| Restaurant Name | City |
Rating
|
|---|---|---|
| Denny's | Fairfield, CA | |
|
This is the absolute average for family dining. The food is average,
the service is average to below average. But the prices are great
for a family on a limited budget. There will always be a market
for Denny's. This location is fortunate in that it is convenient.
|
||
| Olive Garden | Vallejo, CA | |
|
The Olive Garden is one of the most popular Italian restaurants
anywhere. Not because their food is authentic, although you
could probably make an arguement in favor of that, but because
they serve good food and cater to their customers. I love the non-Italian
dressing on their salads, which by the way is unlimited, their
marinara sauce is outstanding. I have always had good service
at Olive Garden (and I have been to them in several states as well
as just about every one of them in Southern Calif.). They cater
to families, and offer some new specials from time to time. But
they are always busy.
|
||
| Mimi's Cafe | San Jose, CA | |
|
This has to be one of the most pleasant family dining type restaurants
in the area. They have great food. Their waiters and waitresses
are all young and sometimes aren't as professional as I would
like, but they all are trained by Mimi's and are all very courteous.
Among the food items that are great here are their "Pot Roast",
it's just outstanding. They have a 1000 Island dressing that
I've never found anything close to anywhere else. They serve
a great "French Onion Soup" daily and on Fridays they have the
"Best Clam Chowder" around. Visit their website to get some free
recipes. Try their breakfasts which are all great. They even
have a healthy "Vegetarian Omelette" made with egg substitute
for the healthy conscious. Their children's menu is great, so
bring the kids. When visiting family in the area, this is where
we head.
|
||
| Mimis Cafe | San Mateo, CA | |
|
This has to be one of the most pleasant family dining type restaurants
in the area. They have great food. Their waiters and waitresses
are all young and sometimes aren't as professional as I would
like, but they all are trained by Mimi's and are all very courteous.
Among the food items that are great here are their "Pot Roast",
it's just outstanding. They have a 1000 Island dressing that
I've never found anything close to anywhere else. They serve
a great "French Onion Soup" daily and on Fridays they have the
"Best Clam Chowder" around. Visit their website to get some free
recipes. Try their breakfasts which are all great. They even
have a healthy "Vegetarian Omelette" made with egg substitute
for the healthy conscious. Their children's menu is great, so
bring the kids.
|
||
| Baskin Robbins | San Carlos, CA | |
|
I grew up eating at BR. What else can be said about these people
other than they have the best ice cream (hard pack) and the best
selection. But ice cream and yogurt are all they offer. This location
is almost a legend.
|
||
| My Nguyen Restaurant | Garden Grove, CA | |
|
If you want to try real Vietnamese cooking and aren't sure where
to go. Try My Nguyen. This is probably the finest Vietnamese homecooking
that can be found in this country. Try the Com Tam (which is a broken
rice with Beef) or Chicken Hai Nam. The service here is just excellent.
It's right in the heart of "Little Saigon". This place is a must.
They don't take credit cards, but a family of four can easily eat
for around $20. They do have take out.
|
||
| Outback Steakhouse | Arcadia, CA | |
|
The food here is excellent, but there are so many really top notch
steakhouses in the area that you don't have to pay the higher rices
for the smaller portions that you find here. A lot of steakhouses
tend to be noisy and this one is no exception. It is noisy and somewhat
rowdy, but fun. It is worth the visit, since the food is good, the
service is good, and it is a great place for the family. This location
is near the Santa Anita race track, so take that into consideration
during the racing season.
|
||
| Outback Steakhouse | Lakewood, CA | |
|
The food here is excellent, but there are so many really top notch
steakhouses in the area that you don't have to pay the higher rices
for the smaller portions that you find here. A lot of steakhouses
tend to be noisy and this one is no exception. It is noisy and somewhat
rowdy, but fun. It is worth the visit, since the food is good, the
service is good, and it is a great place for the family.
|
||
| Mimi's Cafe | Fountain Valley, CA | |
|
This has to be one of the most pleasant family dining type restaurants
in the area. They have great food. Their waiters and waitresses
are all young and sometimes aren't as professional as I would
like, but they all are trained by Mimi's and are all very courteous.
Among the food items that are great here are their "Pot Roast",
it's just outstanding. They have a 1000 Island dressing that
I've never found anything close to anywhere else. They serve
a great "French Onion Soup" daily and on Fridays they have the
"Best Clam Chowder" around. Visit their website to get some free
recipes. Try their breakfasts which are all great. They even
have a healthy "Vegetarian Omelette" made with egg substitute
for the healthy conscious. Their children's menu is great, so
bring the kids.
|
||
| Pick Up Stix | Fountain Valley, CA | |
|
I guess there are some people who think this is the greatest in
Chinese food. But it is average and is very "production line"
in preparation. I have to term this as Americanized Chinese food.
