Restaurant Inspections by James

Cheddar's Overland Park Kansas

2010-05-05T04:58:00.000-07:00

11865 W. 95th St.
Overland Park, Kansas 66214
Tel: (913) 599-3111
Fax: (913) 599-3463
website: http://www.cheddars.com/

Date: May 4, 2010
Time: about 6PM CDT
Bill: $29 plus tip

We met up with some friends and decided on Cheddar's since it was close to the hotel. Called ahead and they said the wait was about 15 minutes. We left fairly quickly and arrived in a very short time. The parking lot was full, which I was told was a daily occurrence and by the number of people outside I could tell we would be waiting a while. One person from our party went in to put us on the list then we stayed outside and talked. Some of most feel we waited 30 to 40 minutes but the weather was nice and the conversation kept us occupied.

I had eaten at a Cheddar's in Springfield, Missouri years ago but couldn't remember how it was. It was suggested to me to try the chicken tenders. With 6 adults and 1 child in our party they sat us at a long booth. This would have been perfect had it not been for 4 of us having a few more pounds than we should have but I seemed to be the only one complaining, of course I did make the mistake of sliding into the booth first so my claustrophobia kicked in. After the conversations started my fears subsided and forgot all about it until it was time to leave. I joked that they should put those moving sidewalks onto the bench seats to make it easier to get out after eating because it felt like it was impossible to leave the booth.

The place was very busy but despite that it seemed to be kept clean. It was a bit dark in there and we weren't where I could look around a lot to get a better feel of the place so I'm not sure if the rest of the place was clean but the areas I dealt with were. I'm told the building is not that old, months I guess, so I'm sure they have yet to have major sanitary issues.

One of our friends ordered some soy bean appetizer which they seemed to enjoy. I had the chicken tenders and fried shrimp with a side of green beans and another side of french fries. Dr Pepper washes it all down, of course.

The shrimp and chicken were cooked perfectly and stayed hot for a while after my plate was put in front of me. The fries were good at first but after they sat there a while getting no attention due to the very tasty chicken and shrimp they became cool and soggy. I knew if I had ordered the baked potato that it would likely either fill me up prior to the main foods or it would go bad. At least I had some greens, which were an odd shape for me, never seen them like that before but then again I haven't been much of anywhere. Short and flat. Had some nice flavor and were hot for a while but need to be eaten fairly quickly or the heat goes away.

If you like honey mustard with your chicken, the dip at Cheddar's was a bonus, although eating the chicken without dipping is still very, very good. The shrimp dip was good too.

Service was above standard but that could have been from the fact we were a group of 6 adults on 3 bills meaning a better chance at a higher tip. They even gave us a free desert for being the first time at Cheddar's. They didn't ask if it was the first time we were at any Cheddar's besides, it had been many, many years.

I was surprised by the amount of food for the price. I was full, over full probably as usual and our friends seemed happy as well. The 4 year old liked the fish tank at the entrance too.

Denny's Lenexa KS

2010-05-04T07:49:00.000-07:00

9471 Lenexa Drive
Overland Park, KS 66215-3836
913-492-8733
Website: http://www.dennys.com/en/default.aspx

Date: May 4, 2010
Time: 8:45 AM CDT
Bill: about $20

I've had issues with Denny's in the past but thought I'd try again anyway. I had the All American Slam: "Three scrambled eggs with Cheddar cheese, two bacon strips and two sausage links, plus hash browns or grits and choice of bread." My wife had the Bacon Avocado Burrito: "Crispy bacon, avocado, scrambled egg, our smoky cheese blend, freshly made pico de gallo and a spicy sauce hand-wrapped in a large flour tortilla. Grilled and served with crispy hash browns." She also had a cup of fruits - grapes, cantaloupe, strawberries.

I'm not a grits person so I had the hash browns and white toast - keep it simple. The bacon was cooked almost to perfection, for me that is. I prefer it crisp like pepperoni. The booth was a bit tight but then again I could stand to lose a few pounds. Service was good, not too much or too little of checking on us. Delivery of our order as quick, but then again they weren't that busy and it was a Tuesday. My wife enjoyed the burrito and even liked it with the sauce, picante I think. The fruit was fresh but some of the portions were less than others.

