Bag of Random 2006 Mementos

Aloha! This summer I’ll be traveling all across the country visiting and filming with various blogging buddies. That means super fun times for yours truly but also deliciously handcrafted content for you the RtW fans. In the interim I shot this crazily impromptu video where I examine the contents of a bag containing random junk, personal artifacts, and bric-a-brac a lot of which dates back to 2006 or thereabouts. So, grab a root beer or your favorite snack or legumes and spend some time with me as I whip out a dollop of detritus from the past!

Angilo's Pizza

Growing up Angilo's Pizza was in my neighborhood and a favorite of my family. They've been gone for over a decade there but the memories from youth especially of their meatball hoagie are still strong in my head. Join us as we travel to one of the last remaining Angilo's Pizza locations left and for the first time in an eternity I get to try this childhood favorite again!

Layalena Restaurant & Mediterranean Food

Brian and the gang were out in the field reviewing to their hearts content when lunchtime promptly arrived. We swung by Layalena a Mediterranean restaurant to see what was up! What items will the guys sample? And who will butcher the pronunciation of "Shawarma" worse? Tune in and find out!

Avocado California Roll & Sushi - Garland, TX

While visiting Texas for RtW content Brian met up with natives Toby and Augie to try some sushi at Avocado California Roll & Sushi in beautiful Garland, TX. Nestled in an open air mall amid storefronts was a raw fish revelation. Watch as we try multiple different large sushi rolls getting a gander at eel, shrimp, salmon, tuna, and so much more delectable rawness. Enjoy and bring the soy!

My North Carolina Trip Shorties

I flew down to North Carolina to hang out with my buddy and fellow blogger Billy of VeggieMacabre! This video is full of clips of my adventure inc. our stops at TEN Park Lanes, HeroesCon in Charlotte, the Reynolda House and Silo Deli Wine and and Cheese Bar, Ted's Famous Kickin' Chicken, Pintxos Pour House, Harris Teeter, and Little Richard's BBQ! I had such a blast and now you can relive this superheroic blogger team-up!

Sweden Creme - Hamilton, OH

This time Brian and the RtW gang hit up a neighborhood frozen treats spot and grill! Right on Pleasant Ave. in Hamilton, OH near the Lindenwald area this small in stature but large in yummy place has all sorts of delicious stuff like malts, shakes, and lots of ice cream treats, as well as food options if you're looking for a bite like local famous Dixie Burgers, chili cheese dogs, chicken tenders, and lots more. We sample the food and take in the street-level ambience in this new RtW vid!

Tennis Ball Gum & Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

In this video we take it to the tennis courts to try Tennis Ball Gum, discover the next tennis prodigy, and collect dried worms. After that it's over to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, a place we reviewed on the inaugural RtW TV episode back in 2006, to check in on the RtW gang at lunch. Enjoy!

Dallas Roaming Lunch

Earlier this month I visited Dallas, Texas and while down there RtW fan turned friend Toby took me on what we dubbed a "roaming lunch". Since my time there was limited and there were a ton of food places Toby wanted to introduce me to we tried to cram three spots in during one wandering lunch through town! Watch in amazement and astonishment as we dine at LA Burger, Fuzzy's Tacos, and Taco Naan! Enjoy and bring a bib!

Cancun Mexican Bar & Grill (Forest Park, OH)

There's a few reasons why I decided upon this place to write about and little of it had to do with the food. As usual I was following my own nostalgic impulses. Years ago, maybe a decade or so back, in the same building Cancun now occupies there was this terrific Mexican buffet which I was just bonkers over. The building itself is sort of nestled into the back of a dead-end street practically underneath a freeway. Back then I'd felt like I had made a major discovery. Before the Mexican buffet I believe it had been a Chinese buffet, and likely several other things before that, it sort of has the feel of an old Perkins. But back to this Mexican buffet -- it was glorious! Have you ever even heard of such a thing? I certainly hadn't before or since. You'd trot over to the buffet islands and fill your plate with as many enchiladas, tacos, chile rellanos, and tamales as you could handle! Unfortunately nothing gold can stay and it disappeared quietly into the night not unlike Pancho Villa after a robbery.

