It’s FryDay! Classic Flounder Fish Sandwich from Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen in Alhambra. The sandwich features a light, flakey flounder filet marinated in authentic Louisiana herbs & spices, dusted in a southern crispy coating and fried up golden brown. The filet is served atop a warm, buttery toasted brioche bun with barrel cured pickles & Classic Tartar sauce. The breading was pretty thick and the fish was on he thin side. Also the breading was very crispy too. On the flavor side, decent flavor, liked the tartar sauce and pickles. Not my favorite fish sandwich. #fishsandwich #lent #fryday

Boba Tea Vending Machine inside the Walmart Supercenter in Rosemead. I found this by accident, as I entered through the wrong door of the store, Pharmacy, and that’s how I found this machine. Although the teas I wanted to try were Sold Out, maybe next time. #boba #vendingmachine #bobateavendingmachine

Today is National Chicken Noodle Soup Day! Who makes the best #ChickenNoodleSoup? One of my favorites is at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant. Or maybe it’s the fried chicken with the chicken noodle soup… #nationalchickennoodlesoup #foodcalendar #foodholiday

Tuesday is National Milky Way Day! The Milky Way bar was created in 1923 by Frank Mars. It was the first mass produced chocolate bar with a filling. My favorite Milky Way is with Dark Chocolate. #milkywayday #milkyway #foodcalrndar #foodholiday

Today is National “Eat Your Noodles” Day! Really? I’m not going to argue it, but really? Missing the “Stewed Beef Noodles” from the now closed One One Dumplings in San Gabriel. #foodcalendar

Today is National Ranch Day! I was about to work the back 40 today, until I realized it was Ranch Dressing Day… So, I opened a bag of chips and made some Ranch dip and watching The Academy Awards. That’s how I celebrating National Ranch Day! #RanchDressing #foodcalendar

Today is National Crab Day! And also Sandwich Saturday. A Crab Roll from the Lobsta Truck in Pasadena on Sundays. I enjoy my crab rolls with butter. #crabrolls #nationalcrabday #foodcalendar

“Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness.” ~ Auguste Escoffier This weekend, I got to sample a traditional snack food of Indo-Caribbean origin that is commonly eaten in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname and other parts of the Caribbean. The dish was brought to the Caribbean by migrants from India. Pholourie is a fried seasoned dough ball served with a mango sauce from @caribbeangourmet as their special on Saturday. These dough balls are seasoned with roasted cumin, a dash of curry, and a slight bit of sweetness at the finish. Served with a chutney or sour to dip them in, usually tamarind or mango. It was savory at first and with a bit of sweetness at the end, it went well with the mango sauce. I’m glad I was able to try this Caribbean street food and I’ve enjoyed it. Who doesn’t love fried dough??? #Pholourie #caribbeangourmet #streetfood

#tbt It was 12 years ago this month that one of my favorite sushi restaurants closed at the end of February 2012. Sushi Nozawa in Studio City was a sushi institution, as Nozawa san prepped each fish every morning. The restaurant was a small place with a sushi bar and a handful of tables for maybe a total of 35 people, and it was full every day. Nozawa san was famous for his “Trust Me” motto. The menu was only sushi, it didn’t include tofu salad or even miso soup. If someone in your group didn’t eat raw fish, it was recommended to dine elsewhere as sushi was the entire menu. There were no California or Spicy Tuna cut rolls neither. I think the only thing they cooked in the restaurant was the rice, anago (sea eel), shrimp, and hot water for tea. In fact, they didn’t have a menu, just an a la carte sheet that you select individual sushi, but a majority of the customers would order “Omakase” or chef’s choice. Tuna sashimi served with green onions and ponzu was served to everyone first. I loved the tart ponzu and looked forward to this tuna starter. Just some of my other favorites, Hirame Sushi (halibut) , Anago (sea eel), Uni (sea urchin), and a special oyster course on my last visit. I can’t forget the famous blue crab hand roll too. There was ALWAYS a line at the restaurant, as they didn’t take reservations, and EVERYBODY waited in line. I’ve seen celebrities waiting in line and sometimes friends waiting too as I was leaving. Did you visit Sushi Nozawa?

