DINING OUT
NOVEMBER 5, 2017
FEEDING
THE FAMILY Mile High Cafe a Hesperia hit, Page 6
Firehouse Subs, Page 12 / A1 Grill Teriyaki & Roll, Page 9
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DINING OUT
Sunday, November 5, 2017
From the publisher’s desk
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ost of us have one favorite restaurant, a place we keep going back to week after week, month after month, year after year. You know it when you find it. The food is great, the service consistent, the atmosphere to your liking. It’s a home away from home and no matter what you order, you always like it and can count on it to be just as good the next time you order it. There are lots of restaurants that fit that bill in the High Desert, but perhaps none as well as the Mile High Cafe in Hesperia. As reporter Martial Haprov writes in this week’s cover story, Mile High Cafe has a serious contingent of regulars who absolutely love everything about the Old Town Hesperia restaurant. The food? Check. The service? Check. The atmosphere? Check. The variety? Check. The family feel? Check, check, check. For years located at the Hesperia Airport, hence the name, the Mile High Cafe keeps turning out great food that keeps customers coming back. But somewhere along the way, ownership, employees and customers merged into one big happy family. When that happens, it creates something magical. And that is what makes it a favorite restaurant. If you haven’t tried the Mile High Cafe, or any of the other fine restaurants featured in Dining Out, I encourage you to do so. There are some real gems here in the High Desert. We’ll help you find them. Now, let’s eat! — Steve Hunt
DINING OUT From the publisher’s desk ���������������������� 2 Weekly specials ������������������������������������ 3 Happy Hour specials ������������������������������ 4 Where to dine ��������������������������������������� 5 Mile High Cafe ������������������������������������� 6 Food in photos �������������������������������������� 8 A1 Grill Teriyaki & Roll ���������������������������� 9 Restaurant grades ������������������������������ 11 Firehouse Subs ���������������������������������� 12 Dining Out is published by the Victor Valley Daily Press, 13891 Park Ave., Victorville, CA 92392. Copyright 2017. All rights reserved.
President and Publisher Steve Hunt Advertising Manager Lisa Woodhart Contributing writers Kathy Young Martial Haprov Steve Hunt Contributing photographers James Quigg, 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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Wednesday Wagyu beef burger Chicken wings
Thursday Trio combo meal Turkey burger
A1 Grill, Teriyaki and Roll Daily Deals Buy one specialty roll, get second roll 50 percent off (with coupon in this publication only!)
Burgerim Daily Deals Monday Merguez Burger in a combo meal or a la carte Marshmallow Dream
Friday Fries Flourless cake
Saturday Salmon burger Chicken strips Chicken sandwich Salads
Sunday Salmon burger Chicken strips Chicken sandwich Salads
Daily Deals Monday through Friday: 2 slices with 2 toppings and a drink for $6.95
El Salvador Del Mundo Daily Deals Wednesday Pupusa $1.99 all day
Firehouse Subs Daily Deals Wednesday: Kids eat for 99 cents
itas, 3 to 8 p.m. one medium pizza, get the second Sunday: Champagne brunch, all 2-topping medium pizza for $7.99 you can eat, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ($13.95 adults, $7.95 kids)
W Spoon Buffet
Daily Deals (cannot be comMile High Cafe bined with any other offers) Daily Deals Monday: Buy 2 regular adult Monday through Sunday: price buffets, get 1 kid’s buffet (3-7) Daily breakfast and lunch spe- free or (8-11) half price cials Tuesday: Military extra 10 percent off with military ID Ninja Sushi Wednesday: Senior 65+ extra Daily Deals 10 percent off Monday through Sunday: All Thursday: Buy 4 regular priced sushi and rolls 50 percent off (all adult buffets, get 1 adult buffet free day) Friday: Buy 9 regular priced adult buffets, get 1 adult buffet free
Sunday, November 5, 2017
DAILY SPECIALS
Cross Eyed Cow Pizza
Shakey’s Pizza Daily Deals
Wood Grill Buffet
Monday - all day Daily Deals Los Domingos 15-inch large one-topping thin Apple Valley and Barstow Taco Tuesday: after 4 p.m. crust pizza for $9.99 with the purWednesday: Wing Night after Daily Deals chase of a pitcher of beer or 4 soft 4 p.m. Taco Tuesday (Apple Valley drinks. Friday: Seafood Night after 4 only): $2 full-size tacos Wednesday: half-priced margarMonday through Sunday: Buy p.m.
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Tuesday Trio combo meal Turkey burger
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Sunday, November 5, 2017
A1 Grill, Teriyaki and Roll Happy Hour
HAPPY HOUR
SPECIALS
20 percent off on teriyaki bowls and specialty rolls from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily (with coupon from this publication only!)
