Pho the love of phơ

A couple of years ago, my sweet friend Sarah invited me to have phơ with her for lunch. I had absolutely no idea what this meant or what I was in for, but I love just about all food, so why not add to the list, right?

My first phơ experience was at Phơ Hoa on Olympia's west side. It was love at first taste. I got tofu phơ, because raw meat sort of freaks me out...or it did at the time.   Phơ hoa will always be my favorite phơ, it set the bar for me and never disappoints.

Whenever I go to phơ I have pretty specific expectations, some more necessary than others. First, the broth...the broth needs to be not too salty and not too peppery, but just right. They need to have plastic chopsticks, not the cheap wood kind. They also must have fresh looking basil and musn't go cheap on the jalapenos. Top of the list, Sriracha...they absolutely must have sriracha! It's also a must to have the hot pepper sauce...but I have NO idea what this delicious fiery shit is because it's always in generic bottles. At any rate...not just a confusing paste, but the sauce. Phơ 111 in tumwater has a paste and I'm not down with it. I'm not a super big fan of that place either. Great spring rolls, not excellent phơ.

So, to say the least I've been to a few phơ joints around, and here are my two cents...

Phơ hoa: you already know

Phơ 102 (tumwater, used to be arby's): probably my second favorite...except they don't have plastic chopsticks...which doesn't really matter since I use a fork...the chopstick thing is for Sarah.

Phơ and Baguette (tumwater by freddys):totally awesome but they put big veggies in their tofu phơ, so ask to take those out if you aren't into that...I'm certainly not. The owners are the sweetest people, and I hear their baguettes are to die for...

Little da Nang: excellent! Spring rolls are giant and fresh. Also, the shallots on top of the phơ is signature yum! Their hours online and on the door vary...so don't expect to go before noon...or even 12:30 for that matter.

I think that's good for now...I may add some later. :-)  I hope if you are on a quest for the best phơ that you find this helpful...and that you invite me!

Cheers,
A

Sin-n-Out

Well, of COURSE while in Sin City we went to In-n-Out...it would have been my first meal there if it hadn't closed at 1:30am Friday morning!  We arrived in Vegas about 10pm on Thursday night and everyone (minus me) had a poker tournament to be in at 11pm.  Once my husband and darling friend Lindsay were done I wanted to go to In-n-Out...well...much to my surprise...it's the only "family friendly" burger joint in Sin City, therefore it is NOT open 24 hours...SAY WHAT???  Totally disappointed of course, but we still  made it there...No worries!

Our friends had a very important World Series of Poker Tournament on Saturday afternoon, so Rylan and I gave In-n-Out another shot.  We didn't have a rental car, but we grabbed a cab right outside the resort and told the cabbie our food destination.  The cab ride from the south end of the strip is about $10, but worth every penny!  We arrived at In-n-Out at about 1pm and it was PACKED!  Rightfully so, these people know what's good for them....mentally...not physically.

Rylan scooped up a seat with a couple older gals from Maryland while I waited in line.  I didn't get my usual "animal style" number two, but just the regular number two...which I'm sure makes some people go number two...cuz animal style or not...it's a greasy gob of goodness!!!! (Did I just go a little too far there...hmmm).  Anyhow, a number two straight up is a cheeseburger and fries...you need to ask for onions or pickle if you want it.  Rylan got no onion, but I said "bring it on!"!  They also have fountain 7up which makes Rylan happy...and I had diet coke! 

When I finally got our food, which took about 15 minutes (the line was pure insanity), I was in heaven!!!!  Everything was perfect...just like I remembered.  The burgers are a bit medium well, so if you want ZERO pink, ask for it to be well done.  The burger sauce is to die for, but I'm sure it's just something simple...like thousand island dressing.  And the fries, perfectly mediumly cooked (I just made up the word "mediumly", but it works)...if you like them less or more cooked, you can ask for that.  Everything is freshly made, never frozen, and the fries come from real potatoes...hahaha! What more could you ask for.  I ate EVERY bite!  I didn't get the Neapolitan shake I was dying for, but I knew I'd be stuffed to the brim....turns out I could have shoved more in my gullet but I didn't want to be rolled out of there.

