Pete Tittl
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PETE TITTL: Can a chain claim to be truly local? Applebee's does
BY PETE TITTL
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THE DISH: Hourglass was on cusp of greatness, but time ran out
Rosedale was hit hard earlier this year when both The Orchid Thai Fusion Cuisine and Hourglass closed almost simultaneously. They were located across the street from each other on Brimhall and Calloway. We'll deal more with the reincarnation of The Orchid in these pages soon, but Hourglass deserves a few words of respect now that the sands have run out.
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PETE TITTL: Not quite as good, but still worth checking out
BY PETE TITTL
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PETE TITTL: Marketplace finally gets a man cave
Contributing writer
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PETE TITTL: Always moving, always good
BY PETE TITTL
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PETE TITL: Deli still divine under new ownership
BY PETE TITTL
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PETE TITTL: Can't have too many burger options
Don't think Juicy Burger has been influential in Bakersfield? Go check out Grinder's Burger House near the BHS campus.
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PETE TITTL: Slice of the Windy City's cuisine
It takes true courage to tag any restaurant with the name Cubbies.
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PETE TITTL: Noodles good, but don't forget the beef
BY PETE TITTL
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SIDE DISHES: Gluten-free diners rejoice
I know so many who are struggling with gluten issues that it's good to see so many restaurants responding in a way to keep those customers -- and their stomachs --happy. Previous mentions of the issue in Side Dishes brought this email from Donna Taylor of Pleasant Hill, who "grew up in Bakersfield."
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PETE TITTL: La Mina is not just another Mexican place
BY PETE TITTL
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PETE TITTL: Southern-fried pride in Bakersfield
Surprisingly for a city with so many former Southerners, our Southern cooking options are limited. To the rescue comes a small and humble family-run operation on Stine Road just south of Ming Avenue called The French Quarters.
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PETE TITTL: Dewar's is Rosedale's new old fave
BY PETE TITTL
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PETE TITTL: It's do or diet time, and these menus can help
Last year Applebee's discovered something most Americans have known for some time: January is national New Diet Month, with the new year and the upcoming summer swimsuit season being good reasons to shed those extra pounds.
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PETE TITTL'S SIDE DISHES: Still pizza, no matter how you slice it
Jimano's Pizza, at 9510 Hageman, is now Cubbie's Chicago-Style Pizza. Owner Jim Reed said the change came Jan. 1 and was motivated by his desire to have the flexibility of a non-franchised restaurant.
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PETE TITTL? Can a cafe be charming and corporate-ish?
BY PETE TITTL
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PETE TITTL'S SIDE DISHES: Winter specials worth the visit, if you're quick
I know I've praised the happy-hour specials and food at Tahoe Joe's in the past, but KC Steakhouse (2515 F St.) is giving the southwest restaurant a run for its money with a menu of winter early bird specials, available Monday through Saturday 4:30 to 6 p.m. through the end of this month. For $13.50, you can choose from top sirloin, filet, lemon chicken breast with mushroom sauce, scampi, blackened chicken with beurre blanc sauce, blackened scallops on a bed of spinach fettuccine alfredo or the homemade fried chicken. We visited and sampled the chicken and the filet, and both were incredible values. The chicken was the best I've had since The Pantry closed: two chicken breasts with ribs, a fierce batter shell, protecting chicken meat that was still moist. My companion's 6-ounce filet was tender and flavorful, definitely prime beef. These meals include the beans, salsa, bread, soup or salad and either garlic mashed potatoes or cowboy potatoes. I'd put it right up there with that Uricchio's Monday night special ($15.99; by the way, Uricchio's, which offers the deal only occasionally, will discontinue it after tomorrow. Get in quick.).
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PETE TITTL: Bacon aside, Noriega a top breakfast stop
BY PETE TITTL
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PETE TITTL: Give BAM Deli a test drive for some Greek flair
Contributing columnist
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PETE TITTL: Mexican fare that feels just like home
When you think of Mexican restaurants, you seldom think of great wine lists. In fact, other than Red Pepper in the northeast, I'm hard pressed to remember a local Mexican restaurant that puts much thought at all into their wine offerings.
