What a Wonderful Invention -- a Cinedine!

Review
This combination offers the greatest potential since the combination of peanut butter and chocolate.  Gone are the days of needing to go back for a refill on a beverage or popcorn; now there are waiters that will fill those up for you.  But first -- parking.  Because this cinema resides in a sky rise area, the building itself blends in with its surroundings.  There is a big marquee announcing its location and grabbing the attention of locale passersby.  The parking garage is right close to the theater and allows visitors to park for free for the first three hours.  Of course, though, depending upon the movie it may not be long enough and could require an hours worth of parking.


The third floor contains the theater with the concession stands.  The theater consists of lazy boys with an eating area in front.  The rows are larger than normal to allow the waiters/waitresses to walk back and forth behind each row.  The chairs are quite comfortable; the chairs in the VIP section even more so.


For my order I went with the Blue Burger consisting of blue cheese and mushrooms on a toasted bun.  The blue cheese really enhanced the burger.  Normally the blue cheese is hardly noticeable on the burger; however, here the blue cheese made itself known while not completely overwhelming the burger.  The end result was a very good blue cheese burger.


The food was good and the service even better.  I went there with 5 other people and pretty soon the waiter noticed we were drinking more than the average crowd and brought us out pitchers of soda to replenish our drinks when they hit bottom.  He ended up bringing out several pitchers.  Ultimately we had more than enough to drink and the service was some of the best I've ever had.  I'm already looking forward to my next trip out.


Cost and Big John Rating
$8.95 = Blue Burger without tax
Quality = 8
Service = 9
Ambiance = 8
Taste = 9
Price Rating = 7.2
Big John Rating = 8.3


Notable URLs
Midtown Cinedine Menu

Ted and Wally's Ice Cream Shack

Review

Located in the historic Old Market District of Omaha, this is one of a few distinct exceptions to the customary red brick design so prevalent in this area.  It looks like a dive especially when considering the juxtaposition of this building with the others, but it really offers some good ice cream.  The inside is decorated with old ice cream making equipment, an old soda machine, and several paintings on the walls.  The menu is written with a dry erase marker on a white board and items are erased once something sells out.  Because their menu is in a constant state of flux (they rarely have the same menu items day to day), ordering "the usual" is virtually impossible.  This can be considered either a pro or a con depending on if I'm craving something in particular (which does happen on occasion) but really comes in handy if I want to try something new (which usually happens).

An old ice cream maker decoration
sits right next to the ordering counter.

Off of today's menu I tried the lemon cheesecake and the cinnamon nutmeg.  I thought I was going to like the lemon cheesecake and dislike the cinnamon nutmeg, but just the opposite happened.  The biggest complaint I had with the lemon cheesecake is the lack of tartness.  The only way to tell that it was a lemon flavored ice cream is from the yellow coloring.  If it wasn't for the yellow coloring, I would have mistaken it for vanilla.  As it was, my tongue couldn't tell the difference.  However, my experience was completely different with the cinnamon nutmeg.  I was originally worried that the nutmeg or cinnamon would overpower the ice cream, but instead it was a subtle combination that went well with the creaminess of the ice cream.  This was one of two flavors that we purchased by the pint and really enjoyed eating for a few days to come.


In short, Ted and Wallys is one location on my short list of places I always visit when in Omaha.  In fact, this last time I was here there were 11 of us and everyone enjoyed the ice cream of Ted and Wallys.  It's definitely something I will go to again when in Omaha.


Cost and Big John Rating
$3.94 = Two Scoops with tax
Quality = 9
Taste = 8
Service = 8
Ambiance = 8
Price Rating = 8.9
Big John Rating = 8.2


Notable URLs
Facebook Page

Rolling Out the Red Brick Matt

 Review
From the outside, the Old Mattress Factory Bar & Grill looks like an old warehouse.  It's actually a grocery store that was later turned into a restaurant.  Although originally built in 1883, this interior has been renovated to suit the needs of a bar and grill.  The building is a historic landmark and really provides a great atmosphere.


Upon arrival the place was packed.  Without a seating hostess, we eagerly awaited a table to clear and jumped on the first one that did so.  Although the seating was packed, there wasn't too many people waiting to sit (whereas when we left there was a large crowd waiting to be seated).  The busgirl cleaned off the table in record time and soon we were ordering our drinks.


Because Creighton University was playing a game at the Qwest Center, they only offered us a smaller version of the menu.  Essentially they wanted to make sure they could get as many people through as quickly as possible.  Unfortunately, my brother and sister-in-law had gone over the full menu beforehand and each craved a different item from the full menu that wasn't on the smaller one.  When the waiter came over to take our order my brother asked if he could have one the other burgers to which the waiter said no.  So my sister-in-law asked for an Omaha Burger with onions, mushrooms, and horseradish (which makes up the Matt burger that she wanted) and my brother asked for an Omaha burger with Blue Cheese and Caramelized onions (which makes up the BlueJay burger) to which the waiter responded, "Ok.  You got me.  I'm going to go back there and the chef's going to say, 'Why'd you let them order stuff that wasn't on the menu?' And I'm gong to say, 'They're too smart for us!'"  So we ended up with what we wanted after all.

