Tea Stains on Parchment

Gastropubs. They are everywhere. It's as if restauranteurs suddenly realized that people want the food to actually taste good when they go out? What a surprise! But, in all honestly, this shift probably occurred in response to the "foodie scene." People began to go out to share a meal together, enjoy each other's company, have an actual conversation with friends as if your having a family meal, instead of going out for a wild Friday night, getting so drunk that some greasy chips are enough to satisfy. I've been to my fair share of these little gems, and as time has passed, some were merely made to keep up with a trend, and others are worth the night out. A few months ago I went to Philadelphia, just another part of my college application process, but one that was a lot more fun. After a long flight, no reservation, a casual wardrobe, and little understanding of the city, we decided to go to a British themed gastropub. According to Google, it had good reviews, an

There are certain restaurants that you hear about over and over again, whether it be on TV or instagram or tourist brochures. You have to wonder, are they worth it? *cue buzzfeed intro* After a while, I begin to wonder if these places are actually good or if they are the kind of place you go to just to take some pictures, buy a t-shirt, and brag to your friends about, like some sort of foodie accomplishment badge. Well, my curiosity and love of these well-marketed TV shows were enough to win me over. Today let's see if one infamous dessert spot is actually worth the long lines, high prices, and all the praise. First up, Shake Shack. I have heard so much about this East coast based burger chain, stories about waiting in line for hours just to taste some blended ice cream. I love milkshakes as much as the next person, but I doubt I would wait much longer than an hour for any milkshake. Luckily, there's not much of a wait at one of these restaurants outside of New York City.