Sandy's recently opened in the location of the sorely missed Aloha BBQ, and it's a good one.
They've only got five menu items: Tacos, Burritos, quesadillas, tortas, and mulitas. A mulita is similar to a quesadilla but with meat..greasy but delicious. A torta is a sandwich on a Mexican roll, and the one I had was the best I've eaten outside of Mexico. Prices are insanely low. Everything on the menu is 4.25, and that includes four tacos. The meats are great, they've got horchatas, what's not to like?
2439-B Maple Valley Hwy, Renton 98055 425-226-7752
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Good new Chinese place in Renton
I'm generally not a big fan of Chinese food, but the recently opened Szechuanese First Restaurant at 18124 East Valley Hwy,( 425-656-0889) just south of the Great Wall Shopping center really impressed me. Several things come to mind: Good, fresh flavors, large portions, and low prices. Large menu, and best of all, typos on the menu. For some reason, I always see that as a good sign, that they're devoting energy to food rather than spelling. This menu has Chinese celery with lamp.
But what we did eat was all delicious, and I'll be back for more. We had Eggplant with garlic sauce..they don't skimp on the garlic and it was attractively presented with red and green peppers.
Chicken with broccoli was also a good choice, the broccoli nicely tender and the chicken lean and flavorful. Curry prawns were fabulous, and the pot roast with flank was spicy and tender and great.
Most items on the menu are 6.95-9.95, and portions are larger, prices are lower, and the flavor is better than the same items ordered at many other Chinese restaurants.
But what we did eat was all delicious, and I'll be back for more. We had Eggplant with garlic sauce..they don't skimp on the garlic and it was attractively presented with red and green peppers.
Chicken with broccoli was also a good choice, the broccoli nicely tender and the chicken lean and flavorful. Curry prawns were fabulous, and the pot roast with flank was spicy and tender and great.
Most items on the menu are 6.95-9.95, and portions are larger, prices are lower, and the flavor is better than the same items ordered at many other Chinese restaurants.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Are some locations just cursed for restaurants?
I'm thinking of the space in downtown Renton that was Uncle Mac's, and Three Sisters, and Sandra's Place, the place at 509B S 3rd St, adjacent to Bella Napoli, across the street from Big 5.
Well, guess what? Sandra's is gone after a short stay, and has been replaced by Geri 's Casual Dining. I tried it. I liked it. Extensive menu, including grilled salmon, roast chicken, ribs, steak, burgers...Service was kind of slow, the ribs were top notch as were the greens, but...
I have no problem with religious people of any faith. But when I ask someone how they are, can't they just say "fine?" Why do I have to hear " I'm blessed." When I told the owner that I liked the food and hoped they were around for a while, she said "if the Lord is willing."
Maybe serving good food at good prices with good service would have something to do with it?
But...given the history of places in that location, she may need all the blessings she can get.
Well, guess what? Sandra's is gone after a short stay, and has been replaced by Geri 's Casual Dining. I tried it. I liked it. Extensive menu, including grilled salmon, roast chicken, ribs, steak, burgers...Service was kind of slow, the ribs were top notch as were the greens, but...
I have no problem with religious people of any faith. But when I ask someone how they are, can't they just say "fine?" Why do I have to hear " I'm blessed." When I told the owner that I liked the food and hoped they were around for a while, she said "if the Lord is willing."
Maybe serving good food at good prices with good service would have something to do with it?
But...given the history of places in that location, she may need all the blessings she can get.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
DK Market
Tried to go to Lenny's Market yesterday in the Walmart shopping center yesterday only to find out that they're gone, moved around the corner to a larger space...They are now the Dk Market, at the corner of S 7th St and Lind Ave S.
It's a fun place to shop, and they sell far more than just produce.
Lots of imported/gourmet items, ranging from hummus to Polish mushroom soups, to vacuum packed coffee from Croatia ( if they don't know about coffee in Croatia, where do they?). Prices are low in this no frills warehouse store, selection of fruits and veggies is huge. Go there.
It's a fun place to shop, and they sell far more than just produce.
Lots of imported/gourmet items, ranging from hummus to Polish mushroom soups, to vacuum packed coffee from Croatia ( if they don't know about coffee in Croatia, where do they?). Prices are low in this no frills warehouse store, selection of fruits and veggies is huge. Go there.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
More tidbits
Finegan's irish Pub is now on 2nd in downtown Renton, where Giant's Causeway was. It wasn't the worst restaurant in Renton, but service was glacially slow and the food wasn't good. Finegan's is owned by the guy who owns the Williams Ave Pub, across the street from Finegan's on Williams.
The Williams Avenue Pub, as previously reviewed on these pages, is a dive bar, but really has great food.
An African restaurant is coming to Skyway, supposedly open soon, the Afriq Restaurant and Lounge will be at 12619 Renton Avenue S. It's Kenyan owned and will feature foods from all over the African diaspora..DJ Peter Alumasa, who owns a record store on Lake City Way, is the owner.
And another BBQ joint is open in Skyway, Champs Bar and BBQ at 12544 Renton Ave S.
