American

We were driving from San Jose to Lake Tahoe and made a stop in Fairfield at the Jelly Belly Factory.  (They also have a factory in Wisconsin.)  Once you enter, it's very colorful and seems like a smaller version of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.  We waited in line for about 45 minutes for the tour.  They take groups of 50-60 people every 10-15 minutes for a 45-minute tour.  Be sure to go during a weekday to see the factory workers working and jelly beans being made, otherwise you'll just see videos on the weekends.  For participating in their free tour, you get a free paper hat and

We were driving back from Lake Tahoe and had to stop at Sweet Lumpy's BBQ, but as we drove into Old Town Temecula, I noticed that a new restaurant was in its place.  Luckily, with help from an iPhone, we discovered that they had moved a few blocks away, so we got back into our cars and away we went!

The new location is a little secluded (no longer on a corner), but it is bigger.  There are tables and booths inside (with peanut shells all over the floor - it's ok, they encourage it), as well as an outside dining area ready for a hoe down!

I can't remember when I first heard about Sweet Lumpy's BBQ, but I've done the drive (about 50 miles) to Temecula twice for their delicious food.  It's that good.

Their BBQ is slow cooked at low temperatures.  The BBQ sauces (original and spicy) are old family recipes.  I ordered the BBQ Chicken Sandwich ($6) and the chicken was really tender.  It tastes great with their sweet, original BBQ sauce.  The sandwich comes with fresh-cut fries, which are also good!  Really good with the BBQ sauce.

I like turkey burgers and shakes.  I like Ruby's Diner in Mission Valley, but what they don't have is servers in big wigs who have choreographed dances and a live DJ!  I went on Valentine's Day and that was a mistake.  The restaurant was packed with families and kids' birthday parties.  Our party of two had to wait 45 minutes for a table.  Larger parties were told up to 2 hours!

Original post: September 22, 2006
 
Hmm… Where to go after a beautiful wedding at the Neighborhood Church? We ended up at HT Grill in Redondo Beach for a late lunch before heading to the reception in Gardena.
 
Here’s what we ordered:
Waldorf Chicken Salad - Served with whole romaine leaves $10
The Redondo Lunch - Cup of soup with half Waldorf Chicken Sandwich & House Salad $9
Special Salad - Served with pieces of lobster $11

Original post: December 19, 2006
 
I had heard several people speak highly of the Hash House, but did not have the opportunity to visit until a recent Sunday… I’ve heard you can expect long lines, but luckily for us, it was about 1 pm and we only had to wait a few minutes for a table for six.
 

Original post: December 21, 2006
 
Mel’s Drive-In as seen on TV! Yes, you may recognize this restaurant from “The Surreal Life” (at least my date did). I had been here a few years ago and met Scarlett Johansson and saw Lindsay Lohan sitting in her car in the parking lot. I thought I’d try my luck again after seeing Mylin at the Knitting Factory…
 
I believe this was my date’s Chocolate Milk Shake - thick and old-fashioned, featuring McGoo’s ice cream.
 

Original post: December 23, 2006
 
Top Sirlion Steak (rare) - 10 oz. naturally raised top sirloin steak served with mashed potatoes and green beans.  Dave says: “It was good. Not one of the best steaks I’ve ever had, but it was good. It was tender and rare… just the way I like it.”
 

Original post: May 28, 2007
 
Dave says, “As an aspiring Kobayashi wannabe, I just had to try out a Nathan’s hot dog while I had the opportunity. Just got a basic Hot Dog and Fries. The fries weren’t anything special, but I did enjoy the hot dog. Nathan’s hot dogs are a little different than the run-of-the-mill dog because of their outer skin (I’m food channel edumacated). When you bite into them, they have a bit more of a snap to them. Overall, a good dog, but nothing I’d go out of my way to get.”