Mass grooming in National City
"All the ladies kept talking about how handsome the barbers were."
Mike Madriaga 11:30 a.m., Oct. 17
Feast! Food & Drink Reviews
And for the fried chicken-waffle slider — syrup, of course
There's the mac'n'cheese, Philly cheesesteak, lumpia, and musubi slider
They say White Castle invented the slider back in 1921, selling each tiny burger patty on each tiny bun with grilled onions and pickle slice for a nickel. These days, sliders are usually sold three ...
Burger version of a dribble glass
I'd put Hundred proof up there with Rocky's
This year's burger issue prompted the usual round of complaints that Rocky's Crown Pub wasn't mentioned. Or Hodad's. I'm sure there are people who'd go to bat for Slater's 50/50. I get it. But in ...
Momentary meatball regret at Hungry Lu’s
It’s good to be O.B.-pure, but...
"I’m a vegan and I live on Bacon.” “Ocean Beach is a sunny place for shady people.” Kip Krueger’s signs are everywhere. He paints them on blocks of wood. He has plenty more. “Dissent is ...
The bomb diggity brisket
Campfire avoids fusion confusion
A friend in Los Angeles had the day off and wanted to cruise south to catch up over a meal, so I figured I'd meet him half way. I hopped on the Coaster in Old ...
Aromatic dishes and a heart for Puerto Rico
When I walked into Andrés Restaurant for the first time, the smells wafting out of the kitchen were so good, I almost didn't ask for a menu. Just give me whatever's cooking, I wanted to ...
Jewel, Jason Mraz, Steve Poltz started at Java Joe’s
Too late I discover that I could’ve had a quiche for $4.95.
Sixties time-warp! I’m sitting in the friendly gloom, watching Lisa Sanders and Karen Hayes sing personal songs in dreamy harmonies. Acoustic, coffee-bar singing, outside. It feels time-warpy in more ways than one. This space is ...
I lucked into samoon, the Iraqi bread
Must come back for whole fish and slow chicken
Cruising Main Street in El Cajon, I spotted a sign with both English and Arabic script reading Nahrain Fish And Chicken Grill. It's a small, sparsely decorated restaurant, and the first thing you're bound to ...
Farm eating — the life for me
Rescued vegetables at Carmel Valley's Mendocino Farms
In the fast casual restaurant space, convenience and consistency is often the goal more than transcendent eating experiences. But places that can do all three can shine. Case in point: Mendocino Farms, an L.A.-based chain ...
It's the weather, stupid
I can't imagine a single New Yorker who wouldn't rather be here.
If you read a certain misguided Food & Wine article recently, you know that San Diego's dining scene is good enough to backhanded compliment, but "not the sort of thing you travel for." To that ...
Normandy butter on G Street
Three four-inch quiches
"Think Agatha Christie,” says Agathe. That’s her name. Agathe. Means “good” in Greek. But she’s French. From Normandy, which should be named the Butter Capital of the World. They have black and red and white ...
Crispy Fried Chicken — almost unreasonably cheap
Vietnamese-owned Louisiana style
It's been a fine summer for fans of fried chicken in National City. In June, City Heights favorite Crispy Fried Chicken opened a second location on East Plaza Boulevard, between the 5 and 805 freeways. ...
Red Robin — 27 years later
The kids want to go back
Because I write food reviews, people assume that I like food. Yet you’d be surprised at how many people give me gift cards for chain restaurants. I get ‘em all: Chili’s, Applebee’s, Buffalo Wild Wings. ...
Me, a grown man, enjoying a cake pop
North Park treats for graduation, wedding, Easter
My latest dessert quest took me to North Park, where novelty cake curator The Cake Pop Shop recently opened its first storefront. Already known among wedding planners, the business has a knack for crafting decorative ...
North Park's musician hot spot
Maybe they're there for the tropical detox
"You can’t unmilk a coffee,” this guy in front of me’s saying. “Once it’s in, it’s in. One-way ticket. Like marriage.” “Barber, party of seven!?” This is Monday morning. Yet the place is totally jamming. ...
Grains — when soft opening's time is up
The vegan default menu
Is there an expiration date for a soft opening? A soft open is when a restaurant opens to the public for a trial period before declaring itself officially ready for business. Ostensibly, it gives a ...
