Diningout 08 06 17 by High Desert Media Group

AUGUST 6, 2017

FOCUSED ON FLAVOR

DINING OUT

Wood Grill Buffet serves up variety, quality and taste

INSIDE:

DECADENT DESSERTS Page 11

Weekly specials, Pages 3-4 / Hidden Tavern, Page 16

DINING OUT

Sunday, August 6, 2017

From the editor’s desk

K, I’ll admit it. I’m a coupon user. I love getting a deal. That applies to restaurants, too. Most of us have our favorite restaurants. I can think of a half-dozen that I frequent regularly and the food is always good. That’s what keeps me coming back. But I’m not against trying new restaurants, especially if they have a coupon that will save me a few bucks or some special deal that is too good to pass up. And often that’s all it takes to turn me into a regular. That’s why I was so happy to see so many coupons and meal deals in last week’s issue of

Dining Out. I know I’ll use many of them and I’m sure I’ll discover a few places that will become favorites. L o s D o m i n go s i s already one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, but I’ll be sure to use that 15 percent off entrees coupon they ran last week the next time I visit. Mile High Cafe got my attention with their $2 Taco Tuesdays deal. Hidden Tavern upped the ante with its own Taco Tuesday deal, all you can eat for $5.99 (and their all-you-can-eat Thirsty Thursday deal is a winner too). I haven’t been to Ninja Sushi yet, but how could I not try a $1 Sake bomb with my $10 purchase? A1 Grill Teriyaki & Roll

tempted me with its coupon that allows you to buy one specialty roll and get the second roll for 50 percent off. And how about two free drinks with any large two-topping pizza? That’s Cross Eyed Cow Pizza’s coupon, and that works for me. Wood Grill Buffet served up a $2 off Monday coupon, Firehouse Subs’ coupon offered a full meal for two for $16.99 and Baconballs Cupcakery had the coupon for a perfect dessert: Buy 1 jumbo cupcake and get one free! The coupons and deals are already flowing. I hope you’ll follow my lead and take advantage of them. — Steve Hunt

DINING OUT From the editor’s desk �� 2 Weekly specials �� 3 Happy Hour specials �� 4 Where to dine �� 5 Tips for family night out �� 6 Restaurant tipping guide �� 7 Wood Grill Buffet �� 8 Decadent desserts �� 11 Food in photos �� 12 Restaurant grades �� 14 Hidden Tavern �� 16 Dining Out is published by the Victor Valley Daily Press, 13891 Park Ave., Victorville, CA 92392. Copyright 2017. All rights reserved.

Editor Steve Hunt Advertising Director Angie Callahan Advertising Manager Lisa Woodhart Contributing writers Kathy Young Martial Haprov Contributing photographers James Quigg, Janice Osborn, Kathy Young, Lisa Woodhart Cover and page design Ivan Hundric Copy editing Steve Hunt To advertise, call Lisa Woodhart at 760-951-6253.

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DAILY SPECIALS

Los Domingos

Daily Deals

Firehouse Subs A1 Grill, Teriyaki and Roll Daily Deals

Cross Eyed Cow Pizza Daily Deals

Mile High Cafe

Monday: Half off sprinkles Apple Valley and Barstow Daily Deals Tuesday: $1 French macDaily Deals: Monday through Friday arons Taco Tuesday (Apple Daily breakfast and lunch Wednesday: Buy 1, get 1 Valley only): $2 Full-size specials half off, jumbo cupcakes tacos Wednesday: half-priced Burgerim margaritas, 3 to 8 p.m. Di Napoli’s Sunday: Champagne Daily Deals Daily Deals brunch, all you can eat, 9 Monday through Sunday: a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ($13.95 Monday Lunch specials — Mini pizza, adults, $7.95 kids) Merguez Burger in a 2 toppings w/soup or salad combo meal or a la carte $11.95 or half sandwich w/ Ninja Sushi Marshmallow Dream soup or salad $10.95

Daily Deals:

Wednesday: Kids eat for 99 cents

Hidden Tavern

Monday through Sunday: All sushi and rolls 50 percent off (all day)

Wood Grill Buffet Daily Deals

Buy one specialty roll, Daily Deals Taco Tuesday after 4 Monday through Friday: get second roll 50 percent Taco Tuesday: $5.99 all p.m. off (with coupon in this publi- 2 slices w/2 toppings and a you can eat tacos Wednesday: Wing Night Thirsty Thursday: $9.99 after 4 p.m. drink for $6.95 cation only!)

