Philippe Home of the Original French Dipped Sandwich

  If you love french dipped sandwiches what you are used to being served is a Roast Beef on a roll and you do the dipping. That's not the way it is done. 

  You ask or ax me how do I know? Well. this is how I know.

   If you are a Los Angeles Dodger Fan like I am. You know where to eat around the stadium. 

  Oh sure. I have my Dodger Dog at the stadium. But before I pay my $15.00 for parking my car. I hit Philippe The Original. Home of the french dipped sandwich.

Philippe's was established in 1908 by Philippe Maathieu. One day in 1918 while making a sandwich for a Los Angeles Policeman Philippe drop the roll in the roasting pan filled with the juice still hot from the oven. The policeman said he would take the sandwich anyway and returned the next day with some friends asking for more dipped sandwiches.

  There is a long display counter with 10 servers Philippe's call "Carvers". Each Carver has everything she needs to fix your whole meal. All served on plates made of paper to make serves fast.

   The French Dipped is the specialty of the house and consists of either roast beef, roast pork, turkey, ham or my favorite leg of lamb served on a french roll. The Carver does the dipping. You can ask or ax for your roll to be double or even triple dipped but don't ask for a side of dipping gravy, it just won't happen.

  Philippe's has some of the best sides. The best coleslaw, homemade macaroni and potato salads. They prepare and serve almost 300 lbs of pigs feet a week.  

  Oh man! Philippe's has its own hot mustard, Twice a week they prepare about 40 gallon. Add this mustard to your sandwich and it doesn't get any better.

  Beef stew is prepared fresh daily. Their homemade chili and soups are the best.

  Lemonade, iced tea, milk, mineral water, sodas in the can, beer cheaper than at the stadium and wine by the glass. A cup of coffee cost a dime. Up until 1977 it was only a nickel.

  Deserts, now why wouldn't this place have some of the best deserts? Baked apples, a large variety of cream and fruit pies, ice cream, New York style cheesecake, custard, fresh fruit and my favorite tapioca.

  In 1951 Philippe's was force to move from its original location on Aliso Street, to make way for the 101 freeway, to its present location on North Alameda Street. 

  In the 100 years not alot has changed at Philippe's. The Carvers prepare your meal at one of the 10 spots at the display counter. I don't think I have every been there when there is short lines. But the Carvers are quick and well worth the wait. 

  It's family style seating with long wooden tables and stools, there are a few booth. Sawdust on the floor, old wooden phone booths with dial pay phones. People from all walks of life are in the dinning area. I've even seen a few actors there.

  The walls has old press clippings, beer and soft drink neon signs.  

  Its old style candy counter sits at the main enterance. You can pick up a jar of Philippe's hot mustard to take home with you. 

  The address is 1001 North Alameda Street it on the corner of Ord Street and North Alameda.

Take the I-5 south past Stadium Way to the Main Street off ramp (south of the I-5/I-10 interchange) turn right on Main Street to North Alameda Street. Turn right on Ord Street you can't miss the parking lot. You're there. Enjoy! 

Happy New Year

  On behalf of the staff (me)of Tales From the Hog. We (I) would like to wish you all a Happy New Year. And send wishes for your 401k to do nothing but go up in 2009.

God Bless,

the Eggman

Clark Griswold of Bakersfield, California - My Brother.

  Every year at Christmas, my brother Mike tries to out do himself by decorating his house with more decorations than the year before.

  This year he has out done himself. I think he has a inflatables fetish, you know things you fill with air. No it's not what we are all thinking. He is married to a live person. His wife is not an inflatable.

  This year his house is the best I have ever seen it. There is a Movie screen showing Christmas classics like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and Santa Claus is coming to Town. 

  The sound comes over your car radio. (106.9FM) 

  You won't see the same decorations every year. Year round he's buying new inflatables, lights and other things, to keep each Christmas fresh and new for all to see.

  This is a must see at Christmas time. My brother enjoys doing this. I am sure young and old will enjoy his house at Christmas time.

  The whole thing starts at sun down and deflats at 10:00 or 10:30 every night. 

