks pretty well established now.

After my recent experience at another wagon, whose food was ok, (i think), but the flies were unbelievable, I threw caution to the wind and stopped here: Tacos La Pasadita

While sitting on the curb, waiting for my taco asada order,  (they didn't have any grilled chicken pollo tacos), the kind proprietor generously handed me a chicken leg right off the bbq grille. In broken gringo English he said that tomorrow that a chicken, guacamole, rice & beans would be the dinner special.  This was good but super hot (temp) and burned a few taste buds off my tongue.

Well, the short wait was worth it and I admit, you cant always judge a taco wagon by its cover.
Nice touches with the sliced radish, 1/2 grilled onion and guacamole.  Dinner for 2, Rated B+

Taco Wagon #1, Tacos Dos Hermanios, Ontario, Oregon

Not for the weak of stomach is the street corner taco wagon. Welcome to SW 4th Ave & SW 3rd St in Ontario, Oregon. I have seen this taco wagon for several years. TACOS DOS HERMANOS. At times it even appears busy with customers.

I honestly have never worked up the courage to eat there. Ever. Until yesterday. Late lunch time about 2:30 I surveyed the site, no one else there. I parked and tiptoed up, a friendly gal greeted me with a stare and suddenly I wish I knew how to speak spanish for all the sun faded signs all told me I should have paid more attention in High School spanish class. I didn't.

The menu seemed to emphasize tacos and some variations of tacos, and hey the bus signs says TACOS DOS HERMANOS so, I get it, I order tacos.  Some beef and some chicken. A man working inside the wagon is constantly banging on the grill inside with his metal flippers. He is chopping up the meat as it cooks on the griddle. Constantly chopping. The flies are everywhere, inside and out. A mecca of flies surrounding this wagon. Why is there that chopping sound?  Could the guy inside be chopping up any fly that lands on the cooking meat to incorporate the secret flavor? Oh my, maybe I should have walked away before I was actually served. Those flies, lots and lots of flies. That chopping, lots and lots of chopping.

My food finally comes out, uh, will I have the nerve to eat it? Did they serve me chopped fly tacos........oh the pressure. 

There is a happy ending to this story. I never saw any flies in my tacos, at least while my eyes were closed.

I am also happy to report no midnight barfing or any intestinal issues. I guess they were good.

I'll stick with Number 1 China Buffet next time.

Sorry Brewsky's Ontario, OR.

Alot of hype surrounds a sports bar type place in Ontario, called Brewsky's Boiler.



I was invited to check it out by a semi-local who said this is a great place and frankly most of the reviews I have read back that up. But I guess in Ontario, the critics are weak.

My dinner, which I will admit right up front was FREE, (dinner picked up by a buddy), still was marginally suckey. Chicken ranchero, with a baked potato, and texas style toast. Chicken was cooked to a dry death, potato was cold and I returned my plate to the kitchen for a re-do.

My friends 12 oz steak of some sort, was well received by him, but he'll eat anything.

My verdict, go sit in the bar and drink. The food will taste better.

Old fashion b-fast. Ontario, OR.

I've decided the food at the Holiday Inn Express in Ontario, Oregon is cutting the mustard anymore. (read, it sucks). But the friendly front desk guy answered my question where would you go for a good homecooked meal with; try the Plaza Inn. I did. He was right. Homemade breads, old fashion waitresses and a generally geriatric crowd. Food & service was very good.

I had a Spanish omlette.

Homemade Cinnamon Apple toast

Thai Cuisine - Boise Idaho

We were on our way to my favorite Thai joint, Chiang Mai House when we happened upon this establishment.  Happy we did!

Thank God the sign said Genuine Thai food, imitation Thai is such a drag.

Dinner started with Fresh Rolls of course.



Red Curry with chicken

Seafood Curry

The food was good, oddly they dont offer pork for a meat choice in the curries. The Fresh Rolls very nice.

Four Stars!

Dinner at the Meat Hook Steak House

The menu has been adjusted athe the Meat hook.
Lots of additgional choices, spread throughout the price range. Thats something that needed to happen for some time.
Tonights flare:
Standard Basic 1/2 lb burger for me and side salad for me.

Steak sandwich for her, asked for medium rare, ended up with no pink, pretty well done. Also this sandwich has way too much bread. Home made, but way too much.
Potato wedges or chips. Next time chips, wedges not memorable.

My burger: perfect, juicy, flavorful and filling. Check out the remains on my hand.

I hold fast on my Best burger in town, but the steak sandwich needs work.

My mustache smells smokey

Meat on the smoker today.  Move over vegans......
Secret weapon: Slow & Low.
Hickory chips and the secret rub.

Sagebrush Saloon & BBQ, Vale, Oregon

Arguably the best burger in Vale,  Oregon.  The folks working here are a kick. Nicely done Sagebrush Saloon.  Here is my green chili, peperjack burger and toss in some unrequested bacon, just cause. On the recommended list. A+

Gandolfo's - Ontario, Oregon

Who better than a Helitack crew knows the good eating joints?  Vale's helicopter manager, Pete, said this is a great sandwich when in Ontario. I never heard of the place before. Too bad for me. Here is lunch one day.  This is a King of Queens, oh ya.  Pastrami, Swiss, tomato, cole slaw, Russian dressing.

Later in the week, a New York Liberty and a Knuckle sandwich. Eat on!

National Jelly Bean Day

Ah,  the simple pleasures in life. Go  out and celebrate.

