June 2011 Archives
Following up on its October 2010 burger survey, Consumer Reports today issued the results of its first-ever survey on fast food.
The survey is based on the responses of 36,733 subscribers who made over 98,000 visits to 53 different chains. Respondents rated the restaurants' food, value, staff and speed.
The winners?
Tops in their classes were In-N-Out Burger, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Chick-fil-A, Firehouse Subs and Dine 909 favorite Jason's Deli, and Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza.
Of those, only Firehouse Subs and Papa Murphy's do not have an Inland Empire presence.
Other winners with a local presence include Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Rubio's, Qdoba, Baja Fresh, Jersey Mike's Subs and Schlotzsky's.
The losers?
It seems as if the bigger they are, the harder they fall. McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Taco Bell, Arby's, Quiznos, Domino's and Pizza Hut all received low ranks.
Click here to read highlights of the survey. Full results are available to subscribers only. Full results will also be available in the print edition, which hits newsstands July 5.
The survey is based on the responses of 36,733 subscribers who made over 98,000 visits to 53 different chains. Respondents rated the restaurants' food, value, staff and speed.
The winners?
Tops in their classes were In-N-Out Burger, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Chick-fil-A, Firehouse Subs and Dine 909 favorite Jason's Deli, and Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza.
Of those, only Firehouse Subs and Papa Murphy's do not have an Inland Empire presence.
Other winners with a local presence include Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Rubio's, Qdoba, Baja Fresh, Jersey Mike's Subs and Schlotzsky's.
The losers?
It seems as if the bigger they are, the harder they fall. McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Taco Bell, Arby's, Quiznos, Domino's and Pizza Hut all received low ranks.
Click here to read highlights of the survey. Full results are available to subscribers only. Full results will also be available in the print edition, which hits newsstands July 5.
Where's Bernie?
As they've done in the past with Inland Empire 66ers Account Executive Jordan Smith, 66ers mascot Bernie will be meeting fans at a local restaurant.
Bernie and some of the 66ers staff will be at the Mardi Gras restaurant in San Bernardino at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow (July 1), giving away 66ers goodies.
Start your long weekend with some Cajun/Creole cuisine and free stuff!
Mardi Gras is at 201 N. E St. in downtown San Bernardino.
As they've done in the past with Inland Empire 66ers Account Executive Jordan Smith, 66ers mascot Bernie will be meeting fans at a local restaurant.
Bernie and some of the 66ers staff will be at the Mardi Gras restaurant in San Bernardino at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow (July 1), giving away 66ers goodies.
Start your long weekend with some Cajun/Creole cuisine and free stuff!
Mardi Gras is at 201 N. E St. in downtown San Bernardino.
If you're planning to head on over to the University Avenue Farmer Boys in Riverside, you might want to plan ahead.
There's construction going on along Lime Street, which is where you'd normally enter their parking lot.
With the handful of one-way streets in downtown Riverside, just getting to the restaurant can be tricky.
You need a map.
Luckily, Farmer Boys has provided one for you, along with coupons as an incentive.
The "crane specials" are good until November (at that location only), but I'm hoping the construction will be done before then.
Click here to access the map and coupons.
Farmer Boys can be found throughout the Inland Empire. The University Avenue Farmer Boys is at 3400 University Ave., Riverside.
There's construction going on along Lime Street, which is where you'd normally enter their parking lot.
With the handful of one-way streets in downtown Riverside, just getting to the restaurant can be tricky.
You need a map.
Luckily, Farmer Boys has provided one for you, along with coupons as an incentive.
The "crane specials" are good until November (at that location only), but I'm hoping the construction will be done before then.
Click here to access the map and coupons.
Farmer Boys can be found throughout the Inland Empire. The University Avenue Farmer Boys is at 3400 University Ave., Riverside.
Baker's Drive-Thru is at it again!
Today (June 29), they're giving away a free order of beans with chili with a coupon.
If that's your thing, you can get your coupon at the Facebook event page here.
The usual restrictions apply, of course, but they're not shy about suggesting that you combine the free beans with chili with their Deal of the Week, which happens to be a 99¢ green burrito. You can get your Deal of the Week coupon here.
The free order of beans with chili is good today only. The Deal of the Week is good 'til the end of the week. Duh.
Baker's Drive-Thru restaurants can be found throughout the Inland Empire.
Today (June 29), they're giving away a free order of beans with chili with a coupon.
If that's your thing, you can get your coupon at the Facebook event page here.
The usual restrictions apply, of course, but they're not shy about suggesting that you combine the free beans with chili with their Deal of the Week, which happens to be a 99¢ green burrito. You can get your Deal of the Week coupon here.
The free order of beans with chili is good today only. The Deal of the Week is good 'til the end of the week. Duh.
Baker's Drive-Thru restaurants can be found throughout the Inland Empire.
Ubiquitous Chinese fast food restaurant Panda Express is touting its new extended summer hours by giving away an order of orange chicken.
You can get a single serving of the entrée after 9 p.m. tomorrow (June 24) night. The usual restrictions apply.
Panda Express locations can be found throughout the Inland Empire.
Click here to get the coupon.
You can get a single serving of the entrée after 9 p.m. tomorrow (June 24) night. The usual restrictions apply.
Panda Express locations can be found throughout the Inland Empire.
Click here to get the coupon.
So, this being a food blog, we've gotten added to some email lists for food-related story ideas.
This being a regional food blog, most of the story ideas don't necessarily apply.
However, sometimes a national story comes across that piques my interest.
Recently, we got an email from The Daily Meal blog regarding their list of 150 best bars in America.
