mmm-yoso!!!

SHOMI NOODS @Cravings by 99Ranch (Chino)

Well.  Here you are wondering about that (scandalous!) title while looking at mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog.  Cathy is writing today while Kirk and His Missus are busy doing other things.

The other day, while recovering from a long day working for the Registrar of Voters, the internet showed up on my iPad.   Something about a 'new concept' for 99 Ranch, the local grocery that has two locations in San Diego, each with small Food Court areas.  Cravings is in Chino (a 90 minute drive on the weekend with no traffic if you leave early), opened on October 20 and is half warehouse, half Food Court and very interesting. 
Walk in and to the right is the Food Court area.  We weren't very hungry (had had breakfast and this was a spur of the moment drive) and decided on the Takoyaki ($5.45) and Karaage ($5.95) from the ramen place (I didn't say the name out loud until we were driving home and realized the alliteration and literally did Laugh Out Loud).  

{There are ten businesses in the Food Court area; not all were open and several were very crowded. Photos to follow this food portion of the blogging}

The takoyaki, crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside filled with minced octopus were wonderful - you can see the flaky skin, the gooey interior and some of the octopus in this cross section bite. The thick slices of dried bonito flakes were 'dancing' on the freshly fried octopus balls.  Six pieces made a great snack.  
Do not be afraid of the karaage.  It is dark, 
does looked burned, 
but it has been marinated and only lightly coated in flour and was moist inside, crispy and light.  Also, there was plenty of chicken.  Another perfect snack.  

So, you may be wondering about the rest of the Food Court. Here are some photos.
  Piju (adult beverages and bar snacks) (launched by Cravings)Madbun (meat or ice cream stuffed house made baked or steamed bao/buns)
 Wingman (fried chicken with rice, fries or in a cone)
 Dos Chinos (Latin Asian Grub)
Oi Asian Fusion (Filipino) Cauldron Ice Cream ( https://www.cauldronicecream.com )
Pinky Promise, a patisserie/modern Taiwanese bakery.
Tenori (Japanese- rolls and rice bowls)  
 Red Envelope (freshly fried and grilled fish and shrimp and chips(Cajun style)).  To the left is where you can park your cart after paying, so as not to crowd the Food Court area. 

 Views from the Food Court toward the Warehouse area.  There are bulk items and plenty of freezer items and the fresh produce area has one entire refrigerated/closed door area as well as an open shelving area, but almost everything is pre-packed, unlike the regular 99 Ranch store.  

Cravings by 99Ranch 4024 Grand Avenue Chino, CA (Chino Spectrum Mall)  (909) 760-8899 website  Market open daily 10 a.m., Food Court open daily 11 a.m. 





 

2019 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade Float Road Test #3 (meals at Kolache Factory (Tustin) and Douglas Burgers #23 (Lake Elsinore))

mmm-yoso!!!, this is a food blog.  The first part of today's post will be about the events centered around food.  Cathy is writing; Kirk is on a break.

For your convenience: here are links to Road Tests #1/2 Road Tests #4/5 and  Road Test #6

Another road test of mechanics and maneuverability for floats participating in the 130th Tournament of Roses Rose Parade, which will roll down the streets of Pasadena (and on your television) on January 1, 2019 occurred last Saturday at Phoenix Decorating Company in Irwindale. (There are three other float builders as well as six 'self built' floats participating in the Parade).

 There's a surreal quality to each float, and the Lions Clubs International entry for this parade is just so cute. "Rocking' The Vest" is a fun "rap" video title from 2011-the inspiration for this float (Lions wear a distinctive yellow vest when volunteering). A Boom Box is on the back seat of the Cadillac, part of having a 'musical instrument' on each float- in accordance with the theme-
 The Melody of Life.


"Home Tweet Home is the entry from the City of Alhambra. The large bird outside of the birdhouse moves her head.