Firehouse Subs Happy Hour
Monday through Sunday, 2 to 5 p.m. Any small sub + chips + small drink $5.99
Los Domingos Apple Valley and Barstow
Happy Hour Monday, 5 to 8 p.m., bar only NFL Football Package $2 Beers (Bud Light & Coors Light)
$4 Shots (Jager Bombs & Cactus Coolers) $2 Tacos (Chicken & Beef) Tuesday, 3 to 7 p.m.: Drink specials Wednesday, 8 p.m. to midnight: Family karaoke (Apple Valley only) and drink specials Thursday, 5 to 8 p.m., bar only NFL Football Package $2 Beers (Bud Light & Coors Light) $4 Shots (Jager Bombs & Cactus Coolers) $2 Tacos (Chicken & Beef) Friday, 8 p.m. to midnight: Karaoke (Apple Valley only) and drink specials Saturday, 8 p.m. to midnight: Live band Sunday, 4 to close, bar only NFL Football Package
9-inch small one-topping thin crust pizza with 6 wings for $12.99 Monday through Friday, 3 to 6 p.m.: Under $5 menu: mojo potatoes ½ order Mile High Cafe $.99,cheesy garlic bread Happy Hour ½ order $2.49, pepperoTaco Tuesday, 4 to 9 ni pizza twists 4 twists for p.m.: $2 tacos, $2 enchila$2.99, boneless chicken das, beer specials wings with choice of dipping sauce $4.99, small 9-inch Ninja Sushi pizza one topping, thin crust Happy Hour $4.99 Monday through Pint $2.99, 22-oz super Sunday: Large beer, 2 for mug $3.99, Lime-A-Rita or $7; small beer, 2 for $3.50; Straw-ber-Rita $3.99 small sake 99 cents; Sake Bomb 99 cents (with $10 Wood Grill Buffet minimum food order)
$2 Beers (Bud Light & Coors Light) $4 Shots (Jager Bombs & Cactus Coolers) $2 Tacos (Chicken & Beef)
Shakey’s Pizza
Happy Hour
Monday through Friday, 2 to 4 p.m. Happy Hour S e n i o r H a p p y H o u r, Monday Night, 5 p.m. to close: $8.99
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R
Brunch
C
Catering
D
Dinner
H O
Happy Hour Online Ordering AMERICAN
Wood Grill Buffet
14135 Main St., Hesperia 760-981-4418
B A
D C Mile High Cafe
8832 Orange St., Hesperia 760-947-8844
H
W Spoon Buffet
14689 Valley Center Drive, #C, Victorville 760-241-0900
A
Burgerim
The Mall of Victor Valley, 14400 Bear Valley Road, #701, Victorville 760-243-4494 www.burgerim.com
D C
D C HEALTHY
Ninja Poki Yaki
17878 Wika Road, Apple Valley 760-646-9966
A
D C ITALIAN
Cross Eyed Cow Pizza
19242 National Trails Highway, Oro Grande
A
D C
Shakey’s Pizza
14120 Bear Valley Road, Suite 103, Victorville 760-952-0010 www.shakeys.com
MEXICAN
Los Domingos
17790 Wika Road, Apple Valley 760-946-5344 www.losdomingosapplevalley. com
R D C A
D C A
H O
SUBS & SALADS
Firehouse Subs
JAPANESE A1 Grill, Teriyaki & Roll 15061 Bear Valley Road, Hesperia 760-949-8900 www.a1grill.com
D C
13325 Main St., Suite 108, Hesperia 760-983-5512 www.firehousesubs.com
O
D C
SALVADORIAN
Ninja Sushi
15850 Apple Valley Road, #116, Apple Valley 760-242-3913
D C A
H
WHERE TO DINE
Sunday, November 5, 2017
B
Breakfast
B C A
H
El Salvador Del Mundo
15329 Palmdale Road, Suite J, Victorville 760-241-8308
B
D C
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SYMBOL KEY A Serves Alcohol
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DINING OUT 760-241-1987 www.crosseyedcowpizza.com/
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COVER STORY
Sunday, November 5, 2017
Mile High more than a cafe for regulars Hesperia restaurant’s warm environment, filling portions create desirable destination By Martial Haprov For Dining Out
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A ribeye steak with green beans and mashed potatoes from the Mile High Cafe in Hesperia. James Quigg, Dining Out
ESPERIA — Mile High Cafe’s move was somewhat of a culinary godsend for Jim Gunter. “When they were at the airport, I’d eat here on weekends for this or that meal with the family,” Gunter told Dining Out on a recent Sunday morning as he finished up an omelet. “Now they’re 3 miles from me.” That proximity means Gunter is able to dine at one of his favorite High Desert restaurants several times a week. “ I ’d s ay m i n i m u m four,” he says before a thoughtful pause, “four to seven days a week I’m here. Every Saturday and Sunday for sure.” Mile High Cafe moved to its present location in Old Town Hesperia after spending many years at its previous airport location just 4.9 miles away. Now that they’re closer to where he lives, Gunter easily points to
