Five Guys Burger

This one is for the people who DO NOT scarf down an enormous burger daily, and then drink a Large Dixie cup full of freshly salted fries.  I walked into Five Guys in Orlando and instead of doing the usual lady survey with my peripheral vision, my nose led my eyes straight to the grill. It smelled so good I think I sprinted to the line but it was like four feet so well say speed walk for all intents and purposes. I got to the cashier and she simply said "Hi! what would you like?" I thought to myself, no introduction, no formal eye greeting, what the bloody hell kind of fast food is this (glancing down at boxes stacked like Lego's, of raw peanuts!?). She took a look at my usual blank ordering face and pointed at the menu, "What kind of burger do you want to make?" I go careful with burgers, I dont enjoy the soggy oil soaked, cheese and ketchup garbage Americans inhale, I like them simple. They grilled fresh BEEF here and fresh-er buns(i love good buns). I chose a few toppings, no cheese oh and Cajun fries. While i was standing in line, I got a chance to survey the 758903849202 articles about Five Guys posted up, "damn this burger better be good". That being said, I would like to introduce you to my creation wrapped in aluminum foil goodness; Double Burger with  jalapenos, tomato, grilled onions, barbeque sauce and Hell Yea, Bacon.  One last thing, ALWAYS get Cajun fries or else your day will suck. To be honest, This place is a carnivorous equivalent to Krispy Kreme and I've had a better burger but this one was  F#$%!&@ amazing for the short 8 minutes of waiting (yea i timed it, What?!?).

Downsides: NO BEER. How do you respectfully serve fresh shelled peanuts and NOT serve beer? Fail.

-Melchior

A shrimp.. BURGER?

That's right people, you didn't read that wrong.. I had a shrimp burger. And it was oh so good. Two of my close friends vowed to have breakfast a few times a month this semester, as all three of our schedules were far too incompatible to do any other meal of the day. This past Tuesday, we went to L.A. Bistro in Dearborn, MI. 

I had gone to school in Dearborn for two years and always drove by this place and somehow never managed to check it out (regretting it as I type). As much as I wanted to go to the non-profit Panera just a block away, we decided to go to this little cafe. I looked over the menu and the Shrimp Burger really stuck out to me.

It was not at all what I imagined.. I don't know what I imagined, to be honest. I guess I was expecting whole shrimp between buns and some lettuce.. Boy was I wrong.. and thankfully so! The shrimp in this burger was "pattied" with other spices I really couldn't make out.. but I repeat, it was good. My meal came with a choice of salad and side of either rice or potatoes. I went for a Caesar salad and of course the potatoes and guess what my total was... $7.50! That's right, all that deliciousness on my plate for only $7.50.

Anyway, definitely check this place out of you're in the area. It's great for a casual lunch or dinner.

location: Dearborn, MI

-Saima

TIOS

So a few days ago.... okay I lied. Last month on the 15th, it was a day to fast, as it was Day of Arafat. The day before Eid ul Adha. I wasn't able to go home to eat that day since sunset was shortly after I got off work downtown in Ann Arbor. So I went to Tios Mexican Cafe a couple blocks away... GREATEST decision ever!

I ordered a chicken chimichanga, and for those of you who don't know what that is, it's basically a fried burrito (I KNOW, amazing!). Normally, I wouldn't be able to eat all of this but that day, I downed it faster than.. I don't know, something really fast! I definitely surprised myself that day but man I was sooo hungry. But don't worry, I did take some time toward the end of my journey to savor the taste and it was delicious. The inside was filled with chicken, cheese, and beans -all harmoniously working together, pleasing my taste buds.

Something I really loved about this place was that they had a wonderful assortment of hot sauces, for those of you who like spicy food. Being Indian, you would think I'd prefer hot food, but I'm more of a medium spicy kinda girl. I'm more about the flavor... which chimichanga definitely had a lot of, but a little bit of hot sauce didn't hurt.

