December Birthday Meals 2018

December was my birthday month and I enjoyed many birthday meals and drinks throughout the month. You can google search "Eat Free For Your Birthday" and you will find many options. However, many restaurants have rewards cards, so sometimes you may have to ask them about these rewards cards upon your arrival (some restaurants will have something on their tables to remind guests).

Shrimp Mac 'N Cheese (appetizer)

1/2 lb. All-American BBQ Burger (entrée)

Strawberry-something smoothie

This was the first time that I've been to Bubba Gump. I went to the one at the Anaheim Garden Walk near Disneyland. I enjoyed the shrimp Mac 'N Cheese. The burger was okay, nothing spectacular and the smoothie, I don't actually remember the name of it, but know that it had strawberries in it (drinks and smoothies aren't listed on the menu online). It was good except if you didn't drink it fast enough, the "juice" and other ingredients would separate. Bubba Gump is one of the participating restaurants for "Laudry's Select Club". There is a one time $25 fee to be a "member", however, you get a $25 welcome reward for signing up and $25 birthday reward every year for your birthday. I don't know about the expiration date for the welcome reward, but you can use the birthday reward anytime during your birthday month. There is a list of participating restaurants, so you will have to check the Laudry's Select Club website to decide where you want to go.

Oreo Shake and Royal Red Robin Burger

I went to the Red Robin in Brea and I went by bicycle because I wanted to "work" for my food. The commute was 22 miles round trip. The shake was not free, but the burger and fries were. Red Robin also has a rewards card, however, I'm not sure if they are still giving out cards. I think they still do if you ask for one. I do know that you can sign up and register cardless through their website. Let them know upon your arrival that you registered for their rewards, but don't have a card and they can help you redeem any rewards. Free burger during your birthday month and a free tenth burger (pay for nine burgers and get the tenth for free). I have two Red Robin cards - both are "old" as I've had them for awhile now - because a Red Robin restaurant gave me a card, not knowing that I already had one. Of course, I used the second card.

Peppermint Mocha Frappacino and Pumpkin Bread Loaf

The pumpkin bread loaf was not free, but the drink was. Starbucks has a rewards card that looks like gift cards. You can also download their app on your phone to receive free drinks during your birthday month and if you order there often, you get free items throughout the year.

Tall Stack Original Pancakes and Chocolate Milk

Birthday meal at IHOP. The chocolate milk was not free, but the pancakes were. Normally, I'd like to have bacon, eggs, hasbrowns, and sausage with my pancakes, but a tall stack of pancakes was plenty for me. IHOP doesn't have a rewards card, so you will have to google "Eat Free For Your Birthday" and sign up for free pancakes from IHOP.

Peppermint Swirl Shake

Sauteed Shroom Burger

I went to Red Robin in Chino by bicycle. The commute was ten miles, but I took a different route going home to make my total commute 22 miles. I enjoyed the burger, however, I didn't really enjoy the shake. They took my go-to shake (brownie mint) off the menu and I wanted to try the peppermint swirl shake which was a new item on their menu. I think this was a holiday/seasonal shake, so it will probably not be on the menu if I decide to go to Red Robin during non-holiday/Christmas season, although I don't think I will try it again for my birthday next year.

Horse Thief BBQ

Guy Fieri travels throughout the U.S. with his show, "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" to feature many small restaurants and eateries. Horse Thief BBQ located at the Grand Central Market in Downtown Los Angeles was one of many.

Horse Thief BBQ has their own dining area (outdoors), however for those rainy days, there is seating inside the Grand Central Market.

Featured on the show were the pork belly (served on apple fennel slaw and spicy mayo) and the fried chicken sandwich. The pork belly needs to be featured on another food show called "Best Thing I Ever Ate" because it deserves to be there. The fried chicken sandwich was crunchy, crispy and juicy.