The service is fine, and it is enjoyable, but compared to other
Chinese restaurants, it pales.
|
||
| Mimis Cafe | Laguna Niguel, CA | |
|
This has to be one of the most pleasant family dining type restaurants
in the area. They have great food. Their waiters and waitresses
are all young and sometimes aren't as professional as I would
like, but they all are trained by Mimi's and are all very courteous.
Among the food items that are great here are their "Pot Roast",
it's just outstanding. They have a 1000 Island dressing that
I've never found anything close to anywhere else. They serve
a great "French Onion Soup" daily and on Fridays they have the
"Best Clam Chowder" around. Visit their website to get some free
recipes. Try their breakfasts which are all great. They even
have a healthy "Vegetarian Omelette" made with egg substitute
for the healthy conscious. Their children's menu is great, so
bring the kids.
|
||
| Pick Up Stix | Huntington Beach, CA | |
|
This is Chinese fast food. They produce all the entrees in an Americanized
fast food production style. The food is average compared to other
Chinese restaurants. It is very Americanized. The service is
extremely fast and good.
|
||
| Polly's Pies | Fullerton, CA | |
|
This used to be a pie shop, then they added sandwiches and salads,
and then entrees. The food at all their locations is great, and
consistent from location to location. Try their coffees. They
roast and blend their own. This is a great place to bring the kids.
|
||
| Spoons | Fullerton, CA | |
|
Great food. From burgers to baby back ribs. The service is always
great here. This location is close to Calif. State University
at Fullerton and draws a college crowd at times. Try their onion
nuggets as an appetizer. You are able to substitue bean burgers
or turkey burgers if you are watching the cholesterol counts.
All the food here is terrific.
|
||
| Hofs Hut | Cerritos, CA | |
|
These people started years ago in Long Beach (on 2nd street near
the beach) as a pie shop and bakery. Today they are one of the very
finest family dining restaurants around. They feature some
great breakfast skillets (for breakfast), rotiserre chicken
in a lot of different ways (for lunch and dinner), and a complete
menu of other items including some delicious sandwiches and
burgers. The food is extremely good here and the service is very
fine. They still offer outstanding baked goods to be eaten at
the restaurant or for takeout.
|
||
| Polly's Pies | Cerritos, CA | |
|
This used to be a pie shop, then they added sandwiches and salads,
and then entrees. The food at all their locations is great, and
consistent from location to location. Try their coffees. They
roast and blend their own. This is a great place to bring the kids.
|
||
| Mimis Cafe | Cerritos, CA | |
|
This has to be one of the most pleasant family dining type restaurants
in the area. They have great food. Their waiters and waitresses
are all young and sometimes aren't as professional as I would
like, but they all are trained by Mimi's and are all very courteous.
Among the food items that are great here are their "Pot Roast",
it's just outstanding. They have a 1000 Island dressing that
I've never found anything close to anywhere else. They serve
a great "French Onion Soup" daily and on Fridays they have the
"Best Clam Chowder" around. Visit their website to get some free
recipes. Try their breakfasts which are all great. They even
have a healthy "Vegetarian Omelette" made with egg substitute
for the healthy conscious. Their children's menu is great, so
bring the kids.
|
||
| Mimis Cafe | Downey, CA | |
|
This has to be one of the most pleasant family dining type restaurants
in the area. They have great food. Their waiters and waitresses
are all young and sometimes aren't as professional as I would
like, but they all are trained by Mimi's and are all very courteous.
Among the food items that are great here are their "Pot Roast",
it's just outstanding. They have a 1000 Island dressing that
I've never found anything close to anywhere else. They serve
a great "French Onion Soup" daily and on Fridays they have the
"Best Clam Chowder" around. Visit their website to get some free
recipes. Try their breakfasts which are all great. They even
have a healthy "Vegetarian Omelette" made with egg substitute
for the healthy conscious. Their children's menu is great, so
bring the kids.
|
||
| Mimis Cafe | Monrovia, CA | |
|
This has to be one of the most pleasant family dining type restaurants
in the area. They have great food. Their waiters and waitresses
are all young and sometimes aren't as professional as I would
like, but they all are trained by Mimi's and are all very courteous.
Among the food items that are great here are their "Pot Roast",
it's just outstanding. They have a 1000 Island dressing that
I've never found anything close to anywhere else. They serve
a great "French Onion Soup" daily and on Fridays they have the
"Best Clam Chowder" around. Visit their website to get some free
recipes. Try their breakfasts which are all great. They even
have a healthy "Vegetarian Omelette" made with egg substitute
for the healthy conscious. Their children's menu is great, so
bring the kids.
|
||
| Macaroni Grill | Monrovia, CA | |
|
The Macaroni Grill is one of the more unusal Italian restaurants
you will ever find. They have menu items you can't find anywhere
else. Their service is by far the most attentive you will find
anywhere. Their food is wonderful, and abundant. They start
everyone off with a traditional dish of olive oil and a loaf of
bread. I would rate them 5 stars, but they are pretty pricey.
|
||