The bars are filed into many categories: Best dive bars, best free bar snacks, best sports bars, best pick-up bars, best bars for Belgian beer, etc.
You can find the entire list here.
None of the 150 bars are in the Inland Empire.
Excuse me a moment while I feign surprise.
* Gasp! *
This being a regional food blog, most of the story ideas don't necessarily apply.
However, sometimes a national story comes across that piques my interest.
Recently, we got an email from The Daily Meal blog regarding their list of 150 best bars in America.
The bars are filed into many categories: Best dive bars, best free bar snacks, best sports bars, best pick-up bars, best bars for Belgian beer, etc.
You can find the entire list here.
None of the 150 bars are in the Inland Empire.
Excuse me a moment while I feign surprise.
* Gasp! *
Continue reading 150 best bars in America named; I.E. gets dissed.
It's a quadruple celebration as four Inland Empire Farmer Boys restaurants will be celebrating grand re-openings on Saturday (June 25).
The events will take place at locations in Rancho Cucamonga and Loma Linda (both of which will also have festivities through Monday (June 27)), Highland and San Jacinto.
Hmm...I swear the Highland restaurant just opened a couple of years ago. Oh, well.
Follow the jump to see what's in store at each location.
The events will take place at locations in Rancho Cucamonga and Loma Linda (both of which will also have festivities through Monday (June 27)), Highland and San Jacinto.
Hmm...I swear the Highland restaurant just opened a couple of years ago. Oh, well.
Follow the jump to see what's in store at each location.
Continue reading Four I.E. Farmer Boys to celebrate grand re-openings Saturday.
On his blog, David Allen tells of the closing of Rancho Cucamonga's Café Calato.
A reader had emailed me Friday asking if I had known anything of the closure.
I hadn't, so after searching Yelp and seeing that the restaurant closed sometime at the beginning of the month, I referred it to our Rancho Cucamonga reporter, Wendy Leung, who informed my of David's post.
Click here to read his post.
A reader had emailed me Friday asking if I had known anything of the closure.
I hadn't, so after searching Yelp and seeing that the restaurant closed sometime at the beginning of the month, I referred it to our Rancho Cucamonga reporter, Wendy Leung, who informed my of David's post.
Click here to read his post.
Baker's Drive-Thru is pretty generous to its Facebook fans, offering coupons for free items on a fairly regular basis.
Today (June 22), they've got another giveaway going on.
Baker's, America's first twin kitchen, is giving away something that combines both kitchens -- the taco burger!
If you've never had a taco burger, or it's been forever since you had one (like me), now's your time to get one. 'Cause it's free.
The usual restrictions apply: One coupon per person or car per visit, one offer per coupon and not valid with any other offer or discount. The offer is good today only.
Baker's Drive-Thru restaurants can be found throughout the Inland Empire.
Head to the Facebook "Free Taco Burger Day" event page to collect your coupon.
Today (June 22), they've got another giveaway going on.
Baker's, America's first twin kitchen, is giving away something that combines both kitchens -- the taco burger!
If you've never had a taco burger, or it's been forever since you had one (like me), now's your time to get one. 'Cause it's free.
The usual restrictions apply: One coupon per person or car per visit, one offer per coupon and not valid with any other offer or discount. The offer is good today only.
Baker's Drive-Thru restaurants can be found throughout the Inland Empire.
Head to the Facebook "Free Taco Burger Day" event page to collect your coupon.
What's more American than baseball, hot dogs and apple pie? Beer, of course!
A slew of Southern California craft breweries are bringing their wares to Riverside Saturday, July 2, in a 21-and-over event called the "Red, White and Brew Fest."
The festival takes place from noon to 4 p.m. at Riverside's White Park, Market Avenue and Ninth Street.
Besides helping yourself by be being able to sample all that delicious beer, you'll also be helping out the Riverside Arts Council, as all proceeds will benefit the many projects and partners of the organization.
Among the breweries you'll be able to sample at the festival are:
In addition to the beer, the event will also have food and local entertainment.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here.
For more information, contact the Riverside Arts Council at 951-680-1345 or visit the event's website by clicking here.
A slew of Southern California craft breweries are bringing their wares to Riverside Saturday, July 2, in a 21-and-over event called the "Red, White and Brew Fest."
The festival takes place from noon to 4 p.m. at Riverside's White Park, Market Avenue and Ninth Street.
Besides helping yourself by be being able to sample all that delicious beer, you'll also be helping out the Riverside Arts Council, as all proceeds will benefit the many projects and partners of the organization.
Among the breweries you'll be able to sample at the festival are:
- Hangar 24 from Redlands
- Karl Strauss from San Diego
- Bayhawk Ales from Irvine
- Widmer Brothers from Oregon
- Stone from Escondido
- Oggi's, TAPS and Main Street from Corona
- Packinghouse, Inland Empire and Big Cheese, all from Riverside
In addition to the beer, the event will also have food and local entertainment.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here.
For more information, contact the Riverside Arts Council at 951-680-1345 or visit the event's website by clicking here.
Where else can you get shrimp tacos for a buck?
Today (June 21) and next Tuesday (June 28), the Rancho Cucamonga VFW Post 8680 will add shrimp tacos to the menu (along with their carne asada and chicken tacos).
Tacos are only $1 and a plate with two tacos, rice and beans is $5.
The tacos are served from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the post, 8751 Industrial Lane.
For more information, call 909-980-5220.
Today (June 21) and next Tuesday (June 28), the Rancho Cucamonga VFW Post 8680 will add shrimp tacos to the menu (along with their carne asada and chicken tacos).
