Arby's French Dip & Swiss Review

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Published on Sunday, 02 March 2014 08:46

The Arby's French Dip & Swiss has been around for years.  Served on a nice hoagie-style bun and accompanied by a hot cup of au jus, this is a great alternative lunch choice for burger fans looking for an anti-burger.

Like the Reuben, the sandwich comes in a regular size and a version with double meat.  However, Arby's was promoting 33% more meat on the regular sandwich, so it makes you wonder how thin the sandwich was to begin with.

As you can see, the regular sandwich is meaty, cheesy and mouth-watering (thanks to the aforementioned au jus dip).  I had no trouble managing this sandwich as a base meal item.  It's neither too big nor too small.  I found it satisfying and tasty, the way I expect Arby's roast beef to taste.  I wonder if I could get the dip with any sandwich.  The Beef N' Cheddar would probably taste awesome with it.

Subway Pastrami Melt Review

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Published on Sunday, 23 February 2014 08:38

Sorry Jared, Subway seems bent on going outside of the healthy kick that made you famous.  Case in point, the crazy Fritos Chicken Enchilada Sandwich and the delectable Big Hot Pastrami Melt. 

Just like any other Subway sandwich, the Pastrami Melt is served up on your choice of bread and your choice of 6" or foot long.  The former will set you back about $5.50 while the latter $8.50.  Both are totally worth it.  The sandwich has a decent amount of quite flavorful pastrami with just the right amount of fat.  Loaded up on an Italian roll with the requisite mustard, Swiss cheese and pickles, and you have a fantastic lunch.

There it is, in all its meaty, fatty glory.  This is a specialty sandwich, for a limited time, which means your mileage may vary when seeking out the Hot Pastrami Melt at your local store.  But if you come across it, check it out.  It's well worth it.

Updated Menus for Ted's Hot Dogs and Subway

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Published on Tuesday, 18 February 2014 15:27

New fast food restaurant menus updated for Ted's Hot Dogs in NY and AZ and Subway.  I can't believe the Subway menu hadn't been updated since 2008 and was currently deactivated.  Yikes!

Krystal #3 Combo Review

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Published on Sunday, 16 February 2014 12:40

Krystal's slogan, interestingly not trademarked, is "Nothin Like It."  Truly, there is nothing like the taste of these little guys.  Comparing a Krystal that other mini-burger beginning with a W is unfair.  Both are unique and tasty snacks individually or, as shown here, a full meal when you order a handful.

The number three combo, upgraded to chili-cheese fries, is five Cheese Krystals and a drink.  This is quite a meal and I ended up combining Krystal's 4 & 5 into a double cheeseburger to save time.  Eating five mini burgers is somewhat time-consuming.

The Krystals themselves are tasty.  No ketchup here.  Just meat, cheese, onion, mustard and pickles on a soft bun.  The chili-cheese fries were about average.  Generous serving and kept warm in the nicely-shaped container.

The next time you're back east, try a Krystal.  There's truly nothin' like them.

New Restaurant Added - Which Wich

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Published on Sunday, 09 February 2014 15:59

Which Wich is a nationwide build-to-order sandwich chain with a customer experience one can only describe as "participatory."  Patrons enter the restaurant and first look at the overhead menu to determine which one of ten base sandwiches they want.  More on this in a minute.  Next, they pull the bag with the corresponding number out of the rack and mark on the bag the bread, toppings, and other attributes they want.

The ten bag categories (base sandwich types) are:

1. Turkey
2. Ham & Pork
3. Beef
4. Chicken
5. Seafood
6. Vegetarian
7. Italian
8. R&D (Special creations available for a limited time)
9. Classics (e.g. BLT, Gyro)
10. Breakfast

When you have finished, you write your name on the bottom of the bag and then go to the register to order.  The whole process is crazy for a first-timer, although I do see some advantages to the frequent diners who lose patience trying to explain special orders.

The sandwich I ordered was the Turkey, Ham and Bacon Club.  That's bag number 1, check the "Club" bubble.  It was accompanied by a standard bag of Doritos and a Coke product.

I found the sandwich to be tasty and satisfying.  Served in a long roll, the ingredients were all tucked snugly inside the soft bread and was exactly what you'd expect.  Sliced deli meats, mayo, etc. all in the proper proportions.

The restaurant I visited in Lake Mary,  FL was uncrowded, even though it was lunch hour.  The manager was proactive in helping newbies like me navigate the ordering process and the staff, overall, was friendly.

It's interesting to see how sandwich shops like this are springing up to counter the Subway juggernaut.  It helps that a sandwich franchise is probably one of the least expensive choices for a would-be restauranteur.  The low start-up costs in equipment and the strip-mall rent make this formula, perfected by the big "S", a winning one.  The first location opened in Dallas in 2003, and they began franchising in 2005.  In fact, "Franchise" is the first link you encounter on the Which Wich website.  With that in mind, watch for Which Wich's to appear near you and give them a try.

Del Taco Gift Card Giveaway

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Published on Saturday, 08 February 2014 10:03

Congratulations to Mary L. of Ft. Worth, TX; Don R. of Monument, CO; and Jason S. of Evansville, KY for winning the $5 Del Taco gift cards.  Jason will have to drive over 300 miles to find one, but being in a Del Taco city was not a requirement.

Thanks to all who entered.  We'll likely do more of these in the future.