Bombay Cafe

I was getting my hair fixed at Les Champes Elyees. The fix was after a series of home-grown disasters that took my hair from the color of a pumpkin to banana to snot.  Not a great progression!  Anyway, my dear hairdresser Kelly promised to get me back to normal (and succeeded!).  But I was hungry while I waited for the chemicals to do their magic!  Luckily, there was a restaurant two doors down.  She assured me that people often trekked down there while their hair was processing.  So, I tiptoed down two doors (on Walnut!!!) hoping that no one would see me, with tinfoil folded into my hair and a black cape over my clothing.  The guy behind the counter didn't react whatsoever.  I love that man!  although fellow patrons were shocked...  The guy helped the other customers, discussed various dishes with me, and we decided on buttered chicken (after he assured me it was the best in town).  He showed me a cup-size or a platter, which would include rice and salad.  I opted for the platter.  He told me they called that the American plate.  LOL.  I had a seat, waited a few minutes, then my meal was ready to go.  He suggested I try the stuffed bread the next time I had my hair done.

I ran back to the salon, opened my food, and several of the hairdressers wanted to know what I was having.  They all had recommendations for my future trips, too.  The buttered chicken was good, but  I think it's better (and more expensive, of course) at Amol India.  But I'm sure I'll be back to Bombay Cafe the next time I'm getting my hair done!  If you happen to pass by then, please act like you didn't see me :)

Five Guys

Once, on a business trip to Washington DC, I was hungry, cold, and just needed to eat something.  A Five Guys sign was ahead, so I ducked in not knowing what to expect.  Ordered a burger and fries, and proceeded to have the best burger of my life!  Not so much a fan of the fries, but there were probably enough there to feed half of the homeless on the way back to my hotel.  I stopped again two days later, and on every subsequent trip to DC.

So, when I saw they were franchised, I was SOOOOO excited.  I don't get enough trips to DC to fulfill my greasy cheeseburger quota.  First one was somewhere in Missouri.  Good, but not as good as DC.  Next was in Greenwood, Indiana.  Ditto.  So it was with great trepidation that I entered Five Guys.  Would it be as great as DC?  Or as disappointing as the other franchises?   Well, I have to say it was somewhere in between.  It was a great burger, but not as completely outstanding as those in DC.  I'll probably return to the one in Bloomington.  But if I'm in DC. absolutely!!!