October 2009 Archives

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.

That lonely void left by Sisley's at Victoria Gardens will soon be filled.

Italian restaurant Paisano is leaving its Fontana location and moving next to Lucille's at Victoria Gardens. The eatery is expected to open mid-December, said Masa Liles, director of marketing for Victoria Gardens.

Dear Taco Bell:

We were willing to forgive you for the red shell on your Volcano taco. It was initially kind of amusing.

But this time you've gone too far.

A black taco shell for your Black Jack taco?

That doesn't even make any sense.

It's not appetizing. Unless you're a 12-year-old.

Or is that your target audience?

We have enough artificial food additives entering our bodies without having to worry about god-knows-what is in that burnt-looking taco shell.

Did you do any kind of market research beforehand? Did you get responses like "Ew!" or "Ick!" or "Blecch!"?

We have just three words for you: Please. Stop. Now.

Sincerely, Dine 909

P.S. We think The Onion hit the nail on the head with this "news" segment (thanks to reader Jeremiah for reminding us of this):


Taco Bell's New Green Menu Takes No Ingredients From Nature

It's that time of year again...time for Marie Callender's semi-annual pie sale.

That means that their pies, which are normally $10.49 to $15.49, are now just $6.99.

My favorite pie ? Probably plain ol' apple, although I wouldn't turn away a slice of French apple. Heck, even their sugar-free apple is pretty good!

And I think I inherited my taste for pecan pie from my Mom.

Of course, pumpkin is perfect for Halloween parties!

OK, all this pie talk is making me hungry!

As usual, there are restrictions. This time it means that you have to remember to include the cost of the tin, and the deal isn't good on cheesecakes and fresh fruit pies. It's only on to-go pies. And price and participation may vary by location. The deal ends October 31.

You'll find lots of Marie Callender's throughout the Inland Empire: Redlands, San Bernardino, Claremont, Chino, Riverside, Corona, Hemet, Ontario and Temecula. And if you include the deserts for your desserts, there's Victorville, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert.

For more info, click here.

Here are just a few random Inland Empire food-related tidbits that have landed in the Dine 909 inbox recently:

• Café y pan y más
  

From 2 to 6 p.m. this Sunday (October 11), the Mountain Avenue Assembly of God, Redeemer's Mission (Mision El Redentor) Spanish Assembly of God and Camino de Fe (Way of Faith) churches are hosting a "Festival del Café" (Festival of Coffee) and "Festival del Pan" (Festival of Bread) at 1951 S. Mountain Avenue (between Philadelphia and Francis streets) in South Ontario.

The celebration is free and no donations of any kind will be accepted.

On the menu: Pozole and a selection of Brazilian dishes.

Also, many community organizations and businesses will be offering free services at the event. 

For more information, call the Mountain Avenue Assembly of God Church at (909) 983-4378.

Sorry, Loma Linda.

Tough luck, Rialto.

We know you have been waiting a very long time for your fresh & easy stores to open. You have our sympathy.

However, I'm glad since the San Bernardino fresh & easy opened Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. Whoo-hoo!

Tucked away in the back corner of a strip mall at the southeast corner of Highland and Del Rosa avenues, the new grocery store grew out of a space that used to be a Chinese restaurant, among other things.







And judging from the extraordinarily long line of customers waiting for the grand opening, I wasn't the only one eagerly looking forward to fresh & easy coming to town.

From reader Scott in R.C. comes the news that Victoria Gardens has lost another eatery: Tacone Flavor Grill.

I never figured out how to pronounce that. Is it pronounced tah-cone-ee or tah-cone? Either way, it's no longer there.

It's still listed on Tacone's Web site, but gone from Victoria Gardens'.

There may or may not still be a Tacone near the Lake Elsinore outlet mall (17600 Collier Ave., #147-A) for those who have a craving and are willing to drive. It's listed on Tacone's Web site, but....

We should all know by now that when the time changes from daylight saving time back to standard time (as it will this year on November 1) -- and vice versa, that should be a reminder to check the batteries in your fire alarms.

On Tuesday, October 20, Domino's Pizza and the Los Angeles County Fire Department in the city of Claremont are teaming up to help remind you to test your fire alarms.

On that day, if you order a pizza between 6:30 to 8 p.m. from the Domino's store at 366 W. Foothill Blvd., in Claremont, don't be surprised if your pizza arrives accompanied by firefighters aboard a fire engine.

Gyu-Kaku, the Japanese barbecue restaurant where you cook your own food at your table, is again featuring an all-night happy hour, starting at 8:30pm to last call!

That means 99-cent draft beer, 50% off all appetizers, and $2.95 BBQ items. A minimum purchase of $10 is required, but with Harami Miso and Kalbi Garlic tantalizing your tastebuds, I think you'll find that more than easy enough to meet. More details can be found in their monthly specials.

Note: The Kalbi Garlic is very, very good.

Gyu-Kaku is conveniently located in Victoria Gardens on 7893 Monet Ave. in Rancho Cucamonga.

It's baaaack!

It seems to materialize around the time of the autumnal equinox and linger until Halloween.

For the past several years, features editor (and future Inland Emperor?) John Weeks has been bringing in a snack that is simple and frightfully, addictively delicious.

"What is this snack?" you might ask.

Well, here's the recipe:

They came by the dozens. Young and old.

Simultaneously clutching coupons and holding tightly onto their carts, they anxiously awaited for 10 a.m., when the store would officially open and they'd be able to shop -- at the newest fresh & easy, in Rancho Cucamonga.

That was the scene Wednesday morning as fresh & easy finally opened up a new Inland Empire store. A pair of new stores, in fact, as a second new store in Riverside (4080 Madison St., at Arlington Avenue) also opened Wednesday.