Category Archives: Quick bites/Takeout

Szechuan Hunan Chinese Restaurant – Philadelphia, PA – Rittenhouse Square Area

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Szechuan Hunan Chinese Restaurant – Philadelphia, PA – Rittenhouse Square Area

The Rittenhouse Square area of Philadelphia is one of the nicest places to just go for a stroll in one of the most upscale areas of town while having a beautiful park to separate you from the urban jungle. While I enjoy fine dining just as much as the next person, sometimes you just are not in the mood or have the monetary means to do so, and this area is not budget friendly for the most part. Situated about a block away from the park I found Szechuan Hunan Chinese Restaurant (SHC). The interior was a little dark and dated, but the extremely friendly service overcame any of that. I would try their shrimp and chicken in peking sauce.

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I started with the egg roll, which was very nice and not greasy at all. For the entrée, the chicken was nice chunks of white meat and the shrimp were cooked just right and of decent size. Where SHC really shined was the extremely fresh and large portion of veggies. Nice crisp zucchini, carrots and celery were in the mix. One downfall was there were an absurd amount of water chestnuts in the dish. It just seemed like someone dropped a whole can of them in my dish. My major complaint with SHC would be the rice served to me was your standard Chinese take-out variety, which was a shame. SHC was a nice surprise and even better on my wallet.

Overall

Three out of Five Stars

 

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Jim’s Steaks – South Street – Philadelphia, PA

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Jim’s Steaks – South Street – Philadelphia, PA

One of Philadelphia’s hottest tourist areas is the South Street area for better or worse. I find I have a love/hate relationship with this street. You have some of the most tasteless stores and flavorless eateries, but you also have some of the best shopping and amazing eats all right next to each other while trying to avoid the throngs of helpless and wondering visitors from out of town. It is horrible and great all at the same time. One of the most poplar places is Jim’s Steaks (JS) which at times has a line around the block just to put an order in. I passed by JS one day with a light crowd and decided to give them a shot. I would order a mushroom cheese steak with American cheese and fried onions.

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The sandwich itself was slightly above average. The steak was of nice quality, but chopped up way to much as it fell out of the roll, the mushrooms even though generous in portion size came directly out of a can, but I must admit the fried onions were delicious and some of the best around. If you are a tourist it is not a bad one to try and maybe slightly better than the other two well-known tourist cheesesteak destinations while provided somewhere indoors to eat your fare and having some neat pictures to browse around the place.

What really got me at JS had nothing to do with how my sandwich tasted. After my order was when things got a little dicey. The patron in front of me did not have cash so they went over to the atm in JS and tried to get money out of that machine. After a few minutes trying to no avail, they told the cashier that it was not working and that they would be right back as they were going to use the atm around the corner. One would think the cashier would move on to the next customer. NOT!!! The cashier said she already entered their meal into the register and she could not cancel it. I had to wait five to ten more minutes for the individuals to reappear while the line behind me grew exponentially as well with all of our sandwiches going cold on the counter waiting for them. Once that issue was cleared I thought I could move on, but boy was I wrong. Once I handed over my money, the cashier advised me that she did not have any more quarters or dimes at the moment even though it was only 1pm and she just stared at me for fifteen minutes waiting for the other people to find an atm instead of finding some money for herself as well in that timeframe. She asked if it was ok to just give me pennies and nickels. I agreed and was handed some coins. I looked down at noticed she did not give me the proper change in pennies as I was given eight pennies and three nickels for change of seventy-seven cents. I advised her of the mistake, and she said she gave me the correct change and she would have to check register count to refund anything else. With many other customers behind me and having a much longer wait than it needed to be already, I decided to let JS keep my extra change and move on, but I was not happy.

With all said and done I will give JS two ratings, which is the first time ever on this website, but I could not give JS just one score on the basis of one of the employees being completely incompetent.

Three and half out of five stars for the meal and atmosphere in and around JS

and

One star overall for the meal and quality of service JS provided to me

 

*********** UPDATE 01-26-2016 ********************

Talked to the president of Jim’s Steaks over the phone and then he sent a follow up email (shown below). They apologized for my experience and stated he will take corrective actions on the things I mentioned and he strives everyday for every customer to have nothing but an outstanding experience and sandwich. I will have to give them another chance. Kudos Jim’s Steaks for being professional.

