Meet Lizzo :)

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I'm a college student, blogger and intern at College Lifestyles.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Grab a Bite!


If you are looking for a quick bite to eat then you don't have to go any further than Wendy's. Yes it is fast food but it's the best out there that I've found.

Wendy's grilles their food and keeps it as fresh as can be. They also give costumers selections on their side dishes. No longer are people stuck to "do you want fries with that?" No! Now the bonds are free from our wrists and we can CHOOSE! You can order mandarin oranges, fries or chili as your side now.

It's also pretty cheap and fast once you get through the lines. The lunch lines at the downtown one can be horrendous because so many people like Wendy's (go figure). But once you order it normally doesn't take to long to get your food.

They also have these great new Frosty drinks. You can mix them with things or make frozen Mocha Frosties. They are so good!

As a plus they have an incentive with their receipts. Keep your receipt and go home with it. You can either call the costumer service line on the back or go on the web to fill out a short survey. At the end it'll give you a access code to write on the receipt and you can get a free frosty or burger or other food items. There's lunch for the next day!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Coffee King More Like Prince








Everyone has heard of Starbucks, if you haven't you must have been living under a rock. They are the coffee tycoons of the globe. And if you live downtown there are about a handful of them all in walking distance to each other.

Beyond stating the obvious (which is Americans REALLY have a coffee addiction problem) I'm telling you that you should NOT buy into their products.

Not only are they over priced and arrogant their drinks can be beaten easily by local Pittsburgh coffee shop Mocha Marianne's.

I have been a dedicated costumer to Marianne's since I met her and tried her amazing selection of drinks and snacks, but I was recently told that my most favorite Marianne drink, Hot Apple Cider with Caramel Sauce and Whipped Cream could not stand up to Starbucks' Caramel Apple Spice drink.

So, being the reporter that I am I recently bought a Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice drink. While not being throw-up worthy the coffee tycoon was not able to breath the same air as Mocha Marianne's Hot Apple Cider. And what is with the fancy names Starbucks? Are we paying for those too?

And let me actually bring up the PRICE on this Apple Spice drink... it was $2.70 for a "short" aka small. I could get an 18 oz/large Hot Apple Cider with the caramel sauce and whipped cream for about the same at Marianne's and get better TASTE and more DRINK.

So you all decide- pay for a name and nasty drinks, or get what you really want at Mocha Marianne's on Wood St. where she gives you the tastiest drinks for less.

Friday, October 23, 2009

The Big Pittsburgh Pizza Challenge























If you live downtown you understand the diliema in that title... pizza... where though??? It is almost worse than the Chinese choice. If you want pizza, where do you go?

The Top 5 Pizza Places (in Downtown)

#1 - R&B's Pizza Place (107 Smithfield) is the BEST pizza in the area, and just a short walk for Point Park and AIP - TOP WINNER

#2 - Domino's Pizza (300 6th Ave.) is the traditional big chain winner - best deal? Home Alone Special: Medium pizza, bread sticks and 12 oz pop for $13.58

#3 - Giovanni's Pizza & Pasta (123 6th St.) takes home the Stromboli Award! Try the Buffalo Chicken (and make sure you have your milk ready!)


#4 - Vocelli Pizza (524 Penn Ave.) wins the CHEAPEST college special award: XL 12-cut 1 topping pizza for, get ready for this....$8.99

#5 (but CERTAINLY not least) - Pizza Fiesta (219 Smithfield) carries cheap pizza in a great distance between AIP and Point Park

So where does pizza stand in your life? TELL ME!

Should one of these be switched around (or you have something to add)? TELL ME!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Ode to Remi

Top 5 Dorm Groceries






While "surfing" the web (while watching Food Network) I thought of this great idea that all college students should know. WHAT KINDS OF FOODS TO BUY FOR YOUR DORM ROOM - and what you could do with them. Now I certainly didn't do this research all on my own, I found this awesome article on the web that came up with the main items.

I'll show you the 5 that I thought most important:

1. Instant Rice - its fun its fast and its cheep! My favorite way to mix this is adding some hot sauce (yes I know, I mention hot sauce a lot - but what can I say this girl likes her spices!) You can pop in some butter and salt too.


