57722 Mon Jan 05 01:23:36 -0800 2004 22 2 Los Angeles Area 0 301491 The supermarket strike is killing me. Normally I order the family groceries at the Von's website for delivery directly in to my kitchen. Granted Von's is not Von's Pavillions, Bristol Farms, or Gelsons, and the variety of products they offer their Internet shoppers is not the most comprehensive, but it is so convenient to someone who is mobility challenged. The other really nice thing about ordering via a website is that you can fine tune your grocery list prior to and while shopping and you will always have a very good idea of how much you are spending by the talley in your virtual grocery cart. Since the strike began, Von's has shut down their web ordering and delivery service, and I have been reduced to periodic trips to Ralphs (which entail roping my nephew in to loading up the wheel chair in Herman's trunk and then tailing me with a grocery cart in the store). It has been hit or miss in the Ralphs meat department, most everything else has been available, except for non-scented detergent, and some dairy products, but it was also disturbing when during the first two forays to Ralphs the register tape totalled out to over $500 each time, for two weeks worth of groceries as opposed to a usual tab of $250-$350 when shopping at the Vons website. So on our way to Ralphs today I decided to check out Henry's Marketplace. But the first order of business was to check out the recently opened Baja Fresh in the same shopping center as Henry's on Grand Avenue in Chino Hills. I am currently transitioning back on to The Liquid Diet and the 300 calorie diet drink I had for breakfast was long forgotten at about 1:45 when I pulled Herman in to a parking space outside of Baja Fresh. This was my first experience with Baja Fresh, and I gotta say it was favorable. It sure as hell beats Taco Bell or that nasty Rubio's (who sell tasteless, probably previously frozen crawfish as "lobster"). I ordered the three taco special to go and received three fish tacos. The tacos arrived on a black plastic plate (the kind with a clear plastic "dome") and were very appealing in appearance. Each taco consisted of two warmed corn tortillas enveloping a strip of fried fish, shredded cabbage, Pico de Gallo and some kind of house "dressing"; with guacamole on the side. The fish portion was a little skimpy, but I polished off the three tacos forthwith which were very satisfying (to my solid food deprived gullet) and all was well. The next time I think I am going to try the grilled fish tacos, which are supposedly larger and use Mahi Mahi and also the shrimp tacos. (I think it has been said that this chain is owned by McDonald's, but the food in this place was much more appealing to me than anything you can get at McDonalds, and certainly more appealing than the current rice, bean and cheese burrito that Taco Bell is pushing. The three tacos set me back $5.85 plus tax. So after putting away the tacos we rolled across the parking lot to Henry's Marketplace. This chain is part of the Wild Oats family and the first things I noticed as we came in the store were a lot of aisles of nuts and grains, and a big vitamin/herbal section in one corner. We cruised the meat and seafood department. Unlike Von's or Ralphs (where the meat grade is Select) Henry's beef comes from Harris Ranch (which really does not impress me) but it is graded Choice, (and that does count for a lot with me). I saw some very nice thick, well marbled ribeyes in the meat case (the butcher's case, where the meat is "loose", not the self-serve case with the plastic wrapped stuff) and made a mental note to try them some time. They also had a variety of sausages in the butcher's case, a wide variety of prepared (with marinades, or en brochette, etc.), but not cooked beef and prepared chicken breasts. They were also big on raw turkey loaf in the butcher case. In the fresh fish case I saw a variety of raw shrimp, small (5 ounce) lobster tails, salmon filets, stuffed salmon, snapper and boned trout. I think there were some mollusks also. I snagged a couple of packages of 15% ground beef and two pieces of brisket from the self-serve case. The ground beef packages were about 3 pounds even, and 3 pounds 5 ounces, and cost respectively $5.51 and $5.98. The briskets set me back $9.53 and $8.81, I don't remember how much they weigh (and they are currently in the