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Tower’s new Bocca Taqueria satisfies your cravings for flavorful tacos

September 5, 2018 by Natali Carrera Leave a Comment

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Natali Carrera is a devoted coffee addict who also loves her twelve-year-old son, husband of 17 years and bargain hunting at Target. She works in the field of education 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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Living in the Taco Capital, Fresnans are lucky to have tacos available on numerous street corners throughout the city. Sometimes, however, you want to go out for tacos and have a place to sit and relax while you eat, as well as a wide variety of meat and filling options to choose from—like those you enjoy from your favorite taco truck.

Bocca Taqueria, a newly opened Tower District restaurant, satisfies both of those needs!

Bocca Taqueria is located on E. Olive in the Tower District

Menu options are plentiful

Bocca Taqueria is located at 568 E. Olive Avenue in the former Castillo’s location. Their menu offers a whopping 16 different meat choices for taco lovers to enjoy. From popular favorites like asada and al pastor, to less common, specialty choices like suadero (aka “rose meat,” a flavorful cut of beef neck) and cachete (beef cheek), there are options for all.

Bocca offers waited service in two dining areas with updated, modern décor. The environment is casual and family friendly.

Bocca offers a variety of meats for taco lovers to enjoy (pictured clockwise from top: asada, saudero, al pastor)

Bocca’s interior is updated and inviting

Bocca’s taco selfie wall is ‘Gram-worthy on purpose

Menu highlights

My husband and I recently visited Bocca for the first time, and really enjoyed the food and experience. Here are some of the highlights from our visit:

Salsa Flights for $3.99. You can try six different types of super flavorful and fresh, house-made salsa. On the day we went, we were served pineapple habanero, fresh red tomato, crushed peanut, molcajete, green tomatillo, and pumpkin seed salsa. Every single one of them was good; however, I enjoyed the molcajete best and my husband loved the peanut salsa. Chip refills were provided at no additional cost.

Bocca’s salsa flight and chips

Mulitas, a cross between a street taco and a cheese quesadilla. These tasty, melty stacks of deliciousness are available with al pastor (pork), chuleta (pork chop), bistec (steak), ribeye, arrachera (skirt steak) or pollo (chicken). I had an arrachera mulita and have been craving another since the moment I finished eating it.

My skirt steak mulita (on the left)

Choriqueso, another hybrid dish, is a hearty appetizer featuring melted cheese and crumbled chorizo, and is served with corn or flour tortillas.
Pricing. All menu prices are fairly reasonable, especially given the quality and selection of ingredients. Depending on how hungry you are, you’ll likely want to piece together 2-4 items to create a full meal, but at $2.75-$4 a pop, the total cost is very inline with, if not slightly below, most casual, sit-down restaurants.

Bocca’s current menu

Where to find Bocca Taqueria

Though it’s been open just over a month, Bocca has already garnered a solid 4-star average on Yelp and 4.4 star average on Facebook. Reviewers point out how much they enjoyed the multitude of salsa and meat choices, and how good the asada and ribeye are.

If you’re looking for some tasty tacos in a pleasant, sit-down atmosphere and friendly customer service, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with Bocca Taqueria. I recommend putting them on your “to try” list and visiting soon!

Bocca Taqueria

568 E. Olive Ave.
Fresno, CA 93728
(559) 374-5100

Hours: Closed Sun and Mon. Open Tues-Sat 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Find them on Facebook here

House of JuJu team opens Papa’s Place in Clovis

June 6, 2018 by Joanne Lui Leave a Comment

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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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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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

New lunch spot in Downtown Fresno has old ties to the neighborhood

May 7, 2018 by Sarah Soghomonian Leave a Comment

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Sarah Soghomonian

TV Producer and fan of all things fabulous.Bulldog Born, Bulldog Bred!

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A favorite downtown Fresno lunch spot has re-opened in the Galleria with a new name. Ragazzo’s is a quick service Italian restaurant co-owned by Executive Chef Gerald Chiarito and Marcel Bourdase.

