In Honor of "Restaurant Week" in Fresno

I'll admit, I'm somewhat of a reverse snob when it comes to restaurants, I think more people should be eating at small mom n pop type places as opposed to expensive northside trendy joints.   The restaurant bigwigs in this town don't need my money and they probably don't want it frankly.  My husband and I don't have the "right" clothes and we don't drive the "right" kind of car for places like that.  We don't look like the kind of people who normally eat on the northside, even when we have the money to do it.  Don't get me wrong, I like interesting food in a "nice" atmosphere and I have paid big money to get that.  But I also expect big service for my big money, and frankly it doesn't exist much on the northside.   I also expect a decent amount of food for my money, not some precious little miniatures artfully arranged in the middle of a too big plate.

I prefer small places in dicey parts of town, run by real people whose livelihoods depend on my dollars.  People who work hard for their money, people who don't open restaurants because they're bored, people who don't hire management companies and PR people to run things for them.  People who are genuinely glad you stopped in.   People who learned to cook from moms and grandpas, and other family members.  These places usually have food that is fairly ethnic or downhome and come in decent portions.    The "atmosphere" isn't always great, because these people work with what they have...and they might not have time for you right away because usually the owner is also the cook and the waitstaff...  but its REAL and REAL GOOD.  

I've found good food all over Fresno,  but I feel like the best food is that served with love and determination and sincerity.  Even when the owner or staff is grumpy because they're tired from working so hard, I prefer places like this to ones where I'm treated with fake love because the waiter thinks I'll tip better if he kisses my ass.

So this "Restaurant Week", go to some  "real" restaurants for a change ,and help stimulate the economy of some "real" folks.  Believe me, they will appreciate it more than you know.

Oversight....

After an amazing pair of shrimp tacos from the Tako BBQ truck at Manchester yesterday, I realized that I haven't given proper dues to these guys.  After all, they must be good, since my whole family has pretty much eaten our way through their menu..  But one gets starry eyed over pies and pasta and potential trucks looming on the horizon, and forgets to say Thanks to one who's been here for a bit.  

So without further ado, this is why we love Tako BBQ.  

First off, how can you go wrong with anything asian inspired?  This is my fave ethnic cuisine period.  And I love tortillas... And when you put marinated meats and kimchee and rice and sauces into tortillas the way that Tako does, you have an inspired mix.   The tacos are mini bites of love,  just enough to get your taste buds going but not enough to make you stop there...    the burritos... packed full of everything you love, meat, sweet, and heat...   it's a lovely hefty package that should make other burritos blush in shame.
Then there are the odd bits...  Korean Philly? really? YES....  there's that MEAT again... so good, and so much of it...packed with cheese and sauteed onions into a sesame seed roll...   How about a Tako Dog?  Are you kidding me?  It takes at least 2 of us to finish this bad boy..   There is so much going on in there I can't even tell you...      oh and those sliders....  tasty bits of the meat of your choice on a soft hawaiian style roll..  can't get enough.

I still have my eye on the Kogi burger and the Kimchee quesadillas... but I promise I'll get to you next time, my pretties....  I even love plucking the Jarritos from the ice on a hot day.

But I saved the best for last...  the new shrimp tacos...    marinated shrimp, mangos, kimchee, and this ...sauce...this amazing sauce...  its sweet, its spicy...it's korean/latin love!

So..please forgive me, friends at Tako BBQ truck...   I have been taking you for granted because you seem to be doing pretty well...  but never again...

And to my readers....do not hesitate, get on Twitter or Facebook, and find out when and where...and go...eat...stuff yourselves..the prices are reasonable, the service is friendly, and the food is amazing.

This just in..... I'm Totally Cereal here you guys!

http://cerealtrip.com

About darn time, that's all I have to say... This is THE place to eat that perennial fave, cold cereal.  It's in a cool downtown location, with assorted local artwork on the walls, good music on the intercom, and one of the nicest proprietors you will ever wanna meet.  Oh, and did I mention, it's inexpensive?  The 3 of us stuffed ourselves for 11 bux.  How many places around town can you say that about?  The hardest part is deciding what to have...there are SO many choices!
You choose your cereal(s), you choose your toppings, and your milk type from a long list.   I finally decided on the Corn Pops with blueberries, pecans, and horchata.  My beloved chose Frosted Mini Wheats, bananas and raisins with whole milk, and my daughter got the Reese's Puffs, Cocoa Krispies, and marshmallows with chocolate milk (I'm getting this next time).

So go, eat cereal, in any weird, quirky, yummy configuration you choose... and no one will judge you for your crazy cereal choices...  they're just happy you're there.  Wouldn't it be great if everything in life worked out like that?



Cereal Trip
907 Van Ness Ave (NW corner, 2nd door from the corner, green awning)

Birthday ramblings...

Thanks to some lovely family members, I spent my birthday cold, wet, and dirty...  yes, while the rest of you poor souls were sweltering in our lovely Fresno summer,  I was on the beach in Cayucos....where it was 67 degrees..tops..   it was cloudy, foggy, breezy, perfect.   The cold came from the weather, the wet came from splashing in the surf when it warmed up enough to do so and I got used to the cold water... and the dirt? Sand of course (I think Cayucos has the glueyest sand anywhere.. that stuff sticks to EVERYTHING).  Also, I found out that seagulls don't just care about your food... they will try to take off with whatever you've got in a bag...like packrats..
However....  No matter how much time I spend over there, its never really enough...  as much as I've become somewhat cozy with Fresno in the last few years...  the central coast is still my first love...  hope to retire there someday...  in my dreams, Fresno has a coastline.