What was not featured on the show, but was a popular favorite with customers was the beef brisket. Or was it the brisket sandwich? The beef brisket was most likely used for the sandwich as well. It was juicy, tender and flavorful.

   

Also at the Grand Central Market in Downtown Los Angeles includes a few other restaurants and eateries that were featured on "Incredible Edible America", "Andrew Zimmern: Delicious Destinations" and "The Next Food Network Stars". Maybe "Best Thing I Ever Ate" as well, but I can't remember.

Zama Tea and Kombucha

Zama Tea and Kombucha is a very quaint and very cute tea boutique with a tea bar plus retail store located in Old Town Tustin, CA. Tea products include specialty loose tea leafs (over 100 flavors to choose from), herbs, raw Kombucha and tea accessories which also includes tea pots and tea cups. Kombucha is fermented tea and tea on tap is lightly effervescent (giving off bubbles; carbonated/fizzy). Loose tea leavs have ools from antioxidants that will absorb into the water and they are better for health benefits. While Zama Tea does carry tea bags in store, there is a limited flavors in stock. You can enjoy tea on tap or a hot brewed tea from the tea bar with a sandwich, salad and hummus, a lively probiotic vegan yogurt or a vegan soup.

Before Zama Kombucha and Tea came, this was the site of the first doctor's office. Then it became a "go to spot" for teens clothing where many lovingly knew it as "Jabberwocky".

The Poke Shack

The Poke Shack was started in Venice Beach, CA by two brothers in 2014. One of the brothers was interested in real estate and architecture, thus starting a new location in Los Angeles, CA.

Poke bowls come in two sizes: "Lil Daddy" (small) or "Big Daddy" (large). They are build your own bowls in a similar fashion as Subway. Protein: Ahi Tuna or Salmon. Base: brown rice, white rice, seaweed salad (extra charge) or organic kale (extra charge). Various toppings and your choice of sauce. However, the protein is raw yet fresh.

Pasta Joe's Italian Fusion Restaurant

I've seen the Grand Opening sign for Pasta Joe's before from visiting Asia Buffet located in the same parking lot. I came in here at a different time before dining in for a different reason, and I was immediately drawn on the cleanliness and modern decor, albeit small. I finally came and dined in with some people. It wasn't that busy for a Saturday evening, but that meant the space was roomier and this place was also still new. We got served by sexy Wade who was helpful, friendly, infomative and funny. This was also the first time that we had a restuarant ask for feedback to improve wherever it was needed which was actually nice.

We ordered two Italian Sodas, one mango and one strawberry. We liked both flavors and the drink wasn't overpowered by heavy carbonation or sugar. We also ordered the Fried Calamari with the Marinera Sauce which tasted fresh. The cream of corn soup was complimentary and that was also very good.

We also ordered the Italian Sausage Spaghetti in Pesto Sauce (image on right) and Baked Bacon Penne in Alfredo Sauce (image below) after seeing a few other yelpers ordering them. Both tasted very delicious, and I usually don't like pasta dishes at restuarants!

All the dishes were light, fresh - not canned or frozen - and filled you up without making you feel fat and sleepy. The prices are pretty reasonable and the portions were perfect, but you also get soup with your meal. I like the fact that the tv was on the Food Network channel. We'd come back and we'd recommend this place to others.

Ask for Wade, even if he's not working!

Mt. Vesuvius Burger - Red Robin

I recently went to Red Robin in West Covina after receving a "promotional" email about the Mt. Vesuvius Burger. For every Mt. Vesuvius Burger sold at participating Red Robin, 50 cents would be donated to the National Center For Missing & Exploited Children Foundation between July 26 to September 11, 2011.

This burger consisted of beef, bacon, bleu cheese, Provalone chese, and tangy lava sauce. It was created by a kid who was the grand prize winner in the 2010 Kids Cook Off! Kids are so smart these days and this burger was good!

