The discussion going on about Plaza Hof Brau and Sam’s just gave me a blast from the past that I keep meaning to insert into our local blogging fun: Franke’s Pharmacy. I’m sure FauxPaws will have fond memories, and I’d like to hear from others.
(The web was not my friend research-wise. Googling “franke’s pharmacy” gets you one result.)
I’ve been threatening to write about the Hof Brau for months now, ever since the Mrs. and I moved into the DPM (Del Paso Manor) in fact. So let’s just get this out in the open to start the conversation: I love the Hof Brau, totally, completely, unconditionally. There is not one thing I would change about the culinary and cultural timewarp that is Plaza Hof Brau. Sure, it’s not a place you go on a first date or a place you take clients to when you’re trying to show them the town, but when you’re in the mood for a gut-filling meal with a side of pickles, you can’t ask for a better place. Continue reading “Plaza Hof Brau: You Had Me at Hof”
There have been a few passings recently that I wish to note with great regret. First, when driving to an art event this past Saturday, I noticed that The Plantation, the fantastic soul food restaurant on Del Paso Blvd. and Arden Way, was closed for business. The Plantation was a gem on the culinary landscape. It was true soul food, like green beans with ham hocks, smothered steak, red beans and rice, fried catfish and okra served with a smile and a “Come back real soon.” I was greatly saddened to see it go.
Another passing I was not made aware of until after I published the local Foodie Roundtable, wherein I listed Everett & Jones BBQ as one of my favorite restaurants. Turns out that E&J closed the doors on its Sacramento outlet for good recently. No more hot links in medium sauce with a side of potato salad and “sock-it-to-me” cake for me. Not unless I want to drive to their Oakland or Berkeley restaurants. I was informed of this tragic and untimely passing by Melly over at the Sacramento Food Forums, which brings me to item #3.
I am sad to say that the Sacramento Food Forums are shutting down.  I have greatly enjoyed the Sac Food Forums as a place to share ideas, schedule meet-ups for culinary adventures and share opinions. Melly and Dave did an exemplary job of piloting the forums and putting together events for the last few years. What you may not realize is that it takes time, effort, and in some cases money to keep these websites up and running. They don’t just run themselves.
So do what you can to keep the places you love around. Whether they be “brick and mortar” or online locales, frequent the places you cherish, spread the word, extoll their virtues, get other people excited. Don’t be the one who bemoans the closing of the “mom ‘n’ pop” shop even though you haven’t shopped there for twelve years. If you want places to stay in business, do more business there.
Of course, word of mouth and passionate fans didn’t save “Arrested Development,” the greatest TV comedy series of all time. So who am I kidding?
The Mrs. and I had a very nice dinner at the new Buckhorn Grill in Midtown recently. If you haven’t been there, it’s a stripped down version of Buckhorn’s flagship steakhouse in Winters. Like Pronto and Cafe Bernardo and a few other casual places, they offer sit-down quality food that you have to stand up and order at the counter. The food was very good, but that’s not what this piece is about. The issue here is whether or not one should tip at this type of establishment, and if so, how much? Continue reading “Tips For Tipping”
‘Twas a busy weekend in Northern California for the Eats. One of the highlights was a group event at Kru on J st. Now I’ve already signaled my appreciation for Kru’s sushi in a previous piece, but I really haven’t had a chance to try their non-sushi items. This group dinner gave the perfect opportunity to sample away at some true delicacies. So, consider this an addendum to last week’s sushi review.
If you find yourself at Kru, take a chance and try their small plate of ribs, a fantastic plate with pork and hamachi “ribs.” The ribs are flavorful, tender and delicious. Also, the lamb chops are fantastic (yes they serve lamb chops at a Japanese restaurant, are you going to make a big deal out of it?), tender and perfectly cooked. The “poke trio,” a selection of three fishes served in the traditional Hawaiian style was my favorite of the evening. It was like a Hawaiian party in my mouth, except without the annoying tourists.
Really, who knew that all these sushi restaurants actually serve things besides sushi? And, here’s the kicker, the non-sushi dishes are sometimes better than the sushi. It makes you think, really, go ahead, try it, try thinking, come on, you can do it. Ok, fine, just look at it this way, Kru can be a great destination point for the sushi and non-sushi eating crowd as well. Thank God, since it doesn’t appear that Tex Wasabi’s is really thrilling anyone on that tip. Keep trying, Guy!
Kru-2516 J St, Saramento
It’s been a while since we took on the topic of sushi here on the ‘rag. Our first round of reviews garnered more than their share of comments, and one particular standout was highlighted for its complete inadequacy. Much like the oceans from where we find our tasty swimming friends, the tides of sushi consumption are changing. Here’s your update:
This past Saturday, the West Coast Brewfest was held at Miller Park in Sacramento. Within spitting distance of two rather confused whales, I and several hundred of my closest friends partook in that fine summer event, the brewfest. Unlike an Oktoberfest celebration wherein men wear high socks and lederhosen and the women pour themselves into lace-up bodices, the brewfest calls for a completely different wardrobe. The typical brewfest attendee is typically garbed in: for males, shorts, flip-flops, t-shirt sporting comical yet cynical saying and sunglasses; for ladies, shorts/skirts, flip-flops, t-shirt sporting comical yet cynical saying referring to men’s inability to use good judgment when choosing a mate, and sunglasses.
This is not so much a review as an update.Last year I wrote a simply sashimi-grade review of Scott’s Seafood. Well, that was a year ago and it appears that 
things have gone downhill. The Eats family has ventured to Scott’s twice in the last two weeks and both times been treated to weak service, ill-prepared foods and Golden State Warriors losses. (Maybe Scott’s didn’t have anything to do with the Warriors losses, but they could have at least tried to box out on Carlos Boozer.) I’m hoping that this downward trend does not spill over to the Oakland and Folsom locations, but the Loehmann’s Plaza restaurant is definitely in a freefall.
Two strikes, Scott. One more, and you’re dead to me.
OK, I will simply and succinctly try to explain the Squeeze Inn burger experience here and leave you to make your own decisions. I would offer a ringing endorsement of the Squeeze Inn right now, but am slightly leery of getting sued when someone goes there on my recommendation and has a massive coronary.
You walk in the front door and scope out the seating arrangement; all twelve stools are taken. That’s right, twelve whole stools in the place, not exactly the acre wide new chain places that you’re used to. You give the evil eye to the two parents who have brought their small Amerasian children because the kids are taking up two stools and chowing down on McDonald’s chicken mcnuggets. Not only is this a slap in the face to the owners of the place, but it’s a direct challenge to anyone who walks in. It says, “Hey look at us, we’re so important that we get to take up precious real estate without even buying a product.†You quietly hope that this whole family gets squat-humped by lunatics wearing Grimace and Hamburglar costumes.
Just found out about “Boil ‘N Fry Day” this Saturday, sponsored by Sac Rag favorite Dad’s Sandwich Shop and Lite Brite Productions.
This event is a blast with bands, crawfish, hotwings, beer gardens and Hill Billy Games! Last year’s net proceeds benefited a terminally ill child through the local chapter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
You had me at crawfish. Here are the details on MidtownGrid.com.
The Sac Rag 
