Olive Hut

Clearly, the safest place to shop for olives!

Olive Hut
3487 Highway 99W
Corning, CA  96021

If you spot what looks like an oversized tin can half buried in the ground, stop.  Park out front, then make your way inside.

Off the beaten path from that other well-known attraction, this Quonset hut supplies hungry road trippers with home-grown stuffed olives, pickled vegetables and international award-winning oils.  Produce, nuts, honey and other items round out the selection.

Avoid tourist traps and make a hit-and-run here for tasty local goods without the limited parking or high-pressure sales pitches.  Your oliveless martini awaits!

 

Mahoroba Japanese Bakery

(Chocolate) Hats off to you, Mahoroba!

Mahoroba Japanese Bakery
4900 Freeport Boulevard
Sacramento, CA


After seeing their ads in the Sacramento News & Review and driving by a million times, I finally stopped in to check out Mahoroba.

For waiting this long, I'm a fool!

Whoever created their recipes must have sold his or her soul to the devil, because the product here is unbelievable.  Doughs are phenomenally soft, fillings are light, airy and not too sweet, and the marrying of the two is simply perfection.  No sweet tooth today?  Pick up a savory bun with hot dogs or dim sum  baked right in.  That's right, I said dim sum, people!

The Chocolate Hat may look like a typical donut, but the quality exceeds what you'd find at your local Winchell's or Yum Yum.  And, unlike a maple bar or glazed twist, I can probably smoosh that entire soft Chocolate Hat into my mouth in one bite.  I mean, if I had to, of course.

Besides the Chocolate Hat, I sampled the flaky, tender Apple Danish and their famed Kobe Cream Delight, a soft dough ball filled with deliciousness that'll make you wish you had clipped the buy one, get one free coupon from the SN&R.

Support family-owned bakeries.  Go now.  What are you waiting for?

Newcastle Produce

Produce a few bucks for some tasty treats!

Newcastle Produce
9230 Cypress Street
Newcastle, CA

Markets like this are what California is all about: vibrant, organic fruits and vegetables, fresh baked goods accompanied by steaming hot coffee, and a myriad of cheeses, breads, condiments and other gourmet treats produced throughout the Central Valley.

I get angry when a platter marked "White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Scones" is holding only crumbs, however.  I suppose I should have shown up before noon.


With so many options, this is the premiere Newcastle stop whether you're creating the ultimate foodie gift basket or just grabbing a deli sandwich on the way to or from your Reno ski trip.  A variety of classes are offered so you can learn to make everything from sauerkraut to sushi.

Call ahead for the scones!

Jack's Prime

Prime parking can be found in their private lot, too.

Jack's Prime
3723 S. El Camino Real
San Mateo, CA


I can agree with most diners on the following points: Mouth watering burgers.  Delectable shakes-to-be-shared.  Sides which catapult an already diet-defying meal into a coma-inducing event.

But attentive, thoughtful service on top of that?  Rarely does that ever happen.

Long story short, I dined with an old friend.  That friend arrived at noon, two toddlers in tow.  The host grabbed crayons and art paper to keep the kids occupied.  Our server cleverly allowed the kids to order first, allowing my buddy and I to peruse the menu at our leisure while the kids gnawed on oversized crispy chicken fingers.  Timing was perfect, as they were back to their iPad activities by the time our food arrived.

Angry Cowboy = Happy me!

Why don't all restaurants time it that way?  So simple.

The food?  Not so simple.

These are big burgers with big flavor.  The Maytag Blue Ribbon is an upgrade from the typical blue cheese burger with its caramelized onions and house Prime Burger Sauce.  Crisp lettuce, juicy beefsteak slices and dill pickles finish it off.  Their popular Angry Cowboy features smoked bacon, cheddar, onion rings, and a unique red onion and jalapeno relish. Too spicy for you?  Be sure to have a Chocolate Malt nearby to quell the fire. You'll need it to dip your beer-battered Fried Pickles into, anyway. Trust me.

Better than fries.

Rose Pistola

Get your own!

Rose Pistola
532 Columbus Avenue
San Francisco, CA


All I'm saying is, if you don't order the Zucchini Chips, you're a damn fool. Same goes for the Asparagus Pizza with Blue Cheese and Truffle Oil. And the Chopped Salad with Point Reyes Blue Cheese Vinaigrette. AND the Chocolate Budino or whatever's it's called.

I usually can't stand it when a server says I "have to try XYZ" because "it's amazing".  Normally, I just order something completely opposite to annoy him/her.  But, this chick was SPOT ON when she suggested "the most amazing French Toast".

She was right.  I was the jerk.  Damn it.

El Chalateco Salvadorian

"Awning" must be Spanish for "awesome".

El Chalateco Salvadorian
280 N. Capitol Avenue
San Jose, CA

Sometimes I rely on my good old GPS to steer me towards the nearest taqueria.

I noticed two things about this place, right away: first of all, it's LOUD. Festive, but LOUD.  Like...Tijuana at night during Spring Break LOUD.

Second, the menu is huge.  Literally.  The server handed me a wire-bound collection of 16"x12" laminated pages displaying full-color photos of damn near everything they offer.  I'm pretty sure I read it for at least fifteen minutes before I gave up and ordered my default favorite, fish tacos.

One word: fantastic!  Perfectly juicy, grilled fish atop soft corn tortillas with the standard toppings of crunchy cabbage and fresh pico de gallo.  Later, I kicked myself for not ordering anything with their mole sauce since those photos looked pretty phenomenal.

I grabbed their "Menu-To-Go" and found they have multiple locations throughout the San Jose area.  I'll be back, hunting down mole with the help of my GPS.