T-Rex Café!

Imagine. You walk into a restaurant buzzing with excitement. Not just from the little kids running around holding their dinosaur plushies, but from the adults alike filled with the awe and joy from what they’re seeing. You proceed forward towards a jungle of dinosaur animatronics while “roars” fill the room. You have just entered into the one (and only), T-Rex Cafe in Orlando, Florida.

Located in Disney Springs at the Disney World Resort, T-Rex Café is a fun-filled restaurant where the atmosphere gives you there feeling that you just walked onto a Dinosaur themed movie. Due to limited capacity (due to Covid), my family and I made sure to make reservations a month in advance.

After we entered, we waited in line for the hostess to take down our names and a cell phone number to let us know when our table would be ready. We waited about 10 minutes before being called back to the hostess table and to our table. It was really cool looking at all of the dinosaurs, giant bugs (fake of course), and ice age sections of the restaurant.

Our waiter came to the table and placed QR codes on the table for us to scan to access to the menu. The menu had a wide range of choices from pastas, burgers, ribs, and more! T-Rex Cafe is owned by the Landry’s company and is known to be the “prehistoric” version of The Rainforest Cafe (also a Landry’s owned restaurant).

I ordered one of their special themed alcoholic drinks, the Raptor Rita which was contained Corazón Blanco Tequila, sweet & sour, and Patrón Citrónge Orange Liqueur. It was a really tasty margarita! Very yummy! I tried a bit of my mom’s drink of choice, the “Lava Flow” which was a delicious strawberry Pina colada slush! The Lava Flow contained Don Q Coconut Rum, Tropics Piña Colada, and Tropics Strawberry Purée.

As for the taste of the food, we were very satisfied with the dishes we ordered. My sister, mom, and I ordered the Prehistoric Pasta made with alfredo sauce, fettuccine pasta, sautéed mushrooms, Roma tomatoes. This was a perfect option for my sister Madison who is a vegetarian. I ordered mine with shrimp (because I love shrimp)! Although I wouldn’t call it a five star dish, it was still pleasantly delicious and I would definitely order it again. My other siblings and dad truly enjoyed their dishes overall even my brother Kellan who ordered the Boneyard Buffet which consisted of Fire-Roasted Rotisserie Chicken, slow roasted St. Louis style pork spareribs, seasoned fries, and coleslaw!

Although we were full, we knew we had to try their famous dessert, the Chocolate Extinction. This out of the world dessert had four full slices of chocolate brownies along with vanilla ice cream and your own personal volcano (for show).

The dessert was delicious and both pleasing to the eye and to the palate. The overall experience of the restaurant was fun and I would definitely go back because of the amazing atmosphere. The coolest part was the “meteor shower” that occurred from time-to-time. The ceiling would turn red and the dinosaurs would begin to ROAR in fear which really played into the feel of the atmosphere.

If you’re in the Orlando area and want to check out T-Rex Cafe, I linked the website down below! Feel free to leave me a comment, subscribe to my Food Blog for updates, and donate to my “Buy me a pretzel” fund so that I can continue exploring new eateries!

Website Link: https://www.trexcafe.com/

Buy Me A Pretzel Link: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/izzyscope

The Taste of Calico!

Knott’s Berry Farm!

Located in Orange County, California, Knott’s Berry Farm holds the title of being “America’s FIRST theme park.” Due to state guidelines, Knott’s Berry Farm has been closed since March, however, Knott’s became creative and created a whole new experience. The ‘Taste of Calico’ is a tasting event created by Knott’s which allows a limited number of guests to walk through the parks and try a variety of foods. Tasting cards cost $25 for adults and $15 for children (annual passholders receive a 10% discount). Tasting cards allow each guest to try 5 tastings each ( 3 for children). Now you might think that 5 is not a lot, but after my family and my experience, 5 was the perfect amount. Most of the food options were Boysenberry themed. A berry created by Rudolph Boysen and gifted to Walter Knott for his theme park.

