Yesterday, on my way to work, I decided to stop by the Provo Utah McDonalds across the street from the Provo Towne Center Mall.
There were multiple things I was impressed with:
Can You Say FAST? In comparison to other fast food restaurants in Provo, Utah, the McDonalds was AMAZING. I don’t think it took more than 3 minutes to go through the entire drive through and I wasn’t even the only car there.
Friendly Employees: Both the ladies I spoke with, the first at the money window, and the 2nd when I got my food, were very friendly. They said things like, “Have a great day!” “Thanks for coming – see you again.” I know, I know, these aren’t really new things but both these ladies seemed to be really sincere instead of mono-tone robots.
Fresh Fast Food: yes, my Egg McMuffin and hashbrowns were both hot and crispy. I know McDonalds is one big system but not all McDonalds are cut out of the same cloth.
One other side note that I didn’t experience on this occasion but have in the past is their cleanliness. The employees seem to take pride in keeping everything spot free.
Shoga Restaurant and Sushi Bar fresh sushi is the best way to describe this hidden gem in the Utah county dining scene. After trying all of the competitors for the last several years of living here, My dining companion and I were lucky enough to “stumble in” after a trusted recommendation.
Image Courtesy of Shoga Restaurant
The decor is modern simple and quaint, this quiet sushi bar tucked “literally” behind the Chevron on the corner of State and University Parkway.
This little Japanese Restaurant and Sushi bar is fantastic place to have a quiet date with your wife, ( my favorite dining companion) ever time we have visited the experience has been positive, the servers friendly and prompt and we usually sit at the bar and are able to talk to the Owners.
These two sushi chefs (owners) are fantastic, the seafood is the best I have had in the area. Fresh is the term that comes to mind as fresh as it can be in Utah flown in daily. I have visited other sushi restaurants and the tuna is several days old, not here this is spot on every day (This has been consistent with four visits over the course of 45 days) Below you can sample some of items at Shoga Restauant and Shushi Bar.
Menu Items
Shoga serves a core menu of soups, salads, noodle dishes, Don-Buri, teriyaki meats, steaks and of course a wide variety of sushi rolls. The best part of the menu is “Shoga Special Rolls” my favorite “The Shoga Special Roll” and “Black Eye Roll Unagi”
Shoga Special Rolls
Seaweed and Chuka-Ika
Japanese salads. This salad just rocks, great flavor and the seaweed has the perfect texture $4.25
Image Courtesy of Shoga Restaurant
The Shoga Special Roll
This roll is a monster, a full meal, absolute flavorful built from Tempura, green onion, avocado, and hamachi. Topped with fresh tuna, crab salad, cilantro, and bell peppers, with house sauce and sesame oil $13.95
Black Eye Roll Unagi
Cucumber, shishito, topped with spicy tuna, black tobiko and unagi sauce $11.95
Mango Tango Roll Unagi
Avocado, bell peppers and cucumber, topped with mango and unagi sauce $10.95
Dessert
Mango Coconut Mousse
Layers of spiced sponge, mango and passion fruit mousse, topped with honeycomb and mango glaze $5.95
Consistancy Quality Specials
Shoga currently offers these specials
(check the website for updated specials for lunch and dinner )
Current Specials Sushi Lunch Special 2 Traditional rolls 1 Miso soup (until 3:00 p.m.) $9.75
Sushi Happy Hour Buy one Specialty roll, get one Traditional roll for half price! Mon-Wed after 4:00 p.m.
Shoga is a laid back environment there is no white table cloths the staff is friendly unobtrusive nor intrusive. The Chef’s, (Owners) are easy to talk to and they have fun, it is obvious they enjoy their business and do a great job managing the quality of the seafood.The menu even though covers the basic core items expected at a restaurant with a specific type of cuisine, the special part of the restaurant is in the signature dishes and special items, a few of which are listed above. Visit Shoga Restaurant and Sushi Bar, and enjoy.
Bombay House Cuisineof India
463 North University Ave
Provo, Utah 84601
(801) 373-6677
The other night, while my family was soaking up the sun in Phoenix, Arizona, I had the chance to stop in at the Bombay House Indian Restaurant in ProvoUtah!
If you haven’t tried the Bombay House on University Avenue in Provo, YOU MUST! Not only is the food extremely authentic (“…minus a bit of spice” says owner Daniel Shanthakumar, who you’ll always find greeting customers with a happy smile), but it’s clean, very well decorated, and a great price for the quality dining experience.
What to Order Your First Time: Chicken Cocunut Kurma – this boneless chicken cooked with coconut milk, onions, garlic, ginger tomatoes, cashew nuts and spices is TO DIE FOR! In addition to the Cocunut Kurma, you have to get Garlic Naan Bread. My mouth waters…
Timing is everything! My wife and I have been to the Bombay House a few times now and have realized one thing – either call ahead or plan to wait for a bit. During the week isn’t bad at all. But come Friday and Saturday night, the Bombay House in Provo Utah is hopping with customers. It’s well worth the wait though, and the service is very timely once you’re seated. I’ve only taken kids there once. I give it a “Smiley Face” for kid-friendliness, mainly because there’s music playing so children wouldn’t be a big distraction. Because the food is quite authentic, kids may not have the biggest selection so just be aware. Parking can be a bit tight so be prepared for that too.
The Bombay House Indian Restaurant in Provo, Utah is a definite must and one of the “Hidden Treasures in Happy Valley!”
Tell Daniel we recommended it the next time you visit!
Macaroni Grill
4801 N University Ave # 50
Provo, UT 84604
There are so many quality restaurants in Provo, Utah anymore. It’s hard to know where to go with all the options to chose from.
Today 14 business friends and I went to Macaroni Grill in Provo, Utah for a high quality “quick lunch”. Unfortunately, there was nothing “quick” about this experience.
I know, Macaroni Grill isn’t supposed to be an “In and Out” joint, but let me share with readers some interesting statistics that I took note of while patiently waiting:
Arrived at Macaroni Grill – 11:55 a.m.
Bread and Oil served to lunch party – 12:05 p.m.
Drinks orderd – 12:10 p.m.
Orders taken – 12:20 p.m.
Side Salads served – 12:45 p.m. (50 minutes total to get a side salad)
Refill of drinks – I don’t recall this happening, although some say it did.
Orders finally arrive – 12:55 p.m. (some of our party had to leave so their orders had to be brought in boxes)
Free Chocolate Cake for entire party, of which some of us didn’t have time to eat – 1:10 p.m.
Like I said at the forefront of this Provo Utah restaurant review, the Macaroni Grill has always been one of my favorite places to eat. I totally recommend the Chicken Scallopine with Angel Hair pasta. However, if you are looking for a quality lunch and are in a time crunch, Macaroni Grill may not be the best pick.
What’s your experience? Where do you recommend for a nice, quick lunch in Provo, Utah?
