MNP Fundraiser

Well today was a day to give back to the community.  "C's" brother works at MNP (Meyers Norris Penny) and phoned to inform us of a fundraiser lunch for Rob Parsons, who is the son of another MNP employee.  He thought it would be a good idea for us to come and participate.  We agree!  What a worthy thing to do. Rob was injured in a motorcycle accident that left him a paraplegic.  Rob spent quite some time in the hospital and is now at home. However the home requires some renovating to make it more wheelchair friendly.

All of the food was donated.  Two local Hutterite colonies provided the beef, buns, corn, watermelon and salad.  Dwayne Gurr of London Road Market provided the condiments and pop.  Because of these generous donations, all proceeds will go directly to making the Parsons' home wheelchair accessible.

It's nice to see a business and a community rally around a great cause and help lift the burden of such a tragic accident.

Beef on a bun was served with a side of pasta salad and some of the sweetest Southern Alberta corn, along with watermelon and pop.  All in all it was a nice way to spend the lunch hour.  Even the wasps didn't seem to mind. 

We don't know of a final head count, but we are guessing that there were in excess of 200 people served.











It was a nice sunny afternoon and this event was a great success.

We really hope that Rob's recovery is quick and that his adjustments to his new life situation are made easier by the generosity and support of the local community.

So Rob, from the Lethbridge Lunch Nomads; we wish you a speedy recovery and hope that your coming days are filled with joy and love.

Sincerely,
"C", 'J" and "M"

Namu Korean & Western Grill 1303 Mayor Magrath Drive S. Lethbridge

Well, We waited for Namu to open and this was the week to try it. I ordered the "Spicy Pork Box" it came with a "bean sprout" salad, a regular lettuce salad, a couple of dumplings (similar to gyoza) The "spicy pork",  rice, some "radish beef" soup. Well, todays choice was ok. I will come back to try to the "Korean BBQ" I won't order a lunch special again, I actually wasn't crazy about it. I ate everything and it wasn't bad, let's just say that. I have to be honest and say "I wasn't blown away".  I think I just chose the wrong lunch special for me today. I've heard Korean BBQ is really good. The restaurant itself was nice. The staff was friendly--the price wasn't bad either for a lunch special. Its been about 9 hours since lunch and I still have the worst "garlic breath" I've ever had. I can actually taste it. Anyways, I guess todays choice wasn't too too bad, but I would like to change what I'd ordered. There's always next time. Thanks Namu!
"M"

We've been watching for the opening of this new restaurant and finally were able to get here for lunch. Others in Lethbridge must have been looking for a new place to eat also because within a few minutes of our arrival it got quite busy. That's always a good sign. I've heard a lot about Korean BBQ and was happy we chose to eat here. I ordered a lunch box special with chicken. It came with soup, salad, rice, a couple of dumplings like Gyoza and of course the meat. The soup was a surprise! Radish/beef soup. I've never heard of cooking with radishes before. It was different and it was good. I think I might have to develop a taste for this before I really love it. The rest of the meal was quite tasty. I really liked the dumplings. Like I said they were just like gyoza but crispy. MMM very good! The flavor of the chicken was good and as a whole all the flavors made a nice meal. It was a good change from other lunches we have had. My only complaint is that the box lunch did not fill me up. By 3 o'clock I was going around the office begging for food. I will definitely come back, but I will try something a little more substantial. Give it a try and let us know what you think. “J”

When I grew up in Lethbridge I remember when the Heidelberg Inn was built.  Recently Ramada has purchased this hotel and opened a new restaurant.  We saw the sign a couple of weeks before it was actually open, so we knew that we would be adding this one to our plastic bowl full of restaurants written on pieces of paper. We usually draw randomly.  However sometimes we stack the deck and just go wherever we feel like.  So on our radar today was Namu.  So we order our food and submit ourselves to some meaningless chit chat and all of a sudden 'BOOMBAM', out comes some soup.  When I first saw it I thought, hmmm, didn't know they served Miso soup in Korea.  Then we were told it was Radish/Beef Soup.  I LOVE RADISHES.  I used to eat radish sandwiches when I was a kid.  This soup was really good.  What a nice change.  I ordered the ribs.  I really liked the flavor but next time I will order the BBQ beef.  I like a little more meat than were on the ribs.   I was impressed with the amount of food that came with the lunch box special.  I wasn't hungry when we left.  It seemed like the lunch special didn't want to offend vegetarians or meat lovers.  There was plenty of both.  3 different types of salad, rice, dumplings, and the meat.  I really enjoyed our lunch here at Namu.  However I felt like I should have been at Sea World or something.  I'm sure the name of the restaurant means something in Korean.  It is a little too close to sounding like Shamu.  Where's the trainer dude?  Does the server splash us with water?  Can I throw Namu a fish?  Anyways, I hope people will make this place stay.  I find that when a restaurant is located in a Hotel that there is a lot of turn over.  So peoples, go eat at Namu! How do you say Bon appetit in Korean? "C"
PS.  "M" is a winer. :-D

Henry's Restaurant 531-13 Street N.

