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!