Monday, February 6, 2017

Portland, OR: Nightmare On Lombard Street

Albert's 2 Bed, 1 Bath, Kitchen, Pets OK!
North Portland (Arbor Lodge), Oregon
Airbnb Link
Price: $$$$


The place has potential, but it is severely outdated and dirty. The fridge, heat, hot water heater, and coffee maker did not work. The electrical is a mess, the blinds need to be replaced, the heat needs to be fixed, the kitchen needs a severe makeover, the plastic in the shower covering the wall needs to disappear, and the floors need replacing.  The blinds are old, barely work, rusty and dirty. The kitchen counters are stained and gross. There is a glob of something in the kitchen sink, but I did not want to find out what it was by touching it.





My Only Heat Source Other Than Small Wall Heater In Bedroom
Albert, the host, was fine before and during check-in, but then he checked-out and everything went downhill from there. With no heat and nothing working the first night, I tried to contact him at around 9pm, 10pm, and 11pm, but he would not pick up the phone or respond to texts. He sent an electrician the next day, but he said "I can't find anything wrong", even though there was not enough amps to run more than one or two things at the same time. When I returned the second evening, I expected the problems to be solved, but they were not. Again, I tried to contact Albert, but he said "there's nothing I can do". A guest, me, was freezing (temps in the high 30s during the day and 20s at night) and nothing worked, but there was absolutely no sense of urgency and even less communication.

The location is not bad, but it is an old building in a rather seedy neighborhood with little within walking distance except a couple dive bars and a 7-11.
Plastic Hiding Something In Shower

Bathroom Heater Hasn't Worked In Years




The apartment was uninhabitable and should have never been rented. I cannot believe that I was charged for the two nights I stayed there, freezing and unable to shower (no hot water), make coffee or store anything in the fridge. I feel that the host could have done much more to solve the problems or at least communicate that he could not. He had my phone number and knowing that there was still no heat and nothing working on day two, a simple phone call or text would have allowed me to find suitable accommodations. It is inexcusable for a "paying" guest to have to suffer and as someone with experience in the hospitality industry, he should have known better.


Thanks to Airbnb for your professional help and the $200 credit. Even though I had to suffer for two nights, your representatives were compassionate and very helpful.

Finally, I got this wonderful text (5:47AM - Friday) from Albert after he read my honest review online:












This is the kind of person you will be dealing with if you choose to stay with Albert. Your choice!

CombatCritic Gives Albert's Place 1 Bomb Out Of 10 And A Spot On My "WALL OF SHAME"
One Bomb Equates To:

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Title: Portland, OR: Airbnb Nightmare On Lombard Street

Key Words: Airbnb, Albert, North portland, Portland, Oregon, apartment, room, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, accommodation, hotel, motel, guest, review, Yelp, Airbnb.com, Lombard, street

Translation for Civilians: FUBAR = "Fucked Up Beyond All Repair"

Portland, OR: Cold Food, Apathetic Attitude ... Cha! Cha! Cha!

Cha! Cha! Cha!
5225 N. Lombard Street
Portland, OR 97203
North Portland, Portsmouth
Phone number: (503) 802-2262
Website: chachachapdx.com
Prices: $$$$

Now I understand why this place rates just three stars. The food was good, but lukewarm and the staff obviously were more concerned about closing and cleaning up than customers.
I ordered the guacamole and chips ($4.95), a decent (not huge) size of mediocre guac and chips that seemed to be made in house. It is obvious when guacamole is cut with something (Imo, sour cream, tomatoes, etc.) to increase profit and this was, although not bad. Their house salsa was the highlight of the meal, containing all of the ingredients of pico de gallo (tomato, white onion, jalapeƱo or serrano chile, cilantro, and lime juice) roasted, then blended into a thick, creamy dipping sauce that was absolutely wonderful.

Then came dinner, quickly. When the entrees arrive so quickly, you know they are closing and want to pump out orders as fast as they can so they can clean (which I observed) or the stuff is all prepped and thrown together once ordered. My pet peeve, the server brought my entree before I was less than halfway through my appetizer ... HELLO, CHIPS, SALSA, AND GUACAMOLE ... please let me enjoy them before you bring my food.
In this case, it did not matter because the food was lukewarm, at best, when it arrived. I ordered two tacos ala carte ($3.50 each - one carne asada and one with "mama's braised beef") and a cheese and onion enchilada ($3.75 - with rojo - red - sauce). The enchilada was not cold, but almost, and the cheese inside had barely been melted. The flavor was actually quite good, but would have been much better properly warmed.

It was obvious that clean-up and closing were more important than customers because the cleaning started well before closing time and they turned away a couple that arrived a few minutes after 9pm (closing).

CombatCritic Gives Cha! Cha! Cha! 4 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Four Bombs Equates To:
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Read Chris S.'s review of Cha! Cha! Cha! on Yelp

Cha! Cha! Cha! Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Tabelog Reviewer CombatCritic
View my food journey on Zomato!


Title: Portland, OR: Cold Food, Apathetic Attitude ... Cha! Cha! Cha!