Fast-forward to now where a Mexican restaurant, albeit not a buffet, is holding residence in the building, I found myself dying to get back inside for the first time in years to see what of the old magic held up and if it'd still be recognizable from my fond foggy memories. Also, last weekend while giving out of state visitor Molly of Swagger Mom Tales a tour of the area while inside the mall we passed a deadbolt clad, shuttered and boarded, Margaritas which I reviewed back in 2005. Seeing the darkened desolate version of the restaurant I once was serenaded in and made jokes about pissing on its floor birthed a desire to do a new restaurant review. Coupled with my curiosity these things led me to Cancun Mexican Bar & Grill.

Winter Storm Titan was underway but an unexpected break in the snow and freezing rain gave me an opportunity to make a run to Cancun. Here's a picture of some scenic farmland -- I wonder how the taquitos crop is coming in this year?

There she is! It's hard to see but the bushes in the lower-left corner had a complete layer of frost over them. I must admit I was feeling pretty good and excited at this point. A moment of jubilation hit me as I drove over a nearby bridge en route. Life can beat us down with its routines day-to-day so little moments like a trip out for a special meal can be meaningful. I hadn't opened that door in roughly a decade and had all sorts of warm memories of the past flooding in.

As I entered it took a moment for my eyes to adjust. The far side of the restaurant was lined with windows (an image of that near the end of this review) letting in bright light so I blinked beleaguered into shadow. After standing for a moment taking in my surroundings a very short man in a black zip-up hoodie got up from the circular bar area which holds center court in the restaurant (where I believe the bulk of the buffet islands previously were) and came over to me. I suspected it might be Pequeño Nitro sans mask. He led me to one of the first aisles of booths and to my spot for that day's meal. I know they lump people together during slower times so the waitstaff doesn't have to cover as much ground but I'd have preferred not being bunched with the other few groups there at the time since I was traveling solo and the other empty side of the restaurant held more visual appeal. I was greeted by this amazing tabletop however. Take a look! Using an unusual embossed technique the art really pops and the vibrant colors struck me like a ray of sunshine to a bed of marigolds.

Shortly after being seated I was brought out some chips and salsa. I'd forgotten about this crucial part of any self-respecting Mexican meal! But needless to say I was thrilled at its arrival.

And boy was this an excellent riff on chips and salsa. Every restaurant uses the same basic concept but will do something a little differently, maybe a little extra cilantro, perhaps spicier, or more thick, etc. Their salsa had an amazing consistency and I'm not sure what method they used to get to that endpoint but it was flavorful and tasty and not too thin or runny nor thick or chunky. Well done. The chips were warm and that's a big deal! It's funny what a difference that makes but a warm basket of chips is infinitely more inviting than a sad cold one. I felt like I ate more than my fill and yet shockingly when I left while the salsa container was nearing empty the chips look relatively untouched so you certainly get a lot and it's refillable should your party devour them all.

Here's the bar area taken slyly by holding my phone up above a barrier. One lone silent man sat nursing a drink and shot me a glance that I read as, "What you know about Xochiquetzal, esé?".

Some nice scenery inside I must add. In the background an adobe style roof adds charm but I want to talk about the backrest of the seat you see there. To quell my boredom I concocted a story behind it. See what's really happening is that field worker is feeding a giant blue underground monster that's sprouting up through the scorched earth. He's unloading his supply of watermelons directly into its fierce gullet.

So I wanted to order from the lunch specials to gauge the food quality. I'd given the menu a cursory glance online but wanted to wait until I arrived to make a final decision. I'd considered doing one of those combo multi-item deals were you get a to try a couple things and maybe a side dish but then my eyes scanned over chimichanga and my heart skipped a beat. I don't really have any past history with the dish. I'm familiar enough with it and undoubtedly I've eaten one before but that being the case it was so far back that I can't really recollect the experience. In that moment it beckoned out to me and I was not prepared to turn a blind eye to its plea.

