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A special Mahalo from, Cary Peterson Chef/Owner Kohala Burger & Taco Kohala Coast Catering

Are you ready for some football?

Stephanie and I decided to dive right into the "deep end" of the 2014 football season. While visiting In San Diego, last weekend.

Football has always played a large role in our relationship, Stephanie was a High School cheerleader and I, a Team Captain at our Alma Mater Torrey Pines High School. We met on a "Friday Night" after a big Falcon Football win! This time we go to visit for our very own "Flashback" Friday Night Lights.

Our football "Jag" began on a Thursday night with a visit to the Cinepolis Luxury Cinema in Del Mar. Have you been to one of these? Imagine that, in your living room .....you had the comfiest, cool leather, electronic controlled "Lazy Boy" accessorized with dueling cold drink holders and an 360 adjustable glass "TV tray". Dolby Surround Sound and a 40 foot HD screen. Oh did I mention the waiter and full menu? I opted for the Diet Cola. For old times sake, I drank it through my own Red Vines Cherry Licorice straw. Yumm. It's 20 bucks to see a flick at the Cinepolis but the whole atmosphere really makes going to the movies an event!

Back to football....we saw the movie "When the Game Stands Tall" this is a story about a the nation's preeminent high school football team. The De La Salle Spartans, are from Concord, California. This private Catholic School once amassed an unprecedented 151 game winning streak. The movie is about the end of "the streak" and the bounce back from this crushing loss. Anyway, in my opinion it's a great movie! Jim Caviezel really delivers in his role as Head Coach, Bob Ladouceur.

Friday we had the pleasure of being invited to a High School game. Our dear friends Randy and Maria Goodson have a son who plays. Rhett, #22 is a tough Junior, for the La Costa Canyon Mavericks. The "Blue & Green Mavs" were matched against the Sea Kings of Corona Del Mar. The matchup was the kickoff opener for the SoCal edition of the "Brothers in Arms" HS Football Classic. This is a football tournament, fundraiser for military families. The games are televised and sponsored by athletic apparel giant, Under Armour.

The "White and Columbia Blue" Sea Kings of CDMHS, are ruling a streak of their own, 28 straight and the current 2013 Division III California State Champs. The Mavericks hung tough, played strong fundamental and well disciplined football. However were unable to match the speed and finesse in the loss to the reigning Sea Kings. Ironically the game was held at Cathedral Catholic HS, an awesome facility which is located in what I like to call, the "new Del Mar" because this was all scrub grass when I lived here in the 80's. This massive school is located just a few miles up the road from where Steph and I met TPHS.

Ed Burke Field, was our next stop. This stadium at Torrey Pines High, was just a big hole in the ground when we attended 30 years ago. It is now named after the man whom I had the pleasure of playing for, 21 year Falcon Head Coach, Ed Burke. I was also his TA my senior year. I will always remember what he told me on my very first day of Varsity Football practice in the fall of 82. "Torrey Pines is a great academic High School, we have some of the highest SAT Scores in the nation, but the best life class we teach here is Varsity Football'

The TPHS "Cardinal and Gold" Falcons were matched against Utah's Pleasant Grove Vikings. The birds hung tough and took a small first half lead against the bigger and faster "Royal and Grey" Vikings, however two big, 4th quarter plays iced it for the "Industry State's Vikes". It was a really exciting game and it was so fun to see my school's stadium packed with fans. The atmosphere made it so easy to remember the experience and excitement I felt playing under those Friday Night Lights.

Next up was Saturday's College opener SDSU Aztecs vs Northern AZ Lumberjacks. We were originally scheduled to leave San Diego on Saturday but we changed our plans to stay one more day to see the home opener at Qualcomm. This was Steph's idea and took a bit of "re-arranging". Sorry guys...don't mean to make you too jealous, but yeah my beautiful wife wanted stay another day so we could go to a college football game!!!!