Tacos are only $1 and a plate with two tacos, rice and beans is $5.
The tacos are served from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the post, 8751 Industrial Lane.
For more information, call 909-980-5220.
As I stopped at the 7-Eleven at Milliken Avenue and Fourth Street in Rancho Cucamonga to pick up some cash on the way to the Inland Empire Food Truck Fest this Saturday, I noticed a new restaurant.
Curry Express (aka India Curry Express), 9668 Milliken Ave., Suite 101, had a grand opening banner hanging out front, although it appears they've been open about three months.
The restaurant is in the space formerly occupied by Waikiki Hawaiian Grill.
Most intriguingly, they're also advertising a $7.99 lunch buffet daily. Sounds like something I'll definitely have to check out, especially since the reviews on Yelp are very positive.
And for you bargain hunters (and who isn't these days?), the restaurant not only has coupons on its website, but also has gift certificates available on restaurant.com.
Curry Express (aka India Curry Express), 9668 Milliken Ave., Suite 101, had a grand opening banner hanging out front, although it appears they've been open about three months.
The restaurant is in the space formerly occupied by Waikiki Hawaiian Grill.
Most intriguingly, they're also advertising a $7.99 lunch buffet daily. Sounds like something I'll definitely have to check out, especially since the reviews on Yelp are very positive.
And for you bargain hunters (and who isn't these days?), the restaurant not only has coupons on its website, but also has gift certificates available on restaurant.com.
Wow...folks came out in droves today (June 18) for the inaugural Inland Empire Food Truck Fest at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.
Over 9,600 people 11,800, according to the promoters.
That's a lot of hungry people!
VIP early-admission tickets sold out earlier this week, and a lot of those people got smart and waited for the Grilled Cheese Truck, which was one of the only trucks that had a line before the festival opened to those with general admission tickets. Of course, their line kept growing and growing as the day went on.
Our luck was good, as we got the very last bit of chicken (a pair of wings) from the LudoTruck, and one of the last dozen waffles from Waffles de Liege.
The event wasn't without its minor problems. With so many people in attendance, most of the trucks had long lines. Several of the more popular trucks ran out of food about halfway through the event. Also, it would've been nice to have more places to sit. And with the sun beating down, more shady spots would've also been appreciated...the only cooking going on should be inside the trucks.
Nothing that couldn't be fixed for next time.
Click here to read reporter (and Dine 909 contributor) Wendy Leung's report on the festival.
That's a lot of hungry people!
VIP early-admission tickets sold out earlier this week, and a lot of those people got smart and waited for the Grilled Cheese Truck, which was one of the only trucks that had a line before the festival opened to those with general admission tickets. Of course, their line kept growing and growing as the day went on.
Our luck was good, as we got the very last bit of chicken (a pair of wings) from the LudoTruck, and one of the last dozen waffles from Waffles de Liege.
The event wasn't without its minor problems. With so many people in attendance, most of the trucks had long lines. Several of the more popular trucks ran out of food about halfway through the event. Also, it would've been nice to have more places to sit. And with the sun beating down, more shady spots would've also been appreciated...the only cooking going on should be inside the trucks.
Nothing that couldn't be fixed for next time.
Click here to read reporter (and Dine 909 contributor) Wendy Leung's report on the festival.
Continue reading Inland Empire Food Truck Fest a success.
The big day has finally arrived...the Inland Empire Food Truck Fest!
Gates open at 11 a.m. for most of you who are attending. Those who bought one of the 500 VIP tickets will be able to get in at 10 a.m. Remember that parking at the Citizens Business Bank Arena is free!
Dine 909 will be there, of course, and we will have some goodies to give away, but you gotta "Like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to get some swag.
For those of you who will be experiencing the food trucks for the first time, here are some tips:
Gates open at 11 a.m. for most of you who are attending. Those who bought one of the 500 VIP tickets will be able to get in at 10 a.m. Remember that parking at the Citizens Business Bank Arena is free!
Dine 909 will be there, of course, and we will have some goodies to give away, but you gotta "Like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to get some swag.
For those of you who will be experiencing the food trucks for the first time, here are some tips:
- Bring cash! The majority of the trucks are cash-only. The arena does have an ATM near the box office, so if you run out, that's a quick fix. Also, for those of you (like myself) who belong to a credit union, there's a 7-Eleven at 9638 Milliken Ave. (at Fourth Street) that is a couple of blocks from the arena. That's a good option if you want to stop by on your way and avoid those ATM fees -- they're part of the CO-OP network.
- Get there early! The lines will build as the day goes on. The earlier you get there, the better.
- Split up! If you're part of a group, a good way to cut your line wait time is to split up. Send members of your party out to stand in separate lines, get food for the group, then meet back up at a centralized location to eat. That will keep you from having to stand in line after line after line.
- Pace yourself! There will be plenty to do that doesn't involve food. Check out the bands or watch the roller derby and skate demos.
- Stay cool! It's overcast now, but it's supposed to be 78° later. Bring sunscreen or a hat, and stay in the shade as much as possible.
- Be adventurous! You never know how much you're going to like a burrito stuffed with Filipino-style pork until you try it. Enjoy!
- Join us! It's not too late! VIP tickets are sold out, but general admission tickets ($10) will be available at the door.
In case you missed it, Sun and Daily Bulletin columnist John Weeks has tried to figure out the whole food truck phenomenon.
You can read his musings here.
You can read his musings here.
If you've ever been to San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino, you might've had a bite to eat at the SportsWatch Grill.
The tribe is taking the concept on the road.
Well, down the street anyway.
