#1 posting 7.18.2008
a periodic dose of life in the fast food lane
SHORELINE: Battle Lake
Now for something completely different.
Today I was out with my parents in Battle Lake, MN (two and a half hours away). We were there to meet relatives to go over some geneaology and family history. One of the branches of my ancetors started their American experience south of Battle Lake. There were nine in our group and after a look at some paperwork we went to the Shoreline Restaurant and Lanes. There were two distinct restaurants, with the bowling and pizza off to the right, and the restaurant off to the left. The restaurant also had two distinct areas, with a counter and a smaller seating area. We were shuffled to the back with our larger group. I had the California Burger. I guess I was expecting some cheese on the burger, but that wasn't part of the equation. After the lunch we met a older local relative and then visited the graves of the original immigrants.
Place: Shoreline Restaurant & Lanes, 505 N Lake Ave, Battle Lake, MN 56515
Date: Friday, July 18, 2008
Meal: Lunch
Order: California Burger, with fries and a Diet Coke
Total Cost: around $7.50
Method: sit down
Time Entered restaurant: 12:38 pm
Order Time Finished: 11:21
Wait for Food: 22:18
Pay: 21:05
Total Elapsed Time: 54:44
I am sure the fact that there were nine in the party made the food delivery time slower (and the order time). My parents took the bill.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
A&W: Brooklyn Center
#1 posting 7.16.2008
a periodic look at life in the fast food lane
A & W: Brooklyn Center
Today I was out doing a few errands and grabbed a bite at A&W near Brookdale shopping mall. A&W shares the building with KFC. There was some confusion when I ordered since both menus share the same board. "A1" is the A&W menu. They started asking if I wanted spicy or original. The longest period of time was spent at the order mike.
I went with the burger even though hot dogs are the featured item at A&W (or is it the Root Beer?)
Place: A&W, 5430 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
date July 16, 2008
Meal: lunch
Order: #A1 (Papa Burger Combo) Medium Fries and Medium Diet Root Beer
Total Cost: $5.55
Method: drive through
Time Entered Line: 1:04 pm
Order Time Finished: 0:55
Pay: 0:40
Wait for Food: 0:39
Total Elapsed Time: 2:14
I wanted the root beer, but two things
#1 it needs to be in the famous frosty mug, not the plain ordinary paper cup.
#2 the best root beer has NO ice. Somehow the kick is gone with the abundance of ice.
I ate the meal by Barnes & Noble. As I was dining a panhandler came by asking for money as I was testing my blood. I guess that shows how the neighborhood has deteriorated.
a periodic look at life in the fast food lane
A & W: Brooklyn Center
Today I was out doing a few errands and grabbed a bite at A&W near Brookdale shopping mall. A&W shares the building with KFC. There was some confusion when I ordered since both menus share the same board. "A1" is the A&W menu. They started asking if I wanted spicy or original. The longest period of time was spent at the order mike.
I went with the burger even though hot dogs are the featured item at A&W (or is it the Root Beer?)
Place: A&W, 5430 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
date July 16, 2008
Meal: lunch
Order: #A1 (Papa Burger Combo) Medium Fries and Medium Diet Root Beer
Total Cost: $5.55
Method: drive through
Time Entered Line: 1:04 pm
Order Time Finished: 0:55
Pay: 0:40
Wait for Food: 0:39
Total Elapsed Time: 2:14
I wanted the root beer, but two things
#1 it needs to be in the famous frosty mug, not the plain ordinary paper cup.
#2 the best root beer has NO ice. Somehow the kick is gone with the abundance of ice.
I ate the meal by Barnes & Noble. As I was dining a panhandler came by asking for money as I was testing my blood. I guess that shows how the neighborhood has deteriorated.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Wendy's: Menomonie
#1 posting 7.14.2008
a periodic look at life in the fast food lane
WENDY'S: Menomonie
I traveled to Menomonie for the Great Lakes Shootout. Before the action on the court tipped off I grabbed a burger at Wendy's. This marks the third Wendy's in the last week. This Wendy's met the requirement of being on the right side of the road after leaving the interstate.
