Hutch's BBQ

Hutch's BBQ
390 E Walnut St
Pasadena
626-449-8095

Pasadena not the first place I would think of for good BBQ. You have Robin's and Gus's. Now I found Hutch's, which has been in Pasadena since 1947. They also serve Jamacian food. But the name is Hutch's BBQ, so I tried the BBQ.

I got the baby back ribs, $13 with fries and cole slaw. I wasn't expecting much and Hutch's met up to my low expectations. The ribs were cooked in an oven and was heavily seasoned with pepper. The ribs were fairly meaty and didn't have much fat but they are baby backs.

I got my order to go and the server was ok. But the manager or maybe the owner was very nice. Giving me a quick history of the house that became Hutch's.

I wouldn't go back to Hutch's but if you like oven cooked ribs, this is the place for you.

Itacho

Itacho
7311 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles
323-938-9009

Overpriced, small portioned sushi- that describes Itacho to a T. I know it is in the Mid-City area and more restaurants in that area are overpriced but come on now.

I got the California roll with real crab meat, $8, and yellowtail sushi, $6. Then a filet migon sushi, $7. The California roll might have been 6oz, it was so small. They crab meat was fresh, the rice was good but come on, $8 for such a small portion? The yellowtail sushi was fresh but again, very small and thin. I mean almost paper thin.

The filet mignon sushi was something that sounded interested so I decided to try it. The filet was seared for about a minute each side so it was very rare. It was a bit chewy, not tender as filet should be. But an interesting mix of flavors and texture. I'm not sure if I would order this again.

One thing I'm sure of, the service was very slow. I couldn't believe how long we had to wait to order food and how long it took for the food to arrive. I understand the restaurant had to serve 40-50 people, but it's can't be that tough and slow.

I would not go back to Itacho again. While the food is pretty good, the portions are so small and the service is terrible. Why is there any need to go back?

Updates

July 19, 2009

Comments are now moderated. So nothing will be posted until I approve it.

I went back to Ribs USA and they now have spare ribs.

I went back to Master Chef to try a deep fried sole, pan fried scallops, and kung pao chicken.

July 12, 2009

I went back to Hong Kong Palace and tried a different crab dish, fried squid, and sweet and sour Chinese BBQ pork ribs.

July 1, 2009

I finally went back to Skooby's for their great hot dogs and added better pictures.

June 28, 2009

I went back to Venni Mac's M & M Soul Food. Rude or racist service? You decide.

June 14, 2009

I went back to Mom's Bar BQ in Van Nuys

I went back to Grandpa Fred's BBQ

June 3, 2009- The New Diner on Twitter.

Remember you can follow The New Diner on Twitter

I will post an update on Twitter, when I post a new review on The New Diner.

April 26, 2009

I went back to

Rib Nest

Taco Lita to try their jumbo burrito.

Kebob Room at Monrovia Farmers Market

April 20, 2009

I went back to Robin's BBQ.

April 4, 2009.

I also found a new blog, Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ.

I answered a question asked by a guest, I got a great question by a reader of The New Diner: Who do you think has better fried seafood -- Artist Crawfish or England Fish and Chips (Long Beach)?

March 14, 2009.

I went back to KC BBQ Company and tried their burnt ends sandwich.

Feb 28, 2009.

I went back to Dr. Hogly Wogly and tried their sliced beef sandwich.

Feb. 7, 2009.

I went back to Spring St. Smokehouse and tried their pulled pork sandwich.

Jan 25, 2009- Profile Name Change.

In case anybody is wondering, I decided that The New Diner should be my profile/user name for The New Diner blog. So all comments will be by The New Diner. This is my food blog. Unitas We Stand is my tribute to Johnny Unitas and the expression of my love for my BALTIMORE COLTS.

I still have my Unitas We Stand blog. I still love the BALTIMORE COLTS. If I get married, I still will have my fiance take and pass a test about the BALTIMORE COLTS. And yes, if she flunks, I will not marry her. Though I may give her a make up test.

Dumpling House-Temple City

Dumpling House-Temple City
5612 Rosemead Blvd
Temple City
626-309-9918

Dumpling House in Temple City is a very popular Cortern Chinese restaurant. They have been in business for 19 years and with the explosion of the internet, they are more popular than ever.

