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The Food-i-cation!

May 27, 2012 by DanicasDaily 28 Comments

Hi everyone!  We are finally back from our long weekend trip to South Lake Tahoe and Reno.  You would think in May that California would be all about sunshine and “most” people would choose to vacation in the sunshine (except The Husband).  I actually did not believe the weather people when they told us all week long that it would rain and snow in Lake Tahoe…..I mean, it’s been in the 70’s & 80’s with sunshine for over a month now.

Well….as we started driving up the hill on Friday morning, it was pretty apparent that I would just “have to” believe those weather people after all. LOL

 

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The view from our hotel was pretty amazing, but, it also showed that this storm wasn’t going to be passing through any time soon.

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I finally had to give in and realize (although The Husband offered to be a super trouper, bundle up and go for it!) that our usual Bike Ride along the lake and hike to Eagle lake was just not going to happen this time.

So, what’s a girl to do?  Ummmmm, go shopping at Pier 1 since there wasn’t really much else to do.

I couldn’t resist these cute tasting party cups….Any ideas for using them?  I thought for condiments at a BBQ, soups, ice cream, slushes……

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Snack Bowls that are perfectly sized.

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I am always portioning out my food in 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup portions so why not make it fun with these cute bowls!

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The Husband picked out these super cool glasses for water and some masks for our Masquerade party we are going to next weekend (pictures coming up next week when we are in our full costumes).

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After shopping, we decided to head over on to the movies to watch The Five Year Engagement.  If any of you are wondering if you should watch it or not, I say not ~ I left the movie mad LOL.

To keep my popcorn portions in check, I opted for the Kids Meal (3 cups movie popcorn without butter is 4 points+ and the fruit snack is 2 points+ (I saved that for later).

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Although I did snap pictures of everything I ate even if I eating mindfully (listening to when I was full and stopping without fretting over the points+ value), I decided to just highlight a few of my favorite things.

Before heading out, I packed up snacks for us to take with us ~ fruit, nuts, crackers, cheese and 2 points+ bars…..I am still IN LOVE with these berries!

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The absolute best sandwiches in South Lake Tahoe are at a place called The Yellow Sub (I always insert Submarine when I say it). 

Fresh baked sour dough topped with ham, cheese, pineapple, AVOCADO, lettuce, onions, salt, pepper, herbs and red wine vinegar. 

It’s pretty amazing ~ salty, sweet, cheese, tangy, crunchy on top of chewy sour dough.

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The other reason I LOVE Yellow Sub ~ They serve up Pop Chips!

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If you ever want to have a delicious salad bar for a meal, head on over to Chart House. 

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Every meal comes with hot homemade bread and crackers.  Their brown bread tastes just like that Trader Joe’s FF Multi-Grain bread I used to get.

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I am sure most people go to Chart House for steak, but, I go for their Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi.  It is so tender (and not fishy ~ for those like me who do not like cooked fish) and it literally melts in your mouth.

It’s topped with a warm peanut sauce with a hint of Frangelico, mango relish,
soy glaze drizzle & served with Asian green beans

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On Saturday we decided to head over to Reno to see if the weather was any better.

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The Husband usually bribes me into going to Reno whenever we go to Lake Tahoe so he can check out a few Antique Shops with promises of going to Michael’s Deli.

I am totally replicating this Spicy Chorizo Lentil Soup.

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Served up with the Caprese Salad I am completed addicted to at the moment.

Vine ripened tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella cheese served over mixed greens with a honey mustard vinaigrette, Pesto, balsamic vinegar, & avocado

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On our way back into town, we totally planned it just so we could hit up another Diners, Drive-Inns and Dives location in Truckee, Ca. 

Last time, we stopped at Burger Me! which was tasty, but, everyone kept telling us we needed to try Jax at the Tracks because their food was even better.

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They completely won my heart over with this appetizer.  I actually think this dish goes down as the BEST eggroll I’ve ever had.

Thai Cashew Chicken Spring Rolls with a sweet chili sauce and pickled cucumber salad.

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I sampled The Husband’s Mac & Cheese ~ it was just OK to me and I decided I’d rather save my stomach for the burger we ordered to share.

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Not just any burger ~ this BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger was so incredibly juicy with a crunchy, salty crust that melted into their homemade BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese.  As if that wasn’t enough they went ahead and put applewood smoked bacon, crispy onion straws, lettuce tomato and onion on top of super soft homemade bun.

