November 2010 Archives

San Bernardino firefighters help make Thanksgiving better for needy

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You may have read Michel Nolan's article regarding Mary's Table and its efforts to provide Thanksgiving dinner for nearly 400 hungry people this year.

What you didn't read about was the San Bernardino city firefighters' role in that dinner.

On November 17, firefighters stocked Mary's Mercy Center's pantry shelves with hams, turkeys, potatoes, gravy, stuffing, pies and other traditional goodies, all unloaded from a Stater Bros. truck.

In all, firefighters donated a generous $10,000 worth of food, with Stater Bros. kicking in a $500 discount.

This is the fifth year that the San Bernardino City Professional Firefighters Local 891 has donated to the service organization.

A special Dine 909 thanks goes out to the San Bernardino city firefighters, Stater Bros., and to the staff and volunteers of Mary's Mercy Center!

Cuca's #6 is open for business

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Cuca's fans, you've got another reason to celebrate!

The new Cuca's Mexican Food is open at 11221 California St. (at Barton Road) in Loma Linda.

The restaurant joins their other locations in Redlands, Highland, Rialto and Mentone. (It's actually their seventh location -- they formerly had one in Ontario.)

The full-service restaurant opened Sunday (November 28).

The restaurant will hold an official grand opening on December 14.

Happy Thanksgiving from Dine 909!

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We here at Dine 909 wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and may whatever meal you're sharing turn out as delicious as possible!

Thank you for checking in on us from time to time.

Please have a safe holiday!

Thanksgiving brew at Hangar 24

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Redlands' Hangar 24 Craft Brewery will tap a special holiday cask at 4 p.m. tomorrow (November 24). The brew consists of their Pale Ale with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, mace and molasses added, and is being called Pumpkin Pie Pale Ale.

It will be available until 9 p.m. tomorrow and during their holiday hours, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Thursday (November 25).

Also, here's something else to be thankful for: Hangar 24 will be expanding its hours to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays beginning December 3.

The brewery is at 1710 Sessums Drive.

Thanksgiving giving begins today

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St. Bernardine Medical Center is helping to kick off the holiday spirit a tad early this year.

Beginning at 4 p.m. today (November 23), they're celebrating their 16th year of providing Thanksgiving dinners for those who might otherwise go without.

The event will be held at the hospital's Family Focus Center, 1931 N. E St. in San Bernardino.

They're expecting to serve more than 800 people.

In addition, they're hosting a free health fair, at which free flu shots, blood pressure checks and dental screenings will be offered. Those attending can also receive health information and mini health kits -- which include purifying hand gel and tips on how to remain healthy during flu season -- will be given out.

Also, families will also have the opportunity to choose from coats donated through the center's coat and jacket drive.

Follow the jump to find other volunteer opportunities in the Inland Empire.

Sweet deal from El Pollo Loco...free cake!

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It's Black Friday. You've been out since 4 a.m. waiting in line at (insert name of favorite big-box store here) for that elusive deal. It's getting close to noon now and you are hungry!

Where to go?

Here's one option...El Pollo Loco is giving away a free individual chocolate cake with any of three new plates.

The new plates are:

  • Tamale Plate: Two chicken tamales covered in a Colorado sauce, Spanish rice and pinto beans
  • Carne Asada Plate: Citrus-marinated, flame-grilled carne asada, Spanish rice, pinto beans, warm tortillas and fresh salsa
  • Mixed Grill Plate: Carne asada alongside a chicken leg or thigh, Spanish rice, pinto beans, warm tortillas and fresh salsa
The deal begins on Black Friday (November 26) and continues through Cyber Monday (November 29).

You do have to have a coupon, however, and you have to enter your name (which will be printed on the coupon) and email address to claim it.

To start the process, simply go to El Pollo Loco's website and click the Black Friday/Cyber Monday "Get Coupon" button at the bottom of the page.

See, there's one more thing to be thankful for...and good luck getting that deal!

fresh & easy helps feed the hungry

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Neighborhood market fresh & easy is asking its customers to partner with them in helping to fight hunger this holiday season.

They have set up donation bins in its stores for customers to donate canned and boxed goods.

The donations will be given to local food banks and charities, along with food donations from each store.

Donations will be accepted until December 24.

The food drive was the suggestion of fresh & easy store employees who thought customers should have the chance to join the company in hunger relief.

Combined, more than $1 million in food will be given to local food banks and charities during the campaign.

