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Fresno Flavor: Benaddiction

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Jason Farris

Head YES man at FresYes.com
I grew up in Fresno. Relaxed in its calm breezes, listened with my dad to the crack of the bat at little league baseball games when I was a kid and now take my son to do the same at minor league games. I broadened my mind at its schools (I went to high school right here at San Joaquin Memorial, and to college at Fresno State!) I love that if I drive for two hours in one direction, I can be in the mountains. For two hours in another, luxuriating on a California beach. I can enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere of San Francisco or Los Angeles, but still be able to come home to relaxation, calm, and quiet.

I love where I live, and I also love what I do. I'm lucky to be able to work in a profession in which I get to build relationships; one that has me meeting new people each and every day and helping them to build new lives in my beloved city. I'm lucky enough to work in a profession in which I can marry cutting-edge technologies and marketing techniques to good, old-fashioned, nose-to-the-grindstone work. I am lucky enough to work in a profession that allows me to work as an advocate for my clients; to use every tool at my disposal to get a job done well for them, and with as little stress and expense as possible.

I love my city. I love my job. One inspires my excellence for the other.

Fresno? I say FresYES

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It’s time for another episode of Fresno Flavor!

In this episode, I get up early (really early) and head to rock-n-roll breakfast spot Benaddiction in northwest Fresno. On the menu? An Eggs Benedict dish called the “Alive,” a vegetarian plate you have to see to believe. 

Join me as I chat with owner and chef James Caples about his love of loud rock music and his amazing food.

I mean, come on. Right? How great does that look? I’m telling you, I ate every bite of food on that plate.

If you want to get in on the Eggs Benedict action at Benaddiction (they serve much more, as well—check out the menu link below), here are the details.

Where to find Benaddiction

Fresno Flavor Benaddiction

Location: 
3015 W. Bullard Ave. (corner of Bullard and Marks)
Fresno, CA 93711 
(559) 374-6082

Hours: Sun-Mon 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Menu: Found here

Social: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

How to see more Fresno Flavor

Fresno Flavor Benaddiction

As always, I want to thank the team at Ppl for putting together this amazing video.

Be sure to follow FresYes Realty on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss a single episode of Fresno Flavor. Look for my next episode to drop the first week of February! 

Previously:
Fresno Flavor: Limón
Fresno Flavor: Rocket Dog
Fresno Flavor: Take 3 Burgers
Fresno Flavor: Chef Paul’s Cafe
Fresno Flavor: Casa de Tamales

Chicago’s Pizza With a Twist combines pizza with traditional Indian food flavors

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Natali Carrera

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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Love pizza but in the mood to try something new? If you like flavor, fresh toppings, and a delicious, non-greasy, thick crust you should try Chicago’s Pizza with a Twist in northwest Fresno.

Chicago's Pizza

The exterior of the restaurant isn’t necessarily exciting, but the flavors in the pizza definitely are!

Chicago’s Pizza with a Twist is a newer-to-Fresno, fast casual-style pizza place located at 3050 W. Shaw (on Shaw and Marks just a few doors down from Edo-Ya in the Target shopping center).

Chicago-style pizza is known for its thick, doughy crust, but “what’s the twist?” you might be asking. The twist is the option to enjoy delicious Indian fusion-style pizzas in addition to traditional favorite topping combinations.

A portion of the menu at Chicago’s is comprised of mouth-watering, traditional Indian dishes that have been combined with the greatness that is deep dish pizza, and the end result is an absolute party for your taste buds. Local franchisee and Fresno native Tejinder “Teji” Padda says the restaurant is part of a growing chain of locally owned franchises originally from Sacramento (another location will soon open in Clovis).

How popular is the combination of pizza with traditional Indian food flavors? So popular, this isn’t the only pizza fusion place in the neighborhood. Located just across Shaw is the newly opened Curry Pizza Company. So clearly, Teji is on to something with his menu offerings.

The menu at Chicago’s Pizza with a Twist offers choices for everyone, and is a good option for vegetarians, too.

