Pinkie's BBQ-Closed

Pinkie's BBQ
502 Pacific Coast Hwy
Hermosa Beach
310-379-0616

Oh the Westside/Southbay area of LA. Full of pretentious, jerk people. Their idea of BBQ is meat drowned in BBQ sauce. So it must be a huge shock for these people to come to a BBQ place like Pinkie's. Pinkie's is real BBQ, cooked low and slow with hickory wood. But Pinkie's does cater to it's customer because they only serve baby back ribs.

I got the rib basket, $7.50 with mac and cheese as the side. Three baby back ribs come with the basket. The ribs are well smoked, see the smoke ring, and had a nice bark. A good example of real BBQ meat. But the ribs were not that meaty and since they are baby backs they have little fat. I didn't think the portion size was worth the price. Maybe they could add another rib or at least give you ribs with more meat on the bone.

One thing I didn't like is how they were presented. The last picture is exactly how the ribs came to my table. I think ribs should come to the table with the bark end up, like the second picture. It just looks so much better. Or even with the smoke ring showing. Though I do understand that some people when they see pink, they think the meat isn't fully cooked.

I tried a little of the BBQ sauce and it had an overpowering vinegar taste. I am not a fan of any vinegar based sauce.


The mac and cheese was very good, though a tad salty for me taste, with the cheese and macaroni well mixed together. This portion could be bigger too.

Service was slow. The server was friendly and she was overwhelmed. She had to take care of about 12 people in the dining area, the 4-5 people ordering to go, and the 2-3 people at the counter. She was slow to get my ice tea, she was slow to get refills, the food took a bit longer than usual. But she was friendly and hard working. It wasn't as though she was sitting around doing nothing. While I didn't like it, I can understand why the service was slow.

I wouldn't rush back or I wouldn't make an special trip to Pinkie's. But this is one of the very few real BBQ places in the area. I understand Pinkie's used to be the second location of Skooby's one of my favorite hot dog places.

China Bowl Express & Louisiana Fried Chicken

China Bowl Express and Louisiana Fried Chicken
2090 S. Garey Ave.
Pomona
909-591-3421

Update the Louisiana Fried Chicken is now closed.

China Bowl Express and Louisiana Fried Chicken is the third location of it's kind in the city of Pomona that The New Diner has reviewed. There was another place called China Bowl Express on Holt Blvd, and they were combined with a Louisiana Fried Chicken. As far as I can tell, that location is now just China Bowl Express, they are not serving fried chicken anymore.

Then I reviewed Golden Wok and Louisiana Fried Chicken. The business model for Louisiana Fried Chicken is to sell their unique recipe to people, who then can combine the fried chicken with their other restaurant.

This China Bowl Express is next door a Food 4 Less. I ordered two breasts, $1.59 each and the two item combo with Chinese BBQ pork and teriyaki chicken, $5.01.

The chicken was fairly big and juicy but it wasn't as crunchy as other Louisiana Fried Chicken places that I have been to before. I thought I got lucky because as I walked in, the chicken was coming out of the fryer. I think what happened was the fryer was overloaded with chicken and/or the oil wasn't hot enough. That is how you get soggy fried chicken. So I wasn't impressed with the chicken.

The Chinese food was pretty good for what it is, fast food style Chinese food. If you're expecting anything else, you're an idiot. The teriyaki chicken was flavorful and tender. The portions are huge, so that is always good.

But the Chinese BBQ pork was a mixture of pork that had been on the steam table for too long and freshly cooked pork. The freshly cooked pork was tender, had that sweet flavor that you get from Chinese BBQ pork but there was a bit too much fat for my tastes. The pork that had been on the table for too had was dry and very chewy, not good.

The fried rice had a few peas and carrots and was just regular fried rice. The chow mein was a bit greasy, but had a good flavor with lots of cabbage.

Service is good. Very nice and friendly people. This China Bowl Express is owned by a different person than the China Bowl Express on Holt.

I wouldn't rush back here for the Chinese food but I wouldn't be against coming back. I would think twice about the fried chicken.

Dante's Italian Deli-Closed

Dante's Italian Deli
958 N Diamond Bar Blvd
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
909-860-3661

After reading about Dante's Italian Deli on Mother May I I knew there was something familiar about this place. Then I realized it used to be Giuseppe's Italian Deli. They current owners bought Giuseppe's about two years ago and changed the name to Dante's.