Haven't been there, but will try it, as I do love ribs.
But Champs has a formidable competitor across the street at Gabby's Q, previously reviewed on these pages. Gabby's may not have seating, but they have consistently good quality 'Q.
The Williams Avenue Pub, as previously reviewed on these pages, is a dive bar, but really has great food.
An African restaurant is coming to Skyway, supposedly open soon, the Afriq Restaurant and Lounge will be at 12619 Renton Avenue S. It's Kenyan owned and will feature foods from all over the African diaspora..DJ Peter Alumasa, who owns a record store on Lake City Way, is the owner.
And another BBQ joint is open in Skyway, Champs Bar and BBQ at 12544 Renton Ave S.
Haven't been there, but will try it, as I do love ribs.
But Champs has a formidable competitor across the street at Gabby's Q, previously reviewed on these pages. Gabby's may not have seating, but they have consistently good quality 'Q.
Skyway Park makeover
There is funding available to do a "makeover" of Skyway Park, located behind the Roman Casino in Skyway, two miles west of downtown Renton. Skyway has a terrible reputation as a place where people go if they want to get shot. It's not quite that bad, but it's often less than savory, especially at night.
But people have all kinds of ideas for Skyway Park, which is about 50 acres. Wednesday Feb 6 will be a public meeting about the park at the Fire District training center on 76th Ave S.
Me, I like the idea of devoting a small portion of the park for an off leash dog area. It's a good way to bring people together, and when people with legitimate uses congregate in one area, the folks with less than legitimate uses go somewhere else.
The City of Renton is also forming an off leash dog park steering committee. Call the Renton Parks Department to get placed on their mailing list.
But people have all kinds of ideas for Skyway Park, which is about 50 acres. Wednesday Feb 6 will be a public meeting about the park at the Fire District training center on 76th Ave S.
Me, I like the idea of devoting a small portion of the park for an off leash dog area. It's a good way to bring people together, and when people with legitimate uses congregate in one area, the folks with less than legitimate uses go somewhere else.
The City of Renton is also forming an off leash dog park steering committee. Call the Renton Parks Department to get placed on their mailing list.
The Caucuses
I'm not talking about the mountain range in Eastern Europe, I'm talking about the party caucuses in Washington State on Saturday February 9th. Call or visit the websites for the King County Democrats or Republicans for your exact location. I've done it a few times, and it's always kind of fun..takes a couple of hours of your time. And you get to feel like you were really part of the political process by showing up.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Tidbits ( On Toast)
Was it the power of the Renton Hipster?
Yes, Mimosa on Airport Way, Freakazoid Freddy's choice as "the worst restaurant in Renton" has changed hands and changed names. It is now Tri An Quan, with hours from 7AM-1AM.
I'm assuming it's Vietnamese ( like duh. With a name like that, it should be a Jewish delicatessen?)
Their parking lot is frequently full. Which doesn't mean anyone's eating there. Maybe the new owner owns a lot of cars. I will check it out and report back.
Golden Indian Curry, with branches both on Southcenter Parkway and on the East Hill of Kent, has one of the better Indian lunch buffets, and at 7.99, one of the better deals. The only Indian lunch buffet in Renton can be had at Pabla, across the way from the downtown Fred Meyer.
Naan and Curry no longer does a lunch buffet, but I still like 'em for dinner.
Opening soon at The Landing, Renton's new shopping and residential complex will be a Red Robin.
So far, the Landing doesn't really impress me, with Lowes, Target, Staples, and Panda Express.
I'd rather see stores that were unique, not big chain stores that could be found in Dubuque, Iowa, or Hightstown, New Jersey...But Red Robin does have a cheeseburger salad, a nice big mixed greens salad topped with melted cheese and sauteed onions and mushrooms.
Yes, Mimosa on Airport Way, Freakazoid Freddy's choice as "the worst restaurant in Renton" has changed hands and changed names. It is now Tri An Quan, with hours from 7AM-1AM.
I'm assuming it's Vietnamese ( like duh. With a name like that, it should be a Jewish delicatessen?)
Their parking lot is frequently full. Which doesn't mean anyone's eating there. Maybe the new owner owns a lot of cars. I will check it out and report back.
Golden Indian Curry, with branches both on Southcenter Parkway and on the East Hill of Kent, has one of the better Indian lunch buffets, and at 7.99, one of the better deals. The only Indian lunch buffet in Renton can be had at Pabla, across the way from the downtown Fred Meyer.
Naan and Curry no longer does a lunch buffet, but I still like 'em for dinner.
Opening soon at The Landing, Renton's new shopping and residential complex will be a Red Robin.
So far, the Landing doesn't really impress me, with Lowes, Target, Staples, and Panda Express.
I'd rather see stores that were unique, not big chain stores that could be found in Dubuque, Iowa, or Hightstown, New Jersey...But Red Robin does have a cheeseburger salad, a nice big mixed greens salad topped with melted cheese and sauteed onions and mushrooms.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Renton's One of a kind veterinarian
About 9 days ago our cat suffered a stroke. We found her lying next to her food bowl, seemingly unable to move, seemingly close to death. We hoped we could get Dr. Lemmon to squeeze her in, and sure enough, he did.