The overall feel of the atmosphere was very friendly. We had this awesome waitress who would always catch my friend and I when we were having weird/silly conversations.. so it was awkward but hilarious at the same time haha. I would recommend Tios to anyone who likes a good time and appreciates great Mexican food.

location: Downtown Ann Arbor

-Saima

Nico and Who?

NICO & VALI! The home of my favorite salad.

It looks complicated but really, this salad doesn't have too many ingredients: mixed greens, toasted walnuts, gorgonzola cheese, craisins, apple slices, and balsamic vinaigrette. I'm not a huge salad fan but happen to be a fanatic when it comes to Insalata Fresca. I was going to get half a sandwich and the half portion of this salad but just couldn't do it. This salad is too good. So instead of a sandwich, I got a Potato Crochette to accompany my salad.

Basically, these were just potato mozzarella balls (well more like cylinders, I guess). A great side for anyone who likes cheesy carbs :)

location: Downtown Plymouth, Michigan

-Saima

Zing-less Mac n' Cheese

11/08/10
So my friend and I went to Zingerman’s Roadhouse today for lunch to try this famous Mac and Cheese that was rated #1 Comfort Food by Alton Brown on the Food Network.. I decided to play it safe and go with the original “Roadhouse Macaroni & Cheese” because I wanted to try a GOOD ASS mac n cheese with nothing else and… Well, that was a mistake.

My friend had the “Macaroni, Smoked Chicken & Montery Jack” which was just a much better, tastier version of what I had. My mac and cheese was okay but it definitely didn’t live up to the hype. It came off as bland (maybe that’s my inner Indian talking) and I wished it was cheesier.

However, this will not stop me from going to Zingerman’s again; I’ve had other dishes like their crab cakes and some sandwiches, which are always made to perfection and today, I also tried their sweet potato fries which are my NEW favorite in town (beating my previous favorite from Sava’s Cafe). I’ve noticed that people normally either love or hate sweet potato. I happen to love it. These fries were crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a smoky flavor you won’t be able to resist. Ahhh so good, I wish I hadn’t eaten my leftovers for linner!

P.S. shoutout to the management at Zingerman’s Roadhouse on Jackson Ave, GREAT SERVICE!

location: Ann Arbor, MI
-Saima

11/07/10

(123rd Street Roll, Thai Treat )

So on my trip back up 95 towards Orlando, my friend Veronica and i decided our Saturday night festivities made us extremely hungry Sunday. We hit the exit and were now driving down 123rd St in North Miami we look at the street sign and see Thai Treat, looking over at the place itself we read the overhead sign that read, Kosher-Indian-Thai-Sushi. Veronica pumped the brakes and turned right in. She was mixed with Thai and Indian and me, well I’m just Indian. Bottom line our Asian instincts guided us to our meal…We entered, not expecting much from a small restaurant located in a so-so strip mall but suddenly we were taken aback. It was decorated very tastefully (pun intended). Then lo and behold, our eyes fall on the sushi bar:) I ordered the Thai chicken wings and the 123rd St Roll. Veronica ordered Shrimp Tempura roll and lamb kabobs. The waitress brought the sushi out on their own personal wooden trays and they looked phenomenal, which was the reason for the picture. It was like taking bites out of the Sushi Gods personal stash. The tempura flakes on top added the perfect crunch to the black pepper tuna and avocado, not to mention the salmon on top of the roll was like icing on the cake. And the shrimp tempura cant be described by means of written word. Overall the presentation was really nice and the food was even better so i would recommend stopping by here if you ever find yourself in Miami.

devoured in: North Miami

-Melchior

Scrumptious Savas

11/07/10

Ann Arbor, Michigan is known for its many restaurants, especially in the Main Street area. However, my favorite is on State Street called Sava’s Cafe. Ever since this restaurant opened up, it’s always been my go-to place. Normally, I go there for lunch or dinner but this time I decided to try something new.. Breakfast! I tried the Raspberry French Toast with a glass of OJ. You can bet it tasted as good as it looked ;) Simple, yet delectable.

location: Ann Arbor, MI.
-Saima