Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Beckees Deal with Utah Food Cravings!!

One of my favorite things about going back home to visit Utah is the food options! 

Seriously, there are restaurants in Utah I dream about. In fact, just about everywhere I have lived or frequently visited has foods I crave. When I visit certain places, I literally have a mental food check list for the visit. I thought I might share my favorites here.
 (I tried to make this a Top five list, but couldn't narrow it down to that...)

Places that make it on my mental food craving list when I visit home:
  • Cafe Zupas: Multiple Locations. I cannot go to Utah without eating here. usually multiple times until the rest of the family is sick to death of it. I LOVE it. There are multiple locations as it is a chain, and it's not just in Utah. Try it if you get the chance. You won't regret it. I pretty much dream about the Lobster Bisque soup and the Nuts About Berries Salad! I'm drooling just thinking about it! YUM!  
  • Cafe Rio: Multiple locations. Oh.My.Goodness! Cafe Rio's Sweet Pork Barbacoa burrito served enchillada style-pretty much a perfect food! Made to order as you walk through the (likely to be long, but fairly fast moving) line. Do you prefer Salad? That's ok too because they have awesome Salads
  • CK Cummings: When I think of high quality chocolates and major treats, this is what I am thinking about! NOTHING compares to their Chocolate Covered (Fresh) Raspberries and Cherries. Oh.My.Gosh. HEAVEN! Their truffles are also amazing and their seafoam is one of my all time favorite treats in the world. Yummy. 
  • Yanni's Greek Express: 2761 S Highland Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84106. This is a close to home favorite. My family is Greek and Yanni's is close to where I grew up. I LOVE the Yanni's special. It is huge! We order 2 of them and it is enough food for my family to share. Seriously! But, SO.GOOD! I haven't been there in a few years but it remains a top fave! (Yanni's does not have a website, but this site has a scanned in, but old-prices are higher now I think-menu.)
  • Crown Burger: Multiple Locations. I haven't eaten anything here I didn't like. If you want a greasy piece of high calorie heaven, make sure to try The Crown Burger! It is amazing. Their Greek food is awesome as well! My daughter orders their Greek Salad every time.
  • Granatos: Two Locations. This is actually an Italian store and deli. My Greek family buys ingredients here for our Greek foods, but we also love the Deli. It is like the best deli food ever. EVER. I always order a hard roll Feta and Tomato sandwich or Meatball sandwich. They have lots more than sandwiches though. Check out the menu here.
  • Smiths and/or Harmons: Weird, why does Beckee insist on visiting 2 grocery stores while at home in Utah? Doubly Weird, why are neither of them her favorite grocery store, the one where she worked in high school and college (Dan's)? Well, I will tell you why.  I have a very favorite, very specific soda, that I can only find sold in Utah at Smith's and Harmon's. Diet Code Red Mountain Dew. Yeah, I can get the full sugar version all over, but I don't drink sugary drinks and I LOVE Diet Code Red Mountain Dew. I literally buy all I can and load up the back of my Suburban with it when I visit. I am sure there is a surge in sales when I am in town. YUM...please tell me how I can get a local store to carry and sell this?!
  • The Happy Sumo: This is my families favorite Sushi place. We go to the one at the bottom of Cottonwood canyon. It is good, and has one unique roll that I love and I dream about, (Mango Mamma Roll, you can see it and their whole selection on their menu here). But honestly, as of my last Utah trip, it is on it's way to being replaced by my next pick... 
  • Ichiban Sushi: Last time we went to Utah, this gem was around the corner from our hotel, so we gave it a try. I will go back for the Lion roll alone, but there were SO.MANY. amazing things on this menu. I did not get to try near enough of them. And the fact I can order take out here...Golden! I cannot wait to visit again this summer! 