  The address is 616 Berwick St. The house is in the Vineyards. From Stockdale Hwy. and Gosford Rd.  Gosford to Kroll Way, turn west on Kroll Way take the next left then another left then right and there it is. See a video on youtube. Just type in Clark Griswold of Bakersfield, Ca. in the search box.

  Enjoy and Merry Christmas. 

Lumpy, Father of the Bride

  This past Saturday Rhonda and I attended the wedding of Tim and Marci. Marci is the daughter of Lumpy. For those of you who don't know Lumpy he is the author of the blog Lumpy's "Run to the Wall" and other Adventures. 

  I Played softball with Lumpy. I remember a little girl yelling "Hi Jim" out to me as I played left field. I would give her a big wave. I think Marci was about 4 or 5 years old then. 

  Lumpy's world is his family, his wife of 29 years, Debbie, his girls Marci and Kelli. It was that way back in the softball days, Nothing has changed. Tim has got some great in-laws.

  Now Tim is a young man I've known since he was a little bugger eater, from the old hood. Over the years we have had a few cocktails together. Tim is a class act. He gets it from his mother who is one of the sweetest persons I have every met. I tell Tim and his brother Dave their mother is a saint. 

   Lumpy and Debbie it was a beautiful wedding and a great time at the reception. Thank you both.

  Please click on the link to Lunpy's blog on this site. I'm sure if he hasn't bloged on the wedding he will soon.

   Congratulation to you all.

Wedding Bells and a Daughter-In-Law

  On September 27, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. in Reno, Navada our family added another member. 

  Heather Brandt became my favorite daughter-in-law. It not hard for Heather to be that because Chris is my only son. I was never in the military so I won't have anybody from some other country ringing my doorbell and saying, "Daddy." It was a great time, it went by so fast.

  There's Adam the best man, in  this picture. He's got the fo-hawk going. Man his date was Smokin' Caliante that day. What was she doing with him? I give Adam a lot of crap. He a great guy and it just wasn't his date but his girlfriend Casey. A very nice young lady. 

  I would like to thank my sister and brother and their families for all he support and for always being there. My sister got up at the reception and welcomed Heather to our family. The was unexpected and greatly appreciated. 

  Also would like to thank my Aunt Freddie and Uncle Danny and the rest of the Hill Gang. My Aunt and Uncle go beyond the call of an aunt and uncle. The support my brother, sister and I get from them is unbelievable. God has blessed us with them and the rest of the hill gang.

  We even where entertain by the "Magic of Austino the Banbino from San Bernardino." This is my 19 year-old or soon to be, cousin Austin he is not from San Bernardino but he dose have a little latin in him. But he needs a stage name. So that's what I will call him for now. He was great but he was even better after a few cocktails.

   This is a personal message to Olivia. We where so thrilled you made it to the wedding. We hope you had a GREAT time. I'm sure we will party like Rock Stars again. We all love you very much. "It ain't a party until Olivia gets there."

   Jana and Richard, a Big Thank You for being there and for everything. Our family has been Blessed once again.

    Dina we didn't get to spend a lot of time together but we appreciated you being there. Blessed again. I know like me it's hard to see your God-Daughter growing up. 

    Johnny, Lesley, Cooper and Hudson, our next door neighbors. Thanks for making it. You guys are one of the reason we will not move from this neighborhood. Thank you Cooper for making sure I didn't get so drunk and puke all over myself. And Hudson don't forget what your dad and I talked to you about. You know, where a good place to score with the ladies is. It was good to see Jasper the Wonder Dog made it home. We past him headed south on I-5 at Harris Ranch. 

    Vinny and Martha thanks for making it. We hope you guys had a great time.

    Thanks to the Ronny Molina Gang. It means a lot to Bub and to us you guys are always there. No excuses. 

    Uncle Herold and Aunt Judy, good time once again I don't think there has ever been a time when we are all together that it isn't a good time.  No Never!   No can't think of any!  Got Nothing! 

    Bob and Gerry the proud grandparents. I don't know who was prouder Rhonda or Gerry?

    Next Grandkids? 

     

  

Labor Day Weekend Ride to Cambria's Pinedorado

  We got up early Saturday morning for the ride to Cambria for the Pinedorado Parade. 