Place: Wendy's, 1627 North Broadway, Menomonie, WI 54751
Date: Sunday, July 13, 2008
Meal: Lunch
Order: #2 (as usual)
Total Cost: $6.21
Method: drive through
Time Entered Line: 11:55 am
Order Time Finished: 0:31
Pay: 0:41
Wait for Food: 0:41
Total Elapsed Time: 1:51
Again Sunday lunch rush is surprisingly fast. This may be because it is further away from the UW Stout campus. Last time I was in Menomonie the Dairy Queen across UWS was slow, but it also was a supper rush.
Not only was this Wendy's fast, but the staff at the pay window and food window was very cheerful, more so than usual restaurants.
a periodic look at life in the fast food lane
WENDY'S: Menomonie
I traveled to Menomonie for the Great Lakes Shootout. Before the action on the court tipped off I grabbed a burger at Wendy's. This marks the third Wendy's in the last week. This Wendy's met the requirement of being on the right side of the road after leaving the interstate.
Place: Wendy's, 1627 North Broadway, Menomonie, WI 54751
Date: Sunday, July 13, 2008
Meal: Lunch
Order: #2 (as usual)
Total Cost: $6.21
Method: drive through
Time Entered Line: 11:55 am
Order Time Finished: 0:31
Pay: 0:41
Wait for Food: 0:41
Total Elapsed Time: 1:51
Again Sunday lunch rush is surprisingly fast. This may be because it is further away from the UW Stout campus. Last time I was in Menomonie the Dairy Queen across UWS was slow, but it also was a supper rush.
Not only was this Wendy's fast, but the staff at the pay window and food window was very cheerful, more so than usual restaurants.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Catching Up
#1 posting 7.11.2008
a periodic look at life in the fast food lane
CATCHING UP
Here are my most recent culinary experiences in the drive through lane. I know my one fan is eager to find out my gastronomic feasts. It has been awhile due to timing issues, and more importantly, my main computer is on the fritz and disobedient.
On Tuesday I went down to Rochester to watch the AAU 12u national tournament. The game started at noon, so I ate after the game on the way back to the metro.
TUESDAY
ARBY'S
Place: 2130 37th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Meal: Lunch
Order: Beef n' Cheddar, medium Curly Fries, Medium Diet Pepsi
Total cost: $5.98
Method: Drive through
Time entered line: 1:43 pm
order time finished: 0:27
pay: 0:25
Wait for food: 0:35
Total Elapsed Time: 1:27
pretty fast, but by the time I went through the lunch rush was over.
Next stop was the Lakeville North Summer League. After the semifinal round I went through the drive through at Wendy's
WENDY'S
Place: 17610 Kendrick Ave, Lakeville, MN 55044
Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Meal: Supper
Order: #2 (1/2 pound double burger with cheese, small fries, and a Diet Coke)
Total cost: $6.29
Method: drive through
Time entered line: 6:56 pm
order time finished: 1:57
pay: 0:54
Wait for food: 2:32
Total Elapsed Time: 5:23
Not exactly the speed I was looking for. Part of the problem was a multiple order from the car in front which always slows things down.
WEDNESDAY
It was off to St. Cloud for the Top 100 Expo camp going on there. During the break between morning and afternoon sessions I dined with a college coach (name hidden to protect their identity). We decided on Grizzly's Grill N' Saloon in St. Cloud because they had the Twins on TV. There is a Grizzly's in Apple Valley which is the closest metro location. There are 14 total.
GRIZZLY'S GRILL N' SALOON
Place: Crossroads Center, 4201 W Division St #73, St. Cloud, MN 56301
Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Meal: Lunch
Order: Fajita Burger with onion rings and a Diet Coke
Total cost: $12.39
Method: dine in
Time entered: 12:03 pm
order time finished: 9:48
food arrived: 14:35
pay: 28:37
Total Elapsed Time: 53:00
Grizzly's is a chain of restaurants in the upper midwest. They have the old antique signs, paraphernalia and decor like most sit down places. Chelsea was our server and was very pleasant.
