Inland Empire SoCal Food Beat

Inland Empire SoCal Food Beat

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Marie Callender's parent files for bankruptcy



Restaurant owner Perkins & Marie Callender's Inc. on Monday filed for bankruptcy protection, brought down by tough competition, the weak economy and rising food costs.
The owner of the Perkins Restaurant & Bakery and the Marie Callender's chains said in the filing it plans to shutter 65 stores and cut 2,500 jobs, or about 20 percent of its work force of 12,350.
The company cited the weak economic climate, particularly in Florida and California, where many of its restaurants are located, for the bankruptcy filing.
There are eight Marie Callender locations in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Perkins restaurants are not located in California.
Documents filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court in Delaware indicated the company could not afford to build new restaurants and upgrade existing ones, so it lost traffic to better-funded restaurant competitors.
The two chains were "adversely affected by the languishing economy, including declines in consumer confidence and sluggish consumer spending and increased commodity costs," CEO J. Trungale said in a statement in November, following its most recent quarterly earnings filing for the period ended Oct. 3, 2010.
Food costs have increased since then, pressuring food makers and restaurant chains alike.
The Memphis, Tenn., company had assets of about $290 million and liabilities of $440.8 million, according to the bankruptcy filing. Top creditors include The Bank of New York Mellon Trust and law firm Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP.
The company has 160 owned and 314 franchised Perkins restaurants and 85 owned and 37 franchised Marie Callender's.

Press Telegram Aeticle

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Black Angus Coupons Expires 06/08/11


Eat Drink Deals

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Cuca's Mexican Food, Loma Linda

Wet Chili Verde Burrito $9.89


Believe it or not the burrito pictured above is a Chili Verde Burrito topped with a Colorado sauce.  I found pork inside but no green chili. 

This new incantation of Cuca's is located behind the Starbucks at California and Barton.  We visited around 3 pm on a Saturday afternoon, the restaurant was pretty slow at that time.  I only know Cuca's from their Burrito stand near Redlands High School.  There prices are reasonable and the service is quick.  All the food is to go.  This new operation is styled as a dinner house.

Sorry to say we were underwhelmed by the service, menu and prices.
It took forever to get waited on, then a long wait for the food.  The food is overpriced for the quality of the menu.

I will not be returning to this Cuca's for a few years, doubt if they will be in business then.

A big thumbs down.

Cuca's Mexican Food on Urbanspoon

Monday, April 25, 2011

Black Angus Lunch Coupon expires 4/29


Coupon

Jack in the Box Unveils a Bourbon BBQ Steak Grilled Sandwitch



Hope this item is better than their last creation "All American Burger". It tasted like a meat and grease stuffed ball of dough.



Food Beast Article

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Rose Apple Thai Cuisine, San Bernardino





UPDATED 04/24/2011
Rose Apple consistently serves the best Thai Food in the Inland Empire.





Thai Iced Tea with Boba

Main Course of the Broccoli Lovers with Chicken Lunch $7.95


Beautiful Thai Traditional Dancer



Lunch Special Drunken Noodles with Tofu $7.95

Lunch Special Pad Thai with Chicken $7.95


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Lunch Special Princess Snow Pea with Chicken $7.95



UPDATED 12/06/2009


BEST THAI FOOD IN THE INLAND EMPIRE

Returned to Rose Apple today to follow up on my earlier visit. I thought my last meal was outstanding but wanted to bring my family to confirm my opinion. Today the service was quick and friendly. We all ordered from the lunch menu at $7.95. The dinner menu prices increase on some items to $8.95 and $9.95, very reasonable considering the quality. All of the dishes were fantastic. We could find nothing wrong with our meals. We all agreed this is the best Thai food we have tasted in the area. At this time we consider Rose Apple the best Thai restaurant in the Inland Empire.

Food *****






Green Curry, Jasmine Rice with Soup or Salad, Small Egg Roll & Half Moon Ton $7.95


Rose Apple Thai Cuisine
1981 South Diners Court
San Bernardino, CA 92408


Rose Apple is hidden in a half deserted strip mall behind the Lotus Garden in San Bernardino. It occupies the space of the former Papaya Bay Thai Restaurant. It is a bit cluttered outside, Rose Apple has two pretty fountains and decorations. Inside it is very smart looking. Dark hardwood floors with matching tables and Thai art decorates the walls. Service was quick and sweet.

Rose Apple have lunch specials for $7.95. There is a wide variety of items to choose from. It is best to go to their website to check out all of the specials. The dinner prices seem very reasonable also.





Today I chose the Green Curry Lunch. Prior to receiving the entree Rose Apple serves a platter with a bowl of soup or salad, a half moon ton and an egg roll. Today the soup was Tom Kha or Coconut Soup. It was delicious and tasted just like something you would find in Thailand. It is a mixture of lemon grass, coconut milk, mushrooms and a few veggies. The egg roll was small but tasty, the half moon ton was a little fried pastry with what appeared to be cream cheese and crab meat. The main dish was just great. It was presented very professionally on a large plate. The portions were good sized and more than filled me up. The green curry was just a bit hot the way I like it, but not so spicy that it was uncomfortable to eat. The green coconut curry sauce was perfect. You can choose the type of meat for the special, chicken, pork, tofu, mock chicken, mock abalone, beef or vegetable. I chose the pork, it was sliced, well seasoned and tender. The curry had squash, green beans, bamboo shoots and bell pepper. The vegetables were all fresh and the taste of the squash was outstanding. Rose Apple serves a small chocolate mint when the check is presented.

The staff of Rose Apple are really trying to do a good job here. I have visited Thailand many times and this is some of the most authentic Thai food I have had in the Inland Empire. I will definitely go back. I would give them five stars for food, but must go back for a second opinion. If you are in the area please give them a try. They certainly were not busy when I visited for a late lunch today. They serve the special on the weekend. They are open 11-9 on weekdays and 12-9 on the weekend.


Food ****


Ambiance ***

Service ***

Cost $

Repeat - Yes





Rose Apple on Urbanspoon






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