Shannon "Plannin'" M.'s Profile

Darn - When we decided to go to 3 Jacks and it wasn't on Yelp, I really hoped maybe I was finding a hidden gem.  Not so.  
We wanted a suburban, yet central location for friends to meet up and watch the Broncos play Monday night football.  Our criteria: Large, well-placed TV's, good deals on beer and a nice selection of bar food.  
Upon arrival, it seemed that 3 Jacks would deliver -- excellent TV's with both low and high tables arranged for perfect viewing of the game, decent pitcher and pint specials and their menu even promised home made green chili!  
Unfortunately, the mirage quickly disappated.  
The service was slow.  After our first round, we had to go back to the bar to order a 2nd, the waitress was nowhere in sight.  After awhile she caught on and started circulating more frequently.  
The food was average at best.  They were out of green chili and the other food was on the level of Tyson Anytizers.  My hubby got a burger with sauteed mushrooms, only the mushrooms were microwaved and crispy!
The beer was fine, but everyone who ordered a soda was disappointed -- they were either flat or odd-tasting.  
Thankfully, the night was saved by the aforementioned TV's and the Broncos winning score.
I'm disappointed, I really wanted to like this place.  The search continues....

This year, Blondie's was our breakfast stop on the way to Bullfrog Marina.   Blondie's is just the kind of breakfast I like for a road trip - quick, hearty and full of favorites.  Among our group we ordered French Toast, Pancakes, Breakfast Sandwich, Biscuits and Gravy and the standard Eggs, Sausage and Hash Browns.
Everyone enjoyed their meal and the owners are friendly.

We stayed at the Whispering Sands on our way out to Lake Powell this year.  For years we've passed by and called this place the "Tuff Shed" Motel because when it was first built it looked like Tuff Sheds all lined up in a row.
I must apologize for ever reducing this place to merely a shed!  
It's true that it falls into the category of a basic motor lodge, but it's really more than that.  They've added to the motel over the years and made it look more inviting.  As I opened the room door for the first time, I wondered what I would find inside.  I was pleasantly surprised by the real-wood paneling on one wall and the ceiling which gave the room a more cozy, homey feel.  I think it must also do a lot to help with sound-carry because we had people staying on either side of us and never heard a peep.  An even better test of the sound-proofing was the 4 Harleys outside that left sometime before 7 a.m. but we never heard them.  
Back to the room....Clean, comfortable and unlike other motels at this price point - the bed was sturdy and the mattress was quality.   Everything was immaculately clean.  Nice little extras like a fridge and microwave and even little Hershey's Kisses on the nightstand.  
If you stay at this motel, you get 10% off your check at Blondie's restaurant across the street.
My whole family was impressed by Whispering Sands and I think we'll make the effort to make it as far as Hanksville on our Powell trips in the future, rather than the Motel 6 in Green River.

I got a real kick out of this place on our recent trip back from Lake Powell.  We've driven through Green River for years, and my Dad loves Ray's, but it was my first visit.  
I was looking forward to it because when my Dad realized we'd be in Green River over lunch time, his eyes lit up and he kept repeating "We'll be in Green River in time for a big thick hamburger from Ray's" (complete with a hand gesture indicating that the burger would be about 6 inches tall)
Eight of us arrived at about 1:00 on a Saturday.  It seems this place is used to groups over 6 because that's what most of the tables seat.  We sat right down and placed our drink order.  I was disappointed to be driving because their microbrew selection looked inviting, but we all refrained and stuck with soda.  
Most of us ordered various hamburgers, one of us ordered the Teryiaki Chicken Sandwich.  All were cooked nicely and tasted great.  I can't remember, but I believe they are 1/2 pound burgers and I'd be surprised if they came pre-made from the freezer - they definitely tasted fresh.
You also have a choice of Fries or Cole Slaw - I chose fries and enjoyed them.  They're the slightly thicker cut kind of like Greek fries - I would have preferred more salt or other seasoning, but still hot and tasty.  Those who chose Cole Slaw were complimentary.  
One thing that I've noticed to be common among Utah hamburger joints is the "Fry/Burger" sauce which I believe is a combo of Ketchup, Mustard and Mayo, but I can't be sure.  It's yummy though.  
My husband and I both commented that we'd love to come to Ray's when we're in town for a night and could relax.  The back of the restaurant has a pool table, jukebox and seemed to be a fun place to hangout.  The walls are lined with t-shirts of various river rafting companies/teams from around the country.  There are some fun rafting photos tacked up too.  
As we left, I noticed that Ray's has a Beer Garden on the side -- looks like in the evening they might have a grill out there and the typical plastic tables and chairs.  
I wish there were more places like this in Denver and elsewhere, but then maybe it's the magic of travel that makes the place seem like more than just a bar with burgers.