Another vantage point where you see a clearer view of the accompanying sides.  So I get this rather large deep fried beef (chicken was also an option) chimichanga covered in cheese sauce, rice, beans, and sour cream on a bed of shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes.

Wow. This was banging! Right away a euphoric feeling rose over me. Within the first bite or two. Before I break down the food itself I want to talk value. $5.75. That's it. My entire meal. My entree, chips and salsa, and a water. That's not bad at all. In fact it's downright impressive. A lot of fast food joints have been steadily upping their prices, so nowadays, a chicken sandwich combo meal at Wendy's is going to set you back nearly $8 and trust me it'll never be as satisfying as the meal I had before me and nobody needs that jumbo soda with the inflated price anyhow. I don't know that I'd call myself particularly thrifty because I like to treat myself to things like meals out routinely but I did grow up relatively poor and as such appreciate the value of a fine meal at an affordable price. I'm often racked with guilt after blowing cash at fast food spots but was beaming with a big smile throughout while eating knowing I'd paid a fair price for a really enjoyable meal.

Let's talk about the food! As soon as I placed my fork against the chimichanga cheese sauce oozed up over the sides akin to trying to submerge a toy boat in water. For me on most foods a little cheese can go a long way but this was very delicate and smooth and not at all strong or overwhelming. It added some moisture and texture that really added to the dish. The seasoned beef inside was incredible. How come whenever we try to make it home it's either way too seasoned and instant heartburn or to curb that it's not seasoned enough and just tastes like regular beef? They had a perfect blend with an almost peppery flavor that worked great paired with some of the more mellower side dishes. It's been said the true mark of a Mexican restaurant is their rice and beans and both were uniformly solid. The beans were very smooth with no signs of crust from being overcooked or sitting too long which can often be the case. I love mixing the sour cream and vegetables together to make a salad which goes splendidly with the more rich chimichanga creating a nice balance and keeping the dish from being one-note. The food was really great and now I know a return visit is due soon hopefully with my wife and kids so we can all feast. And you better believe I'll be getting a chimichanga again!

I recalled almost too late that in the early RtW days I always included a picture of myself when doing dining reviews. I'm not sure what I was doing/thinking here but perhaps I was lost in thought. Grappling with the subtle inquiries into the human condition from Critters 3. Have you ever hit that point toward the end of a meal where it feels like to take any more bites is some sort of cruel unusual prison punishment? I hit that wall. But over time I've learned to look past that initial discomfort in recognition, as if a meal's made me that full and I'm still trying to polish it off it must have been awfully damn good.

Before leaving I wanted to look around some but little remnants of the past remained. But before I called it a day I saw some brightly colored letters that appeared to be dabbed on with a bingo dauber. Wait. What did it crudely say? GAME ROOM. I wasted no time bustling past the Deuce Mob and into his glorious gallery of gaming.

Ugh. Dark, dimly lit, and desolate. I immediately thought of my friend Matt's old article from '04 titled The Worst Game Room Ever!. Similarly to Matt I oddly anthropomorphize inanimate objects regularly and thought briefly if these machines could talk of their pasts, their hopes for the future, their desire to be caressed and endlessly, ceaselessly played. Maybe it's like Toy Story and if they aren't being used by humans they slowly lose their life. There was a bowling game, Beach Head 2000, and a paltry racing game that made me long for Off Road.

The restroom felt like one of the puzzle chambers from Cube 2: Hypercube.

Here's the aforementioned far side of the restaurant with the better lighting/view. Next time I want to get over there. The easy way or the hard way. Overall I had an excellent time. I urge readers, and I'll take my own advice here, to break the routine sometime from eating at the same places all the time out of convenience or habit, and seek out new and different spots to try. It'll be a rewarding and enriching experience. I left very full and happy and at only the cost of $5.75 and the 8 seconds of my life I won't get back from taking a blurry picture of a urinal.

