Back Yard Burger

When the Back Yard Burger opened here 2 years ago - I drove by it dozens of times. I remember thinking, "Great - another burger place that claims they are as good as grilling them yourself....yeah I bet!"

Well let me tell you, after making my inaugural trip through the drive-thru - my fast food experience was forever changed. I had, in fact, stumbled upon fast food perfection - a mirage I never thought possible.

Back Yard Burgers proved me wrong and it has been a love affair ever since. Their burgers DO taste like they have been cooked on the grill!

The only problem you may encounter at BYB, is deciding WHAT to get. Their menu is superb from top to bottom. My personal favorites are their Bacon Cheddar Burger and Blackened Chicken Sandwich. I have tried everything on the menu and have yet to be disappointed. They offer 2 varieties of Fries - Waffle and Seasoned - both excellent. It is actually my hope that eventually they will give you to option of getting a "half and half" order of both. YES, they are really that good.

Feeling like something light? Try their blackened chicken salad. Want dessert? They have homemade cobbler - a nice change of pace for a fast food restaurant.

When BYB ventured into the soup market, I thought perhaps I might find a weakness. NOPE - what I discovered was the best potato soup I'd had in my life.

The staff at BYB is also a nice change of pace - there is actually a sense of professionalism and the stores are immaculately clean. Two big pluses in the fast food market. I must say that BYB is a tad expensive in comparison to their counterparts, but well worth it.

After eating at BYB, I can honestly say that I have eaten at the other fast food places only 4 times and regretted every one of them. McDonalds barely even seems like food fit for human consumption after eating at BYB.

If there is no BYB in your city yet, keep you fingers crossed - one should be there soon. Mark my word, in 5 years, BYB will be the most popular fast food chain in the country - once you've eaten there, you will understand why!

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Famous Dave's

Barbecued food is nothing new when it comes to restaurant concepts. Most everyone has a taste for barbecued ribs, chicken, pork, and beef at some point and there are plenty of eating establishments with a barbecue emphasis to satisfy cravings.

But as popular as barbecue might be as a concept, there are only a handful of national chains that feature barbecued food as the primary menu staple. One of these is Famous Dave’s, a restaurant chain known for its barbecued ribs. This food service chain was founded by Dave Anderson who opened his first Famous Dave’s in Hayward, Wisconsin, in 1994. The chain now has more than 100 locations scattered across 29 states.

Menu Selection:

Famous Dave’s offers a large number of selections on its fold- out menus, with food choices grouped into the following categories:

Appetizers- Choose between choices like chicken tenders, catfish fingers, bread with smoked salmon spread, buffalo chicken wings or BBQ chicken wings.

Soup/Salads- Caesar salad, chicken salad, BBQ salad (with your choice of meat), chili, chicken rice soup, etc. are among the choices in this area of the menu.

Ribs- BBQ spareribs are the specialty at Famous Dave’s. Select among extra large, large, and medium slabs of ribs, ala carte or as a platter with side dishes.

Classics and Combos- Chopped pork, barbecued chicken, rib tips, roasted chicken, and a rib and meat combo are among the options in this area.

Chicken and Burgers- Large burgers, Cajun chicken sandwiches, grilled chicken sandwiches, and other items can be selected here.

Famous Feasts- Choose between a “feast for four” and a “feast for two”, which include spareribs, chicken, choice of beef brisket or chopped pork, coleslaw, beans, fries, corn muffins, and corn on the cob.

Desserts- Sundaes, brownies, and pies are among the choices on the dessert menu.

Famous Dave’s also offers kid’s meals with choices like chicken tenders, chopped pork sandwiches, cheeseburgers, and ribs. And side dishes like mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, fries, green beans, baked potatoes, cole slaw, and other foods can be added to any meal for a small additional cost.

Atmosphere:

Famous Dave’s features an atmosphere that has an outdoorsman theme. Walking inside, you will notice plenty of wood: wooden walls, wooden seats, etc., giving it the feel of an outdoor cabin in the woods. Stuffed animal heads, deer antlers, hunting clothing, and other related items can be found on the walls, making customers feel like they are sitting down for a home- cooked meal prepared with ingredients that were alive only a short time ago.

