Food Place: Tokoro

You all know that fear when trying out a new sushi joint.  It could be the best sushi you've ever had, or it could be the absolute worst sushi you've ever had.  If you walk inside the restaurant and see the sushi being served via conveyor belt, turn around, head outside, find some dog shit and eat it.  It'll taste better and it's free.

So that's what the wife and I were feeling last night when we tried out a new sushi spot in South Pasadena called Tokoro (Japanese for "The Place").  

Within seconds of sitting down at the table there was a plate of edamame placed on the table.  I can't tell you how powerful such a small gesture was.  At our go-to sushi joint, we're forced to order edamame (because they don't give that shit away for free.  It's not like beans grow on trees), and more often then not, they serve the edamame after we've finished our meal.  By the time it comes, the wife and I are kind of like, "what's the point"?

I had a rainbow roll, the wife had something called a Dirty Girl, or Wild Girl, something like that, and we split a hot night roll.  All in all, not too friggin' shabby.

And no digestive system issues today, so I know their shit was pure.

Side note: Beer and Sake are buy one, get one for a penny all day long Monday-Thursday.

My ranking: 7.9 out of 10.
Pricing: $$$

Jersey Mike's

I had never heard of Jersey Mike's before I moved to California.  The logical conclusion was that it originated in New Jersey, but I made a point of avoiding the garden state during my time on the east coast. 

According to their website, they have locations peppered throughout the nation, with 118 locations in the State of California alone.

In terms of sub shop chains, I rank Jersey Mike's above Subway, Quizno's, Togo's, you name it.

My wife and I used them to cater my son's birthday party and everyone ate their asses off.  $50 for a box of subs that fed 10-12 people.  We got four boxes.

You truly get to "eat fresh" at Jersey Mike's, as they have a deli slicer and they actually slice the meat and cheese right before your eyes, rather than let your meat sit pre-sliced on a counter all day long.  They make a mean fucking cheesesteak too.

 

Give it a try and I guarantee you won't be disappointed. 

How much do I dig Jersey Mike's?  The location down the street from our apartment was the deciding factor when my wife and I were apartment hunting.