That girl was afraid. That girl was cautious. That girl was silly. Spam is delicious! For some reason I have never partaken of this tasty fake meat. No spam musubi, no spam fried rice, no spam and eggs. So when I spotted these individual slices at the 99 cent store, I bought one and forgot about it in the cupboard. Then I was searching for a snack the other day and fried that little baby up. And it was good! Probably no worse for you than scrapple, sausage or haggis either lol. I actually thought it would have a stronger flavor, but it just tasted like thicker fried bologna. Yay shelf life!
The happiest place on earth. Hmmm... my last trip involved me almost strangling my two usually perfectly behaved nephews. Let's not focus on the negative though. That Girl loves a good corn dog, and this is the best you will find, period. Corn dog at the fairgrounds? Eh. Disneyland's version has been consistently crunchy luscious for years. Happiness... on a stick.
So it has been brought to That Girl's attention that people actually read this thing. ??? I am honored and humbled by your support. With that said, it's time we got something out in the open. I'M VERY LAZY. Any users of blogger can attest that the layouts, pic uploading, etc. can sometimes be a little tedious. That is usually what keeps me from posting more. But the people have spoken and voila... two posts in one day! Granted, one post has no text, but let's not focus on semantics, k? Instead, let's focus on hot, delicious egg rolls! 
99 Ranch is my new favorite grocery store. And no, I am not a white hipster trying to be cool. I am white though he he. Half of the ingredients for these fried fingers of fabulousity were procured here. The other half came from my favorite, the 99 cent store! Seriously, a bag of peeled garlic for a buck? Awesome juice! Oh, while we're revealing lame secrets, "awesome juice" is one of my annoying sayings. Nerd alert! 
I "loosely" used a recipe from the internets for these morsels. Basically, brown up a bunch of ground pork with onions and garlic, add cabbage, carrots and green onions and season to taste. Roll up the mixture in egg roll wrappers (or lumpia wrappers... whatever floats your boat) and deep fry until golden goodness occurs. 
A great tip I learned from a fellow blogger... just use cole slaw mix for the cabbage and carrots. Saves you chopping time... and 99 Cent Store always has it! Yes! I fried them in peanut oil, but I'm sure any oil would work great. Serve with bottled sweet chili sauce and get ready for greasy greatness, Lloyd! If you get the movie quote I just paraphrased, I LOVE YOU! 
Feeling saucy, I whipped up some broccoli beef to go with. You can't exactly eat egg rolls by themselves for dinner. Well, you could, and I have, but... damn another secret leaked out!
So I kind of have this addiction to the 99 cent store. Any dollar store for that matter. Yes, that girl loves a deal, especially on foodie stuff. So when I picked up this mondo container of Tony Chachere's creole seasoning, I started rackin' my brain for what I could make with it. 
I came up with a stir fry of sorts, kind of like if jambalaya and shrimp creole had a baby. Sauteed some bacon 'til crisp, removed from pan and added celery, onion, tomato, red bell pepper and garlic. Tossed in some boneless chicken breast and a pound of shelled shrimp along with several liberal shakes of that spicy seasoning. 
Let me tell you... so good with white rice and semi-healthy to boot! The best recipes are made up in your head I tell ya. Keep daydreaming, foodies.
That girl realizes she has been neglecting her little bloggie blog. Honestly Yelp is just so much more entertaining to me lately and is threatening to take up all of my free time. HOWEVER, my new year's resolution for 2009 is to seriously try and blog more! So I give to you, my sweet sweetest readers (all 3 of you lol), Tropicana. 
The cuban sandwich. The first I'd heard of these was in the movie Scarface. I really think Tony Montana could have taken the high road, started his own fabulous twenty four hour cuban sandwich joint, franchised across America and everyone lives happily ever after. I am not ashamed to say that my favorite cubano is from The Cheesecake Factory. But the one at Tropicana is delish and filled with greasy goodness. For those of you out of the loop, take a cuban roll, fill with ham, roast pork, swiss cheese, pickles, mustard and mayo. Then toss that baby in the panini press. That's when the flattened crunchy grilled golden magic happens. Mr. That Girl and I love these so much we are having mini ones at our wedding this October. That's right kids, That Girl is becoming an honest woman hee hee. 
Another tasty treat here are the potato balls. Seasoned ground beef is mixed with spanish olives and then mashed potatoes are molded all around it. Deep fry and your hangover is cured. Seriously, wouldn't these be so great after a night of drinking and debauchery??? 
Rounding out your meal is a wide selection of desserts and pastries. I'm partial to the mango mousse cake, my FIANCE (I know I'm out of control) likes the strawberry cheesecake. For those of you that were fans of Clifton's Cafeteria, this cheesecake is almost identical. Say hello to my little friend!
That girl loves a good donut. Really, who doesn't? Donuts on my side of town had been sadly lacking until Angel Food Donuts came around. Simply the freshest and tastiest donuts you can buy my friends. The cake donuts are moist inside, crisp outside. Just perfect. Plus they have a drive thu! Two of them in fact! Evil!
That girl really doesn't need any new ways to expand her waistline. Which is exactly why I have mixed feelings about Arturo's Puffy Taco. On one hand, this place is a great find near my work. On the other hand, I need to look good in a wedding dress in less than a year!!! What the hell am I doing gorging myself on their irresistible carne asada deliciocity? Quite the predicament indeed. 
To be honest with you, the signature "puffy tacos" are not the best thing on the menu, but they are yummy nonetheless. Puffies are kind of a cross between a sope and a crunchy taco, filled with your choice of ground beef, carne asada, chicken or carnitas. 
The carne asada is fantastic here. They cut it up into little pieces so each morsel is perfectly caramelized and tender. Try this mouth watering meat in a burrito here and then don't plan on moving for at least an hour.
"Strips Supreme" (nachos) were pretty good, but seriously, AVOCADO SAUCE??? Noooooooooooo!!! Such a sin and so sad. 
Okay, it's time to get serious. Goodbye burritos, hello broccoli.
So basically the only time I will allow myself this tasty treat (and actually be decent enough to leave the house before 10:30am) is when I'm either having a yard sale or going on a road trip. They put something in the Sausage McMuffin with Egg that is so addictive. And while we're on the subject, seriously what's with the "with egg"? Is it really necessary to point out this fact? Me thinks not. Combo this little baby up with hash browns, well done (or two... thirty nine cents for an extra... yum), "fancy" ketchup packets (???) and a Coke. You must have soda with this, I don't know why I don't make the rules. Then you eat everything while driving, making the guy in the car next to you very jealous. McBon Appetit!
