You No Hungry? I Hungry

I try to cook whenever I can, which is probably 3-4 times a week, twice on weekdays, twice during the weekend. I would have leftovers for lunch on the day after I've cooked something (I know, boring stuff). HOWEVER, the few days during the week that I eat out, my from the pad into Downtown is quite entertaining. I get to sit in traffic and think about what I want to eat for lunch.

Maybe I am hypoglycemic, maybe I have a tapeworm, maybe I have an addictive personality, maybe I am just chubby. For any reason, I enjoy "food thoughts", thus the "no lunch" rush hour traffic is extremely productive. My goal is to have a lunch place selected by the time I get to the office so I can work hard for a few hours before I take my lunch break. This may sound easy to you, but indecisiveness often plays a role. Los Angeles has too much to eat. I am overwhelmed that Chicago, not Los Angeles, is the fattest city in United States. If I wrote a Zagat recommendation book (maybe Kao-gat?), we'd burst right pass Chicago and re-name the city Chubb-Angeles.

Today was no different, I thought about lunch, and I thought about Dim Sum. My mind was already made up, I think I barely left the house garage. I knew it'd be a great day. Ocean Star on Broadway Blvd. in Downtown Chinatown. Chicken Feet, Siu Mai, Ha Gau, anything and everything, yum (I borrowed this picture).

Its quite the experience, the ladies were pushing their little carts faster than I could swallow my food. My table was bombarded with tens of aluminum trays.

Thirteen orders, $35.00, and 15 minutes latetr, I left Ocean Star Restaurant as a satisfied customer.

Breakfast of Champions

Most of you did not know this, but I really enjoy Lox & Bagels in the morning. If I had it my way, I would have Lox & Bagels as the second choice of daily breakfast behind breakfast burritos, slightly above pancakes/fresh toast/waffle/anything else with maple syrup. It is completely fulfilling, yet re-freshing. Freshly baked bagel with plain cream cheese, onions, sliced tomatoes and, alas, capers. Capers, a.k.a flower buds, an acquired taste for many, is the KEY for a solid lox & bagel breakfast. They can't be too salted because it takes away that pungent flavor.

I'll let you in on a secret; I actually don't like bread a whole lot, and I don't really care for cream cheese. What I mean is I would never have bagels and cream cheese in any other occasion. I have Lox & Bagel at least twice a week. My parents just came back from Vancouver and brought back some of the world's best lox, salmon country.

Please make sure the bagel is slightly burnt on one-side before consuming. Using a skillet instead of a toaster can really help.

Sincerely,

Dave Kaoboresteinberg.

El Taco Perfecto

I now work in downtown and have been here a little over six weeks. The first advantage of working in downtown L.A. is that its surrounded by great eateries. For the past six weeks I have been on the search for the perfect Taco. I thought I found it at El Gran Burrito on the corner of Vermont & Santa Monica two weeks ago. But, where I went earlier this morning was the lock, "El Taurino" on the corner of Hoover & Olympic.

I've probably been to 10 different taquerias in the past 6 weeks, El Taurino has the perfect meat. Not too greasy but not too dry. Portions are not too large but not too shy. The tortillas are not too soggy but not burnt. The Salsa is not too watered down and has just enough kick to spark the throat. Service, who cares? Lastly, the horchata is not too sweet and doesn't have all that residue on the bottom of the cup.

Overall experience: 10 out of 10. Go Try it.

Dixie Love

First off, the comments section is now public for all blogs, feel free to give your two cents (not that I care, hehe), or drop me a line, or as morons would say, "Holla!".

There are numerous reasons why the Dixie Chicks have had a huge success. I find all three girls extremely talented. They each play multiple instruments and play it well. Natalie, the lead singer, plays the guitar and the bass, she also has an incredible voice. Martie, the backup vocalist, plays the fiddle, violin, guitar, and other instruments I could not name (maybe a dobro?). Emily, the third member of the band, also jams on a few instruments herself.

The Dixie Chicks also take a strong political stance which I find highly respectable, agree or disagree.

The Dixie Chicks happens to be good looking gals.

The Dixie Chicks, unlike other stereo-typical country music artists, wrote songs about more than their lost wife/dog, love, countryside, pick-up trucks.

