Week 10... Our first taste of Chinese

Becky informed me as we entered the Hunan K that we had eaten here once before when we first moved to Greenville. I don't remember the meal, but was willing to be opened minded about it.

We had special guests with us this week. Bridget and Grace back from Clemson joined us for our food challenge.

Hunan K is a counter service Chinese restaurant. The Chinese lady behind the counter was very friendly and the service was excellent. We ordered Steam Dumplings,Chicken Low Mein, General Tso Chicken and Sesame Chicken.

Overall the food was good and the portions were plenty for the five of us to bring home leftovers. The General Tso and Sesame chicken were very similar in nature so we should have ordered a shrimp or pork dish in its place.

Bridget patiently waiting for the food

Ratings (0 to 5 stars)

Service             4 stars

Food                 3 stars

Next Up is Culvers Burgers for Christmas Week.

Week 9 .... A Sentimental Journey 

It was November of 1985 and I just turned 15 years old. I got my working papers and proceeded to go down the relatively new McDonald's in New Providence, NJ. I had a in there already as my older brother Chris was already working there. Like so many teenagers McDonald's was my first job. It holds a special place to me as I learned the responsibility that comes with a job and that I better get my ass in gear in school otherwise I could end up working at McDonald's my whole life.

The Golden Arches

With low expectations going into the McDonald's we proceeded to order. Becky had the Southwest Salad (shocker), Maeve had the chicken McNuggets (another shocker) and I had the Bacon Clubhouse burger meal.

To be perfectly honest our meals were excellent. Becky's Southwest salad was fresh and crisp. My burger which I never had before was very good. The burger is on a brioche bun with bacon and special sauce. It is a quite a good combination.

Becky is a little anxious going into this

Overall the food was above average for McDonald's fare so we were pleasantly surprised. You hear so much about McDonalds struggling lately but wouldn't count them out yet.

Ratings  (0 to 5 stars)

Service          3   stars

Food             3   stars

Next up Hunan K on Woodruff Rd by Hungry Howies

Week 8 ... Pizza and Wings says it all

Our last stop on the northside of Five Forks was the Pizza Hut/ Wingstreet. Not really sure why they need two names but whatever. The good thing about the name is that it perfectly describes what you can get here. There is no deviation from either Pizza or Wings. No salad this evening for Becky.

The restaurant was empty for the most part and as its business is mainly takeout. The dining area was quite comfortable with big booths and TVs throughout the establishment.

Gang perusing the menu

As you probably guessed we ordered pizza and wings. Becky had a thin crust pizza with black olives and spinach. Maeve and I went for the pan pepperoni pizza. We also had a order of medium buffalo wings.

Overall the food was satisfactory but what do you expect. It's Pizza Hut. It's not our favorite pizzeria by any stretch but sometimes it's a nice change up. As far as the wings go they too were good. At the end of the day it was caloric feast that shouldn't be done on a daily basis.

Ratings (0 to 5 stars)

Service         2 stars

Food             2 stars

Next up we travel for almost two miles to the McDonalds at Rt 14 and Woodruff Rd.

Week 7 .... the Gang travels East

Our second to last Five Forks area restaurant found us at the Joy of Tokyo for a late dinner. Tokyo is in the same strip mall as Napoli. They have a very simple menu of Chicken,Steak, and seafood grilled with Fried rice and vegetables. They also have sushi which Becky enjoys.

Becky ordered the California Roll and Maeve and I ordered the Chicken and Steak Hibachi and Teriyaki respectively. I added the Pork Dumplings as a starter

The ordering que

The main dishes were cooked to order. They came out hot. However in my opinion the chicken was bit overdone making it a bit dry. Becky enjoyed the California roll. Maeve was satisfied with her Teriyaki dish.

Our meal

Overall I found the meal only adequate but the girls really enjoyed it. I would definitely give it another shot when I'm in the mood for Japanese food.

Ratings (0 to 5 stars)

Service            2.5 stars

Food               3 stars

Next up is Pizza Hut/Wingstreet

Week 6....Back to Italy

We were all looking forward to going to Napoli restaurant > We have heard good things about it but until you try you just never know.

Our expectations were met and then some. The sweet spot for me when it comes to restaurants is quality and price. There are so many restaurants that are at either end of the spectrum, but Napoli hit is just right.

Crowd perusing the menu

Becky and I started with a carafe of the house MERLOT!!!

Bruschetta and Marinara app

Becky has the Eggplant Parmigiana. Maeve had the Tortellini Parmigiana, and I had the Veal Parmigiana. All of our meals were excellent. They came out of the kitchen smoking hot and fresh. They were delicious.

We went on a Thursday night the place was crowded with regulars so that is a great tell about the place. Service was fantastic as usual so far on this journey.

The bar has been set by Napoli and we will be judging other restaurants against going forward.

Ratings (0 to 5 stars)

Service      4 stars

Food          4.5 stars

Next up Joy of Tokyo in Five Forks

Week 5.... Expecting the worst...

After our debacle at the Jack in the Box, we embarked upon Arby's which is situated across from  Jack in the Box.

Maeve drove us to the Arby's

We had very low expectations of the Arby's as you never see much traffic in there. We went there around 3pm and there wasn't many people dining.

Arby's at Five Forks

It seems I keep repeating myself but the people serving the food were really nice. As a veteran of the fast food industry (2 years at McDonalds) I admire those people who are polite and courteous in their jobs. They really are under-appreciated group of people for the most part.

