Carol's Restaurant | West Sacramento, CA

Sometimes, finding good eats requires going no further than one's own backyard. I don't literally mean our backyard, mind you. So, before you start clamoring for the keys to the car and making your way over to our humble home, let me tell you about a West Sacramento staple that has been serving its customers hearty portions of homemade food since it first opened in 1988.

Carol's Restaurant, located along historic West Capitol Avenue, offers savory dishes that would, dare I say, rival any that you may have grown up with as a child. This is comfort food as its best! From classic deli sandwiches, soups, burgers, and salads to varied breakfast favorites as scrambles, omelets, pancakes and waffles, and much much more. All of the menu items are made from original recipes created by Carol herself and her father, George O'Campo, an accomplished chef and restaurant owner in his own right.

In the handful of times that we've visited the restaurant, the kids have found something new to love each time. Our daughter has bounced back and forth from their breakfast burrito (stuffed with sausage, eggs, homefries, mushrooms, onions, green chiles, and cheese) to their breakfast quesadilla (made fresh with scrambled eggs, bacon, green onions, green chiles, and two kinds of cheese that ooze goodness from two grilled tortillas). Our son calls their corned beef brisket hash and eggs a favorite. As good as that gets, however, it is paled only by his love for their breakfast burger, which he has already ranked among his top ten best. And that's saying a lot from a ten-year-old whose certainly had his fair share of gourmet burgers.




But what also adds to the appeal of Carol's Restaurant is its dedication to top notch service that makes you feel right at home. And why wouldn't it, given that the restaurant is operated not only by Carol, but four generations of children and grandchildren who roll up their sleeves everyday.

Carol's Restaurant is open daily Monday through Friday, but don't come knocking after 2:30p on the weekdays or after 1:30p on the weekends. They only serve breakfast and lunch. Whether the family chose to do this by design, who knows and who cares? If providing good wholesome fare during these hours is what they do best, then why mess with a good thing.

Hope to see you there soon! We'll be the ones sitting at the tables nearest the service counter.

Carol's
1201 West Capitol Ave.
West Sacramento, CA 95691

Suzie Burger | Sacramento, CA

Like us, I'm sure you've been to your fair share of theme restaurants. You know the ones I'm talking about: Hard Rock Cafe, The Rainforest Cafe, Bubba Gump Shrimp, ESPN Zone, and Johnny Rockets. There are even eateries specifically designed with families in mind. Take, for example, Chuck E. Cheese, American Girl Cafe, Disney's Soda Fountain, and John's Incredible Pizza. There's certainly something for everyone, no matter your age or your craving. Why am I bringing this up? Because every time I step into Suzie Burger, I can't help but think that I've just been transported to a place where the 50's have collided with The Jetsons. Don't get me wrong, I can certainly see where an argument can be made against labeling Suzie Burger as a theme restaurant. After all, the pomp and circumstance usually associated with such places are not found here. But still, there is an unmistakable style and feel that sets it apart from just any ordinary fast-casual burger stand or sandwich shop. Heck, the folks at Suzie Burger even have their own mascot, the vivaciously drawn Suzie herself. With her playful pigtails, she zooms across the Sacramento skyline in her rocket ship while toting a burger blaster and gravity belt. She's a culinary character not to be crossed, and we're buying all that she's dishing out!

Opened in January 2008, Suzie Burger is among the latest in a line of dining forays developed by Fred and Matt Haines, the brotherly owners behind the Riverside Clubhouse, Bistro 33 Midtown, Spin Burger Bar, and many others. And as we can tell, the idea behind Suzie Burger is to serve customers with tasty wholesome food while serving it in an environment that promotes nothing but good ol' fashioned fun. Now, don't come here expecting an extensive menu. Rather, the brothers keep things relatively simple, meaning that your choices reach no further than a burger, hot dog, or cheesesteak, the three main items on the menu. Where things can get "crazy" is how you'd like to dress your order. With an array of toppers that include bacon, pastrami, chili, raw or grilled onions, sauerkraut, mushrooms, pickled jalapeños and even a fried egg, they encourage you to be as creative as your taste buds will allow.

