There Is No Such Thing As Too Much Terri

I know; we've discussed this before.  But, it never gets old!

OD has been making more trips than normal to his dentist of late, so it's been pretty much a windfall of Terri riches at my house.

On the day of the mid-January snowstorm it took me 3 times as long as usual to get home...

But, I arrived to a whole Terri feast!

Of course, my favorite chickpea tuna melt: "chickpea salad, Daiya cheddar, tomato, red onion, veganaise" with potato salad.

These sandwiches are so great that I rarely bother making my own chickpea salad anymore.  And, the Terri version is always assembled strategically so that each bite has a little bit of everything:

Truth be told, though: after 3 hours in the car I actually started here: with a Butterfinger shake and a chocolate chip cookie.  Judge not!
 

He had to go back to the dentist soon after (I swear I'm not behind it), so I excitedly requested placed an order for breakfast sandwiches: bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches with hollandaise sauce on an English muffin, to be exact.  Unfortunately, I didn't realize that these were only served (daily) until 11am* and- after spending hours in the chair he didn't make it.  Damn!!!

Luckily, Jennifer Jessica was kind enough to sub the normal "sausage" for bacon in their served-all-day breakfast scramble wrap of scrambled tofu, Italian "sausage" bacon, spinach, Daiya cheddar, hot sauce for me.

I'm not generally a fan of wraps, but I was impressed by this one- which was huge and packed tight with deliciousness.  I think I mainly don't like wraps when that's all I'm tasting, and that definitely was not the case here.

 

I actually ate my second one (no sense in him carrying only one home) for dinner a few nights later because it was way too big for a weekday breakfast.  I see now that there's a reason this is a lunch offering.

Thanks for the message, Jennifer Jessica!  And for customizing my sammie.

He'll be back before you know it, Terri...

*make a note!

Shakes on a Train: Parts 2, 3, and 4

I'm a big fan of butterfinger shakes Terri, so when they announced that their second location would be located in the financial district, I was a little disappointed; I'm rarely that far downtown (and it's all about ME!).  VM and I have been obsessed with the butterfinger shakes from their original location from the moment they opened, then expanded our shared affinity to include their chickpea tuna melt and other assorted goodies.

 

While I wished them a ton of luck, the new location wasn't going to increase my own personal Terri quotient any time soon, so I forgot about it...until it was discovered that my dad's dentist was within walking distance of the new Terri.  Shakes on a Train was born in April when he went for his half yearly cleaning.

Six months later, we all of us benefited again.

My massive chickpea "tuna" melt: chickpea salad, Daiya cheddar, tomato, red onions, Vegenaise. Wrapped: 

And unwrapped:

 

With potato salad.

About to feed my face.

 

Dessert time!  Here's 89 blocking my light.

I don't share my shakes!

She tried desperately to make a case for a taste of the banana bread.

And then the chocolate chip cookie.  I can't really blame her because these cookies are awesome; they taste like the giant bakery cookies I remember as a kid.

Gimme gimme gimme!

And then she tried to take a big bite.

not really; it was only a well-timed yawn

VM and I were extremely grateful for the special delivery, and then OD shared the good news that he needed a root canal three weeks later!

 

So, soon after we enjoyed a repeat performance:

sammie:

cookie:

shake:

 

Leftovers the next day for lunch (the sandwiches are massive!):

I've never even had a cavity, so I had no idea that after a root canal you have to revisit the dentist a week later.  You know what that means: he's coming for you again this Friday, Terri FiDi...

 

He's the guy with his own caddy!

Shakes on a Train: Terri Opens in the Financial District, Makes Dreams a Reality

Rumors have been swirling for some time that Terri was to open a second location in the city.  Not too long ago, it came to fruition: in the Financial District.  My initial reaction was, "Oh, boo; I'm rarely, if ever, that far downtown."  But, then my wheels started turning...  OD worked in the World Trade Center for years and still has a lot of contacts in the neighborhood: most notably, his dentist.  That would ostensibly mean that at least twice a year I could have Terri delivered to my door- FREE OF CHARGE (wink, wink); I immediately got to work writing instructions on a drink caddy.

You read that right:

I was able to ascertain from VM a reliable source when his next appointment was scheduled and emailed him my inaugural order: almost a month in advance.  Then I began peppering him with questions about his general dental health.  The mission is Terri optimization You can't neglect those chompers!

VM and I chatted excitedly about the impending delivery, dubbing it Operation BFS.  Before we knew it, the day had arrived.  For VM, our favorite chickpea "tuna" melt: chickpea salad, Daiya cheddar, tomato, red onions, Vegenaise.  She chose not to reheat it and it was TERRIFIC as is.

I decided to try something highly recommended that I'd never had before and went with the bacon cheddar chicken ranch: "chicken", soy bacon, Daiya cheddar, ranch sauce, lettuce.  I put it in a 375 degree oven for about ten minutes and it was great as well.

