#barlouie

[erikreichenbachcomics]

I have a system of organization for colors in the box, and it makes sense to me 🌈😭 more chalking @barlouie . . #art #chalk #chalkart #barlouie #bar #food #michigan #comics #comic #signart #handlettering #dabudoodles (at Bar Louie) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0f9sxEgO8d/?igshid=73jb9nx7jbf3

[alfapoet]

They’re still with you, you know. All the words you never said but wish you had. They cover you from head to toe, layer upon layer. That’s the weight you feel every time a memory rolls through... those words p u l s e. They want to be felt. They want to remind you that maybe... just maybe if you had set them free -you might have rewrote the ending you try so hard to forget. ・ “I Find You in the Darkness”. Available August 14th Preorder now. ________ ________ ________ #alfapoet #tattoo #tattooquotes #spilledthoughts #alfathisismylife #thisismylife #personal #style #poetlife #fiftysomething #heartbroken #quotes #typewriterslinger #ifindyouinthedarkness #poet #poetry #poems #booksamillion #barlouie @alfa.this.is.my.life @typewriterslinger @poets.are.rockstars ______________ https://static.macmillan.com/static/castlepoint/find-you-in-darkness/ (at Louisville, Kentucky)

[depression-oatmeal]

Bar Louie and Smashburger

The addresses:

Bar Louie – 2467 Park Avenue, Tustin, CA 92782 (The District at Tustin Legacy)

Smashburger – 26541 Aliso Creek Suite C, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

The websites:

Bar Louie - https://www.barlouie.com/locations/us/ca/tustin/the-district

Smashburger - https://smashburger.com/locations/us/ca/aliso-viejo/26541-aliso-creek-road/

The ratings:

Bar Louie – 24/30 on the Depression Oatmeal scale

Smashburger – 26/30 on the Depression Oatmeal scale

I am fairly backed up on my entries for this blog, mostly because I’ve been smashed by chaos in the past week; there’s simply been too much going on in the outside world and too much good food consumed in the same time span, something I attribute to the traditional notion of “comfort” food. It’s appropriate, then, that I ended up at a bar and a place called Smashburger on Friday night.

First and foremost – I found myself entering a period of regression with my ex and falling back into the pattern of abuse. I’m not really sure how it happened, but I suspect it was because I let myself believe that talking and visiting in tandem were healthy. Therapy on Thursday night made the issue somewhat worse, but by Friday morning I had snapped out of it and pulled back. It was hard, but ultimately we have to love ourselves before we can love anyone else, and this is the thing I keep at the forefront of my mind during this troubled time.

Secondly, Friday was really unsettling in general for many reasons. I experienced a double death in the family (both my cousin and my uncle) as a result of COVID, and several milestones in my journey from the past 7 months were realized. I hit my initial target weight of 210, good for 62 pounds of weight loss – and realized that I was at day 60 of another loss that I continue to mourn. I had a lot of bittersweet feelings flooding through my brain, so I decided to take a trip down memory lane and found myself at Bar Louie in Irvine (although the address reflects Tustin) so that I could catch part of a basketball game I was interested in.

I spent many drunken nights at this place, in a different life. I have mostly fond memories of being here, although my last one was not pleasant because I had a major panic attack that took a lot of alcohol to recover from. As these things go, I don’t spend a lot of time here anymore, for various reasons – mostly it’s because I have restrictions when driving, and I’m not exactly what you call close to the location. I knew that if I went to get a drink and some food, I was going to have to wait to leave, but I committed – Bar Louie is known for fantastic and cost friendly martinis, but this was not the night for that. I had trouble entering the building at first, for fear that I would either see someone I recognized or because of my memory of the panic attack. I eventually went in, though, and sat down at the bar.

The bartender that served me was friendly and attentive, initially. She put the game on for me and brought me a vodka soda. It was happy hour, so the drink was very affordable and it was well prepared. I cruised through the QR code menu (great for a pandemic!) and looked at the half-off appetizers, but nothing particularly jumped out at me, so I moved on. I found something intriguing while I was looking at the full priced menu – shishito peppers. It was calorie friendly and looked delicious, so I gave it a shot and placed the order. It was about this time that I realized someone had switched my game off, but the bartender was nowhere to be found. I was mildly irritated – it wasn’t even another game, someone had switched it to the news.

I have to say – the peppers were amazing. They were blistered and coated in tajin, garlic, a sesame and soy blend with ginger, and shallots. I did feel like I was playing Russian Roulette with the peppers – most of them were mild with little to no heat, but some of them kicked my ass. This was a really creative idea for an appetizer and I would definitely get it again – they get full marks for drinks and food. However, I couldn’t bring myself to order dinner there to go. I just wasn’t thrilled by the menu options, and I wanted to celebrate my weight loss milestone with something better. Bar Louie has online ordering with options for pick-up and delivery (they’ve even added a room service option), so they get good points for that as well as the peppers. Overall, though, the menu itself was kind of depressing. Not to mention – the ambiance in the place was somewhat dark and depressing. This is primarily why I ranked them as a 24/30 on the Depression Oatmeal scale – I wish they would work on the lighting and service a bit.

