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House of JuJu team opens Papa’s Place in Clovis

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Joanne Lui

Joanne Lui is a social media and fashion addict who has lived in Fresno since she was four, and sometimes accidentally says she was born and raised in Fresno. She was actually born in Hong Kong. She loves shopping and the St. Louis Cardinals, and is equally likely to be found in heels or a baseball cap - sometimes both. She blogs about designer bargain hunting and charitable fashion companies at www.shoesoffmyfeet.com
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When people ask me what the best place to eat in Clovis is, I’ve only ever given one answer: House of JuJu in Old Town. Their burgers, flatbreads, and salads with an endless combination of sauces and meats cannot be surpassed. The restaurant is so well-loved it moved into a bigger location late last year at Pollasky and Bullard.

So I was beyond excited to hear that the owners of Juju’s have just opened a new restaurant, Papa’s Place, in Juju’s old location in the breezeway of the Dewitt Building in Old Town Clovis.

Papas place

Choose your own food adventure

Juju’s is named after co-owner Julie Glenn, using a nickname from her grandchildren. Papa’s is named for her husband and co-owner Scott Glenn, also using his nickname from the grandkids. Papa’s seems to use Juju’s philosophies with a different style and new flair. It’s a craft cocktail and pub food joint with a southern inspiration.

But much like House of Juju, Papa’s Place has the same “choose your own food adventure” philosophy. Nearly every item on the menu can come fried—or not. And a whole new set of sauces are waiting to be explored.

Papas place

Sauces and cocktails. Who needs more than this?

I started my meal with one of the restaurant’s craft cocktails, the Gatsby, which has vodka, grenadine, lemon, bubbles, and candied orange peel. It was refreshing and neither too bitter nor too sweet. I’m definitely looking forward to working my way down the cocktail list in future visits.

Next was appetizers. We went with the deep-fried mac and cheese with bacon, and the sweet-and-spicy sweet potato waffle fries. After we ordered, the waitress brought out a tray with various sauces for us to taste: homemade honey mustard, lemon herb sauce, Cajun ketchup, and mango coconut curry. The cool thing about having so many sauces was getting to pick which I liked best with each food item throughout the meal.

The favorite appetizer at my table was the sweet potato fries paired with Cajun ketchup. Without the ketchup, they could almost work as a dessert. My sister declared that they tasted like churros, in the best way.

Papas place

Sweet potato waffle fries and fried mac and cheese balls at Papa’s Place.

Fried or grilled: you make the call

Our main courses were equally diverse and delicious. Every item in the protein area can come fried or grilled. I ordered the Cajun shrimp, fried, with beer-battered French fries. The shrimp are paired best with the delicious homemade honey mustard, in my opinion.

There are actually three different kinds of fries to choose from: beer-battered, skinny steak fries, and chips. My sister ordered the po’ babies with fried chicken and chips, and lemon herb for her sauce. The chips are a cross somewhere between an actual potato chip and a potato skin. And don’t be deceived by the name “po’ babies.” There’s so much meat, you could ask for extra bread to make yourself another sandwich. The fried chicken strips made with thigh meat are really tender and juicy. 

Papas place

Po’ babies and fried cajun shrimp.

The clear winner for us, however, was the entrée my dad ordered: the grilled pork belly—which, yes, could also be fried, but trust me when I say you want it in its pure, grilled goodness. Truly good pork belly should melt in your mouth, and this one was perfection. I don’t remember the last time I was so impressed with a piece of pork. The two pieces may look small, but they are fatty and super filling. So much so that we agreed we’d probably order it as an appetizer to share next time. But really, it’s a must!

Papas place

Best pork belly ever!

Visit Papa’s Place

Overall, our meal at Papa’s Place was unique and delicious. And it’s a fun atmosphere, too. The restaurant features a band area with live music every Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. It makes for a fun date or girls’ night out. Safe to say, the House of JuJu team has done it again!

Papa’s Place is located at 453 Pollasky Ave. in Clovis. It’s open Tues-Thurs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Fri-Sat from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The restaurant is closed Sundays and Mondays.

Follow Papa’s Place on Facebook to check out more about their menu and see what bands are scheduled to play!