On top of the various tasting booths set up, guests can purchase additional food and drink items separately while visiting. Select shops were also open for shopping. Although only half of the park was open to walk around (the ghost town side), extra tables were set up along the premises to ensure social distancing guidelines.

My goal was to get only food items with my card and then purchase the drink items separately (you can choose to use your 5 credits for drinks if you would like instead). We all decided to head towards the back of the park where the gumbo, chili, corn, and boysenberry sausage rolls were. A couple of us began with the Boysenberry sausage on a Hoagie roll while the others opted to begin with the steak Chili with a Boysenberry Cornbread Muffin. My sister, who is a vegetarian, went for the Roasted Corn with Butter, Cotija Cheese, and Cayenne Pepper.

The boysenberry sausage was delicious especially with the Boysenberry ketchup. Not only that, it was a full sized entree Sausage dog unlike traditional tasting events (remember when I said that 5 tastings is the perfect amount?). As for the chili, my family and I all agree that the chili was good however it was definitely lacking in spice. The lack of spice made the chili taste a little bland. Had there been some Tabasco sauce, it would have been perfect. The cornbread on the other hand was absolutely wonderful. I would have loved to have another cornbread because it was sweet and the Boysenberry flavor really popped! My sister enjoyed the corn and said it was really fresh. What’s nice is that the employees ask you how much spice you want on your corn. If you want it spicy then they’ll add more, and vice versa.

Next on our list was the Gumbo with Chicken, Shrimp, and Boysenberry Sausage on Basmati Rice. Much like the chili, the taste was good but it was lacking in seasoning and spice. I do wish there was a Boysenberry cornbread with the Gumbo because it would have been a nice addition and the gumbo would make the perfect dip.

Another popular dish that my sister ordered was the Mac and Cheese Bites with French Fries and Sriracha Ketchup. She thought they were good and had no complaints. Just like the other dishes, the portion was really nice.

The next stop on our food adventure was actually to one of the beer stands located next to the Calico Railroad entrance. Here they had Boysenberry beers and sangria. They scanned our state ID’s and placed a yellow ID band on our wrist confirming our age. My brother and I got the Boysenberry beer while my sister got the Boysenberry sangria. The beer was good and had a slight fruity taste. I tasted the sangria which was really sweet and juicy (also very delicious).

After walking around and letting some of our food digest, we decided it was time for a sweet treat. A couple of us got the Mini Stuffed Churro with Boysenberry Filling which was my favorite dessert, while a few of my siblings got the Boysenberry Jam Soft Serve Cookiewich which they said was not only big but their personal favorite dessert.

Although I had just drank my beer, I really wanted to try their Strawberry Swirl Popping Boba. The drink was a fruity Boysenberry drink with Strawberry popping boba. I am SO glad that I got one because the drink was unbelievably good (and pleasant to the eyes)!

After enjoying our treats, we ventured out for our next tasty bites. My brother and I went for the Pastrami Sandwich on a Pretzel Bun with Boysenberry Mustard and a Side of Chips, while my parents got both the Pulled Pork Sliders with Jalapeno Strips and a Mini Funnel Cake with Boysenberry Topping. Each of us enjoyed our dishes and we were all pretty full by the time we finished them.

A few of us had another tasting to use up so I ran off to try and grab one of the Boysenberry cookiewich’s for myself while the rest of my family went for the Boysenberry slushie. They all loved the boysenberry slushie and some claimed it to be their favorite tasting. Sadly for me, the cookiewich was sold out at one location and the ice cream machine broken at the second location. They ended up giving me the cookies by themselves instead. Although the cookies were good and had a true Boysenberry flavoring, I didn’t get the full experience of the dessert due to there being no ice cream inside.

All in all, The Taste of Calico was a wonderful experience and having the opportunity of being inside a theme park again was great. The Taste of Calico event has since ended, HOWEVER, Knott’s has created an all new tasting event beginning August 21st and running Fridays-Sundays through September 13th. The “Taste of Knott’s” will have a similar setup expanding through the ENTIRE theme park this time with even more food options. If you’re interested in attending The Taste of Knott’s I’ve attached the link to the website down below! Get your Boysenberry on!

https://www.knotts.com/play/events/taste-of-knotts

The MELT ~ An Eatery for Everyone

Today’s food adventure is to a California based eatery known as ‘The Melt.’ The Melt is popular for their specialty grilled cheese creations and macaroni. Made without any artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, sweeteners, and hydrogenated fats, you truly feel like you’re eating GOOD food.