THURSDAY
Again it was back to St. Cloud for the Top 100 Expo camp. This time during the break I was flying solo. It was another Wendy's this time. It was raining and I didn't feel like waiting in the line of cars in the drive through, so I went for take out. After getting the food, I moved the car away from the door (to much car traffic) and ate in the car and read the paper until the next session.
WENDY'S
Place: 395 2nd St S, Waite Park, MN 56387
Date: July 10, 2008
Meal: lunch
Order: The #2 again (see above)
Total cost: $6.30
Method: take out
Time entered line: 12:10 pm
order time finished: 3:23
pay: simultaneous
Wait for food: 0:36
Total Elapsed Time: 3:59
There were at least three orders ahead of me slowing down the order time.
a periodic look at life in the fast food lane
CATCHING UP
Here are my most recent culinary experiences in the drive through lane. I know my one fan is eager to find out my gastronomic feasts. It has been awhile due to timing issues, and more importantly, my main computer is on the fritz and disobedient.
On Tuesday I went down to Rochester to watch the AAU 12u national tournament. The game started at noon, so I ate after the game on the way back to the metro.
TUESDAY
ARBY'S
Place: 2130 37th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Meal: Lunch
Order: Beef n' Cheddar, medium Curly Fries, Medium Diet Pepsi
Total cost: $5.98
Method: Drive through
Time entered line: 1:43 pm
order time finished: 0:27
pay: 0:25
Wait for food: 0:35
Total Elapsed Time: 1:27
pretty fast, but by the time I went through the lunch rush was over.
Next stop was the Lakeville North Summer League. After the semifinal round I went through the drive through at Wendy's
WENDY'S
Place: 17610 Kendrick Ave, Lakeville, MN 55044
Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Meal: Supper
Order: #2 (1/2 pound double burger with cheese, small fries, and a Diet Coke)
Total cost: $6.29
Method: drive through
Time entered line: 6:56 pm
order time finished: 1:57
pay: 0:54
Wait for food: 2:32
Total Elapsed Time: 5:23
Not exactly the speed I was looking for. Part of the problem was a multiple order from the car in front which always slows things down.
WEDNESDAY
It was off to St. Cloud for the Top 100 Expo camp going on there. During the break between morning and afternoon sessions I dined with a college coach (name hidden to protect their identity). We decided on Grizzly's Grill N' Saloon in St. Cloud because they had the Twins on TV. There is a Grizzly's in Apple Valley which is the closest metro location. There are 14 total.
GRIZZLY'S GRILL N' SALOON
Place: Crossroads Center, 4201 W Division St #73, St. Cloud, MN 56301
Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Meal: Lunch
Order: Fajita Burger with onion rings and a Diet Coke
Total cost: $12.39
Method: dine in
Time entered: 12:03 pm
order time finished: 9:48
food arrived: 14:35
pay: 28:37
Total Elapsed Time: 53:00
Grizzly's is a chain of restaurants in the upper midwest. They have the old antique signs, paraphernalia and decor like most sit down places. Chelsea was our server and was very pleasant.
THURSDAY
Again it was back to St. Cloud for the Top 100 Expo camp. This time during the break I was flying solo. It was another Wendy's this time. It was raining and I didn't feel like waiting in the line of cars in the drive through, so I went for take out. After getting the food, I moved the car away from the door (to much car traffic) and ate in the car and read the paper until the next session.
WENDY'S
Place: 395 2nd St S, Waite Park, MN 56387
Date: July 10, 2008
Meal: lunch
Order: The #2 again (see above)
Total cost: $6.30
Method: take out
Time entered line: 12:10 pm
order time finished: 3:23
pay: simultaneous
Wait for food: 0:36
Total Elapsed Time: 3:59
There were at least three orders ahead of me slowing down the order time.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Quizno's: Lakeville
#1 posting 7.2.2008
a periodic look at life in the fast food lane
QUIZNO'S: Lakeville
Last night I ate after the Lakeville Summer League at Quizno's. This Quizno's is in a recent strip mall. When I got to Quizno's there was no one in the store except the counter folks.