Friday

Fries Flourless Cake

Saturday

Salmon Burger Chicken Strips Chicken Sandwich Salads

Sunday

Salmon Burger Chicken Strips Chicken Sandwich Salads

Idle Spurs Daily Deals

Tuesday

Tuesday through Sunday: Daily Dinner Specials

Wednesday

El Salvador Del Mundo

Trio Combo Meal Turkey Burger Wagyu Beef Burger Chicken Wings

Thursday

Trio Combo Meal Turkey Burger

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Daily Deals

Friday: Seafood Night all you can eat wings and baked potato bar after 4 p.m.

Daily Deals Wednesday Pupusa $1.99 all day

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Baconballs Cupcakery

DINING OUT

Sunday, August 6, 2017

A1 Grill, Teriyaki and Roll Happy Hour

20 percent off on teriyaki bowls and specialty rolls from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily (with coupon from this publication only!)

Hidden Tavern Happy Hour

Monday through Friday, 4 to 7 p.m. $2.50 short domestic or domestic bottles $3.50 well drinks $1 off all 22 oz craft beer and imports

HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS

Di Napoliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Los Domingos Happy Hour Apple Valley and Monday through Sunday 3 p.m. to close: $5 Well Barstow Happy Hour Drinks, $1 off Wine, $1 off Monday, 3 to 7 p.m.: Drink specials Beer Tuesday, 3 to 7 p.m.: Drink specials Wednesday, 8 p.m. to midnight: Karaoke (Apple Valley only) and drink specials Thursday, 3 to 7 p.m.: Drink specials Friday, 8 p.m. to midnight: Karaoke (Apple Valley only) and drink specials

Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2039;, 8 p.m. to midnight: Live band

Ninja Sushi Happy Hour Monday through Sunday: Wood Grill Buffet Mile High Cafe Large beer 2 for $7, small Happy Hour Happy Hour beer 2 for $3.50, small Monday through Friday, Taco Tuesday, 4 to 9 Sake 99 cents, Sake Bomb 2 to 4 p.m. 99 cents (with $10 miniSenior Happy Hour, p.m.: $2 tacos, $2 enchilamum food order) $8.99 das, beer specials

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B R

Serves Alcohol Breakfast

WHERE TO DINE

Brunch AMERICAN

Catering

Dinner

Happy Hour

Online Ordering

Apollo Burger 14950 7th St, Victorville 760-245-4900

D Burgerim The Mall of Victor Valley, 14400 Bear Valley Road, #701, Victorville 760-243-4494 www.burgerim.com

Mile High Cafe 12728 Main St, Hesperia 760-947-0099

D C

Wood Grill Buffet 14135 Main St., Hesperia 760-981-4418

D C A

DESSERTS

Baconballs Cupcakery 10326 E Ave., Hesperia 760-881-9956

HEALTHY

Ninja Poki Yaki 17878 Wika Road, Apple Valley 760-646-9966

D C ITALIAN

Cross Eyed Cow Pizza 19242 National Trails Highway, Oro Grande 760-241-1987 www.crosseyedcowpizza. com/

D C

Di Napoliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Firehouse 17856 Wika Road, Apple Valley 760-242-5802 www.dinapolisfirehouse.com

D C

JAPANESE

A1 Grill, Teriyaki and Roll 15061 Bear Valley Road, Hesperia 760-949-8900 www.a1grill.com

D C Ninja Sushi

15850 Apple Valley Road, #116, Apple Valley 760-242-3913

D C A

MEXICAN

Los Domingos 17790 Wika Road, Apple Valley

760-946-5344 www.losdomingosapplevalley.com

D C A

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Idle Spurs Steakhouse 690 Old Highway 58, Barstow 760-256-8888

SUBS & SALADS Firehouse Subs

13325 Main St., Suite 108, Hesperia 760-983-5512 www.firehousesubs.com

D C

SPORTS BAR Hidden Tavern

12728 Main St., Hesperia 760-947-0099

D C A

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SYMBOL KEY

DINING OUT

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Tips for a successful dining experience FAMILY NIGHT OUT