When I asked Teji what pizza he’d recommend to someone who hasn’t tried Indian food before, he recommended the Chicken Tikka Masala or the Butter Chicken pizza, which is his top seller. All pizzas are made to order, and you can ask for mild, medium or spicy, depending on your tastes.

My family decided to try out Chicago’s Pizza with a Twist recently, and in tow, we had a friend of my ten-year-old son’s. As is typical for kids, both boys weren’t feeling adventurous when it came to their pizza orders, so they each ordered their favorite traditional toppings (pepperoni and crispy bacon for my son, Canadian bacon and pineapple for his friend).

My husband and I wanted to try the Indian-style pizza, and though I was leaning toward Chicken Tikka Masala pizza based on a mouth-watering photo I’d seen in my Instagram feed, our server suggested we try both the Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken as a half-and-half. I’m so glad she did.

The Chicken Tikka Masala side was good. Very good. But the Butter Chicken side was amazing! I expected Butter Chicken to have a milder flavor than the other, but it was actually the opposite. The Butter Chicken pizza was extremely flavorful and the toppings on all of our pizzas were fresh and plentiful in quantity.

Chicago's Pizza

Our delicious half Chicken Tikka, half Butter Chicken pizza

The thick, pan crust was pillowy but not greasy, and it was baked perfectly with lightly crispy edges. The amount of cheese was generous, and the melt was great—bubbly and perfect.

The atmosphere at Chicago’s Pizza is very casual: somewhat plain, but clean and comfortable, and the dining area is perfect for a laid back meal. Take out seems to be a popular choice, too, if you don’t feel like dining in.

Service was friendly and it was clear the manager wanted us to be happy with our food. A chilled bottle of ranch dressing was provided without us having to ask for it, once we sat down. We also ordered a side of samosas, which came with two dipping sauces—they were superb. (I’m actually really wishing I had some right now as I write this.)

If you’re in the market for a fresh take on pizza, or simply love a good thick crust, I highly recommend giving Chicago’s Pizza With a Twist a try!

Tenaya Park: A hidden gem neighborhood in Northwest Fresno

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Natali Carrera

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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“Want to meet us at Tenaya Park?” asked my friend, as we planned a play date for our kids one Saturday afternoon. “Sure… um, where is it?” was my response. “It’s the park in our neighborhood. I’ll text you directions.”

Tenaya Park

Tenaya Park is quite literally in the middle of one of my dear friend’s neighborhoods, and just a hop, skip and jump away from where our family lives – yet it feels eons away in the sense that it is so lovely, so pleasant and so relaxed that you feel like you’ve stepped into a prior era when you visit. An era in which neighborhood children weren’t glued to glowing, handheld screens all day but in fact stayed outdoors and played until the sun went down and their parents made them come inside for dinner. An era in which neighbors likely lend each other a cup of sugar and bring welcome baskets when someone new moves in down the street.

entering Tenaya Park

Located between Sierra and Escalon and Fruit and Thorne Avenues, 143 ranch style homes, built in the 1960s and 70s surround a lush, 2.5 acre park, shaded by tall, mature trees. A pedestrian path surrounds the park and creates a perfect exercise path for friends, neighbors and parents while children are happily entertained by the play structure (which has benefited from the recent revamping of the foam ground covering) or the basketball court. An expansive green space sprawls to provide the perfect picnic area, touch football field, or a play space for neighborhood dogs (who are well known to other park goers, especially Tuxedo, a friendly, black and white dog who is happy to play catch with his Frisbee anytime anyone wants to toss it for him).

The kids playground

foursquare, hopscotch and other games

The field at Tenaya Park

neighborhood access

Each neighborhood street ends in either a cul-de-sac that offers parking for Tenaya Park, or a cul-de-sac with homes located all around, but with a lighted pathway between the homes, so that all neighborhood residents have easy access to the park. The lit foot paths are so uncommon in the Fresno area, they seemed almost magical or like secret passages the first time I wandered them on an evening walk.

neighborhood access at Tenaya Park

The Tenaya Park neighborhood is located on a County Island and the park is a public park owned maintained by Fresno County but with funds from neighborhood homeowners, who pay $210 per year in Homeowners’ Association fees to ensure its longevity and upkeep. (A very reasonable fee in my opinion, considering the immense benefit of having such a beautiful park in your own backyard.)

