SOCAL BEST OF THE BEST!

Lockheed Martin X-35B Joint Strike Fighter - SVTOL variant

Updated mAY 24 2004

* Reload for update *


Following is a list of outstanding restaurants, stores, products, and
services that I and friends have come across in southern California. 
The entries under each category are in no particular order. These 
entries are here because I want them here, this is not an advertisement, 
and I have not received, nor will I accept, any compensation from the 
parties associated with the listing. And, this list gives me a way of 
recalling the best stuff! -Lonny

Tell 'em the Southern California Airshow Page sent you!

"*" indicates: recommended, I have not personally tried yet

Breakfast: (ref http://www.digitalcity.com/)

(Carne Asada) Burrito:

Taco:

Breakfast Burrito:

Comida Mexicana:

Southwest:

BEER:

BBQ:

Steak:

Sushi:

Seafood:

Tri Tip:

Caesar Salad:

Philly Cheese Steak:

Burger:

Hot Dog:

Pizza:

Deli:

Brew Pub:

Beach Cafe:

British Pub/Fish & Chips:

Thai Restaurant:

Indian Restaurant:

Italian:

Lebanese Restaurant:

Falafel:

Aviation-related establishments:

Miscellaneous:

Margarita (and tamales):

Martini (or just alcoholic libations in general):

Strawberries: (I am convinced that the best strawberries in the Universe come from the Pleasant Valley)

Ranch Market:

Doughnuts:

Bakery:

Music Store:

Guitar Repairs:

Guitar Polish:

Guitar Strings, acoustic:

Guitar Strings, electric:

Books - online:

Videos - Rare/Out Of Print:

Casual Wear (especially Volley Shorts):

Dress Clothes (exceptional quality and price):

Shoes (good selection, great sale prices):

Jewelry (price and selection):

Gas - cheapest (credit) in The Valley (LA):

Used Furniture:

Unfinished Furniture:

Fireplace Supplies:

Fountains, Pots, Concrete Benches:

Finishing Materials:

Vet:

Pet Groomer:

Packing/Shipping:

Locksmith:

Copper Repiping (Residential):

Auto Glass:

Auto Repair:

Lighting (home):

Drywall:

Masonry:

Tile:

Windows:

Garage Door:

Insurance:

Realtor:

Zoo (Zoo? Ya gotta be kidding!):

OTHER BEST OF THE BEST! (non-area specific)

BBQ Sauce:

Checks:

Airline:

Ladder (this thing is really impressive! Yes, I bought one):



OXNARD HAS THE KILLER MEXICAN FARE?!?


Email received Mar 05 2004 from DCM/Camarillo

Greetings!
  I really enjoyed your "best of SoCal", until I came across your recommendations under the categories of
  Carne Asada and Mexican food.  My friend, I have to tell you that if the only Mexican food you've had is
  what is listed on your page, you have been severely neglected from some of the absolute best Mexican
  fare on this planet.  That, by the way, is not an over-exaggeration.
  I noticed that many of your recommendations were from Ventura County, particularly Thousand Oaks,
  which suggests to me that you must live either in or around the Conejo Valley.  I've worked in Westlake
  for a number of years, and I have tried most of the Mexican restaurants you have suggested, and they
  are good.  But taking nothing away from them, I can tell you first hand that the best Mexican food in
  this region is in Oxnard.
  No Angelino would ever admit it publicly, but I grew up in L.A., and I have never had Mexican food as
  authentic and genuinely mouth watering delicious as it is here in Oxnard.  I moved from the City to
  Camarillo about 10 years ago and asked a co-worker where I could get a decent burrito or taco plate,
  he told me, and the rest is history.  I've brought friends over from the City, and they are absolutely
  blown away.  Nothing in L.A. comes close (exception: La Abeja).
  So I will give you a few suggestions, and I urge you to try them for yourself.  By the way, I know
  Oxnard has a bad rap, but I can tell you first hand, the service is pleasant and friendly, and the locals
  are very nice people.
  Burritos, Tacos, etc
    1.El Taco De Mexico (*****)- All I can say is that the Carne Asada Burrito is the absolute best in
       the world.  Hands down.  Enough said.  There are 5 locations in Oxnard.  7th Street, Downtown.
       5th Street, Downtown. 2nd Street, Downtown. Oxnard Blvd, Downtown and Saviers Rd,
       Southside.  I recommend the Saviers Rd. location (3101 Saviers Rd) 
    2.El Pollo Norteno (*****) - This place is so good, I cant even put it into words.  Very different
       than your average Taco shack, this place offers BBQ Mexican food at an insanely reasonable
       price.  Imagine a heaping plate of Mexican style BBQ Tri-tip, chicken, rice, beans, warm tortillas,
       and INCREDIBLE homemade salsa for about 6 bucks.  (I do mean INCREDIBLE salsa, consistently
       voted best salsa at festivals.)  Or you can try their delicious burritos, stuffed with rice, beans,
       and BBQ Tri-tip or chicken.  Awesome!  This is my favorite place to eat.  2 locations, N. Oxnard
       Blvd, Downtown, and S. Oxnard Blvd, Southside.  I recommend the Southside location.  1290 S.
       Oxnard Blvd 
    3.Tacos Mi Pueblo (****1/2)- Incredibly awesome food. This place just opened 2 years ago and
       quickly has become THE spot for a lunch time burrito in North Oxnard. Imagine El Taco De Mexico
       with a little more sophistication.  Brand new restaurant, much better location, better service, but
       the burritos are a just a fraction of a step down. Nonetheless, the fresh salsa and mouth-watering
       home-made tortillas, made right in front of you, more than make up for it. Try this place!  189 E.
       Gonzales, Northside 
    4.The Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill (****) - If Baja Fresh ever decides to serve authentic Mexican
       food, they would be well served to take some notes from these guys.  The Salsa has been a Port
       Hueneme staple for many many years, drawing massive crowds from all over the county long
       before "freshMex" was packaged and mainstreamed by Baja Fresh.  If you close your eyes, you'd
       swear you were in Baja, it's that good.  573 W. Channel Islands Blvd 
    5.Arco Iris (****) - Right next door to El Taco De Mexico on Saviers Rd, A.I. is something truly
       unique.  They offer a side of Mexico that you never knew existed.  The people who started A.I are
       from the jungles of Mexico, literally.  They are Oaxacan, and they offer some of the most unique
       Mexican fare I've ever encountered.  They aren't as famous for their dishes (they don’t have
       many, but their Tortas, Mexican sandwiches, are the best in the business) as they are for their
       fruit concoctions.  Smoothies, cocktails, etc... every visit is an adventure. 3105 Saviers Rd. 
    6.Ola's Mexican Grill (****) Best Mexican food in Camarillo.  Located in Old Towne, near Bandits.
  Fine Dining
    1.Yolanda's Mexican Restaurant (*****) - Amazing food.  Simple as that. Oxnard, Ventura, and a
       new restaurant in Camarillo. 
    2.Antonio's Mexican Resaurant (***1/2) - Distant second to Yolanda's, but very good nonetheless. 
       Port Hueneme.
  Also, if you want the best cheap and quick BBQ in V.C., you have to try Just BBQ in Ventura.  Located
  in the Century 16 Theatre Plaza right off the freeway, it has been voted best BBQ by the Star for 7
  years in a row.  Tri-tip sandwich.  Try it.

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