Soy Sauce Disappointment
I really get the munchies on these early morning shifts. Granted, my internal clock gets shuffled, and my body thinks it's breakfast time, but these shifts aren't doing anything for my waistline.
I just popped back into the kitchen for more coffee (third cup, but who's counting), opened the refrigerator door for milk, and saw the soy sauce. Soy sauce made me think of Chinese food. Chinese food sounds good, really good. Local, kind of greasy chicken lo-mein good.
I shut the refrigerator door, disappointed. I polished off our Chinese food leftovers on Friday, so there are none to be had. Our CostCo, enough-to-last-a-year Cup of Noodles might have to serve as a replacement this morning.
As I head back to the kitchen to start that weird craving going, I am thinking now of meaningful eateries ('cause I can't spell restaurants - some mental block I've always had). Here are a couple of my picks, starting with Chinese food of course. Feel free to comment and add your own Places-To-Eat-That-You'll-Never-Forget:
- Sam Wo (San Francisco, CA): Eighteen years ago, when I was going to San Francisco State, my best friend introduced me to Sam Wo's (as we pronounced it). Main attractions: open really late, lots of college folks, plentiful food at cheap prices. Notice I did not mention quality of food or service? Fun place to eat when you're in college. BYOB for those that care. Not sure how much has changed since I last ate there (looks like original owner died), but used to be, ah, cheap
- Shanghai Cafe (Bellevue, WA): Unfair to stack this place next to Sam Wo's. If you are visiting Bellevue, WA and want fantastic Chinese food, this is the place to go. Shanghai Cafe is located near Factoria Mall in an unassuming strip mall. Janette and I used to eat there often when we lived nearby and I worked for Amazon.com. Noodles are hand-shaved and, according to the menu, the chef used to work in 5-star hotels. I'd believe it. I'd like to eat there right now, in fact (Cup O' Noodles kind of hitting the spot, but nothing next to hand-shaved noodles).
- Cup O'Noodles (Hillsboro, OR): Kind of salty shrimp with vegetables version. I like the chicken version better. Just eight or more boxes to go, and I can switch back to CostCo's chicken version. Yum.
