California dreamin...

[ozimax]

In sunny Socal at present, thought I'd share a piece of classic American culture, sure to warm the cockles of the hearts of any cuisine afficianados on the forum...

http://www.pixspot.com/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pos=0

[calford]

One of my favorite dining establishments. Now that you've reminded me, I think I'll have lunch there today.

Great photo also.

Al

[ozimax]

Al, I didn't go in there, should I have done so? I went to Marie Callenders last night instead, and it was very good!

Max

[calford]

They're good also, but you missed a treat, especially the 'skinny fries'.

Al

[Oneputt]

I can't believe you actually have a place called Fatburger

[Glen]

Very amusing Ozi

[avkomp]

I dare say that's what becomes of you if you eat there all the time.


Steve

[gstark]

Max,

Nice shot. Be sure to wander into a Fudruckers too.

[ozimax]

I dare say that's what becomes of you if you eat there all the time.


Steve

Fudruckers? Saw one yesterday but avoided it, like the aforementioned "Fatburger". Nevertheless a true statement Steve, which is why I am trying so hard to keep my 16kg weightloss since Christmas intact. It will be hard but so far so good.

Sitting in Sacramento airport as I type this, with free wifi internet, it's pretty good. In fact, compared to LAX, any place is good.

[gstark]

I dare say that's what becomes of you if you eat there all the time.


Steve

Fudruckers? Saw one yesterday but avoided it, like the aforementioned "Fatburger".

Fudruckers can actually be quite healthful. They make the burger to your order, with quite some variation in the meats etc, and you add your salad and condiments.

As to Fatburger ... try and find a Cinnabon for .... um ... ahhh ... a late breakkie. Makes Krispy Kreme look decidely low calorie.

[Glen]

Makes Krispy Kreme look decidely low calorie.

At least they live up to their name, thats honesty in advertising for you

[ozimax]

Fudruckers can actually be quite healthful. They make the burger to your order, with quite some variation in the meats etc, and you add your salad and condiments.

As to Fatburger ... try and find a Cinnabon for .... um ... ahhh ... a late breakkie. Makes Krispy Kreme look decidely low calorie.

Definitely will try Fudders at Palmdale later in the week. Them thar Sinner-bons are delicious, no doubt about it, my once a month treat will definitely be one, I'm just pacing my calorie intake until the end of the month and I will splurge on a whole cinnabon.

[ozimax]

Makes Krispy Kreme look decidely low calorie.

At least they live up to their name, thats honesty in advertising for you

Advertising is quite scary in Calif. Strode into a nice restaurant late last night and was presented with the following sign (roughly translated):

"This restaurant uses ingredients and materials which are known to cause cancer and birth defects."

I said to my American friends, "What do they add to their soup? Roundup?"

Scary stuff indeed.

[ozimax]

The nthing about American food is the amount of sugar included. It's everywhere. Even the wholemeal bread tastes sweet. It's hard for someone like me who is on a no-sugar diet. Oh well, that's life.

Have you ever noticed the food chain in USA? There are some very good "chain" restaurants, eg Red Lobster, Marie Callenders, Olive Garden.

Then come the intermediates like Cracker Barrel etc.

Then the cheapies, Denny's, Waffle House et al.

After this the fast food stuff, In & Out, Jack-in-the-box, Burger King.

Almost finally, the dregs such as Del Taco, Long John Silvers, Taco Bell, Wendys

Last and definitely least, McDonalds. Do NOT go to McDonalds in America. You have been warned.

[gstark]

Advertising is quite scary in Calif. Strode into a nice restaurant late last night and was presented with the following sign (roughly translated):

"This restaurant uses ingredients and materials which are known to cause cancer and birth defects."

This is global CYA stuff, and you'll see it everywhere. Like on every gas pump, and at the entrance to just about every public building you'll enter.

Lindy was quite taken aback when she saw one at the entrance to the Hyatt hotel in San Francisco last December.

The reality is that they're referring to the cleaning substances that are in use.

[gstark]

Have you ever noticed the food chain in USA? There are some very good "chain" restaurants, eg Red Lobster, Marie Callenders, Olive Garden.

Actually, these are all overproced and don't offer all that good fare, IMHO. You'll be better off in a real restaurant, or perhaps something like a Chevys.

Mind you, if Olive Garden still do a soup and salad combo for lunch, that can be fairly good value.

And don't forget that you can buy some food at Fry's.

[ozimax]

Have you ever noticed the food chain in USA? There are some very good "chain" restaurants, eg Red Lobster, Marie Callenders, Olive Garden.

Actually, these are all overproced and don't offer all that good fare, IMHO. You'll be better off in a real restaurant, or perhaps something like a Chevys.

