Summer Snapshot :: Frito Pie

In our family, we can never get enough of Fritos Corn Chips. No matter the size, no matter the flavor ... We love 'em! And when we heard that our friends at Chile Pie and Ice Cream included a Frito Pie on their menu, we had to check it out for ourselves.

Served straight out of the bag, the corn chips are piled with spiced Niman Ranch ground beef and pinto beans. To top it off, their signature red chile sauce over and into the bag. Talk about taking snack food to whole other level!

Chile Pie and Ice Cream
601 Baker St
San Francisco, CA 94117

Wicked West Pizza | West Sacramento, CA

We recently asked the kids to come up with some of their favorite food combinations, or at least, come up with as many food combinations that they can muster. The list included burgers and fries, spaghetti and meatballs, peanut butter and jelly, bacon and eggs, pie and ice cream, and liver and onions. We could have gone on and on, as I'm sure you could as well, but we were struck rather curious when our son blurted out pizza and bbq. Not exactly one that rolls right off the tongue and certainly one that is not necessarily in the culinary vernacular.

Still, stranger combinations have come to be accepted norms. Take, for example, fried chicken and waffles. So, it's not a stretch to think that pizza and bbq could work, and as our son reminded us, it does at Wicked West Pizza and BBQ.


Ever since they opened its doors last year, Wicked West Pizza and BBQ has caused quite a positive stir in the immediate and surrounding communities of West Sacramento. Why? Unlike other, more commercial pizzerias, they shy away from artificial fillers and flavors that can be found in mass produced pies. Rather, they are staking their newfound reputation by providing their customers with nothing but fresh and natural ingredients provided by organic farmers and artisans in the local area.



"Food is important to us," writes owners Michelle Lau-Heetkamp and Devin Grant. "It defines our bodies and makes us who we are. We know how important our customers' lives are, and we do our very best to help out families eat better and take better care of themselves. We don’t just put a local heirloom tomato on your plate and hope you assume everything is organic. We are truly committed to serving the very best food we can."

Their menu is a cornucopia of choices. If pizza is your craving for the day, you can select your own toppings or go with any one of nine specialty pizzas, each with a colorful name such as The Phat Man's BBQ, The Flyin' Hawaiian, The Old Lady, or The Campbell River. No matter the slice or size, they stack em' high on top of a gluten-free crust or one made with organic whole wheat flour.

Now, if you are anything like my son, great bbq is the preference. Sure, he likes their pizza, but he loves the bbq better. And what's not to love when their grill-master is cooking up all-natural free range chicken, baby back ribs, hot links, beef brisket, and hand-pulled pork.

Every bit of it slow-cooked over hickory chips to "give you a delectable plate of meat." And don't expect any one of the above to be served coated in sauce. That's not to say there isn't something to dip your bbq. They won't cheat you of that endeavor. You'll just find it on the side, kettle-cooked to perfection, in three ways: mild, hot, or WICKED HOT.



Beyond the food, the folks at Wicked West Pizza and BBQ keep family entertainment close to heart. Flat-screen monitors keep you updated on the latest sporting events whether the season calls for baseball, basketball, football, hockey, or soccer. For the kids, let them get lost in an arcade reminiscent of those found at the Chuck E. Cheese or the Dave 'n Buster restaurants. There's even a prize counter to cash in game tickets (AWESOME!). And for us older folks, on special evenings, it's not uncommon to enjoy live music and dancing on the patio.

Oh, by the way, did I mention the gelato bar? They got that too. No preservatives, stabilizers, or "gross stuff hidden here!" It's all-natural with featured flavors as cookie dough, vanilla, strawberry, chocolate peanut butter. raspberry marble, mint chip, butter pecan, coffee, and chocolate chip.

So, there's a little of something for everyone at Wicked West Pizza and BBQ, and now that this latest posting is done, I'll meet you there. I'll be the one chilling with a plate of their 3-Meat Sampler, a slice of The Old Lady, and a tall, frosted glass of Hoegaarden Speciale ... Oh, and a pocketful of game tickets (got my eye on sweet lookin' lava lamp).

