GK in SO's Profile
Santa Barbara Vacation
Consistently excellent food and service. Been going there over 20 years.
http://www.palacegrill.com/
The Wiener Factory - has it resurfaced anywhere???
Kevin, I'm confident you won't be dissapointed, and that goes for anyone else, who fondly recalls and missess the ol' Wiener Factory.
Whether it's the turkey dogs, or their beef dogs (which a good friend of mine tried, and said they were the same...he was in heaven!!), or polish sausage, the Wien Truck's got it goin' on, just like the old WF days!!
The Wiener Factory - has it resurfaced anywhere???
Kevin, did you ever sample the Wien Truck's turkey dog?
I'm convinced they're the real deal. Same as our beloved WF turkey dogs, same buns, chili, cheese and other fixins!!
Best Ice Cream Brand
I respectfully disagree about B&J's combinations not making sense.
Some of them, yes I agree (such as the stupidly named "Schwedy Balls"), but others make perfect sense, such as:
New York Super Fudge Chunk (Chocolate Ice Cream with White & Dark Fudge Chunks, Pecans, Walnuts & Fudge Covered Almonds). Come on, seriously, chocolate and nuts, it makes TOTAL sense to me (and I'm sure, plenty others!!). Or,
My newest favorite, What a Cluster (fka "Clusterfluff", which B&J changed to "What a Cluster", despite no apparent public outcry, unlike Schwedy Balls, which had a huge public outcry but they didn't change). This wonderful flavor has Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Caramel Cluster Pieces, Peanut Butter & Marshmallow Swirls. It really is heavenly!!
I could go on and on, b/c B&J's is my favorite ice cream, plus they have so many great flavors, but really, I must go back to work now!! :-)
Top 10 Chili Dogs in LA
The should have included "The Wein Truck". It's a former incarnation of the infamous "Weiner Factory", including all the dogs formerly carried (and made exclusively for) Weiner Factory.
Not to mention WF's chili, which is soooooo good. On par with Cupids', in my book.
http://www.thewien.com/
Jack-in-the-Box Tacos -- 50 years of skid-marked cardboard
Based on its title, I thought this was going to be a thread about the "after effects" of eating said tacos!! :-)
I tried JITB tacos once and only once. Truly one of the worst things I ever ate in my life.
BK onion rings - new recipe
If you're in the LA area, Fatburger has some of the best onion rings I've ever tasted.
Yes, real onions and a tasty, lightly crispy crunchy batter (not thick and greasy, like some beer battered onion rings tend to be).
Need recommendations for caterers for a bris
I'm sure someone will have a tip for you. :-)
Sorry, couldn't resist.
Seriously, though, try Brent's Deli in Northridge. I know they cater, but not sure how inexpensive they may be.
Oy vey and good luck!
Best Trader Joe's cookies?
Shannon, that's exactly why I don't buy them anymore!!! My waist line thanked me for stopping.
Persimmons in LA?
Encino Farmers Market, on Sundays. Have seen both types there, but only bought the smaller variety (Fuyu?) b/c we prefer those.
They're just getting going, which mean they're still kind of unripe, or crunchy in texture. I like them that way (kind of like eating an apple or pear), but I know to some they need to be really soft to enjoy.
Good luck!!
P.S. Withnail - LA is a big place, next time you may want to specify what area you'd be interested in making your purchase.
Kettle Corn/San Fernando Valley
Rose, there is usually a vendor making and selling fresh kettle corn at the Encino Farmers Market on Sunday mornings.
Good luck!!
I miss Graeter's Ice Cream
Ditto with my local Ralphs (Van Nuys and Burbank Blvd.'s).
If you like coconut like me, do yoursefl a favor and try their coconut chocolate chip. Great coconut flavor, a fair amount of actual coconut (imagine that!!), and as heinous pointed out above, lots and lots of chocolate!!
Kind of reminds me of the flavor "Coconut Chocloate Melt" from Glacier Ice Cream (of the Denver, CO area + formerly in Manhattan Beach until a couple years ago). Like a frozen Mounds bar....YUM!!!!!!
Rice & Beans in the Valley
Well, they're beans. One wouldn't expect them to be "earth shattering". Just tasty and served HOT (or at least really, really warm...so many Mexican places serve their beans lukewarm. Yuk!).
However, La Fogata has some damn fine and tasty refried beans. Served with some melted cheese on top.
I never even knew they had black beans (and, I've been going there for over 10 years!!), but we usually get refried if available at Mexican restos and so would never order the black ones.
