Nate's Home BBQ-Closed

Nate's Home BBQ
702 W Compton Blvd
Compton
310-763-1970

Nate's Home BBQ. I can honestly say for the first time in my many BBQ trips, I saw something that I have never seen before. A restaurant using duct tape and writing the prices on the duct tape!!!! But as most readers of The New Diner or Only BBQ Ribs know, I could care less what a place looks like, as long as the food is good.

I ordered the centercut pork ribs dinner, $11.58, with double macaroni salad. What is the centercut ribs? Well if you take a look at a rack of spare ribs, they go from large ribs then get smaller as you go. The larger ribs have more grizzle and bigger rib tips. The center cuts are more leaner. These ribs are smoked on those big 55 gallon oil drums with oak wood. If the pitmaster doesn't know how to do this, the ribs can be very smokey and just plain bad. But at Nate's they do know how to smoke these ribs using that drum. Oh, this isn't really true smoking, since the heat source should not be directly under the meats. But this is damn good BBQ ribs.

The ribs were tender and had lots of smoke flavor. Not much fat or grizzle at all. A damn find example of what BBQ ribs should be. The BBQ sauce has too much of a tomato and vinegar taste. I wasn't a fan but I didn't need the BBQ sauce to enjoy the ribs.

The mac salad was very creamy but I get the idea it is a mass produced item. But I don't care about the sides.

Service is very good. The lady working was very nice and helpful.

I would go back here anytime. The next time I go, I am getting the all beef hot link. This is take out only and there aren't many places nearby to eat. If worse comes to worse, get a soda from the liquor store next door and eat at your car.

Kogi Korean BBQ Taco Truck

Kogi

After much hype, I've finally made it to Kogi Korean BBQ taco truck. Yes, a Korean-Mexican fusion. Kogi has been talked up in the LA Times, all food blogs, everywhere.

Tonight, Kogi was in Silverlake, at the 4100 Bar. I have read stories about people waiting in line for an hour and Kogi running out of food because the lines were so long. But I got to 4100 by 9pm and met a friend. We talked for awhile, then went outside to wait in line at about 9:45. We were about the 8th people in line. Within ten minutes of waiting in line, there were at least 50 people. People were coming from everywhere.

Kogi has $2 tacos and $5 burritos. I got the spicy pork, chicken, and short rib taco and a short rib burritos. 4100 Bar was nice enough to allow people to bring in their food but I went across the street to the take a picture of the food. A bench at the Jiffy Lube came in handy.

There is a lot of onions in the tacos. There was some meat but $2 worth? No way. I wasn't overwhelmed with any of the tacos. They were OK but not great and certainly not worth waitiing in line for over an hour. The spicy pork wasn't spicy at all. The chicken was pretty bland and the only flavor I got was the onions. The short rib was OK but some of the rib was burnt. Not good.

The burrito has eggs and hash browns, it is more of a breakfast burrito but my burrito didn't have much meat in there. Again it was OK but nothing overwhelming.

Service is pretty good and they do try to get your order ready quickly.

I really think if I was drunk, I would have enjoyed the tacos and burritos more. Hell if Denny's Moon Over MyHammy or Jack in the Box's tacos taste good when I'm drunk, anything will taste good, when I'm drunk.

For me Kogi didn't live up to the hype. I would go back if it was near where I was at, but I would make an extra trip out for it. To be honest, I would prefer going for two tacos at Jack in the Box.

Home-Closed

Home Restaurant
2500 Riverside Dr
Los Angeles
323-665-0211

Home, What an interesting name for a restaurant. Located just down the hill from the DUMP, Dodger Stadium, Home has a huge menu, a full bar and serves breakfast the whole day.

I ordered the All American breakfast, $7.95, two pancakes, two pieces of bacon, and two eggs, I asked for over medium. The bacon was very good. Lots of smokey flavor, not too much fat, the right mixture of crispy and chewy. The pancakes were light, fluffy and good size. I asked for over medium and I got over easy eggs. I hate over easy eggs because I hate runny yolk. over medium means the yolk is almost fulled cooked. It sure as hell isn't runny.

Service for our group of about 20 people was good. We didn't lack for anything and we got our food quickly.

I would go back to Home, but I would either not order eggs over medium or ask for eggs over hard, maybe that way they will cook the yolk. But I found the food to good and fresh and worth the price.

The Habit Burger Grill

The Habit Burger Grill
1608 Foothill Blvd
La Verne
909-593-1640

The Habit Burger Grill opened in Santa Barbara in 1969. They have gradually moved south to LA, opening locations in Woodland Hills and Glendale. The La Verne location is the further location east of LA.

