cheap eats – Page 3 – Insider Irene

Colorful pockets of Joy on the Cheap in Granada Hills, CA – Cheat Day Edition!

Published on March 29, 2019 by Insider IreneLeave a comment

For the past two months I’ve incorporated healthier foods into my diet and have been very selective on the carbs I’d consume. So when I heard of Hopia, a popular Philippine moon cake-like pastry I crossed my fingers that they’d be worth the calories *SPOILER* (They were!) and with an adorable name like Hopia Like It – it seemed fitting to try it out. NOTE: I didn’t eat the entire dozen, but totally would have!

The bakery is situated along a busy street in Granada Hills, and patrons would need to find street parking. Once my friend and I found a spot we headed in and were eyeing all the rainbow color of pastries. They had all sorts hopias with different fillings, but I gravitated towards the colorful ones. At a little over a dollar for one or $10 a dozen, I decided to bring a box to a work event and they did not disappoint. Everyone LOVED them! Flaky on the outside and sweet, chewy goodness on the inside.

Hopia Were Here! (Play on words – Hope you were here) tehehe…

Personally I loved the Ube (Purple) and the Buko Pandan (Green), but you really can’t go wrong with any of them. I guess the one downside of this discovery is that it’s so far away from home. There are two Los Angeles locations (below) so if you’re heading towards the Reagan Museum or passing through these little savory or sweet treats will be a hit with anyone at your final destination.

Hopia Like It – Granada Hills

17705 Chatsworth St
Los Angeles, CA 91344

Hopia Like It – Winnetka

20171 Saticoy St
Winnetka, CA 91306

Which flavor would you be most interested to try? Yellow Mungo (yellow mung bean), Purple Ube, Guava (filled with guava jam), Nutella, Baboy (the original flavor filled with onion & peanuts), Buko Pandan (young coconut and pandan leaves extract)? Comment below!

XOXO,

Rockstar

Wandering through the Piñata District and Grubbin’ on Authentic Cheap Street Food

Published on March 20, 2019March 22, 2019 by Insider IreneLeave a comment

Earlier this month my friends and I tried out the Alita Experience, a pop-up escape room in Los Angeles (see that adventure here!) . However, we arrived at downtown LA a tad earlier than our scheduled reservation and decided to explore the area a bit. As we drove through Olympic and Central we saw what looked like a vibrant and festive street fair. Turns out we were in the Pinata District and even on a Sunday it was poppin!

We found free street parking and made our way through the district. There were many shops selling various party favors including candy, decor, and of course pinatas! There were also other miscellaneous vendors selling t-shirts and electronics, yet we were most interested in the food carts/stalls!

There were many stands selling traditional street food and everything smelled soooo amazing. Grandmas were hand-making fresh tortillas, sons and daughters were carving and/or cooking meats and many things were made to order. After browsing though a number of the carts/stalls we decided to dine-in!

I was most interested in the bean and cheese arepe as I saw the woman mold and create each one. That stand also had a self-serve condiment bar with super fresh guacamole with the pits still in the mortar and pestle bowl and a ton of other toppings to customize your base. Man… with the melted cheese, freshly fried dough and textures of all the toppings it was a perfect meal and for a bargain. I think I spent like $3 and because it was the end of the day and they were getting ready to shut down the owner also threw in a free drink (Many stands were closing shop around 5:00pm)! I got the horchata while my friends got lemonade with chia seeds. Two thumbs up and I will definitely be back for both the food and party supplies!

When a piñata pops what kind of candy do you rush to grab? Krackle and Crunch are my go tos!

XOXO,

Rockstar

Breakfast? Snack? Dessert? Nutritious and Delicious Bowls in Huntington Beach, CA

Published on March 15, 2019March 22, 2019 by Insider Irene1 Comment

I’ve been on a search to find other healthy options to incorporate into my diet and as of today I’ve found an incredibly fresh ceviche at Mariscos Jalisco and super flavorful vegetarian food at Ashiwad The Blessing. Unfortunately, both options are more than an hour away from me so when I found Blue Bowl, a nutritious assembly-style bowl joint, minutes away from home I knew I had to check it out.

I was picking up some food across the way and noticed the new shop. It was almost closing time and there were a ton of people inside so I decided to check it out – so glad that I did. The set-up is very similar to an assembly-line where you pick your base and your cup is handed off to other people in the line.

On this trip I decided to go for a small with a pitaya (aka. Dragon Fruit) base with blue chia and freshly ground almond butter. Toppings are unlimited so I loaded up and was super happy with the result. It’s extremely colorful and tasty! Highly recommended and there are two locations.

ORANGE STORE
417 S. Main Street
Orange, CA 92868
Monday-Friday 7:00am-7:00pm
Saturday 7:00am-6:00pm
[ Closed Sunday ]

HUNTINGTON BEACH STORE
18051 Beach Blvd.
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
*Soft Opening Hours:
Monday-Friday 10:00am-7:00pm
Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm
[Closed Sunday]

What kind of toppings would you put in your bowl? nuts? fruit? honey?

