dave "baddog" b.'s Profile

i came here for lunch,on saturday,january 23rd.I really liked the fact,that they have plenty of free parking.inside,the decor was spare,but nice.There was a framed thai painting on the wall,and a nice thai mural,on the opposite side.I was kind of dissapointed,with the menu...only a 2-sided menu sheet.I ordered the panaeng curry with chicken,for $10.00.It was very good,but very SPICY!.It was more like a soup,than a meal,although it did come with a side dish of rice.My server's name was nida,and she was also the cook,for my food order.I have to say,that the food was authentic thai,and not the watered-down americanized asian  fare,that you so often encounter,in some asian restaurants.overall though,i give royal orchid thai,a solid 3 stars.

I was passing through litchfield today,and decided to stop for breakfast,at swan's cafe......it used to be a country kitchen restaraunt.nice knotty pine walls,with lots of swan figureens,on the walls.they have  great mon-fri breakfast specials.....all for only $3.99!....i had eggs,toast,and bacon,with a cup of coffee.....at this price,no hash browns,were included.food was good.......tasty,but basic.service was fast&friendly.plenty of parking,they take cash,or credit cards.i did not see the menu,i just ordered off the specials listing.will visit again,and give a more detailed review next time.

Happy sunday......go vikes!.Today,i am having lunch,at the house of wong,here in roseville.The decor is very nice,with chinese silk paintings on the wall,and comfortable booths,Overall cleanliness of the place,is good.I ordered sunday's special,the smothered chicken breast meal,($8.50).The meal came with a bowl of chicken noodle soup,bread&crackers,and for dessert,a small slice of pumpkin pie.The mail course,was a grilled chicken breast,with mushrooms,and bacon strips,covered in melted cheese.......a little greasy,but very tasty!.It came with mashed potatoes&gravy,and a small side dish of green beans.Overall,i felt that i got a very good deal,for the price!.Service,was fast&friendly.They have a take out window/to go area,in the lobby of the restaurant.Plenty of free parking,in the parking lot.I think of this review of house of wong,i am gonna give it 3.5 stars...p.s....house of wong,has been in business,for 50 years.......they must be doing something right!.

Hey!,what's up folks?.Today,i had lunch at pad thai grand.(1681 grand ave,in saint paul,mn).The decor inside,is very much in the asian style.....plenty of thai decorations,and a cool asian vibe,that informs the place.Booths are comfortable,with dark wood paneling,on the sides.I ordered the #509.....Thai salmon steak,with vegetables.($12.95).I opted,for extra spice,on this one.It was very tasty!.A generous salmon steak,topped with carrots,cilantro,broccoli,and fish sauce,with a side bowl,of steamed jasmine rice.Service,was quick&friendly.....my server,was a laotian lady,named oula.Pad thai grand,accepts cash&credit cards....not sure about personal checks.Parking is on street,and there is a smallish parking lot,around the back of the restaurant.Normal business hours,are from 11am to 10pm,tuesday-sunday.(closed mondays).Based on my past and present visit(s),i give pad thai grand,a very solid 4 stars......excellent restaurant!,

O.K. folks,here's the dealio.......if you have ever eaten at great moon buffet,in columbia heights,mn,then panda garden buffet,is almost an exact carbon copy!.I went there for lunch,on saturday,sept 26th.The all-you-can-eat lunch buffet,was $7.78.The customer service at panda garden,is more"hands off",than great moon buffet......by that i mean,after paying for your meal,you choose a place to sit,get your own silverware,drinks,clean plate,etc.The employees will help you,if you need assistance with anything,though.The dining area is spacious,with red vinyl booths,up alongside the walls,and tables located,near the center of the restaurant.On this visit,i sampled the following dishes........vegetable fried rice,fried beef,swwet&sour chicken,green beans,salmon,garlic bread sticks,cream cheese won tons,and fried duck.All of the food i tried,was fresh,hot,and tasty......with the exception of the fried beef,which had a spicy kick,but tended to be a bit on the chewy side.All the buffet food,is clearly marked,on the glass sneeze-guards,so there are no guessing games,as to what you just put on your plate!.I ended my meal,with a dish of vanilla soft-serve ice cream,topped with chocolate syrup.Panda garden has plenty of free parking,in the strip mall parking lot.They accept cash and credit cards,but if i remember right,no personal checks.I can safely say that,based on my positive experience here,that i will return again,for another great meal,sometime in the future!.I give panda garden buffet,a solid four stars.

