Jason S.'s Profile

I have been back multiple times since my initial review and all because of Sharon's clam chowder. Here you will find a light broth full of goodies instead of a thick blob of goo in the shape of a can. I would drink a glass of the broth alone. Maybe dunk some Oreos in it. My taste buds tell me it's the best I've ever had and I have to agree but they also told me to write the Oreos thing. So you be the judge.

South Sound Running is the reason I allow myself to Yelp. Without them I would wander around the cities of the PNW putting all sorts of delicious items into my face and training to be a contestant on the Biggest Loser. But instead, thanks to them, I'm able to run pain free in order to burn away all of that goodness. Well I'm old so not pain free, but you know what I'm saying.

South Sound Running specializes in running shoes so if you go here don't expect Foot Locker. You are not going to find a giant wall of shoes covering everything from cleats to flip flops. However if you are serious about running then this is the place to go. The staff really knows shoes and feet which is a good thing considering that is the business they are in. The guy that helped me had me try on three different pairs of shoes and run around the store so he could make sure he was selling me the pair that was best for me.

The shoes I bought are awesome as was the service I received from them. They have helped me correct multiple foot and back problems and more importantly they have assisted me in deflating the spare tire sitting upon my hips.

So....double bacon cheeseburger anyone?

I went to Kitzel's on their opening week. Just the thought of having a place to get Pastrami, Corned beef, Rye and Matzo Ball Soup had me giddy. Unfortunately as I walked in, I got confused, and walked out. I wasn't sure where to order and couldn't find a menu anywhere. So I thought I would give them a chance to get up and running and try again.

So yesterday I made my first trip back. I was greeted promptly and directed to a menu on the wall. After little debate I ordered "The Tibor" aka a Reuben ($9.50). It comes with a choice of potato salad or coleslaw plus a pickle. Based on other Yelp reviews I was expecting a bread on bread sandwich but what I was served was an averaged sized full loaded Reuben. Good rye, about 6oz of flavorful thinly sliced beef, mild swiss, crisp sauerkraut and tangy Russian dressing. Thankfully it wasn't soggy, greasy or overly sauced and dripping with kraut juice like some can be. For me it was pretty perfect.

I hadn't eaten all day yet surprisingly I had a hard time finishing my sandwich. I should have stopped actually but I couldn't. When I finally threw in the towel, sadly most of the potato salad was still on my plate. Not because it was bad, in fact it was delicious, I just had no room left and the Reuben selfishly demanded my undivided attention.

What I enjoyed about Kitzels is I wasn't served some ridiculously, over-stuffed, towering sandwich monstrosity that takes a shovel, a detached jaw, and four stomachs to eat. I'm not looking for quantity or ridiculous toppings in my sandwiches. I want quality and attention to detail and that is what I got. I don't live my culinary life like an episode of Man Versus Food. Why would I want to fight food? I would much rather befriend it, which I did.

I'm thankful that I decided to ignore the negativity of Yelp and give Kitzels a chance. Hopefully this wasn't an aberration and my next experience will be as good as the first. I would like to say I will be back to try their other offerings but I kind of just want another one of their Reubens.

What I feel for pie really can't be put into words. It's stronger than lust and deeper than love. Living in Olympia I'm perfectly sandwiched in between my two favorite pie joints maybe that is why I find it so hard to move. One in Portland and Shoofly in Seattle.

I have actually been to Shoofly 3 times now and each time they have impressed to the point of rendering me utterly speechless. The strawberry rhubarb and the blueberry pie are nothing short of amazing. Each time I have gone I kind of blackout just sitting there, eyes glazed over, moaning and forking pie into my face until it's gone. Then I come back to consciousness with crumbs and berries on the corners of my mouth with no recollection of what just happened and the delicious cycle begins again in earnest.

I think the only reason I can remember that I have actually been there is because the powers of their mind numbingly good pies must wear off after 6 months. Looks like it's time for another trip north.

I had been suffering from back pain that was making me resemble Quasimodo. It was so bad in fact that women would shreik, throw tomotoes at me, and hide their sobing children from my mangeled lurching body as I made my way through town. So I decided it was time to hunt for a cure. Thankfully Antidote provided just that. I have never felt so good after having a massage and will be back as often as possible. Unfortunatley the massage did nothing to help with my hideous face.

I'll take "Panorama City" for $1000 Alex...

My first time at the Westside was 15 years ago. Oh how time flies. Now instead of taking shots of Patron at the Westside I'm taking shots of Metamucil at home while watching re-runs of Matlock in bed. Back then you could find me sitting at the bar drinking copious amounts of beer and devouring plate after plate of freezer burnt chicken nuggets. I was a regular for maybe a year or two but somehow the place just kept getting worse and worse so I stopped going.

