Peters Gourmade Grill - Originally Published 2011

The other night I was in the parking lot of the Valero on McFadden.  I wasn’t there to get gasoline.  I was there to order dinner at Peter’s Gourmade Grill.

Suddenly, I had a sinking feeling.  Peter’s is bound for greatness.  It’s an undisputable fact.  He’s got so many factors going for him.  The food is great and the prices are reasonable.  According to the OC Weekly article that steered me here in the first place, he’s Courdon Bleu trained so he’s sure to hook the foodie crowd.  His little grill finds its home in a Valero gas station.

It’s only a matter of time before the Food Network finds out and sends Guy Fieri out to film an episode of Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives.  After that happens, there’s going to be a line that wraps the block.  And rightfully so, because this place deserves it.  So, while I am waiting for the world to fall in love with Peter’s Gourmade Grill, my plan is to eat here as many times as I can.

Peter, you have something special going over there and you deserve all the success that’s sure to come to you.

In no particular order, the Grilled Chipotle Chicken Sandwich, the Greek Fries, and the Ooey Gooey Fries. 

Phillippe's

Philippe’s is a little place in downtown LA that supposedly invented the French dip sandwich.  And French dip sandwiches are exactly what they serve here.  According to the website, they have been in business since 1908.  That’s especially remarkable when you consider that in 1908, there was nothing in LA.

Philippe’s is all about “no frills”.  You want a sandwich?  There’s a sandwich, some meat, some bread, and some of the sauce from the roasts.  That’s it.

Even if you’re into hot stuff, I recommend that you watch out for the mustard.  Go easy.  Go really, really easy.  Don’t squirt it directly onto your sandwich.  Just wave your sandwich over the bottle.  I even would go as far as to suggest that you don’t look at the bottle too long because you may develop cataracts.  Trust me.

 Philippe’s is the local spot that has been here longer that any of the locals.  Bench seating and sawdust on the floor make this an especially unique place.   Definitely worth a stop.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not Buena Park - Originally Published 2009

It’s kind of hard to describe who Robert Ripley was.  Basically, he was a cartoonist that traveled the world attempting to document the unusual.  If you ever are in Buena Park, you can stop by the Believe It Or Not Museum and take a look at what he spent his life pursuing.

Located on Beach Boulevard, the museum is almost directly across from Knott’s Berry Farm.

We have driven past this place hundreds of times, dismissing it as some cheesy tourist trap.  That’s Robert Ripley seated on the airplane fuselage.  

You see this?  This is a genuine Papua New Guinea penis sheath.  This is what convinced me that this wasn’t going to be the usual museum.

The first part of the museum is devoted to bric-a-brac that an early twentieth century explorer would collect in Africa and “the Orient”, such as a hippo skull.

 A quick word before you proceed.  This place is not pc.  If you want pc, go jump in the lake.  The old clips use words like “orient”.  Also, a portion of the display is devoted to displaying odd humans.

That’s right, odd humans like this guy who had four pupils.  This is not done in the name of science like The Learning Channel pretends to do.  It’s done because people enjoy looking at the unusual.  Just remember the lessons learned from Todd Browning’s Freaks and you’ll be all right.

There are also a number of other unusual items made by people, such as this picture made from dryer lint.

Or this copy of “The Last Supper” made completely out of toast.

Ripley’s is a great place to go on a lazy afternoon.  As you go through, make sure to count the number of items made out of human hair.

Hash House A Go Go - Originally Published 2010

Vegas prides itself on going big without any hesitation.  Buffets, big margaritas, remember those Rosewood Grill signs?  It’s easy to get over saturated with the whole “big” thing.  If this ever happens, I recommend heading over to the Hash House A Go Go.  Quite honestly, the size of the food there is jarring.

 On our most recent excursion to Las Vegas found us taking breakfast at the Imperial Palace location.  After seeing the size of the portions, we opted to share an omelet and get a pancake to go.  If you’re not a professional competitive eater, I would recommend going this route.

 Call me jaded, but bigger does not always mean better.  How was it, you ask?  It was pretty good, says I. 

The Sushi Cruise - Originally Published 2010

I know what you’re thinking.  The Sushi Cruise is shaped like a boat.  And it’s all you can eat.  Nothing good can come of this.  As someone who was once a member of the Los Angeles Glitterati, I know where you’re coming from.  But I assure you, this place is amazing.

Since I moved inland about four years ago, this has been my sushi place of choice.  It keeps getting better every time I come here.  Recently, there were some menu upgrades.  The creativity has made all of the rolls taste like angels came from heaven and kissed each one.

So here’s my advice.  You can spend a few hundred at a place because some celebrity chef went there one time.  Or, you can grow wings, fly out the window and take a cruise.