Chain Restaurants & Goodbyes
By Mike Viso
I feel bad for most people because I'm spoiled at my job. I wear jeans and hats, I get to tell jokes, watching TV and reading is encouraged and I create things. Most of all, the relationships are great. The secretaries help with my woman woes, and Clinton Petty (check out his page on CBSPhilly.com) is my go to sports/celebrity gossip/nonsense chatter go-to. Eric Strain knows more about hot "Price is Right" and local weather girls than anyone I've ever met. However, there's one person that is my go to for all advice. "Salvatore" is the guy that helps with my career, my life and listens to all my complaints.
Let me take this time to mention that I'll be leaving WPHT and taking a job with the Lynchburg Hillcats as their number two broadcaster, a move that's great for my career but—as you've seen in previous entries—I can be sensitive and the people around me are important. With the angst, excitement, curiosity and uncertainty building, it was Salvatore who has been there to talk me through it all. That's why I want to take the time to talk about our go-to restaurants in the area and thank him for his help over the years.
This was part of week long excursion through the Bala Cynwyd area. Now, I'm not huge into chain restaurants because there is so much more to experience from the "mom and pop" establishments. However, lunch is the exception to the rule. This is the time of the day where you can gamble. It's early enough that if the meal is bad, you can make up for it at dinner time. Chain restaurants are also cost effective, so you can spare to spend a few extra bucks at dinner as well. Finally, it's a chance to get out of the office and what better relief is there then to get away from work. Even on the days where you bring lunch, I need to be distracted. Listening to music, watching videos, reading a good book, or eating with people from different departments is the best way to recharge the batteries. There's no rhyme or reason to this guide but these are places we chose:
Wawa: Okay, maybe there is some reasoning behind this guide. I can't tell you how much I love Wawa. My list of things that I'll miss when I move to Virginia is in this order: Some family, some friends, Wawa. Everything else can find its place. Now I hear Sheetz is better than Wawa. I'm normally open-minded, but those people are blasphemers and should be punished. Wawa handles all meals and has a variety of things to go to, however, there's one mainstay in every trip I make: The cold French Vanilla Cappuccino. It's a must! It goes great with a breakfast sausage, egg and cheese bagel or a smoked turkey, provolone, lettuce, tomato, vinegar, hot pepper and spicy mustard Classic with a Mt. Dew on the side. Plus, Wawa gas is the best in the area.
Olive Garden: I fully stand by the fact that this is not authentic Italian cuisine. What is made at home is authentic and small Italian restaurants get a pass as well. Olive Garden is for those in extenuating circumstances. I will say that their lunches are awesome. You can't go wrong with the all you can eat soup/salad/breadsticks deal. It is $6.99 and you can gorge. I'm a salad fanatic—as you will see—and I really enjoy theirs. I wish they would put more dressing on it, but I drench my lettuce and most people hate that. Their tomatoes are fresh and the hot peppers add a nice touch. I've only had a few of their soups, but they come out hot and taste fresh. And we all know about the breadsticks.
Five Guys: I really don't get the hoopla about this place. Sure, their burgers are decent and I like the fresh to order factor but after eating one I feel like I need to take a shower. They are SO greasy and messy that nearly ruins the experience. Then I get bill after waiting 15 minutes and I question why I even bothered. Their fries are overrated and soggy. The only redeeming quality is the free peanuts.
Chipotle: I really enjoy this place. I fight the battle of Chipotle over Qdoba out of principal. Chipotle has been good to me and I know what I like there. I'm not trying to be adventurous with my fast food, I want what I like. So what if Qdoba has more choice of taco salads? I DO NOT CARE. It's nearly the same and I don't want to drive the extra three minutes and wait in a longer line for what I could be eating by the time I get it. Patience is not one of my strong points. I go with the burrito bowl EVERYTIME and it's not because it has less carbs, so don't give me that guff. I like it because I can mix ketchup in there easily. Don't underestimate foods with lids for your mixing pleasure. If I'm feeling adventurous at Chipotle, I'll go with a variant of meat. Steak is the best by far. I even chat up a bit to get more meat instead of lettuce. I'm a bad person, I suppose.
Saladworks: Is number 10 on my list of favorite fast food places and that's only because Wawa is one through nine. If their salads were two bucks cheaper, I might consider them a top five place. Alas, they are so expensive for lunch. Again, I'm not brave when it comes to lunch. Although the variations at Saladworks are endless I usually go with a Chicken Caesar salad with tomatoes, pasta, cheese and croutons. I must say that I'm pretty proud of myself because I've gotten very brave lately and tried the "Autumn Harvest". It is turkey, craisins, corn, carrots and sunflower seeds, served on a bed of lettuce mix topped with crispy apple chips. I also add in tomatoes because I love them more than anything.
Again, I stress that try the small restaurants for dinner, but you can't beat a quick lunch at a nation-wide place.
As for Salvatore, I just want to say thank you for all your help and advice. I hope that I've entertained you as much as I drove you crazy with my strange tales and my need of a sane voice.
