Grubbin' Tough IRVINE EDITION

Hello my friends and fans,

It has been wayyy too longgg since the last post on the GTWL blog! I sincerely apologize on behalf of myself and the founding fathers for such debauchery. After eating Baby's Blue's BBQ, we all fell into the deepest grub coma alive.

This blog HAS NOT DIED YET AND NEVER WILL! As long as your founding fathers continue to roam this world, the GRUB TOUGH WAY OF LIFE PHILOSOPHY WILL LIVE ON FOREVER!

May I remind you that...

Around two and a half years ago, this blog was pioneered by four starving men who all took fascination in delicious grub. They went by the names of Sam Adams, Aidan Hamilton, Denny Franklin, and don't forget Ja...The Treasurer. These men shared one common goal and this goal was to fill their stomachs to the very brink of explosion with the best grub and only the very best. Everyday the four of them sat in the grimy classroom of Cuda (notice how I don't address him as Mr.) discussing where their next excursion would be to. The AP economics teacher eventually sponsored the GTWL philosophy by offering his grimy classroom as the official meet up place for the GTWL club. We never met there.

 


Anyways, long story short, these men decided to share their love for delicious authentic grub by exploring local diners and businesses in Santa Monica and posting about their awesomeness and/or grime. This blog is kind of like yelp in the sense that we give food reviews, but we create a story out of it and make the experience that much more REAL! If food was like Microsoft we would be Bill Gates, if food was like Pokemon Trainers we would be Ash Catchem', if food was like rappers then we'd be Yung Humma and Flynt Flossy...you get the point.

So without further ado, I, Denny Franklin, bring to you the GTWL IRVINE EDITION!
Let's face it. Irvine is the not the most exiting area to live in. It is a slow paced suburb with blocks that are so similar that it feels like you are driving in the ocean. wtf?!? I mean there's just not that much to do there. The city is nice, the houses are nice, but for a young lad like myself, it just isn't as spontaneous and fast paced as I would like it to be. But who cares about fun? All I've ever been worried about is THE GRUB. And Irvine does have exceptional GRUB!!!!

One of the fine places that remains consistently delicious and will leave you feeling in euphoria is none other than the very famous Mick's Karma Bar. Small this place may be, but don't let the size of the place fool you. This place is as real as it gets and serves the juiciest burgers, crispy fat french fries that will make love to your tongue, and the most amazing basil strawberry lemonade.

Through my experience, I would highly recommend getting the Habanero burger combo which consists of spicy 4 chile Escalivada, garlic mayo, lettuce, tomato, and queso fresco combined with their famous angus sirloin meat squeezed between two #119 fresh buns. They have many other  burger combos to choose from in case the Habanero does not seem to fit your taste buds.

The burger combos all come with a side of perfectly flat crispy on the outside, soft on the inside french fries. Make sure to ask for aioli and garlic mayo sauce on the side so you can dip your fries into heaven.

Last but not least, don't forget to treat yourself to the basil strawberry lemonade that will leave you feeling with butterflies in your stomach. It is definitely worth every penny. A burger combo with a drink will cost you about $11 tops.

Mick's Karma Bar has limited indoor seating but plenty of outdoor seating with heaters. I would suggest going either in the afternoon or early evening. Don't go alone, go with friends!

Yup, that's pretty much it. Be sure to try this place if you are ever in the Irvine area. It is located in between business buildings. Not too hard to find if you use your brain or GPS.

Here's the website in case you want to check out the menu or order online: http://www.mickskarmabar.com/Micks_Karma_Bar.html



Deuces!

More coming soon! Stay tuned!

Sincerely,

Denny Franklin

Baby Basch's BBQ

Baby Blues Bar-B-Q

Good day fellow grubbers,

It is my pleasure as Denny Franklin to be writing about our latest grubventure. Today, only the founding father's and Aaron Farasat (AKA Matt Kovacs) decided to go and taste the all time favorite Baby Blue's Bar-B-Q(BBB) known for their famous baby backed ribs. We were all sick and tired from salivating at Julian Hess's description of the fire grub BBB had to offer. So off we were to BBB, speeding down Lincoln Blvd. as fast as we could due to the lack of time we had for lunch. As we approached our destination, we recognized the dirty swap meet across the street infested with pro clubs and other cheap, ragged clothing from China.

