Happy National Sandwich Day! I wanted a Banh Mi for lunch and while I was in line, the customer ahead of me ordered 12 sandwiches and told the order taker it was National Sandwich Day. Hence my lunch and post for today… Charbroiled Pork Sandwich (#8) from Banh Mi My Tio in Alhambra. With the usual fresh ingredients, this one had the addition of peanuts which gave some texture and a nutty flavor. Happy Friday! #banhmi #grilledporkbanhmi #foodcalendar

The Pumpkin Spice Frosty was pretty good. With flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg it was one of the better seasonal frosty flavors. #pumpkinspicefrosty #frosty

#tbt It was a pleasure meeting the “Delacroix of French cuisine” Chef Hiroyuki Sakai at a past @hifoodwinefest event in Honolulu. This year’s Hawai’i Food and Wine begins today on Oahu. Follow @hifoodwinefest for all of the events and incredible food (and wine) prepared by talented chefs and winemakers. I did get to sample the dish he served on the beach at Disney’s Aulani, Wrapped Kampachi with fruit salsa. Chef Sakai didn’t want us to just take pictures of him working (but I got one anyway), he did make sure we tried his dish and he was very grateful when we did. It was delicious and I understand why he’s an Iron Chef. Although I won’t be attending this year’s festival, I’ll be looking for all of the delicious posts and being jealous. Maybe next year. With an open heart and empty stomach… Allez Cuisine! #hifoodandwine #hfwf13 #hfwf23 #hiroyukisakai

I was saddened to hear about the loss of Ryan Smolkin, the founder of Smoke’s Poutinerie. He created a fun business out of French Fries, Gravy, and Cheese Curds or Poutine, the famous Canadian dish. Unfortunately, the Hollywood location closed long before the pandemic, I did go once at 1:30 am cause I was craving the Thanksgiving Poutaine, this seasonal dish was my favorite. Ryan loved everything about the 1980’s and the red and black checkered plaid color scheme that was everywhere. The restaurant had pictures of 80’s iconic images on the walls if I remember correctly. You could get unique poutine versions with pulled pork, chicken, cheeseburger, and my favorite bacon. But, Thanksgiving was my seasonal favorite. If memory serves me correct, I read somewhere that he created his version of the famous Canadian poutine to impress a girl with his incredible new concoction. Not sure if he got the girl, but “Smoke’s Poutinerie” was born in 2008. He died Sunday of unexpected complications from a recent surgery. I send my condolences to his family, friends, and company.

Tomorrow is National Deviled Egg Day! I love Deviled Eggs, but these Deviled Egg Burgers look so good. How many could you eat? #deviledegg #deviledeggburger #foodcalendar

Exercise, I thought you said “extra slice!” Ending National Pizza Month with a SAN GENNARO from @desanopizzala in Los Angeles. With San Marzano tomato sauce, sausage, peppadews, garlic, caramelized onions, scamorza, mozzarella di bufala, and pecorino romano. Halloween is one of the 5 busiest pizza delivery days, along with Super Bowl Sunday, Thanksgiving Eve, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. So get your pizza order in early today… Work hard, be nice, eat pizza. . #pizza #nationalpizzamonth #foodcalendar

Happy Taco Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday! (cause it might take 3 days to eat) Last week, I overheard a guy ask his friend, “who sells the largest taco?” Recently, I saw this 17 pound taco, the EL SUPER TACO! Created by @chefsaulmontiel, you can get this $80 Giant Taco at @cantinarooftop in New York. This Monster, which has a tortilla made from scratch is huge, about the size of a large pizza. EL SUPER TACO comes with a choice of chicken, beef, or pork. It has layers of all your favorite fixings, like salsa and avocado crema. Who has an appetite for this Monster Taco??? (getting into the Halloween spirit) It can feed you and a few hungry friends! #tacos #tacosforever #elsupertaco #gianttaco #inthe212

Happy 75th Anniversary! If you grew up in Southern California, like I did, you know “That’s What a Hamburger’s All About.” I was fortunate to go to high school about 3 blocks from an In-n-Out. It was the same back then as it is now, except I order my #DoubleDouble with grilled onions now vs. no onions then, I was a high school kid and didn’t want onion breath. Not only did the first In-N-Out burger stand open on October 22, 1948 in Baldwin Park, but was also California’s first drive-thru restaurant. No, I didn’t drive through the first location back in 1948, unless it was in a DeLoren DMC-12 Time Machine. Great Scott! If I remember this correctly, the last menu item added was Lemonade, as Hot Cocoa is a return to the menu from the 50’s. Geez, now I want a burger and fries with a pink lemonade… Happy 75th Anniversary, #innout!

It’s Sandwich Saturday! One of my favorites… Jambon Beurre from Clark Street Bakery in Echo Park. With Paris ham, comté cheese, French mustard, butter and cornichon on French baguette. Simple, yet so good! #sandwichsaturday

I Almost Forgot!!! Lots going on today and no one reminded me of National Gumbo Day! #tbt Pork Andouille and Chicken Gumbo with Rice, one of my favorite New Orleans’ dishes and a must-have at Henry Parsons Project in Pasadena. I need to stop in and visit my friends for some Gumbo soon. The Shrimp & Grits are pretty good here too. #gumbo #nationalgumboday

Got My Fix Today! A Pork Tamale Fix from Josie’s Place in Gardena. It may look like a wet burrito, but it’s a pork tamale with sauce and lots of cheese, before getting hit with salsa. IYKYK #tamale #tamalefix #porktamale