The Dixie Chicks tell great stories through their lyrics.

The Dixie Chicks can be (if not already) a fashion icon for being the liaison between traditional country music attire and modern day apparel, they have a unique style of clothing (not that I know anything about fashion, but they don't wear your typical cowboy hats, wrangler jeans, belt buckles, and boots).

The Dixie Chicks live sounds almost identical to their songs in the recording studio, which is a rarity in any music.
Most importantly, The Dixie Chicks support their fans and have fun with their music. When musicians play for the love of music you can feel their passion in a tune.

I, unlike your average music lover, enjoy a plethora genre of music. Along with your typical radio station music, I also like country, metal, electronic, jazz, even broadway and blues. Our generation is an earful of Hip-Hop, R&B, and so-called Alternative Rock that doesn't really rock. I enjoy the Dixie Chicks more than 95% of the music played on our mainstream radio. Try it.

Damn Tana's

I visited Dan Tana's Italian restaurant for the first time last night. I had a New York Steak, medium rare, and Fettucine Alfredo, maybe 4 oz pasta, max. I ate the whole meal in probably less than 10 bites, normal speed, no race. My bill was $134.25, $160.00 after the tip.

Can someone kindly explain this to me?.... if my math is correct, and indeed I had a 10 bite meal, does that mean every bite cost $16.00? If so, as great as that New York Steak was, Dan Tana's is dead to me.

I just looked at the online menu, I can't figure out why a New York Steak and Fette Alfredo cost $4Million dollars.

"That's What Friends Are For...."

I can hear Dionne Warwick's voice playing on KOST 103.5FM. I wonder if Dionne was thinking of the same thing as I am when she wrote that song. Although it is a wedding anthem, most people do not know the true definition of this song, meals. Friends are great when they visit because you eat like there are seven tomorrows...... That's what friends are for....

I am always excited whenever I have friends visiting from out of town. Catching up with old pals is just routine by definition. You either take them to places they have never been or revisit their favorite places from the past. This time is no different, I have a friend in town who used to live in Los Angeles who happens to love meat, who happens to love the same restaurants as I do, who happens to be in town this week, SCORE!

He made it clear prior to his arrival that it is imperative I make reservations at the following places for his week long sojourn:

Monday - Mastro's Steakhouse

Tuesday - Fogo De Chao

Wednesday - Katana Sushi

Thursday - Koi Sushi Restaurant

Friday - Mr. Chow Chinese Restaurant

I then made the following b0ld statement:

"This is the greatest week of my life!"

It is a week that cost an arm and a leg, but hey, great food, seeing old friends, great food, great food, great food (that's 4 "great foods", good til Thursday) AND SOME MORE GREAT FOOD (Now that's "Great Food = 5, Seeing Old Friends = 1, Great Food Wins!).

I am willing to make the week long sacrifice, my arms were twisted. I started this blog around 5:15a.m. only because I was completely stuffed from Mastro's Steakhouse and Fogo De Chao in the last 48 hours. The worse part of this is I tossed and turned and could not fall back to sleep. My boiler was so stuffed that I wanted to take a plunger and pump my belly button, so I went to the gym at 6 a.m. The best part of this is its only Wednesday!

Its now 8:30 a.m., only 12 hours before my Wednesday meal at Katana. I feel like I am in an Indian wedding, a week long celebration.

Tube Steaks

That's right, Hot Dogs. How you like me now? I invite Hot Dogs anytime, any place, any occasion. Being not so well-traveled (yet), I will do my best in the most unbiased assessment I have ever given to any particular genre of food. Although less well-traveled, I strongly believe what I have had are some of the best tube steaks the United States has to offer. I couldn't narrow it down to 5, so here are the top 6

Top 6:

1) Pinks - Hollywood, CA: No I am not high. I know I wrote about Pinks in an earlier blog as the top 5 Burger spots. Being famous for their delicious hot dogs, Pinks has the most variety of any hot dog grills I've ever been to. Another reason why they are No#1? They open until 3:30 a.m. Reason #3 - "The Mullholland Drive Dog" - 10" stretched dog with grilled onions & mushrooms bacon, and NACHO CHEESE. Reason #4 - "The Huell Howser Dog" - TWO hog dogs in one bun, Chili, Onions, Mustard (yes I said two) If I gave you anymore reasons it'd be unfair for other hot dog stand to even exist in this world. Reason #5 - See Top 5 Burger Joints Blog, Burger stand #4.

