Eagles Deli - after, @@@@

Answer here is a definitive YES!!!! Crushed it in 22 minutes. It was actually really good too, the patties were really juicy and bacon crisp. Amazing for a 1.5 lb burger even though it was split in 3 patties. I am now in training for the 5 lb burger and 5 lb fries combo...

Eagles Deli
1918 Beacon St
Brighton, MA 02135

Eagles Deli - beginning

Just ate lunch here out by Boston College. Saw this place on Man vs Food for their 5 lb burger challenge. I did not do that one but this is the Nick Lachey challenge. 1.5 lb burger, 6 slices of Swiss cheese, 6 pieces of bacon, half pound of fries and drink.

Did I do it??

Only One Jamaican Restaurant - @@@@

Well reviewed Jamaican spot that some locals told me about. It's a hike but really good. Jerk pork dish on right came with rice and beans and steamed cabbage. Pretty good, well spiced and seasoned. However that did not compare to the dish on the left...esco chicken. Wow that was great. It's like spiced fried chicken smothered in a light sauce or oil or something and topped with fried carrots and onions. The dish was amazing. Not sure if you would classify it as fried chicken since it wasn't crispy, but you can tell it was originally fried. Overall really good though

160 Norfolk St
Dorchester Center, MA 02124

The Helmand - @@@@@

After the kaddo, I ordered the lamb chops that looked so good last time I was here that my friends ordered. They did not disappoint.

Here they are called Chowpan. This is important because you should always go for these as they were that good. Cooked a perfect medium rare, they were served right off the grill and the char was still brittle and flaking off the bone. Forget special touches like frenching the ribs, you just want to dive into these meaty delicacies and clean the bone yourself. They had a subtle marinade flavor but not overwhelming with oil and spices that could ruin the flavor of the lamb. Rice was good with a touch of spices in it and the eggplant side was ok. Don't let that deter you from the lamb though as that was clearly the star.

This is the 2nd time I have been here and I didn't think it could be better than last time. But they did. I am going 5 this time because everything was so good. Even the bread was fresh out of the oven and the trio of dipping sauces it goes with are flavorful. Check it out, get the kaddo and chowpan and call it a night.

PS - I think my picture of the chowpan looks better than their website pic

143 First St
Cambridge, MA 02142

The Helmand, appetizer

Kaddo appetizer. Their specialty in my mind worthy of a separate post. Description from website: "pan-fried then baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on yogurt garlic sauce, topped with ground beef sauce (which I had on the side)". Picture does not do it justice, but it is so good. Tender and sweet, with the contrasting savory-ness of the meat sauce it is something I recommend to all

Salvatore's - @@

Big valentines day dinner with the coworkers so we went to this Italian restaurant where we had reservations inside the bank vault. The company was much better than the dinner.

I actually went to this place earlier in the project but can't find the review. Maybe have to go through my pictures to see if I missed it. I remember it wasn't that good last time and this time is no exception. Slow service made for a long night as well.

We got a large spinach and garlic pizza to start out but didn't have plates to eat it on. Luckily by the time the plates came the pizza was still hot. It was ok. For my main meal I had some Alfredo with large pasta noodles, broccoli, chicken and sausage. For some reason they didnt have fettucini noodles so I was stuck with these large noodles that didn't hold the sauce well. Also for me way too much pasta vs broccoli and chicken. I guess that is why I have a problem with Italian places...they often are imbalanced with pasta and filling. Like I want broccoli and chicken, not just a few pieces of it. Anyways, flavor not rich enough for me and missing the chicken.

Overall disappointing meal that was made up for it by the great work my coworkers did to make it fun. Valentines king, queen, and princes were awarded along with pictures, candy, and flowers made it pretty cool. Just go to a different restaurant for the meal!

55 High St
Medford, MA 02155

Oasis Brazilian Restaurant - @@@

Went out for some Brazilian food last week at a local restaurant in Medford. Unlike the fancy Fogo's, this place had the food at a counter and the meat was in a large rotisserie spit where a gaucho served you. There was minimal table service except for the great fruit drinks that I had the waitress pick for me. I guess the cherry one is the traditional Brazilian specialty.

Anyway on to the food. As mentioned earlier, all the sides were at a self serve buffet station. This included the rice, plantains, vegetables, potatoes, various stews, and a basic salad bar. As you can see from the pic, I got a good amount of sides in addition to the meat. I thought the sides were interesting if unspectacular. They were just things I normally wouldn't try like the stewed chicken. But on to the meat, which is why I really come to Brazilian spots. Admittedly the quality is not up to the Fogo level, but for $13 all in for food vs $45 what can you expect. All the meat was good an I sampled plenty. Beef ribs, picanha, chorizo, garlic beef, beef and bacon, chicken wings, pork ribs, and top sirloin were all items sampled. Again I feel the beef ribs were the best followed by the picanha which is my normal rankings.

Items in the picture from left are chorizo, beef rib, beef and bacon, picanha along with mashed potatoes, broccoli, plantains, and polenta.

Overall good place with tremendous value. I was hurting from eating so many plates all for $13. This is my 2nd visit here this trip so I would definitely go back. If you are expecting only Fogo quality, you may be disappointed but for what seems to me as traditional Brazilian food definitely check it out.

373 Main St
Medford, MA 02155