Sorry Ladies, He is Taken.

Entering BBB we noticed so many amazing baschs working hard in the kitchen, cooking our grub. Our grub took up so much room that they had to use a cardboard box to fit it all. Struggling to stash our food in the box, the basch almost trips and drops one of our orders. We PYT him for his mistake, but honor him for his fire cooking skills. A short note: this place has the dopest business cards. Back to the bullshit. Everyone ordered from the lunch special menu which was composed of a main order, a side, cornbread depending on if you got the Hound Dog or Razorback lunch special, and a drink. While Jake ordered a pulled pork sandwich and Sam ordered a beef brisket sandwich, Aaron, and I got the Hound Dog. The famous hound dog lunch special is comprised of a 1/3 Rack of delicious Memphis Ribs and Beef Brisket on the side. Aidan chose to go with the razorback, which included baby back ribs and pulled pork instead. If you were to ask me for a personal recommendation, then I'd have to tell you to GET THE HOUND DOG!

Razorback Lunch Special. Baby Back Ribs and Pulled Pork

Hound Dog Lunch Special: Memphis Ribs and Beef Brisket

 With so little time left, we decided that we would grub like barbarians on the lawn of a random basch's house next to BBB. Like starving savages, we all rush the cardboard box once Aaron lays it on the grass. Sam, who always proves to be the most savage of us all, won the rampage and got to eat his beef brisket sandwich first. We are animals. We show no mercy for our grub. As we all finally settle down, everyone compliments BBB for it's gratifying and heavenly grub. As I poured the BBQ sauce all over my ribs and face, it was as if I had been granted admission to Stanford University. It was a dream come true. The meat came off of the ribs so smooth and tender like. Half the time I watched Aidan Hamilton suck and marinate his face into his baby backed ribs as if he was making love to it. He would have continued puckering for hours if we weren't on a time constraint.With all of us licking our fingers and slurping every last bit of BBQ sauce into our mouth's, Jake decides to finally check the clock. Holy (.)(.)'s! It was time to leave.

Deliciously Happy

Aaron, Sam, and Aidan, quickly got into Aaron's car. I was left with the Treasurer at high risk of missing class, as he was considering to take one for the team once again. We sped back with the treasurer's shortcuts and ended up making it back through the gates, leaving the dumb security baschs powerless. If you have never had ribs and are afraid of pork, please come here because once you have a taste of BBB there is no going back to any other diner ever again. Peace Ross. Flip Flasch! Check out their menu on their website here:

Baby Blues Bar-B-Q


Thanks for reading.

Stay hungry grubbers,

Denny Franklin

Grub on Kuche

It is a new week of grubbing, stay hungry my friends.

I will be starting out the week blogging about an extraordinary restaurant hiding in the poverty that is Downtown Los Angeles. Wurstküche (German for "sausage kitchen") is a phenomenal sausage grill, that churns out the firest SAUSages this side of Germany. Sam Adams, The Treasurer, and HNIC were in attendance as usual. Denny Franklin was missing, probably at church with his 31-year-old boyfriend.

Wurstküche was shown to me a while back, by my parents. I couldn't let the Founding Fathers and the Philosophy continue to miss out on the delicious variety of Würste they offer. The Treasurer very kindly swooped us from Sam Adams house in the Grubmobile - a mini-van without a middle row for maximum comfort. A vehicle of this nature was needed for the long drive to Downtown LA.

Sketchtown, CA

After experiencing gears while meeting Sam Adams' father, a very nice Frenchman who grubbing tough on Cracker Barrel, we took off for our grubventure. The road to Grublightenment was not a pretty one. We passed by scores of vagabonds, many of them obviously overtaken by the symptoms of schizophrenia. You and I would go crazy too if deprived of the fire grub for such long periods of time. Our stomachs go out to these unfortunate individuals. The buildings we passed matched the people sleeping on them. Empty... Faded... Broken...

