Restaurant Review | Fire on the Mountain

As most holidays go, the diet and strict workout routine goes out the window fast. Now away from fresh baked cookies and mom's gourmet cooking, I'm on a serious mission to eat clean and work off the holidays before I have to fit back into my skinny jeans come January 2nd. The day after Christmas, Dan and I repaired my driver's side headlight and both installed new wiper blades to prepare for non-stop spring rainfall. Unfortunately for all of us, the 2005 Ford Focus isn't a quick light to change and of course we had to be working on it in mid 30 degree weather. I felt so bad for Dan and tried to brave the cold as long as I could, but I was soon sent inside by the wonderful boyfriend. :) Lucky girl.

For working so hard, and to fulfill one of my December Goals I wanted to take him to Portland's best wing spot - Fire on the Mountain - for where coincidentally he had just received a gift card under the tree. Thanks Mom & Dad!! 

The Burnside location was packed, but we were able to belly up to the bar and have brews in front of us within minutes. Dan had eyes bigger than his stomach - which wasn't such a bad thing so that I could get several photos to share with you... This decision didn't support a clean eating strategy, but I did see plenty yummy salads on tables and on the menu.

What We Drank:

Red Headed Stranger ($4.25 / pint)

Olympia Tall Boy ($2.00 / can)

What We Ate:

Sweet Potato Tots {Cajunized} ($4.95 + .50 - Small)

Homemade Bleu Cheese Stuffed Fried Mushrooms ($4.95)

12 Wings - 6 Spicy Peanut / 6 Jamaican Jerk ($11.25)

Round 2 Tots {Cajunized} ($3.25 + .50 - Small)

Fried Twinkie ($2.75)

Know Before You Go:

• Expect for the place to be packed - no matter which location and especially when a game is on the TV!


• Grab a place to sit before you get in line for food - you don't want to be stuck eating with no table.


• Don't sample the 'El Jefe' sauce unless you're prepared for the immediate consequences ahem, Dan.


• El Jefe is actually so hot that it was featured on an Outrageous Food episode.


• So many sauce options for any spice level - check out the guide.


• Address: Several locations: East Burnside, Interstate and NE Fremont


• Hours: All locations open at 11am, location and evening vary between 11pm and midnight close


• View their Menus by location here: Interstate, Burnside, Fremont

Dan is already asking when we can go back...! Somebody likes SE eats!

<3 JE

The Best Weekends

Why is it that the best weekends go by so quickly?

If you remember from Friday's Post I was looking forward to a pretty special weekend. It exceeded my expectations!

Saturday morning I got home before 9am which gave mom and I time to go shopping for an adopted thanksgiving family while super-dad took my car to the DEQ.

After trying to contain our excitement, we briskly drove to PDX to rescue Matt after his long travels from Luxembourg.

Bailey was beside herself when that guy that she always sees on the computer screen hopped into the car. She instantly had Matt covered in hair and sloppy kisses that she'd been saving since she last saw him in March.

^ Such a happy girl ^

On the immediate schedule was one of Matt's favorite Portland restaurants: Fire on The Mountain where we enjoyed wings, sandwiches, salads and by Matt's request, Cajun tots!

When we got home Bailey ripped around the house with Matt and tired him herself out!

The rest of Saturday we watched a huge college football upset and our Blazers lose in late minutes at home. Matt snoozed early as he couldn't keep his eyes open a minute longer.

I seem to only have foodie photos from Sunday (yum) so you'll have to trust me that the house was full of excitement with Dan over to meet Matt for the first time and join us for breakfast and a day of NFL.

^ Pepper Bacon ^

^ Garlic Sausage and Sundried Tomato Sausage from Trader Joe's ^

^ Yummy scramble ^

^ Pumpkin Pancakes - Trader Joe's ^

After a long afternoon of NFL and family + Dan time, Matt recommended that we get a Flying Pie Pizza for dinner.

We ordered their XL Combo 2 complete with Pepperoni, salami, mushrooms, onions, black olives, & Italian sausage. Not a single piece was left over after the boys had their portions and mom and I supplemented our slice with a salad.

^ Portland visit staple ^

^ Matt vs Pizza ^

To heal Dan's suppressed woes over the Bears game, we each enjoyed Bailey's and milk on the rocks with whipped cream. A sign of the holidays!

I was thrilled to get in two workouts with the food and family - but I have some serious work to do today with a lunchtime run and an evening Nike Training Club session on the schedule!

<3 JE