Executive Chef Gerald Chiarito and Marcel Bourdase are the proud owners of Ragazzo’s at the Galleria in downtown Fresno.

Chef Gerald is the original owner of Goodfellas, which he opened in the Galleria in 2001 and sold in 2006. Located at 2405 Capitol Street, the Galleria is on the corner at Kern and Inyo, right next to the Convention Center Exhibitor Hall. The space has its own parking lot, and there is no fee to park.

“We are excited to be a part of the revitalization of downtown Fresno,” Bourdase says. “The Galleria has always been a great spot to come and enjoy lunch, but we are also very excited to see all the growth taking place downtown.”

What’s for lunch

Ragazzo’s is open Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. All of the menu items are under $10. A build-your-own pasta bowl will run you $6.50, and comes with fresh garlic bread. There’s spaghetti, penne, and bow-tie noodles which you can top with marinara, meat, alfredo or pesto sauce.

The menu also features sandwiches like meatball, Italian sausage, or grilled portobello, flatbread pepperoni and Margherita pizzas, and salads. “Our homemade lasagna is one of our favorites as well as our Scarface Pasta, which is a penne pasta mixed with chicken, mushrooms and topped with our homemade alfredo sauce,” Bourdase says. “Our Summer Salad, which consists of cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and our homemade red wine vinaigrette is also a favorite.”

Ragazzo’s plans to expand the menu to offer daily specials, such as Penne Salsiccia and Chicken Parmesan.

Family owned and operated

Ragazzo’s is a family business. Chef Gerald and Bourdase are brothers-in-law, and a lot of the staff are relatives.

“Chef Gerald and I work great together and I believe our customers will see that quality in the food and customer service,” Bourdase says. “In addition to the Ragazzo’s menu, our sister company, Top Shelf Catering, has a more expansive catering menu for any special event. Chef Gerald loves to cook and prides himself on designing custom menus for our clients.”

My pasta bowl featuring penne with marinara sauce.

In addition to previously owning Goodfellas, Chef Gerald has worked in the restaurant industry in Newport Beach, Las Vegas, and the Central Coast.

To learn more about Ragazzo’s, check out their website here. They are working on adding online ordering in hopes of making it even easier for downtown workers who have a limited lunch break.

Tamari Robatayaki and Whisky Bar brings a new style of Japanese cooking to Fresno

January 17, 2018 by Natali Carrera Leave a Comment

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As someone who tries to keep an ear out for local restaurants and businesses opening, whenever I hear of a new place to eat that offers something different from anything I’ve tried before, I get excited.

Recently, I heard about the opening of Tamari Robatayaki & Whisky Bar on “Restaurant Row” in the North Pointe Center on Palm and Herndon, and my interest was piqued. What is “Robatayaki”? I had to find out.

Robatayaki skewers are grilled in front of you in the main dining area at Tamari, at temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees

Fireside cooking seals in flavor

According to the restaurant’s website, “Tamari” comes from the Japanese word for gathering place, and “robatayaki” is a term that comes from the word “robota” meaning “fireside or hearth, the center of the home.” Robatayaki essentially means “fireside cooking.”

Intrigued, my husband and I ventured out to give Tamari a try. With its prime location, sandwiched between well-known restaurant heavy-hitters Parma and Cracked Pepper, our expectations were high.

When we arrived, a friendly hostess opened the door for us and, despite there being a sizeable Saturday night crowd, she sat us immediately. (She did ask whether we had a reservation, which we didn’t, though it’s good to know the restaurant does accept them.) We were seated at a table and our server, Sandy, greeted us promptly and was warm and friendly.

Sandy asked if we’d had robatayaki before (we hadn’t), and proceeded to explain that robatayaki is a type of grilling in which fresh meats and produce are skewered then heated over a super-hot grill burning a specialized charcoal called Binchō-tan. Binchō-tan charcoals provide a cooking temperature as high as 1,000 degrees, allowing food to cook extremely quickly while simultaneously sealing the natural flavors of the food, rather than them being cooked out over time.