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ining out is incredibly popular. According to the National Restaurant Association, restaurant industry sales in 2016 were expected to exceed $782 billion in the United States alone. But dining out is not exclusive to the United States. Restaurants Canada reports that the Canadian restaurant industry accounts for nearly 4 percent of the country’s economic activity while directly employing just under 7 percent of the country’s entire workforce. Dining out would seemingly appeal to diners from all walks of life, but parents of young children may find it difficult to enjoy dining out with tots in tow. The following tips can help parents of young children make the most of their nights out as a family. • Do your home work. Parents should take some time before choosing a restaurant to examine the menus and policies of any establishments they are considering. Many restaurants make their menus available online, so parents can compare menus of various establishments

Parents may want to bring something along to keep kids distracted in case the restaurant is busy or meals take longer to prepare than expected. While tab lets with video games or movies might keep kids occupied on road trips, it’s best to avoid bringing something noisy into a restaurant setting. Coloring books, word search puzzles or traditional books won’t distract or upset fellow diners and can help keep kids occupied until dinner is served. to determine which have these times, and that can ting other customers. • Ask to be seated the most kid-friendly lessen concerns parents • Bring something at a kid-friendly table. fare. might have about upset- to keep kids occupied. When being seated, ask Some restaurants have children’s menus, while others do not. Examine menus ahead of time so you don’t arrive at the restaurant only to sit down and discover it does not have anything your children are likely to eat. In addition, determine if restaurants have any specific rules regarding children. Some might not allow youngsters after a certain hour, while others might go above and beyond to accommodate families. • Dine during offpeak hours. Parents concerned about how their children will behave in a restaurant setting can get kids used to the dining out experience by dining during off-peak hours, such as late afternoon or very early in the evening. Restaurants are less crowded during

the hostess to seat your party in an area where kids won’t be distracted or grow antsy. A corner booth can make for a cozy family meal, and kids won’t be distracted by fellow diners or even other youngsters in the restaurant. • Explain restaurant etiquette to youngsters before going out. If the family dinner table at home is short on etiquette but long on fun, explain to youngsters that the same rule does not apply at the restaurant. Parents can explain that it’s still OK to have fun when dining out, but keep the volume down.

ableside service is one of the benefits to dining out. Dining out can be a welcome change from preparing meals at home, and diners love that, once the meal is finished, someone else is there to clean everything up. L e av i n g g rat u i t i e s fo r exemplary restaurant service may not be mandatory. However, in many areas of the world, proper dining etiquette suggests diners should tip their servers when paying for the meal. Many restaurant employees count on tips to supplement their salaries, and servers may even be paid below-average wages because tips are factored into their earnings. Diners routinely strug-

RESTAURANT TIPPING GUIDE gl e wh e n l e av i n g a g ra tuity. Tipping, because of the money involved, also can cause heated debates. Various experts have weighed in to help customers determine the right way to proceed with tipping. This tipping guide helps clarify when and how to tip.

Etiquette experts at the Emily Post Institute concur that 15 to 20 percent is the standard rule of thumb when tipping at a sit-down dining establishment. If the restaurant is buffet-style, a 10 percent tip may be adequate. Many people leave a 20 percent tip when dining out. That has become the norm for good service. Poor service may not be worthy of such a substantial tip. When alcoholic beverages are part of the meal, some diners prefer to tip separately. That’s because restaurants may implement a heavy markup on wine or cocktail prices. Tipping based on the bill pre-tax can be expensive. The safe recommendation is

10 to 15 percent. Those who sit at the bar before retiring to a table should offer 15 to 20 percent of the tab to the bartender; or, $1 for beer or wine, $2 for mixed drinks. iTipping. com suggests paying your bar tab before leaving for your table. Although it can be tempting to refrain from tipping when service is poor, this isn’t always the wisest idea. That’s because some restaurants employ a shift system in which all of given shift’s gratuities enter a pool and are divided by a point system. Otherwise, each individual server is responsible for tipping his or her support staff, which includes a busser, a runner, a back waiter, and/or

a bartender. Rather than punish the whole lot, reduce the tip and then discuss your misgivings with the restaurant manager. Diners should know that gratuities are typically included in the bill for larger parties. Restaurants generally add an 18 percent gratuity to the bill. Restaurants put this in place to safeguard their staff. This gratuity should be mentioned on the bill or on the menu. If the service was excellent, diners may want to tip on top of the included gratuity. Diners who have gone over budget should not compensate by reducing the tip. Diners who cannot afford to tip should not dine out.