Put Rev’s California cuisine on your must-try list now

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Natali Carrera

Natali Carrera is a devoted coffee addict who also loves her nine-year-old son, husband of 14 years and bargain hunting at Target. She works full time with ValleyPBS as their Director of Educational Services and is also a freelance writer and YouTube vlogger (as a hobby). She's been told "bubbly" is the best descriptor of her personality, though she wonders if what people really mean is that she talks too much. Natali is a lifelong Fresno resident and Fresno State grad.
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On my phone, I have an app called Wunderlist, where I’ve created multiple checklists of things I don’t want to forget, including one list called “Restaurants I Want to Try.” Often, these restaurants are on the list for awhile before I’m able to make it out to them, and there are times when I no longer remember why I initially put them on my list, but I know I must have had a good reason at the time, so I go with it.

Last weekend, my husband and I were in Clovis for a birthday party our son was attending at MB2. While he was supervised and happily racing with friends, we decided to venture into Old Town to find a bite to eat.

Rev’s had been on my restaurants list for months, so we decided to head there. What a great decision that was!

Rev's California cuisine

Rev’s in Old Town Clovis is located at 401 Clovis Ave Ste 102 between 4th and 5th streets

It was quiet when we walked inside, and an artist was updating the chalk art on the big clock that hung above the wine bar near the entrance. The restaurant extends back into a second, long room along the kitchen, and a large chef’s table anchors the room. We were seated in the front dining section, which featured comfortable yet sleek black chairs and leather booths, and modern wood tables.

Rev's California cuisine

Rev’s front entrance and dining areas

Rev's California cuisine

Rev’s wine bar

Our server was very warm and friendly, and greeted us promptly. She shared that their most popular dishes were their rib-eye burger and lobster mac-n-cheese. I was hoping to eat something a bit on the lighter side, and she recommended their steak tacos. My husband ordered the burger, to be served on lettuce, and added a sunny side-up egg (he’s following the ketogenic diet).

Rev's California cuisine

Rev’s lunch menu 

When my husband’s burger arrived, he insisted I try a taste. Typically, I’m not a big fan of the actual meat of burgers, more so the toppings or how it tastes altogether, but I’m so glad I tried it! It was laced with fine pieces of chopped bacon, and so flavorful, smoky, and tender—it actually made me think perhaps I should like burger meat after all. I just need to eat good quality burgers like the one at Rev’s!

Rev's California cuisine

My husband’s rib-eye burger, served with egg and crispy bacon (typically served on a bun, served on a lettuce wrap per my husband’s dietary preference)

My tacos were served with a homemade roasted chipotle salsa, drizzled with a flavorful crema. The steak was tender and well-seasoned. I thoroughly enjoyed every bite.

Rev's California cuisine

My delicious steak tacos served with roasted chipotle salsa

After our meal we spoke with our server, who shared that she was inspired by Chef Brian Velsaquez, who is Le Cordon Bleu trained, and his wife Rene, a talented pastry chef, and the creativity and love they put into their dishes. She explained that the restaurant hosts monthly family-style dinners and Chef Velasquez makes a special menu to serve to his guests on just that night.

The rest of Rev’s menu is considered a “living menu,” meaning the items change with what’s in season and what is inspiring the Chef. There are also special Chef’s catch seafood choices and Chef’s cut meat dishes featuring Harris Ranch beef, depending on the night and what Chef Velasquez is excited to wow his guests with.

Rev’s offers California and comfort cuisine, an extensive beer and wine selection, and warm, family-style service in a comfortable and attractive location. Family is hugely important to the chefs, and children are welcome in the restaurant (a child’s menu is happily provided upon request). Rev’s also features specialty desserts such as a Snicker’s cream cheese cake, and homemade donuts and vanilla ice cream, which are a customer favorite and served on weekends.

My husband and I are really looking forward to going back to Rev’s soon for dinner, and we’re hoping to eat at the Chef’s table for one of the upcoming monthly dinners. (Keep an eye on their events calendar for updates and scheduling.)

I highly recommend giving Rev’s a try for your next dinner out. Check out their full menu here, and be sure to follow them on Facebook.