Overall Grade: B+

Food Court Chinese Group Project!

Here we go! I've teamed up with Matt and Billy once before for our epic Five for $5 Dollar Store Challenge. When Matt shot me a message about tackling "food court Chinese", a topic he knew was already dear to my heart and well within my personal wheelhouse, I said yes, in fact similarly to Daniel Bryan, I screamed, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" And this time a total of five of us bloggers are joining in on the festivities!

I've covered Chinese food, and Chinese food inside food courts previously, actually dating back to Review the World's inaugural year in 2005. Nowadays at least 40% or more of the times I eat at food courts, be it flying solo or with my family, I'll opt for some indiscriminate chicken morsels bathed in a brownish glow and a side of noodles or rice. It usually seems like a good enough idea at the time. Typically by the end of the meal you begin questioning your moral compass.

I've got three malls very close to my palatial house and three more within driving distance beyond that. I really grappled with which spot I wanted to visit for this assignment. As many of you may know the northeastern United States got hit with some seriously frigid and potentially dangerous arctic weather last week. As a result (and also due to one of our cars being at the mechanic's) I was stuck inside for two days totaling 27 hours alone with my two babies while my wife worked. Needless to say the next chance I got free I made a break for it! To get a little quiet "me" time I hit the road and drove toward Cincinnati proper to EastGate Mall. It's about an 80 min. drive roundtrip so a bit of a hike but in this case worth it. Of all the local malls this was the last one I got around to visiting only first discovering it a couple years back after having heard its name over the years. The first time I entered the mall this was the entrance I chose at random and to my delight it entered directly into the food court! So I retraced those fateful footsteps once again to do some culinary research.

I actually bypassed the food court for a quick jot down to Orange Julius. Yes! We don't have Julius' back home. So whenever I get out to EastGate it's a must. I usually get the standard Orange Julius which is a creamy concoction that drinks like an oranges and cream popsicle in foamy juice form. In my mind I like to imagine its comparable to an Orange Lazarus from The Adventures of Pete & Pete.

And here's why we're all here! Food court Chinese! A unique breed, an oft times adventurous dining decision, and conjures an allure all its own. Bathed in fluorescent neon light and usually known by passerby for the shouting workers beckoning you with meat chunk samples on toothpicks this is it. Unfortunately that poetic prose I just whipped up doesn't really suit the accompanying image as half of the neons aren't even working and the mood in here was rather calm. Notice the cook staring directly at me.

The money shot. I used the Instagram version with the filter to better immortalize it. I got a three item plate (Hey! I was hungry!). 3 chicken entrees which I'll detail momentarily, fried rice, and my aforementioned Julius. It needs more vegetables surely as no plate of food this big should all be one color: welcome to food court Chinese.

An aerial overview. Since Chicken and Mushrooms was my third item ordered they just dumped it on top of the rest. This is a pretty standard menu item at most food court Chinese joints I've encountered. Even the bigger chains like Panda Express (which opened a standalone brick and mortar store here awhile ago) carry it. It's a nice reprieve from the more popular breaded items as its less heavy and a pretty simple formula of chicken breast, mushrooms, some shaved carrots, etc. tossed in a sauce.

Next I wanted to show off my fried rice. Well, maybe "show off" isn't the right term. I did want to show it in all its overcooked infamy for posterity's sake.

The red pieces here are General Tso's Chicken. Buried to the right is Orange Chicken. I generally try to avoid two of the similarly breaded varieties of chicken due to sameness and getting the occasional funky piece. The stuff that's not breaded and therefore you can actually see the meat with your own eyes is usually the better call but it's hard to not get at least one of these guilty pleasures each plate.

Here's another shot of China Experience from my vantage point seated. I do love that name. It guarantees it'll certainly be an experience.