Old Skool Burrito… “Life is like a burrito – you never know what you’re gonna get, but it’s usually delicious.” ~ Unknown Jumbo Burrito (No Beans) at Taco Lita in Arcadia. Seasoned ground beef with lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla. Unfortunately, no more Taco Lita Sauce… Wrap it up, it’s burrito time! You bet I had a taco too on Taco Tuesday… . . . . . . . #jumboburrito #tacolita #tacolitaarcadia #burrito #oldschoolburrito #oldskool #arcadiafood #sgvfood #sgvfoodie #inthe626

Today is National Pistachio Day! As I’m eating tacos, chips, and guacamole, I’m somehow celebrating #NationalPistachioDay. Let me explain… Enjoying Chips and Guacamole, while waiting for Tacos at @trejostacos cantina in Hollywood. Trejo’s Guacamole with Haas Avocados, Onion, Serrano Chilies, Lime Juice, and topped with Pistachios. Danny Trejo grew up eating good food and opened up his popular food outpost Trejo’s Tacos in honor of his mom. The secret to this recipe is using Serrano Chilies instead of Jalapeños. There was a nice kick with the Serrano Chilies and crunch with the Pistachios. So, that’s how I celebrated National Pistachio Day! #guacamole #trejostacos #foodcalendar #foodholiday

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” ~ James Beard Traditional Guyanese Beef Patties from Caribbean Gourmet in San Gabriel. **Unfortunately, it was a very special item this weekend and not served here regularly. Guyanese patties are usually served as an appetizer or snack at almost every family gathering or large event. They are usually round in shape but you can also make them in the shape of Jamaican beef patties which have a half moon shape and they’re traditionally filled with a seasoned ground beef. Not found at many places, but today I was able to try this traditional Guyanese beef patty. It was a good size, enough for two bites and delicious with a nice beefy flavor and slight hint of heat at the finish. 👍👍 In the U.S., when we hear of a beef patty, we think of a hamburger patty, right? But in the Caribbean, “patties” are similar to an empanada. Probably the most popular, and the one I knew, is a Jamaican Beef Patty which looks like a half moon shaped hand pie. Served with ground beef, but can be substituted with another ground meat, vegetables, and/or potatoes. “You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces-just good food…” ~ Julia Child #beefpatties #guyanesefood

If there’s meat in it, then that’s my salad! As this year’s Lunar New Year celebration comes to an end after a 15 day celebration, I always celebrate with this nostalgic dish for me. Growing up, my dad had a client who owned a popular Cantonese restaurant and we would get invited to LNY dinner. I remember all of the delicious seafood dishes served and most are still my favorites. One of the dishes always served was the Chicken Salad, probably the least popular dish at the table with all of the other delicious dishes served. I liked all of the crunchies in the salad and turned out to be a favorite of mine. Or maybe it’s the sesame dressing with the chicken. Anyway, now you know my connection to Chinese Chicken Salad. Chinese Chicken Salad (Medium size) from Bachan’s Take Out in Monterey Park. I’m not a fan of mandarin oranges in salads, but I eat them first before adding in the dressing. But, it’s a good salad and dressing. Lucky Things for Dragons: Lucky Numbers: 1, 7, 6 Lucky Colors: gold and silver Lucky Directions: west, north, northwest #lunarnewyear #chinesechickensalad #yearofthedragon

It’s Fry-Day! Fiery Big Fish at Burger King in Pasadena. White Alaskan Pollock with crispy panko breading coated with our triple pepper spicy glaze and topped with sweet tartar sauce, lettuce and crunchy pickles on a toasted potato bun. A hint of spice on a good size sandwich for $3.99. The bonus is getting a second Big Fish (or Fiery Big Fish) sandwich for $2.00 by ordering on the app for pick-up and ordering a regular sandwich. I’m sure it’s for a limited time only. #bigfishsandwich #fishsandwich #lent #fryday

Today is National Banana Bread Day! “The Elvis” with Banana Bread topped with Peanut Butter, Black Pepper Bacon, and topped with Wildflower Honey from Helena Avenue Bakery in Santa Barbara. On my list the next time I drive thru Santa Barbara when I visit my family in Northern California. What a delicious way to celebrate National Banana Bread Day, Right??? 📸: Helena Avenue Bakery #bananabread #nationalbananabreadday #foodcalendar #foodholiday

