Well, of course, you're gonna have to work for it.

I'm aware it's extremely late notice, but the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District is conducting a cleanup of the neighborhood around Citrus Valley High School in Redlands.

And what about the free meals?

Breakfast and lunch will be provided for volunteers by Oscar's Mexican Restaurant and the Gourmet Pizza Shoppe (a Dine 909 favorite), both of Redlands, and Mimi's Cafe of San Bernardino.

All three restaurants are worth paying for meals at, by the way.

The cleanup takes place from 8 a.m. to noon today (November 7).

Clean up efforts will be assisted by volunteers from Hands on Inland Empire and from three of Redlands' high schools: Redlands, Redlands East Valley and Citrus Valley.

Interested in volunteering? Volunteers should meet outside Citrus Valley High School, 800 W. Pioneer Ave., Redlands.

A new, modern-style McDonald's opened a week ago in Fontana (17017 Sierra Lakes Parkway, at Sierra Avenue).

Surprisingly, I'm lovin' it. It's a slightly smaller restaurant, without a Playplace. It's very modern inside and if it weren't for the menus and posted advertisements, you'd scarcely know you're in a McDonald's. Personally, I think it's a great direction for the company.

The taste of New Orleans has come to downtown Riverside.

The grand opening of the Crescent Jewell Restaurant, 3597 Main St. (at Sixth Street) is set for 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday (November 5).

The restaurant had a soft opening late last month. It occupies the space formerly held by the Back Stage Restaurant.

Owner Norman Copeland previously owned and operated Bayou Seafood Grille in Rancho Mirage. He's returning to his roots, as he grew up and was a former educator in Riverside. He graduated from North High School.

The restaurant specializes in Creole/Cajun food and also offers some American dishes such as steaks, pork chops and salads.

The eatery will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. They will offer a happy hour Monday through Friday.

For more information, you can reach them at (951) 684-1001.

Question: What does Norco have that no other place in the world has?

Horses? Nope. Lots of places have horses. But you're kinda close.

The Lake Norconian Club? Well, yes...but this is a food blog.

OK, then, Starbucks Coffee? That's ridiculous. You know there's a Starbucks on practically every corner in Southern California.

Fine. I give up. Sheesh, you give up easily.

The thing that Norco has that no other place in the world has...is a Western Bob's Big Boy statue!

And Dine 909 has an exclusive sneak peek after the jump!

What are you doing Sunday?

If you're a frozen yogurt fan, you should be at the Yogoo à la Mode yogurt shop at 7890 Haven Ave., Suite 8 (at Town Center Drive) in Rancho Cucamonga.

On Sunday, November 1, they will be celebrating their second anniversary.

Among the deals being offered that day:

• Free yogurt with toppings (8 oz. max) to the first 100 customers.
• Buy one, get one free boba tea drinks, yogurt and gelato all day long.
• 30% discount on all ice cream and yogurt cake orders.
• VIP club membership (which includes a free ice cream cake during your birthday month, a free small yogurt on your birthday, 15% discount on regular purchases and other special offers) for $25 -- a $10 discount.
• Balloon animals for the kids from noon to 4 p.m.

Yogoo is one of those self-serve yogurt places, similar to Nubi or Ohana, both of which I like.

I haven't yet been to Yogoo, but free frozen yogurt is a difficult thing to pass up. I think I'll have to pop over and check them out.

Special anniversary hours are from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Click here (.pdf file) to download their anniversary flier and check out all the deals yourself.

I try to attend the Tip-A-Cop fundraisers when I can.

The money goes to a good cause -- Special Olympics -- and I usually bring a friend or two and have a good time.

The latest event will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. tonight (October 29) at the Yucca Valley Applebee's, 57796 Twentynine Palms Highway.

Wait a minute! There an Applebee's in Yucca Valley? The only place I've eaten at there is Din Ho Chinese restaurant.

Anyway, the California Highway Patrol and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department are teaming up with the restaurant for the fundraiser.

They're typically slightly chaotic affairs, but usually lots of fun.

Besides, you never know when you might run into one of those officers again in a...let's say...less honorable moment, and he or she might remember you from the event and let you off with only a warning.

It could happen.

Funds raised will be added to $7,000 already collected from similar events and go toward the Morongo Basin Special Olympics.

So, do your part and help out. It just might benefit you in the long run.

Well, the folks at KFC apparently haven't had enough bad publicity lately, so today (October 26) they're attempting to give away free chicken...again.

The caveats:

• One free piece per customer (duh!).
• The offer is only available at participating locations (ditto!).
• The offer applies to grilled chicken only.
• The free piece is the manager's choice and may vary by location.

You don't need a coupon, so if you're willing to wait for a piece of grilled chicken, head on over to your local KFC right now.

Me? I had a late lunch over at Ontario Mills, but thanks!

So I was watching Cliff Young's Out to Eat show on KVCR the other day, and one of the segments he had was on The Fat Greek in Yucaipa.

Looked like an interesting place...someplace I'd want to check out the next time I'm in that neck of the woods.

So imagine my surprise when I saw which restaurant Allan Borgen was reviewing in today's paper.

Yep, The Fat Greek!

Coincidence? Perhaps.

But guess who was the first to review it? Neither Cliff nor Allan, but Elaine "Lunch with 'Lanie" Lehman!

Back in April, Elaine stopped in for lunch at The Fat Greek and wrote a review.

Way to go, Elaine!

For all the recessionistas out there (and you know who you are), Dickey's Barbecue Pit in Rancho Cucamonga is offering $1 sandwiches from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow. The eatery on Haven and Fourth (actually, it's Trademark but we'll say Fourth) is marking it's 68th year since opening its first location in Dallas.

You can only get two sandwiches, that's the limit.

Information: (909) 477-455


YouTube link

In today's Sun newspaper, we read Michael Sorba's story of a developer's continuing quest to bring an In-N-Out Burger to Highland.

One of the stumbling blocks seemed to be a sign near the 210 freeway which the developer wanted to use promote the fast food restaurant and other businesses at the center in which it would be located.

However, the center (on Greenspot Road) isn't directly adjacent to the freeway.

The city's planning commission initially denied the sign request and the developer appealed that decision. Now the developer has withdrawn that appeal and is instead working the developer whose center is next to the freeway to get space on that center's existing sign.

Whew!

With all the sign-wrangling seeming to be over, it appears that the Highland In-N-Out will soon be a reality.

I can almost smell the grilled onions now...

To read Michael's story, click here.