Other amazing Places you should not miss in Utah:
  • Nielsens frozen custard: Only missed my list because I am not a huge fan of ice cream or frozen yogurt. But I will tell you that if the craving does come, there is no other place I would want to go. This was also a date night staple for my neighborhood during high school. It is just that impressive. You will want to take a date here (if he or she likes frozen Custard). (Apparently there is a location in Layton as well, in case you are there...)
  • The Pie Pizzaria: Ask any student at the University of Utah (or any alumni) for the best pizza joint. They will likely send you to The Pie. And apparently since I moved they have opened lots of new locations (you used to have to go to the original by the U). HUGE pizzas, really good. Do not miss! (Only reason it's not on my personal must eat list is because I sadly cannot eat pizza these days.)
  • Old Spaghetti Factory: I know this is not exclusive to SLC, but it is SOOO good, and so worth the stop. It was another popular place for date nights as a high school and college student. Great food at a fun location in Trolley Square. Their fresh warm bread is amazing and I cannot resist their Garlic Mizithra pasta. Also, make sure you splurge on their Italian Cream Soda to drink. The drink is awesome as is the souvenir cup you get to take home! 
  • Arctic Circle: Only not on my must visit list because (Praise the Lord) there is one in Yakima!!!! YEAH! So, here's the deal on this fast food gem...FRY SAUCE! The best there is. I often stop there for a Lime Rickey (traditional grape flavored one, not this newfangled cherry version) and fries with fry sauce. On occasion I will get a burger (or a Gyro which they have and are surprisingly pretty good), but for me this place is all about the Lime Rickeys and Fry sauce.
  • Market Street Grill; Oh My Gosh. The first time I realized I might like seafood was when I ate at Market Street Grill as a young girl. It is not super cheap, but it is super good. If you want a nice meal and are willing to spend a little more, eat here. Do it! 
  • Brick Oven Pizza: When I went to BYU (for about a half a year), I ate here a lot. Because it is awesome. But the pizza was not what I went for-eat the Pasta bar buffet. It is SO good! Salad bar + pasta bar = perfection! It is not on my list because I rarely get to Provo, but there is a location in South Jordan now!! Which is where my in laws live, so that's basically awesome!!!
  • Salt Lake Greek Festival: If you happen to be in Salt Lake City near my birthday in September, DO NOT MISS the Salt Lake Greek Festival. You will not find better food (unless you can convince my mom and XiaXia to make you some)! This is the event I miss most every year, and the food I crave the most. It will be crowded, there will be lines, and you may not understand what everyone is saying (unless you speak Greek), but I promise it will be worth it. (Note, this year, 2017, the festival is Sept 9-11).
  • Granite Bakery: Looking for a sweet treat? Want some awesome rolls (that taste home made without making a mess of your kitchen)? Stop by Granite Bakery. (They also do cakes for special occasions, like weddings if you are looking for that sort of a thing)
  • So Cupcake: Do you like cupcakes? You will after you stop here...I am not much of a fan of cake, but I love frosting and occasionally have a craving for cupcakes. So, Cupcake was the first "cupcake bakery" I ever went to and I loved it. I try to stop in for a cupcake or two when I am in town. Try it for an excellent sweet treat!
  • Great Harvest Bread: Bread, lots of different kinds of amazing bread that you will dream about. Really. And that is not all they have-they serve Breakfasts, sandwiches for lunch and tasty desserts as well! Go.Here. (Look at this menu from the Holladay location to see what they have)
I KNOW there are lots of favorite spots I have left off this list...what are your favorites?! 
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Top Five Posts on this blog


