The USA Food Thread

[PrincessInOz]

I thought it was time to start a thread dedicated to USA Food and chains. We can put any restaurant or tidbit we like, including food porn, of things we've eaten - love or hate. It doesn't have to be Disney related and if it grows to be unmanageable, we can abandon it.



Index

Blake's Place BBQ 14
Bubba Gump 22, 25


California Pizza Kitchen 11
Cheesecake Factory 7, 9
Cinnabon 15,


Ghiradelli Chocolates 3
In N Out 14


Johnny Rockets 8
Friendlys Ice Cream 2


Mimi's Cafe 13
Ruby's Diner 4, 14


PF Chang
Wholefoods Market 10

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'll start with this chain. I found this chain referenced in a PTR. Seems like it is based in the East Coast. Anyone ever been to one of the shops? I haven't; and in the thread I was visiting, there were at least 4 women drooling over the icecreams and the melts. It looks like it's only been around for 75 years or so....

http://www.friendlys.com/

 

[heidispidi]

Sounds like it's a must-visit during our hectic day trip to San Francisco! My has added it to our itinerary inbetween Alcatraz and our 3 hour tour (always sing Gilligans Island them song when I say that LOL).

Don't know whether we'll eat in or just have a browse and purchase, but it's something I'm definitely looking forward to trying!

 

[aussiegirls]

We stumbled across Ruby's Diner by accident last year.

www.rubys.com

The one we found was almost across the road from the Disney Character Warehouse in Orangethorpe and it was gorgeous. It reminded me of Arnold's Diner from Happy Days.

We will definately be making another stop at Ruby's in December

xxx

 

[aussietravellers]

Oh I do like this thread!

PF Changs. Yummy Yummy asian food! Soo good

Cheesecake Factory. Not only their regular menu is good, my all time favourite is the Godiva Cheesecake and they have this massive chocolate fudge cake, one slice is about the size of a whole cake

 

[heidispidi]

Aussietravellers, everyone I know who's been to Hawaii tells me that the Cheesecake Factory food is to die for - I can't wait to try it.

 

[kylieh]

Cheesecake Factory was some of the best from our last trip. We had it in LV. Here are some of our selections (but we didn't get desert, we were off to the theatre.) Steamed veges are standard in a lot of their meals which is unusual elsewhere.

These aren't colour corrected and no flash.

 

[kylieh]

Is a hamburger/hot dog type chain place. We ate in Hollywood and Highland Centre on our last trip, and LV the trip before. These are some images from Hollywood and Highland Centre. It wasn't too bad, better than McDonald's and clean good value etc. DH and DD really liked it there, his quote "typical American (insert semi-rude word here) but well done" http://www.johnnyrockets.com/noflash.php

There is sauce at the table - DD added this amount herself

 

[PrincessInOz]

Link to the Cheesecake Factory:
http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/#lobby

Here are more shots from the Cheesecake Factory, from the Anaheim branch.

 

[PrincessInOz]

WholeFoods Market sells organic and natural foods throughout North America. Aside from stocking up on groceries, they have a hot food section in all the stores I've visited. The hot food includes pizza, pasta, soup, roast etc.; plus they make baguettes, salads.

Don't be fooled by the 'supermarket' status. The food here is decent and reasonably priced. It's a must FIND for us whenever we are in the US.

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/

[Hoping to make it out to the Wholefoods store near the San Francisco airport at the end of the month. If I do, I'll take some shots and post photos.]

 

[Jade+3]

One of our favourites from our last trip was California Pizza Kitchen. Must remember to start taking photos of food!

http://www.cpk.com/

We have only been to the Cheesecake Factory once. It was the only place we went that does not offer a kids menu.

 

[Caroline NZ]

One of the reasons we are staying at the Residence Inn Anaheim Maingate next year is that is close to the Garden Walk restaurants. I am looking forward to trying them out, especially the Cheesecake Factory.

 

[hjd0411]

Sounds like it's a must-visit during our hectic day trip to San Francisco! My has added it to our itinerary inbetween Alcatraz and our 3 hour tour (always sing Gilligans Island them song when I say that LOL).

Don't know whether we'll eat in or just have a browse and purchase, but it's something I'm definitely looking forward to trying!

Yuummmmm!!! Ghiradelli chocolates...!!! I just love these. I have some caramel chocs left over from May - they are still in my cupboard, but I don't know for how long!!

This is a good thread - I will have to take notes. The food porn looks great! I also vote for California Pizza - I think they have an outlet in the Mirage in Las Vegas. Great pizza, good value, and next time I'm in Vegas I'm going back.
I did like Mimi's in Anaheim, too. Walked there most mornings to have breakfast and had a dinner or two there too, if I remember correctly.
www.mimiscafe.com

 

[Saskiwi]

I second Ruby's - very cute - we went to their diner in Palm Springs and the kids really liked it. Mimi's next to Hojo's at DL is nice too - the kids still go on about how crazy it was to get a sweet muffin with your main course, but the meals were pretty good quality!

For fast food, a big plug for In-n-Out Burger http://www.in-n-out.com
They are all over California - closest to DL is at cnr Brookhurst and Orange. Great burgers and ask for your fries to be "animal style" mmmmm

We really like US style BBQ which is hard to find in California, but on our last trip we went here and it was pretty good and the people were just lovely: http://www.blakesplacebbq.com/ It's not flashy and they are in a sort of industrial area, (2905 East Miraloma Avenue) so well off the tourist track but worth the trouble of getting there if you like good BBQ!

 

[Saskiwi]

Oh and how could I forget Cinnabon?? ... available at mall food courts all over - closest to DL is probably at The Block at Orange?
When you can't get a food item at home it seems all the more attractive doesn't it? Although I'm sure the unavailability of Cinnabon in NZ is a GOOD thing for my arteries and thighs

 

[Aust]

How far is the Cheesecake Factory in Anaheim from HoJo's? Is it walkable? I keep hearing about how good it is so want to try it, but is it worth giving up precious DL time for??

 

[aussiegirls]

Aust, the Cheesecake Factory is in the Anaheim Gardenwalk. It is in walking distance to DL apparently, although I have not walked there. When we went we caught the ART to get there. Bubba Gump is also at the Gardenwalk, and we looooove Bubba Gump

xxx

 

[Travel Mum]

We looooove Bubba Gump xxx

Oh, so do we!!!

 

[shaz105]

The cheesecake factory is close to HoJo it is approx 15-20mins walk

 

[heidispidi]

Can i get my DD to walk 20 mins? Only if i tell her there is food waiting at the other end lol. Tan, you better plan in the Cheesecake Factory too. Sounds like we will eat our way through California!