7 Sunday, August 6, 2017

Experts provide helpful tips for leaving gratuities

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DINING OUT

Sunday, August 6, 2017 Wood Grill is known for variety on its salad bar. James Quigg, Daily Press

Grilled goodness among sizable selections Wood Grill Buffet in Hesperia has food for almost any mood By Martial Haprov For the Daily Press

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HESPERIA — If variety is indeed the spice of life, Wood Grill Buffet is so spicy it might register on the Scoville scale. The restaurant daily offers up a slew of dish-

es, desserts and deals that appeal to the hungry High Desert masses. A s s i s t a n t G e n e ra l Manager Jose Cortes has been with Wood Grill for about five years. He tells the Daily Press there’s never a shortage of good eats here.

The restaurant’s dinner items range from pizza to pasta, sliders to sweet and sour chicken and steak to pot roast, two items Cortes notes are diners’ favorites. Steaks are made to order and the pot roast is cooked to a tender

texture with a lush and hearty gravy joining each bite. Mashed potatoes here are a well-matched side dish, but it doesn’t end there — not even close. One of the prides of Wood Grill’s all-day selection — served liter-

ally any time the restaurant is open — is its fried chicken. A staple of many buffet tables, Wood Grill’s stands out from many other brands’ varieties, with a crisp outer fried layer that has a bright pepper element while being enjoyable for

palates of all sensitivity levels. Not to be outdone, the fried shrimp is an all-thetime favorite as well, and it joins the fun on Wood Grill’s seafood Fridays, which also include two varieties of tilapia, spicy shrimp, mussels, shrimp

Sunday, August 6, 2017 Wood Grill serves up wonderful ribs and steaks. James Quigg, Daily Press

ers, but the restaurant receives its fair share of out-of-town guests as well. Cortes estimates that about 60 percent

of their customers are local while the other 40 percent come from out of the area. He said they aren’t all just travelers looking for a belly fill-up — many weekend diners come to Hesperia simply

to eat at Wood Grill. “We know we have a lot of competitors,” Cortes said, “so we focus on good customer service, the high quality of our food and cleanliness.”

This Hesperia restaurant also sponsors sports t e a m s at l o c a l h i gh schools and other youth sports leagues. Wood Grill is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday

and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 14135 Main St., just east of Topaz Road in Hesperia. Visit www. woodgrillbuffethesperia. com or call 760-981-4418 for more information.

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fettuccine, crab salad and a cool, crisp ceviche. Two other weekly special menus here also give diners alternatives to the “normal fare”: Taco Tuesdays and Wing Wednesdays. Cortes says the We d n e s d a y t r e a t includes six different wing flavors, including traditional buffalo — their most popular — sweet teriyaki, “Kickin’ Bourbon” and mango habanero. In addition to the weekly specials, seniors get an added treat: from 2 to 4 p.m. weekdays, the restaurant offers a special price to ages 62 and up. And what would a buffet be without breakfast? On Saturdays and Sundays from 8 to 11:30 a.m., the restaurant puts out dozens of firstmeal-of-the-day favorites, including a bevy of Mexican dishes like chorizo and eggs, menudo and chilaquiles, a madeto-order-omelet station and staples like biscuits and gravy, hash browns, waffles, chocolate chip pancakes, French toast and two varieties of quiche. The dessert station at Wood Grill is full of treats for those with a nagging sweet tooth. Those treats include their popular Oreo creme pie and flan. The restaurant also o ffers dome stic an d i m p o r t e d b e e rs a n d select wines for those diners who are 21 and older. T h e d a i l y va r i e ty at Wood Grill draws in scores of local eat-

DINING OUT

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Left photo: A Carrot Cake Cupcake from Baconballs. Right photo: The Medieval Burger, a Hidden Tavern specialty, is made with two cheeses and pastrami.

