Mi Ranchito

We are cruising to eat at every restaurant on State Street in Orem.

    Double good eating experience this evening, made especially enjoyable with John’s brother and wife along for company.  While downing chips and salsa, I wondered when this restaurant opened.  Looked around and found my answer on the wall (under their sign on the mural it says "1983").

    I have fond memories of being a young and beautiful wife sitting at this restaurant with my strapping husband, savoring the moment of just being with him.  He was hungry after a long day of work, but I did not order anything because I had already eaten, and was just along for the companionship. When the meal was brought, our waiter thoughtfully brought me a bowl of rice pudding too. 

    Back to the present though. Being with Bus & Susan magnified those memories because we had lived just a block from each other during our newlywed years. What a delight to have incredible people both as family and friends. Years later, here we are at the restaurant planning a family reunion, where we are the ‘older’ generation now. 

http://www.miranchitoorem.com/

 You can check out the restaurant's history on their website.

Carl's Jr.

We are cruising to eat at every restaurant on State Street in Orem.

Steve and family were in town visiting and cousins enjoyed a great time playing together.  In honor of the occasion, we took everyone to Carl’s Jr. for two reasons.  First, they have a play place and we made good use of it.  Second, Steve worked here for his very first job when he was fifteen.  

    While we were ordering, I asked Steve if he knew the best sizes to order to get the best value.  James had that info down well when he worked at a competitor.  But it had been too long for Steve.  When he worked here, I liked to come and order their cheesecake. Definitely not as good as the cheesecake Suzy makes, but it would do to satisfy a craving in a pinch.    

   I also remembered that Phil was just 3 years old then and he like to come visit Steve at work.  He called it “McDonald’s Star.”  Today, as we eat, he denies that and says we just made up that story.  Another connection, I realize that Phil is 15 years old, same age as Steve was when he worked here. Despite the poses in the picture, Steve is taller than Phil for another week or so.

Denny's

We are cruising to eat at every restaurant on State Street in Orem.

John came in from out of town, and though he was tired, I was hungry, so he thoughtfully agreed to go out to eat.  A coupon came in the mail today for Denny’s, so we headed there.  Looking at the menu, John quickly decided on the breakfast slam.  I had a hard time deciding. Then the back page of the menu caught my eye because it said “Senior Discount for those over 55.  Well, guess who recently had a birthday and turned 55.  So, I ordered from that menu because I could!  It would have been even better if the waitress asked me if I was old enough.

http://www.dennys.com/

Chuck-A-Rama

We are cruising to eat at every restaurant on State Street in Orem.

 

   Out to dinner tonight with dear friends C and M. We talked about cruising.  They have been on many cruises.  They had booked a cruise to Panama last fall and we were excited to see how their experience would be because of John’s desire for a cruise there (see first blog).  Unfortunately, all around, C had a heart attack that precluded their Panama cruise plans.  However, still determined, he was in the hospital telling/asking the doctor, are you sure I can’t go? The doctor replied that he could go if he wanted to be buried in another country (or we wondered burial at sea worked?!?)

    Well, we are glad he pulled through that scary time and we got to eat and visit with them today. C likes the variety offered at Chuck-A-Rama because the medications he currently takes for his heart ruin his appetite and typically he can find a couple of things that will spark his interest. Conversely, I had no problem with appetite. And, since it is a buffet restaurant, I tend to go with value in mind and eat way too much.  At least, I did a little smaller portion size on each of the items that sparked my interest.  

   I began and ended the meal with dessert.  Maybe it is time for a new “no desserts for X amount of time challenge.”  Anyone want to join me on that challenge?

www.chuck-a-rama.com

Mexitalia

We are cruising to eat at every restaurant on State Street in Orem.

We are “empty nesters” for a few days.  So, I thought that was a great reason to go out to eat.  John’s choice tonight, so we drove down State Street until his eye caught a sign and we swung around the block back to Mexitalia.  Tiny, and tucked away in a corner of a strip mall, it is a restaurant I had not noticed before. 

They have a QR code on the door and I checked out their website while waiting for our order.  A couple of weeks ago, I had the salesman at Staples teach me how to use QR codes on my phone.  Pretty cool stuff.

Over my sandwich and yummy bowl of soup, we decided this was the most “local” of restaurants we have enjoyed so far.  Looks to be a family owned and run business.  As we left, John commented that we would definitely be back.  And I snapped a picture of their “mine for 3” PT Cruiser. 

http://www.mexitalia.net/

Chef's Table

 We are cruising to eat at every restaurant on State Street in Orem.

   This evening my thoughts led to Presentation.  We went to Chef’s Table.  It is labeled as fine dining and we’ve only been there on special occasions.  Kind of nice to go on a non-special occasion.  It is the last restaurant on State Street as one heads south.  Perched atop the hill between Orem and Provo, it has a nice valley view.  We noticed some friends there celebrating their anniversary and I walked over to chat for a moment.  They had a great view and could even see the Provo Temple from their window.  Our table looked out on State Street.  I don’t say that as a bad thing.  In fact, it was very good because the restaurant had built a little fountain out by their front door and so, truly our view was of this lovely little fountain as we gazed out our nearest window.  They gave us the opportunity to choose something lovely to focus on.  And we did.

Sweet Chili Glazed Salmon

   Our meal came and I had to take a picture.  It looked great.  This fine dining experience was defined by looks as well as great taste.  On the first bite of his steak, John was so impressed; he told me I had to try a bite. Their web site states “Chef’s Table is dedicated to providing the best food that not only looks good but tastes great.”  A little extra thought to make the plate look so good.  

    I got thinking how "Presentation" applies to me, for instance, how I present myself to others and especially to my family.  Just a little extra time to put on that smile or kind word.

http://chefstable.net

Apollo Burger

 We are cruising to eat at every restaurant on State Street in Orem.
 

   We needed to get gas in the truck and in the car.  We drove to Smith’s and used our rewards card with $1.50 off per gallon and using the 35 gallon max got both of them mostly filled up.  Saved us $52.50.   I mentioned this, in part because we drove both cars to go out to eat tonight, just a few blocks away from Smith’s at Apollo Burger. 

   John and I had each have enjoyed lunch at Apollo Burger a couple of times with different people.  I’d only gone through the drive through, and had remembered good onion rings.  Tonight I walk in wondering why they are named Apollo. Then I saw baklava on the menu.  So I ordered some.  But still wondering, I asked.  The worker noted that they also have gyro and other sandwiches.  I didn’t see those on the menu on until after I had ordered my Philly cheese steak or I might have tried a gyro.  But I really like Philly cheese steak, so maybe not. 

   As we were eating, I was watching who I perceived to be the manager hovering around.  I was curious whether this was a one local restaurant only.  Turns out there are eleven locations in Utah, but still comparatively speaking, a pretty local place.  And recommended by me.   

   While we ate, I told John about an article I read about income disparity in the United States (thanks to a Facebook lead).  Article link is here.

    And we discussed money and making money.  I think I feel okay about money unless I start comparing myself to others. My perception about saving $52.50 on gas definitely changes if I compare myself to someone who lives on just $200 per week, or to someone who makes $625,000 per week. 

http://www.apolloburgers.com/