They serve other Chinese dishes but they are known for their dumplings. So I got the steamed pork dumplings, $5.95. Eight huge pieces of pork dumplings came to my table and wow, what a treat. A nice firm, chewy dough and filled with pork and chives.

Steamed shrimp and vegetable dumplings, $7.95. Each of the eight dumplings had two pieces of shrimp and Chinese chives filling. They were huge as you can see. Same firm chewy dough.

Fried pork dumplings, $5.75. The same firm dough and pork filling but fried. And wow, WOW. This is wonderful. The firm texture of the dough and the pork filling was just awesome. Fried to perfection and it held up so well for my Monday morning breakfast.

Service is very good. Nice people and helpful. I asked what is the difference between steamed and boiled. The server explained the difference to me and even showed me an order of boiled dumplings. Boiled dumplings have a different texture as they are in water. Whiled steamed dumplings are cooked with the steam of the water.

I would come back here anytime. But I have heard it gets very busy on weekends from 10am-1pm. But this is the best example of dumplings I have ever had. Huge portions, filled with good quality meats and veggies, and cooked to perfection. And the price is right!!! How can you beat it?

Don Chow Taco Truck

Don Chow Taco Truck

Much like Kogi Taco Truck, Kogi Don Chow Taco Truco is an Asian-Mexican fusion that is sweeping the tastebuds of LA. While Kogi is Korean and Mexican, Don Chow is Chinese and Mexican fusion. Don Chow seems to serve mostly the pretentious Westside but I found them in Chinatown.

I ordered the Chinese BBQ pork taco and Kung Pao Chicken taco, $2 both with a mild sauce. The first thing I noticed about the Chinese BBQ pork, was the large amount of meat in the taco. Much more than Kogi. The BBQ pork was pretty tender and flavorful. A bit different than the Chinese BBQ pork you get from Chinese restaurants with the red coloring. But still good.

The Kung Pao chicken taco, even with a mild sauce, was spicy. Again a huge amount of meat in these tacos. Flavorful though very spicy chicken and fresh onions combined with a mild sauce. The one thing about these tacos, they are HOT, right off the grill.

Since Don Chow and Kogi are two different Asian foods, comparing them to each other is like comparing apples and oranges. But Don Chow has much more meat in the tacos and I think the overall quality, price and taste is better. When I say taste, Don Chow makes a very good kung pao chicken taco. While the Korean short rib taco from Kogi is just OK.

Service is good. Plus the guy taking the money can add and isn't a clueless idiot like at Kogi. The last time I went to Kogi, the line was moving so slow because the guy taking the money couldn't add $2 + $2. What an idiot. You don't face that problem with Don Chow.

Don Chow is starting to get more popular but there still aren't the long lines that make Kogi a pain. Plus the lines move faster since the cashier has a clue. Of course if you want Korean-Mexican fusion you go to Kogi. If you want Chinese-Mexican fusion, you go to Don Chow. If you just want to try any type of Asian-Mexican fusion, go to Don Chow.

Takami Sushi & Robata Restaurant

Takami Sushi & Robata Restaurant
811 Wilshire Blvd
Ste 2100
Los Angeles
213-236-9600

Takami Sushi & Robata Restaurant is on the 21st floor of a downtown LA office building. An awesome view to the east awaits you after you get off the elevator and damn good food awaits you when you are seated. If you're like me and didn't know what robata is, the server said robata is grilled meats Japanese style.

I was really impressed with the quality of the food at Takami. I got the Takami edamame, $6, sauteed soy beans in garlic, butter, and soy sauce. WOW was this awesome. Worth the extra $2 from the regular edamame. A wonderful sweet, robust sauce to go with the soy beans. I would come back here just for the Takami edamame.

Yellowtail sushi, $6. Very fresh yellowtail, nice flavor and texture. The yellowtail is sliced very thin and long. A bit pricey but I still enjoyed it.

Japanese tacos, $15. Gyoka skin filled with spicy tuna, crab, shrimp, avocado and in a spicy mango sauce. I didn't find the mango sauce to be spicy but the tacos were filled with tons of spicy tuna, crab, a huge piece of shrimp and fresh avocado. A crispy skin made this a nice mixture of flavors and textures.

Baked king crab roll, $10, king crab with dynamite sauce in a soy paper. Very fresh king crab with lots of sweet flavorful king crab. The dynamite sauce was a mildly sweet flavor.