his strongly held reasons for calling Mile High Cafe more than just a spot to grab a bite to eat. In fact, it’s become like home, and the staff here, like relatives. “Quality and quantity (are two big reasons),” Gunter, 50, says. “But the service — they’re all like family now. And not just when I’m here. We’re talking Christmas parties, birthdays, births — I think I’ve known Alicia (a server here) for 10 or 15 years now. She was still in high school when I started coming here and now she has two kids. “It’s a family thing.” Gunter’s tale reinforces what general manager Paul Lyell told Dining Out in July. “We’re kind of like the ‘Cheers’ of the High D e s e r t ,” s ay s Lye l l , whose mother Michele Lyell and stepfather Benny Chavez opened Mile High 13 years ago. “When you walk in, it’s all hellos and ‘how are you’ — you’re treat-
Chicken fried steak with eggs over easy and hash browns from the Mile High Cafe in Hesperia. James Quigg, Dining Out
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ed well here,” Gunter says. “And the food is awesome.” Of course, it all begins with the food and Gunter is quick to point out that it, too, keeps him coming back almost daily. There’s even a “Jim Special.” “It’s a burger with jalapenos, onions, bell peppers and mushrooms and it’s smothered in brown gravy,” Gunter says with a smirk. But that’s just for lunch. So what does he suggest for someone coming in for the first time to order? “Biscuits and gravy, chicken fried steak or the enchilada omelet — if there’s a special concoction on the board, go for that,” he says. There are “only two things” he ordered from the hearty Mile High menu: the Italian omelet and the huevos rancheros. “There’s no reason I haven’t, really,” he says. “I just haven’t.” As a local plumber, Gunter’s done “a lot of work” for Mile High over the years, and he points to that ability to communicate with restaurant ownership and staff on multiple levels as another example of a worthwhile restaurant to “call home.” Sitting next to Gunter on this particular Sunday morning was Josh Olson, 32, also a regular at Mile High. He’s eaten here “every Saturday and Sunday for the last two years.” “And three to four times a week for the last 12,” Olson says proudly. Gunter quips in response: “They see him walk through the door and they start cooking.” In fact, it was at Mile High that the two met. “It’s great service, great portions, excellent food and really good people,” Olson said. Mile High Cafe is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day except when they close on Thanksgiving Day and three days for Christmas, at 8832 Orange St. in Hesperia. Find them on social media by searching “Mile High Cafe Hesperia” or call the restaurant at 760947-8844.
Sunday, November 5, 2017
COVER STORY
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Sunday, November 5, 2017 Firehouse Sub’s Meatball sandwich. James Quigg,Dining Out
Mile High Cafe offers a wonderful selection of breads. James Quigg, Dining Out
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Eggs over easy and hash browns from the Mile High Cafe in Hesperia. James Quigg, Dining Out
Sunday, November 5, 2017
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DINING OUT
A colorful and tasty selection of soft drinks awaits diners at A1 Grill, Teriyaki & Roll in Hesperia. Kathy Young, Dining Out
By Kathy Young Dining Out
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nce you have narrowed down your food choices at A1 Grill Teriyaki & Roll — something either grilled or teriyaki’d or “rolled” as well as salad and soup options, too — you have to decide what you want to drink. A1 Grill has more options than you would
first expect. Whether you’re eating on the go or taking something home to enjoy later or you want a nutritious snack to get you through the day, A1 Grill has everything you need to make your meal complete. When it comes to drinks to enjoy with your meal, you would expect a fine selection. What is astounding is the range — from stan-
dard to “trendy.” Choose from favorite soft drinks like Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite and more, with prices ranging from $1.59 for a small drink to $1.99 for a large serving. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, there are other options. Want to “make time for tea?” Order a Snapple, made from the “best stuff on
earth.” Snapple has been around for more than 40 years. It is a bottled iced tea-and-juice drink available in many tasty flavors including several diet options. If you’re having “one of those days,” you can enjoy your A1 Grill Teriyaki & Roll meal with either Monster ($2.50) or Red Bull ($3.99). These energy drinks are similar in taste, but you can pick
your favorite. For those who prefer their caffeine the “old-fashioned way,” A1 Grill offers coffee and tea, and purists can enjoy bottled water at A1 Grill, too. If you like the “world tour” menu of items from A1 Grill, you might want to venture into the specialty soft drink range, Jarritos (assorted varieties) and Mexican CocaCola.
