Cooking for my parents… Sweet Potato Taco with Salad for dinner. A Roasted Sweet Potato with Seasoned Taco Meat, Summer White Corn (not pictured), Tomatoes, Avocado, Sour Cream, and Monterey Jack Cheese. My mom loves potatoes and we always have tacos during my visit. Rather than to make sweet potato tacos in a more traditional way, I was thinking baked potato meets taco. They were very good and will have to make it for the rest of the family. Happy Summer! #sweetpotato #seeetpotatotaco

On my way to visit the parental units, a regular stop at Harris Ranch BBQ Express in Coalinga (off I-5). Santa Maria Classic BBQ Tri-Tip Sandwich: Harris Tri-Tip slow smoked with almond wood, served with choice of house BBQ sauce on a french roll. Thick cut of Tri-Tip, very tender and juicy. I opted for the original BBQ sauce and it went well with the sandwich. A side of Brisket was really good today too. #tritip

Since it’s a Hot one today… For lunch, a Hot Honey Plate from sweetgreen in the San Fernando Valley. With Quinoa, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Blackened Chicken, and topped with Crispy Onions. I opted for Spicy Broccoli and Balsamic Vinaigrette to complete my lunch. What do you like to eat on hot days?

A Combo Burrito and a Drink, not a bad lunch for $8.50 at Henry’s Tacos in Studio City.

Happy Father’s Day Weekend! With all that’s going on today, don’t forget to eat. NY Steak and Shrimp Plate from the Teppan-Yaki Supreme Food Truck in Sherman Oaks. Served with Vegetable Fried Rice and Stir-Fried Vegetables and I opted for Garlic Butter and Ginger Sauce on the side. You don’t get a show, but you get a lot of good food! This was the biggest plate of food I’ve ever ordered from a food truck and it was delicious. Dinner tomorrow will be hard to beat! #steakandshrimp

It’s Grilled Fish FryDay! Grilled Branzino Plate at California Fish Grill in Burbank. I customized my fish plate with Grilled Shrimp skewer, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Garlic Butter, and Fries, it’s FryDay! My favorite way to grill a branzino is over coals, such a good fish for grilling. A white fish with a mild sweet flavor found in the Mediterranean Sea and in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Happy FryDay! #branzino

A “Good Vibrations” Dinner Remembering Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys tonight. Carney’s Hot Dog at Carney’s in Studio City, just look for the Union Pacific rail cars on Ventura Blvd. With chili, mustard, tomato and onions, my favorite for years… “If everybody had an ocean Across the U.S.A. Then everybody’d be surfin’ Like Californ-i-a You’d see them wearing their baggies Huarache sandals too A bushy bushy blond hairdo Surfin’ U.S.A.” - The Beach Boys #chilidog

On Meat-Less Monday… Cheese Nachos from Poquito Mas in Studio City With Pico de Gallo, Gucamole, Sour Cream, Jalapenos, and Cheese over tortilla chips. Sometimes, something as simple as cheese nachos is all that I want. #nachos

“You better cut the pizza in four pieces because I'm not hungry enough to eat six” ~ Yogi Berra

It’s National Donut Day! I took my break a bit late, but there was still a good selection.

It’s Taco-in-a-Bun Tuesday! It’s been awhile since I’ve had a Taco-in-a-Bun, I think the first one I ever had was at Naugles, do you remember Naugles? Del Taco bought them many years ago, I was sad when this happened. IMO, Naugles was so much better than Del Taco. Taco-in-a-Bun from Bobby’s Place in Pasadena. Taco meat with lettuce, tomato, and cheese in a bun, with a very good salsa. Happy Tuesday! . #tacoinabun

It’s not just another day; it’s another chance! Last Wednesday, I had a rough day in training. The night before, I found out from a manager at my last job, that a co-worker had passed away that morning. I was shocked and saddened by this news. I arrived at work the next day trying to get ready for a couple of catering orders, as well as, getting ready for a busy lunch service. I was preoccupied and got behind and never recovered during the shift. My training manager pointed out my inefficiencies after the shift, but I knew before our wrap up. I made sure the next time I managed the shift, I’d be better prepared, the last two days I was and felt better. Getting better each day, even if it’s by 1%, it’s a positive. So, after work, I visited my old restaurant and talked with my former co-managers and crew. It was good seeing them and I miss working with them, they all said the same. On my way home, I stopped to have dinner but there was a long line and I couldn’t find close parking. Plan B was to stop at the grocery store and after parking, realized Emon Japanese Restaurant was still open. Emon’s Daily Special with chicken teriyaki, bean sprouts, pickles, salad, cucumber roll (2pcs), california roll (4pcs) and my choice, shrimp tempura. After a disappointing last Wednesday, today was another chance and I celebrated the improvement. As my parents always tell me, keep moving forward. #bento

It’s Carb Day… at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Not Carbohydrate Day, but Carburetion Day! I’ve watched the Indianapolis 500 almost every Memorial Day Weekend as long as I can remember. Since I’ve worked most Sundays in the last decade or so, I’ve watch the replays since I couldn’t watch it live. But today, Friday, is the last practice before Sunday’s 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Carburetion Day is the day teams would make adjustments to the carburetors. But, Indy cars today don’t have carburetors, therefore I’ll eat carbohydrates and will celebrate with Turkey Pesto Meatballs in Red Sauce over Spaghetti. Happy Carb Day! #turkeypestomeatballs

Had a rough week in training this week… Today was a virtual classroom training day, a 10 hour class. One of the ice breakers was to draw a pig. Which made me think of BBQ, but I went with grilled pork, Mac salad, and rice from Bachan’s Take Out. I rushed home to watch the Dodger game, but today was an off day and I had to settle watching the replay of last night’s game. It’s ok, they won! Are you BBQing this weekend?