Tamari’s extensive bar selection is displayed in warm light on modern-looking, natural wood shelving

Extensive menu offerings, including a large selection of whisky

In addition to the robatayaki menu options, which consist of a wide variety of meats including pork belly, lollipop lamb chops, prawns, rib eye, and more, as well as vegetables such as corn with Shiso butter, bacon-wrapped asparagus, and Brussels sprouts, Tamari also offers a wide range of Asian fusion menu items such as sushi, customizable ramen bowls, and yakisoba noodles.

Beyond the numerous food options, and as is stated in its name, Tamari is also a whisky bar offering an extensive selection of whiskies from around the world, as well as a full bar with signature cocktails, craft beer, and wine.

Trying out the food

In order to sample something from many menu categories, my husband and I tried the following:

Blossom-tini and Bow and Blade Whisky

The Three Wishes Roll featuring salmon, tuna, yellowtail, cucumber, crab, masagoes, green onion, spicy aioli, unagi sauce, and wasabi aioli

Chicken Yakisoba with Steamed Rice

Kohitsuji (Lollipop Lamb Chops) and Mekyabetsu (Brussels Sprouts)

Tomoroskoshi (Corn with Shiso butter)

Our overall opinion of the food was that everything tasted very fresh. The lamb was tender and flavorful and the sauces and Shiso butter added a lot to each dish. My Blossom-tini was tart and refreshing instead of sweet and cloying like too many pink drinks in martini glasses can be, and my husband enjoyed carefully choosing the whiskies he wanted to try from such an extensive selection, many of which he’d never heard of before.

The robatayaki dishes were extremely hot (though not burned or singed) and heated all the way through, and we both agreed you really could taste the natural flavors of the food well. I can’t imagine how amazing Fresno State corn could be with the Shiso butter (like a mild, sweet garlic butter) when it’s in season, if Tamari sources it.

Though you can definitely watch your food being cooked robatayaki-style, it’s a more passive and less-engaged experience than, say, eating at a sushi bar or Teppanyaki restaurant. That being said, Tamari’s food is quite tasty and unique, and if you’re a whisky drinker, you’re sure to be delighted by all the options presented to you.

So, what do you think readers? Will you be putting a robatayaki experience on your must-try list?

Where to find Tamari Robatayaki

Tamari Robatayaki & Whisky Bar is located at 6731 N. Palm Ave. in Fresno. It is open for lunch and dinner.

Hours: Mon-Wed 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thurs-Sat 11 a.m. to midnight, Sun 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Reservations: (559) 721-7300

Find them on Facebook.

Kenji’s Teriyaki Grill: Is it worth the hype?

December 13, 2017 by Natali Carrera Leave a Comment

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Recently, I had three different friends who don’t hang out in the same circles mention something about “that great teriyaki place by Target.” One friend talked about the excellent customer service. The second mentioned huge portion sizes for very reasonable prices. And the third spoke of tender teriyaki tri-tip and an amazing panko-crusted chicken.

A quick Yelp search later, I learned the name of this great teriyaki place: Kenji’s Teriyaki Grill, located in the new strip mall on the west end of the Bullard and Blackstone Target parking lot. I also learned that not only were my friends thrilled with Kenji’s, but Fresno Yelpers are, too!

Kenji’s sign as seen from Blackstone Ave.

Why the hype

Though Kenji’s hasn’t been open long, (the restaurant opened in August, 2017), there are 73 reviews, and the restaurant has earned a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

So, what’s everyone raving about at Kenji’s?