Three leftover potatoes became crispy wedgy fries recently and they were amazing paired with a grilled steak. Once again I seasoned the beef with my favorite Konriko Greek Seasoning. This stuff is sooooo yummy and you should try it on chicken too. 
I don't have a lot of frying experience but basically I cut the potatoes in to fatty chunks, soaked in ice water for about half an hour (to remove some starch) and then paper towel dried each individual wedge. This is a pain but if you love golden crunchy goodness and I do, it's worth the effort. Then I just dropped them in deep boiling oil and after about twenty minutes, they were perfect. A liberal dusting of salt was all these little babies needed before they took roost in their new home, MAH BELLY!!! Since steak was on sale, this meal for two cost about six dollars and four hours on the treadmill. Zoiks.
Lately That Girl has been trying to work the whole South Beachie low carbish angle and it has it's pros and cons. On the up side, cutting back on delicious white flour and sugar based treats certainly can do wonders for your ginormical backside. The only problem is, cutting out soul soothing carbohydrates can make you act a little... well, cranky. You find that many of your sentences end with an exclamation point. You're not hungry, but you feel slightly "off". And we all know what can make any carb-deprived woman feel better... PIZZA! 
A reader of TGCE recommended Catalano's to me a while back and omg it is now my favorite local pizza joint, MUCH TO MY BOOTY'S CHAGRIN. A no-nonsense place that tosses every crust to order, thick or thin to your specifications. The mozzarella is whole milk (as it should be) and is super creamy and stretchy. Pepperoni is spicy and authentic, can't really say the same for the sausage, which is a little weak. Needs a little more fennel and it would probably be perfect. Sauce is not sweet and has a deep, rich, cooked on the stove for hours taste. 
Boyfriend and I decided to get individual pizzas a couple of weeks later and they were also good, but I think you get the whole experience with a big pie. Definitely avoid the wings, egads what a soggy and poorly executed mess.
So if you are trying to be good but you find yourself yelling at your boyfriend for oh I don't know, NOTHING, maybe a slice would do you good. Just don't go crazy and you'll be all right. I won't tell Dr. Atkins.
That girl can be a little negative and judgemental sometimes. Which is exactly why I had absolutely no interest in going to Cisco Burger in this lifetime. Motorcycle men and goofy actresses are not exactly what I consider the recipe for tasty burgers. But Jesse James and Sandra Bullock have proved me wrong. I LOVE THIS PLACE. 
The straw that broke the camel's back was when their fries were voted best in Long Beach. If I had to limit my junk food consumption to one item alone, it would be french fries. Not "freedom fries" or "american fries" either. That is really annoying people. Enough with the freedom fries.
Boyfriend and I opted for the basics on our first visit, cheeseburger combos, fries for him, onion rings for me. What a delicious, juicy burger. The menu says kobe beef but I'm no expert. All I know is the veggies are fresh, the meat is hot and the bun is squishy pillow-luscious. Their version of thousand island is called "Cisco Sauce", basically a more "ketchup-y" and peppery version of the original orange goodness. Boyfriend watched in horror as I asked for a side of this creamy goodness to dip my rings in. How sad to be a hater of condiments. That's no way to live my friends.
The fries lived up to their title, soft insides contained within a crispy, battered shell. Addictive. Rings were also very good but a little too greasy for this fatty feast. Cisco also has a few baked goods on their menu, but I've only seen the cookies when I've dined there. The chocolate chip has seriously over fifty chips in one cookie, perfect for the chocoholic that lurks within all of us. 
My one problem with this place is that they have changed their hours several times over the last few months. It's such a sad feeling to think you will soon be biting into a beefy bastion of badness only to find out that they close at 4:00pm on Saturdays. So sad. But as much as I cursed at that blasted "closed" sign, you know I came back. It's worth it, Long Beachians.
Let's not waste time on my hatred of Subway... that girl has covered that topic many times before. Instead let's focus on the yummy sandwiches from OJ's. I've been eating here since third grade. Once when I was about ten, I was here with my dad when I ran in to a boy from my class, Alex Phelps. AWKWARD!!! Then my dad strikes up a conversation with Alex's dad (oh my god dad like you are so embarrassing!) and his dad asks me if I know him. **pause for nerd alert** My reply: "yeah, he always gets in trouble for opening his desk when he's not supposed to". Pretty much that visit set the path for my elementary school social life. 
Painful childhood scars aside, I really do love the sandwiches here. Soft squishy fresh bread, tasty meats and fresh veggies. I always get the turkey, mayo only. I know it looks really plain (and it is) but it just hits the spot every time. Another classic is the #1, OJ's original sub. Your basic italian and quite tasty. 
You can't have a thin skin to be a customer here. The lady who runs it can be a little rude, but I just think she doesn't know any better. Once when I was ordering a lot of sandwiches to go for my family, she asked me if the bacon and provolone was for my mom. "Yes", I replied, "wow, we come here so often you remembered". Her response: "she's gained weight... next time she should get the turkey". Ouch.
That girl used to call Schooner or Later "land of the trucker hat poseurs". Well, trends have shifted slightly and now I call it "land of the Castro hat poseurs". The hostesses treat this place like a damn club. It's breakfast, people. You know... eggs, pancakes? Gotta love the two hour wait time. "Feel free to visit our outdoor bar" they say. Translation: "feel free to buy a bunch of expensive bloody marys, beers and champagne before you even get a table". 
Boyfriend went for the chicken sandwich. But... that's a lunch item you ask? Well when you get there at 9:45am and get seated two hours later guess what? It's lunch time! Bland, boring, bland, boring. Even the fries look sad. Side salad with ranch was equally uneventful. 
I went out on a limb and decided to try the chilaquiles. These were okay, but it was obvious they cook up a lot of this and warm it to order. The tortillas were good, close to homemade tasting. 
For the record (and so you don't think I'm a total hater) one of my favorite soups in Long Beach is their portuguese chowder. But I'll be getting it to go from now on... I like my brunch without the velvet rope thankyouverymuch.
