California

Pakwan Restaurant: Pakistani Indian in San Francisco

Chicken Tikka Masala, Pakwan Restaurant, San Francisco, California

Pakwan is a Pakistani Indian restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area, known for blends of Indian spices and traditional cooking techniques. When it opened in 1991, its mission was to use authentic recipes from the Indian subcontinent. Thanks to their tireless efforts and devotion, Pakwan swiftly gained a reputation as the go-to destination for authentic and traditional Pakistani Indian cuisine in the Bay Area. The restaurant attracts locals, tourists, families, and business workers alike. Today, Pakwan operates five restaurants …

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Sweet Maple: Bacon and Brunch in San Francisco

Savory Soufflegg Skillet, Sweet Maple, San Francisco, California

Sweet Maple is a casual and inviting restaurant, coffeehouse, and gathering spot nestled in San Francisco’s Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood. After opening in 2010, Sweet Maple quickly gained popularity as a top brunch spot in San Francisco. Over the years, the spot has gained a following with locals, tourists, and culinary enthusiasts. At Sweet Maple, simplicity is key when it comes to their menu. They opt for high-quality, locally-sourced organic ingredients to create uncomplicated yet delicious dishes. Sweet Maple is …

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The Bird: Fried Chicken Sandwiches in San Francisco

The beautiful and delicious Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich, The Bird, San Francisco

The Bird is a fried chicken sandwich shop with two locations in San Francisco, California. This fast-casual restaurant is famous for its cage-free chicken, freshly baked buns, homemade slaw, and craft beers. While San Francisco can be an expensive city to eat in, The Bird somehow doesn’t break the bank. They pride themselves on affordability without sacrificing quality. Almost every item on the menu is around $10 or less, almost unheard of in San Francisco. Since opening in 2016, The …

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The EATery at Mammoth Brewing Company in Mammoth Lakes

The Philly Steak Sandwich, officially known as the It's Not a Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich, The EATery, Mammoth Lakes, California

Before Mammoth Brewing Company and The EATery, Whiskey Creek was one of the most popular restaurants and happy hours in Mammoth Lakes. When I found out Whiskey Creek would be closing, I almost cried. For years, I stopped by Whiskey Creek for a drink or bite to eat after a long day of snowboarding at Mammoth Mountain in the winter or fishing in the summer. Luckily, Mammoth Brewing Company and The EATery took its place, continuing the tradition of Whiskey …

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Basic Bar & Pizza in San Diego, CA: Brick Oven Pizza

The Mashed Pizza with white sauce, mashed potatoes, and bacon, Basic Urban Kitchen and Bar, San Diego, California

Basic Bar & Pizza, located in the East Village of downtown San Diego, is a restaurant known for its thin-crust brick oven pizzas. It is also popular with locals and visitors because of its one-page drink menu and happy hour specials. I first heard about Basic Bar & Pizza through a friend, who found out through a friend, who found out through another friend. He told me about a unique pizza with mashed potatoes and bacon. He got my attention …

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7 must see sights along the Big Sur coast you should not miss

Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed spots in Big Sur

Big Sur is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. This stretch of coastline between Carmel and San Simeon is best known for its dramatic scenery and terrain. It is here where the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean crash into rugged cliffs and mountains that rise from the sea. It doesn’t make sense how something so beautiful can remain mostly untouched for so long. Whether you visit for one day or one year, there will always be something …

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Firestone Grill in San Luis Obispo: Jalapeño Burger and Fries

Halopeño Burger, named after the General Manager of Firestone Grill, San Luis Obispo, California

Stopping by Firestone Grill in San Luis Obispo for a meal has become a tradition whenever I drive along Highway 101. This past week was no different. After a long day driving down the beautiful California coast through Big Sur from San Francisco to Los Angeles, I had one thing in mind: stopping at Firestone Grill for a burger and a beer. Since 1995, Firestone Grill has been a staple of downtown San Luis Obispo. Over the years, the restaurant …

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Copper Top BBQ off Highway 395 in Big Pine, California

Smokers out front of Copper Top BBQ

Copper Top BBQ, off Highway 395 in Big Pine, CA, is a BBQ restaurant known for its grilled and smoked meats, such as tri-tip and pulled pork. The restaurant gained notoriety when it was first in Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. for 2015. I am familiar with Big Pine as I often drive along Highway 395 to Mammoth Lakes for some of the best snowboarding and fishing in the county. The highway passes through some of …

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6 Things I Learned On My Rainbow Falls Hike in Mammoth Lakes

Rainbow Falls in Mammoth Lakes, California

I’ll start off my story by letting you know that I am a novice hiker. I hike a few times yearly, and luckily, I have never had any issues or gotten lost until today. Today, I decided to hike a quick 3 mile round-trip trail to Rainbow Falls in the town of Mammoth Lakes, California. The hike out to the waterfall was easy, but on the way back I got lazy, made a few mistakes, and got a little lost. …

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