Bob's Big Boy

Too many of these might turn me into
a Big Girl.

Bob's Big Boy
4211 West Riverside Drive
Burbank, CA

Ignored was the fact that I had just inhaled a rather substantial grilled lobster Mexican feast. I was on vacation, dammit.  I wanted a picture with that Big Boy statue, dammit. And no dinner while on vacation is complete without dessert.

Bob's Big Boy is like stepping onto the set of Happy Days (or so I assume...that show was too squeaky-clean for me).  This particular Friday night found me freezing my rear end off in a strapless sundress, quickly making my way through the weekly classic car show so I could accumulate 1,200 more calories for the day.  A buddy and I snagged a couple of seats at the counter instead of waiting for a table like the other chumps in line. I was on a mission, after all.

I think I glanced at the menu for .0001 seconds before demanding the Decadent Hot Fudge Cake.  I caught a few annoyed looks from folks still in line who wished they'd made our move to the empty seats.  I sent some looks back for holding the door open the entire time they were in line, sending a chilly breeze throughout the counter area.  Brrr, for crying out loud!

A towering mass of moist chocolate cake, piping hot fudge and sweet whipped cream soon arrived, and I felt eyes of envy descend upon me.  A young man seated next to me stole a glance at my plate, likely wishing he'd saved room for dessert.

The first forkful of thick, warm hot fudge against the tender crumb of chocolate cake was enough to send me swooning.  This is what a diner experience is all about.  Scan for available counter seating at all times, people, and you will be rewarded handsomely.

Ice Burgie

Keep those eyes wide open in Gridley!

Ice Burgie
1575 State Highway 99
Gridley, CA

Don't blink, or you'll miss the Burgie.  Then you'll go home, read this article, and wish you'd been more vigilant.

Ice Burgie has been around for a long time, and will likely continue to as long as they keep cranking out quality burgers, fries and shake.  There's outdoor seating in the front for those like me who find it somewhat peaceful to watch traffic cruise by, and additional seating out back for those too shameful to admit they just ordered two shakes...for themselves.

I stopped by between lunch and a visit to a penny candy store, so I went easy and just ordered a small Chocolate Malt.  Yummers!  The chocolate was luscious and creamy, made thicker and richer from a generous helping of malt powder.  Under three bucks?  I can swing that, for sure.

Next time, the Peanut Butter Shake!

Granzella's

Olive this place!

Granzella's
451 6th Street
Williams, CA


Here's a suggestion: stop by charming, decades-old Granzella's before heading to nearby Colusa Casino.  That way, no matter what happens at the blackjack tables, you'll at least have something to eat on the way home to distract you from your pity party.

Better yet, why not start the day with a hot breakfast at Granzella's Restaurant?  Fill up on country fried steak and Belgian waffles, then head into the delicatessen for some treats to share later.

This region sure loves their olives, and you can find plenty of them here in jars, oils, and at the tasting bar.  Not your cup of tea?  Pick up locally-made fruit preserves, marinades, spices or specialty pastas and breads.  For the ride home, don't miss made-to-order pastrami and roast beef sandwiches or heaping scoops of Italian gelato.

Granzella's also boasts a rather large selection of traditional and microbrewed beers...but let's save those for your arrival home.

Race Street Seafood Kitchen

When I seafood, I eat it!

Race Street Seafood Kitchen
247 Race Street
San Jose, CA


I loved the charm of this place.  Half market and half restaurant, it was really fun to browse the fresh fish counter while waiting for my order.  It was also fun salivating over everyone else's orders, as usual.

I pretty much wanted to order one of everything on the menu.  But in the interest of looking at least somewhat ladylike, I settled for the giant Grilled Ahi Sandwich.

Ahi grilled to perfection arrived on grilled bread (!) with shredded lettuce. I forgot to add tartar sauce, but honestly, it didn't need it (neither did my hips, although I did sneak a couple bites of delicious cole slaw).  My dining partner's shrimp and chips looked equally amazing.

Everything's made to order behind a glass barrier, which is especially fun to watch when they fling giant planks of pescado towards you.  Did I mention all of their grilled items can be made into a sandwich at no additional charge?  Clearly, I need to move closer to this place.

Rockridge Market Hall

Eating on the sidewalk never tasted
so good!

Rockridge Market Hall
5655 College Avenue
Oakland, CA

Peek inside and you might think this is just another gourmet bakery, florist or butcher shop.  Step inside and you'll discover it's all of those...and so much more.

With eight distinct vendors under one roof, Rockridge Market Hall is your first - and last - destination whether you're grabbing a quick snack or planning an elaborate dinner party for twelve.  Grab some java at Highwire Coffee Roasters to sip while perusing grass-fed beef at Marin Sun Farms Butcher Shop, choosing between gnocchi and ravioli at The Pasta Shop, or contemplating a catfish sandwich from Hapuku Fish Shop.

Snagging a table outside may prove to be a challenge, but you can probably find a vacant mini-bench alongside parallel-parked cars out front.  Enough for your butt and a grocery bag, it's a nice spot to park yourself before you wolf down a sourdough roll filled with crunchy fried oysters, slaw and tartar sauce.  Heaven.

Dairy Belle

Riptide!  Riptide!

Dairy Belle
2285 W. Tennyson
Hayward, CA


I love, love, LOVE places like this!  Sure, it looks and feels like a Dairy Queen knock-off, but can you really pass up a roadside joint run by Asians that serves burgers, ice cream...and Mexican food?

Skip the Mexican food.

Order the 1/4-lb. Burger with its perfectly toasted bun and charred patty, piled high with juicy tomatoes and pickles and crisp lettuce.  Bypass the soda in lieu of a Riptide: soft-serve blended with your choice of candy or fresh fruit...I highly recommend strawberry!

So, so yummy.

And if you're lucky, maybe you, too, will be forced to witness a single mother breast-feeding three feet from you!  Egad.

Penny Candy Store

Where copper turns to candy!

Penny Candy Store
10221 Live Oak Boulevard
Live Oak, CA

Had I known the Penny Candy Store sold over 30 varieties of Hawaiian Snow starting at $1.50, I probably wouldn't have guzzled down a malt from Ice Burgie down the street only moments before.

Luckily, you CAN take candy home to enjoy later, unlike an ice and syrup creation.

Stepping into the Penny Candy Store was like a trip down memory lane for me.  One bite of a Brach's Sundae Neapolitan Coconut cube and I was transported back to my great-grandparents' house - this time, without the lingering cigarette smoke.

With most candies selling for several cents apiece, "Penny Candy Store" may very well be a misnomer.  But really, who cares with such a great mix of classic confections like Necco Wafers and modern treats like Pez and Junior Mints.  There are several giant bins dedicated to different-flavored Tootsie Roll Midgees, and this is the only place I can recall that sells bite-sized Turkish Taffy in both chocolate and strawberry.  You will even find individual Sugar Daddies on sticks here!  Chocolate snobs can choose from dipped nougats and bon-bons behind a glass case while watching a snow cone being artfully carved for patrons approaching the walk-up window.

Fond childhood memories...a bargain for a few hundred pennies!