Anybody had the misfortune to dine at Carl's Jr at the Santa Teresa Village Center lately? I stopped in for a quick breakfast this morning after a 12 hour work night...and what a suprise! The dining area was in a state of decay...split vinyl in almost all of the booths, badly worn wood trip, and an odor reminiscent of inner city bus stations. While the surfaces of the area appeared to be fairly clean, the entire room had a pall about it. I have to admit that my shoe stuck to the floor in only one place, so it can't be THAT bad. That happens in my own kitchen from time to time...but the place had just opened for business.

About the food...

The Sunrise Croissant was on sale, and it appeared that they were selling the ones left over from earlier in the week. The "croissant" was a flat, wrinkled mass of dough - I suppose - and sat above and below the sausage and egg like a decaying mass of something or another. (The egg and sausage were suprisingly good.) The potato "nuggets" were cold and greasy. Greasy I expected. Cold? Another suprise.

I'm not a fast food fan, but do enjoy indulging myself from time to time with the unhealthy goodies. McDonalds's is consistantly decent, but there was a long line in front of the Cottle/Santa Teresa store waiting to buy...Beanie Babies. (Check your history books for info on the European tulip craze a few centuries ago. Interesting parallels.) The line forced me to Carl's, but never again.

We are fortunate to have several good dining spots in our area...Emperor Norton's, The Flames, The Gold House, Mexideli, Fat Wok, Lee House, and several others. Nothing fancy, but good, tasty products at reasonable prices. Carl's is a disgrace to the fast-food culinery industry in this area...or did I just happen to pick a bad day?

p.s. The coffee was "interesting" to say the least. I've read about coffee during our Uncivil War being made from chicory, grain, and just about anything else that gives off color and flavor in hot water. What Carl's used this morning is open to conjecture, but I would not have been suprised to have found a dish washing sponge at the bottom of the cup.

Oh well, on to bigger and better things.

Will Brecheen
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