My parents and I left Cedar City for St. George one Saturday before lunch, and we didn't stop to eat until nearly four in the afternoon, so on my first trip to Sharky's we were famished!
My mother recommended Sharky's because she remembered that the last time she came they served a lot of good food for very little money. That sounded great to the rest of us, so we pulled onto Red Cliffs Drive, just east of the freeway on-ramp and easily spotted Sharky's near Starbuck's.
The place was already busy, but the line moved quickly, and by the time we'd decided what we wanted, we were at the register. We ordered one large plate of nachos for the three of us (total $5.99) even though the fire-roasted pizza was the same price and the picture on the window looked delicious, though more like a very large tostada than a pizza. We agreed to try that on our next visit to St. George.
The nachos came topped with pinto beans, black beans, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, cheddar cheese, guacamole and sour cream. We were very hungry, so even though my mother assured us that we would be full when we finished, we added meat (they have chicken or steak; we chose steak) for another $2. (total now $7.99, plus tax)
We headed for the salsa bar in the corner, and I got excited! They had pico de gallo, green tomato salsa, fire roasted salsa, Sharky's original salsa, a warm salsa, and a very hot salsa. There were wedges of lemon and lime, a mix of onion and cilantro, and lots of little clear plastic cups to fill with your toppings. The cups were much too small. I got one filled with each salsa, and had to refill them twice before I was done. My parents each had a set that they refilled at least once, too.
By the time we got our salsa to the table, our nachos were there, on wax paper covering an aluminum platter about 20" in diameter. The corn tortilla chips were hot (crispy but not overly greasy), and they filled the platter almost completely. The ingredients were all very fresh, the guacamole was smooth with chunks of avacado, the beans were soft and tasty, the steak was diced, tender and juicy. I don't usually like steak, but this was really good!
At first, I thought the toppings were a little sparse for the number of chips they were covering, but halfway through the meal, I realized there was more there than I'd thought, and when the toppings were gone, there was still all that great salsa to go with the rest of the chips!
We cleaned up after ourselves, and I noticed that the dining area was not huge, but it was comfortable enough to be busy without people running into each other.
It's funny, but my mother told me I needed to go see the bathroom before we left, so I went there to wash my hands, which were rather messy from all the finger-food. I was really surprised! They had set stone-like square tiles on the walls, though the floor was just cement painted black. On the wall, where the tiles ended about the level of my elbow, there were rough multi-colored pebbles set in grey grouting in a wave-like pattern. My mother liked it so much that she wants to do something similar at our house!
I give this meal 7 plastic spoons--we fed 3 hungry people on $8, the atmosphere was nice, the place was clean and tastefully decorated, and the food was worth talking about afterwards! It even settled well on the long drive home, thank goodness.
Sharky's serves lots of Mexican dishes, and they all looked as tasty as ours, though some were perhaps more expensive. I hope I get to stop there again and try something else soon!
Location:
158 N. Red Cliffs Dr. Ste. 2
St. George, Utah
(North of the freeway on-ramp going north from St. George)
Phone: 435-656-2991
Monday, August 20, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
Viors
Roland was stuck, so I came to his aid,
It was lunch time, and his Computer was broken,
well not broken, but not working right either,
So I told him I would stop by on my way home.
When I was done, he bought me lunch, and since Vior's Bakery and Deli is really close to our offices, that's what I got. And ohh was it good.
He has them on speed dial... just in case he can't get out,
and speed dial works well. You give them your name, and then tell them your sandwhich,
(He also has a menu for super easy ordering)
I asked him what was good, and he said "everything." I had to be skeptical.
So I asked him about the Chicken Panini.
That's the one he's never had.
That's the one I wanted.
In the Store I think it was called Vior's Chicken Panini, but on his menu is was something else,
like Tenegate Chicken Panini, I would look it up, but they don't have an easily accessible website. When I got there my sandwhich was ready. Of course I had to get an Alligator Jaw to close out my meal.
I took the food back to my office, and oddly, it was still warm.
When I took the first half of my sandwhich out of the container
(I got a full-- two halfs), I thought this bread feels funny,
but as soon as I took my first bite, my hesitation began to disappear.
The sandwhich was amazing! And it was still hot!
Vior's Chicken Panini
The chicken was nice and warm. And it had the perfect texture,
I think it was pulled. It was thinnish, but it still felt like chicken.