The Denny's appeared to be clean and I didn't notice any issues with the tables as far as wear that could cause a sanitation issue but there was a burnt piece of hash brown on my seat that someone missed before I was seated.

I guess the only issue I had should be for all restaurants: seat your customers at booths and tables that are sized to fit your customers. If your customer is fat/overweight/large boned don't put them in a booth where their belly presses against the table and could cause a person with breathing problems or claustrophobia to not enjoy the place. Have some seating set up for those with a little more to lose and others specifically for those that jog every day. Now that I think about it, I'd imagine that not many people that jog every day save time for a restaurant. Maybe I should jog every day.

Ruby Tuesday - North Location - Springfield, Missouri

2008-04-13T19:39:00.000-07:00

Location:

2725 NORTH GLENSTONE AVENUE

SPRINGFIELD, MO 65803

Phone: 417-831-7829

Web: http://www.rubytuesday.com/

Date: April 13, 2008
Time: Approximately 8PM
Dinner for two
Bill: $54.00 (+/- $1)

As with most restaurants in Springfield I had frequented them when I lived there and had planned on visiting them during my recent trip. I was used to the menu items and knew what I liked and didn't like at most of them. Ruby Tuesday was no exception.

My wife and I stayed in a hotel less than a block from this location during our stay in Springfield so it was the last place we ate dinner at before we left for our trip home. We both were looking forward to a casual, comfortable evening dinner but what we got was far from it.

I had previously ordered the Triple Prime Burger and absolutely fell in love with it each and every time I had it. Because there are no locations of this chain in the town we live in, we tried our best to make the same burger at home and eventually grew tired of it so that was the last thing I wanted to order on this particular night.

We were promptly seated by a courteous employee at a clean, well-lit table and told our server would be Beth. Beth arrived within a minute and took our drink order. My wife ordered a pomegranate lemonade and I requested Dr. Pepper, my drink of choice (we don't drink alcohol). Of course they only had Mr. Pibb which seems to be my drink of choice at some chains that choose to contract with Pepsi Co not to have Coke products...oh well. We ordered an appetizer of spring rolls. They arrived fairly quickly, with a different employee but I guess that's how they do that there. Our drinks, however, arrived a bit slower, probably in to the second spring roll by then. Beth then took our order, neither of us knowing what the other was going to get. My wife ordered the rib eye as did I. She wanted crab cakes as a side but Beth suggested ordering the steak and crab cake dinner which included a different steak but could change to the rib eye for about $4 more. That wasn't a problem so it was agreed to for her order. I ordered the rib eye but with a baked potato instead of mashed potatoes and broccoli since I don't like either. She said it would be okay.

She came back shortly and said that they were all out of rib eyes and would we like something else but of course didn't bring menus for us to go over again so she had to go find them. She had dropped my wife's straw on the floor and said she'd get a new one as she had left our drinks but didn't even bring that at that time. She got a straw from one area then had to go back to the front to get us menus. We got the menus, again as well as a new straw and she asked if we needed a minute (well omg duh!). She then asked if we minded if she took the drink order for a table of about 10 next to us. We told her to go ahead.

She came back shortly and got our replacement order. Again I wanted baked potato instead of mashed and broccoli and I made it clear to her, again. After we finished our appetizer she came by and removed our plates and said she'd return with drink refills (the glasses were empty by then). Shortly after we asked for the refills our dinner arrived, again by the hands of another. Mine had the steak I ordered plus mashed potatoes and broccoli as well as a side of chicken. Chicken? This employee then took all of my order back to fix it and left us with no drinks. My wife's order seemed right until I noticed no mashed potatoes which should have come with it. Beth said she'd get those shortly. Days passed.

Alright it wasn't really days but it seemed like it. My wife was about half way through her meal when mine arrived, correct this time. Still no drinks. The salt shaker wouldn't dispense any salt. Do not know why, only that it didn't. It was full as I could see the salt and the holes didn't appear blocked. No salt for me - I guess that's best.

My steak was done correctly but it's good I didn't want steak sauce or any condiments for that matter since nobody asked. Just set it down and leave is their current motto I suppose. By the way, another 10 minutes passed and still no drinks. Wife's getting mad now.