  Shriners Clubs International features their mascot, Fezzy, on their float, "Fezzy's Garden of Hope and Healing". The butterfly on top of Fezzy's hat (a Fez), flutters.
United Sikh Mission has a float in the Rose Parade for a fifth year.  It features a Rabab, a stringed instrument played by the founder (in 1500) of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak.  The float title is "A Divine Melody Resonates In All".  The message of peace, compassion and one loving God, the foundation of Sikh belief, will be featured in a unique song, "Eternal Cosmic Symphony" by Ghat Ghat Vaaje Naad. 

Other floats were tested, in the shell stage; I'll be showing progress next month.  

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Here's the food portion of this post. 

 We leave at 5 a.m., get to Tustin by 6:15 and stop somewhere within the vicinity of Red Hill Avenue. The Kolache Factory is a good choice for a quick snack.
 Three kolaches were more than filling for the two of us.  The most 'traditional' is the cherry topped sweet dough ($1.75), our 'breakfast dessert'.
The smaller kolache is a bacon-cheese filled delight ($2.45) which is a wonderful, savory, slightly sweet white dough.  
The sausage, egg & cheese kolache in wheat dough (there's a choice) ($3.45) is larger, heavier and a filling meal for one; ideal if shared. 

Kolache Factory #070 14091 Newport Avenue Tustin, CA 92780 (714) 730-2253 website

Those kolaches were filling!  We weren't hungry after float viewing and drove over to the 15 freeway when hunger pangs started to set in.  The Mister looked for 'breakfast' on his phone and the next exit (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore showed two places of interest.  We stopped at the first one. 

 Douglas Burgers, #23.  A few mentions (on Yelp) go back to 2009, saying it has been here 'forever', before the housing build up.  

The long kitchen (under the menu board) has six flat top grills and an employee at each one.  The drive through seems to move fast.  

 The Pancake Combo ($6.75) includes two (large) pancakes, three eggs (any style) and two sausage (or bacon). The pancakes are excellent; sweet and light with a thin crisp exterior. The sausage was good (skin on).  Eggs perfectly cooked over easy. 


There was a lot of bacon inside this breakfast sandwich ($6.25), even a piece on the exterior. Egg, cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise: each bite perfect.

Douglas Burgers #23 18461 Dexter Avenue Lake Elsinore, CA 92532 (951)245-5441  Open Mon-Sat 6 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun 7 a.m.-10 p.m. 

The Hat (Murietta location)

mmm-yoso!!! never takes a vacation, but sometimes Kirk or Cathy leave the general San Diego area and food is involved. Today, Cathy is writing about a place just North of the San Diego County line.  

In 2006, I wrote about The Hat, with another post written on the last day of 2009. This longtime (since 1951) casual, Los Angeles based diner, open for lunch and dinner, known for 'World Famous Pastrami', opened a location in Murietta in September of 2015.

The architecture mimics the original locations,
even the wallboard menu.  Hot and cold sandwiches, chili and a few sides along with beverages are the offerings.  
Order, pay and your number is called.  The bag on the left is filled with a small french fry order ($3.19).
Three of us shared the fries (and we each ate a lot) and this is what we ended up taking home.  

  The roast beef dip ($9.99). The bottom piece of the bread is dipped in au jus before the meat is put onto the fresh French Roll (you can get au jus or gravy if you want to dip more of the sandwich...or your fries...) is my favorite item here.  Thin sliced, tender, lightly seasoned beef is great in its simplicity.  (Although I am spoiled by Philippe The Original, this location and the dip sandwich is close enough to satisfy.)
 The World Famous Pastrami ($9.99)  with mustard and pickle is what The Mister always chooses.  The peppered smoked corned beef is deeply flavored, sliced thin and served on the same French Roll, unless you ask for it to be served on rye bread.  Either choice is going to be great. 
 The side by side of the two sandwich halves shows the dipped beef sandwich was not filled with as much meat as the pastrami, but had only one sandwich been ordered and not knowing the possibility of more filling, the beef dip is satisfactory in size.  
This side order of chili ($1.99) was quite large, meaty (no beans) and spicy (in a good way).  It went well with the fries as well as on its own. 

It's nice to have an outlet of a longstanding traditional restaurant so close.  Mary has been to The Hat.

