Tuesday, December 30, 2008

GIVEAWAY...here....

you read it right. my little blog. and it's not my ornery children that i'm giving away. nope, something else that i have a real passion for.

FOOD and eating out.




the sonora grill is located in ogden, utah at the new solomon center in ogden. it is really quite the happening little complex.

we ventured down there after it first opened. s.mac and i are friends with the owner. he and i have known each other since childhood and he and s.mac were buddies in high school.

i am used to utah mexican, which is its own variety. i love it, i do. but if you are looking for an experience and something very authentic, the sonora grill will give you that.

what do i love and can i describe it for you?

when we first went in we weren't sure what to expect. the building is beautiful with every art piece and fixture authentic to the area they patterned the cuisine after. everything there is authentic.

the cheese is other planet good. it is specific to the regional cuisine they serve. their beans smooth and light, the corn on the cob is a pleaser anytime. in fact, my "winds of love" got it yesterday, in the middle of winter, and it transported me to mid summer with the baby corn taste. awesome. the salsa is very different. it is not going to be your typical tomatoes and onions. it is a smoky morita salsa served alongside a lime salsa. i want to drink them both. the chips are perfection and the biggest thing i am a fan of, okay 2 things that rock my world.
the carne asada burrito and
the chicken quesadilla.

the meat in both are so incredibly seasoned and prepared, i can't get enough.

okay, okay, i'm lying. there's more. the carne asada quesadilla, the ceviche. what is ceviche? well, the one i like is their big rock shrimp ceviche. it has shrimp, cured in lime juice, with tomatoes, onion, mint and you must. i mean really, you must. you eat it with chips and oh, lawsy mercy, other planet good.

their lemonades are exquisite, everyday featuring a new flavor that transports you from rocky mountains to the islands. divine.

dessert - i am a huge fan of the banana split. vanilla bean ice cream with a grilled banana, pineapple, chocolate fudge with chocolate shavings on the top. we have to with hold the snorting while we gobble it up. my honesty begs me to tell you i have tried all of their desserts and you can't go wrong with one thing.

they also offer a variety of specials you can read about it here on their blog like early bird specials, free anniversary dinners, free birthday dinners, hello! also, they have a great room in the back that is private and can seat up to 10 people. i love this! we go out to eat with big groups often and i am always dreading the wait for a place that won't take reservations so a private eatery that is so willing to accommodate is a heaven send. these people are here to stay. that is one thing i look for in a restaurant, the service and how you feel when you go in. the owner is sure to be greeting every guest, filling water as well as telling you about avocados that he prepares table side when you order the out of this world guacamole. he is dedicated to the ogden area and his sweet wife is a trooper to let her husband serve us so much, really. they are dedicated to making your experience pleasurable.

have i not convinced you? here is their site HERE and here is another write up with fabulous pictures HERE.

the most gracious emily of the sonora grill contacted me and told me i could give away a gift certificate for $20 to one lucky winner. i know i have a lot of out of staters reading this blog and i also know you visit once in a while, so don't be shy! leave a comment in this post, we will close the give away on sunday, january 4 and i will announce the winner on monday. good luck to all of you!

p.s. add a link to their site on your blog and you will be cool. cuz i think it's pretty..........

20 comments:

Kristy said...

Sounds divine. Ceviche is really popular in Peru and we ate a lot of it there. I'd love to try this restaurant sometime when I'm visiting.

Jenilyn said...

Uh....Heid...me encanta la comida de mexico translation: i deserve to win b/c I recently found out I have a bone in my leg...it'll be there for the rest of my life however long that may be...my only wish...is to eat at Sonora Grill (sob sob sob)....hahahahaha!

The McFarlane Three said...

Lol, the Ballard's are in our ward, Emily is our Relief Society secretary, and I'm one of her visiting teachers! small world.

Brooke said...

can I still enter, even though I am your friend? I want in.

Lori said...

you don't need to sign me up for the gc cause I want someone to experience it that hasn't. Sonora Grill is AMAZING and I'll gladly pay anytime to go eat their divine food.

Kat said...

How could I not comment?! Sounds fabulous and free (or at least $20 off) is right up our budget. We may have to go even if I don't win.

Joanna said...

OK count me in! I'm an out of stater but come back to UT now and then:) It sounds just heavenly!!!

Megan said...

Mmm, I havn't been and eveything you mentioned sounds sooo yummy! :)

Little Spoiled Me said...

Would love to win! Their quesadillas are to die for!

Randi said...

I've been dying to try his restaraunt. This could get me there!

Paige M. said...

I'm game! I want to go back so so bad! MMMMMMMMM ceviche Ü

Deanna said...

Sounds fabulous!! Unfortunately, there is a SERIOUS lack of good mexican food here. We'll definitely have to try that the next time we're out there (which will hopefully be in April . . .!)

Rebecca said...

What a great write up! I am Emily's sister and I live in Texas and sometimes I start craving Sonora Grill food so much that I am seriously tempted to buy a plane ticket!

You will have to get a non-alcoholic mojito next time you go in. They are AMAZING. Have you tried the stacked enchiladas with green sauce instead of red? So delicious I can hardly stand living so far away!

Roberta said...

Kind of a far drive for us. But if it's as good as you describe, it may be worth the drive...

Kristie said...

I love mexican. Haven't tried that one yet but would love too. Count me in for the giveaway.

Amy said...

Oh I love sonora grill. I would love to win.

sp.dandilicious@gmail.com said...

Sonora Grill sounds great to me also. I didn't know it was Steve B. that owns it. I'll have to try it and go say hi. Thanks so much for the comment on my blog, it was nice to finally hear how things can turn out positive!

April said...

I love that place. Lauren Speechly is my cousin and I saw you were having a giveaway so I thought I'd stop on by.

Bart and Jill Schenck Family said...

Bart and I haven't tried this restaurant yet. I think you have me conviced to give it a shot!!!

Bart and Jill Schenck Family said...

Bart and I haven't tried this restaurant yet. I think you have me convinced!!! I forgot to ask you...what is the blog site for the airplane family you were talking about in relief society today? I would like to look at it!!!