Dr. Michael Lemmon, at the Highlands Veterinary Clinic ( 1409 Union Ave NE, Renton 425-226-8418) is a practitioner of holistic veterinary medicine. A lot of vets now claim to incorporate holistic medicines into their practices, but Lemmon has been doing it for 20+ years at his very unpretentious digs in the Renton Highlands. He's really an odd duck. He doesn't have great people skills, but he has great animal skills, and is far less expensive and more effective than most vets. About 6 years ago, this same cat had some kind of kidney issue, and we took her to Lemmon. What he prescribed seemed pretty witch doctory at the time, but it worked. Colostrum, oxygenated water, and a homemade food, to be fed by dropper, consisting of liver, raw egg, and brewers yeast. It worked like a charm, and the cat was back to her old obnoxious self in no time.
A stroke is a far more serious matter. But arnica homeopathics and a special kitty massage and a prescription for an algae bioconcentrate...the kitty is now walking again ( with a lot of sway, and some falls) but she's walking, she's climbing up stairs, her vitality is back, and her appetite is fully back. She's improving every day, and Dr. Lemmon believes she has a good chance at a full recovery. The good doc is holding off on acupuncture for now, believing that at this point, she's progressing quickly enough in her recovery that she doesn't need it.
If you're willing to suspend belief in traditional veterinary medicine, Lemmon is quite effective in making animals better. He doesn't have much charm, doesn't seem to know how to relate to people very well, but if I want charm I can find a used car salesman.
Dr. Michael Lemmon, at the Highlands Veterinary Clinic ( 1409 Union Ave NE, Renton 425-226-8418) is a practitioner of holistic veterinary medicine. A lot of vets now claim to incorporate holistic medicines into their practices, but Lemmon has been doing it for 20+ years at his very unpretentious digs in the Renton Highlands. He's really an odd duck. He doesn't have great people skills, but he has great animal skills, and is far less expensive and more effective than most vets. About 6 years ago, this same cat had some kind of kidney issue, and we took her to Lemmon. What he prescribed seemed pretty witch doctory at the time, but it worked. Colostrum, oxygenated water, and a homemade food, to be fed by dropper, consisting of liver, raw egg, and brewers yeast. It worked like a charm, and the cat was back to her old obnoxious self in no time.
A stroke is a far more serious matter. But arnica homeopathics and a special kitty massage and a prescription for an algae bioconcentrate...the kitty is now walking again ( with a lot of sway, and some falls) but she's walking, she's climbing up stairs, her vitality is back, and her appetite is fully back. She's improving every day, and Dr. Lemmon believes she has a good chance at a full recovery. The good doc is holding off on acupuncture for now, believing that at this point, she's progressing quickly enough in her recovery that she doesn't need it.
If you're willing to suspend belief in traditional veterinary medicine, Lemmon is quite effective in making animals better. He doesn't have much charm, doesn't seem to know how to relate to people very well, but if I want charm I can find a used car salesman.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Edokko
I go through phases of cuisines I like. Most recently I've rediscovered Indian, and then, just the other day, Japanese.
In the Great Wall Shopping Mall, on the Renton/Kent border 18230 E Valley Hwy, is the Edokko Restaurant( 425-656-0556), and boy is it good! Some foods just make me feel good, and a bowl of miso soup and a plate of Saba Shioyaki( broiled) does the trick. Saba is mackerel, and Edokko has it and salmon shioyaki and sushi and sashimi and sukiyaki and teriyaki, and it's inexpensive and just plain good! This is a good one, folks.
In the Great Wall Shopping Mall, on the Renton/Kent border 18230 E Valley Hwy, is the Edokko Restaurant( 425-656-0556), and boy is it good! Some foods just make me feel good, and a bowl of miso soup and a plate of Saba Shioyaki( broiled) does the trick. Saba is mackerel, and Edokko has it and salmon shioyaki and sushi and sashimi and sukiyaki and teriyaki, and it's inexpensive and just plain good! This is a good one, folks.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
The difference between Bellevue and Skyway
In downtown Bellevue, folks are abuzz about the new Nieman-Marcus store. I haven't been there, but I've heard it's oh so fashionable, and oh so expensive. I'm more of a Target or Goodwill kind of guy.
In downtown Skyway, it's not a Nieman-Marcus going in at the former Schuck's located just east of the Skyway Park casino and bowling alley. It's a pawn shop superstore, so if you've been gambling and lost all your money but just know you're one hand away from winning, you can go next door and pawn your Rolex.
...On a slightly different note, the food at the bowling alley is actually pretty good. I've eaten in the "dining room" and had good prawns scampi. The veggie side dish included red peppers and yellow squash. Steaks are quite good, salads are huge, and service is friendly. A senior menu exists for folks fifty! and over. Fifty is young!
There is a separate restaurant, the Wok 52 Bistro, within the casino. The menu looks good, with a Thai/Vietnamese/Chinese fusion. I'll check it out and report back after I've gone next door to pawn my Rolex.
