My Favourite Sandwich Places In Modesto

Out of all the sandwich places to go to in Modesto, these are my four favourites:

Mr. Pickles - 3609 Oakdale Rd, Modesto - (209) 551-1535 or http://www.mrpicklesinc.com/

O'Brien's Market - 4120 Dale Rd., Modesto, CA 95356(209) 545-6050 or http://www.obriensmarket.com/ ( you can get a specialty made sandwich for $4.99 or add a drink and a bag of chips for a dollar)

The Lunch Pail - 501 Bangs Ave # E, Modesto, CA 95356(209) 525-3663 or http://www.thelunchpail.com/ (they are a bit pricey but good, plus they have really great deserts)

Sub Station - 4213 McHenry Ave # A, Modesto, CA 95356(209) 576-2616 or check out a customers review www.yelp.com/biz/sub-station-modesto (for $5.99 you can get a sandwich plus tortilla chips and homemade salsa)

Otherwise, there are always those two other chain places that advertise $5.00 sandwiches

The Best Buy

I was looking to purchase a Tom Tom 720 as well as a Sirius Stiletto portable radio/mp3 player and was shopping around.

After a very poor, sad and a "I'm never going back there again," experience at a store that rhymes with Shmirket Shmity, I headed to Best Buy where we found what we were looking for, helped very quickly by a very nice sales guy named, Jeff W. and the item was price matched (and we were told to go on line and find the other item we were buying and bring back the receipt for a price adjustment).

The next day after not reading the directions (because I'm somewhat direction challenged) we went back to Best Buy where Jeff W. helped me pair my cell phone with the Tom Tom 720 Bluetooth feature... he even told me if I had more questions just to come back and he would help me out.

I ended up also getting a case for it and also an in-house charger (more money the other store didn't get because of their poor service).

When I was leaving another customer was purchasing a TV and the sales man came over to him, offered to help him out to his car (which the customer declined), and told the customer, "Thank you Mr...., I know it's a lot of info to take in so if you have anymore questions just call me, my name is on the top of your receipt or come by and see me. Enjoy your TV."

I have always been happy with the store, but when making larger purchases I will definitely go there again. Not only is there staff easy to find, knowledgeable, but they make the buying experience very nice and that is why I call it "The Best Buy."

Hello, you should feel PRIVILEGED that I posted this!

So, long time no post! It has been a while since my pal Tia or I have posted so I thought with all of the new TV shows beginning that now would be a great time to start. If you haven't checked out the show "Privileged" on the CW (comes on Tuesday nights after 90210) you really need to. If you liked Gilmore Girls, this show is up your alley. It stars Joanna Garcia (previously from "Reba") as a writer who loses her job in New York only to be offered the job as guardian/tutor for 2 rich billionaire Florida debutantes. She moves in their humongous house and tries to keep up with all of their craziness, as well as falling for the, literally speaking, boy next door all while trying to handle her bitchy sister. It is a cute show and Joanne Garcia is just adorable in it. Also has a really good soundtrack! Check it out.

Must List!!!!!!!!!!

Here are 5 thing that you must do, see or eat this month! Hurry, there are only a few days left!

5. Mango Smoothie from Jack in the Box (who knew a fast food smoothie could be this good?)

4. Project Runway returns for another season, (cannot stand Heidi Klum, love Tim Gunn!)
Love those design challenges.

3. Read the following books: The First Assistant, The Second Assistant. If you want an interesting insight on Hollywood today, these books will knock your socks off! Read The Second Assistant first and The First Assistant second, that is the order of the series, I am not kidding. The books are written by a hollywood script writer and a gal that worked at a very high profile talent agency (hmmmm........Tom Cruise might have been a client....!)

2. The Closer is back on TV for a 4th season, Monday Nights, 9pm on USA. Love Ms. Brenda Lee Johnson and her cast of sassy characters. You can check out Seasons 1 - 3 on DVD. Don't miss this!

1. Mamma Mia! (The Movie). OMG, this movie (and soundtrack) are awesome; love the actors, the singing, (some good, some bad), the colors, and love, love, love the Greek scenery. You will leave the theaters singing and dancing with a smile on your face (no, you really will)!