Always on the lookout for new lunch options, I stumbled in to Ohana a while back. That girl discovered plate lunches about nine years ago on the north shore of Oahu, and I've been hooked ever since. Who would have thought the combination of delicious meats, steamed white rice and macaroni salad would work so well together? 
The chicken combo was my choice on my first visit. Ohana gives you so much food! I had enough leftovers for my dad to enjoy dinner as well. Crispy golden fried and savory tender grilled chicken, lovingly prepared and piled high. The mac salad isn't too sweet, and has some potatoes in there as well. 
The next time I went I opted for the chicken salad. A colorful mix of fresh veggies and warm chicken, a healthy option for sure. My only wish would be that they provide better salad dressing, the packet of ranch wasn't that special. Aloha!
That girl used to wonder why every time she went to Molcasalsa on her lunch break, the place was virtually deserted. Then one day I had an epiphany: this is clearly drunk food. We've all had our "moments": a little too much gin, a few too many Jager bombs... and the only thing that can remedy the situation is some good old fashioned grease. Well, I don't drink at work (Did you hear that boss?) but even if you're not tipsy, the cheap munchables here can always satisfy. 
An order of five rolled tacos is my usual. Crunchy shredded beef taquitos fried golden brown, smothered in guacamole ("avocado sauce" but whatev) and topped with a mountain of cheese. With a refillable drink and all the fresh salsa bar you can handle, this will run you $3.25. Plus, these are so filling you could probably share an order. You really can't get much cheaper than that.
J-Bird went with the carne asada fries, a dish that seems so wrong and so right at the same time. Crisp french fries topped with copious amounts of freshly grilled steak, melty cheese and sour cream, this is a heart attack waiting to happen. 
Work bff went with the carne asada torta. I love how they grill the roll, a nice touch. Also, if you ask nicely, they will make you some freshly fried chips and pico de gallo at no charge. 
I'm leaving you with a pic I just had to snap on the way to Molcasalsa. There was a lot of street construction going on, and if you've ever wondered where your tax dollars go, well... now you know.
When I started eating at Tokyo Hibachi about twenty years ago, it was one of the few places in Lakewood where you could get sushi. After all this time, the quality remains unchanged. Little Sister and I stopped in for a delightful lunch recently, and the fish is as fresh as ever.
Thick slabs of deep red ahi sashimi started our meal. This fish was cool and soft, just perfect. That girl hates it when places serve room temperature sushi. That's probably why I rarely frequent "all you can eat" style sushi buffets. A tall bottle of Kirin proved to be a nice light refreshment to go with. Mmmm, beer-y.
The soft shell crab appetizer was up next, a requirement every time we dine here. The first time I had this, I have to admit I was a little wary of eating the whole thing; legs, shell and all. But the flavor is amazing, indescribable really. Two of these with a salad would make a great meal .
Next we shared the spicy sauteed squid, usually always available as a special. Tender rings and tentacles of squid combine together with fresh mushrooms in a creamy sauce that has just enough bite to it. Be sure to order a bowl of rice with this dish to pour your leftover sauce on top of. You won't want to lose a drop, it's that good.
A canadian cut roll came next. Most places call this a philly roll because of the cream cheese it contains. We opted to have the roll covered in bright orange smelt eggs for extra flavor. These would be great for a party, if you don't eat them all yourself before the guests arrive.
Although we were basically stuffed at this point, a trip to a sushi bar for me would not be complete without some mackerel. Most fishermen call this bait, I call it delicious. A very salty and fatty fish, with a firm texture that goes perfectly with a slice of fresh lemon.
Rainbow sherbet completed our meal, reminiscent of our younger days. Cool and creamy, it was the perfect ending to a sublime dining experience. Oishii-katta desu yo!
Let's get straight to the point on this one: medium one topping pizza, FIVE DOLLARS. That girl loves a deal and even if you just eat the cheese off, the pizza at The Deli News is worth FIVE DOLLARS. Not the best pizza I've ever had (sauce a little too sweet, crust a little too thick) but it'll do in a pinch.
DID I MENTION IT'S FIVE DOLLARS?
Is there really anything better in life than lounging outdoors in gorgeous weather, sipping cocktails and nibbling delicious appetizers? If this is your idea of a good time, try the Yard House on a weekday afternoon. Go ahead, play hooky from work. I won't tell. Boyfriend and I took advantage of the plentiful sunshine and fresh air a couple weeks ago, and our experience was perfect as usual.
We usually share a couple of appetizers, and today was no different. Chicken nachos have always been one of our favorites. Freshly grilled chicken piled high on top of house made chips, smothered in cheddar and jack cheeses and finished with chunky guacamole. I gotta say I was a little disappointed this day with the cheese. Nachos are all about the cheesy goodness, and they skimped a little bit on this visit. No matter, they were still really good. We got the beans on the side for dipping. That girl hates beans on nachos. They get too soggy and take away from the crunch factor which is so important to the ultimate nacho experience.
The poke stack has been a favorite of my family's for years. I'm very jealous of people in Hawaii who can buy poke at their local supermarket deli. This dish looks small, but it's really quite filling. Sushi grade ahi is layered on fried wonton squares, garnished with avocado, veggies and a wasabi/soy sauce drizzle. Smoosh everything together with your chopsticks and dig in. A perfect summer lunch paired with a raspberry cider on tap. So take off early from the dungeon that is your office and enjoy life my friends. You only live once...
When you grow up in southern California, often times the popular tourist attractions that lure so many to our fine land end up eluding you until you are well in to adulthood. Medieval Times was such a place for that girl, and a recent visit opened my eyes to an evening filled with food, fun and festivity.
On the subject of animals, especially those used for the entertainment of humans, that girl is a little sensitive. How many times has boyfriend rolled his eyes when I have expressed my concern for little creatures in commercials, amusement parks etc? Rest assured however that the horses here seemed to be treated very humanely, at least from what I could see. The show was really fun, and the crowd involvement factor makes it especially engaging. But let's get to the whole point of this piece, which is...
THE FOOD WAS ACTUALLY DECENT!!! Keep in mind I was not expecting much. From friends who had already been, the repeated response I received when asking about the food was, "they don't give you a fork". With that in mind, my anticipation of the first course was laced with trepidation. However when the vegetable soup with garlic bread arrived, I realized my fears were misguided. Now, I'm not going to say this is the best soup I've ever had in my life. But it was hot, well seasoned and satisfying. The garlic bread was fantastic. Crisp, cheesy and bursting with flavor, I could have ate a basket of this for my dinner and been happy.
