Sizzlin Steer Restaurant Brings Texas Sized Steaks to Murrieta

RJs Sizzlin Steer steak reataurant was exactly what the doctor ordered.

So my wife, brother, and his wife wanted to spend a few hours away from the kids and find a decent size meal for grown folks.

Since my wife is nine months pregnant and me and my kid brother are the size of grizzly bears, big portions of meat in mandatory.

We decided to try RJs Sizzlin Steer in Murrieta right off the 15fwy & Kalmia. I’ll tell you what we are sure glad we did. We you first walk in you are greeted by a friendly and helpful staff.

You have a choice of going straight to the bar for a pre meal cocktail or a comfortable seating area for the quick wait.

We were seated in less than five minutes with our waiter taking drink orders within moments of sitting.

We sat at a large booth on the west end of the restaurant. It was very comfortable as all the seating is well spaced.

We started off with the RJs sampler platter so we could try a little of everything. The zucchini sticks and Buffalo wings were awesome.

The wives had the chicken fried steak and my brother & I had the old fashion Rib Eye Steak.

Now I got a tell ya, they have a 1/2 ib. and a 160z., you definiately want to go with the 1 pounder! Thick, juicy, and more than enough meat. That with the mash potatoes and chicken gravy and I was a happy man!

Best $20.99 I spent all week!

Would you do me a favor?  Stop by this place and leave your own review below. Was I just hungry or does this place rock?

By the way, when you stop by – tell them Chris Blasic from the Live Temecula Valley Blog sent ya!

41401 Kalmia Street
Murrieta, CA 92562-9456
(951) 600-7711

Breakfast for Dinner? You can have it at The Hungry Bull in Murrieta

The other night we couldn’t come to an agreement on dinner.  Kelly and I wanted burgers and the kids wanted pancakes…I got it!  How about The  Hungry Bull in Murrieta?

What a perfect idea!  There are so many options to choose from at Temecula Valley’s own The Hungry Bull in Murrieta.  If you’re feeling a burger and onion rings, they have you covered.  If you want breakfast for dinner, consider it done.  How about a Gyro and salad?  Yep, they have that too!  Fried Chicken and a baked potato?  It’s already in my stomach.  They even have Mexican dishes.

The Hungry Bull is a family friendly restaurant.  My family and I visit them once every two weeks and they have more than enough room for the Smith clan!

One of my favorite choices at Temecula Valley’s The  Hungry Bull is “The Motherload” burger.  This giant comes piled high with a 2/3 pound handmade single patty, bacon, pastrami, cheddar cheese and jack cheese.  Yes, this is a serious burger for a huge appetite!  I’ve only had this a few times and yes, I can finish it.  My secret is to hold off on the sides…no fries or onion rings when I eat this monster!

My kids love the pancake combos from The Hungry Bull.  You can order this as a kids combo or a regular menu combo.  The kids pancake combo comes with two pancakes, 1 egg, two strips of bacon and a drink.  The regular menu boasts three huge pancakes, 2 eggs and two strips of bacon.  There’s something kids love about eating breakfast for dinner.  They always enjoy eating at The  Hungry Bull.

I would highly recommend you visit The Hungry Bull.  They are located at 40476 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd in the Sam’s Club Plaza.  You can contact them at 951.696.3883 or visit their website.

Be sure to tell the friendly staff at The Hungry Bull that you read about them here.

Pizza Factory of French Valley offers an extraordinary buffet at an unbeatable price

Residents of French Valley or neighboring cities should consider themselves very lucky they have Pizza Factory in their neighborhood.  Yesterday Mike and I were starving, not literally, but figuratively we were very hungry.  We both knew a lunch of grand proportion was in order.  The first place that entered my mind was Pizza Factory.

Simply because we knew we could get plate after plate of warm tasty pizza.  Not only could we indulge in pizza, but they have a great salad bar with all the fixings.  Top this off with bread sticks (butter garlic and cheesy jalapeno) and chocolate chip cookies….you can’t go wrong with Pizza Factory in French Valley.

