Mar. 31st, 2012

bedsitter23: (Default)
A quick series on some recent places I have visited and experienced here in the 515.

For some reason, I feel I should hate Noodle restaurants.  I am not sure why.  It just seems like a place where hipsters hang out (listening to Pavement or whatever it is that hipsters do).

That said, I don't hate Chipotle or other restaurants that sell mid-priced Mexican fare, even though it's the same exact concept with a slightly different food stuff (My favorite of these places is probably the Iowa City-based Panchero's, but the best slogan remains the Illinois based La Bambas which promises "Burritos bigger than yer head".

I have given into Noodle shops though, and they are a nice alternative to fast food or Subway.  Ten years after I first heard of them, they are making their imprint into middle America.

Two that are here are Z'Mariks and Noodles and Company.

Both are good, but the upstart Z'Mariks (based in Iowa City) is the best- better variety, better prices, and better atmosphere.  If they have the ambition, they will go far.

I can't really say anything bad about Noodles and Company which is based out of Denver; although to a certain extent it does feel like 'let's put sh#t on macaroni and cheese".

Both get recommendations for the $5-10/meal per crowd.  I haven't been to the local competitor (for shame) but that is mainly because they have been beaten by these two and have had to close the location nearest to my work.

In a completely unrelated topic, I found out my grandfather used to "hog".

I always knew that there were people around who still did this, but in the last few years (and especially even more recently) "hogging" which more people know better as 'noodling' has really got more attention.  It's best described by one of the reality shows that feature it- Hillbilly Handfishin'.

Too dangerous for me, but I can picture my grandfather as a Noodler.  It was an interesting fact to learn.



bedsitter23: (Default)
The hippest restaurant in the area has to be Zombie Burger - a zombie themed burger joint.

Let's start off with something unexpected- Zombie Burger is helmed bu one of the best chefs in the city.  It would likely be successful no matter what, but it's damned good food.

The menu is hamburger-centric (natch) but ambitious.  Whereas Red Robin and Fudruckers will put a fried egg on their burgers, at Zombie Burger, that particular style is the most Conservative on the list.

The highlight of the menu is a burger which is put on a 'bun' which consists of fried (and breaded) macaroni.

Of course, the sandwiches all have names like "George Romero's Pittsburger" and "Dead Moines".

Nothing else was needed, but ZB does have a top notch selection of shakes.  Some are cake flavored (Red Velvet cake, Wedding Cake), some are cereal-based (Crunchberries, Rice Krispie), and all are interesting (Peanut Butter-Banana, Chocolate-Nutella-Marshmellow) .

The shakes (called brain Freeze get-it) have the added bonus of being spiked (get it) which indeed means made with alcohol.

Yes, these are some of the best ideas ever, and you can buy the t-shirt to go with it (with slogans like "Great Minds Taste Alike").

A must stop for anyone on a Midwestern tour.




Credit for picture I stole
here

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