One charity that will be the recipient of donations is Feeding America, which is represented locally by Second Harvest Food Bank serving San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

In other words, your donations -- along with fresh & easy's -- will feed hungry folks right here in the Inland Empire.

For more information, check out this post from fresh & easy's blog.

Don Martin is open for business

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In probably the fastest turnaround on record, a mere two months after the San Bernardino Zendejas closed, Don Martin has opened in its place.

I still can't seem to get the image of Mad Magazine out of my mind.

For those who want to be the first on the block to try it, the restaurant is at 1970 Ostrems Way.

If you do go, please feel free to comment below.

Free coffee every day at Burger King

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I realize the month is over half through, but I just spotted this coupon the other day.

Burger King is giving you free coffee every day this month -- with a coupon, of course.

The fast-food restaurant has already been giving away free 12-ounce cups of hot Seattle's Best coffee during breakfast hours every Friday during November -- no purchase necessary, but this coupon gives you more.

You get your choice of a small hot or cold coffee any day...and not just during breakfast hours.

And where will you get this coupon?

From your friends here at Dine 909. Just click this link.

Enjoy!

Stater Bros. begins campaign to help needy

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Stater Bros. stores have begun their annual Harvesting Hope campaign to help provide food for those in need.

They'll be accepting monetary donations at registers (via collection canisters and $10 donation vouchers) and non-perishable food items in bins placed in the front of stores. Donated food does not need to be purchased at Staters.

The collections will continue through December 13.

Stater Bros. Charities will be donating more than $450,000 to local food banks and self-help organizations.

Harvesting Hope partners include:

Upland's Las Cazuelitas to remain open

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Good news!

Downtown Upland's Las Cazuelitas, which had been slated to close on Sunday, is remaining open.

In addition, the restaurant, 134 N. Second Ave., Suite K, is still hosting a fundraiser tomorrow night (November 16) in appreciation for their loyal customers.

Food and drinks will be served from 5 to 8 p.m., with entertainment by Crystal.

A $25 donation is suggested to benefit San Antonio Community Hospital's Women's Health Imaging Center.

For more information call Teresa or Esther at 909-985-1339.

Two free tacos! Two free tacos! Two free tacos!

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I don't think there's a more polarizing item in the fast food world.

I'm talking about the Jack in the Box taco.

Either you could eat them day and night or you think they're an Americanized abomination.

I haven't met anybody yet who's on the fence.

If you're in the "love 'em" camp, you'll be glad to know that after 2 p.m. Tuesday (November 16), you'll be able to walk in to a participating Jack in the Box and walk out with two free tacos, no strings attached.

No coupon necessary. No purchase necessary.

Wow. Free tacos. All I can say is, "Thanks, Jack!"

Zendejas adds another one

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We've kind of known this for a while, but now it's official.

Zendejas, in addition to moving into the OSH center on Foothill Boulevard, is also moving into the former Las Campanas space at 8106 Milliken Ave. (at Foothill Boulevard).

The new location will be owned by Jose Zendejas, who also owns the Chino Spectrum location.

His brother, Raul, is opening the location down the street, just east of Vineyard Avenue.

Confused yet? Me, too!

For all the details, click here to read Wendy Leung's story from today's Daily Bulletin.

Mi Tortilla out, Cafe Rio in

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While larger restaurants seem to do well at Redlands' Citrus Plaza, the center doesn't seem to be as kind to smaller eateries.

Z Pizza was in and out in what seemed like record time and while Mi Tortilla Mexican Grill lasted a while longer, it too is gone.

In its place will be Utah-based Cafe Rio Mexican Grill.

Cafe Rio has a handful of locations here in Southern California -- Oxnard, Manhattan Beach, Costa Mesa, Tustin and Lake Forest -- and will soon be opening in Lakewood, as well as Redlands.

The Redlands restaurant, 27510 Lugonia Ave., will be their sole Inland Empire location.

Until I saw the signs in the window, I had never heard of Cafe Rio.

How about you? Have you been to any of their other locations? Feel free to comment below.

Checking out their blog, I noticed that they gave away free food when they opened their Manhattan Beach store, and collected donations for the P.S. I Love You Foundation, a local charity.

Will they do something similar here? Let's hope so!

fresh & easy recalls cookie dough

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If you're a fresh & easy shopper with a peanut allergy, listen up.

That's because fresh & easy is voluntarily recalling some 16-ounce Ginger Spice Cookie Dough (UPC 5051379045210) since the packages may actually contain peanut butter cookie dough.