In downtown Skyway, it's not a Nieman-Marcus going in at the former Schuck's located just east of the Skyway Park casino and bowling alley. It's a pawn shop superstore, so if you've been gambling and lost all your money but just know you're one hand away from winning, you can go next door and pawn your Rolex.
...On a slightly different note, the food at the bowling alley is actually pretty good. I've eaten in the "dining room" and had good prawns scampi. The veggie side dish included red peppers and yellow squash. Steaks are quite good, salads are huge, and service is friendly. A senior menu exists for folks fifty! and over. Fifty is young!
There is a separate restaurant, the Wok 52 Bistro, within the casino. The menu looks good, with a Thai/Vietnamese/Chinese fusion. I'll check it out and report back after I've gone next door to pawn my Rolex.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Antojitos La Villa
I love Mexican food, and it shows. I love authentic taco trucks and I like mediocre Mexican places.
Antjojitos LaVilla is at 239 Sunset Ave N in Renton, exactly where the Colombian restaurant was located, across from Burger King, and in the same complex as Westernco Donuts.
I liked three things especially about this place.
1. Menu was only in Spanish.
2. Menu tops off at seven dollars.
3. Menu has lots of things I've never heard of.
Huaraches, for example. I thought those were sandals, but no...they are kinda like a thick home made corn tortilla in the shape of a shoe sole topped with beans, Mexican cheese, onions, and meat. Yum!!! They also have many tortas, migas, sopes, and tacos. Tortas are sandwiches served on bolillos, and they have a huge variety. I didn't have one, but saw others dining on them, and they looked great. I don't know what a sope or a miga are, but I think a miga is an egg dish made with tortillas.
The place is packed with atmosphere. A large flat screen TV on the wall blares Mexican soap operas.
It's cheap, the food is good and unusual, and I'm happy they are in Renton.
On a sadder note, it appears that Jubilante is out of business. They'd been around a while, say 7 years or so. They were originally a product of Gene Sens, Renton's resident culinary genius , now of the Red House, and formerly of Gene's. Jubilante was "global cuisine" and when it first opened, this former Chevy showroom was called the best restaurant between Seattle and Portland. But service was inconsistent. I've had some good meals there, and some glacially slow ones as well. It seemed to go downhill a bit after Gene sold it. I didn't go there much but I'm sorry to see them gone. They were one of the first signs of the "Renton Renaissance", and I like it when places have stamps of originality, and I don't like it when what we have is what every place else has, be it Applebees or Denny's or some other corporate, soulless place.
Speaking of which....The Target Store in Renton is now open. It may be corporate and soulless, but hey! I like Target!
Antjojitos LaVilla is at 239 Sunset Ave N in Renton, exactly where the Colombian restaurant was located, across from Burger King, and in the same complex as Westernco Donuts.
I liked three things especially about this place.
1. Menu was only in Spanish.
2. Menu tops off at seven dollars.
3. Menu has lots of things I've never heard of.
Huaraches, for example. I thought those were sandals, but no...they are kinda like a thick home made corn tortilla in the shape of a shoe sole topped with beans, Mexican cheese, onions, and meat. Yum!!! They also have many tortas, migas, sopes, and tacos. Tortas are sandwiches served on bolillos, and they have a huge variety. I didn't have one, but saw others dining on them, and they looked great. I don't know what a sope or a miga are, but I think a miga is an egg dish made with tortillas.
The place is packed with atmosphere. A large flat screen TV on the wall blares Mexican soap operas.
It's cheap, the food is good and unusual, and I'm happy they are in Renton.
On a sadder note, it appears that Jubilante is out of business. They'd been around a while, say 7 years or so. They were originally a product of Gene Sens, Renton's resident culinary genius , now of the Red House, and formerly of Gene's. Jubilante was "global cuisine" and when it first opened, this former Chevy showroom was called the best restaurant between Seattle and Portland. But service was inconsistent. I've had some good meals there, and some glacially slow ones as well. It seemed to go downhill a bit after Gene sold it. I didn't go there much but I'm sorry to see them gone. They were one of the first signs of the "Renton Renaissance", and I like it when places have stamps of originality, and I don't like it when what we have is what every place else has, be it Applebees or Denny's or some other corporate, soulless place.
Speaking of which....The Target Store in Renton is now open. It may be corporate and soulless, but hey! I like Target!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Noble Perssons
I just received my voter's pamphlet in the mail yesterday, and just wanted to note a couple of things.
1. King County Assessors race: The candidates are Noble and Nobles. Scott Noble, the Democrat, is the incumbent. Jim Nobles, the Republican, is not. Either way, they're making a noble effort to get elected.
2. Renton City Council: Terry Persson, who is not currently on the Council, is running for position number 4, while Don Persson, currently serving on the council, is running for position number 7.
Is it hard to keep the Perssons (people?) straight?
I could never get elected to anything myself because I have an unusual first and last name, and look like a cross between Osama Bin Laden and Buddy Hackett, but...if I changed my legal name to say...Brad Pitt and didn't submit a candidates photo, maybe I'd stand a chance.
