Chili John's

Chili John's
2018 Burbank Blvd
Burbank
818-846-3611

I heard a few good things about Chili John's so I decided to try it for myself. Chili John's isn't that impressive. I went on Feb 4, 2006 and they had a B rating from the health department.

I ordered a regular bowl of mild beef chili over spaghetti for $6.60. When the chili arrived she asked if I wanted sour cream and cheese. I said yes. She forgot to tell me that sour cream and cheese are extra.

The chili was OK but it wasn't even spicy and while I did order mild, that doesn't mean no spice!!!! The spaghetti was cooked just right but the portion is nothing. $7 for a little bowl of spaghetti?? Come on now.

I thought Chili John's was overpriced and the chili was nothing special. I wouldn't go back even if I'm in the area.

Red Rock Chili-Fashion Island-Closed

Red Rock Chili
401 Newport Center Dr.
Suite A 106
Newport Beach
949-760-0752

Red Rock Chili is located in the food court at Fashion Island. I have heard so many good things about Cincinnati style chili but I've never had the chance to try Cincinnati chili. I sure as hell ain't going to Cincinnati since the city isn't a vacation paradise and I hate the Reds and the Bengals suck.

So when I heard about Red Rock Chili in Fashion Island, I knew I had to go and try it. Now Cincinnati chili is made with cinamon and it's not as spicy or thick as some other styles of chili. I ordered the chili dog with Cincinnati chili and the Red Rock Spaghetti with Cincinnati chili, cheese and onions. In Cincinnati that's called a three way.

First bite and I knew the Cincinnati Chili isn't for me. Just something about the spices doesn't taste right. Red Rock chili had nice pieces of ground beef in their chili but again I'm not a fan of the Cinncy style chili.

But the hot dog said it's suppose to be grilled, but this hot dog didn't have any grilled marks and was cold!!! Not a good start. They actually cut the hot dog in half and it's basically served open faced. Hot dogs are finger foods!!!

The spaghetti with Cinncy chili and cheese wasn't anything special. The spaghetti was cooked just right. Some places, Italian restarants being a strange offender, overcook their pasta.

The service is ok. The cashier tried to be a comic by asking if I wanted a picture taken with the food, after he saw me take a picture of the food. He got concerned when I told him why I was taking picture of the food. Maybe they should worry about getting the food right instead of being a comic.

While the Cincinnati chili isn't the kind of chili I like, I wouldn't go back to Red Rock. First the prices are high. The chili dog and spaghetti was $13.23. Yeah it's in Fashion Island and they give you a good portion it's still overpriced. Also the hot dog wasn't grilled at all and wasn't even warm.

Chicago's Best-Closed

Chicago's Best
2540 Main St.
Irvine
949-757-1802

In my never ending search for the best Chicago style hot dog, I tried Chicago's Best in Irvine. Let's just say I'm still looking.

I ordered the Chicago Hot dog which comes with an order of fried and the Maxwell Street Polish. As always no peppers on my hot dog.

The hot dog comes and there were two peppers on top. It's not big deal to take them off but I do like to have food how I order them. The hot dog lacked any snap and flavor. It must be one of those no brand name hot dogs. The toppings were fresh but the hot dog is terrible. The hot dog could have been served a little hotter. The fries were just your average run of the mill fries/

The Polish sausage wasn't any better. It was overcooked just a little, biting into the polish you almost had to be have the power of a pit bull. The onions are suppose to be caramelized but they were barely grilled.

I'm not a big fan of Italian Beef sandwiches that make Chicago so famous. I rarely if ever order them at restaurants that serve Chicago style food. Maybe I should since I'm having a tough time finding a good Chicago Style hot dog.

Royal Buffet-Chino-Closed

Royal Buffet
3911 Grand Ave.
Chino
909-590-8420

This Royal Buffet isn't owned by the Royal Buffet in Long Beach. Royal Buffet is housed in a building that used to be a Fresh Choice, in the Walt Mart shopping center.

Mon-Thur all you can eat buffet is $11.99. They have the usual Chinese food like fried rice, chow mein, beef and broccoli etc.

