October & Breast Cancer Awareness

Pumpkins, beer and costumes are usually what come to mind when you think about the month of October. However, pink is the new orange, and breast cancer awareness in October go hand-in-hand. The Susan G. Komen foundation has done an incredible job to promote breast cancer awareness in October. Last Sunday, I enjoyed watching my team the Carolina Panthers wearing pink. It was awesome seeing these tough guys sporting pink shoes and the NFL promoting their hashtag- #NFLPINK. When we bring a devastating disease like Breast Cancer to the forefront, it reminds us of the importance of regular self breast exams, educating others on the early signs of breast cancer, having mammograms, and most importantly working to find a cure.

1 in 8 U.S. women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. I don't want to become a statistic; I want to find a cure and end breast cancer forever. I want to tell you about an easy and fun way to give to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. PDQ is selling pink Shake Out Breast Cancer shirts for $5. When you buy a shirt at PDQ, a donation will be made to NBCF, and you will get a free milkshake. Wear your shirt on all your return visits in October, and you will receive a free milkshake with a combo meal purchase. Have enough tees in your closet, then just buy a shake and a donation will be made to NBCF. 

People Dedicated to Quality...Fresh Fast Food

A simple menu, personalized service and high standards are the keys to PDQ, a growing fast-casual restaurant's success. It starts with their name PDQ, short for People Dedicated to Quality, and then you realize they are serious about their dedication. As soon as you walk in the door an employee holds the door open for you, and genuinely greets you. It's especially helpful when you have two busy boys bustling along side of you, so excited that you choose to take them to PDQ today.

I had the opportunity to meet with Nathan Bartlett, the Operations Director, at the PDQ in Cary. We started with a tour of their kitchen, but before we entered; we washed our hands. PDQ has a sink with a water fountain feel available to customers to wash their hands before dining without having to go into the bathroom. The bathrooms are kept clean, but it can be a hassle with little ones touching things plus this sink can be easily turned on with a pedal located near the floor.

After thoroughly washing our hands, we turned our attention to the beverage selection. I was impressed with the fresh brewed green tea. Green tea is one of my favorite drinks since I stopped drinking soda, and I was so excited to see they offered it along side the sweet and unsweetened tea. For the soda drinkers, they offer a state-of-the-art Coke dispenser that unlike the usual fountain machine uses pods for the fresh from bottle taste plus nearly 140 flavors. Locals will enjoy the bottled Cheerwine.

     

PDQ offers a simple menu of chicken (grilled or fried) tenders, sandwiches and salads plus a turkey sandwich and salad. Fresh-cut fries, fresh blueberry coleslaw, and fresh apple slices round out the available sides. Desserts include fresh-baked cookies and freshly-prepared milkshakes using real fruit or chocolate depending on your selection. If you haven't noticed, everything is fresh and prepared on-site (bread is delivered daily) and made when you order. They don't have a microwave or freezer in their kitchen. Lemons are cut and squeezed throughout the day, cookies baked, home-made sauces made and individually portioned into containers.

       

I love all the fresh food and quality service, but my favorite part is the food-- it's delicious, and the kid's love it too. I can sit-down, and enjoy a grilled chicken salad with blueberry vinaigrette comparable to any fancy restaurant while my kids enjoy their tenders, fries and apples. The kids liked the Yoo-hoo chocolate milk and the opportunity to make their own milkshakes.

The prices are reasonable and the menu is uncomplicated. The tough choices are deciding on a sauce to pair with your tenders; they offer 7 delicious home-made choices.

We left with a strawberry and chocolate milkshake for each boy; they shared a little bit of their cold treats with me, and once again I was impressed with the freshness and taste.

   

Interested in trying PDQ? They have locations 8 locations in North Carolina including Raleigh, Cary, Concord and Hickory. For a detailed list visit PDQ locations