Fat Kid Adventure #97: Amato's Cheesesteaks (San Jose/Campbell)

(Originally posted on August 28, 2008)

For lunch today, we went to Amato's in Campbell area at the intersection of Saratoga and San Tomas Aquino since one of the project managers said it was so good. So this Adventure will argue the opposite - this place is not impressive at all, at least from the example I tried. I got the Pepper Cheese Steak. Not enough pepper as I don't really taste any spiciness and the steak meat was not juicy at all - Xs on two ESSENTIALS for cheese steaks. This place is definitely quantity over quality - I had the Shorty size sandwich - equivalent for small - and it is 7" and FILLED with meat. Surprisingly a lot of people were there for lunch and a look on Yelp yields a solid 4.0 , so I guess it deserves a second shot - next time maybe with chicken - looked juicier.

http://www.amatoscheesesteaks.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/amatos-cheesesteaks-san-jose

Fat Kid Adventure #93: Los Gatos Meats & Smoke House (Los Gatos)

(Originally posted on August 19, 2008)

A couple of weeks ago, I ventured down the other end of University Ave in Los Gatos to the meat shop. This placed was well dug on Yelp, so I figured it can't hurt. I had one of the specials with pulled bbq pork. Portionwise - huge, especially if it's just lunch. The flavor of the pork is fantastic, compounded with lunchtime hunger pangs the taste becomes astronomical. I don't really remember what was in the sandwich, but I am definitely sure that pulled pork took over more than 50%. There are tons of meats to purchase at this place if you are a do-it-yourselfer; otherwise, the sandwich selection ranges from run-of-the-mill to local specials - knock yourself out, it's quite worth it. It's a small place set up like a small convenience store but had a couple of tables outside. Quite busy so prepare for lines since everything is made on the spot.

Oh yeah, I totally went into food coma for like half an hour after this sandwich. Reminds me of good ol' bio core when I nodded off 75% of the time.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/los-gatos-meats-and-smoke-house-los-gatos
http://www.losgatosmeats.com

Fat Kid Adventure #86: The Sandwich Maker (Los Gatos)

(Originally posted on July 22, 2008)

The Sandwich Maker is a tiny little sandwich/pho place in Los Gatos. I went there for lunch yesterday, and it is a fast little joint. Lots of people lining, but but the shop ladies just keep churning them out. Main ingredients in sandwiches include chicken, turkey, roast beef, ham, etc. I got a BBQ Beef sandwich - totally did not see that it had no veggies. So it was a toasted bun with some serious beef inside smothered in BBQ sauce. It was good for maybe 5 bites, and it got kind of heavy. Anyway, an okay place I'd say, good for quickies in the middle of a busy day.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-sandwich-maker-los-gatos

Fat Kid Adventure #68: Union Square (Stanford)

(Originally posted on February 27, 2008)

Union Square is the cafe in Tresidder on Stanford Campus. Composed of several different themes - salad, Chinese, sandwiches, Southern, it is one crowded place at lunch time, the only time it opens for food. One of my favorites is the salad place (Twisted Sprout), known for its Southwestern Chicken Salad which has been up on the menu for at least four years. Recently, the Farmer's Market Orange Salad was introduced to the menu, and it is just deLISH. This salad is the result of Stanford's recent push to collaborate with local farmers to keep the campus dining fresh and healthy. Now about this salad - it's got some small clementine pieces with mixed greens and blue cheese, sprinkled with almonds and lots of grilled chicken, and topped off with unknown dressing (sweet and tangy - looks like citrus). Definitely well-portioned, but get ready to be hungry in 3.5 hours, or immediately if you're a football player. Go try it! The salad chef is actually quite funny to observe - try to discern if he's mad or just having a damn good time making the salad.

http://www.stanford.edu/dept/rde/dining/index.htm?page=u2
http://www.yelp.com/biz/union-square-stanford-dining-stanford

Fat Kid Adventure #30: Pluto's (Palo Alto)

(Originally posted on August 23, 2007)

Sweet sandwich and salad joint in Palo Alto off University. Huge selection of toppings for salads: Crunchy Croutons, Parmesan Cheese, California Raisins, Granny Smith Apples, Sautéed Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, Crumbled Blue Cheese, Roasted Red Bell Peppers, Grilled Fennel, Sweet Walnuts, Plum Tomatoes, Green Beans, Navel Oranges, Sweet Corn, Garbanzo Beans, Seasonal Toppings, Broccoli, Cucumbers, Red Onions, Beets, Jicama, Peas, Carrots, and Mixed Seeds. Selections for meat: Grilled Herbed Chicken Breast, Herb Roasted Sonoma Turkey, Grilled Marinated Tri-Tip, Aidells Poultry Sausage, Crispy Chicken Asteroids, Grilled Portobello Mushroom, and Grilled Eggplant. Long story short - the joint offers an amazing variety for you to create the perfect salad. The sandwich I got - Grilled Tri-Tip - was pretty delicious, especially the bread... The BBQ wings were so-so. In general, I'd say concentrate on the main dishes - salad and sandwiches - they're what Pluto's famous for anyway.

http://www.plutosfreshfood.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/KwZd9GY0f_379CcHBhKo_w

Fat Kid Adventure #23: Harry's Hofbrau (Redwood City)

(Originally posted on August 15, 2007)

Temp Tuesday! This time at the other German sandwich place in Redwood City. Pretty good compared to Heimerhaus in terms of atmosphere. With a Subway-like system of preparing each order, it is fast and visible. The special there is the open-face sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy smothered on top, which is supposed to be super. I got the roast pork sandwich with top bun dipped in some kind of sauce, topped simply with lettuce and tomato. Very filling, very hearty. The BBQ beef sandwich is crazy - the entire top bun is dipped in the BBQ sauce and the sandwich is just rained on by BBQ beef. Caution: the sweet, tangy sauce might be overwhelming.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ni9EDZ5Van_pYh2jSAiDSw
http://www.harryshofbrau.com/

Fat Kid Adventure #10: Heimerhaus (Redwood City)

(Originally posted on July 17, 2007)

For Temp Tuesday lunch, us interns went into Redwood City to eat sandwiches at this German-flavored sandwich shop called Heimerhaus. This is a semi-hole-in-wall joint with pretty hearty sandwiches which are categorized by meat on the menu (convenient) and all named after celebrities (cool). I got an Ed McMahon - roast beef, turkey, lettuce, chutney, and something else. Quite good, just wish it was a little warmer. All sandwiches are $6 and the service is very fast. Included with your meal is a complimentary mint chocolate to restore oral fragrance.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/a-EDsfHx55djXRXD-sPklA