From Mother May I I learned that between 2-5pm all sandwiches and pizza are half off!! But be careful, there are no signs, at least from what I could see, for this half off special. So make sure you ask for that the special is still valid. I decided to try Dante's.

I got the small Italian ($5.75) and Grilled Chicken ($6.25). The total with $7.11 for both sandwiches. Not sure how they got $7.11, now that I think about. Half of $12 should be $6 and even with tax, it should still be under $7, though I am reading off their to go menu and maybe it wasn't updated? Mother May I paid $6.99 for the same two sandwiches and that is high since tax on $6 would be about 60 cents.

The Italian comes with salami, mortadella, coppacola, ham provolne cheese. I asked for mayo instead of Italian dressing and lettuce and tomatoes. I'm not a big fan of Italian sandwiches because they all taste like baloney to me, and I hate baloney. But they use good quality meats, Boar's Head, and this sandwich was very fresh. I loved the firm chewy texture of the bread. A much better bread than what Giuseppe used. I was impressed with this sandwich.

The Grilled Chicken comes with mozzarella, tomato, and a roasted garlic herb spread. They cooked this to order so expect a few minutes wait. The chicken is bland and lacks flavor. But they give you a ton of chicken. The bread, with the same chewy firm texture, held up well to the moisture of the sandwich. I wouldn't order this again.

Service is good.

I think the prices here are high and even at half priced I don't think it is worth it. Yes, the use good quality meats but other delis use as good, if not better quality meats and they don't charge as much.

I may come back every once in awhile but I wouldn't rush back here.

BBQ Co-Closed

BBQ Co
4077 Lincoln Blvd
Marina del Rey
310-821-6939

BBQ Co used to be Benny's BBQ or Benny's just changed the name. Either way the BBQ is still pretty bad.

I got the lunch special, $7.95, pork rib, beef rib, and a link with cole slaw and corn on the cobb. This would be a great deal if the BBQ was any good.

The beef rib was very dry and only had a hint of smoke flavor. This may have been better if it wasn't sitting in a warmer for so long. I would bet this was smoked two or three days ago. The rib did have a ton of meat on it.

The link, they actually say 6 slices of link, they shouldn't bother cutting it, but the link was pretty good but again a bit dry, the casing was so brittle!! The link had good flavor and a nice kick. But the slicing of the link showed the links have a lot of fillers, which is never a good thing. Again I would like to try this when it isn't so dry

The pork rib was dry, but just like the beef rib, it had a ton of meat. Both the pork and beef ribs were the same size, which is very unusual. The ribs had a decent smoke flavor, wasn't fatty, and would be ok if it was fresh!!

The cole slaw looked terrible, the cabbage had turned a different color. I didn't even want it anyways and didn't touch it. The corn on the cob I didn't touch either but it wasn't hot at all. What a terrible way to present food.

Service is below average. The girl had a lot of attitude and wasn't friendly. BBQ Co is right next to Brennan's Pub parking lot. But there are signs that say Brennan's Pub parking only. Violators will be towed. The girl asked would that be for here or to go? I asked can I park my car at Brennan's? With a lot of attitude, she asked would that be for here or to go? I told her I need to know if I can park my car at Brennan's, because I wanted to eat there. Lots and lots of attitude.

BBQ Co is among the worst BBQ restaurants in LA. The ribs are so dry and aren't fresh. There is no reason for me to go back.

The Boiling Crab- Alhambra-Moved

The Boiling Crab- Alhambra
742 W Valley Blvd.
Alhambra
626-576-9368

Much like The Boat House, The Boiling Crab is another no frills, Asian meets Canjun seafood place. Your table cloth is butcher block paper, your napkins are from paper towels. This isn't the place for those pretentious jerk people of Orang Curtain or the Worst Side. You order from seafood by the pound, with prices depending on the supply of seafood.

Fried shrimp, $8.99. This was great. Cornmeal batter covering sweet tender shrimp. This was awesome. Hot out of the fryer and crunchy, a steal for the amount and quality of shrimp. A great appetizer.

Shrimp, $9.99/lb. These are peel and eat shrimp with the heads on. The shrimp was tender and so fresh it must have been swimming earlier that morning. We got mild Cajun seasoning. Not spicy at all but tons of flavor.

Dungenous crab, $13.99/lb. All the seasonings were added to the dungenous crab. Lemon pepper, cajun, and garlic butter combined to make this a very flavorful, though over powered by the garlic seasoning. The crab was sweet and tender and there were a ton of crab!!

