Big Ass Sandwich, Portland, OR

Big Ass Sandwich is a food cart located in downtown Portland that offers a unique spin on a old lunch favorite. With fresh, local ingredients put on a canvas of fresh baked artisan bread, delivered to them daily, they create a masterpiece that can only be described as delicious. They have many different options to choose from on their everyday menu, as well as weekly specials, and even a secret menu, but get there early because once they are sold out, they are done for the day.

One of my favorites, is the traditional, Big Ass Sandwich. With your choice of slow roasted beef, turkey, or ham, hand cut french fries, bechamel cheese sauce, and Secret Aardvark hot sauce, this sandwich has enough food in it to feed a small army! You might think "french fries on a sandwich with cheese sauce?" but believe me, it works, the sandwich is amazing. The ingredients here are top shelf, from the soft, fresh baked rolls, to the slow roasted meats, these sandwiches are sure to satisfy.

If you find yourself in Portland and are looking to try something a little different, give Big Ass sandwich a try, you won't be disappointed. If you do you might want to check their Facebook page for the most up to date info on hours and availability, because like I said before once they are sold out they are done.

Overall score: A-
Would you go back: Yes
Big Ass Sandwich
304 SE 2nd Ave
Portland, OR
www.bigasssandwiches.com304 SE 2nd Ave.

Amina Pizzeria Honolulu, Oahu, HI

I stumbled into this little gem purely by accident and was I pleasantly surprised. We were going to another well known bar in the Ala Moana area of the city and it just happened to be closed for Father's Day. We looked across the street and saw Amina Pizzeria and I have to admit, I wasn't sure I wanted to eat there, but we looked it up and saw that it had received great reviews so we decided to go for it! With a large menu of pastas, hot subs, pizza, and calzones and prices starting at $6.50 Amina's has something for everyone, on any budget.

While I was here I decided to try a pepperoni and sausage calzone. I have eaten some great calzones in my life, so I am very critical of the components, mainly the crust and the sauce. Amina's didn't let me down. Their crust was very flaky and the sauce, which comes on the side, had tons of flavor that blended perfectly with the crust and the fillings. All four of us had calzones and all of us raved about how good ours were, but I did get a look at their pizza and it looked amazing as well and I can't wait to try it.

My only complaint about Amina's is they don't serve alcohol, so if you are looking to have a few drinks with your dinner you are out of luck. If you ever find yourself in Honolulu and you don't want to spend a fortune at the tourist trap restaurants of Waikiki, head down the road to Amina's and get some great food at an affordable price.

Would I go again: Yes
Overall score: B
Amina Pizzeria
1694 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96826

808-949-3548

Bingo Burgers, Pueblo, CO

Bingo Burgers is a funky, little burger place in Pueblo, Co that makes one of the best burgers I've ever had! Using fresh, local ingredients, Bingo's gives you the option of building your own or choosing one of their seven masterpieces they have on their menu. First, choose your meat and bun, with grass fed beef, with or with out green chiles (the chiles keep the meat moist), chicken, lamb, and even a portobello mushroom option for the vegetarians out there. Then, you choose your garden, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles, all free of charge. Finally you choose all your other toppings, cheese, bacon, etc. (check out the menu for some great choices) and your burger is complete. Add some hand cut fries or sweet potato fries with a variety of dipping sauces available and then top it off with a hand made shake or malt (made with local ice cream) or a Colorado craft beer (I'd recommend the Milk Stout) and your meal is complete.

I chose one of Bingo's signature burgers, The Boilermaker, when I was there. It's a bingo burger (with green chiles) topped with fried egg, cooked to order, a ton of bacon, and cheddar cheese. I have to say this is truly one of the best burgers I've ever had! The meat is very, juicy and tender and even though they don't skimp on the toppings you can still taste the quality of the meat they use. Their hand cut fries are excellent and the large variety of dipping sauces has something for everyone.

Bingo Burgers is a great place with a friendly staff and for the quality of food you get priced very reasonably. If you ever find yourself in Pueblo, do yourself a favor and GO, and if your a FA reading this pick up the 21st or 28th of April for me so I can go again.

Would I go again: Definitely
Overall score: A
Bingo Burgers
101 Central Plaza
Pueblo, Co
719-225-8363
http://bingoburger.com/

Stubb's BBQ, Austin, Texas

Stubb's BBQ is a fairly famous BBQ joint known for its food and live music with some pretty big names playing there all the time. I went to Stubb's for lunch on a recent visit to Austin and ordered, surprise, surprise, a pulled pork sandwich. The restaurant has a feel of an old saloon and lunch is served, in true BBQ joint fashion, counter style. The pork was very smokey (I like smoky BBQ) and very tender. The sandwich comes already sauced with a very sweet and smokey sauce that goes good with the pork, although at some times it overpowers the it. Sandwiches come with one side and I chose the hand cut fries. The fries were great, but I'd like to go back and try some of their other choices like the beans and home made mac and cheese. Lunch is reasonably priced with sandwiches starting around $6.95 and combo plates starting at $11.45. I've had better pulled pork sandwiches, but this is still a good place to go with fair prices. I'd like to go back and try the brisket and the ribs and check out some great music with up coming shows by Danzig, COC, and The Black Crowes.

Would I go back: Yes
Overall score: B
Stubb's BBQ
801 Red River
Austin, Texas
512-480-8341
http://stubbsaustin.com/

Torchy's Tacos, Austin Texas

After a long break it is time to add some more kick ass food and I can't think of a better place to start than Torchy's Tacos in Austin, Texas. Torchy's is a chain of food cart taco stands that are quickly spreading throughout Texas and for good reason, excellent food for a good price. The menu offers something for everyone, with several vegetarian options and enough different meat options to satisfy even the pickiest of carnivores. I tried two items while here in Austin, the Green Chile Pork taco and The Trailer Park (I had mine "trashy", but more on that later).

The Green Chile Pork taco is corn tortillas filled with roasted pork and green chiles, topped with queso fresco, cilantro, and onions with a lime wedge on the side. It also comes with a side of their tomatillo salsa as well. The pork is melt in your mouth tender and the salsa, lime, cilantro and queso fresco compliment the pork perfectly, not over powering or hiding the other flavors.

The Trailer Park consists of a flour tortilla filled with fried chicken, green chiles, lettuce and cheese, with their soon to be world famous poblano sauce, a mix of ranch dressing and poblano peppers that is so good you could eat it by itself. I chose to have my Trailer Park "trashy" by taking off the lettuce and adding queso. When I first ordered this, i wasn't sure how I would like fried chicken on a taco, but it actually works! Once again, the flavors compliment each other with not one ingredient over powering the others. 

If you find yourself in Austin, Dallas, Houston, or Fort Worth, Texas and you find yourself with a hankering for some tacos, visit Torchy's. With great food, great service, and decent prices you can't go wrong here.

Would I go back: Yes

Overall score: A

Torchy's Tacos

1311 South First St

Austin Texas

512-366-0537

http://www.torchystacos.com/