The Hat, 11 locations. Website open 10 a.m.-11 p.m. daily

2018 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade float road test, breakfast at Tom's Farms

mmm-yoso!!! is the name of this food blog.  Kirk has been very busy with work, is eating but not posting.  Cathy had an eating adventure after a short excursion North. 

It's getting closer- the 2018 Tournament of Roses, with its many pre-New Year Day activities culminating in the January 1, 2018 parade of floats, equestrian groups and marching bands as well as the football game will soon be upon us. The theme of the parade is "Making A Difference" and floats following that theme are still being constructed and going though one of three road tests for maneuverability and safety.  Last Saturday, The Mister and I drove up to Irwindale to Phoenix Decorating Company to see the progression.  These are links to other road tests from earlier this year. 

 Honda, the sponsor of the Parade, will have this three part float, "Power of Dreams Express" (you can see artist renditions of the Phoenix Decorating Company floats HERE ). 
 This "Banner" float will feature the theme design on the front.

 The City of Hope float, "Transforming Lives with Hope" was tested with riders on board (Usually the final test of maneuverability is with weight on board, plus a test that everyone can exit the float within 45 seconds in case of an emergency).
 The United Sikh Mission USA, "Serving Kindness" is a depiction of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, where 100,000 people are fed daily without being charged.  This Sikh langar (free kitchen) expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness and oneness of all humankind...an embodiment of the "Making a Difference" theme of this parade.   
  This is listed as the 'final' float in the parade and the artist rendition is not online.

 In the barn, the Trader Joe's float (one of three parts) was still being constructed. 

We had left home late and hadn't stopped for breakfast and then were heading home, getting to the 15 South when real hunger hit.  
The signage for Tom's Farms (also posted in 2014 and again in 2015) beckoned.  Tom's Farms is a multipurpose area of various attractions,  restaurants,  furniture, grocery and produce sales, with areas for picnicking as well as a train, merry-go-round and seasonal activities geared toward children.  We usually stop here to see what is on sale and grab some snacks to take home.  

 There's always something interesting in the candy and condiment aisles.

The Southernmost building is 'Tom's Burgers', which has breakfast in the morning. 

The Mister wanted French toast ($3.99). The two slices of thick (Texas toast) soaked in egg batter and fried were crispy on the exterior and soft on the interior.  Quite nice. 
He splurged and ordered a side order of ham ($2.99).  The pan-griddled ham slices were very good and not too salty.   Since I had never had breakfast here, my order would be simple, a breakfast egg sandwich with sausage ($5.59).  Well, at first I saw the egg, lettuce and tomato...
and you can see the side view- and the breakfast sausages! Wow!  This was fresh, would be quite enough without any added protein, but those skin on, fresh breakfast sausages were a really high quality add in and great choice.  

There will probably be some more regular stops here for meals as well as shopping.  

Tom's Farms 23900 Temescal Canyon Road Corona CA 92883 (951) 277-4012 website

2017 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade float road testing and breakfasts: Chuck Wagon (Corona); Rod's Grill (Arcadia); Silver Dollar Pancake House (Corona)(revisit)

mmm-yoso!!! is the name of this food blog.  Kirk is not writing today, neither is Ed(from Yuma).  This is just another Cathy posting.

Chuck Wagon has closed.  In February 2023, Rod's Grill closed but will open under new management.  Both are sadly missed. 

This year has been different.  In addition to having a tremendous amount of friends and neighbors die (I stopped counting in mid February, after there had been 23), I tried to keep things more or less normal, writing a post about the first Float Road Test for the 2017 Rose Parade. The Mister and I drove to subsequent monthly road tests (and afterwards, breakfast) and took photos.  This post is a summary of what we ate and some of what you will see on television on January 2, 2017 (there's never a parade on Sunday).

Trader Joe's will have another three part float in the 2017 parade, (parade theme is Echoes of Success), titled 'All Aboard! 50 Years of Serving the Best'.   The American Armenian Rose Float Association road test in August showcased a magnificent looking float.   The road test two months later showed the color outlined (coloring outlines are there to help decorators as well as help if there are any problems with decorations during the actual parade: you'll still see color) fully expanded float, titled "Field of Dreams", depicting the 'Echoes of Success' of the American Armenian diaspora success story. 