I am so glad we decided to split this burger because it was so big you could barely get your mouth around it.  The BEST part was being able to actually taste every single flavor. 

I’d totally go back just for this burger……

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And their sweet potato fries that I only had enough room for half.  I would’ve totally eaten them all if I had room Smile

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As much as I probably should’ve counted and tracked everything this weekend, I can say it was all 100% worth it for all the working out I am going to have to do this week to make up for it!

Sometimes you just have to live a little, enjoy life, forget the points+  and have a FOOD-I-CATION!

The good thing is my body is telling me it’s time to get back on track and into my routine tomorrow. I will be back tomorrow with my dailies and this week’s mini menu!

Q’s

Have you ever visited any Diners, Drive-Inn and Dive locations? If so, where did you go and what did you order?

I’ve been to just two so far ~ Burger Me! and now Jax at the Tracks!  I cannot wait to try more.

Night all!

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Filed Under: Restaurant Reviews, Travels

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Comments

  1. Daunne says

    May 27, 2012 at 9:11 pm

    Totally LOVE Triple D and have tried many places…most recently Mac’s Fish and Chip Shoppe in Santa Barbara – it was great!

    Reply
  2. sandi says

    May 27, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    Those pre-measured cups are adorable!
    I also love DDD and tried Norton’s Deli in Santa Barbara on Friday. Yum-O! I always look up DDD spots for my friends too. 😉

    Reply
  3. Holly from 300 Pounds Down says

    May 27, 2012 at 9:26 pm

    I agree. Premeasured cups are adorable!!

    Reply
  4. Phyllis says

    May 27, 2012 at 9:32 pm

    I went to Chef’s Point Cafe in Wautaga, TX with a friend of mine who had lap band surgery. We both ordered the Better Than Sex Fried Chicken (it was). It came in a pasta bowl, swimming in cream gravy, with mashed potatoes and gravy. My friend actually had to leave and go to the bathroom and throw up she ate so much (disgusting) and then offered me whatever she had left. I, of course, had practically licked my bowl clean, so I told her, no thank you. I took the hubby some bread pudding and he died too. It was a great day. We of course can never return, because it’s just not a place to go, unless i want to gain weight! Which, ps, i don’t!

    Reply
  5. Rachel says

    May 28, 2012 at 1:26 am

    Marietta Diner in Marietta, GA. Everything on the menu is amazing!

    Reply
  6. Beth B says

    May 28, 2012 at 3:56 am

    I would love a recipe for the Macadamia Crusted Mahi Mahi. Any chance you can put it together? Thank you!

    Reply
    • DanicasDaily says

      May 31, 2012 at 7:31 am

      Hi Beth,

      You know I never thought of making the Mahi Mahi, but, that is a great idea! I will put it on my to try list.

      Thanks,

      Danica

      Reply
  7. Nancy says

    May 28, 2012 at 5:52 am

    I haven’t been to any Triple D locations, but I know there is one in Sacramento called “The Squeeze In” (burgers with a crisp cheesy skirt), and Guy’s Tex Wasabi restaurant is in Roseville (Sac’s next door neighbor), next time you are driving up Hwy. 80!

    Reply
    • Jenn says

      May 28, 2012 at 11:53 am

      There is also a Squeeze Inn in Napa, CA. The burgers are to die for, the cheese skirt is awesome if you love cheese as much as I do!

      Reply
  8. Tamara says

    May 28, 2012 at 7:57 am

    I’ve been to one so far, Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burgers in Ann Arbor, Michigan… but it was well before I ever saw it on DDD. I went to undergrad there and visit the town often (it’s only 25 minutes away), so that’s why. Well worth the trip for anyone who’s ever in Michigan. There are many other local spots to check out but I just haven’t gotten around to it yet, and of course there are a TON of places from the show all across the country (and Canada) that I would love to try. Alas, we don’t travel all that often. And I bet by the time we do I might forget… I’ll have to remember to scope out the DDD website whenever we do hit the road. 🙂

    Reply
  9. Josie says

    May 28, 2012 at 9:00 am

    we have been to the Oinkster in Eagle Rock. Really good !

    Reply
  10. Beth B says

    May 28, 2012 at 11:05 am

    Danica – I love Panera Bread and their delicious salads. Have you come across a fat free or low fat poppyseed dressing recipe? I sure would like to be able to make it at home.
    Thanks for all the wonderful recipes you share.
    Beth B.