Blue crab, $7.99. Lemmon pepper seasoning added to the flavor of the blue crab. The crab was great. I like the taste and flavor of blue crab over dungeness crab.

Service was very good. But The Boiling Crab gets very crowded, you're so close to the next time, they might as well be part of your group. But the food comes out quickly, drinks are refilled quickly and the food is great. All in all a great time. But be prepared to wait for an hour or more for a table and they don't take reservations.

What is the difference between The Boiling Crab and The Boat House? Prices are going to vary due to supply. But I think the seafood is fresher at The Boiling Crab since they go through so much seafood. The Boat House seafood is fresh but The Boiling Crab tastes as though the seafood was swimming in the ocean just that morning. I wouldn't be disappointed if I had to go to The Boathouse but my first choice would be The Boiling Crab.

Pan-Pacific Restaurant

Pan-Pacific Restaurant
1136 Nagoya Way
San Pedro
310-547-1940

Located at the Ports O Call row of restaurants, Pan-Pacific Restaurant is your typical seaside restaurant.

I got the scallops plate, $8.99, with fries, cole slaw and a cup of clam chowder. The scallops were bite sized and crunchy but not hot. I waited about five minutes for the order and I expect the scallops to be hot but they were barely warm. Not good. But the scallops were fresh and firm. The batter was a bit thick but crunchy. This would be a very good item if it was served hot, right out of the fryer.

The clam chowder was surprisely very good. A bit thin, they could add more heavy cream to the chowder but lots of clams and potatoes and a good hearty flavor. This was served fairly hot.

I didn't touch the cole slaw. But the fries were very crispy but even then it wasn't warm.

Service is good, though a bit confusing. They have two entrances into the Pan-Pacific, with one entrance near the cash register and the other where you pick up the food. It wasn't busy when I was there but I know the two entrances have to cause confusion when it is busy.

I wouldn't rush to go back to Pan-Pacific Restaurant. The prices are fair and the quality and freshness of the seafood is good but they need to serve items hot, right out of the fryer, not some reheated or items that have been sitting under a heat lamp for 30 minutes.

The Back Abbey

The Back Abbey
128 N Oberlin Ave
Claremont
909-625-2642

July 20, 2009. Please note: It has come to my attention that the person who I had a run in with, and thought was the owner, is in fact, NOT the owner. The person I had the run-in with is an expo, so where I put owner, has now been changed to expo. An expo is somebody who is there to help, whenever it is needed.

The Back Abbey is located in a fairly new retail development in Claremont. The development is the western expansion of The Village.

The Back Abbey is known for their beers and burgers. I got a Backyard Burger, $11, which comes with butter lettuce, red onion, tomato, pickle and 1-year-aged cheddar cheese served on a Brioche bun with a side of red remy. This was a very good burger. A good quality beef, cooked medium rare and topped with good quality toppings. The cheese added a nice flavor to the burger, the bun was soft and had a nice texture. I received a comment asking 'Where's the beef?' And the menu says 6oz burgers or you can get a 8oz turkey burger for the same price. I got the beef and yes it is a bit small. But the quality of the beef and flavor is very good.

The service by the server was very good. But before I went into the restaurant, I took a picture of the outside. Somebody who is an "expo" saw me taking the pictures and I guess the expo was trying to be a comic but failed badly. I was trying to ignore the man but he kept pushing it and I responded to his stupid sarcasm. I guess he was paranoid because other people were trying to copy his original idea of opening a restaurant. So this expo was a jerk, I was trying to ignore him but he kept forcing me to deal with him. He needs to understand he is there for customer service and not be some bad comic or jerk. He also shouldn't act like he is the owner, especially when he isn't the owner.

I was close to telling him off but it is just not worth it, though I told him I didn't find his sarcasm amusing. I then was seated outside and the guy came over and explained why he was paranoid, I just told him, I don't care and it wasn't a big deal. For me it was over after I sat down. But it was good of him to come to me and explain why he was so paranoid. He really should be more concerned about the quality of the food and service, than people taking pictures or copying his brilliant idea of opening a restaurant. And it wasn't like his restaurant was some architectural marvel. Like nobody ever opened up a restaurant in a mission style building?