Now I know you’re probably thinking one of two things, either the food is going to be on the level of most buffets or it sounds great but how much is that going to cost.  Let me tell you, the quality of food at the French Valley Pizza Factory is outstanding. One look and one bite and you’ll understand what I’m taking about.  Now for the price, it will cost you more to buy a #35 from your local fast food joint.  I’m not sure how Pizza Factory in French Valley does it, but this will only set you back $4.99!

I have more good news, the folks at the French Valley Pizza Factory offer this great deal for lunch Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.  But wait, there’s more…they extend this bargain and feast into dinner on Monday nights.

Not only do I love this place, but my family does as well.  My kids love to play in the arcade and see how many tickets they can win.  They always love to feed their tickets into the counting machine to see how many tickets they have to spend at the prize counter.

My hat goes off to them not only for the great food they provide, but for their generosity as well.  They have been supporting the local kids sports teams for years.  They host fundraising nights where 20% of the proceeds go back to your organization.  I love businesses that reach out and give back to their communities.

Next time you’re in the area, come on in and visit the friendly staff here.  I had the pleasure of being helped by Chad yesterday.  Tell them that you read this rave review by Ryan Smith on the Live Temecula Valley Blog!

Pizza Factory  30724 Benton Road Ste C 302, Winchester, CA  92596    In the Stator Brothers Center    Tel:  951.926.3100  www.pizzafactoryfv.com

Sushi Boat has something for everyone…even non-sushi lovers!

The other day Mike and I were at a loss on where to eat for lunch.  We went back and forth with options, but couldn’t agree on a restaurant in Temecula Valley.  Finally a light bulb went off….SUSHI BOAT in Temecula, CA!  We hopped in the car and we were off….

Sushi Boat at the Promenade Mall in Temecula has been a local favorite since they opened their doors in 2005.   One of the things I missed about Orange County was my favorite Japanese food restaurant.

Sushi Boat quickly filled that void!  Since we are a family of six, we welcomed that Sushi Boat was family friendly.  You really can’t beat the children’s play area.  This allows everyone to enjoy their dining experience….adults can have grown up conversations while the little ones play in the designated play area.

Don’t have kids?  No worries, Sushi Boat in Temecula Valley is still a great experience.  Grab a seat at the sushi bar, sit in one of their high backed booths or spend some time on their patio area.

I’m still amazed with the value at Sushi Boat.  You can sink your teeth into fresh Sushi  Rolls priced from $6.75! One of my favorite Sushi Rolls is the Temecula Roll (2pc shrimp tempura, asparagus, cucumber, yamagobo and tobiko deep fried).

Yum!  If you’re not a sushi person, don’t fear.  Sushi Boat offers many non sushi dishes.  I would consider their lunch/dinner box as an option.

These combinations are served with rice, miso soup and salad plus you can pick from two or three items:  chicken teriyaki, beef teriyaki, beef rib, tonkatsu, assorted tempura, gyoza, avocado maki, deep fried CA roll, salmon teriyaki, sashimi, CA roll, shrimp nigiri, tekka maki or spicy tuna rolls.

The two item boxes are only $7.75 and the three items are $8.95.  You even get a scoop of ice cream to complete your meal!

Just in case you’re wondering, Sushi Boat offers Sapporo,Kirin and sake bombs!  Like I said, Sushi Boat in Temecula Valley has something for everyone!

Sushi Boat is located at the Promenade mall next to California Pizza Kitchen.  40620 Winchester Rd #1060, Temecula, CA  92591. You can reach them at:  951.719.2991

When you stop by the Sushi Boat don’t forget to tell them about the rave review that Ryan gave them on the Live Temecula Valley Blog!

Five Guys Burgers and Fries – The Fine Dining of Burgers

We Temecula Valleyians were very lucky to get our very own Five Guys Burgers and Fries opened at 40426 Winchester Rd. Temecula, CA 92591.

I have now had the pleasure of visiting this establishment a few times now and have experienced the Hamburgers both the Regular Hamburger  and the Little Hamburger, a Kosher Style Hot Dog and the fantastic Cajun Fries.

First when you walk in you might get a little feeling of an old style burger joint sort of like the one that rhymes with tin and bout, but you won’t find any palm tree X’s here. Five Guys is a completely different experience.