Wicked West Pizza
3160 Jefferson Boulevard
West Sacramento, CA 95691
(916) 572-0572

Dynamo Donuts and Coffee | San Francisco, CA

BACON DONUT DAY IS EVERYDAY! A battle-cry that is noted on their website. A motto that is worn well on the chalk board signage noting the "flavors of the day" behind the take-out counter. None have stretched the creative boundaries of a donut's potential quite like our friends at Dynamo Donuts and Coffee. An idea conceived by renowned pastry chef, Sara Spearin, her neighborhood shop has not only fulfilled a longtime dream of hers, but it has also filled a niche that has not been seen or realized in San Francisco before her arrival.

Writes Lessley Anderson of Readymade Magazine, "Sara Spearin has developed mouth-watering recipes that use organic flour, milk, and palm shortening, rather than the preservatives and trans fat-laden ingredients favored by many commercial donut makers. Her natural approach, along with unusual flavor combinations, has drawn lines to the Mission District shop since she opened it in July 2008."



Spearin and her staff are there every morning at 2:30a prepping the kitchen for that day's menu, which is never repeated twice during the same week. In other words, a rotating selection of seven to ten donuts are featured daily from a collection of twenty-three exotic flavors, including, but not limited to:

- Chocolate Rose Geranium Hazelnut
- Lemon Pistachio
- The Monte Cristo (i.e. filled donut with ham, gruyere, and a house jam)
- Passion Fruit Milk Chocolate
- Candied Orange Blossom
- Caramel de Sel
- Saffron Chocolate
- Apricot Cardamom

And as noted, their Bacon Maple Apple donut is offered everyday. It is arguably their most popular flavor. Studded with bacon and apples that were sauteed in bacon fat and topped with a maple glaze and crispy bacon bits, every bite from this ringed delicacy simply melts in your mouth. We recommend that you include two (or more) in your order because one is simply not enough to garnish your plate.

For many of you who follow our culinary adventures, you know that we make no secret of our love for donuts. Baked or fried. Custard or jelly filled. Frosted with unusual toppings or simply covered in more traditional fare whether it's sprinkles, nuts, or coconut shavings. We just can't enough of these tasty confections, and as long as Spearin and her staff are rollin' out the goods, we will continue to be big fans and constant visitors to Dynamo Donuts and Coffee.

Dynamo Donuts and Coffee

2760 24th Street

San Francisco, C A 94110

415.920.1978

Summer Snapshot of the Day :: Tillamook at the Zoo

Last year, the 102-year-old Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA)assembled a group of dedicated personnel and placed them behind the wheels of a small fleet of decorative VW buses. They had never done anything like this before. At least, not in recent memory. Their mission? Travel across the western states to promote the many award-winning products under the Tillamook brand. Referred to as the "Love Loaf Tour," the adventurous endeavor proved to be a great success not only in its simple approach, but also in its grassroots philosophy.

They have since brought the "Love Loaf Tour" back for a second year, and during this past week, the little VW buses parked themselves in front of various locations in the Sacramento area. We were fortunate to catch up with them this past Saturday at the Sacramento Zoo, where nothing but fun was on the agenda: scavenger hunts, walkabout bingo, word scrambles, and of course, the animal exhibits and shows. Prizes were given away as well as all the cheese samples you could stomach!


"Our hope is to introduce ourselves to those who come out and see us and give them a chance to try our best tasting cheeses," noted Andrea, one of the tour hosts. "I love meeting the people. This has been a very rewarding experience for me."

But as good as that all sounded, the cheese and games were not the only highlight. Rather, the Cheese on Wheels or Baby Loaf Buses were sights to behold. According to the handouts, each bus "started out as a standard Volkswagen microbus from the '60s. Roughly five feet from the middle section was removed and the two halves were welded together. The buses were then lowered three inches to improve balance, handling, and performance." With a lot of "loaf and care," each bus was made to resemble a baby loaf of cheese and, over time, have since become automotive marvels.




Not familiar with the Tillamook brand? A quick history. Established in 1909, the Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) is a cooperative of 110 dairy farming families guided by century-old values of quality, cooperation, integrity, stewardship and responsiveness. During their storied history, the cooperative has developed itself as one of the top dairy brands in the country, offering not only their naturally aged cheddars, but also a variety of other cheeses, ice cream, butter, sour cream, and yogurt.