 

******************************************************

Derek:
Thanks for your time on the phone this afternoon. It is not often that I get to speak personally to a reviewer, especially a negative one. I apologize for your wait you had in line at our restaurant and the unprofessional way in which your change was tendered. Most of our staff has been with us for many years and would never have handled you in such a manner. The cashier that day was in her second week of training and, as you might imagine, didn’t make it to week three. We pride ourselves on our service as well as our cheesesteaks and the wait you had to endure was completely outside our normal operating procedures. We handle the situation you described multiple times a day and simply move the patron ahead of you to the side if there is a problem. When busy we serve up to 3000 guests a day through a single cash register, so we have to have policies in place that address folks who don’t have cash.
We hope that the next time you have a chance to visit the South St. area you give us another try. I can assure you in no uncertain terms that your experience will be one that will leave you with a much more positive impression of Jim’s Steaks South St.
Sincerely,
K## S##### – President
Jim’s Steaks South St.
400 South St.
Phila., PA 19147

 

 

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Buffalo Bills Barbecue – Sicklerville, NJ

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Bluejeanfood

Buffalo Bills Barbecue – Sicklerville, NJ

I find critiquing barbeque one of the more difficult genres to be objective about since I am a Kansas City Barbeque Society Certified Judge. Eating barbeque from teams with dreams of winning hundreds of thousands of dollars for just one serving of food they labored over for days with recipes perfected over the years and then eating barbeque from a retail location setup to feed the masses is like night and day. With keeping this in mind I decided to try Buffalo Bills Barbecue (BBB) as I was seeing a lot of things posted about them on the internet. BBB is strictly a no frills take-out location. When I picked up the menu, I was a little hesitant as their menu was more on line with a pizza joint than a barbeque location and a little all over the place. I would go with a full rib combo.

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The meal consisted of a full rack of baby back ribs, mac and cheese, and collard greens. BBB is nowhere near championship caliber barbeque, but I must admit I was impressed for what is readily available barbeque in South Jersey. The ribs were cooked nicely and were tender throughout. I enjoyed the rub they used and the mild sauce painted on with just the right amount of sauce, unlike some places that pour the sauce on to hide an inferior product. Each bite was juicy and meaty as well. The collard greens really shined as hidden inside each forkful were tiny pieces of pulled chicken that enhanced the overall flavor profile and add a special surprise. The mac and cheese was not too impressive, but I have had worse and it held its own as a decent side.

BBB was enjoyable and I would be happy to try more things on their very large menu and hope everything is as good as what I had my first visit there. The staff was very personable and friendly. The woman behind the counter said she thought she recognized me and had I been to BBB before. With me responding I had not, she replied, “Well darling, I guarantee you are going to love your meal and if you don’t, come back and I’ll give you something else you like instead.” I respect a dining establishment who has confidence in what they are serving. I will be going back to BBB. Not to return what I ordered, but to order some more!

Overall

Four out of Five Stars

 

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Cameron’s Seafood Market – Philadelphia, PA (Broad Street Location)

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Bluejeanfood

2015-01-22_12-41-17_414Cameron’s Seafood Market – Philadelphia, PA (Broad Street Location)

Seafood is by far one of my favorite categories of food. It has so much variety and flavor. Yet it is probably the most ruined type of food around by poor execution, lack of freshness, and most times small portions due to its high costs. With a few locations in Maryland and two in Philadelphia, I decided to give Cameron’s Seafood Market’s (CSM) Broad Street location a try. As soon as you step inside CSM you are welcomed with a beautiful array of fresh looking seafood with decent prices on display in ice at the tiny market section of their store. I did not want to cook myself, so I decided to order a bowl of lobster bisque, fried scallops and shrimp, with a side of fries at the restaurant side of things.