From the stacks of potato bags that line the walls of the restuarant to the fresh free salted peanuts with the shells still on stashed near the front of the ordering line. I am still not quite sure what the proper etiquette is with the peanut shells? Drop them on the floor or pile them up and toss them in the trash as I leave???

The seating is okay as long as you are not there right at lunch or dinner time. It consist of your basic style moveable tables with moveable chairs and tall bar style tables with tall chairs. I like the moveable chairs as it gives me the ability to stretch out a little more than being shoe horned into a small plastic booth.

As for the food it is awesome! The burgers are juicy with flavor. The vegatable accompaniments are fresh and tasty and you can add a ton of toppings for free, like mayo, relish, raw onions, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, ketchup, mustard, jalapeno peppers, green peppers, A1 Steak Sauce, BBQ sauce, or even hot sauce.

I ordered mine with ketchup, mustard, tomatoes, and grilled onions since I was trying to do a little comparison to that other burger joint and this is usually the way I would order there. I have to tell you there is really no comparison.

The Five Guy Burger is prepared in a completely different way from the meat to the lightly toasted poppy seed bun. Not to say the Five Guys Burger is better than the othe place “that shall not be named”, because they are both very good but are not the same in my opinion. If I had an urge for “animal style” anything then I would go to the other place.

But if I wanted some awesome Cajun Fries, then I am heading to Five Guys without a doubt.

The Kosher Hot Dog was a nice treat for something different. You can top it with all the above toppings or even add bacon and cheese. It is a nice big dog that they grill sliced in half long ways and serve on one of their special made buns just for Five Guys. It was good but I think I am going to stick with the awesome Burger and Cajun Fries.

Be aware too that the “Hamburger” is a double stack and the Little Hamburger is the single on the menu board and the regular fries are enough for two people to share.

So if you are looking for a very nice, somewhat different, burger experience without a drive through line that wraps around the block (because there is not a drive through window) I suggest you give Five Guys Burgers and Fries at try.

If you want a quicker experience, Five Guys allows you to order by phone or by internet.  You and your Family will be in and out in a flash and your tummies with be happy you did!

When you stop in, tell them you read Mike’s rave review on Live Temecula Valley!

China Panda Home Cooked Chinese Food in Temecula Valley

When I think of Chinese food in Temecula Valley, I instantly think of China Panda.  China Panda is located in Murrieta, CA and has been serving many happy customers since 2004.

One thing that I love about this place are the owners, Johnny and Angel Ha.  They definitely know how to make customers feel welcome.  Most of their customers are on a first name basis with Johnny and Angel.

One thing you will notice that is much different from other Chinese restaurants in Temecula Valley is they cook your food fresh to order.

Normally you will see the food sitting under food lamps, not at China Panda.  They have pictures under the food lamps so you can get an idea of what you’re ordering.

They make the noodles for their chow mein from scratch and you can tell it’s made with love.

Something else that sets China Panda, Murrieta CA apart from other Chinese restaurants in Temecula Valley is their large variety of menu items.  Not only do they offer all of the standard Chinese dishes, but they also specialize in Korean dishes.

I can recall always seeing Korean customers eating this noodle soup.  I finally asked Johnny what they were eating and if I could get a bowl.  That was the start of something amazing!

This started my obsession with their Spicy Seafood Noodle soup. The noodles are made fresh for this soup, then they add shrimp, beef, calamari, onions, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, garlic and lots of peppers to add the heat.  One taste of this and you will be hooked!  This is great comfort food on a cool day, but don’t take my word for it, come in and enjoy your own bowl.

Some of my other favorites at China Panda, Murrieta CA are their pork dumplings, salt and pepper wings and wok seared wings.  Yes you read that correctly…wings at a Chinese restaurant.

I consider this a must stop if you’re in Temecula Valley and have a craving for Chinese food.  One last thing, they have

a lunch special that can’t be beat…any one item plus rice/chow mein and a drink for $4.99!

Make sure you tell Johnny and Angel that Ryan Smith from livetemeculavalley.com sent you, you may get lucky and get some free egg rolls!

This is Ryan Smith from Temecula Valley signing off until next time……………..

The Hot Dog Shoppe is Weiner Wonderland!

