Seasons Cafe-Closed

Seasons Cafe
23415 Golden Springs Dr
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
909-860-8646

Seasons Cafe opened up where Thai Diamond Bar BQ used to be.   I believe at least two other restaurants opened in this space before Seasons Cafe came in.

It's a small restaurant with booths on the left side and tables seating on the right.  They also serve sushi, which is half priced and if you bought two, you got one free!

It wasn't that crowded when I got there around 1pm.  Maybe I missed the lunch rush?

Shrimp chow mein- $7.35.  Maybe six pieces of shrimp throughout this dish.  Good flavor, the noodles were cooked perfectly. 

Shrimp fried rice- $6.99.  Made with shrimp, carrots, and peas this was good, if a bit under seasoned dish.  Just a touch more salt would have been perfect.  Again a small number of shrimp, only 6, but everything was well cooked.

Service is good.

Seasons Cafe is pretty good.  I may try their sushi, but with all the specials, I have a feeling the sushi isn't selling well.  But, the Chinese food is good!

Pizza Buona

Pizza Buona
922 N Alvarado St Ste C
Los Angeles, CA 90026
213-413-0800

Pizza Buona had been on the corner of Sunset Blvd and Alvarado since 1959.   But, in 2016 they moved further south on Alvarado since Echo Park has undergone gentrification, many old time stores and restaurants were hit with huge rent increases.  Currently, another Italian restaurant, which includes the name Buona, is at the former location of Pizza Buona.

Large mushroom pizza-$15 plus $2.50 per topping.  While they pile on the cheese and there was a good amount of mushrooms, the crust just ruined it.  The crust was soggy, tough, and very chewy.  I don't know what happen since the time I went there in 2009.  But, the pizza isn't good anymore.

Service was ok.  The lady, who I believe is the owner, isn't the most friendliest, and it took forever, close to 30 minutes for my pizza to be done. 

Beleaf Burgers-Closed

Beleaf Burgers
4024 Grand Ave
Chino, CA 91710
909-517-3907

Beleaf Burgers is in the Cravings building, that used to be a Food 4 Less.  They maybe the first vegan burger restaurant in Chino.  They use the Impossible burger.

Cravings is owned by 99 Ranch Market.  This building is split into two- a shopping area and a food court.  There are about 15 or so food stands.  But, everytime I've been there, it's not crowded at all.

Bedder Burger Classic Double-$12.75. Two impossible patties, lettuce, diced onions, pickles, carmelized onions, tomatoes, American cheese, on a toasted bun.

This was pretty good.  The burger was very hot, with the cheese nicely melted.  It was fine, but it really tasted like something anybody could make at home.  There was nothing

Service is good.  But, I called to ask where they are located, I didn't know they were inside Cravings, and they told me they were closer to a chain restaurant in the shopping center.  I tried looking around there, but couldn't find it.  So, I called again, and they finally told me it was inside Cravings.  They should have told me it was inside Cravings in the first place!

Anyways, there are better vegan burgers, including the chain, Fat Burger, so I won't be back to Beleaf! 

Legends Classic Diner

Legends Classic Diner
1155 E Rt 66
Glendora, CA 91740
626-852-2700

I've passed by Legends Classic Diner many times, on the way to Donut Man, but I never stopped in.  When a buddy said we should to to Legends, I took him up on the offer.  This is a huge space, with the counter directly in front of you, as you walk in.  To the left is a huge dining room decorated with 50's themed items.  Think Elvis, I Love Lucy, etc.  To the right is even more dining space.

Tuna melt- $8.05.  This was a very good example of a tuna melt.  The tuna was fresh, not drown in mayo, well seasoned and the slices of American cheese were melted perfectly.  The bread was nicely toasted, maybe a bit too much butter, but otherwise held up to the tuna very well!

Small fries- $3.05.  I could have gotten a combo with the tuna melt, but I don't drink much soda, so I figured I would just order a small fries.  These fries were huge!  A good value for the price. They are frozen fries, but crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Service is good.  One thing, you can leave your trays and baskets on the table.  There are no trash cans for people to bus their own tables.

