jennifer "transplant" h.'s Profile

There is nothing closer to heaven then fresh made tortillas.  Rallito is located next to Viera's Bakery (what could be more perfect, fresh made donuts and tortillas in the same place).  The best thing in the world is stopping by first thing in the morning and getting a yummy delicious stack of fresh made flour or corn tortillas.  

The staff is always friendly and helpful.  Once I came in before they had started making corn tortillas and the woman asked me to wait fifteen mintues and they would make me some :)  The prices are amazing, much less than you would pay in the store for mass produced, generic, package, trucked in tortillas; so cheap in fact I still am in shock every time my order is rung up.  Rallito also carries a variety of mexican foods, snacks and beverages, including the best priced mexican cheese and cream.

My husband is usually a very smart man.  But taking me to Viera's Bakery for the first time, when I was four months pregnant...BAD IDEA.  This place is amazing!!  The donuts are so fresh, yummy, delicious and HUGE. The prices are excellent, you definitely get your monies worth.  The staff is always friendly, helpful and willing to chit chat.

I admit, I am a difficult coffee person.  I am that person in front of you at Starbucks that orders the half caf, no whip, grande, lowfat, orange mocha frappucino.  To be honest, I dont like plain coffee, I dont even like starbucks (their coffee tastes burnt) I like frilly yummy coffee drinks that really taste like dessert.  

I finally decided to try Roasters over near CBC and let me tell you, I am in trouble! Yes I still drink my frilly drinks but never have they tasted this good.  I am absolutely addicted to their almond joy mocha (which by the way is made with a combo of steamed milk and steamed Darigold old fashioned chocolate milk) and their snickers mocha really tastes like snickers; kinda eery :)

The staff is funny, friendly and quickly remembers your order after just a few trips.  They have a wonderful menu of coffee, tea, chai and smoothies and great specials.  I always pride myself on not being a person who needs my coffee in the morning but with this kind of coffee and service, I am addicted.

So my grandma died while we were visiting family for Christmas.  In trying to explain the whole thing to our four year old, my husband and I decided to take our daughter to some of grandma's favorite places, and gus's was up their on the list.  

I was pleasantly suprised to find out they have a kids sandwich option which my daughter LOVED as well as a huge selection of beverages (alcoholic and not).  They were also very accomodating when my husband and I were splitting a sandwich and I didnt want mustard on my half.  Their french roll was delicious and their bacon was not greasy and cooked just right.

When you havent had sushi in almost four years due to moving out of the area and being pregnant, this hit the spot.  Love all their lunch specials and their willingness to let you substitute.  Also had great options for my four year old (apple juice, small portions of chicken teriyaki).  I LOVE the fungus amongus and their spicy tuna rolls.  I admit service can be a little....confusing??? Sometimes slow, sometimes quick, some miscommunications; but from my last visit, I left happy and full!

New Year's Eve, 2009 @10:30pm.  My husband and I along with our four year old and almost seven month old have been driving for over twelve hours in rain and fog on our way home after the holidays and what we have deemed it "the vacation from hell."  Stoping overnight had not been in our plans or our pocketbook so we start doing the song and dance throughout Troutdale to find a good room.  

My husband goes in to the Holiday Inn Express and explains our situation.  The woman at the desk give us a room with two queen beds and breakfast for all with coupons for $56!!!  I almost cried it was so awesome.  The room was nice, clean and quiet, the heater worked well as we were all freezing and the breakfast buffet was more than I expected and definitely worth the modest price we paid for our room.  The front desk staff were very friendly and there was plenty of parking and easy, but secure, access into our room.

I have only lived in the tri-cities about two and a half years, but I have had more than one person describe this place as "well, fifty percent of the time you will get sick but it is worth it cuz the burgers and shakes are sooo good."  Me thinks not!

The one and only time my husband went before he knew any better, he ended up pretty sick to his stomach.  I rest my case.

Why dear people of Tri-Cities do you keep this place in business? You can drive less than five minutes away to a REAL Italian restaurant (bella italia) and spend just the same amount of money and get real and fresh Italian food with great service.

The one and only time I tried going to the OG there was an HOUR WAIT ON A THURSDAY NIGHT?!?!  Went to Bonefish instead, was immediately seated and spent less money than I would have at olive garden.  I recommend avoiding most chain restaurants as much as possible.  There are lots of hidden gems in the tri-cities that we need to keep in business.

One star cuz...well...it is a "restaurant."  
PS - Apricot chicken is not italian food last time I checked

So it is just my opinion, but I really think everyone should ignore reviews calling this place slow. My husband has spent time in Italy and this place seems to actually provide a bit of a real Roman food experience; which would include a nice leisurely meal that should be lingered over with good friends and enjoyed.

This isn't Olive Garden folks, they aren't trying to push you out the door to bring in the next batch of cattle. And food made fresh (not trucked in frozen and premade) takes a while to make. If you are in a hurry you should say so, two and a half hours for dinner is what I call a great night.

The restaurant seemed surprisingly busy for a Thursday night in Tri-Cities and that gave me high hopes for our dining experience. Our waitress was FABULOUS and all of our needs were met and within a respectable amount of time; including my request for hot water to make a baby bottle...was very kid friendly. The restaurant and restroom were clean, well decorated, warm and inviting. There were a few great options for kids and my daughter had the yummiest Italian soda I have tried. All the food overall was delicious, the chicken and mushroom stuffed ravioli with the cream sauce were amazing, I wanted to put that sauce on everything on my plate. The price range for their food was great.  You could go in and have a pasta dish with soup or salad for about $13.

One star off for no baby changing station in the bathroom and for too large of a menu. I would like this restaurant to concentrate on making about half the amount of dishes really really well.

The one thing I love about Washington is that all places that serve hard alcohol have to serve food; cuz you know you gotta have fries when your drunk.  So kudos to Uncle Sam's for taking up a notch and serving yummy food!  But the most important words you should read in this review are

$2.50 RUM AND COKES AND GIN AND TONICS!

So stop whatever you are doing now and run down and order one!!  This place is alcohol heaven!  Inexpensive drinks, a large variety of drinks and beers, excellent food and lots to do (TV, pool tables, electronic games, pull tabs).  A friend of mine raves about their pork chop dinner, which I think could rival that at a fancy restaurant.