khoiberg's Profile
Recs for Panama City, San Jose and Granada, Nica
Hello - I would love some good recs for:
--Panama City, Panama
--San Jose, Costa Rica
--Granada, Nicaragua
All price points are welcome. Thank you!
Campeche recs?
I will be in Campeche for a couple days in February and would appreciate any recommendations. Thank you!
REVIEW: Los Chilangos, Anaheim
Thank you for this! My wife and I visited Los Chilangos today and were absolutely delighted. We had a variety of things and everything was delicious.
I would re-emphasize that this place is incredibly clean and "user-friendly". Strongly recommended for anyone - particularly for Anaheim Anglos who would like to broaden their Mexican repertoire a bit.
Southern CA lack of Baja-quality Mexican - a philosophical question
On multiple occasions, I've read discussions on these boards which bemoan the fact that Southern CA lacks places which serve Mexican food which has the unique qualities often/occasionally found in Baja - especially Tijuana. Hopefully, I'm not mis-characterizing people's views.
In any case, to the extent this is true, what accounts for it? Southern CA has such a large population base that its difficult to understand why it wouldn't support such places.
Any ideas?
OC "burger grills" - which are the best?
Orange County is chock full of what I will call independent "burger grill" restaurants. (The Chowhound experts out there may have a more accurate term for them.) They are hard to define accurately but here are some leading indicators:
--These are order-at-the-counter restaurants usually leading with their hamburger and fries combo. They have large grill areas, small eat-in areas and usually a few booths.
--Their menu is generally quite large and often combines all the burger permutations, sandwiches, egg-based breakfasts along with a secondary menu of items drawn from the American-ized menu of the owners' ethnicity - most commonly gyros, teriyaki chicken, burritos - that kind of stuff.
--They are located in a variety of retail formats - usually older buildings but also, most interestingly, in small retail shops located in industrial areas.
--Many are called by single male names: TJ's, Ed's, Ted's, Bob's.
These aren't unique to Orange County. Los Angeles has a lot of them too. Having grown up in Southern CA, there is an appealing subjective feeling to many of them but, most of the time, the food is very average.
Anyway, is there any intel out there on unique or outstanding Orance County incarnations of this genre? Does anyone have a philosophical or sociological explanation of them?
Cyrus: How's the bar experience?
I echo this description - it is really enjoyable. Highly innovative and knowledgeable staff, too.
San Diego - looking for chefs cooking as San Diegans.....
Thanks for all these recommendations - extremely wise and useful!
quick Laja question - menu or chef's discretion
I'm heading to Laja with a business colleague. Does one order from a menu at Laja or is the food "whatever the chef creates" that day - like at French Laundry?
My colleague will probably appreciate the former and a bit of control. How does this work at Laja?
San Diego - looking for chefs cooking as San Diegans.....
My friends and I are looking for 1-2 great San Diego restaurants. We live in San Francisco and are hoping to find something unique to San Diego's culinary talents and advantages. At least one meal will be "dinner out" - so slightly upscale, if deserved, is preferred.
Given San Diego's promimity to Mexico, we'd have a bias towards any Mexican-oriented alta cocina chefs who are doing interesting things. With that said, we will have just spent a few days at the best of Tijuana/Ensenada (Cien Anos, Laja, Manzanillo, etc) - so we won't want inferior versions of what we've just had.
Otherwise...who are best San Diego chefs who are cooking as San Diegans...? Really appreciate any help and we can't wait to be in that beautiful city.
Follow a given user?
How do I select a given user as a favorite? This would be so that I can follow what they post.
Mexicali vs. Tijuana/Enenada?
Thank you very much for this - incredibly helpful and my excitement is building. I'm going to do as you suggest!
Best Mexican in Downey, Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk, Whittier, La Habra?
Looking for the best Mexican restaurants and/or taquerias in Downey, Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk, La Habra, Whittier, La Mirada?
