Ben & Jerry's

Ben & Jerry's
5007 Black Road
767-3178

Earlier in the week, Jiro (7) and I were out east running errands. We thought it might be nice to get a treat. Both Muddy's and the Cosmic Coconut were closed for the holiday (!!) so we went over to Ben & Jerry's. I'm not sure why I've never actually been in, but can only guess it's because of the store's proximity to the two aforementioned places. Jiro has been several times with his movie buddies and assured me that it was a good choice.

There was a nice, older couple working behind the counter. I can only guess that they are the owners? Anyways, they were very friendly and chatty. Jiro and I tasted a few flavors before making our decisions. He went with a cup of the 7 Layer Coconut Something and I got a small cone of Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz. (I thought for sure Jiro would get a sprinkle cone or toppings, but he went for just ice cream. I had a taste and it was way sweet on its own.)

He saw a table with an over-sized checkers board on it and asked if we could play. I know he can kick my ass in chess, but I thought I might stand a chance at checkers. "Sure!" I said.



We had a lovely game, and I won by a hair. I was really impressed by the level of kid-friendliness going on in the store. In addition to checkers they had decks of cards, a foosball table, coloring stations, and so on. The bathrooms are clean and have changing tables too.

I definitely see why Ben & Jerry's is always crowded!

Jiro's only complaint was the wooden spoon they gave him to eat his ice cream with. I'm guessing it's a nod to being more eco-friendly, but I would like all restauranteurs everywhere to know that food does NOT taste good on wood. It just doesn't. (I also noticed that they used popsicle sticks for tasters. I think that's passable since it's just one bite.) Stick with a cone until they find a better alternative to the wooden spoons.

Billy Hardwick's All Star Lanes

Billy Hardwick's All Star Lanes
1576 S. White Station
683-BOWL

The Greenberg Clan has been on a bit of a bowling streak. In the last month or so, we've had a couple of family bowling days out at the Cordova Lanes. On our last visit, my sister said we should try Billy Hardwick's next because they do Cosmic Bowling and "they have good food." (We haven't eaten at the Cordova Lanes.)

We couldn't keep the kids up late enough for Cosmic Bowling which starts at 9pm, so we opted to go for dinner. The menu is pretty basic--burgers, hot dogs, pizza, and so on. There isn't a specific seating area for food--there's a full bar where adults can eat, but no kids allowed. However, there are plenty of seats by the lanes.

Team Oster was the first to arrive, so we put in our order for Billy burgers all around. The woman said it would take about 15 minutes and it did.



I ordered four burgers, two fries to share, and some "homemade chicken noodle soup" for Warren. The monkeys (Satchel, 9, and Jiro, 7) complained about having to share fries, but I held fast. Our total was $22, which isn't too bad, but included no drinks. I made the kids get water from the cooler, and I ordered a beer at the bar.

The burgers were big and juicy. Overall, I'd say they were pretty good. Would I make a special trip for one? No.



Jiro complained that his bun was slippery, but managed to polish his off without getting too grumpy.



Warren and I enjoyed our burgers and what fries we could get from the kids. Warren was sorely disappointed by the soup. He said in this case "homemade" meant pouring several cans of veggies into a pot. "I can taste the corn juice," he said.



My sister's family arrived soon after us and ordered a pizza. My brother-in-law insisted it is the best thing on the menu. They were kind enough to share. It was pretty good...for bowling alley pizza.



My other sister actually likened it to skating rink pizza, which she meant as a compliment.

After an hour of bowling, Satchel begged me to get him another hamburger and his very own fries. I complied. It took him awhile, but he did eventually polish it off. I thought it was cute that he put mustard on his fries. He has a serious sour tooth.



It's pretty clear that there isn't anything magical happening food wise at Billy Hardwicks, but family bowling is super fun. There's a Three Little Pigs next door. We may just eat there before bowling next time.

