Kolache Factory - Virginia Beach, VA

Date of dining experience: November 24, 2017

Place: Kolache Factory

Location: 460 S. Independence Blvd. in Virginia Beach, VA

Meal: 3 Kolache (Yes, kolache is the plural form; kolach is the singular form.)

1. Sausage & Gravy - The perfect combination of flavors. This one is by far my favorite!
2. Ham & Cheese - A nice blend of ham and Swiss cheese. 
3. Sausage - A smaller size containing a smoked sausage link.

Kolache originate from the Czech culture and are basically an upscale hot pocket, but taste so much better. The breading alone and is well worth the trip! I will be eating these again whenever possible. If you live in the area of a Kolache Factory, I highly recommend you try it immediately. When you do, let me know what you think! Enjoy! 

FYI: In the Czech culture, kolache are traditional only filled with non-meat items as they originated as a wedding dessert. The culturally appropriate terms for this type of pastry filled with meat items are the singular klobasnek (or klobasnik) and the plural klobasniky. However, you will only see them called kolache at a Kolache Factory. 

Gumby's - State College, PA

Date of dining experience: November 14, 2017

Place: Gumby's Pizza

Location: 300 S. Pugh St. #101 in State College, PA

Meal: All I ordered was standard medium one-topping pizza (ham) and a medium pokey stix. I have to say, this is the best pizza I've eaten in Pennsylvania so far! The crust is absolutely perfect! There is a ton of cheese and real chunks of ham! I usually like a little more sauce than what came on it, but that is an easy fix next time. I also see why everyone loves pokey stix so much, wow! My only complaint at all is that they are pretty pricey when compared to other pizza places. However, they stay in business because the pizza is so good!

The food reminds of being back in Missouri. The pizza is similar to Casey's Pizza, which is my second favorite pizza I've ever eaten. The pokey stix reminds of what my dad used to order from Godfather's Pizza when I was a child. All of it is delicious! Since you asked, my favorite pizza place is, of course, Epic Pizza in St. Louis. I would probably rate Gumby's as my new third favorite so far, but since it is the only one of the three I can get here in PA, I will be eating it more often than the others.

Anyway, Gumby's Pizza gets two thumbs up from me! I will definitely be eating here again in the future. This try place out and let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Lychee - State College, PA

Date of dining experience: November 10, 2017

Place: Lychee Chinese Restaurant

Location: 1341 S. Atherton St. in State College, PA

Meal: Hot and Spicy Chicken with pork fried rice and a pork egg roll ($5.95). I also got an order of two spring rolls ($2.50). Everything was absolutely delicious! I think I have found my new go-to restaurant for fast Chinese food.

The size and location of this place reminds a lot of my favorite Chinese restaurant back home, Yang's. The food is really close as well. Suffice it to say I will be returning to Lychee many times in the future! Try it out and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Hog father's - State College, PA

Date of dining experience: November 1, 2017

Place: Hog father's Old Fashioned BBQ

Location: 1669 N. Atherton St. in State College, PA

Meal: BBQ Beef Brisket ($16.99) - Char-grilled BBQ beef brisket, garlic mashed potatoes, baked beans, pico de gallo, and a roll. The meat was a little dry alone, but add some BBQ sauce and it was delicious! The sides were excellent as well. I will be back here to try other menu items in the future!

Audry ordered the BBQ chicken half and really enjoyed it. Her sides were the green beans and mac and cheese. She especially liked the mac and cheese. I believe we may have found our new place to go for decent BBQ! Give it a try and let me know what you think. Enjoy!