For those not familiar with Quizno's, their sandwich thing is "toasty" subs. So you order, they build it and then put it on a conveyor belt through the heating oven. After the toasting they add the finishing touches.
I didn't eat the sandwich on the road, but devoured it in the parking lot.
QUIZNO'S
Place: 18440 Kenrick Ave Lakeville MN 55044
Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Meal: supper
Order: Small Classic Italian (on wheat), with Cool Ranch Doritos, and small Diet Pepsi
Total cost: $6.79
Method: take out
Time entered line: 8:14 pm
order time finished/pay: 2:05
Wait for food: 1:28
Total Elapsed Time: 3:33
a periodic look at life in the fast food lane
QUIZNO'S: Lakeville
Last night I ate after the Lakeville Summer League at Quizno's. This Quizno's is in a recent strip mall. When I got to Quizno's there was no one in the store except the counter folks.
For those not familiar with Quizno's, their sandwich thing is "toasty" subs. So you order, they build it and then put it on a conveyor belt through the heating oven. After the toasting they add the finishing touches.
I didn't eat the sandwich on the road, but devoured it in the parking lot.
QUIZNO'S
Place: 18440 Kenrick Ave Lakeville MN 55044
Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Meal: supper
Order: Small Classic Italian (on wheat), with Cool Ranch Doritos, and small Diet Pepsi
Total cost: $6.79
Method: take out
Time entered line: 8:14 pm
order time finished/pay: 2:05
Wait for food: 1:28
Total Elapsed Time: 3:33
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Sioux Falls Trip
#1 posting 6.29.2008
a periodic look at life in the fast food lane
I traveled to Sioux Falls and back on Friday through Sunday. So here we go with a extended trip chronicle.
FRIDAY
Since I left right at breakfast time Burger King was the first stop:
BURGER KING
Place: Burger King, 8501 Xylon Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
Date: Friday, June 27, 2008
Meal: breakfast
Order: #1 Croissant Sausage, Egg Cheese meal with small hashbrown and orange juice.
Total cost: $4.24
Method: drive through
Time entered line: 7:00 am
order time finished: 0:09
Wait to pay: 1:08
Wait for food: 0:01
Total elapsed time: 1:17
extremely fast.
SUBWAY
Place: Subway, 3101 W 41st St, Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Date: Friday, June 27, 2008
Meal: lunch*
Order: cold cut 6 inch
Total cost: $3.20
Method: take out
Time entered line: 11:32 am
order time finished: 2:39
Wait to pay: 0:09
Wait for food: 0:01
Total elapsed time: 2:49
this was for supper since I was going to be locked in for nine straight games and I wanted a little more than the hot dogs involved.
BURGER KING
Place: Burger King, 2509 W 41st St., Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Date: Friday, June 27, 2008
Meal: lunch
Order: Value meal #3 Double cheeseburger, medium fries, Diet Coke
Total cost: $4.14
Method: drive through
Time entered line: 11:39 am
order time finished: 1:19
Wait to pay: 1:28
Wait for food: 0:01
Total elapsed time: 2:48
SATURDAY
With breakfast provided by the hotel I only needed two meals
SONIC
Place: Sonic Drive In, 3810 W 34th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Date: Saturday, June 28, 2008
Meal: Lunch
Order: SSCB Deal, onion rings, and a diet Dr. Pepper.
Total cost: $6.51
Method: Drive in
Time entered line: 2:12 pm
order time finished: 0:57
Wait to pay: right away
Wait for food: 6:20
Total elapsed time: 7:17
This was back to the future with the 50s themed Sonic Drive in. It is similar to the old A&W pull style. There are a few differences or modern improvements. First you call in the order with the flick of a switch. Second you pay with a credit card like at a gas station. The waitress comes to the car, but there was no tray that hangs on the car window as in the past. Instead you get your meal in a bag.
