Category: Food

Secrecy on aisle five

Banana Display at Trader Joe's

I know this is only tangentially local, in the sense that it is local news to a bunch of different locations, but I just enjoyed reading this piece in CNN/Fortune Magazine about Trader Joe’s. Full of interesting tidbits (they sell chips made by Frito Lay! It is owned by “the Germans”! This one guy’s name is Burt P. Flickinger III!), it won’t change your mind about the famously tightlipped corporation or anything, but it is good reading and of interest to anyone who is a fan of the Joe. By the way, if they did sell secrecy on aisle five, it would it be Thai-chili-infused.

What do you think? Does the corporate secrecy enhance your love for TJs or does it put you off?

$1 coffee and tea smoothies

$1 Jamba Juice Coffee & Tea SmoothiesThis Thursday, August 19th, Jamba Juice will be offering up $1 coffee and tea smoothies.

These free or low cost offers tend to be a mess, but you never know.

*Offer valid only on 8/19/10 at participating Jamba Juice locations towards the purchase of one sixteen size Coffee Craze™, Matcha Green Tea Blast®, Mocha Mojo™ & Chill-icious Chai™ smoothies.

Kupros: What exactly is a “gastropub”?

Serious, traditional poutine, north of the border.

Kupros, if you haven’t heard, is the new restaurant on 21st Street between Capitol and L. It’s a beautiful update of the building that used to house Cheap Thrills used clothing store. Kupros labels itself as a gastropub, which brings with a it a whole host of connotations. But first, what is a gastropub?

The agreed upon definition of a gastropub is: a pub that specializes in finer than average food. That’s pretty much it, but that’s not really it. Here are some of the connotations, fair or unfair, that come along with the label: beer, wine, European focus, ridiculously good simple food, grease, gravy, low-lighting, wood panelling, classic design, plain paper menus, and edgy chefs with beards and striped aprons.

Wonderfully, Kupros hits on almost every one of the connotations that comes with being a gastropub. The food was pretty darned good, with some homeruns and a few infield singles. The potted rabbit (part of the charcuterie plate) was ridiculously phenomenal. We all made satisfying carnivore noises while crunching it’s meat between our canines. Even the ladies at the table who swore they would never eat a creature so cute inhaled the little bunny like doughnuts at a cop shop. Continue reading “Kupros: What exactly is a “gastropub”?”

Zocalo head chef a Food Network/YouTube star

Ryan Rose, the 28 year old head chef at Zocalo, is one of the 15 finalists in the Food Network’s “The Next Food Network Star” YouTube contest. Guy Fieri is a previous winner of the broadcast version of the contest (Rose is a contestant in the YouTube offshoot), but let’s not hold that against Rose.

I’ve had the birria at Zocalo and that dish alone should make Rose eligible for a Nobel, much less reality competition success. Good luck, local boy!

Here is a link to Rose’s video entry, “Ryan’s Paella.” Upvote and bring home a victory for local eats!

Award winning beer and wines at State Fair

During the closing weekend at the State Fair, make sure you find your way to my two favorite spots; the Wine Garden and the Brewfest. While the Wine Garden is open every day, the Brewfest is only on Saturday at 5pm.

The Wine Garden has changed things up this year. Instead of offering nothing but award winning wines, they have a smaller selection of award winners with a large selection of inexpensive bottles for you to enjoy while you see acts such as Foghat and Weird Al. If you are buying by the glass, spend the extra $8 to get a commemorative glass, giving you double pours for the same price.
Continue reading “Award winning beer and wines at State Fair”

Fresh Peach Shakes Return to Whitey’s Jolly Kone

In case the heat and the State Fair weren’t strong enough reminders that summer is vibrantly in full swing, head to Whitey’s Jolly Kone, 1300 Jefferson Boulevard in West Sacramento. Their seasonally fresh peach shakes are here! Thick, creamy, and speckled with ripe, tangy peaches, you can lose yourself in the moment as you slurp. At $3 for a regular and $3.50 for a large, this is one summer treat that everyone can appreciate.

The scent of perfectly greasy fries and burgers oozing their goey juices over the grill will lure you in. The great prices at this 2009 Zagat-rated burger stand will make you stay. But hurry! The shakes won’t last once peach season ends. And be sure to note their hours of operation: weekdays 8:30 A.M. to 8:30 P.M. and Saturdays 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. I’ve been foiled several times by showing up when they’re closed.

There’s a new Queen in town

The folks over at The Cheesesteak Shop in Sacramento offer the “King of Sacramento Challenge” which consists of downing two King of Sacramento sandwiches, followed by a Large Meal and Tasty Kake (here’s an example). While it’s been done before, it appears that time is of the essence. From their Facebook page, we learn that the record has been broken…by a woman.

The Cheesesteak Shop Sacramento Meet our newest Queen of Sacramento! Stephanie holds the current record for completing the challenge in an amazing 25 MINUTES!!!

Wow, that’s quite an accomplishment. Great work, Stephanie. I’m sure you’re glad you wore that t-shirt, huh?

I may have to check this place out. Anyone been?

The Cheesesteak Shop
4332 Watt Ave Suite 30
Sacramento, CA 95821

Adventures in eating at The State Fair

Gator Joe shows off his delicious smoked alligator ribs

In keeping with the adventurous theme of this year’s fair, organizers invited Jungle George’s Exotic Meats to challenge your palate and allow you to taste something that I’ll wager you have not yet tried.
Continue reading “Adventures in eating at The State Fair”