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fries

Dirt Dog - Los Angeles

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Dirt Dog - Los Angeles

One of the things my dad always made when I was growing up was boiled hot dogs. He would literally boil a whole pack of weiners and leave it in the fridge so we would have something to snack on. It wasn't until I was in the 7th grade when I was at Drill Team practice by the park where dirty dogs were sold. Dirty dogs are just hot dogs wrapped with bacon. Sometimes with grilled peppers. But I like mine straight up with a slab of mayonnaise. 

2528 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90007

Dirt Dog does dirty dogs right. All dogs are wrapped with bacon. I've tried a few and can say these are the best I've had when it comes to a sit down restaurant.

Here we have the elote fries, elote dog (secret menu), their house dog with grilled onions and peppers, patty melt, and their elote corn on a cob.

Elote Dog

Mexican crema, cotija cheese, chili powder, cilantro. Their links have a nice snap. Ok, there's no good way to review hot dogs without tons of sexual innuendo. So before you say anything, "that's what she said" has already been said by me. 

SO, yes. Their hot dogs were beefy and delicious. Buns are shipped daily from a local baker. I recommend their brioche buns.

House Dog

House Dog

Their classic house dog comes with a simple bacon thousand island, roasted onions and peppers. Simple, but flavorful and delicious.

Patty Melt

This was my favorite. Who doesn't want their bacon hot dog topped with french fries, melted cheddar, bacon bits, and a chipotle mayo? This was a flavor bomb. It was just everything that I would want on a hot dog.

Horchata Ice cream with Churros and fried oreos. After all that food you would think I'll stop. This did it for me. If the dogs didn't put me to sleep, this sure did and I don't regret it. I LOVE fried oreos. The batter did not disappoint. 

I'll definitely be back soon. 

2528 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90007

 

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EMC Seafood & Raw Bar - Irvine, CA

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EMC Seafood & Raw Bar - Irvine, CA

All you Los Angeles natives out there have been crazing over EMC. And if you aren't not from LA, the chances of your friends taking you hear is pretty high. Just like the poke craze, ice cream donuts, and even F'ing churros, you know have tons of restaurants serving up their own raw bar. EMC was one of those top hitters that made it popping first with their location in K-town. It's like 10PM and my friends would still want to head out for Happy Hour. Well wait no more because they also have one open in Irvine. I'm not sure how long the wait can get considering how packed the location in K-Town gets, but those of you that huddles in one car for this, that live out of LA can worry no more.

14346 Culver Dr, Irvine, CA 92604

Best part yet is that they are conveniently right off the 5 on Culver. Not even a mile off the exit to find yourself the grand restaurant waiting for you to devour everything they have.

And they have a lot:

Lobsters are still alive. Oysters are still shut. Sea Urchins just laying there, looking dead, but you know they are hella alive and waiting to be popped out of their shell. Whole f'ing branzinos. I can go on and on, but it won't be fair for me to relive this moment at home.

Ginger Beer making it's way.

Crispy Garlic Brussels Sprouts. I know. Before you start talking about how I am ranting about the seafood, and I start showing you a bowl of sprouts. Because these were so delicious! Just so perfectly cooked and extremely flavorful. And, I am a huge advocate about having some kind of greens with your meal. Like a big steak with a piece of broccoli. That good balance talk, you feelin' me?

We had 1/2 a dozen of Kumamoto oysters and 1/2 of Kusshi. Fresh, sweet, perfectly shucked, with cocktail sauce and jalapeno lime. Always a must order.

I know. Here I go again. Now, what the F does fries have to do with anything? These are fries with truffle mushroom aioli. Like shut the front door who the hell comes up with this stuff? That garlic you see right THERE is some good umami-mouth-gasm right there. Fried so crispy with soft centers, ooooo that just gets me right here *points at my heart*. And for the record, it's on the starters menu so it ain't no side dish psssshhh (I literally did the hair whip).

The glorious Uni pasta. Also, that one Uni pasta that everyone talks about. It really does live up to the rave. The spaghetti was perfectly cooked and coated in a cream, Fish Roe, Chives, and Dried Seaweed concoction. The fish roe did it for me. I love-love-loved the texture that it gave the noodles.

If this is the only thing you came here for, by all means do it. If you want to eat a lot of other items, make sure you get this to share. It's a heavy dish even though a delicious one.

