Eggs from Hell

In a season of near misses, the Indiana Hoosiers once again missed out on a victory over a stronger opponent in a 31-28 loss to the Wisconsin Badgers.

One thing that didn’t miss though was the tailgate food.  It was WIBIA’s first visit to our tailgate this season and he was in charge of our food and he certainly did not miss.  Since this was a noon kickoff, we highlighted our tailgate with two “meals.”

For “breakfast,” we had Eggs from Hell which were inspired from Mario Batali’s NASCAR cookbook and I must say that I was very pleasantly surprised at how AWESOME that they were.  I wasn’t expecting a lot of spice out of them, but they surprised me there as well.

For “lunch,” a Mexican twist on a pita sandwich recipe.  We used a whole chicken, an assortment of Mexican themed spices and some homemade roasted red pepper sauce that I would absolutely recommend making at home.

Now, onto this week’s video…

-IndianapolisEater

I found this post via IndyScan.com, but this is absolutely awesome and gave me a good chuckle.  I don’t know what compelled this site to make this post, but it is such an obvious topic, yet hardly anyone ever posts about it.

Regardless, I agree with most of the choices.  The only one that I really disagree with and can’t understand is noodles.  I can tell you that I’ve NEVER had any sort of craving for noodles late at night.  I’ve never had waffles as a late night snack either, but I can at least see why some people might crave them.  Noodles just totally confuse me though.

The Top Ten Most Delicious Foods to Eat When You’re Drunk

-IndianapolisEater

We already knew about the FREE Black Jack tacos at Taco Bell on Halloween night, but now thanks to a posting on Grub Grade, we have word that Chipotle will be offering free “Boo-ritos” to customers that come in from 6:00 p.m. to close this Saturday on Halloween dressed as their favorite burrito, bowl, salad or taco.

I hate Halloween, so I wouldn’t dress up as anything but I’m sure there are some people out there that will do it.  It is a free burrito after all, so some people will do anything!

Here’s a link to their website if you aren’t aware of any locations in your area.  Just to be safe, you might want to call ahead before you leave to verify that they will be offering this promotion at your location.

-IndianapolisEater

Welcome back to Tailgate Tour #4.  This week, as opposed to our previous tailgate, was a resounding success as the Hoosiers emerged victorious in their Homecoming battle against the Illinois Fighting Illini by a score of 27-14.  So, while the win was a nice change, we did have our usual great time with friends out in the tailgating lots.

This week’s main menu item included a burrito bar similar to what you’d find at Qdoba or Chipotle based on an idea from regular blog reader TACO.  Our main burrito meat options were Tex-Mex and Adobo seasoned chicken breasts and a marinated flank steak that included soy sauce, among other ingredients.  Our burrito topping options included black beans, white rice, carmelized white onions, homemade guacamole, homemade salsa and cheese.  You can review the recipes for the guacomole and salsa at the linked photo album.

For a side item, we included an Italian pasta salad made by EatHSE that we affectionately refer to as crack salad because once you start eating it, you’ll get addicted and won’t be able to stop.  It’s that delicious and has become a yearly staple at our tailgates.  I would definitely recommend making it to everyone.  You can also find the recipe for this DELICIOUS pasta salad at the linked photo album.

And without further delay, here’s this week’s video entry for the Tailgate Tour.  I’m happy to say that my “composure” was a little better this week.  Ha!  Regardless, we’ll see you again in a few weeks.

-IndianapolisEater

What I Got: Chili Cheese Burrito – $1.29

Craving more Taco Bell after my last post?!?!?  I could tell…

I didn’t realize the petition and cult following of the CC Burrito until I read the post on Epic Portions.  I looked at the locater and my closest Taco Bell carries them.  Great Success!!! (Borat)  I love burritos and chili, so the combination is right up my alley.

Ok, so I have to be missing something.  There is a site dedicated to bring the burrito back.  I can understand people wanting to bring back the Beef Wennington, but this…really?

Beef chili, cheddar cheese and a tortilla, that is it.  They are not that big, if I am coming off of a bender, I bet that I could eat 6-8 of these around 2:00 am.  I have to admit, it was pretty good.  I enjoyed the taste, but it was very mushy.  I needed some crunch here, maybe the tortilla strips from the Volcano Burrito?  The tortilla to chili ratio should add a little more chili.

