IN-N-OUT - it never rains in sunny California

IN-N-OUT Burger

4115 Campus Drive

Irvine, CA 92612

1-800-786-1000

www.roscoechickenandwaffles.com

Hours:

Monday               10:30 am - 1:00 am

Tuesday               10:30 am - 1:00 am

Wednesday         10:30 am - 1:00 am  

Thursday             10:30 am - 1:00 am

Friday                  10:30 am - 1:30 am 

Saturday              10:30 am - 1:30 am 

Sunday                10:30 am - 1:00 am 

Harry Snyder opened and introduced IN-N-OUT Burger as the first drive thru hamburger stand in 1948.   

                             

Combo #2 - Cheeseburger with french fries (the black pepper is all me!)and medium soda  - $5.65

Combo #1 - Double-Double with french fries and medium drink - $6.70

Well, it's confession time.  I have visited several IN-N-OUT in California, and the food is always consistent, fresh and very good.  You can't miss it because the building is white with red and white awnings and they have drive thru's.  Inside, the booths and tables are red and white as well as the staff uniforms.  Staff is courteous and efficient.

I order the combo #2 which consist of a cheeseburger on a freshly baked bun, fries and a soda.  My grandson Demetric had the double-double cheeseburger.  The cheeseburgers are always juicy, tender, seasoned and the fries are extra crispy and well done.  You can actually watch the french fries being individually cut through a machine.  IN-N-OUT food is never frozen nor microwaved.  The wait time is never very long even when it is crowded.   

A bit of history.  Harry Snyder opened and introduced IN-N-OUT Burger as the first drive thru hamburger stand in 1948 and it has been family owned ever since.   In 1963 IN-N-OUT offered the double double and it's been going ever since.  In 1994 they opened their 100th restaurant & in 2005 they opened their 200th, 2015, their 300th!  In 2016 they started a foundation called Slave 2 Nothing Foundation which focus on helping people who have addictions and slave trafficking.

I  enjoy myself each and every time I sit and dine at IN-N-OUT.  If you want a good fast food place then IN-N-OUT is the spot.

#in-n-out   #irvine   #california   #cheeseburgers  #fries  #shakes   #fries   #goodfood  #fresh  #grillcheese  #letseat  #fresh  #greatservice   #fastfood   #inexpensive   #goodeats   #foodblog

P.F. Chang's in Hackensack - yummy!

P.F. Chang's 

390 Hackensack Avenue 

Hackensack, NJ 07601

201-646-1565

www. pfchangs.com

Hours:

Monday            11:00 am - 11:00 pm          

Tuesday            11:00 am - 11:00 pm

Wednesday      11:00 am - 11:00 pm

Thursday          11:00 am - 11:00 pm

Friday               11:00 am - 12:00 am

Saturday          11:00 am - 12:00 am

Sunday             11:00 am - 11:00 pm

Lettuce wrap - $9.50

Chang's Spicy Chicken - $17.00

Mongolian Beef - $19.00

Signature Lo Mein with chicken- $12.00

You wake up one Saturday morning thinking what am I going to do today?   Instantly I think, shopping and eating at P.F. Chang's.  If you are not familiar with P.F. Chang's it is an Asian restaurant that serves farm to wok dishes, it's their philosophy.  The food is made from scratch and your dish is cooked as ordered.

You can be seated either at a booth or a table.  There is a full service bar and a see through kitchen window.  Lantern lights hang as if waiting to float down the river, pendant lights and soft recessed lights are part of the ambiance as well as wood tables along with a large hand painted Bonsai tree mural.

My daughter Brandy and I ordered the following dishes:

1. Chang's Spicy Chicken - cooked in their signature sweet spicy chili sauce topped with green onions.  Taste the not too sweet but just right spicy chili sauce, tender with bite size pieces.  
2. Mongolian Beef that is perfectly cooked in a sweet soy glaze, flank steak, green onions, tender and juicy.
3. Signature Lo Mein with chicken- ingredients are egg noodles, Asian vegetables, savory soy sauce, minus the mushrooms is a added delight with the crunchy vegetables, slurp the noodles and mingle with the rest of the dishes.   
4. Lettuce Wrap - ground chicken, scallions with their secret sauce - crispy lettuce, wrap it together and take small bites so it will last longer.  

To review each dish would take a few minutes so if I have your permission, I would like to sum them up in a few words that can be applied to each dish; made from scratch unique flavors, fresh, consistent (I've eaten there several times), wonderful in taste and wonderful aroma's and never unappetizing.  

Our other favorite dishes are:

• Fried rice
• Vegetable spring rolls
• Wonton soup
• Banana spring rolls - if you have room this is a must try.  It is six warm crispy bites of banana, with a caramel-vanilla drizzle infused with a coconut-pineapple ice cream.  My, my, my.

