Palo Alto Creamery at Stanford

Name: Palo Alto Creamery at Stanford
Address: Pear Lane at Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, California 94301
Phone: 650-327-3141
Web site: none; Google Local info page
Date & Time visited: Saturday, February 11, 2006, 3:00 PM
Guests: Jen and me
What we had: BBQ bacon burger (turkey patty) (me), "Turkey Terrific" (Jen).

My BBQ bacon burger with a turkey patty was delicious and very messy. The BBQ sauce was tasty and the bacon slices were perfectly done. The "Turkey Terrific" is, as our waitress described it, "Thanksgiving on a sandwich". Roast turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce all on sandwich bread. Jen enjoyed it very much.

Service: Average. Our waitress was very friendly, but took a break while we were there and there wasn't anyone else covering the table. That wouldn't have been so bad, but she was taking her break two tables over.

The music at one point became painfully loud, but it was lowered after we asked the busser to check on it.

Would we go back: Yes.

Rancho del Zocalo

Name: Rancho del Zocalo
Address: Disneyland, California, 92802
Phone: 714-781-DINE (3463)
Web site: (on Disneyland Resort Web site; Flash)
Date & Time visited: Saturday, February 4, 2006, 6:00 PM
Guests: Jen and me
What we had: Carne Asada and Cheese Enchilada platter (Jen), Monterey Chicken Tacos (me)

The food at Zocalo has gone pretty steadily downhill from a promising start when it opened in place of the late, lamented Casa Mexicana several years ago. The menu has changed a few times, never for the better, and at the moment has only about six choices. Except for one small piece, the grilled beef in Jen's Carne Asada was burned and charred beyond recognition; when she tried to eat it, she ended up choking on the gristle. My chicken soft tacos were all right, but there was very little chicken and the seasoning was quite bland. Adding a copious amount of Ortega Hot Sauce helped but tended to drown whatever flavor the dish had. The rice and beans were acceptable if not stellar. The guacamole did appear to be fresh.

Service: Not really applicable, as this is a "scramble service" restaurant, where guests go to various stations to order and pick up their items. The design of this restaurant has never lent itself to easy navigation, and the lack of clear signage or direction in which of the two main stations has which of the dishes or where to queue for the stations just leads to confused knots of people pushing their way to the counters. The bussers are very quick to clear and clean tables in the outdoor eating area, which is very much appreciated.

Would we go back: Sadly, probably not; at least not until they change the menu again.