Ted’s Cafe Escondido
Posted on December 14, 2014 by Ching under Family, Life.
We had the opportunity to try a new restaurant a few weeks ago when we were in Oklahoma to deliver Brian’s old truck to his dad. We’d been looking to buy a new vehicle for a few years now and just hadn’t found the right one. Plus, we were saving money because we didn’t want to finance it. We paid for Crichton in cash in 2007 and we finished paying off Bebot in 2008. We didn’t want another car payment. However, we promised that we would give the truck to Brian’s dad once we got a new vehicle.
We finally found the exact car that we wanted to add to our family in October. We would have delivered the truck to Oklahoma sooner but we promised Jenni that Brian would help her move in early November so we couldn’t get rid of the truck just yet. Our opportunity came Thanksgiving weekend because neither of us had to work.
It was fitting too. Rather than participating in the consumerist juggernaut that is Black Friday, we used the day to drive to Brian’s parents’ home in Oklahoma and deliver the truck to them. We gave it to them for several reasons. Brian’s dad likes to do projects at home and in his workshop and had been looking for a truck to haul stuff to and from the store. They have a couple of four-door sedans that aren’t really conducive to hauling big, bulky items. We figured that he would get more use out of the truck than we would. We also wanted to get rid of the truck because Brian doesn’t really enjoy helping people move and he got tired of me volunteering him and his truck long ago.
It didn’t make sense to sell the truck or trade it in because we wouldn’t get what it was worth. Plus, Brian’s dad was looking for a truck and it didn’t make sense for him to buy one when we had a truck that we no longer needed. Giving them the truck was a great way to say thank you for everything they’d done for us over the years. And, how appropriate that it happened on Thanksgiving weekend.
But I digress… I really wanted to tell you about this restaurant that Brian’s parents took us to that day. The place is called Ted’s Cafe Escondido. We don’t have one here in Wichita, but it’s very similar to Abuelo’s. They have the same kind of tortilla chips that I like and the menu options are similar. Prices are comparable also. I guess the restaurant is more like Abuelo’s and Felipe’s together. You’ll see what I mean when you see the food pictures.
Brian had a bean and cheese burrito smothered in queso. This is what my unadventurous husband gets everywhere. Unless we’re splitting something. Then he is forced to eat what I’m having. LOL.
I had the pork chile verde and Brian wanted nothing to do with it.
Donna had the handmade tamales.
I can’t remember what kind of burrito David had because so much time has passed. I really should have blogged this weeks ago but we’ve been super busy.
The restaurant gives you a free sapodilla on request. It’s good but not as good as the mini, bite-sized sapodillas at Felipe’s Jr. You have to pay for those, though. One could argue that free is better. LOL.
Of the places we’ve tried in the area, which is not many because we’ve only been down there a couple of times since they moved, this one is my favorite. That doesn’t say much, I suppose. Check back in a few months.
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Meddys
Posted on December 7, 2014 by Ching under Reviews.
Meddys opened a few months ago at the old Jimmy’s Egg location on Harry and Rock Road. However, we didn’t learn about it until after Lights on the Lake. We were super impressed with food at the event that we had to track down the caterer. That’s how we found out about Meddys.
We try not to eat out too often but we’ve been really lazy about cooking at home the last few months and it’s hard to resist a good hummus. LOL. Plus, it’s located in our section of town so we couldn’t not check it out.
Here are some pictures of the restaurant:
What I like most about Meddys is the simplicity of their menu.
You don’t have to spend a half an hour trying to decide what to have. Also, the sides are all $1.99 which beats any super value menu at any fast food restaurant.
Brian got the creamy tomato soup, which he had a chance to try and liked at the fundraising event.
He also got a chicken shawarma wrap and a side of shoe string fries.
I love skinny fries so they already got me. Brian prefers the fat, steak fries.
For dinner I had the beef shawarma bowl. I had to fish out the onions, which I don’t like, but it was great other than that. I’m not really that hard to please. You give me some meat and some rice, and I’m good to go.
Brian, on the other hand, wasn’t easily impressed. He felt that the quality of the food fell short of the restaurant’s promise. I would have to agree with Brian. Meddys is great but, if you have the opportunity to try their catering, it is way better. I wonder if different cooks prepare the catering food than the ones that cook at the restaurant on a regular basis. I still think it’s good either way, but Brian was really disappointed because he expected the food to be just as good (if not better) than the food at Lights on the Lake.
For me, if you have good food and good prices, you’re already winning. For instance, a couple of people can share the $1.99 hummus and call it good. They give you lots of pita. More than enough to share. Maybe that’s just me because I find hummus really filling.
If you want something more substantial, you can get the shawarma and hummus plate for $7.99. It’s enough to feed two hungry people. Where else can you eat well for that cheap (without resorting to ordering from a super value menu)? Nowhere.