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DINING OUT

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Cupcakes like no others Taste the Baconballs passion with each bite

DECADENT DESSERTS

Story and photos by Kathy Young Dining Out

Bet you can’t choose just one: A stack of Jumbo Cupcakes from Baconballs Cupcakery in Hesperia.

“something” to help you celebrate — Baconballs is the place to go. Order ahead and your selections will be boxed and waiting for you.

Deciding exactly what you want will not be easy. The regular and jumbo cupcakes h ave m o u t hwat e r i n g names like Lemon (or Chocolate) Raspberry Cream Cheese, Triple Chocolate, German Chocolate, Hummingbird — a par-

ticularly delicious recipe with pecans, banana pieces and pineapple in the batter — Funfetti (easy to spot in the display case because of its colorful topping), Coconut, Red Velvet, Carrot Cake and more. Everything is fresh, moist and delicious.

And if a specialty cake is more to your liking, Baconballs happily takes special orders. A recent visit let us view a beautiful two-layer cake decorated with royal icing in a bright yellow. Red roses and an icing bow finished the look. T h e s u r p r i s e t h at

awaited the cutting of the cake was inside — the top layer was Red Velvet; the bottom layer was Triple Chocolate. Let Baconballs Cupcakery and Bake Supplies plan your next party or satisfy your sweet tooth. You won’t be disappointed.

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aconballs Cupcakery owner Jacklin Tully readily admits it: “We are passionate about tasty treats.” Your first visit to her store on E Avenue in Hesperia lets you see what deliciously decadent variety there is in the phrase “tasty treats.” Jacklin also believes in passion for giving the best in service and satisfaction. That’s why her business has grown since she decided to offer her baking skills to other than family and friends in 2005, and why happy customers return again and again. Whether you’re looking for a well-earned treat for yourself after a busy day or productive week on the job or want to treat your office to something fun — or there’s a special occasion that needs an extra special and edible

DINING OUT

Sunday, August 6, 2017 Left: One of Hidden Tavernâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specialty drinks, the Hurricane. Right: Hidden Tavernâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bruschetta features fresh garlic and tomatoes. Below: This Baconballs special features a top layer of Red Velvet and a bottom layer of Triple Chocolate cake.

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Sunday, August 6, 2017

DINING OUT

Sunday, August 6, 2017

RESTAURANT GRADES

Adelanto

Adelanto Market �� 93 Adelanto Senior Nutrition �� 100 Adelita’s Tamales Mexican Food �� 90 American Legion Post 229 �� 94 Bargains R Us........ �� 99 Baskin-Robbins �� 90 Bellagio Club �� 100 Bravo Burgers....#6 �� 83 Carl’s Junior #39 �� 91 Circle K #8644 �� 91 Columbia Middle School �� 100 Crisp Crust Pizza �� 96

Del Taco #1000 �� 93 Denny’s Restaurant #7840 �� 94 Express Bakery �� 90 Fat Boyz Grill �� 93 Fresh Wok Chinese Fast Food �� 90 JDS Fast Food �� 93 KFC/Long John Silvers �� 91 La Fiesta Pizza �� 99 La Pizza Loca #1 �� 91 Lee’s Donuts �� 97 Little Caesar’s Pizza �� 90 Migulelito’s Mexican Food �� 90 Panaderia Azteca �� 99 Raul’s Mexican Food �� 94 Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill #220 �� 94 Saul’s Produce �� 99 Saul’s Restaurant �� 92 Starbuck’s Coffee #10429 �� 96 Subway #39979 �� 93 Thai Siam Restaurant �� 90 The Flame Broiler �� 91 VFW Post 94-10 �� 92

Apple Valley

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar �� 95 Ashwood Golf Course Snack Bar �� 96 Baskin-Robbins �� 97 Carl’s Junior #165 �� 97 China Wok �� 95 Del Taco #1007 �� 91 El Pollo Loco #3715 �� 97 Golden Chopstix �� 97 Historic Apple Valley Inn �� 96 Jack in the Box #5400 �� 94 Jimmy Johns �� 98 KFC Apple Valley �� 97 Linko Sushi �� 96 Ninja Sushi �� 90 Papa John’s Pizza �� 93 Pieology Pizzeria �� 98 The Pizza Factory �� 96 Spirit River Cafe �� 97 Starbucks Coffee #9873 �� 97 Subway #38118 �� 96 Taco Bell #28214 �� 98 The Galley �� 98 Wienerschnitzel #768 �� 95 3D’s Bakery 94