CASSETTE FROM MY EX!!!!!!!!!

No, I did not receive a cassette from my ex, but I did receive this week's Entertainment Weekly in my mailbox and #9 on the Must List was this fantastically interesting website: http://www.cassettefrommyex.com/. Every mixtape is the soundtrack to a love story. This is where the stories are told. Check it out to hear some really cool blasts from the past (as well as the present). BTW, if you are a Twilight fan (or Twilighter) you will especially dig on this issue as the cover features the stars of the upcoming book-turned-movie and half the mag is devoted to it as well. This pic is not the cover, but it is the closest pic I could find. (Can't scan the cover to my pc as my POS scanner is not working!)

Extremely good!

For months we waited for Extreme Pita in the Promenade Shopping Center in Modesto on McHenry Avenue to open up because we were a little bored with the same old restaurants we always went to and were looking forward to something new.

I am never disappointed by the food there. Everything is cooked right in front of you (oil free) and the produce is always fresh. However, from time to time, although very friendly their staff gets a little flustered by the rush of customers and will have you repeat your order multiple times. Enough to be annoying but not annoying enough to not return.

For your convenience, you are able to phone 209-550-7482 or fax 209-523-4782 your order in. Check them out online at http://www.extremepita.com/

Winging it Wednesday!

Okay, besides being a little punny, we have been regularly having lunch at the Wingstop in Riverbank. For a few reasons we like this restaurant; you can phone your order in (or order online) and it will be ready when you get there, they have no problems making substitutions, they have a pretty good variety(check out their menu at http://www.wingstop.com/) , and it is Troy Aikman's favourite wing place, and one of the last reasons - it won't make you poor.

Wingstop is located across from The Coldstone Creamery (http://www.coldstonecreamery.com/), which is a great ice cream shop. Advertised were gourmet cupcakes and they were reasonably priced at $1.99 each.

We both selected the red velvet cupcake with white frosting. While the cupcakes were very pretty, sadly they were very disappointing. It was the frosting that ruined it for us. It was a whipped topping with a waxy texture and an odd taste (that left an even weirder after taste). My initial reaction was "yuck," and into the waste basket it was tossed. Next time I will stick with ice cream.

My week of television (the good, the bad and the downright hilarious)!

Posted by Julie:

I will start with the bad. Sometimes movies can be such a letdown! I have been waiting for weeks to see the premiere of the Lifetime Movie "The Tenth Circle" which was adapted from a book from one of my very favorite authors, Jodi Picoult. I was at a party when the movie premiered, but I had my daughter set my DVR so I could catch it later. What a waste of time. That movie sucked!!!! You know how you read a really good book and then it is ruined when it is turned into a movie. Yep, that is what happened here. The actors, Kelly Preston and Ron Elderd, were horrible. I guess I shouldn't expect much from a Lifetime movie. Out of 5 stars that movie would get a -5.

The good thing was that on Sunday, one of the premium movie channels was showing "Chocolat", one of my all time fave movies starring Johnny Depp and I absolutely love Juliette Binoche. It made up for the crappy Lifetime movie, but then I topped my night off by watching "Wedding Crashers" on regular tv (which meant it was edited) but I still laughed my ass off. It's totally guy humor, but after seeing a really baaaaad movie on a certain women's channel, I was ready for it.

Nothing, however, can top all of the episodes of "The West Wing" that I watched while on vacation last week. My good friend, Karen Cherry, has been loaning me her seasons on DVD and this is one of the best shows that I have ever watched. I had never caught an episode on it's original run on NBC, but I totally get why it won all of the Emmys that it did. Superb writing, excellent dialogue and totally outstanding actors. No one, and I mean no one, can play a president like Martin Sheen. I watched so many episodes in a row, that when I turned on the news later that night, I had forgotten that Bush was our president. What a disappointed when reality hit. My favorite characters on the show are Leo McGarry (played by the untouchable John Spencer, may he rest in peace) and Josh Lyman (the very witty Bradley Whitford). If you get a chance to buy the seasons you will not be sorry. On a scale of 5 stars this tv show gets 500!