The SportsWatch Bar & Grill has opened in San Manuel Village, adjacent to the recently-relocated Mi Cocina.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Monday (June 13), and a grand opening set for Saturday (June 18) with L.A. Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela signing autographs at 11:30 a.m. and longtime L.A. Kings player Marty McSorley making an appearance at 1:30 p.m.
The first 500 diners Saturday will also get a free T-shirt.
A drive-by last week before they opened revealed a very upscale and trendy space, with a staggering 54 HDTVs situated throughout.
The SportsWatch Bar & Grill is at 27961 Highland Ave., Suite B, in Highland.
Click here to read more, from the business page of The Sun.
The tribe is taking the concept on the road.
Well, down the street anyway.
The SportsWatch Bar & Grill has opened in San Manuel Village, adjacent to the recently-relocated Mi Cocina.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Monday (June 13), and a grand opening set for Saturday (June 18) with L.A. Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela signing autographs at 11:30 a.m. and longtime L.A. Kings player Marty McSorley making an appearance at 1:30 p.m.
The first 500 diners Saturday will also get a free T-shirt.
A drive-by last week before they opened revealed a very upscale and trendy space, with a staggering 54 HDTVs situated throughout.
The SportsWatch Bar & Grill is at 27961 Highland Ave., Suite B, in Highland.
Click here to read more, from the business page of The Sun.
When I went to the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario Wednesday to get tickets for the Inland Empire Food Truck Fest, I saw the former Fazoli's, 4295 Concours St., was nearly done being transformed into an Oporto.
The Australian chicken burger chain named Ontario as of their first three U.S. locations, and now we know exactly where.
This location will have a drive through, unlike the Rancho Cucamonga location. That will probably help sales quite a bit.
A Facebook post from June 4 states the opening is four weeks away, which puts it at the beginning of July.
For those who are interested, there's a "now hiring" banner posted on the front door.
The Australian chicken burger chain named Ontario as of their first three U.S. locations, and now we know exactly where.
This location will have a drive through, unlike the Rancho Cucamonga location. That will probably help sales quite a bit.
A Facebook post from June 4 states the opening is four weeks away, which puts it at the beginning of July.
For those who are interested, there's a "now hiring" banner posted on the front door.
You better head on over and get that chicken pot pie while you can!
Perkins & Marie Callender's Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
The company has plans to shutter 65 restaurants, though none of its Inland Empire locations are said to be on the closure list.
Marie Callender's has locations in Redlands, Claremont, Chino, Ontario, Victorvill, Riverside, Corona, Hemet and Temecula, but not San Bernardino.
For details, click here to read the story that ran in our business page on Tuesday.
Perkins & Marie Callender's Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
The company has plans to shutter 65 restaurants, though none of its Inland Empire locations are said to be on the closure list.
Marie Callender's has locations in Redlands, Claremont, Chino, Ontario, Victorvill, Riverside, Corona, Hemet and Temecula, but not San Bernardino.
For details, click here to read the story that ran in our business page on Tuesday.
If you live in or are planning to visit the Big Bear area on Monday (June 20), think tacos.
From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, everyone is invited to the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) fundraiser at the Sonora Cantina, 41144 Big Bear Blvd. Big Bear Lake.
Tacos will be sold for only $1, and the funds will go to support CERT, a group of trained citizen volunteers who support first responders in protecting themselves, their families and neighbors and neighborhoods.
CERT helps and supports fire and police personnel. If you're interested in getting free training, the next 20-hour class is scheduled for Monday, July 18. You can register for the class by calling the Big Bear City Fire District Office at 909-585-2362.
From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, everyone is invited to the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) fundraiser at the Sonora Cantina, 41144 Big Bear Blvd. Big Bear Lake.
Tacos will be sold for only $1, and the funds will go to support CERT, a group of trained citizen volunteers who support first responders in protecting themselves, their families and neighbors and neighborhoods.
CERT helps and supports fire and police personnel. If you're interested in getting free training, the next 20-hour class is scheduled for Monday, July 18. You can register for the class by calling the Big Bear City Fire District Office at 909-585-2362.
Ontario Mills is hosting a Super Duper Mini Chefs event from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday (June 18) at the mall's food court.
Kids will have an opportunity to roll up their sleeves and play with their food during this free event.
A variety of food-related activities and crafts featuring Auntie Anne's pretzels and Chick-fil-A are promised, as well as giveaways, prizes and the ever-popular, "more."
It's a also a food drive, as kids are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the GAP Food Bank.
For more information, call guest services at 909-484-8300 or visit the mall's Facebook event page here.
Kids will have an opportunity to roll up their sleeves and play with their food during this free event.
A variety of food-related activities and crafts featuring Auntie Anne's pretzels and Chick-fil-A are promised, as well as giveaways, prizes and the ever-popular, "more."
It's a also a food drive, as kids are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the GAP Food Bank.
For more information, call guest services at 909-484-8300 or visit the mall's Facebook event page here.
You're too late.
The Citizens Business Bank Arena has sold out of the allotted 500 VIP tickets for Saturday's (June 18) Inland Empire Food Truck Fest.
Sorry.
$10 general admission tickets are still available at the arena box office, Ticketmaster and will be available at the box office on Saturday.
In other festival news, they've added yet another truck to the lineup: Dogzilla, which serves Japanese-condimented (yes, I just made that up) hot dogs.
The Citizens Business Bank Arena has sold out of the allotted 500 VIP tickets for Saturday's (June 18) Inland Empire Food Truck Fest.
Sorry.
$10 general admission tickets are still available at the arena box office, Ticketmaster and will be available at the box office on Saturday.