The first picture is their fried rice and beef and broccoli. The brocooli was mushy and had been on the steam tray for way too long. The beef was pretty tender and the gravy added a nice flavor to the meat.

The next food pictured is the shrimp cocktail and fried shrimp. The shrimp cocktail was nice and fresh. The cocktail sauce had just the right spice. The fried shrimp was nice and crunchy on the outside and cooked just right on the inside. I've been to way too many places where the fried shrimp was crunchy on the outside but undercooked on the inside. Good thing Royal Buffet isn't one of those places.

The next plate pictured are the crab legs and ginger and pepper crab. The crab legs were a little on the salty side but had good amount of meat. The ginger and pepper crab had a lot of flavor and the meat was very good.

The last plate pictured is their steak that is grilled while you wait. They have a Mongolian BBQ and grilled meats included with your meal. The steaks lack any kind of flavor, they do not marinate the meat at all. Adding A-1 steak sauce is a good idea. But they have a Hawaiian short ribs, chicken and beef that is marinated and is very good. Marinating the steaks with the marinate for the Hawaiian short ribs would make a very tasty steak.

Overall I think Royal Buffet is good. Good fresh items, the brocolli being an exception. I would go there again

Apple Pan

Apple Pan
10801 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064-2105
(310) 475-3585

I've heard so many good things about the Apple Pan burger, I decide to go try it. The Apple Pan has about 20 counter spaces. There are no tables and many people get their burgers to go. It's pretty spartan with paper plates for the fried and the burgers are wrapped in paper and served to hungry customers.

I ordered the steakburger with no pickles for $6.70. I wait a few minutes and finally I get to see the burger that has people singing it's praises. Well I was very underwhelmed. The burger had the meat, lettuce, their "special sauce" and a toasted bun. Their special sauce is basically a more tangy sauce that Bob's Big Boy; puts on it's double deck burgers. The meat was cooked about medium, which is fine. But this burger isn't anything special and it's certainly isn't worth almost $7. I think the Burger Depot's burgers are about as good and they are about $6 less, after 2pm. The Double-Double at In n Out Burger is way better and includes cheese, and you can order two double-doubles for the price of one steakburger at Apple Pan.

The burger is good but nothing special. Again Apple Pan has been around forever so I can see why people want to go there. But many other places have a burger that is just as good if not better and most other places won't charge $7 for the burger.

China Bowl Express-Closed

China Bowl Express
642 E. Holt
Pomona
909-629-0880

China Bowl Express is in the same store as the Louisina Fried Chicken, I was so impressed with the Louisiana Fried chicken, I decided to try the Chinese food and I was equally impressed. I ordered the two item combo, all fried rice, with teriyaki chicken and Chinese BBQ pork for $4.87

The rice was good, basically white rice with some soy sauce and peas and carrots mixed in. The chicken and pork are both piled high. The pork was good with very little fat and pretty tender.

The teriyaki chicken was good but the teriyaki sauce was bad. I'd advise people to stay away from the teriyaki sauce. China Bowl Express is a very good place for fast Chinese food. The food doesn't sit in steam trays for too long so the food is fresh. The people are very nice and you prices are low. Makes a good combination.

Update March 2, 2006.



Wow, this location has everything. Louisina Fried Chicken, good Chinese food, and now I find it has one of the best and biggest fish and chips around. The fish and chips are $4.64 and as you can see from the pictures the fish are huge. A nice crispy outside and a hot flakey inside. I'm pretty sure the fish is pollock and it's very good. They fry the fish to order so they come to you nice and hot and crunchy.

I would skip the chips (fries) but for the price and quality of the fish, you will not find a better deal anywhere.

I really like going to Louisiana Fried Chicken/China Bowl. Such a nice variety of foods to choose from.

Home Plate Burgers-Closed

Home Plate Burgers
7615 Reseda Blvd.
Reseda
818-776-8070

With a huge sign that says Detroit Coney Island Chili Dogs, Home Plate Burgers seemed like an interesting place to try. Big mistake. When hot dogs are an after thought, after all it is called Home Plate BURGERS, don't get hot dogs from there.

