It’s summer. It’s the San Joaquin Valley. It’s hot…and you want something cold. There’s ice cream, shaved ice, frozen yogurt…and now there’s Rita’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard in Clovis, across from the Sierra Vista Mall and in front of Party City. Rita’s has grown from its origins in Philadelphia to a chain that has over 600 locations, but this is their first in the Valley south of Modesto.
Fruit stands, veggie stands, produce stands, whatever you call them, the San Joaquin Valley has lots of them. There are so many, there’s a Fresno Fruit Trail, brother to the springtime Blossom Trail. Some of the businesses I’ve visited are on the official Fruit Trail list, others aren’t, but they all have good stuff. Follow me on a sort-of circle (with a detour) for a fresh-picked adventure.
I’ve been going to Javier’s Mexican Restaurant (5680 E. Kings Canyon) in the Sunnyside area for years, probably decades, in its converted bank building east of Clovis Avenue. Imagine the surprise of parking by the east-side entrance and finding it sealed off! Javier’s is not gone; the front door has moved to the north side. There is now patio seating and an ADA-compliant ramp!
Sometimes the Great Food Search tries a variety of establishments along a theme. Sometimes, it’s trying a bunch of things at one place. Today, we study an odd little building with an odd little menu in odd little Fresno.
There are couples who jet off for a romantic weekend in Paris. My wife and I aren’t one of those couples. Our getaways are simpler…and closer: Morro Bay, Sonora in Tuolumne County, and Mariposa. We spent a few days in Mariposa for the annual Storytelling Festival, and we had fun, were entertained, and…ate. I don’t have any pictures to show you, but I have memories.
Each month, The Great Food Search travels the Valley to find brave new restaurants and compare culinary categories. Come with me to the world of Fresno’s gourmet food trucks. You might find one near a night gathering spot, or see groups of them at CartHops on the Fulton mall, by the Central Library, or at Gazebo Gardens by Van Ness and Shields. The variety of styles and offerings is astounding. Here is a sampling of Fresno’s wilder street food.
If you have the opportunity to go to Bullfrogs Bar & Grill at Riverland near Kingsburg…jump at the chance! Hop to it. Do it before you croak.
Hidden on the south bank of the Kings River, within leaping distance of Highway 99, this Mid-Century Modern restaurant/bar/entertainment center turns out some unbelievable food. Chef Julian puts his style into everything he serves.
Here we are at the end of 2015, a time for making resolutions and doing new things. This edition of The Great Food Search is dedicated to restaurants that have made changes in 2015. I’ve already featured the $25,000 makeover at Kikku Japanese Food in downtown Fresno, but I have some more transformed eateries to share with you.
A block away from Fresno County’s Central Library is my go-to lunch place, Kikku Japanese Food, 2336 Tulare Street. I’ve been going there for a long time, but there have been some major changes that have brought it to the top of the Great Food Search list.
Some people live to eat. Others eat to live. I…eat. I eat to celebrate when I’m happy. I eat to feel better when I’m sad. I eat when I’m nervous. Sometimes, I eat because I can’t think of anything better to do. I guess that’s why I have been writing the Great Food Search articles for Kings River Life since January of 2012.