1. King County Assessors race: The candidates are Noble and Nobles. Scott Noble, the Democrat, is the incumbent. Jim Nobles, the Republican, is not. Either way, they're making a noble effort to get elected.
2. Renton City Council: Terry Persson, who is not currently on the Council, is running for position number 4, while Don Persson, currently serving on the council, is running for position number 7.
Is it hard to keep the Perssons (people?) straight?
I could never get elected to anything myself because I have an unusual first and last name, and look like a cross between Osama Bin Laden and Buddy Hackett, but...if I changed my legal name to say...Brad Pitt and didn't submit a candidates photo, maybe I'd stand a chance.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Bill's Bodacious
Ten years ago, there was only one BBQ joint in downtown Renton. It wasn't the Cedar River Smokehouse which seems like it's it's been there forever. It was Bill's Bodacious BBQ, which shared the former gas station at 2nd and Main with Jet City Espresso. It was a popular mainstay, but after many years the owner got a job in the tech industry and found that he was making too much money working, and didn't need to keep the BBQ joint open.
Fast forward a few years, and lo and behold, he's baaack! Not in the same location, but up the hill at 3813 NE 4th St, Renton 425-255-0535.
Some people claim that this is the best BBQ around these parts. I don't know whether that's true, but it's a comfortable place to dine, service is friendly and fast, prices are good, and so is the food.
The ribs are about as good as anyone's, including Jones' in Columbia City. The greens are vegetarian and incredible. Corn muffins are delightful. The menu also features Brisket, chicken, catfish, pulled pork, sometimes Jambalaya, sometimes smoked prime rib.
I only have one minor quibble. The sauce. It's this weird sweet thing, closer to an Asian sweet and sour sauce than a traditional BBQ sauce. I guess they think it's innovative and creative and different and you have to applaud people for taking chances, but I'm almost tempted to stop at Fred Meyer on the way up there and bring a bottle of Stubb's sauce with me.
Nonetheless, it's probably just me because many people like the sauce, they sell it by the jar and sell a lot of it.
And, all in all, it's right up there amongst Renton's best BBQ.
Fast forward a few years, and lo and behold, he's baaack! Not in the same location, but up the hill at 3813 NE 4th St, Renton 425-255-0535.
Some people claim that this is the best BBQ around these parts. I don't know whether that's true, but it's a comfortable place to dine, service is friendly and fast, prices are good, and so is the food.
The ribs are about as good as anyone's, including Jones' in Columbia City. The greens are vegetarian and incredible. Corn muffins are delightful. The menu also features Brisket, chicken, catfish, pulled pork, sometimes Jambalaya, sometimes smoked prime rib.
I only have one minor quibble. The sauce. It's this weird sweet thing, closer to an Asian sweet and sour sauce than a traditional BBQ sauce. I guess they think it's innovative and creative and different and you have to applaud people for taking chances, but I'm almost tempted to stop at Fred Meyer on the way up there and bring a bottle of Stubb's sauce with me.
Nonetheless, it's probably just me because many people like the sauce, they sell it by the jar and sell a lot of it.
And, all in all, it's right up there amongst Renton's best BBQ.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
McLendon's Hardware
Any talk about culture in Renton should include McLendon's Hardware, 440 Rainier Ave S, Renton, 425-235-3555. McLendon's has been around in Renton since 1921, and even though it is a mini chain (6 stores?) and even though the Renton store is huge, it still has the small town hardware store feel.
Sure, I shop at Lowe's and Home Depot once in a while, and it seems as if almost every time I'm at one of those stores, I deal with an employee who has no knowledge of hardware. A typical conversation goes something like this :
ME: I'm looking for a good hammer to buy. Do you have any recommendations?
HIM: Just a moment. (Gets on phone) Do we sell hammers here?
It's no like that at McLendon's. At McLendon's, employees have knowledge and are happy to share it. McLendon's is a fun place to shop. Employees tend to be a little eccentric, but friendly and helpful.
At Home Depot, they almost seem to be trying to recruit the stupid.
Sure, I shop at Lowe's and Home Depot once in a while, and it seems as if almost every time I'm at one of those stores, I deal with an employee who has no knowledge of hardware. A typical conversation goes something like this :
ME: I'm looking for a good hammer to buy. Do you have any recommendations?
HIM: Just a moment. (Gets on phone) Do we sell hammers here?
It's no like that at McLendon's. At McLendon's, employees have knowledge and are happy to share it. McLendon's is a fun place to shop. Employees tend to be a little eccentric, but friendly and helpful.
At Home Depot, they almost seem to be trying to recruit the stupid.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Mo' Q!
It's been about thirty years since I lived on brown rice, vegetables and tofu.
These days, I'm partial to smoked meat.
There are certain foods I could eat almost daily. Pizza. And ribs.
...And so another BBQ joint has opened in downtown Renton, and of course I had to try it.
It's Sandra's Place, 509B S 3rd St, 425-277-4121, adjacent to Bella Napoli, in the same space where Uncle Macs and Three Sisters were. And like most restaurants, it has its good and it's not so good.