I'll take some breaks from floats and road tests, interspersing breakfasts enjoyed driving home.

  Because we got stuck in traffic (again), we stopped at a place we have been passing for several years. The old fashioned sign (which must look very cool at night) is a friendly welcome to the naugahyde, paneled, not recently updated interior; half of the building is a 'bar' area, open in morning hours. The breakfast menu is served all day.  Let me preface this by saying that we took home a lot of leftovers. The 'Chuck Wagon Country Breakfast' ($11.95) was absolutely wonderful in quality and flavors!  Three eggs (poached, of course), two (large, flavorful) link sausages, two thick pieces of smoked meaty bacon and a slice of country style ham with a side of thinly sliced, crispy home fries topped with green pepper and onions. There was also a choice of toast or pancakes with this plate.  Ever since the summer road trip and meals across the USA with either my brother or nephew, pancakes have become a slight obsession.  The ones at Chuck Wagon are notably good; from scratch flavors, slightly sweet, fluffy with a delicate crust .     
   The perfectly prepared, real cube steak chicken fried steak was lightly breaded and fried perfectly ($11.50).  The flavors were fresh, the country gravy (again, from scratch: there were flour lumps) and even the crispy hash browns were wonderful.  The fresh made from scratch biscuit-flaky layers with the golden, crispy crust- was great.  

Another really great Corona restaurant.  

Chuck Wagon Cafe 1070 6th Street Corona, CA 92879 (951)737-7162 open daily 6:30a.m.-10 p.m. 

Returning to some float road tests... Rotary International's float, 'Doing Good in the World'  is just so cute even without the coloring outlines added! Shriners Hospitals for children, 'Anything is Possible', is adorable!  From the artist rendition(see end of post for a link), it looks like the mascot, Fezzy Bear, will be riding on the float in January.  Union Bank has again teamed up with the American Heart Association for the float 'Keep the Beat Alive'. Last month, we didn't even bother going on the freeway to get home, took side roads parallel to the 210 and noticed Rod's, a corner coffee shop that's been in Arcadia since 1957. Taking seats at the counter, because all the aqua naugahyde booths were full, we took note of some posted daily specials (even on weekends!)


   

The 'pork sausage w/ fresh apples- cheese omelet' ($9.95) was most unexpected (and in keeping with my penchant for fresh apples).  Yes, breakfast sausages and sautéed fresh apples filled this large eggy-cheesy breakfast omelet! There were some great home fries and toast which accompanied this surprising menu special.  These banana walnut crepes which came with two eggs and sausage ($8.95) were filled with a fluffy cream cheese-cottage cheese mix and topped with toasted nuts and nicely ripe banana slices; not crazy sweet at all. These are not delicate flat crepes, but also not thick pancakes...more of a Swedish pancake. 

So glad we stopped here! Rod's Grill 41 W Huntington Drive Arcadia, CA 91007 (626) 447-7515 open 6 am-9 pm daily

United Sikh Mission USA has another beautiful float, 'Together We Rise', which I think will be a prize winner not only for its beauty, but also for the message.  Western Asset (an investment group) is sponsoring this float, 'Prosperity in the Wild' which won't have any riders, but instead much animation.   This rather simple looking float from Farmers Insurance has a 'reflection' of the parade route in the front 'window' (including the rose colored line that is in the center of Colorado Boulevard, a guide for float drivers, who drive 'blind' while speaking to the 'spotter' who each has a small window in front to observe the activities in front of the float). The title of 'We Came, We Saw, We Covered' is a slight clue as to the 'surprise' you will see on January 2.  (see the bottom of this post)

One last breakfast, a repeat visit.
 
 If we find ourselves in Corona and notice there is no line waiting for seating, we stop at Silver Dollar.  This day, it was convenient to sit at the counter instead of waiting for a table to be available. 
  This is the two egg, two pancake deal (the second egg was brought over later)($5.49, additional .69 to substitute sausage patty for links-worth it!) was particularly good. The 2 bacon, 2 egg (and biscuits with gravy instead of toast) ($8.59) was enjoyed by The Mister. The country gravy and fresh flaky not too large biscuits were just right with the perfect over easy eggs and bacon.