XOXO,

Rockstar

On a Roll with “Tasty Food to Go” in Long Beach, CA

Published on March 8, 2019February 21, 2019 by Insider Irene2 Comments

Generous portions and an affordable price-point makes Cheap Eats one of my favorite cuisines as it’s good for both the tummy and wallet. I recently discovered this little hole-in-the-wall called “Tasty Food to Go” (2015 E 10th St, Long Beach, CA 90804) and loved everything about it except for the parking – the parking is atrocious, but definitely worth the fight for good eats!

Recognized by the OC Weekly and Yelps Top 100 Places to Eat 2017 Edition I had high expectations for this restaurant. On the outside the restaurant is a no frills joint with an exposed kitchen and couple of high top counter space for patrons to nibble on their food, but as you enter you can smell all the aromatics making your stomach hunger for just a bite.

Most guests called in their order, but since it was my first visit I decided to see all their options and ask for recommendations. They make all their items to order and the portions are definitely abundant. My friend and I ordered the Pad See Ew and Crispy Pork and the former was a homerun. I think the crispy pork was a tad over fried in the 2nd entree, but the flavors on the sauce were dynamite! Another customer who was awaiting her order mentioned ordering the papaya salad prepared the traditional way as a must get – so I guess I know what I’ll be getting on my next visit!

Where do you go to get take-out?

XOXO,

Rockstar

Gigantic Japanese Sammy’s for Cheap in Fullerton, CA

Published on March 1, 2019February 20, 2019 by Insider IreneLeave a comment

Sandwiches are one of the best creations in the whole world and I was beyond excited when I discovered this hidden gem combined my favorite cuisine (Japanese) in one of the greatest lunch-time forms – the sandwich. I’m surprised that I hadn’t discovered Mr. Katsu (3165 Yorba Linda Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92831) sooner as the price-point is very reasonable and the whole restaurant feel is very up my alley (kawaii and cute kitties galore), yet I’m glad that I did as it’s a fun casual environment to meet up with friends and family. “Sandwiched” in an unassuming plaza, this small mom and pop shop masterfully builds various katsu creations and if you’re up for an Instagram-worthy and tasty meal get ready! The Habanero Pesto Katsu is their most popular item, but as a certified spice wuss I decided to go for The Original ($9) – with Pork Katsu, Cole Slaw and Katsu Sauce. The sandwich is no joke and thick cut of Texas toast with the crunchy slaw and juicy meat works so harmoniously together. They also serve potato puffs which are crunchy on the outside and light and airy on the side – a perfect ball of joy, but be careful when eating it. I popped one in my mouth and just realized that it was freshly fried and almost burned my mouth. It’s super tasty otherwise and it also comes with a side dipping sauce.

What sides do you eat with your lunch?

XOXO,

Rockstar

Where to a Buy Magical Jar to Help Weight Loss, Bower Blood Pressure and More in Garden Grove, CA

Published on February 15, 2019February 9, 2019 by Insider IreneLeave a comment

It’s no secret that I love to eat, yet it can often be a challenge to find inexpensive healthy food without comprising taste. I’ve already devised a plan to increase my steps for 2019 (exercise post) and plan to cook more regularly to control the quality of ingredients that I’ll consume. One item that I plan to buy once a month is kimchi as it’s been linked with many health benefits.

You can purchase kimchi at any Zion Market or H-Mart, but I found this local specialty shop called Seoul Do Soon Yi Kimchi Co (9972 Garden Grove Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92844) that uses a homemade recipe. Open daily (Mon-Sat 9am-7pm; Sun 9am-6pm), this small mom n’ pop shop sells various styles of kimchi – napa, bok choy, cucumber, and radish in two sizes (Small $11 ; Large $16). I purchased a small half gallon bok choy.

Fridge of Large Napa Cabbage Kimchi Jars

You can eat the kimchi by itself or include it tofu soup or make kimchi fried rice. When I went home I sampled a small bowl-ful and it definitely has a kick to it! Much more flavorful than what you get at the grocery store. I also love supporting small businesses and plan to come back to grab a small napa cabbage kimchi. They ran out on my visit, but now that it’s on my radar I’ll definitely be back.

What kind of healthy food are you incorporating into your diet this year?

XOXO,

Rockstar

Devouring Ugly Delicious Seafood Endorsed by Jonathan Gold in Pomona, CA

Published on February 8, 2019February 6, 2019 by Insider Irene3 Comments

Mexican food and Socal are synonymous with one another, and some of the best are found in dingy hole-in-the-wall restaurants. During my Anime Los Angeles Trip (ALA Cosplay Post, ALA Ribbon Trading, ALA My Hero Academia Panel), I had the opportunity to try a variety of restaurants including amazing Indian food at Ashirwad the Blessings and one of the best burgers at Daddy O’s Rockin Cafe, but my favorite restaurant on that trip was Mariscos Jalisco in Pomona, CA. If you love seafood you’re in for a real treat!

With a 5 star review average on Yelp and listed on Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurant, I wanted to see if it’s as amazing as the reviews. With a shabby exterior, you would most certainly drive by and not think twice about going in; however, my motto in “Never Judge a Book By it’s Cover” is one that I always stand by. So, My friend and I shared the Botana ($21) a box of ceviche that included abalone, squid, fish, shrimp, and avocado with chips on the side as well as their famous deep fried tacos. The ceviche ingredients were very simple, but tasted very fresh and I devoured that taco instantly.

