First of all, the atmosphere is welcoming and casual. Everyone from hipsters to businessmen to construction workers can be found here, trying to get in a good meal during their lunch hour. The informal surroundings of the red booths and the route 66-esque signs create a relaxing environment where people can hang out with friends and enjoy good food.

            If you do not know what an item on the menu is, such as “Piggy Fries,” feel free to ask one of the workers who will very kindly answer your question. A number is given per order and the friendly waiters bring the food to your table.

            Speaking of Piggy Fries, make sure to order them alongside your sandwich or even as a small meal. They are double fried French fries topped with cheese, thousand island sauce, and caramelized onions, also known as a small bite of heaven. The only complaint is that the cheese would have tasted better if it were melted instead of just sprinkled on top. 

            A simple but good choice is the Classic Burger 1/3 Pound. It is a juicy beef patty with tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles in a bun. Nothing special, yet delicious.

A more popular choice is the Oinkster Pastrami sandwich which not only looks appetizing, but also delectable. The Oinkster is famous for their house cured pastrami, cured for two weeks rubbed with a special spice blend and smoked with applewood. This is not the regular thin and salty pastrami from your local deli. This is thick-cut, moist, delicious meat in a baguette with Gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, and red cabbage slaw.

When imagining the Old Fashion Chicken Salad Sandwich, imagine pulled roast chicken with homemade pickles, a sweet mayonnaise sauce, tomato, and onion on ciabatta bread. Surprisingly, the sandwich was not as heavy as expected. It was sweet and very tasty because of the sauce. This sandwich is recommended to people who do not like red meat but want a fulfilling meal.

Another favorite on the menu is the BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich. The pork in the sandwich is brined with soy and honey, then slowly roasted and smoked. As you can imagine, this adds plenty of flavor to the sandwich. Even more flavor comes from the Carolina BBQ sauce, red cabbage slaw, and caramelized onions.

Since their pork is what they are known for, it is recommended that one order a pork dish. Do not worry, you will not be disappointed because their pork is scrumptious and moist. The meat in the food is the star of each dish, not the accessories that come along with it.

The owner and chef of the restaurant is Andre Guerrero, who describes his food as “slow fast food.”

There is a small lot available beside the restaurant so if you get lucky, you can find a parking spot.

The restaurant is open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. The Oinkster is open at very convenient times, catering to those in need of a late night food run.

            The name originated from Fred Sutherland and Fred Eric, both born in 1962. The restaurant was created in 1997 and has been a Los Feliz hotspot for all types of people since then, including many celebrities.

            Even from the outside, you can see the diner theme of the restaurant. From the old-fashioned signs to the booths and tables, the restaurant is a fun blast from the past. The furnishings and appliances are also old fashioned, such as the counters, seating, and ice cream fountain, which makes for delicious shakes.

            For breakfast, the Bearded Mr. Frenchy is one option. This seemingly complex dish with its clever name is a thick piece of toast soaked in an egg, cinnamon, and milk batter–better known as French Toast–coated with corn flakes and pan fried. Offering both a sweet and salty taste, the dish will surely satisfy any craving, especially with butter and maple syrup.

            The Strawberry Beret offers a choice of waffles, French toast, or pancakes with a generous amount of fresh strawberries on top. These fresh strawberries are much more enjoyable than the strawberry jam offered at other traditional breakfast restaurants. On top of the waffles is whipped cream and powdered sugar. The dish did not taste as sweet as it looked, which was a good thing since a too-sweet breakfast will not fuel a person for the day.

            The Buttermilk Flapjacks are simple pancakes with a side of maple syrup and butter. This dish is not recommended only because it to too simple. The flapjacks are a little dry and tasteless.

            Breakfast is served all day, so these delicious treats are available any time that you want.

            For lunch, try the Veggie Royale, a sandwich “tower” made of roasted eggplants, red bell peppers, grilled tomatoes, grilled onions, Buffalo mozzarella with a roasted red pepper remoulade all on a Kaiser onion roll. This sandwich, with all of its complexities, was very tasty. Even if you are not a vegetarian, this choice is still highly recommended because regardless of its lack of meat, it is still very hearty.

            A very popular and interesting (not to mention a bit fattening) item on the menu is the fried Mac Daddy & Cheese Balls. This delicious appetizer is made up of their famous macaroni and cheese with a spicy and delicious twist. This is comfort food at its best.

            The only inconvenience of going to Fred 62 is the parking. There is no designated lot for customers, so park in the adjacent residential neighborhood; the walk to the restaurant is nice.

