A cow was
calling our name. And what it was saying -- not once,
but twice -- was "moo."
We'd taken
a booth at Lodi's Moo Moo's Burger Barn to satisfy a
craving for a good burger, flavorful fries and a thick
shake.
It was a
possibly nostalgic craving for warm-weather favorites.
With Moo Moo's at hand, we wouldn't have to wait until
next summer. Plus, it was time to reconnect with that
Americana available on a burger bun and in a shake can.
Located
steps away from the Lodi Stadium 12 Cinema, Moo Moo's
invites burger lovers to choose their favorite from a
list of 14 ($4.25-$6.25) or opt for a variety of hot
dogs and other sandwiches ($2.95-$5.75).
The burger
list includes a vegetarian garden on a wheat bun, served
with poupon, called the No Moo ($5.25), and a variety of
fries -- regular, shoestring, battered, sweet potato or
chili cheese ($3.25-$3.75).
By eating
here, we were getting a taste of things to come for
Stockton. Moo Moo's plans on opening a branch early this
year at the City Centre Cinemas, providing a burger
presence adjacent to downtown's hot new entertainment
venue.
Since the
day was cold and gray, I went to the tropics by ordering
a Hula Moo, served on sourdough bun with sweet and sour
sauce and pineapple rings ($4.50), and matched it with a
pineapple shake ($3.75). The burger buddy chose a
Monterey Moo, on a sourdough bun with Jack cheese,
bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato and red onion $5.25, and
matched it with a chocolate shake ($3.75).
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Her burger
also came with something called "Moo Sauce." We were
both curious as to what that might mean.
"You never
know what to expect," she said when the burger arrived.
She cautiously opened the bun and peered within.
"What is
it?" I asked, unable to bear the suspense.
"I think
it's Thousand Island," she said. "But I can enjoy that.
I'm not one of those who fly into a rage at the sight of
Thousand Island on their burger."
She kept
her temper sweet with a basket of sweet potato fries,
served with a side of ranch dressing ($3.75).
As we
waited for our orders, we glanced at the cute art on the
walls. A large painted barn opened doors on the cooking
area. A playful barn dance decorated the entrance area.
Our burgers
were full-bodied and well above average in flavor. There
was nothing innovative about them or their presentation,
but the quality was there. My tropical Hula Moo sprung a
major pineapple liquid leak, but extra napkins solved
the crisis.
The ice
cream shakes were served in cold-to-the-touch tins,
which we thought was a nice touch (one particularly
welcome when warm weather returns). The whipped cream
and cherry delighted my lunch friend as the proper
finishing touch, but I asked the server to lose the
cream for me. She cheerfully obliged.
We agreed
the tin was a fine way, a gourmet way, to down a shake.
"It saves
the glass -- and the mess if you try to pour it
yourself," the burger buddy said. "It eliminates all
that."
We clinked
tins as if toasting ice cream vintage. It's a Lodi
thing.
Moo Moo's
is a cute concept, with good burgers, friendly service
and no frills, unless you count the sweet potato fries
and cold tins. As to the dining syndrome known as
Thousand Island Rage, my friend was true to her word and
preserved her composure about Moo Sauce.
"Never mind
about secret sauce," she said. "It's been done. It's
trite. There's room for Thousand Island."
* To reach
reporter Howard Lachtman, phone (209) 546-8269 or
e-mail lachtman@recordnet.com
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