The question, Lisa, is would you order those beans and rice again? Or, try another recommendation?
Rice & Beans in the Valley
Try La Fogata on Van Nuys Boulevard near Magnolia.
Great, tasty refried beans and rice. My family goes crazy for their beans.
The Wiener Factory - has it resurfaced anywhere???
"But if they are the same turkey dogs, why are they missing the snap???"
Kevin, I'm no expert, but I'd imagine that's b/c the company that made them for WF probably "retired" the recipe (since they made them exclusively for WF) after WF closed at the end of 2007.
Now, it's over three years later, and along come some former WF guys asking this sausage maker to "dust the recipe off the shelf" or something like that....maybe it was still around, "on the shelf" as it were, but maybe not?
That may explain the lack of heat, but not the snap. I have the business card of the owners, and will send him an email in the coming days to find out. Will report back.
"also, do they have the mounds of great shredded cheddar cheese at the Wien Truck that they did at the Wiener Factory ?"
Since I don't order cheese, I can't vouch for that, but most everything about the Wien Truck is based on WF, right down to the wooden hot dog holders they use while putting on the toppings. Plus, they piled the onions on my dog, so I would assume they do the same w/the cheese. But you can confirm w/them before you place your order.
Great Chilidogs
Yes, Kevin, Cupid's dogs are beef (they may include some pork, too, I believe....can anyone confirm?).
But, since I don't eat beef, I haven't had a Cupid's dog in many a moon. Have had to substitute turkey dogs instead, which usually aren't so great, unless you've had a Wiener Factory (RIP) turkey dog.
Thankfully, the new Wien Truck stocks the old WF turkey (as well as other WF) dogs!!
See my post here: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/803286
The Wiener Factory - has it resurfaced anywhere???
ATTENTION EVERYONE (sorry to yell, but you'll understand once you read this.....)....wait for it.....The Wein Truck has the "real deal", the old WF turkey dogs that we all knew and loved!!!
Taking one for the team, I ventured out to Ventura Blvd near Sepulveda a couple of weekends ago. Nice folks running the truck, the owners of the truck used to work at WF and so they have the SAME dogs (regular, Polish, turkey) from Sabrett's (however, Sean, one of the owners, told me that a local sausage maker makes the turkey dogs for them, as they did for WF).
They heap on the onions (and, I assume, the cheese, cabbage, etc. which I don't get) and other WF-style toppings on their dogs, plus, they have some interesting sounding other dogs (all of which can be made w/a turkey dog), but I have stuck w/my usual chili/yellow mustard/onion combo both times I've been.
The only difference in the Wien's dogs is they are lacking the mild heat (red chili, I believe) and some of the "snap" that the WF turkey dogs had, but otherwise, they're the REAL DEAL!!!
Go check them out, everyone!! They park on Ventura on the north side, about 1 block east of Sepulveda on the weekends.
Great Chilidogs
Totally agree!! I was raised in Northridge, and we frequented Cupid's near CSUN in the early-mid 70s and 80s...you're right, nothing compares to the snap of their dogs, the tasty chili, and the steamed buns are the best.
That flavor profile (dog, chili, yellow mustard, onions) is etched somewhere deep in my brain, and so that still is my go-to hot dog order to this very day!!
The Wiener Factory - has it resurfaced anywhere???
Simi, Kevin, I'm SOOOOOO in there with you guys!! I too would be thrilled to taste those turkey dogs again.
Kevin, can you ask them if their chili is the same as WF's? That stuff was part of the WF equation as well (at least for me)!!!
My WF order used to be: two "toms", French, C, O....I can taste it now!!! But, if true, I will be missing Kevin and Sher as I'm sure many of you will too.
Too bad they've never resurfaced. I gave them my contact info too, on that last fateful day of operations at the end of 2007, but alas, nothing.
Killer Shrimp will return!
WS, please know that its' been at least 10 years since I ate at JS, so they may have changed their recipe since then.
But, assuming not, I recall thinking the same thing...that I just didn't quite taste like the shrimp from KS...it wasn't served in a big bowl with lots of broth, rather a shallow chafing-style dish with just a bit of broth, which yes, had more rosemary and just less "oomph" than KS shrimp, not just in the spicyness, but the overall depth of flavor was different (and lesser, I recall) from KS.
Also, I spoke with the waiter at JS, who explained that the original recipe was from the grandma. The recipe went to the grandson and granddaughter when granny passed away. The waiter said it was the grandson (I believe) who opened KS, using pretty much granny's recipe, unchanged. The granddaughter opened KS, but tweaked granny's recipe.
