*Sigh*

I'm just dropping a quick note of apology. My life has been slightly out of control the past few weeks. But I promise to keep blogging. Please be patient while I work out the kinks in my schedule. The lack of an at-home computer, full-time school and part-time work make blogging a bit more of a challenge than I anticipated.

Soon I will post something more substantial. In the mean time, check out The Soup Kitchen on Highland Drive and 2100 South. It's next to Wells Fargo and shares the parking lot with Fiddler's Elbow (maker of yummy pizza.) The Soup Kitchen is cheap and delicious. They offer free bread sticks, free water and a $3 cup of soup that make this place an excellent place for lunch in the autumn.

Mama's Southern Plantation

Can you say sketch? This house converted to a restaurant is across the street from the Salt Lake Bee's Ball Park and next to the Salt Lake City Police Department impound lot. I'm not even joking.

Captain Jack and I showed up on a dead Sunday afternoon. The neon open sign was flashing, but the hours sign said they were closed. As we went to leave, the cook came out back and told us they were open so we should just let ourselves in.

Needless to say, we did.

The decor is totally Southern. If you're not from the south I don't know how to explain it. Something about how everything seems larger than life. A huge mirror with built in cabinets and shelving covers one wall in the building. Eating at Mama's is like stepping into rural Mississippi.

Jack ordered the barbecued pork sandwich. I stuck with hamburger and fries. The barbecued pork was incredible. The pork was cooked so perfectly and the barbecue sauce was spicy, sweet and flavorful.

The hamburger was great. It felt exactly like something I would make at home. The fries were fresh cut and deep-fried perfectly. My only complaint is the complete lack of seasoning on them. But after a shower of salt and pepper they were delicious.

Our server was very kind. We were the only table in the room and with Court TV on in the background. Jack and I had a interesting conversation about the Constitution, juries, lawyers, law and the judicial system. After all, who doesn't go to the south and hang out with a lawyer?

It was fairly cheap. Our total was about $18 after the tip for both of us. Be warned: they take ONLY cash or check. Luckily, a morning at the State Fair meant we had cash on hand.

It may be a sketch neighborhood, but the deep fried, deep south home style feeling makes this place worth a visit any lunch meeting.

Brookside Broiler and Grill

I want to apologize to my few loyal fans for being so slow. I have an excellent excuse. Getting to the library is too much work! See, I told you it was good.

On to the review, Brookside has an excellent patio. This little place sits right on the edge of the Sugar House Commons. Your typical suburban shopping center. The local eatery in the center is its own anomaly. The patio overlooks Hidden Hollow--a beautiful natural forest protected by local environmentalist groups.

Brookside has a really great looking menu. It's actual content is less than informative. We asked our waitress a lot of questions. She seemed less than knowledgeable and was a little shy. We finally ordered kabobs and salad. The portions were HUGE! I ordered the half kabob plate because I wasn't very hungry and it was twice the amount of food I thought it would be.

The beef kabobs were very good. The marinade they use is full of flavor and the mix of peppers and onions is just what I would expect. The meat was cooked perfectly, but was a poor cut so it was tougher than I like.

The vegetables on the side ended up being about a cup of cooked carrots and about a cup of cooked broccoli. I'm pretty sure the broccoli started off in their freezer than moved to the microwave where it was steamed with the baby cut carrots. Although, cooked to an expected state of crisp tender the quality was a little below what I expected after the great patio, the wonderful view and the expensive looking menu.

Brookside makes up for their pretentious appearance with fairly approachable prices. My dinner was $7.50 with a soda for $2. Not bad for a place that looks like it's easily $15 a plate. R's dinner was $9.50 for the extra $2 she ordered another kabob. J ordered the Asian Chicken Salad. It was gigantic and delicious. For $8.95 it fit comfortably with the rest of our ticket.

I probably won't ever be a Brookside regular, but for an elegant feeling dinner without the price tag at the last minute, I would eat there again. Although, I may request a different waitress.