In other festival news, they've added yet another truck to the lineup: Dogzilla, which serves Japanese-condimented (yes, I just made that up) hot dogs.
Not going to the Inland Empire Food Truck Fest this Saturday? You're still gonna need to eat.
And you might as well help some folks out while you do it.
The Women's Club of San Bernardino is hosting an enchilada dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday (June 18) at their clubhouse, 503 W. 31st St.
The $10 cost of your dinner will go to a fund that will be used to repair the clubhouse roof.
I know the roof still needs repair because I see the tarp covering it every day on my way to work.
You can even build your own sundae for dessert!
For information or tickets, please call 909-882-0440.
And you might as well help some folks out while you do it.
The Women's Club of San Bernardino is hosting an enchilada dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday (June 18) at their clubhouse, 503 W. 31st St.
The $10 cost of your dinner will go to a fund that will be used to repair the clubhouse roof.
I know the roof still needs repair because I see the tarp covering it every day on my way to work.
You can even build your own sundae for dessert!
For information or tickets, please call 909-882-0440.
Just a friendly reminder that today (June 14) is the last day for $8 presale tickets for the Inland Empire Food Truck Fest.
Tickets go up $2 tomorrow. The Citizens Business Bank Arena box office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., if you want to avoid those pesky Ticketmaster "convenience" fees.
Also, as of last night, there were still a limited number of $25 VIP tickets available, which will (most importantly) get you into the festival an hour early, and into the shaded VIP area with seating and restrooms, wine and Graber olive samples and goodie bags.
The event happens from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (June 18) at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.
For those of you who would like a little "taste" of what to expect, AAA's Westways Magazine did a little piece on their favorite food trucks (including three that will be at the Ontario festival) back in October. Click here to read the article.
And for those of you who are feeling lucky, the promoters (and others) are still actively giving tickets away. Your best bet to score some is to head to their Facebook and Twitter pages.
Good luck!
Tickets go up $2 tomorrow. The Citizens Business Bank Arena box office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., if you want to avoid those pesky Ticketmaster "convenience" fees.
Also, as of last night, there were still a limited number of $25 VIP tickets available, which will (most importantly) get you into the festival an hour early, and into the shaded VIP area with seating and restrooms, wine and Graber olive samples and goodie bags.
The event happens from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (June 18) at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.
For those of you who would like a little "taste" of what to expect, AAA's Westways Magazine did a little piece on their favorite food trucks (including three that will be at the Ontario festival) back in October. Click here to read the article.
And for those of you who are feeling lucky, the promoters (and others) are still actively giving tickets away. Your best bet to score some is to head to their Facebook and Twitter pages.
Good luck!
I don't know who makes up these things, but today (June 10) is National Iced Tea Day.
The good news is that if you're on Facebook, you can get free tea from both Baker's Drive Thru and Lipton Iced Tea.
Baker's is posting a coupon good for a free 32-ounce Gold Peak Iced Tea. The coupon will be posted on their Facebook page. Click here to get to it.
For the Lipton deal, you'll have to jump through a few more hoops.
You'll have to "Like" Lipton Iced Tea on Facebook and share your free iced tea coupon with at least one friend before you can claim your free iced tea coupon.
Click here to get to Lipton's Facebook page.
The good news is that if you're on Facebook, you can get free tea from both Baker's Drive Thru and Lipton Iced Tea.
Baker's is posting a coupon good for a free 32-ounce Gold Peak Iced Tea. The coupon will be posted on their Facebook page. Click here to get to it.
For the Lipton deal, you'll have to jump through a few more hoops.
You'll have to "Like" Lipton Iced Tea on Facebook and share your free iced tea coupon with at least one friend before you can claim your free iced tea coupon.
Click here to get to Lipton's Facebook page.
Glendora resident Jyll Everman is a contestant on season seven of the Food Network's "Food Network Star" show.
Turns out there's an Inland Empire connection.
In addition to owning a catering business (Jyllicious Bites) and working as a private chef, she also works as a waitress at Tutti Mangia Italian Grill in Claremont.
Our sister newspaper, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, recently profiled her. You can read the article here.
"Food Network Star" airs at 9 p.m. Sunday nights through August 14. Tune in and cheer Jyll on!
Dine 909 wishes Jyll the best, even if she hails from the 626.
Turns out there's an Inland Empire connection.
In addition to owning a catering business (Jyllicious Bites) and working as a private chef, she also works as a waitress at Tutti Mangia Italian Grill in Claremont.
Our sister newspaper, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, recently profiled her. You can read the article here.
"Food Network Star" airs at 9 p.m. Sunday nights through August 14. Tune in and cheer Jyll on!
Dine 909 wishes Jyll the best, even if she hails from the 626.
Kudos to the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council (which covers most of the Inland Empire) for selling a record-breaking 2,085,276 boxes of cookies council-wide!
Whew!
That's a whopping 332,128 (18.9%) increase over last year's efforts.
The average number of boxes each girl sold also rose, from 234 last year to 252 this year, the third-highest per-girl average in the nation.
The scouts' "I CARE" program -- in which cookie buyers could gift their purchase to an organization -- also raised a record number of donations.
The program benefits military personnel as well as food banks, women's shelters, Ronald McDonald houses and camps.
Donations to "I CARE" numbered 164,600 boxes -- an increase of 34% over last year. Of those, 107,000 went to Operation Gratitude to be shipped to deployed military. It's the largest single donation from any organization...ever.
GSSGC also offered incentives -- including a weekend on Catalina Island, an iPad or "Cookie Dough" that can be applied to things like going to camp or buying their high school class ring -- to help sales.