It was awesome and finally a SD win! The Aztec "Warriors" crushed the NAU's "Timber-Men". The cheerleaders, marching band, dance squad and the "Beyoncé Girls" as Steph called them all created a ton of "Big Game" excitement. Cannons blew and fireworks flew, every time State made a touchdown. Thunder clapped and the crowed loudly yelled "FIRST DOWN" every time the "Black and Scarlett" moved the chains. We were able to spot our son Connor momentarily on the binoculars, surrounded in a sea of exuberant student fans. What a blast for all of us.

We are getting ready to head back home in a couple of days. We are back in San Diego now and will be finishing it up with one last game, we are visiting a local sports pub and grill to watch the Chargers season opener on MNF. Wrapping up a great vacation by spending one last night with our son, with some food and football. Starting our new chapter which began 30+ years ago. With a high school football romance, between the captain and the homecoming queen, 24 years of marriage and now our son in college. My oh my how we are blessed.

Next up....one if my true Mexican Taqueria food inspirations, the "Legendary" Roberto's. This is how we capped the night!

Cary Peterson Chef/Owner Kohala Burger & Taco Kohala Coast Catering

Good Service & The Classics

What do they have in common? They both NEVER go out of style!

With all the world's technology moving at a lightning pace, never more so evident than here in San Diego. A great burger some good service and a classic handmade tortilla still reign as king of food service for me.

Let me tell you first about the Cheesecake Factory in Fashion Valley. This was "hands down " some of the best restaurant service I have received in a long long time. So good in fact that my usually picky Mother, wanted to go back for dinner. We tried but it was still just too busy at 9:20pm.... hmmmm it's no wonder!!

As we arrived the door was opened for us by a host, this place was busy, however when properly staffed he was able to bring us directly to a table. When I inquired as to the restroom location. There was no "pointing" or mumbled directions, he simply showed me the way. This is a big place.

The waitress "Carrie"....was awesome, as are most "Cary's & Karey's & Carrie's" :) she came right away and brought us our drinks quickly. Since my extended bout with sobriety, ice tea has become my new drink of excess, so imagine how stoked I was to be offered 3 types of ice tea, I went with the "tropical" it was refreshing and delicious! And my large glass, extra lemons and as I call it the "yellow sugar" never went empty. Steph and mom both got salads which were yummy and generously portioned.

I went with the "Classic Burger" at $15.95 it was worth every penny! The sesame and Brioche Bun was fresh yet firm and properly toasted. The handmade patty was cooked perfectly! Medium well, as a burger should be. A hand cut thick slice of char broiled onion on top of melted cheddar. It also came with a House made garlic and herb mayo. Very good!

Since we needed to get back to SDSU for a parent meeting, Carrie boxed up the ladies' salads (my burger was totaled) with forks and knives and napkins! Dropped a check and ran my Amex. We were on our way. One of the professional and attractive hostesses,went out of her way, to thank my Mom on her on our way out! Just an awesome experience from the moment we arrived to the moment we left.

I also had an opportunity to visit one of San Diego's Classics. The Old Town Mexican Cafe. First let me tell you that "Old Town" is full of choices, but this place still has a line out the door.

The tortillas are handmade on a red brick comal it looks like it's been there since the beginning of time. You can watch them being made from a window on the curbside.

Once again, even though very busy our wait for a table was short and once seated we were greeted promptly and our drinks arrived quickly....Yes, it was tea. I ordered the battered fish taco on a handmade corn tortilla.

It came with a white sauce and finely shredded white cabbage. A garnish of chopped tomato. Served on a handmade corn tortilla with a few slices of lime, it looked great. However upon eating it became apparent that the battered fish spend a little bit too much time in the hot oil Jacuzzi. We did enjoy our shared Carnitas, the house specialty, with hand made tortillas. The guacamole was made with fresh California Haas avocados and was excellent, this made Steph very happy.