Needless to say, as always, we left with a disappointment scale of ZERO...it was as wonderful as we expected.  While I'm sad they wouldn't let me open a franchise here in Washington...I think it's THAT much more special that I get to have it at least once a year...I'm good with that. :)

Many of you may have heard of the In-n-Out "secret menu"...it's not a secret, but here it is on their website:
http://www.in-n-out.com/menu/not-so-secret-menu.aspx

There are a million places to eat in Vegas...and a burger joint on every block...however...this foodie will recommend In-n-Out every time! 

Cheers,
Andrea

Hash House...a Vegas must go-go

Sometimes when traveling to places we have come custom to visitng often I have some "must eats". The Hash House a Go-Go is a Vegas MUST for me. They call it "twisted farm food" and I call it a little piece of heaven.

Something I learned during this trip is there are TWO little pieces of farm food heaven in Vegas, one in The Quad Casino (f.k.a. Imperial Palace) and one in The Rio, a little off the strip.  This time, we stuck with what we know and went to The Quad.

One thing you must realize is Farm Peeps LOVE FOOD...heck, they are responsible for feeding us so I see nothing wrong with this! With that said, the first time you eat at The Hash House you might be a little surprised at the portion size. Their BLT must be a foot tall, and I'm NOT overestimating! Their Bloody Marys are incredible...and a good hangover remedy. If you plan to eat here...you will likely wait for a table. We've been at "normal breakfast hours" and it's insanely crowded. So keep that in mind as well...do NOT go there in a "hangry" state and expect to get seated and eat right away. They also make everything fresh to order, however, it's definitely not the slowest service. They also won't seat parties that aren't complete, so if you put your name in, don't let someone go down to gamble...you'll then have to wait till they return and hope your table is still available. I think this is silly with technology these days, but hey...not silly enough that I don't come back...every time we visit sin city!

My husband decided to share a meal since neither one of us could succeed in scarfing one whole plate. I let him pick and he went with biscuits and gravy with overmedium eggs and mashed taters...sounds weird...what about hash browns....nope...the mashed taters are where its at. Much to my surprise they also don't charge for an extra plate. BONUS! Aside from feeling a little rushed, the waiter was incredible. Everything was perfect. The biscuits weren't dry or under done, the gravy was certainly homemade, the eggs ordered up just right....and the mashed taters under all that deliciousness....aaaaaamazing! If you aren't starving and are a little "hung"...get O'Hare of the Dog...a 24oz budweiser and a side if bacon....hangover remedy for sure!

Prices are pretty average, but like I said...share...it's totally enough food, I promise! Mmm....I'm getting hungry...

Cheers,
Andrea

Balancing this addiction...

I'm not real sure where to start with this entry without being as raw as I will likely ever get on this blog.

At a very young age for a million different reasons we don't have to delve into, I became very self conscious about my body. I never have been and never will be super-model material. I am 5'4" and somewhere around 125-130 in any given season. Far from perfect. I struggle to stay at this weight and a lot of it is because of how much I enjoy all food.  I beat myself up and worry more about what I see than the average woman does, and I am sure of that. I have a husband who thinks I'm the most gorgeous thing he's ever set eyes on (or at least he leads me to believe that, which is what counts) and how I see me is all in my own head. Honestly, it sucks, but I'm trying to conquer it. Within the last year I have told myself that I want to love my body. It does so much for me, so I should love it in return. Every day I wake up this side of the dirt is a GREAT day, and I have my body to thank for that. But still...the thought of wearing shorts in public on an upcoming trip has me petrified to the point I am putting them on every day and wearing them around the house just to get used to the idea. A little crazy, I know. I weigh myself and measure and over think things to the point of exhaustion sometimes. Oddly, I think this food blog is helpful...because past all this, I want to share what brings me joy...even if it's a little silly that I love food so much. I also find comfort in the balance between loving food and being healthy. Because if I'm sure about anything, I'm sure I'm not alone in my struggle with body dysmorphic disorder, and that is not healthy...so aside from wanting to share my love to travel and eat and to travel TO eat...I want to also inspire. I want to remember that wearing shorts is okay (just like it's okay I posted photos of myself in shorts & I'm likely the only one worried about it), I want the people reading this to know how beautiful they are and its alright to indulge sometimes without guilt...and betting healthy is paramount, but you need not to obsess :-)

