Seasme Dish for Vegetarians? Yes!

Cherry Dragon: Seasme tofu, add broccoli, with a side of steamed rice.
Cherry Tree Shopping Center
Washington, IL 

Overall Rating: A
A resounding A! In the years since I rediscovered my place as a vegetarian, one of the hardest things for me to give up was a dish called 'sesame chicken'. Fried little bits of chicken (with that smooth batter that resembles beer batter), covered in what tasted like a honey, sesame glaze. It was possibly the most amazing thing I'd eaten as far as I found out it wasn't made with honey - but I almost insist that it was. It was that damn good! So you can imagine the fear I felt thinking there would no way I would experience such a sweet, salty and sesame concoction such as that because, for some reason, no one wants to make it! I searched so long but to no avail. No one made a vegetarian sesame dish I knew could be my replacement. Until we moved to Washington.

Parts & Points

Sesame Tofu

• Fried Tofu: Firm tofu! Yes! Thank you! I don't understand the switch many places seem to be making to the soft stuff. It's not as good in these dishes! Make it firm and, when frying, make it crispy! It doesn't have the crispy consistency you come to expect from fried bits of things, but it creates a slightly crispy, outer layer on the soft, warm interior of the tofu bits. Oh, and they're big bits!
• Sesame Sauce: Now, this does not taste like it's made with honey. It's red. It looks a lot like sweet and sour sauce, but you know what? It's fucking fantastic. It really is. This dish is a good "healthier" cheat-food, unless you're like me and can eat a little over half of the container despite the feeling of implosion. 

*BONUS* I always add broccoli to this dish. I don't think it usually comes with it but it is so good added. They steam the broccoli to perfection; not soggy, not so tough you can't really stand it. It's perfect. In fact, I think they should add broccoli to this dish. It adds a healthier 'kick' and really interacts with the other flavors and textures nicely!

Steamed Rice

• It's steamed rice. If you can't steam rice, get a rice cooker or find someone who's really good at it and have them make you some. These guys and gals at the Cherry Garden don't need help. They do a phenomenal job!

In Conclusion...
 If you're in or passing through Washington and you think about wanting some Chinese food, check out Cherry Dragon. It's right by Kroger too, so if you need groceries and just want something quick and delicious to take home, stop in, make your order, get your groceries, get your food and get home. Talk about the one stop shop!

Moes To Go: 2 "Overachiever" Tacos with Chips & Salsa
Bradley University's "Michel Student Center" Cafe
Peoria, IL

Overall Rating: A
Food courts have gotten awesome! This was nice and quick and they had fucking tofu! Yes, I realize I did not have to use the *f* word mom & dad, but I really did. You see, it is pretty amazing when you walk into a college food court and the first thing you see is a damn Chik-Fil-A (goddammit) but just a small turn and to what do your wondering eyes should appear? Moes To Go! On the menu? Mother-fucking tofu! It's a miracle! A MIRACLE!

Parts & Points

The Overachiever Taco:

• The Hard-shell Taco: This thing tasted pretty fresh for a restaurant hard-shell taco shell. Crispy; and it got a tad soggy in the middle but not at all in a bad way!
• Southwest Seasoned Tofu: The flavor wasn't extremely bold but saved by the fact that the tofu was cooked perfectly. I did not let one piece get away; unless it fell on the floor. But if I think about it too much I will have a breakdown.
• Black Beans: Delicious! Tasted like if they're from a can then that is the freshest damn can in the mid-west (and one magical can to withstand the never-ending need for black beans in a Mexican-inspired franchise)!
• Seasoned Rice: Added some fantastic texture and flavor to this taco! It was cooked to perfection, not mushy and not that crumbly, crusty type under-cooked that makes you hate rice for many months after the experience. The seasoning wasn't over-powering at all. In fact it was seasoned - to quote Goldilocks - "just right."
• Sauteed Onions and Green Peppers: They tasted like they just came out of the pan, sans the extreme heat; wonderfully crispy but not too under-cooked and, again, not mushy! Mushiness of vegetables is pretty damn gross and they stayed well away from that potential.
• Lettuce, Onions, Diced Tomatoes & Jalapenos: Just, you know, delicious!
• Guacamole: Fresh and wonderful! No slime here; straight up avocado chunks, crispy onions and firm tomatoes. Made daily and you can definitely tell.

*BONUS* I asked if they had hot sauce and they obliged with a pleasantly spicy condiment that brought it all together quite nicely!

**DOUBLE BONUS** FREE CHIPS & SALSA! That is correct! It's FREE! And for free, it's so delicious! I mean that as a compliment because I would have even paid for them. The tortilla chips were very fresh tasting and quite crisp without being greasy. And the salsa......the salsa! I am pretty sure it's also made fresh daily and I got there at a great time because it was fantastic!

In Conclusion...

 Hit up Moes to Go in Bradley University's Michel Student Center. The food is great, the atmosphere is that of a University mini-food court & a nice one at that! 

Why Service is SO Important! Because Chimichangas Should Make You Proud!

Vegetable Chimichanga with rice, re-fried beans, burrito toppings & complementary Chips & Salsa
Tequila's 
Washington, IL

Overall Rating: C -
What? A C MINUS?: Yes a C minus! Here's the thing guys, service is crucial!  When the food is awesome it's a damn shame when the service does not match in quality. Our server came to our table exactly three times and there was another server there who just watched as we sat. He was being very astute to his one and only table and I understand that in these job positions, going 'above and beyond' dies early on along with your faith in humanity, but if you see customers sitting and obviously not being waited on then at least go track down your co-worker and say "dude, seriously; you have one table! Get to it!"

Parts & Points

Pepper & Onion Chimichanga:

• Sauteed Pepper & Onion Interior: I have to hand it to them; the vegetable insides were cooked really well! Not mushy and pretty fresh tasting!

• Fried Tortilla Exterior: Fried food is so hard to fuck up and luckily they didn't! It was a perfectly crispy outside to swaddle the vegetable guts. 

• Cheese Sauce: The chimichanga was coated in a smooth, creamy cheese sauce that was an inspired addition!

Burrito Toppings:

• Refried Beans with Cheese: I forget that on many, unfortunate instances, the refried beans may not be vegetarian but I am hoping these were because they were extremely tasty and I ate them all. 

• Lettuce "salad" with sour cream, tomatoes, and guacamole: Fresh and refreshing! I love crisp lettuce on a burrito; any burrito! It's just right!

• Spanish Rice: I have had some bad Spanish rice but this was not one of those times! If I've used that line before, thanks for reading my posts! This rice was fluffy, evenly spiced, not watery, not dry; just right!

*BONUS* The complimentary chips & salsa are SO great! They're not made in-house I'm pretty sure, at least the tortilla chips are not. Regardless, who doesn't love free chips & salsa? Unless it's complete and total crap. 

In Conclusion...
   I would give this place one more chance but it wouldn't be for lunch. The first time I went there the service was okay but this time it was so bad it was like being hit by a lover for the first time. You know you probably shouldn't go back but it was the first time so could it really happen again?