Sioux Falls has two Sonics, Minnesota has one.
MC DONALD'S
Place: McDonald's, 3200 South Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Date: Saturday, June 28, 2008
Meal: supper
Order: #3 Quarterpounder with cheese meal, Diet Coke
Total cost: $5:03
Method: take out
Time entered line: 7:52 pm
order time finished: 0:30
Wait to pay: 0:01
Wait for food: 1:16
Total elapsed time: 1:47
fast for a Saturday. I avoided the 8 car line and went in to order. No one was in front and as you can see it was quick and painless. I may have been in the drive through line still.
SUNDAY
WENDY'S
Place: Wendy's, 303 11th Ave S, Hopkins, MN 55343
Date: Sunday, June 29, 2008
Meal: lunch
Order: #2 Double Cheeseburger meal. Diet Coke
Total cost: $6.07
Method: drive through
Time entered line: 1:27
order time finished: 0:20
Wait to pay: 0:38
Wait for food: 1:16
Total elapsed time: 2:14
Obviously this trip was heavy on burgers
a periodic look at life in the fast food lane
I traveled to Sioux Falls and back on Friday through Sunday. So here we go with a extended trip chronicle.
FRIDAY
Since I left right at breakfast time Burger King was the first stop:
BURGER KING
Place: Burger King, 8501 Xylon Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
Date: Friday, June 27, 2008
Meal: breakfast
Order: #1 Croissant Sausage, Egg Cheese meal with small hashbrown and orange juice.
Total cost: $4.24
Method: drive through
Time entered line: 7:00 am
order time finished: 0:09
Wait to pay: 1:08
Wait for food: 0:01
Total elapsed time: 1:17
extremely fast.
SUBWAY
Place: Subway, 3101 W 41st St, Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Date: Friday, June 27, 2008
Meal: lunch*
Order: cold cut 6 inch
Total cost: $3.20
Method: take out
Time entered line: 11:32 am
order time finished: 2:39
Wait to pay: 0:09
Wait for food: 0:01
Total elapsed time: 2:49
this was for supper since I was going to be locked in for nine straight games and I wanted a little more than the hot dogs involved.
BURGER KING
Place: Burger King, 2509 W 41st St., Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Date: Friday, June 27, 2008
Meal: lunch
Order: Value meal #3 Double cheeseburger, medium fries, Diet Coke
Total cost: $4.14
Method: drive through
Time entered line: 11:39 am
order time finished: 1:19
Wait to pay: 1:28
Wait for food: 0:01
Total elapsed time: 2:48
SATURDAY
With breakfast provided by the hotel I only needed two meals
SONIC
Place: Sonic Drive In, 3810 W 34th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Date: Saturday, June 28, 2008
Meal: Lunch
Order: SSCB Deal, onion rings, and a diet Dr. Pepper.
Total cost: $6.51
Method: Drive in
Time entered line: 2:12 pm
order time finished: 0:57
Wait to pay: right away
Wait for food: 6:20
Total elapsed time: 7:17
This was back to the future with the 50s themed Sonic Drive in. It is similar to the old A&W pull style. There are a few differences or modern improvements. First you call in the order with the flick of a switch. Second you pay with a credit card like at a gas station. The waitress comes to the car, but there was no tray that hangs on the car window as in the past. Instead you get your meal in a bag.
Sioux Falls has two Sonics, Minnesota has one.
MC DONALD'S
Place: McDonald's, 3200 South Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Date: Saturday, June 28, 2008
Meal: supper
Order: #3 Quarterpounder with cheese meal, Diet Coke
Total cost: $5:03
Method: take out
Time entered line: 7:52 pm
order time finished: 0:30
Wait to pay: 0:01
Wait for food: 1:16
Total elapsed time: 1:47
fast for a Saturday. I avoided the 8 car line and went in to order. No one was in front and as you can see it was quick and painless. I may have been in the drive through line still.