2. Frozen Pizza - the site suggests Totino's, but I say anything cheep. And for you with only a microwave I suggest Bagel Bites or Pizza Bites (those pocket things that taste MMMM MMM good).

3. Flavored Ice - those nice long popsicles that all you have to do is throw them in the freezer. You can buy BOXES of these for cheep at the right stores.

4. Ramon Noodles - the dreaded and the revered. It's what saves you and makes you sicks. But they are cheep. To put your own style on it - throw in your favorite seasoning or maybe some veggies you grabbed from the cafeteria.

5. Canned Chicken - cheep, tasty and easy to fix up. Mix it with the rice from earlier or add it on top of your frozen pizza (with some hot sauce).

Sunday, October 18, 2009

College Lifestyles Shout Out

I just read this from one of MY favorite blogs (since I know mine is YOUR favorite :) ) and I just thought it deserved a shout out here too.

College Lifestyles (on my blog roll peeps!) wrote this short and simple dinner idea for Sunday nights for the upcoming fall nights. Click the link - Check it out - and continue to follow College Lifestyles! They are great girls.

College Lifestyles - Lazy Sunday Din-Din to Fall For

Friday, October 16, 2009

A CVS Dinner




MICROWAVABLE NACHOS

Tostito Corn Chips
Tostito Queso
Ground Beef
Hot Sauce

Break the Ground Beef up into smaller piece in a microwavable-safe container. Nuke it till its 3/4 the way cooked. Continue to break the meat up if you need too and season it (generously) with hot sauce.

Warm up Queso.

Toss a bunch of Corn Chips in a bowl or on a plate. Pile the Meat on top of the chips. Pour warm Queso over everything.

EAT.
___________________

This is a little trick I figured out on my own actually very recently.

I was walking to CVS (downtown one for you Point Parkers/AIP-ers - or ANY CVS [or type store would work]) this past Sunday thinking "what am I to have for dinner?" I was considering this closely considering our on-campus cafe isn't open on Sundays at all (I know! Isn't that shocking?) and the hours in our cafeteria are weird.

So I'm thinking about what to make. I'm luckier than most at Point Park on-campus residents because I've got an apartment with a full kitchen - but I figure you can make this in a microwave too, so don't worry!

I walk into CVS and start shopping still considering my options. Did pizza Friday night, had left over spaghetti Saturday afternoon and chicken Saturday night. Only thing left in my freezer was ground beef. GROUND BEEF! It was my savior (and yes, if you buy in bulk and freeze it in sections its a MIRACLE!)

This whole meal costed about $5 to make and only about 10 minutes to cook. Make your own variations and post them here!

Anyways this is what I made for dinner that I think you should too.


Wednesday, October 14, 2009

A Steel City Tribute




What would the home of the Steelers (and PENGUINS) be without Primanti Brothers? Nothing, that's what.

So I've dedicated today's post to them - the hometown heroes of the sandwich world.

They have delicious sandwiches where the whole meal is on the bun: meats, cheeses, veggies, cole slaw and fries (though if you are like me you ask for no cole slaw - yuck!). Depending which restaurant you go to they also serve pizza, wings and some other delicacies.

Also, let's not forget to give a shout out to their number one seller - Iron City Beer (for you 21+ year olds - only 2 months for me!)

Check out the whole menu HERE

Prices are very reasonable - sandwiches run between $5 and $7 and drinks are $1.50 or less!

Taste is amazing (if you haven't figured out I love this place - Pittsburgh tradition after all.) you won't steer your taste buds wrong if you take them out to Primanti Brothers.

Some of their locations are: Market Square, South Side, Oakland, Strip District, and Cherry Way - they even have a shop open up down in sunny Florida! (Could use some of that sun up here - I've been freezing my tail off lately!)

So grab a stool (or table) at your local Primanti Brothers and watch the Steelers games and eat some really fantastic cheep grub.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Merry Moe's



Ever get a craving for some burritos, tacos or nachos? Tired of hearing people say "You like Taco HELL?" Well, now we have a SECOND option. Moe's Southwest Grill.

It's Mexican prepared right before you and served with a friendly smile.

As their website says, "its a story about a man..." who opened up MOE'S!