Inside the Sausage Grill

Sorry for that depressing rant, I will remind myself to be PYT'd at a later time. We finally reached the Los Angeles Historic Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles after passing through blocks of businesses in languages other than our own. It looked like we had entered a different country, and we were very frustrated with this minorly retarded fact of life. The buildings here were great to look at - a mixture of traditional griminess peppered with modern concrete, steel, and brick was seen in every direction. Würstkuche was no different: a stainless-steel sign on a brick building with large wood sliding doors.

Grubbing tough on that Bratwurst

We waited in like for about ten minutes. Remember, this place is so fire it has a massive following and will always have a line. It was jam-packed with hipsters and men with beards. We saw about 25 beers on tap at the bar, each served in a different glass. We were the only ones not drinking, of course. A bottle of Chimay the size of the HNIC was seen on sale for $250.  Sam Bruce and the HNIC stayed safe with Bratwurst and Spicy Italian Sausages, which they loved like no other, but The Treasurer and I had to go Exotic. I went with the Alligator and Pork, Smoked Andouille sausage, which was hickory smoked and amazing. It was topped with Spicy Peppers and Carmelized Onions on a perfectly toasted bun. My exquisite sausage sandwich was paired with Belgian Fries and Chipotle Aioli, which I had to share with HNIC due to his baschness. The Treasurer decided to try the Rabbit & Rattlesnake with Jalapeno Peppers sausage. This was a great Würste, very juicy and flavorful. He spilt his fries with Sam Adams, and chose Chipotle Aioli and Bleu Cheese Walnut & Bacon sauces. I have to say, Chipotle Aioli sauce is probably the best sauce I've ever had in my entire life. Please get it if you go or I will PYT you, without the warning call.

Holy Alligator. Pork. Belgian Fries. Chipotle Aioli Saus.

Dopeness outside.

Overall, I can say that this fine establishment is the broodest sausage grill in LA, and you should go immediately. If you cannot make it out to Downtown LA every single day like us, don't cry like a basch. Wurstküche is supposedly opening a new location in Venice at the old Air Conditioned Lounge.

Downtown LA Location:
800 East 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013-1820
(213) 687-4444
Stay Saucy,
Aidan Hamilton

Holy Grubamole

Today we expanded our grubetoire by hitting up the well known taco and burrito artisans of Holy Guacomole. The Treasurer, still embarrassed Monday stoopness (that dirty basch did not let us go to Fosters if any readers forgot), was no where to be found for the second straight day in Coods . Though disheartening, we were not slowed down by his disappearance. We quickly asked Adam Nunziato if he would join us. Adam is a very dedicated grubber, but can usually not join us because he must make weight for rowing. Despite the baschness of his sport, he still manages to go hard frequently gaining over 10 pounds in one day all from grub!

As the founding fathers (minus the treasurer) and theHNIC all hoped into Adams car, we were reminded why we enjoy Adam's driving so much. He quickly darted through traffic almost killing us an others several times but it was all worth it because Big Adam is always in control of the vehicle. We lived dangerously and arrived at Holy Guacamole in no time, where we were greeted by 5 freshly manufactured Carne Asada Burritos. Though they were a bit pricey, it was all worth it from first bite to last especially when drenched in their homemade green salsa. I must say this salsa is one of the toughest salsas found in any of our local Mexican Grubberies.

As we drove back to school, the HNIC complained of a weak stomach, so we gave him a good old PYT. No complainers will be tolerated in the lifestyle! When we reached the gate we noticed the one basch male security guard spitting game to another basch female guard. It was too much debaschery for our eyes! This grime temporarily ended all the good feeling of grubbing tough, but we soon forgot it as we pulled into Adam's senior spot. Just another day in the lifestyle full of grub and grime.

Until Next Time,

Sam Adams

P.S. Rep the lifestyle by visiting the grub tough online store courtesy of Big Adam....http://www.cafepress.com/GrubToughSantaMonica

Sandwich Spot

 






















Dear fellow grubbers,

It is my honor, as the Treasurer, to take one for the team and finally write for the blog. After months of resisting I decided it was finally time for fear of being PYT’d repetitively by every founding father.