Located two blocks from school on Highland Ave., this restaurant is convenient in both location and parking.

When first entering the restaurant, I was very pleased with what I saw. The seating was plentiful, with chairs painted in a bright array of colors that added a definite Mexican feel. There were pictures of sponsored soccer teams, which added to the family-friendly theme and made the restaurant a cozy place to eat.

Though the restaurant was not very crowded, this does not speak of its quality of food whatsoever. When you first sit at your table, the kind waiter brings you complimentary chips with two types of salsa: mild and extremely spicy. The chips and salsa are endless, so feel free to ask for more.

The entrées are given in large portions and perfect for sharing between friends or to go. The price of the dishes is also extremely fair for the amount of food, ranging from $7 bowls to $9 burritos.

The Chile Colorado burrito consists of stewed beef chunks in a chili sauce and is wrapped in a tortilla. On top of the wrapped tortilla is melted cheese along with chopped scallions. The burrito is laid on a plate filled with the sauce. The savory burrito leaves me wanting more after every bite.

The Chicken Burrito is just filled with chicken, topped with cheese and scallions. Though the burrito was very hearty and filling, it lacked flavorful taste and texture.

Another simple dish is a rice bowl with a choice of a meat. On top of the meat is a dollop of sour cream and scallions, both traditional ingredients of Mexican food. This dish was too simple, but was satisfying. It was not spicy, savory, or sweet, but rather more neutral, perfect for a light meal.

The enchilada and tamale combination plate was a big dish filled with rice, cheese, chili sauce, and bread, a lot of incredibly delicious carbohydrates. The enchilada is a corn tortilla rolled around a cheese mixture and coated in a chili sauce. When you first cut into the enchilada, you are greeted with plenty of melted, delicious cheese. The tamale was filled with a pork mixture, again stewed in sauce. The corn that covers the pork was a little dry, but tolerable. The tamale that comes along with this combination is also delicious, but I have tasted better.

The service at this restaurant was quite possibly the best part. It was very friendly, with the waiter coming often to the table to ask how we were doing or to refill our drinks and tortilla chips.

Open every Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Casa de Ramos is a lovely place to go to for a quick meal, or for a nice family dinner. Parties can also be accommodated because space is readily available.

The menu features a variety of specialty rolls and teriyaki dishes. When ordering sushi, you have the choice of ordering either a five-piece or an eight-piece roll. Combination meals are also available, offering Udon alongside the sushi.

On a chilly afternoon, you may want to go for the combination meal that includes the Udon soup on the menu, wheat-flour Japanese noodle in a light broth with scallions. The warm broth cleanses your palate and creates a good balance between the stickiness of the rice in the sushi and the lightness of the broth. The thick noodles may be quick to satiate your hunger, but even with the combo meal, you are sure to finish both the sushi and the soup.

Some of the specialty rolls include the Caterpillar Roll and the Spicy Tempura Crunchy Roll. The Caterpillar Roll is covered in avocado and eel, which has a smooth texture that compliments the creamy feel of the crab inside the roll.

The Spicy Tempura Crunchy Roll is not only covered in fried tempura, but also drizzled with a spicy orange mayo sauce to create an explosion of flavor. The sauce is mildly sweet yet surprises you with a burst of spice. The roll is quite different from the others because it is served hot, so the mayo sauce, tempura, and sushi all easily melt together to create a mouthful. The rice in the Spicy Tuna Roll was actually overwhelming, but that can easily be balanced out with a tangy bite of pickled ginger or wasabi. Staying true to the restaurant’s name, most of the rolls are served in a rainbow shape.

Though the workers create a pleasant environment, the seating in the restaurant is limited. There are less than 10 chairs for the counter and there are only two tables outside. Rainbow Sushi and Teriyaki is more of an informal on-the-go eatery, so the next time you get sick of the mundane hamburger-and-fries deal, roll into this place for a roll. Share/Save]]> http://tornado-times.com/Index/2010/03/26/taste-the-rainbow-rainbow-sushi-that-is-chew-on-this/feed/ 0 http://tornado-times.com/Index/2010/03/01/chew-on-this-chow-at-thai-bbq/ http://tornado-times.com/Index/2010/03/01/chew-on-this-chow-at-thai-bbq/#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:21:35 +0000 allenau http://tornado-times.com/Index/?p=233 After a long day of bowling at the neighboring Jewel City Bowl, you should consider trying something new for a change. Eat a little something out of the ordinary, something less predictable than the hamburgers and French fries you would normally go for. Visit Thai BBQ.