If you are currently in the market for a home in Northwest Fresno, I strongly suggest you consider looking into the Tenaya Park area. Tenaya Park feeds into Gibson Elementary, Tenaya Middle School and Bullard High School and is also within walking distance to Piazza del Pane, Starbucks, Broilers, and Northpointe Shopping Center.

If you need help finding a home in the area that’s perfect for your family, I suggest you start with my favorite realtor, Jason Farris (aka Mr. FresYes). And I realize you probably think, “she’s biased! She writes for his website!” And yes, you’re right – I am biased, but only because he was our family’s realtor and took such amazing care of us looooong before I began writing here for you.

Seriously – check out the Tenaya Park neighborhood – it’s like no other in Fresno, really! You’ll love it!

DIY “Top Dog Pet Wash” Provides Mess-Free Solution

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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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It’s finally fall in Fresno, and with it is coming some much-needed rain. With the rain also comes a dirty problem for pet owners: muddy dogs. It’s hard to keep all that stuff from being trekked in the house! And if you have a big dog, you can’t just go outside and hose them off in the wet and cold!

A new business in Fresno has the perfect solution. Top Dog Pet Wash offers a high quality, do-it-yourself option at their store at Friant & Fort Washington near Starbucks, across from Woodward Park. Your dogs can stay sheltered and warm while you try to stay dry while bathing them!

IMG_3706

Owner Chris Topjian opened Top Dog Pet Wash two months ago after extensive research and helping to renovate the facility himself. He got the idea after seeing something similar while traveling through Nevada. Then it was up to him to figure out the mechanics of it all.

Topjian found big K9 Spa Tubs with detachable showerheads for dogs of different sizes and owners of different heights. There’s even a tub that accommodates wheelchairs. Stairs help dogs up into the tubs and treats are available if they need a little bit of incentive! You’ll have all the shampoos, brushes and tools you’ll need. Water is always set to a friendly temperature for dogs. Aprons keep you dry, and doggie dryers are next to every tub. Topjian is available to assist; he likes to remind everyone to “leave the mess” for him to clean up when they are done.

Owner Chris Topjian helps dry a dog at Top Dog Pet Wash.

Owner Chris Topjian helps dry a dog at Top Dog Pet Wash.

 

Washes are $12 for small pets, $15 for medium and $18 for large ones. There are also flea & tick washes for $20 and skunk washes for $25.

It’s been a learning experience to see what works and what the dogs like, Topjian said. Sometimes the owners who visit pitch in their own ideas. Lots of locals have already had fun bathing their dogs at Top Dog since it opened. It’s a great place to bring your kids so they can learn and help. Plus, its proximity to Woodward Park means that you can always stop by on the way home if your dogs have made a mess!

Top Dog Pet Wash

Top Dog also sells a selection of chemical-free dog toys, dog food and organic treats. Topjian was surprised to find a line of pet treats made right in in Fresno, and he has a whole section of Plato Pet Treats.

Click to see homes in this area!

You can find out more about Top Dog Pet Wash on its Facebook and Instagram pages.

Oh, and by the way, no one’s tried it yet, but Top Dog has cat products available if you want to wash them, too!

Top Dog Pet Wash

9415 N Fort Washington Rd
Fresno, California

Community: The Family Behind Local Favorite Mike’s Pizzeria

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Kendra Gilbert

Writer at FresYes.com
Kendra Gilbert is a writer born and raised in Clovis. She has written for publications from Boston to Los Angeles and loves writing about fashion and people most of all. The abbreviated list of things she enjoys outside of writing includes: thrifting, photography, harmonica, beer, movies, hiking and skee ball.
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The DiNuzzos know a thing or two about family dinners. For more than 50 years, they’ve been cooking up classic Italian dishes to be shared by you and yours at their northwest Fresno restaurant, Mike’s Pizzeria.

