Since I work here in the “Square” (as it has been renamed formerly Colonial Square) I thought I would write about the lunch options and my preferences. I hope of helping out my Bountiful comrades in there lunch choices.

There are six choices for eating out at the Square@2600 for high school kids, soccer moms, retirees and daily work grinders alike.

#6 Ho Ho Gourmet – Chinese

Putting Ho Ho at the bottom of my list (or at last place) feels a little bit like telling one cousin that I don’t like him as much as the other. This comes from the fact that as I grew up in the area I frequented Ho Ho often with my family and though it’s not great it’s not terrible and it has a bit of nostalgia for me. Still Ho Ho lands in last place for my palette, nothing extraordinary about this place, though I have heard the Ho Ho on 33rd south in Salt Lake is pretty good.

Prices are typical American-Chinese but Ho Ho has 10% off of takeout since I can remember (20+ years) so you can save a couple dollars if you don’t mind spilling chow mien on your keyboard.

#5 Costa Vida – Fresh Mexican

Costa vida comes as my second to last choice, which might upset a few people since most people seem to love it. Vida is the closest to a chain there is in the square, which I for one applaud, independent establishments seem to have a better grasp on the local flavor and preference in my opinion then chains. Food poisoning can happen anywhere and I did not get food poisoning at this Costa Vida location but once bitten twice shy. Let’s just say it took me over a year before I got the stomach to try Costa Vida again.
Now the food is good at the Vida and I enjoy a plate of Chicken Nachos with a good helping of chipotle sauce sprinkled all over. Typically a busy place at lunch time, I try to go early or late.

Prices are above a Taco Bell or Dell Taco but the quality is also above the fast food chains.

#4 Parsons Bakery

Tasty donuts and cookies from Parsons call my name early and often and though their baked goods are delicious, when it comes to lunch I require more then cookies and soda. Yes Parsons does have a lunch menu which is usually small chicken salad sandwich and a cup of soup, it really is about like eating at home and for one with a good size appetite will leave you still hungry. I suppose they hope you’ll buy a donut too.

The prices are a bit much compared to the grocery store bakery and they really get you if you buy a bottled drink.

#3 China Platter – Chinese

If it’s a battle between the 2 Chinese restaurants in the Square@2600 then I will always choose The Platter. For one reason the decor at the Plater is bordering on extreme but not over the top, it wins a point for atmosphere. Secondly the food is better then Ho Ho’s – not a massive difference but enough to make my choice clear. Grabbing lunch at the Platter is never a waiting problem, I rarely see more then 2 or 3 tables being used.

Prices are comparable with Ho Ho’s and your typical restaurant.

#2 Spankys – Sandwich Deli

My number 2 choice for lunch is Spankys, a very popular (especially with the high school kids) deli. They have lunch specials which are less then $5 I think and fill you up more then the lunch at Parsons. But if Im doing lunch there I m going for the big foot long sandwich with Turkey, avocado and bacon. And I am definitely getting the Barqs red creme soda as well. You must get to Spankys early or go late, otherwise you will have to take a number.

Prices compare with Subway or any other fast food deli, but they do have a ten punch card which is a nice bonus (if I ever get mine filled).

#1 MIA – Peruvian Cuisine

I just ate at MIA for the second time yesterday and it was better then the first time I ate there. For lunch they offer a $5.99 3 choice deal. Empanadas, tamales and a number of over things I can’t pronounce. They have a great hot sauce that I recommend for adding to anything they serve and I also discovered something called Inca soda, which is a creme soda with bubblegum mixed flavor – one for the kids for sure.

Why MIA is my 1st choice, price, uniqueness, authentic flavors and fun atmosphere. The owners there tell me they have live Inca flute music on Friday nights along with a $10 buffet. The prices as I have mentioned are not expensive and comparable to the rest of the squares options. My only worry is that the Bountifulites will be too shy to try something they are unfamiliar with. Both times at the MIA we have been half of the customers, so what i’m saying is give it try sometime, like your mom always said, you never know until you try it.

Well that completes my review of lunch options except for one bonus and one soon to come.

Bonus – Nielsens Frozen Custard

It’s just across 2600 on the North side of the street and just too good and close to keep off of this list. Better then ice cream in my opinion, frozen custard is made with, well I don’t really know, creme, sugar and custard? In any event it is good and hard to resist on a summer afternoon. Nielsens does serve burgers and fries too but that is not the reason to go there -at least you’ll never catch me buying a burger there (well maybe if I have the kids with me).

And Coming Soon… Orange Leaf – Frozen Yogurt

Frozen yogurt – sounds good, but will it taste better then frozen custard? Only the future will reveal that secret. This place has had a coming soon sign for 3 or 4 months so I don’t know when they will be open. But when they do you can be sure I will have my 2 cents listed on here. Check back or follow me to find out when that fascinating article will publish.

Until then enjoy all those saturated fats everyone and i’ll see you at a food establishment in in the square@2600!

These spectacular one-of-a-kind funtime farm drawings can be purchased, if you want ‘em for whatever, or just look at them and enjoy because that’s what I am doing right now! Click on ‘em to see ‘em bigger.

I was having lunch with my parents and the gave me this photo their neighbor had taken at my high school graduation. You can see the back of my old buddy Adam Vickery.
Oh my goodness this takes me back to a time in my life I hated, never wanted captured or remembered. Funny how 15 years later it’s just plain funny. Not a great photo but I think it’s the only one I have from graduation. Good times.

A huffin’ and a puffin’ I was up the old trail to lake blanche – wheez, wheez, I don’t know what my deal was. But it was beautiful and fresh clean air up there. Good company and great way to start the new year.

Snowshoeing the Wasatch Jan 1st 2010 from Glen Gunnell on Vimeo.

Bountiful, Utah -
Odd looking man is seen in picture giving a thumbs up to the movie Night at the Museum.


This fellow apparently enjoyed such scenes as a monkey urinating on the night watchman played by Ben Stiller. Now I will admit if a monkey really peed on Ben Stiller I would smile and chuckle quite hardily, in fact I would prefer a Lion just eat him, thus insuring we as a society never have to suffer as he creates another movie.

And while the lions at it, I hope he eats Will Smith, nothing could be better then Will Smith vanishing off of the face of the Earth. As we speak those two probably are collaborating on some horrific movie for Summer 2010.I can’t think of anything worse, unless James Cameron was directing it, AHHH!!! the horror!