Would I Buy It Again? Yes, but not by much.  A good add on, though not very healthy at all.  I wonder if they could Freso this up?  Yeah right!  If you are into Chili Cheese Fritos, you should dig this.  I love chili and hold an annual chili contest.  Indianapolis Eater took first prize last year.  Bogus…

Nutrition Facts: 370 calories, 17g fat.

-wibia

Taco Bell’s Why Pay More value menu is maybe one of the greatest innovations in the fast food industry.  With items varying from 79¢ to 89¢ to 99¢, it’s good, cheap and easy.  I only usually order one other item that’s not on this value menu (Meximelt), so I’m a big fan.  They’ve recently introduced two new items to this menu, so I figured I’d give them a shot.

What I Ate:  Grilled Chicken Soft Taco (89¢) and Grilled Chicken Burrito (89¢)

First, the Grilled Chicken Soft Taco.  As I said, you cannot beat the value on this one.  The taste is pretty damn good too.  I got mine “Fresco Style”, which means that they subtracted cheese and added fiesta salsa.  This will save you quite a few calories.  As for the other toppings, it included the grilled chicken (obviously) and lettuce.  The grilled chicken was obviously seasoned too, so it had a nice little kick.  As you can see from the picture below, Taco Bell is definitely not shy when it comes to adding their toppings on this one.  When coupled with the small tortilla shell, this one overflows with ingredients and taste.  It clocks in at roughly 200 calories when made with cheese, but that is substantially less when you get it Fresco Style (the actual caloric difference is not available on the website).

Grilled Chicken Soft Taco

Next, I had the Grilled Chicken burrito.  I got this one in the regular style, so it included the cheese.  It also included the seasoned grilled chicken (again, obviously), mexican rice and and avocado ranch sauce.  On this one, I have no complaints about the ingredients as they were tasty, but Taco Bell really needs to find a different tortilla to use for this burrito.  As you can see from my picture below where I’ve opened it up to show the insides, the tortilla dwarfs the amount of ingredients that are in the burrito.  When I was eating this, I felt like I was eating a giant tortilla with just a few ingredients sprinkled in to compliment the flavor of the tortilla.  It should be the other way around.   In an ideal world, they’d find a tortilla shell that was somewhere between the size of the one they use for the soft taco and the size of the one that they use for this one.  Also, this baby checks in at 440 calories, so it’s not exactly healthy.

Grilled Chicken Burrito

Would I Buy It Again:  Yes to the Grilled Chicken Soft Taco but probably not to the Grilled Chicken Burrito.  The soft taco is healthy enough and overflows with ingredients, so it is definitely worth another purchase.  As for the burrito, if I wanted to eat a giant tortilla, I’d just go to the grocery store and buy a package of big tortilla shells and munch on those.  Plus, the huge caloric intake on this one does not help my wellness score.

-IndianapolisEater

You might not be that shocked, but I have picked up about 5-10 lbs. since I started the blog about 2 months ago.  I want to keep the blog going, but my waistline can’t afford many more Burger King Steakhouse XT.

So I bought the book “Eat This, Not That!” by David Zinczenko.  As I looked at some of the substitutions, I wondered if the healthier version could stand up in taste.  The point of these reviews are to decide if a normal guy with a big appetite can stomach these substitutions.

What I Ate: Chicken Burrito Bowl.  $5.95

Chicken, lettuce, black beans, tomatillo salsa and sour cream.  I added a scoop of mild salsa as well.  Ditching rice, cheese and tortilla will save you over 500 calories and 22 g of fat.

I have to admit, it was not the same experience. There is something special about navigating a big burrito.  Although I missed the experience, I can’t say that I missed the taste.  It was almost identical.  The missing tortilla was a non factor, but adding rice would’ve been… nice.  Had to do it.

Would I Buy It Again? Yes.  Chipotle’s fresh ingredients took center stage and I still left happy and full.   I am not sure if I would do the bowl at Qdoba as I think they are a step lower in quality. With that being said I might skip Qdoba regardless.

-WIBIA

Guess who went on vacation?! 2 months into this blog and I haven’t had one post about booze.   That just ain’t like me!  I went on vacation and had some hits and misses.

Cocktails:
Gold Dust Lounge
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/HWaDvxTdtDMwz6m4-sUf6Q?select=bgV_tFbmVDKBxZni2my7XA
Old school, no frills, cash only, tacky joint.   Down to earth people and a place I can sit at all day.  Would I Buy It Again? Yes.  I would live above this place if I could.

