I started today’s holiday in Santa Monica AND ended the day in Pasadena with Tonkotsu Ramen at Ramen Tatsunoya. A lot of people I came across today asked me, “did you know today was a holiday?” I said, “Yes, at 6:30 this morning, there weren’t too many cars on the freeway.” Ahh, life in the food industry… #columbusday #ramen #ramentatsunoya #tonkotsuramen

Sunday Dinner: Rigatoni with Meat Sauce & Mozzarella from Stonefire Grill in Pasadena. Rigatoni noodles with a tomato meat sauce made with ground beef, bacon, onion and mozzarella cheese (shareable size). More than enough for lunch tomorrow too. #meatrigatoni #stonefiregrill #sundaydinner #pasta #pastadinner

Although I was hoping for Jerk Shrimp today… But, I’ll take today’s special, Jerk Salmon from Caribbean Gourmet in San Gabriel. Served over rice, veggies, and fried plantains, it made for a nice Saturday dinner as I watch playoff baseball. Go early, as they run out. #caribbeangourmet #jerksalmon #caribbeanfood

On Sandwich Saturday… I wanted a Tri-Tip Sandwich, but this doesn’t look like beef, does it??? It was pulled pork and not Tri-Tip. I called the restaurant to tell them I was given the wrong sandwich. They’ll remake it for me tomorrow, cause I’m not going back today. . I work at a restaurant, sometimes the wrong item goes out. I’m not going to write a Yelp review about it. I just called the restaurant to resolve the issue. Life goes on…

It’s Sandwich Saturday! BUT, Bachan’s Take Out is Open! Over a year ago, they had to move from Rosemead location and now re-opened at a larger space in Monterey Park. Cold Soba Salad with Shrimp on a warm Saturday afternoon. Happy Salad Saturday! #sobasalad #bachanstakeout

In the kitchen today, we talked about making a roux for gravy and pork chops… On the drive home, after my 12 hour work day, all I thought about was getting home AND picking up Gumbo (with the dark roux) from @henryparsonsproject in Pasadena. I didn’t look at the menu, but I took their suggestion and ordered fried chicken and cobbler togo. Of course I ordered Gumbo too! I came for the Gumbo, BUT the Fried Chicken was tonight’s hidden gem. Served with maque choux and the combination was delicious! Thanks Kevin & Kari, it’s always good seeing my friends and enjoying their delicious food. As always, the ice cream was a delicious treat too. #friedchicken #maquechoux #henryparsonsproject

My 14 Hour Day is Over! 3 Carnitas & 2 Asada Tacos from Los California Tacos truck in Pasadena on #tacotuesday. #tacos #tacotruck #cashonly

Happy National Lobster Day! A Lobster Roll & Clam Chowder from Lobsta Truck in Pasadena. #nationallobsterday #foodcalendar #foodholiday #lobsterroll #foodtruck

It’s Sunday Dinner… I’ve been looking forward to this for two weeks now, as I needed to order this a couple of weeks ago. I’ve ordered this Original Golden Rice dish before, about a year and a half ago, and it was really good. But, this pop-up is only available on Sundays and I was working on the weekends. So, this weekend, I’m available! This Persian Saffron Rice (Tachin) dish contains rice, yogurt, egg, saffron, and topped with barberries from #GoldenRiceCo. I opted to get it with chicken, cause it makes sense to have chicken with rice, right? Many years ago, a co-worker asked me if I wanted to try her mom’s rice cake? If you say ‘“rice cake” to an Asian, my thought was completely different, it truly is a rice cake and I enjoyed it. But I didn’t know the name nor knew what to ask for…Until @goldenriceco opened during the pandemic. The rice is crunchy on the outside and with the barberries, a bit of tartness that ties it all together for me (anyway) 👍👍👍. I forgot to order the Persian Cucumber Tomato Salad with it today, but did get the side of hummus with the dried chickpea garnish. I’m already thinking about next Sunday’s dinner… #sundaydinner #tachin #goldenriceco #chickenandrice #popup #preorder

It’s Sandwich Saturday! Yuzu Kosho Turkey Sandwich from Jeff’s Table in Highland Park. Slow-cooked citrus-brined turkey breast, sliced avocado, green-chili-citrus aioli, lemon, wild arugula, olive oil on a sammie roll. I loved the Yuzu Kosho twist and one I would order again! Happy Saturday! #sandwichsaturday #turkeysandwich #yuzukosho

Filet Mignon Kabob from Crimson in Santa Monica. Served with pita bread, rice, hummus, and garlic sauce. #filetmignonkabob #beefkabob

Meat Lasagna from Rose City Pizza in Rosemead.