Mind you, if Olive Garden still do a soup and salad combo for lunch, that can be fairly good value.

And don't forget that you can buy some food at Fry's.

True enough Gary, but I can't afford real restaurants, story of my life, so we make the best of the situation.

"American Cuisine" - the ultimate oxymoron? Still like them thar cinnabons though! Even found a 1/4 decent coffee yesterday in downtown LA, using "Illy" blend. It was half decent I suppose, and at around $4 cup would want to be.

[gstark]

Max,

The reality is that, because of the competetive environment and lower wage costs, real restaurants are often cheaper than many chains.

Dead Lobster is a great example of an over priced, overrated chain.

The cost structures there are very different from here, and that changes everything. The larger franchises have big franchise fees to pay, while the independants don't, and that gives the real places a potential pricing advantage.

You should take a ride down PCH towards Laguna Beach and just find a few places there to enjoy.

And getting back to Cinnabon, are they to die for, or to die eating?

[ozimax]

And getting back to Cinnabon, are they to die for, or to die eating?

Well Gary, I did it. I busted my no sugar diet big time and ate a whole cinnabon at one sitting. Gone, down the hatch, sayanara sinnerbon. And was it worth the injection of sugar into the bloodstream?

You betcha!

Max

[gstark]

You betcha!

Ok, Max.

Here's your recovery regime.

With the weekend upon you, go to San Diego. Go to the Old Town village, and have lunch at the Old Town Mexican Cafe, which is on the main street just across the road from the old town village area. Be sure to spend a couple of hours exploring the Old Town village beforehand, btw.

Order a plate of nachos. See if you can finish it by yourself.

You may need to wait for about 10 or 15 minutes for a table, but it's worth it.

After lunch, head into Balboa Park end enjoy, amongst other things, the Photography Museum.

405 back to LA afterwards, perhaps detouring via PCH and Laguna Beach for dinner.

[ozimax]

Thanks Gary, will try the nachos. I'm not scheduled to be in San Diego until 31st May but will hopefully have some time to look around Old town etc.

This coming Tuesday hopefully will have the day off to visit Getty Centre and the Tar Pits. Went to downtown LA last Tuesday with my son, fashion district etc, bit of a dive but cheap suits everywhere! Then we drove to Anaheim to watch the Angels play baseball. Not my cup of tea really, a bit too slow but it was an experience anyway.

Last Wednesday I spoke at a church in Boron, a mining town near the town of Mojave. (Mojave is the place where all the unwanted jet aircraft are stored. It is desert and spectacular. I hope to return there next week to take some sunset shots.)

Tomorrow I am driving out to a church at a little place called Trona, which is right on the edge of Death Valley. Monday I plan to spent an hour or two in the valley, which is supposed to be quite pretty, before heading back to my base in Lancaster/Palmdale, which is approx 90 miles north of LA.

Cheers,

Max

[gstark]

Then we drove to Anaheim to watch the Angels play baseball. Not my cup of tea really, a bit too slow but it was an experience anyway.

Indeed. I've dpne baseball in Modesto, and once in NY at the Yankees Stadium, as an event for a conference I was attending. We were in one of the nosebleed sections, and one of our group was very talented in making paper planes.

One of which wafted its way down, until it landed at the feet of the next batter up - on national tv - while he was doing his warmup.

Monday I plan to spent an hour or two in the valley, which is supposed to be quite pretty, before heading back to my base in Lancaster/Palmdale, which is approx 90 miles north of LA.

Sounds great. Make sure you have a camera handy. In case you're interested, Best Buy have the D200 in stock for next day delivery. US$1700 less a $50 rebate.

[ozimax]

Sounds great. Make sure you have a camera handy. In case you're interested, Best Buy have the D200 in stock for next day delivery. US$1700 less a $50 rebate.

I would love to buy one, but I'm not sure what the missus would say. Maybe I should not tell her? She would eventually find out, but hey, a pro needs good gear, right?? (Back me up here Gary)

[gstark]

Sounds great. Make sure you have a camera handy. In case you're interested, Best Buy have the D200 in stock for next day delivery. US$1700 less a $50 rebate.

I would love to buy one, but I'm not sure what the missus would say. Maybe I should not tell her? She would eventually find out, but hey, a pro needs good gear, right?? (Back me up here Gary)

Doesn't she get the D70 as her gift?

[ozimax]

Not exactly, this trip has already cost me my retirement savings, but, as we all know, business is business, and if I just had the D200 I could take "the" money shot at Snapper Rocks, sell it to Tracks magazine and make a squillion.... Now, all I have to do is sell Robyn on the idea.