September Fat Tour

This past weekend I ended up going on a Fat Tour with JP. It was not official until dessert was introduced and it was in the form of leftover donuts from Dona's and Donut Friend. She mentioned three options on places to go an by the end of the day we ended up at two of them. First was IHOP. We were worried about it being packed because it was Sunday morning and you know how those kinda places get at that time. We got seats immediately which was cool. She ordered the breakfast sampler minus the eggs and I got their new burger. I got the plain ass one because if they mess that up I don't wanna try anything else. It was really good which surprised me. After that we went to my place and talked for hours like we do and later ate again.

We walked down to Marix which is one of those places that is consistently good. JP got the Cubano meal and since I already had a burger I tried this pork taco deal with rice, salsa, and guacamole. It was so damn good. We also ate a bunch of chips and salsa before the meal arrived because those things are dangerously delicious. I told JP how as much as I like this place I never think to go here. I also managed to make her cry laughing when me and my heavy chair was moved inches by a large woman moving her seat.

Baby Blue's BBQ

I went to this place called Baby Blue's BBQ in West Hollywood yesterday for lunch. I had not been to this place in years and decided to get a burger and chicken even though I said I didn't want any chicken or a burger. Go figure. I ordered a Willie Brown Burger which has American cheese, maple bacon, onion rings, and barbecue sauce. It was so damned good. I just forgot to get fries which sucked but the burger was really good. It did not cripple me and was just the right size. Oh, and it tasted like it was barbecued. I know that sounds weird, but I have had burgers that claimed to be barbecued but tastes like smoke sauce.

I also got, because I'm a fat ass, the Smokin' Wings. They were really good but I made the mistake of getting the XXX sauce (Habanero, serrano, poblano, with pineapple, raspberry, and mango). Ooh, boy. These damned things had the back of my head sweating. They were good but next time I'll get something that my soft ass can handle. Oh, and they have Kool-Aid! Come on, now. You know I got some of that too. I also got some banana pudding for dessert. I was not planning on eating this all in one day but I did. I plan on getting the chicken sandwich today. And the Kool-Aid.

Update. The following day I headed back and got a chicken sandwich, Kool-Aid, and some fries. Nothing to write home about. Maybe I should have gotten the shredded chicken. Its a filet but a very thin piece that is folded over once. If it was fried (which I do not believe there is an option of) or seasoned well this would have been good because the salad on top and the bun were nice. The fries were seasoned and just limp. I was hoping for thick ones. I'll just stick with wings and try their links at some point.

Big Burger And McConnell's Ice Cream

I went to the farmers market at work that they have every Sunday. This used to just be a thing that annoyed me and made me have to walk further to the bus stop. Now I enjoy it. I have gone to this booth to get a burger twice now and couldn't tell you the name. I got a Cali Burger which had bacon and avocado. The fries they make are so damned good too. This place is great and I wish I knew the name and if they had an actual location somewhere. But that wasn't enough for me. I had to also get a milkshake from McConnell's.

I first got this at Grand Central Market with Cam last week. Then I got the churro con leche one and the coffee chocolate. A coworker told me that there was a location near work so I went and the shake version of a salted caramel chip. I was too full to function. The next day I got a banana and salted caramel for home and a shake version of the churros con leche. Today I got the sea salt cream and cookies. This place is incredible. They also have a smoking hot chick there covered in tattoos.  

Lots Of Good Food

Over the past few weeks I have been able to eat some good food with some of my favorite people like my cousin JP and my best friend Cam. First I went to Shake Shack again with JP. It was good but it didn't rock our worlds like it did the first time. It was fine. There are better burgers elsewhere. Next was trusty ass Continental Kitchen with Cam. We got burgers (hers turkey) and fries while watching the Olympics. It was great as it always is. Next I got a BLT with avocado from Carla's. Its this great place that has weird hours on the studio lot at work. I have gotten burgers here too and they crippled my dumb ass. Last I went to Grand Central Market for the first time downtown with Cam. There were so many choices and I got fish and chips that looked nothing like any I've had before from this place called Bombo's. It took a long ass time to get but was worth it since they were the best I've had. They apologized for the long wait. We also got ice cream which I will be writing about soon.  

