Christmas may be over but I'm guessing your trips to Southridge are not, what with post-holiday sales and the exchanging or returning of ill-conceived gifts.
(A kitchen gadget-themed tie? Of course, I love it!)
If you find yourself out that way around lunch or dinner time, you can check out two newish restaurants that have joined the multitude of dining options already clustered around the mega-shopping centers there: fast-casual Mexican chain Chipotle and Zippy's Hot Dogs & Ice Cream.
nnn
It's funny how things change over time. I'll never forget my first Chipotle experience some 10 years ago. It seemed pretty life-changing then, a fact that seems pretty hysterical now.
I was traveling with friends in Washington, D.C., when our quest for a nice lunch spot led us to Chipotle. I'd never been to one, but based on the excited gasps by all others in the group, I was clearly missing out. They insisted it was amazing, so much better than any Mexi-food we had back home.
Wouldn't have taken much, though, since those were the days before Mi Cucina, Las Trancas, Qdoba, Moe's - shoot, even Mexican Shoney's. It was pretty much Rio Grande or Taco Bell, so I was excited to stretch my culinary horizons.
I loved it as much as they said I would. Not only did I enjoy a massive burrito (with toppings I picked out myself, gasp!) but the cilantro rice that came with it was revolutionary back in the days before practically every restaurant has been influenced by today's ever-present "foodie" culture.
I've long wanted a Chipotle in Charleston in a big way, so I was thrilled to finally hear the news that one was coming to Southridge. It's across from Panera and next to the long-shuttered (but now being renovated into something, stay tuned!) Texas Steakhouse. I made my way there as soon as it opened and went back a couple more times in the weeks that followed.
Eh, it's OK.
Crowds have been plentiful and no doubt some of you will become disciples, but it just didn't blow me away like before.
The place looks cool and the concept is simple. You walk up to the counter, place your order and direct what toppings and fillings you'd like. You can get burritos, bowls and crunchy or soft tacos filled with grilled steak, chicken, pork carnitas, beef barbacoa or sofritas. To any creation you can add black or pinto beans, white or brown cilantro rice, grilled veggies, lettuce, guacamole, cheese, sour cream and one of four different salsas.
The chicken and barbacoa were both nice, but the sofritas (a blend of shredded tofu with roasted poblanos, chipotles and spices) surprisingly beat them both. I love good carnitas, so I'll sample that selection if I stop in again.
The grub's not bad and I'm sure the food-borne illness outbreaks Chipotle has suffered in the West and Northeast (yikes) are all under control now. Kudos for their adult beverage offerings of beer and margaritas as well.
But given the choice now, I'd pick Qdoba over Chipotle any day I need a Southwest fast-food fix.
IF YOU GO: Chipotle at 2811 Mountaineer Blvd., at Southridge is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For more information, call 304-744-9879 or visit www.chipotle.com.
nnn
I was actually more impressed with a scrappy little hot dog joint across the Corridor: Zippy's Hot Dogs & Ice Cream (on the short road linking Dudley Farms and Trace Fork, across from Ryan's and Holiday Inn Express).
It is pretty much as small a restaurant as you can get. There are only two or three tiny tables inside - plus another two or three more on a patio outside - and the menu offers a simple selection of regional hot dogs, a couple sides, drinks and dessert. But the place delivers good dogs, more often than not.
I'll admit I did my fair share of eye-rolling when I drove by it the first time. More fast-food in the Valley, really?
On second thought, though, I realized we really don't have many hot dog-centric spots around town. So I pulled in to give it a whirl. (There's also a drive-thru for ordering on the go.)
My regional hot dog tasting tour included a tasty New York dog with sauerkraut and brown mustard, a classic Coney with good chili, mustard and onions, plus a giant Chicago dog loaded with tomatoes, peppers, onions, relish, mustard and celery salt on a poppy seed bun.
The West Virginia dog on a grilled, split-top English bun was nice and the bratwurst with yellow mustard and onions was decent. Other dogs include chili-cheese, jalapeño, jumbo or all-American, with your freedom of toppings. (Get it?) Corn dogs and "beanies & weenies" round out the menu.
Dogs can be topped with a host of condiments and paired with onion rings (a little too soggy), fries (a lot too soggy) or chili-cheese fries. Hard ice cream, soft serve, milkshakes and flavored sodas are offered too.
Food is prepared fresh when ordered and service has been friendly so far, making Zippy's a nice alternative to typical fast-food burger joints.
IF YOU GO: Zippy's Hot Dogs & Ice Cream at 92 RHL Blvd. at Southridge is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday. For more information, look up "Zippy Hotdogs and Ice Cream" on Facebook.
nnn
Last week's review of the "new" Blossom spawned a ton of reader comments, most of them sharing cautiously optimistic assessments pretty much matching my own.
n "I went to Blossom for the first time today. We didn't go in expecting the old Blossom Deli, but just open for something new," said Beth Trethewey. "We actually really enjoyed it. We travel lots and eat out at small diners and cafés when in large cities. The kids left saying they felt like they were in a diner in NYC. They loved it! Food, service and atmosphere were delightful and I hope they succeed. Cheers to the new owners that have big shoes to fill and are doing a fabulous job!"
n "Was at Blossom yesterday," wrote Brad White. "Great service. Bisque is hearty and salad was robust. Miss the booths, though. Don't understand that move, but for more space?" (Several folks are missing the old booths, by the way.)
n "I agree with this assessment of the new Blossom," said former Secretary of State Betty Ireland. "Still a ways to go, but we'll keep going back. Definitely needs a few tweaks to the menu. Definitely want them to make it."
n "Your review is accurate," added Missy Menefee. "Fortunately, I've only had the delicious brisket, and it was superb."
n "I really hope they succeed," said JoEllen Zacks. "The place looks great and the staff is friendly, but the food needs work."
n "You nailed it," reported John Casto. "What were they thinking when they printed those (hard-to-read) menus?"
In honor of last week's review, the day it ran I decided to stop by Soho's for lunch to channel my late friend, Chef Bill Sohovich, who ran Blossom during its glory days.
One, the grilled steak salad with a glass (OK, two) of Italian red was fantastic! Two, as I was sitting there a waitress came running into the bar and asked another waitress, "Oh my god, where is today's paper? Some guy wrote a review of Blossom and I can't wait to read it!" The other waitress said, "Yeah, and there's the guy who wrote it," pointing at me.
So much for my quiet lunch, but I had a great time talking to the staff and remembering our friend Bill.
Steven Keith writes a weekly food column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail. He can be reached at 304-380-6096 or by e-mail at dailymailfoodguy@aol.com. You can also follow him on Facebook and Pinterest as "DailyMail FoodGuy," on Twitter as "DMFoodGuy" and read his blog at blogs.charlestondailymail/foodguy.