It's the second full day of my visit to California. Heading up to Malibu from Anaheim. Through L.A. and up the CPH1!
I'm meeting my niece, who now lives in California, for lunch a Duke's. Duke's has come a long way from back in the days when the surfing crowd were the only inhabitants of the waterfront.
Valet only parking. I think that's because the parking along the highway is premium, limited.
The building is beautiful. There are three sections. Outdoor casual, indoor casual and indoor upscale. Upscale is the dinner level of visit. We opted for outdoor casual. The view of the homes along the shore and the ocean itself, beautiful.
She a selected Pulled Pork sandwich and I got the Charbroiled Cheeseburger.
When the food finally arrived it looked really great. Although her Pulled Pork looked more like a piece of Tuna.
Turns out, the Pulled Pork was tasty.
My burger was tasty enough. My buds were really on high alert. Duke's is supposed to have great meat and fish.
Rated:
3.5 of 5
Staff messed up order and didn't really seem to feel bad about it. Burger was tasty but, not flavorful. Maybe order some fish stuff. The view is awesome. If I lived near by or was staying down the road, I would hang out in the Barefoot Bar and enjoy a couple of drinks. The indoor lounge area has a spectacular view also.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Slater's 50/50 Burger 11.2014
They say the third time is a charm. This was the fourth.
My fourth burger during my four day visit in California was at Slater's 50/50 Restaurant.
Burgers by design.
Up front, not a fan of "build your own". Does that mean, if you don't like it too bad, your idea? The group I was with convinced me it will be fine. Also, you can get just the standard sandwich. The check list is crazy! My favorite name, "Peanut Butter and Jellousy". I chose the Oldtimey off the basic burger listing. Others got the 50/50 with their personal modifications. It was fun to hear what was going to be on their burgers.
My burger came cooked just right. Flavor, it was there. Finally! Is this because all the other burgers I've had while on this visit just didn't make it? The company I keep?
Nope, a good burger.
I did try a nibble of the 50/50 versions. 50% bacon, 50% beef. Tasty also.
Price was in the normal range for this kind of place. The scene was definitely happening. Decor is upscale sports bar, lounge restaurant. 1/3 lb for me. 2/3 lb for the others.
Rated:
3.5 of 5
Not a mind blower. Very good. Quick service. Accurate. Staff was fun.
My fourth burger during my four day visit in California was at Slater's 50/50 Restaurant.
Burgers by design.
Up front, not a fan of "build your own". Does that mean, if you don't like it too bad, your idea? The group I was with convinced me it will be fine. Also, you can get just the standard sandwich. The check list is crazy! My favorite name, "Peanut Butter and Jellousy". I chose the Oldtimey off the basic burger listing. Others got the 50/50 with their personal modifications. It was fun to hear what was going to be on their burgers.
My burger came cooked just right. Flavor, it was there. Finally! Is this because all the other burgers I've had while on this visit just didn't make it? The company I keep?
Nope, a good burger.
I did try a nibble of the 50/50 versions. 50% bacon, 50% beef. Tasty also.
Price was in the normal range for this kind of place. The scene was definitely happening. Decor is upscale sports bar, lounge restaurant. 1/3 lb for me. 2/3 lb for the others.
Rated:
3.5 of 5
Not a mind blower. Very good. Quick service. Accurate. Staff was fun.
Mad at Mad Madeline's (Temecula, CA) 11.2014
It was a return visit to one of the best burgers since I started this whole writing about burgers thing. Five years ago as I drove in to Temecula, CA a sign on the side of a building boasted Best Burger. It was Mad Madeline's. We saw Madeline's on Triple D. Cool. Looking back in my Burger Manual (hand written entry), it was April 2009. I didn't write much more than, the burger was big enough for two. All present recall it being tasty.
Fast forward to November 19th, 2014.
On a quest to score some of the best Asiago infused Olive Oil I headed back to Temecula, know full well that Madeline's was still there. Olive Oil shopping complete, we headed over for the burger. Still sporting the signage and newer smaller statements of grand burgers. (2014 Inland Empire Best of)
Just a cheeseburger and fries for me.
