tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81333305527981160152023-12-23T23:26:45.151-08:00Mac N' Steveor how I learned to stop worrying and eat Mac n' Cheese all the timeMacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-65217423574003241352014-05-07T08:41:00.000-07:002014-05-07T08:41:16.251-07:00Happiest Hot Dog On EarthI went on a mini vacation last fall. While on this vacation I swung by both <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2013/10/knotts-berry-mac.html" target="_blank">Knott's Berry Farm</a> and <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2014/02/happiest-mac-on-earth.html" target="_blank">Disneyland</a> and discovered that they had some work for me to do while I was there for play.<br />
<br />
I have for years always made it a point to stop at one restaurant in the park because they serve one of my favorite foods (that's not Mac n' cheese) the <a href="http://parksandresorts.wdpromedia.com/media/disneyparks/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/ptx496753LARGE.jpg" target="_blank">Mickey Mouse soft pretzel</a>. While these pretzels are located in carts and other places around the park, I've always made sure that I get one (at a time, on the hour <_< ) from the <a href="https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disneyland/refreshment-corner/" target="_blank">Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner</a> located at the end of Main St.<br />
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Imagine how surprised I was that making my first trip back to the park in years and finding that they've added a special hot dog just for me. I just had to add it to one to one of my soft pretzel orders.<br />
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<br />
<u>The Review</u><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8HSDkTguWsrPiloNG_Xj5f-vnmuvghJhiDvrn31J6QfUJSb1-YqD5hNW45EuycoFqZ0wWkvwzHteVhSxvTL4c7t9Hn7sVWFQ6_GvKwRKxd6-D_bhG0Yo925IKwvDTvpVbB0zAN0wpkA/s1600/IMG_2668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8HSDkTguWsrPiloNG_Xj5f-vnmuvghJhiDvrn31J6QfUJSb1-YqD5hNW45EuycoFqZ0wWkvwzHteVhSxvTL4c7t9Hn7sVWFQ6_GvKwRKxd6-D_bhG0Yo925IKwvDTvpVbB0zAN0wpkA/s1600/IMG_2668.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup, still here!</td></tr>
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<u>Brand</u>:<br />
Mac & Cheese Hot Dog at the Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TazxBM_LuHukY3EVwqQSEFMlX97PFjxQRtDn4mC0V7MwRpQ6hByGe_aGkRxc5V9wwx41b6Amzyo9VwHR3UW-sOkDFOi3fTZtwQgUQ8A0V0iNDHf9TqpPghqknET7K6Xc8sIJxhhw630/s1600/IMG_2679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TazxBM_LuHukY3EVwqQSEFMlX97PFjxQRtDn4mC0V7MwRpQ6hByGe_aGkRxc5V9wwx41b6Amzyo9VwHR3UW-sOkDFOi3fTZtwQgUQ8A0V0iNDHf9TqpPghqknET7K6Xc8sIJxhhw630/s1600/IMG_2679.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't miss the stained glass fixture just above the entrance.</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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<u>Price</u>:<br />
$7.69 at the Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-TzrwZJbEfvBLd-KIlK4aDiX7ibNV7CzIv6uZ9SX51iKbDu9vK1DC1V8-boT9ULpHUJw6Ust44a1h8o3dUS6zg98xAa60kFO-UUx3rhYRHTBKAYCjRajZqZuSnMYwjS31hI2NCCVD2o/s1600/IMG_2673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-TzrwZJbEfvBLd-KIlK4aDiX7ibNV7CzIv6uZ9SX51iKbDu9vK1DC1V8-boT9ULpHUJw6Ust44a1h8o3dUS6zg98xAa60kFO-UUx3rhYRHTBKAYCjRajZqZuSnMYwjS31hI2NCCVD2o/s1600/IMG_2673.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't forget to order your "Mickey Mouse" pretzel!</td></tr>
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<u><br /></u>
<u><strike>Packaging</strike> Menu Description</u>:<br />
Hot Dog Baskets<br />
Features a Premium Hot Dog<br />
Includes sliced apples or small bag of chips <br />
<br />
Topped with bacon bits<br />
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<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
*Find a way to or still be in Disneyland. Avoid an additional entry gate fee if at all possible and make it one of your meals during the day. No special trips necessary!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNm0uznDmGxUtFCOL_JGcxc2hR7U10bFCz9G75IgANEE9MP0Ihl0O4j8gKf-mrGA8SgkipVcL-Fdp1N51h4VYh4cbnofb_74wBJt5baF_d91Ta-G_9qnzRgjwV9ay3XnV9Oggw5W4vhM/s1600/IMG_2669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNm0uznDmGxUtFCOL_JGcxc2hR7U10bFCz9G75IgANEE9MP0Ihl0O4j8gKf-mrGA8SgkipVcL-Fdp1N51h4VYh4cbnofb_74wBJt5baF_d91Ta-G_9qnzRgjwV9ay3XnV9Oggw5W4vhM/s1600/IMG_2669.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't know who you are mom and daughter, but welcome to the blog!</td></tr>
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*Since the Coca Cola Refreshment Corner is located at the end of Main St. (on the left side), you need to find your way down to it. You've got a few modes of possible transportation:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2N90GItkn9n433oQATcTAhyfqctHauvO37C8a8l_WNx7qbTa3B8kTQGBga6yfdtqZFp2f2w1vlRInYcNoC1MGH-ewDZWoCCFvLPKH5dLYpQ26a0lOY3vK9XGeyIyXJ2yjxD6MZInvzcE/s1600/IMG_2670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2N90GItkn9n433oQATcTAhyfqctHauvO37C8a8l_WNx7qbTa3B8kTQGBga6yfdtqZFp2f2w1vlRInYcNoC1MGH-ewDZWoCCFvLPKH5dLYpQ26a0lOY3vK9XGeyIyXJ2yjxD6MZInvzcE/s1600/IMG_2670.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You could hop on the horse drawn carriage to take you down the street...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFy5wdoX_fq_yMp32yANwR3_-av4FKC_rxWw_9ibn0jE6CctM2VWbgJ8jsy4bnDxKvTdguNyrIa4LVPxuVribFcPGlkH57sdTwGTK6LXcVxgS-lU8pLggcRbphW_AS0Zz-hBNUzZ5Mq48/s1600/IMG_2671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFy5wdoX_fq_yMp32yANwR3_-av4FKC_rxWw_9ibn0jE6CctM2VWbgJ8jsy4bnDxKvTdguNyrIa4LVPxuVribFcPGlkH57sdTwGTK6LXcVxgS-lU8pLggcRbphW_AS0Zz-hBNUzZ5Mq48/s1600/IMG_2671.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or one of the many automobiles (yes, the keen observer will note that both the horse drawn carriage and the fire car are driving back towards the front of the park, away from our destination, but work with me here!)</td></tr>
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*Upon arrival, you've got multiple entrances to choose from. The street facing option is the easiest to get into, though the entrance that feeds into the outdoor eating area is often where you'll end up, as the lines inside the restaurant feed straight back towards that entrance/exit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmSg0TBna6wHVmlMrhcOBK4bz8RBUxb20yEPoQsuau8WrU2oyVyZ5d4-2IBCGyVRhn_1JMU-Y7SSz-XgSCc6UQjVN9klIr0eJA3m1-FdXTARk5jm_Nakz-CzjoSGu8-0AZHRK76hKhAQ/s1600/IMG_2672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmSg0TBna6wHVmlMrhcOBK4bz8RBUxb20yEPoQsuau8WrU2oyVyZ5d4-2IBCGyVRhn_1JMU-Y7SSz-XgSCc6UQjVN9klIr0eJA3m1-FdXTARk5jm_Nakz-CzjoSGu8-0AZHRK76hKhAQ/s1600/IMG_2672.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And we're here!</td></tr>
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*Stand in line until it's your turn to order. Like most places in the park, you'll want just a few minutes at the counter for someone to bring you your order. While you're here for the mac & cheese hot dog, don't forget to order a Mickey Mouse soft pretzel too!<br />
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*Depending on how busy it may be, if you've got other people with you, it may be smart to send them outside to find a nice table to sit at. There is no inside seating at the Coca Cola Refreshment Corner and it can be quite busy outside depending on the season.<br />
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*If you're lucky when you step outside with your food, you'll be greeted with one of the Barbershop Quartets who perform a few times through out the day at the Corner. The primary group, <i>The Dapper Dans</i> have been performing outside the restaurant for as long as I can remember.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugz-70pqWtCvYK2IH1vAhm1wgaB1L49pDiOvCoYUiWmhpNnWm_V-KsydvdAn4SCRql8oM5Kx3OBcsI0q37kjcIoiLrEIQYanB_e-4XoBTIQYrjqQE9F02NZ583H7T5RbYSP5yvebpy88/s1600/IMG_2676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugz-70pqWtCvYK2IH1vAhm1wgaB1L49pDiOvCoYUiWmhpNnWm_V-KsydvdAn4SCRql8oM5Kx3OBcsI0q37kjcIoiLrEIQYanB_e-4XoBTIQYrjqQE9F02NZ583H7T5RbYSP5yvebpy88/s1600/IMG_2676.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything they do is live. No canned music or singing. They joke with the crowd and are all incredibly nice. They're a real treat to accidentally stumble into.</td></tr>
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* Grab your utensils and get some napkins ready. This <strike>could</strike> will get messy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDDRlQ7PuCz2U-ZlbAKTUpwPxO1w5CyhgdtvLrLsqAY7Pig6m5hfHg6RUHY_HFisMreMu5cU6d2t8AOsz7JIw3_MF-Pe7u5ScVtONKHA5-IAEEvtcVQXnsMNKnHvj00POXc4ZQPAkCoE/s1600/IMG_2677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDDRlQ7PuCz2U-ZlbAKTUpwPxO1w5CyhgdtvLrLsqAY7Pig6m5hfHg6RUHY_HFisMreMu5cU6d2t8AOsz7JIw3_MF-Pe7u5ScVtONKHA5-IAEEvtcVQXnsMNKnHvj00POXc4ZQPAkCoE/s1600/IMG_2677.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Astute observers will note that the bun is far too small to support a hotdog with as much length and stuff on it as this one has.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghN6V1CF5eJ6eVwG5DubiQW82pQP_6RAx9pDngIhLdwzZzQVkON-8e3ilnP4qbFJACqqDU1ZEsL-YUIwZrTFosruBzJFhC1U6fH1KFq-XAaWBxRYRIYi8ZyhtoG7j6kPkQvaxW2eSMarU/s1600/IMG_2678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghN6V1CF5eJ6eVwG5DubiQW82pQP_6RAx9pDngIhLdwzZzQVkON-8e3ilnP4qbFJACqqDU1ZEsL-YUIwZrTFosruBzJFhC1U6fH1KFq-XAaWBxRYRIYi8ZyhtoG7j6kPkQvaxW2eSMarU/s1600/IMG_2678.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smart money says no one will care that you're using a fork an knife. *Bonus* You can't tell it from this, but that bag at the back of the picture has a Mickey Mouse pretzel just waiting for dessert.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Commence with the nomming!<br />
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<br />
<u>Taste</u>:<br />
<div>
Upon first whiff, you're greeted with a cheesy hotdog smell with the slightest hint of bacon. The bacon was firm and of the variety that you'd find on a baked potato or on a salad (so not crunchy). The hotdog tasted like, well, a hotdog. The bun was a typical hotdog bun which means it's really just a basic vessel to not get your hands coated with the fixings on the hotdog. The mac had very overcooked noodles and was cheesy, though it was of an indeterminable cheese variety, but they created a very good pairing with the bacon and hotdog flavors. <br />
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<u>Final Score</u>:<br />
If the mac looks somewhat familiar, that's because it fit the exact same characteristics of the kid mac n' cheese I had at the Tomorrowland Terrace and I can only assume that it's actually the one and same. While the overcooked noodles didn't do much for me when the mac was a stand alone meal, adding a hotdog to the mix along with bacon bits and I had a much nicer treat. You'll want to use the fork and knife. That poor bun just couldn't survive the extra weight from the mac and it just fell right back onto the paper covered basket when I picked it up. I didn't polish off the whole thing because I had a pretzel waiting for me, but if you do, you're sure to give your tummy a food baby. It's a very dense and heavy meal.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
Like I discovered with the kid's mac I got at Tomorrowland Terrace, there was no posted nutritional information and you'll have to contact the park directly and ask for it from them. </div>
MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-65672718246133347562014-02-24T18:13:00.000-08:002014-04-08T17:56:36.679-07:00Happiest Mac On EarthEvery family has a place that they go a bit more often than others for escapes and vacations. My family's escape place is without question is "<i>The happiest place on Earth</i>" Disneyland. I've been to the park probably 50 times (if not more) in my relatively short time on Earth. While I know the park like the back of my hand, the many twist and turns of the rides, the best places to get a snack and the quietest parts of the park it doesn't change my ability to enjoy each and every trip I've made there and still want to return for more. <br />
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Having already hit <a href="http://macandsteve.blogspot.com/2013/10/knotts-berry-mac.html" target="_blank">Knott's Berry Farm</a>, I continued on with my short notice vacation by spending the final day and half at the Disneyland Resort parks before the car ride back up to the Bay Area. The plan was for a full day at Disneyland and the half day at California Adventure and after a successful find of mac n' cheese at Knott's, my eyes were peeled for what I could only hope to be mickey mouse shaped mac.<br />
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Disneyland opened to the public on July 18th, 1955 but like any good story, there was plenty of drama and intrigue related to it's opening.<br />
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Walt Disney had already made a name for himself and his studio had cranked out a huge number of animated shorts, films and other works by the time Disneyland was being thought up. It's inception came about while Walt took his own family to different amusement parks in the 30's and 40's and hoped to (like Knott's Berry Farm), have it act as a sort of tourist attraction for those who came to visit the Burbank studios where his artists worked to put together classic cartoon shorts and feature films (both live action and animated) that were being made there. <br />
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What initially started out as an idea for a small park on a few acres with a boat ride and other themed areas and attractions ran into a rather large problem. Those on Walt's design team had created too much stuff for the small 8 acre parcel of land purchased. With some help from the <a href="http://www.sri.com/" target="_blank">Stanford Research Institute</a> a new larger space was searched out, with the purchase of 160 acres of orange and walnut groves hoping to fit the designs created and support the projected growth of Orange County, where the land was bought.<br />
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Funding was difficult to come by and some shrewd business relationships were made, principally with the new television network <a href="http://abc.go.com/" target="_blank">ABC</a> to net the money needed to turn the dream into reality. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney_anthology_series" target="_blank">Disneyland (the series)</a> was born and Walt introduced cartoons both new and old and live action properties like Davy Crockett to America. This partnership created a new corporation, made up of Disney himself, ABC, Western Publishing (best known for their <a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/golden/lgb/" target="_blank">little golden books</a>) and Walt Disney Productions who then managed the development and operations of the park. The park eventually bought out the shares from Disney, Western and ABC by 1960 to take control back "in house" as it were.<br />
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The construction started on Disneyland (originally planned to be named Disneylandia, bleck!) on July 16th, 1954 and opened to the media and special guests just one year (and a day) later on July 17th, 1955. Anything that could go wrong at the 'International Press Preview' opening seemingly did. <br />
<br />
First off, there were somewhere in the range of 28,000 people at the opening, with almost half of those people there having purchased counterfeit tickets. Traffic around the park was horrible, and celebrities who were supposed to arrive through out the day, all arrived at the same time. It was a balmy 101 °F that Sunday and because of a local plumbers strike during construction, Disney had to chose between having operational toilets or drinking fountains for the opening day guests. While he smartly chose to have the toilets work, backlash was experienced because many felt that it was just a cheap tactic to sell more Pepsi (then a park sponsor) to thirsty guests who had no other options.<br />
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Vendors ran our of food (at the time, many of the restaurants and shops were not controlled by Disney, but were sponsored by companies like Carnation and Dole). Construction continued almost up to the opening of the park, with asphalt laid just before the opening of the park, still not set before visitors were walking over it, leaving impressions with their shoes on it. A gas leak sprung up in Fantasyland that afternoon that was serious enough that it forced the closure of Adventureland, Frontierland and Fantasyland for the remainder of the day.<br />
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Disneyland's opening was aired as a special on ABC and while things didn't go as planned on the opening and with much negative press to show for the many problems, 50,000 guests still arrived the next day for it's public opening. <br />
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The park has had numerous ups and downs over the years and while many parts of the park have been changed (for both good and bad reasons depending on who you may talk to) it's more popular than ever, with admission totals of almost 16 million guests
in 2012.<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span>
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Disney knows it's clientele and with as many children at the park, if I didn't find a mac being served at one of the many restaurants I'd have been sorely disappointed. I can gladly say that Disney didn't disappoint my desire for mac n' cheese.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8HSDkTguWsrPiloNG_Xj5f-vnmuvghJhiDvrn31J6QfUJSb1-YqD5hNW45EuycoFqZ0wWkvwzHteVhSxvTL4c7t9Hn7sVWFQ6_GvKwRKxd6-D_bhG0Yo925IKwvDTvpVbB0zAN0wpkA/s1600/IMG_2668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8HSDkTguWsrPiloNG_Xj5f-vnmuvghJhiDvrn31J6QfUJSb1-YqD5hNW45EuycoFqZ0wWkvwzHteVhSxvTL4c7t9Hn7sVWFQ6_GvKwRKxd6-D_bhG0Yo925IKwvDTvpVbB0zAN0wpkA/s1600/IMG_2668.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the most photographed locations in the world and the first thing that every guest sees when entering the park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u>T</u><u>he Review</u><br />
<br />
<u>Brand</u>:<br />
Tomorrowland Terrace's Toddler Meal Yummy Cheesy Macaroni<br />
<br />
*Mac and cheese isn't available at all restaurants in Disneyland, but the following do serve it/have it on their kids menu.<br />
Cafe Orleans - New Orleans Square<br />
Carnation Cafe - Main Street<br />
French Market (Toddler meal) - New Orleans Square<br />
<br />
*In addition some California Adventure restaurants also serve mac on their kids menus.<br />
Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta - Paradise Pier<br />
Taste Pilot's Grill - Condor Flats<br />
Pacific Wharf Cafe - Pacific Wharf<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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<u>Price</u>:<br />
$4.49 at the <a href="https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disneyland/tomorrowland-terrace/" target="_blank">Tomorrowland Terrace</a> restaurant<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpyjH0B6v2zb_wfOT1Gm7F6GKhAMx716re-GwYtMNVvJUqmCR2NVZYlSx991ZEdJIDAiXfFbL5a40VnFZ6V51qXt5uCAG4zi01ziEm6bfYk8ZCJU0ENGKCnDBwtXHsfntLP2akMR3XHc/s1600/IMG_2650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpyjH0B6v2zb_wfOT1Gm7F6GKhAMx716re-GwYtMNVvJUqmCR2NVZYlSx991ZEdJIDAiXfFbL5a40VnFZ6V51qXt5uCAG4zi01ziEm6bfYk8ZCJU0ENGKCnDBwtXHsfntLP2akMR3XHc/s1600/IMG_2650.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While much of the park food is the standard cheeseburger and hot dogs, they are of a much better quality than in the past, with Angus beef, all beef hot dogs and toppings one wouldn't think to see at an amusement park. Avocado salsa? Chipotle crèma? Disney has moved up. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span>
<u><strike>Packaging</strike> Menu Description</u>:<br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;">For guests under 3</span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;">Minute Maid juice or small Dasani water substituted upon request</span><br />
<br />
Served with applesauce and small lowfat milk<br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><br />
<br /><u>Preparation</u>: </span>
<br />
*In preparation for the most expensive mac reviewed to date ($92 for a 1 day, 1 park ticket, $137 for both parks for one day), you've gotten to Disneyland, either by plane, car, public transportation or hiding in the laundry truck as it delivers towels to the park and purchased your ticket into the park. Being the park traveler that I am, make sure that you get the park hopper pass and have 2-3 days to visit the parks. DCA (Disney's California Adventure) is a half day park, if you aren't factoring in the lines of one or two rides (Radiator Springs Racers and Toy Story Mania) while Disneyland is best given a full day to ride rides, explore shops and see the shows/events. Give it a full two to reduce stress or anxiety of missing a ride or a shop and three makes for a much relaxed visit and the ability to have rests/naps during the day and the leisure of hitting both parks without that 'rush' factor.<br />
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*I made my stop for mac in Tomorrowland, located just off Main Street. When Main St. opens up, stay to the right, going towards the Astro Orbiter rocket ships and into Tomorrowland. Tomorrowland Terrace is most of the way into Tomorrowland, on your left hand side, just north of the shop 'Star Trader' and across from Innoventions.<br />
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*The order windows of the restaurant are on the north side, facing the submarine ride and monorail entrance. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5emxWzcjijEjJ3kPY4tfVnAfvB48MoMS5dJek7_bDs4iTX4C0VCl1WjlhsgjDBba3px2UDxxqoG2Zu6IAt5NaWhlQGGlQ-dxKM3GCCJ9Uh2_MunHuB3CoFSjJypgyNfjOCrP5UYWf9k/s1600/IMG_2653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5emxWzcjijEjJ3kPY4tfVnAfvB48MoMS5dJek7_bDs4iTX4C0VCl1WjlhsgjDBba3px2UDxxqoG2Zu6IAt5NaWhlQGGlQ-dxKM3GCCJ9Uh2_MunHuB3CoFSjJypgyNfjOCrP5UYWf9k/s1600/IMG_2653.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't know why I didn't get better shots of the restaurant, it's not like people aren't taking pictures of everything in Disneyland. Never the less, straight ahead is where you go to order and wait for your food to get handed to you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Wait in line to order your meal. The line may be huge, or it could go quickly. That all depends on the time of day and how busy the park is.<br />
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*You won't need to wait long for your food, but you may have to fight to get a table as this is one of the most popular restaurants in the park. There are two main areas to sit, the first putting you in front of the Jedi Academy, where at specific times of the day (and weather permitting) little kids are asked up on stage to train to take on baddies from the Star Wars universe.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2sFdS7pNY1bhr9CW9kEh1VF1vtwoPGWthUwO80haPPrK5-egtQwhhatjM9RwfxHGamOby8kWkn2p4aKN4dxCgdYfG10nu1y3QWfXTaWl0yzVZfVVoy5oU_dqA6Drswiq3B-y2MbCqz8/s1600/IMG_2652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2sFdS7pNY1bhr9CW9kEh1VF1vtwoPGWthUwO80haPPrK5-egtQwhhatjM9RwfxHGamOby8kWkn2p4aKN4dxCgdYfG10nu1y3QWfXTaWl0yzVZfVVoy5oU_dqA6Drswiq3B-y2MbCqz8/s1600/IMG_2652.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hone those skills young padawans, become a Jedi, buy the build it yourself lightsaber at Star Trader and save the galaxy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FCP2rXojIkPJjxW1_QvR3jRnXwBYCsZ5nYd8acxMMgNGwEYDNymdus90LiiGSqNsMukKCrVJGdmZN6Gf6zF0h7VK-vIFp7wHEOuk9h31jIQP_bPc8blOJrsJwM7yQaIdhaM68TKCyKM/s1600/IMG_2651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FCP2rXojIkPJjxW1_QvR3jRnXwBYCsZ5nYd8acxMMgNGwEYDNymdus90LiiGSqNsMukKCrVJGdmZN6Gf6zF0h7VK-vIFp7wHEOuk9h31jIQP_bPc8blOJrsJwM7yQaIdhaM68TKCyKM/s1600/IMG_2651.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stage rises up out of the ground. Alas kids, there will be no more training sessions today, so you're just dancing for our entertainment now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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*If that's too crowded, over towards the Star Trader and Little Green Men shops are additional tables that give you a view of some shops and Tomorrowland attractions.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavsw2KVpis4BTR1Y65O8uomlH-LIAKzops1W3h4jMlwn0Q82MjpYLySKXCtrY6N_b5d_X8fcJodfE8bJSVmXVrVeAJFLbQ4Ag4kZcncu_ftOHbR0H54MdTfRftpyVP_b9uNtx8cjRWkg/s1600/IMG_2657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavsw2KVpis4BTR1Y65O8uomlH-LIAKzops1W3h4jMlwn0Q82MjpYLySKXCtrY6N_b5d_X8fcJodfE8bJSVmXVrVeAJFLbQ4Ag4kZcncu_ftOHbR0H54MdTfRftpyVP_b9uNtx8cjRWkg/s1600/IMG_2657.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the table out onto the covered portion of the restaurant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Remove your spoon from it's plastic wrap and remove the plastic lid that was helping to keep the heat from escaping your cup of mac.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zw2CFkFPkGctS548AxyE23O9wITDQdvFXeXam-KZgm4fTUll1GyXe6fEPIRdqe5vbqCSRCRTWEtLFr5y144ayhyphenhyphenDWCd1yL54V23wl-EsXWZr3dvGG26W5ndQsxF7yCOMlPqluv1Bw1w/s1600/IMG_2654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zw2CFkFPkGctS548AxyE23O9wITDQdvFXeXam-KZgm4fTUll1GyXe6fEPIRdqe5vbqCSRCRTWEtLFr5y144ayhyphenhyphenDWCd1yL54V23wl-EsXWZr3dvGG26W5ndQsxF7yCOMlPqluv1Bw1w/s1600/IMG_2654.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The meal of three year old champions </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*If you're actually serving this to little ones, make sure that it's not too hot for them, but otherwise you should be fine digging right in. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrFK5zZiGToE34XW_uDthEREi6_vu9pUXELAA4wsvBS1rnumnzMfvHR4gUsQZyhHUeVExb1jRJk1NZjkP0w6MM1T_3VyJBEOVSRARLx3art1JhCj5Rc_IGM2AjlYG1aKE3_vWE1pBe5Y/s1600/IMG_2655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrFK5zZiGToE34XW_uDthEREi6_vu9pUXELAA4wsvBS1rnumnzMfvHR4gUsQZyhHUeVExb1jRJk1NZjkP0w6MM1T_3VyJBEOVSRARLx3art1JhCj5Rc_IGM2AjlYG1aKE3_vWE1pBe5Y/s1600/IMG_2655.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> *cue monster sound effects* Unleash the mac-en!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LGgGQJpBtBv6UVrkhs68nZ74dPzYL6TLufTKVeTiP0rFzmeIX2p6XsNYnB9JVL-XOtkEQwBieGYCO476GW9ReJeynBd2JLiDrihZV3uu2oILHkqE9olW9aVlsK4I_kZ3EPJZ7bao-Cc/s1600/IMG_2656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LGgGQJpBtBv6UVrkhs68nZ74dPzYL6TLufTKVeTiP0rFzmeIX2p6XsNYnB9JVL-XOtkEQwBieGYCO476GW9ReJeynBd2JLiDrihZV3uu2oILHkqE9olW9aVlsK4I_kZ3EPJZ7bao-Cc/s1600/IMG_2656.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look ghost mac! It floats on it's own!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
* Commence with the nomming!<br />
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<br />
<div>
<u>Taste</u>:</div>
<div>
After getting my tray to a table, sitting down and popping off the lid I couldn't smell any cheesiness emanating from the little red cup unless I stuck my nose into the cup as if it were a fine wine and even then, it wasn't very strong. The sauce was creamy and had a good cheesy taste (of indeterminable cheesy origin) to it. The noodles were very overcooked and dissolved pretty much on contact with my mouth. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<u>Final Score</u>:<br />
Concession food can always be a difficult thing to review. What it comes down to in the end is that you're never 100% sure how long it's been waiting for you. While they don't have any kind of central preparation kitchens at Disneyland, there are things that are made well before one orders it. They can't help it because of the volume of food the park needs to be able to turn out quickly. Things that can survive in a fridge like salads or things that can survive in a warming oven like the mac are prime candidates. I'm sure that this comes from some kind of container and is just reheated at each location. The mac itself wasn't offensive, but it wasn't all that great. The noodles were WAY overdone, but the sauce was one of the more respectable ones I've had so far for a restaurant/concession reheat (but not nearly as good as <a href="http://macandsteve.blogspot.com/2012/06/did-you-want-fries-with-that.html" target="_blank">Panera's</a>). By no means should you go to the park JUST for this mac, but if you have a little one (or a big one) needing a serving, you could do worse. Disneyland did find a way to spruce this mac up, that review is coming soon.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla_C7TvuR1J-xBGKVV1-0opOynbJtDCmC9bHmYGcw7a7OO9n1pCWKEu64DIH7Hrp1nG8Yg5fRv4eakaB_aA_NUM062EzHWdLKHhnKhU4tGouopi_tMs0KJwanUK9tcTLVUVgtcoeKx18/s1600/noodle_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla_C7TvuR1J-xBGKVV1-0opOynbJtDCmC9bHmYGcw7a7OO9n1pCWKEu64DIH7Hrp1nG8Yg5fRv4eakaB_aA_NUM062EzHWdLKHhnKhU4tGouopi_tMs0KJwanUK9tcTLVUVgtcoeKx18/s1600/noodle_3.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
No nutritional information was posted either online or at the restaurant itself. In some online Disney forums when others have asked about nutritional information at the park, it's said that they should either contact guest services or ask one of the managers/cashiers at the place of eating for the information. I didn't think to do so while there. I contacted Disney via their Disneyland website and asked for the info. Their reply was the following.<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
For questions regarding accommodations for special dietary needs while</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">at the DISNEYLAND® Resort theme parks, including product availability,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">preparation methods, and ingredient lists please contact our Chefs at</span><br />
