Chan's Chinese Cuisine

I have driven by Chan’s Chinese Cuisine for years and always wondered what it was like (only never enough to actually go there). The other day a group of us were going out for Chinese and found that the place we had intended to go had closed, so we decided to give Chan’s a try.

The building is very old and desperately in need of some updates. As we walked in we were hit by that smell, the smell of old Chinese Food and Grease. (This probably should have been the time that we turned around, walked out and went to Wendy’s, however for some unknown reason we stayed).

We were asked if we wanted Dim Sum or if we wanted to order from the menu. Not being a fan of Dim Sum in the first place and especially not in a place that smelled like this we decided to order from the menu. They had reasonably priced lunch specials so each of us went that route.

I ordered the Mixed Vegetables with Fried Rice and Egg Drop Soup, thinking that these should all be safe bets.

The Egg Drop Soup arrived and I immediately thought to myself, “This was NOT the right choice”. It was thick and gelatinous and reminded me of a runny nose.

I had one bite but couldn’t bare to eat any more. Gross.

Then my entrée came out (after everyone else had their meals, hmm?).

The Vegetables were fine, just a little bland, and the Fried Rice would have actually been good had it not been so heavily salted.

Both of my friends had similar feelings about their meals as well.

Even the Fortune Cookies were stale and nasty. How does that happen?

After going home and looking them up on the internet I did read some good reviews of their Dim Sum. Perhaps if you enjoy that style of eating then Chan’s might not be so bad, but I do know that it is definitely not for me and I will not be returning.

Hamburger Mary's Jacksonville

I have been to the Hamburger Mary’s in both Tampa and Orlando and had pleasant experiences in both, so when I was recently in Jacksonville I decided to try their location as well.

It is an older building that has been touched up (in proper Mary’s fashion) with very nice décor including vintage memorabilia. There is also a large “outside dining area” which could possibly be an expansion at some point.

Now on to the food… There were two of us and we both decided to get Burgers. (It is called Hamburger Mary’s after all)

My friend had a Plain Burger with a Black Bean Patty and Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, and I had The “Mac Daddy” (topped with creamy homemade Mac and Cheese, slices of American Cheese and Mary’s Sauce) with Sweet Potato Fries. I also swapped out my patty for the Black Bean Patty.

The Black Bean Burger was really tasty and the Mac and Cheese was creamy and definitely homemade. The Sweet Potato Fries were also really good!

Each Hamburger Mary’s seems to be a little bit different, but we are lucky here in Florida because all three have really good food.

China Buffet

Next to the WalMart on Kirkman there sits a place simply called China Buffet.

There is really not a whole lot to say about this place except for two things:

1 They do have 6 buffet tables full of the usual Chinese items, where some buffets only have 2 or 3.

2 Their lunch buffet costs less then $7!

Most places you end up spending $10, but here you only spend $7 and get just as full.

If you like Chinese buffet and like to save a couple of bucks then go here!

Hash House A Go Go

Hash House A Go Go has several locations in Vegas and a few other cities and now they have opened their most recent in Orlando. Apparently there was a guy from Indiana who took all of the farm recipes he grew up on and gave them a twist and started this Restaurant.

They opened a couple of months ago on International Drive in a spot where several restaurants have previously failed. Will Hash House follow in their footsteps? I have been there twice now, after the first time I had high hopes, but after this last time I’m not so sure.

First visit was great, so let’s talk about that trip first.

Three of us dined on a late afternoon mid-week, we were one of just a few occupied tables (but it was at an odd time of day so this didn’t seem unusual).

By the outside you would expect the décor to be rustic and “a little bit country” but it is quite different with a sleek design, a full bar, and a huge dining room (with additional private rooms available for parties or meetings).

So many items on the menu sounded good. Our server warned us that the portions are huge and he was absolutely right!

One of us had the Sausage Gravy and Buttermilk Biscuits, 2 Eggs and Mashed Potatoes ($13.95). This was probably the smallest of our three meals, and still required a “To Go” box.