freezer and I'm too lazy to go look at them), I think they were about 3 pounds each. I also saw some nice looking filet mignons and some decent looking top sirloin in the sel-serve case. I also grabbed up three packages of skinless chicken breasts. Each package held three large breasts (much larger breasts than what one would find in a Zacky or Foster Farms plastic wrapped package) that set me back $5.94, 6.44 and $6.84. We rounded out our cartload with a head of iceberg (tight and heavy) for $0.99, three bagged salads at $2.69 each, a package of "baby" peeled carrots at $1.29, a dozen extra large eggs at $2.89, 3 pounds of bananas at 2 pounds for a $1.00, small tomatoes at $0.99 a pound, Bartlet pears at $0.69 a pound, red potatoes at $0.69 a pound, green peppers at 3 for a $1.00 and a handful of brussels sprouts at $1.29 a pound. The green peppers were much nicer than what I have been getting from Ralphs or Vons, they also had red and yellow peppers. The brussels sprouts were nice and small, which I think are less bitter than the larger ones. Part of the ground beef and the green peppers went in to a pot of chili tonight that was prepared by my nephew during one of his cooking class sessions with me. (I got him trained on roast turkey, whole baked ham, candied sweet potatoes, stuffing, mashed potatoes, baked rigatoni, macaroni and cheese, green beans, brisket with potatoes, carrots and brussels sprouts, and apple pie so far. If I play my cards right I won't ever have to cook another family meal.) The chili, with my secret touches, was outstanding. As reported by Nubi, on our way to Ralphs from Henry's we did cruise by the soon-to-be Chick-Fil-A. When I read Nubi's posting I started to get a little excited, since there would soon be an alternative to KFC around here. Then I checked out the Chick-Fil-A website tonight - I don't think I am going to want to eat there. I have linked to a photo (below) from their web site of a chicken nugget platter they would like us all to buy, I guess the next time we throw a swanky cocktail party. Looks more like pet food to me. So, at the end of the day we are still a little bit ahead of the game out here in The Dining Wilderness That Is The Inland Empire, with some decent meat available at Henry's Marketplace, and some acceptable fish tacos as an alternative to the crap at Taco Bell. Image: http://www.chick-fil-a.com/images/menu_nuggets_tray.jpg Mon Jan 05 01:23:36 -0800 2004 0 Chino Wayne 1 301507 I used to live in Chino Hills and still visit my parents on the weekend. Thanks for the tips. Have you tried El Taco Nazo on Pipeline (behind the car wash and Sizzler). Excellent fish and shrimp tacos. A really divey place, but really good. Also, if you are into Indonesian food, Asian Deli in Diamond Bar has had a recent change in ownership. It tastes a bit better than before. Mon Jan 05 12:07:11 -0800 2004 301491 0 elmomonster 2 301537 Thanks for the tip on El Taco Nazo, didn't know it was there, and I am reallhy getting in to fish tacos. Mon Jan 05 14:02:40 -0800 2004 301507 0 Chino Wayne 3 301544 Be sure to report back if you go. I like reading your posts and unique perspective on all things food, especially since you report on stuff that is usually in my neck of the woods. BTW, El Taconazo deep fries their fish and shrimps for their tacos, as it is done down in Baja. Hope you like it. Mon Jan 05 14:28:02 -0800 2004 301537 0 elmomonster 1 301509 You're right, it does look like dog food! Thanks for a thoroughly enjoyable read, as usual. Mon Jan 05 12:15:22 -0800 2004 301491 0 torta basilica 2 301560 Their marketing folks could probably hire a better food stylist... There's a Chick-Fil-A under construction in the Tustin Marketplace mall. Not being a southerner, I was kinda curious if their fast food had anything going for it. I won't be in any hurry to try it. Mon Jan 05 15:47:23 -0800 2004 301509 0 Professor Salt 3 301569 Im from Atlanta and let me tell you..Chick Fil A rocks..i miss it bigtime..thier nuggets are the best anywhere..and their Grilled and Fried Chicken sandwiches are by far the best in the fast food world..trust me..try it..:) Mon Jan 05 17:05:34 -0800 2004 301560 0 Ken 4 301572 Somehow, this just doesn't look all that inviting or exciting to me. But I'll probably try it sometime, I'll usually try anything once. (Is that pickle under the chicken or just some bad looking lettuce, either