Portland weekend brunch….if you’ve seen the skit on Portlandia, it’s pretty dead on. Long lines, high prices, “interesting” cuisine. A lot of online reviews talk about how great Montage is, and to be prepared to wait. We went for Saturday brunch with another couple yesterday, the wait was non-existent, there were about 8 tables… Continue reading Portland, OR – Le Bistro Montage
Category: Hot off the Grill
Featured Stories of the Week
San Fernando, CA – Gourmet Tamale Factory
In the age of computerized cars, while many people have things like nav systems, and bluetooth, my car is pre-programmed to automatically stop at mini marts and truck stops; but with dual driver settings, when Mrs. Burgerdogboy is in the car, and we’re in Los Angeles, she switches to her settings, which means the car… Continue reading San Fernando, CA – Gourmet Tamale Factory
Irvine, CA – Yard House
1995 – A dude moves from Colorado to SoCal, decides to open a restaurant that features a LOT of beer and tunes, and the Yard House is born. Today, the chain is spread across America, and features “more draft beer than any other place,” American fusion food, and daily doses of classic rock and roll.… Continue reading Irvine, CA – Yard House
Hollywood, CA – Musso and Frank Grill
Since 1919, the sign says. Hollywood’s oldest restaurant, outlasting the other greats like the Derby and Chasens, Musso and Frank hasn’t changed much in the last 93 years – except for the prices. Name a historic Hollywood writer or literary figure and chances are, they’ve tipped a few at the bar. As for me, it’s… Continue reading Hollywood, CA – Musso and Frank Grill
New Product Test – Sneaky Salts
If there is anyone who admires people who do a start-up, it’s me. Having been peripherally involved in dozens, I know how difficult a path it is to follow one’s dream, just like having a baby and coddling, nurturing, pushing it along to try and achieve something. When the start-up falls in the food business,… Continue reading New Product Test – Sneaky Salts
Woodland, CA – Denny’s (Diner Motif)
(Imagine the comic book guy from the Simpsons uttering……..”worst…….food……..ever…….”) My bride and I hit a Denny’s 5-6 years ago, and vowed never to return. As vows don’t mean much to us, we ended up at this location, in the middle of nowhere the other night. The gas station next door would have been a better… Continue reading Woodland, CA – Denny’s (Diner Motif)
A Dearth of Hot Dogs on I-5 in Cali
Geez, what’s a guy got to do to get a hot dog in the middle of the night on I-5 in Cali north of Sacramento? We were southbound and stopped at several of my usual haunts to find they were all in “hot dog shift change” – that is, the griddles were empty or being… Continue reading A Dearth of Hot Dogs on I-5 in Cali
Napa, CA – Alexis Baking Company
At the butt crack of dawn, met retired radio superstar “Martin in the Morning” at one of his local haunts in Napa, CA, the Alexis Baking Company (ABC). We were in search of a quality breakfast, and avoided the usual Sunday crowds by being in attendance at opening bell. Martin went with his usual hotcakes, Mrs.… Continue reading Napa, CA – Alexis Baking Company
Paso Robles, CA – BBQ Fun Fest and Kids Day in the Park
We were feeling a might peckish driving down US 101 in Cali the other day, and pulled off at Paso Robles to get a bite to eat. Mrs. BDB said “what do you feel like?” and since I am omniscient, I said “I feel like we’re going to run into a church or something having… Continue reading Paso Robles, CA – BBQ Fun Fest and Kids Day in the Park
Van Nuys, CA – Lido Pizza
Some little known facts about Mrs. Burgerdogboy: she was raised by gypsies in the San Fernando Valley; because her family were travelers, there was no pizza place that could deliver, and, when G’ma wasn’t baking up mounds of from scratch Neapolitan style pizzas, Lido Pizza in Van Nuys was the family’s preferred provider. Long story… Continue reading Van Nuys, CA – Lido Pizza