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all good things must come to an end

Well, it’s back to school for my kids tomorrow and the first day of preschool for Hugh all rolled up in one! This summer has been the fastest of my life, and probably one of the most fun. My kids are getting older and they like to play together, which helps, as well as leaving the country. That helped give me some perspective and gave me time to miss them. ANYWHOO, “the project” has been a fun part of this summer and we had our final meeting at Chadders in Provo (there’s one in American Fork as well). It was a good one to end on and we liked it so much that when Topher finally returned from his month abroad and demanded a really good American cheeseburger, and so we returned two weeks later when he came home because it was my favorite. . .and that should be review enough, right?
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The Project: EZ Burger

I know, TWO “projects” in one week? It’s just your lucky day.

We went to EZ Burger right before my family and I went on our vacation and it seemed to be a busy week for everyone so people came and went, but several points stick out in my mind. First of all, EZ Burger is similar to In N Out Burger found all over California and Arizona. There’s no denying the similarities in decor and menu, but I trust their lawyers have found them. The second thing are the fries, which are skinny and light, just like I like ‘em (and In N Out doesn’t have fry sauce, so Utah’s “representing,” as the kids say.) Jenny ordered her fries “wild style” with sauteed onions, cheese, and special sauce. Yes, I’ll be ordering that next time. And, thirdly, it was really clean. And I hope you know how important that is to me.

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People with style and class frequent EZ Burger.
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Our Celebrity Specialist and International Coorespondant.
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Banished to the kids table (who’s watching those kids?!). . .
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Fries, nice, hamburger patties, a little small (but tasty!)
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The drinks are nice and big.

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Well, there’s this “Wi-Fi” stuff, if you like that, here, too. (Which, incidentally, my son Miles finds a way, nonchalantly, to bring up everyday. “Why don’t we have Wi-Fi? I’m just wondering. . .” “Um, do you know that if we had Wi-Fi, we could. . . ” or my favorite, “I’m saving up for Wi-Fi because it’s, like, so weird we don’t have it, and one day I’ll tell my kids we didn’t have it and they’ll think that’s so bizarre!” Oh, kids today and they’re Wi-Fi! We have a toaster, what more does he want!?)

Jenny (Celebrity Specialist): E-Z burgers is a gathering point for the likes of Sam Elliott, Cher, Burt Reynolds, Aaron Eckhart, Tom Cruise, or anyone else who likes to ride motorcycles, or has a particular affinity for All Things Route 66. And, yes, that IS John Candy in the corner — he just Took The Challenge to get his polaroid on the wall . . . you can do that, too, if you’re excited about eating 25 burgers in 40 minutes.

Carina (International Liason): When internationals thing of burgers and fries, EZ burger is exactly what we think about: California, plastic surfaces, tile designs, no-nonsense fries and burgers. Everything was a little small, but that’s how we Europeans do things. EZ Burger is the Smart Car of The Project.

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This is what sticks out the most in my mind about EZ Burger: Being there with my kids who were “on one” and kept climbing over everything and sitting on each other. I guess I didn’t mind the sitting so much because then I knew they weren’t bothering anyone else. Just each other.

The Project: 5 Guys

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Lisa (Fry Expert): Any place that gives you a generous cup of fries and then just pours another cup right in the bag, for good measure, is allllright with me! 5 Guys gives you the choice of regular or cajun fries, and I like the weight and “real potatoey flavor” of the regular (to steal the phrase from Amelia). The fry sauce is thick and traditional. And one large order of fries fed me and all my children, which is no small feat.

Stace (Mood/Feeling): If you’re looking for a burger joint with high energy and super tasty burger and traditional fries for you and your family then Five Guys burgers and Fries is for you! I love these big, beefy burgers and Big fries (one small order of fries easily feed me and my three kids) because they satisfy every yearning I have for a good old fashioned burger and fries, at a reasonable price and worth every penny. The one down side….no milkshakes. Two warnings; don’t be scared off by the long line they move quickly and it can be crowded and noisy (like downtown New York!) so listen carefully for when they shout your number!

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Hailey (Shake Specialist): I was 0 for 3! But I loved that bacon cheeseburger!

Jenny (Celebrity Spotter): Guy Fawkes, Guy Trundle, Guy Ritchie, Guy Francis, and Seth McFarlane

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Brett (Hip/Coolness Factor): Any truly hip person knows that, even while keeping up on trends, you should keep some classics in your arsenal. Items such as 501s, white shirts, a solid blazer, khakis, a few cashmere sweaters and Chuck Taylors can always be worn to give a timeless feel to your look. Now, I’m not a fashion expert by any means (my wife will attest) but I have always been drawn to the classics. I think that is part of the reason I love 5 Guys Burgers and Fries. It’s the “classic” version of burger joints. It’s not kitschy or quaint. It’s not an ambience attraction. It’s not popular-because-it’s-always-been-there either. 5 Guys is just … timeless. You walk in and you feel like you have been there before and like it’s been there forever. The design, presentation and menu is just … simple, comfy and familiar. Just like a pair of old jeans only it tastes much much better.