The Hot Dog Shoppe is located at 43810 Butterfield Stage Road, Temecula CA, 92592

I feel like I have been missing out on a little slice of heaven since I have now lived and worked in the Temecula Valley for going on 6 years now and never made it to the Hot Dog Shoppe until just the other day.

The Hot Dog Shoppe has only been opened for about 3 years but now I feel that this is time I have missed going there and I will never be able to make it up again.

It is time to make for all that lost time!

The cool thing is that I could probably go there for lunch or dinner for a month straight and not have to order the same item twice. The menu is HUGE!

They have just about any kind of brat, sausage or hot dog you can think of prepared all different kind of ways. They can fry, batter, grill, wrap it in bacon or smother it with chili. Which are all good in my book!

They have in essence two menu boards. One is the regular menu of their basic dogs, gourmet dogs and their specialty sausages and let me tell you there are some tasty sounding dogs on this list.

I ordered the Texas Style Chili Dog (grilled all beef hot dog with mustard, chili sauce, chopped onion, salt and pepper) and was very impressed with the simple flavors that came out with this dog.

The other menu board is their Customer Suggestions menu. This board has almost 80 different hot dog combinations! It truley is overwhelming on how many choices I had.

It took about ten minutes to decide what my buddy and I where going to have for lunch with so many choices like “The Lasorda” (grilled 10″ Dodger Dog topped with wing sauce, ranch dressing, cheddar cheese and a pickle spear) or the “Little Italy” (bacon wrapped italian sausage topped with marinara sauce, parmesan cheese and chopped pepperocini) or ”The Bomb” (cajun sausage topped with brown mustard, chili, onions, Fritos, cheddar cheese and 2 sport peppers) or  for fun “A Moral Paradox” (bacon wrapped veggie dog).

I ended up choosing The Bomb from this menu and was very please with the crunch and the heat this one had.

So my first trip was complete with a “Texas Style Chili Dog” and “The Bomb” with a side of onion rings (I shared the rings with my buddy) and a soda. Man, that was a lot of food and do not suggest this much hot dog goodness if you are not a fan of this kind of food. But I loved every bite.

Oh and did I mention they have over 50 condiments you can add to your dogs!?

The Hot Dog Shoppe has some fantastic daily specials all for just 5 bucks. I think I am going to especially like Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays the best! Bring your friends and family and watch some sports on the many TV’s and you are sure to have a good time!

When you stop by, be sure to tell them about the RAVE review you read on the Live Temecula Valley Blog and tell ‘em Mike says Hi

BoardZ Grill in Temecula Valley serves up delicious Monster feasts!

My brother, Alex, has been raving about the breakfast burritos from this place called BoardZ Grill in our own Temecula Valley for months now so we finally decided to check them out.

Boy, are we glad we did!  Thanks for the suggestion, Alex!

The breakfast burritos from BoardZ Grill, called tube’Z, are not only delicious and enormous, but they’re served all day!  My husband and I split one, and we both left feeling full and satisfied.

Each one comes with scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and hash browns, plus your choice of bacon, sausage, ham, roast beef, veggies, chicken or pastrami.

We opted for the sausage, which was mild and came diced, and we were very happy with our choice.  Just thinking about it now is making we want another one!  I think next time I will try the thick cut bacon!

BoardZ Grill is a family owned and operated restaurant in Murrieta, CA.  When you walk in, you immediately notice the surfboards hanging throughout and the large aquarium filled with colorful fish.

This is a great place to bring your entire family.  With reasonable prices and good music playing, you really can’t beat the atmosphere.  They pride themselves on serving home-style food made with fresh ingredients, and they do not disappoint!

They have a drive-thru for those times when you’re in a hurry.  You can also call or fax in your order ahead of time so that it’s ready for pick up.  How’s that for service?!

In addition to their fabulous tube’Z, BoardZ Grill in Murrieta also has burger’Z.  These aren’t just your typical burger.  Each one comes standard with double patties!  If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can try their “Big Kahuna.”

This massive burger comes with 4 patties, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, red onions and board’Z sauce.  The menu warns “For Serious Eaters Only!”