The "Love Loaf Tour" has just a few more months left on the road with more stops scheduled in Salt Lake City, Denver, Seattle, Spokane, Portland, and Boise. To see the tour’s full & detailed schedule of stops in Sacramento, please visit their website at http://www.loaflovetour.com/. For other information, tune into Tillamook Cheese on Facebook or follow @TillamookCheese on Twitter.

Summer Snapshot of the Day :: Salumi Cone from Boccalone

Many of us have heard of ice cream cones and snow cones. But a meat cone? Why not, and leave it to our friends at Boccalone to assemble such a combination of salty flavors.

Located at San Francisco’s Ferry Building, Boccalone's storefront is visited by folks from all over the world. Whether they are local to the area or a tourist (like us), they are here for one thing: cured meats.

Fresh sausages, head cheese, cooked and smoked hams, salumi, and many others treats. Created by Chris Cosentino and Mark Pastore, Boccalone takes great pride in creating small-batches of their meats, including assurances that everything is sustainably raised, hand butchered, and cold cured.

Given this, it never takes us long to maneuver through the crowds and create a beeline towards their counter to get one of their delectable meat (a.k.a. salumi) cones. For just a few dollars, we are soon holding a paper cone stuffed with three to four varieties of their sliced, expertly cured meats ranging from Ciccioli, Coppa di Testa to Mortadella. Meraviglioso ... The salumi cone really hit the spot that day!


Boccalone Salumeria
Ferry Building Marketplace
Shop 21
San Francisco, CA 94111
415.433.6500

Summer Snapshot of the Day :: Pie Shake

A few weeks back, our family was in the San Francisco area to attend a family reunion. As with any trip, we researched a few of the neighborhoods in the city and pleasantly discovered a corner cafe that combined two of my favorite food items, but with a unique twist ... We've all had pie à la mode, but have you ever had a pie shake?

Located in the NOPA neighborhood of San Francisco, Chile Pies (& ice cream) has been serving up their frozen dessert since it opened in March 2010. The general concept? You get to choose your pie from a wide variety of selections -- peach, lemon, blueberry, country apple, or whatever is in season -- and then it gets blended with a little bit of milk and whole lot of ice cream. Although a good portion of it was able to get through the straw, I had to bust out a spoon to get to the sweet and buttery goodness at the bottom of the glass.

Now, there were a few skeptics at the table, including my wife who was unsure about combination. But she soon "ate her words." Before I was able to take a second sip, the pie shake suddenly disappeared.

Chile Pies (& ice cream)
601 Baker Street
San Francisco, CA 94117-1407
415.614.9411

Sacramento Zoo | Ice Cream Safari

For the last twenty-seven years (and counting), the Sacramento Zoo has opened its doors for one special night in the mid-summer months to host their Ice Cream Safari, an all-you-can-eat extravaganza that is easily one of the city's premiere showcases that promises hours of family fun. This year was no exception, but to be honest, we almost didn't make it after we already put in a full day of activities that drained most of our energy.


With a little cheerleading from our kids, however, we mustered up just enough motivation to include a date with zebras, giraffes, flamingos, gibbons, and great hornbills. Sorry folks, no lions, tigers, or bears on this trip. Many of them were still hiding out in their pens, but as one visitor aptly put it, "We're not here to see the animals. We're here for the ICE CREAM!" Can't say that I was arguing with her, and the many volunteers, staff, donors, and supporters did not disappoint. They rolled out the flavors by the truckload:

- Reese's Peanut Butter Cup
- Pink Lemonade
- Oreo Cookies and Cream
- Vanilla
- Chocolate
- Very Berry Strawberry
- Rainbow Sherbet
- Mint Chocolate Chip
- Pralines n' Cream
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Golden Oreo

And to ensure that no one was left out, they also threw in free popsicles for those whose diets couldn't include dairy.

It didn't just stop there either. The price of admission also included complimentary bottled water and sodas, face painting, an ice cream dance party, live music, and of course, access to all zoo exhibits.

Generally speaking, the Sacramento Zoo's Ice Cream Safari is held in the month of July. Discounted tickets are available prior to the day of the event, but door admission is $20.00 dollars for adults and $15.00 for children ages two to eleven. All proceeds benefit the general maintenance and animal care at the Sacramento Zoo.

