Fish & Chicks March 8, 2008
Posted by foodies in American, Cash Only, Cheap, Uncategorized.add a comment
Northridge Fish & Chips
Location: 10336 Reseda Blvd., Northridge, CA 91326
Phone Number: (818) 360-3474
Type of Food: Seafood, Cash Only, Deep Fried, Cheap Eats
After wandering aimlessly one afternoon on a day off with Renee and after getting her fix at Red Mango (most likely another post for another time) we decided to walk in. I know, I know, real fish and chips and even then, fish and chips in NORTHRIDGE. This place has stood the test of time since 1968 and this place is proof that what you see is what you get and less is more.
Stolen moment. NOT
The place visually hasn’t changed since it’s opened and I remembered why I found this place so familiar; my parents used to take me here when I was little. Looking at the place takes me back, and there’s a big visible window where you can see the guys cook the food. But seriously, why mess with a good thing!?
Essential Orders: Their menu is small. But for reals ya’ll: 2 words: Fish & Chips. Don’t plan on getting anything else other than that because, sorry to say, everything is just filler.
The Money Shot. Boo-yeah!
We ordered a 4 piece fish and chips and calamari and chips. Their fish is so good. Beer battered and fresh. Everything is made to order; no heat lamps or premade food that’s been chilling for forever and a day. The batter is light and flavored while the fish was still moist and GIHUGEN. Each piece was about 6-8 inches–way bigger than other shit seafood shacks like Red Lobster and WAY BETTER quality. Honestly 1 piece is enough for 1 person. Unless you’re really hungry.
Their mushrooms are also very tasty, but watch out, don’t get overzealous like me and try to take a bite off of the bat because not only are you going to burn your mouth, but all of the moisture bursts out and you burn your front as well. And remember, like I said, everything is just filler.
Their calamari was pretty much out-of-the-bag-shit that you could find in the grocery store and their clams were mediocre, and a while back when my brother got an order their shrimp tasted like it came from Albertson’s or something.
The Bill: Always depends on how many people but usually it’s around 5 or 6 dollars and you totally get what you pay for.
Things to know:
- Cash only!
- If you’re short on time you may want to call in advance; first come first serve
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Everything is made to order, if you peer over to the fry station, there is absolutely NO old food lying around
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On weekdays between 12-2 p.m. they have this Happy Hour where 1-2 pieces of fish and chips are only between 2-3 bucks only!
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Sometimes if I wanna save a buck or two, bring your own drinks. He doesn’t say anything to me. Next time I’m gonna bring Boddington’s to see if he’s gonna say anything.
- Watch your clothes they have the cheapest paper plates. It’s the thinest barrier between you, and the sticky old table.
Yang Chow: Woodland Hills’ Best Bet for Chinese February 26, 2008
Posted by foodies in Chinese.add a comment
Yang Chow Restaurant
Location: 6443 Topanga Canyon Blvd (Cross Street: Victory Boulevard)
Woodland Hills, CA 91303-2621
Phone Number: (818) 347-2610
To make a long story short: No gas money to go to Chinatown? This is the next best thing.
Whenever I drive around LA I sit there and completely cringe at gas prices. $3-fucking 15 for one gallon of the shitty stuff?! No wonder we haven’t been able to do a proper update! We can’t even afford to gas up our cars let alone get something to eat!
A couple of Sundays ago since I haven’t seen my bestfriend Pat in a while, we decided to have a day together of impulse shopping and since we find the food at the Topanga Plaza completely overrated, we decided to go to Yang Chow a block away from the mall.
The place is pretty big and very bright; white walls, pastel colored chairs and tablecloth, etc. But the first thing that caught my attention was the walls covered with Zagat awards and autographs of B List celebs (which is still always cool to me).
What to Order: Two words: Slippery Shrimp
Flash fried butterflied shrimp coated in flour and then covered with a sweet sauce. Garlicky, slightly crunchy, always reliable and always comes hot and fresh to the table. I can’t help but put the first piece in my mouth and then spit it out, burn my tongue and then re-put it in my mouth and eat it. They’re not skimpy with the seafood either. You really get what you pay for.
I also got their 3 Flavor Chow Mein, and unlike other Chinese restaurants, their noodles are thick and crispy instead of skinny and decorated with vegetables, crab, beef and chicken. The sauce isn’t too salty or shalacked in soy sauced, it’s perfect.
My friend Patrick got their Beef with Oyster Sauce and honestly it was your run of the mill beef with brown sauce dish-nothing really special. If anything it actually tasted bland to me but maybe it would be better if I had it the next time.
Service: 8 out of 10. Their service really is attentive. Guys always coming by and refilling your drinks and if you’re a camel like Patrick and I that’s definitely a plus
Robin Hood: A Bit of London in the Valley September 6, 2007
Posted by foodies in Bars, Places to go when you're drunk, Pubs.1 comment so far
Robin Hood British Pub & Restaurant
Location: 13640 Burbank Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91401-5216
Phone: (818) 994-6045
Type of Food: Good ole’ pub with affordable prices tucked away in the Valley
Yes, we’re back! After a long time of no posts Renee and I have a new fetish: The Pub. There are many reasons that we love the pub scene:
1. Pubs are the new dives
2. Great lowkey beers on tap such as a Bodington’s and Greene King Abbott Ale.
3. Always can find a great place to sit without the crowds and always douch-bag free
To tell you the truth, it was our first time eating here. But we do have out own favorite pubs that we love. (I love McG’s in Chatsworth, Renee loves Kingshead in Santa Monica) And tonight we were feeling a bit tired of everything so we decided to head South to Ventura Blvd. and randomly close our eyes and throw the proverbial dart on the map and take a blind go at it.