It wasn't dry, and I didn't need to stop to cut each bite before I ate it.
(it may have been in chuncks, but it didn't feel like chunks, it just felt, and tasted perfect).
Then I noticed the bread it was really good.
not overly airy, but not overly dense either.
It's a panini, so the bread is not typical bread. This Panini bread is baked
in single serve size "loafs"
The sauce was really good. It's something like big mac sauce, but a little lighter.
I didn't compare the sauces but I think Vior's is better, maybe a hint of BBQ.
Either way the sauce was way good. In fact I would buy the sauce alone,
and I think it would fix many a dull sandwhich.
At this point I really wish I could find their website.
I don't remember everything that was on the sandwhich,
I just remember that it was amazing.
If I had to guess I would say lettuce, and tomato, and Red onions.
Not only was the Sandwhich very tasty, but it was big too.
Like I said, I got a full, and that's what it did too.
After the first half, I already new this was a meal!
The second half was just as good, but I had to wait to make room
for my alligator jaw.
Alligator Jaws
Call it a guilty pleasure,
or maybe it's those found childhood memories,
but part of me really likes alligator jaws.
It's a deep fried triangular donut, then they cut it open,
and fill it with this uber-sweet pink frosting.
They can't possibly be good for you, and sometimes even I think it's "too much"
(not too big just too much, though the size is nice),
But it's a tradition, and I love them.
so I had one of these too.
and when I got to it,
it was good too.
It seems like I ate there once before, but It's been a while,
that time I got a cressant, (and It may not have been Vior's at the time)
but it was too small.
Viors is located on 4th south, just off of Main St.
In Cedar City, They also have a location in St. George,
I think it's by the Factory Stores.
Viors Bakery
50 West 400 South, Cedar City, UT 84720
(435) 586-4572
Highly satisfying
I give this visit to Vior's 8 wooden spoons, (even with dessert and a drink, I stayed under $10)
It was lunch time, and his Computer was broken,
well not broken, but not working right either,
So I told him I would stop by on my way home.
When I was done, he bought me lunch, and since Vior's Bakery and Deli is really close to our offices, that's what I got. And ohh was it good.
He has them on speed dial... just in case he can't get out,
and speed dial works well. You give them your name, and then tell them your sandwhich,
(He also has a menu for super easy ordering)
I asked him what was good, and he said "everything." I had to be skeptical.
So I asked him about the Chicken Panini.
That's the one he's never had.
That's the one I wanted.
In the Store I think it was called Vior's Chicken Panini, but on his menu is was something else,
like Tenegate Chicken Panini, I would look it up, but they don't have an easily accessible website. When I got there my sandwhich was ready. Of course I had to get an Alligator Jaw to close out my meal.
I took the food back to my office, and oddly, it was still warm.
When I took the first half of my sandwhich out of the container
(I got a full-- two halfs), I thought this bread feels funny,
but as soon as I took my first bite, my hesitation began to disappear.
The sandwhich was amazing! And it was still hot!
Vior's Chicken Panini
The chicken was nice and warm. And it had the perfect texture,
I think it was pulled. It was thinnish, but it still felt like chicken.
It wasn't dry, and I didn't need to stop to cut each bite before I ate it.
(it may have been in chuncks, but it didn't feel like chunks, it just felt, and tasted perfect).
Then I noticed the bread it was really good.
not overly airy, but not overly dense either.
It's a panini, so the bread is not typical bread. This Panini bread is baked
in single serve size "loafs"
The sauce was really good. It's something like big mac sauce, but a little lighter.
I didn't compare the sauces but I think Vior's is better, maybe a hint of BBQ.
Either way the sauce was way good. In fact I would buy the sauce alone,
and I think it would fix many a dull sandwhich.
At this point I really wish I could find their website.
I don't remember everything that was on the sandwhich,
I just remember that it was amazing.
If I had to guess I would say lettuce, and tomato, and Red onions.
Not only was the Sandwhich very tasty, but it was big too.
Like I said, I got a full, and that's what it did too.
After the first half, I already new this was a meal!
The second half was just as good, but I had to wait to make room
for my alligator jaw.
Alligator Jaws
Call it a guilty pleasure,
or maybe it's those found childhood memories,
but part of me really likes alligator jaws.
It's a deep fried triangular donut, then they cut it open,
and fill it with this uber-sweet pink frosting.