Jarritos, a Mexican soft drink, comes in a variety of fruit flavors. A1 Grill Teriyaki & Roll is located at 15061 Bear Valley Road in Hesperia, just across from Home Depot. They are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and their website w i t h co m p re h e n s i ve menu — and mouthwatering pictures — is www. a1grill.com. Call 760-9498900.
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A1 Grill Teriyaki & Roll sells tasty hot and cold drinks, too
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Sunday, November 5, 2017
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Apple Valley
Juice It Up ���������������������������������������������������������������������90 Yogurtland ���������������������������������������������������������������������90 Apple Valley Arco AMPM �������������������������������������������������97 Apple Valley Golf Operations ��������������������������������������������95 Apple Valley Moose Lodge ����������������������������������������������93 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 (All grades provided by the San Bernardino County Pieology Pizzeria ������������������������������������������������������������98 Department of Public Health and represent the latest grade The Pizza Factory �����������������������������������������������������������96 given. A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79. To view restaurant Spirit River Cafe �������������������������������������������������������������97 grades for yourself, visit www.sbcounty.gov/dph/ehsportal/ Starbucks Coffee #9873 ������������������������������������������������97 Facilities/Food) Subway #38118 ������������������������������������������������������������96 Taco Bell #28214 ����������������������������������������������������������98 Adelanto The Galley ���������������������������������������������������������������������98 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
RESTAURANT GRADES
Barstow
Barstow Community Hospital �����������������������������������������100 Barstow Senior Nutrition �������������������������������������������������98 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
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Wienerschnitzel #768 ������������������������������������������������������95 3D’s Bakery �������������������������������������������������������������������94
Sunday, November 5, 2017
VFW Post 94-10 �������������������������������������������������������������92
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Sunday, November 5, 2017
Firehouse Subs in Hesperia puts a new spin on ‘Hero’ By Kathy Young Dining Out
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irehouse Subs gets its name honestly. It is the brainchild of two firefighting brothers from Florida who shared a passion for saving lives and property as well as for the submarine sandwich — what some of us prefer to call the “Hero.” Truth is, there are many names for this type of sandwich — the grinder, the hoagie, and the wedge, to name but three — but for those who appreciate all meanings of the word “hero,” that name works well here. Made on a length of bread split sideways — this would be the “submarine” from whence “sub” came — the sandwich is filled with a variety of meats, cheeses, “accessories” like tomatoes, peppers, Italian pepperoncinis, onions, lettuce, and condiments. What makes Firehouse Subs different is what happens next. The composed sandwich is steamed, which puts the moisture back into the processed and precooked meats and melts the cheeses, blending flavors together into a mouth-watering and very tasty meal or what foodies refer to as “an unbelievably delicious taste combination.” Every Firehouse Sub is made with USDA choice meats, so you know up front you’re getting the best of the best. Any sandwich on their menu board can be served cold, but let’s face it. If you don’t go “full steam ahead,” you may be missing the best part of the experience at Firehouse Subs. Each sandwich is piled high with meat and cheese. No one leaves Firehouse Subs hungry. You can also dress up your choice by adding your preferred heat level of hot sauce — the sandwich shop has 50 different hot sauces to pick from — and you can test your mettle by challenging the sauces by their rating on the Scoville Scale of “hot.” Anything
rated 10 is as hot as it gets. Maybe the best part of the Firehouse Subs story is that each location is deeply vested in its community. There are also opportunities for local folks to support hard hit areas across the country, whether damage comes from hurricane or flood or the areas require help after devastating wildfires or earthquakes. You can donate to “fill the boot,” and your contribution will help where it is needed the most.. Firehouse Subs also supports local first responders and schools by means of a foundation that is funded primarily by Firehouse proceeds. The foundation is separate from the company but works well with those who believe in supporting those who are tasked with keeping our communities safe. If you’re in a hurry, you can place your order over the phone and it will be ready for you to pick up when you swing by the shop. You can also order online. If your club or business is planning a meeting or hosting an activity, consider asking Firehouse Subs to cater your event. Each sandwich platter feeds 10 people for only $4.60 per person. Half platters are also available, and all you need to do is call a day ahead and select your favorites from the catering menu. Cold sandwiches are recommended for these platters. The sandwich shop also provides free delivery for orders of $100 or more and you can include “extras” such as drinks. If you believe no meal is complete without dessert, ask about Firehouse Subs’ fantastic cookie-brownie dessert trays. And salad lovers can rejoice too. The salad platters are out of this world. Firehouse Subs is located at 13325 Main St., Suite 108, just across the parking lot from the Walmart Supercenter in Hesperia. Call to order or get more information at 760-983-5512. Order online at www.firehousesubs.com.
A cold Firehouse Sub with sliced meat and cheese, tomato, lettuce and condiments with a pickle. Jim Quigg, Dining Out