Archive for the ‘Dining Out’ Category


Scaddy’s

By Kim Zebley

It’s “All about food and fuel.” What a bold statement. What a strange statement.

There was really nothing that drew me to try a place with such a name. To me the gas station/car wash/ food stop called All about Food and Fuel, located on SR73, looked like a normal truck stop that was far from home. I could see this place located somewhere in the middle of Wyoming, perhaps. Imagine you’ve been driving for forever when all of the sudden you see a sign that reads, “All about Food and Fuel -150 miles.” Then 10 miles later you see the next sign, “All about Food and Fuel – 140 miles.” On and on it would go, with those signs being the highlight to your Wyoming drive-through and then, when you reach your oasis, All about Food and Fuel, the name would make sense. By this time your thoughts would probably be telling you, “All that really matters IS food and fuel… (and maybe a bathroom).”

My policy for writing reviews is if I have nothing nice to say, I don’t write the review. I stopped and ate at this location’s eat-in area, called Scaddy’s, a year and a half ago. I didn’t write a review. That’s all I’m going to say.

This week I figured I would give them another try. Maybe I was just too critical the first time around.

Well, I’m writing a review, which means I found something good to write.

All about Food and Fuel offers two eateries: Taco Time and Scaddy’s. I didn’t realize it, but Scaddy’s is a small food chain with four Utah locations.

Now even though my first experience at Scaddy’s was less than fantastic, this time it seemed different. I’m not sure why. Maybe now they’re more experienced or they’ve found their comfort zone. They offer a nice truck stop-style menu with choices of burgers, hand battered chicken fingers, Philly cheesesteaks and specialty sandwiches. There are also kid’s choices, sides, salads and ice cream/shake choices. What I really wanted to try was one of their breakfast selections- the Swedish stuffed pancakes, but breakfast is only served from 7-11 a.m. What’s a Swedish pancake, anyway? It sounds good. I guess I’ll have to go find out some morning.

I ordered the French dip on ciabatta and a blueberry shake. The order was out in a jiffy, but not so quick that I questioned if it was fresh. I could hear everything being made in the background. How pleasantly surprised I was when I tasted the French dip. It was so much better than my first experience. The meat was tasty and tender, the bread was soft with a slightly firm crust and the dip was just right. Of course, the melted Swiss cheese was a nice compliment that brought a sense of soothe to the whole combination.

The milkshake was Utah-style thick. Not better than any of our local shake choices, but it’s nice to know we have options. Oh, and I ordered the small. It was a pretty big small.

So that’s that. I’m glad I gave Scaddy’s another try. I would say this truck stop diner would satisfy any hungry trucker or individual. Definitely not my favorite place to eat, but it’s no longer on my “places to avoid” list either. If you’re looking for fast food that has a few different options, you might want to give Scaddy’s a try.

Oh, and another plus, they have a drive through, just in case you don’t need the fuel… or bathroom.

All About Food and Fuel, with Taco Time and Scaddy’s is located on 1750 W. Main St., Lehi. Scaddy’s hours are M-S 8-10, Sunday 9-8.

by Marty Nabhan, The Cinemaniac

Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s the perfect time to take that special someone out on the town and have a rollicking time. Or you can admit you’ve given up and simply rent a movie with the appropriate ambiance. Just don’t start with Love Story. It’s overblown ‘70s sentimental hogwash. “Love means never having to say you’re sorry”? Puh-lease.

“Where do I begin?” you ask. Here’s The Cinemaniac’s sappy list of great movies about love. You may think these are all sentimental hogwash as well. But they’re MY sentimental hogwash, so there!

An Affair To Remember (1957) — “Love Means Never Having to Keep An Appointment.” Try to make this movie in the ’90s and it wouldn’t work. (In fact, they did try to make it in the ’90s … It didn’t work). It helps if you can get the greatest heartthrob in cinema history (Cary Grant) to be the one making arrangements to meet Deborah Kerr for a romantic rendezvous atop the Empire State Building. This is actually a remake of the 1939 romance Love Affair. Sleepless in Seattle (1993) gave this movie a new life. A little schmaltzy, but that’s show-biz.

I saw this one for the first time on video with my parents about 20 years ago. It’s the only time I ever saw my dad sob.

I love and miss you, dad.

A Little Romance (1979) — “Love Means Never Having To Lose Your Innocence.” George Roy Hill (The Sting, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) directed this sweet movie about two brainy kids who experience a first love. Laurence Olivier provides a cool campy performance. Great Vivaldi on the soundtrack. Don’t miss it!

84 Charing Cross Road (1987) — “Love Means Never Having To Join A Book Club.” New Yorker Anne Bancroft corresponds with British bookseller Anthony Hopkins for twenty years, requesting out-of-print books and sharing her soul. Their relationship deepens, though they never see one another. A haunting, bittersweet gem. Nobody does understated affection better than Hopkins.

Ghost (1990) — “Love Means Never Having To Say I Love You.” Demi Moore’s sweetheart, Patrick Swayze, is killed, but his ghost stays around long enough to solve the caper and save the day. A five hanky movie — one for you and four for Moore.

Pride and Prejudice (1995) – “Love Means Never Having To Formulate Biases.” This is the A&E version with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, and it makes the list because if it didn’t, my wife would flay me. That’s true love.

Clueless (1995) and Emma (1996) — “Love Means Never Having To Intervene.” This Jane Austen comedy about the misadventures of matchmaking was made twice in two years. Alicia Silverstone and Gwyneth Paltrow take the title honors respectively, and both are delightful. The Austen films have the added benefit of bringing class to the genre. …The social kind, not the Fred Astaire kind.

Titanic (1997) – Big boat. Big iceberg. You might have heard of it…

Phenomenon (1996) — “Love Means Never Having To Make A Comeback.” John Travolta sees a bright light and develops super mental powers, but all he really wants is the affection of local town girl Kyra Sedgwick. Her response to Travolta’s question, “Will you love me for the rest of my life?” is worth the price of the rental.

Of course this list is only partial, and you may rue the absence of one of your favorites. If that’s the case, I’m sorry.

But then, I never had to say that, did I?

* * * * * *

Write to The Cinemaniac at mwnabhan@aol.com.

What’s for Dinner?

dglass on October 28, 2010 in Dining Out Comments Off

What’s for Dinner?

By Jennifer Klingonsmith

Pico de Gallo

Nothing says fresh more than this homemade salsa for chips and Mexican dishes—fresh-cut tomatoes and onions, with a touch of cilantro and lime. I cannot think of a better way to use tomatoes from the garden.

 8-10 Roma tomatoes, diced

1/2 medium white onion, diced

5 green onions, chopped

1/2 bunch fresh cilantro (leaves only) chopped

1 jalapeño, diced (for a mild flavor, seed jalapeño first)

Juice of 1 lime

1/3 cup white vinegar

Salt to taste

 Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl. Refrigerate for one hour so flavors can blend. Will stay fresh for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

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