Lidocaine = Striking

Some of you may know that I have a roommate who is a physician. I have been having this pain in my right arm for several weeks. The sharpest pain are around my right wrist and elbow. I didn't pull any muscle nor did I injure myself from an accident. I explained in detail during my diagnosis about how I have to stretch my hand every few minutes when I use the computer to get rid of the tightness and numbness.

The doctor roommates' scrutiny has confirmed that I have Carpel-Tunnel Syndrome and something called "Golfer's Elbow". I'm sure you all have heard of CTS, but Golfer's Elbow? Its basically "Tennis Elbow", but instead of the outer part of the elbow, its the inside elbow joint that throbs pain.

I later confessed that I stay up late at night & play Counter-Strike, a very popular online first-person shooting video game, until the wee hours of the morning. I have been doing it for years, and we're talking 4-5 years. You heard it right, 4-5 years. Not many knew of this because in order to keep the noise level down, I wear headphones. Its the same concept as X-Box Live or any other internet games where you compete against other players. The constant movement of the mouse is what caused this "illness", if you will. Left-button "fire", Right-button "zoom", scroll to switch weapons, mouse is used to aim & move @ 360 degrees.

I thought only those chicks who does data-entry at the Social Security Office can get Carpel-Tunnel Syndrome. I was injected with Lidocaine and some form of steroid to fight the pain. I also wear a wrist brace throughout the night. Movement of my right arm has be restricted until it show signs of improvement, GREAT.

The point of this story? You can't take the Asian out of me, in your face!!!!!!!

Cabeza Dissertation

Living in Southern California has to be one of the greatest feelings in the world. Traffic is atrocious (especially on the 405), but the beautiful weather, the outdoor activities, the gorgeous bleached blonde plastic babes, the snow, the beach, Las Vegas, and many other attributes significantly dwarf the bad. Wouldn't you agree? SYKE. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is the Mexican Food that makes Southern California the greatest place on Earth, not Disneyland. Most of you take for granted that Los Angeles has the most diverse ethnic food selections in this country, probably the world. Many would say that Mexican food tops the list as their favorite meal.

I don't care if Mexicans can pack 35 people in a truck. They probably laugh at us Asians for being bad drivers. I love them for one reason; and a reason which overshadows all negative connotation and stereotypes: they make some killing Tacos!

Your typical taco at Taco Bell or Del Taco is no taco. For the same reason that Panda Express is no Chinese Food, Fast-food taco just doesn't do any justice. Would I eat it? Of course I would. But then again, what don't I eat?

A home-grown authentic taco consists of the following: double layer of corn tortilla that is roughly two inches in diameter; meat; onions; cilantro; and hot-sauce. Although there are various types of taco, meat is the only dissimilar constituent. The most common types of meat in a taco are:

1) Carne Asada - Skirt Steak - Delicious
2) Carnitas - Roasted Pork - Delicious
3) Al Pastor - BBQ Pork - Delicious
4) Buche - Pork Belly - Amazing
5) Lengua - Pork Tongue - Excellent!
6) Pollo (pollo asada) - Chicken - Its okay.
7) Sesos - Brain - Not So Delicious At All!
8) Chicharron - Pork Rind - Delicious
9) Cabeza - Head - Incredible
10) I'm sure there's a lot more but #1-9 are your basic meat needs.

I would like to explain Meat #9, perhaps the best taco meat anyone can have. The word "Cabeza" literally means "Head" in Spanish. However, common sense tells us that the only meaty part of any animal's head is around the cheek, so its really "cheek" meat, not "head". Take a look in the mirror, if you have meat elsewhere on your head, call 911 or enroll in weight-watchers. We, or I, people: have been consuming cheek tacos this whole time, yes yes yes. I understand the definition is quite frank but it is worth the try, trust me.

There is only one way to cook cabeza meat: steam. Cabeza is usually steamed for several hours until the bones/grizzles completely separate and fall apart from the meat. It is then seasoned and made ready to go. Because of its cooking process, not only is the meat soft, it is the most tender and the juiciest meat on a cow.

After slapping on a pinch of onions, a pinch of cilantro, and a spoonful of hot sauce, there isn't much you can ask for. I promise to, in the near future, share my top 10 taco spots/joints/trucks of Los Angeles with you. However, I will tell you that if you step foot in a Mexican restaurant and you don't see cabeza on the menu, I would question their authenticity immediately. As I surf around the web, I found this person who had an earlier start. I envy him.

*This blog is dedicated to my roommate.

Fogo De KAO

Oh man, Brazilian Churrascaria, aka Brazilian BBQ, is probably the greatest invention on earth next to the internet. Native Brazilians called it "Gaucho" Grill, Americans called it "BBQ", I called it "Orgasm".

There are a few grill houses around, but none compares to Fogo De Chao
in restaurant row on La Cienega Blvd. Food is served all-you-can-eat style by giving each individual a "signal marker". Its simple, the double-sided marker has the colors red and green, red = no more food, green = keep going (see pic).

Approximately once a month I showcase my talent at Fogo De Chao. I actually have never seen the red marker on my table, meat just pours on my plate like those frogs fell from the sky in "Magnolia". Filet Mignon wrapped in bacon, WHAT? The waiter asked if I would like to try the Filet Mignon wrapped in bacon. I looked at him with disgust, how dare him asked such question. Filet Mignon and Bacon on the same dish, , jeez, please. WHAT? How did the Brazilians invent a dish with two of the world's greatest entities? All of a sudden I was mind-boggled by their intelligence.