After I left I found myself taking an unnecessary detour to get home; I tried to stop myself from doing it and even reached out to my buddy in Virginia hoping he’d talk me out of it. While they did indeed try to stop me – I couldn’t help but feel this powerful urge telling me that it was time to face my fears so that they could be fully realized and protected against. I drove past the empty apartment, knowing full well that the lights would be off. I had intended on stopping at the park where I got my DUI, to take a second to reflect on how it happened and why it wouldn’t happen again. However, I couldn’t or didn’t need to do it – as sad and fearful as the confirmation was, it was also exactly what I needed and it was time to move on. So, I said fuck it and went to Smashburger.

 I regularly come to this location every couple of months when I’m looking for a twist on a classic burger. Although it is indeed a chain – they never disappoint with anything that I order, and I love the flavor and texture of their burgers. They regularly have a new offering on their menu and I usually try it; sometimes it’s disappointing (still creative) but most times it’s really good. This was the case tonight with the Chorizo Smashburger (single). It was incredibly delicious; they used a good quality chorizo as well, but I couldn’t tell if it was pork or beef. My biggest annoyance with most places that offer chorizo in something is usually that they incorporate the sausage form into the dish as opposed to the freeform ground chorizo that is so lovely. Smashburger used ground chorizo on this burger, which I complemented with a side of their shaved and fried brussels sprouts – always a solid choice. They have really good tater tots here too, but I was feeling something more green and earthy this evening. I should also note that I got my order to-go and that it was placed using their online portal.

I give this location (Smashburger) a solid 26/30 on the Depression Oatmeal Scale because the servers were friendly, attentive, and quick to process my order. I’ve been here before and had to wait, bit this wasn’t the case on Friday. Smashburger is available on Doordash at nearly all of their locations and the food is high quality but reasonably priced. This is a perfect combo for the fast-casual dining experience and the occasional cheat meal for anyone seeking to eat a damned good burger.

[aphuckinbumblebee]

🥰🥰🥰🥰 She got me to get a drink called Diva. Don't know why it was called Diva but did I have to be one to drink it? Enjoyed my time catching up while she's back here from Texas. 💜 you chica! #BestiesForLife #757 #barlouie #PTC #hampton (at Bar Louie) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUO0L3sJiO2/?utm_medium=tumblr

[brendamcclainrealty]

I just died and went to heaven! Bar Louie you have outdone yourself! $5 Burger Tuesday - with the exception of “The Impossible.” Download the Louie Nation app and get free stuff! Scan your receipts unlike me for points. Bar Louie at The Village of Allen is my place for sure on Tuesday’s and others! Tonight we had the pleasure of Scott and Marquis helping us! #barlouie #allnighter #gastroburger #thevillageatallen #crispypotsticker #louienation #loyaltyclub #greatfood #amazingpeople (at Bar Louie) https://www.instagram.com/p/CH_7tHTjtci5BniEz0Y6weS6G-NsPuqsF7Eli40/?igshid=opkjcy1q1em3

[ceogeorgeesteschecaugo]

#BarLouie 🥃🥃🥃 💰#GratitudeToGod #ChecaugoTheTransporter @Checaugo #AcceptsEBT #AcceptsAllMajorMoneyCreditCards 💰 💴 💵 💳 @KingChecaugo 👑 #CEOEstesChecaugo 🚖🚕 🚎 🚌 🚙 🚘 🚗 🚲 🏍 🦼 🦽👊🏿✊🏿🙏🏿🙌🏿 #GratitudeToGod #ChecaugoCab #ChecaugoTaxi 🚕 #DesignatedPersonalDriver #KingChecaugoTransportation 🚕 🚎 #KingChecaugoVisuals 🎥📸🎬 Fl@out Entertainment LLC 🎤 🔊 #YourPerceptionIsNotMyRealityOrPerspective 👀 💭 [email protected] 💻 🌍 📲 [phone] #Donations 🎁🎁🎁 (PayPal.me/KingChecaugo) #Open24Hours365Days (at Bar Louie) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHSjhJssKS7/?igshid=gnl8lmqych0d

[albertevangelista]

Drinking on a Wednesday.... 🥃🤣 #barlouie #happyhour #tustin #thedistrict #moscowmule #cosmopolitan #classicchaos #louiescosmo (at Bar Louie) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHet4Z3hdl6/?igshid=txr9ancd166v

[albertevangelista]

Drinking on a Wednesday.... 🥃🤣 #barlouie #happyhour #tustin #thedistrict #moscowmule #cosmopolitan #classicchaos #louiescosmo (at Bar Louie) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHet4Z3hdl6/?igshid=txr9ancd166v