Fab Friday

Below is information and some history for Yesterdays Books in Modesto. It is a great place to purchase previously read books, find older collections or trade in your own books and get credits towards new ones. They have a great selection and if you can't find what you are looking for, their friendly staff will help you out. (Sorry this post is a little plain, I couldn't find a picture to attach.)

Yesterdays Books of Modesto, California http://www.yesterdaysbookstore.com/

Established in 1980, Yesterday's Books specializes in used and out of print hardback and paperback books of all kinds. With over 100,000 volumes to choose from and an ever changing inventory, you're sure to find just the book you need at a price you like.We buy and trade books based on CONDITION, SUBJECT AND AUTHOR. We acquire 98% of our books from local customers.

Open Monday through Saturday 9:00 - 6:00 (Thursdays until 8:00)

Email them at: mailto:yesterdaysmodesto@sbcglobal.net
Visit them at: http://www.californiabookstores.com/
or 3457 McHenry Ave.Modesto, CA 95350(Corner of Standiford & McHenry)

P.S. (From Julie): I highly recommend this bookstore. I took an enormous amount of books in there on Tuesday for trade. Unfortunately, they only needed 2 small stacks from my huge lot, but they gave me $50.00 in store credit for those 2 small stacks. I would have probably only received $5.00 if I had sold them in a garage sale. The kids and I used the credit to choose more books and we walked away with 17 brand new books (to us, anyway). It is definitely worth trading your books in for different ones. The staff there is so kind and helpful. Anyway, just my 2 cents. Have a super weekend!

Definitely, Yes!

On Tuesday, June 24th the movie Definitely, Maybe starring Ryan Reynolds (one of our Hollywood crushes came out). One of the movies first scenes is of Will (Ryan Reynolds) picking his daughter up at school, only to find angry parents and upset kids after a sex ed class. His daughter, Maya (Abigail Breslin) approaches and says, "we have to talk." He tells her the story of three woman in his life, changing the names of the woman and not telling Maya which one her mother is.

It seems like there are not enough chick flicks out (okay, good ones at least) lately and for more reasons than not, this was a good movie. So rent, borrow or buy - it's worth watching.

FYI - Isla Fisher plays April in this movie - she is adorable and can't wait to see her in Confessions of a Shopaholic (one of my favourite series of books) which will hit movie theatres February 13th, 2009.

One word........Yum!

This is my new chocolate weakness. If you haven't tried these, you really need to. Great PMS food. I found them at Target, on sale for $2.50 a few weeks ago and they were simply fabulous. The package says that 3 pcs make 1 serving and that is more than enough to satisfy a chocolate craving, even a PMS one!

Time for a little Chick Lit!

Just wanted to share a great chick lit author with everyone. Mary Kay Andrews is an author from Southern Georgia that writes the funniest southern novels. They are equal parts romantic, mysterious and hilarious. If you want to pick up a great summer read, try one of these great books. You can currently pick them up for just $8.00 at your local Target. What a small price to pay for some great entertainment that you will want to read again and again or pass on to a friend. Her characters, Weezie, Bebe, Keely and Mary Bliss will have you laughing and crying at the same time! These are just four of Mary Kay's books. There are 2 more Mary Kay Andrews books and you can check them at here:http://www.marykayandrews.com/blog/index.asp?id=home.

Tia is currently reading "Little Bitty Lies" so stay tuned for a book review from both of us!

Fantabulous Fridays!

One of my (Tia) very favourite stores in Modesto is Kellers located at 1700 McHenry Avenue in McHenry Village. It is a wonderful store that sells a wide range of products from China, to home decor, many kitchen items (Le Cruset, Kitchen Aid, etc.), to holiday decorations and gourmet coffee, jams, sauces etc. I always find something when I am there, if you have the time check it out - you won't be disappointed.

http://kellersofmodesto.com/

Coming Soon!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay tuned for our new blog that will educate you on all things fabulous! Movies, music, books, tv and local restaurant reviews seen through the eyes of 2 mod girls!