As most readers of The New Diner know, I feel it is best to remain anonymous in order to give fair reviews. If I told the servers and/or owners that I am writing a review, I know damn well I would get different service than if I was just anonymous. If any owner has an issue with my reviews, I have no problems talking to them face to face. But I never tell a restaurant I'm reviewing their food, though I do get many questions about why I am taking pictures.

I'm hope readers of The New Diner see that I gave The Back Abbey a very fair review, even after having that run in with the owner.

Aside from the run in with the expo, I did enjoy the food at The Back Abbey. I would go back to The Back Abbey because the food and service was very good. I would like to try the Abbey Burger.

Britt's BBQ

Britt's BBQ
408 Main St
El Segundo
310-640-0408

Britt's BBQ has been opened for just over a month. The area near LAX is sorely lacking for good real BBQ.

I got the spare ribs and chicken combo, $11.95, with chili mac and cole slaw. I didn't touch the chicken but the ribs were just OK. They were very chewy and tough. There was some smoke flavor, but I get a feeling the ribs I got were grilled after being smoked for a couple hours or they had been in the warmer for too long. Real BBQ ribs shouldn't be chewy and tough. The meat should have that pink smoke ring. The ribs here didn't have that smoke ring or smoke flavor. When I walked outside, I saw a top notch smoker but I also only saw charcoal. No hardwoods.

Service is very good. There is both table and counter service but you're greeted when you walk into the restaurant. You're not lacking for too many things, though I ran out of my drink and she came by two times without asking if I needed a refill. But when I did ask for a refill, it came quickly.

Britt's does try but the area near LAX is still lacking a good quality real BBQ restaurant. I doubt I will give them another try.

Little Dom's

Little Dom's
2128 Hillhurst Ave
Los Angeles
323-661-0055

Every Monday Little Dom's has a three course, Monday Night Supper Special for $15. The menu changes every Monday so what I had, when I went, may not be served again until much later.

First course: Shaved fennel and parmesan. Fresh shaved fennel on top of spinach with parmesan cheese and some lemon juice. Actually pretty good and refreshing.

Entree: Beef braciole. They use a top round cut, slice it thin, roll it with pine nuts and mushrooms, seared, then topped with a tomato sauce. The beef was too dry, top round doesn't have much fat, so if you overcook it, it will be dry. They overcooked it and it was very dry, even with the tomato sauce on top. The beef was fairly tender and flavorful. Not too impressed.

Dessert: Chocolate caramel tart. This was indeed tart. The chocolate was very tart, I want sweet chocolate. But the caramel and whipped creme almost balanced it out. In some ways this tasted like an almond roca without the almonds.

Service was good. I was very impressed with the server, when she asked if I wanted a refill and she told me that they charge for refills on Arnold Palmer. At $3.75 per glass that can really add up. I passed but I tipped a little extra for her telling me that. I was very impressed. I was also very impressed with one of the hostess. She was a hottie.

It is very crowded at Little Dom's and the small room will mean a loud room, so if you're expecting a nice quiet dinner, you may not get it on a Monday night at Little Dom's. Make sure to make reservations because all the tables are filled.

I wouldn't go to Little Dom's on any other night than Monday. All their menu items are overpriced and the portions are small. Somebody at my table got the spaghetti and meatballs for $14!!! What a rip off especially when the portion of spaghetti is no bigger than a can of Chef Boyrdee. I will say the meatballs were good sized, about the size of a baseball.

I certainly wouldn't go back when the beef braciole is on their Mondy Supper menu. Though I may go back next Monday for their basil risotto with grilled mushrooms and Alaskan halibut.

Handy Market BBQ

June 6, 2009. 65 years ago today Allied Forces, under the leadership of Dwight Eisenhower, stormed the beaches of Normandy. This invasion was officially named, Operation Overload and is more commonly known as D Day.

The mission of D Day? To liberate Europe from the scumbag nazi. American forces stormed Omaha Beach. Other Allied countries stormed, Utah, Juno, Sword, and Gold Beach. Within a few hours Allied Forces had captured all those beaches and started their way into liberating France. Soon Allied forces liberated France and then onto Germany and getting rid of the nazi scum.

Too many brave men died on the beaches of Normandy. They didn't burn their draft notices, dodge the draft, protest the draft, act like cowards and run away to Canada, they all answered the call of duty for their country. Too many paid the ultimate sacrifice and never came back home.

Today we need to take a moment to honor them. The saying at the end of the movie; Ike Countdown to D Day is so true, "We may never see their like again."