I ordered the Double Char with cheese, $4.82. The burgers come with mayo, lettuce, and tomato on a toasted bun. The burger is fresh and the cheese was melted!!! Always a plus in my book. The burger is about the size of an In N Out burger. It was very good but has a more mild taste since they only put mayo on the burgers, not that tangy "secret sauce"

Service is good. The girl who took my order was nice and friendly.

This is a very good place but a bit overpriced. Almost $5 for basically a double-double at In N Out? You're better off going to In N Out but The Habit does make a damn good burger.

Update August 15, 2009.

Ok no picture because I ordered the samething, doublechar with cheese. $4.88. The burger was just the same as before. Good quality, fresh beef and fresh veggies.

What I didn't like was the service. I got my order to go but I decided to eat outside, since it was such a nice night but when I opened up my bag, the guy didn't put any napkins inside. I walked back in asked for napkins and all I got was attitude. What an idiot. It was his fault for not putting any napkins in the bag and he cops an attitude to me? Idiot.

While eating I noticed the girl at the other table, didn't get any napkins either. I saw her walk back in and up to the counter to get napkins that should already be there.

The Habit needs to improve the training of their employees. It should be second nature to put napkins in a to go order.

The burgers are still good but pricey, especially compared to In N Out. But service here sucks. I almost never get bad service at In N Out and I always get napkins when I get my order to go.

Update Oct 28, 2009



I went back to The Habit after watching Constant Choke lose in Game 1 of the 2009 World Series!!! Always love seeing the yankees lose!!!

Anyways I got the double char burger with lettuce wrap, $4.49 and an order of onion rings, $1.95.

The lettuce wrap char burger was the same as the last time I went. Good but not as good as the protein style from In N Out.

The onion rings were very good. They were just fried so that means fresh hot onion rings. The batter was a bit thick, I prefer less. But a nice crunch and nice sweet onions.

Service when I ordered was good. The young lady was nice and friendly and helpful. But when I was getting ketchup, while waiting for my order, the ketchup dispenser was almost out. The lady behind the counter said "Sorry we are out of ketchup." Well isn't it your job to refill the ketchup dispenser? Another example of terrible service a The Habit.

The Habit is an overpriced, bad service, fast food burger. I rarely have bad service at In N Out but the last times at The Habit I have experienced bad service. Why would I bother going back?

Manna Korean BBQ Restaurant-Closed

Manna Korean BBQ Restaurant
3377 W Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles
323-733-8516

Another all you can eat Korean BBQ. I've come to the conclusion that most Korean BBQ places are just OK. All serve the same meats, some use better quality meats and some use better marinades.

Manna is an interesting place. Most of the seating is in an outdoor patio. For $16.99 they serve all you can eat bacon, brisket, beef short rib, beef bulgogi, chicken and pork.

I thought the brisket was just too fatty, I cut away a lot of the fat and got a small amount of meat. The brisket isn't marinated and is pretty bland. Not impressed.

The bacon was also full of fat, unmarinated and bland. Not impressed.

Beef short rib was well marinated, in a sweet marinate and we very good. Maybe my favorite meat at dinner.

The beef buglogi was also good. Well marinated and not too fatty. My second favorite meat.

The chicken was all dark meat, not fatty but again pretty bland.

The pork was again pretty bland but not that fatty.

I don't eat any of the side dishes at Korean BBQ places. Most of them just don't appeal to me. I don't eat kim chee, I stay away from potatoes, I don't like spinach. I just usually get rice and dip the meats in soy sauce.

Service for a group of about 40 people was pretty good.

Of all the Korean BBQ place I've went to, I think Manna has the worst quality meats. Most were bland and fatty. I would not go back to Manna again.

Vito's Pizza

Vito's Pizza
846 N La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles
310-652-6859

As all readers of The New Diner, should know I love Village Pizzeria. Now I have found another place that comes close to Village Pizzeria, Vito's Pizza!!!

I got a slice of the red meat pizza, $3.79, with pepperoni, sausage, salami and meatballs. WOW was this great. This pizza was load with toppings. So much pepperoni, sausage, salami and meatballs. All the meats were so tasty. The sauce was mild, which I love, and the cheese was good.

What I didn't like was the crust, too thin, a bit soggy. But overall a damn good pizza.

Service was good. Vito's is a small pizza shop but the people working there are nice and friendly.

I would go back here anytime.

Garage Pizza

Garage Pizza
4339 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles
323-668-1190

Dear Village Pizzeria,

I'm sorry to say I'm having an affair with another pizza place. Garage Pizza was brough to my attention by one of the few people on Yelp, who is worth a damn. Now I have found another pizza place that comes close to you, Village Pizzeria, for thin crust, NY style pizza. Village Pizza you are still the first place I think about when I want NY style pizza.