I went to phoenix too,in cold spring,minnesota,to pick up a quick snack,for the road.Got the sweet&sour chicken,for $1.88.....6 pieces of chunky,tasty chicken,with a side container of sauce.....basic,but good,and filling.I was pressed for time,so i did not have a chance,to gather more info,about this place....they have other menu items,for under two bucks.....great deal!.phoenix too,is located in cold springs,minnesota,on highway 23&stearns county road #2,in the holiday gas station.cold spring,is located about 18 miles west of saint cloud,minnesota....they do have a sit-down area,in their dining room.

I ate lunch here,saturday,sept,5th,at 11:20am.....i was the only customer there,at the time......i think everybody else,was at the state fair!.Chin's kitchen is located at 1533 larpenteur ave,in falcon heights,mn.They have plenty of off-street parking,in their parking lot,They are located,in a strip mall.I like the decor,inside......by the cash register,is a wooden black&gold color chinese privacy screen.The walls are white,with lots of chinese scroll type murals,on the wall.Lots of potted plants,give the place,a nice ambience.The menu,has a good choice of selections:chicken,beef,pork,and seafood dishes,plus a good selection of cold soups,plus some vegetarian items.I opted for the sweet&sour chicken,($7.25)which came with a side bowl of jasmine rice.A tall diet coke for $1,25,completed the meal.service was efficient,and friendly.I waited for about 10 minutes or so,before my food arrived.The plating of the food,was simple:a plate of sweet&sour chicken,and a side plate of rice,in a bowl.The chicken dish,had green peppers,onion,and bamboo shoots in it.The sauce,had a good balance of flavor,and it was just right......not too thick,or too thin.I should mention here,that chin's kitchen,does not accept checks,but they will take credit cards.I really wanted to give this place 4 stars,but gave them 3,simply because,they just did not seem to stand out,from the dozens of other chinese restaurants,here in saint paul.Take out menus,are found,by the cash register.They have a good selection of cold soups,like"bean curd soup with tofu'.I give chin's restaurant an "A" for effort,,,,,,good,but not great food.

I love the nook!.It's an institution here in saint paul.They have the juciest,messiest burgers,i have ever tasted.The hand-cut french fries,are good too!.The place has a very relaxing,neighborhood vibe going on.They have a pretty decent menu,and serve more than just burgers&juicy lucies.Plenty of fine beers on tap,to wet your whistle.This place seems to fill up fast,especially on weekends.parking,is on street,which kinda sucks,but the nook,is located in a residential area,so that is the way it is.waitstaff,are friendly and knowledgeable.prices are moderate.the food coming out of the postage-stamp size kitchen,can be slow,especially at busy times of the day.I liken the nook,to "cheers"....a place where everybody knows your name.(and they are always glad you came)!.

I spent some time at the fair on saturday,august 29th.Darn near froze to death,but had a great time!.....for cheap food,may i suggest mike's hamburgers?......$1.50 a pop.small,but not too bad......tasty even!.the german root beer stand,has good root beer floats,for $3.00.....it can be a challenge,being a foodie at the state fair,without spending your kid's inheritance!.But there are some good deals to be had,if you are willing to take the time,to search them out.For example,i took advantage of the free park&ride.And then the booths,that hand out free stuff,are another place to check out......and of course,the restrooms are free....for now anyway!.I wanted to try,the deep-fried candy bars,and the cheese curds,but i have to be watching the waistline!.people watching,is a free bonus,too!.If i go back again,before labor day,i do want to try the alligator-on-a-stick!.maybe someone,will someday come out with batter-fried rocky mountain oysters on a stick!.......just a thought!.

I went here for lunch,with my older brother,not too long ago,on a saturday afternoon.I remember the decor,as being"junkyard chic".....but it had kind of a "down home"vibe to it.I remember having the pulled pork sandwich,with a side of coleslaw.The meal itself,was basic,but good.I thought the service,to be a little bit slow,though.....considering that the restaraunt,was not really that busy,at the time we were there.A head's up....on august 30th,anybody who's first or middle name is dave,david,davey,or davey-boy,gets a FREE ENTREE!.....well,that would be me!.I like famous dave's though,and plan on going back,probally to the one one snelling ave,in roseville,mn,which is closer to where i live.