Wow, this is not what I remembered. Great story, my dad was along and had the bacon cheese burger. I didn't have the heart to say it but, dad did... he told the waitress that the burger was not even good. No flavor, dry and the bun was sort of dry. The waitress suggested that maybe it was the person cooking that day. No excuse! I wish I had that out when I need it.
Maybe it was an off day. Maybe our memory of that wonderful day back in 2009 was messing with our ability to truly judge this round.
Trust me when I say that each time I enter in to one of these taste n tell situations, I clear my mind and just try to let it happen.
California visit: 2 of 2 burgers not able to rate.
Fast forward to November 19th, 2014.
On a quest to score some of the best Asiago infused Olive Oil I headed back to Temecula, know full well that Madeline's was still there. Olive Oil shopping complete, we headed over for the burger. Still sporting the signage and newer smaller statements of grand burgers. (2014 Inland Empire Best of)
Just a cheeseburger and fries for me.
Wow, this is not what I remembered. Great story, my dad was along and had the bacon cheese burger. I didn't have the heart to say it but, dad did... he told the waitress that the burger was not even good. No flavor, dry and the bun was sort of dry. The waitress suggested that maybe it was the person cooking that day. No excuse! I wish I had that out when I need it.
Maybe it was an off day. Maybe our memory of that wonderful day back in 2009 was messing with our ability to truly judge this round.
Trust me when I say that each time I enter in to one of these taste n tell situations, I clear my mind and just try to let it happen.
California visit: 2 of 2 burgers not able to rate.
In/Out that's all. 11.2014
This is going to be one of those disclaimer kind of posts, I can feel it.
For years I've seen guys at car shows walking around with In/Out Burger T-shirts. I get the nostalgia. In/Out has been around since the golden day of the drive-in burger joint. It's a great story also.
So, here is my take.
I flew in to LAX where I was picked up by a friend. I mentioned that I have never been to an In/Out and asked how close one might be. He quickly came up with seven different exits that might get us to one on our way to Anaheim Hills. "You wanna go?" Of course I wanna go!
The line in the drive-thru was super long. I'm not a fan of drive-thru. Maybe it's old school to make eye contact with the person taking my order and then getting your order handed to you, hot and ready to munch down. The first fry that's too hot still, the smell of the burger cooling down in it's little paper wrap.
Where was I? Drive thru. Our order was taken by a person standing outside with a laptop. Slick. I'm still not sure if that was a time saver. Five maybe six minutes later we arrive at the window. Get our stuff and start driving to where I'm staying. It's only a couple of minutes away so, I hold off on munching.
Long story short, not what I expected.
Did the order go through faster than it should have making it somewhat stale before we were to the window? Was it a mistake to wait?Even cold, a burger should have some flavor. The fries should also do well on the first microwave warm up.
I haven't given up on I & O. Next time, inside ordering and eat straight from the bag. I know it will be good.
Right now, I can't rate it.
For years I've seen guys at car shows walking around with In/Out Burger T-shirts. I get the nostalgia. In/Out has been around since the golden day of the drive-in burger joint. It's a great story also.
So, here is my take.
I flew in to LAX where I was picked up by a friend. I mentioned that I have never been to an In/Out and asked how close one might be. He quickly came up with seven different exits that might get us to one on our way to Anaheim Hills. "You wanna go?" Of course I wanna go!
The line in the drive-thru was super long. I'm not a fan of drive-thru. Maybe it's old school to make eye contact with the person taking my order and then getting your order handed to you, hot and ready to munch down. The first fry that's too hot still, the smell of the burger cooling down in it's little paper wrap.
Where was I? Drive thru. Our order was taken by a person standing outside with a laptop. Slick. I'm still not sure if that was a time saver. Five maybe six minutes later we arrive at the window. Get our stuff and start driving to where I'm staying. It's only a couple of minutes away so, I hold off on munching.
Long story short, not what I expected.
Did the order go through faster than it should have making it somewhat stale before we were to the window? Was it a mistake to wait?Even cold, a burger should have some flavor. The fries should also do well on the first microwave warm up.
I haven't given up on I & O. Next time, inside ordering and eat straight from the bag. I know it will be good.
Right now, I can't rate it.
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