Lucky Fins Seafood - Meridian, ID

How pumped do I look to be going out to eat seafood (at a non-chain restaurant...) with two of my most favorite cowboys?! Jets hat, check. Cheetah print shirt, check. Crazy face, check!

Luck Fins Seafood restaurant was located just about 15 minutes down the road from the Idaho Horse Park. We decided to make the drive on one of our easy nights off and judging by the initial popularity upon entering we were happy with our choice!

I started with the Roasted Poblano and jalapeno Cream Soup because doesn't the name just sound amazing? The rich soup had only a mild kick but was addicting spoonful by spoonful. A bowl is a heft portion of this heavy liquid but definitely worth the order.

Baked Oysters?! Yes, please! I read that they were served up with bacon and blue cheese, it intrigued me so I ordered them. When they say, "less is more..." in this case it was. All the ingredients masked the delicious, briny taste of the oyster. Who knew blue cheese or bacon could have ruined... anything?!

Entrees came out, first up Halibut. Beautifully cooked and served over rice with a cream sauce, spinach and tomato. It was nice, not great but a refreshingly honest meal.

Now how about some Mediterranean Mahi Mahi! Lots of flavor in this bad boy... artichoke, tomato, feta, red onion and perfectly cooked mahi mahi served also over a bed of rice.

We loved the freshness of the ingredients, the lively atmosphere and the company of course! A definite re-visit if we are ever back in town!

Red Robin - Nampa, ID

Nampa was like chain restaurant city. There was plenty of them on every corner so we were in luck on where to dine. I do prefer a stand alone restaurant rather than a chain but when your hungry and on the road after awhile, food is just food. This clean Red Robin had televisions in the floor and and was extremely clean.

Scott ordered a Cheeseburger that came with endless fries, of which were very delicious. A special seasoning is dusted on the thick cut pillows of potato and are extremely addicting! The cheeseburger was fine, huge and full of toppings soon after he first bite made it a knife and fork burger.

I of course, went the Fish and chips route. The cod, was light and flaky and the crisp breading was also seasoned with the same fry seasoning. The pieces of fish were large and I tried to mow through all of them but stopped just short of one.

Miss Karley ordered a Chicken Wrap of sorts because she loves all things chicken: wrap, entree or sandwich. That is her thing! She seemed to like it just the same as she quietly consumed it all.

Do I love eating at red Robin? It is ok. I know the food is going to be exactly the same, every time and there is something to be said for the consistency of franchise food. The name is a little lame but not everyone was blessed with cool names like... Melissa Good Taste!

Wingers - Nampa, ID

While in Nampa we had the opportunity to visit a lot of chain restaurants. It is not always my favorite but there is there is something to be said about their overall consistency. They do put out a really nice beer, Tale Pale Ale was a nice refreshing beverage on an extremely warm evening.

And why look at that, they had a painter paint a nice picture of me while I was there... How nice.

We started off with a plate of "Wingers" because it was the namesake of course. They were crispy strips of chicken, bathed in their original "Winger" sauce. I thought it tasted amazing until my nose starting running, and throat started swelling, and eyes watering. Was I allergic? It sure felt that way. What is in that sauce in anyway...

We went ahead with our meal, a little allergy is not going to stop me, Scott ordered the Fish Tacos and thought they were very good. They did serve as difficult little numbers to eat so he used a fork for must of the eating.

Karley had the "Best Chicken Sandwich of her Life" while we were here. How is one chicken sandwich better than the other? I have no idea. She ate everything, including the pickle stuck into the bun.

Melissa Good Taste actually ordered a salad. Oh my god, the world might just stop spinning right now. I was in the mood for something light, maybe a little green and I got all of that in the Asian Chicken Salad. The crispy wontons and grilled chicken were my favorite part and I hunted their little morsels through out the plate.

I did enjoy Wingers besides the little throat swelling in that sauce. I liked the atmosphere, cheap prices, tasty beer and refreshing salad. We returned once more on our trip there and like a sucker fool, I tried the sauce again. it did the same thing to me so I guess I won't be ordering their bbq sauce online...

Cheesecake Factory - Nampa, ID

Raise your hand if you love The Cheesecake Factory... I do, I do!

Our server recommended that we start with the Deep Fried Macaroni and Cheese. I have to admit that this did not sound that good to me at the start but when it came to the table I certainly was impressed.

How could I not love this?!

Miss Karley ordered the Chicken and Mushroom Lettuce Wraps and I think she didn't know quite how DYI it was. She ate her whole plate and had room to spare!

Scott ordered the Moroccan Chicken because basically he is obsessed with all things Moroccan. He likes spicy food and this was the perfect option for him.

I saw the BBQ Salmon, onion rings, corn succotash and mashed potatoes and thought... SOLD! It sounded delicious and tasted that way as well. This will be a go to dinner option for future visits!

Dessert for Karley was a Tropical Smoothie...

While we entertained some cheesecake! Turtle for me, Red Velvet for him! 

For a chain restaurant, Cheesecake Factory knocks it out of the park!