  Pinedorado Days has been going on for as long as I've been alive. It's put on by the Cambria Lions Club. It is held every year on Labor Day weekend. When I was a kid I knew it was back to school after the Pinedorado. 

  Now if you are looking for some small town Americana, this is the place to go. On Saturday morning it the parade. I think this gives the Shriners of Central California a chance to party. The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. and it looks like many Shriners started drinking at 7:00 a.m. One thing about a Shriner they never miss a parade or a cocktail.

  They have beer, food, rides for kids (my grandfather was the conductor of the train ride when I was a kid, can you say ride for free) and carnival games. You have to buy script. They won't take money at any of the booths or rides. the Bar-b-Que take a ticket. 

  If you are looking for the best corn on the cob this is the place, non better. The sweet corn is grown at Cal Poly SLO. The only corn on the cob that comes close is Fresno State's.

     

  We took Hwy. 58 then the 46 at the 101 to the Hwy. 1. I have always enjoyed riding 58 to the coast. 

  We always stop at the same spot for a break. 

  Uncle Bindo and F-ing Magellan get some relief.

Now that tree was a seedling when we started riding 58 to the coast.   

  Here is from left to right. Myself Uncle Bindo, Lawdog and My Cousin Vinny Kickin' it at Gary Bang Harley Davidson in Atascadero. 

  Once again a great ride with good people.

Ride to the Mountain Festival

A few Sunday's ago we got the gang together for a short ride to the Mountain Festival in Tehachapi, California.

 
 

 One thing we can count on is a good place to eat when the Law dog is on the ride. I think he has eating in every city, town or village within 300 miles radius of Bakersfield. 

  We stop and ate breakfast at the Keene Cafe in Keene, California.  The special that morning was pork chop and eggs. Not to bad. I think we will eat there again.

  Now if you don't know about Keene, California it is the burial place of the founder of the Unite Farm Workers (UFW) Cesar Chavez. And their headquarters. There are signs inviting you to visit the Cesar Chavez Culture Center. Information on the how tos of starving your ass to death is is probably there at the center. Because Chavez would go on hunger strikes about every other week for one reason or another.

 If you are a train fanatic the back road to Tehachapi from Keene gives you a great view of the World Famous Tehachapi Loop. If you are not into trains it is still interest to see.
 

 Interring the town of Tehachapi on Highway 58 is a sign reading The Land of Four Seasons. 

 The Mountain Festival in Tehachapi on that day was having a car show. If you are a fan of vintage and custom cars this show is for you. There was a few motorcycles. 

 It was a warm day up on the mountain we kicked back in the shade in the park. With the breeze it was real nice. I think the high in Bakersfield was about 101 degrees that day.

 Once another great ride with good people. It dosen't get any better than that.

A Little Boy's Story

  Everyday I think of my mother and father. My mother died of cancer when I was 28 she was a young lady. My father 13 years later. What is it like to have your parents leave you at a very young age. 

  Maybe someday the little boy in this picture will let us know? This boy is Billy, with his aunt.

  Oh, mom and dad are alive. Mom has another child. Dad still running from his problems. Its all about them.

  Billy parents have a drug problem. Oh, I feel his parents love him but I think they love the drug more. The drug is Methamphetamine. 

  I feel meth is a drug that takes over a person. It controls that person. That person's way of thinking. I know that Billy's grandfather, or as Billy calls him G-pa would tell Billy's mom, "I am not talking to my daughter but to a drug."

  Billy started school, pre-school last week. That is a big thing for him. Billy has know in his life that if he gets dropped off somewhere or if his parent would leave they might not be back for some time. It is his second week and he still has that feeling that NaNa might not be back to get him.

  Billy in his four years of his life has seen his father, holding him while hitting his mother. His mother leaving He and his father. He has been giving alcohol by his father's girlfriend. Has been in the same room as his father and girlfriend having sex. "Humping" is what his daddy called it, when billy asked his father what they were doing. Billy has lived in a tent slept in his dad's car. And numerous stranger's places. And last but not least he has tested positive for Meth.

