Rudford’s Diner: The Real Thing

While other places attempt to replicate the genuine diner experience, Rudford’s in San Diego doesn’t have to try. It’s the real thing. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, it’s been serving the North Park neighborhood since 1949. The photo mural below graces the side of the building.



President John F. Kennedy’s motorcade drove by the restaurant on June 6th, 1963, just a few months before he was assassinated.



Rudford’s has a milkshake named in his honor. The JFK Bacon Caramel Shake is not for the faint of heart, and guaranteed to induce a food coma. And speaking of shakes, this one comes with a good sized portion of extra shake in the cup it was made in. Little extras like that are what makes a great diner!



Signage and tchotchkes adorn the walls and shelves.



Atmosphere like this just can’t be created.



So much neon…I love it!



The patty melt is a favorite of mine; plenty of meat and just the right amount of grease. It is DELICIOUS!



Do not skip the pie for dessert; they are made fresh here at the restaurant from scratch.



The service is super friendly, too. Not the canned kind that is attempted through training; the real kind.

See more North Park/Rudford’s Diner photos at my main website.

Halloween Season in South Park

Every year I look forward to seeing what my neighbors put together for their Halloween display. At night, with the lighting and the animatronics going, it really is quite spectacular.



Unlike other neighborhood displays, this one changes each time, as old figures are replaced and new ones join the mix. There’s also a “tunnel” off to the side with even more things to see.



Open every Friday and Saturday night in October, if you live in San Diego, you really need to check this out from 7pm–9pm.



Like the rest of San Diego, parking can be tight (that’s an entirely different topic that I cannot begin to unpack here in this post), so best to take that into consideration.



Yes, the figures light up AND move!



I don’t think Willis cares for this figure, though. Even in the daytime.



This figure reminds me of the neighborhood “Karen” who asked me the other day, “What do you think about the Halloween display on our street?” I replied, “I think it’s great!” “Really? It’s pretty noisy. I can hear it across the street.” Me: “It’s only two nights a week from 7-9 in October, and people really seem to love it. I think it’s great to have it here!” That was pretty much the end of the convo. She probably turns off her lights on Halloween to avoid giving candy to the kids.






For more info about South Park Horror House, visit them on Instagram.






See more San Diego South Park neighborhood photos at my main website.

Traces of Gold Gulch

So often, the most interesting things in life are right under our noses but we aren’t even aware of them. That was the case when I discovered my newest obsession thanks to Ken of Stack’s Liberty Ranch a few weeks ago. The two of us were catching up over lunch in Balboa Park. Before departing, Ken said he wanted to check out the trail to Gold Gulch. The trail to what? He told me that during the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition held in Balboa Park that one of the attractions was a Ghost Town called Gold Gulch. Once the Expo was over in 1936, it was removed. I stared at him in total disbelief. How had I never heard of this? As we walked over to the area now known as Zoro Garden, he told me that guests could ride a stagecoach along the path that spilled out onto the very vibrant Ghost Town of Gold Gulch. While it may not have been the yellow brick road, to me, it was the next best thing.



It was easy to imagine myself riding in a stagecoach, passing the oak trees and other sites along the way. According to Ken, there was also a replica of the Mark Twain cabin where the author spent the winter and wrote "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” Below is a vintage shot of the “original” replica, located in Sonora, California.



Can’t you just picture it nestled right here?



All I could keep thinking was, “How do we get this attraction back?” I purchased a souvenir guide for the 1935 Expo, hoping to glean more information.



Inside was a photo of Gold Gulch. Ken told me that both Walts, Knott and Disney, visited this attraction and were inspired when they built their own theme parks. Anyone who has been to Ghost Town at Knott’s Berry Farm can see the living proof of this.



The guide book gave this description of Gold Gulch:

Admission free although area contains pay shows
Gold Gulch—down a ravine into 21 acres of raw Western mining town country. Stage-coaches rumbling down the narrow roads. All the thrill and excitement of the rip-roarin’ days of ‘49!. Aside from the fun of it, it’s a faithful “movified” version of the pioneering period by a Hollywood motion picture art director. Ten cents for a burro ride, down past the Shooting Gallery, Blacsmith Shop, Horse-shoe ring punctuated with hitching posts and whiskered miners. Visit the old Stamp mill, assay office, the Pioneer Dance Hall and old-time bar-room. The Old Mill, with a flume of wter to turn the wooden wheel, presses out the best cider you eer drank! And coffee out of a tin cup tastes grand at the Gulch Chuck Wagon—not to mention steam beer by the scupper. The cigar shop has the inevitable Wood Indian out front. The mighty smithy-at-his-forge turns out rings and medals from horse-shoe nails that delight the youngsters. Step right up, gals, and have your pitcher took, at the tin-type gallery! The boy-friend can be photoed with whiskers, six shooter revolver and ten gallon hat—and be leaning against a burron, if necessary. Gold Gulch isn’t just a show. It’s real. It savors of the days of Mark Twain, Bret Hart and John Sutter. You rub shoulders with such characters as Liminatin Lem, Gopher Joe, Screw Bean Benny and the “spattenest tabeccer spatter” in town which you probably remember in Oliver’s “Dessert Rough Cuts.” The heathen chinee and the strange characters from the four corners of the wold will be there—just as in ’49. And you? Well you’ll be one o’ ‘em, stranger.

