Michael "mikezilla" H.'s Profile

The majority of BBQ restaurants aren't that great. I don't think people really know what good BBQ is. We had the beef brisket and pork ribs. The ribs do come off the bone but the texture is a bit grainy while the beef brisket is slightly overdone while being still being a bit tough. The BBQ sauce seems to be vinegar based. It has a nice sharpness to it. The beans, cole slaw, and potato salad aren't anything special. The potato salad is more like mashed potatoes with potato salad dressing. I'll basically eat any cornbread out there so I liked theirs. But it's really nothing special. I'd say the flavors are nothing extraordinary. The main problem has to do with texture of the of the food.

This place is good for cheap and quick Chinese food. We came here to eat to celebrate Chinese New Year (yeah we're not so traditional) and the place was packed. There is a waiting list that you can fill out at the front but they don't really check it and everyone who comes in is clueless as to what system they're running.

After waiting a ten minutes we got a booth seating. Overall the food fresh and well prepared. Like all stereotypical Chinese restaurants the hospitality is lacking but they're so fast you can't really complain. Driving around we spotted several other Chinese restaurants. One other restaurant was packed but two were completely vacant. Delight Cafe must have something going for itself.

It's very surprising that a place like Book Zoo is still around. The more book stores the better.

Book Zoo is located right next to the magazine store Issues. I had just come out of Issues so why not take a gander. Book Zoo is pretty much the opposite of Issues. Instead of current magazines, they have old books. Instead of meticulous organization, they have a jumble of books casually arranged with label maker stickered shelves. Instead of go self serve service, they have a friendly voice.

The guy who worked the counter, who I assume is non other than the owner, asked me if I was looking for anything in particular. He instructed me on the layout of the bookstore and if he could be of any help. This bookstore seems more akin to academics and bibliophiles.

The selection of art books is outdated and poorly categorized. They have a shelf labeled "Type" but there was maybe one book on the subject. There are lot of old bizarre books that you would expect to find at flea markets. I wouldn't let your kids roam around this store unsupervised. I was looking at the photography shelf and was surprised to pull out a strange sexual fetish book with many pictures of girls with latex outfits. WTF.

Oddly enough I found a photography book and purchased it. I found it somewhat rude that when I went to purchase the book the owner decided to say "Let's see what we treasure we have uncovered", then flipped through my book. Where is the privacy? I wouldn't mind if he had asked me but it was strange that he just took the liberty of doing so.

This might seem a bit anal but a customer before me had bought a bunch of sex-related books. I overheard, "Let's see what you have found. 'Aphrodisiac Reicpes'..." Then opens the book, "...WHOA. I should have put these books in the adult section." I felt embarrassed for the elderly customer.

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Helpful owner but he's kinda creepy. The organization and selection could be better. Not bad if you want to look through some odd books. There is a locked glass cabinet of collectible paperbacks. I'm not sure who would steal these since they look like they were kept in your dirty uncle's attic.

So last weekend I was hungering for a good magazine. All of the local bookstores around me that carry magazines have closed down, so I thought I'd venture out to Issues. Last time I visited I was overwhelmed by the selection. This time I came prepared.

I planned on picking up some feminine magazines for work related research but I was magnetized by the art and design section. There were many titles I've never even heard of, many of which were from Europe and Netherlands. The atmosphere is no hassle and you can browse/flip-through as much as you like. The background music is nice for browsing but keep in mind that there are no chairs. I used some of the stools to place my magazines on.

If you're looking for something specific you can ask the employees or owner. I kinda wish they had a handout so I could navigate the magazine shelves better since most of the magazines overlap each other. However, there is much fun in uncovering printed treasures if you fetishize magazines.

I bought four magazines. I was surprised to find the foreign magazines, while a bit more expensive than US magazines, aren't super jacked up in price. Good thing they take plastic. I plan to come here again when my hankering for magazines flares up once more.

We came here for a birthday dinner. I hardly remember what we had to eat. But the impression from our party was that it was good but we wouldn't come back. I liked the direction of food from the plating to the unique combination of flavors. Yet the portion size and entire flavor punch of the food was lacking that "OMG that's F-ing delicious" touch. Our waitress was amiss a couple of times. We didn't know we were supposed to receive bread until the party next to us was given bread. One of the bartenders dropped a bottle so that definitely woke us up. It was cool to see the chef through the kitchen doors plating some food. For the price you pay the value doesn't translate.

So this is where all the white people go! I haven't felt like a minority in a long time but now I know where to head. The first experience I encountered was the parking. A lot of trucks out in the back. I parked far from the crowd with no cars around so I could easily find my car when I decided to leave. Then this huge truck comes by and starts backing up into the space right in front of me. The truck then kisses my car. WTF.

The guy gets out of the car and asks if he hit my car, ummm. Yeah. We inspect and I decide there was no damage so I let him go. It didn't bother me so much that he hit my car, it's that out of all the spaces he had to try and park in that one. At least he got out of his car and asked me.

The inside of Saddle Rack is like a parody version of a country bar/saloon/hall. It has everything you'd expect and more. A mechanical bull, live country band, line dancing, liquor drinking chair, and caged dancers. All that's missing are pool tables, bar fights, and spittoon. If you're tired of all the grimy night clubs try this place out. If you don't like it you'll at least be experiencing a different culture.

(Look out for the 80 year old local who dances with all the girls. I saw him dance with three hot girls at once!)

Came here to hang out at the bar. They don't really pressure you into buying but they're always present to serve you. We had two appetizers, pepper poppers and calamari. Both were good calorie clunky beer appetizers. The noise level is just fine for a casual conversation. I have no idea what the dining experience is like.

Great location and casual seating make this a perfect meetup spot. The drinks are okay. I had ordered an espresso and one of the servers had bumped my shoulder so half the drink was spilt onto my saucer. Thanks. Still, great location. They are adjoined to a Mexican restaurant but I'm not sure if you can the Mexican food at the Creamery.

A coworker took me here because it's supposedly one of oldest restaurants in the city. I couldn't really tell that it was. At least now I have life long bragging rights...

The guy helping us was a funny fellow who constantly tried to make jokes with my female friend. She and I were constantly confused but we laughed it off. I had the chicken shawarma wrap. I found it to be decent. They ask you how hot you want it so I had the mild version. It was the right amount for me. A good place for lunch but not a place to seek out.

We had asked where our coworkers had gone to lunch.

They replied "Vietnam."

We laughed.

So yeah there's a place called Vietnam amidst all the strip joints and adult bookstores. You can easily miss it as I have multiple times. There isn't much to this place. Two woman work the kitchen with counter seating and a couple of tables. The menu is typical Vietnamese food. I had the bún tht nng, vermicelli noodles with fish sauce. It was good but I found my pork to be a bit burnt.

The best part of this place are the prices. The quality of food is on par. I wouldn't rush back but it's close enough for a Vietnamese fix.