Remembering Jonathan Gold… with Shrimp Tacos from Mariscos Jalisco in Boyle Heights. I was introduced to these tacos by Jonathan Gold. The Five Rules For Dining In L.A., according to Jonathan Gold: 1. If the restaurant you have been directed to lies between the 7-Eleven and the dry cleaners in a dusty strip mall, they you’re probably at the right place. 2. The restaurants with the longest lines are either better than their competitors or fifty cents cheaper. Try and know the difference. 3. There is no shame in avocado toast. 4. The best choice is always the restaurant 15 minutes further than you are willing to go. 5. The taco honors the truck. Tacos Forever #jgold #tacos #shrimptacos

Cheese Nachos from Poquito Mas in Burbank. With Pico de Gallo, Guacamole, Sour Cream, Jalapeños, and Cheese over freshly made Chips. Before being covered in Roasted Salsa Sometimes, nachos are better without meat… Watching the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies. #nachos #cheesenachos

Live Every Day Like It’s Burrito Day… Surf N‘ Turf Burrito from Cilantro Mexican Grill in North Hollywood. Yes, I’m back again! With Seared Steak, Grilled Shrimp, Serrano-Pesto, Mexican Rice, Avocado, Tomatoes, Sour Cream, Lettuce, Cheese, and Ancho Ranch wrapped in a tortilla. I added extra cheese and medium salsa. It was a very good burrito, not sure if it was worth $20, but a very good burrito with enough heat to make it 👍 👍 I’m curious to try some of their other specialty burritos. #surfandturfburrito #burrito #cilantromexicangrill #noho

“This has purple stuff inside.“ ~ Homer Simpson It’s Hot today AND I wanted to try the Triple Berry Frosty from Wendy’s. This new seasonal Frosty flavor combines three of the fruit flavors of the season - strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries AND it tastes like purple. 😂 It was good, but I preferred the Strawberry Frosty. But, my favorite seasonal Frosty flavor is still Peppermint. Happy Monday #frosty #tripleberry

“Burritos are proof that there is a higher power that wants us to be happy.” ~ Unknown I was finally able to try one of the burritos at Cilantro Mexican Grill, inside a gas station, in North Hollywood. Carne Asada Burrito with Pinto Beans, Mexican Rice, Onions, Cilantro and Salsa. I added Cheese, Sour Cream, and Avocado. It was served with Chips and Salsa too. Holy Guacamole, this burrito is amazing! I give it 👍👍 and will be trying the Surf N’ Turf Burrito next time. #carneasada #carneasadaburrito #burrito

Happy 69th Anniversary! On this day in 1955, Walt Disney opened Disneyland. A Mint Julep from French Market Restaurant in New Orleans Square at Disneyland to celebrate. Cheers to Disneyland! #disneyland #mintjulep

Back at Mogu Mogu Onigiri Shop in Rosemead. Ordered a Regular Combo with Tuna Mayo with a Shiso Leaf and SPAM with Egg. Comes with Karaage Chicken and Spicy Miso sauce with a drink. #onigiri

Happy National French Fry Day! Did you know??? Belgium consumes the most French fries of any European country, not France. 😂 Americans eat an average of about 40 pounds of fries per year. It’s believed that Belgians began the process of frying strips of potatoes between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. It’s said that this dish was discovered by American soldiers in Belgium during World War I and, since the dominant language of southern Belgium is French, they dubbed the tasty potatoes “French” fries. Thomas Jefferson introduced fries to America. Approximately 7 percent of the potatoes grown in the U.S. become McDonald’s french fries. Happy Fry Day #nationalfrenchfryday #frenchfries #foodcalendar

Trying out the new Mogu Mogu Onigiri Shop in Rosemead, which opened this past Sunday. While I was temporarily working in Alhambra, I would occasionally pass by and saw the sign going up. I ordered the Regular Combo ($11) which comes with 2 Onigiri, Karaage (2 pc), pickled daikon, and Drink (canned soda or bottled water). I opted with these two onigiri rice balls: Salmon with Shiso Leaf - Lightly salted & broiled salmon mixed with white rice with a Shiso leaf. Buta Kakuni with Spicy Mayo - Braised pork belly with green onions and spicy miso on the side. I liked both, but with the Shiso leaf overpowered the salmon IMO. The cost and availability in the future may be a factor in the long run, as some people don’t like the strong taste. The braised pork was good, I liked the spicy miso sauce, not much of a kick, but good. The Karaage was more of a sesame chicken to me, but juicy inside. Overall, a good experience for a restaurant that has only been open for 4 days. #onigiri #newrestaurant

