Chains – The Unvegan

11/23/2017 Reviews Scottsdale

Eating Like a Sconnie at Culver’s

There is no denying that much of my heart belongs in the state of Wisconsin, where I spent many summers of my life. So when Michigan loses a football game to Wisconsin, I may hate it, but I’m also weirdly more okay with it than I am with losing to just about any other team. But what does this have to do with food? Well, Wisconsin produced a fast food place called Culver’s, which is actually in Phoenix. So afters years of not being in Wisconsin, I revisited the Scottsdale location of Culver’s to see if it could bring me back to my days in Wisconsin.

Bacon Burgers Chains Cheese Cheese Curds Culver's Fast Food Hamburgers National Chains Phoenix Scottsdale

7/27/2017 Reviews Taiwan

A Couple of MOS Burgers

Pronounced like how Spanish speakers say “mas.”

Sometimes the world feels dominated by American chain restaurants. It seems that anywhere you go you can find McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway and KFC. Yet, we are not the only ones pushing our fast food abroad, as evidenced by MOS Burger. MOS Burger is a Japanese fast food burger spot that I was a pretty big fan of when I was living in Japan, and I was so happy to find that it is also available in Taiwan (as well as a number of other Asian countries, and even Australia) that I had to have some.

Asia Bacon Burgers Chains Fast Food Hamburgers Japanese MOS Burger Rice Taipei Taiwan Travel

1/26/2017 Reviews Lone Tree

The Beef of Brio

Brio may be a chain, but it’s the kind of chain I can get behind. After all, steaks are a central component of the menu at the place. Of course, with an Tuscan theme it’s possible to get some light pasta or something else crazy, but I am a man who doesn’t generally turn down the opportunity for a steak.

Brio Chains Colorado Denver Italian Lone Tree National Chains Restaurants Steak Travel

10/16/2016 Reviews Pasadena

Studying Pieology

Ever since 800 Degrees hit the scene, it seems like quickie custom pizza shops have shown up everywhere. Pieology is one of these places and it follows in the same assembly line style of others before it. The ingredients are essentially the same as Blaze Pizza, but with a few tweaks here and there in the sauce department.

800 Degrees Blaze Pizza Buffalo Chicken Chains Italian Los Angeles Pasadena Pieology Pizza Restaurants

11/4/2015 Reviews Pasadena

Copying Success at Blaze Pizza

Once upon a time, a little place called 800 Degrees decided it could redefine fast-food pizza. Needless to say, it was a success. And that success inevitably led to copycats like Blaze Pizza. Surely this is not a bad thing in general because it will ultimately lead to better or more affordable food, but in the short-run I set out to see if Blaze could deliver (figuratively, of course).

800 Degrees Bacon Blaze Pizza Chains Italian Los Angeles Pasadena Pepperoni Pizza Restaurants Sausage

10/20/2015 Reviews Pasadena

The Hat Full of Pastrami

The Hat is one of those local LA fast food spots that has been around forever and seems to be in no rush to change. It has “World Famous Pastrami,” but is not limited to just one meat, because the place also serves burgers, roast beef dip and crazy big portions of sides. I mean crazy. Just look at that order of chili cheese fries on the left and try to comprehend how small the individual fries look.

Burgers Chains Fast Food Hamburgers Pastrami Restaurants Sandwiches The Hat West Coast Chains

6/25/2014 Reviews East Aurora

Mighty Taco and a Mighty Burrito

In the land of Western New York, a great battle is being waged over Americanized Mexican fast food. In one corner there is Taco Bell, perennial favorite around the country. In the other is Mighty Taco, a local favorite with just about as much connection to Mexico as general stability (read: none). Yet, I knew I had to try it out to see what kind of competition it is to the first love of my life.

Buffalo Burritos Chains East Aurora Fast Food Mighty Taco New York Tacos Western New York

8/27/2013 Reviews Portland

The Little Big Burger That Could

In-N-Out Burger became a fast-food legend for its simple, yet just big enough menu. Of course, the burgers aren’t half-bad either. But what if a place were to take that simplicity, but kick things up a notch in ingredient quality? That’s where Little Big Burger in Portland comes in. Simple menu (6 items including drinks and no secret menu to speak of). Good prices ($3.75 for a cheeseburger). And hopefully delicious food.

Burgers Chains Hamburgers Little Big Burger Oregon Pearl District Portland Restaurants Travel

5/15/2013 Reviews Carson

Filipino Fast Food at Jollibee

Once, oh so many years ago, I had myself a solo adventure in The Philippines. Among my many memories, I have never forgotten pulling into the Jollibee drive-thru window in Quezon City and ordering corned beef with rice. Surely, this wasn’t the most exciting thing on the menu, but to a Jew that had spent nearly a year in China and longed for corned beef I was amazed. Of course, this corned beef was more a remnant of the colonial days of The Philippines than of my own ancestors, but it was still an experience.

Burgers Carson Chains Fast Food Filipino Halo Halo Hamburgers Jollibee Los Angeles The Philippines

4/24/2013 Reviews Las Vegas

Enjoying the Views at Twin Peaks

Remember when Hooters was as exciting as restaurants got? Not food-wise, of course, but ummm boob-wise. Well, those days are as dead as the Cold War. Last year I learned this firsthand at the Tilted Kilt and on my recent visit to Las Vegas the point was driven home, hard, at Twin Peaks. It was at Twin Peaks that we basically established our base camp for our time in Las Vegas. The only trouble was it was hard to concentrate on the basketball games with so much else to look at.

Bar Food Bars Buffalo Wings Chains Chicken Wings Hooters Las Vegas Nevada Restaurants Tilted Kilt Travel Twin Peaks

The Unvegan

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‘Chains’