Due to the current situation, dining indoors is strictly prohibited but they are open for outdoor patio seating which is exactly what my family and I did. The Melt is located at the Irvine Spectrum, a beautiful outdoor mall at the southeast edge of Irvine.

Coming from a family of 7, we all have similar but different taste buds. On top of that, my youngest sister has a metabolic disorder that doesn’t allow her to eat meat. With a big family and a dietary restriction, a grilled cheese eatery seemed like the perfect place to eat.

Upon walking in, we noticed that the inside tables were pushed up against the wall, allowing room for social distance while waiting and prevention of sitting. This was great to see especially in a time like this.

We looked at the menu and were very pleased at what we saw. Various grilled cheese sandwich options to please both all types of people (from picky eaters to the more adventurous taste buds). Not only does The Melt serve grilled cheese sandwiches, but there’s also a selection of burgers as well. They also had a selection of side dishes, desserts, and drinks.

My sister and I both ordered the “Italian Job” which was a grilled cheese sandwich made with Fontina and provolone cheeses, grilled mushrooms on spicy garlic bread. We were both highly impressed with this dish. It was the perfect blend of cheese and mushrooms (which were very fresh), and the garlic bread was the cherry on top! Literally perfect for vegetarians and meat eaters alike!

My brother and mom ordered the “Italian Chicken” which is made with the same ingredients as the Italian Job except with some added grilled chicken pieces. They said the chicken was grilled to perfection and easy to eat. Just like the Italian Job, they said the mushrooms were extremely fresh and the garlic bread was the perfect addition to this tasty sandwich.

My youngest brother Kellan and his Italian Chicken

My mom Julia, also ordered the tomato soup with her sandwich as a dipping sauce which she said was creamy and smooth.

My sister Ariel, surprised all of us and ordered the ‘Garlic Bacon Mac and Cheese.’ This was a surprise because this particular sister never orders or eats macaroni and cheese, so her review was something we were very curious to hear about. After trying the macaroni, she ended up really liking it and even finished her leftovers the next day. That definitely proved that this restaurant knows how to make some good quality food.

My other brother opted for something different and ordered the ‘Patty melt.’ Featured on their menu, the patty melt consists of grilled Angus & Wagyu burger patty, sweet, caramelized onions, melted Swiss and provolone cheese with spicy mustard on fresh artisan bread. The staff gladly removed the mustard and onions for my brother with no issues. Just like the rest of us, he enjoyed his sandwich and would gladly return to eat it again.

Last but certainly not least was my dad’s order. He wanted to go for one of their signature dishes, “The Meltburger.” The Meltburger is made with more than 1/3 pound of their signature Angus & Wagyu beef, chopped, grilled and filled with loads of melted cheddar, their special pickle and jalapeño mix, and Melt sauce on a toasted, artisan bun. He too devoured his burger and loved every bite of it. He stated the burger was juicy and wonderfully flavored. The burger came with a side of garlic fries which were evenly cooked and seasoned, along with a pickle (all sandwiches come with pickles on the side).

As for the rest of our side dishes, we all ordered the garlic Parmesan fries. The first thing you notice when you open the box was how amazing they smell. Although they tasted good, the garlic was a little “heavy-handed” which made it a difficult to eat a bunch at once. We ended up taking home the majority of the fries as leftovers because the over powering garlic didn’t compliment the meal like it should have. If there was less garlic added then it might have been perfect.

My sister Madison and her Garlic Parmesan Fries

Lastly, when it comes to natural, The Melt also provided all natural drinks. It was amazing choosing a normally dark soda (like black cherry cola) and it coming out of the nozzel clear. The taste of these sodas were great and it was nice knowing we were drinking soda without artificial flavors. The only thing we wish they had was a diet cola. This would give people an extra option for a no-sugar alternative.

