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2234 Lincoln Ave
Altadena, CA 91001
(626) 797-4119

Bill's Chicken  

Categories: Southern, Soul Food
Neighborhood: Pasadena

4.0 star rating
5/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Not in the best area of town but we decided to "give it a try".    Chicken was good.  LIght on crust, not oily.   Sides are good but not amazing or have a bonus on them.  This is stuff you would have made at home and done it right.   Personally I would have liked one of those lux versions of baked beans, potato salad, green beans, etc etc. I'd say this is pretty close to Dulan's Soul Food Kitchen in Inglewood.   Better than Rosoe's and KFC (they use too much batter).   IMHO, broasted chicken at Chicken Box is a little better but that's just me.

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5702 York Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90042
(323) 255-7115

Galco's Soda Pop Stop  

Categories: Beer, Wine & Spirits, Candy Stores, Local Flavor
Neighborhood: Highland Park

5.0 star rating
5/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is the mecca of soda.   They carry a lot of brands in the United States and internationally that you cannot find at any other place (BevMo, burger joints, etc etc).   Although you might find lower prices at BevMo and Cost Plus, what you lack is the selection..... and the commentary.    The owner definitely knows his soda and can tell you the history of the soda and what has happen to them lately.    More than the great tasting soda, I really love the stories.

Most popular fruit beer: Abita Strawberry.   Most popular root beer IMHO: Abita Root Bear.   Can't go wrong on any Jones soda.  If you like high end, try fentimans.   Try something different -- Cuban soda like Ironbeer or one of the sodas made with real fruit.

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17801 International Blvd
SeaTac, WA 98158
(206) 248-0012

Ivar's Seafood Bar  

Categories: Seafood, Fish & Chips, Fast Food

4.0 star rating
5/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Very good for airport food.  Got the #1.  I really really liked the clam chowder.   I would say it's some of the best I've had.    In terms of the fish and fries, I liked them.   Very lite crust on the fish and the fries were large and meaty.   Highly recommended if you are going to eat in the airport.

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9614 14th Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98106
(206) 763-1347

Zippy's Giant Burgers  

Category: Burgers
Neighborhood: White Center

4.0 star rating
5/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Old school burger joint.  Get the #11... it's like a burger with philly spicy peppers on it.   Anyhow, reminds me of a neighborhood burger place that still does things the old fashion way (grind the meat, high quality ingredients, classic sodas).     If you're looking for a solid all-around burger, check this place out.    Open early!

Similar to: Five Guys but better with local feel and lots of character.

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18489 Colima Rd
Rowland Heights, CA 91748
(626) 581-9885

Simbala Restaurant  

Category: Taiwanese

4.0 star rating
5/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
Closest thing to having food in taiwan.   If you are taiwanese, this place is the "standard" to judge others.    Come here for your taiwanese favorites like oyster pancake and taiwanese sausages.   Always busy.

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8740 Sepulveda Blvd
Westchester, CA 90045
(310) 645-8740

Chalet Edelweiss  

Category: Fondue
Neighborhood: Westchester / LAX

4.0 star rating
5/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
German by LAX.   If you need to eat by the airport, this place is a good choice.  Speaking of german food in general, I'd rather go to Brats Brothers in the Valley (nearly everything is better at Brats esp the sausages and pretzel).   Nevertheless, I'd recommend the huge pretzel, wienerschnitzel, and beef barley soup.   Parking is in the back.  Very close to Parking Spot and the In-N-Out.

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308 S San Gabriel Blvd
San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 451-5918

Fresh Roast  

Categories: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches

4.0 star rating
Update - 5/12/2012 5 Check-ins Here
Just in stock (as of 3 weeks ago), Jimmy got a shipment of civet coffee.     If you don't know, civet coffee or Kopi Luwak is made from beans that were eaten by a type of wild cat and then pooped on out.   I know it sounds horrible but the coffee is quite good and the most expensive in the world (http://en.wikipedia.or...).   The civet coffee isn't going to be cheap.  If you're not willing to pay for blue mountain, don't bother asking about civet (several x more).   If you're interested in something that is very unique in the coffee world, head on over to Jimmy and ask him about this (it's not on the menu).

Listed in: Epicurean eating in the…, Epicurean eating in Los…

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2 Previous Reviews: Hide »

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/26/2009

    I went here yesterday with my cousin Jason (told him of a place that has really good coffee).   I told him the that he needed to try the Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee (one of the best if not most expensive coffee beans available in the world and I told him... if you are going to drink... why not drink the BEST) and that I don't know of other places in the SGV area that serves that type of bean or uses a Vacuum pot coffee brewer (aka vac pot, siphon or syphon coffee).    Anyhow... long story short, Jason thought it was one of the best coffees he has ever had and Jimmy, the owner recognized me and we chatted a little bit about his business and offered us fresh croissants that just came out of the oven.    Awesome!

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  • 4.0 star rating
    11/21/2009

    I had the Blue Mountain and Kona and both was brewed in a Vacuum pot coffee brewer (the way it should be).  I thought the taste was right on and they told me that they roast their own beans (another plus since most beans are pre-roasted from factory and lose most of their taste when it reaches a coffee shop).   I'm so glad that there is a decent coffee cafe in SGV.

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3508 N 7th St
Phoenix, AZ 85014
(602) 595-2244

Urban Beans  

Categories: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches

4.0 star rating
4/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here for a double shot of espresso.   Very clean taste and liked the smoothness of the espresso.    Can't go wrong and it's close by the office!

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3333 Bristol St
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 540-3233

Saks Fifth Avenue  

Category: Department Stores

4.0 star rating
4/29/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Always like Saks.    Tailored a bit to the order crowd but that's okay.   Usually they got some good deals on Armani dress shirts and pants (my personal favorite).    Last time I was there, I picked up some Hugo Boss dress shirts and ties.  

My only wish is that they carried a larger selection of trendy Ferragamo shoes.

Similar to: Neimans and Barney's

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2981 Bristol St
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 957-8626

Umami Burger  

Category: Burgers

4.0 star rating
4/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
Tastes just like the Umani in LA.     If you've been there, you're going to have a very juicy burger that has complex toppings (complex in the sense that you're not the plain ketchup but a multi-flavored version).   I know it's a a bit more than your standard burger joint but I think the price is well worth it (I can taste the quality in the ingredients that they use).    If I was looking to take my friends to a high end burger place, this would be on my short list.

Alternatives: Five Guys for your standard burger.   Orchard's Fresh in Whittier for a butcher shop burger.

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"I eat out wayyyy too often..."

Review votes:
658 Useful, 267 Funny, and 350 Cool

Location

Avocado Heights, CA

Yelping Since

June 2008

Things I Love

people who are passionate

Find Me In

some part of the world working.

My Hometown

Hacienda Heights, CA

My Blog Or Website

http://alberttwong.com

When I'm Not Yelping...

working, traveling or playing video games.   I keep it simple.

Why You Should Read My Reviews

Short, to the point reviews and I review only places worth trying

My Last Meal On Earth

a simple meal with my girlfriend and family

Don't Tell Anyone Else But...

I ate through Zagats OC best of list.   Overrated!

Current Crush

My awesome fiance!