<a href="tel:%28714%29%20781-3569" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" value="+17147813569">(714) 781-3569</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">. They may not be available to answer all calls</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">immediately; however, they will answer all messages left on voice mail.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">For the Hotels of the DISNEYLAND® Resort, please contact the Chef's</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Office at </span><a href="tel:%28714%29%20956-6719" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" value="+17149566719">(714) 956-6719</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Again, thank you for taking the time to write. We hope you will have the</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">opportunity to visit the DISNEYLAND® Resort soon and trust your visit</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">will be pleasant in all regards.</span> </div>
MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-90393884717228875432014-02-05T16:52:00.004-08:002014-02-05T16:55:12.205-08:00Mac-ination I have stumbled onto quite a few different mac n' cheese related items that aren't actually real mac n' cheese. Mac themed <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2012/06/mac-aids.html" target="_blank">bandages</a> and realistic <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2013/10/itty-bitty-mac.html" target="_blank">doll house food</a> have gotten the review treatment and a few others are waiting in the wings. What this has taught me is that the power of the dish of cheesy golden noodles has found its way into practically every aspect of our lives (at least here in America) and I'm O.K. with that.<br />
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Back during the summer (I know, I know, I'm just a smidgen behind in my posts) I saw that the retailers had swung into full gear for back to school and with sales abound the supplies flowed through the aisles. Having heard from a few different people who thanks to having little ones, being teachers or are just artistic that <a href="http://www.crayola.com/" target="_blank">Crayola</a> has a crayon that I would be interested in. <br />
<br />
Crayola started by two cousins, Edwin Binney and C. Harris Smith of New York in 1885. Originally known as Binney & Smith, the company produced pigments and colorants for industrial use. Their products made tires black (and last longer) and gave paint it's color and they invented dustless chalk just after the turn of the century. Separate from the success of B&S, Edwin Binney and his wife Alice Stead Binney, developed a wax crayon product line that she named Crayola. The name came from a mashup of 'craie', French for chalk and 'ola' for oily/oleaginous. Within two years there were 5 crayon sizes and 18 different packaging and crayon counts by 1905. Numerous sets were aimed at both artists and children and over the course of the next thirty years acquisitions allowed for a vastly expanded selection of crayons. In 1958, the classic 64 crayon box with sharpener was introduced (and is still available today). Over the years, the crayon selections have expanded and changed, growing to practically any color one can think of.<br />
<br />
I wasn't sure what I was going to do to properly show off the macaroni and cheese crayon, since attempting to draw on my own is just a internet meme waiting to happen. I do however have a cute mini coloring/activity book that a close friend created to promote his <a href="http://www.game-rave.com/boy/" target="_blank">web series</a> and numerous ebooks (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/boy-dreaming-key-alien-robots/id546966629?mt=11" target="_blank">Book 1</a>, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/boy-dreaming-key-amys-tale/id554369134?mt=11" target="_blank">Book 2</a>, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/boy-dreaming-key-island-fools/id577667038?mt=11" target="_blank">Book 3</a> and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/boy-dreaming-key-auberons/id648169973?mt=11" target="_blank">Book 4</a> available on the iTunes book store for the iPad) The Boy With The Dreaming Key. It's the perfect thing to color!<br />
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<u>The Review</u><br />
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<u>Brand</u>:<br />
Crayola's Macaroni and Cheese Crayon<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9G1-GDgt_Oon-m3hDzyIr-Bjr_7esMEE-KDJ39CFD7pX_NTAx4rk-sHNcG0o4Dubf4d9tlGjVE1q7MRMvBraYFzyolLxmlhi-_i4b8VcOCCywU72r7smRRrKszoyVQy3WFx5sFJGAPUw/s1600/IMG_2870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9G1-GDgt_Oon-m3hDzyIr-Bjr_7esMEE-KDJ39CFD7pX_NTAx4rk-sHNcG0o4Dubf4d9tlGjVE1q7MRMvBraYFzyolLxmlhi-_i4b8VcOCCywU72r7smRRrKszoyVQy3WFx5sFJGAPUw/s1600/IMG_2870.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teachers love us!</td></tr>
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<u>Price</u>:<br />
$2.39 at Target for the box of 48 crayons, the Mac & Cheese crayon is in all Crayola packs 48 count and larger that Target carries (as of 6/2013)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMjTyAZ4fAxLXD85dcLw47kJfwpDBaeyVX3Rw9lXrPgcF_U45Qe4mNdQcxLdzCp2WewOIxGvOMZXogo-uWtEnq7ddQRB6xbEbfaj1iZ-CAO4Jbh16-fwPDuA7hmMtWsCTl78j7BNsza8/s1600/IMG_2863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMjTyAZ4fAxLXD85dcLw47kJfwpDBaeyVX3Rw9lXrPgcF_U45Qe4mNdQcxLdzCp2WewOIxGvOMZXogo-uWtEnq7ddQRB6xbEbfaj1iZ-CAO4Jbh16-fwPDuA7hmMtWsCTl78j7BNsza8/s1600/IMG_2863.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HOURS of fun in one little box.</td></tr>
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<u>Packaging Description</u>:<br />
(on front)<br />
Preferred by Teachers!<br />
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(on back)<br />
Another great product...The Crayola Giant Floor Pad lets you tackle creativity in a BIG way! The 60 large sheets (22" x 16") provide a colossal canvas for "ginormous" art! Includes a fun project idea.<br />
Contents and colors may vary. Non toxic<br />
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<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
*Find yourself at a store that sells Crayola crayons. Art stores, book stores, drug stores, grocery stores, major retailers like Target or Walmart and even convenience stores all stock these little wax sticks of color.<br />
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*Make sure that the package you're purchasing has the sought after Macaroni and Cheese crayon. In my looking, every pack 48 count and higher had it in it.<br />
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*Find some blank paper to draw to your hearts content, or find a coloring & activity book.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihh_WKvK4fHH1obWgNObUdIweazyOGdtzZBDhjN-clEoNG6Mo4ZrW4FiJY2ZswriDPuqumdKX3U1xQHnKds2tuO8dCRpYIyPRHquVD9Q4KxniD23Cft5S6J80WhsGF2SbOGkvggspXW-0/s1600/IMG_2865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihh_WKvK4fHH1obWgNObUdIweazyOGdtzZBDhjN-clEoNG6Mo4ZrW4FiJY2ZswriDPuqumdKX3U1xQHnKds2tuO8dCRpYIyPRHquVD9Q4KxniD23Cft5S6J80WhsGF2SbOGkvggspXW-0/s1600/IMG_2865.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh look! A coloring and activity book. What luck!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghF2gUK4bEMmyXcM_0BVWlIC30g2zL1b1H8DPznBuJErLUrIwfL9qgTRh5sLlcubJLj-4p14TTpG_0UfPelB7LV0vtKMb00mmPFeLzJ2ZMACw8aP3PG1Eih-xAu1nGcP7bfCoyQn1asCo/s1600/IMG_2867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghF2gUK4bEMmyXcM_0BVWlIC30g2zL1b1H8DPznBuJErLUrIwfL9qgTRh5sLlcubJLj-4p14TTpG_0UfPelB7LV0vtKMb00mmPFeLzJ2ZMACw8aP3PG1Eih-xAu1nGcP7bfCoyQn1asCo/s1600/IMG_2867.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to color!</td></tr>
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*Crack open that box of imagination and find the most important crayon in the box.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcbvQyHxFci_-rexId19dJY5VsOi9tgPu0juY_knNzJ-J3_QRAva7JuU0eeM0jf4-B75jefEKRdU_iNVoansjVlkldxI0yk6UxjDUQVBLP-2UR8BTjqKfz_X69cquFsVLH1aKSzmjt-U/s1600/IMG_2873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcbvQyHxFci_-rexId19dJY5VsOi9tgPu0juY_knNzJ-J3_QRAva7JuU0eeM0jf4-B75jefEKRdU_iNVoansjVlkldxI0yk6UxjDUQVBLP-2UR8BTjqKfz_X69cquFsVLH1aKSzmjt-U/s1600/IMG_2873.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last row, third from right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZeLYpkpDZZf42cPTqLqakdmUDOjpmf9Kong9K0TG9wKh8BC21hnHLernGw7UenFkcHh_M72U-AK9Wj7jJVMMN5gjGQ6z0WnZLxB6pJ05-M75ptw9V7Ur6HlOqR-JmGcVfPjSby3G3Xo/s1600/IMG_2872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZeLYpkpDZZf42cPTqLqakdmUDOjpmf9Kong9K0TG9wKh8BC21hnHLernGw7UenFkcHh_M72U-AK9Wj7jJVMMN5gjGQ6z0WnZLxB6pJ05-M75ptw9V7Ur6HlOqR-JmGcVfPjSby3G3Xo/s1600/IMG_2872.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BOOM! </td></tr>
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*Commence with the coloring!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFvcVNB8KH2ouX-0oZDkleLN607EcZqRZSe07r6QA3GMnkHuJCnSXkOOubXT_uv8lvcFqgsFZpD6uZRj7BEg5C2h_-VG9U0b0Gp7_0iBt3Stlie3D40GV7JxEgqY0OYogKl2JKNJjQ58/s1600/IMG_2874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFvcVNB8KH2ouX-0oZDkleLN607EcZqRZSe07r6QA3GMnkHuJCnSXkOOubXT_uv8lvcFqgsFZpD6uZRj7BEg5C2h_-VG9U0b0Gp7_0iBt3Stlie3D40GV7JxEgqY0OYogKl2JKNJjQ58/s1600/IMG_2874.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cat and the inner ear of the bear got the macaroni and cheese crayon treatment. </td></tr>
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<u><strike>Taste</strike> Use</u>: <br />
First, don't go and try to eat these. It's just a cute name. The shade itself is a nice golden yellow color, quite similar to the sauce of many mac n' cheeses. <br />
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<u>Final Score</u>:<br />
Of the crayons I've used over the years, Crayola ones have been the ones I've always preferred. They aren't blotchy and color smoothly on papers of all kinds. While I'm admittedly a bit out of the loop on all the crazy colors and kinds out there, Crayola has done a very good job in keeping relevant, and adding new colors and cute names every year. The fact that they've made sure to include a favorite food of kids across America wasn't just smart, it was pretty cool.<br />
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
NO EATING! It's wax you sillies.<br />
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<br />MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-63255783266427821822013-11-28T00:51:00.000-08:002013-11-28T00:51:06.958-08:00Gobble Gobble!I hope everyone (that celebrates it) has a great Thanksgiving, spending the day with family and friends. Making sure to fill up on metric tons of food, because that's how we do it here in 'Murica. <br />
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My mom found a comic strip that she thought would be right up my alley yesterday. I'd have to agree.<br />
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To view the comic (and give Mark Tatulli, the creator of Lio his clicks) please <a href="http://www.gocomics.com/lio/2013/11/27#.UpcCNo1Q3rg" target="_blank">click here</a><br />
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<br />MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-9824324555439434192013-10-29T09:07:00.001-07:002013-11-14T16:46:54.282-08:00Knotts Berry MacHave you ever seen that Halloween episode of the Simpsons, where they're spoofing Stephen King's <i>The Shining</i> and Homer snaps because he didn't have TV and beer? <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yGJGTjV2WE" target="_blank">A refresher in case you don't remember it.</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiqLL71kWFatgay9Jg6A7IkEDrNZaGwO0Z0wZ5xpEpi0NT4g6aVQV9Y7njp7WevPexDjBjklyWQ8tPv9Xsb4WBUt6amb_F_xJZzKW95ZwzVfTHkpNJUz7IGFpn1a4zJAmisT2ji6UF1U/s1600/saCBC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiqLL71kWFatgay9Jg6A7IkEDrNZaGwO0Z0wZ5xpEpi0NT4g6aVQV9Y7njp7WevPexDjBjklyWQ8tPv9Xsb4WBUt6amb_F_xJZzKW95ZwzVfTHkpNJUz7IGFpn1a4zJAmisT2ji6UF1U/s320/saCBC.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woob woob woob woob!</td></tr>
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Well, while I don't need TV and beer to function (though it may not hurt things), I have not, however taken any kind of extended vacation yet this year and that has helped bring me to the point where I could "go crazy". A day here or half day there, to keep my hours down below capping just wasn't cutting it these past few months, so I finally took a week off. Part of this much needed week off had me jumping in the car and driving down to L.A. where I hit up both Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland. I couldn't go and not look for mac n' cheese while I was down there, and fortunately I did find that both amusement parks had some ready and waiting for me to review.<br />
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<a href="https://www.knotts.com/" target="_blank">Knott's Berry Farm</a>, I learned was truly a firsts kind of place, that thanks to the success of the Knott's, the family steered how amusement parks would operate even today based on things they did first as they were just trying to keep people entertained while waiting to order a meal.<br />
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In 1927, seven years after the Knott's family settled on 20 acres in Buena Park on Highway 39, Knott's Berry Place got it's first building, which served as a five table tea room and berry stand to sell the farm's wares. In 1932, Walter Knott created the Boysenberry (a hybrid of red raspberry, blackberry and loganberries) and named it after a friend. By 1934, with the Great Depression firmly entrenched across the country, Walt's wife Cordelia reluctantly served to tea room customers her fried chicken, on their wedding china to make ends meat. By 1937, they had greatly expanded the tea room, given it a full kitchen, dining room and parking lot for their customers. That Thanksgiving in 1937, 1,774 dinners were served. Soon, old west buildings were being bought and moved to the property to entertain customers waiting for tables in the restaurant, allowing Walter to create a whole new western town, 'Ghost Town' to occupy the minds (and wallets) of the those restaurant customers. 1947 saw the Knott's Berry Place get renamed, Knott's Berry Farm.<br />
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What started as an attraction to keep people busy who came for fried chicken dinners had converted to a full fenced in, admission amusement park in 1968. It's now owned by <a href="http://www.cedarfair.com/" target="_blank">Cedar Fair</a>, who own amusement parks all across the country, including <a href="https://www.cagreatamerica.com/" target="_blank">California's Great America</a> in the SF Bay Area.<br />
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Though the park has had some ups and downs over the years, it's still very much alive and kicking. The park has some great roller coasters including the massive wooden GhostRider, the non-inverted loop (you take the loop from the <u>outside</u>!) Xcelerator, the suspended coaster Silver Bullet and the Pony Express, where you ride like you're on a pony!<br />
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While the park is a great place to spend a day if you're in L.A., what I think is their best kept secret is still Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant. The restaurant is outside of the park to the left of the entrance and you can not only get food to go if you so choose, but park for free (with validation from the restaurant) and have some incredibly tasty chicken.<br />
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I had decided to make part of my visit to L.A. include Knott's because I hadn't been there in so long and because I knew that I'd need a good dinner after the long drive down. When I peeked at the posted menu before going inside I knew I was in for a treat if the mac n' cheese that I saw on the menu was half as good as their chicken.<br />
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<u>The Review</u><br />
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<u>Brand</u>:<br />
Mr.s Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant macaroni and cheese<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-52Wf5Iu7k-t7apExc41hdRcMEP0Xw1Y3cLHezXaW1msUYJ3YYEdelCqy2e_s3SObVrojWmOz9QPbEGvvImI4GKrqcGerq3s0MciGGEyR_rA-kM2Ho7FoE3NM7vo0fIHVXWi4ssYOWk/s1600/IMG_2638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-52Wf5Iu7k-t7apExc41hdRcMEP0Xw1Y3cLHezXaW1msUYJ3YYEdelCqy2e_s3SObVrojWmOz9QPbEGvvImI4GKrqcGerq3s0MciGGEyR_rA-kM2Ho7FoE3NM7vo0fIHVXWi4ssYOWk/s320/IMG_2638.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little difficult to discern, but this was really the only angle I could (safely, while standing in the middle of the road) get a shot of the restaurant's name.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best restaurants don't need flashy names to attract your attention. Direct and to the point.</td></tr>
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<u>Price</u>:<br />
The menu has one price for entrees, $16.99. A standard side order of their mac will cost you an additional $4.25. If you're eating family style (requires a minimum of 4 people), the side will cost $5.99.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-YMQX8XhUmZiUFuN1A6wUULl1JXbXdqQpAziMlQ5O9JVCsd9w6hxtIVVbyrcCT7NHeCV6cEeiaWHkWVJ5bJZ-zVak7ozRyIsra8ilMjoDE6YqetXaaiGxIl5pA52NB5R3vWYCdijoFY/s1600/IMG_2618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-YMQX8XhUmZiUFuN1A6wUULl1JXbXdqQpAziMlQ5O9JVCsd9w6hxtIVVbyrcCT7NHeCV6cEeiaWHkWVJ5bJZ-zVak7ozRyIsra8ilMjoDE6YqetXaaiGxIl5pA52NB5R3vWYCdijoFY/s320/IMG_2618.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit blurry, but the only mention of sides on the menu is on the Family Style Meals portion of the menu. </td></tr>
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<u><strike>Packaging</strike> Menu Description</u>:<br />
N/A<br />
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<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
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*So you've made it to Knotts. I drove down from the Bay Area (5+ hours), but you could fly and land at the closest airport (John Wayne/Orange County) and drive there in about 30 minutes traffic permitting.<br />
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*Let the host/hostess know how many people are in your party and when a table is open, they'll take you to it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLnLV4349prLuX1I9JwFgPgdTTrgu67i-RfJ9qnOqzPHiRHBafexY39_kvhnZj-FeLadsbl_Xgo4hnSx3O-0XcpPFsOMP76RCnGEQsOxaEPhq6RCGnq_KGI3-NeWAQePIF0xUKt5XsjI/s1600/IMG_2632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLnLV4349prLuX1I9JwFgPgdTTrgu67i-RfJ9qnOqzPHiRHBafexY39_kvhnZj-FeLadsbl_Xgo4hnSx3O-0XcpPFsOMP76RCnGEQsOxaEPhq6RCGnq_KGI3-NeWAQePIF0xUKt5XsjI/s320/IMG_2632.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the room I ate in. As you can see, a packed house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
*Upon being seated, you'll see that your place setting has an incredibly informative history of the park. It's a pretty good read and full of cool facts about the Knott's property.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEiHmz96q52elYwmiZcRsk4QCtuZTnRTO6eqbasY9qhyphenhyphen1Jo-LtWKOE4RiXSr1_oxoSGdLSGiaP3zGm8Iu9W1qLRGyRtc2G-m1DUQZQ0sjdcIsM_c_s8el1O_Ka4lz2AjYMPHAKyn4IX0/s1600/IMG_2619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEiHmz96q52elYwmiZcRsk4QCtuZTnRTO6eqbasY9qhyphenhyphen1Jo-LtWKOE4RiXSr1_oxoSGdLSGiaP3zGm8Iu9W1qLRGyRtc2G-m1DUQZQ0sjdcIsM_c_s8el1O_Ka4lz2AjYMPHAKyn4IX0/s1600/IMG_2619.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This place-mat gives a quick history of the park. Many of the blurbs show amusment park firsts for not just Knott's, but <u>ANY</u> amusement park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*You'll be given a menu (this is a sit down restaurant after all), but there are some things that you'll quickly discover. All meals cost the same and you've only got 7 choices. Appetizers, additional sides and drinks are the only 'extras'. This is a full 4 course dinner you're about to have for one nice price.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiA4O0o0qNuR8bLPI1MbNaAcj5gTkubFpM17bzy6brT8oysbwtsT31301kiaAdo8XcxMo7-ob4yBUAHk04RP4iEMtrEFrqTKuwNR462n6frJQ72PD-jppCyn8NOmuFw7Vew-dZHYwoPc/s1600/IMG_2634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiA4O0o0qNuR8bLPI1MbNaAcj5gTkubFpM17bzy6brT8oysbwtsT31301kiaAdo8XcxMo7-ob4yBUAHk04RP4iEMtrEFrqTKuwNR462n6frJQ72PD-jppCyn8NOmuFw7Vew-dZHYwoPc/s1600/IMG_2634.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQC4I2iuwa1FOP1UvSE1_iB_ylZsqtQwMlDFqHU4D62JxHzBv3bmmNaW7vG5H3MMACHoqbtDu5gSQKnH684SKVy4Q8-1Pd9U8EWqp5y_ceCwfu2WO8kEbOtAeL0LEu_t8RdOYtX_G_W8/s1600/IMG_2635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQC4I2iuwa1FOP1UvSE1_iB_ylZsqtQwMlDFqHU4D62JxHzBv3bmmNaW7vG5H3MMACHoqbtDu5gSQKnH684SKVy4Q8-1Pd9U8EWqp5y_ceCwfu2WO8kEbOtAeL0LEu_t8RdOYtX_G_W8/s320/IMG_2635.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choose, but choose wisely. I can say without hesitation, the fried chicken is great and so is the country fried steak!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*After deciding on what you'd like for dinner, let your server know. Before they leave however, you will have to answer a few questions.<br />
<br />
*Your server will first ask you for your choice of soup. Creamy Chicken Noodle or Cherry Rhubarb<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiTuL8BmReo_FFkiGXy7VMph6AxFu0cL-269WP0_zVLLHjfJN0eiCAXfmgAxTAzLXwIHMrcye1GX7oDpp8Qd1mhQynjdwhyqCV8DKsDuggrxpMLqptUGWKKdevqx4hu6jYYgAwD-DJ-Q/s1600/IMG_2624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiTuL8BmReo_FFkiGXy7VMph6AxFu0cL-269WP0_zVLLHjfJN0eiCAXfmgAxTAzLXwIHMrcye1GX7oDpp8Qd1mhQynjdwhyqCV8DKsDuggrxpMLqptUGWKKdevqx4hu6jYYgAwD-DJ-Q/s1600/IMG_2624.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As you can see, I chose the Creamy Chicken Noodle (which was excellent!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*When the soup comes out (if not before then), biscuits will also show up. Make one accidentally fall into the soup before you help it find it's way to your mouth.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxl9px1d9SBSMlTyn3pahYiYNmIMdXI9aT0A0sd0DVPPVr_05iUNpNK4BcLpRqDkqkGqmBjBCzQmQJ9xCAt7UYwzOtF3Yx3aWdh0j3MZFCcNwB9AaHHIw9rCWjskH4K2gecKT8loLprJ0/s1600/IMG_2623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxl9px1d9SBSMlTyn3pahYiYNmIMdXI9aT0A0sd0DVPPVr_05iUNpNK4BcLpRqDkqkGqmBjBCzQmQJ9xCAt7UYwzOtF3Yx3aWdh0j3MZFCcNwB9AaHHIw9rCWjskH4K2gecKT8loLprJ0/s1600/IMG_2623.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many biscuits.... drool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Don't forget to butter and/or jam up that biscuit! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklNZsM4UAOk4N410I3HyYL-XNN5hrLzDpdv3mXKcYnCyGxTwBPcE3K3mTUff_edk64-_ct2mk6t8Gm_xJpV4Ynlpbij6h1oYA-fEzhgEvMQN98-tNKr9UMkqnO2cfwMabyOocIzj3ZRM/s1600/IMG_2631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklNZsM4UAOk4N410I3HyYL-XNN5hrLzDpdv3mXKcYnCyGxTwBPcE3K3mTUff_edk64-_ct2mk6t8Gm_xJpV4Ynlpbij6h1oYA-fEzhgEvMQN98-tNKr9UMkqnO2cfwMabyOocIzj3ZRM/s1600/IMG_2631.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While you can still buy Knotts Berry Preserves, that division is now owned by Smuckers, No longer are the tiny jams on the tables, though they're still available in grocery stores and the gift shop. Online sluthing shows that one can still get tiny food service portions in small glass containers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Next, your server will ask you what kind of dressing would you like on your salad. The correct answer is ranch.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwdJj_mGZJURtw3qx1VB_8xZbqe9k6QZCqw1uvimbUVhfzx983BPRjmjzPLYgfEVG8auw7hZDAh-3RcSsEoGPcm3NI3a9KRHPRO_2sPyQy9RXFaxOY4o1i-Li1f_YoHouuFbi1TZNFYs/s1600/IMG_2625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwdJj_mGZJURtw3qx1VB_8xZbqe9k6QZCqw1uvimbUVhfzx983BPRjmjzPLYgfEVG8auw7hZDAh-3RcSsEoGPcm3NI3a9KRHPRO_2sPyQy9RXFaxOY4o1i-Li1f_YoHouuFbi1TZNFYs/s1600/IMG_2625.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tad too much dressing, but you can work around it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*You're then asked if you'd prefer corn or cabbage as your side dish. I voted corn. I also didn't take a picture of a cup of corn. I think you know what buttered corn nibblets looks like. <br />
<br />
*Finally, make sure that your order a side of macaroni and cheese, which will be served with your main course. [note: Once again, I was thinking about the mac and not the rest of my meal. The best (and only decent) shot of my dinner was a close up I took of the mac, seen below].<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_2qkmZKtxeea6PBLIqC3A3jLoNovHO21nYC-81BQgpBSoXvFMucgHzzz51ShEWtd-eNsUYgGthO2ej-OnagLtX_peChEb2rIPSSJtqC7IIQHGTdTEg2iElYYu-AfJ8cN4m3s1OROsPY/s1600/IMG_2628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_2qkmZKtxeea6PBLIqC3A3jLoNovHO21nYC-81BQgpBSoXvFMucgHzzz51ShEWtd-eNsUYgGthO2ej-OnagLtX_peChEb2rIPSSJtqC7IIQHGTdTEg2iElYYu-AfJ8cN4m3s1OROsPY/s1600/IMG_2628.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't come *just* for the chicken fried steak, let's all be honest here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZA7_NSUUHmQqFbs7tzTfdBvCAwDKCZF_e6l7jhtQbGUv9Q5nd-C2vV7eDCAkAMcV4RPhXAQPAYSgbH0CgWi0QuPYWcm9UHHrJjwRdWJj4NHXx1kInH9HpD5MzZJYLRyxrVN4N1hyLJX4/s1600/IMG_2627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZA7_NSUUHmQqFbs7tzTfdBvCAwDKCZF_e6l7jhtQbGUv9Q5nd-C2vV7eDCAkAMcV4RPhXAQPAYSgbH0CgWi0QuPYWcm9UHHrJjwRdWJj4NHXx1kInH9HpD5MzZJYLRyxrVN4N1hyLJX4/s1600/IMG_2627.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The side is actually pretty darn big. It's easily enough for 2 or 3 people and there isn't much chance of polishing it off, considering the huge amount of food you've got on the way.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
*Sit back and wait for your dinner to come out. Things seemed to fly right out of the kitchen and I had dinner before I knew it. After you've finished dinner, your server pulls one last question out of their pocket. What's for dessert? Your choices are Boysenberry pie, Apple pie, vanilla ice cream or Boysenberry sherbet. I had some very tasty vanilla ice cream.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
*Commence with the nomming!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>Taste</u>:</div>
<div>
As the huge amount of food is brought out, the first thing I got a whiff of was the corn. Sliding that out of the way, I turned my attention to the mac, where I buried my nose and got a nice whiff of melted cheese. The sauce was helped by the melted cheese on the top giving the sauce that little extra cheese taste it needed. The sauce itself was had a mild cheddar/processed cheese taste. The noodles were a bit overcooked but still held their shape and weren't ones that broke down the second they hit your mouth. <br />
<br />
<u>Final Score</u>:<br />
So. Much. Food. If I review the whole dinner, the below icon would be an empty bowl. The fried chicken blows away anything that you'd get at a place like <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-c-in-kfc-stands-for-cheese-right.html" target="_blank">KFC</a> and the chicken fried steak that I had was also very good. Very tasty biscuits, great mashed potatoes and gravy and great dessert. But this review is really about the mac. A smaller portion would have been nice, as there was just way too much food, but hey, 'murica! The noodles being somewhat over cooked took this down a peg and the sauce while cheesy (thanks to the gobs of melted cheese on top) wasn't incredibly so once you got past the top of it. It did work out quite well as a side to the chicken and country fried steak so smart of Knott's to leave it as such.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla_C7TvuR1J-xBGKVV1-0opOynbJtDCmC9bHmYGcw7a7OO9n1pCWKEu64DIH7Hrp1nG8Yg5fRv4eakaB_aA_NUM062EzHWdLKHhnKhU4tGouopi_tMs0KJwanUK9tcTLVUVgtcoeKx18/s1600/noodle_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla_C7TvuR1J-xBGKVV1-0opOynbJtDCmC9bHmYGcw7a7OO9n1pCWKEu64DIH7Hrp1nG8Yg5fRv4eakaB_aA_NUM062EzHWdLKHhnKhU4tGouopi_tMs0KJwanUK9tcTLVUVgtcoeKx18/s200/noodle_3.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
Checking the website for the restaurant I didn't see any mention of nutritional information. I also didn't think to ask when I was leaving. Chalk this mac up to one that was made with good ingredients that bring the fat and calories, so please enjoy in moderation.<br />
<br /></div>
MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-71014025672032456762013-10-03T09:02:00.001-07:002013-11-14T16:40:39.692-08:00Itty Bitty MacOne never knows where they'll find their next mac & cheese. The obvious places are those that serve or sell food. <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/search/label/Restaurant" target="_blank">Restaurants</a> and <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/search/label/Grocery%20Store" target="_blank">grocery stores</a> have been the root location of 99% of my blog posts so far, with an honorable mention of <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2012/06/mac-aids.html" target="_blank">inedible mac bandages found at a candy shop in San Francisco</a>. Easy marks. What if you up really want to challenge yourself. Where would you look?<br />
<br />
How about an antique store.<br />
<br />
Now I bet you're thinking, antique shops don't sell food. They can't. It's against the law, or it'd be a crime against humanity to buy some mac that was last sold in the Eisenhower administration. Well I've not found any food (or any old packages of mac for that matter)... yet, but I did find something pretty damn cool. Miniature dollhouse sized mac n' cheese.<br />
<br />
