Fentons Creamery Strawberry Sorbet: Before I left the East Bay, I wanted to try the ice cream at Fentons Creamery, an Oakland institution that opened its doors back in 1894. It's a classic family-friendly diner, like what you would imagine Friendly's was like before it became a national franchise. The ice cream flavors are, for the most part, traditional Americana, with flavors like heath bar, cookies 'n cream, and rocky road. Sitting down with my cup of raspberry sorbet, I overheard another patron, cone-in-hand, reprimandi... (read more) 2.5/5.0
oakland sf icecream fentonscreamery strawberry sorbet 2.5
Firecakes Pistachio Donut: I was hopeful about this highly regarded donut chain in Chicago. The offerings looked enticing, and fresh donuts were taken from the racks rather than those left sitting on display. But this pistachio cake donut was barely better than Dunkin, with a slightly dry, crumbly texture and too-sweet shamrock-green glaze, all compounded by an unnecessary brown sugar crumble. At least it was reasonably priced, at under $3. 2.5/5.0
chicago nuts sweets firecakes pistachio donut 2.5
Fitz's Root Beer: I went to a conference in St. Louis earlier in the year, and since people are always talking about St. Louis barbecue, I checked out a recommended spot called Pappy's Smokehouse. Alongside my meal, I chose among around 8 different flavored sodas from a local brand called Fitz's, including an atomic purple Grape Soda and intriguing cream soda. I ended up going for root beer, a classic and usually my top choice if there isn't a ginger beer option. The soda is made with cane sugar rather tha... (read more) 2.5/5.0
soda drinks rootbeer stlouis fitzs root beer 2.5
Forager Lemon Cashewgurt: Lemon (and perhaps citrus more generally) just never seems to work as well as other fruit-flavored yogurt. Its hydrous pulp segments risk watering down the yogurt, and their omission consequently leaves little room for texture. Though zest has the potential to provide a freshness that cuts through a creamy yogurt base, it can, in combination, lead to an overwhelmingly acidic and tart flavor. Rather than seeing lemon standing on its own, I'd like to see more yogurt incorporating lemon as a... (read more) 2.5/5.0
berkeleybowl yogurt forager lemon cashewgurt 2.5
Frito Lay BBQ Cheetos: I believe that these steak-flavored BBQ Cheetos are a Japanese exclusive. They have the familiar fried corn snack texture of regular cheetos but are coated in a brown-ish red powder coating. They don't taste like American BBQ flavor, which tends to be very sweet, with a sort of tangy vinegar flavor. This one instead tastes more like meat, but has a strong sweetness that I find hard to place. The sweetness really took me by surprise and is not a taste that I personally enjoy. Purchased a... (read more) 2.5/5.0
weica japanese junkfood fritolay bbq cheetos 2.5