Though the exterior of the restaurant makes it look unappealing due to its location and tacky awning, the place is always filled with customers looking for a good eat, which is exactly what they are going to get: great food with excellent service.

The restaurant is medium-sized and filled with booths. There are no Thai-themed decorations or anything that makes the restaurant look particularly exotic; however, the food is definitely authentic in regards to the culture.

The menu includes many well-known Thai ingredients: noodles, fresh vegetables, delicious sauces, and many different types of meat. The meat varies from duck to chicken, shrimp to squid, beef to pork, and much more so no matter the type of meat you are in the mood for, you are sure to be satisfied by the eclectic menu. If you prefer something vegetarian, you can either order a meat-free dish like Garden Spring Rolls or Sweet and Sour Vegetables, or simply ask to have the meat removed from the dish of your choice.

A typical plate in a Thai restaurant is Pad Thai. The Pad Thai at this eatery is by far one of the greatest I have ever tasted. Though personally I believe it could have had more of a peanut flavor, the rich noodles were still delicious.

Another staple in a Thai restaurant is the Thai Iced Tea. A sweet cream is mixed with an orange tea, creating a delicious drink that goes well with the food and sends your taste buds soaring. It is like a dessert and beverage in one.

The prices at this restaurant are incredibly affordable: one can get an entire meal for under $10. Also, since the portions are so large, leftovers are almost guaranteed which means you are getting almost two meals for the price of one.

The restaurant is open every day, on Sundays through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Address: 143 S. Glendale Ave, Glendale CA

Phone: (818) 507-6789

            Looking for authentic Korean food without having to travel to Koreatown? Want soup to warm you up from the cold weather? In the mood for some kimchi with steamed black or white rice?

            Tofu Village is a modern Korean food chain restaurant that can satisfy anybody’s craving. Its convenient location makes it easy for teenagers to go eat after a long day of shopping at the mall.

            When you first enter, you are greeted by employees as you make your way over to a table or booth that you desire. Tables can be placed together for larger parties. The server takes your drink order as you are given a menu to look through. Rice or green tea can be ordered to get a more authentic Korean experience, but soda is also available.

            Tofu Village is best known for its tofu stew. The colorful pictures of the cuisine on the menu brighten your eyes, making your decision that much more difficult until you finally decide what to order. When you are ready, there is a unique button on the table: you press the button, and the server is notified to come to your table. This makes even the most impatient customers happy because they do not have to sit and wonder when the server would return.

            Since the restaurant is known for its tofu stews, trying one would be the sensible thing to do. The well-known stews come in many varieties: the seafood tofu stew, dumpling tofu stew, pork tofu stew, and kimchi tofu stew. You are able to choose how spicy you want your dish, from no spiciness at all (which is not recommended because it takes away from the flavor) to extremely spicy that only the bravest of us can handle.

            The medium spicy is recommended for those who can eat spicy food, but do not want to overwhelm themselves. The stew also comes with raw eggs that you can crack into your stew to thicken it. Since the stew comes to your table boiling hot, the eggs poach the second you crack them, adding an extra flavor.

            The tofu stews are a mixture of tofu, a choice of meat, and a red broth. Although many do not like tofu, it can be very tasty and also has many health benefits. Tofu is made by curdling soya milk with a coagulant, the thickening agent. It is rich in nutrients, easy to digest, and claimed to reduce cholesterol.

            However, if enjoying tofu seems impossible, there are other dishes offered at Tofu Village. From the usual chicken teriyaki to the savory bolgogi, a Korean beef dish on a sizzling plate, a meat lover can definitely enjoy this eatery.

            Multiple sides are brought alongside the soup as well. Steamed rice, seaweed, glazed potatoes, broccoli, fish, kimchi, and bean sprouts are sides provided in order to balance the strong flavor of the main dish. These can be enjoyed as you wait for your meal, arriving quickly after ordering.

            At the end of the meal, the server brings out a tray of stone bowls filled with rice and hot water. Expressing a part of the Korean culture, servers pour hot water into the bowls that your steamed rice was originally cooked in so that the rice remnants from the sides of the bowl peel off.

            Tofu Village is open seven days a week. Monday through Thursday, it is open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and on Friday, it is open an extra hour, until 10:30 p.m. They open on Sundays at 12:00 p.m. and close at 9:00 p.m.