The Mullholland Dog













The Huell Howser Dog






2) The Wiener's Circle - Chicago, IL: Its an acquired taste to be a Chicago Dog fan. Sweet Green Relish, Pickles, mustard, Sliced Tomatoes, all on a poppyseed bun. But if you like them and you have been to Chicago, I am sure you have been to the Wiener's Circle on Clark St. The best part about The Wiener's Circle is the ultra-friendly customer service. Some might find it too friendly, some may even find it offensive, but I loved it. I apologize if you do not know what I am referring to, just phone a friend who has been there for a good story.












The Wiener Circle, Located on 2622 N. Clark St.

Oh yeah, the myth is true, I could eat 6 of these things in like 5 minutes.


3) Any Hot Dog Wrapped in Bacon - Outside of any club, Hollywood, CA: Don't lie, all of you know EXACTLY what I am talking about. You stumble and stagger your way out of a club 5 minutes before 2 a.m., you saved the very last pick-up line on a chubby girl in the parking lot, still no work. You're feeling down, loss of self-confidence, mis-placed a couple brain cells, the parking attendant tell you to get the F*** out in Spanish........ All of a sudden, BAM! the sleepy/glazed eyes open wide, your body elevate to a second wind, the ever so confident grin is back on your face. No its not a naked blonde bombshell, not a celebrity (for you star-struck monkeys), not an after-club brawl, its Juan and his hot dog cart!!. YES YES YES, "Juan, dos hot-dogs por favor!" Juan takes care of the rest. The trick is before paying him, tell him you only have a few bucks ($3.00/hot dog is the standard price). Oh yeah, they negotiate.



By the time you get this far into the blog, I am already in my car looking for Juan.












4) Top Dog - Berkeley, CA. I have stopped at this place EVERY TIME I go to Nor Cal. I have even drove out of my way to Berkeley just for the Lemon Chicken Dogs. I usually get two, one for instant satisfaction, the other to eat when I roam the streets of Berkeley 5 minutes later. Top Dog has a variety of hot dogs, from Kielbasa to Frankfurter to Chicken Apple Dog, you really can't go wrong. Tourist Guide Tip 101: When traveling in Berkeley, be sure to have an extremely empty stomach and a lot of money, a UC Berkeley blog is coming too, don't hold your breath.


5) The Wiener Factory - Sherman Oaks, Ca - Cheese lovers, if you like hot dogs, put this on your "To-do" list. Its the best sauerkraut I have ever had on a hot-dog, and I usually don't order sauerkraut. Plus a ton of cheese, superb customer service, at a very affordable price. Oh yeah, the Chili cheese fries is a must when you order a hot dog here. Lastly, an excellent Polish Dog with Chili/Cheese/Onions.













6) Dodger Dog, Los Angeles, CA - This is a biased choice for a very unbiased top 6 valuation. I am a huge Dodgers Fan. Baseball is less than a month away and I can't wait to have a Dodger Dog. I would go to Dodger Stadium to eat a Dodger dog and go home. All you non-Californians be sure to contact me when you come to Los Angeles. I'd take you to a Dodger game and have a Dodger dog, its a life changing experience. By the way, you can purchase all-you-can-eat tickets in the outfield. Take me out to the ball game!















Honorable Mention:

7) - Any Hot Dog On A Stick in your local mall
8) - Downtown Dogs - Chicago, IL
9) - The Stand - Encino, CA
10) - Papaya King - New York, NY (This almost made it, lost it on a flat coca-cola)
11) - Slots a Fun Casino - Las Vegas - World's famous 1/2 lb dog isn't that bad when you've lost everything and only have 99 cents in you wallet.

Places I need to try:
1) Gray's Hot Dog - New York, NY. At 75 Cents a dog, I have to go.
2) Spikes' Junk Yard Dogs - Providence, RI
3) Speed's Hot Dog Wagon - Boston, MA
4) Hot Diggity Dogs - Nashville, TN
5) Hot Dog Heaven - Ft. Lauderdale, FL

6) All Other Suggestions are welcome.