My dad (Glen) and his clear ORANGE soda!

In conclusion, the Melt was an amazing experience. We were impressed with the range of foods available and was glad to find somewhere for my vegetarian sister to eat and enjoy. The entire staff was AMAZING. They went above and beyond to make sure that our eating experience was excellent. This was one of the best customer service experiences we’ve ever had and we have no complaints at all. We would have loved to try their desserts however we were too full to try them. If you’re interested in looking at the full menu and Melt website, the link is down below. Thanks to The Melt for a new and fun experience!

https://www.themelt.com/

El Segundo Sol (Tacos & Margaritas) -Las Vegas

The origin of this review begins when my family was on vacation in Las Vegas, Nevada. We were looking for a restaurant that served good quality Mexican food. Not only were we looking for something different, we were on search for cheese enchiladas. Why you may ask? My sister Madison has a rare metabolic disorder that doesn’t allow her to have meat, so we wanted to find her some GOOD alternative food. Although the rest of my family are meat eaters, my sister doesn’t have the luxury of having a wide assortment of foods like the rest of us. We researched for quite some time and were having a difficult time because every Mexican style restaurant we called did not offer cheese enchiladas. When I called El Segundo Sol, the manager answered and told me that they could make the cheese enchiladas! From there we made a reservation through Open Table (the reservation system they use), and set forth to lunch.

El Segundo Sol is located on the corner of the Fashion Show Mall on the Las Vegas Strip across from the Wynn Hotel and Casino. When we arrived we were informed that there had been a technical error on their reservation site and that all reservations had been filled. The manager came over to us and told us not to worry and that since we had made a reservation that he would find some way to get us inside. Within a matter of minutes the manager came back outside and told us that he had made a special table for us and to follow him inside. He led us to a room that he had set up for of our family. We found out that the room was not normally used except for very busy times or special occasions, but he wanted to make sure we were taken care of. It was the nicest act of kindness any manager had ever done for us. We immediately ordered the bottomless chips and salsa which were brought out almost instantaneously.

THESE CHIPS WERE FRESH! One bite into a chip and you could taste how fresh and real they tasted. No one in my family had ever tasted a chip that was that good. Although I am not a fan of guacamole, my father and 25 year old sister are, so they ordered a side of guacamole. Both of them stated that it was the BEST guacamole they had EVER tasted. They said it was both fresh and delicious. We were already impressed with our appetizers. Our waiter took our orders and brought out our drinks. I ordered their “Sol Margarita” which consisted of El Jimador Reposado, Bauchant Orange Liqueur, and Lime Juice. VERY GOOD. If you’re looking for a delicious margarita on the Las Vegas strip, then El Segundo Sol should be your go-to place.

Our food came out of the kitchen in a pretty good time span and the dishes were visually stunning. My sister really enjoyed her cheese enchiladas. Unfortunately I was unable to get a photo of her food but I was able to snag a photo of my youngest brother Kellan and his “Achiote Mahi Mahi Fajitas” which he said were “delicious!” This was a very healthy and delicious option for this aspiring dancer. (Sorry for the lighting, the floor to ceiling window was directly behind him).

As for me, I ordered the Carne Asada Tacos which came with: grilled marinated steaks; served with cilantro rice, black beans, pico de gallo, and sour cream. I opted out for the beans and instead had a double serving of rice. The carne asada meat was juicy and flavorful while the rice was bursting with cilantro goodness (the rice was my sister’s favorite pick of the day).

My final thoughts on this restaurant are WOW. Not only was the food amazing, they catered to my sister’s dietary needs, and both the server and manager made our dining experience special. Who knew that this gem of a restaurant would turn out to be one of our favorite spots on the Las Vegas strip? If you’re curious to learn more about El Segundo Sol or take a glance at their menu, you can click on the link below. Until the next delicious review, Adios!

https://www.elsegundosol.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ESS-GBiz