Yogurtland

I recently visited Yogurtland in Diamond Bar, CA. A friend of mine mentioned that she visited one because she saw this sign and had to get her yogurt fix in a Hello Kitty cup with a Hello Kitty spoon! I couldn't wait to get a Hello Kitty cup and spoon! The cup isn't reusable, but the spoon is!

Strawberry Cheesecake Yogurt and Oreo Cookie Yogurt with cheesecake and oreo cookie crumbs toppings.

Harlem Place Cafe

After visiting the Downtown Los Angeles Artwalk, my friends and I went to Harlem Place Cafe as one of my friends already knew about this place and thought that we should try it out. The artwalk in Downtown L.A. is usually held every second Thursday of the month and there are also other food places to try out including several food trucks during Artwalk night.

This place is in a "hidden" location at the end of a short alley next to the Museum Of Neon Art. I like the fact that there are art work (graffiti art, paintings, and photography) on the wall. It's also a "hip" place for the young crowds. While they play "cool" music, the music was very loud, making it hard to have a conversation with your friends and/or when ordering your food. How do you enjoy your meal and conversations with your friends if you have to yell over the music just to be heard?

Since this was my first time here, I had only tried the pulled pork sliders. My friends ordered the same, so there wasn't much to try out or get opinions on other foods or get photos of other food. The pulled pork sliders were pretty good though and it was reasonably priced for the portion with a soda. Each plate came with two sliders and cole slaw. The customer service was generally good, but we thought it was strange that they didn't give out numbers so that they could remember who ordered what. We had to remind our server once or twice about our orders, but he somehow forgot about one of my friend's order and he returned with three sliders for forgetting my friend's order which was awesome. Each plate of sliders usually came with two, but my friend got one extra on the house for the inconvenience.

Kogi BBQ food truck

I visited the Kogi BBQ food truck when it was in Diamond Bar, feeding their fans a few weeks ago. This was before I saw an episode of "Eat St" where Kogi was one of the trucks featured on the show. They were famous for their Korean-Mexican influenced tacos. I visited them again recently when they were feeding fans in Pomona because I wanted to try their famous tacos.

I ordered their three taco meal. In this photo, clockwise starting at the top, were Chicken Taco, Spicy Pork Taco and Short Rib Taco. I enjoyed these tacos, although they were a bit messy to eat. I think I enjoyed these tacos better than their Kogi dog that I had last time I visited the truck. I also got a fourth taco (short rib) on the house with my meal. I didn't ask for an extra one and it was nice of the cooks to give a free one away! I'm not sure how often they give away free items since they don't mention specials or promotions, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Kogi BBQ Food Truck

Kogi BBQ was in Diamond Bar feeding their fans earlier this evening. This was the first time that I tried their food and they serve Korean style food. I usually don't visit trucks when it's just one truck alone, but decided to give Kogi a try since it was four miles from my house.

Kogi Dog

The Chuck Wagon Stop

Every Thursdays from 5pm to 9pm, several food trucks come together at Robbins Bros in Fullerton, Ca for Chuck Wagon Stop event to feed their fans. The line up varies from week to week and is usually up in the air until that week. I met up with the SoCal Nom Noms meetup group at this event to try out various food trucks that were there. You can't tell that there were six trucks there in the photo, but there was on directly in front of the food truck (far left). If you live/work in or near the Fullerton area, you'll enjoy visiting this event regularly as there are always different food trucks to try.


This week, the featured food trucks were:

* Bacon Mania
* Short Stop BBQ
* Piaggio
* Chunk-N-Chip Cookies
* The OC Food Truck
* and Chupacabra TacoWagon

Some of the food that were ordered because SoCal Nom Noms members and I were:

Mac'n Bac'n Fries from BaconMania

Moca Choco Latte from Chunk-N-Chip Cookies

Twinker Bell (fried twinkie) from The OC Food Truck

Short Stop Burger from Short Stop BBQ

All of these items tasted very good, although I would prefer CoolHaus over Chunk-N-Chip Cookies.