I finished my steak and my wife finished her meal, with the exception of her mashed potatoes that haven't arrived yet. Still no drinks. In fact no sign of Beth in at least 15 minutes. My wife finally decides to get up and find someone to at least bring some water. This guy, didn't get his name, goes to the back and about the time Beth pops out of the kitchen with a tray full of drinks (for me and the neighbors) he follows her to our table with a water. Dang that's quick. Wonder if the soda has to be pumped through a special dispenser that runs from the south side of Springfield to the north but the water is taken from a well right under the building. Either than or someone's not doing their job right. Maybe it was time for a smoke break.

So Beth brings me my refill and first drinks to the table next to us but nothing for my wife but says 'she's making that now' then walks away. A few minutes later her drink finally shows up. Of course we are about done by now and completely ready to scream. The same guy that brought a water shows up and takes our finished plates just about the time Beth decides to show back up to ask if we wanted desert. She had to be joking. She brings our ticket which seemed way too high to me but whatever I just wanted to leave.

After thinking about it now, she added a chicken side to the ticket to increase the price for getting the rib eye instead of the steak that came with the steak and crab meal but we didn't get rib eye we got top sirloin which as a meal is the same weight as the rib eye but I think $5.00 more. It also seemed they charged us tax twice. Whatever, she got no tip.

And we always tip, or did until that night.

If you're planning on visiting Ruby Tuesday do so some time when the employees have worked there longer than say a week and the management is older than say 18. Also you should ask if they are out of anything before you decide on anything on the menu or you'll have to find something else to order. Oh yeah, if you want something different than what's on the menu, expect them to get it wrong even if you mention it twice. Lastly, if the staff seems on edge, walk out the door and drive over to Steak-N-Shake or even McDonald's or you may be disappointed as we were.

I guess it's a good thing there are no Ruby Tuesday locations where we live. They'd get no business from us, just as the one in north Springfield will have from now on.

By the way, the place did look clean but since I didn't use the restroom or get a salad or see the kitchen I can't be certain.

Enter and eat at your own risk.

McAlister's Deli - North Location - Springfield, Missouri

2008-04-13T19:15:00.000-07:00

The location in question:
2445 N Kansas Expressway Suite A
Springfield, Missouri - (417) 866-2331
www.mcalistersdeli.com

Date: April 13, 2008
Time: Approximately 1PM

I frequented this location when I lived in Springfield as it was less than a block from my house at the time. Since there are limited deli restaurants where I currently live, McAlister's was one of the many places I planned to visit on my trip back to Springfield to visit family. I knew they had good, quality food and a variety of sandwiches to choose from so I invited a friend to join me since I hadn't seen him since I had moved.

The entry area, floors and main doors were clean and not in need of any repair. The restroom was also clean and without need of repair. I did find that the location of the towel dispenser, a new modern motorized version with a motion detector to dispense the towels, was too close to the sink and soap dispenser. As I tried to reach the soap I bumped the towel dispenser which caused it to dispense. While I was going to use a towel anyway (there was no environmentally-friendly air dryer) this wasn't a big issue but I could see that this could cause a problem for some people and may cause a waste of towels if the dispenser is bumped accidentally as I had done. As expected the trash can was next to the door for easy disposal of the used towel after I had used it to open the door.

They weren't very busy, only a few customers at the counter. The employees at the counter were friendly and helpful and seemed to know the options for bread and sides as well as what to ask the customer when specific sandwiches were ordered but the one I stepped up to seemed to have a problem hearing the specifics of our order so we had to repeat parts of it a couple of times. I wrote this issue off to the noise being made by the other employees behind the counter as well as those in the kitchen.

The sandwich I ordered was a grilled chicken with a side of potato chips. They always take your order, give you a number and bring your food to you when you eat in so we found a table and sat down. The table wasn't wiped off as I noticed crumbs on it but it wasn't much for me to use a napkin to remove them. Since our food would arrive in clean plates I wasn't too concerned about the crumbs but if I had seen anything else I would have moved tables or requested it cleaned. Not long after someone brought our orders. I expected a pickle as I had always received one in the past but I didn't get it this time. The chips were standard Lay's type but the portion I was given was mostly very small pieces if not crumbs. They must have been at the bottom of the bag so gave me the leftovers. The sandwich I had was very good, completely cooked and made as I ordered. My friend's sandwich seemed to suit his needs as I heard no complaints and he seemed to enjoy his pickle and potato salad, which I had always found scrumptious but decided to pass on this trip.