Back in July, Sarah27 recommended that we try out Henry's because their dry ribs "are so addicting" and so today we gave them a try. "M" is off on vacation but we got two other guys to join us. Well, Sarah27 was right, the ribs were pretty good darn good. The rest of the lunch special was hot and fresh, a little different from the buffet food we usually eat. I am learning from this project that Chinese food has a slightly different flavor at each restaurant. I guess it only makes sense, but I never really thought about it before. I have always loved Chinese food and have my favorite places to eat it, so when I go somewhere else and it tastes different I find it hard to like it. The food here was good, just not what my taste-buds prefer. It was fresh and plentiful, two definite requirements for Chinese food, and the chicken balls had light breading on them which made me happy. My biggest let down was the chow mien. To me it was quite tasteless, but fortunately they had chili paste which can make even the worst chow mien taste better. Henry's has been around for awhile so others must like the food here. For me it wasn't a bad lunch just not a great one. You'll have to try it out for yourself.  "J"

Hey everyone it's "C"!  I disagree with "J" regarding the chow mien, I agree about the dry ribs, and agree with the pineapple chicken. Perhaps in his maturing years "J" is not only losing memory, but taste buds too.  LOL.  I enjoy the different flavors you find from different restaurants.  -[Side note:]  I have eaten a lot of interesting food from a lot of countries.  I have eaten whole entire fishes, some dried and smoked, and others just boiled up in a soup.  (I liked the eyes).  I have even eaten the famous prairie oysters.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that my expectation for the flavor of foods is quite broad.  I am patient with my palate.  I had the dry 'garlic' ribs.  WOW!!! Thank You Sarah27 for your recommendation.  Everything was great.  When I was young my parents would take us to Henry's for special occasions.  It was always good then, and it was very good this time.  If there is anything I could suggest, it would be to redecorate.  Replace those 30 years old carpets and spruce the place up a little. "C"

Coops 3205 8th Ave. North.

Today we decided it was a place called "Coops" Where is that? Never heard of it. We hopped in the car and went up to the industrial side of town. We parked, and walked around the building, found the door, and here is a little restaurant. I ordered a "Beef Dip" with Onion Rings. It was dang good. We find it's amazing how these little places you've never heard of are quite good. I think the other "Nomads" were pleased with what they ordered also. I thought the price was good. I was so full when I finished and my lunch was under $10.00. Awesome. It's a little out of the way for me, so I don't know that I'll rush right back, but it was a good lunch. Give it a try sometime.
"M"

Today was a great little find. When we randomly made the choice to eat at Coops today we weren't quite sure we wanted to follow thru with it. In fact there was even some wining about "going where I want to" BUT we were all very surprised and pleased. It didn't look like much of a place from the outside, the inside was much better. It was nice and clean and we felt welcome. The menu had a real variety of food and so we each chose something different. I decided on a pizza and it was great! Great flavor, crunchy crust, I made a good choice. I know that this place is hidden in the industrial area of the city but it is worth the drive and the food was great."J"


Wow, interesting place!  It's amazing what you find when you're not looking for it.  I really fought going here, cuz I had no clue that such a gem existed in the armpit of the industrial park in Lethbridge.  After we found the place we ended up walking around the place looking for the door.  I guess I walked right on by and didn't notice it.  Inside was a typical greasy spoon decor but in much better shape than other small out of the way places that we've seen.  So anyways, I was very impressed with the menu.  What a great selection.  I decided to have the Steak Sandwich.  Well alrighty then! (Insert Jim Carrey voice here).  Honestly one of the best Steak Sandwiches I've consumed.  Normally you get a fatty slab of Grissely meat that requires further butchering and trimming, and you end up inevitably with a couple pieces of meat, but not here.  It was a tasty, cooked to perfection, sumptuous morsel of beef.  The toasted bread was served as a side and I really liked that cuz I really just wanted to eat the steak.  My lunch was served with a choice of soup or salad and I chose the soup.  Cream of Broccoli, mmmmm!  It also had steamed vegetables and onion rings.  Great Lunch!  Only open for the lunch crowd, but definitely worth the commute.  "C"

The Saigonese 1210 Mayor Magrath Drive S.

Life is so good I can't believe it. The weather is warm, the sun is shining and we found another Vietnamese restaurant. Have I ever said how much I love to eat vietnamese food? Some how The Saigonese restaurant slipped under our radar, but it didn't get far. We attacked with a flurry today, in fact we attacked so fast and hard that we finished all our food before the camera could even snap a picture. Check it out. I ordered "Bun" today not just because it's my favorite but also so I could make a comparison with the other restaurants. And so do you know what I discovered?? I love Vietnamese food no matter where you eat it, it's great everywhere. Each has something a little bit different but they are all good. Here at the Saigonese the charbroiled pork is not in slices but in littler pieces that taste like they have been marinated in something that also gives it an orange color. It was good but the best part was because the pieces were small they seemed to last to the very last bite. I liked that very much. Overall I was very pleased. Good food, fast and friendly service, and within our $10 budget. I'll definitely be back "J"