Juice It Up �� 90 Yogurtland �� 90 Barstow Apple Valley Arco AMPM �� 97 Barstow Community Hospital �� 100 Apple Valley Golf Operations �� 95 Barstow Senior Nutrition �� 98 Apple Valley Moose Lodge �� 93 Barstow Station Ice Cream �� 95

Barstow Station Subway �� 92 Barstow Station McDonald’s �� 92 Casa Jimenez........ �� 94 Slash X Ranch Cafe �� 97 Subway and Jumpin’ Juice & Java �� 98 Viking Grill �� 98 Alberto Mexican Food �� 80 Amigos Mexican Restaurant �� 96 Ample Korean Restaurant �� 98 Arby’s �� 99 Ate 8 �� 97 Black Bear Diner �� 93 Burger King (Main Street) �� 98 Burger King (Montara) �� 97 Canton Restaurant �� 92 Carl’s Junior (Main St) �� 96 Carl’s Junior (Lenwood) �� 93 Chili’s Grill & Bar �� 97 China Town Buffet �� 93 Chipotle Mexican Grill �� 93 Dae Ho Restaurant �� 96 Del Taco #1 �� 98 Del Taco #2 �� 98 Del Taco #201 (Lenwood) �� 90 Denny’s (Fisher) �� 92 Denny’s (Lenwood) �� 94 Denny’s (Main St) �� 97 Desert Manna Ministries �� 97 Diamond’s Pizza �� 92 DiNapoli’s Firehouse �� 99

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Victorville

Shakey’s (Bear Valley Road) �� 98 33 Degree Frozen Yogurt �� 98 Adelita’s Restaurant �� 93 Ala AlDeen Restaurant �� 91 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar �� 97 Arby’s (La Paz) �� 94 Arby’s (Bear Valley Road) �� 94 Archibald’s Drive-Thru �� 92 Baja Fresh Mexican Grill �� 91 Baja Taco �� 94 Baker’s Burgers (7th Street) �� 97 Baskin-Robbins �� 92 Bob’s Cajun Boil �� 96 Bosco’s Diner �� 90

Broken Saddle Saloon & Steakhouse �� 94 Brooklyn Italian Pizza & Pasta �� 91 Burger King (Outer 7th) �� 94 Burger King (Hesperia Road) �� 96 Burger King (Bear Valley Road) �� 92 Burger King (Palmdale Road) �� 94 Burgerim �� 91 Cafe 154 �� 90 Carino’s Italian �� 92 Carl’s Junior (7th Street) �� 96 Carl’s Junior (Bear Valley Road) �� 98 Charley’s Philly Steak �� 91 Chateau Chang �� 96 Chili’s Grill & Bar �� 95 Chipotle Mexican Grill �� 97 Chuck E Cheese’s �� 96 Church’s Chicken (Palmdale Road) �� 90 Cordova’s Bakery �� 99 Costco �� 100 D’Vine Wine Bar �� 98 Del Taco (Palmdale Road) �� 96 Del Taco (7th Street) �� 91 Del Taco (Hesperia Road) �� 100 Denny’s (Valley Center) �� 96 Diamond Panda �� 90 Dickey’s Barbecue Pit �� 92 Domino’s (Palmdale Road) �� 93 Don Bento’s Mexican Food �� 98 Donut Inn �� 90 Down Home Grill �� 90

RESTAURANT GRADES

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Hesperia

Casa Delicias �� 94 Desert Barn Brewery �� 98 El Torito �� 100 Five Guys Burger & Fries �� 100 Hesperia Golf & Country Club �� 100 Hesperia Pizza Factory �� 91 Jeff’s French Dips & Subs �� 95 Juliano’s Italian Restaurant �� 98 Thai-Lotus Restaurant �� 94 Whiskey Barrel �� 93 Yogurtland �� 95 A1 Grill, Teriyaki & Roll �� 90 Arby’s �� 96 Baconballs Cupcakery �� 100 Baker’s Burgers (Main St.) �� 97 Baskin-Robbins (Main St.) �� 100 Burger King (Main St.) �� 94 Burger King (Mariposa Road) �� 93 Cancun Mexican & Seafood Restaurant �� 94 Carl’s Junior (Main St.) �� 95 Carl’s Junior (Bear Valley Road) �� 100 Casa Jimenez........ �� 97 China Palace �� 97 Chipotle Mexican Grill �� 100 Ciceros Pizzeria �� 99

