Strip Mall Sushi In Santa Ana At Sushi Ichi

Posted on December 06, 2011 12:38 PM
Tags : Santa Ana | Sushi

             

Driving by in the area and in the mood for sushi, I opened up the handy Yelp app on my iPhone and ended up at Sushi Ichi, located in the middle of a small strip mall.

It might not look great from the outside, and well actually it doesn't look much better on the inside, but the man inside, who I think was the cashier and the chef, seemed very kind and inviting. This place is small, really small. There are only a few tables looks more like a pizza by the slice place.

It took a while to decide what to order. There is a menu above the counter but if you want sushi, look to the right to find photos of sushi rolls. My eyes kept wandering back and forth until I decided on a combination of two items.

The combo I ordered was the Teriyaki Chicken and Spicy Tuna with Rice and Salad ($6.95). When the food arrives, you first notice how this place is different. This is the first sushi place that I have ever been to that served food on styrofoam plates. This might turn a lot of people off. To me, not a big deal. I will eat anything.

The Spicy Tuna Sushi, while not even close to great, was decent for the price but it seemed to be thrown together a little quick. I never expect much from spicy tuna.

Spicy Tuna Roll - Sushi Ichi

The Teriyaki Chicken was a little of a disappointment. Parts of it tasted alright, but some of it was dry and overcooked. The teriyaki sauce was good, although salty.

Teriyaki Chicekn - Sushi Ichi

The small salad included was great. The simple ingredients of lettuce, sesame seeds, carrots, and dressing worked together wonderfully and tasted fresh. It made me want more. Sushi Ichi is an interesting place. It seems to fill a different niche than most sushi places. Is this place for you? Maybe not. You won't find a fancy sushi bar and a huge amount of choices, but a great place for something quick at a reasonableee price, even with some of the food hit or miss.

Miso Soup And Salad - Sushi Ichi

If you are the type of person that drops a lot of money when you go get sushi and want only the best and freshest, then this place idefinitelyly not for you. Stay far away from it and the styrofoam plates. I can recommend this place if you are in the area and looking for a quick bite of sushi for a great price.

Combos And Specials - Sushi Ichi

Chicken Sandwiches And Better Fast Food At Chick-fil-A

Posted on December 02, 2011 01:43 AM
Tags : Chick Fil A | Chicken Burgers | Fast Food | Irvine

             

For our whole life we have heard how bad fast food is towards out health. And for the most part, it's true, yet we ignore the advice for cravings of fast and cheap eats, especially after a night of drinking. It just taste so damn good.

Chick-fil-a is not the normal. Almost all of the food is below 500 calories and many of it is freshly prepared. The lemonade is made from actual fresh squeezed lemons. Most popular chain restaurants don't even do that. If you want to feel a little less guilty about fast food, then this is your place.

The Spicy Chicken Sandwich Deluxe is a great chicken sandwich. I would buy it if it was offered at a sit down restaurant like Red Robin. A nice sized piece of breaded chicken accompanied with a fresh piece of lettuce, tomato, and pepperjack cheese. I can't remember the last time I had fast food with ingredients so fresh. It just doesn't exist. Not even In-N-Out.

Spicy Chicken Sandwich Deluxe - Chick Fil A

The sandwich has a little bit of kick as it has spicy in it's name. The average person will enjoy it, but if you are a fan of spicy foods, you will no doubt desire more heat.

The Waffle Potato Fries may not be the best fries you can get, but they definitely are one of the lease greasy fries you can find in a fast food joint. It taste homemade and puts to shame the crisscut fries at Carl's Jr.

Waffle Potato Fries - Chick Fil A

These fries go great with one of the many offered dipping sauces such as honey mustard.

Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce - Chick Fil A

Anther great part of Chick-fil-a is the customer service. They always seem to have a smile on their face even if they are having a bad day. They care about their customers.

So if your bored of the other fast food restaurants and want a great chicken sandwich then stop on over by Chick-fil-a. If you want a burger, then this definitely is not your place.

But don't go on Sunday. They are closed on Sundays.

Squeezable Ketchup Packets - Chick Fil A

Soup, Salad, And More At Souplantation

Posted on November 19, 2011 11:00 PM
Tags : Buffets | Salad | Soup | Souplantation | Tustin

             

When I was younger, I could always remember going to Souplantation with my family. Over the years, for one reason or another, I stopped going. I just forgot. I lost interest in buffets, until now.

Not being the biggest fan of buffets, you would think that I would not like Souplantation, but it is the opposite. This buffet doesn't load you up on greasy junk food, but made from scratch soups, salads, and the right amount of pasta, small slices of pizza, and muffins.

I usually visit Souplantation for lunch ($8.69, less with coupons). The great part about this buffet is that you can find the same great choices each time along with other seasonal food items that are changed out every few weeks.

As you walk down the buffet line with tray in hand, the first item you will encounter are the salads. You can always find caesar salad or plain lettuce along with every topping and dressing you can think of. As you move past the salad, you next encounter seasonal items which change every few weeks. Somtimes you might find a maple apple tossed salad or arugula chicken with tarragon. It is always a great surprise to see and try the new items.

