Donut Haven
In the restaurant industry, thirty years in business is dynastic. Thirty years of business in a vibrant, Uptown neighborhood that's reflecting the shifting tides of eat and drinking trends is an eternity. According to the serene donut merchant behind the …
Kiko's Place
Acknowledgements are due to deniseathome for leaving a comment about Kiko's Place at the bottom of my bit on Los Panchos. Neither of us could think of the truck's name, and I didn't get a chance to verify if anybody …
Western Steakburger
Western Steakburger is not the hippest place to grind a burger and some fries. It might be the least cool restaurant in the neighborhood with its mid-century anachronistic facade, un-ironic decor paying tribute to Western-themed cinema culture, and cafeteria quality …
Ramzee's Mediterranean Mexican and the Quest for the Gyro Burrito
This is a highly personal tale for me. Several years ago, I had a gyro burrito at the Greek Sombrero in Jamul. I still haven' t forgotten how delicious that burrito was. Unsure whether or not I would ever return …
Fish Rolled Tacos at Los Panchos
I won't claim that Los Panchos is the best taco shop in town, not by a long shot. The most accurate assessment I have is that the food there is totally hit or miss. I've been both delighted and disgusted …
Pinkberry: Ripped from the Headlines
Pinkberry cofounder Young Lee has been in the news recently following his arrest for suspicion of assault and battery against a homeless person in LA. Questions of the man's guilt or innocence aside, Lee's newsmaking actions prompt a more interesting …
Industrial Grind Coffee: Hard to Find Caffeine
Normally, I don't go for mid-afternoon coffee, even though it's my favorite time of day to drink the stuff. I go to bed early, and a caffeine buzz will trash my sleep cycle. But today is different. Today I have …
Superior Buttercream at Cupcakes Squared
The cupcake craze of the recent past is gone, but the cupcake shops remain. It's likely that most of them will be around for a while since no real alternative pastry fashion has risen to take the reins. Pie was …
Las Gorditas Restaurant
Gorditas ("little fatties") are a taco-alternative that aren't as widely available as burritos or quesadillas. Made from masa dough that's about halfway between the filling for a tamal and a corn tortilla, the little pockets are stuffed with various fillings. …