Life’s too short to just eat one thing… Tonight’s Dinner Special: With Chicken Teriyaki, Tempura, and a California Roll with salad, rice, and miso soup at Sushi Dragon in Sun Valley. It’s a small chef owned restaurant that’s a hidden gem in the San Fernando Valley. The best thing, I got to see chef/owner Tommy san. We were talking tonight, we’ve known each other for over 20 years and he was the one to teach me Japanese cooking and sushi. He’s the 3rd Japanese owner of Sushi Dragon in its 50+ year history in the San Fernando Valley. Tommy san picks up fish every morning and the best as he knows how to prepare fish. Happy Wednesday!

It’s Taco Tuesday! At work, we talked about favorite taco proteins and the consensus was Al Pastor. So, on the way home tonight, I stopped at my favorite taco truck and they knew what I wanted. I’m asked, how many? They take it from there and I move over to the pick-up window to pay. The people behind me are usually confused as I don’t say much and I get my Al Pastor and Carnitas’ tacos wrapped up togo. Happy Tuesday! #tacotuesday #tacotruck

It’s Meatless Monday… Cheese Nachos from Poquito Mas in Burbank. With Pico de Gallo, Guacamole, Sour Cream, and Cheese over freshly made Chips. Sometimes, nachos are better without meat… This picture was taken before being hit with Verde Salsa and Roasted Salsa. It’s been many years since my working days at the Walt Disney Studios and being a regular customer at Poquito Mas Burbank. My favorite is the Steak Burrito, but every so often, I need just cheese nachos. Nachos Forever #cheesenachos #poquitomas

“Steph Curry is special in terms of the kind of competitor he is” ~ Nick Saban NOT STEPH CURRY… But, Shrimp Curry is on the menu for Sunday Supper. Shrimp Curry Plate, this weekend’s special at Caribbean Gourmet in San Gabriel. With potatoes and gravy, served with rice, vegetables, and fried plantains. This time, I have a side of Roti to eat the curry with and it’s also delicious. My friends and family wouldn’t believe that I ordered (and ate) Curry, But, Caribbean Gourmet’s curry is filled with flavor and not just a heavy dose of curry powder. It’s THAT good from someone who doesn’t eat curry. Although the shrimp curry is an every so often special, Chicken Curry and Vegan Curry are menu regulars. What a way to start the week! #shrimpcurry #caribbeangourmet

It’s Sandwich Saturday! Another sandwich now on my bucket list. From G&R Deli in the Bronx… Now, THIS is a Meatball Sandwich! “The Italian Ice Cream Cone” sandwich, a hollowed out Italian roll with meatballs, sauce, and instead of sprinkles, Parmigiano Reggiano. I’ll have to pick one up before heading to Yankee Stadium and watching a game with the creatures (Yankee fans) at the home of the most successful franchise in baseball history. #sandwichsaturday #meatballsandwich

Just order Enchiladas with Red Sauce and call it Dinner! Enchilada Plate with Red Sauce (#4) from @el_tepeyac_cafe in Boyle Heights. Cheese enchiladas with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, rice, beans, and green salsa. All I’ll say…Enchiladas for the Win!!! Happy Friday! #enchiladas #eltepeyaccafe

It’s Sandwich Saturday! Another sandwich on my bucket list. The Meatloaf Sandwich from Convenient Food Mart in Shelbyville, Kentucky. This is a Huge piece of meatloaf with ketchup and served on a bun. By the size of it, looks like a meal in itself, the meatloaf is made in-house daily. Besides this being a huge sandwich, and YouTube famous, it’s a bargain at $4.79 with tax. Wow!!! I came across this sandwich on Barry Goodall’s YouTube channel, “Goodall’s Country Kitchen.” He highlights independent restaurants in and around the Louisville, Kentucky area. He said you need to order a meatloaf sandwich with mayo and onions on it, I agree. “Ya’ll don’t know nothin’ about this Convenient Food Mart!” ~ Barry Goodall Happy Saturday! 📸: Goodall’s Country Kitchen & Convenient Food Mart #sandwichsaturday #meatloafsandwich