For us, the kids typically go for the double-deluxe cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and Suzie's own special sauce. My wife will go for much of the same, but will either add a fried egg or chili depending on her mood that day. Me? It's all about their Philly-style cheesesteak with peppers, onions, bacon, and a sprinkling of pickled jalapeños. Add in an order or two of crispy onion rings, fries, and their signature Lemon Squeezies, and we're good to go! BTW, I should add that if you're one to wash your meal down with a tall cold one, Suzie's offers a selection of bottled micro-brews or tapped draft beers from PBR to a local IPA. And I'm not even going to start with their desserts, but my son swears on their famous Chocolate Brick sundaes. So, if you're looking to add another Sactown original to your list, stop on in to Suzie Burger. They're open daily and is located on 29th and P Streets.

Suzie Burger P Street & 29th Street Sacramento, CA 95816

National Peanut Butter Day | Skippy Burger

In celebration of National Peanut Butter Day, we'd like to introduce you to the Skippy Burger, a specialty burger featured at Hamburger Patty's in Sacramento, CA.

The Skippy Burger consists of a full half-pound patty, the usual fixin's (lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions), and a generous slathering of creamy peanut butter. Served wtih a steak knife stuck in the middle for sharing or to make the roof-sticking sensation more palatable by reducing it to smaller portions, the Skippy Burger is absolute heaven, especially for those of you who are just "nutty" for peanut butter.

Hamburger Patties

1630 J Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

916.441.4340

Wordless Wednesday :: Bacon Cheeseburger

In this photo: A bacon cheeseburger from Suzie Burger in Sacramento, CA

Bob's Big Boy | Burbank, CA

On a cold afternoon in February 1964, hundreds of screaming teens and young folks crowded the tarmac to New York's John F. Kennedy airport to be among those to witness an event that would become synonymous with rock-n-rock history, a moment that was much anticipated ever since disc jockeys began broadcasting their songs over the airwaves. In fact, they already conquered most of Europe with perennial hits as "Please Please Me" and "Love Me Do" as well as a freshmen turn as the backup band to Tony Sheridan's "My Bonnie." But what happened after that day not only had an immediate impact on American music, but the Lads from Liverpool would arguably change the face of music and the recording arts as a whole. The Beatles had finally arrived on U.S. soil.

Now, being a huge follower of The Beatles, I'd like to think that once they got past their first press conference in the U.S., they got right back on the plane and headed west to Los Angeles. And shortly after landing, they made a bee-line to Burbank, California, and climbed into a booth at Bob's Big Boy, where they proceeded to order up four double-deckers and crispy fries. That would have been something, but we all know that didn't happen. Rather, their visit to the restaurant didn't happen until much later, and years after that, I find myself getting chills whenever the opportunity to sit in the booth that has been dedicated to them comes up.

But I'm straying from the real task at hand, and that's telling you about one of our favorite burger destinations whenever we visit Los Angeles. Originally coined Bob's Pantry in 1935, founder Bob Wian opened his first hamburger stand in Glendale, California. Business was moderate to start, and its potential was yet to materialize as two very fateful things needed to happen before Wian's iconic path was set in motion.

The first occurred one night in 1937, when, according to those who recall, a regular customer felt a little more hungry than usual. Not one to disappoint and let his customer leave unsatisfied, Wian asked whether or not doubling the size of his cheeseburger would fill the bill. It did, and Bob's signature double-decker, featuring two patties with American cheese, lettuce, and their famous special sauce on a sesame seed bun, was born.

The second was when Wian was introduced to a portly six-year-old boy dressed in overalls. The boy was a fan of Wian's hamburger stand, and the two became inseparable friends whenever the boy stopped in with his parents. Soon, the youngster began helping out around the stand by sweeping up the floors. In return for his hard work, he was rewarded with a free hamburger during each visit. But Wian's honor went one step further when he chose to name his signature burger the Big Boy. It wasn't long after that regulars of Bob's Pantry began calling the stand Bob's Big Boy. The name stuck, and the rest became history.

Now, for those of you who have not yet visited, Bob's Big Boy offers All-American fare. Breakfasts include everything under the rising sun from omlettes and various off-the-griddle favorites to speciality combos that include chicken fried steak and eggs or corned beef hash and eggs. Their packed lunch menu includes soups, salads, sandwiches, the aforementioned original Big Boy burger, and the Super Big Boy. And their dinners will keep you warm and well-fed with items that include chicken, beef, seafood, pasta, and house favorites like oven roasted tri-tip, sauteed tilapia, and their classic chili spaghetti.


