So, I had to quick run to the mall to return something today and decided to take the kids to Sbarro's for a quick slice of pizza for lunch. Turns out, the pizza had just the right amount of cheese and crispness to its crust AND they offered a kid's meal complete with jello or pudding. I was, however, disappointed that it didn't offer any veggies as a side and came only with a small fountain beverage, of which there were no healthy choices. The play yard seemed fun, but seeing as my youngest daughter just had immunization shots the day before, I couldn't help wondering when was the last time they cleaned the equipment?
All in all, a decent enough meal and setting for the price - $7 and change for 2 slices of pizza, jello, and a small drink.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Old Country Buffet, Springfield, PA
We woke up on Saturday, July 12, and realized there were no eggs in the refrigerator and we were running short on milk. My 2 year-old wanted pancakes and I was hungry for French toast. There was only one solution: head to Old Country buffet for breakfast, where we could sample everything...
Mind you, OCB is one of my least favorite places. I don't typically like buffets and hate having to reach over the crowds just to get some syrup or a napkin.
But, my husband and I packed the baby and toddler into the car and set off about 9:00 a.m. to try to fill our void bellies. Here's what we found:
Wait time: Very brief...only 3 couples/families in front of us. It only took about 3 minutes to pay at the register and get a ticket for the table. The buffet lines were not that crowded and we didn't have any crashes with other diners.
Service: Very good...From the cashier who told my daughter that "we've got lots and lots of pancakes for you, baby!" to the table waitress, who took each dish as we completed it...we enjoyed the service.
Food: Plentiful and tasty. Everything seemed fresh and was replenished often. The salad bar was fully functioning at 9 a.m., a feature that I particularly like, since I can get veggies and fruits into my family for breakfast, too. There were plenty of healthier options, too. My daughter enjoyed the offering of yogurt and granola, as well as the fruit for her pancakes. The downside is the greasy fare, which can be quite tempting for everyone. My husband had fried chicken with his eggs for breakfast. So, there truly is a little something for everyone.
Facilities: The dining room appeared clean, considering how busy this restaurant gets. In the midst of breakfast, our potty-in-training toddler decided it was time to try out the toilet and our Elmo potty seat fit nicely on the toilets. The bathrooms seemed relatively clean, except for the water all over the sink. I tried wiping it off so I could put her up there to wash hands, but there was soap, too and I ended up making more of a bubbly, slimy mess on the counter. The good news is that on our second potty-training mission, we used the larger, handicap restroom stall, which had a baby changing table and its own individual sink with paper towels. This made it easier to wash little hands.
Overall Nibbles: I give this restaurant 4 nibbles for breakfast...hungry families get fed fast and there are a variety of healthier options.
Mind you, OCB is one of my least favorite places. I don't typically like buffets and hate having to reach over the crowds just to get some syrup or a napkin.
But, my husband and I packed the baby and toddler into the car and set off about 9:00 a.m. to try to fill our void bellies. Here's what we found:
Wait time: Very brief...only 3 couples/families in front of us. It only took about 3 minutes to pay at the register and get a ticket for the table. The buffet lines were not that crowded and we didn't have any crashes with other diners.
Service: Very good...From the cashier who told my daughter that "we've got lots and lots of pancakes for you, baby!" to the table waitress, who took each dish as we completed it...we enjoyed the service.
Food: Plentiful and tasty. Everything seemed fresh and was replenished often. The salad bar was fully functioning at 9 a.m., a feature that I particularly like, since I can get veggies and fruits into my family for breakfast, too. There were plenty of healthier options, too. My daughter enjoyed the offering of yogurt and granola, as well as the fruit for her pancakes. The downside is the greasy fare, which can be quite tempting for everyone. My husband had fried chicken with his eggs for breakfast. So, there truly is a little something for everyone.
