Food: the ultimate stress relief
DOUGLAS HALE / THE EAGLE
This past weekend, I decided to minimize the amount of time spent on schoolwork, ruthlessly and efficiently compartmentalizing the differing aspects of my life so as to better maximize and enjoy the work-free times. Coming off a week of studying and illness, relaxation seemed a great alternative weekend pursuit. In this case, it meant trips to various destinations around Northern Virginia and D.C. for one sole purpose. And I hate to step on The AU Gourmet’s toes, but this most important of reasons was the food.
Pentagon City’s metro stop is home to several great businesses, the most important of which is COSTCO. Though membership costs money, this place is a Mecca for its free food samples, its delicious snack bar area and its absurd quantity/cost ratios for all types of packaged food and merchandise. One of the best offerings is the foot-long hot dog and 20oz soda combo for $1.50, though their 20oz soft serve frozen yogurts for $1.30 are a solid deal as well. Since I’d forgotten my housemate’s membership card, I pushed a cart for an older lady in return for her allowing me to walk in with her, permitting me free access to the wonderment within. The two-dollar slice of combo pizza (greasy, deep-dish and sinfully tasty) along with the hot dog/soda combo and topped with a delicious swirl frozen yoghurt put me into a delightful food coma. I give it a 3.75/4 rating.
As per The AU Gourmet’s recommendation, after a walk through Dupont Circle’s Krispy Kreme for a fresh-from-the-oven classic glazed (3.65/4), I made my way over to Mr. Yogato on 17th NW, where I got a tangy fro-yo topped with granola and blackberries. This experience was made all the more delightful by the board games, old-school Nintendo (with over 20 cartridges!), karaoke and the 75% discount I received on my order by performing the Thriller dance for everyone in the crowded store. 3.5/4 for taste, 3.75/4 for total experience.
On Sunday, the honey-lime burrito from California Tortilla — or Cal-Tor to those in the know — was tasty but not spicy. If you love Ranch dressing, it is definitely the burrito for you. Their pico de gallo wasn’t as fresh as I’d have expected, though the queso dip was very tasty. The Nantucket Nectars seem a little out of place as drinks of choice for a glorified taquería, but fortunately I also spotted an Orangina (sweetened seltzer water with a bit of orange juice mixed in) in the beverage case, which rounded out my meal quite deliciously. 2.75/4
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