The restaurant was started by Mike and Angelina DiNuzzo in 1962 as a pizza shop. Now operated by their son, Peter, with the help of third-generation family members like Peter’s son, Andrew, it has grown into a sit-down restaurant and lounge. But aside from a larger location, and a fancy new ravioli machine purchased to keep up with demand, not much else has changed. Recipes brought over from Italy are still being used to create dishes like Mike’s popular calzones and signature chicken fettuccine Alfredo. And family is still the main ingredient.

Mike's Pizza

 

Andrew DiNuzzo says the kitchen at Mike’s is home away from home for him, and for most of the family. And that a typical work day is often 12 hours. But that’s what it takes to keep a family business like this running. Especially because many customers have come to consider the DiNuzzos family, and look forward to rubbing elbows with them over a plate of spaghetti with homemade meat sauce when they stop by for dinner.

But, if Mike’s is where other families gather for dinner, do the DiNuzzo’s ever get a chance to have a family dinner of their own? Yes, occasionally. The family tries to get in a Sunday dinner when they can and then there are always the holidays. But even when the doors to Mike’s are closed and the kitchen is dark, the restaurant is far from forgotten. Check out what Andrew has to say about the DiNuzzo family’s dinner conversation in the video below.

Mike’s Pizzeria Lounge | 3228 N. West Ave., Fresno, CA 93750 | 559-229-2635

 

FresYes Places: North Fresno Batting Range

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Natali Carrera

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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A couple of weeks ago, I shared information about Future Prospects indoor batting cages and baseball training facility here on FresYes. A fantastic facility with lots to offer, and the advantage of being entirely climate controlled – Future Prospects is a great place to sharpen your skills before hitting the diamond. However, there is another hidden gem in the Fresno baseball world that I feel deserves mention as well. Even if there isn’t anyone in your immediate family who plays baseball or softball, I think almost anyone can enjoy hitting some balls for practice or pleasure at the North Fresno Batting Range.

Though unassuming from the road, North Fresno Batting Range is a nostalgic and functional hidden gem

Though unassuming from the road, North Fresno Batting Range is a nostalgic and functional hidden gem

The North Fresno Batting Range is located at 5365 N. Parkway Drive in Fresno, and you’ll see it just before you hit the entrance to the Island Waterpark. Unlike the Island, North Fresno Batting Range has been in this location for as long as I can remember (and I used to ride in the car with my parents or on the school bus down Parkway Drive daily as a kid – so, that’s a fairly long time). Pulling up to the dirt lot parking area, you won’t be blown away by modern amenities like free wi-fi and leather chairs like you would at Future Prospects, but there’s a certain laid-back charm to North Fresno that makes you feel nostalgic walking in. The shady trees, friendly people working the token window and spacious viewing area make North Fresno pleasant for families and other spectators and the varied pitching speeds, ball types and multiple cages make North Fresno a very functional and enjoyable place for players to practice their hitting.

North Fresno Batting Range

 

If you find yourself on the Northwest side of Fresno on a Friday evening, I’d encourage you to make an evening of going to dinner then hitting some balls at North Fresno Batting Range. We did that with our neighbors and their kids a couple of weeks ago, and even us grown-ups got in the cages for fun. I’ve never played softball in my life (well, once, in junior high for the youth group – but anyone on that team would agree I didn’t truly “play” softball…) but I had a blast swinging away and happily even making contact every few pitches. I’d even suggest hitting this batting cage as a fun part of a date night or as a way to release stress on your own!

North Fresno Batting Range

North Fresno Batting Range

North Fresno Batting Range offers affordable pricing and token-based pitching machines. Helmets and bats are available for use and the range is open 7 days a week. (I took photos of the pricing and hours signs for your convenience.)

I hope you’ll go enjoy some batting practice – either to get ready for the next big game, or just to have some fun at North Fresno Batting Range soon. I’ve been twice in 3 weeks, and look forward to going back again (even if it’s with my little-big guy who’s copping some attitude in the photo below ;-)).

