One of the last major fast-food chains I expected to find a fish sandwich was Arby's. It never dawned on me that the chain known for its roast beef sandwiches and jamocha shakes would also offer a fish sandwich, and a pretty good one, too. As I pulled into the drive-thru, I remember thinking, "Wait!... Continue Reading →
Orange You Glad? Wanna-Be Orange Julius Recipe
There are a few things I long from the past: the ability to fill up a tank of gas with a handful of loose change, my once boundless and youthful energy and the original Orange Julius. While the last item is a mild exaggeration, there is no doubt that Orange Julius has changed quite a... Continue Reading →
Hillcrest Sausagefest — Hot Dog Explosion
There used to be a running gag between Paul and me about Hillcrest businesses. On every block, there had to be either a salon, a florist, a sushi joint OR a Thai restaurant. While that hasn’t changed much, there's another addition and it's hot dogs. Wienerschitzel is located on the corner of Washington Street and... Continue Reading →
Chicken Paprikash With Heart
Valentine' Day is almost here again. While I've enjoyed celebrating it every year, there always seems to be something artificial about it. Shouldn't you express yourself to a loved one every day and not just one day a year? With this over-commercialization of most major (and minor) holidays, I've become a regular crab. But a... Continue Reading →
Resolution: Eat Healthy Snacks + Giveaway
By far, the easiest resolution I've kept since the beginning of this year was to eat healthier snacks. While that can be interpreted many ways, I see it as eating more fruits and veggies instead of chips or candy -- a biggie since I mindlessly chomp away on something while working on the computer. And... Continue Reading →
Resolution: Know Thy Chocolate Maker + Giveaway
Late in 2011, I made a conscious decision to try to attempt to eat locally. Avoid chains restaurants as much as humanly possible and instead eat at locally established restaurants. I've added local chocolate artisans to that list. Since when did I become that person? During the saw the economic downturn, I saw that friends... Continue Reading →
Resolution: Have a Happy Tummy + Giveaway
It’s a given: I eat a lot of things. Things that are bad – usually in the name food blogging. Some things are as a result of experimentation, both good and some terribly, terribly awful. And despite my efforts to eat a healthy and balanced, my stomach is left beat up and frankly, in really... Continue Reading →
Resolution: Work-Those-Arms Egg Beater, Spinach Bacon Frittata + Giveaway
January is almost over and most my New Year's Resolutions remain intact. One resolution is working my arms. Lifting free weights almost becomes automatic when settling in to watch an episode of Downton Abbey, Fringe or Community but I always wonder if I can be doing more in the kitchen. Arms are always in use... Continue Reading →
Q&A With Troy Johnson about Food Trends, Bloggers and His Guilty Pleasure
When San Diego Magazine announced Troy Johnson as their new editor-at-large and dining critic, I was perplexed. Wasn't Troy Johnson, dare I say, too edgy for old, stodgy San Diego Magazine? The same magazine that often features multi-million dollar homes of San Diego's upper echelon? Having never met Troy, I only knew him through his... Continue Reading →
Ramen Rivals: Underbelly vs. Izakaya Masa
It’s interesting when a traditional food is turned on its head with an attempt to make it more "mainstream." It's usually by a young, hip chef wanting to bring something new to the restaurant scene. Take for instance, Underbelly, a somewhat new ramen bar in Little Italy. It has all the signs of turning ramen... Continue Reading →
My Burning Kitchen... on the road 