I also acquired a Five Nugget souvenir bill from the Expo:



Love the artwork on this!



I immediately called my Mother to see if she had any recollection of Expo. She would have been three at the time, so my hope was that HER Mother had either taken her there or talked about it in her later years. By the next morning, I had a photo of a souvenir bracelet that she still had in her possession from the Expo. She wasn’t sure if her Mother had taken her or if the souvenir was a gift from someone else who attended.



And the final “duh” moment for me came when I realized that hanging on my living room wall was another souvenir from the 1935 Expo that had once belonged to my Grandmother. Chock full of images, including a Miner panning for Gold.



I returned a week later to make a video (definitely not ready for Sundance!) to document the pathway that guests once took to view Gold Gulch.



If you want to learn more about Gold Gulch, Ken of Stack’s Liberty Ranch put a great primer on his Facebook Page. Check it out!

Anyone else out there ever heard of this marvel?

See more 1935 California Exposition & Gold Gulch photos at my main website.

Il Posto: Eating Local

When it comes to picking restaurants, I typically stay away from the chains and prefer to support my local choices. Italian food is at the top of my list, and there are a number of decent choices here in San Diego to choose from. When Il Posto opened down the street from me in the old Eclipse Chocolate location, I was cautiously optimistic. 



The aesthetic is clean, modern, and spacious. Besides tables and seating that don’t make you feel squeezed in, there is a generous sized bar option as well as outdoor seating (perfect for people watching).



Staff is friendly, and most (including the chef) are Italian. That’s a good sign!



The food was off the charts. The caprese makes a great starter and the focaccia bread is the best around, just perfect for mopping up the leftovers on your plate!



Every meal I’ve had there has been a winner. Two of my favorites are the Gnocchi with Bolognese sauce (you can build your own pasta plate with sauce, toppings, protein, and cheese):



…and the Ravioli with Gorgonzola Sauce. The Orecchiette Salsicca e Friarielli is another favorite.



Dessert often fails at Italian restaurants, but not at Il Posto. So many good choices, including the Spumoni ice cream encased in chocolate:



The refreshing lemon sorbet, served in a frozen lemon with just the right amount of cannoli filling to hold it all in place:



…and the Tiramisu, which is hands down the best I have ever had.



If you find yourself in San Diego, be sure to put this one on your radar.
 
See more San Diego North Park/South Park neighborhood photos at my main website.

Back to the Lafayette: Lou Lou’s

I had been anxious for Lou Lou’s Supper Club (formerly the Mississippi Room) at the Lafayette Hotel to open. The neon sign beckoned me with the bright red lights that glowed through the glass block and spilled out onto El Cajon Boulevard.



When it finally did open this Spring, I went online in March to get tickets for a Sunday night show. I was sooooo excited to experience an old fashioned supper club with live music and cocktails. The inside did not disappoint! Like the rest of the Lafayette Hotel, it was an eclectic ADHD fantasy. 



The jungle theme was evident even in the light fixtures:



Each piece of wall art screamed out for attention.



And that golden bandshell at the end of the dance floor!



Wow!



Two snakes encircled the name of the club.



Unfortunately, the evening was a bust for me. The email confirmation I received when I booked my reservation had this to say:

Absolutely thrilled you're joining us. In the spirit of crafting an unforgettable experience tailored just for you, we've got a quick favor to ask. If you're navigating the culinary world with any food allergies or dietary preferences, do us a solid and shoot an email our way. This way, we can tweak your experience to perfection. We'll manually update our guest lists to ensure your adventure with us is as smooth and delightful as possible. Cheers to you.

For an 8pm show, we were to arrive at 6pm. Two hours to wait for the show to start? Not really an issue; with a cocktail followed by dinner, that should make for a relaxing evening.

It was easy to get a table by the stage; but it was difficult to read the menu with the dim lighting. Having skipped lunch that day, I was hungry and anxious to see the culinary treats that awaited us.

I noticed that the menu had nothing but beverages; no food. When the waitress arrived, I immediately inquired about getting a food menu. “Oh, we don’t serve dinner for the Sunday night show.”

“Ex-squeeze me? The email specifically stated to let the Club know ahead of time about any dietary restrictions.”

The lady at the table next to us whipped her head around like Linda Blair in, “The Exorcist,” adding, “Yeah, we got the same email!”

The waitress calmly replied, “Yeah, the team needs to fix the communication. Sorry. I can save your table for you though if you want to leave the hotel and grab something to eat.”



One tasty (albeit overpriced) cocktail later, we decided to skip the show and get dinner at Beginner’s Diner.



Note: make sure to check out the bathrooms at Lou Lou’s.



Real matchbooks!



That kinda makes up for the overpriced cocktails.



Will I go back? Yes, but you can bet your sweet bippy I’ll confirm that dinner is being served ahead of time!

See more Lafayette Hotel photos at my main website.