You can’t miss the bright blue Jamwagon food truck with its red lettering announcing pitas, gyros, hummus, falafel and fries (1631 Central Ave., McKinleyville; updates on Facebook). And good thing, too. (Sidebar: Is McKinleyville’s Central Avenue, with its Indian takeover days at the Taqueria Martinez truck, Auntie Hao’s and now this Greek street-food operation, becoming […]
What’s Good
Posted inEat + Drink
A Burger Break in the Rain
In Humboldt spring, if the patio is dry, much less sunny, take advantage. Not all the benches were dry at Eureka’s branch of Redwood Curtain Brewery when the rain let up at last, but enough for a burger and fries framed in a patch of sun in front of the attached Cookin’ Nook truck. The […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Wildwood Waffles Heads North
The sweet smell of Wildwood Waffles has left Rio Dell. After a final weekend of waffling, owner Harry Smith has packed up his irons for Gig Harbor, Washington, where another branch is already in business. “This isn’t my choice to leave that place,” says Smith, nor did he want to leave Rio Dell. But after […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Sushi Spot’s Tipping Point
The social media response to Sushi Spot posting its new policy regarding gratuities was swift and nuclear, with Facebook posters and commenters largely deriding the announcement, some even swearing off patronizing the business for good. But the plan itself, the automatic addition of an 18-percent “equity fee” for dine-in and 10 percent for takeout to […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Mazzotti’s Shuts its Doors
On Thursday, Jan. 11, Joe Mazzotti says he had nobody to cook at Mazzotti’s, so he didn’t open the iconic Arcata Plaza restaurant. “December was probably one of the toughest financial Decembers I’ve had to face,” he says, explaining the restaurant was only pulling in about half of its usual $5,000 per night. “My money […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Benedicts at the Burger Joint
When T’s Café North closed up shop, Arcata’s roster of brunch spots took a blow. Not to worry. Since August, the stacks of stuffed French toast and the roster of champagne cocktails served in Mason jars have migrated the few blocks to Burger Joint, run by the same owner, Halleh Paymard. Happily, you needn’t wait […]
Posted inEat + Drink
UPDATE: Belly Up to the Salsa Bar
UPDATE: In sad salsa-related news, Paco’s Tacos, the Eureka Mexican restaurant that briefly dazzled us with its array of salsas, has closed. When contacted by the Journal, the owners responded that the partnership “didn’t work out,” but they are hopeful that they’ll be able to open elsewhere down the road. PREVIOUSLY: The revolving door spot […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Shutting Down the Ritz
After a short run of less than eight months, the latest incarnation of the Ritz in Old Town is closing. Owners Concha Alvarado, José Licona and Fernando Licona, formerly of Calico’s in Garberville, opened the Mexican-Italian-burger restaurant in the storied corner location Feb. 28, and they plan to close their doors today or Saturday, and sell […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Carriage House to Open in Arcata
Over the phone, chef Rochelle Burgess says she wasn’t looking for a restaurant gig after the abrupt closure of her former post, the Angelina Inn, in Fernbridge. Her work as a personal chef was going well enough and she wasn’t eager to work for someone else again. But after a friend tipped her off to […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Dumplings and Tea at the Carwash
Even in a rainy month, Auto Spa in McKinleyville still sees a little traffic since the bright blue Auntie Hao’s truck is parked out front Thursday through Saturday (1642 Holly Drive). The trim menu of Chinese crepes, dumplings, fried noodles and tea stands out amid bumper-to-bumper taco and sandwich trucks, and it’s likely the only […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Arrivederci, La Trattoria
After 21 years, Jim Becker and Patricia Cambianica, husband and wife owners of La Trattoria in Sunny Brae, are bidding farewell, shuttering the little restaurant after service Saturday, April 1. “We’ve been doing this for 21 years,” says Becker over the phone. In that time, La Trattoria has built a loyal following with its traditional, […]
Posted inEat + Drink
The Wild Midwest
There’s a lot going on at Overtime Eatery and Games. In the lot, where the old Angelo’s sign still stands, noodle bowls are steaming from the red Nou Nou’s truck. Inside, basketball plays on a massive TV, the beer counter is hopping and cabinet video games flash from a side room, beyond which, a couple […]