What a nice dinner on what would have ordinarily been a night of leftovers in front of the tv (not that there's anything wrong with that).  The one thing that was missing, though, was potato salad.  I actually did order it, and OD did buy it; unfortunately, it was invisible.  I tried to call the cafe, but the number I had contained too many digits.  And, for some reason, I couldn't convince OD to go back for it.  Until next time, potato salad!


(212) 74669-686897 [I didn't really try to call!]

Truth be told, I wasn't exactly sure if OD was going to be able to deliver the real goods.  Sammies are one thing, but schlepping shakes on a subway and bus in 75 degree weather is no easy feat.  "Snakes on a Plane" are one thing, but shakes on a train is entirely another.

But, he did it; he secured our Butterfinger shakes.  HE REALLY DID IT!  The lids were firmly taped on, he'd frozen them as suggested, and now it was time to drink them!

VM has no self control is a Terri Butterfinger shake fanatic.  She drank around the edges as it defrosted and even resorted to a spoon at some points.

frozen

I, on the other hand, managed to maintain decorum and allowed my shake to defrost for 2 hours before partaking in its glorious perfection. 

drinkable

And, I'm happy to report that even though it had traveled, been frozen and defrosted, it was just as I'd hoped.  For those of you who aren't familiar, the Terri Butterfinger shake tastes like an ice-cold, super-thick, liquified butterfinger.  In other words: YUM.  Because of the success of the mission, I've already floated the idea of keeping multiple shakes frozen in our respective freezers at all times...in case of emergencies.

But, wait; there's more.  Apparently Terri had samples of baked goods on the counter and OD was so impressed by the banana cake that he got us each a slice.

Full disclosure: I'd made my own banana cake earlier in the week.  This was, admittedly, much better.  So moist and springy!  I'm also a sucker for a sprinkle of cinnamon.  Let's just say that in a showdown between mine and Terri's, the Esteemed Tasting Panel unanimously sided with the professionals.  My feelings are hurt just so much that another Butterfinger shake will be sufficient to ease the pain.  XOXOXO, OD!

All of our best of luck to Terri: especially in their new Financial District digs.  I can't always make it to their location in Chelsea, so it's nice to know that I'm guaranteed a downtown feast twice a year (at least?).  The report from OD was that the staff could not have been nicer and could not have taken greater care to pack the order so that it could sustain its considerable journey (he's been instructed to take an establishment shot for context next time).  If you haven't yet given them a try, I urge you to do so at once!

Beyond the Terri Butterfinger Shake

I've long extolled the virtues of Terri's Butterfinger Shake, but I have a new Terri favorite to add to my repertoire (not necessarily at the same time): the chickpea tuna melt: "chickpea salad, Daiya cheddar, tomato, red onion, veganaise". 

VM and I actually went in for shakes, but were so hungry that we decided to first share the melt.  Had we known how good it was going to be we would have each gotten our own! 

There's no sea taste to it, just fresh, creamy, crunchy, and perfectly proportioned ingredients.  I have to admit, it put my sandwich salads to shame.  Why has it never at least occurred to me to add cheese?  Thanks for showing me how it's done, Terri.

I would like to give major props- not only for this awesome sammie, but for calling Daiya...Daiya.  I'm tired of seeing it pretentiously referred to as "tapioca cheese" in higher priced restaurants that want to give the illusion that it's homemade.  Give credit where credit is due!

Now, I don't generally like to mix my sweets with my savories, but I'm only human.

Dessert Butterfinger shake(s)!  They're not both mine, I swear.

Terri Again: Another Butterfinger Shake AND a Sandwich!

It was about time that I got myself back to Cafe Terri to enjoy another of their incredible Butterfinger shakes.  Craig was not there so I got to meet the other owner.  Also nice, but there is nothing like having to crop Craig's bicep out of every photo (note: co-owner is also extremely fit)!

I had the esteemed tasting panel in tow, so we quickly ordered three beverages: 2 coveted Butterfinger shakes for the vegan and vegetarian, and 1 chocolate shake for the difficult, omni, holdout.  I bypassed the mocha chip brownie and the chocolate cupcake that I had previously enjoyed in search of something new.  Lo and behold, my eyes fell upon the ever elusive vegan Mexican wedding cookies!

I was contemplating the rest of the desserts when the owner pointed out that they had donuts (score!) and boasted that they were baked, not fried (blasphemy!).  The response that was brewing was, "What is wrong with you; who wants a baked donut?" when he quickly recovered by telling me the available flavors, one of which was chocolate, chocolate chip with icing.  I have no recollection of what the other flavor was; who cared!?  Chocolate, CHOCOLATE CHIP with icing?  SOLD!

The Mexican wedding cookies were even better than I remembered.  Softly crisp with a perfect proportion of powdered sugar: they were simple and delicious, each generously containing an entire nut.  I serendipitously ran into Terri's Sarah the next day at the Vegan BakeSale and was happy to have the opportunity to rave about the cookies.  She divulged that it is actually a veganized version of her grandmother's recipe; how endearing (and incredibly delicious); thank you Sarah's grandma!