I got a cheese and pepperoni slice, $6.50. The cheese was awesome. A very nice crust, lots of sauce, and nice gooey cheese. The sauce wasn't tangy or overpowering, a mild subtle sauce that was very good.

The pepperoni was just as good as the cheese. They could have put more pepperoni but those that were on the pizza had a nice flavor and spiciness to them.

Service is good. Two guys from Detroit, own Garage Pizza. How do I know? They have a Red Wings fan parking sign and a Tigers pennant on the wall.

I would go back here anytime. I still think Village Pizzeria is the best. But Garage Pizza comes close.

Best Fish Taco in Ensenada

Best Fish Taco in Ensenada
1650 Hillhurst Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Best Fish Taco in Ensenada has a lot to live up to with a name like that. First it is not in Ensenada but in Los Feliz area of LA. But it's a damn good fish taco.

They only have three things on the menu, fish taco, $1.50, shrimp taco, $2.00 and canned soda, $1. I got one of each on the menu with a grape Welch's soda.

I did not care for the shrimp taco. It was way too salty. I was thristy after eating that taco. The shrimp itself was pretty crispy but the batter was just too salty. The cabbage and white sauce is fresh, you can put as much as you want from their salsa bar.

The fish taco was pretty good. Not the best. But good. The fish was crispy and fresh. It wasn't nearly as salty as the shrimp taco. But the batter just overpowered the fish, way too much batter on this fish taco to be called the best.

Service is pretty good. The ladies do not speak English well but with only three items on the menu, it is not that tough. The restaurant is on the same property as a car repair shop. It has seating for about 15 people or so. They are closed Mondays and close at 8pm Tues-Sun.

If I was in the area, I would go back. The food is a good deal for the price but is certainly not the best fish tacos, anywhere. I much prefer the Senor Baja tacos for 99 cents on Wednesday.

Charley Brown's-Closed

Charley Brown's
909 San Gabriel Blvd
Rosemead
626-288-6001

Charley Brown's used to be very popular in the 70's and 80's. But now this location in Rosemead maybe the only one left. Charley Brown's was Black Angus before Black Angus came to LA.

I came here for appetizers at the bar. I got the calamari, $7.95, and the chicken tender, $7.49, during happy hour. Happy hour runs Mon-Fri, from 4-7pm. Charley Brown's happy hour isn't that great. They do have a buffet with some veggies and some tacos. But their happy hour menu is seven items from their happy hour menu discounted to $7.49.

The calamari was OK. Nothing great. They were pretty crispy but too chewy, as if they weren't fresh. What was weird is that there were some machine made rings and pieces that looked like octapus. It doesn't bother me but I know it may bother other people. I would not order this again. The tartar sauce was awesome. A great tangy flavor and just awesome. I wish I could bottle their tartar sauce.

The chicken tenders were so small and dry, I thought this was McNuggets. There is nothing great about this appetizer. Why the would even serve this is beyond me.

Service was very good. There was only one server working but she was working her butt off. I wasn't lacking for anything.

If their appetizers are any indication of the quality of their food, I would not go back to Charley Brown again. They were good back in the 80's but judging by their appetizers, it's no wonder why most of their locations have closed.

Fiesta Mexicana

Fiesta Mexicana
1105 W Whittier Blvd
Montebello
323-728-3097

Fiesta Mexicana is known for their mariachi bands. But be warned, they charge you for the band.

The first time I went to Fiesta Mexicana, they had an overpriced Sunday brunch, $13.99 because of the mariachi band. The same brunch is served Mon-Fri for $7.99. The brunch has regular Americanized Mexican food.

I went back and ordered off the menu, got the De Pollo Asadas, $15.95, chicken breast steaks with beans and rice. The chicken breast was great. Lots of flavor, well balanced seasoning, nothing overpowered anything else. The chicken was tender and juicy. It was a big portion but pretty thin. A very good dish.

The refried beans were salty and just bad. The rice was pretty good.

Service was very good. The first server was nice and helpful but he didn't understand much English, so he got somebody else who understand English. I wanted to know how they cooked the chicken. The second guy was very nice and helpful. I even asked him how to say 'How is that cooked?" in Spanish.

While I think the chicken dish was good, I think prices here are a bit high. They could reduce the price by $2-$3 and it would be much better. I wouldn't go out of my way to come back, but I wouldn't be against coming back here. Though I would not go for their Sunday Brunch.