The flavor is not just in the food but it's also in the service which is always patience, vibrant, warm and welcoming.  You never feel like you are rushed in ordering or eating.    

#pfchangs   #hackensack  #newjersey  #asiancusine  #chinesecusine  #dimsum  #sushi  #ramen   #instalike  #dessert  #lovefoodquality  #authentic  #food  #goodeats  #foodblog   

Big Daddy's - Retro style diner

Big Daddy's Burgers & Breakfast - Permanently closed

2454 Broadway

New York, NY 10024

239 Park Avenue South

New York, NY 10003

212-477-1500

www.bigdaddysnyc.com

Hours:

Monday                8:00 am - 12:00 am

Tuesday                8:00 am - 12:00 am

Wednesday          8:00 am - 12:00 am

Thursday              8:00 am - 12:00 am

Friday                   8:00 am - 2:00 am

Saturday              8:00 am - 2:00 am

Sunday                 8:00 am - 11:00 pm

All American Cheeseburger with french fries - $15.00

When you walk in you're noticed the kitsch deco on the walls, t-shirts, and other memorabila's.  I expected to see Fonzie or better known as "Fonz" from Happy Days to be sitting in a booth in his leather jacket saying Whoa.

When you are out and about with two pre-schoolers like my great-nieces Zajeyah and Zayna,  and my sister Gwen, their grandmother, this is a good place to sit, eat, laugh, listen and laugh some more.  Don't look shock at what they might say, wait, food is coming, everybody sing, if you're happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap-clap), if you're happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap-clap).  If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it, if you're happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap).  WHERE IS THE FOOD?!  It's only been like 3 minutes.

I ordered the junior's sliders which consist of three mini cheeseburgers with super special sauce, caramelized onions & pickles, french fries and yes a Boylan's black cherry soda.  The food was okay.  My nieces ordered hot dogs, mac n cheese, tater tots, and cheeseburgers and there was hardly anything left on their plates.  The youngest one, I will not name names, was eyeing my little bitty slider.  I need not tell you what happened do I?!

Nice nostalgia place for adults and a great place to take children of all ages.

#bigdaddysnyc  #newyork    #cheeseburgers  #hotdogs  #macncheese #shakes #food #icecreamshop  #breakfast   #lunch   #family   #letslaugh  #goodservice  #goodfood

Bobby's Burger Palace - Yes that Bobby

Bobby's Burger Palace

The Outlets at Bergen Town Mall

610 Bergen Town Center

Paramus, NJ 07652

201-368-7001

www.bobbysburgerpalace.com

Hours:

Monday              11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Tuesday              11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Wednesday        11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Thursday            11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Friday                 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Saturday            11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Sunday               11:00 am - 9:00 pm 

Palace Classic Cheeseburger - $8.95

French Fries - $3.75

Fanta soda - $2.50

On a nice warm sunny day it appeared out of nowhere at the Outlets at Bergen Town Center in Paramus, N.J.  Bobby Flay's Burger Palace otherwise known as "the BBP".  How cool is that, one of my favorite chefs.  Who knew that one of his favorite foods are cheeseburgers.

The restaurant has a modern look to it, like the curvy lights over the curvy counter with green stools as well as the wood dining tables.

For the burgers you have a choice or chicken, beef, turkey or vegetable. I ordered the palace beef classic cheeseburger with lettuce, tomatoes topped with red onions, fries and a Fanta orange soda.  The staff is very friendly and the service was fast and on point. The cheeseburger was tender and well cooked as I like it.  On the tables there are different sauces that you can use like Bobby's BBQ sauce which is sweet and savory.

#bobbysburgerpalace  #paramus  #newjersey  #chefbobbyflay  #bobbyflay  #food  #goodfood  #cheeseburger  #onionrings  #turkeyburger   #quickservice #cool  #modestprice #family      #friends   #friendly  #tasty   #foodblog #flavorful   #efficient   #eattalk  #salad   #likeforlike     

Caked Up Cafe in New City N.Y.. Nice!

Caked Up Cafe

40 S Main Street

New City, NY  10956

845-499-2929

www.cakeupcafe.com

Hours:

Monday             Closed

Tuesday             10 AM - 6 PM

Wednesday       10 AM - 6 PM

Thursday           10 AM - 6 PM

Friday                10 AM - 6 PM

Saturday           10 AM - 6 PM

Sunday              10 AM - 3 PM 

Twas the afternoon on Wednesday, November 14 on a day that started like any other day except, Caked Up Cafe cupcakes showed up in the office for a co-workers celebration.  Yes you are looking at cupcakes with cake pancakes, toast, waffles, cookies and other appetizing creations that drew excitement from everyone on what to try first, and ahhh look at that one.