Back to the cuisine, I ordered the Montreal Angus and Portabella Sandwich with Onion Rings. Becky had the Roast Turkey Ranch & Bacon Wrap. Maeve went with Mozzarella Sticks and Curly fries

A Arby's Feast

The consensus was that the meal exceeded our low expectations. It was very good compared against Jack in the Box. Everything was hot and fresh. The steak sandwich was excellent and Becky's Turkey was very fresh. She was shocked.While I wouldn't go to Arby's regularly I could see it in the rotation for occasional dining.

satisfied customers

If Arby's could ever get their marketing straightened out they could definitely compete in the fast food business with this menu.

All in all a excellent experience with quality food and service

 My post meal tribute to my brother Chris

Ratings (0 to 5 stars)

Service             3.5 stars

Food                 3 stars

Next up is Napoli Pizzeria and Restaurant

Week 4.... Our first Mexican Restaurant of the challenge

We are big fans of Papa and Beers in Simpsonville almost to the exclusion of other Mexican restaurants. So it was with hesitancy that we dined at El Jacisco at Bi-Lo center in Five Forks.

We arrived around 7:30pm on Saturday night. The establishment was fairly busy but getting a booth and service was not a issue. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive. We started with a couple of frozen Margaritas to get in the mood (Maeve had a Coke). After all we worked on Saturday.

Becky enjoying the MEDIUM Margarita

Becky, Maeve, and I all ordered different dishes. The food came out very hot which I enjoy. It was plenty of food.

Becky had the House Special of Nacho Chips,Chicken,and Cheese which is all covered in a Hot Salsa

I had a Chimichanga. One chicken and one steak with rice

Maeve went with the Chicken Quesadlla

For the price and the amount El Jasisco is good value. While it is good we look forward to experiencing some more Mexican restaurants in the future.

Ratings (0 to 5 stars)

Food              3 stars

Service          3.5 stars

Next up in the challenge is our Arbys in Five Forks

Week 3 ... a journeyman's meal in Five Forks

Italian food might be the best genre of food out there in my opinion. I just love anything Italian from pastas to pizza. So with that background the gang traveled to Tony's Pizza and Subs in the Bi-Lo Shopping Center in Five Forks. While we had the pizza there before as a takeout, we decided to order something else and dine in.

Tony's has a small but clean dining area and the staff were very friendly. Most of the traffic is take out as they run pizza specials all the time. Frankly, I think they were shocked people were dining in. Becky went with usual a Greek salad with chicken. Maeve had a sausage, pepper,and onion Stromboli. I had the Meatball parmigiana sandwich.

Becky's Greek Salad with Chicken

Maeve's Sausage Stromboli

John's Meatball Sub

We all enjoyed our meals with plenty for leftovers the next day. It was a solid meal however it just didn't blow us away. If you are looking for a good pizza and sub joint then Tony's is the place. If you are looking for that rare hidden gem of Italian cuisine then you might be disappointed.

Ratings ( 0 to 5 stars)

Food            3 stars

Service        4 stars

Next Up for week of November 2nd is El Jalisco Mexican Restaurant

Week 2 ... Sometimes You Make Bad Decisions in Life

As we start week 2 of the Woodruff Rd Challenge, the next eating establishment up was Jack in the Box at Five Corners.

The crowd wasn't very excited to go there but in order to do the challenge correctly then we have to follow the rules. Never go against the crowd. It was one tough meal. I now know why I see a few closed Jack in the Boxes around town. The food was subpar to be kind. I hate to pile on places considering I like fast food but this just didn't cut it.

Maeve had the 10 Chicken Nugget meal with curly fries. She made it through 4 nuggets and gave up. I had the Jumbo Cheeseburger. The burger was microwaved and the bun was stale. Becky ordered the Chicken Pita with a diet Coke. The Chicken wasn't up to par.

Happiness before the meal

Live and learn is all you can say about our meal but nevertheless we won't be deterred from our challenge as we advance to Tony's Pizza and Subs next week.

Ratings (0 to 5 stars)

Food             1/2 star ( Good curly Fries)

Service           2 stars

Next Up for Week of October 26th Tony's Pizza and Subs

ready, get set, go...

On a damp night under a tornado watch, we started the Woodruff Rd Challenge at the Spice Diner. The Spice Diner is located at Five Forks in Simpsonville. I have always driven by the Spice Diner but have never stopped. The people were very nice and it seemed they have a regular clientele that kept the place quite busy. We found a open booth by the window and delved into the extensive menu. I moved right to the specials and spotted a Meatloaf Special. Tragically it was on the wrong day so I went with the Pita Dip. Becky went with her safe salad selection and Maeve went to the Chicken.

Becky and Maeve waiting for food at Spice Diner

Becky had the Black and Bleu Sald

I had the Pita Dip

Maeve had the Chicken Tender Platter

Ratings ( 0 to 5 stars)

Food             3 Stars

Service         4 Stars

Next up for Week of October 19th,2014 > Jack in the Box at Five Forks

Endless food possibilities on Woodruff Road

After driving up and down Woodruff Rd in Greenville,SC, I am constantly amazed at the sheer number of food establishments that proliferate the thoroughfare. I turned to my wife, Becky and said " How long would it take to go to every restaurant on Woodruff Rd if you went to one restaurant every week? Both of us took wild guesses of 2 years up to 5 years. So we have decided to give it a try.

The rules for this challenge is that the restaurant must serve dinner. It must have in-dining seating. Finally it must have a Woodruff Road address. So those places that are close but don't have a address don't count.

So please follow our culinary journey down Woodruff Road as we embark on this gastronomical trip.