Lunch reviews
By Danny McConnell, Staff Reporter
Chipotle Mexican Grill bills itself as a typical Mexican cantina, located next door to the Acme in Wayne. However, the décor is anything but Mexican. With drab walls covered in plain boards and exposed ducts on the ceiling, the interior of Chipotle looks more like a factory than a restaurant. This is fitting, since employees customize the salads, tacos and burritos on a Henry-Ford-style assembly line.
The line at Chipotle is long at lunchtime, and it took me ten minutes to get to the front. The elevator music made the wait feel even longer. Chipotle’s options include burritos, tacos and salads available in chicken, beef, pork and vegetarian. The food itself is good, but a bit over-seasoned. The best things I had were warm tortilla chips with just the right amount of salt, complimented by chunky salsa with fresh cilantro.
Chipotle is a chain that prides itself on “food with integrity,” meaning that most of their ingredients are organic. For fast food, it’s pretty good. But the problem is that it’s not fast food. When it takes more than ten minutes to get a burrito, the wait time outweighs the taste.
Chipotle Mexican Grill, 309 East Lancaster Ave., Wayne, PA 19087
PBandU in Wayne is one of the most original places on the Main Line to enjoy a meal. As the name suggests, the restaurant sells everything peanut butter, so those with allergies should stay clear. For the rest of us, PBandU is a wonderland of creamy or chunky goodness and endless combinations of concoctions.
The atmosphere in PBandU is fitting: facts about peanut butter hang on the walls and tables are peanut shaped. Think Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, except a peanut butter version. The menu is a peanut-butter lover’s fantasy, with everything from peanut butter fondue to peanut butter milkshakes. Even childhood favorites like ants on a log are included. The sandwiches are completely customizable with dozens of options, though I recommend the store’s pre-made creations.
Sandwiches that sound good on paper, such as peanut butter and Nutella, taste overly sweet, while a sandwich that sounds disgusting—peanut butter, bananas, bacon and honey—turns out to be the perfect combination of crunchy, smooth, sweet and chewy. I would recommend PBandU to any peanut lover, as there are enough options to indulge anyone’s nutty fantasies.
PBandU, 163 East Lancaster Ave., Wayne, PA 19087
Ashys Burger & Fries is conveniently nestled in the Paoli Shopping Center, making it easily accessible for seniors on lunch break. The food is tasty and there are a variety of choices. Burgers, hot dogs, chili and even sweet baklava are all included on the vast menu. Ashys also offers healthier vegetarian options such as falafels and salads. The burgers are above average, lacking the grease that you would find on a typical fast food burger. On top of the patties is a creamy spread of mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard. This great sauce combines the creaminess of mayonnaise, the sweetness of ketchup and the tang of mustard. Despite the simplicity, this sauce works well and is spread perfectly across the burger.
Ashys is good if you are in a rush: the service is quick, and the staff is friendly, genuine and helpful. The price is reasonable for students on a budget—even with sides and a drink, a meal will likely be less than ten dollars. Ashys is a restaurant that is what it is: a burger joint. What the restaurant lacks in uniqueness, it makes up for in taste and reliability.
Ashys Burger & Fries, 82 East Lancaster Ave., Paoli, PA 19301
Danny McConnell can be reached at dmcconnell@stoganews.com
This review originally appeared on page 19 of the Feb. 14, 2011 issue of The Spoke.
