BEACH PIT BBQ- TUSTIN GARAGE

PICTURED ( top to bottom ): Restaurant Sign, Baby Back Ribs and BBQ Chicken with Macaroni and Cheese, Baby Back Ribs BBQ Chicken and Tri-Tip with Sweet Potato Fries, Baby Back Ribs BBQ Chicken and Smoked Sausage.


It was a warm, sunny day and we were feeling like BBQ. Still feeling adventuresome, we decided to try another new place- Beach Pit BBQ in the Tustin Garage in Old Town Tustin ( www.beachpitbbq.com/ ). We had read some good reviews on this place, but after we were inside the restaurant we saw a family come in with two children carrying their Happy Meal bags. We couldn't help but think that maybe they know something we don't.

We found out later that everything is overpriced and the portions inconsistent. The Half Racks of Baby Back Ribs were tasty, but small with wizzened and bony pieces hiding beneath. The BBQ Chicken pieces were smallish and lacking in flavor. The Tri-Tip was very dry. However, I felt the Smoked Sausage was delicious. Both the mild and spicy BBQ sauces were good, but served on the side. None of the meat was cooked with the BBQ Sauce. What's up with that? The sides were very inexpensive, but also very small. The Macaroni and Cheese and the Sweet Potato Fries were both very bland.

The 3 Tubby Tummys give Today's Beach Pit BBQ dinner one thumb up.

RUBYS DINER-CORONA DEL MAR

Last day for our breakfast 2-for-1 coupon so we decided to scooby-dooby down to our favorite Rubys Diner on PCH in CDM. My sweetie pie and I were the 2 Tubby Tummys today because her mother was under the weather and decided to stay home to recuperate.
This is our favorite Rubys because the food and service are consistently good. The servers and manager are attentive without being intrusive. Nothing is ever a problem. Even when we ask for our breakfast potatoes "deep fried crispy".
I had the Really Big Breakfast and sweetie her usual ham and cheese omelet and also a huge hot cinnamon bun (big enough to share with Burger Boy!).
Every thing was delicious and Rubys Diner CDM easily gets 2 thumbs up from the 2 Tubby Tummys!

OPAH

Burgers at a restaurant named after the Hawaiian moon fish? Oh Yes! And we'd do it again. The ladies had been here twice and I finally had the chance to join them.

We started off with the Shitake Chicken Lettuce Wraps with spicy mustard vinaigrette, which were good, and then on to the Thai BBQ Pork and Brie Spring Rolls, which were even better. Then came the main event-our half pound Kobe Beef Burgers. When our waiter Jimmy brought the plates to the table my eyes opened wide. What a sight! I had mine with Havarti cheese, bacon, and caramelized onions. My sweetie pie choose the cheddar and sliced red onions, while her mother opted for the gorgonzola. The ladies both upgraded to the sweet potato fries with a side of chipotle ranch dressing to dip. And they were in heaven! I had the standard shoestring fries, which were freshly cut, perfectly seasoned, and piled high. The burgers were hot and juicy and the beef lean and melt-in-your-mouth tender and cooked to perfection. The 3 Tubby Tummys give Opah three thumbs up!