Clearman's Galley

Clearman's Galley
7215 N Rosemead Blvd
San Gabriel
626-286-1484

Back in 2006, I reviewed the Original Clearman's Galley and told readers of The New Diner, that The Boat, as Clearman's Galley is called, was being torn down to make room for a Kohl's and eventually The Boat would reopen.

Well here we are in 2009 and The Boat has finally opened. The Boat just moved a little bit south of their original location, The Boat is facing Rosemead Blvd. The new Boat is so much bigger than the old boat.

I ordered the fish and fries, $8.25. The fish is cod and you get three decent sized pieces. The batter is light and pretty crispy. The cod is flakey and moist. It's pretty good but nothing outstanding. The fries are cut thicker and was pretty bad. But I don't normally eat fries. So it's not that big of a deal.

Service was OOOOOK. When I got there the line was so long, it wasn't even funny. People were there to watch the Lackers play Cleveland, so that was part of the reason for the long time. Also the reopening of The Boat, has brought back a lot of people. But one hour to place my order? Then another ten minutes for my order to arrive? Not good. The food certainly wasn't worth the long wait. But then again I wasn't going to make another trip back here to try the food. So I waited and waited in line. But the cooks who take your order, the cashiers, and the young ladies who bring you out your orders are nice and friendly. They are working as hard and as fast as they can. But man it wasn't fun waiting in that line.

I sat outside because they have a covered patio and I didn't want to be around fans who root for a rapist on the Lackers. The only problem is that a bunch of damn smokers are near you and since those scumbags can't go for more than ten minutes without lighting up, they go outside and smoke.

Like I said, I wouldn't go out of my way to come back to The Boat. I wanted to go to the reopening and really, nothing has changed. The food is decent and a good price. I would come back but I wouldn't wait in a long line again.

Update Feb 10, 2009



After going to Charley Brown's for appetizers I went to meet a buddy back at The Galley. While the Lackers were on, it wasn't as crowded as the last time I went. This time I had the chili size, $6.95. A chili size is a cheeseburger patty covered with chili. It comes with a garlic cheese bread and salad. The chili is a very mild chili, no beans, and I think a bit bland. But the thing I didn't like was the chili wasn't hot. Maybe luke warm. I don't think it's asking too much for hot food to be hot. The burger was a bit overcooked and nothing special.

The bread is great. It's more cheese than garlic but it's good. The salad is very fresh and just drown in blue cheese dressing. It's really just lettuce but it's good.

The one difference I noticed between the Original Clearman's Galley and this new Galley is that the chili size comes on a plate, not some paper plate.

Showbiz Ribs-Closed

Showbiz Ribs
520 W 6th St
Los Angeles
213-439-5700

Oven cooked ribs. Check. Baby back ribs. Check. Showbiz Ribs opened up in downtown LA and they are fooling people into thinking this is BBQ. This is NOT real BBQ. The ribs are not smoked at all. There is no smoke ring on the ribs.

I got the small order of baby backs, $10.95, with mac and cheese and cole slaw. They give you about a fourth of a rack of ribs, a good size for the price. The ribs are OK for what they are, over cooked cooked ribs. There is no smoke flavor in the meat at all. These ribs are no better than your local Chili's. They sauce they put on the ribs has a decent spice to it but it's nothing special.

One thing, their online menu says they have St. Louis style ribs. St. Louis style ribs are spare ribs. But when I got to the restaurant, they did not have St. Louis style ribs. http://www.showbizribs.com/menu.html

The mac and cheese was pretty good. Some nice flavor. The cole slaw was OK.

Service is very good. The lady and older man are very nice people and helpful.

I would not go back to Showbiz Ribs again. This isn't real BBQ. The ribs are no better than your local Chili's.

Jim Dandy Fried Chicken

Jim Dandy Fried Chicken
11328 S Vermont Ave
Los Angeles
323-779-5567

I love fried chicken. It's such a great, if unhealthy, comfort food. So whenever I see a fried chicken place, I'll stop in. But it's weird, I've passed by Jim Dandy Fried Chicken all the time when going to Mom's BBQ, but I've never stopped in.

But on a rainy night, I decided to stop in and try Jim Dandy fried chicken. WOW what a treat!!! I ordered two breast, $3.79 which also comes with fritters. They have a choice between regular and spicy. When I heard the lady tell the lady in front of me, her order of regular chicken, was going to take 15 minutes, I knew I wanted the regular. After 15 minutes the chicken was in my hands and I got into my car to find a place to eat.

When I finally found Hawkins House of Burgers, while waiting for the burger, I had the chicken. What a treat!!! So crispy, so light, so juicy, so good. What else can I say. The chicken was huge, which is always good. The chicken had a light, crispy batter and was so great, I knew I found the holy grail of fried chicken. The meat was so juicy and tender. This is the best fried chicken in LA.