They can't possibly be good for you, and sometimes even I think it's "too much"
(not too big just too much, though the size is nice),
But it's a tradition, and I love them.
so I had one of these too.
and when I got to it,
it was good too.
It seems like I ate there once before, but It's been a while,
that time I got a cressant, (and It may not have been Vior's at the time)
but it was too small.
Viors is located on 4th south, just off of Main St.
In Cedar City, They also have a location in St. George,
I think it's by the Factory Stores.
Viors Bakery
50 West 400 South, Cedar City, UT 84720
(435) 586-4572
Highly satisfying
I give this visit to Vior's 8 wooden spoons, (even with dessert and a drink, I stayed under $10)
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Gadolfos Deli
My first experience with Gandolfo's Deli was probably about two years ago.
In fact I'm not even sure that I saw one before that.
That is about the time that the Cedar City location opened for business,
and that is about the time that I started eating there.
This review (at least on my part) will speak specifically about that location.
but as always I welcome all comments, about this and any location.
Update: The Cedar City Location is under new management, some comments may not apply anymore. We may even update the review, we'll see.
As always I feel I must talk about the bread.
It's tradition.
but first let me set the scene.
Gandolfo's Deli is Located pretty squarely in the Heart of Cedar City.
If Cedar City has a downtown, Gandolfos. is the place.
The place is kind of dark, but I guess that gives it a slightly more authentic feel.
And they have little bits here and there, that make you think of a big city, back east. Then there's the deli counter.
yep
they have the salad's and the desserts and such, just like you would
expect in a deli. To be fair I haven't tasted their salads or desserts.
And of course what Deli would be complete without a large tub of dill pickles
(also an item that I have yet to try).
Then there's the menu, at first it's pretty impressive,
maybe even overwhelming. I mean there have to be over fifty different sandwiches,
and each can be adjusted to you own likes, and many can be served hot or cold.
I like the freedom of being able to choose exactly what I want, but it does make it harder to judge the eatery as a whole.
And for me, it make's it pretty tough to pick the sandwhich that I want.
Well it sounds like it's time for me to talk about the bread.
It's really rather unimpressive. There are a few choices on bread,
and some of them are definately better than others, but I have yet to find on that I really liked (ok the wheat bread was decent. but certainly not stellar).
The first time I went I thought, "Try the regular sub-bread,
regular is always safe."
Regular was disappointing, but I didn't realize it was the bread for until I had it a few more times.
The bread was chewy,
maybe even a little doughy, but certainly not the highlight of the sandwich.
And maybe, just maybe, the bread is not made to be warm, but I like warm sandwiches, so I thought I would try it.
After a few failed attempts, with the normal bread I decided to go for the wheat bread. It was way better. The regular bread is a hogie roll, the wheat bread is just a couple of slices of bread. But to be fair, it is big. The wheat bread is pretty thick, and it is large enough to still feel like a pretty healthy sandwich.
Actually I was surprised by how little it wasn't.
And like I said the wheat bread is much better, but it's almost like they over correct. The hogie roll, is perhaps a little doughy, and the wheat bread was just a little dry. Still of the bread's I've had there, the wheat wins hands down.
Perhaps now would be a good time for a disclaimer,
I don't feel that my local Gandolfos has given me the best possible experience.
I think the staff just doesn't care, they work for next to nothing, and they're not about to get fired.
Unfortunately the sandwiches that I have had seem to reflect this attitude.
Thus my review is somewhat tainted.
One thing that has really bothered me about gandolfos is the way they do a hot sandwhich. It's like only half of it gets warm, and that half only gets warm.
I really love a good hot sandwhich, but I have never had a good hot sandwhich there. Sure they have an impressive menu, and some of the ingredients/ combinations look phenomenal, but they never live up to my expectations.
here are a few of the sandwhiches that I think have had:
The Urban Cowboy
The Bronx BBQ
The Bridge Hampton
And Maybe Club Met
The last time I went in I was very aware of my sandwhich,
I ordered the wheat bread, I didn't get it heated, and I still didn't like it.
What I noticed was the MAYO. I don't know why but the mayo really hit me,
maybe I don't like mayonaise, or maybe I don't like their mayonaise, or maybe the person who threw my sandwhich together put on too much, but either way it was not very pleasant to me.
So for me Gandolfo's is out,
yes I might go there again, but it won't be my choice,
and yes I do think I could do it right this time, but I don't imagine it will be anytime soon.