As dreamy and wonderful as the market seemed, those few steps away into the restaurant side was more of a nightmare with what I was served.  The lobster bisque lacked any sort of flavor except salt, extremely thick and pasty, did not seem fresh at all, and I have had better lobster bisque come out of a can from my local supermarket. The scallops were beyond over cooked, dripping with grease, and were so rubbery they would have been better suited to be a child’s bouncy ball then anything resembling something to eat. The shrimp were of decent size, but were overcooked as well causing them to be dry. Also, the stiff and tasteless breading was three times the size of the shrimp negating anything the shrimp could have offered if they were cooked properly. To add injury to insult, CSM then threw double-breaded fries to my meal, which everyone already knows my feelings on this atrocity done to potates and is the bottom of the barrel French fry with the only reason to buy them is because you are cheap and worried about your bottom line.

Would I ever go back to CSM? Never to eat, but the market did look nice and service was friendly so at least that had that going for them.

Overall

One Star out of Five

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George’s Famous Roast Pork and Beef – George’s Luncheonette – Italian Market – 1007 S 9th Street – Philadelphia, PA

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Bluejeanfood

George’s Famous Roast Pork and Beef – George’s Luncheonette – Italian Market – 1007 S 9th Street – Philadelphia, PA

This is one of the few times I have to be very specific where I ate since this one block of the Italian Market has two of same named spots. George’s Famous Roast Pork and Beef – George’s Luncheonette (GFR) which is the one I went to and George’s Sandwich Shop up the other end of the street. GFR is a no frills, old school, but my kind service place. They do not mess around with any modern trends, deal with cash only, and has a charm that the Italian Market is losing every day. I would go with the pork sandwich with provolone.

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The pork was chopped nicely, sat in a nice gravy, just the right amount of cheese, and the roll did the job quite nicely. The pork was fresh and all the tasty fatty parts were included, which is the way all pork sandwiches should be served.

I like atmosphere in GFR, even though it is extremely dated and worn down. I just miss this kind of neighborhood eatery which was very common in my youth growing up in Philadelphia, but is going the way of newspapers and corded telephones. You are not going to get gourmet at GFR, but you will be nostalgic for the past when you are done eating.

Overall

Three Stars out of Five

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The Bakeshop on Twentieth

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Bluejeanfood

The Bakeshop on Twentieth – Philadelphia, PA

I am always on the lookout for something new and exciting to eat. Even when I am not hungry, I somehow can always find room for a snack or treat along the way. That is what happened to me one day while strolling around Rittenhouse Square, I stumbled upon The Bakeshop on Twentieth (BOT). Very small, yet big on smiles and friendliness inside I decided to go with the neighborhood treat “The Rittenhouse Square”.

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This incarnation of brownie consisted of fudge chunks, pretzel crust, and caramel topping. It was good, and a chocolate lovers dream come true. I would have preferred if it was a little on the fluffier side and a tab bit less gooey, but I know I am probably in the minority on this thought. I enjoyed BOT and would not hesitate to go back and try a few other treats there.

Overall

Three and half stars out of Five

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MeltKraft – Reading Terminal Market – Philadelphia, PA

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Bluejeanfood

MeltKraft – Reading Terminal Market – Philadelphia, PA

The Reading Terminal Market seems to have one gem after another around every turn. Almost hidden in the back with a display case of fresh cheeses to choose from to buy along with many other goodies MeltKraft (MK) is delivering one yummy grilled cheese. The day I visited the gentleman behind the counter could not have been more helpful to a novice cheese eater. I would not only buy some delicious cheese to take home, I would order their Valley Thunder Grilled Cheese.

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The grilled cheese consisted of valley thunder twelve month aged cheddar and Bubbe’s brisket topped with baked macaroni mixed with valley shepherd cheese and a side of Covered Bridge Kettle Chips. The sandwich hit almost every note a meat and cheese lover such as myself looks for, while being able to enjoy a childhood favorite meal with a twist. The only problem was I would consider this sandwich something I would only have once in a while, as the cheese consistency was a little thicker than expected, the macaroni gave the texture more of a meal feeling then I what was looking for, and I missed the taste and feel of the sandwich coming off a griddle as opposed the press MK uses. The brisket was spot on though. Even with my slight criticism it was a treat of a sandwich and you should at least give it a try for yourself. While waiting get a sample or two of some Valley Sheppard Creamery cheeses and buy some to take home and enjoy.

