Driving down South avenue the other day I spied a KFC restaurant (Kentucky Fried chicken) and a minute later I found myself in the drive through. Since I was there I decided to order something. It would have been a little awkward if when the drive through window employee asked, "May I help you," and I said, "No, just browsing right now!" Instead, I ordered a #10 which was two chicken filets, a biscuit, wedge fries, and a Pepsi. All for $6 dollars. I was told to pull around to the window.
After I paid my $6 dollars, I was told that the filets were not cooked and it would be 5-6 minutes. She told me to pull over and park on the right and they would bring it out. I noticed the time and it was 5:24pm. I pulled over. It started to rain. Perhaps a bad omen.
Six minutes passed and still no winner winner chicken dinner. Ten minutes passed and KFC became officially liars. Three minutes later the KFC employee was spotted, running my take out bag to me in the pouring rain.
For a brief moment I thought of being mean, with it raining hard and the girl outside my Jeep window holding my take out, perhaps I would pretend not to notice her. Make her wait on me. Instead, I unzipped the window and took my order and drove off.
The moral of this post is:
KFC lies to its customers. When they tell you it will only be a 5-6 minute wait, expect that time to be at least double.
You see, I am at a loss for rating this take out dinner. The chicken was good, the fries and roll hot and tasty, but the service was down right despicable.
The Grassy Knoll Institute scores 1 out of 5 shots and DOES NOT recommend KFC Drive through for lunch or dinner.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
Showing posts with label YTOWNR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label YTOWNR. Show all posts
1/19/2012
1/12/2012
Subway - Grilled Chicken Sandwich
I saw a Subway commercial the other day and it showed a very good-looking sandwich. It was called the Grilled Chicken foot long. It was only five dollars so I decided to have one for dinner.
The employee at the restaurant was pleasant and nice and began to make my sandwich. I asked for Italian bread and toasted please. I saw her cut the bread and proceed to place two thin white slabs of what I believed to be chicken on the bun. She then scooped out a ladle full of meatball sauce and spread it over the chicken. Into the microwave to toast it went.
* Cheese was $1 extra if wanted.
* Bacon was $1 extra if wanted.
* Any other meat add-on was $1 extra if wanted.
The sandwich was wrapped up and away I went. When I got it home, I unwrapped it, placed it on the counter and snapped this picture. It looked nothing like the television commercial sandwich. False advertising for sure.
But how did it taste?
Well, the Italian bread was OK. The meatball sauce was OK. The grilled chicken slabs were adequate. Of course the chicken was processed, not real chicken, but parts of the chicken. And that's it. Nothing else. Put it all together and you got a sandwich with no real taste, no real zing. However, the price of $5 dollars saved the sandwich from being a total loss.
The Grassy Knoll Institute scores 2 out of 5 shots and DOES NOT recommends Subway Grilled chicken sandwich for lunch or dinner. With so many other choices, this sandwich is a DOA.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
The employee at the restaurant was pleasant and nice and began to make my sandwich. I asked for Italian bread and toasted please. I saw her cut the bread and proceed to place two thin white slabs of what I believed to be chicken on the bun. She then scooped out a ladle full of meatball sauce and spread it over the chicken. Into the microwave to toast it went.
* Cheese was $1 extra if wanted.
* Bacon was $1 extra if wanted.
* Any other meat add-on was $1 extra if wanted.
The sandwich was wrapped up and away I went. When I got it home, I unwrapped it, placed it on the counter and snapped this picture. It looked nothing like the television commercial sandwich. False advertising for sure.
But how did it taste?
Well, the Italian bread was OK. The meatball sauce was OK. The grilled chicken slabs were adequate. Of course the chicken was processed, not real chicken, but parts of the chicken. And that's it. Nothing else. Put it all together and you got a sandwich with no real taste, no real zing. However, the price of $5 dollars saved the sandwich from being a total loss.
The Grassy Knoll Institute scores 2 out of 5 shots and DOES NOT recommends Subway Grilled chicken sandwich for lunch or dinner. With so many other choices, this sandwich is a DOA.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
1/03/2012
Vending Machine Cheese Curls
Vending Machine Action |
As cheese curls go, well, they were puffy and crunchy. They had fake cheese glued on them. And they are orange.
