Category Archives: Ventura County

Why Does Every Deli Have To Be A Famous Deli?

by Brian

After some much needed R & R, Mikey and I are back, giving you more of what you need:  Lowered expectations Great food reviews.  We had an awesome trip to San Francisco and have a couple good reviews for you guys to sink your teeth into.  The good stuff will be coming up later this week.  I’ll be the first to admit that today’s review is a bit of a filler.  From the title of this post, you’ve probably figured out that this post is going to be about a deli.  I’ve been reviewing a lot of these places lately and I’ve noticed that they all have one thing in common.  They seem to think they’re famous.

I think these delis are famous in the way that reality TV contestants are famous.  Which is to say, not famous at all.  With the exception of Jerry’s Famous Deli, I think that they need to have their permission to use the word “famous” revoked.  It just sets the expectations too high, and when they don’t follow through, I’m crushed.  I think that from now on, if I go to a “famous” deli and the food ain’t up to par, I will insist that they change there name to insert name here‘s overrated deli.  But, enough of me on my soapbox, let’s make with the review already. Continue reading

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Filed under Agoura Hills, Ventura County

This One’s For The Moms Out There…

by Brian

Because I’m a horrible son, I’m going to be out of town this Sunday.  Lucky for me, my Mom still manages, somehow, to love me.  In fact, she let me take her out for a pre-mother’s day dinner in order to make up for being such a jerk.  I decided that I’d better make it a good one, so I decided to go to Westlake’s answer to Mastro’s in Thousand Oaks:  The Grill on the Alley.

thegrillonthealley

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Filed under Ventura County, Westlake Village

Spencer Makenzie’s Great Fish Taco

by Mikey

I have had a lot of fish tacos in my time.  The taco I had at Spencer Makenzie’s made all those other tacos seem like nasty ass tuna tacos from a frozen multipack at your local grocery store.  This taco made me feel like I was in Hawaii drinking one of those umbrella drinks, lying in a hammock, while the Hawaiian Tropic girls fanned me with 100 dollar bills. It was that good.

Spencer Makenzie’s Fish Company – Downtown Ventura off Thompson

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This place is not much to look at from the outside.  It definitely does not look like it houses great food.  Inside it’s more like a little diner or an indoor taco stand.  They have a great bunch of people working there.  People who actually know the products and can give you some great inside info on their food. Continue reading

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Filed under Ventura, Ventura County

The Perfect Pastrami

by Brian

For those of you who live in a cave, and tell time with a sundial, let me be the first to tell you that today is Cinco de Mayo.  Today is a day of drinking giant margaritas, ice cold cervezas and gorging on carne asada street tacos by the armload.  Of course, that is what is going to happen tonight.  Meanwhile, Mikey and I still have work to do and therefore my review this evening will have nothing to do with Mexico, Mexican food or booze of any kind.

What you probably don’t know is that Germans make up one of the largest foreign groups in Mexico.  The German people are also the reason why Dos Equis is so awesome, thanks to the import of their lager style beer.  It is in honor of that contribution, on this largest of Mexican holidays, that I give you this review: a genuine German deli.

Meats, Cheeses and so much more...

Meats, Cheeses and so much more...

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Filed under Thousand Oaks, Ventura County

Danny’s Deli and Grill

by Mikey

Ventura is in need of some seriously good deli’s. Thousand Oaks is loaded with them but Ventura thus far has been lackluster. T and I were hoping this family owned Deli would be the beginning of some good stuff. The question remained would the huge jar of scary pickles be to much for us to handle? Continue reading

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Filed under Ventura, Ventura County

Our Readers Are Super Talented In The Kitchen

by Brian

I didn’t run this by Mikey, but I doubt he’ll mind too much.  Tonight I’d like to spotlight one of our fine readers before my review.  Her name is Amy and not only does she have awesome taste in food blogs, but she can bake a thing or two as well.  How do I know this?  Well she dropped some samples of one of her newest creations by my office the other day.  It was our first official fan gift, so I just had to write about it.

high hat cupcake

Amy is the creator of Stolen Sweets Bakery.  I’m pretty sure everything that she makes is created with ingredients stolen off the back of a hostess truck.  I’ll have to confirm that though.  Anyway, I’m not usually a cupcake guy, but these were just too interesting to pass up.  They are called “high-hat” cupcakes and are made of chocolate cake and an interesting marshmellow creme frosting which is then dipped in chocolate.  Think ding-dongs, but like 1000 times better.  Here’s the interior view:

highhat interior

What really makes these cupcakes different from the kind that I make is the fact that they are really tasty.  The cake was super moist and the frosting tasted like a mix of marshmellow creme and powdered sugar.  It had that grainy texture that you only get from something that you know is really bad for you.  The chocolate coating just flakes off and melts in your mouth like a little bonus gift.  Did I mention that they taste really good?

Mikey didn’t get to try these because my coworkers stole them all before I had a chance to save him one.  Maybe Amy will be nice enough to share her next creation with both of us.  Stay tuned to EatMeCalifornia.com for more on Stolen Sweets.  We’ll let you know as soon as she is officially open to the public.  Right now were just lucky to be the guinea pigs.

Also, you should know that Amy is a great writer and has her own blog.  You can see it in our Sites We Like on the right side of this page.  It’s called Parenting With Duct Tape.  Check it out and read all about Amy’s adventures with life, parenthood and raising kids and one incorrigible husband.  (Sorry Dean)

In keeping with the sweet theme, I chose to review a place I had heard about, in Thousand Oaks, which is supposed to have the best donuts.  Did they?  You’ll have to keep reading to find out… Continue reading

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Filed under Thousand Oaks, Ventura County

When your local café has given up on life

by Mikey

I wrote not too long ago about how to tell if a sushi restaurant is in trouble.  This article is a bit different because it is more about eating at joint that has just completely given up on life.  I usually eat at a place and it doesn’t get posted for a day or two.  I had to get this place up as soon as possible to save your stomachs, your taste buds, and your soul.

DW Café – Ventura at the intersection of Victoria and Moon

Yep you can get your bail bond while you eat.

Yep you can get your bail bond while you eat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the outside this place looks like your typical country kitchen kind of place.  In fact, I think a few years ago that’s what it was.  Now it’s a café that’s open from early morning to mid afternoon.  I was out and about on a few errands and thought I’d try it out for breakfast.  Damn me and my curiosity. Continue reading

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Filed under Ventura, Ventura County