Did you know that October is National Pizza Month? Who am I to argue??? Pepperoni Detroit-style Pizza from Bookie’s Pizza in Santa Cruz. . I ordered this pepperoni pizza for the nieces, they liked it with pepperoni red sauce, mozzarella, brick cheese, and parmigiana. Each pie is handcrafted using only the best ingredients from local farms, fisherman, and foragers. The dough is naturally leavened for 48 hours using organic flour and each pizza comes with its own unique sauce. 👍 My favorite was the Mushroom & Nettle Pizza. Next year, I want to try the seasonal Morels and Ramps Pizza. The busiest pizza day in October is on Halloween. Everyone is busy ghoulishly getting their costumes on and no time to make dinner before Trick or Treating. So get your pizza orders in early that day. “There’s no better feeling in the world than a warm pizza box in your lap.” ~ Kevin James #detroitstylepizza #nationalpizzamonth

Today is National Noodle Day! FB reminded me of this day and I miss having my favorite noodles growing up, Saimin. Saimin was one of the plantation dishes that came from the culinary mixture of Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, and Portuguese immigrants in Hawaii. This was during a time when field workers would share meals together and new dishes created. Thankfully, Saimin was created… Wonton Saimin (or Wonton Min for short) from Palace Saimin in Honolulu. Saimin noodles and pork filled wonton in dashi (broth). Garnished with green onions and char siu pork. A bowl of noodles is like a little slice of happiness. #wontonmin #saimin #palacesaimin

Today is National Taco Day! Beef Tacos with Cheese from Tito’s Tacos in Culver City. It helps when you have a meeting down the street… Some of the chips didn’t make it home tho. 😂 "Tacos are not just food; they're a way of life." ~ Unknown Tacos Forever #nationaltacoday #titostacos

After seeing a bunch of the viral oxtail sandwiches on TikTok… I had to get my oxtail fix AND went to Best Oxtail Place in So Cal. Oxtail Stew Plate from @caribbeangourmet in San Gabriel. My favorite Oxtails come with Rice, Vegetables and Plantains, don’t forget about the house-made hot sauce. The meat falls right off the bone and the rice is fluffy and flavorful, I love their plantains too. It may not be the same #oxtailsandwich, but the #oxtails here are top notch and I’m quite satisfied. NOW, I’m ready for some Thursday Night Football! #oxtail #caribbeangourmet

It’s #NationalDumplingDay! 10 Piece #BeefBulgogi Dumpling Box from #Manduyo in Monterey Park Korean Dumpling with Beef Bulgogi. Green Onion, Cabbage and Sweet Potato Noodles. #foodcalendar #foodholiday #dumplings #inthe626

Sad to hear that the Turtle Tower location in SF’s Tenderloin closed on Sunday. From my last visit… Northern Vietnamese pho that isn’t served with bean sprouts, basil or other accouterments, only lime & jalapeños. #northernvietnamese #pho #closedrestaurant

It’s National Double Cheeseburger Day! Considering it’s a Friday night, the line wasn’t too long… Double Double at In-n-Out Burger in Pasadena.

“If you want a subject, look to pork!" ~ Charles Dickens, ‘Great Expectations’ I overheard two students talking about having to read “Great Expectations” in school and I remembered reading it in the 8th grade, perhaps? I didn’t read Charles Dickens’ today, But, I did have pork today… Chashu Medium Plate from Bachan’s Takeout in Monterey Park. With a scoop of Mac salad, two scoops of rice and hot mustard. #chashupork #chashuplate

It’s Sandwich Saturday! Hot Turkey Sandwich at The Ravioli House in San Mateo. With fresh roasted turkey breast, sourdough stuffing, house-made cranberry sauce, lettuce and mayonnaise on a toasted roll. Not sure if I’ll be able to spend Thanksgiving with the family this year, due to my work situation (unemployed right now). But, I thought I’d get a jump on the holiday regardless. Thankful to spend time with my family… Happy Summer Thanksgiving! #sandwichsaturday #turkeysandwich #thanksgivingsandwich #inthe650

Now back from my Northern Cal trip, remembering the Shakshuka from @interstellar_la in Santa Monica. #tbt A classic North African and Middle Eastern dish with harissa marinara, 3 eggs, mozzarella and topped with a jalapeno sauce and cilantro, served with toast. Might be time for another one… #shakshuka

What do you call pasta that has been blessed? Ravi-holy… Traditional Meat Ravioli with Bolognese from The Ravioli House in San Mateo. Ravioli made with both pork and beef with spinach, Swiss chard and mushroom. Purchased frozen and cooked at home. Also picked-up Assiago Cheese Zucchini Ravioli with roasted zucchini, shallots, fresh garlic, asiago cheese, and ricotta, I served it with their pesto. Both were really good, worth the drive, and the family liked it too. #ravioli #pasta

Breakfast Burrito Bowl for lunch at @catcloudcoffee in Santa Cruz (Westside only). Scrambled eggs, Marin Sun Farms bacon, crispy potatoes, housemade chipotle aioli, fresh cilantro and a green tomatillo sauce that was awesome. I can imagine how good the burrito is and will have to try it next time. Loved the crispy bacon and green sauce. 📍 719 Swift St, Ste 56, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 #breakfastburrito #catandcloudcoffee

Tonight… Inauthentic Detroit-Style Pizza! Mushroom & Nettle Pizza from Bookie’s Pizza in Santa Cruz. With porcini white sauce, mozzarella, brick cheese, maitake, tree oyster and preserved lemon. It was really good, the family liked it too, and I would order this again. I was too late to try the Morel & Ramp one, next time. #pizza #detroitstylepizza

Brown Sugar Baby Back Pork Ribs at Harris Ranch Express BBQ in Coalinga. #bbq #porkribs #babybackporkribs