TULSA RIB COMPANY

PICTURED (top to bottom): Restaurant; Caribbean Baby Back Ribs, Chicken/Apple Sausage and BBQ Chicken; Original Baby Back Ribs, Chicken/Apple Sausage and BBQ Chicken; Spicy Baby Back Ribs, Hot Link Sausage and BBQ Chicken; Peanut Butter Pie; Caribbean Ribs; Original Ribs; Country Pork Sandwich.

Tulsa Rib Company

954 N. Tustin Avenue

Orange, CA 92867

(714) 602-3463

www.tulsarib.com

Over the past year, we have tried Newport Rib Company, Lucille's, Claim Jumper, Blake's Place and Scottie's Smokehouse BBQ. Next on our great BBQ bucket list is the Tulsa Rib Company. We liked their ribs and desserts so much, that we returned a week later. This post combines the two visits.

On our first visit, we all tried the triple combo- Baby Back Ribs, Sausage and BBQ Chicken. Sweetie Pie tried the Caribbean Ribs, and her mother had the Original Ribs. I tried the Spicy Ribs. All were fantastic, but the Caribbean Ribs we voted tops. The ladies both tried the Chicken/Apple Sausage, which was a little on the "mild" side. I had the Hot Link Sausage ( just right ). We all felt that the chicken was a little too dry. We all had the Tulsa Potatoes, which were a great alternative to french fries.

We all shared a piece of Peanut Butter Pie for dessert, and it was so good we ordered a couple of slices to take home.

On our second visit, the ladies each ordered a full rack of Baby Back Ribs ( Caribbean and Original). Even better the second time around. Ever the adventuresome sort, I decided to try the Country Pork Sandwich, with a Hot Link Sausage on the side. The sandwich was so packed full with tender pork and BBQ sauce, that I could barely finish it!

Tulsa Rib Company has a great selection of delicious desserts. We were too full for dessert, but decided to order the Blueberry Cheesecake and Peanut Butter Pie to go.

Tonight's Tulsa Rib Company dinner gets three thumbs up from the 3 Tubby Tummys!

SCOTTIE'S SMOKEHOUSE BBQ

PICTURED (top to bottom): Restaurant Sign, Firehouse Wings. Collard Greens, Macaroni and Cheese, Cole Slaw and Black Eyed Peas, French Fries, Andouille Sausage, Smoked Meatloaf, Baby Back Ribs and Sliced Brisket, Baby Back Ribs and Smoked Chicken.

Scottie's Smokehouse Barbecue

220 East Katella Avenue

Orange, CA 92867

(714) 997-3894

www.scottiessmokehouse.com

Scottie's claims to have "The Best Texas style barbecue in Orange Country!" Being the lovers of good BBQ that we are, we decided to check it out for ourselves. We arrived early and were able to choose our seating. The service was just excellent! Our server was friendly and helpful and guided us through the menu. She brought us all the little extras, including 3 different BBQ sauces (ranging from mild to extra spicy). Our food arrived promptly, fresh and hot.

Our appetizers included the Firehouse Wings ( a little on spicy side for us ) and Andouille Sausage ( just right ). For our sides we had Collard Greens, Mac and Cheese, Cole Slaw, Black Eyed Peas and French Fries. All of which were very good.

Sweetie Pie ordered the Smoked Meatloaf, which is smoked with a dry rub and can be enjoyed with or without BBQ sauce. We liked it both ways. Her mother ordered the Baby Back Rib and Sliced Beef Brisket Combo. The ribs were very meaty and tender, with a great smoked flavor. The meat falls off the bone , yet is moist and succulent. Scottie's brisket is the best we've ever tasted. It is sliced thick, and yet is so tender you don't need a knife to cut it. I had the Baby Back Rib and Smoked Chicken Combo. Everything was quite delicious, but the chicken was a little on the smallish side.

Tonight's Scottie's Smokehouse BBQ dinner gets two and a half thumbs up from the 3 Tubby Tummys.

LOLA'S MEXICAN CUISINE

PICTURED (top to bottom): Restaurant, Chips and Salsa, Guacamole, Combination #3 (steak taco, mini-tostada and chicken sope), Lola's Sopes (trio of sopes), Combination #4- Tour de Mexico ( chicken tamale, cheese enchilada, crunchy picadillo taco and carne asada).

Lola's Mexican Cuisine

2030 East 4th Street

Long Bech, CA 90814

(562) 343-5506

www.lolasmexicancuisine.com

We decided to try Lola's on the recommendation of a friend. It's a very cute restaurant with a nice comfortable feel. The service we received was excellent, and our server, as well as the entire staff, were friendly and accommodating. Unfortunately, we did not care for the food at all.

The red salsa was hot (spicy) but lacking in flavor; and the green salsa had an off taste (almost fishy). The Guacamole had way to much diced cucumber and very little avocado. The taco meat was bland and dry. The sopes were "hockey puck" hard and impossible to cut. The carne asada was tough, thin and wizened. My tamale and enchilada were just ok.

Today's Lola's dinner gets one-half thumb up from the 3 Tubby Tummys.

.

ARTHUR'S FAMILY RESTAURANT

PICTURED (top to bottom): Restaurant Sign, Restaurant, Country Benedict, Pork Chops and Eggs, The Big Big Sampler, 1/2 Waffle, Biscuits, Ham and Cheese Omelette, Country Benedict (with biscuits and gravy on the side), Breakfast Burrito.