I give Gandolfo's Three Wooden Spoons, just not my sandwhich shop.
(but their web site is quite nice)
http://gandolfosdeli.com/storelocator.php
In fact I'm not even sure that I saw one before that.
That is about the time that the Cedar City location opened for business,
and that is about the time that I started eating there.
This review (at least on my part) will speak specifically about that location.
but as always I welcome all comments, about this and any location.
Update: The Cedar City Location is under new management, some comments may not apply anymore. We may even update the review, we'll see.
As always I feel I must talk about the bread.
It's tradition.
but first let me set the scene.
Gandolfo's Deli is Located pretty squarely in the Heart of Cedar City.
If Cedar City has a downtown, Gandolfos. is the place.
The place is kind of dark, but I guess that gives it a slightly more authentic feel.
And they have little bits here and there, that make you think of a big city, back east. Then there's the deli counter.
yep
they have the salad's and the desserts and such, just like you would
expect in a deli. To be fair I haven't tasted their salads or desserts.
And of course what Deli would be complete without a large tub of dill pickles
(also an item that I have yet to try).
Then there's the menu, at first it's pretty impressive,
maybe even overwhelming. I mean there have to be over fifty different sandwiches,
and each can be adjusted to you own likes, and many can be served hot or cold.
I like the freedom of being able to choose exactly what I want, but it does make it harder to judge the eatery as a whole.
And for me, it make's it pretty tough to pick the sandwhich that I want.
Well it sounds like it's time for me to talk about the bread.
It's really rather unimpressive. There are a few choices on bread,
and some of them are definately better than others, but I have yet to find on that I really liked (ok the wheat bread was decent. but certainly not stellar).
The first time I went I thought, "Try the regular sub-bread,
regular is always safe."
Regular was disappointing, but I didn't realize it was the bread for until I had it a few more times.
The bread was chewy,
maybe even a little doughy, but certainly not the highlight of the sandwich.
And maybe, just maybe, the bread is not made to be warm, but I like warm sandwiches, so I thought I would try it.
After a few failed attempts, with the normal bread I decided to go for the wheat bread. It was way better. The regular bread is a hogie roll, the wheat bread is just a couple of slices of bread. But to be fair, it is big. The wheat bread is pretty thick, and it is large enough to still feel like a pretty healthy sandwich.
Actually I was surprised by how little it wasn't.
And like I said the wheat bread is much better, but it's almost like they over correct. The hogie roll, is perhaps a little doughy, and the wheat bread was just a little dry. Still of the bread's I've had there, the wheat wins hands down.
Perhaps now would be a good time for a disclaimer,
I don't feel that my local Gandolfos has given me the best possible experience.
I think the staff just doesn't care, they work for next to nothing, and they're not about to get fired.
Unfortunately the sandwiches that I have had seem to reflect this attitude.
Thus my review is somewhat tainted.
One thing that has really bothered me about gandolfos is the way they do a hot sandwhich. It's like only half of it gets warm, and that half only gets warm.
I really love a good hot sandwhich, but I have never had a good hot sandwhich there. Sure they have an impressive menu, and some of the ingredients/ combinations look phenomenal, but they never live up to my expectations.
here are a few of the sandwhiches that I think have had:
The Urban Cowboy
The Bronx BBQ
The Bridge Hampton
And Maybe Club Met
The last time I went in I was very aware of my sandwhich,
I ordered the wheat bread, I didn't get it heated, and I still didn't like it.
What I noticed was the MAYO. I don't know why but the mayo really hit me,
maybe I don't like mayonaise, or maybe I don't like their mayonaise, or maybe the person who threw my sandwhich together put on too much, but either way it was not very pleasant to me.
So for me Gandolfo's is out,
yes I might go there again, but it won't be my choice,
and yes I do think I could do it right this time, but I don't imagine it will be anytime soon.
I give Gandolfo's Three Wooden Spoons, just not my sandwhich shop.
(but their web site is quite nice)
 Cedar City, UT |  126 N. Main St., Ste 102 | (435) 586-8116 |
http://gandolfosdeli.com/storelocator.php
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Quizno's or Gandolfos, I can't decide
But I can tell you this one is an up,
and one is a down
let me know if there is one you would prefer to here me babble about.
and one is a down
let me know if there is one you would prefer to here me babble about.
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