mikester's Profile
Burnt ends etc.
Following up - I called the morning of, but was told it's something you just need to ask for when you arrive and if they have them, they have them.
As it turned out, I arrived around 6 pm last Saturday and was in luck - they had them ! So I ordered a half-pound to go with the Texas Sampler - everything, including the burnt ends, were just amazingly good ! i've already given a longer writeup on another thread about Bludso's, so I'll leave it at that. But thanks everyone for your advice.
Bludso's Texas Sampler - will it hold?
Funny thing -
I was there last Saturday, and ordered the Texas Sampler and then drove home, about 45 minutes away - plus a quick stop along the way, so about an hour all in. It was packed very securely, in foil, styrofoam box, and then plastic cling-wrap. I popped it in the fridge, because I still had a few things I had to do and wasn't starving just yet (despite the incredible smokey aromas driving home, I resisted). Finally, maybe half an hour or so after arriving home, I unwrapped the thing and everything was still warm and just fine for eating. So, don't worry, you will be fine. It's quite a lot of food, the Texas Sampler - you'll have plenty of leftovers I'd say, but that's fine - the leftovers are great - we've been enjoying them all week !
By the way, this was my first time to Bludso's but it definitely will not be my last - this is truly amazing BBQ, my wife and I loved everything ! The flavors are wonderful, and the meat is so tender - truly fall-off-the-bone tenderness. Once you start in on this stuff, it becomes a very carnal, cave-man type thing, it's just that good - you need to get every shred of meat ! I ordered the mac and cheese and the greens as the sides, and these, too, were very good - esp. the mac and cheese.
As to wait time, I was there on an early Saturday evening, about 6 pm, and there were a few people in line ahead of me, and then quickly a few behind me, but things moved at a sedate but steady rate. After waiting not more than 10 minutes, I ordered, probably waited for 10 minutes or maybe a few minutes longer but it wasn't terribly long. With BBQ, everything is basically already prepared so it's mainly just a portioning and packaging thing.
Oh, and also be sure and ask for the burnt ends as an extra side order, along with the Texas Sampler. You have to ask for them, they're not on the menu and only available some of the time, apparently. But they're well worth the extra trouble - just great !
Summary - amazing BBQ, very friendly and helpful counter people, good value.
Pizzeria Mozza, Newport Beach - has anyone been?
Awesome - I'm glad that you liked this place, I haven't yet been to the NB location but it's definitely on my list !
Burnt ends etc.
I am craving some excellent bbq, and I'm especially interested in some "burnt ends" or "tips 'n ends" - by the way, are these the same items or are they different ? Also interested in rib tips.
Any recommendations for the best places in LA for these ? I'm thinking about Bludo's BBQ, or Philips ?
Southern style, American southern style, BBQ in Orange/Tustin/Santa Ana/Costa Mesa
Also there's Johnny Reb's, on Chapman in Orange:
http://johnnyrebs.com/
Russell's Pasadena [moved from Los Angeles board]
I too loved going to Russell's back in the day - I used to go to the one on Atlantic, in Long Beach. The burgers....and those hash browns...oh boy !
I never tried the pie so I have no clue, but have you tried contacting the restaurant ? The one in Pasadena is still there. They may be able to help with a recipe or at least provide some clues, if you give them some nice compliments and explain the situation.
Visiting Laguna Beach for a week - need recommendations
Absolutely - but what's wrong with that ?
It's funny, I'm feeling defensive about Las Brisas now, and really I have no reason to be - I am not really a great fan of the place - only been a handful of times in many many years, and I don't think anyone is saying it's going to be the best mexican food ever - far from it I'd say. But I think we have to say there's a time and a place for places like these, and I guess that's why Las Brisas is still around.
Visiting Laguna Beach for a week - need recommendations
You know what I thought the last time I was there (which, admittedly, it has been a few years) ? I thought "better than it needs to be".
Meaning this - here is a location which is just about as good as it gets - tourists and the "beautiful people" of the area are going to come here no matter what - at least once and for a tourist destination like Laguna Beach that's probably enough. I was kind of expecting to get pretty but boring food, without too much flavor, but that's not what I got. It was quite good in fact, and the service was good - it was clear that the management and staff cared about the dining experience. So, I was pleasantly surprised. I think that's worth something. Maybe things have changed, I have no idea, but I give them credit for that.
My New Favorite Treat - Paletas
Neveria la Flor de Mexico is awesome ! They have a sweet corn one that is soo good, but actually I enjoyed all of the ones I tried (and I tried as many as I could).
