Carniceria Don Juan

12922 Vanowen Street,
North Hollywood, CA 91605

Fresh BBQ chicken with Mexican spices? Carniceria Don Juan makes it fresh out of the pit. I love fresh BBQ. Too bad the LAFD gots to screw everything over with their regulations. The carniceria often gets busted for placing the pit too close to the street. But thats good advertising! So... some weekends there might be BBQ chicken, some weekends there won't be BBQ chicken. Sigh!!

Big Earl's

7213 E. 1st Ave,
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

I saw Big Earl's from the Pita House. Automatically, I said to myself I've got to have something to go on the way back to Los Angeles. The Texas Brisket with slaw made my evening drive to Los Angeles all the more enjoyable.

Pita House

7210 E. 1st Ave,
Scottsdale, AZ 85251




For a small town of 250+K, Scottsdale has a good selection of cosmopolitan restaurants. Dining at the Pita House felt fresh with it cafe style outdoor seating. The Gyro Classic plate left me feeling full but not heavy for my long drive home to Los Angeles.

Tottie's Asian Fusion

7901 E. Thomas Rd., Scottsdale, AZ.

How did I come by this place? On 05/27/11, I was doing laundry at the other side of the street and I took a walk-about to this corner corner mall. I saw there was a gym-some girl who looked like a fitness model was doing her routine in front of the mirror. I saw Tottie's and Pranksters. Prankster's had this volleyball scene going on behind the pub. I love the athleticism and the youthfulness of the crowd.

I took the AZ light rail, went sightseeing, and bike riding on Scottsdale's bike course. It is so picturesque and scenic with gorgeous men and women. I got back so late, I didn't even bother to return to my hotel room (right next to the bike course) to shower. I just went all sweaty and funky to Tottie's.

I had the Vietnamese spring roll. What struck me as different was the addition of Sirracha to the peanut sauce. Pure genius as to the combination. Then I had the Red Curry Salmon with mixed vegetables (blanched). The salmon was cooked to perfection. Charred on the outside and slightly rare on the inside. This can be duplicated at home by cooking the salmon over a medium heat with 2 minutes on each side, just like a beef steak. The sauce I ordered was medium Thai hot. A well balanced rich coconut milk with chilis. A job well done by the saucier and the chef.

Red Kimchi - 05/28/11

1414 N Scottsdale Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85257

I was so hungry after my run and swim. The dish was Ojingeo Bokeum-season squid stir fried with vegetables.
Amazing textures and taste running through this dish. The crunchiness of the eggs, carrots, and bean sprouts. The minced strips of seaweed added a sweet briny(ness). The sesame seeds brought a nutty(ness).

The various pickled Korean dishes: cumber, onion, daikon radish, kimchi (of course), tofu and bean sprouts(in sesame oil).

Mijana - 05/27/11

1290 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Tempe, AZ 85281

Post kayaking at the Salt River and I was sooo hungry. This place caught my eye as I was just cruising the street. I made a U(ie) and lost my virginity as I had my first Lebanese foodie experience. A wonderful pleasant first time experience. Herbs (corriander, parsley, etc) , curries, lentls, tabouli, hummus, basmati rice, and one spicy chicken dish.Staff was very friendly.


I don't usually like pilsners, but Almaza rose to the level of a Singha. So refreshing.

Dutch Brothers

1422 North Scottsdale Road,
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
















I'll have my usual at Dutch Brothers: the Annihilator. Nothing like a good tasting macadamia flavored caffeinated buzz-iced because AZ is so damn hot. None of this grande whatever pretensions when ordering the size. Small, medium or large the American way to order a beverage.

Super Burrito

The first meal when I rolled in late to Scottsdale, AZ. My order went something like this:
R: "Burrito. Tienes coca, chiba, mota?"
M: "Mande?!?!"
Like I stuttered.
R: "I mean..tienes seso?"
M: "No."
I thought to myself, where can I get fed like a real Mexican.
R: "Tienes cabeza?"
M: "Si,"
R: "Odlay" - I thought to myself.
The portions were generous and fatty. Fatty and greasy is important because if a place doesn't have enough cabeza they will adulterate meat with asada which is dry and will not melt in your mouth due to low fat content. Cabeza is very buttery. Buuutttaaahhhrrr.

Teriyaki House

6801 Lankershiam Blvd #115
North Hollywood, CA 91605

Simply uninspiring, the menu is forgettable. I remember my dine-in experience consisted of the ambiance of red lights flashing from an ambulance across the street as the paramedics picked up and unconscious homeless guy and three morbidly obese women ordering take-out.

For a better teriyaki and drive there as quickly as possible: Happy Teriyaki Bowl and Waikiki Hawaiin Grill.

Sri Siam Cafe

12843-12845 Vanowen Street,
North Hollywood, CA 91605


I had the BBQ eggplant salad (spicy). I was spicy. The eggplant could have been cooked just a little bit more to avoid the dry spongey texture. Overall the dish was fair. For further culinary adventures I'd try the fried mussels, or the crispy catfish salad.