Todays grubventure was one of the best yet and i am thoroughly disappointed that founding father Aidan Hamilton was not present (He was fast asleep in Thun’s AP Psych class). We love you and missed you. After getting out at one o' clock for some unexpected stoopness by administration, conditions for grubbing could not have been more perfect. With unlimited time, we were daunted by the task of picking a place to eat, but I am glad we finally decided on The Sandwich Spot, one of my favorite grubberies in Santa Monica and a place that I had recommended earlier.




I know what you all are thinking... there is no sandwich better than Bay Cities’ infamous Godmother.. But seriously check this place out. They serve daaaaank sandwiches for around 8 cuts with free chips and drinks for students.
Back to our grubventure:

Driving to the Sandwich Spot, we were all so hungry it was almost unbearable. The hunger pains were so bad that I even heard Denny crying in the back seat. Thank god the homie Mladen was able to comfort him and reassure him that food was on its way. Driving up Ocean Park, we passed the Counter and various gourmet food trucks and we were tempted to stop. Thankfully our grub instincts took over and guided us to our destination. After parking, Sam Adams quickly swooped on 12 of Gary’s quarters and started feeding the meter like it was a hungry lion and I almost PYT’d him on the spot for being a such a basch (I would end up thanking him later).


After walking into the Sandwich Spot, our nostrils were filled with the scent of fresh baked bread and various meats. It was so overwhelming that we almost had to call Charlie Sheen’s nose doctor, but thankfully we didn’t.

We were greeted by two beautiful, bearded, sandwich artists who took our orders. I ordered #20 “Lorne the Creator”, a delectable combination of housemade roast beef, bacon, cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce, and “bomb” sauce (Jalepeno mayo) all on their famous “crunch bread” with other typical sandwich condiments (see above). Denny and Sam followed my lead but forgot to ask for bomb sauce (I should have reminded them). Mladen ordered a sandwich which included their delicious marinated chicken, pepper jack cheese, and bomb sauce on a sourdough roll. (see right) It looked dank and I almost asked for a bite but i feared the inner-Serbian within him. The meal came with free chips and a drink b/c of their clutch student discount but we were all disappointed that they had run out of Mrs. Vickie's Jalapeno chips and Hawaii Maui Onion chips. We settled with lays and proceeded to grub.


Upon opening our sandwiches, we were all in awe. They were beautiful. Denny began to cry again, but this time tears of joy. The first bite was amazing. The juicy roast beef combined with sweet BBQ sauce, crispy bacon, and spicy “bomb” sauce made for an amazing flavor combination. Sam Adams decided to ignore typical social rules of PDA and make love to his sandwich right there in the middle of the restaurant. Denny proceeded to weep and Mladen grubbed like a true Serbian.

Denny shedding tears of joy.

Mladen grubbing tough.

Sam making sweet love to his sandwich.

After finishing our sandwiches, we are all experiencing the Perfectly Stuffed Effect (see Good Stuff blog). Looking around the restaurant, we felt at home. We dined at a small picnic-like table in front of a TV and the bearded sandwich artists handed us the remote and told us we could watch whatever we wanted. We decided to not take him up on his offer and instead enjoy the simple whims of conversation. After nearly an hour of discussing everything from college to economic theories, I suddenly realized the meter had probably run out so we all dipped. On the way out we realized that they had refilled the chip shelf with dozens of Miss Vickies Jalapeno chips and we all PYT’d our- selves for not waiting. Thanks to Sam Adams putting way too many quarters in the meter, we made it back to the car with 5 minutes to spare.

Overall, it was one of my favorite grubventures and I know we will return to try their endless menu of amazing sandwiches. I could not have asked for a better place to write about to pop my blog cherry.

Peace,

Jake “the Treasurer” Squier

Tough Grub Pockets

Hungry Pocket. Serving the tough grub.

Note from the Fathers: We would like to invite all you baschs to read this post by our newest guest writer the one and only Yogurt Ankle. He might be a bit grimy in his preferences for yogurt, but he is a true grubber. Enjoy

Our Monday grub session started off with the usual dippage out of Cood's 4th period Econ class. However, this day was different as the Founding Fathers were joined for the first time by me, the one and only Yogurt Ankle. Due to my lazy baschness, I had only just received his off campus pass. I now realize how stoop I have been and will PYT myself daily.