Silver Dollar Pancake House 710 East Sixth Corona, CA 92879 (951) 737-5977 Open Mon-Sat 5 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun 6 a.m.-4 p.m. 

Rose Parade preparations. Diners for breakfast.  America.

 See artist renditions of some 2017 floats here.

What's going on under that Farmers Insurance float? Here's a sneak peek:

It's Burger Week (again). Tom's Farms

mmm-yoso!!! is the blog, written by a few friends.  Kirk, ed (from Yuma) and Cathy don't make food deprivation related New Year Resolutions.  We try to resolve to change habits we *won't* break in the first week of the New Year.  

 

Hello.  I hope your year is going well so far.  I have a new computer.  This is because my old one decided to commit suicide the other day.  So, I am learning to be patient, do without, change habits and not cry at the loss of 'things'....yes, I am moving forward and managing.  I have no choice.  I am also fascinated with upgraded programs and the things that they can do-and don't do like they used to.  Thank you for your patience.

 

You may recall that I seemed to be driving North on the I-15  quite a bit since Thanksgiving.  I knew we would be doing Burger Week again.  If you ever have, you have passed Tom's Farms and perhaps stopped, or made a mental note to stop when you had more time and were not either heading somewhere or 'almost home'.  You really should stop.

 

 

You will notice several buildings and that the area is quite large, once you park.  This building holds furniture for sale.   

 

 

Another holds a Mexican restaurant.

There is an area which sells candies, another Produce and Vegetable area..wines, cheeses, gift baskets...

There are activities.

There is a wine tasting area and in that building, a place that makes pizza.  We got the pizza once, many years ago, because the line for burgers was so long.  It did not impress us and so now every time we go and  the burger area is too crowded, we just buy some hot bread (there is something hot from the oven about every 30 minutes here.  As soon as you walk into the Wine and Cheese Shop, the table in front of you will have something warm.   Go ahead, touch the plastic bread wrapping)  some cheese, maybe some smoked fish and sit out on the lawn, by the pond, to eat.  

 

However, we drove by later in the evening just after Christmas, and  it was not busy
.  We walked over to the "burger and sandwich" area, by the duck pond.  
I got my personal favorite, a Tom's Old Fashioned burger. ($3.95) 1/3 pound, served with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and a special sauce.  On a bun that is baked there. You know, a *very* fresh bun.

The burger is coarse ground meat, not frozen. Juicy, cooked medium and very flavorful (my personal" test" is eating the meat plain..seeing if it needs all those toppings or of the toppings compliment the meat). All the toppings are from the farm stand and include lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and a sauce. (oh.  Those giant pickles you pay $2 at the County Fair are sold here.  $8 for a gallon.  There are more than four in a gallon.)

 In conclusion about the burger, you can't get much fresher unless you do all of this at home, including the baking, growing and using a high quality meat. 

The Mister ordered a Chili Size ($4.95).  The same 1/3 lb burger, served open faced on the fresh baked bun, topped with a nice, not too hot spiced chili with beans and shredded cheddar. I liked the combination of flavors of this and the hamburger meat patty stood out in that it was still coarse ground and had its own meaty juiciness. The chili complimented it. 

We have had the fries here, and those have not been too memorable We pay the $3.69 for the onion rings.  

Not a huge portion, but made fresh from thick cut, sweet Spanish onions. Breaded lightly with a flour/corn meal mix. Extremely properly fried and always sweet, sweet onions

If you want a root beer float, you get to kind of do it yourself.It is $3.95. They hand you a cup,more than half filled with a very good vanilla ice cream (the kind with specks of vanilla in it) and you fill the rest of the cup with root beer.  Slowly.  Because, you know, physics takes over and the carbonated beverage will flow over... 

So, if you are near Corona or Anaheim and see Tom's Farms. Do stop and get a burger.  