Poppy + Rose In Downtown

JP and I went to this place called Poppy + Rose located in downtown L.A. This is the first time we ventured from my area to grab something to eat and it was well worth it. This place is located a belch and a holler from Skid Row so be prepared for that. I sat on the little bench outside and when JP arrived we went straight to the counter and ordered. I got the Poppy Burger that was two quarter-pound patties, house coleslaw, bacon, caramelized onion, cheddar cheese, and house thousand island. It was...incredible. Pretty sure it made my top five favorite burgers. It was super good and if I were not in public it would have been a mess. I also got a side of fries and a Mexican Coke.

JP got the Fried Chicken Sandwich that had buttermilk-brined chicken thigh, house aioli, and house pickles. Imagine if Chik-Fil-A started making way better sandwiches. We share food because we love each other so she liked my burger and I liked her chicken sandwich. I'd definitely go back to this place again. The service was fast and the place is well spaced and bright. You should check it out for sure.  

Belcampo On 3rd

JP and I went to this place called Belcampo on 3rd St. I had never heard of this place but she had from a burger festival she had gone to this year. This place is hidden very well if they don't want business. I'm doing this review in the classic style to give a better idea of what this spot was like.

Atmosphere. Dull. They have good music though. Very small stools to sit on with no privacy whatsoever. No booths. Just really tiny, unstable tables where both plates and the bowl take up most of it.

Random Food

I've gone to a lot of places in the last month and have not been keeping track of them well so I decided to chuck them all into one post. First is Continental Kitchen. I got a good Philly Steak Sandwich and KP got their veggie wrap.

Plan Check Once Again

Mama Lukes and I went to Plan Check today. I don't get to see her often so when she said she wanted to try something good I asked what she was in the mood for. She said a burger or sandwich. It was between Food Fair by Diego and Plan Check. She'd never been to either but between the two I'll almost always pick Plan Check. We headed there, found parking, and went inside. I got the Bleuprint Burger which has smoked blue cheese, pig candy, fried onions, roasted garlic steak sauce, peppercress (?), with fries, and a Sprite. I'd never had this one and it was so damned good. We split our burgers so we got to try each. Both of them were very good.

This was a lunch special so it was even cheaper than usual. ML got the Chefs Favorite Burger which had cheese two ways, bacon two ways, ketchup leather, sunny fried egg, and hot sauce. That one tasted good as well. She did not have the fried egg which I've never had either because I can't eat eggs sunny fried. The cheese two ways is melted cheese and this kinda fried, wafer type cheese. She liked her meal as much as I did and I was glad. I hate taking someone to a place they have never tried and they hate it or think of three other places that are better. I'll be heading back here again soon enough. I still haven't had a chance to try their drinks which are supposed to be incredible.  

Food Fair By Diego

The other day when hanging out with Cam she asked what I wanted to grab for lunch. As we walked downstairs I told her that I would know by the time we got to her car. I decided on Food Fair By Diego which we had been to once before. This place is really good though there isn't much parking since there are like three other places in that small lot. We pulled in and got a spot right out front and as we waited for our food to arrive I stared at the paintings of big naked women and wondered why they named the place this. It is a bad name. Great food. But that name doesn't stick. I think I called it Food Land or Food Stand. So I ordered and sat down drinking some bomb ass lemonade while Cam got a tea/lemonade mix. It is real lemonade by the way.

I got a cheeseburger and fries while I think Cam got a turkey burger with a side of beets with almonds. We both really enjoyed our burgers. The fries were just as good as they were the last time we were there. Her beets, I didn't try. I will not even attempt to try those things. She thought they were okay. Not great, but okay. I told her that it looked like candy or that it appeared like it would be sweet. She said it kinda was. If you are ever in that area and don't want to deal with all the nonsense that comes with trying to eat at the Grove give it a try. Just call beforehand because they have very weird hours. We got there after 2pm and they closed at 3pm.

Itis Causing Burgers At The Counter

Me and Coco went to The Counter on Wilshire after a show at LACMA because as she put it “Jazz makes me hungry.” I had sworn off this place for a while because the service had dropped considerably and the food wasn't as good anymore. Thankfully the last two times I've gone its improved. It was a Friday night an very busy on the inside and outside but after about a five minute wait we were seated at a both like I requested which was nice. We started off with an order of fries and I got a lemonade to drink.

For my order I got a burger with bacon, grilled onions, garlic sauce, avocado, and cheese. The avocado slid off immediately so Coco just took it along with any onions that fell off. By the way, that is something only women can get away with. The burger was good and I finished every bite. The Itis began almost right after my last piece.