I had found myself back in the Niles district of Fremont, once again wandering the shops on a Sunday afternoon. While I did walk by <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2013/04/bronco-bites.html" target="_blank">Bronco Billy's</a> and their tempting mac bites, this post is about on one of the antique shops a few blocks down.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.myfriendsandiniles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">My Friends And I</a> is located at 37521 Niles Blvd. Like almost all the shops (as far as I can tell) on Niles Blvd., they have a bit of a focus, and numerous vendors that work to that shop's theme. This shop (like any good one) has a little bit of everything, vintage and new but something I've noticed as I've been through the area a few times is that they make sure to decorate up their shop and work with their vendors to do so for calendar events.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlb6m3ZGCJAANIa1b-97JnRDQE1PprpPh9GFd3roxfNIcZdnYS50msQjgmz6gmF_oeCbahVbWpk6-M69g3NwVPqio2r_9j0giSGl1GpeAa3k2sSQP5zUsdbo1qF0idK2Ttd1Isvt1OuA/s1600/IMG_2351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlb6m3ZGCJAANIa1b-97JnRDQE1PprpPh9GFd3roxfNIcZdnYS50msQjgmz6gmF_oeCbahVbWpk6-M69g3NwVPqio2r_9j0giSGl1GpeAa3k2sSQP5zUsdbo1qF0idK2Ttd1Isvt1OuA/s320/IMG_2351.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shop was pretty busy when I was there, but remember, they close at 5PM daily, so no late night antiquing for you!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Not only is that a good sign of rotating inventory, but a store that has vendors who don't want to just have a stagnant look that in my opinion, turns off the potential customers. Why go in, if the stuff you can see in the front, is the same stuff you saw three months ago? They want to sell their stuff and by rotating and bringing in new stuff regularly, it's actually an adventure to go in and browse. <br />
<br />
Besides, the ladies that work there are really nice, so even if you don't buy anything, you'll have a great conversation.<br />
<br />
<u>The Review</u><br />
<br />
<u>Brand</u>: <br />
Dollhouse Miniatures Macaroni and Cheese<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZZq9K5DpOAlggY7Bl0s8M5G2UbahgSTUpEukIJLLr7Yjy6oMEXag66mxa0k0JEz96BKPA24DbcjlO-ouXcu90b2fq5Rft57QUV012HjxsGAhyphenhyphen6buui6nE4T_Igz1O4q6V_VdMFUpsVY/s1600/IMG_2347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZZq9K5DpOAlggY7Bl0s8M5G2UbahgSTUpEukIJLLr7Yjy6oMEXag66mxa0k0JEz96BKPA24DbcjlO-ouXcu90b2fq5Rft57QUV012HjxsGAhyphenhyphen6buui6nE4T_Igz1O4q6V_VdMFUpsVY/s320/IMG_2347.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While that's not the 'brand', this was the only sign in the booth (which was filled with miniatures for dollhouses), so huzzah for impromptu namings!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<u>Price</u>:<br />
$3.00 from the second to last booth on the left in the back of the shop.<br />
<br />
<u>Packaging Description</u>:<br />
It's a teeny tiny box of mac. I spend all my money getting more mac, I don't have the budget necessary for the rental of a telescope to properly zoom in on a creation this tiny to read the words.<br />
<br />
<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
*While there isn't really anything to prepare so to speak, you do still need to find yourself in Niles. You took the <a href="http://www.ncry.org/" target="_blank">Niles Canyon Railway</a> didn't you? It was a bunch of fun wasn't it?<br />
<br />
*Wandering down Niles Blvd. (preferably not like a drunk biker, because the bikers frequenting the 3 bars on this street in Niles may take offense), you've found My Friends And I and made your way into the shop. <br />
<br />
*Working your way to the very back of the store, on your left you've found the Dollhouse Miniatures booth full of teeny tiny things for your personal dollhouse.<br />
<br />
*Walk straight into the booth and look in that display case that is up against the wall.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHh8FKtdYy8VH5k3uLZSDh8Wux7PF4m-pz8gYul0Uwqp9dCEC_Jd5Y2m7xfsKkJ7icAAQPSX8hZ1sBNL3gKkEfhY-5dWLYNJT10dwZAyudlKCPGMVRDneVO0lMT8-EwB66H0WlLE_Mv-Q/s1600/IMG_2348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHh8FKtdYy8VH5k3uLZSDh8Wux7PF4m-pz8gYul0Uwqp9dCEC_Jd5Y2m7xfsKkJ7icAAQPSX8hZ1sBNL3gKkEfhY-5dWLYNJT10dwZAyudlKCPGMVRDneVO0lMT8-EwB66H0WlLE_Mv-Q/s320/IMG_2348.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, this isn't a picture of the booth, this is a picture of a miniature shelving unit, filled with miniature items on a shelf in that display case, found in the booth!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Keep those eyes peeled. You'll need to zoom in CSI style to find it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJ04y2PmQx9I2o0VwNI-3B-uD-m4_oirdt1Eukw6guLp-lS8do0KdARWpqq_fH6HvORNtbUIEjt91oPGSgWNx6bt7OYvP7GqHs952BxYvrl8NqgXLpWGKzmFJ8oL0qfw7AYnMRN0FvT4/s1600/IMG_2349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJ04y2PmQx9I2o0VwNI-3B-uD-m4_oirdt1Eukw6guLp-lS8do0KdARWpqq_fH6HvORNtbUIEjt91oPGSgWNx6bt7OYvP7GqHs952BxYvrl8NqgXLpWGKzmFJ8oL0qfw7AYnMRN0FvT4/s320/IMG_2349.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's like a walk down the snack food aisle! Mini Twinkies, Circus Animal Cookies, Ritz crackers and Cracker Jacks. Just as expensive as their in store counterparts, but lacking the calories.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Head back up towards the front of the store and let one of the people working behind the counter that you'd like something from the Dollhouse Miniatures booth. Head on down with them, point it out and make your way back to the front of the store once it's been retrieved. <br />
<br />
*Pay for your mac, but be careful not to lose it. It's TINY! They'll offer a little bag, you'll want to take it. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-g_JMCWcSV3qNtJ24rB0CqDfxhKgOVwBWPjoftMJSGOP4xNDXQdtsHEfpLyLkFmTWnV0XZQYfBLM3Re380-PTDyXi_HR0cGjWVp5zfZVD1DB7QMBBovbE8x8qLM9DwgnvAeRxYf2_uk/s1600/IMG_2502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-g_JMCWcSV3qNtJ24rB0CqDfxhKgOVwBWPjoftMJSGOP4xNDXQdtsHEfpLyLkFmTWnV0XZQYfBLM3Re380-PTDyXi_HR0cGjWVp5zfZVD1DB7QMBBovbE8x8qLM9DwgnvAeRxYf2_uk/s320/IMG_2502.jpg" height="320" width="279" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How tiny you ask?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKpGfJnsUcanT3XGo1eDTxmsgQnDcKiOimvz0-uxOgBrRFT6H8fqaQIj2lRxTOKFYoGdvKBowlzOWIN0vIUPqJ2NJ9bEL7nBkRKXhPMMf0Z8sBKgkf-YPYYoAPNc_yJf2XmghDisbckc/s1600/IMG_2503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKpGfJnsUcanT3XGo1eDTxmsgQnDcKiOimvz0-uxOgBrRFT6H8fqaQIj2lRxTOKFYoGdvKBowlzOWIN0vIUPqJ2NJ9bEL7nBkRKXhPMMf0Z8sBKgkf-YPYYoAPNc_yJf2XmghDisbckc/s320/IMG_2503.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh so very tiny.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEObly1pYoVuPoJwrXU4WcFBoCcnhqHYhdev8IOFNYrY9lX8c3fqm9LPfPOMNUpJ2q27lF-1bROwAKQJpufbDM81qToxPDS1QRbifSsNEdScpC4R0B2t0RQu4cv7b-Tm0Pse0IVGQFB8/s1600/IMG_2504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEObly1pYoVuPoJwrXU4WcFBoCcnhqHYhdev8IOFNYrY9lX8c3fqm9LPfPOMNUpJ2q27lF-1bROwAKQJpufbDM81qToxPDS1QRbifSsNEdScpC4R0B2t0RQu4cv7b-Tm0Pse0IVGQFB8/s320/IMG_2504.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The box is incredibly detailed, even showing the preparation directions. I didn't notice until I took these scale pictures but both sides of the box have preparation directions.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
*While I got this just because, it works great with dolls & figures.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wCOKo9u6p6LenZBPt_adV1hi832XsUOLjmhk5A_26nHcrrsvMd-H113VEv3lpcdbWzF6Aohyphenhypheni_t7krGWtpxN7-wrEVUFYtJ9WpG4tiTMs0S10u8KVAFu6CkhpCqX5IeObyGI7IjpL48/s1600/IMG_2483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wCOKo9u6p6LenZBPt_adV1hi832XsUOLjmhk5A_26nHcrrsvMd-H113VEv3lpcdbWzF6Aohyphenhypheni_t7krGWtpxN7-wrEVUFYtJ9WpG4tiTMs0S10u8KVAFu6CkhpCqX5IeObyGI7IjpL48/s320/IMG_2483.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yotsuba may only be 5, but boy does she LOVE mac n' cheese!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u>Taste</u>:<br />
N/A<br />
<br />
<u>Final Score</u>:<br />
While the employee who rung me up for the mini mac isn't the booth owner, she did know that the booth owner doesn't make them herself, but these are made in the US somewhere. I've gotten similarly small yet bad ass things off Etsy in the past (Harry Potter miniature stuff), so if for some reason you want to try your luck, you may find something <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/113765225/mac-n-cheese?ref=listing-shop-header-0" target="_blank">similar</a> (though there wasn't anything quite the same up as of this posting). She mentioned a doll convention coming up in the Bay Area in October, so that may also be a good place to go hunting for mini mac n' cheeses.<br />
<br />
The print and build quality on this is great. It's on some kind of thicker paper, giving it some sturdiness and the tiny print, while not legible on something so small, it in fact a 1:1 lift of a recent Kraft Macaroni & Cheese box. From the preparation directions down to the ad on the back of the box, this thing has it all.<br />
<br />
While $3 is what it would cost to buy 2-3 boxes of the real stuff, I can't fault the booth owner for charging 3 bucks. This thing is so tiny and was made by conjuring some form of magic. Filling your dollhouse pantry would end up costing as much as a trip to Whole Food in the end, so all in all it's a pretty realistic experience shopping for miniature doll food. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6fc7kGwe2Axwo0HDRj9RjtHKHT1OiRqprmwaNSIrqKTUNtJtvAboFju2MoZBzgPXYt7vB3q9pzioGiJ8Ql6KB3_eNvNQUT-eBtKmV2cAHWadRuBnI0L2dVfMT_1cZlbji0nsUHk-ocI/s1600/noodle_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6fc7kGwe2Axwo0HDRj9RjtHKHT1OiRqprmwaNSIrqKTUNtJtvAboFju2MoZBzgPXYt7vB3q9pzioGiJ8Ql6KB3_eNvNQUT-eBtKmV2cAHWadRuBnI0L2dVfMT_1cZlbji0nsUHk-ocI/s200/noodle_4.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
No food here! Just a cute box that will not fill you up.MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-24168786409145119392013-09-06T17:19:00.000-07:002013-09-06T17:19:24.103-07:00Mother Approved, But Kid Tested?I've reviewed a number meals marketed for/to kids. So far, meals made <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2012/11/mom-said-always-to-eat-your-veggies.html" target="_blank">by mom</a>, <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2012/07/tv-told-me-to-buy-it.html" target="_blank">promoted by Elmo</a> and ones that have <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2012/06/im-big-kid-now.html" target="_blank">include brownies</a> haven't really been something that any kid should be eating (based on taste alone and not even factoring in 'nutritional value'). In yet another regular walk through the frozen section of the local grocery store I saw that a new line of meals had appeared, aimed at kids. There were only three options, all of which were pasta dishes but one was a mac. Another instant purchase as I tossed it into the basket handles my arms were wrapped around.<br />
<br />
I didn't look at the packaging beyond the picture on the front, as I really didn't want to know about hidden veggies or anything else that may make me skew my opinion before I put this up against any other kids macs I've already reviewed. So I just tossed it in the freezer and did my best to ignore it until it was time to heat it up.<br />
<br />
They had a customer, I just needed to find a good time to eat and review the darn thing, which thanks to it being freezer ready was just a week or two later.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>The Review</u><br />
<br />
<u>Brand</u>:<br />
Kidfresh Wagon Wheels Mac + Cheese<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DKF8z5I11Eyn3aE7q93xVTSu92W30NcnFlAsydRqvw5x2IRvfi2d1S-Zj30P1K5hmTXHD0D_LJnsCeY6iUSLsrYa553iwmMDbDU2x7DqzrCng2oVB9MV3ro7zdaVwM6t8225lGq7Hj0/s1600/IMG_1046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DKF8z5I11Eyn3aE7q93xVTSu92W30NcnFlAsydRqvw5x2IRvfi2d1S-Zj30P1K5hmTXHD0D_LJnsCeY6iUSLsrYa553iwmMDbDU2x7DqzrCng2oVB9MV3ro7zdaVwM6t8225lGq7Hj0/s1600/IMG_1046.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packed with goodness AND hidden stuff. Oh boy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<u>Price</u>:<br />
$3.90 at Safeway <br />
<br />
<u>Packaging Description</u>:<br />
(On Front)<br />
pasta with creamy cheddar and mozzarella cheese <br />
All Natural* | Good Source of Protein | No Artificial Flavors, Colors or Preservatives<br />
Packed with Goodness! With HIDDEN veggies! <br />
*No Artificial Ingredients<br />
<br />
(On Back)<br />
Goodness for kids is what we are all about<br />
Kids' meals these days... a lot of them are downright scary. That's because they are often loaded with all sorts of artificial ingredients that we can't even pronounce!<br />
As a father myself, I decided that we needed more options for all natural kids meals-the kind that are yummy and nutritious for children while affordable and convenient for parents. We did just that, in a real kitchen, with the help of a top chef and a pediatric nutritionist. The result is Kidfresh: a twist on children's favorites made with real vegetables, grains and proteins. Like our Mac and Cheese, prepared with a traditional recipe and hidden carrots in the cheese sauce. They will love it!<br />
<br />
Packed with Goodness<br />
Simply nutritious...<br />
*Hidden Veggies<br />
*Good Source of Protein<br />
*Good Source of Vitamin A and Calcium<br />
*0g Trans Fat<br />
*No Artificial Flavors, Colors or Preservatives<br />
<br />
Made with real ingredients...<br />
*Wagon Wheel Pasta<br />
*Cheese<br />
*Milk<br />
*Carrots<br />
<br />
Fresh-Frozen Goodness<br />
Freshness is one of the best ways to preserve nutrients and flavors while extending the shelf life of food. That's why Kidfresh meals are frozen immediately after being cooked so that they keep all the good stuff for a long time.<br />
<br />
<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
<br />
*Remove the bowl from the box and peel back a corner of the plastic film.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBcsLdk4WZkkvumATSXZveFdZb7zj8OzGcaHYlrDT8YSgQqsX2XjP55aObM7qKSjsHGI83BP7BxzKw_H9PEecvXEMYMySaIN23GH_68vsIv-hPJZtx9i6pJoTlvRKZBVT4bbTVp74JeY/s1600/IMG_1048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBcsLdk4WZkkvumATSXZveFdZb7zj8OzGcaHYlrDT8YSgQqsX2XjP55aObM7qKSjsHGI83BP7BxzKw_H9PEecvXEMYMySaIN23GH_68vsIv-hPJZtx9i6pJoTlvRKZBVT4bbTVp74JeY/s1600/IMG_1048.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pasta. Cheese sauce and shredded cheese? Looks like a promising start to a mac.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Place in the microwave and cook for two to three minutes. As I always do, I split the difference and cooked it for 2:30.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vrILG4EIkUhhRXjndG67KMoSmHzaJOxVuvzs_sS8-RpThKJS-3blRmysXinK9VtNxnOvR2wrmMLKztP-1J7TCh3qJI47gpmqOl-mM5MaIrhYr-lVfQN27jGj0sfKrxA0pOxSf_LN8OE/s1600/IMG_1049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vrILG4EIkUhhRXjndG67KMoSmHzaJOxVuvzs_sS8-RpThKJS-3blRmysXinK9VtNxnOvR2wrmMLKztP-1J7TCh3qJI47gpmqOl-mM5MaIrhYr-lVfQN27jGj0sfKrxA0pOxSf_LN8OE/s1600/IMG_1049.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While it looks like some of the cheese sauce has gone and escaped the plastic film, I can safely say it's contained under it's protective shield. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
*Remove the plastic film.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkK1jpQhYgONgKcQU5YOKN2WmSVNMvXNdv3DRYf-SJf0QlpYPCNchPTtn-h8nOZaYZ1i0aPPBjz5zPWj9oFNpw4fdnU6CDebWmZ4Qx0ZiQd8DSYnyoqBdwAj0x69NVWF1deda2ks009A/s1600/IMG_1050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkK1jpQhYgONgKcQU5YOKN2WmSVNMvXNdv3DRYf-SJf0QlpYPCNchPTtn-h8nOZaYZ1i0aPPBjz5zPWj9oFNpw4fdnU6CDebWmZ4Qx0ZiQd8DSYnyoqBdwAj0x69NVWF1deda2ks009A/s1600/IMG_1050.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noodles and melty cheese. The mac of my youth!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Stir it up and let it cool for one to two minutes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuj_k4j4yVGwSZjGWXVnYad-Ox1MWUrnaM7rmGT5xrIBS-onUWszqZ9oY1Dn9_DTXwC5gkQhYp8A9hDrZF_L8LEmSmFTBrdgr7GLpWyQ6vyL737HthvB4I2R1qnWlWazXgw7v4d7CODuw/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuj_k4j4yVGwSZjGWXVnYad-Ox1MWUrnaM7rmGT5xrIBS-onUWszqZ9oY1Dn9_DTXwC5gkQhYp8A9hDrZF_L8LEmSmFTBrdgr7GLpWyQ6vyL737HthvB4I2R1qnWlWazXgw7v4d7CODuw/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">/me sings 'All stirred up' * to the tune of Elvis's 'All Shook Up'*</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
*Commence with the nomming!<br />
<br />
<u>Taste</u>:<br />
Out of the microwave I had a mild cheesy/Cheddar aroma coming from the bowl. The noodles were firm and cooked just past al dente. The sauce was cheesy and had a very cheddar like flavor without any hint of any vegetables. The texture of the sauce, while stringy giving it a very melted cheese look and feel was lacking in quantity, leaving many noodles barely covered or outright missing out on the cheese sauce.<br />
<br />
<br />
Final Score:<br />
I was strangely conflicted with this bowl. While I didn't notice any hidden veggie taste, I couldn't help but notice the lack of cheese to go with the mac. One doesn't expect (though some prefer) to have their pasta swimming in cheese sauce, but I think I can safely say that having noodles completely lacking in sauce is a bad thing for any mac n' cheese. I will commend Kidfresh on sneaking carrots into the cheese sauce and not having a single clue they were in there. Without question, this has been by far the best tasting kids mac I've tried so far, I just wish there was a bit more sauce to fill out the bowl.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla_C7TvuR1J-xBGKVV1-0opOynbJtDCmC9bHmYGcw7a7OO9n1pCWKEu64DIH7Hrp1nG8Yg5fRv4eakaB_aA_NUM062EzHWdLKHhnKhU4tGouopi_tMs0KJwanUK9tcTLVUVgtcoeKx18/s1600/noodle_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla_C7TvuR1J-xBGKVV1-0opOynbJtDCmC9bHmYGcw7a7OO9n1pCWKEu64DIH7Hrp1nG8Yg5fRv4eakaB_aA_NUM062EzHWdLKHhnKhU4tGouopi_tMs0KJwanUK9tcTLVUVgtcoeKx18/s1600/noodle_3.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
Serving Size 1 <span dir="auto">Entrée</span> (180g)<br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Servings Per Container 1 </div>
<br />
Calories 270<br />
Calories From Fat 80<br />
Total Fat 9g (14% Daily Value)<br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Saturated Fat 5g (25% DV)</div>
Trans Fat 0g<br />
Cholesterol 25mg (8% DV)<br />
Sodium 340mg (14% DV)<br />
Total Carbohydrates 35g (12% DV)<br />
Dietary Fiber 4g (16% DV)<br />
Sugars 0g<br />
Protein 12g MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-53095708257585368632013-08-12T21:47:00.001-07:002013-08-12T21:47:48.539-07:00Glamorous Glamorous GlutenGluten. There, I said it. It's out. I like gluten and if you're reading this blog, you really like gluten too. By now I expect that most of you have figured out that I really enjoy cheese and stuff made from many kinds of (wheat or wheat related) flour. Be it noodles, bread whatever. I could easily live on the starch & dairy combo (not healthily, but we're just talking hypothetically here) and be good for months before I get bored. While this may work for me, more and more people are now having issues digesting the protein gluten that specialty versions of our favorite dishes are starting to spring up. Often times gluten free pasta means that it's made with rice flour instead of a flour based on wheat. But as I've experienced already <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2012/07/amy-what-happened-to-your-kitchen.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2012/06/it-aint-easy-being-cheezy.html" target="_blank">here</a>, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's a tastier (all be it less painful gastronomically for those who don't handle gluten) option.<br />
<br />
While people have had gluten allergies for as long as humans have been eating wheat, I don't think I've heard much about it until just a few years ago, when these specialty prepared foods, free of gluten have begun to spring up. For those who've got problems handling gluten, it comes about in a few manners, most notably coeliac disease or wheat allergy. If you look at the symptoms of someone who's gluten sensitive/intolerant you'll see that their afflictions of bloating, abdominal discomfort/pain, diarrhea, joint pain or muscle and muscle disturbances (no clue on what this last one actually is) are pretty open ended symptoms that one wouldn't necessarily chalk up to a gluten issue. I won't get into any real details on it, but if you're curious Wikipedia has whole sections on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluten_sensitivity" target="_blank">gluten sensitivity</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coeliac_disease" target="_blank">Coealic disease</a> and all kinds of other stuff related to wheat and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluten" target="_blank">gluten</a>.<br />
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While shopping at my local <a href="http://sprouts.com/stores" target="_blank">Sprouts</a> I have stumbled onto very few mac meal options besides their <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2012/09/cheese-sprouts.html" target="_blank">chill case fresh one</a> and like any mac I find in stores, it somehow finds its way into the cart and then home to my freezer whether or not I've got space for it. I've told myself that with specialty ones like this, that I'm just preparing for the unlikely day in the future where I would need to eat gluten-free dishes (thanks to all the gluten in these pasta noodles) and need to know my scant mac options as well as helping any friends who are intolerant to gluten, so it's best that I review them as quickly as possible. <br />
<br />
<u>The Review</u><br />
<br />
<u>Brand</u>:<br />
Glutino Gluten Free Mac & Cheese<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAA54ZvyGQcw_Jfa_k8uA58dk-zZIR7A0dYWPHKeFhg7NZgvcVewn1hnTYcMirxWIcqZfZGgQO7V5rQWbraQkcVV-FJyd4exPSEHRvIBcW-UUymLdEhfRsrIx5C1KTDMKHAaxdiVn730/s1600/IMG_1094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAA54ZvyGQcw_Jfa_k8uA58dk-zZIR7A0dYWPHKeFhg7NZgvcVewn1hnTYcMirxWIcqZfZGgQO7V5rQWbraQkcVV-FJyd4exPSEHRvIBcW-UUymLdEhfRsrIx5C1KTDMKHAaxdiVn730/s320/IMG_1094.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packaging circa 2012-2013, orange and noodles, we know what this is selling.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6k1WeHu1ynJ_8POf_CMjOclnXHZpZeqKoax3_gq03U3O1EbiqTiacHwGvW6aM9nl1zEeA4f-ptmyQH1nEk_sZds1gNGHs7oQaViG_i0KGR8pnuYQwofbJsk1aJYA58tIFSp-AOLMnfMU/s1600/IMG_1745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6k1WeHu1ynJ_8POf_CMjOclnXHZpZeqKoax3_gq03U3O1EbiqTiacHwGvW6aM9nl1zEeA4f-ptmyQH1nEk_sZds1gNGHs7oQaViG_i0KGR8pnuYQwofbJsk1aJYA58tIFSp-AOLMnfMU/s320/IMG_1745.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packaging as of spring 2013, now it looks like a Lean Cuisine box.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><u>Price</u>:<br />
$4.49 at Sprouts Farmers Market<br />
<br />
<u>Packaging Description</u>:<br />
(On Front)<br />
Tender brown rice pasta in a creamy cheese sauce made with Monterey Jack, Cheddar and Parmesan.<br />
New & improved recipe.<br />
<br />
(On Back)<br />
N/A<br />
<br />
<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
*Remove the tray from the box.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMopIaYtogfsP87LEwGkFjf4CnZBzmWXg7GNV0aPlgW6q030mbDk7yDMeEhAvXeD4MhdGmX8GOGat5N4xz3W5Wdwx1SmkaO6FKbb_F2ZHtAeppViiwrXFadqxejgsEgMJSBWwMIcWY50/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMopIaYtogfsP87LEwGkFjf4CnZBzmWXg7GNV0aPlgW6q030mbDk7yDMeEhAvXeD4MhdGmX8GOGat5N4xz3W5Wdwx1SmkaO6FKbb_F2ZHtAeppViiwrXFadqxejgsEgMJSBWwMIcWY50/s320/IMG_1096.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not nearly as bright as the box makes it out... oh, wait. I need to cook it first.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Take a close knife or fork and stab a few vent holes into the plastic film on the top of the tray.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKcjnF_a_ZWVcBdBhtrvxPbGH9JeWJgtyInijbW7hWZrGcMM9iwl046Dsq8gKjWTP8VgdXMbM1N93XsYP8kSlCqEnOzy3WeUGj8QhE_xrxCu1UJ6UFl0dtn5L6GbU2EcvVeWFMBkAxC0/s1600/IMG_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKcjnF_a_ZWVcBdBhtrvxPbGH9JeWJgtyInijbW7hWZrGcMM9iwl046Dsq8gKjWTP8VgdXMbM1N93XsYP8kSlCqEnOzy3WeUGj8QhE_xrxCu1UJ6UFl0dtn5L6GbU2EcvVeWFMBkAxC0/s320/IMG_1098.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stabby stabby!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
*Place the tray into the microwave and cook for 4 minutes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksE9xFuvaG7iVtV3jjb_uKIUp4L1-sOuHlCrTss4e4jLgq6VpoMpT7Et7zRaqqDOMyOrV3McXQm2CyMsQ_v0zN4JEMVWIOPkVUJ20zZMEacpYozLX469niDrDQvoeEXx2cYIfQUd5jnY/s1600/IMG_1099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksE9xFuvaG7iVtV3jjb_uKIUp4L1-sOuHlCrTss4e4jLgq6VpoMpT7Et7zRaqqDOMyOrV3McXQm2CyMsQ_v0zN4JEMVWIOPkVUJ20zZMEacpYozLX469niDrDQvoeEXx2cYIfQUd5jnY/s320/IMG_1099.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like you're starting to break a sweat there mac. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*The tray is in a bag (not sealed only on the top of the tray), so cut open one end and carefully remove the tray most of the way from the plastic bag. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ypNZkwC6MUwJ-O2ylUnEf_dm8ZmLe3C1gZV9-bNEVEeQpfHuD_aanlkuNWb8vBvO4op142WCbbF33N1YQxopmCYta4EV0rsEFGkq22R6iJvcsvy6_hyphenhyphenUcwSHNjG3OrpcX29bHpMISzI/s1600/IMG_1100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ypNZkwC6MUwJ-O2ylUnEf_dm8ZmLe3C1gZV9-bNEVEeQpfHuD_aanlkuNWb8vBvO4op142WCbbF33N1YQxopmCYta4EV0rsEFGkq22R6iJvcsvy6_hyphenhyphenUcwSHNjG3OrpcX29bHpMISzI/s320/IMG_1100.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full frontal exposure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Stir the mac up, making sure to break apart any frozen clumps.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEEMtkLc2xfkWqqZj80I_ru0GK_6kMb8078DraRuy1Gn3AXzH8pAnaZEAa7LNoYacyJxAO9mQwuxxAvDpvp5jeiyKf6W0MJizPeAX3kDJ7xeHAnuF7hp8RdPG2Kw2e6kXFPyMoO9qi9s/s1600/IMG_1101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEEMtkLc2xfkWqqZj80I_ru0GK_6kMb8078DraRuy1Gn3AXzH8pAnaZEAa7LNoYacyJxAO9mQwuxxAvDpvp5jeiyKf6W0MJizPeAX3kDJ7xeHAnuF7hp8RdPG2Kw2e6kXFPyMoO9qi9s/s320/IMG_1101.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surprisingly four minutes wasn't enough, back into the atom agitator!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Slide it back into the bag and cook it for an additional 2:15.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGw-Fuuxr48Y1Q_ZJGnXVS1EWU6P3RnW8gg3WZM8N3Yq9ijSSqy1oQSoi10-238cxvRhHLMvTEi_w2C6dQ0Zdl3X6Lc75X0WTT-5vNOPF9AhBHKskMV2VHUlvh6qxydz4ljq9HTP7VR_k/s1600/IMG_1102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGw-Fuuxr48Y1Q_ZJGnXVS1EWU6P3RnW8gg3WZM8N3Yq9ijSSqy1oQSoi10-238cxvRhHLMvTEi_w2C6dQ0Zdl3X6Lc75X0WTT-5vNOPF9AhBHKskMV2VHUlvh6qxydz4ljq9HTP7VR_k/s320/IMG_1102.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not quite sure why, but it's become more orange, but I'll accept magic as a reason.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Give it another stir before letting it stand for a minute longer than standard (as compared to all these other mac's I've had) two minutes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzRYQMZnTqwR_UiOjZdH92UxWNe1gDKm8VpYGjegcvwYthaBMApVz-5ofTI8PbAVYUsmN2lusCG1Fa4KQl7pO3y6UtiD0PVA8G1MdR499g6wqxvmuK47-NoVCC_oiXy6kimE_UW-y4iw/s1600/IMG_1104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzRYQMZnTqwR_UiOjZdH92UxWNe1gDKm8VpYGjegcvwYthaBMApVz-5ofTI8PbAVYUsmN2lusCG1Fa4KQl7pO3y6UtiD0PVA8G1MdR499g6wqxvmuK47-NoVCC_oiXy6kimE_UW-y4iw/s320/IMG_1104.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stirred and cooled.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
*Commence with the nomming!<br />
<br />
<u>Taste</u>:<br />
After removing the fully heated tray from the microwave, I was greeted with a smell that was much more of a cheeseburger hamburger helper smell and not the cheese sauce/noodly smell one would expect to have. The noodles VERY chewy and gummy. They lost all their form as they were being mixed up during the lulls between cooking. There was not much of a cheesy taste to the sauce, however occasionally I got hints of Parmesan.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Final Score</u>:<br />
Non-traditional noodles have been quite a hard sell for me thus far. The texture is off and eating super gummy noodles just hasn't been the best base for any of the macs that I've had, this meal included. While this sauce was been the least offensive sauce of they gluten free options, it's lack of taste really didn't help make you forget the squishyness of the "noodles". As I've already said, if this is all I could eat without my body revolting in rash and pain, then I'll put up. But I can stomach actual noodles and these are pale imitations that hurt the whole dish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYX0MnrAYmPTUL9Q3nUHdURb6HITVSy8gWGs7W7Kvyu3nj-rZCvxXKuZXBsDXYXgXyOzgw_lPLmED55xUPYpFEmlfok1ljE1q-bIjCswqIVvLMqf__GC1s0znB2xtdQYRMH5mbxjwLEy8/s1600/noodle_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYX0MnrAYmPTUL9Q3nUHdURb6HITVSy8gWGs7W7Kvyu3nj-rZCvxXKuZXBsDXYXgXyOzgw_lPLmED55xUPYpFEmlfok1ljE1q-bIjCswqIVvLMqf__GC1s0znB2xtdQYRMH5mbxjwLEy8/s1600/noodle_2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
Serving Size 1 tray (300g)<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Servings Per Container 1 </div>
<br />
Calories 440<br />
Calories From Fat 130<br />
Total Fat 15g (23% Daily Value)<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Saturated Fat 5g (25% DV)</div>
Trans Fat 0g<br />
Cholesterol 25mg (8% DV)<br />
Sodium 600mg (25% DV)<br />
Total Carbohydrates 64g (21% DV)<br />
Dietary Fiber 3g (12% DV)<br />
Sugars 4g<br />
Protein 14g
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<br />MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-46760132410697863932013-07-02T19:52:00.000-07:002013-07-02T19:52:10.324-07:00Mac n' Ice Cream<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
During the offseason the Giants were doing another World Series trophy tour allowing fans to get pictures with both trophies (and selling the photo op pictures making buckets of monies from the fans in the process) and like 2011, I had to get a picture. Remembering the crazy line that had formed at the <a href="http://www.lesherartscenter.org/" target="_blank">Lesher Center</a> for the 2010 trophy I once again took the day off to make sure that I had time to get in line early enough and not lose my opportunity to pose <strike>slightly</strike> incredibly awkwardly with the trophy again.</div>