Service is poor. Three people were behind the counter and I still waited a long time before I was greeted. The ladies were nice and everything but come on, at least greet me.

The other thing I don't like about Jim Dandy is their hours, or lack of. They closed on a Friday night at 8pm!!!! Why? At 10 minutes to 8pm there were about ten people in line waiting for fried chicken. Why close so early? They also are close from 2-5pm during the week. Currently they have a special, 5 pieces for $4.85, one breast, one wing, two thighs, and one leg. (Thanks Osaki, for catching my earlier mistake) A steal!!!

I will be coming back, very soon!!! I love this place.

Hawkins House of Burgers

Hawkins House of Burgers
11603 Slater Street
Los Angeles,
323-563-1129

I found out about Hawkins House of Burgers because the have a Hawkins Special burger for $15.99. Three patties, two eggs, bacon, hot link, chili, pastrami, with a side of fries and a drink. I didn't come close to ordering that.

I did get a double cheeseburger, $4.64, mayo, mustard, lettuce and tomato. I wanted a bacon double cheeseburger, but more on that later. The burger was overcooked, lacked flavor, and wasn't worth the hype. The bun was over toasted. I had basically had croutons for a bun, and I hate croutons. The meat was flavorless. I had high hopes for this burger but it didn't even come close.

Service is terrible here. The lady, who took my order, is very nice. But she is clueless. I asked for a BACON double cheeseburger. I was charged for and got a double cheeseburger. Then when I took the burger back she wanted to charge my $1.25 for bacon. Now let's see the menu price for a double cheeseburger is $4.29. The menu price for a bacon double cheeseburger, is $4.99. Where does she get that $1.25 price? She should just charge my 70 cents more or put it on the house because she screwed up.

Then, it took 15 minutes to make this overrated burger!!!! I know the burgers are big but damn it shouldn't take that long to cook up a burger.

There is a small patio to eat, with a counter and long benches. When I went a drunk woman and a drunk man were talking loudly and smoking up a storm. Not exactly the best place to enjoy a burger but I wasn't going to drive around looking for a fast food place.

I would not go back to Hawkins House of Burgers again. The burgers are bad and the service is poor. Not a good combination.

3 Thirty 3-Closed

3 Thirty 3
333 Bayside Dr
Newport Beach
949-673-8464

3 Thirty 3 has a great view of the water and overpriced appetizers. If you can put up with the pretenious, jerkoff people of Newport Beach, this is a nice place to enjoy a drink after work.

I got the Thai calamari, $13. The calamari is flash fried and is drowned with Thai spices, like they do with Buffalo wings. It's not that spicy but it is different than regular calamari. Most of the calamari was crispy and fresh, not rubbery. But there is just something off about it. Maybe Thai spices don't work with fried calamari. I'm not sure exactly what it is but something just doesn't work. Another thing that doesn't work is the $13 price tag. Yes, it is a good sized portion but come on, an appetizer of calamari for $13? Overpriced.

Service here is pretty good. I came here for a happy hour and the female bartender was very nice and helpful. But the cocktail waitresses can be rude and stuck up. I heard one of them tell somebody, not me, to get the hell out of the way.

I would not go back to 3 Thirty 3 for appetizers again. I think the food is average and overpriced. The view is great but hell, I could fire up a BBQ on the beach and have a great meal.

A Jim Dandy Barbeque-Closed

Jim Dandy Barbeque
10900 Los Alamitos Blvd
Los Alamitos
562-598-2211

Housed in what used to be Papa Western BBQ, which burned down about two years ago, A Jim Dandy Barbeque, is one of the most expensive and one of the worst BBQ places I've been to. I had planned to go to Papa Western BBQ but never made it.

I ordered the three meat combo, St. Louis spare ribs, tri tip, and buffalo brisket, yes buffalo brisket, $25.95, with three sides, mac and cheese, red onion rings, and cole slaw.

The St. Louis spare ribs were among the smallest ribs I've ever had. These ribs must have come from pigs at a diet farm. There was little smoke flavor and just not much meat at all.

The tri tip, was overcooked, flavorless and bland. Do they know how to season their meats?

The buffalo brisket was a bit tough but was OK. Nothing great.

The two sides that should have been hot, were warm at best. The cole slaw was pretty good.

Service was pretty good. But we got done with dinner around 8pm. They are suppose to close at 9pm. But they were starting to clean up and close, while we were done with dinner. I can understand why this place is empty most nights. Bad BBQ and high prices do not make a good combination.

There is no reason for me to go to A Jim Dandy BBQ again.