The Botana has the most variety of seafood, but if you’re dining here alone they offer personal size tostada’s with different combinations of seafood. This hole-in-the-wall restaurant truly is a gem and with 2 trucks and 2 brick and mortar stores.

Mariscos Jalisco – 3040 E Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023 (Boyle Heights)
Mariscos Jalisco – 753 E Holt Ave, Pomona, 91767
Mariscos Jalisco (truck) – E 10th St and Towne Ave, Los Angeles CA 90021
Mariscos Jalisco (truck ) – S Figueroa St and 140th Street, Los Angeles CA

I’d totally make this my go-to taco shop if I lived closer, where do you go to curb your Mexican cravings?

XOXO,

Rockstar

Chowing Down on one of the Best All American Classics in Upland, CA

Published on January 25, 2019January 22, 2019 by Insider Irene2 Comments

I love trying new exotic restaurant when I travel and on my recent trip to Pomona I visited Ashiwad The Blessing (post here) and had an amazing experience. Yet, some of my friends aren’t nearly as adventurous so finding a familiar alternative without compromising flavor and taste ranked on top of my list. I found Daddy O’s Rockin Cafe with a perfect 5 star Yelp rating and thought I’d see if this classic diner was going to be a home-run.

The menu was simple and focused on few items as they pride themselves in making their burgers fresh and hand picking their produce daily! Naturally, my friend and I ordered a classic cheeseburger and a side of crinkle cut french fries. The burger was delicious, my friend demolished his and soon after I as well. The cheese was melted perfectly and the patty is cooked medium rare keeping it juicy, but the real star was the bread. Oh lord! That bun was a little denser and chewier which really heightened my eating experience. The owner later informed me that they use a potato bun, which differentiates them from other burger joints.

The diner evoked American charm coupled with the rockin’ burger I definitely get this restaurant two thumbs up!

Where would you go to feed a picky eater?

XOXO,

Rockstar

Vegetarian Convert?! Feasting on an Explosion of Flavors for Cheap in Upland, CA

Published on January 18, 2019January 16, 2019 by Insider Irene4 Comments

When I was researching restaurants in the Inland Empire, I read rave reviews about Ashiwad The Blessing. This vegetarian restaurant had a 4.5 star rating on yelp and with a “eating healthy” new years resolution I was curious to see what it was all about. Additionally, it had dinner hours that extended in the late evening (9pm), which also contributed to my trip plans.

Located in an unassuming strip mall, my friend and I wandered in to the simple, but clean restaurant. We were seated prompted and our waiter educated us about the diverse menu option. After thoughtful consideration we started the evening with the Sev Khamni ($4.99), a steamed chick pea. This gluten-free appetizer came with a sweet and spicy sauce accompaniment and was beautifully presented. The portion was very generous as a starter and served as a great introduction for our enormous entree.

To share my friend and I ordered the Thali ($14.99) – A complete meal with your choice of vegetables (we opted for a seasonal eggplants and sweet potatoe mix), soup, rotis, rice, raita, snack, and dessert (fried donut). This picture doesn’t do it justice in the size of the offering, and the taste was just was full and robust. There were so many complex flavors that I couldn’t help myself but mixing and matching the items. Everything tasted so earthy and there was no meat! Our total for two came out to about $20ish dollars which is so inexpensive considering the portion and taste. I loved it!

I love meat as much as the next person, but after eating this meal I didn’t miss it. I’m not likely to go full blown vegetarian, but I wouldn’t mind incorporating a meal like this into my routine.

What’s your favorite meatless meal?

XOXO,

Rockstar

Eating the breakfast for champions on Sahara in Las Vegas, NV

Published on January 4, 2019January 4, 2019 by Insider IreneLeave a comment

I’m a hard core outlet shopper at Las Vegas, so naturally I’d need to eat a big breakfast to energize my day-long shopping sphere. After some thorough research I decided to take a chance on Sausagefest and while the name of the restaurant doesn’t scream breakfast their “breakfast all day” philosophy is one that I can be on board for.

After looking at the menu I decided on the Sausage Waffle and Green Eggs & Spam. Both mind you were made from scratch and were the perfect way to start the day. The scrambled egg with spinach, basil-pesto and goat cheese was both vivid in flavor and presentation and the potatoes had the perfect crisp on the outside and softness on the inside. I loved it. You could tell that the sausage waffle was freshly taken out of the waffle maker because it had that light airy texture to it. The portions were very generous and $9.95 (egg dish) and $6.95 (waffle), this combo was a steal!

I had a fantastic meal here and on my next visit I’m eager to try their non-breakfast items. I heard “The Fridge” was epic with 2 angus beef patties, house-baked brioche bun, grilled onions, swiss cheese, and grilled polish sausage, but sadly it’ll be a meal I’ll have to order on my next Vegas trip.

What do you eat for breakfast?

XOXO,

Rockstar