North Fresno Batting Range

 

A Chat with Chef Manny from LeLa’s

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Alisa Manjarrez

Alisa is the Global Marketing Manager at FocusVision, the global leader in market research technology. As an Executive Coach, she works with professionals across the country to achieve their goals and grow as leaders.

In midst of all this, a girl has gotta eat, right? Alisa is loves chatting with chefs behind the scenes and exploring the rich food culture of the Central Valley.
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chef-manny-carr-lelas

If humility is an indicator of true success, Chef Manuel “Manny” Carr, purveyor of LeLa’s Restaurant, is a successful man. He opened LeLa’s three years ago, after working at Fresno Heart Hospital and Veni Vidi Vici’s, among others. My friend Nicole and I spent some time getting to know Chef Manny while we tasted a few of his dishes. In our time together, he highlighted the great chefs in Fresno and around the world more than he talked about himself. He mentioned Campagnia, Trelio, Parma, Max’s, Veni Vidi Vici’s, and Cracked Pepper, praising the efforts of each chef. And when we talked about how well his restaurant is doing, he immediately pointed out the attributes of his staff.

His staff was so friendly, to us and each other, even in the back where customers were out of sight. It was refreshing. It was also fun when our waiter excitedly placed a plate of pan-seared pork belly before us. It was delicious, by the way.

pork-belly-vertical-lelas

lelas-fresno

“In order to understand how restaurants work, you have to work at every level,” he said.

Like many young people trying to figure out their place in the world, Chef Manny worked in restaurants as he put himself through college. He started as a dishwasher while he lived in Iowa for a short time on a scholarship. He moved up to pantry chef doing salads and desserts, then became a server, prep cook and bartender.

lelas-chips-hummus

Nicole and I happily ate LeLa’s chips (made with flour tortillas) and hummus while Chef told us about his journey back to Fresno, working at KFSR (Fresno State’s radio station) and later, Harland’s restaurant. From there he went to Veni Vidi Vici’s, then LaRocca’s. As he spoke, he talked about how grateful he was and is to have not just made contacts in the local restaurant industry, but true friends. Plus, he received his degree in mass communication and journalism at Fresno State while making these friends. Fortunately for Fresnans, he chose to pursue a career in cooking over a career in music PR.

Fortunately for Nicole and I, we got to try one of LeLa’s signature dishes of the spring season: a grilled 10oz flat iron steak served over basmati rice (with essence of red bell pepper, jalapeños, and cumin), tomatillo sauce, pico de gallo, corn and avocado sauce, and queso fresco.

flat-iron-steak-lelas

Chef Manny will tell you that the focus of his food is the flavor, more than the look. “The moment you dig into it is the moment the art is destroyed,” he says. “I want it to look nice, but have the flavors pop so it’s great until the very last bite.”

As the lights of the restaurants dimmed, he pointed to a couple eating at a nearby table and said, “See them? They are taking their time, enjoying the food, enjoying each other. They’ll probably be here all night, and that’s what this is all about.”

flan-dessert-lelas-fresno

Nicole took a spoon to the flan on the table and fell in love herself. She said it was the best flan she’d ever had. It was creamy, the flavor was rich but not over-pouring, and the texture was just right. As she swooned over the flan, Chef Manny said, “when I see people smile over my food, that’s the best compliment I can ever receive.”

LeLa’s is located in the NW corner of Marks and Herndon (formally Parma’s location). All food is made fresh daily, and many ingredients are sourced locally (Chef Manny is a huge fan of TUFF Farms and Quant Farms). The food is fresh and relatively healthy. Most regulars go for the pork chop, served with a mix of bacon, leeks and black bean brown rice and baby carrots with a maple chipotle glaze. If you have food allergies or special food needs, just call in advance and the staff will be happy to make something just for you.

Special thanks to Nicole Cross, my eating buddy and guest photographer for this post. See some of her own recipes and photos at PinchMySalt.com.