Blueayez's Profile
Commercial Spices, Rubs and Blends
I like Pappy's too but didn't know they make a low-sodium version. Their regular is way to salty for me.
Recipes You've Never Heard of Outside Your Family
I make a chicken and sausage dish that I've never seen or heard of anyone else making.
Ultimate Bread Pudding Medium..
As long as there's no raisins and you don't skimp on the bourbon hard sauce. Almost anything could work if it has the right texture.
Commercial Spices, Rubs and Blends
I know we all have our secret recipes, but I want to know what commercial ones do you like and use?
Our favorite is Old Saratoga Spice Rub. We've used it a lot. It's great on Tri-tip, chicken breasts, pork rubs, beans, potato salad and macaroni and cheese -- among others. They also have a "sweet" rub that's not particularly sweet but good. There's also a Provencal spice that you have to ask for since it's not listed on the website. That one is particularly good in a chicken marinade.
I just ordered some Curried Garlic Spice blend from Wild Tree. They're sold by reps and a bit on the pricey side but I like supporting entrepreneurs (especially young single moms trying to make ends meet). If this proves to be tasty I'll go with Korma Curry Dry Rub.
As far as what I see in the grocery store I like Spice Island the best. Again they're a bit pricey but some of what they handle you can't find elsewhere -- at least not in my town. We especially like a celery,onion, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper blend.
What are your favorites? And what do you do with them?
Best brownie mixes? Duncan HInes?
I'll second the Ghiradeli mix. Anything with their name on it tastes great.
Best Barbeque in Fresno
I'm glad most of you had a good experience with Ruben's. I still like the place.
There was someone in there before Ruben who was selling the BBQ at unbelievably cheap prices. Well folks, it was too good to be true. They weren't making enough money to meet expenses and they closed after just 60 days. I have a feeling that's what's behind the higher prices they have now.
Claim Jumper Fresno review
Everyone has their preferences and we all like what we like. In Fresno there doesn't seem to be much in the way of fine dining and few family run restaurants. However, just about every chain on the planet is here. Some of them have excellent food at lower prices. I'm not a chain junkie but I won't exclude one with good food because it's a chain.
I like the big portions. It means I get a good dinner and another meal the next day.
What food find still haunts you - that you had once and haven't found since?
Found at a "Mediterranean" deli in Colorado Springs, CO:
It was more than Mediterranean food. There were also some groceries from all over the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Russia. We bought a jar of pickled mango (yes I know Indian). Maybe because it was my first taste of it but it was exquisite. I used it in marinades, as a condiment and in side dishes.
I've found other pickled mangoes since then but nothing quite like those.
Claim Jumper Fresno review
I know to some "chain restaurant" is a vile phrase. We (4 adults) had dinner at the Fresno location last week and had an enjoyable meal in comfortable surroundings. We don't drink alcohol so we got out of there on just about $100 including tip. For what we got this was a good bargain.
Claim Jumper says they're a "special occasion" restaurant with 45 locations all west of the Mississippi. I'm sure their menu is standardized but not entirely made from pre-packaged ingredients. I'm sure they use some pre-packaged food. Claim Jumper also has a line of frozen foods sold in supermarkets. It's not unusual these days. I read on Zagat today that NYC's world famous Rao's is mulling over a frozen line, though Rao's is hardly a chain.
The Fresno CJ location is a cavernous, dark wood mountain lodge style with massive beams, a fireplace, antler chandelier and so on. It wasn't overdone, just massive. It was about 100 degrees that day. The AC was too cold for one of our party but just right for the rest of us.
My dinner companion got the sliders with the works. He enjoyed them. They looked about average to me, but tasted good. The Tillamook cheese gave it extra flavor. The steak fries were crispy and well seasoned.
I had a "Widow Maker". It came to the table a mountain on a plate. I had to deconstruct it to eat it. So in essence I got a burger with a salad. I ended up eating it with fork and knife. The onion rings were sweet and cooked perfectly. I had their Thai peanut slaw on the side. It wasn't a spicy dish but definitely had a taste most Americans could associate with being Thai. My strawberry lemonade came with an enormous strawberry on the glass and also served as an appetizer.
The other female in the party had the Original Tri-Tip Dip. She talked a lot about the savory flavor as she ate. She ate the whole sandwich surprising even herself. She talked about it the next day so I'm guessing she enjoyed it.
The other gentleman in the party ordered the shrimp Gumbo. I didn't find the exact name on the online menu. The shrimp were finger sized. A small order is enough for a good appetite.The Gumbo included chunks of sausage and chicken. It was served on a bed of rice. Noodles are also an option. He prefers spicy foods and said this Gumbo didn't let him down. I was on the staff of a mid level steakhouse in Mississippi in my early 20's. This Gumbo looked and smelled better than the one I had served. I didn't think to ask for a taste but I may try it on a future visit.
One of Claim Jumper's signatures is huge desserts. For instance we took a "slice" of fudge layer cake home. It took 2 of us 3 days to eat it. It was about the equivalent of a single 8 inch layer cake for roughly $10. It was pretty good the next day but by the third it was tasting a bit stale and we left most of the serving.
Our dining companions took home a Brownie Finale (brownie and vanilla bean ice cream) which they shared the next day. They took theirs home in a box pretty much the size of a regular take out meal box.
How are multi-location restaurants viewed?
Thanks for all your input. I believe I'll search for or open a thread on CJ's.
How are multi-location restaurants viewed?
I hate the implication of the term "chain restaurant" as it implies quality of fast food ilk. There are a few multi-location restaurants which are clearly on par with single location establishments.
I've read a bunch of reviews of one location restaurants. How are multi-location restaurants viewed?
Example: our latest dining experience was at Claim Jumpers in Fresno. It's not high-brow, low-brow or category specific (although the on in Roseville had a very good wine list).
I'm just curious -- are the multi-location restaurants dismissed as too commercial for quality dining?
Best Barbeque in Fresno
Lo siento. As of today there's a sign that says Ruben's Barbeque on the side of the building. It's the next building down from the autobody shop (toward Blackstone). Indeed it's on E. Clinton -- I tend to be directionally challenged sometimes.
My roommates ate there today and say it's even better than it was last time. Hard to believe. But I'll find out for myself this weekend.
Best Barbeque in Fresno
Reopened this week!
A barbeque joint opened up in January at N. Fresno St. and W. Clinton Ave. It closed down within a few weeks but I had a chance to taste the Q. If you like the Central Texas Barbeque in Castroville you'll like this place. I got a plate of hot smokey brisket and links that was the best I've had in this town and for just $7.
It's a divy place with take-out only but the price is right and the food is unforgettable. I'm hoping this will send them some business so they'll stay open. The only name painted on the building is "BBQ Joint opening soon", which was up there about 9 months before they moved in.
Mario's Portofino, Reno
Good to know it's still there and doing well. We at there the last time we were in Reno about 2005. We had pretty much the same experience. Lovely food and fading service.
The gnocchi was exquisite. They had a decent wine list as well.