The main course arrived soon after, rotisserie chicken and a country style pork rib. The chicken was coated with a generous rub of spices and was quite tasty. The boneless rib was super tender, paired perfectly with a coat of tangy barbeque sauce. A half of a baked potato was the only real disappointment, bland and in serious need of some sort of dipping sauce.
Let's get to the best part of any meal... DESSERT OF COURSE!!! These little pastry sticks were amazing. No seriously, I pondered calling Medieval Times the next day to find out their distributor, but then I thought... "do I really need to be eating these in quantity?". Crisp flaky pastry surrounded a semi-molten filling of rich chocolate, just delightful. Seriously, these are worth the $44.95 ticket alone. So let your fears of tourist traps slip away and enjoy an evening with the horsies.
P.S. Ghetto Fabulous That Girl Tip: Bring along your digital camera. Then when they present you with the photo they took of you when you entered, TAKE A PICTURE OF THE PICTURE. Presto... you just saved $10.95.
A turkey burger was my work bff's choice, and it has been that girl's choice on many occasion. A succulent patty of poultry, fresh grilled and topped with crisp lettuce, red ripe tomato and a schmear of zesty chipolte mayo, this little jewel never fails to disappoint. Red Robin serves all burgers and sandwiches with "bottom-less" steak fries. Which leads me to an interesting observation... my gratuitous consumption of these fries has hardly left me "bottom-less". More like "bottom-full". Hmmm...
J-Bird went with the classic cheeseburger, a juicy beef patty smothered with cheddar cheese and adorned with all of the classic toppings. Red Robin puts some sort of "red relish" on their burgers, gotta say never been a big fan. I'm more of a thousand island gal myself.
Co-worker from accounting went the healthy route this day, opting for a veggie rice bowl topped with grilled chicken. This is a great choice, very filling and bursting with freshness. As an on again/off again Weight Watcher, I can tell you this meal is only twelve points.
Gal pal went with the Whiskey River BBQ Chicken Wrap. Wow that's a mouthful, LITERALLY!!! A spinach tortilla filled with grilled chicken, melty cheddar, tangy barbeque sauce and crunchy tortilla strips, this is definitely something I need to try soon. Gal pal subbed salad for fries (no extra charge btw) and also received a couple of fresh slices of cantaloupe.
The Apple Harvest salad was my choice, one of my favorites these days. Fresh greens topped with chicken, soft goat cheese and crisp Fuji apple slices. Tossed with a little ranch and a generous sprinkling of pepper this little baby is heaven!!! I had them leave off the candied walnuts, not in the mood this day. Don't be afraid of goat cheese, just remember another of my mottos: "Stinky cheese is your friend".
I basically had the same thing as my first visit, kobe beef burger with blue cheese and caramelized onions, this time adding that thick pepper bacon to take it to a new level. Boyfriend got a little excited about all of the topping choices, nestling his kobe burger in a ciabatta roll and piling it high with provolone, caramelized onions, cinnamon bacon, and guacamole on the side for schmearing. "Fat" fries (how appropriate... this meal was like a gazillion calories) were amazing, perfectly golden well done as requested. This was another comp meal for us, (I'm telling you they are great about comps here) and we'll be back for sure.
You can just get any idea of your basic greasy spoon out of your head because Raffles is PLUSH. Gleaming silverware, granite tables and crisp white china await you upon being seated. There are windows everywhere (VERY rare in a casino restaurant) that boast refreshing views of their gardens and pool area.
Okay, I realize I'm a little nuts but I LOVE LOVE LOVE this picture of my coffee. This shot represents to me what eating in a restaurant is all about. You would never prepare coffee this beautifully just for yourself at home. This is why you don't mind paying $2.00 for what essentially costs the place two cents. Moving on...
How much fancier is anything that is embossed with an initial? Mandalay Bay is all about the embossing, as seen in my golden waffle and butter. The strawberry garnish brought out my childish side, and soon I was making it "eat" the waffle, much to boyfriend's chagrin. Yes, I play with my food and I'm okay with it. A side of well done bacon was perfection, pork product bliss personified.
Boyfriend wasn't feeling very breakfasty and went with the grilled chicken sandwich. I stole a few of his fries and they were crunchy luscious, all battered and seasoned just right.
The next day when we were checking out, the players club desk staff APOLOGIZED for not being able to comp our room. (I wasn't expecting them to) In return, they offered to comp breakfast for us before we left. HOW NICE!!! Usually I'm an over medium person but scrambled sounded good that day. However, I was watching some plates go by and the hash browns looked pretty weak. Super friendly waitress had no problem subbing some of those heavenly fries instead, and actually complimented me on my choice. Crunchy bacon and sourdough toast completed my gratis gobbling.
French toast was boyfriends choice, another lovely presentation for sure. Right after ordering, the waitress informed us we still had a few dollars left on our comp. "You might as well order something, it's free" she nudged, so fresh strawberries on the side it was. These were a nice palate cleanser at the end of our meal.
I really can't say enough about Mandalay Bay and Raffles Cafe. Just be forewarned... invite this kind of luxury in to your life and you'll have a hard time hitting the 99 cent shrimp cocktail at Four Queens. Just sayin'...
That girl has become such a snob about driving to Las Vegas. Living in Long Beach, the luxury of JetBlue makes it so easy to jet off for a weekend of wild debauchery. However, the rising cost of jet fuel forced boyfriend and I to hit the highway: ROADTRIP!!!
Young hearts run free as we soar through the desert on a late Friday after work, our gambling jones getting stronger with every second. Feeling a bit peckish about two hours in, we decide to stop at The Mad Greek in Baker. I have always wanted to try this place, and equally slot machine addicted co-worker told me it was a must.
Boyfriend and I easily shared this combo plate, laden with gyros and three kabobs: beef, chicken and lamb. Really, is their nothing better in life than marinated meats grilled over an open flame? The lamb was delicate and exquisite, my favorite of the three. Tender gyro, shaved off a ginormous cone, went well with the golden grilled pita and cool tzatziki. A fresh greek salad completed the meal, topped with a zesty vinaigrette.