Pricing:

Pricing at Famous Dave’s is moderate. Compared to other barbecue restaurants, like Sonny’s, Famous Dave’s is just a little more expensive, but not by much. Most every item on the menu is priced between $7 and $12. Only the large slabs of ribs require customers to pay a larger than normal amount. But even though this restaurant is a little more costly than a place like Sonny’s Barbecue, it is still less expensive than many other chain restaurants.

Customer Service:

I had no problems with customer service, in part because I went late (about 10pm) when I visited for the first time (and I usually go late) and more than half the seats were empty. I had a small amount of trouble getting my drinks served in decent time, but other than that, the service was good.

Final Thoughts:

Famous Dave’s is an interesting place for an occasional dining experience. Founded by American Indian Dave Anderson, this restaurant has been expanding at a fast clip since its founding in 1994 and it has been the recipient of several restaurant awards, like the first place prize in the American Royal Barbecue Sauce competition.

Judging the food as a whole, I like the home style cooking that Famous Dave’s emphasizes. Having side dishes like drunken apples (gotta love a name like that), corn bread, corn on the cob, green beans, and other alternatives makes for a nice, well- rounded meal. And it fits in perfectly with the atmosphere, which is like dining in a log cabin in the woods. This rustic feeling goes well with the food, which is simple and unsophisticated in every way.

Now, as far as the ribs go, I don’t feel like they are the greatest thing since sliced bread, like some fans of Famous Dave’s have made them out to be. They are good, and a great deal of how they taste depends on the style of sauce you choose. But they are not the greatest ribs I have ever tried. They lack the melt in your mouth tenderness that I have experienced at some local rib joints (non- restaurant chain) in different cities around the country.

Like other barbecue- style restaurants, Famous Dave’s gives you the meat free of any type of sauce so that you, the customer, can choose exactly what you like. The restaurant has bottles of the different Famous Dave’s sauces on each table, ready to sample. You can choose among sauces like “Rich and Sassy”, “Texas Pit”, “Georgia Mustard”, “Sweet and Zesty”, “Devil’s Spit”, and “Smoky Chipotle” (some locations may have more flavors). It’s best to sample a small amount of each before you start squirting barbecue sauce all over your food. Personally, I like the Sweet and Zesty, but it’s all a matter of taste.

Famous Dave’s has some good- tasting large burgers, containing a half- pound of beef, and some nice chicken sandwiches, too. But when I have visited, my preference is to purchase the “Feast” menu choices. You can select between “Feast for two” or “Feast for four”, depending on how many guests are in your party. What I like about this menu selection is the home style food options that come with the meat and the fact that there is enough variety that everyone in your group will find something satisfying. Maybe you prefer chicken and only a few bites of pork while another person likes the spareribs best but doesn’t mind a small amount of chicken. The “Feast” menu option is best in these instances because you get a little bit of different meats, along with plenty of cornbread and vegetables to make everyone full and satisfied.

Another thing I like about Famous Dave’s is the large booths. I went here once with a party of six people and it was nice that they had booths large enough to hold six. Most restaurants limit the booth sizes to hold only four adults. Large parties either have to divide up or wait for a table with enough chairs to seat everyone. But Famous Dave’s has larger booths that can accommodate larger groups of people. This is nice for those who prefer booth seating to table seating.

Desserts and beverages are somewhat limited at Famous Dave’s. The dessert menu has only about four or five choices that I can remember. Of course, it might be like this intentionally, since the management at Famous Dave’s knows the food is very filling and most people will not have room for dessert. Beverages are also limited, with only a few soft drinks, tea, and some bad beer. Mr. Anderson really needs to make some improvements to the selection of mass- produced American lagers on draft. The right beer would make a meal of ribs, barbecued chicken, and large beef burgers a notch or two better.