25 years ago, Ronald Reagan made one of his best speeches on the 40th Anniversary of D Day.









Handy Market
2514 W Magnolia Blvd
Burbank
818-848-2500

To honor those brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice on D Day, I went to BBQ. Every Saturday, Handy Market has a BBQ, it is actually a grill but it is well known and as you can see from the line, it is popular.

Baby back ribs, beef ribs, chicken, and tri tip are sold by the pound. Sausauge and corn are also sold.

I got half a rack of baby backs, $7.49/lb and three beef ribs, $3.99/lb. Most half rack of baby back ribs are going to be about a pound.

The ribs are smoked in a smoker with mesquite charcoal. But the ribs are cooked at a very high temp, so they aren't really true BBQ. The ribs are oversmoked, they need to control the flow of the smoker better. The ribs since they are baby backs were fairly tender but that chemical flavor of lighter fluid just ruins the taste for me.

The beef ribs were pretty bad. Lots and lots of gristle and tough meat to go along with the chemical smell. Not a good combination.

This isn't real BBQ. What this is GRILLING-cooking meats at high temps. Most people in line with me thought this was great and love the meat drowned in BBQ sauce.

Service is OK, the people are nice and helpful but slow. I waited in line for about 30 minutes. Then I had to go to pay for the meat inside the market. At least it doesn't take that long to pay.

Also when calling for directions, they aren't too helpful. I called and asked what exit to get off at going north of the 5 freeway. They told me Buena Vista. Well Buena Vista is only off the 134 freeway. If you are on the 134 get off at Olive and go south to Buena Vista.

I would not go back to Handy Market's BBQ. It is not real BBQ and I can do a better job grilling ribs.

Earthen

June 5, 2009. 20 years ago, the entire world saw one of the most bravest acts ever capured on TV or film, The Tank Man. One brave man stopped a column of tanks to protest the savage killing and beating of innocent people at Tiananmen Square. To this day nobody knows who Tank Man was. Nobody knows what happened to him. But on that June 5, 1989 day, the entire world knew about Tank Man. Time Magazine listed Tank Man, they actually listed him as the Unknown Rebel, as one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century. After he stopped the column of tanks, he climbed up onto the tank and told them that his city is in choas and to get out of his city!!!

One simple act can change the entire world. Many people from the former Soviet blocked nations said they drew inspiration from the picture you see above. I wish I could be as brave as Tank Man. 6 and 5, equals 11. Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets wears #11. His silent protest??

To this day the Chinese government does not acknowledge the fact they ordered the killing of so many innocent people. To this day the Chinese government bans any mention of Tiananmen Square. To this day companies like Google and Yahoo, whore themselves and follows the Chinese government ban about Tiananmen Square. Try searching Tiananmen Square in China. You will get nothing. The Chinese government even increased security around Tiananmen Square today to prevent anybody from remembering that day. So today to honor Tank Man, I went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner.








Earthen
1639 S Azusa Ave
Hacienda Heights
626-964-1570

Earthen is a few doors down from West Coast Seafood Buffet.

Pork dumplings, $6.25. Pretty bland pork inside and the wonton wrapper was a bit tough and chewy, cooked just short of ah dente.

House Special chicken, $7.95. I wasn't expecting a cold dish but this was a very good dish. The chicken is served cold, on top of cucumbers in a spicy soy sauce. The chicken is very tender and full of flavor. The spiciness doesn't hit you right away but slowly comes one. A very good dish.

Black mushrooms with veggies, $8.25. I loved this dish, though the sauce used was a bit oily. The mushrooms had a wonderful flavor, a burst of flavor in your mouth. The veggies are baby bochoy and were crispy and fresh.

Fried shrimp with hot garlic sauce, $15.95. This dish is a combination of sweet and sour shrimp and kung pao shrimp. The shrimp is fried, then topped with a spicy garlic sauce. There were a ton of chili leaves in the dish that gave the shrimp flavor. The shrimp wasn't as fresh as it could be, but this was a good dish. At first I thought this was a bit pricey but the portion was huge and it is worth the price.

Shrimp chow mein, $7.25. A nice example of chow mein that is topped with shrimp, bean sprouts, and cabbage. The noodles were soft and well cooked. The dish was nicely seasoned. Nice sized portion too.

Service is good. But this is cash only and I'm not a fan of places like that.

I would go back to Earthen again. I like the food and even though some of the entree prices are a bit high, they food is very good.