The Mad Greek has a separate fresh juice, smoothie and milkshake bar that was just begging us to partake. Boyfriend loved his FRESH strawberry milkshake, festively decorated with whipped cream, maraschino cherry and paper umbrella. A+ for presentation mad greekers!!!
Next time you are headed for Sin City, forget the Barstow McDonald's... drive a little further for some mediterranean delights in the middle of nowhere. You'll know your exit... just look for the world's largest thermometer next to Bun Boy. Jackpot!
A recent episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives got me hankering for some gizzards. The lure of the unusual led me on a search for one of the remaining Pioneer's that used to be everywhere in southern California. I found one on Florence in Bell Gardens, and I'm so glad I did.
If you've never eaten at Pioneer, you should be forewarned: most of the food on the menu is orange. Bright orange batter coats any number of things and it is DELICIOUS. Pretty much you could fry your shoe in this batter and it would be good. My choices were the half order of gizzards and a drumstick ala carte. The smell of crunchy hot goodness was too much for me and I consumed most of the gizzards in the car. Kind of an odd food, from my understanding they are part of a chicken's digestive system. All I know is they are super tasty and you can easily eat too many of them.
The chicken is just as I remember from childhood; juicy, greasy and yummy. My great aunt and uncle used to run a beauty supply in Hollywood a few doors down from a Pioneer. Many times I was sent to pick up lunch for the family and would commiserate with the "working girls" who roamed Sunset Boulevard. Yeah, I was nine and hanging out with hookers. Good times.
First of all, there is a certain "aroma" that smacks you in the face the moment you walk in the door. That girl works in the plumbing industry, so she knows that this smell is that of a drain that has not been properly irrigated. When drains dry out, they smell like things that go through them. Instead of fixing their problem, Mexico 1900 chooses to keep an industrial floor fan running at all times and always has a scented candle burning at the hostess desk. Hmmm, I wonder how many of you I've lost already. Hang on, there's more. The term "hostess" generally conjures up an image of a pert young woman, someone too green to be an actual server yet who whisks you off to your table, hands you your menu and that's about it. The "hostess" here is quite a character. My co-workers and I call her "the hall monitor". This crusty woman roams the restaurant, hands clasped behind her back, watching you as you inhale your two taco special. Very strange.
On this day, I was dining with work bff and male co-worker Mr. Bear. Don't ask. Bff chose her favorite, the "choice of one" special. Her choice was the chile relleno, served with rice and beans. That girl has dined on many a chile relleno here and they are fantastic. The rellenos served here are more "omelet" style instead of deep fried. The sauce that covers them is mild and flavorful.
Mr. Bear went with the wet burrito, which I have never sampled before. It looked fantastic and he said it was very good. The guac and sour cream on top is a nice touch.
A shredded beef sope was my choice. If you have never had the pleasure of a sope before, I implore you to try one as soon as possible. Kind of hard to describe, the base is like a thick fried corn tortilla, with a crisp exterior and crumbly, almost tamale like interior. Topped with the works and served with refried beans, it makes a great lunch. I like to scoop up all of the sope "fall out" with the crisp hot chips and spicy salsa that are placed on your table upon being seated.
I almost forgot about the best part of the meal... the free cinnamon crispies you get for dessert. Little triangles of sugary crack, hot from the deep fryer. If they forget to bring you them, make sure you ask. So if you can get past the funky foyer odor and don't mind the eyes of the hall monitor watching your every move, you will enjoy your meal here. Just don't make any sudden moves or you might get a demerit.
That girl is a definite creature of habit. Although I love to try new places, like most people I find myself falling into the arms of the familiar on any given dinner out. That is probably why I had never been to Domenico's, a popular italian pizza/pasta joint in Belmont Shore.
Their ads run pretty regularly in the Press-Telegram, so boyfriend and I decided to give it a try. Not to start out on a sour note, but honestly... not too impressed. Someday I'll write about Buona Gente and you'll see what 2nd Street is all about. One thing I really liked were the dry crunchy breadsticks they place on the table once you've placed your order. Having heard so much about the "famous creamy garlic" salad dressing, we asked for a side for dipping. Gotta say... not that garlicky. It seemed to be lacking something, perhaps as simple as salt and pepper, but it basically tasted like mayo and sour cream with a little crushed garlic mixed in. Eh.
Domenico's is famous for their "ground meats" pizzas, so we opted to share a large, half ground pepperoni and half ground sausage. The pie did look magnificent but again, lacking flavor. The ground pepperoni had no spice at all and oozed grease. That girl knows pepperoni pizza is supposed to be greasy, but this was ridiculous. The sausage was a little better, but didn't really have that zesty fennel flavor that italian sausage should have.
Just as I was starting to think I wasn't giving this Long Beach institution a fair shake, the bill arrived. I'm sorry, but charging for a two item pizza when you order half and half is crap! THAT GIRL CALLS BS ON YOU, DOMENICO'S!!! We brought this to the attention of our waiter, who said at least THREE people ask about that EVERY NIGHT and even he disagrees with the policy. I won't be back, and you shouldn't bother either.
Not to be left out of the cupcake trend insanity, Starbucks is following in the steps of Sprinkle's and the like by now serving cupcakes. That girl's boss brought these in for Valentine's Day and I gotta admit, they are pretty cute. However the frosting was super sweet (even for me) so a major scrapejob was in order. The cake part was really moist and fluffy, not bad at all.
After eating this vanilla morsel I was inspired to make my mom some cupcakes for her birthday. Just as tasty and super adorable. This post comes along with a new link I'm introducing, http://www.starbucksgossip.typepad.com/. Any info about the inside track of America's favorite addiction is to be found here. I actually discovered it through a chowhound thread on "ghetto lattes". Seriously funny and informative? reading.
Inspired by my divine experience at Nordstrom Cafe, I combed the internet for the tomato soup recipe so that I could make it in the comfort of my own home. Apparently that girl is not the only person who has such a fondness for this liquid lover, and after procuring a hand blender, it was soup makin' time.
Anyone who's never used a hand blender before should know: THEY ARE LOUD. No seriously, I mean lawn mower loud. Maybe I bought a cheap one but this thing is scary. However it blended up the soup perfectly.
Please make this soup, your family and friends will love you. But be warned it makes A LOT so you might want to make some more friends first.
