December 13, 2012

Burger King... This Is Why Your # 2


When you have a craving for something fast food-wise, you usually just go out and get it. I knew I wanted something fat and something fast... After driving around for a couple minutes, I finally decided upon Burger King. As anyone who eats fast food knows, their menus have evolved to a masterful design which incorporates a partially scientific design. Your eyes are drawn to the mouth-watering pictures while the prices keep you honest. Oh, and as if the numerical menus weren't enough, your given a "value" menu, in case you must get that one extra item on the cheap..

So here I am looking over the menu, when I finally decide to try the "new" Chicken Parm Sandwich. I opted for the horrible fries over the onion rings, but I thought I'd give them another shot to redeem themselves. I mean, I don't consider myself a professional food critic, but heck its not hard to see there are better fries out there! I went large... (large fries and large coke) Oh yea and I opted for BK Stacker from the value menu. No judging... I figured I'd spent the better part of the day eating healthy, so I could squeeze in a few extra calories!

Gotta tell ya, my adventure to BK started out ok, but as in most cases with fast food, there's always something that goes wrong. My initial order did not include the BK Stacker, I opted to order it at the window. Apparently, their computers can't handle an extra item at the window, pffftt! I asked someone I knew, who managed a Burger King, and informed me it is quite possible and normal to order at the window. The guy was just being lazy. Sooooo, I had to drive around AGAIN through the drive-thru or come inside to order my BK Stacker! What a crock of shit! I obliged. Once I received all my items, I drove home to enjoy this fast food comma inducing delight! Was I in for a shock, no surprise ironically!

I pulled out the re-engineered fries. They were so so to say the least.. They seemed to absorb too much grease- that's usually a bi-product of oil that isn't hot enough. But, I wouldn't expect a minimum wage employee to understand this. They are mere machines of the fast food system. Anyways back to the fries, they were limp, somewhat warm, and soggy. Yum!!

The next item I pulled out of my bag of magical fast food tricks was... (I figured I'd save the best for last) so I opted for the BK Stacker. I've had them before and they are usually pretty darn good! I've even participated in a market research study for those suckers. Free Stackers and geiting paid to eat them?? Can't beat that!!

So here I am opening one of my favorite items on the menu, to my surprise, it wasn't a Stacker... Well I guess technically it was a Stacker- bread stacked between a minuscule piece of meat, and a few crumbles of bacon, basically something you might put on a salad, and a piece of semi-warm narrowly melted cheese. Gosh clearly not what I was expecting from the self proclaimed King of Burgers!


As you can clearly see, there is nothing about this that's a Stacker! I've taken a photo from their model to compare. What do you think???? Well after much research, I found out there's a single Stacker. Counter intuitive isn't it? If its just one, then how are you "stacking???" I know its never going to look as pretty as the "model" but come on, give me some sort of semblance! Now look below at what I was given! Where's the beef !?!

So onto the grand finale! The Chicken Parmesan Sandwich! Why Burger King would sell this is news to me.. Stick to your bread and butter. Why hurt your brand by trying to do too much? So lets dig in... Well lets start by showing a picture of what its being advertised to look like... 

  Hmmmm.... seems a bit off from the picture right?? The left looks bright and juicy. Mine looked as if it was sitting there waiting all night for me to come and pick it up! To their defense,I must say, it actually tasted pretty good regardless of how it looked. But based on the eye test, this was a complete and utter FAIL! I blame this not on the brand but on its lack of care by its employees. This should not have been given to anyone, regardless of how it tasted. Now I remember why don't go to BK very often.

Well last but not least the soda was OK. I mean how can you mess that up??? Its Coke! All-in-all it was an average meal. Should have I expected more? Probably not. But fast doesn't necessarily bad.

Its not what I set out for but it sufficed I guess...  I must say I like the retro look they are going for by celebrating 55 years of great fast food. Congrats Burger King for you staying power, but remember second place is first loser!!









December 9, 2012

Introductions Are In Order...

Always Be Cookin! This is the brainchild of many days and nights thinking about ways I could bring my thoughts to the web. I thought I should create a blog about food. I know, I know, there's a million and one blogs about food already. Whats going to set mine apart??? Well, I implore you to read and take this culinary adventure with me! I told my self, " I like to cook, and eat!" I love creating new and interesting dishes, albeit not the most culinarily advanced ones. So here it is, the first of many food related blogs I will be posting in the near and far future. I ask for forgiveness in advance if my grammar is not always up to par. I will do my best to bring a smile to your face and some insight you may not have previously had.

A small bit of my past, I grew up observing my mother in the kitchen, watching and learning how spices melded together to create amazing dishes. Little did she and I both know that I would one day take this knowledge and to it to test. I come from the financial world, but have always had a penchant for cooking. I attended culinary school, which shall remain nameless. Through traditional methods learned and self taught techniques, oh yea and the Food Network, I've managed to create quite a few impressive dishes!

So... I've said to myself many times before, "I love to cook, eat, taste, and create food through inspiration." So, now I finally decided to write about it. I've always enjoyed tasting new and interesting creations, listening and learning to those wiser and sometimes older folks in the kitchen and how they're ideas came to fruition. So here it, my baby, hopefully I'm able to bring enjoyable content that will inspire and possibly take to various locations around the world; a site that you'll like to share with anyone and everyone, and maybe learn a thing or two along the way. I am a sponge in this small world we call cooking, looking to absorb knowledge every step of the way. Enjoy and bon appetit!

What I will bring to the table:

1. Dishes you may have made or seen someone make

2. Recipes ideas

3. Useful tips and tricks

4. Occasional ranting about something in the culinary world I don't see fit (take me lightly please)

(Not always in that order, and not necessarily all in the same article)