Chasing the Monday blues away… Trying the New KBBQ Plate at sweetgreen. Served with Basmati Rice, Spicy Broccoli, Pickled Red Cabbage, Kimchi Cucumbers, Apple Kimchi Sauce, KBBQ Steak, and KBBQ Glaze poured over the plate. This collab dish was created with Michelin-starred Korean BBQ steakhouse Cote. First of all, it’s not a bad dish. The kimchi isn’t fermented, so there isn’t much depth there. The vegetables are fresh and good quality, so there’s a nice crunch to them. The Apple Kimchi Sauce has a nice sweetness to it. The KBBQ Glaze tied this dish together with a soy based sauce. Is this something that competes with a dish found in KTown? No, but it’s not a bad dish at sweetgreen. #KBBQ

I don’t always stop and look at Kabobs… Oh Wait, Yes I Do! After work, I wanted something with hummus and I thought, Kabobs! Shish Kabob Plate at Zankou Chicken in Pasadena. With double beef skewers, hummus, basmati rice, tomatoes and pickled turnips with a side of pita. Kebab therapy: making every bite count #kabobs

Happy Birthday, Danny! AND it gives me a reason to celebrate at Trejo’s Tacos. My favorite taco at Trejo’s Tacos is the Cauliflower Taco. Roasted cauliflower with vegan avocado crema, pickled onions and Inka corn on a corn tortilla. Have a great day, Danny Trejo! #tacos

Wasn’t feeling great today… Maybe it’s because I didn’t eat yesterday??? So, I wanted to start the day off right with a breakfast burrito AND it’s been awhile since I’ve been to BBAD. Basic Bae-con from @breakfastburritosallday in Pasadena. With bacon, potatoes cubed and pavé, habanero hot sauce, chipotle aoili, sour cream, cheese & scrambled eggs (or over-easy) on a flour tortilla. I love the pavé potatoes in this burrito, it stays crispy and adds nice texture. It’s been too long since I’ve had a BBAD (Breakfast Burrito All Day). #breakfastburrito #burrito

It’s Finally FryDay! Whose idea was it to eat lunch outside??? It won’t be that hot, we’ll find a nice park, they said… It’s over 80° in the San Fernando Valley Chicken Teriyaki & Shrimp Tempura Bento from Emon Japanese Restaurant in Burbank Served with Rice, Pickles, Bean Sprouts, and Salad.

I announce to you a great joy; we have Tofu Stew (and a Pope too). Galbi and Sundubu-jjigae from A Ri Rang Tofu House in San Gabriel. Marinated Beef Short Ribs & Soft Tofu Stew AND a whole lotta Banchans (side dishes). I probably shouldn’t have ordered it spicy BUT, it was THAT good AND it’s been awhile since I’ve had tofu stew with mushrooms and an egg. Now to enjoy the end of the week #tofustew

Any day is a good day for burritos! ~ says everyone… The weather was gloomy, but this brightened up my weekend! Con Todo Burritos at Burritos La Palma in El Monte. With Spiced Shredded Beef, Refried Beans, and Cheese on a freshly made Flour Tortilla, so good! A nice end to my birthday weekend. #contodo #burrito

The famous Noodle and Dumplings Combo since 2001 (and my favorite since 2015). Angus Stewed Beef Noodle with Boiled Cabbage, Pork and Shrimp Dumplings Combo ($17.50) from Luscious Dumplings in Monrovia. A soup-erior dumpling. #beefnoodle #dumplings

After a morning at the DMV… No, not the DMZ, I’m not at the 38th Parallel (IYKYK). It was time to start the birthday weekend and celebrate with a La Azteca burrito, especially since I was up and had a couple of hours before doing prep for a fund raiser on Saturday. Renewing my drivers license was a bit confusing, online it said I had to renew in person, but when I got there they said I qualified for mail-in renewal and sent me to the kiosk. It wouldn’t have been too bad, but the kiosk line didn’t move cause a woman was trying to renew her license and didn’t know her license number. WTF??? I thought the guy in front of me was going to lose it. But, she got out of line and we all proceeded. Unfortunately, I didn’t qualify and went back to the window and they took care of me right away. Your tax dollars at work. I think I took the worst picture… After 90 minutes of standing in line, I was happy that there wasn’t a line at La Azteca Tortilleria, which normally has a line (esp on the weekends). La Azteca + Carne Asada Burrito A Poblano Pepper with Cheese, Grilled Tomato, Onion, Cilantro, Refried Beans & Carne Asada (Beef). One of my favorite burritos, but the salsa kicks my a$$. Regardless of waking up early to deal with the DMV, at least I’m good for 5 more years #chilerellano #burrito

Happy National Prime Rib Day! A “Prime Rib” is actually a Standing Rib Roast. Prime rib comes from the primal rib section of the cow, which is located on the forequarter. The rich flavor of prime rib comes from its generous marbling, which adds tenderness, juiciness, and a buttery texture. While the name “prime rib” doesn’t automatically mean the meat is USDA Prime grade, it’s still a high-quality cut of beef. Prime-grade prime rib is heavily marbled, while Choice-grade is moderately marbled, and Select-grade has less marbling. Regardless, it’s delicious. I’m having mine with a baked potato… . #primerib

The Saturday Special! Shrimp Curry at Caribbean Gourmet in San Gabriel. Served with Rice & Peas, Cabbage, and Fried Plantains. It made working on Saturday shrimply the best! Don’t curry, be happy! #shrimpcurry