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Brook Hubbard

Reviews

  • Of the listing Great Harvest Bread

    Brook Hubbard
    10:12 am on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
    ****

    A pleasant surprise, I was not expecting much when we chose to visit this little shop around the corner. We'd driven by it many times and thought nothing about some bakery, until my wife decided she wanted soup and sandwiches. Even from the inside this place seemed like your typical business park eatery, with menus written in chalk, a variety of shelves with wares, and a small counter in front of a kitchen and the bakery itself.

    However, when I brought the food and bit in? WOW. The bread was absolutely fantastic and made the sandwiches. My wife ate a focaccia sandwich so big she saved half for later. Even I had problems finishing my cobb sandwich, which had just the right amount of guacamole and a tasty bleu cheese spread on it. Best of all was this onion rye bread that was not too overpowering on the rye and had a sweet onion flavor to it. Even the soups were well made, from my cauliflower potato (with just the right hint of pepper) and my wife's crab (with actual chunks of crab in it).

    This place made our day and we will most definitely be eating there again. Cost-wise its just a buck or two higher than Panera... and way better. They may not have the variety of the chain stores (they're just sandwiches, soups, and baked goods), but they definitely beat them on quality. My only wish is they had a wider menu (salads would be good) and more soups (they only have two and you never know what it'll be each day).

  • Of the listing The Mango Grove

    Brook Hubbard
    10:11 am on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
    ****

    I took my vegetarian mother here for her birthday, because she wanted Indian food and we always had problems finding places that were truly vegetarian. Much to our surprise, this place lived up to its claim and we had an excellent birthday lunch!

    The food is typical Indian fare, but with a wide variety to choose from. I'm not much of a fan of Indian food, but there were even things that I kept going back for more. I would love to list the stuff, but I couldn't even pronounce the names. All I know is that they were good!

    For those who aren't vegetarian, they usually have a few chicken dishes set off to the side. Other than that, this place is truly for the vegetarian or open-minded. I also have to give kudos for the very attentive management who kept checking on their customers and helping with whatever was needed.

    So, if you're in the mood for Indian food and/or someplace to take a vegetarian friend or family member... check out the Mango Grove. You won't be disappointed!

  • Of the listing Blockbuster Video

    Brook Hubbard
    10:10 am on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
    ***

    What is there to say about a Blockbuster Video, except to proclaim in shock, "There's a Blockbuster Video left?"

    I'll admit, I only stopped in here to drop off some movies for my mother (as there are none left down by her) and to pay her late fees. The whole place had a nostalgic, but depressing, feel; in this day and age of On Demand and NetFlix, who still uses these places?

    Still, I give them kudos for their customer service. My mother was unaware how much she was racking up on these videos, so even a few days over and she owed quite a bit. The woman behind the counter was nice to halve the amount owed and made things easier.

    So, I give a thumbs up to customer service but an odd eye toward a dinosaur still in existence.

  • Of the listing Burger King

    Brook Hubbard
    10:04 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
    *

    After a few more times dealing with them, I'm changing my review.

    Do yourself a favor and drive somewhere else. Even if you have to drive way out of your way for another Burger King, it's worth it.

    It's not that the staff aren't friendly, it's that they are complete idiots. Every single time I visit this place, they mess something up. You ask for one thing, they give you the complete opposite, then look at you like they have no idea how to fix their mistake. I've seen them arguing over how to use the computer, give people the wrong bags only to realize it too late, etc. Worse, their employment seems like a revolving door, as I rarely see the same person working there for more than a month.

    So, like I said, just forget about eating at this Burger King. Go eat at Wendy's down the street or (if you're really feenin' for some BK) drive 15-20 minutes to Laurel or Beltsville.

  • Of the listing Pub Dog

    Brook Hubbard
    10:04 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
    ***

    For those looking for some sort of "night life" in Columbia, the selection is rather limited. Pub Dog is a decent place to start and gives you the basics you need: a regular supply of beer, food to help wash it down, and plenty of social space.

    The beer is alright here, nothing too spectacular but not the usual garbage people drink at local BBQs. A micro-brewery, Pub Dog serves a variety of beers that imitate everything from American beers and Coronas to English ales and Guiness. I tasted the Muddy-Dog, which is a blend of English ale and Irish stout and it was decent. If you're looking for something fancy, this isn't the place for you: this is a pub which means beer is what's on the menu.

    Food-wise I only tried the pretzels, which were a bit disappointing. The pretzel itself was well-done, nice and soft, but the two "dips" consisted of salt or what amounted to Hellman's spicy mustard. They try to market it as some local concoction, but it tasted no different than any other store-bought mustard. I may try the pizza next time, as they seemed to have a variety of interesting toppings.

    In summary, this place has decent beer and just average food. The atmosphere was friendly enough and it seems a good place to go and relax if you're looking for something to do at night. I will return in the future and see my opinion changes, but for now this place is A-OK.