So, take it from us. We were certainly impressed, and after having visited for the first time, we would encourage anyone, with kids or not, to add the Ice Cream Safari to your list of summer plans.

Summer Snapshot of the Day: Baby Back Ribs

What: Full-rack of baby back ribs with sauce on the side
Where: Luck BBQ, 2502 J Street, Sacramento, CA

Our son who is a huge fan of barbecue had a smile from ear-to-ear when he found out that we were going out to dine at Luck BBQ in Sacramento. What was formerly known as the BBQ Spot, Luck's meats are all smoked for at least an hour and all menu items are prepared from scratch. Talk about fall-off-the-bone goodness!!

Summer Snapshot of the Day: Pineapple Banana Shortcake with Saffron

What: Pineapple Banana Shortcake with Saffron
Where: The Eatery West Sacramento Farmer's Market

We decided to check out the Farmer's Market in West Sacramento and came across "The Eatery." Their spin on the traditional shortcake was inventive and extraordinary. The hint of saffron mixed into the fresh dollop of whip cream brought out the freshness of the fruit and rounded out the flavors of this very original dessert.

The Eatery is a bistro that will be opening at the end of July in the Southport Area in West Sacramento. They have been fixtures at the West Sac Farmer's Market since it opened just a few months ago. And now, they have a legion of fans who are chomping at the bit to taste the rest of their fare and can't wait for the actual restaurant to open. Yours truly included!!

Summer Snapshot of the Day: Bowl of Soul

What: Bowl of Soul
Where: Naked Lounge 1500 Q Street, Sacramento

A chamomile infused drink mixed with steamed vanilla soy milk, a squeeze of honey, and a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar. All of this served in a huge latte bowl. We snuggled up to quite a few of these concoctions during the many cold spring and early summer days in Sacramento.

The Eagle Cafe | West Sacramento, CA

NOW SERVING OMELETTES. Funny how these three words can prompt one to stop into a neighborhood coffee shop and pull up a chair. That's just what happened to us when we noticed these three magical words outside The Eagle Cafe, a favorite stop of ours in the West Sacramento area. We've known for some time about the cafe's great tasting beverages and savory panini sandwiches, but when we learned that they added five different omelettes to their menu, our appreciation was renewed for this quaint neighborhood eatery.


The Eagle Cafe is still very much in its infancy having opened its doors in February 2010. That aside, however, owner Altin Shquti has gone to great lengths to create a relaxing environment where one can feel welcome whether its kicking off a good morning or soaking up the sun's rays in the afternoon. There's ample seating for such a little place, including a lounge area situated at one side of the cafe's common area. It's an ideal spot to catch up with good friends or perhaps to hold mini meetings with colleagues. During our recent visit, we observed a group of young thirty-somethings musing over the books in their hands. Book club, perhaps? Why not.

The beverage bar is quite extensive. The coffee used by The Eagle Cafe is provided by Vaneli's Handcrafted Coffee, a local roastery located in Rocklin, CA, where much of their fair trade blends are organic and fired slowly to ensure balance among bold, complex flavors. If blended beverages are more to your liking, Shquti and his staff can whip up any one of their iced drinks, smoothies, or blended cremes. Flavor choices include coconut, java chip, taro, green tea, chocolate peanut butter, mango, pralines and cream, belgium chocolate, strawberry, etc. etc. etc. Definitely something for everyone!




But let's not forget, we were enticed by those three words, NOW SERVING OMELETTES. Again, five different kinds to choose from such as the Veggie, the Greek, and the Eagle, which is made with bacon, tomato, cheese, spinach, bell peppers, and roasted turkey. The two remaining choices include simpler favorites such as a gooey 3-cheese offering and their ham-n-cheese combination. Each of their omelettes are complimented with a slice of toast and fresh fruit.

I do have to be honest, however. As satisfying as their omelettes were, and they certainly got our day off to a good start, the real attraction for us at The Eagle Cafe still has to be their panini sandwiches. These are some of the best we've had this side of the Sacramento River. Among our favorites is their breakfast panini made with scrambled eggs, spinach, tomato and bacon served on sourdough bread or a herbed focaccia roll. Couple this with one of their hearty soups of the day such as minestrone, chicken and wild rice, tomato basil, or clam chowder, and you'll walk away in a food coma.


