The Unvegan

6/2/2011 Reviews Oakhurst

Low on Sauce at Todd’s Cookhouse Bar-B-Que (CLOSED)

EDIT: What once was Todd’s is now Alice’s. No idea if it’s the same or different. Hopefully different.

In the small town of Oakhurst, just miles from Yosemite National Park, there is but one BBQ joint, and it goes by the name of Todd’s Cookhouse Bar-B-Que. Todd’s is one of your old-fashioned order at the counter type of BBQ places and the menu is quite staggering for being up in a small town of the Sierra Nevada. From sandwiches to wings to jambalaya, everything looked great and well-priced. But would it taste great?

BBQ California Meat Oakhurst Restaurants Todd's Cookhouse Bar-B-Que Travel Yosemite

5/31/2011 Reviews Bass Lake

Triple Meating at Ducey’s

Up near Yosemite National Park is a place called Bass Lake. Bass Lake has itself a little village, and this village is dominated by a huge lodge called The Pines Resort. Inside this resort is a fancy restaurant called Ducey’s on the Lake. We wanted no part of this, so we found Ducey’s Bar and Grill, with a swanky patio and a much more reasonable and fun menu. We grabbed a table outside and sorted out what to eat. I had sworn a couple days off of burgers after tackling a couple bad ones in the last couple days, but there was a burger on this menu calling out the unvegan name and I couldn’t resist.

Bar Food Bass Lake Burgers California Ducey's Hamburgers Meat Restaurants Sausages The Pines Resort Travel Yosemite

5/27/2011 Reviews Los Angeles

Surfing and Turfing at Roy’s (CLOSED)

“Get your damn asparagus off of me,” said the steak.

EDIT: This one’s gone, but you can still find Roy’s and its fancy Hawaiian near you. Depending on where you live, of course.

A steak is not an everyday meal. And even rarer than a steak is a little something called surf and turf. It is only eaten on the rarest and most special of occasions. Or when you have a gift card to Roy’s. Roy’s is a Hawaiian Fusion restaurant that I once discovered in the desert of Scottsdale, but that was long before unvegan came to be. This time, I went to the Roy’s in downtown LA with my lovely girlfriend to pay a visit to my friends, Surf and Turf.

Chains Hawaiian Lobster Meat Restaurants Roy's Seafood Steak Surf and Turf

5/24/2011 Reviews Los Angeles

Der Decent at Wienerschnitzel

Wienerschnitzel and the concept of a hot dog chain restaurant has always intrigued me. Since I was a little kid, I have loved me some hot dogs, and finally I got the opportunity to check out Wienerschnitzel when the bright yellow and red a-frame restaurant in Valley Village called my name loud enough. I had some strange expectations for this place, because it’s really hard to mess up a hot dog, but they can be messed up and it doesn’t matter what ingredients you toss on top if the dogs can’t hold their own.

Burgers Chains Fast Food Hamburgers Hot Dogs Los Angeles Meat National Chains Restaurants Wienerschnitzel

5/23/2011 Reviews Los Angeles

Snacking at Astro Burger

Countless times I have driven through West Hollywood and passed Astro Burger. In just about all of these situations, I have muttered to myself or to anyone in my car that I just need to try that place. Finally, after one of my rare drinking nights in West Hollywood, I had a golden opportunity to see what was inside Astro Burger.

American Astro Burger Bacon Burgers Fast Food Hamburgers Los Angeles Meat Restaurants West Hollywood

5/19/2011 Rants and Raves

Just Meat, Please

I accept your diet suggestion, thank you.

An article in Popular Science recently posed the all-important question of our time. Namely, “What Would Happen if I Ate Nothing but Meat?” The answer might be surprising to you. For starters, it won’t kill you.

Meat Popular Science

5/17/2011 Reviews Santa Monica

Choosing an Adventure at Fritto Misto

In Santa Monica, there is a little Italian restaurant called Fritto Misto. It’s way to small to handle the people that want to eat there and there are always people wanting to eat there. Why? First off, they only charge 2 bucks corkage fee if you bring your own wine. But more important than that is their actual food.

Fritto Misto Italian Los Angeles Pasta Restaurants Santa Monica

5/13/2011 Reviews Los Angeles

When in Bella Roma…

About a five minute walk from the apartment of my special lady friend at Pico-Robertson is a restaurant called Cafe Bella Roma. In the five years that she has lived there, she has never set foot in said restaurant, and since she is leaving the location next month, I was able to convince her to check it out. So if it sucked she could be like, “Good thing I’m getting out of here,” but if it was awesome she could be like, “That’s worth returning to my old stomping grounds for.” Which one would it be?

Cafe Bella Roma Cafes Italian Los Angeles Meat Meatballs Pico-Robertson Restaurants Sandwiches

5/12/2011 Heroes and Villains

Justin Verlander: Unvegan Hero

On Saturday, May 7th, Justin Verlander pitched the second no-hitter of his career. It’s a hell of an achievement and certainly one to be proud of. And sure, it’s cool that he is now one of only 30 pitchers in the history of Major League Baseball to throw multiple no-hitters, but the way he celebrated is even cooler.

Detroit Justin Verlander Steak Tigers Toronto

5/11/2011 General Thoughts

Behold! A Speech

Last week I gave a speech at Toastmasters. It was about food. But not toast. Here is the transcript:

Right now it’s about lunchtime, but if you’re anything like me, you’re probably wondering what you’re going to eat for dinner. When looking for a good dinner, I have a set of criteria to help me determine whether the place is worth my while.

First – I don’t want the same old thing.
Second – I’m looking for something creative.
Third – I want meat.
Fourth – The price must be right.
Fifth and finally – The meal should give me a good story.

So what restaurant fits that bill and should be your dinner tonight?

Cheesy Gordita Crunch Speech Taco Bell Toastmasters

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