  • Of the listing Subway

    Brook Hubbard
    10:03 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
    ***

    As this store is right next to my favorite hobby shop, I've eaten here many a week. Overall this store is A-OK for what I need: quick, semi-healthy food that I grab for the family on my way back from hanging out with friends.

    My first note is regarding the staff "friendliness". The staff are polite, but there seems to be a lack of "good vibes". They seem tired anytime someone walks in and just sort of talk in a monotone as they make your meal. This could be a cultural barrier, as I believe most of the staff are from India or Pakistan, but it's still noticeable. However, I was shocked the other day when I was trying to figure out what my daughter wanted and the staff member already knew. So, they obviously pay attention to the regular customers that come in!

    My second note is a concern for fresh products. Sometimes, especially at the end of the day, I refuse to use certain items on my subs. I've seen roast beef that looked a little green. Sometimes the lettuce is a bit brown and the spinach is looking wilted. If you come in earlier or after they've cracked open a fresh bag, then the food is great. However, if it's the last of what was put out and has been sitting there for hours, I'd recommend changing what you're going to eat.

    Still, I've never gotten sick here, the subs are done right, and the food is always tasty. So, if you're over in Columbia Palace and feel like some Subway, this is a perfectly fine place to grab some grub!

  • Of the listing Howard County Chiropractic Spine and Sports Rehabilitation

    Brook Hubbard
    10:02 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
    ****

    I have to say I have been happy with this chiropractor since I started using them. Drs. Antico and Antico (husband and wife) are both excellent physicians that know their stuff. The staff are friendly and professional making me enjoy every visit. I have not felt better than this in years and I have ended up with a regimen that I can do myself for the future.

    If you're looking for some help with an injury or just need to get back on healthy track, I recommend using this place any day!

  • Of the listing Cafe De Paris

    Brook Hubbard
    10:02 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
    ****

    Having driven past this place almost every day, as it's a few minutes drive from our house, my wife and I finally decided to give it a try. This was our wedding anniversary dinner and I have to say that this was an enjoyable choice for such a personal event.

    Let's start with the ambiance, which is quiet, fancy, and gives a nice air to the experience. The staff were friendly and informative, particularly in regard to wine and favorites on the menu. Perhaps it felt empty because it was a rainy Monday evening, but it was still nice to be one of only a few diners throughout the place.

    We had the Ratatouille, Duck, Veal, and some select desserts as well as a glass of the Riesling. All of these were cooked very well, with the vegetables crispy but not overcooked, the meat tender and juicy, and the sauces adding amazing flavor. I also have to make note of the amazing Croquettes, which were a nice crispy outside with a fantastic hot, soft interior. We finished up with two of the desserts, both of which were rich and filling.

    I'm not a food connoisseur, but I do know good food when I've had it. Yes the place is a bit pricey (appetizer, two entrees, two desserts, two glasses of wine, and a coffee came to $100), but for a nice night out this place was worth it. We will definitely be visiting here again!

  • Of the listing Asean Bistro

    Brook Hubbard
    10:01 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
    ****

    After the disaster with our previous "usual" Chinese joint, we decided to give this place a try. Turns out, it was a pretty good idea! The staff were friendly, the order was correct, and the food was pretty good.

    Now, I haven't eaten inside as we've only ordered carry-out and delivery. Their delivery range is small (only 7.5 miles) but that's OK seeing as we're literally just down the street from them. The man on the phone/at the counter was friendly and made sure we had the right order several times before we left. When we ordered delivery, we were given a 40 minute wait time but it was there within 15-20 minutes.

    The food itself is decent, with no problems at all. The Crab Rangoon is a little less garlic-y than I'm used to, but cooked correctly. My wife and I have had the Pork in Plum sauce and that is really tasty. I love the Cold Sesame Peanut Noodles which are a favorite and a huge portion for an appetizer. My Pad Thai has a nice sweet and sour tang to it even if it spicier than I usually get.

    Overall, I think this place is definitely a great choice in our area!

  • Of the listing Wendy's

    Brook Hubbard
    10:00 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
    **

    To be honest, this is really about a 2.5 star Wendy's. They're not absolutely horrible, but the real reason I keep using them is they're the only Wendy's nearby.

    The biggest complaints seem to come from the kitchen. The people taking your order get it down right... but the people making it seem to be idiots. Even more, they're completely unprofessional and you can hear them arguing with each other behind the scenes. Just the other night the manager had to go back there again, because people were waiting 15 minutes for their food. The staff were arguing over who should be making what and how rather than just getting the process done.

    Now, the manager is an amusing man. Kind of rough, he looks like Uncle Ruckus from The Boondocks. Talks like him a bit too. Still, having to deal with the idiots under him, he does whup them into shape when needs be. So, I gave a -1 for the staff behind the scenes but a +1 for the manager... which is why we end up with the rating I give.

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