Corral Family Restaurant �� 90 Country Kitchen Restaurant �� 93 Domino’s (Main St.) �� 97 Don Garcia Mexican Restaurant �� 96 El Charro �� 96 El Pollo Loco (Main St.) �� 96 Fina’s Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant �� 92 Firehouse Subs �� 95 Fresh Wok �� 95 Fujisan Sushi �� 96 Gloria’s Kountry Kitchen �� 94 Golden Corral .Buffet �� 93 Habit Burger Grill �� 96

Edible Arrangements �� 97 El Charro Oaxaca �� 97 El Parrandaro Family Restaurant �� 94 El Pescador Seafood & Mexican Grill �� 94 El Tio Pepe �� 97 Farmer Boys (Bear Valley Road) �� 90 Farmer Boys (Roy Rogers) �� 93 Fatburgers �� 90 Fratelli’s Pizzeria �� 94 Goody’s Family Restaurant �� 95 Gridiron Pizza �� 96 Good Fellas Grill �� 93 Golden Gate Restaurant �� 91

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Domino’s (Main St) �� 100 Dunkin Donuts �� 97

DINING OUT

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Discover Hidden Tavern in Hesperia American sports restaurant is family friendly and fantastic for fans Story and photos by Kathy Young Dining Out

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hether you’re having a few drinks, a quick bite with a few friends or joining the gang for a feast while enjoying the big game on one of several flat screen TVs, Hidden Tavern has plenty of wonderful secrets to share with its fantastic homemade foods and cold drinks. Calling itself an American sports restaurant, Hidden Tavern is family friendly and lots of fun. Owner Gabrielle Major is a culinary school graduate and used her training to put a new spin on the items available on the Hidden Tavern menu. Known for wonderful burgers — each burger patty is hand-formed with a delicious blend of herbs and spices and the buns are baked fresh, too — Hidden Tavern takes that “patty and bun” and adds a gourmet spin. H i d d e n T a v e r n ’s Whiskey Burger, for example, is a patty topped with bleu cheese and delicious Makers Mark whiskey sauce. That particular sauce is one of several tasty dipping sauces available for the Wings menu, with either Fried Chicken Wings in six or 10 pieces or the very tasty Fried Duck Wings. (We recommend the Makers Mark sauce on the duck wings.) If you like a little

spice with your burger, try the Hidden Tavern Spicy Burger (ghost pepper cheese and jalapenos provide the kick) or the Executioner Burger that could literally feed a crowd. This creation consists of ghost pepper cheese, jalapenos, spicy mozzarella bites, and habanero sauce. (Fried zucchini, bacon and onion rings are also included.)

If you like different meat selections on your burger, we suggest the Medieval Melt. The patty has mozzarella and American cheeses topped with pastrami, grilled tomatoes and onions on a sourdough bun. There are lunch specials (half a sandwich — BLT, club, cold turkey, ham, grilled cheese, or pastrami — with either

soup or salad) served Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Of course, no tavern would exist without the bar, and Hidden Tavern serves many brands of ice cold beer in tall frosty mugs. The bartender can create any number of wonderful drinks like Purple Shooters or an eye-popping Hurricane (a rum, fruit juice and grenadine

Hidden Tavern’s Nachos with ground beef and real corn are smothered in rich, creamy Nacho cheese.

beauty) that adds color to your entire meal. Like sliders? Hidden Tavern has a bountiful selection, served with pub chips or fries. Entrees like Tavern Salmon, The Stuffer as

well as several hefty steak choices are available while supplies last every day starting at 5 p.m. There is also a kids menu. H i d d e n Tave r n i s located at 12728 Main St. in Hesperia and is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Check them out on Facebook, Yelp, or call the restaurant at 760-9470099.