Camping Recipe: The Pocket Dinner

Camping Recipe: The Pocket Dinner

This is not so much a recipe as it is a suggested order of events. Pocket dinners are more of a trial-and-error kind of thing. They’re elusive and mystical and can’t be easily replicated. At least that’s what I keep telling myself, because our first 

But Can You Get Tacos? Mexican Food at Papi’s in Paso Robles.

But Can You Get Tacos? Mexican Food at Papi’s in Paso Robles.

Fine, fine — the wine is great. The weather is wonderful. It’s close to the ocean, mountains, and San Luis Obispo. Paso Robles is perfect in every way. Whatever, Lisa. Let’s get this straight — the only criteria that matters is the one wrapped in 

How to make motel ‘continental breakfast’ waffles.

How to make motel ‘continental breakfast’ waffles.

We stay at the cheapest of the cheap motels when we’re not camping. A La Quinta is a very, very rare splurge — they’re too pricey. A Marriott? A Hilton? Can’t do it. The places we end up at tend to be around $40 a 

Sebastian’s Store: Hearst Beef Burgers and Big Salads in San Simeon

Sebastian’s Store: Hearst Beef Burgers and Big Salads in San Simeon

“The food is worth the wait!” we overhear the hostess promise another round of patrons. “But, we’re going to be late for our tour at the Hearst Castle!” the patroness indignantly exclaims. The hostess puts a sign up near the chalkboard menu — the restaurant 

Uncle Paul’s “Raw” Californian Vegan Chili

Uncle Paul’s “Raw” Californian Vegan Chili

We wanted a hearty meal, but we didn’t want to light the stove. Remembering a good white bean-based salad we once had (with parsley and red onion), we concocted this: 1 can mixed beans, rinsed (our can had black, kidney, and pinto) ½ diced onion 

Jalama Beach: Cheeseburgers in Paradise

Jalama Beach: Cheeseburgers in Paradise

Look at Jalama Beach on a map — it doesn’t look like much, does it? It’s just a tiny red dot, close to evil-sounding towns like Solvang and Lompoc. It’s on a sharp bend in the Californian coast, where the land had been moving west but 

Jalama Beach Park: Beach; Burger; Beer; Rinse. Repeat.

Jalama Beach Park: Beach; Burger; Beer; Rinse. Repeat.

We’ve found the best beach camping spot in California (so far): Jalama Beach (say: Ha-Llama). It’s perfect right now, their off-season. We’re one of only a handful of people camping here. There’s no cell service, no WiFi, no neighboring town, no brewery. There’s not even a 

San Diego Fish Tacos and Mexican Food

San Diego Fish Tacos and Mexican Food

Yummy, yummy San Diego, which, if you listen to 91.1 FM long enough, you’ll learn “San Diego” means whale’s vagina in German (thanks, Mr. Ferrell). Great radio stations in this town pair nicely with the great tacos. Here’s where we ate. Rubio’s Rubio’s has dethroned 

Share Your San Diego Fish Taco Recommendations!

Share Your San Diego Fish Taco Recommendations!

We’re in San Diego and loving the Mexican food. This town is no Vermont, that’s for sure. We’ve been to Rubio’s, Mr. Taco, and a place call La Cocina in Ramona. Where else should we go? We don’t want to miss any gems, but we’re 

Ode to Hot Dogs: America’s Greatest Food

Ode to Hot Dogs: America’s Greatest Food

There’s no food that I can think of as malleable and regional (and wonderful) as the hot dog. In Chicago it’s topped with nearly everything (except ketchup) and it’s amazing. In Arizona, the Mexican / Sonoran hot dogs are wrapped in mesquite-smoked bacon and are 

Eating Our Way Through Los Angeles, California

Eating Our Way Through Los Angeles, California

Full full full. We’re full of good food thanks to LA. Loved eating here. I think the food sold us on this town. Me at least. I could live here. We get LA. The farmers’ market in January with multiple varieties of avocado? Yum. The fresh 

Charlie Palmer Tries To Mr. Hankey On Our Christmas At Aureole

Charlie Palmer Tries To Mr. Hankey On Our Christmas At Aureole

Las Vegas is different now. I interned at UNLV one summer nearly a decade ago and got to know the city pretty well. I shopped at the grocery store where there were shootings. I bought tacos alongside prostitutes on their lunch breaks. I got to