Obviously, the incentives worked.
Whew!
That's a whopping 332,128 (18.9%) increase over last year's efforts.
The average number of boxes each girl sold also rose, from 234 last year to 252 this year, the third-highest per-girl average in the nation.
The scouts' "I CARE" program -- in which cookie buyers could gift their purchase to an organization -- also raised a record number of donations.
The program benefits military personnel as well as food banks, women's shelters, Ronald McDonald houses and camps.
Donations to "I CARE" numbered 164,600 boxes -- an increase of 34% over last year. Of those, 107,000 went to Operation Gratitude to be shipped to deployed military. It's the largest single donation from any organization...ever.
GSSGC also offered incentives -- including a weekend on Catalina Island, an iPad or "Cookie Dough" that can be applied to things like going to camp or buying their high school class ring -- to help sales.
Obviously, the incentives worked.
Continue reading That's a lot of Thin Mints!.
Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour (remember Farrell's?) wants to open in the Terra Vista Town Center in Rancho Cucamonga where Macaroni Grill used to be.
Next Tuesday, representatives from the ice cream parlor will talk to
the Design Review Committee at 7 p.m. about the changes they want to
bring to the building.
Once upon a time, there was a Farrell's in Montclair Plaza. Actually, once upon a time, there were Farrell's all over Southern California in the 1970s and 80s. But after being sold to an investment group in 1985, according to Farrell's website, the restaurant faltered and nearly all of its 130 locations closed by 1990.
Today, there are two locations -- Mission Viejo and Santa Clarita -- offering shakes, sundaes and the famed pig trough. At $11.99, the pig trough is two orders of the banana split sundae served on a, you guessed it, pig trough.
Farrell's wants to come to Foothill Boulevard but it wants to keep its flashy designs and bold colors. The Terra Vista development boasts Spanish Revival architecture using mild earth tones.
Does Farrell's belong there? The Design Review Committee, consisting of two planning commissioners and two Planning Department staff members, will decide.
Once upon a time, there was a Farrell's in Montclair Plaza. Actually, once upon a time, there were Farrell's all over Southern California in the 1970s and 80s. But after being sold to an investment group in 1985, according to Farrell's website, the restaurant faltered and nearly all of its 130 locations closed by 1990.
Today, there are two locations -- Mission Viejo and Santa Clarita -- offering shakes, sundaes and the famed pig trough. At $11.99, the pig trough is two orders of the banana split sundae served on a, you guessed it, pig trough.
Farrell's wants to come to Foothill Boulevard but it wants to keep its flashy designs and bold colors. The Terra Vista development boasts Spanish Revival architecture using mild earth tones.
Does Farrell's belong there? The Design Review Committee, consisting of two planning commissioners and two Planning Department staff members, will decide.
Qdoba Mexican Grill is fond of dispensing online coupons via its Twitter and Facebook pages, and this weekend they've got another one lined up.
It's a buy one, get one free that's good from Friday (June 10) through Sunday (June 12).
Unfortunately, it's only valid at two Southern California locations. Good news is that one is the Upland location. (The other is Westlake Village.)
The Upland Qdoba is at 1902 N. Campus Ave., Suite A.
If you're within driving distance, click here for the coupon.
It's a buy one, get one free that's good from Friday (June 10) through Sunday (June 12).
Unfortunately, it's only valid at two Southern California locations. Good news is that one is the Upland location. (The other is Westlake Village.)
The Upland Qdoba is at 1902 N. Campus Ave., Suite A.
If you're within driving distance, click here for the coupon.
OK, so it's all the way down in Temecula, but it's as close as it's gonna get to San Bernardino County.
Grillmaster Bigmista will be sharing his grilling tips and serving up free barbecue samples from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday (June 10) at the fresh & easy at 44060 Margarita Road (at De Portola Road).
In other summer food news, fresh & easy is currently having a summer side dish contest.
Submit your recipe (using only fresh & easy brand products, naturally) for the perfect summer side dish before September 9 and you could win the grand prize of: a new grill, a $500 fresh & easy gift card, and bragging rights when your side dish is sold in fresh & easy stores next summer.
Three finalists will win a new grill and a $100 fresh & easy gift card.
For more on what fresh & easy is grilling up for summer, click here. Click here for more information on the contest.
Grillmaster Bigmista will be sharing his grilling tips and serving up free barbecue samples from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday (June 10) at the fresh & easy at 44060 Margarita Road (at De Portola Road).
In other summer food news, fresh & easy is currently having a summer side dish contest.
Submit your recipe (using only fresh & easy brand products, naturally) for the perfect summer side dish before September 9 and you could win the grand prize of: a new grill, a $500 fresh & easy gift card, and bragging rights when your side dish is sold in fresh & easy stores next summer.
Three finalists will win a new grill and a $100 fresh & easy gift card.
For more on what fresh & easy is grilling up for summer, click here. Click here for more information on the contest.
This weekend, it's all about the beer as Redlands' Hangar 24 Craft Brewery celebrates its third anniversary.The event will take place from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday (June 11) at the brewery, 1710 Sessums Drive.
They'll be serving at least 20 varieties of Hangar 24 beer.
Included will be their anniversary brew, which is known for being made using locally-sourced ingredients: Blood oranges the first year, and fresh-pressed cider from Oak Glen last year.
I wonder what the special anniversary brew will be this year!
Even the food will be local. You'll be able to choose from Dine 909 favorite Gourmet Pizza Shoppe, Romano's Italian Restaurant and Johnny's Tacos and Sports.