I give this place 3 stars because it can be really good, but sometimes it lacks a little.
The Generally Good Things:
~I 'm a fan of Richard Sandoval's take on Mexican at his various restaurants.  La Sandia is the right combination of traditional favorites, authentic dishes and street-food interpretations.  
~ I love the dishes that use carnitas, which always seem to moist and hearty.  
~ Happy Hour at La Sandia is well-executed.  The menu has a good variety of both drinks and food (note the food is by the individual piece - single taco, single slider, etc.).  The options work perfectly when ordering a variety for the table to munch from family style.  
~ They have a nice patio and the music from Northfield Mainstreet carries in providing a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

The Occasional Misses:
~ I've had great guacamole here, and I've had really bad guacamole here.  And not just because of bad avocados, more because it's not consistently made with the same amount of ingredients (too much lime, no jalepeno, etc.)  But when it's good, it's REALLY good.  In the future, I think I'll take a leap and ask for a new batch if I don't like it, because I know it's possible.
~ Service is spotty.  Never rude, but not always firing on all cylinders.  One visit our server was quick to offer us the Happy Hour menu, offer suggestions and ensured we had a properly set table before we even ordered.  Another time our server (who I've seen there regularly) seemed surprised that we wanted the Happy Hour menu, didn't bring utensils even after bringing our food and was unfamiliar with two of the items I ordered off the menu -- as in, she questioned whether I was correct in what I called them.  
~ Sometimes the food seems like it's sat for a bit.  Again, when the food is fresh and hot, it's really good and full of flavor.  But every now and then I get something that is tepid and a little dried out making it seem more bland.  

So what's the verdict?  Take a chance on La Sandia, plan to go more than once, and be prepared to roll with it.  But don't risk it if you want to be sure everything is "just right".

Until last night, I hadn't been here in a few years and never for dinner.  Currently, they are offering a Chef's Selection menu of sorts that is truly a good deal.  Soup or Salad, Seafood or Beef entree with side and Dessert for $30.  The entree portions are a little smaller than the rest of the menu, but once the full-size dessert portion arrived, I was glad that I hadn't already eaten too much.
The meal was good.  My steak (Steak Oscar) was over-cooked (Well instead of Medium).  I figure that's because it is a slightly smaller cut and the kitchen is probably still getting the timing down.  I was hesitant to send it back but our server was insistent that the kitchen cook a new steak -- which I appreciated.  She offered me a bowl of soup while I waited, but I declined.  The new steak was out pretty quickly so I still ended up eating with the rest of my table.  And then the steak was perfectly cooked.  Steak Oscar includes a Hollandaise sauce and it was just the right amount, not swimming, more like a drizzle.
Service was friendly and efficient.  We always had drinks in hand, and never waited too long between courses.
Once dinner was over, we decided to walk over to the bar area, where we knew there would be some good people watching.
If you're going to come to Cool River and hang out in the bar, you must be prepared to embrace it for what it is - a variety of people of all ages and lifestyles, coming together to dance to a motown/latin coverband.  I liken it to my company Christmas party.  Sure you might not want to do it every week, but it's usually more fun then you think it will be.  
All in all, a fun and enjoyable night out with friends.

Had a really nice experience at thie Starbucks this morning.  It's a new location, so not many have found it yet.  Service was so fast, I barely had time to notice much about the place.  No line in the Drive-Thru (at 6:30 a.m.), placed my order quickly, pulled to the window and handed my payment, 10 seconds later, he handed me my latte.  All with a very pleasant smile.  Off I went!  I think this was the fastest trip to Starbucks I've ever experienced!  
Oh, and the Tea latte (that I've struggled with at another location) was perfect!

Boy, I always struggle with giving a 3 star rating.  I'm a love it or hate it kind of gal -- but trusting Yelp's "A-OK" definition I think 3 stars works here.  
I had my second lunch at Sue of Siam today.  The food is flavorful and the menu matches many of the more traditional Thai places I've seen around town (more than just Pad Thai and a curry).  But I still feel like it's missing a little something, I can't quite put my finger on it, but here are two possibilities:
Portion Size - The first trip I ordered from the lunch special menu and left feeling still a little hungry.  Today, I opted for a standard entree (which is one buck more) but it seemed like the portion size was still the same.  That's not to say I expect enough food for two people and to walk away feeling stuffed, but I do expect feel satisfied at the end of the meal.  
The Depth of Flavor - no doubt the curry and the sauce on the Pad Ka Pow are flavorful.  Just the right spice and good enough that I'm happy to eat it like a soup.  But I'm missing the flavor of the individual ingredients -- the Thai Basil, the beef, the onion, etc.  It almost seems like the individual ingredients are steamed or boiled and then the sauce is added to provide the flavor.  This is different from some of my favorite Thai where you feel like the meat and vegetables are adequately seasoned to enjoy with or without the sauce.

And again, this is why I don't like giving a 3-star rating -- I've given some things to be wary of, but I wouldn't tell someone to avoid this restaurant.  I will continue to visit this place for lunch on occasion, but I can't say I'm counting the days.   All in all, I guess I can safely call my visits "A-Ok"

I miss this place weekly.  I actually had lunch here every M-F for almost a year!  The buffet allowed me to venture out and try different Thai dishes I might not have known otherwise.  I so wish they could have relocated in the area.  
It is the Thai by which I will judge all others.  If you experienced Yummy Yummy Tasty Thai, please send recommendations of others that dare to come close.

Easy to verify the previous reviews....
The sandwiches are definitely remarkable, delicious, filling and made with fresh ingredients.  The bread is noticebly soft and delicous.
I agree with Sarah O., when picking up sandwiches on 7/21, the 2 men behind the counter were rude.  They continued their conversation for about 2 minutes without aknowledging me.  So I stepped closer to them to get some attention.  One man said abruptly "The menus are over there".  "I've already made my choice", I responded.  "Well, you order down there too"  So I look at the other guy and say, "And are you the one that will meet me over there?"  
Then I placed my order, got the sandwiches quickly and was on my way.  I have low tolerance for rudeness, but the sandwiches are good enough to deal with 3 minutes of discourtesy.  At least you don't have to stick around and eat there.
One more note....Perfect option for dropping by early and grabbing breakfast sandwiches as well lunch-time sandwiches for the drive back to Denver, or wherever you may be heading.