Arthur's Family Restaurant

240 N. Tustin Avenue

Orange, CA 92867

(714) 997-1850

www.arthursfamilyrestaurant.com

When we read Arthur's slogan "Best Breakfast in Town", we decided we had to give them a try. We're always up for a new breakfast adventure, and Arthur's has gotten some pretty good reviews. We found the food to be excellent, the portions very large and the prices quite reasonable. The service is excellent, and the staff friendly and accommodating. We liked it so much we went twice in two weeks, and decided to combine both visits in this post.

On our first visit, Sweetie Pie ordered the Country Benedict, which is 3 biscuits, 3 poached eggs served with Ham and smothered with country gravy. Beautifully prepared and quite delicious ( the country gravy is excellent). Her mother had the Pork Chops and Eggs. The pork chops were tender and moist and the eggs cooked perfectly ( over hard but not cremated ). I ordered the Big Big Sampler, which is 3 eggs, potatoes, bacon, ham, 3 kinds of sausages and half a waffle. Not only was it Big Big, but everything was very, very good. I liked all 3 sausages: the sausage links, Italian sausage and Polish sausage. We all agreed that Arthur's country potatoes are the best, and served crispy-the way we like them.

On our second visit, Sweetie Pie ordered a ham and cheese omelette- nice and big, but a little too well done for her liking. Her mother ordered the Country Benedict, but with the biscuits and the gravy on the side. Nicely prepared and cooked as ordered. I decided on the Breakfast Burrito, with scrambled eggs, melted cheese, chorizo, and potatoes. Topped with ranchero sauce and cheese, and served with rice and beans and salsa and guacamole. A Breakfast Burrito to die for!

Arthur's "Greatest Breakfast in Town" gets three thumbs up from the 3 Tubby Tummys.

CLAIM JUMPER- SOUTH COAST PLAZA- FINAL CHAPTER

PICTURED (top to bottom): Restaurant, Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza, Hill Country Salad, Lobster Tail with Baked Sweet Potato, Blueberry Muffin, Mac N Cheese and Grilled Vegetables, Ore Cart Combo.

Claim Jumper- South Coast Plaza

3333 Bristol Street #2078

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

(714) 434-8479

www.claimjumper.com

We decided to return to Claim Jumper and use the gift card we had received from CJ guest services last July, after our disappointing 4th of July week-end experience.

We started off with the Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza to share as an appetizer. It came to the table hot, glistening and fresh. It was really very good, with lots of cheese and great tasting sausage and pepperoni.

Sweetie Pie ordered the Hill Country Salad ( with fried chicken). Well there wasn't much chicken, and what was there was dry, bland and tasteless. It did not appear to be a freshly cooked product. A very disappointing entree. Her mother ordered the Lobster Tail ( a seasonal special ). She really loves lobster, but this one was mushy, gristly and discolored on the underside. She had to send it back, and ordered a boneless, skinless chicken breast instead. The chicken breast was good. I ordered the Ore Cat, which is half rack of Bay Back Pork Ribs, Beef Back Ribs and Half Rotisserie Chicken. With my entree, I also ordered a Blueberry Muffin, which was very good (big and fresh) and Mac N Cheese and Grilled Vegetables ( both just "ok"). I have been getting the Chicken and Rib Combo for many years, and I have to say the portion size and quality of the meat has declined significantly. The ribs were a little dry and rather bony. The half rotisserie chicken was smaller than in the past and kind of dry and pale looking.

In today's economy, we can certainly understand rising prices and shrinking portions; but sacrificing quality is not going to keep us coming back.

Today's Claim Jumper dinner gets one thumb up from the 3 Tubby Tummys.

AMORELIA MEXICAN CAFE

PICTURED (top to bottom): Restaurant, Chips and Salsa, Guacamole, Steak Quesadilla, Trio of Tacos, Carne Asada Tampiquena (with Enchilada), Chile Relleno (with Papa Taco).

Amorelia Mexican Cafe

2200 Harbor Blvd. C-110

Costa Mesa, CA 92627

(949) 646-1422

We love Mexican food, and are always on the hunt for a new restaurant adventure. After reading several reviews, we decided we should try Amorelia Mexican Cafe in Costa Mesa. The restaurant has a warm cozy atmosphere with a very nice decor. They have a very original menu, full of authentic family recipes. The staff is very helpful and friendly, and the service we received was excellent!

The chips were fresh and the salsa quite tasty, with a nice kick to it. The Guacamole was creamy and delicious. We decided to share the Steak Quesadilla appetizer, and it was "off the chart"- tender steak and hot melting cheese, served with guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo. Probably the best quesadilla we've ever had.

Sweetie Pie decided to try three different tacos: the Amorelia Taco (Beef Picadillo in a crunchy shell), the Carne Asada Soft Taco, and the Grilled Chicken Soft Taco. All three were very good (especially with some of their great salsa added). Her favorite was the chicken taco. Her mother had the Carne Asada Tampiquena- marinated grilled steak served with a cheese enchilada, grilled onions, guacamole, rice and beans. The steak was tender and flavorful, and cooked perfectly. The enchilada was delicious (with a great tasting enchilada sauce), and the guacamole, rice and beans complimented the dish well. At our server's suggestion, I decided to try the Chile Relleno- a Poblano chile stuffed with Queso Ranchero, dipped in egg batter, fried and covered with green and red salsa. Served with rice and beans, and comes with a Papa Taco. It is one of their most popular dishes, and I can see why. The relleno is quite large and very tasty; and the red and green salsas both very good. I really liked the crunchy shell potato taco. Overall, really a great dish; and I would order it again. They also have a variety of different Tortas on the menu. We saw the Breaded Chicken Torta go by to another table. It looked so good ( and huge), I'd like to try one on our next visit.

Today's Amorelia Mexican Cafe dinner gets three thumbs up from the 3 Tubby Tummys.