They've also lined up some local bands to keep you entertained.
Hope to see you there!
If music be the food of love, play on...In an interesting mélange of music and food, Anthony Suter (shown at left), resident composer and music theory professor at the University of Redlands, will be the featured guest chef at a fundraising dinner for Redlands Choral Artists.
Chef Suter will treat guests to a delicious multi-course meal on Tuesday (June 14) at Farm Artisan Foods in Redlands.
A full $20 of the cost of the dinner ($65 per person) will go to the ensemble.
Redlands Choral Artists is composed of sixteen singers from across California.
Under the direction of Jean-Sébastien Vallée, the choral ensemble seeks to enrich the
Inland Empire with exceptional interpretations of traditional and innovative chamber
choral works.
Farm Artisan Foods is at 22 E. State St.
For reservations for this special event, please call 909-792-1162.
For more information on Redlands Choral Artists, click here.
We've already given away our Inland Empire Food Truck Fest tickets, but that doesn't mean that you no longer have a chance to win some.
The Macaroni Kid blog is giving away a family four-pack of tickets to the festival, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 18 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.
The winner will be selected Wednesday (June 8), so hurry!
For information on how to enter, click here.
Also, the promoters of the festival have been giving tickets away fairly regularly via their Facebook and Twitter pages, so that's another avenue for free tickets.
And if you're not lucky enough to win tickets, you can always buy them.
The Macaroni Kid blog is giving away a family four-pack of tickets to the festival, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 18 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.
The winner will be selected Wednesday (June 8), so hurry!
For information on how to enter, click here.
Also, the promoters of the festival have been giving tickets away fairly regularly via their Facebook and Twitter pages, so that's another avenue for free tickets.
And if you're not lucky enough to win tickets, you can always buy them.
Continue reading More chances for free food truck fest tickets.
Wahoo's Fish Taco, which has hosted fundraisers for Rancho Cucamonga's Freedom Courtyard project many times already, is helping out every Monday this month.
Simply visit Wahoo's Fish Tacos, 11561 Foothill Blvd., any (or every) Monday in June, present this flier, and Wahoo's will donate 20% of your purchase to the Freedom Courtyard project.
Yes, it's that easy.
To learn more about the Freedom Courtyard project, click here.
Simply visit Wahoo's Fish Tacos, 11561 Foothill Blvd., any (or every) Monday in June, present this flier, and Wahoo's will donate 20% of your purchase to the Freedom Courtyard project.
Yes, it's that easy.
To learn more about the Freedom Courtyard project, click here.
A new all-you-can-eat sushi place has opened up a couple of weeks ago here in San Bernardino.
Sushi Tomo has moved in to the spot formerly occupied by a combination Baskin-Robbins/Togo's, which moved into a different location in the same plaza late last year.
The big question: Is it better than Miyagi Sushi?
Judging from the very few reviews on Yelp, people are generally happy about it, but it concerns me a little that there might be a connection with Rock N' Roll Sushi just up the street, which we tried about a year ago and will likely never return to.
Sushi Tomo is at 4275 N. University Parkway.
Have you been there yet? Feel free to comment below.
Sushi Tomo has moved in to the spot formerly occupied by a combination Baskin-Robbins/Togo's, which moved into a different location in the same plaza late last year.
The big question: Is it better than Miyagi Sushi?
Judging from the very few reviews on Yelp, people are generally happy about it, but it concerns me a little that there might be a connection with Rock N' Roll Sushi just up the street, which we tried about a year ago and will likely never return to.
Sushi Tomo is at 4275 N. University Parkway.
Have you been there yet? Feel free to comment below.
In the past, we've let you know about several of the restaurant fundraisers for the Rancho Cucamonga Freedom Courtyard project (and you've got at least four opportunities to help this month).
However, it was a bit of a surprise when we got an email yesterday from one of the organizers asking me to participate as a judge at another of their fundraisers -- a chili cook-off!
Of course, I said 'Yes!'
If you want to join us in support of the Freedom Courtyard project, the event will be from noon to 11 p.m. tomorrow (June 4) at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8680, 8751 Industrial Lane (south of Ninth Street), Rancho Cucamonga.
In addition to the chili cook-off, the event includes a car and motorcycle show, live entertainment all day, armed forces exhibits and food and drink, including a bar for those over 21.
The chili judging will take place in the late afternoon.
All proceeds will go to the Freedom Courtyard project.
To learn more about the Freedom Courtyard project, click here. For a flier regarding tomorrow's fundraiser, click here. For more information about tomorrow's fundraiser, call 909-957-1418.
Hope to see you there!
However, it was a bit of a surprise when we got an email yesterday from one of the organizers asking me to participate as a judge at another of their fundraisers -- a chili cook-off!
Of course, I said 'Yes!'
If you want to join us in support of the Freedom Courtyard project, the event will be from noon to 11 p.m. tomorrow (June 4) at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8680, 8751 Industrial Lane (south of Ninth Street), Rancho Cucamonga.
In addition to the chili cook-off, the event includes a car and motorcycle show, live entertainment all day, armed forces exhibits and food and drink, including a bar for those over 21.
The chili judging will take place in the late afternoon.
All proceeds will go to the Freedom Courtyard project.
To learn more about the Freedom Courtyard project, click here. For a flier regarding tomorrow's fundraiser, click here. For more information about tomorrow's fundraiser, call 909-957-1418.
Hope to see you there!
Who says doughnuts are only for mornings?Today (June 3) is the 73rd National Doughnut Day and I think we should celebrate all day long!