Overall, Famous Dave’s is a good chain restaurant that I will likely continue to visit in the future. I don’t feel the ribs are as first- class as some other patrons feel and I have tasted better at other places. But the atmosphere, the home style food, and the reasonable prices make Famous Dave’s a restaurant worth trying when the craving for barbecued food strikes hard and won’t go away. It’s a nice dining experience, courtesy of Mr. Dave Anderson. 

Maidenhead England

Boulters Restaurant and Bar has been called the ‘Jewel of the Thames’ and with uninterrupted views downstream towards Maidenhead bridge it is easy to appreciate why. In late 2007 they were lucky enough to acquire this famous riverside icon and in June 2008 the refurbishment and restoration project began.

The best of modern British cuisine and professional service in their downstairs restaurant offers a traditional dining experience surrounded by river views.
The upstairs terrace bar brings back the family dining experience with rustic pub dishes cooked for one person or a whole family. With stunning views overlooking Boulters Lock and the river, the terrace is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy great food and drink with family or friends.
The Jewel that has been missed by so many river users and the people of Maidenhead is once again sparkling. They invite you to come and experience the changing seasonal flavours and colours of the new Boulters Restaurant and Bar.  To all the wonderful people I met in Maidenhead please look me up when you get to Las Vegas on your next holiday.  Coming soon my reviews of Dublin, London and Dover.

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Ensenada Grill, Beatty Nevada

Well I have to say this place with the most wonderful food was the last thing I thought I would stumble upon in the middle of the desert!! While driving from Reno to Vegas recently on a trip, my friends & I saw this little place and thought we would stop in and get a burger. The sign on the roof drew us in with the "special" of a burger, fries & a drink. Well once in side we were greeted by a sweet & beautiful hostess/waitress. Immediately we were brought chips and salsa - which by the was was so delicious! We checked out the menu, and saw that the specialties were Mexican food - so we thought what the heck. My friend ordered the burgers, and I ordered the beef taco combo - super reasonable by the way, each plate was $8. When the food came, and quickly by the way - we were so glad we didn't order the burger!! The beef tacos were hand breaded, 3 on the plate with the best sauce, cabbage & tomatoes. The beef tacos were amazingly tender, shredded beef with all the taco toppings & sour cream. We ordered a side of guacamole, and the meal was complete. I cannot tell you how wonderful the food and the service was at this little restaurant. While we were there it got completely packed - and one gentleman even said to the waitress when she asked how his meal was, that he always waited to stop there for lunch when he travels this route. I have to tell you that you will not be dissapointed when you roll into Beatty and have a quick bite at Ensenada Grill! Enjoy your meal!!

Dickey's Barbecue

Well this afternoon after signing up for Clear for my laptop I decided to get some dinner.  This evening I decided BBQ was an order.  So I pulled into Dickey's Barbecue and decided to get a meet platter and a couple of sandwiches.  I went with the 2 meat plate which is comprised of two meets and two sides.  My two meets were pulled pork and sliced beef brisket.  For my two sides I went with coleslaw and baked beans.  I also had two pulled pork sandwiches that were on special for a dollar each.  Then for dessert I had a piece of Pecan Pie.  The meet was flavorful and tender you almost did not need any sauce it was so tasteful.  The sides were perfect compliments to the main dishes.   The pecan pie was among the best I have ever had.
Brisket 370 calories  17 fat grams
Pulled Pork 350 calories 29 fat grams
2 sandwiches 700 calories 32 fat grams
coleslaw  240 calories 18 fat grams
baked beans  160 calories 10 fat grams
pecan pie 480 calories 26 fat grams

total damage  2300 calories  132 fat grams

FatBurger

Last night I took a trip to the Fatburger on Las Vegas Blv. It was crowded and dirty, which is not always a bad thing. In North Carolina we used to say the dirtier the BBQ the better the food. After waiting in line I ordered my food. I settled on the Triple King with bacon and cheese. Rather then fries I went with onion rings. Then I decided to order one of their shakes rather then a coke. I waited about 15 minutes for my food to be delivered to me. The burger was overcooked and flavorless. The onion rings and the shake however were to die for. I might go there just for the rings and the shake. I will never eat a burger there ever again.