Neither one of these places relies on iPad technology or gimmicks, to place them ahead of the pack. Good "Olde Fashioned" great service, hand made food and sticking to the basic philosophies of food service is what delivers a memorable experience.

Cary Peterson Chef/Owner Kohala Burger & Taco, Kohala Coast Catering

Mexica Tiahui

Sorry....I don't want to PO any Aztecs. But spell check, thinks it is smarter than me. It's "Mexica Tiahui"

Meh-hee-kah Tee-ah-hoo-ee

Convocation

A calling together, a time to recognize. A page in our book of life is being turned. A new chapter is upon us.

Being a High School parent, was a great chapter. It was exciting and fluid, a clear goal in mind, college! These paragraphs filled with sense of purpose. Always excited to flip the next page. Football, girls, dances, pictures, soccer, injuries, fundraisers, so on and on, and finally college visits, tours, counseling & applications.

78,000 students applied at SDSU this year. Only about 8,000 were accepted. With this type of ratio we were assured by one of the faculty speakers, Dr. Blaylock, that our children were academically prepared to begin college.

However, in this new chapter they were going to begin to have to take responsibility. Daily they will be faced with a series of choices. These choices will shape who they will become. As parents in this chapter we can offer advice and support. But we no longer are making their choices. We now simply have to trust that what we have done to nurture, teach, and prepare our children to be responsible had been enough.

Connor offered a promise at convocation with 8,000 other new students to ultimately accept responsibility. "Mexico Tiahui" or "Always March Forward" this is part of the SDSU Aztec motto and tradition.

Letting go, but a new bond has formed with child (student) and parent. Now not just a new chapter but a whole new story. Aztecs for life!

Cary Peterson Chef/Owner Kohala Burger & Taco, Kohala Coast Catering

Move in Day

Wow! What a whirlwind of a day. It started early with a total repack (in the hotel valet) of our rented Hyundai Sonata, obviously the perfect car for moving around 4 adults, an entire dorm room full of stuff and a year's supply of toilet paper.

I've got to commend the SDSU Residential Community Staff, as they did an expert job of choreographing the chaos. It was super organized and very friendly.

We met Connor's roommates (his dorm mate Dylan, supplied the SI Kate Upton decor) and some of their parents. A great group of people.

Tomorrow is our last official student / parent activity. Where we will march (literally as we will be accompanied by the SDSU Marching Band) into Viejas Arena with 11,000 other new Aztec students, their parents and staff. Should be a rush.

Then we've got to "let go" and "let God" with our son. It's bittersweet. I'm gonna miss this guy so much! But I am so proud.

Cary Peterson Chef/Owner Kohala Burger & Taco, Kohala Coast Catering

Tacos Tacos Tacos

There may be no better venue, than San Diego, in the US if you are a taco lover.

I am, that is, a taco lover. Here are a few from yesterday. On the advice of my 5th grade teacher "Mr. Leshner" we ventured up to India St. To try the Blue Water Seafood Market.

First off this place is spotless. A little market up front with an ample selection of fresh fish. It all looked great, packed in crisp white display coolers. The filets nestled atop a foot or so of crushed ice. The ice was doctorates with Corona's and Limes. All of us in Hawaii should consider ourselves lucky, as the Mahi was listed at $26.95 a pound.

I picked the fresh swordfish taco. The corn tortillas are made next door at the "World Famous" El Indio Shop. More on them in another blog as it is a mandatory "Taco Stop" the fish was an ample portion for $5.00 but again under seasoned, they called it a chipotle marinaded. It was topped with lots of green cabbage, chopped tomato and onions. No salsa, it came with their own "white sauce" which was very mild. Kind of a lime mayo. Still I wish I had some salsa!

The fish tasted nice and was perfectly cooked. Connor went with Dan's....oops I mean Mr. Leshner's recommendation and tried the Fresh Fish Sandwich made with Hawaiian Albacore or what we "Locals" call Tombo. I was fortunate enough to get a bite in. It was very good.