Tom's Farms  23900 Temescal Canyon Road, Corona, CA 92883

Website

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Islamorada Fish Company: Bass Pro Shop dining-yes, dining(!)

mmm-yoso!!! is the blog about food in all forms of acquiring, preparing, eating and the various ways we(Kirk, ed (from Yuma) and Cathy, as well as a few others) came about to have it happen.  A sort of diary that you get to read.    Enjoy.

Hi again.  Well, I had yet another fun adventure the other day.     We were driving North on the 15 .     

It was quite beautiful.  We stopped at the Victoria Gardens Mall, and on the outer ring saw it...

The new Bass Pro Shop. 

Of course, I get catalogs from both Bass Pro Shop as well as Cabela's and the two stores are kind of interchangeable inmy mind...both sell hunting, fishing and outdoor gear and all of their Brick and Mortar stores have a interesting,  themed restaurant serving excellent food inside (except for the next closes BPS in Las Vegas, which is attached to the Silverton Hotel, so does not offer food in the store).    Think Ikea, but more fun.

So, we walked in and there was a 90 minute wait for the restaurant. 

This was the day after Christmas, when most restaurants are not very crowded, on the ring road of a very popular mall, which has several pretty nice restaurants, as well as a King's Fish House, which has quite nice seafood.  We waited. {When we were leaving, the wait was still 90 minutes...}

 

We walked outside.

 

Checked out the boats in the parking lot, more of the view, the waterfall...and inside the plethora of items for sale... 

Including this delightful shotgun shell themed mailbox for only $99..which I kind of really wanted, thinking it might keep some door to door salesmen away...

Soon, the vibrating LED happy lighted coaster went off and we were seated, given beverages (The Mister had an excellent brewed iced tea ($2.19) I wanted water) and a loaf of hot fresh white bread... 

Which was hearty and a bit salty, yet topped with a granulated sugar crust, making me heretofore refer to it as "kettle bread" (you know, kettle corn...but bread...?  Oh nevermind)

 

We ordered the calamari appetizer ($6.95) which was the largest serving I have ever had.  This was perfectly fried squid rings and tentacles topped with shredded Parmesan and parsley and served with a warm marinara.

It really needed more than one lemon wedge to  squeeze juice over all of the calamari on this plate...

 

We also ordered the one pound (opposed to the 2 pound) appetizer of garlic steamed clams.

The resulting sauce on the bottom of this bowl was rich and hearty and went quite well with the cheesy toasted slice of sourdough served with it.

Fresh and substantial.

The Mister ordered the fried catfish plate($11.95).  Five fillets, lightly breaded with a flour/cornmeal mix, served on top of thick cut fries (which were topped with Old Bay© seasoning) and a side of coleslaw, which was very crispy and made with a pineapple juice sauce, and some house made tartar sauce, which I particularly enjoyed.

I got the Angler combination plate ($18.95): a crab cake that was 95% crab (no filler) and was lightly, crisply fried and had great flavor; five giant, juicy grilled shrimp and a large fillet of Mahi Mahi, which was barely(lightly) grilled and also tasted very fresh.  All were served on top of a very flavorful rice pilaf(there were some vegetables-carrot and celery at least-in the pilaf blend) and with a house made remoulade, the colslaw and house made potato chips, dusted with the same Old Bay© seasoning.  I added malt vinegar and salt to my chips.

Excellent food, great serving sizes and great service.  An extremely nice experience.

Islamorada Fish Company (inside the Bass Pro Shop, Ranch Cucamonga) 7777 Victoria Gardens Lane, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91735 (909)922-5500 website

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Road Trip-The Hat

mmm-yoso is not on vacation.  Cathy is blogging while Kirk takes a day off.

Hi.  A few weeks ago I met a friend from High School up in Ontario and we had the wonderful surprisingly garnished beef bowl....remember?

Well, this past Saturday one of my college roommates called, from New Orleans, and said she would be here the next day, taking her son on campus tours at Pomona and Claremont Colleges...arriving at the Ontario Airport also!  I can drive 2 hours North again, no problem. 

Her plane got in, they were exhausted and hungry and I was still in San Diego.  I told them to eat somewhere and started my drive up.