For mine I ordered The Matt Pig Sandwhich (one of their specialties) which consisted of slow cooked smoked pork and topped off with picnic slaw as well as BBQ sauce on the side and fries.  The pork was pretty good, very tender and had good flavor.  The bun was a little harder than I'd like but it wasn't too noticeable because of how much meat they put on there.  The fries were average fries.  They also offer an additional cup of soap or side salad for $2 or you can substitute out the fries for sweet potato fries or onion rings for $1.50.


Overall everyone enjoyed their meal and look forward to coming back, not just because of the great service but also because of the good food.  You may want to avoid coming just before a CU game, though, because it does get very packed.  Other than that it's a great place to go.


Cost and Big John Rating
$7.95 = The Matt Pig Sandwich and fries without tax.
Quality = 8
Service = 9
Ambiance = 9
Taste = 8
Price Rating = 8.0
Big John Rating = 8.5


Notable URLs
The Old Mattress Factory
Their Menu

A Red Attic Deli

Review

I nearly passed it by.  I knew it was around here because a friend had been there before, but I nearly passed it by because the door says something about a dance studio.  The sign for Red Deli is above the dance studio and there is a sign above the second story window saying "Red Deli", but if you're looking for a sign at eye-level you will never find it.  Entering the front door, turning to the right and going up the stairs you come right to the counter where the cashier awaits to take the order.  The place looks like an unfinished apartment and the dining area consists of four tables awaiting for people to come.  The location is fairly new; there were people in one of the former bedrooms measuring things, looking things over, and walking in and out multiple times.  The location still has yet to get a soda fountain -- currently they have an upright glass door cooler filled with IBC root beer of differing varieties such as regular, diet, cream soda, and blackberry.


Being a Philly fan, I ordered their Philly Steak Supreme combo with a medium fry and an IBC Root Beer.  The order came out fairly quickly which I appreciated.  I wouldn't call the sandwich, though, a Philly Cheese steak, it was more of a rib-eye sub.  For toppings it came with mayo, tomato, lettuce, olives, and banana peppers.  The meat contained two slices of rib-eye with provolone melted in the middle (which I thought was a great touch).  This allowed the cheese to be noticeable but not overcome the taste of the tender rib-eye.  The freshly made bread was rather soft and the outside had a harder crust to it that I thought really went well with the sub.  For a sub the overall presentation was great, but for someone wanting a Philly it was a disappointment.  Next time I will go with a different selection mostly because of my expectations of a Philly.  The fries were really good although there weren't as many as I'd expect in a medium, but they had a great taste to them.  The outside was cooked to a crisp but the inside was still tender mostly because of their size.


Overall, I probably won't go here again and not because of the taste (I thought the taste was great) but because of the distance from where I work to get there, the lack of a soda fountain, and the price.  I couldn't finish my entire sandwich not because I was full but because I didn't have anything else to wash it down with.  Free refills really do come in handy and have saved a possibly difficult sandwich many a time.  As a workaround for this issue, though, they do offer free delivery for some of Provo.  If I were in the free delivery range and wanted a sub but didn't feel like driving anywhere, I would probably give them a ring.  While we were there, only one other group showed up and yet they were busy the entire time simply because of their phone orders.  But price is also something to take into consideration.  With the sub itself being $8.75 for a 12 inch, I wouldn't pass up cheaper establishments for this one.


Cost and Big John Rating
Cost = $8.75 - 12" sub, $2.50 - medium fries and IBC Root Beer without tax.
Quality = 8
Taste = 6 (it's the expectation of a Philly that kills this)
Ambiance = 5
Service = 8
Price Rating = 7.3
Big John Rating = 6.7


Notable URLs
Red Deli's Menu

Everything on Great Steak

Review
What was the name of that place?  Was it The Great Steak or Steak & Everything Grill?  It's very confusing because the outside and receipt says "The Great Steak" but the menu says "Steak & Everything Grill".  Hmm.  Google Maps and Facebook call it "Steak & Everything Grill" so that's what I'll refer to it as.


Approaching from the outside this looks exactly like the kind of place I like to visit -- just a little Ma & Pa's type place.  Inside it has a very old feel to it with the old school Coca-Cola advertising and other items decorating the walls that could have come from an old log cabin or malt shop.  The dinning area is small -- perfect for a Ma and Pa's and has maybe 3 tables and 7 booths.


Pulling all three tables next to each other, the lunch crew took to looking over the "Steak & Everything Grill" menu.  With a wide variety of items to choose from, the question on what to eat was apparently very tough.  One guy in our lunch crew barely made his entrée choice but when it came to dessert he couldn't take the pressure and told the waitress, "Surprise me".  Which she did by coming up with her own milk shake recipe, and he enjoyed it.