I also tried the Beer Battered Lobster Taco, it came with a side of a warm and creamy tomatillo sauce that was a bit like a chowder it tasted really good on its own but I didn't feel it worked well to compliment the lobster.

Thanks for following and thanks for all the comments and ideas. We moved Connor in today. So more on that and an awesome burger from Cheesecake Factory forthcoming. All the best.

Cary Peterson Chef/Owner Kohala Burger & Taco Kohala Coast Catering

Peanut Butter & Jelly

Yesterday was dorm shopping. Thankfully we are in San Diego where shopping is king. Our Hilton Hotel room is "ground zero" for the city's premier centers.

So just up an on ramp and down another and there it is Costco, across the parking lot ....Target (2 Floors) So many choices it is easy to get overwhelmed ....I know we have target and Costco in Kona but neither compare in size or selection to these two coliseums of product to plunder.

Upon Connor's graduation from Hawaii Prep, his football coach delivered the commencement speech. Coach Jordan Hayslip reminded the class of 2014 to "Never underestimate the Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich"

This is true in life and a good lesson to try to deliver and receive our best values from each day. The PB & J in it's own simplicity it is loaded with value: it's tasty, portable, inexpensive, full of protein, energy and nutrients , easy to make, good for breakfast, lunch, dinner & dessert.

When faced with so many choices keep the PB&J in mind.

Stay tuned for 2 new taco reviews.

Cary Peterson Chef/Owner Kohala Burger & Taco Kohala Coast Catering

Little Italy

We finally recovered from our breakfast coma and got our first peek at Connor's dorm.

After a bit more shopping and a few misguided laps "via Siri" around Mission Valley we opted for a bit of nostalgia for dinner. As some of you know Stephanie and I went to high school together here in the San Diego area. Stephanie's father, Jim, who was Sicilian, lived to take us to Filippi's in Little Italy.

This place is a classic, a cramped authentic Italian market and deli up front at the entrance and a giant restaurant in the back. Empty Chianti bottles hang in the trellised ceilings everywhere you look,

autographed and graffitied with notes from "diners past". Red checkered table cloths and the lights just low enough to miss the 60 plus years and maybe millions?? of marinara covered meals that have been served here.

We opted for the large Antipasti Salad which came covered with generous slices of Mortadella. A tangy Italian dressing and plenty of pepperoni and peperoncini. Bonus to this salad is the hand cut "dice" shaped and sized chunks of Parmesan cheese. The real deal at this place is the "sauce" it's just awesome and authentic. The pizza crust is a bit too doughy and thick for my taste. But gimme that Italian Sausage, Meatball and sauce and I'm good.

A great trip down memory lane. It's amazing to think that a nervous dinner in 1984 with the "girlfriends" parents would develop into all this 30 years later.

Cary Peterson Chef/Owner Kohala Burger & Taco, Kohala Coast Catering

Gotcha Covered

First full day in San Diego. We had decided many months ago that we would get Connor new bedding for his dorm rather than shipping from Hawaii. So first stop Macy's, Tutu had a coupon. These types of experiences really test the family dynamics as we all try to press our will. Me basics, cost. Mom, neutral. Tutu high fashion, "don't worry I've got a coupon". Connor says he doesn't care but seems to really only want "plain" no patterns or too much design. No need to stick out yet. Just get me "covered".

Went for a late breakfast. I found this place on Yelp. Hash House a Go Go, (a social media monster) this place is the "Hawaiian Style" of Hillcrest. They have come up with the master plan of social media marketing. Everyone just has to take a picture of their food and post it. Plates & portions are massive. Loaded with mostly unnecessary carbs. I first ordered the chicken and waffle plate, until I saw one. It was about a foot tall and looked like it would require a nap. With wayyyy Too much to do, I opted for the $15.95 Avocado Bacon Cheeseburger a double patty with a thin cheddar skirt. I have to say I really liked the firm sesame seed bun (although way too small for the size of the meat) which held together well. The beef was under seasoned for my taste but good quality and tasted fresh. Avo was old, brownish and "smushed", bacon was thick and chewy. Steak fries??? Not a huge fan. Plate was garnished with some sort of sauce and "bammed" a la Emeril Lagase with; of all things red and yellow peppers. Like I said it looks great from the other table.