Key Words: Cha! Cha! Cha!, cha, Mexican, Portland, Oregon, taco, enchilada, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, restaurant, menu, product, service, review, Yelp, Zomato, Tabelog

Translation for Civilians: BOHICA = "Bend Over, Here It Comes Again"

Portland, OR: PSSSSST ... Entrees Come AFTER The Diner Has Finished Their Appetizer

Thai Ginger
2020 N. Rosa Parks Way
Portland, OR 97217
North Portland, Arbor Lodge
Phone number: (503) 283-9731
Prices: $$$$

I arrived an hour before closing, but the man and woman running the place had already started closing. Beer and wine prices were a bit high and the selection of bottled beer was mostly from Asia, not my cup of beer, I mean tea, so I had water.
$4.95 for teeny tiny fried Thai Egg Rolls (aka frozen lumpia) and $10.50 for Beef Massaman Curry, $15.45 with NO TAX ... WHOO-HOO, not bad for a "decent" meal. The egg rolls were OK, but my entree arrived before I had finished my second egg roll, a pet peeve of mine, so they get dinged right off the bat, The curry was tasty enough, comparable to many similar curries I have had, but was a tad light on the beef (2-3 ounces at best) for the price.
I love Thai and this was mediocre at best, not a great value and less than stellar service, Thai Ginger was a bust.
CombatCritic Gives Thai Ginger 4 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!


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Read Chris S.'s review of Thai Ginger on Yelp

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Tabelog Reviewer CombatCritic
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Title: Portland, OR: PSSSSST ... Entrees Come AFTER The Diner Has Finished Their Appetizer

Key Words: Thai Ginger, Thai, Thailand, ginger, curry, egg roll, appetizer, Portland, Oregon, OR, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, restaurant, menu, review, Yelp, Zomato, Tabelog

Translation for Civilians: BOHICA = "Bend Over, Here It Comes Again"

Vancouver, WA: Decent Burger(ville), Hot Fries ... Ho-Hum

Burgerville
8320 NE Vancouver Plaza Drive
Vancouver, WA 98662
Phone number: (360) 944-6230
Website: burgerville.com
Prices: $$$$

Empty when I walked in, I thought they might be closing. They were not.

I had heard about BURGERVILLE from an old, and I mean old, friend, so I had to give it a try and went all-in. I ordered the Colossal burger with bacon and a large fries. The burger was plentiful, reminiscent of burger (king) days gone by. The bun was big with lettuce, tomato pickle, two 1/4 pound patties, and a slab or two of pepper bacon ($6.50 plus the bacon). Good burger.
The fries were enough, but the difference between the "small", "medium", and "large" were miniscule and not particularly cheap. The first couple of fries were cold and the rest scalding hot, so I know they had dipped them in the fryer and mixed them with those left behind.

In all, not a bad meal. Better than McDonalds by miles and Burger King by about 5 years (since they downsized "The Whopper", not quite near the quality, flavor and free peanuts of Five Guys.

CombatCritic Gives Burgerville 5 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Five Bombs Equates To:

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Read Chris S.'s review of Burgerville on Yelp

Burgerville Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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Title: Vancouver, WA: Decent Burger(ville), Hot Fries ... Ho-Hum

Key Words: Burgerville, burger, ville, hamburger, Washington, Vancouver, WA, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, restaurant, menu, review, Yelp, Zomato, Tabelog

Translation for Civilians: Charlie-Mike = "Continue Mission"

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Lawrence, KS: Good Folks, Fair Prices, And Excellent Service "Trump" Home Depot

Cottin’s Hardware & Rental
1832 Massachusetts Street
Lawrence, KS 66044
Phone number: (785) 843-2981
Prices: $$$$

If traveling through Lawrence, visiting for a period of time, or if you live here full-time, you may someday find yourself needing a screwdriver, some WD-40, or God knows what. If so, there is a fair chance that you will find it at Cottins.

I much prefer supporting small, local businesses rather than the large impersonal chain stores. Much closer to our home in Old East Lawrence than Home Depot and Menards, although much smaller, Cottins has a good selection of hardware items at reasonable prices. 

The thing I like best about Cottins is the friendly, personal attention you receive almost as soon as you walk in the door. If you have ever been to Home Depot, Lowes, and Menards, you know that trying to find an employee to answer a question or help you find something is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. The employees at Cottins are not only friendly and helpful, they are very knowledgeable in a variety of DIY topics.

A small space by hardware standards, they have an amazing selection of choices in almost every category. Every time I go there, I am greeted warmly and escorted directly to the specific item I need. Employees have spent 15 minutes with me helping me to find less than a dollar's worth of screws, now that's customer service! Customer service is such a rare comodity these days in the retail sector, but Cottins is the rare exception. Well done!

CombatCritic Gives Cottins Hardware and Rental 9 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Nine Bombs Equates To:

"U.S. Marine Response To A Verbal Greeting Or As An Expression Of Enthusiasm"

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Read Chris S.'s review of Cottin's Hardware & Rental on Yelp

Tabelog Reviewer CombatCriticView my food journey on Zomato!

Title: Lawrence, KS: Good Folks, Fair Prices, And Excellent Service "Trump" Home Depot

Key Words: Cottin's Hardware, Cottin's, hardware, true, Massachusetts, Street, farmers market, farmers, farmer's, market Lawrence, 66044, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, restaurant, business, review, Yelp