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
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.
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……
Snack Bowls that are perfectly sized.
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!
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).
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).
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!
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.
The other reason I LOVE Yellow Sub ~ They serve up Pop Chips!
If you ever want to have a delicious salad bar for a meal, head on over to Chart House.
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.
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
On Saturday we decided to head over to Reno to see if the weather was any better.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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……
And their sweet potato fries that I only had enough room for half. I would’ve totally eaten them all if I had room 
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!
Totally LOVE Triple D and have tried many places…most recently Mac’s Fish and Chip Shoppe in Santa Barbara – it was great!
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. 😉
I agree. Premeasured cups are adorable!!
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!
Marietta Diner in Marietta, GA. Everything on the menu is amazing!
I would love a recipe for the Macadamia Crusted Mahi Mahi. Any chance you can put it together? Thank you!
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
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!
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!
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. 🙂
we have been to the Oinkster in Eagle Rock. Really good !
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.
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
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.
We travel back to Maine from CT often and love the Maine Diner in Wells. I love their baked beans and their clam cakes!
Where can I get those remeasured ladybug bowls??? I love them
I believe she got them at Pier 1 🙂
Thanks!
Hi Leah,
Keri is correct – I got the set at Pier 1.
Danica
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!!
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
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.
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
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
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!
We;ve been to Mom’s tamales in East, LA, another place that serves sausages in Sherman Oaks, Schooner or Later in Long Beach.