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After I had gotten my picture I decided to try out a sandwich shop that had been recommended to me and headed towards it. Passing restaurant after restaurant I couldn't help but check to see if any had mac and cheese and would thus be added to my list of places to visit. Without even trying I found three new places to stop and I ditched the sandwich shop for a restaurant I'd passed up far to many times that I didn't even know served meals won out. I was further won over by the fact that even if the mac ended up poorly, I had fresh 'home made' ice cream to drown those sorrows away for dessert.<br />
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I've managed to walk past <a href="http://www.sanfranciscocreameryco.com/" target="_blank">The Olde San Francisco Creamery Co.</a> quite a number of times and have even told myself to make it down there when it's a hot day. I'd never successfully completed that mission. Heck, other than it being a very brightly painted building and knowing that there was a 'to-go' window for that drive by ice cream craving I didn't know a thing about it. Did you know they've been featured on the Food Network's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5PRldhEpwk" target="_blank">Man Vs. Food</a> show because they've got a crazy huge gut busting ice cream bowl? Me either! If this was an ice cream blog I'd be reviewing up the chocolate peanut butter ice cream I had, but think I've got a good thing going with these mac reviews so I best stick to what I know. <br />
<br />
<u>The Review</u><br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Brand</u>:<br />
The Olde San Francisco Creamery Co. Mac & Cheese<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Lllg3KThY_B5wAkR2dp054MesffWGbz1gjVxfJtBGoBtxAzm8k1BnRqTjDSit1LyqmlSr-eczurj935qRdo602csibXAPkW7NfjcPAkbe-928xA3is18gX0HozUfCOyg9DuLiSJjYuI/s1600/IMG_1436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Lllg3KThY_B5wAkR2dp054MesffWGbz1gjVxfJtBGoBtxAzm8k1BnRqTjDSit1LyqmlSr-eczurj935qRdo602csibXAPkW7NfjcPAkbe-928xA3is18gX0HozUfCOyg9DuLiSJjYuI/s320/IMG_1436.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One doesn't normally expect to find mac n' cheese at an ice cream shop, but i'm not going to criticize (wait that's exactly what I'm doing), unless they make it a flavor of ice cream.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<u>Price</u>:<br />
3.99 for a cup, 4.99 for a bowl. I was charged $1.50 for a side substitution.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwT1XXzEGBSj-AV9pnpEV_6R1fUqJ5Gj4TQCLLwT4swgc-r6b1bRLXOMwTos0JprglrxIWAL1HZtv3SlwxAqaciKkAjMCuV4WP66MiHbdGAyhX0FThEXL6eLKMt-MuifsuqtDrtAPVbYo/s1600/IMG_1430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwT1XXzEGBSj-AV9pnpEV_6R1fUqJ5Gj4TQCLLwT4swgc-r6b1bRLXOMwTos0JprglrxIWAL1HZtv3SlwxAqaciKkAjMCuV4WP66MiHbdGAyhX0FThEXL6eLKMt-MuifsuqtDrtAPVbYo/s320/IMG_1430.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went with the ninja side substitution for my meal choice. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><strike>Packaging</strike> Menu Description</u>:<br />
A house made sharp cheddar cheese sauce with chopped bacon pieces and cheese pieces with rotini pasta. Finished in the oven with a crispy bread crumb layer on the top.<br />
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<br />
<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
*How you've ended up in Walnut Creek is a mystery to many, but standing in front of an old fashioned ice cream parlor that serves food has somehow snapped you out of your haze. Enter and wait to be seated.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqU7JfMuMWZHOMPvkBk_5j1M5UipwbN3ZZqqi70IkeIaHfms3-97b8ss5SERkz14IEL7YBO3pBYy8weEs41SgmHohJq5BvDiCH2GcY8PohYSCfuDGwAJZCX7WuLEJl02V7UhPbB4Um5qQ/s1600/IMG_1434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqU7JfMuMWZHOMPvkBk_5j1M5UipwbN3ZZqqi70IkeIaHfms3-97b8ss5SERkz14IEL7YBO3pBYy8weEs41SgmHohJq5BvDiCH2GcY8PohYSCfuDGwAJZCX7WuLEJl02V7UhPbB4Um5qQ/s320/IMG_1434.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post a lunch rush, I about had the place to myself.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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*After you've been seated, flip through the menu. While the mac is hiding on the appetizers page, there are all kinds of sandwiches, burgers and other diner type fare. Let the waiter know what you'd like and don't forget to order a meal, but save some room for the ice cream!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtyNQENIp8aBSvcoX0wSUCGeZRAxt0TWarAr3lXo10ZF74P9_-aOEP5Euwyb7scvjR-DCY8IznaV_Zj5g0JsxmwvdYXDVHXCTC8wWCb_TTlgXYNPO78O1icc8O1kLzC8VR9Irn_z_QNk/s1600/IMG_1433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtyNQENIp8aBSvcoX0wSUCGeZRAxt0TWarAr3lXo10ZF74P9_-aOEP5Euwyb7scvjR-DCY8IznaV_Zj5g0JsxmwvdYXDVHXCTC8wWCb_TTlgXYNPO78O1icc8O1kLzC8VR9Irn_z_QNk/s320/IMG_1433.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was seated towards the back of the restaurant and had a prime view of the chef whipping up my lunch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
*I didn't have to wait long for my roast beef (with au jous) w/ a side of mac to get served.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2xEYs23UVNl7lloz2Tqe5a9oh2VmXagTCCOp89GpPZFjS8vjh4Hc-dKjBjGTifR8yFxTbC9cdYMJ_05NDs5QFLJoqof1GIKKuX1Tk-gNVL1EGtvdkSuRTzxZKg4DXST1HpVZOODIjD0/s1600/IMG_1431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2xEYs23UVNl7lloz2Tqe5a9oh2VmXagTCCOp89GpPZFjS8vjh4Hc-dKjBjGTifR8yFxTbC9cdYMJ_05NDs5QFLJoqof1GIKKuX1Tk-gNVL1EGtvdkSuRTzxZKg4DXST1HpVZOODIjD0/s320/IMG_1431.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So. Much. Bacon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
*Make sure that you let the cup/bowl of mac cool a bit before you dig in. It could be quite hot.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pcNeOhATNOswDM8BSNOBqB60cFt2_J75xKeW_nnnKzqVb70-uE-2Q07p9y6ri0v-trFHUEZf5201n3pQufngewj74wcM42o0y0qNiVMD952395yaG1_1XRYk2a9xTKrilpX_8ynSyU8/s1600/IMG_1432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pcNeOhATNOswDM8BSNOBqB60cFt2_J75xKeW_nnnKzqVb70-uE-2Q07p9y6ri0v-trFHUEZf5201n3pQufngewj74wcM42o0y0qNiVMD952395yaG1_1XRYk2a9xTKrilpX_8ynSyU8/s320/IMG_1432.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extreme close up... WOAAAAHHHHH</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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*Commence with the nomming!<br />
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<u>Taste</u>:<br />
With my plate placed in front of me, I was greeted with smells of hot roast beef (and au jous) and bacon. The bacon itself was crispy and tasty. The breadcrumbs on top of the bacon were also toasty and crispy, but didn't have any real flavor to them. Digging below the bacon blanket, I was blinded by some very unnaturally orange sauce. Though bright, the sauce was smooth and creamy had a somewhat processed cheddar-like taste, the sauce made me think of the mild cheddar cheese sauce you'd get with a soft pretzel or nachos. The pasta was cooked and firm. <br />
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<u>Final Score</u>:<br />
This mac was a very middle of the road selection. While not great, it wasn't horrible either. The cheese sauce while not bad, just didn't seem to sit quite right to me as a mac 'cheese' sauce. The crispy bacon (the only way to have bacon) and breadcrumbs were nice additions that added to the <strike>dish</strike> cup. I can at times have a hard time ordering something other than the main staple at a restaurant that primarily serves/is known for something specific. Getting the cheeseburger at an Italian restaurant, while not necessarily bad, you could be missing out on what they do well. An ice cream shop that serves a made in house mac is a surprise, but really, you know you're there for the ice cream (which was excellent by the way, peanut butter and chocolate with whole peanuts? Tasty!). Go ahead and enjoy one of their meals, but don't forget why you really went there, the ice cream.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla_C7TvuR1J-xBGKVV1-0opOynbJtDCmC9bHmYGcw7a7OO9n1pCWKEu64DIH7Hrp1nG8Yg5fRv4eakaB_aA_NUM062EzHWdLKHhnKhU4tGouopi_tMs0KJwanUK9tcTLVUVgtcoeKx18/s320/noodle_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla_C7TvuR1J-xBGKVV1-0opOynbJtDCmC9bHmYGcw7a7OO9n1pCWKEu64DIH7Hrp1nG8Yg5fRv4eakaB_aA_NUM062EzHWdLKHhnKhU4tGouopi_tMs0KJwanUK9tcTLVUVgtcoeKx18/s200/noodle_3.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
The restaurant did not have any kind of nutritional information on their menu or their website. This was cheesy, loaded with bacon and had a cheesy sauce, colored by the bleeding crayons of twenty toddlers. MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-60474418469024753982013-05-26T15:41:00.002-07:002013-09-29T23:53:01.145-07:00Hot N' ReadyMy never ending adventures for mac n' cheese has taken me all over, had me scouring store and restaurant alike for any sign of a new bowl of golden goodness. My biggest concern (if I could really call it that) is how long will I be able to find any kind of mac that I may run across. Brands die off, stores stop carrying something that doesn't sell or I may see something that is only a regional or chain specific item. <br />
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This uncertainty has me buying like a mad man, building up a stock of mac that has spread it's way across the home and work, in pantries and freezers all because of a meal that I had let pass back before I started the blog. A meal that I would expect to see because everything else in that was in that grocery store hot case has been prepared fresh daily since... except that.<br />
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Swinging by a semi-local Safeway grocery store to get deli sandwiches before some adventures on a Saturday, amazingly, to my left was that <strike>white</strike> golden whale. While I didn't grab it at 9 AM when I was getting sandwiches, I had a good feeling that it would still be there in the afternoon... and I swung back by hoping to scratch another mac off my list.<br />
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<u>The Review</u><br />
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<u>Brand</u>:<br />
Safeway Signature (hot case) Macaroni and Cheese<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTJUl5zkErNtuObzKRflL3tEYT3KAlFKjQmPqJuSQQ0E7Tp3QDl8hNHuW1kbaQHk0SYW1O-7oAZUmBQHpuSAbmejonVb1MRfDgMoDOpKibS3rpguQLYjig-JMPZ9uZqf8G6rBW7Pf510/s1600/IMG_1408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTJUl5zkErNtuObzKRflL3tEYT3KAlFKjQmPqJuSQQ0E7Tp3QDl8hNHuW1kbaQHk0SYW1O-7oAZUmBQHpuSAbmejonVb1MRfDgMoDOpKibS3rpguQLYjig-JMPZ9uZqf8G6rBW7Pf510/s1600/IMG_1408.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While here in California it's Safeway, in other parts of the country you'll find yourself at Dominicks, Vons, Tom Thumbs among other regional chains.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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<u>Price</u>:<br />
$1.52 at Safeway (per lb price is $2.99) <br />
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<u>Packaging Description</u>:<br />
N/A<br />
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<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
*Like myself, you have once again found yourself at the grocery store, looking for mac, maybe buying some bacon or grabbing a sandwich at the deli department before you go on an adventure.<br />
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*Feeling lucky you check the hot counter portion of the deli and behold, mac! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aV0Kvwi3FNvihE_wVSanjxK7_B2oPNmFZRNSrRFydUAzM5ulA4Szn_GANoy9QRXmcdXHYg2d0kH2-Au3ZbWwVrNPGSgWH_tA5aOLu-zTX8-7hZnDtKqVu3moJ_GMXEmZPg-Ra0mQayg/s1600/IMG_1402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aV0Kvwi3FNvihE_wVSanjxK7_B2oPNmFZRNSrRFydUAzM5ulA4Szn_GANoy9QRXmcdXHYg2d0kH2-Au3ZbWwVrNPGSgWH_tA5aOLu-zTX8-7hZnDtKqVu3moJ_GMXEmZPg-Ra0mQayg/s1600/IMG_1402.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is actually a pretty rare sight. Since this blog has started I've seen it in local Safeway a total of 2 times and I often pass by the deli department just in case. Your store may have it regularly, none in my area seem to.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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*Wait your turn in line to be served. Once it's your turn, pick a container size and let the deli department employee know how much you'd like. Remember it's by weight and mac n' cheese isn't a light product. Order carefully.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeq101bfBItDzzUngowhxkvLqkEFGEiF3yVq561tCilLVGT_OIBw8gwSGP05qfCDoB3ejgK8LbFL_ACdVkFeZK0ShZy7g-fiGTUywRrKXxVn2UNW9uYRf0tRvMrAZSaKXgZ_VIFAkWMes/s1600/IMG_1404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeq101bfBItDzzUngowhxkvLqkEFGEiF3yVq561tCilLVGT_OIBw8gwSGP05qfCDoB3ejgK8LbFL_ACdVkFeZK0ShZy7g-fiGTUywRrKXxVn2UNW9uYRf0tRvMrAZSaKXgZ_VIFAkWMes/s1600/IMG_1404.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well the spoon has been moved and the bottom of the tray is visible. That can only mean that I've got some mac in a cup!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Take your container of mac (and any other items that need purchasing) to a cash register, pay for them and head out on your way. <br />
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*Depending on your Safeway, you can take it to a table in the store (if they've got a Starbucks), or to an outside table. Or if you really feel unable to wait to make it home, you can always dig into it in your car. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xSoYdYXq5vw60fD-bZmbvZYspwicCBL9J0DZh3OKAloGHzUWWVj2U3XLruK7d65cfyqkHlQ2oZTDTAqr0bVJaLKBmWk_uBiq6gp_59YeizFILPVm97APkmwgpjwvkQHDAZn2cj6qUSg/s1600/IMG_1409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xSoYdYXq5vw60fD-bZmbvZYspwicCBL9J0DZh3OKAloGHzUWWVj2U3XLruK7d65cfyqkHlQ2oZTDTAqr0bVJaLKBmWk_uBiq6gp_59YeizFILPVm97APkmwgpjwvkQHDAZn2cj6qUSg/s1600/IMG_1409.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And I am digging into this in my car...in my defense I was heading somewhere else and I didn't know if or when I was going to see this in another hot case so this impulse buy won out .</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
* Remove the lid, get a utensil of your choice (You can never go wrong with a spork). I took a spoon from their self serve soup section.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzPs6ilA90zpNGA1y60w16mkRj95GVqxqtfOJATgPiPLV4McQGOOAngsbOPOgucNmS1V1Dj0E0MleuFgvWeF8wRfIj2ipNii-4d_5Gs04_BwDHd_9lkFy5VWUDQ3pKgGrFaKN-aN6ff4/s1600/IMG_1410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzPs6ilA90zpNGA1y60w16mkRj95GVqxqtfOJATgPiPLV4McQGOOAngsbOPOgucNmS1V1Dj0E0MleuFgvWeF8wRfIj2ipNii-4d_5Gs04_BwDHd_9lkFy5VWUDQ3pKgGrFaKN-aN6ff4/s1600/IMG_1410.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After sitting in that warming tray for who knows how long, it doesn't actually look bad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Making sure that your vehicle is safely parked and not moving, dig that spoon/fork into the container.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kdnVxw3dcDSKTaref2hggOSAijrsX2ryPVIzk-My-HEQZ5ZlCx_hwOJPJbwNH9Sy0hdcpZNEmglALDPZNktJHPea-JXyqy6My36jD51pz2YTvPSvF3vkxI4-NRIhUv6ribtN_yO5bt4/s1600/IMG_1411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kdnVxw3dcDSKTaref2hggOSAijrsX2ryPVIzk-My-HEQZ5ZlCx_hwOJPJbwNH9Sy0hdcpZNEmglALDPZNktJHPea-JXyqy6My36jD51pz2YTvPSvF3vkxI4-NRIhUv6ribtN_yO5bt4/s1600/IMG_1411.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here comes the airplane!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Commence with the nomming! <br />
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<u>Taste</u>:<br />
When standing in front of the deli counter you can't smell it at all. You may be getting a nice whiff of rotisserie or fried chicken, but that mac is behind glass. After you get your container and pop it open, you're greeted with a smell that reminded me of a generally nondescript noodle and cheese combo. The sauce had a thick texture but it wasn't one that was gritty or stuck to my teeth. It did however had a very oily taste to it. The elbow noodles were a bit over cooked, but any portion that was touching the side of the tray was firmer and somewhat crunchy. While the cup had a Cheddar flavor, it was really overpowered by what became an overwhelming oily aftertaste. <br />
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<u>Final Score</u>:<br />
I think I found out why I never seem to find it in any local grocery stores. This really wasn't very good. I don't think that this sold so well that it was replaced through out the day either. While I'm sure Safeway adheres to all local and federal food safety laws, I couldn't help but wonder how long this sat in the warming tray. If I had gotten to it earlier, if it would have somehow been better I wondered to myself. Alas, I tested it when I did and can only report on it's state as I experienced it. Save yourself the trouble and get their microwaveable mac that is in a fridge case next to the rotisserie chickens, it's a much better choice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUzvnoEHULEfI6usZEDIvofnaUZunWSu9jZx7LYMuzU0KzuXzlokYCq1XXBZWhnYtl-lPAR5fPKPZjCXWu_JmZ2p0chmbEiczt_rKPGci0gk1OD4eXldxQGzmWJIuY4122nqaGUAHPtg/s1600/noodle_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUzvnoEHULEfI6usZEDIvofnaUZunWSu9jZx7LYMuzU0KzuXzlokYCq1XXBZWhnYtl-lPAR5fPKPZjCXWu_JmZ2p0chmbEiczt_rKPGci0gk1OD4eXldxQGzmWJIuY4122nqaGUAHPtg/s200/noodle_1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
No nutritional information for this was posted in the store. I didn't think to ask if they had anything available to give me. There also wasn't anything available online on Safeway's website either.MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-68470911822503176732013-04-23T14:47:00.000-07:002013-09-30T00:38:06.303-07:00Bronco BitesThe Bay Area has an incredibly rich history with all of the technological innovations and countless events that have happened since European settlers began to record history here. Among the first non indigenous people that made up the population California and the Bay Area were the Spanish. Colonizing and <strike>spreading</strike> forcing their religion to the local tribal groups of the Bay Area in the mid/late 1700's, these Franciscan missionaries changed the course of the entire region.<br />
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Many of the cities and towns of the Bay Area don't have much left from their earliest settlements. The land is precious and expansion often pushes out the old to make way for the new, especially in a region that has been occupied for hundreds of years. While the recorded history of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fremont,_California" target="_blank">Fremont</a> ties itself to <a href="http://www.missionsanjose.org/" target="_blank">Mission San José</a>, one portion of what is now Fremont, Niles has it's history built around a massive flour mill that serviced the farmlands on the other side of the foothills that the town butted up against.<br />
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Originally called Vallejo Mills, a small settlement sprung up at the end of a canyon, who's other end lead out through Sunol and into the south end of Pleasanton and into the San Ramon Valley, where massive farms grew wheat and other crops and the town acted as a depot for these supplies thanks to an extension that fed off the Transcontinental Railroad. Within a decade that traffic somewhat dried up thanks to a shorter line that came over the top of the bay through Benicia, but the railroad was still a vital lifeline for years to come. The town didn't die, but it did change it's name thanks to the Central Pacific railroad, who renamed it <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niles,_California#Niles_District" target="_blank">Niles</a> after Addison Niles in 1869. Originally a lawyer for the Pacific Railroad, Addison Niles became an Associate Justice in the California Supreme Court and served from 1872-1880, passing away a decade later in 1890.<br />
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Niles eventual claim to (current) fame is that it housed one of the first movie studios on the west coast, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essanay_Studios" target="_blank">EssanayStudios</a> who shot hundred of films in Niles Canyon and the surrounding areas from 1912 through 1915. Some of these films included <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Chaplin" target="_blank">Charlie Chaplin</a>'s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tramp_%28film%29" target="_blank">The Tramp</a> which thrust his most famous character 'Tramp' into the spotlight and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broncho_Billy_Anderson" target="_blank">Broncho Billy</a> the first western cowboy star. The studio moved south to Los Angeles in 1915 but they opened the door for west coast movie making, not only in the Bay Area but for the everything that came to be in LA soon thereafter. <br />
<br />
Niles still has it's main street with many of it's original buildings that are now mostly antique shops, though a number restaurants and other stores are also on the main drag. In town on a lazy Sunday afternoon, I wandered the antique shops not knowing what I'd find (a crazy personalized Hot Wheel with a kids face on it and a 20 year old X-Men coloring book were bought for friends) and as I walked back down the street towards my car, I passed by <a href="http://www.broncobillyspizza.com/index.html" target="_blank">Bronco Billys Pizza</a> and the sign I saw in front of the restaurant just called for me to have a late lunch/early dinner of appetizers. I've had mac n' cheese bites <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2012/06/there-is-no-party-like-mac-n-cheese.html" target="_blank">before</a>, but always from the <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2012/12/every-day-is-friday.html" target="_blank">comfort</a> of my own <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2012/07/baked-mac-must-mean-healthy-mac-right.html" target="_blank">home</a> with varying levels of success. I hadn't had mac n' cheese bites at a restaurant in years, <br />
<br />
<br />
<u>The Review</u><br />
<br />
<u>Brand</u>:<br />
Bronco Billys Kids Meals Mac & Cheese bites<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIts3hBTs-FdKtJgCq1E6e-2hmW7pNWJNDzwPGaVViqKjjU3hxgqDINEvl0VmatVEFLgLrn5dYusf_gmYHY235PKW4iJ_8xO4kPoUiVaxXuqEMrEmipd3dQ5iExHLpzRR0RP474SUgwJw/s1600/IMG_1518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIts3hBTs-FdKtJgCq1E6e-2hmW7pNWJNDzwPGaVViqKjjU3hxgqDINEvl0VmatVEFLgLrn5dYusf_gmYHY235PKW4iJ_8xO4kPoUiVaxXuqEMrEmipd3dQ5iExHLpzRR0RP474SUgwJw/s1600/IMG_1518.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few tables are outside and are great spots to eat if the weather is good or it's busy inside.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<u>Price</u>:<br />
$3.99 at Bronco Billy's<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBhqWj37b5zppk1hwQhSg1EiiYwTUAyxxeXShddMrcC3POI2GK1JrcgqosCRmfJwrDTHZ-LgDSXfTOY-XsGoJ1xgcuvZ-wBK7qyKJ-mPOV0cHmW4APO0jxU_hT_k1UqAePLK5lW5T37A/s1600/IMG_1517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBhqWj37b5zppk1hwQhSg1EiiYwTUAyxxeXShddMrcC3POI2GK1JrcgqosCRmfJwrDTHZ-LgDSXfTOY-XsGoJ1xgcuvZ-wBK7qyKJ-mPOV0cHmW4APO0jxU_hT_k1UqAePLK5lW5T37A/s1600/IMG_1517.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marketing 101, mention mac, get me as a customer. This was also what I saw as I walked back towards the car, the other side, if facing me mentioned something much more mundane that wouldn't have made me stop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u><strike>Packaging</strike> Menu Description</u>:<br />
N/A<br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
*Hey, you're antiquing, or maybe you're in town to ride the <a href="http://www.ncry.org/" target="_blank">Niles Canyon Train</a>, or explore the <a href="http://www.lovehaight.org/links/secret_sidewalk/" target="_blank">Secret Sidewalk</a>. Either way you're hungry and need some mac n' cheese. Bronco Billys can help.<br />
<br />
*Mosey on into the pizza parlor and sit at an open table or at the bar. A server will be along shortly to give you some menus and take your order.<br />
<br />
*Ask for an order of the mac & cheese bites. While they will give you a bunch (my order had 10!), you may want to think about some actual <strike>sustanance</strike> pizza to go with this <strike>meal</strike> appetizer. I recommend ordering a slice with the topping(s) of your choice. Trust me, you'll have more than enough food.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmAp4a6RiIU2oHI3PmBh1xW3cexClBpJCNmigvGM8npeZIxnZjWlKrwBcfM7MRUslHUmJLGxFYfG6pP05jDQDyf5xk2nGdbOfX4K-6pY_KIu-8R6dZrkgvskc_cRn2_AXIRunSVCJicI/s1600/IMG_1521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmAp4a6RiIU2oHI3PmBh1xW3cexClBpJCNmigvGM8npeZIxnZjWlKrwBcfM7MRUslHUmJLGxFYfG6pP05jDQDyf5xk2nGdbOfX4K-6pY_KIu-8R6dZrkgvskc_cRn2_AXIRunSVCJicI/s1600/IMG_1521.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't think to take a picture of the pizza until I was mostly done with the 'slice' (Bacon and pesto sauce for those who care to know). This slice covered this whole plate and can really best be described as a personal pizza on steroids.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
*Depending on how busy the place is, your food may take 10-20 minutes to come out. If you've got company, have a conversation. If you're solo, watch some TV or play some games on that smart phone you've got hiding in your pocket.<br />
<br />
*As I was sitting at the bar, I needed to make some space for my plates. Before I knew it my server was sliding two good sized plates down in front of me full of food.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9auRZa79ABcCtsKs_AmEwtRVz2Zzo99MmjZzsbrDAapPza7TRYrAuHOQrDJJCkoVMUKI9IytF7MCiT_dQL2PDjl4ErEdEGvt9Hu96OHirBpknZE9cewZDg9LTG_PVvhaE7VIyNSidzNA/s1600/IMG_1519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9auRZa79ABcCtsKs_AmEwtRVz2Zzo99MmjZzsbrDAapPza7TRYrAuHOQrDJJCkoVMUKI9IytF7MCiT_dQL2PDjl4ErEdEGvt9Hu96OHirBpknZE9cewZDg9LTG_PVvhaE7VIyNSidzNA/s1600/IMG_1519.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh no! That bite is bleeding out, better send it to the trauma center in my belly!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Make sure to let the bites cool. They will be hot!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYaIV_oeilkY2hnbiZbEvHqNmONDJMCYmAQxMSDVV4icUullNTRG83PHAnPNkdGnrpx9Zi0s42QtdAIZRdagwc5v5d1EEcB8uAOjZymjy2r_waBtK5dn3FB6rb9jZtsyX4YQjwlp1xHY/s1600/IMG_1520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYaIV_oeilkY2hnbiZbEvHqNmONDJMCYmAQxMSDVV4icUullNTRG83PHAnPNkdGnrpx9Zi0s42QtdAIZRdagwc5v5d1EEcB8uAOjZymjy2r_waBtK5dn3FB6rb9jZtsyX4YQjwlp1xHY/s1600/IMG_1520.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cross section to show all those cheesy noodles!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
*Commence with the nomming!<br />
<br />
<u>Taste</u>:<br />
Placed in front of me, I got a nice fried cheese/bready smell. The outsides were crispy and crunchy and were a bit oily to the touch. The breadcrumbs stayed on the bites very well and did not flake all over the place. The insides were very cheesy and the noodles while probably overcooked, didn't affect the bites as you noticed the cheesy inside, not the noodles, which just helped fill the bites. <br />
<br />
<u>Final Score</u>:<br />
Fried foods are dangerous because fat is often what makes food good. Like most any finger food, you really don't feel like you can stop at a servings worth (which was probably just two or three, even though they gave me TEN) because the don't fill you up. While these were some kind of food service appetizer (meaning not made from scratch in the restaurant), it didn't matter. They were very tasty. Make sure to eat these when warm. As they get cold, they lose tastiness and that's just does not make for a good meal.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6fc7kGwe2Axwo0HDRj9RjtHKHT1OiRqprmwaNSIrqKTUNtJtvAboFju2MoZBzgPXYt7vB3q9pzioGiJ8Ql6KB3_eNvNQUT-eBtKmV2cAHWadRuBnI0L2dVfMT_1cZlbji0nsUHk-ocI/s1600/noodle_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6fc7kGwe2Axwo0HDRj9RjtHKHT1OiRqprmwaNSIrqKTUNtJtvAboFju2MoZBzgPXYt7vB3q9pzioGiJ8Ql6KB3_eNvNQUT-eBtKmV2cAHWadRuBnI0L2dVfMT_1cZlbji0nsUHk-ocI/s200/noodle_4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
As with anything breaded and fried, it's bad for you. The more you have, the badder (not in the 80's Michael Jackson seminal album Bad kinda way) it is for your mid-section, heart and everything else. Because this is served with french fries it's even worse. Avoid the fries and save those calories for the mac bites. Eat a few, save the rest for a take home box. They'll reheat just fine in the oven.MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-79183990600298462182013-04-20T07:09:00.000-07:002013-04-20T07:15:19.806-07:00Hopping To ItI've really prided myself on the fact that every mac that I've reviewed I never had to buy more than the one container/serving/order of (hopefully) cheesy pasta. All those frozen meals are individual purchases. Same with all these just add water cups and bowls I've reviewed, only one container to purchase. Restaurants won't only sell me two orders of mac n' cheese unless I'm crazy enough to order them so unless I'm making a big a big casserole dish of the stuff at home, I don't have to worry about lots of extras either. In the end this means that I'm not saddling myself with multiples of a cruddy variety of mac. <br />
<br />