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Overall, our food was good, but the visit with friends felt anxious and short because the place is so darn loud! It was difficult finding seats together and then hearing the person next to you. So while I’d recommend the food, I wouldn’t recommend it as a place to sit down and visit with friends.

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Kacy seems happy with her soda selection, don’t you think?

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(I’m surprised that my Dad didn’t write up about the cleanliness of the bathrooms of the establishment, but that might be because he was too busy wiping down the counters.)

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I forgot my camera, so thanks to Amy for the photos!

The Project: Sammy’s

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Stace (Mood/Emotive Guru/Value for the Dollar): Sammy’s has a simple, hip, creative atmosphere with meaty burgers, piles of fries (both spuds and sweet potatoes) and shakes all fairly priced for a total of $10-13. If you’re daring and looking for a fun, taste bud adventure take your kids to chat over a shared pie shake (great idea Drew!)! Or…. if you’re looking for a small local diner with live music try their Summer Spectacular series on Friday nights, eat outside and after dinner enjoy a free ice cream cone!

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Kacy (Beverages/Ice/Topics Discussed): While Sammy’s does offer free refills, the pepsi machine is behind the counter which means you have to ASK for them. That’s not free to me. I like to get my own. Because I can drink a lot. And I want to drink a lot without shame. Pepsi instead of Coke? It’s a mistake, but not a fatal one.

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Jenny (Celebrity Specialist): It’s not hard to figure out which celebrities would be found at Sammy’s because there are poloroids of them on the walls. Without studying those photos, however, I’m gonna go with Any Osmond (except Marie . . . shhhhhhhh), especially David, who happens to be friends with Sammy. Speaking of Davids, Li’l Mister Archuleta would (and likely has) enjoyed a pie shake or two. On any given day, I’d say George Wendt would happily spend the afternoon at the counter (on the corner seat, of course), contemplating which scripture tote to purchase. Seated in the far corner, just to Get Away From It All: Jon Gosselin (Kate brought in the entire brood last week and was completely Put Out that there wasn’t room for all her crew, and that she couldn’t get her food in three minutes).

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Hailey (Shakes/Dessert Specialist): To say that I was disappointed that Sammy’s ice cream machine was broken is a gross understatement. Utterly and completely devastated is more like it. I had been looking forward to a Sammy’s pie shake for a whole week, as I had enjoyed it once in the past. I dreamed of banana cream pie goodness the night before and woke up hungry! So, I sat there and shed tears over my sweet potato fries, but invisible tears because it was Kacy’s birthday and I didn’t want to be the Debbie Downer. The worst part of it all is that, not two minutes after I left, my friend who was going in as we were leaving texted me to say that they were now serving shakes. Oh, the inhumanity!! Whatever. Get the banana cream pie shake when you go. IF YOU CAN. (I’m not mad.) img_2546

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Lisa (Fries/Fry Sauce): Sammy’s has two choices: a battered “regular fry” (a thicker thin fry–believe me, that makes a lot of sense in my mind) and the “sweet potato fry.” When I asked the waitress which one I should order, she told me “do half-and-half!” Which I did and was thoroughly delighted and felt that I had eaten two, versus one, servings of vegetables that meal. I would order the half-and-half again and again. The fry sauce was homemade and thick. I ate it all. That should say it all.

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Brett (Hipness/Coolness Factor): Whether or not you love the food at Sammy’s, there’s no denying the atmosphere there is very loose, welcoming and, ultimately college scene friendly. It’s not that they are trying to be “hip” either. Sammy’s owner Sam Schultz is a promoter and scene virtuoso. He’s been able to use his burger joint as a way to get the word out about talented local musicians by hosting evening concerts with Mindy Gledhill, Jarrett Burns, Jackie Tohn, The Jets and more, often for free or for a very low price. Check it out: http://sammyscafe.blogspot.com/

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Topher (Burgers): I was more than happy with my hamburger at Sammy’s. I had “The Masterpiece.” At first I saw that it had BBQ sauce on it and I thought to myself, Gross. I hate BBQ sauce! And mixed with avacado and bacon? Now I’ve heard everything! But it was a wonderful combination. The hamburger was substantial and very meaty, as a hamburger should be. It didn’t taste like something I might make on my own grill at home, it tasted fancy, like something a famous person would make on their grill at their home. And Sammy’s is right in our own backyard! Please do not hesitate to try “The Masterpiece.” If you gobble it down in even half the time it took me, that’s a real achievement!

My only negative experience with this hamburger was when Kacy brought up the whole story about Gary Gilmour. And then I was thinking about a bunch of dead people while I was eating. But I quickly thought about something else. And it was Kacy’s birthday, so I guess she’s entitled to whatever story she wants to tell.

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Happy Birthday, Kacy! Everyone should go and eat this burger (with two kinds of fries.).