Tag: little rock

Food Review: Sandwich Perfection at Boulevard Bread Company

I am updating this original post on Boulevard Bread Company because I got to eat there again and you have to know about this sandwich!

Porchetta Sandwich

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Porchetta Sandwich at Boulevard Bread Co.

I got to try a famous porchetta sandwich from Meat and Bread in Vancouver over the summer. Guy Fieri raved about it. Here’s that review if you need a recap: http://twogirlsonedish.com/?p=516

Anyway, I wanted to try Boulevard’s version of a porchetta sandwich to compare. Honestly, Boulevard’s porchetta sandwich kicked its butt.
First off, the grilled focaccia is to die for. It is buttery and herby, soft with a little chew…sandwich bread perfection. The house-made porchetta is tender and juicy, without being overly porky, like the porchetta at Meat and Bread. And there was a LOT of porchetta, and it just melts in your mouth.
The toppings were just right. Delicious pork shouldn’t be overthrown by cheese or lots of spreads. Boulevard’s sandwich uses a simple, yet flavorful aïoli, a little bit of sliced tomato, and fresh field greens. I believe these are the perfect toppings. This sandwich has great balance. You can taste the delicious bread, as well the pork, a little acid from the tomato which brightens it up, and a little garlic in the aïoli.  I love it.

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Also, I ordered a full order for $8.75, it comes with your choice of chips. (Try the creole onion…sweet and flavorful, my new favorite chips) I couldn’t finish but half of my sandwich because it was so huge. So, Drew got to eat the leftovers about an hour later and he loved it as well…as cold and soggy as it may have been.

Go try it!

Breakfast Sandwich

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The other sandwich I have tried here is the  “Breakfast Sandwich'”. It is one of only two breakfast options, and it is all they need. This sandwich was the best breakfast sandwich I have ever had….I’m starting to notice a patter with this place! It has crispy pancetta, a fried egg, tomatoes, fresh greens, and aioli on this thin, delicious bread.   It was around $6 after taxes. They brought it out in about five minutes. It is the perfect quick, non-drive-thru breakfast.  Wow, I would eat this every day. Now I STILL can’t wait to come for dinner soon!

But let your mouth be the judge and let us know what you think in the comments.

Review of Pop Pop Shoppe in Little Rock

Pop Pop Shoppe recently opened here in Little Rock (416 South University Ave, Suite 130) in the shopping center with Target. It was originally opened, and still remains, in Texarkana. Facebook ads of rainbow-colored popcorn brought my childhood memories back to me. Plus, their reviews online were pretty great. So, naturally, I had to drop in. Here’s the breakdown:

Environment:

So cute! While this shop is on the small side, it only sells one thing, popcorn. And it sells it well. The shop is decorated with vibrant colors, displays, and many gift options. Best of all, when you walk in, you smell fresh, hot popcorn for purchase. Getting out of this place without buying any popcorn is near impossible…heads up.

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Halloween Display/Gift Options

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Food and Service:

In this shop, these go hand-in-hand. First off, the displays do not “display” prices, but they are prominently listed on the menu at the counter.

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Menu with prices, because they aren’t marked next to the actual items.

Then, there are FREE SAMPLES of popcorn, many different flavors. The woman working today was absolutely great. She was so kind and welcoming to everyone. She gave samples (as many as some patrons wanted) without hesitation. She explained any questions, and she let me take all of these photos.

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At the counter, as seen above, you can sample many flavors of popcorn (though none of the fruity-type flavors). It is very sanitary, as the employee divvies out samples with her own tool, into individualized mini-cups. I tried the cajun popcorn, which was very tasty, as well as the vanilla popcorn. (I would feel guilty trying more than that….hint,hint other people in the shop that didn’t end up buying anything.) I am more of a salt lover than a sugar lover, but that vanilla was my favorite, so good!

Also seen above, they have hot, fresh popcorn for purchase that changes each day. Today was a combo of their cheddar pop and their caramel pop, which was called their Chicago mix. I skipped out on that one.

What I did end up purchasing was the small (about $5 after tax) bag of “confetti” corn. It was too pretty to pass up and reminded me of my childhood, so I knew I couldn’t go wrong.

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The confetti popcorn was different. It is not salty or savory in the least. It is candy-coated. If you are craving sweets, this will be perfect for you. It is full of flavors: grape, blue raspberry, blueberry, cherry, vanilla, orange, banana, strawberry, watermelon, and green apple. Though, I swear I ate a couple pieces of bubble-gum flavored, and about died. Yuck. (I hate that flavor, nothing against the popcorn). The rest are pretty tasty and have enough of a flavor difference that you can definitely do a blind-folded taste-test…which is the sort of thing I like to do for fun.  Anyway, that small bag is now gone. It was enjoyed.

Extra Info:
The Pop Pop Shoppe offers not only bags of different flavored popcorn, or hot popcorn to go. It also offers many gift options, which are super cute. I would love a gift like these (hint, hint, Drew). Even more, they offer catering services with a popcorn bar. What?! And there are even fundraising offers.

I think this place is a great addition to Little Rock! I will be buying more there. HOWEVER, get some garlic flavored pop corn, please. I mean, come on. Everyone loves garlic, right? =)