It tip at my local taqueria, because I can see the staff working their butts off. I also tip (but not 15%) on pickups from some restaurants I go to regularly, especially if they put up with fuzzy mobile calls. It makes them much...

to a prejudice: I am not as crazy as others about Paradiso. I think it’s good pizza. But I’ve never been in love with it. Nor Facce Luna, Coppi’s (some interesting toppings) or any other wood oven pizza around...

on ambiance, but that’s life. - La Paella (the paellas, the Empanada Gallega, and the croquetas are delicious, service is good, and staff/mgt are friendly.) - Casa Mariani, corner Herndon and Cedar, in the strip mall next to...

the Sofitel). B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted is a great Blues venue for an out-of-towner, there’s several taquerias near there, note the avocado & bean tacos at La Bamba on the corner of Wrightwood. Later...you could do a veggie...

Why bother with this calculated corporate invention when there are so many authentic food experiences available? They offer you a safe, markettested meal that is not meant to offend. Big deal-you’re paying for their...

, Los Pollitos, and for elegance — Blue Ribbon, al di la, Convivium, Bistro Saint Marks, etc. But it’s silly to expect that the BEST Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, Russian, Brazilian, Greek, Turkish, Ethiopian,...

-requisite of being good chow (see discussions of Tex-Mex, Thai, Chinese, and taquerias, for example). Frankly, I could care less if a dish is “authentic” or not, as long as it is delicious. For instance, my recent...

Macaroni Grill is pretty solid. La Madeline is also good.

In Los Gatos, The Pasteria & Market might be a good choice. It sounds like something casual enough that shorts would be ok but I haven’t been there. Very recent report: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/319514 Not far from...

.e. not a taqueria), with a Mexican as opposed to New Mexican menu. I don’t recall most of the menu, but this was the first place I had ‘rajas’ - creamed poblano pepper strips in cream, served, if I recall...

"a Hamburger joint must have good fries" I don’t think its that easy... of my top 5 burger experiences ever... one of it is absolutely without a doubt from the Wednessday night farmers market in La Loma Tlanemex (adjacent to...

fun, eating beyond hunger, eating beyond reason, eating …because it felt good. During this one-day odyssey, ports of call included: · Manny’s · La Milanese · Filbert’s · Ramova Grill · Ed’s Potsticker House ·...

) Taqueria El Bajio 129 N. Milpas (off Hwy 101/1) Santa Barbara 805-884-1828 Alex’s BBQ (off Hwy 101) 853 Shell Beach Road Pismo Beach CA 93449-2052 805-773-5656 Two on the Hwy 1 frontage road in central CA: Taco Temple 2680 Main...

locations don’t always have the long drives/commutes that we in California do. From Southern California, we think (almost) nothing of a 3-4 hour road trip to Vegas; or the couple hours to/from San Diego, to/from LA and...

of money spent at La Refuge on City Island for very mediocre food. Oh for the cheap and splendid ethnic dining scene in Queens or Brooklyn. Maybe it’s worse in Staten Island? Fortunately, I’m stationed near the East...