I tried these two spots in downtown Sanford yesterday at lunch. The first is on Sanford Ave (more inland). About two streets up on the right from the street most come in on. The second is back towards the center. Between Hollerbach's and their market. I found it funny that the first traded their food truck for a brick and mortar and on this day there was a beer and dog event with food trucks and those food trucks were stealing all their business. I also stopped at Taqueria Navarro again to sort out the lengua confusion. They said it sometimes is fluffy/pulled if the mother does it. The usual way if the daughter does it. It was that way this day.
Hot Asian Buns - Shall I start the jokes on where we've seen that sign before? As I said, they were a food truck. I think popular. I think they had a Guy Fieri plate on their wall. Who can read his chicken scratchings? They opened around a month ago. Tiny footprint. Around five tables. I had the pork belly confit bao for $6. It was good. Two slices. Hoisin sauce, preserved mustard greens, cilantro and alot of peanut powder. They also have these baos: Korean Fried Chicken, Pork Asada, Tempura Shrimp, Beef Bulgogi and Vegan Chorizo. All the same cost. Also three rice bowls ($14-$16), wings ($14), fries ($6-$10), teas and a dessert. The place is also dressed in gray and black and off white. Some wood. Some Asian decorations. Order at a counter. Open Kitchen. Three on the line. Only open for dinner W-FR. Noon on on weekends. It was about what I expected. Possible Fav.
Wildflower - I believe they have been there forever. I don't think I had tried them before. Pan-Latin mostly. I think only for dinner most of the week. I have always liked this location. I think it was a bank at one point. They decorate it in an off blue with yellow. White marble floors. Dark, floor to ceiling drapes. Blue and white, Arabic patterned tiles on the walls. Panels. Windows. Black and wood table tops. Stools and chairs. White ceiling. Large, metal, gold ceiling fans. Plants. Around ten tables of varying lengths. A bar at the rear. Mostly Latin women there. Four or more servers. They had a full and brunch menu. I had the chorizo shrimp and grits to go for $14. Good. Plain grits. Tasted rich and creamy once you mixed in the oily chorizo sauce. They may use that roll of $2 chorizo you can buy at Winn Dixie. The shrimp were some the fresher ones I've had in a while. No iodine taste (less one). Mediums. Shell off. Nice firmness. Seven. All in all, I'd call it a successful dish. Good price too. Some items from the brunch menu are: arepa, french toast, chicken and waffles, chilaquiles and fried eggs. $11-$16. The regular menu has hot plates and cold plates ($12-$15) and mains ($16-$25). Things like: ceviche, tostones, flatbread, cachapas, burger, fish tacos and steak. Possible Fav.
*Travel Notes - Southern California: I flew Frontier late nights to LAX for $224. Rented a medium from Hertz for $343. It $100+ more when I booked the flight. Did it again day of and realized the discount. At LAX, I didn't see the signs for a bus to baggage claim. Walked way too far. Ask for it. I drove the 405S to Laguna Hills (taking advantage of the lighter traffic) and stayed at the Laguna Hills Lodge (Booking 8.0) for $106. Double Double combo at In n Out.
The next day I drove through Laguna Beach (parking meters everywhere) and on to Dana Point. Some pics from the Strand Vista Park. Drove by the Ritz where I challenged my ex-girlfriend's father to a fight (over the phone) after too many martinis (both of us) while in college. Totally her fault. A burger with tots at The Point. Watched the tourny. Back to the 405 and on to San Diego. I stayed at the shitty Riverleaf Inn (Expedia 6.0) on the 8 for three nights at $248. Drove around. Found Old Town SD (close) and a mall. Wine, etc from Ralph's.
The next day I met up with friends for breakfast of chilaqiles at Breakfast Republic. Then rugby at the University of San Diego (beautiful). We were going to return for a pro match. That didn't happen. More drinking did.
The next day I had lunch of potato taquitos, corvino fish taco and chopped salad with chipotle shrimp with my sister at Puesto at the harbor. Took in the Midway air craft carrier museum ($39). Walked that area.