Another had the Apple Smoked Bacon and Mashed Potato Burger ($13.95). Their Burgers are 2 patties (equaling a Pound of Meat!) with the ingredients “stuffed’ in between.

I honestly don’t see how someone could actually get their mouth around these Burgers!

And I had the Fresh Mushroom, Artichoke Hearts, Sundried Tomato and Fresh Spinach Hash ($12.95). It was served in a Cast Iron Skillet and tossed with Crispy Potatoes, served with 2 Eggs, Fruit and a Biscuit (also taking about half of the Hash “To Go”).

The Hash itself was amazing, very fresh and hearty.

The Biscuit was enormous, a little dry, but once slathered with Butter and Jelly it was excellent.

(I don’t think the ‘side of fruit’ should be listed on the menu, it’s hardly what I consider to be a side)

Other things ordered at the table were a Signature Cocktail (where you keep the glass) that I think was around $15,

Andy’s famous Bread Pudding served with Ice Cream ($8.95)

and a Strawberry Shortcake (which was really just one of their Biscuits with some Strawberry Topping and Whipped Cream)

I left liking Hash House A Go Go pretty well and definitely wanted to go back again.

So then, after a few weeks I returned with a different friend of mine for lunch.

This time the place was almost full.

Already being familiar with their menu I decided to go with the other option that looked really good to me, the Blueberry and Pecan Pancake! However our server (who was bubbly and fun) said that she recommended the Banana and Brown Sugar one. I decided to take her advice and go with that one.

My friend ordered the Bacon, Cheddar and Avocado Burger (Avocado on the side).

Our server told us that they bring stuff out to the tables as soon as its finished, so everything might not come out at the same time (However we didn’t realize it was going to be quite so drastic).

My Meal came out right away. The Pancake was the biggest Pancake I have ever seen. The photos don’t do it justice, but you have to realize that these plates are at least 14 inches across, so that Pancake is about as big as a vinyl record!

It was not just filled with slices of Banana, but with Bananas that were simply cut in half lengthwise which combined with the Brown Sugar gave it a “Caramelized” feel similar to Bananas Foster. Besides the fact that it was ridiculously large and too much for any one person to eat it was very delicious!

Now to tell about the experience we had… My plate was delivered right away, and I assumed that my friend’s Burger would be closely following. I thought about waiting until he got his but I didn’t want my eggs to get cold so I started to eat. Before I knew it I had eaten all of my Eggs and Potatoes.

Surely his would be out soon?

Our server came to check and assured us that his would be right out.

I started on the Pancake still hoping that his would be along shortly, however it wasn’t. I kept on eating until I was stuffed and I couldn’t shovel in another bite.

His Burger still hadn’t arrived.

Here I was completely finished and his hadn’t even been delivered yet.

Awkward!

After sitting there a few more minutes the manager brought out his Burger and apologized and told us his meal would be “on the house”. Our server also continued to apologize, but still the situation was uncomfortable.

As he ate his Burger he said that the Beef was not seasoned, not even with Salt and Pepper. This reminded me that the first time I dined there my friend that had ordered the Burger mentioned that it was under-seasoned. Is this there standard practice?

I do feel like they handled the situation the correct way by comping his meal, and I realize these things happen and do not fault them for this. However I don’t know if I will return to Hash House for bland food and questionably awkward dining situations. Perhaps two visits were enough.

And I really wanted to give it a rave review!

Panino's Pizza and Grill

Panino’s has been my go to place for Pizza Delivery for many years now.

Located on Orange Avenue in the heart of downtown, Panino’s gets a huge rush after the surrounding bars close.

They sell Pizza by the slice or by the pie (as well as many other Italian favorites) and also deliver to the immediate area.

They also offer a wide variety of specialty Pizzas to fit everyone’s craving.

When you dine in they usually give you a Garlic Knot with every slice!

They are open every day at 9am, and close at 5am (so they are open for 20 hours a day)

Also when you collect 10 receipts (totaling over $11 each) then you get a free 2 topping 18 inch Pizza.