I had a Detroit Coney Island Chili Dog and a regular hot dog with mustard, onions, and relish for $6.50. I tried the regular hot dog first. One bite and I needed some a knife to get the hot dog. Way over cooked, must have been on the grill for about five hours. TERRIBLE. The bun wasn't steamed or anything. The toppings were fine but with the hot dog so tough, not even worth it.

Before trying the chili dog, I thought about going to a steakhouse and getting one of their steak knifes. But goodthing the chili dog was cooked just right. Decent snap but not a great flavor, kinda bland. The chili was ok, a little on the thick side and not spicy at all.

The service was ok. When I first went up, I didn't know if the place was opened or not. She pops her head from a wall and comes to the window. Since it's my first time there, I don't know what to order so I told her give me a minute please. I decide on my order and she stays in the back by the grill and says shout my order. What am I? A drill sargent? I order and she gets my order out pretty quickly. But she wasn't exactly friendly or welcome. I think I interrupted her phone time since the minute she gave me my order, she was on her cell phone.

I won't go back. I read the review on The Hot Dog Spot and that fat racist idiot, said Home Plate Burgers was home of the foot long hot dogs, the sign did in fact did say Home of the Footlong. But now that sign has changed to Detroit Coney Island Chili Dogs. A change not for the better.

Johnnie’s Pastrami

Johnnie's
4017 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Culver City,
310-397-6654

Thanks to the Soul Fusion Kitchen blog, I found out about Johnnie's Pastrami in Culver City. They have been opened since 1952 and so close to Tito's Tacos you can smell the blended salsa. There is very limited parking behind Johnnies though a security guard is on duty directing traffic. I told a friend I would bring her some tacos from Tito's so I parked in Tito's lot.

Johnnie has a small dining room. About 10 tables and two sets of counter seating. But they have plenty of patio seating. When I entered there was a long take out line. I found a seat at the counter. Within two minutes a waitress came and took my order, a hot pastrami sandwich for $8.75 and an order of onion rings for $4.10. Within five minutes the waitress came with the sandwich and onion rings.

On a french roll the pastrami was piled high and had a wonderful aroma. I put a little regular yellow mustard and I started to dig in. After the first bite I knew this was a very good sandwich. I think it's way better than that overrated Langers. I finished the sandwich, enjoying each and every bite.

The onion rings were greasy and lacked any real crunch. Not worth the high price. I wouldn't order the onion rings again.

I notice a lot of people ordered burgers and I was very tempted to order a burger was I was too full. The burgers are about the size of a hubcab!! Maybe next time.

I would gladly go back to Johnnies if I was in the area. I think The Hat is a much better value and while The Hat's pastrami doesn't quite meaure up to Johnnie's, the Hat Pastrami sandwiches are cheaper while being about the same size.

Louisiana Fried Chicken- Pomona-Closed

Louisiana Fried Chicken
642 E. Holt
Pomona
909-629-0880

As you may remember I did a review of the Louisina Fried Chicken location in Long Beach. I was very impressed but Long Beach is a long way from me. So I was glad to hear about Louisiana Fried Chicken opening in Pomona. The Pomona location has been opened for about three months and combined with China Bowl Express.

I ordered the 8 pieces of chicken for $8.11. I tried the breast piece and it was a little more spicy than the Long Beach location but still good. The inside was fairly juicy but nothing will compared to Pollo Campero. Now the chicken wasn't as crunchy as the Long Beach location. Maybe it was sitting under a heat lamp for a little too long.

Overall the Pomona location is good. I would go back the next time I want fried chicken. But I think I prefer the Long Beach location. I will try their Chinese food soon.

Frisco's Deli-Closed

Frisco's Deli
18111 Imperial Hwy.
Yorba Linda
714-777-2509

I first went to Frisco's Deli about 15 years ago. I was very impressed because they used to roast their own turkey and hand carve the turkey for sandwiches. I decide to go back there and I was very disappointed.