Well the last time I blogged about Vietnamese I said "We've tried all the Vietnamese in town" I forgot about The Saigonese. I liked it. It was different than the other places in town. I ordered "bun" which I'm used to. I was surprised how each place in Lethbridge differs from eachother. I thought this place wasn't bad. I'm not able to say its the best Vietnamese in town but it was good. I'm serious when I say "Vietnamese is my favorite food these days" I didn't think their charbroiled pork was as good as some others I've had. We ate it up in just a few minutes. I think the other "Nomads" like Vietnamese as much as I do. Thanks for the good lunch, I'm sure I'll be back
"M"

Hey it's 'C'. The Saigonese happens to my personal favorite for Vietnamese food. As per usual it hit the mark with glorious flavor, and every morsel was as a delectable peice of heaven. When I die I want 'bun' for my pearly gate meal. Hey Saigonese, you have nice bun. 'C'

Five Guys Burgers & Fries 3725 Mayor Magrath Drive South

Hey everybody, it's "C".  I can't believe that I am the first to post today.  So it was burger time today and 5 Guys was the destination.  Ordered the bacon burger and loaded it up with almost everything.  Grabbed some FREE peanuts with hopes of dumping all the shells on the floor.  We were fairly early for lunch and the floor was still really clean.  I would have felt guilty being the first to mess up the floor.  So back to the burger! YOWZA! Great as usual.  I love how they put your burger and fries in the bag and then dump more fries on top.  Had a root beer with lemon.  First time I've tried that.  It was surprisingly tasty.  Well I can't believe I at the whole thing,  ok actually I can, and it was gooood.  Not the cheapest burgers in town, but probably the most satisfying.  I wasn't hungry till supper time.  That's good for me.  Great food, good fun! "C"


I've been looking forward to trying out "Five Guys" ever since I heard they were coming to town. I had high expectations and overall they were met. I love my burgers so juicy they run down to my elbows when I eat them and this is what I got. I had it loaded so full I could hardly open my mouth wide enough to take a bite. (but don't worry, I did just fine) We placed our orders and had only a short wait. I was amazed that my brown paper bag was right full when I picked it up. The burger was juicy and had good flavor. My bun was a little soggy but maybe thats because I like to put so much on it. It made it a little hard to hold but that meant there was more to lick off my fingers. They definitely didn't cheap out on the fries, there was tons of them. They were a bit soggy which disappointed me, but once I bathed them in ketchup I was able to get them down. If you are looking for a good burger experience you've got to try out "Five Guys". Not the cheapest in town but pretty darn good burgers.  "J"

Well, as the team already mentioned, it was time to try "Five Guys" I ordered a bacon burger, I was surprised how huge the burgers are. It was so good. I'm always up for a good burger. I love the way you order and I thought the place itself was cool. I found my burger was a little messy, but I'm sure these burgers are supposed to be like that a bit. There was for sure enough fries to go around. Wash it all down with a "Coke Zero" and you have yourself a dang good lunch. I'm sure I'll be back. Thanks "Five Guys" for the awesome lunch.
"M"

Hong Kong Gardens 425 13th Street North

I guess I'm a "chinese food" snob and didn't even know it. I was really looking forward to eating at Hong Kong Gardens today because it's been such a long time since I've been here. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the flavors of the food. I can't really pinpoint what it was, all I know is it didn't taste like I like my chinese food to taste. It was OK, but not great. That being said, the restaurant was fairly busy and some of the guys really liked it, so like I said I must be a "chinese food" snob. What I did find positive was the volume of food they served. I started with a small wonton soup and it was twice the size I expected to see. The lunch special was $6.55 and after the soup I didn't come close to finishing it. So if you are looking for quantity, this is the place to eat.  "J"

Yup Chinese again. Well....on Thursdays I'm really Hungry. This was a lot of food for not much money. It was super cheap and a mountain of food. It didn't taste quite as good as some of the other places we've been. I ate quite a bit of it but I didn't love it. I ordered the lunch special with shrimp. There was one thing I loved.....The Sriracha. If you're looking for a cheap lunch and you want to get really full, this is the place. It was a bigger plate than I would have taken at a buffet. I think it'll be a while before I make it back. "M"


I have no clue where these two 'Chinese Food Snobs' just ate, but the Hong Kong Gardens that I just ate at was great!  What a couple of winers eh :-) I was given a gargantuous serving of food.  I was completely blown away by the amount of food on my plate.  Usually I only see this much food on my plate when I fill it myself at a buffet.  So anyways, I found the flavour a nice change from the cookie cutter flavours of all the other chinese food restaraunts in Lethbridge.  Yes the rice and chow mein did taste different than usual, but in a good way.  The 'won ton' soup was misspelled and should have been 'one ton' of soup.  It was massive! And that was a small bowl none the less.  The service was excellent and friendly.  I was the only one today to finish my lunch, so I think I deserve props for that.  A definate two thumbs up from me today.  Best value for lunch in a long time.However it looks like I'll be going back there by myself next time, but go back I will, and soon!  Quantity 10/10, quality 9.5/10, service 9.5/10, a full stomach the rest of the day 10/10.  Keep smilin', thanks for all the suggestions, and Happy Eating.  "C"