The tender teriyaki tri-tip. One reviewer even goes so far as to say it’s the most tender and delicious tri-tip they’ve had in Fresno.
The restaurant’s special Katsu Chicken Plate. Tender chicken breast lightly breaded in crispy panko crumbs, served with white rice, tempura vegetables, tempura dipping sauce, and teriyaki sauce.
Kenji’s fast service. Several reviewers noted it’s a great place to go on a lunch break, even if you have limited time.
Kenji’s décor. It’s pleasant and modern, and the staff is happy to let you watch what you like on their flat-screen TVs.
Healthy options. If you’re trying to eat on the healthier side, Kenji’s grilled chicken teriyaki, steamed vegetables, and brown rice make for a filling and tasty meal.
Generous portions. The portions of all meals are hearty—in most cases, you’ll have enough for two meals, and for around $10.

All of this was far too intriguing for me to resist, so of course I had to try Kenji’s for myself.

I went on my lunch last Thursday, and it got busy quick. I arrived just after noon, received friendly counter service, and my order was ready in under five minutes. The line quickly grew and every table was taken, but the staff seemed to not miss a beat.

The modern, friendly décor and attentive service makes guests feel welcome at Kenji’s.

The food was served piping hot and the portions were in fact very generous (I got two full meals out of mine.) I got the Katsu Chicken Plate, and was not disappointed.

The panko chicken breast was made from juicy, tender chicken and the panko was perfectly crisp without the slightest taste of greasiness or heaviness. The tempura was tasty, and the rice was good—not too dry, not too soggy.

My Katsu Chicken Plate was soooooo good.

I really enjoyed the spicy seasoning and teriyaki sauce (I always love spicy sauces) that were available in abundance at the condiment bar. It is a little tricky to get to the condiments when the restaurant is busy, as they are somewhat behind the soda fountain, but it’s worth the minor inconvenience.

Clearly my friends and Fresno Yelpers know what they’re talking about. Kenji’s Teriyaki Grill is a gem! Check it out; you’ll be glad you did.

Restaurant details

Kenji’s Teriyaki Grill is a family-owned Japanese restaurant located at 5776 N. Blackstone Ave., Ste. 107 in Fresno. It serves lunch and dinner, and is open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Follow Kenji’s on Facebook or visit their website to see their menu. Call (559) 374-6800 for more information.

Quesadilla Gorilla: Funny Name, Seriously Tasty Food

April 12, 2017 by Natali Carrera 1 Comment

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Melted cheese. It’s the best, isn’t it? I’d say it’s tied for most irresistible food along with maple bar donuts for me.

So, when a new restaurant specializing in gourmet quesadillas opened up within ten minutes of my office, you know I had to make the trip over promptly.

Welcome to the Fresno High Neighborhood, Quesadilla Gorilla!

About Quesadilla Gorilla

Two weeks ago, Quesadilla Gorilla opened the doors to its second brick-and-mortar location, this time in Fresno, located on Echo Street across from Fresno High and next door to Ampersand Ice Cream.

Its first location opened in October, 2013 in Visalia next to the historic Fox Theater. Owners and “Chief Dilla Makers” Miguel and Mikayla Reyes also operate the Quesadilla Gorilla food truck, which can be found at various events throughout Visalia and Fresno, including farmers markets, Computech, and Gazebo Gardens. (For a complete schedule of food truck locations, visit their website and click “schedule.”)

The Reyeses pride themselves in preparing delicious, gourmet quesadillas made with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients – they seek to serve all customers as they would their own family. From homemade salsas like their “Liquid Gold” – a spicy chile and garlic salsa with a great kick – to their creamy avocado and cilantro cream sauces, the Reyeses and their team know how to take a quesadilla way beyond tortillas and cheese, and turn them into an experience.

The Dillas

When you order your food at Quesadilla Gorilla, you have the option of requesting a suggested combination of ingredients from their pre-stacked deck of quesadilla choices, or using a menu pad to individually select your protein of choice (or veggies), toppings, cheese, and sauces.