Toro Toro Roll - Ground yellowtail and albacore belly inside, topped with chu toro and caviar on top. The kind of fishes you want to eat simply. A touch of wasabi and soy sauce to compliment the fattiness of the fishes. Cleanse your palate with some ginger after before headed for your next bite.

Lobster roll definitely winning. Served with a slice of lemon and melted butter. I am sensitive to butter. Makes me really tired if I have too much so I just use a tad. But what's really a tad when it's melted? Feels like you can easily pour the whole thing on, no regrets. The lobster is cooked in Tarragon Butter, Sea Salt, and stuffed inside a Brioche Bun. Thumbs up for the flavor combo.

We also ordered their black pepper filet mignon to those allergic to seafood. Delicious, tender, and perfect with the bowl of rice it comes with. We also had their crispy pepper calamari that's served with spicy aioli shown below:

14346 Culver Dr, Irvine, CA 92604

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National Rootbeer Float day - The Counter

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National Rootbeer Float day - The Counter

When I think of Root Beer, I think of A&W with a big scoop of Dreyers. Root beer floats was kind of a normal thing we would have at our household growing up. I'm pretty surprised we had it as often as we did. But of course everything was cheaper back then. So when I found out that The Counter was giving away free floats per entree, I was settled for dinner. We were meeting up with a friend who also wanted burgers. The coincidence right?

You know, I want life to be fries and crispy onions. Unlimited. Ok and maybe with unlimited burgers and dipping sauces. Think about it, it really isn't that much I'm asking for.

Custom Burger

My custom made burger is a concoction of 1/3 lb of all natural beef, medium. Sliced red onions, alfalfa sprouts, sliced fresh jalapenos, tomatoes, Korean Chili aioli and Garlic aioli. Sandwiched between a Hawaiian bun which has become my new obsession. Cooked to perfection with a deep pink center. Flip the burger around and enjoy upside down for the ultimate mouth explosive satisfaction. I'm telling you. It's a thing.

Washing it all down with this floaty that was served with more root beer on the side.

No better way to end the night. Food coma is real.

Locations: http://www.thecounterburger.com/locations/

 

 

 

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Big Catch Seafood House - West Covina

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Big Catch Seafood House - West Covina

I love raw oysters, carpaccios and all that good stuff. But there's something I find extremely satisfying about grilled seafood. The charred bits on the shellfish that you "accidentally" consume. Big Catch Seafood in West Covina offers a variety of seafood prepared in different ways. You have the raw, the fried, boiled, grilled, and even stuffed in a sandwich. Most importantly, they have beer and lots of it.

We ordered a few things to try, and will definitely be back for more. I always recommend going in a group to try more items on the menu.

Grilled Lobster

Grilled Lobster

Grilled lobster served with cajun rice and daily vegetables. The lobster was meaty, sweet, and smokey from the char. The charred shell brought an amazing depth of flavor to the lobster. Don't forget to break down the heads and pour the hot juices over your rice. I can eat this all day. Honestly, hard to share because you can't just have a few bites ;P

Grilled Tilapia filet

Tilapia gets overlooked all the time. The taste of tilapia is subtle, but it can hold up to a lot of marinades and sauces. It really is a blank canvas if you want to test a few flavors on fish.

Fish and Chips


Recommended location: 112 Plaza DrSte 1465, West Covina, CA 91790

 

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Kings Row - New Menu - Old Town Pasadena

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Kings Row - New Menu - Old Town Pasadena

I've been to Kings Row multiple times the past few years. I am pretty excited to share a few of the new items that Kings will start to serve. To keep this review brief, you can find Kings Row on 20 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105. You can also stumble through the back which I prefer on Mercantile Pl. Keep in mind it's first come first serve. All food and drinks are to be ordered at the bar.

As always, don't forget about their pig roast every 3rd Thursday of the month.

New cocktails launched

There actually wasn't a drink I didn't like. I recommend going with a group of friends and try a bunch of these together. My favorite was their American Gods Old Fashioned. Made with citrus sugar, you really taste the orange peels that they used to create the distinct flavors.

Food:

Great place for food, drinks, and hanging out. They also have live music from time to time. Kings Row is a solid place to go to if you want to hang out in Pasadena. I'll probably be back twice in August. Maybe I'll run into a few of you.

 

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