But this IS allegedly a food blog...so, on to the food (sorry... too busy having fun to take pics...  you know me...)
I came closer than ever to finding pizza bliss at Ocean Front Pizza.  My daughter and I shared the "Surfer's Special" (thank goodness they don't limit that to surfers...), which was 2 slices with your choice of beverage.  I got cheese because that's how I judge pizza.. if you can't do something as simple as cheese, covering it in toppings (at least for me) isn't going to help.
The crust, was nearly perfect....like a thin version of Valentino's (the highest praise available for any pizza in my world).  Crispy in some places, chewy in others...with real flavor.  The cheese was plentiful, mozzarella only (I despise mixed cheeses, especially cheddar on a pizza)., and mottled with brown specks from the oven.  My only disappointment, was the sauce....thin and flavorless...   so close and yet so far.  I do have to mention however, that the service was very friendly!

While I was waiting for the pizza to come out of the oven (got there as it was cooking), I popped over to Ruddell's Smokehouse  (see this is why I love Cayucos, everything you need is RIGHT there).  Not wanting to spend 6 dollars on a single smoked shrimp taco (not where I come from, amigos),  I opted for a package of smoked Ahi jerky for 4.50.  Do you love fish? Do you love smoked food? Then this is the place for you.  I cut through the vacuum sealed package and instantly attracted a cadre of interested seagulls...   it smelled of smoke, and the sea.   Extremely smoky, and delicious!  And as with the pizza place...  great service !

Before a walk on the pier, I walked over to Cayucos Candy Counter and got a dark sea salt caramel, a "crispy peanut butter chewy delight" (or some such thing), and a small raspberry/white chocolate gelato..   the candy was puzzling... the caramel in both candies LOOKED right... but not only was the consistency weird (like silly putty), but there was almost no flavor to it...    the gelato on the other hand was delicious but very tiny for the 3.25 price.   The service at the actual candy counter was nonexistent (they need better training and more staff when its a little busy), but the service at the ice cream counter was very friendly.
On the way home we stopped at the revamped gas mart at the light south of Kettleman proper to get snacks..    Honey Sesame Sticks from Plano Jerky (out of Porterville), and 2 of the new Girl Scout Cookie themed crispy Nestle's Crunch bars (Thin Mint and Samosas ((caramel and coconut))...yummy! They nailed the flavors we love.

I also got some sweet freebies in my email this week...  free corn dog from Weinerschnitzel (why do they call it that, since weinerschnitzel is a pounded and breaded meat product), free cone from Baskin Robbins (that new chocolate and Oreo flavor? Da BOMB..since it seems to have chocolate covered Oreos in it.), and a free Grand Slam from Denny's..

So even though there were no fireworks, circuses, or giant ass kicking parties, it was a beautiful day all around..   Even though most of the first 50 were kinda hard.... (with the exception of the last few years with my beloved), I know the next 50 will be awesome..  because when you hit that milestone, you try harder to make sure that every day is deliberate and has something good in it.

With a Little Help From My Friends

I'm all for local business,  and if its a good business and the people are good people behind it, then I really want them to succeed.  This is the impetus behind me asking my readers and friends to PLEASE patronize Summertime Pies (who I've previously reviewed.)  They have a great product (who doesn't like pies????), they are hardworking, really nice folks who deserve to succeed here.  Right now they could use a boost up.  So please..  if you enjoy a good fruit pie (apple, cherry, blueberry, or peach....  baked or fried,  ala mode or with cinnamon sugar), or a great empanada (baked or fried....chicken or beef), then please get your pie loving butts over to Manchester Farmer's Market on Fridays and bring your friends.    Let's give these folks the success they deserve.

Thank you.

Oopsie!

I promised you people wedding food pictures... and here it is nearly a year and I'm just getting around to it...  sorry! (Said in best Gilly voice).

Not as many as I'd like... but there you are...

Healthy Stuff..ewwwwwww....

Sorry, had to say that so as not to frighten the peoples....      But seriously...  will I ever give up eating at food trucks, meat markets, cafes, or specialty food joints?  Nope.    Am I getting older? YEP.  Am I less healthy than I want to be? YEP.   Do I feel better when I eat healthier?  Oh HELL YES.   Everything in moderation kids.   I try to save the calories for outside the house and special occasions. These days at home, I feel inclined to feel better through better nutrition.   And to that end, among the reviews and raves, I will be posting healthy recipes, good food tips, and even the odd exercise review.
So here's a bit of sweet stuff:

Banana Puddin' that's actually good for you.
3/4 cup Lite silken firm tofu
1 banana
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 pkts sweetener of your choice

Whir all that stuff in a food processor or blender, and I swear to you, it has the taste and consistency of real banana pudding.. with a very decadent mouth feel.  (Sounds dirty, don't it?)

Also here's a smoothie tip....and I also swear this to be true on my mac n cheese lovin heart:  You can add an alarming amount of spinach leaves to be pulverized in your fruit smoothie and you won't be able to tell that its there... it doesn't affect the taste.   It does, however add an insane amount of all the good vitamins and minerals .

I'm still looking for a simple, stiff jointed, rolls in all the right and wrong places, workout that I can stick with..  but for those of you who can and will:  Walking 30 minutes a day works insanely well... I just refuse to do it alone in a city such as this.   

So to sum up,  there will be healthy bits posted in between the naughty bits from now on... ;)

love ya!