The Eagle Cafe is open daily, but if you're a night owl of sorts or if the craving for caffeine tends to hit you once the sun starts to set, this is not the place for you. While the doors open at 6:00 a.m., they close up for the night at 6:00 p.m. Will the world stop spinning because of this? Of course not. In fact, my mother would put it another way as one who looks out for my health and well-being: "They may be doing you a favor. Drinking all that coffee will just keep you up at night, and you stay up too late as it is." Point taken.

The Eagle Cafe
3150 Jefferson Blvd
West Sacramento, CA 95691
916.372.2401

Hot Italian | Sacramento, CA

Alla ricerca di un posto eccitante per trovare pizza grande degustazione e molto altro ancora? Poi, fermandosi a Caldo Italiano è solo il posto per voi. Anche se sono stato solo in giro dal febbraio 2009, i proprietari di Andrea Lepore e Fabrizio Cercatore hanno creato un unico "luogo specificamente progettato per essere un punto di incontro dove le persone possono riunirsi per una cena, godendo di una confortevole e moderno spazio urbano."

Whoops! My apologies for starting my latest entry in Italian, but after visiting our newest discovery, I couldn't help myself. To translate...

Searching for an exciting place to find great tasting pizza and whole lot more? Then, stopping into Hot Italian is just the thing for you. Even though they've only been around since February 2009, owners Andrea Lepore's and Fabrizio Cercatore have created a unique "place specifically designed to be a meeting point where people can gather for a meal while enjoying a comfortable, modern, urban space."

Now, I have to be completely honest in saying that we weren't entirely sure what to expect from Hot Italian. We've seen the gathering crowds outside their doors, and that showed promise. We even read all the press, which added to our curiosity and their popularity. But, we couldn't shake the notion of "judging a book by its cover" because its facade seemed too chic, too modern. Would this be a case of more flash than substance? Not in the least.

Entering from Q Street, we took the long walk through the restaurant and feasted on its sleek interiors that was more reminiscent of a gallery than a place to find good eats. Soon enough, however, we were directed to the dining area with its long blacktop tables, each saddled with medium height bar chars. There's also a large circular table toward the middle of the room that screamed community dining, be it with friends, family, or strangers. Add a helpful staff to the mix, and the stage was set. Bring on the food!



We weren't disappointed with with a variety of selections available in either of four ways: as a pizza, as a calzone, as a panini, or as a salad. If choosing a salad, don't settle on having it served cold. Rather, have it brought to you warm on top of their tossed pizza crust. We chose to do this when ordering the Sozzani (baby spinach, pears, dried cranberries, gorgonzola cheese, and roasted pine nuts), and we couldn't have been more pleased. The kids couldn't decide between two pizzas, the Bellucci (tomato sauce, mozzarella, spicy sausage, and ricotta cheese) or the Stella (prosciutto parma, mozzarella, crescenza cheese, and a mushroom medley). So, they went with both. They went speechless after just one bite.

Quoting my wife after taking a bite of the Bellucci, "This is perhaps the best pizza I've ever had, so far, and I've had my share of great pizza." Strong words, I know, but before we start debating where great pizza can be had, she did say "so far." I mean, we've all had great pizza and have our favorites to tout whether it's from Casa Bianca, Village Bakery, Lou Malnati's, Grimaldi's, Taste Chicago, Gino's East, Bertucci's, Chicago Fire, Extreme Pizza, etc. etc. etc. The list can (and does) go on and on. All we are saying, bottom line, is that we would consider putting Hot Italian alongside these elite establishments.

If that isn't enough, the folks at Hot Italian also have a saying that is quite indicative of its approach and attitude toward food: "Pizza as Art." Beyond what you see on the plate, which, by the way, looks like something painted by Da Vinci himself, the phrase says a lot about them. These words are splashed throughout much of their literature from its take out boxes to their menus to their avant-garde t-shirts. My interpretation, the meaning behind "Pizza as Art" is a message that cleverly describes their flavorful dishes. It's a declaration of their use of simple, fresh ingredients that are as pleasing to one's taste as the music, videos, art, design, and aromas serve our other senses. That, in my mind, is what sets Hot Italian apart from other eateries that we've enjoyed.

