Pepper Park Coffee Review – Barrington, IL

I admire anyone who starts a business from scratch; I’ve done it several times, and I know a whole lot about the pitfalls, anticipated and unanticipated, that can crop up. I double dog admire anyone who starts a business in a crowded space like coffee, but the nice folks at Pepper Park Coffee were apparently… Continue reading Pepper Park Coffee Review – Barrington, IL

Minions Review

    Surely a candidate for numerous Oscars, “Minions” (3D) is one of the best movies of 2015. From Illumination Entertainment, the ‘prequel’ of 2010’s “Despicable Me,” follows the Minions from the first moment of their existence, then crawling out of the primordial ooze, to fulfill their destiny of serving the world’s most evil people,… Continue reading Minions Review

Fresh Grill Beaverton Reviews

 There’s another new burger in town, and you say, so?  The latest entry in the new segment of “not fast food – good food fast” are the burgers, chicken, and salads at Fresh Grill, in the out lot by Best Buy and Burlington Coat Factory, across 217 from Washington Square Mall. When you start with… Continue reading Fresh Grill Beaverton Reviews

Iltaco Pizza Puff Review

A family-owned Chicago food manufacturer founded in 1927, Iltaco (originally Illinois Tamale Company) makes frozen snack foods for retail, food service, and c-stores.  They have two frozen pizza labels, “Big,” and “Bella,” sell frozen tamales and burritos, but probably their biggest presence is in the niche category of “Pizza Puffs ™.” A pizza puff is… Continue reading Iltaco Pizza Puff Review

Pastrami Dip Recipe

I first heard of, and experienced the “pastrami dip” at a West Los Angeles icon, Johnnie’s Pastrami, on Sepulveda near the Culver City border.  It’s a favorite corner of mine, also home to “Cinco de Mayo” (formerly Lucy’s #2)  a Los Angeles style Mexican fast food stand open all night.  I used to sit there… Continue reading Pastrami Dip Recipe

Hormel Deli Roast Beef Review

I’ve been trying out a lot of deli meats, lately, mostly pastrami and corned beef. I’m a fairly big snob / choosy about what I buy, eschewing the more inexpensive brands, which tend to be what I refer to commonly as “chopped, pressed, and form,” meat and other additives reconstituted to resemble roasts.  I much… Continue reading Hormel Deli Roast Beef Review

White Castle Chicken Waffle Review

White Castle has been trying on a lot of different dishes for size lately. Jalapeno and siracha everything, for example.  Tonight I went for the “Chicken & Waffle Slider,” a take off on the current chicken and waffle craze sweeping the country.  Used to be you could only get that dish in about three restaurants… Continue reading White Castle Chicken Waffle Review