Run by two ex-Pats, The Robin Hood Pub and Restaurant has been open since 1982, and they’ve been serving the Valley old fashioned British home-style Pub food. Food your Mum would make. We didn’t even make it to Ventura before hitting Robin Hood on Burbank while we headed South on Woodman Ave.
Service: 8 out 10. The waitress was decent. Checked up on us, got us refills but really didn’t make much conversation, but it was okay since the dinner rush did start to get busy. We didn’t even ask that much in the first place since she was prompt with my pint of Boddington’s
Menu: We salivated within minutes of scanning the menu. Robin Hood not only boasts a Happy Hour, but always Afternoon tea from 2-5 in which they serve tea sandwiches and scones. They also have specials every weekend (that we totally plan to hit up) Their menu is very traditional; Fish and Chips, Shephard’s Pie, Banger’s and Mash. Their bar is very vast as well. They have 11 great beers on tap such as Boddington’, Guinness, Stella, Greene Abbot Ale, etc.
First we started off with pints. I love Boddington’s personally, light but creamy. I loved how there was practically no foam (less foam means more beer), this was poured by a professional. Renee ordered a pint of Stella for herself and we also had fried mushrooms, which I was let down by.
The batter looked light, but also tasted old. As if the oil that they fried it in seemed like they friend the fish in. Not getting that again.
Steak & Mushroom Pie with Chips and Peas
Cornish Pastie with Mash & Peas
For our main dish I ordered the Steak and Mushroom Pie with Chips and Peas. The food came piping hot. I being the crazy one who loves abnormally hot food took one bite of my Steak and Mushroom Pie choked and then appreciated the doughiness and the buttery taste of the crust. The pie had pieces of steak, mushrooms and potatoes that were cooked in a wine sauce which didn’t taste bitter at all.
My only complaint is that the pie should have had more meat. There was most potatoes. The chips were okay. I was hoping for the authentic chips where they’re thick, crispy and hot, I have a feeling that I had half of a cold batch and then half of a hot batch put together. The peas were good. Not mushy at all. And the gravy that came with the dish was not too salty and well seasoned. I honestly didn’t even think it was gravy because it was so dark, it’s more of a demi glaze. Renee thought hers tasted very good. She liked the seasoningg of the ground beef and the mash that came with her dish were creamy without feeling too heavy. Her only reserve was that the peas wernen’t mashed.
All in all, the Robin Hood is a pub that we plan to definitely come back to. Look out for our future post when we check out their high tea!
NEW Shit Lister Added! June 2, 2007
Posted by foodies in Cheap, Japanese, Shit List, Stay Away, Sushi, Trendy / Hipster.add a comment
Break on through to the other side…
Goodbye, E & E April 18, 2007
Posted by foodies in Cheap, Curry, Japanese, Salads and etc. (non-main course food).add a comment
E & E Cafe and Japanese Market
Location: 18429 Nordhoff St
Northridge, CA 91325 (Between Reseda Blvd. and Darby Ave.)
Phone: (818) 775-0115
Type of food: Japanese Homestyle meets your Mom’s kitchen
I admit, I only discovered this place a little before this year from my bestfriend Renee, and I’ve been a frequent customer ever since. Even more so this month since it officially closes it’s door for the last time this Saturday. Who knows how many countless CSUN college students and Valley residents this restaurant has been serving for 14 years, but I had the pleasure to become a regular and even to say “The usual.” and them automatically know what I was talking about.
It’s located in a very busy strip mall that also has a Panda Express (blech, why would you even wanna go there?!) and a boba spot next door on the 2nd floor. The place is quiant & very peaceful. Countertops are located right in front of all of the action (aka the kitchen) for those who dine alone, a couple of 2-top tables along the perimeter of the restaurant, and a couple of 4-top table or two 8-top tables. They also sell their own salad dressing, baked goods, Japanese tea sets.
Essential Orders: The menu is anything but sushi or your typical Japanese dishes–boasting mostly curries. They also have different specials everyday. You can order the spiceness of your curry anyway you like-from a 1-10. It costs extra if you go beyond 7, which I haven’t done yet, but the waiter did try to persuade me to do since they are only going to be open a few more days. I like to order their tonkatu curry at a 7. It usually comes with a green salad that’s dressed in their famous sesame soy dressing which you can buy bottled from the restaurant, or from their small grocery store which you can find downstairs. The main dish which never sits on the window for more than 5 seconds, also comes with steamed rice.
Their gyoza is completely homemade and always tastes fresh. Always hot and juicy when you bite into it, my waiter is always impressed since I like to empty the bottle of hot chile oil whenever I order this.
I also order their deep fried tofu which is served in a small bowl decorated with green onions and TONS of shaved bonito flakes swimming in a hot bonito soy broth. I usually like to finish the tofu and then pour the sauce all over my rice.
Things to Know:
- Credit cards accepted
- Due to the overwhelming demand and love for the place, they had to stop deliveries and take out orders.
- No reservations
- Dine in only till Saturday
- They have tea time from 2-4 p.m.
- CSUN Students get 10% off.
