American Fork Mexican restaurant: La Sierrita

Yesterday I decided to stop by this hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant on American Fork Main st. called La Sierrita. Here's a quick review:

The credit card machine doesn't work. Bring cash.

I ordered the lunch combo that includes a burrito (choice of meat-- I went with chicken), beans and rice, and a drink.

The service was friendly and the food was prepared quickly. The food was very good. However, the hot sauce had an odd flavor. Maybe I'll try mild or medium next time.

Overall, it was good. I'd go back. It's even better if you can ignore the soap operas playing on the T.V.

Best Mexican food in Utah County? No. Decent though, and fairly priced. Grade: B.

If you want to give it a try, it's about half a block or so east of Papa John's.

McRib is back... how soon until it leaves again? (Not soon enough)

When I was a kid, around 11 years old or so, the McRib was a delightful treat.

I tried one the other day at the McDonald's on State Street in American Fork. It was OK. But overall it was not satisfying and it was kind of gross. And very messy. If you order the "value" meal you can get a 2nd McRib for $1 more. I opted not to. It was a good decision.

I go to McDonalds only because my kids love to play there and get the toys. Next time I'll stick with a chicken sandwich or a salad.

We (Heart) Geneva Steel!

Nice view from I-15 Southbound on Sunday January 4th 2009.
(click photos for larger images)

Toy store in Orem's University Mall half off sale

The Hammond Toy Store at University Mall in Orem is having a sale right now: everything is half off.

This means two things: Cheap import knock off toys are pretty cheap, and, genuine name brand toys are regular priced.

Normally, "mainstream" toys in this shop are overpriced. No surprise, since this is a mall store. So with the 50% off sale, mainstream name brand toys are close to what you'd pay at Wal-Mart.

The rest of the things they carry there are made-in-China knockoffs but at half off you can find a few decent deals, if you don't care about having name brand toys.

I'm not sure if they are closing that location, or just liquidating their stock after Christmas.

Pet Peeve: The handfulof change with receipt

My kids and I hit the Panda Express in Provo for dinner Saturday night. Overall, Panda Express is usually a good experience. This time was no exception.

However, the cashier initiated one of my pet peeves: Handing me my change along with the receipt all in one wad. This wouldn't be that big of a deal if I paid with debit card. I paid with cash, so I got a handful of dollar bills, coins, and a receipt.

I know, this sounds petty, but think about it. I have a line of people chomping at the bit behind me, I have a tray of food and drinks to carry, I am holding my wallet so I can put my change into it. I'd like to get out of the way as soon as possible, so what I did was drop the wad onto my tray and walked to my table. There, I sat down and sorted it all out.

I know, this is a lame complaint, but I'd like to be able to stick my cash in my wallet, and having a reciept stuck in there with it is annoying.

Wow, what a lame thing to complain about. And it doesn't even have anything to do with Utah County! Oh well.

Jump On It

For weeks, nay, months, my kids have been asking if we can go to that place we always see from I-15 in Lindon: "Jump On It".

Today, we made the trek. I had assumed that since this place was surrounded by businesses that sell roofing supplies, fencing materials, and sheds, that this would be some kind of trampoline "store".

I was dead wrong. It turns out, Jump On It is crammed with trampolines and inflatable "bounce houses". They charge admission by the hour ($4 an hour for kids aged 4-8), and then let you run wild. The walls are adorned with warnings such as "jump safe: don't be stupid", and you have to sign a 2-sided waiver to get in.

The place has a nice-looking sign on the outside, but the inside is all about doing things "on the cheap". In the "Under 4 feet" trampoline section, there are gaps in between some of the trampolines that a small child's legs could very easily slip through. Most of the interior has a bare concrete floor. The back corner is under construction, with nothing to keep toddlers from wandering in other than a "keep out" sign and the hope that parents will watch their kids.

I don't mean to rip on this place too much, but I was not impressed with the way it's run. It's a fun idea, and my kids had a great time and got lots of exercise. And only minor injuries (pinky finger bent backwards, cut on the foot, etc). Hey, I signed the waiver, I knew what I was getting in to.

The place has a Chuck-E-Cheese inspired party room on each side. The rooms look pretty small, but they always are in places like this. I don't know if I'd want my kids to have a birthday party there. It's dirty, loud, and can get downright crazy.

One thing that amazed me (but shouldn't have, since I'm a long time Utah County resident) was the adults. I swear most of the parents there were more excited to jump on the trampolines than their kids were. It made me feel uneasy and a little embarrassed, but I got over it. There was one mom in particular who was bouncing happily for a solid half hour, holding her infant in her arms, with her toddler and other people's toddlers rumbling around in her wake.

Would I recommend Jump On It? Yes. But it sure would be nice if they gave the impression they cared a little more about safety and cleanliness in there.

Here's their website, which I never bothered to look for before going there: http://jumponitparty.com/

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The Utah County Blog.