Service was very good. From the server to the bartender, I met my friend at the bar, to the host/hostess, very professional friendly service.

I would go back to Takami anytime. Part of Takami is an open air restaurant on the 21st floor. If you are scared of heights, not the place to go. But very good service, great food, and a wonderful view. You can't beat that.

Code of Ethics

These are the code of ethics I follow for The New Diner. Yes, I did post The New Diner's Code of Ehtics because there was a story about food bloggers in the LA Times on July 8, 2009.

1. I do NOT accept free meals. All meals are paid for by me or somebody with me. A free meal means your judgement is clouded and you will not give a fair review. Of course if I had buy one get one free coupon, I will use that and tell readers about that.

2. I do not accept invitations for a free dinner from restaurant owners. I will accept notices about a new restaurant from restaurant owners. Big John's Cafe emailed me and told me about their new BBQ menu. Of course I made it a point to go there. But I did not accept, nor was I offered a free meal.

3. I have accepted free items and I have mentioned that in my posts. For example, I got a free beer from Carm's Coney but I paid for the rest of my meal and I told readers of The New Diner that I got a free beer.

4. I remain announmous. I do not tell the server, restaurant owner or anybody that I am reviewing their restaurant. When people ask why I am taking a picture, I tell them "None of your damn business."

5. I will give all readers of The New Diner an accurate account of my experience at a restaurant.

Puerto Barrios

Puerto Barrios
2830 N. Fletcher Dr.
Los Angeles
323-664-7700

Puerto Barrios is a Guatemalan restaurant in the Atwater Village area of LA. I have no experience with Guatemalan food but I was willing to give it a try.

I got the Pechuga A La Plancha, $12.50, which is grilled chicken that came with rice and salad. The chicken was topped with lots of onions and peppers and tasted just like any chicken from any Latino restaurant. Same spices and flavors. The chicken was tender and the portion was big. The rice was white rice with some peas and carrots. The salad was your everyday bagged salad.

Service is good but the server doesn't speak much English, but she was friendly.

I'm not sure what I ordered was Guatemalan or Mexican but I did enjoy the food. I will come back to try something that is more Guatemalan.

Clark's BBQ

Clark's BBQ
11748 Central Ave
Chino
909-210-3030

Clark's BBQ is located in a strip mall behind the EZ Takeout Burger in Chino. I can't believe that a BBQ restaurant has been open for almost three years and I didn't know about it.

Clark's smokes their meats with oak. As I have mentioned before, smoking with oak wouldn't be my choice but if the pitmaster is good, he can make some real good BBQ using oak.

I got the half rack of ribs, $11.50. The ribs were smoked and had some of that smoke ring, but it was clear the ribs had been in the warmer too long. The meat was a bit dry, chewy, a little too much fat, and lacked flavor. The BBQ sauce was much needed because it added some flavor. I did like the sauce, about a medium spice with a good kick. The ribs were meaty and if they were right out of the smoker, they might have been very good. But like I said, the ribs had been in the warmer for too long.

Service is OK.

I wouldn't go back to Clark's BBQ because BBQ smoked with oak has to be done to perfection, otherwise it is just bad BBQ. Clark's does a decent job but there is no need for me to go back.

Aladdin Jr

Aladdin Jr
296 W 2nd St
Pomona
909-623-4333

Aladdin Jr. has opened a second location in Pomona, in the Antique District. The only other Middle Eastern restaurant in the area is Grapevine.

I went for lunch and ordered the beef shish kebob, $9.99. The manager was really trying to push their lunch buffet, $9.99, if you ordered a drink. But I'm not a fan of the kafta kebobs, which is a ground beef, kebobs and I wanted to try their shish kebob. For about $10, there were a lot of meat. I was impressed with the shish kebob, cooked about medium rare, fairly tender filet mignon, with some good seasoning and flavor.

The rice was nicely seasoned and fluffy. I didn't like the salad because they had balsamic vinegar as a dressing and I hate balsamic vinegar.

Service was pretty good. Nothing outstanding and nothing bad.

I came away impressed with Aladdin Jr. but I wasn't overwhelmed, like this is the best Middle Eastern restaurant I have been to. But it is the best Middle Eastern Restaurant in the area but that is like being the tallest midget.