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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.
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.