  How does Billy get to this point? Last October after his dad had been kicked out of everywhere they stayed. His dad had no chose but to let Billy's NaNa and G-pa take him, until his dad could fine a place for the both of them. Around March after taking Billy back to his dad, in a Hotel on Union Ave. NaNa and G-pa had enough. With help from a family friend papers were drawn up and they petition the court for guardianship.

  With neither parents showing up at court. Guardianship granted to his NaNa and G-pa. 

  Billy now has his own bed in his own room. 

  Now as for his G-pa. It has taken him a little time getting his dad leg back under him. You know as a grandparent you just give the kid back and go to bed. 

  Billy is a 24/7 grandkid for NaNa, G-pa and Aunt Karly. NaNa is the only mother he knows. Oh he sees his mom but he gets his mothering from his NaNa. 

  His dad was seeing him about every two weeks or so. But after walking away from a rehab center and moving to Idaho. (running again) G-pa has had to take over the dad end of thing. 

 

 For those of you who know me know that I am telling you about my own grandson. I am G-pa.

Billy's mom is my oldest daughter. We love our daughter very much. She has a little red haired big blue eyed girl now name Carol. That is her with me in this picture, that smile is alway there. Billy's mom is trying but we know we can't help she has got to do it on her own. We can pray. Tough love is what we give.    

  I now sleep at night because I know where Billy is. Between his NaNa and I with his foot in my face.    

   

    

            

Blogging again soon

  Sorry haven't had a lot of time to blog over the summer. I hope to do some soon. I have time to ride.  We will be riding to Cambria this weekend for the big Pinedarado  Parade on Saturday. I hope to have some pictures and a story or two.

  Until then ride safe.

On the Road to Park City Ut.

  We bunked down at the Virgin River Hotel and Casino in Mesquite Nv. the first night. That's where we hooked up with Vinny. 

  The Buffet was alright. I've stayed in better rooms at a Motel 6.  I was too tired to hang out at the World's Largest Bar. I didn't like the smell in the Casino. It's that old ashtray smell.

  What a great ride through the Virgin River Gorge in Arizona. The I-15 hits the north west corner of the state. 

  That was the second time I been through the gorge. The other time was with my father in July of 1997. He recked his car in Denver. We flew back to drive it back after it got repaired. I will never forget that trip. I knew then that it was something special. Just my dad and I talking and just hanging out. We spent the last night at Buffalo Bill's at Primm, Nv.

He gave me $20. and I turned it in too $200. I bought dinner that night. 

  June 14, 1999 my dad died. I always look back on the trip. I was thinking about my dad and that trip while I was riding through the gorge. It was a great feeling.     

  

  We ate breakfast in St. George Ut. at the Cracker Barrel (the only place I will eat pancakes). We pasted by a house fire. It must have just started, no firefighters just a guy with a water hose.

  We hit Provo, Ut. home of the BYU Cougars. We were still flirting with the weather, no rain yet. That white speck on the hillside is a Y for BYU. 

  The last time I was in Utah I was not impressed. It was with my dad and we spent the night in Green River. Green River Utah they claimed to be the watermelon capital of the world.  I always thought it was Kingburg Ca. 

  Green River sit just outside of the Zion National Park on I-70. So there was a lot of Zion there. One thing for sure the only thing green there was the river.

  As we road north on the I-15 the state got more impressive. Provo was nice. Snow capped mountains and a good look at the lake. Andy and Dani gave us Direction around Salt Lake City.

   

   

About 5:00 p.m. just like the weatherman said, it hit, lighting, wind and then rain. Man it hit. This was no Central California storm this was a Utah storm. I took this picture a we where headed right in to the storm. When it hit my face it hurt, stung is more like it. When we got to Park City we were wet to the bone.

  
  The next morning it was a nice crisp morning. Blue skies. What a view from the patio of Dani and Andy's.

  If you can remember the 2002 Winter Olympic were hosted by Salt Lake City. Remember the Salt Lake City Committee had parties with call girls (them are hookers for all you from Rawlins

Wyn.) and some extra cash to sway the Olympic Committee to give it to Salt Lake. Good job Salt Lake City!

  Park City had a lot of the out door events. You know events with snow. We could see the Olympic ski jump from their home. 

  Thanks again to Dani, Andy and the kids for their hospitality. The best dinner on the trip.