Nothin' Like a Grandma Brownie

Okay everyone! I must set the scene for this one! One of the most fulfilling qualities of any worthy brownie is undoubtedly the whole experience that comes when you dive into this delectable dessert. Oh yes! I’m talking about the “brownie experience;” a context in-and-of itself that transcends taste and fosters friendship because the occasion is as much about the shared commonplace in which the brownie is enjoyed as it is about the actual brownie. Last week, I discovered how the brownie is indeed a facilitator of this holistically unique experience, as my dear friend and dear neighbor’s grandma invited us over for a restful and warm, communal brownie and Bronco experience. After a long, delicious lunch around a well-feasted table set with utmost care, we settled into the cozy couches in the living room . . . for a brownie. Homemade, lovingly baked, and topped with your choice of Cherry Chocolate Chunk or Vanilla Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, this brownie was a personal affair. As my friend’s grandma dished them out in individual bowls, we were invited to take and top the brownie of choice and resume our relaxation on the couch together while watching the football game. They were crunchy on the outside corners, with a still warm center and a balanced density that was not overdone or overachieved; just homemade. A perfectly blessed brownie on a lazy Sunday afternoon, I have become a part of this family! That, my friends is the beautiful brownie experience!

Texas Roadhouse - Big Ol' Brownie

Can a chain-restaurant make a tasty brownie? The answer is "yes." While this brownie may not win any awards, this was definitely an enjoyable brownie experience.

There was one things that made this brownie special: the Roadhouse experience. The employees at the Roadhouse went out of their way to make our dessert exceedingly enjoyable. Our server, Nick, was warm and friendly and even ended up eating a brownie of his own with us at our table (on his break of course). This was special. How many restaurants can you go to where the servers will sit down with you and share in your passion?

The Big Ol' Brownie is baked fresh daily and is complemented by a dollop of vanilla ice cream and drizzled in chocolate syrup. It is served warm and is contrasted with cold ice cream. That is something spectacular - honestly, is there anything more enjoyable than a warm brownie with cold ice cream; this may be one of the most enjoyable experiences known to mankind (rivaled only by taking your ski boots off at the end of the day and slipping into an outdoor hot tub filled with friends with the snow falling all around you) (okay, I was rambling, but you get the picture...).

The "Big Ol' Brownie" runs $4.99. Oh, but don't forget about the complementary Roadhouse rolls with cinnamon butter!

Hot | | | | * | | | | | Cold (Could have been warmer)
Overwhelming | | | | * | | | | | Plain
Crowded | | | | * | | | | | Complementary
Starving | | * | | | | | | | Sedated (We had this after a class; we were hungry)
Massive | | | | | | | | * | Miniscule (Big Ol' Brownie - good for two)
Satisfying | | | | | | * | | | Longing-for-more
Exceptional | | | | * | | | | | Dreadful
- Consensus: This was an enjoyable chain-restaurant brownie!

For further information: Texas Roadhouse
If you would like to see a Menu

Harvest Modern Country Kitchen - Gooey Brownie Bowl

A pool of perfectly melted mallows cascading over an elegant bowl of beautifully crafted brownie: This is the cream of the crop at Harvest Restaurant in Greeley, Colorado. Nestled appropriately under a mound of wholesome vanilla ice cream, this delightful dessert simmers in anticipation of every tempted mouth. Digging in just in time, as the generous scoop of ice cream begins to surrender to the brownie’s radiant heat, four eager spoons finally harvested its warm, gentle core. One draw back, if any, was that mouths were plenty. At first inclination, the brownie is a fair size, however, the white, whipped décor served somewhat as a disguise, and this humble brownie is not fit for four. Highlighted Quality: Melted Marshmallow

Hot | | * | | | | | | | Cold
Overwhelming | | | | * | | | | | Plain
Crowded | | | | * | | | | | Complementary
Starving | | | | | * | | | | Sedated
Massive | | | | | | | | * | Miniscule
Satisfying | | | | * | | | | | Longing-for-more
Exceptional | * | | | | | | | | Dreadful
- Consensus: This was a wonderful brownie!

For further information: Gooey Brownie Bowl

Brownie Dialectics

As critical brownie enthusiasts and scholars in the discipline of communication, after much deliberation – hey, we’re comm students – we have decided to follow a communication tradition and rate these delectable delicacies using a dialectical tension spectrum. As you can see, on one side you have a tension (i.e. hot) and on the other you have another opposing tension (i.e. cold) and somewhere in the middle you would hope to find your ideal description. We believe that communication studies can enhance every aspect of your life, including, yes, dessert. We hope you enjoy!

Dialectical Tensions:
Hot or Cold – Warmth
Overwhelming or Plain – Brownie Décor
Crowded or Complementary – Brownie Favors
Massive or Miniscule – Brownie Bulk
Starving or Sedated – Brownie Bias (as is with any scholarly endeavor, there is some bias, ours, limited thought it may be, is our physical state of being prior to partaking in the experience)
Satisfying or Longing-for-more – Brownie Depth (was this merely a romantic fling, or did this brownie offer lasting satisfaction)
Exceptional or Dreadful – Brownie Significance

Yours Truly,

-MZ