Salad - Souplantation

The next section is pizza and muffins. The pizza is not what you would think at a normal buffet, but perfectly sized rectangle slices.

Pizza And Muffins - Souplantation

There are usually two or three muffins to choose from. No matter which you choose, they taste fresh. I highly recommended the honey whipped butter for your muffins.

Muffins - Souplantation

A large selection of soups and stews, made from scratch, completes the buffet. The clam chowder is a great. Tastes like it was homemade with large chunks of clams and potatoes. I always find myself coming back for seconds.

Selection Of Soups - Souplantation

It's hard to right a review for a buffet because there are so many different foods to choose from and everyone has their own preferences and dislikes. Either way, if you like soup and salad at a great price and you have a big appetite, Souplantation won't let you down.

Don't forget the soft serve ice cream before you leave.

Selection Of Desserts - Souplantation

Those Darn Red Robin Bottomless Fries

Posted on October 31, 2011 11:45 PM
Tags : Chicken Burgers | Red Robin | Tustin | Tustin Market Place

             

I have been going to Red Robin for years and I am sure I will still be going there for many more years to come. I can always count of the same great quality and that is also why I always find myself ordering the same thing almost every time. I guess if you do not like Red Robin, then you probably never will and if you love it like most, you find yourself coming back over and over, especially for their bottomless fries.

Interior - Red Robin

Almost every visit, I order the Whiskey River BBQ Chicken Burger ($9.99), which includes Bottomless Fries. The chicken burger, and most of their burgers are large. Come with an appetite and your belt loose. I would rank this burger as better than what you would expect at a normal chain restaurant. Everything just goes together and taste great from the fried onion straws to the BBQ sauce and lettuce. It may not be the best chicken burger I have ever had, but I can always count on it tasting great, which is why I always order it. There is a hamburger version also for those who would rather have that.

Whiskey River Bbq Chicken Burger - Red Robin

I think i have an addiction for those Bottomless Fries. I can never stop eating them, they just taste so great, especially when they are hot and with a little salt. Then add in the Honey Mustard Sauce and you may never stop eating. The sauce is one of my favorite at any restaurant. The only way for me to stay away from the fries is to substitute for a side salad, but even then, I still find myself ordering a side of fries.

Bottomless Fries - Red Robin

Honey Mustard Suace - Red Robin

Red Robin has not changed much over the past 10 years or so that I have been visiting and it probably won't change much in the next years, other than a few burgers here and there. You can always count on quality and friendly service.

My only problem has to do with pricing. The Whiskey River BBQ Chicken Burger at $9.99 has gotten more expensive over the years. If the price goes up anymore over $10, I probably will visit less. It seems like they are going the same way as California Pizza Kitchen which has raised their prices a lot over the years to where I avoid it now all together.

Either way, Red Robin is great and those fries, I want them right now.

Love Or Hate Taco Rosa In The Tustin Market Place

Posted on October 19, 2011 11:00 PM
Tags : Happy Hour | Irvine | Mexican | Tustin Market Place

             

I have been a fan of Taco Mesa in Orange for many years. I was more than excited to hear that the owners of Taco Mesa were opening a restaurant in the Tustin Market Place.

Interior - Taco Rosa

Taco Rosa is unique. From what I hear people either love this place or hate it. I lean more towards loving this place, but it was probably because I was in a big fan of Taco Mesa and I counted down the days to try it out the new restaurant for the first time. I believe the reason that people love or hate this place depends on what time they visit.

Taco Rosa is a great place to visit during happy hour (200PM - 600PM and 900PM - close Monday - Saturday). During happy hour, about half of the menu is 50%, which makes for some great and cheap eats.

Happy Hour Menu - Taco Rosa

Ordered were the Chicken Mole Enchiladas ($5.50) and Oaxaca Enchiladas ($5.50). The Chicken Mole Enchiladas were filled with more chicken that you would expect. It was a pleasant surprise. The Oaxaca Enchiladas, though not as filling, had a great taste thanks to the Oaxaca cheese. The flavors just seemed to work together even though its the opposite of the greasy, overfilled with cheese enchiladas that most are use to.

Oaxaca Enchiladas - Taco Rosa

Chicken Mole Enchiladas - Taco Rosa

On the side you find your typical beans and rice. I am a fan of pintos beans without a lot of grease, and more points for the crumbled cheese on top. The rice on the other hand was nothing special. Finally the sweet corn dessert was great, I just can't get enough of it.

The interior of Taco Rosa is beautiful. The patio and bar, though small, are a great place to hang out and have a drink. I usually find service to be quick and efficient, but I usually only visit during off peak hours. One complaint I have is that the prices for happy hour seem to be raised every few months. This is not a way to bring in new and returning customers and sometime makes me wonder how long this place can stay in business being so empty during the day.

Would I pay $11 for the enchiladas? Probably not. The prices do not justify the quality. But during happy hour, I believe this is a steal. So plan your visit during the right time and I think you will lean towards loving Taco Rosa.