We had just finished swimming and still had a stop or two to go before home. Of course, the kids were STARVING! Trying to continue getting stamps for our Lincoln: Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown passports, one stop we still had to make was at Fireworks Restaurant. While we were not exactly dressed for a dining room experience, I decided that getting an appetizer to go would help all of us to survive until the next meal.
Rather than letting the kids pick, I must confess that I picked what sounded interesting to me.
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Firecrackers: Crisp egg rolls filled with vegetables and monterey jack, served with sweet and spicy dipping sauce.
Our opinion: delicious! Ordering the appetizer to go was a fun way to get to try something new without having to dine indoors. Many times we automatically think of the drive through when we need a quick treat for our kids. If instead you all share an appetizer, what a fun way to get DELICIOUS food for less cost!
Appetizers also make for a great lunch! When we ate at Dino’s Eastside Grill for my nephew’s birthday, I signed up to get their text specials. A few times a month I have gotten messages from them – one was for a BOGO 1/2 price back to school dinner. (Unfortunately, we had plans that night or that would have been supper!) Anyway, when I signed up I happened to win a free appetizer. For whatever reason, the appetizer offer was going to expire quickly. So one day I picked up an order of their pepperoni pizza rolls to go. I had enough to share bites with the kids and still be more than full.
Of course, neither of our snack choices this time were super healthy. But both of these restaurants do have healthier appetizer options that would make a yummy after-school snack.
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Wood-fired Flat Bread
Topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan, served with a roasted red pepper dip. Add additional toppings like grilled corn, diced red onions, caramelized red onions, black olives, roasted red peppers, jalapenos, mushrooms, green onions and tomatoes. (Especially if you go lighter on the cheese and dip 🙂
- Korean Lettuce Wraps: Thinly sliced, tender prime rib in a Korean marinade with romaine leaves, sweet and sour sauce, hot and spicy sauce, and a mini-buffet of fixings.
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Hummus: House made, garnished with red peppers, feta and black olives and served with grilled pita bread
Dino’s Eastside Grille (Summer menu)
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Asian Lettuce Wraps
The perfect shared item that you can build your own combos of flavor: Asian marinated chicken breast, breaded portabellas, red peppers, sesame cucumbers, green onions, Sweet Chili noodles, cilantro, and lettuce leaves. Served with Sweet Chili, sesame soy sauce, and Thai paenut sauce. -
Roasted Corn & Black Bean Dip
A mix of black beans, ground tomatillos, cheeses, roasted corn, cilantro, and south of the border spices, served with our fresh corn tortilla chips. (Go heavy on the dip and lighter on the chips!)
Have you ever tried an appetizer for lunch? Have you ever considered buying an appetizer from a nicer restaurant for a snack, rather than going through the drive through? I would highly encourage you to give it a try. Coming later on today – school lunch ideas!
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