Avocado Toast with Dill Salad for Breakfast from Avocado Toast CA at the Sunday Beverly Hills Farmers Market. #avocadotoast #farmersmarket

It’s Sandwich Saturday! Tri-Tip Sandwich from Best BBQ in Santa Paula. Sliced Tri-Tip on a grilled roll, before adding their BBQ sauce (mild or spicy). The Tri-Tip had good flavor, just wished it was sliced a bit thinner for the sandwich. #sandwichsaturday #tritip #tritipsandwich #sandwich

When you have a 14 hour Monday work day… Dinner is a late night chicken kabob plate with hummus and garlic sauce with rice and pita from Crimson in Santa Monica. #chickenkabob #hummus #santamonica

Today’s Special: Baked Mac & Cheese from Caribbean Gourmet

It’s Sandwich Saturday! New York Breakfast Sandwich at Joan’s on Third in LA. . With scrambled eggs, bacon, and jack cheese on grilled country white bread. Years ago, Joan suggested that I try the breakfast sandwich one morning, it’s been a favorite since then. My other favorite that Joan got me hooked on is the cracker, which I didn’t see today. Oh well, next time… Happy Saturday! Moo #breakfastsandwich #sandwichsaturday #joansonthird

#tbt There are dishes you remember, And Then… THERE ARE DISHES YOU REMEMBER!!! The Poutine from The Whole Ox (Closed) in Honolulu. With Foie Gras, Potatoes, and Gravy… need I say more??? The most unbelievable dish ever! Hard to believe THAT was 10 years ago, right @meatmeinhawaii??? Ahh, memories that my tastebuds will never forget! #poutine #thewholeox #foiegras #iykyk .

It’s National Cheese Pizza Day! Enjoying a deep-dish cheese pizza from a chef friend who should be serving this in his restaurant. But, since his restaurant doesn’t have a pizza oven or room for one, I can understand why he doesn’t… If the pizza is good, cheese is all I need. Enjoy the holiday (and pizza too!) #nationalcheesepizzaday #cheesepizza #deepdishpizza

When life gives you lemons… It’s Road Trip for BBQ Time! On Thursday, I was heading to Northern Cal for the holiday weekend. My car was running rough and had issues with acceleration. Rather than to spend the weekend in the middle of Highway 5 on a holiday weekend, I came home. The next day, I took my car in. Fortunately, they found two dirty sensors that controlled the throttle and oxygen intake. My car is running great now. So this weekend, I won’t be with my family or enjoying Central California’s Tri-Tip BBQ, BUT I’ll make plans to visit them in October. Meanwhile, today I’ll head to Ventura County to try a couple of Tri-Tip BBQ places that I’ve heard were good. First Stop, Best BBQ in Santa Paula for a Tri-Tip Sandwich and Ribs. The BBQ was good, maybe better if I ate it there, but I have more stops and football to get to. Before leaving Santa Paula, I had to get an ice cream at Foster’s, as it was 100° and first things first, right??? The Second Stop was closed. On the way home, I stopped off at Handy Market in Burbank for their Saturday BBQ and to pick up a few more items. . Got home in time to watch some football with BBQ, Corn, Sausages, and Mac & Cheese. BTW, I got a lemonade to top off the day! Happy Saturday!!! #bbq #santamariatritip #tritipsandwich

It’s Sandwich Saturday! The “I Love Fish” bagel sandwich from Maury’s Bagels in LA. . An open-faced sandwich, one side with Lox with Cream Cheese, Red Onions, and topped with Capers and the other side with Whitefish, Cucumbers, and Red Onions on an Everything Bagel. It’s the BEST of both worlds and my favorite place for bagels! #bagelsandwich #bagel #sandwichsaturday

It’s the beginning of September… AND National Biscuit Month! When the chef asks if I’m hungry before the kitchen closes??? Did he really need to ask? It’s Biscuits & Gravy Time! House-made biscuits with his version of country gravy that he put together for me after brunch service. One of the advantages of hanging out in the kitchen. #biscuitsandgravy #lifeinthekitchen #foodcalendar

Tuesdays are better with Tacos! Taquitos, a Tamale, and Beans from @cielitolindola in DTLA. Living every day like it’s Taco Tuesday! Unless it’s Taco Tuesday, Then…Happy Rolled Taco Tuesday! #tacotuesday #taquitos

Butterfly Pea Tea & Peach Tea I’m not at a boba shop… But at California Donuts in Koreatown The peach was the better one, but the teas were used more for color rather than flavor. #donuts

They say… you can’t go home again. But tonight, I did! I went back to Lock & Key for the introduction of @pizzaparty_la, a deep dish pizza concept in KTown. If you try to return to a place you remember from the past it won't be the same as you remember it. @lockandkeyla is better now, since the pandemic, there was a fire next door and this speakeasy suffered a lot of damage. But the place looks great! The cocktails are still the same, as confirmed with tonight’s “Welcome Punch.” I worked in the kitchen about 6 years ago and tonight, I was able to sample the famous Lock & Key Butter Garlic Fries and Lollipop Chicken Wings. But tonight wasn’t about reminiscing about the famous food menu or inventive craft cocktails, it was about the deep dish pizza concept by Chef Toney Hernandez from Dough Box, and they offer four different styles of pizza: deep dish, Sicilian, New York, and focaccia made with daily handmade brioche and pizza dough. The Chicago style deep dish is solid and I enjoyed the New York Style Buffalo Chicken Pizza & Sicilian Sausage Pizza too. A great deep dish pizza in Koreatown. Thank you, @kristiehang & @celinelinarte! #deepdishpizza #chicagostylepizza #pizzaparty #lockandkey #ktown