That is of the utmost importance with this blog. While some would want to begin to hoard their favorite versions, I'm here to review them all (darn you 'gotta catch em all, Poke-Cheese' mentality), not stop at the best or give up on the worst. In my regular wanderings looking for the next meal to add to the review pile, I have really only come upon a scant few macs that I consistently keep saying "Nope" to and that's exclusively because of quantity that I need to buy in order to review them. Target has a whole grain pasta just add water cup that only comes in a four pack and <a href="http://www.annies.com/" target="_blank">Annie's Homegrown</a> microwaveable options only are sold in 5 single servings boxes. I don't know why I decided to pull the trigger, other than it was most likely the sale that Target going on at the time, but I broke down and bought two of the three options (the gluten free wasn't on sale and was much more expensive so behind it stayed).<br />
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While I've had Annie's very yummy <a href="http://www.annies.com/products/Cheddar-Bunnies" target="_blank">Cheddar Bunnies</a> a number of times, I have yet to try any of their many varieties of mac n' cheese. Their just add water version is just as good as any to start with and since I've got a box of five to eat/give to others at work, I best get started. <br />
<br />
<br />
<u>The Review</u><br />
<br />
<u>Brand</u>:<br />
Annie's Homegrown Microwaveable Mac & Cheese with real white cheddar<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2K9H61Ai6uNN6Cn3zIk2tu26W3WKjSKlmZihpNYu3TA4J5t8zchGj8jur5lq3THQHai39uWVIBW7jU0Q8w9OkQK8XkLM9lkKuEmQ2yaZLF8NMME5L38Zx5Y9U7JV4vXtAZ_UzWTTwWkE/s1600/IMG_1135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2K9H61Ai6uNN6Cn3zIk2tu26W3WKjSKlmZihpNYu3TA4J5t8zchGj8jur5lq3THQHai39uWVIBW7jU0Q8w9OkQK8XkLM9lkKuEmQ2yaZLF8NMME5L38Zx5Y9U7JV4vXtAZ_UzWTTwWkE/s320/IMG_1135.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now the only REAL difference between white and yellow Cheddar is that there is a coloring agent annatto, used to give it the orange we're used to seeing today. The coloring doesn't affect the taste of the cheese, that all comes from the aging process.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<u>Price</u>:<br />
$4.39 at Target (On sale two for $6.00 when purchased)<br />
<br />
<u>Packaging Description</u>:<br />
(On Front)<br />
*No Artificial Flavors, Synthetic Colors or Preservatives *A Good Source of Calcium & Protein *Cheese from Cows not Treated with the Growth Hormone rBST<br />
Enlarged to show detail. See nutritional information for sodium content.<br />
<br />
(On Back)<br />
The front of the box is the back of the box just horizontal instead of vertical. It's an inception box! Also, see above for what's on the 'back'.<br />
<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
*We'll go ahead and assume that you've opened the cardboard box. If you haven't... well open it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5uXY_btDSCmy983ZgKAZtIsJX3x0w-r3TPMJwCMN1l8FYRZ3sFb8FFZc47NUFBFnud2qFKkRUi414YlpFra66MvKNfuJx4sxcUhWLRu4x_hIU6Vo_EmDt54eby7WdLckZ4ZZrfIArO4/s1600/IMG_1136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5uXY_btDSCmy983ZgKAZtIsJX3x0w-r3TPMJwCMN1l8FYRZ3sFb8FFZc47NUFBFnud2qFKkRUi414YlpFra66MvKNfuJx4sxcUhWLRu4x_hIU6Vo_EmDt54eby7WdLckZ4ZZrfIArO4/s1600/IMG_1136.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open sesame!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Pull from the box one noodle package and one cheese powder package. Don't forget a bowl in which to dump the contents!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT52sKKeiNq_DBo5GR-s6n84clCV8JVjtS4_Ttx2dLzi9iLct_DJVIDJmxFFyAOzTMQCwynWIZoJPnnXyLfZpn99Is4NVFvORNRTBjUmGLj4wFGcvbFAar1E8VnlHhXcInN5yZURAv4Ag/s1600/IMG_1139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT52sKKeiNq_DBo5GR-s6n84clCV8JVjtS4_Ttx2dLzi9iLct_DJVIDJmxFFyAOzTMQCwynWIZoJPnnXyLfZpn99Is4NVFvORNRTBjUmGLj4wFGcvbFAar1E8VnlHhXcInN5yZURAv4Ag/s320/IMG_1139.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While I only made one package, the packaging also offers suggestions to make more than one pouch at a time and to make it richer by adding milk and butter to the mix.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Open the package containing the noodles and pour them into a bowl. After you do that get 1/2 cup of water and pour it into the bowl with the noodles.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ug8TymdfyGY53pMINovPiRg0GlzuLGXW56nSzZF12SRL307JFbYfZsxKxNWxjSYWtMAT1Eq47axB-PEfnvRIK-o5xP6YEcsL3nnVUlUlBPzwNOp3pAMZTKaDDLH5qSFUZbwXMCE5rRM/s1600/IMG_1140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ug8TymdfyGY53pMINovPiRg0GlzuLGXW56nSzZF12SRL307JFbYfZsxKxNWxjSYWtMAT1Eq47axB-PEfnvRIK-o5xP6YEcsL3nnVUlUlBPzwNOp3pAMZTKaDDLH5qSFUZbwXMCE5rRM/s320/IMG_1140.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The office measuring cup didn't want to give me a good shot of the measuring scale. Fear not, I have added the proper amount of water into the measuring cup!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKSHjq19R33NYghRBCocxt4AlCtTIO1fx9CAYIKAQKd1jZRhOIeRCNazM_k7MM4DoatTXKzS4Uydv7jso0poRPKEusz5olYLgVfvjX6xPLGTS77j3YB35wK49JJsz7chKO7jNdsUw_EY/s1600/IMG_1141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKSHjq19R33NYghRBCocxt4AlCtTIO1fx9CAYIKAQKd1jZRhOIeRCNazM_k7MM4DoatTXKzS4Uydv7jso0poRPKEusz5olYLgVfvjX6xPLGTS77j3YB35wK49JJsz7chKO7jNdsUw_EY/s1600/IMG_1141.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just in case you're not sure of what pouring water into a bowl of noodles looks like.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Place the bowl in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes. (Or until tender as the box says)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5w_vfJwjydCh7Iks0mrgjLKq161ve-D3hMLc0aLZ9liw_jUydnmMbUL6WJuEArJdRiT_FecY-HN3Dlb7IE7zdvb7XG6FizjTuIn1N83AaA90w9ju9e1grjgJGC7QQYQt2ZK5ThRRbIA/s1600/IMG_1143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5w_vfJwjydCh7Iks0mrgjLKq161ve-D3hMLc0aLZ9liw_jUydnmMbUL6WJuEArJdRiT_FecY-HN3Dlb7IE7zdvb7XG6FizjTuIn1N83AaA90w9ju9e1grjgJGC7QQYQt2ZK5ThRRbIA/s320/IMG_1143.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well I don't know how to tell if you're tender or not without opening the microwave and burning my mouth on hot noodles, so 3 minutes it is.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*After you have removed the bowl from the microwave (it will be hot, be careful!), add the cheese sauce and stir well.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSCUlaVCI4lipkzOPYFtAOus3yn8QSoJzmPjFNIuRwAuad8cuXsjxGzfiodVWnuBcRlk4h8MLP059CVV4fY7OI0_8ZP3ce_RX0wQYOY5WCjVRSOXDgvqcpuzkzjDI1_vy2RKq8GeFD94/s1600/IMG_1144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSCUlaVCI4lipkzOPYFtAOus3yn8QSoJzmPjFNIuRwAuad8cuXsjxGzfiodVWnuBcRlk4h8MLP059CVV4fY7OI0_8ZP3ce_RX0wQYOY5WCjVRSOXDgvqcpuzkzjDI1_vy2RKq8GeFD94/s320/IMG_1144.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You don't look like sauce. Maybe with the power of alchemy you become sauce?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBV_MIXepIXnGQfT-oXARUuXUeItbH0B0HM6kT6F7HpMSR9ME4OBneYGIFYRN0entEKEKJh8VbUobXmMsrwsHLmmuMdbYKmeSvyzu9EwvRJZK4NGytCubBi2RVf5uNF9Q7C42yd9ONm9g/s1600/IMG_1145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBV_MIXepIXnGQfT-oXARUuXUeItbH0B0HM6kT6F7HpMSR9ME4OBneYGIFYRN0entEKEKJh8VbUobXmMsrwsHLmmuMdbYKmeSvyzu9EwvRJZK4NGytCubBi2RVf5uNF9Q7C42yd9ONm9g/s320/IMG_1145.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stirring....stirring....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
*After you've stirred in the sauce, let the bowl stand for one minute to cool.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRjccGkEGJip9k03OJGJCnbAC3wXH3Sr8CFGo2hAmFkRpAxJrvwYMDX5ZOXrZYs9LPuffnRBtEG5K4ecusp2J30ArwDISkmLp3c68xRuoCupNESqeYiRBwmpMTEj2n8GVWeek23mWwHU/s1600/IMG_1146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRjccGkEGJip9k03OJGJCnbAC3wXH3Sr8CFGo2hAmFkRpAxJrvwYMDX5ZOXrZYs9LPuffnRBtEG5K4ecusp2J30ArwDISkmLp3c68xRuoCupNESqeYiRBwmpMTEj2n8GVWeek23mWwHU/s320/IMG_1146.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think the alchemic power of the powder made my cheese go ninja and not sauce.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
*Commence with the nomming!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Taste</u>:<br />
Out of the microwave I smelled cooked pasta. After adding the cheese powder before stirring (and during) I experienced that cheese powdery smell you get from packets like this, but no real cheesy smell otherwise. The noodles were tender and cooked. There was not much in the way of a sauce (actually there wasn't any). Whatever moisture that was left post cooking made the cheese powder cling to the noodles, but didn't leave anything else to manifest itself into a sauce. The bowl was mostly lacking in taste, though the little bit that I could taste had a sharp, yet salty twang to it.<br />
<br />
<u>Final Score</u>:<br />
It can be hard not to go into a review without some expectations, especially when you've heard so many things about how good a brand is. I know a number of people who really prefer Annie's Homegrown products, I just don't think that this is one of them. I won't let this color any other reviews of their products I make (which by just looking at the grocery store shelves, will be many). While I had good noodles, I had a nonexistent sauce and no flavor. That is just not how a mac should be. <br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUzvnoEHULEfI6usZEDIvofnaUZunWSu9jZx7LYMuzU0KzuXzlokYCq1XXBZWhnYtl-lPAR5fPKPZjCXWu_JmZ2p0chmbEiczt_rKPGci0gk1OD4eXldxQGzmWJIuY4122nqaGUAHPtg/s1600/noodle_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUzvnoEHULEfI6usZEDIvofnaUZunWSu9jZx7LYMuzU0KzuXzlokYCq1XXBZWhnYtl-lPAR5fPKPZjCXWu_JmZ2p0chmbEiczt_rKPGci0gk1OD4eXldxQGzmWJIuY4122nqaGUAHPtg/s1600/noodle_1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Serving Size 1 Macaroni and 1 Cheese Pouch (61g)<br />
Makes about 3/4 cup</div>
<br />
Calories 240<br />
Calories From Fat 40<br />
Total Fat 4.5g (7% Daily Value)<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Saturated Fat 2.5g (13% DV)</div>
Trans Fat 0g<br />
Cholesterol 15mg (3% DV)<br />
Sodium 920mg (38% DV)<br />
Total Carbohydrates 51g (17% DV)<br />
Dietary Fiber 2g (8% DV)<br />
Sugars 4g<br />
Protein 13g MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-12240882326905954352013-04-15T11:04:00.000-07:002013-04-15T11:04:04.030-07:00Bringing Bacon BackI've gotten to dig my fork into a fair number of mac n' cheese meals these last 10 months. The one thing that at first thought didn't scare me a bit, but now scares me quite a lot is the addition of meat to a meal (that isn't a frozen meal). My Archer Farms real bacon <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2012/10/whats-in-name-or-how-i-almost-got-food.html" target="_blank">experience</a> taught me that it's potentially a very dangerous thing. So much so that I think even Target/Archer Farms is having a difficult time with them because I've not seen those bacon carbonara bowls on shelves but for one or two days every few months at any local Target since I did my review.<br />
<br />
Finding that another brand was giving bacon the ol' college try had me very cautious about the potential outcome. Armed with a camera phone and their customer support 800 number I was ready to give Kraft's bacon bowl a shot.<br />
<br />
<u>The Review</u><br />
<br />
<u>Brand</u>: <br />
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Homestyle Sharp Cheddar Cheese Sauce And Oscar Mayer Bacon<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_v2NqLIdH3RT8TFsyhzjw6EsbUbQJAqwf3RAuPMIWRkteJWnf3PeDIEyopTBidka5421ZyXFF9ouyLQMV-ZT6C-6b5Dt4epXv4z7jMg9dW7a33w-6mOg4bxAtx0D0vhOQuebvxiRjsPo/s1600/IMG_1180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_v2NqLIdH3RT8TFsyhzjw6EsbUbQJAqwf3RAuPMIWRkteJWnf3PeDIEyopTBidka5421ZyXFF9ouyLQMV-ZT6C-6b5Dt4epXv4z7jMg9dW7a33w-6mOg4bxAtx0D0vhOQuebvxiRjsPo/s320/IMG_1180.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big money, no moldy.... STOP!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<u>Price</u>:<br />
$2.12 at Target<br />
<br />
<u>Packaging Description</u>:<br />
(On Front)<br />
Rich & creamy Kraft cheese sauce and macaroni topped with delicious bacon bits.<br />
<br />
(On Back)<br />
N/A <br />
<br />
<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
*Remove the paper cover and place it to the side. Normally I'd say to just toss it straight into the recycling, but it's got the preparation instructions on it, so wait until you've finished making your bowl, THEN toss it into the recycling.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeuQornPGi3sc-KMBpoXEtqMgV5FYrJG867DP-bPmN0hmjd0sUH5NaAAVZ4Ak-RqnBprRTGsyGjOUW0kTtI0Fdd-SiWE3QKS-0i2LKDRH_AJSv6bUwmEeAbRI_0H9GcYw1F0r0zXasFE/s1600/IMG_1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeuQornPGi3sc-KMBpoXEtqMgV5FYrJG867DP-bPmN0hmjd0sUH5NaAAVZ4Ak-RqnBprRTGsyGjOUW0kTtI0Fdd-SiWE3QKS-0i2LKDRH_AJSv6bUwmEeAbRI_0H9GcYw1F0r0zXasFE/s320/IMG_1182.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cute plastic film with elbow noodles on it. Maybe I could get this design on a shower curtain or something and make a themed bathroom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Peel the plastic film off and remove the three pouches inside and place them to the side. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkeiU4suN-RkfSuTIxPiq8Xhwkta3iCyJHYs37iyJhzdyFMVLJmazmZD_fLX2F7Pio8SQX9LTKnsDKYflfPlJOeoX_9hk634ESSp82IDgxb2WUUdhmzkiYTpe0ZvBIx358JlWQOBVuRo/s1600/IMG_1184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkeiU4suN-RkfSuTIxPiq8Xhwkta3iCyJHYs37iyJhzdyFMVLJmazmZD_fLX2F7Pio8SQX9LTKnsDKYflfPlJOeoX_9hk634ESSp82IDgxb2WUUdhmzkiYTpe0ZvBIx358JlWQOBVuRo/s320/IMG_1184.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now this is a seasoning I can get behind.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Find the seasoning pouch and tear the top off. Dump the contents onto the uncooked elbow noodles.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgaMUbl4mRQ4Uz0HVTOl1Z0kSTEJJ-a2KcSXT323OFGDVw35hZJTU62GS_InBuGIEHwZwsHEzs4xx-Qbhso4MQSJct0ZGUyrnt9pJFOKquk8aPWiI1YngoboHMtanbc0HeWhxxTiEJ0I/s1600/IMG_1185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgaMUbl4mRQ4Uz0HVTOl1Z0kSTEJJ-a2KcSXT323OFGDVw35hZJTU62GS_InBuGIEHwZwsHEzs4xx-Qbhso4MQSJct0ZGUyrnt9pJFOKquk8aPWiI1YngoboHMtanbc0HeWhxxTiEJ0I/s320/IMG_1185.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*After you've added the powder to the pasta, take it to the sink and fill it with water to the fill line that is visible on the inside of the bowl.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUA3UADFsxsouAwt5rhzAasRy6KeZ1pJX0CwW25fliBO2jbVU5iJgAsCCnSXKrmB2aUOPho9btftTIpPFLg_BmpGLNcutjMCv_Zkmm5LMo9bztJo7dRvcv1mltQIUbI_mtuqCIQkTcos/s1600/IMG_1186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUA3UADFsxsouAwt5rhzAasRy6KeZ1pJX0CwW25fliBO2jbVU5iJgAsCCnSXKrmB2aUOPho9btftTIpPFLg_BmpGLNcutjMCv_Zkmm5LMo9bztJo7dRvcv1mltQIUbI_mtuqCIQkTcos/s320/IMG_1186.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a little clumpy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
*Take your fork and mix up the powder, noodles and water.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUUYZSAzZPT_5_GJn8hqBfKYUQP2mvZusaikSir6Lu1I-HHeY4iIWzC2HdDY_wSMlFN9TCleBbxnVdXS7J9ZATerBX4ZEnPhnamPGd6pPVbuoMXNc4reI6tZHrDP6sW8bDTX_NysBM5g/s1600/IMG_1187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUUYZSAzZPT_5_GJn8hqBfKYUQP2mvZusaikSir6Lu1I-HHeY4iIWzC2HdDY_wSMlFN9TCleBbxnVdXS7J9ZATerBX4ZEnPhnamPGd6pPVbuoMXNc4reI6tZHrDP6sW8bDTX_NysBM5g/s320/IMG_1187.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fork has been set to spin cycle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
*Place the bowl into the microwave, setting it to cook for 4 1/2 minutes. Once cooked, remove the bowl by it's handles. It will be HOT!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgff0n03AE9TAkZtiGMj780l9E5A5WjQTg3pmO6edxQ136gpg1SZ3rMQBViPQPXbhTrueycdf5L93FrlY_0RLxShm88J94f-w9pSeOdllL3u819SuRpLGNgazHgWOz9RVpIDqaWeaJbT5Y/s1600/IMG_1188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgff0n03AE9TAkZtiGMj780l9E5A5WjQTg3pmO6edxQ136gpg1SZ3rMQBViPQPXbhTrueycdf5L93FrlY_0RLxShm88J94f-w9pSeOdllL3u819SuRpLGNgazHgWOz9RVpIDqaWeaJbT5Y/s320/IMG_1188.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well those noodles sure look wet and cooked now. Good job seasoning packet!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Grab the foil pouch that has the cheese sauce in it and open it by any safe means (teeth, fingers, scissors used properly with the supervision of an adult...) and squeeze the contents onto the cooked pasta.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSja_yk4dWJv1Kl6Abm2DST40_IUySixFUbhGgdCEMltgpEZADqxarfhO9vg6qSsA1Uw0Gt3AV2u2mQ5wnx4G1OdWHZv_F3olu2ACoKCPS1DgJPT9UWqqxkvT7YQymiR0u8lZUGJoQ9s/s1600/IMG_1189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSja_yk4dWJv1Kl6Abm2DST40_IUySixFUbhGgdCEMltgpEZADqxarfhO9vg6qSsA1Uw0Gt3AV2u2mQ5wnx4G1OdWHZv_F3olu2ACoKCPS1DgJPT9UWqqxkvT7YQymiR0u8lZUGJoQ9s/s320/IMG_1189.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look, A cheesy face! I'm reaching out to sell this to that online poker site that loves the iconography in food and retire a millionaire.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
*Take your fork and mix the noodles and cheese sauce up.<br />
<br />
*Grab the remaining pouch (labeled bacon pieces) and open it, checking first that there is no mold or other possibilities for food poisoning before doing anything else.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijetNDp-g_FiCAb0gOqxAE1k-s09Uyj_oL5Y4Q348HLG7VUD-fgN1626Cj7lmxhMueO-TPNKdNisAb6KxmKz2VTGAHfO_5kRRffDlvOeI7_cCIS5BviYonsHaP0jWGU3idRABNADfSJGM/s1600/IMG_1190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijetNDp-g_FiCAb0gOqxAE1k-s09Uyj_oL5Y4Q348HLG7VUD-fgN1626Cj7lmxhMueO-TPNKdNisAb6KxmKz2VTGAHfO_5kRRffDlvOeI7_cCIS5BviYonsHaP0jWGU3idRABNADfSJGM/s320/IMG_1190.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Success! No mold!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Sprinkle the bacon pieces over the pasta.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GjMHKrNfGyyBXxPVDm0Nk_TSaOUdN3X1lBSL6Qw4OIpiAwFYKlDZj5eDNIJmaZIUjX4iDoG4nVcHOGRnE5P4pf7j12PmxaQ1qNOwIKnoD-ROlw45Ms11xHD-UYKQS5rJxEceDu84OyA/s1600/IMG_1191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GjMHKrNfGyyBXxPVDm0Nk_TSaOUdN3X1lBSL6Qw4OIpiAwFYKlDZj5eDNIJmaZIUjX4iDoG4nVcHOGRnE5P4pf7j12PmxaQ1qNOwIKnoD-ROlw45Ms11xHD-UYKQS5rJxEceDu84OyA/s320/IMG_1191.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pouch had more bits than this, I just stopped sprinkling to take a picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
*Commence with the nomming!<br />
<br />
<u>Taste</u>:<br />
Out of the microwave I wasn't privy to any 'cheesy' smell. While I thought that seasoning packet would have done some kind of smell enhancement, it did not. After cooking the pasta with the seasoning powder and seeing no discernible difference I wasn't sure of the purpose of the seasoning packet. Once I added the cheese sauce, it picked up a moderately cheesy smell (for a little while at least), The noodles were just a little overcooked. The sharp Cheddar cheese sauce didn't taste distinctly 'sharp', but it was cheesy. Those bacon crumbles were hard and almost crunchy (it's hard to explain, but there was no crunch that one would expect from bacon that was hard like that) and gave the bowl a distinct bacon smell once added, but didn't give the bowl a very noticeable bacon taste.<br />
<br />
Final Score:<br />
Not getting food poisoning is always a bonus. While it may be a bit strange to open up the summary paragraph with that statement, I was quite happy that I wasn't going to have to make another call to a customer hot line to report a bad meal. This was a very run of the mill mac, with a sharp cheese sauce that was only slightly sharp and bacon that really didn't give the bowl much of a bacon taste (even though the smell was there), leaving for an underwhelming bowl all around.<br />
<br />
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
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Serving Size 1 package (104g)</div>
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Calories 350<br />
Calories From Fat 90<br />
Total Fat 10g (15% Daily Value)<br />
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Saturated Fat 4g (20% DV)</div>
Trans Fat 0g<br />
Cholesterol 15mg (5% DV)<br />
Sodium 920mg (38% DV)<br />
Total Carbohydrates 51g (17% DV)<br />
Dietary Fiber 2g (8% DV)<br />
Sugars 4g<br />
Protein 13g
MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-27436784755369062242013-04-04T19:13:00.001-07:002013-04-04T19:13:12.372-07:00Yee-Haw!I love cheese. While most of us get out cheese from a grocery store, either buying store brands or the national brands like Kraft, Sargento and if we feel like springing for it Tilamook. Some stores are have small sections near deli's with more craft cheeses in them and if you're in an area with a good dairy supply, you'll possibly be blessed with local artisan cheeses! With the rise of the organic and explosion of local and specialty shops, there are a number of towns that now have specialty cheese shops springing up once again, selling local and fancy cheese varieties. Here in the Bay Area, one of the bigger and better known producers of local artisan cheese is the <a href="http://www.cowgirlcreamery.com/" target="_blank">Cowgirl Creamery</a>. <br />
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Located in Pt. Reyes Station (an hour north of San Francisco) the Cowgirl Creamery started making cheese in the early 90's and today sells cheese at two shops, the <a href="http://www.cowgirlcreamery.com/pt-reyes-shop-creamery" target="_blank">Tomales Bay Foods</a> location in Pt. Reyes Station and at their cheese shop at the San Francisco <a href="http://www.cowgirlcreamery.com/san-francisco-ferry-building-cheese-shop" target="_blank">Ferry Building</a>. They've also got a <a href="http://www.cowgirlcreamery.com/sidekick-cafe-milk-bar" target="_blank">milk bar and cafe</a> right next door to the SF shop and they've got their cheese in <a href="http://www.wholefoods.com/" target="_blank">Whole Foods</a> stores across the country and if you've got a local cheese shop, they may carry some of the Cowgirl varieties as well. <br />
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As I had mentioned before in my most recent <a href="http://candsteve.blogspot.com/2013/03/wait-this-isnt-sourdough.html" target="_blank">adventure</a> in San Francisco that it was my second mac meal of the day. This, was my first.<br />
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<u>The Review</u><br />
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<u>Brand</u>:<br />
Cowgirl Creamery's Sidekick Cafe Macaroni & Cheese <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPV0YsrT0yH819yihrcznQ_Jj3JK_ZHiAEZfF9LkbSdeml3vJZdwUtnvYGbrrWQVoE-UQAWsibEdNpKKxHKBDYfZ6JWckVYLAbmKVPnO9ON6NQZ3HjYrwLlPKICiwlJpO4Kk745_YkMU/s1600/IMG_1234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPV0YsrT0yH819yihrcznQ_Jj3JK_ZHiAEZfF9LkbSdeml3vJZdwUtnvYGbrrWQVoE-UQAWsibEdNpKKxHKBDYfZ6JWckVYLAbmKVPnO9ON6NQZ3HjYrwLlPKICiwlJpO4Kk745_YkMU/s320/IMG_1234.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That horse and rider silhouette sure doesn't look like any superhero sidekick I know.</td></tr>
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<u>Price</u>:<br />
$7.25 as Cowgirl Creamery's Sidekick Cafe<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AxmgnT0Z59sRRjxHLa8z61-4BCRqop4tRwiUjpgfr-5CexMq777sNht7XpVHlNVCFiS6GJGGy0w1uNMn9Ex1r-KqSijKJwWbqbzScyeZZxqXNMpTbWGOq6VWACT725jfh3Ts1RdU-wg/s1600/IMG_1236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AxmgnT0Z59sRRjxHLa8z61-4BCRqop4tRwiUjpgfr-5CexMq777sNht7XpVHlNVCFiS6GJGGy0w1uNMn9Ex1r-KqSijKJwWbqbzScyeZZxqXNMpTbWGOq6VWACT725jfh3Ts1RdU-wg/s320/IMG_1236.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled cheeses and mac n' cheese? It's like I designed this menu!</td></tr>
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<u><br /></u><u><strike>Packaging</strike> Menu Description</u>:<br />
Made with Cowgirl Wagon Wheel and Red Hawk<br />
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<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
*Again with finding your way to San Francisco... You've at minimum multiple bridges, BART, CalTrain and ferry services and even an airport that grant you access into the city. Take your pick!<br />
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*Find yourself walking down the Embarcadero towards the Bay Bridge, or down Market St. towards the bay. Eventually you'll stumble into the Ferry building. It's quite large. You can't miss it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5-2qAvZxlB72igwQOwQBOvbuOoD-V4MJyzMV0a5Lg0yDBDRd279GLWh3iMfsqnnt8Pqj7w18olv3n3Laf_I0h5hz9cdiI5cZGHv7Rxm-Wxs0OtxpvJ-xwvQoxPnQnh2PLPwq7Cu6PMs/s1600/IMG_1244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5-2qAvZxlB72igwQOwQBOvbuOoD-V4MJyzMV0a5Lg0yDBDRd279GLWh3iMfsqnnt8Pqj7w18olv3n3Laf_I0h5hz9cdiI5cZGHv7Rxm-Wxs0OtxpvJ-xwvQoxPnQnh2PLPwq7Cu6PMs/s320/IMG_1244.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh look, lunchtime!</td></tr>
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*Enter the building and if you so feel, visit the many shops before you make it to Sidekick which is located towards the middle of the concourse. There are all kinds of boutique shops inside that serve everything from bread, to chocolate, to fresh meats and even mushrooms! They really have a wide <a href="http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/" target="_blank">selection</a>. Just don't forget why you really came.<br />
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*The restaurant is right on the corner of one of the junctions. Just keep your eyes open for the sign and a little A-frame advertising Cowgirl's Sidekick cafe. That'll let you know where you should dismount and tie up your horse for a spell. If you walk past it, you'll be at their cheese shop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehWGDHT7f-BzWISgpHZa8d4Qs8PP-HGBhYlUluA63dRg_njlkYGm5W4g5_IgUSjz_t8PQAazuJDeM9Y7syv2OnClU3CXqBV3xDvqtKzR15TDL-xb9mPihxhyphenhyphenpPvn4dGsT37L2nYTs1eQ/s1600/IMG_1237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehWGDHT7f-BzWISgpHZa8d4Qs8PP-HGBhYlUluA63dRg_njlkYGm5W4g5_IgUSjz_t8PQAazuJDeM9Y7syv2OnClU3CXqBV3xDvqtKzR15TDL-xb9mPihxhyphenhyphenpPvn4dGsT37L2nYTs1eQ/s320/IMG_1237.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While space is a premium, there is a small bar area where you can sit and eat your cheese and cheese filled items to the left of the register. To the right are a few standing tables also for Cowgirl customers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wXd8QJwWjXKuc5PEBfx2BZ_LcJlwCGyGVflmWAacwWgvn_8lGr7b8rFMnOYAq7OOekWCkPkDYj1tssRzvampwGKnR0F6n6uy1g982bMnh7S3HOy-iR2Re56jyDAolgLSNCkJq0jAXIE/s1600/IMG_1239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wXd8QJwWjXKuc5PEBfx2BZ_LcJlwCGyGVflmWAacwWgvn_8lGr7b8rFMnOYAq7OOekWCkPkDYj1tssRzvampwGKnR0F6n6uy1g982bMnh7S3HOy-iR2Re56jyDAolgLSNCkJq0jAXIE/s320/IMG_1239.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close up of the important part of the A-frame. Forget the fancy deserts, this is the only thing calling out to me!</td></tr>
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*Wait in line at the register and once it's your turn place an order for some mac.<br />
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*After you've paid, you can step to the left and watch them prepare your food or to the right and wait for them to call your name. It will take a some time before they call your name (about 10 minutes for me), especially if they are busy. If you're really adventurous, you can also order a shot of milk that they'll serve up for you at the same window your food will be waiting for you at.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaH3pukafT6elvKcwxeTQ0zB48vnupjqqqGgNqS4IQ0HoK53xUrg1f8cwBxGVHJMSeYHRfWx_e-lKKHFmGo4W5EbHNyXLEkANJ1-Y9i3Au3tAg1AVEeTnplBPYzhT-O6vKZjOQlf9EuM/s1600/IMG_1238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaH3pukafT6elvKcwxeTQ0zB48vnupjqqqGgNqS4IQ0HoK53xUrg1f8cwBxGVHJMSeYHRfWx_e-lKKHFmGo4W5EbHNyXLEkANJ1-Y9i3Au3tAg1AVEeTnplBPYzhT-O6vKZjOQlf9EuM/s320/IMG_1238.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll pass that breathalyzer test officer, I was just at the milk bar. I swear all I had was whole chocolate milk.</td></tr>
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*Once they call your number, you'll see that your food comes to you in completely recyalable containers. Welcome to SF, where recycling/compsting is king. The plastics are all recylable and places must use corn starch or otherwise recycalable/compstable utensils and containers. It's the law.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVk10JbFyMOK1AT-ve5dqXLY2f_c6uGW8tTeew6FlyrcJXT06JZ_cMc8nsoR6J123JRRVkotaxVgQLWwdrB4SkFqaAFMhhxbt-MqTwqeGw_h577Z8kXKpdDkoKsAtcOZLhyphenhyphen2jH07Vjtbg/s1600/IMG_1240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVk10JbFyMOK1AT-ve5dqXLY2f_c6uGW8tTeew6FlyrcJXT06JZ_cMc8nsoR6J123JRRVkotaxVgQLWwdrB4SkFqaAFMhhxbt-MqTwqeGw_h577Z8kXKpdDkoKsAtcOZLhyphenhyphen2jH07Vjtbg/s320/IMG_1240.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I ordered a glass of water as well. It was some fancy filtered water with a lemon wedge. Ooh. Aah.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7juY_Q8SG1ZqECsGZJAgl9zfwWt486ytW4FOBaS29Lc_tK7I5YMEYaI9QNuIIQNSmaW3EEDPDpYHu-d3LtxA4ShwMcssUcKRqhRGXtoxEDFW2An7vJQ1zTuGFqP6Q7GzDg3hMXq9Nqs/s1600/IMG_1241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7juY_Q8SG1ZqECsGZJAgl9zfwWt486ytW4FOBaS29Lc_tK7I5YMEYaI9QNuIIQNSmaW3EEDPDpYHu-d3LtxA4ShwMcssUcKRqhRGXtoxEDFW2An7vJQ1zTuGFqP6Q7GzDg3hMXq9Nqs/s320/IMG_1241.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of the lid. Like I said, everything is compostable/recyclable.</td></tr>
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*Take your cup of mac to the table of your chosing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBlRzyrYWRCGIV3WBaVIKMF2q-_i4Dmf0lpJqhzR-MsEUsYteW173IL05REPn9GzDGr3tAMv9KjFC5BAHR3QcJdM6Iczlpz7DuV2Zw82zem_5N1CSxSxGTJDG5fIL2JYBk2txkRs_rhE/s1600/IMG_1242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBlRzyrYWRCGIV3WBaVIKMF2q-_i4Dmf0lpJqhzR-MsEUsYteW173IL05REPn9GzDGr3tAMv9KjFC5BAHR3QcJdM6Iczlpz7DuV2Zw82zem_5N1CSxSxGTJDG5fIL2JYBk2txkRs_rhE/s320/IMG_1242.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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*Commence with the nomming!</div>
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<u>Taste</u>:<br />