Sorry for the laundry list of cities but that's Southern CA - you guys know the zone I'm talking about. Just throw me 1 or 2 favorites. Thank you!
Mexicali vs. Tijuana/Enenada?
I've got a two day trip to Baja coming up and I need some advice: should I visit Mexicali or take another run at the beloved Tijuana/Ensenada/Valle del G triangle?
I've never been to Mexicali. I've been to Tijuana/Ensenada/Valle del G multiple times and love it. I have, however, over the years missed a few key restaurants (Laja, Manzanillo).
Any thoughts? If I do hit Mexicali - any food/sightseeing recommendations?
Thanks to all these experts on these boards.
Mexicali?
Hi - I'm thinking of a trip to Mexicali. I would love sightseeing and food recommendations. Thanks for your very informative postings!
Best "sit-down" Mexican restaurants - Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Pasadena
These are great recommendations - thanks to everyone!
Best "sit-down" Mexican restaurants - Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Pasadena
Coming to Pasadena for Thanksgiving and would love recommendations on great "sit-down" Mexican restaurants in Eagle Rock, Highland Park and/or Pasadena.
Food quality is paramount - full bar and that unique "Southern CA" Mexican restaurant magic are an added bonus.
San Francisco famously lacks these kinds of places.
Thanks!
"Mostly locals" recs in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa
These are really fantastic suggestions! I really appreciate it and look forward to experiencing!
"Mostly locals" recs in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa
Thanks so much for these!
Yes, we do want to hit some great and authentic Mexican in the area. We are from SF and enjoy a good taqueria. Would love any recommendations - especially if the surroundings are good "sit down" Mexican. Back in the day, we liked Olamendi's in Capo Beach and would love anything similar in environment and superior in food in NB or CM. Thanks!
"Mostly locals" recs in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa
My friends and I are in Newport Beach for the week. I've researched the recommended fancy/expensive places in Laguna and the surrounding area and we will try several of them.
Beyond these institutional players, we are looking for a handful "mostly locals" recommendations in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. We are open to any ethnicity or size footprint as long as locals swear by the place.
Also, bar recommendations are welcome as well with the same criteria.
It is done: All the Taquerias of Redwood City
This is really great - thank you so much for your hard work.
Best chorizo con huevos in SF?
I'm looking for suggestions/opinions on the best chorizo con huevos in San Francisco. Please consider not only the core chorizo/eggs concoction but, for obvious reasons, also the quality of the accompanying tortillas and salsa. Thanks!
Huitlacoche/guisanos/escamoles in Tijuana?
Re-affirming La Diferencia. Ate there a week ago and very much enjoyed the hitulacoche.
Best Caesar salad in Financial District?
Thank you for these recommendations - really appreciate it!
Best Caesar salad in Financial District?
Any recommendations on strong Caesar salads in or near the Financial District?
Thanks
good Mexican food near Brea
As has been said before, El Farolito is generally good food and authentic. It is not a hole in the wall but it is casual.
Another fairly casual place in Fullerton is Anita's New Mexican Food. Good stuff but not Mexican Mexican.
Another idea: there are some nicer Mexican restaurants, in terms of environment, in downtown Fullerton. This is a nicely revitalized area with easy walking, numerous bars and restaurants etc. I can't comment on the food quality but the environment is fun and you can take in the neighborhood.
Anything new or newly interesting in Northern Orange County?
I'm an Orange County native living in San Francisco.
I know the Northern OC pretty well but wanted to see if anyone had anything new or newly intriguing on their radar?
We'll be home for Thanksgiving week and always interested in staying current.
Thanks
Donut shops in Anaheim
Rosa Donuts on the corner of Rio Vista and Lincoln in Anaheim. You won't go wrong.
El Fortin in Fullerton (oaxacan)
Just want to chime in - this place is great!! Was in Oaxaca for Dia de los Muertos and this place is the best substitute yet found in OC. It compares very favorably with the LA Oaxacan meccas.