The food is delicious (even though they have funny names) and prepared hot and ready right in front of you. It's an assembly line style restaurant where you choose what you want, order it and the person you order it from goes down the line with you as YOU decide what to put in your burrito, taco or nachos.

The whole menu can be found: here.

Price Checker! Price Checker! Moe's prices are UNbelievable. A burrito meal costs $8, and that includes a burrito made YOUR way with chips, queso (cheese/salsa) and a drink! How amazing!

So come check it out. They're located downtown in Market Square and out near The Mall at Robinson.

Visit Moe's for more details! P.S. they CATER too - so if you're thinking party, think Moe's.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Money Chart



















Ever curious about how much money you spend at the local restaurants I've blogged about? Check here!

Should have MICROWAVED with V8




I scour the web to try to find the easiest, TASTIEST, simply-cooked meals for YOU all to make out of your dorm rooms. We've gone to Mexico with Salsa Chicken and even made Crème brûlée in the microwave. Now its DINNER TIME (or whenever you'd all feel like making this, haha).

I got this recipe from
Cajun Cooking Recipes' site. Check it out for WAY more microwavable dishes!

Easy V8 Casserole

1 lb Lean ground beef
Salt and pepper to taste
1 pk Frozen mixed vegetables; 10 Oz.
1 1/2 c Noodles; uncooked
1 cn V-8 juice 12 oz.


Crumble beef into a 3 quart casserole. Salt and pepper to taste. Place frozen vegetables over meat. Sprinkle uncooked noodles over vegetables. Pour V-8 juice overall. Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave at high (100%) until noodles are tender, 18 to 19 minutes, stirring twice during cooking time. Let stand 5 minutes. Makes 4 servings.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Network of Chinese Restaurants

Ever wonder just how many Chinese restaurants there were in JUST the downtown area? Well take a gander for yourself...




View Downtown Chinese Restaurants in a larger map

Monday, October 5, 2009

Extra! Extra! Eat all about it!

Special occasions are sure to come up in the future where you want to take a friend out for her birthday (like my 21st coming up soon!) or a friend who performed in a concert or something. Or maybe you just got a check from your 'rents that you want to spend a little of on some GOOD food for once. So you think you'll go somewhere a little nicer than Wendy's.

Well, I suggest Max & Erma's! Great food (and an assortment of it) that have decent prices.

Check out their menu here.
Max & Erma's downtown has amazing service (friendly and smiles) and food is delivered as quickly as they can, hot and ready to devour (and you WILL want to devour it!)

Prices here are a little more expensive, hence why I suggest going here for special occasions or when you have a little more cash to spare. Anywhere you go though you can't go wrong with Max & Erma's!

Friday, October 2, 2009

Mandarin Horror


So this is more for my downtown colleges, like Point Park (shout out!), and AIP.

We all like our Chinese food, right? We want it hot, fast and tasty (and for you dexterously talented people - with chopsticks!). But we want it reasonably priced with out so much attitude!

Well I'm here to tell you where NOT to go this time. This hit home a few times since I, myself, go to Point Park University and not till recently did I know there were any other decent Chinese restaurants around downtown.

Mandarin Gourmet on Wood Street is a place you do NOT want to go everyone! Even though it is a nice-looking restaurant with professional type staff I highly suggest going somewhere else (like Hong Kong Express II by AIP)!

Mandarin Gourmet is expensive like no other. A regular dinner meal will cost AT LEAST $10.50 plus more if you want an appetizer and/or soda. Compared to Hong Kong Express II which is ALSO nearby these two campuses, Gourmet is the WOREST choice out of the two.

The atmosphere is nice here but should you really be paying double the price for it? And that is were the "nice" things end. The service, while courteous, is quite rude and demanding. They EXPECT you to leave a tip in one form or another. I'll give you an example...

I went there one night with some friends. Besides being appalled at the prices and the quality of food I was disappointedly surprised when the cashier REQUIRED us all to leave tips and got thoroughly upset when one tried to not leave one. She started shouting and screaming at him to come back and leave a tip. This is NOT what service is supposed to be. Tips are OPTIONAL if the service is GOOD!

Simply put: DON'T GO TO MANDARIN GOURMET.

But I'll let you make your own choices....