Coco got this monster. It had crispy onions, boiled egg, cheese, lettuce, garlic sauce, tomato, and pineapple. She couldn't finish this beast. She got halfway through before tapping out and taking hers home. I feel better knowing that this place is back to being good again.

Food From Vegas

Last week I got back from Las Vegas and once again I ate a lot of really good homemade food. Like last time I had pork chops that were delicious but I didn’t take a picture because I’m a fat ass and ate them quickly. These aren’t in any particular order but I first have to mention the catfish Christina made. My god this was good. I rarely eat fish let alone catfish but she made it so perfect I had it for dinner and lunch the next day. There was also a side of fries from the same place as Rally fries and if you’ve had those then you know how great they taste.

We also had Chinese food which was so hard to get delivered. Either a place was too far, didn’t wanna come, or the driver was the cook. We ended up finding a place that was not only cheap but some of the best Chinese delivery I’ve ever had. There was the awesome shrimp fried rice.

Food At The End Of 2012

In the past couple of weeks I have been spending time watching movies, hanging out with folks, and enjoying the holidays. Yeah, there’s been more but if you wanna read/hear all that nonsense check out my other blogs. I’ve eaten at a few places and tried some new things and they have been building so I’ve decided to just cram the into a blog about the last places I ate at in 2012.

First up is this chip exhibit I went to with Cam. She writes about beer and potato chips and someone mentioned this to her so we went. It was at this place called 8 Bit in Echo Park. Or Silverlake. I seriously mix the two up.

They had chips from all over the world so me and Cam decided to buy fifteen bags of them. Sounds like a lot but damn it we’re dedicated! By the time we got there, days after the exhibit started, so many crazy ass flavors were already gone.

Arclight Burgers

I went to see Argo with Cam a couple of weeks ago and we were both having the hunger. We could either see it at The Grove and fight with tourists for parking and deal with loud ass kids or we could see it at The Arclight with beautiful seats and no kids. So we went to the Arclight. We had about thirty five minutes before the movie and decided to eat there. Its cool because you write what time your movie starts and they make it faster I guess. She got a veggie burger and I got a regular one with fries. It was damned good! I was hankering for a burger since I have been living off pizza for weeks now. If you’re ever in the area get some food there. Less than $25 for a full meal and drinks for two folks. Or you can go to that creepy ass Jack In The Box that has carpet across the street.

Apple Pan On Pico

There’s this place called Apple Pan over on Pico that I tried for the first time. Seen the place a ton of times and talked about going there a few times but never did. It was damned good. The way its set up is what I’d describe as like a sushi place. There are no tables. You sit in a semi-circle and they cook everything like right there in front of you. Its pretty cool.

The Counter On Sunset Rules

The other day Miss Q. and I went to The Counter. No, not that shitty one on Wilshire that has terrible service, but the cool one on Sunset. Let me talk about that one on Wilshire. Not only have I had two shit experiences there, but Miss Q. had one as well with a group of people. That place really needs to get their stuff together before they go the way of the Koo Koo Roo that was there. Anyhoot…

The one on Sunset is great. We went there with Wolfenstein because they allow pets outdoors and they even brought us a heater since it was chilly outside. Yes, I know I live in California. And yes, you are a jerk for mentioning how much colder it is where you are. Sorry. Them’s the rules.

Carney's On Sunset

There’s this hotdog place up on Sunset Blvd. called Carney’s. You know the place if you’ve driven down Sunset. It looks like a train car. They have a little rivalry with Pink’s on Melrose. And by a little rivalry I mean that Carney’s put up a big ass billboard advertising themselves right above Pink’s. What a dick move. I mean, the two places are so different there’s no reason to compete. Pink’s is popular. Carney’s is not. Its like comparing McDonald’s to The Counter.

I had not eaten from Carney’s in close to 10 years because the last experience I had with them was so bad. They are not far from me and when me and some co-workers from the old porn shop ordered a few things it took them close to two hours to bring it. Nothing like an ice cold hotdog! But thankfully I didn’t have that experience this time. I got a half pound burger with fries to start. Yes, I said start. Very good. Fries were not burned and the burger was cooked thoroughly. Looking at you, Umami Burger. The hotdogs are good but nothing to get your panties wet about. They do give you a baby bucket of sauerkraut for some reason.