An Olive in the Garden

Had a great experience yesterday in Bend, Oregon as we were deciding on where to eat lunch. Deb suggested the Olive Garden and since we were headed to Home Depot anyway it made good sense.



The parking lot was pretty busy as we expected at about 12:30, but in we went. You have to wait to be seated and as I was straining for a look at the daily lunch special board, a gentleman grabbed a couple menus and sat us in the last of 3-4 large rooms, saying it was alot less hectic in there. I thought, oh-boy, we will never see a server.

Our server, Jerry, immediately took up a extended conversation after I inquired further about the menu and soups that were available today.  We quickly settled on unlimited soup & salad, likely one of the main attractions at Olive Garden. Jerry went thru the soup list and assured me that the Zuppa Toscana, with potato, sausage & kale was the best of the best, slightly spicy with red chili flakes and guaranteed if I didn't like it he would buy it. He also said the next best soup was the Chicken & Gnocchi, (like a dumpling). I had that as my second bowl.

Deb picked Minestrone first and the Zuppa second. Did I mention it came with salad which was also unlimited and bread sticks. Jerry continued to spend alot of time chatting with us, shooting the breeze about Burns/Hines, Olive Garden and the food scene in general in Bend. He brought us some Marinara & Alfredo sauce for our breadsticks, (like who needs more of an excuse to eat another handful of those wonderful yeast & flour concoctions). The food was YUMMY!

Turns out Jerry Michaelson, (not related to Ingrid, that I know of), is the General Manager of this Olive Garden and he takes on a table every once in awhile to show his staff, (he says he has 140 employees), he has what it takes and he likes to lead by example. All of the well dressed (ties!) employees on this day seemed happy, engaged with their customers and very courteous.

Oh another famous Olive Garden touch is the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, pretty much applied to anything delivered to my table.

For $7.99, a nicely priced and enjoyable dining experience. Oh, Jerry picked up the tab for our lunch. He likes to engage with the customers. I hope he shared the $20 tip with his staff.

Jay Leno loves to bash Olive Garden during his monologue. I dont get it. It's one of his most popular targets. Obviously, he hasnt been in Jerry's place.

Cleanliness: A

Service:  A

Bathrooms: A

Food:  A

Dining experience: tops!

It's voodoo I say

Oh, this is a bad sign, a really bad sign.........say it aint so.

Its got to be a voodoo curse!

Asian night

Asian Marinated Pork Chops with Sesame & Peanut Noodles.
Made with enthusiasm in my kitchen.

Life is good!

Look what I just learned today, whoopie!

A Discount For AARP Members. Just show your valid AARP membership card when you purchase a Large or Extra Large Hot Coffee and get a FREE Donut!

Dateline: Eugene Oregon

There is a Federal Courthouse in Eugene, Oregon. No, I'm not wearing handcuffs. I'm there to present some info on a criminal case.

Evening one: Sweet Basil Thai, best Thai in Eugene and farther. Super fine presentation and so tasty. It's such a bummer that it is so dark in the dining area. I should have brought a spotlight.



Avocado Shrimp Curry




Pork with house special curry



Wild dish of the night, crispy trout

Lunch two:

The Jail, around the block from the Courthouse, this place was a dive, but quick good nice & spicy oriental style.




Order by the number on the poster on the wall.



I had a #9 Spicy Shrimp & Beef Yakisoba noodle

The lady at the register had this young child strapped on. Swinging left & right, during the lunch rush, the kid was getting a wild ride!

Snack time:

My daughter said head for Voodoo donuts.  Too hip for me, but we spotted this outfit claiming hot donuts at about 9 pm. 
Small world. The kid working the counter at Dizzy Deans Donuts has a dad who is the postmaster at Burns Post Office.

Dizzy Deans hot donuts

Debs favorite, egg crueler

Anyone can make a bacon maple bar. No I didnt try them.

Breakfast day 3:

Googled breakfast looking for the Best in Eugene.

Glenwood, Eugene Campus location

Sierra Madre Omelet, green chilies, jack & cheddar, olives, mushrooms sour cream & salsa.

Mushroom and Cheese with red potato

Doing my part, helping the economy

Hostess, has filed for bankruptcy protection two times in less than three years. Who wants to see an Amercian icon fail? Do your part to keep the American dream alive in the Hostess kitchen. I am.
Developed in 1919, hostess cupcakes is Americas best selling snack cake, followed by Twinkies, created in 1930 and Sno Balls in 1947.
Any questions?

Best dinner of the week. Move over Johnny Carinos.

Tonights dinner moves up to the weekly top yum-yum dish, so says Deb. Chicken Marsala and grilled asparagus. Oh my, thats a lick in the center of the plate. Sorry to see it disappeaar. I'll do this one again.

Salsa Grille, Fruitland, ID



 The Salsa Grille came highly recommended from the gas pump jockey at the Shell Station in Ontario, Oregon. Who'd a thought that kind advise would roll? This place has some of the best homemade chips around, and the salsa was pretty good. The menu had some really unique interesting dishes like mine:

Bistek Mexicana. Top Sirloin, green peppers, diced tomatos, onions, in a Mexican tomato salsa. A little spicy, very yummy.

Deb had:


Musketeer Platter. Pollo Asada, Carne Asada, Camarones Especiales, (bacon wrapped shrimp)

Mine was better than hers, but the garlic butter bacon wrapped shrimp were awesome.