Monthly Archives: March 2009

Brian is a man of the people.

by Brian

Note: The eating for this post was actually done the day before the Orochon Ramen challenge.  But since my pain and misery is more entertaining in general, this got pushed back by a day.

Taco trucks are an L.A. tradition.  Kinda like hot dog carts in New York.  I’m not talking about your average “roach coach” greasy, almost inedible food.  I’m describing a traditional mexican restaurant on wheels.  Most of your good taco trucks don’t even move very often.  This particular one, that I will be reviewing in a moment, has two locations that it splits the day between.

My buddy Adam is the one who tipped me off about Mariscos del Mar.  He was doing research for a school project on taco trucks and came across this one.  If you know spanish, then you can probably figure out that this taco truck specializes in seafood tacos.  If you don’t know spanish, then just read the last sentence.  And then look at the pretty pictures. Continue reading

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Filed under Los Angeles Area, North Hollywood

Brian Just Got Owned… by Ramen

by Brian

Hey everyone, this was supposed to have gone up yesterday.  However, due to the fact that I spent more time in the bathroom than in front of the computer, it simply wasn’t meant to be.  Anyway, for those of you tracking my facebook page, you probably already know that I went to Orochon Ramen.  What you don’t know, is how I liked it.  I’ve been curled in the fetal position for a little more than a day now, and I’m ready to tell my story. Continue reading

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Filed under Little Tokyo, Los Angeles Area

Hells Kitchen and Sexy Enchiladas

by Mikey

It’s time for the weekly buffet of everything EatmeCalifornia.  This week I had a lot going on so I’m not going to be as long winded as usual.  Though typically Brian is the more verbose of this duo, (mostly because he knows more big words then I do). Continue reading

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Filed under Everywhere, Ventura

I Love Sushi and Sushi Loves Me

by Mikey

Its called I love Sushi so there better be love right? I want to taste the love, feel the love, and hear the love.I don’t wanna smell the love cause I smelled love once and it smelled alot like febreeze and tacos.

If you wanna get in for a quick lunch or dinner, this is the Sushi spot to hit. These ladies turn tables faster then a ninja on crack and Mountain Dew.  Being near alot of offices I’m sure they get alot of the fast moving lunch crowd.

I love Sushi – Telephone/Victoria

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Yes, it’s really called I love Sushi.  That is actually the primary reason I went in.  They get you thinking positive right when you walk in.  Sushi is even more subjective then pizza.  I think everyone likes their sushi a certain way so I’m going to stick to the basics.  Hey Brian, if you get a chance, weigh in on the subject of sushi.

I Love Sushi is a small place, they are packed in a shopping center and surrounded by fast food type joints, like Papa Johns pizza, and Presto Pasta. They cram everyone in, just like the fish in their cases.  I almost felt like this other guy and I were sharing a chair.  We were throwing more elbows at each other then a Chuck Norris movie.  As far as décor, this is not the place to go for a romantic dinner.  This is one of those sushi places to hit for dinner with friends or to get take out from.  It’s just not big enough to be comfortable and its really hard to here anyone talk.

The sushi chefs and staff are all very friendly, and the service is on target. You can tell they are used to turning tables fast because they are very organized and efficient.  The sushi comes out at a decent rate and they check on you quite a bit. Plus they serve you in ninja teams of 2 to 3. I must of had 3 different servers bring me stuff.

Every sushi place has their own variety of rolls and their own interpretations on the sushi classics.  I Love Sushi has a lot of different rolls; the selection is actually pretty incredible.  I ordered the crunch crunch roll, the caterpillar, and the spicy tuna tempura.  I also ordered some tuna, salmon, and some yellowtail just to get a better idea of the fish quality.  It’s all for you my friends!

For the most part their fish was very good, but the tuna was my favorite.  It virtually melts in your mouth and has the greatest tang to it.  The avocado was ripe and fresh, the rolls were very tight and stayed together nicely.  The yellowtail seemed a bit off to me, but I always find it to be one of the more difficult fish to get right 100% of the time.  The tempura was crisp and tasty; the spicy tuna had a great zing and a wonderful flavor.  The rolls were not overburdened with mayo, and they give you just enough sauce and spice to keep the flavors clean and abundant.

The portions were excellent, like I had said earlier I was starving so it was great to get full plates.   The cuts were done nicely as well, making the pieces easy to pick up and dunk using just the chopsticks.  You might be saying, “Isn’t it supposed to be like that?”  Yes it is.   But that’s what so many places have failed to do for me.  I usually end up eating sushi with the chopsticks, my hands, and anything else I can get a hold of, just to get it all shoveled into my face.

All in all, I liked the food.  Though I must say, in this day and age where there is a sushi joint on every corner and in almost every shopping center, they really need to set themselves apart.  I Love Sushi was good, but not good enough to separate themselves from everywhere else I can get Sushi.  So Mikeys search goes on, for a Sushi restaurant that can stand out in the crowd.  I want great flavor combinations, rolls that are out of the box, and sauces that are vibrant and exciting.  Can you hear me people?  Can I get an Amen!?!?

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Filed under Ventura, Ventura County

Top Chef Season 5 Wrap-up

by Brian

Well, that does it for another season of TV’s best food show (Sorry, Ramsey.)  With last night’s reunion over and done with, I thought I would milk Top Chef for one last post before it fades away for the next 9 months or so.

Anyway, for those of you who didn’t watch the reunion show, Fabio Viviani won fan favorite.  Good for him!  In my previous post I predicted that it would either be him or Carla taking home the crown, and as always, I was right.  Honestly, he deserved it for carrying the show.  This season of Top Chef was, in my opinion, one of the weakest talent-wise.  Sure Stefan and Hosea showed some skills, but it was Fabio who supplied the laughs along with the talent.

And now, my top 3 Fabio quotes of the season:

  1. “It’s Top Chef, not Top Scallop!” Continue reading

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Filed under On TV

Just like someone else’s grandma used to make

by Mikey

I must say, I have a weakness for the hole in the wall places.  The places that aren’t on the main map.  The places that are down the dark alley or the streets nobody wants to drive down.  I usually find culinary gold in these places.  Little spots with a couple of tables and a few chairs where someone’s grandma is slaving away in the kitchen.  The décor usually stinks, the areas are usually bad, but the food is usually outstanding.  

I used to have this Mexican girlfriend in high school, and every time I went to her house, her grandma was at the stove and always wanted to feed people.  The food was always authentic and delicious, and there was always tons of it.  I figured she must have thought I was starving.  After all, I was only a couple hundred pounds at the time.  I have discovered that same kind of food made by the power of grandmas and moms at a little joint called Tony’s Burrito Hut. Continue reading

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Filed under Ventura, Ventura County

Tacos and Road Rage!

by Brian

It’s not everyday that you get to witness attempted vehicular manslaughter, but that is exactly what I got to see today standing outside the most ghetto authentic Mexican restaurant in Simi Valley.  From what I could tell, this crazy lady was attempting to run down her male acquaintance right in front of me.  She even went after him, screaming out the window the whole time, when he crossed the street into another shopping center.  I am kicking myself for not getting to my camera faster, but here’s a pic of her BACKING INTO the shopping center to stalk her prey.

I wish I had video of this.

I wish I had video of this.

Anyway, next time I see an attempted crime in progress, I’ll try to do a better job of playing the paparazzi.  On to the review: Continue reading

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Filed under Simi Valley, Ventura County