Where I'm a regular
An item in my column the other day, about being recognized as a repeat customer on only my second visit to a Chinatown-adjacent diner in L.A. (Nick's Cafe, for the curious), prompted a discussion Tuesday with a couple of readers in Claremont.
Was I a regular at any local restaurants? One suggested that my tastes are eclectic enough that I'm probably flitting from restaurant to restaurant too often to be much of a regular.
That's true. Even a lot of the places to which I've given a favorable nod to in this space I've never returned to. There's always something new to try.
But I do return to a few local mom and pop places frequently enough -- once a month or more -- to be a regular. Currently those are La Verne's Taste of Asia, Chino's Phillips BBQ and Flo's Airport Cafe, Pomona's Mix Bowl Cafe, Rancho Cucamonga's Nancy's Cafe and Upland's San Biagio's N.Y. Pizza.
Do you go anywhere where they know your name?
6 Comments
Leave a comment
About this blog
About this blogger
A journalist for more than two decades, David Allen has been writing a column for the Daily Bulletin since 1997 and blogging since 2007.He lives in Claremont.
E-mail David here or read columns here.
MNG Corporate Site Map | Newspaper Media Kit
| For more local Southern California News: | Copyright ©2010 |
| Los Angeles Newspaper group |
We are regulars at:
Rabi's Cafe Upland
Pueblitas Upland
Pho Ha Rancho Cucamonga
Star Wok Claremont Great wonton soup
Joe Chicagos Upland - under new ownership
I apologize beforehand for "living large," but my regular haunts who know me quite well are Antonino's, Cask N Cleaver, Sycamore Inn (in the bar area), and Omaha Jack's.
[No need to apologize on the David Allen Blog, Bob. -- DA]
I thought that Flo's had closed.
[It's in no danger of closing anytime soon. I just had lunch there Thursday, by the way. -- DA]
Corner Bakery Cafe! The one on the corner of Chino Hills Parkway and the 71. Not exactly a mom-and-pop place, I suppose, because it is part of a chain, but I go there at least once a week. That's where I go to grade papers and goof around on my iPad using their wireless. And drink coffee by the gallon. Nice big tables there to spread out stacks of papers and grade sheets. And they actually do know my name!
[Proving that chains are people too...sometimes. -- DA]
I'm a regular at Handel's ice cream in Upland every Wednesday, where ice cream cones are a dollar. They don't know my name, but as soon as I walk up to the window, they say, "Double scoop butter pecan, with a cake cone?"
[Them remembering your order is pretty cool. -- DA]
GREETINGS:
Sorry to come late to this party. It's been a busy past few weeks! I guess you could say I'm a regular at ...
Ramon's Cactus Patch
Vince's Spaghetti (the original in Ontario)
Flo's No. 2
Warehouse Pizza
Juanita's III
There are probably a few more I could add, but those are the top spots.
[Not to mention being a regular on this blog! Thanks as always, Charles. -- DA]