As we sprinted to The Treasurer's car, we decide to grub on some

Falafel Sandwiches from the esteemed Hungry Pocket. (Located on Pico across the street from SMC). However, when we loaded into the car we immediately started gagging on an acrid stench we later realized was vinegar. It wasthe definition of grimy. The Treasurer apologized, making up excuses until he just took one for the team and accepted the blame. Despite this we still decided to give him an ol' PYT.

He tried eating the whole thing in one bite. Fail!

As we made our way down Pico, the only thing making the smell bearable was the thought of warm Falafel. Finally, we parked and burst out the doors gasping for air. We went into the shack that is Hungry Pocket. As we started grubbing we couldn't help but notice how well the crisp lettuce, the creamy hummus, and the exotic spices complemented the falafels. All this contained in the inviting goodness of pita bread. We also received a whole bucket of homemade hot sauce for us to liberally dispose of as we saw fit. (I was tempted to dip my ankle into the bucket, but refrained for fear of the father's punishment). Admittedly, it was a little grimy since they pass the bucket from one customer to the next to reuse, resulting in double dipping and possibly herpes. In any case, it proved to be a little too tough for us to handle and our burning throats required immediate soothing. Denny Franklin promised to get water for us but his Alzheimer's-ridden mind forgot, so, I, the man with the Yogurt Ankle honorably volunteered to get it instead. When he finally received the water from the guy working the soda fountain who looked like he was undergoing cocaine withdrawal, the Founding Fathers had finished their sandwiches and waited for me to finish mine.

Falafel huddled for warmth around the mighty sauce.

As we walked back to the car, we realized we had 15 minutes to spare, so Denny, Samuel Adams, and I thought it was a good idea to get twisters from Foster's Freeze. Aidan was skeptical to say the least but the Treasurer was a flat out basch. He refused to drive us there for fear of being late to class, even after we threatened to PYT him a second time. Afterwards, we spied a French bakery that immediately filled us with desire for a warm chocolate croissant, but once again the Treasurer refused, even though at this point Aidan had joined our cause as well and the bakery was only a few blocks away from school, much closer than Foster's. The treasurer had turned the table forcing the rest of us to take one for the team. We got back to school super early, waiting for the bell dreaming of chocolate croissants dipped in frosty Twisters.

Grove,
Macy "Yogurt Ankle" Rosa

Mini Series: Grub Trucks

Vizzi Truck w/ Bucket Seats. Table Not Neccessary.

Hey Grubnuts,

This is Aidan Hamilton again. The other Fathers are in grub-comas as usual, but I made it out alive. I knew you guys wanted another post. Keeping with yesterday's theme I present to you: Vizzi Truck.

The Venison Burger

There were many other trucks around on Olympic Blvd. I actually wanted to grub on a sandwich from MeetnPotatoes, but the stoop broods at the truck had run out of bread. How can a sandwich truck run out of bread! I walked down the line of trucks and stopped at the one sporting a flat-screen TV. I have fuxed with Vizzi Truck for a while now, occasionally getting their delicious braised wagyu beef sliders w/ chimmichurri creme. They serve you three (3) of these delectable morsels on sweet Hawaiian slider buns on a delicious cloud of white truffle and fig popcorn. I wasn't down for sliders though. Had to grub on the tough stuff.

I saw a new menu item on their list of fusion foods from all over the world: the Venison Burger. Sounds pretty legit, right? Yeah, well I didn't know that "venison" was actually a name for deer meat. Even though the meat came from the forest instead of a farm, it was still an incredible burger. The deer was so juicy, I should have known that it wasn't beef.  The burger was crafted beautifully with charred sweet onions, maple-dijon sriracha aioli, and queso panela on grilled brioche. I haven't had a burger this great since eating at Umami Burger, which I will soon show to the other Fathers. I highly recommend this truck, no matter what your grubbing-preference is. Vizzi Truck does not discriminate!

Peace ross,

A.H.