Thank you, Meddys, for giving me another reason not to cook.
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Thanksgiving 2014
Posted on December 5, 2014 by Ching under Events, Family.
My coworkers take Thanksgiving very seriously. Our lounge area and break room were totally decked out last month for Harvest Feast.
Our coworkers who organized Harvest Feast really outdid themselves this year. They even got matching aprons. How cool is that?
We all chipped in $5 for the meats but Brian didn’t want me to show up to work empty handed so he made me the banana pudding dessert thing that we love so I would have something to bring to the potluck.
It was a huge hit. How could it not be? This thing is like crack. Anyway, if you’d like the recipe or if you’d like to see all the other variations we’ve made in the past go here.
We hosted Thanksgiving again this year so I decided that I probably ought to decorate. We found this beautiful wreath at the store that matched our Christmas tree on the main floor, which is natural and woodsy, so we had to get it. It looks great, don’t you think?
This is the Christmas tree in the basement.
We didn’t decorate too much but we put up enough decorations to be somewhat festive.
We like personalized things. Can you tell?
I liked these napkins and placemats not only because they’re personalized with our last name initial but mainly because they’re neutral and match the rest of our decor.
We brought out our wine glasses for mimosas so I finally had the opportunity to use my festive wine charms.
This was Molly’s first Thanksgiving back with us.
Molly and grandma kept each other company as we reheated the food that was carefully prepared by the Fresh Market.
We had a great time celebrating with family.
Here are some pictures of the food we enjoyed at Thanksgiving.
We were wise this year and created a project plan for when things needed to go in the oven. It worked out perfect. Everything finished right on schedule.
The food was delicious and we had way more food than we needed. I’m thinking either we order less food or invite more people to our little Thanksgiving shindig next time.
Jenni’s birthday was the day before Thanksgiving so we celebrated with her.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Until next year!
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Homework Night with My Little Sister
Posted on November 23, 2014 by Ching under Life.
I know my little sister loves it when we go on outings to the zoo, amusement park, museum, skating, painting, etc. but my favorite activity with her by far is homework night. I enjoy taking her on fun outings, but I really enjoying helping her with homework.
She was a little impatient on Wednesday night because there was more homework than usual and the assigned work, specially the math portion, was more challenging. She wanted to stop before we were finished, but I managed to get her to complete all of it.
I think next time I may need to add a short break in there to make up for Kira’s shorter attention span. I’m learning so much from this process.
I snapped these photos on Wednesday night. I couldn’t resist. The sight was very Norman Rockwell and the Saturday Evening Post
Homework nights are nights that I look forward to with eager anticipation.
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Lights on the Lake 2014
Posted on November 18, 2014 by Ching under Events.
It’s been a few years since we’ve attended a Lights on the Lake launch party. The last Lights on the Lake launch party we attended was at Abode back in 2011. The event has gotten so much bigger since then. Last year and this year it was held at Murfin Stables, an amazing venue.
They really upped the ante this year with the upgraded dress code (cocktail attire was recommended) and lavish decorations. Check out these photos.
The opulent table setting made me feel very fancy.
We were assigned to table 22, Brian’s favorite number.
Meddys catered the event.
Here’s what was on the menu. The hors d’oeuvres consisted of creamy tomato soup, vegetarian lentil soup, baked pita, hummus, and fresh vegetables.
There were people walking around with trays of hummus and soup until dinner.
Salads and desserts were already at the tables but dinner was served buffet style. The salad was a delicious Mediterranean salad with salmon. It was very good.
For dinner we had chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, rice, and roasted vegetables.
Savories provided dessert. We had a couple of options: brownie bottom cheesecake and cherry cheesecake. Yummy!
There was a silent auction, my favorite thing to check out and do at these events. I didn’t win any of the items I bid on this time, though.
There was also a live auction. That’s something that I generally don’t participate it because I don’t have as much money at my disposal as other event guests. Live auction items usually go for thousands of dollars.
At this event, however, there were a couple of things that went for just $900 so that was a pretty good deal. One of the most successful auction items was this black goldendoodle puppy that went for $3500.
She’s going to be one spoiled puppy!
There was also a wine pull and signature cocktails for sale for people like me who weren’t keen on the drink selections at the open bar. For $30 I got a signature drink with a commemorative champagne flute and $5 refills.
Brian and I got to play with the TapSnap photo booth.
We took a group photo of our table also.
Brian and I had such a great time. Brian will say he still prefers Brew Ha-Ha but, overall, Lights on the Lake is a really enjoyable fundraising event. It also benefits a great cause – Heartspring Pediatric Services. I highly encourage you all to support the organization and participate in the event next year.
Also, remember to check out Lights on the Lake this year. It’s one of the most amazing Christmas light displays in here in Wichita.
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