The good: The people there are friendly and funny; it's a welcoming place, all desserts are house made..I had some awesome bread pudding there, and they also have sweet potato pies, cheesecakes, and banana pudding. The sauce is really good, obviously house made, and not too sweet. They have greens! Yay! I always see it as a good sign when a BBQ joint has greens, and their greens are top notch. You could get a chefs salad there too, or a chicken and pasta salad.
The ribs? I love ribs. These were pretty good, maybe they took them off the smoker just a tad bit too soon, but they were big and meaty, and had that fine sauce to go with it.
I'll be back. It's nice to have a few decent BBQ joints in the Renton area. Seems like Cedar River Smokehouse is the most popular, and they too are pretty good, and Gabby's in Skyway has very good ribs, as does Bill's Bodacious up on NE 4th St., but Sandra's place is worth a visit.
These days, I'm partial to smoked meat.
There are certain foods I could eat almost daily. Pizza. And ribs.
...And so another BBQ joint has opened in downtown Renton, and of course I had to try it.
It's Sandra's Place, 509B S 3rd St, 425-277-4121, adjacent to Bella Napoli, in the same space where Uncle Macs and Three Sisters were. And like most restaurants, it has its good and it's not so good.
The good: The people there are friendly and funny; it's a welcoming place, all desserts are house made..I had some awesome bread pudding there, and they also have sweet potato pies, cheesecakes, and banana pudding. The sauce is really good, obviously house made, and not too sweet. They have greens! Yay! I always see it as a good sign when a BBQ joint has greens, and their greens are top notch. You could get a chefs salad there too, or a chicken and pasta salad.
The ribs? I love ribs. These were pretty good, maybe they took them off the smoker just a tad bit too soon, but they were big and meaty, and had that fine sauce to go with it.
I'll be back. It's nice to have a few decent BBQ joints in the Renton area. Seems like Cedar River Smokehouse is the most popular, and they too are pretty good, and Gabby's in Skyway has very good ribs, as does Bill's Bodacious up on NE 4th St., but Sandra's place is worth a visit.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Renton Real Estate
As Yogi Berra once said " Predictions are hard to make, especially about the future."
I am now a Real Estate Agent, something I could never have predicted in a million years.
What I have noticed is that there is an official line coming from the Real Estate industry, and then there is reality.
The industry line is that home prices in the Seattle area are continuing to rise, so you better buy that house right now before house prices go even higher.
....And yet, in the Seattle area right now, the number of homes for sale is way higher than a year ago, and the number of days houses are staying on the market is quite a bit longer than it was a year ago. So what does all that mean? Well, if it's taking longer for houses to sell, and there are more houses on the market, what's the next logical step? How about lower prices?
Yes, the employment picture around here is very good, and they do expect the population here to keep growing, but nationally, in many markets, including areas with healthy employment and growing populations, house prices are dropping. It happens. If you buy property now and hold on to it for a long time, chances are that you will do very well, but if you want to buy now and sell quickly, it may be frought with risk.
But many in the industry have blinders on, and say a price drop can't happen here.
Add to the mix that a number of people who were formerly eligible to buy homes can no longer qualify for loans due the subprime meltdown, and loan eligibility is being tightened for jumbo loans (that of 417,000 dollars and up), the immediate future doesn't look too rosy. But it's a mixed bag. Many Seattle houses would require a jumbo loan, so some of those folk (the smart ones) would look south to Renton, where you just get more house for your money. So maybe Renton home values will hold up better than other Seattle area homes.
So what's the point of all this?
I may be a Real Estate agent, but I'm telling you: It's going to be hard to find truly impartial advice from someone whose livelihood depends on a Real Estate commission. Some other agents and lenders will tell you to buy right now. They will also tell you to sell right now.
Me? I'd be happy to talk to you if you want to buy or sell a house right now, and I'd work my buns off trying to find you the right house at the right price, or ensuring that the house you wanted to sell received maximum exposure and looked sellable. But if you want to buy, and don't have to do it right away, I think it would be worth the risk of waiting a few months.
Freakazoid Freddy
I am now a Real Estate Agent, something I could never have predicted in a million years.
What I have noticed is that there is an official line coming from the Real Estate industry, and then there is reality.
The industry line is that home prices in the Seattle area are continuing to rise, so you better buy that house right now before house prices go even higher.
....And yet, in the Seattle area right now, the number of homes for sale is way higher than a year ago, and the number of days houses are staying on the market is quite a bit longer than it was a year ago. So what does all that mean? Well, if it's taking longer for houses to sell, and there are more houses on the market, what's the next logical step? How about lower prices?
Yes, the employment picture around here is very good, and they do expect the population here to keep growing, but nationally, in many markets, including areas with healthy employment and growing populations, house prices are dropping. It happens. If you buy property now and hold on to it for a long time, chances are that you will do very well, but if you want to buy now and sell quickly, it may be frought with risk.
But many in the industry have blinders on, and say a price drop can't happen here.