The mislabeled cookie dough has an "Enjoy by" date of December 3. All the Ginger Spice Cookie Dough packages with that date have been removed from stores.

Nothing ruins a holiday gathering quicker than grandma going into anaphylactic shock from mistakenly eating a peanut butter cookie.

Luckily, no illnesses have been reported due to the recall.

You may return the unused product, empty product containers or present the receipt as proof of purchase of the recalled product to any fresh & easy store for a full refund.

Consumers who have questions or concerns about this recall should contact the fresh & easy 24-hour toll free number at 800-648-8622.

Baker's Safe Halloween fundraiser nets over $212,000

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Baker's Drive-Thru's 22nd annual Safe Halloween promotion raised over raised $212,000.

That brings the grand total that Baker's has raised since the campaign began in 1989 to more than $2 million.

Proceeds from the sale of Safe Halloween books benefit Easter Seals services for children and adults with disabilities, including autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.

Thank you Baker's, and thank all of you who forked over a dollar and bought a Safe Halloween booklet!

Veterans eat free today

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Some local restaurants are rolling out the red carpet for current and former military personnel today, Veterans Day (November 11).

In addition to the previously mentioned free combo from Wahoo's Fish Tacos in Rancho Cucamonga, here's a few more restaurants that are honoring our troops by giving them free food:

  • Applebee's is offering seven different entrées to choose from, ranging from an Oriental chicken salad to a 7-ounce sirloin steak. Head here to find out all the details. You'll find Applebee's throughout the Inland Empire.
  • Hooters is offering four different sandwiches from their new specialty menu free with beverage purchase. Both the Ontario and Riverside restaurants are participating. Click here to see the selections.
  • Chili's is offering a choice of six different entrées. Click here to see a PDF with the details. You'll find Chili's throughout the Inland Empire.
In addition, Honolulu Harry's, 12206 Central Ave., Chino, is offering veterans a free appetizer with the purchase of "to" entrées (and a $25 minimum check!). Click here for more details.

Also, from 5 to 9 p.m.on Monday (November 15), Golden Corral, 12845 Main St., Hesperia, is offering a free Military Appreciation dinner. Click here to find out more.

So, veterans, get out there and eat...that's an order!

Boy Scouts spending Saturday Scouting for Food

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We've told you before about local Boy Scouts and their efforts to collect non-perishable food for the needy.

This Saturday (November 13), Boy Scouts from the Inland Empire Council, Arrowhead District will be going door-to-door in an effort to help stock the Salvation Army's food pantry.

They'll also be stationed at San Bernardino-area Stater Bros. stores.

They are participating in a nationwide event the Boy Scouts of America calls Scouting for Food.

Boy Scouts from San Bernardino, Rialto, Colton, Highland and Bloomington will help collect food for the Salvation Army. An estimated 65 troops, ranging in size from 5 to 40 boys, are expected to participate.

Each Scouting for Food drive benefits a local charity. Other troops within the Arrowhead District serve the mountain communities, and will take their food to a shelter in Blue Jay.

On Thanksgiving, the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps hosts a Thanksgiving dinner that often brings in 700 to 900 people. Although much of the food served at that dinner is fresh, some of the non-perishable items the Boy Scouts collect may be included.

In December, the San Bernardino Corps assembles holiday food baskets for more than 700 local families. The donations it receives from the Boy Scouts will be included in those baskets.

The San Bernardino Corps also needs food every day for those at its Hospitality House homeless shelter.

It also needs food for up to 200 people who receive a free dinner served six nights a week.

So, if you happen to get a knock on your door or see the scouts while you're out shopping, please give generously.

Chili bowl fundraiser at AMOCA this Saturday

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AMOCAchili.jpgThe American Museum of Ceramic Art is hosting a Chili Bowl Fundraiser from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday (November 13).

Here's how it works:

Ceramicists, professors and ceramic students have donated handmade bowls for this event. (All bowls are food, microwave and dishwasher-safe.)

Each bowl is sold for $12 and filled with your choice of chili. The chili is being donated by Original Tommy's Hamburgers and the Fraternity Order of Eagles, Aerie 2215.

The event will be held in the paseo behind the museum, 340 S. Garey Ave., Pomona.

The fundraiser will also include a silent auction and a second Saturday speaker from 6 to 7 p.m.

In case all that chili makes you thirsty, they'll be serving Pomona Queen beer courtesy of Dale Bros. Brewery.

This event is held in conjunction with Pomona's Art Walk, which is held on the second Saturday of each month.