Visiting Laguna Beach for a week - need recommendations
Big Mistah's is kind of a local legend, so it sounds like you will be in good hands in that department !
As far as local So Cal specialties, I'm going to say you really need to go to Tommy's, for the original Chili Cheeseburger. It's very much an LA institution - go to the original one at Beverly and Rampart. That, and of course In 'n Out.
Also, you should go to Pann's, at La Tijerra and La Cienega Boulevards, not far from LAX, for the original Googie architecture if not the food (the food is not at all bad either, though). Lots of TV and movies have used this place for shoots (I swear it was just in the most recent episode of Mad Men, standing in for a Ho Jo's). If you've seen Pulp Fiction you'll feel an instant sense of deja vu. Anyway....I've never had it but the fried chicken is supposedly very good here. I like the breakfasts too.
Depending on your cholesterol level and so on, you might also want to explore Los Angeles' "hood burgers":
http://www.chow.com/digest/76296/hood-burger-favorites/
Visiting Laguna Beach for a week - need recommendations
I won't get into too much detail because it's been awhile now since I've been to several of these places, so I'll leave it to others (or, do some specific searches on this forum or others), but:
Las Brisas - great views, good food IMO
Javier's, located in a shopping center called Crystal Cove a few miles north of Laguna Beach, is quite the scene and the food is good and interesting.
For "real" (i.e., non-touristy) Mexican food, head inland especially to Santa Ana and environs. There are lots of threads for specific places here on Chowhound for Santa Ana Mexican food.
One place that I will mention that I've been loving lately is called Two Guys Taqueria, it's on Warner Avenue at Flower, in Santa Ana - it's a new place, the people who own and run it are super-friendly and welcoming, the tacos are amazing - definitely have an Al Pastor taco, but I don't think you can go wrong here. Also their horchata (a sweetened rice-water drink) and the jamaica (hibiscus - water drink) are very fresh and delicious.
As for awesome southern style bbq, I don't think you'll find much in or around LB - the OC has it's share of chains like Lucille's and they're fine but you can get that anywhere I think. You might want to check out Burrell's in Santa Ana - about as "real" as you're going to find - it's a converted house, in a run-down residential neighborhood, the meats are smoked out-back, and you eat in the side-yard on old picnic tables. It's been some time though since I've been, probably others will have recent intel.
There are lots of authentic, unique southern BBQ joints up in LA, mostly in South LA area (Watts, Compton, Inglewood, Carson and so on)
Cafe Blanc, pastry shoppe, on 19th street in costa mesa ???
Mmm, sorry to hear this - it was kind of a little gem there, doing it's amazing little things without fanfare or much attention, and I always was a bit worried it could survive.
Ground turkey? Chili lemon peanuts?
Check out Mother's Markets, the closest to you I think is in El Toro / Laguna Hills area.
They sell fresh and frozen ground turkey (organic etc.),, dark and white meat.
They also have lots of different peanut and nut mixes, I really like their chile / lime (or ilemon, I forget which) cashews, they also do an almond version which is really good too.
Pho-Licious - Delicious Pho in Arcadia
There's also one in Irvine - on Alton just south of Irvine Blvd. Not sure if they are related or not, but it's good !
Shout Out for Beef Palace, Huntington Beach
I know it's too late for Valentine's Day, but I've gotta send a little love to this old-skool butcher, on Warner at Springdale, in HB. I stopped in this past Sunday, after a few months' absence. I don't come here very often because it's a bit of a trek for me (I live in Tustin), and while we're definitely not vegetarians, we don't eat a lot of red meat on a day-to-day basis. We're of the philosophy that when we do go, we go for the good stuff, though.
Anyway I went in without a specific agenda - often when I do pay a visit here, it's for some of their excellent dry-aged, prime steak. Everything here is very good,and very well-priced - for example I'm pretty sure their dry-aged prime ribeye steaks are around half the price of what you would pay at Whole Foods, and they are truly excellent IMO. Also, all of the staff are very knowledgeable and helpful,
On this occasion I bought a couple of smoked pork chops, cut to about 1 1/4" thickness, and boy were they delilcious ! Since they had already been cooked by the smoking process, I just gave them a quick heat-through on a hot grill, to get some nice grill marks. My wife, who kind of rolled her eyes when she'd seen me come through the door ("don't we already have enough food?") with my Beef Palace bounty, was instantly sold once she tasted the smoked chop ("this tastes like bacon!!! I love this...")