The next day I walked through Old Town. I drove the 8 east to San Diego State University. Had lunch of beef taquitos at Senor Pancho's. Saw their tennis courts, arena and baseball field. Drove up 15 to Temecula. Did tastings at Gershon Bachus Vintners ($22/6), Danza del Sol ($25/6) and Frangipani Estate Winery ($20/6). All good. I also drove in and out of (if too $) Robert Renzoni ($30/5), Baily Estate and Fazeli. I drove past their equestrian center (Galway Downs). They said it is where they are doing the LA Olympic events. Dinner at Jack in the Box. I stayed at the Signature (Expedia 8.6) near 79 for $174 for two nights. Watched White Lotus.
The next day I drove to the left part of the wine trail. Bypassed Thornton, Churon and Bel Vino because sit down rule or closed. Ended up at the oldest winery - Bella Vista. They were just bought out. They seemed to be selling off the older vintages. Still ok though. $27/6. They gave way more tastes than six. No tip expected. Owner serving. Great hill area views. On to Wiens Cellar. $20/4 or $30/6. Pay in advance. No tip. The guy threw away the slip. Any thing I wanted. Probably would have given me a taste of every bottle. I had to call it quits because it was getting ridiculous. All very good. Wine Enthusiast and Spectator awards. Slipped him a dub. Dinner at BK. I'll interject here that fast food prices were higher in CA. And they had like two people working. Love that working wage. It has no negative consequences.
The next day I drove 79 inland past Warner Springs to Borrego Springs and Borrego Anza SP. Some guy has put statues all over the desert there. Cool. Free. I saw it on that Samantha Brown show. Nice descent down a mountain before that too. They were clearing brush on the road. Some delays. I then took 86 to Salton City for the Salton Sea. I had been a while ago. You can take the first two "exits" (Marina Ave or Salton Sea Beach) and get kind of close or Desert Shores and get right up to the northwest part. Man it smells like sewer. Also some weird memorials on rocks going north on the left side. I drove on to Coachella. It seems like they grow dates there. Off at 62 Ave or so to center of town and the polo fields that they do the festival at. Very Mexican. Back to 86 and I messed something up, so, I ended up on 10. Took it to the Indian Wells exit. Went to the tennis center on 111. They were having the kids' Easter tournament. Took it to Palm Springs. Stayed at the Infusion Beach Club (Booking 7.5) for $100. Dinner of wine and fried chicken from Albertson's. It was ok until they started paving the street in front of the hotel at 12 am.
The next day I drove through a wind/dust storm on the 10 to LA. Stopped at the replica of the Original In n Out Burger stand (highway went over it) in Baldwin Park. Had a HB at the new space. Discovered I like that better than the double double. It's right on the 10 at Francisquito Ave. Went to DT LA. Had a pastrami sandwich ($28) to go (in fear for my car) from Langer's Delicatessen at 7th and Alvarado. Saw this and the next spot on I'll Have What Phil's Having. Drove Wilshire to BH. Lots of street work. Redoing tar pits. Changed to Santa Monica Blvd. Drove down to Huckleberry on 10th and Wilshire. Just had two mini quiches ($6) because of parking insecurity/uncertainty. Drove up Lincoln to try and get to the PCH. They were turning everyone back. Tried again from the pier. No rights allowed. And I forgot to take the 110 to Altadena when I was downtown. So, no fire news to report. Drove the coast past the airport to a Top Golf El Segundo. didn't play. They have an outdoor pitch and putt there too. Back to LAX. Dropped off the car. Walked the three miles to my gate (missed the bus area again). The usual 45 minute delay loading (same on the way here) by Frontier. Quiet drive home at 5am.
Nice trip. Spent $87 on gas ($4.50-$6). Spent $623 on hotels. $333 on food, etc. $128 on Fast Park. $1648 in total. Good time of year to go. Every other location considered had more Spring Break inflation. Weather was good. Got unusually hot in the desert (90s). Weird flight times actually worked out in the end. Less traffic, etc. I was going to do this trip a week or two earlier to see the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament. Maybe next year. Find notes in 2022 if you want to see which wineries I wen to last time.
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