Totally great deals at McCormick and Schmick's

So, my friend Kim really knows how to get me out of the office for lunch (I tend to hibernate at my desk if I don't have to leave), with free gift certificates to McCormick & Schmick's. She is in their fabulous preferred guest club. It costs $25 to join, and you only pay that once, but you then get $25 in gift certificates in the mail when you get your membership kit, so the membership truly does pay for itself. In addition to that, you earn points when you eat and can earn things like free gift certificates, cookbooks, on up to fabulous trips to wine country. You also get a gift certificate for a free meal during your birthday month. The great thing Kim does too, is that she tends to take clients so fantastically, she's not even the one paying when she is earning her points. That's really making the membership work for you. If you go, definitely get the Maryland Crab Soup, it's amazing.

The New Trader Joe's

Hooray! At long last, the new Trader Joe's at the Metropolitan has opened up! I have been waiting so long for this.  The food and household items at Trader Joe's are cheaper and better than at your regular grocery stores. Plus, in addition to normal items like green onions, apples, and bread, you can find some incredibly cool and unique stuff. For instance, today I picked up some crunchy green beans. They are snack that looks like a dried green bean, that is salted. I haven't tried them yet, but it sounds like a winner to me. Another not-to-be-missed item at Trader Joe's is the 21 Seasoning Salute. It's this incredible spice blend that makes everything delicious, and it's only sold at one fabulous place. Did I mention the cheap wine at Trader Joe's? It bought three bottles and the most expensive one was $4.99. Also, I had received a coupon in the mail last week, so I received a free reusable shopping bag. You know I love that!

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

So, I totally just treated myself to a very not good for me lunch on a Friday... it's been a long week... Five Guys Burgers and Fries is delicious! This new place just opened up on South Blvd., right near where the new Lowe's is going up. It's super cheap and super good! The menu is very limited (burgers, hot dogs, fries), but they do what they do very well. I ordered the regular cheeseburger with tons of toppings. Here's the thing that I didn't know, a regular burger is actually a double cheeseburger. I just assumed that the small burger on the menu was kids size or something, I was wrong. Plus, all toppings are free, no additional amount for extra toppings, and I pretty much had a salad on top of my burger. Fries are additional and I'm not a huge fry fan, so I didn't order any. My friend, Kim, who I was with did and, of course, the small portion of that was huge also. So, if you are looking for large portions of delicious food for not a lot of money, check out this new place, sure to be a Charlotte favorite very soon!

Getting paid to taste food? Um, OK...

Probably about a year ago, I filled out a questionnaire online to get myself registered with AOC Research here in Charlotte. They are a research company that does mostly taste tests. Oh, and you get paid. I have been called a couple of times for taste tests and haven't qualified based on my answers over the phone, most disappointingly for a beer taste test. Well, this time I qualified, and I was psyched. I can't tell you about what I tasted because I had to sign a confidentiality agreement, but I will tell you that it was all delicious. I was there for just a little under and hour, ate enough food for it to be my dinner, and... wait for it... I got paid $40. That's what I'm talking about.

The Dog Bar

One of my favorite places in Charlotte is the Dog Bar! Really, are you surprised? I love anywhere that I can spend time with my dog.  The great thing about the Dog Bar is that you can bring your dog and your dog can go off leash, a fantastic concept. All of you dog-owners out there understand how key it is that they can go off-leash. They don't sell food there, so that is how they get around the whole health code and dogs thing. They do charge a $10 membership fee that is good for 2 years, and that really just is because it is technically a private club since they serve alcohol but not food. You can, however, bring your own food so that makes it cheap, a bonus! Plus, they have a different beer special every night. 

Some friends threw a memorial party for Maddie tonight at The Dog Bar and it was just fabulous and so fun. They brought food and goodie bags and the whole thing was so sweet. I loved being able to have everyone remember my girl while having so much fun. Maddie would have wanted it that way!

Free Entertainment at the Outback

I went to dinner tonight with some friends tonight at Outback on East Blvd., and, actually, I wasn't planning on blogging about it because Outback isn't really all that cheap. However, we got a free comedy show at our table and that is worth blogging about. Our waiter, John, was absolutely hilarious! He kept just naturally going into comedy routines when he would come back to check on our table, and it was just kind of how he talked. He was joking about all sorts of things from his baldness to what he likes and dislikes on the Outback menu. If you get dinner and a show at Outback for just the price of dinner then that counts as a cheap activity to me!

Challenge Day 29- East Blvd Bar and Grill

I had to put my challenge activities on hold, once again, to take care of my poor, hurt little puppy, but that's OK, I'm glad to do it. 

I was going to go to East Blvd. Bar & Grill and grab a few beers, but I'll just do that later. I've been many times before, though, so I'll tell you what I know for sure. We'll just pretend like I went today. 

Their patio is awesome, definitely sit outside. Also, they have great beer specials. When you are ordering be sure to ask what the specials are. They also have them posted on a chalk board if you enter from the back, not the front patio entrance. Often good beers, are on special for $2, like Widmer Brothers. 

They also have a daily food special, which is worth checking out. The food isn't expensive, though, so if you're going to go with just anything on the menu, I highly recommend the quesadilla. 

This place is a Charlotte tradition, so go be a part of Charlotte and enjoy the delicious food and beer.

Challenge Day 16- Farmer's Markets Galore

Day sixteen of my challenge was all about produce (OK, dog treats, crumb cake, and eggs too). Once again, my Saturday started out at the Tailgate Farmer's Market with my little Mandy in tow. You've already heard me rave about this market, so I won't go on again (A little... it's awesome!), but they are doing a really cool thing through Saturday, August 30th. The market is doing a cookbook exchange. Do you have cookbooks that you aren't using? Doesn't everybody? Well, take them over to the market and you can swap them. It's all on the honor system and any books that are leftover when it is all done will be donated, a super fantastic idea. 

Mandy and I were able to pick up dog treats and produce, all at great prices. If you enjoy spoiling your dogs, like I do, check out My Sugar Bean (www.mysugarbean.com). These treats are all healthy and homemade, not to mention adorably decorated. You just look at the packaging and know that these treats are made with love. The prices absolutely can't be beat, and they get Mandy and Maddie's paw of approval.

From there, I dropped Mandy off at home and headed to the Kings Dr. Farmer's Market (Corner of South Kings Drive and Morehead) This is truly a great market. They have pretty much any type of produce that you need and the prices are amazing. I was able to get avocadoes for $1.19 each, and I paid over $2 each at the grocery store last weekend. Also, I love that for most of the items there, you can pay all together. There are usually some vendors on the side who are separate but their items are so fabulous, it's worth opening your wallet more than once. 

If you have a favorite farmer's market, let me know. I am also a big fan of the Center City Green Market. I'll try to get uptown next Saturday to write about them.