Popping the top I was greeted with a mac had an interesting smell. It was cheesy, but it didn't quite have the typical mac n' cheese smell one is accustomed to (because of the kinds of cheese used i'm sure). The noodles while cooked, were a bit overdone. The taste was very hit or miss. While parts were cheesy, most of the cup was pretty light on that cheesy taste I was hoping for. The flavor of the cheeses was a strange blend, and neither had a taste I could really define. There was one cheese that made up a huge majority of the flavor and while it was distinct it didn't drive me to wanting more, even though it was creamy. One final surprise was how oily it was. There was a small pool that the mac was sitting in at the bottom of the cup. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmej05t3hQdh2zhfYO-DtTDCACFWTz6L837xqlqLJhNzaoYtZLMAYh3q8OaHzgXrAfRIPIaEOkERrqSWZDXuioXk7lbKckeTnEzlb8DWB_ydEfiwSpxEmBIvkYzlTumKJqFmId8mjSSc/s1600/IMG_1243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmej05t3hQdh2zhfYO-DtTDCACFWTz6L837xqlqLJhNzaoYtZLMAYh3q8OaHzgXrAfRIPIaEOkERrqSWZDXuioXk7lbKckeTnEzlb8DWB_ydEfiwSpxEmBIvkYzlTumKJqFmId8mjSSc/s320/IMG_1243.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For a small cup of mac, that sure is a lot of oil.</td></tr>
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<u>Final Score</u>:</div>
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I was really hoping that a cheese shop that used their own flagship cheeses for their mac n' cheese would have been better than it was. With the bitter off putting taste overtaking the mac (when there was cheese to be found) I was sorely disappointed. The surprise oil at the bottom also took away from it too. While I'm all for supporting a local cheese maker I would hope that their macaroni and cheese would be a cut above the rest because of the quality ingredients used. It just wasn't. Maybe sometime in the future I'll give it another shot and see if I just had a bad serving or it's really that mediocre.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYX0MnrAYmPTUL9Q3nUHdURb6HITVSy8gWGs7W7Kvyu3nj-rZCvxXKuZXBsDXYXgXyOzgw_lPLmED55xUPYpFEmlfok1ljE1q-bIjCswqIVvLMqf__GC1s0znB2xtdQYRMH5mbxjwLEy8/s1600/noodle_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYX0MnrAYmPTUL9Q3nUHdURb6HITVSy8gWGs7W7Kvyu3nj-rZCvxXKuZXBsDXYXgXyOzgw_lPLmED55xUPYpFEmlfok1ljE1q-bIjCswqIVvLMqf__GC1s0znB2xtdQYRMH5mbxjwLEy8/s200/noodle_2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:</div>
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Checking both at the cafe and online I was unable to find any nutritional information on their mac n' cheese. As with anything made in the more traditional style with real cheese, tread lightly. There will be plenty of calories and fat.</div>
MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-69629971488528642382013-04-02T11:17:00.000-07:002013-04-10T08:18:05.098-07:00Half The Cheese It Used To BeInstant cups are a really easy on the fly <strike>meal</strike> snack for those craving some quick mac n' cheese. One thing that we do have to worry about (well those of us who seem to eat mac n' cheese with wild abandon) is the caloric and fat intake that the cheesy goodness brings to our arteries and midsections. A number of national cheese makers have begun making cheese using 2% milk rather than whole milk like cheese is normally made from. While it cuts down on the fat, some of these 2% cheeses also seem to cut down on the taste. While Velveeta isn't remotely close to a natural block of cheese, but that doesn't mean that they can't get in on the reduced fat craze. Now all I'm left to wonder is if this reduced fat cheese affects the taste compared to it's <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2012/06/lets-raise-cup-part-1.html" target="_blank">high octane cousin</a>. <br />
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<u>The Review</u><br />
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<u>Brand</u>:<br />
Velveeta Shells & Cheese: 2% Milk Cheese<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyykA5D76HcALQ1snw5V3lykvSYQUThBHX6jsWJQ9MiGfwm4UKfsIBPEA3wyiAQBi7aTgJrhbsl5EGLIInhrLBFDRfzPdT-rC-TrZuD8hk458OHpNuF9LRIrIjbfUYphPQAi7LBfxU8M/s1600/IMG_1165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyykA5D76HcALQ1snw5V3lykvSYQUThBHX6jsWJQ9MiGfwm4UKfsIBPEA3wyiAQBi7aTgJrhbsl5EGLIInhrLBFDRfzPdT-rC-TrZuD8hk458OHpNuF9LRIrIjbfUYphPQAi7LBfxU8M/s320/IMG_1165.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You don't look any thinner than a regular mac cup.</td></tr>
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<u>Price</u>:<br />
$1.08 at Target<br />
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<u>Packaging Description</u>:<br />
On Front<br />
1/2 the fat of regular microwaveable shells & cheese. See nutrition information for sodium content.<br />
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On Back<br />
N/A<br />
<u><br /></u><u>Preparation</u>:<br />
*Remove the lid from the cup and place the foil cheese pouch to the side.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well Velveeta hasn't gone and just given us less cheese, so that's a plus.</td></tr>
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*Add water to the line visible on the inside of cup <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't see any life guards on duty, please be careful little shells!</td></tr>
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*Once you've added the water, stir the pasta up before you place it into the microwave.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a little murky, it's still good. It's still good!</td></tr>
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*You'll be cooking this in the microwave for 3 1/2 minutes. Be careful when removing this from the microwave after the ding. The cup will be hot, and steam may be coming off the pasta.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little naked without it's cheese sauce. We better fix that.</td></tr>
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*Grab the foil pouch that you put to the side after you opened up the cup. You'll either want to tear an opening from the top of the pouch, or get some scissors and cup a side of the pouch off.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Proper" opening instructions included! What doesn't Velveeta think of? </td></tr>
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*Now that you've got the pouch open, squeeze that cheese into the cup.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unleash the Kraken!</td></tr>
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*Once you've squeezed every last drop of cheese sauce out of the pouch, take your eating utensil of choice and sir the cheese and cooked pasta up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MYHMEKR0MLf_m2ewZ-SFsKAh97HJZ6fOB4DVArdXbf43wZAm_JNr8jiKHVcwHtFHoXIuSbrz8zMahm8Yhyphenhyphen5eTtrIUPf9bDxGnX1nSAdLYvYDz4L8cPl3l7b5lZI9grIe3-vgo9YmUcc/s1600/IMG_1174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MYHMEKR0MLf_m2ewZ-SFsKAh97HJZ6fOB4DVArdXbf43wZAm_JNr8jiKHVcwHtFHoXIuSbrz8zMahm8Yhyphenhyphen5eTtrIUPf9bDxGnX1nSAdLYvYDz4L8cPl3l7b5lZI9grIe3-vgo9YmUcc/s320/IMG_1174.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost done, keep stirring!</td></tr>
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*Normally i'd say let this sit for a few minutes to cool, but between the cool cheese sauce and the time you've taken to add it to the pasta, the cup should be ready to eat.<br />
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*Commence with the nomming!<br />
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<u>Taste</u>:<br />
Out of the microwave you get a smell of pasta, after the cheese is added it smells like Velveeta. Upon digging into the cup you get cooked noodles that are firm and a sauce that was cheesy and tasted just like Velveeta. I noticed no difference between the standard Velveeta sauce taste and this lower fat alternative. Towards the bottom of the cup the sauce started to get watered down and it's flavor became somewhat diluted. <br />
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Final Score:<br />
What food manufacturers do, rarely ceases to amaze me. Totally cooked pasta in just over 3 minutes in the microwave? Awesome! A cheese sauce that doesn't make this <strike>snack sized</strike> meal in a cup not a horrible option for you (save the salt, there is more than this little cups fair share) is a pleasant surprise. While you shouldn't go into the store buying only these 2% reduced fat cups to replace any other mac that may be in your cupboard, when you're in the mood for something quick, lower in fat and don't mind the Velveeta taste, you've got a viable option.<br />
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:</div>
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Serving Size 1 package (62g)</div>
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Calories 180<br />
Calories From Fat 250<br />
Total Fat 3g (5% Daily Value)<br />
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Saturated Fat 1.5g (8% DV)</div>
Trans Fat 0g<br />
Cholesterol 10mg (3% DV)<br />
Sodium 650mg (27% DV)<br />
Total Carbohydrates 31g (10% DV)<br />
Dietary Fiber <1g (3% DV)<br />
Sugars 4g<br />
Protein 8g MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-66468579688407056072013-03-17T10:40:00.000-07:002013-03-17T10:40:20.296-07:00An Italian Double AgentI've finally come to <strike>the realization</strike> accept that Italian eateries aren't going to have American style macaroni and cheese. While I don't think it's too hard for them to have pasta + cheese and I still scour the menu hoping for it, but am prepared for the inevitable defeat. My one saving grace is the children's menu. American kids are often given the same options that they've got at home and after my positive results at <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2013/01/mama-mia.html" target="_blank">Strizzi's</a> I was emboldened to once again ask if it was ok to order off the child's menu. Since I'm writing a review... it must have meant that I was able to! <br />
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<a href="http://www.pastapomodoro.com/" target="_blank">Pasta Pomodoro</a> is a SF Bay Area Italian chain, focusing on the use of fresh ingredients in the preparation of modern Italian dishes (not sure exactly what modern vs classic is, but that's a discussion for a completely different blog). They've got a number of restaurants close to me and with a friend in the area during the Xmas holiday, our choice for dinner that evening was the local Pasta Pomodoro. <br />
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<u>The Review</u><br />
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<u>Brand</u>:<br />
Pasta Pomodoro's Cheesy Pasta.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6vlhUKusRvkTzL_geYlw6M5OoZ6U7V7J5MJi9Ov8ryFfnrPFNqpevPvY57ziZunENbwQ_OyJdQTMvBVRyQe9xihPuRlquCL6nS2l0sLGOqbsAy-mKjjFrUw-D1Zyy6nOUlEUIZNc5yE/s1600/IMG_1085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6vlhUKusRvkTzL_geYlw6M5OoZ6U7V7J5MJi9Ov8ryFfnrPFNqpevPvY57ziZunENbwQ_OyJdQTMvBVRyQe9xihPuRlquCL6nS2l0sLGOqbsAy-mKjjFrUw-D1Zyy6nOUlEUIZNc5yE/s1600/IMG_1085.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch out! Full moon! There could be Mac n' cheese hungry werewolves on the prowl!</td></tr>
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<u>Price</u>:<br />
$6.95 at Pasta Pomodoro <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkOxmvOMSHTqCq8SqXFottXcM_4yg_2zuksjhtgAxriAA-HoZzr7tk58A4rvl8DlFqY2pFY2M7WCX0oscbUFr24DX9iytsXMZZNQzKC0ldSbBgEhWLwrzBLzI1sxzN1fFFOwCkAmEMUs/s1600/photo(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkOxmvOMSHTqCq8SqXFottXcM_4yg_2zuksjhtgAxriAA-HoZzr7tk58A4rvl8DlFqY2pFY2M7WCX0oscbUFr24DX9iytsXMZZNQzKC0ldSbBgEhWLwrzBLzI1sxzN1fFFOwCkAmEMUs/s320/photo(1).jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many options for the kids to choose from!</td></tr>
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<u><br />
</u><u><strike>Packaging</strike> Menu Description</u>:<br />
10 and under $6.95<br />
Meals Include:<br />
Choice of soda, milk, lemonade or apple juice<br />
Choice of chocolate sundae or organic sliced apples<br />
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<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
* Using their handy find a restaurant tool on their <a href="http://www.pastapomodoro.com/locations.aspx" target="_blank">website</a> get yourself to the one. Maybe you'll be able to enjoy a film or something else before stopping in depending on the location of the closest Pasta Pomodoro to you.<br />
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*Upon entering the restaurant, go up to the host/hostess podium and let them know how many people are in your party. They'll seat you once there is a table open.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just inside the front door of the restaurant. A large bar area was to the left along with more tables, all of which were hopping. There are also tables that run along the wall on the right side of the picture that you can partially see. Again, I am taking limited internal shots because I'm trying to avoid those just trying to enjoy a meal and making them a focus of my pictures, or restaurants wondering what the hell I'm doing snapping photos like a Paparazzi.</td></tr>
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*If you're set on having the Cheesy Pasta, make sure to either have brought someone under 10 or asked your server if it's ok. I was told not only was it fine, but they did a double order for me, since the portion size was so 'small'. (Before I ordered, I asked what exactly Cheesy Pasta was since the title was a tad bit vague, even though cheesy pasta is really what a mac is. The waitress told me that it was basically a tomato cream sauce with big chunks of provolone and noodles. While it's not *exactly* a standard mac, I've reviewed a number of non-standards and the addition of tomato didn't turn me away.)<br />
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*Sometimes you end up having a long wait for your food. Maybe the kitchen is busy from large parties or it's short handed. Either way, we ended up waiting a LONG time before our meals were served. I knew the pasta dish was mine because I didn't order the Chicken Parmesan. At first look, this was WAY more tomato than I was expecting and I sure didn't see any chunks of Provolone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEbUgeFqv-rUujrhOHcgC-7AKazDqkgAkhe7C1BJOvBVoSEz4fOjN5GCuxZzEfidFuaPdBT5POLWW4MXnetDTNTkPkQifLeuigKSWJ7_Ii7L5O-YgkI2xmmS95Q2V00tNBCnAw7xwG5I/s1600/IMG_1083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEbUgeFqv-rUujrhOHcgC-7AKazDqkgAkhe7C1BJOvBVoSEz4fOjN5GCuxZzEfidFuaPdBT5POLWW4MXnetDTNTkPkQifLeuigKSWJ7_Ii7L5O-YgkI2xmmS95Q2V00tNBCnAw7xwG5I/s1600/IMG_1083.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only cheese that was on this pasta was the Parmesan that they sprinkled on for me after it was served.</td></tr>
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*Eventually our waitress checked in on us and discovered that I was served the wrong dish (I believe she called what I was served the classic Pomodoro) and quickly got me what I had <i>actually</i> ordered.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXqAfs7tlWloYWtvOxJML7bxcSiDlXfBrEb2OBvquyGWhHJd0SDovyyZXDE2bOtdwNYjEUBISu2XbcrSXfJ9fq1fUL4ru5iF1Zg92gNoa1iXHHphWStMw58Pkq9G9pwvAOsQXj-GHFHc/s1600/IMG_1082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXqAfs7tlWloYWtvOxJML7bxcSiDlXfBrEb2OBvquyGWhHJd0SDovyyZXDE2bOtdwNYjEUBISu2XbcrSXfJ9fq1fUL4ru5iF1Zg92gNoa1iXHHphWStMw58Pkq9G9pwvAOsQXj-GHFHc/s1600/IMG_1082.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While a bit redder than this picture made it out to be, feast your eyes on Cheesy Pasta!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Now that I had the correct dish the blog review could proceed once again. <br />
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*Commence with the nomming!<br />
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<br />
<u>Taste</u>:<br />
The original dish was a very tomato heavy dish. More or less a very chunky tomato sauce you would find served with a spaghetti dish but instead there were shell noodles. Wait, I'm doing the wrong dish. **record scratch**<br />
<br />
Once I got the correct dish I was treated to very al dente noodles and a cheese sauce that was only kinda cheesy. There were major tomato undertones to the cream sauce (and chunks of tomato in it) and really no real cheese notes. There was also supposed to be chunks of Provolone cheese in there for added cheesiness but I still had a hard time finding them outside of a few shells that had what seemed to be cheese inside of them.<br />
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<u>Final Score</u>:<br />
If I was scoring the restaurant as a whole, I would be putting up Worst service ever banners because of the errors, long waits for everything (order placing, drinks (sodas), refills and our food) and the fact that we were basically forgotten. Fortunately for them I'm reviewing the mac. Unfortunately, it didn't fair much better than the service. There was very little 'Cheesy' in the dish and the sauce reminded me of something akin to an Alfredo sauce that had tomato tossed in (and was somewhat similar to canned kids ravioli meals). If you take a look at the nutritional information, the calories and fat for this dish are beyond horrible for a kid to be eating as well. This was made worse for me because they gave me a double order to give me a more adult sized portion. Thankfully I don't eat lots of a mac if I don't like it and I was doubly lucky because I had already eaten half of my first dinner before I had ever gotten the mac so there was minimal damage to my waistline. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUzvnoEHULEfI6usZEDIvofnaUZunWSu9jZx7LYMuzU0KzuXzlokYCq1XXBZWhnYtl-lPAR5fPKPZjCXWu_JmZ2p0chmbEiczt_rKPGci0gk1OD4eXldxQGzmWJIuY4122nqaGUAHPtg/s1600/noodle_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUzvnoEHULEfI6usZEDIvofnaUZunWSu9jZx7LYMuzU0KzuXzlokYCq1XXBZWhnYtl-lPAR5fPKPZjCXWu_JmZ2p0chmbEiczt_rKPGci0gk1OD4eXldxQGzmWJIuY4122nqaGUAHPtg/s200/noodle_1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
While their website lists nutritional information on all of their meals <a href="http://www.pastapomodoro.com/media/40573/pp-nutritioninfo_web_2012_0112.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>, there isn't anything named Cheesy Pasta in the kids section of the nutritional information. They do have a meal called 'Easy Cheesy' which is listed at 574 calories while the kids menu lists Cheesy Pasta with 575 calories. Because of that, I will be using the Easy Cheesy information for the post. <br />
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Calories 574<br />
Total Fat 38g<br />
Saturated Fat 25g <br />
Protein 13g<br />
Carbohydrates 45g<br />
Fiber 2g<br />
Sodium 584mgMacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-54316409600429099972013-03-14T13:53:00.001-07:002013-03-14T13:53:46.535-07:00Wait... This Isn't SourdoughIt seems that I have this strange ability to be in San Francisco when the local sports franchises are playing in REALLY big games. Back in 2010, after seeing a foam Brian Wilson beard that had made it's appearance during the NLCS series against the Phillies I decided I had to have it, but couldn't find it online to order. I had a dentist appointment a few days later and ended up taking the day off to accommodate the appointment. By the time of my appointment the Giants were in the midst of the World Series and Game 5 was later that evening. A trip to the Giants dugout store at the ballpark didn't net me a beard, but I came back with World Series themed merchandise. I didn't stick around the park to see the victory at one of the many bars/restaurants exploding with fans, but they clinched their first title (as the SF Giants) that evening.<br />
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What does that have to do with mac n' cheese? Not a thing! However, I made my way back to the city and spent most of the day wandering and enjoying the highlights of the city on Superbowl Sunday, when the Niners were looking to make it win number six. While they didn't win, I hadn't seen so many Niners jerseys in one place ever and despite the beating they were taking early, the fans were incredibly well behaved. It was a site to behold hearing the entire restaurant or bar I was walking by let out with collective cheers and groans as the game progressed. One positive of the game going on that day was that the tourist traps of SF were pretty empty. While wandering, I made my pilgrimage to Boudin's massive <a href="http://www.boudinbakery.com/at-the-wharf" target="_blank">bakery/shop/cafe at Pier 41</a> for some fresh sourdough bread. While there, I took a gander at the cafe menu for a possible dinner and while I saw some <a href="http://www.boudinbakery.com/locations/bakery-cafes/menu" target="_blank">tasty options</a> I decided that a trip upstairs to the fancier <a href="http://www.bistroboudin.com/" target="_blank">Bistro Boudin</a> was in order, especially after I saw that they had multiple mac n' cheese options on their menu. I had initially planned on getting both mac n' cheeses, but due to the cost of one, I decided that I was going to have to make a second trip for the other option at a later date. I just couldn't quite go for an evening of mac n' cheese meals that were going to run me over $30, especially when I've had as many backlogged reviews as I currently do and had also had mac n' cheese for lunch too. One was going to have to do. Hopefully I made a good decision.<br />
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<br />
<u>The Review</u><br />
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<u>Brand</u>:<br />
Bistro Boudine's Dungeness Crab Mac & Cheese <u> </u><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3a4UX7QwtGl0oHuK3T5hQkphhC99K_U2sCwwHzTe3TZmmPC7tB03LYnkcBchZUm71Owz9UJbVR9Qeb9PFC5ow8LY3Lh2jiE-sCA6UJxo5jxJoVolj7kjpDBxc3wSWCMt-zRZdwNV8Ypw/s1600/IMG_1253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3a4UX7QwtGl0oHuK3T5hQkphhC99K_U2sCwwHzTe3TZmmPC7tB03LYnkcBchZUm71Owz9UJbVR9Qeb9PFC5ow8LY3Lh2jiE-sCA6UJxo5jxJoVolj7kjpDBxc3wSWCMt-zRZdwNV8Ypw/s320/IMG_1253.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry for the blur, this area also doubles as the host/hostess zone and I only had a few seconds to snap the photo before they were back in the shot and wondering what in the hell I was doing.</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a><u><br /></u><u>Price</u>:<br />
$21.50 at Bistro Boudin on the top floor of Boudin's Fisherman's Wharf location at Pier 41<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4g6WANPltpmSLnrw9l0EQ9fQZU98qpbW4l8e8zYLyHsJWyVDMvwTqBpE1KrB-MwROsBTvchhhYS1ZK-jmT7PG0SJ7FrvLGNErgH5o0VTwl7k1uqhvuKHJpntjPKIpIAECJsFiFOW6ujw/s1600/IMG_1248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4g6WANPltpmSLnrw9l0EQ9fQZU98qpbW4l8e8zYLyHsJWyVDMvwTqBpE1KrB-MwROsBTvchhhYS1ZK-jmT7PG0SJ7FrvLGNErgH5o0VTwl7k1uqhvuKHJpntjPKIpIAECJsFiFOW6ujw/s320/IMG_1248.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At $21.50 this is the single most expensive mac n' cheese dish I've purchased. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also on the menu was the Cheddar "Mac & Cheese" for $7.95<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOA4ADhJoyeBllzDIliTVdEoFXuIYDy68VynfxlRNcj1QG1yZty0y8fSROasdr-Mqu-tCWzcuARYKanLc1vtOBUa_4_EDEQVPQmbYp7bxVR0kpWn6xnPE63jiJNxWBfaEGsN8oTEpQlY/s1600/IMG_1249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOA4ADhJoyeBllzDIliTVdEoFXuIYDy68VynfxlRNcj1QG1yZty0y8fSROasdr-Mqu-tCWzcuARYKanLc1vtOBUa_4_EDEQVPQmbYp7bxVR0kpWn6xnPE63jiJNxWBfaEGsN8oTEpQlY/s320/IMG_1249.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another time CHEDDAR "MAC & CHEESE".... another time</td></tr>
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<u><strike>Packaging</strike> Menu Description</u>:<br />
Cheddar cheese, fresh cream and freshly picked Dungeness crab with buttered sourdough bread crumbs.<br />
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<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
*Oh look, you're in San Francisco! Maybe you're here after a show or concert or decided to see the sights and sounds of the city and are downtown-ish and are close to the Embarcadero. Either way, you've somehow stumbled onto Boudin's massive Bakery at Pier 41.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0qI9QpqoutyB3bQMJy2F1zBfmGfmR3DJDHIA48SfJSkx5QIiwKckXCXgc6b85-uidBIe5_0XfslQSRDsW0QaezqKpqLSTate557yecAP1RWXLEC3zNFOAXRTHa1zeSLno1U0fhs0KlQ/s1600/IMG_1255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0qI9QpqoutyB3bQMJy2F1zBfmGfmR3DJDHIA48SfJSkx5QIiwKckXCXgc6b85-uidBIe5_0XfslQSRDsW0QaezqKpqLSTate557yecAP1RWXLEC3zNFOAXRTHa1zeSLno1U0fhs0KlQ/s320/IMG_1255.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a huge building, complete with flour silo and massive display window to watch the preparation of the bread!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjwSV9-pFmiNfkIenvBmdc4NC2c9cotWqfQj7oDbgyDjmY-2CIW0hT363cK8wVDisMClHiT-2KBHFtMzKEai2O4rTs7z7pS4uaU4Sf69Y8iH-TLFoMrZvjDsm8qKWvlBw-N2n8OiD5WA/s1600/IMG_1256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjwSV9-pFmiNfkIenvBmdc4NC2c9cotWqfQj7oDbgyDjmY-2CIW0hT363cK8wVDisMClHiT-2KBHFtMzKEai2O4rTs7z7pS4uaU4Sf69Y8iH-TLFoMrZvjDsm8qKWvlBw-N2n8OiD5WA/s320/IMG_1256.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why is this vent important? Because Boudin pipes oven air out over everyone who stops and watches the bread makers handle the bread. The sweet sweet sourdough smell wafting around you comes from here. Take a few deep breaths before going inside. Trust me, it's worth it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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*Walk into the main entrance and look for the stairway going up. While there is the cafe and bread store on the opposite side of the stairs, we're here for the mac aren't we? Start hiking.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBQJFUOy8TpB_g-FYyVCeSb08MIZkWrejCZhTKlEPv4QbXLzBSi6lDaqqFdum_yIpZ8jQR7knNjdIrb6dP2RW96XWocFbxTjJbFqNJ8G-52OhY02n7GgclccWwUeIypv29M284B0urTg/s1600/IMG_1254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBQJFUOy8TpB_g-FYyVCeSb08MIZkWrejCZhTKlEPv4QbXLzBSi6lDaqqFdum_yIpZ8jQR7knNjdIrb6dP2RW96XWocFbxTjJbFqNJ8G-52OhY02n7GgclccWwUeIypv29M284B0urTg/s320/IMG_1254.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up!</td></tr>
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*After making the short climb up the stairs, walk straight ahead to the host/hostess station and request a table for you and your party. They should seat you shortly.<br />
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*Your server will arrive shortly and make sure that you've brought the necessary gold nuggets to pay for the Dungeness mac.<br />
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*When I was ordering my food, I asked about any possible differences between the Dungeness crab mac and the side dish Cheddar mac. The waiter told me that the side dish was just a smaller portion of the same mac, just minus the crab. I was relieved that I wasn't missing out on a completely different dining option and have yet another reason to head back for more bread and cheese another time.<br />
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*If the restaurant isn't very busy your food should be out quickly. I'd say that I had my mac within 10 minutes of the order being placed and I had a bar full of people watching the Super Bowl and a number of groups at tables also in the restaurant at the same time as me. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7tkekspolu-YciaAzRHinzbi8zEpYOhVBTO_j2AbMM9jlxeTZqdPEWUY-hKvd5JrKzm7gSvz58SGqs2iDz5dbLAvdCIznrqQEsxgq_7gZ0AegR3X4Fwp-WYhRvGL_vYVxfDn-75y0vk/s1600/IMG_1252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7tkekspolu-YciaAzRHinzbi8zEpYOhVBTO_j2AbMM9jlxeTZqdPEWUY-hKvd5JrKzm7gSvz58SGqs2iDz5dbLAvdCIznrqQEsxgq_7gZ0AegR3X4Fwp-WYhRvGL_vYVxfDn-75y0vk/s320/IMG_1252.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took some time to stare out the window at the lit restaurants across the parking lot from where I was sitting. The camera flash kills some of the view of some of the restaurants behind Boudin's. </td></tr>
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*After having spent some time enjoying your company, the view and the fresh sourdough bread on the table, your server will return with your mac. Make sure your lap is covered with a napkin and you've got your fork in hand.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSfh5cblHVoqX8l2Pdny7ayckKWzUbG6hug9FcHV7TFTru6NlOb5-0zc5zj8gS7NGyUGV7U9iGysADA86wLX-mAGMyXURHgJxTZEp2AtWHEB5kMj0sCROoTDUW6ym6LtBtUzVYhg8Oe4/s1600/IMG_1250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSfh5cblHVoqX8l2Pdny7ayckKWzUbG6hug9FcHV7TFTru6NlOb5-0zc5zj8gS7NGyUGV7U9iGysADA86wLX-mAGMyXURHgJxTZEp2AtWHEB5kMj0sCROoTDUW6ym6LtBtUzVYhg8Oe4/s320/IMG_1250.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Though it's a little hard to see in this picture, this thing is teeming with local Dungeness crab. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkySMxGOzqIp_4QSc8XuR9JXpFXuU3DpkYgOiDl2i4nESKUXGQB_Fk8X0Wc-lBEf6yQkd7KwZ7EmTn5QsWxh829XzYn5Mmu32fQ7L-fcEjDvAJtc3zhLLAleINPBF4kopEUZuxriYf44/s1600/IMG_1251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkySMxGOzqIp_4QSc8XuR9JXpFXuU3DpkYgOiDl2i4nESKUXGQB_Fk8X0Wc-lBEf6yQkd7KwZ7EmTn5QsWxh829XzYn5Mmu32fQ7L-fcEjDvAJtc3zhLLAleINPBF4kopEUZuxriYf44/s320/IMG_1251.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoom in, C.S.I. style. That's the Crab responsible for the second mortgage! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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*Commence with the nomming!<br />
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<u>Taste</u>:<br />
With the bowl placed in front of you, you're treated to a nice aroma of cheese and crab. The pasta was almost perfectly cooked and just a hair al dente. The noodles were shell noodles that were mostly flat and didn't hold that shell shape. The sauce was very cheesy and it had a mild sharp Cheddar taste. The Dungeness crab was generously spread through out the dish and the crab itself had a very nice buttery taste. If you didn't pick out a piece of the crab meat, you'd almost not have noticed that it was there, with the meat being chewy just like the noodles and the taste not being 'fishy' at all. The top of the mac was coated with a good dusting of bread crumbs giving it a nice crunch.<br />