So, this morning, the morning after my penne and cheese deliciousness (that the "new me" refuses to regret), my alarm sounds at 4:30 and I begin my day. My garage is a bit of a mess but it's equipped with some awesome fitness stuff! Something far more important than food is living a healthy lifestyle...being happy and taking care of your body. Why don't I have a "fitness blog" or a "health food blog"...Well...I am not necessarily the poster child for fitness and healthy eating....I love food...and thats MUCH more interesting to me than fitness...albeit a little crazy...I'm a little crazy..so it works!

Today I did a workout I came up with myself...and while it may not have burned the entire 600 calories in 8 bites of penne and cheese...it still was sweaty and wonderful. I've attached a photo, you should try it sometime. It's a tough one, and a solid half hour minimum...but it will feel good, and earn you some points toward a nice meal outside of veggies and boring chicken. Who the hell WANTS to eat that all the time? NOT I! 

Bottom line is I'm not perfect, I'm normal (mostly) and I really want to enjoy life and live outside of the usual "eat your veggies and don't use salt" realm. This blog isn't for everyone...heck...really it's for me, and if I can entertain or inspire you along the way, awesome sauce!

Cheers,
Andrea

THE OLY CLUB

My sweet friend, Stefanie sent me a photo 6 or so days ago of a delicious sounding macaroni and cheese at the Oly Club in Centralia, WA. It was made with Bleu Cheese and Sriracha (and I love everything made with Sriracha). I could not get this stuff off my mind so I finally broke down and went.

Our waiter, Lazlo, was awesome. He used the word "groovy" multiple times which made me happy right away. First, I wanted cider...they don't have my usual Angry Orchard so I got their house Cherry...Which was amazeballs! Then when he took our order I explained that I had this mac n cheese on the mind and I NEEDED it. Oddly...he didn't recommed it, he recommend their usual baked mac n cheese. I was SO disappointed because I never will go against what a waiter says. If they have seen it sent back multiple times, it's not worth getting. So, I went with some cajun tots and the usual mac n cheese...excuse me, penne and cheese. Mac n cheese is made with macaroni noodles.  My friend, Jayme ordered a Cuban sandwich with a side salad and helped me eat some of the cajun tots. Their cajun tots are amazing and totally worth the splurge. I didn't try any of Jayme's meal, however, her salad had pickled onions on it, which totally disgused me, but good to know for future purchase...and the sandwich was spicy but tasty according to her. The penne and cheese was average, yummy but lacking spice...and quite franky...I have yet to taste a mac n cheese dish that beats mine (insert pat on the back here).

All in all, a great experience, but still disappointed the bleu cheese mac wasn't highly recommended by staff.  Maybe I will try to make one at home and see how it goes :-)  anyhow, services gets an A and food gets a B from me :-)

Cheers,
Andrea

The Cracker Barrel Experience 2014

May 10, 2014 my friend Jayme and I decided to travel to Boise Idaho to eat at Cracker Barrel.  I have never been, but Jayme, knowing this is one of my favorite things to do, suggested we go check it out!

We left early on the 10th so we could make it to Boise by dinner time.  Sure enough, we were successful! 

My first thought, it really reminded me of the Country Cousin in Centralia, WA.  The store was quite a bit bigger at Cracker Barrel, however it smelled the same....downfall...no alcohol. BUMMER!  But, back to the good....the store inside Cracker Barrel is quaint and adorable.  You can get candies that remind you of your younger days, or your granny's younger days, and all sorts of nick knacks and boy howdy it is country bumpkin galore!  I LOVED IT!

Much to my absolute enjoyment our sweet waiter, Asa, let me know they have sweet tea!  Holy smokes I love sweet tea and the last time I had real sweet tea was at the Waffle House in Sumter South Carolina quite a few years back...yep sign me up for that!  Looking at the menu was overwhelming.  I knew I would only have one dinner, one dessert, and one breakfast, so I'd better make it good!  Luckily, they have a sampler plate!  Oh BOY! 