Blogger has a very nice stats page that it keeps for blog owners. On it I can see what the top posts are on this blog. 

I can look at top 5 of all time, of last month, of last week, and of the day. The top 5 of all time are clearly more likely to have only older posts on it, because they have had more time to accumulate views. But it still gives a good idea of what people are looking at on here. As to the monthly, weekly and daily stats. 

Here are my current top 5 viewed posts on Beckee's Deals.

Top five of all time (from May 2010 – March 2017):



1. closed Giveaway & Review: Skoy Cloths! Ends 12/30: Posted: 12/17/2010, Views: 14131, Comments: 95. What it is: A review and giveaway of Skoy cloths, which I was given to try, review, then to give away a set to someone. 

2. CeraVe Review and #Giveaway!! GREAT prize you could #win: Posted 11/26/2011, Views: 6814. Comments: 6. What it is: A Review and giveaway of CeraVe products which I was given to try, review, then give away a set to someone.

3. New School Years Resolutions: Van's foods and Plackers help out!: Posted: 9/27/2012, Views: 2319, Comments: 24. What is it: A review and giveaway of both Van's foods products and Plackers Dental Products which I was given to try, review, then give away a set of the same items I had received.

4. Lawn Battleship Review (+Amazon Gift Card #Giveaway): Posted: 3/22/2014, Views: 1750, Comments: 1. What is it: A review of my brother-in-laws game, Lawn Battleship. We test played it and reviewed it. Included with this review, I gave away an Amazon Gift card. 

5. #GM Monster Cereal + #Target Gift Card #Giveaway #MyBlogSpark: Posted: 11/24/2013, Views: 1054, Comments:16. What is it: A review and giveaway for General Mills Monster Cereals

What this tells me: If I want more comments and views, giveaways are key. I was already aware of that, but giveaways are also sometimes complicated and I haven't been doing them much, so lets see what is more recently viewed. (The most recent on this list is the one about Lawn Battleship which was posted 3 years ago)

Top five from the last month (Jan 30, 2017 – Feb 28, 2017): 



1. Beckee's Deal with Superbowl Food: Posted: 1/31/2017, Views: 265, Comments: 1. What is it: My thought on SuperBowl Food.

2. Ideas Please! Where would you take Five Kids on Vacation?: Posted: 1/31/17, Views: 220, Comments:1. What is it: Me begging for ideas for vacations with 5 kids (that are different from our norm).

3. Dinner Plans 1/23-1/29/2017: Posted: 1/24/17, Views: 201, Comments:0. What is it? My meal planning for the week of 1/23-1/29. It includes 2 favorite family recipes, "Haole" Haystacks and Sinigang. 

4. Universal Studios VIP Experience: Posted: 5/25/16, Views: 187, Comments: 0. What is it? My review of my family's experience with the VIP experience at Universal Studios. This was one of my favorite posts I have ever written so I am pleased to see in is something people are viewing! Truly it was an authentic experience and review of something I loved doing. Totally un-sponsored, just me being me...

5. Beckee's Deal with Christmas Presents: Posted: 1/2/17, Views: 186, Comments: 0. What is it? My description of our family's movement from "things" to "adventures" or "experiences" for Christmas. 

What this tells me: Well, I post different thing now as my focus has changed from posts on "deals" and giveaways, to more about what my personal "Deals" are. To me this list feels more like me being me. But I learn that my blog readers are interested in reviews of extraordinary, awesome experiences like the Universal Studios VIP post which is the oldest written post (that is still drawing interest this month). Food and vacation topics are the ones I am writing and you are viewing...

Top five from the last week (Feb 22, 2017 3:00 PM – Mar 1, 2017 2:00 PM): 

As expected, lots of repeats here, all the same as the last month, just a different order.

1.  Universal Studios VIP Experience: Posted: 5/25/16, Views: 40, Comments: 0. What is it? My review of my family's experience with the VIP experience at Universal Studios. This was one of my favorite posts I have ever written so I am pleased to see in is something people are viewing! Truly it was an authentic experience and review of something I loved doing. Totally un-sponsored, just me being me...

2.  Dinner Plans 1/23-1/29/2017: Posted: 1/24/17, Views: 40, Comments:0. What is it? My meal planning for the week of 1/23-1/29. It includes 2 favorite family recipes, "Haole" Haystacks and Sinigang. 

3. Beckee's Deal with Superbowl Food: Posted: 1/31/2017, Views: 39, Comments: 1. What is it: My thought on SuperBowl Food.

4. Beckee's Deal with Christmas Presents: Posted: 1/2/17, Views: 39, Comments: 0. What is it? My description of our family's movement from "things" to "adventures" or "experiences" for Christmas.

5. Ideas Please! Where would you take Five Kids on Vacation?: Posted: 1/31/17, Views: 39, Comments:1. What is it: Me begging for ideas for vacations with 5 kids (that are different from our norm).