    Reply
    • DanicasDaily says

      May 31, 2012 at 7:32 am

      HI Beth,

      I haven’t, but, would imagine it would be fairly simple to make. I will add this one to my list to try too!

      Danica

      Reply
  11. Leslie says

    May 28, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    LOVE Triple D! They have visited several places in SC and two even in my town. I’ve been to both of those, Pawley’s Front Porch, which serves the most amazing artistic burgers ever, and The Farmer’s Shed, which does a traditional Southern meat and three and grow all their own veggies. I’ve also been to several others, anytime the hubs and I travel we try to find a Triple D restaurant.

    Reply
  12. Diane Milliken says

    May 28, 2012 at 5:35 pm

    We travel back to Maine from CT often and love the Maine Diner in Wells. I love their baked beans and their clam cakes!

    Reply
  13. Leah says

    May 29, 2012 at 4:32 am

    Where can I get those remeasured ladybug bowls??? I love them

    Reply
    • Keri says

      May 29, 2012 at 10:42 am

      I believe she got them at Pier 1 🙂

      Reply
      • DanicasDaily says

        May 31, 2012 at 7:33 am

        Thanks!

        Reply
    • DanicasDaily says

      May 31, 2012 at 7:33 am

      Hi Leah,

      Keri is correct – I got the set at Pier 1.

      Danica

      Reply
  14. Jenny says

    May 29, 2012 at 8:13 am

    For being a small state, we have some great food spots, many of which have been on DDD (and other foodie shows) and I am lucky enough to be close to them!

    I work in New Haven and am able to enjoy Caseus, Louis’ Lunch (home of the original burger) and of course, pizza from Pepe’s and Sally’s. About ten minutes down the road from where I live is the Merritt Canteen and Super Duper Weenie. All so yummy but so dangerous to have so close!!

    Reply
  15. ann says

    May 29, 2012 at 10:29 am

    XXX Diner in West Lafayette, IN for a peanut butter burger…sounds gross but it was so good. Red Arrow Diner in Manchester, NH and South Side Soda Shop also in Indiana. MMMm……good stuff! I’d like one of those XXX burgers right now! I don’t even want to think of the points in that bad boy. Delicious

    Reply
  16. Roz@weightingfor50 says

    May 29, 2012 at 10:32 am

    I’ve been to the Red Wagon here in Vancouver. We had one of the dishes featured on the show….pancakes with pulled pork and maple bourbon syrup. Sounds disgusting, but it was AMAZING. Thanks for sharing your great pictures Danica.

    Reply
  17. Keri says

    May 29, 2012 at 10:41 am

    I’ve been to a few “Triple D” places while on vacation in CA.
    In San Fran we went to Pier 23 Cafe, in Santa Cruz we went to the Santa Cruz diner, in LA we went to Patrick’s Roadhouse

    Reply
  18. Stacey says

    May 30, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    I’ve been to the Maine Diner in Wells, Maine and was actually there while they were filming the show. They film in 2 days and the day that we were there, Guy was not….but me and the hubs were featured on the show and we got alot of free lobster that day. Had a ball and they keep re-running the show.

    Stacey

    Reply
  19. Tanya says

    May 30, 2012 at 8:45 pm

    I’ve been to Pok Pok in Portland, OR. The fish sauce wings (despite the name) were deeeeeelicious I’ve also been to Dad’s Kitchen in Sacramento, and had the blue cheese and bacon burger. That was sooooooooo good. I want to try Gatsby’s Diner (my sis-in-law said it was excellent), Golden Bear, and Jamie’s Bar and Grill. You can’t go wrong with triple D picks!

    Reply
  20. Randi says

    June 6, 2012 at 4:00 pm

    We;ve been to Mom’s tamales in East, LA, another place that serves sausages in Sherman Oaks, Schooner or Later in Long Beach.

    Reply

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About Danica

Whether she’s enjoying a dish at a local restaurant or whipping up a crowd-pleasing, nutritious meal at home, Danica has a passion for all things food. She believes in and follows the Weight Watchers principle of “all things in moderation” and chronicles her culinary adventures here. Besides sharing her daily eats and tasty, nutritious recipes, Danica connects others seeking a healthier lifestyle on her site and shares her travel adventures around the world.

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