Chickpea to Cook

Mmmm-mmm. You’ll be whistling Dixie after eating at Tupelo Junction, a Southern style kitchen on Santa Barbara’s trendy State Street.

The menu is tantalizing with unique options that set this place apart from competitors. Where else can you find Pumpkin Oatmeal Waffles, Blackened Molasses Salmon, or Bloody Mary Braised Baby Back Ribs?

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Tupelo Junction serves up plenty of artery-clogging Southern favorites with a fresh, California twist. I recommend going on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Be prepared to indulge. Read the rest of this entry »

Nothing tops fresh snow powder and clear skies for the ski and snowboard crowd in Mammoth Lakes. But a slice of bread from Schat’s Bakery takes a close second.

This bakery was around before the ski lifts and winter crowds from Los Angeles flooded the slopes of this mountain village in the California Sierra Nevadas. Locals and out-of-towners alike line up for fresh off-the- hearth bread, pastries, cookies, and desserts.

My recommendations: try the chili cheese bread, 7-grain wheat loaf, and coconut macaroons. The carved turkey sandwich was among the best I’ve ever had (juicy, off-the-bone turkey on your choice of bread, with tomato, onions, sprouts, mayo, and dijon mustard). The only disappointment I’ve encountered so far was the egg croissant sandwich.

Schat’s Bakery has two locations:

Mammoth
3305 Main St., Mammoth Lakes, CA
760/934-6055 or 760/934-4203

Bishop
763 N. Main Street, Bishop, CA

The ride back home from Vegas can be mighty long, especially depending how you did at the weekend craps table. But make sure you save at least $10 for a stop at Mad Greek, a kitschy fast food deli and diner that pays homage to the island of the Gods.

It’s a piece of Greece in the middle of the Mojave Desert town of Baker. This dusty pitstop town on the route to Vegas is otherwise known for it’s inordinately large thermometer–the world’s largest, I’m told. Mad Greek is just down the street.

You can’t miss this restaurant with its huge sign, eclectic mix of Greek God statues, and of course, numerous Greek flags.

And that’s just on the outside.

Inside you’ll find a wide menu of Mediterranean specialties. Try the beef shawarma or chicken gyros. There are also plenty of honey drenched Greek pastries–baklava is a favorite. You can eat there or take it to go, although I find that munching on a spanakopita in the car can be a messy imposition.

The food is different than the typical road fare you will find on America’s highways, and therefore better. The staff is friendly and Greek! Well, most of them.

As you savor the last bite of your dolmade, you’ll almost be able to forget your Vegas sorrows.