I'm certain McDonalds, Subway, and Starbucks don't mind how their brands transcend their respective markets. But I find it a bit weird that each offers a product with a unique set of flavors and textures. McDonalds tastes like McDonalds, Subway like Subway, and Starbucks like Starbucks.
I'm not saying we should shun uniqueness, brand success, or variety, but the ubiquity of these three companies have skewed consumers' expectations of food. When I want a real hamburger, I don't go to McDonalds. The same goes for real sandwiches and McDonalds and real coffee and Starbucks.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Splinter, rafter
Politics tickles my funny bone when it's not tickling my angry bone.
Our newly blued House of Representatives, channeling public (or, rather, publicized) frustration as gasoline prices might soon surpass their inflation-adjusted highs of the early 1980s, narrowly passed a bill that would somehow protect us all from price gouging in the energy market. I find this whole exercise a waste of time.
I'm shocked - SHOCKED - the House didn't turn its attention to the taxes federal, state, county, and city governments add to every gallon of gasoline sold. I imagine it's easier and quicker to fold to the pro-government lobby than to the pro-oil and pro-auto lobbies.
Our newly blued House of Representatives, channeling public (or, rather, publicized) frustration as gasoline prices might soon surpass their inflation-adjusted highs of the early 1980s, narrowly passed a bill that would somehow protect us all from price gouging in the energy market. I find this whole exercise a waste of time.
I'm shocked - SHOCKED - the House didn't turn its attention to the taxes federal, state, county, and city governments add to every gallon of gasoline sold. I imagine it's easier and quicker to fold to the pro-government lobby than to the pro-oil and pro-auto lobbies.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Sandwich Report: Tuesday, 2007-05-22
Jimmy John's (Loop: Monroe)
Beach Club (#12) on Wheat
Sweet & Sour Chips
How can you beat fresh sandwiches with great bread? Jimmy Johns has been my de facto lunch for a while, supplanting Potbelly's for the time being. I only wish I could get the wheat bread after 1:00pm. The french roll is good and soft, but the wheat is something else.
Pushing the sandwiches over the edge are the fresh trimmings like tomatoes and avocado spread. Jimmy John's doesn't use the same pitiful pale tomatoes manhandled by those "sandwich artists" at Subway.
I recommend any of their chips. Their cookies are decent, but not quite as good (or as fresh) as Potbelly's.
Beach Club (#12) on Wheat
Sweet & Sour Chips
How can you beat fresh sandwiches with great bread? Jimmy Johns has been my de facto lunch for a while, supplanting Potbelly's for the time being. I only wish I could get the wheat bread after 1:00pm. The french roll is good and soft, but the wheat is something else.
Pushing the sandwiches over the edge are the fresh trimmings like tomatoes and avocado spread. Jimmy John's doesn't use the same pitiful pale tomatoes manhandled by those "sandwich artists" at Subway.
I recommend any of their chips. Their cookies are decent, but not quite as good (or as fresh) as Potbelly's.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Sandwich Report: Monday, 2007-05-21
RŌM (Loop)
Milano (mozzarella, artichokes, red peppers, tomatoes, basil)
Iced Coffee
Okay, you get it. I love this place. I never thought I'd be this pumped about an offshoot of the overpriced Caffe Bacci.
Milano (mozzarella, artichokes, red peppers, tomatoes, basil)
Iced Coffee
Okay, you get it. I love this place. I never thought I'd be this pumped about an offshoot of the overpriced Caffe Bacci.
National Bingo Night
I will admit right now that I only watched portions of the last half hour of ABC's National Bingo Night on Friday. I can usually pick up on a game show's rules with the same amount of attention. That's how I picked up the rules to Deal or No Deal, 1 vs. 100, and that haphazard Show Me The Money. I couldn't tell you anything about this new show aside from, "There were some colored balls, some other balls with letters, numbers, and arrows, and a bride and groom walking down the aisle."
More disturbing than the insane setup of the game was one female contestant. She was a heavyset woman sporting a fanny pack she wore on the front. When the time came to ... uh ... do something that would help her win money, she would ... ahem ... reach down and rub her fanny pack vigorously. Not helping matters was the camera that would pan down and zoom in on the hot, hot fanny-pack-rubbing action. I hope ABC has the decency to fine itself rather than wait for the FCC to respond to that lone complaint from Granny Highpants or the Moral Police.
