Noble Roman's Pizza Express

This particular Noble Roman's opened without me even noticing  (Maybe it's a little bit stealth?  Maybe I have not been thinking of pizza..... and not thinking of take and bake?)  The shop is easy to find, just a little tucked into the north end of the parking lot of the North Point shopping Center, Hawthorn and Division. There is parking as well as a convenient drive up window, jut nowhere to eat your pizza inside.

 At any rate, upon discovering this new drive-through take-and-bake pizza place in north Spokane, (near the north end of the parking area of the North Point Shopping Center,) we just had to try it!  However. we did not use the drive-through. We went inside to get a really good look at the place and see what kind of pizza and pizza process they had.

Right away someone came into the lobby to explain their "P'ZA "menu....They were very helpful.

There were also a variety of pizza/cooking supplies for sale in the lobby.  They sell.pans, cutters, racks, mitts, paddles... things like that.

But on to the real reason we were there......food.  Inside, they have a case with some ready made products..... pizza, salads and desserts.  They also make wraps, subs, salads and offer on-line coupons.
We did not have a coupon.... because we found this place by driving by.... but now I know!

 And I do like this take and bake option for pizza.

 The place felt like a sub sandwich shop where you could tell them what items you want them to put or not put on your pizza.

 Here is our pizza being made.  It is a Sicilian thick crust.  They make it up, you take it, and bake it at home.  We actually ordered a second pizza while we were there and this was just for just a few dollars more.  Our plan was to bake the second pizza another day.  The pizza comes with complete instructions for baking.

 The pizza comes with complete instructions for baking.

Whalla!  P'ZA!

Here is our Alfredo Chicken pizza, number two.  It is a regular crust.

And now for something completely different.... Geo cooks at home!
These instructions are easy to understand.

The pizza cooked up nicely.  Serves eight.

And the pizza tasted great!  This special dough and sauce made it seems a little bit like lasagna.   Maybe it was the power of suggestion of the pan too?  We definitely liked it.   We took the other pizza to a friends house when we visited and that pizza was delicious too.

Noble Roman's will get my business again.  Next time, I may even use the drive-thru.


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Cold Stone Creamery

Ahh.... well, I visited Cold Stone ice cream shop, located at  9502 N. Newport Highway, (at Newport Hwy & Holland Rd  near the Northpoint Shopping Center,)  the other day. It's a nice store and they certainly have a great selection of ice cream!  

I asked it they have any diet ice cream.  The girl behind the counter told me that soon they would be getting a low calorie vanilla, but they didn't have it yet.  She also suggested the sorbets for a lower calorie option.   I was actually just kinda kidding about the low calorie ice cream as I eyes the ice cream cakes in the freezer case,  but I am glad that they have options.

At this place they mix your add-ins into your ice cream for you before they serve it to you and there are also a lot of add ins to choose from. One novelty of being here is that they will sing you a song if you leave them a tip!  I didn't get a song though.  It was quite busy and there was only one person working in the front..... maybe that is why?

So what did I get?  Oh man, you won;t believe it.  Yogurt... frozen yogurt. ( I think I am addicted.)

I ordered cinnamon flavored frozen yogurt, no topping.... small size.   What is wrong with me?   

Maybe on a birthday or special occasion, I will splurge.  Today was just a treat and it was a weekday.

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Five Guys Burgers and Fries

I recall being in another city and asking some kids where a good place for lunch would be.  They offered "Five Guys," however, we never made it there because we opted to est something besides burgers and fries.... the main items on the Five Guys menu.  Ever since we got a "Five Guys" in Spokane, I have been hoping to go and see what those kids were talking about, then finally, last week, a friend suggested we go there for lunch together.  So off we went, all six of us!  Five Guys Burgers and Fries has two locations in Spokane.  We went to the North side restaurant at 9502 N. Newport Hwy.

Not knowing what to expect, I was surprised.  First of all there were a lot of people there.  Second of all, you can get free peanuts to eat while you wait for your food, and in addition to the traditional burgers and fires, they sell hot dogs too.  It's a simple menu, mostly burgers and fries, but your burger is done up to order.   The french fries are cooked in peanut oil.  (This must be to make sure you don't go overboard on the cholesterol.)  You walk in, stand in line, then at the cash counter, you order your burger and toppings... fries if you like.

Then they cook it for you, and call your number when they are done.

Snacking on peanuts while we wait....

They have a state-of-the-art beverage dispensing machine where you can select just about anything you can dream of bevving... including water.  

This machine is great.  You simple select your drink by touching your choice on the screen, place your cup underneath in the porper position and press another button above your cup to dispense.  It's pretty amazing, really.

They serve up your burgers and fries in brown paper sack.... kinda makes you feel like your mom made your lunch or something.  Be warned.  The bags, covered with grease spots, are a tell-tale sign  that your food is not low calorie.

here is my sack.... kinda messy.  I did like the sturdy cup.

This is a burger without the bun... lettuce wrapped instead.

This is how you eat a bunless burg.

This is the traditional with a bun.

The fries are made from real potatoes, cut right there in the store. It's a rather sloppy presentation, but I think they guys really like it.. propbably all five of them voted that this would be the cool way to make and serve burgers to make a buck!  There is nothing "Namby-Pamby" about a greasy looking sack lunch!  I imagine that it's even better if you pick out your own toppings and the stuff in your sack tastes just the way you like it!

 I ordered my burger bunless.  They wrapped it up in lettuce leaves for me.   My friend ordered hers with a bun.  

I was informed that they will make you a "burger in a bowl" too if you like,  The burger in a bowl is another kind of bunless presentation, less messy I suppose than trying to eat a wrap, although mine stayed together pretty good.  In a bowl it would probably be easier to eat... as like a salad, but at that point for me, it would not be like esting a "burger."  I though a burger with lettuce tomatoes, onion, pickle...  etc... served in a bowl with a fork might be interesting to try.... but I went with the wrap..

So how was it?  It was fun to try this spot and eat with friends and it was yummy.  I like burgers every now and then.

The peanuts were a great treat for my friend who does not eat potatoes....and they were roasted nicely too.   Also there were not peanuts all over the floor like some places tend to do.   The music was too loud, but we complained about that.  They told us they would be more than happy to lower the volume when it is too loud for customers. That was nice.   And the food?  Well, we all enjoyed eating our burgers.  In fact, some of the ladies even talked about their burgers later, saying how good it was.

Kids like it!

Sometimes a good old fashioned hamburger, grease and all. one that is not selected from a made up menu, and does not cost you ten dollars, one with all your favorite condiments on it,  just hits the spot!