Eateries

Eateries – Orange Chicken and Chow Mein

by Janeil_H | May 3, 2026 | 2026, Eateries

While I’ve briefly had Panda Express before at my data entry job, I gave the recently constructed one in Greeneville a go with my own volition. My own pick, my own desires.

I ended up with their most common chicken with noodles.

It’s not a bad taste, and I actually do like how the chow mein noodles roll around in your mouth. It’s definitely a big departure than most of the lo mein noodles I’ve been having from local offerings.

Honestly, some recent events at China Buffet is also led me to stop by here. It’s not a 100% replacement as their menu has greater tasting things such as the spring rolls, but the recent debacle with the egg drop soup has left me a bit slack-jawed. You still get a tad bit more food for the same price unless ordering something bigger, but a small to-go bowl + drive thru is comparable in price to a loaded takeout tray.

It seems more and more the places I frequent are just turning like the rest of the locality, and the only respite is a big shiny “corpo” building with a big name brand. While it may be overpriced and crappy, aforementioned events are at a minimum for the most part…mostly. Yes, there are exceptions to that rule. I may elaborate one day.

Stop by if you wish to be expressed by the panda. At least while the building is all new and shiny.

Eateries – Iced Double Berry Matcha

by Janeil_H | Feb 17, 2026 | 2026, Eateries

I decided to stop in at the Jonesborough Starbucks for my seasonal stop-in. While I opted to hide in a corner with a book this time, I did grab whatever they had on special with the menu.

Queue this. It didn’t come in a to-go cup, so I had to slurp it up in one go. They had a tray for dishes to pitch it over before leaving. Very nice interior design, though! It was essentially empty when I stopped, and it was a bit more accessible than the one on N. Roan St. I still have nostalgia over the outdoor seating and old location, but this isn’t a bad alternative if I don’t want to fight traffic or distance.

For the drink itself. mild but interesting. This is actually the first time I ordered a matcha anything since the craze took on. Might need to try the stock one at some point (in that there’s no berry flavor involved).

Eateries – Philly Cheesesteak

by Janeil_H | Jan 22, 2026 | 2026, Eateries

I haven’t gone out to a lot of social lunches (or dinners) as of late. But me, siblings and some friends of one of them ended up at this lovely spot called the Mid City Grill.

Which was interesting on its own, because I never really explored Johnson City in any capacity. Save random Craigslist junk I’d buy or sell in my last semester up at ETSU, most of Johnson City was not something I poked my nose it. It didn’t feel like you belonged anywhere, groups weren’t inviting you along or just the “you weren’t local” vibe everyone gave.

So being in a group and going here was actually a big chance.

Honestly there wasn’t a whole lot on their menu that I cared for, so I defaulted to a Philly Cheesesteak. And that actually wasn’t a bad choice. That was one of the best Philly cheesesteaks I’ve had for the few times I’ve eaten them, and it felt more like a cooked gourmet sandwich than dry cheapo stuff.

Other things I’ve had was some onion rings with a really nice ranch sauce of some sort. Apparently this was my sister’s “side”, so I swapped the fries with the onion rings. I don’t regret it.

8 out of 10, would go there again. Take company when you go.

Here’s a map if you choose to look it up yourself.

Eateries – Salmon, Broccoli and Mashed Potatoes

by Janeil_H | Jan 7, 2025 | 2025, Eateries

Mom made this for dinner while coming home from work today. Very simple, very straight to the point. Super tasty and I won’t mind having this again. The gravy hit the right way, the fish was delicious and the broccoli worked out alright as the side veggies.

Eateries – Grandpa’s Country Fried Breakfast

by Janeil_H | Feb 22, 2023 | 2023, Eateries

I don’t think I’ve actually cataloged an eatery from Cracker Barrel, but here we go.

I ended up at the Cracker Barrel in Strawberry Plains. I decided to grab something different from pancakes this time around; Grandpa’s Country Fried Breakfast, mostly because I got two eggs and fried meat. I took hash as my side, and the gravy didn’t go too bad with the fried steak.

I actually forgot how the coffee tasted beforehand, as it’s been before COVID since I stopped in at any Cracker Barrel. It wasn’t bad, could be better but was great in a pinch.

Not a bad stop for being around to eat something in the morning.

Eateries – Spicy McNuggets

by Janeil_H | Oct 31, 2020 | 2020, Eateries

During one night at someone’s wedding, I got fed up with the lack of food and stepped out to get something to eat. This was the result.

I had no idea that spicy McNuggets was a thing, but it apparently is! We’ll see how long they last.

Verdict? 6 out of 10. Spicy and ranch go hand in hand. Still the same mush in the middle. Unfortunately as fattening and oily as they are, a Wendy’s Spicy Nugget will still blow this out of the water with taste alone.

But for a late night budget snack? This isn’t bad at all. 20 nuggets go a long way.

Eateries – Biscuits & Gravy

by Janeil_H | Sep 19, 2020 | 2020, Eateries

Had a late start today, but my brother had the hankering to make white gravy. His current goal is to make one that not only will work with meatless bits, but also be a balance between bland “sawmill gravy” and something too salty.

I think it didn’t turn out bad at all. Definitely was more milky and could use more salt, but the cheddar biscuits helped offset that.

Eateries – Philly Cheesesteak Mini Sandwich

by Janeil_H | Apr 28, 2020 | 2020, Eateries

I decided to make my own philly cheesesteak recently, considering that it’s hard to get sandwiches or the like where I live. I used this guy’s recipe, minus the worcestershire sauce as I didn’t have any on hand. I also did have to use smaller bread because of the pandemic.

It came out pretty tasty, and got to add two different varieties of cheese and mushrooms. My cousin’s fiance approved as well. I’ll need to make these again sometime.

Eateries – 2020 Chinese Takeout #1

by Janeil_H | Mar 5, 2020 | 2020, Eateries

For the first time this year, took the time to get takeout from my favorite joint in Greeneville. However, my contact wasn’t anywhere to be found; looks like she sold the place to someone different. Nobody even remembered who she was, which definitely let me know something was up.

Still, the food tasted as normal. Got my standard fare of scallion chicken, wonton, vegetable lo mein, ginger chicken wings, shrimp and spring rolls. While this will be helping with creative stuff tonight, I do feel sad that one of three people I knew by name in that town is gone, and without warning. Time will tell if I like how the place is run in the future.

Eateries – @ The Diner – Breakfast Spread

by Janeil_H | Jan 25, 2020 | 2020, Eateries

While at the family get-together in Florida, we had to eat someplace! I already showcased wonderful Chinese food just a few blocks from the hotel, so now I’ll showcase yet another eatery.

This is called @ The Diner! (pronouncing the @ symbol as “at”, so “At the Diner.”) Sort of posh, very diverse menu. Super packed, enough that we had waited in line to get inside. Food was lightly pricey (be prepared to drop more than $20 on anything).

I grabbed toast, wedge fries and a cheese mushroom omelette. You can’t go wrong with cheese omelettes.

There was definitely poor phone reception in the establishment; I swear there was an EMP jammer nearby for the phones not working. Let’s just say that someone asked for rainbow waffles, and we didn’t get their message until we left the parking lot.

Either way, 7 out of 10. Any lacking stars is for affordability on a low budget and the phone nonsense. Food was good. From my past Waffle House experience, this was less salty but really well made in comparison to the House’s standard fare.

GPS coordinates below if you want to go check them out.

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