Before Their Last Day I didn’t have a chance to visit before they close tomorrow. I’ve enjoyed my visits to @burntbelly and all of the good BBQ at both of their locations over the last 3 years. My favorite was the Brisket & Pork Belly Burnt Ends with Potato Salad (w/bacon) and Miso Collard Greens. I understand all of the tough days in food service, however, there are some bright ones mixed in tho. I admire those who give it a shot, do their best, and put out good food. It makes it tougher when they close. I wish the team the very best! #restauranrclosure

Today is International Pineapple Day! International Pineapple Day honors the tropical fruit that has come to represent kindness and hospitality. In a conversation with my restaurant friends, we talked about infused cocktails and the one that I remember the most is this one that was introduced me to at Del Frisco’s Grille years ago. I’ll Drink to That! Throwback Thursday: The VIP Martini, Sweet Hawaiian Gold Pineapple-Infused Svedka Clementine Vodka. Infused for two weeks, this was very smooth. However, I don’t see it on the current cocktail menu. You know what that means… Time to get a sweet Hawaiian pineapple and some Svedka Clementine Vodka. Since my family is from Maui, it will be a Maui pineapple. My grandma would always tell us to support the locals. Cheers!

Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘n Waffles in Pasadena is now closed. After 30 years in Pasadena, I will miss this location which closed on Sunday, but hopefully the other locations will continue operations. My last visit to Roscoe’s Pasadena… #9 - Country Boy with 3 wings served with a waffle. My beverage of choice here is the Sunset (Lemonade and Fruit Punch). The End #restaurantclosire

Happy National Onion Rings Day! And you probably thought I forgot… WRONG!!! Regardless, enjoy the day and the rings… #foodcalendar #nationalonionringsday

Happy Pho-riday! Pho Ga (Chicken Pho) from Pho Ngoon in San Gabriel. A great way to start the weekend! #pho #phoga

Throwback Thursday As I think of all of the coffee beverages I’ve had, one coffee keeps coming to mind… A Dirty Thai Iced Coffee from a restaurant that is no longer open. With a quality coffee, coconut condensed milk, and a dash of cardamom served over ice and garnished with a sprig of mint. If I could start every day like this… But, the coconut condensed milk is a bit hard to find sometimes, I did find it at 99 Ranch Market. It’s been awhile since I’ve pulled a shot of espresso and I’m out of practice, otherwise I’d make this beverage more often. Happy Thursday! #tbt #DirtyThaiIcedCoffee #icedcoffee

Today’s Snack… A Vegetable Patty from Caribbean Gourmet in San Gabriel. A flaky pastry with a vegetable filling, delicious! #vegetablepatty

Happy Father’s Day! “My doctor told me I had to stop throwing intimate dinners for four unless there are three other people.” ~ Orson Welles A Venezuelan Feast at @chamovcuisine in Pasadena. (A Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Special) This is A LOT of delicious food, enough for 3-4 hungry people. A nice variety of meats, plantains, potatoes, cheese, and more. Order a side of beans and rice with this platter too, everything is made in-house. Save room for a Gluten-Free empanada too, I recommend the ground beef and cheese. A nice way to celebrate Father’s Day or a special life accomplishment with a platter of Venezuelan goodies. Now, it’s time for me to call my dad and wish him a Happy Father’s Day. #venezuelan #southamerica #platter

It’s Sandwich Saturday! Here’s another sandwich I want to try…. Inside Out Hot Brown Sandwich at Wallace Station in Versailles, Kentucky. With roast turkey, ham, bacon, tomato, & white cheddar mornay on pressed house-made bread. It’s a version of the famous Kentucky Hot Brown, an open-faced (mainly) turkey sandwich, from the Brown Hotel in Louisville. In researching versions of the original Hot Brown sandwich, I came across this sandwich. The reviews of Wallace Station (and this sandwich) were really good, so I’ve added this sandwich to my list of places to try. Happy Saturday 📸: Wallace Station #sandwichsaturday #hotbrown #kentucky