Restaurants

[LogGrad98]

My brother in law tipped my off (my puns are always intentional) to something I was completely unaware of. He said he always asks at non-full service places if the employees get the tips and very often the answer is no. If they do get the tips he leaves a tip but if not he doesn't.

Yeah I've seen places take the bills out of the tip jar and put them in the till. That just wrong.

 

[Gameface]

This is a copy/paste of my yelp review for Afghan Kitchen (3142 S Main St location) that my wife and I ate at last night.

For a place like this with so many 5 star reviews and so many wonderful comments already I sometimes wonder if I need to add my .02 when I'm more or less going to simply reiterate the overwhelming consensus that Afghan Kitchen is awesome!

My wife and I arrived just before 6pm on a Sunday and they were busy. There was no wait other than a couple minutes while they cleared a table for us. Once seated it did take a little time as the lone server was taking care of other guests. When she did arrive at our table it was with a complimentary drink and an apology for making us wait. It was done with so much sincerity and hospitality that I think they got my 5 stars right then (and I'm a little stingy with 5 star reviews).

We ordered the Meat N Kabul family meal for 3. It comes with Beef Mantu, Qabuli Palow (chicken) which includes Burani Banjan, Mixed Kabob (beef and chicken), and mixed Dashi (beef and chicken). It was a perfect assortment for us as my wife doesn't like Lamb regardless of how well it is cooked.

The menu is compact without feeling limited. So many people have already described these items so I'm not going to get into a detailed flavor profile of each item. What I will say is that, first, every item we got looked nearly identical to the pictures on the menu. Secondly they thread the needle perfectly between not seasoning enough or over seasoning, especially for a cuisine many of their customers might not be accustomed to. The cook on all the meats was perfect.

If you wanted to add more flavor they have a wonderful assortment of sauces, from the very spicy habanero sauce, the red chili sauce (sambal), a tomato and cilantro sauce, and a cooling yogurt sauce. The Habanero sauce is pretty much liquified habanero to be used primarily to bump up the heat. The red chile adds some great heat along with garlic and a little tanginess. The tomato and cilantro sauce is dark green and had a surprising depth of flavor. I expected it to be bright and maybe even a bit spicy but it is completely mild with a subtle umami element. The Yogurt sauce is pretty straight forward.

We came in with high expectations and left wowed. This will certainly be on my short list of go-to restaurants.

 

[fishonjazz]

I linked my yelp review in my post (I was their second yelp review from Jan 2020), but short story, I think they are the best taco place in the state! I hadn't had a vampiro before I went there but that is what I get everytime now.

Good review. That ****ing orange hot sauce. I loved it and put some on every bite but that **** is a little too to spicy for me. My mouth was on fire for a long long time last night…… yet i still want more of it


Sent from my iPad using JazzFanz mobile app

 

[Gameface]

Jared Y.'s review of Bawarchi - Salt Lake City

My wife and I found ourselves on an aimless adventure in search of dinner after the place we…

www.yelp.com

This is an awesome Indian place that has very bold flavors. I know that's more or less what Indian food is known for, but these guys take it up a notch from places like Bombay House. Feels a lot more like home cooking or comfort Indian food.

 

[Miggs]

Tails on shrimp in saucy food is a big pet peeve of mine. It would take the guy doing prep work 5 seconds to pop those tails. But it's enough for me that I just won't order it.

I hear ya but **** that. Shrimp Fra Diavolo is one of my go-tos. Love that ****. Or shrimp, scallop and whatever else fra diavolo.

 

[Gameface]

A Chipotle opened near my house and I've never had them before. What do they have that a Cafe Rio or Costa Vida doesn't have? What kind of stuff do any of you order there? Are any of their salsas or other add-ons really good?

I look at their online menu and I'm like, nah.

 

[fishonjazz]

A Chipotle opened near my house and I've never had them before. What do they have that a Cafe Rio or Costa Vida doesn't have? What kind of stuff do any of you order there? Are any of their salsas or other add-ons really good?

I look at their online menu and I'm like, nah.

I like them alot. Its similar to cafe rio or costa vida in that its mexican food but thats about it imo. Have you ever eaten at barbacoa? I think its more like that. I dont know if I prefer the cafe rio type mexican restaurant or the chipotle one more but they are certainly different and imo both are great. Just depends on what im more in the mood for.
You talking about the location in Jordan Landing by the jersey mikes? I went by about a week ago and it wasn't open yet but looked really close. Im hoping its open now. If it is then im going there tomorrow no doubt.