I ordered a small turkey and a small corned beef with mayo, lettuce and tomatoes only for $9.75. I get the turkey sandwich and while it's carved white meat turkey, it's about as dry as a desert. They also put mustard on the sandwich. which I did not ask for. So two strikes right there. The bread was very good. Nice, soft, and very fresh. The turkey was piled high but I would take nice juice turkey piled thin than dry turkey piled high.

The corned beef wasn't that much better and they also put mustard on there, again which I didn't ask for. The corned beef was kinda of tough and didn't have much flavor. The lettuce and tomatoes were fresh but the meat makes a sandwich and the meat doesn't stack up.

The service, other than screwing up my order, is friendly and fast.

I later learned that the owner at the time I went sold the deli to a new owner in the mid to late 90's. I'm not impressed at all with the new ownership. I can understand messing up my order, not that I like it, but the quality has really gone down.

Santa Maria BBQ-Moved

Santa Maria BBQ
9739 Culver Blvd
Culver City
310-842-8169

New Location of Santa Maria BBQ.

I have found the BEST Santa Maria style BBQ place in LA. Santa Maria BBQ in Culver is just plain AWESOME. I ordered the two meat combo with babyback ribs and tri tip with cole slaw and a salad as my two sides. Well worth the very inexpensive $9.25 price as the portions are huge.

I always eat one rib without putting any sauce. After my first bite of the baby back ribs, I knew I wouldn't need any BBQ sauce. The ribs were very tender and the flavor was awesome. Just the right amount of spice and smoke flavor. Next time I go it will order a full rack of baby backs. The tri tip was lean and had a nice smoke flavor. There is no need for any kind of BBQ sauce or salsa with any of the meats.

The coleslaw was ok. Nothing special. The salad was very fresh and the honey mustard dressing was so creamy. Not sure if the dressing is a home made or bottled dressing but it's great.

I will certainly go back soon. The service was very good and the people were nice. I went around 1pm and there were some very good looking women eating there. I love that kind of scenery. They will be moving to new location, a couple blocks north, of their current location, on Culver.

I can't wait to go back to Santa Maria BBQ!!!! They are closed on Sundays. Parking can be a bit of a problem.

Cole's P.E. Buffet

Cole's P.E. Buffet
118 East 6th Street
Los Angeles, California, 90014
213.622.4090

The endless debate about who invented the French Dip may never be answered. I believe Cole's invented the French Dip. But whoever invented the French Dip, doesn't really matter right now. What matters is who has the best French Dip and there is no question in my mind it's Cole's!!!

The roast beef dip is $5.83. The gentleman behind the counter takes out huge piece of roast beef, then slices the beef into mouthwatering slices, onto a nice fresh piece of bread. He then dips the bread into au jus and serves it to you. You can also ask for a cup of au jus and dip it yourself.

One bite and you know Cole's is so much better. The meat is tender and juicy. The bread is nice and soft but not soggy. The bread at Cole's holds up much better when dipped. I think Coles gives you much more meat than Philippe. Cole's also doesn't have to add flavor to their French Dip with some spicy mustard. I know Coles has the best French Dip in LA. It's not even close.

Coles also offers a corned beef, turkey, ham, and brisket French dip. The corned beef is very good but I stick to the roast beef. But you can't go wrong at Cole's.

Philippe The Original

Philippe The Original
1001 N. Alameda St.
Los Angeles CA. 90012
213-628-3781

Philippe should really be named the Philippe the Copy Cat. I believe Coles invented the French Dip sandwich and Coles serves a much better French Dip sandwich.

I ordered a beef dip sandwich and a lemonade for $5.95. When ordering a French Dip the server will "dip" the bread in au jus though you can ask her to double dip the bread. That is something I don't recommend. The bread is just way to soggy even singled dipped, a double dip would make the sandwich a mess.

The beef dip I had was way too dry. Not impressed at all. The beef was very tough and like I mentioned dry. People say to add their hot mustard to the sandwich. Well if you have to add anything to improve the taste, it usually means it's terrible to start out with. The hot mustard is just 85% horseradish and 15% mustard. It does add something to the terrible French Dip, a bit of spice.