Protein choices include cilantro lime chicken, shredded beef, chile verde, and bacon. There are two types of cheese to choose from (a white mix of Jack, provolone, and mozzarella, or cheddar), and fillings, which include black beans, pico de gallo, cilantro, tomatoes, onion, habaneros, fajita veggies, and rice.

And the real stars, the sauces, include Cilantro Cream, Roasted Sour Cream, Spicy Salsa Verde, Habanero Salsa, Roasted Red Salsa, Avocado Salsa, and the aforementioned Liquid Gold.

All quesadillas come with two homemade sauces of your choice. Personally, the Liquid Gold and Cilantro Cream have been favorites of mine.

Finally, there are a few dessert quesadillas on the menu to choose from as well, such as the PB&J and the Nutella.

Custom quesadilla build pads offer a choose-your-own-adventure meal experience

Though I love the idea of being able to build my own quesadilla to taste from the many mouthwatering options provided, both times I’ve been to Quesadilla Gorilla in the two weeks since they opened in Fresno, I ordered a pre-selected quesadilla, the “Evan Boling,” which comes with delicious, marinated chicken, bacon, thin-sliced fresh jalapeños and a mixture of white cheeses.

It’s SO good. I’m going to have a hard time not ordering it, next time I go – I know I need to branch out, but it’s that good!

My favorite, “The Evan Boling” pictured with Liquid Gold and Habanero salsas

The Restaurant

Quesadilla Gorilla is located in the former Dusty Buns restaurant location, though they have made some changes to the interior paint and appearance.

The atmosphere is modern, clean, and somewhat reminiscent of a Chipotle with its white and wood-accented, minimalist décor. The service is friendly and helpful, and ordering is counter-style, but your food is brought to your table.

A peek inside the Fresno Quesadilla Gorilla location

If you strongly dislike quesadillas in general (I don’t understand this, but I respect your right to your own opinion, however strange it is), Quesadilla Gorilla is not the spot for you, as the entire menu is filled with tasty “Dillas.”

But, if you’re like most people and love flavorful, cheesy, and non-greasy tortillas filled with deliciousness, you should definitely put Quesadilla Gorilla on your list of awesome Fresno places to visit soon!

Quesadilla Gorilla Details

Fresno location: 608 E. Weldon Ave., Fresno, CA 93704
Hours: Mon-Sat: 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun: Closed

Or, you can visit the original location:
Visalia location: 302 W. Main Street, Visalia, CA 93291
Hours: Mon-Sat: 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun: Closed

The Quesadilla Gorilla food truck will be at Gazebo Gardens Nursery in Fresno Thursday and Friday, April 13-14, at 5 p.m. Follow them on Facebook for updates.

Corner Bakery Cafe Offers Breakfast, Baked Goods & Sandwiches in North Fresno

February 16, 2017 by Sarah Soghomonian Leave a Comment

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TV Producer and fan of all things fabulous.Bulldog Born, Bulldog Bred!

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A popular quick-service restaurant with nearly 200 locations across the country is now open in Fresno.

Corner Bakery Cafe is located at the ever-growing Park Crossing complex at Friant Road and Fresno Street in northeast Fresno.

Corner Bakery Cafe now open at Park Crossing, Friant and Fresno

Corner Bakery Cafe’s roots are in the mid-west. In 1991, they started out as a bread and bake shop in downtown Chicago. They grew from there and in 2006 began franchising. There are now 51 locations in California, including one in Visalia.

On a random Monday night, I decided to try out the new location in Fresno. It was my first time to a Corner Bakery Cafe and I must say, I was impressed.

The moment you open the door, you smell the goodness of all the baked goods.

Corner Bakery sells a variety of cookies, cakes and pastries.

Employees take your order at the counter. I took a few minutes to go over the menu.

Breakfast is served all day. Scramblers, like the Farmer’s Scrambler (which sells for $7.49 and consists of three eggs, peppers, mushrooms, onions, and cheddar cheese), are made when you order. Also on the breakfast menu are pancakes, breakfast sandwiches and flats, oatmeal and yogurt.