There are approximately 248 locations across America, and as I mentioned above, when we are in Los Angeles, we try to stop by our favorite located in Burbank, which is less than ten miles north of downtown Los Angeles. Built in 1949 by local residents Scott MacDonald and Ward Albert, this location is considered the oldest Bob's Big Boy in the states. And with its unique architectural design, it is known for its towering Bob's Big Boy sign and its life-sized smiling character figurine as it is for its food and friendly staff.

And the Beatles aren't the only celebrities who have walked through the doors at this Bob's location. Talk show host and car enthusiast, Jay Leno, frequently stops by during Bob's Friday "Classic Car Hop" night to meet fans. Director, David Lynch, was once said to claim a spot at one of the booths as he mulled over story ideas and people watch. And with Disney Studios a mere two minutes away, their cache of young stars from Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and members of the High School Musical clan have all come in for a bite. If you're into "star" gazing, you're chances here are certainly as good as any other in tinseltown.

So, the next time you are feeling a bit nostalgic and are looking for a non-expensive alternative for wholesome American fare, look no further than a Bob's Big Boy. With over 70 years of tradition and history behind the restaurants, you won't be left disappointed or be left hungry.

Bob's Big Boy

4211 W. Riverside Drive

Burbank, CA 91505

818.843.9334

OOTK's Top 10 | BURGERS

Our foodie kids have come up with their own top 10 recommendations for 2010.

Following is their top 10 list for burgers:

10. Gott's Roadside (AKA Taylor's Refresher)

Napa, CA & San Francisco, CA

9. The Counter

Various locations

8. Nickel Diner

Los Angeles, CA

7. Barney's Gourmet Hamburger

Various Locations

6. Bob's Big Boy

Toluca Lake, CA

5. Oinkster

Eagle Rock, CA

4. Tommy's

Eagle Rock, CA

3. Dinky Diner

Clarksburg, CA

2. The Squeeze Inn

Sacramento, CA

1. Five Guys

Various Locations

In this photo: Cheeseburger from Five Guys in Elk Grove, CA.

The Oinkster | Eagle Rock, CA

To categorize The Oinkster as just another hamburger stand would be a great injustice, especially when they offer other choice selections such as the BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich and the Oinkster Pastrami. As good as these are, however, none holds a candle to their all beef counterparts, including The Royale, a 1/3 pound behemoth that is blanketed with slices of pastrami, their house-special chili, Gruyere cheese, red cabbage slaw, and crispy bacon. Now, that's finger-licking good times!!! And did you save room for dessert? My recommendation ... the Horchata or Ube shake made thick and creamy from Fosselman's ice cream.

Founded by celebrated chef, Andre Guerrero, The Oinkster is located along Eagle Rock's Colorado Boulevard in what was once known to the surrounding community as Jim's Burgers. Fully restored and redefined, they describe themselves as being "innovative, affordable, stylish, and fun. We tread where no Los Angeles eatery has gone before and combine culinary classics with a no-attitude style." No argument here, especially given that The Oinkster is now among my son's top ten faves.

The Squeeze Inn | Sacramento, CA

When we heard that the current owner of the Squeeze Inn was closing the doors to its original location, we packed the kids into the car and quickly headed north on Fruitridge Road. I know what you're thinking, what's the big deal?

For the last 30 years, the Squeeze Inn has been serving its customers the finest quality food that money can buy. And even though there are other items on the menu such as burritos, tacos, sandwiches, and hot dogs, the most thing to order is its famous Squeeze with Cheese, a 1/3 pound burger with all the fixings including a bubbling hot cheese skirt that has to be seen to believe.

But what also gave the the Squeeze Inn its character was that the original location seated only 12 customers at a time, and you needed to "squeeze in" to get your food.

Now, at its new storefront location, there's a bit more room to spread out. Don't get me wrong, however. The Squeeze Inn still lives up to its moniker with lines running out the door, and to eat in, there's still a standing room wait. So, get there early and get to know your neighbor. You're gonna be here a while, but it's well worth the wait!