SUNDAY
WENDY'S
Place: Wendy's, 303 11th Ave S, Hopkins, MN 55343
Date: Sunday, June 29, 2008
Meal: lunch
Order: #2 Double Cheeseburger meal. Diet Coke
Total cost: $6.07
Method: drive through
Time entered line: 1:27
order time finished: 0:20
Wait to pay: 0:38
Wait for food: 1:16
Total elapsed time: 2:14
Obviously this trip was heavy on burgers
Monday, June 23, 2008
Ames: McDonald's, and B-Bop's
#1 posting 6.23.2008
a periodic look at life in the fast food lane
AMES TWO-FER
Yesterday I was down in Ames, Iowa for the All Iowa Attack girls basketball tournament and stopped by McDonald's for lunch and B-Bop's for supper. B-Bop's is an Iowa hamburger drive in type that harkens back to the 50's. There are only seven B-Bop's around and all are in Iowa.
This McDonald's was a bit slow in the lunch experience. We went with the take out method and there were problems with orders to our right where a store manager had to come and sort things out. Nothing was wrong with my order. It just took longer than normal because of the people in front were slow.
B-Bop's served up large drinks compared to McD's, and their fries were hot, but probably thinner, and had the deep fried feel.
Joining me on the excursion to Ames was Tony Geer and Stephen Froemming.
MC DONALD'S
Place: McDonald's, 534 South Duff, Ames, IA 50010
Date: Sunday, June 22, 2008
Meal: lunch
Order: #3 1/4 lb double with cheese meal and a Diet Coke
Total cost: $5.10
Method: take out
Time entered line: 2:07 pm
order time finished: 3:30
Wait to pay: 0:09
Wait for food: 3:28
Total elapsed time: 7:07
B-BOP'S
Place: B-Bop's, 1112 S Duff, Ames, Iowa 50010
Date: Sunday, June 22, 2008
Meal: supper
Order: #1 Single Cheeseburger meal with a diet coke
Total cost: $3.93
Method: drive through
Time entered line: 6:33 pm
order time finished: 1:00
Wait to pay: 1:10
Wait for food: 2:06
Total elapsed time: 4:16
After the order usually at other drive throughs we are told to pull forward. Not so here at B-Bop's.
a periodic look at life in the fast food lane
AMES TWO-FER
Yesterday I was down in Ames, Iowa for the All Iowa Attack girls basketball tournament and stopped by McDonald's for lunch and B-Bop's for supper. B-Bop's is an Iowa hamburger drive in type that harkens back to the 50's. There are only seven B-Bop's around and all are in Iowa.
This McDonald's was a bit slow in the lunch experience. We went with the take out method and there were problems with orders to our right where a store manager had to come and sort things out. Nothing was wrong with my order. It just took longer than normal because of the people in front were slow.
B-Bop's served up large drinks compared to McD's, and their fries were hot, but probably thinner, and had the deep fried feel.
Joining me on the excursion to Ames was Tony Geer and Stephen Froemming.
MC DONALD'S
Place: McDonald's, 534 South Duff, Ames, IA 50010
Date: Sunday, June 22, 2008
Meal: lunch
Order: #3 1/4 lb double with cheese meal and a Diet Coke
Total cost: $5.10
Method: take out
Time entered line: 2:07 pm
order time finished: 3:30
Wait to pay: 0:09
Wait for food: 3:28
Total elapsed time: 7:07
B-BOP'S
Place: B-Bop's, 1112 S Duff, Ames, Iowa 50010
Date: Sunday, June 22, 2008
Meal: supper
Order: #1 Single Cheeseburger meal with a diet coke
Total cost: $3.93
Method: drive through
Time entered line: 6:33 pm
order time finished: 1:00
Wait to pay: 1:10
Wait for food: 2:06
Total elapsed time: 4:16
After the order usually at other drive throughs we are told to pull forward. Not so here at B-Bop's.
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