Raw in Southwestern Pennylvania

I was thinking of going to Good Eatz last night for dinner, so I decided to look at their online menu. After seeing very little vegan options and NO raw options, I called the restaurant.  The first girl I talked to on the phone had mentioned that they had a few raw options and transferred me to a chef.  The chef said the only thing they could offer was a salad.  I looked at the prices and I wasn't too enthusiastic about paying fifteen dollars for a salad.  So my friend and I went to Raw Can Roll again. :) I had facebooked the cafe the night before when I was writing up my review and had found the owner, Sheryl Chavarria.  I let her know that I had reviewed them and hoped she had the chance to read it.  Well, we walked into Raw Can Roll Cafe and I was excited to see her behind the counter. I let her know that Good Eatz was out and that Raw Can Roll was in and she practically squealed, "You're the one from Facebook! Can I give you a hug?!"

Instant friendship, gotta love it.  We must have talked about Raw, Raw business, food, and family for twenty minutes before I realized that I had come there to eat. :)  So I ordered the Olive Burger with Onion Bread, the side salad with Carrot Ginger Dressing, and the Tamari marinated mushrooms and onion.   Wow! I love that I've eaten there twice and LOVE it every time.  I'm usually very critical about raw food, too, since I have such a huge ego and think I can do it all myself better. ;) But I was very satisfied (I licked my plate clean) with my meal.  My friend spent too much time on his phone and I helped myself to his meal as well.  ;)  He had the Mediterranean Sampler, which was Tabouleh and Hummus with Onion Bread, a side salad as well and he had the Jicama Potato Salad.  The jicama was chopped much smaller this time and I completely polished off his 'potato' salad. Yum!  I do believe I will start making that myself.  So I've had three out of four of the entrees, three out of four of the sides, three out of four of the appetizers, two smoothies and their lemonade.  Everything I have had was incredible!  I wholeheartedly endorse their tostadas, which have by far been my favorite meal.  If you go to Raw Can Roll, which if you are in the area you gotta check out, try their tostadas!  And their lemonade! I haven't had a really good raw lemonade until now.  I'd go back just for that.   (Hover over the photos with your mouse to see their captions)

I'm visiting family up in the Poconos now, so I'm not near the cafe to enjoy its scrumptious food, but I might have to make a stop again when I'm back in the area in a week.  Thank GOD this Cafe is not near my apartment in Phoenix...I would spend WAY too much money there (just by going all the time....it's still ridiculously cheap!).  Well, I take that back.  If this Cafe was near my home, I'd end up working there. ;)  Sheryl was so encouraging about starting my own cafe.  The idea suddenly has merit.

Before I left my house, even before dinner, I made myself a liter of Green Smoothie (Butter Lettuce, Peach, and Banana) for the rest of the evening.  My friend, B.J. Ellis, is the executive director of the N Crowd Improv Comedy Troupe in Philadelphia.  I've been itching to go see it for years and finally had the chance last night! :) The smoothie was a wonderful addition, not only when I started to get hungry during the show (it's so wonderfully discreet), but also afterward when everyone went out for food and drinks.  I don't drink personally, but that isn't a raw issue, it's an alcohol one. ;) But I was still able to cheer everyone around me and not be tempted by all the greasy food with my full fledged meal in a bottle. Nutritious, delicious, crave-busting meal!  

The show was hilarious and I recommend it for ANYONE looking for something to do in Philly.  If you have ever seen "Who's Line Is It Anyway" on tv, that's pretty much what it is.  It's comedic acting with audience participation...I cried a few times from laughing so hard.  I also love the interaction, the ability to shout something out and watch it unfold. After the show, I was honored to tag along while they all went out for some food and drinks afterwards, and that's where the real comedy took place.  I think I might have peed myself a little while listening to them banter back and forth unscripted. Many laughs ensued and the night ended perfectly.  Again, that's the N Crowd, The Actor's Center, 257 N. 3rd StreetPhiladelphia, PA, 19106.  You can visit them and order tickets online at www.phillyncrowd.com. For an evening out, it's priced perfectly at $10 a person.

Oh, one last thing...I was able to stop by Jim and Ralph’s Produce, which is in Collegeville if you are in the area.  The produce is ridiculously fresh and inexpensive, even if it’s not organic. I was able to enjoy Weaver’s Orchard and all their incredible organic produce and great prices for a week and stopped by Jim and Ralph’s before I made my way up here to the Poconos.  Now that I'm up here, I'll be scoping the place out...and I'll share all with you, no worries. ;)