Friendly's - Logan Airport Boston Massachusetts

You can find this Friendly's at Logan International Airport, Terminal A, past security near Gate 1. This is right across from a seating area so you can relax while munching on food and a great shake.

I first learned of Friendly's via my friend Alec P - we stopped when I helped him move to Atlanta many years ago. When I spotted this location at the airport I just had to order something. When looking at the menu I spotted something unusual, a Lobster Roll - well we are in Boston so of course I had to order this. I questioned the staff-member behind the register and she was quite helpful, especially in recommending an ice cream flavor for a Fribble - what's this you say? This is Friendly's name for a hand-spun milk-shake! I went with the cookies-and-cream and both it and the lobster roll were quite good and much more than I expected.

So what are you waiting for? If you're reading this review you're probably either in the same Terminal or you're standing in front of Friendly's trying to figure out what to order. You won't be sorry with either of the selections I made - can't wait to hit this place during my next Boston trip!

-- John 

(also posted to Yelp)

Las Tortas Locas - Roswell Rd Sandy Springs GA

This location of Las Tortas can be found at 5841 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta GA 30328 in Sandy Springs. It's in a shopping center on the right traveling North outside the perimeter. The sign outside reads "Las Tortas Locas" - I've seen several of these around town, at least half a dozen in my travels but this is the first I've ventured into. This is more of a lunch place and by the look of all the Hispanic speakers, very popular with that crowd. I'd rate this as slightly above fast food - more like what you would receive at Willy's or other lunch-counter order places with better quality ingredients and minimal service.

Las Tortas translated means something like "cake" or "pie" and it's apparently slang for a sandwich - perhaps something a bit foreign to many Latino cultures. These sandwiches remind me a bit of the famous Cuban pork/ham sandwich of which I'm a huge fan. We hit this location (a group of 6 or so) during lunch - there was already a line forming up at the counter where you order - the menu is on a board above the counter. Roughly divided into: Tortas Sencillas, Flautas, Tortas Especiales, Tortas Combinadas, Tortas Locas, Tacos, Burritos and Pambazos. We tried a variety of items to get a feel for the place, most things on the menu are super cheap.

We started off with a fairly decent horchata - if you haven't tried one of these rice-based drinks with vanilla, cinnamon and milk, they're basically the equivalent of a milkshake, with less cold. My favorite are the coconut version from Puerto Rico, especially good with a bit of rum (but that's neither here nor there).

Lunch Special Taquitos - three chicken taquitos served with black beans and rice

Loca Salad with Chicken - I had this - it was good but next time I'll try a whole sandwich - campesina or al pastor, por favor...

Veggie Casadilla - always one vegetarian in the crowd - luckily they were able to accommodate....

Chicken Burrito - a bit dry but offset with plenty of tomatilla verde...

 
Campesina Tortas  - I feel like this sandwich was the star of the show - awesome flavors and very filling.


Love the condiment bar - several different salsas, pickles and veggies. Their tomatillo verde is particularly good. I also dig the grilled jalapenos quite a bit.

In any case, I think I'll hit up Las Tortas Locas again sometime this week!

-- John

(also published on Yelp)

Sarku Japan - Perimeter Mall Food Court - Dunwoody GA

Sarku Japan is located at 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta GA 30345 in the food court of Perimeter Mall. To be expected, this is mall food, but perhaps above average and atypical. There are several locations in the various malls around town and for what is really fast food, Sarku does a great job.

I hate to admit it, but I used to eat at Sarku fairly frequently - sometimes weekly, as the previous location of my office was across the street from the mall and it's just too easy and convenient to walk there for a quick lunch, the mall also provides enough variety that just about any picky eater in the group can find something. Sarku is the Japanese teppanyaki-style, fast-food restaurant in the Perimeter Mall food court. The staff at Sarku are very friendly - they will try to upsell you the double-meat option or an egg-roll but for me the basics are the best options. 

I always go with the chicken teriyaki but opt for all veggies (mostly cabbage with the usual effect) instead of rice, asking for a cup of water instead of soda. It's a nice, quick and inexpensive low glycemic meal. If I'm really hungry I get the double meat option for an extra $1.49, otherwise the $6.95 chicken is fairly filling and super cheap. Don't be lulled into the "extra sauce" at the end - it doesn't add much to the flavor and has a lot of wasted calories. Use the hot sauce (bottles at the end) instead if you want to "flavor up"... also, if you want chopsticks they're hidden behind the "extra meat" sign next to the cash register. While there grab a Sarku card - 5 punches and your next lunch ($6.95 value) is free.

Seating at the mall can be tricky - during prime lunch hours it's often easier to walk to the other end of the mall in front of Nordstrom's - there are tables there that can seat up to 4 people. Otherwise it might be easier to pack-and-go. For dessert, hit the Chic-fil-a on the other side for a handspun milkshake (if the line isn't too extensive) - speaking of lines, I see complaints about the line at Sarku - it is long but in general moves quickly. The other option is a dipped cone at the DQ next to Chic-fil-a.

(also posted to Yelp)

-- John