What's For Dinner?

Trying to think of what to have for dinner. Feel like KFC, but its total garbage here now. They used to be well run here. The guy who got the franchise rights for BC was fanatical about quality, his heirs not so much.

 

^Mmm. Toasted, buttered bun. Yumbo, don't forget a big slice of mater!
T

 

Used to like KFC as a young, single man. Last time I ate there, chicken seemed greasier, soggier. I had Popeye's last time I was traveling on business. Their spicy fried chicken was not bad. Do they have Popeye's in BC?.

Tonight we ate at Rosa's, which I think is a regional chain. Not sure. Long week, and our friend wanted a couple of margaritas before undergoing knee replacement surgery next week. So, we obliged. The drinks were not exactly super strong, but frosty. We shared a fajita plate. Ton of food. Not bad. Reasonable spice level for a chain. And, they had a roasted jalapeno to kick up your fajita a tad. Tortillas weren't bad for a non-bodega.


T

 

Discovered another southern style fried chicken place. Called Lee's, other side of town and in a bad area. But worth the trip. Its not related to the American Lee's chicken chain. Its kind of like KFC 20 years ago.

 

No Popeye's in Canada. There is one in Burlington WA, probably about 50 miles from me and I live seconds to the border. Might give it a try on my way to Eastern Washington this spring.

 

This place?

1475 Prairie Avenue, Port Coquitlam, BC V3B 1T3

Their Yelp reviews are uninspiring. You may wanna try Costco!
T

 

I can see it doing that indeed.

 

I had Popeye's years ago when I went to work for in Virginia for awhile. Thought it was great. Was excited when they opened a couple near me. Was deeply disappointed that they were nowhere near as good as what I had years ago in Virgina. The one they built in my town is always empty. I fully expect them to close shop any day now. The dirty rice was amazing in VA. Horrible up here. Not sure if it was a local thing only or if it's one of those expanded and became corporate crap things.

 

Seems fast food chicken, all the options are pretty bad. Tried the Abbotsford Lee's, the Yelp reviews pretty bad, 2 star. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't great either.

Still looking forward to trying Popeye's, there isn't much food wise along the I-5 between the border and Seattle. Surprisingly the best option is usually the Tulalip Casino buffet.

 

You are all right in that fast food quality has taken a HUGE tumble over the past, at least, 20yrs. I very rarely eat fast food of any kind but sometimes you do not feel like cooking and also want to reminisce a little but mostly just get frustrated for wasting money. Also within two blocks the same proprietor could be better than expected and then total crap.

At Popeye's I for go the thighs and just get a breast or a couple of wings along with their red beans and rice (great for hangovers I learned 30yrs ago haha) , a biscuit and extra honey. A new Popeye's just opened across the street from my house so we will be trying their shrimp or chicken tenders next time...if there is a next time.

At KFC the same- breast and wings, original recipe naturally, but their boneless wings are not too bad. A few weeks ago I tried their new Nashville Hot Chicken and I liked it quite a bit yet was not thrilled with all the oil/grease but then remembered the hot sauce is made with hot grease and spices. Those along with the KFC dipping sauce, kind of like SmashSauce, should put a smile on your face. Back in 1980 I was 16 and recovering from my motorcycle accident KFC had a BBQ chicken that was heaven, at least to me. Mom was driving a Ford Granada at the time, I miss those days.

 

We have them in Mississauga!

 

Last night healthy
Salmon broccoli pasta with some artichoke salsa "stuff"
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O.k. guess they do have them in Canada, just not BC. We've lost a few chains, they've closed restaurants like crazy here. Some chains, still here but less restaurants. Olive Garden in basically done here. $10 something min wage is the problem.

 

Not to stray too far off topic but minimum wage is less than $8/US here in TX and that's before "Mr. Tax Man" gets his cut, simply ridiculous.

That looks delicious and I feel a tad healthier just looking at the picture, thanks Jason!

 

The problem is before the raise, restaurants could pay wait staff less money if they received a certain average with tips. Kept restaurant costs reasonable. When they raised it the restaurants now have to pay the $10. Now we have restaurants closing. Even somewhat busy places shut down. We've lost 7 restaurants in 2 years here.

 

Looks delicious.


Considering today is "National Tortellini Day" I'm trying my hand at a "healthy" tortellini plate. Everything in my head is saying add heavy cream...

 

Brother, sister in law and nephew are in town shopping. They live on Vancouver Island and don't have the Asian groceries that we have here. Since they'll be staying over night at my house and the SIL will only eat Asian foods. We are going out for Chinese in Richmond.

 

Yum. Salmon on the agenda for tonight. I need to expand my salmon palette. I like it grilled, as lox, and not too many other ways...T

 

My first job was working at Woolworths and we got a whopping $2.50 per hour, on the assumption we'd get tips. We hardly ever did. Minimum wage was $3.25 / hr at the time...T

 

The Valentine's Weekend offensive at the Love Shack marches on! Keeping with the salmon theme. Grilled salmon (salt, pepper, dill, & a slice of Meyer lemon on top), brown rice (butter, white truffle oil, dash of salt), steamed broccoli (some cheddar to placate the missus). Fresh orange juice reduction (could have been better, was a tad acid, not enough brown sugar). Dog enjoyed her piece of salmon (she's currently jumping around on our bed, pushing the pillows to the floor - her sign of food happiness), as did the wife & I...T

 

Wow. Couldn't imagine living on that. I believe our rules the tips had to be equal or greater then min wage to pay less. I went out with a Starbucks barista last year. The $10 per hour plus the tips they split amongst the staff, she was making $23 per hour on average.

 

Twas a long, long time ago! Teenager.
I still remember being surprised that my first paycheck was not 40 x 2.5 = $100!! What's this tax jazz?!? Oh, how naive I was...T

P.s. The waitresses never shared their tips with the bus boys. We did get to eat free though, unless the big boss was around.

 

Actually I have never ate at one yet. I had a craving a year ago and ever Popeyes was closed in the city (I drive to three!) for non-payment of rent. These were the blue branded stores. This year they opened a bunch in new locations that have orange-y logos. So something funny going on. Still yet to visit one!

 

That is strange. Here we have a chain called Earls, very successful, they closed here, also Swiss Chalet, a Domino's, the KFC, etc. Some well known and liked in Canada places. Their leases come up and they don't renew. O.k. its not all the min wage, although it has pushed up our food costs here. To be fair the Dominos and KFC, second locations, but they served the other side of town. We keep losing businesses here. Scary Trudeau wants to tax small business more because they passive income tools for the rich.

 

My take on tortellini alfredo from last night.
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