Lots to choose from!

Not wanting breakfast? There are a variety of salads, sandwiches, pastas, soups, and chili available. Corner Bakery Cafe offers online ordering, which is great if you’re on your lunch break or picking up something quick for dinner.

It was dinnertime when I went and I decided to go with the Choose Any 2 option. For $8.99, I could pick a combination of the following: ½ sandwich or panini, ½ pasta, ½ salad or a cup of soup.

Corner Bakery Cafe now offers a Choose Any 2 option.

I went with the ½ Harvest Salad which consists of all-natural chicken, field greens, green apples, walnuts, blue cheese, cranberries, and raisin pecan sweet crisps with balsamic vinaigrette dressing. For my second option, I chose the vegetable soup.

Both items had a nice flavor and tasted fresh and healthy. I would order them again.

Harvest Salad (minus the blue cheese) and Vegetable Soup

Something that really stood out was how clean the seating area was. I noticed workers wiping just about everything down.

Staff brings your order to you and they clear your table, which is a major bonus compared to similar style restaurants.

Eat and leave or stay awhile! Corner Bakery Cafe has an inviting atmosphere.

Corner Bakery Cafe is a bakery, so there are plenty of cookies, cakes, and pastry items to choose from. There is also a wide variety of coffee and tea options.

It’s a comfortable environment. There are power outlets, which make it great if you are using the space to study or meet with others to brainstorm a project.

Need a pick-me-up? Multiple coffee and tea options available!

Corner Bakery Café is one of several restaurants to open at Park Crossing. The Zinkin Development is a 40-acre mixed use site. When complete, it will feature retail, residential, and office space.

Butterfish California Poke, known for its custom poke bowls, is locally owned and also resides in the Park Crossing complex. FresYes writer Jenna recently checked it out and gives it a thumbs up.

Park Crossing is one of Fresno’s newest mixed use complexes.

Park Crossing is also home to Dickey’s Barbecue, Pieology, Jersey Mike’s, Craft Beer Wine Bistro, Figaro’s Mexican Southwestern Grill, SheShe Boutique, Cycle Bar, and Sportsman’s Warehouse.

Learn more about Park Crossing here, and next time you’re in the area, check out Corner Bakery Cafe.

KoJa Kitchen Will Make You Change Your Food Plans Immediately

January 4, 2017 by Natali Carrera Leave a Comment

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So right as I was about to get back into the whole “let’s eat healthy!” and “I can eat nothing but salad for weeks at a time!” thing, an amazing, delicious, and tastebud-tantalizing new restaurant opened just a few steps away from the FresYes office.

KoJa Kitchen Fresno

The Restaurant

KoJa Kitchen—”KoJa” is a term coined from the Korean and Japanese influence on the flavors and dishes served by the restaurant—got its start as a food truck in the Bay Area, rapidly gaining a loyal and devoted fan-base that clamored for their short-rib KoJas (a burger-like concoction that uses a pressed, sticky-rice patty in place of a bun, and a sweet, spicy short rib in place of ground beef) and Kamikaze Fries (crisp waffle fries piled with minced Korean barbecue beef, kimchi, Japanese mayo, red sauce and green onions).

The Fresno location marks the sixth brick-and-mortar restaurant, and the furthest location from the original five, which has presented a few challenges, says District Manager Jay Chen. Surprisingly, some staple food items, such as the waffle fries, are astronomically more expensive to obtain from local suppliers than in other areas.

Inside KoJa Kitchen Fresno

The franchise seeks to utilize local, fresh ingredients whenever possible, and will be working to build relationships with local providers, “especially a daily, fresh produce provider who can bring in fresh grown ingredients from the Valley.” (Hint, hint: If you know any farmers, nudge them in KoJa Kitchen’s direction.)

In addition to amazing and unique dishes and locally sourced ingredients, Jay told us that customer service is at the heart of everything KoJa Kitchen does, and they want to hear their customer’s thoughts, opinions, and ideas.