Press Club
http://www.pressclubsf.com/
Never been to anything like this.  It is basically wine tasting in the city.  8 wineries represented.  Yuppie holding tank, but the architecture was fresh and I like the idea.  If I was single in the city, I would be kicking here after I tied one on at the Gold Dust.  Would I Buy It Again? Yes, I would go there when I visit SF, but it is not something I have to do.

Tacos and Burritos:
My favorite kind of food is Mexican.   We have great Mexican grocery stores/food in Indiana, but when in SF, I like to try the local offerings.

Los Compadres Taco Truck
http://www.yelp.com/biz/los-compadres-taco-truck-san-francisco-2
$7.50 for a Super Burrito.  Get the Carne Asada, sit down on the curb and chow down.  A true gut bomb.  Would I Buy It Again?  Yes.  I wouldn’t make a trip for it though because of…

Pancho Villa Taqueria
http://panchovillasf.com/
My first stop when I roll into the Mission District.  This place was packed on a Friday afternoon.  Mariachi singer and all.   Large menu and everything is fresh and clean.  Same format as Chipotle or Qdoba.  I can only assume both of them were designed after this place.  Would I buy It Again?  Yes.  A must have in SF.

Pizza:
Escape From New York Pizza
http://www.escapefromnewyorkpizza.com/
Looking at the list so far, I ate like a pig during this trip.  Pizza by the slice at about all hours.  I hit up the one on Haight St.  Try the garlic pesto with potato.  Potato on a pizza?   Yup, and it was good.  Otherwise, try the mushroom.  They also have one in Portland, OR  (his brother, cool guy but hates the potato pizza.  He told me when I was visiting).  Would I Buy It Again?  Yes. I made 2 trips while I was in SF.

Pizza Place on Noreiga:
http://www.pizzaplacesf.com/
What happens when you combine punk rock and pizza?  This place.  I felt like yuppie scum while there, but cold Anchor Steam on tap, sausage, pepperoni and mushroom pizza and a great house salad.  I really liked this place.  Would I Buy It Again?  Yes.  It is not a must have though.

Dim Sum:
Ton Kiang
http://www.tonkiang.net/
A solid Dim Sum, no doubt about it.   I love Dim Sum, but I eat about everything and walk out with a huge bill.  Would I Buy It Again?  Yes. If we had Dim Sum in Indy, I might pass.

Burmese:
Mandalay Restaurant
http://www.mandalaysf.com/
Basil spicy chicken and hot and sour soup were solid.  The rest was passable.  It is not a bad restaurant, just not good enough for my must haves.   Would I Buy It Again?  No, read the prior sentence.

Vietnamese:
Slanted Door
http://www.slanteddoor.com/
I walked over here after the taco truck.   Oven roasted and manila clams, basil, crispy pork belly, fresh chilies.  $14.  So good, it was awesome.  I had a soup that was out of this world.  Pork, noodles etc…  It was honestly the best soup that I have ever had.  Would I Buy It Again?  Yes and highly recommended.

Sonoma County:
Underwood Bar and Grill.  Graton, CA.
http://www.underwoodgraton.com/
ool place that you can just relax.  Sit at the bar, they have a great bartender.  Have a few drinks and order Coff the small plates menu.  Avoid the harissa fries.  Would  I Buy It Again?  Yes, recommended.

So what didn’t I like?
Mission Bar
26^th and Mission.
Boring hole in the wall with bouncer turned bartender.   Decent jukebox and cheap drinks during happy hour but that is about it.  You are no Gold Dust my friend! Would I Buy It Again?  No.

The Lodge at Cavallo Point
http://www.cavallopoint.com/restaurant_bar.php
I told you that I would review Michelean Star Rated restaurants!   Wow, what a disappointment.  I had three courses, all were underwhelming.   To think the distinguished Michelean guide gave this place one star is a shame.  If you are looking for a Michealean Star rated restaurant, go to Gary Danko and never look back.  Would I Buy It Again?  No

Epic Roasthouse
Happy Hour
http://www.epicroasthousesf.com/pdf/menus/Happy%20Hour.pdf
Overcrowded and lame.  Cheap food was a draw, but the food wasn’t good.  Great location and beautiful restaurant, but it has to be all about the food.   Walk a few blocks to Boulevard.  Would I Buy It Again?  No.

In The End:
An awesome trip and the best part – I have great family to enjoy it all with.  SF is an amazing place to eat your way through.   Great food around every corner.  You have quick and easy access to about every nationality you can image and many of them fused together. If you like to eat, you have to make a trip and try out a few of the above places.

-WIBIA