Onto the donuts.  I tried to put out of my mind that these renegade chocolate, chocolate chip donuts had never met with a fryer.  It turned out not to be so hard to overlook, as they were mighty fine regardless of how they were prepared.  Soft, chocolatey, chippy, and topped with sweet, glaze-y icing; maybe Terri should simply keep the ludicrous healthy baking information to themselves?  It would have been unfortunate if I'd allowed myself to be scared away by the divulgence; surely there are other anti-health conscious vegans out there like me.

Now I bet you think that I once again allowed myself to be sucked in by the sweets and didn't manage to try a sandwich.  You would be right.  So, I guiltily ordered a Jerk Tofu sandwich to go for the next day's dinner.

Expertly re-heated in the toaster oven under my watchful eye, I think I managed to achieve the perfect crisp to the previously fresh-pressed focaccia.  It all warmed up quite nicely and I thoroughly enjoyed the sweet and spicy play of the peppers, pineapple, and jerk sauce with the neutral tofu and crusty bread. 

Did it beat the Butterfinger shake?  No!  But, what could?  I admit that I may never enjoy a freshly prepared sandwich at Terri if those Butterfinger shakes continue to be irresistible, but I'm already planning on which sandwich will be the lucky one to come home next time (do you hear me, Buffalo Chicken?).  If Terri's sandwiches are this good as leftovers they must be super delish fresh.  But, as long as shakes remain perishable, I will never know.

Important note: the chairs look the same, but they are fixed!  No more teeter-tottering as you scarf down casually relish your meal and desserts.

Terri Wows Us in the Flatiron District

Recently we found ourselves hoofing it over to the new vegan cafe in the Flatiron district, Terri, to check it out. We had just eaten dinner, so we were really just planning to show our moral support for the newest vegan eatery on the block (I'm lying, I knew I was having a shake no matter how full I was from dinner).

We were instantly impressed by the inviting space: bright, open, clean, and appetizing; we had to grab something. Really, it would have been rude not to.

The staff was refreshingly warm and friendly without being at all phony or elitist in any way.  The person who helped me even let me choose my preferred cupcake from the batch (swoon!).  In addition to the scrumptious sounding made-to-order menu offerings, the fridge was packed with fresh juices, prepared salads, etc.: presumably for customers who need to literally grab and go.

While we didn't have any "real" food ourselves, the sandwiches that were being presented to our fellow customers were looking mighty good; the bacon cheddar chicken ranch is on my list for the next visit, with my companion eyeing the chickpea tuna melt.  This trip, however, was all about dessert.  The chocolate cupcake with vanilla bean frosting was moist & yummy, with refreshingly soft-- not stiff-- frosting (did we detect a hint of banana?).  The chocolate chip (mocha?) brownie was more like a very dense and chocolatey cake: very filling.  I will note that it was kind of strange eating these items off of recycled paper towels, as the cafe doesn't seem to offer plates (!).  **update 3/11/10: Terri says plates are coming!  

More importantly though, let's turn our attention to the shakes.  I don't know about you, but when I read a menu that includes smoothies I'm thinking one thing: there had better be a chocolate peanut butter option that is simply masquerading as a "smoothie".  Well, Terri goes one better.  In addition to their assortment of smoothies, they offer six (!) varieties of SHAKES: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, java, Butterfinger, and chocolate peanut butter; rejoice!  Of course I had the chocolate peanut butter shake and it was delicious.  You know how some places are super-stingy with the chocolate and especially the peanut butter in shakes, smoothies, etc.?  Not Terri!  The shake was delicious and exactly as advertised (i.e., sufficiently chocolatey, peanut buttery).  But shockingly, my companion had the Butterfinger shake and it was EVEN BETTER!  Tasting like Butterfinger deliciousness multiplied by 1000 and turned into a shake, this is clearly the star of Terri.  I asked the counterperson who made both delicious shakes how they pull off the Butterfinger.  Surprisingly, he explained that the contents are chocolate, peanut butter, and cookie dough.  I'm not sure how that equals Butterfinger, but my tastebuds don't lie.  These are the goods, people.

I'd be remiss if I didn't reiterate that in addition to the illustrious Butterfinger shake,Terri also offers an impressive assortment of sandwiches, salads, wraps, juices, smoothies, and snacks.  But first and foremost, do yourself a favor and get a Butterfinger shake!  As a matter of fact, go there right now, get the Butterfinger shake, digest, eat a sammie, digest, and then get another Butterfinger shake.

It is wonderful to welcome Terri's refreshing cafe to the otherwise lackluster barely existent midtown landscape of fairly-priced vegan eats (I still love you Maoz & Chipotle).  And, for the record, many more upscale, vegan, dining options in the city would do well to take note of Terri's warm staff, fair prices, and overall welcoming vibe.  I will be back!

Note: watch yourself on their minimalistic stools; they're a little wobbly and you don't want to fall on your butt and risk wasting any of your goodies.  Bones heal, but a cupcake on the floor is ruined for good.