Add to the mix that a number of people who were formerly eligible to buy homes can no longer qualify for loans due the subprime meltdown, and loan eligibility is being tightened for jumbo loans (that of 417,000 dollars and up), the immediate future doesn't look too rosy. But it's a mixed bag. Many Seattle houses would require a jumbo loan, so some of those folk (the smart ones) would look south to Renton, where you just get more house for your money. So maybe Renton home values will hold up better than other Seattle area homes.
So what's the point of all this?
I may be a Real Estate agent, but I'm telling you: It's going to be hard to find truly impartial advice from someone whose livelihood depends on a Real Estate commission. Some other agents and lenders will tell you to buy right now. They will also tell you to sell right now.
Me? I'd be happy to talk to you if you want to buy or sell a house right now, and I'd work my buns off trying to find you the right house at the right price, or ensuring that the house you wanted to sell received maximum exposure and looked sellable. But if you want to buy, and don't have to do it right away, I think it would be worth the risk of waiting a few months.
Freakazoid Freddy
Friday, August 10, 2007
The best Thai restaurant in the Seattle area?
Twenty years ago there weren't very many Thai restaurants in the Seattle area. They were a novelty and they were fun to go to, and the food tasted good, but nothing satisfied the flight crews of Thai Airways and their need for good and authentic cuisine. Then there was Bai Tong. It was located back then on the ground floor of the Jet Motel near Sea-Tac airport, and was started by a Thai Airways flight attendant to serve the pilots and crews of Thai Airways. Top chefs were flown in from Bangkok to keep the flight crews happy. The place later relocated to a former root beer stand on Pacific Highway South also near the airport, and they stayed there for almost twenty years.
Light rail construction has recently displaced them, and they have now relocated to 16876 Southcenter Parkway, Tukwila, near the mall. phone 206-575-3366 in swankier digs in a strip mall near Toy'R US.
I like Thai food , and feel lucky that we in Renton have Thai on Highlands and Royal Orchid.
They're good, but they're no Bai Tong. Bai Tong is pretty amazing, and very reasonably priced.
The place is very pretty and comfortable, and very professionally run. Menu items and flavors are different that most other Thai places, for example they feature a steamed salmon curry in banana leaves. Sauces are more complex than at other Thai places, and the place is just a notch or two better than most anywhere else. If you like Thai food, you'll love Bai Tong.
Prices are also a dollar or two per entree LESS than other Thai places. Go there!
Light rail construction has recently displaced them, and they have now relocated to 16876 Southcenter Parkway, Tukwila, near the mall. phone 206-575-3366 in swankier digs in a strip mall near Toy'R US.
I like Thai food , and feel lucky that we in Renton have Thai on Highlands and Royal Orchid.
They're good, but they're no Bai Tong. Bai Tong is pretty amazing, and very reasonably priced.
The place is very pretty and comfortable, and very professionally run. Menu items and flavors are different that most other Thai places, for example they feature a steamed salmon curry in banana leaves. Sauces are more complex than at other Thai places, and the place is just a notch or two better than most anywhere else. If you like Thai food, you'll love Bai Tong.
Prices are also a dollar or two per entree LESS than other Thai places. Go there!
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Thursday, August 09, 2007
What's Wrong With Cole Slaw?
Bases on a reader's recommendation , I tried the Williams Avenue Sports Bar and Eatery, 214 Williams Avenue S., Renton 98055, 425-277-2766.
Like many places, it has it's pluses and minuses.
Let's do the minuses first:
It's a dive bar. Oh, it's been remodeled and looks a lot nicer than it used to, but it's still a dive. Now, that's not a bad thing in my book as I feel perfectly comfortable and at home in dives, but not everyone feels the same way.
Second, service was really slow. It was a busy night. Beers, etc were brought promptly along with menus, but it seemed like forever til she came back to take our orders. Service was slow but friendly and pleasant.
Also, the music was really loud, and it has a jukebox, and other patron's music choices were not so great. Oh, Beatles and Johnny Cash were fine, but then it descended into loud heavy metal, and I'm a crotchedy old fart.
Finally, they don't have cole slaw. They have ribs and brisket, and cole slaw seems like a natural, but they don't have it.
Now for the pluses:
The food is really, really good, and inexpensive, and surprisingly sophisticated and well prepared for a dive. The ribs were great. Companions had Cobb salad and burgers, and raved about them.
The burger was huge, on a toasted bun. The fries are home made and exceptional, the best I've had in a long while. They even tasted good after they got cold.
If you just want to go to a tavern and have some great food to go along with it, and don't mind slow service and loud music, this is your place. It's mostly bar stools and pool tables, with only a couple of tables. If you want a quiet meal, go elsewhere. This is a tavern where people let loose.
But the quality of the food was a big surprise. It was great.
Freakazoid Freddy
Like many places, it has it's pluses and minuses.
Let's do the minuses first:
It's a dive bar. Oh, it's been remodeled and looks a lot nicer than it used to, but it's still a dive. Now, that's not a bad thing in my book as I feel perfectly comfortable and at home in dives, but not everyone feels the same way.
Second, service was really slow. It was a busy night. Beers, etc were brought promptly along with menus, but it seemed like forever til she came back to take our orders. Service was slow but friendly and pleasant.
