JOE'S ITALIAN ICE AND ICE CREAM

PICTURED (top to bottom): Ice Cream Shop, Watermelon/Lemon Italian Ice, Joe Smoothie-Watermelon, Orange Cream Twist.

We were driving down Harbor Blvd, and came across Joe's (http://www.joesice.com/). Sweetie pie had heard good things about Joe's and suggested we stop and give it a try. And are we glad we did!

The Italian Ices are homemade at Joe's with fresh fruits and the soft serve ice cream is shipped in from Pennsylvania. The service here is excellent. Everyone is very friendly, and they are generous with the samples. Sweetie pie ordered a Watermelon/Lemon Italian Ice. Her mother had a Mango Smoothie and I had a Watermelon Smoothie. The Smoothies are made with their Italian Ices blended with the soft serve ice cream. Everything was so good, we finished it all! But the best was yet to come. We decided to share the Orange Cream Twist- Home Made Orange Sherbert & Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream. We can hardly wait to return. We saw a Banana Split and a Hot Fudge Sundae being prepared, and they looked Heavenly! Oh, and they have Root Beer Floats.

Today's visit to Joe's definitely gets three thumbs up from the 3 Tubby Tummys!

LA CASA GARCIA

PICTURED (top to bottom): Restaurant, Guacamole, Albondigas Soup, Taco and Enchilada with Rice & Beans, Tamale, "Tres Chimichangas" with Rice & Beans, Guacamole and Sour Cream.

A friend said we should try La Casa Garcia (www.lacasagarcia.com/). We read some good reviews and about the wonderful things owner Frank Garcia does for the community, and decided to give it a try.

It's a charming restaurant, with an old fashioned comfortable feel. They have a very nice menu, and everything is very reasonably priced and the portions large. The service was very good, everyone friendly and nothing a problem. The chips and salsa were excellent, and the Guacamole appetizer was generous and delicious.

We all had the Albondigas Soup, nice sized portion and quite good, but could have used a little more seasoning (we like ours a little spicy). The ladies both ordered the Taco/Enchilada Combination Plate, which was pretty good. They also decided to share a Tamale and it was quite yummy. I had the "Tres Chimichangas" which were very tasty and loaded with tender Carnitas.

The 3 Tubby Tummys give today's La Casa Garcia dinner three thumbs up!

CAPPY'S CAFE AND CANTINA

PICTURED (top to bottom): Restaurant, Pancake, Bacon, Eggs and Potatoes, Pork Chops and Eggs, California Omelette with Sausage Patty and Fruit, Biscuits and Gravy.

Cappy's Cafe (www.cappyscafe.com/) has been a Landmark in Newport Beach since 1957. It was recently remodeled and is known for it's reasonable prices, large portions and fast friendly service. So we decided head over to Cappy's for breakfast on Saturday morning. It's actually a very nice restaurant, with a warm and cozy feel. They use a "team" approach to serving and all are very attentive and friendly.

Sweetie pie ordered Bacon and Eggs with Deep-Fried Parmesan Potatoes and a Pancake on the side. The Bacon and Eggs were just ok, the Potatoes were good and the Pancake delicious. Her mother ordered the Pork Chops and Eggs. The Pork Chops were huge and looked really good, but tasted rather ordinary (maybe they could have used that Teriyaki Glaze). I ordered the California Omelette with Fruit and Biscuits and Gravy and a Sausage Patty Side. The Omelette was very good but my Sausage Patty was burnt crispy. The Biscuits and Gravy were a pleasant surprise-soft, freshly baked biscuits smothered in a delicious gravy with real bacon bits.

Today's Cappy's Cafe breakfast gets two thumbs up from the 3 Tubby Tummys!

MARIE CALLENDER'S-HB2

PICTURED (top to bottom): Restaurant, Frisco "The Works" Burger, Artichoke and Mushroom Chicken, Pepper-Crusted Gorgonzola Burger, Key Lime Pie, Mystery Berry Pie, Blueberry Pie.

