Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Wild Jack's Tex Mex BBQ in Bravo Farms--Kettleman City, CA

With Kettleman City being the halfway point for our drives between LA and the Bay Area, we always make a stop. There, we were usually resigned to eating at gas station dives and waiting in line at the restroom.

Then, along came Bravo Farms. We first visited the strip mall with the Western theme over the holidays and saw something that didn't exist elsewhere at Kettleman City: parking, available tables and huge, clean restrooms. This afternoon we tried Wild Jack's Tex Mex BBQ and were delighted. It wasn't so much the food, which was certainly good, but not great. But, it represents such a vast improvement over the crowded, grimy alternatives nearby.


The grilled cheese sandwich ($4.45) was a bit on the oily side, but it was still a great value. The brisket ($9.45) and tri-tip ($9.75) sandwiches were both tender. So, at Wild Jack's you've got good food, plenty of seating and big, clean restrooms. What more could you want in a pit stop?

Bravo Farms, Kettleman City
http://www.bravofarms.com/kc/

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Best Bite--Mountain View, CA



My wife and I took advantage of a parents' night out by eating dinner at Best Bite Friday. A couple of years ago, a restaurant by the same name and same location delivered the tenderest, most succulent chicken on a skewer this side of anywhere. If a friend came into town, Best Bite was the first place that would come to mind for us to meet.


The new version of Best Bite, under different management, likewise offered up some juicy thighs with lamp chops that were the best I've had in ages. They just don't get more tender than these! I enjoyed the dolma, which was served hot, but my wife noticed the rice inside was a little mushy.
We got goat cheese and mint, which I assumed was to go with the lamb chops. It came out early with the dolma, though.




Also, the service was attentive and upbeat. Overall, though, this isn't quite the legendary Best Bite 1.0 (but only because the chicken didn't melt in our mouths this time around), but I can hardly wait to come back! The lamb is a must.




Best Bite
1414 W El Camino Real
Mountain View, CA
(650) 988-8895
www.bestbitecafe.com


Sunday, February 1, 2015

Good Foods Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad


 At Costco we picked up a pack of Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad made by Good Foods. The difference with this product is instead of mayonnaise the salad gets its creaminess from Greek yogurt. The result is a lighter texture.


On wheat bread it has the look and feel of a healthy lunch. Watch out for the sugar, though. Each 4 oz. serving (more than enough for a sandwich, by the way), comes with 13 grams of sugar, or the amount of sugar found in two tablespoons of grape jelly.