I'd probably be the first person to roll her eyes at the idea of a department store restaurant. Come on, is this the forties or something? Let me get my hat and gloves. However, Mrs. Kandlelight took me there on last year's annual Christmas shopping/gossip trip and that was it. Pretty much I'm addicted to the tomato soup they serve there. It is so flippin' good!!! Creamy, velvety, hang on let me get my thesaurus... rich, luxurious... oh there just aren't enough words for this little bowl of goodness. Seriously, if Brad Pitt were a soup, this is it. The little crunchy crostini parmesan thingy they serve on the side is great for dipping, except after you eat one you want like fourteen of them.
Okay, let's get to THE BEST SANDWICH I'VE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE. This is no small feat considering that girl has consumed many many sandwiches in her lifetime. The monte cristo at Cafe Bixby comes very close, but the chicken florentine sandwich they serve here is just bursting with flavor. Chewy ciabatta, garlic aioli (like with chunks of garlic) sliced roasted chicken breast, spinach, ricotta, tomato slices and provolone. It's just perfect. And even better the next day I might add.
I can't write this post without getting a pet peeve about Nordstrom off my chest. How many people do you know that say "Nordstrom's"??? Take a look at the sign people. There's no "s" at the end of Nordstrom. I'm putting those who pronounce it wrong in the same category as people who say "supposebly" instead of supposedly. THERE IS NO "b" IN SUPPOSEDLY!!! For God's sake you ingrates!!! Whoa I'm all worked up now. Better get me some soup.
In a semi-healthy mood, I decided to go for the soup/salad combo. A fresh Greek salad, bursting with veggies and topped with marinated grilled chicken is just the thing to get you through your day. This salad (sans chicken) is served with most of their combo plates.
This was my first time trying Daphne's house soup, avgolemono. I am so glad I did!!! A chicken rice soup flavored with egg and lemon, tasty to the last drop. I'll be back soon for more of this soup during this little cold spell we're having.
Gal pal went with the basic gyro pita plate, subbing hummus for rice. Love love love the gyro here. I'm sure many snooty mcsnootsters will say "oh that's not authentic" etc. WTF with the authentic crap people? Get over it!!! I say if it tastes good then just go with it. Have I had better? Of course. But Daphne's is really good and a nice alternative from Subway (ick) or a greasy burger. Opa!
For my lil' house par-tay we got a red velvet sheet cake from Bake & Broil. Super rich and evil, there wasn't much left of this by the end of the night. Highly highly recommend this if you live in the area. $48.95 for a half sheet.
I wish I'd gotten Molly Maid for my birthday. My house was super messy, but I wasn't thinking about that while dancing all night to old school jams. "Oh bay-bee youuuuuuuu... you got what I need... but you say he's just a friend, but you say he's just a friend". Don't be jealous.
When my grandma was still living, EVERY time I'd take her to Hof's Hut she would complain to the manager that they should serve their chicken tortilla soup daily instead of once a week. That girl likes to think that because of grandma's "gentle nudging", chicken tortilla is always the soup du jour at Hof's. This is some great soup people!!! A clear chicken broth with some tomatoes, celery and chicken chunks, garnished with crisp, fresh chips and a good handful of shredded cheese. So satisfying, AND instead of your usual saltines they serve Wheatsworth crackers on the side. Mmm mmm.
Boyfriend and I both had a bowl of this yummyness while waiting for our sandwiches. When we walked in I noticed many patrons sipping a glowing orange/pink beverage. Our kind waiter informed me this is strawberry lemonade. Usually I'm not a big fan, but this didn't look like the chunky kind they serve at Red Robin. One drink and I was hooked. Very refreshing.
I chose the tuna melt which is excellent here. However I think the cook might have been a little sleepy and only put cheddar on one side of the bread. Everyone knows that the melty cheese is what protects your buttery grilled sourdough from "high soggy potential" tuna salad. But it was very good and super filling.
A french dip was boyfriend's choice, his usual sandwich wherever we go. They do this one just right here. First of all, they grill the roll. This is very important so that it can stand up to au jus dunking. Second, the roast beef is not pink. Sorry foodies, not a fan of pink meat. This beef is well seasoned and super flavorful.
A slice of cheesecake to go from Hof's plentiful bakery was a must. Super creamy, with almost no crust... the slight tang of lemon lingers on your tongue... heaven. Hof's isn't a place to make a special trip to, but when you need a good basic lunch, it's just the ticket.
Boyfriend went for the three item combo. California rolls, yakitori chicken skewers and tempura shrimp were his choices, served with salad, rice and the most yumalicious oniony noodles you've ever put in your mouth. Just trust me, these noodles will change your life.
I decided to try their version of curry rice and was slightly disappointed. Maybe I'm just used to the box mix or Hurry Curry but I like my curry very hot and spicy and this was super mild. Not bad though and quite filling.
My only issue with this place is they can't decide what kind of restaurant they are. For years you ordered at the counter, got a plastic number and your food was delivered to your table. Then they went to table service. Now I guess they only do table service after 5:00pm, but it's quite spotty and slow, albeit super nice. Just call your to go order in and eat at home. Then you can saunter into a noodle coma in the comfort of your own sofa.
Boyfriend hates the name "Barefoot Contessa". His argument is that anything associated with food shouldn't have the word "foot" in it. Hmmm. However that girl is a big fan of Ina Garten, probably because her food is just so, well... edible. This coffee cake is super easy and absolutely to die for. I left the nuts out of the crumb topping (plus I doubled the topping), and I made a vanilla glaze instead of the maple one that the original recipe recommends.
Usually I'm not big on specialty ingredients, but just get over it and buy some cake flour. Bring this little baby to work and you'll have a raise by Friday. No joke!!! Quite easy also and your house will smell amazing. Dee-lish.
That girl thinks that if you sat all the world leaders down for a bowl of matzo ball soup, world peace would not be far behind. I know I feel peaceful when I eat it. Many will argue on the proper way to make these little bundles of goodness (sinkers vs. floaters, etc.) but the box mix works fine for me. Instead of oil I use a little melted chicken fat and they come out super savory. I'm often asked, "what's a matzo ball taste like?" and really you just have to try one. It's like a dumpling-ish soft but firm crackery type thing. Yeah, that's it.
That girl really really wants to like this stuff. Chowhounders can't get enough of it, and the concept seems cool, but... I'm not feeling it. Maybe if I made tzatziki out of it... hmmm...