Ethos Vegan Kitchen

I have dined occasionally at Ethos Vegan Kitchen ever since it’s old location on lake Ivanhoe. Now that they have moved to Winter Park they have made some changes that have really put it over the top.

They are now in a much larger space, before you ordered at a counter and then your food was brought to you but now it is a full dining experience where a server takes your order. 

They also have a bar with a large and unique Beer and Wine selection.

The main thing I have noticed though is the extended menu!

Before there seemed to me limited choices but now there are so many options, and I really want to try them all.

Now lets step backwards and talk about what Vegan food is, because many people are still unsure. Vegan food is plant-based and contains no animal products whatsoever, No Eggs, Dairy, or Meat of any kind.

This being said, when Ethos offers Chickun (notice the spelling) they are using a Soy or Tofu-based product. They also use Soy-based Cheeses.

Now what I have found at most Vegan Restaurants is that they sometimes compromise their flavor or stick to mostly Salads. Ethos is different and they specialize in classic “Comfort Foods” and have somehow managed to disguise the fact that they are Vegan, providing their customers with very satisfying meals that even a “Meat Eater” will enjoy!

Now on to some of the dishes that I have enjoyed from Ethos.

I often go during the week in the afternoon which allows me to take advantage of their weekly lunch specials.

 

I have enjoyed the Buffalo Chickun Wrap, Spicy Chickun with cool, fresh Greens and a Creamy Sauce, with choice of side item. Definitely a winner.

I’ve also had the All American Burger. Although it wasn’t bad by any means it also was not my favorite. It was a little too bland for my tastes and this is one of the few items from Ethos that I would not order again.

However the Black Bean Soup that I got on the side was to die for. Really hearty and the big chunks of Carrots that were simmered with it really made it stand out. I will definitely order that again!

They also always have a Soup of the Day, a cup is $2.95 and a bowl is $3.95. I highly recommend getting the Bowl because not only do you get a larger portion (for just $1 more) but you also get a slice of their Potato Chive Bread!

Another staple from their menu is the Mac ‘n Cheese ‘n Peas. ($5.95) It’s hard to believe that this is Vegan Cheese because it melts beautifully and is full of Cheesy goodness!

Their Coconut Curry Wrap is also quite a treat! (Grilled Tofu coated with Curried Veganaise and tossed with Celery, Raisins, Walnuts, Coconut and Mixed Greens, wrapped in a Spinach Tortilla with side item $8.95)

In the mood for a Salad? Try their Spinach Salad! (Fresh Apples, Crunchy Walnuts, Plump Raisins and sliced Red Onions tossed with Fresh Spinach and finished with Orange-Ginger Dressing Small $4.75/ Large $7.50) Although this is a rather basic Salad, it is very fresh and the Dressing is very refreshing!

If you have a larger appetite and want a Main Dish I can recommend two dishes.

The first is the Rosemary Chickun (Chickun sautéed in a Rosemary White Wine Sauce. Served over Basmati Rice with Vegetable of the Day and a Mozzarella smothered Tomato $14.95). I can honestly say that I couldn’t tell the difference between this and a real Chicken Breast, from the texture to the flavor it was perfection and would fool anyone.

Then there is my favorite dish of all… Pecan Crusted Eggplant (A slice of Eggplant encrusted with Pecans, sautéed and finished with a Red Wine Sauce. Served with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy and today’s Vegetable $12.95). This is their heartiest dish in my opinion. The Eggplant is crispy and nutty, and the Sauce is sweet and almost fruity. Accompanied with the velvety Potatoes and the Vegetable this dish is completely satisfying!

If you have saved a little room for Dessert you can have on of their homemade Cookies (selection changes daily)

Or the Chocolate Amaretto Mousse (Silky smooth Chocolate Mousse laced with Amaretto, topped with Whipped Cream and Sliced Almonds $3.75).

It is a very decadent treat!

If you are Vegan, Vegetarian or just Open-Minded and yearn for some home-cooked comfort food then head to Ethos and decide for yourself.