Here's the other thing to know about Beef Palace - there is a large metal bin next to their cash register. This bin contains large baking potatoes, which you are invited to help yourself to. I just think this is so great, it's old-fashioned and generous. BTW, the cash register is old-fashioned too - it does not accept credit or ATM cards - cash or check only.
I also bought something that they make in-house and is apparently a new product - a couple pounds of their pepper sausage. These bad boys went into my freezer but I can't wait to grill these pork sausages up.
They also have several of their house seasoned salt and rubs for sale - these are great too. And the butcher will also gladly sprinkle the house seasoning on any of your purchases before he wraps it up. Oh, and they sell assorted breads and rolls from a local bakery (Gelasso's IIRC), and they have the pretzel rolls from nearby Brewbaker's too.
I only wish I lived closer to this place....
The Ranch, Anaheim - any visits?
Thanks for this post / review ! My wife and I loved all he did at Napa Rose, so I'm very interested to hear of where he is now. We'll have to check this place out.
While My Za'atar Gently Weeps
+1 on the title - pure genius and it made me think fondly of George Harrison, may his soul rest in peace.
Best restaurants in/near Disneyland?
My wife and I love Napa Rose - weve been many times (mostly for special occasions) and have never been disappointed. We consider NR to be one of the top-tier restaurants in the county.
Laguna - Dinner, Breakfast, beach bar...HELP!
Consider Brussels Bistro for a casual lunch or dinner, esp. if you like Belgian beers, frites and mussels ! Cool atmosphere too - it's a "cozy" space below sidewalk-level on Forest Ave. in the heart of the village.
Amedei in Orange County, CA?
Not sure about the others but both Whole Foods at The District in Tustin and Hi-Time Cellars has a large selection of Chuao chocolates.
Pizzeria Mozza Review... Good Appetizers, Pizza just ok...
Well, I guess this is why there are so many restaurants out there - to each their own. My wife and I don't go very often (only about once a year actually) but we've been maybe 4 or 5 times now and have never not loved the dishes including the pizzas.
where to buy soft shell crabs in orange county?
In season, I've seen them at Santa Monica Seafood on 17th Street, Costa Mesa.
authentic Mexican food in OC
What you said. Very well-said.
There's also some very good authentic Mexico City (D.F) style, such as Los Chilangos in Fullerton area, El Chilango in Santa Ana, or Tacos Y Mulitas Ruben, a fantastic truck, on the streets of Santa Ana.
I also really like Taqueria Don Victor, on Beach Blvd in HB, which, according to OC Weekly's Gustavo Arellano, is about as authentic as you can get to Barbacoa de borrego estilo Hidalgo as it gets. And on weekends they even have Pancita de Borrego (basically Mexican haggis) - it's awesome !
Yamadaya Ramen now open in Costa Mesa...like 2 months ago.
The ramen is crazy-good here ! Sooo rich !
The fried chicken is pretty great as well.
Cafe Fanny closing tomorrow 3/9
Wow - seems sudden, with very little notice to staff. It's a shame.
Carneros Wineries and Restaurant Suggestions?
My wife and I really liked our experience at Roche - they have a tasting room just off the square in Sonoma (northwest of the square). They usually offer barrel samples, to get you excited about their reserve program - and with us, it worked ! It's always more fun to drink wines from the barrel. Nice discounts on some nice wines.
The Girl and The Fig is just down the street, and that's highly recommended as well. We also had a great time at La Salette, which is also just off the square, on the east side.
We also visited Schug which is southwest of Sonoma, in Carneros proper (I guess on probably it's westernmost side) and it's also worthwhile - fun and interesting people (a common trait in this area, I think) and wines.
If you want a break from food and wine, and enjoy contemporary art or just like something quite unique, you owe it to yourself to check out the DiRosa art collection and tour - it's smack dab in the middle of the Carneros region, halfway between Napa and Sonoma.
http://www.dirosaart.org/about/the-collection/
Have fun !
Thai in Orange County
Bangkok Taste in Santa Ana/Orange border (just south of the 22 at Grand) used to be quite good - it's been quite some time so I'm not sure how it is lately. They are still open and getting good reviews on other foodie sites.
LudoBites 8.0 at Lemon Moon - The Final Night: A pictorial essay...
Wow, that's taking one for the team !
Congratulations and how many were in your party ? Just seems like sooo much food !