So, please relax, your taste buds are just fine!! I'm sure they're as excited as mine are that the original KS is returning!!
Killer Shrimp will return!
Wow, I never knew they had locations in RB and CC. I only knew about MDR and Studio City (Ventura Blvd and Colfax). That location had big, black leather booths and was kind of an odd space...kind of goth I guess.
And yes, I agree, making it at home is great as well. What recipe are you using? Care to share? Here's mine from the home cooking board:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/734298
A Decent Hoagie in the Valley!
If you like Studio Sub, no doubt you will LOVE Tony's Deli on Riverside, just east of Lankershim.
They have the same chopped veggies (tomato, onion, pickle) as SS, but their bread is better plus they just pile on the nice Boar's Head meats. Also, they put a homemade Italian dressing on their sammiches that just kicks ASS!!
http://www.tonysdelisubs.com/menu.html
Best CCC in L.A.? That's chocolate chip cookies to those of you whose teenagers don't text them abbreviations all the time ...
I agree with the choice of DeLuscious Cookies. All their cookies are chewy and absolutely gi-normous!!
Their traditional CC is fantastic, with lots of soft, melty chocolate chips. And, their "chocolate decadence" cookie is about as close to heaven as one can get. Caution: try at your own risk (they're addictive!!). http://delusciouscookies.com/menu.html
Cherries?
There are two farmers at the Sunday Encino Farmers Market who sell organic cherries (even though not on the 2011 "Dirty Dozen" list, they s/b since their skins are so darn thin and are prone to high pesticide levels. They have been on past year's DD lists).
They've both had Bings and Rainers. The Rainers haven't been too sweet this year, but man oh man, the Bings have been amazing.
The farmer I bought from yesterday said they'll be around for another two weeks, and then adios until next year. I freakin' love cherries, and that always bums me out when their short season comes to a close.
Fast Food Fries That Actually Taste Good?
A cheesesteak chain called Philly's Best, hands down. Get them well done.
They are slightly-less-than-medium in thickness, but have some skin left on, and they fry up nice and crispy crunchy, but the best part to me is their wonderful, real, potato flavor. I haven't seen fries exactly like this anywhere else, so part of me thinks they are made special for PB.
I'm in the LA area, in case anyone is wondering.
Best Sushi Item
I live in CA, and haven't seen abalone on a sushi bar menu in many a moon.
Back in the early 90s (both back when I first started eating sushi and when I last saw abalone available), I had it twice.
The first time, it was "like buttah", it almost reminded me of a slightly-springier-in-texture yellowtail, but with the most amazing abalone flavor (I've eaten it cooked numerous times to know). The second time, I thought I was chewing on a bicycle tire. Horrible and frustrating experience.
I guess I should start asking for it again, but the last time I asked a few years ago, I got one of those looks, like "abalone, seriously dude?".
Carl's Jr. Turkey Burgers
I tried one yesterday. Worst turkey burger I've ever had. From the grainy, dry veggie burger-like texture to the god awful taste, I'd never order one again.
And the onion rings....had that stale oil in your mouth feel, and the coating is heavy and different than in the past. Fatburger's onion rings kick butt over CJ's.
I haven't been frequenting CJ's since they got rid of their old french fries (see http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/458056) and their chicken they use for their charbroiled chicken sandwiches became every more rubbery and just plain weird.
I've now run out of reasons to ever visit a CJ's again.
Seafood Pizza?
Years ago, there was an Italian place in Calabasas called Baccio's (in the spot where Cosmos is now) that used to do a delicious pizza with shrimp, sundried tomato and pesto sauce. Very high quality ingredients were used, one could tell.
Sadly, they went out of business years ago and I've been looking for a replacement ever since.
Does anyone know of a place that makes something similiar, especially in the SFV?
What are your favorite dives and cheap eats WORTH THE DRIVE?
Sam, sorry to burst your bubble, but Fresh Cutt bit the dust a few months ago.
Other than their yummy and crispy french fries, I found their food to be "meh".
It's Still Panning Out for the Best
Mucho Gordo, I think you are referring to Panos Charbroiler, a Greek fast food place. A quick Google search showed this as a single location restaurant.
The OP is referring to the venerable LA diner named Pann's located (also, a single location only) by LAX.
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Pann's Restaurant & Coffee Shop
6710 La Tijera Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