To my left I saw a custom airbrushed t-shirt shop. For a split-second I'd considered going over there and plunking down my two bits and ordering a custom shirt featuring Miss Piggy drinking a Mai Tai in the back of a stretch limo with the nWo Wolfpac.

Here I am, hair shaggier than ever, documenting this momentous occasion. This bite is, or was, for you Matt, Billy, Molly, and Jay!

So how was the food itself? RtW has for better or worse always been about the scores. On this occasion I'm going with a firm B which, in the realm of food court Chinese, is a pretty nice mark. General Tso's gave things a little more flavor with a touch of spice, Orange was fine but pushed to the background, with the Chicken and Mushrooms dish undoubtedly the leader of the pack. I didn't venture too far outside of the norm but variety isn't really these type of place's strong suit. 

Here's a shot of my receipt and my Wally. Hey, I think I just named my wallet! You witnessed it right here. Consider yourselves privileged. I actually just switched out wallets for the first time in over a decade recently as my old Superman wallet had withered into tattered shreds. $7.25 seems about fair if not a touch high. A reasonable enough price but when you can go to an all you can eat Chinese lunch buffet for less it makes Wally sad. Convenience is key in this case though and that's part of the charm of food courts.

I found a relatively quiet spot and hunkered down for some meditative thought post-dinner. It looks like a corridor from an airport strangely. I did not take flight.

So now that you've read and re-read my experience at China Experience go see how the rest of our gang faired! Thanks so much for reading!

- Billy from VeggieMacabre!
- Matt from Dinosaur Dracula!

- Molly AKA Swagger Mom!

- Jay from The Sexy Armpit!

RtW: Mad Mike's Burgers - Hamilton, OH Review

To end the RtW 2013 calendar year we bring you a review of Mad Mike's Burgers in Hamilton, OH! I'd heard rumblings about this new burger joint in my old hometown that was making some waves with the beef boys and grilled cheese girls. You know, fans of fries? So I rounded up the RtW posse and we stormed that place with big appetites and a desire to get our review on. They specialize in gourmet burgers and sandwiches with all sorts of oddball names like The Mafioso, Pride of Zeus, Shroomin', Look-Out-Below, What The Cluck, and many more. I tried the Rockefeller which has Blue Cheese Crumbles, Mango Chutney, Beer Battered Onion Strings, Cilantro Mayo, and Lettuce plus I added grilled mushrooms! Come see what we all thought of this burger behemoth!

Sno Days Shaved Ice - Hamilton, OH

After a long day of filming we stumbled upon Sno Days during their last hours of operation for the 2013 season. Only open during the summer months this shack of sweet shaved ice serendipitously fell into our lap. Not only do we sample some delicious frozen treats but also pay our respects and say farewell to an excellent summer season as the day draws to a close. Join us on this impromptu review as we discover what exactly is Tiger's Blood and wax poetic on the passing of time.

Root Beer Stand - Sharonville, OH

Brian and the Review the World crew take in some dinner at the legendary Root Beer Stand. Opening in 1957 this Greater Cincinnati landmark is known as a great place for family and friends to come for food and especially root beer! We go inside and outside the restaurant, try a variety of menu items, share our impressions of the food and ambiance, and more!

China Max - Cincinnati Premium Outlets

The Cincinnati Premium Outlets is sort of like an outdoor mall that wears its fanciness like a badge of honor.  Only a few years old now I've always had a bit of a grudge with it personally.  See, the owners original presence in this area was buying one of my all-time favorite places on Earth the Forest Fair Mall while it was on its deathbed and gave it life again in 2004 as Cincinnati Mills.  After a couple years it deteriorated and lost most of its tenants and instead of trying to keep it afloat they sold it off (to a group that's now sold it yet again, but I digress) and started from scratch building this brand new shopping enterprise in Monroe, OH.  I had only been here once before and it was cold and windy so not an ideal time to shop at an outdoor destination but I did recall seeing a quaint food court that caught my eye and knew one day I'd be back.  That leads us to this review!