Philippe is very overrated. I won't go back. Since Philippe is a LA institution I think everybody should go at least once. But if you want the best French Dip get it from the restaurant that invented the French Dip, Coles.

Texas BBQ King-Closed

Texas Barbecue King
867 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-437-0885

Bobby Flay did a profile of Texas Barbecue King on the Food Network. Barbecue King is on the corner of Sunset Blvd and Figueroa in what looks like an industrial building, with the bbq pitts smoking away in the front.

Pork spare ribs with mac and cheese and well done fries and a medium drink was $14.59. The first rib I had was burnt on the outside. Not a good start. The rest of the ribs had way too much fat on them. They lack smoked flavor and even though I know they do smoke the ribs, they don't smoke the ribs long enough. The BBQ sauce is on the sweet side. This is actually my second time at Texas BBQ King and the first time the ribs were very tough. This time the ribs were too tender also mushy. Not good.

They just finished making the mac and cheese and I wasn't impressed. They basically melt cheese on top of cooked macaroni. The fries were terrible. I asked for well done and they were cold and needed another 2-3 minutes in the fry to just be done.

The service was nice and friendly. But if you go at night, either make a camp fire or bring your own flashlight. The dining room is very dark.

Overall not a great BBQ place. I won't go back.

Portillo's

Portillo's
8390 La Palma Ave
Buena Park
714-220-6400

I have heard so many things about Portill's a Chicago area hot dog place. When I heard they opened up their first location in Buena Park, I was going to make sure I went tried it soon after they opened.

So I go and I'm not impressed at all. As you first walk in there is a place to order to your left. So I go and wait there while a lady orders her food. When it's finally my turn, the cashier tells me this is an express cater orders only. So I finally get in the right line and wait behind a slow family of five who take forver deciding what they want. So after wasting about 10 minutes before finally placing an order, I order the jumbo hot dog and the Maxwell Street Polish for $6.20.

I move down the line to pick up my order. Portillo's has a window where you can see them make your food. So I wait and wait and wait. The girl behind me, while I was ordering, got her food before I did. Then the couple behind her, got their food. So I'm thinking what the hell is going on here. So I finally get my order. They write down your order on bags and then use the bags to put your food in. The guy preparing my hot dogs rips the bag where the order is written on, so he gets a new bag, puts the food in there, and then stuffs the torn bag 0n top. I figure the girl handing out the order would take the ripped bag out. But when she didn't, I threw the ripped bag on the counter. To say the least, I'm not happy with the long wait and terrible service.

My mood doesn't improve with the terrible food. I first try the Maxwell Street Polish. The polish sausage is nothing more than the Hilshire Farms sausage you buy at the local market. The sausage was overcooked, almost like beef jerky. The onions were almost black and they were cold. I could have made a better polish sausage at home.

Next I try the jumbo dog, Chicago style without the peppers. The hot dog lacked any kind of snap or flavor. The toppings especially the pickle were very fresh but if the hot dog is a bland, tasteless piece of junk, the toppings aren't anything.

I was very disappointed at Portillo's. I won't go back, terrible service, terrible food and prices are on the high side. The Orange Curtain still lacks a good place to get a Chicago style hot dog.

Pioneer Chicken- Olympic Blvd.-Moved

Pioneer Chicken
5970 Olympic Blvd.
LA
323-954-0454

As readers may know, I love Pioneer Chicken. I went to the other four Pioneer Chicken locations; Sunset Blvd, Echo Park, Soto St, and Bell Gardens a few weeks back. Now I found the last location on Olympic. The phone number listed gets either a fax machine or a dial up internet connection.

Anyways, the last of the five Pioneer Chicken location is on Olympic by San Vaciente. I ordered a breast piece for $1.83. The crunch is exactly what I remember about Pioneer. A great crunch. The inside of the breast piece was a little too dry. But I would bet that if the chicken hasn't been sitting under heat lamps for a long time, it would be very juicy.

I think this location is the second best location next to the Bell location.