For children, BoardZ Grill in Murrieta offers their kid’Z menu.  Ranging from a burger to a cheezy chicken pita, even the pickiest eater is sure to find something they like!  My kids opted for the chicken tender’Z and bacon muffin’Z (scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and your choice of bacon sausage or ham served on an english muffin), which both come with fries, a drink and Oreo cookies for dessert!

The portions are pretty big so my two youngest could have shared, although I don’t think they would’ve been very happy about having to share their cookies!

I highly recommend that you try BoardZ Grill, located at 39509 Los Alamos, Murrieta, CA.  With their huge menu, you’re sure to find something you’re in the mood for, and won’t leave feeling anything less than satisfied.

Be sure to check out their website for more info and their full menu.

Don’t forget to tell them you read this RAVE review on the Live Temecula Valley blog!

BC Cafe and Fine Catering – The Best Beef Dip Sandwich in Murrieta?

BC Cafe and Fine Catering is still on my mind.

It’s only been two days since my friend and co-worker Michael Knutson and I sank our teeth into the best beef dip sandwich from BC Cafe and Fine Catering in Murrieta and I’m already wanting another one!

Not only do we think they’re onto something, but my wife Kelly and another friend and co-worker Peter think this sandwich is money in the bank.

BC Cafe and fine catering is a small mom and pop (actually father and daughter) restaurant in our very own Temecula Valley.

So, what makes them so special?  Besides their food I would have to say their warm hospitality.  From the second time I visited BC Cafe they were calling me by my first name.

This brings me back to the days of watching “Cheers” when everyone would yell out, “Norm” as he walked into the bar.  This is a place where everyone will know your name!

Enough of that, let’s talk about the food at BC Cafe!  I’m going to start with the Beef Dip!  I’m not sure what their secret is, but I would protect it.

The combination of their bread, cheese, meat and au jus hits the spot every time.  The bread is lightly toasted on the inside of the sandwich but remains very soft on the outside.  This is key to soaking up their delicious au jus.  The meat is tender, moist and full of flavor.

Top if off with the cheese and this is money in the bank!  Can you tell I like this sandwich?  People who know me do.  Why do you think my wife, Mike and Peter tried it?

Another one of my favorites at BC Cafe is the Turkey Club.    This sandwich is piled high with sliced turkey breast, swiss cheese and apple wood bacon.  If you walk in hungry I can guarantee you will leave with a full stomach and a smile on your face.

Do you like French Fries?  If so, you have to try the golden crisp crinkle cut fries from BC Cafe.  This is a great side that will compliment your main choice.

Whether you’re in the mood for a cold sandwich, tasty hamburger or fresh salad, BC Cafe and Fine Catering in Murrieta, CA will not disappoint.  Be sure to check out their Fan Page on Facebook so you can get updates on their daily specials.

Until next time this is Ryan Smith signing off……..

Chuys Mesquite Broiler – Murrieta

Chuys Mesquite Broiler is located at 25401 Madison Ave, Murrieta, CA 92562.

I have eaten there a couple of times now for lunch and have to say that I really enjoyed the experience.

It is not a fancy place, but I am not usually a fancy kind of guy.

When you walk in the front door of Chuy’s you are immediately in line to order your food. You can order from the giant menu on the wall or grab a handheld menu.

After you order you are given a wooden fish placard with a number on it to place on your table. A server will deliver your food once it is ready.

My experience has been that the food is prepared and at my table hot and tasty within just a few minutes. There has been plenty of seating on each of my visits but I woul

d imagine it gets pretty full in there in the evening time.

I would highly recommend the 1/4 Chicken Combo. It comes with a meaty thigh and a leg of their really good roasted chicken, pinto beans, spanish style rice, a couple of tortillas and a killer cabbage salad.

This cabbage salad is very light but crunchy with just the right amount of vinegerette dressing on it. Tasty! The soda drinks are self serve.

The all you can eat chips and salsa bar is self serve. The chips are nice and warm and the red salsas are pretty mild in my opinion.

If you are looking for some heat try the green salsa, it is not immediately hot but give it a minute and your mouth will be on fire. One of my favorite parts of the chips and salsa is that it is FREE!

So if you are looking for some great food at a good price that you and your whole family can enjoy with all you can eat FREE chips and salsa to boot, stop by Chuys Mesquite Broiler in Murrieta.

You will be glad you did!