I sucked down the sweet tea rather swiftly and my sampler plate arrived (swiftly as well, which made me happier than a pig in poo).  I had chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, and country fried ham with a side of mac n' cheese, green beans, and cheesy grits.  All of which was mostly excellent.  The chicken a hair dry and the beans may have been canned, but even though the mac n cheese tasted a LOT like velveeta, it was all extremely wonderful.  Our waiter was FLABBERGASTED we traveled all the way from Olympia to eat there, and he thought maybe I wrote about food for a living...which inspired this blog, so thank you Asa. ;)

By the time we were done with dinner we were practically movie stars because turns out, much like Asa, everyone else could hardly believe someone would drive all that way for some Cracker Barrel.

We told Asa we were heading to enjoy a swim in our hotel that was conveniently located next door (literally had a view of the restaurant, picture below), then we would return for late dessert and come back again for breakfast before making the trek home.

Dessert...oh goodness.  Double Fudge Coca-cola Cake with ice cream and milk in a cute little carton like elementary school...it does NOT get much better than that.  The cake was the most flavorful and moist I've probably ever had and the ice cream surely isn't homemade but it could have fooled me!  I devoured nearly the whole thing when the manager came up to ask us how our swim was.  At first I was a little freaked out, then remembered we were starlets there so of COURSE he knew we went for a swim.  Hilarious.

So, full bellies (again) we headed back for a nice night's rest just to return in the morning for breakfast.  I decided on one of my most favorite meals....French Toast.  It was fluffy, delicious, and full of flavor.  I remember Jayme had something similar to what I call "crack potatoes" but I think it was hash brown casserole...also amazingly fantastic according to Jayme.  It was mother's day morning so the place was crowded but still pretty swift with the service.  A little stingy with the creamer for our coffee, but all around a good experience.

Would I go to Cracker Barrel again, YES, for sure.  Would I recommend you travel to eat there, yes...why not...it's delicious down home goodness with sweet tea and grits and greens and smiles!  If all those things aren't worth your travels, well, I'm not sure why we know each other!

Cheers,
Andrea B.

What this blog is about

Hi there,

I'm Andrea, Baker by name, but not by trade.  I'm an average married gal living what I think is an above average life.  While nothing spectacular happens on a daily basis, I find happiness in every day from the moment I wake up.

The reason for this blog...well, I love a lot of things...matter of fact, most people know I'm pretty serious when "I love the shit out of that shit" (excuse the language, but it's a common phrase for me).  Above many things I love photography, and food.  While this blog will have NOTHING to do with my photography business, I am a food photo junkie.  I'm also a pho junkie, a coffee junkie, and a going out to eat with any little excuse I can make junkalicious little machine!

That said, I have found MUCH joy in traveling to eat.  I do try to stay on the healthier side of things at home, however, I love to eat when I travel and love to travel to eat. My husband and I don't necessarily see eye to eye on this, but hey...having everything in common would be boring as hell.  Along those lines, this blog isn't up for discussion...I'm not trying to cause argument, I don't want a huge GMO debate or some debacle over whether or not a restaurant is truly gluten free, etc etc etc.  I eat food...I don't have food allergies and I don't necessarily try to read every ingredient.  I go on dieting binges often before a trip, but other than that, I just try to be cautious and keep in mind my portions, and for God's sake ENJOY WHAT I CONSUME!

I may post some recipes that I conjure up, or possibly some local (Thurston County-ish, WA) foods that I consume, but mostly I want to share my joy!  I want to share my experience and possibly inspire others to be healthy but also enjoy food when they can.  Go out and splurge once in a while...it's okay, I promise.  You will have no idea how fun it is to drive somewhere eight or more hours away solely to eat their cheesy grits until you try it.

This isn't a health food blog, but a food blog...some of which will be healthy...some of which might stir up thoughts and ideas...some of which might be delicious cheesy baked macaroni and cheese...one thing I promise, I'll keep it as interesting as possible.

Cheers,
Andrea Baker