When we finished an employee came by and took our trash and asked if we needed anything else although we didn't. We sat and talked for a while (the friend and I) as we finished our drinks and went on our way.

As always I'd recommend McAlister's for anyone that wants good food and a slightly higher price than some other places but the higher cost is worth it. I've had many of the sandwiches they offer over the years and was never disappointed, even with those that I took home.

If you like sweet tea, they have the best in Springfield, from what I'm told (I don't drink tea). The dinner mints are nice as well.

Damasco’s - Belgrade, Montana

2008-04-07T18:17:00.000-07:00

This is more of a review than an inspection but has both
90 W. Madison, Belgrade, Montana
Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., serving lunch and dinner. It offers both dine-in and carry-out options. Phone 406-388-2724. They don't take checks and only accept Visa and MasterCard (Times and number copied from the news article listed below. Call them for actual times and payment methods because I think they have changed)

What says a ton about a new restaurant's food and reputation is the fact that they don't advertise. In October 2007 Damasco's opened and, well read the archive from the local paper: http://www.belgrade-news.com/archives/view.php?article=7812

It's a small restaurant situated in a small strip center off the main thoroughfare of Jackrabbit Lane in Belgrade but don't let the size fool you. I think the lack of more tables is vital at this point in their endeavor because anything larger will take away from the excellent service. The 2 times I have eaten there only 2 servers exist. I'd hate for the service to suffer just because more people wanted to be there at the same time. Of course I'm sure they'd get more help if they increased their capacity but right now it's perfect.

The best time to go is 10-15 minutes after they open. Both times I've been there has been around 5PM - the sign says they open at 4:30. There were no customers when I arrived either time so the service should be perfect and it was. I noticed a sign stating they are waiting on their liquor license so expect to drink something else until they get one (I don't need to drink liquor to enjoy great food, or life for that matter). I believe the owner, Tommaso Damasco is the person behind the half wall between the dining room and the kitchen and both times he greeted me with a huge smile. I feel that he really enjoys watching people get excited about his food, I've even caught him watching people eating and enjoying the food. I can watch and listen to him as he speaks to his cousin in Italian, although I don't understand a word. It seems they both love cooking but personally I think that what they like most is knowing that people are enjoying their food. I'd imagine that for him, making a profit was not the first thing he thought of when he first considered opening this restaurant. If it wasn't I hope he doesn't tell anyone. It's best if we all assume it's the love of cooking or the love of watching people enjoy your cooking.

Around 5:30 or 6PM the flock of customers arrives, a few at a time but soon after all of the tables are full. It seems that the people that showed up the two times I've been know Mr. Damasco as they usually say 'hi' or have a short chat before the customer sits down with the others they came with. It's a family place. The last time I went there was a mother and her two sons. One was young and sat in a high chair. It was fun to watch him eat so I can see why Mr. Damasco loves his work. If you arrive after 6PM you may have to wait for a table but I recommend waiting.

As a previous employee of 3 different Americanized pizza restaurants I can say that I may have a problem: I'm addicted to pizza. I've had this addiction currently for 19 years and the last time I've had a pizza was last week - frozen of course. You have not tasted real Italian pizza until you have eaten one of Damasco's hand-made fresh, oven baked pizzas, or eat two if you like. I've been used to pizza in a gas-fired oven or even electric but never oven-baked and I hate to say it but OMG it's da bomb! Damasco's brick oven baked pizza is as follows:
1) The Crust. Crust is the base of any pizza and is the most important part of one. A great set of toppings or even the best sauce will fail if the crust is poor. The crust here is thin, crunchy and even the burnt bubbles that happen with a brick oven pizza are great.
2) The Sauce. I have to admit I'm not even certain there is a sauce. If there is, it's so perfectly portioned that it allows the taste of the entire pizza to be consumed by my taste buds as one thing. Yes I taste the crust and toppings separately but it's almost like the toppings are specifically designed for that pizza as a whole.
3) The Toppings. I've had the Mozzarella, Sausage & Pepperoni pizza and a Mozzarella, Pepperoni & Onion pizza at Damasco's. Both were the best pizzas I've ever had. Even the second one surpassed the first one. There's even this flavorful greasy liquid that falls from each slice as you lift it from the plate. It's the merging of all of the toppings into one flavor that makes you want another slice even when you've finished and should stop eating because in less than 5 minutes you will be full.