I was impressed with Legends. 

Honeybee Burger-Closed

Honeybee Burger
1820 N Vermont Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323-452-6500

I have reviewed many restaurants in Los Feliz including Rocco's Italian Market and Deli, House of Pies Restaurant & Bakery,  Palermo Ristorante Italiano , the now closed Tangier Korean BBQ of Tokyo, Little Dom's, Best Fish Taco in Ensenada, Ye Rustic Inn, Lucifers Pizza, 1739 Public House, the now closed Mexico City, Spitz, Cruzer Pizza, Anarbagh, and Fred's 62.

Honeybee opened about three weeks ago, it's right next door to the movie theater and a couple doors down from Fred's 62.  It's a small, brightly lit space with a counter space on the right and tables on the left hand side.

Queen Bee, $12.95- double pattie with both the Beyond and Impossible patties, with house sauce, house made onion jam, lettuce, tomato, a thin ribbon of onion, and Chef Jo’s house made pickles.

This was outstanding!!  Maybe the combination of the Beyond and Impossible burgers, made it the best vegan burger I've had!!  Good flavor and textures, fresh toppings.  A huge portion too.  Well worth the price.

Service is good.

I would go back to Honeybee anytime!  What a great vegan burger!

FryMadness-Closed

FryMadness
555 S Spring St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213-797-2847

Jerk Spiced Shrimp/ Mango Pico/ House Made Caribbean Nectar- $14.  The fries are made from fresh  potatoes, but they aren't cooked to order.  They are cooked and sitting under heat lamps.  The fries would have been good, if they were hot and right out of the fryer.

The two medium sized shrimp in the picture were the biggest pieces in this dish.  There were smaller bay shrimp throughout the dish.  They shrimp had the Caribbean nectar-which was basically a sweet bar-b-que sauce.  The mango pico would have been good, if the mangoes were ripe, but they were bitter because they weren't ripe.  The jack cheese was fine. Overall, it was ok.  Not worth the $14 price tag.

Service was pretty good, after a bad first impression.  I walked in.  The lady told me to pick a table.  I then asked if they had a restroom, so I can wash my hands.  She said restrooms are for customers only.  I then told her, I am going to eat here.  I just want to wash my hands.  She gave me the key to the restrooms.  She was nice and helpful while I ordered and ate.

I wouldn't go back to FryMadness.  The fries are mediocre and it's overpriced!

Taco Adobe-Closed

Taco Adobe
121 N Lemon St
Orange, CA 92866
714-628-0633

Located just west of the Orange Circle is Taco Adobe.  It's a small space with table spread all over inside and tables outside.  I've review a few restaurants in/near the Orange Circle- Burger Parlor, Byblos Cafe, Watson Drug and Soda Fountain- which was renovated and has new owners since I reviewed it, Felix Cafe, and the now closed Beach Pit BBQ.

Blacken calamari taco- $3.75 and blacken shrimp taco- $4.50.  All tacos come with chipotle, blend of cheese, citrus cabbage, fresh cotija cheese, and special sauce.

I have never seen calamari in a taco, and I was excited to try it. The calamari was chewy and tough.  The toppings really do overwhelm the calamari.

The blacken shrimp was better, but again the toppings overwhelmed the shrimp.

Service is OK.

I won't go back to Taco Adobe.

Taco King

Taco King
600 E Foothill Blvd
Azusa, CA 91702
626-334-1312

I've driven by Taco King so many times, but never stopped in.  Located a few blocks east of Taco Tapatio, Taco King has another location just a few miles south of here, on Azusa Ave., just north of the 210 freeway.  Taco King is playing off the name of the very popular King Taco in East LA and the King Taco in Pasadena. 

I don't believe King Taco serves fish tacos or any seafood items, including shrimp and fish tacos and burritos.  Taco King has a good selection of seafood items.  On Tuesday, they have $1 fish tacos, which are normally $1.99.  On Wednesday, they have $1 tacos with any meats. 