Trendy yogurt has made it to the 90712... in the form of Red Mango. New strip malls are popping up everywhere in Lakewood and Long Beach. Perhaps part of some neighborhood beautification project... or corporate greed... but whatev... the fakeberry revolution continues to sweep the nation!
That girl stopped in on a cool day for a little frozen confection, a small with fresh pineapple. Now I know the chick who waited on me is probably fresh from her yogurt school training, but is it really necessary to ask my name when I'm the only patron in sight? Kind of funny. Great yogurt though.
If I had my way, upon opening my pantry door behind it would reveal Angelo's Italian Deli. Once again the yelpers have guided that girl to noshing nirvana. This place is packed to the brim with all the goodies you might need to make a perfect italian meal. Several kinds of olive oil, a wide selection of canned goods and various prepared foods meet your eye once you step inside.
On this day though I was here for the sandwiches. With boyfriend and brother-in-law in tow we found this little gem that's tucked away in Belmont Shore. Since I had read the reviews of this place, it took me no time to make my selection, the calabrese. Thin slices of spicy salami paired with gorgonzola cheese, layered lovingly on rustic ciabatta and topped with lettuce, tomato and an addictive garlic pesto spread. A wonderful combination of complex flavors, I enjoyed this very much.
Boyfriend and brother went for the torpedo, a classic combining provolone, capicolla, genoa salami, and mortadella. The same garlic spread accompanied lettuce, tomato and onion and everything was placed in a crusty baguette. After their first bites, conversation was pretty much halted for the next ten minutes or so to commence inhalation. Any thoughts we had about going to Pinkberry afterward were thwarted, and with bellies full we headed home. Really can't say enough about this place, except maybe that it's now on speed dial.
Why oh why do I stray away from the familiar? Needing dessert after an "eh" dinner at Tantalum, boyfriend and I jetted over to Sweet Jill's in Belmont Shore. That girl usually gets the chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting. There it was, waiting patiently for me like it always does. But a chowhounder told me that are now serving red velvet cupcakes, and I couldn't resist.
New life decision: I'm only eating red velvet at Bake & Broil, because the disappointment I feel trying to replicate that experience is ruining my life! Looks gorgeous doesn't it? Yuck, super dry and tasteless. Even the frosting couldn't help this poor sad little soul.
Boyfriend stuck with the basics and went for a chocolate cake slice. The chocolate cake here is fantastic. Really deep, dark and rich. This is the base for other cakes too, like the german chocolate (swoon).
I dare you to walk by the tempting windows here and not venture inside. Just avoid the red velvet at all costs. It's a lost cause.
Two years ago boyfriend and I attended a birthday party at Tantalum. That girl was really impressed with the looks of this place, a gorgeous exotic restaurant decorated in an Asian/Indian fusion type style. The food was also great, I remember something along the lines of ahi poke and a chow fun dish with beef and various seafood. All dressed up with no place to go recently, we stopped in for dinner.
Well, the place is still beautiful, even more so now with an adorable path leading to the door, a perfect smoking area for you little puff puff nicotine addicts I know. Tantalum also has the most fabulous hang out lounge-like bar with lots of comfy sofas and pillows. Reading more about this place on Yelp, reservations were highly recommended. I have to agree, but we just popped in and skanky "I lost my hairbrush on purpose" hostess was SUPER SNOOTY. Although NO PEOPLE were in sight waiting for tables, we were told half an hour. No prob, time to check out the fancy bathroom. That girl loves a nice bathroom, a quiet oasis to reapply lipstick or further your studies in the fine art of girl gossip. Miraculously, twenty minutes later we were seated in a HALF EMPTY restaurant. Annoying.
Thankfully, our waitress was super nice and seemed dropped here from midwest or the equivalent. Then, my worst nightmare came true: total menu makeover. This could have been prevented by my usual pre-dining web surfing, but this was an impromptu visit. Hmmm... can't go wrong with the Kobe Beef Sliders. This were very tasty, but for fifteen dollars I'd like more than twelve fries, thankyouverymuch. Also, no salt on the table. Do I have no class for thinking that's weird?
Boyfriend chose the wok-fired temple rice (temple? are we to worship this food?) which comes filled with chicken, linguica and shrimp. He seemed to enjoy it but I wasn't too impressed. I don't want to completely remove this place from my repetoire, but I think it's really just a good place to have drinks. Oh, and super snooty, get thee to a Salon Pop. The emo "rolled out of bed" look ain't workin' for ya, honey. You're dealing with the public.
Dooley's and that location of Marri's closed years ago, much to the chagrin of a brown bubble cheese pizza aficionado like myself. But recently I discovered that Marri's never went away, they just moved! No, you can know longer write on the walls (they used to be covered in newspaper) and I've yet to see the hard breadsticks I loved as a child, but THE BROWN BUBBLES ARE STILL THERE. Boyfriend and I stopped in for a green pepper, pepperoni and sausage pie, and this little baby was a cheese bomb!!! When I inquired to the cashier if this was the same Marri's that used to be on Long Beach Boulevard, she nodded while giving me the "goddamn you're old" look. Or perhaps that's my imagination since that girl's 32nd birthday is pending. Issues!!!
Let's start with the service. These people know what they're doing. You could probably eat your weight in freshly fried chips here because they bring you a new basket like every three minutes. As you know by now, boyfriend is a camel when it comes to soda and he never wants for a refill here. Nice people too... once I had an incident with a rude child candy solicitor WHO APPROACHED OUR TABLE and management cleared it up right away.
Sometimes I get carnitas here (so good, they know how to make some crispy pork) but lately I've been in a chile colorado state of mind. On the drive over I was thinking maybe I'd get crispy beef tacos, then a chile relleno sounded good. Yes, I was starving. So imagine my delight when I realized they have a taco, colorado, and relleno combo. Yea!!! A greasy paradise of goodness all on one plate. If you have never tried the glory that is chile colorado, you should have your first here. A hearty gravy like sauce filled with tender chunks of beef, all ready to spoon into hot flour tortillas with sour cream. Oooh baby.
Boyfriend got his usual, shrimp fajitas. That man just loves his shrimp, and Don Jose never fails to provide an ample supply. I'd say there's at least two dozen shrimp in this dish. With all the fixins on the side, this dish could easily be shared. That girl hopes you don't think she's too ghetto but telling you I only come here when I have a coupon. If you get on their mailing list, they send you a buy one, get one coupon like every two weeks. What a deal!
