A Panda Wearing a Sombrero

Have you finally been sent somewhere in the southern US (sun, at last!)? Do you happen to be in Phoenix and also happen to be staying at the Crowne Plaza on West Peoria Avenue? Good, you're in for a treat.

Trusty ol' Yelp.com led me to find a great little dive with Asian/Mexican fusion food called Chino Bandido. They have two locations in the greater Phoenix area and one happens to be only three or four miles from that Crowne Plaza, so you may be able to get the hotel shuttle to drive you, but I personally had a friend pick me up at the hotel, so I can't be certain. The restaurant is a dingy little place in an even sketchier part of town (there were a few police helicopters with spotlights doing fly-overs just down the street), but the quality of food, on my visit, far surpassed the appearance of the shop.

You walk in and, if it's your first time at the place, the staff walks you through a sampling of six menu items before showing you how to order. I followed the advice of quite a few Yelpers and ordered the Jade Red Chicken; I was not disappointed! The statue of a panda in the next room, wearing a sombrero, is also not to be missed (it's better when you walk in and there are three small kids crawling all over it!).

Also featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives," hosted by Guy Fieri, episode DV0305 titled A World of Flavors.

[ Google map ]
[ Yelp review ]
[ website ]

Boise Bento

Who knew downtown Boise was so adorable? If you're staying at the Owyhee Plaza and want some decent Asian food, wander over a couple blocks and go to Zen Bento (10th and Main). Matt suggested this one to me, and it was a winner! While it's not really bento boxes, its pretty tasty. Veggies and your choice of protein (I chose tofu today) over rice and your choice of sauce over all of it. They also have sushi and gigantic cookies (it was hard to restrain myself). Best of all, it's all under $10!

Good Greek in NY

If you're staying in downtown Buffalo, NY near the convention center (the Hyatt Regency, for me), check out this great Greek restaurant, Taki's, that is a short one- to two-minute walk around the corner. They've got pretty inexpensive lunch specials and, considering I was at the convention center, which has no in-house restaurant, this was an obvious choice based on local advice.

When you're there, check out the cheeky and self-promoting posters stuck to the walls (see above). That, and can you REALLY say no to the chocolate cookies that are as big as your face? I couldn't.

[ Google Maps ]

[ A much better review ]
[ Yelp page ]

Pit-Stop Through Canada

Back in December 2009, during my last week out before our glorious multi-week winter vacation, I found myself north of the border with an appetite. I in Toronto, heading south, and another program manager in Hamilton, heading north, decided we should meet up with our presenters for an early dinner somewhere in between. Not exactly a "same-city" day, but close enough.

Not being all too experienced with Canadian eateries (eh?), Yelp once again came to the rescue by leading us to a small industrial town called Oakville that is just about smack dab in the middle of our two destinations for the evening. Stoney's Bread Company is a great local restaurant that serves much more than just bread. Think of it as an upscale, independent version of Panera...I guess. Fantastic salmon sandwiches, caesar salads, handmade pizzas, and other such things. Slightly more pricey than my previous comparison to Panera, but certainly worth the experience and worth a break from driving the snowy roads of Ontario between Toronto and Hamilton.

Locally-made desserts are a must for the to-go box, as well!

[ Yelp page ]
[ Google Map ]

Gastropub near Harrisburg

Staying at the Hotel Carlisle near Harrisburg? Craving something a little more Continental? Head down the road about 5 miles to Cafe Bruge. My presenter and I had amazing Belgian beer, super tasty french fries, and amazingly tantalizing mussels cooked in butter and white wine... YUM. They have a decent menu of salads and burgers as well as the typically French/Belgian fare. It's a little on the pricier side (the 2lbs of mussels and giant cone of fries were $19, and we each had a green salad at $5, plus the beers at $7...), but it's very much worth it for a nice night out when you're in a truck-stop hotel.

Petra's Cafe in Fayetteville, AR

Okay so no pictures since I was super hungry and had about 20 minutes to get in, scarf down some food, and get out! This little tiny place called Petra's Cafe on East Center Street in Fayetteville (close to University of Arkansas) is fantastic! I stayed just a block or 2 away at the Cosmopolitan Hotel (a real fixer-upper) and was walking around on my lunch break and found this cute little cafe! They have pictures of Jordan all over and apparently the owner is from Jordan. Anyway, I went in and ordered a platter with falafel, hummous, pita and this interesting stuff called foule (pronounced "fool"). Super good! It's this tangy bean dip with garlic, onions and tomatoes that is incredible! I was super stuffed after this protein-rich meal and I wish I was here tomorrow to eat there again! It's only open for lunch, but you have to check it out! It cheap too and it's like eating in someone's living room since the other side of the room has an oven and stove and refrigerator. Who knew there was fabulous middle-eastern cuisine in Fayetteville??

And just as an added bonus, if you're in for a home-made type burger there's a place called Hugo's that has great burgers across the street from the hotel!

Airport Dining, ATL

Stranded in Atlanta? Hungry? Near the C terminal?
Try Pashals Southern Restaurant at the C centerpoint (near gate C30). I had an hour at dinnertime in ATL yesterday, and after asking what we could get and eat in 20 minutes, our server suggested the veggie platter... your choice of 4 sides and cornbread muffins for $10. It was great southern comfort food--black eye peas, collards, mashed potatoes and gravy... YUM. If I'm back there for longer, I might have to head back to tried their fried chicken or smothered meatloaf.

I wrapped up a cornbread muffin in my napkin as we had to run to our gate, and let me just say, anything that results in a see-through napkin after less than 3 minutes is good southern cookin'.

Anyone else have a decent airport food find lately?