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<u>Final Score</u>:<br />
OM NOM NOM. I went into this review quite unsure, worried that I was going to burn $21.50 on what would end up being a very mediocre mac overpriced because of the addition of the crab and because the restaurant was in the heart of one of San Francisco's tourist traps. While I'm sure the price was high because of where the restaurant is and because of the inclusion of local Dungeness crab, after just one bite were my fears on the mac itself were blown out of the water. Outside of homeroom, this has been bar none, the best mac I've reviewed for this blog and honestly, I'd put this above homeroom's classic and smokey bacon macs (with their Vermont sharp Cheddar holding equal with the crab). With an excellent cheesy sauce, great tasting buttery crab and a nice crunch, I would be glad to go back to SF just for another bowl of this. It was just that great. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJKQ_MTMv1Azn-BTRztjc_O5AcMtuRmDN3Xjea3-8Eu_IEI6Rdfn9ekm8JYNcWzy41u1BamacKsmewx1MzQixmT0F7DPJOX1NGDOfWPkADj0fsDe8ScHaF8sQI6gWRF4aT7bVjMj3K7M/s1600/noodle_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJKQ_MTMv1Azn-BTRztjc_O5AcMtuRmDN3Xjea3-8Eu_IEI6Rdfn9ekm8JYNcWzy41u1BamacKsmewx1MzQixmT0F7DPJOX1NGDOfWPkADj0fsDe8ScHaF8sQI6gWRF4aT7bVjMj3K7M/s1600/noodle_5.jpg" height="150" mea="true" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
This thing is bursting with cheese and real cream. I'm sure it's horrible for you, but if you're smart you've been walking all day and still have a bunch of walking to get you back to BART or your hotel room in another part of the city to help minimize the damage. MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-40015456106552970122013-03-05T08:22:00.000-08:002013-03-05T08:22:39.345-08:00You're Doing It WrongI was passed this picture by a friend today that they discovered while they browsed top images on imgur. Click <a href="http://imgur.com/gallery/Zl8Zshw" target="_blank">HERE</a> for the original imgur thread and <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/19od1r/what_my_school_advertised_as_mac_and_cheese/" target="_blank">HERE</a> for the Reddit thread. I don't upvote much but both the imgur AND reddit posts got my +1. At last check, there were over 2000 comments in the Reddit thread alone.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuBwqVQ5aTwL6a1OwKzWHKW4VW5yCzXmpQo8sjdgWmiwjuSlsqIT_DzjnavZ4NIODMWl8wlpfoV0v59qd2dolAEfixDUoJT2nWljU-KppiSFkXMBrPqAgX7YoDZeovQ5VDqqTnwUuw3s/s1600/Zl8Zshw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuBwqVQ5aTwL6a1OwKzWHKW4VW5yCzXmpQo8sjdgWmiwjuSlsqIT_DzjnavZ4NIODMWl8wlpfoV0v59qd2dolAEfixDUoJT2nWljU-KppiSFkXMBrPqAgX7YoDZeovQ5VDqqTnwUuw3s/s320/Zl8Zshw.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pasta? Check! American cheese singles? Umm... Check? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
PEOPLE, THIS IS NOT HOW YOU DO MAC N' CHEESE!!! <br />
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**Notes on imgur & Reddit**<br />
<a href="http://imgur.com//" target="_blank">Imgur</a> is a photo hosting site that also allows for people to comment on images and over the last few years has grown a fairly large community of users. It's an interesting place. Imgur also often acts as the image host for those posting on <a href="http://www.reddit.com/" target="_blank">Reddit</a> (think message forums, where there is a 'sub' reddit for practically ANYTHING) Posts found on Reddit are often comments that spring up regarding individual images that are posted. Oh, and upvotes, You can't forget those. Everyone loves upvotes. Both sites <strike>can be</strike> are HUGE time sucks, can have plenty of naught words and in some corners, many naughty images as well so don't spend too much time there if you're browsing this blog at work. MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-21102798786867087122013-02-20T14:13:00.001-08:002013-02-20T14:13:45.962-08:00Tub O' MacYou remember the darnedest things from your childhood. We didn't buy it for our home, but I remember Shedd's Country Crock <strike>butter</strike> margarine. I know friends who used it at their house, but why the brown tub stuck with me is a mystery. Country Crock was heavily advertised and quite popular when I was growing up. The brown tub and the butter churn were staples on TV and in grocery stores. I don't know when I stopped noticing that brown plastic tub on the shelves of my grocers, but I was quite surprised to see that Country Crock had made a bit of a reprieve by adding side dishes to their lineup. I'm not 100% sure why Unleaver (parent mega food corp who own Country Crock) has teamed up with Hormel for these sides, it doesn't really matter in the long run, because the fact there is an mac to review is what really matters.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>The Review</u><br />
<br />
<u>Brand</u>:<br />
Country Crock Elbow Macaroni & Cheese<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhkzOIdbGMU2U5B0jqqQA9A3KvKNMSTdSo1t1hAgUv_6UGHT3hBVJBnefF7XazRTbDVgAgLIHwyaAT-k0skkYZZVU9fvDcWy7Eu-SYU4vTgsrPrxePxWpqCVHaWHBTsxwRTHIMbKkn54/s1600/IMG_0741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhkzOIdbGMU2U5B0jqqQA9A3KvKNMSTdSo1t1hAgUv_6UGHT3hBVJBnefF7XazRTbDVgAgLIHwyaAT-k0skkYZZVU9fvDcWy7Eu-SYU4vTgsrPrxePxWpqCVHaWHBTsxwRTHIMbKkn54/s1600/IMG_0741.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packaging when purchased in the fall of 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBysxNZxiTEM-Xvk7Ni3v1tp3V6mxbgiGZoNSatrfoDjZQeUodoEUX_fGcdYXpwEdCOG5VTt4r-AyZVvRG9ed2LKret_4Vm_LO9LT_FTJdKLFwWgxuKj0EZV5TPIGW8_vbXHPVIBREME/s1600/IMG_1159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBysxNZxiTEM-Xvk7Ni3v1tp3V6mxbgiGZoNSatrfoDjZQeUodoEUX_fGcdYXpwEdCOG5VTt4r-AyZVvRG9ed2LKret_4Vm_LO9LT_FTJdKLFwWgxuKj0EZV5TPIGW8_vbXHPVIBREME/s1600/IMG_1159.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New packaging as of January 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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<u>Price</u>:<br />
$3.49 (on sale) at Safeway ($5.49 regular price)<br />
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<u>Packaging Description</u>:<br />
(On Top)<br />
Made with REAL cheese, Same size, less packaging.<br />
<br />
(On Side)<br />
This package contains the same grea quality you expect from HORMEL COUNTRY CROCK Side Dishes. Just no more paper sleeve to throw away. This package has advantages over other plastic tubs. First, our tub has "stay cool" handles. These handles make it easier for you to remove your heated container from the microwave. Second, our tub is also better for the environment. By removing the paper sleeve and printing all the information directly on the tub, we save over 1.300 tons of wood or 8500 trees annually. To see the full impact of the energy savings associated with this paper reduction, visit our website at hormel.com and check out our Environmental Impact Report. <i>Please enjoy!</i><br />
<br />
Same size. Same great taste. Like HORMEL COUNTRY CROCK Side Dishes? Try these other great HORMEL Products: HORMEL Beef Roast au jus, LLOYD'S St. Louis Style Pork Spareribs in Original BBQ Sauce, LLOYD'S Shredded Pork in Original BBQ Sauce<br />
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<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
* I'm going to assume (don't be making an ass out of us both here) that you've already gone to the grocery store, purchased and brought the tub home and placed it into the fridge. If you somehow skipped one of the above steps, thank the person who did.<br />
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*Remove the lid and poke a few holes into the plastic film covering the container of mac.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnTnWW6sMGZwHUzPCmAQuCtqf9S_db0B8iG9r0MXx6xkduCK02yTfAuD7wd0oF30fsi_W9w6wKlOoyfgF4g4DIep25jvE01z4TzuhTdwO1wRkV6e3JyIcQpKARbQChAA3PFbc33LTUqc/s1600/IMG_0743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnTnWW6sMGZwHUzPCmAQuCtqf9S_db0B8iG9r0MXx6xkduCK02yTfAuD7wd0oF30fsi_W9w6wKlOoyfgF4g4DIep25jvE01z4TzuhTdwO1wRkV6e3JyIcQpKARbQChAA3PFbc33LTUqc/s1600/IMG_0743.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sealed for our protection! Well it was until I went and poked a bunch of ventilation holes in it for cooking.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br />
*Place the bowl in the microwave and cook for two minutes.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoHOErlj5_1PHHsnI6UJLRxhd0IYpaDO0dOvzSxh4iQuNLs7KoWdH6FxEzmM1NDQQZTJdp3BLCbxKaIst5o4gXLSUgGxEH9h3MYcj9dsYeRT-FoKxKcRLuOqOYRddKxeGQnXOFGwD4tg/s1600/IMG_0744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoHOErlj5_1PHHsnI6UJLRxhd0IYpaDO0dOvzSxh4iQuNLs7KoWdH6FxEzmM1NDQQZTJdp3BLCbxKaIst5o4gXLSUgGxEH9h3MYcj9dsYeRT-FoKxKcRLuOqOYRddKxeGQnXOFGwD4tg/s1600/IMG_0744.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All steamy from it's preliminary heating up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Peel back the plastic film and stir up the mac and cheese. Make sure to not peel it all the way off, you'll still need it a bit longer.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTV8AghDz83yBWHnvzPbBDPLgwB8bV7LoihQY1purnNplGwWjk1obBRu0kmpRcfVTJxTk9IGIgVJMWRgIYFSZ_TG_fivje13xroQ8QHpgP92vW7JSoXu1UkNzn80JzEfgY43W4gGpjeI/s1600/IMG_0745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTV8AghDz83yBWHnvzPbBDPLgwB8bV7LoihQY1purnNplGwWjk1obBRu0kmpRcfVTJxTk9IGIgVJMWRgIYFSZ_TG_fivje13xroQ8QHpgP92vW7JSoXu1UkNzn80JzEfgY43W4gGpjeI/s1600/IMG_0745.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First ya peel it back.... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZ0i244WKyyvjZiv0SxaFPqFYb1SdkbvFKu1okfvKCggtZeeIaDwiLCI5PniGrygWwJ1D2Rts95Nxz1163l8bfT9mard7NCp3Iw6GO5v8cB7BULOIbh2wpYU8_RuvHxhEdxcfv-IYW1s/s1600/IMG_0747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZ0i244WKyyvjZiv0SxaFPqFYb1SdkbvFKu1okfvKCggtZeeIaDwiLCI5PniGrygWwJ1D2Rts95Nxz1163l8bfT9mard7NCp3Iw6GO5v8cB7BULOIbh2wpYU8_RuvHxhEdxcfv-IYW1s/s1600/IMG_0747.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then you stir it up. That quick stirring appeared to make it less watery, not sure quite how that happened, but I'm not going to question the food gods.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Once stirred up, place the film back over the container and place it back in the microwave for an additional two minutes. Once it's finished the second round of cooking, let the container sit in the microwave and cool for one minute before removing it. It will be hot, fortunately there are those "stay cool" handles to use!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicw_tFnYvCMQ60TDmsmPeOEfOWRzrttsHP-VbyQoDYNJOcoBu5XyfCbja2GeKzBykGS2tEXx0vfFqmVY33-W_rwllMJbsSZsS2Z-5ZTkCq1A6sYIaCQymAFlKd54cnde20UkPOOjvEX7Y/s1600/IMG_0746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicw_tFnYvCMQ60TDmsmPeOEfOWRzrttsHP-VbyQoDYNJOcoBu5XyfCbja2GeKzBykGS2tEXx0vfFqmVY33-W_rwllMJbsSZsS2Z-5ZTkCq1A6sYIaCQymAFlKd54cnde20UkPOOjvEX7Y/s1600/IMG_0746.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just out of the microwave after it's second round of heating. Most of the extra moisture seems to have evaporated.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Give the container another good stir and serve.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrFcOFN78bXsYtwsImhepcBYCL_iTCQ9LFK6fbHgE0ZQVWR-GZRhk4SF4gR8TlNj3OddI67A2enILrLjMfpDgIkDyS9OjnLojbs2EdrsSEZy63U-csRDWX41mLpSLN8a9d7w0C1LmuU0/s1600/IMG_0748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrFcOFN78bXsYtwsImhepcBYCL_iTCQ9LFK6fbHgE0ZQVWR-GZRhk4SF4gR8TlNj3OddI67A2enILrLjMfpDgIkDyS9OjnLojbs2EdrsSEZy63U-csRDWX41mLpSLN8a9d7w0C1LmuU0/s1600/IMG_0748.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While there may not bet a serving spoon or a fork in the container, it is ready to go.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Commence with the nomming! <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<u>Taste</u>:</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Once the plastic film was removed your nose is hit with a good cheesy smell wafting up from the container. Digging into the container (this was a solo trial) I was surprised that while a bit runny looking, the sauce itself wasn't actually runny and had a good consistency. The sauce itself, while quite cheesy, had a strange taste. I'm not sure if I'd describe it as artificial (like a processed cheese single), but it wasn't just a standard cheddar taste thats for sure. The noodles were very overcooked which just practically dissolved once they were chewed. </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<u>Final Score</u>:</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
I'm glad that this blog continues to surprise me. Meals that I think will suck often don't (or don't suck as bad as expected) and those heap some heavy initial praise on have not lived up to expectations. I wasn't expecting this to be very good, or very cheesy once I saw the sauce. While the noodles were incredibly overcooked, the sauce was pretty respectable (despite that slight mysterious can't place my finger on it taste). For a just toss me in the microwave and making it a side dish to a larger meal, when your focus is on a cheesy side, you could be doing much worse than this.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla_C7TvuR1J-xBGKVV1-0opOynbJtDCmC9bHmYGcw7a7OO9n1pCWKEu64DIH7Hrp1nG8Yg5fRv4eakaB_aA_NUM062EzHWdLKHhnKhU4tGouopi_tMs0KJwanUK9tcTLVUVgtcoeKx18/s1600/noodle_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla_C7TvuR1J-xBGKVV1-0opOynbJtDCmC9bHmYGcw7a7OO9n1pCWKEu64DIH7Hrp1nG8Yg5fRv4eakaB_aA_NUM062EzHWdLKHhnKhU4tGouopi_tMs0KJwanUK9tcTLVUVgtcoeKx18/s200/noodle_3.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Serving Size 1 cup (230g)</div>
Servings Per Container 2.5<br />
<br />
Calories 330<br />
Calories From Fat 130<br />
Total Fat 14g (22% Daily Value)<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Saturated Fat 6g (30% DV)</div>
Trans Fat 0g<br />
Cholesterol 30mg (10% DV)<br />
Sodium 930mg (39% DV)<br />
Total Carbohydrates 38g (13% DV)<br />
Dietary Fiber 2g (8% DV)<br />
Sugars 7g<br />
Protein 14g MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-80751803376199453332013-02-15T07:21:00.001-08:002013-02-15T07:21:50.947-08:00Back to homeroomI think if you've read many of my posts, you'll have discovered (like I have) that consistently the best mac's I've reviewed have all been 'homestyle' macs. The freshness and quality of the ingredients, how they are prepared really highlights everything about them and how much fresh ingredients really trump packaged or previously prepared meals that are made on the stove or in your microwave. These other meals may not be bad, but they aren't the same and that's a big deal.<br />
<br />
When i visited homeroom a <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2012/07/homeroom-that-should-be-in-every-school.html" target="_blank">few months back</a>, we all had a great time when we took over a good portion of the communal table for our lunch. We had really tasty food and we started to talk about making a return trip. I knew I had left a number of options untried on their menu, including a few spicy and more adventerous dishes that wouldn't normally be up my alley. But I'm doing this blog for those 15 daily readers damn it and I can't let them down so I was more than game to head back. <br />
<br />
My friends and I finally all had a availability and another Saturday afternoon trip was scheduled back in the beginning of December. <br />
<br />
To my surprise the menu had changed (hello winter menu! which included a spicy Sriracha Mac, a Smokey Bacon Mac and a Truffle Mac that has real truffles in it and costs $15 bucks!) and some of those yet to try options were gone (darn, no Feta mac), but they had added the above new ones in their place.<br />
<br />
While most of the party enjoyed what they had last trip, I made sure to try a new dish and this one was an easy choice. It had bacon!<br />
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<br />
<u>The Review</u><br />
<br />
<u>Brand</u>:<br />
homeroom's Smokey Bacon Mac<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKL9RhyTCLOrF3-8CsLMbCRC9vzXLNuQd2YmrlKe_d0eCkQUKMCCWcbdH0dXR3l-ZhD5OAoylxB03ppVfdJeX1rJjXwuzKW7wn0tloCguDmJKyAQ9P3KXZEDDJJoM5_UdsUX9lgpYgeeI/s1600/IMG_0528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKL9RhyTCLOrF3-8CsLMbCRC9vzXLNuQd2YmrlKe_d0eCkQUKMCCWcbdH0dXR3l-ZhD5OAoylxB03ppVfdJeX1rJjXwuzKW7wn0tloCguDmJKyAQ9P3KXZEDDJJoM5_UdsUX9lgpYgeeI/s1600/IMG_0528.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're back!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<u><strike>Packaging</strike> Menu Description</u>:<br />
Rich and bold with smoked cheddar, jack cheese and bacon.<br />
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<u>Price</u>:<br />
$ 8.95<br />
<br />
<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
*Get thee back to homeroom while the winter menu is available. Which means now. Why are you still here, unless you're reading this on your mobile device and are already on your way.<br />
<br />
*Order your mac (with bacon!)<br />
<br />
*Let the pro's in the kitchen whip up your food while you have some good conversation with those at your table. We made paper cranes while we waited for our meals to come out. They were pretty awesome cranes.<br />
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*Raise your hand when the server brings up your order so that someone else at the table doesn't regret their baconless order and try to swipe it from you.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWplb4R8lFN-GVu5LH3wrzgG18abEomUHDkBdTd5KKo_uBokhhJDEuoEjDkHI_a1OTHYtxRxVK7PyFWBiY9NidYhmlkEcHF7tOLyQ5e-YwOWM2dLAKC-ul5jWAtlIlQrL-ef7oXBkbXU/s1600/IMG_1043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWplb4R8lFN-GVu5LH3wrzgG18abEomUHDkBdTd5KKo_uBokhhJDEuoEjDkHI_a1OTHYtxRxVK7PyFWBiY9NidYhmlkEcHF7tOLyQ5e-YwOWM2dLAKC-ul5jWAtlIlQrL-ef7oXBkbXU/s1600/IMG_1043.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trust me, there's bacon in that thar mac!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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*Commence with the nomming!</div>
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<u>Taste</u>:</div>
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The restaurant smells of cheesy goodness, so until your bowl is right in front of you don't smell your specific meal. Once it had been placed in front of me, I did smell the bacon. Well, I thought I smelled the bacon, my dish was actually on the other side of the table and I got a friends mac. I didn't notice it wasn't right (and was actually a garlic mac) until they said something. Once I did get my bowl, I was greeted with a sauce that was creamy and had a distinct Monterey Jack taste. You could taste the bacon through out the dish, even when there wasn't bacon in your forkfull. Fortunately the bacon taste was subtle and didn't over power the dish. The breadcrumbs were crispy and gave the top a nice crunch. The bacon itself had the look of undercooked bacon (very soft) but tasted very good.</div>
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<u>Final Score</u>:<br />
Another great mac. Personally I'm a fan of crunchy bacon. I am not a fan of bacon that has that limp/undercooked feel to it. While it may be properly cooked, I just feel that this needed to be cooked more for the dish to really hit it out of the park. Hopefully they make this a full time menu option. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6fc7kGwe2Axwo0HDRj9RjtHKHT1OiRqprmwaNSIrqKTUNtJtvAboFju2MoZBzgPXYt7vB3q9pzioGiJ8Ql6KB3_eNvNQUT-eBtKmV2cAHWadRuBnI0L2dVfMT_1cZlbji0nsUHk-ocI/s1600/noodle_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6fc7kGwe2Axwo0HDRj9RjtHKHT1OiRqprmwaNSIrqKTUNtJtvAboFju2MoZBzgPXYt7vB3q9pzioGiJ8Ql6KB3_eNvNQUT-eBtKmV2cAHWadRuBnI0L2dVfMT_1cZlbji0nsUHk-ocI/s1600/noodle_4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
As I had previously mentioned, all the mac's made at homeroom are prepared with excellent ingredients. This will be a high calorie meal, full of fat, salt and the other stuff that is best enjoyed in moderation. If I can make this two meals, so can you.<br />
<br />MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-67560071333431395692013-01-25T15:16:00.003-08:002013-01-25T15:16:57.227-08:00Mama Mia!Macaroni and cheese is a decidedly American dish I've come to realize. I would think that this pasta dish would have worked it's way into (or out of) all kinds of Italian restaurants because of it's ease of making, when in reality it doesn't ever seem to be on the menu unless you're looking at the children's menu. That means the planned Mac N' Steve's world tour of eateries (in Italy) that serve mac n' cheese vacation I had planned won't really net me any new blog posts.<br />
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While the lack of main menu mac's may stop some from trying to order the worlds best use of cheese and pasta, it doesn't stop me. What's the harm in asking if I can order off the menu even if I don't come close to looking like I'm 12 (just because I may act my shoe size sometimes...)? <br />
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Just over a month ago I went to dinner with my parents for their birthdays (born just 4 days apart) and while <a href="http://www.strizzis.com/index.html" target="_blank">Strizzis</a> has an Italian flare with some American influence, I had no option for a mac and cheese on the main menu (I guess I shouldn't be surprised). The waitress however was kind enough (or didn't care) that I asked if it was O.K. to order off the children's menu and she even told me that the potion was a pretty respectable size so I didn't need to worry about going hungry ordering it. <br />
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With that kind of reinforcement, I had no choice but to fulfill my destiny... erm order it.<br />
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<u>The Review</u><br />
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<u>Brand</u>:<br />
Strizzis (Kid's Menu) Macaroni & Cheese<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHI6AjQlYpRl9LTsEX7kWio4BBZXkB35ZK8dew0Oc-NHZzSnxK5l-IsczUpxCe8BKgEs6TzPuLOhek0xiowosPr_cTlZxBn4G5j47pOmyiIj4_gI_gReyOwhZts-v0iU-C-0VC3g4XKsk/s1600/IMG_1054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHI6AjQlYpRl9LTsEX7kWio4BBZXkB35ZK8dew0Oc-NHZzSnxK5l-IsczUpxCe8BKgEs6TzPuLOhek0xiowosPr_cTlZxBn4G5j47pOmyiIj4_gI_gReyOwhZts-v0iU-C-0VC3g4XKsk/s1600/IMG_1054.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u>Price</u>:<br />
$7.99 <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEYw5uBdpGwnCMDYM51TntvTD3DHhx1x7mWWWT32xnUIqUTIH2Jc-ArmPZhkDp0lDiV-nKPl1lg2iw8Bkdc1xJiAT6G-c2iyqKWcVRmlEJUpL0aBCEfLiPpAT4lKXWomewWSRy2XHxNw/s1600/IMG_1053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEYw5uBdpGwnCMDYM51TntvTD3DHhx1x7mWWWT32xnUIqUTIH2Jc-ArmPZhkDp0lDiV-nKPl1lg2iw8Bkdc1xJiAT6G-c2iyqKWcVRmlEJUpL0aBCEfLiPpAT4lKXWomewWSRy2XHxNw/s1600/IMG_1053.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now that I think about it... I didn't get ice cream at the end of my meal. I got gypped! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<u><strike>Packaging</strike> Menu Description</u>:<br />
All American Favorite!<br />
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<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
*First find a <a href="http://www.strizzis.com/locations.html" target="_blank">Strizzis</a>. They have a few locations to choose from in the east bay. <br />
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*After being seated and reviewing the menu, try to order the mac and cheese. If the server gives you a look, point that it's for the kid at the table (you did bring a kid correct?) and say it's for them.<br />
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*While waiting for your food, enjoy the fresh bread and olive oil that is brought out for you. Your whole meal will be starch, just let it go and enjoy some warm bread. It's endless bread, so go hog wild!<br />
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*When your meal arrives, make sure to thank the server, have your napkin placed properly on your lap (not tucked into your shirt collar) and that you keep your elbows off the table while you eat.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmtDwx8cWr1MCFDAny-ca4u54U3VfJRF37KwdKWmgRxPeFPb3guUg1UvcxUi_2NXQ0h5vsxSqBbqt8NFTJWjm3zjiw19QjhCrp3dzGgMsii54kVM4TFL_wmKrgowXTo4DkYH3Ckububg/s1600/IMG_1052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmtDwx8cWr1MCFDAny-ca4u54U3VfJRF37KwdKWmgRxPeFPb3guUg1UvcxUi_2NXQ0h5vsxSqBbqt8NFTJWjm3zjiw19QjhCrp3dzGgMsii54kVM4TFL_wmKrgowXTo4DkYH3Ckububg/s1600/IMG_1052.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Served on a plate. Seemed a little weird personally, as I think it would have presented much better in some kind of bowl.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Commence with the nomming!<br />
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Taste:<br />
As the plate was placed in front of me, I got a faint cheesy smell, though it was competing with the meals that my parents had ordered (one was a salmon dish if memory serves). The sauce was a bit salty, but it was still cheesy, with a distinct American cheese taste. Mixed into the sauce were smaller chunks of what I think was Parmesan cheese. It covered the noodles well and was nice and smooth. Whatever those chunks of cheese were, they didn't pack a huge wallop. The noodles were firm and cooked, but not al dente.<br />
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<u>Final Score</u>:<br />
This mac was decidedly middle of the road. It wasn't amazing and it wasn't bad. A kid getting this wouldn't be upset with it and nor was I. My only real criticism was that while the meal came out on a plate, it let the whole dish get colder quicker because of how it was presented. Serving it in a smaller bowl would have kept it warmer longer and would have made it feel like it was more food. Being on the plate, there really wasn't anything below any noodle that was stabbed by your fork before it was placed into your mouth. The left over sauce did make for a good wipe for their fresh table bread.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla_C7TvuR1J-xBGKVV1-0opOynbJtDCmC9bHmYGcw7a7OO9n1pCWKEu64DIH7Hrp1nG8Yg5fRv4eakaB_aA_NUM062EzHWdLKHhnKhU4tGouopi_tMs0KJwanUK9tcTLVUVgtcoeKx18/s1600/noodle_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla_C7TvuR1J-xBGKVV1-0opOynbJtDCmC9bHmYGcw7a7OO9n1pCWKEu64DIH7Hrp1nG8Yg5fRv4eakaB_aA_NUM062EzHWdLKHhnKhU4tGouopi_tMs0KJwanUK9tcTLVUVgtcoeKx18/s1600/noodle_3.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
I didn't see any nutritional information in the restaurant (though I didn't ask) and there isn't any nutritional information on their website. The one thing going for it is that the portion size is smaller being that it's on the kids menu, so while it may have a reasonably high calorie and salt load for a serving, you're not getting tricked into multiple servings worth on your plate.MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-1911986378663743912013-01-08T14:08:00.002-08:002013-01-08T14:08:40.818-08:00One If By Freezer, Two If By StoreThere aren't too many places that have their own lines of foods available in stores in addition to having actual restaurants that serve the same food stuffs. Often you're given the 'inspired by' route when you see that same meal at your local grocers, rather than the same exact thing that is in the restaurant. To a degree the chain/company loses out if you're not in their establishment enjoying their food, but if they're smart, they make good money because of the licensing that they've got on those meals. I really don't know how it all works out and I really don't care. I care about getting at Mac N' Cheese, in whatever form it may come to me.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bostonmarket.com/home" target="_blank">Boston Market</a> a decade ago was HUGE (actually their rise started in the late 90's, man I feel old). They had restaurants all over the place serving up all kinds of rotisserie chicken, turkey, meat loaf (barf!) and those other big dinner favorites that we Americans love in addition to sandwiches that had the same stuff in them. That massive expansion did eventually catch up and McDonalds of all companies bought them up in 2000. They were originally bought for the real estate, but because McDonalds was trying to expand their image past the drive through / food in 30 seconds feeling their restaurants and menu's had at the time and because the Boston Market brand still was pulling in good sales, they didn't shut them down. McDonalds sold Boston Market off in 2007, just a year after they had pulled out of Chipotle as well.<br />
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While Boston Markets are rare finds here in the Bay Area now, I had recently gone back to the city of my youth to drop some stuff off at my parents and the wife and I stumbled onto the fact that the one I ate at those many years ago that opened when I was a teen, was in fact still open. Having a meal that was something completely different than the typical fast food lunch struck a cord and realizing that there was a mac waiting for me to review once we got inside, I was excited to see how it compared to their <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2012/06/mainstay-in-freezer-aisles-now-are.html" target="_blank">frozen variety</a> mac & cheese.<br />
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<u>The Review</u><br />
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<u>Brand</u>:<br />
Boston Market Gourmet Side Mac & Cheese<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GPuwFhJdOKDxxCzVKXdCDpzPJGtpodbSCGQ5vo70IcvJPGFVZqviBvKLsfGiH7Uhed-2a3knTRk-mEXjqjIs87fO2AqXj6_SWpf3JhvBuoofzqEDDkIkwK26CYV-d0saK61Yqy11sO8/s1600/IMG_0997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GPuwFhJdOKDxxCzVKXdCDpzPJGtpodbSCGQ5vo70IcvJPGFVZqviBvKLsfGiH7Uhed-2a3knTRk-mEXjqjIs87fO2AqXj6_SWpf3JhvBuoofzqEDDkIkwK26CYV-d0saK61Yqy11sO8/s320/IMG_0997.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used to work across the street from this place and I ate a ton of their Carver sandwiches all those years ago.</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<u>Price</u>:<br />