When it came to my turn I did what seemed right at the time and went with the first item on the menu -- the Steak and Everything combo.  This Philly Cheese steak comes with rib-eye, grilled bell peppers and onions, tomatoes, and provolone all on a sourdough bun.  When they first brought it out my thought was "Where's the beef?!?"  I don't think I've seen a Philly that was more bun than topping (take a look at my Chubby's Cafe posting to see what I'm talking about).  It had a pretty good taste to it (there was a lot of flavoring to it and the grilled veggies pulled their own weight) and resembled something I would get at the Italian Place.  Overall it was a good sandwich, it just needs a bit more to it to go along with the bun.  The fries that came with the combo were crisp and the fry sauce was an excellent compliment to the fry.  Theirs is a fry sauce I would recommend and will want again.


Overall we had a very good experience and the lunch crew looks forward to coming back here again sometime.


Cost and Big John Rating
Cost = $6.99 without tax (came with the Steak and Everything, small fries, and a drink)
Quality = 6
Taste = 6
Ambiance = 9
Service = 9
Price Rating = 6.4
Big John Rating = 7.5


Notable URLs
The Steak & Everything Grill Facebook Page

Wings -N- Things

Wallaby's Great Barbecue

Review
Wallaby's is a great addition to the Utah barbecue scene.  Strategically located near a busy intersection in Lindon, Wallaby's is easily noticed from State Street and just as easily accessible. The inside offers many Australian items such as Australian yield signs and several other items.  The wood pile to the right is not just for decor but also informs the customer that this is a smokehouse and all their meat is smoked (which really makes for a good meal).


Ever since Wallaby's came out with their lunch menu, the lunch crew has frequented this location.  It is a favorite of ours.  Even though they recently changed their lunch menu from meat and side for $5.99 to meat and two sides for $6.99, this is still an excellent price for barbecue.  This time I went with my personal favorite -- the pulled pork with a side of smashers.  For the extra side I gave the fresh veggies a try.  Each meal also comes with two slices of their home made bread (which is really good bread).  The pulled pork is tender and not only has a great flavor, but also goes very well with their raspberry barbecue sauce.  The smashers consist of mashed potatoes with cheese worked into them.  Also very good.  Be ye warned, though, they come with a lot on the plate.  A senior Asian couple ordered the smashers and when they brought the plate out their eyes went as wide as saucers and led to them calling the waitress back thinking there was some mistake because they had only ordered one side of smashers and not two; but that's how they come.

The fresh veggies came with broccoli, onions, carrot strips, and zucchini.  There was only a slight buttering to the veggies, and they were well steamed and had a great taste to them.  I will consider ordering these next time as well.  Their baked beans are also good with bacon added to them; they are also something I've substituted for the smashers occasionally.


If it's good barbecue you're looking for and want to try something different and new, Wallaby's is a great place to go for a good price.


Big John Rating and Cost
Cost = $6.99 without tax (includes meat and two sides)
Quality = 9
Taste = 9
Ambiance = 9
Service = 8
Price Rating = 9.7
Big John Rating = 9.0


Notable URLs
Wallaby's Website

Delta Doesn't Need to Freeze for Good Food

Review
Delta Freeze in my opinion is the best eating establishment there is in Delta.  Located right near the entrance of Delta from Highway 6, this place is situated in such a way that no other place needs to be passed up to get here.  From the outside it looks small because the upper floor consists of the loft (which is a steak shop) and the bottom floor contains Delta Freeze but it is big enough to get the job done.  This classic malt shop offers a variety of items on the menu including two different seafood entrees (one herring and the other cod) plus a buffalo burger and sometimes even Ostrich.  In addition they also serve shakes.

Today I went with the 1/4 pound Delta Deluxe which included a 1/4 burger, ham, swiss cheese, mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and sauce all on a toasted bun.  I am a firm believer that mushroom belongs on a pizza not on a burger; I do not like the texture of the mushroom on my burger.  However, I always get the artist's creation the first time just in case I'm pleasantly surprised (which does happen).  This time, I wasn't.  Picking out the mushrooms, though, this was a great burger!  The swiss cheese was folded into the ham and melted nicely inside of it.  Swiss does have its proper place on a burger especially if the surrounding taste an hold its own against the strong taste of swiss.  This burger does just that.  Every bit had different flavor combinations and was enjoyable to the last crumb.


Because I ordered the 1/4 pound burger, I also received an order of small fries.  I wish I had a larger size.  The fries were crinkle style -- a style that you normally don't get up where I'm from.  They also came with different seasonings on top of them and were chewy.  I normally don't get a fry this springy and chewy so this was a delightful find.  My advice is to keep these all to yourself; don't share them with anyone unless you get the large size and even then share responsibly.


Overall, I've enjoyed every single trip I've ever made to Delta Freeze and look forward to the next.  Don't pass this place by if you're heading along Highway 6 because the stop will definitely be something worth remembering.


Big John Rating and Cost
Cost = $5.55 without tax (includes 1/4 Delta Deluxe and a small order of fries)
Quality = 9
Taste = 8
Service = 8
Ambiance = 9
Price Rating = 9.1
Big John Rating = 8.5


Notable URLs