Connor had the Biscuits & Gravy, OK, but just overkill. The biscuits were the size of softballs, on a thick bed of mashed potatoes. He is a solid eater and maybe got through a 3rd? This fresh watermelon lemonade drink was nice with another extravagant presentation.

Bigger isn't always better but giant portions and attractive presentations give the diner a sense of value. Then by posting your "pre-eaten" plate to your social media you are also giving your unequivocal endorsement and approval. This is a great formula for a busy restaurant, even if the food is just OK. As far as needing to eat for the next day or so..... ....you're covered from breakfast to bedding.

Check out our dinner visit to, Little Italy, tomorrow..

Cary Peterson Chef/Owner Kohala Burger & Taco Kohala Coast Catering

We have arrived in the Bear Flag "Republic"

We made it into San Diego late last night. All our bags came, but we're headed back to recover a phone. Our first adventure mishap.

California's Bear Flag symbolizes a spirit of independence, first raised in Sonoma in 1846. The rebellion was short lived as was the republic..it only lasted a few weeks in that summer of '46.

Hopefully this spirit will be impressed upon our son as he embarks on his own quest for knowledge and independence.

Cary Peterson Chef/Owner Kohala Burger & Taco Kohala Coast Catering

And we're off!

Honolulu International Airport. First leg down, headed to San Diego, where my son, and KBAT Veteran, Connor will be attending SDSU.

Excited to be an Aztec and a "little bit" on his own. He claims he'll be doing the cooking at his new apartment style dorm.

....Until a little later. I'll be keeping you all, who care to read or follow, up to date. Along with getting you up close and personal with some of California's best Tacos and Burgers.

Mahalo

Cary Peterson Chef/Owner Kohala Burger & Taco Kohala Coast Catering

Pic test

Kawaihae

Blog pic test from Da Harbor

Cary Peterson Chef/Owner Kohala Burger & Taco Kohala Coast Catering

Blog Test

Aloha

TESTING LINK

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Credit Cards

Aloha, On Saturday April 12, 2014 we were affected by a power outage. Upon power returning, our Credit Card terminal was "fried" we will be unable to process credit cards for purchases. Beginning Sunday April 13 - Tuesday April 15. We are very sorry for the inconvenience. However we will be open for cash only business. Mahalo

Cary Peterson Chef/Owner Kohala Burger & Taco Kohala Coast Catering

Honest Abe $5 Special

Today! Feb 12, 2014 (Lincoln's Birthday) only! Get our Double Bacon Delux Chesseburger & Fries for only $5 available from 11am-3pm. It's only advertised on the web so you gotta ask for the "Honest Abe $5 Special' No Changes No Subs! Oh..... and did we mention No Changes and No Subs. Please & Mahalo.

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Super Bowl Freebies & Policies

Its Finally here! Its a special day at Kohala Burger & Taco. We've got our Super Bowl Taco Feast for $24.99 1 Doz Build your own Crispy Beef Taco Bar We currently have several "Pick Up" Time Slots still available, but order now! Our CARRY-OUT Line Closes NOON - KICKOFF first come first serve during that time! We are open 11am - Halftime Don't forget we are the BIG ISLAND'S PEPSI HEADQUARTERS - FREE PEPSI, MTNDEW, & GATORADE all day when you spend $5 Dollars. 1 per person present. You've got to be here to get it, but don't worry you wont miss a minute of the game....you can watch on our 3 flatscreen TV's and Stadium Sound! GO BRONC-HAWKS!

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