Tag Archives: chili

Who’s your Daddy?

by Brian

We’ve entered the era of the dog.  It’s official.  I mean, don’t get me wrong, burgers aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.  But the newest trend lately seems to be the gourmet hot dog restaurant.  Today’s review comes from a recent trip I made down to San Diego.  I was staying with my great friend, Lisa, who has the most comfy air mattress in the history of the universe.  Seriously, that thing is goooood.  Anyway, what was I talking about?  Oh, right, hot dogs.

Daddy’s Hot Dogs – On University Ave, in Hillcrest

Back in the day (i.e. the 80s) the concept of gourmet food meant white tablecloths, celebrity sightings and people who I would normally refer to as “total douchers.”  Luckily, the concept has evolved a fair amount over the years and legitimate gourmet food can be found in the most unlikely place, or places (if it’s a food truck).  Daddy’s Hot Dog’s isn’t going to win any awards for decor, and it would not inaccurately be described as a ‘hole in the wall.’  Literally.

See? A hole… in a wall.

Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Hillcrest, San Diego

The Ventura BBQ Wars Continue – JD’s Louisiana BBQ

by Brian

As most of you know, I had an absolutely horrendous BBQ experience a short while back at CJ’s in Oxnard.  Honestly, it had more to do with the service than the quality of the food.  But still, who wants to give their hard earned cash to a bunch of jerks, right?  Right.

Well another Ventura county BBQ-er managed to get wind of that post and comment on the site.  Here’s a slightly edited version of what he wrote:

Hello Brian…

I checked out your review of CJ’s BBQ and I think that you are a guy that tells the truth…  I want you to check out JD’s Louisiana BBQ and let me know what you think…. I will guarantee you that you will be treated well and fed the best BBQ in this town!!!! You don’t even have to tell me when you come… All I want is a honest and fair review…  JD’S LOUISIANA BBQ CO.

Now, since I love BBQ and also the crushing of my enemies, I thought, what better way to get even with CJ’s than to review every barbeque restaurant in the area?  Thus Ventura BBQ Wars was born.  Of course, Mikey and I are sworn to remain fair, impartial and dedicated to bringing you the god’s honest BBQ truth.  Here we go…

JD’s Louisiana BBQ – On the corner of Patterson Rd. and Wooley Rd. in Oxnard

outsidejds

I’m just gonna come out and say it.  The only thing CJ’s has on JD’s is a larger selection.  But I think there’s something to be said for doing less and doing it better.  I mean seriously, since I got my iPhone, I’ve learned that I can twitter (@EatMeCalifornia), check the Dodgers score, adopt a Rwandan orphan and buy Mikey’s fossilized chest hair on Ebay, all from the comfort of my local starbucks.  It’s almost too much to bear.  Sometimes, simple is better. Continue reading

6 Comments

Filed under Oxnard, Ventura County

Brian fell off the wagon and landed on Chili Cheese Fries

by Brian

I have to start this post by saying thanks to Mikey.  Your goddamned mini sirloin burger post has me craving all kinds of junk food.  I didn’t even think they looked appetizing, it was that freaking jingle that set me off.  But rather then go full-on into the fast food, I decided to seek out a fast food alternative and one of Thousand Oaks’ hidden gems.

P & L Burgers – On Avenida De Los Arboles between Erbes and the 101, Thousand Oaks

P&LBurgers

I wasn’t in the mood for a burger since Mikey and I grilled up some great ones on Monday.  I guess that was the start of the problem.  But rather than ignore it, in the vain hope that it will go away, I decided to embrace the craving. Continue reading

4 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Soul in a Bowl

by Brian

So yesterday I had the great honor of having dinner with my new buddy, Jack.  He tipped me off about Chili My Soul in Encino, and since nobody else was brave enough to go with me, he offered.

My first thoughts of the place were pretty random.  Like, why the hell is this place in a strip mall next to Smart and Final?  We were the only customers in the place at the time (7pm on a Thursday) but I was comforted by the fact that Issues of Bon Appetit magazine were flipped open to the positive reviews of the place. Continue reading

5 Comments

Filed under Encino, Los Angeles Area

Meat Locker for the masses.

by Brian

Today I had the opportunity to finally visit one of Thousand Oaks most revered BBQ restaurants:  The Thousand Oaks Meat Locker.  Unbeknown to me, this little shack is within walking distance of my Mom’s place.  I had no idea.  It took me two attempts to find this place today, and I had a google map.  It’s a little restaurant and you can only read the sign from right in front, which makes it hard for people who drive (i.e. Everyone in L.A.) to find it. Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under Thousand Oaks, Ventura County