The food court is tiny, there's the eateries above and maybe 2-3 more tops.  But given its newness it is very clean, bright, and as such accommodating.  Now, before I get into my review proper I need to say I made a mistake.  I should have ate at Steak It Out.  Now, that's not a knock per se on where I did dine, by any means, but I'm a sucker for a Philly cheesesteak, as well as eating at spots that are new to me, so that would have been a win-win and a bit more off the beaten path which I welcome.  But, I'd had a fairly heavy dinner late the night prior, with fries and all, and felt a change of style would be welcomed and opted for Chinese.

Now, "food court Chinese" is a term my wife and I coined and it's not a positive one.  We go to a lot of malls and we dubbed this term as you often order the stuff then regret it.  They yell at you to try a sample, you get pulled in, find it hard to escape, get the food, then many times feel remorseful.  Not always the case but in the realm of Chinese dining (takeout, buffets, sit-down, etc.) food courts easily ranks last.  China Max struck me similar to Max Orient which I reviewed back in 2005 (!) and not just in name.  Max Orient at Kenwood Towne Center mall is probably the leader of the pack when it comes to "food court Chinese" so I adjusted my expectations accordingly.

This is my daughter Yukari and I right as I made my decision where to get my grub on.

Here's my spread!  I did the pick three entrée plate with fried rice.  I went with Orange Chicken, I believe they called the middle one BBQ Chicken, and then General Tso's to add a little spice to my life.

A meeting of the minds!  My son Owen and I post-lunch.

The food was pretty good and I'd safely put it in the B range.  It wasn't extraordinary or surprising enough to get up to an A but I wouldn't really expect "food court Chinese" to.  Given my somewhat reserved expectations it was satisfying.  The chicken entrees were all hot and fresh (we were there fairly early so I likely got this out of the first batch of the day -- eat there at say 7:45PM and it might be a different story).  The rice was a bit deceptive as it looked better than the norm up at the counter almost as if it was cooked just a little long developing some crust and character but it actually was a bit dry and bland and given my son's love of noodles I definitely regretted not going with the lo mein to share.  I had my customary water to drink and finished the whole plate happily.

A predictable but enjoyable lunch and now I have a reason to return so I can try out Steak It Out!  I still have mixed feelings on the Outlets.  Seems more like a place to be seen then to shop or hang.  I like traditional malls because if you desire you can blend in finding nooks and crannies to just chill.  Given the high-end retailers and outdoors element it seemed many here were just excited at the first warm Ohio day post-Winter and wanted to see or be seen.  I did score a large fresh-made lemonade at a stand which is refillable for the season at $5 and $2 on return trips so I'll be sure to get some use out of that this Summer.  They've also got a Disney Store and on this visit they had a lot of close-out specials and we got a few things including something I'll be writing about down the road.

Overall Grade: B

Potbelly Sandwich Works

There's a lot of sandwich chains competing for your munching money.  I've had most of them and the race for the top spot is not unlike Excitebike and closer than you might think.  But for me the result has been decided as Potbelly Sandwich Works is my personal favorite.  The menu may not be as extensive as some places, but they more than make up for that insufficiency with quality ingredients and craft.  I also really like the interior.  It feels like a deli mixed with an Ivy League library.  At my local location there's a very small stage in the corner where they'll have live solo singer/songwriter acts perform and adorning the walls near it are bookshelves with some choice titles (thought about leaving one of my own there).

My wife will usually get  a salad and I'll always end up chowing down on some of it also.  My son Owen likes to dig in, going after chickpeas, tomatoes, bacon, and other morsels he can nab with his tiny fingers.  This time she tried the Farmhouse Salad with comes with all-natural chicken, hard-boiled egg, bacon, blue cheese, tomatoes, red onion, and cucumbers.  With the buttermilk ranch it was both delicious and flavorful.