I like the way they serve the pizza too. It's some type of heavy stone or stone-type tray that keeps the pizza hot even down to the last piece.

My wife had pasta both times we were there and she enjoyed it as much as I did the pizza. I can't speak for her but we've had pasta from 'supposed authentic Italian' restaurants before, many times, but Damasco's has the best in my opinion (I had a bite). My wife tells me that Damasco's is her #2 pick for the best (after a little-known place in Springfield, Missouri called J Parrino's) and is tied with Zio's as the #2 best.

I will warn those of you that aren't aware of traditional Italian food: They have one salad that I had the first time that was a mistake on my part. I can't remember the name on the menu but it sounded good and was in the $7 range. When it arrived it was a huge pile of lettuce with a few other things on it like sliced boiled egg and some cheese. When I order a salad, most other places I've ever been, and it costs that much, it has lettuce, generally 2 or 3 types, cheese, tomato, croûtons, maybe some boiled egg, bacon bits, ham, cucumbers and maybe a few other things. The one at Damasco's that arrived at my table was mostly head lettuce. I did eat it all, even though it's the first time in my life I've eaten that much lettuce without blue cheese dressing and all the other things I mentioned above. So if you aren't certain which salad you are ordering or what you will get, just ask. I'm sure they don't want you to order something you won't be happy with.

Something else that I don't get. Not being Italian I may just not understand but when the server says that bread will be included, I usually get it after the order is placed and drinks arrive, not after the main course is placed in front of me. It makes it even harder to understand that they bring the oil, vinegar and bread plates when normally one would expect the bread but don't hope for bread until later. On top of that, it's served room temperature. Again that may be authentic Italian I just don't know.

As for an inspection I have to say that the dining area was very clean as were the walls behind and around the brick oven. I didn't venture to the rest of the kitchen or to the restroom but every area I could see was clean. I even saw one of the servers wiping down the condiment shakers that are on each table both times I was there. I noticed Mr. Damasco clean his hands several times before he made any pizza or touched any food, especially after he added wood to the fire for the oven.

As with all other restaurants my concerns for cleanliness are the use of gloves when handling raw food; the use of disinfectant in the last step of dish washing; the use of disinfectant in the mop water; the use of disinfectant on not only the tables and in the restroom but on every door handle especially those for the restrooms. The most important item for cleanliness for any restaurant is that the employees have a regular hand washing regiment and those at Damasco's seem to have it down.

Even though this blog is designed for critiquing the cleanliness of restaurants that I have personally visited and I don't normally give ratings to any place, if I were to rate Damasco's I'd be an idiot to rate it less than 5 stars out of 5.

Of course I'm no food critic. I just love good food.

Keep up the excellent work Damasco's!

Pickle Barrel - Belgrade, Montana

2008-04-03T22:12:00.000-07:00

The Pickle Barrel opened a new location in Belgrade, MT recently next to the IGA. Since this location was closer than the 2 in Bozeman I decided to try it. My last encounter with the location near the campus was less than exciting. That could have been due to my overwhelming desire to eat there again after missing out of over 13 years of their food or it could have been the wrong choice of sandwich.

Anyway, the new location has some issues:
1. The menus are on chalkboards mounted above the order counter but in front of the lights. Needless to say, it's impossible to read them without getting on a ladder and climbing up to them. Or you could just pick up the paper menu which could have been touched by who knows...

2. None of the employees wear gloves. Okay the last two reviews also mention this but hey, I'm a bit picky when it comes to food that is uncooked and touched by bare hands that leave their grimy oils and skin cells all over it. EW!

3. The place is a bit small but they seemed to crowd some tables and chairs in there. I guess they want people to eat then buy desert.

Luckily for me that one time the person that took my order and my money didn't handle any of the food. On the other hand, those 2 or 3 people that were filling the many, many orders from the people waiting before me were touching the raw vegetables and other additional toppings with bare hands. I hope they washed them first.