It's also a fundraiser for the Salvation Army, and many doughnut shops are "dough-nating" a portion of their proceeds today to them.
Just look for the poster pictured at the right, or click here for a partial list of participating shops.
Also, Krispy Kreme, whose sole Inland Empire location is at 4485 Mills Circle in Ontario, will be giving away a free doughnut of any variety to all its customers today. (One per customer, please!)
National Doughnut Day traces its roots all the way back to World War I.
Follow the jump to see a short video from the Salvation Army about the origins of National Doughnut Day.
Continue reading Happy National Doughnut Day!.
Apparently, the local mountains are brimming with creative folks!
First, we had a nine-year-old whose hippos were a smash in Ore-Ida's "Mash Destruction" contest.
Now we have a mom, Monica Williams Staniec of Lake Arrowhead, who is one of 16 finalists in the second season of Kraft Foods' and Paula Deen's "Real Women of Philadelphia" recipe contest.
Entrants submitted videos showcasing original recipes featuring Philadelphia Cream Cheese or Philadelphia Cooking Creme.
See what they did there?
Recipes could be entered in one of four categories: appetizer, side dish, entree and dessert.
Monica was recently named a finalist in the side dish category for her Stuffed Eggplant with Savory Garlic Cooking Creme recipe.
She and the other finalists will be flown to Savannah, Ga., to meet Paula and attend the final event on June 30, where four winners will receive $25,000.
Go, Monica!
Click through to the jump to see Monica's recipe video...and of her reaction upon hearing the news she was a finalist.
First, we had a nine-year-old whose hippos were a smash in Ore-Ida's "Mash Destruction" contest.
Now we have a mom, Monica Williams Staniec of Lake Arrowhead, who is one of 16 finalists in the second season of Kraft Foods' and Paula Deen's "Real Women of Philadelphia" recipe contest.
Entrants submitted videos showcasing original recipes featuring Philadelphia Cream Cheese or Philadelphia Cooking Creme.
See what they did there?
Recipes could be entered in one of four categories: appetizer, side dish, entree and dessert.
Monica was recently named a finalist in the side dish category for her Stuffed Eggplant with Savory Garlic Cooking Creme recipe.
She and the other finalists will be flown to Savannah, Ga., to meet Paula and attend the final event on June 30, where four winners will receive $25,000.
Go, Monica!
Click through to the jump to see Monica's recipe video...and of her reaction upon hearing the news she was a finalist.
Continue reading Local mom a finalist in Paula Deen cooking contest.
Rancho Cucamonga reporter (and sometime Dine 909 contributor) has been following the saga of the 99 Ranch Market at 9775 Base Line, which opened at the end of last year.
The market's neighbors are complaining of foul odors coming from the market's hot deli. An Air Quality Management District inspector ranked the odors at a 4 or 4.5 out of 5, with a 5 being smells so bad that they cause physical discomfort.
On May 14, the market suspended its deep-frying, rotisserie and stir-frying operations, limiting cooking procedures to steaming, boiling and stewing.
A preliminary proposal asks the market to document deep-fryer operations and limits the time the rotisserie oven and deep-fryers can be used.
The proposal also calls for the market suspend deep-frying if more than two odor complaints are received in one day.
However, today that proposal appears to have been withdrawn.
To follow Wendy's continuing coverage on the 99 Ranch Market situation, visit the RC Now blog. Also, below are links to her stories from the pages of the Daily Bulletin:
Update: Thursday, the restaurant was declared a nuisance by the AQMD. Click here to read Wendy's story.
The market's neighbors are complaining of foul odors coming from the market's hot deli. An Air Quality Management District inspector ranked the odors at a 4 or 4.5 out of 5, with a 5 being smells so bad that they cause physical discomfort.
On May 14, the market suspended its deep-frying, rotisserie and stir-frying operations, limiting cooking procedures to steaming, boiling and stewing.
A preliminary proposal asks the market to document deep-fryer operations and limits the time the rotisserie oven and deep-fryers can be used.
The proposal also calls for the market suspend deep-frying if more than two odor complaints are received in one day.
However, today that proposal appears to have been withdrawn.
To follow Wendy's continuing coverage on the 99 Ranch Market situation, visit the RC Now blog. Also, below are links to her stories from the pages of the Daily Bulletin:
Update: Thursday, the restaurant was declared a nuisance by the AQMD. Click here to read Wendy's story.
Baker's Drive-Thru is celebrating today's opening of the Beaumont Cherry Festival by giving away a free 32-ounce Cherry Coke to its Facebook fans!
And not just any Cherry Coke, mind you, but one that's created with Coke and shot of cherry syrup.
You can even substitute Diet Coke, Coke Zero or Sprite for the Coke.
The coupon is good today (June 2) and tomorrow (June 3).
Sound refreshing? Head to Baker's Facebook event page to print the coupon. If you want to save paper, you can call the coupon up on your phone and show it to the cashier.
The usual restrictions apply: One per customer or car per visit, and one offer per coupon.
Baker's Drive-Thru restaurants can be found throughout the Inland Empire.
And not just any Cherry Coke, mind you, but one that's created with Coke and shot of cherry syrup.
You can even substitute Diet Coke, Coke Zero or Sprite for the Coke.
The coupon is good today (June 2) and tomorrow (June 3).
Sound refreshing? Head to Baker's Facebook event page to print the coupon. If you want to save paper, you can call the coupon up on your phone and show it to the cashier.
The usual restrictions apply: One per customer or car per visit, and one offer per coupon.
Baker's Drive-Thru restaurants can be found throughout the Inland Empire.
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Fine and not-so-fine dining in the Inland Empire.
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