The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 1.25 out of 5 shots and does not recommend Vending Machine Cheese Curls for a snack. My advice, pack a lunch.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
12/30/2011
Youngstown - A&W Restaurant Last Meal
A&W Restaurant |
A&W was one of those old fashioned fast food restaurants. So old fashioned that they had car ports and waitresses would come out to your car and take your order and bring it out on a tray and attach it to your car window. Just like at Arnold's from the Happy Days television sitcom. The car ports are still there but alas, that type of service was discontinued a long time ago.
However, I remember back in my teens I would take my 68 Camaro to A&W and order up some cheeseburgers and root beer floats. The food was good as fast food goes, and the root beer was unique, a very good blend. Those were the days. But those days are gone my friends.
Patty and I went inside to order, it was not busy, perhaps 10 people sitting in the booths and two people ahead of us in line. We placed our order, I went with the double cheeseburger special. (A double cheeseburger and Root Beer for $3.49) I added a large order of french fries ($1.99) to complete my last meal at A&W.
Cheeseburger And Fries |
I had hope for the fries. Alas, they were simple standard generic fries. No real taste to them and salty as all hell. And for $1.99 I was expecting perhaps a little more fries.
A&W Root Beer |
That was strike three for me. Patty however, said the chili dog was excellent so we have that.
Perhaps the restaurant was merely unloading what was buried back in their freezer long ago. (They never did find Jimmy Hoffa's body you know) Perhaps they didn't want to change the CO2 tanks in the soft drink machine. Who knows. Who really cares anymore. The place will be open only another 24 hours or so.
With heavy heart, because I really wanted A&W to go out of business on a high note, The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 1 out of 5 shots for the final meal at A&W Family Restaurant in Boardman, Ohio.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
12/28/2011
Antone's - Chicken Parmesan
Antone's Chicken Parm |
Antone's Italian Restaurant, just off Western Reserve Road, has been around for many years. Many people know them for their famous "Fried Cheese" but they have much more to offer than that.
For some reason, the restaurant is never crowded when we dine. It is a small place, so perhaps it is better known as a quick take out service restaurant.
Anyway, we were seated quickly at a booth and our waitress asked for our drink orders. Diet pops all around. In a few minutes she returned with the drinks and asked if we were ready to order. We were. As you can see from above, I ordered the Chicken Parmesan and I added a meatball for luck. (Actually, the meatballs are very good and I had to have one) No famous fried cheese this time around for I usually do not finish the meals in front of me.
Our waitress returned with our meals in about 10 minutes and I was surprised at how much pasta and chicken was on the plate. Two pieces of breaded chicken, layered with cheese and sauce and a very generous portion of rigatoni with sauce. And of course topped off with the meatball.
The chicken was moist, tender, hot, and tasty. It was not greasy and the cheese was just enough, not overpowering, but a compliment to the chicken. The rigatoni was well cooked, and with the sauce atop they were very good. Of course the meatball was good.
The cost was about $11 dollars without tip or drink. A very fair deal for the amount of food on the plate. And no, I did not finish all the pasta.
The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 3.5 out of 5 shots and recommends Antone's Italian Restaurant for dinner.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
12/16/2011
C Staples - BBQ Chicken Dinner
Charlie Staples Chicken And Ribs |
The restaurant was crowded, must have been a party happening that evening. (Wink) I made my way to my table and was quickly approached by our waitress who asked us for our orders. Very nice waitress and very fast service. I commend them for such service on such a bust evening.
The dinner consisted of four pieces of chicken smothered in a tangy BBQ sauce, two pieces of bread, and french fries. I received a breast, leg, thigh, and wing. The breast was the main part, and was fair sized and meaty. All the pieces were well cooked. The BBQ sauce just tangy enough to let you know you were dining in a BBQ restaurant.
The fries were surprisingly good. Well cooked and crunchy enough. I left the white bread alone.
