Two chain favorites: Carrabba's and Red Robin

I haven't had a chance to try any little local joints for the past little while, so I thought I would throw these two little gems out there for you.

Go to Carrabba's, don't even look at the menu, order the Italian Chicken Pizza, enjoy.  I am telling you, this is probably my favorite pizza in the world.  I don't think that is an exaggeration, either.  It just works together perfectly.  The key is the sauce; it is a sweet and sour tomato sauce with so much more punch than a typical marinara.  Top that sauce with juicy chicken, just enough melty cheese, scallions, fresh romano, and pine nuts.....  Divine.  Oh, and I left off the other awesome element: the super thin crust that is slightly charred from the blazing hot wood fire pizza.  Just try it if you haven't already.  You, like my cousin Ryan, will thank me later.

Who doesn't like Red Robin?  I mean honestly... Good selection of burgers with endless steak fries.  Pretty simple.  Some people, however, don't know that if you have not enjoyed Red Robin's honey mustard dipping sauce as you devour your fries, then you really are not grasping your full Red Robin experience potential.  The stuff is so good.  Some people love ranch, others like fry sauce, and others just go with old-school ketchup, but do your stomach a favor and ask for a side of honey mustard for your fries next time you stop in.  You'll be glad you did.

(I was looking for a picture... but c'mon, we all know what honey mustard looks like.  Just imagine your usual honey mustard with lots of poppy seeds mixed in.  But don't try and imagine the taste.  Unless you've had Red Robin's you wouldn't get it right.)

I hope to have a new restaurant review on the way soon.  I tried to get a Snow Ono shaved ice on Saturday at a food truck event held at Costco this past weekend, but the wait was ridiculous.  Sometime soon.

Eat up!