Facilities: The dining room appeared clean, considering how busy this restaurant gets. In the midst of breakfast, our potty-in-training toddler decided it was time to try out the toilet and our Elmo potty seat fit nicely on the toilets. The bathrooms seemed relatively clean, except for the water all over the sink. I tried wiping it off so I could put her up there to wash hands, but there was soap, too and I ended up making more of a bubbly, slimy mess on the counter. The good news is that on our second potty-training mission, we used the larger, handicap restroom stall, which had a baby changing table and its own individual sink with paper towels. This made it easier to wash little hands.
Overall Nibbles: I give this restaurant 4 nibbles for breakfast...hungry families get fed fast and there are a variety of healthier options.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Olive Garden- Springfield, PA, Wednesday, July 9, 2008
After a month of anticipation, my nibbler husband and I took the kids and set out to try the newest addition to the chain-restaurant family in Springfield, PA. We decided to go early enough to avoid the 75 minute wait time we were told about the week before (on a Monday night, no less...). So, at 4:35 p.m., I used the call ahead seating feature only to be asked, "when will you arriving?" This got me thinking...do they place your name on the list according to where you are located? Nahhhh...
I was told there was a 20 minute wait.
Wait time: We arrived 15 minutes after I called and waited in the lobby for another 20 minutes. We then were led to a table near the front of the restaurant only to be moved upon arrival to the back of the restaurant...could it be the 5 month old and 3 year old we had in tow?
Our order: Tour of Italy, Eggplant Parm, salad, breadsticks, 2 unsweetened iced teas, one chocolate milk
Quality of Food:Taste was ok, cheese was skimpy all around, from left over shavings from the grater that were dumped on our salad to the sparse parmagiana melt. Salad was fine, breadsticks came out warm.
Service: Slower than average speed--and we had 3 different wait staff, friendly... to the point of hanging out at our table and telling us her daughter speaks 3 languages - (Lady, is that going to make our food come out faster?)
Facilities/Ambiance: Comforting, warm decor. Nice lighting. Noise levels were through the roof! I couldn't hear our conversation across the table, but could hear everyone else's. The bathrooms are located way behind the bar, across a VERY slippery tile floor that is downright dangerous when wearing sneakers (!) and carrying a 3 year old to the potty. The grease needs to be addressed, otherwise there will be an accident. Bathrooms were kept clean and no excess water/paper towel pile ups.
Overall: It's the Olive Garden, folks... but for a new franchise, we expected much more. On a scale of 1-5 nibbles, with 5 being the best, I'd give it 2 nibbles.
Maybe they can get it together for next time we need a quick OG trip...
I was told there was a 20 minute wait.
Wait time: We arrived 15 minutes after I called and waited in the lobby for another 20 minutes. We then were led to a table near the front of the restaurant only to be moved upon arrival to the back of the restaurant...could it be the 5 month old and 3 year old we had in tow?
Our order: Tour of Italy, Eggplant Parm, salad, breadsticks, 2 unsweetened iced teas, one chocolate milk
Quality of Food:Taste was ok, cheese was skimpy all around, from left over shavings from the grater that were dumped on our salad to the sparse parmagiana melt. Salad was fine, breadsticks came out warm.
Service: Slower than average speed--and we had 3 different wait staff, friendly... to the point of hanging out at our table and telling us her daughter speaks 3 languages - (Lady, is that going to make our food come out faster?)
Facilities/Ambiance: Comforting, warm decor. Nice lighting. Noise levels were through the roof! I couldn't hear our conversation across the table, but could hear everyone else's. The bathrooms are located way behind the bar, across a VERY slippery tile floor that is downright dangerous when wearing sneakers (!) and carrying a 3 year old to the potty. The grease needs to be addressed, otherwise there will be an accident. Bathrooms were kept clean and no excess water/paper towel pile ups.
Overall: It's the Olive Garden, folks... but for a new franchise, we expected much more. On a scale of 1-5 nibbles, with 5 being the best, I'd give it 2 nibbles.
Maybe they can get it together for next time we need a quick OG trip...
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