Stepping Stone Cafe - Portland, OR

2390 NW Quimby St  Portland, OR 9721

Went for breakfast in Feb 2013



Located in a nice residential neighborhood on the edge of Portland.
This was a diner style place.   It was busy but we didn't have to wait.

It was much cleaner and newer than many of the dives that show up on this show, but it was definitely a home brew decorated diner.   Staff was very friendly and attentive.  I'd recommend it.

We got the "mancakes" that were on the show.  They were good pancakes, and very large.  Full stack was $8.  But they were just pancakes and there was a lot of better and more interesting things on the menu.

Voodoo Donuts - Porland, OR

Visited in Feb 2013.

Very funky and local.  Busy with young people buying donuts.  We got a voodoo dozen for 12 which included some of the most unique donuts I've ever seen.  Fruit loops and oreos.    The donuts were excellent, very sweet though.

Neighborhood had some strip joints and homeless people around.   The donut shop has lots of double entendre signs up.  Open 24 hours and only takes cash.  No place inside to eat, but some tables were outside.  If you like eating in the rain.   A fun experience, recommend it.

We went twice, and the second time carried the donuts back on the plane.  People stopped us and asked to see the donuts and we saw others carrying them too.  Voodoo donuts are a big deal.

BUNK sandwiches - Portland, OR

211 SW 6th Ave

Visited at lunchtime in Feb 2013, about 2pm.

This place is tiny.  A lunch counter and cash register and maybe 10 seats wedged in.  It is a bit funky and local.   How do I say it, it is "homey".   Most of the place is the food prep area.  Not fancy at all.

Staff was very nice and chatted as they prepped the food.  It was not busy when we were there, which was late for lunch.  They are only open to 3pm.  We ordered at the counter, paid and got our sandwiches within 10 minutes total.   The neighborhood is downtown and I had to pay to park in the garage next door for $9.75.    We walked a few blocks afterwards and the neighborhood seems a bit dodgy.

Had the pork cubano sandwich.  It was excellent.  The sandwich was not huge but it was big enough.

Knucklehead Hot Dog Diner - Sacramento, CA

7456 Foothills Blvd
Ste 13
Roseville, CA 95747


(this is not my picture, forgot to take one)

Visited in November, December 2012 and January 2013 in the evenings each time.  Tried to go in Feb 2013 but went on a Monday night, and they are closed on Mondays.  :(

This is now a favorite stop when I'm in town.  Been there three times and they recognize me now and say hi.

This is a hotdog place in a strip mall.  Run by some local guys.  They have several concoctions that are basically made of hot dogs, chilli, french fries, onion rings.  It's good but bear in mind that it is just hot dogs.

The furniture is a bit patchwork and it is decorated with three stooges posters.  You order at the counter and pay and they bring you the food.   There are families and kids.    A bit funky but suburban.   It is clean and the guys put a lot of care and attention into the place.

Prices are cheap.  You have to struggle to spend $10/person.

Had the cowboy and the bear.  Both were good.

Jim Denny's - Sacramento, CA

816 12th St
Sacramento, CA 95814

Visited twice, November 2012 and December 2012

This place is a trip.  It is a tiny house in the middle of downtown.  It looks like it was decorated in 1956 and not changed since.   Furniture was very well worn.  Took a little nerve to walk in and sit down.  Did I say it was tiny?   The building is divided in half by a lunch counter.  Customers on one side with a few stools along the other wall.  The whole place seats 12 people MAX.    Chairs were duct taped and the grill was only big enough to cook one order at a time.

We got the hubcap pancakes with spokes.  For 12.99 a piece we each got a pancake the size of a trash can lid that was 2 inches thick.  Bacon and scrambled eggs on top.  We are big eaters and I only ate 1/3 of it, my son ate about half.     Next time we went back I got the regular pancakes and couldn't finish the either.

It is only open wed-sun for breakfast and lunch.  Prices are really cheap.  Wait staff was colorful and friendly and seemed to know the locals who came in.   You sit shoulder to shoulder with the other customers and get to know them.

The Salt Lick - Austin TX

3600 Presidential Blvd, Austin, TX 78719
Visited twice in October 2012 and again in Feb 2013


Only got a picture of the Tshirt I bought.  Forgot to take photos.


This place is way out in the middle of nowhere south of town. It is a major tourist draw and is set up to accommodate large groups. It is an upscale countrified place. Clean and modern, you eat on big wooden tables and benches. They sell T shirts and souvenirs.


First time we went on Monday night, we walked right in the wrong door and were seated immediately. When we went on Thursday we went in the front door and were given a beeper and had to wait an hour+.


Food is all meat meat meat. It was very good. People BYOB. We had soft drinks.


Live music, bocce ball and some gardens to walk around.


Wait staff was very friendly and talkative both times.


We had the all you can eat. I was surprised that we were allowed to bring home our leftovers and had enough for another meal. We spent $25/person plus drinks and tips. Second time we had dessert too, cobbler. Awesome.


Went again in Feb 2013. Wait was only about 15 min on a wed night. THis time the service was in the smaller building next door which was kind of loud. Food was still good. Two people with desert drinks and tip we spent 60.


If you go to Austin you have to go to this place. Hopefully you can go on a quiet night, the wait is a bit much.

Juan In A Million - East Austin - Austin, TX

2300 E Cesar Chavez St  Austin, TX 78702

Visited in October 2012

I had the Don Juan Taco, which is a huge breakfast taco of eggs and potatoes.  It was a lot of food for cheap.  My son had regular tacos.   Food was OK but not really that exciting.  Prices were cheap.  The restaurant was well worn and booths were old.  Server was friendly but busy and didn't pay much attention to us.   Had trouble getting drink refills.

The neighborhood was a bit working class, it is east of the main downtown area and had a rehab clinic.  We walked around with no problems both at night and in daytime.   It took two tries to eat here, because I didn't notice that it is only open for lunch and it was closed at dinnertime.   We were there about 11AM on a Friday and it was packed.  We didn't have to wait.   Pay at the register when you are done.

Fun, different, but I wouldn't go there again.

Round Rock Donuts - Austin, TX

106 W. Liberty
Round Rock, TX
http://www.roundrockdonuts.com/index.html

Visited in October 2012 and twice in Feb 2013.

Hit this place about 9AM on a Friday.   There were a few people in line.  We got a couple of the regular glazed donuts and one each of the texas sized donuts that fill an entire donut box.  We brought them home on the plane.  The place was clean and modern.  Staff was friendly.  Donuts were fantastic.  I'll have to say the best donuts I've ever had.   Sat at picnic tables out front.  Highly recommend.

Repeat visits once on a Thursday at 7AM and again on Friday around 10AM.   Friday was getting pretty busy.  Line of cars in the drive thru.