Total damage
Triple King 1080 calories 59 fat grams
Onion rings 540 calories 29 fat grams
Chocolate Shake 910 calories 45 fat grams
2530 calories 133 fat grams

Current Body Weight 182 pounds

Village Pub

Yesterday I went to the Village Pub and had the special. Every Thursday is the BBQ plate. For about 14 dollars you get a full slab of baby back ribs, french fries, corn on the cob and baked beans. The ribs are slow cooked and basted with the most glorious sauce I have ever tasted. The french fies are classic steak fries with a wondeful seasoning. Every thing was wonderful and the service was excellent. The next time I am feeling bad about being me I will eat there and feel better.
Total damege
Ribs 1800 calories 150 grams of fat
French fries 450 calories
beans 150 calories

In-N-Out Burger

This afternoon I had a moment of weakness while driving down Eastern Avenue in Las Vegas, Nevada. I feeling hungry on the way back from a computer store and unfortunately drove by an In-N-Out-Burger. I am actually lying I tried to drive by the place.

I pulled into the parking lot and went in the building. When you enter one of these places you will notice right away how clean the place is. Also you will notice how clean cut and polite the young people who work there are. Their might be hope for America yet. I approached the counter and placed my order. I decided to have a Double Double Cheese Burger and French Fries Animal Style and a chocolate shake. For those of you who do not know this place has a secret menu.

I sat down and began to eat my food. Right off the bat you can taste the simplicity and freshness of the ingredients. All fresh nothing frozen. You can actually see them cutting the fries with a special machine from fresh potatoes. Also you can see the chopping fresh produce. I highly urge anyone from back east who come to Las Vegas To get to In-N-Out Burger.

2×4 Burger

Description: A “2×4″ is a burger with two beef patties and four slices of cheese. You can also order a “3×3,” a “4×2″ or any other meat/cheese combo your little heart desires. Rumors of a “100×100″ are widespread and thus far unproven. (Yeah, yeah. It’s been proven now. We know. —The Mgmt.) We’d love to see a photo, though.

3-by-Meat Burger

Description: Three beef patties, no cheese. You can pretty much order “any number”-by-Meat.
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“Animal Style” Burger

Description: Mustard-cooked beef patty, additional pickles, extra secret sauce with grilled onions.

“Double-Meat” Burger

Description: A Double-Double without the cheese.

The Flying Dutchman

Description: 2 beef patties, 2 slices of cheese. That’s it. No lettuce. No onions. No bun. No nuthin’.

Grilled Cheese

Description: Cheeseburger without the “burger.”

“Protein Style” Burger

Description: Any burger you want wrapped in lettuce instead of that carbohydrate-laden bun.

Veggie Burger

Description: Hamburger with no burger and double tomatos.

“Extra Toast”

Description: Leaves your bread on the grill a tad longer resulting in “crispy buns,” which is not as dirty as it sounds. Can be ordered with any burger.

Fries: “Animal Style”

Description: French fries with secret sauce, onions and cheese on top.

Fries: “Light”

Description: French fries cooked a little less than normal.

Fries: “Well-Done”

Description: French fries cooked a little longer than normal.

Choco-Vanilla Swirl Shake

Description: Chocolate and vanilla shakes in the same cup. Swirled, not blended.

Lemon-Up

Description: 1/2 Lemonade, 1/2 7-Up. Since they started letting you get your own drinks, you can make this yourself.

Neopolitan Shake

Description: Strawberry, vanilla and chocolcate all swirled together — not blended.

Tea-Ade

Description: 1/2 Iced Tea, 1/2 Lemonade. Since they started letting you get your own drinks, you can make this yourself.

NUTRITIONAL DAMAGE

Double Double 670 calories

Fries 400 calories

Chocolate Shake 690 calories

Total damage 1780 calories 95 fat grams

In conclusion: I am ashamed of myself yet content at the same time.