Also, the music was really loud, and it has a jukebox, and other patron's music choices were not so great. Oh, Beatles and Johnny Cash were fine, but then it descended into loud heavy metal, and I'm a crotchedy old fart.
Finally, they don't have cole slaw. They have ribs and brisket, and cole slaw seems like a natural, but they don't have it.
Now for the pluses:
The food is really, really good, and inexpensive, and surprisingly sophisticated and well prepared for a dive. The ribs were great. Companions had Cobb salad and burgers, and raved about them.
The burger was huge, on a toasted bun. The fries are home made and exceptional, the best I've had in a long while. They even tasted good after they got cold.
If you just want to go to a tavern and have some great food to go along with it, and don't mind slow service and loud music, this is your place. It's mostly bar stools and pool tables, with only a couple of tables. If you want a quiet meal, go elsewhere. This is a tavern where people let loose.
But the quality of the food was a big surprise. It was great.
Freakazoid Freddy
Thursday, July 12, 2007
What makes a restaurant great?
Deciding whether or not one likes a restaurant is a very subjective thing. Just look at this blog and read some of the comments. For example, my co-authors love Royal Orchid, I think it's pretty good, and a reader thinks it's one of the worst in Renton.
I like Naan N' Curry, but a couple of readers regard it as one of the worst in Renton.
So what gives?
We like restaurants for different reasons, and have different expectations going into each one.
I like teriyaki joints, but I don't go in there expecting to see elegant surrounding and have a leisurely meal with great service. For a teriyaki joint, my goal is good, fast, filling, and cheap.
And I don't go into an elegant place seeking good, fast, filling, and cheap.
Very few places have the whole package.
So here's a few questions for the vast multitudes of readers( the 4 or 5 of you?)
1. Where in Renton do you like to go for inexpensive food that's better than average AND is accompanied by friendly service?
2. Where in Renton can serve as both a special occasion place but not be so expensive that it couldn't be a regular hangout?
My answers:
1. Aloha BBQ at 2439 Maple Valley Hwy, Renton. Great, inexpensive food. The daily specials rival the expensive, gourmet places in quality, taste and presentation.
Downside: It's not fast food. Either call in your order (425-271-4451) or be prepared to hang out a while. It's in a kind of scuzzy strip mall and could easily be mistaken for a fast food teriyaki type joint, but it's not. They're not real slow, but it takes a while to cook good food. Their hours are unpredictable, so it's a good idea to call first.
2. Red House Beer and Wine Shoppe, 410 Burnett Ave S., Renton 425-226-2666.
This is currently one of my favorites anywhere. It's just a tiny bit spendy. There is a lot of variety on the menu, so you don't have to spend a lot, but when I'm there I want to order too many things.
Service is great, and it's a fun atmosphere to hang out in. Genuinely festive without the fake frivolity that too many restaurants have. A comfortable, fun place. Gene and Houng Sens know how to run a restaurant. The place has a very distinct style. There are so many wine varieties that you could go there for a year every day and still not have sampled them all.
Most Wednesdays from 6PM-8PM they have wine tastings with an appetizer buffet for twenty dollars.
Other candidates? Let's hear 'em!
Freakazoid Freddy
I like Naan N' Curry, but a couple of readers regard it as one of the worst in Renton.
So what gives?
We like restaurants for different reasons, and have different expectations going into each one.
I like teriyaki joints, but I don't go in there expecting to see elegant surrounding and have a leisurely meal with great service. For a teriyaki joint, my goal is good, fast, filling, and cheap.
And I don't go into an elegant place seeking good, fast, filling, and cheap.
Very few places have the whole package.
So here's a few questions for the vast multitudes of readers( the 4 or 5 of you?)
1. Where in Renton do you like to go for inexpensive food that's better than average AND is accompanied by friendly service?
2. Where in Renton can serve as both a special occasion place but not be so expensive that it couldn't be a regular hangout?
My answers:
1. Aloha BBQ at 2439 Maple Valley Hwy, Renton. Great, inexpensive food. The daily specials rival the expensive, gourmet places in quality, taste and presentation.
Downside: It's not fast food. Either call in your order (425-271-4451) or be prepared to hang out a while. It's in a kind of scuzzy strip mall and could easily be mistaken for a fast food teriyaki type joint, but it's not. They're not real slow, but it takes a while to cook good food. Their hours are unpredictable, so it's a good idea to call first.
2. Red House Beer and Wine Shoppe, 410 Burnett Ave S., Renton 425-226-2666.
This is currently one of my favorites anywhere. It's just a tiny bit spendy. There is a lot of variety on the menu, so you don't have to spend a lot, but when I'm there I want to order too many things.
Service is great, and it's a fun atmosphere to hang out in. Genuinely festive without the fake frivolity that too many restaurants have. A comfortable, fun place. Gene and Houng Sens know how to run a restaurant. The place has a very distinct style. There are so many wine varieties that you could go there for a year every day and still not have sampled them all.
Most Wednesdays from 6PM-8PM they have wine tastings with an appetizer buffet for twenty dollars.
Other candidates? Let's hear 'em!
Freakazoid Freddy
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