More disturbing than the insane setup of the game was one female contestant. She was a heavyset woman sporting a fanny pack she wore on the front. When the time came to ... uh ... do something that would help her win money, she would ... ahem ... reach down and rub her fanny pack vigorously. Not helping matters was the camera that would pan down and zoom in on the hot, hot fanny-pack-rubbing action. I hope ABC has the decency to fine itself rather than wait for the FCC to respond to that lone complaint from Granny Highpants or the Moral Police.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Sandwich Report: Wednesday, 2007-05-16
RŌM (Loop)
Roma (salami, mortadella, capicola, provolone, tomatoes, mild giardinara)
Nocciola (fancy beverage with Nutella, condensed milk, espresso, whipped cream, nuts)
As a "classic Italian" sandwich goes, this one did not disappoint. The giardinara made the eating experience a bit messy, but it was well worth it.
The Nocciola falls under their house category of "coffee as art." It's served in a small clear parfait cup and is meant to be eaten with a spoon ("scoop down and then up the side"). I can't say I'd ever have it again, especially since it was close to $4, but I don't feel like a fool for trying it once.
I visited their cafe again in the late afternoon when my wife stopped by the office on her way to a The Knot of Chicagoland gathering. She tried the Chai Tea Latte. I ordered yet another Iced Coffee. Both were excellent. They use Caffe Umbria coffee, and while they sell Bodum presses, they offer no freshly pressed coffee for sale, which I can understand, but I'd still love the chance to buy it on occasion.
With several alternatives to Starbucks in the Loop, I've learned that Starbucks is really not that great a coffee. If I must have some kind of coffee drink, I'd prefer Caribou, McDonalds, Dunkin' Donuts, Peet's, or RŌM. Anything but Starbucks.
Roma (salami, mortadella, capicola, provolone, tomatoes, mild giardinara)
Nocciola (fancy beverage with Nutella, condensed milk, espresso, whipped cream, nuts)
As a "classic Italian" sandwich goes, this one did not disappoint. The giardinara made the eating experience a bit messy, but it was well worth it.
The Nocciola falls under their house category of "coffee as art." It's served in a small clear parfait cup and is meant to be eaten with a spoon ("scoop down and then up the side"). I can't say I'd ever have it again, especially since it was close to $4, but I don't feel like a fool for trying it once.
I visited their cafe again in the late afternoon when my wife stopped by the office on her way to a The Knot of Chicagoland gathering. She tried the Chai Tea Latte. I ordered yet another Iced Coffee. Both were excellent. They use Caffe Umbria coffee, and while they sell Bodum presses, they offer no freshly pressed coffee for sale, which I can understand, but I'd still love the chance to buy it on occasion.
With several alternatives to Starbucks in the Loop, I've learned that Starbucks is really not that great a coffee. If I must have some kind of coffee drink, I'd prefer Caribou, McDonalds, Dunkin' Donuts, Peet's, or RŌM. Anything but Starbucks.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Sandwich Report: Tuesday, 2007-05-15
RŌM (Loop)
Grilled Napoli (mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, balsamic dressing)
RŌM is a recent addition to the Loop. It bills itself as a "Modern Italian Cafe." This is my second sandwich following their awesome (but pricey) JoJo.
As Napolis go, this is pretty good. The bread did not disappoint, and it did not crumble under the panini press, unlike some sandwiches. (I'm looking at you, Pazzo's.)
Grilled Napoli (mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, balsamic dressing)
RŌM is a recent addition to the Loop. It bills itself as a "Modern Italian Cafe." This is my second sandwich following their awesome (but pricey) JoJo.
As Napolis go, this is pretty good. The bread did not disappoint, and it did not crumble under the panini press, unlike some sandwiches. (I'm looking at you, Pazzo's.)
Monday, May 14, 2007
Sandwich Report: Monday, 2007-05-14
Uncle Abe's (Loop)
Meatloaf on sourdough + lettuce, tomato, ketchup
Chicken broth soup with pasta shells
Pickle spear
At $6.00 before tax, this Daily Special is probably the best deal at Uncle Abe's. The portion of meatloaf was ample, but it compromised the integrity of the thin sourdough bread. On the upside, the meatloaf at Uncle Abe's is tasty and just the right texture and moisture -- not too dry, not too messy.
Meatloaf on sourdough + lettuce, tomato, ketchup
Chicken broth soup with pasta shells
Pickle spear
At $6.00 before tax, this Daily Special is probably the best deal at Uncle Abe's. The portion of meatloaf was ample, but it compromised the integrity of the thin sourdough bread. On the upside, the meatloaf at Uncle Abe's is tasty and just the right texture and moisture -- not too dry, not too messy.
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