A la Carte $2.29 for regular size, $4.29 for the large size. Also, depending on what you order, sides may be included so there would be no additional charge in selecting the mac as your side dish.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSAdFppbFn4dVNnd-MP_LPVMi14-PTtVF4TqGtM15L0C_jmbVQhCXlw1ZIgFjx0L6lQ-btvJeMSJnDqFkSoMG-vJHHpzWzND3XKyGNS7LIK-LKgPhvuPtXh34xrxGiZG8sr0FW7EZM7A/s1600/IMG_0999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSAdFppbFn4dVNnd-MP_LPVMi14-PTtVF4TqGtM15L0C_jmbVQhCXlw1ZIgFjx0L6lQ-btvJeMSJnDqFkSoMG-vJHHpzWzND3XKyGNS7LIK-LKgPhvuPtXh34xrxGiZG8sr0FW7EZM7A/s320/IMG_0999.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I still haven't gotten over the weird looks I get when I bust out my phone to take pictures of the food/menu's in restaurants. I'm always worried about getting told to put it away or get out. I swear I'm not filming the next food safety expose!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
*If you know where there is a Boston Market, you're doing pretty good. If not, use their <a href="http://www.bostonmarket.com/locations?page=locator" target="_blank">location finder</a> to get the address of one. For example, there are now only 11 Boston Market's in the entire Bay Area, so be prepared for travel!<br />
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*Stand in line and peruse the menu while waiting to order. Want a Quarter chicken? Maybe a Turkey Carver sandwich? So many choices!<br />
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*After you've placed your order you'll be given a number. Find an open table and display your number proudly if you're staying to eat. If not, stand at the end of the food bar line. They'll call your receipt number once your order is ready.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIswPMZ5pYzFzmPnRthiFSuR_WP2MvOPQiJ7JbYPZ54rEV-OjCKjcjCUf3RdgGzAgDYdHhTLmo0D5jeOdAngUCOUPTqcD8nDHHjDpQn_otY_WjEIMgPfaMmBGADC3NEBoFS2-UvlfjlQ/s1600/IMG_0998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIswPMZ5pYzFzmPnRthiFSuR_WP2MvOPQiJ7JbYPZ54rEV-OjCKjcjCUf3RdgGzAgDYdHhTLmo0D5jeOdAngUCOUPTqcD8nDHHjDpQn_otY_WjEIMgPfaMmBGADC3NEBoFS2-UvlfjlQ/s320/IMG_0998.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whatever magical preparation happened to make the mac is a mystery, it'll still be doled out with vigor into the side dish container.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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*The employee/server will bring out your plate, which you will eat using real <strike>silverware</strike> flatware. It's actually a nice touch considering the nature of the restaurant. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiXXEizWQj9M7raH8dx0Voma_HBf07KUA1Wz0uDTmoSPP5wwqBJ9jQwLZbwc_KZV_xYsxwdT1LEPmlJvX9FlFWtY3Oe_jsEugae1LYmAHYZiOhwPGhqxLFe9k_EMkNFFxOGdwRhbDDhM/s1600/IMG_1001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiXXEizWQj9M7raH8dx0Voma_HBf07KUA1Wz0uDTmoSPP5wwqBJ9jQwLZbwc_KZV_xYsxwdT1LEPmlJvX9FlFWtY3Oe_jsEugae1LYmAHYZiOhwPGhqxLFe9k_EMkNFFxOGdwRhbDDhM/s320/IMG_1001.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went with the half Turkey Carver + Mac side combo meal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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*Commence with the nomming!<br />
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<u>Taste</u>:<br />
After the plate was set in front of me, I didn't notice any smell that was letting me know that mac was there, though the light eminating off the little bowl was trying to get into the KFC territority. The noodles were almost overcooked (they had just the last bit of firmness that showed they came out about 30 seconds before being beyond overdone) and were quite chewy. The sauce was cheesy, but it really did not taste very good. The sauce tasted like some kind of an American/processed cheese amalgmation.<br />
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<u>Final Score</u>:<br />
While I'm not surprised that the frozen and restaurant versions weren't the same, I was surprised with the outcome. The frozen version was SO much better. Noodles weren't overdone, the sauce was better and was actually eaten. I went in hoping for a 'fresh' version of what I got from the freezer aisle and I was sorely disappointed. I gave up on the restaurant side quickly because it really wasn't very good and having now seen the nutritional information, I'm glad that I did. Boston Market is a rare fast food place that has a much different atmosphere than most other chains (while Chipotle and McDonalds and Taco Bell have really stepped up their dining room game) and they've gone to lengths to try and be a better/healthier place by not having salt on the tables, it's easy to see why. The side dish alone would have been close to 40% of my sodium intake if I had polished it off. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYX0MnrAYmPTUL9Q3nUHdURb6HITVSy8gWGs7W7Kvyu3nj-rZCvxXKuZXBsDXYXgXyOzgw_lPLmED55xUPYpFEmlfok1ljE1q-bIjCswqIVvLMqf__GC1s0znB2xtdQYRMH5mbxjwLEy8/s1600/noodle_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYX0MnrAYmPTUL9Q3nUHdURb6HITVSy8gWGs7W7Kvyu3nj-rZCvxXKuZXBsDXYXgXyOzgw_lPLmED55xUPYpFEmlfok1ljE1q-bIjCswqIVvLMqf__GC1s0znB2xtdQYRMH5mbxjwLEy8/s1600/noodle_2.jpg" eea="true" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
**Taken from the Boston Market nutritional guide found online**<br />
Serving Size ~1 cup (210g)<br />
Servings Per Container ???<br />
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Calories 280<br />
Calories From Fat 100<br />
Total Fat 11g <br />
Saturated Fat 7g <br />
Trans Fat 0g<br />
Cholesterol 30mg <br />
Sodium 1050mg <br />
Total Carbohydrates 33g <br />
Dietary Fiber 2g <br />
Sugars 5g <br />
Protein 10g<br />
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<br />MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-4884510108390631572012-12-31T13:32:00.003-08:002013-01-04T22:17:58.104-08:00Every Day Is FridayI've been relatively lucky so far with this blog. Not too many of the meals that I've had (or picked up and am sitting on for review) have ceased to exist. I know we've lost the <a href="http://www.macandsteve.blogspot.com/2012/06/is-that-some-mac-in-your-pocket-or-are.html" target="_blank">Four Cheese Hot Pocket</a> and menu items have changed at <a href="http://www.homeroom510.com/" target="_blank">homeroom</a> recently (fresh review of new mac coming soon!) but the losses are much shorter than the new additions. It's sad that things get dropped, but sometimes sales don't dictate keeping something around or that the costs to produce it have become too high. But today, this is a blog first. The return of a long lost friend.<br />
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T.G.I. Friday's has gone through some rough times of late and locally (SF Bay Area) has shuttered a good number of their restaurants. One thing that they had on their menu for a number of years starting in the late 2000's, was a fried mac & cheese appetizer. There would be six breaded wedges of mac and cheese that would come out on a long plate that was drizzled with some kind of cheese sauce and a little bit of parsley (for color!). Sadly they disappeared off the menu probably two years ago. It was better for our midlines that they weren't there, but the blog lost a potential review and I lost a tasty appetizer. <br />
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At the store not to long ago, I did my check of the frozen food aisles and what did I see, with a *New* burst on it's box, but T.G.I.'s frozen appetizers had gained an old friend back, the mac wedges. <br />
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Brand: <br />
T.G.I. Friday's Mac &Cheese Wedges - Three Cheese<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwzd3LdnEhZ57aRKSZkdNLklLCe9UeH3EJgxoIQkdvSSNM_nyryompSRK_5ZAX1owETmEYXnJuFGq50Fvin_QXadgz06ltuQPJnSMPHuSWfmSS3Vo7O7PHvFpcm2LES3jbsnFB9Btt7c/s1600/IMG_0974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwzd3LdnEhZ57aRKSZkdNLklLCe9UeH3EJgxoIQkdvSSNM_nyryompSRK_5ZAX1owETmEYXnJuFGq50Fvin_QXadgz06ltuQPJnSMPHuSWfmSS3Vo7O7PHvFpcm2LES3jbsnFB9Btt7c/s320/IMG_0974.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back from the dead. This calls for a celebration, the party starts at 8!</td></tr>
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<u>Price</u>:<br />
$ 5.99 at Safeway<br />
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<u>Packaging Description</u>:<br />
(On Front)<br />
Macaroni and creamy Cheddar, Parmesan and Romano cheese sauce in a crispy breading.<br />
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(On Back)<br />
Get the great taste of T.G.I. Friday's straight from you freezer! Appetizers - Snacking & Meal Time<br />
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<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
*Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.<br />
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*Remove the frozen wedges from the package. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQG8f7lFUi5-f50_La_aGPai4LSJ5ylF-GtQkWO6sxjUAbgpaFG5lkxVgBdW_FuKbQLADfDoGXuotbcSIdp3hGLjSkSNaMOod1U1Gq_oz7mZIKu20Lzs888K0z3Jzxj9EtTAsx51AVSA/s1600/IMG_0977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQG8f7lFUi5-f50_La_aGPai4LSJ5ylF-GtQkWO6sxjUAbgpaFG5lkxVgBdW_FuKbQLADfDoGXuotbcSIdp3hGLjSkSNaMOod1U1Gq_oz7mZIKu20Lzs888K0z3Jzxj9EtTAsx51AVSA/s320/IMG_0977.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many wedges.... **drool**</td></tr>
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*Lay the wedges down on a non-stick oven safe surface.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiv3y6S5RGIkZJ8ITnq8UV_G2GbehUC6EE6KI9cpoV3LU52I1lP-YlaLYunzsASuOalSxjZXV5imwn-t0Jx-dkkldKAp3oEDGy4ohq-D6qjiY0ipsMm-jgASzOwCSrcm0NJGHIFpUv5Q/s1600/IMG_0978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiv3y6S5RGIkZJ8ITnq8UV_G2GbehUC6EE6KI9cpoV3LU52I1lP-YlaLYunzsASuOalSxjZXV5imwn-t0Jx-dkkldKAp3oEDGy4ohq-D6qjiY0ipsMm-jgASzOwCSrcm0NJGHIFpUv5Q/s320/IMG_0978.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh out of the baggie and frozen solid. While the pan I'm using is nonstick, I prefer to keep the messes to a minimum so out comes the foil.</td></tr>
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*Place the tray into the oven on the center rack and set the timer for 10 minutes. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWov0DWWSo4pnJ6qJM_fhdIf8rcPNPad9aqHKaTfGBdTKYmuvSQlaeEoUs5HK3Ajrygx2AEEDiA24gC_Ep5wAmGnZX9fTbQ4fIg5SvisvFUJ-FqFoaoJ2mIXK8v24V7W_tIsHVY81ERnc/s1600/IMG_0980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWov0DWWSo4pnJ6qJM_fhdIf8rcPNPad9aqHKaTfGBdTKYmuvSQlaeEoUs5HK3Ajrygx2AEEDiA24gC_Ep5wAmGnZX9fTbQ4fIg5SvisvFUJ-FqFoaoJ2mIXK8v24V7W_tIsHVY81ERnc/s320/IMG_0980.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I cheated a little. I pulled these out at 5 minutes and flipped them. I often have experienced that things don't always get evenly heated when cooked for a short amount of time and no flipping is required so I took the liberty and fliped em just to be safe.</td></tr>
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*Once the timer goes off, remove the wedges from the oven and let them sit and cool for a few minutes before eating. The guts will be quite hot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZGDH2_0x-IzsygiO3q21xNDUEQW9rF0pSysLaAzDY11wY5hlshh-RPUU6ZMD3YdtLQOcUpbVM_gXYmtMS_qMtrlsQT_k93R_HcfUtoqQrwufpxxGz-xrsq6jaaZgaeapAAwtXgRQiiY/s1600/IMG_0981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZGDH2_0x-IzsygiO3q21xNDUEQW9rF0pSysLaAzDY11wY5hlshh-RPUU6ZMD3YdtLQOcUpbVM_gXYmtMS_qMtrlsQT_k93R_HcfUtoqQrwufpxxGz-xrsq6jaaZgaeapAAwtXgRQiiY/s320/IMG_0981.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You'll know when they are done when you see that they've all blown open! Also, this is why I put foil down. I didn't want to clean that mess up.</td></tr>
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*Commence with the nomming!<br />
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<u>Taste</u>:<br />
The smell of these little breaded bites fills the room before the come out of the oven to greet you. While you're not smelling the mac that breadcrumb smell you are getting is still a pretty nice aroma to have in the room. The breading was nice and crispy though a little loose (meaning that crumblies appeared on your fingers with ease). The bites are very tasty and a good mac and cheese flavor. These did lack a bit of the flavor compared to those found in the restaurant (but thats probably due to these not being fried or drizzled with the cheese sauce). Inside the noodles were well cooked and the sauce was nice and cheesy. The guts of these bites had a good sauce to noodles ratio.<br />
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<u>Final Score</u>:<br />
Mac items like these are dangerous because they don't really fill you up (well all mac items are dangerous unless they really really suck, but thats not the point). Those little bite sized pieces can quickly fall one after another into our tummies and we'll be none the wiser, save when our pants no longer fit us. That aside these are really tasty. They cook quickly and don't require any minding of them (unlike if they were fried in a personal fryer). I am glad that these mac bites are making appearances on our store shelves because I don't have a clue how I'd make these on my own at home and it's a nice addition to a meal that could benefit from something crunchy or mac n' cheesy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla_C7TvuR1J-xBGKVV1-0opOynbJtDCmC9bHmYGcw7a7OO9n1pCWKEu64DIH7Hrp1nG8Yg5fRv4eakaB_aA_NUM062EzHWdLKHhnKhU4tGouopi_tMs0KJwanUK9tcTLVUVgtcoeKx18/s1600/noodle_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla_C7TvuR1J-xBGKVV1-0opOynbJtDCmC9bHmYGcw7a7OO9n1pCWKEu64DIH7Hrp1nG8Yg5fRv4eakaB_aA_NUM062EzHWdLKHhnKhU4tGouopi_tMs0KJwanUK9tcTLVUVgtcoeKx18/s1600/noodle_3.jpg" eea="true" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
Serving Size 3 Wedges (81g)<br />
Servings Per Container about 5<br />
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Calories 240<br />
Calories From Fat 110<br />
Total Fat 12g (18% Daily Value)<br />
Saturated Fat 3.5g (18% DV)<br />
Trans Fat 0g<br />
Cholesterol 15mg (5% DV)<br />
Sodium 400 mg (17% DV)<br />
Total Carbohydrates 28g (19% DV)<br />
Dietary Fiber 1g (4% DV)<br />
Sugars 2g <br />
Protein 6g MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-48321537344878754022012-12-29T17:16:00.000-08:002012-12-29T17:16:55.566-08:00A Pyramid Made Out Of CheesePeople like booze. It's a pretty well known fact that a bar in a restaurant can bring in a sizeable chunk of the profits for the establishment on any given night. Restaurants have begun to create a hybridization, teaming food and beverages together where both are created in the same place. This has begun to happen on a mostly regional level over the last few decades and breweries have led the charge with alehouses and brewpubs. Not only do they serve classic bar food, but often they've got some pretty fancy foods (that use when possible the beers made by them) that are served with their in house crafted beverages. They leave the major booze making to their factories, but these smaller establishments do produce for in-house consumption. <br />
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A mostly western region brewery, <a href="http://www.pyramidbrew.com/" target="_blank">Pyramid</a> has opened up a number of alehouses that run along the west coast of the US. Being in the Bay Area, I've got access to a pair of these, with one in <a href="http://www.pyramidbrew.com/alehouses/walnut-creek" target="_blank">Walnut Creek</a> and the other in <a href="http://www.pyramidbrew.com/alehouses/berkeley" target="_blank">Berkeley</a> (which does do tours because of the amount of beer produced there). <br />
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Some of the early ideas for this blog were discused out during a dinner with coworkers at the Walnut Creek Pyramid alehouse during a spring evening in 2010. While the mac I had then isn't the same as the one they have on their menu currently, it was about time that I got back there and gave them an official review and another recent group office lunch gave me that opportunity. <br />
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<u>Brand</u>:<br />
Pyramid's Bacon Mac & Cheese (as served at the Walnut Creek, CA location )<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4m1vZ7zenuPsyUc1lyY6Ct9CDcLJ0WUWodhehvnrnchW-j5T8mYCqBq-Fld6G_kEgY1i-YXii6UBdfsK8tsHX-YjREgBpMdbuxJAm7zZE16pYGES-78HK5i4krJ5gDv8kK1R4uhOLUwU/s1600/IMG_0984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4m1vZ7zenuPsyUc1lyY6Ct9CDcLJ0WUWodhehvnrnchW-j5T8mYCqBq-Fld6G_kEgY1i-YXii6UBdfsK8tsHX-YjREgBpMdbuxJAm7zZE16pYGES-78HK5i4krJ5gDv8kK1R4uhOLUwU/s320/IMG_0984.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snapped as I was leaving. I wasn't able to take any other pictures of the establishment because I was trying to avoid including those in the restaurant just trying to enjoy their meals and not become internet famous thanks to this hip and stylish blog.</td></tr>
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<u>Price</u>:<br />
$5 at Pyramid<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnKtx-HlwQxXhTXoDcoYcLDpVy007x-t6FushKeteMjrx4HmLQEQC8-RKLWj9UndNBZJlUOiQF-z4y7wpP8hvtRZmyDTaoPvcivaYxLKvE3TN4j9Zl5Y5eZ7pEF21X0oTpK5A3MRSwR0/s1600/IMG_0982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnKtx-HlwQxXhTXoDcoYcLDpVy007x-t6FushKeteMjrx4HmLQEQC8-RKLWj9UndNBZJlUOiQF-z4y7wpP8hvtRZmyDTaoPvcivaYxLKvE3TN4j9Zl5Y5eZ7pEF21X0oTpK5A3MRSwR0/s320/IMG_0982.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes this is a side dish... Yes I just ordered it as a meal. No I don't have a problem...</td></tr>
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<u>Preperation</u>:<br />
*Find yourself at a Pyramid Alehouse. There are locations in Walnut Creek, Berkeley and Sacramento in California. As well as locations in Seattle, WA and Portland, OR.<br />
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*After being seated and handed a menu, wait until it's your turn to place an order with your waiter/waitress before you ask for the bacon mac. Remeber, it can be a side dish to something bigger if you really want to go that route!<br />
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*Hopefully you're not the only one at your table so that you've got someone(s) to talk to while your food is being made. If not, maybe you'll be close enough to the bar to see one of the many TV's showing a multitude of sports ball events.<br />
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*Once your server has returned with your food, make sure that you've placed a napkin on your lap before you dig in. You never know when you'll have an accident. Better safe than sorry!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixr3Ex-eeHEEUrZGu4pi69T-W84nrdSkoYzbzMoppBMtPKlByZ6PVkntuoxBvdFzAn44SaXskrowt1mQaaXcq_eYhFXr-ncdf3f_NIgo6z8LdvJdvKZpdcu67azSh9JHBkEbGrZQVJSH4/s1600/IMG_0983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixr3Ex-eeHEEUrZGu4pi69T-W84nrdSkoYzbzMoppBMtPKlByZ6PVkntuoxBvdFzAn44SaXskrowt1mQaaXcq_eYhFXr-ncdf3f_NIgo6z8LdvJdvKZpdcu67azSh9JHBkEbGrZQVJSH4/s320/IMG_0983.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this was the 'side'? </td></tr>
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*Commence with the nomming!<br />
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<u>Taste</u>: <br />
When the meal was brought out, the first thing that I could smell that belonged to my dish was the bacon. Which if you ask me, isn't a bad way to start out your meal. The noodles were cooked and the breadcrumbs crispy. The shaved pieces of Asiago cheese on top were mild (for Asiago) and gave it a nice touch. Digging into the bowl I found chunks of bacon and while nice, they didn't give much flavor to the dish as they were quite soft and somewhat large. There wasn't much in the way of a sauce and it wasn't very cheesy once you got past the pieces of shredded Asiago that began to melt after I mixed it up.<br />
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<u>Final Score</u>:<br />
A serious lacking of cheesy taste alone would have done this meal in, but when you add bacon, the meat of the gods to the dish and squander it's precious powers, you've failed. I'm not sure how you can have chunks of bacon and not harness any of the taste of it. I had a similar issue with their previous mac n' cheese dish when I had it years ago (the lack of a cheesy taste). While the ingredients may have changed, the problems still remain. Please don't let this stop you from visiting a Pyramid, they've got tasty beers and some other great food, just don't head out for the mac. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYX0MnrAYmPTUL9Q3nUHdURb6HITVSy8gWGs7W7Kvyu3nj-rZCvxXKuZXBsDXYXgXyOzgw_lPLmED55xUPYpFEmlfok1ljE1q-bIjCswqIVvLMqf__GC1s0znB2xtdQYRMH5mbxjwLEy8/s1600/noodle_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYX0MnrAYmPTUL9Q3nUHdURb6HITVSy8gWGs7W7Kvyu3nj-rZCvxXKuZXBsDXYXgXyOzgw_lPLmED55xUPYpFEmlfok1ljE1q-bIjCswqIVvLMqf__GC1s0znB2xtdQYRMH5mbxjwLEy8/s200/noodle_2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
Looking both in the restaurant and online, I wasn't able to find anything on the nutritional information of any of their menu items. While this is a smaller dish thanks to it being a side, it's still got plenty of cheese, bacon and other things that make meals tasty, while doing their best to help sabotage your midsection.MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8133330552798116015.post-14729251280729481862012-12-26T11:48:00.001-08:002012-12-26T11:48:04.518-08:00Not Just Country GravyA few years back I went out to Ohio to visit some friends. While there we discovered a chain of restaurants that seemed to be in every town. This restaurant was a mix of a number of other restaurants, Cracker Barrel, IHOP and Denny's all put together into a single place. <a href="http://www.bobevans.com/" target="_blank">Bob Evans</a> is a restaurant chain that focuses on the down home cooking and big meals. We ate breakfast when we were there (they had some wicked biscuits and gravy among other tasty things!) and while this was before I was pondering bringing this blog to light, I didn't think about the possibility of mac and cheese.<br />
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During the summer (yes this review has been in 'limbo' for a few months) I was at our local Safeway, I was in the meats department grabbing some hamburger and other things for dinners when lo and behold, I saw a bunch of Bob Evans <a href="http://www.bobevans.com/Grocery/Category/6/Mashed-Potatoes-Side-Dishes" target="_blank">side dishes</a> . There were a number of potato options and our favorite staple mac n' cheese. It came home with the plan on it being a side dish for one of the meats I had just bought.<br />
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<u>Brand</u>:<br />
Bob Evans Everyday Classics Macaroni & Cheese / Bob Evans Tasteful Sides Macaroni & Cheese<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YSyBRm0V0XMC3sClznOUn8ahGAWRHDtgF8Pb0z_O9Go-4C9iPraYjk5wIhGTuMwj5VpFI23r1RfI5FN2wYdF8YVKreqv20BYzOmMgqGzvdFit2GxFoAnCY0c4_4q4q4AU3L0EeQHUZs/s1600/IMG_0839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YSyBRm0V0XMC3sClznOUn8ahGAWRHDtgF8Pb0z_O9Go-4C9iPraYjk5wIhGTuMwj5VpFI23r1RfI5FN2wYdF8YVKreqv20BYzOmMgqGzvdFit2GxFoAnCY0c4_4q4q4AU3L0EeQHUZs/s320/IMG_0839.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture of a farm seals proves farm fresh goodness.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLwMR1LiQsJUyWLYaopWzf3LZ9rnDAzOfIWQHLDtZlHDzSQsAeMJdvAa4IMdNI5Hzg5cw1s2HQYfLyjNZJVvurLAdiJ858j_l9D3gMna2F2lk0_iFV8dbax0Jo0wS79-XAEv2d2qXtQc/s1600/IMG_1009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLwMR1LiQsJUyWLYaopWzf3LZ9rnDAzOfIWQHLDtZlHDzSQsAeMJdvAa4IMdNI5Hzg5cw1s2HQYfLyjNZJVvurLAdiJ858j_l9D3gMna2F2lk0_iFV8dbax0Jo0wS79-XAEv2d2qXtQc/s320/IMG_1009.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new packaging as of Nov 2012. Also, these are still kept in the meats section for whatever reason...</td></tr>
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<u>Price</u>:<br />
$4.49 at Safeway<br />
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<u>Packaging Description</u>:<br />
On Front<br />
N/A<br />
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On Side<br />
Bob Evans "Farm Fresh Goodness" Pledge<br />
Bob Evans opened his first sausage shop near his farm in Rio Grande, Ohio in 1948. He used only the finest ingredients and set a standard of excellence. To this day, every Bob Evans product lives up to the standard he started over 60 years ago. If you are not completely satisfied with this product, please contact us for a replacement or a refund. For more information, please visit www.bobevans.com/guarantee<br />
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<u>Preparation</u>:<br />
*Remove the paper cover.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz97vpBBVabrrs68TlIyUy-_W-rNuV0_8AHqhAIdtCjejnkJRlKoLlg4ttQGGwda9pxdW3EXADJLlLL2NJwHIr1PLd64RlYGyjO_E9wpGo2zPSLPkgZnh785wkhuF0HjeBOrqtQIfVvXY/s1600/IMG_0841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz97vpBBVabrrs68TlIyUy-_W-rNuV0_8AHqhAIdtCjejnkJRlKoLlg4ttQGGwda9pxdW3EXADJLlLL2NJwHIr1PLd64RlYGyjO_E9wpGo2zPSLPkgZnh785wkhuF0HjeBOrqtQIfVvXY/s320/IMG_0841.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great place to hide the sell by/use by date, under the sleeve. Yes, the date is months ago, I prepared it when it was still within the date.</td></tr>
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*Peel up (or slit) a corner of the plastic covering then microwave for three minutes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMM6ASPqMQ4ePyT1SewmXGfm3XLTqJFV97yG52ryAzEkRQGFF8p_BnkL0fhpdFaroU1WpEJ8UNdgnrAdcV9Hw9is0HzFUBjz2fDXBc0HIBCkeLG1p4w7ZfdtUZuiJ4bMw53T31wYn0qw/s1600/IMG_0843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMM6ASPqMQ4ePyT1SewmXGfm3XLTqJFV97yG52ryAzEkRQGFF8p_BnkL0fhpdFaroU1WpEJ8UNdgnrAdcV9Hw9is0HzFUBjz2fDXBc0HIBCkeLG1p4w7ZfdtUZuiJ4bMw53T31wYn0qw/s320/IMG_0843.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
*Remove from microwave, peel back the film and stir.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fvDNoK7sQ8GrT_b9AcyCxUHxCdQ3m8uVRpU8vpoehS2JU0NwmCEgLtphWIquwPdNPTvq-ADhKDnCoqxziHRaD59St2wvs5cJSpI7V3NjlJaY-W-3-gDaVXZc8l3FPkPsFprQ7qIJs0I/s1600/IMG_0844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fvDNoK7sQ8GrT_b9AcyCxUHxCdQ3m8uVRpU8vpoehS2JU0NwmCEgLtphWIquwPdNPTvq-ADhKDnCoqxziHRaD59St2wvs5cJSpI7V3NjlJaY-W-3-gDaVXZc8l3FPkPsFprQ7qIJs0I/s320/IMG_0844.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I accidentally peeled off the film. Meals is ruined!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2LsPLXB5hwEMGELokSYloHkhURPy1duxPfuvCibXlwIZh6PnGUT15uBwd6KAvTE9OFdQNzYpAhCahJ9jeOfZa3WAZvRz0A283FMegwdex3v48MP9OP082sch9ts94JCVDvlHtNop0Rc/s1600/IMG_0845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2LsPLXB5hwEMGELokSYloHkhURPy1duxPfuvCibXlwIZh6PnGUT15uBwd6KAvTE9OFdQNzYpAhCahJ9jeOfZa3WAZvRz0A283FMegwdex3v48MP9OP082sch9ts94JCVDvlHtNop0Rc/s320/IMG_0845.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All stirred up. It looks like the noodles went swimming in a cheese sauce lake.</td></tr>
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*Place the plastic film back down over the tray and place it back in the microwave to cook for an additional 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 minutes. I split the difference and heated it for an additional two minutes.<br />
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*Once the second heating has been completed, remove the tray from the microwave, stir and let it sit for a few minutes to cool before serving.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrQdXqcIS5DZj2VTfUpMOijz_oR0iG9vRQTT34bj4Pmr6VU70lgi9hputoNQpJ_pyLc1ifo8KYu5nm0D-Lm5qkFMfmv46UBCw0Ut89cHFQxNNxd06hd_WstqTnzw5MfHk0el8iXAnHGk/s1600/IMG_0846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrQdXqcIS5DZj2VTfUpMOijz_oR0iG9vRQTT34bj4Pmr6VU70lgi9hputoNQpJ_pyLc1ifo8KYu5nm0D-Lm5qkFMfmv46UBCw0Ut89cHFQxNNxd06hd_WstqTnzw5MfHk0el8iXAnHGk/s320/IMG_0846.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This after being heated up to directions, stirred and then let cool, was still quite runny. I really thought I did something wrong preparing it.</td></tr>
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*Commence with the nomming!<br />
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<u>Taste</u>:<br />
There wasn't a very noticeable aroma from the dish after it came out of the microwave. The noodles were very cooked. While they weren't quite to the point of being completely overcooked they were close to it. The sauce itself had a nice zingy taste, but it was very watery and none of it really stuck to the noodles. <br />
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<u>Final Score</u>:<br />
This was almost like having a mac and cheese soup. I couldn't eat it on a plate because the sauce just ran everywhere. I had to put it in a bowl if I even wanted to try and enjoy it. While it had an O.K. taste, I can't help but wonder if it would have been at least serviceable if there was some consistency to the sauce. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYX0MnrAYmPTUL9Q3nUHdURb6HITVSy8gWGs7W7Kvyu3nj-rZCvxXKuZXBsDXYXgXyOzgw_lPLmED55xUPYpFEmlfok1ljE1q-bIjCswqIVvLMqf__GC1s0znB2xtdQYRMH5mbxjwLEy8/s1600/noodle_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYX0MnrAYmPTUL9Q3nUHdURb6HITVSy8gWGs7W7Kvyu3nj-rZCvxXKuZXBsDXYXgXyOzgw_lPLmED55xUPYpFEmlfok1ljE1q-bIjCswqIVvLMqf__GC1s0znB2xtdQYRMH5mbxjwLEy8/s200/noodle_2.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u>Nutritional Information</u>:<br />
Serving Size 1 cup (255g)<br />
Servings Per Container: About 2 <br />
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Calories330<br />
Calories From Fat 140<br />
Total Fat 16g (24% Daily Value)<br />
Saturated Fat 7g (36% DV)<br />
Trans Fat 0g<br />
Cholesterol 35mg (12% DV)<br />
Sodium 1220 mg (51% DV)<br />
Total Carbohydrates 33g (11% DV)<br />
Dietary Fiber 2g (9% DV)<br />
Sugars 5g <br />
Protein 14g MacnStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451803667786672285noreply@blogger.com0