Just Say No to Gas Station Chinese Food

Val here -

I love Thomas. Truly I do. However - I need to share a little story about the WORST DATE EVAR. (so bad I have to say evar instead of ever.)

A few weeks ago, in the midst of all my school craziness, we decided we needed a nice date night. I got myself all dolled up and ready to go. Our plan was to go to Tobacco Haus after getting dinner. We were both in the mood for Chinese food. Usually we will stop by the buffet place in the same strip center as Tobacco Haus, but Thomas said he saw a new flier for a Chinese restaurant on the door. Quik Wok. We should try the new restaurant in town.

Okay, why not? So I enter the address in my GPS and we head out - it isn't far from us.

We pull up to the shopping center that it is supposed to be in, but much to our astonishment it is not in one of the other spots in the building - it is actually in the Shell Station. 0.o

We are dubious - and he DID offer to go elsewhere - but ladies - you know how it is - you agree to go elsewhere and he points out how whenever he picks out the place you want to go somewhere else...so I said that I was fine, lets just try it (Mistake #1)

The interior of the gas station looks immaculate, as if it has recently been painted, and the restaurant area looks clean, so we put in our order and we have to pay first (WARNING) we pay, and find a seat.

I needed the facilities, so I asked about them - I am warned that there is only one bathroom. I get the key - looking at it - the women's room had a paper sign over the door saying storage. The men's room was the only one for public use. I walk in and well - I have used public bathrooms all over the world and nothing has prepared me for the nastiness. The floor was decorated with a festive stream of toiletpaper everywhere. There was something sticky on the counter and the toilet seat was covered in urine and the toilet bowl seemed to be full of some white funky stuff. I backed out slowly, handed the key to staff and said - that is the most disgusting bathroom I have ever seen. He just agreed and went back to work - no apology, no offer to clean it.

I am now even more worried about the food.

When I get back to the table, I tell Thomas and he laughs - he takes me to the classiest places, doesn't he?

He offers to get me a drink - and comes back with a tall boy can of mountain dew. :/

The food comes out - and their staff were very nice - so I hate to say what comes next, but I have to be honest here.

I ordered orange chicken. It is one of my favorite dishes. I also got spring rolls - another dish I like for an appetizer. The spring rolls were greasy - and the fish oil, despite the red pepper flakes had very little flavor.

When dinner got there it was mushy. The chicken had poor texture and no flavor other than spice - There was one orange peel thrown in as garnish, but the sauce had no citrus taste - it was just so spicy that my mouth was numb.

A couple guys shuffle up to our table asking for change - while we are eating -

Then they started mopping. With strong bleach. Just in the restaurant area. Now I had mushy spicy bleach flavored chicken.

Then when I couldn't stomach any more the food hit my stomach and wanted out - but there was no way I was going to try that bathroom again - so we drove home in a hurry - needless to say we never got to Tobacco Haus and we were sick for two days.

So if your boyfriend takes you to gas station chinese food, for the love of all that is beautiful on this earth - accept his offer to go elsewhere.

Upcoming events at the Institute for Texan Cultures

Got plans this weekend?

Saturday May 26th is "A Salute to Our Military" at the Institute for Texan Cultures. There will be demonstrations and activities related to the military, past and present!

11am - 3pm


Friday June 7 - Sunday June 9 will be the annual Texas Folklife Festival at the Institute for Texan Cultures.


Friday 5-11pm
Saturday 11am - 11pm
Sunday 12-7pm

View performances and enjoy food from all the different cultures that contribute to Texas!

The Institute for Texan Cultures is at 801 E. Cesar Chavez in San Antonio
http://www.texancultures.com/assets/1/15/VIAtff2013.pdf is information on public transportation to the event.

Tickets are $10 in advance (can purchase from HEB) or $12 at the gate for 13+, children 6-12 are $5, and children under 5 are free.

Padron Event at Finck's

 This Friday at Finck's - Meet Jorge Padron of Padron cigars!

He will be at the West Ave Store from 1-4 and 5-8 at the Bandera Rd. Store.

They are giving away a ceramic Padron ashtray with each box purchase or crystal ashtray with a 250.00 purchase.

As usual there will be beer to drink while you enjoy the cigars and company.

We aren't sure if we can make this one, but we are passing the word along.

Finck's Lone Star Cigar Bash!

Here is one of the door prizes for today's Lone Star Cigar Bash, made by Thomas and I.

We thought it would be fun to do a rustic folk art interpretation of their logo. This is a one of a kind handmade cigar ash tray.

See you there!

Upcoming Events at Fincks!

Here is the latest from Finck's!  I pulled this from my email since I was feeling lazy/ had too many papers to grade.  The big event is the Lone Star Cigar Bash - we already have our tickets! Hurry up and get yours. This is THE event of the year in San Antonio! Not only do you get premium cigars, you support an important charity - Fisher House - home for wounded veterans and their families while they receive medical treatment. San Antonio has some Fisher houses and this event is a great way to support the veterans.

______________________________________________________

 

 

Val will try to be at this event:

La Aroma De Cuba

Bring The Passion Tasting Event

Join us Thursday, February 21st from 4 to 8 pm at our Bandera Rd. store for the La Aroma De Cuba Bring The Passion Tasting event! Tickets are $10 each, and we've got a very limited number, so act quickly! With your ticket, you'll get your choice of a La Aroma De Cuba cigar, as well as $10 off your purchase of 3 or more Ashton cigars during the event! We'll have Jared Biocca, representative from Ashton on site to talk cigars with you, and as always we'll have plenty of free, ice-cold beer to go with your stogies. 

Tickets are available at either store, so swing by and pick up a couple for you and your friend before we sell out! 

 

 

Join both Val and Thomas at

Finck's 2nd Annual Lone Star Cigar Bash!

A Cigar Festival With A Purpose

 

Last year Finck's hosted San Antonio's first-ever cigar festival and we haven't stopped hearing rave reviews since then! It's finally that time again, and tickets to Lone Star Cigar Bash are available now! Our biggest charity event of the year, this festival benefits Fisher House, a "home-away-from-home" for military families

so they can be close to their seriously ill or injured loved ones being treated here in San Antonio. 

 

If you missed it last year, don't make the same mistake! Lone Star Cigar Bash 2013 is going to be even bigger and better than last year, and your attendance is in the name of charity! We'll be hosting the event at Pedrotti's North Wind Ranch Saturday, April 27 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Tickets are priced at $125 each, but for a very limited time (through February 28!), Early Bird tickets are available for only $95! 

 

Lone Star Cigar Bash attendees will receive:

• 25+ premium, handmade cigars
• Food and drink
• Entertainment
• Giveaways
• Entry into our raffle
• Awesome one-day deals on all of the brands represented
• A chance to hang out and talk cigars with representatives from some of the top manufacturers in the world
• More!

Plan early to attend San Antonio's only cigar festival Saturday, April 27th from 4-8PM! This is one of our biggest, most fun events, with the best deals we'll offer all year! Tickets are very limited, and once they're gone, they're gone! Snag your Early Bird ticket at a discounted price before they run out!

 

Visit LoneStarCigarBash.com for more info, stop by either of our stores or call (210) 341-8888 to purchase your ticket today! 

_______________________________________________________________

Val Says - be there or be square!