We just couldn't stay away. Had another coupon (half-price entree) and the "Burger Boy" Combo Special still happening! Sweetie pie ordered "The Works" Frisco Burger-grilled Parmesan sourdough bread, bacon, cheese, lettuce and tomato, an onion ring and thousand island dressing. Everything piled high and tasted even better than it looks! Her mother had the Artichoke and Mushroom Chicken-a favorite and always delicious.I ordered the Pepper Crusted Gorgonzola Burger Combo (comes with Fries and a slice of pie-what a deal). And what a burger. De-Lish!

The food was wonderful, but the service was a little off today. When we were seated, our table was "sticky" and we had to wipe it down ourselves. Eeeew! Our cornbread never did come, and we had to remind our server to deduct our coupon from the tab. I ordered Blueberry pie, but got a wizzened slice of some red Mystery Berry Pie. After bringing it to our server's attention, we had to wait and wait for the real Blueberry pie, and had to take it to go.

Today's Marie Callender's lunch gets two thumbs up from the 3 Tubby Tummys!

MARIE CALLENDER'S-HUNTINGTON BEACH

PICTURED (top to bottom): Restaurant Sign, Salad Bar, "Cabo San Lucas" Chicken Caesar Salad, Artichoke and Mushroom Chicken, Mushroom Swiss Burger.

We decided to head over to our favorite Marie Callender's (www.mariecallenders.com/) in Huntington Beach for lunch today. Hadn't been in a while, and we had a coupon for 20% off the entire meal.

Well, the restaurant is still lovely, the service very good and the food excellent. Sweetie Pie ordered her favorite dish, the Artichoke and Mushroom Chicken. Her mother had her favorite salad, the "Cabo San Lucas" Chicken Caesar (with extra dressing on the side). I decided to try the Burger Combo Special: Burger, Fries and a slice of pie for $8.99. What a deal! And what a Burger. I had the Mushroom Swiss Burger (Burger Boy Style-Big and Juicy-Loaded with the Extras). Oh-and a slice of Double Cream Blueberry Pie.Very yummy. We ordered two pies to take home and were on our way.

Today's Marie Callender's lunch gets three thumbs up from the 3 Tubby Tummys!

RUBYS DINER-CORONA DEL MAR CHAPTER TWO

PICTURED (top to bottom): Restaurant, Jumbo Cinnamon Roll, Ham Steak and Eggs, Ham and Cheese Omelette, Breakfast Burger.

Saturday morning we decided to head over to our favorite Ruby's Diner in CDM (www.rubys.com/) to see what's new on the menu. We love this Ruby's best, because the food and service never disappoint. It's very convenient, with easy parking; and it's always sparkling clean and fresh.

Sweetie pie ordered her favorite Ham and Cheese Omelette, and her mother decided to try the new Ham Steak and Eggs Breakfast. The ladies also split the Jumbo Cinnamon Roll (SWEET!). Being true to my name, I decided to try the new Ruby's Breakfast Burger-Cheeseburger with two slices of Canadian Bacon and "crowned" with a Fried Egg. I don't usually do burgers for breakfast, but this one was so good, now I'm hooked!

The 3 Tubby Tummys give today's Ruby's breakfast three thumbs up!

ORIGINAL FISH COMPANY- CHAPTER TWO

PICTURED (top to bottom): Restaurant, Caesar Salad, Skewered Shrimp, Wild Alaskan Troll Salmon, Captain's Platter, Caramel Turtle Cheesecake.

It's Friday Night and we're goin' out to our favorite Seafood Restaurant, The Original Fish Company (www.originalfishcompany.com/) in Los Alamitos. The great menu, delicious food, consistently excellent service and nice ambiance keep us coming back. They have a large selection of fresh fish and seafood, with great sides and some of the best desserts around. And all moderately priced.

We all started off with the Caesar Salad (best we've ever had), although the Clam Chowder here is also one of the best in town. My sweetie pie had her favorite dish-the Shrimp on a Skewer and her mother the Wild Alaskan Salmon (her fav). They have great Salmon here, and they know how to cook it. I decided to try the Captain's Platter-Fried Shrimp, Halibut, Scallops and Clams. Very generous portions, and fried to perfection!. We decided to split one dessert 3 ways, and choose the Caramel Turtle Cheesecake. OMG was it good! But so big, the three of us together could not quite finish it!

Tonight's Original Fish Company dinner gets three thumbs up from the 3 Tubby Tummys.