TJ Falls

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El Tepeyac Cafe – Manuel’s Special

Posted by TJ Falls On November - 6 - 2009

IMG_0788Line at El Tepeyac

After attempting our own Orochon Ramen challenge, Cecy and I wanted to continue in Adam Richman’s footsteps and explore one of his other stops during his Los Angeles Man vs. Food episode.  El Tepeyac Cafe in East L.A. is known as much for it’s charismatic owner Manuel as it is for it’s food.  We arrived in the early afternoon for lunch and already there was a well sized line outside.

Man Juice

After a brief 45 minute wait, we were finally able to get seats at the counter.  The owner, Manuel, promptly greeted us by bringing us with some complimentary "Man Juice."  A shot of Tequila for Cecy and a shot of Brandy for myself.  They don’t mess around here.  We knew what we wanted to eat, so we ordered ourselves a "Steak Picado Manuel’s Special" to split.

Manuel's Special

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This 12+ inch, 5 pound burrito is the size of a small child.

Manuel's Special - Conquered

 

While Adam Richman may be a glutton for punishment and could probably finish this thing in one sitting, we decided to play it more casually and split the beast with the intention of taking some home.  Our strategy paid off.  We still finished a surprising 2/3 of it before calling it a day.

Microsoft’s “The New Efficiency” Event

Posted by TJ Falls On October - 28 - 2009

Arriving at the event check in!

Cisco presentation was first up followed by a Windows Phone presentation.

The Windows 7 presentations are about to begin.

Demo of some of Windows 7’s new features including Aero Peak.

…and the Recent Items/ Shortcut views directly from the taskbar

Microsoft’s “the NEW efficiency” presentation has come to an end.

The seminar has finished and we are all to receive copies of Windows 7 Ultimate. Great!  As I get my copy I notice that it’s a 32-bit only version…wha????  Who is the genius at Microsoft that OK’d distributing 32-bit only versions of a product (that sells with both 32 & 64-bit versions on it) at an IT Professional and Developer conference?  I doubt 10% of the audience has been running 32-bit for years!  We were able to turn in our copies and fill out a form so that we could receive a 64-bit version by mail in 4-6 weeks.  Sheesh.  Obviously one can’t get too upset when receiving something for free…it’s just a shame that after such an enjoyable day that I had to go home with such a bad taste in my mouth.  Well played Microsoft.

Orochon Ramen

Posted by TJ Falls On August - 9 - 2009

Adam Richman of Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food went to Orochon Ramen in Downtown LA to try their Special #2 challenge.  Cecy and I took a trip one afternoon to try out the food for ourselves.

Orochon Levels

Their menu has 7 levels (+2 Special levels) – from spiciest to non-spicy:

  • Special #2
  • Special #1
  1. Extreme Orochon
  2. Hyper Orochon
  3. Impact Orochon
  4. Orochon
  5. Osae Orochon
  6. Osae-Osae Orochon
  7. Non-Spicy Orochon

Adam Richman may have tackled the Special #2 on his first visit, we decided to be a bit more conservative, while still being bold.  I took on Level 3 (Impact Orochon) while Cecy ordered Level 2 (Hyper Orochon).

Level 3 for TJ, Level 2 for Cecy

The food was very spicy.  I don’t think I’d want to get anything more spicy.  In the end, I finished most of my soup with only some broth left (below).  Cecy finished less of her’s.  Trying both versions, it’s amazing how much spicier Level 2 was from Level 3.  I hate to image what a Special #2 tastes like!

LOVE in Las Vegas

Posted by TJ Falls On August - 1 - 2009

Cecy and TJ attend LOVE in Las Vegas.  I think both of us agree that this has been our favorite Cirque show we’ve seen.