A Fine Day for Outdoor Dining

Welcome to my first blog. Here I will try to document in words and pictures places that I have visited and dined.

Please enjoy!!!

Roger

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Today was a typical late winter day in Northern California. It was bright and sunny with temperatures in the low to mid 60's. Perfect weather to enjoy a quick bite for lunch outdoors.

Just happens that today, we had chosen to go to the Falafel Drive-In in Santa Clara where the food is tasty and relatively cheap. This Drive-In was featured some time ago in Food Networks' "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives", and it is living up to its reputation. When we arrived a little before noon, the ordering line was already half way to the street with all the picnic tables taken. However, the line moves quickly so we did not have to wait for more than 10 minutes. And since it was such a nice day, the minutes past by without much care.

When it was my turn to come the window and order, the tough decisions have to be resolved quickly because the ordering line was moving and they didn't like waiting. Would it be the falafel or the shish-ka-bab? Would the banana shake do or should I try the pineapple today? Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Since we had not been to "the drive-in" in so long since the winter weather here in NorCal is so "brutal" (I think it did not get up past 55 on a couple of days this year.) :-P, I ordered the tried and true, falafel pita with a banana shake. And boy, was I not disappointed.

The banana shake was silky rich and buttery tasting with the strong suggestion of banana. The falafel pita was overflowing with falafel, lettuce, and flavorful white and red spicy sauces. The falafel was perfectly cooked, crispy brown on the outside and vibrantly green and moist on the inside. Combined with the cool lettuce and sauces, this was a perfect meal for an outdoor setting.