You can count on friendly service at KoJa Kitchen

The Food

I had the great pleasure of enjoying a sampling of popular menu items along with my husband, and fellow FresYes writers Joanne Lui and JoAnn Hallum. Here’s what we tried, and our thoughts:

• Short Rib KoJa (Korean barbecue short rib (kalbi), sesame vinaigrette, lettuce, katsu aioli, and sesame seeds on a pressed rice patty bun). We all enjoyed this and would happily order it again. In fact, I can’t wait to order it again! The beef is savory and sweet, tender, and flavorful, and the texture of the rice is perfect and dense.

• Teriyaki Zen KoJa (Soy and portabella mushroom blend patty, pineapple, sesame vinaigrette, teriyaki sauce, and sesame seeds on a rice patty bun). A surprisingly tasty KoJa as well, especially for my husband and I. Neither of us likes mushrooms and we both really enjoyed this. The flavor and texture make it hard to believe it isn’t meat you’re eating and the teriyaki sauce isn’t overly sweet or too overpowering—a big win.

The Teriyaki Zen Koja

• Ahi Tuna Bowl (Sashimi, seaweed and imitation crab salad, wonton crisps, wasabi mayo, masago, soy ginger vinaigrette, and red sauce over steamed rice). My husband was very happy with this dish. Personally, I’m not a sashimi fan, but I tasted the rice with the house-made red sauce, which has a great spicy kick to it, and I think I want to put that sauce on everything now. This bowl can be ordered with ahi, salmon, or a mix of both.

The Ahi Tuna Bowl

• Kamikaze Fries (Waffle fries piled with minced Korean barbecue beef, kimchi, Japanese mayo, red sauce, and green onions). We all enjoyed these greatly; in fact, this was my favorite dish. The fries have that amazing, red spicy sauce, but it’s well-balanced by the smoky sweetness of the beef.

The Kamikaze Fries *drool*

• Umami Fries (Waffle fries with miso-coconut braised pork, red sauce, garlic aioli, fried onions, masago, and green onions). Jay said this pork was his favorite thing on the menu, and for good reason. The pork is very good, and I can see why Jay loves it.All four of us loved these fries too. These aren’t quite as spicy as the Kamikaze Fries, if you prefer less heat.

Umami Fries and off-menu “Fresh Fries”

• DMZ Wings (Habañero-infused barbecue sauce, black pepper, and sesame seeds on traditional, fried chicken wings). These tasty wings have great flavor without that strong vinegar taste that can be unsavory in a traditional wing sauce. Not as spicy as one might expect with the habañero, but with a great depth of taste, wing-lovers will definitely enjoy the DMZ.

(clockwise from top left) Teriyaki Zen KoJa, Kamikaze Fries and DMZ Wings

• Fresh Fries (Off-menu item). Jay suggested we try the waffle fries with Japanese mayo and green onion, claiming they taste like sour cream and onion potato chips, and we had to admit, he was right! A good flavor combination, obviously.

• Strawberry Mint Mango Lemonade. This signature drink tastes like all flavor ingredients are cut fresh, infused into the lemonade, then strained to provide a pulp-free and refreshing drink. We all enjoyed this, and it will likely be even more refreshing in the summertime.

With food this tasty, everyone is smiling!

Hubby and I in fry heaven

The Verdict

In summary, if you love food with complex flavors and textures, great spiciness, or a smoky-sweet, rich barbecue flavor, you’re going to LOVE KoJa Kitchen. Since so many things on the menu utilize rice over bread, Koja also is a great place for those who need to pass on gluten (a number of menu items are, or can be, prepared gluten-free, so just ask).

The service we received was efficient and extremely friendly and the restaurant (located in the former Thai Palms location next to Eureka Burger on Palm and Nees) was clean, open, and bright.

My fellow diners and I give KoJa Kitchen two incredibly enthusiastic (and slightly red-sauce-covered) thumbs up!