By the way, after you've expired the last piece of pizza on your plate, be sure to take stroll around the restaurant to enjoy its other components such as the in-house gelato bar, where no less than 14 succulent flavors are featured. We recommend that you try one of their signature concoctions that dunks scoops of vanilla and espresso gelato into real espresso coffee. If that doesn't get a charge out of you, then perhaps browsing though their Motors & Gears Shop is the thing for you. Here, you can find Italian inspired sportswear and accessories for cyclists.


As I said, searching for a unique place to find great tasting pizza and a whole lot more? Hot Italian is the place to find it. It's a celebration for the senses that fa bene al cuore e per l'anima. Buon divertimento!

Hot Italian
1627 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.444.3000

Wordless Wednesday :: Rocca

In this picture:
Rocca, two scoops of gelato drowned in espresso.
A sweet treat from Hot Italian in Sacramento, CA.

Tasty Tuesday :: Fat Face Popsicles

Our kids have never met a popsicle that they didn't like. However, have they ever reached popsicle nirvana? No...At least, until they tasted the ones from Fat Face.

Fat Face is a gourmet popsicle shop that carries original flavors such as strawberry basil lemonade, strawberry coconut, kaffir lime & avocado, Thai tea, and sweet potato. Owner, Jaymes Luu, generally serves six flavors at a time, based on what's fresh and in season. Currently, these original and delectable treats are only available at selected food festivals or during the weekly farmers' market in Davis, CA, where Fat Face originates.

This summer, however, food fans in the Sacramento area won't have to drive out to Davis. Luu is moving to a bigger location in mid-town Sacramento. Partnering with Olivia Coelho and Trisha Rhomberg, Luu will be operating a cafe within a storefront that will also include an art gallery and a clothing boutique.

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

Wordless Wednesday :: Deep Fried Asparagus

In this photo: Deep fried Asparagus from the Asparagus Festival in Stockton, CA.

Stadium Treats: Raley Field

Spring time is our favorite time of year. The sun is out for a longer period of time, everything is blooming, and of course, its baseball season.

We are a baseball family. Our son is a catcher for his little league team. We catch every possible game out there -- minor league, major league, it doesn't matter. We try to make sure to attend as many "All Star Game" Fanfests as we can. As foodbloggers, one of the great perks of visiting a new stadium is partaking in the fare offered at these locations. What better way to check out not only our nation's favorite pastime but also the regional cuisine offered up in the different cities where there is a baseball team and stadium?

We've tasted Dodger Dogs, Giant Turkey Legs (from Turkey Mike's in Municipal Stadium in San Jose, CA), and Frito Pies (Banner Island Ballpark in Stockton, CA) just to name a few. A few weeks back, we took in a River Cats game in Sacramento, CA. Here is just a quick "roster" of the different food options found at the stadium ranked by USA Today as one of the "10 Great Places for a Baseball Pilgrimage":

Walkin' Taco - A seasoned waffle cone filled with slaw, tomatoes, peppers, onions, chipotle sauce and your choice of tri-tip, chicken or chayote squash. Deep fried jalapeno to top it off is optional.

Donut Burger - A burger topped with two slices of bacon, Tillamook cheddar cheese, and sandwiched between two donuts.

Dinger Dog - A half-pound hot dog nested in a bun large enough to feed a small town.

Raley Field

400 Ballpark Drive

West Sacramento, CA 95691

Wordless Wednesday :: Gadzooks Zooks

In this photo: Fried zucchini, aka "Gadzooks Zooks" from Fanny Ann's Saloon in Old Sacramento, CA.

Tasty Tuesday :: Slow Roasted Pulled Pork Sliders

This past weekend, we took a trip to the Golden Bear in Sacramento, CA. Hankering for the much touted "Juicy Lucy," we found ourselves diving in to these little ditties instead. Because their menus are seasonal, we weren't able to order this signature burger. Disappointed? Not so much...the Slow Roasted Pulled Pork Sliders were "awesome" according to our son who wolfed all three in record time. The barbecue sauced served with each order packed enough heat to get the taste buds going, preparing them for the wonderful flavor combinations found in each bite.

Golden Bear
2326 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95816

Wordless Wednesday: French Onion Soup

In this photo: French onion soup from Freeport Bar & Grill in Sacramento, CA.