We met at a Starbucks and talked for hours!  It was wonderful to see and know that neither of us had changed in all these years!

On the way home, I saw it- The Hat!...World Famous Pastrami. Its a pretty staid Restaurant, celebrating its 55th year in the LA area...with ten locations. The Mister *loves* pastrami, and we usually only go to The Hat when we are decorating floats for the Rose Parade in late December.

Well, I thought even if the sandwiches weren't warm, the taste could get home in about two hours.

The menu is simple and the food is prepared methodically and is consistent.

I got a Pastrami dip and a Roast beef with au jus. ($6.49 each)

The sandwiches arrived home in good condition.  The pastrami is made with mustard and pickle and the bread for each is so fresh (I suppose with the business The Hat has, there is no time for anything to get old).  Each sandwich is over sized, the meat is flavorful and moist.

If you happen to see it, stop in.

The Hat, ten locations (Alhambra, Brea, Glendora, Lake Forest, Monterey Park, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga, Simi Valley, Temple City, Upland)

Road Trip-Yang Yang Sushi and BBQ

mmm-yoso is NOT on vacation.  Cathy is blogging while Kirk is not.  You looked in, why not stay and read?

Hi.  So, my best friend from 4th grade all through High School was attending a seminar this past Saturday, in Ontario, a less than 2 hour drive (she lives in San Jose) and so I had to take that little drive to visit for a few hours...emails and birthday and Christmas cards just can't summarize what your life has been like. 

Neither of us knows the area, but I can say that the address of her hotel, being on North Vineyard, is *not* located north of the 10 freeway...and I can also say this was the least-infiltrated with Starbucks area of Southern California I have been to.

So, I saw this sign inside a Stater Bros grocery store parking lot, and we stopped.

The hours said it was open until 10 on Saturday and it wasn't even 8, but tables were empty.

There are only 8 tables inside, but it seems they do a very brisk phone in/pick up business. That is the menu overhead and here is a paper menu:

Since Yang Yang is closed on Sunday and this was late Saturday night, apparently they don't keep much of an inventory, so when we tried to order, quite a few things (mostly the raw fish) was out...still, we managed to get a few, nice and interesting quick bites.

The miso soup was nice, but unremarkable except for the thicker, fresh tasting seaweed.

I was pleasantly surprised by the appetizer of baked green mussels ($5.45).

Six mussel shells, each with 3 small mussels in the shell, covered in a spicy, creamy orange colored sauce and baked and topped with some sweet tonkatsu sauce on this pleasantly decorated plate...with cherry tomatoes, ginger, sliced oranges and limes...interesting and it tasted very nice.

I had been craving poke ever since Kirk's report on it from Hawaii (and the great deal at Safeway) and when I saw the Spicy Tuna Salad on the menu for only$6.95, I wanted to try it.  This is a HUGE serving, nicely very spicy served with picked veggies on top, lots of onions, radishes, pickled ginger and, more sliced limes and oranges...pretty and filling and tasty.

Then, since the place is called Yang Yang Sushi *and* BBQ...well, I thought we should try some BBQ...seems logical, right? hmmmm...The nice waitress told us they did not have Japanese BBQ beef available, but they did have some Korean BBQ beef...bulgogi..cool.  I like that..in a bowl, fine.  Price was the same ($5.95).  Picture showed beef and some kind of salad on top of rice...

Oh, please, click on the photo and make it larger...words cannot describe how this was served, but I will try.

It was a good sized, heavy bowl of rice, covered with a lot of *excellent* bulgogi..and then there was some shredded cabbage, radishes, limes and then on top of that, yes..that party mix stuff, pretzels, croutons, cheese crackers, pieces of shredded cereal...and miniature marshmallows... yes, THAT mix...

I dunno.  It did taste good, and I admit the flavors were nice, but I guess I need to get more creative in the kitchen next time.

I know I've told you to not be afraid to try someplace new...this wasn't scary..and it was quite interesting.  Good food.  An adventure.

Yang Yang Sushi and BBQ  1953 East Fourth Street (at Vineyard) Ontario, CA 91764 (909)948-9838 Tues-Sat 11 a.m-10 p.m.