Is your mouth watering yet? Oh I'm just getting started. It gets better. The waiter proceeded with questions such as "would you like some Parmesan Pork Loin? Sausage? Top Siroloin? Bottom Siroloin? Pork Ribs? Beef Ribs? Garlic Beef? Tri-Tip? Rib-Eye? Lamb Chop? BBQ Chicken?" I had to tell him to stop because he was way too much. l I would of got on one knee and popped the question had he being a girl, he couldn't say anything wrong, it was great.

Meat is not the reason why Fogo De Chao is the best Brazilian BBQ restaurant around. The speed of which the meat arrives at your dinner table is the reason why this place rocks (Mother, please don't read this). I have been dealing with chewing problems all my life, never excelled in chewing my food. I dismantle meals quick. At Fogo I feel paradise. I am completely vulnerable by opening myself up in this blog: When I am there, I feel like I am the person in that Corona commercial.

Service, excellente. Scene, bueno. Wine Selection (if you enjoy a nice bottle with your meal), muy mejor. The price is $$$$. If you are looking for the same satisfaction (which you won't find) for a lesser buck, there is the Picanha restaurant in Burbank. Your selection may be restricted and the quality of meat is a slight downgrade, but still a satisfying experience. By the way, my idol, my hero, my mentor, my worship, lives in Picanha, which is a blog in its own.

Do you see why I've never seen the red marker? Red represents the evil. Last advice, make sure you belong to a health/fitness club if you pursue this adventure.

Top 5 Burger Joints

So I was at the gym this morning working out, getting in shape, but pondering over a debate occurred a few days ago in my living room. My roomates and I were trying to figure out "What are the top 5 burgers in this world?" When I say "world" I really destined California, even Los Angeles.

Keep in mind that a) everyone has a distinct burger taste, so my rankings are for my taste buds. I like to think my taste buds have been skillfully experienced. Most importantly, b) there are three types of burgers; fast-food burger, gourmet burger, and diner/restaurant burgers. I included all 3 types in the following (any random order):

1) Houstons Restaurant - Quality, taste, portion, freshness of the vegetables, doughy burger buns; everything you ask for. Make sure you add bacon. Oh yeah, bring $20.00 because unfortunately after tax & tip, that's what the cost is.

2) Carl's Jr. - Double Western Cheeseburger might have 4 trillion calories, but it is one of the world's best burgers. If you like Onion Rings, BBQ Sauce, and bacon (who doesn't), this is up your alley.

3) Chili's - The Classic Burger at Chili's is one of a kind. I believe its actually a 1/3 lb burger cooked to your likings and build to cater your needs. Someday I will request Chili's to change their theme song from "Chillliiiiiiii's... babyback rriiiiiibsss" to "Chillliiiiii's... Classic Burger".

4) Pink's - Whoa! In your face! You thought Pinks was the legendary Los Angeles Restaurant located in the heart of Hollywood that has being there since 1939 and whenever you are on La Brea Blvd you can't help but to notice 5 trillion people standing in line even at 2:30am so you and your friends decided to be cool and stand in line for 45 minutes to get a chili dog w/ cheese or a 12 inch jalapeno dog w/ extra cheese. Wrong. Pinks has one of the greatest burgers around, the double pastrami cheeseburger. Double pastrami cheeseburger, that's all I have to say, I'm done.

5) Fatburger - From Baby fat to Double King, they have the juicest
patties around. However, my word of advice is to not visit the store on Venice Blvd in West L.A. I really think they have 3 day old buns, always a bit dry and usually breaks after your second bite. Lastly, if you really feel like a man, take a drive to Ventura and visit the Fatburger on Victoria Ave. Yes it is a Magic Johnson owned Fatburger. They offer a Triple King and if you finish it, a photo of you will be displayed on their wall of fame.

Honorable mentions:

In N' Out (Double-double)
Father's Office - Santa Monica
The Habit - Sherman Oaks & Encino
Colima Burger - Walnut
The Hat - Southern California

I thought I leave a note to myself and others that a chain of rediculous blogs are coming soon. Hint: Eat Right, Always Full.

I came to a conclusion that I love food way too much. So why not let everyone in my secret, what to eat, where to eat, how to eat, and when to eat.

And of course there are the UCLA Bruins, Oakland Raiders, and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Everything else in life is secondary; work, friends, relationships, politics, etc.

We eat so we can gain energy for work. Friends get together for a meal. Taking a date out to dinner, you get the point.

We'll start off with a little taste of Mar Vista, CA. A Taco shop opened 15 days ago on Venice Blvd. & Inglewood Ave. Taqueria Chihuahua. I drove passed this place only to find myself making a U-turn. I have never seen it or heard of it, only thing left to do is to try it.

At $1.29/taco, Carnitas were a little dry, Carne Asada was delicious, Buche was extremely good but a bit greasy, Lengua was probably the best I've ever had. Also, for the first time I tried Chicarron Tacos (Pork Skin), they weren't bad nor were they disgusting as they sound.

Yes, I ordered 1 of each, made a mental note to myself, gave my farewell to Roberto, and headed back home.