The cost was just under $10 dollars with a diet Coke which was very reasonable.
The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 3.5 out of 5 shots and recommends C Staples Restaurant for dinner.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
12/11/2011
Longhorn Steakhouse - Filet Mignon
Longhorn Steakhouse |
Salad |
Longhorn Rolls |
Loaded Potato Soup |
Filet Mignon |
The baked potato was well cooked. I hate when the potato is only halfway cooked and hard in the center. This one was hot and flavorful, with plenty of butter, melted cheese, and enough bacon covering the top to compliment the entire taste of the potato.
Strawberry Cheesecake |
Also a plus was that Longhorn offers Coke Zero. I see more and more restaurants are offering this most excellent diet soft drink. Zero calories but all the Coca-Cola taste.
The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 4.5 out of 5 shots and recommends Longhorn Steakhouse for dinner.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
11/02/2011
Hungry Howie's - Calzone
Hurry - Its Dying |
I used the flyer that was in my mailbox and called in my take out order. I ordered the above item, which by the menu is a sausage and cheese calzone.
Pickup was painless, the order was ready, and it was correct. When I got home, I unwrapped my dinner and found this. A big blob of soggy dough, cheese, sauce, and what appeared to be rabbit turds.
The taste was, well, terrible. A soggy mess of ingredients congealing wrapped up in a box. I cannot confirm if it was sausage or rabbit turds. Or cheese for that matter. However, the sauce was plain tomato paste, no spice whatsoever.
The Grassy Knoll Diner awards 1.25 shots out of 5 and does not recommend Hungry Howie's for lunch or dinner.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
10/20/2011
Taco Bell Taquito’s
Do they Even Make These Anymore |
Basically, it's a grilled soft taco shell wrapped with chicken wedges with melted cheese all for only 99 cents.
As far as fast food fare goes, the Taquito wasn't bad. It was hot, with enough chicken and cheese except at the end of the shell, which was empty.
The cost, at 99 cents, it was a good deal for a fast food pick me up type of meal.
Reluctantly, the Grassy Knoll Diner awards 2.5 out of 5 shots to Taco Bell Taquiot's and recommends them for late night dinner.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
10/17/2011
Pizza Joe's - Breakfast Pizza
A Breakfast Pizza |
As you can see, it is a traditional round pizza, 12 inch size, with regular crust. Instead of pizza sauce and traditional toppings, the breakfast pizza was topped with scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheese.
The pizza was in a traditional box (The word traditional was on sale today so I bought it in surplus) and cut in a traditional 8 slice. And of course the pizza was traditionally hot.
The crust was crunchy, not soggy, and the toppings well cooked. I was a little skeptical at first about the taste, but it was very good. It was like a breakfast omelette without the grease smell or taste or sogginess.
The cost was $8 which was a dollar a slice which was very reasonable. With McDonald's bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit costing around $2 dollars, the pizza was a bargain.
The Grassy Knoll Diner awards 4 out of 5 shots and recommends Pizza Joe's breakfast pizza.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
10/15/2011
Bob Evans - Bacon Omelette - Take Out
Got To Break A Few Eggs |
My order was a Bacon omelette ala carte. No hash browns, or toast, just the omelette.
The omelette was quite large, cooked well, with plenty of bacon sprinkled on the outside and plenty inside. It was topped with a light coating of cheese.
The take out container was a little above standard fare, a sturdy plastic container that didn't smash the food beyond recognition.
The omelette was hot, fresh, and with a little pepper for flavoring was very good tasting.
The Grassy Knoll Diner awards 4 out of 5 shots and recommends Bob Evans for breakfast.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
10/12/2011
Moore's Tavern - Cheeseburger Take Out
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10/04/2011
Bruno’s - Large Cheese Pizza
Bruno Brothers Large Cheese Pizza Southern Park Mall |
We called in advance for an 18 inch New York style cheese pizza. (New York style is thin crusted pizza) It was ready when we arrived. The pizza box was sturdy, not a flimsy grease seeping out of the bottom type of box. It was well cooked, hot, and the cheese plentiful. The crust was not soggy, nor burnt. And most importantly the pizza slices were cut all the way through. The cost was $17 dollars.