There was a sink fairly close to the make table and that's important. The dining area was a bit dark. The location of the drink cooler is right in line with the register and blocks part of what could be a better line which could probably go out the door sometimes. There is no real place for people waiting on 'to go' orders to wait except to the side of the line which can get crowded.

Parking is great since they are located in a shopping center which has plenty of spaces.

I'm a stickler for gloves. If you don't have a preference but love good sandwiches, go to the Pickle Barrel near you. They do have good food and they love to pile them high without charging too much.

Quizno's - Bozeman, Montana

2008-04-03T22:05:00.000-07:00

I've been to the Quizno's in Bozeman a few times but I just had to stop going. (I'm not sure if there is more than one)

The place is small compared to other Quizno's that I've been to. The floors were not very clean each time I went. They look as if they used just hot water on them with a dirty mop. Get some Simple Green in that water, it works much better and bleach will simply kill some people - all the more reason not to use it.

The tables all 3 or so times were not kept up with cleaning. I understand that when it's busy it's hard to get away from the sandwich making process and clean off some tables and throw away some trash but if you expect people to eat there you should also expect them to want to sit at a clean table.

The last time I was there the place filled with smoke. I didn't once hear an exhaust fan nor did anyone behind the counter say anything to the full house of customers about the smoke. They may have inhaled too much since the source must have been the toaster. It got so bad in there that people were not finishing their lunch, or was it dinner...they were just packing it up and leaving. On the other hand, I quickly gulped mine down and left, with tears in my eyes. Not because the food was that good, but because of the smoke. And it was good up until I could taste the smoke. It's good that I had a free refill to wash it down with.

I guess the location is a popular place for the college kids so maybe they don't care about how clean it is. Then again, aren't germs spread by kids?

I just hope the people handling the money weren't handling my food.

Subway - Manhattan, Montana

2008-04-03T21:45:00.000-07:00

Recently a new Subway sandwich shop opened in the small town of Manhattan, MT (pop. est. 1500) inside of the newly built Conoco convenience store. Over the years I have eaten at Subway too many times to count and I even had the opportunity to manage one - but I didn't (I had other hopes and dreams).

In any restaurant that serves food cold or uncooked expected to eat as is without cooking, such as a deli like Subway technically is, handling the food with gloves is not only expected but absolute. It's important to use sanitary gloves since the ones you can buy for keeping your hands clean while applying wood stain or painting aren't.

Given that this particular location was new when I arrived I expected the staff to be newly trained or well-seasoned sandwich technicians. I also expected the eating area to be clean, as all dining establishments should be.

I ordered by sub, 12" Steak and Cheese (hey I'm not Jared), toasted of course - can't remember the name of the bread but it was something like Parmesan something. There was only one person working. She made my sub, toasted it, asked my wife what she would like and began to make hers. When mine was toasted, she removed it from the weird looking toasting oven and filled my sandwich with the fixin's that I wanted. She then put my wife's sub in the toaster. She then wrapped it up, placed it in the bag along with napkins then proceeded to wring up the total. I gave her cash which she took and gave me change. She then took my wife's sub out of the toaster and proceeded to finish hers.

The whole time she was wearing gloves. What's wrong with this picture? If you don't know you probably don't want to know.

Do you realize how dirty money is? People use it for things I don't even want to think about or mention. The average dollar bill is laced with all kinds of nasty stuff that most of us wouldn't even consider putting into our bodies let alone letting it rub onto our hundred dollar bills that are stuffed in our wallets (for those of you that have those large bills, go read someone else's blog, this one's for the poor people - no I don't have any).

It's one thing if she had sneezed into her gloved hand then finished my wife's dinner but good God, THINK before you touch raw, not to be cooked food! The fixin's don't get cooked. We eat those and you put those dirty gloves on them?

I've since heard that the county doesn't even require the use of gloves in such occasions. I guess that's the last time I'll eat in that county.

Now the rest.

I'd further comment on the dining area but we took our food home to eat. From what I do remember the tables were cleaned (they looked clean but given the employee's judgment of glove changing I wonder what's used to wipe the tables - shouldn't eat in there either). I will say that the fixin's seemed very fresh as did the bread and steak.

Yes, fixin's is a word. Look it up.