Soup Plantation (Porter Ranch, CA) [Locations within CA too]

As I recall, there used to be a healthy eating restaurant called, Fresh Choice. Who remembers it? I do. I remember when they first opened, and when the last one had closed. Now, we have Soup Plantation. Of course, you give it some time, and there are other small pop-ups opening like Salad.

I think Soup Plantation is a great concept for those who want to dine and eat healthy. They certainly have revamped their menu's and eating areas. I do hope they stay in business forever, but one can only hope for so much. There will always be competition; however, it does not get as great as Soup Plantation. As you enter the restaurant, the salad bar is to your taking. You have set salads and you also have the option to create your own salad with the many dressings and toppings. You can also add to your already set salad. You can choose from tomatoes, mushed boiled eggs, croutons, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, corn, etc. There are just so many to choose from and then you have so many different dressings. Once you have made your salad, then you go and pay for your meal. A tip: install the Yelp app and check in. You will be offered a 15% discount for checking in and it will be applied to your meal. It's a great offer. Also check in your monthly mail for coupons. Now, usually when it's not busy, you can seat yourself. Otherwise, be ready for a host/hostess to seat you.

Once your done, if you fancy for more salad; you can make your way to the salad bar as many times as you desire and get some more salad. If you fancy some soups, they have some really good soups. They also have different types of spaghetti's  (mac and cheese), linguine, etc. There's also the option for baked potatoes and its condiments. In addition, there are blueberry muffins and other muffins to choose from and of course a soft-serve machine that serves soft serve ice cream.

I really do enjoy eating here and I know you will too. Every month is a set menu and changes with it's many themes. For the month of May, they are celebrating Cinco De Mayo and adding a Spanish flavor to its salads and soups. What's in it for the month of June. We shall soon see.

Custom-Salad

Sadly, I only have this picture to share. Here I have Romaine Lettuce, with quinoa salad, some plain pasta, white mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and corn. I will hope to take more pictures and add it to this post. Hope you've enjoyed this review. Check out my youtube channel at TravelDude1981.

Creamistry (Irvine, CA)

Creamistry.... a wierd name for a company, but who am I to say for a popular ice cream shop in Irvine, CA.

It doesn't look like much outside, but when you open the door; it does feel like you are in the movie, "Back to the Future." You hear the hissing sounds of the instrument at work which makes your ice cream. The magic happens while you make your order of ice cream which is made with organic milk and these machines that use dry ice to make your ice cream. Sounds futuristic eh? As you queue up, these machines hiss and you see white smoke coming out from the machines. It's like a De Lorean doors opening and this arctic smoke coming out from inside. You can also picture fog machines in this ice cream area blowing out fog. This is a pretty legit place.

feels like a chemistry lab in HS

These are how the ice cream is being made

Yummy. Captain Crunch Ice Cream. Real Captain Crunch Cereal

Futuristic eh?

Tons of smoke... 

Sitting area

There are tons of flavors to choose from. Of course as a kid at heart, I chose Captain Crunch flavored ice cream. They really use the cereal, no fake flavors. There is one other location located in Beverly Hills which I haven't visited yet. So, if you are in the vicinity of Beverly Hills or Irvine, CA; be sure to make a trip to Creamistry. It will be a trip that you will never forget. Indulge in the future!

Del Taco (Santa Clarita, CA)

     Whom do you visit when you crave some cheap burritos and quesadillas? Well, Del-Taco. This location is always busy which is good business for this location, but horrible when it comes to buying food inside. They have messed up my orders more than a few times. They always seemed rush, or at least the supervisor/manager. When I see him, he looks jumpy and wants to get the move on with the orders. I think that is the reason why my orders keep getting messed up. The last time I ordered 2- 1/2 lb bean and cheese burrito with extra green sauce with some cheddar quesadillas. I got my cheddar quesadillas (mini), but ended up with 8 tacos with hard shell. I hate hard shell tacos. I did get more than I paid for, but I wanted my 1/2 lb bean and cheese burrito!!!! Can any of you relate to this? Well that's my rant for this Del-Taco. Let's hope for some really good reviews for this year. I won't be reviewing restaurants that I have dined the next couple of months, but will do reviews that I had done last year and never came across to do it. Hope you enjoy this years blog entries!!!! And try to avoid the Santa Clarita Del-Taco location. It's the one near magic mountain, gas station, Tommy's Burgers and the Starbucks.