Father's Office

Last week I went to Father’s Office in Culver City with Miss L. She had posted about this place and I was always wondering “When’s gonna be my time?!” Well, I finally got to go and I’ll be damned if this wasn’t the best burger I’ve ever had! I know I said the same thing about Umami Burger. Then I said it about The Counter. Well, I’m saying it once again. The burger has blue cheese, lettuce, and some kinda sauce that is just delicious. They also give you a mountain of fries so split your order. And don’t get me started on their powerful ass drinks! The staff was really awesome and nice and there when you needed them. I loved this place but already Cam has told me about a place that’s supposed to be better. We’ll see how that goes.

(edit: Was just told by Miss L. herself “How can you forget to write about the bone marrow fat!?!” so here it goes)

For an appetizer we got this bone marrow fat. Yeah. I know it sounds strange and I’m really not one to experiment when it comes to what goes in my mouth. Don’t be a pervbot. It is a couple of pieces of beef marrow with the smoothest, most buttery, most tastiness inside. It was served with pieces of toasted slices of bread to spread it on. I had heard for a while that marrow had the best tasting part of most meats but I was nervous about trying it. I’m so glad I did though.

At The Counter Again

So I went to The Counter on Wilshire near the La Brea Tar Pits with South Paw. She had never gone to the Counter so I was more than happy to share the joy that Cam once introduced me to. For started we got the fries and onion rings combo. The onion rings weren’t like regular onion rings. They were these tiny little onion shreds and they were really good and served with this awesome barbecue sauce. I liked these more than regular ass onion rings because they weren’t as strong.

For a burger I got a jalapeno cheese burger and garlic aioli sauce with a Sprite. They forgot the bacon. They forgot the bacon! I’ll get to this later. It was really good though. I always get more stuff well done after the infamous Dante Gets Food Poisoning Incident of ‘08. I forgot to take a picture of South Paw’s burger before she started eating it but here it is. It had bacon. Mine didn’t. She enjoyed it and we both got full as I always do when at The Counter. Now allow me to rant about wait staff for a moment.

Our waiter was nice enough. She was nice. Wasn’t mean. She was just nonexistent. Now to set the scene, it was not busy there. Plenty of waiters working. No loud kids or large groups to serve. South Paw told me to mention that my bacon wasn’t on it but I was hungry now and didn’t want them to take my food back and wipe boogers on it. I waited a while to get a refill (which those of you that have eaten with me I will drink 5 drinks and not go to the bathroom). Then we had to wait for a while to get the check. Why? Because our waitress was outside chatting with a cute guy.

Was he a customer? No. He was just there. So I find another waiter and ask him for our check. He says he’ll tell our waitress. Sigh. She finally arrives and gets our check and then returns to tell us she will be back with our change. Then she arrives more minutes later to ask us if we want dessert. The thing that sucks is that I would have loved a milkshake but we had waited so long I was ready to leave.

The Counter on Wilshire has really good food but hiring these kids that want to be actors or whatever (yes, I am Mr. Presumptuous) that make me wait for food only to forget the bacon, which is an unforgivable offense, is getting to me.

King's Road Cafe

Yesterday me and Miss E. went to this place called King’s Road Café. Its over on Beverly and King’s Road which isn’t very far from me. I walked it in the heat and sat my ass down. This is one of those places that is usually so packed that I never even try to eat there. Plus no one had ever told me about it and I don’t try new things unless I am invited to. So I order a turkey avocado burger that came with a side of sweet potato fries and a 7-Up. It was really good. Possibly the best turkey burger I ever had. It came with a big ass salad but I didn’t touch it. The service was good and the prices were about average for this type of place. You will get full so it’s a good idea to just share.

The Bowery On Sunset

Last week I went to The Bowery with Ms. L. I had never been here but had heard of it. Nothing good or bad. Just heard of it. In my ever growing quest to try more and more burgers we headed there. I got a Bowery Burger which had fresh lettuce, tomato, these tiny ass pickles, and a side of aioli sauce. I love that stuff. The burger was served on a English muffin and upon first glance seems very small but then you realize that the patty is a friggin’ inch thick! Yeah. If you go with another person get one order of fries since it so damned big. I also got a Jack Daniels on ice (more ice than Jack sadly…). I liked this place and will head back again.