Upland's Las Cazuelitas closing November 14

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From this post in Sandra Emerson's Upland Now blog, we learned that Las Cazuelitas in downtown Upland will be closing its doors on November 14.

I believe I've eaten there once, a long, long time ago.

On November 16, the restaurant, 134 N. Second Ave., Suite K, will be holding a fundraiser in appreciation for their loyal customers.

Food and drinks will be served from 5 to 8 p.m., with entertainment by Crystal.

A $25 donation is suggested to benefit San Antonio Community Hospital's Women's Health Imaging Center.

For more information call Teresa or Esther at 909-985-1339.

Update: They're staying open! Click here for more info.

fresh & easy announces early 2011 SoCal store openings

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And you know what?

Loma Linda isn't one of them.

Again.

Neither are any of the other seven Inland Empire stores I mentioned the last time they announced store openings.

The one bright spot is that they're opening a store at Bonita Avenue and San Dimas Canyon Road in San Dimas on February 23.

Wow. I used to love going to the Bravo Burgers that was there in that shopping center. And heading to the Bravo Burgers website I see that there's a San Dimas location in the works.

Could they be returning to that center? Hmmm.

My mind is beginning to wander. Follow the jump for more wanderings.

Free meals for military personnel? Wahoo!

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The Rancho Cucamonga Wahoo's Fish Tacos, 11561 Foothill Blvd., will honor all current or former armed forces personnel with a free meal on Veterans' Day (November 11).

All veterans with current military ID, a VA card, or DD-214 will receive a #1 Combo Meal (taco or enchilada, rice and beans) at no charge.

For more information, call Wahoo's at 909-948-3999.

Local Hooters Girl makes big time

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Inland Empire Hooters fans (and you know who you are) can rejoice. You have a celebrity in your midst.

Local Hooters Girl Amanda Stronegger, from the Hooters at 6225 Valley Springs Parkway, Riverside, is featured in the 2011 Hooters calendar.

Amanda was chosen from over 20,000 Hooters Girls currently working in 460 Hooters restaurants worldwide.

Her picture can be found on the December page in the 25th Anniversary calendar, which went on sale last month in stores and online. She's also a featured "CyberGirl" on the Hooters calendar website.

The calendar includes a double-sided cover and a special pullout section dedicated to the military.

In addition, this is the sixth year that the "delightfully tacky yet unrefined" eatery has enlisted a program called Operation Calendar Drop, which aims to support the troops overseas.

Customers can purchase a calendar, sign a note of appreciation to an unknown serviceman or woman and Hooters will send it out to a designated base during the holidays.

Distribution of the calendar is expected to exceed half a million worldwide, making it the best-selling calendar of its kind year after year.

Congratulations, Amanda!

$1 beverages at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf next Tuesday

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The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is hosting its holiday open house from 4 to 7 p.m. next Tuesday (November 9). During the open house, you'll be able to buy one of four select holiday 12-ounce beverages for only a buck.

You can choose from:

  • Red Velvet Hot Cocoa
  • Red Velvet Iced Blended drink
  • Winter Dream Tea Latte
  • Gingerbread Cookie Latte
Proceeds from the event will benefit The Help Group, which is dedicated to serving kids with autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, ADHD, mental retardation, abuse and emotional problems.

The offer is available at participating locations, and is not available at stores inside Ralphs supermarkets.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is located throughout the Inland Empire, including Redlands, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Claremont, Chino Hills, Riverside, Temecula and Lake Elsinore.

Give blood, get fed this Thursday

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LifeStream is hosting a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday (November 4) at Apple Valley Town Hall, 14955 Dale Evans Parkway.

And just what does this have to do with Dine 909?

You get free food with your donation (and not just orange juice and cookies).

While supplies last, donors will receive:

  • A coupon for a complimentary burrito, courtesy of Chipotle
  • A coupon for complimentary chips and beverage with sandwich purchase, courtesy of Quiznos
  • A coupon for a complimentary beverage with buffet purchase, courtesy of Round Table Pizza, Apple Valley
  • A coupon for a small side and beverage with wing purchase, courtesy of Wing Stop, Apple Valley
  • Donor loyalty points
Donors may also register for Be The Match bone marrow screening free of charge. Go to bethematch.org for more information.

Follow the jump for donor guidelines.

About this blog


Fine and not-so-fine dining in the Inland Empire.


About this Archive

This page is an archive of entries from November 2010 listed from newest to oldest.

October 2010 is the previous archive.

December 2010 is the next archive.

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