Got Food? We Do!

It’s 2012. What’s is your New Year’s resolution?

Is it to lose weight or get in shape?

How about resolving to help your community and cutting back on the amount you spend on big chain restaurants?

That’s one of my resolutions. My family always tries to patronize our local restaurants. So I want to share my “Top 10 Favorite Restaurants.”

Most are in Loma Linda and Redlands. I’ve eaten at all of these locations and all my experiences have been very good.

They are listed in no particular order.

Surfer Joe’s, 251 E. Redlands Blvd., San Bernardino, (909) 824-5523

I was introduced to Surfer Joes by photojournalists. Of course leave it up to the photogs to know where the good grub is. The place features pizza and sandwiches for some of the best prices I’ve seen in a while. I love the décor too, surfboards and thatched roofs. I tried the roast beef, and was treated to perfectly toasted bread with lean beef.

Vegetarian: Aside from spaghetti with meatless marinara and cheese pizza, they offer veggie sandwiches including the “Original Veggie,” with Swiss, mozzarella, green peppers, black olives, cashews, onions, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise and Italian dressing.

Princess of India, 24711 Redlands Blvd., Loma Linda, (909) 796-1870

My husband and I decided to try Princess of India after a Loma Linda council member mentioned they had eaten there. And I really liked their samosa and kadai vegetables. I love most things spicy. When we went, the décor was sparse. But when I stopped by Friday, the restaurant had been transformed with new floors. And I was I was greeted by a well-dressed mannequin.

Vegetarian: Several things on their menu are labeled vegan including andhra spinach curry (fresh spinach curried with tamarind, dal and spices) and vegetable poriyal (veggies sautéed with mustard and onion with coconut garnish)

, 25735 Redlands Blvd. at Mountain View, (909) 796-0902

Two words, crispy tortilla chips! I loved ’em. The server put a little bowl of them in front of me and they were gone in a minute. I ordered the tacos and they were the same kind of crispy. I tried some of the tamales. The masa had a good flavor. I also ordered a tossed salad and got a good-sized plate of lettuce with two big slices of tomatoes, which was nice. The inside is really homey. Lupe’s is a staple in Redlands/Loma Linda, and is celebrating its 60th year.

Vegetarian: Honestly, I’m not sure I can say what is vegetarian beside the salads. They have a Crazy Burrito that has beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato and sour cream. But I’m not certain how they make the beans.

Mr. Kebab, 11201 California St., Loma Linda, (909) 335-8881

Can you say chicken addiction? When we get a chance to go out, I usually wait to try and spring Mr. Kebab on my husband for their chicken tawouk and beef shawerma. They have a buffet and I have to fight the urge (often unsuccessfully) not to go nuts. Rice, falafel, hummus and tabbouli.

Vegetarian: We can start with the rice, falafel, hummus and tabbouli and we can move on to my favorite stuffed grape leaves.

, 24957 Redlands Blvd., Loma Linda, (909) 796-1545

The blink-and-you'll-miss it location is home to some yummy tacos and burritos, all set up to . And if you can't make it to them, they have a truck that comes out to various locations across the area.

Vegetarian: The Kool Kactus has built its menu to help serve Loma Linda residents who are looking for healthier options. They offer items such as burritos, tacos and enchiladas with fillings including squash, tofu and a spinach-mushroom combination, besides shredded beef and chicken.

Eureka Burgers, 345 Pearl Ave., #130, Redlands, (909) 335-5700

Handcrafted gourmet burgers, all made with local ingredients and local handcrafted beers. It's the definition of a local restaurant. They take the burger to new levels, featuring toppings such as fig marmalade, brie cheese and arugula.

Vegetarian: Surprisingly, for a burger restaurant, there are more than a handful of choices. They offer the Loma Linda Veggie Burger, which uses a red beet patty, served with arugula, tomato, Bermuda onion with a lemon vinaigrette dressing, garnished with homemade zucchini pickles. There are also some yummy sounding choices among the salad and appetizer menu that you have to read to believe.

, 24960 Redlands Blvd., Loma Linda, (909) 796-3770

I have been here many times. Once, I tried the fettuccine Alfredo, the other time I tried the pollo piccata and both were delicious. Because I write, report and edit, I’ve covered events at Napoli and it is like walking into a different world. Wine, Italian statuettes and tapestries adorn the walls. Note: They have a lunch and a dinner menu.

Vegetarian: There are the salads - Insalata Mediterranea with kalamata olives, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, walnuts and artichoke hearts with balsamic vinaigrette. Napoli also offers vegetarian lasagna and a number of pasta dishes.

Cha-Cha’s, 26393 W. Redlands Blvd., Redlands, (909) 799-0011

The first time I went to Cha-Cha’s, it was at the recommendation of a friend. “I like their tacos,” she told me. I like tacos. Turns out I liked Cha-Cha’s tacos too. The taco I got was really meaty. The plate was stuffed with food. They have all the Mexican food favorites. In fact their menu was so big, it was almost overwhelming. It is one of the few places I know in Redlands or Loma Linda that is a “taco stand” not a restaurant. And it’s almost always busy.

Vegetarian: Ummm, well, there are quesadillas. I honestly can’t find salads. They have bean and cheese burrito and bean tostada, but diners might want to check they are completely vegetarian.

, 24735 Redlands Blvd., Loma Linda, (909) 478-9996 (breakfast and lunch only)

Pancakes! If you like them big, this is the place for you. Of course you have to bring your appetite to a place that boasts “The Biggest Breakfast in Town.” I liked that the rest of the meal did not feel completely overwhelming. I was recently shocked to see a business for sale sign in the front window. The boss, Stevan Sinkewicz, wants to retire, co-owner Gloria Sinkewicz said with a smile. “But don’t worry,” she said, “the next person coming in will keep the restaurant the way it is.”

Vegetarian: This is a tough one. A lot of the breakfast food includes some kind of animal product, i.e. bacon, sausage, ham, eggs. But they do offer homestyle potatoes, toast (white, wheat, rye), grits and tomato slices and cottage cheese.

Mill Creek Cattle Co., 2087 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands, (909) 798-5757

Not as big as its parent location in Mentone, the restaurant makes up for its size with a drive-through and a quick-serve feel. It's decorated with plenty of old West charm and we've never had a bad meal there. My favorite is the Tour of Mill Creek, featuring slider sized sandwiches featuring pulled pork, tri tip and brisket.

Vegetarian: Not much ... it is a barbecue place, after all. A quick check on the menu online does show a pair of salads that might fit the bill, their Cranberry Pear Salad features tomatoes, bleu cheese crumbles, almonds, dried cranberries, diced pears and a cranberry vinaigrette dressing. And you can probably get the Oak Glen salad (featuring apple slices, walnuts, crisp noodles, tomatoes, cucumber and bleu cheese crumbles) without the chicken.

And let's hear it for the chain! I promised no chains but I had to add one, Togo’s. Our area has one in San Bernardino, 525 E Hospitality Lane, (909) 890-4252 and another in Redlands, 627 Orange St., (909) 307-8646.

In the pantheon of chains, Togo's has constantly been one of the best places to have a sandwich, in my opinion. I like their bread. I like how they will make your sandwich your way, regardless of how odd it may seem. You want hummus on your sandwich? How about cranberries? Mortadella? And I like that they feel robust in my hands. My sandwiches are the No. 9 (pastrami with mustard, pickles and pepperoncini) and No. 30, the turkey and bacon club.

Vegetarian: You can request any combination, but my favorite the No. 27, avocado and cucumber.