Dave H.'s Profile

This Starbucks is right off the 110 exit, in a shopping center - I wouldn't have known about it if it wasn't for GPS! It's your typical, clean Starbucks, with seating indoors and out, populated with mostly students, at least the day I was there.

A super-friendly staffer got me a pack of espresso shots. The store had no more out front, so she double-checked in the back for me; I scored a large bag to hold my legal stimulants, too! Of course, I picked up a cold mocha frappuccino for myself.

While sitting and pondering my next move, I noticed a couple go to the single-person restroom. They were in there for a few minutes, then popped out, looking all innocent...

A fan of Chicago-style hot dogs? Portillo's is for you.

This Chicago outpost - there's only one in southern California that I know of - is a large warehouse space with plenty of dining room and patio seating. It has an old school feel, with old timey music.

Place your order and get a number. When your number is called, grab your food. Service is quick, and if you're in a hurry, a drive-thru is available too. Thirsty? They've got ice cold beer, too.

Portillo's jumbo-sized beef hot dog (only $2.79) is tasty, tasty deliverance - you don't want to get anything less than jumbo, by the way. Their beef dog is a true Chicago-style, tender, packed with mustard, relish, chopped onions, tomatoes, a dill pickle, and spicy peppers all atop a poppy seed bun.

I was still hungry, so I shared their famous Italian beef ($4.45), basically a pile of meat shoved in a baked french bread roll. Not bad, but I regret not getting another Portillo's dog. Don't make my mistake!

After a long day of travel, my friend drove us to Norm's late night. This Denny's-esque eatery is appropriate any time; they're open 24 hours.

It wasn't crowded. Friendly Isabel served us and kept us fed.

Shared their loaded hash browns and eggs (~$7.50), a plate of hash browns covered in cheddar cheese (a little odd) including tasty diced tomatoes. We also barely finished an order of pancakes, too...

I'll probably be back for their Sunrise Seranade. Available after 4 AM Monday through Friday for only $3.99, you get two hotcakes, two strips of bacon, two eggs, two link sausages, and hash browns. Can't beat that.

Norm's food and comfy booths are perfect for anyone in a drunken stupor - or so I'd imagine.

Tasty onion rings. Booze. Decent burger patties.

Met at Islands in Old Town Pasadena for dinner. For those who don't know, there are many Islands (!) on the West coast.

It wasn't crowded for a Saturday, and we only had to wait ten minutes to sit. Their bar wasn't too full, just the booths.

Speaking of the bar, draft and bottled beer are available, and light, fruity froufrou drinks, too.

Islands is apparently known for their hamburgers, so I tried one. A friend recommended their Hawaiian burger ($9.49). The patty (cooked medium) was topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, Swiss, and mayo, along with a slice of pineapple and teriyaki sauce. I asked for white bread, and got a scary, flaky McDonald's-esque bun. Thankfully, the patty was nice and moist. The teriyaki was strong and surprisingly sweet.

Server Thomas checked on us frequently, and was good at up-selling (thanks for my fellow diner for uttering the word) - we even gave our compliments to his manager.

I love Islands's gimmick of endless fries - how many can you really eat? - but try replacing fries with onion rings: endless crunchy, tasty rings? I'll be doing that next time!

Capogiro Gelato sells some of the most delicious and soothing gelato I've had anywhere - try the banana gelato, it's worth it! While you're at it, sample their pineapple mint flavor, it's tangy!

Besides gelato, this location also offers other desserts. My friend bought a a water ice type dessert of some sort, which I tried. The first bite was a bit tart, but got used to it.

This location is clean, accessible, with nice outdoor seating.

Fast, efficient service. Decent pho.

Pho Hien-Mai was the first stop for Shauna D.'s pho crawl. (Yes, pho crawl.)

This hole in the wall sports a yellow paintjob, along with a nifty painting of the solar system on their ceiling. Not sure what the ownership was trying to get at, but it's kind of trippy.

We were given menus only after my friend asked. Not that we really needed them: I just asked for pho with the kitchen sink - that's pho #1 dac biet - the special combo with everything: rare slices of steak, well-done brisket, flank, tendon, triple, and meatballs. ($6.00 for a large bowl; $5.25 for a small.)

The pho's broth was pretty good, but not the best. Serving size wasn't overwhelming for a large, but I didn't feel ripped off. Besides, we got free tea - weak and cold - that tasted fine.

Pho Hien-Mai can facilitate a 30-minute lunch without breaking the bank, so if "fast in, fast out" is important to you, try them out!

This Del Taco has a nice parking lot.[1]

After a long freaking day (a day involving breakfast in Arcadia, lunch in Del Mar, a happy hour in San Diego, then hitting up a lounge, then hitting up a karaoke bar), my system finally crashed.

Seemed safe enough, well-lit, with lots of activity even for late night, so I slept in their lot for about an hour or two, and no one broke into my car or harassed me (thank you local law enforcement for leaving me be) - but your mileage may vary.

Not sure if Del Taco is open 24-hours - I'd call to verify - but if you're in dire straits for a nap, this Del Taco lot can serve in a pinch.

[1] This review is pretty flaggable, I think.

WWJD? For $2, you can turn water into wine.

Or you can score booze on the cheap.

Stopped in Luan Huyen randomly for drinks while waiting to be called at a nearby restaurant[1]. A table of folks were belting out karaoke - in Vietnamese - drinking, and smoking.

As luck would have it, happy hour specials were in full effect, so we enjoyed $2 beers[2]. (Price goes up to - get this - $3 after 7 PM, we were told.) We placed our orders, were given peanuts, and then our beers (nothing special, just Heineken and a Bud Light). Bottles were ice cold and refreshing - a good thing, as it felt like an oven inside the place.

Drop by during happy hour and sing along!

[1] Our server successfully guessed we were waiting - and correctly guessed the restaurant, too.
[2] Thanks to my friend for paying!

Inexpensive drinks. Women in four-inch heels. (Friendly patrons, not strippers!) Plush vibe. Pop music. No cover.

I like.

Continental Bar is a longtime Soco standby for those in the neighborhood. I found myself here one Thursday night thanks to a friend. It was busy, but we managed to score seats by the bar.

Howard the bartender poured us a laundry list of libations, including a White Russian, a vodka tonic, and a straight vodka shot, which led quite naturally to a Jack and Coke, all for $28. That vodka shot was hefty, almost making me lose it - it was a taxing night.

Taking our drinks, we moved to a booth where we proceeded to discuss the follies of life until last call, when we left Continental Bar with heavy hearts.

Twisted Vine is an unexpectedly classy wine bar in downtown Fullerton.

My friend suggested we meet here for drinks. There was a decent crowd for a Thursday night, which made me glad it wasn't a busier one - securing table or couch seating on a busier night would have been a challenge. Even with the crowd, the bar's acoustics made conversation reasonable, and I still had my voice the next morning.

Love the ambiance: brick-tones, dark woods, and cork-covered menus mix to create Twisted Vine's own cozy flavor. Candlelight accents keep the place from becoming too dim, yet dim enough for a romantic rendezvous.

Can't speak to their wine selection - I had asked our server for a recommendation - but wine bottles are everywhere, along with wine-related merchandise.

After I told server Scott I'd been drinking reds all day, he recommended a Ramsey cloret. I accepted. It was divine, soothing, and quite quaffable.[1]

Twisted Vine's kitchen closed early, so I missed their famous brie bread bowl. Next time!

[1] I was a bit surprised to see my glass was $16 - yes, sixteen dollars. I don't mind paying for vino, but a polite warning would have been appreciated. Get a bottle if you're with fellow winos - that's usually the most economical course of action.