That girl was barely in the door when Uncle Brat handed her a luscious cocktail of rich eggnog and brandy, topped with a generous sprinkle of nutmeg. The perfect appetizer for an afternoon drowned with Malibu rum and pineapple juice. My contributions to this joyous celebration were the following: hot artichoke dip served with sun dried tomato ciabatta, an antipasto platter, celery with peanut butter (why not?), seven layer dip (the classic served with Fritos, I use bean dip for the base) and Paula Deen's recipe for pumpkin bars.
Just look at this sumptuous spread. Sister made her famous green bean casserole, using the canned fried onions from Trader Joe's that are so addictive, I'm glad they're only stocked at the holidays. She also supplied candied yams with pecans and a light fluffy cheesecake.
This is what I love about my family. Here is a big bowl of Aunt Brat's famous Bridgeford dinner rolls. Please note the Costco size jar of mayo. No, we don't wait for Black Friday to enjoy our sandwiches and we're damn proud of it!
Here we have food of the gods, ambrosia and watergate salads. My friend Mrs. Kandlelight is horrified by these American classics. Not that girl! A big scoop of each of these was my dessert on this great day of gorging.
Finally, the dessert table. How could it be complete without ridiculous quantities of Cool Whip? No, we're not the Rockfellers. Thank God.
Let's add another place I've driven by thousands of times and finally ventured into, Tummy Stuffer Sandwiches. They should call this place "yummy stuffer" because it is so fresh and good! You can smell the onions grilling for cheesesteak before you even walk in the door. That girl and work bff went first to check it out, both thoroughly enjoying the classic sandwich of the city of brotherly love. Definitely worth a second trip, I came back with gal pal in tow.
The huge menu was no match for our us and we quickly made our selections. Gal pal chose the blt with turkey. Crisp bacon and fresh veggies heaped atop lean slices of gobble goodness. The bread here is PERFECT, soft squishy baguette with a slightly chewy crisp crust.
I chose a classic Italian and was not disappointed. Layers of traditional salty meats and smoky cheeses, topped with crisp lettuce and pepperocinis, then doused with a tangy dressing. You have to inhale this baby quickly (not difficult for a woman of my... ahem, stature) so that it doesn't go all soggy on you.
Tummy Stuffer has a wide array of chip choices to enable my crunching compulsions. Miss Vickie's jalapeno kettle chips for me, Si Senor corn sticks for gal pal. Why have I never seen the Si Senor brand before? These little rods of addiction would make great road trip fare. Viva Las Vegas, anyone???
I've been eating at this place for years, often latching on to a favorite meal for months and never ordering anything different. It was ground beef steak with mushroom gravy for a while, then I moved on to Hawaiian style grilled chicken, before settling into the comfort of thick meatloaf with tangy sauce, all washed down with gallons of chili bean soup. My current favorite is kind of odd for a barbeque restaurant, but delicious nonetheless. Chris & Pitt's spaghetti is so good, and I really don't believe in going out for Italian food. The sauce is more like a rich meaty paste brimming with deep oregano flavor. Fat meatballs are hidden throughout this carb loaded dish, moist and giving easily to my fervid fork. A generous sprinkling of freshly grated parmesan (nice touch for a restaurant with wood panel walls) completes this tasty treat. Got a family of four? Two servings could easily feed all of you, with some to spare.
Mom and Daddy That Girl each had the special, top sirloin with a red wine mushroom sauce. Thick steaks cooked to perfect medium rare, finished with a squishy pat of melting butter and topped with golden onion rings. Sauce is served on the side, and you get your choice of side dishes. Ma & Pa both chose baked potato and salad.
On that point, sometimes the simplest things are the best. Side salad at C & P is no frills, crisp cold iceberg drowned in your choice of homemade dressing, with crackers on the side for crushing and dumping all over the whole thing. The bleu cheese here is to die for, creamy and thick, and a great dip for the crisp steak fries to boot.
Boyfriend had his usual, steak and shrimp. A thinner cut of top sirloin, cooked to perfection and served with big crunchy fried shrimp. Baked beans and fries were his sides of choice, and everyone's meal came with garlic bread. Which brings me to my only annoyance in a usually perfect dining experience...
THE WAITRESS DROPPED GARLIC BREAD ON MY JEANS. Of course this had to happen the night I was going to write about a place I've been to every month for the last twenty years. If that girl didn't have such excellent hand/eye coordination, she might have ended up with a juicy plate of spaghetti in her lap as well. Grease stains setting in, waitress barely batted an eye and proclaimed "Oh, sorry. I'll bring you more bread". WHAT??? At least a free dessert, come on lady. Sure these jeans are from Wal-Mart and over five years old, but that's not the point. She won't last long. The ladies who serve you here are hardcore and efficient, the weak ones quickly weeded out by brutal intimidation and outdated hazing practices. Well, at least that's what I imagine in my sick little mind.
You can get a bagel and coffee anywhere. That's why Grounds Bakery is even more special. This is one of those places I had been meaning to try forever and finally stopped in yesterday. What a treat.
That girl chose the "Arthur" bagel which is covered with sesame and poppy seeds. I had it toasted with a shmear of cucumber dill cream cheese. SHUT UP. NO YOU DIDN'T. This cream cheese is so good it should be illegal. Pretty much I want to sculpt a mold of Michelangelo's David out of it. Then eat it.
Boyfriend got the chocolate chip and cinnamon sugar bagel, untoasted with no shmears. You know this guy, he doesn't like condiments, including butter!!! I wish. So do my thighs. These were so soft and good. The chipper was full of bittersweet little nuggets of chocolate goodness.
After munching on these boyfriend also chose a blueberry bagel. What can I say the man loves his carbs and I can't blame him. The bagels here are soft, fluffy and magical. Although they're not boiled like tradtional bagels, I'm not mad at them.
I liked this place so much I went back today after Antique Market. All I can say is get here early. They only had three bagels left (at 11:00am), all plain. I took them home with a medium size of that savory cream cheese. Just couldn't resist picking up a couple of chocolate and blueberry croissants also. Upon arriving home to my bleary eyed housemates, we had a cozy brunch feast. Dill-icious. That's right I said it.
Awesome. Just... awesome.