 

[Gameface]

I like them alot. Its similar to cafe rio or costa vida in that its mexican food but thats about it imo. Have you ever eaten at barbacoa? I think its more like that. I dont know if I prefer the cafe rio type mexican restaurant or the chipotle one more but they are certainly different and imo both are great. Just depends on what im more in the mood for.
You talking about the location in Jordan Landing by the jersey mikes? I went by about a week ago and it wasn't open yet but looked really close. Im hoping its open now. If it is then im going there tomorrow no doubt.

It's open now.

What's your go-to order?

 

[fishonjazz]

It's open now.

What's your go-to order?

Honestly I have only been there twice because it was far away from my house. Been to costa and cafe a ton for the opposite reason lol. I dont like to drive far to eat.
I think I got a steak burrito the first time and a barbacoa burrito the second time. I liked the steak better.
Have you been to barbacoa? I love that place. There is one really close by tacos lopez. Though if im going that way then the only way I go to barbacoa now is if tacos lopez is way too busy or something. I really really liked that tacos lopez. wish it was closer.

Btw I already texted my wife and told her we are going to chipotle tomorrow lol.

 

[LogGrad98]

A Chipotle opened near my house and I've never had them before. What do they have that a Cafe Rio or Costa Vida doesn't have? What kind of stuff do any of you order there? Are any of their salsas or other add-ons really good?

I look at their online menu and I'm like, nah.

I have to disagree with fish. It's essentially the corporately sanitized Version of Cafe Rio, without the flavor or ambience. Never been a fan of Chipotle and with various places of business I've worked at being in love with it, I've had it a lot. I guess for a basic lunch it's ok but cafe Rio is without a doubt better for that style of food.

 

[Gameface]

Honestly I have only been there twice because it was far away from my house. Been to costa and cafe a ton for the opposite reason lol. I dont like to drive far to eat.
I think I got a steak burrito the first time and a barbacoa burrito the second time. I liked the steak better.
Have you been to barbacoa? I love that place. There is one really close by tacos lopez. Though if im going that way then the only way I go to barbacoa now is if tacos lopez is way too busy or something. I really really liked that tacos lopez. wish it was closer.

Btw I already texted my wife and told her we are going to chipotle tomorrow lol.

I would go to Tacos Lopez a lot more but it's so crowded and the language barrier is pretty significant even though I'm ordering food with Spanish names. They are going for a Tijuana style theme but there's not enough room, they don't make the food fast enough and it gets really awkward. I love the place but usually it feels like more trouble than it's worth. I pretty much only order online now, but even then, when you go in and just jump in the register line you get a bunch of dirty looks from people who think you're skipping ahead.

I guess part of what I'm asking is along the lines of, when I go to Cafe Rio I have to add Salsa Fresca to my food. If it wasn't for the Salsa Fresca I would never go to Cafe Rio. If I went and they made most of my burrito and then told me they're out of Salsa Fresca I'd leave. So I'm kind of just wondering if there is that sort of an item at Chipotle.

Never been to Barbacoa, probably because I don't like barbacoa the dish, even though I'm sure they have more than that.

 

[LogGrad98]

I would go to Tacos Lopez a lot more but it's so crowded and the language barrier is pretty significant even though I'm ordering food with Spanish names. They are going for a Tijuana style theme but there's not enough room, they don't make the food fast enough and it gets really awkward. I love the place but usually it feels like more trouble than it's worth. I pretty much only order online now, but even then, when you go in and just jump in the register line you get a bunch of dirty looks from people who think you're skipping ahead.

I guess part of what I'm asking is along the lines of, when I go to Cafe Rio I have to add Salsa Fresca to my food. If it wasn't for the Salsa Fresca I would never go to Cafe Rio. If I went and they made most of my burrito and then told me they're out of Salsa Fresca I'd leave. So I'm kind of just wondering if there is that sort of an item at Chipotle.

Never been to Barbacoa, probably because I don't like barbacoa the dish, even though I'm sure they have more than that.

If what you are getting at is it's just not spicy enough maybe chipotle will be better for you. I think on a baseline level it's a bit spicier than cafe Rio. If you mean just flavor then cafe Rio is definitely better.