Here's my spread!  I order the Turkey BLT on wheat.  Now, at one point this was the advertised special sandwich (which is ever-changing) but since then it doesn't appear on the menu, I still order it by name and that seems to do the trick and I'd certainly recommend it.  I also got some Zapp's Mesquite Bar-B-Que chips (Owen was definitely a fan) and their potato salad which is out of this world.  Seriously, whether you love it or loathe it most of the time, you simply need to try theirs, it's creamy and smooth and a very nice accompaniment to a sandwich.

Sandwich perfection.  Besides the turkey, bacon, lettuce, and tomato, I also got mayo, pickles (theirs are long and thin), onions, and Italian seasoning sprinkled on for the hell of it.  Their sandwiches come in two sizes and its always a good idea to go "Bigs" which is 30% more food for just a little more.  I've tried the Tuna Salad, Meatball, and Pizza Sandwich, but right now my easy choice is this Turkey BLT.

Brandon "Big Boss" Babel: Driver, get me to Potbelly!

Driver: Sure thing, sir! Uh.. what about the bound and gagged man in the trunk?

"Big Boss": Let him wait! AHAHAHA!

Overall, I really like this place.  It's not a fancy night out or a guilty pleasure burger joint or diner, it's a sandwich shop no pretensions; but rather on your lunch break, grabbing food to go, or dining in with friends or family, it's a solid option.  Part of the reason I personally connect to it is often when my wife, our kids, and I go out to the nearby mall and shopping area, it's usually a staple in our day out as we'll grab lunch there so it holds a special place for me.  You must try some of their baked goods, grab one for dessert or to take home for a late-night snack, my wife and I are both crazy for their Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookie, it's moist and rich and we never visit without getting at least two!

Overall Grade: A-

RtW Crew Visits McDonald's

Brian, Eddie, and Nick of Review the World make a stop at McDonald's for lunch during a day of filming for the website. The guys try burgers, fries, the Shamrock Shake, and a Premium Southwest Salad. We give thoughts on food and share some McD's reflections in this brand new, high-def video. Enjoy!

Go! Road Trip #5

Proud to bring you the first new content here on the new and improved Review the World!

After a couple years absence Paul and Brian make their triumphant return with a brand new Go! Road Trip! Go! is all about just that, getting out of the house, and going! This trip sees the guys smash a sushi buffet, end up at a legendary castle, getting philosophical riverside, then exploring the highways and byways.

More new content on the way!  I'll have another new video up within a week and a new article or two within the next few days.  I'm having a blast and hope you all enjoy the new stuff.

I know I'll get asked so I'll clear it up here:  The song at the end of this episode is from the first (and honestly one of the only) RPGs I ever played.  It was Ultima: Exodus on NES.  About a decade ago I burnt a 70+ track CD of all my favorite classic video game music from my youth and when puzzled how to close out the video I tried a few of those game tunes and this one just felt somehow bizarrely right.

Don't forget -- I just started an official RtW Facebook!  Please check it out and "like" it to follow all the latest happenings with the site and I.

B&T Show #15: Jack in the Box, Candy Corn M&Ms, & Renaissance Fair

The Brian & Tim Show is a series I co-star in.  Unlike other videos on RtW I'm merely on-screen talent on this show, all of the shooting, editing, creative decisions, etc. are by Team Sandnut productions founder Adam S.

It's Friday, so that means new episode time! In this week's episode the guys grab some late night grub at Jack in the Box, look at the new candy corn M&Ms, and then Tim has a special look at the Ohio Renaissance Fair with a special appearance by Captain John Stout!

Go! Road Trip #4

Brian and Paul hit the road again! They start off with some food cart street tacos on East Ave. in Hamilton, OH then venture out to an A&W Restaurant for root beer, burgers with "special" sauce, then go shopping and adventuring in Big Lots!

Thursday Night Takeout - Asian One Cafe

We shot this, the second episode in a series, long ago and it's been sitting lonely on my hard-drive for too long.  We weren't able to shot much inside, failed to capture the insane energy of the debut episode (a personal favorite of mine), and for other reasons this stayed dormant for over a calendar year.  Now you can enjoy it (or not)!