The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 3.25 out of 5 shots and recommends Bruno's Pizza for dinner.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
9/30/2011
Jimmy Johns - Turkey Bacon Cheese Sub
Jimmy Johns Subs Boardman Ohio |
There were five employee's inside behind the counter and they were all very pleasant. One asked us if we were ready to order.I ordered a turkey, cheese, and bacon sandwich. I asked if they toasted but they do not.
Jimmy Johns Turkey Cheese And Bacon Sandwich |
Bacon: Five full slices. Cold.
Cheese: Two thin slices of American cheese.
Turkey: Two thin slices of turkey breast.
Bread: The bun was home made, very fresh and good. Size was approximately 8 inches.
Not there: No fries are offered, only chips.
I will say the sandwich tasted good. Not great, not bad, but good. Perhaps if there were a couple more slices of turkey and cheese and the option to have it toasted, it would have been an outstanding sandwich.
The cost with a diet coke was just under $7 dollars. The table was clean, in fact, the entire restaurant was clean. That is always a plus.
Jimmy Johns Counter Service |
Anyway, a minute later, we over heard the gentleman behind the counter that took our order singing Roxanne. He accentuated "Roxanne" the same as I did. Patty and I looked over and smiled and laughed and he looked a tad embarrassed. He smiled and continued on his singing doing his job. A good time was had by all.
The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 3.25 out of 5 shots and recommends Jimmy John's subs for dinner.
P.S. We will return in the near future. Perhaps Iron Butterfly will be playing on the radio. In A Godda Da Vida Baby....
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
9/28/2011
Steak N Shake - Cheeseburger And Fries
Steak N Shake Double Cheeseburger |
I pulled in to the parking lot and found myself inside Steak N Shake. I took a seat at the counter and the waitress took my order almost immediately. Of course, I ordered the double cheeseburger and fries.
From my vantage point at the counter, I watched the grill boy take two balls of hamburger and slap it on the grill. Using his spatula he smashed them into very thin patties. A couple minutes later he flipped them over and placed a slice of cheese on top of each patty. It looked just as Ritzys and Wheelers burgers looked. A minute later, my fries were being shuffled into a cardboard box and my burger was being wrapped in a paper sack. (A good omen indeed) I paid the cashier, cost was just under $6 dollars which included a drink and drove home.
The cheeseburger was hot, well cooked, the bun fresh and not soggy, and the cheese melted. The taste was one of the best fast food burgers on the market today. They call it a steak burger, but they are all hamburger meat. The burger was juicy and tasted very good. The show string fries were plentiful, more than i anticipated, well cooked, a little salty, but very good tasting. This meal brought back memories of the old Mister Wheelers restaurant from so long ago.
The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 4 out of 5 shots and recommends Steak N Shake double cheeseburger for lunch and dinner.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
9/22/2011
Belleria Restaurant - Fried Haddock Dinner
Belleria Italian Bread |
A Little Sparse Salad |
Cheese Logs |
Belleria Fried Haddock Dinner |
The price was reasonable, around $10 dollars for the dinner. The cheese sticks were around $4.50 which wasn't bad, except for to less of sauce. Soft drink added and this could all be yours for around $16 dollars not including tip.
The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 3.75 out of 5 shots and recommends Belleria's Fried Haddock Dinner for dinner.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
9/20/2011
Scarsella's Italian Restaurant - Fried Cod Dinner
Scarsella Restaurant Italian Bread |
Scarcella’s has the feel of an authentic Italian restaurant. The seating is sparse but just enough. We were seated right away and bread and butter were brought right out. The bread was Italian of course and was fresh and tasted good.
A salad comes With every dinner at Scarsella’s. It is standard fare, a little cheese, lettuce, carrots, tomato. It was good.
As an appetizer, I ordered Scarsella’s fried cheese with sauce. In the Youngstown area, all fried cheese is compared to the original Antone’s restaurant fried cheese. Scarsella’s fried cheese holds its own as the taste was very good, the portion adequate, and the sauce zesty and plentiful.