Happy National Margarita Day! Remembering Jimmy Buffett today… “Wastin’ away again in Margaritaville Searchin’ for my lost shaker of salt Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame But I know, it’s nobody’s fault I blew out my flip-flop Stepped on a pop top Cut my heel, had to cruise on back home But there’s booze in the blender And soon it will render That frozen concoction that helps me hang on” ~ Jimmy Buffett My first restaurant job back in college, we were having a tough day in the kitchen. Two prep cooks didn’t show up and we had a long prep list for the weekend. One of the bartenders saw that we were behind, OK we didn’t have limes cut for the bar yet. I remember he said, don’t worry you’ll get caught up and always take life with many grains of salt around the rim of a margarita glass, cause after work, we’ll have margaritas ready for you. Then he went into the wrong walk-in looking for the case of limes… Sip, Sip, Hooray! When life gets tough, take it with many grains of salt on a margarita glass, as this bartender once told me. #nationalmargaritaday #foodcalendar #foodholiday

It’s Sandwich Saturday! Grilled Cheese Lasagna Sandwich from Rose City Pizza in Rosemead. “Once again, my life has been saved by the miracle of lasagna.” ~ ‘Garfield’ (Jim Davis) If Grilled Cheese Lasagna isn’t your thing, Rose City Pizza has other Grilled Cheese Sandwiches that are just as good, such as Birria w/Consomme and Margherita. Today I will be as useless as the “G” in Lasagna. Happy Saturday! #grilledcheeselasagna #grilledcheese #sandwichsaturday #lasagna

Today is National Cafe Au Lait Day! Café au lait is a French term which literally means coffee with milk. It is traditionally made with hot coffee and steamed milk. You can’t make everyone happy, you are not coffee. #nationalcafeaulaitday #cafeaulait #coffee

Filet-O-Fish FryDay! The Filet-O-Fish, which originated in Ohio, according to the company, features a crispy fish filet patty on American cheese that is topped with creamy McDonalds tartar sauce. It is served on a soft, steamed bun. #filetofish #lent #FryDay #fishsandwich

“Life is a combination of magic and pasta.” ~ Federico Fellini When you work late and get off early in the morning, nothing but breakfast or burgers are available at 6 am. Until you remember you have spaghetti and meatballs in the refrigerator… “I like spaghetti because you don’t have to worry about what shape it’s in; it’s always good.” ~ Elaine Stritch #spaghettiandmeatballs #spaghetti

Throwback Thursday With all of the rain we had last week, we now have a lot of snow in the local mountains. Speaking of rain, do you remember the Raindrop Cake? It wasn’t really a cake, but a dessert made of water and agar that resembles a large raindrop. It first became popular in Japan in 2014. Served with a soybean powder and brown sugar cane syrup, topped with gold flakes. It supposed to rain again early next week, hopefully we won’t get a seasons worth of rain in a couple of days. We need the rain, but not all at one time… Rain, rain, go away. Or at least rain money, it is Lunar New Year… #raindropcake #dessertfromjapan

Be Still My Heart… There’s nothing that says “Happy Valentine’s Day” than Tacos in a heart-shaped container, right? 📸: Tacos El Superior #valentinesdaytacos #valentinesday

Today is Mardi Gras and the final day of Carnival Season! When I think of Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), I think of Gumbo and King Cakes today. Chicken and Andouille Sausage Gumbo served with Rice, but have been lucky not to get the baby in a King Cake. As much as I love Cajun and Creole food, I’ve never celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans. One of these years I will attend and come home filled up with Gumbo. Are you celebrating Fat Tuesday??? #FatTuesday #Gumbo #MardiGras

Super Bowl Food Facts: The number of Chicken Wings consumed on Super Bowl Sunday is estimated to be 1.45 billion wings. Assuming Kansas City Chiefs’ coach Andy Reid can eat three wings per minute, it would take him more than 900 years to eat 1.45 billion wings. 1 ate 10 wings on Super Sunday… #SuperBowl #SuperBowlLVIII #ChickenWings

Today is National ‘Have a Brownie’ Day! There were nuts in these brownies, so there were some leftovers at the end of the day… #nationalhaveabrownieday #brownieday #brownies