The fish is basa, and it's deep fried.  Then topped with cabbage, crema, tomatoes, and cilantro.  This was ok.  The fish isn't fried to order, since I got my order in a couple minutes.  The other ingredients were fine.  But, nothing outstanding.

Service is ok.

I wouldn't go back to Taco King for the fish tacos.  But, they serve corn, and I may go back and try the corn!

The Kickin’ Crab

The Kickin’ Crab
13925 City Center Dr
Ste 2005
Chino Hills, CA 91709
909-627-8188

In the same shopping center as Hotties Nashville Hot Chicken, Bruxie and Pacific Fish Grill, is The Kickin Crab.  Yes, a copy of the Boiling Crab!

It's a small restaurant with tables and booths spread throughout.  It's the same setp as Boiling Crab; butcher block paper as table cloths, plastic and paper cups, and paper plates. 

Fried shrimp and sweet potato fries-$11.49 plus $1 upcharge for sweet potato fries.  This was very good!  The batter was a bit thick, but very crunchy and well seasoned.  The shrimp were large, flavorful and cooked well.  It maybe from a frozen, but this was good.

Service is ok.  There were only two servers working the entire place for lunch.  They forgot a few things, didn't come around to refill drinks, but they were working.  One even took a break, and there was only one server for about 8-10 tables!!

I didn't try the seafood in a bag, but as far as the fried items, Kickin Crab ranks right up there with Boiling Crab!

Lettuce Feast

Lettuce Feast

When I went to the North Hollywood Vegan Fair to try Veggietize Me, I saw Lettuce Feast.  Everybody talked about their great Nashville fried chicken.   I was too full from the V-Mac from Veggietize Me, I told myself I'll come back another time.

On May 4, 2019 they were celebrating the 80th Anniversary of Union Station.  They had about eight food trucks, and Lettuce Feast was one of them!!  So, I went by to give them a try!

Lettuce Feast got a new truck, so there wasn't any signage on the truck.  The lady who worked the 80th Anniversary event told me that Veggie Feast was the truck with no signage. 

Nashville Hot Chik'n Sammy Combo with regular fries, $16,-vegan fried chick'n with apple slaw on a brioche bun.  This was very good.  Maybe not as great as the hype, but a damn good sandwich.  The texture on the chicken pattie was spot on.  It was just like biting into a real chicken pattie.  Good flavor.  But, they could put more sauce, I got the mild, but there wasn't any heat, like none.  I expect mild to have some heat.  The slaw was a bit dry, but good and fresh.  I liked the sandwich, didn't love the sandwich so much that I would rush back.  The fries with sea salt and rosemary were good, but could have been more crisp.

Service is good.

While Lettuce Feast is good.  For me, it just didn't live up to all their hype!  I would go back, it's a ton of a food for a good price.  I just wouldn't rush back!

Update July 7, 2019

I went back to Lettuce Feast, this time at the Sunday Vegan Street Fair in North Hollywood.  I also included a picture of their truck with all the details.  It's one of the most popular food trucks, with line stretching down the sidewalk.  I waited one hour in line to order.

I wanted to try their chicken tenders and got four pieces, $14, with hot and hot honey as the two flavors, and regular fries.  The tenders have a hard crunchy outside, but inside it's mostly a small piece of veggie chicken.  There isn't much flavor with the veggie chicken, but the outside was very flavorful!  The hot was pretty mild, but the hot honey was very spicy!

Service is ok.  Like I said before, I waited an hour in line.  Part of it was there are tons of people in line.  The other part is the cashier is doing many things.  One thing she did was take a dish to one of the vendors next door!  I saw that while I was waiting in line.  When I got up the window to order, she just disappeared, nowhere to be found.  I think she was helping inside the truck.  I couldn't see inside.  But, at the very least she could tell me, I will be back.  They really need to get their act together and hire more people inside the truck and have only the cashier take orders.

Lettuce Feast is popular, but I don't see the appeal.  Their chicken tenders are below average, and while their sandwich is good, it's not the best in the thing I've ever ate.