way, I don't want it.) Image: http://www.chick-fil-a.com/images/sandwich.jpg Mon Jan 05 17:15:46 -0800 2004 301569 0 Chino Wayne 5 301579 Pretty impressive art direction for them to get the bun to look so smooth. Is this actually supposed to be better tasting than, for example, Jack in the Box spicy crispy chicken? At least JitB has sesame seeds on the bun so you get a bit of texture with your dough. Mon Jan 05 17:57:18 -0800 2004 301572 0 Debbie 6 301608 Don't knock it till you've tried it! the simplicity is the genius of this sandwich... Mon Jan 05 19:48:29 -0800 2004 301579 0 Bert 7 302409 chick-fil-a chicken sandwich n nuggets are the best anywhere, they were using all white meat before everyone else jumped on board and unlike the other nuggets which are always dry these are juicy just wait they have the best chicken nuggets and sandwiches of all the fast food joints. Tue Jan 13 14:24:17 -0800 2004 301608 0 Ken 6 302324 What's with the Chick Fil A bashing? Try it out before you voice your opinion. Sun Jan 11 02:46:00 -0800 2004 301579 0 Joe 1 301530 Baja Fresh is owned by Wendy's. Chipolte is owned by McDonalds. Mon Jan 05 13:46:36 -0800 2004 301491 0 LesThePress 2 301539 OK. Never been to Wendy's, but I always liked Dave Thomas, and as I said, the food in Baja Fresh was much more appealing than anything in McDonald's. So that's one Wendy's has over McDonald's. Mon Jan 05 14:05:16 -0800 2004 301530 0 Chino Wayne 3 301564 No argument there, Wayne! Just wanted to keep the record staight. By the way, went to Chilpotle and was thouroughly unimpressed. Nothing was very good, I don't like cafeteria style, guacamole was horrible, chips americanized, nothing authentic at all. The portion size was big but when it doesn't taste so great what good is it? Mon Jan 05 16:24:08 -0800 2004 301539 0 LesThePress 4 301566 "The portion size was big but when it doesn't taste so great what good is it?" Exactly! Big food does not equal big taste (take note Claimjumper). Mon Jan 05 16:52:48 -0800 2004 301564 0 Chino Wayne 3 301605 Poquito Mas is better than Baja Fresh. Unfortunately, it doesn't have as many branches. It has real ahi tacos (price varies depending on the market). Mon Jan 05 19:40:18 -0800 2004 301539 0 mc michael 1 301557 LOL, Wayne. Except for the plastic cup of BBQ sauce (no doubt chock full of acrid artificial smoke), it does look exactly like the stuff I scoop out of a 40-lb bag for my dog every day. At least his stuff is vitamin-enriched. Mon Jan 05 15:43:47 -0800 2004 301491 0 Robert Lu 2 301567 I don't think it is BBQ sauce, looks more like ketchup (an exotic sauce found in the hinterlands smothering eggs, fries, and meats, particularly in fancy dining establishments with drive through windows.) Mon Jan 05 16:59:12 -0800 2004 301557 0 Chino Wayne 1 301578 It may not look exciting, but believe me, I've lived in the South and the basic Chick Fil-A sandwich (just a lightly fried chicken breast with two pickles on a bun) is great. I always think of it as the in-n-out of chicken sandwiches... Mon Jan 05 17:56:38 -0800 2004 301491 0 Bert 2 301617 If Chick Fil-A* is representative of the South, then I'm glad I live in the South Bay! *Refers to the Del Amo Mall Chick Fil-A location. Yuck. Mon Jan 05 22:17:21 -0800 2004 301578 0 Joe B. 1 302443 As for their 'lobster', I agree... it's tasted nothing like Lobster. Tue Jan 27 18:52:17 -0800 2004 301491 0 Glen 2 302444 Legend has it that the original Rubio's in San Diego put out some very tasty fish tacos, but the Rubio's that you speak of today is but a whitebread corporate marketeer's idea of ethnic cuisine. Stop patronizing the local Rubio's, if you must, try the new Baja Fresh that is in our neck of the woods. I had three nice fish tacos there (the regular fried fish), they looked nice on the plate and tasted good, just a little skimpy on the amount of fish. I do plan to circle back over there one of these days and try their non-fried mahi mahi tacos and shrimp tacos. Granted, pickin's are slim out here in The Dining Wilderness That Is The Inland Empire, but that only adds to the challenge. I have not made it there yet, but as noted in this thread, I plan to check out Taco Nazo. You might also venture over to Chino proper (as opposed to hoity toity Chino Hills) and you will find a few more non-corporate Mexican eateries. Welcome to the pack. ;-) Tue Jan 27 22:34:55 -0800 2004 302443 0 Chino Wayne