Overall

Three and Three-Fourth Stars out of Five

 

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Georgetti’s Pasta & Sauce Market – Cinnaminson, NJ

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Bluejeanfood

Georgetti’s Pasta & Sauce Market – Cinnaminson, NJ

Sometimes you want dinner, but do not feel like cooking a full meal. Sometimes you want dinner, but do not feel like leaving your house. We Georgetti’s Pasta & Sauce Market (GPS) was just the perfect place to be able to do both. The only question was how it would taste. Immediately stepping foot into GPS you know you are not in your normal take-out market where you have a fifty-fifty chance of even finding something that resemble a decent meal. They have almost everything your heart could desire if you are seeking Italian food to take home. The prices were very reasonable, selection was fresh, and staff friendly. My selection would be chicken parmesan, linguini with a vodka sauce, and fresh roll.

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I put the chicken in oven and warmed the linguini and the vodka sauce on the stove top, and it was as simple as one-two-three dinner done with the looks of a restaurant quality meal. Lucky for me, it tasted as good as it looked. I could not have been happier with the turnout and the ease of preparation. GPS had hundreds of items I want to go back and try even more specialties of theirs. They even have frozen selections to choose from so you can have a few things on hand at any given time. Put some candles on the table; get yourself a bottle of wine, and with GPS you too can have fine dining in the comfort of your own home.

Overall

Four out of Five Stars

 

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Paesano’s North – Philadelphia, PA

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Bluejeanfood

Paesano’s North – Philadelphia, PA

When you live in or around Philadelphia, you have certain expectations of what a sandwich is or should be. We are a spoiled bunch, but I am happy we demand so such. With a tiny little store on Girard Avenue that only has room for six bar stools I visited Paesano’s North (PN) with high hopes. I would try their Zawzeech sandwich.

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The Zawzeech is sweet Italian sausage with roasted peppers, sautéed onions, and sharp provolone cheese on a seeded roll. From the first bite till the last it was simply delightful. The roll became a tad bit soggy, but other than it was top-notch.

The interior of PN is nothing to write home about. The employees seem a little rough around the edges in a good way. The menu is diverse, and try to order in advance as the place is so tiny any more than four people there at any given time is a tight squeeze. All in all PN is a gem and if you have never been, you should really give them a try at one of their locations.

Overall

Four and a Half Stars out of Five

 

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Shanks Pier 40 – Philadelphia, PA

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Bluejeanfood

Shanks Pier 40 – Philadelphia, PA

With a dining location on the banks of the Delaware River you would think you have hit gold. Shanks Pier 40 (SP) does indeed have a riverfront location, but unfortunately the scenery is completely missing. It is just a tiny little building and a parking lot. For what they lack in scenery I had high hopes for the food from SP especially after touting accolades from the New York Times and Esquire magazine as well as SportsRadio 610WIP’s Winner of Best Hot Sandwich Award. I would order their award winning sandwich chicken cutlet italiano.

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The chicken cutlet italiano included broccoli rabe with sharp provolone and I ordered a side of fries as well. I must talk about the fries first as they really surprised. They were a fantastic shoestring fry and cooked to perfection. They were nice and crispy and just the right amount of salt added to them. Best shoestring fries I have had in a long time. The sandwich was very good also as I really enjoyed the way they finely chopped the broccoli rabe and it was seasoned beautifully. They also had just the right amount of cheese and the roll stood up well. The chicken was good, but was just missing something for me whether it is in the breading or not, that I have had just a tad better cutlets other places. What SP has going for them is the all-around quality when you add everything together food wise. They do dreadfully lack an ambiance or any feeling of a waterfront attraction. If SP lucks out one day and gets something like Race Street Pier or the pop-up Spruce Street Park you may finally get the best of both worlds at SP, but until then you should still visit there, just know it is only for the food.

Overall

Four out of Five Stars

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