My most recent visit prior to last night was in 2006 and it had reached even a greater low. It was essentially rot from the ceiling to the floor including the people inside it. The bar was old and crusty and it's clientele and food matched. It was just a sad lonely bar filled with sad lonely people listening to a sad lonely song about someone sad and lonely...you get the idea. But now just like my youth that bar no longer exists.

In it's place is a clean, dark inviting bar with a slider filled menu. I wasn't very hungry so the only thing I tried was a $5 plate of rosemary garlic fries w/ jalapeño lemon aioli. They came topped with cheese which the menu didn't mention. In case there are folks with food allergies it might be worth putting that on the menu however for me it was a nice gluttonous addition. Overall they were okay. The fries were crisp and garlicky with a hint of rosemary and the dip provided a nice kick. They were not the best fries I have had around town but certainly not the worst.

The clientele was a mishmash of 20 something's all the way to folks in their 50's. There was about 20 people in the bar and it was quite loud with just those few people and that's not counting the one, old, drunk, attention-seeking fellow leftover from my earlier visits who kept yelling " YAAAAAH BABBBBBY" every 15 minutes for no apparent reason. I think he might have been playing Bingo by himself but I am not sure. I'm also not sure of what the bar would be like at full capacity but then again I'm never out past Jeopardy so it doesn't really matter to me.

So it looks like after years and years of avoiding the Westside I can finally try to recapture a part of my youth without getting peck implants and that's a win in my book.

This review is a figment of your imagination.

Apparently I have never had an actual Banh Mi and neither have any of you who have eaten here and enjoyed it. We have only had imaginary ones like my friend Tyler Durden who is a regular here. You see, Heather M. seems to know us all really well and she said we don't know what the good stuff is. I should probably believe her and so should you. Because, after all, for all you know I could be imaginary.

I have tried, or at least I think I did, both the Lemongrass Pork ($2.99) and the Coconut Chicken Sandwich ($2.50). Were they the best Banh Mi I have never had? No. Were they good? I think so. But then yesterday, I tried the Lemongrass tofu ($2.99). I opened my crusty soft roll to find  four  1/2 inch thick slices of  firm lightly fried tofu. It had a slight savory lemon flavor and it was topped with the usual crunchy suspects. The Tofu was nothing short of delicious. Some of the best I have never tried.

The prior Tofu Banh Mi that I had tried up in Seattle did not even come close to comparing to Nammy's. I also feel like it was better then both the meat options I previously tried here. It was so good in fact that once I started getting full on just one sandwich I started picking the tofu off to finish it.

So even though I don't know what I am talking about I will continue to walk my pet rock, Steve, to Nammy's on the regular. So if you spot us, say hi providing you can even see us at all.

Straight up witchcraft is what this is. I don't know how else to explain how Quickie made boring, flavorless tofu taste like delicious meatloaf. I am beginning to wonder if they marinated it in beef.

This weekend I had the New York style sandwich. I actually didn't have mine from Quickie though but they deliver a few of their meatless, magical creations to the Olympia Food Co-op.

Their website says the sandwich consists of NewYork deli tofu on a small petella bun, with grilled sweet onions, seared bell peppers, potato salad, vegan mayo & tomatoes. Mine didn't have the bell peppers or the tomatoes and to be honest I am not sure if it had potato salad on it. I was too busy being in a state of blissful confusion about how, what was in my mouth, didn't come from an animal but tasted like it did. Mine did, however, come with crisp lettuce on it and it wasn't on a bun but instead tasty bread. It was so good I might never eat meat again.

I don't know if it was good for me but it didn't taste bad for me. All I know is for once it was nice to walk through the park after a meal without squirrels growling at me and threatening to shank me with their little arms.

The best part of waking up... doesn't involve waking up in bed, smelling crappy coffee, and running downstairs to find one of my long lost family members burning already burnt coffee and offering me a cup. No to me it is getting in my car and driving the 4 miles to the Westside.

Olympia Coffee Roasting, and this location in particular, is the reason I am unable to give up coffee. Not that I am trying. It doesn't seem to matter which barista prepares my drink it tastes the same every time. The service is always friendly and the coffee is the best I have had in town.

Let me apologize now...

There is no way to say this without it sounding like a conversation heard in the back of a school bus but damn I just love Jonee's nuts. The ingredients are simple: Peanuts, oil, garlic and salt. There is fried crunchy little pieces of garlic mixed in with the peanuts and I may never be able to enjoy a beer again without them.

Seriously they should come with a warning stating that they are habit forming because I found them quite addicting. Every time I set them down I found myself grabbing them again 10 minutes later. Finally, for fear of finishing them in one sitting, I had to have them removed from my general location.

I am not sure if they can be found at the actual bake shop though. If you are looking to get your hands on some of Jonee's nuts you can find them at the Renton Uwajimaya. A small cup will cost you $2.99 but they are worth every cent.