Pho Saigon

Pho Saigon
2946 Poplar
458-1644

Nine times out of ten, if I asked Warren what he wants to eat for dinner, he will say, "Pho?" We've been to pretty much all of the Midtown Vietnamese places and tend to go through spurts. Like we had a Saigon Le phase, Pho Vietnam phase, and most recently a Shanghai phase. (Had Vietnamese Bistro not burned down, I'm sure we would have never left that phase!) About a month ago, just Warren and I were headed to see a friend's band on the Highland Strip and decided to stop at Pho Saigon on the way. We hadn't been there in ages, for no particular reason. They had an table topper promoting their bahn mi sandwiches, and we decided to get one to share. I typically don't like bahn mi, but theirs is SO good. They add barbequed pork and it makes all of the difference.



Since then, I have been getting them to go on a regular basis! (Just an FYI--they make you pay cash to get them to go--$3.99 each.)

A couple of Sundays ago we decided to take the monkeys (Satchel 9, and Jiro 7) for an early dinner before going downtown to see the San Jose Taiko drummers. Most Vietnamese places are closed on Sunday, so that is another plus for Pho Saigon. (Pho Vietnam is also open on Sunday.)



The monkeys don't get too stoked about Vietnamese food. They definitely prefer to bankrupt us at sushi restaurants. However, when I mentioned that Pho Saigon had bubble tea, they both perked up.

We ordered them each a bubble tea, iced coffee for ourselves, two bahn mi, a noodle bowl to share, rice, and an order of chicken wings. Since we'd worked the kids in the yard all day, we let them play their DSes at the table.

First out was the iced coffee. Do you notice anything wrong with this picture?



I stared at the glass for a few moments, and then commenced complaining to Warren. "Uh, wtf. Where is the rest of it?" I said. "I think the ice is supposed to melt," he replied, hopefully. "It's cold. It's not going to melt anytime soon," I grumpily retorted.

Now, I have a thing about Pho Saigon's pricing structure. Pretty much all of their drinks--coffees, bubble teas, soda water with a squeeze of lemon, all cost $3.50-$4. Considering the bahn mi costs $4, I think the drinks are a bit of a rip off. A $3.50 bubble tea makes sense, but a $4 draft soda water? A $4 half cup of coffee? No.

I told our waitress that I wasn't paying $4 for half a glass of coffee. She looked scared and went to get the owner. The owner lady came over and I tried not to sound too bitchy when I explained that the iced coffee was not what I expected. She was pretty cool about it, apologized, and said the girl who made it was new. Then she came out with a nice, full glass of iced coffee.



Let me say that while it tastes great, it is very concentrated. I definitely regretted my decision to have one at dinner (on a Sunday) when I was lying awake in bed at 2am.

The rest of our meal went off without a hitch. The bubble tea servings are very generous. Jiro got coconut.



Satchel got pineapple. His even had a little scoop of pineapple ice cream on top.



The bahn mi was yummy as always. I still have not managed to get either monkey to try it. I'm pretty sure Satchel would like a modified version since he loves pork, baguettes, and sour things.



Jiro snarfed down most of the chicken wings and a little rice. (He refused to take a serious picture.)



With the bahn mi appetizer, the combo noodle bowl was actually big enough for Warren, Satchel, and I to share. It's also an easy thing to deconstruct for picky eaters.



I don't know that the food at Pho Saigon is any better than the other Vietnamese restaurants that we frequent, but it is at least just as good. As I said, the bahn mi is exceptional, and I think the bubble tea is a bit better too. The service is fast and friendly-enough. I'd put the family that owns it in the same category as the Saigon Le folks--slow to warm up. If you come in all of the time I think they will eventually start to trust you and show some sweetness. If you want all sweetness all the time (and a Thai menu to boot), then Shanghai is your place.

I have yet to make it to the restrooms at Pho Saigon. I'd guess there isn't a changing table, but I'd say in general they are welcoming to children. That's pretty much a given at Asian restaurants.

Our total was over $40, but when you take into consideration that $16 of it was on drinks, then it isn't so bad. Or maybe it's worse! I don't care if you get a drink, but you have to try the bahn mi!

Also, beware, they sell Mentos for $1 at the register.