I tried the cannoli cupcake, filled and topped with cannoli buttercream and it was so good.  After finishing this cupcake, I heard psst, psst, and I turned and a cupcake from across the room was trying to get my attention but I couldn't see which one.  So, being the person that I am, I left my seat and walked over to the tier of cupcakes and heard from the back of the tray again, psst, psst and I saw a cookie dough cupcake calling to me.  Now it was sitting on the second tier and I reached over to retrieve it, but I thought to myself, you are suppose to only eat one.  That thought lasted a nanosecond.  It was the cookie dough cupcake that was calling to me and it was filled and topped with cookie dough buttercream with a dollop of vanilla buttercream and a cookie!   Need I say more except it was worth the walk.  I ate the cookie first and wanted more.  This cupcake was just as good as the first one. 

Took me back to the days when you were a child and could take your finger and swipe a bit of the cream and lick your fingers.  But no, we are so grown up we don't think these things anymore.  Not!  Did I swipe, almost, it would have made the buttercream last longer.  But alas I was amongst adults and I had to act accordingly. 

I enjoyed the experience and I am looking forward to my next cupcake adventure.

Plus 

#cakedupcafe  #newcity   #newyork  #gournmentcupcakes #customcakes #cupcakes  #fresh    #flavor #tastytreats  #delicious  #bakery #fingerlicking  #cakejars #over90flavors  #goodeats

Chit Chat Diner - Yes, I went back again!

Chit Chat Dinner
515 Essex Street
Hackensack, NJ  07601
201-820-4033
website:  chitchatdiner.com

Hours:  Monday - Sunday - Open 24 hours

This restaurant has the correct name, because you can just sit, eat, laugh, smile and have a conversation with the person you came with or whoever is sitting next to you and just chit and chat and chit and chat in a comfortable and relax atmosphere. 

Okay, so my daughter Brandy and I first went on Saturday, October 13, 2018 to Chit Chat Diner.  On this visit, I noticed that the the waiting area has multi color round stools to sit until your name is called.  The booths have maroon seats with, red and white checkerboard headrest, chandeliers and single over head hanging lights, black and white pin strip awnings, black and white checkerboard vases and drapes, individual, family or group seating.  Black and white tile floor in one area, red counter top with red swerving stools, full bar that serves tap beer, bakery case full of decorative cakes, wait staff is very efficient and friendly.

Our waitress was Ms. Guillmarys who has people and great communication skills, able to multitask and works quickly and efficiently.  She was also helpful, friendly and just plain old nice.  She knows the menu and would check back with us to make sure once our food was delivered that everything was okay and came back again to see how everything was going.

The first picture you see is from the Eggs Farm Fresh Everyday menu.  I ordered scrambled eggs, medium soft (I added american cheese and onions) turkey bacon, roasted potatoes, two fresh baked biscuits and fresh squeezed orange juice.  The eggs were prepared exactly as I asked and they were fresh, the roasted potatoes with a touch of rosemary lightly seasoned went well with my dish.  The turkey bacon was fresh and not over or under cook.  The biscuits were oh so fluffy, soft, flakey and fresh.  Add the butter and grape or strawberry jam, and you have a winner.

Our returned visit was November 16th as pictured below.

French Toast - $6.95

Turkey sausage - $3.00

Multigrain pancakes topped with bananas and bacon  - $10.95

I deemed it necessary to return to try and few more things on their menu just to see if the food and staff were consistent and they were.

From the Morning Treat menu I ordered the Bronana multigrain pancakes, bacon, and milk with ice.  The pancakes came topped with sweet bananas.  The pancakes were kind of thick and I only ate about a pie slice.  Not much of a taste, they were just okay, I have had better.

From the same menu my daughter Brandy  ordered the classic french toast with turkey sausage, and milk with ice.  Now her french toast was very good, light, seasoned with just the right amount of cinnamon and lightly sprinkle with powered sugar. You can taste the herbs in the turkey sausage which was fresh.  Ask for extra syrup.

Back again on Saturday, February 8, 2020.

3 Angus sliders - $11.95 

French fries - $5.95 

I will return, I have my eye on a few more items.  It's a good thing that they are open 24 hours a day, everyday.

#chitchatdiner   #hackensack    #newjersey   #diner   #upscalediner  #food  #breakfast  #lunch  #dinner  #greateats   #greatatmosphere   #greatservice  #fries    #sliders   #biscuits    #goodfood   #daily  #desserts  #like  #hugemenu  #childrenmenu   #foodblog  #comfortfood