Fried Cod And Shell Dinner To the main course. In less than 15 minutes, our fish dinners were delivered to our table. The order was fried cod with a side of shells and sauce. The breading was well cooked and crunchy, not soggy like many other fish dinners. The cod was fresh and not greasy. The shells well cooked and plentiful with the same zesty sauce from the fried cheese.
The cost without tip was right around $10 dollars which was a fair deal considering the portion size and quality cooking.
Scarsella's Restaurant Youngstown Ohio Salad |
Youngstown Scarsellas Home Made Fried Cheese |
Youngstown Scarsellas Fried Fish Dinner |
The cost without tip was right around $10 dollars which was a fair deal considering the portion size and quality cooking.
The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 3.5 out of 5 shots and recommends Scarsella’s Italian Restaurant for dinner. Especially during Lent.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
7/24/2011
Bob Evans Bacon Cheeseburger
Bob Evans Take Out Cheeseburger |
The service was great, the waitress kind, fast, and courteous and my cheeseburger was brought out right on time. Did I mention it was take out?
So I get home and unwrap my bacon cheeseburger with fries. The burger was hot, there was bacon, and cheese, and the burger was a half pound of beef. Then I picked it up.
The bun was soggy. Not a little, but if it were a sponge, you could wring it out. Inspecting the bacon, there were two slices, and it was half cooked at best. The cheese was melted and the burger well cooked. However, upon first bite, my expectations were quashed.
I wouldn't say the taste was horrendous, but it wasn't good at all. If you ever held a hockey puck, this had the same texture, hard, round, and tasteless. Even adding fries to the top of the burger couldn't help mask the taste. Perhaps the fries would assist in this meal.
Bob Evans Fries |
The take out order was packed in a white xardboard box and the burger was inside and wrapped in a foil wrapper. The fries was strewn on the bottom.
The Grassy Knoll Institute scores 2 out of 5 shots and does not recommend Bob Evans cheeseburger for dinner.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
7/09/2011
Perhaps The Worlds Best Cheeseburger
Steamers Stonewall Tavern Menu |
Steamers Rolls |
Steamers Loaded Potato Skins |
Perhaps The Best Cheeseburger |
Ever since I was a little kid, and we’re talking 45 years ago, I have been adding french fries to my hamburgers. (Some people know this as the Big Pittsburgh) Let it be McDonalds, Burger King, Mr. Wheelers, Burger Chef, Eddie’s Grill, Old Firehouse Winery, etc, etc. French fries complete the burger ensemble. I suggest you try this concoction on your next burger, it will be worth it. I guarantee it.
Like I was saying, this cheeseburger was the perfect storm. The taste was excellent, hot juicy, the fries doing their job combining with the bun and meat to add that extra flavor to put it over the top. The cost was $8.25 for the burger, $6.00 for the loaded potatoes, $2.00 for the side of fries, $2.00 for the diet Pepsi. $18.25 without tip.
After this entry, I must now re-evaluate the top burger choices in the near future. I will keep you posted.
The Grassy Knoll Institute scores 5 out of 5 shots and recommends the Steamers Cheeseburger for dinner.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
6/14/2011
Uptown Pizza Chicken Wings
Uptown Pizza Chicken Wings |
Waiting at the counter I saw something move on the ceiling. Don't panic, it wasn't bugs or snakes, but water. It was raining outside and now it was raining inside. Not just a drop or two, but the flow would fill a bucket in a few minutes. (If there was a bucket) I carefully moved my pizza away from the rain that was dropping on the counter. Nothing worth than a wet pizza.
My wings were finished and the employee rang up (Not wrung out) my pizza order and I was on my way.
As stated before, the pizza was well cooked, and dry. No rain. Sauce and cheese plentiful. Still a little greasy. The wings well cooked and crunchy batter. Good tasting. A little pricey but hey what pizza shop boasts an indoor waterfall.
The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 3 out of 5 shots and recommends Uptown Pizza for dinner. Just bring your raincoat.
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