Category Archives: Food

Juan In A Million

I’m not sure how many of you out there are fans of Man Vs. Food on Travel Channel – I’m pretty sure most of you have at least heard of it. Adam Richman travels the country trying to tackle food challenges. Just watching him makes my belly ache, I can’t even begin to imagine how he actually feels afterwards.

On the morning of September 16th, I found myself at one of them…
Meet Juan In A Million.

Now let me introduce you to the Don Juan El Taco Grande.
For a measly $3.80 you get this huge portion of three flour tortilla’s, loaded with potatoes, bacon, egg and heaps of cheese on top. Yum! I love cheese!

Adam Richman’s challenge was to eat (8) of these bad boys. That’s right, I said (8).
If you can eat one, more power to you. If you eat (8), I hope you are sitting in a wheelchair when you begin because I’m sure you’ll need to be rolled on outta there.

The dish is so filling, if you finish (1) you get to be on the Wall of Fame!

The Don Juan is so delicious. Even if you can’t finish it, it’s the best $3.80 that you will ever spend on breakfast! It’s a good way to start off your day. It would’ve been even better if I had decided to have a margarita with it!
Cheers! Enjoy! And most of all – Good luck!

American Flatbread

One of the best places to eat in Burlington, Vermont is at the American Flatbread restaurant located on St. Paul Street. Always a favorite and at the top of my list whenever I go home to visit.

American Flatbread started back in the 1980’s while playing around with the idea of flatbread pizza in an outdoor, homemade brick and clay dome ovens which has slowly grown and evolved over the years. Today, American Flatbread operates in numerous locations and even offering frozen selections (in stores and online).


American Flatbread is unique in its own. It really brings out the Vermont flavor and style. Immediately entering the restaurant, you are surrounded by a laid back, natural atmosphere. The surroundings once inside, makes you feel as if you are in a rustic, cozy, authentic place. Once seated, you will notice that you have a full view to the “kitchen”. You can watch your pizza being made and cooked, right at your seat.


Not only does American Flatbread have the kitchen at your view, but they also have a brewery – Zero Gravity. Not only can you ask for a fresh brew at the bar but you can also have a peak into their brewery.

Don’t drink but want something that’s just as authentic? Try some of their homemade root beer! Rookie’s Root beer, on draft and locally made. A little sweeter than your typical Barq’s Root beer, but it was still pretty tasty and hit the spot.

Back to the pizza. All flatbreads are made with completely organic ingredients. This is an area which American Flatbread prides itself. The pizza is absolutely delicious! You know the taste of the ingredients when you pick them fresh out of the garden? They taste better than anything that you could ever buy in a store or even have in a restaurant. You get the same type of feeling / taste when you eat at American Flatbread.

This is Bill! Hi Bill! I use to work with Bill in Vermont (who now resides in Dirty Jersey of all places). We got to meet up in Burlington for dinner along with one of his friends and had a great time!

This is my pizza (Vermonters do not call pizza a pie, just FYI). My choice was the Pepperoni and Peppers (all natural nitrate free pepperoni with organic green peppers) (minus the organic red onions) as an individual size. You can see I got a 10-inch pizza which I even had left overs.

Bill and his friend split a large pizza (they also had left overs, these pizzas are quite large). He opted for 1/2 the Medicine Wheel (organic tomato sauce with three cheeses and herbs) and 1/2 Punctuated Equilibrium (Kamalata Olives, oven roasted red peppers, handmade VT goat cheese, fresh rosemary, red onions, cheeses and herbs).
Now if you are still not craving this pizza after the description and pictures, there’s a serious problem and you should probably see a professional. Take my word for it, it is delicious.
Prices you ask? An individual flatbread (10-inch) can cost anywhere between $6-$10 depending on the toppings. The larger sized pizza can cost between $10 and $18, depending on the toppings. One flatbread is generally enough to serve two. Obviously, these prices are a little more than Papa John’s or Domino’s keep in mind what you are paying for – all organic, handmade and they cook it right in front of you (really they just like to tease you because once you walk in the remote area of the front door and smell the aroma, you have to have some). To me, it’s definitely worth the price, I just wish they had an American Flatbread in Texas!
American Flatbread is definitely, by far one of my favorites. I love how they use organic ingredients, you feel like you are being catered for and leave feeling plenty full. I’ve never been disappointed and can’t wait to go back!

Website: http://americanflatbread.com/
Be sure to check out the website for their multiple locations and hours.
They also cook at different events (including the Warren 4th of July festival each year) and hold different events at their restaurants. Be sure to look it up on their website!

Enjoy and let me know how you like it!

Patra

Patra – A begging bowl used by monks. a bowl, vessel, receptacle, alms bowl, dish, plate, or utensil. According to monastic rules, a monk was permitted to possess three different robes and one begging bowl. This bowl was used as receptacle for food at mealtime, or for alms received during the practice of begging.
While I was in Burlington, I met up with an old college friend who I hadn’t seen in almost four years. She had recommended that we meet up at Patra, one of the many local coffee / tea shops in Burlington.
Located in the old Army-Navy store location, and formerly Sapa, this is your go to place for privacy and relaxation. This is the kind of place that I lack in Texas. If I lived in Burlington, this is probably one of the places where you could find me writing these posts.
      

Patra is a sophisticated coffee shop. Although, from the outside it may not look like a large space but it opens up nicely once inside. Dark woods, brick walls and leather couches provide a cozy, relaxed and grounded atmosphere. A great place to work independently or meet with a group.
      

Patra hosts a variety of events each month:
Live Irish Folk- First Sunday of each month.
Open Mic Comedy – Last Thursday of each month.
Crowd Control (Three-Round comedy contest controlled by the crowd – Topics, performances, who advances and who wins.) Held once every three month.

Patra offers a variety of teas, coffee, milkshakes, smoothies and bubble teas. They also offer sandwiches, panini’s and cupcakes (even though I convinced myself the cupcakes were not really there to avoid temptation) if you are looking for a bite to eat.

I opted to try something new (at least to me) – bubble tea. A bubble tea is a combination of a tea base mixed with fruit and milk. I tried the Mango Bubble Tea (below) with Tapioca Pearls. There wasn’t a strong mango flavor however the drink was smooth and refreshing. Tapioca Pearls – I really wasn’t sure about these but amazingly enough I loved the texture (which I usually have a problem with as far as things in my drink goes) however I’ve been told the taste is aquired. I guess I’ll have to work on it. Overall, it was pretty delicious and I’d get one again.
      

The prices seemed to be overall comparable to the other coffee shops in the area. The bubble tea was $5 (before tip), which I thought was ok since I can’t get them daily, are made to order (and I treated myself) however on the other hand it is a little expensive for a pint sized beverage (Starbucks rate). I couldn’t justify getting one daily. The only thing that was really missing (at least to me) is if there was some music playing throughout the cafe (although I was told that there usually is something on). The atmosphere and decor of the cafe is completely wonderful.

If you are in the Burlington area and are looking for a new coffee shop to check out or even a place to get some work done out of the dorm/office – I would recommend to swing by, check it out. At least try out the Bubble Tea as I haven’t seen them anywhere else in Burlington. What’ve you got to lose?

Patra – Look them up on Facebook or check them out in person!
9 Center St
Burlington, VT 05401

(802) 318-4888