Top Five from today (Feb 28, 2017 3:00 PM – Mar 1, 2017 2:00 PM): 



1. Beckee's Deal with "Top 5" Lists: Posted: 3/1/2017 (like an hour ago), Views: 18, Comments: 0. What is it? My explanation of why I love Top five lists, and an intro into this post. Clearly on this list because I just posted it right before my daily Beckee's Deals email went out. :)

2. Beckee's Deal with Superbowl Food: Posted: 1/31/2017, Views: 6, Comments: 1. What is it: My thought on SuperBowl Food.

3. Beckee's Deal with Christmas Presents: Posted: 1/2/17, Views: 6, Comments: 0. What is it? My description of our family's movement from "things" to "adventures" or "experiences" for Christmas.

4. Universal Studios VIP Experience: Posted: 5/25/16, Views: 6, Comments: 0. What is it? My review of my family's experience with the VIP experience at Universal Studios. This was one of my favorite posts I have ever written so I am pleased to see in is something people are viewing! Truly it was an authentic experience and review of something I loved doing. Totally un-sponsored, just me being me...

5. Dinner Plans 1/23-1/29/2017: Posted: 1/24/17, Views: 6, Comments:0. What is it? My meal planning for the week of 1/23-1/29. It includes 2 favorite family recipes, "Haole" Haystacks and Sinigang. 


What's the point? Not too much other than it is interesting to see stats on what is being views! It helps me know what to write about. 

But honestly, these are just stats, and I love to hear from you personally. So, if there are posts you particularly like, or topics you would like to see more of, PLEASE let me know!!!


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Beckee's Deal with "Top 5" Lists

Admission: I love "Top five" or "Top whatever" lists. 



I love that they give me a concise check list of someones top favorite items of whatever category. I don't always agree with them, but I love to read them. AND I love to make them. Something I love about them is that they are ever evolving. They can change through time. Often when I try something new I say things to my husband like "Oh my gosh, this sushi roll is so good, it might be making it's way into my top 5!" New things can totally kick out the old favorites (sometimes). Other times, I have found that I am much more consistent in my opinions than I realized. 
Let me give you a funny example. I am obsessed Football, and since our family started playing Fantasy Football leagues every year, I have become an expert (in my own mind) on NFL football players. In 2014, one of my Fantasy Quarterbacks was not playing well (as far as my fantasy points were concerned). Whenever he blew it and cost me Fantasy points, I would get a little perturbed at him, but would say something like "He may suck out there today, but at least he wins in handsomeness."  I was taking some harassment at home and on Facebook for this comment, and one day my husband, Wes, said "I am surprised you think he is the most handsome QB, he's not who I would have expected you to choose. Who do you think the other handsome QB's are?" Challenge Accepted! The moment he asked, I began researching pictures of all the current QB's (not fair to just pick 5 without looking at all of them first). 
Then next day, I posted the following picture and comment on FB:
For anyone who has been waiting with bated breath, this is my top 5 most handsome NFL QB's right now (FYI-Brady narrowly misses my top 5 and Armour may never speak to me again...) 

Phillip Rivers
Colin Kaepernick
EJ Manuel
Matt Leinart
Matt Barkley


I took some crap for the inclusion of a 49er and the exclusion of a Seahawk (I live in Washington State). Also my son (aka #TomBradysBiggestFan) thought I was a MORON for excluding Brady (to be fair, I basically excluded him because I thought his looks were over rated). 

A couple weeks ago, one of my FB friends posted the following: 



I LOVE this stuff, so I reposted it and one of the Top 5 lists my husband posted for me to do was top five Best Looking QBs Now, in 2017. Again, Challenge Accepted! 

Here was my answer this time (In no particular order): 



So, Brady finally made it (to the great relief of #TomBradysBiggestFan) as well as Alex Smith. And the three that remained consistent were Phillip Rivers, Colin Kaepernick, and EJ Manuel.

Why do I bring this up today? Because thinking of Top 5 lists lately has made me wonder about my top posts on this blog. So, I am going to try, in the next post, to talk a little about the top posts on this blog, so far. It could be interesting information (for me at least, and hopefully for you as well).

More on that coming soon, in the mean time, feel free to stare at the pictures above of the handsome NFL QBs.
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